Law « Thurles Information

High Court Award €1.55m To North Tipperary Resident.

A Tipperary resident who suffered a brain injury, latter having been knocked to the ground by a soapbox kart; following a downhill race in Roscrea, North Co. Tipperary, has settled a High Court action for €1.55m.

Mr Donal Walsh, aged 64 years, a retired army private, who had been acting as a ‘Steward’ at the Roscrea Soapbox Race, in Roscrea almost six years ago, was then walking back up the hill, where the racing had been taking place when a kart, knocked him to the ground.

Mr Walsh had sued the organisers of the Soapbox Race, Mr Shane Lee and Mr Eoghan Fogarty, latter with addresses in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, and Country Sports Ireland, with an address at Kilrea, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, as a result of the accident at the Soap Box Race in Roscrea which had taken place on September 11th, 2016.

Mr Patrick Treacy SC, instructed by Cian O’Carroll Solicitors, informed the High Court that the racing had finished, when it was decided to have one further run.

Mr Walsh had seen two karts pass him on Convent Hill, Roscrea, but a wheel had come off one of the karts, latter which then crashed in to him, knocking him forcefully to the ground; same collision resulting in him receiving a strong blow to his skull.

Mr Walsh lost consciousness and was immediately transferred to hospital, where it was discovered, he had suffered a brain injury.

Mr Justice Michael Hanna, approving the settlement, wished Mr Walsh and his family well.

Criminal Assets Bureau Annual Report 2021 Published.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has today published the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) 2021 Annual Report.

The 2021 report marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of CAB and the positive figures included in the report highlight the success of the Bureau in tackling organised crime to date.

Between 1996 and 2021, a total of €204 million has been returned to the exchequer, comprising €165 million in tax settlements, €33 million in proceeds of crime and €6 million in Social Welfare recoupments. Over 360 Proceeds of Crime cases have been brought to the Courts, involving almost €170 million in assets.

The 2021 report shows that in the year 2021 CAB returned in excess of €5.5 million to the Exchequer, which comprised of €4.4 million in Revenue Settlements, €1.14 million in Proceeds of Crime and €0.364 million in Social Welfare recoveries.

On publishing the report, Minister McEntee said: “CAB has been a vital tool in our arsenal in the fight against organised crime. CAB hits criminals where it hurts – in their pockets – by targeting the ill-gotten gains of criminal conduct.

In 2021, the 25th anniversary of the Bureau, over €5.5 million was returned to the exchequer. I am also pleased to note the recovery and return in one notable instance of €5.4 million to six defrauded injured parties.

Earlier this year I launched the Community Safety Innovation Fund Scheme which will reinvest proceeds of crime seized by CAB back into the communities that need it.

We are also looking at how best to support CAB in its important work – last year my department completed a review which presented a number of recommendations.

One which I am intending to pursue as a priority is reducing the timeframe for the making of a ‘disposal order’.
At the moment, once the High Court has determined that an asset is a ‘proceed of crime’, it can take a further seven years before it may be ultimately confiscated.
My intention is to substantially reduce the statutory timeframe before a ‘Disposal Order’ can be made. Reducing this period would mean that those who generate criminal assets cannot benefit from them for extended periods.
This would send a message to those involved in organised criminality that they will not be allowed to enjoy the profits of their illegal activity, and it will show communities that we take organised crime extremely seriously.

I also want to give CAB the power to publish the names and specified details of tax defaulters who have made settlements with the Bureau.
Subject to the advice of the Attorney General I hope to be in a position to finalise a General Scheme for new legislation to progress these proposals and others by the end of the year.”

The Criminal Asset Bureau Annual Report 2021 can be accessed in full HERE.

53 New Gardaí attested At Passing-Out Parade in Templemore, Today

53 Gardaí attested today at in-person ceremony, bringing to approximately 370 the number of newly attested members this year.
25% of new recruits are women while 15% were born outside of Ireland.

Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, today, July 8th, 2022, attended the passing-out ceremony at Templemore, to welcome and congratulate 53 newly-attested Garda members.

The new Garda members will now be assigned to Garda Divisions throughout the country.

Speaking at the attestation ceremony today, Minister McEntee stated: “It is a pleasure to see such a strong, diverse and vibrant group of new Gardaí passing out today. I would like to congratulate the newest members who join the almost 300 Gardaí who have already attested this year.

An Garda Síochána is a cornerstone of our democracy. Day in day out, we trust its members to maintain the security of the State, to protect our people, and to ensure that we can go about our daily lives in a peaceful country.

In doing their work, Gardaí have the full support of the Government. The budget provided by this Government to the Garda Commissioner continues to increase to unprecedented levels, with an allocation of over €2 billion for 2022, which is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff.

In addition, my Department is working on legislative developments to assist and support An Garda Síochána as they look to the next 100 years of policing in Ireland”.

Of the 53 new Garda members attesting today, 13 are women, while 8 were born outside the State, from England to Poland, Iraq, Mauritius, amongst others.

Minister McEntee added: “It is particularly heartening to share this day with the new recruits in the centenary year of An Garda Síochána.

I am pleased to see that the significant efforts of Commissioner Drew Harris and the wider Garda organisation to encourage diversity amongst its members are paying off. It is vital that everyone in our society sees members of their own communities serving in An Garda Síochána.

The diverse interest in recent recruitment campaigns shows that a career in An Garda Síochána is one that appeals to many – I hope for you all here today that it will be a career that is exciting, challenging and fulfilling.
You will help and protect people in their most vulnerable hours and at their most difficult times. As a country we owe you a debt of gratitude for the deep commitment to public service you have made in joining An Garda Síochána.

Go n-éirí an t-ádh libh le bhur ngairmeacha amach anseo – go raibh míle maith agaibh as an gcinneadh seo a dhéanamh, chun oibre le pobail chun iad a chosaint agus chun freastal orthu”.
[Translation Irish to English – Good luck with your future careers – thank you so much for making this decision, to work with communities to protect and serve them.]

€150 Fine For Using Disabled Parking Bay In Thurles.

Yesterday, Tipperary Roads Policing (Póiliniu Bóithre) unit observed a vehicle, incorrectly parked; while patrolling in the Liberty Square area of Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

**Picture courtesy Tipperary Roads Policing *(Póiliniu Bóithre)*.**

A motor vehicle was found to be parked in a disabled parking bay, situated east of the town.

Same vehicle was found to not display the necessary “Disabled Permit” badge. The driver, when questioned, did not to hold a permit and had used the disabled car parking space, before entering a local shop in the town.

As part of “Operation Enable” Garda enforcement; a fine of €150 was issued to the driver.

Garda are asking the public to please respect the current existing law in relation to parking in disabled parking bays, wherever same are found to be in situ.

Launch of Forensic Science Ireland’s Annual Report 2021

Almost 24,000 cases processed by FSI in 2021.
Assisted in the identification of 13 unidentified human remains.
Worked with An Garda Síochána on 15 serious crime reviews, dating as far back as 1985.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, welcomes the launch of the 2021 Annual Report of Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).

A key feature of the 2021 Annual Report is the substantial increase in the demand for the services of FSI over the past 3 years. FSI has grown its services over the same period, with an increase in DNA & Biological Analysis services provided (increased by 54%), growth in the number of drugs reports issued (increased by 35%) and the integration of Fingerprint and Documents & Handwriting investigations into FSI.

Minister McEntee stated: “FSI’s forensic science services provides invaluable support to An Garda Síochána in the investigation of crime. Their work is often instrumental in assessing and confirming evidence to ensure that those who are guilty of crimes are brought to justice.
I would like to thank Director General Chris Enright and the team of Forensic Science Ireland for their tremendous work throughout a challenging 2021. FSI again remained open through all stages of the COVID restrictions, processing almost 24,000 cases – an increase of 85% compared to 2018″.

FSI’s support for European cooperation in criminal investigations and border control have also grown over the course of the 2021. FSI is now exchanging DNA data with 11 countries under the Prüm Decision, after connecting with Germany, France and Malta in 2021.

The Minister added: “The progress in construction of FSI’s purpose built forensic facility at the Backweston Science Campus is very encouraging. The building is planned for completion in the coming months and will create avenues to grow and expand forensic services for the State. I very much look forward to the opening of the new facility”.

The FSI Annual Report 2021 can be accessed HERE.