Latest news with #McCourt
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Man admits having guns and explosives seized in Co Louth arms bust
Mark McCourt (34) appeared before the Special Criminal Court on Monday A 34-year-old man has pleaded guilty to facilitating a criminal organisation to import explosives, firearms and ammunition into the State. Mark McCourt, with an address at Edenerieve, Newry, Co Down, appeared before the Special Criminal Court on Monday where his defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC said he could be arraigned on six counts on the basis that they are sample counts. McCourt pleaded guilty that between February 10, 2023 and July 19, 2024, both dates inclusive, within the State, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, did participate in or contribute to activity intending to facilitate the commission by the said criminal organisation or any of its members, of a serious offence, to wit the importation in the State of Firearms and Ammunition and Explosives. He further admitted to unlawfully having in his possession two .233 Remington Calibre barrels from AR-15 pattern semi-automatic rifles in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not possess it for a lawful purpose on July 19 2024 at John St, Blackstick, Ardee, Co Louth. McCourt also pleaded guilty on the same date at the same location to unlawfully having in his possession nine assorted 9mm luger calibre barrels, eight frames for Sig Sauer semi-automatic pistols, a frame for a Canik semi-automatic pistol and four slides for a Sig Sauer model P320 9mm Lugar Calibre semi-automatic pistol in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not possess it for a lawful purpose. Mr Grehan requested that a governor's report be sought in respect of his client and asked that a date for sentencing be fixed before the end of term. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor directed that a governor's report be prepared and set a date of Monday July 28 for the sentence hearing. Mark McCourt and the seized weapons News in 90 Seconds - July 22nd
Global News
2 days ago
- Global News
Calls for ‘femicide' to be declared distinct crime in wake of Kelowna mother's tragic death
Bailey McCourt was only 32 years old when her life came to a violent end. The Kelowna mother of two young children was attacked, allegedly with a hammer, in a parking lot on July 4 while out on her lunch break. The longtime Kelowna resident was honoured at a memorial on Saturday evening at a ball diamond where she grew up playing ball. Those in attendance, including McCourt's grieving mother, released 32 balloons in honour of the slain woman. 'I haven't had a minute yet to think so tonight, tonight's my night. Tonight's my night to say goodbye,' said an emotional Karen Fehr. McCourt's friend was also significantly injured in the attack but survived. McCourt's estranged husband, James Plover, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder the day after McCourt succumbed to her injuries. Story continues below advertisement 2:05 Woman dead, man fatally shot by police after assault call at Surrey home McCourt is one of several B.C. women who died this month due to intimate partner violence. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The numbers are staggering. These incidents are happening every other day,' said Karen Mason, who co-founded SOAR, which stands for Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury through Research. 'We must do something drastic if we actually care to stop it or make things better.' That drastic change said Mason, who is also the former executive director of the Kelowna Women's Shelter, must include an amendment to the criminal code to declare femicide as its own criminal offence. 'It's going to mean that perpetrators, accused abusers, stay behind bars until they can prove they should be let out, ' Mason said. 'It can leave survivors not living in fear.' The deadly attack occurred a few hours after Plover was convicted of domestic violence charges. Story continues below advertisement The charges, including assault by strangulation and uttering threats, stemmed from an incident in June 2024. The identities of the victims in the earlier case are protected by a publication ban. Despite the conviction, he was not remanded in custody. According to B.C. Prosecution Service, Plover was bound by the terms of release conditions in the earlier court proceeding. He was due in court for sentencing in mid-September. While it would not commit to declaring femicide a distinct crime when asked by Global News on July 9, Canada's Justice Department stated in part, 'Our government has committed to cracking down even further on repeat, violent offenders by strengthening the Criminal Code to protect victims.' Advocates however, say the time to act is now. 'The one thing that's unique in this case is that it happened in a public space, in broad daylight, which I think has really forced a reckoning,' Mason said. 'We can't sweep this under the rug. We can't pretend this didn't happen.' McCourt's grieving mother said she will push for change in honour of her daughter. 'If this could be the one to give us a reason to actually change it, you know, I might be able to find a little more peace in what happened,' Fehr said. Story continues below advertisement
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Man (34) pleads guilty to having guns and explosives seized in Ardee arms bust
Mark McCourt, with an address at Edenerieve, Newry, Co Down, appeared before the Special Criminal Court on Monday where his defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC said he could be arraigned on six counts on the basis that they are sample counts. McCourt pleaded guilty that between February 10, 2023 and July 19, 2024, both dates inclusive, within the State, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, did participate in or contribute to activity intending to facilitate the commission by the said criminal organisation or any of its members, of a serious offence, to wit the importation in the State of Firearms and Ammunition and Explosives. He further admitted to unlawfully having in his possession two .233 Remington Calibre barrels from AR-15 pattern semi-automatic rifles in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not possess it for a lawful purpose on July 19 2024 at John St, Blackstick, Ardee, Co Louth. McCourt also pleaded guilty on the same date at the same location to unlawfully having in his possession nine assorted 9mm luger calibre barrels, eight frames for Sig Sauer semi-automatic pistols, a frame for a Canik semi-automatic pistol and four slides for a Sig Sauer model P320 9mm Lugar Calibre semi-automatic pistol in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not possess it for a lawful purpose. Mr Grehan requested that a governor's report be sought in respect of his client and asked that a date for sentencing be fixed before the end of term. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor directed that a governor's report be prepared and set a date of Monday July 28 for the sentence hearing.
Global News
3 days ago
- Global News
Memorial held for slain Kelowna mother Bailey McCourt
Family and friends of Bailey McCourt gathered Saturday night to remember the Kelowna mother of two, weeks after she was killed in a daylight attack in a parking lot. The memorial was held at the Mission Sports Field, with attendees sharing memories, and tying posters as well as pictures of the 32-year-old to baseball diamond fences. McCourt's mother, Karen Fehr, says the place held great significance to her and her daughter. 'She grew up on the fields first on the coast and then we lived here. She started playing ball at High Noon Ball Park for the kids,' Fehr told Global News. 'Whenever she didn't play, then I played the other nights. Everyone here knows her.' 'Finding out the Bats for a Cause tournament was going on this weekend, which is a really important tournament to all the ball players here, raising money for the children's hospital, it was a no brainer.' Story continues below advertisement McCourt was brutally attacked back on July 4 in a parking lot, later succumbing to her injuries in hospital. 2:16 Friend of Bailey McCourt hoping violent attack prompts change in B.C. Her estranged husband, James Plover, was arrested after the attack and now faces a charge of second-degree murder in the case. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy It is alleged Plover attacked McCourt with a hammer, just a short time after being convicted of domestic violence charges in Kelowna courtroom. The identities of the victims in the earlier case are protected by a publication ban. Family members including Fehr have expressed anger and sadness over McCourt's death. They are demanding judicial change, as Plover was granted bail after the convictions. 'If this could be the one to give us a reason to actually change [laws], I might be able to find a little bit more peace in what happened,' said Fehr. 'Women have been waiting and waiting for the change we need when it comes to violence against us.' Story continues below advertisement Plover remains in custody and is due back in court on Sept. 16.
Global News
16-07-2025
- Global News
Okanagan bakery raises funds for family of Bailey McCourt, mother killed in hammer attack
A never-ending stream of people flows through the doors of Cupcasions Handheld Dessert Specialists Inc. The Okanagan bakery was extremely busy on Tuesday to remember Bailey McCourt. 'She was a beautiful, beautiful girl. You walked in with her smile, and you immediately fell in love with her,' said Karen Fehr, McCourt's mother. The local bakery is serving up 'Bailey's Favourites' in support of her loved ones where 100 per cent of the funds raised will go to her family. McCourt was killed in a hammer attack earlier this month. Her estranged husband is charged with second-degree murder and remains in custody. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The more we talk about her, everybody needs healing right now, and the thing that is keeping me going is all the stories,' said Fehr. Story continues below advertisement McCourt leaves behind two young daughters. Cupcasions owner, Libbie Philips, knew McCourt through her business and felt compelled to act. 'When I read her name, I stopped dead in my tracks,' said Philips. 'My husband said, 'Do you know her?' And I said, 'She was my bride,' so this wasn't even a second thought, it's what we had to do.' Many of the people coming to show their support are also demanding changes to the way intimate partner violence is dealt with by the justice system. 'I hope this creates a bigger movement, and change happens,' said Michele Chaplin, who waited in line for more than 20 minutes to support the fundraiser. Valerie Jensen drove from Vernon to take part. 'We need to change our justice system,' said Jensen. 'We need to change how we are raising our boys and men.' Jennifer Robertson says she hopes that what happened to McCourt will not happen to more women. 'I am hoping this will bring to light many, many, many situations like this for a lot of women out there, and I hope that this drives change,' said Robertson.
