Latest news with #ÓglaighnahÉireann
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Sunday World
Gardaí search army barracks as part of child sexual exploitation investigation
Defence Forces member has since been removed from duty Gardaí have carried out a search operation of a military barracks as part of a child sexual exploitation probe Gardaí have carried out a search of a military barracks as part of a child sexual exploitation investigation. Detectives searched the Defence Forces base last week as part of an investigation into a serving soldier. No arrests have yet been made as part of the inquiry, but the Defence Forces member at the centre of the probe has since been removed from duty. Gardaí have confirmed investigations are ongoing, while the military has said it will assist gardaí wherever possible. Last Wednesday, detectives attached to a serious crimes unit carried out a planned search of the barracks. They were assisted by military police because the operation was being conducted on Defence Forces grounds. The investigation centres on alleged communications that facilitated the sexual exploitation of a child under the age of 17. It is understood that a mobile phone was seized that will now be examined by gardaí. It is a sensitive investigation, given the serious offence alleged One source said: 'The device seized will form a key part of the investigation and that phone is now being analysed to determine if there is any evidence of criminal wrongdoing on it. 'It is a sensitive investigation, given the serious offence alleged and the fact that a Defence Forces member is at the centre of this. 'The search under warrant was targeting one specific individual identified as part of the investigation.' News in 90 Seconds - Aug 8th The Defence Forces member has been placed on special leave, an administrative measure used by the military, as it does not currently have the power to suspended personnel under investigation for serious criminal offences. As the soldier is now on leave, he cannot attend the military base where he works or access any Defence Force systems. The offence being investigated falls under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, specifically the use of information and communication technology to facilitate sexual exploitation of a child. The legislation carries a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment on conviction on indictment. Sources said the inquiry is continuing, that no arrests have been made, and that no finding of wrongdoing has yet been made against the soldier. A garda spokesperson confirmed that a search was carried out last Wednesday, July 30, and that investigations are ongoing. Óglaigh na hÉireann does not condone unacceptable behaviour 'An Garda Síochána does not comment on named entities,' they said. A Defence Forces spokesperson told the Irish Independent: 'As this is an ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate for the Defence Forces to comment. 'Óglaigh na hÉireann does not condone unacceptable behaviour and we will offer all possible support to An Garda Síochána's investigation.' Last year, a report by senior counsel Peter Ward made 35 recommendations about how the military should deal with personnel either convicted, charged or accused of serious crimes. It included the implementation of a 'rapid-response protocol', which should outline steps the organisation should take when notified that a member is charged or convicted of a serious crime.
Irish Times
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
An íoróin mhilis gharbh
An amhlaidh gur chailleas rud éigin? An amhlaidh nár airíos na ceisteanna sa Dáil agus na leithscéalta ó na tráchtairí eolgaiseacha gaoiseacha sin a mhaígh go gcaithfimis an glas triarach, nó an glas faoi thrí a chaitheamh sa bhosca bruscair, toisc, fan leis, go n-imreodh an Rúis nó an tSín urghaire nó veto ar ár gcuid trúpaí ag dul thar lear ar chúraimí na Náisiún Aontaithe? Ní fhéadfaimis ligean don Rúis ná don tSín ceangal a chur ar Óglaigh na hÉireann dul i mbun dualgas síochána thar lear. Chaithfí deireadh a chur leis an ngeallúint sholmanta a tugadh cheana gurbh ann don ghlas triarach ionas go gcaithfí cead na Náisiún Aontaithe a fháil d'fhonn fir agus mná óga na hÉireann a scaoileadh thall thairis ar dhualgas armtha. Agus, n'fheadar an im chodladh a bhíos, ach léigh mé agus d'airigh mé go bhfuil an Tánaiste/an tAire Gnóthaí Eachtracha i mbun feachtais taidhleoireachta le tíortha an domhain a bhfuil cluasa orthu ionas go leanfaí le UNIFIL, is é sin, misean na Náisiún Aontaithe sa Liobáin agus a bhfuilimid páirteach ann leis na blianta. Ní foláir do na Náisiúin Aontaithe an misean a athnuachan gan mhoill nó tiocfaidh deireadh leis agus fillfidh Arm na hÉireann agus saighdiúirí eile síochána abhaile, imeacht a thaitneodh go mór le hIosrael. Is í íoróin mhilis an chúrsa ná nach iad an Ruis mhallaithe, ná an tSín nach dtuigtear, ná an Bhreatain ár gcomharsana, ná an Fhrainc phoblachtach (mar a déarfá) is róbhaol a chuirfidh an bac orainn, ach ár gcairde daonlathacha i Meiriceá. Samhlaigh é sin! Tá na Stáit Aontaithe ag beartú, de réir an Aire agus an Tánaiste, ar urghaire a chur ar ár gcuid trúpaí páirt a ghlacadh i misean de chuid na Náisiún Aontaithe! Abúbúna! Cá bhfuil siad anois, na tráchtairí, na polaiteoirí, na hiriseoirí nach raibh de phort acu ach nár cheart ligean don Rúis ná don tSín stiúir a bheith acu ar ár gcuid gnóthaí eachtracha? READ MORE Ní argóint í sin, gan amhras, ar son deireadh a chur leis an nglas triarach, óir is dóigh leis an gcuid againn atá glan in aghaidh na tóra chun cogaidh agus leis an méadú ar chaiteachas an bháis seachas na beatha, gur cosaint fós é an glas faoi thrí ar chead a chinn nó ar chead a chlaonta a thabhairt do rialtas ar bith ógánaigh a chur amach ag troid ar son comhghuaillíochtaí eile gur beag é ár nguth iontu agus a n-athróidh a ndílseacht de réir is mar a shéideann an ghaoth. Má chuireann na Stáit Aontaithe, nó an Bhreatain, nó an Fhrainc, nó an tSín, nó an Rúis féin cosc orainn, bíodh sin mar atá. Is é sin toil na Náisiún Aontaithe ar aontaíomar leis; creideamh san eagraíocht lochtach sin an dóchas is fearr fós atá againn. Níl san íoróin áirithe sin ach sampla beag oileánda de na híoróna ar fad atá ag gabháil steallaidh orainn faoi láthair. Netanyahu Iosrael ag maíomh go raibh an Iaráin á buamáil aige chun fuascailt a dhéanamh ar mhná na hIaráine a bhfuil leatrom á dhéanamh orthu. Is fíor go bhfuil leatrom gránna á dhéanamh orthu ag réimeas dian míthrócaireach, ach is deacair sin a shlogadh ó cheannaire rialtais atá i mbun áir agus sléachta ar mhná, ar pháistí (agus ar fhir) na Palaistíne go laethúil fad is atá seo á scríobh agus á léamh. Is féidir na híoróna seo ar fad a iomadú go heireaball timpeall sa saol ina mairimid ann ach ó am go chéile caithfear an scáthán a thabhairt amach is na focail a dúradh a shoilsiú suas is anuas lena bhfuil á dhéanamh.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
CCTV images released of suspects in taxi driver shooting
CCTV images of two suspects thought to be involved in the attempted murder of a taxi driver in west Belfast earlier this year have been released by the police. Sean O'Reilly, 49, was shot twice as he sat inside his taxi in the Bell Steel Manor area on 23 February. He was said to be a member of Republican Network for Unity, a small political group with links to the dissident organisation Óglaigh na hÉireann. A reward of £20,000 has been offered from the charity Crimestoppers as detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI's) major investigation team reiterated their appeal for information. In a statement, Det Insp Gina Quinn said detectives believe the two gunmen approached the vehicle on foot from a path that runs between the Glenwood and Laurelbank areas. "The first image shows the two gunmen, one of whom is wearing a high-vis yellow jacket," she said. She added that the image shows the men at about 09:50 GMT and that they're travelling to carry out the attack, which happened at about 10:25 GMT. "The second image was taken at around 10.35am and shows the two men just after the shooting. Here, the yellow jacket has been discarded. "Having fired a number of shots at the victim, the two made off, again on foot, heading back via the same path, crossing the Stewartstown Road, and entering the Glasvey area. "They then crossed the Twinbrook Road and entered the Gardenmore Road area." Det Insp Quinn added: "I am making a direct appeal to local people to share any footage, whether CCTV, dash cam or mobile phone footage. "I am appealing to you to do the right thing and speak up." More on this story
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
West Belfast shooting linked to republican feud
The man critically wounded in a shooting in west Belfast at the weekend is thought to have been the victim of a republican feud. It happened in Bell Steel Manor in Dunmurry at about 10:30 GMT on Sunday. Republican Network for Unity, a political party with links to the dissident organisation Óglaigh na hÉireann (OnH) has said the man is one of its members. OnH has been linked to a number of gun murders in Belfast in recent years, and there was a split within the group last year. Police patrols are believed to have been increased amid fears of further violence. Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker said there was no "justification for any groups of paramilitary gangs," adding that they did not have support in the community. "This is a brilliant, vibrant community and they don't want anything like this happening," he told Good Morning Ulster. "People have called on these groups, and do not want these groups on our backs. They want them out of our communities, they want them disbanded. "There's no place for them," he said. The Alliance Party's Peter McReynolds, who sits on the policing board, told the Nolan Show: "What we can do is work with the police, support the police, and keep the police informed to make sure that these people are brought to justice". "I think over the past few years the police have done really good work through the paramilitary task force that was set up".
BBC News
24-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
West Belfast: Shooting linked to a republican feud
The man critically wounded in a shooting in west Belfast at the weekend is thought to have been the victim of a republican happened in Bell Steel Manor in Dunmurry at about 10:30 GMT on Sunday. Republican Network for Unity, a political party with links to the dissident organisation Óglaigh na hÉireann (OnH) has said the man is one of its members. OnH has been linked to a number of gun murders in Belfast in recent years, and there was a split within the group last year. Police patrols are believed to have been increased amid fears of further violence. Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker said there was no "justification for any groups of paramilitary gangs," adding that they did not have support in the community."This is a brilliant, vibrant community and they don't want anything like this happening," he told Good Morning Ulster. "People have called on these groups, and do not want these groups on our backs. They want them out of our communities, they want them disbanded. "There's no place for them," he said.
