A day in the life of Bere Island primary school
Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger played a recording of drones from her neighbour, 'in Blanchardstown, we've been suffering this for over a year and a half."
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Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Man (60) ‘savagely' beaten in front of family after assailants break into house armed with machine gun
A 60-year-old father was 'savagely' beaten in front of his terrified family when three machine gun-armed intruders forced entry into their home in Shankill, Co Dublin, on Wednesday, gardaí have alleged. Two 17-year-old boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons; Seán Doran (26), of Earl Street South; and widower Gregory Dunne (60), from Oliver Bond Flats, both in Dublin 8, were charged with aggravated burglary at a residence in Shanganagh Cliffs, Shankill, Co Dublin and unlawful possession of a Czechoslovakian-made 9mm Skorpian machine pistol. Both charges carry maximum life sentences. Dublin District Court heard the Garda ballistics section said the gun was 'capable of full automatic firing'. READ MORE Mr Doran has an additional charge of assault causing harm to the 60-year-old homeowner, who suffered lacerations from blows to his face and head. The court heard he, his wife (63) and their son (35) have a 'grave fear' and would not remain in the house. They moved to a hotel and were not called to give evidence in the bail hearing. Judge Michele Finan refused bail when the accused males appeared before her at Dublin District Court on Saturday. They will appear again next week. Each accused separately faced lengthy bail hearings where gardaí cited the seriousness of the case and maintained that all four acted in joint enterprise. Concerns were raised about alleged threats and violence used during the incident. One officer submitted that it was necessary to refuse bail to preserve the integrity of the proceedings. Garda witnesses stated that the two teens, masked and in puffer jackets, travelled to the location on an e-bike while Mr Doran arrived in a car driven by Mr Dunne. Garda Liam Carroll alleged one of the teenagers approached the house, removed the gun from the front of his trousers and 'pointed' at the family through the window. Garda Carroll alleged the boys forced their way in through the front door, while Mr Doran came through a rear entrance before the homeowner was savagely beaten. Det Garda Michael Murphy told the court Mr Doran delivered punches and kicks to the man's head and face, and there were bloodstains on the accused's footwear. He agreed with defence counsel Sam Friel that the blood has yet to be analysed. The barrister proposed setting bail with conditions, telling the judge his client was about to set up a business and could work from home. Det Garda Darragh Phelan said the second teenager used boxer shorts as a balaclava and left with the gun on an e-bike. A civilian witness was said to have observed the youth discarding it before he allegedly drove on to the M50, where he crashed between junctions 12 and 13. Gardaí responded to a call from the couple's son, who was in a state of distress, saying several males were attacking his parents' home, and one had a gun he directed at them. The judge was told the commotion could be heard over the phone line. The car was stopped close to the house, and armed support officers arrived and removed the two men and the boy who was allegedly the first to brandish the gun. Garda Aidan Myers agreed with solicitor Yvonne Bambury that her client, Mr Dunne, drove to the house but did not go inside, but the officer added that it was a joint enterprise. The court heard Mr Dunne, a father of two adult children, lost his partner of 40 years in 2021. Solicitor Aoife McTaggart pleaded with the judge to note that the Children Act states that juvenile detention should be a last resort. She said they were supported in court by visibly upset family members. The solicitor said they adored the boys who would abide by a range of strict conditions. However, while stressing that the four, who have yet to enter pleas, have a presumption of innocence, the judge denied all of the bail applications.
Irish Times
11 hours ago
- Irish Times
Tusla thinks missing 12-year-old is safe and in UK
A 12-year-old child who went missing from State care in 2023 is thought to be 'safe' in the United Kingdom, according to Tusla . In a statement to The Irish Times the agency said the child, whose whereabouts were unclear on Thursday night, had 'absconded' from Tusla's care soon after arriving into Ireland in March 2023, having indicated a plan to join family in the United Kingdom. Tusla, the Child and Family, later contacted a relative of the child in the UK who 'indicated' the child was 'safe' though no social worker spoke to the child directly. Since January 2023, up to 11th June, 30 children who have gone missing from Tusla's care remain unaccounted for. READ MORE In that time 123 children have gone missing from Tusla's care. Of these 65 have been found or accounted for, 28 have since turned 18 and their files closed, with 30 children still missing. The 12-year-old child is one of among 50 unaccompanied minors – children who arrive into the State alone and seeking international protection – found reported as missing during an inspection of Tusla's Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP) service The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa), which inspected the service over four days in January and February, published its report on Thursday morning. When asked whether this child had been recovered safely, by Thursday evening Tusla was still unable to say. In a statement just issued it said: 'The child arrived in Rosslare in March 2023 with three others, including one adult. The child provided contact details for a relative in the UK and indicated they planned to travel there, though the child gave no clear intention to do so immediately. 'The child absconded from SCSIP offices while staff were arranging a placement and interpreters. 'The child was reported missing immediately to An Garda Síochána and contact was maintained with gardaí. The strategy was not convened within the recommended timelines. 'However, this was rectified once Hiqa brought the matter to our attention. This delay has been acknowledged, and systems have been strengthened to ensure more timely responses. 'Tusla acknowledges that the convening of the formal strategy meeting in this case was unacceptably delayed,' the statement said. In general, the agency said, if a child or young person reported missing is intercepted in Northern Ireland, Tusla is informed through An Garda Síochána's co-ordination with the Police Service of Northern Ireland. In its report, Hiqa said data at the time of the inspection indicated 'approximately 30 children [were] missing and remained unaccounted for ... and 27 children had been reported missing at various stages and returned to their placements' In one case, a 12-year-old child had gone missing more than 18 months before the inspection. 'There was no records (sic) of strategy meetings held with An Garda Siochana, or of contact with UK or Northern Ireland counterparts in order to share information in an effort to locate this child since that time'. In another case, where a 14-year-old had been reported missing from care more than six months previously, a strategy meeting was requested by the principal social worker, but this occurred 'five months after the child was reported missing ... and there was no evidence of liaison with counterparts in neighbouring jurisdictions'. Tusla said that while the report identified 'serious risks and challenges', it also recognised 'meaningful progress made since the previous inspection in November 2023. 'Tusla remains concerned for the welfare of any child missing from its care. The Agency maintains active engagement with An Garda Síochána and continues all possible efforts to contact and trace missing young people,' it said. The agency said children who went missing from the SCSIP service were predominantly 16 and 17-year-old males, from countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia, and Ukraine. 'Some communicate their intention to travel to the UK or other EU countries to join family members or relatives and indicate it was never their intention to stay in Ireland. 'In a small number of cases, they contact the service after absconding to confirm their wellbeing but do not disclose their location. Where a young person's location cannot be formally verified, they remain listed as missing with An Garda Síochána. Once they turn 18 years old, Tusla formally closes their case, but they remain under Garda missing person protocols.'
Irish Times
15 hours ago
- Irish Times
A day in the life of Bere Island primary school
Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger played a recording of drones from her neighbour, 'in Blanchardstown, we've been suffering this for over a year and a half."
