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Gardaí have arrested and are questioning a man in his 20s, following a stabbing incident at a house in Co. Tipperary, on Saturday evening last.
The stabbing incident resulted in a pregnant female; also aged in her 20s, being rushed to the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, with non-life threatening injuries. The young woman is said to be recovering well, with her unborn child not believed to be in any danger.
We understand from media reports (Irish Mirror), (Cork Beo), (Buzz.ie), that others in their company witnessed the incident at 6:20pm on Saturday evening, and are helping Gardaí with their inquiries.
Gardaí were quickly on the scene of the incident and were able to make an arrest. The assailant is currently being detained at Thurles Garda Station, under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, and must be either charged or released from Garda custody today.
While Gardaí refused to be further drawn on the incident, they have confirmed that the incident did happen somewhere else in the Premier County.
Ministers Long and McEntee discuss North-South co-operation on matters of criminal justice.
Ministers Mrs Helen McEntee TD and Mrs Naomi Long MLA (Latter Minister of Justice in the Northern Ireland Executive) met yesterday to discuss cross border co-operation on criminal justice matters. Both Ministers reviewed the excellent ongoing co-operation across a wide range of criminal justice areas, including forensic science, public protection and victim support.
Minister McEntee said; “It is clear from yesterday’s meeting that there is a high degree of dynamic co-operation between our criminal justice systems. Excellent cross border cooperation is taking place in a range of criminal justice areas via the IGA. This work includes tackling hate crime, supporting victims, the management of high risk offenders, and early intervention strategies to combat youth offending. Under the IGA Work Programme (2021-23) this excellent work will continue to be enhanced.
Minister Long and I had a very productive discussion on the criminal justice challenges we face in both parts of the island. We must address these challenges and continue to co-operate in coming up with positive solutions to our shared problems”.
Minister Long said: “The cross-border co-operation on justice matters in both jurisdictions continues to produce very encouraging outcomes across a range of cross-border issues such as offender mental health, hate crime, youth justice, forensic science and support for victims. The IGA contributes greatly to ensuring we are doing everything we can to promote good practice in these areas. The absence of Ministers in Northern Ireland will not impede this important work, since cooperation will continue at official level and between our law enforcement partners”.
At the meeting both Ministers were also updated on the work of the cross border Joint Agency Task Force. They highlighted the continuing high level of co-operation and operational activity between the law enforcement agencies involved in tackling rural crime, drugs, financial crime, trafficking in human beings including children, excise fraud, and organised immigration crime.
Minister McEntee said; “I must commend the ongoing collaboration that underpins the Joint Agency Task Force. This work continues to highlight the extensive North-South co-operation that is undertaken between the police and other law enforcement agencies. By working together, the Task Force disrupts criminals that would seek to exploit the border and by doing so, enhances the safety of all communities on this island.
I welcome the success of the joint operations already undertaken. It is clear that the Joint Agency Task Force is producing results through cooperation and operational activity – whether it is joint days of action against mobile organised crime gangs, or working together to ensure customs seizures or to identify victims of human trafficking. I would like to express my appreciation to all those involved for their ongoing work”.
Minister Long said; “The ongoing work that continues to be carried out by the Joint Agency Task Force is of a significant value and the results being produced through closer cooperation and joint operational activity highlights the necessity of continued collaboration. The impact of this work in disrupting organised crime gangs and making our communities safer is very impressive and I am very grateful to all those involved both in providing the strategic direction but also the operational cooperation on which that success is based”.
A report made to Gardaí regarding a burglary, which occurred in the Fethard area of Co. Tipperary on October 10th last, has led to the arrest of two males.
As a consequence of this burglary, an all-terrain vehicle and other farming equipment had been stolen.
Clonmel Gardaí conducted an investigation which saw searches conducted at two locations in the wider South Tipperary area.
Same resulted in two males, both aged in their early 20’s, being arrested yesterday, October 19th, before being detained in Clonmel Garda Station.
The stolen all-terrain vehicle was also recovered at one of the locations searched.
Both arrested men have been charged to appear in court at a date in November next, in relation to this incident.
A Bill to overhaul Garda Compensation Scheme completes passage through the Oireachtas.
- Claim assessment time and legal costs to be reduced.
Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee and Minister of State Mr James Browne are pleased to announce that the Garda Síochána (Compensation) Bill 2021 has completed all stages in the Oireachtas.
This Bill provides for a complete overhaul of the current Garda compensation scheme, which has been in operation since the 1940s.
The Garda Compensation Scheme is for members of An Garda Síochána who sustain personal injuries in the performance of their duties, to help affected members get support necessary for their recovery and compensate them for their injuries. The scheme is also open to dependants of deceased members of An Garda Síochána who were fatally injured while on duty, or while acting in their general capacity as a member, or merely because of their being a member of An Garda Síochána.
The main objectives of the Bill is to reduce the length of time it takes for Garda compensation claims to be dealt with from the initial application right through to the award of compensation and to reduce legal costs.
It also offers opportunities for settlement and resolution of claims much earlier in the process with cost savings for all of the parties involved. The Bill achieves this by setting out clear time limits in relation to each stage of the process and providing what will happen where those timelines are not met. It also aims to reduce the number of applications ultimately proceeding to court, which will in turn reduce the significant legal and administrative costs and lengthy delays associated with the current scheme.
A significant change in the new scheme is that where an assessment concludes that a member has been injured as a result of a malicious incident, and is therefore entitled to compensation, the Garda Commissioner will arrange for an application to be made on the claimant’s behalf to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) who will assess the claim on an independent and impartial basis. After a claim has been made to PIAB, the State Claims Agency will represent the Garda Commissioner.
The Personal Injuries Assessment Board is the independent state body which assesses personal injury claims. It was established to support the prompt and fair resolution of claims without the need for costly and lengthy litigation.
Welcoming the passing of the Bill today, Minister McEntee said: “We can all agree that members of An Garda Síochána do their utmost to tackle crime and to keep the public safe and I commend them on this.
Unfortunately, the nature of this work means that members of the Garda can suffer injuries, or in the most tragic cases, injuries causing death, and they, or their family members in the case of death, deserve to be compensated in recognition of this.
Having met the Garda representative organisations on a number of occasions since becoming Minister for Justice, I know this is an important issue to members, and I am delighted to see the legislation passed so we can move towards establishing a revised scheme that will better serve those who need to avail of it”.
Minister Browne commented: “This much anticipated Bill to reform the Garda Compensation Scheme is important, to not only those individuals on the frontline protecting and supporting our communities, but also their family members who feel the direct effect of when their loved ones are harmed while on duty. It is only right that when incidences like these occur that members and their families are redressed in a fair and efficient manner to avoid any further burden on the injured parties.
I cannot express enough the deep respect that we all have towards members of An Garda Síochána who, despite the now dangers involved with tackling criminal activity, go out to face it first-hand. I am pleased to have brought this Bill through the Houses and look forward to the revised scheme assisting in providing Gardaí with compensatory supports in a way that will lessen delays and financial costs that the now outdated procedures sometimes had on members in the past”.
Ministers McEntee and Browne look forward to early commencement of the Bill and express their thanks to their colleagues in both houses of the Oireachtas for their assistance in ensuring its timely delivery.
“Human trafficking is a problem, and it is happening in Ireland” – Minister Helen McEntee.
The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, has marked EU Anti-Trafficking Day , today, by stressing the importance of raising awareness of the issue, and the importance of sharing information, knowledge and best practices amongst various groups working to combat same.
EU Anti-Trafficking Day is marked on October 18th each year, and Minister McEntee is aware that vulnerable people are trafficked into Ireland for the purpose of exploitation, including sexual exploitation and forced criminality.
The Minister said: “Today is a fitting moment to highlight that this crime is happening and it’s happening across the EU, including in Ireland. Victims can be found anywhere, often hiding in plain sight.
The Government is determined to combat this insidious crime and to support those who are victims of it.
We are confident that the victim-centred policy approach we are taking will encourage more victims to come forward which will, in turn, strengthen prosecutions and convictions”.
There are a number of significant developments in the fight against human trafficking in Ireland including:
- A revised National Referral Mechanism, which will soon be put on a statutory footing, making it easier for victims of trafficking to come forward, be identified, and access support;
- The development of a new National Action Plan on human trafficking;
- The first convictions, in September of last year, for human trafficking;
- An increase in funding dedicated specifically to supporting victims of trafficking, and for public awareness and prevention efforts.
The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is the framework through which the State fulfils its obligations to protect and promote the human rights of trafficking victims, working in partnership with civil society.
The General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2022, published in July, will put a revised NRM on a statutory footing.
Currently An Garda Síochána is the sole competent authority for recognition of human trafficking victims. The revised NRM will include the full range of Government Departments and agencies that come into contact with potential victims, as well as designated NGOs, as members. This should make it easier for victims to come forward to seek protection and to access all of the supports and resources that are available to them.
Work to develop a new National Action Plan on human trafficking is at an advanced stage and is expected to be submitted for Government approval before the end of the year.
The Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence that Minister McEntee launched in June contains an action to identify linkages between the implementation plan accompanying the Strategy, and the National Action Plan, as well as ensuring actions to prevent prostitution and combat trafficking for sexual exploitation are addressed in an integrated manner.
Minister McEntee paid tribute to a wide range of partners across the public service providing care and practical support to trafficking victims, including An Garda Síochána, the HSE, the Legal Aid Board, the Immigration Service, and Tusla, as well as NGOs funded by the Department to provide support.
Acknowledging the launch today of a counter-trafficking awareness short film (Shown above) to highlight the risk of trafficking in Ireland, the Minister added: “For the past number of years my Department has engaged in a successful partnership with the International Organisation for Migration office here in Dublin to raise awareness that victims of trafficking can be found anywhere, often hidden in plain sight. The short film being launching today has a role in building this awareness.
“We want wider society to recognise the signs of human trafficking and to know what to do and where to go if they have concerns”.
Note: Between 2015 and 2020, 356 potential victims of trafficking were identified by the Irish authorities.
In 2016, The International Labour Organization estimated that 40.3 million persons were in situations of modern day slavery, with traffickers estimated to be coining more than €150 billion per year.
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