theirishtimes--2020-01-14--State’s longest-serving prisoner seeking two days’ release a year

The State ’ s longest-serving prisoner is still seeking two days temporary release per year , which the Minister for Justice refused for “ no reason ” , his lawyers have told the Court of Appeal .
English national John Shaw ( 73 ) has been in custody in Ireland since September 1976 when both he and another English man , Geoffrey Evans , were arrested for the abduction , rape , torture and murder of Elizabeth Plunkett ( 22 ) in Wicklow and Mary Duffy ( 24 ) in Mayo that year .
Shaw and Evans were both given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on February 9th , 1978 .
Evans died in 2012 from an infection after spending more than three years in a vegetative state .
He had been at the Mater Hospital , under round-the-clock guard by prison officers , at a significant cost to the State .
Over the years , Shaw ’ s case has been the subject of a number of reviews , first by the Sentence Review Group and subsequently the Parole Board .
In April 2016 , the Prison Review Committee noted Shaw was “ very frustrated that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison in his 38 years in custody .
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He has no family in Ireland and has only received one family visit over the course of his sentence ” .
The following June , a dynamic risk assessment of Shaw found him to be at a “ high-level risk of re-offending ” .
Areas of particular concern to the assessors were “ poor problem-solving skills ; negative emotionality ; deviant sexual preference ; cooperation with supervision ; significant social influences ; hostility towards women ; general social rejection ; and lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Parole Board recommended Shaw remain in Arbour Hill prison to allow speedy access to medical treatment and that he be granted two days of escorted outings per year .
However , in a letter dated November 29th , 2016 , the Minister for Justice did not support the recommendation for two days of escorted outings , which Shaw ’ s lawyers subsequently challenged in the High Court .
Upholding the Minister ’ s refusal , Ms Justice Mary Faherty said she was satisfied that Shaw had been afforded the full panoply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She said the function of the Parole Board was to provide an advisory role to the Minister for Justice in the exercise of the Minister ’ s discretion .
There was no suggestion that the Parole Board did not abide by the processes set in place in order for it to be in a position to assist the Minister in the consideration of the management of the Shaw ’ s sentence .
Counsel for Shaw , Patrick McGrath SC , asked the Court of Appeal on Tuesday to quash the Minister ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that no reasons were given for the decision .
Mr McGrath acknowledged that the Minister had discretion to refuse granting temporary release , but the discretion must not be exercised in a way that was “ arbitrary , capricious or unjust ” .
Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions , Paul Carroll SC , said it was “ blatantly obvious ” that the Minister ’ s refusal to grant Shaw temporary release was based on his “ continuing high risk of reoffending ” .
Mr Carroll said the Minister ’ s decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an ongoing process .
A dynamic risk assessment found him to have a high risk of reoffending , and that ’ s why the Minister decided not to go with the recommendation for limited temporary release .
Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy , who sat with Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy and Mr Justice Séamus Noonan , said the court would reserve its judgment .
Shaw was not in court for the hearing .

The State’s longest-serving prisoner is still seeking two days temporary release per year, which the Minister for Justice refused for “no reason”, his lawyers have told the Court of Appeal.
English national John Shaw (73) has been in custody in Ireland since September 1976 when both he and another English man, Geoffrey Evans, were arrested for the abduction, rape, torture and murder of Elizabeth Plunkett (22) in Wicklow and Mary Duffy (24) in Mayo that year.
Shaw and Evans were both given life sentences at the Central Criminal Court on February 9th, 1978.
Evans died in 2012 from an infection after spending more than three years in a vegetative state. He had been at the Mater Hospital, under round-the-clock guard by prison officers, at a significant cost to the State.
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Over the years, Shaw’s case has been the subject of a number of reviews, first by the Sentence Review Group and subsequently the Parole Board.
In April 2016, the Prison Review Committee noted Shaw was “very frustrated that he has never got a day out of prison in his 38 years in custody. . . He has no family in Ireland and has only received one family visit over the course of his sentence”.
The following June, a dynamic risk assessment of Shaw found him to be at a “high-level risk of re-offending”. Areas of particular concern to the assessors were “poor problem-solving skills; negative emotionality; deviant sexual preference; cooperation with supervision; significant social influences; hostility towards women; general social rejection; and lack of concern for others”.
In 2016, the Parole Board recommended Shaw remain in Arbour Hill prison to allow speedy access to medical treatment and that he be granted two days of escorted outings per year.
However, in a letter dated November 29th, 2016, the Minister for Justice did not support the recommendation for two days of escorted outings, which Shaw’s lawyers subsequently challenged in the High Court.
Upholding the Minister’s refusal, Ms Justice Mary Faherty said she was satisfied that Shaw had been afforded the full panoply of fair procedures due to him.
She said the function of the Parole Board was to provide an advisory role to the Minister for Justice in the exercise of the Minister’s discretion. There was no suggestion that the Parole Board did not abide by the processes set in place in order for it to be in a position to assist the Minister in the consideration of the management of the Shaw’s sentence.
Counsel for Shaw, Patrick McGrath SC, asked the Court of Appeal on Tuesday to quash the Minister’s refusal to grant temporary release on grounds that no reasons were given for the decision.
Mr McGrath acknowledged that the Minister had discretion to refuse granting temporary release, but the discretion must not be exercised in a way that was “arbitrary, capricious or unjust”.
Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Paul Carroll SC, said it was “blatantly obvious” that the Minister’s refusal to grant Shaw temporary release was based on his “continuing high risk of reoffending”.
Mr Carroll said the Minister’s decision had to be read in the context of an ongoing process. A dynamic risk assessment found him to have a high risk of reoffending, and that’s why the Minister decided not to go with the recommendation for limited temporary release.
Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, who sat with Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy and Mr Justice Séamus Noonan, said the court would reserve its judgment.
Shaw was not in court for the hearing.


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Finn’s Corner sports shop to close after 145 years of business

A sporting goods shop run by four generations of the same family for over 140 years is set to close later this month .
Finn ’ s Corner in Cork city centre is co owned by Moss Finn , a former Irish rugby International who was the youngest member of the Munster team who beat the All Blacks in 1978 .
His brother William Finn , who is a renowned angler , is the second owner .
The shop at the corner of Washington Street and the Grand Parade famously supplied rugby boots to the late All Black Jonah Lomu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his size .
It catered for all walks of life with musician Rory Gallagher often buying his denims in the landmark building .
Even the building has historical significance , with Charles Stewart Parnell once giving a rousing speech from the second floor .
Moss Finn told The Irish Times that they are grateful for the loyalty of Cork people .
“ There is an incredible amount of loyalty to local businesses in Cork .
It is still a very personal city .
Local businesses and small indigenous traders have a great following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still brisk .
“ When you put up a ‘ closing down sale ’ sign people think you are closing because you have to .
To the contrary .
We have never had a more robust business .
But we are of an age where we want to do something else .
The energy levels needed to run a shop are diminishing slightly .
We said we would go in our 60s rather than our 70s .
The biggest businesses that kept us going were the GAA and the rugby.
” Mr Finn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city for colourful characters .
“ There was wonderful characters in Cork .
Sometimes a customer wouldn ’ t have a chance to buy something because another customer would be in and you would be listening to their philosophies on life .
A book could be written about this place .
The customers we have had [ from all walks of life ] .
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Brendan Grace , Henry Shefflin .
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You name it.
” The shop , which also sells uniforms , has faced adversity over the years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the original owner , draper Thomas William Finn , who leased the building in 1874 , died at just 38 .
“ His wife took over as the kids were too young to run it .
The priest from Peter and Paul ’ s church over the road helped her out until my grandfather became of age to run it .
We are fourth generation .
There is a lot of history .
So much has happened here.
” Employees at shop include John Dwyer , who has worked on site for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to sell sports wear , equipment , safety uniforms and protective clothing until the end of the month .
Moss Finn had a distinguished career and played rugby for Ireland and Munster .
He was a triple crown winner with Ireland in 1982 .

Moss Finn says Cork has always been a great city for colourful characters. Photograph: Getty Images
A sporting goods shop run by four generations of the same family for over 140 years is set to close later this month.
Finn’s Corner in Cork city centre is co owned by Moss Finn, a former Irish rugby International who was the youngest member of the Munster team who beat the All Blacks in 1978. His brother William Finn, who is a renowned angler, is the second owner.
The shop at the corner of Washington Street and the Grand Parade famously supplied rugby boots to the late All Black Jonah Lomu after Adidas ran out of pairs in his size. It catered for all walks of life with musician Rory Gallagher often buying his denims in the landmark building.
Even the building has historical significance, with Charles Stewart Parnell once giving a rousing speech from the second floor.
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Moss Finn told The Irish Times that they are grateful for the loyalty of Cork people.
“There is an incredible amount of loyalty to local businesses in Cork. It is still a very personal city. Local businesses and small indigenous traders have a great following here.”
He says that business is still brisk.
“When you put up a ‘closing down sale’ sign people think you are closing because you have to. To the contrary. We have never had a more robust business. But we are of an age where we want to do something else. The energy levels needed to run a shop are diminishing slightly. We said we would go in our 60s rather than our 70s. The biggest businesses that kept us going were the GAA and the rugby.”
Mr Finn says Cork has always been a great city for colourful characters.
“There was wonderful characters in Cork. Sometimes a customer wouldn’t have a chance to buy something because another customer would be in and you would be listening to their philosophies on life. A book could be written about this place. The customers we have had [from all walks of life] . . . Brendan Grace, Henry Shefflin . . . You name it.”
The shop, which also sells uniforms, has faced adversity over the years, overcoming numerous recessions.
Mr Finn says the original owner, draper Thomas William Finn, who leased the building in 1874, died at just 38.
“His wife took over as the kids were too young to run it. The priest from Peter and Paul’s church over the road helped her out until my grandfather became of age to run it. We are fourth generation. There is a lot of history. So much has happened here.”
Employees at shop include John Dwyer, who has worked on site for more than 50 years.
The store will continue to sell sports wear, equipment, safety uniforms and protective clothing until the end of the month.
Moss Finn had a distinguished career and played rugby for Ireland and Munster. He was a triple crown winner with Ireland in 1982.


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Woman with cervical cancer gets €1.2m and hospital apology

Galway University Hospital has apologised to a woman with cervical cancer for a failure to detect an abnormality in her original smear test .
The apology was read to the High Court as the pensioner , who can not be named by court order , settled for €1.2m her action against the HSE over the incorrect reporting of her smear test .
The woman is currently in a palliative regime for cervical cancer .
In a letter of apology read to the High Court , the general manager of Galway University Hospital , Chris Kane , offered “ a sincere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure to detect an abnormality in your original smear test.
” The letter added : “ We can only express our sincere regret to you for what has happened and for its devastating consequences.
” Patrick Treacy SC , with Ciara McGoldrick BL , for the woman , previously told the court she was given the all clear on tests taken under the cervical screening programme in 2006 and 2009 .
The woman had sued the HSE over her smear samples , tested at a laboratory at the hospital .
It was claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and diagnose and her smear test of 2006 was misinterpreted so her cancer was allowed to develop and spread unidentified , unmonitored and untreated until she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in October 2009 .
Had her 2006 smear sample been correctly reported it was claimed she would have been referred for a procedure which would have meant the pre cancer would have been eradicated with a less than 5 per cent chance of recurrence and less than 1 per cent chance of an invasive cancer developing .
Liability was conceded in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Stage 2 cervical cancer in October 2009 , the woman underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy .
Five years ago , she was confirmed to have cancer in her right lung and her pelvis and was commenced on palliative chemotherapy .
She later developed the disease in her left lung .
At a previous hearing , Mr Treacy , instructed by Cian O ’ Carroll solicitors , told the court the woman was referred by her GP to a gynaecologist in October 2009 .
Counsel said a stage 2 invasive cervical cancer was diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2009 smear sample came back saying “ no abnormality detected ” after her cancer diagnosis .
“ After that diagnosis was made , she got the result of the smear test which said all clear , ” Mr Treacy said .
Reviews carried out in 2012 of the 2009 smear test showed the original report of the smear test was incorrect .
In 2013 , a further review of the same smear sample showed a high grade squamous lesion and possible glandular involvement .
The result , it was claimed , was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , she was advised by her treating gynaecologist of the reviews carried out on her 2009 sample .
On Tuesday , Mr Justice Kevin Cross , noting the settlement , offered his sympathy to the woman whom he said was recently widowed .

Mr Justice Kevin Cross, noting the settlement, offered his sympathy to the woman whom he said was recently widowed.
Galway University Hospital has apologised to a woman with cervical cancer for a failure to detect an abnormality in her original smear test.
The apology was read to the High Court as the pensioner, who cannot be named by court order, settled for €1.2m her action against the HSE over the incorrect reporting of her smear test.
The woman is currently in a palliative regime for cervical cancer.
In a letter of apology read to the High Court, the general manager of Galway University Hospital, Chris Kane, offered “a sincere and unreserved apology” for “the failure to detect an abnormality in your original smear test.”
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The letter added: “ We can only express our sincere regret to you for what has happened and for its devastating consequences.”
Patrick Treacy SC, with Ciara McGoldrick BL, for the woman, previously told the court she was given the all clear on tests taken under the cervical screening programme in 2006 and 2009.
The woman had sued the HSE over her smear samples, tested at a laboratory at the hospital.
It was claimed there was a failure to correctly report and diagnose and her smear test of 2006 was misinterpreted so her cancer was allowed to develop and spread unidentified, unmonitored and untreated until she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in October 2009.
Had her 2006 smear sample been correctly reported it was claimed she would have been referred for a procedure which would have meant the pre cancer would have been eradicated with a less than 5 per cent chance of recurrence and less than 1 per cent chance of an invasive cancer developing.
Liability was conceded in the case last December.
Following her diagnosis of Stage 2 cervical cancer in October 2009, the woman underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Five years ago, she was confirmed to have cancer in her right lung and her pelvis and was commenced on palliative chemotherapy. She later developed the disease in her left lung.
At a previous hearing, Mr Treacy, instructed by Cian O’Carroll solicitors, told the court the woman was referred by her GP to a gynaecologist in October 2009.
Counsel said a stage 2 invasive cervical cancer was diagnosed. Counsel said the result of the 2009 smear sample came back saying “no abnormality detected” after her cancer diagnosis.
“After that diagnosis was made, she got the result of the smear test which said all clear,” Mr Treacy said.
Reviews carried out in 2012 of the 2009 smear test showed the original report of the smear test was incorrect. In 2013, a further review of the same smear sample showed a high grade squamous lesion and possible glandular involvement.
The result, it was claimed, was not communicated to the woman.
In May last year, she was advised by her treating gynaecologist of the reviews carried out on her 2009 sample.
On Tuesday, Mr Justice Kevin Cross, noting the settlement, offered his sympathy to the woman whom he said was recently widowed.


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Man denies murder of woman whose remains found scattered in Wicklow

A Dublin man has pleaded not guilty to murdering a 61-year-old grandmother whose dismembered remains were found scattered across the Wicklow mountains .
At the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday morning , the deceased ’ s granddaughter was also arraigned , where she denied disguising herself as her grandmother after the alleged murder in order to conceal her death .
Kieran Greene ( 34 ) of Mountainview Park , Rathfarnham , Dublin 14 is accused of murdering Patricia O ’ Connor at the same address on May 29th , 2017 .
He pleaded not guilty to the charge .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connor ( 41 ) , of Millmount Court , Dundrum Road , Dublin 14 , her ex-partner Keith Johnston ( 43 ) , of Avonbeg Gardens , Tallaght , Dublin 24 and their daughter , Stephanie O ’ Connor ( 22 ) , of Millmount Court , Dundrum Road , Dublin 14 , are all charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Mr Greene , knowing or believing him to have committed an arrestable offence , to wit the murder of Patricia O ’ Connor .
The three accused were also arraigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning .
The registrar read the indictment to each of them and asked how they were pleading .
Louise O ’ Connor pleaded not guilty to agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O ’ Connor disguising herself as Patricia O ’ Connor in order to conceal the fact that she was dead .
Mr Johnston pleaded not guilty to assisting Mr Greene in the purchase of various implements at Woodie ’ s , Mr Price , B & Q and Shoe Zone , Tallaght , Dublin 24 on June 9th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the concealment of the remains of Mrs O ’ Connor .
Mr Johnston also denied engaging in the refurbishment of a bathroom at Mountainview Park , Rathfarnham , Dublin 14 between May 31st , 2017 and June 9th , 2017 , in order to destroy or conceal any evidence relating to the murder of Mrs O ’ Connor .
Stephanie O ’ Connor pleaded not guilty to disguising herself as Mrs O ’ Connor at Mountainview Park , Rathfarnham , Dublin 14 in order to conceal the fact that she was dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported missing on June 1st , 2017 and a number of her body parts , including her head and hands , were discovered dispersed in a 30km area across the Wicklow mountains later that month .
Addressing the jury panel on Tuesday morning , Mr Justice Michael White said there will be evidence given and references made to the “ disinterment and dismemberment of the body parts ” of the deceased .
“ If this presents a difficulty to being a juror , please let me or the trial judge know , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men and six women was sworn in to hear the trial of the four accused , which is due to begin on Wednesday before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and is expected to last between five and seven weeks .
Mr Justice White told the jury that Mrs O ’ Connor had worked at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin and she had retired four or five years before she died .

Gardaí at the Rathfarnham home of Patricia O’Connor whose dismembered body was found in the Wicklow Mountains. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin.
A Dublin man has pleaded not guilty to murdering a 61-year-old grandmother whose dismembered remains were found scattered across the Wicklow mountains.
At the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday morning, the deceased’s granddaughter was also arraigned, where she denied disguising herself as her grandmother after the alleged murder in order to conceal her death.
Kieran Greene (34) of Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 is accused of murdering Patricia O'Connor at the same address on May 29th, 2017. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The deceased's daughter Louise O'Connor (41), of Millmount Court, Dundrum Road, Dublin 14, her ex-partner Keith Johnston (43), of Avonbeg Gardens, Tallaght, Dublin 24 and their daughter, Stephanie O'Connor (22), of Millmount Court, Dundrum Road, Dublin 14, are all charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Mr Greene, knowing or believing him to have committed an arrestable offence, to wit the murder of Patricia O'Connor.
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The three accused were also arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday morning. The registrar read the indictment to each of them and asked how they were pleading.
Louise O’Connor pleaded not guilty to agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O’Connor disguising herself as Patricia O’Connor in order to conceal the fact that she was dead.
Mr Johnston pleaded not guilty to assisting Mr Greene in the purchase of various implements at Woodie’s, Mr Price, B&Q and Shoe Zone, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on June 9th, 2017, which were to be used in the concealment of the remains of Mrs O’Connor.
Mr Johnston also denied engaging in the refurbishment of a bathroom at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 between May 31st, 2017 and June 9th, 2017, in order to destroy or conceal any evidence relating to the murder of Mrs O’Connor.
Stephanie O’Connor pleaded not guilty to disguising herself as Mrs O’Connor at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 in order to conceal the fact that she was dead.
Mrs O’Connor was first reported missing on June 1st, 2017 and a number of her body parts, including her head and hands, were discovered dispersed in a 30km area across the Wicklow mountains later that month.
Addressing the jury panel on Tuesday morning, Mr Justice Michael White said there will be evidence given and references made to the "disinterment and dismemberment of the body parts" of the deceased. "If this presents a difficulty to being a juror, please let me or the trial judge know," he remarked.
A jury of six men and six women was sworn in to hear the trial of the four accused, which is due to begin on Wednesday before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and is expected to last between five and seven weeks.
Mr Justice White told the jury that Mrs O'Connor had worked at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin and she had retired four or five years before she died.


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Daniel Murtagh charged with murder of Nadine Lott

A 32-year-old Dublin man is to stand trial accused of the murder of Nadine Lott , who died after she sustained serious injuries in her Co Wicklow home shortly before Christmas .
Mother-of-one Nadine Lott died on December 17th in St Vincent ’ s Hospital where she had been in a critical condition for the previous three days .
The beauty therapist had sustained serious injuries when found at her home in St Mary ’ s Court , Arklow , at around 4am , on December 14th last .
On December 16th , her ex-partner Daniel Murtagh , of Melrose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bray District Court accused of a serious assault of Ms Lott .
The charge was under section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act for causing serious harm , which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment .
He had said “ Sorry ” when that charge was put to him .
Bail was refused following an objection by Det Garda Darren Mulhall , of Arklow Garda Station .
Mr Murtagh was remanded in custody and faced his third hearing , at Cloverhill District Court , on Tuesday when the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mulhall told Judge Victor Blake he charged the accused on Tuesday morning .
He was cautioned , after which “ he made no reply ” and was then handed a true copy of the charge sheet .
Dressed in a black jacket and dark trousers , Mr Murtagh nodded to family members in the public gallery as he entered the courtroom .
He sat silently , only speaking quietly to communicate with his solicitor Padraig O ’ Donovan , during the hearing .
Noting the new charge , Judge Blake asked if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had issued formal directions .
Det Garda Mulhall said the directions were for trial on indictment in the Central Criminal Court .
Det Garda Mulhall told the court the assault charge still stands .
The DPP had also directed Mr Murtagh could be sent forward on a signed plea of guilty , should that arise .
His solicitor Mr O ’ Donovan said , “ That will not apply.
” The accused was further remanded in custody and consented to appear via video-link for his next hearing at the same court on January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be prepared by the DPP He waved to his relatives as he was escorted from the courtroom .
Mr O ’ Donovan asked Judge Blake to direct psychiatric and medical attention for his client in custody .
Judge Blake agreed to make the recommendation if it was deemed appropriate .
Due to the nature of the new charge the district court can not consider bail and an application will have to be brought to the High Court if the accused seeks to get released pending his trial .

Mother-of-one Nadine Lott died on December 17th in St Vincent’s Hospital where she had been in a critical condition for the previous three days. Photograph: Instagram
A 32-year-old Dublin man is to stand trial accused of the murder of Nadine Lott, who died after she sustained serious injuries in her Co Wicklow home shortly before Christmas.
Mother-of-one Nadine Lott died on December 17th in St Vincent’s Hospital where she had been in a critical condition for the previous three days.
The beauty therapist had sustained serious injuries when found at her home in St Mary’s Court, Arklow, at around 4am, on December 14th last.
On December 16th, her ex-partner Daniel Murtagh, of Melrose Grove, Clondalkin, Dublin appeared at Bray District Court accused of a serious assault of Ms Lott.
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The charge was under section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act for causing serious harm, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. He had said “Sorry” when that charge was put to him.
Bail was refused following an objection by Det Garda Darren Mulhall, of Arklow Garda Station.
Mr Murtagh was remanded in custody and faced his third hearing, at Cloverhill District Court, on Tuesday when the case was upgraded to murder.
Det Garda Mulhall told Judge Victor Blake he charged the accused on Tuesday morning. He was cautioned, after which “he made no reply” and was then handed a true copy of the charge sheet.
Dressed in a black jacket and dark trousers, Mr Murtagh nodded to family members in the public gallery as he entered the courtroom.
He sat silently, only speaking quietly to communicate with his solicitor Padraig O’Donovan, during the hearing.
Noting the new charge, Judge Blake asked if the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had issued formal directions. Det Garda Mulhall said the directions were for trial on indictment in the Central Criminal Court.
Det Garda Mulhall told the court the assault charge still stands. The DPP had also directed Mr Murtagh could be sent forward on a signed plea of guilty, should that arise.
His solicitor Mr O’Donovan said, “That will not apply.”
The accused was further remanded in custody and consented to appear via video-link for his next hearing at the same court on January 21st. A book of evidence has to be prepared by the DPP
He waved to his relatives as he was escorted from the courtroom.
Mr O’Donovan asked Judge Blake to direct psychiatric and medical attention for his client in custody.
Judge Blake agreed to make the recommendation if it was deemed appropriate.
Legal aid was granted.
Due to the nature of the new charge the district court cannot consider bail and an application will have to be brought to the High Court if the accused seeks to get released pending his trial.


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Locals ‘shocked’ at dumping of body parts in Darndale

The discovery of a bag of dismembered body parts on Monday night in north Dublin has been described as a “ savage incident ” .
The bag was discovered in the Moatview Gardens estate in Darndale shortly after 10pm and is understood to have been found by young people in the area .
A Garda investigation is currently under way following the discovery of the bag , which contained what are believed to be the limbs of a young male .
Local Sinn Féin councillor Larry O ’ Toole said it was “ a terrible occurrence ” to happen outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a savage incident for anyone to end up like that .
My sympathies are with the family , it is a terrible thing for any mother or father to wake up to on a Tuesday morning , ” he said .
“ I would implore young people who are involved in things like this to get away from it , there is help out there .
We don ’ t want any more tragedies ; the community doesn ’ t want any more of this.
” Racheal Batten , Fianna Fáil councillor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident as a “ shocking discovery ” .
She said gardaí “ simply aren ’ t resourced to deal with this level of crime ” and called on Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan to declare “ a state of emergency in north Dublin ” .
Labour councillor Alison Gilliland said it was “ very disturbing that a bag of body parts were just thrown at the side of the road to be found .
“ My thoughts are with the families of missing loved ones , who are no doubt in a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Cllr Gilliland said she and other local representatives are currently compiling a report on the amenities and opportunities available to young people in the Dublin 17 area , which will feed into a local stakeholder forum .
“ It has sadly become a culture .
Young people are probably seeing there are little alternatives for them and they end up getting involved in gangs , ” she said .
“ We ’ re losing too many of them .
The community is being neglected and there are so many great people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has lived in the area for over 10 years described the discovery as “ shocking ” .
“ I was at home last night when I heard the Garda cars come up the road .
I didn ’ t know what had happened and then one of my neighbours came into me and told me , it ’ s shocking , ” she said .
Another woman living in the estate said the discovery “ isn ’ t the least bit surprising ” .
She added : “ This is just normal for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the time and it ’ s only getting worse .
“ There was a man shot outside of his home last year , with kids and everything .
These people don ’ t care .
They don ’ t fear anyone and this kind of thing will keep happening .
The guards can ’ t even stop these people .
”

Gardaí at the scene of the discovery of human body parts in a bag in Darndale, Dublin. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
The discovery of a bag of dismembered body parts on Monday night in north Dublin has been described as a “savage incident”.
The bag was discovered in the Moatview Gardens estate in Darndale shortly after 10pm and is understood to have been found by young people in the area.
A Garda investigation is currently under way following the discovery of the bag, which contained what are believed to be the limbs of a young male.
Local Sinn Féin councillor Larry O’Toole said it was “a terrible occurrence” to happen outside people’s homes.
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“It is a savage incident for anyone to end up like that. My sympathies are with the family, it is a terrible thing for any mother or father to wake up to on a Tuesday morning,” he said. “I would implore young people who are involved in things like this to get away from it, there is help out there. We don’t want any more tragedies; the community doesn’t want any more of this.”
Racheal Batten, Fianna Fáil councillor for the Whitehall-Artane area, described the incident as a “shocking discovery”.
She said gardaí “simply aren’t resourced to deal with this level of crime” and called on Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan to declare “a state of emergency in north Dublin”.
Labour councillor Alison Gilliland said it was "very disturbing that a bag of body parts were just thrown at the side of the road to be found.
“My thoughts are with the families of missing loved ones, who are no doubt in a very difficult position this morning,” she said.
Cllr Gilliland said she and other local representatives are currently compiling a report on the amenities and opportunities available to young people in the Dublin 17 area, which will feed into a local stakeholder forum.
Gang culture
“It has sadly become a culture. Young people are probably seeing there are little alternatives for them and they end up getting involved in gangs,” she said.
“We’re losing too many of them. The community is being neglected and there are so many great people in this community.”
A woman who has lived in the area for over 10 years described the discovery as “shocking”. “I was at home last night when I heard the Garda cars come up the road. I didn’t know what had happened and then one of my neighbours came into me and told me, it’s shocking,” she said.
Another woman living in the estate said the discovery “isn’t the least bit surprising”.
She added: “This is just normal for us here, it’s happening all the time and it’s only getting worse.
“There was a man shot outside of his home last year, with kids and everything. These people don’t care. They don’t fear anyone and this kind of thing will keep happening. The guards can’t even stop these people.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Five arrested over violent disorder in Co Limerick

Four men and a juvenile have been arrested in relation to a violent disorder incident in Co Limerick earlier this @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday , gardaí said “ an incident of violent disorder ” took place at @ @ @ @ @ a number of individuals “ armed with offensive weapons ” .
An investigation was launched @ @ @ @ @ a number of searches being carried out on Tuesday morning in the southside of Limerick @ @ @ @ @ in the arrest of four men aged between 19 and 45 and one juvenile .
@ @ @ @ @ age or gender of the juvenile .
They are currently being detained at Roxboro Road @ @ @ @ @ under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 .

Four men and a juvenile have been arrested in relation to a violent disorder incident in Co Limerick earlier this month.
In a statement on Tuesday, gardaí said “an incident of violent disorder” took place at Lenihan Avenue in Prospect involving a number of individuals “armed with offensive weapons”.
An investigation was launched by gardai which culminated in a number of searches being carried out on Tuesday morning in the southside of Limerick city.
The searches resulted in the arrest of four men aged between 19 and 45 and one juvenile. Gardaí declined to provide the age or gender of the juvenile.
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They are currently being detained at Roxboro Road and Henry Street Garda stations under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Drogheda taxi driver describes ‘terrifying’ shooting

The taxi driver who was injured in a shooting in Drogheda on Monday night has described the experience as “ terrifying ” .
A number of shots were fired at a taxi being driven by John Myles on the Bridge of Peace at about 6.20pm .
It is understood the intended target , who was a front-seat passenger in the taxi , is a key figure in the ongoing Drogheda feud .
Mr Myles told the Michael Reade show on Lm Fm that if he had not turned his back towards the shooter , he might have been paralysed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , luckily enough it didn ’ t lodge in the back , if it had gone further I would have been paralysed for the rest of my life , ” he said .
“ If I hadn ’ t turned I would have been killed , my kids would have been planning my funeral , ” Mr Myles added .
“ I done nothing wrong on anybody .
I picked up a lad and I ended up getting shot , while he got out like the coward he is and ran .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot , it ’ s me that ’ s suffering and has to explain to my kids what happened and how it happened .
My daughter won ’ t go to school now , she ’ s at home .
Because she ’ s panicking , so what do you do after that ?
Where do you go after that ?
“ These people think they can do what they like , when they like to people and my natural reaction by turning saved my life yesterday - I ’ m sitting here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought they were free to go along and shoot someone who had nothing to do with them .
I want to clear my name as well - I can prove that I didn ’ t do anything wrong , I picked up a fare , done my work and got shot.
” Mr Myles said that people on the internet were accusing him of being involved in drugs , “ which I never had , I never done that in my life .
I wouldn ’ t allow it and I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s about time they start thinking .
I didn ’ t do anything wrong.
” The Garda ’ s main line of inquiry is that the man Mr Myles had picked up and was carrying as a passenger in his taxi was the target of the ambush .
Detectives also believe the shooting was linked to the Drogheda feud .
The injured taxi driver was being treated as a victim and witness in the attack , with no connection whatever to crime .
The man he was carrying as a passenger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target is known to gardaí .
He is in his early 20s and is from Drogheda , with links to one side of the feud in the Co Louth town that has been ongoing for 18 months between rival gangs .
He was a suspect in a very violent incident a number of years ago , when a man was badly wounded but survived .
The target was in the taxi with his girlfriend when the gunman struck in Monday evening traffic .
He had been warned his life is in danger as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feud and both he and the woman he was with fled from the taxi and managed to run to safety .
Gardaí believe the attack was the latest incident in the feud , and there are concerns tensions between the two sides were once again increasing after heavier policing in Drogheda in recent months had quelled the violence .
A number of men have been shot and wounded as part of the feud since July , 2018 , and while they survived they suffered life-changing injuries .
To date two men have lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Drogheda feud .
Richard Carberry ( 39 ) was fatally shot when he was ambushed by a gunman as he arrived at the family home on Castlemartin Drive , Bettystown , Co Meath , at about 11.40pm on Monday , November 4th , last .
Keith Branigan ( 29 ) was shot dead on the decking of a mobile home at the Ashling Caravan Park on the Termonfeckin to Clogherhead road at about 2.50pm on Tuesday , August 27th .
The two dead men and the man who was the intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regarded by gardaí as being linked to the same side of the feud .
The opposing faction is now being led by a criminal from the north east who had been away from the region for a period but returned last year .
Since his return the gang he is aligned to has gained the upper hand in the drugs turf war .
Mr Myles described how he had been on the Peace Bridge at 6.20pm and a car cut him off .
“ Before I know it I ’ m looking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gun pointed in the window .
“ I thought it was someone cutting across trying to get ahead of traffic , I blew the horn , before I knew if there was a guy pointing a gun .
“ I don ’ t want to know who done it , I don ’ t care who done it .
They were pointing at him , he was getting it and that was it , because he scoured [ sic ] out across me and ran , it was me who got it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat belt off quick enough to get out .
Because I turned I got it in the back .
“ He got out across me , don ’ t know how he did it , the girl got out the back side of the car , and the two of them ran and left me there .
Whether I was dead or alive , they didn ’ t care .
“ I could have bled to death - they do what they do because they can ’ t do an honest day ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffer because of what they ’ re doing .
It ’ s us who has to suffer.
” Mr Myles said the shooter had been well covered up .
“ He was wearing a wooly mask , coward that he is .
“ The guards tried to get me to settle down , but I wanted to phone my kids .
I didn ’ t want them hearing second-hand information .
I was on the phone to them and on the phone to my brother-in-law , the guards got me to sit down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it hit me.
” He said that his daughter had been phoning him all night and his son was very upset .
“ When the guards came I was standing up , they asked was anyone shot and I said , yeah , me .
I could feel the heat going down my back , knew then that was it .
“ I didn ’ t know what to think , all that went through my head was my kids , what would happen to them .
‘ None of us want this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about anything else , didn ’ t care about the car .
They wanted to come up to me , told them no said I would keep in touch with them through their mother .
Didn ’ t want to let them see me.
” Mr Myles acknowledged that taxi drivers will not go into certain areas of Drogheda because of ongoing feud .
When asked if had hesitated about picking up the fare , he admitted he had .
“ Yes , I did .
I thought I ’ d pick him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off .
I ’ ll take a chance .
Thinking what ’ s going to happen ?
It ’ s too busy .
I didn ’ t know he was being watched getting into my car - I went one route .
Because they were watching him I ’ m where I am today - the car in the garage and me shot .
`` I do n't know how they got away .
To do what they done , at the end of the day , to have the nerve to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being picked up by a taxi man .
We 're out there doing a day 's work .
“ They need to stop , do what they have to do , go into a field , don ’ t bring any one else into it , we didn ’ t ask for this , we don ’ t want it .
None of us want this .
How much more is going to happen before someone is killed ?
“ I was going to bring my daughter with me last night .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She could have been in the back of that car , but because of who I was bringing I said no , I ’ d collect her on the way back.
” Mr Myles called on people to stop putting up false claims about him on social media .
“ It ’ s wrong what they ’ re saying , it ’ s my life , it ’ s my kids ' lives they ’ re messing with , give it a rest , stop .
I had nothing to do with that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get over this over the next few weeks .
”

Gardaí at the scene of a shooting on the Bridge of Peace in Drogheda on Monday night. Photograph: Ciara Wilkinson
The taxi driver who was injured in a shooting in Drogheda on Monday night has described the experience as "terrifying".
A number of shots were fired at a taxi being driven by John Myles on the Bridge of Peace at about 6.20pm.
It is understood the intended target was a front seat passenger in the taxi who is a key figure in the ongoing Drogheda feud.
Mr Myles told the Michael Reade show on Lm Fm that if he had not turned his back towards the shooter, he might have been paralysed. "The bullet went in and out, luckily enough it didn't lodge in the back, if it had gone further I would have been paralysed for the rest of my life," he said.
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“If I hadn’t turned I would have been killed, my kids would have been planning my funeral,” Mr Myles added.
Taxi driver John Myles (on right) being interviewed on the Michael Reade show on LMFM on Tuesday. Photograph: LMFM/Twitter
“I done nothing wrong on anybody. I picked up a lad and I ended up getting shot while he got out like the coward he is and ran.
“It’s me that’s shot, it’s me that’s suffering and has to explain to my kids what happened and how it happened. My daughter won’t go to school now, she’s at home. Because she’s panicking, so what do you do after that? Where do you go after that?
“These people think they can do what they like, when they like to people and my natural reaction by turning saved my life yesterday - I’m sitting here today because of that.
“They thought they were free to go along and shoot someone who had nothing to do with them. I want to clear my name as well - I can prove that I didn’t do anything wrong, I picked up a fare, done my work and got shot.”
Mr Myles said that people on the internet were accusing him of being involved in drugs, “which I never had, I never done that in my life. I wouldn’t allow it and I’m being accused of it.
“It’s about time they start thinking. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Target of ambush
The Garda’s main line of inquiry is the man Mr Myles had picked up and was carrying as a passenger in his taxi was the target of the ambush. Detectives also believe the shooting was linked to the Drogheda feud.
The injured taxi driver was being treated as a victim and witness in the attack, with no connection whatever to crime.
The man he was carrying as a passenger and who was the gunman’s target is known to gardai. He is in his early 20s and is from Drogheda, with links to one side of the feud in the Co Louth town that has been ongoing for 18 months between rival gangs.
He was a suspect in a very violent incident a number of years ago when a man was badly wounded but survived.
The target was in the taxi with his girlfriend when the gunman struck in Monday evening traffic. He had been warned his life is in danger as a result of his links to the feud and both he and the woman he was with fled from the taxi and managed to run to safety.
Gardai believe the attack was the latest incident in the feud and there are concerns tensions between the two sides were once again increasing after heavier policing in Drogheda in recent months had quelled the violence.
A number of men have been shot and wounded as part of the feud since July, 2018, and while they survived they suffered life-changing injuries.
To date two men have lost their lives in gun attacks directly linked to the Drogheda feud.
Richard Carberry (39) was fatally shot when he was ambushed by a gunman as he arrived at the family home on Castlemartin Drive, Bettystown, Co Meath, at about 11.40pm on Monday, November 4th, last.
Keith Branigan (29) was shot dead on the decking of a mobile home at the Ashling Caravan Park on the Termonfeckin to Clogherhead road at about 2.50pm on Tuesday, August 27th.
The two dead men and the man who was the intended target in Drogheda on Monday evening are regarded by gardaí as being linked to the same side of the feud.
The opposing faction is now being led by a criminal from the north east who had been away from the region for a period but returned last year. Since his return the gang he is aligned to has gained the upper hand in the drugs turf war.
Gun pointed in window
Mr Myles described how he had been on the Peace Bridge at 6.20pm and a car cut him off. “Before I know it I’m looking to my left side and there’s a gun pointed in the window.
“I thought it was someone cutting across trying to get ahead of traffic, I blew the horn, before I knew if there was a guy pointing a gun.
“I don’t want to know who done it, I don’t care who done it. They were pointing at him, he was getting it and that was it, because he scoured (sic) out across me and ran, it was me who got it because I couldn’t get my seat belt off quick enough to get out. Because I turned I got it in the back.
“He got out across me, don’t know how he did it, the girl got out the back side of the car, and the two of them ran and left me there. Whether I was dead or alive, they didn’t care.
“I could have bled to death - they do what they do because they can’t do an honest day’s work and we all have to suffer because of what they’re doing. It’s us who has to suffer.”
Mr Myles said the shooter had been well covered up. “He was wearing a wooly mask, coward that he is.
“The guards tried to get me to settle down, but I wanted to phone my kids. I didn’t want them hearing second hand information. I was on the phone to them and on the phone to my brother-in-law, the guards got me to sit down and relax. That’s when it hit me.”
He said that his daughter had been phoning him all night and his son was very upset.
“When the guards came I was standing up, they asked was anyone shot and I said, yeah, me. I could feel the heat going down my back, knew then that was it.
“I didn’t know what to think, all that went through my head was my kids, what would happen to them.
‘None of us want this’
“I didn’t worry about anything else, didn’t care about the car. They wanted to come up to me, told them no said I would keep in touch with them through their mother. Didn’t want to let them see me.”
Mr Myles acknowledged that taxi drivers will not go into certain areas of Drogheda because of ongoing feud. When asked if had hesitated about picking up the fare, he admitted he had.
“Yes, I did. I thought I’d pick him up, it will be a one off. I’ll take a chance. Thinking what’s going to happen? It’s too busy. I didn’t know he was being watched getting into my car - I went one route. Because they were watching him I’m where I am today - the car in the garage and me shot.
“I don’t know how they got away. To do what they done, at the end of the day, to have the nerve to do it, obviously they were watching him being picked up by a taxi man. We’re out there doing a day’s work.
“They need to stop, do what they have to do, go into a field, don’t bring any one else into it, we didn’t ask for this, we don’t want it. None of us want this. How much more is going to happen before someone is killed?
“I was going to bring my daughter with me last night. But said I would collect her later. She could have been in the back of that car, but because of who I was bringing I said no, I’d collect her on the way back.”
Mr Myles called on people to stop putting up false claims about him on social media. “It’s wrong what they’re saying, it’s my life, it’s my kids lives they’re messing with, give it a rest, stop. I had nothing to do with that. It’s me that has to get over this over the next few weeks.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--No plans for Garda liaison to Colombia in case of missing Wexford man

The Garda has no plans to send a liaison officer to Colombia to assist in the case of a Wexford father of three reported missing and possibly kidnapped in the South American country .
Confusion continues to surround the case of James Hillis ( 40 ) three months after he travelled to Colombia from Tenerife in Spain .
His family in Wexford have not heard from him since and Colombian police have concerns about his safety .
It is understood Mr Hillis was living in Spain and travelled to South America after meeting a Colombian person in Tenerife .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children are now back in Ireland .
Gardaí were initially sceptical of reports Mr Hillis was kidnapped in the South American country .
Sources say some of that scepticism remains but that concern is growing that Mr Hillis may have come to some harm .
Nevertheless there are no plans “ for now ” to send a Garda liaison to Colombia as often happens with missing persons cases abroad .
The Garda is liaising with Colombian police to establish if a photo of a man matching Mr Hillis ’ s description , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genuine .
The man in the photo is kneeling between two men dressed in army fatigues .
He appears to be bleeding from a head wound and his wrists are bound with tape .
The photograph was reportedly sent to associates of Mr Hillis in Ireland along with a ransom demand .
However , Mr Hillis ’ s father angrily rejected reports his family had received a ransom demand .
“ I have never received a call from Colombia , ” James Hillis senior told the Wexford People .
“ I would hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ransom and I didn ’ t pay it.
” The first time the Hillis family saw the photo was when it was published in a Sunday newspaper a week ago .
It is understood Mr Hillis ’ s father believes the man in the photo resembles his son , despite his face being blurred out .
A Garda spokesman directed queries on the case to the Department of Foreign Affairs .
A Foreign Affairs spokesman said it is offering consular assistance to the family but that it could not comment on individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wexford worked as a Christmas tree seller while in Ireland .
He has several previous convictions for theft but is not believed to be involved in major criminality .
In 2016 was give an 18 month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to 10 counts of theft totalling €44,000 .
All the money was later repaid to the victims .
Mr Hillis ’ s family first became aware he was missing in mid-November after being informed by local gardaí .
Police in Colombia had contacted the Garda through Interpol to say Mr Hillis had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns for his welfare .
The Garda is in regular contact with the family but so far they have had little information to report , sources say .
The Department of Foreign Affairs is also liaising with the Colombian embassy in Dublin and the Irish embassy in Bogota .
Kidnapping and extortion continues to be a major problem in Colombia despite the ending of the civil war there in 2016 .
In 2018 there were 174 reported kidnappings .

The Garda has no plans to send a liaison officer to Colombia to assist in the case of a Wexford father of three reported missing and possibly kidnapped in the South American country.
Confusion continues to surround the case of James Hillis (40) three months after he travelled to Colombia from Tenerife in Spain. His family in Wexford have not heard from him since and Colombian police have concerns about his safety.
It is understood Mr Hillis was living in Spain and travelled to South America after meeting a Colombian person in Tenerife. The missing man's wife and three children are now back in Ireland.
Gardaí were initially sceptical of reports Mr Hillis was kidnapped in the South American country. Sources say some of that scepticism remains but that concern is growing that Mr Hillis may have come to some harm.
READ MORE
Nevertheless there are no plans “for now” to send a Garda liaison to Colombia as often happens with missing persons cases abroad.
The Garda is liaising with Colombian police to establish if a photo of a man matching Mr Hillis’s description, with a gun to his head, is genuine. The man in the photo is kneeling between two men dressed in army fatigues. He appears to be bleeding from a head wound and his wrists are bound with tape.
The photograph was reportedly sent to associates of Mr Hillis in Ireland along with a ransom demand. However, Mr Hillis’s father angrily rejected reports his family had received a ransom demand.
Ransom demand
“I have never received a call from Colombia,” James Hillis senior told the Wexford People. “I would hate people to think I was asked for a ransom and I didn’t pay it.”
The first time the Hillis family saw the photo was when it was published in a Sunday newspaper a week ago.
It is understood Mr Hillis’s father believes the man in the photo resembles his son, despite his face being blurred out.
A Garda spokesman directed queries on the case to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
A Foreign Affairs spokesman said it is offering consular assistance to the family but that it could not comment on individual cases.
Mr Hillis of Barntown in Wexford worked as a Christmas tree seller while in Ireland. He has several previous convictions for theft but is not believed to be involved in major criminality.
In 2016 was give an 18 month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to 10 counts of theft totalling €44,000. All the money was later repaid to the victims.
Mr Hillis's family first became aware he was missing in mid-November after being informed by local gardaí. Police in Colombia had contacted the Garda through Interpol to say Mr Hillis had been reported missing and that they had concerns for his welfare.
The Garda is in regular contact with the family but so far they have had little information to report, sources say. The Department of Foreign Affairs is also liaising with the Colombian embassy in Dublin and the Irish embassy in Bogota.
Kidnapping and extortion continues to be a major problem in Colombia despite the ending of the civil war there in 2016. In 2018 there were 174 reported kidnappings.


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Limbs found in bag in north Dublin could be missing teenager

Gardaí believe the human limbs found in a bag in north Dublin on Monday night could be those of a missing teenager .
The bag , which was found in the Moatview area of Darndale at about 10pm on Monday , contained what are believed to be the limbs of a young male .
Only the limbs were in the bag and there is concern the missing parts of the body may have been dumped elsewhere .
Garda sources said the investigation into what they called a “ disturbing ” case was still in its early stages .
The investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open mind on the possible identity of the victim and the background of the killing .
Searches are being conducted in the Darndale area for the other body parts .
Gardaí were now set to take a DNA sample from the limbs and cross check it against the family of the missing teenager .
The missing youth is not from Dublin but is believed to have been working with criminal elements from the Coolock area .
Gardaí believe he is linked to drug dealers operating in a county on the east of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducting criminal business between the gang he was working for and another gang in Dublin .
Sources stressed while this was a main line of inquiry , the remains may be those of another person .
A murder investigation can not be established until a pathologist examines the body parts that have been recovered so far and formally determines the limbs are those of a murder victim .
Garda sources said all the resources of a murder inquiry had been committed to the case immediately the discovery was made on Monday night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shocked and horrified at the discovery of the dismembered human remains in north Dublin on Monday night .
The Minister described the killing as a depraved act of violence and he extended his sympathies to the family of the victim .
He also sought to reassure people living in the locality that their concerns and the issue of violent crime in their area is being taken seriously at the highest levels and urged people to co-operate with An Garda Síochána .
Gardaí sealed off the scene of the discovery following the find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in the area .
The scene was preserved pending a forensic and technical examination .
The Garda Technical Bureau and the State ’ s Pathologist ’ s Office have been informed .
In a statement , gardaí said “ what are understood to be human limbs were found in a bag outside houses at the junction of Moatview Gardens and Drive.
” An incident room has been established at Coolock Garda station and anyone with information is asked to contact the station at 01-6664200 .
There has been serious concern about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coolock area over the past 18 to 24 months , with a number of gangland killings and attacks on gardaí , including a Garda vehicle having been shot at .
A man was shot and killed in Darndale last year and four others have also been killed ; with all of the victims either from Coolock , shot dead there or closely linked to a crime gang based in the north Dublin suburb .
Last January , Zach Park ( 23 ) , a drug dealer very closely associated with a Coolock drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Co Dublin .
In May , another member of that gang , Sean Little ( 22 ) , from Kilmore , Dublin , was shot dead near Walshestown .
Also in May , Hamid Sanambar ( 41 ) , an Iranian gangland figure in Ireland , was killed on Kilbarron Avenue , Kilmore West .
Last November , Eoin Boylan ( 22 ) was shot dead in the front garden of his parents ’ home on Clonshaugh Avenue .
His killing was drug-related and linked to the same feud that claimed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months before him .

Gardaí at the scene in Coolock on Tuesday morning where a bag containing human limbs was found. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Gardaí believe the human limbs found in a bag in north Dublin on Monday night could be those of a missing teenager.
The bag, which was found in the Moatview area of Darndale at about 10pm on Monday, contained what are believed to be the limbs of a young male. Only the limbs were in the bag and there is concern the missing parts of the body may have been dumped elsewhere.
Garda sources said the investigation into what they called a “disturbing” case was still in its early stages. The investigation team is understood to be keeping an open mind on the possible identity of the victim and the background of the killing.
Searches are being conducted in the Darndale area for the other body parts.
READ MORE
Gardaí were now set to take a DNA sample from the limbs and cross check it against the family of the missing teenager.
The missing youth is not from Dublin but is believed to have been working with criminal elements from the Coolock area.
Gardaí believe he is linked to drug dealers operating in a county on the east of the country and that he may have been conducting criminal business between the gang he was working for and another gang in Dublin.
A cover has been placed over the human remains found in Coolock on Monday night. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Line of inquiry
Sources stressed while this was a main line of inquiry, the remains may be those of another person.
A murder investigation cannot be established until a pathologist examines the body parts that have been recovered so far and formally determines the limbs are those of a murder victim.
Garda sources said all the resources of a murder inquiry had been committed to the case immediately the discovery was made on Monday night.
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan said he was shocked and horrified at the discovery of the dismembered human remains in north Dublin on Monday night.
The Minister described the killing as a depraved act of violence and he extended his sympathies to the family of the victim.
He also sought to reassure people living in the locality that their concerns and the issue of violent crime in their area is being taken seriously at the highest levels and urged people to co-operate with An Garda Síochána.
Gardaí sealed off the scene of the discovery following the find, believed to be made by young people in the area.
The scene was preserved pending a forensic and technical examination. The Garda Technical Bureau and the State’s Pathologist’s Office have been informed.
In a statement, gardaí said “what are understood to be human limbs were found in a bag outside houses at the junction of Moatview Gardens and Drive.”
An incident room has been established at Coolock Garda station and anyone with information is asked to contact the station at 01-6664200.
‘Shocking discovery’
There has been serious concern about the security situation in Darndale and the wider Coolock area over the past 18 to 24 months, with a number of gangland killings and attacks on gardaí, including a Garda vehicle having been shot at.
A man was shot and killed in Darndale last year and four others have also been killed; with all of the victims either from Coolock, shot dead there or closely linked to a crime gang based in the north Dublin suburb.
Last January, Zach Park (23), a drug dealer very closely associated with a Coolock drugs gang., was shot dead in Swords, Co Dublin.
In May, another member of that gang, Sean Little (22), from Kilmore, Dublin, was shot dead near Walshestown. Also in May, Hamid Sanambar (41), an Iranian gangland figure in Ireland, was killed on Kilbarron Avenue, Kilmore West.
Last November, Eoin Boylan (22) was shot dead in the front garden of his parents’ home on Clonshaugh Avenue.
His killing was drug-related and linked to the same feud that claimed the lives of the men killed in the months before him.


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Drugs worth more than €750,000 seized in Ballyfermot

Drugs valued at more than €750,000 , including cannabis , cocaine , MDMA and heroin , have been seized following @ @ @ @ @ of houses in Ballyfermot .
A man in his early 30s was arrested during the @ @ @ @ @ Monday , which took place as part of an ongoing investigation into the sale and @ @ @ @ @ Cannabis resin , cocaine , MDMA and heroin with an estimated street value of €758,000 @ @ @ @ @ along with other drug related paraphernalia and documentation .
The arrested man was taken to @ @ @ @ @ is currently being questioned .
Investigations are ongoing .

Drugs valued at more than €750,000, including cannabis, cocaine, MDMA and heroin, have been seized following Garda raids on a number of houses in Ballyfermot.
A man in his early 30s was arrested during the searches in west Dublin on Monday, which took place as part of an ongoing investigation into the sale and supply of controlled drugs.
Cannabis resin, cocaine, MDMA and heroin with an estimated street value of €758,000 was seized during the search along with other drug related paraphernalia and documentation.
The arrested man was taken to Ballyfermot Garda station where he is currently being questioned. Investigations are ongoing.


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--2019 was record year for ocean temperatures, study shows

Last year was the warmest year on record for the world ’ s oceans , part of a long-term warming trend , according to a study released on Monday .
“ If you look at the ocean heat content , 2019 is by far the hottest , 2018 is second , 2017 is third , 2015 is fourth , and then 2016 is fifth , ” said Kevin E Trenberth , a senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and an author on the study The study , published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences , follows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Earth ’ s surface temperatures in 2019 were the second-hottest on record .
Since the middle of last century , the oceans have absorbed roughly 93 per cent of the excess heat caused by greenhouse gases from human activities such as burning coal for electricity .
That has shielded the land from some of the worst effects of rising emissions .
“ Ocean heat content is , in many ways , our best measure of the effect of climate change on the earth , ” said Zeke Hausfather , director of climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California , who was not involved in this study .
Surface temperature measurements are more variable from year to year because they are affected by things like volcanic eruptions and El Niño events , cyclical weather patterns that pump energy and moisture into the atmosphere .
While 2016 was the fifth-hottest year on record for the oceans , it was the hottest year on record in terms of surface temperatures .
There was a significant El Niño that year , Dr Trenberth said , which moved the heat from the ocean into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global mean surface temperature is actually higher in 2016 , but the ocean temperature is a little bit lower , ” Dr Trenberth said .
Measuring the ocean ’ s temperature has long been a challenge for scientists .
Thermometers on land around the world have tracked temperatures for more than a century , but the ocean temperature record is spottier .
Argo , a global network of 3,000 drifting floats equipped with sensors that measure temperature and depth , was implemented in 2007 and created a comprehensive temperature data record .
Before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ad hoc system of ocean temperature measurements .
Many of these were taken from the sides of ships and excluded Antarctic waters until the late 1950s .
For the new study , Dr Trenberth and his colleagues overcame some of the gaps in the historical ocean temperature record by exploiting an understanding of how a temperature reading in one area relates to ocean temperatures across the ocean overall gleaned from data from the Argo system .
The new method allowed them to take the limited temperature observations from the pre-Argo era and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past ocean temperature .
“ What we find is that we can do a global reconstruction back to 1958 , ” Dr Trenberth said .
That year was when systematic temperature observations began in Antarctica , creating enough temperature points for the extrapolation to be feasible .
The past 10 years have been the warmest 10 on record for global ocean temperatures .
The increase between 2018 and 2019 was the largest single-year increase since the early 2000s , according to Mr Hausfather .
Increasing ocean temperatures have harmed marine life and contributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss of critical ecosystems , and threatened livelihoods like fishing as species have moved in search of cooler waters .
But the impacts of warming oceans don ’ t remain at sea .
“ The heavy rains in Jakarta just recently resulted , in part , from very warm sea temperatures in that region , ” said Dr Trenberth , who also drew connections between warming ocean temperatures to weather over Australia .
The recent drought there has helped to propel what many are calling the worst wildfire season in the nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence regional weather patterns and sometimes even global weather patterns , ” Trenberth said .
– New York Times

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia: The past 10 years have been the warmest 10 on record for global ocean temperatures. Photograph: Reinhard Dirscherl\ullstein bild via Getty Images
Last year was the warmest year on record for the world’s oceans, part of a long-term warming trend, according to a study released on Monday.
“If you look at the ocean heat content, 2019 is by far the hottest, 2018 is second, 2017 is third, 2015 is fourth, and then 2016 is fifth,” said Kevin E Trenberth, a senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and an author on the study
The study, published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, follows an announcement last week by European scientists that Earth’s surface temperatures in 2019 were the second-hottest on record.
Since the middle of last century, the oceans have absorbed roughly 93 per cent of the excess heat caused by greenhouse gases from human activities such as burning coal for electricity. That has shielded the land from some of the worst effects of rising emissions.
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“Ocean heat content is, in many ways, our best measure of the effect of climate change on the earth,” said Zeke Hausfather, director of climate and energy at the Breakthrough Institute in California, who was not involved in this study.
Surface temperature measurements are more variable from year to year because they are affected by things like volcanic eruptions and El Niño events, cyclical weather patterns that pump energy and moisture into the atmosphere.
While 2016 was the fifth-hottest year on record for the oceans, it was the hottest year on record in terms of surface temperatures. There was a significant El Niño that year, Dr Trenberth said, which moved the heat from the ocean into the atmosphere.
“And so, the global mean surface temperature is actually higher in 2016, but the ocean temperature is a little bit lower,” Dr Trenberth said.
Measuring the ocean’s temperature has long been a challenge for scientists. Thermometers on land around the world have tracked temperatures for more than a century, but the ocean temperature record is spottier.
Argo, a global network of 3,000 drifting floats equipped with sensors that measure temperature and depth, was implemented in 2007 and created a comprehensive temperature data record. Before that, researchers had to rely on an ad hoc system of ocean temperature measurements. Many of these were taken from the sides of ships and excluded Antarctic waters until the late 1950s.
For the new study, Dr Trenberth and his colleagues overcame some of the gaps in the historical ocean temperature record by exploiting an understanding of how a temperature reading in one area relates to ocean temperatures across the ocean overall gleaned from data from the Argo system.
The new method allowed them to take the limited temperature observations from the pre-Argo era and extrapolate them into a broader understanding of past ocean temperature.
‘Global reconstruction’
“What we find is that we can do a global reconstruction back to 1958,” Dr Trenberth said. That year was when systematic temperature observations began in Antarctica, creating enough temperature points for the extrapolation to be feasible.
The past 10 years have been the warmest 10 on record for global ocean temperatures. The increase between 2018 and 2019 was the largest single-year increase since the early 2000s, according to Mr Hausfather.
Increasing ocean temperatures have harmed marine life and contributed to mass coral reef bleaching, the loss of critical ecosystems, and threatened livelihoods like fishing as species have moved in search of cooler waters. But the impacts of warming oceans don’t remain at sea.
“The heavy rains in Jakarta just recently resulted, in part, from very warm sea temperatures in that region,” said Dr Trenberth, who also drew connections between warming ocean temperatures to weather over Australia. The recent drought there has helped to propel what many are calling the worst wildfire season in the nation’s history.
“These sea temperatures influence regional weather patterns and sometimes even global weather patterns,” Trenberth said. – New York Times


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Storm Brendan: 2,500 homes and businesses still without power

More than two thousand homes are still without power after Storm Brendan passed over the country throughout the day on Monday .
The Orange level storm made landfall on Monday morning bringing floods and gusts of over 100 km/h .
An Orange wind warning with gusts of up to 130km/h in exposed areas was extended until midnight in Donegal , Galway , Leitrim , Mayo and Sligo .
A status Yellow wind warning was in place for 10 other counties .
There was concern about flooding during the evening high tide in counties Galway , Clare , Mayo , Sligo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes and businesses were still without power at 9am on Tuesday with the worst affected areas in Galway and Mayo .
An ESB spokeswoman said repair crews had been working since first light on Tuesday and that numbers had already been reduced from 4,000 that morning .
Most faults are due to be resolved by Tuesday afternoon at the latest .
The ESB restored power to 100,000 homes , farms and businesses over the course of Monday .
Power cuts had been reported across the country , with Galway , Limerick , Kerry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected areas .
Winds started to ease along the west coast early on Monday afternoon , although a second belt of strong gusts was forecast for the evening .
The ESB said it will continue to work to restore power to its customers throughout the day on Tuesday .
In Howth , Co Dublin , the Coast Guard said it had “ investigated reports of people putting themselves at risk during Storm Brendan ” , and spoke to many people around the harbour and seafront between Howth and Clontarf .
Video footage and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along Dublin Bay in Clontarf , Howth and Coliemore Harbour in Dalkey , as well as people standing near large waves .
Storm Brendan made landfall on Monday morning , bringing gusts of almost 100km/h over northeast counties and more than 140km/h off the coast of west Cork .
The wind uprooted trees and blew debris onto roads , making driving conditions difficult .
Three trampolines were blown onto motorways , two on the M7 near the University of Limerick and near Oola in Co Tipperary , and the third near Junction 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its crews restored power to more than 100,000 homes , farms and businesses during Monday , with 32,000 without power as of 6pm .
At its peak 50,000 ESB customers were without supply .
“ High winds during daylight hours have hampered restoration efforts and have also caused further losses in supply , ” said the ESB .
“ We expect the majority of those without power at the moment to have supply restored tonight [ Monday night ] , though some families will be without power overnight .
High winds [ are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this evening , so further cuts are possible.
” The ESB said the damage was mainly due to fallen trees on overhead lines as a result of the winds .
It urged the public not to approach or touch fallen trees , wires or damaged electricity networks as they may be hazardous .
Flood defences erected along Dublin Bay will remain in place until Wednesday morning .
In advance of the storm car parks were closed and flood defences put in place in Clontarf , Sandymount and along parts of the river Dodder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected at 2pm on Tuesday , according to a council spokesman .
“ Dublin City Council will continue to monitor and take necessary action over the coming days , ” he said .

Flood defences are to remain along parts of the coast in Dublin until Thursday as further strong winds and high tides are expected over the next 24 hours.
Dublin City Council said a number of car parks at Clontarf, Sandymount and along the tidal reaches of the River Dodder near Ringsend and Ballsbridge will remain closed due to the potential risk of flooding.
A council spokesman said its staff would continue to monitor and take any necessary action over the coming days.
Flood barriers and sandbags were deployed at the start of the week due to the arrival of Storm Brendan, which affected most of the country on Monday. The status-Orange storm brought floods and gusts of over 100 km/h.
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Waves crash over the seafront in Clontarf during Storm Brendan Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
Waves had crashed over sea walls at several locations around Dublin Bay at the height of the storm.
High tides with sea levels up to almost 4 metres are due in Dublin at around 2.45am on Wednesday morning.
A status-Yellow wind warning has also been issued for Donegal, Galway and Mayo from 10pm on Tuesday until 6pm on Wednesday, with winds expected to reach an average of 50-65km/h, with gusts of up to 100km/h in places.
Met Éireann has warned there is also a risk of coastal flooding around the period of high tides.
Donegal County Council said all main roads in the county were due to be gritted on Tuesday evening as a result of forecasts of wintry showers of snow and sleet with the wind-chill effect making temperatures feel as low as -4 degrees.
The Irish Coast Guard has advised members of the public to continue to stay away from exposed beaches, cliff and piers during storm conditions.
Electricity loss
Meanwhile, the ESB said it expected most of the 500 remaining households that experienced power cuts as a result of Storm Brendan on Monday would have their supplies restored by Tuesday evening.
Areas where ESB customers were still without electricity included parts of Sligo, Leitrim, Galway and Kerry, as well as some localised areas in Arklow, Co Wicklow and Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
An overturned caravan near the beach at Garretstown, Co Cork. Photograph: Denis Boyle
An ESB spokeswoman said emergency crews had earlier restored power to around 3,500 other households during the day.
Thousands of people experienced power cuts during the height of the Atlantic storm on Monday when gusts of up to 130 km/h were recorded in exposed areas. At its peak, 50,000 ESB customers were without power.
ESB staff also had to temporarily cut electricity supplies to some homes on Tuesday in order to facilitate the removal of trees that had fallen on electricity wires.
The spokeswoman said most necessary repairs were expected to be completed by Tuesday night.
Ongoing strong winds in the aftermath of Storm Brendan provided good news for some, as surfers in Mullaghmore, Co Sligo enjoyed some of the largest waves this winter with swells of up to 8 metres reported.


theirishtimes--2020-01-14--Former pope Benedict ‘doing and saying things he opposed in the past’

There has been strong reaction from Irish Catholic priests to the intervention of former pope Benedict XVI in the Church ’ s ongoing celibacy debate .
In a new book From the Depths of Our Hearts , written with conservative Cardinal Robert Sarah , the former pope forcefully defends mandatory celibacy for priests in what appears to be a strategically timed interjection aimed at putting pressure on Pope Francis not to change the church ’ s centuries-old rule on celibacy for priests .
The book is to be published on Wednesday but excerpts were released last Sunday to the website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October a synod of bishops from the Amazon region of South America recommended that married men in that remote area be ordained priests .
Pope Francis is expected to respond to that recommendation in coming weeks .
Commenting on Benedict ’ s intervention Fr Brendan Hoban of the Association of Catholic Priests described it as “ an extraordinary turn of events whereby Benedict finds himself doing what he is doing .
He is challenging the Pope .
This from a man who had been very strong on obedience , order and discipline .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ things he opposed in the past.
” But , Fr Hoban said , “ there are questions over whether he is completely in charge of his faculties .
Clearly he is being manipulated .
In the past he would have criticised liberals in the church for doing the same things he has done now.
” Redemptorist priest Fr Gerry Moloney described the intervention by Benedict as “ both dangerous and unprecedented.
” By speaking out publicly “ on such a divisive and sensitive topic as mandatory celibacy , he has placed Pope Francis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraging dissent .
He is widening the divisions in the church .
He is increasing the possibility of schism , ” said Fr Moloney said in his blog From my Pulpit .
He noted how “ in the past , those who dared criticise Benedict or his predecessor were summarily dealt with , told to desist , effectively silenced .
Some are still being punished .
Many of those who tolerated no criticism of the Pope or the institutional church when John Paul II and Benedict were in office , now have no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
Fr Moloney believed that , on retirement , “ Benedict should have left the city of Rome and withdrawn to a monastery or retirement home in his native Germany .
He should not have remained in the Vatican .
” He should have known “ that Francis ’ s enemies would use him as a weapon , a figure to rally round , in their battle to prevent any real change in the church.
” Vatican director of communications Andrea Tornielli , in reference to the new book , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not , and has never been , a dogma [ of the Catholic Church ] .
” In a editorial on the Vatican News website , he added : “ The Catholic Eastern-Rite Churches allow the possibility of ordaining married men as priests .
Exceptions have also been admitted in the Latin Church by Benedict XVI himself in the Apostolic Constitution ‘ Anglicanorum coetibus ’ , dedicated to Anglican priests who seek communion with the Catholic Church .
” This was a reference to the “ personal prelature ” set up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unable to accept women ’ s ordination .

There has been strong reaction from Irish Catholic priests to the intervention of former pope Benedict XVI in the Church’s ongoing celibacy debate.
In a new book From the Depths of Our Hearts,written with conservative Cardinal Robert Sarah, the former pope forcefully defends mandatory celibacy for priests in what appears to be a strategically timed interjection aimed at putting pressure on Pope Francis not to change the church's centuries-old rule on celibacy for priests.
The book is to be published on Wednesday but excerpts were released last Sunday to the website of French newspaper Le Figaro.
Last October a synod of bishops from the Amazon region of South America recommended that married men in that remote area be ordained priests. Pope Francis is expected to respond to that recommendation in coming weeks.
READ MORE
Commenting on Benedict's intervention Fr Brendan Hoban of the Association of Catholic Priests described it as "an extraordinary turn of events whereby Benedict finds himself doing what he is doing. He is challenging the Pope. This from a man who had been very strong on obedience, order and discipline. He seems to be doing and saying things he opposed in the past."
But, Fr Hoban said, “there are questions over whether he is completely in charge of his faculties. Clearly he is being manipulated. In the past he would have criticised liberals in the church for doing the same things he has done now.”
Redemptorist priest Fr Gerry Moloney described the intervention by Benedict as "both dangerous and unprecedented."
By speaking out publicly “on such a divisive and sensitive topic as mandatory celibacy, he has placed Pope Francis in an awkward position. Benedict is encouraging dissent. He is widening the divisions in the church. He is increasing the possibility of schism,” said Fr Moloney said in his blog From my Pulpit.
He noted how "in the past, those who dared criticise Benedict or his predecessor were summarily dealt with, told to desist, effectively silenced. Some are still being punished. Many of those who tolerated no criticism of the Pope or the institutional church when John Paul II and Benedict were in office, now have no problem in openly attacking Pope Francis," he said.
Fr Moloney believed that, on retirement, "Benedict should have left the city of Rome and withdrawn to a monastery or retirement home in his native Germany. He should not have remained in the Vatican. " He should have known "that Francis's enemies would use him as a weapon, a figure to rally round, in their battle to prevent any real change in the church."
Vatican director of communications Andrea Tornielli, in reference to the new book, has pointed out that "priestly celibacy is not, and has never been, a dogma [of the Catholic Church]."
In a editorial on the Vatican News website, he added: "The Catholic Eastern-Rite Churches allow the possibility of ordaining married men as priests. Exceptions have also been admitted in the Latin Church by Benedict XVI himself in the Apostolic Constitution 'Anglicanorum coetibus', dedicated to Anglican priests who seek communion with the Catholic Church. "
This was a reference to the “personal prelature” set up in 2009 by Benedict for married Anglican priests unable to accept women’s ordination.
Mr Tornielli also recalled Pope Francis’s expressed support for mandatory clerical celibacy.