Latest news with #Clondalkin
Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Book of evidence served on alleged Kinahan associate Sean McGovern over murder charge
Alleged Kinahan cartel figure Sean McGovern, who was extradited from Dubai earlier this year, has been served with a book of evidence relating to the murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan. 'Voluminous' books of evidence relating to other organised crime charges are still pending, the Special Criminal Court heard on Monday. Mr McGovern (39), with a previous address at Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, appeared in person before the three-judge court, having been transported from Portlaoise Prison. He is charged with the murder of Mr Kirwan on December 22nd, 2016, at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, in Dublin. READ MORE Mr McGovern is also charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation in connection with the same murder between October 20th, 2016, and December 22nd, 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 17th, 2015, and April 6th, 2017. Another charge alleges that between October 20th and December 22nd, 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 Mr Gately. The book of evidence relating to the Kirwan murder was served on the accused on Monday morning, defence counsel Keith Spencer said. A second book of evidence will be served in October via electronic means. Mr Spencer forms part of a new legal team representing the accused after Mr McGovern dismissed his previous team last month. Counsel reiterated the defence's intention to challenge the lawfulness of Mr McGovern's extradition from Dubai last May. He said this challenge may take place before the Special Criminal Court or another court. The accused has been attempting to get information on the extradition from a number of State bodies, including the Department of Justice and the Director of Public Prosecutions, counsel said. He said they have 'encountered a number of roadblocks to getting the information we require'. The challenge to the extradition cannot take place until this information is received and the serving of a book of evidence should not be read as an acquiesce to the lawfulness of the process, Mr Spencer said. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor set a further hearing date for October 7th, 2025.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
Cyclist seriously injured following collision with car in west Dublin
Gardaí are investigating an incident in which a cyclist was seriously injured after being hit by a car in Clondalkin, west Dublin on Sunday night. The cyclist, who is in his late teens, was struck by the car on Fonthill Road South at about 11.40pm. He was taken to Beaumont Hospital where he is said to be in a critical condition. No other injuries were reported. READ MORE The road was closed for forensic examination, and local traffic diversions were put in place on Fonthill Road South, between the junctions with Cherrywood Avenue and St John's Road. Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to come forward. Road users who may have relevant camera footage, including dashcam footage, are asked to make it available to gardaí. Anyone with information is asked to contact Clondalkin Garda station at 01 666 7600, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Change to summer holiday period would require widespread consultation, says McEntee
The summer break poses 'challenges' for parents but any changes to holidays would have to be considered following consultation with schools, teachers and families, the Minister for Education has said. Helen McEntee said the issue may come up as part of a new convention on education announced by the Government on Thursday. The Fine Gael TD said schools are 'very active' throughout the year and summer holidays 'gives everybody a chance to take a break'. Ms McEntee also pointed to 1,800 primary schools that are participating in the summer programme , which caters for pupils with complex special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage. READ MORE 'There's a lot of things happening over the summer, whether it's school camps, different types of sports or activities ... but I do acknowledge the challenges for parents when it comes to childcare ... that in many households you have both parents now working full-time,' she told reporters in Clondalkin, west Dublin. 'So the summer does pose challenges, but I think any changes to summer breaks, any changes to holidays, that's something that would always have to be considered in engagement and consultation with schools, with teachers, with parents, with families overall.' The Minister said she would like to see the reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education maintained. Third-level fees have been reduced to €2,000 as 'once-off' cost-of-living measures for the past three years. However, Minister for Higher Education James Lawless signalled late last month that a previous €1,000 reduction to fees would no longer apply after the Government decided there will be no cost-of-living package in the 2026 budget. 'There's a very clear commitment in the programme for government that we would continue to reduce it, and as someone who was leading the negotiations from the Fine Gael point of view, that is a very strong commitment that we've made, and one that we intend to see through,' Ms McEntee said. 'Obviously, any budget discussions have yet to happen or they'll be happening now over the summer months into October, and it will be for every individual Minister to set out exactly what their plans are and what their overall budget is, but we've made very clear commitments, and it's something that we want to see continue.' Separately, the Minister said that while it is important for there to be flexibility and structure at a Government level in terms of remote working, there must be 'autonomy' within companies also. AIB has moved to require staff eligible for hybrid working to return to its branches and offices three days a week on a phased basis, introducing the tightest rules among Irish retail banks. 'Ultimately, companies do have to make decisions based on what's right for them, what's right for the way in which they are working, while at the same time trying to support and recognise and acknowledge that people have families, school, commitments [and] that they have to try to work with them to make sure that everybody benefits from it,' Ms McEntee said.
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
‘A chance to take a break': McEntee defends length of school summer holidays
The Education Minister has defended the length of schools' summer holidays, saying they offer people a chance to 'take a break'. Helen McEntee acknowledged that it was a challenge for parents in need of childcare, and any decision on changing the length of the school year would require a considered approach. Advertisement There has been some commentary in recent weeks that the length of the school holidays – three months for secondary schools and two months for primary – are out of date, as Ireland has some of the longest school breaks in Europe. Visiting a Clondalkin primary school on Thursday, where children were taking part in a summer programme for two weeks, Ms McEntee said: 'I'm here in a school where you have principals, teachers, SNAs, who are working and supporting children throughout the summer. Education Minister Helen McEntee at St Mary's Junior National School in Clondalkin, Dublin (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA) 'We've always had a particular time period for school holidays. 'What we find, particularly for our secondary schools, is that they're actually coming back earlier now, in August, so the Leaving Cert results will be out from the 22nd, some students are actually in that week and, in fact, the following week is when a lot of schools are coming back. Advertisement 'Our teachers work hard, our schools are very active throughout the year. I think the time that's taken throughout the summer gives everybody a chance to take a break.' The children at St Mary's Junior National School learn literacy and numerical skills, and how to bake, as part of the summer programme, which gives educational support to children, including those with special educational needs. They can also paint in the school's outdoor wooden classroom, called the sun room, which was funded by the Arts Council. Ms McEntee said 1,800 schools are taking part in the summer programme this year, including 80 special schools, a 16% increase on last year. Advertisement Helen McEntee (seated centre) acknowledged that it was a challenge for parents in need of childcare (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA) Asked if the activity of the summer programme suggested the summer break was too long, she said the programme initially began 'with a particular emphasis on special education'. 'For children with additional needs, to have that structure and to have that focus, is really, really important. 'And I think there was an acknowledgement that to have that extra support throughout the summer is something that would be hugely beneficial, not just for the students, but also for the parents. 'It's obviously since expanded, it's not just a focus on special schools or additional needs, it's a focus on our DEIS schools, making sure that where children – and it's not all children that access the programme – but if there is that need there to have that extra support, that structure throughout the summer, it's there. Advertisement 'It's also fun. 'I do acknowledge, I have to say, the challenges for parents when it comes to childcare, when it comes to the fact that in many households you have both parents working now full time, so the summer does pose challenges. 'But you know, I think any changes to summer breaks, any changes to holidays, that's something that would always have to be considered in engagement and consultation with schools, with teachers, with parents, with families overall.' Ms McEntee also announced a National Convention on Education, to inform a long-term strategy for primary and secondary education in Ireland. Advertisement Professor Anne Looney, who will chair the convention, said in a statement she was looking forward to being involved in ensuring 'we give our learners and those who work with them the best opportunities to flourish and succeed'.
BreakingNews.ie
17-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Man and woman (20s) arrested after €715k of drugs seized in Co Dublin
A man and a woman have been arrested after gardaí seized €715,000 of drugs in Clondlakin, Co Dublin on Wednesday. While on patrol in the Rathcoole/Citywest area, gardaí stopped a vehicle in the early hours of the morning. Advertisement The driver, a man in his 20s, was searched along with the vehicle under the provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977. During the course of the search, gardaí seized cannabis herb (subject to analysis) with an estimated street value of €10,000. The man was arrested and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in Dublin. Gardaí conducted further searches at three residential properties and during the course of these searches cannabis herb, cocaine and crack cocaine was seized along with various drug related paraphernalia. The estimated street value of drugs seized was €705,000. A woman, aged in her 20s was arrested during the course of one search and was detained at a Garda station in Dublin. The seized drugs, with a total estimated street value of €715,000, have been forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. The male has been charged in relation to the seizure and is due to appear before Blanchardstown District Court on Thursday. The woman has since been released without charge and a file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Gardaí say investigations are ongoing.
