Latest news with #O'Neill
Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Mum-of-2 who ‘ruined' wedding after viciously attacking woman on dance floor in front of horrified guests is spared jail
The violent fallout spilled outside with multiple guests involved in the brawl WEDDING HELL Mum-of-2 who 'ruined' wedding after viciously attacking woman on dance floor in front of horrified guests is spared jail Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MUM-of-two has been spared jail after viciously attacking a woman on the dance floor at a wedding. Jayden O'Neill, 28, left one guest drenched in blood and another with a head wound after a violent meltdown at a swanky venue in Canterbury, Kent. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Jayden O'Neill was spared jail despite a violent outburst that left multiple people injured Credit: facebook/@Jayde Oneill 2 The single mum, pictured leaving court, was told she'd 'ruined' the wedding reception Credit: SWNS But O'Neill managed to dodge jail despite the violent altercation because locking her up would be 'too hard' on her kids. The shocking scenes unfolded at the picture-perfect Winters Barns wedding venue in front of horrified friends and family - including children - during the evening reception. O'Neill, who was there as a 'plus one', kicked off after a tense run-in with the bride's family. CCTV footage caught the chaos erupting around 11pm as guests screamed and tried to step in. Read More in UK News BALCONY PLUNGE Teen, 19, fighting for life after falling from balcony 'while fleeing cops' Prosecutor Jodie-Jane Hitchcock said that O'Neill was at the venue in with her boyfriend when "concerns were raised" about her behaviour. And after overhearing comments, she confronted the bride's brother, Matthew Wilson and his partner Olivia Cole. Canterbury Crown Court heard how O'Neill told guests Wilson and Cole: 'If you've got a problem, say it to my face. I hope you never have children.' Prosecutors described how, after briefly leaving the party, O'Neill returned and stormed across the dancefloor with a glass in hand and plunged it into Cole's face, leaving her with a gaping cut to her lip and a deep gash in her arm. O'Neill was then punched by Wilson and a scuffle broke out on the dancefloor before more guests piled in. Another man, Graham Rhodes bravely tried to intervene by pulling the pair apart. But O'Neill then lobbed a second glass at Rhodes, slicing his head open. Cole had to be rushed to hospital, with doctors warning she may be permanently scarred while Rhodes was treated at the scene. Moment Brit woman is dragged off Ryanair flight & thrown to floor after 'assaulting passengers and making bomb threat' O'Neill, of Herne Avenue, was later charged not only in respect of the assaults on Ms Cole and Mr Rhodes but also with an offence of intentional strangulation of Mr Wilson. However, despite the judge declaring the wedding was 'ruined' and the violence worthy of a prison sentence, O'Neill walked free from Canterbury Crown Court this week. Instead, she was handed a suspended 20-month sentence, sparing her jail time so she could continue to care for her two children. Judge Paul Goldspring told her: 'You ruined it. They will never be able to get that day back. Nor will you. "But you ruined what would otherwise be the greatest day of their lives.' O'Neill was also allegedly attacked afterwards, the court heard. She was said to have been dragged around by the hair and punched by other guests in a violent fallout that spilled outside. 'DEEPLY ASHAMED' Faye Rolfe, defending, insisted that O'Neill's behaviour was 'out of character' and driven by alcohol and provocation. The single mum's defence barrister said that she was 'deeply ashamed' of the outburst. 'She doesn't usually behave like this,' Ms Rolfe said. 'She is the sole carer for her children and is held in high regard by those who know her.' The court heard the mum suffers from anxiety and depression and was considered at low risk of re-offending. She was also said to be 'set upon' by multiple people in the aftermath of the attack and suffered a chipped tooth and facial cuts. The court heard a probation report prepared for the sentencing hearing had recommended a curfew and a number of rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days. Judge Goldspring said jailing her would "harm her children more" than it would punish her, but made clear: 'Drink is no excuse.' O'Neill must also now complete 120 hours of unpaid work and attend 40 days of rehabilitation sessions in addition to her suspended sentence. She was also ordered to pay £500 in compensation to Ms Cole and £100 to Mr Rhodes, However, the shamed mum will not have to pay it all at once, with instalments of £100 per month. O'Neill's holiday plans also remain intact, as the court agreed not to impose a curfew order. District Judge Goldspring also reminded the mum of the seriousness of her offending. He said: "Let me be clear. If it wasn't for the harm caused to children by having their mother taken away from them for a substantial period, your actions that evening merit immediate custody."
The Irish Sun
18 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Mum-of-2 who ‘ruined' wedding after viciously attacking woman on dance floor in front of horrified guests is spared jail
A MUM-of-two has been spared jail after viciously attacking a woman on the dance floor at a wedding. Jayden O'Neill, 28, left one guest drenched in blood and another with a head wound after a violent meltdown at a swanky venue in Canterbury, Kent. 2 Jayden O'Neill was spared jail despite a violent outburst that left multiple people injured Credit: facebook/@Jayde Oneill 2 The single mum, pictured leaving court, was told she'd 'ruined' the wedding reception Credit: SWNS But O'Neill managed to dodge jail despite the violent altercation because locking her up would be 'too hard' on her kids. The shocking scenes unfolded at the picture-perfect Winters Barns wedding venue in front of horrified friends and family - including children - during the evening reception. O'Neill, who was there as a 'plus one', kicked off after a tense run-in with the bride's family. CCTV footage caught the chaos erupting around 11pm as guests screamed and tried to step in. Read More in UK News Prosecutor Jodie-Jane Hitchcock said that O'Neill was at the venue in with her boyfriend when "concerns were raised" about her behaviour. And after overhearing comments, she confronted the bride's brother, Matthew Wilson and his partner Olivia Cole. Canterbury Crown Court heard how O'Neill told guests Wilson and Cole: 'If you've got a problem, say it to my face. I hope you never have children.' Prosecutors described how, after briefly leaving the party, O'Neill returned and stormed across the dancefloor with a glass in hand and plunged it into Cole's face, leaving her with a gaping cut to her lip and a deep gash in her arm. Most read in The Sun O'Neill was then punched by Wilson and a scuffle broke out on the dancefloor before more guests piled in. Another man, Graham Rhodes bravely tried to intervene by pulling the pair apart. But O'Neill then lobbed a second glass at Rhodes, slicing his head open. Cole had to be rushed to hospital, with doctors warning she may be permanently scarred while Rhodes was treated at the scene. Moment Brit woman is dragged off Ryanair flight & thrown to floor after 'assaulting passengers and making bomb threat' O'Neill, of Herne Avenue, was later charged not only in respect of the assaults on Ms Cole and Mr Rhodes but also with an offence of intentional strangulation of Mr Wilson. However, despite the judge declaring the wedding was 'ruined' and the violence worthy of a prison sentence, O'Neill walked free from Canterbury Crown Court this week. Instead, she was handed a suspended 20-month sentence, sparing her jail time so she could continue to care for her two children. Judge Paul Goldspring told her: 'You ruined it. They will never be able to get that day back. Nor will you. "But you ruined what would otherwise be the greatest day of their lives.' O'Neill was also allegedly attacked afterwards, the court heard. She was said to have been dragged around by the hair and punched by other guests in a violent fallout that spilled outside. 'DEEPLY ASHAMED' Faye Rolfe, defending, insisted that O'Neill's behaviour was 'out of character' and driven by alcohol and provocation. The single mum's defence barrister said that she was 'deeply ashamed' of the outburst. 'She doesn't usually behave like this,' Ms Rolfe said. 'She is the sole carer for her children and is held in high regard by those who know her.' The court heard the mum suffers from anxiety and depression and was considered at low risk of re-offending. She was also said to be 'set upon' by multiple people in the aftermath of the attack and suffered a chipped tooth and facial cuts. The court heard a probation report prepared for the sentencing hearing had recommended a curfew and a number of rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days. Judge Goldspring said jailing her would "harm her children more" than it would punish her, but made clear: 'Drink is no excuse.' O'Neill must also now complete 120 hours of unpaid work and attend 40 days of rehabilitation sessions in addition to her suspended sentence. She was also ordered to pay £500 in compensation to Ms Cole and £100 to Mr Rhodes, However, the shamed mum will not have to pay it all at once, with instalments of £100 per month. O'Neill's holiday plans also remain intact, as the court agreed not to impose a curfew order. District Judge Goldspring also reminded the mum of the seriousness of her offending. He said: "Let me be clear. If it wasn't for the harm caused to children by having their mother taken away from them for a substantial period, your actions that evening merit immediate custody."
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Kieran McGeeney: 'They were told they would never get out of the group of death – they topped the group of death'
All-Ireland SFC Group 4: Dublin 0-19 (0-3-13) Armagh 0-24 (0-5-14) "They were told they would never get out of the group of death – they topped the group of death,' Kieran McGeeney rallied supporters at Armagh's All-Ireland SFC homecoming in the Athletic Grounds last July. After just two rounds, Armagh have again ensured they will finish best out of a viper's nest with a quarter-final on June 28/29 to anticipate. The pangs of another Ulster final loss have once more been parked and this time the champions are wearing the crown well. Plenty will be made of Con O'Callaghan not being available and Dublin's comedy of errors (18 wides, three shots that dropped short and one that struck the post aside) but Armagh looked assured from the moment they went ahead for the first time in the 26th minute. They will point to be without some of their stars too, the likes of All-Star and captain Aidan Forker, Aaron McKay and Oisín O'Neill, who had been providing regular two-pointers up to the Ulster final. Here, his brother Rian took over that mantle, kicking three of them. O'Neill is what Michael Murphy should be to Donegal – the icing on the cake. His team don't see him as a crutch but when he raises orange flags like his floating first effort here, he is a weapon of destruction. Kieran McGeeney was pleased if not satisfied with his charges's display. 'I thought we missed a hell of a bit, I think we had four or five goal chances and missed a lot. They had 17 wides, but at least, I would say, 10 of those were well within their range. 'You could argue the bit out, it would be closer or not, the conversion rates are important. Their wides would look bigger, but I think there are four or five goal chances, actually Dublin scored three or four points off them. 'Good saves, but you still want to be at least converting one or two of those if we're at this level. Definitely a mix of the good and the bad, but listen with the way the other results went, you take it every day of the week. To be able to top the group is a testament to the way the boys put their shoulders to the wheel.' Watched by a slightly disappointing crowd of 38,763, Armagh led by 0-13 to 0-9 at half-time and capitalised on three consecutive three up/four back transgressions by an insipid Dublin to extend their lead to seven by the 45th minute. The frequency of the infractions was a bad look for Dublin who compensated with a couple of two-pointers to draw within five points with 17 minutes remaining. Seán Bugler kicked the second of them only to then kick a couple of wides, the second from a relatively easy position. Read More Farrell will have a serious talk with players about technical fouls Armagh were simply a more clued-in side. In the second half, Ben Crealey and Darragh McMullan gave them a platform in the middle and the latter put them seven up in the 50th minute and the game seemed to be over when O'Neill thumped over his third two-pointer, the first from a free, in the 59th minute and Armagh were eight to the good. A desperate Dublin searched for two-pointers and bagged a third via Paddy Small but the wide count kept ticking and the total of 18 told plenty about their day. There wasn't much efficiency in the first half either. Armagh had two goal shots kept out by Stephen Cluxton and missed another six attempts at goal but Dublin were guilty of more erratic finishing. Cormac Costello ended the half with his side's seventh wide and 10th miss for the opening half. Ironically, Costello had been his team's best player in that period, scoring three points from play and winning a free he converted. Colm Basquel struck two wides inside the first 15 minutes and was withdrawn five minutes later. Dublin looked the part in the opening 11 minutes when they pushed 0-6 to 0-3 playing into Hill 16, but were hauled back courtesy of a Rory Grugan two-pointer and Jarlath Óg Burns's second point from play. Cluxton made his first save in the 19th minute from Oisín Conaty and Dublin made plenty of the let-off with the next couple of points to go two up. There was pace in their football and their inside line were enjoying the duels that came off it. However, what followed was an Armagh blitz, seven points in six minutes, two of them two-point scores, an enduring kick from O'Neill, which followed an equivalent score from a Grugan free outside the arc. Dublin were being walloped on their kick-out, the frenzied efforts of their half-forward preventing Cluxton from finding pockets and forcing him long where the likes of Crealey and Ross McQuillan were breaking ball. Conor Turbitt sent over his second score courtesy of the restart that came after O'Neill's kick and Conaty also brought his total to two points on the half-hour mark to stretch Armagh's lead to five points. Costello did sent over a free, Dublin's first point in 12 minutes, in the 34th minute but the wide he added over a minute later typified his team's performance if not his own. 'I think in the first quarter we were quite clinical but then lost our way for some reason,' reviewed Dessie Farrell. 'And we never really regained our composure, struggled to get momentum maybe outside of a period in the second half where we got at the Armagh kick-out. That gave us a very good platform but we failed to convert and execute from that platform, so that was very disappointing. 'And then perhaps some decision-making around shot selection, chasing the game, chasing two-pointers. That potentially we would regret now looking back on that at this point.' Scorers for Dublin: C. Costello (0-8, 1tp, 3 frees); P. Small (0-4, 1tp); S. Bugler (0-3, 1tp); L. Gannon (0-2); L. O'Dell, B. Howard (0-1 each). Scorers for Armagh: R. Grugan (0-8, 1tp, 1tpf, 4 frees); R. O'Neill (0-6, 2 tps, 1tpf); J. Burns, O. Conaty, C. Turbitt (0-2 each); E. Rafferty, D. McMullan, S. Campbell, J. McElroy (0-1 each). DUBLIN: S. Cluxton; D. Byrne, T. Clancy, A. Gavin; N. Scully, B. Howard. S. MacMahon; P. Ó Cofaigh-Byrne, C. Kilkenny (c); K. McGinnis, S. Bugler, C. Basquel; P. Small, C. Costello, L. O'Dell. Subs: L. Gannon for C. Basquel (20); J. Small for A. Gavin (h-t); T. Lahiff for K. McGinnis, L. Breathnach for L. O'Dell (both 48); E. O'Donnell for N. Scully (61). ARMAGH: E. Rafferty; B. McCambridge, P. Burns, P. McGrane; R. McQuillan, T. Kelly, J. Burns; J. Duffy, B. Crealey; D. McMullan, O. Conaty, A. Murnin; R. Grugan (c), R. O'Neill, C. Turbitt. Subs: S. Campbell for C. Turbitt (53); J. McElroy for J. Duffy (64); T. McCormack for R. Grugan (67); N. Grimley for R. O'Neill (68). Referee: J. McQuillan (Cavan).
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Principals warn 'catch-all' special schools will push pupils back into mainstream classes
Plans to develop 'catch-all' special schools will push students who have mild and general learning disabilities back to mainstream classes 'that have already failed them', principals have warned. The school leaders, who oversee 30 special schools in 19 counties, serving more than 3,000 students, say they face growing pressure from the Department of Education to change their schools' current designation to include children with 'complex needs'. The principals have warned that this broadening of criteria will result in a phasing-out of special school places for children with mild and general learning disabilities. The Department of Education told schools last week of new plans aimed at resolving long-standing issues with the application system for special education, which sees families struggling to find places each year. These issues, as previously highlighted by the Irish Examiner, include a lack of access to appropriate school places. The 30 special schools affected by the new criteria work with children who have mild and general learning disabilities, which typically means a child has an IQ between 50 and 69, as well as with students who are considered 'borderline'. The schools also work with autistic students, often making up more than 50% of the student body, and who have a dual diagnosis of mild and general learning disabilities and don't fit the typical autism class model. The schools offer the full primary curriculum, the Junior Cycle at Levels 2 and 3, QQI Level 3, and the Leaving Certificate Applied. However, the principals now fear their model of education is at risk, according to spokeswoman for the group, Debbie O'Neill, principal of Scoil Eoin in Crumlin. Instead of creating new special school places, the department's plan simply reallocates existing places. This pushes children with mild and general learning disabilities back into mainstream environments that have already failed them. 'This is not inclusive education. It is reactive, rushed, and deeply unfair," she said. The pressure on schools to change designations to cater for a wider cohort of disabilities has become 'very apparent' in recent years, particularly as the crisis in placements for autistic children took hold. 'They are calling them 'catch-all' special schools, which is the most horrendously disrespectful language to any child or parent with a disability, and they are looking for us to become these 'catch-all' special schools," Ms O'Neill said. 'Mild' schools redundant Within four years, the intention is that 'mild' schools would be 'redundant' and students would be back in mainstream classrooms. There would only be a specialised setting for those with the most complex needs, Ms O'Neill said. The recent circular concerned principals as the new language used around designation has been 'kept vague on purpose', she added. 'We recognise the urgent need to find school places for autistic children," she said. No child should be left without a school place, and no family should be left in limbo. We stand with those parents. We want those children to be supported. However, the apparent current strategy of 'repurposing mild and general learning disabilities schools" is not the answer, Ms O'Neill said. A spokesperson for the Department of Education said it is not the intention to exclude children who require a special school place from accessing certain special schools. However, it is not "appropriate" that children and young people have to pass special schools and travel long distances because "they don't meet the narrow criteria for admission to those special schools who cater for children with mild general learning disabilities", the spokesperson said. "A number of these special schools have already moved to broaden the profile of students they support, in response to the changing needs of students. The department and the National Council For Special Education will support other schools to do the same."
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Man avoids jail after poisoning partner by crushing Valium tablets into her sandwich
Man avoids jail for crushing up Valium tablets inside his 'stressed' partner's sandwich A man who poisoned his partner by crushing up two Valium tablets and placing them in her sandwich is back walking the streets after dodging a jail sentence after claiming he had been trying to help her 'relax'. Video recorded by the Sunday World shows Mark O'Neill (62) of Cois na Coille, Pollerton, Co Carlow standing outside court as he awaited sentencing for the shocking crime last week. He pleaded guilty to Section 12 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act, which is defined as 'intentionally or recklessly administering, or causing to be taken, a substance which he/she knows to be capable of interfering substantially with the other's bodily functions'. The court previously heard Mark O'Neill's partner, Helen Nolan, discovered Valium tablets in the sandwich that he had made for her last August and that after taking one bite, she didn't eat any more of it because it tasted 'metallic' and that she immediately went to sleep. At his sentencing hearing, defence barrister Ross Pratt O'Brien pleaded for leniency on behalf of his client. He told Judge Eugene O'Kelly the facts of the case were accepted but noted it was his client's defence his wife was 'extremely stressed' at the time and he had been trying to help her. He said he now accepted his actions were reckless and could have caused her serious harm but said he did not consider this at the time. He said his client was 62 years old and has no previous convictions. He said he had fully co-operated with the investigation and had made admissions. He said as a result of the incident, his relationship was gone and that O'Neill is now effectively homeless and living in temporary accommodation. O'Neill pictured outside court this week He said O'Neill had been socially dependent on his partner and as a result of the case his entire social structure had broken down. 'He is now isolated entirely,' he said. He asked the court to deal with O'Neill by way of a non-custodial sentence. Judge Eugene O'Kelly described O'Neill's actions as 'shocking'. 'It was a shocking incident particularly with a person whom he knew had shocking medical issues which required lots of medication, so he knew perfectly well what he was doing to his partner,' said Judge O'Kelly. 'I have read the victim impact statement. The Probation Welfare Report is positive. The accused currently does not have a strong support network and is of low risk of reoffending,' added Judge O'Kelly. Mark O'Neill is now 'isolated entirely' News in 90 Seconds - June 1st Judge O'Kelly said he would impose a sentence of one year and six months, which he would suspend in its entirety for a period of two years on the accused entering into a bond of €100. Speaking directly to O'Neill, Judge O'Kelly said: 'I can assure you, that you have used up every opportunity that is available from this court.' Approached for comment at her home later, a family member of Ms Nolan's said she was aware of the outcome of the case but didn't wish to comment. The court heard previously that O'Neill and Ms Nolan had been in a relationship for 30 years and that they lived together at an address in Pollerton. Judge O'Kelly heard that on the day of the offence, Ms Nolan was in her bedroom on the phone when she heard Mr O'Neill on the landing outside so she asked him to make a sandwich for her. He subsequently returned with a tomato and mayonnaise sandwich, gave it to her and left the bedroom. The court heard that when Ms Nolan took a bite out of it, it tasted metallic and didn't taste like it should have, so she put it down and didn't have any more. She then fell asleep, and when she woke up the following morning, she still felt tired, so tired that she didn't feel like she had slept at all. She was 'overwhelmingly tired' throughout the day when she went to Tullow so she returned home to go back to bed, the court heard. Judge O'Kelly was told that when she saw the sandwich still on her bedside locker, the bread had turned blue in places and, upon investigation, she saw blue tablets mixed into it. She went to her doctor, who said she was medically fine but advised her to go to the gardai about the matter.
