Author Archives: Bodger

Kate Middleton and Prince William

This morning.

Kensington Palace released the following statement about Kate Middleton and Prince William’s trip to Ireland next week…

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will undertake an official visit to Ireland between Tuesday 3rd March and Thursday 5th March, at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The visit, which will see Their Royal Highnesses spend time in Dublin, County Meath, County Kildare and Galway, will highlight the many strong links between the UK and Ireland.

From its thriving cities to rural communities, the programme will take in Ireland’s rich culture, its impactful community initiatives and spectacular scenery. Following Her Majesty The Queen’s historic visit in 2011, the visit will also focus on the relationship between the two countries, and build on the theme of remembrance and reconciliation.

During the three-day tour, The Duke and Duchess will learn about local organisations working to support and empower young people and projects which provide opportunities to help them develop important life skills. Their Royal Highnesses will also hear more about Ireland’s conservation initiatives and efforts to protect its environment, with a particular focus on sustainable farming and marine conservation.

2020 will see Galway host the European Capital of Culture on behalf of Ireland – a showcase of events highlighting the richness and diversity of Irish culture, art and sport. During their time in Galway, The Duke and Duchess will have the opportunity to experience a taste of modern and traditional Irish culture for themselves.

Throughout the visit, Their Royal Highness will meet a broad range of people, including the President, the Taoiseach and senior political leaders, children and young people, and those working in the creative arts, business and charity sectors.

The UK’s links with Ireland are extensive, and The Duke and Duchess are looking forward to building a lasting friendship with the Irish people.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit Ireland

Pic: RTÉ

This afternoon.

John L Gillen tweetz:

I made planters for my tomatoes from some of [Social Democrat] Gary Gannon posters from the European election.

In fairness.

Meanwhile…

From top: Acting Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: Sinn Fein negotiating team, from left: Matt Carthy TD, Pearse Doherty TD and David Cullinane TD at Leinster House this afternoon

Leo Varadkar said the rallies are “designed to be the next phase in Sinn Féin’s campaign of intimidation and bullying”.

He added: “I wouldn’t be surprised if their next step is to take to the streets.”

Speaking at an event in Dublin, Mr Varadkar said: “It shows once again this is not a normal party.”

Sinn Féin is planning five rallies – the first in Cork tonight [see below] – with the others in Dublin, Galway, Cavan and Newry.

SF rallies an ‘unwelcome development’ – Varadkar (RTÉ)

Rollingnews

UPDATE:

‘sup?

Saturday.

Mount Henry, County Laois.

Eamonn Farrell writes:

Lambs on this farm have been given orange raincoats to protect them from the cold and wet weather.

The enterprising farmer has issued them to the lambs, which are a bit more delicate when born, which means instead of being kept indoors they can run around outdoors with their more sturdy brothers and sisters.

Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews

Minister for Children Affairs Katherine Zappone ( above) and Tusla are heavily criticised in the leaked report.

Yesterday.

The Sunday Independent revealed details of a leaked report by the Collaborative Forum on Mother and Baby Home. A report outgoing Minister for Children Affairs Katherine Zappone had refused to publish.

It detailed episodes of mixed race children who were subjected to “racial profiling” and ‘stripped of their identities’.

Also:

Tusla, which controls access to birth records from mother and baby homes and adoption societies, is accused of withholding personal information from applicants detained as children across various institutions on the grounds that to release it “could cause harm to the wider family members”.

The outgoing Minister for Children is criticised for transferring records from mother and baby homes to the child and family agency as “astonishing”, “regressive” and “insensitive”.

The “levels of anger, frustration and discontent” towards Tusla from survivors trying to access their records has “escalated to record numbers”, the report says. Their experiences of trying to find out who they are have been “damaging and re-traumatising” for the most vulnerable survivors.

The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016, which is much criticised in the report, fell by the wayside shortly before the change of government.

The legislation attempted to address the rights of adoptees to their identity, while balancing the rights of natural parents to not be contacted. In the end, it could not be done. The minister was advised of constitutional issues with allowing adopted people unrestricted access to their birth information and attempts at reaching consensus failed.

The spirit of inclusivity in which the collaborative forum was founded has given way to feelings of exclusion.

Racial profiling, segregation like Apartheid – shocking report reveals racist abuse in Mother and Baby homes (Maeve Sheehan, Sunday Independent)

Last week: Tusla And The Silencing

From top: Supreme Court judges – with Chief Justice Frank Clarke (centre) – in Waterford this morning; Graham Dwyer

This morning.

In Waterford.

Via RTÉ:

The Supreme Court has said it intends to refer Graham Dwyer’s case over the retention and accessing of his mobile phone metadata to the Court of Justice of the EU.

The court ruled the State’s appeal against convicted murderer Graham Dwyer’s successful challenge to the retention and accessing of mobile phone data.

The seven judges gave their decision in Waterford in a judgment that broadcast live on RTÉ News Now.

…Dwyer’s appeal against his conviction is on hold pending the outcome of these proceedings.

Appeal in Dwyer case referred to EU Court of Justice (RTÉ)

RTE/Rollingnews

UPDATE: The judgment can be read in full here

Saturday/Sunday

Inis Mór, Aran Islands, County Galway.

Scenes from the biggest-ever Tedfest featuring star turns from Fr Damo (Joe Rooney – above far left)) and Eoin McLove (Patrick McDonell – above second right).

The annual gathering is now in its 14th year.

In fairness.

Tedfest 2020

Thanks Helen O’Dwyer