Ongoing problems of underage drinking in St Columb’s Park

A multi-agency group meeting, chaired by Mayor Alderman Hilary McClintock, has met at Derry City and Strabane District Council Offices to discuss ongoing concerns and issues with anti-social behaviour caused by underage drinking across the City and District.

Top of the agenda was the ongoing problems at St Columb’s Park, where residents have been concerned following reports of large numbers of young people gathering and consuming alcohol during periods of good weather.Two teenage girls reported to police that they were raped in the park earlier this month. One team boy was charged with rape and released on bail

A second man arrested over a separate incident has been released on bail pending further inquiries.

The meeting was called following a number of incidents of antisocial behaviour in a number of areas over the last few weeks in an effort to offer reassurance to the public with regard to safety in public areas and parks across the City and District.

The meeting, which was attended by representatives from a number of agencies including the PSNI, Council and CCI, agreed to take forward a number of actions in an effort to address the problem.

They included an increased proactive partnership approach to dealing with the issues raised including the early identification of incidents and early intervention, increased security and monitoring in problem areas, ongoing engagement with schools and the youth sector to raise awareness of the problem and proactive communication to encourage responsible behaviour in young people.

It was also agreed that there was a need for increased and targeted enforcement to seize alcohol from under 18’s and more engagement with off licences to help address the issue.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock described the meeting as extremely informative and worthwhile.

She said: “This is an issue of real concern to everyone and in particular to residents living close to St Columb’s Park.

“We all want our young people to enjoy themselves but we want them to be safe and to be informed.

“The issue of underage drinking in parks and open spaces is of significant concern to local residents and the wider public, who feel intimidated and afraid to go to places where young people are congregating.

“There is also concern about the number of alleged incidents where teenagers have been the victims of alleged alcohol related crimes and it’s everyone’s responsibility to be proactive in doing what we can to address the issue and find solutions to the problem.”

Encouraging the public to assist with the solution, the Mayor said it was important that residents and the public report issues and incidents where they notice young people gathering with alcohol, to the PSNI or the Community Safety Wardens so that action can be taken to prevent anti-social behaviour.

She added that parents and grandparents also have an important role to play in knowing where their child under 18 is, what they are doing and speak to them about responsible behaviour and personal safety.

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy and to be safe in our parks and open spaces.

Alcohol recently seized by police in Derry’s St Columbs Park from under age children

“By working together we can help change attitudes and behaviours and get the entire community to get involved in helping us resolve this problem.”

The PSNI’s Derry City and Strabane District Commander Superintendent Gordon McCalmont said: “The commitment to address the wider issues relating to anti-social behaviour is both positive and welcomed.

“Policing ASB can be resource intensive, especially over the summer months, and while we recognise that we have a part to play around enforcement, there is a collective responsibility involving partners, parents and community leaders to tackle the underlying factors that lead to anti-social activity.”

Karen Phillips, Director of Environment and Regeneration with Derry City and Strabane District Council said drinking alcohol in parks and open spaces is not permitted and will not be tolerated and Council will continue to work closely with its partners, in particular PSNI, CCI and St Columb’s Park House in order to deal with these issues and to prevent recurrence.

The contact numbers for the Community Safety Wardens are as follows – 07709457690 or 07736213140.

And the non-emergency number for the PSNI is 101.

DETECTIVES in Derry are appealing for information following a burglary at a house in the Hazelbank area of the city at the weekend.

A car was stolen during the burglary on Sunday, May 14, and it was later found burned out in the city.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Rawson said “ It was reported that around 1:40 am entry was gained to the premises and a set of car keys removed.

“A silver Nissan micra was then stolen from the property and later found burnt out on the Springtown Road.

“We are appealing for anyone with information or who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area to contact Strand Road on 101 quoting reference 155 14/05/17.

“Or, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Missing person Sam Comber

POLICE have appealed for help with finding Sam Christopher Comber, also known as Sam Harold, who was last seen in Derry on Sunday 14 May.

The 39-year-old is described as being of slim build with short hair, shaved at the sides and longer on top.

When last seen, he was wearing a black hooded top with grey sleeves.

He was wearing black tracksuit bottoms with three blue stripes down the side and white trainers with black around the laces and was carrying a rucksack.

Inspector Marty Mullan said: “It is believed the 39-year-old bought items from a supermarket in the Quayside area at approximately 2.25 pm before cycling towards the Peace Bridge.

“The bike was later found in a layby in the Newbuildings area.”

Sam, or anyone who knows of his whereabouts, is asked to contact the Duty Inspector at Strand Road on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference 157 of 16/05/17.

Missing Sam Comber last seen on Sunday in Quayside shopping centre

The haul of 500 Ecstasy tablets seized by police in Derry in January

POLICE in Derry have charged a man a haul of Ecstasy tablets were taken off the streets of Derry earlier this year.

In January, officers from the PSNI’S Ballyarnett Neighbourhood Team arrested a man for suspected importation of drugs.

He was taken to Strand Road police station, questioned and bailed pending further inquiries.

Now police say following extensive inquiries, forensic examinations, follow up searches and further arrests, the suspect has been charged to court for:

1. Importing a Class A

2. Attempted Possession of a Class A

3. Attempted Possession of a Class A with intent to Supply

4. Being Concerned in the Supply of Class A

5. Sale/ Supply/ Offer to supply Medicine

6. Selling Medicines without a Licence

A TEENAGER has narrowly avoided going to jail at Derry Magistrates’ Court today for stealing lead from a church roof in the city.

He targeted the Waterside church yesterday but it was a hawk-eyed resident who spotted him, dialled 999 and raised the alarm.

In a statement, PSNI Foyle said: “The Reducing Offending Unit at Strand Road can confirm that the 17 year old who stole lead from the roof of Kilfennan Presbyterian Church yesterday appeared at court this morning.

“He pleaded guilty to all offences including Theft and Criminal Damage and has been convicted.

“He was given a 6 month sentence suspended for 2 years.

“He was ordered to pay £100 in compensation to two victims.

“Turns out that justice can sometimes move even quicker than the person trying to escape it.

“Please be vigilant and report any suspicious activity in your area to police.”

The haul of 500 Ecstasy tablets seized by police in Derry in January

POLICE in Derry have charged a man to court following a seizure of 500 Ecstasy tablets earlier this year.

The 24 year old man is to appear at Derry Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 6, for a first remand hearing.

He will face a number of drugs offences following a police operation in January this year.

The charges include importing a Class A drug, attempted possession of a Class A drug, attempted possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply.

He is also charged with being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug, the sale/supply and offer to supply medicine and selling medicines without a licence.

The suspect was arrested in January by Ballyarnett Neighbourhood Team who arrested the 24-year-old on suspicion of importing drugs.

POLICE in Derry are jubilant after hawk-eyed officers spotted a banned driver behind the wheel of a car.

A spokesperon said on PSNI Facebook: “Check out this Dynamic Driving from yesterday afternoon!

“Ballyarnett Neighbourhood Team chased this guy down and boxed him in after recognising him as a Disqualified Driver.

“It was just like in the movies (my part can be played by#TheRock or #PeterKay)

“He got his Non-Refundable One-Way Ticket straight to Hotel Strand Road.

“He was charged to Court ⚖️ for 8 offences including Disqualified Driving, No Insurance and No licence.”

Banned drivers are a danger to other road users – motorists and pedestrians – as there was obviously a good reason for them not to be allowed to drive.

If you know of any disqualified motorists still illegally driving, ring police in Derry on the 101 number and get them off the road immediately before they seriously injure or kill someone.

POLICE have welcomed the sentencing at Dungannon Crown Court of a 24 year old Derry man for drugs offences.

Ruairi James Curtis, of Summer Meadows Park in the city pleaded guilty to possession of a Class B controlled drug, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to unlawfully supply it to another contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; and encouraging or assisting an offence, believing it will be committed.

He was sentenced to two and a half years on each count, to run concurrently, with 12 months in custody and 18 months statutory supervision. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and had to pay an offender levy.

Officers stopped and searched a Vauxhall Corsa being driven by Curtis on the Doogary Road, Omagh as part of a proactive operation in August 2016.

Two large holdalls were found in the boot, one containing a quantity of herbal cannabis, with a potential street value of £120,000 and the other, a quantity of boric acid, a mixing agent commonly used in the production of Class A controlled drugs such as cocaine.

Detective Inspector Tom McClure, from PSNI’s Reactive and Organised Crime Branch, said:

“Police will continue in our efforts to make Northern Ireland a safer place to live and work by proactively investigating and arresting people involved in serious criminality.

“Ruairi Curtis unwisely got involved in serious drugs criminality and as a result is now in prison. The sentence handed to him at Dungannon Crown Court yesterday, 17 May, should act as a deterrent to others who supply drugs in our communities.

“The PSNI will continue to seek out these individuals who are only interested in making money for their own personal gain and who do not care about the people they could end up killing by supplying these drugs in our communities, or the misery caused to the families of drug users.

“I would ask anyone who has any information about the use of illegal drugs to contact police on the non-emergency number 101.

“Alternatively, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Detectives at Strand Road police station quizzing man over hijacking of woman’s car in Derry

DETECTIVES are questioning a 29-year-old man who was arrested in Derry last night on suspicion of hijacking a vehicle.

Police said the man was arrested in the Groarty Road area of the city.

He is also suspected of having been involved in an attempted robbery earlier today.

The suspect is being held at the PACE custody suite at Strand Road police station in Derry.

It is understood the arrest was made following an incident earlier on Saturday evening when a female driver was threatened at knifepoint and her car hijacked.

The incident took place in the car park at Springtown Shopping Centre around 6pm.

The hijacker was described as clean-shaven, around 5’ 7 tall and was wearing a baseball cap and black hoodie.

The car was last seen heading towards the city centre.

THE PSNI and the Drive Vehicle Agency (DVA) carried out spot checks on cars in Derry last night.

A police spokesperson said: “On Saturday evening a joint operation between the DVA Enforcement and Foyleside and the Moor Neighbourhood Policing Team was carried out on the lower Strand Road area of our great city.

“There were a number of vehicles which were identified and checked.

“As a result a number of enforcement notices were issued.

“Police and their partner agencies will continue to carry out these type of operations to ensure that all road users are legal, their vehicles are in a roadworthy condition and the manner of driving is safe and considerate to other road users.

“Help us to achieve our goal of reducing deaths on the roads through partnership and engagement.”

DETECTIVES are investigating after a shot was fired at a house in Derry in the early hours of this morning.

Police say damage was caused to a door and window of the property during the incident in the Clon Elagh area at 3.30 am.

A man and woman in the house at the time escaped uninjured.

Detectives at the Strand Road station would like to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area around this time – including any sightings of a number of men who reportedly sped away from the address in a motor vehicle, in the direction of Skeoge Road.

Anyone who has information that can help with the police investigation should contact detectives on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 273 of 21/5/17.

Alternatively, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A MAN is due in court this morning in Derry for a first remand hearing charged over a hijacking incident over the weekend.

The 29-year-old man was arrested in the Groarty Road area of the city on Saturday night.

A PSNI Foyle spokesperson said: “Detectives have interviewed the 29 year old male and have charged him to court in this morning.

“He has been charged with hijacking, taking and driving away a motor vehicle, and a number of motoring offences.”

The man is also suspected of having been involved in an attempted robbery earlier today.

The suspect was arrested following an incident earlier on Saturday evening when a female driver was threatened at knifepoint and her car hijacked.

The incident took place in the car park at Springtown Shopping Centre around 6pm.

Police launched a search for him issuing which him which involved the use of the police helicopter.

He was described as clean-shaven, around 5’ 7 tall and was wearing a baseball cap and black hoodie.

The police spokesperson added: “On Saturday night, following great piece of teamwork with community and a range of police resources Police were able to locate, stop and arrest a male driving a stolen car.

“The male had hijacked this car earlier in the evening from a young woman at knifepoint.

“We would like to say a big thank you to community along with @PSNIAirSupport who enabled local officers from LPT, NPT and TSG to make the arrest and recover the stolen car.

“While our first thoughts are with the victim this has shown partnership at its very best.”

POLICE believe a child’s bicycle was used by a would-be robber who tried to hold up a shop in Derry city centre at the weekend.

The suspect produced a knife during the incident at a commercial premises on Abercorn Road on Saturday morning.

Investigating officer PSNI Detective Constable Kavanagh said: “It was reported that at approximately 11.20 am a male entered the shop brandishing a knife and made off on a small black bicycle on the Abercorn Road in the direction of Carlisle Road.

A 29-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged with hijacking a woman’s car at knifepoint in Derry at the weekend.

Joseph McMullan faced Derry Magistrates’ Court today for a first remand hearing.

McMullan, of no fixed abode, has been charged with a total of eight offences arising out of the incident which arose at Springtown Shopping Centre.

Detectives at Strand Road PSNI station called in PSNI Air Support in helping to catch the armed hijacker on Saturday evening.

He is charged with threatening to seize a vehicle, possession of an offensive weapon, namely a knife, no driving license or insurance, driving dangerously and failing to stop.

The accused was also charged with failure to provide a specimen of blood and taking a vehicle without authority.

Pals Kiara Baird and Derry mum of three Maria Wallace (right) killed last year in Ballybofey in car accident

A MAN has appeared in court charged with dangerous driving causing the deaths of two young women, including a mum from Derry.

Mother-of-three Maria Wallace, 38, who was originally from Derry, and friend Kiara Baird, 19, from Dublin, died after the blue Citroen car in which they were passengers crashed at Glenfin Road, Ballybofey, on September 21, 2016.

The woman died instantly after the Citreon C3 car in which they were traveling was involved in a collision with a pole.

A man in his 40s, who was also in the car, was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries

Dermot Dowd appeared at Letterkenny District Court today charged with dangerous driving causing the death of the two women.

Garda Michelle Kelly gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in the matter.

Solicitor for 24-year-old Dowd, Mr Patsy Gallagher, told the court that the book of evidence in the matter was at an advanced stage.

He requested the case be put back so Mr Dowd could appear by video-link on May 29th so the matter could be put back to Letterkenny Circuit Court on June 14th next.

Dowd is currently in custody.

A number of relatives of the two dead women were in court today for the brief hearing.

Donna Sheerin (in the blue dress) pictured at Belfast City Hall where she was nominated for Business Woman of the Year 2013 in the Ulster Tatler Awards in 2013

THIS is the Derry mum who will face a court today charged with stealing over £30,000 from a jobs training firm she managed to allegedly pay off her debts on credit cards, her mortgage and her Derry Credit Union account.

Donna Sheerin, of Grangemore Park, will appear at Belfast Crown Court this morning to be arraigned on a total of 18 charges.

Four years ago she was nominated as Business Woman of the Year in the Ulster Tatler Awards.

According to court papers, the 46-year-old faces nine charges of fraud by false representation and nine counts of theft.

The offences are alleged to have been committed on dates between July 10, 2013 and April 16, 2015 while she was managing director of east Belfast-based Totalis People Ltd.

The company describes itself as a “private vocational learning provider which delivers tailor made programmes for employees, employers and unemployed people in Northern Ireland’’.

The fraud charges alleges dog loving blonde bombshell Deerin “dishonestly made a false representation that she was entitled to use the proceeds of cheques’’ which were drawn against Totalis People Ltd’s accounts with First Trust Bank and the Bank of Ireland.

The theft charges allege the mother-of-one stole the money and used the proceeds to:

• Pay £6,250 off her Mint Credit Card;
• Pay £1,000 off her Barclays Mortgage;
• Pay £500, off her Vanquis Credit Card
• Pay £10,250 into her Nationwide Building Society account;
• Pay £6,125 off her Derry Credit Union account;
• And buy £8,000 worth of gift vouchers from Foyleside Traders Association.

The court papers state that the total stolen from Totalis People Ltd amounted to £32,375.

According to Companies House records, Ms Sheerin was appointed a director of Totalis People Ltd on November 2, 2012.

But she resigned her directorship on March 29, 2015.

In a newspaper interview three years ago, she said that after completing her degree she worked as a duty manager of a local bowling centre “where I became very interested and passionate about staff training’’.

She was later appointed as the human resources manager at the Hastings Everglades hotel in Derry in 1997.

Ms Deerin described her typical day at Totalis People Ltd as “sourcing new business and strands of funding from both government and the private sector’’.

“My role is certainly not a 9 to 5 one. It begins as soon as I leave the house at 7.30am with conference calls on my way from Derry to Belfast each morning.

“When I was at school I wanted to be an air hostess as I thought it sounded very glamorous.

“However, after spending a summer as an overseas holiday representative, I very quickly changed my mind and became interested in a people management role.

“In terms of leading a company, you have to really focus on setting the standard and deal with adversity head on.’’

Asked how she relaxed outside of work, Ms Deerin replied: “I have very limited spare time as I travel from Belfast to Derry every day, work from home in the evenings.

“I have a teenage daughter Caoimhe and a Toy Yorkshire Terrior called Elmo.

“However, my passion is travelling to Turkey three or four times a year.

Derry mum Donna Sheerin and her dog Elmo. She will appear in court today on £32,000 fraud and theft charges

POLITICAL parties in the North of Ireland political have suspended their election campaigns as a mark of respect to the 22 victims killed in last night’s Manchester bomb attack.

Among the dead were a number of children.

Almost 60 others were injured in the suicide bombing in Manchester Arena by a suspected ‘lone wolf’ terrorist.

Leaders of the DUP, Sinn Féin, UUP, SDLP and Alliance have all expressed shock and sympathy.

The explosion happened at 22.35 pm at the end of a pop concert by the US singer Ariana Grande.

Greater Manchester Police said that officers are “treating this as a terrorist incident”.

The force added that it believes the attack was carried out by one man carrying an improvised explosive device which he detonated.

The suspect died in the explosion but officers said: “The priority is to establish whether he was acting alone or as part of a network.”

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MLA commented: “The people of Ireland understand the tragic pain of loss that those in Manchester are feeling.

“We stand with the people of Manchester today, unbroken, unbowed and resolutely determined to defeat those responsible.”

DUP leader Arlene Foster tweeted: “I have asked all DUP candidates to suspend their campaigning today.

“22 dead including children. Horrific injuries. Terrorism must never win.”

Sinn Féin’s Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill said: “I, like many others, watched with shock and horror as the events unfolded overnight and the scale of this terrible attack became known.

“For something like that to happen while young people are out enjoying themselves is unthinkable.

“My thoughts are with the families and friends of all those who have lost loved ones and those who were injured, as well as the emergency services who attended the scene of this tragedy.”

Her party has also cancelled all election campaigning for the day.

Saffie Rose Roussos, aged 8, was one of the youngest victims of the Manchester Arena bomb attack

THE Manchester suicide bomb suspect has been named by police as 22-year-old Salman Abedi.

POLICE are warning motorists that if they fail to tax their cars they will be clamped like this driver.

The warning was issued on the PSNI Foyle Facebook page this evening.

A spokesperson said:

“Yeah you guessed it.

“Waterside NPT were out and about today with their pals in the DVLA.

“Unfortunately, for a few motorists they ended up in a bit of a fix or should we say clamp down.

“The morale of today’s story is no tax, no road use and after a fine and payment off to rejoin the other tax paying motorists!!!”