https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox3MlawDuZo

‘Aithrí/Penance’.

Derry based film maker Tom Collins’ acclaimed Irish language feature film starring Peter Coonan, Barry Barnes, Barry McGovern and Gerard McSorely will have its television premiere on TG4 this Easter Saturday at 8.55pm.

Shot in Derry and Donegal and inspired by a short story from Pádraic Ó Conaire, ‘Aithrí’ tells the story of a priest who recruits an impressionable teenager to fight the British in 1916.

TG4

Thanks Trevor Ó Clochartaigh

Aw, ref!

FIGHT!

Update:

Via Sports Ireland:

‘The Board of Sport Ireland at its meeting today (April 9th) has decided to suspend and withhold future funding to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) in accordance with Clause 1.1 of Sport Ireland’s Terms and Conditions of Grant Approval.

The decision was taken in light of an acknowledgement by the FAI in its written opening statement to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport tomorrow that in 2017 the FAI did not comply with Clause 4.3 of Sport Ireland’s Terms & Conditions of Grant Approval.

Clause 4.3 specifically relates to ‘Further Reporting’:

“In addition each organisation undertakes to notify Sport Ireland in writing without delay in the event of any material deterioration in its financial position or of any other matter which may jeopardise the organisation’s overall financial viability and/or its ability to comply with its commitments in the Approved Submission, and thereafter to provide Sport Ireland with such information and documentation as Sport Ireland may request in connection with the relevant matter and any steps being taken to rectify it.”

In making the decision to suspend and withhold funding, the Board of Sport Ireland notes that the FAI has already been paid 50% of its 2019 funding to date and some positive steps taken by the FAI in recent days.

This decision will be reviewed by the Board of Sport Ireland as a standing item at each of its future meetings.

The Board of Sport Ireland will consider the reinstatement of funding once all ongoing reports commissioned by the FAI have been completed and the recommendations adopted, and the Board of Sport Ireland is satisfied that all necessary processes and controls are in place to ensure the FAI’s ongoing compliance with the Terms and Conditions of Grant Approval.

Sport Ireland will continue to provide non-financial assistance and guidance to the FAI, which may be helpful in advancing matters.’

Yesterday: Game On

From top: Garda HQ in Phoenix Park; Paul Williams and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris

“What we know so far is that the specially adapted Range Rover, belonging to the PSNI’s close protection team, was delivering Drew Harris to the Phoenix Park following a visit to the North on Monday, 25 March.The Northern vehicle was driving in convoy behind an ERU vehicle that met the escort at the Border.

After the ERU vehicle drove in, the quick-thinking garda on sentinel duty was alarmed.

After all, she had spotted an unknown Northern-registered car driving towards the gates and immediately moved to activate the security bollard which is designed to prevent a suspect vehicle entering the complex.

…Drew Harris is still very much settling into his role as commissioner and his relationship with many of his top management staff is described as purely professional.

But despite any initial embarrassment about the actual incident, Mr Harris should in fact be congratulating the garda on the gate for her quick, clear-headed reaction to an alarming situation.”

Paul Williams, Irish Independent this morning

However…

“There was no security incident at Garda HQ on 25 March 2019. A newly installed bollard malfunctioned and caught the underside of the vehicle the Commissioner was travelling in. This happened at a walking pace. No vehicles were flipped.

The malfunction was quickly fixed and vehicular traffic went in and out of Garda HQ as normal that day. As per our previous statement, normal movement procedures were followed in relation to the Commissioner.”

Garda Press Office statement this afternoon.

Someone’s flipping fibbing.

YOU must decide.

Yesterday: What The Flip Is Going On?

From top: Billboards showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left), who has pledged to annex Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank if re-elected tomorrow; Conor O’Neill, a researcher with the Civil Engagement Group in the Seanad, addressing the UN last week on the ‘Question of Palestine’

As Israel goes to the polls…

Conor O’Neill writes:

[Benjamin] Netanyahu’s saying openly that he plans to formally annex the Palestine West Bank if re-elected. I was lucky enough to get a chance to speak last week (alongside Senator Frances Black) at the UN about practical steps we can take to stop that from happening….

As Netanyahu Seeks Re-election, the Future of the West Bank Is Now on the Ballot (New York Times)

Last week: ‘We Call On The International Community To Come With Us’

Conor O’Neill

Pic: Reuters

Behold: the glamorous Black Star Car Wash – Moscow’s trendiest suds ‘n’ saloons salon.

As patrons chill in the café behind full height glass, the white light, neon and black interior is designed to reveal every streak and smudge as cars are valeted, having been washed behind clear plastic curtains to protect newly detailed motors from stray splashes.

uncrate

From top: Tokyo 2020 logo; John Treacy, of Sports Ireland,  Mayor Hideyuki Harada (Fukuroi City) Pat Hickey, former CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland

This afternoon.

Sorts Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin.

Following the Rio 2016 fiasco…

Via The Olympic Federation of Ireland:

Today at an event in the Sport Ireland Institute the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) signed an agreement with officials from the city of Fukuroi for Team Ireland’s Tokyo 2020 pre games training camp.

The OFI also announced that it has appointed Finnish company, Elämys Group, as its Authorised Ticket Reseller (ATR) for the Tokyo 2020 Games following a rigorous selection process.

Before the final appointment of the new ATR the OFI board asked Grant Thornton to conduct a thorough review of the company. As part of its review Grant Thornton examined the firm’s financial stability, ownership structures, industry checks, regulatory compliance, and consumer protections.

On the basis of the findings of that report the OFI Board were satisfied to appoint Elämys Group as the Federation’s official ATR for Toyko 2020.

Olympic Federation of Ireland

Rollingnews

Offaly-based hip hop trio Chasing Abbey, top from left: Ro, Bee and TeddyC

Rising out of Tullamore, a rural community of roughly 14,000 in Ireland, the juggernaut trio Chasing Abbey are the consummate underdogs.

They started from the bottom, three childhood friends playing traditional Irish folk music, and now, they’re here taking over the Irish airwaves — and eyeing a total Stateside takeover.

In fairness.

Ireland’s Chasing Abbey Plots U.S. Takeover With Debut EP: Premiere (Billboard)

Pic by Wolff for Billboard

Thanks Shane Gillen

Broadsheet.ie