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Anyone see this lad Diarmuid Corr the other night. From Derrylaughin. Wondering wat people thot of it. Go easy on him now!! was the first show and Monty Pythons got hammered at the start. IMO characters have potential but big time I think he needs funnier material.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obeyPkLa7QM

[Early release for killer grandson]

OK dudes... reaction to this one...   



Early release for killer grandson

The Omagh teenager whose 12-month jail sentence for the killing of his elderly grandfather has sparked controversy is set to be released within a month.
Eamonn Coyle was just 16 when he stabbed and strangled 78-year-old Francis O'Neill at his home in April last year for £80 to pay his rent.
Now 18, he was sentenced on Monday to a year's detention for his grandfather's manslaughter and a further two years on licence.

But Coyle, who has served time on remand since the killing, will be freed by the end of the month.
"It appears to me Eamon Coyle was sentenced for the robbery of £80. The manslaughter element seems to have been brushed aside," Chairman of the Stormont Justice Committee, Maurice Morrow, said.

The teenager's identity would have remained unknown because of his youth, but Omagh Crown Court judge Mr Justice McLaughlin - sitting in Craigavon - lifted reporting restrictions as he felt the details were necessary to allow the public to better understand the outcome of the case.
The judge said, while he was certain Coyle never intended to kill his granddad or even to seriously harm him, he had gone to his Brook Valley home "for the motive of theft or robbery".
He also stated that Eamonn Coyle "is the person directly responsible for the death of his grandfather", but accepted the teen posed no future risk to the public.

Morrow has called for further explanation from the courts of the leniency of the sentence, amid a public outcry.
"I cannot understand how and why this decision was arrived at. It sends out the wrong message to the law abiding public," he said.
"I am shocked and stunned, as I think a lot of people are."

The Public Prosecution Service is to consider the case, which could be forwarded to the Court of Appeal if it is considered to be "unduly lenient".

What happened? Three months ago I was crossing the Longfield Road, near Desertmartin, when I seen a HUGE Target Express lorry thundering towards me. I don't remember much else. What happened?

Has anyone ever seen a goalkeeper go up the field and score in a Gaelic football game at club or county level? I mean score from play... not a penalty. If corner backs do it these days...

[Bradley quits Derry]

Paddy throws the dummy out of the pram 

Bradley quits Derry

Derry's preparations for today's All-Ireland football qualifier against Carlow have been thrown into disarray after star forward Paddy Bradley sensationally quit the squad.
It's understood that the former All-Star, who recently stated that he would retire from inter-county football at the end of this season, will not travel with Damian Cassidy's squad to Dr Cullen Park after being told at training on Thursday night that he would not be starting against Luke Dempsey's side.
When contacted yesterday, the Glenullin clubman refused to comment on the matter.
The news comes 12 months after the prolific scorer left the Derry panel before the county's qualifier with Monaghan. On that occasion, Bradley cited personal reasons for his decision which came a week before the game in Clones. He subsequently changed his mind, however, returning to score 2-8 against the Farneymen.
Bradley is the Ulster championship's all-time record scorer and has been one of the country's top marksmen since he joined the Derry panel in 2000, racking up a mind-boggling 17-193 in that time.
It's believed that Bradley's decision will not affect the participation of his brother, Eoin, who will remain as part of the team and travel to Carlow.

Surprised that Walcott has been left out of the England squad with his pace. Jees! the Fox has started a soccer thread... eek! 

['They are like the sewers]

Unbelievably distasteful outburst from Paddy Heaney in Irish News. Obviously taking the defeat to Armagh very badly.
His column on referees includes;

"A wise man once told me everything I ever needed to know about referees: 'They are like the sewers,' he said. 'Unpleasant but necessary."... and on it goes, "It has become de rigeur to couch any criticism of referees with constant references to the 'difficult job they have' and the 'important role they play in the game.' People should cease this practice immediately. The notion that referees might somehow withdraw their services is utterly ridiculous. Where else can they claim centre stage in an stadium packed with 80,000 supporters? What other outlet would allow them to dominate the agenda of a popular television programme? Those who don't think that referees enjoy the limelight, whether it is criticism or praise, just don't understand the perversity of a referee's brain.
Like politicians, a question mark should immediately be placed over the head of any individual who wants to blow a whistle. The very desire to become  a gaelic football referee points to a serious flaw in an individual's psychological composition. Sheer logic dictates that there must be a fundamental maladjustment in anyone who wants to referee a game that has no clearly defined tackle. It is an unhealthy craving for attention and a pathetic need to exert control which drives them into unsuspecting football grounds. ..."    and on it goes...

After hammering a few individual named refs.. he concludes,
"Referees don't deserve any sympathy. They are proving themselves to be a liability and a solution must be sought. I would go for the neuclear option and put them in a room with Naill Cahalane ( He earlier alludes to Cahalane being tough). The man who silences Pat Spillane might knock some sense into them."

It is fair to say none of this is taken out of context with the article. While he makes good points about the fouls called and not called at the weekend, if ever there was an incitement to verbally abuse (or worse) a referee this is it. Also doesn't explain the motive of hundreds of refs who do club matches every week at junior, underage and every other level. Any potential referee would think twice about taking up the young whistlers courses after reading this cowardly dirge.
Shocking article.

[So I don't see what the problem should be."]

Paraic whistles while Rome burns... "I don't see what the problem should be," he says.'

Duffy denies short notice on handpass rule


GAA director-general Paraic Duffy has claimed that a panel of referees visited teams involved in championship games over the weekend to clarify any issues relating to the handpass rule.

Tipperary football manager John Evans described GAA officialdom as "intelligent fools" after the new handpass rule was implemented for the first time in yesterday's games, while his Kerry counterpart Jack O'Connor also hit out at the new directive.

But speaking at the launch of Ulster Bank's GAA Rivals campaign in Croke Park today, Duffy clarified that the changes to the rules - which came about at Congress in April - were communicated to every county board and club in the country, while broadcast media covering the weekend's games also had the rule explained to them by National Match Officials Coordinator Patrick Doherty.

"The rule was changed at Congress four weeks ago. Every county, every club in the country were written to directly. Leading officials were written too," Duffy said.

"Last week we sent six of our elite inter-county referees to meet the six teams who were playing yesterday. The rule is as simple as can be, you can strike the ball with the closed fist, or you strike the ball with the underhand, provided there is a striking action.

"We sent six referees to the six teams last week, to answer any queries that they had. I can't see why there should have been a problem yesterday," he added.

"We also met last week. Pat Doherty, our National Match officials manager went down to RTÉ and met with all of the commentators, broadcasters and analysts to explain the rule. Every query they had was answered, from those who were there. So I don't see what the problem should be."

With the total overkill in TV coverage, the World Cup, exhorbatant prices  and the real championship  business not starting to late July, the Fox predicts a big decrease in crowds this summer. Any thoughts?

Wondering what youse think of this programme. I love it and only one on TV makes me really laugh. Tonight Jo Brand who was compere (or watever) said about the shock Peter Robinson got when he lost his seat, though 'nothing to the shock he got when he came home and found a 19-year-old shagging his wife.' Made me laugh anyway (I know it was scripted for her)...great programme imo.

Word is there is a scandal about to break regarding Steven Gerard at the weekend... anyone else hear that?

[The GMC was told of another incident in August 2006, when Dr Al Hourani had consulted a colleague and was advised to inject a patient with 10 milligrams (mg) of midazolam, a powerful sedative drug.He then gave the patient 8mg and injected himself with the other 2mg,]

Surgeon cut off testicle 'by mistake' at Bury hospital
A patient lost a testicle during an operation because the surgeon cut it off by mistake, a General Medical Council (GMC) hearing has been told.
Dr Sulieman Al Hourani was only supposed to cut out a cyst, but removed the whole right testicle instead.
He is accused of misconduct and also of stealing medication.

It is alleged the doctor, who is now practising in Jordan and was not present at the hearing, also injected himself with a drug meant for a patient.
Sarah Prichard, counsel for the GMC, said the mistake was made as a nurse helping the surgeon turned her back to get a stitch.
When she turned around the testicle had been removed.
Doctor dismissed
Ms Prichard said: "Literally as the nurse turned away to get a transfixion stitch, the incident occurred and the testicle was removed.

The GMC was told of another incident in August 2006, when Dr Al Hourani had consulted a colleague and was advised to inject a patient with 10 milligrams (mg) of midazolam, a powerful sedative drug.
He then gave the patient 8mg and injected himself with the other 2mg, the hearing was told.
The case against Dr Al Hourani is being heard in his absence as he was notified of the hearing but chose not to "engage" with the GMC or appoint lawyers to represent him.
The case, scheduled to last three weeks, was adjourned until Tuesday.

[Cork conjoined twins undergoing surgery]

I think we can all agree on this one.
Please God these wee babies will pull through okay.

Cork conjoined twins undergoing surgery

Conjoined twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf from Cork are undergoing surgery to separate them at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London.
Hassan and Hussein are now four months old and doctors who have been closely monitoring their progress have determined this to be the optimum time to perform the marathon separation.
The surgery, which is scheduled to last more than 20 hours, began this morning.

It is being led by Consultant Neonatal and Paediatric Surgeon Edward Kiely.
Dr Kiely has been managing cases of conjoined twins at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London since the 1980s.

Dr Kiely has declined to comment on the operation, but he has said that in cases like this where doctors have the opportunity to plan the surgery and the twins are stable, the chances of both surviving are high.
The twins and their parents, Azzedine and Angie, have been in London preparing for the surgery for the past two-and-a-half weeks.
The family have appealed for people to remember them in their thoughts and prayers today.

[Hooked on the Jab']

I see Barney Eastwood has launched his autobiography.. 'Hooked on the Jab'
he would have some story to tell.
Looks like Barry McGuigan didn't make the launch...

Boxers say thank you very much, Mr Eastwood

Boxers from many different generations united yesterday to pay a warm tribute to boxing legend Barney Eastwood.
The occasion in the plush surrounds of the Europa Hotel was the launch of the BJ Eastwood Story by Denis O'Hara.
There was also a strong GAA flavour with Eastwood's lifelong friends John Joe O'Hagan and Patsy Forbes at the top table with Frank and Brian McGuigan and Owen Mulligan close by. Eastwood was on Tyrone All Irealnd minor winning team of 1947.
Current European champions Brian Magee and Paul McCloskey represented the current generation of Irish boxing while a special ovation was reserved for two revered old timers, Peter Sharpe and Henry Turkington.
And there among the not-so-old timers were Dave Boy McAuley, Hugh Russell and Roy Webb with no tell-tale signs of years spent in the hardest and cruellest sport of all.
Eastwood, looking totally relaxed among friends, talked at length of his time in the sport — good and bad times alike — and at his joy at how boxing, during the many years of the Troubles, was a great unifying force.
And he also revealed what attracted him to boxing in the first place when he was still a young boy growing up in Cookstown.
"The American Army was stationed in Cookstown in the 40s," he said.
"I was only a child at the time and I used to run messages for them.
"They always had their own boxing tournaments and they would always organise a special one for the schoolchildren and that was my first involvement.
"I always had a love for boxing and had there been a proper gym in Cookstown at the time I would have combined the boxing and the football."

Where did she go? I remember she got into  a bit of  a row with  a few posters on the board a couple of weeks ago and no word of her since. Anyone who knows her, tell her I send my love and a bang on the ear...     

[The Irish Catholic primate, Cardinal Sean Brady, has said he was at meetings when two alleged victims of Fr Brendan Smyth signed an oath of silence.]

I know there are other threads on this but I think our esteemed spiritual    leader deserves his own one. As he has obviously not come forward about this right throughout the last 10 or more years of these revelations, should he be  before the court for concealing a crime or whatever the charge is... child rape, molestation, assaults... that sort of thing... 
Ironic/disgusting that  he will spend the next few months going around the parishes giving children their First Communion with this doubt hanging over him...
     
The Irish Catholic primate, Cardinal Sean Brady, has said he was at meetings when two alleged victims of Fr Brendan Smyth signed an oath of silence.

The complaints of abuse by the two teenagers were investigated by Cardinal Brady in his capacity as secretary to the Bishop of Kilmore in 1975.
Cardinal Brady said he had been following his bishop's orders and there were no guidelines for dealing with such investigations at that time.
Fr Smyth was a notorious child abuser.
He is believed to have abused at least 20 children over a 40 year period and was convicted of more than 90 offences.

A campaigner for victims of clerical child abuse in Ireland, Colm O'Gorman, said Cardinal Brady should resign following the admission that he had represented the church at the meetings.

A statement from Cardinal Brady's office said he had believed the complaints he received and had provided the information he received to his then bishop, Dr Francis McKiernan.
"In 1975, Fr Sean Brady, as he then was, was the part-time secretary to the then Bishop of Kilmore, the late Bishop Francis McKiernan," the statement said.
"At the direction of Bishop McKiernan, Fr Brady attended two meetings: in the Dundalk meeting Fr Brady acted as recording secretary for the process involved and in the Ballyjamesduff meeting he asked the questions and recorded the answers given.
"At those meetings the complainants signed undertakings, on oath, to respect the confidentiality of the information gathering process. As instructed, and as a matter of urgency, Fr Brady passed both reports to Bishop McKiernan for his immediate action."

Brian O'Driscoll must be the greatest sports man Ireland has ever produced. His courage and workrate is unbelievable and his incredible skill. I read last week he is the fifth highest scorer in Irish rugby history and does even take penalties or conversions. That is remarkable. He dragged Ireland over the wining line for that Grand Slam too.
For me he is legend.
While I have been accused of thinking the players in the past were the best-Pele etc...  defenently can't think of anyone with his all round contribution to Ireland in any sport...
Happy 100th cap.... hope he is around for another while yet.

[Robert Hamill inquiry urges PPS to review decision]

Hopefully now the Hamill family can get at least some bit of justice as the killers have long walked free with the help of the police.
Reminds me of what Gerry Conlon of the Guildford 4 once said about police investigating their false convictions by...  the police.
"It is akin to the mafia investigating criminal activity"...

Robert Hamill inquiry urges PPS to review decision

An inquiry into the murder of Robert Hamill has urged the Public Prosecution Service to reconsider a decision not to prosecute a retired RUC officer.

Robert Atkinson was one of four RUC officers accused of standing by as Mr Hamill was assaulted by a loyalist mob in Portadown in April 1997.

The recommendation is made in an interim report published by the inquiry.

Mr Hamill suffered severe injuries in the assault and died 11 days later.

The inquiry has published its interim report at the invitation of the Northern Ireland Secretary of State.

It hopes to complete the final report within the next 12 months.

The PPS has said it will review the decision as to prosecution made in respect of Mr Atkinson, as recommended by the inquiry in its interim report.

It said it had enquired, through the office of the Attorney General, whether there is further information which the inquiry can provide which will help inform that review.

SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly has welcomed the recommendation in the inquiry's report.

[Pair guilty of homophobic murder]

This poor fellow got some beating... shocking... and tried to blame each other.  Good these two will get their  justice. 

Pair guilty of homophobic murder

Two men have been found guilty of murdering a Dungannon supermarket manager almost two years ago.

Shaun Fitzpatrick, 32, was found dead in an alleyway off the Donaghmore Road in Dungannon early on 23 March 2008.
Andrius Dunauskas, 23, and Raminas Balseris, 26, were found guilty at Dungannon Crown Court.
The pair killed Mr Fitzpatrick because he was gay. He was attacked on his way home after spending the evening in a local bar.

[The Long Good Friday for rugby fans]

 Long piece but interesting imo (pardon the spelling mistakes in poll options) .. seems they can't get a refixture for another day.. I cut some of article out but they go on about loss of revenue etc..


The Long Good Friday for rugby fans
Munster v Leinster is a mouth-watering clash for any rugby fan, but most drinkers in the Irish Republic wanting to toast the Magners League fixture in a bar next month will have to leave the country.
It may be sponsored by a Tipperary cider company, but as the fixture has been scheduled for Good Friday, it has fallen foul of legal laws which prevent the opening of pubs on the Christian holy day.
Alcohol can be consumed inside the stadium, but pubs will not be allowed to serve customers on their premises.

The Vintners Federation of Ireland has taken legal advice over the matter and hope to get a six hour exemption for the 26,000 sell-out game at Munster's historic Thomond Park venue in Limerick.
The chairman of the Limerick City Vintners, Jerry O'Dea, said his organisation had already had a "productive" preliminary meeting with local police chief superintendent Dave Sheahan and would have a further discussion later on Tuesday.

Limerick publican, former Munster and Ireland rugby prop Peter Clohessy, who owns the Sin Bin nightclub in the city has described the decision to schedule the game for Good Friday as "absolutely scandalous".
He said the "sensible thing" would be to switch it to Thursday or Saturday.

Limerick publicans want an exemption to serve alcohol on Good Friday
Limerick City Council has also voiced its opposition to the game being scheduled for Good Friday and its mayor, Kevin Kiely said a letter would be sent to the Leinster branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) who requested the fixture date.

...only time will tell whether Irish drinkers are able to sample a Magners in their local hostlery on Good Friday.
At Thomond Park itself, however the booze ban does not apply.
Munster Rugby is currently advertising match day hospitality for the Leinster game on its website with benefits including four bottles of wine per table and a "full drinks service available pre and post match".