Metro Herald, Wednesday, March 26, 2014 by Metro Herald

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

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Why were Garda phone calls taped? YOU’RE KAVANAGH LAUGH: Writers Paula Meehan and Brendan Kennelly sit with Patrick Kavanagh at the launch of this year’s Dublin: One City One Book festival, with the chosen book being If Ever You Go: A Map Of Dublin In Poetry And Song PA

A STATE inquiry has been ordered into widespread phone tapping at Garda stations spanning three decades. Just hours after the Garda chief Martin Callinan quit his post, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the revelations were potentially so grave a full statutory investigation was needed. Mr Kenny said he was extremely concerned after being told by the attorney general at the weekend of the recording of phone conversations at police stations from the 1980s until last November. But asked if he would tell Justice Minister Alan Shatter to resign over the unfolding crises, he replied: ‘No.’ The Government said in a statement: ‘In the context of ongoing legal proceedings in a particular case, the Government has learned that a system was in place in a large number of Garda stations whereby incoming and outgoing telephone calls were taped and recorded.’ Mr Kenny said the revelations could have consequences for court cases past and present.

Keep Dublin tidy – Please recycle this Metro Herald when you are finished with it

by brian hutton

A report by force watchdog the Garda Ombudsman last year into three officers convicted of assaulting Waterford man Anthony Holness alleged phone calls in and out of the city’s Garda station were recorded. The Garda and Department of Justice have been ordered to report to the coalition on the sensational claims. Amidst the extraordinary developments, the Government said it would set up an independent Garda authority to supervise the force to bring it ‘into the modern era’. Proposals are to be made public after two separate ongoing inquiries into abuse of the penalty points system and alleged bugging of the force’s official watchdog, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. Mr Shatter is expected to come before the Dáil tomorrow to answer questions about the controversies.

garda chief quiTs: P4

METRO HERALD Wednesday, March 26, 2014

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From the archives (2009):

Judge steps up to defend woman

A judge in Florida leapt from his bench to prevent a woman from being attacked by a man she testified against in a domestic violence case. John Charles Reasee made a dash for Nicole Ward, only for Judge Ian Richards to step in and defend her.

Today’s birthdays Leonard Nimoy, actor, 83; Diana Ross, singer, 70; Steven Tyler, rock musician, 66; Michael Imperioli, actor (The Sopranos), 48; Keira Knightley, actress (right), 29.

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CLOCkwORD The solutions from 1 to 12 are all six-letter words ending with the letter Y in the centre. Moving clockwise from 1, the letters in the outer circle will spell out the name of a Hollywood director. 1. Turning 2. Model of the Solar System 3. Sleepwear 4. Stubborn (Inf.) 5. Clerk

6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

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Yesterday’s solution: Edith Wharton

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Wednesday, March 26, 2014 METRO HERALD

For 37 years, the world thought it was bad lifestyle that killed him. Here’s...

The real reason why Elvis left the building by HAyDEn sMiTH IT DIDN’T take a very suspicious mind to work out what killed Elvis Presley in 1977. When he collapsed on to his bathroom floor the king of rock ’n’ roll was hugely overweight and addicted to junk food. But despite a mass of evidence that it was heart failure, brought on by obesity and drug use, that killed him, dozens of conspiracy theories emerged. Now, 37 years later, evidence backed by DNA sequencing seems to offer the final word on the matter. The makers of a Channel 4 programme called Dead Famous DNA have used a strand of his hair to create a genome-based medical profile. The strand, bought from a friend of Elvis’s barber, reveals he could have suffered from a heart muscle disease. Analysis shows mutations, known as ‘variants’, which cause migraines, glaucoma and

Ribcage: Adolf Hitler obesity in sufferers. Presley relied heavily on prescription drugs and suffered from headaches and bad eyesight when he died aged 42. Scientists also found a ‘crucial’ variant known to cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a disease which causes the thickening of the heart and weakening of the heart muscle.

Doing the business: Elvis performing in his Aloha From Hawaii 1972 TV special Pictures: aP/reuters

The results were analysed by Dr Stephen Kingsmore, of the Centre for Paediatric Genomic Medicine at the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. Dr Kingsmore said: ‘There had been so much speculation about cause of death, and so much ill spoken of his lifestyle, and we had this intriguing finding that possibly Elvis had a medical illness. ‘All of the stuff about how he killed himself with his lifestyle might have been very unfair.’ Producers wrote to Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie to say they had carried out DNA analysis but have not heard back. At an advance screening of the first episode yesterday, it was revealed tests were also performed on what could be bone from Adolf Hitler’s ribcage. Test results on the remains, which were given to the show’s presenter by an unidentified man, will be revealed later.

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METRO HERALD Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Learner drivers face Garda denies giving watchdog false information test strike on April 2 THERE’S bad news for anyone scheduled to sit their driving test on the afternoon of April 2 – driver testers who are members of the Impact trade union have announced a half-day strike from 2pm. The move is part of a dispute over what the union says is the Road Safety Authority’s outsourcing work to subcontractors, instead of recruiting reserve staff. The union said further stoppages could follow if the issue is not resolved. Impact assistant general secretary, Denis Rohan said: ‘We regret the inevitable inconvenience that will now follow management’s decision to ignore our concerns on outsourcing and the breach of agreement with staff. ‘We have decided on a relatively short stoppage to limit the inconvenience, but the staff concerned feel they have been forced into this action because management is refusing to deal with the issue,’ The RSA added it hoped that ‘common sense’ would prevail.

A DETECTIVE garda is to go on trial after a court heard yesterday that he is pleading not guilty to giving false statements to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission during an investigation in October 2012. Det Gda David O’Brien, of Harcourt Square station, allegedly provided false

by bRiAn HuTTOn

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny has paid tribute to the Fine Gael Longford/ Westmeath TD Nicky McFadden (left) as ‘a woman of great joy’ after the 51-year-old lost her battle with motor neurone disease yesterday. Speaking in the Dáil, Mr Kenny said that he and fellow Oireachtas members were ‘devastated by the suffering and the passing of Nicky McFadden’. He added: ‘We are also uplifted by Nicky’s magnificent courage, by her insight into this journey and her ability to make some kind of sense, even accord, with the savage uncertainty of life as lived. Mr Kenny offered his condolences to Ms McFadden’s children, Caren and Eoin, and to the rest of her family and her friends.

Resignation: Commissioner Martin Callinan

Friday, 28th of March Saturday, 29th of March

Defence solicitor Matthew Kenny told Judge Michael Walsh that a date for hearing was required, meaning his client is pleading not guilty to the charge and would be contesting the allegation. Judge Walsh adjourned the case until a date in May when a date will be set for the non-jury district court trial to be held.

Callinan quits ‘in the best interests of force’

Kenny’s TD tribute to ‘woman of joy’

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information to Gsoc at their Abbey Street offices in Dublin city centre. He is being prosecuted under Section 110 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the case was listed at Dublin District Court yesterday, however the officer had already been excused from having to attend the hearing.

GARDA Commissioner Martin Callinan said he is resigning in the best interests of his family and the force after months of battling claims of wrongdoing within his ranks. Mr Callinan’s stand-down has come after several Government ministers had demanded he withdraw controversial remarks about whistleblowers. In a statement Mr Callinan said he felt ‘recent developments were proving to be a distraction from the work that is carried out by An Garda Síochána on a daily basis for the citizens of the State in an independent and impartial manner.’ Mr Callinan tendered his resignation ‘with immediate effect’ to the Justice Minister Alan Shatter yesterday morning after coming under intense pressure in recent weeks. During a Dáil hearing into abuse of the penalty points system, the Garda chief said only two officers out of 13,000 were making ‘extraordinary, serious allegations’. ‘Frankly I think it is quite disgusting, on a personal level I think it is quite disgusting,’ he said at the time. A backlash by several Cabinet ministers, includ-

Loyalty downfall LOYALTY to the badge was what ultimately cost Garda chief Martin Callinan his job. In 2012, Independent TDs including Mick Wallace and Clare Daly demanded a public inquiry into the quashing of penalty points. Last May an internal report found some gardaí may have breached regulations. After the Commissioner described the actions of whistleblowers, including Sgt Maurice McCabe, as ‘quite disgusting’, several ministers demanded he withdraw his remarks. It was clear the Garda chief was left with only two options – to retract or resign. ing Transport Minister Leo Varadkar, who called for the remarks to be withdrawn. Last May the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) accused the force of withholding vital evidence from its inquiry into claims elite Garda officers colluded with a convicted drug trafficker. Claims by Gsoc earlier this year that its headquarters in central Dublin had been bugged has led to yet another ongoing inquiry.

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Wednesday, March 26, 2014 METRO HERALD

Summit’s tickled mirthful Merkel Where’s Barack? Merkel inspects Obama’s chair also joined in the virtual challenge, which saw the leaders combining to foil a terrorist plot to set off a nuclear bomb. But the summit has been overshadowed by real-life events in Ukraine, with Russia’s president Vladimir Putin conspicuous by his absence in The Hague, Holland.

Flight families bring protests to embassy Crying for answers: A grieving relative of a passenger sobs on a bus heading to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing Picture: reuters

ANGRY relatives of passengers onboard the missing Malaysian Airlines flight yesterday staged a protest outside the country’s embassy in Beijing. About 100 marched in the Chinese capital, where street protests are normally illegal, and tried to storm the gates. It came a day after the airline told them by text message it had to ‘assume beyond any reasonable doubt’ that Beijing-bound flight MH370 was lost on March 8 and none of its 239 passengers survived. ‘They are liars,’ said one protester, among those which clashed with Chinese police. ‘They hide everything. We just want the truth but they are hiding so many things. ‘There is no proof. Why did the officials not come to see us?’ Meanwhile, the search in the northern

by NICOLE LE MARIE flight corridor was called off following data analysis by British experts Inmarsat that showed the flight went down in the southern Indian Ocean. The search efforts is focused on a 469,407sq nautical mile area. But Australian air marshal Mark Binskin warned: ‘We’re not searching for a needle in a haystack. ‘We’re still trying to define where the haystack is.’ Poor weather conditions suspended the search as mini tornados, a cyclone, high waves and 80kph galeforce winds raged north of the zone. The airline is facing growing criticism of its handling of the crisis, but chief executive Ahmad Jauhari Yahya has denied it abandoned relatives and said he is not planning to resign at the moment.

Funny Finn: Mrs Merkel’s reacts to Sauli Niinistö’s wisecrack Pictures: aP

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METRO HERALD Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Zoo that put down giraffe kills 4 lions

Honour: 1D’s Niall Horan meets Queen Elizabeth

The Queen meets one’s Direction... ONE DIRECTION’S Niall Horan was among more than 300 Irish people to attend a special reception with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh yesterday. The 20-year-old was joined by guests including X Factor judge Louis Walsh and fashion designer Orla Kiely at the event, which marked the positive contribution made by Ireland to Britain. The singer said: ‘It’s an absolute honour to be here with two great countries coming together. I couldn’t believe it when I got the invitation.’

by SHARON MARRIS

Showing bottle and milking it Student Heather O’Connor, wearing her own design made from milk cartons, and Orla Walsh, wearing a design by Lydia Byrne made out of bottle tops, show just two of many outfits made from recycled products for the Griffith College Reinvent Fashion competition PIcture: Leon farreLL

A ZOO that sparked global outrage for killing a healthy giraffe has admitted it has put down four lions – including two cubs – to make room for a new male. Copenhagen Zoo said yesterday the old lions were euthanised and the cubs were also destroyed ‘because they would have been killed by the new male lion’. Citing the pride’s ‘natural structure and behaviour’, the Danish zoo said it had taken the action on Monday as part of a generational shift. It added the cubs were too young to fend for themselves. Other parks were contacted to take the ten-month-old cubs but the zoo ‘received no offers’. Officials said the new male, along with two females born in 2012, will form the nucleus of a new pride. Last month, the zoo triggered protests by killing two-year-old giraffe

Killed: Lion cubs were put down Marius and feeding his remains to the lions as visitors watched. A spokesman for campaign group Peta said: ‘Copenhagen Zoo didn’t find these animals abandoned on the doorstep one morning – they brought them into this world. ‘This callous action highlights the fact that zoo breeding programmes serve no conservation purpose. The latest killings should confirm that zoos are hideous institutions that do not deserve public support.’

platform

Is there anything to be said for an across-the-board writedown of crippling Irish mortgage debt, asks campaigner KEN cOwLEy

here has been a shift in thinking regarding mortgage debt in Ireland, with some of the banks offering split mortgages, including one with an element of debt forgiveness. The Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation recently negotiated writedowns for nearly 100 homeowners, including one Cork family who had €175,000 written off their loan. This would not have happened without pressure from the interested parties: pressure groups, the indebted and the general public. But, now that the economy is picking up, it is more important than ever to not forget those who will be under the yoke of boom-time mortgages for decades to come. Substantial solutions along the lines of the new AIB product are only common sense. All of those mortgages were based on boom time, low-taxed earnings, which is why so many of the mortgages are now unsustainable. However, now that the issue of debt forgiveness has been introduced and has not led to the ‘moral hazard end-of-world scenario’ many predicted, would it not make sense for the government and banks to go just a little bit

further and write down once, and once only, an element of all boomera mortgages? Would it be perfect? No. Would there be anomalies? Yes. But don’t forget Iceland is in the process of writing down all its home mortgages to approximately 110 per cent of house value, and has the world ended? No. People just moved on. All we want is for people to be able to move on. Six years of suffering has been enough. And speaking of anomalies, there are plenty of anomalies already. I imagine my own case is similar to many others, in that I have a parent on my mortgage documents, which means the bank treats me entirely differently to other customers. Many of us were forced out of our homes and into house shares or back with parents, thus becoming reluctant landlords, compounded by the injustice of completely losing our mortgage interest relief, and being treated as ‘buy to lets’ by the banks (and therefore ineligible for split mortgages). Also, many of us who purchased between 2004 and 2008 did not get tracker mortgages and are paying around 4.5 per cent interest, four per cent above ECB rates and therefore helping to subsidise the banks’

that many of the negative equity tracker losses. Also, it goes without saying that most of us have generation are suffering. These had our incomes slashed and our people already have very flimsy taxes and many costs, such as financial futures, due to negative health insurance, increased. equity, arrears, other debts and little I have campaigned on these issues or no pension provision. If nothing for years now, on radio and in print, substantial is done, we are heading even going so far as to do an eighttowards a two-tier society, those day mountain-run around Ireland who purchased between 2004 and last year to raise awareness. And 2008 and those who didn’t. there are many other campaigners, And what are the other banks but overall the offering? Very little campaign is perhaps really, to date, other too fragmented. It than a few token At best, the banks would be great to split mortgages, see what we interest-only are only taking very could achieve solutions and baby steps to help, at forced sales. One together. We don’t expect full might ask why worst they are just write-downs, we did we give them paying lip service just want a little bit all those billions if of compromise, and not to actually try to to be allowed a sliver solve the problem of the of a second chance. mortgage and financial crises? The release of the ‘negative What did they actually use that equity generation’ back in to the money for, other than propping up normal economy could actually their balance sheets or writing off provide a big enough stimulus as to developers’ debts? Certainly, not be self-financing. Such an much of it was used to help home argument has been made by mortgage owners or small qualified economists. And surely it businesses. is morally correct to try to At best, the banks are only taking compromise on this big problem, very baby steps to help, at worst this elephant in the room, and thus they are just paying lip service. reduce the mental-health torment The government continues to only

“

tinker around the edges of the problem, and the new bankruptcy legislation looks to be inadequate. It could be argued that these schemes need time to work. Many would argue that a generation continues to be abandoned. But the change in culture, however small, is to be welcomed. Let’s keep the pressure on. Ken Cowley is a freelance journalist and mortgage campaigner

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 METRO HERALD

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METRO HERALD Wednesday, March 26, 2014

★

★★ ★ ★

Brad the perfect dad by ANDREI HARMSWORTH

rad Pitt’s halo must be almost blinding after angelina Jolie told how the hands-on dad stepped in to save the day when their twins were born. the actor was gushingly praised for his parenting skills by Jolie, leaving mums whose partners dodge nappy duty green with envy. ‘When i had the twins, it was very exhausting but Brad just stepped right in and made sure that the other children were getting their breakfast and going off to school on time,’ 38-year-old Jolie said about the birth of Vivienne and Knox five years ago. ‘He loves being a father. that’s one thing i’m most proud of about him.’ She said Pitt’s relationship with their six children – 12year-old Maddox, ten-year-old Pax, Zahara, nine, Shiloh, seven, and the twins – ‘balances’ her. ‘He’s much cooler and calmer, whereas i can be more impulsive and outspoken,’ she admitted. ‘it’s very reassuring to know there’s this very solid, generous man in your life.’ Jolie also revealed that she was surprised how their gaggle of children calmed her inside, describing how she lets them squeeze in the bath tub with her. ‘i’d always been the kind of person who enjoyed being alone but once our family grew larger i discovered that i’m truly happy surrounded by the children.’ tree Of Life star Pitt has a ‘special bond’ with his boys, she said. and while many people struggle to find time for fun in the bedroom once they have children, Jolie and 50year-old Pitt make sure they have regular ‘date nights’. ‘You learn to reserve certain nights either to go out or just be together without the kids,’ the Lara Croft actress told Hello! magazine. ‘all couples need to make time for that and even though it can be tough with six kids – especially after i had the twins – things have settled into a more natural rhythm.’

Caring father: Brad Pitt with the children Picture: ePA

★

Jennifer Aniston refuses to let ‘toxic’ gossip about her love life ‘imprison her’. Having fought off tabloid talk she and Justin Theroux are on shaky turf, the former Friends star said: ‘All that stuff... it’s toxic.’ She added: ‘You have to not let it imprison you.’ Aniston said her divorce from Brad Pitt helped her ignore chatter about her private life.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 METRO HERALD

★

She may wear all the crazy clobber but Lady Gaga says it’s her lover Taylor Kinney who wears the pants in the relationship. The 27-year-old said she was happy to let the US actor take the lead. ‘He is totally in charge. I mean when I am home I am like, shoes are off, I’m making him dinner. He has a job too and he is really busy,’ she said. ‘I’m in charge all day long, so the last thing I want to do is tell him what to do.’

★

Elsa Pataky has shared the first photo of her twins – in its full toe-curling glory. The Spanish actress posted a picture of their feet on her Instagram page and revealed she and Thor star hubby Chris Hemsworth have

Wedding belle: Shakira as a bride in the video for her song, Empire, right and below

named them Tristan and Sasha. She added: ‘You are home! Complete happiness.’ The couple – who also have daughter India Rose, 22 months – welcomed the boys into the world earlier this month.

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PICTURE: RUCkaS

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Shakira’s hips on fire as she lights up row Shakira has come under fire both literally and metaphorically after singing a song on her new album in Catalan. The Colombian star has been dubbed a ‘traitor’ and ‘stupid’ by her Spanish fans, who claim the track shows she is ‘openly supporting’ the idea of an independent Catalan state. Hundreds took to Twitter to vent their anger at the 37-year-old’s version of ‘Boig per tu’ – which translates to ‘Mad For You’ in English. ‘I already thought Shakira was stupid but singing a song in Catalan? Really? That just proves it,’ read one angry comment. ‘Shakira singing in Catalan? You make me sick,’ raged another. ‘That Shakira

releases an album with a song in Catalan demonstrates to me that she’s an utter imbecile,’ added a third. The Spanish edition of the new album, released yesterday and called simply Shakira, contains 14 other songs – 11 of which are in English and three in Spanish. Shakira, who lives in the Catalan capital Barcelona with footballer Gerard Pique and their one-year-old son Milan, has not commented. Meanwhile, the beauty is seen standing on church steps as the ruffled train of her white wedding frock catches fire in her new music video, Empire. Perhaps she is making her feelings clear on marriage... she stars as a runaway bride.

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10 METRO HERALD Wednesday, March 26, 2014

World Run on banks gets off to a false start

CHinA: Hundreds of people yesterday rushed to withdraw savings from two small banks rumoured to be going bust. They besieged tellers in Yancheng and Sheyang in economically troubled Jiangsu province. It is not clear what sparked the run on the banks which are covered by government guarantees, unlike co-operatives. But the slowing economy is fuelling rumours of loan defaults.

digest GuinEA: A ban on eating or selling bats has been introduced to prevent the spread of the deadly ebola virus. The animals are the ‘main agents’ for the spread of the outbreak in the south, which has killed 62 people, health minister Rene Lamah said. A 14-year-old boy who died two weeks ago is thought to be among the cases. A man who recently visited west Africa is also in hospital in Canada.

AuSTRALiA: Sorry, I’m late... water buffaloes in the road. It’s not one of the usual excuses. But two buffaloes forced drivers to swerve in a Sydney suburb after escaping a film set. They were rounded up shortly afterwards.

FORMULA One’s former top doctor has criticised the early hospital treatment of Michael Schumacher – and warned fans to prepare for the worst. The seven-times world champion has been in a medically-induced coma since suffering a serious head injury when he crashed in the French Alps in December. But Dr Gary Hartstein, who held various key F1 medical positions between 2005 and 2012, blogged: ‘As time goes on, it becomes less likely that Michael will emerge to any significant extent. ‘Serious lapses in judgment were evident during Michael’s initial management – I have this from usually impeccable sources who have access to this information,’ he added. It comes two weeks after 45year-old Schumacher’s family said he was showing ‘small, encouraging signs’ of recovery. They also praised the staff treating him at Grenoble hospital in France.

‘A difficult time’: Rescue teams remove a body from the wreckage of a home left destroyed by the mudslide. Hope of finding survivors in the rubble is dwindling Picture: AP

fRAnCE: A 19th century guillotine in full working order is to go under the hammer. The macabre iron contraption is believed to have been used to behead aristocrats during the 1789 French Revolution, and for 50 years after that by the French army to execute prisoners and deserters from the ranks. It is expected to fetch up to €60,000 when it goes up for auction in Nantes.

ban on eating bats to halt deadly virus

and finally...

Ex-F1 doctor criticises early care of Schumacher

Guillotine heads for sale

Long-lost Tennessee tale

bRiTAin: A Range Rover lies stuck in a basement after it left the road and smashed through railings in central London. The driver of the €100,000 car and her three passengers were unhurt Picture: SWNS

AMERiCA: A previously unseen short story by Tennessee Williams, famous for plays such as Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, has been published for the first time. Crazy Night, set before the repeal of prohibition in the early 1930s, is about a raucous endof-term college party. It is believed Williams based the love interest in the tale on an old college girlfriend. It was released by US literary journal The Strand.

Couple described missing each other in loving messages read out Tears: Pistorius reacts in the dock as he hears his text exchanges with Ms Steenkamp Picture: AP

Pistorius text to Reeva: You are my angel OSCAR PISTORIUS wept yesterday as his murder trial heard loving messages he exchanged with his girlfriend in the weeks before he killed her. The Paralympian wiped away tears when the court was shown a photo Reeva Steenkamp sent him of herself in a hoodie making a kissing face. Pistorius received the image during a text conversation on January 19 last year – less than a month before he shot her dead at his home in Pretoria. In a message with the photo, Ms Steenkamp, 29, said: ‘You like it?’ Pistorius replied: ‘I love it.’ They were among several exchanges

THE death toll in a giant mudslide which engulfed a village has risen to 14 with those missing now up to 176. A dozen workers have recovered six more bodies in the mile wide stretch of debris and mud ‘as thick as concrete’. The number of people still missing continued to increase as emergency teams warned the operation would focus on recovery rather than rescue. Crews in Oso, Washington, have had to contend with 6m thick mud, a cliff at risk of crumbling and quicksand-like conditions in their search. Emergency teams director

by HAYDEn SMiTH described by defence lawyer Barry Roux. On January 9, Ms Steenkamp said: ‘You are a very special person.’ The court heard the couple talked about missing each other and using affectionate terms. Pistorius, 27, called his girlfriend ‘my angel’ and ‘baba’ while she referred to him as ‘boo’. Pistorius claims he killed Ms Steenkamp by accident, mistaking her for an intruder. After the prosecution case closed, the athlete admitted he was enduring a ‘tough time’ as he prepared to begin his defence on Friday.

Six more bodies found as 176 still lost in mud John Pennington said it was possible some reports of the 176 missing may be duplicates. He added: ‘I believe very strongly we are not going to see that number in fatalities but it doesn’t make it any easier.’ No one has been found alive in the debris of Saturday’s mudslide, which hit the village north-east of Seattle. It has emerged that a scientist warned of ‘the potential for a large

catastrophic mudslide’ in a 1999 report. Geomorphologist Daniel Miller said Oso should have been vacated in 2006 after a smaller landslide nearby. He told a US newspaper: ‘I knew it would happen. I just didn’t know when.’ President Barack Obama has sent his prayers and has signed an emergency declaration for Oso. He said: ‘We hope for the best, but we recognise this is a tough situation.’

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 METRO HERALD

M OT H E R’S DAY

FAMILY ROAST

€28 Roast joint + 2 large side dishes large dessert + bottle of wine

12 METRO HERALD Wednesday, March 26, 2014

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How about giving more flexibility to working parents?

t was 1985 in Ireland before the law of the time was liberalised to allow condoms to be sold to people over 18 without prescription. Up until this time families were larger and it was more practical for women to stay at home. the landscape of all of our lives was changed by the introduction of contraceptives. It is our turn now to see where the structures of work, politics and family life need to be updated so we can bring about change for the next generation. How about Government incentives for businesses to promote flexible working hours for both parents? Children see more of their parents, more time for home-cooked food, which equals better health, parents have a greater choice of jobs without sacrificing one career to go part-time, both parents get to enjoy one-on-one time with their children. Would it really be that difficult to introduce four-day weeks or staggered business hours for parents? If you’re a parent in a

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role of influence is there anything you can do to use this influence on your company’s HR policy? If you’re a small business can you increase your attractiveness to workers by offering this flexibility? Game Changer, Celbridge ■ While watching the MH370 reports last night, I was disgusted by how the media have hounded the poor families for pictures and videos of their grief. It was sickening to note the complete lack of compassion and respect, with reporters eager to shove a camera in crying family members’ faces. the very least they deserve is to be let grieve in peace. Everyone knows how they would react if they were told their parents or children were dead; we don’t need to see this. the media, as immoral as it is, went too far this time. RIP to all the victims, and if there is a God, help their families. Respect the Grieving

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BIRD TABLE: Donal Slattery spotted this curious pigeon at a café off Dublin’s Dame St.

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● To the little family who folded up their buggy on the 12.45 no.15 bus so I wouldn’t have to wake my nine-month-old, thank you. There wasn’t another bus on the board and I had to get to Clongriffin by 2pm. I really appreciated it and spent the journey wishing I had chocs to give you!

● Cheeky coffee guy near Grafton St who gave me a wink, I’ll drop in soon for a chai tea. Brunette in dark coat and pink scarf

Grace S

RAnDOM AcTs Of kInDnEss

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#Callinan

● So who will be the first to monetise this Garda tape archive? It could be a new lease of life for Reeling In the Years.

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● So he’d rather resign than apologise?

● Formerly Tight Pants, I don’t mind if your trousers split after the popcorn, once there’s something else to impress me in there. Cineworld blondie with the bob

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He’s some man for one man! Wonder how much money he’ll be getting! @katia75014 ● #Callinan has resigned. Locals in Templemore firing shots in air and throwing shoes at his statue. @JJCONeill

WIN a team entry to the TAG RUGBY SUMMER BUSINESS HOUSES L LEAGUE To celebrate the kick-off of the summer Tag Rugby season, Metro Herald and the Irish Tag Rugby Association have teamed up to offer one lucky reader a team entry for themselves and their colleagues.

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Wednesday, March 26, 2014 METRO HERALD

Captain America actor Chris Evans and Marvel’s head of production Kevin Feige talk to Ross McDonagh about the latest instalment in the franchise

’m sitting opposite a 40-year-old comic book nerd. Instead of going out and getting a real job, this guy told himself he could make a career out of his hobby. By the time Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens later this week, his films will have grossed more than Steven Spielberg’s. As marvel’s head of production, Kevin Feige’s movies have already generated $8.3billion (€6bn) at the box office worldwide. And he’s not even nearly finished; with an Avengers sequel, Paul Rudd’s Ant-man and the hilariouslooking Guardians Of The Galaxy en route, suddenly that $4billion price tag Disney forked out for the comic book house doesn’t seem so outlandish. Question is: with all these crossovers and backstories and prequels and sequels flooding cinemas, do we all have to be comic book nerds to follow what’s going on in Captain America 2? ‘The truth is we always want the movies to be able to stand alone,’ Feige tells me. ‘We always want people who have not seen any of our other films to come and buy a ticket and understand and enjoy the movie that is put before them. ‘I will say that if you watch the other movies, you will get more out of it,’ he adds though. ‘Of the phase two movies – the movies between the First Avengers film and Avengers: Age Of Ultron – this movie is more connected to the others; Tony Stark went back to malibu, Thor went back to Asgard; Steve was stuck in the modern day.’ As Chris Evans – who plays the eponymous hero – himself admits, making the Cap interesting can be tricky when your mates are hunky blond demigods from other dimensions, flying armoured multi-billionaire playboys and, well, the Hulk. Especially when all he really does is ‘punch and kick’. ‘Steve doesn’t fly, he doesn’t shoot lightning, he’s not from another world; his powers are very grounded,’ Evans concedes. ‘So you can’t really rely on giant special effects to carry the entertainment.’ ‘This is kind of a grounded movie. I think it’s more of a political thriller, like a 1970s

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film

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movie. It has a feel of All The President’s Men or a Jack Ryan movie. It’s this kind of political espionage movie – it’s got that kind of energy. The superhero element is just one piece of the puzzle.’ The sequel sees Captain America go up against a former friend who has been reborn as the bionic assassin the Winter Soldier; but the real enemy may be the government he’s working for; a storyline which, according to Feige, coincidentally became more and more relevant in the real world as shooting wrapped. ‘Also, just as we were finishing production, the news broke that the NSA has been

“How far are we willing to bend to preserve our safety?” listening to all of us and tapping our phones, which is exactly what Cap is fighting against in this movie,’ he says. ‘In the teaser trailer Nick Fury is saying: “Look at these great helicarriers, they’ll be able to go out there and take out threats before they happen.” And Steve says: “That’s not freedom; that’s fear.” ‘The fact that that is what’s in our newspapers every day now may be depressing in real life, but it certainly makes this story unbelievably relevant.’ ‘We work for a company – without giving too much away – that is handling its business in a suspicious manner,’ Evans agrees. ‘Given all modern technological advancements, in

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order to preserve the freedom that they are both fighting to sustain, there may be certain tactics and approaches that SHIELD will take that we feel will infringe upon people’s civil liberties.’

ND this is where the grey area comes into play. It’s hard to know what’s right and what’s wrong and what shouldn’t be allowed, and where do you cross the line. ‘It’s such a relevant topic, it really is so applicable to things, such as, how far are we willing to bend to preserve our safety and freedom? Are my phone records your business? It’s very relevant. Everything we deal with in the film is food for thought in everything we’re going through today,’ he adds. Of course, that’s not to say Winter Soldier is a pofaced look at modern politics –

it is of course still a fun comic book movie (although the sequel is a little darker). ‘It has become a regular occurrence now for people to say “Is this one darker? Are you making it darker? Iron Man 3 looks darker than the other ones? Thor The Dark World is called “dark” – does that mean it’s darker?’ Kevin laughs. ‘And then people see the movies and go: “It’s so much fumier than I thought!”

CONCERT

Team Avengers: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, who plays Natasha Romanoff, aka The Black Widow, and Marvel head of production Kevin Feige

BOOk NOw

PANTHA DU PRINCE & THE BELL LABORATORY

Since 2002, German producer Hendrik Weber – aka Pantha Du Prince – has established himself as a master of delicate, wintry techno: the kind of music that sounds glorious over club speakers at 4am and oddly comforting when nursing your head the following day. His second album, 2007’s This Bliss, remains a classic of modern minimalism – particularly the warm, allenveloping embrace of its lead single, Saturn Strobe. His fourth full-length, this year’s Elements Of Light, sees Weber moving into more experimental territory. A fivetrack continuous symphony for electronics, percussion and bell carillon (a three-tonne instrument comprising 50 bronze bells), on record it is a masterfully crafted exercise in combining the build-and-release of club music with the hypnotic refinement of minimalist composers such as Steve Reich and LaMonte Young.

‘We always love that balance, and certainly this film has that balance as well. But I guess it’s fair to say this film is probably more tonally serious across the board than we’ve made before.’ Captain America: The Winter Soldier is out on Friday

OPERA The Rise And Fall Of The City Of Mahagonny

The familiar, soothing textures of Weber’s synths provide the ideal counterpoint to the deep, echoing vibrations of the carillon, while occasional outbreaks of frenzied percussion keep the project from sinking too much into mood music territory: Weber skilfully creates the kind of self-contained world listeners can lose themselves in. Originally inspired by the sound of church bells tolling across Oslo, the devotional tinge to the music is also no surprise. For this rare Dublin performance he’s joined by Oslo collective The Bell Laboratory. Given the nature of the project, it’s likely to be a unique experience.

Siobhán Murphy

Tonight, National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace D2, 8pm, €25 to €35. Tel: (01) 417 0000. www.nch.ie

As well as containing the irresistible Alabama Song (‘Oh show us the way to the next whisky bar’), The Rise And Fall Of The City Of Mahogonny is Bertolt Brecht’s grimmest satire on the perils of capitalism. Mahagonny is an imaginary city founded in the American desert by fugitive slave traders. The opera, which will be brought to life later this year in a new coproduction between Rough Magic and Opera Theatre Company, charts its boom, bust and the subsequent commodification of all human contact with unflinching clarity. And expect to be wowed by a particularly lavish production: the project has been awarded a €230,000 Sky Arts Ignition Award which will ensure the Olympia

Theatre receives a slick makeover. Renowned Irish soprano Claudia Boyle (pictured) heads up the cast as prostitute Jenny Smith Jun 13 to Jun 18, Olympia Theatre, 72 Dame Street D2, from €20. Tel: 0818 719 300.

Life home cinema

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 METRO HERALD

One to make your mother’s day Philomena (12A)

DVD, Blu-ray

HHHH✩ Who’d have thought Steve Coogan’s first big, non-Alan Partridge feature film script would be a multi-Oscarnominated weepie starring Judi Dench? Wait! It’s a proper LOL comedy too. As well as winning a Bafta for his screenplay, Coogan stars as depressed journalist Martin Sixsmith (this film is based on his memoir), an unemployed newsman who sniffily takes on the ‘human interest’ story of Philomena Lee (Oscar-nominated Dench). The little old Irish Catholic lady is looking for the son she lost 50 years ago, when the convent she was sent to work in as a ‘fallen woman’ put him up for adoption without her knowledge.

Philomena’s quest is captivating, while the inspired double act of Coogan’s arrogant cynical journo and Dench’s twinkly guilelessness is a joy from start to finish. The perfect Mother’s Day watch. Larushka ivan-zadeh

The CounSellor (18) DVD, Blu-ray

HHH✩✩ Ridley Scott directing Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Brad Pitt and Cameron Diaz in a sexy thriller, with a screenplay by Cormac McCarthy. What could go wrong?

Fassbender’s attorney (known as The Counsellor), seduced by a luxury lifestyle, partners mad, bad Bardem in a drug-smuggling operation — despite being warned of the risks if it goes south by Pitt’s savvy go-between. One has some sympathy, because Fassbender is so hot and is in love with radiant Cruz, as his innocent fiancée. There’s a cool, sophisticated kick in this philosophical breed of wrongdoers delivering oblique witticisms and monologues on life, death and love. Perplexing, pretentious, unpleasant, it’s still a striking, elegant character piece. When there is violence, Scott does it with pitiless style, although the nastier shocks you’ll want to forget in this chilling cautionary tale of greed, getting in over one’s head and tragic consequences. Angie Errigo

Saving mr BankS (PG)

bOxsET bLiTz

Emma Thompson is absolutely supercalifragilistic (let’s get that word out of the way) as PL Travers, the prickly creator of Mary Poppins, who for 20 years has resisted the attempts of Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) to turn her books into one of what she snootily calls his ‘silly cartoons’. It’s now 1961 and Uncle Walt has managed to entice a child-intolerant Mrs Travers as far as Disneyland. However, script discussions trigger sob-inducing memories of her childhood in Australia with her beloved father (Colin Farrell – great), an alcoholic bank clerk with a fantastical imagination. And though you know Walt wins in the end, there’s still much to relish in the sparring between him and the tweedily English Travers, who frostily informs him she will not have ‘her’ Mary Poppins ‘twinkling and cavorting with dancing penguins’. Li-z

Salamander DVD HH✩✩✩

If, after the end of The Bridge II, you needed a lie down and missed BBC4’s next Euro-crime offering, you didn’t lose out on much. Belgian cop series Salamander tries to use bluster to muscle past the fact its plot has holes you could drive a truck through. It might just have got away with it if it hadn’t run into a mountain of cliché and pantomime villainy. Paul Gerardi (Filip Peeters, below) is the rumpled, maverick Flemish policeman on the trail of a bank robber who’s stolen the secrets of Belgium’s most powerful men. Nothing here is believable, least of all the acting. We end up back at World War II – but even if such overworked tropes don’t wear you down, the soundtrack will. siobhán Murphy

DVD, Blu-ray, VoD

HHH✩✩

A Mary Poppins movie for grown-ups.

Five films to see at the cinema Starred Up hard-hitting, heavily hyped, British prison drama featuring a knockout lead turn from star-is-born Jack o’Connell (right). Think a 21st-century Scum.

The Grand Budapest Hotel A scrumptiousenough-toeat comedy confection from Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums), sprinkled with an allstar ensemble including Ralph Fiennes, harvey Keitel and Tilda Swinton.

Her Man falls in love with computer oS – well, so might you if it were voiced by Scarlett Johansson (again) – in this brilliantly original, oscar-winning sci-fi romance.

12 Years A Slave The Academy voted it best picture but were they right? As powerful as it is beautiful, this real-life tale of US slavery is packed with hard-hitting performances.

looking ahead NoAh

Russell Crowe is the man with the boat and the animals in this hugely anticipated CGI spectacular from the director of Black Swan. out April 4.

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Life television film of the day Big, film4, 7pm A young, skinny Tom Hanks (right) stars in what’s by far the best of the 1980s bodyswap comedies. When 12year-old Josh Baskin is told he’s too short for a funfair ride – extra humiliating since he wanted to get on it to impress an older girl – he instead puts his coin into an old fortune-telling machine and makes a wish to be ‘big’. Next morning, Josh wakes up to find he’s a thirtysomething Tom Hanks. Obviously, going back to school and hanging out with his prepubescent pals is a no-no, so Josh hangs out in a toy shop, where he dances on a walking keyboard and thus earns himself his dream job: being paid to test toys. Would that all job interviews were that easy. Even so, he doesn’t like being a grown-up much and spends the film searching for ways to reverse his big-ness. Hanks was Oscar-nominated for his winningly naturalistic turn, as was the screenplay, which is an absolute delight. Go on, watch it again.

masteRchef iReland RTÉ1, 8.30pm The contest is heating up in tonight’s episode, as with only two places left to fill in the final ten, Nick and Dylan put last night’s chosen four through the final heat. Stephanie (pictured), Nick, Niall and Sonya get the chance to prove themselves as they don aprons and join the lunchtime service at two of Dublin newest eateries, The Marker Hotel and The Hot Stove. Later they return to the kitchen for the final key ingredient challenge. Each contestant has a 50:50 chance of making it through – but who will stay and who will go?

pRimetime: the amBulance seRvice uncoveRed RTÉ1, 9.35pm In this special programme, broadcast straight after the nine o’clock news, the RTÉ Investigations Unit looks at the current crisis situation of Ireland’s National Ambulance Service. A chronic shortage of ambulances in many parts of the country is leading to long delays and, in some cases, fatal outcomes. Following the report the Primetime team of Miriam O’Callaghan (right), David McCullagh and Claire Byrne present in-depth analysis of current affairs and topical reports.

w1a BBC2, 10pm

dead famous dna Channel 4, 9pm

Tonight, Jessica Hynes plays glorious havoc with the future of the BBC as PR consultant Siobhan snares BBC head of values Ian Fletcher (Hugh Bonneville) on a fast train to Manchester. He’s on a damage limitation exercise, but Siobhan is on a cyber trip to hashtag mash-up city in a bid to launch ‘Brand Fletcher’ to the tweeting masses. Back in London, events have set Carol Vorderman on a collision course with Clare Balding. Could get messy.

Bizarre but intriguing, this new three-part sleuthing documentary opens up the gates to a freaky celebrity Jurassic Park. Presenter/vet Mark Evans acts as our guide as we track down the last remains of a handful of legendary figures, including Marilyn Monroe, Napoleon and Charles Darwin, to extract their DNA and pinpoint the physical essence of their being. If they can do that, how long before we see crowds of Marilyns scampering down the sidewalks, skirts billowing in the wind?

my top five films In Fear director Jeremy Lovering in the heat of the night

Just because I think it has got one of the best sorts of bristling male-and-male relationships you can n imagine. The film, starring Sidney Poitier oitier (right), deals with vulnerability brilliantly.

RosemaRy’s BaBy

Roman Polanski’s film is totally believable and yet it’s utterly fantastic and diabolical. And it has that extraordinary balance of being very natural and stylised, and it is generally

very scary. I find anything diabolical the scariest type of scare.

time of the gypsies

The Serbian director Emir Kusturica made this in 1988. I’ve chosen it because I have to say I think it’s bonkers, yet it is also moving and tragic, and then it is also funny as well.

Jason and the aRgonauts

Here’s something from my childhood. I chose this film (starring Todd Armstrong, below with Nancy Kovack) because it was the first one I saw as a kid that made me believe in magic.

the good, the Bad and the ugly

A classic spaghetti western, starring Clint Eastwood (right). This one is in there because of all the extraordinary, epic things you forget are actually happening throughout the film, beyond the actual plot of the hunt for the gold. Anthony Gibson In Fear is out on DVD and Bluray.

60 seconds Parks & Recreation star KATHRyn HAHn, 40, has a lot of films out this year, including Afternoon Delight in which Juno Temple gives her a stripper’s lap dance

You lay yourself bare in the film, as a wife and mother who accidentally up-ends her own seemingly blissful life. Was that scary? All of it was

scary and I felt incredible vulnerable. We had to go to places that I certainly have not gone to on camera, and yes, it was terrifying. But Jill [Soloway, director] made such a safe environment that we felt we were able to go to those places.

Some of your most intimate scenes are with Juno Temple. Was that also scary? Yes but she and I fell so in love so early on and we could never have anticipated it. I hold such a place in my heart for that amazing, gifted woman.

Did you have much experience of strip clubs? Most of

You have a gazillion films about to be released. What’s been the turning point? I

wonder if having children has something to do with it. I think, for me, I got a huge case of the ‘f**kit’s and it put everything in major perspective.

You’re also starring opposite Jason Bateman in Bad Words, in which the pair of you hook up. Did you know each other? We have a couple of

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Puppet cavalry to take centre stage

What things in life make you say bad words? Whenever I get hurt they come out. If I stub my toe, it’s very hard for me to stop myself – forgetting something. There are little triggers and I have to try and rewire my brain as a parent. You just have to.

You worked with Jennifer Aniston and Joanna Lumley in up-coming comedy Squirrel To The Nuts. Are you a fan of theirs? I was obsessed with Ab Fab. I did the US version of the TV pilot, which didn’t get picked up. I think it was just bad timing culturally. And Jennifer Aniston is such a class act. I really have a lot of respect for her.

“

year I volunteered at the library. This year, because my schedule has been all over the place, I feel a little on the outside. It’s awkward when you walk in and feel you’ve missed everything. School is just as much about the parent culture. I felt like I was starting school again when my son started kindergarten.

theatre

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 METRO HERALD

intimate scenes and yes, we were friends beforehand, which made it hilariously awkward. We literally put a bunch of pillows between us for some of those scenes.

them are gross. Years ago, prechildren, my husband and I had gone to the one where we Did you learn anyactually filmed, and we thing from her just giggled the whole time. Then Jill the fame We got lap dances about Soloway took us to game? It’s one and got lap for Juno Temple and remarkable that dances for Juno has been in the me. My woman was she and me. My public eye for so woman was incredibly talky, which long, in such an incredibly talky, intrusive way, but surprised me which surprised me. she still remains Maybe this was the open, loyal and co-dependent in me but I trusting. Amy Poehler also. was definitely taking care of I love the way that she is able to her while she was giving me the live her life. I get a lot of advice lapdance! from her, on being a mum and working in this kind of life. You’re part of a very enter-

taining pack of school mums in the film. Do you run bake sales in real life? No, but last

You also filmed a TV show called Happyish with the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. What will you take from him? I think digging deeper and always trying to raise the bar. He never settled in this work. There really was no one better. It’s awful.

You were spotted at a theatre festival and offered a role on a new TV show, Crossing Jordan. Did that really change your life? Totally. It was such a gift, especially after I’d accrued seven years of student debt.

The future looks bright for you. Are you keeping it real? Let’s say it’s a marathon, not a sprint. You have to put your nose to the work and follow it. The rest is nonsense.

Lesley O’Toole

Afternoon Delight is out on DVD in May.

Matthew Forbes, puppetry director with War Horse, tells Daragh Reddin about the beloved stage show that gallops into Dublin this week War Horse is based on the award-winning novel by Michael Morpurgo and tells the story of a young boy called Albert who, in 1912, gets a horse named Joey as a gift from his dad. During the show we watch the boy and the horse grow up together; but when Joey is then sold to the army to go to fight in France, Albert wants him back so enlists in the army to find him. We go on to follow the journey of boy and horse through the years in the war, but I won’t tell you how it ends... The book is written in the first-person, from the horse’s point of view, which is something we obviously don’t emulate on stage; but we do capture the drama as much as possible from his perspective. I think the story has resonated with people because it’s a tale of peace and of an undying friendship rather than one of warmongering. It doesn’t surprise me it has had such broad appeal. I’ve been involved with War Horse pretty much since it was transferred to the West End almost six years ago; in fact I’ve been with the show now for longer than the First World War actually lasted. It’s been seen by over four million people worldwide and sold out in almost every single city. It’s an epic retelling: 35 actors, 23 puppets and some 250 costumes. Steven Spielberg is an incredible director and it was seeing the show that inspired him to make a film adaptation. He does war films incredibly well but I think the stage version, while epic, has an intimacy you don’t experience with the movie. I trained as an actor before joining War Horse and, having worked as a promoter for the show, I went on to become puppetry director. All the puppets are handmade by a South African company and are exceptionally

well-crafted, incorporating everything from wood to bicycle breaks and levers. All the models, from the horses to the swallows, are actual size, so anyone expecting ‘puppets’ to mean a Punch & Judy show should think again. Our horses are exceptionally well-behaved and, best of all, they don’t make a mess on stage so there’s no unpleasant mucking out. Joey and his pal Topthorn travel in their own special stables and are treated very much like real horses. We have a puppet tech team – a little like puppet vets – who take care of them as they would real horses, to make sure their joints are OK and that their elastics are in top condition. The better the condition of the puppet, the better the performances. War Horse runs until Apr 26, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Grand Canal Square, Docklands D2, from €20. Tel: 0818 719 377. www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

Lincoln House, Lincoln Place, D2 http://dublin.cervantes.es Tel: (01) 631 15 00

18 METRO HERALD Wednesday, March 26, 2014

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The Gallardo replacement looks strangely sensible, 0-100kph 3.2seconds

▲

Koenigsegg One: 1 The insane road-legal supercar produces 1,340bhp, 0-400kpm (yes, 400km) in less than 20seconds ▲

Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Topless Alfa makes us excited for summer, 0-100kph in 4.5seconds

Ford Europe has created a Drink Driving Suit in response to research showing that 56 per cent of young European drivers have either driven while drunk or seen a friend drink and drive. Part of the Ford Driving Skills for Life programme for young drivers, the suit impairs balance, visibility and co-ordination via tunnel-vision glasses, wrist and ankle weights, ear muffs and elbow, neck and knee padding. It makes simple functions such as walking a straight line more difficult and shows how reactions are impaired while doing complex tasks, like driving after drinking. The research was commissioned by Ford Europe and surveyed 5,000 drivers aged 18-24 in the UK, France, Spain, Germany and Italy. Some 32 per cent of those polled said they had accepted a lift from a drink driver. Sixty-six per cent said they did not know the legal alcohol limit for their country. Meanwhile, young Spanish men, at 74 per cent, were the most likely to have gotten behind the wheel after drinking or seen friends do the same, ahead of German men at 65 per cent and French men at 64 per cent. According to the European Union, a quarter of all road deaths in Europe are drink-related and it’s a leading contributor in fatal road accidents involving young drivers. Read the full article on atTheLights.com.

Car of the Year 2014

FIRST LOOK REvIEw Mercedes-Benz GLA The GLA is the latest car in the German manufacturer’s quest to attract younger commuters. Joanne Ahern took it for a spin What is is: Built on the new MercedesBenz A-Class platform, the GLA is Mercedes-Benz’s first compact SUV. It’s aimed at the younger day-to-day urban driver Styling: With a sleek and stylish exterior, the interior of the GLA is modern and minimalist Comfort: The cabin is spacious, legroom is good and the seats are comfortable Boot: A decent size

Transmission: A number of petrol and diesel engines available, we were driving the six-speed manual 2.2-litre 136bhp GLA200 CDI diesel Drivability: Lovely. The steering wheel has a nice solid feel to it. I was driving on urban roads and suburban motorway and it was smooth on both with an easy glide through the gears.

Technology: With younger drivers in mind, it’s not surprising that connected technology is much in evidence, with access to Twitter, Facebook, internet radio and Siri voice control. There are also a lot of driver aids available, including drowsiness detection and a collision prevention system with adaptive brake function, which are standard. Blind spot monitor, high beam control, lane departure warning and park assist are optional. Price: From €35,800 Visit atTheLights.com to read the full First Look review from the Irish launch.

The Peugeot 308 has been named the Car of the Year 2014. The award was voted upon by 58 journalists from 22 European countries. Thirty new models from European, American, Japanese and Korean car makers released in Europe in 2013 were eligible for the 2014 award. The shortlist (in rank order) comprised the 308, the electric BMW i3, the electric Tesla Model S, the Citroën C4 Picasso (Irish Car of the Year 2014), the Mazda3, the Skoda Octavia and the MercedesBenz S-Class. The new Peugeot 308 is available now, with prices starting from €18,990.

body matters

The Paleo Diet Go prehistoric and only eat what’s hunted or found – so meat, fish, nuts, leafy greens and seeds. No pasta, cereal or sweets. It’s a meatheavy diet – and if cavemen didn’t eat it, neither should you. ‘This is the latest buzz diet among fitness professionals and of all the current trends, it has the most strengths,’ says Parker. ‘It urges you to fill up on protein, fruits and veg, nuts and oil. Eating protein helps curb your appetite but some options are too high in fat. I advocate the same foods but with carefully calibrated portions and measures of fat.’

The Baby Food Diet This is devised by celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson. Cut calories and portion sizes by replacing two meals a day with jars of baby food. Rather than weight loss, the idea is to keep off what you’ve already lost. ‘Portion control is essential in all weightloss plans but while followers of this fad will drop some temporary weight, it’s likely it won’t be pure fat,’ says Parker. ‘The “weird factor” is just too high for it to create lasting change and sound habits that last a lifetime.’

The Honey Diet ‘A spoonful of honey helps your dress size go down’ isn’t quite Mary Poppins’ mantra but nutritionist Mike McInnes says honey

features@metroherald.ie to advertise, call 01 7055010

Friend or fad?

The French Woman Diet Mirieille Guiliano, author of French Women Don’t Get Fat, recommends quality over quantity – even if it’s cheese, wine and chocolate – in small portions. ‘The science is a little slim but the mindset will help you,’ says Parker. ‘The book advocates eating where nothing is off-limits but portions are small. I too urge clients to eat delicate portions of celebratory food but only once they’ve achieved results. Eating indulgent foods in moderation allows you the freedom to enjoy food – essential to long-term success.’

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 METRO HERALD

Weight-loss and lifestyle expert Louise Parker helps James Day dissect the fad diets making headlines in 2014 before bed curbs sugar cravings and burns fat. ‘I only hope this buzz diet fizzles out fast,’ says Parker. ‘It’s a low-carb and sugar diet that recommends good doses of honey… which is a sugar. That’s like saying eat low carbs but have two glasses of wine every evening. ‘High GI foods such as honey stimulate appetite and take you out of your fat-burning zone. This diet is confusing, illogical and won’t work even in the short term.’

Five-Bite Diet Don’t count calories, count bites, says fivebite creator Dr Alwin Lewis. Skip brekkie, take five bites at lunch and five at dinner. You can

drink but liquids must be calorie-free. ‘Skipping breakfast is a sure way to gain a dress size,’ says Parker. ‘Clearly, if you only eat ten bites of food per day, you’ll drop weight. However, it won’t target stubborn fat reserves but instead eat away at metabolism-boosting muscle tissue. No attention is paid to nutrition. This diet has “fad” written all over it.’ For more on Louise Parker’s body transformation plans, visit www. Results where achieved in a one day procedure with our top DHI surgeons louiseparker. uk.com

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puzzles

METROSCOPE

by Patrick Arundell

NEMI by Lise

Aries Mar 21 – Apr 20

Some information can come to light today which can help you to look at your roots, and the foundations of your world, in a different kind of way. It’s possible that you have inherited more gifts from your antecedents that you realise. For your forecast, call 15609 114 70

Taurus Apr 21 – May 21

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

scorpio Oct 24 – Nov 22

Gemini May 22 – Jun 21

sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 21

For your forecast, call 15609 114 71

Not everything has been clear in your worldly interactions of late and part of this may have come from being unsure of what you wanted. Fortunately, there is a wonderful opportunity to be bold and you could enjoy a stroke of luck.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 72

The leadership side of your nature is coming to the fore. Perhaps other people are going to push you, to flag up your qualities. This could be within the family, within a relationship, or at work. For your forecast, call 15609 114 73

Leo Jul 24 – Aug 23

A lot of people feel you are the most confident member of the Zodiac. But, if you do at times lack confidence, something you learn this week about how people see you can be a major boost to your morale. For your forecast, call 15609 114 74

Virgo Aug 24 – Sep 23

If you’ve tried anything speculative this month, it may have come off marvellously well, or you could feel that you were too optimistic. Fortunately, there’s a greater chance of you reaching out to others with what you want to do.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 75

Libra Sep 24 – Oct 23

DOWN 2 Looking at (5) 3 Nominal (7) 4 Illusory (6) 5 Pamphlet (5) 6 Profane (7) 7 Road (11) 8 Abstainer (11) 14 Zeus (7) 16 Clique (7) 17 Annul (6) 19 Cherish (5) 21 Parts (5)

Yesterday’s Solutions Across: 1 Gracious; 5 Flag; 9 Anon; 10 Disclose; 11 Bower; 12 Turnout; 13 Inadvertently; 18 Spacious; 19 Gone; 20 Augment; 21 Debar; 22 Tome; 23 Addition. Down: 2 Run-down; 3 Contend; 4 Uninterrupted; 6 Lookout; 7 Greatly; 8 Scarce; 13 Instant; 14 Amalgam; 15 Veiled; 16 Neglect; 17 Long ago.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 77

You may not be in the process of turning yourself into a property tycoon, yet anything to do with bricks and mortar can be surprisingly fortunate. If this is not obvious, this may relate to possessions you have that are worth more than you thought. For your forecast, call 15609 114 78

Capricorn Dec 22 – Jan 20

When you really get to know people, you can have the best sense of fun. With the Sun in a more cautious location, the surprise is that you can really connect well with someone today. For your forecast, call 15609 114 79

Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19

There’s an old northern English expression, which goes like this: ‘Where there’s muck, there’s brass.’ Bear this in mind today, as your ideas can often be inventive. But a drop of fortune can fall for you through hard work. For your forecast, call 15609 114 80

Pisces Feb 20 – Mar 20

The Moon has sidled into an area which can bring out the most thoughtful instincts in your nature. It could also make you feel more vulnerable. Yet, there is one planetary aspect that can help you project the more positive side of today’s possibilities. 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

ACROSS 1 Destroying (11) 9 Airman (7) 10 Unaccompanied (5) 11 Kingly (5) 12 Draw (7) 13 Renounce (6) 15 Result (6) 18 Erase (7) 20 Unfeeling (5) 22 Change (5) 23 Building (7) 24 Discipline (11)

Anything to do with learning is boosted. To really make the most of this potential, you need to be well organised. If you go into anything in a bit of a slapdash way, there’s a greater chance of not succeeding.

ENIGMA Leather posh designers use For coats and trousers, boots and shoes. French for Swedish: once the Swedes Fulfilled rich people’s gloving needs. WHO AM I? An actor, I was born in Dublin, in 1976. My father and uncle played football for Shamrock Rovers. My films include

Phone Booth and SWAT. WHO, WHAT, WHERE & WHEN? WHO… wrote the classic jazz number Round Midnight? WHAT... type of animal is a capuchin? WHERE... was novelist Nadine Gordimer born? WHEN... was the Suez Crisis?

QUIZ ANSWERS: ENIGMA: Suede. WHO AM I? Colin Farrell. WHO, WHAT, WHERE & WHEN? Thelonious Monk; A monkey; South Africa; 1956.

QUICK CROsswORd

If you connect with friends, it could be just the pep you need. This could

Crossword No. 941 See next edition for solutions

For your forecast, call 15609 114 76

On one hand, the Sun is asking you to take stock of the events of the past 12 months, while on the other, a more outgoing planetary influence urges you to connect. This could see you getting in touch with people you use to work with.

Cancer Jun 22 – Jul 23

PEARLs BEFORE swINE

also be a good day, specifically for one-toone relationships. This may not just be in a personal context, for someone quite influential can be gaining respect for your approach.

SCRIBBLE BOX

20 METRO HERALD Wednesday, March 26, 2014

gaa nfl

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 METRO HERALD

brogan not ready to rush back into action by pAuL kEAnE

Bernard Brogan has been ultra-cautious with his recovery from a hip injury for fear of missing a massive chunk of action like big brother alan. Bernard underwent surgery last december for the same complex condition that kept alan out of action for the entire 2013 season. Bernard, who turns 30 next week, was given a 12-week recovery schedule but added on another four himself to make sure he didn’t aggravate it. He kicked a ball last week for the first time since scoring 2-3 in September’s all-Ireland final win over Mayo. He was due for a rigorous fitness test last night to assess his current status and there is an outside chance he could feature in Saturday’s allianz League clash with Mayo. But it’s more likely the ex-Footballer of the Year will be held in reserve until round 7 or even the knock-out stages as he seeks to avoid the pitfalls that caught alan out. ‘It might be a case of playing some football

Nicely putt: Bernard Brogan took time out from training to attend the launch of AIG Ireland’s partnership with the Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) and Irish Ladies Golf Union (ILGU) with Shane Lowry at Carton House. The partnership will see the international insurance organisation continue its support of amateur golf throughout the country, marking the extension of their 16-year association witht he GUI and strengthening links with the ILGU

‘I want to make sure it’s right I have given it more time’ with the club this weekend and playing with dublin the next weekend,’ said Brogan. ‘I’m mad to get back, I’m dying to get back out there. ‘But looking at alan last year, I was a bit worried about it in terms of not rushing myself. His injury dragged on for eight months after the operation so I was very wary about it. ‘I wanted to make sure it was right. He came back a early. I didn’t want to make the same mistake so I have given it probably more than needed.’ Brogan gave an insight into the amount of work he is prepared to put into his game. Speaking about the cruciate knee ligament injury suffered by Ciaran Kilkenny, he said his own cruciate setback made him into the player he is. ‘I was a scrawny little 19-year old when I did my cruciate,’ he added. ‘I worked on my strength and my power and I came back a different person to the one that had been injured.’ He added: ‘I definitely think that it did help me, both physically and mentally. I wasn’t naturally gifted. I wasn’t a Cormac Costello or a Ciaran Kilkenny. It was all down to hard work and never skill.’

Picture: SPortSfile

o’Brien itching to return after shoulder injury

sean o’brien says he can’t wait to get back into action. The Leinster back row suffered a shoulder injury while on club duty in December, but is determined to prove his fitness as he bids to keep his return from injury ahead of schedule. at first ruled out for the remainder of the season and having missed the entire triumphant six nations competition, the 27-year-old says he is now hoping to be back training within a fortnight. ‘it’s going very well. i’m back ahead of schedule and i’m just looking forward to starting my

rugby O’Brien: Can’t wait to fight for his place again pre-season in two weeks’ time,’ he said. ‘That’ll be tough work for six or eight weeks, but it’s something i’m looking forward to.

‘i’m just looking forward to getting fit again and getting cracking into the year when i do get going. ‘We are after taking a step forward and we’re playing a good brand of rugby. There’s exciting times ahead i think.’ o’brien is now also tasked with the tough challenge of regaining his no. 7 shirt for ireland after Chris Henry impressed in the six nations. ‘There is massive competition there in the back-row now and Chris had a great tournament. ‘i’ll have to fight for my place and i look forward to that.’

Leinster trained in UCD yesterday as preparations continue ahead of saturday’s game against Munster. Coach Matt o’Connor once again reported no immediate injury concerns ahead of the visit of the Munstermen, with sean Cronin taking a full part in training having shipped a knock in the victory over France a fortnight ago. Jack McGrath continues to be monitored as he recovers from a shoulder injury while Luke Fitzgerald has reported no ill effects from his comeback last week against Zebre.

spORT DigEsT Nadal stroms into last 16 in Miami TEnnis Rafael

Nadal cruised into the last-16 of the Sony Open as he conceded just one game in his 6-1 6-0 crushing of Denis Istomin. The world number one, who suffered a shock early exit in his defence of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells two weeks ago, laid down an impressive marker as he bids to win a maiden Miami title. Nadal (pictured), who has been runner-up in this tournament on three occasions, will next face Fabio Fognini after the Italian overcome Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 4-6 6-3 6-3. In the women’s action, Maria Sharapova reached the quarterfinals as she recovered from a set down to beat Kirsten Flipkens 3-6 6-4 6-1.

Renault’s engine problems ‘fixed’ f1 Most of the engine problems suffered by Renault-powered cars at the season-opener in Australia have been resolved, the manufacturer has said ahead of this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix. Renault supply world champions Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Lotus and Caterham with the new V6 turbocharged power units. Track operations head Remi Taffin said the manufacturer was optimistic. ‘We had issues in Melbourne but we have recreated the problems and most are fixed and the remaining (ones) will be under control by Friday,’ he said.

Scot Cross signs deal with Exiles Rugby Scotland

prop Geoff Cross has signed for London Irish on a two-year deal. The 31-year-old tighthead (pictured), who has 28 caps, joins from Edinburgh where he made 130 appearances and scored six tries. London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith said on his club’s official website: ‘It is great to have a player of Geoff’s talent and experience joining our squad next season.’ Cross, a qualified doctor, added: ‘Moving down to London Irish is a fantastic opportunity for me. Having met with Brian, discussed the vision of the club and seen the new training facility it was clear to see the intent the club has moving forward.’

Ding in early exit snOOkER Ding Junhui surrendered

his title on the opening day of the Wyldecrest Parks Players Championship Grand Final as he suffered a shock defeat to Ben Woollaston. Chinese world number three Ding, a four-time ranking title winner this season, looked to be in control of the best-of-seven first-round match when he took the opening three frames, but lost his way and went down 4-3 to 28th-ranked Woollaston, who now faces John Higgins.

22 METRO HERALD Wednesday, March 26, 2014

football

ODDbALLs

It’s heaven a side for Luk-y kids So, imagine the scene: you’re just having a kickabout with a few mates in your local playground when suddenly a Premier League footballer rocks up and asks to join in. That’s exactly what happened to a bunch of kids when Arsenal’s Lukas Podolski popped up at their London park – the day after playing against Chelsea. The 28-year-old, clearly keen to get back to basics after the traumatic 6-0 Stamford Bridge defeat, posted a picture of him and his new pals on Instagram. ‘The weather was beautiful on Sunday and I wanted to kick a ball about,’ he explained. ‘The field is near my home in London. I sometimes go there with my son as it reminds me of my childhood.’

Low point: Arsenal team-mates Wojciech Szczesny, left, and Mathieu Flamini look dejected after the Frenchman’s own goal

PREMIER LEAGuE ArSenAl..............................2 SWAnSeA.............................2 by RIcHARD HOOkHAM

Park life: Podolski

Puppy love’s just da bomb An AMericAn sniffer dog faces a rap on the paws after neglecting his duties. The unnamed pooch entered the locker room at the Sleep Train Arena ahead of the Sacramento Kings’ nBA game with the Milwaukee Bucks on the hunt for explosives. However, he forgot all about bomb-hunting duties as he cosied up with the Kings’ cheerleaders. The mutt was soon rolling around the floor as the ladies indulged the canine crime fighter with a little pooch petting – not to be sniffed at.

ARSENAL were hit by a late sucker punch as Mathieu Flamini’s injurytime own goal saw them held to a frustrating draw at the Emirates. The Gunners looked to be heading for a crucial win after fighting back from a goal down thanks to goals from Lukas Podolski and Olivier Gir-

11 Points out of 24 for the Gunners after their draw with Swansea last night

oud in the space of a minute to keep alive their slim title hopes. But a disastrous comedy of errors saw Wojciech Szczesny’s attempted clearance from a scramble ricochet in-off Frenchman Flamini to hand Swansea a precious point in their own bid to avoid the drop. Boss Arsene Wenger had challenged Arsenal to bounce back from the ‘accident’ of being thrashed 6-0 by Chel-

picture: AMA

Flamini hell as Gunners’ dream goes up in smoke premierleaguetable P W D chelsea 31 21 6 Man city 29 21 3 liverpool 30 20 5 Arsenal 31 19 6 everton 30 16 9 Spurs 31 17 5 Man Utd 31 15 6 newcastle 31 14 4 Southampton 31 12 9 Stoke 31 9 10

L 4 5 5 6 5 9 10 15 10 12

F 62 79 82 55 46 40 48 38 45 36

A 23 27 38 36 30 40 37 43 40 45

Pts 69 66 65 63 57 56 51 46 45 37

Aston villa 30 Hull 30 norwich 31 West Ham 30 Swansea 31 West Brom 30 crystal Palace 30 Sunderland 28 cardiff 31 Fulham 31

9 9 8 8 7 5 8 6 6 7

7 6 8 7 9 13 4 7 7 3

14 15 15 15 15 12 18 15 18 21

33 32 26 32 42 33 19 26 26 30

42 37 48 40 48 45 39 44 58 70

34 33 32 31 30 28 28 25 25 24

sea in his 1,000th match in charge at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. But they made another shocking start when Wilfried Bony put the Swans ahead by heading home Neil Taylor’s cross on 11 minutes. The hosts finally responded to being booed off at the break when substitute Podolski volleyed home on 73 minutes before setting up Giroud to slot home a certain winner. But boyhood Tottenham fan Garry Monk saw his Swansea side refuse to give in as Flamini’s mishap ensured a share of the spoils.

Barkley ensures it’s no home banker neWcASTle ................0 everTon ..................... 3 Ross BaRkley again proved his class with a brilliant solo goal as everton kept their european hopes alive. The

england World Cup hopeful’s second goal in two games was a cracker. He dribbled from his own half into the home box – inexplicably unchallenged – and gleefully fired past Tim krul after 22 minutes. Romelu lukaku (left)

effectively wrapped things up for fifth-placed everton in the 52nd minute, netting after Gerard Deulofeu picked out his run. Vurnon anita missed a sitter for the hosts before leon osman finished a lovely move to make it 3-0.

Silent treatment: Barkley, left, leads the celebrations after his solo effort

football

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 METRO HERALD 23

united are left trailing by Dzeko’s fast show City waste no time showing who’s boss

on the double: Edin Dzeko scored twice for City, his forst coming in the opening minute at old trafford

pREMiER LEAguE MAnCHESTER uTD ..................................0 MAnCHESTER CiTy .................................. 3 by nick METcALfE A GOAL after just 43 seconds sent Manchester City on their way to a thoroughly deserved derby win against the ailing champions, giving their title hopes a major boost. Edin Dzeko scored twice at Old Trafford as City moved just three points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea, with two games in hand. The visitors had a dream start, scoring inside a minute to make a mockery of pre-match United optimism from their boss David Moyes. United’s defending was terrible as Fernandinho passed to Samir Nasri inside the home penalty area.

38 Seconds is still the time of the earliest goal scored in a manchester derby, by utd great George Best at old trafford in 1968

Nasri fired a shot against a post, and Dzeko turned the ball into the empty net. City should have gone further ahead, but David Silva shot weakly when clean through on goal. United did slowly improve as the half wore on, and Juan Mata fired a decent chance over the crossbar, while Marouane Fellaini aimed an elbow at City’s Pablo Zabaleta, which earned him a booking, but could have been worse for the United midfielder. Moyes made a change at the break, with Shinji Kagawa replacing Tom Cleverley, but it was City who remained dominant and went 2-0 ahead when Dzeko delightfully guided the ball into the net at the near post from a Nasri corner. Toure fired home a third in the final minute, with United looking devoid of ideas and inspiration. Bayern Munich must be licking their lips.

painful: Fellaini (left picture) receives a yellow card, which could easily have been red, for an elbow which floored Zabaleta

fOOTbALL DigEsT Mayor admits city not ready THE mayor of Porto Alegre in Brazil has revealed his city may be forced to pull out of hosting matches at the World Cup over a lack of temporary structures at its stadium. Jose Fortunati admitted the Estadio Beira-Rio is not yet ready to host matches this summer, and has demanded a bill that will exempt companies investing in the structures from paying tax. ‘We have no plan B,’ he said. The only alternative is this.’

THEy sAiD iT ‘I would condemn any possible attempt to derail the investigation and I want the process to continue to the very end.’ Uefa president Michel Platini (pictured) insists Fifa’s ethics investigator Michael Garcia’s probe into the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups must be allowed to reach its conclusion

Becks tackles opponents DAViD BECKHAM says he wants to win round opponents of his plans to build a stadium for his new Miami team in the port of the Florida city. Cruise operators have raised concerns about traffic problems if the 25,000seater stadium for the MLS franchise receives the go-ahead. Former Manchester united and England star Beckham (pictured) said of the opposition: ‘i want to change their minds. i don’t want to be an enemy to the people that are opposed to the stadium. i want to work with them.’

Rogers is handed leading role with Saints full-time Southampton have appointed Gareth Rogers as chief executive officer on a full-time basis. Rogers (pictured) has held the position on an interim level for the past two months. Saints Chairman Ralph Krueger is confident Rogers is the right man to help take the Saints forward. ‘Gareth has done an excellent job leading our operation through a challenging and transitional period,’ said Krueger. ‘his appointment is another important step forward for our leadership team as we continue to grow this great club.’

24 METRO HERALD Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Sean O’Brien itching to prove fitness before Leinster return

«see page 21

wE’LL bE READy fOR THE RELEgATiOn pLAy-Off wHETHER iT’s HOME OR AwAy, sAys Dub bOLAnD JOEY Boland claims it’s a ‘level playing field’ for Dublin heading into their Allianz Hurling League relegation play-off with Waterford – despite the significance of home advantage, writes Paul Keane. Waterford won a coin toss to play the Division 1A relegation final at their Walsh Park base after finishing in the bottom two alongside Dublin. It’s a major bonus to them because 13 of the 15 games played in the top flight were won by the hosts with one draw and just a single win for the visitors. Midfielder Boland reckons it’s different for Dublin though because this will be their second time playing at Walsh Park in a matter of weeks. ‘A lot of people are saying that home advantage is a three-point margin these

Club supporter: Dublin hurler Joey Boland practising his swing at the launch of AIG Ireland’s partnership with the Golfing Union of Ireland and Irish Ladies Golf Union ensuring its continuing support of amateur golf

days, especially in the league,’ said Boland. ‘But we’ve got the advantage of having played there already, two or three weeks ago. ‘So I think it’s a level playing field,’ he added. Likewise, Boland insists that Dublin can cope with whatever conditions come their way. ‘There wasn’t much hurling done the last day we played, some described it as a bit like a rugby match,’ continued Boland. ‘We’re actually quite good at that because we play in Parnell Park and it’s a bog half the time. If it’s a game in Croke Park in the wide open spaces, we’ve the legs for that and if it’s in a bog, we’ve got the bodies and the strength for that. Whatever turns up, we’ll be ready for it.’

« brogan patient – p21

united Dzek’d

Moyes left feeling Blue as Dzeko brace piles pressure on United by pADRAic MORgAn EDIN Dzeko believes Manchester City’s resounding derby victory over Manchester United will prove ‘crucial’ to the outcome of their Barclays Premier League title bid. The Bosnian striker scored after only 45 seconds at Old Trafford and again in the second half before Yaya Toure rubber-stamped the three points and ensured another chastening night for David Moyes’ troubled United. City are now only three points behind leaders Chelsea and have two

games in hand, but Dzeko believes the Blues, Liverpool and Arsenal will still provide serious competition over the run-in. He said: ‘This game was very important for us. Now we are only three points behind and still two games less. ‘There are four teams that want to win the title and everyone’s got a chance. There are still eight or so games so everything’s to play for.’

«Match report – page 23

Winning by a head: Dzeko and Carrick compete for the ball in the derby match that saw City take giant strides towards the title