Latest news with #CollinsPhotoAgency
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Taxpayer forks over €200,000 for prison officers to guard 'braindead' killer
The taxpayer has forked over at least €200,000 to keep three prison officers guarding a 'braindead' killer in hospital, we can reveal. Prison bosses are understood to be hoping that a pending court hearing for brutal killer Kearney, who has over 120 previous convictions, is struck out - so that officers no longer have to guard him in hospital 24 hours a day - and because his release date has technically already passed. Kearney (39) from Coultry Drive, Ballymun, who served a sentence for manslaughter, was due to be released from jail within weeks before he was attacked in the yard of Dublin's Mountjoy Prison in a brutal attack that left him in a critical condition on June 6th. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Sources have now confirmed that Kearney first initiated an attack on a fellow lag in the exercise yard - before four prisoners overpowered him and brutally attacked him - leaving him for dead. Three of the suspected attackers have since been moved to multiple prisons across the country - while gardai continue to investigate the horrific assault. Now sources have told this paper that Kearney is 'braindead' and has no prospect of recovering or returning to prison. He also has no real prospect of appearing before the courts again - with a barrister previously telling a court in July that his client was seriously ill in hospital. Mountjoy Prison (file photo) (Image: Collins Photo Agency) Inside Mountjoy prison (Image: The Joy on TV3) Despite that the Irish Prison Service remains tasked with monitoring the killer - with three prison officers sitting with him in hospital - 24 hours a day. Sources say that equates to at least €200,000 of State money that has been paid to keep prison officers on escort with Kearney over the past two months- despite there being no real need for them to be there. 'It's a huge waste,' a source said. Obviously the prison officers are bound by their duty to provide an escort for a prisoner like Kearney while he technically remains in custody. But in this case he is critically ill, and in reality only really remains in custody because the courts haven't fully dealt with him yet.'A Judge was last due to hear arguments in relation to the reactivation of a suspended portion of Kearney's sentence. He had served a nine year sentence for the manslaughter of Francis Gallagher (18) at Coultry Road on October 25, received head injuries and bruises and cuts to his face after a sustained attack where Kearney punched him in the face and kicked him six times in the head. He also stamped on the victim's head and kicked him in the sides and ribs. In 2020 Kearney was jailed again for a year after he robbed a shop - and before the attack was facing a hearing over possibly re-activating suspended portions of his sentence. Now sources have confirmed that all four suspected culprits have been identified and have been subjected to P19 punishment behind bars. It has also emerged that Kearney struck first - cornering a prisoner with a weapon - before he was then set upon himself. Sources say four lags turned on Kearney and overpowered him in the yard. He was brutally beaten in the yard and left in a critical condition - where he was then rushed to Dublin's Beaumont Hospital with horrific head injuries. He is understood to be in a coma and is in a grave condition, with no real prospect of recovery. Gardai continue to investigate the savage assault - which has also been linked to an ongoing row within the prison. The Irish Prison Service said it cannot comment on individual cases. Gardai have not returned a comment before this article went to print. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Ireland basks in sunshine as Met Eireann confirms 28C temperatures but adds thunderstorm warning
Thunderstorm warnings are also in place for three counties SUMMER BLAST Ireland basks in sunshine as Met Eireann confirms 28C temperatures but adds thunderstorm warning WEATHER forecasters said warm and humid 28C temperatures "will continue" for the week - despite possible thunderstorms on Wednesday. Met Eireann has forecast that temperatures will remain high following today's gorgeous 28C heat. Advertisement 3 The warm spell is expected to continue Credit: Meteologix 3 Many flocked to the seaside to enjoy the good weather Credit: Collins Photo Agency The warm weather is expected to continue well into the weekend, with temperatures in the low to mid twenties expected all week. Tomorrow's forecast is set to bring similar warm and "sunny spells". Met Eireann's weather maps show that highest temperatures will be in the east of the country with Dublin expected to see 25C and Belfast 25C. Warm temperatures are also expected in the Midlands with 23C. Advertisement Despite this good weather, experts are warning of possible "heavy thunderstorms". Met Eireann chiefs said: "Warm and humid tomorrow with sunny spells. Showers will push up from the southwest through the afternoon and evening, some heavy with thunderstorms possible. "Highest temperatures of 21C to 27C in light to moderate southerly winds." Wednesday night will see showers continue with mostly cloudy conditions and "very mild" temperatures between 14C and 17C. Advertisement Thursday morning will bring clouds and scattered showers with "long spells of sunshine" breaking through in the afternoon. Highest temperatures are expected to hit 25C once again before a slightly milder night of 14C. Friday will see similar "sunny spells with light showers easing through the day" with the highest temperatures of 25C and light variable breezes. 'AN EXCELLENT WEEK' This warm weather is expected to continue into the weekend. Advertisement Met Eireann forecasters continued: "Likely continuing warm and settled into the weekend with temperatures generally in the low to mid-twenties and light easterly breezes. "Plenty of dry weather too, though further showers are possible at times." Cathal Nolan of Ireland's Weather Channel added: "The weather remains warm or very warm with highs into the mid 20's again this coming weekend with some pleasant sunshine about and just an isolated chance of some thundery showers breaking out from time to time. But in general, an excellent week." Earlier today, Met Eireann issued a six-hour thunderstorm warning for three counties. Advertisement The counties, Clare, Kerry and Limerick will be under the Status Yellow thunderstorm warning from 3pm tomorrow until 9pm that night. Weather bosses fear the thunderstorms could cause flooding, lightning damage, and difficult travel conditions in these areas.
Irish Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Climate
- Irish Daily Mirror
Heatwave 2025: Ireland basks in glorious sunshine with more to come
Ireland is a great country for those of us who love being outdoors - even when it's raining. And when it's sunny it's a truly spectacular place to be. From the parks in our cities and towns, to our mountains and lakes and rivers - from Donegal to Dingle, we've been blessed with fine August weather. Temperatures hit the 31.3C mark in Roscommon early last month and stayed in the high 20s for three and four days in a row in some counties, but nowhere fulfilled Met Eireann's heatwave definition of at least 25C for five consecutive days. However, a new blast of summer heat looks set to spark a series of high temperature warnings and cautionary advisories from road safety campaigners with latest forecasts showing temperatures in excess of 25C for most of this and next week. READ MORE: 'One to watch': Weather expert issues hurricane warning as Tropical Storm Erin forms in the Atlantic Temperatures are set to hit 25C tomorrow in light southerly breezes, And while Thursday will start cloudy, the sun won't be long breaking through again. Friday's set to be another 25C day, while it's likely continuing warm and settled into the weekend with temperatures generally in the low to mid-twenties and light easterly breezes - perfect for anyone going to the Oasis gigs or any of the fantastic festivals up and running nationwide. Check out our photo gallery here to see how glorious summer has been so far - and is going to continue to be! For more weather stories check out our homepage. Nathalie and Laura from Germany pictured enjoying summer 2025 at St Stephens Green Dublin (Image: © Collins Photo Agency) 1 of 7 People enjoying then weather in Sandycove, Dublin 2 of 7 Enjoying hot weather at Burrow Beech (Image: Collins Photo Agency) 3 of 7 Miya Jai, Roman Byrne and Cooper Coyle enjoying the good weather on Burrow Beach in North Dublin 4 of 7
Extra.ie
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Best dressed at Horse Show
'It's a bit like falling in love'. That's how the judges described how they felt when they saw the woman who would go on to win 2025 Best Dressed at the Dublin Horse Show at the RDS. With a €10,000 cash prize up for grabs, the stakes were high, and the lucky lady on the day was Nadine King, who stood out from the crowd in her green and white floral ensemble. Judges Bairbre Power and Aoife McNamara said they knew the moment they saw Nadine, that they had their winner, because she just stood out from the crowd, and they fell head over heels for her stylish look. Nadine King – Winner of Best Dressed 2025 at the Dublin Horse Show Nadine, from Donnybrook in Dublin, stole the show in a green and white patterned 'Agua Bendita' midi dress, which had delicate pearl detailing around the square neckline. She accessorised her stunning outfit with earrings by Irish designer One Dame Lane, a Loewe bag, 'shoes from Zara, and a standout headpiece from AnedeCoco. Nadine King, from Donnybrook, winner of the Best Dressed at RDS Dublin Horse Show. Pic: Michael Chester Chatting about her win to Evoke, Nadine said she was inspired by Pride and Prejudice, Bridgerton, and the Gilded Age Speaking as the Best Dressed winner was revealed, judge Bairbre said: 'The standard this year was very high, but we both agreed that when we saw our winner, we exchanged eyes and said 'yes, we have her.' 'The runner-up is also a show stopper, they're both quite different in colour and how they put things together but we're really happy with the chic winners' As Best Dressed winner, Nadine will take home a nice prize of €10k for her efforts today, but there were also prizes for the other fashionistas who impressed the judges at the RDS. Twin sisters, Davinia and Dawn Knight, from Portarlington, enjoying Ladies Day at the RDS Dublin Horse Show. Pic: Conor Ó Mearáin / Collins Photo Agency The Best Dressed runner-up received a two-night B&B stay at the 5-star Morrison Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, and two nights B&B at The Trafalgar St. James, Curio Collection by Hilton. The winner of the Best Hat Design, sponsored by Ireland's Blue Book, received a €2k voucher redeemable across the Blue Book collection to put towards a fabulous trip away. Tessy Ehiguese and Tugba Fuatoglu, from Donaghmede and Lucan enjoying Ladies Day at the RDS Dublin Horse Show. Pic: Conor Ó Mearáin / Collins Photo Agency All in all, a fantastic turnout for Ladies Day at the Dublin Horse Show 2025 and the weather was kind too, as the sun shone down on the crowds enjoying a wonderful day out.
The Irish Sun
05-08-2025
- The Irish Sun
‘Far cry from life he used to live' – Jail wing details as vile rape plot ex-garda caged with another disgraced ex-cop
'It's a far cry from the life he used to live, that's for sure. He has gone from locking up criminals to becoming one' SICKO CAGED 'Far cry from life he used to live' – Jail wing details as vile rape plot ex-garda caged with another disgraced ex-cop A PERVERT former garda who was caged for impersonating a female colleague and encouraging strangers to rape her is locked up alongside another disgraced ex-officer. Shane Flanagan, 39, of Co Clare, was jailed for seven years for pretending to be the woman on a fetish site and discussing graphic sexual violence, cannibalism and rape. Advertisement 4 Shane Flanagan was sentenced to seven years in prison Credit: 4 He is being housed on the E1 landing in the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise Credit: Garrett White - The Sun 4 Ex cop Paul Moody is serving a three and a half year sentence for coercive control in the same prison Credit: Collins Photo Agency He is now housed on the E1 landing of the Midlands Prison, in Co Laois, with ex-garda Paul Moody, 45. Brute Moody is serving a three-and-half-year sentence for a campaign of coercive control against his ex-partner. Advertisement Flanagan was handed a seven-year term last Tuesday for encouraging men to go to his workmate's house and rape her and her daughters. He resigned from the force in March. A source said: 'Flanagan will settle in well to the Midlands Prison as he will be serving at least part of his sentence alongside Moody. 'They will be like two peas in a pod. Moody is due for release next year, so once he is released, Flanagan will be the only other former garda on the landing. 'Flanagan joins some of the country's most dangerous sex offenders in the jail. Advertisement 'It's a far cry from the life he used to live, that's for sure. He has gone from locking up criminals to becoming one. 'There are certain inmates that aren't liked in prison and former members of An Garda Siochana are one of them.' The court heard how Flanagan and his colleague were only friends, and never romantic or intimate, when he set up a profile on a Canadian website that allows users to interact with each other about their sexual fetishes. HORROR ACTIONS He then joined a subgroup on the website called 'CNC', — or consensual non-consent — where women give advance consent to men to come to their homes to rape them. Flanagan used real photos of his colleague to set up the profile as well as information relating to her. He also set up a fake Facebook account for the same evil purpose. Advertisement The disturbing communications were discovered in December 2020, when one of the men who had been discussing the logistics of going to the woman's house with the fake account, contacted her on her legitimate Facebook profile to make sure she was really consenting. The fake profile had also encouraged strangers to not just rape the woman but also her two teenage daughters. The woman then set up her own profile on the site to find out what extent the information about her was online. She told the court how shocked she was to discover her colleague and friend had set up the profile and how it was a 'calculated, predatory act of violence' that had left lifelong scars for her and her daughters. Flanagan maintained it was just harmless role play when he was caught after giving men the woman's eircode and address. Advertisement 'BREATHTAKING DISREGARD' Imposing sentence at the Central Criminal Court, Judge Eileen Creedon said Flanagan's offending showed a 'breathtaking disregard' for the safety of the injured parties and that he would have been 'more alive to these dangers' due to his background as a garda. A source said Flanagan could now get a job alongside Moody as a cleaner at the prison. The insider said: 'Moody currently works as a cleaner, which is a sought-after job. He cleans up while the others are out in the yard. As Flanagan is also a former guard, it might also suit him to try and get a cleaning job, as they tend to interact less with the general population.'
