“You Will Die in Prison”, is a Tipperary man’s true story, which will be featured on RTÉ One Tonight, September 3rd, at 10:35pm.
A Tipperary man, wrongly imprisoned in Iran, states that he continues to suffer following his treatment in an Iranian prison. Mr Bernard Phelan, a Tipperary man who spent some seven months in an Iranian prison, has said the trauma of his ordeal continues to affect both him and his family.
Mr Bernard Phelan
Mr Phelan, originally from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, revealed that he recently suffered a stroke, which doctors have conclusively linked to post-traumatic stress disorder.
The 65-year-old, who holds both Irish and French citizenship, had been travelling to Iran since 2017, first as a tourist and later to develop trekking holidays. In October 2023, he was arrested, accused of providing information to an enemy state, before being held in prison until May of 2023. He was forced to go on hunger strike, before finally being pardoned and released on humanitarian grounds.
Speaking about his time in captivity, Mr Phelan said he was haunted by fears that his father would die before his release. Their reunion following his eventual return was he stated, “deeply moving”. He later got a chance to meet President Michael D Higgins, latter who failed to criticise Iran for its constant call for the total destruction of the state of Israel and for its funding and the arming of terrorist organisations, namely Hamas and Hezbollah, not to mention its violations of human rights against its very own citizens. In mid-2024, Irish President Mr Higgins had written to Iran’s new president Mr Masoud Pezeshkian to congratulate him on his new appointment. The letter was not officially published by the President’s office, but was circulated online and received some criticism, including from members within Fine Gael, who rightly accused President Higgins of being “tone deaf” to civil rights issues within Iran. Former Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Charlie Flanagan had rightly informed the Press that he felt Mr Higgins’ views on Iran were “somewhat misplaced”. The Irish President then falsely accused the Israeli embassy in Ireland of circulating the letter, when in fact it was proven to have been circulated by the Iranian embassy as a “Look Ireland Supports Iran” PR stunt.
Mr Phelan now called for stronger EU action in securing the release of European citizens wrongly imprisoned abroad. Mr Phelan believes, and with justification, that European citizens are not being helped by EU authorities.
His story will be told in a new RTÉ documentary entitled, “You Will Die in Prison”, being airing tonight on RTÉ One at 10.35pm.
The following reply was received from Tipperary Co. Council, following a formal complaint having been made by this website, last Thursday. The complaint referred to the pollution of the River Suir over the past 12 years.
The Reply Reads:- Dear George, Thank you for your e-mail regarding Pollution of River Suir in Thurles. I have forwarded your e-mail to Environment Section for their attention and direct reply to you. Should you wish to follow up on this case, please contact Customer Service Desk quoting reference number ENV-11308-F6L3.
The formal complaint was sent to Tipperary Co. Council, when this website received confirmation that Tipperary Co. Council and Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), and the Office of Public Works would object to local volunteers attempting to improve the general appearance of the area. Work would have involved the removal of discarded clothing; bottles; cans; weeds; plastic bollards, wooden pallets, rushes, bags of sand and a mountain of sediment, currently clogging the area from Barry’s Bridge to the area south of the Swinging Gates, same a poorly lit spot where persons gather regularly to partake in alcohol consumption.
WE have also formally complained to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)info@epa.ie, asking the question; “Does the EPA have any real teeth or are they like LAWPRO, latter simply passing information, same to land on other departmental desks, where seated are people who refuse to be motivated? The EPA were also asked if they held the power to prosecute local authorities?
We now await a reply from the EPA, which we will publish here, in full, on receipt of same.
Pass It On Down.
Randy Owen, Lead singer with ‘Alabama’
Vocals: American Country Music band Alabama. Lyrics: ‘Alabama’ Band members Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry, American country music singer and songwriter Ronnie Rogers and songwriter Will Robinson.
Pass It On Down.
We live in the land of plenty, But many things aren’t plenty any-more, Like the water from our sink, They say it’s not safe to drink, You gotta go and buy it at the store. Now we’re told there’s a hole in the Ozone, Look what’s washing on the beach, And Lord, I believe, from the heavens to the seas, We’re bringing Mother Nature to her knees.
Chorus. So let’s leave some blue up above us, Let’s leave some green on the ground, It’s only ours to borrow, then save some for tomorrow, Leave it and pass it on down.
Well, there’s a change taking place way on the mountains, Acid rain is falling on the leaves, And down in Brazil, the fires are burning still, How we gonna breathe without them trees?
RepeatChorus.
Well, there’s a place where I live called the Canyon (Canyon), Where Daddy taught me to swim, And that water, it’s so pure, And I’m a gonna make sure, Daddy’s grandkids can swim there like him. Now we all outta feel just a little bit guilty, When we look into the eyes of our kids, ‘Cause, brothers, it’s a fact, if we take and don’t put back, They’ll have to pay for all we did.
Two men have been arrested after leading Gardaí on a high-speed chase, following a series of incidents in Tipperary and Clare in the early hours of Saturday.
At approximately 4:20am, Gardaí received a report of a burglary at a residence in the Parkmore area of Roscrea, North Co. Tipperary. A number of items and a sum of cash were reported as stolen. Several similar incidents have since also been reported in the Parkmore area. Later at approximately 5:45am, Gardaí in Killaloe, Co. Clare responded to an attempted burglary at a commercial premises on Convent Hill.
While in the course of responding to this incident, a vehicle deliberately collided with an official Garda patrol car. Gardaí pursued the suspect vehicle at a safe distance into Ballina and towards Birdhill, where a number of items were subsequently thrown at the patrol car. The suspect vehicle proceeded onto the M7 motorway and continued to drive in a dangerous manner, travelling southbound in the northbound carriageway.
With assistance from the Limerick Armed Support Unit, the vehicle was brought to a stop on the Golf Links Road in Ballysimon, Co. Limerick. Two men, aged in their 40s and 20s, were arrested at the scene and detained at a Garda station in the Clare/Tipperary Division under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
A number of items reported as stolen were recovered at the scene. The vehicle was seized by gardaí and removed for technical examination. No injuries were received by Garda members involved.
Gardaí are now appealing for any witnesses to these incidents to come forward. Any persons who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) in the Roscrea, Co. Tipperary and Killaloe, Co. Clare areas between 3:00am and 6:00am are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.
In particular, gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the movements of a Laois (LS) registered black BMW 520 in these areas in the early hours of Saturday, August 30th, 2025. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Nenagh Garda station TEL: 067 50450, the Garda Confidential Line on TEL: 1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda station.
A comprehensive knife crime analysis report has been published by An Garda Síochána.
However, this report, appears to be somewhat contradicted by a press release/statement, issued by Fianna Fáil’s Minister for Justice Mr Jim O’Callaghan’s office on Friday last, August 29th.
First let us read Minister Mr Jim O’Callaghan’s press release/statement.
Statement by Minister Jim O’Callaghan on “An Garda Síochána – Knife Related Crime Analysis 2015-2024” report published today.
“I welcome today’s comprehensive knife crime analysis report published by An Garda Síochána. There are several positive aspects to the findings, including an overall drop in assaultsinvolving knives and an increase in knife seizures by Gardaí and prosecutions.
The data shows ‘Assaults Causing Harm’ with a knife accounted for, on average, less than 7% of Assault Causing Harm incidents over the past 10 years. The findings also show a 40% reduction in robbery with a knife, in retail spaces and a 35% reduction in robbery with a knife, in public spaces since 2020. This downward trend is to be welcomed.
Through its assault reduction strategy An Garda Siochana will continue to use proactive measures to reduce even further the number of assaults using knives. This strategy is informed by high-visibility patrols and an early investigation approach.
We now have a comprehensive and robust legal framework in place in Ireland with respect to knife crime. Maximum sentences for knife-related offences such as trespassing with a knife, and producing a knife to unlawfully intimidate another person has been recently increased from 5 to 7 years imprisonment. In addition, the Government doubled the maximum penalty for assault causing harm to 10 years. The offence of assault causing serious harm already has a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
However, I am concerned that the findings also show that most incidents of harm involving a knife occur in residential settings. I intend to raise the findings of this report with incoming Commissioner Justin Kelly when we meet early next week.
My message has always been clear – carrying a knife without lawful authority is illegal and I condemn the use of knives to threaten, intimidate or harm others.”
Press Release Ends.
“There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics” Quote by Benjamin Disraeli.
Now let’s take a look at the actual report itself, as was issued by offices of An Garda Síochána. Keep in mind the Fianna FáilMinister’s above text issued to the press; particularly the phrase “There are several positive aspects to the findings…..”
Note: Since the report, (contained in pdf format), is some 13 pages in length including charts, we will just quote a few paragraphs. Our readers can read the report in full here, should they so wish.
Immediately hereunder, are 10 quotes from this precise Garda report.
(1)“The total number of crime incidents in which a knife was used was ranged from approximately 1,100 to 1,400 incidents per year between 2015 and 2022. In 2023, there was an increase to almost 1,600 and then a further increase to just over 2,200 incidents in 2024.”
(2) “The annual count of reported incidents of ‘Assault causing Harm’ has been overall upward trending over the ten year period from around 3,500 incidents in 2015, to just under 5,800 in 2024 (peaking at just over 6,000 in 2022)“.
(3)“The number of ‘Assault causing Harm‘ incidents, where a knife was used, has trended upward since 2016, in line with an overall increase in Assaults, and was highest in 2022 at 337 such incidents.”
(4) “The overall proportion of these Robberies which involved the use of a knife has been quite consistent at between 26% and 30% every year except 2020 (note Covid arrived February 29th 2020). At least 40% of these Robberies each year occur in retail locations and at least another 28% occur on the street/ in open spaces“.
(5)“The number of criminal proceedings (charges/summonses issued) for knife possession offences has increased from just over 1,600 in 2015 to just under 2,000 in 2024″.
(6)“2022 also marked a peak period in terms of incidents of Murder/ Manslaughter, where a knife was used, (15 reported incidents).“
(7)“The total number of crime incidents in which a knife was used ranged from approximately 1,100 to 1,400 incidents per year between 2015 and 2022.”
(8)“When considering murder – ‘Threats to Kill’ or ‘Cause Serious Harm’, the last five years have generally seen higher volumes involving the use of knives when compared to 2015 to 2019. In 2024, there were 125 incidents of ‘Threats to Kill’ or ‘Cause Serious Harm’, involving knives.”
(9)“The count of knives seized during 2024 (2,172) was similar to 2023 and in 2022. Record high numbers of knife seizures were recorded in 2020 in line with extraordinary levels of proactive policing during the Covid pandemic.”
(10) “Over the ten year period between 43% and 58% of ‘Assault causing Harm’ incidents involving a knife occurred in residential locations. The number of such incidents were notably increasing between 2015 and 2020.“
Note: Nowhere in the Minister’s Press Release does it mention that changes in data recording practices have increased the number of knife crimes detected and allowed for improved data insights on possession of knives, as offensive weapons.
To me it would appear that this report was never fully digested by the Minister’s PR Department. Presenting facts and events from a specific viewpoint in an effort to promote a particular issue to make it more favourable, is just not acceptable. The Department of Justice, above all others, should be seen to set the highest standard of honesty and be the most reliable and transparent, when it comes to press releases.
Meanwhile, Gardaí have reopened a number of areas around O’Connell Street in Dublin city centre that were sealed off following a serious assault this morning, Sunday 31st August. The assault took place in Westmoreland Street at around 6:30am. Take advice Minister, refrain from boasting about walking alone, on Dublin Streets.
No Minister, sadly, there are no ‘positive aspects‘ to these published Garda findings.
Youth Diversion Project’s Commissioned For North Tipperary will be fully operational by end of this year.
New scheme will provide assistance to children who appear before the Courts as defendants.
Some 241 Youth Justice Workers have been trained to date, with 250 out of 300 expected to be trained by end of September.
Today’s event was held in the 4*Absolute Hotel, Limerick. The training was delivered by Victim Support at Court and Solas Youth Diversion Project, who outlined the new system of accompanying young people before the courts as defendants, while providing them with informal support and explanations of ongoing court procedures.
The Department of Justice funds a range of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who provide court accompaniment for victims of crime, most notably Victim Support at Court (V-SAC). The role of these NGOs is to explain in layperson’s terms what is happening at the various stages of the proceedings and to be there as a support for the witness.
The role does not include advocacy or representation, as that is the role of the defendant’s legal representative.
Since late 2024, the Department has been progressing work to replicate this service for young defendants via the Youth Diversion Project (YDP) network, through engagement with the Ombudsman for Children, members of the judiciary and the Community Based Organisations responsible for the oversight of various YDPs.
Several YDPs have expressed their interest in being part of the first wave of the scheme’s introduction and are willing to provide this service in various locations throughout the country.
A training package to equip Youth Justice Workers with the necessary knowledge and skills to undertake this work has been jointly developed by V-SAC and the Solas Project and is being offered to interested project staff on a phased basis throughout 2025.
Additionally, both Le Chéile Mentoring (a national volunteer mentoring, restorative justice and family support service) and Oberstown Children Detention Campus representatives have indicated that their staff would benefit from receiving this training and arrangements are now being made for them to participate in future sessions.
Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are community based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives which divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour.
Considerable progress has been made to extend the YDP network throughout the State. Two new YDPs have been commissioned for North Tipperary and East Clare and will be fully operational by end of year which will achieve full nationwide YDP coverage, ensuring any child who needs access to their service can get it, no matter what part of the country they are in. YDPs receive referrals from a number of sources, including An Garda Síochána, but also from Tusla, schools and other community-based organisations.
Outside of Dublin, many YDPs cover an entire county, which makes it easy to identify the relevant project in a particular area.
Even where this is not the case, the YDP catchment areas tend to correspond with the boundaries of Garda Operational Areas and, as such, An Garda Síochána via the Juvenile Liaison Officer service will be able to advise and make contact with the relevant YDP in each case.
Discussions are also ongoing with An Garda Síochána and the Probation Service, who have expressed an interest in having Juvenile Liaison Officers and Probation Officers participate in this training.
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