Occupational hazards covering courts!
Good morning! Another week almost done and dusted and, as always, it's been another busy one for us.
I just wanted to start off by referencing our story from Thursday night. We were approached by the victim of a sexual assault to tell her story and she didn't want to be named and legally she has the right to lifelong anonymity. On this occasion she wanted it known to the public the affect his actions had on her ever since. She felt he had got away with ruining the few years since, and more than likely many more of her life to come. He was given a one year probation order. For her, that wasn't even a slap on the wrist.
Covering courts comes with all sorts of occupational hazards. Courts and Council have long been the two staples of local media but with the courts we see all sorts of varying sentences for various types of crimes – perplexing to us at times and it certainly doesn't go unnoticed in public.
In terms of the hazards; as the messenger, we often feel the wrath of those convicted – those mentioned on the website. Just to note, it is a judge who passes down sentence, after the prosecution service has prosecuted the defendant, on the evidence gathered by the police, after the police have been contacted (usually) by a complainant.
We do not report anything other than what a defence, or prosecution solicitor, says in open court – we can't. That fact is often lost on those who target us claiming we only report one side of a story, or told to get our facts right; they're not our facts, as we are reporting the facts as outlined by the court. If we stray from those facts outlined in open court we are in real danger of opening ourselves up to legal action.
It's a fine line we have to tread.
Menarys Competition Winner
Congratulations to Michelle Dougan who won herself a £100 Menarys voucher to spend in their Armagh store. Enjoy!
This week's cinema ticket winner..
Congratulations to Louise Davis who won this week's cinema tickets. We believe she has a two-year-old looking to see Paw Patrol. I think I have a couple of two-year-olds lined up for that myself. I will be amazed if we see it through without the ignominy of being turfed out for unruly behaviour – the kids I'm talking about, obviously.
Latest Jobs
The acquisition of 13 more care homes has seen Ann's Care Homes go on a major recruitment drive for staff across the local area. Check out the roles available with Armagh Jobs.
Care assistant roles at various locations with Ann's Care Homes
Senior Care Assistant role at Mahon Hall in Portadown
Ann's Care Homes recruiting for Healthcare Assistant
Ann's Care Homes require Registered Nurse to join their growing team
Ann's Care Homes recruiting for full time and part time care assistants
Other jobs..
Re-Gen Waste recruiting for part-time Recycling Operatives
Morgan McLernon recruiting for Shunter Driver
Morgan McLernon require HGV1 Drivers (Ireland and UK)
Headlines you may have missed..
A-level student Shay battles Crohn’s disease and stress of lockdown to win place at university — www.armaghi.com
Skate and scooter park in Portadown ‘should not be seen as an impossible dream’ — www.armaghi.com
Major extension plans at Craigavon GP out-of-hours weeks after ‘temporary’ Armagh closure — www.armaghi.com
Pandemic a source of inspiration for Jennifer as she expands beauty salon pampering service — www.armaghi.com
Store manager Debbie helps raise £4,000 for hospice after taking up running in lockdown — www.armaghi.com
Free outdoor family event in Lurgan Park to mark centenary celebration ‘Our Story in Song’ — www.armaghi.com
Armagh GAA legend and ‘one of the greatest ever’ Colm McKinstry passes away — www.armaghi.com
Court told of ‘catastrophic injuries’ as Dungannon pair denied bail over death of two-year-old Ali Doyle — www.armaghi.com
Coffee shop based in Portadown motorcycle store takes High Street Hero top spot — www.armaghi.com
Brothers accused of burglary with intent to steal after ATM incident at Costcutter freed on bail — www.armaghi.com
Man who died after falling into Armagh river was walking home from his own 50th birthday party — www.armaghi.com
What's coming up..
This weekend's podcast is with the one and only Jordan Leckey who swam from Donaghadee in the Ards peninsula to Portpatrick in Scotland. A fascinating insight from Jordan in audio format so worth checking out when you have some free time, or when you have the opportunity to listen and work.
One final thing
The idea of an Armagh I app surfaced again this week with a number of people asking directly why we don't have one. We would LOVE one. We'd also LOVE the money that it takes but in all seriousness, it's something we would love to explore further. We love the idea because it would be ours, something you download to your phone – we would have a direct connection to our readers and not reliant on an ever-changing Facebook algorithm.
If you've reached this point of the email, you're the person we really want an opinion from. Would you download the app? What would you like to see on the app? Functionality? Is there any business out there who could help make this a reality perhaps?
Feel free to reach out to us or reply to this email. As always, if you know anyone who may enjoy this newsletter, forward it on and get them signed up!
Until next week.
Micheal.