Latest news with #CoDown
BreakingNews.ie
12 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Three people arrested after man and woman seriously assaulted at house in Co Down
Three people have been arrested by police investigating a serious assault against two people at a property in Rathfriland in Co Down. A woman, who is aged in her 30s, said she had been held against her will by three people at the property on Dromore Street area, before she was repeatedly assaulted. Advertisement Detective Sergeant Stewart said that police received a report just after 9.10pm that a woman with facial injuries had been found by a member of the public in the Newry Street area. Police spoke to the woman, who said she had been assaulted throughout the evening. Response officers, with the assistance of colleagues from the Armed Response Unit, went to the property on Dromore Street. Inside, they found a man, aged in his 30s, who had also sustained serious facial injuries. Advertisement The injured man and woman were taken to hospital for treatment. Detective Sergeant Stewart said: 'We have arrested a 25-year-old woman on suspicion of a number of offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, false imprisonment and robbery. 'A man, aged 29, has been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, false imprisonment and non-fatal strangulation. 'A second man, aged 23, has also been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, false imprisonment and robbery. Advertisement 'They remain in custody at this time. 'We would appeal to anyone who may have noticed any suspicious behaviour in the Dromore Street area throughout Sunday to make contact us. 'We would also be keen to hear from anyone who may have dashcam, CCTV or other footage.'
BreakingNews.ie
21 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Man (34) pleads guilty over links to importing explosives, guns and ammo
A 34-year-old man has pleaded guilty to facilitating a criminal organisation to import explosives, firearms and ammunition into the State. Mark McCourt, with an address at Edenerieve, Newry, Co Down, appeared before the Special Criminal Court on Monday where his defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC said he could be arraigned on six counts on the basis that they are sample counts. Advertisement McCourt pleaded guilty that between February 10, 2023 and July 19th, 2024, both dates inclusive, within the State, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, did participate in or contribute to activity intending to facilitate the commission by the said criminal organisation or any of its members, of a serious offence, to wit the importation in the State of Firearms and Ammunition and Explosives. He further admitted to unlawfully having in his possession two .233 Remington Calibre barrels from AR-15 pattern semi-automatic rifles in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not possess it for a lawful purpose on July 19 2024 at John St, Blackstick, Ardee, Co Louth. McCourt also pleaded guilty on the same date at the same location to unlawfully having in his possession nine assorted 9mm luger calibre barrels, eight frames for Sig Sauer semi-automatic pistols, a frame for a Canik semi-automatic pistol and four slides for a Sig Sauer model P320 9mm Lugar Calibre semi-automatic pistol in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not possess it for a lawful purpose. Mr Grehan requested that a governor's report be sought in respect of his client and asked that a date for sentencing be fixed before the end of term. Advertisement Ms Justice Karen O'Connor directed that a governor's report be prepared and set a date of Monday July 28 for the sentence hearing.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Rory McIlroy and his alma mater's key role in the formation of Irish education
In the extensive media coverage of Rory McIlroy's, ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to win the Open at Royal Portrush and his recent Master's triumph, it was sometimes mentioned that he is a former pupil of Sullivan Upper School in Holywood, Co Down. You may even have heard that the school was particularly supportive of young McIlroy's early career and with the understanding and authority of his school principal, he was allowed extensive absence from school to allow him to take part in many golf tournaments around the world. However, it is not widely known or appreciated that Rory's alma mater takes its name from Dr Robert Sullivan who was a significant figure in the history of education in Ireland. Robert Sullivan's father, Daniel, is thought to have come from Co Kerry to take up a post in the revenue service in Holywood and Robert was born there on January 3rd, 1800. READ MORE His father left home and left Robert and his three brothers to be brought up in relative poverty by their mother Mary (nee McClement). Robert excelled at school and was given a free place in 1819 at the Academical Institution in Belfast. This establishment survives to this day as the Royal Belfast Academical Institution or 'Inst'. The story goes that, at least for a time, he walked the eight miles or so there and back daily from his home in Holywood. After leaving Belfast he seems to have worked as a private tutor at Tyrrel's Park in Co Westmeath, Thurles and Dublin and earned enough money to send some back to his mother in Holywood. Then he went on to study law at Trinity College Dublin in 1824 and graduated in 1829 obtaining an MA in 1832. The national system of education in Ireland was established in 1831 by ministerial directive under the auspices of the then Irish chief secretary, Lord Stanley. A board of commissioners of national education was set up and schools associated with the board were to be known as national schools. In 1832 Robert Sullivan was appointed as one of the four inspectors of schools for Ireland, with responsibility for Ulster. Sullivan fully subscribed to the principle of non-sectarian or non-denominational education introduced by the Stanley reforms. He saw the role of the teacher as crucial in countering the prejudice and intolerance found in society Soon after taking up his post as school inspector, Sullivan observed a great deficiency in the availability of suitable textbooks used in the national schools. He then began, to write a number of school textbooks himself, including subjects such as geography, English and also published a dictionary,. The books were initially declined by the commissioners of education and then, when published on his own account, were sold to the board of education at a reduced price. In 1868, the year of Sullivan's death, his books were selling at a rate of a quarter of a million copies per year. In 1838, Sullivan accepted the position of professor of teacher training at the board's training college in Marlborough Street, Dublin and concurrently as superintendent of the central model schools beside the college. In these roles up to 1868, Sullivan exercised a great influence on teachers and teaching practices throughout the length and breadth of Ireland. After his death, his executors carried out his instructions to distribute a portion of the £45,000 he had accrued from his years of work and sale of his textbooks. About £4,000 went to the existing national schools in Holywood which later merged with another school to form Holywood Primary school which continues to serve the town today. The original building, now restored and refurbished, still exists in the main street of Holywood and is home to the town library. A further £8,000 to £9,000 was left at the discretion of the trustees to promote national or unsectarian education in Holywood. This was used to set up the Sullivan Upper School for older children in 1877 and moved to its present site at the western edge of the town in 1939. As part of Sullivan's non-sectarian legacy, the board of governors of the school included representatives from all the churches in Holywood at the time and indeed still does. Today, the current Sullivan Upper School is a successful and highly regarded non-denominational Voluntary Grammar School with about 1200 students and an associated Prep School of about 200. It takes its name from its great benefactor as well as the Sullivan family coat of arms and its motto, which makes it, if not the only school, then one of the very few, to have a motto in Irish: 'Lámh foisdineach an uachtar' (With the gentle hand foremost). Prof Robert Joseph Sullivan was laid to rest in 1868 in the Old Priory church in Holywood. Nearby, a blue plaque, provided jointly by the Ulster History Circle and Sullivan Upper School, is to be found, close to the location where the thatched cottage in which he was born once stood. It describes him simply as an educationalist and benefactor. John Stevenson was the Principal of Sullivan Upper School from 1998 to 2010
The Independent
a day ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Parts of Northern Ireland saw almost full month's worth of rain in 24 hours
Parts of Northern Ireland saw more than 85% of the average July rainfall come down over a 24-hour period, according to forecasters. Warnings over rain applied to significant parts of the island of Ireland on Monday following a night of heavy downpours. The deluge resulted in localised flooding across parts of the island following a series of weather alerts on Sunday, with the unseasonably high rainfall dampening the start of the week. The weather also brought difficult travelling conditions, lightning damage and poor visibility in the worst-affected areas. The Met Office issued a yellow-level rain warning for the east coast of Northern Ireland that is due to expire at 6pm. Forecasters had warned that some areas could see half a month's worth of rain in less than a day. The region normally records an average of 89mm of rain in July but falls of between 50-75mm had been predicted over a period of just 12 to 18 hours. Killowen in Co Down recorded 68mm of rain since 5pm on Sunday, the Met Office said around 2pm on Monday – the highest amount of rainfall across the UK. It normally sees 80.75mm of rain for the whole month. Elsewhere, Murlough in Co Down saw 60mm of rain in the same period – 87% of its July average of 69mm. The Met Office said other areas likely experienced higher amounts. Meanwhile, the heavy rain brought flooding at the Marble Arch Caves, a famous tourist attraction in Co Fermanagh. A spokesperson said it had never happened before, describing the occurrence as a 'highly unusual weather event'. A couple who were part of an evacuation prompted by a rush of water said they would not be put off returning. The agency had put a 24-hour yellow-level rain warning in place for Antrim, Armagh and Down until 6pm on Monday. A more intense amber-level warning was temporarily put in place overnight but lifted early. Forecasters had warned that there was a risk that homes and businesses could be flooded. The Met Office also cautioned that some communities could be cut off by flooded roads while fast-flowing or deep floodwater could pose a danger to life. A yellow-level thunderstorm warning was in place for the western half of Northern Ireland between midday and 8pm on Sunday. Flooding affected routes in Fermanagh with the Marble Arch Road, Florencecourt, and Sligo Road, Enniskillen, both described as impassable by police for a time. A PSNI spokeswoman said: 'Please take care when travelling, slow down, and exercise caution on affected roads.' In the Republic of Ireland, a status orange rain warning for Dublin, Louth, Meath and Wicklow came into effect from midnight and expired at 2pm on Monday. Irish national forecasting agency Met Eireann said there was a chance of thunderstorms amid persistent and heavy rain. A less severe warning for the Kildare region also expired at 2pm. The downpours across Sunday and Monday brought localised flooding to parts of Limerick and Louth. The warnings followed other alerts about thunderstorms in the east of the country and increased rain in the south-west on Sunday.
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Community cricket event to be rescheduled after complaint over GAA involvement
A plan has been announced to reschedule a cross-community sports event after it was cancelled when an Orange lodge raised concern at the involvement of the GAA. The North's First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, was among the political representatives who expressed dismay following the cancellation of the event which had been due to take place in Comber, Co Down, on Friday. Advertisement North Down Cricket Club had planned the sport summer camp for young people from different backgrounds, including the involvement of 10 different groups, one of which was the East Belfast GAA. But a local Orange Order lodge said there were concerns among local residents about the 'perceived move of the GAA into the local community'. Children should be allowed to play together at summer camp without facing intolerance. These developments are deeply worrying and unacceptable. Sport has the power to unify. Political representatives must call this out. We need to send a clear message that we will continue… — Michelle O'Neill (@moneillsf) July 15, 2025 In a statement on social media, the North Down Cricket Club said it cancelled the event because it felt the spirit of the camp was at risk of being lost. Responding to commentary on social media, the club said it welcomes people from all walks of life. Advertisement It said the camp had been planned to involve 10 different local sports and community groups — including organisations supporting ethnic minority communities — with the aim of building friendships through shared activity. On Wednesday afternoon, Cricket Ireland announced it plans to step in to arrange a similar sports camp at Stormont. Brian MacNeice, chair of Cricket Ireland (CI), said they are calling on all community leaders to show leadership and actively support this initiative. 'Cricket Ireland and the Northern Cricket Union (NCU) are dismayed and disappointed at the events which have led to the cancellation of the youth sports camp at North Down Cricket Club,' he said. Advertisement 'North Down has been at the forefront of youth development in recent times. Participation in multiple sports by young people has been recognised as having considerable benefits both in sporting terms and mental wellbeing. It can only be to the detriment of the children concerned that this cancellation has occurred. 'Cricket is a sport for all and both CI and NCU actively encourage diversity, inclusion and equality in our game. Working with other sports in the sharing of facilities and the creation of opportunities for young people is a key aspect of this strategy.' Mr MacNeice said Cricket Ireland applauded North Down Cricket Club's initiative in planning the sports camp. 'We are committed to following through on the initiative and Cricket Ireland and the Northern Cricket Union are making plans to run a similar sports camp at Stormont,' he said. Advertisement 'We have therefore approached East Belfast GAA and offered an opportunity to participate in this alternative sports camp which will also include other sports clubs. 'We look forward to further engagement with the GAA, and other governing bodies, for the benefit of all. 'We call on all community leaders to show leadership and actively support this initiative. Sport can bring communities together and we must all act in partnership to ensure this is the case.' Earlier, Ms O'Neill said: 'Children should be allowed to play together at summer camp without facing intolerance. Advertisement 'These developments are deeply worrying and unacceptable. Sport has the power to unify. 'Political representatives must call this out. We need to send a clear message that we will continue moving forward together to build a brighter society and overcome such unacceptable intolerance.' Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong said children were losing out. 'It sends a signal to those who have been doing the intimidating that somehow they were right – they are not, they're wrong,' she told the BBC. 'The majority of people from Comber and people I've spoken to are very angry about this minority, and I think that Comber would rather turn around and say, 'no, everyone's welcome here'.' UUP MLA Doug Beattie also expressed disappointment. 'People may have concerns but we need to put this in perspective, this is about children and we should allow children to be children, and if that's playing sport, then playing sport,' he told the BBC. 'If you've got an issue with the GAA, lets raise it with the GAA, lets not focus on kids.'
