The teen will be tried at Circuit Court level, which has tougher sentencing powers.

A 16-year-old boy will face Circuit Court trial over a house raid where a mother escaped by jumping out an upstairs window clutching her baby, a judge has ruled.

He is one of two youths charged with burglary at an address in Tallaght in Dublin on June 7 last and has been refused bail by the Dublin Children's Court. It is alleged the woman heard one of the raiders say: “I'm going to cut her up” and she jumped out the window carrying her 20-month old baby, which was unharmed.

During a preliminary hearing Judge John O'Connor held the teen's case was too serious to be dealt with at Dublin Children's Court. This means he will be tried at Circuit Court level, which has tougher sentencing powers.

In an outline of the allegations Garda Colin Hetherington said it was alleged there was a riot in progress outside the house and a front window was smashed.

The defendant, who cannot be identified because he is a juvenile, and another youth were allegedly seen going into the house and were found in an upstairs bedroom hiding under a blanket.

Gda Hetherington said that when he went outside he was approached by the woman, whose father owned the house. She reported to him that she had heard noises outside and could see two males “with sticks and weapons and they smashed their way in”. She told the garda she overheard “I'm going to cut her up” but she did not know which person said that. She jumped out an upstairs window with her baby and landed on a neighbour's shed.

Her baby was unharmed but the mother suffered a leg injury and was in hospital for two days. She since moved out fearing there would be more incidents, Gda Hetherington said.

Defence solicitor Brendan Ahern asked Judge O'Connor to consider accepting jurisdiction. He said a family bereavement had a detrimental effect on the 16-year-old boy's development. He said the teen's level of immaturity was shown by the fact that he was found in the house hiding under a blanket.

The teen was intoxicated and in the company of an older youth at the time, the solicitor also said.

The DPP had recommended that the youth, despite his age, should be tried in the Circuit Court, and after hearing the prosecution evidence as well as defence submissions, Judge O'Connor agreed.

He refused jurisdiction and ordered the youth, who was accompanied to court by a family member, to appear again in December when it is expected that he will be served with a book of evidence and sent forward for trial.

A second youth is facing separate proceedings in connection with the alleged incident.

A mentally ill man who slashed a teenage boy's face with a knife has been jailed for five years.

Joseph Byrne (21) approached the boy as he was walking home from school and accused him of having his X-Box console. When the victim said he didn't know anything about it Byrne used a blade to cut a 10cm slash down the side of the boy's face.

He later received 36 stitches to close up the deep wound which ran from his ear down to his lip. The resulting scar is likely to be permanent.

Byrne of Mac Uilliam Avenue, Tallaght, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing serious harm at Balbutcher Lane, Ballymun on February 4, 2014. He has 15 previous convictions including two for possession of knives.

Michael O'Higgins SC, defending asked Judge Desmond Hogan to be as lenient as possible when sentencing Byrne. He said Byrne cane from a good family, had been suffering from schizophrenia and depression at the time of the attack and had since taken steps to deal with his mental health issues and drug addictions.

But Judge Hogan said that the case was at the higher end of the scale of seriousness and imposed a seven year sentence with the final two years suspended.

Saying that the boy's facial scar might have implications for him in future job interviews or social situations, Judge Hogan said “in times past a scar on a young man's face wouldn't be regarded as bad as one on a young lady's face. But times have changed.”

Judge Hogan ordered that Byrne be given whatever psychiatric help was available while in custody and for probation services to monitor him for 12 months upon his release.

At a sentencing hearing in July Garda Niall Minnock told counsel that Byrne had recently broken up with a girl and had left property including the X-box with her. On the day of the attack he apparently believed the victim had the console.

He got out of a car and walked to the victim and spoke to him before cutting him. He then got back into the car. The victim was completely unknown to him or his ex-girlfriend.

Byrne's father took the stand to apologise for his son's behaviour, who he said had stopped taking his medication at the time leading to extreme confusion, agitation and, from time to time, aggression.

He testified that he had made a couple of attempts to end his own life. “We were extremely concerned over him,” he said.

Byrne was also sentenced to one year imprisonment for burglary which will run consecutively with the seven year sentence as it was committed while on bail. Judge Hogan suspended the one year term in full.

Byrne admitted being involved in a burglary in which three men rammed their way into a church.

He pleaded guilty to burglary at St Joseph's Church, Terenure on August 8, 2014.

Garda Lee Hunt told the court that a neighbour of the church saw a car driving erratically in the car park of the church before ramming the door until it broke.

When gardaí arrived they heard loud banging noises from inside and found the men inside the church.

Glass panels had being broken and there was damage to the sacristy door but nothing was taken. The total damage caused was €12,175.

Garda Hunt said the three men were all highly intoxicated. Byrne was on bail for the assault when he committed this burglary.

Central Criminal Court

A “pest” jailed for pointing an air rifle at the female owner of a local pub he attended has had his three year jail term reduced on appeal.

Timothy Fogarty (55), of Gurtnaskeha, Tour, Co Tipperary had pleaded not guilty to possession of an electric powered air rifle intending to unlawfully intimidate Fiona Ryan at Birdhill, Tipperary on June 20, 2011.

He was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to four years imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended by Judge Thomas Teehan on June 27 2014.

Fogarty successfully appealed his sentence yesterday on grounds that the sentencing judge erred in placing the offence at the most serious end of the range.

Speaking on behalf of the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan said Fiona Ryan was walking her dog along the road on the date in question when Fogarty, who was driving, saw her, lowered his window and shouted at her.

It seemed she did not hear Fogarty and he drove his vehicle across the road and pulled up nearby.

As Ms Ryan was approaching him, Fogarty got out of his jeep and pointed the air rifle at her. She screamed and ran to her home, the judge said.

Mr Justice Sheehan said there had been some tensions between Fogarty and Ms Ryan as well her brother who were both the proprietors of a local pub he attended from time to time.

Counsel for Fogarty, Colman Cody SC, said his client had a difficulty with alcohol, not with the quantity he consumed but it “simply does not suit him”.

Fogarty was a man who made poor judgments in social settings, Mr Cody said.

In the pub where the Ryans were proprietors, Fogarty was known as “something of a nuisance and pest”.

He would engage in certain practical pranks which weren't to the amusement of the clientele or owners, Mr Cody said, and on one occasion, he was asked to leave the pub having been boisterous, loud and a little overbearing.

There was no suggestion he was ever involved in any physical altercation, Mr Cody said, and Fogarty had no prior history of relevant offending.

Mr Cody submitted that the judge erred in placing the offence on the higher end of the range for this offence.

Mr Justice Sheehan said Fogarty had 36 previous convictions including two for drunk driving, five public order matters and a common assault over 20 years ago.

He was the owner of a small farm and his mother, who had lived with him, died a short time before he was sentenced.

Fogarty had attempted to set up an equestrian centre on his farm but this did not work out. He was then proposing to set up a paintball course on his farm and it was in this context that he acquired the airgun, an M15 A4 RIS Carbine.

M15 A4 RIS Carbine (Pic: Airsoft Tiger)

He was characterised by psychologists as being on the extremely low range of intellectual ability and that his overall thinking abilities were exceeded by 99% of the adult population his own age.

Mr Justice Sheehan said the sentencing judge erred in locating the offence at the most serious end of the range.

Given the momentary nature of the incident and the circumstances in which it took place – no other form of criminality was involved – the Court of Appeal was of the view that the offence lay on the mid range of the scale.

Mr Justice Sheehan said he was entitled to mitigation due to his reduced cognitive functions.

Furthermore, the court was “impressed” with the answers he gave on how prison courses will help him reintegrate into the community and make him less likely to reoffend.

Accordingly, Mr Justice Sheehan, who sat with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Edwards, sentenced him to three years imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended.

The court suspended the final year of his sentence for two years post release on condition he keep the peace and be of good behaviour and that he would not have any dealings with the injured party or any member of her family.

Calvin Carlyle

A YOUTH facing charges over the Jobstown water protest during which Tanaiste Joan Burton was allegedly trapped in her car, has been remanded on continuing bail.

The youth, 18-year-old, Calvin Carlyle, from Gleann na hEorna, Tallaght, who was a juvenile at the time, but now an adult, is charged with violent disorder and criminal damage to a garda car in connection with the incident last year.

He had missed two court appearances and allegedly told gardai that he did not go to one hearing because “I was on the drink”. He had also claimed he had a stomach bug on the other date.

But bail was granted on Friday at Dublin Children's Court and Judge John O'Connor ordered him to remain sober, sign-on daily at his local garda station and have to obey a 11pm to 7am.

He appeared again yesterday and there was no evidence that he had breached the terms. He was remanded on continuing bail and ordered to appear again later this week.

The Labour leader and her entourage had left a graduation just after midday on November 15 last yearat An Cosan education facility at Jobstown, in Tallaght when a demonstration at Fortunestown Road delayed her for about two hours.

She and her team had been attempting to travel by car to nearby St Thomas's Church for the rest of the ceremony when the protest took place.

The DPP has directed that unlike the juveniles Mr Carlyle should be tried in the circuit court, which has tougher sentencing powers. He has yet to be served with a book of evidence.

Six other youths aged from 14 to 17 face a variety of charges in the juvenile court including criminal damage and violent disorder. One of them faces two counts of false imprisonment of Tanaiste Joan Bruton and her political advisor Karen O'Connell who were in a ministerial car which was surrounded by protesters.

They are due back in court later this month and December.

Last week, Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy faced Dublin District Court charged with false imprisonment of Joan Burton and her advisor. Seventeen other adults were also charged with a variety of offences: false imprisonment, criminal damage and violent disorder in connection with the alleged incident.

The DPP has directed they should face trial on indictment in the circuit court.

The TD and his co-defendants have been ordered to appear again at the district court next month when it is expected they will be served with books of evidence and returned for trial.

A heroin addict who stabbed his friend in an argument over drugs told gardai in interview that he wanted the man's family to know he was sorry and that it was an accident, the Central Criminal Court heard yesterday.

Peter Jackson, (41), of Kerryhall Road, Fairhill, Co Cork has pleaded not guilty to murder, but guilty of the manslaughter of Wexford man David Hamilton (31), at a house on Kerryhall Road on May 4, 2012.

In his opening speech, prosecution counsel Mr Thomas O'Connell (SC) told the jury of ten men and two women that the accused man had tried to inject Mr Hamilton, having already injected heroin into himself.

He continued:

"He had difficulty finding a vein and this led to an argument and the upshot of this was that Mr Jackson picked up a knife and he plunged the knife in to Mr Hamilton's chest."

Prosecution counsel Ms Gerardine Small BL yesterday called Garda Donal O'Casey who is attached to Gurranabraher Garda Station in Cork to give evidence.

Garda O'Casey agreed with counsel for the State that there were three interviews carried out with Mr Jackson at Gurranabraher Garda Station beginning on May 4 2012 and that he was involved in all three.

Garda O'Casey agreed that when asked if he had anything to say to Mr Hamilton's family, Mr Jackson told gardai:

"It was a complete accident. I'm sorry."

Mr Jackson told gardai that he had known Mr Hamilton for about 14 years and played with him in a band.

"I never meant Dave any harm," he said.

When asked why he stabbed him, he said "My head is gone the last few weeks," and added that Mr Hamilton was being "cheeky".

During the interview Mr Jackson also asked gardai to phone the hospital and find out how Mr Hamilton was doing.

At one point he said: "Ah Davy, why didn't you just stay away from me."

The trial continues in front of a jury and Justice Isobel Kennedy tomorrow Tuesday. 

Stephen Cahoon

The jury in the trial of a Derry man accused of murdering a pregnant woman has heard that blood matching the DNA of the deceased was found on a white t-shirt found at the apartment of the accused man.

Stephen Cahoon (43) with an address at Harvey Street, Derry, Northern Ireland, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Jean Teresa Quigley (30) at Cornshell fields in Derry on July 26th, 2008.

Taking to the stand at the Central Criminal Court yesterday, Forensic scientist for the Northern Ireland Laboratory, Bronagh Tumulty told Mr Patrick Marrinan, SC prosecuting that she had examined blood stains found at Cornshell Fields.

When questioned about droplets of blood found on the wall and floor of the bedroom near the head of where the deceased lay on July 27th, 2008, Miss Tumulty said: "Blood of that nature has been airborne before it has landed on a surface forming droplets before it dries".

"It could have been (caused by) force of breath - if there is a small impact into wet blood, then this can cause droplets," she said.

The court heard that Miss Tumulty received a number of items on July 29th including two vaginal swabs, a pair of handcuffs, an LG mobile phone and a Samsung mobile phone.

Miss Tumulty received additional items on July 30th and August 1st, including a white t-shirt that was taken from an apartment on Harvey Street, a toilet water sample from Cornshell Fields, a number of swabs and cigarette butts as well as damaged female clothing.

Following an examination of items, Miss Tumulty found that semen present on the vaginal swabs had a DNA profile that matched that of Stephen Cahoon.

A partial profile matching Mr Cahoon was found following examination of the fingernail swabs.

The court heard that the cigarette butts examined showed mixed DNA profiles with the majority matching Jean Quigley and the minority matching Stephen Cahoon.

Miss Tumulty confirmed that a blood sample from the mid front of a plain white t-shirt found at Harvey Street with three small blood spots matched the DNA profile of Jean Quigley.

Blood smears under the right arm matched the DNA of both the accused man and the deceased.

In summary, the jury heard that the semen found on the vaginal swabs indicated that  recent sexual activity had taken place and that there was one in a billion chance that the DNA matched somebody other than Stephen Cahoon.

Examination of the toilet water gave almost a complete profile matching Mr Cahoon which suggested that the toilet was last used by the accused.

The court heard that pieces of crumpled parcel tape were examined and that there were several areas of smeared blood found present on the tape, the majority of which matched the profile of Jean Quigley.

Following her examination of a black bra which had been damaged, Miss Tumulty told Mr Marrinan: "threads are coming apart there - it (damage) did appear recent in origin and probably happened since the garment was last washed".

Miss Tumulty said the damage would not have been due to normal wear and tear.

"It takes a lot of force to pull elastics apart like that," she said.

Taking to the stand, Forensic Scientist, Ciaran Doolan told Mr Marrinan he had downloaded information from two mobile phones believed to have belonged to the accused and Jean Quigley.

Upon his initial examination, Mr Doolan found that all call logs and text messages had been deleted from both phones. 

Following a process of cloning SIM cards, Mr Doolan was able to download recovered text messages.

The court heard that a text message sent from Mr Cahoons phone number on July 11th, 2008 to Jean Quigleys number said: "You better not be texting anyone about (this) or I'll go up there and smash that fucking phone over your head - why did I hear you only got pregnant to get back at someone else".

In further text messages sent from Mr Cahoons phone number on July 20th and 21st, it said: "you just don't know how much I regret" and "sweet dreams and may God watch over you two tonight".

The jury heard that a text message sent from Jean Quigleys phone on July 26th to the phone number of Stephen Cahoon said: "I have done enough for you - I am doing no more".

Under cross examination by Mr Niall Flynn, BL defending, Mr Doolan confirmed that a message sent from Mr Cahoons phone number to Miss Quigleys number spoke about: "our baby that you said I won't see". 

The trial continues tomorrow before Miss Justice Deirdre Murphy and a jury of eight men and four women.

Freddie Thompson

Gang boss 'Fat' Freddie Thompson was spotted drinking cocktails in the Westbury hotel at the weekend, according to reports in today’s Herald.

Thompson, who had been hiding out in England after he came under threat from the Kinahan Cartel for pocketing cash, had been on a pub crawl in Dublin city.

The 34-year-old was released from Mountjoy Prison in August after serving 15-months for violent disorder after an attack on another man at Morrissey's Pub on Cork Street on January 7, 2013.

He was extradited from Amsterdam in May 2014 and immediately remanded in custody before he eventually received a 20-month sentence for his involvement in the vicious brawl.

The thug was warned by gardai upon his release that his life was in danger.

The Sunday World has learnt that some of Thompson’s former associates in the Kinahan Cartel fell out with him over money and he now fears they will come after him as a result.

“Thompson’s crew were supposed to collect money for the Kinahans in Ireland, but the Kinahans got word that they were pocketing some of the cash,” said a source.

Thompson is also believed to have been isolated by two former close associates who wrongly suspected him of giving information to gardai which led to the two major drug seizures.

Another man who survived a number of assassination attempts has also been leading a whispering campaign against Thompson.

In October he defied death threats to fly to Dublin and attend Ireland's European Championship qualifier against Germany earlier this month.

The gangster arrived from England and spent two nights here, during which time he was in the crowd at the Aviva to cheer Ireland to a 1-0 win over the world champions.

The soccer-mad mobster then slipped back out of the country and returned to his hideaway in England, via Spain.

Thompson’s cousin Liam Roe was targeted by a hitman dressed in a wig at the weekend.

The 36-year-old was approached as he stood outside the Red Cow hotel smoking a cigarette on Friday evening.

However, the hitman's gun jammed as he tried to shoot Roe and he subsequently fled the area. A vehicle believed to be the getaway car was later found burned out in Ballyfermot.

Sources said the attempted hit was carried out by a north-inner city gang associated with Gary Hutch, who was shot dead on Spain's Costa del Sol in September, and that Roe was not specifically targeted.

A garda was hospitalised following an early morning incident in Cabra, Dubln 7.

Officers responded to a call that a car was ablaze at New Campbell’s Bridge area at 5:30am this morning.

On arrival a male garda was attacked by a man in his 30s who assaulted him with that is believed to be a bottle.

The officer was brought to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown where he received a number of stitches to his leg.

The garda has since been discharged from hospital.

A man in his 30s has been arrested in connection with this incident and is currently detained at Finglas Garda Station under the provisions of Section 4- Criminal Justice Act 1984.

Investigations are continuing. 

Newspaper reports say a sixth series of hit series Love/Hate is in the pipeline

Following the death of Nidge the sixth series will focus on the new kingpin, Traveller gangster Patrick.

A source told the Mirror:

“Locations and new talent are being scouted for Love/Hate’s big comeback.

“Bringing the focus to Patrick and his background will open up the show to a whole new legion of fans.”

The new series is still in its infancy, with RTE’s Head of Drama confirming that “Love/Hate will not return to screens in 2015."

“A sixth series is currently in development with the writer and creator Stuart Carolan and Octagon Films,” she said in a statement.

“RTE, the producers and Stuart believe it’s important to take time before going to production with a sixth season.

“Our main objective will always be to ensure the quality and creative dynamic of a new series mirrors the high standards Love/Hate viewers have come to expect over the past five seasons.”

This won't be the first time Stuart Carolan has rebuilt the show after the death of the drama's main character, having despatched with John Boy and Darren in earlier series. 

UPDATE: 10.49:

RTE have no poured cold water on the return rumour with a blunt statement released to the Sunday World: 'There are no plans to bring back Love/Hate at this time.'

Sean Leamy (Pic: Independent)

The vile sex offender who was found dead in his prison cell had been running a “graves for sale” scam in which he failed to pass on to Clare County Council more than €20,000 in plot fees he received from grieving families.

Sean Leamy, who may have died violently in his prison cell, according to a report by the Inspector of Prisons, was caged for 10-years for molesting young boys between 1978 and 2005.

Sentencing Leamy in 2012 Judge Carroll Moran said the victims, aged from seven to 14, “had their childhood stolen”

Jailing the pervert, the judge said it was “really scandalous” the abuse continued from 1978 to 2005.

He added: “All of the victims are traumatised and suffered acutely due to what happened. This is a bad case.”

Leamy pleaded guilty to 21 counts of indecent and sexual assault.

In a statement, one of the abuse victims stated: “This man stole our youth from us.”

Another said: “My innocence was stolen by Sean Leamy. I carried around this secret. I was completely traumatised. My voice was silenced with all this anguish and pain. My spirit and character were broken.”

Several concerns about the death of the graveyard caretaker from Tulla, Co Clare, were highlighted by Judge Michael Reilly this week, including the failure of prison staff to preserve the scene.

He also found management at the Midlands Prison did not exercise the duty of care that would be expected when they moved the 61-year-old into a cell with a much younger inmate.

The cell mate (31), considered a "volatile prisoner" with a conviction for false imprisonment, had set up a makeshift still in the cell to distil illicit "hooch".

Gardaí investigated Leamy's death two years ago, but it did not result in any prosecution.

According to Judge Reilly's report, the deceased suffered head injuries which were not self-inflicted. A coroner concluded he died from cardiac arrest precipitated by blunt force trauma to the head and trunk.

Leamy was found unconscious in his cell at 7.15pm on February 12, 2013. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

According to the report, Leamy, who was in poor health, had been accommodated in a single cell, but was transferred to a double cell in another wing of the prison against his wishes. The move saw him paired with the 31-year-old inmate on January 26 - just 17 days before his death.

The deceased was a non- smoker and a non-drinker who suffered from asthma, but his new cell mate was a chain-smoker and a known "hooch-maker".

On the day of Leamy's death, CCTV footage showed numerous prisoners visiting the cell, apparently to drink hooch.

Leamy's body was discovered after a prison officer became suspicious. A makeshift still and two sticks were also recovered.

The judge found the scene may have been contaminated between the time the body was found and the time gardaí arrived. No Prison Service personnel were deployed to preserve the scene.

Judge Reilly recommended that elderly and long-term prisoners should get single cells, and said prison governors must be aware of their legal obligations to protect the health of prisoners.

In a statement, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said steps had been taken to address Judge Reilly's concerns.

CCTV still of the moment a thief stole a laptop from the funeral of a six-year-old child

A thief stole a laptop from the funeral of a six-year-old child after it was used at the service to show photographs of the young boy.

The boy's 34-year-old father had left the laptop in a bag in the Pentecostal City Church in north London while the family went to the burial ceremony in Kensal Rise, around a mile away.

CCTV images from the church show a limping man walk into the church hall before emerging around 15 minutes later with the laptop in a carrier bag.

Detective Constable Ben Kirkham, from Hammersmith and Fulham CID, said the loss of the photos of the young boy has caused "huge upset" for the family.

"The theft of this laptop with the father's precious photos of his son has obviously and understandably caused huge upset for the entire family, who are already going through a difficult time."

Police would like to speak with a man who is described as about 40 years old, who was wearing a black hooded jacket, a white hooded top with writing on the front and blue jeans, and walks with a distinctive limp.

FILE PHOTO

Gardaí at Slane Co Meath are investigating a single vehicle fatal road traffic collision which occurred at Kellystown, Slane, Co Meath (N2) in the early hours of this morning

A man believed to be in his 30s, who was the only occupant of the car, was fatally injured when the car he was driving left the road and collided with a tree.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.
 
The scene of the collision is closed pending the completion of a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.
 
Diversions are in place.
 
Anyone who may have witnessed this collision is asked to contact Slane Garda Station on 041-982 4202, the Garda Confidential Line 1-800-666-111 or any Garda Station.

Micheala brandishes a Sterling sub-machine gun

This is the British Army as you’ve never seen it before.

A controversial photographic exhibition which opens next week will reveal for the first time one of the hidden secrets of the Troubles – the story of the transgender squaddies.

As part of the Outburst Queer Arts Festival, the prestigious Red Barn Gallery in Belfast will host ‘Dry Your Eyes Princess’ – an amazing collection of photographic prints by award-winning snapper Stephen King.

BRAVE: Ex-squaddie Janice

King tracked down and spoke with a number of ex-British Army soldiers – some of whom served here during the worst of the Troubles – but who all believed they were women trapped in male bodies.

And in a series of subtle portraits of ex-squaddies, King unlocks never-before-heard stories – the transgender soldiers of the British Army.

One photograph which is certain to set tongues wagging in sexually repressed Northern Ireland, shows ‘Michaela’ – a former macho soldier but now a long-haired blonde woman – brandishing a Sterling sub-machine-gun.

NEW LIFE: Rachel 

She was snapped by King after receiving hormone replacement treatment. And the outline of her newly-formed female breasts can clearly be seen protruding below her T-shirt. 

In another photograph, ‘Dawn’, a soldier who became a woman after quitting the Army, is seen in a black and white print dress and holding a half-brick in her hand.

Yesterday, Ruth McCarthy, director of the Outburst Queer Arts Festival, explained the thinking behind the controversial exhibition.

“This grew out of an idea at John Moores University in Liverpool. 

Jennie

“Stephen King has brought together a stunning collection of photographs. First of all he met and spoke with former soldiers. All of them started out in life as men, but in truth they weren’t, they were only pretending. They were women.

“It is very moving to hear each individual soldier’s story. Several of them took the deliberate decision to join the ultra-macho world of the professional soldier to see if it would water down or even destroy their natural female inclinations.

“In total, 16 of Stephen King’s photographs will be on display and each one will have a card attached telling each individual soldier’s story and the journey travelled to where they are today.

Penny 

“In addition, we are hoping to have at least one of the soldiers present to explain things and answer questions.” she said.

And Ruth McCarthy added: “It is one of the most exciting things we’ve ever been involved in and we are hoping for a very positive response.”

The exhibition title ‘Dry Your Eyes Princess’ is taken from a jibe used by regimental sergeants and aimed at toughening up soldiers who may weakening in the extreme macho-culture of the Army.

It runs in the Red Barn Gallery in Belfast’s Rosemary Street from November 12 until November 28.

The final three years of the 10-year sentence was suspended

A Carlow man who regularly raped his niece and grandniece has been given a ten year sentence with the final three years suspended.

Michael Moran (78) of Oldtown, Nurney, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to three sample charges of rape of his grandniece on dates between October 2003 and June 2009 in County Carlow and to seven sample charges of rape of the second victim on dates between January 1983 and March 1989.

Patrick Treacy SC, prosecuting said while the victims did not want to be named in the media, they didn't wish to interfere with Moran being identified.

Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan said Moran's actions had caused great suffering and trauma to the victims. She said the man had preyed upon the innocent girls for his sexual gratification.

She noted he had entered an early guilty plea, expressed remorse, cooperated with gardai and had been of previous good character.

Ms Justice Heneghan imposed a ten year sentence and suspended the final three years on conditions.

A local garda told Mr Treacy that Moran admitted to gardaí that he had sex with both women while they were young girls but claimed each of the victims instigated intercourse.

The older woman, who is now 41 years old, told gardaí that the man raped her on a regular basis, every three or four weeks. She recalled Moran first sexually assaulting her when she was eight years old and outlined specific incidents of rape in the family home.

The woman told gardaí that he threatened “to do the same” to her intellectually disabled sister if she refused to have sex with him. He also told her that no one would believe her if she disclosed the abuse.

The younger victim, now 23 years old, told gardaí Moran gave her money after raping her. The abuse began when she was 11 years old.

She said on one occasion he hit her and he often told her no one would believe her if she told anyone about the abuse.

The older woman stated in her victim impact statement that she wanted Moran to get the same sentence she got. “He took away my youth and innocence and I can't get it back,” she said.

The younger victim said in court that the man “took my childhood away from me and I will never get it back.”

Colman Cody SC, defending said his client wished to offer an apology to both women in respect of all of the suffering he caused them.

He asked Ms Justice Heneghan to take into consideration Moran's lack of previous convictions, his plea of guilty and a psychological report before the court.

Mr Cody said the report suggested his client developed “a distorted view of what was appropriate sexual behaviour” due to both a lack of education and an isolated rural life.

He said Moran also abused alcohol at the time.

The garda read from the victim impact statement of the older woman that Moran made her feel dirty and the only reason she didn't stop him raping her was because she was afraid he would do the same to her sister.

She said she cut her hair short so she would “look less like a girl” but Moran continued to abuse her.

She described herself as a “very sad teenager” who was very “lonely on the inside” because she just wanted to tell someone what was happening.

She left school early but returned later to get her Leaving Certificate. She said in recent times she had found herself crying in the toilets at work because of the abuse.

The woman also described having “a fake smile” while she was hurt inside and said the man took her childhood.

The 23-year-old woman read from her victim impact statement that Moran “took advantage” of her when she was only a child and said she was too afraid to tell anyone.

She said she had been on anti-depressants and was too afraid to leave her home, spending most of her day in her bedroom.

By Sonya McLean

Warning: The toddler became seriously ill after ingesting the liquid from the tab

A young toddler in Louth nearly died after biting into a liquid washing machine tablet, her parents have said.

The parents of the 17-month-old girl were told their child could easily have died after ingesting the liquid inside a Surf liquitab. 

Jenny Maher, whose family are from Dunleer, spent two weeks in intensive care at Temple Street Hospital after the incident around three weeks ago. 

Her mother Sarah was speaking today in the hope that detergent companies will consider making their products less attractive to children.

She told Newstalk Jenny had managed to get a hold of one of the tabs and before she could take it off her had bitten into it. The liquid squirted into her mouth and down her front, her mother said. 

She gave her something to wash her mouth out but within 10 seconds she began vomiting. She then vomited a few more times before her concerned mother decided to bring her to Lady of Lourdes Hospital for assessment.

Speaking on Today FM, Sarah said she brought Jenny to the hospital but became more concerned on the way. 

"This happened at 2 o’clock. I would have been in the car with her at 2:15 and I’d say it was by 2:20 that she started making funny noises with her breathing in the car so I knew then that something wasn’t right."

She was sedated at the hospital in Drogheda as a tablet she was given had made it difficult for her to breathe. She was then transferred to Temple Street Hospital where she was placed on a number of different medications. 

Her father, Colin, told the Irish Mirror: “It was very serious and very scary.

“Her airways had closed up, [if we hadn't] got her to hospital so soon she wouldn’t be with us today.

“The doctors said it was one of the worst cases they saw, whether that was because of the amount she swallowed or how she reacted to it.

“She was brought to Temple Street and remained in the intensive care unit for a week with a nurse with her 24/7. She had to be sedated and was on nine different medications, including morphine, a relaxant, steroids, antibiotics and a drip.

“They transferred her to a general ward and she was weaned off meds, she also had a throat specialist in with her.”

Mrs Maher told Pat Kenny she doesn't blame the manufacturers but is hoping they rethink the design of the packaging. 

Dad Colin added: “I was talking to a poisons expert in Beaumont Hospital and he said up to 200 kids a year swallow dishwasher or other tablets and they reckon Jenny was the worst case they’ve come across.

The shocking attack occurred at the Central Bank in Dublin city

A man who saw his six-year-old sister die in a caravan fire has been jailed for a year for a city centre attack on two men.

Wayne Connors' defence counsel detailed his “tragic” background which included the loss of his father to a road traffic accident and death of a 2-year-old family member due to smoke inhalation.

Connors (21) of Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin was granted compassionate bail last month to attend the funeral of his cousin who was killed in the recent Carrickmines halting site fire.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Connors moved in with an aunt after the death of both his parents but that he left that house and became homeless because he was met with “aggression and abuse there.”

Connors was charged with attacking a student by the Central Bank who had previously been pick-pocketed by a friend of his. Connors also attacked a man who was helping the student, leaving him with a burst eardrum.

Connors pleaded guilty to assaulting Sean Clarke and Gavin Murray at Boyne Street Upper, Dublin 2 on November 10, 2013.

Judge Martin Nolan noted his “history of some tragedy” and his young age but said that a custodial sentence was warranted. He imposed a two-and-a-half-year term with the final 18 months suspended and an 18 months post release supervision order.

Garda Kevin Hasley told prosecuting counsel Ronan Kennedy BL that Mr Clarke had gone to a gig in the Olympia and was walking through the city when he felt his wallet being removed from his pocket. He spotted the pickpocket and went to Gda Hasley who was on foot patrol.

The garda told him to contact him if he sees the pickpocket again. Later that night Mr Clarke spotted the culprit but his phone was dead. He chased the man to the Central Bank where the pickpocket joined a group of people which included Connors.

Mr Clarke approached Mr Murray and his wife, who had just finished dinner. Mr Murray agreed to let the student use his phone to call Gda Hasley.

At this point the group started shouting at Mr Clarke and Murray. Connors and others punched Mr Murray several times. When Mr Clarke went to help Mr Murray Connors also started punching him. One of the group kicked Mr Clarke in the head while he was on the ground.

After a few minutes the two men managed to fight off the group. Gardaí were alerted and Gda Hasley arrested Connors later that night on Bachelors Walk. The garda said Connors resisted arrest and he was forced to use pepper spray and bring him to the ground.

Defence counsel Eoin Lawlor BL said Connors attacked the two men because he was under the misapprehension that his girlfriend was being falsely accused of something. He said he was drunk at the time and “saw red.”

By Conor Gallagher

Mr Gray was jailed for 21 months for the horrific attack

A man has been jailed for 21 months for repeatedly stabbing his ex-partner in the face with a fork while she held their infant child.

The victim told Barry Gray (30) that he was going to hurt the child but he replied “that's not my son, I don't care, I'm going to kill myself anyway.” He then robbed €150 from the woman despite her telling him she needed the money for food for the baby.

Gray of Dominic Street Flats, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm and robbery of his former partner in her home on February 10, 2015.

Judge Martin Nolan said he must take into account that the child was present during the incident and that Gray has 47 previous convictions including several assaults and breaches of safety orders.

Garda Eimear Cantwell told prosecuting counsel Seamus Clarke BL that Gray had an on-off relationship with the woman and that they had a child together two years ago.

On the day of the assault they were not a couple but Gray was in the woman's flat and they were having what she described as a pleasant time.

However she then became frightened by how Gray was speaking and she told him she wanted him to leave. She went into the bedroom to feed the baby and Gray followed her in and began stabbing her with a fork, telling her “you won't say that to me again.”

The woman was holding the baby and trying to push him off to one side to keep him safe from Gray.

“That's your baby, you're going to hurt him. I love you, he loves you,” she told Gray during the attack.

Afterwards the woman could feel blood running down her face as Gray demanded money. He took €150, leaving the woman with €4.50.

Gray left and the woman went to a neighbour who called an ambulance. She was treated for several shallow stab wounds to her face, some of which are likely to leave scars.

Defence counsel John Maher BL said his client was “rightly ashamed of his actions” and had written a letter of apology to the victim and society.

He said Gray showed some promise as a footballer in his youth and once had trials for the Irish under 15s soccer team. He said he began taking cocaine at the age of 15 followed by crack and heroin later causing him to fall into “the predictable pattern of offending.”

Colin Foley

A man has avoided a jail sentence for trying to hit a 73 year old parking warden with bolt cutters after being issued a ticket.

Colin Foley (45) had already received a €120 speeding fine that day when he found the parking ticket on his van in Tallaght, Dublin. “The redness descended on him” when he drove around the corner and saw the warden, his barrister said.

Foley of Brookmount Avenue, Balrothery, Tallaght pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to production of a weapon and theft on Main Street, Tallaght on February 10, 2015.

Prosecuting counsel Seamus Clarke BL told the court that Michael Griffiths (74) was working for APCOA, a private parking management company which was operating in a Tallaght housing estate.

There were no lines on the ground but several signs were visible indicating parking was not allowed in the estate. When Foley returned to his van he was annoyed to find he had received a ticket.

He drove onto the main street and stopped the van where he spotted Mr Griffiths. He took a bolt cutters from the back and put it under this jacket before approaching the warden and asking him “what is this” in reference to the ticket.

Mr Griffiths replied that it was a ticket before being pushed in the chest. Foley then took out the bolt cutters which the victim, who wasn't wearing his glasses, thought was a gun.

The warden went to radio for help but Foley swung the cutters, knocking the radio out of the victim's hand. Foley then picked up the radio and fled.

Afterwards he knew gardaí would be looking for him so he went for a drink to calm himself down before going to the garda station. He told gardaí the warden was not very polite to him and that it was a “moment of madness” when he swung the cutters.

Judge Martin Nolan questioned why he had the bolt cutters with him if the incident was a “moment of madness”. Defence counsel Rory Staines BL said he could offer no explanation for this.

Mr Staines said Foley, who works as a painter decorator, was in financial difficulty at the time. He said he was married with two children but that he and his wife were now separated.

Foley has six previous convictions including public order offences and violent behaviour in a garda station.

Judge Nolan imposed a one year suspended sentence and ordered Foley to pay over €1,000 to the victim within one year. He said he would have imposed a jail term if Foley had connected when he swung the bolt cutters.

By Conor Gallagher

The hearing of Dublin model Bridget Byrne (25), who works under the name of Ava Van Rose, will go ahead in February

A NEW trial date has been set for a glamour model who claims she acted in self-defence when she allegedly scratched another woman's face and bit her hand during a fight.

The hearing of Dublin model Bridget Byrne (25), who works under the name of Ava Van Rose, will go ahead in February, a judge ordered today. 

The new date had to be set after the mother-of-three kept changing her instructions to her solicitor. The model, who also starred in the short-lived reality show Infectious, appeared at Dublin District Court where she faces a single charge of assault causing harm.

It is alleged she attacked Helen Guinan at a house at Wheatfield Avenue in Clondalkin, in Dublin, on October 20, 2013. Defence solicitor Brian Keenan indicated that the case would be contested on the grounds that Ms Byrne was acting in self-defence and the trial had been scheduled to take place today. 

When it was called Mr Keenan explained that he had been contacted on Monday because his instructions from Ms Byrne had changed. As a result he notified prosecuting garda that he would not need to bring witnesses, including the complainant, to court.

However, todat Ms Byrne, who did not address the court, again changed her instructions to her solicitor meaning the witnesses will be required to give evidence, and she will be contesting the case.

He also said her instructions have changed “quite a bit over the past seven days”.

Judge Miriam Malone agreed to grant an adjournment but said she was marking the case peremptory against Ms Byrne and warned her “it is definitely going ahead on the next date”.

The charge is under Section Three of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Judge Malone had accepted jurisdiction for the case to be dealt with at district court level after she was given an outline of the prosecution evidence

Garda Gerard Clifford of Ronanstown station told the court that on October 20, 2013 the defendant entered a house at Wheatfield Avenue, the home of the complainant, and allegedly “assaulted her”.

He said Ms Guinan “received scratches to the face and a bite to the hand”. Her wounds were superficial and treated with creams, he said, adding that both women were known to each other.

Gardai received a complaint two days later and they interviewed Ms Byrne, who now has an address at An Luasan, Ballybrit, Co. Galway.

Her solicitor said she is pleading not guilty and said Ms Byrne “will say it was in self-defence”.

The judge heard there are four witnesses, two for prosecution and two for the defence, who will give evidence and be cross-examined.

The garda had been ordered to provide the defence with copies of statements and medical evidence. A district court conviction for the assault could result in a fine and a possible sentence of up to one year.

Attack: David Cooper remains in hospital

THE prime suspect in a Halloween stabbing which has left a man fighting for his life is the brother of man who almost killed another victim in a separate stab attack earlier this year.

Father-of-two David Cooper (22) from Dromheath Grove was left in a critical condition in Blanchardstown hospital after being stabbed several times in front of shocked witnesses at a bonfire close to his home around 7.30pm on Halloween. 

The prime suspect in the attack is a settled traveller living in the local area who is known to the victim. 

He stabbed Cooper a number of times during an argument at the bonfire. 

It is understood he threw the knife in the fire immediately after the stabbing but later got an associate to go back and get it for him. 

The suspected attacker, who is aged in his early 20s, is known as a vicious thug. His brother was involved in a serious stabbing incident earlier this year which also left his victim fighting for his life. 

He cannot be named as he is currently charged in connection with the attack.

“These are people with a high propensity for violence. They wouldn’t be the smartest in the world and that in itself makes them dangerous,” said a source. “They are quick to use knives and don’t seem to care about the consequences.” 

Cooper’s fiancée Roseanna Hand has been left devastated by the attack. Ms Hand’s father Matt ‘Matsie’ Hand was shot dead in what was described as a “wild west” style shootout at a halting site in Blanchardstown.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to the stabbing to come forward.