Irish Echo November 2018

HURLING SHOWPIECE

TOM POWER

PAGE 23

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Australia To Get First Taste Of Top-Level Hurling

Posthumous Recognition For Inspiring Sydney Man

For breaking news visit www.irishecho.com.au

AUST RALI A’ S I RI S H N E WS PA P E R November, 2018 | Volume 31 – Number 11

AU$5.95 (incl GST) Donegal GAA star Yvonne Bonner has signed with the GWS Giants.

Gone Away To Australia A record number of top Irish players have signed up to play Aussie Rules, and it’s not just the boys.

PAGES 22-23 MICHAEL D HIGGINS WINS SECOND TERM AS PRESIDENT OF IRELAND

ÁRAS ARÍS

MICHAEL D Higgins has pledged to be a president for all the people of Ireland after storming to a resounding and convincing victory. The 77-year-old poet and professor attracted more than 55 per cent of the vote.

He promised commitment to an inclusive and shared world as he celebrated with friends and supporters at Dublin Castle. The left-leaning politician’s campaign focused on a message of equality and togetherness, building

strong and sustainable communities and sharing the island’s at times divisive history while shaping the future.

“This is a time to be active rather than passive, and clear choices are opening up as to what will be the character of our Irishness,” he said.

“Will it be a commitment to inclusion and a shared world or a retreat to the misery of an extreme individualism?”

He said he was deeply moved by the support he received from those of all political parties, and none, and from every strand of Irish life.

He said he accepted his mandate for the next seven years with humility, determination and excitement.

“This election shows that our journey is under way and that it includes all age categories and, while led by young people, can be seen amongst all ages and in all the regions, urban and rural, women and men.”

He said there is momentum behind empathy and compassion.

“A real republic is a republic of equality, of shared vulnerabilities and of collective capacities.

“The presidency can bring together the different strands of our nation, past, present and future.”

Mr Higgins pledged to represent Ireland’s voice in responding to global challenges like climate change, Brexit, hunger, and the scourge of violence against women. I will, on your behalf, represent an Ireland committed to a peaceful world and a shared planet and together we will ensure that Ireland’s voice matters,” he said.

Michael D Higgins has been re-elected President of Ireland.

SEE ALSO PAGES 8-9

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A U S TRA L IA’S IRIS H N EW S PAPER

irish australia IRISH COUPLE LOSE EVERYTHING AFTER CYCLONE DEBBIE BLEW AWAY THEIR NORTH QUEENSLAND PUB

TAKEN BY STORM David Hennessy AN IRISH pub and hotel in north Queensland remains closed and in a state of horrendous disrepair a year and a half after being destroyed by Cyclone Debbie.

Publicans Tom and Audrey Dunne of O’Duinn’s Irish Pub have not yet received any insurance money for the damage and are living off Centrelink payments and charity.

Tom and Audrey, from Dublin, have been in Australia since 1987 and took over the pub and hotel in 2006. The pub and 28-room hotel needs $2.2 million in repairs but insurance company offers have made up only a fraction of this. The pub has now been put into receivership meaning the family could be left with nothing.

“All of a sudden out of the blue these guys put us into receivership in June this year,” Mr Dunne told The Irish Echo. “We still haven’t finalised our claim. Why would a bank put you into receivership when you’re waiting for your claim to come through? We’re not even trading. And they did it without giving us notice.”

Cyclone Debbie hit on March 28, 2017 and caused massive damage not just to O’Duinn’s Pub but the whole high street it is situated on. Although Tom says he is entitled to $600,000 in business interruption money, this was not paid and it was in November last year that the couple were offered a settlement of $145,000 in business interruption, $100,000 in claims reparation and $300,000 in repairs.

“We’ve just lost out on $2 million worth of income because our pub has been destroyed and now all this bank can do is sell it for land value because it’s got $2.5 million worth of cyclone damage done to it.

“We’ve got eight years left on our mortgage but they don’t care. Instead of waiting to get paid for eight years, they just put us into receivership, take the $500,000 the insurance company is paying out, sell our hotel at land value and that’s the loan paid off but

it leaves us out on the streeet after working for 30 years in Australia and it leaves us losing our $2.5 million dollar hotel. It’s just disgraceful behaviour.

Somehow they seem to be getting away with it.”

Mr Dunne has sought legal help for the situation but to no avail so far. He has also contacted local MPs but has got nowhere with that either.

“The number of people I have contacted is incredible and I can’t get any help. Queensland Legal Aid said, ‘No, we can’t help you’. I said, ‘Why?’ ‘Because you’re a business’.

It’s Queensland Legal Aid and it’s part of the government department. I’ve paid over $1.2 million in gaming taxes alone but you can’t get any help from anyone. But if I commit a crime, if I murdered someone or raped someone or beat someone. Yeah, you meet the criteria then but you don’t meet the

“

I’ve been so sick, I can’t work. I’m living off off Centrelink payments, food cards from Salvation Army

”

criteria to take on the banks or insurance company. Isn’t that an incredible answer? I don’t meet the criteria for taking any action against my insurance company for not finalising my payment. I’m not entitled to go against my insurance company.

“I have gone everywhere to get legal help, can’t get legal help. Got no money. I’ve been so sick, I can’t work.

I’m living off Centrelink payments, food cards from Salvation Army. That’s hard to do because I’ve got $6 in my bank account and the next payment is next week. You feel embarrassed.”

“I can’t get help off anybody because I’ve got no money.

“There’s no justice in Australia unless you can pay for it. I’m proof of that because no one will touch our

story with a barge pole.” Tom said the family was $420,000 ahead in its mortgage payments before the cyclone. However, when Members Equity Bank sold the loan to Redzed, this credit was not transferred. Redzed put the business into receivership in June this year, a move that now makes any insurance company settlement more difficult.

Tom said any repair work that has been carried out under the insurance has been poor. Dangerous asbestos had been left behind, he alleges.

“I just don’t know why they couldn’t let us go through with our claim. I don’t know anyone in Australia who’s been in the same situation where they couldn’t finalise their insurance claim before being put into receivership. I’ve never heard about anything like that.”

Insurance company Lloyd’s of London told The Irish Echo: “Whilst we are not able to make any specific comment in relation to individual matters, we can confirm that Mr Dunne was provided with the outcome of our review in writing on 29 March 2018, and that he was made aware of his rights to escalate the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service.”

Redzed said: “It is a matter of public record that Dubs Pty Ltd has been placed into receivership. RedZed Lending Solutions Pty Ltd appointed the receiver in order to protect our interests and we confirm that we have complied with our obligations in connection with the appointment.”

Tom and Audrey Dunne outside their former pub which suffered extensive damage in Cyclone Debbie.

CATHRINA CAHILL PLEADS GUILTY TO MANSLAUGHTER

POSTHUMOUS AWARD FOR TOM POWER

Margaret Scheikowski

TOM Power, who died on December 28 last year, aged 87, has been posthumously awar ded a Presidential Distinguished Service Award (PDSA) by the Irish Government.

He is only the third Irish Australian to receive the honour after Australia Rules football legend Jim Stynes (also posthumously) in 2012 and writer Tom Keneally (2014).

Mr Power, pictured, originally from Powerstown in Co Tipperary, was the man who envisioned the Great Irish Famine Memorial at Sydney’s Hyde Park Barracks and who worked tirelessly and selflessly alongside his committee colleagues to raise the funds necessary to complete its design and construction.

In a letter to Mr Power’s widow Trish, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tánaiste, Simon Coveney, said: “I am delighted to formally advise that your late husband Tom has been selected to posthumously receive the Presidential Distinguished Ser vice Award for the Irish abroad.

“His work over the years with the Irish community in Sydney was exemplary. In particular, the significant role

Charges downgraded

A NEWLY-engaged Irish woman was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when she fatally stabbed her fiance in Sydney, a judge has been told.

Cathrina Cahill, 27, from Wexford, was due to face a murder trial in the New South Wales Supreme Court last week.

However, the charge was downgraded and she pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of substantial impairment by abnormality of the mind.

Cahill admitted unlawfully killing 29-year-old David Walsh – who was also fr om Wexfor d – between February 17 and 18 in 2017 in Padstow.

Prosecutor Nanette Williams said the Crown accepted the plea to the less serious offence on the basis that Cahill was suf fering from post-traumatic stress disorder at the time.

Her barrister, James Trevallion, said the abnormality of mind was caused by Mr Walsh’s conduct towards his client, submitting that the judge needed to be aware of the

Cathrina Cahill and her then fiance David Walsh, after their engagement.

“extent of the provocation and controlling behaviour” by Mr Walsh. The couple’s two housemates, now in Ireland, could give evidence about the nature of the relationship.

They also were witnesses to events on February 17 at two east Sydney pubs, the Cock’N’Bull Hotel and the Doncaster Hotel, and at the Padstow address, Mr Trevallion said.

The Crown and defence have yet to prepare an agreed statement of facts for Justice Peter Johnson to use as the

basis for Cahill’s sentencing hearing, set down for November 1. Ms Williams said the Crown was seeking victim impact statements from Mr Walsh’s brothers and a number of children in Ireland.

Cahill’s mother and father had travelled to Sydney for her cour t appearance. “She’s doing OK, but that’s all I can really say at this stage,” Mr Trevallion said after the hearing.

“Her mother and father … had a chance to talk to her in court today.”

Man behind Irish Famine monument honoured

he played in the establishment of the Great Irish Famine Memorial in Sydney has a far-reaching and positive impact and will continue to do so into the future.”

It was in 1995, during her state visit to Australia, that President Mar y Robinson suggested that some memorial be erected in remembrance of the Great Famine, which had driven so many people to Australia in the 19th century. A committee was formed to do just that, with Mr Power as chairman, and in 1999 they had succeeded in creating a permanent memorial.

Power’s wife Trish will travel to Áras an Uachtaráin to accept the award later this month.

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AUST R ALIA’S IR ISH NE WSPAP E R

irish australia HUGELY POPULAR DUBLIN SINGER RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA FOR SYDNEY IRISH FESTIVAL

New event lures Black back to Oz David Hennessy talks to Ireland’s most enduringly popular singer Mary Black ahead of the Sydney Irish Festival.

“I’M really looking for ward to it,” Mary Black tells The Irish Echo of her upcoming trip to Australia for the Sydney Irish Festival.

It was thought the Dublin songstress’s 2016 Last Call tour may be the final opportunity Australian audiences got to see the well-known singer of Katie, No Frontiers and Song for Ireland but Black will join Damien Dempsey, Lúnasa and Saint Sister on the bill for the two-day celebration of Irish culture that includes both Irish music and sport.

“I’d say the festival is going to be fantastic. A great line-up and hopefully the sun will be shining. That’s what I’m hoping for and, for lots of people to come and enjoy it because it’s going to be a great atmosphere.

“I love going to Australia and I have been going since late ’80s so I’ve been over and back many, many times and I enjoy it every time. I’ve made a lot of friends there as well.

“I did my Last Call tour and I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll never get back to Australia’, and then this offer came up so I said, ‘Sounds like a nice trip; a bit of holiday afterwards’.

“Because when you’re touring you don’t see enough of where you are, you’re just going from city to city and you might have a day off if you’re lucky and this is an opportunity. It will be great to be back. I see it as a holiday really. I don’t see it as work.”

Mary Black has been one of the biggest names in Irish music ever since she recorded her first studio album in 1982. Generations of Irish have now grown up with her music.

This makes for poignant concerts for her fans when she travels as far away as Australia.

“It brings them back to their childhood; it brings them back to their roots. I sing A Song for Ireland and there’s not a dry eye in the house. You get more homesick when you hear music that brings you back.

“It’s a wonderful thing though. I think everybody needs that. While I’m sure they’re all very happy over there and settled in whatever they’re doing, it’s just nice to have that connnection to the ould sod and be reminded. And I tell stories and I talk, maybe not so much at a festival but at my own gigs.

I think it’s like your own little party even though there might be 1,500 in the audience,” she says with a laugh.

“It’s just amazing the way people connect through music.

“Music can be very emotional too and bring back memories and stories and I do love meeting the fans afterwards because they’re as interesting to me as I am to them and I say that with my hand on heart.”

Now after a long career, she is taking a step back from the long tours and instead picking and choosing when and where she likes to sing.

“I just said, it’s time for me to take some time out for other things in my life. I’m in my early 60s and if I’m very lucky, I might get another 20 years and I want to decide what exactly I want to do with that time because time races by as you get a bit older.

“For an older person, it becomes such a precious commodity that if you’re busy, busy, busy and you’re going here and going there, the next thing another year has passed and there’s probably a lot of things that I wanted to do but I didn’t get to do.”

Black still tours Ireland every year and is open to international festivals she wants to be a part of.

“But touring, I’m not going back out and trudging the roads. I’ve done it for long enough and it’s been wonderful.

I’m not complaining about it. In a way I feel a bit sad that it’s completely changed in that way but I’m busy with grandkids,” she explains.

Black comes from a strong musical family, with her brothers making up The Black Brothers and her sister Frances also a well-known singer in

VISA-BILITY Your visa questions answered

Co Antrim native and registered migration agent John McQuaid provides a uniquely Irish perspective on immigration issues.

Dear John, I lodged my employer sponsored 457visa application in January 2018 and have still not got an answer from Immigration.

I can’t get any information from them.

I’m now on a bridging visa for more than six months. My employer’s nomination has been granted ages ago so we are wondering what the hold up with my visa is? I have friends who have had their new 482 visas granted within a couple of months. What can we do?

Ciara P

AUSTRALIAN Immigration (the Department of Home Affairs, or DHA) recently stated they still have about 10,000 of the old 457 visas still to process.

This is down from about 44,000 applications they had on hand when the 457-visa stream was replaced by the 482-visa in March this year. Many 457 visa applicants have had the employer nominations approved for some time.

The problem now is that DHA is listing the current processing

Mary Black: “I thought, ‘maybe I’ll never get back to Australia’, and then this offer came up so I said, ‘sounds like a nice trip’.”

her own right. The apple has not fallen far from the tree as her son Danny leads The Coronas and her daughter performs under the moniker Roisin O and is in the band Thanks Brother.

It is understandable that Black wants to take a step back from extended tours that keep her away from home for long periods, as she has written in her autobiography The Crooked Road – about the guilt she felt being away from her children when they were young.

“I missed them terribly. I found it really hard, and then I had the whole guilt that mothers sometimes feel if they can’t be there for their kids. That was the harder side of my working life, having to be away,” she says.

“They understood, they had their treats and nice holidays with us because I was working hard and I could afford to bring them on a nice holiday and they had a good life and now that two of them are in the profession, they really realise what life on the

times for 457 visas as between 13 and 15 months from lodgement.

These processing times are longer than the nomination approval period that expires 12 months after it is approved. So it’s very important to be proactive here.

DHA is asking 457 visa applicants with approved nominations which are close to expiry to contact tss@ homeaffairs.gov.au in order to allocate the visa application for assessment.

In practice though, the DHA is still very slow to respond to any such request. So it is best to email DHA at least two months before your nomination is expiring.

Don’t expect an immediate reply.

Phone calls to the listed number on the DHA website, when finally answered, result in a nameless call centre person advising “email the TSS email address; we can’t put you through to anyone”.

In the event where a 457 nomination does expire, Immigration is saying it will not be able to approve an associated 457 visa.

This is truly shocking service from a government department.

The new 482 visas are being processed in much shorter time frames – lists at between 38 and 70 days.

This is essentailly the same asessment so why the huge

processing time difference ?

No one at DHA seems to be able to provide a straight answer to that question.

Employers might consider asking their local MP to make an approach to the department.

The bigger problem arises if the nomination expires and the 457 visa cannot be granted.

You should be able to claim back the 457 visa application fee but you then have to start the whole process over again using the 482 visa stream.

This adds huge extra expense for the employer as the Skilling Australia Fund levies are then payable, and they are between $1,200 and $7,200.

The 482 visa fees are also higher.

Changes to the occupation lists since the 457 stream ceased may also affect the visa application options here.

Alternatives are to look at the other visa streams such as the Employer Nominated 186 and Skilled independent 189 or state nominated 190 visas.

These options take longer preparation time so have a look at your “plan B” options as early as possible .

If you find yourself in this situation , consider asking a registered migration agent for a personalised advice. See mia.org.au

road is like and how it can be tough. It can be fantastic. They’re not complaining. Nobody’s complaining. They turned out OK. None of them has any major problems in their lives.

“I want to be a hands-on grandparent because I couldn’t be a total hands-on parent and I don’t want to miss out on these little ones, they give me great joy and I love it and I want to be around while I’m young enough to enjoy it.”

Mary Black plays the Sydney Irish Festival on November 10.

A U ST R A LI A’ S I R I SH N E WSPA P E R

Telephone: +61 2 9555 9199 Facsimile: +61 2 9555 9186 Postal Address: PO Box 256, Balmain, NSW 2041, Australia E-mail (Admin): mail@irishecho.com.au E-mail (Editorial): editor@irishecho.com.au Web: www.irishecho.com.au The Irish Echo is a national publication published monthly by The Irish Exile P/L Printed by Spot Press Distributed by Network Distribution Services

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AUST R ALIA’S IR ISH NE WSPAP E R

irish australia IRISH AUSTRALIAN HIGH ACHIEVERS RECOGNISED BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Enterprise rewarded at annual business awards MOVERS and shakers within the Irish Australian community were honoured at the 4th annual Irish Australian Business Awards, held recently in Sydney.

The awards are an initiative of the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce (IACC) and the group’s president Carl Walsh said the finalists and winners are “leaders who go beyond career and business and positively impact their communities on so many levels”.

This year’s Startup Award went to Haldon Industries, whic provides solutions to the management of waste water, water extraction and the treatment and disposal of waste. It is working to improve the environment, one site at a time.

Joining them on the winners’ list was Kingspan, in the Established Business category. Its new Victorian base has become Australia’s first Green Star-rated manufacturing facility, with a $40m investment and creating 50 jobs.

In the Young Professional category, Stephanie Lyons, chief risk officer of EISS Super, a multi-award-winning industry super fund caught the eye as she highlighted her ability to not just contribute to transforming a growing business but her volunteering in the community, including at Ronald McDonald House in Randwick. It was notable that this year’s Young Professional finalists were all female.

Sligo firm LiveTiles took out International Trader of the year. Elaine Murphy, general manager Ireland with LiveTiles

told the gathering: “LiveTiles was born in Australia. It’s a hyper-growth tech firm and now for Ireland to be part of that global expansion plan is fantastic”.

SME of the Year was keenly contested as always, with the judges unable to separate GHO, a business that has reimagined itself and moved into higher value activities under the leadership of Trinity graduate Eithne McSwiney, and Micro-X, the first South Australian winner and the first company in the world to commercialise carbon nanotube technology.

Micro-X’s management team includes Belfast-born Peter Rowland as managing director and Waterford-born Georgina Carpendale as chief financial officer.

Young Entrepreneur of the year went to Andrew Harte of Harte Civil, who came to Australia from Roscommon in 2011 when the construction sector declined in Ireland. Starting as a labourer, he got work as an engineer while building his first company, with his wife’s help.

The business is now a group of four companies with a turnover of more than $20 million, employing 180 people.

“We are very proud of our Irish roots and we have supported the sponsorship of a number of Irish people, allowing them to work and build their lives here in Australia,” Mr Harte said.

Andrew also won the People’s Choice category and even snaffled the winning ticket in the raffle.

Andrew Harte from Roscommon (centre, above) pictured with family and collegaues, took out Young Entrepreneur and the People’s Choice prizes at the Irish Australian Business Awards. (Below left) Stephanie Lyons, from Kildare, won Young Professional of the year. (Below right) Dubliner Eithne McSwiney (GHO) and Waterford’s Georgina Carpendale (Micro-X) were joint winners of SME of the Year.

IRISH SAILOR ABANDONED RACE TO HELP STRICKEN FRIEND

Warm welcome home for heroic yachtsmen

Michael McHugh

AN IRISH sailor hailed a hero for trying to rescue an injured fellow competitor in a round-the-world race has arrived home to a rapturous welcome.

Family and friends gathered at Dublin Airpor t to greet Gregor McGuckin, 32, after his ordeal 3,200 kilometres south-west of Perth in the Indian Ocean.

His boat had been crippled by massive waves but he courageously limped for miles without his main mast to aid another sailor. Abhilash Tomy, 39, from India, had been badly injured and confined to his bunk after his boat capsized. Help was days away.

“When this storm hit, we were not just in the worst place at the wrong time, we were in the worst possible place to be at the wrong time as well,” Mr McGuckin recalled. “We were in the most remote part of the Indian Ocean. I knew the chances of anybody being close by were slim to none.”

The Dubliner’s yacht, the Hanley Energy Endurance, rolled over twice and lost its mast in a storm.

Despite the extensive damage to his boat, Mr McGuckin fashioned an ad hoc mast and battled rough seas for four more days in a bid to reach theninjured Mr Tomy.

Mr McGuckin was about 150 kms Mr Tomy and travelling at about 8kph, at best.

A French fisheries patrol boat reached Mr Tomy first. It then rescued Mr McGuckin before taking both men to the isolated Amsterdam Island for

Irish sailor Gregor McGuckin is greeted by his girlfriend Barbara O’Kelly on his return to Dublin Airport. Picture: Maxwell/PA Wire

treatment. Both men had been competing in the Golden Globe Race when their masts were destroyed.

Mr McGuckin recounted the event.

“I stuck my head out and I just saw this huge wave just starting to break.

“It was two waves colliding and it just created this huge mountain, basically, and I managed to get in and slam the hatch shut in time.

“The whole boat got thrown sideways and everything went dark and I was lying on the roof and [there was] stuff lying everywhere.”

Despite his precarious situation, when he heard about his fellow competitor’s plight he attempted to help as quickly as possible.

“The sea was still massive and I only

had two tiny sails up,” he said. “It needed quite a lot of wind just to keep those sails filled, to keep the boat from getting knocked about.

“I had no auto-pilot because that had gotten crushed so I had to hand-steer a lot. I also tried to get the engine working and typically enough that would not work.”

Mr McGuckin, who was attempting to be the first Irishman to sail around the world solo non-stop, spent a number of weeks in Australia recovering.

Dennis Nordon, the managing director of Mr McGuckin’s main sponsor Hanley Energy, also attended the homecoming event.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have Gregor home safely,” he said.

IMMMIGRATION

Australia mulls major city ban for some immigrants Rod McGuirk

THE Australian government is considering banning some immigrants from settling in big cities.

The Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population, Alan Tudge said the government wants to reduce the number of immigrants moving to Sydney and Melbourne in a bid to reduce congestion in Australia’s two biggest cities.

Mr Tudge said placing conditions on visas that force immigrants to stay in less popular centres for several years wouldincrease the likelihood that they would settle in those places permanently.

“Nearly every visa has conditions attached to it, so it wouldn’t be unusual to have a geographic attachment to a particular visa,” Mr Tudge said.

The government is considering banning some immigrants from settling in Sydney and Melbourne for five years after they arrive in the country, The Australian newspaper reported.

Australia has the fastest population growth of any advanced Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countr y other than Canada, growing 1.6 per cent a year.

But the population of Melbourne grew last year by 2.7 per cent, while the population of the south-east corner of Queensland state around Brisbane and the Gold Coast grew by 2.3 per cent, and Sydney grew by 2.1 per cent.

The main driver of population growth in Sydney and Melbourne was overseas migration, with 87 per cent of skilled migrants to Australia – including the majority of Irish nationals – gravitating to those cities.

Opinion polls consistently point to population growth as an issue of

concern to the electorate. Mr Tudge said some categories of immigrants would be exempt from geographic blocks.

Immigrants who were sponsored by employers would be able to work where employers need them, and those on family reunion visas – typically a foreigner marr ying an Australian – would also be free to live where they chose. Sponsored employees make up 25 per cent of Australia’s immigrant intake and family reunion visas make up 30 per cent.

Marion Terrill, an expert on cities and transport at the Grattan Institute think tank, said governments need to improve infrastructure in major cities rather than curb population growth.

“People are voting with their feet.

They want to be in cities and so I think the job for government is to ensure that cities work and that people can get around rather than to try to get people to go where they don’t want to go,” Ms Terrill said.

Melissa Montero, an immigrant advocate and chief executive of the Sydney-based community migrant resource centre, said immigrants need social support, language services as well as jobs to successfully resettle.

Carla Wilshire, another immigrant advocate and chief executive of Migrant Council Australia in Canberra, suggested the government should invest in services outside Sydney and Melbourne to make smaller towns more attractive to immigrants.

Mark Morey, secretary of Unions NSW, which represents trade unions in New South Wales, said the government’s plan would leave immigrants isolated, with fewer job options and with less pay than they could hope for in the big cities.

A U S TRA L IA’S IRIS H N EWS PAPER

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ireland :: presidential election MICHAEL D HIGGINS HAILS RE-ELECTION AS A VOTE FOR HOPE OVER FEAR

‘I will be President for all’ MICHAEL D Higgins has welcomed his re-election as president of Ireland as a vote for hope over fear.

The 77-year-old poet, professor and campaigner secured his second term in office with a landslide margin of more than 55 per cent of the vote.

Less than half of the eligible electorate, some 1,492,338 voters, took part in the election. Non-resident Irish citizens are not permitted to vote.

Speaking in Dublin Castle after he was re-elected, Mr Higgins said: “The people have made a choice as to which version of Irishness they want reflected at home and abroad.

“It is the making of hope they wish to share rather than the experience of any exploitation of division or fear.”

He said his version of Ireland is one that draws on traditional genius and contemporary creativity.

“The presidency belongs not only to any one person but to the people of Ireland. I will be a president for all the

people; for those who voted for me and those who did not.

“I am so proud of this country; I am proud to be a president for all of you and with all of you, and I look forward with joy and hope to all that we will achieve together.”

Mr Higgins, who has ser ved at almost every level of politics, is a fluent Irish speaker and a long-time campaigner for equality. He made history in 2014 when he became the first Irish president to undertake an official state visit to the UK. There were loud cheers as the father-of-four embraced friends and supporters as his win was declared.

The Taoiseach hailed Mr Higgins’s re-election as an “historic victory”.

“You secured 822,566 first preference votes, which is the highest first -preference vote by any candidate,” Leo Varadkar said.

“That is an extraordinary endorsement of the last seven years of your

presidency and a really strong mandate for the next term of office over the next seven years.”

Peter Casey, whose last-minute surge in the polls followed critical comments he made about the Travelling community, propelled him into second place with almost a quarter of the vote. The businessman polled well in Tipperary, Limerick and Kerry.

In his speech, Mr Casey congratulated President Higgins.

“It’s been amazing; it’s been a real experience the past six weeks or so,” he said. “I’d like to congratulate President Higgins and wish [his wife] Sabina a wonderful seven years. I’m sure the sentiments you described so wonderfully there, I’m sure they are shared by everyone here.”

Gavin Duffy, who won only 2 per cent of the votes, said: “Was I disappointed? Yes. Regrets? No.” Sinn Féin had a disappointing

result, with their candidate Líadh Ní Ríada gaining half of the suppor t achieved by the late Mar tin McGuinness in 2011. After receiving 6 per cent of the vote, Ms Ni Riada said it was important an election had been held, rather than allowing Mr Higgins to retur n to of fice unchallenged.

“The people of Ireland spoke with a resounding yes to put Michael D Higgins back in office,” she said.

Mrs Ní Ríada also said she hopes voters in Northern Ireland would soon be able to vote in Irish presidential elections. A referendum on the issue is anticipated next year.

In her speech, Joan Freeman, who received 6 per cent of the vote, singled out the president’s wife Sabina. “I’m so happy for you Sabina,” she said.

Sean Gallagher, who won about 6 per cent of the vote, said he was proud of the campaign he and his team had run.

HIGGINS SEES OFF CHALLENGERS TO CLAIM ANOTHER TERM IN THE ÁRAS

President Michael D Higgins celebrates with his family after his comprehensive election victory.

Poet president’s popularity delivers second stanza Michelle Devane MICHAEL D Higgins’ popularity has delivered him a second term.

Ireland’s ninth president has campaigned for justice and equality throughout his life. The 77-year old poet, professor and campaigner said he would only stand for one term but, after much speculation, he confirmed in July that he would run again. His campaign for Áras an Uachtaráin officially got under way last month.

Born in Limerick in the 1940s, Mr Higgins grew up in Limerick and Clare before he moved to Galway to study at University College Galway.

He began his career as an academic in the 1960s and 1970s, teaching political science and sociology in Ireland and the United States.

He entered the political arena in the

late 1960s, joining the Labour Party and served as a senator in the 1980s before representing Galway West in the Dail from 1987 to 2011.

A fluent Irish speaker, Mr Higgins served as minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht in the 1990s.

He is also a published poet and has presented TV documentaries. The longtime campaigner for equality was was elected president in 2011 after running as a Labour party candidate.

He secured 701,101 first preference votes which amounted to 39.6 per cent of the vote. In total, he secured one million votes.

When his 2011 resounding victory was formally announced in Dublin Castle, he said he would be a President for all the people and he vowed to lead the country in a necessary transformation away from values based on wealth.

He made history in 2014 when he became the first Irish president to undertake an official state visit to the UK. As the sitting president, Mr Higgins was able to nominate himself as an independent candidate for another seven years in office. But he also secured the backing of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Labour, who agreed not to field candidates.

He looks set to spend another seven years at the Áras with his wife Sabina, whom he married in 1974. They have four children. His daughter Alice Mary Higgins followed her father into political life and is a representative in the Dáil.

At the launch of his campaign in September, Mr Higgins encouraged voters to judge him on his values and not his age. He said that people should be judged on their cognitive ability and

he said he no longer smoked or drank alcohol and has a yoga teacher.

Mr Higgins drew criticism from his contenders over presidential expenditure. An allowance of up to €317,000 a year has been paid to each president since 1998, which is not audited, taxed or scrutinised. A parliamentary committee examined the spending after claims of extravagant outgoings by the office including expensive hotel suites on state visits. The president repeatedly denied any wrongful spending. Despite repeated calls for him to publish details of how the allowance has been spent, he refused, instead committing to releasing details in November.

Mr Higgins admitted in the midst of the campaign that he had been hurt by allegations that any money had been used for anything other than what it was intended for.

CONSTITUTION

Blasphemy vote part of growing secularity Michael McHugh TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has hailed Ireland’s blasphemy referendum as a small step towards creating a constitution for the 21st century.

The result, removing the term from the state’s official statement of values, marks the latest sign of Ireland’s decades-long social liberalisation from a deeply-Catholic and conservative society to an increasingly secular one.

The referendum was held on the same day as the presidential election.

Almost 65 per cent of the electorate backed the change.

A total of 951,650 people (64.85 per cent) people voted for the change; 515,808 people (35.15 per cent) opposed the move.

“It is very much part of an ongoing campaign, in many ways, to reform our Constitution, to make it a 21st century constitution or a 21st century Republic,” the Taoiseach said.

He placed the public poll among a series of reforms, beginning in the 1960s when the state removed the special place of the Catholic Church from the Constitution, and including enshrining marriage equality and giving women the right to choose abortion.

“This is the next small step in what is a very big deal, which is the reform of our constitution, so the next set of referenda are pencilled in for May.” Removing the reference to blasphemy was backed by a Catholic Church, which has sustained severe reputational damage from decades of clerical sex abuse. No one has been prosecuted for blasphemy in Ireland since 1855, in a case that involved Bible burning.

After several legislative changes over the years, the offence of blasphemy was included in antidefamation legislation passed by the Government in 2009.

Blasphemy was defined as publishing or uttering something “grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion”.

A person found guilty could face a €25,000 fine.

Comedian Stephen Fry fell foul of the law in 2015 when he gave a television interview during which he was asked what he would say to God. “Bone cancer in children, what’s that about?” he asked on RTÉ.

“How dare you [God] create a world with such misery ... it’s not right; it’s utterly, utterly evil. Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded stupid God who creates a world so full of injustice and pain?”

A viewer complained to gardaí, who launched an investigation but Fry was never charged with blasphemy.

The way the law is framed make it difficult to sustain a prosecution.

Over recent years Ireland has voted to repeal a series of restrictive social laws including allowing for divorce, same-sex marriage and, earlier this year, early stage abortion in what Mr Varadkar termed a “quiet revolution”.

Changing the law to remove blasphemy has been backed by msot church leaders in Ireland, with the exception of some Islamic leaders. Countries to retain blasphemy laws include Pakistan, where cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan has defended the country’s strict blasphemy laws.

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A U S TRA L IA’S IRIS H N EWS PAPER

presidential election :: ireland TRAVELLERS COMMENT DID NOT BOOST MY SUPPORT, PETER CASEY INSISTS

Middle Ireland supported me: Casey they’re proud Irish people, so that’s not possible really.”

The 61-year old said he needed to talk to his wife before making any decision about running for another elected office. He had hinted he might turn his focus to running for the Dáil.

“I think we need to sit down, take stock and make a decision very shortly,” he said.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar had called on the public not to vote for Mr Casey following his controversial comments, in which the businessman said Travellers were simply people camping on someone else’s land, and that Ireland’s recognition of the community as members of an ethnic minority is “a load of nonsense”.

Mr Casey said it was “disgraceful” of Mr Varadkar to have intervened.

Rivals have accused the Derry man of engaging in “populism”, with some comparing his campaign to Donald Trump’s bid for the White House.

As votes were being counted in

Michelle Devane, Aoife Moore and D avid Young CONTROVERSIAL businessman Peter Casey has denied that his apparent surge in the presidential election was prompted by his criticism of Travellers.

Mr Casey, a former star of Ireland’s version of Dragons’ Den, is on course to come second in the poll with about 20 per cent of the vote.

This represents a remarkable result for the Derry millionaire, whose support base hovered at about 1 per cent in opinion polls before his critical remarks about Travellers and welfare recipients.

Speaking at Dublin Castle, Mr Casey again refuted allegations he had used the race card to gain votes, and insisted his controversial comments were not the reason for the dramatic increase in his support.

“It’s so untrue,” he said. “You can’t be a racist if you don’t regard the people you are talking to as a different race. They’re not. They’re Irish and Constituency

Casey

Duffy

Freeman

Gallagher

Higgins

Ní Riada

Carlow-Kilkenny

13,929

1,265

2,636

3,506

25,717

2,419

Cavan-Monaghan

7,023

1,000

2,063

6,771

16,749

4,167

Clare

11,722

617

1,969

2,289

22,639

2,186

Cork East

9,340

716

2,283

2,625

20,388

2,705

Cork North-Central

8,382

545

2,010

1,977

18,851

3,112

Cork North-West

8,092

630

1,855

3,199

17,638

2,489

Cork South-Central

7,323

642

2,554

2,164

24,161

3,072

Cork South-West

6,582

680

1,635

2,374

16,860

2,489

Donegal

12,952

747

2,563

3,684

15,052

4,524

Dublin Bay North

8,009

1,010

3,372

2,500

32,198

3,315

Dublin Bay South

3,433

626

1,884

1,116

20,765

1,221

Dublin Central

1,692

203

868

529

10,094

1,749

Dublin Fingal

7,505

986

2,643

2,369

27,039

2,290

Dublin Mid-West

5,128

526

2,734

1,433

17,196

1,978

Dublin North-West

3,737

451

1,546

1,121

14,728

1,932

Dublin Rathdown

4,385

711

2,177

1,487

21,704

1,141

Dublin South-Central

3,794

441

2,039

1,105

17,930

2,282

Dublin South-West

8,324

929

3,011

2,237

28,151

2,584

Dublin West

4,887

514

2,053

1,430

17,545

1,141

Dún Laoghaire

5,872

1,000

2,866

2,044

31,513

1,596

Galway East

11,227

516

1,545

1,379

18,011

1,029

Galway West

10,821

660

2,445

1,783

29,612

2,161

Kerry

13,752

1,037

3,102

2,856

25,078

4,253

Kildare North

7,210

844

2,751

2,258

23,103

1,523

Kildare South

5,819

633

1,619

1,829

14,766

1,307

Laois

8,419

718

1,464

1,845

13,754

1,443

Limerick City

7,845

578

1,917

1,557

18,904

1,964

Limerick County

10,865

658

1,762

1,756

15,262

1,438

Longford-Westmeath

12,005

829

2,122

2,873

18,024

2,089

Louth

7,223

2,101

2,291

2,934

26,291

4,175

Mayo

12,850

937

2,663

2,235

20,642

2,107

Meath East

6,064

1,142

1,883

2,060

16,754

1,654

Meath West

5,917

904

1,727

1,943

14,522

1,847

Offaly

9,253

673

1,691

2,672

13,977

1,444

Roscommon-Galway

10,918

713

1,850

2,270

14,246

1,617

Sligo-Leitrim

11,132

859

2,475

3,749

20,601

3,172

Tipperary

20,149

1,106

2,723

3,077

24,917

2,827

Waterford

8,822

847

2,025

2,530

18,609

2,837

Wexford

11,818

1,161

2,272

3,499

27,020

2,939

Wicklow

8,507

1,043

2,820

3,449

31,555

2,733

Dublin’s Convention Centre on Saturday morning, Mr Casey said his advocacy for “middle Ireland” – people who are struggling to pay bills and get on the housing ladder – was the reason his campaign resonated with the voters.

“The real reason I got a bump in the polls is because I spoke out and said middle Ireland, they are the people who are hurting, they are the people who got nothing out of the last budget, and they are the ones who are paying all the bills,” he said.

He said that if he had won the election, he would have advocated moving members of the Travelling community into Dublin’s Phoenix Park.

“I was going to suggest we invite all the Travelling community to move into Phoenix Park for a five-year period,” Mr Casey said.

“Unfortunately I am not in that position and I would encourage Michael D (Higgins) to do that and insist that schools are put in there for a five-year period so they can get [an] education.”

VARADKAR: WE ALWAYS NEED TO LISTEN TO A PROTEST VOTE

Anti-Traveller vein a cause for ‘reflection’ Michael McHugh

THE Taoiseach has promised to listen to a protest vote which resulted in a relatively unknown businessman take about a fifth of the presidential vote.

Leo Varadkar acknowledged an element of anti-Traveller sentiment after runner-up Peter Casey had an electoral bounce when he said Travellers should not be considered an ethnic minority.

Mr Varadkar said poll-topping President Michael D Higgins had won an “over whelming” victor y to take a second term in the office.

“There were people registering protest for lots of other reasons.,” the Taoiseach said.

“When people register a protest, whether it is on the streets or in the ballot box, you have to listen to that, if you are in politics. As politicians we always need to listen to people when they register a protest.”

Mr Casey had a surge in support after he accused Travellers of camping on other people’s land and criticised the refusal by some to take state-provided homes.

Tel: (02) 8243 2600 Fax: (02) 8243 2611 Email: georgina@celtictravel.com.au

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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with presidential challenger Peter Casey who surprised everyone by securing a quarter of the vote.

“A lot of people voted for Mr Casey but ... we should not lose sight of the actual result here,” Mr Varadkar said.

There was a lot of work to be done on building understanding of Traveller culture and they suffered inequality, the Taoiseach said.

“There is a misunderstanding between the settled community and Traveller community. It is something that we will have to reflect on in the coming days,” the Taoiseach said.

“I want the Irish Traveller community to know that I, as head of Government, and the Government that I lead, respect them and see them as part of our society.

We want to continue to work with them to deal with these inequalities and disadvantages.”

Meanwhile, a Traveller woman has said that Mr Casey was kidding himself after he rejected claims that his support was bolstered by populist views.

Kathleen Lawrence, who works at Traveller outreach programme Pavee Point, said Mr Casey had used an already disenfranchised community to bolster his lead in the polls.

“The fact that he garnered 20 per cent

of votes is disappointing but it’s not surprising given his comments,” she said.

“I think now we need to look at the fact that 20 per cent bought into his message.

I think we need to target those people to help them and change the way politics is being done.

“People are drained, working full time and barely scraping by and that’s awful, but the fact Peter Casey used an ethnic minority to make up the blame, that is disturbing,” she said.

“I think what needs to happen is we need to tap into why people voted for him, we can’t let this pass by.

“We need to put protocols in place that would prevent people like Peter Casey and any other potential candidate at all levels; we need anti-racism protocols in place that they have to sign up to, to make sure that they don’t use minorities to further their own political agenda.”

Ms Lawrence said the feeling in her family was one of fear after Mr Casey said he had received thousands of letters of support for his views.

“I know he’s trying to convince people that isn’t the case, but he’s really trying to kid himself,” she added.

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ireland :: brexit RELATIONS BETWEEN IRELAND AND UK ‘STRAINED’ OVER BREXIT, VARADKAR ADMITS

Brexiteers ‘can’t believe we won’t fall into line’ Cate McCurry THE Taoiseach has claimed that parts of the British establishment expected Ireland to “fall into line” over Brexit.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said some people in Britain failed to consider the impact of Brexit on Ireland before the vote in June 2016.

Speaking at the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready workshop in Dublin, Mr Varadkar admitted that relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom were strained because of the latter’s decision to leave the European Union.

Addressing an audience of business leaders on how to prepare for Brexit, Mr Varadkar and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney spoke of the ongoing struggle to push for a breakthrough in negotiations.

“I think a lot of people in Britain have great affection for Ireland and they understand our concerns and they did think of the impact in Ireland before the referendum,” Mr Varadkar said.

“But, quite frankly, there are others who didn’t – and you do come across people in the British establishment who can’t believe we won’t fall into line.

How I long for united Ireland: McDonnell BRITAIN’S shadow chancellor John

McDonnell has told how he longs for a united Ireland, but insisted he recognises the democratic will of the people.

“I’m a Republican. I long for a united Ireland, but I recognise democracy,” he said at a lunch with journalists in Westminster.

“Ireland will not be united on the basis of some contortions around the issue of the relationship with the EU. It will only be reunited on the basis of the popular support of the Irish people, and that’s what I respect. Nothing in these discussions should in any way cause any damage to the Good Friday Agreement and its implementation.”

“There will be some curious relationships that come out of a general election,” Mr McDonnell said. “I can get my application for the Orange Order and order my bowler hat and sash for the marching season. You never know.”

Brexit work begins at ports, airports IRELAND is stepping up preparations for physical infrastructure at ports and airports after Brexit.

Irish ministers held detailed discussions in Dublin surrounding the hiring of customs officers and veterinary inspectors as well as upgrading IT systems.

The Republic has held a series of workshops for businesses aimed at getting Ireland Brexit-ready.

The Taoiseach has not ruled out Britain crashing out of the EU without an agreement next March.

“We are stepping up our preparations for that scenario and we had a detailed discussion at Cabinet today on Brexit and on those discussions and that does include the hiring of customs officials, veterinary inspectors,” Leo Varadkar said. “It includes preparing legislation, it includes IT systems and includes preparations to install physical infrastructure at our ports and airports, but not along the land border with Northern Ireland.”

“They thought ‘Sure, you’ll be leaving too, won’t you?’ and the fact that we aren’t and the fact we stood up for ourselves has made some of them quite annoyed, but so be it. That’s elements of the establishment. You’d swear we created the problem.”

He said that while his personal relationship with Prime Minister Theresa May was very good, relations in the wider sense were strained. “Brexit … has created a disturbance,” he said.

The Taoiseach rejected suggestions the government was using the Northern Ireland peace process to force through a Brexit deal, saying it was “not part of any wider agenda”.

“We think the rules we have had up until now worked reasonably well and we are trying to protect the gains of the peace process and protect the relative prosperity we have enjoyed in the last couple of decades,” he continued.

Tanaiste Simon Coveney said he believed securing a Brexit deal was still “a very likely outcome”, even in the face of growing pessimism.

“The truth is that the withdrawal agreement is the only agreement that’s needed before they leave,” he said.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Simon Coveney at the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready workshop in Dublin.

MARY ROBINSON BACKS TAOISEACH’S WARNING OVER HARD BORDER VIOLENCE

‘Real risk’ of border unrest Aine Fox and David Young

MISCHIEF-makers may be lying in wait to cause trouble if a hard border is imposed on the island of Ireland, the country’s former president has said.

Mary Robinson appeared to back Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s comments on the risk of a return to violence, should customs posts be erected between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Mr Varadkar has been accused of scaremongering after warning during a recent EU summit that a return to violence is a possibility in such a scenario after Brexit.

Speaking at the One Young World summit in The Hague, Mrs Robinson said a hard border could give a “visible opportunity” to those who wished to disrupt the peace process.

“I think there is a real risk, if we had a hard border in Ireland, that there are people, as we would say, lying in the long grass, on both sides waiting to do mischief and unfortunately it could lead to that,” she said.

“We have had a peace process and a peace outcome that the world has admired. It’s really important that, on the island of Ireland, we live in peace and friendship and harmony, and that is what we have been doing.

“And I think it’s really important that we don’t have a border that provides a visible opportunity for those who could be not only disruptive but actually go back to violence.”

“Most of the people that I have spoken to in Northern Ireland believe this,” Mrs Robinson said.

Meanwhile, a senior Democratic Unionist MP branded the Taoiseach vile after accusing him of using terrorist victims to scaremonger over Brexit.

Sammy Wilson said Leo Varadkar’s behaviour was “despicable, low and rotten”, claiming he was scraping the bottom of a “ver y deep barrel of threats, deception and rhetoric”.

East Antrim MP Mr Wilson was

Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson in The Hague.

responding to Mr Varadkar’s warning the EU summit that violence could again return if a hard border was imposed in Ireland.

Mr Wilson said the Taoiseach had taken a sledgehammer to years of cross-border political relationship building. Addressing fellow EU leaders in Brussels, the Taoiseach had related the stor y of an IRA bomb attack at a customs post in Newry, Co Down in 1972.

Tánaiste Simon Coveney rejected any suggestion Mr Varadkar was scaremongering.

However, Mr Wilson later claimed the Taoiseach had lost any sense of self control in relation to Brexit, claiming his previous warnings about the impact of a no deal had made him a laughing stock’.”

“His latest use of a victim of the IRA who was killed when the republican ter rorists blew up a border post scrapes the bottom of the very deep barrel of threats, deception and rhetoric which he has dipped into in order to persuade ignorant heads of EU states that the EU must insist on detaching Northern Ireland from the UK in any Brexit deal,” he said.

At a dinner with EU leaders, Mr Varadkar had shown a copy of The Irish Times, which featured an interview with a relative of one of the nine killed in the blast. Four customs officials, two lorry drivers and three IRA men died in the explosion at a customs clearing station.

The incident has created the latest fracture in the DUP’s deteriorating relationship with the Government since the Brexit referendum. The unionist party believes Ireland’s unwavering stance in relation to the need for a border backstop to guarantee free movement on the island is a veiled tactic to create separation between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Mr Wilson expressed concern that “republican madmen” could be influenced by the Taoiseach “stirring up false fears”.

Mr Wilson insisted there was no chance border checkpoints would be erected when the UK leaves the EU. “His behaviour is despicable, low and rotten,” he said of the Taoiseach.

“He is not so stupid as to be unaware of the impact [comments such as his] can have, especially given the record

of republicans over the summer when they used impressionable young people to engage in sectarian attacks against the Protestant community in Londonderry.”

Mr Wilson said much progress had been made in forging better crossborder political links before Mr Varadkar became oming Taoiseach.

“Leo Varadkar has taken a sledgehammer to the work which was done but, even more worrying, is his total disregard to the impact of his irresponsible and reckless rhetoric on the peace of Nor ther n Ireland,” Mr Wilson said.

The Tanaiste said concerns about the potential to destabilise the island’s very precious peace were real. “If you speak to families living on the border area they will talk in ver y emotive ter ms about their fears of the re-emergence of that border infrastructure.

“It doesn’t suit some people’s political narrative; it certainly doesn’t suit people who advocate for Brexit because this is a very awkward and difficult issue for people to deal with, but it’s the truth.”

The DUP’s Sammy Wilson.

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A U S TRA L IA’S IRIS H N EWS PAPER

brexit :: ireland BREXIT MORE THAN JUST A GOLD STAR FALLING OFF A BLUE FLAG, BONO TELLS LONDON GIG

‘No one wants you to leave’: Bono Catherine Wylie and Andrew Woodcock

BONO has declared Europe’s love for the UK and described Brexit as “a loss of shared dreams” as U2’s tour arrived in London.

The Irish rockers thrilled fans at The O2 last week in a concert decked out with dazzling technology.

Frontman Bono, joined by Adam Clayton, Larr y Mullen Jr and The Edge, played for more than two hours and performed tracks from their latest album, as well as crowd-pleasing hits Vertigo, Elevation and Beautiful Day. On the European leg of the tour the band reflected on, and celebrated, Europe. Bono talked about their “love affair with great cities, great European cities”, mentioning London, Manchester, Amsterdam, Berlin and Madrid. The singer stood in front of a huge EU-style flag with yellow stars and hailed London as still a great European city.

One star was not yellow but instead filled in with the Union flag and circled with a heart.

“We’ve just been touring all across Europe and whatever you think about it, all we heard about from Madrid to Berlin to Paris to Amsterdam is that people love the UK. They love you. And no one wants you to leave. And that’s just the truth,” the singer said.

“For us it’s more than just a gold star falling off a blue flag. It’s a loss of shared dreams, shared strengths.

Without you, we are less. Without you, the English, the Scottish, the Welsh, the Northern Irish, we are less.”

Earlier, during a visit to the European

Parliament, Bono called on artists to celebrate the romance of Europe at a time when the value of the EU has come under question.

The U2 singer hailed the European institutions as both a “brain ... working to improve the lives of Europeans” and a “loudly beating heart bringing them together.

The Irish rocker and anti-poverty campaigner did not mention Brexit in his comments alongside the Parliament’s president Antonio Tajani, but said that pro-European voices were needed at a time when “people are questioning Europe”.

“As an artist, I think I probably have a role to play in romancing the idea of Europe and seeing it as something warm-blooded,” Bono said.

“Europe is a thought that needs to become a feeling and I am, as an artist, in service of that.”

Describing himself as European as well as Irish, Bono suggested that Europe had lost out for the lack of the kind of positive artistic treatment given to America in films and songs.

“If you think about the mythology of America and you think about Hollywood and how Hollywood perpetuated the idea of the American dream ... when you think about artists involved in the project that is Europe, it’s not that many,” he said.

“I think we need more as people are questioning Europe. I want to be a part of that romantic idea that is Europe.”

Bono was in Brussels for talks about improving the partnership between Europe and Africa, which he characterised as an incr edible opportunity.

A SHOUT OUT FOR EUROPE: Bono on stage in London told fans that Europe would be less without the UK.

BORDER ART INITIATIVE

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We can teach you about tolerance – border people Michael McHugh

PEOPLE living on the Irish border can teach the world about tolerance, according to an arts initiative.

International artist Suzanne Lacy collaborated with more than 300 people from counties Fermanagh, Monaghan, Donegal, Leitrim and Cavan in producing a so-called yellow manifesto of concerns expressed by residents who live there.

“We could teach you about tolerance.

We could teach about the futility of division,” the group said in an agreed statement. “Border people have codes; we know how to treat each other in order to keep harmony. The border is where realities can co-exist. Coexistence is essential to the contract we have with each other; it is a higher thing than economics or security.”

The manifesto expressed concern the border’s invisibility was at risk from Brexit.

It said: “Keep the border invisible and confined to maps. We want no checkpoints. Heightened security doesn’t make us feel more safe or more secure. It makes us feel the opposite angry, anxious, tense, defensive and fearful. The border is now one of cooperation and collaboration.”

Writer Garrett Carr, who worked on the project and distilled the responses of the participants into the manifesto, said the point of the artwork was to stir conversation by giving voice to those who live on the border.

“The border remains a sticking point in the ongoing Brexit negotiations, yet

International artist Suzanne Lacy at the Ulster Museum.

those who make their lives there are not represented in any meaningful way,” Carr added.

Ms Lacy said the project drew those who lived along the often-invisible border between countries into a conversation on the meaning of the border.

“The artwork explores inverse paradigms – visible and invisible, official and unofficial, rural and urban, the real border and imagined ones,” she said.

“For a brief time, we suggest there is a unique in-between identity for those situated between two countries – a border people – and through playful acts we explore this liminal identity.”

Across and In-Between was co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenar y, and Belfast International Arts Festival, with the support of the departments of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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ireland LITTLE HEROES HELP RAISE THOUSANDS FOR SINKHOLE-HIT GAA CLUB

GAA heroes kick in to support stricken club Michael McHugh THOUSANDS of euros have been raised for a GAA club left badly damaged by a mine collapse.

The Magheracloone Mitchells GAA pitch in Co Monaghan subsided last month and massive holes developed in the ground.The sinkholes, which badly damaged the ground, are believed to have been caused by recent work at a nearby mine. The clubhouse was damaged by subsidence, neighbouring houses were also affected and roads closed. A school was also evacuated.

Mining company Gyproc said it is confident that further subsidence will be confined to the original site of the collapse in the 120m radius zone.

The company says the report found that the recent transport and storage of water in an old part of the mine, previously unused for water storage, resulted in the collapse of some mining pillars and this was the probable reason” for the subsidence.

The company is conducting further investigations to ensure this is the case and it is continuing to liaise with the local community.

The GAA club established a crowdfunding website following the damage and began looking for an alternative field to train on.

All its equipment was still in the clubhouse, which it could not access for safety reasons.

The Magheracloone Mitchells’ plight prompted a response from a fellow GAA club in Co Meath and a fundraising event was organised. Children aged under seven from the club took on Ratoath GAA club in a charity event.

Organiser Roy Clarke’s children originally put forward the idea.

“This was just one club trying to hold out a hand of friendship to another club in a tough time,” he He said significant amounts of money had been raised to help the club get back on its feet following social media and mainstream media appeals.

His children Victor, seven, and Nicholas, five, took part in the fixture.

Victor saw television footage of the damage and wrote to his Ratoath GAA club requesting the under-sevens charity match to raise money for their new club. Magheracloone says the two youngsters are “two little heroes”.

The sinkhole-damaged pitch at Magheracloone Mitchells GAA pitch in Co Monaghan. (Inset) The little heroes, brothers Victor and Nicholas Clarke of Ratoath GAA Club, with Tommy Farrelly of Magheracloone Mitchells.

BREXIT ‘ECONOMIC CHALLENGE OF A GENERATION’ AS IRELAND UNVEILS BUDGET

Budget 2019: The main developments HERE are some of the key points

from Budget 2019: • Spending on health will increase by €1 billion.

• Some €110 million will be set aside for Brexit-related measures across government.

• There will be a 50 cent reduction in prescription charges for those aged over 70.

• The cost of a packet of 20 cigarettes will increase by 50 cents.

• In a bid to tackle the rising housing crisis in Ireland, the Government is to commit €2.3 billion to the housing programme. Over the next four years, €6.6 billion will go towards accelerating the delivery of housing supports.

• The VAT rate for the tourism and hospitality sector will increase from 9 per cent to 13.5 per cent.

• To ease the burden facing low- and middle-income earners, the finance minister said he was raising the entry point for the higher rate of income tax for all earners by €750.

It means single workers will not have to pay the higher rate until they earn €35,300 per annum.

• Education spending will reach €10.8 billion in 2019 including an extra 1,300 teachers.

• From November next year, a new paid parental scheme will be introduced to provide two weeks’ leave to every parent of a child in their first year. This will increase this to seven extra weeks over time.

• Government will commit €1.25 billion for the delivery of 10,000 new social homes in 2019.

• As of January 1, landlords will be able to claim 100 per cent mortgage interest relief on any loan used to purchase, improve or repair any residential rental property.

• An additional €40 million will be raised next year by increasing duty on betting firms from 15 per cent to 25 per cent. The Government will also double betting tax from 1 per cent to 2 per cent next year.

• Online newspaper VAT will be cut from 23 per cent to 9 per cent.

Brexit overshadows Budget Michael McHugh and Aoife Moore

THE Government has said Brexit is the “economic challenge of our generation” as it unveiled budgetar y measures worth nearly €750 million to tackle the imminent threat.

The Republic is preparing for increased customs checks and challenges for businesses trading with England, Scotland and Wales.

It launched a special fund to support firms caught in the headwinds of Britain’s EU divorce as par t of a lengthy budget statement laced with references to the greatest upheaval facing the country for decades.

Increased funding for a special programme supporting community groups on either side of the Irish border represents a clear statement of intent by ministers in Dublin to protect Northern Ireland’s hard-won peace.

The future of the Irish land border with Northern Ireland is the most vexed issue still facing negotiators in Brussels and London.

The health budget increased by

about €1 billion, VAT on the booming tourism industry is set to rise to 13.5 per cent and an extra €470 million was allocated to housing after a political furore over the number left homeless, finance minister Paschal Donohoe said.

“Brexit is the political, economic and diplomatic challenge of our generation,” he said. “The Government has been clear on our objectives, robust in our negotiations and thorough in our planning. We will remain at the heart of the European Union and open to the world. We will protect our hard-won peace. We will implement responsible but ambitious policies for the future of our country.”

The budget was the last of the Fine Gael’s three-year supply and confidence deal with Fianna Fáil. Talks between the parties are set to commence to establish if further agreement can be struck.

After years of austerity following the financial crash of a decade ago, this was a spending plan characterised by extra cash for a wide range of areas

The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe.

but also the establishment of a rainy day fund to demonstrate prudent management of public finances.

Next year, Ireland will balance its books for the first time in a decade while planning a significant increase in capital spending.

Income tax changes which will save squeezed middle-income families

about €5 per week. About €710 million is earmarked to address the fallout from Brexit. Boosted spending on social welfare and housing are among other key points announced by the finance minister at Dáil Éireann.

The economy has grown rapidly after the financial crisis of a decade ago and soaring house and rent prices have left many people unable to find accommodation, prompting street protests and a parliamentary attempt to unseat the Government.

“It is a responsible Budget for a modern and caring Ireland that aims to be at the centre of a changing world,” Mr Donohoe said.

“This is responsible; this is sensible; this is consistent with maintaining stability in the public finances.

“Most importantly this is a caring budget that recognises the real social needs our citizens face and provides the sustainable funding and effective policies to address them.

“It addresses the risks we face both domestically and on the international front.”

Stylists get snippy after budget delivers sharp haircut A HAIRDRESSER in north Dublin has said the government’s VAT hike will discourage others from opening their own businesses and threaten jobs in the industry.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe confirmed the VAT for the hospitality sector will surge from 9 per cent to 13.5 per cent from January 1.

Critics have questioned the move, saying the hike would unfairly target rural Ireland and small businesses in the hotel and bar sector, as well as hairdressers, who are also listed under hospitality industry.

Karen Murtagh (left) who owns K-Styles in Balbriggan and employs three staff says the news comes as another blow to an already overlooked industry.

“It’s a bit mad, obviously. I wasn’t expecting

this high an increase as it is already high enough, and we pay an additional VAT on hairdressing products.

“There’s no doubt it will impact prices. You don’t want to put up prices as customers already give out about how expensive it’s be become. You’re forced to make a decision, is it coming out of my own pocket or do I put up prices in the salon, which means less customers,” she said. “Even paying the current VAT is hard enough. This will definitely will impact a lot of salons.”

Ms Murtagh, who opened her salon six years ago says she has received no help from the government, and has built the business herself from the ground up. “The government thinks … of big businesses all the time but what about us?”

A U S TRA L IA’S IRIS H N EW S PAPER

November, 2018 I www.irishecho.com.au

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ireland WESTLIFE ENJOYS SPECTACULAR FAN REACTION AS THEY LAUNCH REUNION TOUR

Back to life, Irish boyband reforms Rebecca Black WESTLIFE have thanked their fans in Belfast for an amazing reaction on one of their first public appearances since announcing plans to go on tour next year.

Fans sang Westlife hits as they waited to get a glimpse of Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Markus Feehily. Former member Brian McFadden, who spent a number of years in Australia, is not part of the Twenty Tour reunion. The band has not performed together in seven years.

There will be new music, including a song written by Ed Sheeran, alongside their greatest hits.

“We are very excited about the new music. We have only recorded a few songs, but we always said if we come back we want to be better,” said Filan.

“We want to make music which is going to fit in with the charts now so Westlife can be current. It’s great that Ed is involved; we are very happy to have his songs because they are amazing songs, but we just have to wait and see what the fans think.”

The band notched up 14 number one singles in the UK before announcing they were splitting up in 2012.

Byrne said the band was just as devastated as their fans back then.

“We were equally as heartbroken as all those people who came to see us because a Westlife show was always a lot of fun,” he said.

The band have just announced a second Croke Park date for July 2019 after the first gig sold out in a day.

Nicky Byrne, Markus Feehily, Shane Filan, and Kian Egan of Westlife in Belfast. Picture: Liam McBurney

FULL FORENSIC EXCAVATION FOR MASS GRAVE AT TUAM MOTHER AND BABY HOME

Children’s remains to be exhumed Cate McCurry

THE government has approved the forensic excavation of the site of a former mother and babies home.

A mass grave was found at the former home in Tuam in Co Galway last year. Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone announced there will be a forensic excavation and recovery of the human remains, as well as a forensic analysis of any recovered remains and, where possible, identification and respectful reburial.

A commission was set up following allegations that about round 800 infants were buried in a septic tank at the former home for unmarried mothers.

Ms Zappone said it was a “day filled with emotion”.

The excavation can only happen after legislation is passed by the Dáil to deal specially with the project, which is expected to cost between €6 million and €13 million.

Ms Zappone explained that the bespoke legislation was needed to give specific lawful authority to carry out the excavation of the site.

A group of government officials and experts are expected to meet in the next two weeks to examine how to put the legislation in place.

Between 1925 and 1961 about 800 infants were thought to have been buried at the home in T uam, approximately 32 kilometres from Galway.

The actions to be taken include: - A phased approach to the forensic excavation and recovery of the juvenile human remains; - The use of systematic on-site ground-truthing and text excavations to effectively locate potential burials; - The forensic analysis of any recovered remains and, where possible, individualisation and identification; - Ar rangements for respectful reburial and memorialisation and the appropriate conservation of the site.

Ms Zappone said the Government’s approach was “reasonable and rooted in profound empathy”.

“The initial work on site will focus on the remains known to be within the series of chambers identified by the commission of investigation,” she

added. “Every effort will be made to locate and recover all of the remains from the site. It is a day filled with emotion. Since confirmation that the site contains the remains of children, my officials and I have been grappling with how to ensure how we respond appropriately.”

The Bon Secours sisters, who ran the home until it closed in 1961, have offered a fixed sum of €2.5 million towards the costs, which Ms Zappone said was not a settlement.

Ms Zappone said DNA testing will be carried out to identify the remains and that a pilot process will be undertaken on a small number of remains on the site. Ms McCullagh added that retrieving DNA is “complex and challenging” because of the age of the remains.

Niamh McCullagh, a forensic archaeologist, said DNA identification may not be possible. “A forensic protocol for recovery of these remains will assist towards trying to establish identification but in terms of whether DNA is going to actually be possible is simply not possible at this point.”

Bed sheets with the names of hundreds of dead children draped on the gates of a mass burial site at Tuam. (Inset) Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone announcing the forensic excavation project.

RARE GOLD HOARD UNEARTHED IN DONEGAL GOES ON DISPLAY

Bronze Age artefacts ‘in perfect condition’ Michelle Devane

National Museum of Ireland’s Catherine Heaney, Donegal TD Joe McHugh and director of the National Museum of Ireland Lynn Scarff, with Sam Bates, eight, and Ailsha Wauchope, 10, during the official opening of the Tullydonnell Hoard exhibition. Picture: Julien Behal

ONE of the heaviest hoards of gold ever discovered in Ireland has gone on display at the National Museum.

The rare gold, unearthed in the east of Donegal, weighs more than four kilograms and experts say it dates back to the late Bronze Age. The gold, which was found in a field in Tullydonnell Lower, has been added to the museum’s permanent gold exhibition, Ireland’s Gold, which showcases one of the largest and most significant collections of Bronze Age gold internationally.

Known as the Tullydonnell Hoard, it will go on temporar y loan to the Donegal County Museum next year.

The National Museum’s Keeper of Irish Antiquities Maeve Sikora said the gold underwent extensive analysis by conser vation staf f and the results indicated it dated to between 1200 BC and 800 BC. “The objects were discovered in perfect condition,” she said.

Ms Sikora explained that the overlapping gold rings – known as the Tullydonnell Hoard – were circular in shape, but that it was not possible to determine how they were used.

“They’ve been described as arm bands because of their size, but it is thought more likely that gold was shaped in this fashion as a means to store wealth,” she said.

Education Minister Joe McHugh said he had not previously realised Donegal was considered to be such an active area during the Bronze Age. “This discovery is so exciting for Donegal because it gives us a rare and important insight into the history of our country, and it’s equally important for Ireland in that it adds to our already extensive collection of artefacts from this fascinating era,” he said.

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A U S TRA L IA’S IRIS H N EWS PAPER

Mal Rogers scans Ireland’s regional media for what’s making news in your county BELFAST

Accused of naming rugby rape trial woman A MAN accused of revealing the name of a woman who claimed she was raped by two former Ireland and Ulster rugby stars will confirm if he is to contest the charge.

The Belfast Telegraph reports that Sean McFarland (35) allegedly breached a lifetime ban on reporting the identity of the complainant in the case against Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding.

Both players were unanimously cleared of rape earlier this year.

Amid unprecedented public interest, concerns over social media commentary persisted throughout the trial.

McFarland is charged with publishing the complainant’s name in contravention of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.

He was not present at Belfast Magistrates’ Court. Defence lawyer John Finucane told District Judge Amanda Henderson: “He’s out of the jurisdiction.”

Granting a three-week adjournment, Mrs Henderson confirmed McFarland will be expected to give his attitude to the charge against him at that stage.

ANTRIM

Belfast Masonic lodge sex toy raffle prize A BELFAST Masonic Lodge has been rocked after a guest speaker won a sex toy in a raffle prize.

Sunday Life reports that the embarrassing situation developed after a leading academic, who was a guest speaker at a lodge dinner, won a mystery raffle prize at the event earlier this year.

It was only when he opened the gift-wrapped prize at his home that he was stunned to discover it was a male sex aid.

Sources claimed the embarrassed academic opened the parcel in front of his shocked wife and daughter the following morning.

One member of the Masonic lodge has been struck off after the incident.

A source described the male sex-aid as being “mechanical” and included “hips and all”.

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim has dismissed claims that the lodge has refused to apologise over the incident and that the Grand Lodge had told members not to talk about it.

But the PGL of Antrim confirmed the incident did take place and said the lodge had now banned mystery raffle prizes.

It says the perpetrator – the member who donated the gift – has since been struck off.

In a statement to Sunday Life, the Provincial Grand Secretary, the Very Worshipful J Russell Miller said: “The Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim had no knowledge of this incident until informed by your [Sunday

Life’s] email. “The PGLA have never received any complaints from anyone concerning this incident and have robust disciplinary procedures in place for dealing with allegations of unmasonic conduct.

“The hosts immediately apologised to their guest.”

MAYO

Three generations wiped out in ‘unspeakable’ tragedy A VERDICT of accidental death was recorded in the deaths of three generations of the Wilson family, killed when their car collided with a lorry near Claremorris last September.

The Mayo News reports that Mary Ann Wilson (67) of Cross, Binghamstown, her daughter Marcella (39) and Marcella’s seven-year-old son, Seán were killed instantly after their car was struck by a lorry on the N17 in Mayo.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded for each of the three deceased members of the family by the six-person jury.

Mark Tierney, the driver of the lorry, was investigated and exonerated in all reports undertaken in the aftermath of the accident.

In expressing his sympathy to the Wilson family, Mr Patrick O’Connor, Coroner for Mayo, said the events were unspeakable. He expressed his sympathy towards Mr Tierney.

WEXFORD

Student gets date for High Court case A HIGH Court case involving a Wexford student who is suing the State Examination Commission (SEC) for not re-checking her Leaving Certificate results before midOctober is to go to full trial, reports the Wexford People.

The matter of Rebecca Carter (18) will be fully opposed on that date by the State Examination Commission.

The decision not to re-check her results until mid-October effectively cost Ms Carter her place at UCD, which decided its student allocation at the end of September.

Ms Carter is also suing the Central Applications Office and UCD in an attempt to restrain the college from refusing her a place on a veterinary medicine course.

The court was told that Ms Carter had repeated her leaving certificate in May this year and received 554 points, only six points short of the required number for veterinary medicine at UCD. GRANGECON

Grangecon’s heroic soldier remembered THERE was a large turnout in Grangecon for the annual remembrance ceremony for the late Cpl Michael Nolan.

The Wicklow People reports that that service was organised by

Marian Roarty presiding officer and Garda Eamonn McGinley after arriving by helicopter on Tory Island, off the coast of County Donegal, with a ballot box for the Irish presidential election. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire the Irish United Nations Veterans Association). The ceremony and wreath laying served to remember the life of Cpl Nolan, killed in action in the Congo at the age of 23 during Ireland’s first major military deployment since Independence.

The ceremony was attended by relatives of the late Cpl Nolan as well as members of other United Nations service veterans’ organisations.

Michael’s remains are interred in the army plot in Glasnevin beside his comrades who died at Niemba in November 1960.

LIMERICK

Living hell as youths cause havoc A LIMERICK city family has spoken of their fear due to antisocial behaviour in their area.

The Limerick Leader reports that the long-term residents of Garryowen have had to take measures to ensure their safety, such as installing CCTV cameras and grills on the windows at the front of their house.

They say that young vandals throw all sorts of objects at their house, including stones, metal, and pieces of waste.

“It’s usually young people, from the age of 10 up to about 17 or 18 …

It needs to be stopped,” said one of the residents, who asked not to be named.

The family now stays mostly inside the house for fear of being targeted, they said.

“You have to watch yourself and your family. I remember years ago everyone would be out of their houses, everyone knew each other and looked out for each other. No one comes out of their house now, everyone just stays inside because it’s safer.

LIMRICK

Verbal abuse of garda officer A LITHUANIAN man verbally abused gardai and attempted to fight them after they refused to give him a place to sleep when he presented at a Limerick city garda station.

The Limrick Leader reports that Jonas Stonys (35) pleaded guilty to public order charges relating to an incident at Henry Street garda station on January 18.

Garda Alan Griffin told Limerick District Court the defendant entered

the public office at around 9.30pm seeking somewhere to sleep for the night.

“He was very aggressive.H , he said he had nowhere to go,” he told the court.

Garda Griffin said Mr Stonys reacted angrily when he gave him details of the nearest hostel and gave him a map.

He said the defendant used racist language and removed his jacket and shirt before adopting a boxing stance with clenched fists on the street outside.

Judge John King was told gardaí then arrested Mr Stonys and placed him in custody.

Solicitor Ted McCarthy said his client – a qualified painter – had been living at a direct provision centre in Foynes at the time as he was given the incorrect status when he first arrived in Ireland last year.

“He was put in that bracket, he should not have been,” he said adding that he accepts his behaviour was not acceptable.

“He doesn’t drink regularly but he breaks out now and again,” he told the court.

Judge King adjourned the matter to early December to facilitate the preparation of a probation report.

CORK

Man was growing cannabis to pay rent A CANNABIS user came up with a scheme to pay his rent by growing his own cannabis.

Cannabis with a potential street value of €7,200 was seized at a flat in Cork. Kevin Bulman, aged 30, has pleaded guilty to a charge of cultivation of cannabis at his home at Cork District Court, reports The Irish Examiner.

Sergeant John Kelleher told Judge Olann Kelleher that nine plants were allegedly seized during a search of the defendant’s home, with a potential street value of €7,200.

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said the accused admitted the offending behaviour and gave the explanation for it.

Mr Buttimer said: “This was a scheme he decided upon where he might generate some income.” He added that it was in order that the accused could pay his rent.

Sgt Kelleher said the accused had five previous convictions, all of which were for having drugs for his own use.

Judge Kelleher said that on this

occasion he would direct the accused do 200 hours of community service instead of five months in prison.

LOUTH

Seals returned to the ocean waves THREE seals, rescued after becoming separated from their mothers as pups, were released into the sea at Gyles Quay after being rehabilitated at seal rescues centres in Co Wexford and Co Down.

The Dundalk Arguus reports that one of the seals, Noodles, had been rescued by members of Dundalk Sub Aqua Club in the summer.

Noodles, it turned out, was the first common seal pup to be rescued this year. He had been cared for by the volunteers at Seal Rescue Ireland, Co Wexford, along with Pizza, rescued off the west coast.

The third seal released was Rachel, found off the north Antrim coast and rehabilitated in Exploris, Portaferry.

DOWN

Newcastle in line for £42m tourism boost NEWCASTLE, Co Down could be set for a £42 million tourism bonanza.

The Down Recorder reports that Newry, Mourne and Down Council is hoping to secure £35m from the Northern Ireland Executive and is committing £7m of ratepayers’ money to fund highly ambitious tourist projects as part of the Mournes Gateway Project These include a gondola ride into the heart of the Mourne Mountains and a visitor centre in the shadow of the mountains.

Other proposals include an Alpine coaster ride enabling people to hurtle down the side of the mountain on a single track in a buggy; an indoor activity centre in Donard Park; an elevated tree top walk in Tollymore Forest Park and a new visitor centre and bird hide at Murlough Nature Reserve.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council officials have confirmed that a strategic outline business case has already been completed and the Newcastle proposals are still very much at an early stage.

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ireland GRIEVING MUM’S BID TO CHANGE IRELAND’S CYBER BULLYING LAWS

‘This issue won’t go away’ Cate McCurry

A WOMAN whose daughter killed herself after years of online torment has vowed to continue a campaign to change cyber-bullying laws in Ireland.

Jackie Fox’s daughter Nicole died in a Dublin hospital in January after years of online abuse, harassment and threats. Despite reporting the abuse after her daughter’s death, Ms Fox, from Dublin, was told by gardai there was nothing they could do.

Nicole, 21, also known as Coco, was the victim of a three-year online bullying campaign. Bullies targeted her through messaging platforms and a fake Facebook page set up to specifically to harass and bully her. Daily threats were made to kill her and put her on a life-support machine.

“After she died, to my horror I learned that it was not an offence to tell someone to self-harm, die or go kill themselves,” Ms Fox said. “The guards said it was a grey area and they could not charge anyone.”

There are no laws in Ireland that specifically address cyber-bullying,

Jackie Fox from Dublin, whose daughter Nicole (right) took her own life after years of online torment.

and harassment laws have not been updated to reflect messages sent on social media. Ms Fox has called for tougher laws and wants harassment legislation to be amended to make online bullying a crime.

Earlier this year, she told TDs at Leinster House there was a need to introduce an anti-bulling law, but she says nothing has been done since.

“This is an issue that won’t go away and it needs to be addressed,” she added. “There are lots of kids who feel the way Nicole did. Action needs to be

taken now, not next year. This is a huge problem. Bullies are getting younger and so are the victims.

“The current 1997 Act is so outdated and back then there wasn’t Facebook or Snapchat. This amendment would save a lot of heartache and a lot of devastation for families. These bullies need to be held accountable.”

Ms Fox said she will organise marches and rallies to draw further attention to the issue.

“I am not going to give up or stop until something is brought in by the

Government,” she added. The campaign is backed by Geraldine Swift and Sarah Mannion Butler, whose children have also suffered from online bullying. There have been calls for a social media watchdog with powers to make tech firms act faster on bullying. The Digital Safety Commissioner would have the power to identify and take down illegal content. People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny has called for social media companies to bring in policies to tackle online bullying and for schools to introduce an education programme. The party also says a tax should be imposed on social media companies, ring-fenced for the provision of youth mental health services.

“Legislation alone is not going to solve bullying; it’s a societal problem.,” Mr Kenny added.

“There is a major onus on social media firms that provide the platforms to be engaged with, and make a contribution to, an anti-bullying programme.

“The social media companies need to wake up to the reality of what is going on under their watch.”

TINY ISLAND COMES TO A STANDSTILL TO FAREWELL ITS ‘KING’

AVIATION

Aer Lingus boss set for departure Holly Williams AER Lingus chief executive Stephen Kavanagh is to step down in January after four years in the job.

The carrier’s owner, International Airlines Group (IAG), said he will be succeeded by Sean Doyle, who is currently director of network, fleet and alliances at fellow IAG-owned group British Airways. Mr Kavanagh will remain on the airline’s board as a nonexecutive director after his departure on January 1.

“Stephen has been an exceptional chief executive and has transformed and modernised Aer Lingus,” Willie Walsh, IAG chief executive and Aer Lingus chairman, said. “After a 30-year career, he has decided to step down.

We wish him all the very best for the future and heartfelt thanks for all his outstanding achievements.”

“After a 30-year career in Aer Lingus, with the last four years as CEO, I’ve decided to step down to pursue other interests,” Mr Kavanagh said.

Incoming boss Mr Doyle, who is originally from Cork, has worked at British Airways since 2003. His previous roles at the group have spanned financial, strategy, commercial and alliance, before he joined the executive management committee in 2016. Mr Walsh said Mr Doyle was ideally suited to lead Aer Lingus.

Aer Lingus’s operating profits surged by 51 per cent to €104 million in the first half of 2018. Aer Lingus was bought by IAG in 2015 for €1.3 billion, at which time low-cost rival Ryanair sold its almost 30 per cent stake.

EMPLOYMENT

Bord na Mona turfs 430 jobs Aoife Moore

The funeral procession for Patsy Dan Rodgers, king of Tora Island. (Inset) The musician and artist pictured in 2010.

Patsy Dan Rodgers, King of Toraigh, dies aged 74 Rebecca Black THE population of Tory Island more than doubled last month as visitors arrived for the funeral of its king, Patsy Dan Rodgers.

The musician and artist became the tiny settlement’s best-known resident, regularly greeting visitors off the ferry and campaigning on behalf of the island. Flags on the island flew at half mast, while an extra ferry crossing was put on to accommodate the number of visitors travelling to attend the funeral.

The visitors included Colonel Liam Condon, Aide de Camp to the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins. There was a steady flow of people visiting Mr Rodgers’ distinctive house on the brow of a hill overlooking the main settlement on the island, where the gates read Teach An Rí, which translates as House

of the King. The funeral procession started from the house, led by one of his daughters carrying a cross in front of her father’s coffin, which was followed by more than 100 mourners for the short distance to St Colmcille’s Church.

Fr Sean Gallagher led the celebration of Requiem Mass, which was conducted in Irish and included musical tributes. Following the service, Mr Rodgers was laid to rest in the church graveyard.

Among the visitors was Gerard Magee, from Antrim, who said it had felt strange to arrive at the island and not be greeted by Mr Rodgers.

“Over the years from 1997 to the mid 00s, I got to know Patsy Dan very well,” he said. “I first met him as a visitor coming off the boat. It was always a nice thing for visitors to be

greeted by the king and, as time went on, I got to know him and developed a rapport.

“He was a great man for traditional music and art.

“That was the first thing I noticed arriving at the island this time, the king was not there to meet us.

“Overall, he was a great ambassador for this island.”

Christy Keeney, from Letterkenny, paid tribute to Mr Rodgers as encouraging a generation and making Tory Island the St Ives of Ireland for artists.

He described how Mr Rodgers had brought together a group of artists and brought out their skills, adding he was a loss to the world of art as well as to Tory Island. “It is the end of an era for Tory islanders. He was a great promoter of the island. Many came because they wanted to meet him.”

Mr Rodgers was born in Dublin, but was adopted and brought to the island as a young child. He was asked to become King of Toraigh in the 1990s.

He died at the age of 74 last Friday at a hospital in Dublin following an illness.

President Michael D Higgins said: “All those who love Irish culture and language will have been greatly saddened by the death of Patsy Dan Rodgers, known as the King of Toraigh and widely respected as an advocate for Ireland’s island communities.

“His love for Toraigh Island and its people was evident in his art and his campaigns, and he was an outstanding ambassador for the island.

“Sabina and I send our deepest condolences to his wife Caitlin and their four children, to the entire community of Toraigh Island and to all those who value Irish culture.”

BORD na Mona has announced major job losses, with 150 expected to be lost before Easter next year.

The power and fuel company announced that it is to open a voluntary redundancy scheme. The statement said the organisation has “commenced engagement with employees flagging possible reduction of between 380 and -430 managerial, administrative and peat operations roles”.

The group has also announced its strategy to decarbonise and move away from its traditional peat business into renewable energy.

“Decarbonisation is the biggest challenge facing this planet. By accelerating the move away from peat into renewable energy, resource recovery and new businesses we are supporting national policy and seizing the opportunity presented by decarbonisation,” Chief executive Tom Donnellan said.

“In the past few months we have put in place a new structure to safeguard the maximum number of jobs, facilitate the decarbonisation strategy and reposition the company. Standing still is not an option for Bord na Mona.”

The job losses are expected to occur in counties Kildare and Offaly. The cuts follow a decision by the company to close 17 of its 62 active peat bogs immediately, with harvesting at the remaining 45 expected to stop by 2025. A consultation process with unions is under way. Union officials have forecast that 850 workers in the peat sector could lose their positions.

November, 2018 I www.irishecho.com.au

time out

a n o h S g i a l l o N

17

WE'RE TAKING BOOKINGS NOW

WE KNOW HOW TO PARTY Trust your local PJ Gallagher's Irish Pub team this Christmas.

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18

review

November, 2018 I www.irishecho.com.au

Time for stock-taking

IF you have followed the reviews on this page over the years, you will have noticed that books are given a ‘thumbs up’ rating that ranges from one to five. So you may well be puzzled by the absence of thumbs for A Wicklow Girl. This is not a judgment on the book, arising from a not unreasonable interpretation of mathematics – the bigger the number, the more impressed the reviewer is, and vice versa.

However, the absence of a number in this case is the reviewer’s way of saying that what you are now reading is not really a review.

The trouble about a review is that it is reasonable to assume that the reviewer has read the book and is prepared to put his/ her name to an opinion about it. It is also reasonable to assume that if a person writes a review, he/she has read the volume from cover to cover. My problem, dear reader, is that I was unable to do this.

I fear that ‘unable’ is the appropriate word here, because I want to give an idea of physical or intellectual difficulty rather

than suggesting a strong negative opinion. In fact, this is probably quite a delightful story and is certainly told with a kind of reckless brio that a more learned reviewer might be able to compare with James Joyce.

The central character is named Brian; he picks up a young woman named Noreen, at the time a barmaid in Louisiana. In the next chapter, he is back in Ireland, living on the prestigious Hill of Howth, in a B&B that has been left to him by a deceased aunt.

Bored, he has an afternoon doze in a confession box in the local church, enticed by the soft seat used by the priest. A nun comes to confession, telling him that she wants to leave the convent in favour of some man. When he tells her that she is evil and cannot do such a thing, she rushes out and attempts to drown herself. He saves her and takes her back to his B&-and-B; they finish up in bed for a few days before she is taken away by nuns to a nearby convent.

At this stage, the lovely Noreen returns and moves in with him.

They are lovers, but he is worried about the attention paid to her by younger men. They are about to go out to a fancy dress party when there is a phone call from the aforementioned nun. “Only bad spells abroad that witches night, some broads you never shake loose.

As the woman told her tale sounded madder than long-tail cat in room of rockin’ chairs, madder than rosary rattler shawlies dispatched to hell fire, after lives of dutiful penance, and denials of life’s wanton participations. Madder than T Rex with toothache impacted and no dental plan.”

The nun’s story is that she is pregnant. “Rightly good woman felt hornswoggled. That day in late October wanting mayday to abort that evening. Didn’t move

“So you may well be

puzzled by the absence of thumbs for A Wicklow Girl ...

”

BOOKS A WICKLOW GIRL

By Brian O’Dowd Tellwell 353 pp $31.00

counsellor finds out and tells her to take her depraved influence elsewhere and sends her younger brother Guthrie with her. Their busy father Jarleth sends a car for them and has them do their homework in a waiting room at Barclay’s headquarters in Dublin, where he works in the lucrative business (this is 2002) - of derivative trading. Their mother Sive is not contactable, being on tour as conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra.

This looks like a promising opening to a story that quickly moves on to 9/11, where most of the action takes place. After her Leaving Cert, Gael fails to get a place in an MBA course at the London Business School despite the kind of interview that ought to be highly welcomed by such a place of phoney smartness. By now her parents have broken up (they were, in fact, never married). She has grown to be a fast-talking, wisecracking character going nowhere fast. She meets an American girl named Harper, also fast with her tongue, and not just for talking.

Meanwhile, Guthrie, still a teenager, is raising two children whose existence seems to have come about as a result of rape in which he was the victim. Gael now devotes her talents to making money for him.

The action moves to New York and the Occupy movement in the aftermath of the Wall Street crash.

By then, however, the reader is probably quite lost. This is partly because the story involves the art scene (Guthrie), the music scene (Sive) and the finance world (Jarleth), areas which are all heavily weighted with scholarly baggage, ripe for confusion and academic gibberish. In the end, the reader is left wondering what the story was all about.

Certainly the writing is sharp and clever. Young boys “became fluent in their language of shoulders.”

Jarleth could take Sive’s concerts “only in small dozes”. Gael’s philosophising: “Life is ... what was it? Oh yeah. They’re still doing data collection.” Or this little gem, “The weather blew a bit and spat a bit and the sun ducked its head through the curtains but didn’t stick around for coats to come off.” All of those are taken from the early pages of the book, at a time when the story seemed to have a coherence, some kind of continuity to it.

Unfortunately, as the action progressed, it became easy to imagine that the author had abandoned the story in favour of words for the sake of words.

Both books reviewed here suggest that it may be time to set up some kind of support group for readers, the ordinary people who go to work every day and then use some of their money to buy books.

And I haven’t even started Belfast writer Anna Burns’ Milkman yet.

“... It became easy to

CCCCC

imagine that the author had abandoned the story in favour of words for the sake of words.

ORCHID & THE WASP

By Caoilinn Hughes One World 339 pp $37.42

CCCCC Frank O’Shea one inch in bed now hopping mad rightly exercised with hullabaloos grinding.” Noreen and he go to the party separately; he causes a fight and is unceremoniously ejected by the bouncers. “Battered pillar to post, faith give me amnesty from chicanery or grant amnesia. I’d not be pulling her leg no more, that’s the hitch in my giddyup.”

We have barely passed page 100 and though you gradually get used to the writing, this reviewer decided he had had enough. That does not, however, mean that you, dear reader, might not find the whole thing delightful.

PRECOCIOUS is the word that comes to mind to describe Gael.

Aged 11, she is instructing her classmates on how to use their fingers to dislodge a delicate portion of their reproductive structure. “Boys will think they are taking something from you when the capsule cracks. But you’ll know better. You’ll know there was nothing to take.” The school

”

THE TOP 10 BOOK CHARTS FROM IRELAND BESTSELLERS 1

A Keeper

2

The Importance of Being Aisling

3

Milkman

4

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

5

The Little Flower – St Therese of Lisieux

HARDBACK NON-FICTION Graham Norton

1

Madam Politician

Sarah Breen/Emer McLysaght

2

Guinness World Records 2019

Anna Burns

3

Treaty Triumph

Heather Morris

4

Brief Answers to the Big Questions

Colm Keane/Una O’Hagan

5

Neven Maguire’s Home Economics for Life

Martina Fitzgerald Guinness Publishing Damien Law Stephen Hawking Neven Maguire

6

Oh My God What a Complete Aisling Sarah Breen/Emer McLysaght

6

Donal’s Meals in Minutes

7

Madam Politician

Martina Fitzgerald

7

100 Poems

8

Guinness World Records 2019

Guinness Publishing

8

The Skin Nerd

Jennifer Rock

9

Normal People

Sally Rooney

9

Lighthouses of Ireland

Roger O-Rielly

10

Treaty Triumph

Damien Law

10

Big Tom

ORIGINAL FICTION 1

A Keeper

2

The Importance of Being Aisling

3

Normal People

4

The House Across the Street

5

Lethal White

6

Nine Perfect Strangers

7

Dancing with the Tsars

8

Tombland

9

Transcription

10

In a House of Lies

Donal Skehen Seamus Heaney

Tom Gilmore

CHILDREN’S Graham Norton

1

Secret Science: The Amazing World Beyond Your Eyes

Sarah Breen/Emer McLysaght

2

The Great Irish Weather Book

Sally Rooney

3

Blazing a Trail

Dara O-Brien Joanna Donnelly Sarah Webb

Lesley Pearse

4

Tom Gates 15: What Monster?

Robert Galbraith

5

The Magic Moment

Niall Breslin

Liane Moriarty

6

Beano Annual 2019

(D.C. Thomson & Co)

Ross O’Carroll-Kelly

7

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

C.J. Sansom

8

Dog Man 5: Lord of the Fleas

Kate Atkinson

9

Dork Diaries: Birthday Drama!

10

Head Kid

Ian Rankin

Liz Pichon

J. K. Rowling Dav Pilkey Rachel Renee Russell David Baddiel

November, 2018 I www.irishecho.com.au

time out

Do you own a vacant property in Ireland?

Do you want to unlock your vacant property’s potential, but are unsure about the options open to you?

There are a number of options available to you, aimed at reintroducing vacant dwellings into the usable housing stock, including:

Repair and Lease Scheme Buy and Renew Scheme Long Term Leasing Increased rental income Increase the capital value of the property Long term investment potential of a properly maintained dwelling Increase sales potential Property secured from vandalism / anti-social behaviour Make a difference by providing much needed housing in your community •

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Benefits of Bringing Vacant Properties back into Use:

Further information on the above and other options available to you can be obtained from your local authority Vacant Homes Officer or from the Vacant Homes Unit in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

Email: vhu@housing.gov.ie Tel. 00353-1-8882000

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SHENANNIGANS, DARWIN NORWOOD HOTEL, NORWOOD MICK O’SHEA’S IRISH PUB, HACKHAM KINGSFORD HOTEL, GAWLER FOX AND FIRKIN, TEA TREE GULLY

Find your closest pint. guinnesspubfinder.com.au

www.housing.gov.ie

An initiative of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

THE BLACKLIST RANKS PUBS BY THEIR VOLUME SALES OF DRAUGHT GUINNESS. THE RANKING IS SUPPLIED BY LION. THE GUINNESS WORD AND HARP DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED LOGOS ARE TRADE MARKS. GUINNESS & CO. 2018.

20

time out

November, 2018 I www.irishecho.com.au

Friday, 2 November

Sunday, 11 November

Thursday, 15 November

SYDNEY, NSW Celtic Council Annual Awards Dinner

PERTH, WA Damian Dempsey,

ST KILDA, VIC Hermitage Green

The Celtic Council of Australia and Dr Suzanne Jamieson CYC Convener invite you to the Annual awards dinner at the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel, Sydney CBD. Special guest speaker – Pierre Noyer, Sydney Breton Community, MC Mr Malcolm Nicolson.

Entertainment: The Argyll Highland and Irish dancers and pipers; a two-course dinner and a cash bar. $65 per head Contact – Suzanne on 02 47842255 or Carol at edbudlong@bigpond.com

Friday, 9 November ST KILDA, VIC Damian Dempsey

At the Prince Bandroom, St Kilda with special guests Paddy McHugh & Ryan McMullan. After multiple sell out shows across Australia in recent years, Damien Dempsey returns with his full band in November. To describe Damien Dempsey’s music to someone who hasn’t yet been exposed to it would be to take some reggae, fuse it with traditional Irish music, add in rock and folk and put it all through a grounded working class worldly aware yet caring consciousness, and you’re some bit of the way there. www.troubadour-music.com

Saturday, 10 – Sunday, 11 November SYDNEY, NSW Magner’s Sydney Irish Festival, NSW

The Sydney Irish Festival kicks off on Saturday 10 November with family friendly entertainment throughout the day including traditional Irish dance performances, hurling clinics, amusement rides, player autograph sessions, market stalls, activities for kids of all ages and a Guinness Book of Records attempt to make the world’s biggest Irish stew. Enjoy comedy and live music throughout the day culminating in a major concert commencing at sunset with Damien Dempsey, Mary Black, Lunasa and Saint Sister. Day two on Sunday 11 November will commence with the Big Irish Brunch, more family friendly activities and live music in the build up to the pre-game welcome parade of the teams into the stadium, before Galway and Kilkenny battle it out. Keep updated via the website. sydneyirishfestival.com

Saturday, 10 November PERTH, WA Hermitage Green Bring it on Down Australia Tour 2018

Venue – Badlands Bar, Perth The Limerick band has seen massive success over the past year, including the release of their new EP Gold & Rust featuring the lead, chart topping single Lions Share. This acoustic folk rock band has built a dedicated legion of fans across the globe thanks to their captivating and unforgettable live sets. Their unique arrangement of instruments sets them apart as a truly original offering of Irish music. www.hermitagegreen.com

Venue – Badlands Bar, Perth With special guests Paddy McHugh & Ryan McMullan. After multiple sell out shows across Australia in recent years, Damien Dempsey returns with his full band in November. To describe Damien Dempsey’s music to someone who hasn’t yet been exposed to it would be to take some reggae, fuse it with traditional Irish music, add in rock and folk and put it all through a grounded working class worldly aware yet caring consciousness, and you’re some bit of the way there. www.troubadour-music.com

Sunday, November 11 NORTHCOTE, VIC Saint Sister

Venue – Northcote Social Club Irish electro-folk duo Saint Sister is heading to Australia for their first headline shows. Saint Sister has performed at premiere music events across the globe, from Glastonbury and Latitude to The Great Escape and SXSW. Their intimate live show will delight Australian audiences this November and is absolutely not to be missed. www.saintsisterband.com/tour

Tuesday, 13 November SYDNEY, NSW Saint Sister

Venue – Lansdowne Hotel Sydney Irish electro-folk duo Saint Sister is heading to Australia for their first headline shows. Saint Sister has performed at premiere music events across the globe, from Glastonbury and Latitude to The Great Escape and SXSW. Their intimate live show will delight Australian audiences this November and is absolutely not to be missed. www.saintsisterband.com/tour

Wednesday, 14 November BRISBANE, QLD Hermitage Green

Venue – Finn McCool’s Brisbane The Limerick band has seen massive success over the past year, including the release of their new EP Gold & Rust featuring the lead, chart topping single Lions Share. This acoustic folk rock band has built a dedicated legion of fans across the globe thanks to their captivating and unforgettable live sets. Their unique arrangement of instruments sets them apart as a truly original offering of Irish music. www.hermitagegreen.com

Thursday, 15 – Sunday 18 November MELBOURNE, VIC Gilbert & Sullivan’s Eileen

Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Victoria presents Eileen, an exciting musical adventure set in romantic 18th century Ireland filled with great songs, captivating characters and Irish dancing. It’s a craic-er of a show!

Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00pm, with 2.00pm performances on Saturday and Sunday. Cost: $18 - $38 Event Contact Name: Judith Clark Email: judithclarkis@outlook.com

Galway and Kilkenny will battle it out on Sunday 11 November as part of The Magner’s Sydney Irish Festival.

Venue – Prince Bandroom, St Kilda The Limerick band has seen massive success over the past year, including the release of their new EP Gold & Rust featuring the lead, chart topping single Lions Share. This acoustic folk rock band has successfully built a dedicated legion of fans across the globe thanks to their captivating and unforgettable live sets. Their unique arrangement of instruments sets them apart as a truly original offering of Irish music. www.hermitagegreen.com

Friday, 16 November NEWCASTLE, NSW Hermitage Green

Venue – Stag & Hunter, Newcastle The Limerick band has seen massive success over the past year, including the release of their new EP Gold & Rust featuring the lead, chart topping single Lions Share. This acoustic folk rock band has built a dedicated legion of fans across the globe thanks to their captivating and unforgettable live sets. www.hermitagegreen.com

Saturday, 17 November SYDNEY, NSW Hermitage Green

Venue – The Oxford Art Factory The Limerick band has seen massive success over the past year, including the release of their new EP Gold & Rust featuring the lead, chart topping single Lions Share. This acoustic folk rock band has successfully built a dedicated legion of fans across the globe with their unique arrangement of instruments which sets them apart as a truly original offering of Irish music. www.hermitagegreen.com

Saturday, 18 – Sunday 19 November MULLUMBIMBY, NSW Saint Sister

Mullum Music Festival, NSW Formed in 2014, Saint Sister is friends Morgan MacIntyre and Gemma Doherty. Their music draws from early Celtic harp traditions, 60s folk and electronic pop to create ‘atmosfolk’ – a mix of soulful vocal harmonies, dreamy synth and electro-acoustic harp.

Their intimate live show will delight Mullum festival audiences, and is absolutely not to be missed.

Playing at the Civic Hall 7.30pm Saturday and 4.15pm Sunday. www.saintsisterband.com/tour

Sunday, 18 November THIRROUL, NSW Hermitage Green

Venue – The Beaches, Thirroul The Limerick band has seen massive success over the past year, including the release of their new EP Gold & Rust featuring the lead, chart topping single Lions Share. This acoustic folk rock band has built a dedicated legion of fans across the globe thanks to their captivating and unforgettable live sets. Their unique arrangement of instruments sets them apart as a truly original offering of Irish music. www.hermitagegreen.com

what’s on

Thursday, 22 November

playing some of the biggest festivals on the planet. www.troubadour-music.com

ST KILDA, VIC The Coronas

Venue – Prince Bandroom, St Kilda After selling out their Sydney St Patrick’s Day pop up show in under 48 hours, and performing sold out shows across the country in 2017, one of Ireland’s biggest bands today return to Australia in November. The Coronas are reaching new heights across the world performing huge stadium shows in their native Ireland and playing some of the biggest festivals on the planet. www.troubadour-music.com

Friday, 23 November SYDNEY, NSW The Coronas

Venue – Metro Theatre, Sydney After selling out their Sydney St Patrick’s Day pop up show in under 48 hours, and performing sold out shows across the country in 2017, one of Ireland’s biggest bands today return to Australia in November. The Coronas are currently reaching new heights across the world performing huge stadium shows in their native Ireland and playing some of the biggest festivals on the planet, and having four double platinum albums and numerous top 10 singles under their belt. www.troubadour-music.com

Saturday, 24 November PERTH, WA The Coronas

Venue – Capitol, Perth After selling out their Sydney St Patrick’s Day pop up show in under 48 hours, and performing sold out shows across the country in 2017, one of Ireland’s biggest bands today return to Australia in November. The Coronas are reaching new heights across the world performing huge stadium shows in their native Ireland and

Sunday, 25 November RANDWICK, NSW The Ireland Funds Garden Party, NSW

Randwick Racecourse The Ireland Funds Australia Chairman Yvonne Le Bas would love your support by joining us to celebrate the inaugural Ireland Funds Coolmore at Randwick Oaks Lawn Marquee, Royal Randwick Racecourse Garden Party followed by drinks Dress Code: Spring Racing RSVP: Jennifer - 02 9357 2350 or jnajdek@irelandfunds.org

Wednesday, 28 November SYDNEY, NSW The Ireland Funds Christmas Drinks at the Opera Bar

Join us for the Annual 2018 Young Leader Christmas drinks at the iconic Opera Bar. This complimentary event is a thank you from the Sydney Young Leaders for all your support in 2018 and a chance to reflect on the highlights from a successful year. Please make sure to register your interest so that we can cater accordingly. Opera Bar are generously providing complimentary canapés and a cash bar will be available for drinks. You’ll also have the chance to win some fantastic prizes in our raffle, with proceeds going to our nominated charities, Susa and GO Foundation. irelandfunds.org/events

Thursday, 29 November MELBOURNE, VIC IACC Melbourne Christmas Connections, VIC

Venue – PJ’s Southbank.

An informal end of year networking opportunity with fellow members

and friends. Bring your business cards and a smile! Bring yourself (and a colleague), a positive outlook and your business cards.

There will be a drink on arrival for guests, some finger food and lots of opportunity! If you’re a full member of the Chamber and still have free passes as part of your membership renewal that you’d like to use for this event. www.irishchamber.com.au/events

Saturday, 1 December SYDNEY, NSW Sydney St Patrick’s Day Christmas Ball

Venue – Shangri La Hotel Sydney The 2018 Christmas Ball will be held at the Shangri-La Hotel in The Rocks. Ticket price $185 per person includes a threecourse meal and a five-hour drinks package. Entertainment: Strawberries and Cabbage.

Dress code, formal Huge raffle prize: Flights for two to Australia plus 500 spending money.

Bookings: secretary@ sydneystpatricksday.com.au

Sunday, 2 December BELGRAVE HEIGHTS, NSW Classical Music Charity Concert

Southern Sherbrook Historical Society Hall, Belgrave Heights Classical music charity concert raising funds for a shelter for women and children experiencing homelessness. Jacqui Rutten (mezzo soprano), Claire Ransome (violin), Gitta Green (viola), Diane Froomes(cello), Julia Bakowski (guitar). Performance includes a Bach solo violin A new song cycle for voice and cello, Opus 98 The Blind Poetess, with words by Irish poetess Frances Brown.

Entry by Donation.

Tickets at the Door or to book email: info@sacredstage.com.au or call 0455 044 764

stay up to date with what’s on at

IrishEcho.com.au whatson@irishecho.com.au :: (02) 9555 9199

November, 2018 I www.irishecho.com.au

Equine equality IT’S around this time of year that Australia develops a rather unattractive bout of xenophobia.

Bloody foreigners! Coming over here and taking over! Who do they think they are?

Yes, it’s Melbourne Cup time and we can only be grateful that Pauline Hanson is not in charge of the first Tuesday in November. It could be the ‘race (hate) that stops the nation’.

Almost all of the runners in The Cup are imports, making it tough for the Aussie Aussie Aussie brigade to find that ‘battler from the bush’ schtick that the Seven network like to dish up every year.

Luckily, that great Aussie heroine Winx managed to win her fourth WS Cox Plate after defeating the challenger Benbatl, owned by Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Saeed Bin Suroor. Hmmm. Might have been ugly. Seven’s Bruce McAveney’s relentless cheerfulness could have been challenged by that post-race interview. “So, Saeed, you think you can get out of Moonee Valley alive?”

But what a great mare Winx is.

Of course her dad’s Irish and her mother’s a Kiwi. Just sayin’.

Cup runneth over IF you’ve already backed Irish raider Yucatan for the Melbourne Cup, you had better check your ticket.

Because Yucatan is no longer the impressive Aidan O’Brien trained winner of the Herbert Power Stakes.

No, it’s a maiden three-year-old from South Australia.

The horse that is favourite for the Melbourne Cup (and may have won the race by the time you read this) is now named Yucatan Ire. It seems Racing Australia only found out about the other Yucatan after O’Brien’s horse became the Melbourne Cup favourite. Oops.

ing they were making an anti-racism statement, supported the motion. I mean, c’mon lads, it was put up by Pauline Hanson! Did they think she had just experienced some kind of epiphany whereby Australia was not about to be swamped by Asians (or is it Muslims?).

The Libs demanded another crack at it the next day and voted against it. Phew!

Up next! Pauline Hanson’s next motion. “It’s OK to be a moron.”

How will they vote?

Spoiled votes According to The Irish Times, US president Donald Trump, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Dublin football manager Jim Gavin and Dustin the Turkey were among the

vote getters in Ireland’s presidential election. They may not have been candidates but they were the preferred option for a number of frustrated or annoyed voters, who chose to spoil their vote by writing a non-candidate’s name on their ballot paper. One voter casting their ballot in the presidential election chose former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, writing “would prefer Bertie, 2025?”.

Another voter in the constituency wrote “Jim Gavin Up the Dubs”.

Wicklow recorded a total of 488 spoiled votes with remarks such as “all useless”, “no to everybody” and “no to abortion” – in the constituency of Minister for Health Simon Harris.

One Meath East voter showed a preference for Dustin the Turkey while another favoured Liverpool’s striker Mohamed Salah.

President Trump also featured as he did in a number of other constituencies. Comments on other spoiled votes in the constituency ranged from the polite ‘No thanks’ to ‘they’re all sh***e’ and included ‘None of the above’ and ‘Waste of time’.

Spoiled votes in western constituencies including one ballot paper with a vote cast for Donald Trump from a box in Ballindine, south Mayo.

A number of papers had “Christ is King” and several other religious messages inscribed.

Less than half of eligible voters bothered to vote so the spoilers were really in a majority.

It’s OK to be white?

Or is it?

THE Australian Senate almost supported a motion by Pauline Hanson that declared “it’s OK to be white”.

Liberal Senators, apparently think-

Irish presidential candidate Peter Casey takes a long hard look at himself after demonstrating that denigrating Travellers is a vote winner in Irish politics. Who knew? He’s joining Fianna Fáil apparently.

Quiz

Crossword

1. How is the Book of Columba also known?

2. A member of the Church of Ireland from west Cork captained London Hibernians Gaelic Football club while a civil servant in London also gave his name to a well-known sporting trophy. Who was the man?

3. What happened on 23 October 4004 BC? 4. In relation to the Tour de France, what links Dundrum, 1959; Ghent, 1980; Nairobi, 1985; Cardiff, 1986?

5. In relation to driving, what links Ireland Britain, Malta and Cyprus?

6. Zimbabwe (16); Switzerland (4); Belgium (3); Canada (2); US (none); Australia (none); Ireland (2). What?

7. Which global company did Arthur Ryan found in 1969?

8. In which county is the town of Shillelagh?

9. The Civil Guard eventually became the Garda Siochana. What preceded the Civil Guard?

10. Where are the Irish 1000 and 2000 Guineas, the Irish Oaks and the Irish Derby held?

Clues across 1 & 10 across: A refined song spills mistakenly from Irish/English biblical tracts (11,7) 9. Original, unusual book (5) 10. see 1 across 11. New cases for top performers (4) 12. Be educated by Shakespearean king to the North (5) 14. Short month for originally Irish clan (4) 16. Man from Antrim? (4) 18. Me, insect we hear, me heading south finds bird (4) 20ww. Topple a bit stupendously (5) 21. Celestial Messengers a German Marxist beheaded (6) 22. Sporting round in Killeenboylegan (3) 24. A hero one year could include Wayne or Mickey (6) 25. Worker in pantaloons (3) 26. Small rascally troublemaker erases odd parts of bitmap (3) 30. If you hear a murmur, do check for Dublin novelist here (7) 31. Scottish town, or lord who didn’t lose his marbles (5) 32. Laugh loud article in short for Ms Montez (4) 33. Ethnic oil haphazardly formed ancient culture in Ireland (9)

Clues down 1. Shortly legal, even if you run away (5) 2. I sense, in a way, the presence of a Scottish deep dweller (6) 3. Promise ulterior motives to hide the daughter of the Queen of Ireland (6) 4. Piscine wander leads to Dublin street (9) 5. Television’s concern with average sailors (7) 6. About 15 minutes of curling (3) 7. Wicklow town boasts indefinite article 5 in Rome with zero calcium (5) 8. Poor place for coiled hose — a slum (9) 13. In her you see very little change (5) 15. Lines up an adaption on finger of land (9) 17. Freedom fighter, familiar figure in the jungle reportedly (9) 19. French article indicates Irish boat (1,1) 22. Lime tree, we hear, makes Barry famous (6) 23. Coughs a confusing way for cowboys (7) 27. Me a pig? Confusingly I’m a bird (6) 28. A measure of rhythm for policeman (4) 29. Fluid used in certain knowledge (3)

21

time out They said it...

“As a group incorporating the Irish community, the victims’ families, the city, and the university, we wanted to create an inclusive and healing memorial which could reflect both the damage the pub bombings did to our city, and the hope we have for the future.”

Maurice Malone, from Birmingham Irish Association on the memorial to the victims of the Birmingham pub bombings unveiled on November 21, exactly 44 years after the bombings took place.

“Every poll shows that equal marriage has the support of the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland, most of the political parties there and the overwhelming number of MPs in the House of Commons. Equality for LGBT people in Northern Ireland is long overdue and this amendment gives the government the opportunity to match its words with deeds and bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK, as well as the rest of the island of Ireland.”

Conor McGinn MP (Labour, St Helens North), although representing an English seat in parliament, is attempting to reform Northern Ireland’s abortion laws and also introduce same-sex marriage reforms.

“I’m very tempted by lamb from the West of Ireland, to be honest. That’s the only red meat I’d consider. But I know that by taking actions myself and reminding myself how important it is, that this is for my children and grandchildren.”

Former President Mary Robinson, saying that more vegetarianism was required to help combat climate change.

Eating meat means large numbers of grazing animals, and it has been established that livestock flatulence contributes to emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

“Imagine Britain without its music. If it’s hard for us, then it’s impossible for the rest of the world. In this one area, if nowhere else, Britain does still rule the waves. The airwaves. The cyberwaves. The soundwaves. It is of us. It is our culture … Let’s rock Europe and let’s save our music, our musicians, our music jobs and our songs. Let’s save our voice.”

Bob Geldof, in a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May protesting against Brexit.

“If you have a target, you have to defend the target. If you have a defender, you have to have someone to actually protect the defender.

Before you know where you are, you’ve got uniformed UK (Border Agency) or customs officers on the border. If you do that – and I’m not being hysterical about this – then the peace process is finished, the minute you have uniformed troops on that border. If the peace process is finished, then peace on the island of Ireland is under huge threat.”

Stephen Pound MP (Labour) speaking about the consequences of a hard border in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

“I think the whole Brexit vote was such a monumental folly that I can’t see it clearly at this stage, I’m afraid.”

Howard Hastings, whose hotel chain includes the Slieve Donard in Newcastle, Co Down, the Culloden Estate Spa in Belfast, and the recently opened £53 million Grand Central. He has admitted to fears of apocalyptic consequences of a no-deal or hard departure from the EU.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9 10 11 12 14

13

15

17

16 18

19

20

21 22

24

23 25

26

27

28 30

32

31

33

LAST EDITION’S ANSWERS: Clues across 1. Howth Head. 6. Royal. 8. Ulysses. 9. Nastase. 11. Hoey. 13. Bergin. 14. Sin. 15. Yahoo. 17. Fly. 18. (B)Erne. 22. Agreement. 23. Rand. 25. Eyre. 30. Reap.

31. Lisdoonvarna. 33. O’Neal (Ryan). 35. Cavendish (Lord). 36. Yonkers (7) Clues down 1. Haughey. 2. Wayne. 3. Hush. 4 & 6 down: Easter Rising. 5. Donegal. 6. see 4 down 7. Yeats. 10. Ernie. 12. Yeomen. 16. Algeciras. 17. Fane. 19. Rennee.

20. Amp. 21. Wry. 24. Arran. 26. Smiles. 27. Moyne. 28. Ennis. 29. Kathy. 32.

Noon. 34. Ewe.

29

Answers: 1. The Book of Kells; 2. Sam Maguire; 3. The creation of the Earth according to James Ussher, the Dublin-born Primate of All Ireland. His belief still has many followers; 4. Birthplaces of the Irish, English Scottish and Welsh Tour de France winners: Stephen Roche, Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas; 5. They are the only places in Europe that drive on the left; 6. Official languages — under the Constitution of Ireland, both Irish and English have official status, with Irish being the national and first official language; 7. Primark; 8. Wicklow; 9. The RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary); 10. The Curragh, Kildare

22 sports

November, 2018 I www.irishecho.com.au

AUST R ALIA’S IR ISH NE WSPAP E R

DASHING TEENAGE GAELIC FOOTBALL STAR JOINS IRISH INFLUX FOR 2019

GWS Giants happy with exciting Irish recruit

THE Greater Western Sydney Giants have welcomed Derry recruit Callum Brown to the club as the Irish influx for the 2019 season continues.

Brown is an up-and-coming Gaelic Football star in his home country and is a tall, skillful and athletic prospect.

The 18-year-old was identified by the Giants’ Irish scouting program in July 2017 and undertook a 12-month trial process with the club.

He flew to Australia in August to spend two weeks training with the Giants under the eye of coach Leon Cameron. Brown is an Ulster Minor Championship winner and All-Ireland finalist with Derry last year who also won provincial honours with the Oak Leaf U20 side this season.

Giants List Manager Jason McCartney said Brown showed plenty of promise.

“Callum really impressed when he spent time at the club earlier this year,” McCartney said.

“He’s an incredibly athletic and skillful player and showed an ability to pick up the nuances of AFL footy during some intensive training sessions.

“We know it takes some time to adapt to our game and we won’t put any pressure on him but as an 18-year-old, he’s a really exciting prospect.”

Brown will move to Australia this month to begin training with the first-to-fourth year players when they return to the club on November 19.

An unprecedented number of Irishmen are set to compete in the AFL next year. James Madden (Brisbane), Mark Keane and Anton Tohill (Collingwood) and Stefan Okunbor (Geelong) have already signed contracts for 2019 and North Melbourne are keen to sign Red Óg Murphy from Sligo.

Murphy’s signature would bring to 14 the Irish footballers on AFL lists, one more than ever before despite four such players retiring or being delisted this year.

That would be two extra than the 2018 season, one above the 2017 figure and three more than 2016. But there were only six Irishmen in the AFL as recently as four years ago.

What began as the so-called Irish experiment in 1983 is no longer considered experimentation, at least for most AFL clubs, with the Giants the latest to take the leap in recruiting Brown.

“Our game’s changed a bit and it’s really well

Callum Brown from Derry is the latest young GAA star to sign an AFL contract. Brown will play for the GWS Giants. suited to that running-type game they play,” Giants list manager Jason McCartney said.

“I haven’t had a lot of exposure to Gaelic footy, but it’s an exciting game. It’d be nice if they tackled but, with that, it allows those types to fit well into the way we play the game at the moment.”

The homesick factor remains, with Cian Hanley, Cillian McDaid and talented Carlton recruit Ciaran

Byrne leaving for that reason this year. The success stories go beyond the trailblazers, 1991 Brownlow medallist Jim Stynes and rugged defender Sean Wight, who both played at least 150 AFL games after starting in the late 1980s.

There’s former Swan Tadhg Kennelly (197 matches), Zach Tuohy (168), Suns dasher Pearce Hanley (145), ex-Blue and Giant Setanta Ó’hAilpín

RUGBY :: AUTUMN INTERNATIONALS

Injured Murray out Nick Purewal

IF Ireland are to defeat the mighty All Blacks in Dublin later this month, they are going to have to do it without star half-back Conor Murray.

Murray will miss Ireland’s November internationals due to ongoing neck troubles, in a sizeable blow to head coach Joe Schmidt’s plans.

Ireland must now face Italy in Chicago, then Argentina, New Zealand and the USA in Dublin without the British and Irish Lions scrum half.

The 29-year-old has not played since Ireland’s tour to Australia and, while he has returned to Munster training, he is not yet ready for match action.

Ulster’s John Cooney steps up in Murray’s absence, with Will Addison, Sam Arnold and Ross Byrne the three uncapped players in Ireland’s 42-man squad.

Murray moved to explain his injury situation last week.

Asked when he might be back in action, Murray told repor ters: “A couple of weeks. [I’ll be back] around the end of November hopefully.”

Murray had asked the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and Munster

Conor Murray has been left out of Ireland’s squad for the Autumn International test series.

not to lay bare his injur y profile, evidence that players are starting to protect their personal medical data.

The 29-year-old has now insisted any lack of information was purely because there was no clear timescale on his playing return.

“This thing has snowballed, big time,” said Murray.

“When I was injured at the beginning we didn’t know when I was going to

come back so I requested that we just say that I am just managing my injury because we were still trying to figure out how long it would be.”

England Under-20s graduate Addison has earned his first Ireland call-up, qualifying to represent Schmidt’s men because his mother is from Fermanagh.

The 26-year-old has starred at fullback since his summer switch to Ulster, but his versatility across the backline will boost boss Schmidt’s resources. Munster centre Arnold and Leinster fly-half Byrne complete the trio of uncapped faces in Schmidt’s line-up. Evergreen hooker Rory Best continues as captain, with Johnny Sexton and Peter O’Mahony named as vice captains.

Ireland start their four-match series by facing Italy in Chicago on Saturday, (November 3) with the eagerly anticipated clash with back-to-back world champions New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, November 17.

“As always there have been a number of close calls in selection,” said Schmidt. “The upcoming series offers an exciting opportunity for the squad but will also be very challenging.”

(88), one-time Pie Marty Clarke (73) and Essendon’s Conor McKenna (51).

Irish recuits are understood to earn about $75,000 per year on a rookie contract but with the average senior AFL player wage now at $309,000 to $371,000, it is not difficult to see why the Australian game is such a temptation for talented young Irish players.

MELBOURNE MARATHON

Diver on track for Tokyo MAYO mum Sinéad Diver has won the Melbourne Marathon in record time.

Diver, who moved to Melbourne in 2002, set a new course record with a time of 2.25:19 making her the fastest Australian female athlete to complete the 42.195km distance in Australia.

It’s also the second fastest marathon ever run by an Irish woman after Catherina McKiernan’s record of 2.22.23.

“Today was the best marathon experience I’ve ever had,” she said after the race. “It’s really special to get a PB [personal best] in my home town.

Finishing in the ‘MCG’, with all my family and friends cheering me on was so emotional.”

D i v e r i s a t h r e e - t i m e Wo r l d Championship representative, and has a spate of wins to date including the Launceston 10, where she broke a course record and ran the fastest 10km road race by an Australian since 2006.

Diver’s previous best performance came at the Sunshine Coast Half Marathon where she ran 1.09:20, the fastest time by an Australian in eight years and second fastest ever recorded in Australia.

The 41-year, who only took up running eight years ago, was mobbed by her boys Eddie, nine, and Dara,

Mayo-born Sinead Diver is now Australia’s top marathon runner.

five, and her husband Colin as she crossed the finish line to pick up a $40,000 bounty: a $20,000 record bonus on top of her $20,000 first-place prize.

Her remarkable run qualifies her for next year’s world titles in Doha, although the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 are more prominently in her mind with London next year her most likely route.

Sonia O’Sullivan, writing in the Irish Times, said Diver “would dearly love to represent Ireland, but having already represented Australia at the World Championships – due to tougher standards set by Ireland in 2015 – there may be a few too many hurdles to cross to ensure Olympic selection.”

23

November, 2018 I www.irishecho.com.au

A U S TRA L IA’S IRIS H N EWS PAPER

sports CONSIDINE AND BONNER JOIN AFLW RANKS

Gaelic football stars tempted by AFLW competition David Hennessy

CLARE dual star Ailish Considine and Donegal full forward Yvonne Bonner have signed contracts with AFLW clubs for the forthcoming season, joining an ever-increasing list of Irish players heading down under.

Considine has joined Adelaide Crows, bcoming their first inter national women’s player. Bonner will be joining Mayo player Cora Staunton at Greater Western Sydney Giants.

The duo follow Sarah Rowe of Mayo who has committed to Collingwood. Considine and Bonner secured their contracts after taking part in a CrossCode training camp in Melbourne.

Considine told the Irish Echo she is looking forward to the new challenge. “I actually can’t wait. Since I came home, I’m just looking forward to going back out and getting started, to be honest, because it’s just so

exciting. It’s a new country, new sport, new team, everything, I just can’t wait.”

The 26-year-old said the Crows won her over with their professional approach.

“I was just so impresssed with their set up and their general ethos. I just got good vibes from the team in general and then, during interviews, I was just so comfortable chatting with them,” she said.

“They were just so up front with ever ything and I really appreciated it.

“They put so much backing into me and actually offered me a contract, it was unbelievable.

It feels like one hundred per cent the right decision and I’m so glad I picked the Crows.

They have really gone above and beyond since I signed the contract.”

Kilmihil native Considine is conscious she has a lot to learn when she comes to Australia.

“I’m coming from a sport that

Ailish Considine from Clare has been signed by the Adelaide Crows for the forthcoming AFLW season.

I’ve played for nearly 20 years at this stage so it would come very, very natural to me at this stage,” she said. “I’m throwing myself into a brand new sport, something I’ve only started playing in the last year or so.

“So it’s going to be a massive challenge for me.

“I’m having to star t from scratch and learn the skills and then try to be as good as the girls already there. I’ll have a lot of work to do once I do a get out there. I’m back to the start and will hopefully will work my way up as quick as I can.”

The new recruit confessed

that she did not know much about Australia.

“I actually had never been until I went over with the CrossCoders for the 10 days so it’s very, very new to me.

“Even travelling away from home is something that is new to me as well because sport kept me at home.

“Hopefully I’ll just immerse myself in the football from the start and then that will get me settled in.”

Is is Ailish’s intention to return for Clare after her season in Australia?

“That’s the aim at the moment. To be honest I don’t really have too much of a plan as of yet but that’s kind of in the back of my mind anyway, return home to play the championship for Clare.

“Obviously we’ll see how the season goes; hopefully get through it injury free. At the moment, that’s the plan but we’ll see how the season goes.”

Bonner has helped her county clinch the last two provincial titles. Of joining the Giants, she said: “I’m delighted, It’s just surreal being here.

They’re such amazing sur roundings and I’m just pumped that I got the opportunity.”

Bonner becomes the second Irish woman after Staunton to play for the Giants. “[Cora’s stor y] has been massive [in Ireland]. You can’t miss it.”

“Everybody’s following it and it just happened to be that the documentar y aired after the Ladies All-Ireland final so we were all sitting at home watching all this on the Sunday.

“It gave you a great insight into what was maybe possibly going to happen when we headed out. For it to actually come true, it’s like a dream that I’m actually sitting here now and I’m the next Irish girl after Cora to come to play here for the Giants,” she added.

TOP-LEVEL HURLING CLASH THE CENTREPIECE OF SYDNEY IRISH FESTIVAL

Top Cat savouring trip down under David Hennessy talks to Kilkenny full-back Padraig Walsh about the Cats’ aspirations for next year and their upcoming trip to Sydney to play Galway.

THE hurling teams of both Kilkenny and Galway are preparing for a trip to Australia where their match for the Wild Geese Trophy will be the culmination of the Sydney Irish Festival.

Brian Cody’s Cats are the current league champions while Galway, All-Ireland winners of 2017, lost out on the championship by one point to Limerick.

Padraig Walsh, full-back with Brian Cody’s team, told the Irish Echo he is looking forward to renewing the Kilkenny-Galway rivalr y on a completely new continent.

“I’ve never been to Australia before. I’m delighted to get this chance and I can’t wait to go over there and play a bit of hurling and get to see loads of pepole we haven’t seen the last few years,” he said.

“It’s a nice trip after the long season. I can’t wait for it now.

“There’s a good few Tullaroan people out there too so looking for ward to seeing people we haven’t seen in a few years.

“They’re telling me they’re coming into the summer over there so we’re delighted now to get over there and get some bit of heat and experience the Irish community out there as well.”

Although the game may not be a championship fixture, matches between Kilkenny and Galway are always fierce just because of the familiarity between the two teams who are used to meeting in All-Ireland and provincial finals.

“Any time you play Galway, it’s going to be a tough game and it’s one both teams are going to want to win. We’re looking forward to it now and it should be a great battle. We’ve

played Galway a good bit over the last few years and we’re looking forward to playing them again now,” he said.

“They were All-Ireland champions there last year so they’re a very strong team.

“They’re playing very well at the moment. They were unlucky in the All-Ireland final but they had a great year up to that. We’re looking forward to the challenge. We didn’t get a win against them this year so we’ll be hoping to do one better in Australia.”

Kilkenny took Galway to a Leinster final replay in this year’s championship before the Tribesmen came out on top.

“It was disappointing now because we went so close the first day and it looked like we could have won it.

“It was disappointing to lose out the following week especially after making a big comeback. But we probably didn’t perform as well on the day and Galway were definitely the better team. Hopefully now we can improve things from that and drive it on.”

Kilkenny won all their round robin games except for a Salthill encounter with the Tribesmen.

Defeat to Galway in the final replay consigned them to a back door match with Limerick.

When the Treaty County produced a surprise win, it set them en route to their first All-Ireland since 1973.

Kilkenny have been dominant under Brian Cody.

Cody has led the Cats to 15 All-Ireland finals and won 11 of them. These last two campaigns have been the first since he took over to see the Cats go two years without appearing in a

Padraig Walsh will line out for Kilkenny as they face Galway at Sydney’s Spotless Stadium on November 11.

final. Reflecting on the recent championship, Walsh said the county was hungr y for more success.

“It’s very hard because we’ve been in All-Ireland finals the three years previous the last two. It’s very disappointing the last two years to miss out because we know what it’s like to be there,” he said.

“That’s where you want to be.

That’s why we train hard and it’s very hard to look at other teams competing in it. We’ll be hoping we can use that hurt to drive us on to try and get back there.

“We were competitive and we got very close to Galway and Limerick who were in the AllIreland final so although we were disappointed, we still made improvements from the year before. Hopefully we can build on that.

“First of all, we’ll be trying to do well and defend our league title and then drive it on for the championship and try to do one better than we did last year.”

Cody has announced he will lead Kilkenny into a 21st season, something Walsh said, was widely welcomed.

“He’s been so successful over the years, we’re very lucky to have him. It just shows how much he loves the game that he’s willing to come back for another year again.

“We’re looking forward to get back in with them again in the next few months.”

Before him, it was Padraig’s older brother Tommy who played for Cody’s Kilkenny, winning nine All-Irelands, nine All Stars and becoming a leader in Cody’s unstoppable team that would win four-in-a-row.

Would Padraig feel any

pressure about taking the baton from his older sibling?

“You wouldn’t really be thinking about it. Obviously when he was playing you’re very proud watching and you were always hoping you would get the opportunity to get out on the field with Kilkenny as well, so I’m delighted I got that chance,” Padraig said.

“I wouldn’t see it as any pressure at all, I’m really enjoying my time with Kilkenny and I’m looking for ward to next year. If you did half as wellas he did, you would be happy.”

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November, 2018 I www.irishecho.com.au

A U S TRA L IA’S IRIS H N EW S PAPER

N U F

S I H R I I N N VENT A S I I

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