Vera Klute’s controversial statue of Luke Kelly was vandalised yesterday afternoon
This morning.
Sheriff Street, Dublin 1.
All you need is a bit of turps, for pity’s sake.
From top: The Herald cover of September 18, 2015; Store Street Garda Station
Michael Clifford, in the Irish Examiner, reports:
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) has opened a public interest investigation into the prosecution of a brother and sister for allegedly producing false sick notes.
The investigation follows an unprecedented referral from the Policing Authority to Gsoc on foot of concerns about media reports of the case of Lynn and Tony Margiotta. This is the first time the authority has used its power to refer a matter to Gsoc for a public interest investigation.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris was repeatedly asked about the matter at private Policing Authority meetings between March and May this year, before the Authority decided a full investigation was required.
Former female civilian guard Lynn Margiotta has been seeking an inquiry into how she was treated by her employer after she made a verbal complaint of bullying against a Garda member.
Michael Clifford, in The Irish Examiner, previously reported how Lynn Margiotta and her brother Dr Tony Margiotta ended up before a judge in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in March over sick notes she produced to her employer – An Garda Síochána – saying she was unfit to work.
It had been the prosecution’s case that Ms Margiotta had obtained the sick notes by deception as Dr Tony Margiotta had used the stamp of other GPs on the sick notes.
Ms Margiotta was arrested at her home in Navan, Co Meath, by three gardai from her own station, Store Street Garda Station, on August 11, 2014 – three weeks after she made the bullying complaint.
She was told she was under arrest for fraud.
Ms Margiotta was arrested a second time on September 18, 2015 – despite an expert in GP stamps Professor Colin Bradley, of University College Cork, having completed a report for the gardai seven months previous, in February 2015, in which he outlined there was no requirement for doctors to use their own stamp and, furthermore, locums are likely to use stamps of other doctors.
Ms Margiotta and her brother were later arrested at their homes without notice in June 2017, and charged.
However, the case against Ms Margiotta collapsed on March 26, 2019, after Judge Patricia Ryan ruled her rights had been abused as she had been denied access to a solicitor while in custody, and her privacy breached as her medical records had been accessed without her consent.
The case against her brother Dr Margiotta – who worked between two practices in 2014 and was a locum in one of the practices – was also dropped.
Ms Margiotta’s second arrest was reported on the same day, on the front page of The Herald with the headline “Dublin based garda employee arrested for using ‘fake sick certs’.”
Unanswered questions in Garda sick cert case (Michael Clifford, Irish Examiner)
Previously: Malingering Odours
Robert Shortt
This morning.
Host of the next CRASH.
Via RTÉ:
RTÉ News is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Shortt as its new Economics Correspondent [replacing Sean Whelan who becomes the station’s London Correspondent] Robert has been a reporter with RTÉ Prime Time for the last ten years.
He will be responsible for reporting and providing analysis of economic issues across RTÉ News’ television, radio and digital platforms.
Mr Shortt said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to be offered the chance to report on the economy at this critical juncture. Brexit, the challenge of combating climate change and the housing crisis are all issues forcing change and big economic dilemmas. I can’t wait to get started.”
*cough*
Earlier: Everyone’s A Critic
Pic: RTÉ
Heavy
at
Members of the Garda Riot Squad (Public Order Unit), during the National Emergency Service Parade in Dublin City Centre last September
Today we present serious & urgent concerns regarding the right to protest in Ireland. It’s clear to us that there is a wide gap between the position of the Garda with regard to protecting this right, and the experience of many groups. #ProtestIsYourRighthttps://t.co/v8Dip1aIV6
— ICCLtweet (@ICCLtweet) June 26, 2019
This morning.
Via The Irish Council For Civil Liberties
ICCL travelled to Cork, Ennis and Dublin between 19 and 22 June to meet with environmental activists, anti-war protesters, anti-eviction groups, and activists living in Direct Provision. We also met with representatives of An Garda Síochána and relevant oversight bodies.
…We received reports of garda misuse of the Public Order Act (through arresting protesters and later dropping charges), of garda intimidation of protesters (through photography, following cars, harassment, and stop-and-search), of serious deficiencies in GSOC handling of complaints, and of gardaí imposing limits on where people can protest without a clear basis in law.
International standards state that sit-ins and meetings are protected by the right to protest and may extend to private spaces accessible to the public.
However, we heard a number of serious specific issues around protests at or near privately owned land – including during evictions and at Direct Provision centres.
We received reports that gardaí themeslves are evicting protesters from squats when media are not present. Protesters have also been arrested from public spaces such as city councils.
We received reports that gardaí have subjected those arrested at protests to treatment that interferes with their right to dignity, including psychological trauma, strip-searching and being forced to squat and cough.
Arrested protesters have allegedly been encouraged to give statements without lawyers present, and in some cases even denied access to their lawyers.
We are extremely concerned that the rights to assembly, to free expression and to free association are being curtailed by private operators of Direct Provision centres, allegedly with the support of An Garda Síochána.
Residents informed us that their meetings have been labelled “illegal”, that people have been escorted in handcuffs to public spaces where they are “allowed” to protest, and that food and benefits have been withheld in response to protests.
ICCL highlights urgent concerns for the right to protest following national consultation (ICCL)
Cold Brú
at
The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) has confirmed one of the city’s largest homeless hostels is to close imminently.
Brú Aimsir hostel on Thomas Street, operated by charity Depaul, provides emergency, overnight for up to 100 people#not1home https://t.co/2fxH8vjDok pic.twitter.com/bHX102JtWx
— Mick Caul (@caulmick) June 26, 2019
The local authority said capacity has been sourced at three additional locations to replace the beds closing in Brú and there will be an overall increase in the number of available beds.
Those currently sleeping in the hostel, which is used on a “one-night only” basis, will be accommodated in new facilities.
It is understood that not all of the replacement beds will be available immediately and not all are based in the city centre.
‘sup?
Staying in tonight?
RTÉ Investigates – Greyhounds, Running for Their Lives.
Via RTÉ:
The Irish Greyhound Board paid consultancy firm Preferred Results Ltd €115,000 to prepare a business analysis report in 2017.
It stated that 16,000 greyhounds are born each year, of which 5,987 are killed because they fail to make qualification times or their performance declines.
The report estimated 1000% more pups are bred than racing actually needs.
It proposed comprehensive reforms which were not adopted by the IGB.
Across the country RTÉ Investigates looked for evidence of what happened the unwanted dogs.
30 licensed knackeries in Ireland were contacted and – half of them, 15, said they would kill greyhounds for prices ranging from €10 to €35 each….
RTÉ Investigates – Greyhounds, Running for Their Lives at 9.35pm on RTÉ One.
Pic: RTÉ
You’ve seen ‘em. Now you can name ‘em. To wit:
Many world cultures have their own names for thebrightest stars, and it is culturally and historically important to remember them. In the interest of clear global communication, however, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has begun to designate standardized star names. Featured above in true color are the 25 brightest stars in the night sky, currently as seen by humans, coupled with their IAU-recognized names. Some star names have interesting meanings, including Sirius (“the scorcher” in Latin), Vega (“falling” in Arabic), and Antares (“rival to Mars” in Greek). It’s also likely that other of these bright star names are not familiar to you, even though familiar Polaris is too dim to make this list.
(Image: Tragoolchitr Jittasaiyapan)
Black Bank Folk – Last Star Fall
This Irish trad-pop ensemble are launching their new album later this evening in Lost Lane, Adam Court, off Grafton Street, Dublin 2.
Last Star Fall is the band’s first record since their 2016 debut Rising – which was a concept album about the 1916 insurrection, inspired by band members John and Mark Colbert’s great uncle Con Colbert, who took part in the events of that mythical day.
The new album is an intriguing mix of folk, trad, Americana and singer/songwriter elements which makes it feel simultaneously both familiar and fresh.
The line-up is completed by James Sheeran, Sean McKeon and Sharon Hussey.
James says:
“A lot of it is to do with letting go and saying goodbye. To various things and people and for various reasons.”
Nick says: Paint it Black Bank Folk
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is among nine European People’s Party contenders named by Politico.eu as outside chances for the post of European Commission President
Ronan writes:
Will do wonders for his ego…
9 (more) center-right candidates for Commission chief (Politico.eu)
UPDATE:
RTÉ reports:
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is flattered by media reports suggesting he could become head of the European Union’s executive, but insisted he was not seeking a career change.
Mr Varadkar said: “I’m flattered to be considered for the position of EU Commission President, but I have a job, it’s as Taoiseach of Ireland.
“I’m loving the job, I’m only getting started I hope, so I’ve no plans for a career change at this stage.
Taoiseach ‘flattered’ by EU job reports, but says no plans for career change (RTE)
