It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, today Friday, 3rd February 2023, of Mr Paul Leahy, Ballylahy, Castleiney, Templemore, Co. Tipperary and Cluain Glas, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
Pre-deceased by his father Matt and sister Breda, the passing of Mr Leahy is most deeply regretted by his mother Carmel, his sisters Rita (Kiely), Patricia, Carmel (Leonard), brothers-in-law Joe and Gary, nephew Matthew, niece Rachel, extended relatives, neighbours and friends.
According to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC Ireland’s consumer watchdog) a recall alert is in place for an Aroma Home Plug-In Salt Lamp Night Light purchased from TK Maxx or Homesense stores.
It is estimated that some 216 dangerous products were sold at TK Maxx and Homesense, here in the Republic of Ireland, between December 2022 and January 2023.
The affected batch numbers listed refer to 700540, 700545, 700549 and 700552.
The danger with the night light plugs has arisen because moisture from the salt lamp can drip onto metal plug components, which in turn can lead to fire or possible electrocution.
Customers are requested to stop using the product, with immediate effect, and return the dodgy manufactured product to any TK Maxx or Homesense store, to obtain a full refund.
Further queries in relation to this recall, should be directed by email to TK Maxx at customerservice@tjxeurope.com or Tel: 01-2476126.
Mr Michael Morgan, a fireman, aged 43, with an address at Cluain Muillean, Nenagh, was acquitted by a jury at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court today, on all three charges brought against and denied by him.
Mr Morgan had been accused of: * One count of possession of cocaine, * One count of possession of cocaine for sale and supply * One count of possession of cocaine worth €13,000. The charges laid against him, if found guilty, carried a mandatory minimum ten-year prison sentence.
His friend and co-accused, Mr John Walsh, a plasterer, aged 36, of Coille Bheithe, Nenagh, was found guilty by the same jury, of possession of cocaine; together with possession of cocaine for sale or supply. He was, however, acquitted of possessing cocaine worth €13,000 or more, contrary to ‘section 15(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act.’
The Court heard that cocaine worth €78,000 was found, wrapped in individual plastic bags, in a lunchbox in Mr Morgan’s locker, at Nenagh Fire Station. Same was located during a routine inspection of staff lockers, back in January 2018.
Both the accused men were long time friends; with both holding licensed firearms for the purpose of hunting together. Mr Walsh was unable to explain, satisfactorily, how a sample of his deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was located and identified, on a knot, on one of the individual plastic bags, which contained the cocaine, and could not remember ever being inside Nenagh Fire Station, unless brought there through his school.
The court also heard that at least 30 other individuals had similar access to the same locker room area.
Mr Walsh was today remanded on continuing bail, to appear before Nenagh Circuit Court, for sentencing this day week, Thursday, February 9th 2023.
Quote – Former British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair.
The Minister for Justice, Mr Simon Harris, has today, noted the decision by the UK Government to establish a Statutory Inquiry on foot of the judgment in the Belfast High Court.
Minister Harris said: “What happened at Omagh was an unspeakable and brutal act of cruelty. The terrorists who carried it out had simply no sense of humanity and they displayed a complete and shocking disregard for life itself. It is they who carry responsibility for this brutal act. We will never forget those who lost their lives, those who were injured and the families whose suffering for their loved ones continues. The Irish Government is deeply conscious of the enduring suffering and hardship that survivors of Troubles-related attacks bear. The Government has always sought to acknowledge and address the legitimate needs and expectations of victims’ families and survivors of Troubles-related attacks. It is the case, of course, that a number of reviews/investigations have previously taken place in this jurisdiction with regard to Omagh. I will be discussing today’s announcement with my Government colleagues and we will, of course, consider what further action is required on our part, in response to the UK Government’s decision to establish an inquiry. I look forward to receiving further detail on the proposed UK Inquiry as it becomes available.”
Omagh Bombing Saturday August 15th 1998
At around 2:30, three phone calls had been made warning of a bomb in Omagh, using the same codeword that had been used in the Real IRA’s bombing in Banbridge, two weeks earlier: “Martha Pope”. “There’s a bomb, courthouse, Omagh, main street, 500lb, explosion thirty minutes.” The caller claimed the warning was given on behalf of “Óglaigh na hÉireann,”[Irish – “The Defense Forces of Ireland”.]
The Omagh bomb exploded on August 15th 1998, killing 29 people including a woman pregnant with twins and injuring 220 other people. In 1989, a then recently-formed dissident republican group, calling itself the ‘Real IRA’, claimed responsibility for the bomb and in a statement, confirmed that its targets were “commercial” while offering an apology to the victims.
In 2002, a dissident republican Mr Colm Murphy, aged 49, was found guilty of plotting to cause the Omagh bombing.
The Provisional Irish Republican Army’s Quartermaster General Mr Michael McKevitt, in protest allegedly founded and became leader of the Real IRA in 2003. The latter was found guilty of directing terrorism between August 29th 1999 and October 23rd 2000 and being a member of an illegal organisation, here in the Irish Republic.
In 2009 a judge in a civil trial ruled that Mr Michael McKevitt, Mr Liam Campbell, Mr Colm Murphy and Mr Seamus Daly were all liable for the Omagh bombing. They were ordered to pay a total of £1.6m in damages to the 12 relatives, who had taken a civil case.
Mr Liam Campbell and ‘Real IRA’ leader Mr Michael McKevitt, took their case to the European Court of Human Rights, arguing that the civil trial in Belfast High Court, had been unfair. Both cases were rejected. Mr McKevitt was officially released from prison in March, 2016, and died on January 2nd 2021, at the age of 71 years, following a six year battle with cancer.
In 2020, a Fermanagh and Omagh District Council committee passed a motion opposing the extradition of Mr Liam Campbell to Lithuania, regarding their allegations that he was part of an operation to purchase guns and explosives for the ‘Real IRA.’
At least one family member, of an Omagh bomb victim, now resides in Co. Tipperary.
* Intention to enact Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 swiftly, to allow for body worn camera pilot this year. * Use of body-worn cameras will protect frontline Gardaí and deter criminal activity. * Strengthened powers to be introduced around CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) software.
The Minister for Justice, Mr Simon Harris TD, today introduced legislation in the Dáil to allow for the use of body worn cameras and other crucial modern policing tools by An Garda Síochána.
Minister Harris said the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022, which was taken at second stage today, will significantly strengthen the capacity of An Garda Síochána to tackle crime and protect national security.
The use of body worn cameras will also be hugely important in helping to protect frontline Gardaí as they do their duty in keeping people safe.
Minister Harris hopes to enact the Bill as soon as possible to allow Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to pilot the use of body-worn cameras later this year, prior to their widespread roll-out.
The Bill is in line with the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, which was published in 2019, and is a priority action in Justice Plan 2022. It is part of a suite of legislation being introduced by the Government to reform An Garda Síochána.
Among the central elements of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 are:
Allowing for recording from body worn cameras, helicopters, aircraft, Garda dogs, drones, mobile devices and tablets.
Extending the powers governing Garda use of CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to help prevent crime and prosecute those involved in criminal activity.
Providing powers for An Garda Síochána to access third party CCTV on a live-feed basis to support them in carrying out their function, subject to strict guidelines and oversight.
Placing a statutory obligation on the Garda Commissioner to prepare Codes of Practice, which will be submitted to the Minister for Justice for approval, regarding the operation of recording devices and CCTV
Work is already underway on these codes and they will address standards to be applied, confidentiality, security, storage, access and retention of data.
The Department of Justice has engaged extensively with An Garda Síochána, Garda oversight bodies and strategic partners, during the preparation of this Bill, as well as the Office of the Data Protection. Commissioner, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties.
Minister Harris said: “The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities. This means providing An Garda Síochána with the tools to fight crime in a modern era and to protect our frontline Gardaí as they do their duty. Policing services across the world have gained significant benefits from the introduction of these technologies and people will have seen their effective use in fighting and solving crime in other jurisdictions. I firmly believe that our Gardaí must have the same tools as their colleagues in police services across Europe and around the world. I am confident that body worn cameras will play an important role in improving Garda front-line capabilities and in ensuring the accurate recording of incidents. Garda use of this technology will be primarily for the investigation, detection, prevention and prosecution of criminal offences, the safeguarding against and the prevention of threats to public safety and public order, and in matters relating to the security of the State.”
The Minister added that body worn cameras are also hugely important in protecting Gardaí, as well as being a key investigative tool. Under the Bill, body worn cameras must be visible on the clothing of the Garda member and have a light showing when they are recording. The Bill also contains a broad definition of recording device to ensure the legislation is future proofed.
Minister Harris added: “Members of An Garda Síochána are placing themselves at great personal risk and we must support them in every way we can as they do their jobs. Attacks on our brave Gardaí, or attempts to intimidate them, must be utterly condemned, and body worn cameras will be key to ensuring they are protected as they carry out their duties. Body worn cameras are also a key investigative tool. For example, I know from speaking to frontline Gardaí that the first moments after they arrive at the scene of domestic abuse are key to gathering evidence which can then be used to protect the victim and ensure the perpetrator is brought to justice.”
The new Bill will regulate the use of recording devices in public spaces; where An Garda Síochána have a power of entry authorised by law; and in places where they have implied or express permission to be.
Provision will also be made for recording to be carried out from Garda helicopters, fixed wing aircraft and drones – which will be key to tackling organised crime gangs and protecting national security.
Minister Harris continued: “Another key area in the Bill is the new arrangements for CCTV schemes. CCTV schemes are currently dealt with under section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005, which will be repealed and replaced. This Bill sets out how CCTV schemes should be managed in the future to ensure that they reflect changes in the law on foot of the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation and the Law Enforcement Directive. This will include an important role for Community Safety Partnerships, which will develop Community Safety Plans, with strong local input. The Bill will also allow for the processing of live feeds of third party CCTV, and the recording of certain calls to and from An Garda Síochána and providing An Garda Síochána with an updated legal basis for the installation and operation of CCTV on Garda premises.”
An Garda Síochána are working on draft codes of practice for, amongst other things, body worn cameras and CCTV, with a view to ensuring they are ready for when the Bill is enacted.
In creating these codes, there will be a number of bodies with whom the Garda Commissioner will have to consult and there will be impact assessments, on human rights and data protection that have to be carried out.
Each code of practice will be submitted to the Minister for approval and once approved, it will be contained in a Ministerial Order, thereby making it a public document.
On the issue of Automatic Number Plate Recognition Data, Minister Harris said it is important for Gardaí to be able to access ANPR Data from the cameras of organisations who are already operating ANPR cameras at strategic locations in the State.
The initial bodies that are to be included are the National Roads Authority (motorway cameras), DAA (Dublin and Cork Airport ANPR cameras) and Dublin Port.
The Minister for Justice may designate other bodies to be included but it would only be of use where an organisation has an extensive network of ANPR cameras in place.
Minister Harris said he expects strong support from across the House for this key piece of legislation, with contains a series of provisions to protect frontline members of An Garda Síochána and help them tackle crime.
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