Latest news with #MarkRoss
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ireland's Down syndrome futsal team eyeing European glory
Ireland's first national Down syndrome futsal team will depart for the SUDS European Championships in Italy tomorrow. The team's participation in the competition is the culmination of a continuing partnership between the FAI and Down Syndrome Ireland, which first began in 2023. Hosting the week-long championships in Ferrara is the Italian Paralympic Sport Federation for athletes with intellectual or relational disabilities, FISDIR. The Irish team has already taken part in two previous international events, facing Italy, Portugal and Turkey in 2023, and the USA in 2024. Organisers have said these international matches have raised the profile of both the sport and the abilities of Irish players with Down syndrome and have also led to the development of a tailored grassroots programme within the League of Ireland structure. League of Ireland clubs are now setting up their own teams for players with Down syndrome through their social responsibility programmes. Two major blitzes are currently held every year, with some inter-club matches during the season also expected to get under way shortly. The FAI has said the development of Down Syndrome futsal continues to grow across the country with the support of its Football For All programme. The 11-player squad named to represent their country at the SUDS European Championships followed months of assessment with over 100 players available for selection nationwide. The final national assessment took place at TU Dublin's Blanchardstown Campus in February. The management team of Mark Ross, Conor McKahey and Nigel Fitzharris have said that given the players are excelling with their respective League of Ireland clubs, hopes are high for the tournament. The 10 outfield players and one goalkeeper headed for the northern Italian city of Ferrara will be representing six Down Syndrome Ireland branches from around the country. There are four players from the Donegal branch, three from the Louth/Meath branch and one each from the Cork, Dublin, Mayo and Waterford branches. The Ireland Down Syndrome Futsal Squad in full is: Goalkeeper: David Crawford (Finn Harps) Defenders: Josh Hennessy (Shelbourne), Jamie Linden (Dundalk), Fergus Cosgrove (Bohemians) Midfielders: Cian Kelleher (Cork City), Micheál McCloy (Dundalk), Sean Toolin (Cork City), Fergal Birrane (Sligo Rovers)
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
'Investment Boost' Announced In Budget 2025 Welcomed By Wood Processors And Manufacturers
22 May 2025 From the 22 May 2025 a new tax incentive, 'Investment Boost', that allows businesses to immediately deduct 20% of the costs of new assets (or second-hand assets purchased from overseas) – such as machinery, equipment, tools and buildings – from taxable income on top of the existing depreciation write-offs is welcomed by the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association (WPMA). Noting that the new regime can also be applied to investments that were started before the 22 May, if they are available for use the first time after that date. For example, if a mill invested $500,000 in new timber machinery, $100,000 would be immediately deductible. The remaining $400,000 would be depreciated as normal. There is no cap on this allowance which is also welcome. The announcement was made as part of Budget 2025, with the scheme allowing wood processing and manufacturing businesses to deduct a higher percentage of the cost of eligible assets in the first year of purchase, reducing their tax burden and freeing up capital for further investment. 'Enabling capital investment for new manufacturing technologies and equipment, such as cutting-edge timber machinery and equipment, within the wood processing industry to deduct 20% of the costs of the new asset immediately will provide an added incentive for investment and increased productivity in a sector where government backing is needed' said Mark Ross, WPMA Chief Executive. "It is hoped that this new tax rule will assist in encouraging further investment in value-added wood processing production within New Zealand", said Ross, increased domestic wood processing will not only provide economic growth in our regions, but will also assist in providing increased sustainable wood fibre production as a pathway to meet our Paris Agreement climate change targets.
BBC News
12-03-2025
- BBC News
Man murdered Amazon driver who clung to van in Leeds
A thief who killed an Amazon delivery driver who was trying to stop his van from being stolen has been found guilty of Kondor, 42, died when Mark Ross drove the van into a parked car after hitting speeds of up to 60mph (96 km/h) on residential streets in Leeds last his trial at Leeds Crown Court, the 32-year-old told a jury he did not know Mr Kondor, from Sheffield, was hanging onto the van after he stole it on 20 of Conference Road, Armley, denied murder but was convicted by a jury with a majority verdict of 10 to one on Wednesday. Ross previously told the court he had just wanted to steal the van, and if he had known Mr Kondor was there, he would have stopped and will be sentenced at the same court on 14 March. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
06-03-2025
- BBC News
Leeds Amazon driver shouted for help while clinging onto van
An Amazon delivery driver shouted for help as he was clinging onto his stolen van moments before his death, a witness has told a Kondor, 42, died when Mark Ross drove the vehicle into a parked car in Leeds, on 20 August last year, Leeds Crown Court 32, has admitted manslaughter but denies murdering Mr Kondor, who was originally from Romania but lived in the hearing on Thursday, witness Tracy Higson said she had been driving home from a shop when she saw the van come "flying out of a side street", with parcels tumbling out of the open passenger door. The jury previously heard how the van had been stolen at around 18:45 BST and Mr Kondor, who tried to stop the theft, grabbed hold of the van through the near-side passenger Kondor was then dragged along as the van was driven at around 60mph, twice the road's 30mph limit, the court after it collided with a parked black car, Mr Kondor managed to cling was when the van crashed into a parked blue Mini on Heights Drive, around 0.3 miles (0.5km) from where it was stolen, that Mr Kondor was fatally injured. Ms Higson described how the van was being driven "erratically" and she had to swerve her car in order to avoid a collision."The passenger door was wide open, the Amazon driver was hanging off the side of the door," she said."The gentleman that died, I heard him shout 'help' as he was still hanging onto the inside of the door."When asked what she saw inside the van, she said parcels which "all came flying onto the road as it came round the corner"."I picked them up and put them in my car," she said."There were people over the road, running towards them. To me it looked like drug addicts, that's why I picked them up, put them in my car and rang 999."The witness was asked if she recalled seeing speed bumps in the road, but she said she could not remember. 'He whizzed past me' Another witness told the court she saw the van as she was walking down the road, driving "zigzaggy". "It was going at some speed," Lynn Spencer said."I couldn't tell you how fast because I don't drive, but it whizzed past me and there was a gentleman hanging onto the side."She said she remembered exclaiming "oh my god", adding: "I couldn't believe what I was seeing."The jury heard Ross, of Conference Road, Armley, denies murder, saying he did not know Mr Kondor was hanging out of the van, and thus did not intend to kill trial continues. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
