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Sunday World
5 days ago
- Sunday World
Garda stabbed in hand after responding to Blanchardstown pub break-in
The garda who is understood to be a talented rugby player suffered significant wounds to his fingers A crazed man stabbed a garda in the hand after officers responded to a break in at a pub in Blanchardstown last night. The garda who is understood to be a talented rugby player suffered significant wounds to his fingers. He was hospitalised after the incident as was the suspect who is from Co Cork and is understood to have been 'highly intoxicated.' Sources say that he was armed with a kitchen knife and attacked the highly respected officer when he responded to the burglary at the pub. 'There was damage to the entry door – the culprit got in – gardai responded – the suspect went at the garda who is aged in his early 30's – he suffered injuries to his fingers from the knife – all are in hospital,' a senior source told the Sunday World. 'The strong belief is that the suspect was highly intoxicated,' the source added. Speaking after the knife attack, Garda Detective Mark Ferris of the Garda Representative Association condemned the attack. 'It is with real concern that we acknowledge yet another incident in which a young Garda was assaulted while carrying out their duties, this time during the arrest of an individual in possession of a knife in Blanchardstown. 'The male Garda received medical attention at Connolly Hospital and has since been discharged following treatment. 'I wish to commend my colleagues for their courage and professionalism in the face of such adversity. Attacks on members of An Garda Síochána are entirely unacceptable, and sadly, becoming far too common. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks our members face daily while carrying out their work.' Stock photo (Brian Lawless/PA) News in 90 Seconds - June 26th
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rep says Gardai assaulted 'daily' after lucky escape from meat cleaver attack
Gardaí are being assaulted on a 'daily basis', a representative has said amid a terrifying meat cleaver attack on an officer in Co Roscommon. The Irish Mirror reported on Wednesday how brave Garda Gary Murphy told how he was lucky to escape with his life when drug dealer Gerard Forte struck him with a meat cleaver as he searched his house in an incident in December 2023. The shocking facts of the case were unveiled for the first time during a court hearing on Tuesday - in which Garda Murphy spoke about his belief that Forte was trying to kill him that night. And speaking as Forte was remanded into custody, the Garda Representative Association's (GRA) Eoin Browne commended the bravery of Garda Murphy and his colleague Garda Michael Fox, who were attacked that day - as he highlighted the wider issues of officers being attacked almost every day. Garda Browne, who represents the Roscommon and Longford divisions of the GRA told us: 'Two Gardaí, while conducting a search during the course of their duty, were violently assaulted and both members were lucky to escape with their lives. 'We have one member (Garda Michael Fox) still out sick as a result of undergoing constant medical treatment. Another member gave a very impactful victim impact statement where he was attacked with a meat cleaver with his back turned and only for the grace of God, he could have been killed. 'It very easily could have been a lethal situation,' he said. Garda Browne said the incident highlights the all-too-common events where officers in the region are putting their lives on the line. 'I just want to highlight the fact that these assaults on Gardaí are going on on a daily basis and are not just confined to the bigger urban areas. 'Towns like Roscommon have violent criminals as well and we just need to highlight the manpower issues in two counties where there's just such a shortage of Gardaí and this has been going on now a number of years,' he said. His comments come as Garda Gary Murphy told a hearing of Roscommon Circuit Court that he had no doubt that Gerard Forte, 29, of Castlepark, Co Roscommon, 'tried to fatally injure me' when he swung the weapon at him after officers with a warrant had to forcibly enter their way into his home on December 27, 2023. Forte, 29, pleaded guilty to assaulting both Garda Murphy and his colleague Garda Michael Fox - as well as producing a knife - namely a 'meat cleaver'. Forte, who the court heard already has a conviction for sale and supply of drugs and threatening and abusive behaviour, also pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply on that same date. The court heard that Garda Murphy was saved by Garda Fox, who struggled with Forte on the floor and couch of his home before managing to restrain him with handcuffs. The drugs unit officers had made their way into the home, repeatedly shouting 'Gardaí', the court heard, as they executed a warrant to search his home on the suspicion that he was supplying drugs in Roscommon town. In a powerful victim impact statement read out in court, Garda Murphy, who has had to undergo physiotherapy and has ongoing issues due to the incident, said he feels he is lucky not to have been killed by Forte on that night. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week 'The phrase injured 'on Duty' or 'in the line of Duty' cannot ever be justified or comprehended when a Garda is brutally attacked,' he told the court. "My attack on the 27th of December 2023 could easily have been fatal. "The actions of Gerard Forte could easily have caused me to be remembered as a number on the wall of Templemore.' The Garda said his loved ones could all have ended up 'mourning the loss of another Garda member killed in the line of duty'. 'It seems somewhat unfair for only me to give a victim impact statement because the reality is, is that this attack affects many, many more people than just me,' Garda Murphy told the court. 'The fear that I may be attacked again, is our reality. The fear that next time, I won't be so lucky, is our reality. 'My tour of duty the evening of the 27th of December 2023, I have no doubt in my mind could have been my last,' he added. 'I have no doubt in my mind whatsoever that Gerard Forte tried to fatally injure me. "His actions on the night, coming to the window looking out, knowing who was at the door, his only thought was to return to his bedroom, find the biggest knife he had and attempt to strike me on the back of the head when my back was turned.' Garda Murphy said Forte's actions were 'all the thoughts of a person that was trying to strike a fatal blow'. He told the court that when the struggle continued into the sitting room, Forte was again trying to strike his colleague Garda Fox with the same knife. 'I believe there was only one thing on his mind. Only for the quick actions of Garda Michael Fox, I would not be here today, that's my reality,' Garda Murphy told the court. He received a laceration to his left shoulder from the strike of the knife, he said - and his clothing was cut through from the impact of the blade. He believed that he now had an 'irreversible rotator cuff injury' to his shoulder and injuries he would continue needing treatment for. The court also heard that Garda Michael Fox was still off duty due to injuries he had received in the incident. Garda Murphy said the incident will stay with him forever. 'To believe how close I came to death will stay with me forever,' he told the court. He said he found it 'extremely difficult to return to front line policing' but he did so to 'save myself'. 'I have dedicated the past two and half years of my service and life to the Divisional Drugs Unit in an attempt to reduce the amount of controlled drugs in the Counties of Roscommon and Longford,' he added. "This night of the 27th of December 2023 has not only made me question working within such a unit but also working within An Garda Síochána as an organisation at all. 'There is no way this would be the "norm", in any other public sector job. If someone walked into a Hospital and attacked a Nurse or a Doctor, the country would be rightly up in arms. However, the reality is, is that this is happening to Garda members every day of the week,' he said. 'Garda members are getting attacked 'in the line of duty' daily. Ordinary people, like me, take on the career of Members of An Garda Síochána, protecting and serving the communities of Ireland. If Garda members are being attacked, how can anyone feel safe? 'However, Gardaí are every day, even now, working to protect the people and to detect and prevent crime, it's what we do,' he said. Garda Murphy said the attack affects the wider community and the residents of Roscommon town. He said it occurred when he executed a search warrant - because "I believed that Gerard Forte was involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs in Roscommon Town". 'I was fully justified in my belief,' he told the court. 'There is no way he can be justified in his." 'Gerard Forte, has never offered an apology for his actions, if he does today, it is solely as a mitigating factor. His demeanour towards the Garda Staff and Gardaí when he signs on bail, can only be described as repulsive,' he continued. 'A clear message must be sent out that such attacks on Garda members is not acceptable, and cannot be tolerated. '90 names on the walls of Templemore is too many, today, I feel like the lucky one.'
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Letters: Young people could well afford to repay a mortgage – if they could just get their hands on one
House prices are continuing to climb. Stock Image The real problem is that they cannot get a mortgage. This is because house prices are at a level that their savings, salary and funds offered by banks just don't get close to. Even with parents raiding savings and pension plans, the gap is insurmountable. Borrowers might well afford to repay instalments on a 30-year mortgage, but they just cannot get one. The solution is simple. We need a very clear agreement between banks and clients. And I'm not ruling out government-sponsored lending. It would state: We will give you the funds you need, provided you have shown history of savings. But – and it is a big proviso – should you renege on your mortgage payments after an agreed timescale, you must hand back the keys. There can be no ifs, ands or buts. This is an adults' agreement. I believe that thousands of people in Ireland today would happily take this offer were it available. So many people are trapped paying prohibitive rent that not only cripples their finances, but cripples their chances of getting a mortgage. Eamon Kearney, Baldoyle, Dublin I'm greatly reassured to learn that red wine, dark chocolate, tea and apples now count towards our five-a-day ('Your 'five-a-day' can now include chocolate and red wine,' Irish Independent , June 3). At this rate, all I need is a Tayto crisp sandwich and we'll have cracked public health in Northern Ireland. As someone from Armagh, I've long maintained that an apple a day – preferably from a tree your grandad planted – is as medicinal as anything in the pharmacy. Now, thanks to Queen's University Belfast, it seems flavonoids are the future. Tea and red wine included? That's breakfast and supper sorted. Kale, of course, remains under review. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh There are a lot of issues with generative AI and large language models in education. They can be used by students and teachers to create essays and lesson plans. However, AI is entirely dependent on what you ask it to do. Even the slightest error in a request can lead to wildly varying results that may not reflect the author's intentions. Users must be very precise when asking AI to generate text. In the past, there was no such thing as a 'stupid question', but there is when using AI. Students and teachers need to be trained in prompt engineering. This is learning how to ask AI to generate something by giving it appropriate and well thought-out prompts. AI has become a new cornerstone in education; everyone can learn to be thoughtful and reflective when using it. In the future, students shouldn't be assessed on their AI-generated essays, but, rather on the quality of the 'prompts' they use to generate it. Dr John Jennings, Knocknacarra, Galway The Garda Representative Association (GRA) does a lot of moaning nowadays about how members are treated by the Government and the people. Does this go on across Europe? You'd think that those sworn to uphold the law would follow that promise through and not bark at every new regulation brought in by a democratically elected government. Liam Doran, Clondalkin, Dublin At the moment, Israel has been green-lighted and armed by Donald Trump to start the bombardment of Iran. The reason is to stop Iran developing nuclear weapons, because the country is seen to be unstable and a threat. But I would argue Israel might be viewed as equally unstable under the current leadership. Ray Dunne, Enfield, Meath The horrific war in Gaza, which started with Hamas' shocking attack on Israel's civilians in October 2023, has appalled most decent people, and yet the bombings and killing of Palestinians continues. Despite frequent words of condemnation, most world leaders have done nothing to stop it. Worse still, many European countries, as well as the US, continue to stand by Israel economically and militarily. The EU was quick to call out the Russian invasion of Ukraine, so why is the EU not stopping Israel's genocide in Gaza? Is the EU not hypocritical in its actions, and has it learnt nothing from past conflicts? The union was a European project to foster peace. So why is Israel, a perpetrator of destruction, mass migration and famine on the people of Gaza, still allowed to participate in EU-funded research projects? And why do EU countries continue to sell arms to Israel? Has the EU lost its moral compass? C Bailey, Dundrum, Dublin Enda Cullen is to be commended on his sharp observance of 'hitting the floor' over Saturday night's GAA commentary on Armagh v Galway ('GAA commentary needs to be more grounded – I was floored by what I heard,' Letters, June 16). There are so many sideshows on our current TV commentaries and analysis. 'Playing deep', 'middle three', 'middle eight', (is there a difference?). 'Push-up', 'giving' (no presents given in Gaelic football). 'On the back foot', 'running deep'. These are just some of the phrases that we, the viewers and readers, run with. Gone are the golden sports days of the great Michael O'Hehir's lone broadcasts. The whistle, the throw-in, the game is on, there's five minutes left in the game, there goes the final whistle. Game over. The last we had of that long-lost sporting activity was the legendary John D Hickey's famous reports in the Irish Independent on Monday mornings. No confetti or strings attached – like now. Tom Curley, Galway
The Irish Sun
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
First openly gay GRA President encourages force members to be honest about ‘who they are' after ‘difficult' years hiding
THE first openly gay president of the Garda Representative Association has revealed how he was married to the mother of their two teenage children when he came out. Mark O'Meara today takes the courageous step of telling his story to encourage other members of the force not to fear being "open and honest about who they are". Advertisement 4 The GRA President, photographed in his office, has issued an encouraging message for other force members Credit: CONOR Ó MEARÁIN 4 The Garda Representative Association have been accepting of his sexuality Credit: Collect His decision to speak also comes ten years on from the Marriage Referendum, after which he found new love and is now remarried with his husband Rory, while also maintaining a really positive friendship with his ex-wife and two children. It's a far cry from when he was left really struggling, battling with the weight on his shoulders he felt from his O'Meara explained: "Having hidden my sexuality most of my life, I think now that I can be open and honest on how difficult that time of my life was. "I have no doubt so too do many other Advertisement READ MORE ON LGBT "It's not being the real you, the complete you, that affects your relationships with others, in my case it was with my ex-wife and our two children. "I'm not saying we didn't have a good "But it could have been so much more, particularly for my kids, who no matter how much they deny it, had to find it so very difficult and upsetting, and I'm still very conscious of that. "I was lucky in so many ways that my wife and Advertisement Most read in Irish News Originally from Thurles in Co From an early age, O'Meara knew he was 'different' but didn't know how to label it because it was a time in Gardai roll out new tool in crackdown on e-scooters After secondary school, he moved to After some bar work and other random jobs, he signed up for the Advertisement It was in the O'Meara said: "Sexuality wasn't an issue for me at that point. From memory, it had no relevance to me at that time at all. "I had no doubts that I wanted to get married." Following almost nine years based in England's capital, he and his wife returned to Ireland as he joined the Advertisement They lived a happy life and had two children together, but as time passed, O'Meara's sexuality began to take its toll. It affected his confidence and how he put himself forward, describing it as one of the most difficult things he has had to grapple with in life. 'MARRIAGE BEGAN TO SUFFER' He explained: "It only became an issue for me years later after the birth of our second child but I just put it to the back of my mind and had more or less resigned myself to my life with my wife and kids and that was it. "We were such good friends so I just thought that sexuality wouldn't be an issue and we would grow old together, and in my mind then I thought my sexuality would have been something in my past. Advertisement "Things just started to fragment over time and the marriage began to suffer and we took the difficult decision to separate. "I think at that point I just knew I would have to walk away, the pressures were affecting me both physically and mentally. "We tried "That was the most difficult part, but funnily enough it was the news of the breakdown of the marriage that hurt them most, whereas the news of my sexuality seemed to be insignificant in comparison for them." Advertisement While the separation and divorce was "very difficult" for the 'HAPPY RELATIONSHIP' In 2015, O'Meara met his partner Rory, who his children see as their "second dad", and the couple later wed. He added: "My ex-wife and I enjoy a close relationship and we talk regularly. I was lucky to meet someone, and after the marriage referendum I married my husband Rory, in August 2018. "My ex-wife and our children were at the Advertisement There was no "big reveal" of O'Meara's sexuality to his friends or community but eventually people became aware and he told some colleagues at work, who he got great support from. O'Meara explained: "I was attached to the "But I never once witnessed any homophobic or masochistic attitudes towards me. "In fact it was quite the opposite and they were hugely, hugely supportive towards me. I think like myself, many of them forgot I was gay because it became so insignificant that it made no difference whatsoever. Advertisement "I think what was important to them was that I was still the same person and that I hadn't changed and I was still 'Mark', but Mark just happened to be gay. "I was stationed in Cahir in South Tipperary for 17 years before the College and again, when I came out, all I've ever had is support and never judgement. I've done enough of that to myself over my lifetime, so I'm grateful others haven't judged me." 'BE YOURSELF' O'Meara also told how his sexuality has never affected his career or work with the GRA, which represents over 11,000 rank and file garda members. He added: "It's never been an issue. Being the first openly gay President of the Association hasn't caused me any difficulties." Advertisement Asked if he had any advice for members who are struggling like he once did, he said: "I came from a completely different generation in many ways to the younger members, but still I personally never had to deal with any negative experience, repercussions or hostility for my sexuality. "Clearly I cannot speak for every one of my colleagues around my age. But I think for younger members, I certainly hope that it is less of an issue for them. For those that believe it is an issue, I would appeal to them to 'just be yourself, be yourself and be proud of your sexuality. "Don't shy away from it, and please don't cause yourself any unnecessary mental and physical anguish and pain over the years. "Our sexuality, whatever it is, is a proud part of us all, but it doesn't, nor should it, define us." Advertisement 4 Mark O'Meara married his partner Rory in 2018 Credit: Collect 4 Mark revealed his children view his husband as a 'second dad' Credit: CONOR Ó MEARÁIN
The Journal
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Head of garda group: 'The moment I came out, it became the most insignificant part of me'
THE PRESIDENT OF a garda group has said that he hopes that talking about his sexuality will help his colleagues. Mark O'Meara is currently the elected head of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) which represents rank and file members of Ireland's police force. In an interview published in the Garda Review, the group's magazine, he speaks about his own experiences of being a gay man in An Garda Síochána. O'Meara, who was first a member of the Metropolitan Police in London when he left Thurles, Co Tipperary in the 1980s. He then came home to Ireland and became a garda. He said his decision to speak openly was to give people an understanding of the difficulties he faced coming to terms with his sexuality and that he hopes it will help other gardaí. 'I am now in the final year of my presidency and I felt it was important to talk about this while I still had the platform of the position that I hold and hope to get across my experience of being a gay man within An Garda Síochána and perhaps inspire others to know it is okay to be open and honest about who they are,' he said. O'Meara said that he felt it would be 'disingenuous' if he didn't speak up. 'I just wanted to be open and honest and if this interview even helps one member of the GRA and indeed, An Garda Síochána, then it will have been worth it,' he added. The interview is the GRA's way also to mark Dublin Pride Parade on 28 June – it will come on 10th anniversary of the marriage equality referendum. Mark is married now to his partner Rory but he was married previously. In the interview he explained how difficult that time was for him as he was finding a way to be open about his sexuality with his loved ones from the previous relationship. Advertisement 'Having hidden my sexuality most of my life, I think now that I can be open and honest on how difficult that time of my life was, and I have no doubt so too, do many other gay people who can't, or who are afraid to come out, and so might suffer damaging mental and physical health. 'It's not being the real you, the complete you, that affects your relationships with others, in my case it was with my ex-wife and our two children,' he added. O'Meara said his experience of life in An Garda Síochána was positive and when he came out to his colleagues he was working in the driving school in Templemore Garda College. He said he was worried, before telling his colleagues, that he would be outed at work and keeping the secret was the most difficult time for him. 'But there's no doubt that for a number of years I struggled to have the confidence I have now. 'There were times when my daily prevailing thought was 'will someone look at me and say, he looks gay' and so up to the point where I came out, my sexuality was definitely one of the most difficult issues I ever dealt with. 'But the moment I came out it immediately became the most insignificant part of me, it meant nothing,' he added. Despite those struggles O'Meara does not regret coming out sooner. 'If I came out sooner, or even been conscious of how I really felt, that I wouldn't have married or had my children, perhaps wouldn't have then met my husband. 'So the timing and what happened over the years is nothing that I regret as I wouldn't be the man I am or have the things I have today. 'So I have no regrets as such, just perhaps guilt, some justifiable, some unjustified because you find solace in the fact that you were trying to protect your kids from hurt and pain. 'But in the end, it was for the best as my kids now see a much happier dad and we have a brilliant relationship,' he added. 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
