Latest news with #SimonFlannery
Sunday World
26-05-2025
- Sunday World
Top trampoline coach facing charges over indecent images of kids found dead
The 41-year-old, originally from Co. Mayo but who had been living in Belfast, was found dead in Budapest An award winning trampoline coach due to appear in court to face charges relating to indecent images of children has been found dead in the Hungarian capital. Co Mayo man Simon Flannery (41) was due to appear in the dock of Belfast Magistrates Court but defence solicitor Adrian Harvey told the court 'it's a very tragic situation.' 'As far as we are aware Mr Flannery took his own life last Friday in Budapest,' he told District Judge Steven Keown, adding that 'we are seeking confirmation of that.' On an indictment dated between 25 March 2020 and 29 November 2023, Flannery, who was awarded the coach of the year accolade in 2019, was charged with having, possessing and distributing indecent images of children. Having been on police bail since his arrest in November 2023, the former barber turned top trampoline coach was formally charged four weeks ago and was due to have his first appearance last week. It emerged last weekend however the 41-year-old, originally from Co. Mayo but who had been living on the Upper Lisburn Road in Belfast, had been found dead in Budapest. Simon Flannery News in 90 Seconds - May 26th 2025 Until his arrest Flannery had been the head of the trampoline program at Ulster's largest trampoline club and had been involved in training some of Ireland's best trampoline gymnasts who have competed all over the world. Giving evidence to the court last week, Detective Constable Shannon said the PSNI had been contacted by authorities in Budapest 'to make us aware and to contact the next of kin' but that since then, the police have 'requested official confirmation of the death.' Simon Flannery Judge Keown said that 'to keep ourselves right,' he believed the officer should give evidence that she believes she can connect Flannery to the charges and accordingly, that was done. Suggesting that the case be adjourned for a month, Mr Harvey said he would liaise with Flannery's family and the Garda. Judge Keown agreed and scheduled the case for an update on 20 June.
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Top trampoline coach charged over twisted child abuse images 'found dead'
Simon Flannery, 41, was due to appear in the dock of Belfast Magistrates Court on Friday but his defence solicitor told the court his client "took his own life last Friday in Budapest" An award winning trampoline coach due to appear in court last Friday to face charges relating to indecent images of children has been found dead in Budapest. Simon Flannery, 41, was due to appear in the dock of Belfast Magistrates Court but defence solicitor Adrian Harvey told the court 'it's a very tragic situation.' 'As far as we are aware Mr Flannery took his own life last Friday in Budapest,' he told District Judge Steven Keown, adding that 'we are seeking confirmation of that.' On an indictment dated between 25 March 2020 and 29 November 2023, Flannery, who was awarded the coach of the year accolade in 2019, was charged with having, possessing and distributing indecent images of children, the Belfast Telegraph reports. Having been on police bail since his arrest in November 2023, the former barber turned top trampoline coach was formally charged four weeks ago and was due to have his first appearance on Friday, May 23. It emerged last weekend however the Co. Mayo native, who had been living on the Upper Lisburn Road in Belfast, had been found dead in the Hungarian capital. Until his arrest Flannery had been the head of the trampoline program at NI's largest trampoline club and had been involved in training some of NI's best trampoline gymnasts who have competed all over the world. Giving evidence to the court today, Detective Constable Shannon said the PSNI had been contacted by authorities in Budapest 'to make us aware and to contact the next of kin." But that since then, the police have 'requested official confirmation of the death.' Judge Keown said that 'to keep ourselves right,' he believed the officer should give evidence that she believes she can connect Flannery to the charges and accordingly, that was done. Suggesting that the case be adjourned for a month, Mr Harvey said he would liaise with Flannery's family and An Garda Síochána. Judge Keown agreed and scheduled the case for an update on 20 June.
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Busy Irish motorway brought to standstill as bunch of clothes left strewn down carriageway after lorry shed its load
TAILBACKS formed on a major Irish motorway this evening after clothes were left strewn on the road. 3 PSNI responded to the incident this evening Credit: Pacemaker Belfast 3 Delays are expected in the area Credit: Pacemaker Belfast The And what it dumped was reportedly clothing, which spread out over the road. It happened on the M2 Northbound just after the Templepatrick service station. Read more in News And they warned A spokesperson said: "Police received a report just after 5.20pm on Thursday, May 1, that a lorry appeared to have shed its load on the M2 northbound, just after Templepatrick services, leaving debris in a live lane. "Delays should be anticipated in the area.' Separately, the PSNI has Most read in Irish News Former "Trampoline Coach of the Year" Simon Flannery, 41, was accused of three offences related to child pornography incidents. He is set to appear in Belfast Magistrate's He will face the dock on Friday, May 23. He faces accusations of having, possessing and distributing indecent images of A 'He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates "As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.' Flannery was originally from Co He had been arrested in 2023 by the PSNI Public Protection Branch and was on police bail. Flannery had been the head coach at Flight Gymnastics Academy in Newtownabbey. The centre was the largest in Northern Ireland was known to have trained some of the world's best gymnasts. Prior to his arrests, the man was awarded Gymnastics NI's award in 2019. 3 A lorry shed its load of clothing on the motorway Credit: Pacemaker Belfast
