HomeTagsPosts tagged with "news"

news

A candidate for the Women's Equality Party in the UK has received a death threat signed 'Jo Cox' – a deeply unsettling reference to a Labour politician who was brutally murdered in West Yorkshire last summer.

Nimco Ali, who campaigns against female genital mutilation, spoke of her distress upon receiving the handwritten missive.

Speaking to The Independent, Ms Ali said: "It’s crippling to receive a death threat."

"I don’t think the people who send these things realise the affect it will have or maybe they’re fully aware and get kicks. I am worried for my safety."

Acknowledging the reference which was made to the late Ms Cox, Ms Ali said: "It was difficult having known Jo Cox personally and respected her so much."

"I’m familiar with abuse and received stuff like that for eight years as an activist but this shocked me. It’s just words on a paper it just takes one idiot to act on it.”

Speaking on behalf of her colleague, the founder of the Women's Equality Party, Catherine Mayer, admitted that the letter came as a shock to Ms. Ali.

"At first Nimco was resilient as always but when I told her how it was signed, she was shaken up," she said.

"It was handwritten and in capital letters. It included racist, Islamophobic and misogynistic stuff and was extremely nasty.”

Worryingly, this is not the only incident of harassment that the party have endured, with Ms Mayer explaining that they have been on the receiving end of threatening phone calls this week.

"The unidentified male callers were shouting angry and abusive stuff and throwing insults. It was terrifying. The women have been left shaken up."

"There are women in the office at all times but it is scary to be there. This shows how much we need a woman’s equality party.”

Commenting on  the importance of her work thus far, Ms Ali said: "I have spent the last 10 years risking my life to Ends #FGM and I have lost so much to ensure this world is free of abuse and hate."

Trending

Researchers from the Karolinksa Institutet and the Stockholm South General Hospital in Sweden have investigated the theory that many rape victims are unable to fight off their attacker due to a physiological reaction in a harrowing situation.

With many victims forced to face questions over their apparent 'lack of resistance' during a rape, researchers in Scandinavia sought to analyse the response of women during sexual assaults.

According to their research, the vast majority find themselves unable to move which subsequently blocks their ability to fend off an attacker.

The response is known as 'tonic immobility' and has been described as "an involuntary, temporary state of motor inhibition in response to situations involving intense fear."

Using 298 women, who had visited the Emergency Clinic for Rape Victims in Stockholm within one month of a sexual assault, researchers established that 70 per cent reported significant tonic immobility during their assault while 48 per cent reported extreme tonic immobility.

In the six months following the attack, 189 of the women were assessed for the development of PTSD and depression. Findings indicated that 38 per cent had developed PTSD while 22 per cent had developed severe depression.

The risk of developing PTSD increased by 2.75 if the victim experienced tonic immobility while the risk of depression increased by 3.42.

The study comes as welcome news in both the medical and legal worlds as researchers seek to highlight the importance of the finding.

Speaking to Broadly, the study's lead author, Dr Anna Moller, said: "The courts may be inclined to dismiss the notion of rape [if] the victim didn't appear to resist."

"Instead, what might be interpreted as passive consent is very likely to represent normal and expected biological reactions to an overwhelming threat."

"This information is useful both in legal situations and in the psychoeducation of rape victims. Further, this knowledge can be applied in the education of medical students and law students," she added.

The findings have been published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica.

Trending

As London attempts to come to terms with Saturday's night abhorrent attack on innocent civilians, further information regarding the attackers' backgrounds is now coming to light.

And as the Irish public learns that one of the now deceased attackers recently spent time living in south Dublin, security analyst, Tom Clonan, has offered his perspective on Ireland's vulnerability in the current climate.

Speaking on Today with Sean O' Rourke, he acknowledged that the nation's status is ever-changing.

"The risk profile for the Republic has changed. This time last year, I would have said that an attack in Ireland was possible, in theory, but highly unlikely," he said.

"As of today, unfortunately, and very sadly, we have to consider that an attack in Ireland, whether a lone-wolf attack or a supported-network attack, is a distinct possibility.”

“The fact that we had an Irish resident on the street in the Borough markets, creating havoc, we cannot assume therefore that we are immune to such an attack," he added.

Using Sweden as a comparison, the security analyst explained that despite being seen as "a country with a very low threat assessment, a neutral country like Ireland, with a very well-integrated ethnic minority", the Swedish capital still came under attack when a hijacked truck targeted crowds in the country's capital.

However, despite his concerns, Mr Clonan was keen to assuage the public in light of his remarks, and reinforced the belief that Ireland's position varied greatly from Britain's while speaking positively about Ireland's Islamic community.

“The vast majority of Irish Muslims are extraordinarily well integrated. They play Gaelic games; they participate actively in all aspects of Irish life," he said.

Trending

In a decision which has made headlines around the world, Harvard University has revoked admission to at least 10 students who shared 'jokes' regarding rape, race and child abuse in a Facebook group chat.

It is understood that approximately 100 incoming students originally formed a group in order to share memes before a small number decided to establish an 'R-rated' version of the group.

The students, who would be set to graduate with the class of 2021, were approached by the admissions office administrators when details regarding the offensive postings became public knowledge.

The individuals were initially told they would be forbidden from attending the university's annual event for admitted students before advising them to reveal the content of their ill-advised posts.

In an email circulated to all those involved, the school's officials made clear their stance on the matter, and gave the students the opportunity to justify their actions.

"The Admissions Committee was disappointed to learn that several students in a private group chat for the Class of 2021 were sending messages that contained offensive messages and graphics," it began.

"As we understand you were among the members contributing such material to this chat, we are asking that you submit a statement by tomorrow at noon to explain your contributions and actions for discussion with the Admissions Committee."

In the week following the circulation of the email, the group's members learned that their admission to the prestigious US university had been rescinded.

The decision has reportedly divided opinion on campus, with some supporting the school's stance and others condemning the school's prevention of 'free speech'.

Trending

Following Saturday night's terror attack in London, police descended upon two addresses in East London and ultimately arrested 12 individuals in relation to the weekend's atrocity.

However, it has now been made public that all 12 individuals – seven men and five women – have been released without charge.

According to numerous reports, the individuals were released as Scotland Yard named two of the men responsible for the death of seven people on London Bridge and Borough Market.

Khuram Shazad Butt, a 27-year-old British citizen born in Pakistan, and Rachid Redouane, who claimed to be Moroccan-Libyan, were named as attackers last night while the third individual has yet to be named.

All three attackers were shot dead at the scene.

48 people were injured during the latest terror attack to befall Britain.

 

Trending

by

A 36-year-old man accused of raping a university student at Kilmashogue Lane, Rathfarnham, Co Dublin in September 2014 has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court.

According to a report in The Irish Times, the defendant told Gardai that he had 'fully consensual sex' with the woman he met through Tinder three years ago.

The court heard that upon his arrest, the accused asked Garda Ciaran Byrne: "Who am I supposed to have raped? Is this the girl from Tinder?”

The jury heard that the two individuals met three days after exchanging messages through the dating app, and began their date at a McDonalds restaurant.

The prosecutor told the court that the accused became angry when the complainant rebuffed his sexual advances before ordering her out of the car and driving off.

The court then heard that the accused returned and ordered the woman into the car before driving further into the mountains where the alleged rape took place.

Testifying in court, Dr Roz Quinn explained that the woman visited her practice on Camden Street the day after the alleged rape and was tested for sexually transmitted infections in addition to being prescribed the morning after pill.

Speaking to prosecutor, Alex Owens, Dr. Quinn provided the court with an overview of her meeting with the alleged victim.

"It was very much a non-verbal consultation, there were very little words spoken. She (the complainant) looked at the floor throughout. She was tear-stained and was wearing no make up, she didn’t look well at all.”

The trial continues, with Mr Justice Paul Butler presiding.

Trending

by

It’s been 30 years since a young mother-of-two went missing following a night out in Dublin city centre, and as the anniversary of her death approaches, her two daughters are taking the opportunity to appeal to the public for information.

Antoinette Smith spent July 11 1987 at a David Bowie concert at Slane Castle before deciding to continue the festivities with a visit to La Mirage nightclub on Dublin’s Parnell Street later that night.

At approximately 02.15, the 27-year-old left the nightclub and wasn’t seen again.

She was considered a missing person until her remains were found on Glendoo Mountain almost a year after her disappearance.

Three decades on and the person or persons responsible for Antoinette's death have not been brought to justice – something which understandably weighs heavily on the mind of the two children she left behind.

Now 37 and 34, Lisa and Rachel admit that their mother’s brutal passing has cast a long shadow, but they remain hopeful that their appearance on tonight’s Crimecall will go some way towards solving the case.

“We had a stolen childhood, but, it’s like they’ve stolen some of our adulthood as well because for us it doesn’t go away,” Lisa said.

“I’d be lying if I said we didn’t struggle. We do. Everyday. Because it’s always there, it doesn’t go away. Because the person that did it is still out there."

"I’m 37 now and it’s like I’ve lived my life without her. It’s crazy to think I’ve had a lifetime without my Mam. It’s heartbreaking to think that two young kids who are now adults they still have no sense of closure. To me closure is catching the person,” she continued.

“It would mean a great deal to us because it would mean we can actually put her to rest, she can rest in peace. And it means we can move on,” Rachel added.

Gardaí are appealing directly to those who may know what happened to Antoinette. For further information on the case, tune into tonight’s Crimecall on RTÉ One at 9.35pm.

 

Trending

by

It's been one week since a terrorist atrocity brought Manchester to a standstill, and as the city struggles to comes to terms with the death of dozens of its citizens, countless stories continue to emerge about the people who lost their lives last Monday night.

Tributes have poured in for the young and old who were killed as an Ariana Grande concert in the Manchester Arena drew to a close, and one name which has been mentioned all over the world is Martyn Hett.

Remembered by Mariah Carey as a superfan and honoured by Nick Grimshaw as a 'character', the young man made a resounding impression on people far and wide through his creative, engaging and imaginative presence on social media.

And one Irish woman, who wanted to pay her own tribute, was much-loved illustrator, Holly Shortall.

'Paint me like one of your French girls' he said. I finally got around to it @martynhett you were one of a kind we will miss you forever," she wrote alongside her recent upload.

Three days after sharing a creation which epitomised his free spirit and the effect he had on this around him, Holly revealed she was overjoyed to learn that her illustration had been made into T-shirts.

"My heart is bursting that with his family and friends blessing, my tribute to our friend @martynhett will be made into tshirts by the wonderful @philipnormal with proceeds going to Martyn's family will update when they are available," Holly wrote alongside an image of the T-shirt.

Messages of support have flooded Holly's page since the news broke, with one follower writing: "This is amazing! Can't wait to purchase one. Great idea from a great person with a huge heart. He would be bursting with pride!"

"Such an amazing tribute, Holly! From what I've read, I'm so sorry I never got to know him, he seemed like an incredible human," added another.

You can purchase the T-shirts from the gofundme page which was established to honour Martyn's memory.

Trending

by

Following nationwide outrage over the decision to give ownership of the new National Maternity Hospital to the Religious Sisters of Charity, the group have given up ownership of St Vincent’s Healthcare Group.

Further to this, they will have no involvement in the maternity hospital on its campus.

According to emerging reports this morning, the healthcare group confirm that the Religious Sisters of Charity have relinquished their share.

Releasing a statement on the matter, St Vincent's Healthcare Group, said: “The nature of the Sisters' involvement in their healthcare operations has altered significantly in recent decades, from predominantly unsalaried healthcare professionals to the situation today where they have no direct involvement in the provision of healthcare."

"Consequently, the Sisters have for many years been engaged in an on-going strategic review of their healthcare facilities, especially SVHG.

"This has involved finding the way forward that best perpetuates the vision and values of Mary Aikenhead, which are dignity, compassion, justice, quality and advocacy.”

"The outcome of the process is that the Religious Sisters of Charity believe the future continued success of SVHG, and perpetuating the vision and values of Mary Aikenhead, can best be ensured by relinquishing their shareholding in SVHG, and transferring ownership of the group to a newly formed company with charitable status to be called "St. Vincent's."

Confirming the news, the Religious Sisters of Charity explained their stance on the matter.

"We believe that the future continued success of SVHG can best be ensured by our transferring ownership of the group to a newly formed company with charitable status to be called 'St Vincent’s'.”

"We are confident that the board, management and staff of SVHG will continue to maintain a steadfast dedication to providing the best possible acute healthcare to patients and their families in line with the values espoused by Mary Aikenhead.”

Trending

by

A man is due to be sentenced this morning after he was found guilty of the murder of ex-girlfriend, Soina Blount.

In February 2014, two months after their relationship had ended, Eric Locke lured Sonia to a Dublin hotel using a fake Facebook profile. 

Locke then strangled the mother-of-one to death.

He was found guilty just four days ago after it took the jury less than one hour to reach their unanimous verdict.

During his trail, Locke admitted that he lad lured Sonia to the hotel in Tallaght under false pretences, but denied her murder.

According to his psychiatrist, Locke was suffering from a pervasive development disorder at the time, but the claim was later dismissed after the prosecution expert found no evidence to back it up.

The jury also saw saw footage of him as he fled the scene, dropping his mobile phone in a drain outside the hotel.

Sonia's family will be given the opportunity to deliver a victim impact statement before Eric Locke begins his mandatory life sentence. 

Trending

by

In an announcement which has stunned Xposé fans this afternoon, Jonathan Cheban has pulled out of his highly-publicised guest host slot on the entertainment show.

Kim Kardashian's BFF was set to host the TV3 show today and tomorrow, but according to emerging reports, that dream came to an end before it even started.

Explaining the change of plan to the press and public, Jonathan's manager said: "Due to unforeseen circumstances Jonathan has had to return to NY, we are hoping to reschedule a visit to Ireland very soon."

According to previous reports, the reality star was only dying to get his teeth into some presenting on this side of the pond.

“I’ve done lots of TV in the US and the UK but never in Ireland so I can’t wait," he gushed at the time.

Looks like he's going to have to wait a bit longer…

Trending

by

As a mark of respect to the hundreds affected by the Monday night's atrocity in Manchester, it has been reported that much-loved fashion brand, Boohoo, donated £100,000 to a fund established to support victims of the terrorist attack.

Upon learning of the carnage which unfolded in the wake of an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena on May 22, the brand took to Twitter to express their heartache over events.

"Today we wake up to news we never imagined we would hear," they wrote referring to the death of dozens of innocent concert-goers.

"Boohoo was born and bred in Manchester – it is the place we call home. Our thoughts are with all those affected. As a sign for all those involved, our channels will remain silent for 24 hours."

Following the brand's decision to remain silent, they then responded to a crowd funding appeal put forward by the Manchester Evening News.

With the publication calling for donations, it has been revealed that the fashion line donated a staggering £100,000.

While the brand decided not to highlight their altruism, the Manchester Evening News paid tribute to their generosity in a Twitter post.

"They didn't want a big fuss but @boohoo made a £100,000 donation to #Manchester! Thank you." read the post.

Meanwhile, British food retailer, Morrisons, donated £250,000 bringing the fund to just over £1,000,000.

Trending