Michael Maguire – författare

This book offers the first comprehensive history of the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (OPONI) – considered the global ‘gold standard’ for police complaints systems. Created in November 2000, it is the only functioning example in the world of a fully independent, civilian controlled model of dealing with complaints against the police – in this case the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). While much research has been devoted to the reform of the former Royal Ulster Constabulary and the creation of the PSNI, comparatively little attention has been devoted to the evolution and radical reform of the police complaints and accountability system in Northern Ireland. This book seeks to fill that scholarly gap and examine the establishment of OPONI, set within debates about police complaints in the country across nearly five decades. Drawing on the broader police complaints and accountability literature, the book explores how OPONI ‘fits’ into the wider international context and what lessons and opportunities exist for other jurisdictions grappling with limited, evolving or transformative agendas around police accountability. It also considers the challenges for delivering an effective and independent model of police accountability through the lens of OPONI as the global ‘gold standard’.This book will be of interest to all policing scholars, particularly those engaged with issues of democratic policing, police complaints, accountability and legitimacy.

This book offers the first comprehensive history of the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (OPONI) – considered the global ‘gold standard’ for police complaints systems. Created in November 2000, it is the only functioning example in the world of a fully independent, civilian controlled model of dealing with complaints against the police – in this case the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). While much research has been devoted to the reform of the former Royal Ulster Constabulary and the creation of the PSNI, comparatively little attention has been devoted to the evolution and radical reform of the police complaints and accountability system in Northern Ireland. This book seeks to fill that scholarly gap and examine the establishment of OPONI, set within debates about police complaints in the country across nearly five decades. Drawing on the broader police complaints and accountability literature, the book explores how OPONI ‘fits’ into the wider international context and what lessons and opportunities exist for other jurisdictions grappling with limited, evolving or transformative agendas around police accountability. It also considers the challenges for delivering an effective and independent model of police accountability through the lens of OPONI as the global ‘gold standard’.This book will be of interest to all policing scholars, particularly those engaged with issues of democratic policing, police complaints, accountability and legitimacy.

It began with the Spackman brothers hunting and trapping badgers to sell to illegal baiting rings in various parts of England. The young team at Oyster Gables'' Animal Shelter then find themselves caught up in this wickedly cruel "sport" and try everything to prevent it. The task is filled with risks and threats and they need the help of the Shelter''s Irish greyhound Degsey to bring the Spackman brothers to justice. Degsey has a magical gift, a sixth-sense that can mysteriously alter events as they happen. But the combination of a crooked Wildlife Warden, a poisoning attempt and a fire at Oyster Gables adds up to terrible danger and the greyhound is right in the path of it... This enchantingly written story covers exciting aspects of wild animal rescue, fantasy, romance and a breathtaking all-action climax. Swiftly 2 is a fast, compelling novel which will hold the reader spellbound to the very last page.

When an injured Irish greyhound named Degsey arrives at Oyster Gables Animal Shelter in the village of Swiftly, the lives of everyone who works there are dramatically affected. The dog seems to possess a mystical sixth sense which can influence people''s actions and drastically alter the course of events. Horses are being stolen from various locations in England, and Sky Patakin, female manager of Oyster Gables, plus trainee Shack Skinner and new assistant Daniel Rusk, find themselves thrown into a fast-moving plot which involves a great deal of danger as they attempt to discover the horse rustlers.A whirlwind of adventures follow - and Degsey is at the forefront of the chase as the net closes around the thieves. It takes all of the greyhound''s special powers to protect the people she loves, and in a dramatic twist-ending things are never quite what they seem

When Alfie and Angel Young arrive at ParkwayGrange for the Easter holidays they are introducedto Mylor - a magnificent, unbelievable giant of ahorse with a very special secret. For Mylor is anelectronic miracle. A horse built by an eccentricProfessor for the purpose of winning the EnglishGrand National. Powered by the sun''s rays andperfect down to the last detail, Mylor has ten timesthe strength of any living horse and a speciallydesigned interior which allows him to be controlledby the children. An adventure crammed full of excitement soonfollows, and as the story races towards itssupercharged climax it is obvious that someonewill stop at nothing in their efforts to destroy Mylor.Suddenly a new undreamed-of nightmare faces thechildren, and then everything depends on the instinctand love of The Most Powerful Horse in the World

Alfie and Angel Young return to Parkway Grange for the holidays. The last time they saw Mylor, he had had a terrible accident. Had the Professor been able to restore the magnificent, lifelike electronic horse? Would he be the same? Luckily, Mylor is as perfect as ever, but almost everything else isn''tParkway Grange, the beautiful maze-surrounded home of the Professor and Boff, is to be demolished and replaced by high-rise flats unless 100,000 can be raised.Glen Striker, a sinister and cruel neighbour, constantly turns up at the oddest places and clearly has plans for Mylor.Angel, Alfie and Boff''s new friendship with Davina and Prince Aziz seems threatened by the fact that Davina''s father is the man who wants to bulldoze Parkway Grange.Trouble follows trouble when Mylor disappears. There are threats, fights, and a kidnapping, all building towards an action-packed climax at a tournament

Four boys and two girls are finalists in the English speaking section of the Kool Kidz contest. The thrill and excitement of the Isle of Wight competition is disrupted by their discovery that a priceless treasure has been hidden in the trophy one of them will win. The thieves are determined to collect the treasure at all costs.But are they a match for: Scott Rios with his electric skateboard; Erica Toledo with her self-defence skills; Tamara Brysons underwater experience; KGB with his amazing IQ; and Lloyd Crawford who, with his motocross dirt bike, can take on a Mercedes car and prove two wheels are faster than four