Amnesty International has blasted Malta and Italy for “criminalising” migrant rescue NGOs which, it says, is the result of increased hostility by authorities towards non-governmental rescue ships patrolling the Mediterranean for calls for distress. “The increasingly hostile treatment by Italian and Maltese authorities of non-governmental organisations dedicated to saving lives at sea is depleting the central Mediterranean of vital rescue assets. Instead of being applauded, NGOs, which in 2017 and until May 2018 had carried out about 40% of rescues, now face slander, intimidation and court cases,” the organisation said, in a 28-page report titled ‘Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.’ “Longstanding, unresolved tensions in coordinating rescues at sea between Italy and Malta, which had been set aside in recent years as Italy was accepting nearly all disembarkations, have re-emerged, adding to the unpredictability of the rescue system.” … [Read more...] about Stop misusing criminal law against rescue NGOs, Amnesty International tells Malta, Italy
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Revealed: Govt’s PR strategy for criminal law reform
The Government's working on a public relations strategy to manage fallout should there be a serious crime while it's trying to radically reform our justice and prison system. Heavily redacted documents released to Newshub Nation under the Official Information Act (OIA) discuss a package of changes needed to meet the Government's goal of lowering the prison population by 30 percent in fifteen years. Govt advised to take 'urgent action' to avoid prison failure Justice Minister Andrew Little: 'What I saw in Waikeria Prison horrified me' Under a section titled "Levers for Change", the advice says large gains are possible from changes to the Bail, Sentencing and Parole Acts, but notes these could meet with "significant resistance". The bundle of documents reveals strategies to manage public perception and media coverage of the potential changes. A February briefing paper to Justice Minister Andrew Little says "making changes in the short term would alleviate many of … [Read more...] about Revealed: Govt’s PR strategy for criminal law reform
Attempted murder trial begins for Leighton Buzzard father and son
The trial for a father and son accused of attempted murder after allegedly shooting at an unmarked police car began today. Mechanics Richard Baldwin, 35, of Saturn Close, and his father Bernard Baldwin, 64, of Dove Tree Road, face multiple charges including attempted murder after the police vehicle was shot at on the A505 in the early hours of September 22 last year.Richard Baldwin’s wife Victoria, 42, also faces a charge of assisting an offender.The trio claim to have suffered ongoing problems from travellers in the area and describe the shooting at an unmarked white police van as a case of mistaken identity following a break-in at their business that night.Appearing at Luton Crown Court today, prosecutor Martin Mulgrew said: “At the heart of this case is a question of intent. What intention lay behind the taking of the shotgun and the ammunition?“Was it an intention to kill? Was it an intention to seriously injure?”Mr Mulgrew described how the father and son … [Read more...] about Attempted murder trial begins for Leighton Buzzard father and son
Man found not guilty of attempted murder of partner by reason of insanity committed to CMH
By Eoin ReynoldsA Polish man who beat his partner with a hammer and tried to suffocate her by stuffing underwear in her mouth has been sent to the Central Mental Hospital for treatment.Tomas Gajowniczek (37) of The Ice Rink Apartments, Dolphin's Barn, Dublin 8 was last month found not guilty by reason of insanity of the attempted murder of his former partner Alicja Kalinowska (30) at their home on June 16, 2016. The same verdict was returned in relation to a charge of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Ms Kalinowska.During the trial the jury heard that Mr Gajowniczek punched Ms Kalinowska repeatedly in the face, stuffed underwear in her mouth and held her nose to stop her breathing. He beat her with a hammer and gouged her eyes with his thumbs. Ms Kalinowska told the jury that she passed out when he put a bottle in her mouth and forced her to drink the contents. She awoke when a neighbour came knocking. She managed to get to the door before collapsing into her … [Read more...] about Man found not guilty of attempted murder of partner by reason of insanity committed to CMH
Jury to decide if attempted-murder accused was not guilty by reason of insanity
By Eoin ReynoldsA jury will decide if a man who denies attempting to murder his partner by stuffing underwear in her mouth and beating her with a hammer should be found not guilty by reason of insanity.Prosecution barrister Paul Burns SC in his closing speech told the six men and six women that the accused man was high on cannabis and does not qualify for the special verdict. The accused man's barrister Ronan Munro SC said his client was suffering from a mental disorder at the time and was unable to refrain from his actions.Tomas Gajowniczek (37) of The Ice Rink Apartments, Dolphin's Barn, Dublin 8 has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the attempted murder of Alicja Kalinowska (30) at their home on June 16, 2016. He also pleaded notguilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Ms Kalinowska on the same date at the same location.Mr Burns told the jury that the accused revealed his intention when he told Ms Kalinowska, during the alleged assault: "It … [Read more...] about Jury to decide if attempted-murder accused was not guilty by reason of insanity