Latest news with #Roscommon
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Whistleblower welcomes call to have debate over defective gun holsters
A former garda who made protected disclosures about alleged defective gun holsters previously worn by armed officers, has welcomed a call by a senator to have an urgent debate in parliament about the 'grave issues'. Speaking through his solicitor Kevin Winters, the former garda said he is 'greatly encouraged' by Senator Michael McDowell's call to have the issues brought into the public domain. Advertisement The former garda, who is not yet being named, is also taking High Court action against his former employers. Issues around defective gun holsters have been previously raised in the Dáil. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said in March that he met the family of murdered garda Det Garda Colm Horkan. The 49-year-old, who was originally from Charlestown, was murdered while on duty in 2020. Advertisement He was shot several times with his own gun on June 17th, 2020 in Castlerea, Co Roscommon. In an separate incident, the Dail heard about an accidental discharge of an officially issued garda firearm that occurred outside the Israeli Embassy on June 11 2020, just under a week before Mr Horkan's death. The discharge resulted in life-changing injuries to the garda. Labour TD Alan Kelly said forensic experts attached to the Garda National Technical Bureau (GNTB) discovered that the holster could engage the trigger and 'fire the weapon of its own accord'. Advertisement Michael McDowell criticised the 'gross mistreatment' of gardaí who have been affected by the issues surrounding defective holsters (Brian Lawless/PA) On Thursday, Mr McDowell called for a full debate on 'certain grave issues' relating to the armoury section of An Garda Síochána, as well as the 'misuse' of protected disclosures and issues concerning the procurement of defective ammunition. In a statement, a spokesman for KRW Law, which acts for the former garda officer who is also before the court charged in connection with a separate criminal matter, said their client will fully contest the charges. 'Earlier this year, he issued a High Court plenary summons against his former employers seeking damages for the loss, distress and anxiety he's been subjected to over the past few years,' the statement added. 'He is greatly encouraged today following the call made by Senator Michael McDowell SC in the Seanad for these thematically linked issues to be brought into the public domain.' Advertisement Human rights solicitor Kevin Winters said: 'We fully endorse Senator McDowell's call for increased scrutiny on serious issues around gardaí irregularities. 'We have spoken with our client this morning following the comments made and we are pleased to report he is greatly encouraged with what he's heard. 'It had been a lonely and difficult journey for him to get to this point. 'He's been ostracised and vilified for taking a firm stand on what he sees as serious wrongdoing. Advertisement 'It means an awful lot to him to hear someone of the stature of Senator McDowell refer to him as an officer of 'the utmost good character … facing charges which appear to be motivated by a desire to conceal abuses in the armoury section'. 'Following today's significant call by the senator we now call upon the DPP (Director of Public Prosecution) to review its decision to persist with the indictment against our client. 'Using the criminal justice system to try and silence an honest gardaí officer is not a good look. We wholeheartedly endorse this morning's call for our client's case to be brought into the public domain together with an urgent debate later in September.' On Thursday, Mr McDowell criticised the 'gross mistreatment' of gardaí who have been affected by the issues surrounding defective holsters. He told the Seanad: 'There is clear evidence that criminal and disciplinary processes have been launched to conceal major misfeasance and shortcomings in the management of the garda armoury. 'A senior garda officer of the utmost integrity has been sidelined for his part in raising these matters. A junior member of An Garda Síochána of the utmost good character is facing criminal charges on indictment which appear to be motivated by a desire to conceal abuses in the armoury section. 'Senior management in An Garda Siochana is aware of all these matters. 'Anyone who thinks that the culture in An Garda Síochána has been transformed by the outcome of the Disclosures Tribunal concerning Sgt Maurice McCabe is, I fear, gravely mistaken. I am shocked by what I have learned. 'These matters need to be brought into the public domain and an urgent debate is required when this House resumes in September.' An Garda Síochána has been contacted for comment.
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Tommy Walsh calls time on football career with Kerins O'Rahillys
With the retirement of Tommy Walsh, Kerins O'Rahillys have now lost two of their greatest talismen of the past two decades after David Moran announced his departure just two short months ago. Walsh's departure at the age of thirty seven was announced by Club PRO Pat Flavin early today (Wednesday). The club statement began "Tommy Walsh's retirement from football marks the end of an era for Kerry and for Gaelic games. A player whose career spanned continents and generations, Walsh leaves behind a legacy defined by power, poise, and an unwavering commitment to his teams. "Tommy burst on the scene as a towering midfielder on the Kerry minor team of 2006 reaching the All-Ireland minor final before losing to Roscommon after a replay." The statement continued, 'He was called into the Kerry senior panel in 2007 but had to wait until the following year to make his senior championship debut where, following All-Ireland success with the Kerry U21s, his efforts to add a senior medal were thwarted by Tyrone when Kerry lost in the final. "His powerful displays however, were enough to earn him the Young Footballer of the Year award, not just a recognition of his individual brilliance but also a sign of the immense promise he held — it validated the buzz around him and affirmed he was one of the brightest young prospects in the game. "Tommy garnered his Celtic Cross in fine style the following year when Kerry defeated Cork in the All-Ireland final, with Tommy kicking four points from play, two with either foot. Walsh playing for Kerry in 2021. File picture: James Crombie/Inpho "Tommy then departed his beloved Strand Road in October 2009 and played professional Aussie Rules with St Kilda and later the Sydney Swans but his progress was blighted by injury. 'After five years abroad, Walsh returned to his roots in 2014, to his beloved Strand Road. His presence was more than symbolic — he brought back experience, leadership, and a renewed hunger to contribute to the famed blue and white. "Tommy was brought back into the Kerry senior squad in 2015 by Eamonn Fitzmaurice and played with Peter Keane in 2019 when Kerry lost to Dublin after a replay. He came off the bench in the much discussed and delayed All-Ireland semi-final of 2021 against Tyrone. But it is with his club that he enjoyed one of his finest seasons in 2022, as the statement outlines 'Tommy was named Man of the Match in the 2022 Munster Club Final, leading Kerins O'Rahillys with a commanding performance that blended grit, grace, and game intelligence. ……The ensuing All-Ireland semi final vs. eventual winners, Kilmacud Crokes, was the culmination of countless years in Strand Road, shared dreams and standing shoulder to shoulder with the very lads who knew him best. "From Strand Road to the stadiums of Sydney, his journey was one of courage, class, and commitment. Retirement may close the chapter, but his story will echo in Kerry lore for years to come. Thanks Tommy — a true legend of Strand Road', the statement concluded. His final club game was in the Intermediate quarter-final against a David Clifford-led Fossa before a full house in Strand Road but his final championship game was with St Brendan's in the County SFC quarter-final when the Tralee combo beat Kenmare Shamrocks 0-16 to 0-14.
BreakingNews.ie
12-07-2025
- Climate
- BreakingNews.ie
Ireland's heatwave: Limerick hotter than Lisbon as temperatures exceed 30 degrees
Ireland has recorded its hottest day of the year so far with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees in many areas. The weather station in Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon, saw temperatures hit 31.1 degrees on Saturday afternoon. Oak Park in Co Carlow, Shannon Airport and Mullingar also had highs of 30 degrees. Advertisement Temperatures soared above 30 degrees in Magilligan, Co Derry, the first time the milestone had been reached in Northern Ireland since July 18th, 2022. ☀️📈🌡️Today marks the highest temperature of this year so far, recorded in multiple locations⬇️ Provisional temperatures - pending verification⬇️ — Met Éireann (@MetEireann) July 12, 2025 Ireland experienced a hotter day on Saturday than many parts of Portugal and Spain, with storm warnings in place for central and eastern parts of the Iberian Peninsula. According to Met Éireann, Sunday will also start 'largely dry and fine' across Ireland with long spells of sunshine and mostly light winds. However, cloud 'will build from the west with showers pushing in across west Munster in the morning extending into Connacht and western parts of Leinster during the afternoon and evening'. Advertisement Some heavy and thundery downpours are likely although it will remain very warm with highest temperatures of 22 to 29 degrees and light to moderate south to southeast or variable breezes. A high-temperature warning will remain in place in northern and eastern counties until 6pm on Sunday. The RNLI has asked those planning a trip to the coast or inland waterways to make sure they keep themselves and their families safe. They have urged people to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flag, to check the weather forecast and tide times, and to read local hazard signage to understand local risks. Advertisement The public has been urged to keep a close eye on family, both on the beach and in the water, and to make sure people do not swim alone. Linda-Gene Byrne, RNLI water safety lead, said: 'We are expecting people to head to the coast during the hot weather, it is a great way to have fun, relax and cool off in high temperatures. 'Choosing a lifeguarded beach will mean our lifeguards can ensure you enjoy a safe visit. Please head to a lifeguarded beach, swim between flags. 'Remember: where there are no flags, there are no lifeguards. Advertisement 'If you find yourself in trouble, Float to Live. Knowing this technique and encouraging your family to practice it, could save your life. 'Whether you get into difficulty in the water at the coast or on any of our inland waters, Float to Live: tilt your head back, with your ears submerged. Relax and try to breathe normally. 'Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat if you need to. 'It's fine if your legs sink – we all float differently. By doing this, you give yourself the chance to rest and recover your breathing. 'Once you've regained control of your breathing, you can call for help or swim to safety.' Water Safety Ireland urged anyone visiting the beach to enter the water slowly. It said: 'Whether you're swimming, surfing, or paddleboarding, make safety your top priority. 'Enter the water slowly to avoid cold water shock. Supervise children and hold their hand near water.'
Irish Examiner
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Irish amateurs suffer heartbreak in Killarney
Ireland suffered a dramatic and heartbreaking defeat in the semi-finals of the European Amateur Team Championship at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club. Having not featured in the final since 2014, the Irish had taken a 2-0 lead after the morning foursomes but their Danish counterparts bounced back in the singles. Despite another brilliant point from John Doyle (Fota Island), Ireland came out on the wrong side of an agonising 4-3 scoreline, with Kristian Hjort Bressum draining the winning putt on the 20th hole of his match against Thomas Higgins (Roscommon). 'Brilliant all week, very proud of them, very proud of the performance. They gave it a real go today,' said Ireland Captain Damien Coyne. 'We got off to a great start and gave ourselves every opportunity. We just got done by some really, really good golf on behalf of the Danish guys, and especially in Thomas' match, to finish with four straight birdies. He had six really good putts in the last six holes of the match, which is very impressive. 'I'm sure it'll sting this one, for an hour or so, but once we've mentioned that we're playing England in the morning, the lads will have no difficulty in getting themselves up for that, and we'll be ready to go again, and it's just try our best to get something out of the week and get a medal would be really, really good.' Stuart Grehan (County Louth) and Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk) secured the first point of the morning foursomes with a 3&1 win over Mads Heller and Mads Viemose Larsen. Doyle's 35-foot putt on 18 wrapped up a 2-hole win for him and Matt McClean (Malone) over Hjort Bressum and Oscar Valdemar Holm Bredkjaer. Doyle sealed another precious point in the afternoon singles but the Danes came roaring back, with Heller and Holm Bredkjaer winning their matches against Grehan and Gavin Tiernan (County Louth) respectively. Andreas Trym Dam Fogth defeated McClean and then Hjort Bressum got the better of Higgins when he rolled in his putt on the 20th hole. 'It was a really tough match. The Irish guys are a really good team and we are sorry to beat them on home soil. They were really strong in the morning, in the foursomes, they won the two first matches,' said Denmark Captain, Peter Jespersen. 'After the foursomes they (Denmark) were not too happy. They thought it would be a really tough afternoon but we had to remember we only played for two points in the morning out of seven, so we still had five points out in the afternoon. 'It was important we got some points in the beginning because of course we were underdogs after the morning so it was really important that we got two points fairly quick but still it was the last match on hole 20, that made the difference.' The win earns Denmark their place in the decider alongside Italy, who shocked England in the other semi-final in Flight A. The morning foursomes were halved before Italy took control in the singles with Riccardo Fantinelli, Giovanni Binaghi, Biagio Andrea Gagliardi and Filippo Ponzano all winning their matches. That was enough for a big 5.5 to 1.5 win for the Italians. Ireland will face now England for the bronze medal.
BreakingNews.ie
11-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Courts service spent €1.5m on temporary courthouse in Roscommon
A judge told the Courts Service they were heading for an OPW style fiasco after spending €1.5 million on a temporary courthouse. In a message to management, Judge James Faughnan lambasted a decision to provide just a single courtroom in Roscommon when two had been available in their old building. Advertisement The judge said he was sure the Courts Service would not want a 'light shone' on their lack of foresight in providing sub-par accommodation at significant cost. Judge Faughnan said that with a general election looming and 'recent OPW disasters' over the Leinster House bike shelter and security hut, bad publicity was very likely. In an email last September, he said he would 'never dream' of going public but said the situation was likely to come to a head in 2025. Judge Faughnan said that when the temporary accommodation on the outskirts of Roscommon Town was being planned, he specifically asked for provision of a second courtroom. Advertisement He wrote: 'The Courts Service, while on notice of this, then spent over €1.5 million without providing a second courtroom. 'I can only imagine that if that got picked up by the media, there would be an awful lot of questions to answer.' He said the expenditure on the temporary accommodation would be 'laughable if it wasn't so serious.' In another message to court management last October, Judge Faughnan said the Courts Service had used up 'all the goodwill' extended to them by legal people working in Roscommon. Advertisement He pleaded for a temporary second courtroom on site which he believed could be provided at very little cost. 'It would lend itself to a timber frame type construction which could be erected speedily,' he wrote. He said the current situation was unsustainable and that a proposed solution to provide temporary facilities in Castlerea Prison was unlikely to work. Judge Faughnan wrote: 'I do not accept the works carried out in Castlerea to be beneficial as prior to the works, the facilities were Dickensian and have only regularised what was needed for many years.' The judge was one of three who wrote to the Courts Service outlining serious concerns over their workplace in County Roscommon. Advertisement In another letter, Judge Kenneth Connolly said the old courthouse in Roscommon town had been shut down because of the 'very poor' conditions there. However, he said the new facility on the outskirts of the town had 'not performed' and was 'unsuitable as even a medium-term option". Judge Connolly said there was little parking, nowhere nearby for jurors or the public to buy food or drink, and that facilities for victims were 'questionable to poor". A third judge, Keenan Johnson, said money spent on the temporary facility should have been used to restore the original courthouse. Advertisement He wrote: 'I have huge concerns that having vacated the courthouse it will now be allowed to deteriorate to such an extent that the feasibility of returning to it may be put in jeopardy.' Judge Johnson added that they were now 'stuck with the current totally unsatisfactory situation' of having only one courtroom. Asked about the correspondence, a spokesperson for the Courts Service said the old Roscommon courthouse had been closed by the OPW on health and safety grounds. 'Significant investment is required,' they said. 'Given the condition of the existing courthouse in Roscommon and the necessity to close it for health and safety reasons, the Courts Service took immediate steps to remedy the situation to ensure, firstly, that the health and safety of all court users was prioritised and secondly, to ensure that sittings continue to be facilitated in Roscommon Town. 'The Courts Service submission in respect of the forthcoming revised NDP [National Development Plan] includes Roscommon Courthouse.'
