Latest news with #TheRipple
New York Post
4 days ago
- New York Post
Owner of boat where Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra died once sued for allegedly biting FDNY firefighter on 20th anniversary of 9/11
The owner of the Montauk-docked boat where designer Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra died was once sued for allegedly biting a retired FDNY firefighter on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 at a Manhattan concert. Former smoke-eater Michael Balfe, a Ground Zero first responder, claimed he was attacked by Christopher Durnan, 60, during a show at Webster Hall on Sept. 11, 2021, according to a civil suit he filed the following year. The lawsuit alleges Durnan 'bit and assaulted' Balfe in an unprovoked attack. Balfe 'sustained serious and permanent injuries, suffered, does suffer and will continue to suffer agony to body and mind,' the since-settled suit alleged. 3 Christopher Durnan, 60, the last person to see Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra alive was once sued for biting a 9/11 FDNY first responder in an unprovoked attack at Webster Hall. Obtained by the NY Post Durnan had rejected any wrongdoing, arguing Balfe initiated the fight and that his 'use of force was reasonable under the circumstances' according to court papers. Durnan was criminally charged after the incident with assault with intent to cause physical injury, recklessly cause physical injury, possession of a controlled substance, attempted assault in the third degree, and harassment, according to court records. He ultimately pled guilty to a disorderly conduct charge. The civil suit was settled in December 2023, records show. 3 Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, 33, died on Aug. 5 onboard boat The Ripple which is owned by Chris Durnan and docked at the Montauk Yacht Club on Aug. 5. Facebook / Martha Nolan 'Out of respect for the family of the woman who tragically passed away and Mr. Balfe's own family, Michael will not be making a comment on the prior case involving Christoher Durnan,' the former firefighter's lawyer, Darren Moore, told The Post. Moore emphasized that his client didn't pay any party when the lawsuit was settled. Durnan, an insurance mogul with a plush pad in Montauk and another home in Long Beach, owns the boat The Ripple, where Nolan-O'Slatarra was found dead on Aug. 5, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. A lawyer for Nolan-O'Slatarra's family revealed that homicide detectives are 'questioning' individuals in relation to the tragic death of the chic East End entrepreneur. 'They want more details,' Aidala told The Post. 'The circumstances surrounding this are far from typical.' 3 Records show Durnan owns both The Ripple and the boat next to it named Hell In A Bucket. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post 'They would like to know anyone who was with Martha that evening,' Aidala continued. 'Earlier that evening, at the time of the actual incident, we know one person who was there. Was anyone else around?' Durnan could not be reached for comment.
New York Post
5 days ago
- New York Post
Family of NYC designer Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra searching for ‘more details' into who she was with night of Montauk death
The family of Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra want to know who crossed paths with the chic designer the night she was found dead on a boat in Montauk as police continue their 'deep dive' investigation into the tragic case, according to their lawyer. Attorney Arthur Aidala pushed back against speculation that Nolan-O'Slatarra, 33, died of an overdose and told The Post Wednesday that the Irish-born beauty's family 'did not know her to be someone who used drugs.' 'They want more details,' Aidala said. 'The circumstances surrounding this are far from typical.' 3 Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, 33, died on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club on August 5, according to police. Instagram/@marthanolan 'They would like to know anyone who was with Martha that evening,' Aidala said. 'Earlier that evening, at the time of the actual incident, we know one person who was there. Was anyone else around?' The attorney revealed at a press conference Wednesday that 'people are still being questioned' by homicide detectives on the East End. 'The family has had a sit down with the Suffolk County homicide detectives. They are doing a deep, deep dive, a deep investigation. People are still being questioned,' Aidala told reporters Wednesday. 'Any report about her quote 'death' is just irresponsible,' he added. 3 Attorney for Nolan-O'Slatarra's family has cast doubt on speculation that she died of an overdose and further states that the family feared if she did die of an OD, that she could have been dosed. Steven Hirsch 'If there was any kind of drug and drug use, they want to know. Who's doing the drugs?' The attorney said the family is currently working with law enforcement, and is also working with retired members of law enforcement to ensure the investigation is being handled properly. Nolan-O'Slatarra was found unresponsive on a boat named 'The Ripple' which was docked at the ritzy Montauk Yacht Club, on Aug. 5, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. That boat belonged to Chris Durnan, 60, who is well-known locally and who owns another boat moored at the same dock, the 'Hell In A Bucket.' 3 Nolan-O'Slatarra lived in Manhattan and would summer in the Hamptons organizing pop-up shops for her brand summerwear brand East x East. scalle Durnan owns and operates an insurance company called the Durnan Group located in Rockville Center. Durnan has not responded to The Post's numerous requests for comment.
The Irish Sun
08-08-2025
- The Irish Sun
Family of Irish designer found dead on NY yacht face agonising wait as cause of death result to take ‘quite some time'
IT could take weeks to determine the cause of death of an Irish designer who was found dead at a US yacht club, officials have revealed. Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, 33, was found dead on a boat, called The Ripple, in The Hamptons early Tuesday morning. 7 The woman was found dead onboard a docked boat in Montauk earlier this week Credit: Social Media Collect 7 The Carlow woman had been living in the states building a fashion brand Credit: Social Media Collect 7 Emergency services pronounced her dead on the boat Credit: Denis A Clarke Emergency services were contacted by a man at around midnight and they rushed to the scene at Montauk Yacht Club, in New York. It is understood a "good samaritan" performed CPR on the Carlow woman but she was pronounced dead on the boat by paramedics. The cause of death was "inconclusive" following an initial investigation and an autopsy was required. While the autopsy did rule out a violent death, officials said determining Martha's cause of death would require "further investigation". Officers said: "The preliminary investigation and exam were inconclusive regarding the cause of death, which will be determined by an autopsy." Suffolk County Police Department later said: "An autopsy conducted on Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, the woman found dead on a boat in Montauk on August 5, did not show evidence of violence and her final cause of death is pending further examination.' It is understood toxicology testing has been ordered as part of the investigation's next step in attempting to establish a cause of death. However, fresh updates indicate these further examinations will take "quite some time". A spokesperson for Suffolk County Police Department told The Irish Mirror they could not give a timeframe for when the tests would be completed. They told the paper: "We don't have information on that." Mystery Surrounds the Sudden Death of Fashion Designer Martha Nolan-O'Slattara in the Hamptons However, a source did reveal it could take several weeks, depending on how busy the laboratory is. The source told The Irish Mirror: "It could take quite some time." The wait comes in a fresh blow to Martha's family who are in "shock" following her passing. The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. 7 Pals told us she had been enjoying a 'glam' life abroad Credit: Social Media Collect 7 She had hosted a fashion pop up before her tragic death at the yacht club Credit: SMG/Shutterstock Speaking to The Irish Independent Martha's mother Eleanor said: "I don't know what happened to my daughter. I feel numb and in shock." don't know what happened. We weren't told anything about the circumstances.' Eleanor last spoke to her daughter on July 29 in relation to plans she had for a visit home this week. The heartbroken mum said: 'She wanted to know if I would be around to pick her up. 'It was a very quick call because she is so busy, but that's the last time we spoke.' 'SHE WAS A LOVELY WOMAN' Pals of Martha's back in Ireland have also been left devastated by the news of her death. One friend told us she was a "clever" business woman and had been living a "glamorous" life. He told The Irish Sun: 'She was a lovely woman, very driven to be successful in business. 'I hadn't seen her in a few years since moving home from the US but she was living a very glamorous lifestyle in New York. 'She was clever and knew what she was doing with her posts on social media. "She knew what she wanted and was committed to attainting it. It's very sad.' FASHION EMPIRE While Martha grew up Carlow she studied in UCD's Smurfit Business School and went on to work in finance and marketing. She had been living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and had no plans to move home. And according to her LinkedIn page, her personal fashion brand, resort wear East x East, had been trading for four years. She recently celebrated a major milestone when the brand, with the tagline "Built in the City x Made for the Sun", had its own pop up shop in The Hamptons. Martha took to TikTok to share the special moment. She posted a snap of the surf shack-inspired hut displaying t-shirts and bikinis. The post is captioned: "Goals achieved." Carlow councillor Jim Deane said: "I'd like to send my condolences to the family and it's very tragic that this has happened. "By reading the earlier reports she seems like a very successful business person and it's very very tragic that this has happened. "As a local representative, I'd offer my sincere sympathy to her family and all those who will be affected by this terrible tragedy." 7 Further tests have been ordered amid an investigation into her death Credit: SMG/Shutterstock
USA Today
07-08-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Artist responds to mixed reactions to 'awkward' MLK statue unveiled in Florida
A newly unveiled statue of civil rights icon Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. has drawn mixed reactions in Florida. The bronze statue, called "The Ripple," was unveiled in Winter Park, a suburb of Orlando, on July 12. It depicts King dressed in a suit, holding a book in one hand while the other extends upward in a wave. In front of it stands a polished, knee-high wall inscribed with one of King's most famous quotes, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." The project was sculpted by committee-selected artist Andrew Luy as part of a larger project to enhance the Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Park in which it stands. Critics voiced their opinions both to local media and online, with many pointing out its disproportionate head, body and limbs. "It looks awkward. It just didn't look up to the standards that Winter Park is so well known for," Jonathan Blount, co-founder of Essence Magazine, told Winter Park commissioners at a July 23 City Commission meeting. "His head was too big, his arm was too big, and it looked really like a caricature of Dr. King and really didn't look anything like him," he told local NBC News affiliate WESH2. "Do it over. It just isn't good enough for a permanent, lifelong representation of someone that is just so important to our history." Mayor Sheila DeCiccio responded to concerns raised at the commission meeting, saying, "Maybe it didn't come out the way everybody had hoped it would." But, with the installation having cost $500,000, she said it isn't likely to change. "I hear what you're saying, don't know what we can do at this point. It was a very big investment," she said. Sculptor says MLK statue was 'never intended to be a hyper-realistic' The city shared a letter written by Luy on Aug. 6, addressing feedback and describing the artistic vision behind the statue. "This sculpture was never intended to be a hyper-realistic replica of Dr. King. It was conceived through an in-depth, iterative process guided by a committee of Winter Park residents, civic leaders, and cultural stakeholders," the letter said. "Together, we focused not only on physical likeness but on capturing the spirit, message, and enduring presence of a leader whose impact continues to ripple through time." Addressing feedback about the proportions of the sculpture, Luy said adjustments were made for symbolic reasons. Enlarging King's feet and shoes, for example, were representative of his metaphoric "big shoes to fill," while his left arm was adjusted to emphasize the "weight and power" of the book held in that hand. His head was enlarged to maintain visibility from multiple vantage points in the park and surrounding streets. "While we could have used 3D scanning or digital modelling to produce a highly accurate, photographic likeness, the stakeholders emphasized a different goal: to create a sculpture with love, care, and remembrance, not just precision," the letter read. "The final work reflects that intent. We chose to depict Dr. King in a stylized, larger-than-life scale." Luy also told WESH2 that the feedback he received from committee members and attendees of the unveiling was overwhelmingly positive, but that he welcomes all feedback. Comments below the city's official Instagram post of the unveiling were largely supportive, praising local leaders for highlighting a figure known for messages of unity, love and equality and calling it "beautiful." "Proud to see us as a community still having a desire to showcase historical beauty and grow from this," said one commenter. "I love the fact that the people who once lived on that land were included in the art and memory."
