90139093

The Ha’penny Bridge, Dublin; 200 years old today

It’s time for loud singing and cheers
As we celebrate two hundred years
Of each thirsty mouth
Crossing the river south
To purchase some overpriced beers.

John Moynes

James Horan/Rollingnews

90405701

Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan

The information used in the failed attempt to discredit Sergeant Maurice McCabe came from evidence submitted by two senior officers who had met the whistleblower in Mullingar in 2008.

The officers – an unnamed superintendent and a sergeant from outside the Mullingar area – said McCabe had admitted he ‘bore a grudge’ while making allegations of malpractice against a superior.

This evidence was used to demonstrate Sgt McCabe’s ‘malice’.

It was only when Sgt McCabe produced a tape recording of the conversation that the matter was quietly dropped.

Michael Clifford in today’s Irish Examiner writes:

If the commissioner is to retain credibility as a leader who wants to oversee a force where whistleblowing is welcomed as a positive element of policing, she needs to explain whether she was aware that two of her officers were going to give false evidence against another, McCabe, a man whom the commissioner had publicly lauded.

If she did know that false evidence might be proffered under those circumstances, her position is untenable.

If she didn’t know, there are plenty of questions that require answers. In such a scenario she was misinformed by her officers.

How well did she research the claims being made by the two officers? This, after all, was something that would put her in direct conflict with McCabe whom she had publicly lauded.

Surely she would want to know exactly what she was getting into.

If she didn’t know then, she was inadvertently placed in a position where she was party to an attempt to mislead the inquiry.

Surely she must be hopping mad on a personal basis if that is the case.

On a professional basis what has she done? The Irish Examiner understands that absolutely no action has been taken against the two since this affair emerged last May.

How exactly has the commissioner dealt with a matter that could be a conspiracy to commit a crime within her force in an attempt to discredit a whistleblower?

Garda Commissioner needs to step up or step down (Michael Clifford, Irish Examiner)

Rollingnews

90385620

From left Packie Bonner, Jack Charlton and FAI boss Fran Fields, Dublin, July 1, 1990.

Katie writes:

It’s 26 years since Jack Charlton led Ireland on its first and greatest World Cup run, and Packie Bonner was there through it all, the backbone of an Irish team blessed with a degree of talent and purpose that has rarely been matched.

On the eve of Euro 2016 and to mark the paperback release of his long-awaited autobiography The Last Line (shortlisted for the Bord Gáis Energy Sports Book of the Year), Bonner talks to writer and broadcaster Gerry McDade about his life and career, tracing his evolution from shy Donegal teenager to national hero, and reflecting on the World Cup penalty save that changed his life forever.

We have THREE pairs of tickets to catch this night with Packie at the Smock Alley Theatre, Lower Exchange Street, Dublin 8 at 8pm next Thursday to giveaway.

Just complete this sentence:

“My abiding memory of ‘Italia ’90 involved_____________________’

Lines MUST close at midnight

Packie Bonner at The Smock Alley Theatre

The Last Line By Packie Bonner

poll

‘sup?

Northern Ireland ‘sheet head Shayna O’Neill writes

It’s here!  My polling card arrived this morning for the much anticipated, will they/won’t they referendum on Britain remaining in the EU.  I’m not native to Belfast but live here, registered to vote and here it is – my opportunity to re-shape Europe? (Bit grandiose I know)  It’s pretty straightforward YES/NO, one tick in the box. Now, how should I vote?

Anyone?

Previously: Can You Vote In Brexit?

Meanwhile… Official Ireland has it all wrong – we could win big if UK opts for Brexit (David McWilliams, Independent.ie)

Broadsheet.ie