Latest news with #IrishFest
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
Teen accused of killing KC Irish Fest chef fights not to be tried as adult
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Prominent Irish Fest chef and restaurateur Shaun Brady was shot and killed outside his own business in 2024. It was a killing that rocked the community to its core. Now, the 15-year-old accused of carrying out this cold blooded murder in broad daylight is fighting to not be tried as an adult. Prominent Irish Fest chef killed in Kansas City shooting The teen's dad said it wouldn't be fair for his son to be charged as an adult. 'Development goes a long way in life, and he hasn't gotten that far,' his dad said. 'He hasn't developed enough to understand a mistake—and mistakes will be made throughout his life.' No cameras were allowed in the courtroom. FOX4's Malik Jackson was the only reporter in the courtroom Tuesday. The state began by calling to the stand the homicide detective who responded to the scene. The detective recounted how the responding officer initially thought he was being called to an explosion – but it turned out to be gunfire. A video shown in court captured the moments when the 15-year-old and a group of teens allegedly arrived near Brady's restaurant, Brady and Fox, in a stolen car. Brookside community demanding change amid Shaun Brady killing According to the detective, they attempted to break into Brady's Hyundai. Brady, who was unloading boxes, saw this and intervened. Authorities said the three teens then returned to the stolen car, with Brady kicking and swinging at the car as they drove off. The state contends that the video shows the 15-year-old exiting the car and shooting Brady in the chest. Seven shell casings were found at the scene, along with another bullet that hit a nearby home. Brady's wife was emotional as the video was played in the courtroom. Brady also leaves behind two children. In court, the hardships the 15-year-old had endured throughout his life came to light. At just the age of four, the accused killer was diagnosed with cancer – a disease which returned at least three times before the age of seven. Because of the cancer, the teen was prescribed opioids at a young age. This developed into an addiction, which caused the teen to fail middle school. His mom testified that he's overdosed twice. Testimony also revealed that the teen had endured years of abuse, including being beat with a metal bat. In court, it was also revealed that his dad beat his mom so much that she went blind. Because of the food insecurity he was facing, the teen turned to selling drugs at age 10 to feed himself and his siblings. His attorney said he was neglected in every aspect of his life, with the state's own witness saying he's had a 'life full of trauma.' The teen's father claims this could have been avoided if the justice system had held his son accountable for previous crimes – burglary in 2021 and trespassing in 2024 – that never resulted in charges. FOX4 asked his father if he feels the justice system is partly to blame. 'Yes,' he said in response. He said he believes that the community would be safe with his son on the streets—as long as he get the rehabilitation he needs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hilton Head's St. Patrick's Day Parade canceled due to threat of high winds, bad storm
The spirit of St. Patrick will live on in Hilton Head this year but his namesake parade will be paused for the safety of the local faithful that have been coming for 39 years to celebrate the day. The committee that puts on the popular St. Patrick's Day Parade on Hilton Head Island has decided to postpone the festivities till 2026 due to the threat of high winds and dangerous weather. According to Dignitary Coordinator Bethanne Carrol, 'If there is even a risk to one person, it's not worth it so we are looking forward to 2026. Next year will be a great parade.' Echoing these sentiments was the 'Irish Fest' Facebook page: 'With great disappointment, the Hilton Head Island St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee must cancel today's parade, due to extreme and potentially dangerous weather approaching. Local emergency services are needed to dedicate themselves to protect the public. We sadly must delay our 40th Anniversary until 2026.' Mayor Alan Perry also expressed concern over the incoming weather and supported the committee's decision to cancel the 2025 event, 'Due to to the weather and logistics it very unfortunate that the parade has been canceled. I've been in constant contact with the committee and fire chief and for the safety of everyone it's best to cancel.'
Chicago Tribune
13-03-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
‘Irish flare' to be front and center Saturday at Naperville's St. Patrick's Day Parade
Saturday's West Suburban Irish Naperville St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Naperville is a true community event, featuring more than 3,000 participants and typically bringing out about 10,000 spectators. But this year it will be marching on without its founding father, Kevin Dolan, who died Feb. 25 at age 86. The loss weighs heavy on their hearts, parade chair Rich Janor said, but the West Suburban Irish will present an event fitting of his memory. 'He started the parade back in 1993 and was also the founder of the West Suburban Irish organization,' Janor said. 'The first parade was just a small, four-block march from the VFW in town to Mill Street. Since that time, we'll have between 90 and 100 entries this year. It's definitely a tradition that our community looks forward to each year. But certainly, Kevin will be on our minds and in our hearts and in our prayers, as well as his family, as we approach this year's parade.' This is Janor's second year chairing the event and he hopes he can live up to the legacy Dolan has left behind, he said. 'The parades have always been a fun, family-oriented, feel-good event, especially as spring is starting,' he said. 'It's kind of the official start of spring, maybe not on paper but at least in the community.' The parade steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday at Naperville North High School at the corner of Mill Street and Ogden Avenue. From there it goes south on Mill Street and east on Jefferson Avenue through downtown before turning south onto Main Street to Aurora Avenue. It ends at Naperville Central High School at Webster and Porter avenues. A celebration of Irish heritage and culture, there will be traditional Irish dance groups, bagpipe and drum bands, and West Suburban Irish entries promoting Irish Fest in September, Janor said. St. Patrick himself is an annual staple of the parade as are the American Legion and VFW Color Guard, the Firefighters Highland Guard of Naperville and the St. Patrick's Residence, he said. Businesses, politicians, youth sports teams, scout troops and community groups also will be walking the route. 'Some of my favorite entries are the traditional Irish dance groups — the McNulty Irish Dancers have been a staple in the parade. Weber's School of Irish Dance will be a part of the parade. People like to see the traditional Irish dance groups,' Janor said. 'The parade will once again start (with groups) people who come to the St. Patrick's Day parade expect to see — bagpipes, Irish dancers and that type of thing. … Quigley's Irish Pub will have a nice entry. You'll definitely see Irish flare throughout the parade.' The grand marshal of the parade is Loaves and Fishes Community Services, who will be represted by its president, Mike Havala. 'They celebrated their 40th anniversary in the community this year. We thought it would be appropriate to recognize not only Mike but their entire organization,' Janor said. 'The West Suburban Irish has certainly supported the organization over the years and they've been a great partner as well.' Among the unique groups that will be participating are the Medina Shriners, he said. 'They entertain in a number of different ways, from the police cars to the clowns,' he said. 'We've got a BMX bike group coming to do some entertainment. We want to make sure we've got a good balance of business-type entries versus entries that are more entertaining.' Expect the 'wee folk' in the crowd to be dressed for the occasion and ready to grab the treats thrown from the floats and other participants, Janor said. 'A lot of kids will line up their chairs and candy bags early and stake out their spot,' he said. 'It certainly is a kid-friendly parade. You see a lot of kids dressed in leprechaun hats and green sunglasses.' All participants and entries are encouraged to be as festive as possible, he said. 'It's just a really unique event with excellent participation from many different groups in the community,' Janor said. 'It's a feel-good, family event to kick off St. Patrick's Day weekend.'
