Colm Deely

The State has asked the Court of Appeal to quash a man's murder conviction and order a retrial after it emerged that the then Deputy State Pathologist Dr Khalid Jabbar's work was not peer reviewed.

Colm Deely (44), of School Road, Ballyvaughan, Co Clare, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Deirdre McCarthy (43) at a place unknown on or about March 28, 2011. The body of Ms McCarthy was found on Fanore Beach, Co Clare on March 31, 2011.

A Central Criminal Court jury found Deely guilty of murder and he was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Barry White on June 27, 2013.

Deely was due to appeal his conviction today in the Court of Appeal. However, before the appeal was opened, counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Paul Greene SC, asked the three-judge court to quash Deely's conviction and direct a retrial.

Last month, Deely's lawyers filed a motion seeking leave to adduce new evidence for the appeal.

Solicitor Gearoid Geraghty, for Deely, submitted to the court that there was “unchallenged evidence” that the then Deputy State Pathologist Dr Khalid Jabbar's work in this case was “not peer reviewed”.

In an affidavit grounding the motion to adduce new evidence, Mr Geraghty stated that he wrote to the Chief Prosecution Solicitor in March 2016 “to ascertain whether Dr Jabbar's work in this case was peer reviewed as required”.

In June, the Chief Prosecution Solicitor “responded and indicated that it was not”, Mr Geraghty stated.

“This was the first time I became aware of this very serous deficiency in Dr Jabbar's procedures,” Mr Geraghty stated.

Ahead of the trial of Colm Deely in 2013, there were “serious defence concerns relating to the nature of the pathology evidence”, Mr Geraghty stated, and the defence had retained the services of Professor Jack Crane, State Pathologist for Northern Ireland and Professor of Forensic Medicine, Queens University Belfast.

Mr Geraghty stated that his office in 2013 had taken the “unusual step” of requesting the disclosure of material “relating to Dr Jabbar's professional qualifications, complaints made against him and in particular complaints made by any State employees against him”.

In May 2013, the Chief State Solicitor replied and “complained” that an attempt was being made to put into issue the character of Dr Jabbar and that the defence's request for disclosure was “irrelevant and a general trawl”.

“Arising out of what is now known about Dr Jabbar,” Mr Geraghty stated that his request for disclosure of material related to Dr Jabbar ahead of the trial of Colm Deely in 2013 “was far from irrelevant and in fact could not have been more pertinent”.

Mr Geraghty stated that his client was not seeking to benefit from some 'windfall' arising out of a judgment that post dates his conviction.

“The competence of Dr Jabbar was absolutely central to the fairness of his trial and was explicitly raised on (Mr Deely's) behalf both before and throughout his trial”.

Had the fact that “Dr Jabbar was carrying out work which was not peer reviewed and in defiance of instructions from the State Pathologist” been known, Mr Geraghty said, it would have been a matter of central relevance to the trial and to the defence approach.

It was unknown to Deely's lawyers and “renders his conviction unsafe and unsatisfactory”, Mr Geraghty stated.

Mr Justice George Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan and Mr Justice John Edwards, quashed Deely's conviction and ordered a retrial.

Mr Deely was remanded in custody to appear before the Central Criminal Court on January 16 next.

Mr Geraghty stated that the issue first arose in 2015 High Court proceedings known as 'DPP v Furlong'.

Arising out of that, Mr Geraghty stated that he “became aware of the factual particulars of a murder trial which took place in the Central Criminal Court on 14th November 2013 just over four months after” his client Colm Deely's trial.

Mr Geraghty stated that the judgments in Furlong “detail an extraordinary intervention by the State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy arising out of the evidence given by Dr Jabbar” in that case.

“Of particular concern to Professor Cassidy was that amongst other things she was unfamiliar with the case despite having instructed that all homicide cases undertaken on behalf of the State be 'peer reviewed' … Her concerns were also shared by Dr Michael Curtis and Dr Margaret Bolster”.

“As a result of the intervention detailed in the (Furlong) judgments the jury were discharged and ultimately an order of prohibition was secured preventing a retrial”. 

“In the aftermath of the events at trial Dr Jabbar resigned his post and left the jurisdiction”.

A sub-machine gun seized by gardai

A SENIOR lieutenant in the Kinahan Cartel planned a brazen armed heist to steal back drugs and weapons seized by unarmed gardaí.

The mobster came up with the plan after officers accidentally uncovered hundreds of thousands of euro worth of drugs, as well as weapons and ammunition. 

The seizure was made in north Dublin in August by gardaí carrying out a search related to burglary offences. 

The unarmed officers were shocked to discover the drugs and weapons haul as they only expected to find stolen property in the house. 

At the same time as the officers made the seizure, Garda intelligence officers were monitoring the phone of the well-known cartel member. 

A source said: “He was raging that gardaí had carried out the bust. He came up with a plan to send gunmen down to hold up the unarmed members who were carrying out the raid and steal back the guns and drugs.”

Within minutes of gardaí becoming aware of the plot they sent members of the Emergency Response Unit as well as other armed gardaí in the area to the scene.

As a result the cartel abandoned their plan. 

“He had said to open fire if necessary so it was an extremely serious situation. This is the mentality that these people have. It beggars belief that anyone would think about arming themselves and stealing drugs and weapons back from Gardaí,” said the source.

STOCK IMAGE

A motorcyclist who was declared dead at the scene of an accident was found alive in a mortuary fridge the next day.

A worker discovered Msizi Mkhize was still breathing when his family arrived at the morgue in Durban, South Africa to identify his body.

The 28-year-old man was rushed to hospital where doctors attempted to resuscitate and warm him, but despite their best efforts he was pronounced dead five hours later.

The Kwa-Zulu Natal Health Authority said it had launched an investigation into how paramedics came to mistakenly believe Mr Mkhize had died after being hit by a car on Monday 5 December.

Family members accused paramedics of negligence and demanded a full explanation from authorities.

Mr Mkhize's parents said they wanted to know if their son could have been saved if he had been taken to hospital earlier.

His father, Peter, told the Daily News: “I have no words to express how I feel about what happened to my child. To spend the entire night and morning in the mortuary refrigerator is wrong.”

He added: “We arrived there at 8am to do the paperwork and view the body of my child. It was after 12pm when an employee told one of the doctors my son was alive.

“That day will forever be etched in my mind."

He urged journalists to let the family bury Mr Mkhize in peace before they would answer questions about the incident in greater detail.

Mr Mkhize's sister, Hlobisile, said she wanted to know who had judged her brother, from KwaMashu township, to have passed away.

Ms Mkhize said: “We want to know who declared him dead. Is that person experienced enough to handle and make decisions in such situations?

”This is painful and stressful for the family to establish that our brother and son had spent the night in the morgue.

“Somewhere, somehow someone did not do their job. We want a full explanation from all concerned.”

After he was found to be alive, Mr Mkhize was rushed to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital, where medical staff fought to save him.

Dr Rishigen Viranna, a GP at the hospital, echoed calls for an investigation into the incident, which he said highlighted ”extreme shortcomings“ within the provincial paramedic and mortuary services.

He said the family had received “extensive counselling” at the hospital throughout the entire process.

“There is a concept in emergency medicine care known as the ‘Golden Hour’, where after trauma a patient has the best chance of good outcome if hospital or medical treatment is received within the first hour.

“This did not occur in this case. However, the true cause of death will be determined after a post-mortem has been completed,” he said.

A provincial health department spokesman said: “The passing away of any individual is a painful experience.

“The department can confirm that an internal inquiry is under way.”

Via Independent.ie

court generic image 1.jpg

THE mother of a Dublin teenager, who claimed she home schooled her son when he played truant for a year, has been spared jail.

Dublin District Court heard that as a last resort Tusla, the Child and Family Agency (CFA), had to bring proceedings against the the woman and her husband.

There were huge concerns about the number of school days missed by the boy, who is in his mid-teens, over several years.

Earlier, her husband had been fined €300 but a bench warrant was issued to have the mother brought before the court. The woman had not come to court on eight dates.

When her case resumed, Judge John Brennan heard that the woman, who claims to suffer from anxiety, had repeatedly failed to engage with educational and welfare officers or to go to meetings they arranged.

Fining her €900, he said there was “extraordinary ignorance on the part of the defendant in relation to her responsibilities as regards to her child and her obligations as a parent”. He noted she had no prior criminal convictions but said the proceedings concerned her son's future and career, adding, “that concern does not manifest itself in the behaviour of the parent”.

The boy had been referred to the CFA in March 2015 by which stage the boy had missed 100 days of that school year, an educational and welfare officer told the court. A warning was sent to the parents and they were told they could be brought to court.

The court heard the teenager did not have learning difficulties.

After the warning, the boy did not return to school for the rest of the 2015 – 2016 school year. He went back in September this year but has turned up just 50 per cent of days.

The official agreed with prosecution solicitor Clare Barry that the teen had a history of non-attendance going back to when he was in primary school. He missed 101 days in 2012 – 2013, 112 days in 2014 – 2015 and 129 during the 2014 – 2015 school year.

However, this was the mother's first prosecution. Ms Barry said the court could impose a fine of up to €1,000 and a one-month sentence.

The court heard a child can leave school at the age of 16 but must have completed three years of secondary school. As a result the teen's school attendance issue is still within the remit of the CFA, she said.

She asked the court to note the defendant's lack of an explanation for her son's poor attendance record and “the Child and Family Agency feels very strongly in relation to this matter”.

Ms Barry said the CFA remains hugely concerned as educational and welfare officers strived to intervene to no avail.

Defence counsel Aoife McMahon told the court that the third-year pupil was very bright and she put it to the witness that the boy has not suffered as a result of his absence from school because of the work he was doing at home.

The educational and welfare officer said she did not know that or that the mother had problems with anxiety.

Counsel said the woman had financial struggles and asked the court to note that the boy may “cop on” as all his older siblings are involved in productive activities. The court heard that the family made efforts to home school him but ultimately they did not succeed.

The mother was very concerned about her son and only learned in the past two days that he is still not going to school, the defence said.

Judge Brennan said the lack of engagement with the education authorities and failure to attend court proceedings on eight dates and the bench warrant were aggravating factors. He noted a letter handed in to court about the woman's health issues but said that did not explain her missing court. He warned that the fine must be paid within six months and that the parents could face further prosecutions if the absences continue.

Screen grab of the plane over Manhattan from @alplicable video

Many residents of New York took to social media to question why a large plane was circling Manhattan in the last hour.

Some posted videos of the incident, which saw the large plane circle the Midtown area of Manhattan for about 10 minutes.

A video of the plane that's been circling Manhattan pic.twitter.com/Bsj5ANEeW1

— Alp Ozcelik (@alplicable) December 13, 2016

Many were understandably concerned about the large plane flying so close to such a built up area, with helicopters also spotted in the vicinity.

Plane circling midtown Manhattan East with helicopter escort. WTF? pic.twitter.com/zLm0lUT3hg

— Vera Newhouse (@vera_newhouse) December 13, 2016

And while the plane has now been identified, the reason for the unusual and scary flight path has yet to be revealed.

The C-130 belongs to the 102nd Rescue Squadron of the New York Air National Guard.

Not normal activity, but it has already departed NYC. https://t.co/y2Jl5lSQAz

— Jason Rabinowitz (@AirlineFlyer) December 13, 2016

In recent minutes reports suggest it was just a training exercise.

The C-130 flying over Manhattan is part of a training exercise

— Aaron Katersky (@AaronKatersky) December 13, 2016

22.06pm: Here is the statement from the Federal Aviation Authority

And here's the statement from the FAA pic.twitter.com/yYbFYU5cEY

— Mary Georgantopoulos (@marygeorgant) December 13, 2016

Two caravans were set alight

Five men and a boy have been charged over an arson attack at a traveller site linked to a double murder investigation.

Emergency services were called to the West Meadows site in Ipswich on Sunday night after two caravans were set alight, properties were damaged and a horse was injured and died at the scene, Suffolk Police said.

One man suffered injuries from a dog bite as they were arrested and was taken to hospital.

The disturbance came three days after the deaths of Barry Street, 32, and 18-year-old Nathan Oakley from suspected stab wounds on December 8.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested after reports of a stabbing at West Meadows and has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of possession of a bladed article.

Firefighters were called to the traveller site the night before the 17-year-old was due in court, and five men and a boy have now been charged with arson with intent to danger life and criminal damage.

Ernest Oakley, 22, of West Meadows, William Harbour, 31, of Woodlands Way, Ipswich, 19-year-old Levi Harbour and 20-year-old Henry Harbour, both of Meadow Lane, Runwell, Essex, 23-year-old Swayley Smith, of Ings Road, Barnsley, South Yorkshire and a 14-year-old boy from Essex have all been remanded to appear at Ipswich Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old boy charged with two murders, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in two brief court hearings by videolink on Monday.

Two police officers sat in the public gallery for both hearings, the first at Ipswich Magistrates' Court and the second at Ipswich Crown Court hours later.

The youth spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and to say that he understood the proceedings as he sat beside his solicitor.

No pleas were taken and the teenager was remanded in youth detention accommodation to appear before the city's Crown Court again on January 9 2017 for a plea hearing.

Pregnant woman sprayed.jpg

A heavily-pregnant woman had a noxious substance sprayed into her eyes by car thieves who pinned her to the ground.

Detectives are searching for two men after the attack on the 22-year-old victim, whose phone was smashed during the offence in Yardley, Birmingham, last Sunday.

The woman - who is eight months pregnant - had parked up on Yew Tree car park at around 7.50pm when two men of Asian appearance, believed to have been lying in wait, approached her.

Officers say the woman tried to run away but was dragged to the ground before her car keys were taken from her.

The thieves then drove off in the woman's grey Volkswagen Golf, which has since been recovered and retained for forensic examination.

Sergeant Philip Poole, who is leading the investigation, said: "The pregnant victim was taken to hospital where she and unborn baby were monitored and treated for minor injuries − both are doing well.

"Nevertheless, it was a shocking attack against a heavily-pregnant woman and the outcome could have been far worse. We need to identify the offenders before they are able to attack again."

Detectives have released a CCTV clip of the suspects, and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Sgt Poole added: "We've secured CCTV and recovered the car, but we're still appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious, or has any other information which they believe will assist the investigation to come forward."

Mark Desmond's body is removed from the scene

Twisted gangland scumbag Mark ‘The Guinea Pig’ Desmond’s remains were brought to his sister’s flat to repose yesterday.

The killer’s body was not brought to Ballyfermot, Dublin, because of the hatred felt for him by the local community.

However, the wake was far from smooth sailing as Desmond’s corpse had to be taken out of his coffin in order to fit into the apartment, according to reports in today’s Irish Daily Star.

26-stone ‘Guinea Pig’ had to be stuffed into the inner city flat by workers who removed his body from the coffin and covered his remains in a fitted sheet.

His body was released to his family late on Monday, 11-days after he was shot dead.

His remains were taken to the south inner city yesterday at 1:45pm.

Undertakers manager to lift the huge coffin up several flights of stairs in the complex, but the casket was so big they couldn’t fit it through the door, according to reports in today’s Irish Daily Star.

A witness told The Star: “They had to bring it up the steps, but they couldn’t get it in the door.

“There was obviously a weight issue. They had to lift the coffin vertically to get it in the house. They were able to get the coffin in, so it wasn’t as if it was too big to get in.

The evil drug dealing rapist and serial killer- a suspect in the murder of four young people - died after being shot three times in the head in the Griffeen Valley Park in Lucan shortly after 8pm on the 2nd of December.

In comments directed square­ly at Desmond, Dean Carey, the son of Grand Canal Bank murder victim Darren Carey (20), who was shot dead along­side pal Patrick Murray by Desmond in 2000, blasted: "He killed my father 17 long years ago, delighted, finally justice has been served.

"You deserved it, if it was my way I would have tortured you, ye fat c**t.

"Enjoy hell you pr**k," he posted.

"Giddy up ye fat f**k.

"Finally our minds are at rest. Ding Dong the pig is gone."

Across the capital yesterday, the families of at least four men mur­dered by Desmond were coming to terms with the news the evil psycho had died after being gunned down in Griffeen Valley Park in Lucan on Friday evening.

Heartbreakingly, the mother of James Kenny McDonagh, who cam­paigned relentlessly for justice since 2010 when Desmond abducted and murdered the youngster, passed away in May.

A neighbour living in the Island­bridge Court apartments told us: "Jacqui [James's mum] never got over her son's death.

"All she wanted was justice, but I think she'll rest easier now."

The family of Patrick Murray, meanwhile, marked Desmond's death with mum Kay paying a visit to her son's grave in Palmerstown Cemetery.

Speaking with the Sunday World last week, dad Paul told us: "We found out last night…within minutes of it happening.

"I think now they can rest easier [Patrick and Darren], I think they can.

"The Gardai never went after him after the trial collapsed…that was it.

"The dogs in the street knew what he did."

Desmond was regarded by gardai as one of the most violent, vile and sadistic criminals to ever come to attention to the capital.

His death was widely welcomed in Ballyfermot and parts of the south inner-city, where he was notorious for the horrific manner in which he dealt with people over outstanding drug debts - including using sexual assault as a punishment tool.

Earlier this year, gardai had to warn a number of rent boys operat­ing out of the Phoenix Park about Desmond's violent past after he was spotted paying them for sex.

He was found on a footpath in Griffeen Valley Park in Lucan and had suf­fered a number of gunshot wounds.

Gardai recovered one handgun from a burned-out car found two kilometres from the scene, while a second weapon was found near the murder scene.

Officers across the city will be on standby over fears Desmond’s enemies could attack his funeral cortege. It’s believed that the service will be attended by only a small number of people due to his unpopularity.

Gardai and officers from CAB have swooped on a number of properties in Rathkeale, Co Limerick.

Sources have revealed that files and documents are being targeted by officers as they moved on a number of premises in the town. 

The pre-planned searches began this morning and are ongoing. 

Traditionally the traveller traders from the town arrive back to celebrate Christmas with a series of weddings and parties at this time of the year. 

More to follow....

A stretch of autobahn in eastern Germany has been shut down to allow experts to dispose of a World War II-era anti-tank mine found only 200 metres from the busy motorway.

The A15 highway near Cottbus, close to the Polish border, was affected after authorities found the mine and 17 grenades in a field.

Explosives experts were to destroy the munitions in place.

More than 70 years after the end of the war, Germany is still littered with unexploded bombs and other munitions.

Those are found especially in the east, where the fighting against the Soviet Red Army was fierce in the final weeks of the war, and in the big cities.

A police constable has been charged with attempting to incite sexual activity with a child in the UK.

Nicholas Pool, 29, who is based in South Cumbria, was due to appear in court in Carlisle on Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for Cumbria Police said: "Police have charged a 29-year-old man with attempting to incite sexual activity with a child under 13.

"Nicholas Pool, a Pc in South Cumbria, will appear at Carlisle Magistrates' Court this morning.

"He is currently suspended from the Constabulary."

It is understood the alleged offences were said to have taken place when the officer was off duty.

Meagan Green (Pics by Conor McCaughley)

Meagan Green (Pics by Conor McCaughley)

Meagan Green (Pics by Conor McCaughley)

Meagan Green swapped business for pleasure to become Ulster’s hardest-working model.

The former Miss Northern Ireland had plans to start her own company after her business marketing degree.

But the crown came calling and launched her into a world of celebrities, fashion and photography.

Last week she picked up Model of the Year from agency ACA and says it’s another highlight in the perfect job.

“No one had ever won it for two years in a row so to win it for three years is amazing,” says Meagan.

“Before Miss Northern Ireland I had planned to become an entrepreneur. Now I haven’t just got a taste for modelling, I’ve loved every day of it.”

The change in career plans also led to love with Great Britain and Elite League ice hockey player Craig Peacock.

Their eyes met across a frosty ice rink and within a few months he had melted Meagan’s heart.

“He was getting pumped up for the game and I was getting ready to walk across the ice in heels to drop the puck for the start of the game. 

“I think I had the hardest job,” says Meagan.

“After a few months of chasing we went out for a date and we’ve been together now for two years.”

The former Belfast Giants player has moved to Braehead Clan in Glasgow so Meagan is fitting long-distance love into a busy schedule.

It has included TV ads for Stena, walking the runway at Belfast FashionWeek, helping backstage at Sports Personality of the Year, and working at Sir Ian Botham’s Invitational charity golf event.

“I get to see events from a different perspective as one of the cogs backstage, whether it’s a Northern Ireland game, an Ulster rugby match, the Belfast Giants, or I really enjoy working at food events as a farmer’s daughter.

“Everyone thinks it’s a glamorous job but sometimes it’s 18 hours a day,” says Meagan.

“My policy is to say yes to every job and if you get a reputation for being reliable and hard-working, clients will want to work with you again.” 

After her 2013 win Meagan kept up her links with the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice and signed up for the Belfast Marathon this year in a celebrity relay with football manager Brendan Rogers and beau Craig.

“I’ve supported the Children’s Hospice, Clic Sargent, and the Special Olympics. It’s been really important to me to keep those charity links.”

The 27-year-old is also flying the flag for Miss Northern Ireland Emma Carswell, currently in Washington DC at the Miss World finals.

“It’s incredible to see all of the experiences she has been having which will be so different from my Miss World in Bali or Leanne McDowell’s in China.

“I can’t wait to see how she does in the final and having worked with her I know she is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside,” says Meagan.

roisin.gorman@sundayworld.com

Sligo IT Image via Google Maps

Gardaí are investigating a potential gun attack threat to students and staff at IT Sligo after a not containing plans for a shooting was discovered on the campus.

The unsigned note referencing a "potential gun attack" was left in a classroom on a college campus.

The note was discovered in a room at Sligo IT and was immediately reported to gardaí by college staff.

Gardaí have conducted a series of enquiries and told Independent.ie the contents of the letter are currently under investigation.

It is reported that the handwritten note contained details of a potential gun attack threat. 

According to reports in the Irish Daily Star, the note reads:

“Letter towards my mean class members. I feel very sad because my class members bully me, they are a bunch of dicks, they pick on me because my English is very bad.

“I promised myself that I’d bring a fully loaded Glock 17 and smoke them all. I bought the gun on the dark web on Silk Road. It’s going to come by the 9^th of December and I’ll bring it to an exam all on the 15^th of January and use it then.

“I plan to kill six students within the period of ten minutes, slowly and painfully. I will have two magazines with equal amounts of 40 bullets.”

Glock 17 handgun 

A spokesperson for the third-level institution said today that there is no viable immediate threat suspected, but the college are prioritising the safety of their staff and students.

"The safety and security of our students and staff is paramount," they told Independent.ie.

"While the Gardaí assessment is that there is no viable immediate threat, their investigation is continuing."

The college said appropriate security arrangements are in place at the college.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, December 6 and they are continuing to consult with gardaí on a daily basis.

Approximately 3,000 students attend the IT which is located to the north-east of Sligo town.

A man has appeared in court accused of stabbing another man after boarding a train with a knife.

Adrian Brown, who lives at Honor Lea Hostel, a residential care facility for recovering drug and alcohol addicts in Brockley Rise, south-east London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

The 38-year-old has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a man on a train on December 12, carrying a knife and making threats against Muslims.

Brown was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon and assault by battery after being arrested at Forest Hill station in south-east London.

The court heard that his alleged victim suffered wounds to his head and torso, as well as a punctured lung.

Brown's legal representative, Martin Rutherford QC, noted that his client had mental health issues and did not make an application for bail.

Brown was remanded in custody to next appear in Southwark Crown Court on January 11.

Charlotte with Billy

The mother of a seriously ill schoolboy is calling on Stormont to legalise medicinal cannabis after her son’s spectacular progress in the US.

Charlotte Caldwell hopes the ‘dopes’ on the hill will sit up and take notice after revealing her epilepsy-suffering son Billy has been taking cannabis to stop his deadly brain seizures.

Charlotte says the revolutionary use of medicinal cannabis oil, or CBD oil, has left young Billy without a seizure for 15 days.

Billy is receiving the controversial treatment in Los Angeles while specialist epilepsy doctors figure out what kind of brain operation they think will work best to rid the Castlederg schoolboy of his lethal fits.

“Billy isn’t sitting smoking joints obviously – he gets daily syringes of the oil into his mouth – and the results speak for themselves,” says Charlotte.

“Billy has been taking the cannabis oil for a few weeks now. He hasn’t had a seizure for 16 days when before he was having around seven every week. 

“Not only has the cannabis oil significantly reduced his seizures, his wee personality is starting to come out.

“I have being living with Billy for the last 11 years, I can honestly say I don’t think it was the real Billy! There is a wee twinkle in his eye, he is becoming more aware of his surroundings and less imbalanced, eating more and becoming more mischievous!

“As every day passes on CBD he is changing for the better.”

Billy wearing his Spiderman costume in LA hospital

Now Charlotte is calling on local politicians – and in particular Health Minister Michelle O’Neill – to follow the example of the Dublin government which last week legalised its use for medicinal purposes.

Billy’s brother Kyle will be delivering a letter to the Health Minister this week urging her to legalise medicinal cannabis so his brother can return home from LA safely in the New Year.

“It’s remarkable medication and I think it is time our Health Service made it available to the people who will medically benefit from it,” says Charlotte.

“Billy’s condition is a brutal diagnosis for any wee child to deal with, but with the help of CBD and brain surgery in the coming weeks, I’m feeling hopeful he will overcome it and return home safely in the New Year.”

Fundraisers from all over Northern Ireland have been raising cash for Billy in dozens of different ways and to date over £93,000 has been raised.

Ten years ago doctors at the RVH sent a six-month old Billy home from hospital and told his mum there was little chance he would see his first birthday.

Last month after extensive tests positive news emerged that Billy could be cured of his seizures with a brain operation, though it could cost over £300,000.

Tests carried out by senior doctors at the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital discovered that Billy is a ‘high risk’ candidate for a condition known as SUDEP – sudden unexpected death in epilepsy patients – because many of his seizures happen in his sleep.

But doctors think they can rid him of his seizures with a delicate and complicated brain operation. Charlotte describes the changes in Billy over the last few weeks as “incredible” but says the thought that she would be committing a crime by treating her son with CBD oil in Northern Ireland is mad.

“I have seen how this stuff works and can change lives right before my eyes so why would we not want to make this kind of treatment available to others in Northern Ireland?

“I know we can do this and not only for Billy, but so many of our loved ones can benefit from medicinal cannabis.”

On Friday Billy’s brother Kyle started a 300-mile walk to raise funds and awareness of his condition.

He will be carrying his brother, or at least the equivalent of his weight, on his back during the  marathon fundraiser which he’s calling “Billy’s Cannabus Run”.

During the run he will be dropping in at Stormont to hand over a letter to the Health Minister, urging her to reconsider legalising medicinal cannabis.

For more info and how to donate go to www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/just4 children/keepbillyalive2 – you can also Text Keep81 £3.00 to 70070.

steven.moore@sundayworld.com

The funeral of gunned-down gangster Mark Desmond took place in Dublin today.

Gangland criminal 'Guinea Pig' was gunned down in Griffeen Valley Park, Lucan, on December 2.

His body was released to his family over the weekend after a post-mortem examination was completed.

The funeral took place today at the Saint Catherine of Alexandria Church on Meath Street, Dublin 8.

Fewer than 50 mourners turned up for the service.

Around half a dozen gardai, some plain clothed, were spotted in and around the church to ensure that the ceremony went off without any security issues.

An armed support car was also on patrol.

It is understood there were fears that the funeral would be disrupted by his killers, who gardai suspected may attend.

Desmond, who was originally from Ballyfermot, received three gunshot wounds to the head, and was also shot once in the leg.

He had been working for a Sligo-based drugs gang and was also associated with criminals in the Lucan area.

Desmond was killed shortly before 8pm on a Friday evening, and was believed to have been meeting with associates before being fatally shot.

The 'Guinea Pig' had previously survived a number of attempts on his life - including a botched shooting in Tallaght in 2005 and a failed hit in Ballyfermot in 2010.

Desmond was linked to at least four killings, including the horrific canal murders in 2000.

He was initially charged in relation to the murders of Darren Carey and Patrick Murray, whose remains were discovered in the Grand Canal between January 9 and 10, 2000.

However, the charges were sensationally dropped and he was jailed for firearms offences relating to the same incident.

Desmond was also the chief suspect in the murder of Anthony Cannon, an associate of jailed gang boss Brian Rattigan.

The gun-for-hire was also suspected of playing a key role in the murder of James Kenny McDonagh, who disappeared in 2010.

Several premises were raided today by CAB and gardai as part of an investigation into a Limerick organised crime gang.

Gardai from the Criminal Assets Bureau, assisted by local garda units, carried out a number of searches on foot of search warrants today.

The raids were in relation to a CAB investigation, Operation Oakleaf, into an organised crime gang in Rathkeale, Co Limerick.

The searches were conducted at seven private residences and four premises in the Limerick area.

CAB Officers seized a significant amount of cash, as well as a large volume of documents and other evidence related to assets. This evidence will be further examined by specialist Bureau Officers.

The CAB investigation relates to suspected criminal activity by an organised crime gang in Ireland, the UK and Europe.

During the course of the searches in private residences in Rathkeale, two men were arrested by local gardai for minor public order offences.

The entrance to University of Limerick (Image via Google Maps)

University of Limerick has been forced to issue a warning to all students after an outbreak of Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia on campus.

Universtiy of Limerick took the unusual step of issuing an email to all students this morning, warning them of the potential dangers.

The mail reads: "The Student Health Centre has been notified that there is an outbreak of Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia on campus. 

"These are sexually transmitted diseases as a result of unprotected anal, vaginal or oral sex.

"It is possible to have these conditions without having any type of symptoms."

The email, sent by Dr Ronan Ryder, warns: "If you have had unprotected sex or have any concerns, we would strongly advise you to contact the Student Health Centre or your GP."

The Student Health Centre confirmed it will provide treatment on site.

In a statement, the University confirmed that they are working closely with the HSE.

"As is best practice, UL has rolled out an awareness campaign contacting every student directly. In accordance with HSE protocols, students are being urged to present to the STI and/or the GP clinics run by the UL Student Health Centre should they have concerns with regard to any element of their health, and to get the necessary treatment.

"All students who present are currently being seen with or without an appointment, and UL will continue to work closely with the HSE to ensure all awareness and treatment protocols are fully adhered to."

Via Independent.ie

William Gilsenan

A 24-year-old has been found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter for killing a drug dealer during an argument over a €100 debt.

William Gilsenan had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Edward Fitzgerald (29) in a car park outside the killer's home at The Green, Larch Hill, Oscar Traynor Road, Santry, Dublin 17.

The jury of seven women and five men took two hours and 35 minutes to come to their unanimous verdict, following a ten day trial at the Central Criminal Court. 

Defence counsel Caroline Biggs SC asked that Gilsenan be granted bail on the grounds that he has no previous history of violence and has always answered his bail during the trial process. Justice Paul Butler said there would have to be "extraordinary circumstances" to grant bail following a conviction for manslaughter. He remanded Gilsenan in custody until January 12 when a sentencing hearing will take place.

He also thanked the jury for their hard work, and exempted them from further jury duty for ten years. As Gilsenan was led away by prison guards he blew a kiss towards members of his family who have been with him throughout the ten-day trial.

Members of Mr Fitzgerald's family cried and hugged one another.

The trial heard that Mr Gilsenan owed Mr Fitzgerald €100. Witnesses Dillon Mahady and Charles Brodigan said it was a drug debt but in interviews with gardai, Mr Gilsenan said the debt was for cash, although he had bought drugs off Mr Fitzgerald in the past.

Matters came to a head on October 17, 2014 when Mr Fitzgerald drove to Gilsenan's home and confronted him in the car park, demanding his money. The two men argued, with Gilsenan saying Mr Fitzgerald threatened him and threatened to smash up his house and his mother's house.

That argument ended without any physical confrontation as Mr Gilsenan went to his apartment. Mr Brodigan told the trial that they wanted to smoke a joint but they couldn't find any cigarette papers so they decided to go to a friend nearby. Gilsenan told gardai that he picked up a knife before leaving his apartment, but that he did not intend to use it. He told gardai that his intention was just to show it to Mr Fitzgerald and scare him away if he threatened him again.

When he went outside Mr Fitzgerald was still in his car and started shouting again, making further threats. One neighbour, Judith Commisky, said she overheard the argument and was "petrified" by what she heard. Gilsenan approached the car and argued with Mr Fitzgerald through the open passenger side window but then, according to Gilsenan's interviews with gardai, the deceased struck him in the face. Gilsenan then went to the driver's side door and a scuffle began with Mr Fitzgerald still in the car kicking Gilsenan and Gilsenan holding onto his legs.

After a few seconds of struggle Gilsenan produced the knife and stabbed Mr Fitzgerald twice. One wound went through his leg, the other pierced his heart and caused his death.

Before beginning their deliberations Justice Paul Butler told the jury that they had three possible verdicts open to them. They could find him guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty.

He said that the not guilty verdict could only apply if they believed Gilsenan was acting in self defence and used only the force necessary to protect himself.

A manslaughter verdict could apply in three scenarios; if he was defending himself but used excessive force; if he did not intend to kill or cause serious injury but intended to cause an injury that is less than serious but more than trivial, or if he was provoked by Mr Fitzgerald to the point where he lost self control.

He told them that to come to a murder verdict they would have to conclude that the the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that none of those scenarios applied.

Prosecution counsel Orla Crowe SC said members of Mr Fitzgerald's family would like to make a statement to the court prior to sentencing on January 12.

All images via An Garda Siochana Facebook page

All images via An Garda Siochana Facebook page

All images via An Garda Siochana Facebook page

All images via An Garda Siochana Facebook page

All images via An Garda Siochana Facebook page

All images via An Garda Siochana Facebook page

All images via An Garda Siochana Facebook page

All images via An Garda Siochana Facebook page

The new Armed Support Unit (ASU) for the Dublin Region was unveiled today by An Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald TD, and Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan.

Other parts of the country already have their own regional support units and this is the first time that one has been dedicated to the capital.

The commissioner said it was hoped to set up a strategic command centre that would co-ordinate the activities of all of the units in the first quarter of the new year.

The ASU has 55 members, who completed a 12-week training programme, and will provide high visibility patrolling and response while the Emergency Response Unit will concentrate on covert and high risk firearms interventions against both organised crime and terrorist groups.

Ms O'Sullivan said the ASU would give the force a new dynamic in the area of armed response but it also less than lethal weapons such as Tasers and pepper sprays.

Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald said the actions of the Garda in fearlessly opposing vicious criminal elements was a true example of service and commitment to the communities they served.

She pointed out that plans for the ASU were drawn up in the wake of the Kinahan-Hutch feud, which has so far claimed nine lives.

The unit is equipped with machine guns and pistols and also carry breeching equipment, a ballistic shield and a medical bag, including a defibrillator.