Latest news with #Ennis
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hapoel Tel Aviv boosts squad with former Euroleague stars
Hapoel Tel Aviv continues to strengthen its roster with star players, aiming to conquer the country and potentially make a historic run in Europe. Hapoel Tel Aviv continues its ambitious roster overhaul ahead of its historic debut Euroleague season, with two significant additions reinforcing its backcourt: Chris Jones and Tyler Ennis. Both guards bring Euroleague experience, proven production, and familiarity with Israeli basketball – qualities the club is banking on as it aims to compete at the highest level in both European and domestic competitions. Jones, a former Maccabi Tel Aviv player, is expected to join the red side of Tel Aviv after three seasons with Valencia in Spain's Liga ACB. Hapoel was quick to move once it became clear that Valencia did not intend to keep the American guard, despite his having a year left on his contract. Jones had previously faced Hapoel in the EuroCup semifinal last season, averaging 10.5 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in that series. During the 2024/25 EuroCup season, the 32-year-old posted 10.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 0.9 steals in under 20 minutes per game. In the Spanish league, his output was nearly identical: 10.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. His consistent production and poise make him a valuable asset for head coach Dimitrios Itoudis, as Hapoel builds a squad capable of surviving the Euroleague's brutal grind. Ennis, meanwhile, returns to Hapoel Tel Aviv after a previous short stint with the club during the 2023/24 Israeli season. He originally joined as an injury replacement and helped lead the team to the Winner League Finals, where they fell to Maccabi Tel Aviv. His performances were strong, and he expressed a desire to remain in Israel; however, family circumstances – including the birth of his child during the Iron Sword war – prompted his departure. Ennis now returns on a two-year deal, fresh off a season with Venezia in the EuroCup, where he averaged 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 0.8 steals per game. Venezia made it to the Round of 16, where they were eliminated by Gran Canaria – the same team Hapoel would go on to defeat in the final. 'I'm very excited to be back at Hapoel Tel Aviv and to be part of the club's historic Euroleague journey,' Ennis said. 'Hapoel is a special club. The last time I left, I wrote on social media, 'until next time' – and I meant it. I can't wait to see the fans again. Yalla Hapoel!' Hapoel Tel Aviv aims to take everything this season Coach Itoudis emphasized the enthusiasm and purpose Ennis brings. 'We followed Tyler all season long. I had in-depth conversations with him about the role he'll have on this team, and it's clear he's motivated and passionate. His desire to return to Hapoel was obvious. We're thrilled to welcome him back.' Sporting director George Chinas added: 'We're delighted to have Tyler back in our family. He combines top-level playmaking with elite decision-making. He's also a remarkable personality, and we look forward to working with him again.' Ennis, 30, was a first-round NBA draft pick by the Phoenix Suns in 2014 and went on to play for several NBA teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Lakers. In Europe, he's played for clubs like Fenerbahce, Tofaz, Turk Telekom, Napoli, and Venezia. In his first stint with Hapoel, he appeared in 12 games and averaged 14.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists during the playoffs. This time, he hopes to help lead the club not just to another final – but to a championship. With Jones and Ennis in the fold, Hapoel Tel Aviv sends a clear message: it isn't content just making the Euroleague – it plans to compete.
BreakingNews.ie
21 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Judge in Niall Gilligan assault case tells jury to make 'fresh start' in deliberations
The judge in the Niall Gilligan assault case has asked the jury in the case to make 'a fresh start' in their deliberations this morning. At Ennis Circuit Court on Wednesday, Judge Francis Comerford sent the jury out at 10.40am to resume their deliberations. Advertisement In the case, Mr Gilligan (48) of Rossroe, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge denies the assault causing harm with a stick of a then 12-year-old boy at the Jamaica Inn hostel, Sixmilebridge on October 5th 2023. On Tuesday, the jury deliberated for 2 hours and 47 minutes before they returned to the court just before 5pm, and the jury foreman asked Judge Comerford: 'What is the next step if we are not unanimous?' In court this morning, Judge Comerford told the jury: 'I would ask you a fresh start and consider matters again and talk through the issues." Judge Comerford told the jury if they have a question or want to communicate any difficulties, they can come back into court. Advertisement Judge Comerford said that he would call the jury back in the course of the morning to confirm where they are and consider whether to move on to the next stage or not. On Tuesday, Judge Comerford told the jury: "It is always preferable that you try to reach a unanimous verdict - that is the ideal and it is better than any alternative." The jury commenced their deliberations at 12.33pm on Tuesday, and before they commenced, Judge Comerford told them that they should make their decision in the case 'after a cold, direct, forensic determination of the facts'. In his closing speech to the jury on Monday, counsel for Mr Gilligan, Patrick Whyms BL, said in no way is Mr Gilligan trying to suggest that he was entitled to punish the boy as was suggested and said that the injuries sustained by the boy 'are clearly regrettable'. Advertisement Mr Whyms said that on the evening at the Jamaica Inn hostel, Mr Gilligan 'didn't know that he was dealing with a child and did not create this situation'. Mr Whyms (instructed by solicitor, Daragh Hassett) said that Mr Gilligan "was at the end of his tether" by the vandalism being done to a vacant property he was trying to sell. Putting forward the defence of reasonable force against the charge, Mr Whyms said that Mr Gilligan was at the Jamaica Inn hostel on the night of October 5th 'in the dark and believed that he was under siege'. He said: 'Believing himself under threat and needing to protect himself and his property, Niall Gilligan needs to make an instant decision, and so we are here." Advertisement Mr Whyms said, 'And Mr Gilligan, a family man who has young children and no previous convictions, gives a clear story which hasn't changed and an entirely credible, fulsome account of what happened." Earlier in her closing speech on Monday, Ms Sarah Jane Comerford BL (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) told the jury: 'This is a story of a man who lost his cool.' She said: 'Instead of picking up the boy after he slipped and bringing him out to his car and driving him home and telling his parents, he hit him and lost it and he was angry and frustrated.' Ms Comerford said that the alleged assault in broad daylight 'is the action of a man who took out his anger and frustration on a child. There is no evidence that his injuries were caused by anything other than his interactions with Niall Gilligan.' Ms Comerford said that Niall Gilligan 'lost control and punished the boy for the damage and inconvenience caused to his property on a morning when he had to clean up human faeces and urine from his property'.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Jury retires to consider verdict in Niall Gilligan assault case
The jury of seven men and five women has retired to consider its verdict in the assault case against former All-Star and Clare All-Ireland winning hurler, Niall Gilligan. At Ennis Circuit Court on Tuesday, the jury commenced its deliberations at 12.33pm after Judge Francis Comerford told them that they should make their decision in the case 'after a cold, direct, forensic determination of the facts'. Advertisement Judge Comerford told the jury that what they have to decide is was there an assault and is it not an assault because of a lawful excuse. In the case, Mr Gilligan (48) of Rossroe, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge, denies the assault causing harm with a stick of a then 12-year-old boy at the Jamaica Inn hostel, Sixmilebridge, on October 5th, 2023. In his charge to the jury on Tuesday, Judge Comerford directed if they are satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that the first encounter between Mr Gilligan and the boy that led to the force being applied commenced and started outside the two-storey Jamaica Inn rather than in the corridor of the building, then they can't consider the lawful use of force as a defence. Judge Comerford also told the jury in the defence of self-defence they should consider did the accused honestly believe that he had to use force for the purpose of protecting himself from an assault or damage to his property. Advertisement Judge Comerford said that if the answer is 'no', the defence of self-defence is no longer available to the accused. He said that if the answer is yes, then was the force used by the accused reasonable and necessary in the circumstances as he saw them. He said that if the answer is 'yes' to that question, 'then you must acquit. If no, it wasn't reasonably necessary, well then he is guilty of the offence.' Judge Comerford said that the jury can only apply this test if they are satisfied that the first encounter was outside the two-storey building. Advertisement In his closing speech to the jury on Monday, counsel for Mr Gilligan, Patrick Whyms BL, said in no way is Mr Gilligan trying to suggest that he was entitled to punish the boy as was suggested and said that the injuries sustained by the boy 'are clearly regrettable'. Mr Whyms said that on the evening at the Jamaica Inn hostel, Mr Gilligan 'didn't know that he was dealing with a child and did not create this situation'. Mr Whyms said that Mr Gilligan "was at the end of his tether" by the vandalism being done to a vacant property he was trying to sell. Putting forward the defence of reasonable force against the charge of assault causing harm, Mr Whyms said that Mr Gilligan was at the Jamaica Inn hostel on the night of October 5th 'in the dark and believed that he was under siege'. Advertisement He said: 'Believing himself under threat and needing to protect himself and his property, Niall Gilligan needs to make an instant decision, and so we are here." Mr Whyms (instructed by solicitor, Daragh Hassett) said: 'And Mr Gilligan, a family man who has young children and no previous convictions, gives a clear story which hasn't changed and an entirely credible, fulsome account of what happened." Mr Whyms said to the jury: 'Did Niall Gilligan use such force as was reasonable in the circumstances as he believed them to be, and if he did, then no offence was committed.' Earlier in her closing speech on Monday, Ms Sarah Jane Comerford BL (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) told the jury: 'This is a story of a man who lost his cool.' Advertisement She said: 'Instead of picking up the boy after he slipped and bringing him out to his car and driving him home and telling his parents, he hit him and lost it and he was angry and frustrated.' Ms Comerford said that the alleged assault in broad daylight 'is the action of a man who took out his anger and frustration on a child. There is no evidence that his injuries were caused by anything other than his interactions with Niall Gilligan.' Ms Comerford said that Niall Gilligan 'lost control and punished the boy for the damage and inconvenience caused to his property on a morning when he had to clean up human faeces and urine from his property'. The jury has taken a break in their deliberations for lunch and will resume their deliberations at 2pm.
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kellie Harrington slams 'worrying' proposal: 'Surely it is some sort of joke'
Irish Olympic hero Kellie Harrington has slammed a proposal that would see part of inner city Dublin redeveloped. Harrington has voiced her concerns over plans for parts of the inner city to be redeveloped, namely the Sheriff Street area and part of Amiens Street, and believes that the proposal is very worrying. The topic came to the forefront in recent weeks after An Post CEO David McRedmond, who is a member of the Irish government's City Centre Task Force, praised plans to "completely rebuild the Sheriff Street area from Amiens Street to Spencer Dock," in a Business Post article. When pushed on his comments, McRedmond clarified himself and said that the project was concerned with "renewing public space" and that it wasn't about people's homes and houses in the area. However, in a video shared by Dublin Councillor Daniel Ennis which shows a 3D mock-up of what a redeveloped Sheriff Street and surrounding areas would look like, a clear reference is made to renovating and redeveloping existing homes in the area. Commenting on the video shared by Councillor Ennis on social media, Harrington wrote: No this can not be real??? Surely it is some sort of joke??? "Do they think they can flatten the homes of all these families ? What's going on in this country ? The fact this video has been made and the community has no understanding of it is very very worrying." A proud native of Sheriff Street, Harrington is an icon of the inner city and has enjoyed joyous homecoming celebrations in the area following her Olympic gold medal wins in 2021 and 2024. In a later post, Councillor Ennis has stated that he is seeking a meeting urgently with the City Centre Task Force to discuss the matter.
Irish Times
14-07-2025
- Irish Times
Photos of animal neglect on Clare farm ‘most distressing', Judge says
The Department of Agriculture removed almost all cattle and sheep from a Co Clare farm due to a mortality rate of two to three cows dying a week as a result of a farmer's neglect, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court, Department of Agriculture veterinary inspector Andrew O'Connor outlined the level of animal neglect at Pat Cahir's (61) farm at Buncraggy, Ennis, which he visited 22 times between November 2023 and October 2024. Mr Cahir's farm had 100 cattle and 200 sheep and, recalling the conditions he came across on his first visit, Mr O'Connor said the 'cattle had no fodder. They were hungry. They were lean, in poor body condition and scavenging for anything they could get. There was no grass.' He said the sheds were not in a fit state to inhabit and there were water troughs which were highly contaminated with algae growth and stagnant water. READ MORE He said the department decided around Christmas 2023 to remove the animals and on January 4th, 2024, it 'seized all animals bar 10 bullocks and a handful of sheep that were uncatchable on the day'. A booklet of photoswas handed to the court showing the level of neglect including abandoned carcasses of animals. Judge Alec Gabbett said he was 'stunned' by what he had seen. He said there was evidence that some of the carcasses were there for weeks. 'These are the most distressing set of photos of animals I have seen in a long time. It takes a hard stomach to walk past what I have seen,' he said. On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Thomas Wallace O'Donnell BL said Mr Cahir had agreed to a compliance notice which limits his stock to 20 bovines and no sheep. In response, Judge Gabbett asked: 'What about the 20 bovines – do they have no rights?' The judge asked: 'Is there capacity to comply with the notice? It strikes me that someone's capacity is at issue today. They are not able to do it or can't do it.' Solicitor for Mr Cahir, Daragh Hassett said his client is a bachelor and has farmed for almost 50 years. Mr Hassett said Mr Cahir has suffered very badly with his physical and mental health, particularly since 2021. He said Mr Cahir 'is now maintaining his physical and mental health which is benefiting the animals he has going forward'. Mr Hassett pointed out Mr Cahir has no off-farm income and his annual turnover would be, at most, €30,000 per year. Mr Hassett said it is Mr Cahir's wish is to return to stock levels of 50 cattle and 50 sheep. He said Mr Cahir feels that a 20 cattle limit 'is going to eventually bankrupt him'. Mr Cahir has pleaded guilty to neglect or was reckless regarding the health and welfare of animals. The case was adjourned to October 10th.
