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Under Pressure To Smuggle Drugs Into Prisons?

Family and friends will be enjoying in-person visits to prisons this Christmas festive season.

However, some such visitors may be pressured to smuggle drugs or mobile phones into prisons.

If this is happening to you, contact the confidential telephone and text line for support at Tel. No.1800 855 717,

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Gardaí Make Arrest Following Location Of Dead Body in Co. Tipperary.

Following the conclusion of a post-mortem examination at University Hospital Waterford on the body of a 30-year-old Polish man, found dead at a rented house in the townland of Ballycrana, close to Kilross village, in Co Tipperary; a man has now been arrested.

The arrest follows a forensic examination at the rented accommodation over previous days.

In a statement yesterday, Gardaí confirmed that a man aged in his 20’s has now been arrested as part of their inquiries into the death. The suspect has been detailed for questioning at a garda station in the Munster region; held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, thus allowing detention for questioning for an initial period of six hours, extended for a further six hours, subject to further Garda investigation.

It is also understood that a number of people had gathered at the rented house on St. Stephen’s night for a birthday celebration and Gardaí are now anxious to speak to all those who attended this event.

Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone with information to contact Tipperary Town garda station Tel: 062 80670, the Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda station.

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Thurles Circuit Court Judge Found Guilty Of Sexual Assault Of 6 Men.

Central Criminal Court

A circuit court judge, former secondary school teacher, former Fianna Fáil councillor, former state solicitor for North Tipperary, has been convicted, in the Central Criminal Court, of the sexual assault of six young men, some of whom were students at a Dublin school where he once taught, almost 30 years ago .

Mr O’Brien was aged in his 30s at the time of the alleged assaults, while the six complainants were aged between 17 years and 24 years. The accused had initially denied any sexual contact with any of the not named complainants, but he had later informed Gardaí that there had been consensual sexual activity with three of the six young men.

Currently aged 59 years, and a native of Thurles Co. Tipperary, residing at the Old School House, Slievenamon Road, in the town; Mr O’Brien had pleaded not guilty in the Central Criminal Court, to one count of attempted rape and eight counts of sexual assault in relation to six complainants on dates between March 1991 and November 1997.

Five of the complainants claimed that they were awakened to find the accused sexually assaulting them, while one said the assault took place in a pub toilet.

The accused, Mr O’Brien had denied any wrongdoing, however, a ten member jury took just over seven-and-a-half hours to reach guilty verdicts on all nine counts. Mr O’Brien made no reaction, when the jury returned the guilty verdicts in the Central Criminal Court today.

Mr O’Brien, who is a Thalidomide drug victim; born with no arms and only one leg, will be sentenced on March 4th next, 2024.

Statement from the Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee.
In a statement from the Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee published this afternoon, the Minister said quote, “I note that a criminal conviction has been secured in the case of a judge of the Circuit Court.
My thoughts are with the victims – these are appalling cases of sexual assault, I thank them for coming forward. I would also like to thank the Gardaí.
I have been clear that we have a lot of work to do to achieve my aim of zero tolerance in our society for all forms of domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
Part of that is clearly demonstrating that nobody, no matter what position they hold in our society, is above the law or immune from prosecution for such crimes. Today is clear proof of that.
I will now be considering the options open to the Government and the Oireachtas.
I have asked the Attorney General to advise”
.

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Male Arrested By Tipperary Gardaí Following Drugs & Offensive Weapons Seizure.

A male, aged in his 20s, was arrested by Gardaí in Clonmel on Wednesday last and was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in Co. Tipperary. The arrest followed the seizure of firearms and ammunition, undertaken as part of a multi-agency search operation.

The search was conducted as part of ongoing investigations into organised criminal activity within the Clonmel area.

In all a total of 12 properties were searched by Gardaí, in association with Revenue Customs Officials and members of the Defence Forces (Engineers No 1 Brigade).

The searches led to two shotguns being seized together with ammunition, a machete and incapacitant spray, all of which are now the subject of further technical examination by investigating gardaí.
Also seized, during the course of this search operation, was suspected crack cocaine and heroin with an estimate street value of €2,500 and €1,500 in cash.

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Awareness Campaign – Support For Victims Of Domestic Violence Launched.

New Awareness Campaign For Supports For The Victims Of Domestic, Sexual & Gender Based Violence Launched.

  • ‘Always Here’ aims to increase awareness of pathways to safety and supports available.
  • Builds on the strength of the ‘Still Here’ campaign that ran during the Covid pandemic.
  • New website alwayshere.ie, launched with comprehensive information on supports and pathways to safety for victims of DSGBV.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, has today launched a campaign to raise awareness on pathways to safety and supports, available for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Domestic, Sexual & Gender Based Violence.

The ‘Always Here’ campaign – which will run on TV, local and national radio, digital and social media, and elsewhere – seeks to highlight and signpost victims and wider society to the available support services, while encouraging them to reach out for help and to report what has happened or is happening to them.

The campaign is being launched just before Christmas, a time when reports of domestic abuse in particular can escalate.

Minister McEntee said, “Sadly, the risk of domestic violence can increase over the Christmas period, and I am conscious for people in abusive situations that the worry of reduced availability of trusted professionals and support services can cause increased stress.
I want to assure victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence that they are not alone. Help and support is always available, including during the Christmas period.
An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service and other services, including the vital supports provided by our community and voluntary sector, are always here for you, including during Christmas, and when you ask for help, you will be heard.”

The campaign follows on from the well-received ‘Still Here’ campaign which was focused on telling victims that help and support remained available during the Covid pandemic, despite the various restrictions on travel and social contacts.

The ‘Always Here’ assets produced for the campaign seek to empower victims by reassuring them that they will be believed, that the issue will be taken seriously, that there are organisations ready to support them, and that the wider Irish society stands with them and condemns the behaviour of perpetrators.

A new website, alwayshere.ie, has also been launched which provides advice and information on available supports to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. It explains the various manifestations of domestic violence and coercive control, including targeted advice and information for young people who are concerned about domestic abuse.

Minister McEntee added, “The development of this campaign has included significant input from those on the frontline supporting victims of these heinous crimes, including state and non-state organisations.
What has come through loud and clear in those discussions is that we, as a society, are determined that that there is zero tolerance for domestic and sexual violence and we, as a society, stand with the victims of these awful crimes. There will be no let-up in our efforts to tackle domestic and sexual violence, and to see justice served to perpetrators and for victims.”

The ‘Always Here’ campaign fulfils an action under the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. This burst of the campaign will continue until late January, while messaging primarily targeting victims of sexual violence will be developed later in 2024.

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