Irish Echo March 2017 by Irish Echo

POLITICS

WHERE’S THE CRAIC?

PAGE 6

PAGE 18, 20

Leo Varadkar The Favourite To Succeed Enda Kenny

Comprehensive Guide To What’s On For St Patrick’s Day

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Golf Buddy Or Bogey Man?

US President Donald Trump and (inset) Irish golfing ace Rory McIlroy

McIlroy Defends Playing A Round With Trump SEE PAGE 33

ST PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS KICK OFF ACROSS THE CONTINENT

Australia gets set to go green were so plentifully poured, that at night the cells were full of prisoners.” No doubt Australia’s many Irish pubs will also be busy on the 17th this year, particularly with St Patrick’s Day falling on a Friday. In Sydney, community celebrations return to Surry Hills’ Prince Alfred Park for the first time in almost 20 years. As with last year, there will be no St Patrick’s Day Parade in the harbour city. Street closures caused by the construction of the new light rail system have denied organisers their

traditional route so Hyde Park has been ruled out as a venue for the ‘family day’. For the first time in a generation, there will be no official reception at Sydney Town Hall. Despite the challenges, the event’s chief organiser Rober t Kineavy promises an “outdoor festival for all the community, with a big emphasis on children and families”. The Green Gathering takes place on Sunday, March 19 at Prince Alfred Park. Free live entertainment, stalls and kids’ activities are promised.

Melbour ne’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations are also centred around family, with a free event at Edinburgh Gardens in Fitzroy, also on the 19th. Brisbane and Perth will both host parades. Brisbane’s will take place on Saturday March 11 and Perth’s a day later on March 12. The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, is tipped to be a special guest at the Lansdowne Club’s 30th anniversary St Patrick’s Day Lunch in Sydney that will attract 1500 revellers to the ICC ballroom at Darling Harbour.

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AUSTRALIA’S national colours are green and gold but only green will be evident over the next couple of weeks. St Patrick’s Day will be celebrated in all state capital cities with a variety of breakfasts, dinners, parades and festivals planned. Celebrating the Irish national day in New South Wales is almost as old as the colony itself. In 1795, Judge-Advocate David Collins wrote in his journal: “On the 17th St Patrick found many votaries in the settlement ... libations to the saint

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news IRISH ACCUSED REMAINS IN CUSTODY

Cahill family plan to travel to Australia THE family of Tina Cahill say they plan to travel to Australia over the coming months to be by her side. Ms Cahill, 25, who is charged with the murder of her fiance David Walsh, 29, was due to appear in cour t in Sydney last week in person or by video link but the matter was adjourned until May 3. Mr Walsh, 29, died from stab wounds outside their Padstow home on February 17. Her father Dan, speaking to the local New Ross Standard, said all he, his wife Rita and her sister Mairéad want to do is be there by her side to give her a hug and suppor t her, but the cost of travelling to Australia means they have to choose when to travel. “It’s hard for us to know what to do. If we go over now we’ll have to come back and go over again for the trial. Unless we’re talking to her and she says she needs us, honest to God I don’t know,” he said. The family got to speak with Ms Cahill was her dd said she was “in bits”. “She said she misses us. It’s killing us not to be over there but it’s not like going to Dublin or something. It was hard to talk to her (as she was so upset) but I told her that she had plenty of backing from people here and that every person in New Ross was so good to us. I let her know the whole town was behind her. Rita spoke to her for a couple of minutes but they were both so upset.” Tina worked in Melbourne when she first emigrated before moving to Sydney, where she lived with two friends from New Ross. “She worked in a variety of jobs and recently got a job with a traf fic management company. She loved it over there,” Dan said. Describing his daughter as a hard working, fun loving, warm person, Mr Cahill said: “She is a brilliant girl, unbelievable. She never stopped. She was always working and was a manager at Tesco in New Ross before she emigrated.” The family visited Tina in Australia at Christmas for three weeks. Meanwhile, mourners paid tribute

AUSTRALIAN MINISTER MAKES FLYING VISIT TO DUBLIN

Tina Cahill and David ‘Daithi’ Walsh in happier times. Ms Cahill is now charged with his murder.

to Irishman David Walsh at his funeral in Enniscorthy last Wednesday.. David’s brother Patrick remembered him as a loving, father, brother and son who had a “cheeky grin” and an abundance of personality. Two of Mr Walsh’s young daughters bravely took to the altar to speak in his honour at his funeral. His brother told the gathered congregation how his three little girls, Ava, Áine and Erin, “meant everything to him”. During the eulogy chief celebrant Fr Odhran Furlong described David’s life as being “way too short” and prayed that he had now found “happiness and peace”. Fr Furlong said: “The love which causes pain to be so great is the same love that will help us to heal each other in comfort. That healing won’t come in an hour, or today and probably not in the near future but we hope and we pray that through friends and family that God will give peace to your hearts and the hearts that mourn for David. “We ask God to embrace him with tender love and make sure that after his life, which was way too short, that he will now only know great happiness and great peace.” Mr Walsh is sur vived by his parents John and Ann, daughters Ava, Áine and Erin and brothers Jonathan, Patrick, Barr y, Steven, and sisters Kalem and Faith.

IRISH EYES: The Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan welcomes his Australian counterpart, Julie Bishop, to Dublin last week where the pair discussed trade and cultural ties, and Brexit.

Bishop meets Irish counterpart in Dublin IRELAND’S Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan met his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop during her brief visit to Dublin last week. Discussing the excellent relationship between Ireland and Australia, Minister Flanagan noted that Australia has become home for countless Irish people over the past two centuries. “In the 2011 census, nearly 2.1 million Australians indicated they had some Irish ancestry. Some one in three Australians can claim Irish heritage and many people identify strongly with their Irish roots. I was pleased to brief Minister Bishop on Ireland’s current priorities and on Northern Ireland,” he said in a statement. The European-Australian Business Council will visit Ireland this summer and the Ministers commented on the importance of strengthening economic links between Ireland and Australia. “Australia is an increasingly impor-

tant market for Irish companies, in its own right and as a base for the Asia Pacific region. Currently, there are over 110 Irish companies with a presence in Australia while some 40 Australian companies have set up operations in Ireland. My Department is currently developing a new whole of government cross-sectoral strategy for Asia-Pacific. I very much welcome Minister Bishop’s acknowledgement of the importance of enhanced Ireland-Australia relations in the context of Brexit.” The Ministers discussed the opportunities and challenges that have arisen as a result of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. “Although Brexit will be a major focus for the EU in the period ahead, we should not lose sight of the need for concrete measures on jobs, growth and security. An important part of this will be deepening relations with friends outside the EU, such as Australia,”Mr

Flanagan said. The ministers also spoke about Ireland’s bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023. “In August Ireland will host the Australian women’s team for the Women’s Rugby World Cup. We look forward to giving them a warm Irish welcome. Ireland is also bidding to host the Men’s Rugby World Cup and we are hoping for Australia’s support.” This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Australia. A special photographic exhibition celebrating this anniversary will be hosted on the websites of the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade in both countries. The exhibition consists of 70 photographs charting the relationship between the two countries. Junior ministers Patrick O’Donovan and David Stanton will represent the Irish government in Australia for St Patrick’s Day.

MIDDLE ISLAND INVESTIGATION REVEALS ERRACTIC FLYING

Plane performed steep turns before crash VIDEO footage taken by a passenger on board the 1770 Castaway plane that crashed at Middle Island near Agnes Water in January showed the plane had performed steep turns, climbs and descents moments before it slammed into the sand. A 21-year-old Irish female survived the crash and continues her long recovery in Brisbane. The crash also killed a female British tourist who seated in the rear, and seriously injured the two others on board – a 13-year-old boy and the pilot, Les Woodall. The Australian Transpor t Safety Bureau handed down its preliminary report into the crash that occurred on January 10. The ATSB said it used the mobile phone footage, as well as GPS data, radar data and onsite investigations, to track and chart what the plane was doing before the crash.

Using the video footage the ATSB said the Cessna VH-WTQ had taken off at 10.30am normally before four minutes into the flight “the pilot conducted a series of manoeuvres including steep turns, steep climbs and descents”. “After about six minutes flight time, and after a second series of [steep turns, climbs and descents] … the engine power momentarily reduced before recovering,” the preliminar y report reads. But one minute later “the engine sustained a sudden power loss”, which resulted in Mr Woodall making the decision to head for the beach to land. Without much time to consider his options, Mr Woodall told the ATSB he believed landing on the beach was the safest way to land the plane. Two witnesses reported to the ATSB that they saw the aircraft flying parallel

to the beach before turning left at steep angle. “The left wingtip struck the ground and then the nose, before the aircraft came to rest about 5 metres past the nose impact point,” the report states. The owner of 1770 Castaway, Bruce Rhoades, was flying about 4km behind his good mate Mr Woodall, but reported to the ATSB that he did not see the plane crash. After seeing the wreckage below, Mr Rhoades broadcasted a mayday call to alert emergency services and landed his plane 100m from the crash. He then ran to the plane and pulled out Mr Woodall and started performing CPR on the passenger who died. Mr Rhoades said his tourism business would use boats instead of planes to take backpackers to Middle Island for its survivor tour camps.

Lifeflight paramedics at the scene of the Middle Island crash in Queensland on January 10 in which a 21-year-old Irish woman was critically injured.

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local SYDNEY

Back to the future for Irish festivities in harbour city Aoife Grace Moore

THE harbour city’s annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations have had bit of a shake-up this year. The world-famous Sydney St Patrick’s Day parade will not go ahead for the second year in a row. City centre road works and construction of the new light rail has forced organisers to pursue other ideas. The result is a festival celebration at Prince Alfred Park in Surry Hills where post-parade festivities used to occur in the the 1980s and 1990s. The Green Gathering is expected to draw thousands to the celebrations in an alternative to the parade, with live entertainment, market stalls, children’s activities and races. The Festival Committee president, Robert Kineavy, says althought he organisers were forced to think outside the box, they are delighted with how the plans are working out so far. “This year we’ll be holding an out-

door festival for the community, with a big emphasis o n c h i l d r e n a n d families. “Instead of our usual parade, we’re holding a children’s parade in the park. We’ve had massive response from the public, and the kids will be dressed up marching through the park behind a pipe band.” He said the decision to return to Prince Alfred Park was a nod to the history of the event. “Last year in 2016 we had no St Patrick’s Day celebrations as the committee had huge debts to pay. “This year we held a public meeting to gather suppor t and for a bit of consultation, from the Irish community and asked them what they’d like to see. “This year we’re trying to keep it simple and strip it back a bit, and just put on an enjoyable day out for people. “We got a lot of feedback that people wanted to have something a bit different than amusements. “We’ll have local Irish bands, with

craft stalls, activities and food vendors. What we’re hoping to have is a relaxed day with something for everyone. “We’ve found there is still an air of enthusiasm for the event, the fact we had nothing last year, sparked a big response because people missed it. “We went from having one of the biggest parades to having nothing, which really triggered a response, people may have taken it for granted before, but are keen to have it back now”, he added. “It’s hard to gauge the numbers as the parade used to gather a lot of people to watch it, and people come and go at any one time, but we’re expecting around 15,000. “We’ve had massive response to the children’s parade; we actually had to close submissions because we had over 250 applications,” Mr Kineavy said. Although catering for families, the committee is keen to emphasise the event will still have the kind of Irish

festivities everyone expects. We’ll have traditional music, a session tent, a main stage and a ceili band, we’re confident we’ll have a few up dancing after a few drinks. “At the end of the day, it’s an event, for the community by the community, organised by volunteers and we just want everyone to come out and have a great day.” • The Irish Australian business community will gather at Sydney’s new International Convention Centre for the annual Lansdowne Club St Patrick’s Day Lunch on March 17. The event, which is sold out, has a special significance this year because it is the 30th anniversar y of the establishment of the Lansdowne Club. The Irish Echo understands that the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has been invited along as guest of honour this year and that he is expected to attend. The newly elected Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian, is also tipped to be there.

BRISBANE

Irish festival kicks off this weekend BRISBANE kicks off its Irish heritage celebrations this year with Brisbane Irish Festival on March 11. Moret than 40,000 visitors attend the parade in the CBD last year, and a similar turnout is expected this year, despite a change in route. In order to improve the parade, 2017’s event will start and end outside the Botanic Gardens on Alice Street to accommodate an increase in the quality and quantity of floats and groups participating. Vice-president of the Brisbane Irish Festival Gavin Roach says although the r oute change was unexpected, organisers plan to play it to their advantage. “The biggest change we have this year will be the new route which is due to roadworks in the city. However, it’s worked out well for us, and we’re delighted to have a much bigger space for everyone to celebrate in this year. “We’re still having submissions for floats only a few days out, so we’re excited to see how they turn out. “After the parade, we’re organising a picnic in the gardens with live bands, food and craft stalls, encouraging people to hang around and celebrate with us a bit longer. With the gardens, it’s a lot more child friendly and in previous years we found the Irish club packed up ver y quickly, and we’re expecting a big crowd.” “In Brisbane we see a steady influx every year of Irish coming out, so it’s important to make sure we have these celebrations to keep the community together and give everyone a taste of home and a sense of pride when we’re all so far away. It’ll be a very inclusive and a good family day out for everyone.” Not dampened by their recent loss of their Irish Club home, The Queensland Irish Association (QIA) has continued to organise its annual St Patrick’s Eve Dinner. The 118-year-old event will be held at the Pullman Hotel (formerly The Crest), King George Square, on Thursday March 16.

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

Telephone: +61 2 9555 9199 A NOD TO HISTORY: The Irish National Pipe band in the Melbourne St Patrick’s Day parade around 1960 featuring Irish drum major Seamus Daly, pipe major Joe McSpirrit, pipers Mick Cummins, Pat Ryan, and Jim Daly and marshals Paddy Power (left) and Harry Murray. Courtesy Geraldine Ryan.

MELBOURNE

Fitzroy to host major Irish community gathering Aoife Grace Moore MELBOURNE’S St Patrick’s Day celebrations are centred around a Family Festival this year, a free event which will be held on Sunday March 19th from 12pm at Edinburgh Gardens in Fitzroy. Traditional Irish music acts Zeon, Paddy Fitz and friends, Comhaltas and Borderline Kaylee will all feature on the main stage alongside Irish dancing groups. There are some great activities for the kids including races, sports and stilt walkers Irish food vendors will be serving up beloved Irish fare including Curry Chips and Sausages Committee member Catherine Dunbar says a new committee takeover has encouraged a wider community focus.

“The previous committee had been involved in organising the celebration had been there for many years, so they took a step back and we started a new one with the previous chairman Morgan Fallon. “It’s been fantastic, the aim is to build on the great platform that the previous committee have left in the last 10 to15 years and they’ve created what is really a focal point in Melbourne calendar. “The handover has been wonderful and they’ve been really supportive. It’s so important to us to promote the family focus, and a place for both people who are Irish and aren’t, to celebrate the community. “We want to be as inclusive as possible, anyone who wants to participate can. “The public have been wonderful.

We hope for a good turnout, and good weather, and we’ll see how it goes. “We’re really excited, and its a new step for the committee, and to acknowledge the great work the last committee has done. “As an Irish person in Melbourne there aren’t a lot of events that allow us to come together, certainly for children,” Ms Dunbar said. Melbourne’s celebrations are traditionally a smaller event than other Australian cities because of its much smaller Irish population, however Catherine and her team are expecting up to 5,000 visitors on the day. Meanwhile, the flagship corporate lunch in Melbourne for the Irish Australian business community will be held Docklands on St Patrick’s Day itself. The move to a new venue for

2017 is due to the need for a greater capacity because for the last three years the events were fully booked and guests were turned away. “We have about 1000 people attending this year of Irish descent or from Ireland, and a lot of people with business interests into and out of Ireland. We have invited the prime minister [Malcolm Turnbull] and the premier [Daniel Andrews], however we understand they’re busy and their diaries can change, but we find that the day itself is such a well received occasion that we don’t need to focus too hard on political or VIP guests. “Many of our guests love to be part of the day, it’s one of the best corporate lunches around in Melbourne and the Brisbane lunch will run this year again too.”

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news MELBOURNE-BASED OFFALY MAN GETS PUB LOGO TATTOED ON HIS LEG

A tat hasty? Drinker inks pub logo Aoife Grace Moore

The Fifth Provice Irish bar in St Kilda and (inset) the pub’s logo tattoed on the leg of Offaly man Noel Larkin.

MELBOURNE’S most dedicated pub regular has gone to extreme lengths to commemorate his favourite pub. Noel Larkin from Co Offaly has had the logo of The Fifth Province Irish pub in Melbourne tattooed on his leg. The 24 year-old construction worker says the idea began after a conversation over a few pints on a Sunday afternoon and escalated into a bet. “Just before Christmas, the lads and I were out for a few when one said ‘I bet you wouldn’t get a Fifth Province tattoo’ and I wasn’t losing a bet so I said I would. “I went down to a local tattoo shop then and there, but he was all booked out, so I booked in an appointment for the fifth of January. I went down stone cold sober, and got a tattoo of the Fifth, on the fifth.” After his tattoo healed, Noel showed owners and staf f of the pub, and

received a $50 bar tab for his troubles. “A few of the staff were there the day we made the bet, but they couldn’t believe I’d actually go and do it. They got a great laugh out of it and we got a few photos. “People generally think it’s really

“

“My parents haven’t been over yet but I’m positive my mam will just call me an eejit.

”

funny – everyone gets a kick out of it. “Any Irish person who’s lived in Melbourne knows the Fifth, and even when I leave I’ll always have a good memor y of Australia and the Fifth Province.” Although Noel has four more tattoos (that don’t involve pubs), he says he

hasn’t showed his parents yet. My parents haven’t been over yet but I’m positive my mam will just call me an eejit. “It was $180 well spent. I don’t think I’ll ever regret it.” The bar, situated in St Kilda in the city’s south is a well-known hub for the Irish expat community and although extremely popular, the pub says this is their first tattoo commemoration. “This is cer tainly the first Fifth Province tattoo we’ve seen. The guy who did the tattoo is actually Irish as well; he comes in for breakfast every now and again, so we have both that tattoo artist and Noel as punters,” said bar manager Finn. “When Noel told us we didn’t believe it, we never thought he would’ve followed through with it, but it looks good. Noel has a very ‘you only live once’ attitude and we all think it’s pretty cool. At the end of the day it’s his leg he can do what he wants with it.”

DANIEL O’DONNELL

Donegal crooner’s appeal extends beyond expats Aoife Grace Moore DANIEL O’Donnell is back on Australian shores this month touring the country with a new album and a revamped band for his 14th Australian tour. After a two-year break from touring Daniel has hit the road again Down Under, starting in New Zealand before landing in Australia this weekend to kick off his nationwide tour in Newcastle. Daniel has enjoyed tour and chart success in Australia for more than two decades, earning him a loyal following around the country. And although most Irish performers rely heavily on expats for ticket sales, Daniel is in a league of his own. “I have always found that I have more Australians in the crowd when I tour here. We get Irish, surely, but the majority of people are Australian. “I often do meet and greets with the fans after a show and over here I find the vast majority are Australian or from New Zealand,” he said. Daniel’s rise began in 1987 with his second album I Need You entered the UK country album charts, and he first visited Australia in 1992. “The first time I came to Australia was 1992 for a visit and promotional work, and then we toured in 1993. “I suppose what I was surprised at, was the Australian people seemed like the people from home. I had never met many Australians before, and I found the influence of Europe very strong on the people here, and they’re very similar to us in their way of behaving. “We enjoy it here very much, they get the humour too, and we have bit of craic. I don’t think of a difference in between shows, I sing the same songs, I do the same show, I don’t alter it for the audiences, it’s the same everywhere.” By 2010 Daniel had achieved 19 single and 26 album UK pop chart successes, was awarded an MBE for services to the music industry. He has now sold more than seven million albums and three million DVDs. The 55 year-old has performed at the Royal Albert Hall, and The Point, Dublin to New York’s Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House, but he continues to set himself fresh ambitions. “I’m always looking for new fans and performing new music but I like to stick to my style. We alter it a bit but I

wouldn’t change it to something that I don’t enjoy. I won’t change for anyone, you need to love your music to perform it all the time,” he said. After a stint on Strictly Come Dancing on 2015 and a reality TV show with his wife Majella currently airing on RTÉ, Daniel says he’s not against more TV work should it come his way. “I haven’t thought much about it. I hope that we’ll tour for a long time yet and enjoy that. I never thought I’d do Strictly, or the show with Majella, but when they come up and seem right, I wouldn’t be against it.” Majella, his wife whom he married in 2002, has not accompanied him to Australia but the couple recently went on a Caribbean cruise together so Daniel could perform. “It’s just myself and the band here in Australia. I left Ireland on February 9 after the cruise and I’ll be back on April 8. I don’t get homesick as I’m never away for that long and when I’m home, I’m home for a few weeks. “Other people who are working go out at 8am and don’t get back to seven at night. When I’m home Majella and I can go and do what we want; we get as much time together, if not more than, as regular couples.” Daniel’s tour will take him all over the country in the next few weeks with a special St Patrick’s Day show in the Gold Coast. “We’re looking forward to going around and meeting everyone again, we meet sometimes people from home in Sydney and Perth. I know there are lots of young Irish people there, and I’d love to see them coming out the shows.”

Daniel’s tour dates are: March 13 and 14: Melbourne Hamer Hall March 17: Tweed Heads Twin Towns Services Club March 18: Brisbane Convention Centre March 20: Canberra Royal Theatre March 21: Sydney State Theatre March 23: Adelaide Festival Ce ntre March 25: Riverside Theatre, Perth

HUGE FAN BASE DOWN UNDER: Daniel O’Donnell, who tours Australia this month, is one of Ireland’s most successful recording artists, having sold over seven million albums across the world.

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A U S TRA L IA’S IRIS H N EWS PAPER

news TAOISEACH TO ADDRESS HIS POLITICAL FUTURE AFTER ST PATRICK’S DAY

US shamrock swansong for Kenny Brian Hutton

ENDA Kenny has told party colleagues he will outline plans for his political future after St Patrick’s Day. Speculation has been mounting for weeks about the Taoiseach’s timeline for standing down with a number of Cabinet colleagues being tipped to take over. Mr Kenny – Ireland’s longest serving TD – has seen off leadership heaves before but vowed last year he would not contest the next general election as the leader Fine Gael. An ongoing controversy over the treatment of a Garda whistleblower, which has resulted in the establishment of a public inquiry, threatened to topple his minority-led administration in recent weeks and brought the question of his leadership centre stage again. As rumours abounded in political circles about a move against him within his own ranks, Mr Kenny addressed the issue at a meeting of the Fine Gael

parliamentar y par ty meeting in Leinster House last week. A number of sources at the meeting said he told TDs and senators that he would address his ongoing leadership ef fectively and conclusively after March 17, when he is travelling to Washington to meet US President Donald Trump. In a long-standing tradition, the Taoiseach visits the White House on St Patrick’s Day to present a bowl of shamrock to the US president. At the meeting, Mr Kenny gave a short speech and was applauded afterwards, without any debate on the matter. The Taoiseach also did not give any timeline for his departure. Martin Heydon, Fine Gael’s chairman, claimed the party would proceed in a united fashion. “The Taoiseach has addressed this issue and he will tell us of his intentions after his trip to the US next month,” he said. “He has already said he will not lead Fine Gael into the next general

election. He reiterated that position again tonight. He has told us he will outline his intentions effectively and conclusively shortly after his return from the US.” Mr Heydon said there are “international challenges” – with the UK leaving the European Union – and “a potentially changing Eur opean frontier” that the Irish government would be focusing on in the weeks ahead. Mr Kenny may seek to delay his departure until at least May. He told members of Fine Gael’s European group, the European People’s Par ty (EPP), he intends attending a gathering in Wicklow on May 11 and 12. The meeting will include prominent members of the EPP group’s bureau and presidency, which is responsible for the group’s political and strategic decisions ,and high-profile speakers from Europe, as well as those from Fine Gael.

Mr Kenny has said that he wants to attend at least two Brexit-related EU summits as well as a major EPP meeting in Malta which would bring him through to mid-April. Sean Kelly, MEP, who will host the event in May, said: “I am delighted to confirm that the EPP group has accepted my invitation and I will be honoured to host a meeting of the EPP group in Wicklow on May 11-12. “The implications of Brexit will be a major issue on the agenda as well as other key EU policies.” Support for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil is almost equal while Sinn Féin has the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll shows. Fine Gael support is at 28 per cent (up by one point); Fianna Fáil, 29 per cent (down by one point); Labour, four per cent (down by two points); Sinn Féin, 21 per cent (up by four points) and Independents/others, 18 per cent (down by two points), the Irish Times/ Ipsos MRBI poll shows.

Pressure is mounting on Taoiseach Enda Kenny to step aside.

LEADERSHIP CONTENDERS

Coveney and Varadkar to face off for top job

Leo Varadkar has emerged as the popular pick to become the next Fine Gael leader and probable Taoiseach. His chief opponent Simon Coveney (inset) has laughed off suggestions that he is too “boring”.

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ONE of the favourites to take over from Taoiseach Enda Kenny has called for a speedy transition in the Fine Gael leadership after St Patrick’s Day. Housing Minister Simon Coveney said Mr Kenny should go to Washington DC but hoped for an orderly change soon afterwards. He and Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar are expected to run for the leadership. “My opinion is that the Taoiseach should go to Washington because there has been a huge amount of work in preparation for that visit and it is in the country’s interest that he go,” Mr Coveney told RTÉ’s The Week In Politics. “But I think after that visit you will see, I hope, an orderly and quite a quick transition after that to a new leadership within Fine Gael. But I trust the Taoiseach to use his own judgment on this, he has been around a long time and my sense is that he will provide that certainty quickly.” Mr Coveney has already warned against trying to force the Taoiseach out and said ousting him would be wrong. Mr Varadkar, meanwhile, has said the Taoiseach will know when the time is right to step aside. Public attention however is focusing

strongly on the potential leadership tussle between Mr Coveney and Mr Varadkar. Mr Coveney was asked last week if it annoyed him that some media coverage focused on pictures of him and his family, compared with pictures of Leo Varadkar, who is gay, on his own or with his partner. “I’ve made it clear that this should be about ideas, it should be about a vision for the country, it should be about a person’s record in terms of how they’ve performed to date, whether they have the energy and talent and intelligence to do the job and whether they have a vision for the country and the party that can garner support within the party,” Mr Coveney said. “That’s what it should be about, not about people’s private lives or their family. “I think the more we focus on what a new leader for the country and what the Fine Gael party can do, primarily for the country but also for the future of Fine Gael, the better.” Mr Coveney laughed when a description by a newspaper columnist of him as “boring” was put to him. “I certainly don’t think I am, but I’ll leave other people judge that.”

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ireland GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT MUST BE INCLUDED IN BREXIT ARRANGEMENTS

Future united Ireland must be considered in Brexit deal Brian Hutton

ENDA Kenny has insisted on a clause in the Brexit deal to allow Northern Ireland rejoin the European Union as part of a united Ireland. After a summit with European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker, the Taoiseach said the Good Friday Agreement must be stitched into the outcome of talks on Britain leaving the bloc.

“

We want … at some future time, whenever that might be, if [a reunited Ireland] were to occur, that Northern Ireland would have ease of access to join as a member of the European Union again.

”

Referring to the fall of the Berlin Wall, he said the EU divorce deal must allow for Nor ther n Ireland to “seamlessly” reunite with the Republic of Ireland if a majority votes for it. “We want that to remain in such a position that the language of what is contained in the Good Friday Agreement will also be contained in the

negotiations outcome,” he said at a press conference in Brussels. “In other words, if at some future time, whenever that might be, if it were to occur, that Northern Ireland would have ease of access to join as a member of the European Union again. “We want that language inserted into the negotiated treaty or negotiated outcome whenever that might occur.” Flanked by Mr Juncker, Mr Kenny said Europe suppor ted the internationally recognised Good Friday Agreement peace deal, which allows for a united Ireland if democratically backed by Northern Ireland. The region voted to remain in the EU during last year’s in/out referendum by 56 per cent to 44 per cent. However, the largest party, the D e m o c r a t i c U n i o n i s t P a r t y, campaigned for a leave vote and has insisted the overall UK result must be respected. Mr Kenny said the language of the Good Friday Agreement is self explanatory. “It provides for that opportunity... in respect of that situation that arose arose when the Berlin Wall was taken down and East Germany was able to join West Germany in a seamless fashion,” he said. “That is already inherent in the Good Friday Agreement, therefore in protecting that, we want that language incorporated into the (Br exit)

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker with Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Brussels.

agr eement that will eventually emerge.” Mr Juncker vowed the EU and Ireland would work closely together to minimise the impact of Brexit on Irish citizens. The EC president also explicitly declared there should be no “hard border” between Nor ther n Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as a result of Brexit. “We don’t want to have borders

between Northern Ireland and the Republic,” he said. “We want to have the Good Friday Agreement not being put at risk and we want the land border being as open as possible.” The 310-mile border has been vir tually invisible since the peace process. Debate has raged over the possible fall-out for peace, trade and freedom of movement on the island following the EU pull-out.

HARD BORDER

Special EU status pitch for North A HARD border dividing Ireland is inevitable unless a special EU status is secured for Northern Ireland, Gerry Adams has said. At a major Brexit summit, the Sinn Féin leader said the Irish Government’s refusal to back widespread calls to negotiate a special status is a “grave mistake”. “Without such a designation a hard border is inevitable,” he told the allisland dialogue forum in Dublin Castle. The summit is the second all-island gathering to help form Ireland’s response to Britain’s decision to pull out of the EU. Mr Kenny said when Theresa May triggers Article 50 to begin the process, Ireland faces the “most impor tant negotiations in our histor y as an independent state”. Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin agreed with the Sinn Féin leader that Northern Ireland is a special case. “For a range of reasons which we have outlined ...we believe that Northern Ireland is a unique case and it should have a special status,” he told the gathering. If the UK Government will not propose this, then it is our job to propose ways forward. “Given just the fact that Northern Ireland will contain the largest concentration of EU citizens outside of the EU, it is different.” Mr Mar tin warned Brexit is the greatest threat to Ireland since the State was founded.

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A U S TRA L IA’S IRIS H N EWS PAPER

ireland ‘SIGNIFICANT QUANTITY’ OF HUMAN REMAINS AT FORMER MOTHER AND BABY HOME

They were called ‘children of sin’ Brian Hutton

A “SIGNIFICANT” quantity of human remains has been discovered in “underground chambers” at a former home for unmarried mothers and their babies in Ireland. A commission set up to investigate alleged abuse at religious-run so-called mother and baby homes has been carr ying out an excavation at the former Catholic Church institution in Tuam, Co Galway. It said it was “shocked” by the discovery of “significant quantities of human remains” in at least 17 of 20 underground chambers being excavated in recent weeks. “A small number of remains were recovered for the purpose of analysis,” the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes said. “These remains involved a number of individuals with age-at-death ranges from approximately 35 foetal weeks to 2-3 years. Radiocarbon dating of the samples recovered suggest that the remains date from the time frame relevant to the operation of the mother and baby home.” The Tuam home operated from 1925 to 1961. A number of the samples are likely to date from the 1950s, the commission says. “The commission is shocked by this discover y and is continuing its investigation into who was responsible for the disposal of human remains in this way,” it said in a statement. “Meanwhile, the commission has asked that the relevant State authorities take responsibility for the appropriate

treatment of the remains.” A coroner has been notified. The Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone TD said the discovery was “very sad and disturbing news.” “It was not unexpected as there were claims about human remains on the site over the last number of years,” she said. “Up to now we had rumours. Now we have confirmation that the remains are there, and that they date back to the time of the mother and baby home, which operated in Tuam from 1925 to 1961.” The minister urged a sensitive and respectful response to the discovery. The commission was set up two years ago by the Irish Government to investigate state-sanctioned, religiousrun institutions used to house pregnant mothers. It was charged with investigating high mortality rates at mother and baby homes across several decades of the 20th century, the burial practices at these sites and also secret and illegal adoptions and vaccine trials on children. It is thought about 35,000 unmarried mothers spent time in one of 10 homes run by religious orders in Ireland. An inquir y was ordered after massive national and international focus on the story of the Sisters of the Bon Secours in Tuam, where the remains of 796 infants are believed to be buried. Other than T uam, three other mother and baby homes have so-called little angels plots that are believed to hold the remains of another 3,200 ba-

The site of a mass grave for children who died in the Tuam mother and baby home, Galway where a “significant” quantity of human remains has been discovered in “underground chambers”: Niall Carson/PA Wire

bies and infants: Sean Ross Abbey, Tipperary; Bessborough, Co Cork, and Castlepollard, Co Westmeath. Infant mortality rates ranged from 30 per cent to 50 per cent in some of the homes in the 1930s and 1940s. Labour Party TD Joan Burton said the findings at Tuam are “truly gruesome and no doubt deeply upsetting to anyone associated with the Tuam home”. “The grim discovery also highlights the important work of local historian Catherine Corless in bringing this case to light,” she added. “It now appears as though these children were interred in some kind of

mass grave, possibly without normal funeral rights, and maybe even without their wider families having been made aware. “There have also been allegations that there may have been similar instances with other mother and baby homes around the country. “I believe the government should resource the commission so that all such allegations can be included, Ms Burton said. “It is now incumbent upon the Catholic Church to assist in whatever way they can, so that the truth should be set out in relation to these matters.”

Long-time Tuam resident Kevin O’Dwyer grew up near the old mother and baby home. He told the Irish Times he could still hear the clatter of their hobnail boots on the way to primary school. “We’d hear the boots on the road in the morning,” he told the Irish Times. ”They were always kept back so they wouldn’t arrive at school the same time as the rest of us. That also meant they got a slap for being late – every single day. At age six or seven, they would be taken out and sent to foster homes or industrial school. “They were looked upon as children of sin,” he added.

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Fifty aircraft refused access to Ireland’s airspace in 2016 Ed Carty

FIFTY aircraft were refused access to Irish airspace and airports last year over concerns they were carr ying indiscriminate militar y hardware, it has been revealed. The planes, classed as civilian and believed to be mostly US, sought permission to fly over the country, stop or refuel at Shannon but were denied on advice from government officials. The Department of Transport said a total of 889 planes carrying guns and weapons applied to use Irish airports or airspace. Some 808 permits were granted with the majority landing in Shannon while another 31 applications were cancelled. No information has been revealed about the reasons why the 50 military contracted planes were denied access to Ireland or what exact type of munitions were believed to have been on board. In 2015 the Department of Transport granted 584 exemptions for aircraft to land at Shannon with guns on board compared to 1,495 in 2007. There were 19 refusals. The figures were released after anti-war group ShannonWatch said it had counted at least 730 US military flights coming through Shannon Airpor t last year – more than two aircraft every day owned by or operated on behalf of the US Air Force, Marines or Navy. The figure is the highest number recorded by the group since it began daily monitoring in 2008. Ed Horgan, spokesman for the campaign and a former Irish Army

officer and United Nations elections’ inspector, said: “These are the numbers recorded by ShannonWatch but they may not reflect the total numbers coming through. And the numbers surprised me.” Mr Horgan said Ireland’s approach to the use of airspace and airports as a neutral country should be compared with the attitude of Switzerland and Austria, two countries which routinely refuse US military access. The Department of Foreign Affairs defended granting access to Irish air space and airports to the US military. It insisted that the troops on board and the planes must be unarmed, with no cargo of arms, ammunition or explosives, not engage in intelligence gathering and not form part of military exercises or operations. “Ireland remains strictly neutral and objective in applying the same strict conditions to the use of our airport by military aircraft belonging to all UN member states,” a spokesman said. Meanwhile, British military chiefs are facing a dressing down over the unapproved landing of RAF aircraft in Shannon in late December. A Hercules transport plane landed without seeking clearance from the Dublin government in advance. Ireland’s foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan said: “I have instructed my officials to discuss the matter fur ther with the British Embassy [to ensure] that correct procedures are followed in future.” Independent TD Clare Daly said the incident was “a total affront to our sovereignty and ....neutrality.”

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northern ireland - stormont elections DUP LOSES ‘PETITION OF CONCERN’ VETO POWER AT STORMONT

Power shift opens door to same-sex marriage David Young THE DUP has lost the power to trigger a controversial Stormont veto mechanism that blocked the introduction of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. Tabling a “petition of concern” means a proposal before the Assembly can only be carried with the support of a majority of both nationalist and unionist members, rather than a straight head count. A valid petition requires the signature of 30 Assembly members. In the previous mandate the DUP, with 38 seats, was the only party that could table one on its own. That handed it an effective veto on a range of issues, including proposals to lift the region’s ban on gay marriage. Emerging from the election with 28 seats, the DUP has lost what had been a key legislative tool. With the Assembly being reduced from 108 to 90 seats, the DUP was always in line to lose some seats in the

poll. Many viewed the crucial 30-seat mark as the DUP’s dividing line between a successful or failed election. Jim Allister, the Assembly’s sole Traditional Unionist Voice MLA, has indicated his willingness to sign any petition that would block changes to marriage or abortion laws. That would still leave the DUP one signature short of the crucial 30 and reliant on support from elsewhere in the chamber. The issue could be rendered moot if the Stormont’s parties fail to form another power-sharing executive in post-election negotiations and direct rule from Westminster is reintroduced by the Government. While the DUP has deployed the petition the most in recent years, Sinn Féin has combined with other parties to trigger the mechanism. The republican party teamed up with the SDLP on a number of occasions to block the introduction of contentious changes to the welfare system.

UNCERTAIN FUTURE: DUP leader Arlene Foster is under pressure following a poor performance in the Stormont elections. Her party now holds only one seat more than Sinn Féin.

SINN FÉIN CELEBRATES ‘WATERSHED’ ELECTION RESULT

Perpertual Unionist majority ‘demolished’ Deborah McAleese

SINN Féin leader Gerry Adams has said the “perpetual unionist majority” at Stormont has been “demolished” following the result of the Northern Ireland Assembly election. A jubilant Mr Adams said it was a “watershed” moment after his party closed to within a single seat of the Democratic Unionist Party. He also said Sinn Féin’s new leader in the north, Michelle O’Neill, will be holding talks with Prime Minister Theresa May and Taoiseach Enda Kenny about the impact of Brexit on Ireland, north and south, over the next few weeks. Speaking outside the party’s West Belfast office, Mr Adams said Sinn Féin wants to quickly engage in a process with other party leaders to ensure powersharing is restored. But he again insisted that the party will not support DUP leader Arlene Foster as Nor thern Ireland’s first minister until she has been cleared of any wr ongdoing r elated to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scandal. However, it could leave the executive in limbo for up to a year, as it emerges that the inquiry into RHI will not supply any preliminary findings to speed up the process. “There is a need for this inquiry to come to conclusions before we can nominate [Arlene Foster] for a position of first minister,” Mr Adams said. “The first position we put was that Arlene Foster stand aside until a preliminary report. Now we are being told there will be no preliminar y report. Our position is very straightforward. We will not be consenting to Arlene Foster being first minister until this issue is cleared up.” He added that “what was good enough for Peter Robinson [who twice stood aside as first minister amid controversy] is good enough for Arlene Foster”. Ms O’Neill, who replaced Martin McGuinness in January, said she is to

SELFIE SATISFIED: Gerry Adams with Sinn Féin colleagues after the party came within one seat of the DUP in the Stormont elections.

hold talks with both the British and Irish governments to discuss the way for ward for the region’s political institutions. “I also made contact with the leaders of all the political parties to talk about next week and how we are going to conduct ourselves in the time ahead. “We obviously have a period of three weeks in front of us and whilst the task isn’t going to be easy it is achievable if people come at it with the right attitude,” Ms O’Neill added. The pro-Brexit DUP nar rowly remained the region’s largest party by only after a surge by Sinn Féin propelled the republican party into making major gains over the DUP. Having entered the election 10 seats ahead of Sinn Féin, the DUP’s advantage was slashed to a solitary seat. DUP MP Jef frey Donaldson has insisted there is no question over Ms Foster’s future as party leader despite the party’s disappointing performance.

Mr Donaldson said that despite the bruising election the DUP is still the largest party and their focus now “is on Arlene and the par ty getting a government up and running again at Stormont”. “I must say, I am not aware of any election in the past where the leader of the largest party resigns because they have won the election. “We need to learn the lesson and understand what people were saying in this election and what the key messages are. “ We h a v e b e e n g i v e n t h e responsibility as the main party to take the lead at Stormont and that is what we intend to do so we are not going to get bogged down on what some people want to focus on, which is personalities. “Arlene is leading the largest party and we need to get on with the job of forming a government that works for us all,” Mr Donaldson said. Sinn Féin and the DUP now have three weeks to establish a government. If a government cannot be formed between the two main parties within that time then, under law, another election will be called. However, Mr Donaldson said he does not believe Westminster will want another election. “If we can’t get a government formed within three weeks I don’t think the Westminster government will allow another election. I think they will introduce direct rule. “We are determined to work to achieve [a power-sharing government] but if it doesn’t happen I fear we could be looking at a lengthy period of direct rule.” Only 1,168 first preference votes separated the DUP and Sinn Féin and, for the first time, Unionists will not have an overall majority at Stormont. Amid the fallout, Mike Nesbitt said he would resign as Ulster Unionist leader. It was a positive campaign for both the SDLP and Alliance who both maintained their seats.

ELECTION TIMELINE

How ‘cash for ash’ scandal ended in snap election Michael McHugh

TIMELINE of events leading up to the calling of the Nor ther n Ireland Assembly election and the subsequent campaign. :: June 2016 – Press Association reports allegations of a multimillion-pound “cash for ash” scandal in relation to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) ecoscheme. In response, auditors confirm they are investigating. :: July – An Audit Office report into RHI says “serious systematic failings” would hit the Northern Ireland budget by “hundreds of millions of pounds”. :: September – The Public Accounts Committee launches an investigation into the Audit Office’s findings. A series of key officials involved in the scheme give evidence about an initiative one committee member brands “the biggest financial scandal since devolution”. :: December 6 – The Spotlight programme causes a public storm over RHI after revealing a whistle-blower contacted the then economy minister Arlene Foster. The show’s use of images of cash being burned in a bonfire catches the public mood and escalates the issue to a full-blown political crisis. :: December 14 – DUP MLA Jonathan Bell breaks party ranks to level a series of allegations against the First Minister and party advisers. He claims he tried to pull the shutters down sooner on the scheme but was dissuaded by Mrs Foster and DUP advisers. Mrs Foster disputes his account. :: December 16 – Martin McGuinness calls on Mrs Foster to “stand aside” as First Minister while the “cash for ash” scandal is investigated. Mrs Foster replies that she will not be stepping aside and “does not take her instructions from Sinn Féin”. :: January 5 – Former DUP MLA David McIlveen criticises Mrs Foster for what he describes as the RHI “omnishambles”. Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams says the political institutions have reached “a defining point” over the First Minister’s refusal to step aside. :: January 9 – Mr McGuinness resigns as Deputy First Minister in protest at

the DUP’s handling of the RHI scandal. :: January 10 – Secretary of State James Brokenshire says the situation makes an Assembly election look “highly likely”. He calls for talks with all parties to find a resolution to the crisis at Stormont. :: January 11 – Sinn Féin says it will not enter negotiations ahead of new Assembly elections. Prime Minister Theresa May says the Government is putting “every effort” into ensuring a solution is reached. :: January 13 – RHI inspectors say they have suspended payments at more than half the boilers they have audited. Regulator Ofgem said of the 63 inspected, payments were suspended at 33. Five have since had payments reinstated after investigations. :: January 16 – Sinn Féin refuses to nominate a Deputy First Minister to replace Mr McGuinness. Mr Brokenshir e announces a snap Assembly election on March 2. :: January 19 – An ailing Mr McGuinness announces he is not standing in the Assembly election for Foyle. :: Januar y 23 – Michelle O’Neill is named the new leader of Sinn Féin in the north. :: February 15 – Mrs O’Neill said she would not go back into government with the DUP leader while there was an RHI “cloud hanging over her”. :: Februar y 19 – Amid controversy about the prosecution of British soldiers for conflict crimes, Mrs O’Neill marked the deaths of four IRA men shot dead by the SAS in 1992 in her home village. :: February 23 – The DUP demanded measures to ensure British soldiers who served in the North cannot face probes into their actions if they have already been investigated. :: March 2 – Voters go to the polls in the second Stor mont Assembly election in less than a year. :: March 4 – The DUP’s symbolic majority is all but eliminated. Of the 90 seats available, the DUP wins 28, Sinn Féin 27, the SDLP 12, the UUP 10, Alliance eight, Green Party two, People Befor e Pr ofit one plus two for independent unionists.

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A U S TRA L IA’S IRIS H N EWS PAPER

news BREXIT THREAT TO AGRI-FOOD SECTOR

New markets needed after Brexit shock Brian Hutton

IRISH food companies need to quickly move beyond their reliance on the UK if they are to survive a Brexit worstcase scenario, a parliamentar y watchdog has found. Agricultural businesses and the fishing industry are in “a position of extreme exposure to trade losses” over Britain’s decision to pull out of the EU, the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine said. In its report on the impact of the UK’s in/out referendum on Ireland’s food industry, the committee said 40 per cent of food exports to the UK as well as a third of Ireland’s fishing catch is under threat. Mushroom and beef businesses are particularly at risk. Pat Deering, committee chairman, said firms need to look beyond the UK for exports and consider developing new products for new markets as trading with our nearest neighbour could become much more difficult. “Uncer tainty has led to the weakening of sterling, which is putting pressure on prices and exports,” he added. “While our close proximity to the UK remains valuable, Ireland must

diversify; finding new export markets for existing products and developing new products to substitute for loss of market share in the UK.” The committee, which held a number of hearings before compiling the report, also said any negotiated deal between the UK and the EU should “neither reward nor punish the UK” for its decision in the referendum. Any divorce deal should be “nuanced”, it argues, so as not to embolden eurosceptics in other countries who would use a lenient deal to pursue their own cause. Meanwhile, Irish EU Commissioner, Phil Hogan, has said the Irish agribusiness sector must prepare for the worst-case Brexit scenario. “All we can say, with any certainty, is that, as things stand, we cannot say anything with any certainty.” Irish farmers, he said, need to develop new markets to counter the negative impact of Brexit. “It is, therefore, imperative that the Irish Government, the Irish agri-food community, and other trading sectors of the economy prepare for a full spectrum of possibilities,” Mr Hogan said in Dublin.

2003 1988

2018 30th

FULL IMPACT OF SCANDALS DIFFICULT TO ASSESS

WORRIED: Garda chief Nóirín O’Sullivan with other top brass at the Policing Authority meeting in Dublin.

Controversies have hurt Garda confidence Brian Hutton GARDA chief Nóirín O’Sullivan has admitted she is worried confidence in the force is taking a battering amid a welter of controversies. Under cross-examination by one of the force’s official watchdogs, the commissioner said it will take some time to uncover the full impact of ongoing scandals. “Am I concerned about any impact on confidence? Of course I am,” she told the Policing Authority during a public meeting in Dublin. Ms O’Sullivan also accepted that

relentless negative revelations swirling around the force were taking their toll on morale. “Of course it has an impact,” she said. “There is no doubt about it. It will take some time to see what the impact on confidence is. I think we have to work really hard to reassure people that the day job is continuing to be done and we are there for people in their times of need.” The chairwoman of the Policing Authority, Josephine Feehily, said although she would like to put certain questions to the Garda chief, she could not quiz her on allegations being

investigated by the Charleton Tribunal. The inquiry is investigating claims that senior gardaí orchestrated a smear campaign, including false sexual abuse allegations, against a high-profile whistleblower who exposed significant wrongdoing in the force. Ms Feehily asked Ms O’Sullivan if she could reassure the public that Garda performance was not suffering because of the controversies and crises. The Garda chief said the force had recently achieved a drop in property crime, organised crime and dissident republican activity while continuing to drive the biggest reforms in its history.

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AUST R ALIA’S IR ISH NE WSPAP E R

ireland SEX ABUSE SURVIVOR QUITS VATICAN CHILD PROTECTION PANEL

Vatican response ‘shameful’ Brian Hutton

clerical sexual abuse by bringing in outside expertise. “However, despite the Holy Father approving all the recommendations made to him by the commission, there have been constant setbacks,” she said in her resignation statement. “This has been directly due to the resistance by some members of the Vatican Curia to the work of the Commission. The lack of co-operation, particularly by the dicastery (Vatican department) most closely involved in dealing with cases of abuse, has been shameful,” she added. Ms Collins said “a simple recommendation approved by Pope Francis” late last year on a small procedural change to the care of sex abuse victims was refused. At the same time, a request for cooperation on a “fundamental issue of commission work in regard to safeguarding was also refused”. “While I hope the commission will

succeed in overcoming this resistance, for me it’s the last straw,” she said. Dubliner Ms Collins became a household name in Ireland when she went public about being sexually abused as a child during the 1960s by a priest in a children’s hospital. Her braver y was instrumental in encouraging other survivors to come forward, ultimately forcing the State to launch several inquires which exposed the scale of Catholic child sex abuse. One in Four, an organisation that suppor ts abuse victims, said Ms Collins’ resignation brings into question the sincerity of some Vatican personnel in dealing with survivors. Executive Director Maeve Lewis said: “The way in which the Curia stymied most recommendations of the commission shows a reluctance to accept the reality of clerical sexual abuse. Despite all the protestations of commitment to child protection, it appears that very little has changed.”

Marie Collins became a household name in Ireland after revealing the abuse she suffered as a child.

AN Irish clerical sex abuse survivor has quit a Vatican panel set up by Pope Francis to deal with paedophile priest scandals becasue of what she says was a “shameful” lack of co-operation. Marie Collins accused some Vatican bureaucrats of “resistance” to the work of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and even blocking reforms backed by the Pope. “I can not at this point accept that there are still men in the Vatican ... that would resist the work to protect children; that still have the attitudes of 20 years ago,” she said. Ms Collins said the clericalism of some officials, who see other issues as more important, meant she could no longer stay in her role and still retain her integrity. Appointed to the commission three years ago, she stressed the “genuine wish” and sincerity by Pope Francis to deal with

REFUGEES

SCARY TIME FOR THE WORLD, SAYS MARTIN SCORSESE

Naval officer’s recalls ocean rescue trauma Ed Carty AN Irish naval officer on peacekeeping duty in Lebanon broke down as she recalled the trauma of her last mission – rescuing migrants and refugees on the Mediterranean. Jill Hamilton, from Cobh, Co Cork, fought back tears as she remembered a two-year-old girl being pulled from a boat where her mother lay dead. “It’s something that doesn’t leave your head, your mind,” she said. The communications operator with 19 years’ service in the navy was posted on the LE Róisín for three months last summer. On her return home she did not hesitate to take up a new post on the Unifil mission in south Lebanon, despite the obvious trauma in her mind of multiple maritime migrant rescues. Standing at an outpost in the Atiri townland overlooking the “Blue Line” war zone between Israel and Lebanon, Ms Hamilton revealed a harrowing story of a toddler watching unsuccessful attempts to save her mother’s life. “The lads were doing CPR on her, and unfortunately that lady never made it. And when they told the child’s auntie what had happened, the child’s mother, that lady, did not make it, it was just traumatic. It will never leave me,” Ms Hamilton (above) said. She said she was involved in multiple rescue operations on the Mediterranean. “To see the people on the boats who have seen your boat coming to get them, to see the relief on their faces, and we have brought them on board and they have literally nothing, only a T-shirt. And the little children, they’re so happy. “To think people took the chance to get a better life, not knowing whether they are going to come out of it alive. It just goes to show what they are leaving behind. It’s hard, very hard.”

Tech firm to create 150 Drogheda jobs A TECHNOLOGY company has vowed to create 150 jobs in Drogheda. Mobile Technologies Inc said it has already started recruiting for the new roles at its European headquarters in the Co Louth town. The technologybased positions are to be filled over the coming three years. Mobile Technologies Inc, which is headquartered in Oregon in the US, specialises in mobile device display technologies. Founded in 1977, it operates in more than 90 countries worldwide. Chris Remy, company president and chief executive, said Ireland’s membership of the EU was among the reasons for locating the jobs in Drogheda. “We chose Ireland due to its talented, technology-savvy workforce, attractive business environment, and its membership in the European Union,” he said.

Barry scoops top book award ... again SEBASTIAN Barry (pictured) has become the first novelist to win the Costa Book of the Year award for the second time. Mr Barry, 61, who won in 2008 with The Secret Scripture, claimed the award for his novel Days Without End, which is set in 1850s America. The Dublin-born author and playwright, who lives in County Wicklow with his wife and three children, was inspired to write about a gay relationship after his son came out. Mr Barry is the first novelist to win the coveted award twice.

Very few Travellers now live in caravans

DREAM COME TRUE: Film director Martin Scorsese (centre), with his wife Helen Morris (right) and daughter Francesca, after being awarded the prestigious John Ford Award. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Legend Scorsese moved by Irish acclaim LEGENDARY American director Martin Scorsese told an audience in Dublin that he wants to see more Irish films on the big screen. The Goodfellas and Taxi Driver icon was speaking at an Irish Film and Television Academy event where he received the academy’s prestigious John Ford Award from President Michael D Higgins. “There’s a lot of great talent here in Ireland and Irish films,” said Scorsese. “And I would like to see more. The New Yorker is a lifelong fan of Irish-American director Ford and said that receiving the award was “a dream”. Before receiving the honour, Scorsese had conducted a directing masterclass in association with IFTA. “When you start to make a picture, every obstacle is against you, but that’s the nature of making films” “The first name I saw in great films, great movies, great cinema was Ford. It was always the same name

in the credits,” he told the assembled filmmakers. Scorsese also visited Trinity College, where he was awarded the gold Honorary Patronage medal by the college’s Philosophical Society. The Oscar-winner also gave a speech and took part in a Q&A session at Trinity College, during which he discussed working with Leonardo DiCaprio and his forthcoming reunion with Robert De Niro on The Irishman. Speaking about De Niro and DiCaprio, with whom he has collaborated many times over the years, Scorsese said: “Obviously, with Bob, we struck up a relationship in the Seventies and we understood each other.” After disappointing box office returns (and another Oscar snub) for his recent film Silence, which stars Liam Neeson, Scorsese is back on more familiar territory for The Irishman, which stars his long-time collaborator De Niro, who apparently will be aged down to 30 years

using computer gnerated imagery. The film is a biopic of Frank ‘The Irishman’ Sheeran, a mob hitman who claimed to have been involved in the murder of union boss Jimmy Hoffa in 1975. Speaking at Trinity, Scorsese also said recent global developments remind him of the years leading up to the Second World War. “Being fascinated by history, I read as much as I can,” he told the audience. “It just reminds me of the late Twenties, the Thirties... Reading about how these things could have happened at that time. “It’s a scary time,” he added. Referring to the rise of global terrorism and making a reference to the traumatised Vietnam veteran played by Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver, Scorsese said that the aftermath of the 2003 Iraq invasion “had created thousands and thousands of Travis Bickles. “They say they have nothing to lose.”

ABOUT one in 10 Travellers still lives in a caravan, a census study has revealed. The majority – 88 per cent – of the Travelling community now lives in standard housing, the analysis of the last census show. The figures are carried in a report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), the country’s leading economic think tank. The report warns about the poor education, health and jobs prospects among the Traveller community. The ESRI says improving education among Travellers is key to reversing historic disadvantages. Its analysis of the 2011 census shows there are just under 30,000 Travellers living in Ireland, making up 0.6 per cent of the population.

Government marked down on homeless THE Government has received its worst mark in six years for children’s rights and campaigners warn that some of the most vulnerable are being rendered invisible. Awarding a D-plus grade, the Children’s Rights Alliance said those that were being left behind were young victims of crime; the homeless; the poverty stricken; those from Traveller and Roma families, and child refugees and asylum seekers. The figures show that 87 families with 151 children became homeless in January in Dublin alone. There are now 2,407 children living in emergency accommodation, hotels or B&Bs in Ireland.

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A U S TRA L IA’S IRIS H N EWS PAPER

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• Scavi Tour including Tomb of St Peter • Mamertine Prison (of Sts Peter and Paul) • St Peter in Chains Church • Vatican Carriage Museum • Vatican Gardens • Castel Gandolfo train day tour • Villa Borghese Gallery and Gardens tour • Castel Sant’Angelo museum • Walking tour of Trastevere including Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere • Pantheon, Churches of the Gesu and St Ignatius of Loyola • Night walking tour of Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona • PLUS Seasonal offerings depending on availability, e.g. Vatican Museums After Hours or Colosseum by Night

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AUST R ALIA’S IR ISH NE WSPAP E R

ireland CARDINAL DESMOND CONNELL DIES, AGED 90

Cardinal’s legacy contested Ed Carty

“He made mistakes in his decisions and he str uggled with the consequences,” he said. John Kelly, of the Survivors of Child Abuse (Soca), said Cardinal Connell will be remembered with anger by many victims. “He died leaving many, many unanswered questions and the truth hasn’t come out,” he said. “From the victims’ perspective, they will be saying this guy died without facing justice and I think they will be quite angry. “Some will say good riddance but I think more will regret that he didn’t face justice. Why do we keep talking about sins? These were crimes that these priests committed and it was a crime to cover it up.” Cardinal Connell was born in Dublin in 1926. He was appointed Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland in 1988 and served until 2004. Considered a shy and academic man who found it difficult to live in a world

of fast decisions, he caused outrage in 2008 and narrowly avoided a damaging public row with his successor when he mounted a High Court challenge to try to block a judge-led inquiry into clerical sex abuse having access to 5,500 files on priests and abuse allegations. He claimed legal privilege and secured a temporary injunction before withdrawing the legal action. Cardinal Connell was credited with giving the names of 17 suspected abusers to gardaí, although some of his actions in dealing with the abuse scandals were criticised by the official state inquiry. The Car dinal later asked for forgiveness from child sex abuse victims who suffered at the hands of paedophile priests under his control. Archbishop Martin credited the late Cardinal with his attempts to deal with the issue of clerical abuse, including the establishment of child protection service in the Dublin archdiocese.

Cardinal Desmond Connell, who died on February 20, struggled to confront child abuse in the Church.

THE late Cardinal Desmond Connell has been remembered as a man who made mistakes but also as the one who finally began to realise the extent of clerical abuse in Ireland. At his funeral at St Mar y’s ProCathedral in Dublin last week, Archibishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said his predecessor had to drag information on paedophilia scandals from those who were reluctant to share. Although, Cardinal Connell was appalled at the scale of abuse when he took office, Archbishop Mar tin said he appeared slow to address the issue, opting for secret internal church tribunals to defrock abusive priests rather than potentially explosive public prosecutions. In his eulogy, Archbishop Martin acknowledged some failures but also paid tribute to the Cardinal, who led the church “at a difficult time”.

HOLLYWOOD

REVIEW INTO RECOGNITION FOR 1961 UN CONGO IRISH SOLDIERS

Citizen’s assembly to hear abortion stories PERSONAL stories of women who have had abortions and crisis pregnancies will be heard by the Citizens’ Assembly this month. The Assembly will hear directly from women who have been affected by the Eighth Amendment. “Hearing personal testimony is important as it allows the citizens the opportunity to hear first hand about how the matters they are discussing at these weekends affect women and their families,” the assembly’s chairwoman, Ms Justice Laffoy, said. “We are now developing a work programme for the next meeting that will bring this testimony to the members in an informative manner, that can aid them in making a recommendation to the Houses of the Oireachtas.”

Man held over death of 90-year-old A MAN has been arrested for the

alleged murder of a 90-year-old retired farmer found dead in his home. The body of Paddy Lyons was discovered in his rural cottage outside Ballysaggart village, near Lismore in Co Waterford. The elderly bachelor is reported to have suffered head injuries. Investigating gardaí said they had arrested a man aged in his 20s in connection with the murder.

US-Irish star hits out at Trump

Former TD Peter Mathews dies

David Mercer

TRIBUTES have been paid to former

STAR Trek actor Zachary Quinto criticised President Donald Trump’s decision to rescind public-school bathroom rules for transgender students. The film star urged the public to “fight for people who are striving to find their way in this world” as he was honoured by the US-Ireland Alliance with an Oscar Wilde Award in Hollywood.. Oscar-nominated actress Ruth Negga, actor Martin Short, singersongwriter Glen Hansard and actress Caitriona Balfe also received Oscar Wilde Awards, which recognise the contributions of Irish people in film, television and music. Accepting his award, Quinto, who is half Irish, said that as “an openly gay man in Hollywood” he had been inspired by Wilde’s “inability to back down”. “I feel like as far as we’ve come in the last 120 years, there are protests going on tonight about the reversal of protections for transgender children in this country,” he said. “I believe it is all of our responsibilities to stand up and be authentic and be visible and fight for people who are striving to find their way in this world, even if it is not reflected back in the same way as everybody else. “Oscar Wilde is someone who taught me that before I even knew it.” Negga was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Loving but missed out, with the award for Best Actress going to Emma Stone for her role in the hit musical La La Land. The Irish-Ethiopian star said: “I’m very touched by how many people [the movie Loving] has inspired. The event was hosted by film-maker JJ Abrams in Santa Monica, California. On stage, Abrams – the director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens – paid tribute to the late actress Carrie Fisher, who received an Oscar Wilde Award in 2015.

LONG WAIT: UN Veterans Quartermaster Sergeant Michael Tighe (left) and Corporal Tadgh Quinn (right) with Ret’d Commandant Leo Quinlan, son of late Commandant Pat Quinlan, outside Leinster House, Dublin: Brian Lawless/PA Wire (Inset) Actor Jamie Dornan in the film The Siege Of Jadotville.

New bid to recognise 1961 siege bravery Ed Carty DEFENCE chiefs have been ordered to review the refusal to award medals to soldiers in the ill-fated 1961 United Nations mission in the Congo which led to the Siege of Jadotville. Eight officers and NCOs from 35th Battalion A company of the Defence Forces were recommended by Commandant Pat Quinlan for their bravery in the face of overwhelming odds. A medals board at the time denied them the honour. Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he would bring the case to Defence Forces Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett but said he could not guarantee the decision would be reversed. “It’s not known why the medals were not awarded. I think that’s something that we need to look at,” he said. “They showed exceptional bravery and courage. Some have not been awarded medals and Commandant Quinlan, his actions saved the lives of other people.” Some 155 Irish soldiers from A company had been tasked with protecting the local population around

Jadotville from militia, tribesmen and mercenaries loyal to the Katangese prime minister Moise Tshombe. It was Ireland’s first overseas UN mission and it was the first time soldiers were assigned to peace enforcement rather than purely peacekeeping and monitoring. The story of their bravery was turned into a film – The Siege Of Jadotville – starring Jamie Dornan last year. Conor Cruise O’Brien was special representative to the UN secretary general at the time the decision was taken to mandate troops to peace enforcement. Armed with light rifles, 60mm mortars and two armoured cars with turret-mounted machine guns, the Irish soldiers came under heavy attack from a force of about 3,000 on September 13, 1961. Under Commandant Quinlan’s direction, the UN-mandated force held out for five or six days, largely down to accurate shooting and mortar fire, killing 300 of the enemy and wounding another 750. No Irish soldiers died. Commandant Quinlan was forced to surrender after his troops ran out of ammunition and water. They were held

for about a month before being freed. The commander’s son Leo Quinlan, himself a retired Commandant, met the Taoiseach along with Jadotville veterans Corporal Tadgh Quinn, Quartermaster Sergeant Michael Tighe and Corporal Tom Gunn to discuss the appeal for a review. “It’s up there with Rorke’s Drift and the Alamo only none of the Irish Army lads died,” he said. “I think it was buried because of the embarrassment of the UN in Jadotville. The soldiers were small pawns in a bigger game and it was buried. “If Jadotville was to be lauded and praised for the unbelievable actions that it was with five men wounded against 300 of the enemy dead and 750 wounded then the question would have to be asked why were they out there in the first place.” The reasons why the recommendation for medals was dismissed in the 1960s have not been made public. The experience of the UN mission in Jadotville and the strategy and bravery of the soldiers is taught as a case history in British and Australian military schools.

TD and banking critic Peter Mathews, who has died aged 65. The former accountant was elected to represent the Dublin South constituency for Fine Gael in 2011 but was later expelled from the parliamentary party for refusing to back a government abortion bill. He left the party and stood again in last year’s general election as an Independent but failed to retain his seat. Mr Mathews became well-known in homes throughout the country for his many televised and radio appearances, as well as newspaper commentaries, as an authority on banking matters during the financial crisis. He is survived by his wife Susan and four children.

O’Hanlon takes aim at TV’s ‘Irishisms’ ACTOR Ardal O’Hanlon (pictured) has

said he is very aware of how Irish people are represented on British TV and that he frequently amends his scripts to remove the “Irishisms”. The former Father Ted star said that people in Ireland have been “outraged” by the way they are portrayed on-screen, using the 1997 Dublinbased episodes of EastEnders as an example. “Working in TV, I have been very conscious of the way the Irish are represented,” O’Hanlon told the Radio Times. “In every show I’ve been involved in, I read the script, take out the Irishisms right away and say, ‘I’ll supply those’. “Father Ted was written by Irish people, so that was fine, but around the time we were shooting it EastEnders went to Ireland and represented it as this terribly backward society where people were going around with one eye and drunk,” he said.

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AUST R ALIA’S IR ISH NE WSPAP E R

news GROWING CRISIS BESETS STATE’S BUS NETWORK

Bus Eíreann ‘facing closure’ AN all-out strike at Bus Eíreann has been put on hold as unions and management attempt to find a solution to the crisis. The State bus company has told workers it is axing routes between Dublin and Der r y, and between Clonmel and Westport within weeks. Ser vices between the capital and Limerick and Galway are being curtailed. The cutbacks are expected to lead to pay cuts and job losses. Bus Eíreann is adamant they are necessary “due to the parlous state of the company’s finances and the failure to reach agreement with unions” in its row over a sur vival plan for the beleaguered carrier. Bus Eíreann has warned a €12 million cost-cutting package is “vital” to ensure the company doesn’t go bust. “The company must deal with its

challenges directly, and the board (of directors) have a duty to ensure Bus Eíreann is financially sustainable and therefore must take the necessar y steps to secure this,” a company spokeswoman said. Before a parliamentary committee last month, Ray Hernan, acting chief executive at the State bus company, said it lost between €8 million and €9 million last year, and had only €7 million left in reserves. Mr Hernan said Bus Eíreann will be insolvent by the end of this year – on its 30th anniversary – with the loss of all 2,600 jobs unless an emergency survival plan is agreed. He also indicated staffing costs other than basic pay, such as overtime shift allowances, rota allowances and lunch expenses, will come under the axe in a root and branch cost-cutting review expected in March. Absenteeism, which is double the national average, will also have to be

LUSITANIA LOSS

PUSH TO REJUVINATE CONTROVERSIAL POWER PLAN

Brian Hutton

tackled, he told the hearing. Mr Hernan said the board has until the end of March to sign off on last year’s accounts but it would not be able to do so unless there is a drastic and decisive rescue plan in place before then. The planned all-out indefinite strike has been called of f as bosses and unions agreed to attend talks. The National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) and Siptu said they would sit down with company bosses at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The strike action has been “suspended” to allow for the negotiations to take place. Dermot O’Leary, general secretary of the NBRU, said the decision to call off action was made possible after Bus Eíreann agreed to shelve some cutbacks. “We will of course endeavour, on behalf of commuters and our members, to work towards resolving this crisis,” he added.

“However, the attitude displayed by Bus Eíreann management to-date has left us with no option but to advise our members that they should remain on a war-footing and be prepared to engage in an immediate all-out strike,” Mr O’Leary said. Willie Noone, of Siptu, said it postponed strike action “in deference to a request by the WRC” to do so. “Siptu representatives will continue to play their part in trying to avert a national public transport dispute but we rely on the management of Bus Eíreann making genuine efforts to reach a resolution,” he said. Transport Minister Shane Ross has insisted that it was up to management and unions to sort out the matter and that he would not make an 11th-hour intervention to resolve the row. Unions claim cost-cutting measures being proposed by the company will result in effective pay cuts of up to 30 per cent.

Artefact lost in botched Cork dive Brian Hutton A TELEGRAPH machine from the Lusitania, thought to hold vital clues to its sinking after being torpedoed, has been lost during an unsupervised recovery mission, it has emerged. Questions have been raised by a parliamentary watchdog as to why a diver was allowed to carry out the botched recovery without an archaeologist with him. The Cunard British cruise liner, the largest ship in the world when built, was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Co Cork on May 7, 1915, with the loss of 1,201 lives. Its wreck, 11 nautical miles off the Old Head of Kinsale, is regarded as a war grave and is protected by an Underwater Heritage Order under Ireland’s National Monuments Acts. Terry Allen of the National Monuments Service told a parliamentary committee in Dublin that a telegraph from the wreck was lost during a dive on July 13 last year. The operation was carried out by deep sea diver Eoin McGarry, on behalf of the US businessman Gregg Bemis, who owns the wreck. Mr Allen said the telegraph was sent to the surface using a lift bag while the telegraph’s pedestal was separately tied on to a shot line and hauled up. The lift bag, which was tested before use and found to be in “perfect working order”, had in fact been punctured with “a pin hole” which allowed the air within it to escape. “Essentially the lift bag burst and the telegraph itself went back to the bottom,” he said. A number of attempts to locate it 90 metres below the surface have failed. Peadar Tóibín, chairman of the parliamentary committee, said the Lusitania was one of the most important wrecks of Ireland and that the decision to allow a dive without supervision was a “significant break” in standard procedure. Among the liner’s 1,266 passengers and about 696 crew, there were 129 children, of whom 94 died as the ship, which was sailing from New York, sank in only 18 minutes.

Norwegian carrier reveals Irish routes LOW-cost transatlantic flights will link four cities in Northern Ireland and the Republic to the US East Coast. Norwegian Air will serve Belfast, Dublin, Shannon and Cork from July. The carrier is promising fares from €69 to secondary airports in the New York and Boston areas. With extra charges for meals and hold baggage, its chief executive has been quoted as saying tickets should on average cost about US$300 to US$350 for a return ticket. Five weekly flights will leave Belfast International while 19 will depart from the Republic. The US airports served are Stewart International, which is less than 90 minutes from New York City, and TF Green, which is 90 minutes from Boston.

‘Game of Thrones’ avenue damaged A LANDMARK tree-lined avenue made famous by fantasy drama Game Of Thrones has been damaged in Storm Doris. One of the beech trees that make up the spectacular Dark Hedges in Co Antrim has fallen victim to high winds that have battered Northern Ireland. The avenue is one the region’s top tourist attractions, with Game Of Thrones fans from all over the world travelling to the isolated location to get a picture in front of the haunting backdrop. Work was already under way to remove the felled tree, which had blocked the road. The trees were planted in the 18th century by a local family, the Stuarts, with the intention of creating a grand entrance to their nearby Georgian mansion, Gracehill House. Already one of the most photographed natural landmarks on the island of Ireland, the tourist attraction achieved global prominence after it appeared on the hit HBO series.

New forecourt at Belfast Airport

SPARKS FLY: Robin McCormick, general manager for SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) in a strong supporter of the controversial North South Interconnector power project.

Business support for power-sharing David Young A COALITION of business leaders in Northern Ireland has voiced support for a different kind of cross-border power sharing. The North South Interconnector will be discussed at a public inquiry into the controversial electricity project this month. The NI Chamber, CBI NI, Institute of Directors, Federation of Small Businesses, Centre for Competitiveness, and the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association are among those backing the stalled £200 million-plus scheme. While advocates claim the link between the electricity grids on both sides of the border is vital for the island’s energy market, opponents insist it will have negative environmental and health impacts.

Planning permission for the southern section through counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan has been approved, though that decision is set to face a number of legal challenges. The planning decision on the section through counties Armagh and Tyrone in Northern Ireland will only be made at the conclusion of the public inquiry. In total, the interconnector would involve 85 miles (137 kilometres) of overhead lines and pylons. Kirsty McManus, from the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the project was very significant for businesses. “Businesses and employers need access to electricity in the most cost efficient manner possible, and the proposed interconnector is key to achieving this,” she said. “It is an essential piece of infra-

structure which will allow the all-island electricity market to do what it was designed to do – achieve savings for all consumers north and south.” SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) is overseeing the northern half of the project. “The North South Interconnector is without doubt the single most important infrastructure project on the island today,” SONI’s general manager Robin McCormick said. “It is urgently required and will reduce costs for consumers north and south, by allowing the single electricity market to work as efficiently as possible, which is particularly good news for business. “The public inquiry is an opportunity for everyone with an interest in the project to participate and we are pleased that this project, so critical to the Northern Ireland economy, has reached this stage.”

WORK has begun on a £2.5 million retail, food and fuel forecourt at Belfast International Airport. A total of 35 full-time and part-time jobs will be created.

Finucane family lose Supreme Court case THE family of solicitor Pat Finucane are considering fresh legal options after losing a court challenge against the British Government’s refusal to hold a public inquiry into his murder. An application to the Supreme Court or a civil claim for damages against the authorities are two of the avenues that now will be explored, Mr Finucane’s son John said. “This is very much unfinished business,” he said after the Appeal Court ruling in Belfast. His pledge followed a judgment that also revealed detectives are in the final stages of an investigation linked to the 1989 murder. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) subsequently confirmed an initial report has been sent to the region’s Public Prosecution Service (PPS) for assessment.

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time out

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Singer Aoife Scott arrives in Australia this week for her first tour with gigs in Port Fairy, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Geelong. If she looks familar, that’s because she’s the daughter of Frances Black, niece of Mary’s and a first cousin of The Corona’s Danny O’Reilly. Excellent Irish musical pedigree indeed. For more information, visit aoifescott.com

Friday, March 10 VICTORIA Port Fairy Folk Festival

Friday, March 10 – Monday, March 13 The annual festival will take place in Port Fairy (3.5 hour drive from Melbourne) the four-day event will include performances from over 100 artists/bands such as 8 Foot Felix, An Gabhain, More Details: www.portfairyfolkfestival.com

BLUE MOUNTAINS, PORT FAIRY, MELBOURNE & SYDNEY Mundy Performances

Friday, March 10 – Monday, March 13 Mundy will be performing throughout the St.Patrick’s Day period at multiple locations. Some of these include the Port Fairy Festival taking place from March 10th - March 13th, as well as the Blue Mountains Folk Festival, taking place from March 17th – March 19th. He is also performing at the Caravan Club in Melbourne on the 16th of March and the Basement in Sydney on March 17. Tickets available online. More Details: mundy.ie

Saturday, March 11 BRISBANE St Patrick’s Day Parade

This annual parade will start and finish outside Botanic Gardens on Alice Street in the CBD from 11:30am12:30pm. The parade will include many floats and is said to have up to 40,000 people watching on. Free entry. More Details: www.brisbaneirishfestival.com

NEWCASTLE, MELBOURNE, GOLD COAST AND BRISBANE Daniel O’Donnell Performances

Saturday, March 11 – Saturday, March 18 Daniel O’Donnell will be on tour across Australia performing at multiple locations. These include the Convention Centre in Newcastle on March 11, the Hamer Hall in Melbourne on March 13 and 14, the Twin Towns Services Club in the Gold Coast on March 16 and 17 and the Convention Centre in Brisbane on March 18. Tickets available online. More Details: danielodonnell.org

MELBOURNE Groundswell Music Festival

Jimmy Barnes will be performing at the Groundswell Music Festival 2017 which will take place at Lake Tyers Beach, Foreshore, Victoria. There are multiple others due to perform at the festival as well, such as Seo Linn. Last tickets available online. More Details: groundswellfestival.com

Sunday, March 12 PERTH St Patrick’s Festival WA

The St Patrick’s Day Parade and Family Fun Day will feature a range of activities such as food stalls, bars and entertainment. The day will start at 10am where a parade will take place on the streets of Leederville green and will be followed by a Family Fun Day at the Medibank Stadium in Leederville from 11am to 5pm. More Details: www.stpatricksfestivalwa.com

what’s on

Thursday, March 16

ST PATRICK’S DAY

SYDNEY P.J. Gallagher’s Pubs

Friday, March 17

Thursday, March 16 – Sunday, March 19 The P.J. Gallagher’s (in Enfield, Entertainment Quarter, Criterion & Jacksons on George) will host a St Patrick’s Day celebration weekend in many of their pubs across Sydney. The events will feature traditional Irish dancers, live Irish music and a full Irish menu to choose from. More Details: www.pjgallaghers.com.au

SYDNEY The Bald Rock Hotel

The Bald Rock Hotel (15 Mansfield St, Rozelle) will be hosting a St Patrick’s Day Celebration which will include a full Irish Breakfast and a pint of Guinness. There will also be live music playing all day which will begin at 9am. Bookings needed (02 9818 4792) $25pp. More Details: baldrockhotel.com.au

SYDNEY Cock ‘n Bull

The Cock ‘n Bull (89 Ebley St, Bondi Junction) will host a St Patrick’s day celebration featuring live music all day. The event will begin at 8am where a full Irish breakfast will be served up until 12pm, followed by the live entertainment which will run for the rest of the day concluding with a DJ until 2am. Includes complimentary CnB Paddy’s Day hat. More Details: www.thegrandbondijunction.com.au

SYDNEY The Mercantile Hotel

The Mercantile Hotel (25 George St, The Rocks) will be hosting their annual St Patrick’s Day breakfast from 7am-9am. The event will include a full Irish breakfast and a 2hr beverage package as well as traditional Irish music and an Irish Dancing performance. Tickets available online at $60pp. More Details: info@themercantilehotel.com.au Continued page 20

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Dara O’Briain arrives in Australia later this month for his first Australian tour.

Continued from page 18

ST PATRICK’S DAY Friday, March 17 SYDNEY Mighty Irish Session

The Gaelic Club will host an event taking place Upstairs, 64 Devonshire St, Surry Hills. This will feature Irish tunes and singing from 5pm until late. Free entry. More Details: www.gaelicclubsydney.com

SYDNEY Penrith Gaels

The Penrith Gaels Pub (Cnr Glebe Pl & Richmond Rd, Kingswood) will host a St Patrick’s day event consisting of performances from Patrick Brady, Lenny Duff, Blackwater & Shaylee Wilde beginning at 9am. The day will also include Irish dancers performing throughout the day. More Details: www.penrithgaels.com.au

KATOOMBA (NSW) Blue Mountains Folk Festival

Friday, March 17 – Sunday, March 19 The three-day event will take place in Katoomba and include many performances over the course of the festival. There will be approximately 50 performers, some of which include Paul Kelly and Charlie Owen, the Waifs, Gawurra, Urthboy and Dori Freeman. The full weekend tickets range in price in terms of age, being sold from $20 – $250. More Details: www.bmff.org.au

BRISBANE Pig ‘n Whistle

The Pig ‘n Whistle Pubs (in Riverside, Queen St Mall, Indooroopilly, Brunswick St, King George Square & West End) will be hosting a St Patrick’s Day event which will feature an Irish Pipe Band, Irish dancers, live music, an authentic Irish menu as well as a pie, pint and shirt deal. More Details: visit pignwhistle.com.au

MELBOURNE St Patrick’s Corporate Lunch

This annual event will take place at 161 Harbour Esplanade Peninsula, Shed 14, Docklands from 12pm through to 5pm. The event will include a three course meal as well as great entertainment and prominent, interesting speakers. This will be followed by the post-lunch networking and refreshments. Member only event, tickets available online. More Details: www.irishchamber.com.au

MELBOURNE St Patrick’s Day Celebration

Moonee Valley Racecourse (1 McPherson St, Moonee Ponds, Victoria) will be hosting a St Patrick’s Day celebration featuring Live Irish Entertainment, PJ O’Brien’s pop up bar and Irish cuisine. Entry $10, Concession $5 and Under 17’s Free. More Details: thevalley.com.au

MELBOURNE St.Patrick’s Day Street Party

The Quiet Man Pub (27 Racecourse Rd, Flemington, Melbourne) will be hosting a Street Party to celebrate St Patrick’s Day starting at midday. The day will include live bands, dancers and other entertainment, food vans, drink stalls and street entertainers. The restaurant will be open from 9am (bookings preferred). More Details: thequietman.com.au

what’s on

ADELAIDE, CAIRNS, MELBOURNE & SYDNEY La Fheile Padraig

The P.J. O’Brien’s pubs (in Adelaide, Cairns, Melbourne & Sydney) will be hosting a St Patrick’s Day event which will include breakfast and lunch as well as live Irish entertainment all day. Tickets available online. More Details: visit pjobriens.com.au

Saturday, March 18

The Gaelic Club will host an event taking place Upstairs, 64 Devonshire St, Surry Hills. This will feature an Irish tunes session followed by performances from Aoife Scott, Gallie and Aine Tyrrell. The event will go from 4pm to late. Free entry. More Details: www.gaelicclubsydney.com

SYDNEY The Green Gathering

SYDNEY The Bald Rock Hotel

The Bald Rock Hotel (15 Mansfield St, Rozelle) will be hosting a St Patrick’s Day Celebration which will include “The Cure” hangover breakfast consisting of a full Irish Breakfast, a Bloody Mary and Berocca. The event will also feature live music in the evening. $25pp. More Details: baldrockhotel.com.au

Sunday, March 19 SYDNEY Joe & Harmony’s Magic Carpet Ride

SYDNEY Mighty Tunes Session

The Gaelic Club will host an event taking place Upstairs, 64 Devonshire St, Surry Hills. This celebration will include a tye-dye and hippie atmosphere from 7.30pm to 11.30pm and will feature performances from Paul Hayward & the Sidekicks, Tony Eardley and Joe & Harmony’s Trippy Hippy Band. $15pp entry. More Details: www.gaelicclubsydney.com

The Green Gathering will be a family-friendly St Patrick’s Day celebration event at Prince Alfred Park, Chalmers St, Surry Hills, featuring live entertainment, marching bands, Irish dancers and a children’s parade. There will also be a variety of stalls showcasing local groups, local crafts and traditional Irish goods. Free. More Details: sydneystpatricksday.com.au

SYDNEY The Bald Rock Hotel

The Bald Rock Hotel (15 Mansfield St, Rozelle) will be hosting a St.Patrick’s Day Celebration which will include a menu full of Irish classics. The event will also feature Blackwater Live from 5pm. More Details: baldrockhotel.com.au

MELBOURNE St Patrick’s Family Festival

The Melbourne Irish Festival committee will be presenting the St Patrick’s day Family Festival which will take place at the Edinburgh Gardens, North Fitzroy from noon-5pm. The day will feature Irish music performances, Irish Dancing on the main stage throughout the day, Irish food vendors and activities for kids such as races, sport, craft and more. Free entry. More Details: www.melbourneirishfestival.com.au

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Paddy’s day

Rog and roll RONAN O’Gara got involved in a great verbal radio stoush with a coupld of old team-mates last week. Running late for a radio slot on Newstalk’s popular On The Ball show in front of a live audience at The Olympia in Dublin, ROG was shamelessly mocked by former teammates Brian O’Driscoll and Keith Wood. But O’Gara, who had been tuning in, returned fire when he finally got in front of a microphone. “Brian felt he was defending at 12 an awful lot,” O’Gara mused. “Drico the wheels were gone at that stage, that’s why you were in at 12.” Ouch. Keith Wood, the former Irish skipper was not spared. “Woody, there’s no one here over 60, no one remembers when you played so shut the f**k up,” he said. O’Driscoll hit back by referring to Leinster’s famous victory over Munster in their Heineken Cup semi-final in Croke Park in 2009. “The wheels might have been gone early but I still had enough in the tank in ‘09 when you threw that intercept and I was able to slap it into third gear and coast in.” But O’Gara wasn’t done. Asked what his first impression of BOD was, O’Gara responded: “He was really humble back then. A really nice guy... no dyed hair.”

This year, parish priest Father Paddy Mooney said the church opened the drive-through blessing to help families who were unable to attend Mass. It targeted the sick, those with difficulty walking, people on their way to work or families enroute to school. A driveway led right past the front door of the church. “We were trying to reach people on the go. We are very, very pleased,” Ms Keaveney said. Parishioners will review the event to consider whether to repeat it in future years. Maybe they need an ashtag for next year?

IRISH lad Robert Keane had to cancel his trip up the east coast of Australia with mate Paddy James, so he asked on Facebook if someone would take his place He accompanied a link to his friend’s Facebook page, which had several photos of his impressively toned body in various states of undress. Within a few hours, Paddy, 23, had been inundated with offers from female admirers all keen to spend several weeks alone with him. One woman was so impressed by what she saw that she even offered her hand in marriage. One Facebook user called Kaisa Kadak, said: “I wanna trip with him!” to which another called Jade Lagestee replied: “I think all the girls do!” Another called Francesca Savina added: “I wanna marry him.” Paddy, who has since had hundreds of friend requests and private messages from admirers, said: “Rob told me it would be a good idea to post looking for friends but I was scared I wouldn’t get any replies. When I woke the next day I couldn’t believe the reaction it had.” I think Tinder may be Paddy’s next adventure...

They said it...

“It’s not like he was up in the White House having meetings with him.” Shane Lowry on McIlroy’s game of golf with Trump “The people voted for you last time and they got Martin McGuinness, and he wrote your resignation letter.” UUP leader Mike Nesbitt to First Minster Arlene Foster, in a heated debate between the North’s party leaders in the run-up to the assembly elections. “It is a historic day for our Travellers and a proud day for Ireland.” Taoiseach Enda Kenny announcing in the Dáil the formal recognition of Travellers as an ethnic minority. “There has been a lot of debate about publishing the whole list of disqualified drivers. I think there’s certainly merit in that.” Assistant Commissioner of the Garda Síochána Michael Finn saying that the naming and shaming of banned drivers might make Ireland’s roads safer. “It has been just shocking to me that in 2017 I can still come across these defensive, inflexible attitudes in men of the church, the same attitudes I saw 20 years ago when I was trying to bring my own case to justice here in Dublin. That’s what’s really the most shocking.” Marie Collins, an abuse survivor, resigning from the Vatican child protection body. “I do. Yes, of course, I do.” Sammy Wilson MP (DUP) on being asked if he agreed with the Belfast murals which carry the caption “IRA - Sinn Féin - ISIS, no difference.” He made the comments on US TV to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). “It was just so reverent and respectful. There was a just a wonderful atmosphere.”

Having a lent of me WHO says the Catholic Church does not innovate? Hundreds of people have attended an Ash Wednesday drive-through in Ireland. Queues of drivers during the busy morning rush hour waited to receive ceremonial ashes on their foreheads in Glenamaddy, Co Galway. The sign of Catholic repentance marking the start of Lent, a season of abstinence and preparation for Easter, is common-place in the US but innovative in Ireland. “It was just so reverent and so respectful. There was just a wonderful atmosphere,” the parish secretary, Breda Keaveney, said. Catholics traditionally receive the blessing at this time of year at a special Mass service.

Breda Keaveny, parish secretary at St Patrick’s Church, Galway, which held a drive-through service on Ash Wednesday. “I’m not giving a pot of money to end the bus row. . . .I won’t get involved in this dispute. I don’t believe it is the right thing to do.” Transport Minster Shane Ross standing firm in his resolution not to interfere in the Bus Éireann dispute. “If our sense of Sunday continues to weaken and weaken, will the day come when our Christian communities die out?” A bleak message from the Bishop of Kerry, Ray Browne.

Donald Trump has a knack for upsetting people. Even his limited edition St Patty’s Day (sic) Make America Great hat managed to backfire after he added a rogue fourth leaf to our beloved shamrock. But heh, apparently Rory McIlroy has bought one for all four of his friends. The Donald will get a chance to see Ireland’s botanical symbol up close when Taoiseach Enda arrives with a big bowl of it next week. Don’t expect Heaney quotes...

Quiz

Crossword

1. In which county was the Battle of the Boyne fought?

Clues across:

Clues down:

1. Porches traditionally hide gathering of musicians (9)

1. Bovine herder heading urban area in part of Dublin (9) 2. Sly pork turned out for Republic of Ireland 72 times (10) 3. Arm of garment we hear responsible for great heights (6) 4. On writer Bill Naughton’s behalf I earnestly hope his book will be discovered here (5) 5 & 8 down: Go thank a harpy unsteadily for Irish show-jumping prize (3,4,6) 6. Annoying, critical people (or insects) in confused false dig (8) 8. see 5 down 15. My, a valid town in Ireland, to be mistaken initially for a city in Peru (8) 17. Short flowery Dutch vehicle manufacturer? (3) 18. Short boss (3) 20, 21, 23, 25, 28 down: You may condemn fun lorry too vaguely according to Yeats, Cormac McCarthy, Coen Brothers in related work (2,6,3,3,3) 26. Man, we hear, tunefully, in the Old Testament (5) 28. see 20 down 30. As far and distant as this island is it has disappeared here (4) 31. Behind in the boat in Grafton Street (3)

2. Killary Harbour is often described as Ireland’s only what? 3. Of Irish origins, this Salford-born Shelagh Delaney was preeminent in which area? 4. How are the following places known in English: (a) Baile Átha Troim; (b) Cloich na Coillte; (c) Carraig Mhachaire Rois? 5. What links The Fonz, Samuel Beckett and an Australian version of ‘cheers’ or ‘slainté’? 6. On which river does Kilkenny stand? 7. How often must an election be called in the Irish Republic? 8. King Conchobar is the central figure in which sagas? 9. Which Russian writer famously drew a map of Dublin from Joyce’s Ulysses? 10. Ireland is the Emerald Isle, but from which mineral is the emerald derived?

“Irish whiskey is experiencing a renaissance and is truly an Irish success story. . . . The Irish whiskey market has a great story to tell and this announcement marks an exciting new chapter in its development.” Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, on the news that Diageo, the owner of Guinness, is entering the Irish whiskey market.

5 & 9 across: Confused flying ace from earnest Wilde play (4,9) 7. The captain’s piece of wood for recording events (3) 9. see 5 across 10. R eptile capable of accumulating numbers? (5) 11. Sort in Monawilkin (3) 12. S heep-like duck ahead of fruitbearing climber (5) 13. River, part of a fork we hear (4) 14. His rag, complex and lurid (6) 16. S wordfish and ling, discreetly manipulating (8) 19. H ydrogen, oxygen removed from Norah for fiery US lobby group (1,1,1) 22. W arm clothing in Donegal town (4) 24. R eligious cult makes, in Rome, five ducks go to five hundred ducks (6) 27. A n area in the southern region of Babylonia with 500 in Rome removed from June to August (5) 29. Can Aidan’s confusion lead to New World residents (9) 32. T affy’s her old man and might play a patriotic anthem (4,2,2,7)

10 11 12

14 15 16

20 22

26 27

31 32

LAST EDITION’S ANSWERS: Clues across: 1. Marshland. 5. Hames. 8. Chandler. 9. Rallied. 11. Air. 12. Thyme. 13. Bemused. 14. Iraqi. 16. Narnia. 17. ISIL. 20. Leg it. 22. Mikado. 25. Ebb. 27. Esprit de corps. 28. Shane Lowry. 29. Ryan. Clues down: 1. Marrowbone. 2. Shelbourne. 3. Lyre. 4. Doherty. 5. Hungry Hill. 6. Malone (Road). 7. Strategist. 10. Dagda. 15. Anglesey. 18. Sidecar. 19. Skidoo. 21. Nappa. 22. Maine. 23. Zeus. 24. Err. 26. Bran.

Answers: 1.Louth; 2. Fjord; 3. Drama — her most famous work was A Taste of Honey; 3. (4. (a) Trim; (b) Clonakilty; (c) Carrickmacross; 5. Happy Days (US TV series, Beckett play, an Australianoriginated toast; 6. Nore; 7. At least every five years; 8. The Ulster Cycle; 9. Nabokov; 10. Beryl

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MARCH 11 LONG WEEKEND

JIMMY BARNES

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DARA O BRIAIN ADRIAN BOHM & OFF THE KERB PRODUCTIONS PRESENT

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Mary Duff

Newcastle 11 March • Entertainment Centre Melbourne 13 & 14 March • Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall Tweed Heads 16 & 17 March • Twin Towns Services Club Brisbane 18 March • Convention Centre Canberra 20 March • Royal Theatre Sydney 21 March • State Theatre Adelaide 23 March • Festival Theatre Perth 25 March • Riverside Theatre BOOK AT USUAL OUTLETS danielodonnell.org

review

March 9 - April 6, 2017 I www.irishecho.com.au

Life’s darker hues THERE are few things that are as recognisably Irish as Guinness. This book catalogues the history of the family that gave the drink its name and set up the huge operation at St James’s Gate in Dublin. There are chapters on how the brewing takes place and the employment it provided for many years, including in the transport of the finished product.

“Unfortunately, the

book ends before the most interesting element.

”

The family eventually splits into different groups, three of which earned peerages under the Iveagh, Ardilaun and Moyne banners. They were associated with big mansions, big yachts and charitable trusts. Unfortunately, the book ends before the most interesting element, the share trading scandal that led to the Guinness CEO and three others being given prison sentences. Today, the company, part of the multinational Diageo empire, is Irish in name only. A YOUNG Irish girl goes to London to enrol in a drama college. She meets a man twice her age in a pub, and they adjourn to his flat for sex. It is a bit painful, so they do it again the following night with some variations but minimal improvement. However, they continue to practise over the next few months and begin to enjoy it. Then, while she is back in Ireland for the Christmas holidays, he takes another woman to his bed. When she discovers this, she takes her revenge, this time with two men at the same time. If you get a bit of a pattern in all

BOOKS

of this, you would not be mistaken. By the end of the book, every possible variety of sexual pairing is covered, including mother-son. So are a comprehensive range of physical actions that are possible within the limitations of the cartography of the human body, male and female. This is all described in the fractured, haphazard form that the author used so brilliantly in her first novel A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing. By way of example, here she and her friend are discussing her early encounters with her lover. “We are rat tat pull and snigger. We are drinks and draggeldy home. I am chips and she’s pickled egg. Always for the tale and tale again. And it gets heavy with the lies I make but I like them. She does too. Thrown on the bed type three times come. Interlocked fingers or wrists held down. Why she doesn’t notice the new every time is beyond me. But I lie well. But not inside. That, unhitched, goes flail about.” In time, you get used to this scattergun prose and indeed as the basic problems of the central characters become closer to resolution, the prose becomes almost normal, if you excuse the absence of speech marks and little attempt to indicate who is actually speaking. The other element that is added to the story towards the end is the sudden inclusion of

“There really is

such a thing as the generation gap.

”

people’s names. He is Stephen and she is Eilis; his first wife is Marianne and their daughter is Grace; the homosexual couple who save Stephen from his descent into drug-fuelled madness are David and Rafi.

THE GUINNESS STORY The Family, The Business, The Black Stuff. By Edward J Bourke O’Brien Press 176 pp $11.99

THE LESSER BOHEMIANS By Eimear McBride Text Publishing 312 pp $29.99

THIS IS NOW By Ciara Geraghty Hachette Australia 358 pp $29.99

CCC

Frank O’Shea There is of course no requirement on an author to provide the reader with a few likeable characters, but everyone here seems to be equally reckless, selfish, self-centred and juvenile, with the possible exceptions of David and Rafi, briefly mentioned above. THIS is the kind of book that reminds you that there really is such a thing as the generation gap. It may well be that the story is set in a world that is unknown to most people of vintage similar to this reviewer. The book seems to suggest that such a world

exists – supported by the market, devoted to decadence and fertilised by depravity – as a trap for the unwary or the innocent. And if that is a salutary warning, it is the only reason for unenthusiastically recommending the book. The cover shouts chick lit and the title is a puzzle but this book rises above those two drawbacks and will keep you reading to the end. In the opening pages a Dublin bank and its customers are being held up by three thugs with much noise and intimidating threats. Even casual reading of the Irish newspapers in these times would indicate that this is not an unlikely scenario, but the author here uses it merely as a way of introducing her main characters. Martha is a freelance journalist, recently sacked by RTÉ because of her “uneasy relationship with alcohol.” The detective leading the investigation of the bank heist is her former lover who was unable to put up with the cause of the said uneasiness. Also in the bank is an older man and his carer, he in a wheelchair. Then there is Martha’s friend Tara, a London financial highflyer, back in Dublin for the uncomfortable task of informing her pious mother that she is a lesbian. The author progresses her story through the reactions of all of these to the robbery, cleverly breaking up the narrative by inserting the back story of each of her characters. She keeps the action moving smartly and the reader quickly gets the hang of her way of cutting back in

time to explain things. The police work in chasing down the robbers is secondary to the relationships between the different characters One of the background stories is based on the bombing of Dresden in the final days of World War II and in some ways this is the strongest writing in the book, with its sense of a great wrong done to innocent

“In Martha, she has

created a modern woman who, despite her most cynical intentions, is unable to fight the call of love.

”

people. When, almost 70 years later, one of the child survivors of those events is in an induced coma caused by a pair of smalltime Dublin gangsters, it is a reminder that evil can find a home anywhere. It is only in the final chapters of the book that the author allows the various romantic loose ends of her story to be tied up. In Martha, she has created a modern woman who, despite her most cynical intentions, is unable to fight the call of love. Readable and entertaining.

THE TOP 10 BOOK CHARTS FROM IRELAND BESTSELLERS

ORIGINAL FICTION

The Good Mother

Sinhead Moriarty

The Good Mother

Days Without End

Sebastion Barry

Holding

Graham Norton

My Not So Perfect Life

Sophie Kinsella

Commit!:Make Your Mind and Body Stronger..

The Midnight Gang

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down

The Wedding Promise,

9 10

HARDBACK NON-FICTION Sinhead Moriarty

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family....

Graham Norton

The Battle

My Not So Perfect Life

Sophie Kinsella

The World of the Happy Pear

The Wedding Promise,

Emma Hannigan

The Secret

Enda McNulty

The Heart’s Invisible Furies

John Boyne

Happy Pear: Healthy, Easy...

David Walliams

Paris for One and Other Stories

Jojo Moyes

A Life: Molly Keane

J D Vance Paul O’Connell

David Flynn & Stephen Flynn Rhonda Byrne David Flynn & Stephen Flynn Sally Phipps

Jeff Kinney

The Girl Before

J P Delaney

Pippa: Simple Tips to Live Beautifully

Pippa O’Conner

Emma Hannigan

A Line Made by Walking

Tramp Press

Deliciously Ella with Friends

Ella Woodward

The Heart’s Invisible Furies

John Boyne

Her Every Fear

Peter Swanson

Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to live....

Paris for One and Other Stories

Jojo Moyes

10 Jack Reacher: Night School

MASS MARKET FICTION

Lee Child

Meik Wiking

10 The Harbour Within. Simple Spirituality Sister Consilio Fitzgerald

PAPERBACK NON-FICTION

CHILDREN’S

Sebastion Barry

Commit!: Make Your Mind and Body Stronger .. Enda McNulty

The Midnight Gang

Days Without End

Lying in Wait

Liz Nugent

When Breath Becomes Air

Paul Kalanithi

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down

Jeff Kinney

The Girl on the Train (Film Tie In)

Paula Hawkins

My Life Goals Journal

Andrea Hayes

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School

Jeff Kinney

Asking for it

Louise O’Neill

The Doctor’s Wife is Dead....

Andrew Tierney

Grandpa’s Great Escape

I’m Travelling Alone: Munch and Kruger

Samuel Bjork

Lean in 15: The Sustain Plan...

Joe Wicks

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Apple Tree Yard

John Lowe

Gangsta Granny

The Muse

Margo Lee Shetterly

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

I am Pilgrim

Of Mice and Men

10 The Great Gatsby (Wordsworth Classics)

Louise Doughty

6 The Money Doctor: 50 Top Tax Tips 2017

The Untold Story of the African-American....

Terry Hayes

Ten Maps That Tell You Everything you need...

TimMarshall

Demon Dentist

John Steinbeck

The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**K

Sarah Knight

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Jessie Burton

Scott F. Fitzgerald

10 Lean in 15: The Shift Plan..

Joe Wicks

10 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

David Walliams

David Walliams J. K. Rowling David Walliams J. K. Rowling David Walliams J. K. Rowling J. K. Rowling

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March 9 - April 6, 2017 I www.irishecho.com.au

Sydney St. Patrick’s Day 2017

1 DURTY NELLY’S, PERTH 2 P.J. O’BRIEN’S, MELBOURNE 3 JB O’REILLY’S, PERTH 4 SCRUFFY MURPHY’S, SYDNEY 5 MERCANTILE HOTEL, SYDNEY 6 THE DRUNKEN POET 7 P.J. O’BRIEN’S, SYDNEY 8 MURPHY’S, MANDURAH 9 O’MALLEY’S, BRISBANE 10 MALONEY’S HOTEL, SYDNEY 1 SCRUFFY MURPHY’S 2 MERCANTILE HOTEL 3 P.J. O’BRIEN’S 4 MALONEY’S HOTEL 5 THE PORTERHOUSE 6 KING O’MALLEY’S, CANBERRA 7 KELLY’S ON KING 8 FORTUNE OF WAR HOTEL 9 CARRINGTON HOTEL 10 THE MEAN FIDDLER

Prince Alfred Park SUNDAY 19 MARCH 2017

FEATURING ÁINE TYRELL • THE BOTTLERS • CHAIKA GAILLE • ECOPELLA • UTS UKULELE ORCHESTRA MARK OATS & CARA KAVANAGH FEAT. CIARAN GRIBBIN

CROSS RHYTHM DANCERS

KNIEVEL • SYDNEY SESSION PLAYERS AND AOIFE SCOTT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

O’MALLEY’S IRISH MURPHY’S FINN MCCOOL’S FIDDLERS GREEN, SURFERS PARADISE WAXY’S, SURFERS PARADISE IRISH CLUB, TOOWOOMBA HOOLIHAN’S IRISH RESTAURANT DUBLIN DOCKS TAVERN PADDY’S, PORT DOUGLAS MCGINTY’S BAR, CAIRNS

Sydney St Patrick’s Day Org. Sydney St Patrick’s Day Organisation

#sydneystpatricksday #thegreengathering

FREE EVENT Poster Update.indd 1

1 P.J. O’BRIEN’S 2 THE DRUNKEN POET 3 THE QUIET MAN 4 THE IRISH TIMES 5 P.J. O’BRIEN’S, MELBOURNE AIRPORT 6 THE CELTIC CLUB 7 THE 5TH PROVINCE 8 YOUNG & JACKSONS 9 MELBOURNE CENTRAL LION HOTEL 10 FRANKSTON RSL

27/2/17 11:01 am

Sydney St Patrick’s Day Organisation Update 1 DURTY NELLY’S 2 JB O’REILLY’S 3 MURPHY’S, MANDURAH 4 ROSIE O’GRADY’S 5 PADDY MALONES 6 WOODBRIDGE HOTEL 7 THE HEIGHT’S BAR & BISTRO 8 BAILEY BAR & BISTRO 9 CROWN 10 NATIONAL HOTEL FREMANTLE

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Prince Alfred Park (beside Central Station) from 12pm Family Fun Day, Children’s Parade, Food and Craft Stalls For more details visit www.sydneystpatricksday.com.au

It’s hard to believe that this is my last column before the big day! We are all geared up and ready to go for The Green Gathering on Sunday, 19 March. I’d like to acknowledge everyone who supported our fundraisers. People who bought tickets, donated spot prizes and sponsored events. We truly couldn’t make this event happen without the generous support of the Irish Australian Community and we thank you not only for your support in fundraising but in all the offers of help and the belief that it could be done. To our sponsors, we thank you for your generous support. Comhghairdeas Mór Daoibh Go Leir! The 32 County Signed Jersey Raffle was held Friday 24 February at PJ. O’ Brien’s Irish Bar Over $17,000 was raised and a great night was had by all. We are very excited about our children’s activities this year and in particular the Children’s parade where participants will march through the park led by Hornsby RSL Pipe Band and conclude in our dedicated kids area Tír na nÓg with free activities and field events which open immediately after the parade ends.

SHENANNIGAN’S, DARWIN P.J. O’BRIEN’S, ADELAIDE MICK O’SHEA’S, ADELAIDE CITI ZEN, ADELAIDE THE ELEPHANT, ADELAIDE

We are also very proud to welcome GUINNESS on board as Platinum Partner for the event to bring you the GUINNESS Main Stage and the GUINNESS Bar on the day. As well as great entertainment we will have over 20 food and craft stalls across the park showcasing traditional items as well as local produce.

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IRISH MURPHY’S NEW SYDNEY HOTEL REPUBLIC BAR CYGNET HOTEL MOLLY MALONES

Finally I would like to give a big shout out to the Sydney St. Patrick’s Day Committee! They have been involved for a year now and have worked tirelessly to bring back this free event to the community. There are over 30 people who have given up their free time to coordinate the fundraisers throughout the year and work on the big event. The majority are new to the committee and have shown great commitment and passion. I hope everyone will join us at Prince Alfred Park for what promises to be a great day out . Gates open at 12 noon and the event runs until 6pm with live bands on two stages. Please keep an eye on our website www.sydneyspatricksday.com.au and our Facebook page for all the latest updates. I look forward to seeing you all there. Many thanks.

Robert Kineavy

Email: RobertK@sydneystpatricksday.com.au

time out

March 9 - April 6, 2017 I www.irishecho.com.au

Making the points VISA-BILITY YOUR IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS ANSWERED... Co Antrim native and registered migration agent John McQuaid provides a uniquely Irish perspective on current visa and migration issues. Send your immigration questions to John at

visability@irishecho.com.au

This Migration Column is intended to provide general information on migration issues and does not constitute legal or migration advice. While all care is taken, no responsibility is accepted by the Irish Echo or John McQuaid for the accuracy of material in the column. People seeking advice on migration law should seek advice from a registered migration agent.

Dear John,

Dear ANON,

I am here in Australia on a 457 visa as a carpenter, but have stopped working for my sponsor. I’m looking at my options to apply for the points tested skilled visas so I can get a permanent visa now. I’m 33 with one years’ experience in Australia but was out of work back at home for many years. I’m confused how I get the 60 points needed for the skilled visa.

THERE e a number of points tested skilled visa options to look at but the process to prepare for and apply for a skilled visa can take tree to si months or more. Your 457 visa has a condition called 8107 and depending on when your visa was granted it means you must not cease working for a sponsor for more than 60 or 90 days. So, if you are hoping to apply for another skilled visa while you are in Australia, you might first need to get another employer to take over your 457 visa sponsorship. To make an Expression of Interest (EOI) for a Skill Select skilled visa, you need at least 60 points to successfully apply. Getting to the 60 points or above will nearly always require having work experience and/or sitting an English test. Getting a high score in English allows a claim of 10 or 20 points. Two of the most two most popular are Pearson and IELTS. See www.ielts.org and pearsonpte. com/test-takers/test/ If you are struggling to get 60 points; have a look at the State or family nominated options such as the 190 or 489 visas. The NSW, Northern Territory and

I have cousins living in Queensland. Can they help me? Anon

BE SEEN IN

GREEN

Dance like the IRISH this St. Patrick’s Day & shake your SHAMROCK in store for all your green costumes & accessories!

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Tasmanian State governments are sponsoring carpenters for 190/489 visas, Queensland also list carpenters for the 489 visa. Each state has its own set of criteria so check carefully. The 489 visa can be state government or family sponsored. Your relative must live in a designated area of Australia. You need to be happy to commit to living in a regional/designated area of

“Each state has its own

set of criteria so check carefully.

”

Australia for at least two years. Designated area is pretty much all of Australia accept the Brisbane metropolitan area, Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong. If a family relative living in a designated area can sponsor you, you claim 10 points. First cousins count here. Nomination by a state government allows points for both 489 and 190 visas. But it’s one or the other; family or state, you cannot claim both.

Here is an example of how the points might work: •2 5 points for age for 33- to 39-year-olds. • 10 points for trade qualification (after skills assessment). • 5 points for one year’s work experience in Australia. • 10 points for English after Pearson or similar testing. • 10 points for family sponsorship. This makes up your 60 points total. Take great care when assessing points; a mistake might result in your visa application being refused. Consider asking a registered migration agent for a detailed assessment of your points and skilled visa options. Find a registered migration agent at mia.org.au The 489 visa is a four-year temporary visa; you can then apply for the permanent 887 visa after having lived in a regional area for at least two years. See www.border.gov.au/Trav/ Visa-1/489The immigration application fee for the 190 and 489 visa is $3,600. Migration skills assessment application fees for carpenters are about $2,000 but vary depending on the occupation and assessing body. Plan ahead and have your budget in place.

March 9 - April 6, 2017 I www.irishecho.com.au

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 DERRY

Councillor launches court challenge over flag row suspension AN independent councillor suspended for three months in a row over flags has launched a High Court challenge to being sanctioned. The Belfast Telegraph reports that Padraig McShane was found to have breached a code of conduct after being pictured with the Irish Tricolour and a Palestinian flag at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Coleraine headquarters. But his lawyers argued that the decision should be overturned because of his right to freedom of political opinion. Mr McShane was pictured sitting behind a bench draped in the flags at the council chamber in June 2015. Alongside him in the photograph were Derry-based independent councillors Gary Donnelly and Darren O’Reilly, and visiting Gaza official Mohamed Al-Halabi. A Democratic Unionist representative lodged a complaint after the picture emerged. In November last year the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards ruled that Mr McShane had breached the councillor’s code of conduct. In court today his lawyers began a legal bid to have the adjudication reversed. Counsel argued that the councillor is entitled to express political opinion and free speech under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It was also contended that the three-month suspension was excessive. Following submissions, Mr Justice Burgess reserved judgment on whether to grant leave for a statutory appeal against the decision. DUBLIN

Woman loses €60k claim after being videoed jogging ON the day a mother of two told a consultant she could not move her right leg and ankle and had serious back pain, a private investigator videoed her jogging across a Dublin street, the Circuit Civil court has been told. The Journal reports that Circuit Court President, Mr Justice Raymond Groarke, said that Stephen Bothma, of Core Group Investigations, had also videoed Esther Lamidi getting into her car without “any bother or restriction of movement”. Barrister Lisa Kelly, counsel for Zurich Insurance and motorist John Lowry in a personal injuries claim against them for €60,000, said Lamidi had told defence medical consultant Aidan Gleeson, on the day of the video recording, that she was “unable to function in any way”. “You told him that you struggled to move about and that pain was restricting your movements,” Ms

Kelly put it to Lamidi. Lamidi, 33, had claimed in evidence that Lowry, a bus driver travelling home after a night shift, had driven across a stop line at Mountjoy Square traffic junction and crashed into her car. Ms Kelly suggested to Ms Lamidi, an unaccompanied provisional licence holder, that she had ignored Mr Lowry twice beeping the horn at her and that she had failed to yield while his vehicle was in control of the junction. “With regard to your injuries you have at the very least exaggerated your evidence,” Ms Kelly said. She told Lamidi, who said she could not remember if she had failed four, five or six driving tests, that her evidence had been totally inconsistent with what she had said to the insurer’s medical expert and the court. Lamidi said she had been driving on a provisional licence for the past 17 years. Judge Groarke, throwing out Ms Limidi’s claim with costs against her, said impact damage was not consistent with her evidence that Mr Lowry had driven into the junction at speed. He said Ms Limidi, who wept almost continuously throughout her evidence, had not complained to her GP of back pain until almost 18 months after the accident. ANTRIM

Ship’s captain was drunk in charge of container vessel A SEA captain has been convicted of being drunk in charge of a merchant ship in Belfast Lough. Eugenijus Tulauskas, from Lithuania, was up to four times over the maritime limit when arrested in September last year. The Belfast Telegraph reports that the pilot had to take control of the container ship to ensure its safe passage into harbour. The 44-year-old seaman, of no fixed abode was fined £1,500 at Belfast Magistrates’ Court. Tulauskas had contested a charge of having excess alcohol while on duty as professional master of a ship. His lawyers argued that he was not on duty at the time of the offence. The court was told that an experienced pilot believed he smelled alcohol on Tulauskas’ breath. He contacted Belfast Harbour Police who detained the defendant. Talauskas confirmed at that stage he had not taken any alcohol in the previous four hours. The district judge said she was “satisfied on the evidence that the defendant was not just master of the vessel, but was on duty at the time”. The court heard that the captain had since lost his job. The judge, who could have fined him up to £5,000, commented that “if the defendant were in employment I would be looking at the upper region (of a fine)”.

People go swimming off Dublin’s Bull Wall despite strong winds and rough seas as almost 46,000 Irish households woke up to no electricity after violent gusts battered large swathes of the country through the night. Brian Lawless/PA Wire

DONEGAL

Donegal school burgled for the second time in three months THE recent burglary at a Donegal school was the second there in just three months, reports the Donegal Democrat. St Bernadette’s Special School in Letterkenny was broken into by two masked men. While no cash was stolen in the incident, keys for two school buses were taken meaning the ignition systems have had to be changed. The men, who were captured on CCTV, were in the school for fewer than seven minutes. Vice-principal Ailbhe Dunne said the school’s alarm went off at 2.20am. “They emptied the drawers of the desk on to the floor looking for money, but we don’t keep money on the premises,” she said. “Everybody is just gutted. It’s a horrible feeling and it costs us to repair the damage. It’s just a disruption to the school and everybody is very upset.” MEATH

Furore as funfair cancelled ANGER and disappointment has been expressed by the funfair operators and Navan Shamrock Festival, as well as local youngsters at a decision by Meath County Council to stop the funfair from using the Fairgreen this year. The Meath Chronicle reports that the McFadden’s Funfair, which has been a major attraction in Navan on St Patrick’s Day for the past 17 years, has hit out at the decision. Dwayne McFadden, who is also a member of the Shamrock Festival Committee, said they had been refused permission to use the Fairgreen. He pointed out that the Funfair provides substantial sponsorship to the festival each year and paid €6,000 last year. “We kept going throughout the recession and when we are in town, we buy all our supplies here. We have always supported the town,” he said. A spokesperson said the council has had to review this attraction in terms of inconvenience, noise, antisocial behaviour, parking facilities and access to a local church. “Having considered the issues of concern, and having consulted with

the gardaí, the council reluctantly decided not to make the Fairgreen car park available.” LIMERICK

JP McManus loses US court bid over $5.2m JP McManus has reportedly lost his US court bid to recover $5.2 million (€4.9 million) withheld in taxes in gambling earnings he won from a US billionaire during a backgammon match. The Limerick Leader reports that the Washington-based US court of federal claims has rejected the Limerick businessman’s bid to recover the six-figure sum withheld in taxes from $17.4 million he won from US businessman Alec Gores during a three-day backgammon match in California in 2012. Judge Nancy Firestone denied the Martinstown racehorse owner request to direct the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to hand over the $5.2m that Mr Gores retained to cover any potential US federal income tax liability. Mr McManus’s lawyer Terry Giles said that the pair were “disappointed” by the ruling and that he planned to talk to his client to determine whether to appeal the decision. Mr McManus had argued that his winnings should be exempt from US income tax under the treaty because he is an Irish citizen who paid the domicile levy of €200,000 to Ireland in 2012. DERRY

Derry panties thief given 8 months suspended sentence A BURGLAR who stole three pairs of underpants from a woman’s flat was has been given an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, by Derry Crown Court. The Belfast Telegraph reports that the court was told the panties, which each cost £2, were found hanging from a tree eight months after they’d been stolen. Ronan Gillen (28) pleaded guilty to tresspassing in his then neighbour’s flat. A prosecution barrister told Judge Philip Babington that Gillen entered the woman’s flat five times uninvited. On each occasion she told him to leave. On the fourth she became frightened and hid under her bed. “With the woman under her bed, he removed three items of underwear from her bedside drawer, three

pairs of panties which she had just bought that day. . . . She called her boyfriend who returned home from work and who found her in a very distressed state. “The defendant came back again when the boyfriend was there. He was confronted by him and then left. The police were the called,” the barrister said. Eight months later the stolen panties were found hanging from a tree outside a flat then occupied by Gillen. Defence barrister Stephen Mooney said Gillen was absolutely remorseful and distressed at the upset he had caused to the woman. “It was abundantly clear he was highly intoxicated at the time having consumed a colossal amount of lager.” Judge Babington noted from the pre-sentence report that Gillen had consumed between 16 and 18 cans of beer and that on the night in question he “was out for a cure”. “You were ‘rightly drunk’ as one would say,” the judge said. “You came back in and removed her underwear from her bedside drawer. Why, oh why, I do not know – and I suggest that probably you do not know either. “At the end of the day I think your brain was scrambled due to the enormous amount of alcohol you had taken over the previous 24 hours or so,” he said. FERMANAGH

Stand and deliver THE Belfast Telegraph reports on a Parcelforce driver who has expressed “enormous shame and regret” after performing sex acts in the letterbox of a house in Fermanagh. David Camblin, 52, of Tandragee pleaded guilty at Fermanagh Magistrates Court to three counts of damaging a door and floor. Last August a man who was having work done on the house, which is his late mother’s, became suspicious of a puddle in the hallway. He installed a CCTV camera to identify the culprit and footage showed a Parcelforce van pulling up outside the house. The man walked to the door and placed his private parts in the letterbox on the front door. On the recording he then appeared to masturbate through the letterbox. The incident lasted a few minutes before the man got back into the van and drove off. On a second occasion the delivery man noticed the camera as he was carrying out the sex act.

March 9 - April 6, 2017 I www.irishecho.com.au

recruitment

AUST R ALIA’S IR ISH NE WSPAP E R

to advertise call (02) 9555 9199 or email ads@irishecho.com.au

Project Engineer/Manager Required

FIND IRISH STAFF

Email ads@irishecho.com.au Call 1300 555 995

Well established formwork/concrete structure subcontractor seeks Project Engineer. Due to projected increase in upcoming projects we require a Project Engineer to assist with: • Tendering, estimation and pre-contract award duties • Contract admin during projects incl management of SWMS etc • Contract variations • Procurement and pre-planning in relation to materials and subcontractors CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS: • Min 2 years similar role with exposure to RMS requirements & B80 Specifications • E xperience with concrete structure construction and Formwork • Provide technical and administration support to site staff • Team player with strong communication skills • Ability to maintain and develop relationships with clients, site supervisors and tradesmen On offer is a package negotiable on experience and the opportunity to grow with a well established and respected Sydney based company specialising in complex concrete structures who have a well established client base and are known for producing reliable and quality structures for our clients. This role could potentially suit someone wanting to step back from major contractor role and a flexible working arrangement could be negiotiated. Written applications including current resume should be sent to: gwconstructions@outlook.com

CONSTRUCTION LABOURERS We are seeking labourers with 2 year’s experience to join our construction team in delivering projects. Key Duties and Responsibilities include (but not limited to): • Follow direction from site engineer, team leader and operations manager as required. • Using hand and power tools as required (saws, drills, etc). • Undertake Kerb, Gutter, Footpath, Road works, Drainage. • Form work • Concreting • Clean and prepare sites • General labouring • Assisting operators/contractors • Civil construction including drainage, roads, kerb, gutter, paving, landscaping, footpaths. • Spotting of excavation and backfilling. To be eligible for the role you must have the following skills/experience: • Previous experience working on construction sites as a labourer. • Construction Induction -‐ Blue or White Card (Essential) • A strong safety focus • Current resume with two recent and contactable work references • Hold a current Drivers’ Licence and have reliable transport • More than 2 year’s experience in civil works

Please contact Mr Ahmad Mourad on 0404 819 657 to arrange an interview Sydney Civil Pty Ltd is a leading civil construction company highly experienced in local government, and major commercial and industrial projects with a reputation for providing a professional, integrated service to its clients.

to advertise call (02) 9555 9199 or email ads@irishecho.com.au March 9 - April 6, 2017 I www.irishecho.com.au

recruitment

KILLARD EXCAVATION IS SEEKING EMPLOYEES FOR THE FOLLOWING ROLES:

• Project Manager • Project Engineer • Plant Manager & Fitter • Site Manager • Pipe Layers • Skilled Excavator Operators • Labourers We are looking for experienced, reliable and hardworking employees to join the Killard Excavation team with IMMEDIATE START. LOCATIONS: Sydney Metro, Northern Beaches, North & South West Sydney APPLICANTS MUST HAVE: • 3 year’s experience operating excavators ranging in size up to 5-35 tonne machines • Experience working with pipe laying crews • Experience in trenching / final trim works • Experience in rock hammering trenches

APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING TICKETS: • White card • Excavator Statement of Attainment or Workcover ticket • Excavator VOC (Verification of Competency) • Overhead Awareness (5009) • Drivers Licence / Own Transport (truck licence an advantage)

WE WILL ALSO OFFER SPONSORSHIP FOR THE RIGHT CANDIDATES.

To apply or for further details, please call Jerry on 0417 267 147 or email: jerry.daly@killard.com.au

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AUST R ALIA’S IR ISH NE WSPAP E R

sports DOMINANT KATIE TAYLOR CONTINUES WINNING WAYS WITH FIFTH-ROUND STOPPAGE

Unbeaten Taylor on a roll in pro ranks

IRELAND’S Katie Taylor stopped Italian Monica Gentili in five rounds at London’s O2 Arena last weekend to maintain her unbeaten record in the professional ranks. Featuring on the undercard of the heavily-hyped heavyweight bout between David Haye and Tony Bellew, Taylor enjoyed the privilege of once again featuring as the chief support bout to a big Sky main event. Wearing black shorts with gold trim, Taylor entered to the sounds of AC/ DC’s Thunderstruck. The former Olympic champion dominated the opening round, peppering the pursuing Gentili off the back foot with a number of quick right hooks landing to the head of the Italian. The pattern continued into the second round, with Taylor working the body before throwing hooks to the head, although Gentili did not seem troubled as she continued to march on. The third started at a high pace before the bout began to be fought at close quarters as anticipated by Team Taylor in advance. Both fighters traded blows to the body, with the Irishwoman coming off better thanks to her speed and footwork. By the fourth round, Taylor was throwing short right hands and upper cuts at ease. Gentili continued to be game – continually moving forward, but the Italian – who carried a 6-6 record into the fight – was landing little of note. Midway through the fifth, Taylor landed a barrage of punches, with Gentili going to the canvas following two particularly heavy hooks to the head and a sharp right hook/cross felling the Italian. Referee Bob Williams let the Italian get to her feet, but with the 39-year-old clearly hurt the official rightly called a

Katie Taylor (right) takes on Monica Gentili in the super-featherweight contest at The O2 in London last weekend. Picture: Nick Pott halt at 1min 35secs of the round. “I thought it was a very good performance. The body work paid off. She was a very durable girl and it was good to get the stoppage in the end,” said Taylor. “This was the first time I have had a proper training camp. I definitely felt sharper in there. I felt I could go 10

rounds. I think I’m ready to box for a world title straight away.” It was a better performance than her last outing, a reflection of her growing experience under American coach Ross Enemait. It was also important for Taylor to stop Gentili and demonstrate that her punches hurt as much as score points.

HORSE RACING: ‘NO ANTI-IRISH BIAS’ IN HANDICAP RATINGS

Weight on his mind BRITISH Horseracing senior handicapper Phil Smith has been forced to defend the weights he allocates to Irish-trained horses ahead of this year’s Cheltenham showpiece. Smith insists “there is no semblance of any anti-Irish bias” following the publication of the weights for annual steeplechasing festival. Smith and his team have been criticised in some quarters for handicapping Irish horses running in the UK, instead of using performance figures from their homeland. Michael O’Lear y, owner of Irish powerhouse Gigginstown House Stud and CEO of Ryanair, has been one of the most vocal opponents and has consequently removed eight horses from the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree in April. But Smith said in a statement that the BHA’s handicapping approach with Irish horses has provided “greater equality and fairness” after years of what he felt was a “disproportionately high success rate of Irish runners in British handicaps” – most significantly at the Cheltenham Festival. “This is in no way a comment on our colleagues in Ireland.

Top jockey Barry Geraghty has been ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival because of injury.

“It is pur ely for consistency purposes. Handicapping will always be subjective and it makes sense for every runner in handicaps in Britain to be assessed by British handicappers using identical methodology. “Since switching approaches the

strike rate of British and Irish runners have levelled out with the Irish strikerate remaining marginally higher at 11 per cent compared to 10 per cent for British runners. “We have also monitored success rates at the four major festivals since 2006, where the British strike-rate is 250 winners from 5,199 runners at 4.8 per cent, compared to 154 Irish winners from 2,990 runners at 5.2 per cent. “The jump handicappers are confident that based on these figures there is no semblance of any anti-Irish bias and that keeping our own Irish performance figures has given our handicaps greater equality and fairness.” Meanwhile, Top jockey Bar r y Geraghty has been ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival after suffering a collapsed lung and six broken ribs in a fall at Kempton Park. The rider was taken to hospital for further examination following a spill from the Nicky Henderson-trained Charli Parcs in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle, and while later reporting he had a “slightly collapsed lung and a cracked rib”, he said he was “hopeful” of making the big meeting, but he has since ruled himself out.

She was never in any danger and in long stretches of the scheduled six round bout demonstrated a variety of shots, Gentili at times just a brave punch bag moving forward and taking punishment. But the win will add to Taylor’s confidence before she fights in Manchester this month and again in April on the

undercard of Anthony Joshua’s world title fight against Wladimir Klitschko in April at Wembley Stadium. “The professional game is much more ruthless than the amateurs. People watching want to see knockouts, they like to see blood, I suppose, so I am learning to be more ruthless,” the Bray woman said.

CONLAN RELISHING NEW YORK BOUT

Conlan set for pro debut Mark Staniforth

MICHAEL Conlan insists the filth and the fur y of his amateur career has stood him in good stead as he builds towards his paid debut at Madison Square Garden on St Patrick’s Day. The 25-year-old from Belfast hit headlines around the world for issuing a two-fingered salute to officials after his highly controversial loss to Russian Vladimir Nikitin at the Rio Olympics. But Conlan’s days of battling judges as well as the elements in some of global sport’s more inhospitable outposts are over after he landed a lucrative deal with promoter Bob Arum which kicks off at the historic venue on March 17. “I have no regrets what I did in Rio and I feel like ever ything that has happened since then has been a blessing,” Conlan said last week. “For about a week I was devastated and I thought it was the end of the world but the way things have worked out I don’t think I’d have got such a good opportunity if I’d gone and won the gold medal. “I’ve spent years in the amateurs going around the world boxing in some absolute s***holes. I spent four weeks in Kazakhstan in a cabin with no internet when it was snowing outside.

Michael Conlan will fight at Madison Square Garden.

“I went to Venezuela. The hotel was nice but it was surrounded by favelas and you couldn’t go out without an armed guard. And now here I am getting ready to fight at Madison Square Garden on St Patrick’s Day Ms Keaveney said the biggest holiday for the whole of Ireland. It’s all a dream come true for me.” Conlan was one of a number of Irish fighters – including his close friend Paddy Barnes – who turned professional immediately after Rio.

March 9 - April 6, 2017 I www.irishecho.com.au

A U S TRA L IA’S IRIS H N EWS PAPER

sports AFL

O’Riordan debuts for Swans COLIN O’Riordan made his first senior appearance for the Sydney Swans in a pre-season game two weeks ago. The Tipperar y man, who made the move Down Under in October 2015, had 12 possessions in his debut for the Swans in their two-point defeat to Nor th Melbour ne at Cof fs Harbour in the pre-season JLT Community series. The 21-year-old broke a bone in his back last August and suffered a collapsed lung while featuring for the club’s reserve side in a game against NT Thunder, a combination outfit from the Northern Territory. But O’Riordan has made a full recovery from the injury and will be hoping to continue to impress ahead of Sydney’s season opener against Por t Adelaide in the 46,000 all-seater SCG on March 25. O’Riordan, who is in his second year of an international rookie contract, wore number 38 for the Swans. He was rested for last weekend’s clash with the GWS Giants but will be hoping to regain his spot once the season proper kicks off.

AFL

Zach Tuohy impresses for Geelong LAOIS-born AFL star Zach Tuohy is already attracting admirers at his new club. The former Carlton player joined the Geelong Cats in the of f-season and produced an impressive display in his debut appearance against Hawthorn. The Cats gave up a firstround draft pick to secure Tuohy, who replaces beloved premiership defender Corey Enright. T uohy averaged 382m gained for Carlton in 2016, while Geelong’s best was Enright (351m). The affable Tuohy was very impressive in the opening JLT Series clash against Hawthorn, picking up a game high 33 disposals with an efficiency of 88 per cent and gained 599m. Those figures come as no surprise to Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield, who said he is expecting “really big things” from Tuohy. “Zach has been first class in the way that he has approached the pre-season. “He has been really vocal on the track and his training standards are at a high level,” Dangerfield said. “We expect really big things of Zach this year because he is a proven AFL player. “He was voted by the coaches to be in (their) allAustralian team last year, so he is a very good player and he played a very good game last weekend. “We’re excited to have him on board,” Dangerfield said.

MCILROY DEFENDS PLAYING A ROUND WITH THE PRESIDENT

Bunkered down with Trump RORY McIlroy has defended his decision to play golf with United States President Donald Tr ump after the Nor ther n Irishman faced criticism and abuse online. The 45th president of the United States is a keen golf fan and owns several courses around the world, and McIlroy accepted an offer to join him on the fair ways at Tr ump International in Florida. T r ump’s comments and actions, both before and since taking of fice, have been rebuked by some sports people. However, McIlroy has defended his actions after he claimed he was called a “fascist and a bigot” because he had accepted the invitation. In a post on his T witter account McIlroy wrote: “I don’t agree with ever ything my friends or family say or do, but I still play golf with them. Last week I was invited to play golf with the President of the United States. Whether you respect the person who holds that position or not, you respect the office that he holds. “That wasn’t an endorsement or a political statement of any kind. It was, quite simply, a round of golf. Golf was our common ground, nothing else. I’ve travelled all over the world and have been for tunate enough to befriend people from many dif ferent countries, beliefs and cultures. “To be called a fascist and a bigot by some people because I spent time in someone’s company is just ridiculous. I hope, to some degree, this clarifies my decision to accept the invitation.” In an earlier interview with The Guardian, McIlroy had shied away from going into his reasons for playing with Trump and instead focused on the US election. “I really got into it once Trump ran because I knew him a little bit but at the same time I was intrigued how a successful businessman could transition into running for the highest of fice in the land,” the 27-year-old said. “It is a totally different process from the UK. He obviously came at it from a completely different angle. I’ve said it to the man himself; on a Tuesday night at a tournament, if there was a live (political) debate, I would get room service, stick on CNN and just watch. It was pure entertainment, even if you didn’t understand politics it was this complete phenomenon. “Something like this probably won’t happen again in our lifetime. I’m very attuned to it, I watch a lot of news. You can’t avoid it. I had no interest in politics until a couple of years ago; now I can’t seem to get away from it. “I feel like I’ve stayed unpolitical in terms of Nor thern Ireland and all that goes on there but because I’m not an American I don’t feel a real part of it; I’m just interested by the phenomenon of it all. “I don’t really care about the policies. The whole circus, this big show is intriguing to watch,” he concluded.

Rory McIlroy reacts to missing a birdie putt at the World Golf Championships in Mexico last weekend and (inset) at the Trump International course in Florida with US President Donald Trump and his other playing partners.

McIlroy receives support from Harrington, Lowry

Padraig Harrington has backed Rory McIlroy’s decision to play a game of golf with Donald Trump.

FELLOW Irish golfer Shane Lowry has hit out at the criticism of the Co Down native in an interview with RTÉ Sport. Lowry believes the public outrage is over the top, making the argument that it was just a round of golf between the two. “I don’t know what I can say about that because no matter what I say on this subject it’s going to be the wrong thing, “If I was asked to play golf with Trump I don’t know what I’d do. I’m not going to say ‘no’, I’m not going to say ‘yeah’. “At the end of the day, he’s still the President of America and I’m sure that’s what Rory thought to himself – ‘the President of America is after asking me to play golf, I’m going to go play golf’. “It’s just a game of golf. It’s not like he was up in the White House having meetings with him for a few days. “We travel around the world, we meet different types of people. When we’re playing in places like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you meet people and are introduced to people that have different beliefs than you do. That’s just the way it is. We’re a global sport.” Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington has also backed McIlroy’s decision. “I’m probably in the lucky position that he’s not going to ask me. He’s the President of the United States. You respect the position of President of the United States. If you were asked, of course you would go out and respect it.” “He’s the one that was democratically elected. As much as you have personal opinions on these matters, it’s a bigger issue than that,” Harrington said.

34 sports

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PADDY JACKSON REJECTS MOVE TO ENGLAND TO SIGN NEW ULSTER CONTRACT

New Ulster deal keeps Jackson in Ireland Nick Purewal PADDY Jackson has rejected a move to England’s Aviva Premiership and signed a new two-year contract with Ulster. The Ireland fly-half will remain at his home province until at least summer 2019, after spurning advances understood to have come from the likes of Northampton and Bristol. The 25-year-old has become Ireland’s main understudy to linchpin fly-half Johnny Sexton across a busy 12 months, frequently deputising for the injury-hit Leinster star. Jackson has featured in all three of Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations clashes so far this term, further indicating his growing influence in Joe Schmidt’s squad. “To have Paddy commit to Ulster for a further two seasons is a huge boost,” said Ulster rugby director Les Kiss. “He progressed through the academy structures here and has grown into a fantastic player and leader, who commands the respect of the entire squad. “He is the type of player that we can build the team around and it’s important that we have home-grown talent at the forefront of what we’re trying to achieve

here. His ability and leadership will be critical for us in the future. “Paddy’s form over the past few years has been widely acknowledged and it was no surprise that there was a lot of interest in him from other big European clubs. “It was far from a straightforward process but Bryn [Cunningham, operations director]) has done a marvellous job in negotiating the terms of the contract and I’m really pleased with the solution that we have in place.” Jackson has seized on Ian Madigan’s move to Bordeaux to push himself up Ireland’s fly-half pecking order in the last year. The 22-cap playmaker has established himself as Sexton’s clear deputy with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) prioritising selecting provincial players ahead of overseas-based stars. Jackson’s decision to stay on home ground will doubtless have been swayed by Ireland’s selection policy. “I’m delighted to be staying on at Ulster Rugby for at least another two years; it is such a proud moment for myself and my family,” said Jackson. “I am hugely excited by the challenges that lie ahead.”

Paddy Jackson, in action against Scotland during this year’s Six Nations, has cemented his place as the chief understudy for Johnny Sexton at No 10 for Ireland.

GUINNESS PRO 12 :: LEINSTER GO TOP

Leinster too strong for Scarlets at RDS LEINSTER’S whirlwind five-try second half blew the Scarlets completely off course at the RDS as the hosts secured a 45-9 Guinness Pro12 bonus-point win. A quar tet of tries from Rhys Ruddock, Joey Carbery (two) and replacement Ed Byrne – his first for the Irish province after two years out with serious knee problems – came in a devastating 10-minute spell approaching the hour mark. Jamison Gibson-Park got over in the final play to make it seven tries on the night for Leo Cullen’s men, who have moved two points clear at the top of the table with five rounds remaining. Having claimed a famous win over Munster at Thomond Park last week, Scarlets were quietly confident of claiming an Irish double. Indeed, Dan Jones booted three penalties to leave them just 12-9 in arrears at half-time, in response to a brace of tries from Leinster’s man-ofthe-match Luke McGrath. However, the Welsh side’s secondhalf efforts were in stark contrast to their heroic comeback in Limerick, and

Leinster 45 Scarlets 9

Leinster were able to coast to their fourth successive bonus-point victory of the Six Nations period. The fourth-placed Scarlets opened the scoring in Dublin inside three minutes, Tom Williams breaking into the hosts’ 22 and Jones drilled a penalty over after Noel Reid was caught offside. A strong set-piece platform launched Leinster for ward in response. They turned down a kickable penalty and from a close-in scr um, McGrath scrambled over to the right of the posts for Ross Byrne to convert. A second successful penalty followed from Jones, but the Scarlets stand-off blundered when he was charged down by McGrath, who finished smartly for his 20th-minute try. With former Leinster forward Tadhg Beirne, Aaron Shingler and James Davies all prominent, the Scarlets

disrupted the province’s maul efforts and the breakdown with four turnovers. The rain and wind picked up for the star t of the second half and with Carber y increasing his influence, Leinster swiftly struck for try number three. Ruddock crashed over by the posts in the 47th minute. Byrne converted and also added the extras to Carbery’s first score. The Llanelli outfit fell 22 points behind just a few minutes later, Adam Byr ne gobbling up Ross Byr ne’s cross-field kick and passing out of a tackle for the supporting Carbery to finish from five metres out. Leinster repeated the trick for their sixth try, the two Byrnes combining and fit-again prop Ed Byrne taking the scoring pass and crash over. Ross Byrne successfully negotiated his most difficult conversion kick of the night and added a carbon copy right at the death. The Scarlets were denied a consolation tr y before replacement Gibson Park completed the rout for Leinster.

LEINSTER’S AUSSIE SIGNING

Brumbies forward Scott Fardy sets sail for Dublin LEINSTER have signed Australian forward Scott Fardy from Brumbies. The 32-year-old Wallaby will join the Irish province once the Super Rugby season concludes. Fardy has won 39 Australia caps and has also played 83 times for the Brumbies since his debut in 2012, scoring nine tries. “Scott is a player of considerable talent and experience and we are looking forward to welcoming him to Leinster,” said head coach Leo Cullen. “In order to compete consistently on two fronts, in the Pro12 and the Champions Cup, we need to have competition across the team. “While Scott has played a lot of rugby in the back row, we have signed Scott as a second row and believe he will complement the second-row options that we already have here in Leinster. Fardy sees it as a chance to experience something different in the latter stages of his career. “I am delighted to be joining Leinster Rugby, a club with a rich heritage and a proud tradition,” he says. “I am very grateful to the Brumbies and the Australian fans for all the support over the years and I am com-

Scott Fardy, in action here for the Wallabies, will join Leinster at the end of the Super Rugby season

mitted to seeing out the Super Rugby season in a positive manner.” Meanwhile, Ireland fly-half Joey Carber y has signed his first senior contract with Leinster. The 21-year-old heads a list of seven academy players to be handed senior deals, in another boost after he recently returned from ankle trouble. Carbery is joined by Ross Byrne, Nick McCar thy, Ror y O’Loughlin, Andrew Por ter, James R yan and Paedar Timmins in completing fresh terms with the Dublin province.

GUINNESS PRO 12 :: WRAP

Munster bounce back from home defeat to score win over Cardiff RORY Scannell’s drop goal and a Conor Oliver try secured a late 13-23 Guinness PRO12 triumph for Munster at Cardiff. The Irish province – playing Welsh opposition for the fourth straight week – scored 10 points in the final four minutes at BT Sport Cardif f Arms Park. Blues wing Aled Summerhill and replacement Munster centre Francis Saili had crossed for the only tries of a tight first 76 minutes, with Steve Shingler and Scannell booting the rest of the points. But, with the game tied at 13-13,

Scannell stepped back in the pocket to drop a goal and replacement Oliver added gloss to the scoreline. Munster desperately needed to win after suffering a rare home loss to Scarlets a week earlier. The Welsh region won at Thomond Park for only the second time – they were 19-12 winners back in September 2003 – to give a big boost to their play-off hopes. Despite a sloppy start, converted tries fr om Jaco Taute, Dar r en Sweetnam and Conor Oliver gave

Munster a commanding 21-6 half-time lead, with Dan Jones booting two penalties for the Welshmen in reply. However, Scarlets really got their r unning game going in the third quarter, pouncing for three quick-fire tries from Hadleigh Parkes, Johnny McNicholl and Tom Williams as the hosts’ poor kicking and defending was ruthlessly punished. Meanwhile, Connacht made it four Pro 12 wins in a row with a 33-3 bonus point dismissal of Zebre at a ver y muddy Sportsground.

The cold, wet and windy conditions made a mess of general play, but a couple of well-taken tries from Niyi Adeolokun and Naulia Dawai had Connacht 12-0 ahead at half-time. Guglielmo Palazzani’s penalty kickstarted a strong third quarter from Zebre, before the westerners wrestled back control with a John Muldoon effort, a 65th-minute penalty try and a closing seven-pointer from Lewis Stevenson. Pat Lam’s men have moved above Cardiff Blues into seventh place in the table.

Ulster’s Jared Payne marked his first start for the province since October by scoring a first-half try, but Les Kiss’s side failed to claim a bonus point against Treviso in atrocious conditions at the Kingspan Stadium. Victory earned the hosts a fourth win in a row, but the failure to claim a bonus point saw the province remain in fifth place in the Guinness PRO12. Ulster also scored tries through Sean Reidy and Charles Piutau, but Treviso dug in and finished strongly with a try from Teofilo Paulo.

March 9 - April 6, 2017 I www.irishecho.com.au

A U S TRA L IA’S IRIS H N EWS PAPER

rugby :: sports JARED PAYNE BACK IN IRELAND MIX FOR SIX NATIONS CONCLUSION

Positive selction headaches for Schmidt

Jared Payne could be parachuted into the Irish team for this weekend’s crucial clash with Wales in Cardiff.

JARED Payne has moved a step closer to a surprise RBS 6 Nations appearance after retur ning to Ireland’s training squad. The 31-year-old centre had been all-but ruled out of the tournament owing to a serious kidney injur y suffered in November but fought back to action for Ulster last weekend. Now head coach Joe Schmidt has named Payne in his squad to prepare for the final two Six Nations clashes, with Wales and England. Payne’s return could hand Ireland a significant boost in their bid to secure a winner-takes-all final weekend showdown with England in Dublin on March 18. Ireland’s backline defensive

captain would doubtless shore up Schmidt’s side’s rearguard approach if recalled to the starting line-up to face Wales in Cardif f on Friday, March 10 (Saturday mor ning, Australian time. Live on Bein Sports from 7am AEDT). Ireland must now weigh up whether Payne will be ready to return in Cardiff after a three-month lay-off, or to keep faith with Garry Ringrose at outside centre. “The guys that have battled for us in the last few weeks certainly have to be rewarded,” said Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek, earlier this week. “Jared has obviously got a huge amount of respect from the coaching staff and players. “I know the players have a lot of

respect for him as well so it’s our duty to see how he’s going.” Payne suf fered his injur y in Ireland’s 27-24 win over Australia in Dublin on November 26. Fit-again Leinster fly-half Joey Carbery returns to Ireland’s squad ahead of Munster’s Ian Keatley, with Ulster centre Luke Marshall also named in a 36-strong training squad. Carber y had missed the first three rounds of Six Nations action with an ankle problem. Wales have finished in the top three of ever y Six Nations tournament since 2011, but defeats against Ireland and final opponents France would render that impossible, while also putting them outside the top eight-ranked teams

SIX NATIONS :: IRELAND SCORE IMPRESSIVE WIN OVER FRENCH

ahead of May’s 2019 World Cup draw. If Wales go into the draw as world rugby’s ninth-ranked team, it means they could face another punishing World Cup pool, as in 2015, when they were drawn alongside England and Australia. Wales assistant coach Robin McBr yde said his team were focused on the Irish challenge. “Ireland are going to bring something different to Scotland, and we must be prepared. They [Ireland] did what they had to do against France [last weekend]. “They have got a strong set-piece, a strong maul and they are consistent, have a number of experienced players and a gameplan everybody understands.”

Destiny in our hands, Schmidt JOE Schmidt has admitted Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations destiny is back in their own hands after Saturday’s 19-9 win over France in Dublin. Ireland can now set up a title decider with England in Dublin on Saturday, March 18 with victory against Wales in Cardiff on Friday, March 10. Schmidt’s men ceded control of the tournament with their 27-22 opening-weekend loss in Scotland, but Conor Murray’s try and Johnny Sexton’s 11-point haul has changed the picture. England will be expected to pitch up in Dublin chasing both a second successive Grand Slam and a world record 19th consecutive win, but must first see off Scotland at Twickenham. Asked if Ireland’s destiny is back in their own hands, Schmidt said: “Yes I think it is and I think one of the key things is that England are going to keep going full speed. I think Scotland have proven they are very difficult to get past. “Losing Greig Laidlaw is a big blow for them, but they will go fully armed to Twickenham. This championship is super, it’s intense, we’re on the edge of our seat as coaches.” The Six Nations’ new bonuspoint system means that Ireland can stay in the hunt for the title with any victory in Wales. Head coach Schmidt expects England to extend their winning streak, but has insisted Ireland can ill afford to pick apart the title-race permutations ahead of their daunting trip to Cardiff. Schmidt, however, did admit that Ireland’s final-day showdown with England would lose a degree of lustre should it not represent a winner-takes-all title battle. “We probably haven’t done the maths because we’ve tried to stay focused on the immediate challenge,” said Schmidt of the Six Nations’ latest shake-up. “Probably because of the bonus points we gained against Scotland and Italy, and England haven’t had a bonus point yet, that has helped. But we’ve got Wales away to come. “We’re not thinking about anything back here at the end of the championship yet. But it will appeal a lot less to us if it’s

Ireland 19 France 9

not for the championship.” Ireland were for tunate that Remi Lamerat’s try was chalked off for a knock-on from Gael Fickou, having been car ved open by Camille Lopez’s kick-pass. Schmidt’s side battled back from another piecemeal start h o w e v e r, w i t h S e x t o n impressing on his return after a month battling a groin injury, lasting almost 70 minutes. The 31-year-old was subjected to the latest in a long sequence of intimidation tactics from the French, but this time emerged both unscathed and victorious. “In a measured way I thought he was really, really positive for us,” said Schmidt of Sexton. “He varied the game, we varied it up a bit in the second half. We had to try to get them chasing things rather than chasing us. “I thought he did it superbly, a couple of great kicks in behind. That allowed us to keep the pressure on. He never shirks his defensive responsibilities anyway, Johnny. “We probably aimed to give him 50 to 55 (minutes), but with the nature of the game, and him having the wind knocked out of him at one point where he had a two-minute rest, we gave him a bit longer. It’s certainly not the first time Johnny’s come straight back like that. He prepares himself incredibly well. He wants to be his best all the time.” France boss Guy Noves lamented the slight knock-on from Fickou that cost his side the Lamerat tr y, while also admitting he struggles to chart any progress for Les Bleus. “I don’t have the impression we are progressing but we are building something that is for sure,” said Noves. “It is a pity the first occasion we did break through their defence ended up with the try being disallowed. “But we are finding out by playing the high quality sides like Ireland how far we have to go,” he added.

France’s Scott Spedding and Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw (right) challenge for the ball during the RBS 6 Nations match at the Aviva Stadium. Picture: Niall Carson

FOXY ITALIANS

O’Brien: Ireland would have known how to combat Italy’s no-ruck tactics SEAN O’Brien insists Ireland would have known exactly what to do if faced with Italy’s no-ruck tactics that bamboozled England in their Six Nations clash. Italy’s refusal to ruck at Twickenham caught England cold, with the hosts forced to overturn a 10-5 half-time deficit for their eventual 36-15 victory. England boss Eddie Jones slammed the approach, devised by defence coach Brendan Venter, that has received as much acclaim as critique. Leinster flanker O’Brien praised Italy’s savvy ruse then admitted Ireland were aware that no ruck means no offside line – and would have known straight away how to combat it. Asked if Ireland would have had an immediate answer to Italy’s ploy dubbed ‘The Fox’ by boss Conor O’Shea, O’Brien replied: “Yeah, absolutely, up the jumpers stuff! “I certainly would have known the rules around it. Anyway, England dealt with it in the end but in fairness to the Italians they were very clever and smart in the way they went about their game plan. So you have to hand it to them too, but you have to adapt to those situations if they arise and it took England a little bit to do that. But they got the result they needed in the end.” O’Brien’s solution to England’s Italy conundrum would have been to produce a series of pick-and-go drives to clear the Azzurri’s blocking tactics. “Once you’re prepared properly for situations like that then it can work in your favour too,” said O’Brien. “You have to be on your toes in situations like that and get everyone on the same page quickly. “The Italians weren’t putting anyone into the breakdown and once they got a bit of momentum they were in the game straight away,” O’Brien said.

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