Police watchdog to probe ‘heavy-handed' treatment and profiling of Irish Traveller children
A police watchdog is set to launch a probe into the alleged heavy-handed treatment, and racial profiling of Irish Traveller children.
It comes after a number of Romani Gypsy and Irish Traveller youths were prohibited from attending a Christmas market in Manchester.
It's alleged that Greater Manchester Police (GMP) forced them back onto trains as they arrived at Manchester Victoria on November 23 of last year.
A dispersal order was issued on the day after police said 'intelligence' had been received about anti-social behaviour on trains.
A spokesperson for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed that the watchdog has received a request to review the incident and the cop's handling of the complaint.
The Traveller Movement has asked for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to review the case, saying the police response to their complaint.
Yvonne MacNamara, Chief Executive Officer, said the children involved had been "humiliated, manhandled and denied basic respect and safeguarding.'
The charity allege that children were separated from their families, subjected to abuse and remarks about their ethnicity, and forced onto trains going to unknown destinations.
Police reps met with The Traveller Movement to address their concerns following the incident.
"This forum was open and constructive," a spokesperson for the GMP said, adding that they looked 'forward to working more closely with community representatives going forward.'
Assistant Chief Constable for the GMP, Rick Jackson, expressed "regret at the distress caused" by the incident, and added that the use of police powers were "not taken lightly" and 'used with a great deal of consideration.'
"Our clients are hopeful that an IOPC review will expose what they believe is the clear institutional racism that led to this appalling incident,' a legal representative for The Traveller Movement said.
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The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Thug who brawled with cops in Manchester Airport GUILTY of assault after chaos sparked nationwide protests
A THUG who brawled with police in Manchester Airport before pinning the blame on cops have been found guilty of assault. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and Muhammad Amaad, 26, sparked nationwide protests after claiming they were attacked by the officers. 7 Footage played to jurors shows the brothers brawling with police 7 Amaaz broke one of the officer's noses in the carnage 7 Muhammed Amaad, left, and Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, right, stood trial Credit: Getty Two of the officers were also probed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and faced criminal charges. But during their trial, it was alleged the brothers had actually lashed out at police when they were called to deal with an earlier altercation. Amaaz was captured on CCTV headbutting passenger Abdulkareem Ismaeil in the cafe and punching him in a Starbucks . When PC Zachary Marsden, PC Ellie Cook and PC Lydia Ward approached the brothers in the car park of Terminal 2, Amaaz and Amaad were accused of displaying a "high level of violence". Amaaz has now been convicted of assaulting PC Ward and PC Cook following the horror last July. Horrific footage showed Amaaz resisting arrest as the officers tried to move him away from a payment machine to cuff him. He threw ten punches - including one to PC Ward's face that sent her crashing to the ground with blood pouring from her nose. Amaaz also kicked PC Marsden and twice struck firearms officer PC Cook with his elbow. Most read in The Sun Both Amaaz and PC Marsden then fell to the ground before the officer got up and appeared to "stamp" his foot towards Amaaz's head, Manchester Crown Court heard. But jurors were told the cop "doesn't appear to connect with Mr Amaaz". Moment man 'headbutted dad at Manchester airport before brawling with cops' As the brawl continued, the police officers got their Tasers out before managing to handcuff the brothers with the help of other cops. At one point, PC Ward could be seen appearing to cry as she holds her nose. In his evidence, PC Marsden said he felt "blows from all directions" and branded them the "hardest I have ever felt in my life". He also said felt an "immense weight of pressure" to his right side and felt his Glock 17 semi-automatic pistol move across his leg and around his body during the brawl. PC Marsden added: "My initial fear is that someone is trying to get my gun. If someone gained my firearm it would pose an immediate lethal threat to anyone in the vicinity. "The risk of my firearm being taken from me did not stop until we gained control. "There was more than one person involved here - the aggressor I was trying to arrest and possibly an accomplice who was a much bigger physical build than me and much taller." 7 Video showed one of the brothers headbutting a passenger before the brawl Jurors heard PC Marsden suffered "post-concussion syndrome" and was left with a "severe headache" for three days, dizziness, forgetfulness and bruising and swelling. PC Ward was left with a broken nose and needed surgery under general anaesthetic, it was said. The court heard previously that the brothers had gone to meet their mum at the airport on July 23 last year. She had been involved in some sort of incident with Abdulkareem either on their flight or shortly after it. As the brothers passed by Starbucks, the mum pointed out Abdulkareem to her sons as he sat with his wife and children in the cafe. Amaaz entered the cafe and headbutted the dad before punching him a number of times. Protests were held across Rochdale and Manchester after the footage emerged last summer . The brothers later said they were threatened by an officer and thrown to the ground. Their claims saw Greater plunged into crisis as video showed PC Marsden allegedly kicking Amaaz. They initially hired TikTok solicitor Timeline of chaos Footage of an incident at Manchester Airport between police officers and members of the public went viral on social media in July. A timeline below sets out what happened: July 23 : According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), an altercation takes place between passengers from a Qatar Airways flight which arrives at Manchester Airport at 7.20pm. A second incident, which police describe as a "violent altercation involving members of the public", happens in the Starbucks of Terminal Two just after 8.20pm. A third incident happens in the car park pay point area shortly before 8.30pm. Brothers Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and Muhammed Amaad, 25 and their mother Shameem Akhtar, 56, from Rochdale, are allegedly assaulted. Police say three of their officers receive head injuries, including a broken nose. Four men are arrested at the scene for affray and assault on emergency service workers. July 24 : A police officer is removed from operational duties after footage of the incident, appearing to show a man being kicked and having his head stamped on as he lies on the floor, is shared online. Police make a voluntary referral of their response to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). That night, an estimated 200 people gather outside Rochdale police station to protest in response. GMP say the protest concludes "without incident" July 25 : A GMP officer is suspended from all duties. The IOPC confirms it is independently investigating the level of force used. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham says he has seen full footage of the incident, which shows a "fast-moving and complicated" situation with "issues for both sides". Protests in Manchester city centre that evening involve blocked roads and tram lines while videos online appear to show a handful of demonstrators with their faces covered, throwing eggs at Rochdale police station. Rochdale MP Paul Waugh says he has spoken to the family involved and they want to appeal for calm. July 26 : The IOPC announces that a police constable is under criminal investigation for assault and has been told he is being investigated for potential gross misconduct for a number of alleged breaches of professional standards, including his use of force. Former Rochdale MP George Galloway visits the town and says he plans to meet the family involved. July 27 : New footage, appearing to show events in the moments before the video which has already been shared, becomes public. The Manchester Evening News publishes the video, which appears to show men throwing punches at officers. Two female officers appear to be struck, with one ending up on the ground. August 1 : Solicitor for the family, Aamer Anwar, says he has spoken with the IOPC about lodging a formal complaint against officers and says the family wants to understand on what legal basis Mr Burnham was shown the complete CCTV. August 6 : The family and their lawyer hold a press conference in which they outline their version of events. August 8 : The IOPC reveals a second officer is under criminal investigation for assault, relating to an incident shortly afterwards when two other men were arrested. The watchdog's acting regional director Catherine Bates says its investigation is ongoing in parallel with a GMP investigation into whether criminal offences were committed by members of the public. August 15 : GMP says a "comprehensive file of evidence" has been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for advice as part of an investigation into a series of alleged criminal offences. September 5 : The family meet with the IOPC to discuss progress on its investigation. September 6 : A spokesman for the police watchdog says it will investigate whether someone employed by the force shared footage. October 7 : MPs from Reform UK write to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, pledging to launch a private prosecution against those involved if charges are not brought by the CPS. November 18 : The CPS says it is still "considering material" and working with police and the IOPC while inquiries continue. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says the party will make a legal application. December 20 : It is announced that Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, has been charged with two offences of causing actual bodily harm, one charge of assaulting an emergency worker and one charge of common assault, and Muhammed Amaad, 25, has been charged with one count of causing actual bodily harm. No police officers will be charged, the CPS says. July 7, 2025: Unseen footage is released by the CPS showing the brothers attacking the officers. It also emerges Amaaz had earlier headbutted a passenger in a Starbucks at the airport. The brothers kept up their narrative of being the victims during the trial - with Amaaz claiming he feared he would be "killed" by PC Marsden during the chaos. He added: "It's not like it hasn't happened before when police officers have abused their powers and people have died.' Amaaz denied assaulting PC Marsden and PC Ward, causing them actual bodily harm. He was also accused of the assault of PC Cook and the earlier assault of Abdulkareem Ismaeil at Starbucks. Read more on the Irish Sun Amaad pleaded not guilty to assaulting PC Marsden, causing actual bodily harm. The pair will be sentenced at a later date. 7 As police came to arrest them, Amaaz allegedly lashed out at cops 7 PC Marsden stamped his foot towards Amaaz's head but did not make contact 7 The brothers were eventually restrained
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Man admits ‘sinister' harassment of couple following death of Mayo fan
Brendan Rowland admitted sending Peter and Anne Byrne cards signed from 'Joe' on several occasions A friend of tragic Mayo GAA fan Joe Deacy has pleaded guilty to harassing the owners of the house where the UK national was found unconscious before his death in 2017. Mr Deacy (21), of St Albans, England, was found unresponsive in the driveway of the home of Peter and Anne Byrne at Gortnasillagh, Swinford, Co Mayo, at 6.45am on August 12, 2017. Brendan Rowland (30), who is originally from Ballycroy, Co Mayo, but has been living in the UK for over a decade, admitted his part in a broader 'sinister' and 'orchestrated' harassment campaign of Peter and Anne Byrne. Castlebar Circuit Court heard that between December 2018 and December 2019, the couple received 40 cards to their home signed from 'Joe' on occasions including their birthdays, wedding anniversary, Mother's Day and Christmas. The court heard that on the couple's wedding anniversary they received a single black rose with a message '29 years, I didn't get that long', signed 'from Joe'. Mr Rowland was found to only be linked to 12 cards sent to the Byrnes. Patrick Reynolds BL, for the DPP, outlined to Judge Eoin Garavan the background to the case. Mr Reynolds said Joe Deacy was 'found in an unconscious state' in the driveway of the Byrnes' home when he was a guest and friend of their son, Conor, on August 12, 2017. Mr Deacy was brought to Mayo University Hospital and later transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, but died the following day. According to a post-mortem examination, the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. In December 2018, the Byrnes began to receive cards with sinister messages, and this continued for a period of almost 13 months. Mr Reynolds said 26 cards were signed from 'Joe' or 'Joseph' and referenced the 'conscience' of persons. Mayo fan Joe Deacy died in August 2017 A garda investigation traced some stamps to a post office in Ballycroy, and CCTV identified Brendan Rowland's mother as the person who bought them. Mr Rowland was subsequently arrested and interviewed, and made admissions in relation to some cards received by the Byrnes. The court heard he asked his mother to post them. However, she opened and read one card and refused to post those in her possession. Mr Reynolds told the court that the cards subject to the charges contained handwritten messages including: 'To the wholly honest Byrnes, everyone knows the truth. I hope this Christmas brings truth not cowardice.' Ms Byrne broke down in tears several times as she read her victim impact statement. She said her family had been 'persecuted by false information in the media and on social media', which led to a toxic hate campaign against her family. Describing the cards as 'poisonous', Ms Byrne said she received them on Mother's Day and her birthday. She said that as a cancer survivor it was 'repugnant' to her that some of the cards were sourced from a cancer charity. Mrs Byrne said she and her family 'did nothing wrong', and did everything they could to help Mr Deacy. 'Joe was a lovely young man and we welcomed him into our home,' she said. She said she had 'great sympathy' for his family and added: 'We also grieve for Joe.' Ms Byrne ended her statement by appealing for anyone with information to come forward. Mr Byrne, a vet with the Department of Agriculture, said the cards left him and his wife in 'great fear'. He said one card read: 'Hope you have a killer Christmas.' Brendan Rowland leaves Castlebar District Court. Photo: Oisín McGovern Mr Byrne said the experience left him feeling he had 'come in contact with a kind of evil I had never experienced in my life'. He said he was asleep in bed when he was alerted to Mr Deacy's unconscious state, and immediately called an ambulance before he began CPR. Mr Byrne said he also called the gardaí before the ambulance left, and then went directly to Mr Deacy's cousin's house to alert him. He said he and his family then left their home, giving gardaí full access to examine it and the surrounding property. 'I don't know what else we could have done,' he said. 'Brendan Rowland doesn't know me,' he said but still subjected him 'to a personal campaign of hatred'. 'We did nothing wrong,' he added. Mr Byrne said 'Joe Deacy was a lovely young man,' and appealed for 'anyone who has information as to what happened to Joe, please come forward,' he said. Defence counsel Laura Byrne BL said her client was 'ashamed and wants to offer an apology'. The defence counsel said Mr Deacy was supposed to stay with her client on the night he was injured, and his death 'engulfed' Rowland's life. Judge Garavan said the circumstances of the case were 'extremely difficult' and much is unresolved almost eight years after the tragedy. Describing Mr Rowland's actions as 'sinister' and 'criminal', Judge Garavan said he would finalise sentencing in October.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Man sentenced to death over 2022 killing of Private Seán Rooney in Lebanon
The main defendant in the case, Mohammad Ayyad, was sentenced to death for his part in the killing, the Irish Independent understands. Ayyad had previously admitted to firing a gun during the incident. A number of other defendants received lesser sentences which were not immediately published. A military tribunal in Beirut trying seven men had been ongoing into the killing of Private Rooney, from Co Donegal, who died after the armoured vehicle he was driving came under fire near the village of Al-Aqbiya in December 2022. He was 24 years old. Trooper Shane Kearney from Co Cork also suffered serious injuries in the same incident. The troops were driving near the town of Al-Aqbiya, known to be a stronghold of Hezbollah. Mr Rooney was dropping colleagues to the airport to return home to their families for Christmas when their convoy came under attack. "This evening I have been informed of the completion of the hearings held by the Military Tribunal in Beirut for those indicted for the murder of Private Sean Rooney, who was killed during an incident on 14 December 2022 at Al-Aqbiya, Lebanon, in which a number of his colleagues in the 121st Infantry Battalion also sustained serious injuries,' Defence Minister Simon Harris said. 'I welcome the conviction of the main defendant and a number of the other defendants, who had not previously been in court. While noting the sentence handed down to the main defendant, I am disappointed and share the disappointment of Private Rooney's family at the lighter sentences imposed on a number of those convicted today,' Mr Harris said, without specifying the sentences imposed on any of the defendants. "Seán Rooney made the ultimate sacrifice in the noble pursuit of peace. This is a difficult time for his family and his colleagues, especially those who were injured that night. All our thoughts are with them at this time,' Mr Harris said. An initial date of September had been set for the trial but this was moved forward at the request of the Irish government as Private Rooney's family had been waiting more than two years after his death for any progress in the case, despite numerous hearings taking place. 'I appreciate that this is an incredibly difficult day for the family of Private Rooney. None of us can fathom their unimaginable pain and grief and all my thoughts remain with them at this time,' Mr Harris said.
