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Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Disgraceful' government has disrespected family - Sean Brown's daughter
The daughter of a GAA official killed by loyalists has labelled the UK government as "disgraceful" for how it informed her family about its decision to challenge a court ruling over a public inquiry. Siobhan Brown, whose father Sean Brown was abducted outside a GAA club and shot dead in 1997, said the government had treated the family with disrespect. The Court of Appeal in Belfast had given Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn four weeks to reconsider a decision not to hold an inquiry into Mr Brown's murder at the hands of the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF). On Wednesday, Benn confirmed he was now seeking leave to appeal the judgement to the Supreme Court, the UK's highest court. More than 25 people, including state agents, have been linked by intelligence material to the 61-year-old's death. Ms Brown told BBC's Good Morning Ulster Programme that the timing of Benn's announcement and the lack of information given to them beforehand had upset the family. "We were distraught at the fact that this information had been released without the family knowing in entirety," she said. "To suddenly hear it being broadcast, it's disgraceful." Ms Brown added that "by the time I got home, I hadn't even reached my mother's house before the press were looking for quotes and statements. "Meanwhile Hilary Benn had given a press conference in London," she said. Ms Brown accused the government of treating her family with disrespect and of trying to undermine them. She referred to her 87-year-old mother Bridie's appeal to Benn last month not to make her go to London to campaign for an inquiry. "My mother made an impassioned plea to Hilary Benn, not to take her to London, that's fallen on deaf ears, that's the route we now have to go," Siobhan Brown added. Speaking at Westminster on Wednesday, Benn said he remained determined to have a "full, thorough and independent investigation" into Mr Brown's murder. "The murder of Sean Brown in 1997 was despicable, and his death caused great suffering and pain to his family, his wife Bridie and the community," he said. "I know that the length of time it has taken to provide them with the answers they have been searching for has added to that pain." Benn said while the government wanted an investigation that complied with its human rights obligations, the Court of Appeal's judgment required a "detailed and comprehensive response". Posting on X on Wednesday, First Minister Michelle O'Neill said that the government's decision was "cruel and inhumane". "The Brown family has only ever sought truth and justice for their beloved husband and father. "Throughout their decades-long campaign, they have consistently shown immense courage and dignity. "The British government must urgently respect the court's decision and establish a public inquiry now," she added. Mr Brown was locking the gates of GAA club Bellaghy Wolfe Tones when he was kidnapped by the LVF. Early last year, a court heard more than 25 people, including state agents, had been linked by intelligence material to Mr Brown's murder. In March 2024, a coroner said Mr Brown's inquest could not continue due to material being withheld on the grounds of national security. He decided that redactions of intelligence material meant he could not properly investigate the circumstances of the killing. Instead, he wrote to the then Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, requesting a public inquiry into the case. In December, the High Court ruled that current Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn must set up a public inquiry into the murder. The government then appealed against that ruling, mounting a legal challenge to the Court of Appeal. However, Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan said it was "a shocking state of affairs" that more than 25 years had passed but there had been no "lawful inquiry into the circumstances" of Mr Brown's death. After that ruling, Mr Brown's family said Benn should "do the right thing". Mr Brown's widow spoke directly to the NI secretary, saying: "Five judges have told you what to do, do the right thing and please don't have me going to London." The Sinn Féin MP John Finucane said the UK government's decision to appeal the court ruling is "a continued affront to a grieving family". "This is a family that has already waited 28 years. They've faced silence, secrecy and now delay disguised and wrapped up in legal process." He said that the "only viable option" is a public inquiry. "The so called concerns cited by the British government have become a catch-all excuse to prevent transparency, even when the court themselves have demanded overwise, and it can't continue," he added. "The Brown family deserve answers and the public deserve the truth."
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Sean Brown's daughter labels government 'disgraceful' over legal challenge
The daughter of a GAA official killed by loyalists has labelled the UK government as "disgraceful" for how it informed her family about its decision to challenge a court ruling over a public Brown, whose father Sean Brown was abducted outside a GAA club and shot dead in 1997, said the government had treated the family with Court of Appeal in Belfast had given Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn four weeks to reconsider a decision not to hold an inquiry into Mr Brown's murder at the hands of the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF).On Wednesday, Benn confirmed he was now seeking leave to appeal the judgement to the Supreme Court, the UK's highest court. More than 25 people, including state agents, have been linked by intelligence material to the 61-year-old's death. 'Distraught' Ms Brown told BBC's Good Morning Ulster Programme that the timing of Benn's announcement and the lack of information given to them beforehand had upset the family."We were distraught at the fact that this information had been released without the family knowing in entirety," she said. "To suddenly hear it being broadcast, it's disgraceful."Ms Brown added that "by the time I got home, I hadn't even reached my mothers house before the press were looking for quotes and statements. "Meanwhile Hilary Benn had given a press conference in London," she said. Ms Brown accused the government of treating her family with disrespect and of trying to undermine them. She referred to her 87-year-old mother Bridie's appeal to Benn last month not to make her go to London to campaign for an inquiry. "My mother made an impassioned plea to Hilary Benn, not to take her to London, that's fallen on deaf ears, that's the route we now have to go," Siobhan Brown added. Speaking at Westminster on Wednesday, Benn said he remained determined to have a "full, thorough and independent investigation" into Mr Brown's murder."The murder of Sean Brown in 1997 was despicable, and his death caused great suffering and pain to his family, his wife Bridie and the community," he said."I know that the length of time it has taken to provide them with the answers they have been searching for has added to that pain."Benn said while the government wanted an investigation that complied with its human rights obligations, the Court of Appeal's judgment required a "detailed and comprehensive response". What have Northern Ireland politicians said? Posting on X on Wednesday, First Minister Michelle O'Neill said that the government's decision was "cruel and inhumane"."The Brown family has only ever sought truth and justice for their beloved husband and father."Throughout their decades-long campaign, they have consistently shown immense courage and dignity."The British government must urgently respect the court's decision and establish a public inquiry now," she added. What happened to Sean Brown? Mr Brown was locking the gates of GAA club Bellaghy Wolfe Tones when he was kidnapped by the last year, a court heard more than 25 people, including state agents, had been linked by intelligence material to Mr Brown's March 2024, a coroner said Mr Brown's inquest could not continue due to material being withheld on the grounds of national decided that redactions of intelligence material meant he could not properly investigate the circumstances of the he wrote to the then Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, requesting a public inquiry into the December, the High Court ruled that current Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn must set up a public inquiry into the government then appealed against that ruling, mounting a legal challenge to the Court of Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan said it was "a shocking state of affairs" that more than 25 years had passed but there had been no "lawful inquiry into the circumstances" of Mr Brown's that ruling, Mr Brown's family said Benn should "do the right thing".Mr Brown's widow spoke directly to the NI secretary, saying: "Five judges have told you what to do, do the right thing and please don't have me going to London."
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Majority of 214 wildfires started on purpose, say firefighters
Most of the 214 wildfires in Northern Ireland in recent days were started deliberately, firefighters have said. Between Thursday and Tuesday, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) crews tackled blazes in areas including the Mourne Mountains in County Down, Belfast, Newry and Ballygawley. A large gorse fire in County Tyrone is still being dealt with by firefighters. About 40 personnel are at the scene of the fire near the Millix Road, north of Ballygawley. Speaking at the scene, David Doherty from the NIFRS said "we have established that this fire was started deliberately". Fires in the Mourne Mountains, County Down, have been brought under control, but walkers are being advised to avoid the area until further notice. Speaking to BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster Programme, NIFRS commander David Harbinson said he was still concerned by the situation. He said the vegetation was very dry and fires were therefore spreading rapidly. A gorse fire reported on Divis and Black Mountain in Belfast on Tuesday evening has also been extinguished. It was among those believed to have been started deliberately. Twenty-six firefighters tackled the blaze. At the scene: Catherine Morrison, BBC News NI Firefighters are continuing to beat down pockets of smoke and heat under the surface of the ground at the fire outside Ballygawley. Crews came from as far away as north Antrim to deal with the blaze. At its worst the fire front was 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long and was threatening several homes nearby. The area is a wind farm and damage has been considerable. There is peat bog here too which traps the heat, making things more difficult for firefighters, and there are nesting birds and other wildlife which have been badly affected. They are still assessing the area affected but the fire service believes it to be about 100 acres. They also believe the fire was started deliberately. Earlier in the week, Sinn Féin MP for South Down Chris Hazzard called for a review of the law relating to burning in Northern Ireland. The law states that burning of vegetation such as heather, gorse (whin) or fern may only be carried out between 1 September and 14 April. Before any prescribed burning in Northern Ireland, those involved are advised to alert NIFRS headquarters to discuss the details. People who manage land may burn gorse in a controlled manner to clear land for other purposes, and burn heather to encourage new shoots that are more palatable to game birds. But this month's high temperatures and long dry spell have led to good conditions for wildfires to spread. From 2020 to 2024, there were no prosecutions at courts for the offence "burning whins in closed season", but the setting of gorse fires more generally can be prosecuted as arson. The Department of Justice does not keep records on the circumstances of arson prosecutions, for example whether someone was prosecuted for arson because they lit a gorse fire. In the Republic of Ireland, for comparison, the law states growing vegetation cannot be burnt between 1 March and 31 August of any given year. The controlled burning of lands is allowed in certain circumstance between 1 September and 28 February. Gardaí (police) and the fire service must be consulted before any burning. A number of wildfires have ravaged the landscape in the Mourne Mountains including at Slieve Bearnagh, Slieve Binnian and Bloody Bridge. A major incident was declared at the weekend when a large wildfire broke out near the Mournes, leading to homes being evacuated. That blaze is being treated as arson. There have been 147 fires across the mountains since Thursday night. Hikers 'devastated' over Mourne Mountains wildfires More than 100 firefighters tackle wildfire in 'major incident'
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
NI wildfires: Majority of 214 blazes started on purpose, say firefighters
Most of the 214 wildfires in Northern Ireland in recent days were started deliberately, firefighters have Thursday and Tuesday, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) crews tackled blazes in areas including the Mourne Mountains in County Down, Belfast, Newry and Ballygawley.A large gorse fire in County Tyrone is still being dealt with by 40 personnel are at the scene of the fire near the Millix Road, north of Ballygawley. Fires in the Mourne Mountains, County Down, have been brought under control, but walkers are being advised to avoid the area until further notice. Divis and Black Mountain fires Speaking to BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster Programme, NIFRS commander David Harbinson said he was still concerned by the said the vegetation was very dry and fires were therefore spreading rapidly.A gorse fire reported on Divis and Black Mountain in Belfast on Tuesday evening has also been was among those believed to have been started deliberately. Twenty-six firefighters tackled the blaze. At the scene: Ballygawley fire rages near housesBy Niall McCracken, BBC News NI Mid Ulster reporterOn my way to the scene, as I drove near the Ballygawley roundabout I could see the first signs of gorse fire smoke emerging from behind the up the valley, I was passed by a number of fire engines on their way to tackle the I arrived at the Millix Road, just a few miles from the village of Ballygawley, emergency services had cordoned off the were two locations where smoke seemed to be emerging from the County Tyrone hills, one of the fires was only a couple of hundred metres directly behind someone's house. The smell of smoke was thick and traces of ash could be seen in the air. It is a rural area and challenging terrain for large fire trucks to traverse over small, rural country roads. What is the law about fires in Northern Ireland? Earlier in the week, Sinn Féin MP for South Down Chris Hazzard called for a review of the law relating to burning in Northern law states that burning of vegetation such as heather, gorse, whin or fern may only be carried out between 1 September and 14 April. There is currently no offence relating specifically to the setting of gorse fires, other than what the Department of Justice calls "burning whins (gorse, heather, or fern) in close season".From 2020 to 2024, there were no prosecutions at courts for the offence "burning whins in close season", but the setting of gorse fires more generally can be prosecuted as Department of Justice does not keep records on the circumstances of arson prosecutions, for example whether someone was prosecuted for arson because they lit a gorse the Republic of Ireland, for comparison, the law states growing vegetation cannot be burnt for a longer period of the year - between 1 March and 31 (police) and the fire service must be consulted before any burning. A number of wildfires have ravaged the landscape in the Mourne Mountains including at Slieve Bearnagh, Slieve Binnian and Bloody Bridge.A major incident was declared at the weekend when a large wildfire broke out near the Mournes, leading to homes being blaze is being treated as arson. There have been 147 fires across the mountains since Thursday night.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Woman in 'severe pain' told to wait months for appointment
A woman with learning disabilities has been told that she will have to wait 16 months for a gynaecology appointment despite being in "severe pain", her father has said. Jessica Madden, who is 31 and non-verbal, was in hospital due to the discovery of a foetal blockage, as well as kidney stones and polyps on her bladder. However, she was discharged from the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and told she would have to wait 16 months for a follow-up appointment. The Belfast Health Trust have apologised to Jessica and her family "for the long delay while she waits for referral and an outpatient appointment". "We know that this is extremely worrying for them and we are truly sorry that this wait is adding to their distress," a spokesperson for the Trust said. Jessica's father, Pastor Brian Madden, said he does not believe his daughter was well enough to leave hospital. He told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster Programme that he has taken Jessica twice to the emergency department and both times she was sent home with medication. Pastor Madden said that his wife received a phone call on Wednesday to say that Jessica's blood tests had come back clear for cancer and that she would now have to wait about 16 months for an appointment. He said that this was because her case had been downgraded from "red flag" to "urgent". "No one even told us they were looking for cancer, that near knocked my wife off her feet." "She's still suffering from pain, she still has these gallstones, she still has this cyst on her uterus," he said. Jessica has a rare genetic disorder which means she has severe learning difficulties and epilepsy. "Unlike us she can't communicate with you when she's in pain so when she does try to communicate you know it's severe pain," her father said. "We have fought for everything, we have had to be advocates for our own daughter. "Every single time we have to fight." NI hospital consultant waiting lists at all-time high Man 'in limbo' waiting for consultant appointment
