US Army veterans Ken Mayers and Tarak Kauff; President Michael D Higgins at the New York Library; and Zaidie Mayers speaking to President Higgins in New York

Two US army veterans and members of Veterans For Peace, Ken Mayers and Tarak Kauff, aged 82 and 77, were arrested on St Patrick’s Day at Shannon Airport.

It followed them protesting against the continued use of the airport by the US military.

They’re accused of causing €2,500 worth of criminal damage to the airport’s perimeter fence, as well as unlawfully trespassing into a taxiway.

They’re now awaiting trial and, on Monday, appeared before Ennis District Court, with the court hearing that they’ve sought a transfer of the case from Clare to Dublin.

Their case will be up for mention again on October 29 – when a date for a hearing of the transfer application will be set.

Last week they took part in a ‘Boots On The Ground For Freedom’ walk – in protest against the use of Shannon Airport by the US military.

Further to this…

Yesterday, in New York.

President Michael D Higgins was doing an interview with WYNC, during which Ellen Davidson, wife of Tarek Kauff, rang into the show.

Ms Davidson, who lives in Manhattan but is currently based in Dublin, said:

“I understand President Higgins is a big supporter of Irish neutrality so I’m wondering why the Irish Government is allowing US military flights to go through Shannon Airport in violation of that neutrality, bringing troops to the Middle East, to the wars that cause the refugees he’s been talking about.

“And, also, about the case of two US veterans who did a peaceful protest against those flights in March and they’ve been held in Ireland ever since, without their passports, on very minor charges, for a peaceful protest.”

President Higgins responded:

“Yes, I think that your caller will know these are issues, when I was a member of parliament, I spoke and acted very often. I do think that the issue – the two people whose case I am familiar – is a matter for Government and I will draw the attention of Government to it.

“But you’ll appreciate that as president, I cannot interfere in the  executive decisions of Government.”

Meanwhile, also yesterday…

At the New York. Library.

President Higgins took part in an interview with journalist and senior writer at the New York Times Dan Barry.

After the interview finished, Zaidie Mayers, the granddaughter of Mr Mayers, approached President Higgins and raised her granddad’s case.

President Higgins said:

“I’ve read about the two people who were on that walk. I’ll see what I can do.”

Related: Ex-US military men seek to have Shannon security-breach trial transferred to Dublin (Gordon Deegan, The Irish Examiner)

Previously: Story Of Why

Thanks Niall Farrell

Members of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home Alliance with President Michael D Higgins’ Aide de Camp Sgt John Grennan (pic 3 and above back far left) at Aras an Uachtarain yesterday

Yesterday.

Aras an Uachtarain, Phoenix Park, Dublin

Breeda Murphy writes:

While our President was away (in America); his able staff were hosting a reception for members of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home Alliance.

Sergeant John Grennan together with the Aras pets; Brod and Sioda made us feel most welcome.

We enjoyed afternoon tea upon arrival while Sgt Grennan provided background and history of the house. We were then treated to a guided tour and spent some time in the newly refurbished Visitor Centre which holds historical data, gifts, artefacts, etc.

In attendance were two survivors; former Irish Army members, Michael O’Flaherty and PJ Doran both of whom had served overseas.

Survivor Joe (pic 3) who did not enjoy the same opportunity had a word with Sgt Grennan From the image you’ll see Joe engaging in his usual banter – ‘wouldn’t I look good in that jacket’ ….

Brod and Sioda joined in the fun; wagged their tails in approval and barked their appreciation as we walked the grounds.They were treated to some cuddles and attention.

They are BIG! And as it had been wet just before they seemed to have enjoyed the drizzle which sparkled on their coats….

Previously: DNA Tests And Tuam

Do you turn for a lathe? Is engraving etched deep in your psyche? Are your pockets filled with brass shavings right now?

If so, then clear 20 minutes, you deviant, and watch as an intricately detailed 24k gold plated card press is hand made for puzzle collector Chris Ramsey by master metalsmith and watchmaker Clickspring.

awesomer

Seven new customs cars allegedly being delivered in Dundalk, Co Louth yesterday

Aoife Moore, in The Irish News, reports:

A lorry with a car carrier trailer holding seven customs cars with hi-visibility livery travelled through Co Louth yesterday morning, and parked at a yard in Coes Road East, Dundalk, just miles from the border.

Damien McGennity, co-ordinator of the group Border Communities Against Brexit, says the community around the border have been left with no answers on how their lives will be affected after the UK leaves the EU.

“This is just the beginning, considering the news over the last day, and now this, the community is seriously concerned,” Mr McGennity said.

Meanwhile…

Border community outraged at arrival of customs cars (The Irish News)

Pic/video: Border Communities Against Brexit

From left: Galway football team captain Damian Comer, Supermac’s MD Pat McDonagh and Galway hurling team captain David Burke at the announcement of Supermac’s and Galway GAA’s 5 year sponsorship deal at Lough Rea Hotel and Spa, County Galway last year

Via RTÉ:

Last night, the fast food chain released a statement outlining the scale of their investment since 2015 and demanding to know details of how this money was spent.

The finances of Galway GAA were subject to two reviews in late 2018, one conducted by Galway GAA itself and another by accounting firm Mazars.

The use of an official credit card for personal expenses, officer expenses of €45,000 and a debt of €390,000 to Croke Park for All-Ireland final tickets were among the revelations.

A 103-acre site in Athenry that was bought in 2006 for €2.8m and earmarked for a centre of excellence was sold at a loss of almost €2m last year.

McIntyre: Supermac’s statement is ‘huge intervention (RTÉ)

LasE week: Withold The Mayo

Pic:: Hany Marzouk

This morning.

Met Éireann has issued two wind warnings and one rain warning for tomorrow ahead of Storm Lorenzo.

The first Status Yellow wind warning concerns the whole of Ireland and will take effect from 9am tomorrow until 6am on Friday.

Winds of 50kph to 65kph, and gusts of up to 100kph, are expected.

A second Status Orange wind warning concerning Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick will also take effect from 6pm tomorrow until 3am on Friday.

Winds of 65kph to 80kph, and gusts of up to 130kph, are expected.

The third weather warning is a Status Yellow rain warning and it concerns the whole of Ireland, taking effect from 9am tomorrow until 9am on Friday.

Met Éireann

Earlier: A Limerick A Day

Meanwhile…

Ain’t that the truth.

Top pic: Carlow Weather



Um.

This morning.

Croke Park, Dublin.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the Construction Conference sponsored by the Sunday Business Post where he spoke to delegates of the Construction Industry Federation.

Via The Irish Times:

Mr Varadkar told the conference  the Government would publish a new planning bill shortly.

He acknowledged that it was frustrating for builders and planners to see good projects end up facing sometimes “vexatious” judicial reviews in the High Court.

“That’s something, in my view, that’s going to have to change and this bill will change it,” the Taoiseach pledged.

Good times.

Varadkar promises law to block ‘vexatious’ planning challenges (Irish Times)

Sam Boal/Rollingnews

Oh.

Border shenanigans of yore, dates unspecified.

Compiled by Alan Kinsella , who tweetz:

“Customs Posts?”

Previously: “We Certainly Haven’t Seen Any Proposals Yet”

‘We Expect The British Government To Honour That Commitment’

Border, Border

Then Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, at the Public Services Card Centre, D’Olier House in Dublin after he registered for a PSC in 2016

Yesterday evening.

In the Dáil.

Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty raised Cianan Brennan’s article in yesterday’s Irish Examiner with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe.

Mr Cianan reported that Mr Donohoe’s department ordered the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to drop a secondary method for parents to apply for National Childcare Scheme subsidies – ensuring that the only way parents can apply for the subsidies will be through MyGovID, for which one needs a Public Services Card.

Mr Doherty yesterday evening asked Mr Donohoe twice why the department ordered for the second method to be dropped and, twice, Mr Donohoe failed to give a reason for the move.

From their exchange:

Pearse Doherty: “The new national childcare scheme opens for applications on 29 October. No parent can apply for this scheme without a public services card.

“This is despite the Data Protection Commissioner’s decision that there is no legal basis for this requirement and it being deemed illegal by the commissioner.

“Parents who do not have a public services card will have no choice but to wait until January when written applications can be made. Why did the Department interject when a secondary method to apply for this scheme was to be provided for parents?

“At the insistence of the Department, this proposal was dropped by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

“Will the Minister explain this, given that the Data Protection Commissioner has deemed that there is no legal basis for leaving parents with only one option as regards the form of identification they can use to apply for the scheme?”

Paschal Donohoe: “My good colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, is working on ways to ensure that families and parents will be able to access the national childcare scheme.

“The Deputy referred to me being in the dock on this matter. I fully understand the views of the Data Protection Commission, an institution which I take seriously. In each of the budgets that I have introduced, I have made more resources available to the commission because it is an important organisation for the management of information, both for the private sector and Government.

“I have taken a different view on the role of the public services card following legal advice that has been made available to me. The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, and I did not take lightly the decision we made to offer a differing view from that of the Data Protection Commissioner.

“This was done after we obtained legal advice on where we stood, which left me satisfied that the card has robust legal standing and that the appropriate course was to make clear that we take a different view from the commissioner on this issue. I know the commissioner has spoken to the Oireachtas about the issue and indicated the course of action she is likely to take.

Doherty: “Will the Minister outline why his Department insisted that a second form of access to the national childcare scheme be dropped, leaving parents with only the public services card as a means of accessing this scheme?”

Donohoe: “We believe that we are on solid legal foundations in using the public services card as a way to help citizens to access services efficiently. Encouraging greater use of the public services card over time will lead to more convenient and efficient ways in which families and citizens can access public services.”

Doherty: “It is not very convenient for parents.”

When the Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon appeared before the Public Accounts Committee last week – on foot of her examination of the PSC and her finding that it was unlawful for the State to require people to have a card in order to obtain any services beyond those offered by the Department of Social Protection – Ms Dixon said the following about the National Childcare Scheme and the PSC stipulation:

“The only alternative option that appears to be offered is a manual, paper-based application that will not be ready until the new year and will not provide back payments. Clearly, this is completely at odds with the findings of our report and the directions we have issued.”

Read back in full here

Yesterday: Card Shark

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