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VOL 40 NO 13

Date: June 30, 2022 -

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COLIN HUNT’S PRESIDENCY

Date: June 30, 2022 - Affairs of the Nation

THERE WERE eyebrows raised last week when it emerged that AIB’s Colin Hunt is to receive the Ireland-US Council’s 2022 Global Business Leadership award at a black-tie bash, just days after the record €97m tracker mortgage fine imposed on AIB by the Central Bank. The timing has led to calls for the hapless Hunt to… Read more »

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Phil Hogan UCD IRTA DIGI Katy Brown Rory Godson Pallonji Mistry Shark Hanlon Frances Ruane Taste of Dublin Listowel Writers’ Week Paddy Curran Harvey Norman Anton Savage Paul Hourican Enda O’Coineen PfP Red C Poll IFTA Ben Gilroy Luke Comer Sue Spence Fingleton Aubrey McCarthy Matt Cooper Parker Green Danny McConnell Gayle Killilea Maura Derivan Ed Honohan INS Arts Council EDAF Emuse Rosslare Golf Club Mairead Casey Colm O’Rourke Stephen Connolly Peter Aiken John Malone Tom Barry Anthony Halpin Ian Kehoe Kevin Bakhurst Geraldine O’Leary Dennis Horgan RUSI Gareth McAllister Ryevale House Joe Macken RUC Omagh Patrick Connolly Paddy Cosgrave The Ditch Newstalk Fake Tan Fred Logue Ian Paisley Sean O’Riordan Margaret Sweeney Jay Bourke Ellie Kisyombe Francesca McDonagh Ted Cunningham National Space Centre An Irish Goodbye Oscar Robert Quirke Ciara Kelly Executive Women Gathering Doug Taylor Florian Haufe Robbie Henshaw Bill Shipsey Breaking the Silence L’Ecrivain Ronan McNally National Lottery Michael Roche Energy Action Balls.ie Newspapers VAT Abbey Theatre Patricia Madden Irish Banking Culture Board Randox Aoife Gallagher Book Dalai Lama Trinity Trevor White RTÉ Chairperson Shane Houlihan Noel Smyth IKC Bob Geldof Landlord Ireland Neutrality Ukraine

IN PRAISE OF GERALDINE BYRNE NASON

Date: June 30, 2022 - Affairs of the Nation

Quite a few diplomatic and political eyebrows were raised last week by the Business Post’s breathless account of how a civil servant, our woman at the UN, Geraldine Byrne Nason, won and is guiding Ireland’s temporary seat on the UN Security Council. Readers were treated to 5,500 words about Ambassador Byrne Nason’s work, promoted on… Read more »

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LAW SOCIETY SPLIT

Date: June 30, 2022 - Wigs on the Green

WHAT A fascinating Law Society council meeting its members can expect when it eventually meets to discuss a startling motion demanding that the 2020-21 president, James Cahill, be booted off the co-ordination committee, the finance committee, and any sub-committee of the finance committee of which he is a member. The two council members that have… Read more »

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MALCOLM BYRNE IN LABOUR COURT FEUD

Date: June 30, 2022 - Wigs on the Green

IT LOOKS like the board of Wexford primary school, Gaelscoil Moshíológ, which got trounced at the Labour Court recently for unfairly dismissing its founder and principal – amid some damning comments from the court – is intent on prolonging its decade-long pursuit of the principal, Aodhagán Ó Súird. However, Ó Súird’s legal eagle, solicitor Robert… Read more »

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SIEGE MENTALITY!

Date: June 30, 2022 - Hush Hush

MANY IRISH politicians and commentators have been exercised by Boris Johnson’s cynical domestic ploy in transferring asylum seekers to Rwanda. Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill tweeted, “The London elite will send asylum seekers to Rwanda. A policy that is inhumane, cruel and brutal. Shame on Boris Johnson.” MEP Clare Daly made reference to the policy too… Read more »

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THE HOT AIR BRIGADE

Date: June 30, 2022 - The Hot Air Brigade

Bono also chooses Ice Cream Sundae by Inhaler, a band fronted by his son Elijah, as one of the tracks he would take with him because it’s “a brilliant song” with a great opening line: “I’m in the pursuit of happiness, I’m gonna get it.” Bono’s choice for last weekend’s ‘Desert Island Discs’, the Sunday… Read more »

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DUP HOKEY COKEY

Date: June 30, 2022 - Northwind

The Brexit ultras in the Conservative party’s European Research Group (ERG), about seventy strong, now hold Boris Johnson hostage. The confidence vote the party held on 6 June revealed that only about eighty back benchers supported him; certainly many fewer now after the two huge by-election defeats. Since 6 June Johnson has been tossing chunks… Read more »

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DON’T MENTION THE WAR!

Date: June 30, 2022 - Last Refuge

THE MYSTERY surrounding Green Party policy on defence, security and — once that most cherished Green principle of all — neutrality, had, until recently, led to an apparent vow of silence from its senior members and the party press office in the face of the most basic questions. Many Green members suspect that Éamon Ryan… Read more »

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FRIENDLY, PEACEFUL NATO

Date: June 30, 2022 - Last Refuge

MANY PEOPLE will have heard of the splendidly titled ‘Nato Partnership for Peace’, which Ireland joined more than 20 years ago amid earnest assurances that it would not undermine Irish neutrality. But very few Irish voters will know anything or have even heard of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC), which Ireland has also joined,… Read more »

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DARRAGH O’BRIEN V. CLIFFORD LEE

Date: June 30, 2022 - Last Refuge

THE FIRST signs of just how horrid supporters of current housing minister, Darragh O’Brien, were behaving towards Darragh’s ‘colleague’ and Fianna Fáil running mate, Lorraine Clifford Lee, came within months of the solicitor being added to the ticket in Dublin Fingal in 2015. Then, Lorraine claimed that she was called a “blow-in” by O’Brien’s supporters… Read more »

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FIRST CASUALTY

Date: June 30, 2022 - Fit to Print?

THE CORDIAL and professional relationship enjoyed by poet Kevin Higgins and Irish Times books editor Martin Doyle is probably down to their shared, aesthetic admiration for the outsider in this regimented world of bean counters and establishment groupthink. Thus, Doyle has published various poems and literary critiques by Higgins in the IT in recent times…. Read more »

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Nell McCafferty RTÉ Lord Laird Intro Matchmaking NewsBrands Martin McGuinness Dún Laoghaire Pat Leahy Cormac Lucey John Cooney Irish Journalism Awards Steve Aiken Anton Savage John Downing Lucinda Creighton Marina Sologub Eilis O'Hanlon Ian Kehoe Danny McConnell Sindo O'Connor Mediahuis Stephen Collins Book Justine McCarthy Rewriting the Troubles Lynn Ruane Sinn Féin

BILLY BINGHAM’S GESTURES

Date: June 30, 2022 - Fit to Print?

RECENT OBITUARIES to Northern Ireland soccer manager and player, Billy Bingham, in the Irish Times and Sunday Independent were positive, cheery even, as befits media obits. But softening references to controversial or provocative behaviour by deceased personalities is one thing. Deleting them from the record entirely is another. Most soccer fans of a certain age… Read more »

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MI5’S CHINATOWN

Date: June 30, 2022 - Fit to Print?

IT HAPPENED 10 years ago but MI5, which takes an uncommonly keen interest in Irish affairs judging by the spooky stories in the Sunday Times Aawrish edition, has exposed another nefarious plot by Chinese spies in Ireland. MI5 recently warned that solicitor, Christine Lee, a British solicitor of Chinese heritage, was engaged in “political interference” on behalf… Read more »

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POLITICS OF FOOD

Date: June 30, 2022 - Fowl Emissions

Political tensions are nearing boiling point as FF and FG close ranks in supporting special pleading from the agri-industrial lobby in its demand for a free pass on climate action in the upcoming sectoral emissions budgets. While Friends of the Earth warned that “agri-business lobbyists must not be allowed to hold Ireland’s climate targets to… Read more »

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Luke Holland Climate Denial John Fagan Wolf Europe David Quinn Duncan Stewart Data Centre Carbon Emissions Conor Skehan Chris Hazzard

THE IRISH NATURE

Date: June 30, 2022 - Fowl Emissions

A new European study on ‘nature connectedness’ found that those with high levels of affinity to nature enjoy better mental health and tend to act in more environmentally friendly ways. Of the 14 countries surveyed, Ireland was ranked second lowest in connection to nature, and outright worst in awareness of biodiversity. Environmentalists and ecologists have… Read more »

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BOG CUTTINGS

Date: June 30, 2022 - Bog Cuttings

Buy & Sell Gardaí Gerard Gormley (35) of Carrowgavneen, Coolaney, Sligo appeared before Sligo District Court charged with using threatening and abusive behaviour toward gardaí. Judge Deirdre Gearty heard that, on August 15 last year, gardaí were notified by a concerned onlooker that the defendant was spotted in an intoxicated state before climbing into an… Read more »

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The Lion in Winter Racing Royalty Le Brocquy City of Troy Fitzwilliam Square AIRO Dermot Smurfit Ballinacarrig Park Club Cosgrave Fitzpatrick Keith Jameson National Gallery Collection Marissa Carter VG Tom Higgins Neil Jordan Laura Bonner Paul Ward Variety Jones Dtat Eathos Sharon Keegan Angela Scanlon Desmond Canouan Bellair Estate Bobby Flay John O’Conor Portrait of Omai Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile Wedding NGI Board Rachel Flynn JP McMahon Ash Quinn Pamela Laird Abdullah Al Naboodah Boundless Ocean

JOHN GIVEN’S GAFF

Date: June 30, 2022 - High Society

FORMER GOODBODY and Philip Lee heavy hitter John Given has added another string to his bow, with KPMG hiring him to head its legal services business. The loaded legal eagle previously made a killing as chairman of the controversial Malin Corp life sciences investment vehicle, whose founders have since launched a high profile legal action… Read more »

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LOVE BITES – RTÉ PLAYER

Date: June 30, 2022 - ReviewsReviews|TVTV

A TEXTBOOK example of how RTÉ these days commissions shows, the origins of Love Bites go back to lockdown, when struggling comedian Shane Daniel Byrne began posting sketches on his Instagram page. The 32-year-old Byrne’s most popular character proved to be Shannon, an anti-lockdown beauty salon owner. The sketches managed to amass a half-decent social media… Read more »

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WAITING AT IMMA

Date: June 30, 2022 - Behind the Scenes

BRIAN MACCRAITH was highly critical of the delay by the minister for media etc, etc, Catherine Martin, in publishing the Future of Media Commission report. In another of her various briefs – arts and culture – the Green Party deputy leader has a well-earned reputation for putting decisions on the long finger. One example is… Read more »

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DCCI Crescine Tarka Russell Lara Hickey Reality Check Sarah McInerney Irish Movies Paul Murray Arts Council Dublin Theatre Festival TWU Macdara Kelleher Richard Boyd Barrett DADC Cillian Murphy Terry McMahon Media Commission Ireland Kerlin Gallery Creative Ireland Section 481 Christine O’Donovan RTÉ Storyland NMI Board Vacancies IASCA Ossie Kilkenny RTÉ Original Programmes

BRIAN MERRIMAN’S GOOD NEWS

Date: June 30, 2022 - Behind the Scenes

CONTRATULATIONS ARE in order for Brian Merriman and his crew at the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival (IDGTF), who clearly have been receiving rather better reviews in the arts and culture department than at 70 Merrion Square. It will be recalled (see The Phoenix 3/6/22) that the “cash-rich Arts Council” managed to upset the IDGTF… Read more »

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O’CALLAGHAN’S MIXED WEEK

Date: June 30, 2022 - Sport of Kings

CURRAGH TRAINER Michael O’Callaghan certainly endured the highs and lows of Royal Ascot week and despite the majority of his horses running below expectations, it still ended up a lucrative week for him. O’Callaghan kicked things off in style when offering two of his Royal Ascot runners for sale at the Goffs auction held in… Read more »

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FAMILY FORTUNES

Date: June 30, 2022 - Sport of Kings

COULD THIS be the year when Aidan O’Brien loses his grip on the Irish trainers’ championship? For the past 15 years, O’Brien has monopolised the leading trainer award and on a few occasions has even managed to be crowned champion in Ireland and the UK in the same season. For the first time in the… Read more »

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Ed Dunlop David Dunsdon Sarah Lynam Rebecca May Wayne Hassett Eoin O'Brien Michael Burke Aine O’Connor Ashroe Diamond Thomand O’Mara Peter Keatley Timmy Hyde Coolmore All About Sunday Colin Keane Ronan Whelan JP McManus Jessica Harrington Dundalk Racecourse Paul Hensey Irish National Hunt Horse-racing Doping Paddy Walsh Tom Kelly Suspension

KAVANAGH’S CURRAGH COVER PRICE

Date: June 30, 2022 - Sport of Kings

BRIAN KAVANAGH’S decision to charge €50 for a ticket into the Curragh on Derby Day last weekend was predictably not well received in the build-up to the track’s flagship day. Indeed, the decision seems to have contributed to yet another underwhelming atmosphere at this prestigious race. When challenged on the entrance price hike at a… Read more »

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JOHN HALLEY’S DOG

Date: June 30, 2022 - Sport of Kings

COOLMORE VET John Halley’s embarrassing doping case involving the family dog – understandably raised plenty of eyebrows. While cynics may find the excuse surprising, it is also true that the odds are very long that a successful professional would jeopardise his career and reputation for a miniscule reward. Although chief vet to Coolmore and Ballydoyle,… Read more »

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STRUGGLING BALMORAL LAND DIRECTORS ARE STILL SMILING

Date: June 30, 2022 - Moneybags

COMPLETING THE full integration of Total Produce into Dole Fruit to form the new enlarged group, Dole plc, in July 2021 was surely the pinnacle of Carl McCann’s career. This is a huge operation and the biggest fruit company in the world – much bigger than Fyffes ever was – with sales last year of… Read more »

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FRIENDLESS SMURFIT KAPPA SHARES SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERVALUED

Date: June 30, 2022 - Moneybags

TONY SMURFIT has failed to excite the market, despite Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) being perfectly positioned to take advantage of the boom in cardboard packaging demand, driven by the pandemic-related explosion in online ordering. Maybe there is some lingering regret over the way a juicy looking approach from International Paper was rebuffed in 2018 but,… Read more »

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AN CAILÍN BOOM

Date: June 30, 2022 - The Hot Water Brigade

INTERESTING TO see that the development money pendulum at the state film funding agency Screen Ireland (SI) has swung in favour of female talent. Of the 13 Irish feature film projects given the thumbs up in the first quarter of this year, eight are written, or written and directed, by women. Meanwhile, there was a… Read more »

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ZMG Cyril Murphy Newbridge College Peter Wilson Sporting Emporium Chris Wholey O'Kane God’s Creatures Film Tax Relief Anne Rossi Desmond Live Nation ESCADIA LTD Al Porter Comeback Gordon Elliott Clayton Love Ivan Wilde hot-water-brigade Parnells GAA Lawsuit

DUBLIN AIRPORT’S MARQUEE PLAYERS

Date: June 30, 2022 - The Hot Water Brigade

WITH CHAOS still the order of the day for air passengers passing through Dublin Airport, at least someone is making a few bob out of the turbulence. In the immediate aftermath of the chaotic scenes at the end of May, outgoing DAA boss Dalton Philips arranged for marquees to be installed a the airport to… Read more »

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SEÁN DOYLE’S ENTERTAINMENT PROBLEM

Date: June 30, 2022 - The Hot Water Brigade

BAD NEWS for expansive Wexford businessman Seán Doyle, whose hospitality company has just been hit with a judgment from South Dublin County Council for €83,000. This is actually the third judgment registered by SDCC against Seán Doyle Entertainments, which is part of the sprawling Sean Doyle Group that includes interests in hospitality, property, scaffolding and… Read more »

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NICOLA MITCHELL’S BRAVERY

Date: June 30, 2022 - The Hot Water Brigade

PESTICIDES QUEEN Nicola Mitchell, the 2020 EY entrepreneur of the year, who, apparently, is considering floating her Life Scientific company on the Dublin stock market, was considered “brave beyond belief” in the Sunday Times last weekend. Nick Webb is a keen reader of markets and certainly knows a bull from a bear. With share prices… Read more »

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WHY WAS DE RÓISTE FRAMED?

Date: June 30, 2022 - Affairs of the Nation

53 YEARS is a long time to wait for justice if you were forced to ‘retire’ and had your life ruined for no apparent reason. Young Defence Forces officer Dónal de Róiste has now been vindicated at the age of 77 by a barrister whose report was commissioned by defence minister, Simon Coveney, but was… Read more »

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LOADSAMONEY AT DISASTROUS DAA

Date: June 16, 2022 - Moneybags

THE SCENES at Dublin airport last month have shone an international spotlight on Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). In front of the Dáil committee the following week, the focus was on the CEO, Dalton Philips, for whom calls have been made for his sacking, despite the fact that he already has one foot out the door…. Read more »

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PROFILE: PATRICK COSTELLO

Date: June 16, 2022 - Pillars of Society

IF GREEN Party leader Eamon Ryan thought Cllr Hazel Chu was a pain in the butt in recent times he ought to have known that her husband, TD Patrick Costello, was equally obstreperous. He certainly knows now, with Costello rebelling against government policy on the national maternity hospital and losing the whip along with another… Read more »

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YOUNG BLOODS: LOUISE O’NEILL

Date: June 16, 2022 - The Young Bloods

HER PENCHANT for surfing the zeitgeist and heavy employment of themes around sexuality, consent and power ensure that Louise O’Neill is the recipient of a slew of fawning media coverage and book reviews. As her star ascends further, the weekly column used by the Cork woman to get her gripes (mostly about men, natch) off… Read more »

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COVENEY ABANDONS HIS CONSTITUENCY

Date: June 16, 2022 - Last Refuge

FEVERISH SPECULATION about the future political intentions of Simon ‘Covetous’ Coveney, already rife, have greatly intensified due to not only the usual gossip and rumour about his intentions but also the more recent and harder evidence of his domestic plans. Covetous recently purchased a well-appointed residence in the Victorian quarter of Rushbrooke in Cobh, at… Read more »

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