Quantcast
Channel: Sunday World Site - News
Viewing all 12786 articles
Browse latest View live

Gardai renew appeal for information about fatal three vehicle collision

$
0
0

Gardai investigating a fatal three vehicle collision are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone who was on the N52 between Delvin and Mullingar between 3pm and 3.30pm on Saturday the 8th of October are asked to contact officers at Mullingar Garda station on 044 9384000,the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Two women were fatally injured in the collision which involved two cars and a truck.


Cigarettes are set to go up in today’s budget

$
0
0

There was bad news for smokers today with the government expected to add 50c to the price of a packet of cigarettes in Budget 2017.

The move brings the standard price of a packet of cigarettes to €11.

While Finance Minister Michael Noonan is likely to argue to the increase brings in welcome tax revenues, retailers will say the move will drive smokers into the arms of cigarette smugglers.

The Government, however, is not expected to announce an increase in the cost of alcohol.

 

 

 

Suspected killer with Irish connections using false identity after fleeing to Dubai

$
0
0
Shane O'Brien

Shane O'Brien

A suspected killer who fled to Dubai has used a false identity and is being helped to avoid capture, police have said.

Shane O'Brien, 28, is alleged to have killed 21-year-old Josh Hanson in an unprovoked knife attack in a bar in Hillingdon, west London, a year ago on Tuesday.

O'Brien, who is from London but has links to Ireland and Spain, is the subject of a European arrest warrant, and was previously placed on Britain's 'Most-Wanted' list.

Josh's mother Tracey, who with her daughter Brooke is fighting for justice for her son, said: "While we try to do all we can to leave a positive legacy for Josh we have the extremely painful and heartbreakingly sad reality that Josh is no longer a part of our family.

"Every second, minute or hour of the day that passes is filled with the pain that we have still not had the justice for Josh that he so rightly deserves.

"Brooke, myself, our family, friends and the many thousands of people who help us daily ask you to come forward if you have any information which would lead to an arrest.

"No matter how small you think this information may be we beg you to get in touch with the Met Police or Crimestoppers and help us put an end to the nightmare we are living with every day and have been for the last 12 months."

The family are running the Justice For Josh Hanson campaign on social media and are also working to try to prevent knife crime.

Josh, from Kingsbury, north-west London, died after he was stabbed in the neck at the RE Bar in the early hours of October 11 2015.

His suspected killer O'Brien fled in the wake of his death, and in March was thought to be on the run in the Netherlands, but has since travelled to the United Arab Emirates.

A £20,000 reward is on offer for information leading to his arrest and prosecution.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh said: "O'Brien was quickly named as someone we urgently needed to trace and we have tracked his movements across Europe and then to Dubai where we believe he still is.

"Clearly he is being helped by others to evade police and has the ability to move around without using his own identity, but we have a substantial reward available for anyone who can provide information that brings him before the courts.

"If you know anything - even if you think your information is small and insignificant - please come forward.

"Josh's family have been so strong but they need to see the person who killed him brought to justice. As time goes on they are finding the situation desperately difficult and we really need the public's help to find O'Brien."

O'Brien, originally from Ladbroke Grove, is white, 6ft, with grey eyes and short, dark brown hair, and has a tattoo on his back that says "Shannon 15-04-06". He may use the name Troy O'Brien.

Members of the public are advised not to approach him and to call 999.

Murder probe launched after badly-burnt body found in lay-by

$
0
0

A murder inquiry is under way after a badly burnt body was found in a lay-by.

The grim discovery was made by a member of the public in a parking area off the A628, east of Tintwistle, Derbyshire, UK, and north of the Valehouse and Rhodeswood reservoirs.

Detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit are leading the investigation following the find on Monday at 12.30pm.

They are working to establish the gender of the victim and their identity. A post-mortem examination is yet to take place.

The lay-by is used by ramblers and dog walkers and officers want to speak to anyone who has been in the area recently, particularly if they witnessed suspicious activity such as a fire being started.

Samsung scraps Galaxy Note 7

$
0
0
Galaxy Note 7

Galaxy Note 7

Samsung has scrapped its flagship Galaxy Note7 smartphone, a day after halting sales because of concerns over consumer safety.

The technology giant had delayed the launch of the Note7 in the UK in September as it investigated and replaced faulty units that were overheating and exploding due to a battery defect.

However, new reports in the US raised further concerns that replacement devices were still catching fire and despite halting production to investigate the issue, the manufacturer has now chosen to completely withdraw the device.

In a statement, the Korean firm said: "We can confirm the report that Samsung permanently discontinues the production of Galaxy Note7."

Samsung had halted a replacement program in the UK after it was suggested further defects could exist within the Note beyond the battery issue. Samsung said it had sold around 45,000 Note7s during pre-orders in Europe.

The tech giant had earlier advised retailers to stop selling and exchanging the device while it investigated the cause of the fires, of which at least five had been reported in replacement devices in the US which the company had approved as safe.

This followed an initial recall of the device after more than 30 handsets from the original production batch were reported to have caught fire or exploded in the hands of consumers.

There have been no confirmed reports in the UK, where the handset was never fully released, but analysts are already suggesting the recall and now scrapping of the Note7 could cost Samsung in the long run, particularly coming just as rivals including Google and Apple have announced new high-end smartphones.

Richard Windsor, from Edison Investment Research, said: "As a result of making a complete mess of the Galaxy Note7 recall, Samsung is more likely to lose a large number of high end users to other Android handsets rather than to Apple.

"The real issue is brand and reputation. As long as Samsung carried out the recall smoothly and kept users very happy, the issue would eventually blow over.

"Unfortunately, this is very far from the case, and the fact that Samsung appeared to still be shipping defective devices could trigger a large loss of faith in Samsung products."

Benefits Street participant found dead on street where show was filmed

$
0
0
Lee Nutley

Lee Nutley

A man who appeared on Benefits Street has been found dead on the street where the Channel 4 show was filmed.

Lee Nutley, who featured in the second series of the reality show, was pronounced dead by ambulance service staff at a house on Kingston Road, in Stockton on Monday.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "Police were called to an address on Kingston Road, Stockton, by ambulance service colleagues at around 5.40pm last night.

"A man in his 40s was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene and there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances. A file will therefore be prepared for the coroner."

A spokeswoman for North East Ambulance Service added: "I can confirm we were called to the Kingston Road area at 5.30pm yesterday and we despatched two services."

Mr Nutley was one of the residents of the street followed by cameras for the controversial documentary show.

In his biography on the Channel 4 website before the series aired last year, it said: "Lee relies on his next-door neighbour Julie and the other residents of Kingston Road more than ever. With every appliance in his home broken he can't even cook himself a meal.

"Lee has been claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for the past year, living on £45 a week after being laid off by the construction company he worked for.

"Now Lee finds himself in a constant battle with both ill health and the benefits system.

"He has been 'sanctioned' for missing an appointment, a new government policy designed to encourage people off of benefits. He denies missing the appointment but his benefits have been cut anyway.

"He says: 'I've worked half my life, I've haven't just sat on my arse since leaving school, I've worked all over the country. I need to earn some dollars, it's no good walking the streets and that, I like work'."

Boost for social welfare recipients as Christmas bonus returns while payments to increase

$
0
0
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan TD & Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe TD ahead of Budget 2017

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan TD & Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe TD ahead of Budget 2017

There was good news for dole recipients today as the return of the Christmas bonus, paid at a rate of 85%, was announced today in Budget 2017.

Those receiving social welfare will receive an 85% payment on top of their regular receipt at Christmas.

It was further announced that all social welfare payments will increase by €5 from March 2017:

Meanwhile, cigarettes have gone up in price in this year's Budget.

Dublin teen accused of school hammer attack during meeting with year head

$
0
0
Children's Court, Smithfield, Dublin

Children's Court, Smithfield, Dublin

A JUDGE has given the DPP a four-week deadline to decide if a then 12-year-old Dublin boy should be tried for possessing a knife and producing a hammer in an assault on his teacher.

The boy, now aged 13, faced his third hearing at the Dublin Children's Court on Tuesday when Judge John O'Connor granted an adjournment for a special direction from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to be obtained.

Last week, Judge John O'Connor had explained to the teen and his mother that due to the boy's young age, the direction was needed as to whether the case will go ahead.

Defence counsel Damian McKeone had raised concerns about it not being available.

The special direction was not forthcoming when the case resumed on Tuesday and Judge O'Connor marked the case peremptory against the State, meaning it could be struck out on the next date if it is not available on the next date.

The court heard that the DPP's office was waiting for a report from the Garda juvenile liaison office in relation to the boy. The boy, who has not yet entered a plea, was accompanied to court by his mother. 

He has been remanded on continuing bail.

He is accused of two offences arising out of an alleged incident last month at his secondary school

He is charged with production of a large hammer during an assault and unlawful possession of a knife as a weapon at his school. It allegedly happened during a meeting with his year head and a decision is awaited on whether or not he will be expelled.

He must obey a number of bail terms including a 9pm to 8am curfew at his home.


The changes you need to know about from Budget 2017

$
0
0
Members of the Gardai outside Leinster House on Kildare Street, Dublin today

Members of the Gardai outside Leinster House on Kildare Street, Dublin today

These are the most significant changes enacted by the Government in today's Budget.

Dole

Those receiving social welfare will receive an 85% payment on top of their regular receipt at Christmas.

It was further announced that all social welfare payments will increase by €5 from March 2017:

Cigarettes and alcohol

Cigs are set to increase in price by 50cent, seeing the cost of a 20-pack rise to €11.

However, there has been no increase in the price of alcohol as excise duty was left at the same rate.

Gardai

There will be 800 new hires in garda ranks next year:

USC

The 5.5%, 3% and 1% USC rates have all been cut by 0.5%.

Pensions

There has been a €5 per-week increase in pension payments.

Childcare

A new afforable childcare scheme means a subsidy will be available to parents from next September.

Sugar tax

From early 2018, a tax on drinks that are sugar-sweetened will be implemented.

Housing

47,000 new social houses will be built as part of a €1.2billion housing allocation.

Corrupt ex-garda loses appeal over conviction for bogus insurance claim

$
0
0
John Joe Synnott

John Joe Synnott

A corrupt ex-garda jailed for deception in relation to an insurance claim for a car crash that never happened has lost an appeal against his conviction.

John Joe Synnott (61), with an address at Camblin Hill, New Ross, Co Wexford, had pleaded not guilty at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court to three charges relating to a reported road traffic accident on September 9, 2007 which prosecuting lawyers said never happened.

He was found guilty by a jury on all counts and was sentenced to three years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Judge Alice Doyle on June 30, 2011.

Synnott was the investigating officer when he reported that an Audi A4 travelling towards New Ross collided with a parked Subaru Imprezza. Two claims were paid out by AXA Insurance, totalling €23,352.

During the trial, he had admitted calling the garda information service to report the accident and that he had not attended the scene.

The link between the two drivers and John Joe Synnott was a Joe Redmond - a partner of one of the supposed drivers, a lifelong friend of John Joe Synnott as well as a known criminal, according to the evidence of a retired Superintendent at trial.

Joe Redmond's wife, from whom he was separated, was Beverley Redmond, the owner and alleged driver of the Audi vehicle, while Joe Redmond's girlfriend was Lorraine Quinlan, the owner of the Subaru vehicle. 

Beverley Redmond received €9,910 and Lorraine Quinlan received €13,422 in compensation for damage allegedly caused. The ultimate payer was AXA Insurance Co Ltd.

The prosecution case was that Synnott consciously and deliberately assisted the drivers and Joe Redmond in the perpetration of a fraud by procuring the creation of a PULSE incident report and by completing a Traffic Accident Prelminary Report in respect of the non-existant accident.

These, the prosecution contended, were intended to provide a paper trail in the event of one or both of the insurers seeking verification.

"As it happened, no request for verification or other enquiry concerning the alleged accident was received from the insurers…before the claims were paid," according to a judgment handed down by the Court of Appeal today.

Synnott had sought to appeal his conviction on a number of grounds related to the trial judge's instructions to the jury but Mr Justice John Edwards said the three-judge court was unable to uphold any of his grounds.

Mr Justice Edwards, who sat with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice Alan Mahon, dismissed the appeal.

Synnott had been granted bail in October 2011 pending his appeal but he was lead away to serve the balance of his sentence after judgment was delivered.

The court heard that Synnott is presently in custody on another matter, the details of which were not outlined in court. He is no longer a serving garda.

Synnott was found guilty of causing loss by deception by dishonestly inducing AXA Insurance to pay financial compensation in respect of an alleged road traffic accident at Newtown Road, Wexford on September 9, 2007.

He had also been found guilty of corruption in office by falsely representing that a road traffic accident had occured at Newtown Road, Wexford on September 9, 2007 and providing false information for the purpose of advantage to himself or another.

He was also convicted of knowingly using a document as a garda containing a false statement with intent to deceive and mislead to wit the report of a road traffic accident said to have occured at Newtown Road, Wexford on September 9, which was false.

Ruaidhrí Giblin

Irish fancy dress shop flogs sick Islam 'terrorist' outfit aimed at kids

$
0
0
Our man outside the pop-up shop where the costume was being sold

Our man outside the pop-up shop where the costume was being sold

Kids could soon be trick-or-treating dressed as Muslim 'terrorists'.

The Sunday World was alerted last week that a pop-up fancy dress shop in Northern Ireland was selling the Islamaphobic outfits.

The attire, which claims to be a "children's terrorist costume" is nothing more than a traditional outfit worn by millions of Muslims - with a camouflage waistcoat thrown in.

It was being sold by a pop-up shop called 'Halloween' in the Diamond Shopping Centre in Coleraine, Co Derry, but the outfits were removed from sale after we confronted staff on Thursday morning.

A shopper called us to complain that they found the outfit offensive.

The Islamophobic costume that was being sold

"I couldn't believe they were selling something so offensive," said the caller.

"It just seemed the costume consisted of normal Islamic-style clothing. I'm not sure exactly what made it a terrorist outfit except for the army waistcoat."

Packaging on the outfit described it as a child's costume under the word 'terrorist'.

"It seems that wearing traditional dress and having a beard means you look like a terrorist, which sends out the message that all Muslims are terrorists," said the caller.

"It's pretty disgusting and the fact it's aimed at children makes it even worse."

Staff at the shop told the Sunday World the costume had been selling really well, although they admitted some customers had pointed out they didn't think it was appropriate.

The cheaply made outfit, which was on sale for £15, was supposed to consist of a traditional-style Islamic thobe, but in truth was just a pair of cheap polyester trousers and top.

We spoke to a man and a woman working in the shop, who both said they weren't the owners.

One staff member said: "I know some people might find them a bit sectarian, but I don't see what the problem is."

They refused to give us a contact number for the owner, but instead took our details so they could contact us, although nobody did.

Last week, Amazon were accused of selling racist outfits. They offered male customers the chance to dress up in an 'Arab' tunic and headdress, with a 'Palestine' scarf, which was modelled by a white man covered in what looks like face paint. Ladies could opt for a 'sexy Saudi burka Islamic costume'.

One customer left a one-star rating and wrote: "You're all disgusting racists. My culture is not your costume."

Teen in UK gets criminal record for role in 'killer clown' craze

$
0
0
FILE PHOTO

FILE PHOTO

A teenager has been landed with a criminal record after taking part in the "killer clown" craze sweeping Britain.

Police forces across the country have been called to a string of incidents where pranksters or criminals dress as clowns try to scare innocent bystanders.

Senior officers are warning that the trend, which started in the US, is a waste of police resources and said they would crack down on those causing fear and anxiety to members of the public.

In the latest incident, an 18-year-old man, from Penyrheol, Caerphilly, was issued with a fixed penalty notice and fined £90 for a public order offence.

Gwent Police said they responded to reports that a man was dressed as a clown and intimidating children outside St Cenydd Comprehensive School in Caerphilly.

Chief Inspector Paul Staniforth said: "In this case, not only is this man out of pocket, he will now have a criminal record which will impact his future, including any job opportunities.

"I hope this result sends a strong message to anyone thinking about taking part in this craze, that their five minutes of what they may think is fun really isn't worth it."

In Kent, police revealed they received reports of 59 clown-related incidents between October 7 and 10.

Some involved people dressed up and jumping out in front of vehicles, staring at members of the public or children chasing other children.

One man, 23, from Sittingbourne, has been arrested for a public order offence, a Kent Police spokesman said as officers issued a warning.

Superintendent Simon Thompson said: "Kent is not the only county seeing this trend and while some might find it funny, the act of frightening or threatening others may be enough to warrant criminal offences under the Public Order Act."

Dale Creighton murder trial hears details of 'vicious attack'

$
0
0
Dale Creighton

Dale Creighton

The jury in the trial of seven Dubliners charged with murdering a 20-year-old on a footbridge has seen footage of what the prosecutor described as a ‘vicious, prolonged and sustained attack’ involving kicks and stamps to his head and body, after which he was thrown ‘like a rag doll’.

The jury also heard from a witness, who said she saw a young man being chased onto the bridge, where six or seven individuals surrounded, kicked and punched him.

The evidence was presented to the jury today on the first day of the trial at the Central Criminal Court.

The woman and six men, who are in their 20s and from Tallaght, have all pleaded not guilty to murder.

Dale Creighton died on January 2nd 2014, about two days after an incident at the footbridge over the Tallaght bypass between Saint Dominic’s Road and Greenhills Road.

Charged with his murder at the footbridge are 23-year-old Aisling Burke and 28-year-old David Burke, both with a current address at Beechpark, Collinstown, Co Westmeath.

Also charged with Mr Creighton’s murder there are Graham Palmer (26) with a current address at Park Avenue, Portarlington, Co Laois; Ross Callery (23) currently of Gortlum Cottages, Brittas, Co Dublin; James Reid (26) currently of Glen Aoibhinn, Gorey, Co Wexford; Jason Beresford (23) with an address at Coill Diarmuida, Ard a’ Laoi, Castledermot, Co Kildare; and Gerard Stevens (27) currently of Grosvner Square, Rathmines in Dublin.

Each accused also pleaded not guilty to violent disorder at the footbridge that New Year’s Day.

Seán Gillane SC opened the case for the prosecution, saying that each of the accused was responsible for the attack on Dale Creighton, that they had acted together and that ‘the intention had to be to cause serious injury, if not death’.

Mr Gillane said that the event began around 4am on New Year’s Day, when a girl was heard shouting that her phone was ‘being robbed’.

“Someone shouted: ‘Grab him’ and a young man was pursued by a number of people,” said Mr Gillane, explaining that this young man was Mr Creighton

He said CCTV cameras had captured part of the incident on the footbridge, where he said all were present.

“You’ll be satisfied that Dale Creighton was the subject of a vicious, prolonged, sustained attack and absolutely satisfied that this involved kicks and stamps to the head and body,” he said.

“You’ll be satisfied that sustained attack, in its entirety, occurred while Mr Creighton was on the ground, not only not defending himself, but defenceless and, at one point, off the ground because he was being held up while the subject of blows and kicks,” he continued.

“Then, like a rag doll, (he was) dragged to the steps and thrown down the steps, being remonstrated with and shouted at,” he said, adding that Mr Creighton was then picked up and brought back to the bridge and put on the ground again.

“The violence visited upon him was… intensive, concentrated and very focussed,” he suggested. “The intention had to be to cause serious injury, if not death.”

He said that this violence did not end until the gardai arrived.

“The accused ran off, leaving Mr Creighton figuratively and literally for dead,” he said.

He explained that Mr Creighton was unresponsive and taken to Tallaght Hospital from where he was transferred to Beaumont Hospital. However, he never recovered and was pronounced dead on January 2nd.

“An autopsy revealed a constellation of injuries all over his body,” he said.

His skull was fractured and nasal bones broken; his cause of death was blunt force injuries to the head and face.

“The prosecution case is that the accused, and each of them, are responsible for this, that they acted together in support of each other… with intent to cause at least serious injury,” he concluded.

The jury was then shown a compilation of the footage that Mr Gillane had mentioned. It captured what happened between 3.48am and 4.10am and was played without commentary.

The jury also heard from three locals, who had alerted gardai to the incident.

One of these, Síle McCarthy, testified that she heard screaming and shouting at the footbridge around 3.30am. She looked out and saw a young man being punched at the bottom of the bridge.

“He ran up the steps,” she said, recalling that a group of six or seven people then surrounded him.

“They were all surronding him, kicking and punching him into the head and body,” she said.

He collapsed on the bridge and wasn’t moving.

She added that two of the men were holding onto railings while kicking him.

“The police arrived. Two of them jumped over the bridge,” she recalled. “Some of them ran.”

The trial continues before Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy and a jury of six women and six men. It is expected to last about six weeks.

By Natasha Reid

Dublin teen charged with robbing eight women at knifepoint in one week

$
0
0
Facing 16 charges in total

Facing 16 charges in total

A DUBLIN youth has been charged with carrying out knife robberies of eight women over a one-week period.

The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, appeared at the Dublin Children's Court on Tuesday. He faces 16 robbery and knife charges in connection with alleged incidents in the Dublin 7 area from May 24 until May 31 last.

Judge John O'Connor heard that the DPP has recommended that the teenager should be tried before a jury in the Circuit Court, which has tougher sentencing powers. Four of the knife robberies are alleged to have happened on the same day.

Judge O'Connor noted there was no objection to bail subject to a number of conditions. The boy made no reply when charged, the court heard today.

The judge granted an adjournment to allow for disclosure of prosecution evidence to the defence ahead of a preliminary hearing to decide the youth's trial venue. As a condition of bail, the teen, who is attending drug counselling, must attend urine analysis, obey a 7pm to 7am curfew at his home and to continue attending his educational course.

The teenager was accompanied to court by his father and his barrister. He remained silent during the hearing but nodded when the judge warned: “you know the consequences if you breach bail, you go in”.

The Children's Court has discretion allowing it accept jurisdiction in serious cases by taking into consideration the age and level of maturity as well as other information deemed relevant. The case resumes in two weeks.

All the alleged victims are women.
 
The teen faces 16 charges:

Robbery and producing a large kitchen knife at St Peter's Road, Phibsborough on May 24 when he allegedly took a handbag and its contents worth €50.

Robbery and production of a large kitchen knife at Kings Inns during which a phone worth €100 and €50 in cash were taken along with a handbag and its contents which included a Mexican ID card on May 27.

Robbery of a woman of her handbag at the Royal Canal Bank and production of a bread knife, on May 28.

Robbery of another woman of her handbag and her phone worth €750 at the North Circular Road and production of a bread knife, also on May 28.

Robbery and producing a knife at Berkeley Road during which a phone worth €500 was allegedly taken also on May 28.

He is also accused of a fourth robbery on the same date in the same area during which a handbag and its contents worth €75 were allegedly stolen.

Robbery and production of a bread knife at Phibsborough Road, D7, during which a handbag and a phone worth €760 were taken on May 29.

Robbery at Kings Inn Court and production of a large kitchen knife on May 31 when a purse valued €150 was allegedly stolen.

Court hears of items found in car bomb accused was allegedly driving

$
0
0

The Special Criminal Court trial of a man accused of possessing an explosive substance on the eve of the state visit of the UK Queen five years ago has heard evidence of items found during a search of a car the man was allegedly seen in.

Among the items, a garda told the court, was a bottle containing a liquid which smelled like petrol. 

Donal Billings (65) of St Bridget’s Court, Drumlish, County Longford is charged before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin with the unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on May 16th, 2011.

Mr Billings is further charged with four offences under the Criminal Law Act of 1976 of knowingly making false reports tending to show that an offence had been committed.

The charges allege that he made a false report within the State on May 16th, 2011, that bombs had been placed at Busáras in Dublin and at Sinn Féin's headquarters.

He is also charged with making a false report on May 18th that two mortars were set for Dublin Castle, and with making a false report on May 20th that two bombs had been placed in the toilets at Cork airport.

Mr Billings has pleaded not (NOT) guilty to each of the five charges.

Today/Yesterday (Tues), Sergeant Philip Coffey, formerly of Roscommon garda station, told prosecuting counsel Garnett Orange SC that on May 20th, 2011, he searched a white Seat Ibiza car. 

Previously, the court has heard evidence that the car had been followed by a member of the Crime and Security Unit from Drumlish to a LIDL carpark in Longford and that Mr Billings was subsequently arrested there.

Sergeant Coffey said that while searching the car he found transparent gloves, a mobile phone SIM card pack, a homemade funnel and a five-litre water bottle containing a "yellowish liquid" which smelled like petrol.

Earlier, under cross-examination, Detective Inspector Pat Finlay disagreed with Máirtín O'Gibealláin SC, defending, that he was not the garda who arrested Mr Billings.

Inspector Padraig Jones told Mr O'Gibealláin that he was present when Mr Billings was arrested. 

The barrister said that, according to directions from his client, a different garda arrested him. 

Inspector Jones said that was incorrect. 

"I'm quite sure it was Garda Finlay," he added.

The court has previously heard evidence from the driver of a Dublin-bound passenger bus that on May 16th, 2011, when the bus was parked outside Longford train station, a man came and put something in the bus' luggage compartment. 

CCTV footage of Longford train station from that evening was today/yesterday (Tues) shown to the court.

Inspector Jones said that a person walked into the carpark holding a bag and that six minutes later the person left.  

Mr O'Gibealláin asked the inspector to explain why he said the bag appeared lighter when the person left.

The inspector said that when the individual arrived, the bag was "quite rigid" and not "swinging around". 

Describing the clip of the individual leaving the carpark, the inspector said, "The bag doesn't look as big leaving as it did coming in, nor does it seem as heavy, in my opinion." 

The trial continues.


Vicious teen thug jailed for a litany of offences

$
0
0

A teenager who carried out a string of crimes, including assaulting a female hotel manager, had a “tragic” childhood which included the murder of his 12-year-old brother, a court has heard.

Gerard Hughes (19) appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today / yesterday (TUES) where he was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for a number of drug-induced offences, including assault, taking a car and dangerous driving.

Sentencing Hughes, Judge Melanie Greally said: “He has experienced more than his fair share of very tragic misfortune over the course of his young life”.

But she said Hughes had a significant number of previous convictions, had left his assault victim traumatised and had put a number of road users at risk with his dangerous driving.

Hughes, with an address in Bawnlea Green, Tallaght, Dublin , pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm to a woman at The Maldron Hotel in Tallaght on November 20 last year.

He also pleaded guilty to damaging property, unlawfully taking a car and two counts of dangerous driving in Tallaght on December 13 last year.

Under questioning from prosecution barrister, Elva Duffy BL, Garda David Morris said the HR manager was in her basement office of the hotel on the afternoon of November 20 last year when her door banged open and a man with a fire extinguisher in his hand entered the room.

The court heard Hughes yelled at the woman to “give me the money” before grabbing her around the mouth. She managed to escape the office and run down a corridor screaming, before Hughes came up behind her and shoved her to the ground. He fled the scene empty-handed.

Ms Duffy said the woman was “extremely traumatised” by the attack and changed jobs as she could no longer face working in that office. She suffered a split lip, facial bruising, and soft tissue damage to her leg, the court heard.

Hughes was identified from the hotel's CCTV footage and was questioned by gardaí a couple of weeks later. He said he had no memory of being in the hotel as he had taken a “huge amount of drugs and drink”, Gda Morris told the court.

A few weeks later, in the early hours of December 13, the court heard Hughes took a Nissan Qashqai car from a house in Tallaght. The car owner's husband attempted to get in front of the car to prevent it leaving, but had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit, Garda Ruadhan McLoughlin told the court.

Later that afternoon, gardaí were on patrol in Tallaght when they saw Hughes driving the stolen car. A chase ensued, with Hughes driving down the wrong side of the road and the wrong way around a roundabout, causing pedestrians to jump out of his way. The car was eventually tracked down by the garda helicopter and he was arrested.

The court heard Hughes has 47 previous convictions including burglary, drugs and road traffic offences. At the time of his arrest, he was banned from driving for 10 years.

Defence barrister, Sarah-Jane O'Callaghan BL, said Hughes came before the court “in the context of a very tragic backdrop”.

She said Hughes' father was the victim of an attempted murder and was left brain damaged and wheelchair-bound as a result. Less than a year later, when Hughes was four, his 12-year-old brother was killed in an arson attack.

“At the age of four, for your 12-year-old brother to be murdered, you can imagine how disturbing that was,” Ms O'Callaghan said. “My client was brought up in a house that was full of misery.” His brother's killer was only brought to justice 11 years' later, with the murder trial taking place shortly before Hughes' offending, the court heard.

Judge Greally accepted Hughes was “psychologically fragile”. She sentenced him to three years' imprisonment but suspended the final 12 months on a number of conditions including that he be of good behaviour for two years. She disqualified him from driving for 10 years.

Man charged with murder of Yorkshire ripper psychiatrist’s assistant

$
0
0
Jacqueline Pattenden (Thames Valley Police)

Jacqueline Pattenden (Thames Valley Police)

A man has been charged with the murder of a personal assistant to a leading Broadmoor Hospital psychiatrist.

Michael Rough, 55, is accused of killing 53-year-old Jackie Pattenden at a house in the village of Crowthorne, Berkshire, where she was found stabbed on October 2.

Ms Pattenden worked for Dr Kevin Murray, a former clinical director at Broadmoor who treated Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe.

A post-mortem examination found she died after being stabbed in the chest.

Paying tribute, Ms Pattenden's son, Phil, said she was an "amazing mother".

He added that his family could not comprehend the massive loss of his mother, who had recently been promoted and come off her cancer medication.

Rough, of Ellis Road, Crowthorne, has been remanded in custody and will appear at Reading Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, Thames Valley Police said.

 

Teen girl held at gunpoint by masked men in County Armagh

$
0
0

A teenage girl was held at gunpoint in Markethill, County Armagh, by a masked gang yesterday.

The incident happened after a masked gang, believed to be involved in cross-border burglaries, were involved in a collision between the Vauxhall Insignia they were driving and a Ford close to the junction of the Redrock Road.

The Vauxhall had been reported stolen in the Republic of Ireland. A female driver of the Ford was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening.

The gang then approached the property the teen was in on the Seagahan Road yesterday afternoon just before 5pm. 

Police said four men approached the rear of the house on the Seagahan Road and pointed a gun at the girl inside through the kitchen window.

They asked her to open the back door. After she refused, they smashed a glass panel the door and gained entry to the house. Again, they pointed a gun at her, demanding her car keys.

They took her white Ford Fiesta and her mobile phone. Her car was later recovered in the Republic of Ireland and has been taken away for examination. 

Shortly before 6pm yesterday evening entry was forced to a house on Damoily Road, Markethill. A number of items of jewellery, watches and a legally held firearm were stolen.

Detective Inspector Stephen Harvey is appealing for anyone who witnessed the incidents or anyone with any information that can assist with the investigation to contact Detectives in Lurgan by calling 101 quoting reference number 868 or 954 of 11/10/16. Information can also be passed anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Lawyers for Paris terror suspect to stop defending him over continuing silence

$
0
0
Salah Abdeslam

Salah Abdeslam

Lawyers for the only surviving suspect in last November's terror attack in Paris have said they will no longer defend him because he refuses to speak.

Frank Berton and Sven Mary said they have decided to stop representing Salah Abdeslam, who has chosen to remain silent in a protest against his prison conditions, including the 24-hour video surveillance of his cell.

Mr Berton told a press conference on Wednesday that Abdeslam, who was arrested in the Belgian capital, Brussels, in March and then transferred to France, has been psychologically damaged by his detention at Fleury-Merogis prison.

"I've been convinced for months that he is isolating and radicalising himself, he is taking his video surveillance very badly," the lawyer said. "This is not blackmail, it's just the reality of his psychological and psychic state. The problem is related to his solitary confinement."

According to Mr Berton, Abdeslam was initially willing to speak and the lawyer urged French authorities to soften their tough approach.

Authorities hope Abdeslam can provide information about the Islamic State group's strategies and networks, and identify others who might have had a connection to the November 13 attacks in the French capital, which killed 130 people.

The same network that attacked Paris struck again in Abdeslam's hometown of Brussels in March, days after he was arrested in his hideout.

Mr Berton previously argued that two round-the-clock video cameras in Abdeslam's cell could cause psychological damage, but France's top administrative authority rejected the lawyer's request to remove them. Judicial authorities argue that the surveillance is needed to ensure the suspect does not commit suicide.

"He is demonised because he is the only surviving suspect," Mr Berton said. "There is no other inmate in France detained in the same conditions."

Abdeslam, 27, had initially said he wanted to explain his path to radicalisation and his role in the attacks on Paris's Bataclan concert hall, cafes and the national stadium. The other attackers died in suicide bombings or under police fire.

Abdeslam's role in the attacks has never been clear. The Paris prosecutor has said he was equipped as a suicide bomber that night, but abandoned his plans and fled.

Abdeslam evaded police for four months, but was arrested in the Brussels neighbourhood where he grew up. He was later extradited to France and faces several preliminary terrorism charges.

"It's impossible to try to defend someone who refuses to defend himself. He has decided not to defend himself," Mr Berton said, adding that Abdeslam's silence will be detrimental to the victims' families.

"He is going to be accused of all crimes and will be responsible for all ... There will be a trial, but what for? The truth never came out of silence."

Mr Berton added that Abdeslam had refused to speak to a judge twice since his transfer to France and skipped another hearing.

"When you have the feeling of being there to make social visits to the prison, a decision has to be made," his colleague, Mr Mary, told BFM-TV.

“Creepy craze is costing us gigs” says Irish clowning industry

$
0
0
Members of the Tumble Circus

Members of the Tumble Circus

Workers in the Irish clowning industry have said that the knock-on-effect of people wearing creepy clown masks in recent weeks, is "destroying people's livelihoods".

The public are being urged not to lose faith in professional clowns following scary incidents throughout Ireland.

"We've had members lose gigs because of it, professional paid gigs, because of the association with hysteria and scariness and violence," said Lucy Medlycott, chairperson of the Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network.

"This is really damaging to professional clowns. It's verging on abuse," she told the Herald.

Videos of creepy clowns terrorising young people in the run-up to Halloween have emerged online from across the world in recent weeks, with pranksters often carrying fake weapons.

Ms Medlycott hit out at the perpetrators.

"This is not what clowns are about," she said.

"It's playing on people's fears. Usually people think of clowns as something fun, something funny, childish, naive, innocent. But these scary clowns, it's just not good for anyone involved.

"It's not funny. It's not representative of clowns …they're building up a hysteria around them."

Ken Fanning, who works with Tumble Circus, said that he has lost out on work in recent weeks because of the frenzy. One customer told Fanning that she was afraid people would be frightened because of the recent controversy.

"I had a gig booked in the north of Dublin and the woman rang me and told me that they couldn't do it. We were going to bring our marching band down. She said it just couldn't happen, that she was afraid people would be scared of it, because a lot of people have been affected directly by people dressing up as clowns. It's rubbish," Mr Fanning told the Herald.

"It's crap that people are taking the image of the clown, which is loved by children. They're taking this image and turning it into an image of horror to frighten them, taking something that they have joy and pleasure in and making it a horrific image. They're destroying people's livelihoods."

Ms Medlycott said that the creepy craze will affect real clowns' ability to work safely.

"They won't be able to perform comfortably without being afraid, or being targeted. It is going to cause problems if it goes on.

"Professional clowns want to stand against this, this is not who we are… all these online fads have lifespans, but right now, it's just not funny."

Last week, students and teachers in Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock, were left shocked when three members of a Halloween production company inadvertently entered the school dressed as scary clowns to promote The Nightmare Realm.

The production company later apologised for the mistake.

Meanwhile, a teenager has been landed with a criminal record after taking part in the "killer clown" craze.

The 18-year-old man, from Caerphilly in Wales, was issued with a fixed penalty notice and fined £90 (€99) for a public order offence.

Gwent Police said he was intimidating children outside a school while dressed as a clown.

Chief Inspector Paul Staniforth said: "Not only is this man out of pocket, he will now have a criminal record which will impact his future, including any job opportunities.

"I hope this result sends a strong message to anyone thinking about taking part in this craze, that their five minutes of what they may think is fun really isn't worth it."

Viewing all 12786 articles
Browse latest View live


Latest Images

<script src="https://jsc.adskeeper.com/r/s/rssing.com.1596347.js" async> </script>