Latest news with #Sweetnam
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Man drove off at speed from Youghal gardaí during time when group 'treated him as a patsy'
A man who drove off from gardaí at speed in East Cork has been handed a lengthy driving disqualification after pleading guilty to dangerous driving at a recent sitting of Youghal District Court. Jack Sweetnam, aged 23 of Ardsallagh, Co Waterford, pleaded guilty to multiple charges relating to three separate incidents that occurred in Youghal, Co Cork, in March and April of 2025. Court presenter Sergeant Majella O'Sullivan told the court that the first incident occurred on March 15, 2025 when a patrol stopped Mr Sweetnam at North Main Street where the vehicle he was driving did not have valid tax, insurance or NCT disks displayed and was subsequently seized. The court was told that on April 16, 2025, Mr Sweetnam was stopped at Woodland Grove in Youghal at 11pm. A smell of cannabis was apparent and following a search he was found to be in possession of two cannabis joints which he admitted were his. On that occasion Mr Sweetnam did not have a valid driver's licence or motor insurance. Sgt O'Sullivan said that Mr Sweetnam was observed driving again on April 23 at Foxhole in Youghal. When gardaí attempted to pull him over he 'drove off at speed' in the opposite direction. He ignored garda sirens and blue lights and the decision was taken not to pursue him for the safety of other road users who had to take evasive action. Sentencing Defence solicitor James Moore said that his client made full admissions and was co-operative with the gardaí. He said that all of the offending took place within a five-week period during which his client had 'come under the influence of a group who treated him as a patsy'. He said that Mr Sweetnam had not been in trouble before or since and was now living at the family home. Judge Brian O'Shea said that if Mr Sweetnam had previous convictions he would be going to prison. For the two no insurance charges he was fined a total of €600 and disqualified from driving for four years and six years. For the two dangerous driving charges he was disqualified for four years and two years. All other charges were taken into consideration. This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Expert shares five 'vital safety measures' to protect from phone hacking surge
Holidaymakers have been warned against a new 'hacking' crime which is particularly rife during the summer months - and can lead to theft 'within minutes' The festive season may be in full swing, but it's also a prime time for scammers to strike, particularly targeting travellers and commuters when they're distracted. Con artists are using a particularly sneaky tactic: swiping mobile phones and then convincing network providers to switch the number to a new SIM card they control, allowing them to intercept vital calls and texts, including one-time passcodes used for two-factor authentication. This gives them unparalleled access to everything from bank accounts to cryptocurrency wallets. Ryan Sweetnam, Director of Crypto Fraud and Financial Litigation at CEL Solicitors, raised the alarm, saying: "SIM swap fraud is one of the fastest-growing cyber threats we're seeing, particularly affecting people when they're more relaxed. "This can be whilst you're walking around town, to the tube, bus or just along the street, or even when you're on holiday, be it in the UK or abroad." READ MORE: Man, 23, took own life after £10k scam left him 'stressed and embarrassed' He added: "Once a scammer has your phone they can potentially access your banking and crypto accounts within minutes. "Holidaymakers are often easy targets, with many admitting they don't regularly monitor their financial accounts while overseas. That, coupled with the use of unsecured public Wi-Fi and international roaming, creates the ideal conditions for these high-tech thieves," he said. Mr Sweetnam issued a stark warning about the silent nature of financial crime, cautioning: "The real danger is that people don't always notice what's happened until it's too late. "You might not see missing funds for hours or even days, giving criminals a huge head start.", reports the Express. He further highlighted the risks associated with modern technology, stating: "Even those who have their phones stolen out of their hands will quickly report the theft to law enforcement or their banks, but with the growing number of people with access to stocks, shares and cryptocurrencies on their phones, this is often forgotten until it's too late." In response to these dangers, specialists at CEL Solicitors are calling on Britons to adopt a set of five vital safety measures to safeguard against such crimes: Beware of unsolicited requests for information: Never share personal data such as your date of birth, address or account details in response to texts, emails or phone calls—even if they appear to be from your bank or mobile provider. Ditch SMS authentication: Opt for app-based two-factor authentication instead. Unlike SMS, these apps don't rely on your phone number, making them far more secure. Keep tabs on your accounts while abroad: Regularly check your banking and crypto platforms for any suspicious activity. Strengthen your digital defences: Use robust, unique passwords and consider a password manager. Also, update your security questions to make them harder to guess. Act fast if your phone loses signal unexpectedly: This could be an early sign your number has been transferred without your knowledge. Contact your mobile provider and bank immediately. With cybercriminals becoming increasingly cunning, Mr Sweetnam says vigilance is vital—especially during the holiday season: 'Staying informed, especially when you're out of your usual routine, is essential. Fraud can happen to anyone but preparation can make all the difference.'
RTÉ News
27-04-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Shane Sweetnam second at Kentucky International Grand Prix
Two-time Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam and the Patrick Connolly-bred James Kann Cruz (ISH) secured a runner-up finish in Saturday night's $400,000 five-star Grand Prix, in front of a packed crowd at the Kentucky International in the USA. Nine of the 40 starters made it through to the jump-off, where Sweetnam completed a double-clear performance aboard the 12-year-old gelding, crossing the line in 45.0 seconds for a secondplace finish. World No 2 Kent Farrington (USA) and Greya claimed top honors with a blazing double-clear round in 42.93 seconds, while another American rider, Mimi Gochman, finished third with Inclen BH in 46.06. "I knew when [Farrington] had gone that he had set the target and that I would have to do everything to catch him," Sweetnam said. "For me, I didn't feel I was quick enough at the start, and then I was quicker towards the end. I could have been faster at the start, but my horse jumped great. I'm very happy with him." "He's always a work in progress; he's got a lot of character and likes to do things his way. He always has," Sweetnam said of his and Gizmo Partners LLC's 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse. "We have a good system at the moment and have had good results this year … he likes a crowd and likes to show off, and he's in a good place, but he's always a work in progress. He likes to throw spanners in the works, but he's worth the work." Offaly's Darragh Kenny and Eddy Blue finished seventh overall - one place ahead of Co Down's Conor Swail in eight place with Castunano.
