Malcolm McKeown: Two men found guilty over Waringstown murder
Martin admitted to "aiding and abetting" Mr McKeown's murder last year.However, while the 29-year-old was given an automatic life sentence, his plea was not accepted by the Crown.During the non-jury Diplock trial, the assistant state pathologist said the victim died from bullet wounds to his head and body and was hit by at least six bullets.The pathologist said it was "quite possible" the muzzle of the weapon had been pressed against the victim's skin.It was also heard that Mr McKeown was involved in a feud with a criminal organisation known as 'The Firm'.Two young boys out riding their bikes found Mr McKeown's body.More to follow.
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Daily Mail
a minute ago
- Daily Mail
Mother and her two children who were murdered in 'unspeakable way' are finally together again, funeral hears
A murdered mother and her two children are 'together and finally safe' as they were laid to rest at their funeral. Crowds flooded into the County Clare village of Barefield, west Ireland for the funeral of Vanessa Whyte, 45, and her children James Rutledge, 14, and Sara Rutledge, 13, who died in a shooting at their home in Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh. Many of the mourners wore GAA jerseys and bright colours as requested by the family as they lined the main street to watch the three hearses pass by. Delivering the eulogy, Ms Whyte's sister Regina said they have been robbed of their loved ones but one comfort was knowing they were 'together and finally safe'. Those in attendance at the funeral at the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Saturday included a representative for the Taoiseach Micheal Martin and GAA president Jarlath Burns. The mother and two teenagers died following a shooting on July 23. Three ambulances and an air ambulance were called to the scene at about 8.20am, where Ms Whyte, a government veterinary surgeon, alongside one of the children, were tragically pronounced dead. The other child was airlifted by air ambulance to to the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen where they sadly later died as a result of their injuries. Critically injured Ian Rutledge, 43, from the same household was being treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast but died on Monday - he was the only suspect in the shooting of his family. Ms Whyte's sister told mourners: 'Vanessa, James and Sara were taken from this world in a cruel and vicious manner - there are no words available to express how this has impacted our family and their friends. 'We as a family have been robbed of both a relationship with our sister and a chance to see James and Sara grow up, and they have been robbed of the remainder of their lives. 'It has taken us 11 days to be in a position to have Vanessa, James and Sara back to Clare. 'This was supposed to be a joyous occasion where Vanessa would see her new nephew, and Sara and James would meet their baby cousin for the first time. Instead we are in the position of choosing coffins, final burial places and funeral hymns. 'For us as a family, the only comfort we have is that Vanessa, James and Sara are together and finally safe. 'Vanessa will have her children at either side of her forever, as they were when they were alive.' She described her sister as 'witty, bright, kind and determined', and said James and Sara were the 'focus of her world'. Mourners queue outside the Church of the Immaculate Conception where Amazing Grace and Somewhere Over The Rainbow were played during the service She recalled James's love of the GAA, playing both hurling and football, and also cricket, adding he has been acknowledged as the 'kind, bright, determined teenager we as a family know so well'. 'James's smile was infectious, and his loyalty was strong,' she said. Sara was remembered as having a deep love for animals, and aspiring to follow in her mother's footsteps to become a vet, as well as loving sport. 'She was an excellent hurler, a footballer and skilled at netball. She was a team player, a quiet leader, and like every sister, never let James away with anything,' she said. Amazing Grace and Somewhere Over The Rainbow were among the music played during the service. Bishop Ger Nash, Bishop of Ferns and a family friend, described heartbreak over the 'tragic and unspeakable loss of three lives with so much to give to the world'. Delivering the homily, he said every story and shared memory since their deaths 'reminds us of the irreplaceable part they played in the lives of their families, their community, their schools, workplaces, teams and clubs'. 'The tragic events of last week, and the ripping away of three people from their family and friends leave us searching for answers and coming back again and again to the only answer that is completely true: 'We don't know',' he said. He noted messages of condolences for the mother and her children including from neighbours, but also many from those who simply described themselves as 'A Waterford Mammy', 'A Cork Granny', and 'A Wicklow Mother'. 'There were some with both dads and mams mentioned, but there were many where a woman spoke from her own heart,' he said. 'They don't know you, nor you them, but they know your story, and if they hug their teenagers more tightly and call a ceasefire in the perpetual war about tidy rooms, then they have learned that life is precious, and we must be grateful for every day given to us and to those we love. 'Over and over, I could see that women and mothers, as individuals, reached out in their shock and sadness at the loss of a mother and children, but also conscious that there were heartbroken mothers left behind. 'The messages highlighted the vulnerability of women to pain inflicted by others and were signs of solidarity in the face of that pain.' Last week crowds also turned out for Ms Whyte, James and Sara for a service of removal in Maguiresbridge on Wednesday. Agricultural contractor Mr Rutledge, who died on Monday, is understood to be the only suspect in the shooting of his family. Police in Northern Ireland have said a triple murder and attempted suicide was a line of inquiry. Ms Whyte, James and Sara are to be buried together in Templemaley Cemetery later.
Daily Mail
a minute ago
- Daily Mail
Two Afghan asylum seekers have been charged over the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in quiet Warwickshire town
Two Afghan asylum seekers have been charged over the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl, which has left a small Midlands town reeling in shock, the Mail on Sunday can reveal. Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, has been charged with the rape of the underage girl in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. A second man, Mohammad Kabir, also 23, has been charged with aiding and abetting rape, as well as strangulation and kidnap of the girl, who is now receiving specialist care. Despite the huge interest the incident has caused in Nuneaton, sources have told the Mail on Sunday that Warwickshire Police advised local councillors and officials not to reveal the asylum seeker background of the two suspects, for fear of 'inflaming community tensions'. One local who contacted us accused the police of a 'cover-up', in an effort to suppress information which the public have a right to know. He said police feared Nuneaton would face similar violent protests that took place outside a migrant hotel in Epping, Essex, last month, after it emerged an asylum seeker staying there was charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity. The source said: 'They're hushing it up because they don't want an Epping situation on their hands.' But last night, Warwickshire Police defended its position, saying in a statement: 'Where relevant, sensitive information around locations, details of the crime and policing activity to catch offenders can be shared, with a warning that this is sensitive or confidential information and disclosure by those being briefed could affect future court hearings.' Mulakhil, who crossed the Channel on a small boat, allegedly raped the victim in the Cheverel Street of Nuneaton, between 8.30 – 9.45pm on Tuesday, July 22. The MoS has obtained CCTV footage from a resident's house near Cheverel Road which appears to show a man walking with the girl, who is white. The chilling footage was captured as the pair walked past the property at 8pm, around half-an-hour before the victim was allegedly subjected to the horrific assault. Warwickshire Police said Mulakhil was arrested four days after the incident last Saturday, and charged the following day. He appeared before Coventry Magistrates Court on Monday charged with two counts of vaginal and oral rape of the victim. Mulakhil has been remanded in custody to appear before Warwick Crown Court on August 26. Kabir was arrested on Thursday, and charged with aiding and abetting rape of the 12-year-old, as well as strangulation and kidnap. He appeared before Coventry Magistrates Court yesterday (sat), and was remanded in custody until his appearance before Warwick Crown Court on August 26. Warwickshire Police said in a statement: 'At this stage, we do not believe there to be anyone else involved but we continue to appeal for witnesses who were in the Cheverel Street area between 8.30pm and 9.45pm on Tuesday 22 July and who saw anything of interest to please come forward.' Inquiries by the MoS in Nuneaton revealed that both Mulakhil and Kabir lived in two rented houses of multiple occupation (HMO) about 70 yards from each other on adjoining streets. Both properties are managed by Serco, which has accommodated around five asylum seekers in each house. Serco has a £1.9billion contract with the Home Office to house asylum seekers across the country. When the MoS contacted the owner of the property Mulakhil lived in, she said she was 'sickened to the stomach' when hearing about the incident. She said: 'I don't know anything because Serco manage the house completely.' When we asked Serco if they were aware of Mulakhil and Kabir, the company said in a statement: 'We do not confirm individual addresses, nor the names of people in properties we manage.' Gorwan Muhammad Ali, 27, an Iraqi Kurd who lives in the same house as Kabir, said: 'I have not seen Kabir for a few days. The police have come round the house. Kabir came to this country to work.' Ali added that all residents in the house get their bills paid by Serco, and are given £49 per week as spending money. Last night, councillors from the Tory party, as well as Labour and Reform – which controls Warwickshire County Council – said they did not know much about the incident, despite the huge interest. They blamed the police for not sharing any information with them. But a source told the MoS certain councillors and officials were informed by the police about the incident, and were advised not to reveal to the public that the two assailants were asylum seekers. The source said police feared the revelation could cause tensions in the community. The man, who did not want to be identified, said: 'It is horrific what's happened. But even though the police have done door-to-door enquiries and put out an announcement about the rape charge, they are refusing to say the details of who they are investigating or their background.' Last night, Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform, which runs Warwickshire County Council, said: 'I am afraid, police and elected officials are acting against the British people.' Warwickshire Police said in their statement: 'We work to hold offenders to account and will always do everything in our power to present a robust case to the courts and protect the integrity of court proceedings. 'Once someone is charged with an offence, we follow national guidance. This guidance does not include sharing ethnicity or immigration status. 'As our investigation progresses, the victim remains at the forefront of our focus, and we will continue to work with our partners – providing updates and working alongside the people of Nuneaton.' In recent months, other asylum seekers living in tax-payer-funded accommodation have been charged with serious sexual offences across the country. In some cases, local politicians have accused their council and the police of a 'cover-up', by trying to keep incidents secret, for fear they will inflame community tensions.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Eerie photo shows suspected Montana shooter fleeing shirtless and barefoot after killing four people
A new chilling photo has been released revealing the moments after the Montana shooter suspect fled the scene shirtless and barefoot. The grainy image, released by the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, depicted Michael Brown, 45, running from The Owl Bar in Anaconda on Friday down an outdoor concrete staircase. He appeared to grip the walls wearing only black biker shorts after allegedly killing four people. The Montana Department of Justice said on Saturday afternoon that the search for Brown is still ongoing. Authorities are focused on the area off of Stumptown Road and are engaging ground and air resources. Three patrons and a bartender were killed in the shooting. It's unclear if Brown knew the victims or what the suspect's motives were. Authorities confirmed that Brown lived next door to the bar. The Montana Department of Justice said that more information would be released when it became available.
