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Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Transpower Launches Grid Blueprint Consultation
Today Transpower launched the first in a series of consultations that will enable it to design a future 'grid blueprint' for New Zealand. The grid blueprint is being developed as part of Transpower's Te Kanapu initiative, which was introduced at the end of May. It will guide investments in national electricity transmission infrastructure up to and beyond 2050, supporting New Zealand's economic growth and net-zero aspirations. John Clarke, Transpower Executive General Manager Future Grid said that stakeholder input was critical to build a picture of what New Zealand might look like in 2050. 'We know there are a lot of people from a range of businesses, organisations and sectors that have insights and are making plans that will shape our country in the future,' he said. 'We want to make sure the electricity infrastructure enables those aspirations.' John highlighted the real opportunity for those in the sector and across the wider economy to work together and help ensure the national electricity grid is an enabler for New Zealand. The first consultation is an online survey, open to everyone. Transpower has started conversations across the electricity sector and with industry groups and will use the survey to ensure a wide range of responses and information about plans and ideas. The information gathered will help Transpower to develop possible future scenarios for Aotearoa. The scenarios will cover both a broad vision for the future and specific detail that's important for the electricity sector, such as assumptions about growth, electricity generation and load, and future technological change. Transpower will seek feedback through this and other consultations throughout the year, with a view to delivering the grid blueprint in late 2026. 'Getting feedback from all those who will rely on the grid and across the energy sector will help us to ensure that our transmission grid is a significant enabler of growth and electrification.'
Irish Times
17-07-2025
- Irish Times
Three men plead guilty to unlawfully killing Tom Niland (73)
Five days into his trial for the unlawful killing of 73-year-old Tom Niland, who was beaten in his home and left to die by three men, John Irving has changed his plea to guilty. Irving (31) became the third person to plead guilty to manslaughter over the death of Mr Niland, who suffered brain injuries, a fracture to his eye socket and multiple rib fractures following the assault. He was put on life support but died from his injuries 20 months later. His attackers took his wallet containing several hundred euros and went to Casey's garage in Ballina, Co Mayo, where they paid for petrol and goods in cash. They had left the same garage just hours earlier unable to pay for diesel they had already put into their Vauxhall Vivaro van. Francis Harman, the driver of the van, had told the garage owner that he would be back later to pay for the fuel. READ MORE Irving, of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty on Thursday morning to Mr Niland's unlawful killing. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon then discharged the jury. It can now be reported that Francis Harman (58) of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo, and John Clarke (37) of Carrowkelly, Ballina, pleaded guilty to the same offence last week. The three men broke into Mr Niland's home between 6pm and 7pm at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo on January 18th, 2022. They assaulted him, took his wallet and drove to Lough Easkey where they disposed of gloves, the wallet and other items that might link them to the crime. Shortly after 7pm, Mr Niland's neighbours saw him trying to cross the road, unable to see because his eyes were swollen shut. They said he was covered in blood and described him as unrecognisable due to the extent of his injuries. Doctors at Sligo University Hospital discovered bleeding to Mr Niland's brain, a fracture to his right eye socket and multiple rib fractures. Although he showed early signs of progress, he was put on a ventilator in intensive care eight days after the assault and did not recover. He was pronounced dead on September 30th, 2023, aged 75.
BreakingNews.ie
17-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Man accused of unlawful killing of Tom Niland pleads guilty and admits to killing Sligo pensioner
Five days into his trial for the unlawful killing of 73-year-old Tom Niland, who was beaten in his home and left to die by three men, John Irving changed his plea to guilty on Thursday. Irving (31) became the third person to plead guilty to manslaughter over the death of Mr Niland, who suffered brain injuries, a fracture to his eye socket and multiple rib fractures following the assault. He was put on life support but died from his injuries 20 months later. Advertisement His attackers took his wallet containing €800 or €900 and went to Casey's garage in Ballina, Co Mayo, where they paid for petrol and goods in cash. They had left the same garage just hours earlier, unable to pay for diesel, they had already put into their Vauxhall Vivaro van. Francis Harman, the driver of the van, had told the garage owner that he would be back later to pay for the fuel. After Irving, of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty this morning to Mr Niland's unlawful killing, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon discharged the jury which had been hearing evidence in the trial. Advertisement It can now be reported that Francis Harman (58) of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo and John Clarke (37) of Carrowkelly, Ballina, pleaded guilty to the same offence last week. The three men broke into Mr Niland's home between 6pm and 7pm at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo on January 18th, 2022. They assaulted him, took his wallet and drove to Lough Easkey, where they disposed of gloves, the wallet and other items that might link them to the crime. Shortly after 7pm, Mr Niland's neighbours saw him trying to cross the road, unable to see because his eyes were swollen shut. They said he was covered in blood and described him as unrecognisable due to the extent of his injuries. Doctors at Sligo University Hospital discovered bleeding to Mr Niland's brain, a fracture to his right eye socket and multiple rib fractures. Although he showed early signs of progress, he was put on a ventilator in intensive care eight days after the assault and did not recover. He was pronounced dead on September 30th, 2023, aged 75. More to follow...
Irish Times
15-07-2025
- Irish Times
CCTV shows Tom Niland entering shop two hours before men allegedly broke into his home
A jury has viewed CCTV footage of 73-year-old Tom Niland walking into a shop about two hours before three men allegedly broke into his home and assaulted him, leaving him with injuries that caused his death 20 months later. Garda Niall McDonald told the court he created a montage from hours of footage downloaded from various CCTV systems in Sligo and Mayo following the assault on Mr Niland on January 18th, 2022. Garda McDonald described the movements of a white van travelling around Dromore West and Ballina that morning and afternoon. He said the van appeared to be a Vauxhall Vivaro and he noted distinctive characteristics, including a yellow number plate, writing on the side and a green stain on the roof. Just after 1.30pm, a van with those markings pulled into Casey's garage in Ballina. The garda identified the driver as Francis Harman (58), of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo, and the passenger as John Clarke (37), of Carrowkelly, Ballina. READ MORE Tony McGillicuddy, prosecuting, previously told the jury that the prosecution intends to prove that Mr Harman, Mr Clarke and the man on trial, John Irving (31), of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, assaulted Mr Niland later that evening, leaving him with fatal injuries. It is further alleged that they stole Mr Niland's wallet. At Casey's, Garda McDonald said Mr Clarke put fuel into the van before entering the shop. From footage inside the shop, said the garda, Mr Clarke can be seen attempting to buy cans of alcohol at the till, but then returning the cans to the off-licence section of the store. He said Mr Harman entered the shop and engaged with staff and the manager before driving off. At 4.35pm, said Garda McDonald, Mr Niland arrived at Feeney's Centra in Dromore West, about 7.5km from his home. Between 6pm and 7pm, the prosecution alleges, Mr Irving, Mr Harman and Mr Clarke broke through Mr Niland's door, assaulted him and left. Garda McDonald said that at 6.01pm a van similar to the one driven earlier by Mr Harman, with Mr Clarke in the passenger seat, did a U-turn at an agri-store and travelled towards Mr Niland's house. The van was not seen again on cameras further along the same road, said the garda. Mr Irving faces four charges in total. It is alleged that he unlawfully killed Mr Niland by assaulting him at the victim's home at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo, on January 18th, 2022. Mr Niland was admitted to hospital after neighbours discovered him crossing the N59 covered in blood and with his eyes swollen shut. A doctor has told the jury that Mr Niland suffered bleeding to the brain, a fracture to the orb of his right eye and multiple fractures to the ribs on the right side. Despite initially making progress in hospital, he deteriorated on January 26th and required a ventilator to breathe. He died on September 30th, 2023, aged 75. Mr Irving is accused of entering Mr Niland's home as a trespasser and causing him serious harm. He is further alleged to have intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm to Mr Niland and to have falsely imprisoned him. Mr Irving has pleaded not guilty to all four charges.
BreakingNews.ie
15-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Jury views CCTV footage of Tom Niland hours before alleged fatal assault
A jury has viewed CCTV footage showing 73-year-old Tom Niland walking into a shop near his house in Sligo about two hours before it is alleged three men broke into his home and assaulted him, leaving him with injuries that caused his death 20 months later. Gda Niall McDonald told Tony McGillicuddy SC, prosecuting, that he created a montage from hours of footage downloaded from various CCTV systems in Sligo and Mayo following the assault on Mr Niland on January 18th, 2022. Advertisement Gda McDonald described the movements of a white van travelling around Dromore West and Ballina that morning and afternoon. He said the van appeared to be a Vauxhall Vivaro and he pointed out distinctive characteristics, including a yellow number plate, writing on the side and a green stain on the roof. Just after 1.30pm, a van with those markings pulled into Casey's garage in Ballina. The garda identified the driver as Francis Harman (58) of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo, and the passenger as John Clarke (37) of Carrowkelly, Ballina. Advertisement Mr McGillicuddy previously told the jury that the prosecution intends to prove that Mr Harman, Mr Clarke and the man currently on trial, John Irving (31) of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, assaulted Mr Niland later that evening, leaving him with fatal injuries. It is further alleged that they stole Mr Niland's wallet. At Casey's, Gda McDonald said Mr Clarke put fuel into the van before entering the shop. From footage inside the shop, the garda said Mr Clarke can be seen attempting to buy cans of alcohol at the till, but then returning the cans to the off-licence section of the store. He said Mr Harman entered the shop and engaged with staff and the manager before leaving and driving off in the van. At 4.35pm, Gda McDonald said Mr Niland arrived at Feeney's Centra in Dromore West, about 7.5 kilometres from his home. He parked his car and went into the shop, stopping to speak to a man on the way in. Advertisement Between 6pm and 7pm, the prosecution alleges that Mr Irving, Mr Harman and Mr Clarke broke through Mr Niland's door, assaulted him and left. Gda McDonald said at 6.01pm, a van similar to the one driven earlier by Mr Harman with Mr Clarke in the passenger seat did a U-turn at an agri-store and travelled towards Mr Niland's house, which was nearby. The van was not seen again on cameras further along the same road, the garda said. Mr Irving faces four charges in total. It is alleged that he unlawfully killed Mr Niland at Mr Niland's home at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo by assaulting him on January 18th, 2022. Advertisement Mr Niland was admitted to hospital after neighbours discovered him crossing the N59 covered in blood and with his eyes swollen shut. A doctor has told the jury that Mr Niland suffered bleeding to the brain, a fracture to the orb of his right eye and multiple fractures to the ribs on the right side. Despite initially making progress in hospital, he deteriorated on January 26th and required a ventilator to breathe. He died on September 30th, 2023, aged 75. Mr Irving is accused of entering Mr Niland's home as a trespasser and causing him serious harm. He is further alleged to have intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm to Mr Niland and to have falsely imprisoned him. Mr Irving has pleaded not guilty to all four charges.
