Category Archives: Misc

Darren A Flynn – Big Blue Moon

You want banjos? You got banjos.

Darren A. Flynn (top), formerly of Italian/Irish Americana act Mongrel State, marks his return to the Irish music scene since literally dropping dead in 2018.

Darren writes:

“It took me about a year to fully recover after my heart attack, and just around the time I was feeling ready to dip my toe back in the water, feckin’ COVID happened!

“There were so many times over the last few years when I’d almost given up hope. I’m so glad that, finally, I’m able to get out there and have my music heard again.”

The acclaimed Johnny Butten brings the banjo magic and the track also features guest vocals by Tim Cullen (The Hot Sprockets), JM Burr (Lugosi) and folk singer Michelle Gahan.

Nick says: Keep on shining.

Darren A Flynn

This afternoon.

Further to the emergence of a video allegedly showing the activities of a Ukraine army unit called Kraken, affiliated with the far-right National Corps, where footage included soldiers apparently shooting Russian prisoners of war in the legs…

…via BBC ‘Reality Check’:

The BBC has geo-located footage from this video to the village of Vilkhivka, 3.5 miles (5.6km) from Malaya Rohan. The weather is similarly sunny and dry.

The group said 30 Russians were taken prisoner in the village on 25 March and the Kraken video has footage of PoWs bound, blindfolded and being bundled into a van at one point and forced to sing the Ukrainian national anthem at another point. But there is no shooting or serious violence towards them.

The BBC contacted Konstantin Nemichev, head of the National Corps in the Kharkiv region. He said his forces treated prisoners “humanely” and denied any connection to the video of the alleged shootings at the dairy.

Meanwhile…

…In the most disturbing part of the video, three men appear to be shot in the legs at close range with an assault weapon.

There’s been some debate on social media as to whether the footage is genuine or staged, with some people claiming there isn’t enough blood, evidence of exit wounds or shouting and screaming from the victims for it to be real.

We showed the video to several trauma surgeons and former military doctors who gave us their expert opinion but wished to remain anonymous.

One said he had treated soldiers who had sustained gunshot injuries who didn’t shout or scream and said the lack of bleeding on some of the wounded soldiers could be explained by them having had a tourniquet applied (visible in the video).

He said: “It is my opinion that the footage cannot be categorised as ‘fake’ purely based on the images seen. This requires an investigation for war crimes.”

Another doctor said: “It appears genuine… these meet the description of punishment shootings to the limbs”.

Other people on social media pointed to the lack of apparent recoil on the assault rifle when it was fired, claiming it could have been firing blank rounds.

Mr Reynolds points out that the AK-74’s 5.45mm round is small-calibre and has very little recoil but he also added “the video quality isn’t great”.

The BBC is continuing efforts to verify this video and will update this piece if more evidence comes to light.

Previously: “We Are A European Army, And We Do Not Mock Our Prisoners”

Does video show Russian prisoners being shot? (BBC)

Sunday.

St Patrick’s Park, Dublin 8 (north of St Patrick’s Cathedral).

The ‘Books and Browsables’ Market.

Taking place every Sunday from 11am-4pm.

Joanna writes:

Dublin City Council is calling on self-published authors to get in touch if they would like to be featured in the market in St Patrick’s Park.

It features a large selection of both new and second-hand books for long-time literature lovers and emerging enthusiasts, eager to discover the magic of storytelling.

The ‘Books and Browsables’ market regularly features self-published authors and small, independent publishers. Dublin City Council welcomes approaches from authors in that category who would like to sell and promote their work.

In addition to books, there are also lots of curiosities available to peruse in the market. From vintage maps and vinyl records to amazing antiques, retro toys and artwork, there’s plenty to capture the imagination.

A particularly environmentally-conscious element of the market comes in the form of upcycled and vintage clothing, which will be of interest to Dublin’s increasing number of sustainable fashion fans.

Complimented by a literary walk in the park, the park tearooms, toilets and a playground the market has everything for families to enjoy a day out.

So why not pop along some Sunday, browse through the market and have a listen to our resident classical piano player Javier (top)!

Pics Via Dublin City Council

This morning.

Just ‘dropped’.

Jodie Delany writes:

After selling out of early bird tickets and launching the 2022 festival without naming its headline acts, Body & Soul is now excited to give a first glimpse of the curatorial style for its uniquely programmed 2022 edition, which will unfold across the Summer Solstice weekend of 17-19 June [Ballinlough Castle Estate, county Westmeath]

Inviting audiences to participate in an immersive and adventurous weekend full of surprises, Body & Soul has this year halved its numbers and doubled its curatorial commitment, with just 5,500 weekend tickets available for this strikingly smaller 3-day event.

Get them.

Body & Soul

This morning.

Government Buildings, Dublin 2.

Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee (above) discusses the Government approval for her to publish the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022.

Via RTÉ News:

Among the measures proposed are a  requirement for all candidates for judicial positions to be interviewed and to show that they have undergone judicial training or continuous professional development.

If the proposed legislation is enacted it will mean that only three people will be recommended by the Judicial Appointments Commission for each position and that only people recommended by the commission can be recommended by the Government for appointment as a judge.

All candidates will have to be interviewed by the judicial appointments commission including serving judges seeking promotion to a higher court.

The commission will also have to publish a diversity statement committing to reflecting the diversity of the population as a whole in the make up of the judiciary.

Candidates for judiciary to face interviews under new reforms (Independent.ie)

Sam Boal/RollingNews

Leaving Cert coverage logo in the Irish Times, 1980s

This morning.

Via Irish Times:

…the perception persists that the Leaving Cert remains a high stakes exam completed during the month of June each year. The announcement by Minister for Education Norma Foley therefore that subjects will in future be assessed through a combination of a terminal exam in June worth 60 per cent of marks along with 40 per cent allocated through other methods, including teacher assessment, is to be greatly welcomed.

Easing The Stress (Irish Times)

HSE CEO Paul Reid

This morning.

Let it go, Paul.

Meanwhile…

This morning.

…via RTÉ News:

The Taoiseach has said he did not believe that making it mandatory to wear a mask indoors would change the current Covid-19 situation.

Organisations representing doctors and nurses have called on the Government to reintroduce some measures to tackle the spread of Covid-19.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine have called on ministers to revisit measures such as wearing masks indoors and in congregated settings and working from home.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, Micheál Martin said the Government is guided by public health advice in relation to Covid-19 and he has been in touch with the Chief Medical Officer

…Mr Martin said the country is in a new phase of Covid-19 and the guidance remains to wear a mask.

However he added that the return of restrictions is not justified.

Return of Covid restrictions not justified, Taoiseach says (RTE)

RollingNews

Yesterday.

Washington DC, USA.

“For Jamaica, one of the issues that has been presented as an issue that is economic in the way its impact has been the pandemic. So to that end we are announcing today also that we will assist Jamaica in Covid recovery by assisting in terms of the recovery efforts in Jamaica that have been essential to I believe what is necessary to strengthen not only the issue of public health but also the economy.”

US Vice President Kamala Harris during a meeting with the  Jamaican Prime Minister.

Um.

Anyone?

Meanwhile…

Yesterday.

Washington DC.

US President Joe Biden conducts a press conference while getting his second booster.

Now you want one.

Michael Bublé at Croke Park in 2018

On The Late Late Show…

…Linda Pototzki writes:

With 75 million album sales under his belt, the inimitable Michael Bublé will perform new music live in studio….

…Star of Derry Girls Siobhán McSweeney will be on the show to chat about going home to Cork to film her new television series…

…Ahead of making his ascent to Croagh Patrick, Irish boxing legend Barry McGuigan will discuss dedicating his climb to, not only Charlie Bird and Vicky Phelan, but also his beloved late daughter, Nika.

Charlie Bird’s Late Late Show appearance last December captured the hearts of the nation as he bravely spoke of his Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis, as well as his goals to climb Croagh Patrick and raise vital funds for Motor Neurone Disease and Pieta House.

As preparations get underway on the eve of the Climb with Charlie event, we will go live to Westport to check in on Charlie, his family, supporters, and friends including Daniel O’Donnell, Dermot Bannon, Roz Purcell, Matt Molloy, George Lee, Joanna Donnelly, and many more…

…Plus, Michael English will perform a song written exclusively to support the Climb with Charlie.

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

RollingNews