Author Archives: Bodger

Last night/this morning.

Via DW:

A massive Russian military convoy consisting of hundreds of tanks, trucks, towed artillery pieces and support vehicles has been pictured slowly making its way toward Kyiv. Satellite images provided by the US company Maxar Technologies show the convoy spanning a distance of about 40 miles (65 kilometers).

Russian military convoy near Kyiv is more than 40 miles long, according to satellite images (CNN)

Maxor Technologies

This afternoon.

Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

Climate change activists from Fridays For Future Ireland calls on the government to deliver a “Fossil Free Future” and get real.

No, you get real.

And get your haircut.

Yes, you (3rd right).

Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

Meanwhile…

Back of the net.

And unleashed.

Dartmouth House, London, England

Cassandra-Voiced, freedom-loving, Irish-Austrian human rights lawyer David Langwallner, a winner of the International Observer Mace debating competition as a student at Trinity College Dublin, takes on all-comers at the English Speaking Union, opposing the motion that ‘this House believes that the Covid pandemic demonstrates that we should prioritise security and safety over individual liberty.’

Brief handbags @4.14.

Previously: David Langwallner on Broadsheet

Junior Infants teacher Jennifer Ní Chathaláin, of Gaelscoil Uí Drisceoil, Glanmire, county Cork

This afternoon.

Via RTE news:

Junior infants  teacher Jennifer Ní Chathaláin can now use facial expressions as well as her voice to teach her class of five and six-year-olds as, for the first time in a long, long time, she no longer has to wear a face mask in class.

“It’s the sense of normality that we have missed,” she told RTÉ News.

“I’m looking forward to being able to sit down and do circle time, with the kids sitting next to them on the carpet and reading a book to them, where they can sit wherever they want. It’s the structure and rigidity of the restrictions that have really been felt.

“Now it feels like it’s just back to normal, the way it should be in a junior infants class, where kids can mix and socialise and they can develop new friendships and they can expand their social networks.

“It’s a really positive day today.”

Five-year old Seb MacCarthaigh agrees.

“I am really happy because I can hear Múinteor Jennifer’s voice and I can see her face,” he said.

😄.

Cork school ‘delighted’ to ‘see children smiling’ (Paschal Sheehy, RTE)

Pic via RTE news

This morning.

The launch of ‘The Big Busk for Focus Ireland ‘ on March 11 with Focus Ireland and Today FM calling on YOU (even if like Nick you can only play the spoons) to join the band and help fund ‘an end to homelessness’.

Present were Today FM ‘jocks’ from top: Pamela Joyce and Ray Foley; Dermot Whelan (left) and Dave Moore.

Bants level: high.

Register here.

Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

The former Marianvale Mother and Baby Home (top) in Newry, County Down, run by the Good Shepherd Sisters

This afternoon.

Police in Northern Ireland are probing 29 allegations of criminal activity around mother and baby homes.

Via RTÉ News:

Officers have received reports from a number of people who were adopted from different named institutions and also from some who either worked there or were residents within these institutions.

…Police launched an investigation into allegations of physical and sexual abuse involving the homes last October.

A spokesperson said all those who have come forward have been spoken to by a specialist detective from the Historic Child Abuse Unit within the Public Protection Branch and have been offered the opportunity to have their account recorded so that a criminal investigation can take place.

Detectives have encouraged more victims and witnesses to come forward, and are particularly keen to reach expats who now live outside Northern Ireland, including in Britain, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Police probe 29 allegations around NI Mother and Baby homes (RTE)

Previously: Traffficked With Three Birth certs

Pic: BBC

Yesterday.

Fox News.

“We not only fight for Ukraine we fight for this new world order for the democratic countries.”

Ukrainian Parliament member Kira Rudik

Gulp.

Anyone?

Meanwhile…

With Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, a New Cold War Arrives (Wall Street Journal)

This morning.

Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin 2.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin (above left) at the launch of a portrait of Professor Mary Horgan, President, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and a member of NPHET, by artist Jack Hickey (top left).

Not all heroes have their portraits painted.

Leah Farrell RollingNews

Meanwhile…

Coincidence?

Yes, obviously.