Latest news with #arsonattack
BBC News
25-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Greenisland Church: Parish community shop reopens for business
The reopening of a parish community shop in County Antrim after the church was set on fire in an arson attack last September represents the "first shoots of revival", the director of the shop has Church of the Holy Name and its parish hall in Greenisland, were severely damaged in the fire in parish community shop has temporarily relocated to a portable cabin next to the church, while the original shop and parish centre is set to be demolished and Martin, director of the parish community shop, said: "We see this as the first part of a journey with the regeneration of the church and the church hall." 'Feeling elated' Mr Martin said he is "feeling elated" with the reopening and that it is "great to have movement after nine months"."This is the first shoots of revival, I would put it as, for the church," he said."We've had great support online from the community, you know a lot of people asking: 'When are you opening again?', because they really value the shop." He said the shop can buy "over stock" from large supermarkets at a reduced price as well as proceeds from the shop sales go towards the church, its outreach support services and other various charitable cabin next to the church was transported from Glenavy to Greenisland during Storm Darragh in December 2024."It arrived amongst torrential rain and high winds, but the guys did a fantastic job, we were all like drowned rats by the end of the day when we saw it put into position," Mr Martin said. Lorna Brown, a volunteer in the parish community shop and a children and family outreach worker for the Greenisland parish, said "it's absolutely brilliant" to have the shop reopened."It's our first big milestone that we're hitting, we've a lot of hurdles to go but this is our first one and I think it's a boost for everybody," Ms Brown said. "There are people who come to this shop - that's their only outlet for the day, they don't actually go anywhere else". Elsie Ferris was one of the first customers to step foot into the new parish community said she is "really pleased" the shop has reopened adding that she got brought in first because "I'm always there and I used to bake for them". "All delighted to get it opened, its been closed for ages now you know, and they are all awful nice in it," Ms Ferris added. 'Delighted' Among the customers was Jean and Tom Hill, who said they were "delighted" with the shop to BBC News NI, Mrs Hill said she is "so excited about it, we've really missed it"."Everybody has been asking about when it is opening around the Greenisland area," Mr Hill said. The fire was started after the church celebrated its 70th anniversary and it destroyed the church roof, interior and parish boys - two aged 11 and one aged 10 - were charged with arson over the criminal proceedings were ended before they were due to make their first court appearances.
The Guardian
15-05-2025
- The Guardian
Police reiterate suspicion Adass Israel Synagogue arson was ‘politically-motivated' as new footage released
The ultra-orthodox Adass community in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs has been offered support ahead of the public release of 'confronting' vision showing their synagogue being set alight in December. The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) has released images of those allegedly responsible for last year's Adass Israel Synagogue arson attack in Victoria, while also reiterating their suspicion it was 'a politically-motivated attack'. It remains a terrorism investigation. In a statement, the JCTT said investigators had reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV and were releasing footage to 'encourage members of the public, and those with knowledge of this crime, to come forward'. Community leaders were told on Thursday morning that the footage would be released by police ahead of a press conference in the afternoon. Police also warned community leaders to prepare their congregation for the distressing vision. A statement issued to the kehilla, which means congregation, by Adass leaders on Thursday morning advised police would 'be releasing footage from the shul recorded on the morning of the fire'. 'They will seeking public assistance if anyone recognises or can identify anything from the footage,' the statement said. 'They have warned that the footage may be confronting for members of our Kehilla. If you have any questions or require any support please be in touch with the Kehilla board.' Police released the CCTV vision as part of a public appeal for information, detailing that it showed a 'blue Golf sedan drive past the Adass Israel Synagogue multiple times before parking outside the main entrance on 6 December 2024'. Police said the footage then showed 'three individuals dressed in hoodies and masks get out of the vehicle and use an axe to damage the entrance of the synagogue', and 'at least two individuals commence pouring the contents of red jerry cans inside the entrance of the synagogue, before entering the building'. 'It shows the individuals making multiple trips to the Golf to get more jerry cans, which were poured inside the synagogue before the liquid was ignited.' Police alleged the Golf was a stolen car that was also used in other offences before synagogue arson, including the Lux nightclub arson in South Yarra in November 2024, and an arson and shooting that occurred in Bundoora on the same night as the synagogue arson attack. AFP assistant commissioner Stephen Nutt said police believed there were 'multiple offenders directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson'. More details soon …
