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Sunday World
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Sunday World
Fed-up former gardaí reveal number one reason for leaving the force
Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan confirmed the feedback came from 39 voluntary exit interviews The woman attempted to bite a number of gardaí during the incident on Park Street. Fed-up former gardai have revealed in exit interviews their number one reason for leaving the force - they can't manage family life while pursuing a career as a cop. The revelation was made by the Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan as he released data from ex-members as to why they resigned. The two other issues have emerged: commuting and the distance between home and their assigned Garda station. The Minister confirmed the feedback came from 39 voluntary exit interviews carried out in 2024 and 60 by the end of April this year with former Garda and Garda staff members leaving. The woman attempted to bite a number of gardaí during the incident on Park Street. News in 90 Seconds - May 31st Mr O'Callaghan said, 'In 2024, 39 voluntary exit interviews were conducted among sworn Garda and Garda staff. As this is a very small sample, it is difficult to draw any firm conclusions . 'But among the issues cited by people who participated was that they found it difficult to maintain their career as a Garda while also managing their family life. "Commuting and the distance between home and the station was also a concern. 'In 2025 an exit survey was introduced to further extend the sample reached. Up to the end of April there were 60 responses. 'This survey will increase the capacity of the organisation to collate, analyse and act upon the data gathered from colleagues who have chosen to resign. 'These are still small samples but the objective is that over time it will help develop better understanding of these issues and in turn allow further adjustments where possible. 'I am aware for example that Garda management seek to locate new recruits within a reasonable commuting distance of their homes but this is not always possible to achieve in every case.' The Minister was responding to a Dail question from the Sinn Fein TD Matt Carthy. Mr O'Callaghan claimed the current rate of Garda resignations between 1-2 per cent is very low. He said this turnover rate is far below the UK level of 10 per cent, and the rest of the public sector in Ireland which is 10-20 per cent. The Minister also said resignations within the police in the United States, Canada and New Zealand are much higher than in Ireland. More than 280 gardaí have left the force within five years of joining since 2020 - 214 were male and 73 were female.
Sunday World
9 hours ago
- General
- Sunday World
Probe reveals why massive cargo ship ran aground in Norway, narrowly missing man's house
In an incident that made headlines around the world, the 135-metre cargo vessel, the NCL Salten, ran shore just before 5am on Thursday The view from the window of Helberg's house of the ship in his garden Johan Helberg spoke of the 'unreal' moment he went out into his garden to see the ship's bow rearing up into the sky An investigation has revealed the reason why a massive container ship ran aground in Norway, narrowly missing one man's house. In an incident that made headlines around the world, the 135-metre cargo vessel, the NCL Salten beached just before 5am on Thursday after entering the Trondheim fjord on its way to the western town of Orkanger. Local man, Johan Helberg, spoke of the 'unreal' moment he went out into his garden to see the ship's bow rearing up into the sky. 'I went to the window and was quite astonished to see a big ship,' Helberg told the Guardian. 'I had to bend my neck to see the top of it. It was so unreal.' The view from the window of Helberg's house of the ship in his garden The ship's second officer, who has admitted to having fallen asleep just before the incident, has been charged with negligence in connection with the incident. However, he has since claimed that the bridge alarms had been switched off before the ship grounded. This has been confirmed by Norwegian authorities who launched an investigation to determine the events that led up to the incident. They have established that the navigation watch alarm system (BNWAS) on the ship was already switched off by the time it came ashore. A local newspaper, NRK, has reported that an official with the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) said the grounding could have been avoided if the BNWAS had been switched on. The ship remained stuck aground on Thursday after the first attempt to remove it was unsuccessful but it has since been refloated and towed to Orkanger. Local authorities have determined that none of the local houses were damaged and that no injuries or oil spills occurred as a result of the mishap. An astonished neighbour recalled watching the ship, which was travelling at about 16 knots (approximately 30kmh), heading straight for the shore into Helberg's garden, narrowly missing his house. Helberg, who lives in Byneset, near Trondheim, slept through the entire drama and only awoke when his neighbour rang his doorbell. Johan Helberg spoke of the 'unreal' moment he went out into his garden to see the ship's bow rearing up into the sky News in 90 Seconds - May 31st 'Normally ships turn left or right into the fjord. But this went straight ahead,' Helberg, who has lived in the house for 25 years, added. 'It was very close to the house.' North Sea Container Line, the operator of NCL Salten, has confirmed that it is cooperating in the investigation into the mishap. NCL's chief executive, Bente Hetland, said there was 'no reason to believe this was intentional'. 'Incidents like this should not happen, and we have started an investigation into the causes. Today, we are relieved that there were no injuries, and our main focus is on the people near the ship and our crew,' she added.
Sunday World
9 hours ago
- Sunday World
Prosecutors seek 12-year sentence for rape of Irishwoman in Barcelona
The journey took a more sinister turn when the taxi driver, instead of taking her to her hotel, drove her to an underground parking lot A taxi driver who allegedly raped an Irish tourist in Barcelona is facing 12 years in prison, if convicted. The Prosecutor's Office demanded the 12-year prison sentence for the accused, in addition to compensation of 20,000 for 'moral damages suffered by the victim'. In evidence given at the trial held in the Barcelona Court, the Irish tourist described the details of the alleged attack that occurred in September 2023. The victim, who testified via videoconference and was assisted by a translator, explained that she got into a taxi very close to the Irish pub where she had been drinking, at the intersection of Sicilia and Mallorca streets, on September 1. Stock image News in 90 Seconds - May 31st During the drive to her hotel, the driver began asking her personal questions, such as whether she had a boyfriend, according to one report in Spanish media. 'The victim said that, although the taxi driver took advantage (by stopping at) red lights to touch her legs and kiss her, she did not give much importance to his actions because of her drunken state,' one report by 20Minutos reads. The journey took a more sinister turn when the taxi driver, instead of taking her to her hotel, drove her to an underground parking lot. "I was in an underground parking lot, I didn't know where I was, my phone wasn't working,' she said in evidence. The woman claims the taxi driver got out, opened the back door where she was sitting, pulled down her pants and underwear, and raped her: "I was saying 'no,' to stop, and I was crying a lot,' she said. The victim recounted that she could not call for help as her mobile phone had stopped working. After the attack, the sobbing victim asked the driver to take her back to her hotel, which he agreed to. However, it was only when the woman arrived at the hotel and was greeted by the receptionist, 'who noticed her emotional disturbance', that the police were notified. 'Upon arriving at the scene, officers were able to gather more details about the case and began the corresponding investigation,' 20 Minutos reports. The Prosecutor's Office has demanded that the accused taxi driver face 12 years in prison for sexual assault with penetration, with the aggravating factor of 'taking advantage of the circumstances of the time and place to commit the crime'. In addition, the prosecution is requesting that if convicted, he also serve nine years of supervised release after prison. There are also calls for him to be specifically barred from working as a taxi driver or passenger vehicle driver for the duration of his sentence. He is also required to be banned from approaching or communicating with the victim for eight years. In addition to the prison sentence, the Prosecutor's Office is requesting that the defendant compensate the victim with €20,000 for the moral damages caused by the assault.
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Drivers urged to be aware of pedestrians and cyclists over Bank Holiday Weekend
'We don't want to have to call to anybody's door to deliver bad news over the course of this weekend' Gardai have issued a special appeal for drivers to be 'particularly mindful of the risks associated with vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists' over the Bank Holiday Weekend. They are urging everyone to stay safe as bank holidays are the busiest periods on Irish roads. In a fresh appeal posted across social media platforms this afternoon, Chief Superintendent, Roads Policing, David Harrington, asked all road users 'to pay additional care and attention to how they use our road networks'. Chief Superintendent David Harrington issues a new appeal News in 90 Seconds - May 30th He highlighted vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists as he appealed to all drivers, 'to reduce speed, remove distractions such as mobile phones, wear their seatbelts and under no circumstances ever drive under the influence of drink or drugs'. 'We don't want to have to call to anybody's door to deliver bad news over the course of this weekend,' Chief Super Harrington said. 'People should be enjoying themselves and carrying out safe journeys across the country so please be mindful of your behaviour on the roads this weekend. Two people were killed and six others were left with life-threatening injuries over the recent May bank holiday weekend. Gardaí had carried out a major roads policing operation nationwide from the morning of Thursday, May 1 until Tuesday, May 6, in a bid to improve road safety. During the operation gardaí carried out more than 1,000 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints, which resulted in over 13,000 breath tests and around 280 oral fluid tests. A total of 187 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. More than 3,000 drivers were clocked driving above the legal speed limit. Gardaí issued hundreds of Fixed Charge Notices for additional road safety offences, including over 270 for using mobile phones while driving, more than 340 for unaccompanied learner drivers, and 115 for not wearing seatbelts. In total, 147 vehicles were seized from learner drivers who were driving unaccompanied, while 444 vehicles were taken off the road for having no tax or insurance.
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sport
- Sunday World
Duo kick off epic run the length of Ireland in aid of Pieta House
The lads say they are doing the run 'for those who can't' Dubliner Bill Staunton and Donegal man Barry Lee yesterday kicked off their 10-day journey by beginning their run from Mizen Head to Malin Head. 'I've always had a strong sporting background and a passion for pushing myself both mentally and physically,' explains Bill, who hails from Balscadden in north Co Dublin and currently lives in Sydney. 'The Wild Irish Run is my first endurance challenge of this scale, and it's something I've felt deeply compelled to take on.' Poster for the Wild Irish Run Barry, who hails from Letterkenny, also lives in Sydney. 'He has a strong sporting background and, last year, he ran 126km in a single day around Centennial Park in Sydney, raising funds for the Irish Heart Foundation,' explains Bill. The lads are geared up for their epic run. 'The run is a 10-day journey from Mizen Head in Co Cork to Malin Head in Co Donegal, covering approximately 550km,' notes Terenure College and UCD graduate Bill. 'It's in support of Pieta House, a charity that provides vital services for people affected by suicide and self-harm. 'Our tagline is 'Do it for those who can't', which reflects our motivation to honour those who are struggling or no longer with us. 'We're grateful to have the support of Donegal Motorhomes, who have kindly sponsored a camper van for the event. 'This will serve as our base each day throughout the run, and their support has been a huge help in making this journey possible.' The duo hope to complete their run on June 7. Bill Staunton and Barry Lee News in 90 Seconds - May 30th 'Our aim is not just to raise funds, but also to spark conversation, connection, and hope across the country,' he beams. 'This is a very personal mission for both of us, and it means a lot to have support from family and friends. 'We're also inviting anyone who feels inspired to join us for a few kilometres along the way, to help us spread the message that no one has to face mental health struggles alone. Whether people run, walk, or just show up for support, every bit of energy adds to the cause.' The lads have so far raised over €8,000 of their €20,000 target for the charity. * Donations can be made on GoFundMe here.
