Latest news with #CriminalDamageAct
Sunday World
2 days ago
- General
- Sunday World
Rihanna's ex-bodyguard slams ‘ridiculous' justice system after appeal victory
Images of chalk depictions revealed Images of the symbols, three large depictions of the letters 'xe' can be published by this newspaper for the first time today. Last month, Mr. Keating successfully had his conviction for criminal damage, arising from the incident on Mellows Road on May 9th, 2022, overturned in the District Court Appeals Court. 'The whole thing was ridiculous,' Mr. Keating, who survived a shooting attempt on his life last year, told the Sunday World. 'I drew the symbols to protest the treatment of juveniles. 'These were Nordic symbols and for that, for drawing chalk symbols on the grounds, I was arrested, charged and convicted of criminal damage 'At one stage, the piece of chalk was handed in to the judge as an exhibit. 'But the actual CCTV of the incident had disappeared and couldn't be found.' Asked why he had drawn the symbols, Mr. Keating said it was to protest the alleged ill treatment of minors. 'There's been a few cases involving minors and the gardai and I mentioned these in court,' he said. 'It was also claimed I had said the symbols were to remove evil spirits. 'But the garda's own statement shows I never said any such thing.' Read more A copy of Gda Roger's statement seen by the Sunday World mentions only that when he questioned Mr. Keating, the latter explained that 'these symbols were for Gardai protection and he stated: 'I will go to any lengths to protect children.' He said after he arrested Mr. Keating under section 12 of the Criminal Damage Act, Mr. Keating did not make any reply after caution. Mr. Keating told the Sunday World that said he had explained the meaning of the symbols and had actually taken a cup of water from the garda station with him on his release to wash them away. However, it had rained while he was in the station and they were mostly gone by the time he was released. Geoff Keating, pictured with Rihanna Mr. Keating was convicted criminal damage in Blanchardstown District Court on May 27th, 2022 where he was given a fine of €200. Appearing on Mr. Keating's behalf at the District Court Appeals Court last week, barrister Paddy Flynn successfully argued that the appeal was based on issues of proportionality. He said Mr. Keating should not have received a conviction in the first place. Constitutional rights as well as ECHR (European Court of Human Rights) rights protect the rights to protest and freely express oneself and it appeared on any proportionality assessment of the facts that what occurred was not such to be treated as criminal. He said Mr Keating had given strong evidence that he had acted in the most peaceful and non-violent manner in achieving his act of protest. Judge Catherine White said she agreed with the defence in this case that the conviction was disproportionate and allowed Mr Keating's appeal against his conviction.
The Journal
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Former county councillor to be sentenced for assault and attack on van during family dispute
A FORMER DONEGAL County Councillor is to be sentenced after admitting assaulting a man and damaging his van. Gareth Reid appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to the charges which arose out of a family dispute over land. The former Fine Gael councillor admitted the charges which occurred following an incident at Knockfair, Stranorlar, in May 2021. The 42-year-old was charged with assaulting Paul McCool and causing him harm, the charge being contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. Reid, of Lawnsdale, Stranorlar, was also charged with an act of criminal damage. Advertisement He was charged that he did, without lawful exact, damage property, namely the driver's side of a Peugeot Partner van belonging to Paul McCool, a charge contrary to section 2 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. He spoke only to plead guilty to the charges when he appeared before Judge John Aylmer. His barrister, Mr Peter Nolan BL, told the court that Reid has previous convictions 'going back some time'. Mr Nolan said that there is a 'very involved family history in this matter'. He told Judge Aylmer that the matter is also before the High Court over 'lands, wills et cetera' and the court should be informed about these matters. Judge Aylmer requested a probation report and asked that it include an assessment on Reid's suitability for community service. In September 2008, Reid was co-opted onto Donegal County Council, taking the seat of his grandfather, JJ Reid, following his retirement from politics but failed to be re-elected to the Council the following year. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sunday World
Former councillor to be sentenced for assault and attack on van during family dispute
Gareth Reid appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to the charges which arose out of a family dispute over land Former Donegal County Councillor Gareth Reid who appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (North West Newspix) A former Donegal County Councillor is to be sentenced after admitting assaulting a man and damaging his van. Gareth Reid appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to the charges which arose out of a family dispute over land. The former Fine Gael councillor admitted the charges which occurred following an incident at Knockfair, Stranorlar, in May 2021. The 42-year-old was charged with assaulting Paul McCool and causing him harm, the charge being contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. Reid, of Lawnsdale, Stranorlar, was also charged with an act of criminal damage. He was charged that he did, without lawful exact, damage property, namely the driver's side of a Peugeot Partner van belonging to Paul McCool, a charge contrary to section 2 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. He spoke only to plead guilty to the charges when he appeared before Judge John Aylmer. His barrister, Mr Peter Nolan BL, told the court that Reid has previous convictions 'going back some time'. Mr Nolan said that there is a 'very involved family history in this matter'. He told Judge Aylmer that the matter is also before the High Court over 'lands, wills et cetera' and the court should be informed about these matters. Former Donegal County Councillor Gareth Reid who appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (North West Newspix) News in 90 seconds - June 2nd Judge Aylmer requested a probation report and asked that it include an assessment on Reid's suitability for community service. In September 2008, Reid was co-opted onto Donegal County Council, taking the seat of his grandfather, JJ Reid, following his retirement from politics but failed to be re-elected to the Council the following year.
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Shock in Cork town as man goes on naked rampage smashing cars with beer keg
Videos have emerged online of the man, who is naked, wielding what appears to be a beer keg in Mallow on Monday morning. In the clips, the man uses the keg to smash the windscreens and side windows of a number cars in a small car park while shouting in a foreign language. The man, in his 50s, was arrested by Gardaí in Mallow and is still being detained at Mallow Garda Station. Later, a video showed further damage to cars front and rear windscreens which were parked on the Lower Ballydaheen Road. In a statement from Gardaí, they have confirmed that they attended the scene of an 'incident of criminal damage' that occurred in Ballydaheen, Mallow, 'at approximately 6am at a domestic residence'. 'A number of vehicles have been damaged during the incident. A male in his 50s was arrested and conveyed to Mallow Garda Station where he is currently being detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. He remains detained.' Gardaí have also said that investigations are ongoing into the incident.
Irish Independent
19-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Three women charged with criminal damage after incident at Shannon Airport where garda was injured
Gardaí responded to a report of a security breach at Shannon Airport, Co Clare, shortly after 4pm on Saturday, May 17, 2025. The three women were brought before a special sitting of Ennis District Court on Sunday night. During the course of the incident, a Boeing 767 Omni Air International aircraft had red paint thrown over the side nose and cockpit. Three females, aged between 20 and 50 years, were reported to have breached the perimeter fence and gained access to an aircraft parked at a stand at the outer limit of the terminal. They were arrested at the scene and all three were conveyed to Garda Stations in Co Clare. During the course of the arrests, one member of An Garda Síochána was injured and has since been taken to University Hospital Limerick for assessment. Her injuries are non-life threatening. Operations at the airport were temporarily brought to a standstill and three aircraft were forced into a holding patterns. The incident was brought under control quickly and operations returned to normal shortly before 5pm. A garda spokesperson confirmed the three women were charged. 'Gardaí responded to an incident of criminal damage at Shannon Airport, Co. Clare that occurred shortly after 4pm on Saturday 17th May, 2025,' they said. 'Three females, aged between 20 and 50 years breached the perimeter fence and caused criminal damage. 'They were arrested at scene and conveyed to Garda Stations in Co. Clare. During the course of the arrests one member of An Garda Síochána was injured and has since been taken to University Hospital Limerick for assessment. Her injuries are non-life threatening. 'The three women have since been charged with one count of Criminal Damage Contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991 and one count of Trespass Contrary to Section 11 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 each and brought before a special sitting of the Ennis District Court on Sunday 18th May 2025 at 9pm.' 'As this is now a matter for the courts no further information is available.' A group called Palestine Action Eire posted footage purported to be taken in the aftermath of the incident on their social media channel on Instagram.
