Latest news with #AnGardaSíochána
RTÉ News
8 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Events to take place across Ireland to mark Go Purple Day
Events will take place across the country today to mark Go Purple Day, the national domestic violence awareness day organised by An Garda Síochána in partnership with local refuges and support services. The initiative was first organised in 2020 by community garda Stacey Looby, who was stationed at Navan Garda Station in Co Meath at the time but is now based in Athlone, to help strengthen community partnerships between domestic abuse services and An Garda Síochána. Members of the public as well as garda personnel across the country are being encouraged to show their support today by wearing something purple. Meanwhile, Meath Women's Refuge & Support Services will mark the day by recognising the efforts of local people and community groups who have supported survivors and challenged domestic violence. The organisation has said its community champion awards are presented on Go Purple Day each year to mark the action taken by members of the community to "support survivors, raise awareness and create a culture of zero tolerance for all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence" in Co Meath. This is the first year that the charity's awards have been developed into three distinct categories: Organisation, Individual, and Youth (16-25 year olds). Credit Union Plus will be presented with this year's Organisation Award for partnering with Meath Women's Refuge & Support Services over many years, raising funds and opening a dedicated account for the charity. Aoife Bradley has been awarded the Individual Award for her role during Covid-19 to ensure funds were raised by local businesses to keep critical refuge and support services open during lockdowns. Meanwhile, the Youth Award will go to fifth year student at Coláiste De Lacy in Ashbourne, Christina Cullen who created a successful campaign titled 'Gifting Joy at Christmas', where members of the community could gift a new toy to children staying in refuge. Meath Women's Refuge and Support Services CEO Frances Haworth has said Go Purple Day marks the perfect opportunity to recognise the support the charity has received from the three award-winners. Ms Haworth said: "We know that domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a whole of society problem that requires a whole of society response. "These awards recognise the efforts of community members who are starting conversations, reducing stigma in their everyday actions to support survivors. "Today we take this opportunity to celebrate Credit Union Plus, Aoife and Christina for their dedication and commitment to making Meath a safer and more equal place." Meath Women's Refuge and Support Services provided emergency refuge accommodation to 196 women and children last year, up from 185 in 2023 and nearly double the 131 accommodated in 2022. However, last year, it was unable to accommodate 429 women experiencing domestic violence and their children such was the level of demand for its services. Meanwhile, in 2024, An Garda Síochána received in excess of 65,000 domestic abuse related contacts. The force has said that the investigation and prosecution of offenders in the area of domestic and sexual abuse remains an "absolute priority".
Extra.ie
12 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Kinahan associate Sean McGovern appears in court charged with murder
Sean McGovern has appeared before the Special Criminal Court charged with murder and directing a criminal organisation, following his extradition from the United Arab Emirates. McGovern has been living in Dubai, where the United Arab Emirates authorities recently agreed to extradite him to Ireland. He left Dubai at 8pm Irish time on Wednesday on board an Irish Air Corps Casa 295 plane. The flight stopped off in Larnaca in Cyprus and Marseille in France to refuel before making the final journey to the Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell, in the south-west of Dublin. Sean McGovern. Pic: An Garda Síochána The flight landed at about 6.30pm before gardai brought McGovern directly to the Criminal Courts of Justice building on Parkgate Street in Dublin, arriving at about 7.15pm. Armed gardai supported the transport of McGovern and dozens of detectives and uniformed officers attended court 11 for a late sitting of the Special Criminal Court. McGovern was brought from the cell area, wearing a grey t-shirt and sat in the dock. Det Garda Donal O'Daly told the court that he arrested McGovern today at Casement Aerodrome at 6.38pm and explained the charges to him. Ciara Vibien, a solicitor for the Director of Public Prosecutions, applied to have McGovern tried before the three-judge, non-jury court on five charges, including one charge of murder. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, sitting with Her Honour Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge Grainne Malone, agreed to the application. She adjourned the matter to a later date and remanded McGovern in custody. McGovern (39), with a previous address at Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12 is charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan on December 22, 2016 at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin in Dublin. He is also charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in connection with the same murder between October 20 2016 and December 22, 2016. He is charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in connection with the surveillance of James Gately in preparation for the commission of an indictable offence between October 17, 2015 and April 6, 2017. Another charge alleges that between October 20 and December 22, 2016 he contributed to or participated in activity intending or being reckless as to whether such activity would facilitate a criminal organisation in the murder of Mr Kirwan. He faces a similar charge of facilitating a criminal organisation in a conspiracy to murder James Gately. Before the State's application, Olan Callanan BL, for McGovern, said he has spoken to his client and has seen the charges. Counsel said the defence is reserving its position on the lawfulness of the arrest and the jurisdiction of the court. Earlier in the day, Deputy Commissioner of An Garda Siochana Shawna Coxon described McGovern's extradition as 'another significant development in our continued work with international law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle transnational organised crime gangs.' She added: 'This work has involved extensive meetings by Senior Garda Officers here and abroad with international law enforcement partners, as well as highly detailed and intricate investigative work with those partners.'
Irish Independent
14 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Disruptive air passengers warned of zero tolerance as almost 500,000 to pass through Dublin Airport this weekend
It comes as there has been a continued rise in industry reports of unruly behaviour to the Irish Aviation Authority, although the majority of passengers travel responsibly. This trend has seen year-on-year increases as airlines have encouraged crews to increase the reporting of unruly behaviour. More than 30 incidents have already been reported to Dublin Airport Garda station so far this year, which represents an almost 80pc increase compared to the entirety of 2024. The three most common incidents this year have been offensive behaviour onboard aircraft, obstructing or assaulting an authorised officer and being intoxicated onboard an aircraft. Last year also saw a 50pc increase in incidents of disruptive passenger behaviour reported to gardaí at Dublin Airport, compared to 2023. The aviation industry has renewed its shared commitment to tackle disruptive passenger behaviour through the ongoing #NotOnMyFlight campaign. The initiative, which was launched last year, is receiving growing support from aviation and public sector partners. It aims to ensure passengers are aware of the serious consequences of unruly behaviour, as well as supporting airport and airline staff through training and policy, or facilitating enforcement, like bans and prosecutions, where necessary. Since last year, the campaign has expanded to include Ireland's largest aviation union, Fórsa, and the Irish Airline Pilots' Association (IALPA), both of whom have formally signed the industry's joint declaration on unruly passenger behaviour. Jim Gavin, Chief Operations Officer of the Irish Aviation Authority, said: 'The #NotOnMyFlight campaign continues to reflect our strong commitment to supporting frontline airport staff, flight and cabin crew, and to safeguarding passengers by making it clear that unruly passenger behaviour will not be tolerated. "As we head into one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, we're reminding all passengers travelling through Irish airports that respectful behaviour is not just expected - it's essential to ensuring a safe and positive flying experience for everyone,' he added. Paul Cleary, Assistant Commissioner in the Dublin Metropolitan Region of An Garda Síochána, said there is 'no excuse for anti-social or disruptive behaviour'. 'Incidents of unruly conduct in airports and on planes can have serious consequences for both passengers and staff. It can be a frightening experience that endangers passengers and crew, while it can also mean delayed flights and missed connections,' he said. 'Over the past year, we have been working with our aviation partners under a joint declaration to address disruptive and dangerous behaviour, and we remain very committed to that. "While the majority of people travel respectfully, An Garda Síochána is prepared to act where necessary to ensure a safe and secure environment for all who travel through our airports,' he added. Fórsa's National Secretary, Katie Morgan, said that 'our members in airlines and airports are often the first responders to unruly passenger behaviour'. "As a trade union, the potential risk of unruly passenger behaviour to the health and safety of our members is a crucial matter of concern,' she said. 'We've seen first-hand the effect that some unruly passenger behaviour has had on our members. "Aviation workers have a right to a safe working environment and to be treated with dignity and respect. "They prioritise the travelling public's safety, and this campaign helps prioritise their safety,' she added. It comes as almost half a million passengers are expected to pass through Dublin Airport this June bank holiday weekend. The airport is expecting more than 115,000 passengers every day between Friday and Monday, with a total of 480,000 set to pass through both terminals. This four-day period will see close to 250,000 passengers departing from Dublin Airport, with around 230,000 passengers arriving, including thousands of tourists from across the world. The busiest day over the weekend will be tomorrow, Friday, May 30, when almost 124,000 passengers are expected to travel through the airport. Therefore, passengers are advised to arrive at their terminal two hours in advance of a short-haul flight and three hours before a long-haul flight. Dublin Airport spokesperson, Graeme McQueen, said this June bank holiday is set to break some records. "The peak tourism season is here and demand to travel this summer is really high, with this set to be the busiest June bank holiday ever at Dublin Airport,' he said. 'Indeed, the numbers travelling this weekend - and over the summer - would be even higher if it weren't for the passenger cap on Dublin Airport which continues to put off airlines from bringing new and additional routes to Ireland, denying the Irish hospitality sector of important tourism revenue,' he added.
Sunday World
14 hours ago
- Sunday World
Two men hospitalised following fire at a former pub in Cork
The Morris Arms pub which has been closed for several years is ideally situated between Leap and Rosscarbery in West Cork Two men were hospitalised last night following a fire at the former Morris Arms pub in Connonagh, County Cork. The Morris Arms pub which has been closed for several years is ideally situated between Leap and Rosscarbery in West Cork. A technical examination of the scene is currently being carried out as part of an investigation into what gardaí have described as 'criminal damage by fire'. A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána told The Irish Independent that two men in their 40s were taken to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for non-life threatening injuries. 'Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of an incident of criminal damage by fire that occurred in Leap, Co. Cork on Wednesday, May 28 2025 at approximately 8:30pm. 'Two men in their 40s were conveyed to Cork University Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. A technical examination of the scene is being carried out. Investigations are ongoing,' the spokesperson added. Stock image News in 90 Seconds - May 29th
The Guardian
15 hours ago
- General
- The Guardian
Leader in Kinahan drug gang extradited to Ireland from UAE
A leader of the notorious Kinahan organised crime group has been flown from the United Arab Emirates to Ireland in the first extradition of its kind. An Irish military aircraft carrying Sean McGovern – who is wanted on charges of murder and directing organised crime – was due to land in Dublin amid heavy security on Thursday afternoon. The 39-year-old has been in custody in Dubai since October, when he was detained on an Interpol red notice, which is a request to law enforcement agencies to locate and provisionally arrest a suspect pending extradition or similar legal action. McGovern, who has been named in Ireland's special criminal court as a senior member of the Kinahan cartel, is wanted in connection with the murder of Noel Kirwan, an innocent man who was shot in Dublin in 2016 amid a feud between the Kinahan and Hutch criminal gangs. UAE authorities handed McGovern to gardai on Wednesday, after which he was put on an Irish Air Corps Airbus C295. After landing at the Casement aerodrome McGovern is expected to be taken under armed guard to the special criminal court to be formally charged. Shawna Coxon, the deputy commissioner of Ireland's police force, An Garda Síochána, said it was a significant development in international law enforcement. 'Transnational organised crime gangs cause misery to communities not only in Ireland but throughout the world. They engage in murder, human trafficking and drug dealing.' Ireland's justice minister, Jim O'Callaghan, thanked his Emirati counterpart, Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, and the Dubai police for their cooperation. The UAE has become a base for Irish criminals and their associates partly because the state has no extradition treaty with the EU. However, a decade of lobbying by Irish officials paved an extradition treaty with Ireland that became operational on 18 May. It was not retrospective and did not apply to McGovern but authorities in both jurisdictions made a separate, one-off arrangement to transfer the suspect. McGovern was shot in the stomach in 2016 when a rival gang's hit team stormed a Kinahan-organised boxing weigh-in at a Dublin hotel. Sign up to Headlines Europe A digest of the morning's main headlines from the Europe edition emailed direct to you every week day after newsletter promotion Irish authorities hope to also extradite the gang's founder Christy Kinahan and his sons Daniel and Christopher, who are believed to be in Dubai. British police say the Kinahan cartel, which started as a low-level street-dealing operation in the 1980s, has flooded Britain with guns and drugs. In 2022 the US announced sanctions against alleged Kinahan gang leaders and offered a $5m reward for information leading to arrest or conviction.
