Three men arrested after father (30s) hospitalised with serious head injuries
Police in Newry are appealing for information about the incident which happened in the vicinity of the Edenappa Road, Jonesborough.
The PSNI said two men had been arrested (Niall Carson/PA)
The family of a north Louth man who was found with serious head injuries on the Edenappa Road, Jonesborough, are maintaining a vigil at his bedside.
The man, a father in his 30s, was taken by ambulance to Craigavon Hospital where his condition is said to be serious.
Police in Newry are appealing for information about the incident which happened in the vicinity of the Edenappa Road, Jonesborough, in the early hours of last Saturday May 31.
The PSNI said two men had been arrested (Niall Carson/PA)
News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025
The man, a father in his 30s, was taken by ambulance to Craigavon Hospital where his condition is said to be serious.
Three men aged 27, 34 and 42, who were arrested in connection with the investigation, have all been released on bail to allow for further enquiries to be conducted.
The Faughart/Jonesborough Road was closed for a time to facilitate a forensic examination.
The PSNI are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with the investigation is asked to contact detectives in the Ardmore Police Station, Newry citing CW 35 31/05/25.
Alternatively, they can also make a report online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Race with the angels' – Tributes pour for Irish motorcycle champion who ‘lived life at full speed' after work accident
A PASSIONATE motorcyclist who died in a tragic work accident has been remembered as "a highly respected and well liked" person. Darren O'Dwyer, from Virginia in Co 2 Darren was a motorcycling champion Credit: facebook 2 The tragic man leaves behind a partner and three kids Credit: facebook It is understood the father-of-two, who was aged in his 40s, was killed while working in Co Down. A PSNI spokesperson confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious at this time and the Heath and Safety Executive has been informed. Darren was an avid motorcyclist and was reigning Mondello Park masters and National champion. He also raced sidecars professionally for years and was a former Ulster champion. Read more in Irish news Darren leaves behind his loving partner Jamie as well as his two children Saoirse and Aaron, and his step-daughter Paige. Also mourning the Cavan man are his devastated And he is remembered by a wider circle of nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, and cousins. Tributes have been rolling for the well-liked and "highly respected" man as news of his death continues to devastate those closes to him. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Motorbike fans at And Irish Superbike Racing also remembered him. They said: "Shocked and saddened to hear of the untimely passing of Irish Sidecar champion Darren O'Dwyer. "The 2024 Masters champion sadly passed away tragically at work. "A highly respected and well liked competitor of many years in the paddock, we send our sympathies to Jamie, Saoirse, Aaron and step-daughter Paige. "Deeply regretted by his heartbroken parents Tony and Olive, brother Philip, sister Samantha , sister in-law Joanne, brother in-law Danny, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins and large circle of friends. "Rest easy and Godspeed Darren 71." 'LIVED LIFE YOUR WAY' Heartbroken mourners shared their own condolences to Darren and his devastated family. One person said: "Race with the angels." Another commented: "RIP champion, lived life your way at full speed." A third put in: "Sincere sympathy to Tony Olive and all the family on the death of your beloved son Darren. "May he rest in eternal peace. God bless you all at this sad time." And a fourth penned: "Deepest sympathy to all the O'Dwyer/ Browne families and friends of Darren R.I.P. "No words can suffice for the heavy cross you have to carry but I can assure you that everyone is praying and lighting candles to help in some small way. "May God give strength to you all."
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Tommy Robinson back in court for harassment – just nine days after he was released from prison
TOMMY Robinson is back in court today for harassment - just days after he was released from prison. The far-Right activist - real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - is accused of targeting two journalists. Advertisement 5 Tommy Robinson is back in court today Credit: Reuters 5 He was surrounded by supporters as he made his way into Westminster Magistrates' Court Credit: Reuters 5 It comes after he was released from jail nine days ago Credit: PA Robinson has arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court for a hearing. The 42-year-old, who was clutching a microphone, was surrounded by supporters. He is charged with two counts of harassment causing fear of violence between August 5 and 7, 2024. It comes just nine days after Robinson was released from prison after a judge ruled he could be freed four months early. Advertisement He was locked up for 18 months in October for contempt of court. Robinson had made multiple breaches of an injunction in 2021, which barred him from repeating false allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him for libel. He was pictured leaving HMP Woodhill in Buckinghamshire sporting a full beard and rosary. He was filmed speaking on his X social media channel for around 20 minutes. Advertisement Most read in The Sun When asked how he was feeling, Robinson declared: "Unfortunately the country doesn't believe in free speech." He also said he would organise a free speech festival in London for supporters later in the year. Robinson is facing a separate trial in October next year over an accusation that he failed to provide the Pin for his mobile phone when stopped by Kent Police in Folkestone in July 2024. 5 Robinson appeared more clear-shaven today Credit: AFP Advertisement 5 He was locked up for 18 months for contempt in October Credit: AP
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
MV Matthew crew 'terrified' amid chaos of cocaine trafficking operation, court hears
Crates of cocaine, loaded under cover of night from an armed boat by some crew members while others aboard the MV Matthew were plied with alcohol 'as a distraction' began a descent into chaos which would ultimately lead to their arrest. 'Terrified' and 'alone at sea', the crew said they were then compelled to comply with the major drug trafficking operation directed from Dubai that resulted in Ireland's largest ever cocaine seizure off the Cork coast in September, 2023. Fear permeated the bulk cargo ship, the accused said, with some crew saying they were promised bonuses to 'keep their mouths shut' when they questioned the legality of the cargo. They were told it was 'spare parts' but many of the sailors admitted that they suspected it was illegal contraband — most likely drugs or weapons. Eight men have pleaded guilty to their involvement in a drug smuggling plot in which 2.25 tonnes of cocaine — the largest seizure in the history of the State — was found on the Panamanian registered MV Matthew, a 190-metre-long, 32-metre-wide bulk cargo ship off the Cork coast. All arrested aboard the MV Matthew said they flew to Dubai for interviews before flying on to South America to begin their job. All bar one — Cumali Ozgen — had significant experience at sea and many had multiple maritime qualifications. In mitigation, the men were described as people in difficult circumstances who provided diligently for their families, some of whom suffered ill health. But they were 'expendable' and the 'bottom of the food chain' for the organised crime group running the drug trafficking operation, the Special Criminal Court heard in mitigation. Those directing the operations from Dubai remained thousands of miles away from the ship and 'kept their hands clean'. Military personnel secured the MV Matthew and escorted it into Cork Harbour in September, 2023, after the suspected drugs were found on board in what turned out to be Ireland's largest ever cocaine seizure. File picture: PA Although Mr Ozgen may have been the 'eyes and ears' of those directing the operation from Dubai, there was no suggestion he had an organising role, defence barrister Brendan Grehan SC said. Mr Ozgen had accepted that he loaded three crates with drugs on the MV Matthew and was involved in moving the drugs by hand. He also admitted playing a part in helping to burn the drugs, getting paint thinner to try to intensify the flames, after the ship was stormed by elite army rangers in September 2023, bringing the criminal operation to a sudden and dramatic end. He admitted that he believed he would get a bonus of some 50,000 to 100,000 — euros or dollars. He had a prestigious cabin on the boat, although initially claimed he was a 'cleaner' which 'didn't make sense,' Mr Grehan said. Unlike anyone else on the boat, he had no seafaring experience, although he was described as an 'ordinary seaman'. His role to some extent was tending to the cargo aboard — the drugs, Mr Grehan said. He had no previous convictions and appears to have worked in a series of menial jobs in the past. 'I think it's well established that we're in a hierarchy for those involved in this kind of drug smuggling operation,' Mr Grehan said. He added: The owners or stakeholders keep their hands clean and very far away from any possible exposure. And the people on board were being directed by a company in Dubai and people offboard throughout the operation, he said. These voices from off the boat directed the crew not to comply with directions from the Irish naval ship, despite warning shots being fired. They also directed them to burn the drugs and get rid of all phones, he said. One 'caring' message told the crew that the organisers were not interested in 'one dollar out of this' and they did not want anyone going to jail, telling them to 'head to Sierra Leone'. 'Perhaps it is not surprising that people felt obliged to comply with the wishes of people in that organisation,' he said, given the power of the organised crime gang that appeared to be involved. 'Mr Cumali Ozgen asked me to apologise to the people of the court and to the people of Ireland. 'He got involved in a misguided attempt to get money to assist his family, particularly his son [who suffered a brain tumour and required surgery]. He regrets every day how stupid he was to get involved in this matter. He wanted to make money but finds himself getting no money, no financial reward and facing a lengthy custodial sentence. Harold Estoesta was a recently qualified 2nd Officer. He was assigned a communication role on the boat, perhaps because of his strong command of English, his barrister Michael Hourigan SC said. He was not happy about this but had to take orders, he said. He said he was told the boat had to take on a cargo of spare parts. Fears about possible contraband He was directed to assist on the night the cargo was brought aboard, but some of the other crew were to be given as much alcohol as possible. When he saw armed men on the boat unloading the cargo he became extremely concerned that they were loading contraband — drugs or weapons. But he was then 'terrified' and 'alone at sea' so felt he must comply. He was told that everyone would get bonuses, when he raised concerns that the cargo was not spare parts. 'Ships can be very dangerous places and countless sailors go missing every year,' his barrister, Mr Hourigan said. 'He made certain choices but I ask you to contextualise, fear was present on his part. 'Essentially, he was threatened on the boat,' he said. Mr Estoesta was of good character with no previous convictions. At 31, he was accomplished, having been a government scholar in the Philippines. The captain, Iranians Soheil Jelveh, 51, was highly qualified and had no previous links to organsied crime, barrister Keivon Sotoodeh said. His wife has cancer and his daughter, 22, is studying in Istanbul. His son is 20. He has been the family's sole breadwinner, he said. Two Ukrainians who had escaped to Romania after Russia invaded their country, were also arrested from the MV Matthew. Vitaliy Vlasoi, who turned 33 on Tuesday, was brought up by his mother, a kindergarten teacher, and studied at the maritime college in Odessa before beginning his professional life as a sailor. Seafaring was in his blood, the court heard, with multiple generations of his family working on boats. He married in 2019 and has a five-year-old daughter. His young family and his mother moved to Ireland since his arrest. His wife works 50 hours a week in a shop to support the family, travelling 1.5 hours by bus to get there. Not being there for his family weighs heavily on his mind, the court heard. His mother cried in court as she watched her son in the accused's box. Mykhailo Gavryk, 32, also from Odessa who fled to Romania when Russia invaded Ukraine, had been of good character, described as proactive, hard-working, creative and a good leader in references supplied to the court by educational institutions. He was the only man and the only breadwinner in his family, his barrister, Paul O'Higgins said. He has donated money to the Ukrainian army and a letter of thanks for this was supplied to the court. He handed over the pin to his phone to gardaí and used his own name on messaging apps on the boat. His knowledge and responsibility for the operation was 'at the bottom of the pile', and the least of all those aboard the MV Matthew, Mr O'Higgins said. The MV Matthew being escorted into Cork Harbour in September, 2023, after the suspected drugs were found on board in what turned out to be Ireland's largest ever cocaine seizure. File picture: PA Saied Hassani, 40, has a wife and six-year-old daughter in Iran, the Special Criminal Court heard. He has worked at sea almost consistently since graduating from maritime college, which he started in 2005. He has been away so much for work that he missed all of his daughter's birthdays. He has two sisters who need medical care — one is in a wheelchair and one has cancer — and he has worked to provide for his wider family since his father died. 'There is nothing in his records to suggest he has done anything like this before,' his barrister Mark Lynam SC said. He even thanked the criminals in Dubai 'for this opportunity' when he got the job, thinking it would help his family, Mr Lynam said. He had the lowest responsibility for the operation of all the officers on board, Mr Lynam said. Although he was found with €20,000 cash when the MV Matthew was seized, this was given to him by the captain before he was airlifted off the boat, he said. He had succumbed to the temptation not out of greed or for better lifestyle — but to support family, some of whom are sick, Mr Lynam said. Detective Sergeant Keith Halley, who led the historic drug bust, said that the operation was directed from Dubai but also had Iranian involvement. A transnational organised crime group with "immense capabilities, unlimited resources and a global reach," directed the MV Matthew drug smuggling operation from a cell in Dubai before it was stormed off the Cork coast. A cell structure within the organised crime group which manned the operation was evident, so if one cell was compromised, the overall damage would be limited, Det Supt Halley told the Special Criminal Court at the men's sentencing hearing on Tuesday. The MV Matthew, owned by a Dubai-based company, repeatedly tried to evade the Irish navy before it was boarded by Ireland's elite army ranger wing via helicopter in rough seas in September 2023 off the Cork coast. Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk, and Vitaliy Vlasoi, both 32; Iranians Soheil Jelveh, 51, and Saeid Hassani, 39; Filipino Harold Estoesta, 31, and Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, 49, all pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply on board the MV Mathew between 24 and 26 September 2023. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, aged 62, with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, and Jamie Harbron, aged 31, of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK, pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between 21 and 25 September 2023. Justice Melanie Grealy has set sentencing for all eight men on July 4.
