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FORMER INLA MAN Dessie O’Hare, who was known as ‘The Border Fox’, has been jailed by the Special Criminal Court for seven years for his involvement in a gang, which evicted a man and his family from their home.
Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt said today that the violent side of O’Hare’s personality is a source of continuing concern and his threat to society had not completely abated.
The three-judge court previously heard that O’Hare told gardaí that he was employed by businessman Jim Mansfield Junior at the time.
The employee pleaded with O’Hare to be given a few days for him and his family to leave their property voluntarily but the defendant refused, saying: “Get out right now”.
O’Hare (62), of Slate Rock Road, Newtownhamilton, County Armagh, admitted last January to assaulting John Roche, causing him harm, at The Towers, Garter Lane, Saggart, County Dublin on 9 June 2015.
He also pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne at Rathcoole and Saggart on the same date.
The non-jury court was asked to take two counts of falsely imprisoning Mr Byrne’s wife and son into consideration.
O’Hare was jailed today for three years for assaulting Roche and 10 years with three suspended for the rest of his life for falsely imprisoning Byrne. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Byrne was employed by the late Jim Mansfield Senior, the father of Mr Mansfield Junior, for almost 20 years and provided security for him and his extended family.
Byrne and his family had been living in a town-house at The Towers, which was owned by his employer Mansfield Junior and became the subject of a dispute.
Business park
Byrne went with Mansfield Junior to a meeting on June 9 at a business park, where O’Hare and former Republican paramilitary Declan “Whacker” Duffy were present.
When Mansfield Jnr left the room, five other men came in and Byrne was prevented from leaving. He was told in “no uncertain terms” that he and his family had to vacate The Towers that day and was driven to the complex by the men.
Following this, John Roche was assaulted by O’Hare and the other men.
In 1988, O’Hare was sentenced to 40 years imprisonment for falsely imprisoning and assaulting Dublin dentist Dr John O’Grady, causing him grievous bodily harm, but was released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement in 2006.
The former terrorist also has convictions for firearm offences as well as assaulting a garda.
O’Hare gave little reaction before he was led away by prison officers.
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Heartbreaking no words.
The Aluminium & Foam composite panel system fitted to this building would pass all fire safety regulations in Ireland in 2017.
Insulation & Energy efficiency has openned the door for horrendously dangerous (& cheap) building methods to be the modern norm.
The stuff shrivels up, melts, liquifys and ignites sending up black toxic smoke. Lethal and legal.
When enclosed in metal or rendered it resists fire brigade hoses, and heat and toxicity makes it hard to approach.
PS : nice modern finish looks good
@DeFonz: Very true, it’s a French made rainscreen so I would assume it complies with all European standards. There’s been a handful of similar fires with this stuff in Dubai in the last few years. In my opinion manufacturers of foam insulation have far too much sway over test houses and policy makers.
@DeFonz: can I ask who sets the standards. Who tests such materials re their capacity or not to be a fire accelerant? Is it a cost cutting measure disguised as better insulation etc? . It seems so avoidable. Utterly tragic for all involved.
@Dave Kilmartin: accredited test houses would test the product to European standards but the conspiracists among us would point out that these test houses are being paid to test the product by the manufacturer therefore they might be under a bit of pressure to give them a favourable result.
@Brian Fal: thanks for that. Unfortunately when money talks ethics and human values walk.
@Fake Avast: yeah the prob with this stuff is it really just goes up so bloody quick on a building that high. Put “Reynobond” into twitter for more info. It’s desperately sad seeing as it could have been prevented had it not been for lazy Architects/specifiers and Contractors going for the cheapest product.
The awful thing is that the council spent millions making this place look pritty on the outside for the sake of the wealthy neighbourhood attaching a facia that looks like it made things worse. While not fuxing the basic safety system, like a fire alarm. They had no hope. Makes me sick. What a nightmare for them.
When I saw photos this morning, all I saw was 9 11. Heartfelt sympathy to all the families. I hope you get the well deserved support you deserve!
Absolutley horrific. May those that are reponsible be brought to justice.
Looks like the building should of been torn down along time ago let alone continue for human habitstion.
Godbless there souls.
@Fake Avast:
This is the big question. The UK government will want to avoid a public enquiry on this at all costs, but how can they? Theresa May is hardly flavour of the month as it is, she can no way be seen to fudge this. All towers so equipped must be refitted and the cost will be 100s of millions. Many of these blocks are council owned for council tenants. As usual the people will end up footing the bill..
@Fake Avast: There most definitely will be charges, corporate manslaughter, just not sure as who will be fitted up as of yet. Can’t see anyone in RBKC, too well connected. Contractor will probably take the hit.
Absolutely harrowing imagining what those ppl went thru. No matter what caused it to happen, fire is the work of the devil I think. #ripgrenfallvictims
@Louise Hannigan: The work of the devil? In league with the easter bunny no doubt.
@Louise Hannigan: I guess you eat your food raw, and don’t use any heating, since fire is the work of the devil
I wonder if those wrap around insulation panel’s are as dangerous ‘that are being offered as a energy saving application for houses
@FlopFlipU: there’s two types, wool or foam, the wool will not go on fire.
have your say