Donnelly Neary & Donnelly Solicitors

Buying or selling a property can turn complicated fast—especially when you’re faced with “freehold” versus “leasehold”. Knowing the difference affects everything from long-term ownership and costs to your rights and responsibilities, and it’s not something you want to assume. Our latest guide breaks it down clearly, so you can make confident decisions with the legal detail that matters. If you’re in Newry or beyond and want certainty before you commit, this is essential reading.

https://dndlaw.com/freehold-vs-leasehold-property/

Car theft charges are uncommon
Fewer than one in 40 vehicle thefts resulted in the suspect being charged last year, according to official data. Out of 114,973 reported cases, only 2,800 led to a suspect being charged. The Metropolitan Police’s charge rate stands at just 0.7%, significantly lower than Cumbria’s rate of 8.4%. Max Wilkinson, the Liberal Democrats’ home affairs spokesman, said: “It is an absolute scandal that more than 100,000 victims of crime are having their vehicles taken while the criminals get away scot free.” The Lib Dems have called for a specialist team in the National Crime Agency to tackle organised car crime.

Murderer’s sentence extended after appeal
Robert Rhodes, convicted of murdering his estranged wife Dawn Rhodes in 2016, has had his prison sentence increased from 29 years and six months to 33 years and six months. The Court of Appeal raised the minimum term after the Attorney General deemed the original sentence “unduly lenient”. Initially acquitted in 2017, Rhodes was retried after his child, who had testified in his defence, later admitted to lying.

Burnham seeks to ban early release for child s*x offenders
Andy Burnham’s team is investigating how to prevent child s*x offenders from qualifying for early release under the new Sentencing Act. This legislation allows some prisoners to be released halfway through their sentences, raising concerns about child groomers and rapists being eligible. Mr Burnham, who is widely expected to become Prime Minister, is alarmed by these plans and is exploring whether primary legislation is needed for the ban. Ex-Home Office Minister Jess Phillips supports this position, saying: “There should be more exemptions within the release scheme.”

Arsonist sentenced over murder
Andrew Gorrell has been sentenced to life imprisonment at Wolverhampton Crown Court for the murder of 82-year-old John Edwards. Gorrell set a wheelie bin on fire, causing a blaze that engulfed Mr Edwards’ home and left two family members in a coma. Gorrell received a minimum of 25 years before parole eligibility.

If you’re dealing with a loved one’s estate, one question can change everything: when is probate actually required? In our latest article, we break down the situations where probate is necessary, what it means in practical terms, and how to avoid delays when time matters. With DND Law’s dependable guidance, you’ll get clarity on the process without the legal jargon—so you can make informed decisions with confidence. It’s a helpful read for families and business decision-makers in Northern Ireland and beyond who want things handled efficiently and discreetly.

https://dndlaw.com/when-is-probate-required/

wins appeal against judge’s ruling
A mother has successfully appealed a decision by a Family Court judge who allowed her ex-partner, under police investigation for r**e, overnight contact with their three children. High Court Judge Michael Keehan said that Judge Robin Tolson wrongly dismissed the serious allegations. The mother argued for limited supervised contact due to years of abuse.

Ministers urged to expand online ban
Simon Bailey, a former lead on child s*xual exploitation at the National Police Chiefs’ Council, says gaming and messaging platforms must be included in the Government’s social media ban for under-16s. He highlighted that many exploitation cases begin on these platforms and urged ministers to impose stricter regulations.

Man faces deportation after 23 years
Mark Nelson, a Jamaican man, faces deportation after living in the UK for over 23 years. He arrived in 2000 and has five British children. Despite his strong family ties, the Home Office plans to proceed with his deportation under the new Immigration Bill as he previously served a four-year prison sentence for cannabis cultivation.