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The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
Nine staff members at Oberstown injured in third 'very serious' incident in ten days
NINE STAFF MEMBERS at Oberstown Children's Detention Campus were injured on Wednesday in an incident involving one detainee. Trade union Fórsa said four of the injured staff members required hospital treatment as a result of the incident. It comes after two teenagers who were accused of 'savagely' beating a 60-year-old man during a burglary while armed with a machine gun were released at the weekend due to lack of space at the detention campus. In February, The Journal reported that judges were unable to send a number of alleged child offenders to Oberstown because it is at full capacity. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland this morning, Fórsa's media relations director Niall Shanahan said the latest incident is one of three 'very serious incidents' that have happened over a period of ten days. He said a member of staff was assaulted on 8 June. This staff member was also one of the nine staff injured on Wednesday. 'On 11 June, we had one very serious incident where a staff member had their face slashed. It's what's been described to me as a life changing injury.' According to Shanahan, staff at Oberstown have tried to raise 'mounting issues' in relation to staff assaults over the last number of years. Advertisement 'What we have is a situation that's becoming more and more critical, partly due to staff shortages. Staff have told me that it's quite frequently they don't have enough staff to cover the shift, so they are operating below capacity.' Staff retention is also an issue. Of the 10 new staff that Oberstown took in this year, only two of them are still working on the campus. Shanahan said the management group appear 'unwilling to engage with the reality as staff are experiencing it when when they're working their shifts'. 'Given the number of serious injuries that we've had over those three incidents over the last ten days, the staff members are themselves required to report these incidents to the Gardaí. Management don't report to the Gardaí that anything like this has taken place in the campus,' he continued. 'So it suggests an unwillingness, I think, to take responsibility to what's happening to the staff on the campus. But I think more crucially, what we have is an environment that's becoming more and more unsafe, both for residents and for staff.' Shanahan said he has been engaging with staff at Oberstown for the last 15 years, and this has become 'a feature of their working life'. Fórsa contacted the Oberstown management group 'as a matter or urgency', with a meeting expected to take place in the coming days. 'But at this particular point in time, I'm very mindful of the fact that we have, I think, four or five staff from Oberstown who are not going to be able to attend work for at least a month because of their injuries,' Shanahan said, adding that this 'further exacerbates' the staffing problem at the centre. 'The longer this goes on and it isn't addressed, the more unsafe everybody on the Oberstown campus is.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
‘Use alternative route' alert for Irish road users as busy stretch to close for TWELVE-day period
A MAJOR alert has been issued for Irish motorists as a popular road is set to close down for nearly two weeks. And the details of local diversions are revealed so drivers can plan their journeys. 2 The busy stretch will temporarily close for 12 days for road works Credit: Social media The closure will start from Monday, June 30, to Friday, July 11, from 9:30am until 5pm. During the closure, traffic management with local diversions will be implemented. All-Stop READ MORE ON MOTORS Drivers are asked to divert via R315 to Lahardaun - Crossmolina to Ballina and R318 to Foxford and Castlebar. They revealed that the local The council also issued an alert that road works are currently taking place on R320/N5 Junctions until further notice. Temporary traffic management will be in operation. Most read in Motors Drivers may expect some delays, and they are asked to allow extra time for their journey and use alternative routes. Meanwhile, Irish motorists are being warned they could Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads Hundreds of holidaymakers will be hitting the road with their caravans this summer. And the All caravans need to undergo safety checks to test whether they are roadworthy before heading out on long journeys. Your local mechanics or testing centres can carry out the checks and identify issues with tyres, brakes and other components that could lead to issues on the road. Drivers are also urged to ensure that all windows and mirrors are clean, properly adjusted and in good condition to have a good view of the rear. They warned that only drivers who have a category B or BE licence can tow the trailer, which means that a B driving licence can drive a car, van or 4 X4 with a small trailer that is no greater than 750kg. All unbraked light trailers must not exceed 750kg in weight and the maximum authorised mass is the weight of the trailer including its load. For example, the maximum permissible weight of the trailer is 750kg and the unladen weight of the trailer is 110kg - the maximum load weight which can be carried would be 640kg. HEFTY FINE If you were caught not complying with laden weight provisions, you could receive a court summons if stopped by a Gardaí and if convicted, you could face a fine of up to €2,500. If also detected using a vehicle and trailer combination whose axles or weight exceed those specified by the vehicle or trailer manufacturer, you can face a penalty point and a €200 fine if paid within 28 days. However, it will rise up to €300 if paid within the subsequent 28 days or three penalty points and a fine not exceeding €2,500 if convicted in 2 The road will be closed from June 30 to July 11
Irish Times
12 hours ago
- Irish Times
House search in Annie McCarrick murder investigation continues
The search for the remains of murdered Annie McCarrick , who disappeared in south Dublin in 1993, has continued into a second week. Gardaí are determined to definitively rule out a Dublin property as a possible burial site. The dig operation is taking place on the grounds of a house in Clondalkin that was previously linked to the suspect. It has involved significant excavation work to the rear of the property. The house has been renovated and extended since it was purchased about 15 years ago by its current owners, who have no connection to the case. Gardaí have used mini diggers, Kango hammers and other machinery to excavate a section that has been built on in the period since Ms McCarrick disappeared. READ MORE Gardaí are acting on a tip-off that something related to the case - either Ms McCarrick's remains or other evidence - may have been buried there in the 1990s. Ms McCarrick, who was from New York, was 26 when she went missing and had been living in Sandymount, south Dublin. A cadaver dog, believed to be the same animal that found Tina Satchwell's remains buried under her home in Youghal, Co Cork, in 2023, has been used to check the site in the event Ms McCarrick's body was there. The people who currently own the home have moved out pending the completion of the search. The Irish Times has made efforts to contact the chief suspect for Ms McCarrick's murder since his release, without charge , from Garda custody last Friday. However, nobody appeared to be at his home in the east of the country on Thursday and calls also went unanswered. A wealthy businessman in his 60s, he was arrested last Thursday morning on suspicion of Ms McCarrick's murder and his home was searched. It was the first arrest in the inquiry, which has continued for more than 32 years. The man was interviewed for the maximum 24 hours allowed under law and was then released from Irishtown Garda station in Dublin's south inner city, pending further investigations. The suspect denies any wrongdoing and, as he faces no charges, there are no restrictions on his movements and no requirement for him to surrender his passport. The man knew Ms McCarrick well from her time studying and working in Dublin and Kildare from the late 1980s into the 1990s. They were close at one point and he was spoken to, along with many others who knew Ms McCarrick, around the time she disappeared. She was seen by her flatmates in her rented accommodation at St Cathryn's Court, Sandymount, on the morning of March 26th, 1993. When she failed to show up for work over the following two days and did not keep a dinner date with friends the evening after her last confirmed sighting, they became concerned and reported her missing on March 28th. There were reported sightings of her on the day she disappeared. These were in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow and in Glencullen, Co Dublin. They have since been discounted. Gardaí believe Ms McCarrick was killed in south Dublin, or at least met her killer close to her home, and that she was murdered and her body disposed of by the time the alarm was raised. She was said to have told US-based friends that the man arrested last week was harassing her just before she disappeared and that he had struck her when he was drinking. Those concerns were passed on to gardaí in 1993, though Ms McCarrick's friends do not believe they were acted on.
Irish Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Two men arrested after attempting to 'evade Gardai' following burglary incident
Two men have been arrested after trying to "evade gardai" following a burglary incident at a home in Co Wicklow. Gardaí from Wicklow North Community Engagement responded following a report of an incident occurring at a residence in Greystones at approximately 2.30pm on Thursday afternoon. When Gardaí arrived to the scene, they carried out a search of the residence and "discovered both men attempting to evade Gardaí," according to a garda spokesperson. The two men, both aged in their 40s, were taken to Bray Garda Station and are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. The men were found in possession of a bag containing property that has since been identified as belonging to the homeowners, and has been returned. The garda spokesperson said that investigations are ongoing. The arresters were carried out as part of Operation Thor, which was launched in November 2015 with the aim of detecting and preventing incidents of burglary and associated criminal activity by undertaking targeted enforcement and preventative activity. This initiative continues to have a positive impact on the reduction of property related crime in Irish communities. Since Operation Thor was established a reduction of approximately 75 per cent in residential burglaries has been recorded between 2016 and 2023. Between January 1, 2024, and December 11, 2024, 2,058 arrests and 4,663 charges and summons were recorded in association with Operation Thor. For the latest news and breaking news visit Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you. Follow us on Twitter @IrishMirror - the official Irish Mirror Twitter account - real news in real time. We're also on Facebook/irishmirror - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Irish Daily Mirror, Irish Sunday Mirror and
The Journal
13 hours ago
- The Journal
Man killed after explosion and fire at house in Co Roscommon named locally as Des Deegan (72)
LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago TRIBUTES ARE BEING paid to a devoted partner who died in a Roscommon house fire overnight. The man has been named locally as Des Deegan, aged 72. The fire happened at a housing estate on the Boyle Road near Frenchpark village, which is around 30km north of Roscommon town. Gardaí and emergency services responded to the scene. Gardaí were made aware of the incident at 7.15pm, a spokesperson said, and the fire was extinguished by fire services. Emergency services are understood to have responded to reports very quickly. Roscommon County Council said fire units from Ballaghaderreen and Boyle Fire Stations numbering 20 personnel responded to the scene. Gardaí, ambulance staff and an air ambulance also attended the scene. Specialist excavation equipment was used at the scene to assist in emergency operations. Smoke from the blaze could be seen from a great distance away, and it is understood that local residents heard an explosion immediately before the fire. The aftermath of the blaze today. Courtesy of Shannonside FM Courtesy of Shannonside FM The scene remains sealed off for technical examinations and enquiries are ongoing. Gardaí are investigating to determine the cause of the fire, which is not yet known. Locals said that Mr Deegan, who was originally from Dublin, was a devoted partner to Alice Hetherton (63). The couple had lived at French Park for the past 25 years having met in London and lived in Kerry for a number of years previously. Tragically, Ms Hetherton suffered a serious bleed on the brain and an aneurysm in 2023 and as a result was admitted to a nursing home in the area in July 2024. Mr Deegan had launched a campaign locally to adapt the house and bring her home and had set up a Go-fundme page in April of this year. Advertisement Locals say he had spoken on local radio about his campaign on a number of occasions. To date the fundraiser has raised almost €7,000. 'Terrible tragedy' Independent councillor for the area Micheál Frain, who is also the station officer at Ballaghaderreen Fire Brigade, described last night's incident as a 'tragic event', adding that news of the blaze has been difficult for the town of Frenchpark. He said his thoughts and prayers are with the man's family and the 'great community' of Frenchpark. Fellow local councillor Valerie Byrne said the news of the event has 'shocked everyone' and described the event as a 'terrible tragedy'. She also extended her condolences to the man's family. Independent Ireland MEP Ciarán Mullooly said last night that his 'heart goes out to all those affected by this horrific blaze'. A number of adjoining properties suffered structural and roof damage as a result of the fire. One neighbour, Bernard Finley, told Virgin Media News that the explosion 'rattled the whole village'. 'It basically broke the front part of my house nearly off,' he said, adding that debris from the deceased's home had struck the front of his home, despite being a good 60 metres away. 'It was crazy. That's all I can say,' Finley said. 'I'm still in shock over it. I haven't slept much last night thinking about the poor man.' Frenchpark parish priest Fr Michael Donnelly told Virgin Media News that he felt 'pure numbness, but yet, feeling lucky'. He said the green around the estate is always full of children and said it was fortunate that there had only been one fatality from the incident. With reporting by Sean Ryan, Muiris Ó Cearbhaill and Jane Moore Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
