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Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
Camera phones more prominent than rosary beads as thousands climb Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday
Camera phones were more prominent than rosary beads on Sunday during the annual pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick . But Co Mayo 's holy mountain continues to hold an allure to pilgrims, albeit diminished in comparison to Reek Sunday's past. The numbers who made the climb to the mist-shrouded summit from dawn were noticeably smaller due to factors including the much-anticipated All-Ireland Senior Football final between Donegal and Kerry taking place later in the day. Donegal people, in particular, are devotees of the annual pilgrimage, otherwise known as Garland Sunday, but many of the regulars seemingly opted to put secular matters before religious considerations this time around. [ As a teacher in my 20s, I am excited to be part of the revival of Christian faith Opens in new window ] Those who did come, wrapped in their green and yellow county colours, included Michael and Claire Burke. 'We stayed overnight and were on the way up early,' said Michael, as the couple moved to their car post descent seeking a swift getaway. 'All going well we'll be back in Ballybofey in good time to watch the game on television.' Did they say a prayer that Donegal would win? 'Of course,' Clare smiled, 'anything that would help us beat Kerry'. Unofficial estimates of the numbers who made the climb varied at between 5,000 and 7,000, a far cry from the halcyon days of the 1,600-year-old pilgrimage when attendance of 30,000 plus were common. 'There were many times back in the '60s and '70s when there would more than 30,000 participating.' Photograph: Christophe Boisvieux/ Getty Images In advance of Reek Sunday, Fr John Kenny, administrator of Westport parish, conceded the numbers would be down. 'In the course of the year there are more people climbing than ever before. But on the day itself (Reek Sunday) the numbers have declined,' he said. After returning from what he reckoned was his 85th ascent of Croagh Patrick, Martin Corcoran from Islandeady lamented the fall-off in numbers. 'It's sad what's happening,' he said. 'There were many times back in the '60s and '70s when there would more than 30,000 participating, even though the climb was in darkness because the pilgrimage then was during night hours. 'Those were the days. Things have changed awfully'. The Order of Malta, Mayo Mountain Rescue and Civil Defence noted a fall-off in injuries, which was attributed to the relatively good weather and the path to the summit being much safer due to repairs and improvements. Due to a scarcity of priests, Masses in the summit chapel were celebrated every hour rather than half-hour, from 8am to 2pm. The late Pope Francis designated 2025 as a universal Jubilee Year of Hope and, for this year, Croagh Patrick, Lough Derg and Knock have been designated by the Irish Catholic bishops as national pilgrimage sites. Once all three pilgrimage sites are visited, a pilgrim is eligible for a commemorative medal. In a homily on the eve of the pilgrimage at St Mary's Church in Westport, Francis Duffy, Archbishop of Tuam and Apostolic Administrator of Killala, said the theme of hope was well chosen by the late pope and is emerging clearly with Pope Leo XIV. 'Hope is a constant need – for individuals, for the church and for society,' he said.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Suspended solicitor weaving ‘wholly false' narrative over nature of land deal, High Court told
Suspended solicitor Declan O'Callaghan is advancing a 'wholly false' narrative that two businessmen who signed a Co Mayo €250,000 land transfer deal knew that sum was never to be paid to a company of one of them, the High Court has been told. That narrative is that the 2006 deal for transfer of the lands owned by Nirvanna Holdings, a company of businessman Tom Fleming, to a now deceased businessman, Fred Preston, was 'a business venture that simply went wrong', barrister Ruadhán Ó Ciaráin said. He was making submissions for Mr Fleming on Wednesday at the outset of an appeal by Mr O'Callaghan against four counts of professional misconduct found against him last year by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal arising from his handling of the deal. The three-member tribunal recommended Mr O'Callaghan be struck off the roll of solicitors. A strike-off application by the Law Society to the High Court is on hold pending the outcome of Mr O'Callaghan's appeal. READ MORE He has been suspended since 2018 arising from a separate Law Society investigation into matters at his now defunct practice Kilrane O'Callaghan & Co, which was based in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon . Concerns raised in an independent solicitor's report included that he withdrew substantial fees from the estate of a bereaved child. On Wednesday, barrister Michael Mullooly, for Mr O'Callaghan, said he would be calling three witnesses in the appeal: Mr O'Callaghan; Niamh Creighton, a solicitor in Mr O'Callaghan's office in 2006; and another solicitor who acted for Mr Preston in various matters. Mr Ó Ciaráin said Mr Fleming was his only witness and asked Mr Justice Micheál O'Higgins to keep 'three facts' in mind throughout the hearing. These are that a deed for transfer of land for €250,000 was entered into, the land did transfer and Nirvanna never got the €250,000, he said. The appeal, he said, would involve Mr O'Callaghan's side 'trying to distract you from those three facts', which gave rise to breaches of a solicitor's duties. The breaches are a failure to ensure consideration for a transaction was on account before effecting the land transfer; failure, by acting for vendor and purchaser, to avoid conflict of interest; and failure to advise shareholders of Nirvanna separately regarding the conveyance and to get their own advice, he said. Mr O'Callaghan's side would take 'one particular true fact' – that Mr Fleming retained a share in a company called Western Concrete – and 'weave that into a narrative that is wholly false, that it was simply a business venture gone wrong', he said. In direct evidence, Mr Fleming (now aged 81) said he left school at 13, is dyslexic, can read but cannot write. After suffering a heart attack in 2005 he decided to step away from some of his work and business involvement and believed he ceased any involvement with Western Concrete in 2005. In cross-examination, he agreed his case is that the Co Mayo land was to be sold by Nirvanna to Fred Preston for €250,000 and Nirvanna never got the money. Mr Mullooly said Mr O'Callaghan would say his law firm was acting for Western Concrete regarding the deal, which arose in the context of a joint agreement between Mr Fleming and Mr Preston. Mr Fleming described as 'totally wrong' a suggestion he and Mr Preston instructed Mr O'Callaghan that they were putting together a joint venture and the Nirvanna lands were required as security for a bank's loan offer. He did not know he was still a shareholder in Western Concrete in 2006, he said. He ceased being a director of that company in 2005 and was unaware he still retained one share in 2006. Mr Preston, the court heard, held the other share. Ms Creighton phoned him in his car on November 20th, 2006, to say would need to get another solicitor in relation to the land transfer deal and, shortly after her call, Mr O'Callaghan phoned him to say he would not need another solicitor, that Mr O'Callaghan would take care of it, he said. When told Ms Creighton and Mr O'Callaghan both disputed saying what he alleged, he stood over his evidence. He disagreed with Mr Mullooly his account of the deal was 'so inconsistent' it was hard to conclude Mr O'Callaghan's account of events was not accurate. The appeal continues on Thursday.
Irish Times
22-07-2025
- Irish Times
Bar manager (28) cleared of manslaughter over one-punch strike
A bar manager has been cleared of manslaughter over a one-punch strike to a man who fell backwards and sustained a traumatic brain injury from which he later died. Vincent (Jimmy) Connolly (28), of Cedar Hill, Westport, Co Mayo, wept after a jury unanimously found him not guilty of unlawfully killing Peter McDermott (60) outside The Clock Tavern on Hill Street, in Westport, in the early hours of September 10th, 2023. Mr McDermott, from Murrisk, Westport, was rushed to hospital and put on life support, but he died the afternoon of September 11th. Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court heard Mr McDermott, from Murrisk, Westport, had knocked Mr Connolly to the ground before Mr Connolly returned with the punch. READ MORE The men did not know each other, and the trial heard both had been drinking heavily before the event. Judge Eoin Garavan described the event as an 'appalling tragedy for both families'. Following the unanimous verdict, Judge Garavan told the accused: 'Mr Connolly, you have been cleared by the jury. You are innocent. You remain an innocent man.' Peter McDermott, from Murrisk, Westport, was rushed to hospital after the event. He later died the afternoon of September 11th The judge went on to say that whatever happened on the night, Mr McDermott had been 'a hardworking, decent, honourable, gentleman' whose incalculable loss had left his family entirely bereft. Similar compliments were expressed about Mr Connolly during the course of the hearing, Judge Garavan noted. During the trial, the court heard Mr Connolly had been in The Clock Tavern at a charity event with a friend, after attending a wedding at Westport Country Lodge. Mr McDermott, who had been drinking in several bars, was agitated and argumentative after being refused entry to a pub, the court heard. The initial contact was a lunge by Mr McDermott towards Mr Connolly, jurors were told. Mr McDermott knocked him to the ground before Mr Connolly returned with a blow to the face. Mr McDermott was propelled backwards, fell to the ground and suffered injuries from which he did not recover. The defence argued Mr Connolly acted in self-defence, while the prosecution maintained it was an unlawful assault with which the accused intended to cause more than a trivial injury. Closing the case on behalf of the prosecution, senior counsel Patricia McLoughlin said video footage showed Mr McDermott push the accused which should never have happened. She said Mr McDermott had been pushing Mr Connolly to get him out of the way or get through him. She contended that, once he stood up, Mr Connolly's demeanour was aggressive towards Mr McDermott. 'You can see from his body language that he was angry, was remonstrating with Mr McDermott and ultimately he hit a punch,' she said. He was the 'clear aggressor' once he stood up and confronted Mr McDermott, she said, submitting that manslaughter was proved in all the circumstances. In his closing submission, Dean Kelly, senior counsel for the defence, rejected the prosecution's suggestion that Mr McDermott was walking away when Mr Connolly was on the ground. Mr Kelly said the contention was 'preposterous' and not backed up by the footage. Mr Kelly said nobody was alleging Mr McDermott was a hooligan or a thugand it appeared to be beyond question that he was a man who worked hard all his life. What is beyond doubt is that for 10 minutes or perhaps an hour on the night, Mr McDermott departed from his ordinary mode of conduct for some reason, he said. Counsel said Mr Connolly believed there was an immediate threat of assault or injury to him. Mr McDermott had,worked in construction in London and New York before returning to Ireland with his wife and daughter to build a home in Murrisk.
BreakingNews.ie
22-07-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Fire at Co Mayo site set for major social housing development
A fire has caused extensive damage at a derelict building in Ballina, Co Mayo, on Monday night. The incident occurred on Kevin Barry Street at the property opposite the bus station, with the fire breaking out shortly after 9 pm. Advertisement Emergency services were alerted after the alarm was raised and the blaze was brought under control. The Western People reports Councillors had last week granted Part 8 planning permission for 31 social housing units at this site. The street remains closed off to traffic this morning, and diversions are in place. Gardaí have said no injuries have been reported at this time.
BreakingNews.ie
17-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Man accused of unlawful killing of Tom Niland pleads guilty and admits to killing Sligo pensioner
Five days into his trial for the unlawful killing of 73-year-old Tom Niland, who was beaten in his home and left to die by three men, John Irving changed his plea to guilty on Thursday. Irving (31) became the third person to plead guilty to manslaughter over the death of Mr Niland, who suffered brain injuries, a fracture to his eye socket and multiple rib fractures following the assault. He was put on life support but died from his injuries 20 months later. Advertisement His attackers took his wallet containing €800 or €900 and went to Casey's garage in Ballina, Co Mayo, where they paid for petrol and goods in cash. They had left the same garage just hours earlier, unable to pay for diesel, they had already put into their Vauxhall Vivaro van. Francis Harman, the driver of the van, had told the garage owner that he would be back later to pay for the fuel. After Irving, of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty this morning to Mr Niland's unlawful killing, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon discharged the jury which had been hearing evidence in the trial. Advertisement It can now be reported that Francis Harman (58) of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo and John Clarke (37) of Carrowkelly, Ballina, pleaded guilty to the same offence last week. The three men broke into Mr Niland's home between 6pm and 7pm at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo on January 18th, 2022. They assaulted him, took his wallet and drove to Lough Easkey, where they disposed of gloves, the wallet and other items that might link them to the crime. Shortly after 7pm, Mr Niland's neighbours saw him trying to cross the road, unable to see because his eyes were swollen shut. They said he was covered in blood and described him as unrecognisable due to the extent of his injuries. Doctors at Sligo University Hospital discovered bleeding to Mr Niland's brain, a fracture to his right eye socket and multiple rib fractures. Although he showed early signs of progress, he was put on a ventilator in intensive care eight days after the assault and did not recover. He was pronounced dead on September 30th, 2023, aged 75. More to follow...
