Latest news with #Linehan
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- General
- The Advertiser
'Sad but grateful': Sisters of St Joseph bid goodbye to last Hunter convent
In a building made for a small community, Sister Brigid Linehan lived all alone. Settling into the new Charlestown convent in 1969, she lived with six others from the Sisters of St Joseph Lochinvar. More than 50 years on, the rooms are quiet, and Ms Linehan felt it was time to move on. "There's a bit of grieving, but I grieve with gratitude," she said. After 98 years in the Charlestown Catholic parish, the Sisters have decided to close their nearby convent on Saturday, August 9. It was their last remaining convent in the Hunter, leader Patricia McCarthy said. She believed that it was most likely the last religious living parish convent in the region, across other groups of sisters as well. "We just don't have any sisters to live there, we are an ageing congregation," Ms McCarthy said. The Lochinvar Josephites' numbers have dwindled since their establishment in 1883, with only 50 sisters left, 14 of whom are in care, Ms McCarthy said. The group had looked after 50 parish primary schools and ten secondary schools throughout the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and beyond. The sisters made a choice many years ago that they would no longer accept anybody else into their congregation. "It just wasn't fair to do that to younger people," she said. "It's sad, but we're grateful for what we've been able to do, grateful for the wonderful friendships with people in Charlestown for about 100 years." A spokesperson for the Catholic Parish of MacKillop, which oversees the Charlestown church and convent, said they had not decided what to with the empty building or land yet. The Charlestown parish and the affiliated St Joseph's Primary School were established in 1927, with a weatherboard convent built next door. Ms Linehan joined the Sisters when she was 18 years old, more than 60 years ago. "I've had a couple of stints at the Charlestown convent. I first came here in 1969 when we were in the schools," she said. At the time, the newly erected convent seemed "state of the art", she said. "Our lives were structured, we had time for prayer, we all taught in the schools that taught music, we lived a community life," she said. "It was simple." After travelling to other parishes such as Cessnock, Wingham and Krambach, Ms Lineham returned to Charlestown in 2015. But life had changed. When she first moved in, there was six sisters living there. A decade ago, only two were left. For the past two or three years, it has been only her. "I think this is just what's happening to us at the moment, all the other convents have closed down and the sisters have moved out," she said. "We had a good bond together, we supported one another, and we were very much a part of the people." In her recent time with the Catholic Parish of MacKillop in Charlestown, Ms Linehan helped in community support groups, attended liturgy meetings and took holy communion to the sick. Similar to other Lochinvar Josphites, Ms Linehan had moved out of the convent into a unit in Mayfield, owned by the group. She was now living next to a number of other sisters in the same block. "I think as we're getting older, I think the emphasis now is more on the care of one another," she said. In a building made for a small community, Sister Brigid Linehan lived all alone. Settling into the new Charlestown convent in 1969, she lived with six others from the Sisters of St Joseph Lochinvar. More than 50 years on, the rooms are quiet, and Ms Linehan felt it was time to move on. "There's a bit of grieving, but I grieve with gratitude," she said. After 98 years in the Charlestown Catholic parish, the Sisters have decided to close their nearby convent on Saturday, August 9. It was their last remaining convent in the Hunter, leader Patricia McCarthy said. She believed that it was most likely the last religious living parish convent in the region, across other groups of sisters as well. "We just don't have any sisters to live there, we are an ageing congregation," Ms McCarthy said. The Lochinvar Josephites' numbers have dwindled since their establishment in 1883, with only 50 sisters left, 14 of whom are in care, Ms McCarthy said. The group had looked after 50 parish primary schools and ten secondary schools throughout the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and beyond. The sisters made a choice many years ago that they would no longer accept anybody else into their congregation. "It just wasn't fair to do that to younger people," she said. "It's sad, but we're grateful for what we've been able to do, grateful for the wonderful friendships with people in Charlestown for about 100 years." A spokesperson for the Catholic Parish of MacKillop, which oversees the Charlestown church and convent, said they had not decided what to with the empty building or land yet. The Charlestown parish and the affiliated St Joseph's Primary School were established in 1927, with a weatherboard convent built next door. Ms Linehan joined the Sisters when she was 18 years old, more than 60 years ago. "I've had a couple of stints at the Charlestown convent. I first came here in 1969 when we were in the schools," she said. At the time, the newly erected convent seemed "state of the art", she said. "Our lives were structured, we had time for prayer, we all taught in the schools that taught music, we lived a community life," she said. "It was simple." After travelling to other parishes such as Cessnock, Wingham and Krambach, Ms Lineham returned to Charlestown in 2015. But life had changed. When she first moved in, there was six sisters living there. A decade ago, only two were left. For the past two or three years, it has been only her. "I think this is just what's happening to us at the moment, all the other convents have closed down and the sisters have moved out," she said. "We had a good bond together, we supported one another, and we were very much a part of the people." In her recent time with the Catholic Parish of MacKillop in Charlestown, Ms Linehan helped in community support groups, attended liturgy meetings and took holy communion to the sick. Similar to other Lochinvar Josphites, Ms Linehan had moved out of the convent into a unit in Mayfield, owned by the group. She was now living next to a number of other sisters in the same block. "I think as we're getting older, I think the emphasis now is more on the care of one another," she said. In a building made for a small community, Sister Brigid Linehan lived all alone. Settling into the new Charlestown convent in 1969, she lived with six others from the Sisters of St Joseph Lochinvar. More than 50 years on, the rooms are quiet, and Ms Linehan felt it was time to move on. "There's a bit of grieving, but I grieve with gratitude," she said. After 98 years in the Charlestown Catholic parish, the Sisters have decided to close their nearby convent on Saturday, August 9. It was their last remaining convent in the Hunter, leader Patricia McCarthy said. She believed that it was most likely the last religious living parish convent in the region, across other groups of sisters as well. "We just don't have any sisters to live there, we are an ageing congregation," Ms McCarthy said. The Lochinvar Josephites' numbers have dwindled since their establishment in 1883, with only 50 sisters left, 14 of whom are in care, Ms McCarthy said. The group had looked after 50 parish primary schools and ten secondary schools throughout the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and beyond. The sisters made a choice many years ago that they would no longer accept anybody else into their congregation. "It just wasn't fair to do that to younger people," she said. "It's sad, but we're grateful for what we've been able to do, grateful for the wonderful friendships with people in Charlestown for about 100 years." A spokesperson for the Catholic Parish of MacKillop, which oversees the Charlestown church and convent, said they had not decided what to with the empty building or land yet. The Charlestown parish and the affiliated St Joseph's Primary School were established in 1927, with a weatherboard convent built next door. Ms Linehan joined the Sisters when she was 18 years old, more than 60 years ago. "I've had a couple of stints at the Charlestown convent. I first came here in 1969 when we were in the schools," she said. At the time, the newly erected convent seemed "state of the art", she said. "Our lives were structured, we had time for prayer, we all taught in the schools that taught music, we lived a community life," she said. "It was simple." After travelling to other parishes such as Cessnock, Wingham and Krambach, Ms Lineham returned to Charlestown in 2015. But life had changed. When she first moved in, there was six sisters living there. A decade ago, only two were left. For the past two or three years, it has been only her. "I think this is just what's happening to us at the moment, all the other convents have closed down and the sisters have moved out," she said. "We had a good bond together, we supported one another, and we were very much a part of the people." In her recent time with the Catholic Parish of MacKillop in Charlestown, Ms Linehan helped in community support groups, attended liturgy meetings and took holy communion to the sick. Similar to other Lochinvar Josphites, Ms Linehan had moved out of the convent into a unit in Mayfield, owned by the group. She was now living next to a number of other sisters in the same block. "I think as we're getting older, I think the emphasis now is more on the care of one another," she said. In a building made for a small community, Sister Brigid Linehan lived all alone. Settling into the new Charlestown convent in 1969, she lived with six others from the Sisters of St Joseph Lochinvar. More than 50 years on, the rooms are quiet, and Ms Linehan felt it was time to move on. "There's a bit of grieving, but I grieve with gratitude," she said. After 98 years in the Charlestown Catholic parish, the Sisters have decided to close their nearby convent on Saturday, August 9. It was their last remaining convent in the Hunter, leader Patricia McCarthy said. She believed that it was most likely the last religious living parish convent in the region, across other groups of sisters as well. "We just don't have any sisters to live there, we are an ageing congregation," Ms McCarthy said. The Lochinvar Josephites' numbers have dwindled since their establishment in 1883, with only 50 sisters left, 14 of whom are in care, Ms McCarthy said. The group had looked after 50 parish primary schools and ten secondary schools throughout the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and beyond. The sisters made a choice many years ago that they would no longer accept anybody else into their congregation. "It just wasn't fair to do that to younger people," she said. "It's sad, but we're grateful for what we've been able to do, grateful for the wonderful friendships with people in Charlestown for about 100 years." A spokesperson for the Catholic Parish of MacKillop, which oversees the Charlestown church and convent, said they had not decided what to with the empty building or land yet. The Charlestown parish and the affiliated St Joseph's Primary School were established in 1927, with a weatherboard convent built next door. Ms Linehan joined the Sisters when she was 18 years old, more than 60 years ago. "I've had a couple of stints at the Charlestown convent. I first came here in 1969 when we were in the schools," she said. At the time, the newly erected convent seemed "state of the art", she said. "Our lives were structured, we had time for prayer, we all taught in the schools that taught music, we lived a community life," she said. "It was simple." After travelling to other parishes such as Cessnock, Wingham and Krambach, Ms Lineham returned to Charlestown in 2015. But life had changed. When she first moved in, there was six sisters living there. A decade ago, only two were left. For the past two or three years, it has been only her. "I think this is just what's happening to us at the moment, all the other convents have closed down and the sisters have moved out," she said. "We had a good bond together, we supported one another, and we were very much a part of the people." In her recent time with the Catholic Parish of MacKillop in Charlestown, Ms Linehan helped in community support groups, attended liturgy meetings and took holy communion to the sick. Similar to other Lochinvar Josphites, Ms Linehan had moved out of the convent into a unit in Mayfield, owned by the group. She was now living next to a number of other sisters in the same block. "I think as we're getting older, I think the emphasis now is more on the care of one another," she said.
Business Journals
30-07-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Smithsonian exec Stephanie Brinley to lead Zoo New England
From the Boston Business Journal. Zoo New England has found its next president and CEO. Stephanie Brinley, the current deputy director of Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, will take on the new role in September, the zoo said Tuesday. She will oversee Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Stone Zoo in Stoneham. UNLOCK EVERY ARTICLE Get Started For Only $9 GAIN ACCESS TO EVERY LOCAL INSIGHT, LEAD AND MORE! Become A Member 'I am truly honored and excited to be selected as the next President and CEO of Zoo New England,' Brinley said in a statement. 'I'm inspired by the incredible work already underway to connect visitors with wildlife, sparking curiosity, joy and a lifelong respect for nature.' As Zoo New England's chief executive, Brinley will oversee the completion and opening of the African Experience at Franklin Park Zoo next spring, according to the organization. She will also plan for future capital projects, lead the implementation of its new strategic plan, and ensure that the organization's activities align with its mission of conservation. Last July, the organization announced the retirement of longtime president and CEO John Linehan, who worked at the organization for more than four decades and served as president and CEO for 23 years. Linehan remained in his role while Zoo New England's board of directors conducted a nearly year-long search, according to the organization, which led them to Brinley. Linehan will continue to work with the organization during the leadership transition. 'I look forward to building on this foundation established by John and the team,' Brinley said, 'supporting the staff, deepening community partnerships and creating even more memorable experiences across our Zoos. Prior to taking on her role at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Brinley served as the assistant director for business operations and technology at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. She is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, and she served in the Air Force for 12 years. 'Her passion for science and conservation, as well as her data-driven, pragmatic approach to leadership, makes her the right person to chart the organization's future,' said Colin Van Dyke, chair of the Zoo New England board of directors.
The Journal
27-06-2025
- The Journal
Pensioner having sexualised conversations with young girls caught by sting operation
A 70-YEAR-OLD man was caught in a sting operation after he had sexualised conversations with parties he believed were 11-12 year old girls, a court has heard. Patrick (Pat) Linehan, previously of Comeragh Park, the Glen, Cork last month pleaded guilty to using technology to interact with children for the purpose of sexual exploitation. He also admitted arranging to meet a child for the purpose of sexual assault. Dt Garda Brendan Murray told Cork Circuit Criminal Court that on 8 July, 2023 gardaí were made aware of an incident at Comeragh Park on the northside of Cork city. 'On attending this address, they met with the accused, who was in the company of a number of people who purported to be members of an organisation called Child Online Protection Enforcers. 'A member of this group handed gardaí two USB storage devices which, he stated, contained sexualised conversations between the accused and two female children aged 11 and 12 years.' Dt Garda Murray was informed that these girls did not exist. He stated that instead their profiles were generated and controlled by adults posing as children. Dt Garda Murray told Judge Helen Boyle that when Mr Linehan was interviewed he admitted he had been in contact with two girls. He said that Mr Linehan acknowledged that he was aware that girls were 11 and 12 years of age. 'He (Linehan) later stated he thought the 12 year old was 15 or 16 as (he said) she sounded older from the texts. 'He acknowledged he had sent her images and videos, but stated they were not obscene. He also stated that she had asked to meet with him a few times, but he had never met up with her.' Advertisement Dt Garda Murray said that Mr Linehan described the communications with what he though to be an 11 year old girl as 'harmless fun.' The court heard that gardaí analysed profiles of Facebook and WhatsApp message between Mr Linehan and the decoy profiles of 11 and 12-year-old girls. Dt Garda Murray said that the profile pictures on Facebook and WhatsApp were of young female children who could not be mistaken to be adults. 'In the initial conversations with each of the profiles, Pat Linehan is informed he is communicating with children, and their ages are discussed on a number of occasions throughout the message threads. 'Pat Linehan initially states to both children he is 13 years old, but later, after sending selfie type photos of himself, is challenged and admits he is older, stating he was 62. He was 68 at the time. Dt Garda Murray gave evidence to the effect that Mr Linehan sexualised the conversations very early in the communications with both profiles and described in graphic detail sexual acts he would like to perform on the young girl. 'He asks if they would perform sexual acts on him, to which they reply, questioning if they're allowed to do that, given their ages. Pat Linehan suggests nobody would know, that it would be a secret. He sent images of his penis to both girls, and he sent videos of a sexual nature to the profile of the 11-year-old girl. 'The message thread to both girls, began on 19 June 2023 and continued for a number of weeks, concluding on 8 July.' Defence counsel Ronan Barnes, BL, indicated that his client worked for Cork County Council for over thirty years. He added that he had 'an exemplary work record.' Sentencing will be finalised on 1 July. Mr Linehan remains in custody pending the court hearing next week.
Irish Daily Mirror
27-06-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man, 70, caught in sting op having X-rated chats with 'fake' girls aged 11 & 12
A 70-year-old man was caught in a sting operation after he had sexualised conversations with parties he believed were 11 and 12-year-old girls, a court has heard. Patrick (Pat) Linehan, previously of Comeragh Park, the Glen, Cork, last month pleaded guilty to using technology to interact with children for the purpose of sexual exploitation. He also admitted arranging to meet a child for the purpose of sexual assault. Detective Garda Brendan Murray told Cork Circuit Criminal Court that on July 8, 2023, Gardaí were made aware of an incident at Comeragh Park on the northside of Cork city. 'On attending this address, they met with the accused, who was in the company of a number of people who purported to be members of an organisation called Child Online Protection Enforcers. 'A member of this group handed Gardaí two USB storage devices which, he stated, contained sexualised conversations between the accused and two female children aged 11 and 12 years.' Detective Garda Murray was informed that these girls did not exist. He stated that, instead, their profiles were generated by and controlled by adults posing as children. Detective Garda Murray told Judge Helen Boyle that when Mr Linehan was interviewed, he admitted he had been in contact with two girls. He said that Mr Linehan acknowledged that he was aware that the girls were 11 and 12 years of age. 'He (Linehan) later stated he thought the 12-year-old was 15 or 16 as (he said) she sounded older from the texts. 'He acknowledged he had sent her images and videos, but stated they were not obscene. He also stated that she had asked to meet with him a few times, but he had never met up with her.' Detective Garda Murray said that Mr Linehan described the communications with what he thought to be an 11-year-old girl as 'harmless fun'. The court heard that Gardaí analysed profiles of Facebook and WhatsApp messages between Mr Linehan and the decoy profiles of 11 and 12-year-old females. Detective Garda Murray said that the profile pictures on Facebook and WhatsApp were of young female children who could not be mistaken to be adults. 'In the initial conversations with each of the profiles, Pat Linehan is informed he is communicating with children, and their ages are discussed on a number of occasions throughout the message threads. 'Pat Linehan initially states to both children he is 13 years old, but later, after sending selfie-type photos of himself, is challenged and admits he is older, stating he was 62 (he was 68 at the time). Detective Garda Murray gave evidence to the effect that Mr Linehan sexualised the conversations very early in the communications with both profiles and described, in graphic detail, sexual acts he would like to perform on the young girl. 'He asks if they would perform sexual acts on him, to which they reply, questioning if they're allowed to do that, given their ages. Pat Linehan suggests nobody would know, that it would be a secret. He sent images of his penis to both girls, and he sent videos of a sexual nature to the profile of the 11-year-old girl. "The message thread to both girls began on June 19, 2023 and continued for a number of weeks, concluding on July 8, 2023.' Defence counsel Ronan Barnes, BL, indicated that his client worked for Cork County Council for over 30 years. He added that he had 'an exemplary work record'. Sentencing will be finalised on July 1. Mr Linehan remains in custody pending the court hearing next week. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Irish Examiner
27-06-2025
- Irish Examiner
Sentencing adjourned for Cork man who tried to sexually exploit what he thought were young girls
WARNING: Some readers may find the following report upsetting A man caught in an online sting operation having sexualised conversations with people he believed were 11- and 12-year-old girls has had his sentencing adjourned. Patrick Linehan, aged 70, pleaded guilty to criminal charges arising out of the sting and he has been remanded in custody for sentencing on July 1. Mr Linehan, a former Cork City Council employee, admitted using information technology to interact with children for the purpose of sexual exploitation and arranging to meet a child for the purpose of sexual assault. 'Pat Linehan sexualized the conversations very early in the communications with both profiles and describes in graphic detail sexual acts he would like to perform on the young girls,' Detective Garda Brendan Murray told Cork Circuit Court. He asks if they would perform sexual acts on him, to which they reply, questioning if they're allowed to do that, given their ages, Pat Linehan suggests nobody would know, that it would be a secret. 'He sent images of his penis to both girls, and he sent videos of a sexual nature to the profile of the 11-year-old girl. The message thread to both girls, began on the June 19, 2023, and continued for a number of weeks, concluding on the July 8 2023.' Mr Linehan had described the communications with a person he believed was an 11-year-old girl as "harmless fun", the court heard. Gardaí were called to Comeragh Park, the Glen, in the north side of Cork City on July 8, 2023, where they met with the accused who was in the company of a number of people who purported to be members of an organization called Child Online Protection Enforcers. 'A member of this group handed gardaí two USB storage devices which, he stated, contained sexualized conversations between the accused and two female children aged 11 and 12 years,' Det. Gda Murray said. 'It was confirmed to gardaí that these girls did not exist, but their profiles were generated by and controlled by adults posing as children.' When interviewed by gardaí, Mr Linehan admitted he had been in contact with two girls and acknowledged he was aware the girls really were 11 and 12 years of age, Det. Gda Murray said. He later stated he thought the 12-year-old was 15 or 16 as she sounded older from the texts. 'He acknowledged he had sent her images and videos, but stated they were not obscene,' Det. Gda Murray said. He also stated that she had asked to meet with him a few times, but he had never met up with her. He described the communications with the 11-year-old girl as harmless fun. 'During the investigation, gardai analysed Facebook messages and WhatsApp messages between Pat Linehan and the decoy profiles of an 11 and 12-year female. The Facebook profile pictures of both profiles are of young female children who could not be mistaken to be adults. 'In the initial conversations with each of the profiles, Pat Linehan is informed he is communicating with children, and their ages are discussed on a number of occasions throughout the message threads. 'Pat Linehan initially states to both children he is 13 years old, but later, after sending selfie-type photos of himself, is challenged and admits he is older, stating he was 62. (He was 68 at the time).' Defence barrister Ronan Barnes previously said the accused pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and co-operated with the gardaí. He said the defendant had an exemplary work record with Cork City Council, where he worked for 31 years in drainage. Judge Boyle previously agreed to adjourn the case to obtain a Probation and Welfare Report and a GP report but indicated that she would be dealing with it by way of a custodial sentence. The case was adjourned until Judge Helen Boyle, who has been hearing the case, returns. - If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services. Read More Cork man had sexualised conversations with what he thought were girls aged 11 and 12
