Latest news with #PhoenixLaw
Irish Times
14 hours ago
- Irish Times
Creeslough families denied opportunity to speak during appeal against plans to rebuild petrol station
Families of those killed and injured in the Creeslough tragedy in Co Donegal have been refused an opportunity to speak during an appeal against an application to rebuild the petrol station at the centre of the explosion. It follows a decision by An Bord Pleanála to rule out a request for an oral hearing in the case. The request was made to An Bord Pleanála by a number of objectors who were bereaved by the October 2022 tragedy. Ten people died following a huge explosion at the service station. The objectors include Áine Flanagan, who lost her partner Robert Garwe and five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe; Shauna Gallagher, sister of the late Jessica Gallagher; Derek Martin, husband of the late Martina Martin; and Caroline Lauder and MarieLouise Macleod, sisters of the late Martin McGill. READ MORE The group, represented by human rights lawyers Phoenix Law, had argued that the level of national interest and the complexities of legal issues raised against the development warranted a full public hearing. However, An Bord Pleanála decided to proceed with a written determination for the appeal and contacted Donegal County Council to inform it of the decision. The council then informed members of the bereaved families. Donegal County Council said An Bord Pleanála decided an oral hearing is not necessary as the appeal can be adequately handled through written procedures. Reacting to the decision, one bereaved family member said the voices of those left behind after the tragedy had once again been silenced. The woman, who asked not to be named, said, 'This is a disgrace. We are not being given a chance to outline our concerns in a proper manner. [ Creeslough: 'I can't get my head around how a site can be built on when there's a criminal investigation' Opens in new window ] 'Ten people have died and yet An Bord Pleanála do not think their lives or our hurt are important enough so we can be heard.' In an update provided to Donegal County Council, the board confirmed that the processing of the appeal will now continue, and the Donegal County Council Planning Department will be notified of the decision once it is made. The signatories of the Phoenix Law appeal claimed that the Donegal Planning Authority, by approving the application, breached human rights obligations by failing to allow families to participate fully in the decision. The Planning Authority maintained it followed all statutory requirements in its decision-making process and urged An Bord Pleanála to uphold the original grant of permission. The development will involve demolishing the existing building and erecting a new building which will include a shop, post office, beauty salon, fuel pumps and memorial features, including space for a memorial garden. Planning permission was granted in February. [ Families of Creeslough victims object to 'cruel, callous' plans for service station and memorial Opens in new window ] A number of families impacted by the tragedy have strongly objected to the building of a new business on the site where their loved ones lost their lives. In a separate appeal, objectors have argued that it is against public policy to rebuild a development where a mass tragedy has occurred. They stated that inquests into the deaths of the 10 victims have not yet been held, and that if the development proceeds it will result in the destruction of crucial evidence. 'Both the Stardust Nightclub and the Grenfell Tower were never rebuilt, and the explosion in Creeslough is akin to those tragedies,' the appeal said.
BreakingNews.ie
17 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Families of Creeslough tragedy victims outraged after being refused hearing
Families of those killed and injured in the Creeslough tragedy in Co Donegal have been refused an opportunity to speak during an appeal against an application to rebuild the petrol station at the centre of the tragedy. It follows a decision by An Bord Pleanála to rule out a request for an oral hearing in the case. Advertisement The request was made to An Bord Pleanála by a number of objectors who were bereaved by the October 2022 tragedy. Ten people died following a huge explosion at the service station in October 2022. The objectors include Aine Flanagan, who lost her partner Robert Garwe and five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe; Shauna Gallagher, sister of the late Jessica Gallagher; Derek Martin, husband of the late Martina Martin; and Caroline Lauder and MarieLouise Macleod, sisters of the late Martin McGill. The group, represented by human rights lawyers Phoenix Law, had argued that the level of national interest and the complexities of legal issues raised against the development warranted a full public hearing. Advertisement However, An Bord Pleanála decided to proceed with a written determination for the appeal. An Bord Pleanála contacted Donegal County Council to inform them of their decision. The council then contacted members of the bereaved families informing them of the decision. Donegal County Council said An Bord Pleanála has decided that an oral hearing is not necessary as the appeal can be adequately handled through written procedures. Advertisement Reacting to the decision, one bereaved family member said the voices of those left behind after the tragedy had once again been silenced. The woman, who asked not to be named, said: "This is a disgrace. We are not being given a chance to outline our concerns in a proper manner. "Ten people have died and yet An Bord Pleanála do not think their lives or our hurt are important enough so we can be heard." In an update provided to Donegal County Council, the board confirmed that the processing of the appeal will now continue, and the Donegal County Council planning aepartment will be notified of the decision once it is made. Advertisement The signatories of the Phoenix Law appeal claimed that the Donegal Planning Authority, by approving the application, breached human rights obligations by failing to allow families to participate fully in the decision. The Planning Authority maintained it followed all statutory requirements in its decision-making process and urged An Bord Pleanála to uphold the original grant of permission. The new development will include demolishing the existing building and erect a new building which would include a shop, a post office, a beauty salon, fuel pumps and memorial features including space for a memorial garden. Planning permission for this was granted in February. Advertisement Ireland Castletown House activists sued by companies over... Read More A number of families impacted by the tragedy have strongly objected to the building of a new business on the very site where their loved ones lost their lives. In a separate appeal, objectors have argued that it is against public policy to rebuild a development where a mass tragedy has occurred. They stated that inquests into the deaths of the 10 victims have not yet occurred and that if the development proceeds, it will result in the destruction of crucial evidence. 'Both the Stardust Nightclub and the Grenfell Tower were never rebuilt, and the explosion in Creeslough is akin to those tragedies,' the appeal said.
The Independent
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Kneecap's legal team for court battle to include Julian Assange lawyer
Irish rap trio Kneecap have named the legal team which will defend band member Liam O hAnnaidh against a terror charge. Rapper O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, will be represented by a team that includes Gareth Peirce, solicitor for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his fight against US extradition, and Rosalind Comyn, who has represented Extinction Rebellion protesters in court. The 27-year-old was charged by postal requisition over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November last year. His legal team also includes Darragh Mackin from Phoenix Law, Brenda Campbell KC, Jude Bunting KC and Blinne Ni Ghralaigh KC. Mr Mackin was the solicitor for Sarah Ewart, whose successful legal challenge helped to usher in the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland, while Ms Campbell was the defence barrister in the collapsed case against Seamus Daly, who was accused of murdering people in the IRA bomb attack of 1998 in Omagh. Mr Bunting acted for non-profit company Liberty in the Stansted 15's successful conviction appeal after they broke into Stansted Airport to stop a plane deporting people to Africa, which was a case Ms Ni Ghralaigh also worked on. In an Instagram post the group said: 'The British establishment is conducting a campaign against Kneecap which is to be fought in Westminster Magistrates Court… We are ready for this fight. We are proud to have such a strong legal team with us.' Mr Mackin told the PA news agency: 'It is difficult to comprehend a case of greater international importance in recent years. 'Kneecap has played an unrivalled role in standing up for those without a voice in Gaza. They speak truth to power when others shy away. 'It is a great privilege to be instructed alongside my colleagues to defend the important principle of freedom of expression, in the pending battle before the London Court.' In May, the Metropolitan Police said Kneecap were being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. They apologised to the families of murdered MPs but said footage of the incident had been 'exploited and weaponised'. They also said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. In 2024, the band released an eponymous film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender which is a fictionalised retelling of how the band came together and follows the Belfast group on their mission to save their mother tongue through music. Formed in 2017, the group, made up of O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, are known for their provocative lyrics and merchandise as well as their championing of the Irish language. Their best-known tracks include Get Your Brits Out, Better Way To Live, featuring Grian Chatten from Fontaines DC, and 3Cag. O hAnnaidh is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18. His lawyers have been approached for comment.
BreakingNews.ie
7 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Kneecap's legal team for court battle to include Julian Assange lawyer
Belfast rap trio Kneecap have named the legal team which will defend band member Liam Ó hAnnaidh against a terror charge. Rapper Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, will be represented by a team that includes Gareth Peirce, solicitor for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his fight against US extradition, and Rosalind Comyn, who has represented Extinction Rebellion protesters in court. Advertisement The 27-year-old was charged by postal requisition over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November last year. His legal team also includes Darragh Mackin from Phoenix Law, Brenda Campbell KC, Jude Bunting KC and Blinne Ní Ghralaigh KC. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32) Mr Mackin was the solicitor for Sarah Ewart, whose successful legal challenge helped to usher in the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland, while Ms Campbell was the defence barrister in the collapsed case against Seamus Daly, who was accused of murdering people in the IRA bomb attack in Omagh in 1998. Mr Bunting acted for non-profit company Liberty in the Stansted 15's successful conviction appeal after they broke into Stansted Airport to stop a plane deporting people to Africa, which was a case Ms Ní Ghralaigh also worked on. Advertisement In an Instagram post, the group said: 'The British establishment is conducting a campaign against Kneecap which is to be fought in Westminster Magistrates Court… We are ready for this fight. We are proud to have such a strong legal team with us.' In May, the Metropolitan Police said Kneecap were being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. They apologised to the families of murdered MPs but said footage of the incident had been 'exploited and weaponised'. They also said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. Advertisement In 2024, the band released an eponymous film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender which is a fictionalised retelling of how the band came together and follows the Belfast group on their mission to save their mother tongue through music. Formed in 2017, the group, made up of Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, are known for their provocative lyrics and merchandise as well as their championing of the Irish language. Their best-known tracks include Get Your Brits Out, Better Way To Live, featuring Grian Chatten from Fontaines DC, and 3Cag. Ó hAnnaidh is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18th. Advertisement His lawyers have been approached for comment.
Irish Examiner
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Gardaí face personal injuries claim from woman arrested at pro-Palestine event
An Garda Síochána is facing a potential personal injuries claim from a woman who alleges she was arrested at a pro-Palestine event, before being detained and strip-searched, as a result of her political views. The woman's representatives, Belfast-based human rights lawyers Phoenix Law, wrote to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on May 14 to announce the claim on behalf of its client, a female protester who participated in a Mothers Against Genocide protest at Leinster House on March 30. That event, held to protest the ongoing violence in Gaza, saw 11 protesters, including the woman in question, arrested and detained at Garda stations in Dublin before being released several hours later. Those arrested subsequently claimed they had been subjected to excessive intrusive treatment by the arresting gardaí, including cavity searches, with some of those claims read into the Dáil record under privilege by People Before Profit TDs Richard Boyd Barrett, Ruth Coppinger, and Paul Murphy last month. In its letter to Mr Harris, Phoenix Law said its client had been held at Kevin Street Garda Station for three hours without questioning, that she had been subjected to a strip search, and that she had not been told why that invasive procedure had to occur. The firm alleged that its client's human rights had been breached. Details of the legal claim come after Mr Harris wrote to the Dail's business committee on May 16 accusing the three People Before Profit TDs of making 'unfounded allegations' in the Dáil chamber concerning the alleged treatment of a separate female protester, and Palestinian national. In his letter, Mr Harris said 'it has been verified by me that they [the arresting officers] treated those in custody with respect at all times'. He said that the protests and subsequent arrests had been recorded on Garda body-worn cameras which showed 'nothing that would substantiate any allegations of wrongdoing'. He added, however, that 'there are no recording devices in cells when prisoners are being searched for obvious requirements for dignity and privacy'. It is in those cells that it is alleged the invasive searches of the protester in question took place. A spokesperson for Mothers Against Genocide said they note that 'An Garda Síochána has now acknowledged that there is no camera footage of the strip searches conducted on our members during the Mother's Day arrests'. The group has called on minister for justice Jim O'Callaghan to 'issue a public apology' for previous assertions that the accounts of the protesters regarding their detention had been false. A spokesman for An Garda Síochána said: "Material gathered by An Garda Síochána in relation to this matter has been provided to the Policing and Community Safety Authority for their review."
