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The Irish Sun
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
FAI request postponement of Oireachtas Committee hearing into alleged abuse in Irish women's football
THE FAI has asked for their Oireachtas Committee hearing to be postponed for four weeks to give them adequate preparation time. Abbotstown chiefs were invited to a meeting of the Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport to discuss safeguarding policies and procedures. It follows last year's RTE/Sunday Independent The Gardai are currently investigating the allegations, though all those named in the Committee member Padraig O'Sullivan TD, speaking under Dail privilege, raised concerns about the FAI's handling of it and requested the FAI be invited in. But the Association has responded asking for more time to prepare materials given the ongoing Garda investigation. Read More On Irish Football A statement read: 'The Association has requested that the date be deferred by a period of four weeks to enable adequate preparation time, given the complexity introduced by the Committee seeking material that relates directly to an ongoing Garda investigation. 'The Committee originally sought availability from the Association to discuss 'Safeguarding Policies and Procedures within the FAI'. 'Of the two dates offered the FAI were only available for Wednesday the 9th July due to annual leave for key personnel on the alternative date (Wednesday the 16th July). 'When the formal invite was received on Friday 27th June (8 working days prior to the session) the Committee requested a broad range of documents, many that relate specifically to an ongoing Garda investigation. Most read in Football 'Given the complexities involved in collating and considering our ability to comply with this request and to enable adequate preparation time we have sought a deferral of four weeks. 'Any disclosure must also be assessed carefully for legal and GDPR compliance given the sensitive and confidential nature of safeguarding information requested. Arsenal unveil Martin Zubimendi after he completes £51million transfer from Real Sociedad 'Over the intervening period we will continue to liaise with the Committee to ensure the scope of the session is clearly defined to ensure that no parties could inadvertently compromise an ongoing investigation. 'We fully respect the important work of the Joint Committee and acknowledge the critical oversight role it plays in relation to legislation, policy, governance, expenditure and administration of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. 'The FAI is fully committed to engaging constructively with the Committee on this matter and we look forward to them defining a revised date where this session can proceed.' 1 FAI people & culture director Aoife Rafferty and chief executive David Courell speaking when the allegations first emerged
Irish Examiner
04-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
More than one garda a day injured in assaults in 2024 despite rise in sentence
Gardaí were injured as a result of being assaulted on duty at a rate of more than one every single day last year, new figures have revealed. A total of 372 officers sustained injuries in assaults during 2024, while another 128 were injured on duty as a result of being attacked during the first six months of this year. The pattern of aggression has continued despite the introduction of new legislation in November 2023, which increased the maximum sentence for assaulting or threatening gardaí from seven to 12 years. Some 1,307 gardaí have sustained injuries as a result of being assaulted during the past three-and-a-half years, according to data published by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD Padraig O'Sullivan. Numbers spiked to a record 470 in 2023 from 337 during the previous year, before falling by 20% to 372 last year. A further 128 assaults causing injury had been reported up to June 26 this year. What's your view on this issue? You can tell us here 'We are all immensely grateful to our gardaí for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public and for the important role that they play in our society,' said Mr O'Callaghan. 'For the most part, the relationship between gardaí and the public is one built on very significant trust. An Garda Síochána is a largely unarmed, and yet hugely effective, policing service. 'An assault on a member of An Garda Síochána, a prison officer, a member of the fire brigade, ambulance personnel, or a member of the Defence Forces is an offence under Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.' Read More Minister wants pilot of garda-HSE response team in Limerick rolled out nationwide
Irish Examiner
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Over 500,000 Irish drivers have penalty points, RSA report reveals
There are currently more than half a million drivers with penalty points on their licence of whom 866 have 12 points, meaning they are each subject to an automatic six-month ban. There are a total of 512,791 drivers with penalty points currently on their licence across the State as of the end of April 2025, according to the most recent monthly report from the Road Safety Authority. The CSO said in 2023 there were 3.4m driver licences across the country. Over 30% of all drivers with penalty points are in Cork (51,360) and Dublin (112,393). Under current laws, penalty points remain on an individual's licence for three years after they are applied. If a driver receives 12 penalty points, they receive an automatic six month driving suspension. After Cork and Dublin, the third highest number of drivers with penalty points are foreign licence holders who have an Irish address, with 49,082 receiving penalty points. The county with the lowest number of drivers with any amount of penalty points was in Leitrim, with 3,090 drivers receiving points on their licences. The vast majority (405,522) of drivers with penalty points on their licence have between one and three points. Of the 866 drivers who have amassed 12 penalty points and are subject to the six-month ban, 83 are in Cork and 247 in Dublin. A garda checkpoint in Carlow. There are a total of 512,791 drivers with penalty points currently on their licence across the State Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central Padraig O'Sullivan raised concern about the large numbers of drivers being caught breaking the law and being issued with penalty points. 'I'm concerned at the high level of drivers with penalty points across the board, but what is particularly worrisome is the over 100,000 drivers who have between five and 12 points on their licence,' Mr O'Sullivan said. "This means that people are taking more risks while driving and being caught by gardaí for multiple offences. 'We've seen in responses to my own parliamentary questions that the number of people being caught driving while using their phones is steadily increasing.' The Cork North Central TD said people are 'very casually' breaking the rules of the road. 'While gardaí cannot be everywhere at once, it is imperative that we see more effective education of drivers who do receive penalty points to ensure they don't break the law again.' Recent figures from the department of justice showed a total of 59,603 people were caught by gardaí driving while using their phones between 2022 and 2024. The data also suggests the problem is worsening, with 21,888 people caught last year compared to 19,106 in 2023, and 18,609 in 2022. For the first three months of 2025, there were 6,073 people caught driving while using their phones. If this trend continues throughout the remaining nine months of the year, 2025 will have the highest level of drivers caught using their phones. Read More Garda station flags fly at half mast ahead of prayer service in honour of officer killed at checkpoint
Irish Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Number of people caught by Gardaí driving while on mobile phones has soared
The number of people caught by Gardaí driving while on their mobile phones has soared. A total of 59,602 drivers were prosecuted for the deadly offence over the last three years, the Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has revealed. Last year 21,888 were caught and fined for using their phone while behind the wheel - 2,782 more than 2023. And so far this year with only four months gone 6,073 have been found to be either illegally chattering away or texting while driving. The data was disclosed by the Minister in response to parliamentary questions from Padraig O'Sullivan TD. Minister O'Callaghan warned drivers to stop using a mobile phone behind the wheel because it can have deadly consequences. He said; "The message from An Garda Siochana is very clear. Driving while on your phone distracts the driver and takes both their eyes and full attention away from the road. "This is highly dangerous and potentially life threatening for drivers and other road users. "Over the recent Easter Bank Holiday weekend 225 fixed charge offences were issued to drivers using mobile phones while driving, 73 were issued for no seatbelt and over 10 notices were issued to unaccompanied learner drivers. "Every frontline Garda member now has a mobility device which is essentially a mobile phone that allows them to access a number of specialised Garda apps at the roadside. "These include the ability to issue a Fixed Charge Notice, to check a vehicle's insurance status, if a vehicle is taxed and whether a driver is disqualified. "These tasks can now be done within moments without the need to return to the station making much better use of their time." He also confirmed that the Gardai now have more unmarked cars and motorbikes out on the roads than ever before as part of the national road safety clampdown. He said 18609 were given fixed notice charges for driving while holding a mobile phone in 2022, 19,106 in 2023, 21,888 in 2024 and 6,0774 up until March 31 this year.
Irish Examiner
05-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
More people being caught using phones while driving each year
More people are being caught using their phone while driving, with almost 60,000 offences landing fines and penalty points over the last three years. Amid another bank holiday clampdown on drivers flouting road safety laws, new figures from the department of justice show that from 2022 to 2024, a total of 59,603 people were caught by gardaí driving while on the phone. The data also suggests the problem is worsening, with 21,888 people caught last year compared to 19,106 in 2023, and 18,609 in 2022. For the first three months of this year, 6,073 people were caught using their phones while driving, meaning 2025 is on course to be the worst year yet. Senior gardaí have warned that drivers are increasingly being caught watching Netflix on their phones as well as having online work meetings and social media interactions. Road safety advocates are calling for strict new policies whereby if a motorist is caught on the phone twice they are disqualified from driving. Fianna Fáil TD Padraig O'Sullivan, who received the data via parliamentary question, said he is concerned about the 'steady increase' in people driving with their phones out, but said the figures for 2025 show there could be a further increase if the trend continues. I see it every day as I drive the roads of my own constituency and the motorway to Leinster House. The prevalence and acceptance of these habits when behind the wheel is extremely concerning. Mr O'Sullivan believes the increase in individual's using phones while driving is 'largely attributable' to the increase in the number of accidents seen across the country in recent years. The department of justice has also detailed road policing activity during the recent Easter bank holiday weekend, when 225 fines were issued to individuals caught driving while using their phones. 'If that level of Garda operations was done every weekend, the possible number of offences would be enormous,' Mr O'Sullivan said. The Fianna Fáil TD said the Easter garda operation is typically one of the more significant enforcement periods, but that the figures again show that the "casual use of the mobile phone while driving has become the norm for so many people'. Irish Road Victims Association vice president Leo Lieghio, was highly critical of the Government for not doing more to penalise drivers who flout laws around distracted driving. He said the figures on phone use were 'disgraceful' and that the association has long called for stricter penalties for driving while using a mobile phone. We have been screaming for a long, long time. We want double penalty points brought in. He said increasing fines would not impact on whether or not someone uses their phone while driving, but that doubling penalty points from three to six would be a real deterrent. 'The only thing that's going to work is double penalty points. If you're caught once, you get six penalty points, that's your chance. 'If you're caught again, you're off the road and you've only yourself to blame.' Mr Lieghio said it is likely there are many more people using their phones who are not caught, but that Gardaí are doing their best to tackle the issue. 'People are not listening so they have to be made to listen. How many more people have to die, suffer life-altering injuries, for the Government and the courts to start treating this as a crime?' Mr Lieghio asked. In response to Mr O'Sullivan's question, Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan said that roads policing capacity has increased since 2024, alongside measures to increase compliance. This includes further deployment of unmarked Garda vehicles, as well as the installation of more static road safety cameras.
