savage_eye

[A screengrab from the first episode of the new series of The Savage Eye with an unfortunate Irish Ferries ad to the right]

The first episode of the new series of The Savage Eye, by David McSavage, is available on the RTE player, a week ahead of its TV release on Monday, May 5.

The first episode deals with the question: Why is Ireland a better place to be a foetus than a baby?

In one scene, a woman travels to Britain for an abortion on a ferry called Terminal Ferries, the cost of which comes with a 50% discount when accompanied with a “medically certified suicide attempt”.

Previously: Savage News

Watch in full here

Thanks Gary Roche

tandy

[Australian-born rugby player Ryan Tandy who played for Ireland in the 2008 World
Cup in Australia and who was banned from the National Rugby League in Australia
for match fixing in 2010]

The Guardian reports:

The controversial former NRL, Hull KR and Ireland forward Ryan Tandy has been found dead, reportedly after a drug overdose. Tandy was found at his parents’ home on the NSW central coast. He was found guilty of match fixing in 2010 and banned for life from the NRL. Police confirmed they found the body of a 32-year-old man in Saratoga about 2pm on Monday. They said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

In  a statement, Rugby League Ireland says:

Rugby League Ireland would like to pass on our condolences to the family and friends of Ryan Tandy who sadly passed away today in Saratoga, Australia.

Ryan played for Ireland during the 2008 World Cup in Australia and was a key member of the team that topped the group and went on to play in the quarter final eliminator.

Ryan was a larger than life character and we would like to express our thanks for the commitment during the World Cup. As the team motto that all players had tattooed says, there is no strength without unity – ”ni neart go cur le ch́eile” and we wish his family unity at this sad time.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam” – May he rest in peace

Former NRL player Ryan Tandy found dead at 32 (The Guardian)

Irish International Tandy passes away (Rugby League Ireland)

Pic: Sydney Morning Herald

rayroy

Depends.

It’s Ray and Roy, live from Cork.

During their discussion, Today FM host Ray D’Arcy asked former Manchester United captain and current assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland football team, Roy Keane if he would be interested in working with Manchester United, in the wake of the club’s manager David Moyes getting fired last week.

Ray D’Arcy: “In a dream world?”

Roy Keane: “No, no, I don’t think that way. I just think, ehm…I was at a match on Friday night, I was at a match on Saturday, you know, I’m up in the stand looking and thinking, you know, I’d love to have a team. And then I get back in my car, I spoke to Martin [O’Neill, manager of Irish team], I think it was Saturday night… and obviously I’m delighted to be working with Martin and Seamus and the other staffs. So, you have to be careful what you wish for. I just really appreciate the opportunity I have at the moment. What happens further down the road…you asked me a question earlier about management, I never thought I’d go into being a manager really, I didn’t think I’d probably do TV games…so..”

D’Arcy: “You change.”

Keane: “I’m always not thinking too far ahead at all possible and just focus on, focusing on helping Ireland qualify.”

Pic: Will Hanafin

Listen to interview here.

Higgins

[Socialist Party TD, Joe Higgins]

Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins, for Dublin West, has announced that he won’t take part in the next general election.

In a statement on his website, the 64-year-old said:

“It has been my privilege to work alongside many people from every part of the Dublin 15 area who have displayed such commitment to defending and developing the community. I will continue to fight for the people of Dublin West as a public representative over the next two years as I have tried to do since I was first elected to Dublin County Council twenty three years ago.”

It also states:

“Joe felt it was necessary to make his decision public now because of the inevitable focus that will come on Dublin West because of the By-Election. It’s only a matter of time before he would be asked about his own intentions regarding future elections, so Joe felt it would be best to outline his decision before any campaigning for the By-Election starts.”

Read his statement in full here

Eamonn Farrell/Photocall Ireland

labour

[Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton; John Lyons, TD; Phil Prendergast, MEP; and Tánaiste and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore TD at Labour’s annual think-in at Johnstown House in Co. Meath last September]

On RTÉ’s Morning Ireland this morning, Labour MEP Phil Prendergast called for the resignation of Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore as party leader.

The Irish Times reports:

Ms Prendergast said she believes Joan Burton should be the next leader of the Labour Party and that the time had come to take “urgent action” within the political party.
…
“I think it needs a change in the direction and a change in the leadership and that will be positive for the Labour party,” she added.

Yikes.

Also, FIGHT.

Labour MEP calls for resignation of Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore as leader (Irish Times)

Listen back here.

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Scenes from the The annual Fianna Fail Easter Rising 1916 Commemoration at Arbour Hill, Dublin yesterday.

The ‘Eamon de Valera Mass’ for all deceased party members took place at at the Church of the Sacred Heart followed by the commemoration and an oration delivered by Fianna Fail Party Leader Micheal Martin.

Flag escorts were led by local election candidates Kate Feeney, (above left), from Blackrock, Co Dublin and Lisa Chambers from Castlebar, Co Mayo.

FF parliamentary party (out of picture).

(Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland)

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