Latest news with #CoTyrone
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Omagh bomb inquiry chair refuses Government's bid to redact civil servant names
The chairman of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry has rejected a bid by the Government to redact the names of junior civil servants in documents shared with other parties involved in the probe. The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) had argued that junior members of the Civil Service had more expectation of privacy than senior civil servants and it had raised potential security concerns over sharing their names. Inquiry chairman Lord Turnbull refused the application made by Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn in a ruling published on Tuesday and the documents, which are already in the possession of the inquiry, will now be shared with other core participants. The chairman made clear that the issue under consideration only related to sharing the documents with other core participants in the inquiry, and did not relate to the potential for them to be made public. Lord Turnbull stressed that all core participants are bound by confidentiality agreements. He said the issue about the potential publication of the names during the inquiry proceedings would be dealt with at a later juncture. 'This ruling is not concerned with the separate question of whether the content of any documentation which is disclosed in an unredacted fashion may, in due course, be aired in evidence and, or, published in the media,' he said. The Real IRA bomb in the Co Tyrone town in August 1998 killed 29 people, including a woman who was pregnant with twins, in the worst single atrocity in the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The public inquiry was set up by the previous government to examine whether the explosion could have been prevented by the UK authorities. Mr Benn's application was considered during procedural hearings in Belfast last month. During proceedings, the inquiry also considered a submission on the PSNI's position in respect of disclosing the names of people suspected of involvement in the 1998 attack and other linked terror activity. The PSNI did not make an application for redaction, and instead just set out its own view in respect of the issue. During the hearings, several media organisations also made representations in respect of both the Government and PSNI's submissions. In relation to the naming of suspects, Lord Turnbull said the matter was more 'straightforward' than the application to redact junior civil servants' names. 'In the end, there was no dispute between any of the contributing counsel as to what the correct approach should be,' he added. The inquiry intends to put suspects in one of two categories – those who have been named publicly in the media or Parliament already, and those who have not. Those in the first category will be assumed not to have a 'reasonable expectation' of privacy. Those in the second category will be subject to further examination by the inquiry to consider issues around privacy rights and security risks.
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Simon Yates wraps up Giro d'Italia triumph in Rome
Britain's Simon Yates sealed victory in the Giro d'Italia following the final stage from the Vatican City to Rome. Yates took a lead of almost four minutes into stage 21 and finished safely in the peloton as Visma-Lease a Bike team-mate Olav Kooij came out on top in a sprint finish. Yates effectively sealed victory on Saturday's penultimate stage when he exorcised his personal demons on the Colle delle Finestre with a stunning solo attack to claim the race leader's pink jersey. On the mountain where his dreams of victory were shattered by Chris Froome's famous solo breakaway in 2018, Yates turned the tables with a masterclass of his own as his rivals were left to question their own tactics. The 32-year-old Lancastrian rode away from leader Isaac del Toro and Richard Carapaz on the brutal gradients and the gravel to turn an 81-second deficit and third place into a three minute, 56-second lead over Del Toro. With the final stage a largely-ceremonial affair, which started with the leading riders meeting Pope Leo XIV, only a serious crash would have denied Yates a second Grand Tour victory following his success in the 2018 Vuelta a Espana. He is the third British rider to win the Giro after Froome in 2018 and Tao Geohegan Hart in 2020. Co Tyrone's Darren Rafferty (EF Education-Easypost) finished 19th in the white jersey classification (best young rider).
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Arrest made after assault victim left in a critical condition in Co Tyrone
A man is in a critical condition in hospital following an assault in Co Tyrone. Detectives investigating the incident in the Main Street area of Strabane on Saturday have arrested a man. Advertisement A PSNI spokesperson said: 'Police responded to a report of an assault at approximately 2pm on Saturday afternoon. 'A man, aged in his 30s, had been assaulted by another man inside flats in the area. 'The victim had sustained serious injuries to his face, head and body as a result of the assault and was taken by air ambulance to hospital where he remains in a critical condition. 'A 33-year-old man was arrested a short time later on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent and is currently in police custody.' Advertisement Anyone with information is asked to contact the PSNI.
Belfast Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
NI barman and father-of-two fighting for life after ‘devastating brain bleed' on birthday trip to Poland
A fundraiser for a Co Tyrone barman who suffered a 'devastating brain injury' while in Poland has reached over £44k to help support him and his family. Chris Armstrong, affectionately known as Sid, was involved in a 'tragic incident' in Krakow while celebrating his birthday alongside his wife Jill. The father-of-two is currently in hospital being treated for an intracranial haemorrhage – bleeding in the brain – which is too dangerous for medics to operate on. An online fundraising appeal describes Mr Armstrong as a 'gentle soul' and 'loving father and husband.' It is unclear on how he sustained the injury which has left him in a 'critical but stable' condition. News Catch Up - Thursday 22 May Donations now exceed £44k to support the patient and his family, including his children Ben and Nèna – more than 1,200 people have offered financial support on GoFundMe. 'It is with great sadness that we are setting up this GoFundMe to ask for support as the family of Chris Armstrong fondly known as Sid to everyone," the blurb states. 'Sid a caring and loving father and husband. A gentle soul who would help anyone and not ask for anything in return. But who we know would be eternally grateful for any help received. 'Sid has sadly suffered a devastating brain injury due to a tragic incident in Krakow, Poland, whilst celebrating his birthday with wife Jill. " Sid is currently in Hospital in Poland with an intracranial haemorrhage (bleed to the brain) which unfortunately due to the dangers cannot be operated on.' The organiser of the fundraising campaign says Mr Armstrong is 'currently critical but stable, however the road ahead is long and uncertain, with it being possibly weeks or months until he recovers or until the severity of his injury is known'. "It is a waiting game and we must take each day at a time,' the description continues. Specialised medical facilities will be needed to transport the patient back to his home which will create a 'significant financial burden' for his family. It is not known when Mr Armstrong will be allowed to return. 'The duration of his stay in hospital in Poland remains uncertain, as he is currently unable to travel due to his medical condition,' the fundraiser states. "When he is eventually stable enough to be moved, he will require specialised medical transport by land or sea back to Ireland. "This prolonged and complex situation is expected to result in a significant financial burden. 'We are asking our community, friends and family and anyone who knows Sid, Jill and their children Ben and Nèna to help at this very difficult time.'
The Independent
22-05-2025
- The Independent
Fresh appeal over 1973 murder of 18-year-old whose body was found in quarry
Police have issued a fresh appeal for information around the murder of an 18-year-old in Co Tyrone more than 50 years ago. The body of Marian Beattie was found at the bottom of a quarry. She had been attending a charity dance at Hadden's Garage in Aughnacloy on Friday March 30 1973 to listen to her brother playing in the band. The teenager was last seen leaving the dance with a young man just after 1am and walking in the direction of Hadden's Quarry. Her body was discovered at the bottom of the nearby quarry shortly after 6am the following morning. Detectives from the PSNI's Legacy Investigation Branch have issued a fresh appeal for information from the public surrounding the circumstances leading to her death. A spokesperson said they would like to talk to anyone who remembered seeing Ms Beattie at the dance, and who she had been talking to. 'We believe Marian left the dance at Hadden's Garage with a man, walking in the direction of the nearby car park at the top of Hadden's Quarry about 400 yards away from the garage,' they said. 'We do not know what happened next but Marian's body was found at the bottom of the quarry approximately 80-100ft below the car park. 'I appreciate this murder took place over 50 years ago but we would like to talk to anyone who was at the dance at Hadden's Garage on the night of Friday, March 30 1973. 'Marian went there with a girlfriend to listen to her brother's band. 'Did you see who she was dancing with or speaking with? Did you see her leave the dance with a man? Do you know who he was? Did you see her in the car park at the quarry any time after 1.15am on the Saturday morning?' They have also appealed to anybody who might remember seeing anyone who was at the dance returning home distressed or with dirt on their clothes. 'Marian's family deserve to know what happened to her that night,' they said. 'I am appealing to anyone who may be able to help us progress the investigation and bring some closure to the Beattie family to come forward and speak to detectives in Legacy Investigation Branch. 'Detectives can be contacted by calling 101.'
