Category Archives: Misc

Far Right EU Hipsters In Ireland

46

Mad starey eyes. Teutonic tailoring. Nazi hair.

It must be the press conference for the ludicrous ‘Europe For Freedom And Democracy’ group [in The Shelbourne Hotel this afternoon]. Present were, top from left: Nigel Farage, MEP and leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), Danish MEP and Irish Times contributor Morten Messchersmidt, Paul Nuttall (MEP, UKIP) and Finnish MEP Sampo Terho; second pic: Farage and Messchersmidt; Farage again; EFD press officer Hermann Kelly, and assistant to MEP Roger Helmer, Francesca Salierno.

Racial tolerance, sensitivity, rationality, etc. (out of picture).

(Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)

How Grafton Street Might Look

44

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Dublin City Council’s public consultation document on the pink ‘n’ grey regeneration of Grafton Street (you can help choose which sort of paving) is now available (see here).

Notice the proposed replacement of ye olde Georgian-style lampposts, bollards and bins for blandly sleek European-style street furniture. We’ve already objected.

Uh Oh

6

David Cameron appeared to cast doubt on the future of the euro during prime minister’s questions when he said the eurozone “either has to make up or it is looking at a potential breakup”. He told MPs: “That’s the choice they have to make and it is a choice they can’t long put off.” His aides said later he had not made a mistake with his remarks, which Labour immediately pounced on, accusing the prime minister of stoking fears of a breakup.

…Cameron’s words followed a stark warning from the governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, who said Britain’s recovery was being hampered by a eurozone that was “tearing itself apart” and referred to a “storm heading our way from the continent”.

 

David Cameron Raises Possibility Of Euro Breakup (Patrick Wintour, Guardian)

Montroasting

9

At the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications hearing into the defamation of Fr Kevin Reynolds by RTÉ’s Prime Time Investigates programme were, top from left`: Michael O’Keefe, chief executive of the Broadcasting Association of Ireland (BAI) and Bob Collins, BAI chairman; middle pic: Noel Curran, Director general of RTE, and, bottom pic, Tom Savage, chairman of the RTE Board.

Éamon Ó Cuív Calls For independent Review Of RTÉ’s Current Affairs Programmes (RTE)

Mattie McGrath Calls For Resignation Of Tom Savage (Newstalk)

(Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)

Siri: Repeat The Question

2

Remember how, just the other day, Apple’s Siri iPhone PA was suggesting that the Nokia Lumia 900 was the world’s best smartphone?

Alas, the joke is over. If you ask the same question now, you’ll be met with a response like “You’re kidding, right?” or “The one you’re holding.” The Gearburn editor tried it out — Siri refused to name a phone or brand, preferring instead to mock our question, even when we varied the words slightly. The change in Siri’s tune has made Nokia quite upset — they’ve accused Apple of tampering with the results to cover up the fact that their own phone ‘preferred’ a Lumia.

Siri changes its mind on ‘the best smartphone ever’, Nokia isn’t impressed (memeburn)

(Hat tip: John Gallen)

The Pathetic Insularity of Michael Noonan

86

They’re our EU neighbours.

Sinking into poverty and destitution.

But…

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has insisted that Ireland is unlikely to be affected by the Greek crisis because the two countries have no economic connections. Speaking at a Bloomberg event in Dublin, the Minister said Ireland is not on the frontline for contagion from Greece.
“Apart from holidaying in the Greek islands, I think most Irish people don’t have a lot (of connections with Greece),” he said.
“If you go into the shops here, apart from feta cheese, how many Greek items do you put in your basket?”

That’s alright then.

Noonan: Greek Crisis Will Not Directly Affect Ireland (Irish Examiner)

(Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland)

Paddy Power ‘Saddened’

18

They literally had no idea this would be offensive.

None.

The TV ad, screened in February ahead of the annual racing event [Cheltenham], stated “…we’re going to make Ladies’ Day even more exciting by sending in some beautiful transgendered ladies. Spot the stallions from the mares”.

The bookmaker said it was never the intention to cause harm or offence and it was “saddened” to learn that some viewers were offended by the ad.

 

Paddy Power Advert ‘Offensive’ (Eoin Burke Kennedy, Irish Times)

What Do You Mean You ‘Weren’t Invited’?

36

Relax, it was for charidee.

At the Copper House Gallery (off Synge Street, Dublin) last night for the launch of photographer Barry McCall’s exhibition of portraits (in aid of the ISPCC) were, top from left: Liam Cunningham, Glenda Gilson, Barry McCall, Keith Barry and Louis Walsh; middle pic: Saoirse Ronan and Louis Walsh, and bottom pic: Brian Kennedy and Sharon Corr.

The exhibition runs until June 11.

(Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland)