Latest news with #Cooney
USA Today
19 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M is expected to hire Miami coach with exceptional recruiting background
Texas A&M is expected to hire Miami coach with exceptional recruiting background Texas A&M is currently expected to hire David 'Pop' Cooney in a recruiting related role, sources tell @CBSSports/@247Sports. Spent the last eight seasons working at Miami, including three years as director of recruiting and the last two as assistant wide receivers coach.… — Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) June 5, 2025 Texas A&M's 2025 football coaching staff looked complete heading into the summer months. Still, according to 247Sports' Matt Zenitz, coach Mike Elko has reportedly snagged one of the top recruiters in the country, as former Miami staffer David "Pop" Cooney will join the Aggie staff ahead of the 2025 season in an unspecified recruiting role. This week, Texas A&M will host a highly talented list of 2026 prospects, including several five-star recruits, as the timing to hire a proven recruiter with an exceptional track record couldn't have been better. This isn't a surprise, given Elko's track record of making staff changes sporadically, which dates back to hiring Lyle Hemphill for the 2025 defensive staff early in the offseason. Concerning two elite prospects in the 2026 recruiting class, Cooney was one of the lead recruiters for five-star wide receiver. LSU commit Tristen Keys, who will take an official visit to Texas A&M over the next two months, while holding a strong relationship with current four-star wide receiver commit Aaron Gregory, who has been receiving strong interest from rival programs, including the Texas Longhorns. As Zenitz notes, Cooney served as Miami's recruiting director for three seasons, while also serving as the program's assistant wide receiver coach. This is a significant boost for Texas A&M's recruiting efforts, especially this week. Other names include former Miami wide receivers Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George, who are both currently on NFL rosters. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Wales Online
This man was known as 'Mr Italy' before his criminal empire fell apart
This man was known as 'Mr Italy' before his criminal empire fell apart The group he was a part of was also linked to large-scale drug supply. Andrew Cooney (Image: GMP ) A man who was found to have benefited from criminal conduct to the value of over £2 million is set to lose his luxury watches and overseas property following proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Andrew Cooney was involved in a criminal group responsible for the largest gun-running conspiracy ever disrupted by UK law enforcement. The group was also linked to large-scale drug supply, Manchester Evening News reports. The gang operated from a flat at Cotton Field Wharf, a residential development in Ancoats Marina where firearms, ammunition, drugs, and large sums of cash were stored. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here A judge previously described the group's activity as criminality on an 'exceptional scale'. The conspiracy involved the distribution of approximately £70 million worth of cocaine and the sale of 48 Skorpion machine pistols across the UK and Ireland, at prices ranging between £9,000 and £15,000 each. Top row, left to right: Andrew Cooney, Daniel Waters, Mohammed Omar Malik and Daniel Gibbons. Bottom row, left to right: Sean Hogan, Conor Sandlan and Adrian Gonzales Cooney, who was referred to as 'Mr Italy' in reference to a property he owned there, was involved in the supply of drugs and firearms and acted as a broker for the group. At his address in Alderley Edge, police recovered a kilogram of cocaine from his Audi A3, along with two Porsche vehicles parked outside. Officers also seized a number of luxury watches, mobile phones, a vacuum packing machine, and paperwork relating to a villa in Italy. In 2023, Cooney was sentenced to 27 years in prison. Following a financial investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act, he was found to have benefited from crime in the amount of £2,376,867.89. However, his available assets were assessed at £32,158.95. This includes a Rolex Daytona watch, an Audemars Piguet watch, and his share in the Italian property. At a hearing at Minshull Street Crown Court on Thursday (May 29), Judge Bernadette Baxter ruled that if the amount is not paid within three months, a further 12 months will be added to Cooney's sentence. Under proceeds of crime legislation, prosecutors can seek to recover the financial benefit of criminal conduct, with funds often directed toward community initiatives. During his trial, Cooney told the court he had worked on a market stall as a teenager, later as a cleaner and youth worker, before moving into property auctions. He said he became involved in drug dealing due to financial pressures. Cooney, 39, of Oakfield Close, Alderley Edge, was found guilty of conspiring to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to supply cocaine. He was acquitted of conspiring to supply amphetamine. Mohammed Omar Malik, aged 33 and of St Mary's Parsonage, Manchester city centre, was found guilty of conspiracy to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to supply cocaine, MDMA, and amphetamine. He was sentenced to 38 years in prison. Daniel Gibbons, 39, of Wordsworth Road, Reddish, Stockport, was found guilty of conspiracy to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to supply cocaine, and conspiracy to supply amphetamine. He was acquitted of conspiracy to supply MDMA and was sentenced to 28 years. Daniel Waters, aged 41 and of Broom Avenue, Reddish, Stockport, was found guilty of conspiring to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life. He received a sentence of 26 years and 6 months in prison. Sean Hogan, 40, of West Park, Denton, Tameside, was found guilty of conspiring to supply firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life. He was also found guilty of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and ketamine. He was sentenced to 24 years in prison. Conor Sandlan, 32, of Redfearn Wood, Rochdale, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life, as well as conspiracy to supply cocaine, MDMA, and amphetamine. He was sentenced to 30 years and 6 months. Adrian Gonzalez, aged 33 and of City Road East, Manchester, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life, and to conspiracy to supply cocaine, MDMA, and amphetamine. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Article continues below
Sunday World
23-05-2025
- Sunday World
Two-year ban for kitchen porter who drove at dangerously high speed
Declan Cooney (39) had also suffered the loss of three very close family members. A kitchen porter who drove at high speed in a built-up area of Dublin was upset following an argument with his girlfriend, a court heard. Declan Cooney (39) had also suffered the loss of three very close family members. Judge David McHugh fined Cooney €250 and banned him from driving for two years. The defendant, with an address at Dunmanus Road in Cabra, admitted dangerous and drug driving at the N2 Finglas on October 1, 2023. Garda Paul Doona told Blanchardstown District Court that he was operating a speed checkpoint on the day in question when a white Volkswagen Golf drove past at high speeds, in excess of 100kph. Gda Doona said he stopped Cooney, who apologised for speeding, and said he had had an argument with his girlfriend. The garda said Cooney took a breath test, and it returned a positive reading for cannabis. The court heard the defendant had never been in trouble before. Defence lawyer Mark McMahon said Cooney worked as a kitchen porter in a hospital. Cooney had suffered personal difficulties lately, Mr McMahon said, with the deaths of his father, brother and his mother.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RestoringVision Appoints Kristin Cooney as Chief Operating Officer
SAN FRANCISCO, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RestoringVision, the global nonprofit dedicated to providing vision screening and eyeglasses around the world, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristin Cooney as its first-ever chief operating officer (COO). In this strategic new role, Cooney will lead the organization's day-to-day operations, providing leadership as RestoringVision scales its reach and impact, accelerating progress towards ending the global vision crisis. As COO, Cooney will oversee RestoringVision's operations, procurement and supply chain, programs, evaluation, and human resources departments. She will also focus on the implementation of key strategic initiatives, to optimize processes, performance, and resource efficiency and drive operational excellence. Last year, RestoringVision reached almost 6 million people living in extreme poverty with vision screening and eyeglasses; in 2025, it expects to reach over 7 million. "We are delighted that Kristin has joined our team," said Pelin Munis, Ph.D., chief executive officer of RestoringVision. "Her extensive experience in leading large-scale international programs, combined with her commitment to strong partnerships and improving the lives of vulnerable people will be invaluable as we scale our operations and expand our impact." Cooney brings nearly 40 years of expertise in managing international programs, working throughout Asia, Africa, Haiti, and the U.S. Prior to joining RestoringVision, she served as head of global program management at Corus International, leading a diverse portfolio of health, agriculture, and livelihoods programs. She also served as director of the West Africa region at Management Sciences for Health, overseeing a portfolio of projects funded by the United States Agency for Development (USAID), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Bank. She also held positions with USAID, serving in their missions in Haiti and West Africa, as well as their Washington, DC headquarters. She holds an M.A. degree in International Relations from Georgetown University and a B.A. in Political Science and French from James Madison University. "I am excited to join RestoringVision at this pivotal time," said Cooney. "The organization's commitment to improving lives through accessible vision care resonates deeply with me, and I look forward to contributing my expertise to advancing its worldwide impact." About RestoringVisionRestoringVision is tackling the vision crisis head-on, focusing on presbyopia—the age-related deterioration of a person's near vision and the most common cause of vision impairment. Globally, 800 million people are living with presbyopia. By providing essential vision screening and near vision eyeglasses to those living on less than $2 a day, RestoringVision is transforming lives, unlocking the human potential that lies at the intersection of health, education, and livelihoods. Since 2003, the organization has reached more than 34 million people across 150+ countries. Visit Contact InformationElizabeth Walsh, VP of Communications and Marketingphone: 914-844-0729/ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE RestoringVision
RTÉ News
19-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Woman jailed for helping partner 'lie low' after murder
A woman who helped her then partner - "an extremely dangerous" killer - "lie low" after he gunned down a young drug dealer on Dublin's northside has been jailed for four years. In March a jury convicted 35-year-old Rachel Redmond - the younger sister of career criminal Robert "Roo" Redmond - of attempting to impede Wayne Cooney's apprehension or prosecution while knowing or believing him to have committed murder by driving him from the scene and paying for a hotel room in her name. Redmond, who is from Coolock but has an address at Clifdenville Road, Cliftonville Avenue, North Belfast, told her supporters today "I'll be home soon, don't worry". The trial heard evidence that, after he got into the car, Redmond remarked to Cooney that there had been a shooting in Darndale and he replied: "It's a mad place." Cooney had minutes earlier shot dead young father Jordan Davis in an execution-style killing on 22 May 2019 at a laneway beside Our Lady Immaculate Junior National School in Darndale. Mr Davis was pushing his four-month-old son in a pram when Cooney cycled up behind him and fired eight shots, three of which struck him, causing his immediate death. Cooney fled the scene on his bicycle and went to a bus stop near the Clarehall Shopping Centre, where Rachel Redmond arranged to pick him up in her friend's car. That night, she paid for Cooney to stay at the Clayton Hotel near Dublin Airport. At today's sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Paul Burns said that rather than being "revulsed" after learning about the murder, Redmond "chose to assist" her then-partner and allowed him to "lie low". He said that there was no evidence that Redmond was reluctant to help Cooney and she aided him to avoid capture when important forensic evidence could have been gathered. The judge said that the maximum sentence for this type of crime is ten years and that Redmond's actions fell in the "upper end of middle range" for offending. He said that her assistance in the crime was "not spur of the moment" and that Redmond must have given considerable thought to what she was doing over the course of the day. Dominic McGinn SC, defence counsel for Redmond, said last Monday that despite his client's plea of not guilty, she now accepts the jury's verdict and understands why they convicted her. Mr Justice Burns said he had "reservations" about Mr McGinn's statement that Redmond was "blinded by the relationship and turned a blind eye rather than deliberately setting out to commit a crime." The judge said that he had considered the mitigating circumstances in the case, including Redmond's lack of previous relevant convictions and her good work record. The court was told last week that Redmond has worked as a beautician, including for the IFSC and Aer Lingus. She has also worked in security for the Saudi Arabian embassy and for the psychiatric unit at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. He set a headline sentence of six years on each count but reduced that to five years with both counts to run concurrently. He suspended the final year of the sentence for a period of three years. Redmond's only reaction to the sentencing being passed was to say: "Thank you judge". She told those who had come to support her: "I'll be home soon, don't worry." Redmond had taken the stand at her trial, claiming that she did not know what Cooney had done, that she was in love with him and was unable to see the bad in him. Last week, Redmond's counsel submitted that his client was "perhaps naive" and had "turned a blind eye rather than deliberately setting out to commit a crime". The court heard that Redmond had also written a letter of apology to the family of Jordan Davis. At trial, the prosecution described Redmond's testimony that she didn't know Wayne Cooney had committed "any crime at all" as "absolutely risible". Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing SC, for the State, added: "The accused is saying 'I didn't know'; If you said that to a horse you would get a kick". Following Redmond's trial, the jury took seven hours and 33 minutes over three days to unanimously accept the State's case. After she was convicted, she shouted from the dock: "I didn't do it though, I didn't do anything." The trial heard Ms Redmond was in phone contact with Cooney just five minutes after the shooting and remained talking to him for over three minutes. She later went to the Clayton Hotel that night, where she used her own bank card to pay for a room for Cooney while he remained out of sight. It was the State's case that drug dealer Robert Redmond was engaged "in some acrimony" with Mr Davis. A detective testified that "tick lists" found at two addresses linked to Robert Redmond had contained the name "Jordo" - the same nickname Jordan Davis was known by - with amounts up to €153,000 recorded as owing. €70,000 was written beside one entry with the words "not yet" in capital letters. Evidence was given that Mr Davis was warned by Robert Redmond - "I'm on your case mate, it won't be long" and "soon, very soon bang bang" - 19 days before he was shot to death. Cooney was convicted of the murder in 2022, while Robert Redmond pleaded guilty in April 2024 to conspiring together with Cooney to murder Mr Davis on or about 22 May 2019 and was sentenced to seven years in prison. Robert Redmond has 99 previous convictions which include those for the possession of firearms and ammunition with intention to endanger life and the possession of heroin, while he is currently serving a life sentence for murder. He also has convictions for blackmail and extortion, threats to kill and assault causing harm. Rachel Redmond was charged on two counts that on or about 22 May and 23 May 2019, in the county of the City of Dublin, did knowingly or believing that another person, namely Wayne Cooney, committed an arrestable offence, to wit murder, without reasonable excuse did an act with intent to impede his apprehension or prosecution. Ms Redmond had pleaded not guilty to the two counts.
