Latest news with #Enniskillen
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Teacher was upskirted by male student only for school to make him a prefect and order her to keep him in her class - as he is now given £5k BBC-backed bursary
When teacher Sally Rees was secretly filmed up her skirt by teenage student Timothy Boomer, she expected the school to expel him before being thrown in the dock. But incredibly Ms Rees was asked to teach the then-teenager again when his perverted sexual voyeurism was not pursued by prosecutors because he insisted it was a prank. 'They didn't expel him, they made him prefect', she told MailOnline today. Boomer, now 24, was aged 14 and 15 when he secretly filmed up the skirts of two of his teachers without their knowledge at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School over the course of 14 months. He would sneak up and point his camera upwards towards their knickers - but when he was finally caught he claimed it was a childish joke gone too far. His drama teacher Ms Rees recalls wanting to vomit when she first saw the footage, lasting just under a minute, of her standing at her desk writing as he stood behind her filming up her skirt. Incredibly, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in Northern Ireland initially made a decision not to prosecute the teenager, who had also done it to one of Sally's colleagues. She is speaking because she still believes it is 'really important that people start to understand the impact' upskirting can have on victims and is continuing to campaign on the issue as boss of the NASUWT teaching union in Northern Ireland. With the support of NASUWT union, Ms Rees and her fellow teacher took the decision to judicial review, 18 months after the voyeurism was discovered. Boomer turned 18 during the legal proceedings so was named and shamed. In 2019 he was convicted of committing acts of a lewd, obscene and disgusting nature and outraging public decency. He received a 20-hour restorative order. MailOnline can reveal that six years on Boomer is back in the headlines after it was announced he was one of six young people awarded a £5,000 bursary to develop a piano album that combines jazz and traditional Irish music. The award has been sanctioned by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland who handed him a prestigious Young Musicians' Platform Award, which is held in collaboration with the BBC. He is featured in a video publicising the gong and shown smiling in promo material. Sally Rees has declined to comment on his award, but has spoken about the case saying that what happened to her and a colleague will shock many people. The bombshell TV series Adolescence and the abuse suffered by women including Gisèle Pelicot has also increased interest in her ordeal, she says. After his conviction Boomer apologised and said it had been 'teenage bravado'. He insisted he was 'deeply sorry for the distress, worry and pain I have brought about by my actions'. He added: 'I want to express my regret and remorse for the hurt I have caused to my teachers. It was a wrong, horrible thing to do and at that age I stupidly and wrongly thought it was a daredevil prank, which I genuinely meant no harm by. 'I recognise how wrong I was and that my actions have had a devastating impact on my teachers and also my parents, and family. My regrets will be with me for the rest of my life.' His lawyer said it was 'a childish prank'. And initially he almost got away scot free when prosecutors initially dropped the case. Boomer was suspended for a few weeks but allowed to come back and incredibly the school had expected his victim to teach him. Sally Rees told MailOnline: 'I think it was all very much played down, including by Timothy Boomer himself in the card that he wrote to me apologising, "it was just a one off, I didn't mean any harm, I was only 14". 'Well, watching the evidence is it wasn't a one off. He was 14, and he was 15. It was a pattern of behaviour emerging, which would concern me in terms of being a gateway to more serious sexual offending in the future - generally speaking, not specifically saying that obviously about Boomer in this instance, but also the bottom line is he was still accessing that material at 16 when he was still a pupil in my class. 'The USB [containing the upskirting files] was discovered by an IT technician with the images and videos on it when he was 16 and in my 6th form Performing Arts class. The images and recordings had last been accessed six weeks prior to the discovery'. Ms Rees, who is now president of the NASUWT union in Northern Ireland, describes herself as an accidental activist. 'The way we were treated by the judiciary process was actually traumatising and compounded our trauma', she said. 'There was a playing down of it all, on record, saying "this is not a sexual offence, there was no sexual gratification". They literally took his word for it and that was seen as the fact of the case. 'I suppose one of the things about it is that there was a lot of victim blaming around the decision to prosecute and it just exposed the fact that actually ultimately the reason it went to court was because Timothy Boomer pleaded not guilty. 'It wasn't because me and my colleague and the NASUWT decided to haul this young man through the courts. 'No, he pleaded not guilty and it the case was fought on a point of law, is school a public place or not.' Boomer is back in the papers after he became one of six young people awarded a £5,000 bursary earlier this year. He is a musician whose work is now backed by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and any broadcasts will be facilitated by the BBC. In February this year, he was among six people who were presented with a Young Musicians' Platform Awards. The decision has been criticised but will stand. BBC NI has declined to comment. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland said: 'It is not appropriate for Arts Council NI to comment on information that is unrelated to an individual's funding application.' Sally has said her ordeal has had more coverage now than it did at the time of the offences in 2016. 'I think that's to do with Adolescence, the TV programme I think has created this space where we're starting to talk about these things, and much more in depth, and across civil society in a way that we perhaps weren't before', she said. 'And I would also probably say the Pelicot case, and the fact that he was caught up skirting and that's how the extent of what he had been doing and the sexual abuse that he been committing was discovered. 'So it's quite interesting for me that it's been given that sort of profile at the moment. I see that was an opportunity of really extend the conversations that we need to have about preventing this type of sexual offending in our schools and our workplaces and in society in general.' She is passionate about protecting others who may one day suffer in the same way. 'I am out there this year as the president of the NASUWT. I have described myself as a bit of an accidental activist because what happened to me has then lead me to this kind of role and this platform. 'I am still employed and leader of learning of creative and expressive arts in Enniskillen Royal Grammar School because ultimately why should I leave the job that I love because of the way I was treated'.
Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Co Fermanagh runner receives open heart surgery days after completing half marathon
Co Fermanagh man Gareth Reihill (51) was diagnosed with a heart condition at the age of 25, coming after a routine GP appointment revealed the man had a heart murmur. The murmur is a congenital valve problem, meaning the aortic valve only has two flaps of skin, also called leaflets to help control blood flow, instead of the usual three. Also known as a biscupid aortic valve, it is the most common congenital heart defect and is estimated to affect around 2% of the population, often going undiagnosed. However many diagnosed with the condition live a healthy life with treatment. As previous scans had been normal, last year Gareth flew out to Spain to complete the Torremolinos half-marathon with his Enniskillen running club. However, just two days later, the Fermanagh man's cardiologist delivered the life-changing news that his condition had progressed from mild to severe. 'I ran the Torremolinos half marathon on Sunday and was told I needed open heart surgery on the Tuesday,' said Gareth, who described his shock at the news. 'My cardiologist said we needed to intervene before more damage was done to the heart muscle. 'It was time for open heart surgery.' In July 2024, the avid runner underwent surgery at the Royal Victoria Hospital, where his aortic valve was replaced with a mechanical one. Despite the prospect of a life-changing surgery, he remained calm. 'I remember when I was being pushed down to the theatre I was at ease. I don't know why,' said Gareth. 'I thought I'd be petrified, but I wasn't,' he added. 'The doctors were so confident and reassuring.' News Catch Up - Thursday 5 June Gareth was told that had he not proceeded with the surgery, he would have faced congestive heart failure within three years. Despite not being able to run during his three-month recovery from the surgery, Gareth explained he found immense support in his local running club. 'The club was amazing throughout my journey,' he said. Almost one year after the open heart surgery, he has continued running, completing 10k and half marathons since, including returning to the Torremolinos half marathon this year. 'I was 50 years old when I had the operation and I was delighted with the result… I feel great now.' Fearghal Mckinney, head of British Heart Foundation NI said: 'Gareth's story is very powerful and we're grateful to him for sharing his journey of his heart condition from his open heart surgery back to health.' 'We would encourage people to sign up to the annual Enniskillen 10k and help fund our lifesaving research, so we can give people more time with their loved ones.' Enniskillen Running Club, have decided this year to support the British heart foundation in their annual 10k event which takes place on Saturday 14th June. The 10k is open to runners and walkers over the age of 15, registration closes on Wednesday 11th June.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
'Girls shouldn't have to wear skirts to school'
Two school girls from County Fermanagh are campaigning for legislation to force schools to offer girls a choice between skirts and trousers. Rhea and Astrid successfully campaigned for Enniskillen Integrated Primary School to allow girls to wear trousers, and said it's "weird and unfair" that some schools still enforce skirts. They are taking their case to Stormont's education committee on Tuesday afternoon as part of a hearing into broad changes to school uniform law. Education Minister Paul Givan told BBC News NI the decision lies with individual schools and their boards of governors. Some schools in Northern Ireland already allow girls to have a choice between trousers and skirts. Enniskillen Integrated Primary were prompted to change their policy after Rhea and Astrid contacted Dr Mairead Ryan, whose research outlined a relation between school uniforms and physical activity. In a letter to the school, Dr Ryan said: "Gendered uniforms can limit girls' movement and engagement in physical activities." "Uniform items like dresses and skirts can restrict certain movements and inhibit young girls from climbing, jumping, and participating in other forms of active play that are crucial for their development," she added. Rhea said: "I didn't really like being made to wear a skirt, it just felt wrong. It's 2025. "It's quite hard to run around without your skirt blowing up in the wind," she added. "All schools have the power to change it so if you have the power, then I think you probably should." Astrid said: "I think its important to have the choice for our privacy and for our comfort. "It's weird that some schools don't give you the choice to wear trousers. It's a bit old school." Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show, Education Minister, Paul Givan, said: "Whenever it comes to decisions should I then give the legal right for a child to say I'm going to wear a school tie or not." When challenged, he said "I'm widening it out, because it can't be taken in isolation between a trouser and a skirt." The committee hearing on Tuesday will examine wide ranging changes proposed to the law around school uniforms. It includes proposals to make school uniforms more affordable, and limiting the amount of branded items which parents and retailers have said drives up the cost. Sports kits that 'don't last' push prices 'up and up and up' Should there be a school uniform price limit? Schools could be forced to explain uniform price under new law
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- BBC News
'Girls shouldn't have to wear skirts to school', say campaigners
Two school girls from County Fermanagh are campaigning for legislation to force schools to offer girls a choice between skirts and trousers. Rhea and Astrid successfully campaigned for Enniskillen Integrated Primary School to allow girls to wear trousers, and said it's "weird and unfair" that some schools still enforce skirts. They are taking their case to Stormont's education committee on Tuesday afternoon as part of a hearing into broad changes to school uniform law. Education Minister Paul Givan told BBC News NI the decision lies with individual schools and their boards of governors. Some schools in Northern Ireland already allow girls to have a choice between trousers and Integrated Primary were prompted to change their policy after Rhea and Astrid contacted Dr Mairead Ryan, whose research outlined a relation between school uniforms and physical activity. In a letter to the school, Dr Ryan said: "Gendered uniforms can limit girls' movement and engagement in physical activities.""Uniform items like dresses and skirts can restrict certain movements and inhibit young girls from climbing, jumping, and participating in other forms of active play that are crucial for their development," she added. 'It felt wrong' Rhea said: "I didn't really like being made to wear a skirt, it just felt wrong. It's 2025. "It's quite hard to run around without your skirt blowing up in the wind," she added. "All schools have the power to change it so if you have the power, then I think you probably should."Astrid said: "I think its important to have the choice for our privacy and for our comfort."It's weird that some schools don't give you the choice to wear trousers. It's a bit old school." Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show, Education Minister, Paul Givan, said: "Whenever it comes to decisions should I then give the legal right for a child to say I'm going to wear a school tie or not."When challenged, he said "I'm widening it out, because it can't be taken in isolation between a trouser and a skirt."The committee hearing on Tuesday will examine wide ranging changes proposed to the law around school uniforms. It includes proposals to make school uniforms more affordable, and limiting the amount of branded items which parents and retailers have said drives up the cost.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
McCartney prepares for World Aquatics Championships in Singapore
Enniskillen's Ellie McCartney has been selected to represent Ireland at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, joining an impressive 12-strong team that includes Olympic Champion Daniel Wiffen and fellow Olympic medallist Mona McSharry. The announcement marks a significant milestone for the 20-year-old National Centre Limerick swimmer, who earned her place on the team following her outstanding performances at the Irish Open Championships where she set a championship record in the 200m Breaststroke with a time of 2:24.35. McCartney joins an exciting blend of experienced athletes and emerging talent, with Swim Ireland naming several promising young swimmers alongside established stars like European Champion Danielle Hill and Olympic semi-finalist Tom Fannon. The team will be looking to build on Ireland's historic three-medal haul from the Paris Olympics. McCartney's preparation for Singapore continued with impressive performances at the prestigious Mare Nostrum Swim Tour, competing across venues in Barcelona and Canet-en-Roussillon. The international competition provided crucial race experience against world-class opposition ahead of the World Championships. In her first outing, McCartney qualified to both the 100m Breaststroke B Final (1:08.05) and 200m Individual Medley B Final (2:14.94), using the competition as valuable preparation for her upcoming international commitments. Her standout performance came in the 200m Breaststroke, where she demonstrated remarkable improvement throughout the competition. After clocking 2:28.18 in the heats, McCartney returned for the A final and delivered a stunning 2:25.46, narrowly missing the podium in fourth place but showing the kind of form that earned her World Championship selection. The final leg of the Mare Nostrum tour saw McCartney continue to excel. She qualified for the 100m Breaststroke A Final, recording 1:08.44 to finish sixth in a highly competitive field. Her crowning achievement came in the 200m Breaststroke Final, where McCartney claimed bronze with a time of 2:24.55, finishing just 0.3 seconds behind silver. Remarkably, the final featured at least three Olympians and a Commonwealth swimmer, underlining the quality of competition McCartney is now competing against at the highest level. McCartney's selection for the World Championships caps off a remarkable rise that has seen her become Ireland's second-fastest ever female breaststroke swimmer in both the 100m and 200m events. Her times now place her in the world's top twenty-five rankings for 2025 in the 200m Breaststroke. The busy summer schedule ahead includes the European Aquatics U23 Championships, where McCartney will look to build further on her recent success before heading to Singapore for the World Championships. Her progression from promising junior to world-class competitor has been remarkable, and she enters these major competitions with genuine medal prospects. Team Ireland's World Championships squad reflects the current strength of Irish swimming, with athletes spanning different generations and specialities. As Daniel Wiffen looks to defend his 800m and 1500m Freestyle world titles won in Doha 2024, McCartney represents the exciting future of Irish swimming on the world stage. The continued support from local sponsors Encirc and Balcas, as well as Sport NI & Sport Ireland, has been instrumental in McCartney's development, enabling her to compete at this elite level and represent both her local community and Ireland with distinction.
