Serving Irish soldier ‘ashamed' after man suffered brain injury from ‘one-punch' row over skipping fast-food queue
Father-of-three, Alan Costello, of Shantraud Woods, Killaloe in Co
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Alan Costello appeared in court in Limerick
Credit: Alamy
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He pleaded guilty to one count of affray
Credit: Brendan Gleeson
Costello, 37, who has served almost 20 years in the
Father-of-one Cosgrave, from Annacotty in
The court heard that the two men got into a 'heated' row at the Chicken Hut fast-food restaurant in Limerick city, after Cosgrave appeared to have skipped past Costello in a queue for food in the early hours of February 20, 2022.
Cosgrave, who was intoxicated, beckoned Costello to meet him outside the premises.
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After both men went outside, Costello punched Cosgrave and he fell backwards, striking the back of his head off the ground, the court heard.
Cosgrave's family told the
Cosgrave's family said he was 'devastated' after doctors told him in 2023 he could no longer drive, nor perform mechanical checks on his fleet of trucks 'after he developed epilepsy, and lost strength in his arms'.
Costello's barrister, Yvonne Quinn, told the court Costello had no previous convictions, that he did not target Cosgrave on the night, nor did he instigate the row with Cosgrave.
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Judge Colin Daly said he would pass sentence on October 9.
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RTÉ News
29 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Bob Vylan: Is there a clear legal basis for a case against them?
Police in the UK have confirmed they are investigating a performance by punk duo Bob Vylan at the Glastonbury Festival, after the group's singer led chants of "Death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]" during their set on Saturday, 28 June. Several UK-based politicians and commentators have condemned the remarks, with some claiming they amount to antisemitism. What chance is there of the case progressing to prosecution or trial? To try to understand that we asked legal experts where UK law draws the line on protest, free speech, hate crime, and public order. What are the police investigating? On Monday evening, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they had "recorded" Bob Vylan's Glastonbury performance as a public order incident and have launched a criminal investigation into both the band and Irish rap trio Kneecap, based on potential hate crime or public order offences linked to their sets on Saturday. It has not yet been defined which parts of either group's performances are being examined as part of the criminal investigation. Within minutes of Bob Vylan coming off stage at the festival, several accounts online accused the group of antisemitism. During their set, they had led the crowd with chants of "Death to the IDF," and "Free, Free Palestine." Over the days that followed, the band faced both support and criticism for the language used. While most vocal support came from pro-Palestinian fans, activists, and fellow artists, the band has faced significant backlash from politicians, commentators and prominent Jewish figures, including the UK Chief Rabbi. On Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer labelled the comments as "hate speech." Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy followed on Monday, arguing that because Israel's military conscription system requires all young people to serve in the military "chanting death to the IDF is equivalent to calling for the death of every single Israeli Jew." Despite pushing back strongly against accusations of antisemitism on Tuesday, and saying they were "being targeted for speaking up," the band have since been dropped by their agency and management, had upcoming shows cancelled, and now face the prospect of a potentially lengthy legal battle. What would form the basis of a prosecution? While the police can investigate and recommend any charges, it is ultimately up to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to launch a prosecution. Prof David Mead, an expert in protest and public order law at the University of East Anglia, says any prosecution would have to pass two main legal tests. "First, the CPS would need to be satisfied that there is enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction. Second, they would have to decide whether bringing charges is in the public interest," Prof Mead said. Prof Mead added that a conviction would ultimately require a jury to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that all elements of the offence are proven, including the words used, how they were intended, and their likely impact on the audience. The legal burden: What prosecutors must prove Jonathan Hall KC is a leading UK barrister and the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation appointed by the UK's Home Secretary. Speaking to RTÉ, Mr Hall said the key piece of legislation that could be used against the member of the group Bob Vylan who uses the stage name 'Bobbie Vylan' would be Section 18 of the Public Order Act 1986. "The principal candidate for people who make public pronouncements that could bring down hatred on groups, on minority groups or protected groups, is what's called stirring up racial hatred," Mr Hall said. However, he added that the police could struggle to bring charges under that legislation "unless their investigation turns up something that we don't know about." "It's quite hard to show off the back of saying 'Death to the IDF' that he intended people in the audience to hate Jews," Mr Hall said, "that's because what he said was to a military of a country - although, there is an exceptionally strong link between Jews and that country." There is another possible interpretation of that same offence, Mr Hall said, that even if Bobby Vylan "didn't intend" people in the audience to hate Jews "he must have known that was the likely effect." "Again, I think it's quite hard to prove the likely effect of saying, 'death to the IDF' that people are going to hate Jews, rather than just be very hostile towards that military body," Mr Hall said. Prof Mead agrees that the key legal test hinges on interpretation. "The battle is this: should 'Death to the IDF' be seen as aimed at stirring up hatred against the Israeli military, or against Israelis as a people more broadly? Only if it targets a group defined by race or nationality can the offence possibly be made out," he said. When does protest cross into harassment? However, Prof Mead says another charge could potentially be brought against Bob Vylan under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, which covers threatening or abusive language likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. "This is the most commonly used public order 'speech' crime as it is easiest to prove and thus very likely here that CPS would go for it," Prof Mead said. The CPS would only need to show that someone present was likely to feel harassed or alarmed, even if no one actually did, a threshold already established in case law, Prof Mead explained. Mr Hall also said it would be possible to bring a case on those grounds but that he would "have to see what the investigation shows, because it's hard to prove that he [Bob Vylan's singer] realised that there were Jews in the audience, and he was saying this in order to harass them." In a statement on Tuesday, Bob Vylan attempted to clarify their position saying: "We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people," adding that they "are for the dismantling of a violent military machine" that "has destroyed much of Gaza." Whether or not that defence holds weight would depend heavily on intent, which is central to any criminal prosecution under UK law, Mr Hall says. "The 'intending' is really important with criminal law, particularly with what you call speech offences," he said. "From a criminal law perspective, the circumstances in which you make it a crime to say something are limited. One of the key limits is what do you intend, or what do you believe is going to happen?" Referring to the music of NWA, a hip-hop group that rose to prominence in Compton, California in the 1980s, Mr Hall said there are examples in their music which is "implicitly saying 'kill the cops.'" "No one's going to say that's what they were intending anyone should do as a result of it," he said. "I think that if you had a prosecution of someone involved in a music festival, they would inevitably say, 'I'm a performer, I'm on stage. How can you begin to prove that I meant that like some gang lord telling his lieutenant to carry out a hit?'" How does this compare to other recent cases? In recent days, a number of prominent UK politicians and commentators - including the Conservative Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp - have likened the situation to the case of Lucy Connolly. Connolly was jailed for 31 months in October 2024 after using social media to call for hotels housing asylum seekers to be set on fire during the Southport Riots last summer. In a post on X, Mr Philp said of Bob Vylan "they should be arrested and prosecuted – just like some of those who did the same during the riots." The case has also reignited claims of a so-called "two-tier" approach to policing. Andrea Jenkyns, a Reform UK mayor, said that if Bob Vylan are not arrested over their chants, it would be evidence of a "two-tiered justice system." But there is little legal basis for that claim, according to Prof David Mead. "The idea of a 'two-tier' criminal justice system following the conviction of Lucy Connolly is, in my view, very misplaced. The IDF is a powerful state army thousands of miles away. Those seeking refuge in the UK are vulnerable private citizens at immediate risk should anyone take up her suggestion," Prof Mead said. Steve Kuncewicz is a partner at a law firm in Manchester and specialises in legal issues involving social media. In the Lucy Connolly case, he said, there was a "very different set of an awful lot of other evidence that went into that case." "That was a very specific call to action to cause harm to a very specific part of the community. There was a real risk in... the Southport riots, that that would be likely to happen." "It's a recurrence that's being drawn, but again, it's a very dangerous one, and it's an incorrect one. It's the two completely different kinds of incidents." The likeliest outcome? Ultimately, any prosecution would hinge on proving intent, that the Bob Vylan chant was meant to stir up racial hatred or harass Jewish people. "At the moment, I think that off the back of what I've seen from the footage of Glastonbury, I'm sceptical that they would have that," Mr Hall said. He's also, he says, "sceptical that you could prove in the course of law that he was using the IDF as a substitute code word for Jews." In the current climate in the UK, Mr Kuncewicz believes the wider political pressure could still influence how police approach the case. "Whatever happens, it's going to be very, very heavily scrutinised. But I do think given the current atmosphere we're in, the police may feel a bit more compelled to make an example here because they might see it as an incitement to violence."
The Irish Sun
38 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Inside Ireland's Midlands Prison as ‘virtual tour' shows behind bars reality for criminals with barber shop & library
A NEW virtual tour of one of Ireland's biggest prisons has been launched to give an insight into the reality behind bars and the work of officers. The fascinating insight into the Midlands 5 Lags who have been locked up have access to fitness and education facilities Credit: PR Handout 5 The prison is currently holding a major recruitment drive Credit: PR Handout Justice Minister He said: "This innovative project not only greatly enhances the public's understanding of the work that goes on within our prisons, its release now also allows potential future recruits to come and tour their potential future workplace.' Available on the Irish Prison Service website, the tour brings you on a step-by-step guide with a virtual officer explaining the structured life and the day-to-day activity within the system. You can see inside a cell, as it's explained how lags have access to a READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS It also walks you through the gym and prison yard, where inmates exercise while being monitored. Other areas shown are the barber The virtual prison officer talks through rules and also explains how life in jail works. This includes the Most read in The Irish Sun The Irish Prison Service, told how the tour highlights the work done by officers, giving an insight for potential recruits. Director General Caron McCaffrey said: "The Recruit Prison Officer campaign is a vital opportunity to attract individuals who are committed to public service and rehabilitation, and who will play a central role in maintaining safe and secure prison environments. Corruption & bribery behind bars exposed as ex-con reveals lags pay £500 for KFC & how inmates have sex with guards "The incredible work of Prison Officers is complex and often hidden from public view, but our annual competition and the launch of the virtual tour allow us the opportunity to let the public see the teamwork, integrity, potential, safety and support that Prison Officers not only offer to prisoners, but to their colleagues as well. "I wish to commend all those involved in delivering the Virtual Tour, an innovative and informative project that highlights the professionalism and dedication of our staff across the prison estate." 'REWARDING CAREERS' Applications for the role of a prison officer opens on from July 4 and will run until August 1. Minister O'Callaghan added: "The 'This year's campaign is a vital part of a much wider investment in our prison systems. " Prison officers are at the heart of our justice system and have the potential to positively impact the lives of some of Ireland's most vulnerable people, as well as Irish society as a whole." 5 A virtual guide shows viewers around the prison's library, barber shop, and inside cells Credit: PR Handout 5 The new virtual tour shows viewers inside the life of those behind bars Credit: PR Handout 5 The Midlands Prison is home to some of Ireland's most notorious criminals Credit: PR Handout
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Recruitment campaign under way to hire 300 prison officers
A recruitment campaign is under way to hire 300 new prison officers in full-time positions. The new officers will help address staffing shortfalls amid an overcrowding crisis among the prison population, which recently exceeded 5,000 in a system with bed capacity for over 4,600. The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has claimed that overcrowding in prisons has been persistent since 2023 leading to unacceptable, degrading and dehumanising conditions across Irish prisons. The highest level of overcrowding is at Limerick's Women's Prison, which is currently 48% over capacity. Eighty-three women are in custody there, but the prison has a bed capacity of just 56. As of yesterday, 5,477 people are in prison custody, equating to the prison estate being at 118% capacity. The IRPT said many prisoners are forced to sleep on mattresses on the floor, which is said to increase tensions in ''inhumane and degrading conditions'' The Irish Prison Service's capital budget for 2025 is €53 million, which officials say is being used to create additional spaces. Capacity increases in prison system Over recent years, capacity has been increased by in excess of 300 spaces. "This year's campaign is a vital part of a much wider investment in our prison systems.'' said Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan. ''Prison officers are at the heart of our justice system and have the potential to positively impact the lives of some of Ireland's most vulnerable people, as well as Irish society as a whole," he added. The Irish prison service has encouraged anyone looking for a varied and fulfilling career to apply. ''The Government is committed to ensuring that all prison officers are empowered and equipped to lead rewarding careers that make a real difference," said Minister O'Callaghan. The Director General of the Irish Prison Service said the latest recruitment campaign will run until 1 August, 2025. ''The incredible work of prison officers is complex and often hidden from public view, but our annual competition and the launch of the virtual tour allow us the opportunity to let the public see the team work and the integrity, potential, safety and support that prison officers not only offer to prisoners, but to their colleagues as well.'' said Caron McCaffrey. Eligible candidates will undergo a comprehensive selection process, including written assessments, physical fitness tests, interviews, and background checks. Successful candidates will receive extensive training to equip them with the skills required for the role. The 2024 recruitment campaign attracted more than 1500 applicants and 271 prison officers joining the Irish Prison Service. Virtual prison tour launched A virtual prison tour through an Irish Prison Service location has also been launched. The interactive web-based virtual tool, believed to be the first of its kind, guides visitors or incoming prisoners on what to expect when visiting a prison location
