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Western Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Comedian Reginald D Hunter faces private prosecution over social media posts
The 56-year-old US stand-up is accused of three counts of sending an offensive communication on three different occasions – on August 24, September 10 and September 11 last year – to Heidi Bachram on X, formerly Twitter. He was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday but Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram issued a warrant for him to attend court on July 7 in his absence. Prosecutor Donal Lawler told the court that Hunter is a 'well-known comedian' who is being privately prosecuted by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) charity. US comedian Reginald D Hunter (Yui Mok/PA) It is alleged Hunter sent a computer-generated sexual image to Ms Bachram in August last year, with the charges claiming it was 'grossly offensive'. On September 10 he is said to have tweeted Ms Bachram saying: 'THIS is why I HATE these people and am committed to their destruction not because JEW hatred Not even because they are European Nazis pretending to be JEWS Because of all the lying. Mama HATED liars and bequeathed that hatred to ALL of her children.' The following day, it is alleged he sent another message saying: 'Hey sugar. I don't hate you for being an agent of evil. Not new Not even uncommon. You being a liar a persistent liar KNOWING the truth, is why I will see you and your kind ended, even if it costs me EVERYTHING. You are not even a JEW. Run tell that.' Hunter regularly tours the UK and has appeared on comedy panel shows Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You and 8 Out Of 10 Cats. Mr Lawler told the court on Friday that the comedian was due to begin a tour of England and Wales tomorrow. The prosecutor said Hunter was scheduled to do a gig in London on July 6, adding that his legal team may be able to serve him his court summons in person at the venue on that date. The CAA describes itself as an organisation of volunteers which works to 'expose and counter antisemitism through education and zero-tolerance enforcement of the law'. Stephen Silverman, the group's director of investigations and enforcement, said: 'This is one of a number of private prosecutions that we are bringing, and there will be more to say on the case in due course.' Hunter's representatives have been approached for comment.
Western Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Implications of Adams' libel victory ‘profound', says head of BBC NI
Adam Smyth, director of BBC NI, said their legal team had warned that the jury's decision in the high-profile defamation case could 'hinder freedom of expression'. The BBC has been ordered to pay the former Sinn Fein leader 100,000 euro (£84,000) after a jury decided they had defamed him in a 2016 episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson. Mr Adams denies any involvement in Mr Donaldson's death in 2006. Journalist Jennifer O'Leary presented the Spotlight programme (Brian Lawless/PA) Speaking outside Dublin High Court alongside Spotlight reporter Jennifer O'Leary, Mr Smyth said they were disappointed with the verdict. He said: 'We believe we supplied extensive evidence to the court of the careful editorial process and journalistic diligence applied to this programme and accompanying online article. 'Moreover, it was accepted by the court, and conceded by Gerry Adams' legal team, that the Spotlight broadcast and publication were of the highest public interest.' Mr Smyth said the BBC had not wanted to come to court. But he added: 'It was important that we defend our journalism and we stand by that decision. 'Our past is difficult terrain for any jury and we thank them for their diligence and careful consideration of the issues in this case. 'The implications of their decision, though, are profound. 'As our legal team made clear, if the BBC's case cannot be won under existing Irish defamation law, it's hard to see how anyone's could. 'And they warned that today's decision could hinder freedom of expression. 'Of course, a case of this importance, duration and complexity involves significant expense. In common with other media organisations, the BBC has insurance and makes financial provision for ongoing and anticipated legal claims.' Gerry Adams took the BBC to court over an episode of its Spotlight programme (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Smyth said the BBC would now take time to consider the implications of the ruling. Ms O'Leary said she had entered the witness box in the trial with 'nothing to hide, only sources to protect and I want to thank them for trusting me'. She paid tribute to the witnesses who had appeared for the BBC in the case, including Ann Travers, whose sister was murdered by the IRA in 1984. She said: 'And there are thousands of Ann Travers across this island and in Britain – victims and survivors of the Troubles and the years after the peace agreement – who carry the burden of their grief and trauma with incredible courage. 'They are the people I'm thinking of – all of them.'
Western Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Tina Satchwell – the ‘lovely girl' whose life was marred by loss
Just 24 hours before she was murdered by her husband of 27 years, Tina spent the day browsing stalls at Carrigtwohill, a town east of Cork city centre. She bought a black jacket and a dress and hung it up over a door in the living room in the home she shared with Richard Satchwell. According to Satchwell, the items remained there for a long time after her death. Mrs Satchwell (nee Dingivan) was from St Bernard's Place in Fermoy, Co Cork. Richard Satchwell (centre) leaving the District Court in Cashel, Co Tipperary, after being charged in connection with the murder of Tina Satchwell (Brian Lawless/PA) In the 1980s she moved to Coalville outside Leicester in England, to live with her grandmother. It was while she in was Coalville that she met her future husband, when she was aged 17 and he was 21. Satchwell admitted that he told his brother he would marry Tina the first time he saw her. He proposed to Tina in October of 1989 at a place called Mount Pleasant. The couple were married the following year on Tina's 20th birthday in Oldham. There was no one from Satchwell's family at the wedding, as they did not approve of their relationship. Satchwell, who had described himself as quiet and overweight, had married his 'trophy wife'. The couple eventually moved back to Ireland, and lived in various properties in Co Cork and then Fermoy before buying a house in Youghal in 2016, some 40km from where she grew up. The scene at the property in Youghal, where skeletal remains were found (Brian Lawless/PA) They were not well known in Youghal, and socialising with locals did not exist in their tight-knit world where it was largely just the two of them. Anyone who did know Tina, or met her, would often recognise her as a glamorous woman, who had a love of fashion and clothes. The court heard she was petite, weighing around eight stone. Angela Sheehan, who described herself as an acquaintance of Tina, said she was a woman who loved her fashion, high heels, hair, makeup and jewellery. She told the trial that is what they would often talk about when they met, and she described her as a 'lovely girl' who was pleasant, bubbly and good for a laugh. Tina was rarely seen without her beloved dogs, Heidi and Ruby. While she had a great affection for animals generally, she loved her two dogs, particularly her chihuahua, Ruby, and had considered them her children. Satchwell and Tina bought Ruby in 2014 after Tina had been struggling with the death of her brother Tom in 2012. Satchwell said that Ruby brought something into Tina's life that she always wanted – a nice small dog to accompany her. Heidi, he said, was for him. They also shared their home with their pet parrot, Valentine. Flowers and messages left near the house Youghal, Co Cork, after it was searched (Brian Lawless/PA) The court heard Tina's voice only once during the trial when a video was played during a media appeal with Prime Time Investigates in 2018, in which she speaks to their now dead parrot, Pearl. 'What have you got there, Pearl?' she is heard asking the bird in a soft Cork accent. Satchwell told the reporter that the parrot died in the January before his wife disappeared. Tina had spent most her life believing Mary Collins was her sister, until she discovered that she was her biological mother. She made the discovery at the time of her confirmation when she was looking for her birth certificate. Tina had been raised by her grandmother, Florence, who she thought was her mother and had referred to her as that for all of her life. The two had a good relationship and were close, but Tina was in shock at the revelation of who her biological mother was, and felt she had been lied to for a period of her life. Sarah Howard and Tina were half-sisters and shared the same mother, however, Tina spent most her primary school years believing that Sarah was her niece. Tina and Sarah were very close growing up, but their relationship changed following the discovery, with Tina feeling resentment and hurt that she was not raised by her biological mother while Sarah was kept. Sarah said that she and Tina had not spoken in the 15 years before she died as their relationship was up and down. There could be a period of years where they were close and get on well but there were also years in which they would argue and not speak to each other. Few people could give a good insight into Tina's marriage, however. When Sarah was asked how she would described the relationship, she said: 'Odd.' She said that Satchwell used to call Tina his 'trophy wife' and 'trophy girlfriend'. Ms Howard had told the court that Satchwell was obsessive about his wife, and she thought he was controlling of her. The funeral cortege for Tina Satchwell being driven through her home town of Fermoy, Co Cork in October 2023 (Brian Lawless/PA) Tina had once confided in her sister that she knew she could not get away from her husband, and that he would follow her to the ends of the earth. Tina dealt with a number of tragedies in her life, including the death of her brother Tom in 2012. The two were very close and Satchwell said his sudden death hit Tina hard, and that she had cried a lot for him. Tina had adored him and he adored her, Sarah previously said. She had been badly affected by his death and spent years struggling to deal with it. After Tina's family got her remains back in 2023, they buried her in two graves – half of her ashes were put with their beloved grandmother, Florence, who raised Tina, and half were placed next to Tom.
Western Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Person arrested on suspicion of arson after fire at First World War airfield
Firefighters tackled the blaze at Old Sarum Airfield in Salisbury, Wiltshire on April 17 after its Grade II listed Hangar 3 caught light, causing the building to partially collapse. No casualties were reported from the incident. Wiltshire Police said on Friday that a person had been arrested in connection with the fire and had since been released on bail. The age of the suspect has not yet been revealed, with the force's investigation ongoing. The airfield, which lies within the setting of a scheduled monument, is recognised by the Government as a nationally important archaeological site.
Western Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
BBC to pay Gerry Adams 100,000 euros in defamation case
Mr Adams took the BBC to court over an episode of its Spotlight programme, and an accompanying online story, which he said defamed him by alleging he sanctioned the killing of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, for which he denies any involvement. A jury at the High Court in Dublin found in his favour on Friday after determining that was the meaning of words included in the programme and article. It also found the BBC's actions were not in good faith and the corporation had not acted in a fair and reasonable way. Mr Adams' legal team said the verdict of the jury was a 'full vindication' for their client while the BBC said it was 'disappointed' with the outcome. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. In the programme broadcast in September 2016, an anonymous source given the pseudonym Martin claimed the shooting was sanctioned by the political and military leadership of the IRA and that Mr Adams gave 'the final say'. In 2009, the dissident republican group the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the killing and a Garda investigation into the matter remains ongoing. Mr Adams said the allegation was a 'grievous smear' while the BBC has described the legal action as a 'cynical attempt to launder his reputation'. The high-profile republican sought damages of at least 200,000 euro (£168,000) from the BBC. However, the British public service broadcaster had argued it would be a 'cruel joke' to award the former Sinn Fein president any damages. It had argued the allegation was corroborated by five other sources and that Mr Adams had a reputation of being a member of the IRA. Denis Donaldson was killed in 2006 (BBC/PA) After six hours and 49 minutes of deliberations in total, the jury awarded the plaintiff 100,000 euro – which falls within the 'medium' range for defamation. Speaking outside court, Mr Adams said taking this case was 'about putting manners on the British Broadcasting Corporation'. He told reporters: 'I know many, many journalists. I like to think that I get on well with the most of them, and I wish you well, and I would uphold your right to do your job. 'But the British Broadcasting Corporation upholds the ethos of the British state in Ireland, and in my view it's out of sync in many, many fronts with the Good Friday Agreement. 'It hasn't caught on to where we are on this island as part of the process, the continuing process, of building peace and justice, and harmony, and, hopefully, in the time ahead, unity.' He said there is an onus on everyone, including himself, to deal with these legacy issues. He said: 'I'm very mindful of the Donaldson family in the course of this long trial, and indeed of the victims' families who have had to watch all of this. 'I want to say that the Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan should meet the family of Denis Donaldson as quickly as possible, and that there's an onus on both governments and everyone else, and I include myself in this, to try and deal with these legacy issues as best that we can.' Gerry Adams outside the High Court in Dublin after the jury returned its verdict (Brian Lawless/PA) His solicitor Paul Tweed said Mr Adams was 'very pleased with this resounding verdict', adding the award of damages 'speaks for itself'. Johnsons Solicitors, who acted for Mr Adams, said: 'The outcome today has provided a full vindication for our client, Mr Adams.' Speaking outside court, Adam Smyth, director of BBC Northern Ireland, said: 'We are disappointed by this verdict. 'We believe we supplied extensive evidence to the court of the careful editorial processes and journalistic diligence applied to this programme, and to the accompanying online article. 'Moreover, it was accepted by the court and conceded by Gerry Adams' legal team that the Spotlight broadcast and publication were of the highest public interest. 'We didn't want to come to court but it was important that we defend our journalism and we stand by that decision.' He added: 'Our past is difficult terrain for any jury and we thank them for their diligence and careful consideration of the issues in this case. 'The implications of their decision, though, are profound. As our legal team made clear, if the BBC's case cannot be won under existing Irish defamation law, it is hard to see how anyone's could, and they warned how today's decision would hinder freedom of expression. Director of BBC Northern Ireland, Adam Smyth and journalist Jennifer O'Leary outside the High Court (Brian Lawless/PA) 'Of course, a case of this importance, duration and complexity involves significant expense. In common with other media organisations, the BBC has insurance and makes financial provision for ongoing and anticipated legal claims.' BBC Spotlight reporter Jennifer O'Leary said she had 'nothing to hide, only sources to protect'. She also thanked the BBC and its legal team for defending journalism. Ms O'Leary said: 'I'm a big believer in trying your best in life and going about your business with integrity, and I want to pay a particular tribute to our witnesses in court, senator Michael McDowell, Trevor Ringland, and in particular Ann Travers, who spoke so courageously.' She said there were thousands of victims and survivors of the troubles in the UK and Ireland, adding: 'Those people carry the burden of their grief and trauma with incredible dignity and courage, and they are the people I am thinking of, I know my colleagues are also thinking of. I am thinking of all of them today.' The BBC will have to pay costs but the amount has yet to be decided. Mr Adams said the case could have been settled 'a long time ago', adding that it would be BBC licence payers who would pay for the action. Mr Smyth added the corporation will take some time to consider the implications of the ruling.
