Yearly Archives: 2014

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Former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan, who had penalty points quashed

“The evidence given to the committee, and especially the oral evidence of the Garda Commissioner, highlights the challenge posed to Garda systems, especially when information relating to the cancellation of fixed note charges entered the political system and was raised in Dáil Éireann.”

“The Commissioner described the actions of the two whistle-blowers as disgusting and put a huge degree of emphasis on the need to maintain discipline within the force.”

“It appears that the desire to protect the organisation was placed ahead of ensuring that the complaints from the whistle-blower were followed up on and that the Garda Commissioner lost control of the process once the issue appeared in the public domain.”

From a draft report of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) following its investigation into the penalty point controversy.

The draft report will be discussed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today

Callinan strongly criticised in penalty points report (Irish Times)

Previously: Objection Overruled

Summons Not Right

The Thin Blue Timeline [Updated]

Photocall Ireland

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Blackrock, Co Dublin at 11.25pm.

Ann O’Hara writes:

“Six or seven coming through Blackrock tonight…Moving a lot faster than the Guinness tanks but still huge and with a big escort. Didn’t catch any names on them…”

Anyone?

Update:

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Outside Slattery’s, Pembroke Road, Dublin.

Thanks David Carter

Weekend cancelled.

YOU decide.

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Spoken word prophet Kevin Barrington will be in the Leeson Lounge, Leeson Street, Dublin tomorrow night supporting singer Kevin Doherty as part of the Ranelagh Arts Festival.

This (above) is Kevin performing his much-loved cyber poem ‘I Love The Internet’ with blinding animation by Bruce Ryder.

Kevin Barrington (Facebook)

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This afternoon outside Leinster House, Dublin

Sam writes:

“Over 350 GPs from across the country gathered outside the DÃil this afternoon to protest over cutbacks. The National Association of General Practitioners claim that their members’  practices is being ignored by Government and that the emigration of young GPs is impacting the service. This is the first time the GPs have gathered in protest: they say that patient safety and well-being is at stake and that specific groups are being ‘ punished ‘ by continuous cuts in GP care.”

From top: Pat Crowley and Bill Moore; Ger Lane and Julie Kenneally; Ross Kelly and Karen O’Neill; Orna McLaughlin with her son Sebastian and protestors along Molesworth Street. All doctors except Sebastian.

Earlier: Open Up And Say ‘Ahhh’

(Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland)

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What you may need to know:

1. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) finds herself in District 13 after shattering the Games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin (Julianne Moore) and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss fights to save Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and a nation moved by her courage.

2. Going by the source novel, Mockingjay Pt. 1 will be more touchy feely than shooty stabby.

3. Remember when Hollywood just made trilogies? Good times.

4. The Hunger Games>The Maze Runner>Divergent> Twilight. Everything beats Twilight.

5. Donald Sutherland is a classy actor, right? But just remember that he made Ray Winstone look good in Fool’s Gold (2008).

6. Broadsheet Prognosis: Depends entirely on whether “third quarter quell” or “the reaping” means anything to you.

Release Date: November 21

(DelBoy is away. Mark blogs about film, TV and other stuff at WhyBother.ie)

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Gemma O’Doherty after her Employment Appeals Tribunal hearing last May

You may recall Gemma O’Doherty’s unfair dismissal case against Independent News and Media in May.

Ms O’Doherty, who worked with INM for 18 years until last August, claims she was unfairly dismissed by INM after revealing that former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan had penalty points quashed while apparently driving his own car to a security meeting.

At the Employment Appeals Tribunal, Brian Kennedy, SC, for INM, argued that the tribunal be postponed until a defamation case taken by Ms O’ Doherty against her former editor Stephen Rae was concluded, a process that could take years.

But yesterday the EAT ruled not to adjourn and will hear Ms O’Doherty’s case.

Meanwhile, a legal review into the murder of Fr Niall Molloy, prompted by Ms O’Doherty’s reporting for the Irish Independent, has been “pending” since the end of Summer.

(Photocall Ireland)

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But they did!

Brendan Gleeson and son Brian at the launch of The Walworth Farce by Enda Walsh which opens at the Olympia Theatre on January 14th, 2015 (Tickets go on sale this Friday at 9am).

The play stars Brendan, Brian AND Domhnall together for the first time.

A [collective noun here] of Gleesons anyone?

(Photocall Ireland)