http://seachranaidhe-irishandproud.blogspot.com/2022/09/police-incease-in-public-interest.html
Flags bearing the image of the former LVF leader were recently put up on lampposts on the main road into Dungannon from the M1.
They have been erected on either side of the busy route near a junction leading to Dungannon Park, a popular destination for local people.
A former UVF commander in Mid Ulster, Wright went on to found the LVF.
He was shot dead inside the H-Blocks by the INLA in 1997.
Cookstown man Ruairi Cummings called last week for the flags to be removed.
He was 17 when LVF gunmen seriously injured his father Christy and killed another man, Seamus Dillon, outside the Glengannon Hotel in Dungannon in December 1997.
He was standing just feet away when the shooting took place.
The Department for Infrastructure last night said: “The department has sought advice from the PSNI on removing these flags.”
Chief Inspector Michael McDonald said: “As a police service we recognise the hurt and frustration that can be caused when a particular flag or banners appear, however, we are compelled in law to consider the legislation available to us.
“Whilst these flags may be perceived as offensive and distasteful, the erection does not in itself breach the law, however we are making efforts to engage with the local community in relation to this matter.”
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew said the flags have “caused hurt and offence to many in the area” and should be removed.
“This has been done deliberately to be hurtful, provocative and offensive,” he said.
Independent councillor Barry Monteith has also called for their removal.
With many thanks to: The Irish News and Connla Young for the original story
A CONVICTED Paedophile who escaped jail because it was claimed he had effectively been ‘cured’ has walked free again-despite pleading guilty to fresh sex charges.
Mark Andrew Coney (36), of Castletown Road, Dungannon, sexually assaulted an adult female as she sat in her car with her friend. He also admitted making contact with a young boy in England, sending him graphic sex images and texts, and was only caught when the child’s mother took over the conversation. Relatives of one of his victims stormed out from Dungannon Magistrates Court in disgust as a judge handed him an extended Probation Order rather than send him to jail. Coney further admitted breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order on May 21st, 2018. But there’s great anger about how the court has dealt with Coney this time after he escaped jail for previous offending following a psychologist’s report. In January 2018, Coney walked free from Dungannon Crown Court after he admitted five charges relating to sexual offences with a child, some of which occurred, incredibly, while his own toddler was in a baby seat in the rear of his car. There were three victims in the case-two girls and a boy-all of whom the court was told were “very young children”.
The offences occurred between July 1st and 4th 2016 in a number of locations in the Dungannon area including a shopping complex and a park. The first offence involved Coney getting out of his car close to the Oakes Shopping Centre, Dungannon, to expose himself to a child, and then appear to fondle himself. On the next occasion two children-one aged 11 and the other eight, were playing in a park when Coney pulled up in his car. He proceeded to show the youngsters pictures of male genitalia on his phone and asked them if they knew what they were. During that hearing a defence barrister explained: “A wire came lose during a period in my client’s life and he understands the unbelievable strain these offences have placed on his family, his victims, their families.” Referring to a psychologist report, the defence said Money’s offending had come about through a combination of boredom, sexual pre-occupation with internet chat rooms and outdoor sexual themes, complicated by an obsessive predisposition, alcohol, high-energy drinks and inappropriate internet use. The defence-obtained report stated: “This particular compulsion has now passed… a custodial sentence would not be beneficial.”
Although assessed as a medium likelihood of reoffending, Coney was not believed to present a serious risk of significant harm, and that “this behaviour was totally out of character”. The court was persuaded to place Coney under a two-year probation order. But within weeks Coney was back committing sex offences and placing a number of fresh victims at great harm. This week a court was told how in July the same year two females were seated in a car when Coney approached, making “highly sexualised and uninvited comments”. Licking his lips, he said to one victim: “You’d be young. What age are you? Why does there have to be a door between us.” Coney commented on the woman’s breasts, then reached through the lowered window and put his hand down the back of her top, before running his hand around her neck and feeling her hair.
TRAUMATISED
Laughing, he moved to the other side of the car and tried the handle several times to gain access. In an attempt to prevent them driving away, he placed his bicycle under the car, which caused damage. Throughout, Coney made “very sexually threatening comments to both women”, who were left anxious and traumatised. It then emerged he’d been texting a young boy in England and despite discovering his age he continued to send filthy texts and images-until the boy’s mother found out and went to the police. Judge Brian Sherrard QC said: “These were two different sets of very serious offending and the normal course would be immediate imprisonment.” However, it was felt the four months served while on remand accounted for the appropriate sentence for the incident on the two women. Opting for a three-year Probation Order, the judge said: “I am compelling you to undertake a further programme of work.” At this point, relatives of the sexually assaulted female stormed from the court in anger.
With many thanks to the: Sunday World and Steven Moore for the EXCLUSIVE original story –Steven.moore@sundayworld.com
Follow these links to find out more: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/dungannon-sex-assault-accused-coney-granted-bail-ahead-of-trial-38093480.html
A CHILD has suffered “extreme psychological trauma” after it emerged she was the victim in a case of alleged revenge porn.
Lee Stanley Robinson (22), from Moy Road, Dungannon – seen here leaving court on Wednesday – is accused of five counts of disclosing private sexual images and a single count of harassment, with matters dating back almost three years. Dungannon Magistrates Court was told the victim remains “very vulnerable”. The judge displayed surprise the case was not being heard in the Crown Court and it emerged during the hearing that the RUC/PSNI believe it ought to be heard at the higher court. It is alleged on dates between January 3rd and 8th, 2017, Robinson pursued a course of conduct amounting to the harassment of a female. Then five times on January 11th, 2017 he is accused of disclosing a private sexual photograph or film of the injured party without her consent, and with the intention of causing her distress.
It is understood the child suffered extreme psychological trauma as a result of the alleged disclosures and remains very vulnerable. When the case first appeared in court last month, a judge expressed concern by the decision taken by Public Prosecution Service not to deal with the matter at Crown Court, given the seriousness of the allegations. District Judge Michael Ranaghan decided to retain and study the case papers, which may lead to a refusal to have it heard at the lower court. He remarked: “I’m quite surprised this is a summary prosecution.”
A lawyer appearing on behalf of the Public Prosecution Service confirmed a decision has been taken to keep the case at the lower court, although accepted the charges were of a nature which could be heard at crown court. Police also believed the case was a Crown Court matter. When this was mentioned again at the latest hearing, a defence barrister said he assumed the decision had been reached because “the images weren’t circulated widely – just to the child’s family members”. He further indicated “some progress has been made” and requested further time to consult more fully with Robinson. While this was granted, it remains to be decided if the matter will remain at magistrates court. Robinson was ordered to return to court later this month. Revenge porn was made a criminal offence in the North of Ireland in 2016. Revenge pornography refers to consensual or non-consensual creation of private sexual images; and non-consensual distribution of private sexual images as an act of ‘revenge’ or sexual gratification often by a partner, an acquaintance or a total stranger.
Only disclosures of private sexual photos or films made to third parties, with intent to cause distress would constitute an offence. Revenge pornography has been linked to serious psychological harm and mental health problems in victims.
With many thanks to the: Sunday World and Stephen Moore for the EXCLUSIVE original story
Follow this link to find out more: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/victim-in-alleged-lee-robinson-revenge-porn-case-was-a-child-court-told-38688912.html
David Devine (16), Strabane, Tyrone, shot along with two adult Catholics by SAS.
Pauline Doherty (17), North Belfast, in her house, shot six times by British paramilitary terrorists.
James Doherty (4), West Belfast, shot outside his home.
Gerald Donaghy (17), Derry, in civil rights march, killed along with five other Catholic minors and eight Catholic adults on Bloody Sunday, by British soldiers of the Parachute reg’t and Royal Anglian reg’t, shot in back.
Thomas Donaghy (16), North Belfast, shot dead on way to work along with 18-year-old Margaret McErlean, by British paramilitary terrorists.
Michael Francis Donnelly (14), Silverbridge, Armagh, killed along with two adult Catholics in bomb-and-bullet attack on Donnelly’s Bar; by RUC, UDR and British paramilitary terrorists.
John Dougal (16), West Belfast, shot from British army observation bunker.
Jack Duddy (17), Derry, on Bloody Sunday, by British soldiers, shot in back.
Brian Duffy (15), North Belfast, in a taxi stand, died along with driver, shot by British paramilitary terrorists.
Seamus Duffy (15), North Belfast, shot at close range by RUC rubber bullet.
Bernard Samuel Fox (16), North Belfast, shot by British soldiers.
Margaret Gargan (13), West Belfast, shot by British soldiers who also shot dead Fr. Noel Fitzpatrick as he gave her Last Rites. The bullet that killed Fr. Fitzpatrick passed through him and also killed Patrick Butler. While trying to drag Fr. Fitzpatrick to safety David McCafferty was also shot dead by the soldiers. (The first priest killed was Fr. Hugh Mullan, West Belfast, shot, twice, by British soldiers as he gave Last Rites to another of their victims. An attempt to drag him to safety ended when Frank Quinn was shot dead by the soldiers.)
Rosaleen Gavin (8), North Belfast, shot by British soldiers from an observation post.
Stephen Geddes (10), West Belfast, shot in head at close range by British soldier with rubber bullet.
Gerald Gibson (17), West Belfast, shot in head by British soldiers.
Hugh Gilmore (17), Derry, one of fourteen shot dead on Bloody Sunday.
Rory Gormley (14), West Belfast, while being driven to school by his father, shot by British paramilitary terrorists.
Desmond Healey (14), West Belfast, shot in back by Parachute Reg’t soldier.
Kevin Heatley (12), Newry, Co. Down, shot by British soldier. Kevin’s father later committed suicide.
Daniel Hegarty (16), Derry, shot twice in the head by British soldiers.
Terrence Hennebry (17), South Belfast, shot by British paramilitary terrorists.
Clare Hughes (4), North Belfast, in blast of British paramilitary car-bomb outside Benny’s Pub.
Michael James Hughes (16), Newry, Co. Down, shot by Royal Marine.
Charles Irvine (16), West Belfast, shot by British soldiers at a checkpoint.
Carol Ann Kelly (11), West Belfast, shot in head by British soldier’s rubber bullet as she brought milk home from a nearby shop.
Michael Kelly (17), Derry, shot on Bloody Sunday.
Paul Kelly (17), West Belfast, Shot by British soldiers at a checkpoint.
James Kennedy (15), South Belfast, killed, along with four Catholic adults, in British paramilitary gun attack on betting shop.
James Kerr (17), South Belfast, shot by British paramilitary terrorists.
Julia Livingstone (14), shot in head at close range by a rubber bullet gun mounted on a British armored vehicle.
Brenda Logue (17), Carrickmore, Co. Tyrone, in Omagh atrocity.
Colin Lundy (16), Glengormley, Co. Antrim, burned to death along with his mother when British paramilitary terrorists firebombed their home at 4 a.m.
Eileen Mackin (14), West Belfast, shot by British paramilitary terrorists.
Anne Magee (15), North Belfast, while at work in a grocery, shot in face by British paramilitary terrorists.
Gerald Martin Maginn (17), shot repeatedly in head by RUC.
Andrew Maguire (6 weeks),
Joanne Maguire (8) and
John Maguire (2), West Belfast, all crushed by a car when its driver was shot dead by a British soldier. Their mother later committed suicide.
Hugh Maguire (9), West Belfast, hit by British armored vehicle.
John Mahon (16) Belfast, joyriding in stolen car, shot by RUC.
Jolene Marlow (17), Co. Tyrone, in Omagh bomb blast.
Shane McArdle (17), Markethill, Co. Armagh, at a taxi stand, shot along with Gavin McShane, by RUC/British paramilitary terrorists.
Gerald McAuley (15), West Belfast, shot dead along with an adult Catholic, by British paramilitary terrorists who were also burning down the homes of Catholics on Bombay Street and adjacent streets.
Patrick McCabe (17), North Belfast, shot from a nearby Parachute Reg’t observation post.
Siobhan McCabe (4), West Belfast, shot near her house by British soldiers.
David McCafferty (14), West Belfast, shot by British soldiers while trying to drag to safety Fr. Fitzpatrick who the soldiers had just shot.
James McCallum (16), West Belfast, in British paramilitary bombing of Murtagh’s Pub.
Gary McCartan (17), South Belfast, shot when he opened his front door to British paramilitary terrorists. (British paramilitary terrorists separately murdered his brother, three uncles and a cousin.)
Michael McCartan (16), South Belfast, brother of Gary McCartan, while painting a republican slogan on a wall, shot by RUC.
James Francis McCaughey (13), Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, killed in street along with his friend, Patrick Barnard (13). Joe Mc Guinness aged 13 murdered by the UDA on North Queen Street North Belfast. defending ulster is a dirty business eh boys ?
With many thanks to: The Simple Truth for the original posting
Follow these links to find out more: https://m.facebook.com/144469889056805/photos/a.144470585723402/275672179269908/?type=3
(2)-: https://www.facebook.com/The-simple-truth-144469889056805/
A TRIAL date is to be set in two weeks’ time for a man charged in connection with the murder of prison officer David Black.
Damien McLaughlin (41), of Kilmascally Road, Dungannon, was due to stand trial last year but breached his bail and absconded from Northern Ireland.
McLaughlin had previously pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting the murder of Mr Black on November 1, 2012, two charges of possessing articles for use in terrorism, two counts of preparation for acts of terrorism and belonging to a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA.
At Belfast Crown Court today Mr Justice Colton asked why no trial date had yet been set in the case.
Defence barrister Desmond Hutton told the the judge that McLaughlin – who didn’t appear for the brief proceedings – had been “abroad” .
Prosecution counsel Terence Moonney QC said that McLaughlin’s extradition from the Republic had been approved late last year.
The High Court in Dublin made a ruling on December 2 to have the defendant formally extradited back to Northern Ireland.
The prosecution counsel said he had no objections to a defence application to adjourn proceedings for a fortnight to allow for further discussions between McLaughlin and his legal representatives.
Mr Justice Colton said he would list the case for Friday January 26 when a date for trial would be set.
McLaughlin was on bail at an address in west Belfast when he went on the run.
Police called at the address in December 2017 but he could not be found and milk in the fridge was four weeks out of date.
His disappearance while on bail provoked a public outcry from David Black’s family who said they “felt let down and hurt by the justice system”.
Mr Black’s widow Yvonne, daughter Kyra and son Kyle were later visited by the PSNI officer leading the manhunt for McLaughlin, Detective Chief Supt Raymond Murray.
DCS Murray said he had visited the Black family “to offer sincere apologies on behalf of the PSNI for the stress and worry this situation is creating for them” and provided “reassurance of the steps police are taking to locate the whereabouts of Damien McLaughlin”.
The failure by the PSNI to carry out regular bail checks on McLaughlin is currently the subject of a Police Ombudsman investigation.
Following a massive cross border manhunt, McLaughlin was eventually arrested by armed Gardai on March 2 last year while walking along a street in Ramelton, en route to Letterkenny.
He failed to stop his extradition to Northern Ireland with his lawyers telling the High Court in Dublin that he could be “subjected to inhuman and degrading conditions” if he was sent back to Maghaberry prison.
With many thanks to: Irish Republican Prisoner News and the Irish News for the origional story
BALLISTICS tests on the gun used to kill pensioner Roseann Mallon were done by RUC Special Branch officers who might not have been properly qualified, an inquest has heard.
The Czech-bought assault rifle, now linked to 11 other murders and two attempted murders, was first examined at the Weapons and Explosives Research Centre (Werc) – a previously unheard of unit located within the Northern Ireland Forensic Science Laboratory, the court was told. Mr Justice Weir, who is hearing the long-awaited inquest, said: “This is the first time it has ever come to my attention that there was a forensic system.” Ms Mallon (76) was gunned down as she watched television at a house near Dungannon, Co Tyrone on May 8 1994. The spinster, who had been staying with relatives because she felt vulnerable, was unable to escape when two loyalist gunmen indiscriminately opened fire on the bungalow on Cullenrammer Road.
The UVF said its mid-Ulster brigade had been responsible (although it was widely beleived to be members of Billy Wright‘s LVF gang) and were targeting two of her nephews Christopher Mallon, who was not home at the time and Martin Mallon who lived half a mile away. In the wake of the shooting, British army spying equipment was found in a nearby field sparking claims of security force collusion. Last week it emerged that the Historical Enquries Team (HET) – a specialist unit set up to re-examine Troubles-related cold cases – had linked the murder weapon to the UVF killings of Charles and Theresa Fox at the Moy, Co Armagh, in 1992, as well as the murders of John Quinn, Dwayne O’Donnell, Malcolm Nugent and Tommy Armstrong outside a bar in Cappagh, Co Tyrone in 1991. But, Barry McDonald QC, who is representing the Mallon family, said the rifle was now known to have been involved in at least eight incidents that resulted in 11 murders and two attempted murders.
He said inaccurate information that the gun had no previous previous history was fed into the the system by Special Branch. Mr MacDonald said: “The practice seems to have been when cartrige cases were collected they were forwared to the Forensic Science Laboratory of Northern Ireland but it was the Werc who conducted their investigations and provided a steer. “The upshot is that these incorrect conclusions have been made by a section of Special Branch in circumstances where the object of this entire exercise – that’s this inquest – is to allay suspicion and rumour about the involvement of Special Branch.” Judge Weir told the court he had never heard of Werc despite a lengthy career as a defence barrister and judge. He also expressed concern that they were not ballistics experts and said he would be demanding a full explanation on how they operated and who took the decision to conceal their existence. Martin Mallon said the family had been left bemused by the latest revelations. He said: “We have had Special Branch hiding behind screens, we have heard evidence about burning notebooks and items being destroyed. We have consistently heard about Special Branch being a force within a force and now it appears that Werc was unit within a unit. Notorious killer Billy Wright and two other loyalists were arrested and questioned about Ms Mallon’s murder but no-one has ever been convicted. Sinn Fein MLA Sean Lynch, who sits on the Stormont justice committee and is a Mallon family friend, said: “It is obvious that the British state is covering up, delaying and prevaricating on vital evidence – particularly around ballistics.” The inquest has now been adjourned until May to allow the HET to complete its investigation into 24 murders in the East Tyone area between 1988 and 1994 – including Ms Mallon’s murder.
With many thanks to: The Irish News.
WITH just a handful of tents pitched in Enniskillen and more police than protesters in Belfast, it was being asked on Sunday night if security chiefs had completely misjudged the size of the G8 protests.
The security operation is costing an estimated £60 million. As well as thousands of gardai stationed on the border in Cavan and Monaghan, around 2,000 volunteer officers from across Britain were drafted in to support the PSNI/RUC. The roads surrounding Belfast International Airport were completely locked down on Sunday night in anticipation on the arrival of the world’s leaders. In Enniskillen a fence has been built encircling the Lough Erne resort where the G8 meeting takes place yesterday and a six-mile lake exclusion zone has been placed on lower Lough Erne. A temporary custody centre has been built in Omagh and 16 judges are on stand-by in Belfast, Antrim and Dungannon to process arrested protesters. Police have the resources to deal with up to 260 prisoners at one time. Two drones are providing aerial pictures for the police operation. However, less than 4,000 protesters attended two protest rallies in Belfast on Saturday and by lunchtime on Sunday just four tents had been pitched at the anti-G8 protest camp in Enniskillen. Policing Board member Conall McDevitt said police had no option other than prepare for the “worst case scenario”. “An awful lot of work went into trying to risk assess the potential for trouble,” he said. “Given history of trouble at recent G8s it would have been very irresponsible not to be prepared for the worst case scenario. “If it is peaceful, as everyone hopes it will be, and breaks the cycle of violent protests at meetings of this type, it would be a powerful message given our own recent history.” Mr McDevitt said.
With many thanks to : Brendan Hughes, Irish News.
A DUNGANNON man caught transporting seven “anti-personnel grenades” has been jailed for five years. Martin McGilloway (41) has been sentenced to five years in jail and five on supervised licence conditions. He was jailed at Belfast Crown Court.
The sentencing came a week after Judge McFarlanti-pered down the same term to his co-accused Thomas Hammill (41) after the pair admitted having the explosives with intent to endanger life on May 28 2012. The court heard McGilloway had been the driver of a car that had been chased by police for a short distance in Dungannon. After the car performed a u-turn, officers saw a black holdall being thrown from the passenger-side window. When it was retrieve at Minnevigh Road, police uncovered seven ‘IEDs‘, including lengths of pipe with fireworks, small arms explosives and shrapnel, or ‘grenades’, to be lit with a fuse. While there was no forensics to link McGilloway – a single father-of-two of Spring ale estate in Dungannon – to the bag or its contents, the court heard he had been the ‘courier’ to transport his friend Hammill, also from the Springdale estate, when they were intercepted. Judge McFarland accepeted there was no forensics linking McGilloway to the devices but he found no reason to distinguish between the pair. He noted that McGilloway had accepted he had agreed to be the driver of the car and had engaged in a futile attempt to escape police and that while he may have had a debt to his friend, he had agreed to help transport the devices “from one place to another”.
The judge said : “You may have had a limited role but I am not dissatisfied you don’t fall within the category of being dangerous so I don’t see any distinction between you and Hammill.” Afterwards, a spokesman for PSNI Serious Crime Branch welcomed the sentences, saying the length showed “those individuals convicted of serious terrorist offences can expect to lose their liberty for a considrable time”. “These improvised devices were designed to function as anti-personel grenades and were probably intended to be used to attack police or other members of the security forces,” he said. “The nails, nuts and bolts inside would have caused serious injuries or worse to anyone in the vicinity of these devices exploding. “There is no doubt that the actions of police in this case have protected their colleagues and the public from serious injury or death.”
With many thanks to : Irish News.
HUNDREDS of people with the surname O’Neill are to ddescend on their spiritual home in Co Tyrone for a gathering of famous clan later this month . Organisers say the International Gathering of the O’Neill Clans will attract people from as far away as America and Australia.
Theevent, arranged by the Tyrone based Association of O’Neill Clans, will focus on key sites associated with the ancient family name in the country. Partcipants will visit the ancient seat of the O’Neills in Benburb, Tullyhogue Fort, near Cookstown, where the clan installed their chieftains, and the Hill of O’Neills in Dungannon. Organiser Brendan McAnallen said the event would provide a unique opportunity for O’Neills to celebrate their Tyrone roots centuries after the collapse of the Gaelic system in Ulster. “This is the first time there has been an international gathering of this type in Tyrone. The idea behind it is to pull in people with such an important name as O’Neill,” he said.
It is important for people who share this name to know its sighificance, the Benburbn-based businessman said. “Unfortunately the average O’Neill may not know their own history and some may not care either,” he said.”But there are a lot of people related to the O’Neills who take an interest in the family like the Quinns, the Hagans and the Donnellys. “We have people coming from England, Scotland, France, Spain and even Greece. They are also coming from Americia, Canada and Australia.” Mr McAnallen said the event had taken its inspiaration from the Gathering, the Irish government‘s drive to encourage people of Irish decent to return to the country during 2013. “We thought we should do something and this is our contribution,” he said. “We want to generate a bit of interest and bring the Irish diaspora back home.” Cookstown District Council will host the international vistors at Tullyhogue on T’hursday of next week, during which a tour, talk and re-enactment will take place at the historic fort. A similar event, supported by the Ancient Clan O’Neill of Tyrone, will take place the following day. The International Gathering of the O’Neill Clans will run from May 23 to 25. For more information visit http://www.oneillclan.com.
With many thanks to : Connia Young, Irish News.
seachranaidhe1 
You must be logged in to post a comment.