Latest news with #Keaveny
Hospitality Net
5 days ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
James Keaveny has been appointed Director of Sales at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas
Keaveny brings over two decades of hospitality experience to his new position as director of sales. Since beginning his career with posts at several Hyatt properties in San Francisco and Dallas, he brings extensive experience in strategic development from properties across the west coast and southwest region of the U.S. His most recent position was the Senior Director of Group & Leisure Sales at The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, California where he oversaw both group and extended stay revenue opportunities. Keaveny is eager to build and lead the greater sales team through his strategic action plan to continue positioning the property as a top-tier destination. His experience in group, leisure and business travel in both luxury and full-service properties has led to proven success within various markets. The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas recently underwent a $55 million renovation, transforming the property into a luxurious, modern Texas resort. Perfectly situated in the peaceful Las Colinas area, the 400-acre property features 427 guest rooms, suites and villas, a brand-new world-class spa & salon, as well as 80,000 square-feet of indoor and outdoor event space.
The Journal
01-05-2025
- The Journal
Drones dropping 'unprecedented level' of contraband to prisons (even one cell window delivery)
Muiris O'Cearbhaill reports from Galway UP TO €5M worth of contraband has been smuggled into Irish prisons so far this year, according to the Prison Officers Association. One alleged incident included a drone being flown near a cell window and the delivery being hooked into the building by someone inside, the association said. The parcels – usually filled with drugs, sim cards, phones or weapons – have estimated values of between thousands and tens of thousands of euro. Deputy General Secretary of the Irish Prison Officers' Association Gabriel Keaveny said there has been more than 100 confirmed sightings of drones delivering contraband into Irish prisons since the start of the year. A large quantity of illegal drugs and two mobile phones recently seized by prison officers. POA POA 'Because of there's so many mobile phones in the prisons, [people] are sending drones to a particular set of coordinates – exactly to the cell window if it's needed – and it's pulled in on a hook,' Keaveny said. Depending on the contents of the parcels, they can reach up to €50,000 in value. A large number of pills and other drugs which made their way into Irish prisons. POA POA It is understood that the event where a delivery was hooked into a cell from a window was an isolated incident. Advertisement A spokesperson for the service previously said that officers have also increased cell searches in response. The Department of Justice and the Irish Prison Service has installed new metal netting at prisons where drones are a particular issue. Keaveny said he believed that some drone operators have attempted to get around this by dropping deliveries into the prison's ventilation system. He said investments need to be made in technology to stop drones from breaching the perimeter walls of Irish facilities. Small bottles of alcohol have been smuggled into prisons in recent years. POA POA Knives and other weapons have been found in prisons and officers worry that firearms may be next. POA POA Officers were fearful guns could be delivered by drones, he said. At the Prison Officers' Association's Annual Conference in Galway today, justice minister Jim O'Callaghan was shown images of the contents of some of the deliveries. The images show vast amounts of pills, cannabis, mobile phones, knives, alcohol and other illicit substances. The Journal has previously reported that large numbers of drug deliveries are a 'significant issue' in Irish prisons . Drugs and smartphones which have been smuggled into Irish prisons. POA POA The Prison Officers' Association has expressed concern over the risk that its members are in when retrieving and intercepting the deliveries. General Secretary Karl Dalton said the level of contraband arriving into prisons is 'unprecedented' because of the use of drones. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
