Latest news with #StPaul's
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Irish Independent
Former Dublin Bus driver jailed after ‘using car as a weapon' in road crash
Anthony Smyth, Orchard Villas, Newry, Co. Down, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm. A second count of endangerment was taken into consideration. The collision occurred north of Dundalk on May 18, 2024, between Junctions 19 and 20 of the N1, and the woman told gardaí who attended the scene that it was caused deliberately to kill her. Judge Dara Hayes said that the speed involved of between 100 and 110mph was 'dangerous in the extreme'. It was serious offending. He used his car as a weapon against his ex. He could easily have killed them both. What occurred had a significant and ongoing impact on the victim. The judge continued that he accepted as genuine remorse a letter from Mr Smyth, who appeared at Dundalk Circuit Court via video link. A five-and-a-half year sentence was imposed, the final 18 months suspended, and backdated to May 18, 2024. A 10-year driving disqualification was added. At a previous hearing evidence was given that the accused and the woman had been in a 32-year relationship which ended in 2023. That September he had been allowed back into the family home in Newry because he had nowhere to go. On this occasion the victim had been 'put in' an Audi Q7. She believed he was bringing her to Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry. The vehicle was driven south by Mr Smyth before he collided with the rear wheel of a lorry travelling in the same direction, causing the car to 'flip'. The woman alleged that he crashed deliberately into the lorry at more than 100mph as he tried to kill her. Anthony Smyth, who is originally from Dublin, claimed that it was an accident which occurred when he bent to retrieve a dropped cigarette. Det Gda Brendan Duffy said that gardaí arrived on the scene at 7.15am. Two articulated trucks were parked on the side of the motorway, while a crashed car was in the overtaking lane. The car had been on the outside lane. The woman said the defendant began 'skirting' between two flat bed lorries travelling in the same direction. There was a large bang. Smoke was in the car and there was a burning smell. The woman panicked. She couldn't get the door open. She blacked out for a moment or two. Dashcam footage from one of the lorries was viewed by the judge. In a Victim Impact Statement, the woman said she suffered a traumatic brain injury and was left an emotional wreck, unable to work. She couldn't sleep and had night terrors, leaving her tired and anxious. "He may be the one on remand in prison, I too have been given a sentence with no limit.' Mr Smyth's family had relocated to Newry. He attended Abbey CBS and St Paul's, Bessbrook. In 1992, at age 22 he was among the first at the scene when an RUC vehicle was blown up in mortar attack at The Quays, Newry. A female police constable was killed and another officer lost his legs. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Daily Record
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Mel B holds 'spiritual' second wedding to Rory McPhee in romantic Moroccan ceremony
Melanie Brown has said 'I do' again with her husband Rory McPhee in a stunning private wedding in Morocco - after their recent wedding in London. Mel B has wed her husband, Rory McPhee, for a second time. The Spice Girls star and hairdresser Rory held their official ceremony in the UK just weeks earlier, exchanging vows at the iconic St Paul's Cathedral. However last night, Mel and Rory married for a second time in Morocco during a spectacular celebration that paid tribute to her fiery roots. The pair were surrounded by their dearest friends and relatives, including Melanie's three children from former marriages, along with her sibling Danielle Brown and Rory's loved ones. Among the guest list was Melanie's Spice Girls bandmate, Melanie C, who had been unable to make the St Paul's event due to work commitments as part of her tour, the Mirror reports. Reflecting on the celebrations, Melanie C said: "What a weekend!". The singer had previously mentioned her follow-up ceremony would be "sexy." Now, inside the second wedding can be revealed. Mel's breathtaking bridal gown sparkled beneath the Marrakesh sun with red crystals, created in partnership with Evelie and Justin Alexander. The duo exchanged vows once again at their favourite place, the Selman Hotel. Unlike her majestic ivory dress in London, Melanie opted for something more daring, showing her own personal style. Previously, Melanie was steered by wedding dress guru Caroline Black from Evelie Bridal, who proudly assisted the chart-topping star in selecting the ideal Josephine Scott gown for their UK ceremony. Meanwhile, she chose American designer, Justin Alexander to help with her Moroccan dress reflecting her current life, as she is splitting her time between Leeds and the US, where she is working on America's Got Talent. Evelie Bridal owner Caroline said: "For Mel's Morocco wedding dress, we focused on trying Justin Alexander gowns with a little extra sparkle. Mel loved the idea of a red dress—something bold, with lots and lots of shimmer—but it also had to feel light and easy to move in." "We drew inspiration from a variety of dresses she tried on at Evelie South Kensington, then went back and forth brainstorming with Justin Alexander and his design team. After several conversations and sketches, the first design took shape. Mel gave us clear feedback on what she liked and what she didn't, and the final result was beautiful. Mel had such a strong sense of what she wanted—it was a joy working with her and Justin Alexander to bring her vision to life." Melanie and Caroline collaborated with Creative Director Justin Warshaw and Chief of Design Terri Hilferty to craft the stunning, sheer gown that exuded glamour and featured flares. The silhouette was entirely adorned with hand-fitted red crystals and bulge beads, creating a captivating floating effect across the bodice and skirt. The team of six artists took a staggering 850 hours to complete the dress. The dress's sweetheart neckline was embellished with red crystal detailing, gradually spreading across the corset. Additionally, asymmetrical detailing at the waistline added another layer of depth. In typical Mel B style, a daring side split revealed a glimpse of her legs, with crystal beading scattered down the length of her skirt. On the other hand, the back showcased a lace-up corset and red ribbons, highlighting her gym-toned physique before eventually cascading into a magical cathedral-length train. The musician finished off her look with a Moroccan-inspired veil, custom-draped in mocha tulle and highlighted with red crystals to reflect the dress's adornments. The warm-toned veil blended flawlessly with the dress, providing a radiant, skin-toned glow. Crystals accented the veil's crown and delicately trickled down the back drape, with additional sparkle scattered throughout the train to complete the look. Melanie's husband, Rory, previously wore tartan and a kilt at the St Paul's ceremony, opted for UK based designer, Alexander McQueen wearing a traditional black tie look. Speaking about the design, Justin Warshaw, CEO and Creative Director of Justin Alexander, said: "We had such an enjoyable time working with Mel. Every meeting felt like a creative burst of energy and laughter, and that spirit is absolutely woven into the dresses we created together. "There was so much joy and trust in the process, and creating these dresses together felt like a true celebration of her love story and personal style."
Herald Sun
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
TAS First XV rugby's surprise packet players revealed 2025
The TAS First XV rugby competition is in the home straight following a round which saw St Columban's show why they have not been beaten since the 2022 grand final against Ormiston. STC beat John Paul College 57-5, flexing considerable premiership muscle ahead of its final game against St Paul's. The week prior, STC put up a similar scoreline when beating CHAC 57-3, taking their tally into the triple-figures over the past fortnight. This season, there has been coniserable improvement across Canterbury, St Paul's and WestMAC, with Ormiston College doing their best to stay in the premiership hunt after a false start against unbeaten STC in round 1. Ormiston currently sit second on the ladder (4-1, 17pts), with long-time rivals STC (5-0, 20pts) at the top with the premiership trophy to remain on school grounds for at least another year. Ahead of round 7, a weekend which will see Ormiston and Canterbury face off for second place, see who has been making waves as a surprise packet player — someone who has come on in leaps and bounds to be a key cog in their respective side. One of which is Ormiston College young gun Denham Radford, a Year 10 student who was thrust into the First XV earlier this season due to being a pinch too old for the Year 9/10 competition. Originally pencilled in as a winger, Denham stepped into the midfield alongside Eduard Welgemoed after a season-ending injury to Welgemoed's first centre partner. A season-injury to another Ormiston player, its fullback, meant Denham switched gears to fullback for round 2 and that is where he has found a home over the past month. In general play attack Denham has spread his wings like a fullback but off set piece play lines up at outside centre. In defence, he assumes an inside centre role, allowing his flyhalf to drop back and launch the counter attack. The energiser bunny in Ormiston's backline, Radford has relished his role this season with his talk, effort and team-first outlook an underrated feature of the side this season. Built like a greyhound — wiry and strong — the tough-as-nails Radford has shown next-to-no fear of self preservation as he muscles up in defence. In round 5 against John Paul College, the steadily improving teen threw a wonderful pass to release his winger for one of only a few tries scored in the 17-7 success in wet conditions. TAS RUGBY SURPRISE PACKET PLAYERS Max Everett (CHAC) The Cannon Hill prop has been a young tank, switching from position to new position and maintaining the same rage and ambition in attack. One of the team's top metre-eaters, utility Everett is a Year 10 youngster forging a considerable schoolboy rugby resume. He has played almost every minute of every game this season and has been both versatile and reliable. Charlie McIntosh (St Paul's) The hard-nosed McIntosh has been magic in defence. A young tone-setter who attacks with his defence, No. 8 McIntosh has made a statement with his toughness and has been a key linchpin bolstering the Pumas line. Angus Toovey (St Paul's) The St Paul's fullback has big match experience and it showed in a young Pumas outfit this year. A leader through his actions and with his words in behind the line, Toovey set a high standard and it has reflected in how competitive the team has been. He has been a handful running the ball, constantly sniffing around for opportunities to inject himself. Luke Harvey (St Columban's) Caboolture rugby junior Harvey has had a steady hand in STC's clean sweep of five rivals on its way to a three-peat of premierships. A forward every year he has played rugby at the school, Harvey switched gears to become a scrumhalf given STC's depth in the backrow. During the pre-season head coach Mosiah Christian asked the high-IQ Harvey to pass it to him and he found the breadbasket. The rest is history. Fergus Neish (WestMAC) The WestMAC hooker has come out of the woodwork to be one of the team's most dependable in an improved season. A workhorse who battled through niggling injuries to give his best for the cause, Neish has been smart with his decisions around the breakdown and accurate with his clean lineout throwing. Rohan Mendis-Galpin (Canterbury) Mendis-Galpin's game has gone up a notch in what is his second year playing First XV rugby. A swimmer first and rugby prop second, Mendis-Galpin has been all in on learning the dark arts of being a front rower. Effective carrying the ball and sound in his role, Mendis-Galpin scored three tries this season which was a just reward for his exhaustive effort in games. Max Newton (Canterbury) A big reason for Canterbury's successful campaign has been second rower Newton. A rugby league lover turned rugby second rower, Newton's growth has been his biggest asset in 2025. A big bopper, Newton has brought his toughness from league and, as an added bonus, he has been quick to learn the tricks of the trade as a rugby lock. A lifter in the lineouts and a key enforcer with the ball, Newton's tackling and physicality has given Canterbury a big boost. Tom Smith (Ormiston) The wiry Ormiston scrumhalf has been superb and the school will be hoping he can put it on a platter again this Saturday in an away game against Canterbury that will decide who finishes second. Smith's spot in the First XV wasn't guaranteed six months ago but the hard working and gutsy halfback has made every post a winner since honing in on nailing his core role. ROUND 5 PHOTO GALLERY Originally published as Named: TAS First XV rugby's surprise packet players of the season
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Concert to raise money for cardiac screenings
A fundraising concert has been organised in memory of an eight-year-old boy who died from a cardiac arrest. Jasper Cook, from Birkenshaw, died in January 2022, three days after he fell ill with Covid-19. His parents, Kim and Ian Cook, said money raised from the event would be used to help fund cardiac screenings for young people. The event comes after Mrs Cook was nominated in the fundraiser category for this year's BBC Radio Leeds Make a Difference Awards. "My whole ethos behind what we've been doing in Jasper's name is, the more people I can reach, the more money I can raise, the more young hearts I can screen, the more people I can stop being in this terrible position," she said. "We have already now done three days and tested nearly 300 young people between the ages of 14 and 35." Since her son's death Mrs Cook has completed a number of fundraising challenges and events, including skydiving. The concert, taking place at St Paul's Church later, in Birkenshaw, will feature a choir from Birkenshaw primary school, as well as singers from St Paul's and the BBG Academy. It will also feature the first public performance of a song written by in memory of Jasper by his friend and her father, called A Song for Jasper. Mrs Cook said: "It's been a really difficult few years, but we are I think pulling through. "I think what we've been doing with the heart screening has really given us a little bit of focus. The BBC Make a Difference Awards are organised to thank and recognise people who want to improve the lives of people in the communities where they live, with the winners due to be announced at a ceremony in Bradford on 13 September Mrs Cook was nominated by a family friend who said: "It is truly remarkable that the family, despite their utter grief in dealing with the tragic loss of their young son, are honouring his memory by doing all that they can to prevent other families having to go through what they have suffered." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Free heart checks in memory of eight-year-old boy Cardiac Risk in the Young
The National
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
World leaders confirm plans to attend Pope Francis's tradition-breaking funeral
World leaders send condolences after Pope's death People will be able to pay their last respects to Pope Francis in St Peter's Basilica from Wednesday to Friday, the Vatican has announced. Many world leaders have confirmed their plans to attend Pope Francis's funeral on Saturday, which will be marked by his requests for simpler rites and a burial outside the Vatican in the hilltops of Rome. The Argentinian pontiff, 88, died on Monday from a stroke, less than a month after returning home from five weeks in hospital battling double pneumonia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said they would be at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Saturday morning, after the funeral was announced by cardinals. Italy declared five days of national mourning and Poland, another Catholic-majority country, said it would observe the same, from Tuesday until the day of the funeral. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who faces an international criminal arrest warrant, will not be attending, the Kremlin has said. The late Pope's coffin will be taken by procession from his residence in the Vatican to the Basilica on Wednesday, where mourners can visit until the funeral. Although the ceremony will take place at St Peter's Basilica, the Pope asked to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore Church in Rome's Esquilino neighbourhood, in a break from tradition. He will become the first pontiff in more than 100 years to be laid to rest outside the Vatican. The Vatican released images of the Pope in his coffin in San Marta Residence, where he lived during his 12-year papacy. It emerged he had requested a simple burial "without particular decoration". His body has not been placed in three nested coffins made from cypress, lead and oak, as is a tradition in papal burial, but in a zinc casket inside a simple wooden coffin. Special services will be held across the UAE to celebrate the life of the Argentine, who was the first pope to visit the Emirates. Mass will be held in Dubai on Saturday evening at St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai, led by Bishop Paolo Martinelli, where more than 40,000 people are expected to gather during the day. A book of commemoration will be placed from Thursday at St Joseph's Cathedral in Abu Dhabi, for mourners to sign. Meanwhile, daily prayers are being held at St Joseph's, St Paul's and St John the Baptist Church in Abu Dhabi, St Mary's Church in Al Ain, St Mary's and St Francis of Assisi in Dubai, St Michael's in Sharjah and St Anthony's in Ras Al Khaimah. As speculation grows over who could succeed Pope Francis, eyes have turned towards two clerics whose tenures in the Middle East were marked by war and overcoming sectarian division. The Italian-born Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who has played a key role in bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza, is spoken of as one of the favourites. The Cardinal, who speaks Hebrew, has made two visits to Gaza since the war was prompted by the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, including in December last year, when he met the community sheltering in the Palestinian territory's only Catholic church, the Holy Family Church in Gaza city. Pope Francis said at the time that the Cardinal's entry into Gaza had been blocked, although Israeli officials denied this and he was given permission to enter the following day. Cardinal Pizzaballa said there had been a spiritual 'connection' between the Easter celebrations and Pope Francis's death after the news broke early on Monday. 'There is a significant connection between the celebration of life and love with the Resurrection and today Pope Francis was called to see the face of God,' he said. Under Cardinal Pizzaballa's leadership, the Jerusalem Patriarchate was one of two bodies that maintained humanitarian access channels to northern Gaza, the region most affected by Israeli blockades. Yet he previously told The National of the great challenges he faced maintaining interfaith dialogue in Jerusalem since the war began, with faith leaders unable to 'understand each other'. 'I used to meet the hierarchy of Muslim authorities, Jewish authorities and so on. Now it's difficult,' he said during a visit to London in November. 'After years of dialogue, we are at a point where we do not understand each other.' In Iraq, the leader of the Chaldean Church, Cardinal Louis Sako, was also hailed as a possible successor by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani. Cardinal Sako, 76, is an ethnic Assyrian born in the northern city of Zakho, where Assyrian Christians have lived since the 5th century AD. Mr Al Sudani praised him for his vital role in advancing peace and fostering interfaith tolerance on Tuesday, and offering his 'unwavering support' for the "sole nominee from the Middle East" for the papacy. Cardinal Sako has been outspoken in raising the grievances of Christians in Iraq, with an estimated one million having left in the past decade.
