Latest news with #Grogan
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Nassau County arrest reignites case of missing woman and her sons from U.S. army base
A decades-old mystery that spans continents is getting renewed attention after a recent arrest in Northeast Florida. Tina Grogan and her two sons, 6-year-old Dale Jr. and 4-year-old Stephon, disappeared from a U.S. Army base in Würzburg, Germany, in November 1992. Now, more than 30 years later, new information stemming from an arrest in Nassau County has led to the reopening of their case. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is offering a $15,000 reward for credible information that leads to an arrest and conviction in connection with their disappearance or death. 'This is a snapshot of the cold case victims,' said Ryan Backmann, founder of Project: Cold Case. 'Since then, it's grown to over 1,800 victims, and there's so many they can't all fit on this banner.' Grogan's niece, Arielle Garcia, said the family never got answers. 'He never reported them missing. Or her running away,' Garcia said. Grogan's husband, Dale Grogan, was stationed in Germany at the time. He was later discharged from the military and moved to Jacksonville. Her sister, Shannon Ballenger, described Tina's relationship with Dale - her high school sweetheart - as rocky. 'It would've been a blessing to have my sister, and to love her kids and for her to meet my kids and love my kids,' Ballenger said. In January 2025, Dale Grogan was arrested by the Nassau County Sheriff's Office for traveling to meet a minor. That arrest caught the attention of the Army CID Cold Case Unit, which then reopened the long-dormant disappearance case. 'No, he has not been arrested or charged with the disappearance,' said Ryan Backmann, with Project: Cold Case. 'But he was picked up in Nassau County in January for another offense, which is what seems to have started the ball rolling. He made some statements, is my understanding, after his arrest that were enough to get the Army to reopen the investigation into Tina and the boys' disappearance.' For Ballenger, the pain has never faded — but neither has her determination to find the truth. 'Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy on his soul,' she said. Project: Cold Case has helped families across nearly every state in the U.S. find answers and keep unsolved cases alive in the public eye. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Inquest into death of farmer being used to question ‘validity' of his marriage the day before he died, coroner's courts hears
Joe Grogan (75) of Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly died at home on April 15, 2023. Mr Grogan was a well-known figure in the Irish farming community as his large landholding had hosted the National Ploughing Championships between 2016 and 2018. The National Ploughing Association announced last December that this year's event will be hosted by his wife, Lisa Flaherty-Grogan on the same farmland on September 16-18. Angry exchanges between legal representatives of various members of the deceased's family dominated the opening of an inquest into Mr Grogan's death at Offaly Coroner's Court in Tullamore on Friday. Counsel for Ms Flaherty-Grogan, Stephen Byrne BL, expressed concern that the proceedings were being used to question the validity of his client's marriage to the deceased on April 14, 2023 – the day before his death. Mr Byrne's comments followed a remark by Damien Tansey SC, counsel for three first cousins of Mr Grogan – Alo, Margaret and Seán Grogan – about the couple's 'would-be marriage.' 'To the world my client is legitimately and validly married,' Mr Byrne replied. He asked the coroner, Raymond Mahon, to rule on the relevancy of the marriage to the inquest. Mr Tansey retorted that Mr Byrne's observation was 'preposterous' and claimed the marriage was relevant. However, the coroner said Mr Tansey's comment about a 'would-be marriage' was 'an inappropriate term to use' and he ruled that the marriage was not relevant in relation to the cause of Mr Grogan's death. A large number of various relatives of Mr Grogan attended the inquest at Tullamore Courthouse including Ms Flaherty-Grogan who cried silently through large parts of the proceedings. At the opening of the hearing, Mr Tansey sought an adjournment of the inquest on the basis that the doctor who attended Mr Grogan's home two hours after his death, Ben Kato, was not available to give evidence. The barrister said it was absolutely essential to be able to question Dr Kato given 'the level of uncertainty' over Mr Grogan's death. Mr Tansey explained that in his long legal career he had never come across a case before where a pathologist's report had been unable to come to a conclusion about the cause of death. He told the inquest that Mr Grogan's body had been 'taken away and embalmed' before a notification of the death form was completed. Mr Tansey said the process was only stopped after the intervention of gardaí 'but not before irreparable damage was done.' Mr Byrne interjected to vehemently reject any attempt to impugn the reputation of or make insinuations about Ms Flaherty-Grogan or anyone at the time of Mr Grogan's death. He accused Mr Tansey of using 'the cloak of privilege' to make claims about Ms Flaherty-Grogan but stressed he would interject any time to protect his client when her good name and reputation was being targeted. The coroner observed that the exchanges between the two legal representatives was like 'a sparring match between two opponents jostling each other around the pitch.' However, Mr Mahon agreed to adjourn the case to arrange for Dr Kato to be called to give evidence after Peter Jones, a solicitor for an aunt of the deceased, Teresa Mooney, also stated he would wish to question the witness. Mr Tansey also asked the coroner to allow another cousin of the farmer, Padraig Grogan, to give evidence. Counsel said Padraig Grogan had visited the deceased on numerous occasions since Joe Grogan had been diagnosed with cancer in December 2022 and had 'got access on eight occasions.' Mr Tansey said the deceased's cousin would have 'an awful lot of evidence that would be helpful.' The coroner noted that he had already received a number of depositions from Mr Grogan but had decided that one witness from the family, Seán Grogan, would be enough for the inquest. While he did not see the relevance of Padraig Grogan's evidence, Mr Mahon told Mr Tansey that he could submit another deposition from him before a rescheduled hearing. Mr Tansey said there was another second cousin of the deceased called Enta who had visited Mr Grogan practically every day including the day of his 'would-be marriage.' Apologising to witnesses who had attended the hearing, the coroner adjourned the case for a date to be rearranged.
RTÉ News
16-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Validity of Offaly farmer's marriage questioned at inquest
A coroner's court has heard claims that an inquest into the death of an Offaly farmer is being used to question the validity of his marriage on the day before he died two years ago. Joe Grogan, 75, of Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly died at home on 15 April 2023. Mr Grogan was a well-known figure in the Irish farming community as his large landholding had hosted the National Ploughing Championships between 2016 and 2018. The National Ploughing Association announced last December that this year's event will be hosted by his wife Lisa Flaherty-Grogan on the same farmland on September 16 and 18. Angry exchanges between legal representatives of various members of the deceased's family dominated the opening of an inquest into Mr Grogan's death at Offaly Coroner's Court in Tullamore. Counsel for Ms Flaherty-Grogan, Stephen Byrne BL, expressed concern that the proceedings were being used to question the validity of his client's marriage to the deceased on 14 April 2023 – the day before his death. Mr Byrne's comments followed a remark by Damien Tansey SC, counsel for three first cousins of Mr Grogan, Alo, Margaret and Seán Grogan, about the couple's "would-be marriage". "To the world my client is legitimately and validly married," Mr Byrne replied. He asked the coroner, Raymond Mahon, to rule on the relevancy of the marriage to the inquest. Mr Tansey retorted that Mr Byrne's observation was "preposterous" and claimed the marriage was relevant. However, the coroner said Mr Tansey's comment about a "would-be marriage" was "an inappropriate term to use" and he ruled that the marriage was not relevant in relation to the cause of Mr Grogan's death. A large number of various relatives of Mr Grogan attended the inquest at Tullamore Courthouse, including Ms Flaherty-Grogan. At the opening of the hearing, Mr Tansey sought an adjournment of the inquest on the basis that the doctor who attended Mr Grogan's home two hours after his death, Ben Kato, was not available to give evidence. The barrister said it was absolutely essential to be able to question Dr Kato given "the level of uncertainty" over Mr Grogan's death. Mr Tansey explained that in his long legal career, he had never come across a case before where a pathologist's report had been unable to come to a conclusion about the cause of death. He told the inquest that Mr Grogan's body had been "taken away and embalmed" before a notification of the death form was completed. Mr Tansey said the process was only stopped after the intervention of gardaí "but not before irreparable damage was done". Mr Byrne interjected to vehemently reject any attempt to impugn the reputation of or make insinuations about Ms Flaherty-Grogan or anyone at the time of Mr Grogan's death. He accused Mr Tansey of using "the cloak of privilege" to make claims about Ms Flaherty-Grogan but stressed he would interject any time to protect his client when her good name and reputation was being targeted. The coroner observed that the exchanges between the two legal representatives was like "a sparring match between two opponents jostling each other around the pitch". However, Mr Mahon agreed to adjourn the case to arrange for Dr Kato to be called to give evidence after Peter Jones, a solicitor for an aunt of the deceased, Teresa Mooney, also stated he would wish to question the witness. Mr Tansey also asked the coroner to allow another cousin of the farmer, Padraig Grogan, to give evidence. Counsel said Padraig Grogan had visited the deceased on numerous occasions since Joe Grogan had been diagnosed with cancer in December 2022 and had "got access on eight occasions". Mr Tansey said the deceased's cousin would have "an awful lot of evidence that would be helpful". The coroner noted that he had already received a number of depositions from Mr Grogan but had decided that one witness from the family, Seán Grogan, would be enough for the inquest. While he did not see the relevance of Padraig Grogan's evidence, Mr Mahon told Mr Tansey that he could submit another deposition from him before a rescheduled hearing. Mr Tansey said there was another second cousin of the deceased called Enta who had visited Mr Grogan practically every day including the day of his "would-be marriage". Apologising to witnesses who had attended the hearing, the coroner adjourned the case for a date to be rearranged.
Irish Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
National Ploughing farmer's marriage 'day before death' questioned at inquest
A coroner's court has heard claims that an inquest into the death of an Offaly farmer is being used to question the validity of his marriage on the day before he died two years ago. Joe Grogan (75) of Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly died at home on April 15, 2023. Mr Grogan was a well-known figure in the Irish farming community as his large landholding had hosted the National Ploughing Championships between 2016 and 2018. The National Ploughing Association announced last December that this year's event will be hosted by his wife, Lisa Flaherty-Grogan on the same farmland on September 16-18. Angry exchanges between legal representatives of various members of the deceased's family dominated the opening of an inquest into Mr Grogan's death at Offaly Coroner's Court in Tullamore on Friday. Counsel for Ms Flaherty-Grogan, Stephen Byrne BL, expressed concern that the proceedings were being used to question the validity of his client's marriage to the deceased on April 14, 2023 – the day before his death. Mr Byrne's comments followed a remark by Damien Tansey SC, counsel for three first cousins of Mr Grogan – Alo, Margaret and Seán Grogan – about the couple's 'would-be marriage.' 'To the world my client is legitimately and validly married,' Mr Byrne replied. He asked the coroner, Raymond Mahon, to rule on the relevancy of the marriage to the inquest. Mr Tansey retorted that Mr Byrne's observation was 'preposterous' and claimed the marriage was relevant. However, the coroner said Mr Tansey's comment about a 'would-be marriage' was 'an inappropriate term to use' and he ruled that the marriage was not relevant in relation to the cause of Mr Grogan's death. A large number of various relatives of Mr Grogan attended the inquest at Tullamore Courthouse including Mr Flaherty-Grogan who cried silently through large parts of the proceedings. At the opening of the hearing, Mr Tansey sought an adjournment of the inquest on the basis that the doctor who attended Mr Grogan's home two hours after his death, Ben Kato, was not available to give evidence. The barrister said it was absolutely essential to be able to question Dr Kato given 'the level of uncertainty' over Mr Grogan's death. Mr Tansey explained that in his long legal career he had never come across a case before where a pathologist's report had been unable to come to a conclusion about the cause of death. He told the inquest that Mr Grogan's body had been 'taken away and embalmed' before a notification of the death form was completed. Mr Tansey said the process was only stopped after the intervention of gardaí 'but not before irreparable damage was done.' Mr Byrne interjected to vehemently reject any attempt to impugn the reputation of or make insinuations about Ms Flaherty-Grogan or anyone at the time of Mr Grogan's death. He accused Mr Tansey of using 'the cloak of privilege' to make claims about Ms Flaherty-Grogan but stressed he would interject any time to protect his client when her good name and reputation was being targeted. The coroner observed that the exchanges between the two legal representatives was like 'a sparring match between two opponents jostling each other around the pitch.' However, Mr Mahon agreed to adjourn the case to arrange for Dr Kato to be called to give evidence after Peter Jones, a solicitor for an aunt of the deceased, Teresa Mooney, also stated he would wish to question the witness. Mr Tansey also asked the coroner to allow another cousin of the farmer, Padraig Grogan, to give evidence. Counsel said Padraig Grogan had visited the deceased on numerous occasions since Joe Grogan had been diagnosed with cancer in December 2022 and had 'got access on eight occasions.' Mr Tansey said the deceased's cousin would have 'an awful lot of evidence that would be helpful.' The coroner noted that he had already received a number of depositions from Mr Grogan but had decided that one witness from the family, Seán Grogan, would be enough for the inquest. While he did not see the relevance of Padraig Grogan's evidence, Mr Mahon told Mr Tansey that he could submit another deposition from him before a rescheduled hearing. Mr Tansey said there was another second cousin of the deceased called Enta who had visited Mr Grogan practically every day including the day of his 'would-be marriage.' Apologising to witnesses who had attended the hearing, the coroner adjourned the case for a date to be rearranged.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Anchorage's fin whale skeleton recovered after warming weather, soft mudflats complicate efforts
Apr. 30—Update, Wednesday: Volunteers with Vulcan Towing in Anchorage helped Museum of Alaska director James Grogan extract almost all of the remaining bones from a fin whale on Cook Inlet mudflats on Tuesday. All that remained of the whale was a pool of tissue and blubber, floating off the coastal trail to the west of Lyn Ary Park in the Turnagain area. The bones are now at the Museum of Alaska in Wasilla, where they will be cleaned in a process that uses microbes to strip away remaining flesh and then rearticulated into a planned display for the public, Grogan said. Original story: James Grogan woke up Monday discouraged: It seemed his dream of recovering a complete skeleton from the 48-foot fin whale that washed up on the Anchorage mudflats in November might be slipping away with the tide. With permission from federal wildlife officials, he and dozens of volunteers disassembled much of the carcass in March. Back then, the mudflats near Fish Creek estuary were still frozen enough to walk, ride a bike or push a stroller to the whale. Thousands of people, including whole classes of schoolchildren, made the trek out to see the juvenile female fin whale, the second-largest species of cetacean on earth. The bones had been trucked up to Wasilla, where Grogan hoped to clean them and eventually rearticulate the fin whale skeleton into an educational display at the Museum of Alaska in Wasilla, where he is the executive director. But the plans ran into a snag. In March, the ground had been too frozen to pry out much of the whale's structure, including the spine. The group had been forced to leave the RV-sized carcass in the mudflats, with the hopes that spring melt would bring more favorable conditions. In recent weeks, the remains drew dozens of birds, including juvenile eagles and ravens perching on the vertebrae like barstools. Winter became spring and the mudflats softened, posing a new set of troubles for recovery of the whale, which sat firm near the Fish Creek estuary. Last Thursday, Grogan and a few volunteers used a rugged amphibious all-terrain Hägglunds vehicle to get out to the whale before a series of high tides. It was sketchy, Grogan said: The softened mudflats were like quicksand, and the vehicle almost got bogged down, leaving deep ruts. "It put us in a bad position," he said. Grogan felt it was so dangerous that he wouldn't return to the whale in a vehicle. Then, high tides floated the carcass, sending it west. The question was whether he and his volunteers could keep up — or get back out to the animal to try to remove heavy vertebrae from squelching mudflats. "She's actually working her way down the coastline to the west," Grogan said Monday morning. "We're trying to keep up with her, but the mudflats are too dangerous for us to get out." He sounded resigned. "If we have to wait much longer, the ocean might take her back," he said. "Which is great, but we'd sure like to have the rest of the skeleton." He said he'd been "calling people like crazy." "Do you know anyone with a crane?" he asked. Then, Monday afternoon, Grogan got a welcome phone call from MaryBeth Printz, a longtime Turnagain neighborhood resident who visits the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail daily. Printz reported that the whale carcass had been lifted by the tide and deposited at a favorable spot for Grogan's interests, right on the beach to the west of Lyn Ary Park. By late afternoon, Grogan was out at the pungent carcass, along with a volunteer from Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services. Together, they worked to stake down the whale's vertebrae so that another high tide wouldn't wash the rest of the animal back into the channel of the inlet. Still, the job of disassembling what was left of the whale seemed major, with two people hacking away at a mountain of gelatinous tissue. Each vertebrae was about 15 pounds, he said. Grogan jokingly recruited joggers and bikers passing by on the trail, covering their noses with shirts. "Come on down," he said. "I'll get you some gloves." There was talk of using a towing boom truck to try to lift the whale, but arrangements needed to be made for safe use of the trail and permission from the city, according to Grogan. At high tide Monday night, the diminishing remains of the whale were partly submerged in silty gray water, but looked firmly tied to the beach. Grogan said he was calling anyone he could for help, equipment, ideas. Tuesday would bring another afternoon low tide and a chance to try again.
