Law « Thurles Information

Drugs Destined For Tipperary Seized By Revenue Officers.

Cannabis and other illegal narcotics, with a street value of over €330,000 have been seized by Revenue at two premises in Co. Dublin.

Using sniffer dogs, Revenue officers have sized 15.5kgs of herbal cannabis, 5,528 Zopiclone tablets, a small quantities of CMC crystals, hash cakes, butane honey oil, cannabis resin, cannabis oil and LSD tablets, all hidden in various parcels.

Same parcels originated initially in the USA, Canada, Spain, UK and Holland, were labelled as other items such as Tea, Christmas gifts, Coffee Beans, Textiles and Food Stuffs.

According to Revenue Officers, these parcels were destined for addresses in counties Tipperary, Dublin, Louth, Kildare, Cork, Kerry, and Wexford.

Further investigations into the drugs seizures remain ongoing.

Pedestrian Dead Following Vehicle Collision In Tipperary.

Gardaí are appealing for information after the death of a man aged in his 70s, following a collision in Co Tipperary.
We understand that the victim, who was a pedestrian, was struck by a motor vehicle, while crossing on Castle Street in Cahir, at approximately 5:50pm yesterday evening.

The man was quickly rushed to Cork University Hospital, where he was later, sadly, pronounced dead. The driver of the vehicle was uninjured. The area of Castle Street in the town, overnight, remained closed to facilitate a technical examination and local diversions this morning, via the Cahir by-pass, remain in position.

Cahir Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses, particularly any road users who may have dash cam video, to immediately contact Cahir Garda Station Tel. No. 052 744 5630 or the Garda Confidential Line on Tel. No. 1800 666 111 or indeed any Garda Station.

Gardaí Upset Drug Dealer’s Xmas On St Tibbs Eve.

Gardaí seize cocaine following a search in North Tipperary on St Tibbs Eve, (yesterday December 23rd).

The search by Gardai, in Roscrea, undertaken as part of ‘Operation Tara’ yesterday morning seized 47 grams (approx. 1.66 ounces) of cocaine, latter with an estimated street value of €4,700, together with other drug paraphernalia, including a weighing scales.

While to-date no arrests have been made at this stage of the investigation, Gardai are understood to be following a definite line (pardon the pun) of enquiry.

Minister Relaunches Advert Campaign, Assuring Domestic Abuse Victims That Help Is ‘Still Here’.

**Minister McEntee relaunches advert campaign assuring domestic abuse victims that help is ‘Still Here’.**

‘Still Here’ TV, radio and social media adverts relaunched to inform and reassure that help and support continues to be available over the Christmas and New Year.
Domestic abuse incidents will continue to be prioritised by An Garda Síochána, the Courts and the Legal Aid Board during the pandemic.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, has announced that ‘Still Here’, the national awareness campaign on domestic abuse, will be relaunched today.

The Still Here campaign was developed in April 2020 in response to the restrictions on movement imposed by the pandemic. It informs and reassures people that supports and services continue to be available to those at risk or experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence. This message is particularly important over the Christmas period, when reports of domestic abuse can escalate.

Speaking of the campaign, Minister McEntee said,

“Unfortunately, we know that home is not a safe place for all of us.

I want victims of domestic and sexual abuse to know that they are not on their own, particularly at this time of year. An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service and other services, including the vital supports provided by our community and voluntary sector, are still here for you over the Christmas period.

I am acutely aware the risk for anyone living in an abusive relationship or in fear for their safety increases during these weeks, as does the risk of reduced contact with trusted professionals and service providers.

I am committed to doing everything I can to continue to inform those at risk that help and support is available. Finally I want perpetrators to know there will be no let-up in our efforts to tackle domestic and sexual violence.”

Ministers McEntee has restarted the TV, radio and social media elements of the campaign to remind people of the Still Here message and to reach as wide an audience as possible.

Since the start of the pandemic, and in recognition of the added vulnerability of victims of domestic abuse, An Garda Síochána has attached the highest priority to domestic abuse incidents including through ‘Operation Faoiseamh’.

This is an ongoing initiative designed to ensure victims of domestic abuse are supported and protected. There also continues to be a particular focus on arresting and bringing before the courts those offenders who have breached domestic violence legislation, in particular Court Orders obtained under the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act 2018.

Minister McEntee added,

“One measure of the success of this initiative was the increase in the number of files relating to domestic abuse going to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution.”

The Courts Service continue to prioritise domestic abuse cases, including access for anyone requiring emergency orders. Anyone seeking information should contact their local court office for more information or visit www.courts.ie/domestic-abuse for contact details and information about various applications that victims of domestic abuse can apply for.

The Legal Aid Board also continues to prioritise domestic abuse cases and all law centres will be open or contactable on the working days over Christmas. Anyone in need of legal advice service should contact their local centre, with more information on www.legalaidboard.ie

The campaign – which started with two weeks of intensive TV, radio and social media adverts – has continued on the Department’s social media platforms throughout the pandemic.

Information on services and supports for victims are available HERE

Minister Announces Appointment Of New Chief Executive Officer of the Parole Board.

The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, T.D. has today announced the appointment of Ms. Ciairín de Buis as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Parole Board, following an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service.

Ms. de Buis has worked in the NGO and not-for-profit sector for over 25 years. She has led in areas such as gender equality, children’s rights and services for people with disabilities. Currently providing strategic advice to organisations such as Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, she previously led organisations such as Women for Election and Start Strong, as well as leading Extern on an interim basis in 2020.

She has been awarded the Praeses Elit award for her work towards achieving gender equality, and is currently the vice-chair of the Children’s Rights Alliance. She was previously a board member of Sonas (Freedom from Domestic Violence), as well as having served 2 terms as a member of the advisory Parole Board. Ms. de Buis has previously been a member of the National Children’s Advisory Council, and the Expert Advisory Group on Early Years.

A Kerrywoman, Ms. de Buis has a law degree, a Masters in Criminology as well as a Masters in Political Science.

Revealing the new appointment, the Minister said,

“The establishment of the Parole Board on a statutory footing is a priority action under my Justice Plan 2021 and is a key commitment in the Programme for Government. It represents an important step forward in recognising the rights of victims in the cases heard and ensures independent decision making for applicants.

I am delighted to announce Ciairín de Buis as the first Chief Executive Officer of the newly established statutory Parole Board.

As I have said before, transparency and accountability are vital in achieving fairness for victims of crime and rehabilitation for prisoners. In this context the Parole Board plays a vital role in the justice system.
I am pleased to say that Ms. de Buis is an extremely well qualified and high calibre candidate who will be able to bring a huge amount of professional experience to her new role.”

Speaking about her new role as Chief Executive Officer of the statutory Parole Board, Ms Ciairín de Buis said,

“I am very much looking forward to leading the work of the independent Parole Board. Working with my colleagues – board members and staff – I look forward to further developing the work of the Parole Board and delivering a parole system that is fair to prisoners and listens to victims”.

Welcoming the new CEO, Chair of the Parole Board Mr Justice Michael White, said,

“I very much welcome the appointment of Ciairín de Buis as the new CEO of the Board. I look forward to working with her closely in the years ahead, as we proceed to give effect to the principles set out in the Act. I would also like to thank the interim CEO Brendan Eiffe for the significant work undertaken since establishment of the new Board on 1st of August last.”

The Parole Board, established under the Parole Act 2019, on July 31st2021 , is an independent statutory body entirely separate from its predecessor and will make its decisions about parole independently from the Minister for Justice.

The statutory Parole Board considers the eligibility for parole of prisoners serving life sentences once the prisoners concerned have served at least 12 years of their sentence. In addition, for the first time, victims of the crimes of a given parole applicant have a formal right to make submissions to the Parole Board in relation to an application for parole and victims can avail of legal representation to assist with this.

Recognising the progress of the Parole Board to date the Minister said,

“A significant amount of work has already been undertaken since the Parole Board was established earlier this year and it is only right that this work is acknowledged and those involved thanked for ensuring that this important aspect of the Criminal Justice system is available to victims and parole applicants as soon as possible.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the interim Chief Executive Officer Brendan Eiffe, the Chair of the Parole Board, Hon. Mr Justice Michael White, the Parole Board members and the staff of the Parole Board for all their hard work over the last number of months”.

The parole process provided for by the 2019 Act consists of a number of steps that must be complied with before a review of a given case can occur. Information on the process has been provided to applicants and is widely available throughout the prisons estate generally.

Under the Act both victims and parole applicants may have access to legal representation. In this regard the Parole Board is in the process of establishing a Legal Aid Scheme and the Board recently advertised for suitably qualified solicitors and barristers to become members of a legal aid panel. Subsequently a panel of legal professionals has been set up to provide legal assistance where the relevant parties express a desire for this.

The Parole Board website is also now live and can be accessed HERE

In addition, a considerable amount of preparatory work has been undertaken by the Board relating to the new processes, applications and corporate governance and the Minister is advised that the Board will begin making decisions on applications in early 2022.

Budget 2022 provided an additional €0.4m to the Parole Board resulting in a total allocation of €1.74m to support the Parole Board’s important work.