Latest news with #Foxford
BreakingNews.ie
09-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Man (31) pleads not guilty to unlawful killing, trespass, causing serious harm and false imprisonment of pensioner
A jury has been sworn at the Central Criminal Court to hear the trial of a 31-year-old who denies the unlawful killing of 74-year-old Tom Niland in Sligo after the accused is alleged to have entered the pensioner's home as a trespasser and falsely imprisoned him. Mr Niland (74) died on September 30th, 2023, more than 20 months after he suffered serious injuries following an alleged home invasion on January 18th, 2022. Advertisement John Irving of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to unlawfully killing Mr Niland at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo. It is further alleged that on January 18th, 2022, at Doonflynn, Mr Irving entered Mr Niland's home as a trespasser and caused him serious harm. He is further alleged to have intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm to Mr Niland and to have falsely imprisoned him. Mr Irving pleaded not guilty to all charges. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon swore a jury of eight women and four men to hear the trial, which the judge said is likely to last about two weeks. The trial begins on Thursday.
Irish Times
09-07-2025
- Irish Times
Man denies killing Sligo pensioner after entering home as trespasser
A jury has been sworn at the Central Criminal Court to hear the trial of a man who denies unlawfully killing Tom Niland in Sligo. Mr Niland (74) died on September 30th, 2023, more than 20 months after he suffered serious injuries following an alleged home invasion on January 18th, 2022. John Irving, of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to unlawfully killing Mr Niland at Doonflynn, Skreen. It is alleged that on January 18th, 2022, Mr Irving entered Mr Niland's Doonflynn home as a trespasser and caused him serious harm. He is further alleged to have intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm to Mr Niland and to have falsely imprisoned him. READ MORE Mr Irving pleaded not guilty to all charges. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon swore a jury of eight women and four men to hear the trial, which the judge said is likely to last about two weeks. The trial begins on Thursday.
Irish Times
22-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Irish Times
Between the sheets glamour: Helen McAlinden on how to make your bed summer ready
Belfast native Helen McAlinden is a fan of natural fabrics, particularly in the bedroom. As a designer of the home range for Irish heritage brand Foxford for almost 20 years, she uses its new linen bedding in her own home, a sea-facing terrace in Blackrock. It comes in three stonewashed colours: a soft sunrise pink; an aqua green that is the colour of the Irish Sea; and a gentle glare-free white. It gives a look of casual ease, she says. 'It's not trying too hard but yet it looks really sophisticated. It's light to sleep under, cool in summer and warm in winter, and you don't need to iron it. I don't want to iron or pay someone to iron for me.' It uses Irish flax that is woven in Guimarães, northeast of Porto in Portugal – a region known for its weaving – and dries faster than cotton. Its long fibres make it smooth to the touch and give it tensile strength, she says. 'It's also low maintenance. You just wash it and hang it out on the line.' READ MORE Foxford's new shop in Dundrum Town Centre Now you can see and touch this bedding range in the new Foxford shop in Dundrum Town Centre, as well as other outlets such as Arnotts, where Mags Fitzgibbon is the brand manager. 'One thing Foxford has always had is distribution in the tourist industry, but it is more than that, it is a lifestyle brand,' says McAlinden. Indeed, its throws drape beds in ultra-luxe hotels such as Ballynahinch Castle and Ashford Castle and have found their way on to overseas hotel beds, including the Cornwall-based Hotel Tresanton, part of the Polizzi Collection. In addition to bed linen and throws, Foxford can supply almost all bedding needs, except the mattress, she says. For that she opts for a King Koil design, made in Ireland. Pure linen blush pink duvet set; double €289, king €319 and super king €355 She then layers her bed, starting with a mattress cover, made in Co Mayo for Foxford. A fitted bottom sheet is her foundation garment. Foxford's new linen range has a generous depth of 40cm so it will fit any mattress height and stops you having to wrestle with the base to try to get the bedding over the mattress corners. She also insists on luxuriating under a top sheet, a touch that works in summer, on hot nights. Then it's a featherlight duvet. Her main bedroom is bedecked in the aqua colourway, for it works with the warm grey of the walls, painted in Athena 858 by Benjamin Moore, and the seascapes of Dublin Bay that she can see from her home in Blackrock. The colours work with the animated greys and greens of the water breaking below. Her down duvet is Danish band Danica. 'I spent €300 on it when I didn't have €300, bought it in Copenhagen airport and carried it home as hand luggage. It's the only thing I can sleep under.' On the nights when there's a chill in the air, she adds a honeycomb waffle 100 per cent cotton throw, €139, also Foxford. Helen McAlinden's guest bedroom with linen white Lumi print, waffle bedspread and Foxford cushions. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw The feather and down pillows are part of Foxford's bedding range, made in Mayo. She opts for the empire-size, two of which will fit across her super-king bed. 'It is an Irish-designed bed.' The new collection, launching in the autumn, will feature additional colours, including a denim blue, a deep inky green, a mauve and nacre, a pearlescent colour. There will also be stripes, fresh takes on toile de jouy, and contemporary checks for the Christmas market. The brand also offers a 400-thread count boxed cotton bedding set that can be customised with monogrammed embroidery or another such message, a great wedding gift to give. A well dressed bed Easy ways to ensure your bed is well dressed, according to Mags Fitzgibbon, brand manager for Foxford at Arnotts Pillows should fit the width of the bed. If you sleep on a king-size bed buy king size pillows, which measure 50cm by 90cm instead of the standard 50cm by 75cm. This will fill in the gap in the centre of the bed. Continental pillows, 65cm squares, can be used to dress the bed. They also prop you up if you like to read or watch TV in bed. Mattress depths vary. There are about 10 different depths available. Before buying new fitted sheets, measure the depth of your mattress, to include any other layers; toppers, covers or electric blankets that will add to its height. Sales staff can then direct you to the brands that do those sizes. A flat sheet or top sheet has two purposes. It cuts down on how often you have to launder your duvet cover, and it adds a layer that feels silky to sleep under. When choosing a duvet, pick a size up from the size of the bed it will cover. Lay a king-size duvet on a double bed, for example, and so on. It gives a better look to the bed and hides part or all of the divan sides. It also gives enough cover to accommodate two people. The standard pillowcase with an inside flap, also known as the housewife, is so-called as it was developed in the 1880s by the Housewives Co-operative in Bolton to keep the pillowcase in place. Before that pillowcases were simple sleeves. Oxford pillowcases have the same internal dimensions as the housewife, but have an external edging. Bedding trends Vesteroy mattress, Ikea The pocket-springs in the Vesteroy mattress have been designed to respond independently to each other, meaning you can have a great night's sleep regardless of whether your partner tosses and turns. The springs also allow air to circulate whilst you sleep. From €318 at . Curve appeal Rimel bedside table, La Redoute Rimel is a lacquered metal bedside table that comes in two colour options, the teal, pictured and a bone white. It stands 61.5cm high and has a circumference of 48cm, with a rattan top covered with tempered glass and a secret storage. €234.99 from . Baby pink Joules Thornton bed, DFS Joules Thornton king-size bedframe, €1,625, exclusive to DFS, comes in a blue stripe, floral or pink, to order. Tropical taste Fia rectangular cushion, Harvey Norman This velvet feather filled cushion, Fia, 40cm by 60cm, €58, also comes in 58cm squares, €75. The print will add a taste of the tropics to summer nights. Frill seeking Birdie striped duvet cover set The French Bedroom Company This Birdie pistachio and petal coloured, frill-edged duvet cover and matching pillowcases set is a frivolous way to bring the trend for stripes into the boudoir. About €84 excluding delivery and charges from . Mood lighting Rechargeable wireless lamp, This white gold confetti-effect glass lamp, €59, from , looks good and is wireless and rechargeable. Secret storage Bedside table, JYSK This bedside table in natural oak has tambour doors to hide all your bits, €100, Statement lamp Favour lamp, Pieces This Favour lamp has a powdercoated steel frame and an acrylic shade, €105, from . Barefoot luxury Maze rug by Kukoon, at EZ Living A rug underfoot softens the feel of timber floors. This Maze design by Irish company Kukoon is available at EZ Living Interiors, €120 for a 120cm by 170cm size.
BreakingNews.ie
12-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
'Intolerable' for garda's family to have impasse in Stephen Silver appeal 'drag on', judge says
Lawyers representing Stephen Silver, who is serving a 40-year sentence for the capital murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan, have said they are unable to advance an appeal against his conviction as they have 'hit a brick wall' in obtaining what they argue is crucial disclosure from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) relating to psychiatric evidence. Speaking as the matter was raised during a review of dormant cases at the Court of Appeal on Monday, Mr John Edwards said it was 'intolerable' that Det Gda Horkan's inquest has been delayed as a result of the pending proceedings. Advertisement He said that the matter 'cannot drag on'. Silver (48), a motorbike mechanic from Aughaward, Foxford, Co Mayo, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Det Gda Horkan knowing or being reckless as to whether he was a member of An Garda Síochána acting in accordance with his duty. He had pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on June 17th, 2020, and the jury was told the main issue in the trial was Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the shooting. Silver, who killed Gda Horkan by shooting him eleven times with the garda's own gun, was jailed for life with a minimum time to be served of 40 years by a judge at the Central Criminal Court in April 2023. Advertisement The court heard Silver had suffered from bipolar affective disorder, though consultant psychiatrist Prof Harry Kennedy said he found 'no positive evidence' Silver had relapsed at the time he shot dead Det Horkan. However Dr Brenda Wright, then interim clinical director at the Central Mental Hospital, told the court that Silver's illness contributed significantly to his actions at that time. At the Court of Appeal on Monday, Morgan Shelley BL, representing Silver, said that this was, in effect, a diminished responsibility case and the psychiatric evidence was a 'critical issue'. Mr Shelley said there was an issue in another case relating to one of the expert witnesses in Silver's trial and his legal team believe the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) may have materials that could be relevant to that. He said they have asked for 'comprehensive disclosure' from the DPP in relation to this but have 'hit a brick wall'. Advertisement 'We may need this court to determine the issue, or we may need to go to another court for that,' he said. Mr Justice John Edwards, presiding, said the coroner for County Mayo has written to inform the court that he cannot complete the inquest into Garda Horkan's death until the case is determined. He noted that Silver's appeal was last before the court in December 2023. Mr Shelley remarked that a proper response from the DPP would assist in moving matters along. Adjourning proceedings to a case management list on June 20th, Mr Justice Edwards told Mr Shelley that if there was a continuing 'log jam' then a motion could be brought before the court at that stage. Advertisement 'This cannot drag on, particularly when there is an inquest and a family being prejudiced by this,' said the judge, describing the situation as 'intolerable'. 'This has to be addressed, and it will be addressed quickly from here on,' he added. During the trial, the jury heard evidence from Silver that he believed Gda Horkan was 'a heavy down from Dublin' who was trying to kill him. He said that Gda Horkan, who was not in uniform and drove an unmarked car, was wearing a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and 'didn't come across' as a garda. He gave evidence that a struggle ensued between them before he fell to the ground, and in the process of getting up he felt the gun on Gda Horkan's hip. Advertisement He said that he felt Gda Horkan 'was trying to kill me'. Ireland Roads gardaí should not be exposed to 'excessive d... Read More 'I kept shooting until the gun finished and there was no ammunition left,' Silver said. Silver's first trial ended in a jury disagreement. His defence at his second trial was that he could be found guilty of manslaughter either because he believed he was acting in self defence but used excessive force or because his responsibility was significantly diminished due to a mental disorder. The jury rejected both defences and found him guilty of murdering Gda Horkan, a member of An Garda Siochana acting in the course of his duty. Under the Criminal Justice Act 1990, the judge must impose the ordinary life sentence for murder and specify that Silver serve a minimum of 40 years in prison. With ordinary remission for good behaviour, Silver will be eligible to apply for parole after he has served 30 years.
Irish Times
12-05-2025
- Irish Times
Lawyers for Stephen Silver say appeal being held by delay with disclosure
Lawyers representing Stephen Silver, who is serving a 40-year sentence for the capital murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan, have said they are unable to advance an appeal against his conviction as they have 'hit a brick wall' in obtaining disclosure from the DPP relating to psychiatric evidence. Speaking as the matter was raised during a review of dormant cases at the Court of Appeal on Monday, Mr Justice John Edwards said it was 'intolerable' Det Gda Horkan's inquest has been delayed as a result of the pending proceedings. He said that the matter 'cannot drag on'. Silver (48), a motorbike mechanic from Aughaward, Foxford, Co Mayo, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Det Gda Horkan knowing or being reckless as to whether he was a member of An Garda Síochána acting in accordance with his duty. He had pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on June 17th, 2020, and the jury was told the main issue in the trial was Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the shooting. Silver, who killed Gda Horkan by shooting him eleven times with the garda's own gun, was jailed for life with a minimum time to be served of 40 years by a judge at the Central Criminal Court in April 2023. READ MORE The court heard Silver had suffered from bipolar affective disorder, though consultant psychiatrist Prof Harry Kennedy said he found 'no positive evidence' Silver had relapsed at the time he shot dead Det Horkan. However Dr Brenda Wright, then interim clinical director at the Central Mental Hospital, told the court that Silver's illness contributed significantly to his actions at that time. At the Court of Appeal today, Morgan Shelley BL, representing Silver, said that this was, in effect, a diminished responsibility case and the psychiatric evidence was a 'critical issue'. Mr Shelley said there was an issue in another case relating to one of the expert witnesses in Silver's trial and his legal team believe the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) may have materials that could be relevant to that. He said they have asked for 'comprehensive disclosure' from the DPP in relation to this but have 'hit a brick wall'. 'We may need this court to determine the issue, or we may need to go to another court for that,' he said. Mr Justice Edwards, presiding, said the coroner for County Mayo has written to inform the court he cannot complete the inquest into Garda Horkan's death until the case is determined. He noted Silver's appeal was last before the court in December 2023. Mr Shelley said a proper response from the DPP would assist in moving matters along. Adjourning proceedings to a case management list on June 20th, Mr Justice Edwards told Mr Shelley that if there was a continuing 'log jam' then a motion could be brought before the court at that stage. 'This cannot drag on, particularly when there is an inquest and a family being prejudiced by this,' said the judge, describing the situation as 'intolerable'. 'This has to be addressed, and it will be addressed quickly from here on,' he added. During the trial, the jury heard evidence from Silver that he believed Gda Horkan was 'a heavy down from Dublin' who was trying to kill him. He said that Gda Horkan, who was not in uniform and drove an unmarked car, was wearing a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and 'didn't come across' as a Garda". He gave evidence that a struggle ensued between them before he fell to the ground, and in the process of getting up he felt the gun on Gda Horkan's hip. He said he felt Gda Horkan 'was trying to kill me'. 'I kept shooting until the gun finished and there was no ammunition left,' Silver said. Silver's first trial ended in a jury disagreement. His defence at his second trial was that he could be found guilty of manslaughter either because he believed he was acting in self defence but used excessive force or because his responsibility was significantly diminished due to a mental disorder. The jury rejected both defences and found him guilty of murdering Gda Horkan, a member of An Garda Síochána acting in the course of his duty. Under the Criminal Justice Act 1990, the judge must impose the ordinary life sentence for murder and specify that Silver serve a minimum of 40 years in prison. With ordinary remission for good behaviour, Silver will be eligible to apply for parole after he has served 30 years.
