Latest news with #Athlone
Irish Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Government asks for more time to fix legislation facilitating Athlone asylum seeker centre
More than half of the asylum seekers living at a controversial emergency centre in Athlone have been offered alternative accommodation, the High Court has heard. Senior counsel for the Government Aoife Carroll on Monday told Ms Justice Emily Farrell that 125 people remain at the Lissywollen site but 70 have received offers of alternative placements and they should accept these by next week. Last month Ms Carroll told the court there were 137 people housed at the facility but the figure was dropping as alternative places were being sought. The issue is before the High Court due to a legal case taken by Independent Ireland councillor Paul Hogan, representing the Athlone-Moate district. He successfully applied to the court last December arguing the State's move to expedite use of the site for this purpose was unlawful. READ MORE Cllr Hogan claimed the Minister failed to adequately 'screen' the project for potential environmental impacts and that the Minister lacked the expertise to carry out such assessments in such an expedited manner. The State has conceded in court that its statutory instrument facilitating fast-track construction of the facility was 'invalid'. It says it is working to repair relevant legislation. Protests have been held in Athlone over the plan to develop army-tent accommodation for up to 1,000 asylum seekers. Last month, Ms Justice Farrell said she would defer her judgment quashing the use of the statutory instrument to develop the emergency accommodation in Athlone. She said she wanted to wait for updates and to see draft legislation from the Oireachtas. [ High Court defers judgment in legal row over Athlone asylum seeker centre pending draft legislation Opens in new window ] On Monday Ms Carroll said the department is continuing to work to reduce the number of people at the facility but faces 'significant pressure' on the system. On repairing the legislation, Ms Carroll said 'significant work' has been done on part of the issue but 'we have not made the progress hoped'. Ms Carroll again asked the court to refrain from making final orders in the matter. She asked it to maintain the status quo pending the legislation, which will hopefully go before the Dáil in November. Ms Justice Farrell adjourned the matter to next week but warned she cannot keep deferring final orders when the Government has had 'ample opportunity' to put legislation before the Dáil. David O'Brien, barrister for Cllr Hogan, said the Government giving 'loose dates' has been 'a regrettable motif' in the case. Any November date for the legislation to come before the Dáil, which was indicated to the court in May, was initially 'unrealistic'. 'Now it is at the point of untenable,' said Mr O'Brien, and his client is left 'without a modicum of explanation'.
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Over half of those left at controversial Athlone asylum facility could begin to leave next week
Over half of the people seeking asylum occupying a controversial emergency accommodation centre in Athlone will tell the government by next week whether they have accepted alternative accommodation offered to them. At the High Court on Monday, senior counsel Aoife Carroll, for the government, told Ms Justice Emily Farrell that of the remaining 125 people at the accommodation centre, 70 people had received offers of alternative accommodation and that the court should know their answers next week. Advertisement Last month, Ms Carroll told the court that 137 people were in emergency accommodation at the facility, but that figures were dropping as alternative accommodation was being sought. The High Court action was taken by Independent Ireland councillor for Athlone-Moate District Paul Hogan, who successfully applied to the court in December for a judicial review, arguing that the expedited development was unlawful. The State has conceded to the court that the statutory instrument used to expedite the construction of the facility was "invalid" and is working on repairing legislation. A Statutory Instrument is a secondary legislation made by a Minister, modifying or supplementing existing laws. Cllr Hogan is taking the case against the office of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Advertisement Cllr Hogan claimed the Minister failed to adequately "screen" the project for potential environmental impacts and that the Minister lacked the expertise to carry out such assessments in such an expedited manner. Protests have been held in Athlone over the plan to further develop army-tent accommodation for a possible 1,000 asylum seekers. Last month, Ms Justice Farrell said she would defer judgment, quashing the use of the Statutory Instrument used to develop the emergency accommodation at Lissywollen in Athlone, Co Westmeath. Ms Justice Farrell had said she wanted to wait for updates and to see draft legislation from the Oireachtas. The government submitted it intended to remedy the legal issue over the bypassing of environmental assessments for the accommodation. Advertisement Today, Ms Carroll said the department was continuing to work to reduce the number of people at the facility, but that there was "significant pressure" on the system. Regarding the repairing legislation, Ms Carroll said "we have not made the progress hoped". Ms Carroll said that "significant work" had been done on a general scheme and that it was hoped this would go for drafting in preparation for legislation. Ms Carroll again asked for the court not to make final orders in the matter and to maintain the status quo pending the legislation, which is hoped to be put to the Dáil in November. Advertisement Ms Justice Farrell adjourned the matter to next week but warned she could not keep deferring final orders when the government had "ample opportunity" to put legislation before the Dáil. David O'Brien BL, for Cllr Hogan, said the government indicating "loose dates" had been "a regrettable motif" in the case. Any November date for the legislation to come before the Dáil, which was indicated to the court in May, had been initially "unrealistic... now, it is at the point of untenable" and his client was left "without a modicum of explanation", he said. Cllr Hogan claims the ministerial process employed was "unlawful, irrational and a breach of fair procedures".
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Kennedy Amechi's extra time winner sends Kerry past Athlone Town in FAI Cup
Kerry 2 Athlone Town 1 (After extra time) There was a sensational finish to this FAI Cup clash as Kerry struck the equalizing goal in the 96th minute thanks to a superb Joe Adams free before Kennedy Amechi scored the winner at the beginning of extra time. The meeting of the bottom two in the First Division proved a lifeless affair in the opening half. It was a mediocre contest that never caught fire with the ball spending more time in the air instead on the deck. Kerry created precious little as four defeats in a row had obviously left its mark. Athlone came into the contest with just one win in their last 17 games, so it was never going to be a classic. Both sides, low in confidence, created very few scoring chances with Athlone slightly the better team. Jason Folarin Oyenuga fired over the top in the 11th minute while at the other end Kevin Williams shot high and wide in a rare Kerry attack. Athlone almost took the lead in 20th minute but Martin Scally had a better chance at the other end. Gideon Tetteh and Oyenuga were causing Kerry problems out wide but the game remained scoreless until half time. The Town were still in control and looked the more likely side as the Kingdom's experiment of playing Ronan Teahan at left fullback did not appear to be a success. The visitors finally took the lead in the 56th minute albeit a goal that should have never have been scored as Kerry keeper Mathyas Randrianmamy allowed a harmless looking shot slip from his grasp and into his own net. It was no more than the visitors deserved but it appeared to wake Kerry from their slumber. The hosts were almost on level terms two minutes later when a move started by Aaran Healy released Robert Cleary, who raced through but former Kerry keeper Lee Axworthy saved the initial effort and in the follow up, Daniel Okwute saw his effort cleared off the line by an Athlone defender. The home-side finally got going and they forced a succession of corners (five in total) but Athlone Town defended them well as Randrianmamy made superb staff from Dean Williams. Now it was all Kerry and in the 96th minute Daniel Okwute was fouled by Athlone substitute Eoin Sheeran and from the resulting 25-yard free kick, Joe Adams floated the ball high into the right hand corner to force the game to extra time. The first half of extra time opened in explosive fashion when in the second minute, Daniel Okwute raced down the right wing and his low cross was met by the onrushing Kennedy Amechi, who finished from close range to give the lead. Niall Brookwell and Joe Adams, along with Okwute, were superb for a revitalised Kerry outfit and Athlone never looked like breaching the Brookwell inspired defence where he was an absolute colossus. KERRY FC: M. Randrianmamy, K. Williams, S. Aladesanusi (J Adams 66), N. Brookwell, C. McQueen, A. Healy (S O'Connell 66), C Mujaguzi, R. Teahan, S. McGrath, D. Okwute, R. Cleary (K Amechi 72). ATHLONE TOWN: L Axworthy, R. Webb, C. Omorehiomwan, D Hand, K. O'Connor, J. Oyenuga, M. Scally ( A Lennon 101) , B. Gilmour, G Tetteh ( W Smith 86), B. Feeney ( K Robinson 93), D. Williams ( E Sheeran 88). Referee: D Carolan (Drogheda).
BreakingNews.ie
09-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Man (27) jailed after vicious assault of woman and 'suicide mission' carjacking
A thug who was on bail for assault when he carried out a vicious carjacking of a woman and a 160km/h road "rampage" filmed on Snapchat has been jailed for eight and a half years. Father-of-four Dylan Poynton, 27, pleaded guilty at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to another man at an apartment in River Village Athlone, Co. Westmeath on October 13th, 2022. Advertisement The court heard on Wednesday that Poynton was highly intoxicated in his partner's home and attacked the man by striking him with a bottle. He followed up by kicking him in the head, "stamping on his face" as he was defenceless. The victim suffered a fractured skull and needed urgent medical attention, but made a full recovery. Poynton had also admitted violently hijacking a woman's car, dangerous driving and criminal damage on November 14th last year, while out on bail for the earlier assault. The violent car seizure, described as a "suicide mission", was carried out by Poynton and his accomplice, 21-year-old David Marshall from Newtown Lawns, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Advertisement Marshall, a father of two, was handed a seven-year sentence in April. The jobless duo, who never worked consistently and have had drink and drug problems since their early teens, had been "off their heads" at the time, Detective Garda Conor Murphy told the court that the victim had driven into a car park near Athlone rail station just after 7 am to get a train to Dublin for work. However, two men in balaclava masks opened the front doors of her Nissan Micra, shouting, "Get out". Advertisement Poynton grabbed her and pulled her out, screaming. She tried to get the car keys but was pushed and fell to the ground. She has suffered anxiety, panic attacks, depression and PTSD since then, attends counselling and was at a loss of €6,500. Poynton's 24 prior convictions included drugs and assault offences as well as dangerous driving, and he had a two-year road ban already. In tears, the victim opened up in court and revealed how she held down two jobs and had bought the car and a house, but she no longer drives in the dark and has lost her independence. The pair took turns driving her car and filmed each other for a series of Snapchat posts, laughing and jeering while blaring music as they sped along the M4 to Dublin. Advertisement One video played in court showed the driver holding a beer bottle, and another clip focused on the speedometer at 160km/h. The Micra crashed into the wall of a house in Lucan, Co. Dublin, causing €2500 damage to the property. Judge Johnson branded the pair's actions as despicable and said the footage showed a rampage and the worst incidents of dangerous driving he had ever seen. The two men seemed as if they were on a "suicide mission", and it was a miracle they did not cause carnage during the drive, he remarked. Their phones were found in the car, and gardaí later unlocked them to recover their Snapchat videos. Advertisement Andrew Callan BL told the sentence hearing on Tuesday that Poynton began abusing cannabis from the age of 11 and then moved onto ecstasy and cocaine addiction while working occasionally in a family business providing marquees. However, he was welcome to return to living with his mother and working with his father upon release. On Wednesday, Judge Johnson imposed consecutive three and seven-year sentences but suspended the final 18 months. Judge Johnson warned Poynton, who showed no emotion during the hearing, that, following his release, he must refrain from using alcohol and illicit drugs, remain on supervised probation, engage in addiction treatment and not reoffend for five years. Otherwise, the suspended portion of the sentence would be activated.
Irish Times
09-07-2025
- Irish Times
Jail term for man who received pandemic unemployment payment from six others
A man who received six other people's State-supplied Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) has been jailed. Father-of-four Stefan Muntean, with an address at Meadowbrook, Athlone, Co Westmeath, was handed a three-year sentence at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court. Muntean (39), who was on social welfare, pleaded guilty to money-laundering using his account in his local credit union and the finance app Revolut, and welfare fraud in 2022. The PUP was a temporary social welfare payment for employees and self-employed individuals who were out of work due to Covid-19. READ MORE An investigation was triggered when the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau's financial intelligence unit became aware of suspicious transactions. The court heard Muntean could not provide an explanation for €60,000 lodged into his accounts over four months. Athlone-based Detective Garda Kenneth Nerney said €48,752 went through Muntean's Revolut account between July 1st and October 24th, 2022. The source of these funds could not be identified, with Muntean telling officers that unnamed friends or relatives transferred some money to him. Unexplained cash lodgments to his credit union account came to about €11,000 from May 18th to November 25th, 2022. Det Gda James Martin said the investigation identified six Personal Public Service (PPS) numbers of individuals not residing in Ireland at the time who were receiving PUP support, totalling €16,786, which was also paid into Muntean's credit union account. Judge Johnson said the offences were serious and a fraud on the State Over the relevant time, Muntean spent €90,000 in an online casino and withdrew €68,622 from his gambling account. Muntean, with prior convictions for theft and trespass, had been entitled to a carer's allowance to look after his father and had worked intermittently. Gardaí accepted he had no display of wealth, the court heard. Desmond Dockery SC, defending, said his client admitted he was reckless in allowing his account to be used for the pandemic payments. He said Muntean, who came to Ireland almost 20 years ago, was a member of the Roma community and suffered with health issues and had a gambling habit. Muntean lived in squalor and was estranged from his family, the court heard. Muntean, who listened to the proceedings with the aid of an interpreter, did not address the court. Judge Keenan Johnson sentenced Muntean to five years and six months in prison. He suspended two-and-a-half years on the condition Muntean does not reoffend for five years. A concurrent two-year term was imposed for the PUP fraud.
