Latest news with #AnGardaSíochána
Sunday World
6 hours ago
- Sunday World
‘I know the craic', ex-Garda said during his arrest after car crashed into wall
Judge said she was 'quite disturbed' by the former garda's behaviour. A 34-year-old motorist and former member of An Garda Síochána has been convicted of failing to comply with a doctor's request to provide a blood or urine sample. Henry Johnston, Stoney Lane, Ardee, Co. Louth, contested the charge which arose after an incident more than two years ago when a BMW car crashed into a boundary wall close to his home. The defence contended that the demand for a sample was not made within three hours of driving. However, Judge Nicola Andrews said that the accused 'took every opportunity he could to frustrate the process'. Mr Johnston, who has no previous convictions, was convicted and referred to the Probation Service for a community service assessment. A neighbour testified that on May 31, 2023, she was in bed when awoken by a loud bang. She looked at the clock. It was 11.07pm. Her daughter, who had also woken up, said, 'It's Henry. He crashed into the wall.' Outside, they helped him. It was dark. They were afraid another car would come along. She ran to get some torches. She gave her phone to a woman to use its light as a warning and believed it was this person who rang gardaí. Stock image (Photo: Getty) News in 90 Seconds - July 25th They were trying to get the car off the road. It took a while. The left-side (of the car) was 'mangled'. It was put to her by solicitor Séamus Roe that in a statement she said '11-ish' and made no mention of 11.07pm on the clock. Gda Nuala Crossan gave evidence that at 11.25pm she responded to a report of a road traffic collision at Stoney Lane, Ardee. A car had crashed into a wall in a cul de sac. The defendant was in the driver's seat with the door open. The engine was running and the airbags had deployed. An alarm in the car had gone off. He said he was okay. His eyes were glazed and his speech slurred. Gda Crossan continued that she formed her opinion at 11.29pm that the man was incapable of having proper control over a mechanically propelled vehicle and arrested him at 11.30pm on suspicion of drink driving. She said that the man 'persisted in interrupting me' and during the caution said, 'I know the craic. I used to be a guard.'. He added, 'You know I'm not going to comment and incriminate myself,' when asked about what happened. On arrival at Dundalk Garda Station at 12.10am on June 1, he said he required a doctor's attention because he was asthmatic. A doctor was contacted. Gda Crossan said it was decided not to conduct an Evidenzer breath test. Mr Johnston's behaviour 'began to escalate'. He repeated demands for a solicitor to attend. No solicitor was available. The accused called Member In Charge of the station Gda Ryan Brennan a 'retard'. He put papers down his trousers, removed them and threw them at Gda Brennan. A doctor who arrived provided him with an inhaler. He refused it and refused to engage with the doctor. He said he wanted a solicitor. He refused to enter the doctor's room. Gda Crossan said the defendant then began to tap the Evidenzer machine and remarked, 'I will provide breath'. She explained that was no longer an option because of his previous claim that he would be unable to provide a breath sample and the fact that the Evidenzer guard had left. He said, 'Yes, I'll provide urine' and began shouting at the doctor that he would provide breath. The accused was asked to leave the room. He clung to the Evidenzer machine before being escorted to the custody area. Mr Roe said that he had an email from BMW which indicated the time the car's alarm went off. The author was not present. Judge Andrews did not allow it into evidence. Mr Roe put it to Gda Crossan that the accident occurred at 10.05pm. She replied that gardaí received a call at 11.25pm and that a woman heard a loud bang at 11pm. Gda Damien Fanning attended the garda station to conduct an Evidenzer breath test. He commenced a period of observation at 12.20am. Mr Johnston said that he was asthmatic, wanted a doctor and would be unable to do a breath test. Gda Fanning said he ended the observation. He felt it better to get a doctor for a blood or urine test. The defendant became aggressive, particularly towards Gda Brennan. Mr Roe said that the demand for a sample was made at 2.01am. In her statement the woman said she heard a bang at '11-ish'. He submitted there was a doubt the demand was made within three hours of driving. Judge Andrews said she was satisfied it was a lawful arrest and satisfied that any demand was within a three-hour period. The defence did not go into direct evidence. The judge said Mr Johnston 'took every opportunity he could to frustrate the process' and engaged in 'ducks and drakes' in any prosecution that might have been brought under Section 4. He refused to comply. Judge Andrews asked if the defendant was a garda, and was told by the prosecution that he was a former member of An Garda Síochána. Mr Roe said that his client was no longer in the force. He was single and working. Judge Andrews remarked that she was 'tempted" to impose a custodial sentence and was 'quite disturbed' by the defendant's behaviour. "I'm very concerned about what I heard.' The case was referred to the Probation Service for a community service assessment, and the court warned Henry Johnston to engage or he would be sent to jail. He was told he would also be getting a fine and disqualification. He was remanded on continuing bail to November 19. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Irish Examiner
19 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Number of festivals to have HSE's harm reduction initiative is halved ahead of drugs strategy review
The HSE harm reduction initiative will be at two festivals this year with officials saying they won't expand the programme any further pending a review. The operation of the HSE Safer Nightlife Programme at two festivals in 2025 compares to four festivals in 2024 and three in 2023. In a statement, the HSE said the programme cannot be expanded in its 'current format' and that it was due for a review in 2026, which will determine the 'next phase'. The HSE has recommended that changes to current policy 'should be considered' to 'improve engagement' with people using drugs. It said the HSE was hopeful that the next National Drugs Strategy, due later this year, will have 'clear recommendations'. It is understood that the number of festivals they work at depends on various factors, including the resources it has and the number of trained volunteers at their disposal. Priority is also placed on targeting the right audiences and ensuring health interventions are of high quality. The HSE statement said: 'The HSE will be at Ireland's largest festival Electric Picnic, and Ireland's largest dance event 'DX'." These events are at the end of August and September. The statement said: 'Back-of-house testing and outreach will be provided over three days of Electric Picnic, and two days of DX to support and identify risks for people who use drugs. The HSE is working with event organisers and gardaí to provide a health-led setting to ensure a safe space for people to discuss any difficulties or concerns they may have and to surrender drugs if they wish.' Back-of-house testing involves the authorities checking drugs that have been discarded by festival goers into official 'surrender bins' at the HSE tents and medical tents. Checks can also be conducted on drugs connected with a person brought to a medical tent. The HSE Programme operates with the formal agreement of An Garda Síochána as well as concert promoters. If scientists identify a trend of concern, the HSE issue alerts via social media, through volunteers and through digital billboards and signs. On potential expansion, the HSE said: 'In the current format, the HSE Safer Nightlife Programme cannot be expanded and is subject to review in 2026 to identify the next phase for this programme. 'The HSE recognises the need to expand the project to help identify drug trends on an annual basis. In its current format, 'back-of-house' analysis is not suitable for small venues such as pubs or venues, and it is not viable to expand to these settings. 'Policy amendments should be considered to identify how to improve this approach, remove service barriers and improve engagement with people who use drugs across Irish society in preparation for emerging drug threats. 'The HSE is hopeful that clear recommendations in relation to this area are included in the forthcoming drugs strategy.' Last May, the HSE warned users about new versions of the increasingly popular hallucinogenic drug, ketamine, and high-strength ecstasy pills, crystals, and powders.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Four women, one man arrested in pro-Palestine protests in Dublin
Five people were arrested in various locations this week amid a series of actions and protests related to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza . A woman was arrested and later released after protesters sought to block a car from leaving the Egyptian embassy on Wednesday. Three women and a man were then arrested on Thursday at a separate location in Dublin, said by the protesters involved to be the Department of Justice , and later released. The Wednesday protest at the continued closure of the Rafah crossing between Palestine 's Gaza Strip and Egypt took place after a public meeting at the nearby US embassy in Ballsbridge. READ MORE It is understood the woman who was arrested approached the Egyptian embassy to hand in a letter of protest. A spokesman for An Garda Síochána said gardaí were alerted to a public order incident and directed individuals to leave. 'One female, aged in her 40s, was arrested under the Public Order Act and taken to a Garda station in Dublin south central. She was released without charge to be dealt with under the adult caution scheme,' the spokesman said. Three women and a man were arrested on Thursday at a separate location in Dublin and later released. A Garda spokesman said the force was alerted to a public order incident on St Stephen's Green at approximately 2.45pm, again instructing them to vacate. 'Three women (30s and 40s) and a man (50s) were arrested under the Public Order Act and conveyed to a Garda station in Dublin city centre,' he said. 'They have all since been released without charge, to be considered under the adult caution scheme.' Sara White (39) told The Irish Times she was one of the four pro-Palestine protesters brought to Pearse Street Garda station. Ms White said the members of a 'rainbow coalition group' of activists were protesting at the Department of Justice when the arrests took place. They planned 'to deliver a letter to the Ministers demanding [the] recalling of the Dáil so they could put pressure to open the borders to Gaza and let aid in,' she said. 'We had posters, we had pots and pans, we made noise, we asked repeatedly to speak and hand-deliver our letter and were refused.' Ms White said the group was there for 30 to 40 minutes before gardaí came, after being warned that they were trespassing. Ms White said the four were placed in cells and released at approximately 6.30pm without questioning. Activist group Mothers Against Genocide shared a statement on social media on Thursday afternoon demanding the release of the four people who were arrested, which it said included one of their own members.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Countdown is on to Ireland's oldest and most unique festival Kerry's Puck Fair
Puck Fair, which runs annually on August 10th, 11th and 12th, can trace its roots back to the ancient Pagan festival of Lughnasa. Among the most well-known traditions of the festival is the crowning of a mountain goat as 'King Puck' each year, his coronation being officiated by the Queen of Puck, a local schoolgirl. This year the honour goes to Robyn O'Shea, pupil at Scoil Réalt na Mara in neighbouring Cromane. 'I have had a lifelong love for the history of Puck Fair and have enjoyed celebrating the festival with my family and friends down through the years. It's the atmosphere that grips me the most, with the town coming alive and celebrating amidst all the music playing and the traditions. I am looking forward to welcoming all those to the town who decide to come home to celebrate with us and also all those who come to visit to experience first hand what this great festival has to offer.' Speaking at the festival's launch, newly elected Kerry TD, Michael Cahill said that he is absolutely delighted to launch Puck Fair 2025. 'Puck Fair, Aonach an Phoic has been celebrated for hundreds of years in this fantastic part of Kerry, where I come from, people set their calendars by Puck. All other events happen either before or after Puck, that is the importance of it,' said Deputy Cahill. "Thousands of people arrive in Killorglin from every corner of the Globe every 10th, 11th and 12th of August annually, much thanks goes to the fantastic work put in by the local organising committee, in cooperation with An Garda Síochána.' Chairperson of the organising committee, Declan Falvey, highlighted the importance of the festival to the town 'Puck Fair is Ireland's oldest festival, and one of the most anticipated events in the Killorglin calendar annually. This year, as always, we have a stellar line up of musicians and activities, so look forward to welcoming crowds from far and wide to Killorglin over the three days of the festival.' This year's festival will also include a fantastic line-up of Irish talent, with musical acts and performances which will cater to audiences of all tastes and ages. Headline acts for this year's festival, which are all free to attend, include the supercharged musical act, The Fogues, the Celtic Irish Rock group Erin's Fury, the long established South West of Ireland Group Truly Diverse, and Jack Keogh. The full list of events for the festival is at
The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
Jewish man who faced antisemitic abuse on Dublin Bus says city 'a very bad' place for minorities
A MAN WHO says he was the victim of antisemitic abuse on a bus in Dublin over the weekend has said the city is a 'very bad' place to be a minority due to an escalation in racism from a 'small minority' of people. The man says he was abused for being Jewish during an incident on the route 15 Dublin Bus last Friday night. In a viral online video, which has been shared on X and by a number of Israeli news outlets, a man can be seen accusing another individual of being a 'genocidal Jew', shouting 'the Jew, the Jew' and swiping towards the person's phone. The man, who asked to be referred to by his nickname Lio, told The Journal he was not surprised by the incident, as he has noticed a rise in antisemitism during his two years working and studying in Ireland. He said: 'It just confirms what I already thought, I wasn't surprised when it happened, what else is new?' 'It is bloody bad, not just for Jews, but also for other minorities. It feels kind of bad to be a minority in Ireland right now, especially Dublin,' he said. Lio said the majority of Irish people are tolerant and gardaí are doing the best they can. He believes the racism is coming from a 'small minority' of people who he describes as 'radical'. Asked about the incident, a garda spokesperson told The Journal that a man was arrested and later released but that investigations are continuing. 'Shortly after 11pm, on Friday 18th July 2025, Gardaí from Rathmines responded to reports of a disturbance on a bus in Rathgar, Dublin 6. A male in his 30s was arrested at the scene under public order legislation. He was later released without charge. 'Investigations into the incident are ongoing,' the spokesperson added. A spokesperson for Dublin Bus also confirmed that an incident took place on Friday evening. A statement from the company said: 'We can confirm that our driver contacted our central control requesting the assistance of An Garda Síochána and a call was placed to emergency services. Dublin Bus will liaise with An Garda Síochána and provide any assistance needed. Advertisement Other than a headache, Lio said he was not harmed from the situation. 'I'm in a very odd situation where stuff like this happens to me regularly because of my job', Lio said, explaining that he works as a bouncer. Lio said he has previously been abused over his ethnicity on two occasions in Dublin and witnesses racial abuse against other security guards of minority ethnicities at work. 'I just have a habit of phasing out what drunk people say, it reflects what they actually think but you can't do anything about it,' he added. He said: 'A lot of my colleagues in the security industry are African and Indian,' adding that they are called slurs every night. 'You can't excuse this behaviour,' he said, adding: All the minorities around me say this is not good, this is becoming worse. This is not a good place for minorities in general. It's very bad. He believes Irish people are 'radicalised' because they are watching what he described as inaccurate news reports about what is happening in Gaza. As well as incidents such as what happened on the bus, he said people from his work have told him not to tell anyone he is from Israel. Lio is studying in Ireland, but he's not sure if he intends to stay after his degree. 'Depends what direction the country goes, if no one does anything for all the minorities,' he said. 'There's always been racism, this is the first time it's so naked.' In a statement released yesterday since the video was shared widely, Maurice Cohen, Chair of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland said antisemitism is a problem in this country. 'When antisemitism is ignored or dismissed, it festers. When hateful myths are allowed to circulate unchecked, they embolden those who act on them,' Cohen said. 'The Jewish community in Ireland deserves the same protection, concern, and respect as any other. The time for silence and denial is over,' he added. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
