Metro Herald, Wednesday, February 19, 2014 by Metro Herald

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Shatter in U-turn on bug inquiry The Government has been forced in to a dramatic by ed carty U-turn over the Garda ombudsman bugging scanfears that it was under surveillance during a podal and has ordered a retired judge to investigate. The Justice Minister said the former high Court tentially damaging investigation last year, which figure will examine all matters of relevance linked focused on convicted drugs trafficker Kieran Boylan, from Ardee, Co Meath. to allegations of a spy-ring at the watchdog. Boyle had drugs charges against him dropped And speaking in the Dail yesterday, Alan Shatter strongly rejected what he called ‘allegations and claimed he was working as an informant for that I am seeking to undermine the role of GSOC drugs squad detectives while smuggling. Gsoc confirmed three telecoms security issues or that I may want to abolish it altogether’. The decision – ten days after the scandal broke were identified in or around its Dublin offices during sweeps by counter-surveillance experts – follows rejections of the need for an inquiry. The head of the inquiry, which will run for eight from London, Verrimus, last September. Verrimus was forced yesterday to dismiss weeks, has not been named. Mr Shatter said his ‘first and only concern’ was claims its own experts’ phones were the source of to discover if Gsoc had been subject to surveil- one of the technical anomalies – an unidentified lance and added that he had previously recounted 3G network. A spokesperson said: ‘A mobile Gsoc’s own ‘conclusion there was no definitive phone cannot create a 3G base station.’ Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Marevidence of any technical or electin said in the Dáil something was tronic surveillance of Gsoc offices’, ‘fundamentally wrong’ at the core which he said was ‘disregarded’. of the administration of justice in he added that he was ‘subject to the country. continuing political attack alleging Taoiseach enda Kenny said if the that I have undermined the role of opposition leader had any evidence Gsoc’ and expressed pity there was of it he had a duty to bring it to the not ‘a more balanced debate’. attention of Mr Shatter. The terms of reference for the inAnd Sinn Féin deputy leader quiry are to be set out by Mr ShatMary Lou McDonald said the Taoter, with the advice of Attorney iseach had been forced into launchGeneral Maire Whelan, and the ing an inquiry and questioned why high Court judge will have access Mr Shatter was setting the terms of to technical experts. reference. The scandal centres on Gsoc’s Pressure: Shatter

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Activists: Pussy Riot members, believed to be Nadezhda Tolokonnikova (L) and Maria Alyokhina (R), pass media after release from a police station in Sochi yesterday

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prayer’ in Moscow’s main cathedral, were among nine held by police near Sochi’s ferry terminal, a popular area for fans celebrating the Olympics. Police said they were questioned in connection with a theft at their hotel, but no charges were filed. The women claimed they were manhandled, and chanted ‘Putin will teach you how to love the motherland!’ on leaving the police station.

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METRO HERALD Wednesday, February 19, 2014

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54% Of those polled

in a survey of 3,000 employees believe their boss does not care about their health, leaving many feeling less motivated

Ireland’s rate of newsprint recycling is now up to 79%. Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you.

Today is...

Chocolate Mint Day No celebration of delicious edible double acts would be complete without also including strawberries and cream, fish n’ chips, and of course, rocky and road!

From the archives (2010):

O’Dea quits over ‘brothelgate’

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea resigned after he wrongly denied linking a Sinn Féin councillor to a brothel in an interview. Mr O’Dea was accused of lying after falsely linking Maurice Quinlivan to a brothel, but denied the slur in a High Court affidavit.

Today’s birthdays

Gwen Taylor, actress, 75; Smokey Robinson, singer, 74; Jeff Daniels, actor, 59; Seal, singer, 51; Benicio del Toro, actor, (pictured) ,47; Beth Ditto, singer (The Gossip), 33.

CLOCkwORD

The solutions from 1 to 12 are all sixletter words ending with the letter T in the centre. Moving clockwise from 1, the letters in the outer circle will spell out the name of a TV presenter. 8. Orbiting body 1. Coat 9. Sincere, 2. Feline animal genuine 3. Village 10. Sturdy 4. Zero 11. Dairy food 5. Protective 12. Looked for headgear 6. Pressing Yesterday’s solution: Jasper Conran 7. Humble

Weather Weather Today

Max: 11°c

Dry at first with sunshine for a time. However, cloud will gradually increase, with rain reaching western counties by afternoon. Outbreaks of rain will then extend to most other areas by evening. Temperatures between 9°C to 11°C in freshening westerly winds.

Derry

9�C

Donegal

10�C

9�C

Cavan

Galway

10�C

Athlone

Dublin

11�C

Tipperary Waterford

Tralee

Cork

Tonight

Belfast

9�C

11�C Sunrise: 7.35am Sunset: 5.43pm

Min: 0°c

Rain will persist in all areas and is likely to be heavy at times. A clearance to showers will reach western counties around dawn. Temperatures between 0°C to 4°C in westerly winds.

EUROPE today

Tomorrow A cold, blustery day with bright or sunny spells and some heavy showers. They'll be heaviest and most frequent in the west and north. Temperatures between 6°C to 10°C in fresh, gusty westerly winds.

6�C 8�C 9�C 9�C

10�C

7�C 8�C 10�C Max: 10°c

Athens

16 °c

Barcelona

16 °c

Berlin

10 °c 10 °c

Brussels London Geneva Madrid Paris Rome

10 °c 8 °c 14 °c 11 °c 18 °c

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 METRO HERALD

Violinist swaps the stage for the Sochi slopes and is happy despite finishing last

Vanessa is beaten but not bowed

by AiDAn RADnEDgE cian was competing for Thailand using her father’s surname, Vanakorn, becoming only the third person ever to represent Thailand at a Winter Olympics. And she was happy despite her lowly ranking. ‘It’s so cool – you’ve got the elite skiers of the world and then you’ve got some mad old woman like me trying to make it down,’ she said. ‘I nearly crashed three times but I made it down and that was the main thing. Just the

experience of being here is amazing.’ However, she batted away questions about whether she had taken out special insurance on her arms. ‘You can insure yourself up to your eyeballs but if you don’t enjoy life, what’s the point,’ she said. German bronze medallist Viktoria Rebensburg said it was exciting to race against ‘such a great musician’. Ireland’s Florence Bell bowed out after failing to complete the course in extremely difficult morning conditions.

pictureS: ap/pa

VIOLINIST Vanessa-Mae may have added another string to her bow by becoming a skier but her Sochi Winter Olympics ended on a low note when she came last. The 35-year-old finished almost a minute behind gold medallist Tina Maze of Slovenia in the giant slalom. Mae, who had just six months to prepare and qualified only last month – came 74th in the morning run and brought up the rear in 67th in the afternoon race. The Singapore-born musi-

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METRO HERALD Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Drumm’s ‘thumbs up’ to Maple Ten deal

Dawson St Luas work detailed DAWSON STREET will be reduced to one lane from next Tuesday to accommodate works for the Luas Cross City. The works will start at the east side of Dawson Street, between St Stephen’s Green and Molesworth Street. They will then switch to the west side at the end of June. The street will remain open to traffic throughout, Luas Cross City insisted while taxi ranks will be moved to Molesworth Street.

Man ‘forced to steal by gang’ A POLISH man who claimed a gang threatened to beat and rape his girlfriend unless he participated in stealing €6,000 from a neighbour’s bank account will be sentenced later. Radoslaw Skurzynski, 29, of The Island, Chapelizod, told gardaí he had been threatened, but pleaded guilty after gardaí found his fingerprints on a withdrawal slip. Judge Desmond Hogan said he was unsure if Skurzynski’s claim was ‘a cock and bull story’.

Candy Crush firm plans IPO THE makers of blockbuster mobile game Candy Crush Saga hope to raise up to $500m (€363m) in an initial public offering. King Digital Entertainment, which is incorporated in Ireland but has no operations here, did not disclose how many shares are expected in the IPO or the projected price range. The firm plans to use proceeds from the sale for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Shares: Sean Quinn

THE former chief financial officer of Anglo Irish Bank has begun giving evidence under immunity at the trial of three former bank executives. Matt Moran told the jury he was granted immunity from prosecution by the Director of Public Prosecutions. He said that in 2008 he was told by one of the accused, William McAteer, that Anglo was lending money to ten investors to buy shares in the bank.

Mr McAteer is accused, along with fellow ex-directors Sean FitzPatrick and Pat Whelan, of providing funding for the purchase of its own shares in contravention of the Companies Act. Mr Moran told the court that in 2007 he discovered businessman Sean Quinn controlled a large portion of the bank’s shares through Contracts for Difference (CFDs) and that there could be catastrophic consequences if

the CFDs were not reduced. He detailed how the bank decided to loan money to ten high-net worth bank customers, dubbed the Maple Ten, so they could buy the shares. Mr Moran said Anglo CEO David Drumm came to his office and said he had spoken to the Financial Regulator about the deal before giving a ‘thumbs up’ gesture. The trial continues.

Racists target politician over Giro call to remove murals by MicHAEL McHuGH THE only Chinese-born parliamentarian on the island of Ireland has been targeted for online racist abuse by Northern Ireland loyalists for comments linked to the Giro D’Italia. Anna Lo, who represents the cross-community Alliance Party in South Belfast at Stormont, was insulted after calling for flags and murals glorifying gunmen to be removed from the route of this year’s cycling race, which will begin in the region for the first time this spring. The abuse was posted on social media sites, a party spokesman said. Ms Lo said: ‘I am very disappointed people would react in such a personal way and use abusive and very personal comments against me. ‘I speak for a lot of people who are sick and tired of flags being hung on lamp posts and left there for months and months to become tattered. ‘Many people in those areas would not want to see a mural glorifying violence and intimidation.’ Ms Lo’s colleague Stewart Dickson said he was disgusted by vile remarks from social media users. ‘The people who made these comments are bringing shame to Northern Ireland and do not represent the vast majority of the population who have welcomed people from all backgrounds,’ he said. Hong Kong-born Ms Lo appealed for a flag- and mural-free race after Stormont Environment Minister Mark Durkan said no election posters should be erected along the Giro route, which also travels to Dublin, from May 9-11. European and local council elections are being held later that month.

Super duper Mr Hooper Oscar winner Richard Dreyfuss and his wife Svetlana arrive for the Jameson Cult Film Club screening of Jaws as part of the Dublin International Film Festival at the Mansion house Picture: Brian Mcevoy

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Wednesday, February 19, 2014 METRO HERALD

Gilmore: Ugandan anti-gay law would harm links to Ireland by jOAnnE AHERn

It tastes really, really grape

San Lorenzo’s chef Temple Garner and model Daniella Moyles get tasting ahead of the Dine in Dublin festival from Feb 24 to Mar 2 Picture: conor healy

THE Tánaiste has warned Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni that enacting legislation that harshly penalises homosexuality would affect his country’s relationship with Ireland. In a statement last night, Eamon Gilmore, who is also the Minister for Foreign Affairs, said he was ‘deeply concerned’ by the move to enshrine into law ‘the regressive and discriminatory Anti-Homosexuality Bill’. He added the Bill is ‘in clear conflict with Uganda’s binding international obligations to uphold human rights’. ‘It is a threat to Uganda’s gay community and an affront to all those who

Warning: Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore value tolerance, respect and dignity of all people,’ he said. He added: ‘I have made it clear, including in direct talks with President Museveni, that the enactment of this draconian legislation would affect our valued relationship with Uganda.’

While Ireland does not provide direct funding to the Ugandan government, this year it will provide in the region of €21m through ‘trusted non-government partners’ to improve access to education and healthcare, as well as economic opportunities to the most disadvantaged communities. On Sunday, US president Barack Obama made a similar comment, warning Uganda such a move would ‘complicate our valued relationship’. Labour TD Dominic Hannigan called for a halt to Ireland’s aid programme to Uganda if the Bill is passed: ‘There needs to be an understanding that Ireland will only help countries that uphold a basic standard of human rights.’

Man is charged with Tallaght hotel murder A CLONDALKIN man has been charged with the murder of 31-year-old Sonia Blount at a Tallaght hotel at the weekend. Eric Locke, who is 31 and has an address at St John’s Park East, Clondalkin, was charged with murdering the Tallaght woman in a bedroom of the Plaza Hotel on Sunday, February 16. Tallaght District Court was told that Locke replied ‘no’ when he was charged at Tallaght Garda station yesterday morning. He was granted free legal aid and Judge Anthony Halpin ordered that he is to get medication and is to receive medical attention if he requires it. He was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court next Tuesday.

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March deadline for property tax fees PROPERTY owners who have yet to pay the local property tax (LPT) have until the end of March to do so, Revenue has said. Those who have undervalued their property or who have claimed an exemption to which they are not entitled are also urged to comply. From April 1 interest and penalties on unpaid local property tax and household charges will apply. LPT project manager, Vivienne Dempsey said: ‘By the end of March, we expect to have the remaining 40,000 items of LPT correspondence cleared. This means that residential property owners have until March 31 2014 to bring their LPT affairs for 2013 up to date to avoid interest and penalties.’

Child sex case arrests

GARDAI are questioning seven people in relation to the alleged serious sexual assault of a child. The five men and two women were arrested in Dublin and Wexford yesterday morning as part of an ongoing investigation. The men, aged between 19 and 47 years, and the women, both in their 40s, are being held at stations in the south Dublin area. It is understood the alleged offences occurred over a number of years. The alleged victim is a ten-year-old girl.

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METRO HERALD Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Quarter of miscarriages ‘avoidable’

A QUARTER of miscarriages may be preventable, research suggests. Being underweight or obese before conception, working nights, drinking alcohol in pregnancy and lifting heavy loads could all increase the risk, experts said. They said if women cut these risks to very low levels, 25 per cent of miscarriages could be prevented. The large study of more than 91,000 pregnancies also confirmed that one of the biggest factors influencing miscarriage is the mother’s age, with women over 30 having a higher chance of miscarrying. However, other researchers warned the study did not show miscarriage was ‘caused’ by any of the factors and pointed to other limitations. The team behind the study, from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, used data from 91,427 Danish

Amazing Grace: Some of the 60 singers, including, front row, Sandra Dee, Wendy VardRyan, Mary Coughlan, Sharon Crosbie and Rob Burke

by jAnE kiRby pregnancies between 1996 and 2002. They regarded miscarriage as before 22 weeks of pregnancy and found that 3,177 of the total sample of pregnancies resulted in miscarriage. Women were asked in a telephone interview to discuss their habits leading up to conception and during pregnancy. The women were typically interviewed around 16 weeks into their pregnancy. Those who had already suffered a miscarriage were asked about their habits leading up to the miscarriage. The study found that age, drinking alcohol, lifting more than 20kg a day, night shifts and being obese or overweight all contributed to miscarriage. A mother’s age and alcohol consumption were the most important risk factors.

‘Age and alcohol most important risk factors’

Getting in the pink to fight breast cancer MADIGAN’S PUB at Connolly Station was alive with music on Monday as 60 ‘pink ladies’ gathered to record a charity single in aid of the Kinsale Pink Ribbon Walk. The CD, Amazing Grace, will feature the voice of jazz singer Sharon Crosbie, Mary Coughlan and Wendy Vard-Ryan, as well as journalists including Annemarie

60 seconds

Actor GARy OLDMAn, 55, had to wait 26 years after his big break in biopic Sid And Nancy to be nominated for an Oscar. Not that he really cared…

What made you sign up to play Doctor Norton in the remake of RoboCop? I like the

fact that our director José Padilha is essentially a Brazilian indie documentary film-maker coming into this culture and putting his take on it. He’s given RoboCop what Christopher Nolan gave Batman. He’s tried to give it a realism and a world we can connect with that’s not so fantastical. It’s got a sensibility to it and you’re not overwhelmed by special effects.

Did you see Joel Kinnaman, who plays RoboCop, in The Killing? I saw the whole of the first

one on a plane. My wife [singer Alexandra Edenborough] was across the aisle watching a comedy and I could see her head moving all the time. She was obviously laughing and then she’d look over at me and we were polar opposites. I didn’t even get up to go to the loo and she said: ‘What are you watching?’ I said. ‘This fantastic thing. When are we landing? I can’t miss any.’ So I watched all of it, eight hours, from LA to London. I think Joel is superb as RoboCop.

What job would you like a

robot for? Probably to do this [types on his iPhone]. We’re all typists now, aren’t we? The struggle of all this is we are communicating with more people. Half the f***ing people I talk to, I don’t need to. We have all these people. ‘Hey, yeah, I might not be in town, but if I am I’ll swing by.’ We communicate with more people and interface with them physically less because we all have our heads buried in something. You were finally nominated for an Oscar in 2012. Was this travesty keeping you up at night? It never really kept me

awake and now I’m not on the list of ‘never been’. What made it all the more enjoyable was because it was for Smiley [in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy]. He’s not gay, lesbian, crippled, you know what I mean? So I thought: ‘Well, if I can do it for really doing almost nothing, then that’s OK.’ And when it came around, I was determined to enjoy it. Really, there’s nothing to complain about. They fly you everywhere, they give you nice food, they put you up, most people like you and they say nice things about you. So you have to do a lot of Q and As,

big deal. And at the end of it, they may give you a gold statue.

Did you vote for yourself?

I think you can vote for yourself. I don’t think I did though. That’s a bit cheap, isn’t it?

Do your roles reveal any of the real Gary Oldman? You mix

them to know the real me! It’s such an interpretative thing – it’s like the writer is driving the car and you’re a passenger. You come across actors who say: ‘You’ve inspired me.’ But I still think I’m Gary from New Cross and look around and think: ‘How the hell did I get here?’

Shall we remind Rada once again that they turned you down? I was upset, yes. All the

heroes I looked up to had gone to Rada – Tom Courtenay, Alan Bates, Albert Finney – so that’s how I wanted to start. It didn’t work out that way. Now I look back and think it wasn’t really that important, although it was at the time.

Now lots of actors are in awe of you. Who are you in huge awe of? John Hurt. I was very

McRedmond, Siobhán Lennon and Mairéad Kearns. Mrs Crosbie is brand ambassador for the Kinsale Pink Ribbon Walk, an event inviting people from all over Ireland to walk or run 10km in aid of Action Breast Cancer. The single will be available in Carroll’s Gift Store nationwide from March 1 and on iTunes.

The event plans to paint the Cork town pink as participants parade pink ribbon T-shirts and shops and restaurants ‘go pink’. In the last two years, more than €200,000 has been raised, and you can register online to take part in the walk at www.pinkribbon walk.ie, or by calling the hotline on (086) 217 9556.

“

You can do what you can as a parent but, my God, don’t they make it hard for you? nervous on my first day working with him on Tinker Tailor. He was in the car park, my car pulled in and I was a fanboy.

Did you tell him how you felt? Oh yeah. And then we got

talking. He’s a great raconteur and told me some stories.

How is it being the parent of teenage boys and a twenty-something? I do fear

the world that my kids are growing up in. I wish they would read more. But if I were 15, would I want to read when I have everything else? You can do what you can do as a parent, but, my God, don’t they make it hard for you – when they legalise marijuana [in California] … They make it hard to be a f***ing parent.

You walked the runway for Prada in 2012. Are you a fashionista? I don’t follow fashion. I

don’t sit on the plane and look at GQ. But I think I have a sense of what I like. Prada called me up and said would I go and walk on the runway and I thought: ‘That sounds like an experience.’ They flew me

to Rome and treated me like a king. You can’t complain. And it was like theatre. I played a part.

What’s coming up for you? I have no work at the moment. I’m not doing anything or looking for anything. I tend to sort of let things come in as they come in. I don’t purposely look. Lesley O’Toole RoboCop is out now.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 METRO HERALD

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METRO HERALD Wednesday, February 19, 2014

★

★★ ★ ★

I’ve got rid of my fake boobs, says Victoria B A

deflated Victoria Beckham has confessed to ditching the breast implants. the former bottle-blonde came clean as she shared beauty tips and talked about the highs of finding fame in the US with Becks. ‘I don’t have them any more,’ she said about pictures of her plumped-up top half. the mother-of-four is thought to have upsized her chest to a 34d at a clinic in 1999 but is now believed to have had them reduced to her natural 34a size.

by ANDREI HARMSWORTH as part of her transformation into understated fashion guru, Posh has also abandoned shaving her legs in favour of laser hair removal. ‘It is amazing. You can go back for little touch-ups if you do see little hairs appearing,’ she told allure magazine. ‘But I’ve been very lucky that I haven’t had to.’ and the 39-year-old claimed the new her was a far cry from the insecure woman who joined the Spice Girls.

‘I think what gave me confidence in myself was meeting the other girls,’ she said. ‘We always said we were all like rejects in our own way. We had to work hard and they helped me accept me for who I was.’ a second popularity boost came when she moved to the US in 2007 after Becks, 38, joined la Galaxy. ‘living in america for six years was the happiest I think I’ve ever been,’ she said. ‘It was much more accepting for a woman to have a career.’

Cara and Michelle in crowd for date with rock royalty Girlfriends Cara Delevingne and Michelle Rodriguez spent a boozy night together at Prince’s latest London gig after announcing they are an item. The dark-haired beauties looked a little worse for wear when they were spotted staggering out of Ronnie Scotts late on Monday night. Model Delevingne, 21, opted to kick off her high heels as she hit the street of Soho following the gig – spotted with her hair looking very dishevelled and her flies undone. Machete Kills actress Rodriguez, 35, hid behind sunglasses as she staggered from the iconic jazz club. The couple have put on a show of PDAs lately, including at a basketball game in New York. Rodriguez confirmed their romance earlier this week, describing Delevingne as ‘cool’, ‘awesome,’ and ‘tough’, warning: ‘You wouldn’t want to mess with her in a fight.’ Also at the Prince gig were model Kate Moss and Oscar-winning singer Adele.

★

Couple: Delevingne leaves the gig with Rodriguez Picture: XPosure

Rihanna is to be paid €7million by her former accountant after claiming he had left her ‘effectively bankrupt’. The 25-yearold reached an out-of-court settlement with Peter Gounis and the company Berdon, after claiming she had misspent nearly €8m in just under a year as a result of his poor decisionmaking. At the centre of the dispute was the purchase of a Beverly Hills mansion which she was eventually forced to sell at a €2.5m loss, claiming it was ‘virtually uninhabitable’.

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She’s gone Gaga: outrageous outfits made her famous but this one really is brave – as Lady Gaga, 27, steps out in sub-zero New york wearing just a fishnet bodysuit Picture: sPlash

★

NymphomaNiaC actress Felicity Gilbert thinks her co-star Shia LaBeouf risks shooting himself in the foot with his current meltdown-turned-art project. The 27-year-old is worried the troubled actor’s stunts – which include walking around with a brown paper bag on his head – will backfire. ‘i think this is his own project. But i think people don’t necessarily sympathise with him that easily and so it is a dangerous thing to do,’ she told Guilty pleasures. But the rising English star has nothing but praise for 27-year-old LaBeouf from their time working together on Lars von Trier’s film. ‘in between scenes, i forgot about method actors and how they keep in character,’ she revealed. ‘So i would ask him questions and he would be looking at me as if i was crazy. ’ She has one regret about her role in the film though, which is an unflinching and explicit portrayal of sex: ‘i don’t get naked. i am one of the very few people,’ she said. Nymphomaniac Volume 1 is out on Friday.

★

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 METRO HERALD

Low Fares

KinGSlanD Road say the explicit female attention has not slowed down since their X Factor exit. The band – Josh Zaré, 20, Joe ‘Connor’ Conaboy, 19, JJ Thompson, 22, Matt Cahill, 25, and Jay Scott, 19 – were eliminated in the tenth series of the TV talent show. Conaboy said the women were continuing to send explicit pictures thick and fast, revealing: ‘There was a girl who Josh added on Twitter who was just filth.’

Dougie makes Ellie his Starry Eyed girl E

llie Goulding and Dougie Poynter sparked rumours that they are enjoying a secret romance as they rubbed up against each other at a london Fashion Week party. ‘ellie looked completely smitten with Dougie,’ revealed one guest at the Red Bull Studios bash. ‘They huddled together in a corner for most of the time, completely engrossed in conversation.’ The 27-year-old singer of Starry eyed and her McFly companion were clearly enjoying each other’s compa-

Pairing up: Dougie and Ellie arrived separately but left the party in a black taxi together Pictures: sPlash/ eroteme

by jEnni McknigHT

ny at the Storm Model Management party on Monday. The insider added: ‘At one point ellie was pulling on the end of Dougie’s T-shirt and holding on to his pinkie finger. They looked very cute together.’ The pair managed to tear themselves apart when they left the venue as they tried to avoid being papped together. Goulding pulled the hood of her leather jacket up while 26-year-old Poynter – who recently marked three

years sober – kept his head down. But their plan was rumbled as they were pictured climbing into the back of a black taxi together and disappeared into the night. ellie and her new man were later spotted at The Coveteur and Filles a Papa party, where Pixie lott was among the guests tucking into the Patron tequila cocktails at Browns Focus in the West end. last week ellie and Dougie fuelled gossip when they were photographed on Twitter with their arms around each other at one of Taylor Swift’s london gigs. Poynter recently split from his longtime girlfriend lara CarewJones after two years together, while the Brit winner has previously been linked to Jeremy irvine, Niall Horan and ed Sheeran. Representatives for Goulding and Poynter declined to comment on their clients’ ‘private lives’.

Miley Cyrus found a new way to get critics’ knickers in a twist at her latest gig – by stuffing a Gstring a fan threw on stage into her mouth. The Wrecking Ball singer, 21, pulled the shock stunt in Tacoma, Washington state, on Sunday. Miley, who also rode a giant hot dog at the show, wants her Bangerz tour to be ‘educational’ for children. What sort of education is that, Miley?

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10 METRO HERALD Wednesday, February 19, 2014

13 killed as Ukraine crisis turns bloody AT LEAST 13 people were killed in by SHARON MARRIS battles between police and protesters in Kiev, as Ukraine’s festering political camp, where Orthodox priests prayed for peace. crisis escalated sharply yesterday. ‘This regime has again begun shootAmong the dead were three demoning people – they want strators who were shot sink Ukraine in and six policemen, Estimated to blood,’ opposition while about 150 protesters and 40 officers number of protesters in leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk told protesters. were injured. Independence Square ‘We will not take one Subway stations were shut down as government forces step back from this square.’ The violence first erupted three months tried to restore order – and opposition figures warned that troops may move in ago over president Viktor Yanukovych’s to clear the sprawling protest camp in refusal to heed protesters’ demands and Kiev’s Independence Square. Thou- move away from his pro-Russia stance sands of people flocked to defend the and strengthen ties with Europe.

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Battlefield: Protesters hurl bricks at police on the smokefilled streets of Kiev yesterday PICTURE: EPA

US ‘bombed Policeman arrested over own soldiers’ Alps family murder case SOLDIERS reeled in shocked as their own air force dropped a 225kg bomb on their outpost by mistake. Amazingly no-one was hurt in the friendly-fire incident, filmed on a soldier’s headcam and uploaded to military website funker350 yesterday. The bomb was meant to target the Taliban in Afghanistan but hit a US gunpost instead.

A FORMER police marksman sacked for ‘misconduct’ was yesterday arrested in connection with the murders of a British family in the Alps. He was named as Eric Devouassoux, 48, and French prosecutors say mobile phone records show he was near the crime scene. Devouassoux, a trained marksman and gun collector, lives close to where the

World

killings took place, near Lake Annecy, in eastern France. ‘Numerous guns’ were found in the former officer’s home and he is being held under suspicion of ‘murder as part of an organised gang’, police said. Saad al-Hilli, 50, his wife Ikbal, and her mother Suhaila al-Allaf were all killed in 2012. Local cyclist Sylvain Mollier was also murdered.

digest

Former congressman Outlawed president Gandhi killing in hotel porn charge in dock over treason trio are saved ZIMBABWE: A former US PAKISTAN: Former military ruler from hanging congressman has been charged with possessing pornographic material and violating immigration laws. Melvin Jay Reynolds was held at a Harare hotel, which he is said to owe €18,000, on Monday. The Illinois Democrat quit congress in 1995 after a conviction for statutory rape and child pornography offences.

Pervez Musharraf yesterday appeared in court for the first time on treason charges. The 70-yearold was not indicted by the court in Islamabad, which will decide by Friday if it has the power to try him. Musharraf is accused of illegally suspending the constitution and starting emergency rule in 2007.

INDIA: Three men sentenced to hang for their part in the 1991 assassination of ex-prime minister Rajiv Gandhi have had their death penalties commuted to life in jail. The trio were spared by the Supreme Court over delays in ruling on their petitions for mercy. They were the last on death row of 26 people convicted over the killing.

Ai, Ai, Ai, $1m Weiwei vase is smashed

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INDIA: A ragpicker boy jumps on to a moving train in search of plastic bottles for reselling, at a railway station in New Delhi. India’s ‘railway children’ swelled by an estimated 120,000 runaways each year REUTERs

and finally... SPAIN: Scavenger Adonis Alaniz fell for a ‘honey trap’ when he picked up 41 crates by the roadside – to discover they were full of bees. The 43-yearold escaped theft charges by returning the hives to the owner, near Lleida.

AMERICA: An artist smashed a $1million vase made by Ai Weiwei to protest at a museum’s failure to showcase local talent. Maximo Caminero, 51, faces five years in jail for criminal damage. ‘This act was disrespectful to other artists,’ said the Perez Art Museum in Miami, which was showing the Chinese dissident’s vase.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 METRO HERALD

What a dumbo! I’m in a right muddy mess... by SHAROn MARRIS Muddy hell: The baby elephant stuck fast in a track-side ditch

Pictures: Barcroft media

Puppy’s e-cig overdose ‘could kill child’ A PUPPY fatally poisoned herself after biting into an e-cigarette, with experts fearful that young children could unknowingly do the same. Ivy, a 14-week-old Staffordshire bull terrier, began convulsing after she drank the liquid nicotine used in the devices on Sunday night. Her symptoms included vomiting, diarrhoea and breathing difficulties and she died the next morning. Ivy’s British owner Keith Sutton has

urged the makers of e-cigarettes to warn users that the fluid can be lethal. He said: ‘She would have had a better chance if she had bitten into a bottle of bleach. If this is what a small amount does to a dog, then what would it do to a child?’ The bottles which accompany e-cigarettes contain a mixture of nicotine and other chemicals. A lethal overdose of the fluid is believed to have killed two-year-old Naomi Elbaz in Israel last May.

THIS baby elephant landed itself in a right old mess after falling down a railway embankment. Stuck fast in the muddy ravine, its attempts to get free failed time and again. Luckily, a train was passing by and passengers, upset to see the forlorn animal in a pickle, convinced the driver to stop so they could free it. While one commuter enticed the elephant to the top of the ditch by holding out tree branches for it to eat, others joined the rescue and eventually pulled the animal out of its predicament. The calf suffered no injuries in the fall and probably learned not to stray too far from the herd in future following its muddy misadventure. Officials say the elephant had been walking across rail tracks in Goalpara, in the state of Assam, north-east India, when it fell into the ditch. Accidents involving elephants in the country are not uncommon. On Monday, one was killed after it froze on

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Help: Passengers coax it to freedom tracks as a train sped towards it. And seven elephants died when a train rammed them at 80kph in November – prompting calls to restrict rail speeds to protect India’s wild elephant population, estimated to be about 26,000.

12 METRO HERALD Wednesday, February 19, 2014

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‘Mail’ to 53131* Facebook.com/ metroherald

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What does it matter if a rapist has no previous convictions?

esterday’s front page story symbolises all that is wrong with this country’s legal system. a man rapes a woman and gets a seven-and-a-half year jail sentence, but the last three and a half years are suspended for previous good behavior? If someone is sexually assaulted, the full weight of the law should be on their side. Previous good behavior of the offender should not come into the equation. Why are we so lenient on criminals in this country? Law Abiding Citizen

alarm on the front of the house. Once you have identified the provider, give them a call and supply them with the address for your neighbour and describe your frustration and explain how the current situation in unacceptable. they are as much responsible for the noise as your neighbour is and so they may be able to remotely reset the alarm and also contact your neighbour as it would be in their interest to do so. I hope you find the silence and serenity you crave soon. Neil

■ I suggest the Lady in Pink check her Leap card history at any Luas stop or ticket machine where you top up your card. she will find that she already paid the fare and therefore, when asked for cash, she paid twice. she is now due a refund. as long as you have any money on your card, you pay the fare and it is then deducted when you top up your card. I know this as I have made a complaint to dublin Bus and was informed that the drivers know this. so, is it the policy of dublin Bus to double charge. Tom

■ to sinéad, I had the exact same problem a few years ago. a neighbour went on holiday and their alarm kept going for a week. No one would help, the guards were useless and said unless the property had been broken into, they wouldn’t do anything. Hmm. But having an alarm going non-stop is against the law and is noise pollution. We took a case against our neighbour and they had to pay damages… might be worth a shot? Hope you get it sorted. It’s a nightmare having to listen to horrible noise non-stop and not get any sleep. Miranda

■ Hi sinéad, you should be able see who is providing ‘the security’ service from the

■ sinéad, spray shaving foam into the

Quick pic

PERCH PERFECT: Reader Garry Greene sent us this picture of seagulls up a tree in Blackrock Park on Sunday. Send your photos to pictures@ metroherald.ie with ‘Quick pic’ as the subject and we will print the best each day in the paper

gOOD On yA

yEH big RiDE

● I’d just like to say a big thank you to the people who came to my aid when I fell on D’Olier street on Monday at lunchtime. Thank you especially to the young men who helped me up and to the kind lady who looked after my handbag. Great people still walk the streets of Dublin.

● To Kate, you always make my day. S.G.W

Marian

RAnDOM AcTs Of kinDnEss

TREnDing

yOuR RusH-HOuR cRusH @metrohnews #metromailbox

REHAB

● Are @AlanShatterTD and @EndaKennyTD out-Nixoning Nixon on #gsoc ? @dsmooney ● Letting Minister Shatter set the terms of reference for an Inquiry into GSOC surveillance, is like letting an accused select alarm box – that should stop it!

● To the lovely man wearing the trilby hat who held the door for me as I battled the wind to get into Tesco the other day while pushing my child’s buggy, thank you so much. You are a gent. It’s lovely to see that chivalry is not dead. Happy Mum

Mark

■ Looks like Man Who enjoys His seat also enjoys his ignorance. describing people with disabilities as ‘impaired’? Only thing impaired

his own jury...

TD @wallacemick

● The more the gov. and the Gardaí won’t let go any control of this situation, the more we realise there’s something being hidden @sendboyle is your patronising use of english.

Cormac

■ really Metro Herald? the joke you put right beside the article on the girl who wanted a specific coffin – really? Stephen

Cant tihnk of what two wright aboute?

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Wednesday, February 19, 2014 METRO HERALD

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14 METRO HERALD Wednesday, February 19, 2014

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From sleeping in a glass box to vamping up, Tilda Swinton still likes to keep people guessing, writes Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

AbOuT TOWN THEATRE Happy Days Buried up to her waist in rubble beneath a pitiless sun, Winnie beams bravely into the face of another hellish ‘happy day’. The Godot Company presents Samuel Beckett’s tragicomic masterpiece of defiance in the face of despair Tomorrow, Pavilion Theatre, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire, 8pm, €15 to €17. Tel: (01) 231 2929. www.pavilion theatre.ie

GIG Suzanne Vega The enduring alt-folk heroine (pictured) – best known for the transatlantic 1980s hits Tom’s Diner and Luka – showcases tracks from eighth album Tales From The Realm Of The Queen Of Pentacles, her first new material in seven years Tomorrow, Olympia Theatre, 72 Dame Street D2, 7.30pm, €27.50. Tel: 0818 719 300. www. suzannevega. com

ilda Swinton’s angular features, pale complexion and androgynous style have always made her appear otherworldly. She now seems ageless, too. When we meet to discuss her new film, Only lovers left alive, Swinton, at 53, looks almost exactly as i remember her from our last encounter in 2005. Maybe the statuesque Scot has a grisly portrait of herself tucked away in an attic somewhere. Whatever her secret is, she says playing an immortal bloodsucker in indie icon Jim Jarmusch’s melancholy vampire comedy, felt ‘pretty familiar’. ‘i don’t know about you,’ she says, smiling, ‘but i already feel like i have lived for several Old souls: Tilda centuries. Even if life’s short, it’s long.’ Swinton and Swinton seems so full of energy and Tom Hiddleston curiosity, and so engaged with the world, her in Only Lovers work and her twins, Honor and Xavier, that Left Alive. it’s hard to imagine her ever feeling tired of Below, as the life. But although she might sometimes refer White Witch in to herself as an ‘alien’ and a ‘freak’, the The Chronicles actress, muse and performance artist is still Of Narnia only human. He entered her life at a time when she was ‘all of us get a kind of fatigue,’ she says. unhappy on stage. ‘it’s all very exciting in your teens and your artists, especially the ‘outsider’ kind, are twenties, and then there’s this moment where like vampires, Swinton suggests, in that they you go: “i’ve got to get a second wind.” and achieve immortality through their work. then you somehow get through your thirties and you somehow get through your forties and (The idea informs Only lovers left alive as a joke about the main characters’ favourite then, sigh, you need another wind. and on it writers, artists and musicians literally goes, if you’re lucky.’ being vampires.) at 3,000 years old, her Only lovers left ‘derek Jarman was always very clear that he alive character, Eve, is two-and-a-half was only carrying the baton that had been millennia older than her partner, adam passed on to him by people like William (Tom Hiddleston). She lives in bustling Burroughs or William Blake,’ says Swinton. Tangier, he in run-down detroit; they ‘and this is sort of the way in which i feel reunite and reflect on being undead in an everabout being an artist. You’re part of changing world. something bigger than you. ‘On the one hand it’s about immortality,’ it’s not necessarily being says Swinton. ‘But for me – and this is a part of a movement but being personal issue – it’s also about mortality. How part of a family. a bloodline.’ do you die? How do you bear the death of your loved ones?’ She reveals that her WinTOn can mother died while they were making the spot a kindred film. ‘Which is another reason why it is spirit at a about dying for me,’ she says. distance. long death often comes up in before she interviews with Swinton in met Jarmusch for the reference to the loss of her first first time, backstage at great collaborator and friend, a darkness gig in derek Jarman, in 1994. The la, the ‘stranger’s avant-garde director cast her in point of view’ in her first film, Caravaggio, his films made him beginning a relationship feel to her like a that lasted eight years.

‘brother’. The same is very much true of david Bowie. as a 12-year-old, and feeling, she has said, like ‘a square sort of kid in a round pond sort of childhood’, Swinton carried a copy of aladdin Sane because the pop legend’s appearance on the sleeve – lightning-bolt make-up and bony alien weirdness – made him look like ‘the image of planetary kin, of a close imaginary cousin and companion of choice’. She recently appeared as Bowie’s wife in the video for his single The Stars (are Out Tonight). She is coy about when she first heard that one of the rock world’s greatest chameleons was working on new material that he would release, out of the blue, as The next day album. ‘i’m a big believer in secrets,’ she says, smiling enigmatically. ‘i think making work and bringing it to bear in a kind of fresh birth like that is really a luxury. The thing that’s really interesting to me is how appreciative people were of it. People took themselves by surprise by how much fatigue they have of this endless information and build-up and expectation. and actually to just get something fresh, with nothing ahead of it, was delicious in an old way.’ a lover of randomness and surprise, Swinton, in fact, did something similar herself last year at the Museum of Modern art in new York, where visitors arrived one day to

bOOk NOW Perspectives 2014 The National Concert Hall’s flagship series is gearing up to be one of the most exciting in the cultural calendar, with three more top-drawer musicians added to the bill. On October 12, composer Clint Mansell, who’s scored the films Black Swan, Requiem For A Dream and The Wrestler will play material from those movies, alongside highlights from the

forthcoming Russell Crowe epic, Noah. On November 9, bluegrass wizard and Punch Brothers member Chris Thile will treat fans to a selection of Bach partitas – performed on his mandolin, no less. He’s joined by pianist Brad Mehldau (pictured), feted for reconstructing the jazz repertoire in his own inimitable style. Tickets, from €35, go on sale Friday National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace D2. Tel: (01) 417 0000. www.nch.ie

find the actress sleeping in a glass box, in an unadvertised performance of her living installation The Maybe. The art world is where she started and, although there have been forays into the mainstream, in the narnia films, Constantine and The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, they are always because the film-maker has sought her out. ‘So it’s more a question of the mountain coming to Muhammad, i suppose,’ she says. Today, big films such as these feel like experiments, which makes Swinton feel she isn’t straying too far from her roots with them. Perhaps this is why she is able to comfortably embrace such apparently disparate projects as Wes anderson’s forthcoming comedy The Grand Budapest Hotel, and The Host director Bong Joon-ho’s eagerly awaited Snowpiercer. Ultimately, this daughter of an australian and a Scot, with the cut-glass English accent that belies both, is impossible to pin down. and that seems to be the way she likes it. ‘i suppose if there’s one sort of iconic gesture i’m looking for in the cinema that i’m looking at, or in a piece that i’m making,’ she says, ‘it’s sort of a human face going: “Ha, i don’t know what i’m going to do next.” i like that.’

Only Lovers Left Alive is out on Friday.

SIMON FREEDMAN of oldskool chooses his favourite Snoop Dogg tracks GIN AND JuIcE

It’s apt that a tune about a drink opens with the sound of someone urinating. But once the beat kicks in, all is forgiven and, by the end, I defy anyone not to want to grab a bottle of Tanqueray and get the party started. Just add Tropicana...

MuRDER WAS THE cASE

At the time this fan favourite was

home cinema

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 METRO HERALD

Five films to see at the cinema

This story never dies 1

The Lego Movie garnering five-star reviews everywhere, this inventive, lovingly made, ‘based on a plastic toy’ franchise (right) knocks Transformers’ block clean off.

2 3 4 5

Her Boy falls in love with computer (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) in this oscar-nominated romance from the director of Being John Malkovich.

dracuLa – SeaSon 1 (15A) DvD HHH✩✩

American businessman Alexander Grayson, in Victorian London to wreak revenge on a bunch of industrialists with as many dark secrets as him – until his love for Mina Murray, the spitting image of his dead wife, threatens to derail things. Meyers is strongly supported by the likes of Nonso Anozie and our own Victoria Smurfit (above with Rhys Meyers) but, while there’s flirting by the coffin-load, this is no True Blood. Still, it’s enough to keep the heart pulsing after the Valentine’s Day roses have wilted. Siobhán Murphy

We need another vampire series like we need a stake through the heart, but when your biter-in-chief is Cork’s Jonathan Rhys Meyers, troubled star of raunchy BBC hit The Tudors, there’s reason to take notice. He offers an intense, absorbing turn in this NBC drama. When we meet him, he’s assumed the guise of

captain phiLLipS (12A) DvD, Blu-ray, voD HHHH✩ Snubbed at the Golden Globes, Paul Greengrass’s based-on-a-true- story thriller is still up for six Oscars. Oddly, though, there’s no Academy nod to Tom Hanks for his titular container ship captain tangling with Somali pirates. Greengrass encompasses the desperate plight of the pirates as well, forced by poverty and armed warlords to launch attacks on the cargo ships parading developed world wealth past their shores. First-time actor Barkhad Abdi as pirate captain Muse is a mesmerising screen presence who holds his own against Hanks, suggesting a world of anguish in the slightest of gestures. And the Bourne director has a firm hand on the tiller when it comes to ratcheting up the tension. SM

Cuban Fury Warm your cockles with this loveable, feel-good British comedy starring a salsa-dancing nick frost and our own Chris o’Dowd.

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Dublin 7-piece oldskool will be re-creating Snoop Dogg’s 1993 album Doggystyle live on Saturday at The Sugar Club (9pm, €12) Tickets from oldskool.ie or on the door

PLUS... FABULOUS

IS R JE R V

Based on a sample from Bernard Wright’s 1981 track Habogabotribin, the Doggystyle version saw Snoop using his typical laid back style to create one of the grooviest

moments on the whole album. A bona fide G-Funk classic right here.

SALE

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Gz & HuSTLAS

Inside Llewyn Davis Another beaut of a black comedy from the Coen brothers, this one co-stars Carey Mulligan and Justin Timberlake as folk singers with a cat called Ulysses.

LO W E

SERiAL KiLLA

The opening gambit ‘six million ways to die... choose one’, sets the tone for this call-to-arms track, warning of the imminent danger of crossing Snoop and the rest of Tha Dogg Pound crew. Dr Dre flexes his considerable muscles on production, and the result is a stand out cut, on this album of stand out cuts.

LODi DODi

Originally released by MC Ricky D back in 1985, hence the shout out to Slick Rick, Snoop reworked the lyrics and his unique, slithery tones breathed new life into this hip-hop classic.

An intriguing Japanese re-imagining of Clint eastwood’s oscarwinning western as a samurai actioner, starring Ken Watanabe. out feb 28.

STREE

lighting up the airwaves, Snoop was up on murder charges after a rival gang member had been shot dead. He was later fully acquitted, but this song, with its prophetic talk of a murder case, solidified the rapper’s status as Original Gangsta.

12 Years A Slave Winner of the best film Bafta. Chiwetel ejiofor and Michael fassbender star in this powerful, urgent drama of kidnap, cruelty and slavery.

MetaLLica: through the never (15A) DvD, Blu-ray HHHH✩

US hard-rock pioneers Metallica have starred in their own movie before: soul-baring 2004 band doc Some Kind Of Monster. Through The Never is a fantastical contrast to that. Director Nimród Antal creates a spectacle that splices high-octane concert film and sci-fi apocalypse, as Metallica rage through a performance while roadie Trip (a wordless yet effectively moody Dane DeHaan) is sent on a mundane backstage errand that becomes a destructive adventure. The plot is flimsy yet it’s all handled with glorious visual flair and Metallica flaunt such a powerful set list it’s gripping entertainment even if you’re not a fan. Arwa Haider

Looking ahead Unforgiven

A T STR GREA

ND S

16 METRO HERALD Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Life television

Monday

the truth about Webcam girls BBc3, 10pm Tuesday

Wednesday

All over the world, young women sign up to work as online webcam models. For the girls it promises easy money – the most successful can make hundreds of euro a day, all from the comfort of their own bedrooms. This film looks into the secretive world of adult webcamming and meets three online performers to find out what it’s really like baring all, online, for strangers. Sammie, Carla and Olivia have been there, done that and here provide an insight into the highs and lows of working as a webcam girl.

Thursday

film of the day the straight story channel 4, 1.45am

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

David Lynch may have a reputation for producing mind-bendingly surreal cinema, but here he plays it, well, straight, with a true story about a man who travelled hundreds of miles across America on a lawnmower to be with his dying brother. Richard Farnsworth (pictured) plays World War II veteran Alvin Straight, who, having lost his driving license due to poor health, hops on his John Deere lawnmower (top speed – 5mph) to cross Iowa and Wisconsin to spend some quality time with his estranged brother before it’s too late. It’s moving, well acted – and its straightforward storytelling is itself an interesting deviation from Lynch’s usual attempts to mystify.

infested: living With Parasites BBc4, 9pm make sure you’ve eaten dinner well before the watershed tonight as TV scientist michael mosley (right) invites a host of parasites to set up home in his body. Why? To test how he responds to an invasion of tapeworms, malaria, head lice and the odd leech crawling around his flesh and bones. and if the sight of tapeworms gyrating around mosley’s intestines makes you go ewwww, learn why in the section about the part the ‘disgust response’ has played in human evolution.

neven maguire: home chef 7.30pm, rTÉ one Neven Maguire continues his travels around the country to meet the top chefs behind our finest eateries. This week, he’s visiting Co Waterford’s Cliff House Hotel, where executive chef Martijn Kajuiter is preparing a surf and turf dish that involves Irish pork served with Norwegian king crab.

inside no.9 BBc2, 10pm Less comic, more deep and dark, tonight’s No.9 takes us to a flat occupied by teacher tom (reece shearsmith) whose actress girlfriend gerri (gemma arterton) is heading off for an audition when we drop by. it’s the start of a game of cat and mouse, with steve Pemberton as a homeless man who looms ever larger as the tale twists and doubles back on itself in sinister fashion.

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L.IE.CC.02.2014.0224

Ireland versus England this weekend! Behind the school! Fight! Fight! Fight! It doesn’t matter what the arena, there’s nothing we Irish enjoy more than a scrap with the auld enemy. We don’t always win the wars, but the battle victories are always enjoyable…

Six NATiONS, 2011

It wasn’t a great year for Irish rugby – Ireland barely scraped past perennial wooden spoon-tusslers Italy and Scotland and had already lost to France and Wales (even if Wales had won with a totally cheaty try after a sly, and illegal, quick line-out). All that was left of the tournament was a pointless game against England. Well, pointless for Ireland, but not pointless for England, who pretty much had the championship sewn up and were rabid for a Grand Slam – which, of course, completely reversed the pointlessness for Ireland. Ireland pulled a performance-of-thetournament out of the bag, hammering England 24-8 and leaving them to their sour trophy.

LANSDOwNE ROAD, 1995

An Ireland v England football friendly – if ever there was an oxymoron. The nations squared up at the old

TOp figHTS wiTH THE bRiTS

Scrappy: De Valera is escorted by British soliders after the 1916 Rising

Lansdowne Road stadium, where England, as always, would be heavy favourites. Well before anyone had proposed the building of the Aviva Stadium, some nice gentlemen from a neo-Nazi hooligan organisation pre-emptively started the renovations. Cue horrific scenes of terrified children fleeing on to the pitch as the Combat 18 rioters started wrecking the place. But ask anyone old enough to remember the incident what the real tragedy was that night, and they’ll tell you Ireland were 1-0 up thanks to a David Kelly stunner on 21 minutes (all goals v England are stunners). The match was abandoned six minutes later, and we haven’t beaten them since. The real winners on the night were An Garda Síochána, who got to clatter some hooligan heads.

CRiCkET wORLD Cup, 2011

March 2 was the day cricket went from being an unfathomable pastime to every person in Ireland’s favourite sport. Before this, you would have had a hard time convincing a huge portion of the population Ireland even had a cricket team (this is surprising since at the last World Cup in 2007, when on Paddy’s Day they beat one of the best teams in the world, Pakistan). At that time, you would have been beaten to death with a hurley for being caught with a cricket bat in your hands in many parts of Ireland. But this all changed when Ireland beat England at the most English of games, including the fastest ever World Cup century by Kevin O’Brien. Yeah, England still progressed and Ireland went out. No-one in Ireland bothered their crease about that though.

film

features@metroherald.ie to advertise, call 01 7055010

Up to his old tricks Director Roger Michell tells Anthony Gibson about Le Week-End, his tale of ageing lovers in Paris

oger Michell is disarmingly frank when he describes his partnership with writer Hanif Kureishi. ‘It’s a marriage, really, a rather long-serving, complicated marriage of friends who bicker, argue and fall out but who are very attached to each other. We both have other careers – he is a writer and I direct other films – but it’s been nearly 25 years since we started working together.’ The pair first collaborated on 1993’s iconic TV series The Buddha of Suburbia, then The Mother (2003), starring Daniel Craig, and Venus (2006), which secured Peter o’Toole an oscar nomination. For Le Week-end, they travelled to Paris for a weekend to experience what their characters would do. ‘We trekked around talking, discussing and arguing, and we stayed in a s***ty little hotel,’ grins Michell. The director achieved greatest notice for the Hugh grant/Julia roberts romcom Notting Hill (1999) and has had his brush with Hollywood, directing Changing Lanes in 2002. But his work with Kureishi has maintained a theme of dealing with older characters. ‘Ageing itself makes me interested in ageing – I am 58 this year and Hanif turns 60,’ he says. ‘We’ve made several films about very old people having affairs with very young people but what I tried to do in Le Weekend was show that these old people ran through the streets of Paris; they don’t pay a bill in the restaurant; they try to recover some of that esprit from when they were young.’ Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan beautifully portray a couple going through a barrage of emotions as failures, disappointments and frustrations take a toll on their relationship. ‘Most love stories are about young people because most love stories are about the beginning, which is inherently dramatic,’ says Michell. ‘But all those elements that make traditional love stories don’t apply to

THE EASTER RiSiNg, 1916

As risings go, it wasn’t the best thought out, what with that shipment of guns they ordered getting intercepted. But, in classic Irish style, the rebel leaders said ‘sure feck it, let’s go ahead with it anyway’. While the bravery of the signatories and their followers can never be commended enough, they did sort of attack while Britain was busy off fighting a world war – a bit sneaky. Another thing history sort of glosses over is the fact the rebel leaders sort of sided with ‘the bad guys’ in WWI. Anyway, when all was said and done, the British made the schoolboy error of executing the leaders, creating martyrs, completely swaying public opinion and – long story short – eventually leaving England’s little neighbour (mostly) free of her reins, something larger countries further afield had failed to do. @rossvsross

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 METRO HERALD

NICOLA DOVE

Ahead of the IRELAND v ENGLAND clash at Twickenham, Ross McDonagh looks at the moral victories fought against the old enemy

French exchanges: Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan shine in Le Week-End people possibly at the end of their starting to see how you could perrelationship. It’s good to start telling ceive the truth of a situation if you those stories as well.’ look carefully enough for the clues.’ If Le Week-end treads similar He began as a theatre director at ground to richard Linklater’s Before The royal Court and did a six-year Midnight, Michell thinks the two stint at the rSC. ‘In theatre and film, films show the differences between you’re telling stories with actors, just the US and British character. with a whole different toolbox – but ‘richard comes from an American there’s the same instinctive urge to tradition where people say what is find how best to tell the story.’ on their mind the whole time,’ he His film influences include Fellini, says. ‘We are english and we don’t godard, Hitchcock and Spielberg. say what we feel, we sit there saying ‘I would love to do a really good things to take the place of what we thriller or a ghost story,’ he says. ‘I really feel. our film is far more ellip- spent a lot of last year trying to find a tical in that way and, I think, far ghost story: it’s hard to find one with more true to British life.’ a satisfying ending.’ The son of a diplomat, Michell Le Week-End is out now on DVD. says watching his parents at social gatherings gave him his first www.dorset-college.ie insight into acting. ‘I found it fasciExcellence Through Life-Long Learning nating to see my parents in social situations where I Computers & IT knew they were Certificate in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt) pretending to be a CompTIA A+ / IT Essentials-PC Hardware & Software person they CISCO CCNA ® - Cisco Certified Network Associate weren’t. I was ECDL-European Computer Driving Licence

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18 Metro heraLD Wednesday, February 19, 2014

body matters

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Secrets to unlock sleep Dr Guy Meadows thinks he may have the answer to sleepless nights. By Vicki-Marie Cossar

re you reading this bleary-eyed after yet another bad night’s sleep? You’re not alone. About a million people in Ireland (almost a quarter of the population) suffer insomnia. ‘We spend more time working than sleeping,’ says sleep psychologist Dr Guy Meadows, founder of The Sleep School in London. ‘So sleep is having to fight for a place in our lives.’ Ask any good sleeper what they do to fall asleep and the answer will be ‘nothing’. They simply put their head on the pillow and drift off. Ask an insomniac the same question and they will reel off a list: hot baths, warm milk, lavender on the pillow… The most common form of treatment is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which involves trying to change the thoughts and behaviours that may be contributing to insomnia. Meadows (below) has a different approach. He has been using acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) at The Sleep School since 2006 and shares a five-week plan using ACT in his first book, The Sleep Book. ‘CBT’s focus is to block out your thoughts or remove anxious feelings,’ he says. ‘But these can end up coming back stronger and more frequently. Your energy is put into trying to get rid of what you don’t want, rather than into what you do want, which is to sleep.’ Meadows says the secret lies in what you learn not to do. ‘When we experience pain or suffering, we try to eliminate it,’ he explains. ‘So when we get the unwanted thoughts, anxious feelings and racing heart associated with insomnia, we want to get rid of them. Often, our efforts to do this amplify the problem. ACT helps you see how futile it can be putting energy into trying to change the thoughts

aCupunCture It is believed this ancient form of Chinese medicine, in which fine needles are inserted into the skin at certain points on the body, might help restore the body’s energy life force known as Qi (pronounced ‘chee’). Acupuncture needles are believed to stimulate nerve endings. SleepinG taBletS These are prescribed by your GP if your insomnia is severe, or if CBT hasn’t worked. They might help relieve the symptoms but they don’t treat the cause of the insomnia, so your GP might refer you to a clinical psychologist.

Tick tock: Lack of sleep means you are three times more likely to struggle to get things done during the day and feelings that crop up around sleep. ‘It teaches you to accept their presence and let them go, which in turn pushes you towards sleep.’ According to a sleep survey in 2012, lack of sleep means you’re three

Rather than ❶ aCCeptanCe embarking on strategies such as

hot baths, accept the things that show up when you try to sleep, such as unwanted thoughts.

Try and be in the ❷ MinDfulneSS present moment. Rather than

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worrying about the past, or what might happen in the future, take time out to ground yourself.

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CoGnitive anD Behavioural therapy (CBt) This aims to change what you think (cognitive) and what you do (behaviour) in relation to your insomnia. It helps you break down the negative associations with sleep, such as clock watching, and helps you establish a sleep/wake pattern. hypnotherapy This uses an altered state of consciousness and the power of suggestion to help you relax. It might also help you understand the causes of your insomnia.

times as likely to struggle to get things done at work, three times as likely to lack concentration during the day and three times as likely to experience low moods. It’s believed technology and cognitive activity from our busy lifestyles are the main reasons we can’t switch off at night. Some 75 per cent of working people get less

six steps to acceptance and commitment

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getting closer to and even playing with your unwanted thoughts and emotional reactions associated with insomnia to untangle yourself from them and lessen their power.

Self in Context Put yourself ❹ and the situation into context. We

all have lots of stories playing over in our heads, such as ‘I’m a failure’ or ‘no one likes me’ and ‘everyone else can sleep and I can’t’. Be able to put yourself into context and stand outside them. Think about what’s ❺ valueS important to you. Family? Your

friends? Being healthy? If you could write your epitaph, what would you want it to say?

aCtion There’s ❻ CoMMitteD no point valuing something if you don’t act upon it. There’s no point valuing being fit and healthy if you never go to the gym. This is about committing to act towards those values by making small steps every day. A happy brain is a sleepy brain.

than the recommended eight hours sleep a night, a Bupa Business study found. And it is believed tiredness costs the economy millions every year. Most of us will experience transient insomnia (a short bout of disturbed sleep lasting less than two weeks) at some point, caused by anything from stress, pregnancy, bereavement or too much alcohol. But when the worries become focused on sleep itself and you struggle to maintain sleep for longer than a month, this is chronic insomnia. Leigh Carrick-Moore, 46, is the founder of Startup rewards, a company that helps small businesses in London. She was 35 when she had her first sleepless night. ‘I was in a stressful job and working 15hour days,’ she says. ‘I often wouldn’t get to sleep till 5 or 6am, only for my alarm to go off at 8am. It was ironic – my body was tired but my brain wouldn’t switch off. ’ During the whole of 2011, Carrick-Moore managed only one full night’s sleep. ‘I was like a zombie. I couldn’t function and it was affecting my work, my personal life and my health.’ After trying everything from drinking camomile tea to CBT, she went to see Meadows. ‘Guy’s approach was different and based on extensive research,’ she said. ‘Insomnia is ultimately your decision. Once you accept insomnia, you’ve won half the battle.’ It took a couple of months with Meadows and now Carrick-Moore can’t remember the last time she lay awake until the early hours. ‘If I do experience occasional sleeplessness now, I’m not afraid of not getting back to sleep,’ she says. ‘My insomnia is no longer the self-fulfilling prophecy it once was.’

The Sleep Book (Orion) is out now. www.thesleepschool.org

AWARE WITH DR CLAIRE Bus Éireann has a wonderful sign advising us to ‘mind your head’. It’s a sign I have seen lots of times in many places but never really noticed. up until recently ‘mind your head’ prompted me merely to duck. Last week, though, I was on an early morning bus journey, saw the sign and began to wonder – do I mind my head enough? How can I mind it better? Would anyone notice if I did or didn’t mind my head? Would I notice? I began to think about how vulnerable brains inside heads actually are. Boxers can suffer brain damage as a result of savage blows to their heads. Natasha Richardson died as a result of her head injury and Michael schumacher remains in a coma as a result of his. This led me to appreciate the huge strides that people with acquired brain injury can make with the support of family, friends and the staff of hospitals such as the National Rehabilitation Hospital. Heads are very precious things to mind. so why is it that we disregard the impact that our thoughts can have on our heads? some of us bombard our poor heads with thoughts that we are not good enough and then somehow are surprised when we don’t feel good! Valentine’s Day should be a happy day, but while many people may have enjoyed it, many others are glad it’s come and gone. For people who are in a loving relationship, it can be an opportunity to remind themselves of the blessings of love. For those who are

Why it’s essential to ‘mind your head’ – both mentally and physically alone, or in difficult relationships, st Valentines Day highlights for them how isolated, sad or unhappy they feel. For people who do not ‘mind their heads’, it can be torture. Anyone can feel down on a particular day but if you notice yourself withdrawing from your family and friends, being extremely critical of yourself and others and wondering what the point in it all is, you may have depression. If you are concerned, please visit your GP and have a look at the Aware website: www.aware.ie. Aware provides practical support to people who experience depression – or who are worried about other people getting depression – through services such as support groups and the Aware Helpline. In 2013, trained Aware volunteers responded to over 14,000 telephone calls to the helpline. There are 54 Aware support groups nationwide. These are facilitated by trained Aware volunteers, are free of charge and are confidential (within normal limits to do with safety and/or abuse). There is also an Aware group for relatives of people who have depression. Aware agrees with Bus Éireann in encouraging people to ‘mind their heads’. Whatever st Valentine’s day meant to you, we also encourage you to ‘mind your heart’! Tabhair aire duit féin, take care of yourself, Claire. Clinical psychologist Dr Claire Hayes is clinical director with Aware

BODY AND MIND DIARY BABYTALK FEsTIVAL Mams-and-dads-to-be struggling to make sense of the dos and don’ts of parenthood, take note: this weekend, Dublin’s inaugural Babytalk Festival will take place in UCD with the aim of providing nononsense, sensible advice and information on caring for your little bundle. The brainchild of local women Rachel Lane (pictured) and Marie Dunne, the twoday event features talks on everything from family planning to pregnancy, birth, nutrition and child development. Speakers include consultant psychologist David Carey, dietician Dr Genevieve Becker, Cuidiú representative Fiona Rea, alongside a panel of Irish parenting bloggers. Visitors can head to the Ultimate Maternity Information Station throughout the weekend if they need advice on a particular topic. Meanwhile, comedian and Book Of Irish Mammies author Colm O’Regan will also be on hand to tickle parental funny bones. Saturday and Sunday, O’Reilly Hall, University College Dublin, D4, €10/€15. See www.babytalkfestival.ie for full details. TOuGH MuDDER Adrenaline junkies and fitness fanatics will be delighted to hear that Tough Mudder – a 12-mile, military-style race complete with obstacles designed by British Special Forces – is coming to Dublin for the first time this October. And proof – as though it were needed – that we’re a particularly robust nation can be found in the results of a recent Tough Mudder survey that found 66 per cent of Dubliners polled believed ‘doing varied and unique activities with a partner can improve what goes on in the bedroom.’ Obstacles included on previous courses have ranged from 12-foot walls to ice-water-filled dumpsters and live electric cables – so if oysters don’t float your boat, this could be the hardcore aphrodisiac for you. October 4 & 5, Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, Co Kildare. For more information and to register visit www.toughmudder.co.uk

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 METRO HERALD

20 METRO HERALD Wednesday, February 19, 2014

puzzles

METROSCOPE

by Patrick Arundell

NEMI by Lise

Aries Mar 21 – Apr 20

Libra Sep 24

For your forecast, call 15609 114 70

However generous you want to be, you need to stay within the boundaries of what is affordable to you. Resources generally will benefit from careful and precise management at this time.

Mercury and Saturn have been duelling this week. Today, though, it is full on and things get tenser still. Fortunately, Mars remains on hand to provide some levitation. If you experience a little bit of a crunch point, inject the discussion with a witty comment.

Taurus Apr 21 – May 21

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

You’ve always had a reputation for holding firm opinions. The problem is something you say now may seem to come up from the depths and could be expressed before you’ve had the time to properly consider why. If you’re going to be a rebel, have a cause! For your forecast, call 15609 114 71

Gemini May 22 – Jun 21

Between now and next week, you may go through some major soulsearching when it comes to your career or the way you interact with people at large. Things can be rather fluid and what you think today may not be what you hold with at the end of this period.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 72

Cancer Jun 22 – Jul 23

Whether it’s who contributes just what at home, or in some kind of creative enterprise, if you feel you do not get the respect and rewards you truly deserve, it may particularly irk you. The problem is getting to the facts may prove elusive. For your forecast, call 15609 114 73

Leo Jul 24 – Aug 23

PEARLs BEFORE swINE

You may like somebody and so far this week there have been some really upbeat chats between you. Yet, getting to see one another – or demands from others –may seem to limit the scope for this situation to go forwards. For your forecast, call 15609 114 74

Virgo Aug 24 – Sep 23

Mercury is asking you to focus on the details of life. Yet, if you find yourself tuning in to such an extent that it becomes hard to grasp the bigger picture, you may find that irritability can overwhelm you.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 75

DOWN 1 Revokes (12) 2 Sick (3) 3 Envelop (6) 4 Reduced to a synopsis (9) 5 Ward off (5) 6 Broadcast (12) 7 Caper (5) 10 Director of orchestra (9) 13 Precise (5) 14 Seize (6) 16 Sap (5) 20 Tin (3)

Yesterday’s Solutions Across: 4 Account; 8 Airman; 9 Inflate; 10 Astute; 11 Regard; 12 Encircle; 18 Positive; 20 Patent; 21 Bridal; 22 Faction; 23 Relish; 24 Repress. Down: 1 Palaver; 2 Protect; 3 Matter; 5 Congress; 6 Oblige; 7 Nature; 13 Captious; 14 Disdain; 15 Wealthy; 16 Manage; 17 Better; 19 Israel.

scorpio Oct 24 – Nov 22

The Moon sits just behind your sign today, which may increase sensitivity. With Saturn in your sign repressive to Mercury, in terms of your thoughts and logical hopes, there can be quite a lot of subjectivity washing around.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 77

sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 21

Are you going to let doubters undermine your hopes, or are you going to remain strong in the belief of what you’re doing? It’s possible you’re finding bits and pieces of information that could affect your morale and outlook. For your forecast, call 15609 114 78

Capricorn Dec 22 – Jan 20

Saturn continues to flex his muscles. And being in the part of your horoscope to do with hopes and future plans, if any of these are being tested just now, it may be because there’s a more practical dimension that’s challenging your idealism. For your forecast, call 15609 114 79

Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19

You may find yourself receiving plaudits in some quarters and brickbats in others. Such is life – we hope it will be amazing all of the time. But really do try not to focus on what’s not quite going well for you and instead celebrate what is. For your forecast, call 15609 114 80

Pisces Feb 20 – Mar 20

If you’re engaged in research, you might not like everything you’re discovering. But see whatever discovery you find as a vital piece of knowledge that can protect you from investing any more energy in something that will prove to be unrewarding. For your forecast, call 15609 114 81

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 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

Quiz

QUICK CROsswORd

ACROSS 1 Private (12) 7 Let (5) 8 Watery (5) 9 Small child (3) 10 Impostor (9) 11 Modern (6) 12 Current (6) 15 Postponed (9) 17 Donkey (3) 18 Leeway (5) 19 Implied (5) 21 Reproof (12)

For your forecast, call 15609 114 76

ENiGMA An area of London town, Home to artists of renown. Its football team, owned by a Roman, At Stamford Bridge, you’ll find his showmen. WHO AM i? A football manager, I was born in France in 1947. I trained as a schoolteacher, spending a year at an English school. I resigned as manager

of Liverpool in May 2004. WHO, WHAT, WHERE & WHEN? WHO… were the three goddesses of fate in Scandinavian mythology? WHAT… is the capital of Luxembourg? WHERE… does musquash come from? WHEN… was the Suez Canal opened?

QUIZ ANSWERS: ENIGMA: Chelsea. WHO AM I? Gerard Houllier. WHO, WHAT, WHERE & WHEN? The Norns; Luxembourg; Muskrat; 1869.

Crossword No. 917 See next edition for solutions

– Oct 23

L.IE.CC.01.2014.0204

Puzzled? www.berocca.ie Your daily high performance vitamin

rugby six nations

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 METRO HERALD

Battle focus: Jamie Heaslip concentates in training ahead of Ireland’s RBS Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham in London this Saturday

by DAnny HOgAn Billy TwelveTrees is the pivotal cog in england’s all-out attacking threat, according to ireland assistant coach les Kiss. Defensive specialist Kiss hailed the Gloucester centre’s New Zealand-style playmaking role as central to stuart lancaster’s desire to expand england’s attacking repertoire. ‘i think he has developed that nice, organised mindset in his game very well,’ said Kiss. ‘He’s like a New Zealand secondfive eighth, and does facilitate what they are trying to achieve in attack and offers them the ability to go both sides of the ruck, and so do (Jack) Nowell and (Mike) Brown and even (Jonny) May. ‘it keeps you alive across the field, and i think Twelvetrees’ game is critical for that, because it helps (Owen) Farrell as well.’ england boss lancaster is intent on building a ‘two-sided attack’ to rival world champions New Zealand, who now regularly employ locks as midfield fulcrums in phase play. Twelvetrees looks to have ousted saracens’ defensive king Brad Barritt as england’s frontline 12, as lancaster aims to build towards rugby world Cup 2015 and bolster england’s front-foot game. ireland’s Kiwi coach Kiss rates Twelvetrees as england’s gateway to their fleet-footed back three of Jonny May, Jack Nowell and

billy the kid is ‘one to watch’ in England shootout Mike Brown, and challenged ireland to shut off that supply line this weekend. ‘They have a really solid, organised approach to their attack,’ said Kiss. ‘And that allows the brilliance of individuals to come to the fore.’ Brian O’Driscoll sat out training

contention for the place on the bench vacated by Dan Tuohy, who broke his arm in the 26-3 victory over wales. ryan could now well take a seat on the bench ahead of Ulster’s iain Henderson and leinster second row Mike McCarthy. Kiss said the 30-year-old Munster

‘They have a really solid, organised approach to their attack… allows brilliance to the fore’ yesterday suffering the after-effects of a bug, but Kiss expects the 35year-old to take full part today to prove full fitness as ireland chase their first Triple Crown since the 2009 Grand slam. Fit-again Munster lock Donnacha ryan has ‘trained the house down’ according to Kiss, and is now in

lock’s long-term club partnership with ireland captain Paul O’Connell boosts his chances. Kiss also backed O’Driscoll to return to full health in time to match George Gregan’s worldrecord caps haul of 139, including British lions bows, against england.

‘Brian has a slight little bug, but he will be fine,’ said Kiss. ‘we’re just managing it now, so we expect him to be fully fine for training [today]. ‘Paul’s [O’Connell] actually flying through his markers there, which is a big plus. we expect everything to be in a good place. ‘it’s great to see Donnacha back, he’s come back in and trained the house down. He’s a definite option; we’ve just got to consider everything, and what our stocks are in that area, but it’s certainly timely for him to be back after Dan Tuohy’s injury. ‘Probably some pluses with Donnacha are that he’s worked a lot with Paul in terms of the line-out, and the calling systems are not too far removed, so that knowledge is a plus.

Burrell ready to learn from battle with O’Driscoll Luther BurreLL will seek Brian O’Driscoll’s advice, but only once the rival centres have battled as ‘enemies’ at twickenham. england and Ireland collide in what will be O’Driscoll’s 13th and final appearance in the fixture before he retires at the end of the season. Facing the 130-cap veteran will be Burrell, a two-test rookie who has impressed in his debut Six Nations but now faces an adversary assistant coach Andy Farrell Burrell: Seize the moment describes as ‘spectacular’.

‘I’m as ready as I’m ever going to be to play against Brian,’ Burrell said. ‘I’m really looking forward to the challenge. ‘I’m going to respect him and I’m going to honour the occasion, but for 80minutes we will be enemies. ‘hopefully, come the final whistle, england will have won and I can have a chat with him and pick his brains afterwards. ‘he’s a fantastic icon and I’ve got the utmost respect for him. It is something I never thought would happen but I’m going to cherish it.’

O’Driscoll sat out training yesterday morning because of a bug, but is expected to resume practice today and will spearhead Ireland’s assault on twickenham. the 35-year-old veteran of four Lions tours has faced Burrell twice already this season when Northampton have clashed with Leinster in the heineken Cup. the duel finished even with O’Driscoll producing a masterclass at Franklin’s Gardens and Burrell edging their encounter at the Aviva Stadium.

spORT DigEsT McIlroy hopes for a sunnier outlook RORY McIlroy will hope the weather is not the only thing completely different in this week’s WGCAccenture Match Play Championship. McIlroy was the world number one when he followed a missed cut in Abu Dhabi – his first event with his new Nike equipment – with a first-round defeat to fellow Irishman Shane Lowry, in a match delayed by heavy snow at Dove Mountain. The 24year-old comes into this year’s event ranked seventh in the world, and faces former US Ryder Cup player Boo Weekley in the opening round. A win would set up a clash with Ryder Cup team-mate Lee Westwood if he can overcome rising star Harris English.

Griffin moves from west to the Exiles Rugby LONDON Irish have

announced the signing of Connacht centre Eoin Griffin. Griffin, 23, has agreed a two-year contract with the Aviva Premiership club. He has made more than 60 appearances for Connacht, and was part of the Emerging Ireland squad that contested the inaugural Tbilsi Cup in Georgia last year. ‘Eoin is an exciting, young Irish talent,’ London Irish rugby director Brian Smith said. ‘He is a big, physical centre with great feet and distribution skills, so he will fit in well with the style of rugby we play.’

Lavery signs up for Baku Cycling team cycLing FORMER

An Post Chain Reaction team rider Philip Lavery has joined the Synergy Baku Cycling Project team. Having ridden for two other Continental-ranked teams, Lavery was with an amateur French team last season, before serving as a stagiaire for the Cofidis Team. He did not get a pro contract with Cofidis when it did not become ProTour, but is back with the Baku team, with whom he will make his debut at the GP Izola in Slovenia. ‘I bring experience. I also have a lot of growth to come so this can be an asset to other young riders,’ the former Irish under 23 champion said.

Trainer on charges RAcing THE Irish Turf Club will pay

‘close attention’ to a Co Tipperary court hearing involving an unnamed trainer who has been charged with the possession of unlicensed animal remedies. The Department of Agriculture has brought the case following a reported inspection of the trainer’s yard. Denis Egan, chief executive of the Turf Club, confirmed the body is aware of and awaiting the scheduled hearing.

22 METRO HERALD Wednesday, February 19, 2014

All points nought as Pep returns to his ground zero BAyERn Munich boss Pep Guardiola is bidding to end an unwanted personal record at Arsenal tonight. It is a year to the day since a 3-1 firstleg win at the Emirates Stadium which would ultimately send Jupp Heynckes’ Bayern into the last eight but north London is not a happy hunting ground for Heynckes’ successor, Guardiola. The former Barcelona boss said: ‘It’s my third time as a trainer here. I’ve never won here. I learnt you can’t dominate 90 minutes against Arsenal. It’s impossible. ‘We’ll try to make a good game, don’t think too much about the second game.’ Bayern can become the first side to

Dem-olition job

Unwanted record: Guardiola retain the trophy in the Champions League era, and the Spaniard added: ‘It’s a good test to know what is our level in Europe.’

Arsenal v Bayern Munich 7.45pm, Sky Sports 1

did you know?

In-form European champions Bayern have won a remarkable 20 of their last 21 matches in all competitions

German battle royale: Ozil, right, and Muller

KEY BATTLE: Mesut Ozil v Thomas Muller TWo members of Germany’s midfield who are expected to excel at the World Cup go head-to-head at the Emirates Stadium. ozil has drawn criticism for falling off the pace after his initial impact on Arsenal but most foreign imports have a similar dip in form at some stage. However, the former Real Madrid playmaker may find himself more at home against more familiar opponents and on the biggest club stage. Muller is quite simply a player of the highest calibre. The biggest surprise is he has never been strongly linked to a Premier League move but he is sure to dazzle tonight.

Jack: Wiser Gunners are better equipped

JACK WILSHERE insists Arsenal are a different prospect from the team which crashed out of the Champions League to Bayern Munich a year ago. The Gunners were beaten 3-1 at home to the German champions in the first leg of their last-16 tie, though they did fight back to win the away leg 2-0, going out to the eventual winners on away goals. However, this season has seen Arsene Wenger’s men improve, leading the Premier League title chase until recently and looking defensively sound and hard to beat at the Emirates Stadium. They are expected to give a Bayern side with 20 wins in their last 21 matches a sterner test at the same stage this year and Wilshere believes the team has learnt from the mistakes of last term. ‘We were a bit nervous going into

the game last year. We lost to Blackburn [in the FA Cup] the game before,’ said the England international. ‘There was a lot of tension in the stadium and it was a big game. Once we calmed down, we took the game to them. The third goal was a lucky goal and that killed us. This year we’ll be intelligent going into the game. We’ll work on our defensive duty and then we’ll play.’ Boss Wenger echoed Wilshere’s comments, insisting Arsenal have a better foundation than a year ago. ‘We have built a home strength recently, because we don’t give goals away. That will be vitally important in this tie,’ he said. Wilshere also says it is key the Gunners are still in the tie heading to Munich, adding: ‘If it’s 0-0 at home we’ve got a big chance to qualify. The away goal is massive.’

Turning point: Demichelis fells Messi, earning the City man a red card and Barca a decisive penalty PICTURE: SPoRTIMAGE

Mata confident of United’s appeal JuAn MATA is in no doubt Manchester united will still be able to tempt the world’s biggest stars to Old Trafford despite the club’s recent woes. With 12 matches of the season remaining, David Moyes’ side sit 11 points adrift of the top four in seventh position, but Mata is optimistic the Scot can still lead united into the Champions League places. However, even if united do qualify for Europe’s biggest club competition, it is clear changes to the squad are still required. Vice-chairman Ed Woodward confirmed last week Moyes would be given substantial backing in the summer transfer window, and Mata is sure the

Future thinking: Mata

club remain an attractive proposition for the world’s best players. ‘I don’t know what will happen

in the summer but the manager said he’s going to be signing players,’ Mata said. ‘I think this club is at a stage of change but I can tell you the best players in the world will always arrive.’ The form of the Spaniard will be key to united’s chances of finishing in the top four, and Mata is confident both he and his team-mates can do it. ‘The objective is to get to the top four and I think we have a team who can do it,’ he said. ‘The mentality of this club is to win and fight for trophies. unfortunately this year, things haven’t gone so well in the league but I believe there is still time this season.’

football

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 METRO HERALD 23

b puts barca in command cHAMpiOns LEAguE Man CITY ........................0 BarCelOna ....................2 by DAnny gRiffiTHs LIONEL MESSI left ten-man Manchester City in a real spot of bother last night. Barcelona’s mesmerising star shattered City’s discipline and concentration with a burst of electric pace and a precisely taken penalty to leave their dreams of winning an historic quadruple in ruins. The four-times winner of the Ballon d’Or had been something of a peripheral figure during a cagey opening half. But he exploded devastatingly into life eight minutes into the second period, racing on to a through ball from Andres Iniesta

1 goal scored by Barcelona star Lionel messi in a match on a premier League ground after Jesus Navas lost possession on the halfway line. There was only going to be one winner in Messi’s foot race with Martin Demichelis and when the City centre-half felled his Argentina international team-mate on the edge of the area, he had to be sent off before Messi converted the spotkick. Dani Alves hit a late second, charging in from the right to apply a low finish to give Barca a two-goal advantage after the away leg of the last-16 tie. City were dangerous on the break and from set-pieces and ironically looked most dangerous after losing Demichelis,

FixtuReS (Kick-offs 7.45pm)

champions League last 16, first leg aC Milan v atletico Madrid ...........................TV Sky Sports 3 arsenal v Bayern Munich ..............................TV Sky Sports 1 the sky Bet championship nottm Forest v leicester .................................... sky Bet League 1 Gillingham v Sheff utd ......................................

but they face a huge battle to progress. Meanwhile, another Zlatan Ibrahimovic thunderbolt was the

highlight of the night as Paris St Germain all but booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 4-0 first-leg win at

PICTure: aCTIOn IMaGeS

Bayer Leverkusen. An Ibrahimovic penalty and goals from Matuidi and Cabaye completed the rout.

fOOTbALL DigEsT

ReSultS

champions League round of 16, first Leg man city ...................0 Barcelona.................2 Bayern Leverkusen...0 paris saint-germain....4 sky Bet championship sheff Wed .................0 derby ....................... 1 Wigan ....................... 2 Barnsley .................. 0 yeovil ........................0 Watford .................. 0 sky Bet League one Bradford ....................1 port Vale ................. 0 coventry ....................1 carlisle .....................2 crawley.....................p tranmere ................ p Leyton orient ........... 2 stevenage ............... 0 mk dons ...................0 preston ................... 0 sky Bet League tWo accrington stanley ...0 Bury ........................ 0 exeter ........................1 morecambe ............. 1 newport county ....... 3 oxford......................2 rochdale....................1 Burton albion .......... 1 southend ...................1 hartlepool ............... 1 johnstone’s paint trophy northern area finaL, second Leg chesterfield ..............0 fleetwood................ 1 (Chesterfield win 3-2 on aggregate)

high hopes: yaya toure puts Victor Valdes under aerial pressure

Poyet ready to include Fletcher SunDerlanD boss Gus Poyet is hoping to have striker Steven Fletcher fit for the Capital One Cup final. The 26year-old has missed the Black Cats’ last three games after being told to rest an achilles tendon problem. However, he was due to return to training yesterday and that could put him in contention for Saturday’s Premier league trip to arsenal and, beyond that, the Black

Cats’ big day against Manchester City at Wembley the following weekend. Poyet said: ‘Perfection would be for him to play against arsenal. I would like to have him for then, even if it’s on the bench. If not, I would like to think he will be alright for the final.’ Poyet hopes resting Fletcher (pictured) will mean he does not need surgery before the summer.

2 fitness boosts for everton boss roberto martinez yesterday.

steven naismith, concussed in sunday’s fa cup win over swansea, should be fit for saturday’s premier League clash with leaders chelsea, while romelu Lukaku could be available for the following week’s meeting with West ham.

‘Repeat offenders’ CSKA hit with ban CSKa Moscow have been ordered to play their next european match behind closed doors and fined £41,000 by uefa after supporters ignored previous warnings to curb racist conduct. uefa said fans of the russian club displayed ‘racist and far-right symbols’ during their Champions league game at Viktoria Plzen in December. It followed incidents during the home tie with Manchester City in October when Yaya Toure was subjected to monkey chants, prompting uefa to impose a partial ground closure. uefa said: ‘The punishment reflects the fact CSKa have previous records of racist behaviour by supporters.’ CSKa are now out of europe so the ban will come into force in their next european campaign.

24 METRO HERALD Wednesday, February 19, 2014

United’s slump in fortunes won’t Mata in transfer market

«see page 22

O’Driscoll out to make his mark on Six Nations history BRIAN O’Driscoll looks determined – and well he should, as he sets his sights on a chance to make history on two fronts this Saturday. Because if Ireland beat England at Twickenham, O’Driscoll will have done something none of his compatriots has achieved – record a ninth win against England. When the only other Irish-man to achieve eight wins over England, Mike Gibson, took his final bow, those in the know felt his like would not be seen again. But O’Driscoll would not have paid much attention to the challenge, as

Record breaker: Brian O’Driscoll will equal Gregan’s Test record and hopefully record a ninth win against England

Gibson’s swansong was back in 1979, when Drico was just six weeks old. Now at 35 years of age, just one year younger than the Ulsterman when he decided he had had enough of the International game, the celebrated Dubliner makes his final trip to ‘HQ’, having already helped his country to eight wins over the old enemy England in 12 attempts. O’Driscoll, the sole survivor of the original Six Nations cast, will also equal George Gregan’s record of 139 Test matches at Twickenham.

sIX NaTIONs – page 21

Messi night for City Barca take control of Euro clash

Wenger: Belief is greater

by RiCHARD HOOkHAM

ARSENE WENGER insists belief is the difference between the Arsenal side which lost to Bayern Munich last season and the team preparing to take on the European champions tonight. The last-16, first-leg tie takes place a year to the day since the 3-1 home loss to the Bundesliga side. Wenger’s men warmed up with a 2-1 FA Cup win over Liverpool on Sunday and he admitted: ‘We are in much better mental shape than we were one year ago. ‘We have a strong team spirit, a strong desire to do well and a united team. ‘We had always these kind of qualities but not always the belief. The belief is built by the results. On that front we are stronger.’

MANCHESTER City face a daunting uphill task to reach the Champions League quarter-finals after Barcelona sealed a 2-0 win at the Etihad Stadium last night. Manuel Pellegrini’s side were dealt a devastating hammer blow in the first leg of their last-16 tie when Martin Demichelis was sent off for bringing down Lionel Messi early in the second half. The Argentina maestro duly slotted home from the spot to put the Spanish champions ahead. And ten-man City’s pain was compounded when Dani Alves linked up well with Neymar before slotting home a second in injury time, putting his side in the box seat for the second leg at the Nou Camp on March 12. It was tough on City, who had produced an otherwise disciplined performance in the first half to keep the Catalans at bay. But skipper Vincent Kompany insisted: ‘I really think they were there for the taking. If the second game is the same as today, I think we’ve still got a chance.’

«CITY FaLL – pages 22-23

Spot on: Messi salutes his penalty which put Barcelona on their way to a 2-0 win over Manchester City

pICTURe: aCTION IMages

« WILsHeRe – page 22