Latest news with #TheMickCliffordPodcast
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
'Release garda findings to aid domestic violence services', Clodagh Hawe's sister tells commissioner
Jacqueline Connolly, whose sister and three nephews were murdered by Alan Hawe, has written to the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, asking for a review into the garda investigation to be published. Hawe murdered his wife Clodagh and sons Liam, 13; Niall, 11; and six-year-old Ryan at their home in Co Cavan in 2016, before taking his own life. The investigation into the murders was found to be incomplete and flawed in a number of respects and a review was ordered after Jacqueline and her mother went public on the matter. In her memoir Deadly Silence, Ms Connolly revealed the family was given sight of the completed review — which ran to 800 pages — but the family was not furnished with a copy. Ms Connolly believes it should be published in order to help prevent any similar tragedy from occurring in the future. 'I am appealing to you to release the findings in an appropriate way so that the timelines, behaviours, and patterns of family annihilators are given to the public, for those in abusive and controlling relationships, and to aid domestic violence services in expanding and advancing their policies,' she wrote to commissioner Drew Harris. "This, in turn, will align with the prevention and protection pillars of the Government's third national strategy on domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence" Speaking on The Mick Clifford Podcast, Ms Connolly said she met with justice minister Jim O'Callaghan in March to ask for his assistance in having the review published — but nothing has been done. Warning signs She said that the learnings to be taken from the review are vital in trying to ensure that a similar tragedy does not occur again. 'I've received hundreds of messages since the release of Deadly Silence, and some have been from women who read my book and said: 'You've shown me warning signs, it's really raised red flags with me, I'm in the process of quietly leaving my partner.' If 'Deadly Silence' can do that, imagine the power impact that the truth in the findings [of the review] would reveal and the lives that could be saved Her call for publication of the review is supported by Women's Aid, the support organisation for the victims of domestic violence. Sarah Benson, the chief executive of Women's Aid, told the Irish Examiner that since the publication of Ms Connolly's book, she had been contacted by women for whom elements of the story had resonated. 'Some who contacted me said they felt lucky that they may have had a near miss in terms of the risks they have been subjected to in a relationship,' Ms Benson said. 'It could be extremely beneficial and in the public interest to have reports like this shared in order to do what Jacqueline is saying, to help understand where there may have been missed opportunities, and to better bolster community response to domestic abuse and the risks associated with it.' Key flaws A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána told the Irish Examiner that in general 'reviews conducted by the Garda Serious Crime Team are not published for operational reasons'. The spokesperson also referred to a statement from Mr Harris on the case dating from 2019. In her book, Ms Connolly wrote that the review uncovered three key flaws with the original investigation. These were the mishandling of CCTV evidence, the interviewing of witnesses without the proper expertise, and digital evidence that simply was not collected. She said that accommodation could be made for redactions where the gardaí thought necessary but that there are huge learnings to be taken from the detail of how Alan Hawe conducted himself and where red flags could be raised in the future. 'It's frustrating and angering that I, as Clodagh's sister and the boys' aunt, am here again fighting for justice? Why should that have to happen? Why should the onus be on me to fight to do what's right for women and children?' she said. - If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services. Women's Aid national helpline is 1800 341 900
Irish Examiner
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
The Mick Clifford Podcast: John Whyte on fighting disaster in Gaza
It's a long way from the disadvantaged enclave of Rialto in Dublin's inner city to the rubble and humanitarian devastation of Gaza, but John Whyte has seen both. Before joining the UNRWA refugee agency, John oversaw the regeneration of Fatima Mansions that is considered a template of how to tackle disadvantage in this country. Today, as senior deputy director of UNRWA his brief is to alleviate the catastrophe that Gaza is now turning into. During a recent visit home, John spoke to the podcast. Listen below: Read More The Mick Clifford Podcast: Cliona Foley on whether gyms are suitably welcoming to women
Irish Examiner
01-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
The Mick Clifford Podcast: Cliona Foley on whether gyms are suitably welcoming to women
With health and fitness now a central part of modern life, a question arises as to whether gyms are suitably welcoming to women. Journalist and former PE teacher Cliona Foley has written in the Irish Examiner about her own experience and some disturbing research into the whole area that suggests society has a way to go yet. Cliona is this week's guest on the podcast. Read More The Mick Clifford Podcast: Scott Lucas on whether Trump will bring the US into a new reality
Irish Examiner
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
US officials arrest Milwaukee judge for obstructing immigration operation
US officials arrested a Wisconsin judge on Friday in what appeared to be a dispute between president Donald Trump's administration and local officials over immigration enforcement. FBI director Kash Patel said in a social media post that federal agents arrested a judge on obstruction charges related to an immigration enforcement operation last week. The post was later deleted. A spokesperson for the US Marshals Service said Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County circuit judge, was arrested at the courthouse where she works on Friday morning. A spokesperson for the FBI could not be immediately reached for comment. The arrest comes after a senior Justice Department official called on federal prosecutors to pursue criminal cases against local government officials who obstructed the administration's immigration crackdown. The memo said officials could be charged with defrauding the US or harbouring immigrants who are in the country unlawfully. Mr Patel said in his deleted post that immigration officials had been attempting to apprehend Eduardo Flores Ruiz, whom he described as an "illegal alien." "Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot, and he's been in custody since," Patel added. Wisconsin court records show that a man by that name appeared in Dugan's courtroom for a pretrial conference on April 18. Ruiz was facing misdemeanour battery charges related to domestic abuse, court records show. Reuters Read More Academics cancel US travel over fears of harassment and visa issues at border control The Mick Clifford Podcast: Scott Lucas on whether Trump will bring the US into a new reality
