Latest news with #JohnGeorge
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Influencer accused of harassing mum of John George murder suspect ignores court
Ash Mac as she goes by on social media – was a leading campaigner in the search for 37-year-old John George. This is the woman accused of harassing the mother of John George murder suspect Jonny Smyth but who has failed to turn up to court. Ashling MacCarthy is listed in court papers alongside the murder victim's father Billy George and his brother Darren – all three are accused of harassing Dawn Smyth. MacCarthy – or Ash Mac as she goes by on social media – was a leading campaigner in the search for 37-year-old John George after he went missing in Spain in the middle of December. John George disappeared in December in the Alicante area. His remains were found in January following extensive appeals from the family and friends who travelled out to search for his body. John George The father of two was shot and his body was left in a rural area in the Alicante region around December 14 but his body wasn't discovered for several weeks. Back in Belfast, Ashling MacCarthy — a mum of two from Dunmurry — started up fundraisers for the George family campaign, including selling £20 T-shirts with pictures of John's face and a GoFundMe page which raised tens of thousands of pounds. She's pictured at protests in Belfast alongside James Burns – a convicted woman beater who was recently released from prison for turning up to hospital with a hammer which he said he had as he feared he would be attacked by Muslims. But MacCarthy has repeatedly accused Dawn Smyth on social media of being involved in covering up the murder of John George — something the Spanish police have completely discounted. Jonny Smyth And despite being fully aware of the proceedings against her, Ashling has failed to attend any of the hearings so far or had legal representation there on her behalf. Earlier this week John's father Billy George was listed to appear at the civil court at Laganside and, as reported here previously, Mr George, along with his other son Darren who's also facing the same allegation, have said they will fight the harassment claims vigorously. All three named defendants are subject to an interim injunction banning them from 'harassing' Dawn Smyth in any way. But the court heard on Tuesday that while the Georges were engaged with the proceedings, Ashling MacCarthy had not engaged in any form despite receiving the necessary court documents. The court was also told about a pipe bomb attack on the home of Dawn Smyth at the end of April. The Sunday World contacted Dawn Smyth once again about the proceedings but she said she did not want to comment. Proof that Ashling MacCarthy is fully aware of the legal case against her is shown by the fact she has posted on social media about it — laughing about it and saying it won't keep her silent. In fact in one post she says she has 'all the time to go to court' but so far has not attended one hearing. Dawn Smyth This week the court heard how Billy George had submitted a replying affidavit to the allegations but more time was needed for his son Darren to file similar. But when the third named defendant was mentioned — Ashling MacCarthy — the court was told they had nothing from her and if she continued to refuse to engage, a final order might be made against her in her absence. She sold T-shirts and helped raise money for the George family but she also relentlessly targeted Dawn Smyth and Jonny's partner Maddison Allen. On social media she repeatedly accused Dawn and Maddison of being involved in covering up the murder of John George without ever showing any evidence to back up her wild claims. Billy George, who campaigned for justice for his son John, is also facing a similar harassment case taken by Carly Allen, the mother of Jonny Smyth's partner Maddison Allen. Speaking in advance of the injunction harassment cases, he said: 'I welcome the chance to meet these groundless allegations head on. They've been taken to try and intimidate me. 'Not only will they fail to do that but it will give me a chance to raise my own concerns. I feel emboldened by this latest attempt to stop me getting justice for my son. 'I really think the people behind this litigation may well rue the day they decided to take me on in court.' His legal representatives KRW Law added: 'He wants to make it clear there is absolutely no basis for what he sees are completely vexatious proceedings. 'He feels strongly that they have been taken as part of a concerted plan to try and stop him seeking the truth about his son's murder.'
CBS News
4 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Blight Busters uplift Detroit with affordable housing in Old Redford
For months, CBS News Detroit has followed the transformation unfolding in Detroit's Old Redford neighborhood — from the first shovel in the ground to the final touches on a major new housing development. Now, that vision is a reality. The Orchard Village Apartments, a brand-new 48-unit affordable housing complex, is officially complete. The project is the latest milestone for Detroit Blight Busters, a grassroots organization that's been revitalizing neighborhoods for nearly four decades. John George, executive director of Blight Busters, has been on the front lines of Detroit's battle against blight since 1988. That year, he and a group of neighbors boarded up a vacant drug house, and the movement began. "We started this work 37 years ago because we didn't want our children growing up and around that negative energy," George said. "To see this kind of development in the neighborhood where we started is very exciting, to say the very least." The project was completed in partnership with CHN Housing Partners — a large-scale affordable housing developer, residential lender and housing service provider that works with its partners to solve major housing challenges for low-income people and underserved communities. According to George, it's not just about structural buildings; it's about building better lives. "It's all about quality of life," he said. "Our children, all children, deserve to grow up in a neighborhood that's safe and clean." Affordable housing remains one of Detroit's most pressing needs. Since 2017, the average rent in Detroit has increased by 55% for single-family homes and 43% for multifamily homes, according to data from the Urban Institute. Developments like Orchard Village help address that gap, offering stability and opportunity for families who need it most. For George, this work is personal. A self-described "Brightmoor baby," he was born on Chapel Street and Fenkell Avenue and remains committed to making Detroit a place where everyone feels at home. "[Detroit is a city of] people putting their petty differences aside," he said. "Creating opportunity, creating spaces and places where all are welcome, and creating a Detroit our children deserve." A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Orchard Village Apartments is June 2nd at 11 a.m. George says everyone is welcome to attend. CBS News Detroit will continue to follow the impact of this project and the people behind it as part of our ongoing "Detroit Proud" series.
Daily Record
24-05-2025
- Daily Record
Horror in Tenerife as decomposing bodies of couple found in holiday rental
A chilling discovery at a Tenerife holiday resort has sparked a major police investigation. Spanish police have launched a major investigation after the decomposing bodies of two young people were discovered in a holiday apartment in Tenerife — with authorities confirming signs of a violent end. The grim find was made on Friday afternoon at the Caledonia Park complex in Costa Adeje, a popular resort area in the island's south. Officers were alerted after tourists raised the alarm over a foul smell coming from one of the flats, reports the Mirror. When police entered the property, they found the two victims — believed to be a couple — in an advanced state of decomposition and unrecognisable due to the condition of their bodies. Investigators suspect the pair were foreign nationals, but their identities have not yet been officially confirmed. The Judicial Police Brigade of South Tenerife is now leading the probe, with forensic teams working to determine what happened and identify the victims. The bodies have been transferred to the Institute of Legal Medicine of Santa Cruz for examination. Initial evidence has led officers to suspect a violent incident took place inside the apartment. Local reports suggest the flat was booked by a young Italian man, who had travelled to Tenerife intending to spend the season with a female companion — although the nationalities of the deceased have not yet been verified. Police have not made any arrests and have yet to establish a motive. The entire area has been cordoned off as forensics continue to scour the scene. The horror discovery has shocked locals and holidaymakers alike, with concerns growing over the circumstances surrounding the deaths. This tragedy comes just weeks after the body of an unidentified man was found washed up on the beach of another Spanish holiday hotspot. And in a separate chilling case, a Northern Irish man, John George — also known as John Hardy — was discovered murdered in Costa Blanca after vanishing earlier this year. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The 45-year-old dad-of-two, who had been reported missing after failing to board a flight home to Belfast, was found under trees on private land near Rojales. His body was badly decomposed, bearing stab wounds, and he had been shot in the face. The solicitor representing his family, Kevin Winters, said John's father, Bill George, received a call from Spanish detectives confirming the harrowing discovery. 'The family are both distressed and relieved,' Winters said. 'It brings to an end an extremely tortuous search process.' As investigations continue into all three cases, grieving families remain desperate for answers.
ITV News
25-04-2025
- ITV News
Father of murdered John George says Spanish police footage ‘brings it all back'
The father of murder victim John George says footage released by Spanish police of the scene where his son's body was dumped has brought the trauma of what happened to his son all back. Initially critical of the investigation, he has now changed his mind after seeing what really went on behind the scenes while his family were out there carrying out their own search. "Seeing that footage of the hedges, knowing that your son was lying in that dirt, like a dog - it's heartbreaking," Billy George told UTV. "Not just for me, for his mother and sisters and brother, and for the whole family, to know that your loved one is lying in dirt for near two and a half weeks." It's been officially confirmed by the Spanish that John George was shot dead on December 14th, just hours after he last spoke to his father on the phone. Billy George continued: "Last conversation I had with John, he was enjoying himself. He thought it was great. "And his last words, I said to him, when are you coming home? He says, Wednesday. I said, you know what, I'll get a flight home today, and he went, don't rain on my parade. Let me enjoy myself. And that was it. You go to bed that night, I think they're out enjoying themselves. Little did you know he's lying on a ditch." There are two main suspects in this case, one Czech national who's on bail, the other from Belfast - Jonny Smyth, who was extradited from Portugal to Spain for questioning over the murder and remains in custody. Billy George initially questioned the Spanish investigation, but this footage has made him think again. He said: "We thought the Spanish police were doing nothing, they didn't care, it was frustrating. They were working behind the scenes., they were doing a great job. "But it brings it back. It's never going to go away."
Belfast Telegraph
24-04-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Watch: Spanish police conduct searches in John George murder probe
Spanish police have released new video of property searches they conducted as part of their investigation into the murder of Belfast man John George and footage from the spot in an orchard where his body was found.
