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Irish Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
No prizes for guessing how Roddy Collins wants Duff and Bradley to end feud
Roddy Collins has come up with a typically Roddy way to sort out the differences between rowing managers Damien Duff and Stephen Bradley - he wants to pair to lock horns in the boxing ring. Duff and Bradley have fallen out in recent weeks, with the Shels boss unhappy with comments made by his Shamrock Rovers counterpart about close-season signing Kerr McInroy. Duff declined to shake Bradley's hand after the 2-2 Dublin derby draw between the two sides and the Hoops manager, in his programme notes for the Sligo Rovers game, accused his old pal of showing 'a lack of respect.' More words have been exchanged between the pair, while Duff appeared eager last week to end the feud by saying: 'It has absolutely got out of control.' Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. However, former manager and ex-Irish Daily Star columnist Roddy Collins reckons the pair need to settle their differences in the ring. Speaking on Instagram, he said: 'I'm 53 years involved in Irish football as a supporter, player and manager, the lot, pundit, you name it, columnist with the Star, and this is the best era we've encountered. 'The competition in the league is unbelievable, every week throws up a better week than the last. 'I wake up this morning expecting a big headline about Bohemians, another late winner, and what do I get? Bradley and Duffer having handbags in the dugout. 'Look, I've been around football long enough to know there is no real malice and intent in it, but I think this could be sorted out very quickly, and I think it should be sorted out very quickly. 'I'm going to put a proposal to Damien and to Stephen to share the ring. Get in and share the ring, the two of you, pick a date when the season is over.' Collins reckons the pair would draw a huge crowd - and that they could raise money for their favourite charities. 'I'll ref it if you want, and all proceeds go to charity - two charities, one for you Stephen and one for you Damien,' he said. 'Let's put this date out there, let's get this promotion. No doubt we'll get thousands. You'd probably get more than you would at a title fight. The most important thing is, sort this out and get a few quid into the bank for charity.'
Scottish Sun
08-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Twisted ex-soldier, 34, strangled girlfriend to death in Spanish hotel on what family said was ‘make or break' hols
He was found to have strangled his girlfriend to death with a hair straightener power cord HOLIDAY MURDER Twisted ex-soldier, 34, strangled girlfriend to death in Spanish hotel on what family said was 'make or break' hols Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN EX-SOLDIER faces up to three decades behind bars after being convicted of murdering his Irish girlfriend at a Spanish hotel. Keith Byrne, 34, was found guilty of the shocking 2023 murder after three days of jury deliberations. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Forensic evidence pointed to Kirsty being strangled from behind Credit: Gerard Couzens 3 Byrne was found to have strangled Kirsty Ward to death with a hair straightener power cord Credit: Screen grabs from video footage 3 The trial judge will now consider his sentence after the jury's decision late last night Credit: Gerard Couzens He was found to have strangled Kirsty Ward to death with a hair straightener power cord after she said she was leaving him. The ex-Irish Guards and Parachute Regiment soldier claimed during his trial in Tarragona that the 36-year-old mum-of-one had died by suicide in their hotel. But he described himself as a "respectful and intelligent" father who would never commit an act of domestic violence. He also demonised Kirsty, claiming she could be 'four people in one day' - especially after binging on alcohol and cocaine. read more in world news POWER SURGE Spain hit by ANOTHER major blackout in hols hotspot The trial judge announced he was retiring to consider his sentence after the jury's decision late last night. Jurors had begun their deliberations on Monday following the May 1 Bank Holiday. However, Byrne is not expected to find out for nearly a month how much jail time he will be handed. A private prosecutor for acting for Kirsty's family is pushing for a 30 year sentence, while public prosecutor Javier Goimil urged the judge to jail him for 20 years. Goimil's pre-trial demand was lowered by a year as he accepted Byrne's prior use of drink and drugs as a mitigating circumstance after jurors ruled he had 'diminished cognitive and volitional faculties" when he killed Kirsty. The prosecutor, a domestic violence specialist, rubbished Byrne's court claim that Kirsty died by suicide during his closing speech. He claimed the ex-soldier had decided "You're mine or you're nobody's" and strangled his girlfriend to death when she said she wanted out of the relationship. Forensic evidence pointed to Kirsty being strangled from behind after 'incapacitating herself' with alcohol and cocaine, he said. He told the court: "Byrne has adapted his version of events of what happened in that timeframe nearly two years on in accordance with the evidence he's learnt there is against him. "He's saying Kirsty tied a cable round her neck and attached it to the door knob but in the state she was in it would have been impossible for her to do that and there's nothing showing there was a knot in the cable. "What's occurred here is a violent and painful death, a strangulation from behind where someone is pulling from the front to the back. This was not a suicide." He added that she had not left a note for her relatives and had bought a plane ticket back to her hometown Dublin for July 4. "Kirsty's relationship with Byrne was very toxic, very intense and very emotional," he said. "She decided to end it during the week they stayed at the hotel in Salou and her partner couldn't accept that decision." He further said that the volume of alcohol Kirsty had drunk ahead of her death would have impacted significantly on her ability to defend herself. Following his arrest in Spain it emerged that Byrne was was wanted in England by Royal Military Police for going absent without leave after he left for Ireland in 2017. Byrne's defence lawyer Jordi Cabre had been seeking acquittal for his client before the jury verdict - and asked the judge afterwards to hand down the "minimum sentence". Kirsty's mum Jackie Ward called Byrne someone she 'didn't like' and 'didn't trust' on the first day of the trial. She was asked when giving evidence if she thought her daughter could have died by suicide. But she said: "She did everything for her son. She would never ever leave him. She would never do that to him."
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Twisted ex-soldier, 34, strangled girlfriend to death in Spanish hotel on what family said was ‘make or break' hols
AN EX-SOLDIER faces up to three decades behind bars after being convicted of murdering his Irish girlfriend at a Spanish hotel. Keith Byrne, 34, was found guilty of the shocking 2023 murder after three days of jury deliberations. 3 Forensic evidence pointed to Kirsty being strangled from behind Credit: Gerard Couzens 3 Byrne was found to have strangled Kirsty Ward to death with a hair straightener power cord Credit: Screen grabs from video footage 3 The trial judge will now consider his sentence after the jury's decision late last night Credit: Gerard Couzens He was found to have strangled Kirsty Ward to death with a hair straightener power cord after she said she was leaving him. The ex-Irish Guards and Parachute Regiment soldier claimed during his trial in Tarragona that the 36-year-old mum-of-one had died by suicide in their hotel. But he described himself as a "respectful and intelligent" father who would never commit an act of domestic violence. He also demonised Kirsty, claiming she could be 'four people in one day' - especially after binging on alcohol and cocaine. read more in world news The trial judge announced he was retiring to consider his sentence after the jury's decision late last night. Jurors had begun their deliberations on Monday following the May 1 Bank Holiday. However, Byrne is not expected to find out for nearly a month how much jail time he will be handed. A private prosecutor for acting for Kirsty's family is pushing for a 30 year sentence, while public prosecutor Javier Goimil urged the judge to jail him for 20 years. Most read in The Sun Goimil's pre-trial demand was lowered by a year as he accepted Byrne's prior use of drink and drugs as a mitigating circumstance after jurors ruled he had 'diminished cognitive and volitional faculties" when he killed Kirsty. The prosecutor, a domestic violence specialist, rubbished Byrne's court claim that Kirsty died by suicide during his closing speech. He claimed the ex-soldier had Forensic evidence pointed to Kirsty being strangled from behind after 'incapacitating herself' with alcohol and cocaine, he said. He told the court: "Byrne has adapted his version of events of what happened in that timeframe nearly two years on in accordance with the evidence he's learnt there is against him. "He's saying Kirsty tied a cable round her neck and attached it to the door knob but in the state she was in it would have been impossible for her to do that and there's nothing showing there was a knot in the cable. "What's occurred here is a violent and painful death, a strangulation from behind where someone is pulling from the front to the back. This was not a suicide." He added that she had not left a note for her relatives and had bought a plane ticket back to her hometown Dublin for July 4. "Kirsty's relationship with Byrne was very toxic, very intense and very emotional," he said. "She decided to end it during the week they stayed at the hotel in Salou and her partner couldn't accept that decision." He further said that the volume of alcohol Kirsty had drunk ahead of her death would have impacted significantly on her ability to defend herself. Following his arrest in Byrne's defence lawyer Jordi Cabre had been seeking acquittal for his client before the jury verdict - and asked the judge afterwards to hand down the "minimum sentence". Kirsty's mum Jackie Ward called Byrne someone she 'didn't like' and 'didn't trust' on the first day of the trial. She was asked when giving evidence if she thought her daughter could have died by suicide. But she said: "She did everything for her son. She would never ever leave him. She would never do that to him." Domestic abuse - how to get help DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone - including men - and does not always involve physical violence. Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship: Emotional abuse - Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse - gaslighting - being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to Threats and intimidation - Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you Physical abuse - This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten. Sexual abuse - Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent. If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers: on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night Men who are being abused can call Respect Men's Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or on 0182 3334 244 Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring on 0800 999 5428 If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999 Remember, you are not alone. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime. Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
The 42
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
'Sadly one of them dropped out' - Hallgrimsson's innovative May friendlies idea scuppered at short notice
HEIMIR HALLGRIMSSON'S HOPES of securing additional friendly matches in May for the purpose of his Championship players have been frustrated, with one scheduled opponent backing out of their agreement. The 42 reported last month that Hallgrimsson hoped to add more friendly games to the present June schedule of Senegal and Luxembourg, to allow him assess broader squad options. Speaking to the media at the launch of the MiWadi FAI Football Camps, Hallgimrsson confirmed his plans for the games have been scuppered. The FAI had secured two games against separate teams for the end of May in a venue outside of Ireland, but after one of their opponents withdrew, the FAI pulled the plug on the whole trip. The games at home to Senegal on 6 June and away to Luxembourg on 10 June are going ahead as planned. 'Sadly one of them dropped out and we couldn't find a replacement,' said Hallgrimsson. 'So, we had to give that up. We did try to find another opponent. 'There is nothing we can do, we tried really hard and I have to give the federation credit with trying very hard to find something else. 'We didn't want to do one game. It was just both cost and the [quality of the remaining] opponent, we needed at least one good opponent.' Hallgrimsson planned to have those games in May exclusively for the benefit of Championship players whose regular seasons end this Saturday, 3 May, more than a month before the scheduled Senegal game. Advertisement He also envisaged reserving the Senegal and Luxmebourg games for his Premier League and European-based players, whose seasons wrap up later in May, while filling the gaps in the squad with new call-ups to assess his wider talent pool. Shamrock Rovers' defender Josh Honohan, former Rovers' forward Johnny Kenny, St. Mirren midfielder Killian Phillips, ex-Irish U21 captain Joe Hodge, Spanish-born midfielder John Patrick Finn, and Spanish-Irish defender Anselmo Garcia Macnulty are all on his radar. 'We want to give them extended time off because we need everyone fresh for September, everything is about September, October, November,' said Hallgrimsson of his initial plans. 'So, to split their holiday in half, there is always more risk of injuries when you stop-start. And we really had a good feeling after the March camp, I thought it was a good camp and kind of felt this was a squad we can build on. By having some of them half-fit in June, it can scramble that feeling.' Some of those Championship players will now be called into action for the June games, though Hallgrimsson plans to limit their involvement as best he can. Those involved in play-offs are more likely to be called up. 'When it comes to June, we can play better with match fit players,' he said. 'There's pros and cons, positives and negatives. We're thinking about September, October and November without disrespecting this June window.' Hallgrimsson said Gavin Bazunu is unlikely to be involved in the summer games, as he has had an operation on his knee: the goalkeeper's loan stint at Standard Liege was cut short by the same injury earlier this month. Chiedozie Ogbene will not be ready to return from his achilles problem either, while Sammie Szmodics' involvement will depend on whether he can recover from injury before Ipswich's Premier League season is out. Hallgrimsson also confirmed his side are tracking a number of players willing to transfer association to represent Ireland, though none will be ready to be involved in the June games. Meanwhile, the Irish manager confirmed he met Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley for a coffee recently, after Bradley had criticised Hallgrimsson for what he perceived was an urge for players to leave the League of Ireland to be considered for international honours. 'It went really good and I think he would say the same,' said Hallgrimsson. 'He's just outspoken, if he feels something, he just expresses it and sometimes it's a quality that gets in your face but that's [him being] honest. You know better than me. If I understood him correctly, he's just enthusiastic about things and he will express his emotions and feelings and what he thinks, and good. 'I need to know as the national team coach that this is the team of all Irish people and everybody should have an opinion. If nobody would have an opinion we would be doing something majorly wrong. I need to accept that people have an opinion on the national team, whether I agree with them or not. 'That's how he explained it and I really admire that. He's just outspoken and is not afraid to say what he's thinking.' Hallgrimsson was also asked for his reaction to Marc Canham's surprise announcement that he is stepping away as the FAI's chief football officer. Canham led the search process that eventually led to Hallgrimsson's appointment, and it was to Canham the Irish manager reported. 'He called me the day before they announced it and explained it to me,' said Hallgrimsson of Canham's decision. 'I like him a lot, because of his professionalism, everything he says and does is in sync. 'He's a trustworthy person so I always felt I could tell him whatever I felt and that would stay with him. I'm going to miss him. He was of course the guy who I reported to and was my contact in the association. A good guy. I know he's been under pressure, he's been criticised for some of the things he has implemented but whatever he did, I know it came from a good place. He is trying to help Irish football to improve.'
