Latest news with #Belfield
Irish Times
11-08-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Student accommodation: UCD has the most expensive campus room at €11,888
University College Dublin has the State's most expensive on-campus room again in 2025/26 as students face waiting lists in many places amid the annual rush to secure accommodation. An en suite room in Village 3, located on the college's Belfield campus, costs €11,888 for the academic year. This is an increase of €124 on last year, or just more than 1 per cent. The cheapest on-campus option at UCD is a shared bedroom in Village 1 at €5,722 for the academic year. Phase one of the UCD Village complex was completed in 2021 and comprises more than 900 units. READ MORE While the entire scheme was due to deliver more than 3,000 units, the second and third phases were shelved in 2022 due to rising construction costs. A letter sent by then UCD president to the minister for higher education in 2022 said the project was 'not viable' and could not go ahead as planned due to 'increased construction costs and constraints on further rent increases' . Rent pressure zone rules, which now extend across the entire country and apply to student-specific accommodation, mean rents cannot be increased by more than 2 per cent per year or by the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. In June Minister for Housing James Browne approved changes to apartment standards to address viability issues, decreasing the minimum size and number of windows required in each block. Despite these measures, current students of UCD continue to struggle, with the students' union there starting a food bank this coming year. 'What we find is that students don't tend to drop out, but instead they impoverish themselves to continue their degree,' said UCD students' union president Michael Roche. [ Student accommodation crisis: 'Renting in Dublin is pretty much impossible' Opens in new window ] The food bank is 'a really sad step to have to take', he said, but 'we're just trying to meet people where they're at'. He said the college is a 'victim of being located in D4, one of the most expensive places in the State'. 'The campus can often feel 'pay to play', and a lot of student life and student experience, which is a large part of college, is often reserved for those who actually afford to live on campus. So a lot of people feel locked out of that experience,' said Mr Roche. The university with the second highest top-end campus accommodation cost is Trinity College Dublin , with prices starting at €6,066 and rising to €10,085. Dublin City University charges between €6,035 and €6,872, while TU Dublin does not have any on-campus student accommodation. The highest-priced on-campus accommodation outside Dublin is at University College Cork , with prices ranging from €3,816 to €8,585. The cheapest on-campus accommodation across the State is at University of Galway , which charges between €3,258 and €7,925. Maynooth charges between €4,668 and €6,353, while the University of Limerick charges between €5,416 and €7,905. [ Where will vital student housing come from? Opens in new window ] On-campus accommodation at these universities, bar Maynooth University, was fully booked at the time of writing, with waiting lists in operation. University College Dublin did not respond to say whether its accommodation was fully booked. Many of the universities mentioned have started leaflet campaigns seeking private rental accommodation from local homeowners and alumni. Several pointed to off-campus options available through the StudentPad accommodation portal on their university websites, which lists suitable accommodation on the private rental market.
ITV News
04-07-2025
- ITV News
'Rot in hell!': Court erupts as man sentenced to life in prison for murdering ex's partner
A family has screamed in court as a man was jailed for life for 'torturing' his ex-girlfriend's new partner to death. John Belfield, 31, was sentenced to a minimum term of 37 years on Thursday 4 July, after he was convicted of murdering Thomas Campbell on 3 July 2022. After sentencing, as he was led to the cells, cries of "rot in hell" could be heard. Manchester Crown Court heard how Belfield recruited a team to help him kill Thomas Campbell in Tameside after he began a relationship with Demi-Lee Driver, his killer's ex-partner. Belfield was one of three men who lay in wait as Campbell arrived home late on a Saturday night on July 2, 2022. The court heard the killing followed a week of hostile surveillance carried out on 38-year-old Mr Campbell by Belfield and his conspirators. When they struck, Campbell could be heard to scream as the trio attacked and subdued him on his front drive, before bundling him inside the house on Riverside in Mossley, Tameside. Over two hours he was stabbed, strangled and had hot liquid poured on his genitals. Prosecutors said he was "tortured to death", having suffered 61 separate injuries. A huge murder investigation was launched, and Belfield's conviction is the fourth related to Thomas Campbell's death. The 31-year-old initially escaped justice by fleeing to Suriname, a small South American nation north of Brazil. He was eventually arrested by local police on drug charges, and served some time in prison before Suriname and Dutch authorities brought him back to Manchester to face justice for the murder of Mr Campbell. During that time three others were convicted in connection with Mr Campbell's murder, including his ex-wife. Coleen Campbell had fed her former spouse's killers vital information about his whereabouts. The pair, who had two children together, had been together for 10 years, but divorced in 2019 following a messy break-up. Coleen Campbell was found guilty of manslaughter following a trial in 2023, for her role in the horrendous plot. Reece Steven, who Belfield recruited into the crime, and was one of the three attackers to kill Thomas Campbell, was also found guilty of murder. Stephen Cleworth, who Belfield also recruited, planted the tracking device on Campbell's car, was convicted of manslaughter. He was not present at the scene as he was on a 'bender' at a swinger's club. The trio were all also convicted of conspiring to rob Thomas Campbell. The third attacker who formed part of the group who attacked Campbell remains unknown and is wanted by police. At his trial, Belfield claimed he had agreed with Steven and Cleworth to try and steal drugs from Campbell, which they believed he hid in fields across Tameside and east Manchester. He said Coleen Campbell suggested locations where the drugs would be buried. Belfield maintained that he did not want 'trouble' with Campbell and that he was not jealous of the relationship with his ex. But after a month long trial, Belfield was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to rob. At his sentencing hearing, Mr Campbell's father, Terry Campbell paid tribute to him. He said: 'I'm not going to waste words defending Thomas' lifestyle, that's for others to judge. I want to speak about my son Thomas, who has been referred to as the victim and the deceased throughout the trial, as a human being. 'I want to tell you about the true person that Thomas was. A son, a loving father and a good friend. 'Growing up Thomas was a cheeky chap, and he was known for his politeness and his good heart. It's hard to find a photograph of Thomas where he isn't smiling, and he brought light into every room. 'Thomas is the father of two children who he doted on. As I look at my grandchildren, although it is a beautiful time when we're together, there is a thought in the back of my mind about the reality for them when they have to face this pain themselves, and learn of the reality of what happened to their dad who they adore. 'Its been so hard to endure the mockery of Thomas between those responsible for him no longer being here. The only context where soft boy would come into play is in the way he treated his family and friends. "On the topic of friends, none of the people concerned in this trial were friends of Thomas. I have heard time and time again the phrase 'I know him really well'. I can say with confidence that that simply isn't true.' Jailing him for life to serve a minimum term of 34 years and 261 days in prison, Mr Justice Graham said to Belfield: 'You wanted Thomas Campbell to suffer. I have no doubt you took pleasure in his pain.' As he was led to the cells below, Belfield looked to the public gallery where Mr Campbell's family were sitting. They then began to cackle, shout and scream "rot in hell", "rat" and "you f***ing freak".
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Depraved drug dealer tortured love rival in two-hour ordeal ending in murder
A depraved drug dealer who tortured his love rival to death for two horrifying hours was told to "rot in hell" after being sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Thomas Campbell. John Belfield, 31, hired a team to help him kill Mr Campbell after he formed a relationship with his ex-girlfriend Demi-Lee Driver. Belfield had previously denied being one of three people who approached Mr Campbell outside of his home in Mossley, Tameside on July 2, 2022. He was discovered tied up with duct tape on his ankles. The 38-year-old died after being found with 61 injuries that indicated "restraint" and "asphyxia". He was taken inside a property where he was stabbed and strangled to death, with his genitals also covered in hot liquid in the twisted revenge plot. Witnesses heard him scream as he was forced into the property. Mr Campbell's ex-wife had been in on the attack. Coleen Campbell had fed her former spouse's killers vital information about his whereabouts and was found guilty of manslaughter following a trial in 2023. Reece Steven, who Belfield recruited into the crime, was found guilty of murder. Stephen Cleworth, who Belfield also recruited and planted a tracking device on Mr Campbell's car, was convicted of manslaughter. All were jailed in 2023, reports Manchester Evening News. The third attacker - who formed part of the group who attacked Mr Campbell - remains unknown and is wanted by police. Belfield evaded police and fled the country two days after the murder. He eventually holed up in Suriname, a former Dutch colony north of Brazil, before he was arrested there in March 2023 and eventually flown back to Manchester a year later. On Thursday, he was found guilty on both counts by jurors, who were unanimous. Today, Belfield was handed down a minimum term of 34 years and 261 days, after having been convicted of murder and conspiracy to rob. Mr Justice Graham, who sentenced the killer, described the injuries as nothing short but "horrendous". He said he had no doubt that Belfield "took pleasure in his pain". The judge added: "Thomas Campbell was no saint. Like you, he was involved in the sale and distribution of drugs. He was also a human being. The manner of his death was horrific. His family and friends have had to listen to the description of his injuries. "His father has described his family's prolific grief - it's plain he was greatly loved. I find you, John Belfield, were the leading role in the conspiracy to rob and the attack itself. "This gang of thugs, with which you were the leader, attacked Mr Campbell and stole from him the drugs you believed he had. No one knows what exactly happened in Riverside. It cannot be said who delivered the blows with knives, fists or boots."
Daily Record
04-07-2025
- Daily Record
John Belfield jailed after torturing love rival to death as family scream 'rot in hell'
Drug dealer John Belfield has been sentenced for murdering his love rival Thomas Campbell - who was tortured for over two hours, stabbed and strangled. A twisted drug dealer who tortured his love rival to death for two gruelling hours has been sentenced to life in prison amid screams of "rot in hell". Following the verdict at Manchester Crown Court, John Belfield, 31, was met with screams as he was led from the dock. He hired a team to help him kill Thomas Campbell after forming a relationship with Demi-Lee Driver, his killer's ex-partner, reports the Mirror. Belfield had previously denied being one of three people who approached Campbell outside of his home in Mossley, Tameside on July 2, 2022. The 38-year-old was discovered tied up with duct tape on his ankles. Campbell was found with 61 injuries which indicated "restraint" and "asphyxia". He was stabbed and strangled after being taken inside of the property. The group had also covered his genitals in hot liquid. Coleen Campbell, his ex-wife, had fed her former spouse's killers vital information about his whereabouts and was found guilty of manslaughter following a trial in 2023. Reece Steven, who Belfield recruited into the crime, was found guilty of murder. Stephen Cleworth, who Belfield also recruited and planted a tracking device on Campbell's car, was convicted of manslaughter. All were jailed in 2023, reports Manchester Evening News. The third attacker remains unknown and is wanted by police. Belfield evaded police and fled the country two days after the murder. He eventually holed up in Suriname, a former Dutch colony north of Brazil, before he was arrested there in March 2023 and eventually flown back to Manchester a year later. On Thursday July 3, he was found guilty on both counts by jurors, who were unanimous. Belfield got a minimum term of 34 years and 261 days, after having been convicted of murder and conspiracy to rob. Mr Justice Graham, who sentenced John Belfield, described the injuries as nothing short but "horrendous". He said he had no doubt that Belfield "took pleasure in his pain". The judge added: "Thomas Campbell was no saint. Like you, he was involved in the sale and distribution of drugs. He was also a human being. The manner of his death was horrific. His family and friends have had to listen to the description of his injuries. "His father has described his family's prolific grief - it's plain he was greatly loved. I find you, John Belfield, were the leading role in the conspiracy to rob and the attack itself. This gang of thugs, with which you were the leader, attacked Mr Campbell and stole from him the drugs you believed he had. No one knows what exactly happened in Riverside. It cannot be said who delivered the blows with knives, fists or boots.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Cocky murderer's texts exposed after thinking he was too clever to get caught
John Belfield, who faces life behind bars today after being convicted of murdering Thomas Campbell, thought he could get away with murder while hiding out in Suriname, South America A killer who fled to South America to avoid justice will be sentenced to life today after finally being tracked down and put behind bars. John Belfield was wanted for the murder of Thomas Campbell, alongside Reece Steven, and despite Steven facing trial and being convicted, Belfield hid out in Suriname watching the trial from afar. At Bolton Crown Court back in 2023 - six months after Mr Campbell was found tortured to death in his own home in Mossley, Tameside - Steven was convicted of murder, while Stephen Cleworth and Campbell's ex-wife Coleen Campbell, were both convicted of manslaughter. In that first trial prosecutors laid out damning evidence against Belfield. His older sister Holly Belfield gave evidence, claiming her brother was actually at her home watching Finding Nemo with their children at the time of the murder. Her account was rejected by the jury. Following the trial in 2023, Steven was sentenced to life in prison, to serve a minimum of 37 years. Stephen Cleworth was sentenced to life in prison, to serve a minimum of 12 years. Coleen Campbell was sentenced to 13 years in prison. The trio were all also convicted of conspiring to rob Thomas Campbell. Belfield was eventually arrested in Suriname where, according to Manchester Evening News, police found a treasure trove of evidence. He had been using a phone with the encrypted app Signal to communicate with the team he had recruited to help him rob and ultimately murder Thomas Campbell. Belfield became seemingly resigned to the fact that he would at some stage have to answer to the courts. In one message he wrote: 'Yeah just looking what it gonna be like for me there is a way to put myself away from the scene but I'll have to say it was other people thats why it's good we are on trial different to each other and if I have an alibi. "I can't get found guilty on what they have there's just not enuff [sic] and I could have just been naive.' His primary strategy of returning after all his comrades had been acquitted lay in ruins. Belfield was left to face a second trial, this time in person, alone, with the full glare of the police and prosecution trained on him. Phone evidence played a key part in the case against Belfield. He tried to explain it away, claiming that at incriminating moments, others were using the 'graft phone', which he said was a drugs line operated by others. But it didn't wash with the jury. An awareness of police tactics was a theme that struck throughout the messages. His claim that he only wanted to steal drugs from Thomas Campbell did not hold sway with the jury. After a month long trial, Belfield was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to rob. He faces sentencing today and will be given a life sentence for murder. The judge will set a minimum time before he can apply for parole.
