Latest news with #JillTruesdale
Sunday World
11-05-2025
- Sunday World
Cops condemn potentially ‘catastrophic' near-miss between drone and rescue helicopter
The incident unfolded during an operation in the Mournes at the weekend Scene of the Mourne rescue mission on 10.05.2025. Credit: Police Newry, Mourne & Down The PSNI have condemned the pilot of a drone that almost had a 'catastrophic' impact on a rescue mission. The incident unfolded during an operation in the Mournes at the weekend. Police said it was 'absolute madness' and the person responsible for the drone may now face prosecution. On Saturday evening, the South Down neighbourhood policing team were assisting Newcastle Coastguard to secure the landing site for a Maritime and Coastguard Agency Rescue Helicopter from Prestwick. The agencies were working with the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team (MMRT) to extract a casualty from the area of Lower Cove – which contains some of the steepest cliffs in the Mournes. A PSNI spokesperson said: 'With the casualty safely in the back of a Northern Ireland Ambulance Service ambulance, the helicopter crew began to prepare for take off to return to Prestwick [in Scotland]. 'As the helicopter made their preparations to take off – bearing in mind the engines never stopped whilst the casualty was removed from it, and it's a big noisy, well lit machine – one of the police officers in attendance noted a drone operating in very close proximity to the helicopter. "They immediately informed a member of Coastguard and members of the MMRT who in turn informed the crew on board. "At the same time officers made their way to the area of the park the drone was spotted in to try and identify its whereabouts and the person that was operating it. "Despite this quick action the drone appeared to have left the area, but people in the park approached the police attempting to point out where the drone had been. 'In short, this is absolute madness. Had that drone impacted with the helicopter at any time, the result would have been catastrophic. 'Drones are not toys. 'This behaviour was in clear breach of the Air Navigation Order and may result in a criminal prosecution.' Drones are small aircrafts that can be remotely controlled. They are used for a wide variety of purposes – most commonly for recreational purposes, they are used for aerial photography and videography Jill Truesdale, an Alliance Party councillor for the Mournes area, described the actions of the drone operator as 'beyond stupid'. "Hopefully they will be caught and reminded of the laws around these things,' she added. "This type of multi-agency incident is not an 'Instagrammable' moment." Ms Truesdale also indicated a need to 'look into legislation' regarding the ownership and operation of drones here, 'given our unique geographical makeup between sea and mountains'. Scene of the Mourne rescue mission on 10.05.2025. Credit: Police Newry, Mourne & Down News in 90 seconds - 11th May 2025
Belfast Telegraph
11-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Absolute madness': PSNI condemns potentially ‘catastrophic' near-miss between drone and rescue helicopter
The incident unfolded during an operation in the Mournes at the weekend. Police said it was 'absolute madness' and the person responsible for the drone may now face prosecution. On Saturday evening, the South Down neighbourhood policing team were assisting Newcastle Coastguard to secure the landing site for a Maritime and Coastguard Agency Rescue Helicopter from Prestwick. The agencies were working with the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team (MMRT) to extract a casualty from the area of Lower Cove – which contains some of the steepest cliffs in the Mournes. A PSNI spokesperson said: 'With the casualty safely in the back of a Northern Ireland Ambulance Service ambulance, the helicopter crew began to prepare for take off to return to Prestwick [in Scotland]. 'As the helicopter made their preparations to take off – bearing in mind the engines never stopped whilst the casualty was removed from it, and it's a big noisy, well lit machine – one of the police officers in attendance noted a drone operating in very close proximity to the helicopter. "They immediately informed a member of Coastguard and members of the MMRT who in turn informed the crew on board. "At the same time officers made their way to the area of the park the drone was spotted in to try and identify its whereabouts and the person that was operating it. "Despite this quick action the drone appeared to have left the area, but people in the park approached the police attempting to point out where the drone had been. 'In short, this is absolute madness. Had that drone impacted with the helicopter at any time, the result would have been catastrophic. 'Drones are not toys. 'This behaviour was in clear breach of the Air Navigation Order and may result in a criminal prosecution.' Drones are small aircrafts that can be remotely controlled. They are used for a wide variety of purposes – most commonly for recreational purposes, they are used for aerial photography and videography Jill Truesdale, an Alliance Party councillor for the Mournes area, described the actions of the drone operator as 'beyond stupid'. "Hopefully they will be caught and reminded of the laws around these things,' she added. "This type of multi-agency incident is not an 'Instagrammable' moment." Ms Truesdale also indicated a need to 'look into legislation' regarding the ownership and operation of drones here, 'given our unique geographical makeup between sea and mountains'.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Call for investigation into money spent on failed Mourne Gateway Project
There has been a call for an investigation into the money spent by the council on the failed Mourne Mountain Gondola project. Last week the controversial Mourne Gateway Project was put to an end after the National Trust announced that it would not allow for its land at Thomas's Quarry to be used for the Gondola and Visitor Station. The Mourne Mountain project was supported by £30m through the Belfast Region City Deal with the rest from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, including any other costs. Read more: National Trust to 'answer questions' over decision to pull out of Mournes Gateway project Read more: Mourne Gateway Project meeting sparks 'breach of conduct' complaint Alliance Newry, Mourne and Down Councillors, Jill Truesdale and Tierna Howie have now called for an independent investigation by the Northern Ireland Audit Office into the money spent so far in progressing the project. Cllr Truesdale said: 'Alliance has consistently expressed concerns about the viability of the Gondola project, particularly regarding financial expenditures and environmental impact. I have spoken at length before about the glaring lack of transparency and seeming disregard for how best to utilise ratepayers' money in the case of this project, especially when a great number of local residents expressed deep concerns and frustrations against it. 'Openness, transparency, and ensuring value for money should be at the heart of decision making at every level of government, and as a party, we are gravely concerned as to how much money has been spent to date on a project that didn't have the basic requirement of a lease in place to secure the site. 'I have written to the audit office to request an independent investigation into how much money has been spent to date.' Cllr Howie added: 'It is essential that any such investigation is carried out by the NIAO to allow for an impartial overview. This project has been very contentious and unwanted by a huge majority of people, both residents and visitors to Newcastle and those who love the natural beauty of the Mournes. 'Alliance has been the only party to raise concerns consistently about the severe risk of progressing and spending money without a lease agreement. We therefore feel it is only right to look across all the details and for the public to know exactly what money has been spent and how this was allowed to continue. 'In the meantime, my Alliance colleagues and I will continue to explore viable and sustainable alternative proposals for the Mourne Mountain Gateway project and work to ensure that the £30million Belfast Region City Deal money remains in Newry, Mourne and Down.' For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
