Law « Thurles Information

Thurles Circuit Court Judge Found Guilty Of Sexual Assault Of 6 Men.

A circuit court judge, former secondary school teacher, former Fianna Fáil councillor, former state solicitor for North Tipperary, has been convicted, in the Central Criminal Court, of the sexual assault of six young men, some of whom were students at a Dublin school where he once taught, almost 30 years ago .

Mr O’Brien was aged in his 30s at the time of the alleged assaults, while the six complainants were aged between 17 years and 24 years. The accused had initially denied any sexual contact with any of the not named complainants, but he had later informed Gardaí that there had been consensual sexual activity with three of the six young men.

Currently aged 59 years, and a native of Thurles Co. Tipperary, residing at the Old School House, Slievenamon Road, in the town; Mr O’Brien had pleaded not guilty in the Central Criminal Court, to one count of attempted rape and eight counts of sexual assault in relation to six complainants on dates between March 1991 and November 1997.

Five of the complainants claimed that they were awakened to find the accused sexually assaulting them, while one said the assault took place in a pub toilet.

The accused, Mr O’Brien had denied any wrongdoing, however, a ten member jury took just over seven-and-a-half hours to reach guilty verdicts on all nine counts. Mr O’Brien made no reaction, when the jury returned the guilty verdicts in the Central Criminal Court today.

Mr O’Brien, who is a Thalidomide drug victim; born with no arms and only one leg, will be sentenced on March 4th next, 2024.

Statement from the Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee.
In a statement from the Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee published this afternoon, the Minister said quote, “I note that a criminal conviction has been secured in the case of a judge of the Circuit Court.
My thoughts are with the victims – these are appalling cases of sexual assault, I thank them for coming forward. I would also like to thank the Gardaí.
I have been clear that we have a lot of work to do to achieve my aim of zero tolerance in our society for all forms of domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
Part of that is clearly demonstrating that nobody, no matter what position they hold in our society, is above the law or immune from prosecution for such crimes. Today is clear proof of that.
I will now be considering the options open to the Government and the Oireachtas.
I have asked the Attorney General to advise”.

Male Arrested By Tipperary Gardaí Following Drugs & Offensive Weapons Seizure.

A male, aged in his 20s, was arrested by Gardaí in Clonmel on Wednesday last and was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in Co. Tipperary. The arrest followed the seizure of firearms and ammunition, undertaken as part of a multi-agency search operation.

The search was conducted as part of ongoing investigations into organised criminal activity within the Clonmel area.

In all a total of 12 properties were searched by Gardaí, in association with Revenue Customs Officials and members of the Defence Forces (Engineers No 1 Brigade).

The searches led to two shotguns being seized together with ammunition, a machete and incapacitant spray, all of which are now the subject of further technical examination by investigating gardaí.
Also seized, during the course of this search operation, was suspected crack cocaine and heroin with an estimate street value of €2,500 and €1,500 in cash.

Awareness Campaign – Support For Victims Of Domestic Violence Launched.

New Awareness Campaign For Supports For The Victims Of Domestic, Sexual & Gender Based Violence Launched.

‘Always Here’ aims to increase awareness of pathways to safety and supports available.
Builds on the strength of the ‘Still Here’ campaign that ran during the Covid pandemic.
New website alwayshere.ie, launched with comprehensive information on supports and pathways to safety for victims of DSGBV.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, has today launched a campaign to raise awareness on pathways to safety and supports, available for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

**Domestic, Sexual & Gender Based Violence**.

The ‘Always Here’ campaign – which will run on TV, local and national radio, digital and social media, and elsewhere – seeks to highlight and signpost victims and wider society to the available support services, while encouraging them to reach out for help and to report what has happened or is happening to them.

The campaign is being launched just before Christmas, a time when reports of domestic abuse in particular can escalate.

Minister McEntee said, “Sadly, the risk of domestic violence can increase over the Christmas period, and I am conscious for people in abusive situations that the worry of reduced availability of trusted professionals and support services can cause increased stress.
I want to assure victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence that they are not alone. Help and support is always available, including during the Christmas period.
An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service and other services, including the vital supports provided by our community and voluntary sector, are always here for you, including during Christmas, and when you ask for help, you will be heard.”

The campaign follows on from the well-received ‘Still Here’ campaign which was focused on telling victims that help and support remained available during the Covid pandemic, despite the various restrictions on travel and social contacts.

The ‘Always Here’ assets produced for the campaign seek to empower victims by reassuring them that they will be believed, that the issue will be taken seriously, that there are organisations ready to support them, and that the wider Irish society stands with them and condemns the behaviour of perpetrators.

A new website, alwayshere.ie, has also been launched which provides advice and information on available supports to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. It explains the various manifestations of domestic violence and coercive control, including targeted advice and information for young people who are concerned about domestic abuse.

Minister McEntee added, “The development of this campaign has included significant input from those on the frontline supporting victims of these heinous crimes, including state and non-state organisations.
What has come through loud and clear in those discussions is that we, as a society, are determined that that there is zero tolerance for domestic and sexual violence and we, as a society, stand with the victims of these awful crimes. There will be no let-up in our efforts to tackle domestic and sexual violence, and to see justice served to perpetrators and for victims.”

The ‘Always Here’ campaign fulfils an action under the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. This burst of the campaign will continue until late January, while messaging primarily targeting victims of sexual violence will be developed later in 2024.

Gardaí Offer Safety Tips To Communities For Christmas.

1 – Numerous online Shopping Frauds are reported annually to An Garda Síochána. These frauds increase in number every year.

2 – If you are out this Christmas, take care when carrying your handbag, wallet or smart phone. Keep them in a safe location.

3 – If you are out this Christmas, also take care about where you store coats and handbags.

4 – At ATM’s, only take out as much money as you need. Cover your pin number and call the Gardaí if you believe the machine has been compromised.

5 – Park vehicles in well lit & secure areas. Take care of your Christmas shopping and never leave it unattended, especially if visible in your car.

6 – Secure all car doors and windows. Set the car alarm. Report all thefts, or suspicious activity to Gardaí & Security staff.

7 – Avoid burglaries at Christmas by securing all doors and windows and do use your home alarm system.

8 – Don’t leave Christmas presents in view from the outside of your home.

9 – If you’re expecting deliveries, always make sure someone is there to collect it or arrange for a trusted neighbour to take it in.

10 – Avoid alerting criminals to valuable goods inside your home. Recycle packaging carefully so they cannot see what has been delivered.

11 – If you are visiting family or friends this Christmas, make your own home look occupied; leave some lights on.

12 – Drink alcohol responsibly. Never, ever drink and drive.

Special Note of Warning to the Business Community: The business community are frequently targeted by fraudsters using stolen or compromised credit cards, bank accounts or payments, in what is called Card Not Present Fraud. Businesses who are victims of this fraud will suffer losses under the ‘charge back’ process.

Minister For Justice Helen McEntee Welcomes Attestation Of New 151 Gardaí.

151 Gardaí – 38 women and 113 men – will be placed in Divisions throughout the country for immediate deployment.
115 Gardaí from this intake to be deployed in the Dublin Region.
New recruitment campaign to be launched on 15th January to help build stronger, safer communities.
Next intake of recruits will enter Templemore College on 27th December.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, has welcomed the attestation of 151 members of An Garda Síochána at the Garda College, Templemore, today.

The attestation of the new Gardaí was brought forward by one month to allow for improved Garda visibility over the Christmas period.

Of the 151 attesting today, 113 are men and 38 are women. 11 of the new recruits were born outside of the State. 115 of the new Garda Members will be deployed in the Dublin Region.

Minister McEntee said: “I want to congratulate the recruits attesting in Templemore today, and I want to thank this group particularly for the commitment and flexibility they have shown in being deployed a month earlier than they had expected. It is a shining example of the dedication to public service that makes An Garda Síochána the envy of many police services around the world.
Their commitment to building stronger, safer communities is something to be commended and which we are all grateful for.
Garda recruitment is well and truly back up and running and I am delighted to be able to announce that a new Garda recruitment campaign will launch on 15 January 2023.
This will be the first recruitment campaign since we increased the age limit from 35 to 50 and Budget 2024 also provides for a 66% increase in the weekly training allowance for Garda trainees.”

The 151 newly-attested Gardaí will be assigned to Garda Divisions throughout the country for immediate deployment. 115 are being deployed to the Dublin Region. They will return to Templemore to complete their exams in due course.

Budget 2024 reflects the commitment of Government to building stronger, safer communities and that An Garda Síochána has the resources required to operate effectively.

The budget provided by Government to the Garda Commissioner continues to increase to unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €2.3 billion for 2024.

The ongoing financial support provides for better technology, better wellbeing supports, and importantly it will fund the ongoing recruitment of between 800 and 1,000 new Gardaí throughout next year. It also provides for a 66% increase in the weekly Garda training allowance, rising to €305 per week.

Garda recruitment is building momentum and there was a very strong interest in the 2022 and 2023 Garda recruitment campaigns.

A new recruitment campaign for the Garda Reserve will also take place in early 2024 – the first such recruitment campaign since 2017.