A really rather excellent darkly comic stop-motion short by Irish director Vincent Gallagher featuring the rivalry between the world’s two oldest men – Frederick and Herman Butterfield – twins born a mere minute apart.
Scriptural boffin Dr Dirk Obbink (above) has been arrested on suspicion of stealing priceless ancient papyrus biblical fragments from a collection held at Oxford University
Even in Oxford’s top echelon
They don’t pay that much to a Don
So it’s alleged that Dirk
Took papyrus from work
To the States, and then he sold it on
John Moynes
AP
MORE to follow.
Ricky Gervais
Of course you are.
On The Late Late Show.
Jennifer O’Brien writes:
Ryan Tubridy will be joined by former Ireland international and Munster rugby star, Paul O’Connell…
…Ryan will be catching up with iconic Irish actor Colm Meaney about live away from home during the crisis…
The Chief Medical Officer, Tony Holohan will be live in studio with Ryan, giving viewers the most up to date information….
Hollywood actor and comedian, Ricky Gervais will discuss his thoughts on the current restrictions…
Samantha Power, former adviser to Barack Obama will chat to Ryan from her home in the US about her experience of the pandemic.
Singer/Songwriter, Danny O’Reilly will join Ryan for a very special solo performance in studio….
Former Mayo football star David Brady will tell Ryan why he’s phoning people cocooning for a chat about GAA…
The Late Late Show on RTÉ One, at 9.35pm.
Rex
Minister for Health Simon Harris in the Dáil this evening
This evening.
In the Dáil.
Health Minister Simon Harris responded to points made by Green Party TD Ossian Smyth.
During his contribution, Mr Smyth asked Mr Harris if he would support Google and Apple “in their announcement that they want to co-operate to produce an app that can help with contact tracing on the basis that it respects privacy”.
Mr Smyth also told Mr Harris that he wanted to see Ireland become prepared “for the next microbial pandemic after Covid” and asked the minister to create a “pandemic preparedness unit” or a “pandemic readiness unit” within the Department of Health.
In relation to the point about an app, Mr Harris said:
“On the issue of the app, I’m very supportive of the app. I think we really need an app. The HSE is at a very advanced stage, and my department, of launching one.
“I know we’ve been discussing with mobile phone operators…I know other companies are also thinking of it. It would involve people opting in. I think the Irish people would opt in though.
“I think they’d opt in in overwhelming numbers once they knew, you know, that the parameters in terms of their own data protection and the fact it could save their lives and the lives of their family…”
In relation to the point about a pandemic unit, Mr Harris said:
“In relation to preparing for future public health pandemics, I mean you’re right. Public health has been the poor relation of health in this country for a long time, for a really, really long time.
“The Department of Health has often been the department of illness, what do we do when somebody gets sick? Not only do we realise the real value of public health at a time like this, whether we go the road of establishing, like they have in the UK, Public Health England, as a separate stand-alone organisation? Or whether you look, as you suggested, a unit or something as part of the HSE?
“My one personal view is that it should be integrated as part of the health service, rather than setting up other bodies. But I’m open to discussions in this House.
“And sure maybe whoever forms the next Government can help us in that challenge.”
Earlier: Question Time [Updated]
Previously: The CovidTracker App And You
This afternoon.
Leinster House, Dublin 2
From top: Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan; Fianna Fail TD Mary Butler; Soc Dem co-leader; Roisin Shorthall; Fianna Fáil TDs Thomas Byrne and Jim O’Callaghan; Sinn Féin’s Louise O’Reilly; Independent Mattie McGrath; Sinn Féin TD Dessie Ellis and John Halligan.
Earlier: Question Time
Staying in Sunday?
Anne-Louise Foley writes:
RTÉ has announced that One World: Together At Home, a globally televised and streamed special in support of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, will air across RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ 2fm on Sunday, 19 April, at 7pm.
The two-hour programme will feature Doireann Garrihy and Eoghan McDermott who will bring an Irish take on things.
Launched by international advocacy organisation Global Citizen, and the World Health Organization, One World: Together At Home will show unity among all people who are affected by COVID-19….
Um.
This sign in Irishtown, Dublin today
Home
Put your skinny hand in mine
You can shelter for a while
Cases are increasing here
Patients worse off than appear
Trying to explain to some
Society has come undone
Nods and smiles, accepting eyes
Been prepared since once retired
Told it’s spreading far too fast
Far and flung the good times past
Older many, younger few
Were they underlying too?
Is it fair to question form
Of dead and dear departed sort?
Should we ask intrusive things
While earth is warm and cardinal sings?
There is no fear we have not felt
Lucky we still have our health
There but for the grace of God
I would be there, not here, how odd.
New sheets over older faces
Putting hospitals through paces
Spring has sprung, a bell has rung
It’s fine for me, I’m only young.
Austin Slevin
Lines on the lockdown to broadsheet@broadsheet.ie marked ‘Lines On The Lockdown’