Messages

What do yous boys suggest we do? wait til it hits a fiver a litre?

Oil trades with one global rate, no matter where you source it. So its very much out of Ireland's hands, as this was caused by Trump and Netanyahu. But some of the eejits think the strait of hormuz is not the problem, carbon tax is. The attack on EU and carbon tax is right wing rhetoric, as god forbid any leaders do anything to be less dependent on fossil fuels. So you have Tommy Robinson and his ilk cheering this on. If war does not end after temporary ceasefire, lots of us are in for a very rough time of it economically. On the optimistic side if trump retreats and sanctions are lifted off Iran as part of deal, they will be able to buy our beef again. Every cloud.

Indo I know but blaming hid auld lad for the cruelty to the cattle.

Fuel protest organiser had tax judgments of €550,000 and was convicted of cruelty after 60 cattle died on farm
James Geoghegan says: 'There's no point trying to bring up that sort of dirt on me now'
Image Gallery 0
Darragh Mc Donagh
April 10 2026

One of the main organisers of the fuel blockades has had six judgments for a total of almost €550,000 secured against him by the Revenue Commissioners.

James Geoghegan, an agricultural contractor from Westmeath, has emerged as a spokesman for the protest since it began earlier this week, calling for reductions in fuel tax among other demands.

Revenue has secured six judgments against Mr Geoghegan in the past six-and-a-half years, the most recent of which was secured just over two weeks ago. The judgments are for a total of €548,804.

All six judgments are currently recorded as unsatisfied. However, Mr Geoghegan said today that they had all been satisfied, and claimed that Revenue actually owes him money.

Read More

HSE assess fuel shortage threat to Kerry ambulance operations
On-call vet unable to fill tank as Waterford fuel shortages hit businesses and farmers
Petrol and diesel in short supply as Sligo forecourts running dry
"So there's no problems, as of today, it's up to date. They actually owe me money, would you believe? It's not an issue," he added.

He did not comment when asked whether his issues with Revenue compromised his credibility to call for reductions in excise duty, carbon tax or Vat in the context of the fuel protests.

Mr Geoghegan was also asked about his conviction on 13 charges relating to animal cruelty in 2006 after between 60 and 65 animals died on his farm in Cornaher, Tyrrellspass, Co Westmeath, during a 13-month period.

He was fined €6,250 in connection with a number of offences including leaving an animal with its head trapped, not providing water, not burying carcasses and not feeding animals a wholesome diet.

He confirmed that he had been convicted but said the animal cruelty had not been his "issue".

Image Gallery 10
Cars diverted off the M11 heading to Gorey due to the fuel protests blocking the motorway.
"It was my name, but it was before my time on the farm," Mr Geoghegan said. "It was my father's time, it was my father's farm. It wasn't actually my issue and it was all sorted out. There was never any issues.

"It was nothing to do with me and there's no point trying to bring up that sort of dirt on me now at this stage."

Explaining why he had been convicted of the offences, Mr Geoghegan said: "That was because the herd number was in my name, but it wasn't my issue."

He said on RTÉ Prime Time last night that there had been a "breakthrough" in the protests, and he was expecting to attend a meeting at Government Buildings this afternoon.

Mr Geoghegan confirmed that a withdrawal of carbon tax was on the "list of demands" ahead of the meeting, and revealed that his carbon tax bill was €21,000, questioning: "Why should I pay it?"

He said Taoiseach Micheál Martin should write a cheque for €21,000 "and see how he feels about it".

Judgments secured by Revenue against Mr Geoghegan include one for €174,427 in October 2024, and another for €282,004 less than seven months later.

The most recent judgment, for €7,816, was secured on March 23, 2026, while others included judgments for €27,862 and €28,995 dating back to September 2019 and January 2020 respectively.

They should let every county have a go at going to London and New York. Always great occasions for Connacht teams. Interesting how against it the Connacht Council are all of a sudden. I wonder if the €50,000 grant towards it is now needed to strap down the big white tent in Bekan lest the next bad storm makes off with it again.

Still hard to escape that we blew a very winnable draw. The Danes had already began to self-destruct in their two final group games and Czechs were already in disarray with players downing tools with dispute with their association, new elderly manager brought in for the playoffs to try and calm things, down 2-0 to us early in the game. The pity is the gap between Hungary game and March, as we did start to look a decent team in those final two group games. But didn't deserve it in the end. Hard to see us ever qualifying again. Too many European countries are just more technically gifted and the once minnows like the Bosnias have passed us out.

Media would want be careful with the seeds sown for future stuff. I remember after we missed out on 1982 WC on goal difference to France (who made semi-finals of WC), media were certain we'd have a good Euro qualifiers and make next WC for certain. They turned out to be two absolute disasters and that was with some of the best talent we'd ever produced. Granted less teams qualified but we were still coming 4th in 5 team group. The current team is made up of average players at best, bar one or two like Parrott who are class on their day. Coming in top 2 is far from certain with our lack of creativity.

Disappointed for the north & south.  What odds on Iran participating?

Have to qualify first and there will be two spots reserved for 2 that don't qualify. Were Scotland, Wales, abd Ireland not to qualify, will be two best qualifiers.

It was a tremendous achievement to beat Portugal and Hungary to get this far, but hard to escape all that hard work was thrown away cheaply in the end. Czech's were in disarray just pipping Faroe Islands to qualify for knockouts, new manager, and when we had them down for the count we gave them their confidence back. It was poor game management by Heimer not to make changes sooner. In extra time with fresh legs we were at least were able to control a lot of possession again. Don't blame penalty takers at all but when Kelleher saved the third, it looked to be finally our night. We've had some bad penalty shootouts since the famous 5 out of 5 in Genoa when Cascarino kicked a clump of sod with the ball and still put it past one of the best goalies in world.

Czechs thankfully ran out of steam in 2nd period.

Poor second half. Invited a struggling team onto them, gave them back the momentum. Fitness looks a big issue now.

Czechs got away with some physical stuff, last tackle on Manning should have been a yellow. Nowhere near getting the ball.

Mayo 8 changes and Roscommon 9 changes for a game of shadow boxing in Machale park tomorrow.  If Kerry slip up one of Roscommon or Mayo will fall into the final by default

Yeah hard to blame either manager. Both teams safe and it's right to give lads a competitive game before the championship. Look forward to seeing what type of form Ben is in. Assuming no slip ups in London and New York, the real game is Connacht semi-final. 

Autumnsong
If you tolerate this your children will be next
Faster

Right who's gona put the two side by side😘😁, compare and contrast.

Someone will do a thesis on this in the years to come

Stronger top 10 imo in that Rte list.

Would agree
Some difference in the treatment of Mary/4 of us in the two lists for starters

Totally agree,  look the 4 of Us and Mary is t even their best song!

Also The Waterboys are a Scottish band,  no matter what anyone says,  Mike Scott is the only constant and he's a proud Scot

Absolutely Scottish. Plenty of British rockstars have lived in Ireland, recorded here, but you wouldn't include them in Irish songs list including Donovan (Irish heritage), Ronnie Wood (Stones), Joe Elliott of Def Leopard, Francis Rossi (Quo of Irish heritage), John Lennon (Irish heritage - well he owned an island off Mayo and planned to live there), Sting (wrote songs while living in Connemara). I'm sure there's plenty more.

None of them made the cultural impact the Waterboys did. They are honourary Irish people.

Def Leppard never wrote a song like the stolen child

https://youtu.be/Jg-oJKYIinQ

Lyrics by William Butler Yeats, a haunting poem even before music put to it. Brilliant band but still don't think we can claim them. They saw Brigadoon, we saw The Quiet Man.

Right who's gona put the two side by side😘😁, compare and contrast.

Someone will do a thesis on this in the years to come

Stronger top 10 imo in that Rte list.

Would agree
Some difference in the treatment of Mary/4 of us in the two lists for starters

Totally agree,  look the 4 of Us and Mary is t even their best song!

Also The Waterboys are a Scottish band,  no matter what anyone says,  Mike Scott is the only constant and he's a proud Scot

Absolutely Scottish. Plenty of British rockstars have lived in Ireland, recorded here, but you wouldn't include them in Irish songs list including Donovan (Irish heritage), Ronnie Wood (Stones), Joe Elliott of Def Leopard, Francis Rossi (Quo of Irish heritage), John Lennon (Irish heritage - well he owned an island off Mayo and planned to live there), Sting (wrote songs while living in Connemara). I'm sure there's plenty more.

Was Rory Gallagher completely ghosted?

I was thinking this, but he had no 'hits' - what is his signature song in the way Lizzy had TBABIT or Jaillbeak?

Definitely Follow Me which is 24 on the RTE gold one. Anyone who watched MTV USA in the 1980s would have heard the thunderous guitar riff every Sunday. Good to see Rat Trap recognised in that poll too. Bob, not everyone's cup of tea now, then gave everyone a good laugh when the Rats knocked Travolta/Olivia Newton John off the top spot in UK and then proceeded to tear the Grease pair's photo in two on TOTP. Rebellious stuff at the time.