Category Archives: Misc

This morning.

MetroLink – for which the cost is reported to have increased to €10bn – will not see construction start for at least another ten years.

This would mean its earliest completion date would be 2037 – ten years later than originally planned.

The project’s business case is currently being assessed by Government and according to the strategy it is still expected to go for planning approval next year.

Luas Finglas – the first of the Luas extensions – was originally meant to be built by 2028. The earliest completion date is now expected to be around 2034.

Meanwhile other Luas extensions that will not be going ahead until after 2031 are Poolbeg, Lucan, and Bray.

Dublin’s MetroLink postponed for ten years – NTA draft strategy (RTÉ)

Kestine – U.N.I.T.Y

“Another black man they wan hang then crucify.”

Rapper Kestine doesn’t mince his words on his hard-hitting new single which sees him exploring the racial politics of being a black man in a white man’s world.

The video is produced and directed by Brian McDonnell and also stars actors Gabriel Adewusi and Keith Gallagher.

Nick says: Kestine spirit.

Kestine

This morning.

Dublin Castle, Dublin 2.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath has said businesses in the hospitality industry who do not comply with rules around Covid-19 passes “do not deserve to remain open”.

On his way into Cabinet, the minister said that although there has been a “pretty good level of compliance.. those who aren’t are putting the public at risk”.

Non-Covid compliant businesses ‘don’t deserve to remain open'(RTÉ)

Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

About 80,000 godwits arrive in New Zealand each year, and move into harbours and estuaries across the two islands

There’s a bird in New Zealand and it
Is usually called a godwit
But one’s been found to stray
Quite a long way away
It’s a navigational twit

John Moynes

National Geographic

Mescal, from My Canine Companion in Currys PC World, Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Cork

‘sup?

This afternoon.

Our good friends at Currys PC World have announced Cork-based charity, My Canine Companion as its charity partner.

They say:

With the cost of training one dog amounting to €10,000 each, Currys PC World, Ireland’s largest electrical retailer has pledged to raise at least €170,000 over the next year to fund training of 17 dogs – one dog for each of the 16 stores, plus one from currys.ie As well as raising funds, they will also help raise awareness of the charity.

Fundraising throughout the year will be a mix of in store and internal initiatives, meaning customers and colleagues alike will get the chance to help to raise the vital funds for this fantastic charity. The first activity will see Currys PC World colleagues take part in the 100km walking challenge for My Canine Companion, which all stores will participate in!

Arf.

currys.ie

My Canine Companion

 

Meanwhile…

Earlier: A Bit Negative

Unrepeatable

This afternoon.

Via Reuters:

Poland accused Belarus of trying to spark a major confrontation on Monday as video clips showed hundreds of migrants walking towards the Polish border and some trying to breach the fence using spades and other implements.

Warsaw said it had deployed additional soldiers, border guards and police, while neighbouring Lithuania said it might introduce a state of emergency on its border with Belarus.

The European Union, to which Poland and Lithuania both belong, accuses Minsk of encouraging migrants from the Middle East and Africa to cross into the EU via Belarus, as a form of hybrid warfare in revenge for Western sanctions on President Alexander Lukashenko’s government over human rights abuses.

Poland said it had withstood the first attempts on Monday by the migrants to force their way across the border.

Poland blames Belarus as migrants try to force their way across border (Reuters)