Proposed apartment development Crown Square site in Mervue, Galway

This morning.

Via The Connaught Tribune:

The green light has been given for the construction of 345 apartments at the Crown Square site in Mervue – the majority of which will be put on the rental market and operated by a ‘cuckoo fund’ for a minimum of fifteen years.

Crown Square Developments, which is owned by developer Padraic Rhatigan, has secured permission from An Bord Pleanála for the ‘Build to Rent’ development, with four blocks ranging ranging from four to nine storeys in height.

There will be 240 two-bed apartments, 86 one-beds and 19 three-beds, all of which will be specifically for the rental market and not available to purchase.

Good times.

Planners approve homes for ‘cuckoo fund’ investor (Connaught Tribune)

Thanks Bebe

Last night.

Prime Time on RTÉ One.

Details were revealed of a document sent to members of Inner City Helping Homeless (ICCH) which details four serious allegations of abuse made against the former CEO and Dublin City Councillor, Anthony Flynn (above), who died in August.

Via RTÉ:

Written by David Hall, the former chairman of the charity, the document outlines a series of allegations of sexual abuse that were being investigated by Gardaí earlier this year.

The first two incidents occurred in May.

“One involved a 21-year-old male (classified by Gardai as extremely vulnerable) in May 2021 being brought by taxi at 2.30am to the CEO’s home where [he] stayed the night,” the report says.

“[He] presented to an adult emergency department the following day and was transferred to the sexual assault unit. [He] made an allegation to the Gardai when [he] arrived at the Sexual Assault Unit. The Gardaí believed the ICHH taxi account was used.”

Less than two weeks later, a separate alleged incident of a similar nature involving a different man was also reported to Gardaí.

“13 days later a party related to an ICHH Client was collected by taxi and brought to the CEO’s home. That night or the next morning an allegation was made to Gardai of sexual assault.”

A third alleged victim reported to the charity on August 26th that he had been sexually assaulted by Mr Flynn, though a date for the alleged attack is not given.

The man, who was homeless, had been “accommodated by the CEO in accommodation provided by ICHH,” the report states.

“While being accommodated by ICHH the CEO sent texts asking this person for sex. It was alleged the CEO sexually assaulted this person,” the report states. It was also alleged Mr Flynn “transferred a specific amount of money to this person to buy cocaine,” it said.

The document, which was obtained by Prime Time, also states that Gardaí told Mr Hall that its investigation went further again.

“Gardai indicated they had met with some men, who were known to Gardai, where taxis had collected them and Gardai were working through 97 taxi journeys. These journeys had been paid for by the charity.”

A total of four alleged survivors are referenced in the report.

Watch back here

Allegations made against former CEO of homeless charity (RTÉ)

Late charity chief allegedly assaulted men for whom he secured housing, report says (Irish Times)

Meanwhile…

Rollingnews

Meanwhile…

Actress Zoë Kravitz heralds the return of ‘derriere fashion’ at the Met Gala

In fashion there are always some
Who wonder what is next to come
Well those in the know
Say what will be on show
This winter is mainly the bum

John Moynes

Rex/Shutterstock

Bob Collins (above left), chairman of the Policing Authority and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris this afternoon

This afternoon.

The Policing Authority.

999.

The number of the least.

Via RTÉ

The Garda Commissioner has said a number of Gardaí are under investigation after they continued to cancel 999 calls without going through the proper procedure.

The Policing Authority has been told that a further 53 emergency calls were cancelled without a proper policing response, even after previous improper cancellations had been highlighted publicly and new procedures had been put in place.

Commissioner Drew Harris said even though the number was relatively small, he was shocked by what had happened.

The Authority Chairman Bob Collins described the actions of the Garda members as “incredible“, “wholly inappropriate” and “utterly dismissive” of people who call 999.

Gardaí under investigation for continued cancellation of 999 calls (RTÉ)

Previously: What’s Your Emergency?

Top pic: Alamy stock

Behold: the Brabus ‘Rocket Edition’ AMG GLE – purportedly the fastest production SUV on the planet.

Based on the Mercedes GLE 63S, the the twin-turbo 4.5L V8 has been thoroughly reworked, developing a terrifying 900bhp, surging to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 330km/h.

Other Brabus goodies include an Airmatic Sports suspension controller, carbon fibre components, carbon-titanium tailpipes and gigantic 24in (61cm) wheels with carbon aero discs. The interior is Alcantra, carbon fibre and fine leather with red anodised metal accents. 

Only 25 will be built and yours will cost a minimum of €381,243.

hiconsumption

This afternoon.

La Palma, Canaries, Spain.

Via El Pais:

‘Locals evacuated from their homes following the eruption on the Canary Island do not know yet know whether the lava has destroyed their houses, nor when they will be able to return.’

Distress and uncertainty take hold in La Palma: ‘We’ve lost our whole life’ (El Pais in English)

Top pic: Samuel Sánchez

Via the Health Protection Surveillance Centre

This afternoon.

Latest figures on COVID-19 deaths reported in Ireland from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) show ‘underlying conditions’ (an existing chronic or long-term illness which weakens the immune system) reported in 86.85 per cent of fatalities.

Report here

Meanwhile…

This afternoon.

Via IGN:

The directive would also force manufacturers to sell devices without bundled chargers, allowing consumers to keep using their existing USB-C cables. Fast charging would also become standard, meaning manufacturers couldn’t artifically limit the speed of USB-C charging, presumably in the hope of making proprietary chargers more attractive.

The EU Plans to Force Apple to Include USB-C Ports on Phones (IGN)

This afternoon.

Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

Members of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) – protesting outside the dáil (Leinster House) over funding for purpose built student housing.

Sam Boal/RollingNews

Broadsheet.ie