Latest news with #Callaghan
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Motorcyclist who left friend in wheelchair for life after crash jailed
Scott Callaghan, 31, propelled pillion passenger Paul Gaughan into the air in Glasgow's Anniesland on August 17, 2023. Callaghan had driven at excessive speed and struck a kerb while he had a small trace of alcohol in his system. Mr Gaughan was hospitalised for six months and was found to be paralysed below the chest. He also suffered further "life changing" injuries which included a number of fractures to his body. Dad-of-three Callaghan pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to causing serious injury to Mr Gaughan by dangerous driving. READ NEXT: Highest civil court issues decision in Tommy Sheridan's case against council READ NEXT: Former Catholic priest admits repeated abuse of boy more than 40 years ago Sheriff John McCormick said: "You were a disqualified driver at the time which is an aggravating factor. "Due to Mr Gaughan's injuries, you are realistic that there is no alternative to a subtantial custodial sentence. "You were 30 at the time and not an immature teenager - you chose to drive in that manner." The sheriff also disqualified Callaghan from driving for a period of eight years. The court earlier heard that Callaghan, of the city's Knightswood, was driving the Yamaha off-road bike to a field at 10.19pm. Prosecutor Victoria Keel said: "He drove at excessive speed and sharply braked and collided with a pavement. "The bike became airborne and it collided into a metal fence which caused Mr Gaughan to be propelled into the air. "He travelled seven metres before he landed on the ground." Both men - who were not wearing protective helmets - were found severely injured at the scene. Mr Gaughan was conscious and breathing but did not react to pain. He was taken to hospital where he was found to have sustained a string of injuries described as "life changing." This included a fracture to his vertebrae, a scalp bone fracture, a nasal bone fracture as well as scarring to his neck. Miss Keel added: "He suffered complete paralysis below his chest which will be life long. "He will be a full-time wheelchair user and will require assistance to his bed, a car and the toilet. "His left hand is weak and will need assistance to carry out daily activities for the rest of his life." The fiscal depute further stated that there is a risk of a spinal cord injury and there was an injury to his blader and bowel. The hearing was told that Callaghan also sustained injuries which included a broken arm and fractured pelvis. An alcohol test on Callaghan showed that he had a minor amount in his system but not enough to take him over the drink drive limit. Calum Weir, defending, told the sentencing: "He knows a catastrophic error of judgement has had a devastating impact on two families."
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Daily Record
Dad who left pal paralysed in wheelchair for life after horror bike smash jailed
Neither Scott Callaghan or his friend Paul Gaughan were wearing helmets at the time of the crash. A banned driver who left his friend in a wheelchair for life after a horrific motorcycle crash was jailed today for 30 months. Scott Callaghan, 31, propelled pillion passenger Paul Gaughan into the air in Glasgow's Anniesland on August 17, 2023. Callaghan had driven at excessive speed and struck a kerb while he had a small trace of alcohol in his system. Mr Gaughan was hospitalised for six months and was found to be paralysed below the chest. He also suffered further "life changing" injuries which included a number of fractures to his body. Dad-of-three Callaghan pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to causing serious injury to Mr Gaughan by dangerous driving. Sheriff John McCormick said: "You were a disqualified driver at the time which is an aggravating factor. "Due to Mr Gaughan's injuries, you are realistic that there is no alternative to a subtantial custodial sentence. You were 30 at the time and not an immature teenager - you chose to drive in that manner." The sheriff also disqualified Callaghan from driving for a period of eight years. The court earlier heard that Callaghan, of the city's Knightswood, was driving the Yamaha off-road bike to a field at 10.19pm. Prosecutor Victoria Keel said: "He drove at excessive speed and sharply braked and collided with a pavement. "The bike became airborne and it collided into a metal fence which caused Mr Gaughan to be propelled into the air. He travelled seven metres before he landed on the ground." Both men - who were not wearing protective helmets - were found severely injured at the scene. Mr Gaughan was conscious and breathing but did not react to pain. He was taken to hospital where he was found to have sustained a string of injuries described as "life changing." This included a fracture to his vertebrae, a scalp bone fracture, a nasal bone fracture as well as scarring to his neck. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. "He will be a full-time wheelchair user and will require assistance to his bed, a car and the toilet. His left hand is week and will need assistance to carry out daily activities for the rest of his life." The fiscal depute further stated that there is a risk of a spinal cord injury and there was an injury to his bladder and bowel. The hearing was told that Callaghan also sustained injuries which included a broken arm and fractured pelvis. An alcohol test on Callaghan showed that he had a minor amount in his system but not enough to take him over the drink drive limit. Calum Weir, defending, told the sentencing: "He knows a catastrophic error of judgement has had a devastating impact on two families."
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Motorcyclist who left friend in wheelchair for life after crash jailed
Callaghan had driven at excessive speed and struck a kerb while he had a small trace of alcohol in his system. Mr Gaughan was hospitalised for six months and was found to be paralysed below the chest. He also suffered further "life changing" injuries which included a number of fractures to his body. Dad-of-three Callaghan pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to causing serious injury to Mr Gaughan by dangerous driving. READ MORE: Man and woman jailed for Paisley flat murder Fraudster who conned luxury businesses with 'Scottish tea' jailed Sheriff John McCormick said: "You were a disqualified driver at the time which is an aggravating factor. "Due to Mr Gaughan's injuries, you are realistic that there is no alternative to a subtantial custodial sentence. "You were 30 at the time and not an immature teenager - you chose to drive in that manner." The sheriff also disqualified Callaghan from driving for a period of eight years. The court earlier heard that Callaghan, of the city's Knightswood, was driving the Yamaha off-road bike to a field at 10.19pm. Prosecutor Victoria Keel said: "He drove at excessive speed and sharply braked and collided with a pavement. "The bike became airborne and it collided into a metal fence which caused Mr Gaughan to be propelled into the air. "He travelled seven metres before he landed on the ground." Both men - who were not wearing protective helmets - were found severely injured at the scene. Mr Gaughan was conscious and breathing but did not react to pain. He was taken to hospital where he was found to have sustained a string of injuries described as "life changing." This included a fracture to his vertebrae, a scalp bone fracture, a nasal bone fracture as well as scarring to his neck. Miss Keel added: "He suffered complete paralysis below his chest which will be life long. "He will be a full-time wheelchair user and will require assistance to his bed, a car and the toilet. "His left hand is weak and will need assistance to carry out daily activities for the rest of his life." The fiscal depute further stated that there is a risk of a spinal cord injury and there was an injury to his blader and bowel. The hearing was told that Callaghan also sustained injuries which included a broken arm and fractured pelvis. An alcohol test on Callaghan showed that he had a minor amount in his system but not enough to take him over the drink drive limit. Calum Weir, defending, told the sentencing: "He knows a catastrophic error of judgement has had a devastating impact on two families."
Irish Independent
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Son follows in father's footsteps to become Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council
Cllr Callaghan, whose father, Tom Callaghan, passed away three weeks ago, was elected unopposed at the local authority's annual general meeting. The Rathmoyle-based Fine Gael councillor received the chain of office from outgoing Cathaoirelach Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice (Fianna Fáil). Cllr Callaghan is only the second son of a former Roscommon County Council Cathaoirleach to hold the office. His late father, Cllr Tom Callaghan served as Cathaoirleach from 1996 and 1997. In 2018, former councillor Ivan Connaughton made history when he was elected Cathaoirleach of the council five years after his father, Martin, held the office. Cllr Callaghan was proposed for the position by Cllr Ruth Conboy (Fine Gael) and seconded by Cllr John Keogh (Fianna Fáil). Cllr was subsequently elected as Leas Cathaoirleach for the year ahead. First elected to Roscommon County Council in 2009, Cllr Callaghan was re-elected in the 2019 and 2024 local elections and is a farmer by profession. Speaking following his election, Cllr Callaghan said he was 'honoured and humbled to be elected as Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council,' describing it as 'a great honour and one that I don't take lightly.' Cllr Callaghan paid tribute to his late father and to former county councillors John Naughten and Anthony Waldron, who passed away within the last year. 'Both men showed the best qualities of what being a councillor was all about – working hard for the people they serve and always striving for the best for their communities,' he said. 'It's important to remember that all of us here in this chamber, regardless of political affiliation or none, are guided by one common purpose – to do our very best for the people we serve. It's about making Roscommon the best place it can be to live, work, invest in and visit. It's about being proud of our county.' Cllr Callaghan spoke positively about the ongoing multi-million-euro development of the N5 between Ballaghaderreen and Scramogue. He also said he would like to see continued investment Lough Key Forest Park and Strokestown Park House and the delivery of quality, affordable homes. He concluded his remarks by thanking his family, 'in particular my wife Joan, daughter Aisling and sons Gavin and Neil; my brother Ollie and my late brother Gerry as well as my sisters Aileen and Eithne. I look forward to working with you all over the next twelve months.'
North Wales Chronicle
19-06-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Monk who brought shame on Catholic boarding school jailed for abusing pupils
Michael James Callaghan, known as Father James, has been jailed for seven years for preying on the vulnerable teenage boys at Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire. Judge Richard Clews, sentencing at Durham Crown Court, told the 71-year-old: 'It cannot go unsaid that your actions have brought the Catholic church and the school into serious disrepute by their nature and number.' Following a trial last month at Teesside Crown Court, Callaghan was convicted of 12 counts of indecent assault on one pupil in the 1990s and one count of sexual assault on another teenager in the 2010s. The older victim, neither of whom can be identified, faced the priest in court as he read out a statement in which he said 'Father James was manipulative and controlling'. He said: 'My life was hijacked when I was just 14 and I have been dealing with the fallout ever since.' The court heard how the house master groomed the boy and engineered ways to be alone with him, took him out of school for meals and gave him cigarettes. The complainant said in his police interview that Callaghan would 'take on the role of a boy I had a crush on' and they would kiss and simulate sex, telling officers he 'hated the sexual bit of it' and realised as an adult it 'wasn't right'. The second victim, who had his bottom fondled by Callaghan, said it was 'weird and quite frightening' that his abuser was a priest. In a victim statement which was read out for him, he said he hoped Callaghan could be rehabilitated, and 'that he may in time examine his conscience, practice repentance and change his ways'. David Lamb KC, defending, said Callaghan had sought medical help to address his attraction to boys even before he joined Ampleforth, that he had no previous convictions and that he had expressed remorse after his conviction. The judge said Callaghan, of Moortown, Leeds, would be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offender register for life. Judge Clews said right-thinking people would 'recoil in horror' at the idea of a Roman Catholic priest having a sexual relationship with a boy. The school, described in court as 'the Catholic Eton', said after the sentencing that it had 'overhauled' it safeguarding systems. In a statement, it said: 'Ampleforth College deplores abuse and offers a heartfelt apology to the victims and their families for the profound suffering and pain that Michael James Callaghan has inflicted upon them. 'We acknowledge past failings and feel great sorrow at the terrible betrayal of trust.' It said the monk left the school in 2018 and it fully supported the police inquiries which began in 2022. The statement added: 'We are committed to reporting any safeguarding concerns to the relevant authorities and supporting the police and relevant authorities in any investigation. 'We actively offer any help we can give to survivors of abuse and we commend their courage in speaking out.' After the sentencing, Detective Constable Alison Morris, of North Yorkshire Police, said: 'Not only did Callaghan abuse his position of trust in the most appalling way, taking advantage of vulnerable boys he should have been caring for and protecting, he denied his offences throughout and showed no remorse for the pain and suffering he caused.'
