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RTÉ News
28-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Investigation into loyalist murder of Peter Gallagher 'wholly inadequate'
A police investigation into the murder of a man by loyalists in Belfast in 1993 was "wholly inadequate", the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has found. Peter Gallagher, a 44-year-old father of seven from Toomebridge in Co Antrim, was shot dead at an industrial park in west Belfast in March of that year. His family complained to the Police Ombudsman's Office about the thoroughness of the original murder investigation. Today, the ombudsman found that although 12 people should have been of interest to investigating detectives, none had been arrested. Marie Anderson said this was despite the fact that some were linked "by significant, and on occasion corroborative intelligence and other information". Mr Gallagher was shot dead by elements of the west Belfast Ulster Defence Association (UDA) based around the Shankill Road known as 'C Company'. Ms Anderson also criticised a decision to stand down surveillance on members of the gang even though at the time it had proven disruptive and the authorities knew attacks were being planned. The intelligence focus had been switched to the activities of the IRA. Within two days of surveillance being suspended, the UDA had murdered Mr Gallagher and 17-year-old Damien Walsh also in west Belfast. Ms Anderson said the decision to switch the surveillance focus ought to have been re-examined in light of the intelligence picture about the heightened risk of UDA attacks. "I am of the view that the failure to do so provided `C Company' greater opportunity to mount terrorist attacks on the nationalist community, culminating in the murders of Peter Gallagher and Damien Walsh," she said. However, the police ombudsman said she had found no intelligence, which if acted upon by police, would have prevented Mr Gallagher's murder. Neither was there any evidence that members of the security forces had provided information to loyalists to facilitate the attack. No one has ever been convicted for either murder. The ombudsman's report said the police investigation had zoned in on three principal suspects in respect of Mr Gallagher's murder. Ballistic tests revealed that a 9mm Browning pistol used to murder him had been amongst a batch smuggled into Northern Ireland from South Africa in December 1987. The police ombudsman said the investigations into the Gallagher and Walsh murders ought to have been linked and that the failure to do so had resulted in a "fragmented investigative approach" which had undermined both murder inquiries.
Belfast Telegraph
28-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Family of loyalist murder victim failed by ‘wholly inadequate' RUC probe, report finds
Peter Gallagher (44), from Toomebridge in Co Londonderry, was shot and fatally wounded while arriving for work at the Westlink Enterprise Centre in west Belfast in 1993. The Police Ombudsman investigated the case after a complaint from Mr Gallagher's family. Marie Anderson's report found that although 12 people should have been of interest to the murder investigation, none were arrested. This was despite some being linked by significant intelligence and other information. She also criticised the police decision to cease surveillance of members of the UDA/UFF two days before the murder, given that they had received multiple intelligence and other reports indicating the group were actively planning attacks. Within three days of surveillance being paused on March 22 1993 - when police resources were reallocated in response to intelligence about IRA activity - the Shankill-based 'C Company' unit of the UDA/UFF had murdered Mr Gallagher and, in a separate attack the following day, 17-year-old Damien Walsh. By the time surveillance of 'C Company' members resumed on March 30 1993, they had also attempted to murder two other people. 'I found no evidence that during this time police had reconsidered their decision to cease surveillance of 'C Company' members, despite the murders of Mr Gallagher and Damien Walsh, and mounting intelligence about other planned attacks,' Mrs Anderson said. News Catch Up - Tuesday 28th May However, the Police Ombudsman added that her enquiries had found no intelligence that, if acted upon by police, could have prevented Mr Gallagher's murder. Neither was there any evidence that security forces provided information to paramilitaries to facilitate the attack.
NZ Herald
16-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Battle of Crete memorial at Mount RSA this Sunday
The battle lasted 12 days and involved New Zealand, Australian, British and Greek troops, assisted by Cretan civilians, trying to repel an airborne assault by the Germans. Of the 7700 New Zealand soldiers stationed on Crete, more than 2000 were captured, and 671 died. Among the survivors was Adams' late father, Lieutenant Sergeant Bertram 'Snowy' Smith, who fought in the battle with the 20th Battalion, C Company. Adams said Smith was away at World War II for four-and a-half years and returned home from the war to go farming in Whakamaru before he retired and spent 30 years in Tauranga before his death in 2000. Adams said her father was reluctant to speak about his experience in the Battle of Crete to family and was only prompted on the subject once. 'They fired their rifles at the descending Para troops until their rifles overheated, waited until they cooled, then recommenced firing,' Adams said, retelling her late father's story. However, Smith did speak to family passionately of the camaraderie during the war. '[When] he was one of the walking wounded, he was tasked with finding his own way across Crete to Sfakia for evacuation, which included the 2000m high White Mountains and 100km trek.' She said that along the way, the Cretans offered her dad shelter in hen houses. Upon his arrival at Sfakia, he could see the hospital ships waiting offshore. Despite his injuries, he was able to swim out to the ship on May 29, 1941, his 24th birthday. Adams said New Zealand's participation in the battle created a close relationship between Aotearoa and Crete. 'The Cretans love Kiwis because we as New Zealanders went during World War II to fight in their country and save the country from the enemy and lost a lot of lives in the process. 'There's been a close bond ever since with New Zealanders because they appreciate very much the sacrifice that New Zealanders made during World War II.' At Sunday's service, there will be marching by the Western Bay of Plenty Cadet Unit and the NZ Cadet Forces, a performance by Tauranga's Athena Greek Dance Group, followed by catering. The details
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vietnam War soldier's headstone found near York County bridge
YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — A military headstone was found discarded beside a bridge in York County. The headstone was found near the bridge on Dorsey Lane in Carroll Township. The headstone belongs to Private First Class Richard Davis, who was killed in 1969 while fighting in Quang Tin during the Vietnam War. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Davis was from Red Lion and was buried in Glenville. According to a biography on Davis' service, his primary unit in Vietnam was with C Company, 1st Battalion, 52nd Infantry. The cemetery where Davis is interred shared a picture of Davis' headstone when it was properly in place, and it's unclear how it ended up by the bridge. Police are investigating how the headstone landed near the bridge. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Medal of Honor Month: Specialist Ross McGinnis
In 2006, Spc. Ross Andrew McGinnis, a U.S. Army member, was on patrol in eastern Baghdad during the Iraq War. It was there he earned the prestigious Medal of Honor, which he was awarded posthumously. Ross Andrew McGinnis was born on June 14, 1987, in Meadville, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Clarion County, just north of Pittsburgh. He always knew that he wanted to join the military. He even expressed this desire to his kindergarten teacher at age 5. Throughout his youth, he participated in team sports and joined the Boy Scouts of America to practice teamwork. Then he joined the Army's Delayed Entry Program before graduating high school. McGinnis completed BCT at Fort Benning, Georgia. Following his basic training, he joined the 1st Battalion, C Company, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division in Germany. In August 2006, he deployed to Iraq, where he took part in the action that earned him the Medal of Honor. 'Private First Class Ross A. McGinnis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an M2 .50-caliber Machine Gunner, 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in Adhamiyah, Northeast Baghdad, Iraq, on 4 December 2006. That afternoon his platoon was conducting combat control operations in an effort to reduce and control sectarian violence in the area. While Private McGinnis was manning the M2 .50-caliber Machine Gun, a fragmentation grenade thrown by an insurgent fell through the gunner's hatch into the vehicle. Reacting quickly, he yelled 'grenade,' allowing all four members of his crew to prepare for the grenade's blast. Then, rather than leaping from the gunner's hatch to safety, Private McGinnis made the courageous decision to protect his crew. 'In a selfless act of bravery, in which he was mortally wounded, Private McGinnis covered the live grenade, pinning it between his body and the vehicle and absorbing most of the explosion. Private McGinnis' gallant action directly saved four men from certain serious injury or death. Private First Class McGinnis' extraordinary heroism and selflessness at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.' – Congressional Medal of Honor Society On June 2, 2008, President George W. Bush presented McGinnis' parents with his Medal of Honor in a special ceremony held at the White House. The military posthumously awarded McGinnis the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart, in addition to the Medal of Honor. This recognition was for his selfless bravery in sacrificing his own life to protect his fellow service members from the grenade presentation of these prestigious military honors was a recognition of McGinnis' extraordinary service and sacrifice to his country and a testament to the lasting impact of his heroic actions. Learn more about the Congressional Medal of Honor Society at or find them on Instagram |Facebook Participate in Medal of Honor Day on March 25 by sharing a recipient's story Support veteran hiring and transition programs in your workplace Teach younger generations about the values of courage, sacrifice, and service Medal of Honor Month isn't just about recognizing history. It's about keeping the mission alive for the future. Observe Medal of Honor March on We Are The Mighty here.
