On this month’s programme we spoke to a victim of coercive control who spoke of her experience in the hope that it will assist other victims.
Detective Superintendent Sinéad Greene was in studio to explain how coercive control is a persistent pattern of controlling, coercive and threatening behaviour that includes all forms of domestic abuse (emotional, physical, financial and sexual) by a partner or ex-partner. It traps the victim in the relationship and makes it very difficult for them to leave.
This can have a serious impact including fear of violence, cause serious distress and can result in the victim giving up work, changing their daily routines or losing contact with their family and friends.
The woman we spoke to explained how her partner lured her into a false sense of security before becoming controlling of her life and behaviour. He did this by changing their home location, taking control of her finances and limiting her time spent with friends and family. Those engaging in coercive control behaviour often aim to lower the victim’s self-esteem in order to dissuade them from leaving the relationship or seeking help.
Since the introduction of the coercive control legislation in 2019, Gardaí are reporting an increase in victims reporting this type of abuse.
Advice:
- - Gardaí would like to reassure viewers that anyone who comes forward to report an incident of coercive control will be treated with the appropriate sensitivity.
- - If anyone believes that a friend or family member may be a victim of coercive control please come forward and report your concerns to the Gardaí.
- - If anyone is concerned about themselves or someone else and they do not wish to make a report to the Gardaí they can instead contact one of the many great domestic abuse services throughout the country.
- - For any emergency cases please dial 999/112 for assistance.
Supt Greene also made reference to Go Purple Day which takes place on Friday April 28th. An Garda Síochána has partnered with Men’s Aid and Safe Ireland to mark ’Go Purple Day’ and help raise awareness about domestic abuse and the local domestic abuse support services available to those affected in Ireland.
Members of the public as well as Garda personnel nationwide were encouraged to show their support by simply wearing, drawing or baking something purple. The most important thing is to help spread the word about this important issue.
This month Sergeant Deirdre O Neill highlighted some crime prevention schemes co-ordinated by An Garda Síochána.
Firstly - Neighbourhood Watch which is a community safety programme for urban areas. It works on the basis that every member of a community can help to improve the quality of life in the area by keeping a look out for neighbours and reporting suspicious activities to the Gardaí.
Neighbourhood watch programmes aim to improve community safety, prevent crime, develop Garda and community links, increase public confidence in An Garda Síochána, foster a caring environment for older and vulnerable people and reduce anti-social behaviour, including graffiti and harassment. To set up a scheme in your area, contact your local Garda Station.
Another scheme - Community Alert is a community safety programme for rural areas. It operates as a partnership between the community, An Garda Síochána and Muintir na Tíre. Community Alert programmes aim to foster the process of community development, reduce opportunities for crimes to occur, unite communities in a spirit of neighbourliness and community service and to devise programmes to improve the quality of life for all in rural communities. There are over 1,250 Community Alert Schemes. To set up a group in your area, contact your local Garda Station or your local the Muintir na Tíre Community Alert Development Officer
Both of these schemes once set up can connect with the Text Alert.
Text Alert enables communities to set up a group to receive alerts advising them of suspicious or criminal activity in their area. As well as ensuring awareness among users of the service, it can also lead to them reporting suspicious activity to Gardaí. Sending the information by text means that it can be disseminated rapidly to a large amount of people in a cost-effective way. Text Alert is a one-way system, and operates on the following principles:
- Member(s) of the public reports incident to the Gardaí (24-hour Garda District -Telephone number which is widely advertised)
- The reporting Garda verifies details and determines that the "Text Alert” system should be utilised
- Garda sends text or e-mail out to each registered "Community Contact” in their Garda District
- Each "Community Contact” forwards the text to their "Community Group” to advise the public to watch out and report any developments
- If the information is received by e-mail the Community Contact may forward the e-mail or convert the content to SMS Text and send to their Community Group.
Text alert can assist in the prevention and detection of various crimes, including Bogus Callers.
Gardaí at Carrickmacross are seeking the public’s assistance with the above individual’s identification, in relation to an investigation of impersonating a member of An Garda Síochána on the Carrickmacross to Kingscourt Road in the Clonseady area, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan on the 4th of March 2023 at 7.45am.
On the day in question, the victim reported while driving, a navy Toyota Corolla Estate car, partial registration 10LH, with blue flashing lights, signalled her to pull over. She was then approached by the male driver of this vehicle who informed her that she was speeding and started shouting at her to get out of her car that he was arresting her. She asked for identification which he would not provide. The male continued to shout at her and also tried to open her car door. The injured party remained on the side of the road for approximately 10 minutes. She then asked for other Gardaí to attend the scene. The male then walked away.
Description:
- - Approximately 6ft in height
- - Medium build
- - Dark hair
- - Stubble on his face
- - Irish accent
Wearing High Visibility vest under a black jacket, black slacks, black boots and gloves.
Gardaí at Blanchardstown are investigating a sexual assault on Monday 14th November 2022 between 5.30pm and 6pm.
On the date in question the victim was walking along Blanchardstown Road North in the direction of the N3 (adjacent to Brookhaven Estate) when she was approached by a male suspect who initially asked her for money.
The victim then continued to walk in the direction of the N3, with the suspect following her.
The suspect walked away in the direction of Corduff, following the incident.
Description of Suspect
- 5ft 11’ in height
- Approx 20 years of age
- Average build
- Wearing a black puffer jacket and dark tracksuit bottoms
Gardaí at Blanchardstown Garda Station are investigating the fatal hit and run collision involving twenty two year old David Lynch on the 21st April 2003 at approximately 3am. On the weekend of the 20th April, Easter Sunday, David returned from a camping trip with friends, after celebrating the end of his exams. David went with his friends to the Greyhound pub and the West Bar in Blanchardstown. David and one of his friends left the nightclub early and walked to Blanchardstown village to buy some food at a chipper. After eating, they crossed the road in order to hail a taxi. It is believed that a silver Ford Mondeo with its taxi plate light turned off, slowed down and collided with David. The vehicle then left the scene possibly stopping a short distance up the road to assess damage to the car.
David Lynch died as a result of his injuries (6) days later at Connolly Memorial Hospital.
Garda Appeal:
- We want to appeal to the driver, and ask that person to come forward and talk to us.
- An Garda Síochána want to appeal to any person who the driver confided in, and may have information to offer.
- We want to appeal to anyone in the wider community that has any information to offer in relation to this incident, to help the family get closure.
Vehicle description:
- - Silver Ford Mondeo
- - 2001-2003 model
- - Taxi plate (not lit at the time of the incident)
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Gardaí at Mountjoy station together with Thomas Flood’s family appealed for the public’s assistance to help trace and locate Thomas, who is 48 years old, and missing from his home in Dublin 1 since Sunday 16th April 2023. Thomas’s brother Christopher expressed the family’s level of concern for his well-being and safety. |
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Superintendent Cormac Brennan was in studio and appealed to the public to assist with the investigation. The investigation so far has concentrated on the Howth area of Co.Dublin and searches have been conducted in the area by Thomas’s family, Coast guard, Dublin Civil Defence and Gardaí. Description: · Height - Approximately 5 foot 3 inches · Medium build · Bald / blue eyes · 48 years Clothing: · Light grey bubble jacket · Grey long sleeved top · Dark grey bottoms · Brown shoes Last known Movements: · Portland Place , Dublin 1, Approximately 11am - Thomas walks in the direction of Dorset street and turns right towards Drumcondra road lower · Arrives Drumcondra train station and goes upstairs to platform 1 (city bound) · Arrives Connolly station 11.25 am and waits on the arrival of the Dart train to Howth at 11.45am · Arrives at Howth train station at 12.12pm – Purchased a sandwich and two bottles of diet coke at a shop next door to the station. · Approximately 30 minutes later - Takes Dublin bus at Harbour road to Thormanby road Howth · Shortly before 12.45pm disembarks bus and travels in the direction of the Bailey Green road, Howth. Thomas is now on foot, carrying a blue plastic shopping bag containing sandwich / drinks. Appeal: · Take a look at the images of Thomas together with his description. Do you remember seeing or speaking to him either on Sunday 16th or since? · Thomas’s family and Gardaí are anxious for your assistance to help advance the investigation and locate Thomas. If you think you can assist Thomas’s family and the investigation team, please do not to hesitate to get in touch. Let the investigation team asses whatever it is you have to offer?
Mountjoy Garda Station investigating – Tel: (01) 6668600
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Under 25 Road Deaths
There has been (51) road deaths so far in 2023, an increase of (5) deaths on this time last year. Of the (51) road deaths, (18) of the deceased are under 25 year old. This represents 35% of all road deaths. When you compare this to last year’s figures, 25 year olds represented 16% with (8) deaths and at the end of last year it was 19%, (29) deaths.
Lifesaver Offences
We refer to the four offences which contribute most to road traffic collisions as ‘Lifesaver Offences’
These four lifesaver offences are namely;
- Ø Non wearing of seat belts
- Ø Driving under the influence of drink / drugs
- Ø Speeding
- Ø Holding a mobile phone while driving
Seat Belts
Seat belts are the most basic form of road safety and are proven lifesavers. Seat belts dramatically reduce the risk of death and serious injury in the event of a collision. Yet our provisional statistics from 2021 shows that 27% of drivers and passengers killed in road traffic collisions, were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Results from a recent survey found that while 96% of drivers say they always wear a seat belt, this figure drops to 83% when people are travelling in the back seat of a car. Forgetting to put on seat belt is the main reason for not wearing it.
If you are over 17 you are legally responsible for wearing your seat belt in a vehicle whether you are a driver or a passenger. Responsibility lies with the driver to ensure that all passengers under the age of 17 wear a seat belt or have a proper child restraint.
Child Restraints
Weight and Height
- All children under 150cms in height or 36kgs (79lbs) in weight must use a child restraint system (CRS) suitable for their height and weight while travelling in a car or goods vehicle. An example of a CRS would be a child car seat or booster cushion.
- Rear-facing child car seats must not be used in passenger seats protected by an active frontal airbag. An airbag which deploys in front of a rearward facing child car seat can cause serious injury or even death if there is a collision.
- There is no law against children sitting in the front seat, as long as they are using the right child restraint for their height and weight.
- A properly fitted child restraint system keeps the child in their seat, preventing them from being thrown about inside or being thrown from the vehicle. It also absorbs some of the impact force. This means that your child is much less likely to be killed or injured in a collision.
DUI
Driving while intoxicated continues to be a problem on Irish roads. I would appeal to people to;
- Never, ever drink / drug drive
- Book a taxi or use public transport
- Nominate a ‘designated driver’
- Make sure you are alcohol free the next morning
With the introduction of the new drug testing device we expect the number of road side drug tests to greatly increase during 2023. We will also continue to test people for the presence of alcohol on the roadside. Please ensure that you don’t get behind the wheel while intoxicated from drink or drugs.
Speed
Speeding is the biggest contributing factor to road deaths in Ireland, it’s a factor in one third of all fatal collisions.
The higher the speed, the greater the likelihood of a collision happening. We are asking people to slow down and always drive within the speed limits.
Holding Mobile Phone
Mobile phones are the number one distraction to drivers on Irish roads. Despite the fact that using mobile phones while driving is killing people on our roads, people continue to text, make phone calls, take selfies or update their social media pages while driving. Statistics show that making a call makes a driver four times more likely to be involved in a collision and texting makes a driver 23 times more likely to be involved in a collision.
Concerns
Longer evenings
Approaching summer holidays
More activity under 25 year olds
Appeal to everybody to keep lifesaver offences in mind.
Gardaí in Letterkenny are investigating a serious assault that took place in the early hours of June 18th of last year.
On the night in question the victim had been socialising with friends in Letterkenny. He had travelled to Letterkenny for the Donegal rally which was taking place that weekend.
Upon leaving a nightclub the victim and his friends began walking down the Port Road, Letterkenny. It was here that CCTV cameras captured the group being joined by the suspect and another man who was unknown to them. These two males began walking with the group down the Port Road.
A few minutes later at approximately 3.40am the victim and the suspect got into a conversation, ending with the suspect punching the victim to the ground. The victim’s friends then rushed to his assistance while the suspect and his friend continued walking down the Port Road.
The victim suffered a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain. As a result of his injuries he spent a number of days in hospital.
Suspect Description:
- Early to mid-twenties
- Average height
- Stocky build
- Sleeve tattoo on his right arm
- White and navy Hollister t-shirt
- Blue/navy jeans and black runners with a white sole