Latest news with #McDowell
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Woman avoids jail after her starving XL bully is rescued from squalid conditions
Owner admits regrets having left dog to fend for itself in property 'covered in excrement' A dog owner who admitted abandoning her XL bully pooch without food or water in a house 'covered' in excrement has been spared prison. Aoife McDowell also pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the animal, which was left to chew on cans. She was handed a suspended prison term at Laganside Magistrates Court last week. It was revealed during the hearing that ratepayers have been left to foot more than £1,700 in costs relating to her prosecution. Her solicitor told the court: 'She accepts full responsibility for the offending. She says what happened to the dog has killed her inside. 'This occurred while she was in a violent and controlling relationship where she wasn't allowed to leave the house. 'She had a tooth knocked out and hair ripped out of her head. She has since left this relationship and recognises she made mistakes. 'There has been social media attention on this case and her family has been subject to abuse in the street as a result. 'She has been working with probation and is seeking to return to rehab to deal with pregabalin and cocaine issues.' Aoife McDowell outside Laganside Courts (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph) Sentencing her for what he described as a 'serious matter', District Judge George Conner handed McDowell eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months. He also barred her from keeping animals for 10 years. Belfast City Council made an application for costs totalling £2,179 but Judge Conner said he had to be 'realistic' about what she could afford and ordered her to repay £400. Previous hearings were told how a neighbour near McDowell's old address on Bell Steel Manor, west Belfast, contacted animal welfare last November after hearing prolonged barking and crying. The neighbour told council staff the dog had been left unattended in the house for nine days, apart from a 15-minute visit. When welfare officers attended the property, they found the dog in a 'very poor' condition, an earlier court was told. They said the animal was 'barking inside without food or water available' and they left a note for McDowell to contact them immediately. XL bully (Stock image) The animal welfare officers visited the following day, and again several days later, only to find the dog left in the same conditions and without access to either food or water. After gaining a court order to access the property, they were confronted with a horrifying scene. 'Every room was covered in faeces, rubbish and clutter,' prosecutors said, with the animal having 'chewed through furniture and tins of food' in search of sustenance. They continued: 'Chewing the tins may have damaged the animal's mouth, and a vet assessed the dog as experiencing suffering.' McDowell, now with an address in Woodside in Lisburn, was one of four people convicted of XL bully-related offences at Belfast Magistrates Court on the same day by the City Council. Three men were each fined hundreds of pounds for XL bully attacks on other dogs. Aoife McDowell (Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph) News in 90 Seconds - May 29th
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘It shouldn't have to be this way': Congressman's mother-in-law testifies for physician-assisted death in RI
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — For generations, Jennifer McDowell says, her family has been living with an incurable genetic disease. Now she's asking Rhode Island leaders to let her die with dignity. 'I deserve the right to a peaceful death, preferably at home, surrounded by family and those who love me,' she said in her testimony before the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee last week. McDowell, who is Congressman Seth Magaziner's mother-in-law, was one of several Rhode Islanders sharing their personal stories in support of physician-assisted death as lawmakers consider a bill that would let terminally ill patients ask their doctors to prescribe medication to end their lives. McDowell said she is starting to show signs of a disease that she believes goes back as far as her ancestor, Stephen Hopkins, who signed the Declaration of Independence on behalf of Rhode Islanders. 'They characterized him as the only drunk in the room. I beg to differ,' she said. 'I think it was hereditary spastic paraplegia.' She said that the disease has continued through her family. 'We are dead within five years,' McDowell said. 'There are no cures. I've lost an aunt, a first cousin, my father, and my beloved brother to HSP. And I can barely sign my name now.' Currently, 11 states and the District of Columbia allow physician-assisted death. But some people believe this legislation puts people with disabilities and the elderly at risk. 'Instead of fighting for appropriate care at the end of the line, we're introducing legislation that pushes people towards ending their own life,' said Jessica Rodgers, the coalition director of the Patients' Rights Action Fund, a national organization dedicated to fighting bills like the legislation proposed in Rhode Island. But state Senator Meghan Kallman of Pawtucket and Providence said the legislation she proposed is designed to prevent abuse. She said the bill would only be available to terminally ill adults who ask for physician-assisted death twice and are still able to consent. 'There are requirements,' Kallman explained. She says her bill requires two different doctors to verify that a patient's illness has 'six months or less as a prognosis.' No formal date has been set for the Judiciary Committee to vote on the legislation, but Senate President Val Lawson expressed interest on Tuesday. 'I will be reviewing the committee testimony and speaking to Chairman Matthew LaMountain regarding the details of the legislation. Personally, I am in support of the bill,' she wrote. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call, text or chat 988BH Link: Rhode Islanders can call 401-414-LINK (5465)Kids' Link RI: Parents can call 1-855-543-5465 Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
NI leaders urged to support families 'living in fear' of sectarian attacks
The first and deputy first ministers have been called on to publicly condemn sectarian attacks on homes in north Belfast. Independent councillor Paul McCusker, who has written to Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly, said they need to "come out, show commitment and get behind these families". TUV councillor Ron McDowell said local residents are living in "terror and fear". It comes after masonry was thrown at properties in Annalee Street and Alloa Street on Wednesday. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they have stepped up patrols in the area. On Friday, a number of residents said they planned to leave their homes. McDowell said those targeted were "young girls in their early 20s with babies in their arms". "When they say their houses have been attacked - there are no windows in their homes – they are completely boarded up with a threat of a repeat visit," he added. McDowell said there was an issue with police resources in north-west Belfast. "I don't doubt that the police are doing what they can – they stepped up yesterday and pledged more – they now have the alarms that people can press - but they don't appear to have the resources to deal with this adequately," he added. He said there was a high density of peace walls in the area. "There is a lot of insecurity around community displacement – there are predators within the community within paramilitary gangs who would play on the fears of the local inhabitants, who are protective of homes for their own people and their children," he said. "This has been a minority group of Catholic houses that have been targeted in a predominantly unionist area. "Incidents along the peace line are nothing new though they don't often get reported - they go on for months and it can be a living hell for people in those areas." Following a meeting between the affected families, police and community representatives on Sunday, McCusker said most families want to stay, but "no one can guarantee their safety". McCusker called for the NI Executive to intervene and for the first and deputy first ministers to "come out and call this out for what it is". Speaking to BBC News NI on Monday, he said: "I mean this is a major problem, you know, north Belfast is one of the most divided parts of Belfast, and a lot more work needs to done to ensure that people regardless if you're Catholic or Protestant or whatever religion you are, that you're entitled to live in a safe home in any community." He added: "It's a massive big upheaval in anybody's life, particularly if you're homeless for eight years to then get a new house and then to be treated this way is just shocking." He said the sectarian attacks are "becoming more of a problem here in north Belfast" and are "not being reported enough". "And we're aware of other families in recent months this has happened to as well and we need that commitment from first minister and deputy first minister to actually to come out, show commitment and get behind these families." PSNI Supt Allister Hagan said: "We are treating what happened in these residential areas not just as criminal damage, but sectarian-motivated hate crime - which is totally unacceptable. "This will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with our partners, housing provider, community representatives and local residents in relation to these issues." Police have been "regularly patrolling these areas at varying intervals to deter crime and provide reassurance to the community," Supt Hagan added. "In addition, we have been meeting with residents regularly to listen to their concerns and offer practical support." Clanmil Housing said it has been on site over the weekend. In a statement, a spokesperson said: "Some families have left their homes at this time, and we have provided alternative temporary accommodation where needed. "We absolutely condemn the continued and unprovoked threat to families living peacefully in their homes. Everyone should be allowed to live safely in their home, free from any type of intimidation or threat." The NI Executive office has been contacted for comment. Residents 'on edge' following sectarian attack
The Star
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Style reigns supreme: Catherine, Princess of Wales, proves she's still got it
Catherine, Princess of Wales smiles during her visit to present "The Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design" at The British Design Council, 180 Studios in central London. Photo: AP The fashion crowd in London is generally known for keeping cool. But recently, the editors and designers at a ceremony for one of the industry's most prestigious local awards became palpably excited when Catherine, Princess of Wales, emerged to present this year's Queen Elizabeth II Award for Design to Patrick McDowell, 29, a Liverpool-born designer. Dressed in an olive Victoria Beckham suit and a white silk pussy-bow blouse, Catherine walked with McDowell among mannequins and models wearing the designer's looks inside 180 the Strand, the central London building where the event took place. It was the second time the princess had presented the award, which was created by the British Fashion Council and the British royal family in 2018 to recognise the role London's fashion industry 'plays in society and diplomacy'. Read more: Suits and signet rings: King Charles' fashion through the ages Catherine Middleton, Princess of Wales, opts for an olive Victoria Beckham suit and a white silk pussy-bow blouse. Photo: AFP The princess did not give public comments at the ceremony, but McDowell said that their private conversation touched on topics including a shared appreciation for craftsmanship and the designer's efforts to make collections in Britain and offer customers the option to repair or rework old garments. McDowell added that, as Catherine toured the clothes on display, she took interest in a tailored sleeveless jacket called 'the Wales jacket'. 'She said, 'Why would you call it that?' with a big smile,' McDowell said. 'What a moment, to be sharing jokes with our future queen.' Catherine's appearance at the event came as she has been stepping up the pace and profile of her public engagements after her cancer diagnosis and treatment last year. In January, she said her cancer was in remission; about a month later, the Sunday Times of London published an article that suggested that Kensington Palace would no longer be disclosing any details of her outfits to the news media. During the awards ceremony, the princess also met with other young designers who were on hand to showcase their wares, including Conner Ives, an American working in London whose 'Protect the Dolls' T-shirt have spread widely on social media in recent weeks. Ives was announced as the 2025 winner of the British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund award, which came with a grant and an industry mentorship. In past years, the Queen Elizabeth II Award for Design went to designers including Richard Quinn, SS Daley and Priya Ahluwalia. It has been presented in the past by other senior royals, including Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III and Princess Anne. McDowell, whose namesake brand was introduced in 2018, is known for offering made-to-order evening and occasion wear designed in London using recycled textiles and new sustainable materials like sequins made of cellulose. Read more: Jewellery of English aristocracy and Hollywood royalty set for London exhibition Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker and Keira Knightley are among the label's notable fans. McDowell said that winning the Queen Elizabeth II Award was 'a wonderful pat on the back that provides a game-changing stamp of approval', as well as an 'acknowledgment that working in a circular way is a way forward'. 'I'd love to make a piece for her,' McDowell added, referring to Catherine. 'It would be a dream come true.' – ©2025 The New York Times Company This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Boston Globe
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
As R.I. considers bill to legalize medical aid in dying, Magaziner's mother-in-law testifies in support
Opponents urged the committee to reject the bill, saying it aims to legalize a practice that Rhode Island's criminal code now calls 'assisted suicide.' McDowell, 72, of Little Compton, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, saying she is a direct descendant of Stephen Hopkins, a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island who added his 'very wobbly signature' to the Declaration of Independence. Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up She said the musical '1776″ portrayed Hopkins as 'the only drunk in the room,' but she believes he actually suffered hereditary spastic paraplegia, a large group of rare and progressive inherited disorders that cause weakness and stiffness of the legs. Advertisement 'I've lost an aunt, a first cousin, my father, and my beloved brother to HSP,' McDowell said, adding that she is showing signs of the disorder. 'I can barely sign my name now.' She said the strain that runs through her family affects people in their late 60s and early 70s. 'We are dead within five years,' she said. 'There are no cures.' Advertisement McDowell said she has three children and two grandchildren. 'That I may be passing this on to them is a heartbreak I just can't even describe,' she said. 'They will have to decide if they want to test for it or not, if an accurate test even exists.' People should be able to choose a 'well-planned death,' she said. 'Your death via a difficult, painful, and terrifying illness will be a difficult and painful experience for everybody who loves you. It should not have to be this way.' McDowell urged the committee to support the legislation, saying, 'I deserve the right to a peaceful death, preferably at home, surrounded by family and those who love me.' Related : The legislation drew opposition from Barth E. Bracy, executive director of the Rhode Island State Right to Life Committee. 'While proponents now prefer to call it by another name, Senate Bill 151 seeks to legalize a practice presently described in the Rhode Island Criminal Code as assisted suicide,' Bracy said in written testimony. 'Assisted suicide is not medicine. It is bad public policy that puts unsuspecting people at risk." Bracy warned that the legislation could result in 'abuse of the elderly and disabled' and 'exploitation of any one of us who may have an estate coveted by others or who may be regarded as a burden.' The safeguards included in the bill are 'porous,' Bracy said. Severely depressed or mentally ill person could receive a lethal prescription without having any counseling, he said, and the bill does not require consultation with a patient's primary care physician. The Senate Judiciary Committee held the bill for further study. Representative Edith H. Ajello, a Providence Democrat, has for years proposed companion Advertisement Kallman, a Pawtucket Democrat, noted the bill has bipartisan support, with cosponsors including Senator Minority Whip Gordon E. Rogers, a Foster Republican. And she noted the bill, titled The Lila Manfield Sapinsley Compassionate Care Act, is named for the late Senate Republican leader who died in 2014. Kallman said the legislation is personal for her. 'My grandfather was a farmer. He was a very staid guy. He did not talk about feelings,' he said. 'And he got cancer in his late 70s.' To prompt a conversation, he began 'littering the house' with pamphlets detailing the 'death with dignity' laws in Vermont and Oregon, Kallman said. 'It was not a conversation that we ever finished because he passed away of that cancer in 2016,' she said. Kallman noted that under the bill, anyone requesting end-of-life medication must be over 18, a Rhode Island resident, and diagnosed with a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less. They would have to make two verbal requests for the medication at least 15 days apart 'to protect against an impulsive request,' she said. They also would have to provide a written request to the doctor that's signed in front of two qualified adult witnesses 'to prevent coercion,' Kallman said. Two doctors would have to confirm the patient's diagnosis, prognosis, and ability to make medical decisions. Related : Brian Bennett, a mental health counselor from North Kingstown, spoke in opposition to the bill, saying he works with young people who are suffering and considering suicide. 'One of the protective factors against suicide is the belief — be it moral, ethical, religious, or civil — that suicide is wrong," he said. 'By legalizing assisted suicide under whatever name we choose to call it in this bill, we put that belief in doubt and remove one more barrier to suicide for some of the most vulnerable among us.' Advertisement Bennett said he fears the legislation could end up being expanded. " If you pass this bill, tomorrow you will have experts sitting in this seat asking you why assisted suicide ought to apply to physical illness and not to mental illness, and frankly, they'll have a point," he said. Clare Kearney, of Barrington, testified with an oxygen tube in her nose. She said she spent years as a nurse working on oncology units and respirator intensive care units. 'I am now a patient myself, going through the horror that I witnessed taking care of my patients,' she said. Kearney said she now has interstitial lung disease and end-stage emphysema, with 25 percent lung capacity. 'The doctors look at me as a miracle,' she said. 'The pain I suffer today is horrific. I have headaches that don't go away because I'm not getting oxygen to my brain. I have back and chest pain, chest tightness, nausea, diarrhea.' Kearney said it's 'an insult' for opponents to say the bill is about depression. 'This bill is about dignity in dying,' she said. 'This bill would help me decide, when the time comes — which will be in a year or two — for me to do to do it with compassion, with my family. If I can't, then I'll go to a hotel and I'll take some pills, and a poor maid will find my body." Advertisement Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at
