Latest news with #NorthQueensland
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Taxi driver charged with sexual assaults in Cairns area
Police are appealing for women who may have been assaulted in taxis or rideshare vehicles in North Queensland to come forward after charging a 72-year-old male driver with three counts of sexual assault. Senior Constable Amelia Farrows said police believed there may be more alleged victims. Taxi driver Roman Peter Galaska picked up a 76-year-old woman near Cairns Hospital on May 9, according to police. They allege the Palm Cove resident drove the woman to a Manunda address, helped her inside and touched her inappropriately. Police also allege that Mr Galaska inappropriately touched a 27-year-old woman before she got out of the vehicle at Woree on May 17. "This type of offending is not tolerated in our community and police will investigate all complaints thoroughly," Senior Constable Farrows said. She called for anyone who had experienced inappropriate behaviour or touching while riding in a taxi or rideshare vehicle to contact police. Mr Galaska is due to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on Thursday.
ABC News
5 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Coroner finds 'lost opportunities' prior to death of eight-month old infant
Queensland's deputy coroner has found a series of "lost opportunities" surrounding the death of an eight-month-old boy at his north Queensland home. Daniel Thomas Wright was born in the Townsville University Hospital at 24 weeks' gestation in July 2018 and remained there until he was discharged to the Mackay Base Hospital (MBH) on February 6, 2019. The following two months included some time at home along with multiple presentations to the Mackay and Bowen hospitals. He died on March 30, 2019 — 11 days after being discharged from MBH for a second time. Deputy Coroner Stephanie Gallagher has this week handed down her findings after hearings in 2024 examined whether it was appropriate to send Daniel home into the care of his parents, who were reported in the findings as having intellectual impairments. The inquest also examined the sharing of information between the Townsville and Mackay hospitals, health services and the Department of Child Safety. The inquest heard that an autopsy found the baby died due to prematurity-associated lung and bowel disease and had a series of hospital admissions for weight loss. Hospital workers in Townsville and Mackay gave evidence about the difficulties Daniel's parents, Zara Williams and Benjamin Wright, had in understanding his needs and their ability to comply with his feeding. A social worker at the Townsville University Hospital, where the baby stayed for his first seven months, told the inquest she had concerns about Daniel's parents' capacity to care for themselves and raise him. She said she did not contact the Department of Child Safety because the baby was not ready for discharge at that time. Daniel was first brought to the department's attention in February 2019, after he was moved from Townsville to MBH. Two days after he was discharged in Mackay, Daniel was taken to Bowen Hospital and transferred the following day back to MBH. His case was then referred to the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) team, but Daniel's recovery saw him discharged from MBH for a second time on March 19, the inquest heard. He died on March 30. In her findings, Ms Gallagher described the decision to discharge Daniel from Townsville to Mackay on February 6, 2019, to be closer to the family's home in Bowen, as "appropriate". She said the decision to discharge the baby from MBH the first time was "finely balanced" and while medically sound, "perhaps placed an over-reliance on Daniel's parents' ability to care for him". However, Ms Gallagher said that the decision to discharge the baby for a second time from MBH was not appropriate, based on his "ongoing failure to gain weight". The deputy coroner said it was possible that alerting child safety earlier would have allowed time for an assessment of his parents' capacity to care for him and to engage in an intervention program to support his care. Ms Gallagher said Daniel's parents' ability to care for him should have been considered more carefully by his treating practitioners and by child safety. The deputy coroner noted medical records which showed both parents struggled to understand their responsibilities, and "needed constant prompting and correction". The records also observed Mr Wright was "often aggressive, abusive, resistant to medical advice and dismissive of Daniel's needs". She noted that child safety had determined an Intervention with Parental Agreement (IPA) as the most appropriate care plan, based on its judgement that the parents were willing to work with the department and keep the child's home safe. The Mackay Hospital and Health Service (MHHS) submitted that doctors needed to "work within" the IPA unless Daniel's condition deteriorated so that his death was imminent. In her findings, the deputy coroner said there was no single failing that would have changed the outcome for Daniel. "Rather, there were a series of lost opportunities to share information about his case between the QH [Queensland Health] and Child Safety, combined with what was perhaps a global under-appreciation of Daniel's vulnerability and fragility," she said. In submissions, the Townsville and Mackay Hospital and Health Services (MHHS) argued if there was no medical reason to keep the infant as an inpatient, and his parents wished to discharge him, there was no option to "compel a stay in hospital". While the coroner described MHHS' home support for Daniel's parents as extensive, it was ultimately "inadequate". Ms Gallagher also criticised child safety's response and said risk assessments did not adequately consider the risk of future harm to Daniel. The inquest heard the hospital and health services, and child safety had since made changes in regard to information sharing across all government agencies. "There are no practical recommendations which I could now make to prevent similar deaths in the future," she said.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brave Bulldogs pip Cowboys without Galvin
Canterbury have displayed true grit and fight to outlast resolute North Queensland 12-8 in an old-fashioned war of attrition in Townsville. Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo pulled a masterstroke by leaving playmaker Lachlan Galvin off the bench to boost his forward stocks. The visitors omitted Galvin and included forward Kurtis Morrin on the bench to give them forward depth with NSW prop Max King backing up from State of Origin. Morrin was superb, as were big guns Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney. The win entrenched Canterbury in the top four after two straight losses. The second half was scoreless and went right down to the final play when Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz tapped a Tom Dearden kick dead. Canterbury rested State of Origin representatives Stephen Crichton and Kurt Mann and gave winger Jethro Rinakama his NRL debut. Rinakama was superb and scored late in the first half after great work on the inside by Burton to give his side a 12-8 lead at halftime. There was huge drama in the 59th minute when Burton and Morrin both went off for HIAs. In the ensuing minutes Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater lost the ball in the process of scoring with Bulldogs star Viliame Kikau knocking the ball loose with a desperate tackle against his former club. Burton and Morrin both returned and helped their side hang on. Jethro Rinakama on DEBUT! 🦾 — NRL (@NRL) July 12, 2025 Canterbury were clunky in attack early but that was a tribute to the hosts' best defensive mentality of the season. North Queensland centre Zac Laybutt, who had an ACL injury last year, stepped his way with great confidence to score the opening try. Burton, back in his favoured No.6 position, laid on a try for back-rower Jacob Preston with a deft kick late in the half before Rinakama gave them the lead. Mahoney tackled like a demon against the club he will join next year. Cowboys co-captain Dearden, after winning the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series for Queensland in State of Origin, was dominant and involved early in attack and defence. The Bulldogs were not at their best but they are past masters at winning ugly. The Cowboys, on 17 points and three wins outside the top eight, are in danger of missing the finals.
The Australian
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Secret clause in Reed Mahoney's Cowboys contract revealed
Reed Mahoney's new deal with the Cowboys includes a secret clause which could extend his time at North Queensland. It comes as Mahoney prepares to face his future club on Saturday night just days after agreeing to join the Cowboys. Mahoney's deal has been reported as a three-year contract. However, the contract could be extended by a further season with a clause in Mahoney's favour. Reed Mahoney has been forced out of the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images Mahoney will have the option to remain at the Cowboys in 2029 with the first three years of the deal guaranteed by both parties. He signed the contract to replace Sydney Roosters bound hooker Reece Robson. The Cowboys also spoke to Jayden Brailey and Tallyn Da Silva before agreeing to a deal with Mahoney. The 27-year-old became the second starting spine member of the Bulldogs to leave the club within days following Toby Sexton's decision to join Catalans. The former Canterbury skipper was given permission to talk with rival clubs earlier this year despite being contracted until the end of 2026. Both (L-R) Toby Sexton and Reed Mahoney will leave the Bulldogs at the end of the season. Picture: Tim Hunter. His move is expected to see Bailey Hayward become the starting rake for the Bulldogs next year. While Mahoney has largely played 80 minutes since his arrival, in recent weeks he has shown his frustrations when taken from the field to accommodate Lachlan Galvin's arrival. Mahoney played 80 minutes during Canterbury's 22-18 loss to Brisbane last Friday. Mahoney has been named at hooker to play the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night. ORIGIN III A RATINGS BONANZA Queensland's stunning State of Origin series win over NSW has been a ratings bonanza for the Nine Network, becoming the highest rating game three for more than a decade and reaching more than 5 million viewers. The Maroons' 24-12 victory at Accor Stadium also shattered the record for the highest streamed show in history, surging past the Mtildas semi-final loss to England at the women's World Cup. Origin III was the No.1 program of the night in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and - in a promising sign for expansion - Perth. The game was also the No.2 show in Adelaide. Viewing figures were up considerably in both Perth and Adelaide.
News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Sport Confidential: Secret clause in Reed Mahoney's Cowboys contract revealed
Reed Mahoney's new deal with the Cowboys includes a secret clause which could extend his time at North Queensland. It comes as Mahoney prepares to face his future club on Saturday night just days after agreeing to join the Cowboys. Mahoney's deal has been reported as a three-year contract. However, the contract could be extended by a further season with a clause in Mahoney's favour. Mahoney will have the option to remain at the Cowboys in 2029 with the first three years of the deal guaranteed by both parties. He signed the contract to replace Sydney Roosters bound hooker Reece Robson. The Cowboys also spoke to Jayden Brailey and Tallyn Da Silva before agreeing to a deal with Mahoney. The 27-year-old became the second starting spine member of the Bulldogs to leave the club within days following Toby Sexton's decision to join Catalans. The former Canterbury skipper was given permission to talk with rival clubs earlier this year despite being contracted until the end of 2026. His move is expected to see Bailey Hayward become the starting rake for the Bulldogs next year. While Mahoney has largely played 80 minutes since his arrival, in recent weeks he has shown his frustrations when taken from the field to accommodate Lachlan Galvin's arrival. Mahoney played 80 minutes during Canterbury's 22-18 loss to Brisbane last Friday. Mahoney has been named at hooker to play the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night. ORIGIN III A RATINGS BONANZA Queensland's stunning State of Origin series win over NSW has been a ratings bonanza for the Nine Network, becoming the highest rating game three for more than a decade and reaching more than 5 million viewers. The Maroons' 24-12 victory at Accor Stadium also shattered the record for the highest streamed show in history, surging past the Mtildas semi-final loss to England at the women's World Cup. Origin III was the No.1 program of the night in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and - in a promising sign for expansion - Perth. The game was also the No.2 show in Adelaide. Viewing figures were up considerably in both Perth and Adelaide.
