Yearly Archives: 2016

screen-shot-2016-12-19-at-14-16-20

By the ladies from Tralee Probus Club and Kerry-based StoryStock.

Dermot Crean, of Tralee Today, writes:

Celine Slattery, Phil Daly, Mary O’Donnell and Marian Dillon faced the cameras to lip sync to Miley Cyrus’ hit ‘Wrecking Ball’ (below) and they made a damn fine job of it, too.

Probus clubs provide an opportunity for retired and semi-retired people to meet on a weekly basis, to socialise, participate in outings, organise charity events and much more.

In fairness.

Fair play.

WATCH: Retired Ladies Take A Wrecking Ball To Miley Cyrus Hit (Tralee Today)

Thanks Laura Fahey

CNN catches up with Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh’s contribution to the Dáil last Thursday.

*squirm*

screen-shot-2016-12-19-at-13-08-08

Independents 4 Change TD Mick Wallace outside the High Court this morning

In November 2015, Independents 4 Change TD Mick Wallace made allegations in the Dáil about the sale of Nama’s northern loans, known as Project Eagle, to Cerberus.

Mr Wallace told the Dáil:

“…only recently, I was summoned to a meeting by a public figure and a message was passed on to me from a leading member of Cerberus Ireland that I was going to get sorted.”

Fast forward, if you will, to this morning.

At the High Court.

The Irish Times reports:

Ms Justice Caroline Costello today granted the bankruptcy petition by Promontoria (Aran) Ltd fund arising from a €2m judgment obtained after the fund took over the TD’s debt to Ulster Bank.

Promontoria is owned by US fund giant Cerberus, the fund at the centre of allegations made in the Dáil by Mr Wallace concerning the acquisition of Nama’s €5.7 billion Northern Ireland portfolio. The substance of those allegations is now subject to investigations in the UK and US.

TD Mick Wallace found bankrupt in the High Court (Irish Times)

Coincidence or bloody pink revenge?

Only YOU can decide.

Previously: ‘Cerberus Told Me I Was Going To Get Sorted’

Sam Boal/Rollingnews

switzerland_portrait_web

Switzerland – Dublin indie-pop via Popical Island

What you may need to know…

01. Something of a Dublin lo-fi supergroup are four-piece Switzerland.

02. Nostalgia-tinged pop is the name of the game, from members of Drunken Boat, Hello Moon, Land Lovers and the Paddy Hanna Band.

03. Streaming above is the band’s new single, Starting Out, a taster of debut album Long Gone, releasing via Dublin pop collective Popical Island in January.

04. The album launch happens at Whelan’s on the 27th. Stay tuned to the band’s social media for more info.

Verdict: Ramshackle indie of the variety that is staple to Popical Island and its attendant bockety-pop remit. Fun for fans of Teenage Fanclub and the like.

Switzerland

peppa_pig

It’s time for an omnibus visit to Limerick to stop in with the Pig family, courtesy of Limerick voiceman Walshunit (and his growing merchandise empire).

Wherein Daddy Pig escapes the clutches of a deadly wasp, the children race boats in the park, pictures are hung with mixed results, and Grandad’s telescope is up for inspection. Cursing ensues in all instances.

Walshunit

90436818 90436819

This morning.

Government Buildings, Dublin 2.

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone with Irish Times columnist and activist Una Mullally, who has been appointed independent chair to oversee Ireland’s first National LGBT Youth Strategy.

Ms Mullally said:

“LGBT young people face a unique set of challenges when striving to fulfil their potential, particularly when it comes to mental health, facing bullying in schools, combatting negative stereotypes, and dealing with the anxiety of environments hostile to their sexuality or gender identity.

I’m looking forward to chairing the development of the first national LGBT strategy for young people, listening to the voices and concerns of LGBT young people, and working with the groups, organisations and individuals across Ireland who have done great work in this area, to come up with more solutions and actions to ensure that one’s sexuality or gender identity does not impede in any way a young person’s potential to live a life as fulfilling as their heterosexual peers.

As someone who grew up gay in Ireland, I understand the struggles and complexities of existing in a society that is sometimes hostile to your identity. I hope to bring that experience, as well as my work as an LGBT rights activist and advocate to this endeavour, and will also be guided by the experts in this field, and most importantly LGBT young people themselves.”

FIGHT!

Una Mullally appointed Independent Chair of first LGBT National Youth Strategy (merrionStreet)

Update:

90436822

Una Mullally Katherine Zappone and unidentified LGBT activists take a bow.

Rollingnews