Latest news with #Donegal-born
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
New developments in Sean Rooney murder as Lebanon agrees to hunt down killer
Lebanese authorities have vowed to hunt down the murderer of Private Sean Rooney – and are also appealing the sentences to others involved in the killing, it has emerged. Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Harris announced on Tuesday night that Lebanese prosecutors have agreed to take urgent steps to find Mohammad Ayad – the Hezbollah member convicted in his absence by a military court in Beirut last month of the December 2022 murder of Donegal-born Private Rooney, 24. Ayad was sentenced to death in absentia – after he was released from custody last year on medical grounds. He is believed to be recuperating in a hospital and now Lebanese prosecutors have agreed to search for him and bring him back into custody. Even though he was sentenced to be executed, the death penalty has not been implemented in more than 20 years in Lebanon and if he is caught he is likely to be locked up for at least a decade. Lebanese authorities agreed to begin a search for him after the Tánaiste contacted them following the July 28 decision of the court. He expressed the Irish government's disappointment at the court's decision – especially the sentences handed down to five of Ayad's co-conspirators. Ayad was also fined 100 million Lebanese pounds (approximately €950) by the court, as well as being convicted of the soldier's murder. It also sentenced Ali Suleiman to three months in prison and a similar fine, and Ali Khalifa to one month in prison and the same fine. The court also fined Hussein Suleiman, Mustafa Suleiman and Ali Hakim 200 million Lebanese pounds (approximately €1,900) each, and declared Mohammed Mazhar innocent due to insufficient evidence. They were all prosecuted over the December 2022 attack on an Irish UNIFIL armoured utility vehicle driven by Private Rooney and containing three other soldiers which was headed to Beirut Airport. They were en route in a convoy to Beirut to bring colleagues to the airport so they could return to Ireland for a funeral. Private Rooney was shot dead, while his Cork born colleague Trooper Shane Kearney suffered life changing head injuries. Two other soldiers Corporal Joshua Phelan and Trooper Nathan Bryan survived the attack. The Tánaiste contacted Lebanese authorities shortly after the verdicts were handed down by the Lebanese military court and now authorities have agreed to reexamine the case. Mr Harris contacted authorities to express the government's disappointment – and that of the Rooney family. He met Private Rooney's family last week and committed to holding urgent talks with the Lebanese Justice and Defence Ministers in order to press for an appeal. Those talks took place on Tuesday and Mr Harris told Private Rooney's mother, Natasha McCloskey, of the developments later in the day. Pte. Sean Rooney's mother, Natasha McCloskey was briefed by Tánaiste Simon Harris on Tuesday night. A spokesman said the Lebanese Government has appointed a new military chief prosecutor who now will take over the case. An appeal against the sentences has been formally lodged with the military Cassation Court. Tánaiste Simon Harris spoke to Lebanese authorities on Tuesday. And Lebanese authorities have committed to taking urgent steps to get Ayad back into custody. Speaking after the meeting, Mr Simon Harris said: 'I very much welcome the confirmation today from the Lebanese Justice and Defence Ministers that an appeal has been formally lodged against the sentences handed down in the case of the death of Private Seán Rooney and the injuries of his colleagues. 'I have this afternoon spoken with Sean's mother Natasha, who I was pleased to also meet last week. I informed her of today's developments and have committed to following up directly with the Lebanese Government in relation to the appeal itself. 'In my calls with my Lebanese counterparts, I made it clear that the sentences handed down in this case are simply not acceptable and are very disappointing. 'They have caused great upset and insult to the Rooney family and everything must be done to ensure justice is served for Seán and his colleagues who were injured.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The 42
27-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Free agent McLaughlin and Philadelphia-born defender link up with Ireland squad
ERIN MCLAUGHLIN has been added to the Ireland squad for Sunday's match against the USA in TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio (kick-off: 8pm Irish time). Donegal native McLaughlin is a free agent, having recently left Portsmouth, and will hope to win her fourth Irish cap this weekend. Advertisement The 22-year-old can cover midfield and attack and provides back-up to the squad following the withdrawal of the injured pair of Megan Campbell (ankle) and Denise O'Sullivan (knee). Philadelphia-born Dee Bradley will also train with the squad in Ohio, but won't be available for selection against the US. The Durham defender links up with Carla Ward's side for the first time and qualifies to represent Ireland through her Donegal-born father and Cork-born mother. IRELAND WNT SQUAD Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Unattached), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic) Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace) Midfielders: Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Ruesha Littlejohn (Shamrock Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Ellen Molloy (Wexford), Erin McLaughlin (Unattached) Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Saoirse Noonan (Celtic), Erin Healy (Adelaide United)
RTÉ News
27-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Erin McLaughlin added to Ireland squad for second USA friendly
Erin McLaughlin has been added to the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of this Sunday's second friendly against the USA. The Girls in Green lost 4-0 to the world number one side last night in the first match in Denver, Colorado. Experienced duo Denise O'Sullivan (knee) and Megan Campbell (ankle) were both ruled out with injury pre-match and manager Carla Ward subsequently indicated to RTÉ Sport that neither player would likely be available for Sunday's second friendly in Cincinatti, Ohio (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player). Ireland had travelled to the USA without a number of players including captain Katie McCabe, who was rested for the trip, with Aoife Mannion, Heather Payne and Leanne Kiernan also among those not involved. Donegal native McLaughlin, who recently left Portsmouth, has three senior caps to her name and will now link up with the squad to provide cover in midfield and attack, while Philadelphia-born defender Dee Bradley, who plays for English side Durham FC, will train with the squad in Ohio. She qualifies for Ireland through her Donegal-born father and Cork-born mother. Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Unattached), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic) Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace) Midfielders: Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Ruesha Littlejohn (Shamrock Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Ellen Molloy (Wexford), Erin McLaughlin (Unattached)
Irish Independent
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming choices: An Ghig Mhór, Frost/Nixon and Echo Valley
An Ghig Mhór RTÉ One, 8pm Donegal-born singer-songwriter Eve Belle offers her assistance to musician Hannah B from Gweedore as she attempts to organise her first big gig. Murder 24/7 Monday-Wednesday, BBC Two, 9pm New three-part true-crime series in which detectives begin the search for the killer or killers of delivery driver Aurman Singh, who was murdered in broad daylight on a usually quiet estate in 2023. Walter Presents: Pale Mountains Channel 4, 12.05am New eight-part Italian crime drama which takes place in Bolzano on the country's border with Germany. The local residents are left shaken by a series of vicious attacks on the area's German speakers and believe they have been carried out by a long-dormant serial killer. A police officer and an ambitious legal eagle join forces to uncover the truth. Frost/Nixon TG4, 9.30pm Brilliant adaptation of the hit play of the same name. Michael Sheen and Frank Langella reprise their roles as David Frost and former US president Richard Nixon, who locked horns in a series of televised interviews in 1977. American Thunder Prime Video, streaming now Celebrating its 100th anniversary in June 2023, the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans — one of motorsports' most prestigious endurance races — introduced an unexpected competitor: stock car aficionados Nascar. As for what they brought to proceedings? A Chevrolet Camaro to compete against cutting-edge Ferrari and Porsche prototypes in this almost fabled, gruelling test of long-distance racing. Competing at Le Mans was the lifelong dream of Nascar chairman and CEO Jim France. As such, he brought in Hendrick Motorsports, the most successful team in Nascar history, to build and race the car (which, again, was a Camaro). On the plus side, he also enlisted the help of elite drivers Jenson Button, Jimmie Johnson and Mike Rockenfeller. Over the course of 18 months, this team transformed a car built for (at most) three-hour oval track races in the US into one capable of surviving the relentless 24-hour challenge. Deep Cover Prime Video, streaming now Not to be mistaken for the 1990s movie starring Fishburne and Goldblum, this film is about an improv teacher and her two students posing as criminals to slip into London's underworld. Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed and Sean Bean have their work cut out for them to make this fly. Return to the Wild Disney+, streaming now Famed as 'the greatest living explorer', Sir Ranulph 'Ran' Fiennes joins his cousin, actor Joseph Fiennes (no sign of brother Ralph, unfortunately), on a breathtaking journey through British Columbia. As they navigate its rugged terrain, they reflect on Ran's legendary expeditions, his battle with Parkinson's, and the deepening bond forged through their shared adventure. Echo Valley AppleTV+, streaming now Julianne Moore and Domhnall Gleeson are getting all the work of late. Both co-star in this thriller about a mother who will do anything to keep her drug-addled daughter 'safe' (including body disposal). Written by Brad Ingelsby (Mare of Easttown), this moody (if a tad predictable) number stars Sydney Sweeney alongside 'dad' Kyle MacLachlan and Fiona Shaw.
Irish Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Harcourt hotel group bookings triple for British Open in Antrim following McIlroy's Masters win
Harcourt Developments, a hotel group founded by Donegal-born developer Pat Doherty, is seeing the benefits of 'McIlroymania' already with a 'threefold increase' in bookings for the British Open golf championship at Royal Portrush in Co Antrim in the two weeks after the Irish golfer's US Masters win. The Open takes place between July 17th and July 20th. 'In the two weeks after Rory had achieved his great success we saw a three-fold increase in bookings‚' said the hotel group's chief operating officer Clement Gaffney. While the group's Redcastle Hotel had an existing corporate booking for all of its rooms he said there was a surge in bookings at its other hotels in Ulster. ' Rory has shone great light on Ulster, and on the Open, which benefits the entire region. It has been fantastic, it has been very positive since Rory won.' Even before the McIlroy's successes the Harcourt Collection of hotels had a 'buoyant start to the year', seeing group revenues rise by 10 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 over the same period last year. READ MORE The group's Ulster-based properties Lough Eske Castle, Redcastle Hotel and Spa, and Titanic Hotel Belfast, have been 'standout performers', the company said with 16 per cent revenue growth year-on-year in the first three months of the year. 100 days of Trump: 'It's like The Karate Kid, tax on, tax off, tariffs on, tariffs off' Listen | 42:49 Hospitality industry groups have recently questioned tourism figures released by the Central Statistics office (CSO) showing significant reductions in spending and tourists in Ireland, with industry chiefs set to meet with the national statistics office on the matter. 'I've been following it with great interest,' the Harcourt chief operating officer said, but noted their hotels hadn't seen any reductions in visitors to their properties. Instead, he said, 'our hotels, our bed nights, our revenue, our rooms occupied, our occupancy, and rates, they have all shown very stable extended growth'. Despite concerns that the number of tourists coming to Ireland could be affected by US tariffs and global economic uncertainty, Mr Gaffney said the hotel group was 'not seeing a drop-off in the number of US tourists coming to Ireland', with North American guests expected to account for more than 60 per cent of stays during the summer. Instead, they are 'seeing very nice steady growth – recent growth - in Canadian business at our Caribbean property', Carlisle Bay in Antigua, as the country's tourism to its southern neighbour cools. The group recently announced a planned €5 million upgrade of its five-star Lough Eske Castle hotel in Co Donegal which grew its room count by 28 per cent. This investment, Mr Gaffney said, has returned a 23 per cent growth in revenue for the hotel in the first quarter. There is more investment to come, Mr Gaffney said, with Harcourt Developments set to commence construction of a 155-bed four star hotel in Liverpool and are looking at 'further development opportunities' in Belfast near their existing Titanic Hotel. He said the Titanic Hotel in Belfast was 'trading at a very high occupancy on a consistent basis, which is a great achievement. What we want to do now is unlock further development in Belfast to capitalise and build on that'.
