Latest news with #Troubles
Irish Independent
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Literary experts from around the world to mark 50 years since publication of Seamus Heaney's landmark collection ‘North'
Three-day conference will take place in the Seamus Heaney Centre in Queen's University Belfast from June 5-7 Today at 21:30 The 50th anniversary of the publication of Seamus Heaney's collection North, which saw the poet directly address the Troubles for the first time, is to be marked. A three-day conference at the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen's University Belfast will bring together experts from around the world to discuss the significance of the Nobel laureate poet's landmark work.
Irish Examiner
6 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Residential Tenancies Board's new ICT system €5.2m over budget
A new ICT system for the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) ran €5.2m over budget and was delivered 29 months late, without all planned functions. The online tenancy registration system was initially budgeted at €3.3m, and came into use in November 2021, but it reached an overall cost of €8.5m, bringing it over budget by 157%. After the RTB360 system went live, the RTB noted in its annual report that the cost had reached €7.3m but stated that "no further costs are expected for this phase". However, the commencement of annual tenancy registration in April 2022 saw "significant performance failures" arise for users and further development was required through 2023, with the operation issues resolved towards the end of the year. Initially, the associated costs for the further development work was estimated at just over €1.1m. Temporary pause As a result of these system failures, a temporary pause in the automatic charging of late fees was introduced in November 2022 and remained in place until March 1, 2024. During 2023, the RTB refunded €1.67m in late fees, while the data on fees refunded in 2024 has not been published. In the 2023 annual report, it is also noted that the original scope for the system included system requirements for handling disputes and enforcement, which were not included. The RTB has since "adopted a new approach" to deliver a dispute-resolution system using the ServiceNow platform, with a pilot beginning testing last month. The first phase of this new system will be delivered within one year and has cost less than €1m to date, according to an RTB spokesperson. In light of the drastic cost overrun and delay in delivery, the RTB board commissioned an independent external review of the RTB360 project. A spokesperson told the Irish Examiner that it had "received legal advice that currently prevents us from sharing this report" but said recommendations from the review have been implemented. Rory Hearne questioned whether State agencies require more support for ICT projects. Picture: PA Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne submitted a parliamentary question to housing minister James Browne regarding RTB360 but was told the minister has "no official responsibility to Dáil Éireann for this matter". As the RTB is a State body, Mr Hearne said Mr Browne should be taking responsibility to respond, just as other ministers must when it comes to State agencies being held accountable. The issues raised by RTB360 and other ICT projects which have resulted in significant overspend beg the question as to whether State agencies require more support and resources when such projects are being undertaken, Mr Hearne added. Read More 50th anniversary of Seamus Heaney's landmark collection on Troubles to be marked
Belfast Telegraph
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
‘The pre-eminent public servant of his time and of his generation': Tributes paid after death of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield
Sir Kenneth died at the age of 94 on Saturday. He has been hailed by well-wishers as a renowned humanitarian who had 'empathy with the families of the Disappeared.' Sir Kenneth joined the civil service in 1952 and would rise through the ranks to head the organisation in 1984. After standing down in 1991,he would later become the BBC's National Governor for Northern Ireland. In 1997, he would be tasked by the then Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam, to take on the role of NI Victims Commissioner. While at their home in Crawfordsburn in 1988, while he was still the head of the Civil Service, he and his wife would become targets of an IRA bomb attack outside their home. Neither of them were injured in the Co Down blast. 'I was sorry to learn of the passing of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. He gave many years of service to Northern Ireland and did so with thoughtfulness and dedication,' said the DUP leader, Gavin Robinson. 'His calm approach, even when targeted by the IRA, earned respect across the board, and his contribution to public life will not be forgotten. 'My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who knew him at this sad time.' Also sharing her condolences was the Alliance Party leader, Naomi Long. 'Sir Kenneth had a distinguished career in public service over many years and in many roles,' said the Justice Minister. 'He and his wife were personally targeted in the Troubles, when their home was attacked by an IRA bomb, but he did not allow it to deter him from his enduring commitment to public service. 'In the decades since his formal retirement, he continued that commitment, offering his skills and experience in the service of the community, most particularly in his work as Victims' Commissioner in the early days of the Assembly, a role which he notably described as being a 'painful privilege'. 'I know that he kept in touch with political developments and was especially supportive of efforts to ensure the devolved administration was put on a firm and stable footing. 'On behalf of myself and Alliance, I would wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Lady Elizabeth and the family circle on their very personal loss." A spokesperson from the WAVE Trauma Centre said they were saddened at the news of his missing, but 'none more so than the families of the Disappeared'. "As the first Victims Commissioner and UK Commissioner on the ICLVR), Sir Ken was a warm and thoughtful support for the families who have suffered so much. Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains ( "On his first day as Victims Commissioner, Sir Ken shared a BBC studio with Margaret McKinney, mother of Brian who had disappeared along with John McClory in 1978. "His resolve to help the families of the Disappeared was anchored in that early meeting in November 1997. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Lady Elizabeth, who was always by his side at the annual Palm Sunday mass and with his children and the family circle. "May Sir Ken rest in eternal peace.' Speaking to BBC NI, another former head of the Civil Service Sir Nigel Hamilton also expressed his well-wishes. "I will remember him as the most important, and the pre-eminent public servant of his time and of his generation. "From the 1960s up to 1991, he was a leader, he was the public servant extraordinaire." The joint UK and Irish Commissioners, Rosalie Flanagan and Tim Dalton, of the ICLVR, said they were 'deeply saddened' to hear of the former Civil Service head's passing. 'He brought to the ICLVR not only his vast experience as a highly distinguished public servant but crucially an innate humanitarian instinct and empathy with the families of the Disappeared,' they said. 'The work of the ICLVR in seeing the recovery of 13 of the 17 Disappeared is one of the success stories of the peace process and Sir Ken's contribution to that as a founding Commissioner was huge. 'We extend our condolences to Lady Bloomfield and the Bloomfield family.' The Lord Lieutenant of Belfast, Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle, added: "HM Lord Lieutenant of has learnt with sadness of the death of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB, distinguished public servant and former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. "Ken brought dignity, gravitas and humility to public life.'
Sunday World
15 hours ago
- Sunday World
Notorious criminal head-butted Garda and spat blood in his face
Rodney Bonnes caused havoc in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana A notorious criminal who head-butted a Garda and then spat blood in his face in the lobby of a Co Donegal hotel has been jailed for 15 months. Rodney Bonnes caused havoc in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana on June 12th last year. The 40-year-old had been off alcohol for five years but went on a booze binge and fell out with his then girlfriend in the hotel. A complaint was made to Gardai who went to arrest Bonnes in his hotel room which was littered with empty Guinness cans. They escorted Bonnes from the hotel but as they did so Bonnes erupted and headbutted Garda Kenneth Merritt in the face and he was taken to the ground by Gardai. However, as he got back up, Bonnes then spat blood in the face of Garda Merritt and shouted "take my blood, you c*** you." Read more Convicted thug who once turned up at court naked charged with attacking woman Bonnes, who has various previous addresses in Derry, appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court when he pleaded guilty to two charges of assault and spitting blood in the face of Garda Merritt. The court was told that Bonnes has 99 previous convictions including 21 convictions for assaults on police officers in Northern Ireland. Detective Garda Jason Conroy outlined the case along with state barrister, Ms Fiona Crawford, BL. CCTV footage of the early morning assault was shown in court. Detective Conroy said that after Bonnes was arrested and taken to Buncrana Garda Station he continued to act aggressively and told Gardai to "f*** off." Garda Merritt was forced to undergo a series of blood tests after the assault for six weeks but was the passed clear. Although he knew the case was ongoing, he declined to make a victim impact statement and did not wish to attend court, added Detective Conroy. Barrister for the accused, Mr Peter Nolan, said his client had grown up in a normal family environment in Ballyclare, Co Antrim where his parents had encouraged hard work. Despite the pressure to become involved with loyalists in the predominantly protestant community, Bonnes did not become involved in the Troubles. However, his life did begin to unravel in his teenage years but he puts this down to being sexually abused as a child, according to Mr Nolan. A report conducted on Bonnes by psychiatrist, Dr Kevin Lambe, was read out in court which went through Bonnes' life and how he had been under threat from loyalists and was forced to move to England under threat for his life. He suffered post traumatic stress disorder after being beaten by loyalists and was a heavy drug and alcohol user who estimates he has spent between fifteen and 20 years of his life in jail. On the night in question at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Bonnes said he had been pepper-sprayed by Gardai which forced him to lose control as he thought he was choking. He added that he wanted to say sorry to Garda Merritt and the other Gardai as he never intended to hurt them but that "the alcohol made me lose control." Bonnes is now an enhanced prisoner in Castlerea Prison where he has been for almost a year and during that time he has also reconnected with his daughter and learned that he is now a grandfather. Two letters of apology from Bonnes were handed into court, one addressed to Garda Merritt and one to the court. Mr Nolan outlined his client's situation and asked the court to be as lenient as it could with Bonnes when sentencing, adding that he now wants to simply rebuild his life with his daughter and new granddaughter. Passing sentence, Judge John Aylmer said the most aggravating factor was that Bonnes had committed two serious assaults on Gardai in the course of their duty. He also referenced the fact that the accused has so many previous convictions for attacks on police officers in Northern Ireland and said he placed the assault at the lower end of the mid-range meriting a sentence of 3 years in prison before mitigation. Rodney Bonnes In mitigation, Judge Aylmer said he noted his remorse, the fact that he had indulged in "an extraordinary amount of alcohol" and his early guilty plea. In the first instance he said he was reducing his sentence by one third to one of two years. Because of the matters mentioned by Dr Lambe in his report as well as his apparent insight into his crimes, Judge Aylmer said he was suspending the final nine months of this sentence. The sentence was backdated to when Bonnes went into prison meaning his release will be "very imminent", the court was told. However, Judge Aylmer also ordered that within one week of his release, Bonnes will leave the jurisdiction and not come across the border again for a period of five years.
Irish Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Notorious criminal headbutted Garda and spat blood in his face in hotel
A notorious criminal who head-butted a Garda and then spat blood in his face in the lobby of a Co Donegal hotel has been jailed for 15 months. Rodney Bonnes caused havoc in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana on June 12 last year. The 40-year-old had been off alcohol for five years but went on a booze binge and fell out with his then girlfriend in the hotel. A complaint was made to Gardai who went to arrest Bonnes in his hotel room which was littered with empty Guinness cans. They escorted Bonnes from the hotel but as they did so Bonnes erupted and headbutted Garda Kenneth Merritt in the face and he was taken to the ground by Gardai. However, as he got back up, Bonnes then spat blood in the face of Garda Merritt and shouted "take my blood, you c*** you." Bonnes, who has various previous addresses in Derry, appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court when he pleaded guilty to two charges of assault and spitting blood in the face of Garda Merritt. The court was told that Bonnes has 99 previous convictions including 21 convictions for assaults on police officers in Northern Ireland. Detective Garda Jason Conroy outlined the case along with state barrister, Ms Fiona Crawford, BL. CCTV footage of the early morning assault was shown in court. Detective Conroy said that after Bonnes was arrested and taken to Buncrana Garda Station he continued to act aggressively and told Gardai to "f*** off." Garda Merritt was forced to undergo a series of blood tests after the assault for six weeks but was the passed clear. Although he knew the case was ongoing, he declined to make a victim impact statement and did not wish to attend court, added Detective Conroy. Barrister for the accused, Mr Peter Nolan, said his client had grown up in a normal family environment in Ballyclare, Co Antrim where his parents had encouraged hard work. Despite the pressure to become involved with loyalists in the predominantly protestant community, Bonnes did not become involved in the Troubles. However, his life did begin to unravel in his teenage years but he puts this down to being sexually abused as a child, according to Mr Nolan. A report conducted on Bonnes by psychiatrist, Dr Kevin Lambe, was read out in court which went through Bonnes' life and how he had been under threat from loyalists and was forced to move to England under threat for his life. He suffered post traumatic stress disorder after being beaten by loyalists and was a heavy drug and alcohol user who estimates he has spent between fifteen and 20 years of his life in jail. On the night in question at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Bonnes said he had been pepper-sprayed by Gardai which forced him to lose control as he thought he was choking. He added that he wanted to say sorry to Garda Merritt and the other Gardai as he never intended to hurt them but that "the alcohol made me lose control." Bonnes is now an enhanced prisoner in Castlerea Prison where he has been for almost a year and during that time he has also reconnected with his daughter and learned that he is now a grandfather. Two letters of apology from Bonnes were handed into court, one addressed to Garda Merritt and one to the court. Mr Nolan outlined his client's situation and asked the court to be as lenient as it could with Bonnes when sentencing, adding that he now wants to simply rebuild his life with his daughter and new granddaughter. Passing sentence, Judge John Aylmer said the most aggravating factor was that Bonnes had committed two serious assaults on Gardai in the course of their duty. He also referenced the fact that the accused has so many previous convictions for attacks on police officers in Northern Ireland and said he placed the assault at the lower end of the mid-range meriting a sentence of three years in prison before mitigation. In mitigation, Judge Aylmer said he noted his remorse, the fact that he had indulged in "an extraordinary amount of alcohol" and his early guilty plea. In the first instance he said he was reducing his sentence by one third to one of two years. Because of the matters mentioned by Dr Lambe in his report as well as his apparent insight into his crimes, Judge Aylmer said he was suspending the final nine months of this sentence. The sentence was backdated to when Bonnes went into prison meaning his release will be "very imminent", the court was told. However, Judge Aylmer also ordered that within one week of his release, Bonnes will leave the jurisdiction and not come across the border again for a period of five years.
