Appeal for stolen items to be returned to Fitzpatrick’s Halloween display

One of the displays at Frightfest

The owner of Fitzpatrick’s Bar and Restaurant has issued an appeal for thieves to return a number of items that were stolen from their Halloween display.

The Rockmarshall venue’s sixth annual Halloween event, Frightfest, kicked off last weekend in aid of the Maria Goretti Foundation and Carlingford Scouts.

It is due to reopen this Friday and run right through until Halloween night, Saturday October 31^st.

However, yesterday Danny Fitzpatrick discovered that a “large amount of items” were stolen from the displays.

Fitzpatrick’s in Rockmarshall

He insists he has CCTV images of those responsible and will release them to the Gardaí and the PSNI if the items are not returned.

Commenting on the matter, Mr Fitzpatrick said: “Just arrived today to be told that a large amount of items have been stolen from our displays which I purchase for this event for charity.

“I ask the person or persons who took these items to please return them without any hassle as we do have you on CCTV and the Garda and PSNI will be informed of your photos if they are not returned ASAP please.

“These displays take a lot of time, money and wages to produce this at Halloween and it’s free to everyone to enjoy. Other places charge up to 18 euro per person to enter and I feel that some people in society can’t help themselves. Even if it’s free they want more or to destroy it for everyone else.

“We try hard to raise money and we have many actors as kids giving up their time to help kids who are not as lucky as them so I ask parents if they see any member of their family with items they should not have, for example masks or anything to do with Halloween, please check where they got them and if they are belonging to us please return them thanks.”

This is not the first time there has been controversy surrounding the annual event. In January 2014 Fitzpatrick announced he was pulling the event and the Christmas equivalent due to criticism on Facebook and Trip Advisor.

He later did a U-turn on this decision following huge online support.

Garda Tony Golden was “one of life’s gentlemen”

4,000 Gardaí line the streets of Blackrock as part of the funeral cortege. Picture: Niall Carroll

Garda Tony Golden was described as “one of life’s gentlemen” at his State funeral in Oliver Plunkett Church today.
Thousands gathered in the seaside village, including an estimate 4,000 Garda colleagues, to pay their respects to the father of three, who was the 88^th member of the force to be killed in the line of duty when he was shot dead in Omeath in Sunday.

The church was reserved for family members and official dignatories, including Taoiseach Enda Kenny, President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina, Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald and the chief constable of the PSNI George Hamilton.

Chief celebrant Fr Padraig Keenan, parish priest of Blackrock and Haggardstown, told mourners it was difficult to imagine the grief caused by Garda Golden’s death.

“One cannot imagine the pain and hurt that is experienced by the loss of those who loved Garda Tony,” Fr Keenan said.

“Tony quietly let his light shine in so many ways through his life in a very humble way. Amidst our sadness may we be thankful for the charisma of his beautiful but too short life.”

A Ballina Stephanites GAA club jersey and hurley and family photographs were brought to the altar in memory of Garda Golden. A garda colleague, Kevin Cleary, presented some of Garda Golden’s favourite hobbies and snacks – a remote control, a can of Coke, crisps, ‘Drifter’ bar of chocolate and Hunky Dorys.

Father Keenan said news of Garda Golden’s death had shattered Co Louth and beyond on Sunday evening.

“In the stillness of a beautiful Sunday evening, last Sunday, we shared as a nation in the joy of a momentous sporting moment on the playing field of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff,” he said.

“That stillness was shattered in the picturesque village of Omeath as it became the centre of national and international coverage in light of the tragic events that unfolded.

“The magnitude of what took place brings to mind all those who have been affected in so many ways.

“Tragically it resulted in the cold blooded murder of Garda Tony Golden in the line of duty.  Murder is evil, murder has no place in our society.  Murder must stop.  All forms of violence must stop.

“We remember in our thoughts and prayers the young woman Siobhan who is seriously injured.

“Garda Tony is the 88th member of An Garda Síochána who has died protecting our country, our society and our community.

“It is 88 members too many.

“He like all the others is mourned by the entire nation.

“His murder brings to mind once again all the families and communities that have been affected on our island.”

Mourners heard how North Louth has been affected by the Troubles in years gone by and how Garda Golden’s death was a harsh reminder of the death of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan in January 2013.

“Too many hearts have been broken, and lives shattered,” Fr Keenan told the church.

“I say on this day, from the depths of my heart – and I am sure I speak for all people of goodwill – when I say that there is no place for violence in our society, violence is wrong, always wrong.

“As a husband, father, son, brother family member and friend, each and every one of his family circle expressed such love and pride for Tony.

“Tony was one of life’s gentlemen.  As Patrick his brother said to me, “A big gentle giant”, a lovely man.

“He had a charisma that was calm, gentle and polite, as reflected in our second reading.

“Tony showed us a way to love that is better than anything else in life.  Tony with Nicola believed in life, a life that gave them hope in the spirit of love.

“Tony made his time on this earth beautiful in so many ways, and in one’s brokenness, they will be the memories to be always treasured and cherished forever.”

He assured the congregation that Tony’s spirit would be with his three children as they grow up.

Gardaí had earlier escored Tony’s remains from his house in Sandygrove to the church, with thousands of his colleagues lining the way to the church.

Large screens were erected in Blackrock so mourners could watch the funeral proceedings, with RTÉ providing a live audio broadcast on their website.

Tony is survived by his wife Nicola (nee O’Sullivan), children Lucy, Alex and Andrew, parents Breege and David, brothers David, Kenneth, Patrick and Sean, sister Mary, parents-in-law Tony and Iris, sisters-in-law Majella, Laura, Aisling and Tara, brother-in-law Jonathan, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, relatives, friends and colleagues in An Garda Síochána.

Earlier, former Justice Minister and local TD Dermot Ahern described Blackrock as “shattered” by the tragedy.

“I’m a member of this community, born and bred, and we’re absolutely shattered,” he said.

“Tony’s wife is a local here; I know her and I know her parents very well. I knew Tony. And the whole place is just completely shattered with what’s happened.”

Burial will follow the funeral in Heynestown Cemetery.

Phillips family break silence to pay tribute to Garda Golden

Siobhan Phillips

The parents of Siobhan Phillips, the woman fighting for her life after being shot in the incident that led to the death of Garda Tony Golden in Omeath on Sunday evening, have broken their silence to pay tribute to the fallen officer.

Sean and Norma Phillips said: “We would like to pay tribute to and express our condolences to the family and colleagues of Garda Anthony Golden.

“Garda Golden, in the service and protection of others, laid down his life for my daughter Siobhan, myself and my family.

“There are no words to express our gratitude for his bravery, we are forever in his debt.

“Our beautiful daughter Siobhan, a loving mother, sister and friend, is fighting for her life.

“For now, we pray for Siobhan’s recovery and for the family of Garda Golden as they face their immeasureable grief.”

The Phillips family also asked for privacy as their daughter continues to fight for her life.

The 21-year-old mother of two remains in hospital after being shot by Adrian Crevan Mackin in the same incident which claimed the life of Garda Golden on Sunday evening.

Siobhan and Garda Golden had drove to the Mullach Alainn estate in Omeath after giving a statement at the local Garda Station that she was in fear of her life.

The pair were accompanied by her father Sean, stepmother Norma, aunt Lorraine McBride and brother Ryan Phillips.

On Friday evening, Siobhan – who concealed much of the abuse she suffered at the hands of Crevan Mackin from her family in order to protect them – was subjected to a prolonged overnight attack by Crevan Mackin. He threatened to kill her and her entire family.

Siobhan was “battered black and blue” when she left her home on Saturday morning to go to work as a hairdresser in her native Newry. She applied makeup to conceal her facial wounds and even put blue and black eyeshadow on one of her eyes to make it seem as if the marbled look was intended.

It was anything but.

Nothing could conceal her fear and on Saturday afternoon she called her stepmother Norma Phillips with the simple words “Norma, I’m terrified.”

Following Siobhan’s cry for help, the Phillips family travelled immediately to Dundalk Garda Station on Saturday to make a formal complaint about Crevan Mackin, but say they were told they had to make the complaint at Siobhan’s local garda station in Omeath.

Adrian Crevan Mackin was well known to gardai in Louth. At the time of Garda Golden’s murder, he was signing on three times a week after being charged in the Special Criminal Court last January on charges of membership of the IRA.

Garda Tony Golden RIP

Such were her injuries, Siobhan Phillips attended Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry on Saturday night, where staff expressed alarm at the seriousness and notified the PSNI about the assault.

Siobhan did not return to her home on Saturday night and ensured her children were safe with family. Determined never to return to Crevan Mackin, Siobhan and her family travelled on Sunday to Omeath.

There they met Garda Golden, who listened to her story and dutifully took her statement.

It was, says Sean Phillips, the first time that Siobhan had felt safe – safe enough to venture home to Mullach Alainn and retrieve some belongings. Garda Golden said he would accompany Siobhan Phillips for what proved to be a final, fatal assignment.

Entering into Mullach Alainn, the trio saw Crevan Mackin’s car. Garda Golden told Sean Phillips to remain in the car so as not to aggravate Crevan Mackin.

Garda Golden and Siobhan Phillips opened the front door and entered the property. According to Sean, Garda Golden informed Crevan Mackin that they were simply there to retrieve some of her belongings.

Words were exchanged, but to no avail as, after a few moments, Garda Golden and Siobhan Phillips were met by a hail of bullets fired by Crevan Mackin, who turned an illegal Glock handgun on the pair before killing himself. Sean Phillips told The Irish Independent he is in no doubt that Garda Golden saved Siobhan’s life and spared his.

Shot Garda named as father of three Tony Golden

Garda Tony Golden RIP

An IRA terror suspect out on bail shot dead a garda responding to a domestic incident in Omeath last night.

The unarmed and uniformed officer murdered in the gun attack was a married father of three.

The officer, Garda Tony Golden – who lived in Blackrock – was responding to a 999 call that a woman felt threatened in a domestic incident in the village.

She was also seriously injured in the hail of bullets and was being treated in hospital. The gunman – named locally as 24-year-old Adrian Crevan Mackin – then turned the handgun on himself, taking his own life.

It is understood Gardaí escorted the woman to the house in Mullach Alainn to collect her personal items. When the woman entered the home she went to the bedroom where her and Garda Golden were shot.

The killing of the courageous young garda caused widespread shock and revulsion. Tributes were paid to the slain officer by his superiors and the government.

Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan said she was deeply saddened to hear of the death of her colleague while carrying out his duties.

Garda Representative Association President Dermot O’Brien described Garda Golden as a ‘hero’.

“Ireland has lost a hero; he laid his life on the line for the community he served,” he told Newstalk’s Breakfast this morning.

“Tony was a married man with three young children, and yesterday he went to a call and, sadly like all members of An Garda Síochána, his dedication to serve and protect has ended with the tragic loss of his life.”

The series of events which led to the shootings unfolded at a house in the Mullach Alainn estate in Omeath around 6pm. There were reports that young children may have been in the house at the time of the shooting.

It is alleged a Northern-registered BMW car seen driving away from the scene was later stopped by the PSNI in Newry.

A Garda source said the motorist, a Polish national, may be a potential witness to what happened in the quiet housing estate.

Adams will not be prosecuted over McConville death

Gerry Adams

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and six other individuals who were reported to Northern Ireland’s public prosecution service by the PSNI in relation to the abduction and murder of Jean McConville will not be prosecuted.

The Louth TD presented himself at Antrim police station in April 2014 where he was arrested and held for four days before his release on 4 May.

Ms McConville, a widowed mother of ten, was abducted from her home in the Divis flats in Belfast in December 1972.

She was interrogated, shot in the back of the head and then secretly buried south of the border – becoming one of the “Disappeared” victims of the Troubles.

Her body was not found until 2003, when a storm uncovered her remains at Shelling Hill beach in north Louth, 80km from her home.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Pamela Atchison said: “We have given careful consideration to the evidence currently available in respect to each of the three men and four women reported and have concluded that it is insufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of obtaining a conviction against any of them for a criminal offence.”

Jean McConville with some of her 10 children prior to her abduction

The PPS said the evidence against the seven came from a number of different sources.

In some cases hearsay evidence was provided by the Boston College Belfast Project, it added.

The PPS noted that “there has already been a decision to prosecute an eighth individual, Ivor Bell, who was arrested and charged in March 2014 and is currently before the court. The decision is to prosecute Ivor Bell on charges of soliciting the murder of Jean McConville.”

Ms Atchison added that the PPS had had a number of meetings with the McConville family and had kept them up to date on all decisions about prosecutions.

She thanked the family for their engagement, and said the PPS would continue to engage with them on the prosecution of Mr Bell.

Cash and vehicles seized in Dundalk

Gardaí in Dundalk seized a quantity of cash and a number of vehicles following searches of two premises in North Louth on Friday.

The searches were part of a joint operation by the Gardaí, the PSNI and customs officers in the North.

No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.

PSNI renew appeal for information on murder of Keith Rogers

The Police Service of Northern Ireland have renewed their appeal for information on the murder of a local man more than 12 years ago.

Keith Rogers (24) from Annavackey, Hackballscross, was shot in the chest and arm during an incident involving a number of people in Malachy Conlon Park in Cullaville, South Armagh, at around 9.45am on Wednesday March 12^th 2003. He later died on his way to the Louth County Hospital in Dundalk.

Police want to speak to anyone who was living or in the Cullaville area at the time and who may have information on his murder. If you have something to contribute you can contact detectives at the Legacy Investigation Branch on 048 9258 9140 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

PPS correct not to prosecute Gerry Adams for allegedly withholding evidence

Gerry Adams

A decision not to prosecute Gerry Adams for allegedly withholding evidence about his rapist brother was correct, a review has concluded.

The Sinn Féin leader’s brother, Liam Adams, was convicted in 2013 of raping and abusing his own daughter, Aine Dahlstrom, in the 1970s.

She has waived her right to anonymity.

Mr Adams confronted his brother in 2000, who confirmed that he had abused Ms Dahlstrom. However, Gerry Adams did not report it to the police until 2007.

He made the report shortly after his party voted to accept the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

When Ms Dahlstrom’s case came to court, a decision was made to use Gerry Adams as a witness in the case.

The Louth TD testified at his younger brother’s first trial, which collapsed for legal reasons, but did not give evidence at the second trial.

Following Liam Adam’s rape conviction in October 2013, Northern Ireland’sAttorney General John Larkin was asked to investigate the decision-making process employed by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

The PPS had decided that on both evidential and public interest grounds, the test for prosecuting Gerry Adams for withholding information was not met.

Mr Larkin found that prosecutors had “correctly applied, in the first instance, the evidential test for prosecution to the available evidence”.

However, the Attorney General found that further inquiry ought to have been made about how much Gerry Adams knew about the abuse, and the allegations of serious offences such as rape.

The PPS has re-interviewed the rape victim in the case, who has indicated that she does not want to pursue the matter.

There will be no prosecution for withholding information.

In his review, the Attorney General examined the complex issue of treating family members as suspects, rather than witnesses, in cases where they may know that a relative has been abused.

Mr Larkin recognised that prosecutors “can face difficult decisions in cases involving sexual abuse within a family where there is some degree of knowledge among family members”.

He said it was unlikely to be in the public interest to prosecute family members who have knowledge of abuse, “particularly where they may be able to give evidence in support of the victim”.

Mr Larkin said: “It should be open to the PPS to make a public interest decision that such persons should be treated as witnesses and not treated as suspects by the PSNI or prosecuted without first having to take all those steps necessary in order to ascertain whether the evidential test is or is not satisfied.”

“Consideration should be given to whether or not the Code for Prosecutors could be amended to allow the PPS to take such decisions where it is clear from the outset that the public interest in treating an individual as a witness would greatly outweigh the public interest in prosecuting that individual for withholding information,” he added.

The Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Pamela Atchison, welcomed the Attorney General’s review and accepted his recommendation that the PPS prosecution code should take into account “exceptional circumstances, such as this case of familial sexual abuse”.

She said “it is right that our Code for Prosecutors should allow us to consider the public interest test prior to our having reached a conclusion in relation to the evidential test”.

The PPS has launched a consultation process to amend its code to reflect the Attorney General’s suggestion.

Liam Adams’ abuse of his daughter was committed over a six-year period between 1977 and 1982, when Ms Dahlstrom was aged between four and nine.

He was found guilty of three charges of rape, four counts of indecent assault and a further three counts of gross indecency against her.

He lost an appeal against his conviction last month and is serving a 16-year prison sentence for the offences.

Source: BBC NI

Bomb warning at Gerry Adams’ home is dismissed

Gerry Adams

A bomb warning at the Belfast home of Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has turned out to be “nothing untoward”.

The PSNI were called to the Norfolk Drive area of west Belfast this morning after receiving information that a device had been left at an address there.

Inspector Roy Burnside said: “Officers attended and nothing untoward was found.”

Mr Adams, a TD in Co Louth, said it comes amid a “concerted series of threats and attacks on the homes of Sinn Féin members”.

He added: “There can be no place for these type of actions nor will they deter Sinn Féin from working to advance the peace process and advance our political objectives.”

Earlier, Martin McGuinness blamed dissident republicans for attacks on two cars belonging to Sinn Féin representatives in Derry.

Police said the separate attacks happened at 1.50am in Kildrum Gardens and just before 2.30am in Oakbridge Park on Wednesday.

A parked car was set on fire in the earlier incident causing extensive damage to the engine block, while in the second case the front and rear windscreens of a parked vehicle were smashed.

Two men aged 17 and 23 were arrested by police in Oakbridge Park on suspicion of criminal damage.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness tweeted: “With overnight attacks on Sinn Fein councillors Sandra Duffy and Colly Kelly in Derry, I have no doubt anti-democratic dissidents responsible.”

Teenager dies in Belfast crash in van stolen from outside Dundalk

A teenage boy has died after a van which had been stolen just outside Dundalk crashed in Belfast last night.

The 17-year-old was killed after the silver Transit van, which had been stolen from alongside the N1 near Carrickarnon earlier that evening, collided with a barrier on the M1 between the Blaris and Saintfield junctions at around 10.50pm.

The teenager has yet to be named although the PSNI have seized a red Ford Mondeo from an address in Lagmore, west Belfast. It is believed it was travelling with the van at the time of the accident.

The PSNI have appealed for anyone who saw either vehicle before the crash to contact them.