Author Archives: Bodger

This morning.

St Mary’s Mansions, Dublin.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe at the launch of the North East Inner City 2021 Progress Report.

Mr Martin told reporters:

“I think the measures we announced a few weeks ago, a call to arms if you like, where we asked the public to reduce social contacts, reduce socialisation, work from home where possible, get vaccinated, get the booster when you’re asked, is having an impact.

“The CMO is watching the dual challenges of the potential flu season early in the new year or the end of this year and the Omicron variant.

“There are challenges we have to be mindful of and obviously NPHET are meeting today, they will make recommendations to the government and the government will then consider those.”

Ireland lockdown latest: Micheal Martin confirms NPHET expected to recommend new Covid restrictions (Irish Mirror)

Leah Farrell/RollingNews

Last night.

It’s no ordinary panto.

It’s The GAIETY panto.

The sleb-stuffed opening night of this year’s Gaiety Panto. The Little Mermaid, running until January 9.

From top: Morah Ryan with daughters Bonnie and Babette; Jennifer Zamparelli and husband Lauterio with their children Florence and Enzo; Kathleen Watkins with her grandchildren Saoirse, Lilly and Maria; Lorraine Keane and daughter Romy.

Oh no, they didn’t (send us an invite).

Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Westlife

On The Late Late Show…

…Linda Pototzki writes:

We welcome some of the stars of the glorious Ireland soccer team who defeated Georgia 11-0 this week. Ryan will be chatting to Ciara Grant, Saoirse Noonan, Denise O’Sullivan and Savannah McCarthy to reflect on their record-breaking win as the dream of World Cup qualification comes within touching distance.

Back with a brand-new album and hugely anticipated stadium tour for 2022, Irish phenomenon Westlife will be live in-studio to perform their latest single ‘Starlight’.

Breakout stars of the Late Late Toy Show DJ Calum and his Hype-Man Jackson will be back with Ryan to follow up on their explosive performance last Friday night…

He had the hit song of summer 2021 and with his family hailing from Ballycumber Co Offaly, singer/songwriter Tom Grennan returns to Ireland to perform the chart-topping hit ‘Little Bit of Love’.

Writer and activist Orla Tinsley will chat to Ryan on the anniversary of her double lung transplant about having received the gift of life from an American donor…

The Late Late Show tomorrow on RTÉ One at 9:35pm.

RollingNews

Yesterday afternoon.

Dublin Airport.

Meanwhile..

The Minister for Health has told the Dáil that Ireland “will be in a better position to act quickly” if legislation is introduced to permit hotel quarantine if it is needed.

Stephen Donnelly was speaking during a debate over the Government’s reintroduction of mandatory hotel quarantine legislation.

“These measures may not be enough” and “hotel quarantine may be necessary for a limited time” to give us time to increase vaccination rates and deliver promising anti-viral drugs, Mr Donnelly said.

The biggest benefit of quarantine previously was that it delayed visits to Ireland from countries of concern.

Mr Donnelly said the bill contains new provisions based on lessons learned from Ireland’s previous experience, including the speeding up of the appeals process.

Dáil debates reintroduction of mandatory hotel quarantine laws (RTE)

RollingNews

Watford’s Moussa Sissoko points the ref toward the stands during tonight’s game with Chelsea

Tonight.

Via Mirror Sport:

Watford’s Premier League clash with Chelsea was temporarily suspended after a medical emergency in the stands.

Players spotted a fan in distress in the Graham Taylor stand, prompting medical staff to sprint across the field at Vicarage Road and offer assistance.

The Watford supporter suffered a heart attack, the club later confirmed.

Moments later the players were ordered to leave the field and returned to their respective dressing rooms to keep warm while medics administered CPR to the fan.

Watford vs Chelsea temporarily suspended after fan suffers heart attack in stands (Mirror Sport)

Getty

Meanwhile…

The fan collapsed during half-time between Southampton and Leicester City

Also tonight.

Via Mirror Sport:

Southampton’s Premier League clash with Leicester City was temporarily suspended after a fan needed emergency medical treatment in the stadium.

The fan collapsed during the half-time break but did not suffer a cardiac arrest.

Leicester City tweeted: “There will be a delay to kick-off for the second half due to a medical emergency in the stands.”

While a message on the scoreboard read: “Second half delayed due to a medical incident. Thank you for your patience.”

The fan was treated inside St Mary’s before being taken to the hospital.

Southampton vs Leicester temporarily suspended after fan emergency in stadium (Mirror Sport)

Rex

Earlier…

‘The current phenomenon is also evident if you simply look on Wikipedia at the list of footballers who have collapsed and died. The year 2021 stands out with 13 entries so far. In no other year mentioned have more footballers died during a game. And this list goes back to the year 1889. So it really is a historical event…’

At least 69 athletes collapse in one month, many dead (Free West Media)

Robert Malone?

Meanwhile…

Meanwhile…

Arina Biktimirova

This afternoon.

Via RT:

The shocked coach of a tragic taekwondo starlet who won European gold less than a month ago says there is no obvious cause of her death at the age of 19, with messages of support arriving from across Russia.

Perm University prodigy Arina Biktimirova is said to have suddenly died at home in the city where she studied on Monday, leaving her parents mourning their only child.

‘We cannot understand’: Sudden death of taekwondo champion, 19, branded a mystery (RT)

Meanwhile…

Siobhan Cattigan

This afternoon.

Via Sky News:

Scottish Rugby player Siobhan Cattigan has died aged 26, the sport’s governing body and her club have announced.

Cattigan, who played for Stirling County RFC, passed away on 26 November, the club said.

….She described Scotland’s historic win against Ireland in 2018 as one of her personal highlights as the team claimed an away victory for the first time in 12 years, Scottish Rugby added.

Siobhan Cattigan: Scottish rugby player dies aged 26 (Sky)

Previously ‘Urgent Medical Care’

President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen

This afternoon.

Via RTÉ News:

The President of the European Commission has said it is her personal view that there should be a discussion at EU level on the idea of mandatory vaccination for Covid-19.

Ursula von der Leyen said that with 66% of the entire population vaccinated, that still meant 150 million people, or one third of the population, were still unvaccinated.

Talks on mandatory vaccination should happen – Von der Leyen (RTÉ)

Meanwhile..

Meanwhile…

Gulpen.

Rollingnews

Just Eat will now carry the Starbucks menu

This changes everything.

This afternoon.

Gemma Harte writes:

‘Coffee lovers of the nation will be pleased to hear that Starbucks® Delivery is now available on the Just Eat app, featuring the mouth-watering range of signature seasonal specials.

Celebrating the first day of the festive month of December, Just Eat will feature everyone’s favourite specialty coffees, iced beverages, sweet treats and light bites including the iconic Starbucks Christmas menu.

Amanda Roche-Kelly, Managing Director Just Eat Ireland said:

“Just Eat and Starbucks have a shared vision to deliver convenience and as the Irish coffee culture continues to grow, through this exciting partnership we’re offering Just Eat customers what they want, when and where they want it.“

*jitter*

Just Eat

Ciaran Bermingham (left) as Lola Twankey and Fionula Linehan as Wishee-Washee in The Everyman’s Christmas Panto ‘Aladdin playing at, MacCurtain Street, Cork

This afternoon.

Many of Ireland’s largest Panto producers and promoters have come together to ‘assure parents and audiences of the exemplary safety measures in place with regard to their upcoming live shows this Christmas’.

Via Everyman PR::

After a period of uncertainty regarding restrictions, they are now confident that their respective shows can proceed. Some Pantos have already opened successfully to the public, with more opening in the next week or so, all for extensive runs into mid-January, 2022.

Promoters are asking patrons of all ages to wear masks for the duration of shows, in an effort to reduce any risk to other attendee.

Panto is the highlight of the year for many patrons, but also for artists and producers. Preparation for these large productions takes 8-10 months of planning and the Panto industry is the biggest employer of large scale theatre in the country.

Pantomime represents a significant business in the Irish entertainment sector. In an average year, the Panto season is responsible for selling in excess of 310,000 tickets to patrons all over the country, bringing in approximately €9.8 million in revenue.

It provides significant employment for up to 1000 professional artists, creatives and production crews. It also impacts hugely on the economy around the venues, where restaurants, hotels, shops and bars all benefit from the productions around the country.

Eibhlin Gleeson, – CEO, Cork Opera House
Sean Kelly – CEO, The Everyman Theatre, Cork
Michael Brady – General Manager and Claire Tighe, Producer, The Helix Dublin
Alan Hughes and Karl Broderick – Producers, Aladdin at the National Stadium
Pat Egan and Stuart O Connor – Producers, The Olympia Panto
Sinead Hope, Director & Robert C Kelly, Co-Producer, University Concert Hall Limerick

Pic: Miki Barlok

You broke our hearts.

CNN suspends Chris Cuomo indefinitely (CNN)

Getty

Splutter!

This morning.

Inishowen, county Donegal.

Lia Stokes writes:

Broadcaster and Author Laura Whitmore has invested in The Muff Liquor Company, an award-winning drink brand producing potato gin, vodka and whiskey.

The Love Island and BBC Radio 5Live presenter is renowned for her support and endorsement of Irish businesses and produce. News that she is the face of The Muff Liquor Company is a major coup for the popular premium drinks company which has launched major expansion plans.

The Irish TV personality, entrepreneur and best-selling author made the move into the alcohol business after a chance meeting with the brand’s founder.

The company CEO Laura Bonner first met with Laura Whitmore at a London Irish charity event in London and they both made an immediate connection with each other.

Hic.

The Muff Liquor Company