Latest news with #GARDA
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Major ‘incident' at Irish shopping centre as ‘premises evacuated' & bomb squad rush to scene as cops issue urgent appeal
A MAJOR incident has taken place at an Irish shopping centre leading to the premises being evacuated and the bomb squad called to the scene. Gardai and emergency services are currently at the scene of the "incident" at Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Town. Advertisement The premises have been evacuated and the scene is preserved, They stated that the Gardai confirms that "there is no further concern for public safety" as the investigation is ongoing. A spokesperson for the Gardai is urging anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not to share it on Advertisement READ MORE ON GARDA They are encouraged to provide it to the Gardai at Carlow Garda Station. People with information about the incident are asked to contact them on 059 913 6620 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. Issuing the statement, the spokesperson for Gardai said: "Gardaí are currently at the scene of an incident at a retail premises in Carlow town. The alarm was raised shortly after 6:15pm. "The premises has been evacuated and the scene is preserved. The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has been requested to attend. Advertisement Most read in Irish News Breaking "At this time, there is no further concern for public safety. "Anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident is urged not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it to Gardaí at Carlow Garda Station. "Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at "No additional information is available at this time." Advertisement 1 The premises have been evacuated and the scene is preserved Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved
The Journal
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Gardaí have found foreign actors using social media to 'amplify' far-right content in Ireland
GARDA AND PSNI investigations into far-right incitement at protests and riots have shown agitators from outside Ireland involved in amplifying and directing demonstrations across the island. Garda Deputy Commissioner Shawna Coxon has confirmed that gardaí had evidence for actors outside of Ireland stoking up the disinformation rhetoric to push for far-right protests to take place, while Murray said they had evidence of people in the UK publishing inciting social media posts. Coxon and Chief Superintendent Stephen Murray of the PSNI were speaking this week at a conference on policing of far-right intimidation in the Republic of Ireland. The event in Dublin was organised by the Irish Council of Civil Liberties (ICCL) and was examining experiences in Ireland, the North and globally. Both police officers said that amplification of misinformation and disinformation by people aligned to far-right ideologies was a difficult task to confront for police forces across Ireland. Coxon said: 'Everyone knows it is coming from both: often the amplification process is from outside of the State; but it is not that there are not actors within the State doing the same. 'You are talking about huge numbers – there are key examples where you can see that happening inside the State.' Murray explained how anonymous posts are published on channels and on social media messaging services, and that these then spread across WhatsApp groups designed to stoke anger among susceptible people. Murray said that the message was only part of the issue, trying to deal with the 'amplification' was a real challenge. 'You get an anonymous post and then you get people amplifying it, engaging with it and then just spreading on WhatsApp. Then it becomes the norm. 'It is a deliberate ploy on our streets on both sides of the border, and it is really challenging to deal with,' he said. Misinformation notices Murray cited the Garda's recent use of misinformation notices, a new measure by the force that highlights when misinformation is circulating on social media. The most recent notice came when voice notes spread on WhatsApp and social media regarding the death of Garda Kevin Flatley . The Garda notices call out the misinformation and present an accurate narrative. The response is shared across Garda's social media accounts and also sent to newsrooms in press releases. Deputy Commissioner Shawna Coxon. Coxon explained that this is a new strategy and that other police forces are looking to use the Garda model. She used the example of the misinformation during the Dublin riots that the army had been called in as not being true. The Deputy Commissioner said that gardaí monitor the far-right to 'a certain degree'. Advertisement 'Nobody can be everywhere all the time. You know this yourself, but certainly our obligation is to be proportionate in our response, to deal with the information that we have in front of us, and to not move forward on conjecture. 'And we want our response, of course, to be appropriate, engaging, supportive. We want to be professional, flexible in how we deal with things and impartial,' she said. The Deputy Commissioner said that there were fewer than 650 protests last year, which were for the most part anti-migrant and far-right protests, but which also included demonstrations against the war in Gaza. Coxon has said the use of misinformation around migrants during anti-migrant protests, particularly false allegations about how migrants and asylum seekers treat women and children, has become a 'complicating factor' for gardaí. She said the organisation of far-right protests and counter-demonstrations at the same time are proving a challenge for gardaí. 'The proliferation of social media and the abilities for individuals to move easily across the country – and I would argue, also from outside of Ireland – we've absolutely had that. And that's really changed the nature of the protest landscape. 'It means that protests quickly gain momentum. They can change location quickly, and our ability to mobilise and to respond has had to change,' she added. Coxon said that gardaí are monitoring 'violent political extremism' and said that the threat level is currently set at 'substantial'. 'You see how these things spread, and certainly the spreading of misinformation has directly led to the verbal and physical assault of Gardai in various situations,' she added. 'Inoculate' Joe O'Brien – the former Green Party junior minister and now Executive Director of the ICCL – said his group were holding the conference to help gardaí. O'Brien said that he suffered far-right intimidation himself when he was in political life – and that this informed his understanding of how the activists 'can pull in communities'. He said there is a need to 'inoculate' communities from far right rhetoric but said he did not support Government moves to ban face masks and protests outside politicians' homes. 'I understand perhaps why that might have been put in as something to do, but that's crossing a line in terms of freedom to protest, I think. And we would not be for it. 'It's a sort of a fundamental freedom; intimidation is a different thing, and that's a different line, I suppose, is my point,' he said. He said a key way to achieve that inoculation is by giving communities 'the right information'. 'The right information wasn't always coming to people as well, you know. So I think that's key as well. 'And building those links, I suppose, at community work level, but the connections with the community guard as well,' he added. 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
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Garda withdraws €60k damages claim for back & leg injuries after court hears he climbed Ireland's Four Peaks afterwards
A GARDA withdrew his compensation claim for injuries suffered in a traffic accident after it emerged he climbed Ireland's four highest peaks in a single weekend not long after the incident. Garda Sean Daly, of Curkish, Bailieborough, Co Daly, 42, had brought the compensation case to the Circuit Civil Following the incident, he sued his boss, Garda Commissioner However, after hearing of his impressive climbs in a single weekend, Judge Sarah Berkeley rose to allow Garda Daly's legal team to discuss the future of his €60,000 damages claim. When the court resumed after a very brief adjournment, Daly's barrister told Judge Berkeley he had received instructions from his client to withdraw his claim. Read more in News Daly's claim collapsed during a cross-examination by defence barrister Shane English, who was representing all four defendants. Daly told Mr English he had been struggling to get back to soccer, running, walking, and gym work for months after the accident. He said he had not attended his doctor until February 9, 2018 - a year and five months after the October 2016 accident. He also said he had difficulty remembering if he had attended his solicitor before, and on the same day, he had gone to his doctor. Most read in the Irish Sun Mr English reminded him he had signed an Injuries Board claim form and attended his doctor on the same day. Approaching the closure of his cross-examination, Mr English asked Garda Daly if he had engaged in any other physical activities shortly after his accident. FOUR PEAKS CLIMB When he finally stated he had not participated in any other activities, Mr English asked him: 'Have you heard of the Four Peaks?'. The Four peaks are the highest mountains in Ireland - Carrauntoohill in Munster, Lugnaquilla in Leinster, Slieve Donard in Ulster, and Mweelrea in Connaught. Gda Daly agreed he knew of them and also agreed the climbs lasted between four and seven hours. He had done the climbs but could not remember when. Mr English asked: 'And you climbed all four of them in the one weekend did you not? 'NOT CREDIBLE' 'And you climbed them in May 2017, seven months after this accident and before you went to your doctor. 'Why would you tell this court, 'I can't do this and that and I'm trying to get back to doing this and that', without telling the court that you had climbed four of the highest peaks in Ireland?' Judge Berkeley added: 'Or to the doctors?' When Daly told the court he had not remembered when he had climbed the peaks, Mr English said: 'It is not credible and I am surprised, to say the least, that you hold a very responsible role and I think you should have told us that.' Judge Berkeley rose and went to her chambers while the two parties talked outside court. Daly pulled his case within minutes. 1 Garda Sean Daly climbed Ireland's Four Peaks in the months after his traffic accident Credit: Ray Managh
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Garda faces trial for dangerous driving causing serious harm after Brazilian delivery driver's leg severed by car on M50
A GARDA faces trial after a Brazilian delivery driver's leg was severed by a car on the M50 in Dublin in 2023. Joao Henrique Ferreira, 25, who had lived in 2 Joao Henrique Ferreira's leg was severed by a car on the M50 in Dublin in 2023 Credit: Collins Photo Agency 2 Garda Neil Doyle is set to face trial Credit: When the incident allegedly occurred, he was at a slip road to the motorway in Following a probe by Fiosru, the police ombudsman (formerly Gsoc), criminal proceedings have commenced. The garda, dressed in a suit and tie, stood forward when the case was called, but did not address the court. Read more on News The prosecution told Judge Michele Finan that this was the first listing of the case. Lawrence Masterson BL, instructed by solicitor Daniel Hughes, representing Mr Ferreira, said his client had travelled back from Judge Finan noted that the Director of Public Prosecutions had authorised the case to stay in the District Court if the accused pleaded guilty. Otherwise, it would have to go to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers. Most read in Irish News Judge Finan held off on hearing an outline of the allegations. The accused has not indicated a plea and his barrister asked for disclosure of prosecution evidence. FURTHER SURGERY PLANNED Judge Finan noted that Mr Ferreira was set to go back to Brazil for further prosthetic surgery in two weeks. The prosecutor sought a four-week adjournment, which the judge granted. She also ordered the prosecution to provide the defence solicitor, Liz Hughes, with disclosure of evidence "as soon as possible" so the garda's legal team can "consider his position" and his plea. She told Garda Doyle he must return on June 12 to indicate a plea, and for the court to consider jurisdiction, and confirm his trial venue.
The Journal
08-05-2025
- The Journal
Garda faces trial after delivery driver's leg was severed by a car on M50 in 2023
A GARDA FACES trial after a Brazilian delivery driver's leg was severed by a car on the M50 in Dublin in 2023. João Henrique Ferreira, 24, who had lived in Ireland for five years, suffered serious injuries as he had been assisting friends in locating a stolen bicycle. When the incident allegedly occurred, he was at a slip road to the motorway in Tallaght. Following a probe by Fiosrú, the garda ombudsman, criminal proceedings have commenced. Garda Neil Doyle, of Dundrum station in Dublin, was summonsed to appear at Dublin District Court today on a charge of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm at Junction 11 north, at the M50 on 28 October 2023. The garda, dressed in a suit and tie, stood forward when the case was called, but did not address the court. The prosecution told Judge Michele Finan that this was the first listing of the case. Advertisement Lawrence Masterson BL, instructed by solicitor Daniel Hughes, representing Mr Ferreira, said his client had travelled back from Brazil solely for the proceedings and 'was anxious for the court to hear from him about the seriousness of the injuries'. Judge Finan noted that the Director of Public Prosecutions had authorised the case to stay in the District Court if the accused pleaded guilty. Otherwise, it would have to go to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers. Judge Finan held off on hearing an outline of the allegations. The accused has not indicated a plea and his barrister asked for disclosure of prosecution evidence. Judge Finan noted that Ferreira was set to go back to Brazil for further prosthetic surgery in two weeks. The prosecutor sought a four-week adjournment, which the judge granted. She also ordered the prosecution to provide the defence solicitor, Liz Hughes, with disclosure of evidence 'as soon as possible' so the garda's legal team can 'consider his position' and his plea. She told Doyle he must return on 12 June to indicate a plea, and for the court to consider jurisdiction, and confirm his trial venue.
