One person dies after car set on fire in Omagh
Police in Northern Ireland are investigating the apparent arson attack and how the person came to be beside the blaze.
Just before 2.05pm on Saturday, they received a report from colleagues in Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service that a vehicle – a silver Mitsubishi Lancer GS2 – was on fire in the Rylagh Road area of the town.
Advertisement
PSNI Detective Inspector Keon said: 'As fire officers extinguished the blaze they discovered that, tragically, a person had died as a result of the fire.
'We are treating this fire as arson, and our enquiries as to how the person came to be beside the vehicle are ongoing.'
Police are appealing to anyone who may have been in the area between midday and 2.15pm yesterday, who may have noticed anything suspicious, to contact them.
They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who had dashcam or other footage and anyone who may have noticed this particular vehicle.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Police probe church incident where Burke family confronted education official
Police in Northern Ireland are carrying out inquiries into an incident where members of the Burke family accosted a DUP councillor outside a Presbyterian church. Mervyn Storey, a former MLA for North Antrim – who is now a councillor, was approached by members of the protesting evangelical Christian family outside the Hebron Free Presbyterian Church in Ballymoney. In a video posted to one of the Burkes' social media accounts on Monday evening, Mr Storey – who is the chairman of the Education Authority in Northern Ireland – goes into the church while being asked questions by Martina Burke and her son Josiah. Ms Burke said they were in a 'state church implementing government ideology' and refer to Education Authority guidelines on how to support transgender students. They are seen standing in the atrium of the church in the 17-minute video filmed by a third Burke family member before being ejected from the building. A PSNI spokeswoman said: 'Police are aware of a video being circulated online and inquiries are being conducted in relation to the matter.' The Burke family, from Co Mayo, have been known to confront multiple politicians in public places while videoing them. In March, three members of the family were forcibly removed from a gala dinner in Washington DC attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin as part of St Patrick's Day celebrations. While canvassing ahead of November's general election, Fine Gael leader and then-taoiseach Simon Harris was accosted by the Burkes in Castlebar, Co Mayo. They have also been involved in legal disputes in Ireland arising out of the suspension and subsequent dismissal of Enoch Burke from his job as a teacher. He is in the process of appealing against his dismissal. The long-running dispute stems from incidents related to a request from the then-principal of the school he worked at to address a student by a new name and the pronoun 'they'. Mr Storey has been contacted for comment.
The Journal
7 hours ago
- The Journal
Irish business ties to Haiti could be key to securing release of kidnapped missionary Gena Heraty
AS IRISH DIPLOMATS work to find a way to free aid worker Gena Heraty in Haiti, the Caribbean country remains in the grip of a gang war. Significant Irish business connections in Haiti may be the key to securing the Irish missionary's release, sources have told The Journal. There are extensive Irish interests in the region. There is also a significant presence of Irish security personnel who are working for commercial enterprises. Some of those working in the area are former members of the Irish Defence Forces and others have worked for other State agencies – they are joined by other international colleagues working in security operations. A security source said that these ties may provide the answer to resolving the kidnapping such is the extent of their presence in the area. The Journal has reported extensively on the horror in Port au Prince and across the Caribbean state. One security source in the Caribbean and Latin America region said there has been a large increase in kidnappings as it is seen as an easy earner for the gang members who are now believed to control 90% of Port au Prince and its surrounds. Irish diplomacy has a small footprint in the region and their diplomatic efforts are largely handled through the United Nations in New York. There is no Irish consulate in Port au Prince. It is understood that an Emergency Consular Assistance Team (ECAT) has not been stood up by the Department of Foreign Affairs. ECAT teams – generally made up of experienced diplomats and Defence Forces members such as the Army Ranger Wing – are sometimes sent in to trouble spots to provide emergency evacuations of Irish citizens, and can also be deployed in hostage situations. Instead the Department of Foreign Affairs is anticipated to use the Irish connections with a strong base in the area to make contact with the gangs and to find a way to free Gena Heraty. Societal collapse Port au Prince is the size of Dublin with 1.2 million people living there and most are in desperate need of humanitarian help. There has been a collapse in Haitian society in recent years as gangs seek to take over the impoverished island nation. Reports from Haiti have said that there is widespread violence which includes systematic sexual violence against, children and adult women and men. A Kenyan deployment last year of hundreds of police officers to Haiti in a US-funded and UN-backed mission to help local law enforcement secure the country has struggled to make progress. A file image of children with their faces covered marching alongside gang boss 'Barbecue' in Port-au- Prince, Haiti. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 'Barbecue' and Viv Ansanm There are multiple gangs but the largest, Viv Ansanm, came about through an alliance between the two main factions operating in Port-au-Prince, G-9 and G-Pèp. Advertisement Last month the UN Security Council was told by Ghada Fathi Waly , Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), that 90% of Port au Prince was in control of the gangs. 'As gang control expands, the state's capacity to govern is rapidly shrinking, with social, economic and security implications. This erosion of state legitimacy has cascading effects,' Waly told the UN. The key issue is that these gangs control major trade routes and are able to turn off the supply of food and other humanitarian supplies. Kidnapping Gena Heraty was abducted along with seven others, including a three-year-old child, from the Sainte-Hélène orphanage in Kenscoff, Haiti, over the weekend. The incident saw gang leaders in the early hours of the morning breaking down a wall into her compound and seizing her and her colleagues. It not her first time being the victim of conflict in the area and Gena previously was injured in an attack. Kenscoff is located 10 kilometres to the south of the capital Port au Prince – this area of the country is controlled by Viv Ansanm. While there has been no official confirmation, multiple security sources in Haiti told The Journal that they believe it is Viv Ansanm that has taken Gena Heraty. The gang is run by a notorious Haitian war lord and former police officer Jimmy Chérizier – ominously known as 'Barbeque'. His goal is to take over the country and run it as his own state. Viv Ansanm has rifles and heavy weaponry supplied by Florida based weapons dealers – this has been confirmed by the markings on seized firearms. Jimmy Cherizier, aka Barbecue with masked gunmen in Port au Prince. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Looting of aid convoys The United Nations has said that the gang members, some of whom are armed children, have been participating in looting of aid convoys, hospitals and pharmacies. They have also been fighting pitched battles with Government and Kenyan forces – taking over largescale infrastructure such as the port and roads to the airport. The most horrific attacks have been perpetrated on the Haitian population, with mass killings against locals common as gangs move through communities. News agency AFP said the kidnapped Irishwoman, originally from Co Mayo, made connection by phone with her French based charity at the Sainte-Helene orphanage after being abducted. The facility is operated by humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs (Our Little Brothers and Sisters). That charity is headquartered in the eastern suburbs of the French capital Paris. Security sources said that this may lead to military involvement from French military special forces but noted that a mission would not be without significant risk both for the commandos carrying out the rescue and the hostages. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Sunday World
7 hours ago
- Sunday World
Cops release image of man wanted in connection with Co Armagh disorder
The PSNI has urged the individual to come forward. Police would like to speak with this person in connection with the ongoing investigation Police are appealing for help in identifying a man wanted in connection with public disorder in Co Armagh. Detectives have released an image of the person they wish to speak to as part of an ongoing probe into a number of incidents of disorder and attacks on police officers since June 12, 2025 in the Portadown area. The PSNI has urged the individual to come forward. A spokesperson also appealed to anyone who can assist in identifying this individual to reach out to detectives. "If you have any information or wish to submit photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage please contact police,' they said. 'A report can also be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at . You can also contact us on 101.' Police would like to speak with this person in connection with the ongoing investigation News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, August 5th
