Category Archives: Misc

Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Arbour Hill yesterday

This morning.

Via Irish Times:

There are acute concerns in Government about capacity to house Ukrainian refugees, with the available supply of hotel and B&B places almost exhausted.

While senior officials said facilities such as large halls with camp beds and tents were unlikely to be required before Easter, sources were unwilling to rule them out beyond that.

A scramble for additional sources of accommodation is under way across all arms of government and local authorities, with an emergency summit of the construction and property industry due to be held on Monday by Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien.

Fears grow in Government about Irish capacity to house Ukrainian refugees (Irish Times)

Meanwhile…

…via Irish Examiner:

In terms of the influx of Ukrainian people fleeing the war, Taoiseach Micheál Martinsaid it is going to become extremely challenging because over 20,000 people have come into the country in a matter of weeks.

He said such an influx is unprecedented in terms of anything we have experienced before in relation to refugees fleeing a conflict zone and a war.

Asked about people living in large communal halls, he said the number of public pledges of help “is not as large as originally anticipated”

We have to move fast in terms of going through all the pledges for example, not all of them have been processed or gone through and there’s some opportunities there.

Number of Irish pledges to house refugees ‘not as large as originally anticipated’ (Irish Examiner)

RollingNews

Yesterday.

‘The Footy Show‘ on Australia’s Channel 9.

The first mainstream discussion on a possible link between the covid vaccine and the spate of cardiac issues among elite athletes.

KN writes:

Well, it’s start…(@1:06:18 )…

Fight!

Brownlow medallist speaks after Footy Show stars’ shock medical claim (News.com.aus)

Projected results in the first part of the French presidential race put Emmanuel Macron (left) on 27.6% and challenger Marine Le Pen (right) candidate on 23.4%

The French voted yesterday when
Macron crept ahead of Le Pen
But it seems everyone
Found the whole thing such fun
That they’re going to do it again

John Moynes

Getty

Thank Fletch it’s Friday.

It’s that time of the week you’ve all been waiting for. I can feel your excitement through my keyboard.

And so without further ado, let’s get this voucher-free music party started.

This week, on the 45th anniversary of the release of the debut album by The Clash, I want to know: what’s your favourite punk anthem?

Here’s mine.

Please include video links if possible.

Lines MUST close on Saturday at Midday.

Last week, I asked for your favourite song with flowers in the title or lyrics. You answered in your tens.

Gorugeen won my esteem with this entry:

Led Zeppelin – Misty Mountain Hop

Gorugeen writes:

“Always makes me think of our holidays in France: Sitting at the top of the meadow, watching all the happy people arrive and as the sun dips behind the trees the music starts. My happy place.”

Nick says: Congratulations Gorugeen. Thanks to everyone who entered.

Last week: Win Nick’s Esteem

Pic: Bunker Vinyl, Cork

Last night.

Mother and baby Home activists Breeda Murphy, Eunan Duffy and Frank Brehany discuss new developments on the burials bill and redress scheme for survivors of the Mother and Baby Home system in Ireland.

Breeda notes that 83 amendments to the Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022 were denied by the government.

The trio’s alternative birth and tracing bill here

Note: Forgive the ramshackle start, entirely host’s fault.

Meanwhile..

Via Gov.ie:

The Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth invites written submissions from interested individuals or groups on the general scheme of a Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill.

Details here

Meanwhile…

Marianvale Mother and Baby Home, county Newry

Marianvale.

The home where Eunan was born.

Via Abandoned Northern Ireland.

I never like to see a building demolished, however, with the history thats associated with this building I’m glad that’s finally been razed.

Reports say that more than 14,000 girls and women went through baby homes and other institutions throughout Ireland from 1922-1900.

Expectant girls from as young as 14 years old were sent here by their family or church to have their babies against their will. They were even stripped of their names as soon as they crossed the doors and were not allowed to talk. They endured all sorts of physical and mental abuse from those in charge. Once the baby was born it was taken away and adopted out against their wishes.

I visited this home on several occasions and the atmosphere was always heavy and thick, I never stayed in this location long.

Abandoned N.I