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Extra.ie
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Matt Carthy: 'Terrifying incidents like this are why our bail laws need an overhaul'
The shooting at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow raises serious questions about the operation of our bail laws. The fact that the person who carried out the shooting at the shopping centre on Sunday was on bail at the time, having been charged with offences associated with purchasing an assault rifle on the dark web, raises many questions. This weapon was seized along with a handgun and multiple types of ammunition, and he was arrested by specialist gardaí from the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, who were assisted by armed officers from the Emergency Response Unit. Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin spokesperson on justice, home affairs and migration. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire This tells us just how serious a matter this was. The problem is that it is not an isolated incident. While many crimes committed by those on bail will involve issues such as public order offences, there have been a number of very serious crimes committed over recent months and years by those on bail. Since my appointment as Sinn Féin spokesperson on justice, home affairs and migration, I have repeatedly questioned Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan in relation to the operation of the bail laws. It was through the case of Shane O'Farrell, Zigimantas Gridziuska committed hundreds of bail violations before killing the young man in a hit-and-run, that I became particularly familiar with the flaws in how our bail laws operate. I welcome the fact that the Minister for Justice, as part of the apology to the O'Farrell family last week, announced that he would appoint a senior counsel to examine the conditions under which a repeated offender can be granted bail while awaiting trial. Like myself, many people will find it hard to understand how some people can repeatedly offend while on bail and remain at large, or how dangerous criminals can be released on bail. How does this happen when the Bail Act 1997 (as amended) provides for the refusal of bail in particular circumstances, while An Garda Síochána can also object to bail being granted? Pic: Alan Rowlette/ Existing laws need to be examined to ensure that they are being appropriately enforced where there is a risk of someone committing further crimes while on bail. However, I believe the problems are wider than what the minister is proposing to look at in the review, which he has announced. The problems in terms of the level of crime being committed by those on bail cannot be separated from a wider range of problems within the criminal justice system. Our jails are seriously overcrowded because we are doing such a bad job at cutting reoffending rates, particularly among young offenders. Some 60% of young adults under the age of 21 released from custody in 2020 reoffended within a year. That is simply not good enough and needs to be addressed. We don't have enough gardaí to police our streets or ensure that offenders are abiding by the conditions of bail. Our court system is plagued by unacceptable delays, meaning that people who would otherwise be behind bars remain on bail for longer due to the time it takes for cases to come to court. The result of all of this is that the number of crimes being committed by those on bail is extremely high. In March, I received a reply to a parliamentary question to the Minister for Justice that revealed that 40,348 crimes committed in 2024 were committed by those on bail. Several weeks ago, I received further details regarding a number of very serious crimes committed by those on bail, including sexual assaults, robberies, possession of offensive weapons and possession of firearms. Those figures showed that from 2022 to 2024, 64 crimes involving the possession of firearms were committed by those on bail. In the same period, 2,312 crimes involving possession of an offensive weapon were committed by those on bail, while 49 sexual assaults were committed by people on bail in that period. The Minister for Justice must examine whether the provisions within the Bail Acts dealing with and pre-empting breaches of bail are being properly enforced. D O the Gardaí have the numbers and resources to enforce the bail laws as they stand? Or is part of the problem here that An Garda Síochána is understaffed and over-stretched? All of this needs to be looked at. Our laws must ensure that the most dangerous criminals are behind bars. We are extremely lucky that no one else was seriously injured or killed in Sunday's incident, which has shocked the community in Carlow. Now it is time to review not just the conditions under which a repeat offender can be granted bail while awaiting trial, but how our bail laws as a whole operate and how conditions of bail are actually being enforced. The Minister for Justice must also urgently tackle the delays in our court system, which are allowing dangerous criminals to remain at large.
The Irish Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
RTE staff want filming of newsroom ad campaign paused over accuracy concerns as ‘unanimous' vote on stoppage passed
RTE staff want the filming of an advert campaign paused over concerns around the accuracy of how it portrays their work environment. Filming for the ad took place over a few weeks earlier this month. While some well-known faces from the broadcaster have been included, actors have been hired to appear as journalists in the background - a move unpopular with current staffers. A source told The Irish Sun today that the NUJ wants the ad put on hold until they are satisfied that it "more accurately reflects the staff and the place they work in". It's understood there was a "unanimous" vote in favour of backing this stance at a meeting earlier on Monday. Read more in News According to at the weekend, staffers were reportedly "livid" and "hopping mad" over the filming of the advert, especially as new plants were introduced to spruce up the newsroom that were then removed after filming ended. There have also been complaints in the past over the cleanliness of the RTE offices and canteen in Donnybrook, south A source told "RTE management likes to preach to the audience that 'the truth matters' but stunts like these are blatantly fake news and undermine us all. "There is a reason Boots is a more trusted organisation than RTE right now." Most read in Irish News RTE has been contacted for comment. It comes after SIPTU members last week opposed the outsourcing by RTE of Christian worship content production, including broadcasts of Mass, to the independent sector. 'DEEPLY CONCERNED' It's part of a plan by RTE to redeploy staff working on religious programmes, with no changes to the current service to viewers. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Robbie Purfield, said: 'The decision to commission all Christian worship content from the independent sector means work currently performed by SIPTU members will be effectively outsourced. 'SIPTU is deeply concerned at this decision and is seeking an urgent meeting with RTE management to ascertain what effect this will have on our members who currently work on producing this content. "We believe that as a public service broadcaster the production of such content should remain in-house and should not be the subject of commercial concerns. "RTE management must reverse this decision which is a further erosion of its public service role and will be strongly opposed by SIPTU members." 1 RTE staff want the filming of an advert campaign paused Credit: Liam McBurney/PA
South Wales Argus
26-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
University facing staff strikes over hundreds of threatened job cuts
University and College Union (UCU) members at the University of Dundee (UoD) will begin another five days of strikes starting on Monday 26 May, ending on Friday 30 May. The strikes come in response to the university's decision to cut 700 jobs and are the latest in a string of industrial action at the university, with another 15 days of strikes having taken place in February and March. Initially, following advice from the Scottish Government, the employer announced a reduced figure of 300 job loses via a voluntary redundancy scheme, but the union said on Monday morning the UoD is refusing to rule out compulsory redundancies. The union also says the university is carrying out redundancy consultations in its Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) and the Educational Assistive Technology Team (EduAT) departments. The union said that members were shocked that staff were still facing compulsory redundancy in both the LRCFS and EduAT. UCU added the EduAT team has proved integral in the education of disabled students in the UK and overseas. The union said that Assistive Technology plays a vital role in enabling learners with additional educational needs to achieve their academic goals. A spokesperson for the Dundee UCU branch said: 'The announcement at the end of April that, instead of up to 700 jobs being cut, the University is looking to lose 300 staff via a voluntary severance scheme was welcome. Jo Grady, general secretary of UCU, speaking at a previous union event (Liam McBurney/PA) 'However, the threat of compulsory redundancies is still looming over staff once a voluntary severance scheme closes, and there are staff at the university that are currently facing redundancy in the Leverhulme centre and EduAT. 'We call on the employer to abide by the Scottish Government's call to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies, and to commit to making any savings through voluntary methods. 'The employer is pushing ahead with redundancies, and given that jobs are on the line our members felt they had no choice but to embark upon further industrial action. 'That's why members will be taking strike action for five days. UCU wants to work for a sustainable future for the university, for students, staff and the city of Dundee, but our members must take a stand against compulsory redundancies.' Jo Grady, UCU general secretary, called upon the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council (SFC) to step in. She said: 'Some seven months after first announcing that management failures had led to an unforeseen deficit, the fact that staff are still facing an uncertain future with management still unwilling to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies shows the ongoing crisis in the university's leadership and governance. 'The intervention of Scottish Government and the SFC is welcome and essential, but as well as dealing with the immediate crisis at Dundee, we also need to see wholescale revision of governance arrangements at universities to ensure this never happens again.' The Scottish Government said it is working alongside the SFC to develop an alternative route. A spokesperson said: 'Ministers appreciate this remains a deeply anxious time for staff at Dundee University. 'Whilst universities are autonomous institutions, we continue to encourage Dundee's management to protect jobs and engage fully with staff, students and trade unions. 'The Scottish Government has provided £25 million to the SFC to support universities like Dundee facing immediate financial challenges. Work is also continuing with the Scottish Funding Council on the further development of an alternative Financial Recovery Plan. 'It is vital that students are supported at this time and that any potential impact of industrial action is managed carefully to avoid disruption to their studies.' A UoD spokesperson said: 'This action from UCU is extremely disappointing, particularly in the context of recent progress towards a revised recovery plan and the timing of a strike when we are in a critical period of the academic year for our students. 'We believe we have robust contingency plans in place to mitigate the impact of strike action as far as we possibly can, particularly for confirming marks and degree classifications for our students. 'Most marking of exams is complete and we expect Exam Boards to meet and confirm results over the coming weeks.' The Scottish Funding Council were approached for comment.
Western Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
University facing staff strikes over hundreds of threatened job cuts
University and College Union (UCU) members at the University of Dundee (UoD) will begin another five days of strikes starting on Monday 26 May, ending on Friday 30 May. The strikes come in response to the university's decision to cut 700 jobs and are the latest in a string of industrial action at the university, with another 15 days of strikes having taken place in February and March. Initially, following advice from the Scottish Government, the employer announced a reduced figure of 300 job loses via a voluntary redundancy scheme, but the union said on Monday morning the UoD is refusing to rule out compulsory redundancies. The union also says the university is carrying out redundancy consultations in its Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) and the Educational Assistive Technology Team (EduAT) departments. The union said that members were shocked that staff were still facing compulsory redundancy in both the LRCFS and EduAT. UCU added the EduAT team has proved integral in the education of disabled students in the UK and overseas. The union said that Assistive Technology plays a vital role in enabling learners with additional educational needs to achieve their academic goals. A spokesperson for the Dundee UCU branch said: 'The announcement at the end of April that, instead of up to 700 jobs being cut, the University is looking to lose 300 staff via a voluntary severance scheme was welcome. Jo Grady, general secretary of UCU, speaking at a previous union event (Liam McBurney/PA) 'However, the threat of compulsory redundancies is still looming over staff once a voluntary severance scheme closes, and there are staff at the university that are currently facing redundancy in the Leverhulme centre and EduAT. 'We call on the employer to abide by the Scottish Government's call to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies, and to commit to making any savings through voluntary methods. 'The employer is pushing ahead with redundancies, and given that jobs are on the line our members felt they had no choice but to embark upon further industrial action. 'That's why members will be taking strike action for five days. UCU wants to work for a sustainable future for the university, for students, staff and the city of Dundee, but our members must take a stand against compulsory redundancies.' Jo Grady, UCU general secretary, called upon the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council (SFC) to step in. She said: 'Some seven months after first announcing that management failures had led to an unforeseen deficit, the fact that staff are still facing an uncertain future with management still unwilling to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies shows the ongoing crisis in the university's leadership and governance. 'The intervention of Scottish Government and the SFC is welcome and essential, but as well as dealing with the immediate crisis at Dundee, we also need to see wholescale revision of governance arrangements at universities to ensure this never happens again.' The Scottish Government said it is working alongside the SFC to develop an alternative route. A spokesperson said: 'Ministers appreciate this remains a deeply anxious time for staff at Dundee University. 'Whilst universities are autonomous institutions, we continue to encourage Dundee's management to protect jobs and engage fully with staff, students and trade unions. 'The Scottish Government has provided £25 million to the SFC to support universities like Dundee facing immediate financial challenges. Work is also continuing with the Scottish Funding Council on the further development of an alternative Financial Recovery Plan. 'It is vital that students are supported at this time and that any potential impact of industrial action is managed carefully to avoid disruption to their studies.' A UoD spokesperson said: 'This action from UCU is extremely disappointing, particularly in the context of recent progress towards a revised recovery plan and the timing of a strike when we are in a critical period of the academic year for our students. 'We believe we have robust contingency plans in place to mitigate the impact of strike action as far as we possibly can, particularly for confirming marks and degree classifications for our students. 'Most marking of exams is complete and we expect Exam Boards to meet and confirm results over the coming weeks.' The Scottish Funding Council were approached for comment.
Glasgow Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Sinn Fein urged to reflect on role played by Provisional IRA during Troubles
It came during a meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board on Thursday which focused on issues faced by police in their role dealing with legacy. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher outlined his concerns around the costs in terms of financial and staffing resources, but also reputational damage because they had not been funded sufficiently to deal with legacy. Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher was speaking during a Northern Ireland Policing Board meeting (Liam McBurney/PA) He urged more resources as well as a focus on victims, and that an approach to dealing with the past be agreed. Dealing with the past was not included in the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, and subsequent deals, including the Stormont House accord in 2014, were not progressed. Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly responded to Mr Boutcher, hailing what he said seemed to be a 'new philosophy of approach' and potentially a 'watershed moment'. 'I have sat in front of many chief constables and you're the first chief constable who has said we need to change this in a radical way,' he said. Mr Kelly also said that while 'nothing is perfect', the Stormont House Agreement saw most of the parties and the British and Irish governments in agreement. He blamed the UK for 'pulling out' of that agreement. But DUP MLA Trevor Clarke said many in the unionist community felt 'they were let down particularly by Sinn Fein and others', and in reference to the party's historic relationship with the Provisional IRA, said they were 'the biggest cause of victims in Northern Ireland'. DUP MLA Trevor Clarke said many in the unionist community felt 'they were let down particularly by Sinn Fein' (Liam McBurney/PA) 'It seems ironic listening to Gerry speak at the minute that there is no reflection on what part Sinn Fein and the IRA played during the Troubles,' he said. 'I know it's not Stormont, it's not a political debating chamber but I think it has to be said that if everyone is to be honest and everyone wants to be honest, then everyone should be honest and should all come to the table honest in terms of the parts that they played during the Troubles, as opposed to working on the small numbers that the security forces were involved in. 'I certainly want to put on record our party's concerns around the process, sympathies with police in how they deal with it, but there is a section of the community will never be satisfied unless the victim makers stand in the courts and actually own up to their part as well.'
