Ivor Bird Explained

Ivor Grenville Theophilus Bird (29 February 1944[1] – 3 December 2024) was an Antiguan businessman and the son of Vere Bird, one-time Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.

Bird was a high jumper and he was the last gold medallist in that event at the British West Indies Championships in 1965. His brother, Lester Bird, was also a track athlete and former champion at this competition.[2] Ivor Bird also represented Antigua and Barbuda in high jump at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games.[3]

The director of ZDK, Antigua's government broadcasting system,[4] in 1995 Bird was caught smuggling 10 kg of cocaine through V. C. Bird International Airport with an accomplice, Marcus Alberto Chapman.[5] He was formally charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to both sell and transfer by Judge Mario Ducillo, and released on 50,000 East Caribbean dollars bail.[6] Having pleaded not guilty, he was represented by John Platts-Mills, Steadroy Benjamin and David Toms, Jr.;[7] despite this representation, he was convicted on 15 May 1995 following 45 minutes of deliberations. He was ordered to either pay a fine of 200,000 dollars or face two years in jail, and paid the fine shortly before the court closed;[8] he continued to serve as head of ZDK,[9]

On 3 December 2024, Bird was found dead at his residence in Halcyon Heights.[10]

Notes and References

  1. https://antiguanewsroom.com/veteran-broadcaster-ivor-bird-passes-away-at-80/#:~:text=Born%20on%20February%2029%2C%201944,Prime%20Minister%20and%20national%20hero. Ivor Bird Passes Away at 80
  2. http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/bwic.htm British West Indies Championships
  3. Web site: Commonwealth Games Federation . https://web.archive.org/web/20170109184920/http://www.thecgf.com/games/results.asp?gameid=3036&sportid=1471 . 9 January 2017 . 2017-01-08.
  4. News: For truth and right, 8 Cabinet ministers oppose Antigua PM. Knox. Paul. 1 September 1987. The Globe and Mail. The Globe and Mail Inc..
  5. News: Younger Brother Of Prime Minister Lester Bird Is Arrested On Cocaine Charges. Massiah. David. 7 May 1995. Associated Press Worldstream. Associated Press.
  6. News: Prime Minister Lester Bird Promises No Intervention In Brother's Arrest. Massiah. David. 8 May 1995. Associated Press Worldstream. Associated Press.
  7. News: Ivor Bird's Pleads Not Guilty. 11 May 1995. Associated Press Worldstream. Associated Press.
  8. News: Younger Brother Of Prime Minister Lester Bird Is Convicted On Drug Charges. Derrick. Winston. 16 May 1995. Associated Press Worldstream. Associated Press.
  9. News: Antigua radio station back on air after dispute with state-owned utilities company. 26 October 2004. Associated Press Worldstream. Associated Press.
  10. News: Antiguan media pioneer Ivor Bird passes away . 4 December 2024 . Antigua Observer . 4 December 2024.

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