News Thread for all ES related

da__flash

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0120/cork.html

Fatal shooting in Cork city

A man in his 40s has died after he was shot in Cork city.
The shooting happened at around 8.30pm this evening, near the man's home in Wilton.
Gardaí and the emergency services are at the scene.

donvito99

Commissioner makes appeal to public

Thursday, 28 January 2010 16:16

The Garda Commissioner, Fachtna Murphy, has appealed to the public to help the gardaí to stamp out crime by criminal gangs.
Fine Gael Justice Spokesperson Charlie Flanagan has called for changes to garda rosters.

He has also suggested that civilians be recruited to allow more garda officers to be put on duty on streets to combat crime.
Both men were responding to annual CSO crime figures that show an increase in murder, rape, kidnapping, false imprisonment, robbery and hijacking.
The figures show that there were 53 murders last year, three more than 2008. Twenty-two of those were gang-related murders.

View the full CSO report

There was also 367 rapes recorded, an increase of 10%. Cases involving the sexual abuse of children were up by over 29%.
Kidnapping and related offences such as false imprisonment and human trafficking also recorded a dramatic increase, up over 80%, while robbery, extortion and hijacking crimes also increased.

There was, however, a significant reduction in the incidence of drink driving, which was down 23%.
Drug offences were also down by 6%, as were public order, explosives and gun crime.

donvito99

Gardaí vote to take industrial action

Thursday, 11 February 2010 15:17

The Garda Representative Association says gardaí will take industrial action over the Government's pay and pension levies.
The Association announced the results of a ballot this afternoon, which showed that over 90% of those who voted said the gardaí should take some form of industrial action, but not withdraw their services.

The Association will decide at its annual conference in April what form that industrial action will take.


General Secretary PJ Stone said that it would be a collective action and that it would not impinge on the safety or security of the public.
He also said the ballot sends a clear message to the Government that all was not well in the gardaí and that rank-and-file members would no longer tolerate 'draconian pay cuts'.

Of the 11,600 who were eligible to vote only 5,540 gardaí did so, with 65.4% of them voting to take industrial action short of a withdrawal of labour.

Another 18.4% voted to withdraw their services but that will not be done.
Just over 4,000 suggested a variety forms of industrial action, including work-to-rules, refusal to turn on mobile phones and a ban on overtime.
These will now be considered by the central executive committee, which will formulate proposed industrial action to be ratified at conference.

Zambia

Our dumbest crook leaves trail of evidence

A COUNTRY burglar could be Australia's dumbest crook after leaving a trail of extraordinary clues along his crime spree route

Within an hour of being charged and bailed over other break-ins, Bendigo man Andrew Bawden, 36, was back in business, busting into cars and houses and robbing offices and a cathedral.

But his one-man crime wave came unstuck when he dropped his police charge sheet at one crime scene.

Two hours later he dropped the DVD of his police interview at another.

"You get crooks sometimes who leave one thing that's stupid. Both things are extraordinary," Bendigo police Sgt Brendon Murphy said.

"From the police perspective it's quite good. We appreciate people who leave this evidence for us."

But Sgt Murphy said it was important to remember the trauma faced by Bawden's victims before ineptitude ended the spree. "We're just thankful this numbskull's been nipped in the bud," he said.

The extensive charge sheet - 24 various offences - was found beside a laundry hamper. Police think Bawden dropped it in a panicked attempt to climb out a window after being disturbed in mid-burglary.

The DVD was discovered beside broken louvres from a break and enter attempt.

"The people thought - 'What's a DVD police interview doing on the ground here'?" Sgt Murphy said.

"It's a small plastic case and a disc with writing on it. It clearly identifies who it is and that it's a police interview."

Bawden's busy but badly managed crime spree happened early this month but was outlined on Tuesday in Bendigo Magistrates' Court.

The court heard Bawden had been out of jail for three months after serving a four-year sentence, but quickly returned to crime.

Being charged again with a couple of dozen new counts barely broke his stride.

"Within an hour he was back at it," Sgt Murphy said.

He said Bawden stole a handbag from an office, broke into a car, entered the Sacred Heart Cathedral and stole a tour guide's backpack, then continued on.

"He tried to break into another place where he broke some louvres. The DVD was on the ground next to the louvres," Sgt Murphy said.

"A couple of hours later he did a burglary on a house and was disturbed. They found his charge sheets in the laundry."

Bawden, of Golden Square, pleaded guilty to about 30 counts.

He was remanded in custody for sentence on March 31.

Celticfire

Breaking News


Two firefighters die in flats blaze


Tributes have been paid to two "valiant" firefighters killed in a tower block blaze. Skip related content

James Shears, 35, and Alan Bannon, 38, died after a fire at Shirley Towers in Church Street, Southampton, went "completely out of control", according to neighbours.

Hampshire Chief Fire Officer John Bonney told a press conference the officers had been "valiant" in "extremely difficult circumstances".

Mr Bonney, who will be visiting the firefighters' families later, said: "Today is a tragic day for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. It is with deep, deep sadness that I announce the death of two Hampshire firefighters."

The men, who had both served for more than seven years, were members of Red watch at St Mary's fire station, he said.

"We are devastated by the loss of our colleagues, who died in the line of duty," he added. "Our thoughts are with their families, their friends and their colleagues, who have all been stunned by these events. I would like to pay tribute to the courage, the dedication and service of those firefighters."

Investigations are under way into how the fire was apparently able to rip through the tower block. Witnesses described how a ceiling and staircase fell through as the blaze spread.

Dozens of residents had to be evacuated after the fire broke out on the ninth floor at around 8pm on Tuesday night.

The flat where the fire started was home to a single mother with two children, all of whom escaped uninjured, locals said.

Another two firefighters were taken to hospital by ambulance with minor burns to their hands. A joint police and fire service investigation into the cause was under way and the Health and Safety Executive was informed, said a spokesman.

RIP lads.

Irish_polizei

In scenes reminiscent of some top American police shows, residents of Ardroe, Claremorris witnessed some dramatic action on Thursday evening as a major garda operation swung into force. Members of the new Regional Support Unit (RSU), in full protective attire, including the Balaclava style helmets and visors, surrounded a house in Ardroe after what is understood to have been the culmination of substantial investigative work in recent weeks..............more here

Sierra Oscar

Garda Ombudsman investigates Dublin crash

The Garda Ombudsman Commission is investigating a road crash involving a garda patrol car and in which a man was seriously injured.

The accident happened at around 9.30pm last night at the Pinnock Hill in Coolock in Dublin.

Three gardaí were in the patrol car responding to a call when it was in collision with another car.

The driver of that car was taken to Beaumont Hospital with head injuries and his condition is described as critical.

The three gardaí were also taken to hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries.

Hope all those injured make a quick recovery.

da__flash

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

Hope all those injured make a quick recovery.

+ 1

donvito99

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0416/6news_av.html?2737660,null,230

Disgraceful if you ask me.

Irish_polizei

donvito99 wrote: »

Disgraceful if you ask me.

Something else disgraceful!

Garda was drunk in patrol car

A GARDA has been banned from driving after he was caught drunk and asleep at the wheel of a patrol car in the middle of a main road, blocking traffic.....

Link

donvito99

Under surveillance: Gardaí get registration checker



TIM O’BRIEN



GARDAÍ YESTERDAY showcased their Puma on-board surveillance systems, 104 of which have been fitted to marked and unmarked Garda cars, with a further 30 due in the next three months.

Puma compares the registration plates of up to six vehicles per second with a database downloaded daily from the insurance industry and the National Vehicle and Driver File. Vehicles which are displayed as untaxed, uninsured or having been reported as stolen are instantly stopped, while the presence of vehicles whose owners may be of interest to gardaí, can be noted and recorded.

The system can also record up to 82 hours of driver behaviour, monitoring infringements such as driving across white lines, using a mobile phone or impaired or aggressive driving. Such material can and has been used in court.

But gardaí say the most widespread use of their Puma system is its ability to calculate speeds of passing vehicles without the use of radar or laser guns. Gardaí use the on-board computer to calibrate the distance between two points and hit a button when a suspect speeding vehicle passes each one. The result is used in evidence even if the drivers are not actually stopped.

While a caution for a minor infringement may be appropriate in some cases of poor driver behaviour, gardaí are also in the position to use the Pulse computer system to get up-to-date information on a driver’s history including previous warnings issued.

The information technology denies the perpetrator the opportunity to claim their behaviour is out of character, or a first time, according to gardaí.

Gardaí also said they will use their discretionary powers to breathalyse all drivers involved in collisions, in advance of such moves becoming mandatory, as proposed in a new road traffic Bill.


Garda plan aimed at 'vulnerable' road users

TIM O'BRIEN


A PLANNED GARDA road safety strategy for Dublin is to be geared at protecting vulnerable road users who make up just over 61 per cent of road deaths in the capital.

Vulnerable road users comprising pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists accounted for more than 200 of the 329 people killed on roads in the Garda’s Dublin Metropolitan Region since 2001.

While road deaths in the capital have been falling by as much as 12 per cent year on year, members of the Garda National Traffic Bureau will meet the Road Safety Authority today to discuss the new strategy which will focus on speed, impaired driving and aggressive driver behaviour.
Over the coming months, motorists in Dublin and elsewhere can expect marked and unmarked Garda cars to mingle with traffic using new Puma on-board computers which automatically read the number plates of nearby vehicles.

Puma can identify untaxed or uninsured vehicles and record issues such as aggressive driving or speeding.
This week Puma is being used extensively by gardaí in all divisions as part of a pan-European crackdown on speeding, involving the EU, Norway, Switzerland and Serbia. Assistant commissioner Kevin Ludlow said each Garda division would take part and success – in comparison to European colleagues – would be measured in the numbers of “fixed notice” penalties imposed on errant drivers.

In the Garda’s Dublin metropolitan region, gardaí will also deploy Operation Lockdown and Operation Surround to target drink and drug driving.
Operation Lockdown comprises 16 checkpoints within the canal ring and a further 16 beyond. Operation Lockdown is intended to capture drink-drivers leaving the city in the evening.
Operation Surround targets urban villages. Gardaí have specifically mentioned Santry, Blackrock and Tallaght where people are likely to socialise, particularly at weekends.

The operation will see road blocks at every access road to the urban village. The operation is to be highly mobile moving to different urban villages on each weekend.

The Garda said analysis of children’s injuries after collisions indicated a significant number of parents were not insisting on proper safety seats or seat belts for children in the back seat of cars.
Also yesterday, AXA Insurance also issued a plea to road users to exercise extra caution during the May bank holiday weekend. It pointed out that almost half of road deaths deaths occurred at weekends, with Sunday being the most dangerous day of the year in 2009.


*

Anyone want to comment on the articles? I remember NGA saying that the so called Puma system was not installed in all cars? etc.

Hooch

donvito99 wrote: »

Anyone want to comment on the articles? I remember NGA saying that the so called Puma system was not installed in all cars? etc.

No the ANPR system (Puma/Cleartone is the maker) is only in Traffic cars at the moment but should be rolled out to regular cars asap. Great piece of kit once its worked right......

maglite

I'm not realy looking for a debate or comment. But over in AH the person to inform, pritty much Ireland of the death of Gerry Ryan claims that her source is her uncle, a Paramedic that ran the call.

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055898732

DubMedic

maglite wrote: »

I'm not realy looking for a debate or comment. But over in AH the person to inform, pritty much Ireland of the death of Gerry Ryan claims that her source is her uncle, a Paramedic that ran the call.

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055898732

This has since been edited, and mod noted.

Until anyone knows otherwise, claims of a paramedic releasing the news are unfounded

DubMedic

DubMedic wrote: »

This has since been edited, and mod noted.

Until anyone knows otherwise, claims of a paramedic releasing the news are unfounded

If he was found dead in his flat then paramedics wouldn't have taken him away. If there is no hope of resuscitation then they won't waste their time. Body will be left for a Doctor to pronounce death.

Bull**** post. Probably from someone working within the media.


I'll actually say, this may well have come from a paramedic who attended the scene. But they are not the one who put it online. They may have told a family member who in turn spread the word.

Zambia

Thought you might like this "Judges rules calling a cop a prick is not offensive"

http://www.news.com.au/national/its-ok-to-call-a-cop-a-pk-rules-magistrate-robbie-williams/story-e6frfkvr-1225861766751

480905

Irish_polizei wrote: »

Something else disgraceful!

Garda was drunk in patrol car

A GARDA has been banned from driving after he was caught drunk and asleep at the wheel of a patrol car in the middle of a main road, blocking traffic.....

Link

I hope he gets to the bottom of his issues and the authorities provide him with the care and facilities he needs to overcome them . As is their Duty of Care towards their staff.

Zambia

480905 wrote: »

I hope he gets to the bottom of his issues

+1 could not agree more.

480905 wrote: »

and the authorities provide him with the care and facilities he needs to overcome them .
As is their Duty of Care towards their staff.

I don't know of any company that would keep on a member of staff who did this in a company vehicle in the middle of a public st.

It was by the grace of god some poor pedestrian was not parked under him. In every job there has to be a line you cant cross. To me this would be past that line in all jobs.

Celticfire

11/05/2010 - 11:04:42
A senior Wicklow County Council official was arrested today over a fire which claimed the lives of two firefighters.

It is understood the man was detained at Bray Garda Station after officers contacted him for questioning over the blaze in a disused building in September 2007.

He was being quizzed under Section Four of the Criminal Justice Act and can be held for up to 24 hours.

Part-time firefighters Mark O’Shaughnessy, 26, and Brian Murray, 46, were killed in the blaze when the roof of the abandoned building on Lower Dargle Road in Bray, Co Wicklow, collapsed on them.

Four people have been questioned over the blaze, including at least one senior fire officer.

In late February the offices of Wicklow County Council in Wicklow Town were raided by gardaí probing the deaths.

It is understood a team of officers were attempting to recover files and computer data.

The families of the two firefighters have been campaigning for reform of the fire services in the county since the men’s deaths.

They believe there was a delay in responding to the blaze on Lower Dargle Road as it was out of control by the time the two men arrived at the scene.

Mr Murray, a 10-year veteran of Bray’s retained fire service, had warned superiors just three weeks before his death of dangerous practices in the service.

He wrote to the county’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Joanne O’Connor, after office workers were asked to check a blaze themselves before firefighters were called out.

DubMedic

Protest bid to 'storm' Dáil held back by Gardaí

Protesters have clashed with police as they tried to break through the gates of the Irish parliament during a march against bank bailouts.

Dozens of people broke away from the demonstration and ran at the gates of Leinster House, the parliament's main building.
They wrestled with police who tried to force them back in a bid to secure the gate.

It has been reported that at least one man suffered a cut to his head during the scuffles as organisers appealed for calm.
The protest march had been arranged by the Right To Work Campaign.
The coalition of political parties, trade unions and community groups is opposed to the Irish government's handling of the financial crisis.
They have argued against plans to inject billions of euros into the Republic of Ireland's banks.
Police have said no arrests were made and the disturbance was brought under control "within minutes".

Source

prinz

Well done to the Gardaí down outside the Dáil last night. Looks like a well executed and professional job.

deadwood

Zambia232 wrote: »

Thought you might like this "Judges rules calling a cop a prick is not offensive"

http://www.news.com.au/national/its-ok-to-call-a-cop-a-pk-rules-magistrate-robbie-williams/story-e6frfkvr-1225861766751

I wonder what would have heppened if he called the judge a prick?

maglite

prinz wrote: »

Well done to the Gardaí down outside the Dáil last night. Looks like a well executed and professional job.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2lEez-U4RY

prinz

maglite wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2lEez-U4RY

I am not sure what you're trying to say by posting that? I have seen that and a few more videos. Reinforces my point that the Gardaí behaved close on impeccably under the circumstances.

Edit: My apologies if you thought I was overly defensive maglite, have seen and heard so much nonsense about it, including that the gardaí launched a panicked frenzied attack on innocent protestors :pac:

Hooch

prinz wrote: »

I am not sure what you're trying to say by posting that? I have seen that and a few more videos. Reinforces my point that the Gardaí behaved close on impeccably under the circumstances.

To be fair I think maglite was trying to reinforce YOUR post with the video......not challenge it....

eroo

maglite wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2lEez-U4RY

I see that man with long black hair wearing the grey jacket decided to start acting like a wounded puppy after receiving a cut from the fracas.. he changed his tune from earlier in the video, being the first person to charge into the Gardai. Learned his lesson I hope!!

donvito99

eroo wrote: »

I see that man with long black hair wearing the grey jacket decided to start acting like a wounded puppy after receiving a cut from the fracas.. he changed his tune from earlier in the video, being the first person to charge into the Gardai. Learned his lesson I hope!!

The Shell to Sea people do that all the time.

480905

The one with the red hair says she got deliberately assaulted by a garda....What do these people expect??

DubMedic

eroo wrote: »

I see that man with long black hair wearing the grey jacket decided to start acting like a wounded puppy after receiving a cut from the fracas.. he changed his tune from earlier in the video, being the first person to charge into the Gardai. Learned his lesson I hope!!

I wonder how much these people contribute to the state?.

monkeysox

http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/content/hackney/gazette/news/story.aspx?brand=HKYGOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newshkyg&itemid=WeED23%20Mar%202010%2015%3A02%3A12%3A890