Body to test death probes

Sentencing Oduntan yesterday, Judge Martina Baxter said the accused had engaged in a “very prolonged, premeditated and well-planned scheme”.

“He knew exactly what he was doing,” she remarked.

The judge said it was clear that Oduntan has sole responsibility for the church’s funds and bank accounts.

PUBLIC hearings will be needed to test evidence in investigations into some Troubles deaths carried out by a new truth recovery body, its chief has said.

Declan Morgan, who will lead the body, said he wanted to be able to offer victims’ families the same opportunities as exist through the current legacy inquests plan.

THREE men and a woman appeared in court yesterday charged in connection with a “large scale public order incident” that unfolded outside a site earmarked to accommodate international protection applicants on Thursday.

During a special sitting of Bray District Court, Inspector Niall Kennedy told Judge Nicola Andrews that gardai were met by a level of violence that was “relentless, prolonged, and extremely dangerous” during protests outside River Lodge/Trudder House in Newtownmountkennedy in Co Wicklow.

The accused were Michael Synnott and Shane Synott (19), both with an address at Season Park. Newtownmountkennedy,

The other two accused were Ben McNulty (41) of Rossmore Avenue, Newtownmountkennedy, and Sharon McCann (38) of Mountainview Drive, Co Wicklow.

All four were charged with public order offences.

The court heard none of the accused made any reply after they were cautioned.

Another man arrested at the scene has also been charged and will appear in court on a later day.

Speaking yesterday, Inspector Kennedy of Bray Garda Station said he wanted to give the court “context” and explained how the situation unfolded.

He said members of the Gardai were present at the site to accommodate workers who needed to access the site because demonstrators were quite “vocal”.

Bail

Inspector Kennedy said: “By approximately 7pm, the situation began to change and the protesters became actively involved in criminal activity exhibiting aggressive behaviour.”

He said this “developed into a mob” who “set fires” and were “intent on causing criminal damage to property and causing injuries to members of An Garda Siochana present.”

Insp Kennedy said Garda cars were damaged during the protests revealing “windscreens were smashed and tyres were slashed”.

He explained that more charges may be brought against the accused in relation to the incident in the future but said the Gardai had no objections to bail at present subject to strict conditions.

All of the accused must obey a curfew of between 8pm and 8am.

They must stay away from River Lodge/Trudder House and not engage in protest in the Newtownmountkennedy area.

All were remanded on bail on their own bond of €1,000.

They will appear again at Bray District Court on May 9.