Latest news with #IrishIndependent
Sunday World
an hour ago
- Sunday World
Family of stab victim James Berney say he was ‘taken too soon' ahead of private funeral
People have left numerous messages of sympathy including one that reads: 'May your kind, beautiful soul rest in peace Jake' A private funeral will be held for stabbing victim James 'Jake' Berney, it has been announced. According to his notice on the 53-year-old who died in Tallaght Hospital last week after being attacked in his home over a personal dispute, was 'taken too soon'. It states that Jake will be forever 'sadly missed' by his loving father Andrew, his daughter Lorita, his son Aaron 'and all of his immediate family'. 'Taken too soon but forever loved by all of his brothers and their wives, aunts and nieces, extended family and friends,' the notice reads. In the condolences section, people have left numerous messages of sympathy including one that reads: 'May your kind, beautiful soul rest in peace Jake.' Stab victim James 'Jake' Berney News in 90 Seconds - June 28th Another adds that 'it was with deep shock and profound sorrow that I heard the terrible news of Jamesy's passing'. 'Fifty-three is far too young, and to be taken in such a cruel manner is truly difficult to comprehend. Love and sympathies to Andy, Willie and all of his family and friends,' Another writes that 'Jamesy' was more than an acquaintance, 'he was a fixture of our childhood on Foxdene Drive'. 'I'll never forget him babysitting, letting us stay up late for MacGyver, then attempting to lull us asleep before the folks got back with his dramatic rendition of 'Lady in Red'. 'It's a very sad day for Clondalkin,' another adds, 'he was a gentleman. I will always remember your kindness, smile, laugh and chats. May you RIP. Thinking of all your family, gone too soon.' Another mourner said: 'I only knew you from passing by, you were such a friendly person and never bothered anyone.' Another added: 'Couldn't believe what I was hearing, you didn't deserve that Jake. (I) knew you 20 years and not a bad bone in your body.' Berney, who lived at the home on Foxdene Drive in Balgaddy with his elderly father, was stabbed multiple times during a fatal attack following a personal dispute on Wednesday night. A male teen has emerged as the chief suspect in the attack and while he has not yet been arrested by gardai, it's understood that he was known to Mr Berney, although they were not related. One source told the Irish Independent: "He is well known around the area and his name spread around in the hours after this happened. He hasn't been seen since the stabbing on Wednesday night but he is the chief suspect." Meanwhile, Jake's daughter, Lorita, and pal Rebecca, have set up a GoFundMe page on behalf of the victim and his family 'The financial burden of Jake's funeral now rests on his elderly father, who is in his late 80s,' the page reads. 'At a time when he should be surrounded by peace and support, he is instead facing the unimaginable pain and cost of laying his son to rest. 'Jake was known for his kind heart and willingness to help others, even during his own struggles. He left a mark on many lives, and now his family needs support,' the page continues. 'If you're able to contribute, any amount would be deeply appreciated and would ease the weight on his father's shoulders during this devastating time. Thank you for your kindness.' James, who is known as Jake, was killed after the suspect forced his way into his home on Wednesday night. He was stabbed several times in the back and chest. The Sunday World understands that a number of other people were in the property at the time and witnessed the attack. The suspect fled and emergency services were alerted. Gardaí and paramedics rushed to the scene and the victim was transferred to Tallaght University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Sources described Mr Berney as a 'harmless man' who was well known in the area. 'He was a decent, harmless man who helped out around the area,' a source said. Gardaí were awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination yesterday, but they are expected to upgrade the inquiry to a murder investigation. No arrests have been made, but investigators are following a definite line of inquiry. Gardaí sealed off the house and a forensic examination by members of the Garda Technical Bureau began early yesterday morning. Neighbours said Mr Berney worked as a painter and decorator, and would often carry out decorating jobs for people in the area, some of whom described him as a 'perfectionist' when it came to his work. 'It's very sad. He was a local handyman, really. Everyone knew him, young and old,' one neighbour said. Another said: 'He was a loveable rogue, I'm going to miss him.' Neighbours said the front door of Mr Berney's house could be opened from the outside unless it was locked with a key, and there were frequent visitors to the property. There was no sign of forced entry at the house, and gardaí dusted the front door for fingerprints as part of their investigation. One neighbour reported hearing a disturbance at the house late on Wednesday night. 'There was banging and shouting and then the ambulance and gardaí started to arrive very quickly,' the man said. 'I've never seen so many squad cars. I knew there was something up when the gardaí put the tape up around the house. It's terribly sad,' another neighbour added. The investigation is being led by a senior investigating officer at Lucan garda station. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was in the vicinity of Foxdene Drive between 11pm and 12am and observed any activity that drew their attention to come forward. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Lucan garda station on 01 666 7300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Sunday World
an hour ago
- Sunday World
Female garda has lucky escape as man ‘pulls knife' on officers
The man, who is originally from Dublin, was later charged in connection to the incident and appeared at a special court sitting in Longford the following day. A female garda had a lucky escape when she was 'shouldered to the ground' and assaulted in a midlands village after a man officers had been searching for in connection to a criminal damage investigation 'pulled a knife' on gardaí. The man, who is in his mid 40s, had been wanted by detectives over damage that had been caused to a car in the Market Square area of Longford town last Friday (June 20). Those investigations had resulted in the speedy identification of the suspect. Garda stock image. News in 90 Seconds - June 28th When officers called to the property in Ballinalee the following day, a struggle broke out as gardaí attempted to execute the man's arrest. It was during those attempts that a female and well-respected garda was allegedly assaulted. 'He was later identified and on the Saturday they went to arrest him,' a source told the Irish Independent. 'He pulled a knife on the gardai (and) was arrested.' Sources have confirmed the well-regarded officer was shouldered, causing her to fall to the ground where she is believed to have also sustained one or possibly more kicks into the body. It's understood the knife involved was a 12 inch carving knife, which sources say was produced inside the property and not outside when the man was ultimately led away by arresting gardaí. "He produced the knife and closed the door on them (officers) who managed to then handcuff and arrest him. While the knife was produced, the man didn't attack the two officers with it.' The man, who is originally from Dublin, was later charged in connection to the incident and appeared at a special court sitting in Longford the following day. The Irish Independent understands the young officer did not sustain any serious injuries and has remained on active frontline duty since. He was subsequently refused bail and remanded in custody ahead of a further, scheduled court appearance on July 8. Details surrounding the incident comes amid a heightened and renewed spotlight on the dangers facing rank and file gardaí. Earlier this week, a garda suffered significant wounds to his fingers when he was stabbed in the hand after officers responded to a break-in at a pub in Blanchardstown on Wednesday evening. That incident, together with its Longford equivalent has led to calls for greater resources to be deployed in order to assist already over-stretched gardaí on a daily basis. "It's down to numbers and manpower, this is what it's about,' said Roscommon-Longford Garda Representative Association representative Keith Maher. 'There's not enough members and that's compromsing safety and you have to do the same amount (of work) with less people.' Longford-Westmeath Fine Gael TD Micheál Carrigy, meanwhile, described the latest episodes involving assaults on gardaí as 'totally unacceptable' and ones which required a strong hand from the judiciary. 'Gardaí do an excellent job and anything like this is totally unacceptable,' he said. "The strongest rigours of the law needs to be thrown at anyone in any attempts to assault gardaí carrying out their duty on behalf of citizens.'
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Fundraiser launched for stab victim James ‘Jake' Berney as teen identified as chief suspect
Berney, who lived at the home on Foxdene Drive in Balgaddy with his elderly father, was stabbed multiple times A fundraiser has been launched pay for the funeral of stabbing victim James 'Jake' Berney. The 53-year-old died in Tallaght Hospital after being attacked in his home over a personal dispute. Berney, who lived at the home on Foxdene Drive in Balgaddy with his elderly father, was stabbed multiple times during a fatal attack following a personal dispute on Wednesday night. A male teen has emerged as the chief suspect in the attack and while he has not yet been arrested by gardai but it's understood understood that he was known to Mr Berney, although they were not related. One source told the Irish Independent: "He is well known around the area and his name spread around in the hours after this happened. He hasn't been seen since the stabbing on Wednesday night but he is the chief suspect." Meanwhile, two friends, Lorita Murray and Rebecca Cranny, have set up a GoFundMe page on behalf of the victim and his family 'The financial burden of Jake's funeral now rests on his elderly father, who is in his late 80s,' the page reads. 'At a time when he should be surrounded by peace and support, he is instead facing the unimaginable pain and cost of laying his son to rest. James 'Jake' Berney News in 90 Seconds - June 27th 'Jake was known for his kind heart and willingness to help others, even during his own struggles. He left a mark on many lives, and now his family needs support,' the page continues. 'If you're able to contribute, any amount would be deeply appreciated and would ease the weight on his father's shoulders during this devastating time. Thank you for your kindness.' So far, 50 donors have raised €1,375 of a €4,000 target. James, who is known as Jake, was killed after the suspect forced his way into his home on Wednesday night. He was stabbed several times in the back and chest. The Sunday World understands that a number of other people were in the property at the time and witnessed the attack. The suspect fled and emergency services were alerted. Gardaí and paramedics rushed to the scene and the victim was transferred to Tallaght University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Sources described Mr Berney as a 'harmless man' who was well known in the area. 'He was a decent, harmless man who helped out around the area,' a source said. Gardaí were awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination yesterday, but they are expected to upgrade the inquiry to a murder investigation. No arrests have been made, but investigators are following a definite line of inquiry. Gardaí sealed off the house and a forensic examination by members of the Garda Technical Bureau began early yesterday morning. Gardaí investigating the fatal stabbing. Photo: Collins Neighbours said Mr Berney worked as a painter and decorator, and would often carry out decorating jobs for people in the area, some of whom described him as a 'perfectionist' when it came to his work. 'It's very sad. He was a local handyman, really. Everyone knew him, young and old,' one neighbour said. Another said: 'He was a loveable rogue, I'm going to miss him.' Neighbours said the front door of Mr Berney's house could be opened from the outside unless it was locked with a key, and there were frequent visitors to the property. There was no sign of forced entry at the house, and gardaí dusted the front door for fingerprints as part of their investigation. One neighbour reported hearing a disturbance at the house late on Wednesday night. 'There was banging and shouting and then the ambulance and gardaí started to arrive very quickly,' the man said. 'I've never seen so many squad cars. I knew there was something up when the gardaí put the tape up around the house. It's terribly sad,' another neighbour added. The investigation is being led by a senior investigating officer at Lucan garda station. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was in the vicinity of Foxdene Drive between 11pm and 12am and observed any activity that drew their attention to come forward. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Lucan garda station on 01 666 7300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Long-awaited Galway Nando's opening edges closer with announcement of new jobs
Rumours have been swirling about the new location for months as the group closes in on a further Irish expansion. Job listings have sporadically been posted on the Nando's recruitment website over the past six months. It appears efforts are ramping up to finally get the plans off the ground, with three assistant manager roles currently listed and closing dates set for mid-July. According to the job listings, the new restaurant will be located at the Galway Shopping Centre on the Headford Road in Galway city. There are currently 13 Nando's locations across Ireland, including six in Dublin alone. The move to Galway would represent the South Africa restaurant chain's first move to the west of Ireland. However, a timeframe on when the restaurant can be expected to open remains unclear. When contacted by the Irish Independent, Nando's said that they are not disclosing planned dates for the restaurant's opening.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
British ambassador to leave diplomatic service after ‘falling in love with Dublin'
Mr Johnston was due to return to London in September after five years in Ireland during which he played a key role in rebuilding Anglo-Irish relations in the post-Brexit era. However, the Scottish native told invitees at his annual garden party tonight that he plans to leave the diplomatic service after falling in love with Ireland. The Irish Independent understands he will take up a role in the education sector later this year. Mr Johnston (57) moved to Dublin, along with his wife Nicola, in September 2020. He has regularly spoken about enjoying the posting despite arriving at a difficult time for political relations and in the midst of the Covid pandemic. Several hundred guests attended a party to mark King Charles's birthday at the ambassador's residence in Glencairn, south Dublin where he made the surprise announcement. Among the crowd were EU Commissioner Michael McGrath, Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien, Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman, former tánaistí Frances Fitzgerald and Mary Harney, RTÉ presenters Claire Byrne and Oliver Callan, and architect Dermot Bannon. Mr Johnson said he had 'a little bit of news' and explained that he had 'fallen in love' with Dublin. He added that 'people are the lights of every city'. 'That's very much what it's felt like for Nicola and me in Ireland. The people we've met have been the highlight of our time here. 'And it's primarily because of the people that we've met that we've taken quite a big decision.' The diplomat has worked with the UK public service for 35 years. He has served in Paris and New York and has also had a wide range of political and security roles in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.
