Sean O'Cealleagh (also spelled Kelly), a U.S. Greencard holder since 2001, has won his deportation case following a Los Angeles immigration trial that revisited a murder he was convicted of in Northern Ireland. In 1990, O'Cealleagh was found guilty by a British Diplock [non-jury] Court for aiding and abetting the murder of two British soldiers in 1988 in West Belfast. … [Read more...] about O’Cealleagh Wins Deportation Case
Law
Smoking Ban in Full Force
On March 29, 2004 Ireland became the first country in the European Union to ban smoking in workplaces, including all restaurants and pubs. Although some smokers and the Irish Vintners Federation, a trade group representing pub owners, had opposed the ban, it has taken effect and largely been obeyed by patrons. Even in rural pubs, customers are taking the law seriously, which … [Read more...] about Smoking Ban in Full Force
Flatley Cleared of Charges
Rape charges against Michael Flatley filed last March by Tanya Marie Robertson have been dropped. A judge in Chicago advised Robertson's lawyer to drop the case or see it be thrown out of court. Flatley never denied having sexual relations with Robertson but claimed the act was consensual. The two met at a boxing match in October 2002, and some weeks later spent a day together … [Read more...] about Flatley Cleared of Charges
Last Word: Press Freedoms
As Legal Affairs Reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, I enjoy covering the courts, not being hauled into them as a defendant in an international case about press freedoms. As I wrestled with the decision of whether to write a book about American David Rupert's adventure infiltrating the Real IRA to convict its leader Michael McKevitt, my concerns were cultural. Despite the … [Read more...] about Last Word: Press Freedoms
Sister Act
How a committed sister freed her brother from prison. In 1980 the body of Katharina Brow was found in her trailer home in Ayer, Massachusetts. She had been stabbed to death and robbed of money and jewelry. Suspects were questioned but the case languished for two years until an anonymous phone call tipped the police that Kenny Waters had admitted to the crime. Kenny … [Read more...] about Sister Act