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Sunday World
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sunday World
Former councillor to be sentenced for assault and attack on van during family dispute
Gareth Reid appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to the charges which arose out of a family dispute over land Former Donegal County Councillor Gareth Reid who appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (North West Newspix) A former Donegal County Councillor is to be sentenced after admitting assaulting a man and damaging his van. Gareth Reid appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to the charges which arose out of a family dispute over land. The former Fine Gael councillor admitted the charges which occurred following an incident at Knockfair, Stranorlar, in May 2021. The 42-year-old was charged with assaulting Paul McCool and causing him harm, the charge being contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. Reid, of Lawnsdale, Stranorlar, was also charged with an act of criminal damage. He was charged that he did, without lawful exact, damage property, namely the driver's side of a Peugeot Partner van belonging to Paul McCool, a charge contrary to section 2 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. He spoke only to plead guilty to the charges when he appeared before Judge John Aylmer. His barrister, Mr Peter Nolan BL, told the court that Reid has previous convictions 'going back some time'. Mr Nolan said that there is a 'very involved family history in this matter'. He told Judge Aylmer that the matter is also before the High Court over 'lands, wills et cetera' and the court should be informed about these matters. Former Donegal County Councillor Gareth Reid who appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (North West Newspix) News in 90 seconds - June 2nd Judge Aylmer requested a probation report and asked that it include an assessment on Reid's suitability for community service. In September 2008, Reid was co-opted onto Donegal County Council, taking the seat of his grandfather, JJ Reid, following his retirement from politics but failed to be re-elected to the Council the following year.
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Sunday World
Tragic Donegal drowning victim remembered for smiling face and generous heart
Matt Sibanda, 18, was laid to rest following his funeral mass at St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana. The remains of Matt Sibanda being carried out of St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana. (North West Newspix) The remains of Matt Sibanda being carried out of St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana. (North West Newspix) The remains of Matt Sibanda being carried out of St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana. (North West Newspix) A young man who died in a double-drowning tragedy off the Co Donegal coast has been remembered for his quiet but sociable presence, smiling face and ability to always listen and respond with a deeply respectful and generous heart. Matt Sibanda, 18, was laid to rest following his funeral mass at St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana today. He was due to begin sitting his Leaving Certificate exams in the coming days at Crana College in Buncrana. It is two weeks to the day since Matt's friend, Emmanuel Familola, 16, was also laid to rest in the same church after the pair perished in the same tragedy in Lough Swilly. Both young men were understood to be trying to retrieve a ball from the water while swimming during the recent good spell of weather off Buncrana on May 10th. The remains of Matt Sibanda being carried out of St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana. (North West Newspix) Another friend who also got into difficulty managed to swim ashore. Matt's body was found hours after he went missing following a huge search by the emergency services and local volunteer vessels. His friend Emmanuel was plucked from the sea earlier in the day and rushed to Letterkenny University Hospital but tragically passed away a few hours later. Emmanuel was laid to rest on May 17th. However, Matt's funeral was delayed until today to allow family members travel from their native Zimbabwe. Included among the traveling group was Matt's beloved grandmother Josephine. The remains of Matt Sibanda being carried out of St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana. (North West Newspix) News in 90 Seconds - May 31st Earlier this week, Matt's family traveled to the scene of the tragedy to see where their beloved son, brother and grandson died. A small ritual took place at the pier which was overseen by Matt's grandmother in her role as head of the family so they could release his soul and allow him to go to heaven. A large crowd attended today's funeral to say a final farewell to the young man who had carved out a special place in the heart of the local community despite his short time there. As well as Matt's beloved mother Bonnie, his brother Thembalethu and sisters Modest and Sandy, were present to say a final farewell to the young man who have played such a huge part in all their lives. Before Matt's mass began, a member of Matt's family thanked the local community for their support and friendship for the family since Matt's tragic passing. Fr Francis Bradley, parish priest, said Matt was undeniably wise and good beyond his years. He said "From his earliest days in Zimbabwe through to his time here in Buncrana, Matt has always been recognised for his quiet but sociable presence, his smiling face and his ability to always listen and respond with a deeply respectful and generous heart. "In the Old HSE Building which became his home since his arrival here in late 2023, Matt was the eldest child, and with his great gifts and talents, particularly the respect he showed to everyone but most especially to his mother, he became a natural leader – a first among equals. "He was undeniably wise and good beyond his years with an ability to sit with other children reading, debating and learning with great enthusiasm, always curious to know a little more. "His surname, Sibanda, means 'Lion'. Our new Pope has taken the name Leo, which also means 'Lion'. Pope Leo and Matt Sibanda shared something important in common – their ability to listen to all sides of the debate, never judging, but helping all sides to reach a better solution. "All of this stemmed from his profound respect for his mother. He always listened to her and he never ever spoke back to her even once throughout his eighteen years. A man of few words, a good and kind boy, a humble kid who would play with the other children, always looking out for his sister Sandy. "He adored her, and she him. He would watch her when his Mam was working; he taught her to ride a bike; he would play piggy back with her and chase her after school – always kind and happy. "He had the perfect balance in life, for he loved food, healthy food, and loved exercising, lifting weights; ironically, he was a powerful swimmer." Fr Bradley added that while the world is now moving on from the terrible tragedy of May 10th, the local community in Buncrana and Donegal is still coming to terms with it. He added "While some distance has been drawn now from those terrible moments, the loss of Matt and Emmanuel is still an open wound, a sore blow for all of us, but most especially for his grieving family. "We are all struggling still to come to terms with the loss, still speechless at the suddenness of it, still heartbroken at the enormity of it. While the world has moved on in some respects, we are nevertheless still numbed by the sadness of what happened. "For these reasons and more we feel the need to reach out in hope to one another and to God in a search for peace more than answers, and for the healing consolation which can only ever come from the heart of God alone." Among those present to support Matt's family was Commandant Joe Glennon, Aide de Camp to An Taoiseach, representing Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, Kate Gillen of IPAS, CEO of the Donegal Education Training Board Anne McHugh as well as various public representatives. Many of Matt's teachers and fellow pupils from Crana College as well as Principal Mr Kevin Cooley were also present. A huge bloom of white flowers reading Matt's name lay at the foot of the altar accompanied by a photo montage of Matt and a football made from flowers to reflect Matt's love of the game. As well as traditional hymns, songs from Matt's native Zimbabwe filled St Mary's Oratory as both communities came together to remember a fine young man taken too soon. Matt's heartbroken family led his white coffin out of St Mary's church to the haunting sounds of 'Amazing Grace' before his burial in the nearby Cockhill Cemetery. Outside, dark clouds hung over Buncrana on the last day of May as a town which has seen more than its fair share of tragedies, closed the page on another sad chapter.
Sunday World
17-05-2025
- Sunday World
Priest tells funeral of Donegal drowning victim not to judge their actions
Emmanuel Familola, 16, and his friend Matt Siband, 18, perished when an innocent swim on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon on Lough Swilly last weekend turned to unimaginable tragedy. The remains of Emmanuel Famiola are carried from St Marys Oratory in Buncrana. (North West Newspix) The remains of Emmanuel Famiola are carried from St Marys Oratory in Buncrana. (North West Newspix) A priest at the first funeral of two friends who lost their lives while swimming off the coast of Donegal has asked people not to judge the actions which may have led to their tragic deaths. Emmanuel Familola, 16, and his friend Matt Siband, 18, perished when an innocent swim on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon on Lough Swilly last weekend turned to unimaginable tragedy. Reports have suggested the men went into the water to retrieve a ball but got into difficulty. Parish priest of Buncrana, Fr Francis Bradley told mourners at Emmanuel's funeral mass at St Mary's Church that nobody should judge the actions which have brought so much heartache to so many people. "None of us can judge the actions which led to such a calamitous tragedy. If hindsight were foresight, we'd all have insight," he said. Both young men had been living with their families at international protection centres in the Buncrana area. A huge search and rescue operation involving the RNLI, Gardai, local volunteers boats and the Rescue 118 helicopter swung into action following the incident. The remains of Emmanuel Famiola are carried from St Marys Oratory in Buncrana. (North West Newspix) Another friend managed to swim to the shore but Emmanuel and Matt were not so fortunate. Emmanuel was plucked from the sea a while later but unfortunately passed away the following day at Letterkenny University Hospital. Matt's body was recovered from the sea between Ned's Point and Fahan by Greencastle Coastguard a number of hours later that same evening. A large crowd gathered from early morning at St Mary's Church in Buncrana for Emmanuel's funeral mass. Matt Sibanda and Emmanuel Familola His beautiful white coffin in which the young Nigerian boy was laid to rest sat at the foot of the alter. Those who filed into the church before the mass consoled eachother with some simply and respectfully touching Emmanuel's coffin. Emmanuel's heartbroken mother Glory and his young brothers Daniel and John sat next to Emmanuel's coffin surrounded and comforted by other family and friends. Many other family members watched in online form their native Nigeria. Before the mass began, family friend Tony Joel said the African Community in Ireland wanted to thank the communities of Buncrana, Donegal and Ireland for their "unity and love" following Emmanuel's tragic passing and asked God "to bless this community and country." He specifically thanks all the emergency services as well as the staff of Letterkenny University Hospital for trying so hard to save the life of Emmanuel. Fr Bradley, told how Emmanuel was the eldest in his family and the first grandchild and he was 'precious.' Reaching out to Emmanuel's mother Gloria he said "Emmanuel will always be her son, and she will always be his mother." He spoke of Emmanuel's caring nature and "serene magnetism" and how he looked after other vulnerable students. "Emmanuel distinguished himself by his devotion of heart, by his courtesy, calmness and sense of gratitude for anything and everything he was given. "He was an excellent student who always gave his best, he had a serene magnetism to him which crossed social, ethnic and cultural boundaries for his warmth and charisma spoke every language, touched every heart," he said. Fr Bradley then spoke specifically of the moment which led to the young men's deaths and asked mourners not to judge their actions which led to such heartache for so many. He said "All of this has made the tragedy which befell himself and Matt Sibanda from Zimbabwe on Saturday evening last all the more difficult to comprehend, all the more painful for his family, for all of us and especially for his friends who were there and did their best to help. "They appear to have been doing what young boys would do - playing football and going into the water to retrieve the ball. "Despite constant warnings, how were they really to know the real power and danger of the water, the destructive currents and forces which lay beneath the otherwise picture-perfect sea on a surreal afternoon; could any of us say we wouldn't go into the water and risk it a little to make sure the fun would continue. "None of us can judge the actions which led to such a calamitous tragedy. If hindsight were foresight, we'd all have insight," he said. The remains of Emmanuel Famiola are carried from St Marys Oratory in Buncrana. (North West Newspix) News in 90 Seconds - May 17th Among those there to support Emmanuel's family at their time of such grief included members of the emergency services who tried so hard to save the two young men, pupils and teachers from both Scoil Mhuire and Crana College in Buncrana. Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris were represented by aide-de-camp Commandant Joe Glennon and his Chaplain, Father Daniel McFaul while Kate Gillen, Principal Officer of IPAS was also present. Members of the Safe Haven Christian Community with their leaders Ruth and Andrew Garvey-Williams were also resent while Fr Bradley was assisted by Father Cajecan, a priest from Nigeria, living at the Termonbacca Carmelite Monastery in Derry. Fr Bradley referred to the other name for Lough Swilly, the Lake of Shadows, saying the more you see it, the more you realise how the light reflects differently on different parts of the water, at different times, and the result is a constantly changing landscape and mood on the water. He paid tribute to the emergency services and to the friends of Emmanuel and Matt for all they went through in the hours after the tragedy struck. "Although the sun has been bright in the sky these days, the gloomy and foreboding shadow of death has hung over us all on the banks of this lovely lake. Again, the name conveys even the mood of our broken hearts. It is distressingly difficult for all of us to come to terms with this tragedy. "But could I say that the difficulty must be unbearable for those who did their best to save Emmanuel and Matt – the search crews from the RNLI and the coastguard, the flotilla of yachts who combed the lake, and most especially Ottman and Mohammed their friends who spent themselves in doing their very best for them." Gifts remembering Emmanuel's short life were also brought to the altar. They included a collage of pictures taken on a recent trip to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin which Emmanuel enjoyed, a Manchester City football shirt to reflect his love of sport, a bible to reflect his deep faith and a certificate from the Department of Foreign Affairs following his recent trip there. Fr Bradley also spoke of how the two communities of Nigeria and Buncrana had much in common including the fact that both were built on rivers. He added "Nigeria and Buncrana have something in common – they both take their names from the river which runs through them: Nigeria from the Niger river, and Buncrana meaning the mouth or the foot of the Crana River. Water therefore lies at the heart of their names, the heart of their origin and destiny. "However deep and wide the waters of the Niger river are, however powerful and captivating the waters of the Crana river are, there is an altogether gentler yet even more impressive water which gives us all our sense of origin and destiny: the water of Baptism." He praised the spirit and kindness of community spirit following the men's tragic deaths. More than €40,000 has been raised through a Go Fund Me page organised by the local Insight Inishowen charity which will cover the young men's funerals and other costs. A spokesperson for the organisers said "We are overwhelmed with gratitude. These funds will ease ongoing costs and give them one less thing to worry about as they grieve and begin to heal. "Your support brings comfort and strength to these families when they need it most. Thank you for being part of this community of care." Emmanuel's white coffin glistened in the bright May sunshine as it was carried from the church to the adjoining cemetary for burial - exactly a week since he and his friends walked to the nearby shoreline without a care in the world.
Sunday World
09-05-2025
- Sunday World
Driver banned after leading gardai in dangerous chase on wrong side of road
Josh Bradley appeared at Letterkenny District Court where he pleaded guilty to the charges arising out of the incident on May 19th, 2024. A Co Donegal driver who led Gardai on a dangerous pursuit driving on the wrong side of the road, swerving across the path of pursuing Gardai and ignoring stop signs, has been fined and put off the road. Josh Bradley appeared at Letterkenny District Court where he pleaded guilty to the charges arising out of the incident on May 19th, 2024. The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, drink-driving and driving without insurance. The court heard that Bradley, of Ballykerrigan, Cloghan, was observed acting suspiciously in a vehicle parked up at Meeting House Street in Stranorlar at 1.48am. Sergeant Jim Collins said that when approached by Gardai, the black Nissan X-Trail jeep reversed and then drove off leaving Gardai being forced to swerve to avoid the patrol car being struck. Josh Bradley at Letterkenny District Court. (North West Newspix) News in 90 Seconds - May 9th Gardai activated their lights and sirens as the vehicle headed towards McClay's Corner where it engaged in a number of dangerous driving manoeuvres including driving on the wrong side of the road. The jeep then drove on towards Ard McCool where the driver ignored 'stop' signs and when Gardai tried to overtake the offending vehicle, it swerved in their way. The jeep was eventually stopped and when the driver was later tested, a positive reading of 55 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood was given. It was later discovered that the accused, Josh Bradley, was not insured to drive the vehicle. Sergeant Collins said the accused man was very apologetic when he sobered up and confirmed he has no previous convictions. Solicitor for Bradley, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said his client was in college but also worked part-time. He said the incident on the night was a stupid mistake and completely out of character and that his parents were very concerned for Mr Bradley. Mr Gallagher added that this appeared to be "youthful stupidness" and that nothing like this had ever happened in Mr Bradley's formative years and described the incident as a "blip." However, Judge Eiteain Cunningham intervened saying "this was more than a blip" adding that Bradley's actions on the night had put Gardai and other road users at risk. Mr Gallagher replied that his client had since completed and passed the Pro Social Driving Course and confirmed Bradley had not come to the attention of Gardaí since the incident. Passing sentence, Judge Cunningham noted Bradley had completed the Pro Social Driving Course but added that the accused was lucky he was not looking at a suspended jail sentence. She added that this was because he had no previous convictions, that hopefully he has learned his lesson and also that he has completed the Pro Social Driving Course. She fined Bradley €200 and disqualified him from driving for two years for drunk driving, fined him a further €100 and disqualified him from driving for two years for dangerous driving while a charge of driving without a license was struck out.
Sunday World
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Businesses left frustrated as immigration protestors kept apart by gardai in Donegal
A human chain of gardai which included officers in riot gear and members of the public order unit, separated vocal protesters who gathered at the town's Market Square Members of the Public Order Unit deployed at the protests in Letterkenny. (North West Newspix) A large Garda presence kept pro and anti-immigration protesters apart during separate gatherings in Letterkenny today. A crowd of more than 1,500 gathered on both sides to make their voices heard. A human chain of Gardai which included officers in riot gear and members of the public order unit, separated vocal protesters who gathered at the town's Market Square. The Air Support Unit surveyed protesters from a helicopter as garda medics also waited on standby. The larger anti-immigration crowd of up to 1,200 protesters waved Tricolour flags and held anti-Government banners as they marched from the town's Port Roundabout. The crowd was diverted up the town's Church Lane so as to avoid a direct confrontation with their opposing protestors. Gardai earlier erected crowd control barriers to keep both gatherings away from each other. Protestors gathered throughout the day There were verbal exchanges from both sides but it is not understood there were any major incidents and no arrests were reported. Co Donegal's biggest town was unusually quiet from early morning as Gardai implemented a crowd control strategy which saw roads blocked off and traffic diverted. Among those who spoke on behalf of the Donegal United Against Racism rally which had a crowd of up to 300 supporters were former Donegal TD, Thomas Pringle, Senator Eileen Flynn and Donegal County Councillor Declan Meehan. Among those who spoke on behalf of those protesting about the arrival of immigrants into Donegal were former election candidate Kim McMenamin and Ciaran Tourish. The town's Main Street remained closed to traffic for several hours on what should have been one of the busiest shopping days of the year, coinciding with the May Bank Holiday weekend. President of the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce, Mr Jimmy Stafford, said businesses felt frustrated by the lack of consultation. He said "Had our members known that the road was going to close from 10am, they may have made a decision to close or made alternative arrangements with staff. There was no consultation with the Chamber by the authorities. 'We accept that there is a right to protest. Everybody has a right to protest from either side. The issue for us is just the lack of consultation around what was going to happen today from a road closure perspective and no parking for cars. 'We welcome the Garda presence. The main thing is that the protests go off peacefully. Members of the Public Order Unit deployed at the protests in Letterkenny. (North West Newspix) 'Some of our members have spoken to me today. This should be one of their busiest days of the year. The May Bank Holiday is the kicking off of the summer period, there are a lot of tourists in down and the good weather. Their trade is decimated. 'Our members respect the right to protest from all sides. The lack of consultation is the thing for us. 'Had we been consulted around road closures, timing, parking and barriers, we could have put our members on notice. 'We have had a very good working relationship for years and we work very closely together - and we always have. There are learnings from this going forward around consultation and keeping us in the loop. Another prominent Letterkenny businessman claimed the protest had cost traders "millions in lost revenue" and suggested the protests could have been held on the edge of the town.
