asylum

You may recall a post from yesterday which included excerpts from a blog by Joan O’Connell in relation to local election candidates being prohibited from canvassing at Ireland’s direct provisions centres, which are home to approximately 4,360 asylum seekers. This is despite adult asylum seekers being allowed to vote in the local elections.

The post included a picture of a July 2008 letter from Noel Dowling, of the Reception and Integration Agency, which is responsible for the care of asylum seekers. It claimed the RIA had been made aware that certain party literature was being sent to managers of certain direct provision centres with requests that the material be given to residents. Mr Dowling’s circular basically stated that political party leaflets and posters were prohibited from being on display or being circulated in direct provision centres.

Well.

UCD law lecturer Dr Liam Thornton has written an update on the matter this morning on the Human Rights In Ireland blog.

He writes:

On April 23, Noel Dowling of the Reception and Integration Agency issued Circular 1/14 to all direct provision centre managers [see here: RIA Circular 1-14 of 23 April 2014] noting that there can be no display or distribution of party political leaflets, posters or circulars to residents. This did not prevent addressed literature from being delivered to residents.

On May 14 2014, Noel Dowling of the Reception and Integration Agency issued Circular 2/14 to all direct provision centre managers. This circular varies Circular 1/14 of April 2014 in one important respect:

Candidates who call into centres may be allowed to drop off election leaflets to be picked up and read by residents if they wish. This material may be left in a suitable designated area of the centre such as the reception desk. Candidates may, if they wish, place on their leaflets their contact details or details of political meetings outside the centre to which residents can be invited.

That’s good of them.

Direct Provision, Local Elections and Political Campaigning (Dr Liam Thornton, Human Rights In Ireland)

Previously: Alternatively

Joe-Carey-TD

Fine Gael TD and Assistant Government Chief Whip Joe Carey 

In evidence, Garda Dermot O’Rourke said that he was operating a mobile speed detection van on October 14 at Ballaghafadda West. He observed a car exceeding the speed limit by driving at 71kph in a 50kph zone, and Mr [Joe] Carey was the registered owner of the car.

Challenging the prosecution on Mr Carey’s behalf, solicitor John Callinan pointed out that the space where the picture alleged to be Mr Carey’s car registration should appear on the documentation was blacked out.

Garda O’Rourke said that the blacking out on the page had occurred because the page “went through the photocopier so many times”.

In response, Judge Patrick Durcan said: “I’m going to strike it out.”

Hmmm.

Speeding case against Fine Gael TD gets struck out (Irish Independent)

EP6 Marmoset‘Sup?

Catherine O’Connor writes:

“In TONIGHT’s episode of ‘The Zoo’ zookeeper Susan checks in on the new arrivals… pygmy marmoset twins. They are the result of the breeding programme at Dublin Zoo with their mum being born at Dublin Zoo and their dad coming from Dudley Zoo in the UK. Pygmy marmosets are one of the world’s smallest primates weighing in at only 120 to 140 grams in weight….”

The Zoo is on RTÉ One at 7pm.

Pic: Dublin Zoo

the-last-man-on-earth-will-forte1

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

What you may need to know:

1. It’s a new sitcom starring Will Forte.

2. He used to be in Saturday Night Live, and starred in Nebraska (2013), which was a bit of a masterpiece.

3. Forte has been in Ireland a bit, having shot Run & Jump (currently on release) in Kerry.

4. We met him. He’s THE NICEST MAN ON EARTH.

5. Broadsheet Prognosis: one season, then a cult favorite.

Broadcast Date: Summer

Broadsheet.ie