Behold the low-slung, gull-winged curvaceousness of the Owl electric supercar – a working concept debuted at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show by mysterious Japanese technical consulting firm Aspark.
Watch the frankly ridiculous 2 second 0-100km/h acceleration of its chassis (minus the swanky shell above) here.
The former B & B in St Lawrence Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3 purchased by Dublin City Council last December to remodel as a family hub for 13 families
Millions have been spent on one house to cater for emergency accommodation.
So why does it resemble a building site?
A St Lawrence Road Resident writes:
On December 16, 2016, a B&B on St Lawrence Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3 was purchased for the Homeless Executive of Dublin City Council.
The transaction was rushed. No survey was done. Neither Councillors nor St. Lawrence Road residents were consulted. Planning Permission was not sought.
All because the Homeless Executive was determined to respond – swiftly and decisively – to Minister Simon Coveney’s directive about moving families out of hotels and B&Bs.
However, transformation of the houses into a “Family Hub” – only began in mid-April 2017.
Admittedly, since then the pace of work has been relentless. Builders and sub-contractors have laboured to adapt the houses to suit the needs of 13 families.
But work has been disrupted by the discovery of numerous, serious defects.
Residents warnings – that Victorian, terraced houses are, structurally and environmentally, unsuitable for Family Hub use – had been ignored by DCC.
With an unlimited budget and no accountability to elected representative, officials have discovered, the “hard way”, that such warnings were fully justified….
…which brings us to this picture (above) taken on September 10 – nine months after the purchase of the houses. €3 million – allocated to helping the homeless – has been squandered on the effective destruction of two houses, in an area zoned for preservation.
Not one homeless family has been sheltered. €3 million could have bought ten semidetached homes, or fifteen apartments, ready for immediate occupation. But those in charge of public money are not very practical, or competent.
So, the Homelessness Crisis will be with us for a very long time.
Previously: There Goes The Neighbourhood
Pics via author
This afternoon.
The Longford Arms, LongfordF
Leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheal Martin, surrounded by media and colleagues at the start of the party’s Autumn Think In.
In scathing criticism too of the Taoiseach’s emphasis on communications, Mr Martin described the new unit dealing with this in Government Buildings as a political spin machine….
…On the question of the next Government, Mr Martin said again that Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are incompatible even if there was a new Sinn Féin leader, because, as he put it, “whatever Gerry Adams says, Mary Lou McDonald says”.
Fight!
Hic.
Fianna Fáil urges Govt to ‘deliver on housing, health’ (RTÉ)
Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie
The word on the street on HookGate.
Rob Reeves takes the vox pop pulse in Dublin.
Earlier: ‘George Is George’
The excellent Meet Your Maker podcast meets Dublin-born, DC Comic artist Stephen Byrne (top).
Host Liam Geraghty writes:
You’ve probably seen Stephen’s artwork. Over the past few years he’s pumped out hilarious and brilliant illustrations that have gone viral around the world.
On this episode of Meet Your Maker we ask – why does he do it and what does he get out of it?
Illustration by Stephen Byrne
Ibrahim Halawa before his arrest with his sisters, from left: Fatima, Omaima and Somaia.
From top: Ibrahim Halawa moments after the verdict and Irish Consul at the Irish Embassy in Cairo Shane Gleeson (gesturing to Ibrahim)
This just in,
Declan Walsh tweetz:
Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa and his three sisters have been acquitted of all charges by an anti-terrorism court outside Cairo.
Ibrahim Halawa, moments after his acquittal. He jumped with joy, hugged fellow prisoners and had tears in his eyes…
Irish consul Shane Gleeson gestures to Ibrahim Halawa, Irishman imprisoned in Egypt for 4 years, after his acquittal…
In fairness.
Meanwhile…
Somaia Halawa, Ibrahim’s sister, said:
“We are delighted at today’s verdict. Our entire family are overjoyed at the result and we now look forward to seeing Ibrahim return home as soon as possible.
We would like to extend our thanks to all those who tirelessly campaigned and fought for Ibrahim’s release.”
Meanwhile…
Darragh Mackin, of KRW LAW solicitor to Ibrahim Halawa said:
“Today marks the end to what has been a turbulent four years. Throughout that time Ibrahim Halawa and his family have tirelessly fought for his freedom – and today’s verdict is a true testament to their hard work and dedication. Ibrahim and his family have been vindicated by today’s verdict.
We now look forward to seeing Ibrahim return home to his family in the coming days, and will be actively engaging with the Irish and Egyptian Government to ensure that happens without any further delay.”
Meanwhile…
President Michael D Higgins said:
“As President of Ireland I welcome the news that Ibrahim Halawa and his three sisters have today been acquitted of all charges brought against him, and them, in what has been a prolonged, distressing and draining experience.
Today’s decision brings to an end a long ordeal that Ibrahim, his family, friends and legal team have been put through.
I am sure Ibrahim’s family are looking forward to the moment that Ibrahim will return to his home and loved ones.
I am sure they will have been sustained by the support of all those who have campaigned for his release over the last four years.
It is appropriate, also, to acknowledge at this time the important efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the staff at Ireland’s embassy in Cairo.”
Statement by President Michael D. Higgins welcoming the acquittal of Ibrahim Halawa
The lads arriving at @CMRF_Crumlin with the Sam Maguire! #UpTheDubs pic.twitter.com/v7eVAzoGCp
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) September 18, 2017
This afternoon.
At Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin, Dublin.
The victorious Dublin football team arrives with the Sam Maguire Cup.
Meanwhile, in Mayo…
Mayo GAA writes:
Following yesterday’s All-Ireland Final, below are the details for Senior Team homecoming event:
2.00pm – Mayo Senior Football Teams depart Dublin for Mayo by Train
3.30pm – Gates open at Elverys MacHale Park
4.45pm – Mayo Senior Football Team expected to arrive at Elverys MacHale Park
Mayo senior football team homecoming (Mayo GAA)
Pics: Sinead Kissane/ Video: Dublin GAA
