Yearly Archives: 2016

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Rainy Boy Sleepsinger-songwriter Stephen Martin, R.I.P.

“Three single notes on ‘Teenage Kicks’ wasn’t enough for me. I needed to make a bigger noise.”

Stephen Martin

The Irish music scene  is in mourning after it was confirmed that Stephen Martin, a.k.a. Rainy Boy Sleep, had been found dead after a search that went on for over three weeks.

Martin’s BreakingTunes profile is humbly-written and enthusiastic, now a tribute to a body of work and live experience that encompassed a pair of extended-plays under his pseudonym, and a star that was on the rise in music, with live supports for the likes of Cyndi Lauper [see below) and James Morrison, and endorsements from Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody among others.

In tribute to Martin, The Thin Air has uploaded a previously print-exclusive interview, documenting Martin’s musical firsts. Martin’s wit and humour make the piece a thoroughly charming read, prefaced by a moving tribute by editor Brian Coney.

The thoughts and sympathies of the Broadsheet team go out to Stephen’s family and friends.

Pat Hickey, Olympic Council of Ireland

“We met a situation where a body that is supported by the taxpayer is now refusing to let representatives of that taxpayer to be part of this inquiry. It is something I take extremely seriously and the mood was very, very sombre indeed.

“It is a terrible spectacle and I think the OCI simply has its head in the sand over this issue…I think they feel somehow they are above accountability to the Irish people and to the government and that situation cannot be allowed to continue.”

Minister for Sport Shane Ross following a meeting with Pat Hickey in Rio last night

“(Mr Ross and I) had a great exchange of views. I’m restrained with what I can say because (I received) senior council’s opinion two days ago, which is that while there is an Irish citizen in jail that we have to be extremely careful in what we disclose.

He is innocent until proven guilty and anything we can say in disclosing would be prejudicial to a fair trial so we can do nothing until this trial has finished its natural course.”

Statement from Pat Hickey

Shane Ross and Pat Hickey hold ‘tense, frank’ meeting over tickets (Tom Hennigan, Irish Times)

Ticket row deepens as Pat Hickey refuses to answer Shane Ross’s questions in Rio (Independent.ie)

Pic: IOC