Latest news with #JohnShaw
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Irish Times
No new Garda investigation or ‘cold case review' into 1976 murder of Elizabeth Plunkett
The family of Elizabeth Plunkett, who was raped and murdered in 1976 by British criminals John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans, have pledged to continue their campaign against Shaw's release from prison. This is despite claimed new evidence failing to prompt a fresh Garda investigation into the killing of the Dublin woman. Although the family has written to Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris , the case has not been reopened. There are also no plans for a Garda 'cold case review'. Garda Headquarters has, in reply to recent media queries, urged anyone with information on the case to come forward. However, sources played down the significance of that. They said it was a standard reference in reply to media queries about any unsolved crime, rather than a specific development in the case. READ MORE James MacGuill, a solicitor representing the Plunkett family, said people had come forward offering information after RTÉ broadcast a podcast series, Stolen Sister, prompted by Ms Plunkett's sisters Kathleen Nolan and Bernie Plunkett. 'The next logical step would be to, at least, appoint a specific [Garda] officer to co-ordinate all this,' Mr MacGuill said. In reply to queries, Garda Headquarters said a Garda investigation had been conducted, in the 1970s, into the death of Ms Plunkett. This 'ultimately led' to Shaw being charged with her 'murder, rape and false imprisonment' – though the murder charge was later dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions . The Garda added that anyone with new information on the case should come forward. The Department of Justice said Mr O'Callaghan 'cannot intervene' in the workings of the Garda or DPP's office as they were 'independent'. [ Witnesses supply new information on 1976 killers of Elizabeth Plunkett Opens in new window ] In August 1976, Ms Plunkett (23) was abducted and killed near Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow . A month later, Mayo woman Mary Duffy was kidnapped and murdered. Both had been violently sexually attacked. Evans and Shaw were arrested in Galway in September 1976. Evans was convicted of Ms Duffy's murder but acquitted of Ms Plunkett's killing. He died in jail in 2012. Shaw was also convicted of Ms Duffy's murder but the DPP later dropped the charge of murdering Ms Plunkett, without explanation. Ms Plunkett's sisters found out only recently that neither man had ever been convicted of her murder and were jailed for life for Ms Duffy's killing only. The Parole Board is currently reviewing an application for release from Shaw, who in now 79 and has been in jail for 49 years. Though they were initially included in that process as 'relevant victims', Ms Plunkett's family were excluded when it was realised the only sentence Shaw is now serving is for the murder of Ms Duffy. Ms Plunkett's family believe Shaw still poses a danger to the public and should not be freed. Multiple women have come forward in recent years to say they believe they were also targeted by Shaw and Evans during the men's 1976 crime spree.
Irish Times
11-07-2025
- Irish Times
Witnesses supply new information on 1976 killers of Elizabeth Plunkett
A further seven people have come forward to allege they were potentially targeted, or witnessed others being targeted, by serial killers Geoffrey Evans and John Shaw in 1976, around the time the pair murdered two women in different parts of Ireland. In June, eight women alleged they were potentially targeted by the men . Dublin woman Elizabeth Plunkett was murdered by Shaw and Evans in 1976. The two men went on to rape and murder another woman, Mary Duffy (23), in Galway before being caught a short time later. A podcast series launched by RTÉ concerning Ms Plunkett's murder has highlighted the fact that despite the men's confessions, no one was ever convicted for her death. READ MORE Evans died in custody in 2012. Shaw, the State's longest-serving prisoner, has been denied parole on multiple occasions. [ 'Ireland's first serial killer' John Shaw could be freed from prison in early 2026 Opens in new window ] Since the Stolen Sister podcast began, several witnesses have come forward with claims that they were approached by the men or witnessed other people being approached by them. Evans was tried and convicted for the murder of Ms Duffy, but the trial judge ordered the jury to return a not-guilty verdict for Ms Plunkett's murder. Shaw was put on trial solely for the murder of Ms Duffy. His first trial ended in a hung jury. He was convicted in a later trial, and both men received life terms. The Director of Public Provisions subsequently withdrew charges against Shaw relating to Ms Plunkett's rape and murder. Despite this, over the years it became accepted knowledge that Shaw and Evans were convicted of her murder. The 'fact' was repeated in books, articles and by authorities. The new witnesses come from across Ireland, including Dublin, Wicklow, Tipperary, Galway and Mayo. Similar to previous testimonies, the witnesses suggest Shaw and Evans made failed attempts to murder more victims than previously known. The witnesses have been put in touch with James McGuill, the solicitor who represents the family of Ms Plunkett. Mr McGuill said: 'We believe that if a decision was taken not to prosecute John Shaw for this murder, it was in all probability influenced by a view that there was inadequate corroborative evidence of his confession.' He added 'there is evidence available that would not have formed part of the case file at the time of trial that may justify a cold case review at this stage.' One Mayo woman claimed that when she was 20, she was chased by Shaw and Evans while she was driving to Galway city in 1976. They followed her to the house where she was staying. 'As I pulled up outside the house they pulled in beside me, right beside my passenger door. I could see the driver. He had a beard and was wearing glasses. I saw the second man going behind the car and coming around to my side. So I just hopped out of my car, I had the house key in my hand.' She said she walked backwards into her house, telling the men she had no money to take. She asked them what they wanted, to which one of the men replied: 'you'. She said she then got inside, closed the front door and fainted. The incident was reported to Eglinton Garda station. The woman said her only memory of being interviewed by gardaí was 'them giving out to me for not getting the number plate and asking me what I was doing driving on my own at that hour of the morning.' She said a number of years ago, a woman from Mayo shared a similar experience with her. 'The subject of Mary Duffy came up and she mentioned how Shaw and Evans had tried to abduct her before Mary Duffy was killed, and I was like, what did you just say?' One man claims he was approached by Evans in Bray in 1976, when he was 12½ old. He is the first man to contact the podcast with evidence matching the timeline of the case. He claims he was approached by an 'unkempt man with an English accent' while looking at CB Radios in Dicker's electrical shop window. 'I didn't like the look or sound of him so I ignored him. He persisted and out of politeness I eventually responded', he said. 'He asked me if I wanted to go with him for a cup of tea and a bun. At this stage alarm bells were ringing loud and I had a strong sense of stranger danger. The whole encounter from start to finish lasted about 10 minutes.' He forgot about the incident until 2012, when he saw a photograph of Evans in The Sunday World, in an article reporting his death. Another man claims Shaw and Evans tried to abduct two of his female friends in 1976. [ Elizabeth Plunkett: How murdered woman's family discovered they were not 'relevant victims' in serial killer case Opens in new window ] He said the two men jumped out of their cars and tried to push the women into the back seat. 'The girls were fit and strong and fought back and screamed', he said. [ The late summer murders: Two men on a mission to kill Irish women Opens in new window ] 'Shortly after they began pointing at a car driving towards us and that was the two men who tried to abduct them. I saw the passenger quite clearly.' He said 'I believe the two men who tried to abduct my friend's sister and her friend could well have been them [Evans and Shaw].'
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First Post
09-07-2025
- Science
- First Post
China attempts unique feat in space, its 2 satellites try orbital refuelling at over 35,000 km altitude
China may have just become the first country to attempt satellite-to-satellite refuelling in geosynchronous orbit read more China appears to be on the verge of accomplishing a groundbreaking manoeuvre in space by attempting an orbital refuelling operation at geosynchronous altitude, some 35,786 kilometres above the Earth. According to reports, satellite movement suggested that the Chinese satellites Shijian-21 (SJ-21) and Shijian-25 (SJ-25) have recently docked in orbit, an event that may mark the first attempt at satellite-to-satellite refuelling at such an altitude. This development, although not confirmed by official Chinese sources, has sparked considerable interest and concern within the international space and defence communities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to open-source satellite trackers and optical imagery shared by firms like s2a systems and COMSPOC, SJ-21 and SJ-25 approached each other multiple times between June 13 and June 30, with the final rendezvous seemingly occurring on July 2. The two satellites have remained together ever since leading observers to believe that docking, and possibly refuelling, has occurred, Ars Technica reported. A dual-use technology with strategic implications Though the Chinese government has offered little recent commentary, earlier disclosures provide some insight. The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), which developed both satellites, stated that SJ-25 was designed for 'the verification of satellite fuel replenishment and life extension service technologies'. Meanwhile, SJ-21, launched in 2021, had previously demonstrated its ability to capture and tow a defunct Beidou navigation satellite to a graveyard orbit, an operation officially described as a space debris mitigation test, reported. However, experts believe that there is more at stake than orbital cleanliness. Technologies capable of docking, manoeuvring and potentially refuelling satellites are considered 'dual-use,' suitable for both peaceful applications and military strategies. As former US Space Force Lt Gen John Shaw pointed out, these capabilities could eventually enable one satellite to intercept, inspect or even disable another nation's satellite without causing destructive debris, an article in Ars Technica said. Shaw emphasised that dynamic space operations, essentially the ability to move, inspect and refuel satellites, are a growing priority for the US military. However, he expressed concern that China might be leading the race, especially if the SJ-25 has successfully delivered fuel to the presumably depleted SJ-21. Importance of geosynchronous orbit Geosynchronous orbit (GEO) holds particular strategic importance for both military and commercial satellite operations. At this altitude, satellites remain fixed over a single point on Earth, making them ideal for tasks like secure military communications and early missile detection. Given the sensitivity and value of assets stationed in GEO, any operations involving close approaches or docking manoeuvres naturally attract scrutiny. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Because of this, the United States deployed two of its GSSAP (Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Programme) satellites—USA 270 and USA 271—to observe the Chinese activity. These satellites are designed to manoeuvre around GEO and inspect objects up close. However, as Shaw noted, their range is limited by fuel constraints, which is precisely why refuelling capabilities in space are being so closely watched, the South China Morning Post reported. Technical challenges and capabilities Refuelling in orbit, especially without human involvement, is an extraordinarily complex process. Unlike refuelling operations on space stations like the ISS or China's Tiangong, which benefit from human oversight, satellite-to-satellite refuelling must be performed autonomously. According to a 2022 paper in Aerospace Systems, challenges include precise docking, fuel transfer in microgravity and the risk of propellant boil-off. Once two spacecraft are docked, the servicing satellite, in this case SJ-25, would need to latch onto the target, likely with a robotic arm, remove protective coverings and initiate fluid transfer via pressurised systems. Propellants such as hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide, commonly used in satellite thrusters, must be handled with extreme care due to their volatile nature. a report in the South China Morning Post said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Watching the watchers While China's demonstration is notable, it also reveals the escalating game of orbital chess now playing out above Earth. The US Space Force's inspector satellites were not the only watchers. China's own operators have become adept at evading surveillance. Shaw observed that Chinese satellites have been known to manoeuvre away when approached by GSSAP satellites, exploiting their predictable and limited movement patterns. If China succeeds in enabling its satellites to refuel at will, its capacity for dynamic space operations could outpace the US, diminishing the surveillance effectiveness of American assets like GSSAP. As Shaw remarked, 'the marginal cost of those maneuvers for them becomes even lower, and the challenge for GSSAP becomes even greater,' the Ars Technica said quoting the former military official. Global precedents and comparisons While this is potentially a first for high-orbit refuelling, it is not humanity's first venture into on-orbit servicing. In low Earth orbit, DARPA's Orbital Express mission in 2007 demonstrated autonomous docking and fuel transfer between two satellites. In geosynchronous orbit, Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicles (MEV-1 and MEV-2) successfully docked with ageing commercial satellites to extend their operational lifetimes, though without actually transferring propellant, said. Japan's Astroscale is also entering the arena, planning to demonstrate fluid-based refuelling in the coming year. Nasa, meanwhile, has been preparing its own high-profile OSAM-1 mission (On-orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing), previously known as Restore-L, to refuel government satellites in low orbit. However, none of these missions—past or planned—has matched China's current feat in terms of orbital altitude, complexity or autonomy. India's position in on-orbit servicing India, while a growing space power with a track record of cost-effective innovation, currently lags behind in the niche domain of on-orbit satellite servicing and refuelling, especially at high altitudes like geosynchronous orbit. The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has yet to announce or demonstrate capabilities akin to China's Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 missions or the US's Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Isro has focussed heavily on Earth observation, communication satellites, planetary exploration and lunar missions such as Chandrayaan-3. India may eventually step into satellite servicing, given the growing importance of space sustainability and the potential for public-private partnerships in the sector. For now, India is more likely to observe global developments closely and build the requisite infrastructure before attempting such complex, autonomous operations in high Earth orbit. Unanswered questions and next steps Despite the numerous data points from commercial trackers like COMSPOC and optical firms such as S2A Systems, significant uncertainty remains. Joe Callaro, COMSPOC's operations lead, emphasised the limitations of visual tracking when two satellites become 'one pixel' in telescope imagery. RF and radar data help improve confidence, but they don't replace direct confirmation, according to Ars Technica. If confirmed, the success of this high-orbit refuelling test may signal a paradigm shift in how space operations are conducted both commercially and militarily. The ability to refuel satellites in geosynchronous orbit could dramatically extend their operational lives, reduce costs and enhance responsiveness to emerging threats. At the same time, it also highlights the need for transparency and dialogue in space affairs. With multiple nations now capable of sophisticated satellite servicing and, potentially, disruption, international norms and safeguards may be more urgent than ever.
STV News
08-07-2025
- Business
- STV News
Billionaire donates 16 Scottish paintings in memory of late husband
An Indian billionaire has donated 16 paintings from some of Scotland's most significant historical artists to Renfrewshire's civic collection, in memory of her late husband. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw made the donation as a tribute to her husband John Shaw, who was an enthusiastic collector of Scottish art. Mrs Mazumdar-Shaw is the founder and chairwoman of Biocon Ltd, which describes itself as India's largest biopharmaceutical company. Mr Shaw, who died in 2022 after a short illness, was born in Glasgow and forged an international career with thread company Coats Viyella. Mrs Mazumdar-Shaw said: 'John was a proud Scot and his career at Coats was foundational in shaping his life.'She added: 'Wherever in the world he went, his collection of Scottish art allowed him to carry a part of his homeland with him. 'I hope these works will now bring that same sense of connection and inspiration to those who visit the Paisley Museum.' The collection includes paintings by portrait artist Henry Raeburn and James Paterson, one of the 'Glasgow Boys', who came to prominence at the end of the 1800s. Most works are from the 1800s, though the collection spans from the 1700s to the late 20th Century. PA Media John Shaw, art collector and businessman who died in 2022. PA Media Paisley Museum is currently undergoing a multi-million-pound restoration and the artworks are intended to go on display in its 'secret collection' at a storefront on the high street. Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, Renfrewshire Council's spokesperson on culture, said: 'We are incredibly grateful to Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw for this generous donation. 'John Shaw was part of Paisley's past industrial success, and now he will be very much embedded in its future cultural regeneration. 'We're sure that our magnificent museum will be something of which he and his family can be truly proud and we're delighted to be able to associate ourselves with the Mazumdar-Shaw family.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
John Shaw's Scottish art gifted to Renfrewshire collection
A total of 16 paintings have been gifted to the collection by philanthropist Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw in memory of her late husband John Shaw. Mr Shaw, who grew up in Glasgow and enjoyed a long career with thread manufacturer Coats Viyella, was a lifelong collector of Scottish art. A portrait of John Shaw (Image: Supplied) The works, drawn from his personal collection, have been donated to Paisley Museum as a tribute to his connection with the town and its industrial heritage. Dr Victoria Irvine, curator of art at OneRen, said: "We're incredibly grateful for this wonderful donation. Read more: 'Very serious offences': Serial rapist who attacked teenage girl and woman jailed "John Shaw certainly had a good eye and his collection represents many prestigious Scottish painters. "This acquisition will help us tell the story of Scottish art in the years ahead." The collection features pieces by some of Scotland's most celebrated artists, including Henry Raeburn and James Paterson of the Glasgow Boys. Ms Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson of Biocon Limited and one of India's leading philanthropists, said: "John was a proud Scot and his career at Coats was foundational in shaping his life. "Wherever in the world he went, his collection of Scottish art allowed him to carry a part of his homeland with him. "I hope these works will now bring that same sense of connection and inspiration to those who visit the Paisley Museum." Most of the paintings date from the late 1800s, with the earliest from the late 1700s and the most recent from the late 20th century. The works will be available for public viewings and housed in Paisley's Secret Collection, the UK's only high street-accessible museum store, until Paisley Museum reopens. Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, chair of OneRen and Renfrewshire Council's spokesperson on culture, said: "We are incredibly grateful to Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw for this generous donation. "John Shaw was part of Paisley's past industrial success, and now he will be very much embedded in its future cultural regeneration. "We're sure that our magnificent museum will be something of which he and his family can be truly proud and we're delighted to be able to associate ourselves with the Mazumdar-Shaw family.'
