Yearly Archives: 2014

callinan

In the best interests of An Garda Síochána and my family, I have decided to retire. I felt that recent developments were proving to be a distraction from the important work that is carried out by An Garda Síochána on a daily basis for the citizens of the State in an independent and impartial manner. Having joined An Garda Síochána in May of 1973, it has been a great honour and privilege to have spent nearly 41 years as a member of this tremendous organisation, serving the people of Ireland.

Those nearly 41 years, though at times challenging, have been enjoyable and fulfilling. This is due to the standard of people I have worked for, worked with, and led during this period of time. The work I carried out throughout my career could not have been done without the support of numerous men and women, and for this I would like to thank all who I have worked with during my service. It also could not have been achieved without the support of the many thousands of members of public who I have come in contact with and who I hope I have helped in some small way during my career.

Since becoming Commissioner in 2010 I have never failed to be impressed by the dedication of all serving members and civilian staff even when they faced significant professional and personal challenges. The last four years have seen major changes in An Garda Síochána, which were always done in the best interest of the community for whom we do our job. Although some of these changes have not always been easy, statistics from the CSO have shown that they have resulted in a reduction in crime throughout the country. This change in delivery of a policing service has, I hope, provided communities and individuals with a sense of safety and security in their daily lives.

I would like to thank the members of An Garda Síochána who I worked with during my time as Commissioner for their support and willingness to adapt for the benefit of the citizens of the State. I have great confidence that the delivery of an excellent policing service by excellent people will continue as it has done since An Garda Síochána’s foundation. I wish my successor, current members of An Garda Síochána, and those due to join later this year my continuing best wishes and wholehearted support.

Via Richard Chambers

Previously: Commish Hits The Fan

Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

BjkI4hLCYAEbO1XNuala

A new Irish sit-com called The Centre started on RTÉ One last night. It’s about life at St Bartholomew’s Community Centre in Fieldstown, Co Dublin, featuring pre-op transsexual Office Manager Nuala Mooney, played by Gary Cooke, above.

So how was it?

Well.

CEO of Transgender Equality Network Ireland, Broden Giambrone writes:

‘The Centre is a throwback to the dark ages of television and RTÉ should do better. Nuala is the stock character of a ‘man in a dress’ played for cheap laughs. Her appearance and identity are fair game to the other character’s on the show and their comments and quips re-enforce every stereotype that exists for trans people in this country. Not only is she is referred to as ‘king kong in a thong’ but there are references made to her surgical status, her hormone levels, body hair and Adam’s apple. At no point is the audience laughing with Nuala, they are laughing at her.’

‘The Centre masquerades as edgy by poking fun at minority groups. Unfortunately, we see the very real effects of how this type of ‘humour’ contributes to the marginalisation of the trans community. There is no doubt that negative media representation contributes to pervasive transphobia. This has a direct and detrimental effect on trans people’s sense of self-esteem and contributes to their fear of coming out.’

RTÉ airs new sitcom ‘The Centre’ which mocks transgender people (TENI)

Watch back here

Rare-apple-mutation-found-in-Kingston_1 Rare-apple-mutation-found-in-Kingston-1
This just in: last Thursday’s news from southern Tasmania…the Maigh Eo apple.

When Mel Staples asked her eight-year-old son to pick apples from a tree on their property she was baffled at the small harvest he returned with. “I picked up one and it was a like a granny smith apple and a red delicious apple had both been cut in half and then joined together. It was just this perfect line right through the middle of the apple and it was just the weirdest thing,” says Ms Staples.

Rare Apple Mutation Found In Kingston (ABC Hobart)

likecool

Druryst

[Drury Street Bike Park, Dublin when it opened in October 2009]

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[Drury Street Bike Park this week]

Gareth writes:

“You’ve written a couple of times before about the great bike parking facilities provided by Dublin City Council in the Drury St car park. As far as I know, its the only free off-street bike parking in the city. Unfortunately, in recent weeks this has become the site of illegal dumping. It started with a few trolleys and some broken fluorescent light bulbs, but has now moved onto full bin bags tossed into the bike facilities.”

Anyone?

Pics: Top via Dublincitycycling.ie and rest via Gareth

callNorin

[ Then newly-appointed deputy Garda Commissioner, Noirin O’Sullivan (centre) with Justice Minister Alan Shatter and Commissioner Martin Callinan on March 22, 2011, outside the Department of Justice]

It is understood Deputy Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan will take over as Acting Commissioner, following Martin Callinan’s resignation. If she goes on to hold the role of Garda Commissioner, she would be the first female to hold that title.

List of Garda Commissioners since 1922

Will Noreen O’Sullivan be the first female Garda Commissioner? (Irish Independent)

Previously: Gardaí Called As Glass Ceiling Slightly Shattered

Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland