Metro Herald, January 3, 2014 by Metro Herald

Friday, January 3, 2014

“AN INSTANT COMEDY CLASSIC”

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Nigella spills the beans in US TV interview »p5

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“HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS AT THEIR COMIC BEST” MAGIC FM

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Good on ya, yeh big ride: Mailbox is back

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Surfer alive after rescue called off

A YOUNG surfer had a miraculous escape last night after he was smashed against rocks in storm force winds leaving him injured and severely hypothermic. A search had been launched earlier after a member of the public reported seeing a ‘black object’ bobbing up and down in the sea south of the main beach at Lahinch in Co Clare. The Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard commenced a coastline search. By then, however, it had been dark for a time and rescuers could see nothing. One surfer, who had come ashore, made himself known to rescue personnel and told them he was sure he was the last person out of the water. The search was then called off at around 5.40pm and the incident was being treated as a false alarm until the same surfer raised the alarm again with another emergency call just minutes later.

by pat Flynn

Search teams returned to the scene while the Shannon search and rescue helicopter was requested to assist. Soon afterwards, a dazed and injured 24-year-old man was found stumbling up steps close to the prom at Lahinch. The man, who works in a pub in Liscannor, was taken into care by Coast Guard personnel before being taken to University Hospital Limerick for treatment. Irish Coast Guard Area Officer Mattie Shannon said: ‘We were originally told by a surfer that he was the last to come ashore, so the search was called off. We were only gone a few minutes when we got the call back. This man was very fortunate. Those conditions were treacherous so it’s incredible that he survived being smashed on to the rocks like that.’

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF GRIN: An artifical cloud by artist Stuart Semple was released over Grafton Street yesterday as part of the First Fortnight mental health arts festival. The helium-based clouds have previously been seen in London, Sydney and Milan. The festival features music, theatre, storytelling and more – see firstfortnight.ie

‘It’s incredible that he survived’

PICTURE: ConoR MCCabE

PAGE 17

“BEST BRO-MANCE FILM IN YEARS” WOMAN’S OWN

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METRO HERALD Friday, January 3, 2014

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takes for a box of chocolates to be eaten on a hospital ward, with Roses being gobbled faster than Quality Street – British Medical Journal Ireland’s rate of newsprint recycling is now up to 79%. Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you.

Today is...

Festival of Sleep Day It may be easier for those still on their Christmas break, but those of us unlucky to already be back in work will gladly observe this one over the weekend…

From the archives (2008):

Press watchdog open for business

The Press Council and Press Ombudsman are set up to rule on public complaints about the print media, forcing publications to print apologies or retractions if a grievance is upheld. An alternative to costly court battles, they don’t have power to award compensation.

Today’s birthdays

George Martin, producer, 88; John Paul Jones, musician (Led Zeppelin), 68; Mel Gibson, actor, 58 (pictured); Michael Schumacher, racing driver, 45; Jonny Evans, footballer, 25.

CLOCkwORD

The solutions from 1 to 12 are all six-letter words ending with the letter N in the centre. Moving clockwise from 1, the letters in the outer circle will spell out the name of a character from detective fiction. 1. Neolithic stone 8. South structure American river 2. Primary source 9. Tropical bird 3. Relative 10. Abrupt 4. Renaissance 11. Get painter 12. 1066 invader 5. Choice Mon Dec 23 solution: 6. Area Glenne Headly 7. Exacerbate

Weather Weather Today

Max: 8°c

Stormy along the north coast this morning with prolonged squally showers, very windy elsewhere with sunshine and showers. Temperatures between 6°C to 8°C in blustery winds.

Derry

6�C

Donegal

6�C

Cavan

Galway

7�C

Athlone

Dublin

6�C

8�C

Tipperary Waterford

Tralee

Cork

Tonight

Belfast

7�C

7�C Sunrise: 8.40am Sunset: 4.19pm

Min: -1°c

Windy and blustery at first, but the winds will decrease a good deal overnight. A cold night in store, with a mixture of clear spells and scattered showers, some of these of hail. Temperatures between -1°C to 1°C.

EUROPE today

Tomorrow Frost and ice clearing, to give a cold, bright day, with a mixture of sunny spells and showers. Some of these showers will be heavy. Temperatures between 4°C to 7°C in moderate to fresh southwesterly winds.

4�C 4�C 5�C 7�C

6�C

4�C 4�C 5�C Max: 7°c

Athens

14 °c

Barcelona

18 °c

Berlin

9 °c 12 °c

Brussels London Geneva Madrid Paris Rome

10 °c 7 °c 13 °c 13 °c 16 °c

Friday, January 3, 2014 METRO HERALD

Sculptors create truck that can reach 19km per hour using 5-tonne ice block

Safety first: The interior has a seatbelt and steering wheel

Intricate detail: The vehicle’s boot has also been recreated

Out on the freezeway by TARiq TAHiR

IT’S a cool ride that will almost certainly leave motorists breathless. This working truck was carved out of more than five tonnes of ice – and then driven along a road. The sculpture of the 2005 GMC Silverado has licence plates and even a pine tree-shaped air freshener. It was created by artists at Iceculture who mounted it on a steel frame and wheels. Fans were also added to prevent hot air and exhaust fumes melting the exterior. The truck was driven for about 4km at speeds of 19kph and the team from Ontario, Canada, hope their project will be entered into the Guinness World Records book. They were commissioned by Canadian Tire for a TV advert to show how well its car batteries deal with the cold. Iceculture boss Heidi Bayley said: ‘What we first had to do was address the challenge that ice and metal don’t mix because metal conducts heat. ‘It was probably one of the biggest challenges we’ve ever done.’

Cold start: The 2005 GMC Silveradoinspired model by Iceculture can travel on a steel frame at speeds of up to 19kph PictureS: iceculture/ caterS

METRO HERALD Friday, January 3, 2014

by DAviD kEARns

Weather alerts for Leinster, Cork and Galway

MET Éireann has warned that the wind and rain currently blasting the country is to continue into the weekend, after a December which was among the wettest in decades. Last night, flood alerts were issued in Galway and Cork, where flooding was reported in many areas including Fr Mathew Street and the South Mall. A Yellow alert was issued for Leinster, to last until 2pm today, with wind gusts of 90 to 110kph forecast and a risk of flooding in coastal areas. Dublin City Council issued its own flood alert this week, and has closed the Liffey Boardwalk. With high tides due over the weekend, the flood gates on the Dodder and the Tolka rivers are to remain closed until the middle of next week. Sand bags have been installed at strategic locations in Clontarf and Sandymount, while public car parks in these areas will remain closed. In December, gale force winds were reported on 20 days, with lightning recorded on almost half of these. Casement weather station in Dublin reported its highest December mean windspeed of 30kph since 1994, while Cork reported its wettest December since 1989. The worst weather was during the week prior to Christmas, while the last two weeks have seen unsettled heavy showers and thunderstorms, with light falls of hail, sleet and snow. Tomorrow will see a return to more normal conditions before the windy weather returns on Monday.

To the waters and the wild: A man exercises his dog on the seafront in Malahide yesterday as more heavy rains and strong winds battered the country Picture: PA

Adams urges parties to read peace proposals

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SINN Féin’s ruling party executive is to meet on January 11 to consider the proposed Northern Ireland peace deal. Talks chaired by former US diplomat Dr Richard Haass broke up on New Year’s Eve without unanimous agreement. He has urged members of the public to engage in a robust debate on his proposals on how to deal with contentious issues such as flags, parades and dealing with the region’s troubled past. Party president Gerry Adams said: ‘Sinn Féin has stretched ourselves in these negotiations and we are up for this challenge. Other parties should not fudge their response. ‘Failure to reach agreement on these crucial issues will bedevil the political process and make it

Debate: Adams difficult to reach agreements on social and economic issues that are essential for improving the quality of life for everyone. ‘I would urge all citizens interested in building peace to take the time to read the proposals.’ Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt is to discuss the paper with his party’s executive next week.

Powers to sack bad teachers AN OFFICIAL watchdog is being given ramped-up powers to deal with bad teachers. Tweaks to existing laws will allow the Teaching Council, which regulates the profession, to effectively strike off teachers who are underperforming or found guilty of misconduct, even if they are not deemed ‘unfit to teach’ as needed at present. Education Minister Ruairí Quinn said the new powers will

put teaching on a par with other regulated professions. The planned changes have to be rubber-stamped by the Oireachtas. Teachers can appeal any decisions in the High Court. Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland spokeswoman Gemma Tuffy said: ‘Our members helped to shape these new powers and so we are confident they will only be used as intended.’

4% of primary children get no homework help FOUR per cent of primary schoolchildren never receive help from their parents when doing homework, new figures show. A report by the Central Statistics Office also found 28 per cent of secondary students never get parental assistance with homework. Some 69 per cent of primary and 13 per cent of secondary students get help daily. The Quarterly National Household Survey also revealed an educational link when it comes to helping: in families where the mother has a degree, 72 per cent of parents felt confident assisting with homework.

Facing the cameras: Nigella Lawson answers questions about her role as a witness in the trial of the Grillo sisters during an appearance on Good Morning America yesterday Picture: Barcroft Media

Nigella: It hurt to let world hear our secrets NIGELLA LAWSON has spoken of her regret at exposing her children to the media glare during the ‘mortifying’ ordeal of the Grillo sisters’ fraud trial. The TV cook, who was accused of heavy cocaine use by her former personal assistants, said she had tried to put the painful episode behind her by eating ‘a lot of chocolate’ at Christmas. But she admitted it had hurt to see the private details of her split from art dealer Charles Saatchi aired in public. Asked what it was like to be a witness in the trial, she said: ‘I can’t remember exactly because you’re so focused on answering the questions to the best of your ability that you don’t have an enormous awareness of yourself. ‘Maybe that’s a good thing. My only desire was to protect my children as much as possible which, alas, I couldn’t always do.’ The 53-year-old added: ‘To have distortions of your private life put on display is mortifying. But there are people going through an awful lot worse. Since

by TARIQ TAHIR then I’ve eaten a lot of chocolate, had a very good Christmas and am into the new year.’ Ms Lawson answered questions about the trial while appearing on Good Morning America to promote her new show The Taste. She used her first TV appearance since the case to query the principle that stops witnesses hiring lawyers to help them in court. ‘It’s a nicety of the English legal system that you’re not allowed counsel if you’re a witness but maybe that will change, maybe that’s good,’ she said. The food writer’s admission that she twice took cocaine is being reviewed by police after Elisabetta and Francesca Grillo were acquitted last month. The siblings, accused of spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on Mr Saatchi’s credit cards on themselves, claimed Ms Lawson let them do it in return for keeping quiet about her drug use.

‘Crack’ mayor Rob to run again TORONTO mayor Rob Ford has put his name on the ballot to run for another term, defying calls for him to step down after admitting he smoked crack ‘in a drunken stupor’. Mr Ford, pictured, was the first candidate to show up at City Hall when registration opened yesterday for the city’s municipal election on October 27. He called himself ‘the best mayor this city has ever had.’ The Toronto City Council has stripped him of most of his powers, but Mr Ford continues to receive support from some in the city’s more conservative suburbs.

Friday, January 3, 2014 METRO HERALD

Woman charged over murder in Drogheda A WOMAN was being held in custody yesterday after she was charged with the murder of a man in Drogheda. Wayne McQuillan, 30, died after a stabbing in the Rathmullen Park area at about 1.30am on Wednesday. Yesterday, Paula Farrell, 40, of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda appeared in Dublin District Court. She is charged with murdering

Mr McQuillan on New Year’s Day. Meanwhile, two people were yesterday charged with violent disorder in connection with a New Year’s morning attack in Tallaght after which a young man died. Graham Palmer, 24, of Homelawn Road, Tallaght and Aisling Burke, 20, from Bolbrook Grove, Tallaght were both charged in connection with the incident.

METRO HERALD Friday, January 3, 2014

Quarter of males cry off diets on the first day A QUARTER of men who made a New Year’s resolution to lose weight have already given up on their diets. Some 26 per cent of men abandon their diets after one day, a survey found. Meanwhile, one in ten women cave in to cravings for unhealthy food after 24 hours and 31 per cent give up their diet within one week, according to a poll of 2,000 people by a health insurer. Experts said weight loss worked best by combining a healthy diet and exercise, but only 30 per cent of people said they would do physical activity alongside a diet. Dr Tim Woodman, medical director at Bupa, said: ‘This time of year we see a flurry of diets offering a quick fix. ‘Fad diets might help you lose a few pounds at first, but they won’t help you stay healthy. The only healthy way to shed fat and keep it off is to eat healthy meals and increase physical activity.’

wife’s 5-day vigil continues for F1 champ Schumacher by nicOLE LE MARiE THE wife of motor racing driver Michael Schumacher is spending a fifth day at his bedside while her husband fights for his life. Corinna Schumacher has spent every day at Grenoble Hospital since his skiing accident on Sunday in the French resort of Meribel. The 44-year-old who has been married to the seven-times F1 world champion for 18 years, has surrounded her husband with keepsakes from their children – daughter Gina-Maria, 16, and son Mick, 14 – as she prays for his recovery. His manager, Sabine Kehm, said: ‘Corinna is trying to be strong for Michael and not allow negative thoughts to reach him.’ She added: ‘Michael is monitored all the time, his condition

Vigil: Mrs Schumacher at hospital PicTures: reuTers/PA

60 seconds

DOnniE wAHLbERg, 44, found fame in the late 1980s in boy band New Kids On The Block. He is now an actor and recording with the reformed NKOTB

How different is the music scene now to when you started out in the 1980s? In the mu-

sic world there seem to be fewer opportunities for establishing yourself as a recording artist – you have a better chance of becoming famous or maintaining a pop career now if you are on a television show like American Idol or The X Factor. Radio stations play so little music and MTV barely plays any music videos, so the window for artists to fit into has just become so much smaller. You can be a lot more famous now in the music business but to really make a living and have a career is tricky.

How does performing live compare with 20 years ago – are you still able to fling yourself around stadiums with the same amount of energy? When

I was younger and performing, everything was such an adrenalin rush. I would run on stage and be hyperventilating in the middle of the first song, singing too loud and not pacing myself at all. At 20 I could do that. I would still have enough energy to make it through the rest of the show but, at 44, I have to take a

different approach. I’m like a veteran in a sport now. But in some ways, pacing myself and stretching for an hour before every show and slowing it all down, I’ve learnt to be a better performer. These days, I really take my time and treat a concert more like a movie.

How have your fans changed – have they become less crazed than when they came to see you as teenagers?

They’re sometimes just as crazy and they scream as loud now as they did when they were teenagers, which is amazing. I took my son and his friends to see Justin Bieber and there was a lot of screaming. The other parents were like: ‘This is so loud.’ I said: ‘That’s nothing.’

You’re also an established actor these days, with a regular role on Blue Bloods. Do you think television has changed a lot in recent years too? Tele-

vision has changed a lot but I think it’s the opposite situation to music – there are so many cable networks producing shows, and so many opportunities for actors to work in

great-quality stuff. When I first got into acting, a lot of the actors I was competing with, my peers, said they didn’t want to do TV. I always wanted to do TV, though, because I was looking for the opposite of the rockstar lifestyle, which was something consistent – checking in every day and sort of punching a clock seemed fascinating to me.

You play a police officer in Blue Bloods but didn’t you have a rather misspent youth, like some of your brothers and band mates? Most of my interac-

tion with the police when I was young was when they were arresting my family members. Fortunately, I was rarely in their cars myself. I was the good son, I guess – I didn’t like being in trouble. I still knew all the cops from my area because they had arrested all my brothers, so when I walked down the street they would watch me to see if I had a knife and check what I was up to. Luckily, I was usually going to baseball or something else productive. As for playing a cop, I think now I am in my forties I’m playing the role I was born to play and I can finally be convincing as a policeman or detective.

Hormone may aid cannabis treatment A NATURALLY occurring hormone can be used to extinguish the ‘high’ produced by cannabis. Researchers at the University of Bordeaux in France studying mice and rats to see how recreational drugs affect the production of steroids in the brain found that the steroid hormone pregnenolone reduces the brain’s sensitivity to THC, the chief high-inducing compound in cannabis The discovery could help to treat cannabis intoxication and dependence. It may also assist in the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes while blocking its psychoactive effects.

Fine for JK Rowling pseudonym leak

Coma: Schumacher was stable all night. It has not changed.’ Mr Schumacher, who turns 45 today, is in a medically induced coma. In a statement on his official website, his family thanked his fans, saying: ‘They are giving us great support.’

A LAWYER who let slip JK Rowling’s secret thriller-writer identity has been fined £1,000 (€1,205) for breaching client confidentiality rules. Chris Gossage of law firm Russells Solicitors told a friend of his wife the Harry Potter creator was author of The Cuckoo’s Calling, published under the name Robert Galbraith. The friend then tweeted the information. The law firm apologised and paid damages to Rowling for the leak. Sales of the thriller rocketed after Rowling was outed as its author.

“

When we were kids people called us all Wahlburger so we opened a burger joint and called it that Your character, Danny, has become progressively smarter as the show has gone on – has he had some styling advice? Well,

my suits have become progressively tighter over the seasons, as the network has encouraged me to wear nicer, less sloppy suits. Now they are really, really tight. And I have a rather big bum to begin with – it’s true – so my trousers are really tight now. One night on set I was making a Vine video clip and I said my trousers were so tight you could break a board over my ass. It just so happened that one of the set decorators had a board standing by and they broke it over my ass. They are public Vines – you can watch them.

You have a restaurant, Wahlburger, in Massachusetts with your brothers – is there anything your family can’t do? I’m not a good cook. I can

cook a bowl of cereal but my brother Paul, and the rest of my brothers, are really talented. When we were kids, other people would always call us all Wahlburger, so we figured

we’d get the last laugh and open a burger joint and call it that. Truthfully, Paul has a hugely successful restaurant in Massachusetts and he came to Mark and me with the idea of opening a burger place. He lives in a town where there is no burger joint, only a McDonald’s, and he wanted to open one to serve that town and to make a quality product. Once we put the name on it, though, it just took on a life of its own.

Jane Mulkerrins

Blue Bloods is on Thursdays at 9pm on Sky Atlantic.

Friday, January 3, 2014 METRO HERALD

METRO HERALD Friday, January 3, 2014

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★★ ★ ★

Kate: Everyone thinks I’m @#*! O

scar winner Kate Winslet still worries that people think she is ‘s***’ at her job. she admits she ‘dreads’ getting in front of a camera and has even vomited on set. ‘acting is so scary. I still have moments when I think, “I can’t do this – everybody thinks I’m absolutely s***,” the 38-year-old double Golden Globe-winner confessed. ‘There are scenes I absolutely dread – there was a scene in Labor Day, the whole courtroom sequence in The reader. I often throw up, which I’m a bit embarrassed about.’ Winslet, now with third hubbie Ned rocknroll, gave birth last month to their son Bear. she refuses to have any outside help raising her children, Mia Honey, 13, and Joe alfie, ten. ‘The assumption is that if you’re successful you probably think you’re something special. But I don’t think I’m special at all,’ she told Glamour magazine. ‘I trundle

Paloma: I will put my faith in third album Paloma Faith has assured fans there will be no bum notes on her upcoming third album – as she would ban her label from releasing anything short of perfection. The feisty pop kook told Guilty Pleasures her backers were fully aware of her no-nonsense approach to music-making. ‘I spoke to somebody at my label the other day about the new album and he’s so lovely to me,’ the 32-year-old said. ‘He was like, “Look. We’re not going to put anything out that you don’t like”. And I was like, “I know you’re not!” And he said, “Well, how do you know?” And I said, “Because you know if you do, I’ll tell a journalist!” And he was laughing and said, “Exactly!”’ With her third record due for release in the next few months, Faith is also excited to be preparing for the thing she loves most in life – touring. She said: ‘Of course I will be on tour. It is my favourite thing to do. It’s the reason I do this job.’

We’ll do it my way: Paloma takes a no nonsense stance when it comes to her albums

by jEnni McknigHT

Dread: Kate Winslet

along; we have friends over; I make dinner. It’s weird because the two worlds are so different: from fishfingers for tea to film sets. ‘But that’s the case for any actress who’s a mother. sure, I could have lots of people who do the cooking, the driving, all that jazz – but I would be unhappy. ‘I wouldn’t want my children raised that way.’ she added: ‘My life is not the soap opera people would like it to be: in fact, it’s not a soap opera at all. It’s just life.’ see the full shoot and interview in the February issue of Glamour, on sale now.

Picture: chris craymer

Leona: Give me a Vegas concert too! am wondering how great that will be, though, as she is only performing two nights per month, which I don’t really understand,’ she said. ‘Two shows a month? Probably ten million per show! I’m sure it will be incredible but I am intrigued to see how that would work.’ and she has happy memories of Vegas. ‘I went there and some of my mates met me and we had the best time. ‘We gambled but we didn’t strip like Prince Harry did,’ she laughed.

by sEAMus Duff

eoNa Lewis admits she wouldn’t mind emulating Britney spears by securing a lucrative residency in Las Vegas. she claimed the promise of a massive pay day would make it impossible to refuse a stint in sin city. ‘You get paid so much money to just go and do your show every single night. It would be amazing! I would love that,’ the 28-year-old said. Lewis even hinted she would be better value for money than 32-year-old spears. ‘I want to go and see Britney. I

Harry Styles has backed fellow X Factor alumnus Matt Cardle in his fight against prescription drug addiction. The One Direction star took to Twitter to show his support for 30-year-old Cardle, who has reportedly entered The Priory clinic to get healthy. ‘@matt_cardle see you soon brother .x,’ 19-year-old Styles tweeted. Cardle took to his own Twitter account to tell fans: ‘I‘m getting myself better… I want to be ready to give it 110% on tour next year. I love you all and will see you on the other side.’

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Cameron Diaz has hit out at the craze of women lasering off all their ‘downstairs’ hair. The goofy Hollywood star of The Mask, Charlie’s Angels, There’s Something About Mary and Shrek, 41, told her fans to keep their lady gardens in her self-help offering, The Body Book. ‘I think permanent laser hair removal sounds like a crazy idea,’ she says. Keeping ‘the goods’ private ‘can entice a lover to come and take a closer look’, she adds. ‘Twenty years from now, you will still want to be presenting it to someone special, and it would be nice to let him or her unwrap it like the gift that it is.’

Friday, January 3, 2014 METRO HERALD

Sharon’s vital organs start to fail ARIEL SHARON is clinging to life, as many of his organs begin to shut down. Doctors said the former Israeli prime minister, who has been in a coma for eight years, had deteriorated markedly over the past two days. Dr Zeev Rotstein, director of Tel Hashomer hospital, said a number of 85-year-old Mr Sharon’s organs, including his kidneys, were suffering from ‘critical malfunction’. He added: ‘His life is in danger. The feeling of the doctors is that there is a turn for the worse.’ He was at the height of his political power when he suffered a stroke in January 2006.

newspapers in clemency plea for Snowden by RAPHAEL SATTER THE New York Times and Guardian newspapers have called for clemency for Edward Snowden, saying that the espionage worker-turned-privacy advocate should be praised rather than punished for his disclosures. The papers – both of which have played a role in publishing Snowden’s intelligence trove – suggested yesterday that the former National Security Agency contractor’s revelations about the United States’ world-spanning espionage programme were of such public importance that they outweighed any possible wrongdoing. ‘Considering the enormous value of the information he has revealed, and the abuses he has exposed, Mr Snowden deserves better than a life of permanent exile, fear and flight,’ the Times said, calling either for a plea bargain, some form of clemency, or a ‘substantially re-

World

duced punishment.’ The Guardian said it hoped ‘calm heads’ within the US administration are working on a strategy to allow Snowden to return to the US and that President Obama Praise: Snowden would treat him ‘in a manner that would be a shining example about the value of whistleblowers and of free speech’. But the paper also said it was hard to envision Obama giving the leaker ‘the pardon he deserves.’ Both newspapers published their editorials online within a few hours of one another, but Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger said the papers’ appeals weren’t coordinated ahead of time. Snowden is currently residing in Russia following an abortive attempt to travel to Latin America, where he’d been offered asylum.

digest

Former spy chief found ‘strangled’ in hotel SOuTH AFRiCA: Rwanda’s former spy chief was apparently murdered in a hotel room, police said yesterday. Patrick Karegeya’s neck was swollen and a rope and bloodied towel were found in the room safe at Johannesburg’s Michelangelo Towers hotel. The 53-year-old ex-colonel was once an ally of Rwanda president Paul Kagame, who opposition leaders have accused of ordering his assassination.

A gaffe-y new year for TV channel CYPRuS: TV bosses have apologised after viewers turning on for the president’s New Year’s Day address were shown an old message from his predecessor. They are investigating after Demetris Christofias appeared on screens instead of Nicos Anastasiades (pictured). The mistake went unnoticed by Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation staff for several seconds.

Squabbles over welfare for new Eu migrants gERMAnY: The governing coalition is squabbling over calls to restrict welfare payments to immigrants as Europe’s labour markets open to Romanians and Bulgarians. The Christian Social Union, one of three governing parties, is suggesting other EU nationals should be ineligible for social security for three months and welfare cheats should be expelled to combat ‘poverty migration’.

and finally... kuwAiT: There are many things that can break a marriage, but peas may be a new one. A week after marrying, one disgusted woman has filed for divorce at the ‘shocking sight’ of her husband eating peas with bread rather than a fork.

10 METRO HERALD Friday, January 3, 2014

in focus D

news@metroherald.ie

The year of the sexuality Olympics

The Winter Olympics in Russia are just a month away but the event has become a political lightning rod amid calls for a boycott because of the country’s controversial antigay laws. GRAEME GREEN reports...

OW bad do things have to be before a man nails his National Olympic Committees scrotum to the will send athletes to the ground? Olympic Winter Games It was a question asked by people around the world last year when Russian artist Pyotr Pavlensky made his bloody protest in Moscow’s Red Square. the cost of the Winter Olympics, With the imprisonment of making it the most expensive in punk protest band Pussy Riot history, more than the previous and Greenpeace’s Arctic 30 – 21 Winter Olympics combined and pop stars such as Madonna and Elton John being threatened for speaking out on gay It is alleged that rights – Russia president Vladimir Putin’s reputation took a kicking in 2013. of construction Mr Putin’s recent amnesty, costs have which saw the release of Pusdisappeared in corrupt building sy Riot, the Arctic 30 and contracts other political prisoners, was widely seen as an attempt to save face ahead of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, from February 7 to 23. Mr Putin hopes the Games, along with the 2018 World Cup, will boost Russia’s world standing. But if the amnesty was meant to defuse problems, it doesn’t seem to have worked. The Games are likely to be Sources: IOC, Greenpeace used by campaigners and protesters to put Russia under the spot- for trying to expose environmental light on issues such as gay rights, damage being caused by preparadrilling in the Arctic, freedom of tions for the Winter Olympics. One of the major targets during the speech and corruption. ‘The Olympics are a perfect op- Games is likely to be the country’s portunity for protesters to draw at- new anti-gay laws which are ‘clearly tention to Russia’s woeful human part of Putin’s attempt to appeal to rights record,’ said Marc Bennetts, more conservative, xenophobic Russians, among whom they have masauthor of Kicking The Kremlin. He added: ‘As well as the obscene sive support’, said Mr Bennetts. amounts of money spent on the ROuPS such as Athlete Games which, at around €37billion, Ally and All Out aim to are more expensive than all the predraw attention to the vious 21 Winter Olympics put toFundamental Principles gether, opposition figures claim of Olympism laid out by more than 50 per cent of this cash has been skimmed off by Mr Putin the International Olympics Committee with their Principle 6 Campaign. and his businessmen friends. It states: ‘Any form of discrimina‘It’s unclear, however, if the authorities will allow protests to take tion with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, place in Sochi during the Games.’ Pussy Riot were the most famous politics, gender or otherwise is incase but many other opponents of compatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.’ Mr Putin have been detained. The IOC issued a statement sayHuman Rights Watch has also highlighted cases of environmental- ing it had received ‘strong written ists, activists and journalists in Sochi reassurances from the Russian gov– including Svetlana Kravchenko, ernment that everyone will be welSuren Gazaryan and Andrei Rudo- come at the Games in Sochi regardmakha – who have been detained, less of their sexual orientation’. It added: ‘President Putin himself harassed or taken to court to face what are seen as trumped-up charges recently offered assurances that

€37bn:

About

€6.5bn

‘Hot. Cool. Yours.’

was spent on just one road for the Winter Olympics in Sochi

members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina spent 21 months in prison for staging a protest performance in a church in Moscow

A hare,

a polar bear

tonnes of crude oil are spilled in Russian oil fields each year. 500,000 tonnes of oil end up in the Arctic Ocean

and a snow leopard are the official mascots of the Sochi Winter Olympics

The Russian oil industry spills more than

50%

Pussy Riot

The Sochi Winter Olympics slogan is

30m

barrels on land each year, seven times the amount that escaped during the Deepwater Horizon BP disaster in 2010

The Olympic torch will pass through all

83 regions

of Russia and cover

640,000 kilometres on its route – the longest torch relay ever

there will be no discrimination against gay people during the Games.’ But, when contacted by Metro Herald, the IOC refused to say whether, in a country with rising homophobic attacks, it would be taking any special measures to protect LGBT sports fans in Russia. The group’s credibility is on the line, says Wes Adams, chief operating officer of All Out. ‘Principle 6 of the Olympic Charter states that any form of discrimination is incompatible with the Olympics, and the IOC has confirmed this includes sexual orientation,’ he said. ‘The Olympic Charter also obligates the IOC to act against that discrimination. The IOC and Olympic sponsors are emboldening the Russian government by looking the other way. ‘If the IOC refuses to enforce their own principles while host countries attack human rights, the Olympic movement’s credibility is at stake.’ He urged the IOC and sponsors to strongly condemn Russia’s anti-gay laws and call for their repeal. ‘The Olympics shouldn’t be held in countries that don’t uphold the Olympic spirit,’ said Mr Adams.

... is hiring …ishiring Dublin’s free daily commuter newspaper wishes to recruit a journalist to work across its print and digital channels.

The role will involve working across all Metro Herald’s channels and will involve shift work.

The successful candidate will have:

Applications, in A4 PDF format, should include:

n Strong news gathering and writing skills and a passion for news and current affairs n Print page layout skills (eg Quark, InDesign or similar) n In-depth knowledge and skilled use of the internet and social media

n CV n Covering letter n At least three samples of your writing n Story ideas n Three samples of your print layout

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about their work and who is willing to learn fast and todevelop within the editorial team.

Applications should be emailed to editorial@metroherald.ie with ‘Job ad’ in the subject line by Wednesday January 8.

Friday, January 3, 2014 METRO HERALD

12 METRO HERALD Friday, January 3, 2014

Mailbox

Email: Twitter:

mail@metroherald.ie Text: @metrohnews and Facebook: #metromailbox

‘Mail’ to 53131* Facebook.com/ metroherald

Fair rents for tenants – and why it will benefit all of us

AIR play to Housing Minister Jan O’Sullivan for raising the possibility of introducing a cap on rents in the private sector – about time somebody in authority spoke up about the state of the rental sector A century on, The Fair Rent portion of the Land League’s three Fs is still a distant dream – going by the eyewatering rates being extracted by our price-gouging landlords... it seems the absentee English landlords have merely been replaced by greedy locals. Plus ça change... With rent controls – and therefore rents that don’t wildly escalate as they did during the Celtic Tiger – people will feel under less pressure to take on onerous mortgages just to escape from bedsitland... thus reducing the possibility of another disastrous property bubble. Whether O’Sullivan will ever prevail against the shyster landlords that the free market permits to thrive is another matter, of course. Crouching Tenant ■ Once again, the Leopardstown four-day racing binge was disgusting. The crowds were loud, obnoxious, frequently drunk to the point of collapse, had absolutely no respect for private or commercial property, were urinating, defecating, stealing and having sex in public – just a few of the virtues displayed. Gardaí were only directing

Quick pic

OLD YEAR ON THE PIER: Paul Garry sent in this picture he took on a stroll along the East Pier in Dún Laoghaire on the last day of 2013

traffic. Yes, Ireland 2013: barbaric animal torture and disgusting behaviour. How do I know? I was trying to work in the area. JBoy ■ Here are two actions any citizen can take that could make a longterm difference in Ireland. First, demand your TDs prepare an equality and poverty impact assessment for each annual budget (for more details on this, contact Saint Vincent De Paul or Social Justice Ireland). Second, ask your TDs to change the process the homeless face in applying for rental accomodation to a system similar to that used in Northern Ireland (for more details, contact Focus Ireland and Ireland’s Big Issue). You can find out your local TDs’ email contacts online at www. oireachtas.ie. Anonymous ■ Recently, I got my usual Luas weekly ticket at a machine in Beechwood at 7am. I went over to the kindly inspector and said: ‘Well... this is something of a paradox. This ticket says, “last tram on 25th December”. There are none’ He replied: ‘Yes, it’s the only day in a year we take off.’ I pointed out that they would be quick to give us one of their tickets if we took ‘a day off’ from paying it. Having used the Luas honestly for three years I’ve spent nearly €4,000 on tickets… and that’s just me! Glen Powell

Send your photos to pictures@ metroherald.ie with ‘Quick pic’ as the subject and we will print the best each day in the paper

■ Is it only me or is Dublin Airport trying to be British with its red, blue and white lights that you see coming into the airport. I’m very disappointed. Amy ■ The Northern Ireland Executive cannot agree on vital matters like parades and the flying of flags. Forgive me if I find this to be like spoilt children not playing nicely in the playground. Elsewhere in the world, people are suffering and dying for real matters of principle. Just what is so important about flags and parades that a former US diplomat should spend months trying to sort these ridiculous people’s differences out? Can’t the members of the Executive just grow up? Valerie ■ Allow me please to have the first Metro moan of 2014. Does anyone put their hand over their mouth when they cough these days, or has it become commonplace to become so rude? Paul ■ Colorado has seen the light and legalised weed, so perhaps it is now time to look at the economic arguments for legalising this longneglected commodity. Firstly, as

gOOD On yA

yEH big RiDE

● Many thanks to the three gardaí from Store Street who came to the aid of my wife, who was blown across the road at O’Connell Street by a sudden gust of wind. They were extremely kind. As I have severe arthritis I could not get to her as quickly as they did. A passing doctor very kindly checked her over. The gardaí brought us in to the Kylemore Café for a cup of tea, and then they drove us home. Michael

● To the kris kindle on the 20th of December – make yourself known, it would be welcomed.

RAnDOM AcTs OF kinDnEss

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From the Hot Blonde on Pembroke Street

● To the older, bearded gentleman in a striking red outfit I spotted loitering around my back garden late on December 24th, thank you for your lovely gifts... but who the hell are you?

Worried householder

yOuR RusH-HOuR cRusH

an appetite stimulant, dope will be sending people to the corner shop every half hour or so, ergo consumer spending on food is bound to increase – wonderful news for our whinging farmers... Then, the amount of tobacco that will be sold with which to roll all those extra joints will mean extra tax revenue for the severely, em, wasted public coffers. And in terms of tourism, we would no longer have any use for needy marketing pleas like the 2013 Gathering – the lure of all those interesting Amsterdam-style cafés would be enough to keep the visitors turning up. It might just be possible for Ireland to smoke its way out of recession. The Late Al Jolson ■ The media must stop trotting out the old line about reducing fat in our diet. Admittedly, trans fats should be avoided and portion control needs to improve, but it is sugar that is the killer ingredient. Check out the ingredient lists on almost everything – even socalled ‘healthy’ foods. If it’s made by a plant, eat it. If it’s made in a plant, don’t. Richard

Post-seasonal pants disorder ■ How many others out there were visited by the sewing fairy over Christmas? The cheeky little imp took in all of my trousers yet again. Rosie ■ So Man United have had things their own way for so long that as soon as a decision goes against them, they can’t stop whingeing about it. Tracey

TREnDing #DonalWalsh ● “There’s no point in crying” – Donal Walsh. Which is funny, cos I’d say half of Ireland is in tears tonight. #donalwalsh

@EoinMcHughNEWS

● Lot of misconceptions over suicide after the #DonalWalsh documentary. Mental illness isn’t a choice.

@AllRandomMostly

● Incredibly inspiring young lad! When things get hard just remember that life is always full of unexpected surprises

@JeseppisJepetto

● Every school in Ireland should show that #donalwalsh documentary in class. An ordinary lad with an extraordinary story. #livelife

journalist @KevDoyle_Herald

● Donal Walsh inspires any generation, problems are temporary guys, love life while you have it, no matter how tough it gets @CiaraMac8 @metrohnews #metromailbox

Friday, January 3, 2014 METRO HERALD

Icebound: A helicopter circles passengers from the Akademik Shokalskiy trapped in Antarctica Pictures: ePa

Rescuers airlift 52 from Antarctic research ship ALL 52 passengers stranded on a research ship in the Antarctic since Christmas Eve were rescued by helicopter yesterday after the weather finally cleared. Scientists and tourists on the stricken vessel were lifted to safety in groups of 12 and carried to an Australian icebreaker. The mission was completed despite a Chinese ship assisting in the rescue also becoming stuck in the ice. Passengers from the Akademik Shokalskiy will now be taken to the Australian island of Tasmania, a jour-

by AiDAn RADnEDgE

ney that will take about two weeks. ‘I think everyone is relieved and excited to be going on to the Australian icebreaker and then home,’ said expedition leader Chris Turney. All 22 crew members stayed with the icebound Russian vessel which is carrying several weeks’ worth of supplies. The helicopter was originally going to airlift the passengers to the Chinese icebreaker Xue Long but a lastminute change in plan meant they

were flown to an ice floe next to the Aurora Australis and then taken by a small boat to the Australian ship. Yesterday’s successful rescue followed a number of aborted attempts. Over the last nine days, several attempts were thwarted by blinding snow, strong winds, fog and sea ice. Three icebreakers were dispatched to try to crack their way through the ice surrounding the ship but all failed. The Aurora Australis came within 20km of the ship on Monday, but fierce winds and snow forced it to retreat to open water.

The Akademik Shokalskiy left New Zealand on November 28 before a blizzard pushed the sea ice around the ship and froze it in place 2,700km south of Hobart, Tasmania. The scientists on board had been recreating Australian explorer Douglas Mawson’s 1911 to 1913 voyage to Antarctica. Despite disappointment over the expedition being cut short, Mr Turney said spirits were high. ‘I’m a bit sad it’s ended this way but we got lots of great science done,’ he added.

Now that’s what I call a sale 20% off all iTunes gift cards until 12th January 2014.

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Metro Herald readers have voted Vanessa Lopes as our Merchandiser of the Month. Vanessa, who works at the Balally Luas stop, had a sign encouraging readers to vote for her so she is now holding another sign to say thanks. Hailing from the city of Belo Horizonte in Brazil, Vanessa had only planned to come to Ireland short term to improve her English. Vanessa has a degree in business administration and is now studying accounting and finance. ‘I fell in love with the place and now I have been living here for almost four years,’ she says. ‘I love the beach and hot weather but sometimes that is quite hard to come by here. Of course, I miss my family and friends back home. ‘Still, I could give a hundred reasons why I love living here’. You can vote for the next Merc of the Month at motm@metroherald.ie.

20% off

14 METRO HERALD Friday, January 3, 2014

Life television WEEKEND WATCH film of the day moneyball RTÉ 2, 9.15pm Rugged matinee idol brad Pitt might not seem an obvious choice to play the lead in a film about the evidencebased sabermetric approach to selecting a baseball team – but he puts in a fine performance as billy beane, general manager of the financially challenged oakland athletics. based on the michael lewis book of the same name, it’s an intriguing tale of taking a chance on an unorthodox approach – one that draws on geeky stats rather than the more traditional gut instinct.

the voice of ireland RTÉ ONE, SuN, 6.30pm

The spinning red chairs are back for a third series as the search begins for ireland’s next singing superstar (or karaoke queen, depending on your point of view). it’s blind audition time, as hopefuls seek to impress Kian egan, Jamelia, bressie and new judge Dolores o’Riordan of The Cranberries.

C4, the bridge BBC4, SAT, 9pm & 10pm

everyone say a big ‘tak’ – Saga noren (Sofia Helin, right) is back. Sweden’s socially challenged detective hooks up with Danish counterpart martin ter the Rohde 13 months after nail-biting and tragic finale of the first season of this scintillating Scandi series. The death of martin’s son has hit him hard – but pairing up with the strange Saga could be just the fillip he needs.

bonus film of the day DRive BBC2, 10pm The crime thriller that definitively turned Ryan Gosling (right) from ‘that dreamy hunk from The notebook’ into cinema’s hottest, hippest property. He plays The Driver, a nameless los angeles loner and wheel for hire, be it for movie stunts or criminal getaways. one day, he bumps into, and falls instantly in love with, his cute little dimply neighbour (Carey mulligan), a struggling mom with an adorable child. The hitch is she’s married to a dangerous ex-con who’s just out of prison. Soon, Gosling’s character is careering

the story of top of the pops 1979 BBC4, 9pm A feast of quality pop nostalgia with two hours of hits from the year when new wave took over from punk. Elvis Costello (right), The Jam and the pretenders are among those taking pride of place and the 2 Tone ska revival gang is well represented but this is a somewhat redacted picture of the past: TOTp editions hosted by Jimmy Savile and Dave Lee Travis are no longer on the playlist.

into a hellish, super-stylishly shot underworld faster than his vintage Chevy can take him. a slick, ice-cool surface, emotionally detached characters and ultra violence beyond anything even Quentin Tarantino would find pleasurable, this could only be a film by nicolas Winding Refn. Fans of The notebook, brace yourselves.

James may’s toy stories: the motorcycle diary BBC2, 9pm Top Gear presenter James May (left) sets off on another bonkers solo mission, this time scaling up one of his favourite childhood toys to grown-up proportions. In a gripping labour of love and tale of hope over logic, he embarks on a quest to construct a fully functioning motorbike out of Meccano – complete with sidecar to accommodate wine-quaffing rail enthusiast Oz Clarke. The goal? To complete one 37-mile lap of the daunting Isle of Man TT circuit...

dancing on ice TV3, SuN, 6.15pm

once more unto the rink for the ninth and final series of celebrity slips and stumbles, with a clutch of past champions including beth Tweddle, Ray Quinn and Kyran bracken competing to be crowned best skater ever. Phillip Schofield and Christine bleakley (above) host while Todd Carty and Joe Pasquale provide the ‘will they fall over?’ comedy value.

sherlock BBC1, SuN, 8.30pm

it’s Dr John Watson’s wedding day but with Holmes (benedict Cumberbatch, right) suffering best man jitters – public ’t his speaking really isn’t thing – it’s highly unlikely these particular nuptials are going to go off without a hitch. Particularly when there’s a sense of mortal dread worked into the frantic, cheekily comic plot.

Friday, January 3, 2014 METRO HERALD

15 Rob GReiG/CameRa PRess

weekend

The long walk to playing Mandela Idris Elba was wary about taking on the role of Nelson mandela. Now he’s wowing the critics, writes Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

meet Idris elba the day before mandela dies but the actor is already in mourning. Not for the legendary South African statesman, who he plays to Golden Globe-nominated effect in the biopic mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, but for the real-life man he based his portrayal on: his own father, Winston, who died of lung cancer in September. ‘my dad was a shop steward at Ford, he was a real union guy: always fighting for the workers,’ elba recalls, his hulking presence obscured behind serious black

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Ray-Bans, ‘and to anyone like that, mandela was a hero. Any time the BBC was on in our house we’d have to be quiet if it was talking about mandela.’ Family and roots are important to elba. Born in Hackney, the only child of African parents, elba has a large tattoo covering the back of his right hand which he explains is ‘the black star of Ghana’ (where his mother, eve, is from). ‘In the middle, there is a lion’s face, which is the symbol of Sierra Leone’ – the birthplace of his father. ‘I grew up very British and very African.’

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Crimestopper: Elba as TV Detective Chief Inspector John Luther

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As a child, Elba’s heroes included the Bionic Man, George Best, John Barnes, Robert De Niro and, ultimately, his grandad, Moses. ‘He was a great man, he raised my dad and my dad’s family, I would still like to be like my own grandad.’ Today, kids in Hackney dream of being Idris Elba. Tipped to be the first black Bond, he’s battled sea monsters in Pacific Rim, won a Golden Globe for his TV detective, John Luther, and is also a much-in-demand DJ formerly known as Big Driis. ‘My first DJ name was Mr Kipling,’ he corrects, so-called because, as a rapacious ladies’ man, he had ‘more tarts than Mr Kipling’. As a child in Canning Town, he changed his name from Idrissa Akuna to Idris, which was then shortened to Driss. ‘But I’ve outgrown DJ names now.’

“A role like that is risky. Mandela is pivotal to me” I once saw Elba DJ at a private Bafta awards do where he amused and impressed the crowd by playing Madonna’s Into The Groove and Holiday back to back – the legacy of years on the decks that started, at 14, helping out with his uncle’s wedding DJ business. ‘I like to mix it up!’ Elba cracks his first smile. ‘I play specialist house music parties but pop music always works.’ He pauses. ‘I prefer DJing to doing press…’ Oh. Sorry about that, I say, awkwardly. ‘Nothing personal,’ he growls, wearily removing the Ray-Bans. ‘I don’t mind performing, it’s just all the talking about it.’ Elba has been on the junket for Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom for almost a month, which, as he told Oprah, has left him no time for grieving. With Oscar buzz intensifying, there’s no hope of a let-up.

Tough cell: Idris Elba spent a night in Robben Island prison as research for the role keith bernstein

‘As far as my career is concerned it is the pinnacle but it’s all relative,’ he says. ‘Getting The Wire, going from not having a job to getting a massive job on HBO, was one of the best moments of my life. That’s much bigger than getting a pat on the back for a performance because it’s part of your personal journey. ‘People keep asking how I feel about the Oscars and I’m like, how can I celebrate when I’ve not even been nominated yet?! Not to sound disgruntled,’ he adds, sounding disgruntled, ‘but first they love you, then they hate you, then they love you again: that is my life, as an actor.’ The 41-year-old has certainly had a long walk to stardom: he started out doing Crimewatch reconstructions and his first credited role was as a gigolo in Absolutely Fabulous. Taking on an iconic role such as Mandela lifts him into the superstar league but he admits he didn’t really want to do it.

‘I just felt like I wasn’t up for it,’ he says. ‘I didn’t have the attributes.’

AVING overcome his fears thanks to persuasion from director Justin Chadwick, Elba’s enthusiastic research – he never met the man himself – uncovered surprises about Mandela. ‘I found out that he had spent time in Sierra Leone,’ says Elba. ‘I found out that his handwriting was really beautiful and that we are roughly the same height [Elba is 6ft 3in].’ He also insisted on spending a night in a cell on Robben Island. ‘It was awful,’ says Elba. ‘It was hard to sit in; it was uncomfortable, cold, haunted and damp. Mandela did 18 years there, I only did one night. You could imagine the toll it must’ve taken on him. I think it prepared him for the rest of his journey.’ The path of Elba’s own life is unsettled. Having come back to England from LA to be

with his father in his final months, he feels like he’s ‘in a no man’s land’. ‘I am in between places,’ he says. ‘I can’t really settle down yet.’ Though with a baby on the way, with make-up artist girlfriend Naiyana Garth (he already has a daughter by one of his two ex-wives), settling may be forced on him. And while the next few months are likely to pass in a whirl of awards razzle-dazzle, Elba is keeping his size 12s planted on the ground. ‘Part of the reason I didn’t want to take on the role of Mandela is because of who he was,’ he says. ‘A role like that is risky. Mandela is pivotal for me. Because if, for some reason, I couldn’t pull it off or the film didn’t work as a piece of art, that’s all I would be remembered for. I am 41 and I really want a career – a long one.’

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is out today. Read our review opposite.

Upstaged by a six-year-old SCREEN SCENE: Scott McGehee and David Siegel were lucky to find the gifted starlet of What Maisie knew, writes Anthony Gibson When Scott McGehee and David Siegel’s latest film, What Maisie Knew, was released last year, viewers knew they had just seen a six-year-old act the rest of a starry cast clear off the screen. Onata Aprile auditioned for the part of Maisie about four weeks before McGehee and Siegel started filming – ironically, given their gruelling search for the perfect central character, she was attending school down the road from the casting director’s office. ‘We really did luck out with that kid,’ muses Siegel. ‘She was just an amazingly gifted, wonderful little girl, who could embody all of the characteristics we wanted.’ Aprile’s role was a tough one, too – Maisie is a child caught in the middle of her self-absorbed parents’ acrimonious

break-up; we watch from her point of view as her fading rock star mother (Julianne Moore) and art dealer father (Steve Coogan) rage at each other, enter new relationships and treat Maisie increasingly as both a burden and a means to score points against their ex. ‘It’s essentially a pretty dark story about some people motivated by ugliness and hatred,’ says Siegel. ‘They get up to some pretty unattractive behaviour.’ What Maisie Knew – loosely based on Henry James’s novel – is the director duo’s third adaptation from a literary source, following 2001’s The Deep End, starring Tilda Swinton, and 2005’s Bee Season, with Richard Gere and Juliette Binoche. ‘We were intrigued that the screenplay [by Nancy Doyne and Carroll Cartwright] was based on a James novel but what really hooked us was the idea of trying to tell the story from the child’s point of view,’ explains Siegel. The pair have never shied away from a complicated concept for a film – for example, their timetwisting 2008 thriller Uncertainty. Neither director went to film school:

Intrigue: Scott McGehee (above left) and David Siegel found a gem in Onata Aprile, who played Maisie (far left) in fact, McGehee was on track to become an academic and Siegel was going to be a painter before their remarkable, mind-bending, genre-crunching debut Suture. ‘I’d kind of ruled film-making out, thinking: “That sounds too hard a life”,’ says McGehee. ‘It wasn’t until I met David and he really pushed the idea that I put my own insecurities aside.’ They collaborate on everything. ‘We share responsibilities,’ says McGehee. ‘David takes a more forward position on set but we have planned everything so thoroughly leading up to that, that I always know exactly what he is going to say before he says it.’

What Maisie Knew is out on Monday on DVD and Blu-ray.

films

the Missing Picture (12A) HHH✩✩

Mandela: long Walk to FreedoM (12A) HHH✩✩

A worthy walk through Mandela’s long life that’s lifted to the remarkable by a monumental Idris Elba and a dazzling Naomie Harris. Oscar contenders both.

vERDIcT

stupid mouth’. But it’s in the final, most interesting scenes, where Mandela emerges from prison, to the chaos of a crumbling apartheid and the bloody riots of a struggling new democracy, that Elba delivers the landmark Mandela that should earn him an Oscar nomination. However, the movie wouldn’t come alive at all without the central spark of

Naomie ‘Moneypenny’ Harris’s Winnie, a scintillating firebrand militant who hisses at her husband to ‘make them suffer as we suffer’. A worthy monument to a great man that leaves plenty of room for future, more focused dramas. Though playing Bono on the end credits is entirely unforgiveable.

Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

The Geriatric Pack’s Vegas trip fails to shine last vegas (12A) HH✩✩✩ Oscar winners Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline, co-starring together for the first time, are good company but they can’t make a silk purse out of the sow’s ear that is this formulaic bachelor party/ bucket list buddy comedy. The plot sees their bunch of lifelong pals plan a reunion in Las Vegas when eternal bachelor Billy (Douglas) announces he’s getting married to a woman who is ‘nearly 32’. ‘I have a haemorrhoid that’s nearly 32,’ observes Freeman’s Archie. Initially, this is very funny and promising as the Geriatric Pack swap witticisms on ageing –

Douglas’s hair coming in for more than its share of one-liners. Then they get to Vegas. What started so well sags terribly in crass sexism and predictable character complications, including fear of death, old secrets, the festering estrangement between Billy and De Niro’s sourpuss Paddy, and encounters with a smart-alec lounge singer (another Oscar-winning senior, Mary Steenburgen). And Kline’s Sam is determined to get laid; his wife gave him permission, and a condom, which you’d rather he’d shut up about. If only it was half as much fun as the stars clearly had making it – especially Douglas pushing De Niro into a pool. Angie Errigo

ALSO OUT more new Films rateD la Belle et la Bête (PG) Guillermo del toro called it ‘the most perfect cinematic fable ever told’ and he may just well be right. more exquisite than ever thanks to a 4K restoration, Jean Cocteau’s dreamy 1946 black-and-white retelling of Beauty and the Beast is a real spellbinder. Kept in servitude by her snooty sisters, Belle (Josette Day) adores her impoverished father. so much so that when papa is cursed to death by a Beast (Jean marais) for stealing one of his roses, she agrees to take his place. But instead of killing Belle, the Beast imprisons her in the gilded cage of his castle where the servants aren’t a cosy crew of singing teapots and candlesticks, à la Disney, but creepily disembodied hands. ‘Do such marvels really exist?’ wonders Belle. You may well find yourself whispering the same, while marvelling at this masterpiece. LI-Z

Clay Pot horrors

THE BIG RELEASE

This timely, as it sadly turned out, biopic of the late South African leader is essentially a dutiful adaptation of Nelson Mandela’s autobiography. That said, it’s by no means the portrait of a saint. Taking us from Mandela’s sun-drenched boyhood herding cattle in the Transkei hills through to his professional legal training, reluctant radicalisation, meeting Winnie, revolutionary acts against apartheid, 27year imprisonment, release from jail and – are you still with me? – his election as president, this isn’t so much a ‘long walk’ as a lightning gallop. In other words, it’s a 70-odd-year span in 146 minutes. What keeps it anchored is a towering, already Golden Globe-nominated, performance from Idris Elba. The mummifying ‘ageing’ make-up is unnecessary: Elba impresses the most when he is freed to make Mandela his own. In the lesser-known early years, he’s an energetic ladies man who neglects his family and tells his first wife to ‘shut your

Friday, January 3, 2014 METRO HERALD

ParanorMal activity: the Marked ones (15A) as usual, no preview screenings, sadly,

for this spin-off of the hugely successful horror franchise. But it’s always much scarier watched alone in the dark at home, right? LI-Z

Arriving on the tail of The Act Of Killing, here’s another documentary that uses strikingly unconventional methods to bring its audience closer to the horrors of genocide. Cambodian film-maker Rithy Panh has deployed hand-turned clay figurines to illustrate scenes from the testimonies of those sent to work in labour camps under Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime. Anyone anticipating an Aardmanisation of history should think again, though: these are fragile, weary and haunted-looking avatars. Panh scarcely develops his argument – and perhaps doesn’t need to. That the Khmer Rouge were murderous brutes engaged in a rigid form of social moulding becomes apparent very early on. Instead, each bleak tableau either underlines the thesis, or stands as witness to some long-obscured atrocity. Granted, this is hardly the jolliest way to see in the new year but it functions as an educational tool, providing a sharp analysis of the gap between Khmer Rouge PR and Cambodian reality, while literally remodelling the past – the better to represent all those Pot and his ilk tried to grind into the soil from which Panh’s Mike Mccahill golems have sprung.

18 MetRO HeRALD Friday, January 3, 2014

Business&Careers For fox sake: Wal-Mart recalls tainted donkey meat from sale

news@metroherald.ie to advertise, call 01 7055010

by ADAM jOuRDAn WAL-MART, the world’s largest retailer, has recalled donkey meat sold in China after tests showed the product contained the DNA of other animals, including fox, the US firm said. Wal-Mart, which operates more than 400 facilities in China, will reimburse customers who bought the tainted Five Spice donkey meat and is working with the Shandong Food and Drug Administration, which said the product contained fox meat, to investigate its supplier. Donkey meat is a popular snack in some areas of China, although it only accounts for a tiny fraction of overall meat consumption. The scandal could dent Wal-Mart’s reputation for quality in China’s €725billion food and grocery market where it plans to open 110 new stores in the next few years. China is the largest grocery market in the world. ‘This is another hit on Wal-Mart’s brand, meaning wealthy shoppers will start to lose the trust they had before,’ said Shaun Rein of China Market Research Group, adding Wal-Mart’s market share has fallen from 7.5 to 5.2 per cent. In 2011, China fined Wal-Mart for manipulating product prices and for selling duck meat past its expiry date. The country has been riddled with food scares, from a fatal tainted milk scandal to recycled ‘gutter oil’ used for cooking.

ITT Dublin PREPARING OUR GRADUATES FOR THE REAL WORLD!

Deeply dippy… Keelan O’Donnell, wearing a suit from Tony Connolly’s Menswear, and Aoife Hannon, wearing a wedding dress from Virginia’s Bridal, helped launch the Midwest Bridal Exhibition taking place at the University Sports Arena, Limerick this weekend Picture: sean curtin

business bites

Full & Part Time Courses & CAO Information Open Evening for Mature & FETAC Students, Parents & School Leavers Monday 27th January 5pm - 8pm Business Accounting, Marketing, Advertising, Management Humanities Social Care, Culinary Arts, Digital Media, Hospitality & Tourism, European Studies Science Sports Science, DNA & Forensics, Pharmaceuticals, Bioanalysis

Computing Software Development, IT Management Engineering Electronic & Mechanical, Energy & Environment

n FORD is to unveil a solarpowered concept car capable of 100mpg that offers the same performance as a plug-in hybrid, without the need for a plug. The C-Max Solar Energi Concept car, which will be revealed at this month’s International CES gadget show in Las Vegas, uses a petrol engine combined with a device to concentrate the sun’s rays on the vehicle’s roofmounted solar panels. By using solar power instead of an electric plug, the manufacturer says a typical owner will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by four tonnes. Ford sold about 85,000 hybrid or electric vehicles last year, including 6,300 of its C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid.

1 in 10 workers lack light IF IT’S taking you a while to get back into the swing of things for the new year, you’re not alone. One in ten employees lacks access to natural light at work, leaving them with feelings of lethargy and depression, says Mental Health Research UK. And with 30 per cent going to work before sunrise and leaving after sunset in winter, many are at risk of seasonal affective disorder (Sad). Dr Laura Davidson, mental health barrister, said: ‘Employers and educational establishments need to take on board just how important natural light is.’ Employers could help by encouraging workers to take lunch breaks away from their desks and by ensuring darker areas without windows are well lit, Dr Davidson added. n A RECORD-breaking December took the number of passengers carried by low-fares airline Ryanair in 2013 to more than 81million. A total of five million people travelled with the Irish budget carrier last month, a four per cent rise on the December 2012 total. For the whole of 2013, Ryanair carried 81.4million passengers, a two per cent rise on the figure for 2012.

n DEBENHAMS’ finance boss has quit just days after the company warned of poor sales during the Christmas period. The retailer said chief financial officer Simon Herrick had stepped down with immediate effect and would leave on February 7. It comes two days after the company warned pretax profits for the six months to April 2014 would be £85m (€100m), down from £115m (€138m) in the same period last year and almost 25 per cent off forecasts of £110m (€132m). Michael Sharp, the chief executive of Debenhams, said the high street had been a ‘sea of red’ with heavy discounting in the run-up to Christmas. He added: ‘This difficult environment has had an impact on our sales and profitability.’

Friday, January 3, 2014 METRO HERALD

YOUR DUBLIN wEEkEND with daragh reddin Vibe For Philo

GET DOwN TO…

The 28th annual celebration of the life and music of Phil Lynott takes place this weekend with highlights including a performance by classical guitarist Pat Coldrick, with Dublin’s Lizzy Experience playing the much-loved 1975 Fighting album in its entirety Tomorrow, Vicar Street, 58-59 Thomas Street D8, 7.30pm, €30. Tel: 0818 719 300. wwwvicarstreet.ie

GIGGLE AT… Jack whitehall

The fast-rising star’s trajectory shows no signs of taking a dip as he rocks up in Dublin for three dates this month to roadtest material for an impending UK tour. The posh-boy comedian and Fresh Meat star is then heading to the US to remake Bad Education, the comedy he co-wrote for the BBC. Enjoy his ribtickling, blue-blooded comedy schtick in the modestly proportioned Vicar Street before he becomes an arena-only proposition Jan 5, 6 & 7, Vicar Street, 58-59 Thomas Street D8, 7.30pm, various prices. Tel: 0818 719 300. www.vicarstreet.ie

BUY POPCORN FOR.... American Hustle

A glitzy A-list cast is the major draw in this cracking 1970s caper, guaranteed to pump some nuch-needed oomph into the bluest of Januarys. An all-butunrecognisable Christian Bale leads the pack as Irving Rosenfeld, a paunchy, small-time crook with a dodgy comb-over, who teams up with an ‘English Lady’ (a splendid Amy Adams), to run a successful investment scam racket. Elsewhere, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence pull out all the stops. On general release

First Fortnight

The exceptionally well-received and well-attended First Fortnight festival – whose mission is to challenge mental health prejudice through creative arts – kicks off this week with a multi-faceted programme including theatre, film, spoken word performances, art and workshops. A particular highlight on this year’s bill is Neil Watkins’ autobiographical Fringe hit The Year Of Magical Wanking (pictured), a deeply confessional, caustic and uncomfortable journey through the life of a ‘34-year old homosexual with a Jesus complex’ (Jan 9 to 11, Project). Elsewhere, check out public debates Women And Mental Health In Popular Culture chaired by Anna Carey and Sinead Gleeson (Jan 9, Smock Alley Theatre) and No Room At The Inn, a timely look at mental health services – or lack thereof – available in Ireland today, hosted by Marian Finucane (Jan 9, Wood Quay Venue). For a full-line-up, including screenings of Oscar-winning Silver Linings Playbook and a live gig by Vann Music, see website. www.firstfornight.ie

FEAST YOUR EYES ON…

Turner: The Vaughan Bequest

ON MY PLAYLIST James Vincent mcmorrow AFRICA by d’angelo

The album this is from, Voodoo, is easily the most important record in my collection. It reminds me why I do what I do and pushes me to do better.

IN YOUR EYES by Peter gabriel

The hook on this song is amazing and Manu Katché’s drumming is so sharp. In terms of adding African musical sensibilities into mainstream pop music, I think this record walks the line just as well as Graceland.

NOSETALGIA by Pusha t (feat KendricK lamar)

This is one of my favourite records of the year. Kendrick Lamar’s verse is crazy good.

LITTLE LIES by fleetwood mac

Who doesn’t love the Mac? I know Rumours is their defining record but, to me, this is a perfect pop album.

’TIL TOMORROw by marVin gaye

As much a New Year tradition for Dubliners as mumbling along drunkenly to Auld Lang Syne, the annual display of the watercolours of Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851) has run for decades. Henry Vaughan, a London collector who bequeathed collections to our own National Gallery as well as Scotland’s in 1900, stipulated that the works should only be displayed during January, when natural daylight is at its weakest and less likely to damage the delicate paintings Until Jan 31, National Gallery, Merrion Square West D2, Mon to Sat 9.30am to 5.30pm (Thu to 8.30pm), Sun noon to 5.30pm. Tel: (01) 661 5133. www.nationalgallery.ie

This is one of the most progressive records ever written: Marvin Gaye used an 808 drum machine before anyone else in pop and he crafted a traditional song out of totally futuristic production.

MARVIN’S ROOM by draKe

Before I heard Drake, I thought I wouldn’t like his music: it seemed like it might be a bit shallow. But man, was I wrong. I’ve never heard anything else like it: this has converted me. Zena Alkayat McMorrow’s new album, Post Tropical (Believe), is out on January 13. He plays The National Concert Hall on Feb 4. www.jamesv mcmorrow.com

20 METRO HERALD Friday, January 3, 2014

puzzles

METROSCOPE by Patrick Arundell

NEMI by Lise

Aries Mar 21 – Apr 20

The Grand Cross may entice you to think about where you’re going and what you hope to achieve. You might even feel pressurised. Today’s Mercury-Jupiter connection highlights the importance of your feelings. Listening to them could prove revelatory.

lighten your mood a little, even more so with the weekend racing up. Though you may have been wrestling with one or two issues, Mars’ influence suggests it can be a fine time to take the initiative.

Taurus Apr 21 – May 21

scorpio Oct 24 – Nov 22

For your forecast, call 15609 114 70

Though you may be keen to take a course and expand your horizons, Mars in Libra also highlights the idea of balance in your activities and daily routines. Making time for work, play, exercise and rest may be beneficial.

METROKU Easy, Moderate and Challenging. For solutions, visit Metro.co.uk/metroku

For your forecast, call 15609 114 71

Gemini May 22 – Jun 21

A Mercury-Jupiter link hints at the need to see the heart of a problem that’s been bothering you. If recent events have encouraged change, then this may be a good thing. Balancing logic with intuition may help you make the best decision. For your forecast, call 15609 114 72

Cancer Jun 22 – Jul 23

In some ways, you may be feeling a little put upon by others or another, especially if it feels they are trying to push their ideas. Yet, if you feel strongly enough, embrace today’s influences and firmly stand your ground.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 73

Leo Jul 24 – Aug 23

You could find meditation and rest might counteract a busy time. A change of routine may have some helpful consequences. As Jupiter continues to move through your spiritual sector, all sorts of new perspectives can develop.

PEARLs BEFORE swINE

For your forecast, call 15609 114 74

Virgo Aug 24 – Sep 23

You may have projects that are keeping you busy, so those in your social circle could be wondering where you are. Yet the potentially splendid Mercury-Jupiter link might be the trigger to get you back in the party mode. For your forecast, call 15609 114 75

Libra Sep 24 – Oct 23

For your forecast, call 15609 114 76

Knowledge is king, Scorpio. Additionally, it’s also important not to get into situations where you are pitting yourself against someone who may have more knowledge than you. Generally, if you want to learn more, look for ways to make it happen. For your forecast, call 15609 114 77

sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 21

Your values may be tested today. It’s also going to be important to keep yourself grounded when it comes to your financial manoeuvres and values. Be optimistic, as ever, but also be conscious of the drivers behind any desires you have. For your forecast, call 15609 114 78

Capricorn Dec 22 – Jan 20

A challenging Grand Cross can see you implementing personal plans and projects. Yet today’s Mercury-Jupiter link also highlights the potential to put yourself in another person’s shoes. This may throw up fresh insights. For your forecast, call 15609 114 79

Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19

It can be an animated kind of day in which you may be busy calling, texting and emailing. Any activity linked to gadgets or computers can be worthwhile, and even prove profitable. You may also apply for a new role. For your forecast, call 15609 114 80

Pisces Feb 20 – Mar 20

Things continue to be upbeat as far as mixing with friends is concerned. You may now better perceive the value of certain friendships, while realising others are not as positive as you thought. With this in mind, this can see you linking in different ways. For your forecast, call 15609 114 81

DOWN 1 Box (8) 2 Poisonous (5) 4 Agree (6) 5 Lowest RAF commission (5-7) 6 Upside down (7) 7 Requirement (4) 8 Agreeing by chance (12) 12 Stormy (8) 14 Eye-specialist (7) 16 Declare (6) 18 Angry (5) 19 Separate particular (4)

Mon Dec 23 Solutions Across: 6 Appoint; 7 Minor; 9 Later; 10 Cushion; 12 Wooden spoon; 14 Part company; 18 Cavalry; 19 Amass; 21 Acted; 22 Ordered. down: 1 Speak; 2 Bolero; 3 End; 4 Bishop; 5 Solomon; 8 Turnips; 11 Adjourn; 13 Balance; 15 Travel; 16 Number; 17 Askew; 20 Art.

Astrology calls cost 1.27 euros per min from a BT landline. Live Services cost 2.40 euros per minute. Calls from mobiles/other networks may cost more. Callers must be 18 or over to use this service and have the bill payers permission. For entertainment purposes only. All calls are recorded. PhonePayPlus regulated(ComReg in ROI) UK SP: StreamLive Ltd, NR7 0HR, 08700 234 567. ROI SP:Moveda, 1 Courtyard Business Park, Orchard Lane, Blackrock, Co Dublin, 0818 241 398

ENIGMA Thunderbirds was such a hit That they made this to follow it. Everyone was called a hue. (Those Angel pilots looked hot, too). WHO AM I? A chef, I was born in Scotland in 1966. I played for Glasgow Rangers as a boy. I threw critic AA Gill and Joan Collins out of my restaurant.

WHO, WHAT, WHERE & WHEN? WHO… wrote several novels featuring the poet Enderby? WHAT... do we call a cloud of gas and dust in space? WHERE... is the USA’s Beaver State? WHEN... did the European Union replace the European Community?

SCRIBBLE BOX

ACROSS 1 Quote (4) 3 Crusade (8) 9 Harmful (7) 10 Morning reception (5) 11 Ingrained habit (6,6) 13 Foreign (6) 15 Anew (6) 17 Irrational belief (12) 20 Distort (5) 21 Raise (7) 22 Maim (8) 23 Exceedingly (4)

QuIz

Crossword No. 885 See next edition for solutions

For a live one-to-one consultation with one of my gifted psychics, call 15809 113 68 or 1800 719 688 to book using credit card

QUIZ ANSWERS: ENIGMA: Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. WHO AM I? Gordon Ramsay. WHO, WHAT, WHERE & WHEN? Anthony Burgess; Nebula; Oregon; 1993.

QUICK CROsswORd

Today’s Moon in Aquarius may help

rugby

@Metrohsport

Rugby chiefs to bring new deal to welsh clubs

PICTURE: InPho

by DAnny HOgAn

Welsh rugby chiefs are to present the country’s four regional teams with a new agreement regarding the professional game in Wales. The regions – Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys, scarlets and Cardiff Blues – want the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to back its commitment towards the Rugby Champions Cup next season, a breakaway european competition initially forged by top english and French clubs. The WRU has been given a January 31 deadline to provide that support, or the regions have said they will ‘pursue further competition options’. The RCC is an alternative european competition overseen by six Nations bosses to the european Rugby Cuprun heineken Cup, and the regions have so far not agreed to continue a Participation Agreement with the WRU, the deadline for which passed two days ago. The Participation Agreement covers critical areas such as revenue and competition structure. The regions say WRU bosses cannot confirm the make-up of either critical component, although the regions’ umbrella organisation, Regional Rugby Wales, has also underlined a desire to work with the WRU. WRU board directors met yesterday, after which the WRU said, in a statement: ‘The Board agreed a positive way forward for professional rugby in Wales as set out in the WRU’s statement of 31 December 2013, is in the best interests of Welsh rugby. ‘The WRU has informed the four regional organisations that they will shortly be presented with a new agreement in respect of professional rugby in Wales.

Tackling the issue: Newport Gwent Dragons and Cardiff Blues in action ‘A timetable for discussion has been play in France, where they will be provided by the WRU. The new agree- joined next term by Jonathan Davies ment will further reflect the WRU’s and Ian evans, and leigh halfpenny desire to ensure that Welsh player de- has been strongly linked with a move velopment and the retention of Welsh to reigning european champions Toulon. players is properly recognised. Wing George North, meanwhile, is ‘This is in the best interests of all of rugby in Wales, from the grass roots to successfully plying his trade in the Premiership with Northampton, and the international level.’ Wales stars like Jamie Roberts, Dan hooker Richard hibbard will be a lydiate and James hook currently Gloucester player from next summer.

Friday, January 3, 2014 METRO HERALD

PICTURE: InPho

Waiting in the wings: Jordi Murphy has shown his ability in the back row but could move up to fill in for O’Brien

OpTiOns OpEn in sEARcH fOR ALTERnATivE pOwER BALANCE is the order of the day for Leinster’s trip to Galway tomorrow because Sean O’Brien’s injury now leaves Matt O’Connor with a serious selection puzzle ahead of the province’s crucial back-to-back Heineken Cup games. With Sean O’Brien’s dislocated shoulder ruling him out for a number of months, Leinster have been stripped of their number one ball carrier – a loss which will be more keenly felt given Cian Healy’s current absence due to an ankle injury. Without a gainline dambuster like O’Brien, Leinster are going to find it very tough to use blunt force to create holes in the opposition defence, while they will also be without the services of a very tough defender. The No 7 shirt could be filled by either Dominic Ryan or Shane Jennings – the experience of the latter will be valuable in the cauldron Castres’ Stade Pierre-Antoine will provide. But the wildcard selection is Jordi Murphy. The young Dubliner boasts an explosive carrying game and unless Jamie Heaslip is to be freed up to get on the ball more, then Murphy would prove the best alternative.

So far he has proven his abilities across all three positions in the back row, but with set-piece security a must, Kevin McLaughlin – if fit enough – would be picked at blindside, with Murphy at openside and Heaslip at No 8. But this weekend it would be exciting to see Rhys Ruddock teamed up with Murphy and Heaslip, three physical beasts who could prove hard to stop on both sides of the ball. Without carriers like Healy and O’Brien, Leinster must ensure their own possession is secure and lay siege to their opponent’s ruck. At 6ft 2ins Murphy boasts a low centre of gravity, while Heaslip is renowned for his appetite to smash rucks and pilfer ball. Ruddock is none too shabby either in that department and while Leinster may have lost their dynamite carrier, there is no reason not to plump for power on the floor. Connacht will bring a battlefield mentality to this derby and Leinster can ask for no better test in the run-up to their trip to Castres. They could have no better preparation than giving Ruddock, Murphy and Heaslip a run.

spORT DigEsT

Michael is Gerwen places THEy sAiD iT... DARTs Michael van Gerwen has set his sights on more world titles after eventually holding his nerve to win his first. The Dutchman (pictured), who has long been seen as Phil Taylor’s heir apparent, raced into a 4-0 lead in the final against Peter Wright and eventually won 7-4 at Alexandra Palace. ‘It’s the biggest moment of my life,’ said Van Gerwen. ‘This is a dream come true to be world champion and also No.1 in the world. I hope I can win loads more tournaments and I’ll be aiming for that.’

‘Following Michael’s skiing accident, we would like to thank the people who have expressed their sympathy and sent their best wishes for his recovery, we all know he is a fighter and will not give up’ Schumacher‘s family statement on the eve of his 45th birthday

Warne-ing is not going to change Cook 100 cRickET Alastair Cook has shrugged off the

latest criticism from Shane Warne and vowed to carry on captaining England in his own style. Warne branded Cook ‘tactically inept’ in his newspaper column, adding to months of barbs from the Australian spin great, who labelled Cook ‘negative’ during last summer’s Ashes. Back then, a 3-0 series win nullified the impact of Warne’s views but, with England losing 4-0 in Australia, Warne’s comments could be more damaging to an under-pressure Cook. The 29year-old opener said: ‘I have to be the man I have to be. I can’t change because Shane Warne says I need to change. If I listen to every person, your mind gets muddled. I have got to do it the way I think is best for me and this England side.’

Under pressure: Cook warms up for the final Test in Sydney PICTURE: PA

Connacht’s Andrew Browne looks set to win his 100th cap for the province as they host Leinster at the Sportsground tomorrow.

22 METRO HERALD Friday, January 3, 2014

football premier league

Walcott relishing fresh fight for forward places by DAvE FiLMER THEO WALCOTT has warned any new recruits the Gunners already have plenty of ‘special’ players in their dressing room. Arsenal, who host North London rivals Tottenham in the FA Cup third round tomorrow, have been linked with a number of strikers in recent days, including Dimitar Berbatov of Fulham and Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez. With Olivier Giroud struggling with an ankle problem and back-up Nicklas Bendtner now injured, Arsene Wenger is short of options and has indicated he will bring in new blood to freshen up his squad. Walcott and Lukas Podolski can play through the middle but Wenger prefers to use them in wider positions and the German is not fully match

Livid at referee: Moyes

Moyes vents at ‘scandalous’ Webb decision DaviD Moyes claimed Manchester United may not get another penalty this season if Howard Webb did not deem Hugo Lloris’ challenge on ashley young at old Trafford worthy of a spotkick. young sustained a nasty bang on the shoulder as he tumbled taking evasive action from Lloris’ flying tackle late on in United’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham. But because the england winger got his shot in first, referee Howard Webb took no action. even Tottenham manager Tim sherwood accepted it was probably a foul, whilst making no apology for his side escaping without sanction, but Moyes was livid. ‘if that isn’t given i don’t think we will get any more in the league this season,’ said Moyes. ‘it is reckless, it is late, it is in the penalty box. i don’t know what else you can say. ‘it was scandalous. if you follow through on a player anywhere else on the pitch with your foot high, it would be a red card. ‘it’s an incredible decision which didn’t go our way, in fact probably one of the worst i think i saw.’ Moyes’ fury was compounded by adnan Januzaj being booked for diving for the third time this season, even though the challenge he went down under, from Danny Rose, was a pretty firm one. Moyes rejected the notion that Webb may have been overcompensating for claims on social media that the south yorkshire official is a United fan.

‘January is a difficult period in the market’ Positive: Walcott has welcomed any new signings to boost the Gunners’ title charge PICTUrE: AP

Henderson happy for Liverpool to win ugly LIVERPOOL midfielder Jordan Henderson believes grinding out victories may be equally important to their top-four aspirations as sweeping aside teams in a flurry of goals. Fuelled by the in-form Luis Suarez, the Reds are the second highest scorers in the Premier League but Henderson (pictured) was just happy to clinch the three points in the 2-0 win over Hull on New Year’s Day. ‘It was important to get the year off to a good start,’ he

said. ‘Maybe we didn’t play as well as when we have won by four or five but we showed we can grind a result out when we’re not at our best.’ Victory over Hull lifted Liverpool back into the top four after defeats at Manchester City and Chelsea. Henderson added: ‘We didn’t get the bit of luck that we deserved but we had to forget about all that, put it right against Hull, get three points and try to kick on for the rest of the season.’

sharp after his own lay-off, so adding a striker is the Gunners’ top priority during the transfer window. The extra competition would not faze Walcott at all, with the winger relishing any addition to what he already considers an excellent squad. Walcott said: ‘It’s always nice to have competition with players coming in, but January is such a difficult period in the transfer market to get players in, especially the top players. ‘The boss has already said he is looking for special players and we have got a lot of special players in that dressing room.’ Walcott feels Arsenal are growing in confidence as they look to mount a long-overdue sustained title assault. ‘If you want to win titles, then you have got to go to the end and the thing about this team at the moment is that we never give up,’ he added. ‘Every game that we win, the belief gets stronger and stronger.’ Bendtner, meanwhile, will have a scan on his ankle today and is expected to be out for several weeks.

TRANSFER TALK

Pogba reveals his Arsenal dreams JUVENTUS star Paul Pogba has creaked open the door for Arsenal by revealing he dreamt of playing for the Gunners as a child. The 20year-old French midfielder, recently crowned Europe’s best young player, insists he’s happy at the Serie A league leaders. But Pogba (pictured) said: ‘I don’t hide the fact as a child I dreamed of playing for Arsenal and FC Barcelona.’

u ARSENAL’S lack of depth up front has seen them linked with Fulham’s Dimitar Berbatov, who could arrive for £2m, and Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez – for whom they may offer around £15m.

u ENGlAND captain Casey Stoney has joined Arsenal ladies for a second time. The 31-year-old played for the club from 1999 to 2002 before moving on to Charlton, Chelsea and lincoln. u QPR boss Harry Redknapp may return to former club Tottenham to borrow striker Harry Kane on loan for the rest of the season. u EVErToN defender Johnny Heitinga has revealed he pulled the plug on a January move to troubled West Ham.

Spurs lead race for Lescott

White Hart loan: Lescott

ToTTENHAM are favourites to take Joleon lescott on loan from Manchester City and the deal could go through before tomorrow’s FA Cup trip to Arsenal. Monaco and Besiktas are also keen on the England defender, but lescott would prefer to stay in the Premier league. Newcastle could also launch a late bid to borrow the 31-year-old centre-half.

football

Rallying call: Evans

united need patience, says evans JONNY EVANS has called on his Manchester United team-mates to curb their attacking instincts to turn around their disappointing league form at Old Trafford. Although much of the focus after the New Year’s Day defeat against Tottenham was on the penalty that never was – after Hugo Lloris’ challenge on Ashley

Rose: first Ade can be real boost to soldado

TOTTENHAM’S Danny Rose believes ditching the ‘frustrating’ system of one striker will transform the form and fortunes of £26million forward Roberto Soldado. The return of Emmanuel Adebayor into the Spurs line-up has reignited the north Londoners’ season, with ten points from 12 picked up over the festive period. Exiled by previous manager Andre Villas-Boas, Adebayor has netted four goals in five games since new boss Tim Sherwood reinstated the Togo international in an oldfashioned 4-4-2 formation. Soldado had previously looked isolated and struggled to justify the huge transfer fee that brought him to White Hart Lane from Valencia in the summer. But the Tottenham left-back says Adebayor can spark new life into the Spaniard. Rose said: ‘No disrespect to An-

Young near the end – Evans was quick to point to United’s own

5 Points for United from

eight games against the other teams in the top eight

shortcomings after a fourth home loss. ‘They caught us on the

Safe hands: Cech

Cech cleans up as Cat’s record looms PETR CECH will take Chelsea legend Peter Bonetti for a drink if he breaks the goalkeeper’s all-time record for club clean sheets when the Blues take on Derby in Sunday’s FA Cup tie. Cech drew level with the long-standing Chelsea record of 208 shut-outs, held by Bonetti, known as ‘The Cat’, in the 3-0 win at Southampton on New Year’s Day. The Czech reached the feat in 457 appearances, in contrast to the former England international’s 729 matches. ‘I think I will invite him for a drink,’ Cech said. ‘I’m stealing his record so I think this is the right moment. Peter is a great guy. He is very humble and this is why he is a proper legend. He is someone who enjoys the success of the club and he still loves the club.’

dre but playing one up front has been a bit frustrating and hard for Soldado at times. ‘It is nice he’s got a bit of help up there with Adebayor.’ Rose hailed the re-emergence of Adebayor as a key factor, culminating in the New Year’s Day victory at Old Trafford. ‘He has been like a new signing,’ Rose said. ‘Considering he didn’t play a game from pre-season until a few weeks ago, his energy levels have actually been brilliant. ‘There were no questions about his attitude in his first season under Harry Redknapp. I can’t speak for last season because I wasn’t here. Obviously there was a bit of a disagreement between him and Andre but it’s finished now and we are all grateful he is back in the team.’

ODDbALLs

7 Month reign as Torquay

boss for Alan Knill, who was axed yesterday. Defeats to rivals Plymouth and Exeter left the Gulls 23rd in League Two. Head of youth Geoff Harrop was named caretaker manager.

Pellegrini: We can deal with pressure

Lift: Adebayor celebrates with Mousa Dembele

picture: action images

@Metrohsport

Lock out for Huddlestone IT was certainly worth the wait as Tom Huddlestone finally had his locks shorn after a spell of almost three years without a goal ended at last. The Hull midfielder had refused to have a haircut until he scored – which duly arrived when he helped

fOOTbALL DigEsT

break a little bit for the two goals so maybe we need to be a bit more patient,’ he said. ‘Away from home, you tend to be more defensive in your set-up. Maybe at home we are leaving ourselves a bit too open. ‘We want to entertain our fans and score goals but maybe that is to our detriment a little bit.’

by ALAN sCOTT

Joy: Soldado, left, with Lennon, centre, and Eriksen

Friday, January 3, 2014 METRO HERALD 23

Hull chop down Fulham 6-0 last weekend. He had previously netted for Spurs in a 3-3 draw with Arsenal in April 2011. And yesterday the player had the ‘Huddlefro’ lopped off. The former Spurs star hopes to raise £75,000 for Cancer Research.

MANCHESTER City boss Manuel Pellegrini has said his side have ‘no problem’ dealing with the pressure of the closest Premier League title race for years. City remain second, a point behind leaders Arsenal, following a 3-2 win at Swansea on New Year’s Day and Pellegrini (pictured) has faith in his team’s credentials. ‘It’s impossible to be in a good team if you don’t want pressure, you must be used to playing with pressure,’ he said. ‘If they want to say that the pressure is on Manchester City it’s no problem for us.’

Gus is getting angry

It’s a snip: Huddlestone gets a haircut

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SUNDERLAND boss Gus Poyet has told his players it will be his way or the highway as he tries to dig the Black Cats out of relegation trouble. They are four points adrift of safety after their 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on New Year’s Day. Poyet said: ‘For moments, it looks like we are getting better, and for moments, it looks like I am coming from another planet, which is difficult to accept.’

24 METRO HERALD Friday, January 3, 2014

Dv1

Inside the 22: Murphy to battle it out in fight to replace O’Brien

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Gun for hire Baby faced assassin Ole is cardiff manager

picture: pa

Reds legend: Solskjaer shows off the Cardiff shirt yesterday

‘Fergie did not try to put me off premier job’ OLE GUNNAR Solskjaer rejected claims Sir Alex Ferguson advised him to turn down the Cardiff City job. ‘It is absolute nonsense,’ said the Norwegian, insisting he had no qualms about working with controversial owner Vincent Tan. ‘[Ferguson] (pictured) has wished me the best and given me some good advice, as he always does. I had a good conversation with him. He [Tan] wants his club to be successful. He has ploughed loads of money in so he wants to be successful.’

by SIMON KAY FORMER Manchester United favourite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has immediately tried to assert his authority after taking charge at Cardiff City. The Norwegian has dismissed concerns over working with controversial owner Vincent Tan and the club has already introduced a more ‘transparent’ system for overseeing transfers. Solskjaer was confirmed as Malky Mackay’s successor yesterday, just six days after the Scot was axed following a series of disputes with Tan. Some bookmakers already have Solskjaer, who won two league titles and one Norwegian cup with previous club Molde, odds-on to survive less than 18 months in his new job. But promises have been made by

chairman Mehmet Dalman regarding the January transfer budget and the club’s working structure, and Solskjaer does not envisage having any issues when it comes to football matters. ‘I’m very confident in my own ability as a manager and I’m looking forward,’ said the 40-year-old, who has

£25million Funds Solskjaer has to spend on bolstering his squad signed a 12-month rolling contract and brought former United youth coaches Richard Hartis and Mark Dempsey with him. ‘I’ve had great chats with the owner and Mehmet, the important thing now is that we have good dialogue

about how to progress the club. That’s the key for me now, that we do communicate, Mehmet and I will be speaking very often. I’ll be in charge of football matters. ‘I go into this with my eyes open and I want the fans to be proud of us when we go on the pitch. ‘I felt I needed to be back here and I want to stay for the long term.’ Dalman revealed the club’s new approach to dealing with transfers. ‘The manager will say what he wants: A, B and C. I will go to the board and say, “Do we have that money?” It gets authorised. It gets signed off. ‘The manager goes and does his thing. Everybody is on the same page. We have got transparency between the football side and the business side.’

ROG: I had to leave Ireland MUNSTER legend Ronan O’Gara made a conscious decision to leave Ireland and Irish rugby behind to make the transition from player to coach easier. The former Ireland flyhalf (pictured) is now an assistant coach at Racing Metro in Paris, where he is kicking coach to Johnny Sexton – his successor as the country’s No 10. In ROG – The Ronan O’Gara Documentary, which aired on RTÉ 1 last night, O’Gara said: ‘ It was easier for me to deal with by getting out of the country.

‘For me, to move on to the next stage of my career, it was easier to go to Paris. ‘I know how Munster and Ireland operate, (I thought) France was going to be a huge eye-opener and it has proved to be.’ O’Gara also admitted he finds it difficult to accept his playing career has finished. ‘I miss it,’ he said. ‘I’m still in the honeymoon period of dealing with it. I probably think it’s still there, but it’s never there, it’s gone.’

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