Today's top TV and streaming choices: Death in the Desert, The Bourne Identity and The Buccaneers
Songwriter and musician Rónán Ó Snodaigh steps up to help five-piece band Leevy from the Múscraí Gaeltacht organise a major gig.
In 1979, British nurse Helen Smith was found dead in suspicious circumstances after falling from a balcony in Saudi Arabia. Here, director Keely Winstone uses previously classified government documents to explore whether the truth was covered up at the time.
Hell for Leather: The Story of Gaelic Football RTÉ One, 9.35pm
The legendary Mick O'Connell takes centre stage this week, expounding his own legacy as well as the future of Gaelic football. Also profiled is Sister Pauline Gibbons, whose pioneering spirit in the 1970s helped pave the way for female stars such as Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, Juliet Murphy and Noelle Healy.
The Bourne Identity TG4, 9.30pm
Smash-hit adaptation of Robert Ludlum's novel, the first in a blockbusting franchise. Matt Damon stars as a mysterious assassin who is suffering from amnesia.
Murderer Behind The Mask Prime Video, streaming now
True crime isn't just the purview of Netflix, you know, and this Prime Video offering about Elaine O'Hara and Graham Dwyer hits particularly close to home. It highlights how An Garda Síochana meticulously pieced together the truth, turning an overlooked case into one of Ireland's most haunting murder trials. Back in September 2013, the remains of childcare worker O'Hara were discovered in the Dublin mountains. Initially believed to be a suicide, her case took a twisted tangent when fishermen stumbled upon crucial evidence leading to Dwyer, a respected architect who lived in Foxrock with his wife and kids. Beneath his carefully crafted facade lurked a secret life fuelled by a dark stabbing obsession, revealed through his disturbing text exchanges with O'Hara. Over the course of two 45-minute instalments, this Wag Entertainment-produced series purports to uncover how the investigation unfolded and the tragic story behind Elaine's murder.
The Waterfront Netflix, streaming now
From the makers of Dawson's Creek and Scream, we have this deliciously ridiculous number inspired by true events. It centres on the Buckley family, who have ruled Havenport, North Carolina, for decades. Now, with their patriarch, Harlan (Holt McCallany), recovering from multiple heart attacks (not helped by his predilection for impromptu punching sessions with his son), they resort to drug smuggling courtesy of a surprising face (belonging to Topher Grace). For more glossy, far-fetched US drama, season three of Manifest is now streaming.
The Buccaneers AppleTV+, streaming now
Apple's answer to Bridgerton (but with bonus Americans) is here with its second season.
Exploring the events leading up to the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, this heart-rendering documentary reveals decisions by businesses and government that contributed to the tragedy.
Somebody Feed Phil Netflix, streaming now
This time, Phil visits Amsterdam, Tbilisi, Sydney, Adelaide, Manila, Vegas, Guatemala, San Sebastián and Boston, while enjoying a spot of bone gnawing with Ray Romano and Brad Garrett along the way.
The Many Deaths of Nora Dalmasso Netflix, streaming now
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The Irish Sun
27 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Huge all-star reality show renewed for a fourth season before the third has even aired – but there's a twist
BEFORE the third series has even aired on Netflix, the streaming service has given the green light to a fourth instalment. It's a fan-favourite dating show that has starred celebrities made by famous on other Netflix shows. Advertisement 1 Harry Jowsey found fame on Netflix's Too Hot To Handle Credit: COURTESY OF NETFLIX Now we can reveal The Perfect Match will be getting a shake-up - with producers casting influencers alongside TV stars. A source told The Sun: 'Perfect Match has been a huge hit for Netflix by bringing together all-stars casts from its own dating shows like Love Is Blind, Too Hot To Handle and The Ultimatum, as well as other hit reality shows like Love Island and The Bachelor. "It's not been officially announced yet but bosses have already greenlit a fourth season, before season three starts streaming in August. "The show films almost a year in advance, but for season four they are planning to mix things up. Advertisement READ MORE ON NETFLIX "Rather than just being a cast of reality stars, they will also be casting content creators, YouTubers and TikTok stars. "They wants to capitalise on the success of Inside, which features internet superstars The Sidemen , so season 4 will cast the net wider. Internet stars are basically the new reality stars.' The Sun has contacted a rep for Netflix for comment. The idea behind The Perfect Match is to bring single Netflix stars together to find love. Advertisement Most read in Reality Couples who prove their compatibility gain the power to make or break other matches in this strategic and seductive dating competition. Perfect Match fans rage at 'undeserving' winners in 'rigged' finale & praise footage that exposes 'toxic' Harry Jowsey
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I was MI6 spy inside Al Qaeda – I'm haunted by 9/11 tip that came too late… but I saved thousands from another attack
WHILE thousands have suffered from Al Qaeda's brutality, few understand its inner workings as well as Aimen Dean, a former operative turned British spy. From 9/11 to London's 7/7 attacks, the terrorist group is linked with some of the most vicious atrocities of the 21st century. 10 Aimen Dean was MI6's top spy inside Al Qaeda Credit: BBC 10 Hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 Credit: Getty 10 Al Qaeda were linked to the 7/7 attack on London Credit: PA:Press Association 10 Aimen with older brother at their home in Saudi Arabia Credit: Supplied / Aimen Dean The dad-of-one was 17 when he met Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, which killed almost 3,000 civilians. He had just emerged from a year battling the Serbs in the Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Aimen revealed he was lured in by the promise of fighting a 'villainous' America who he blamed for the lengthy war. But he turned on them when he saw the true face of the terror group - appalled by how they would indiscriminately slaughter civilians. Read more on World Aimen was speaking to us as this week 'He was so convincing, he was so eloquent that I believed what I now know were delusions," he said. 'Kill or be killed' Aged 18, Aimen travelled to a secluded mountainous spot in next 11 months learning how to build bombs. As a self-confessed bookworm and "nerd", the intellectual rigour and mathematical precision required for bomb making proved an exciting - albeit risky - endeavour for the teenager. Most read in The Sun 'I remember thinking this is so much fun, why didn't they teach chemistry like this at school?' he said. Joined by three other men - including Moez Fezzani, now an ISIS leader in Libya - he spent his days mixing highly toxic chemicals under the watchful leadership of vengeful chemist and terror mastermind Abu Khabab. Inside 7/7 The story behind Britain's worst ever terror attack Khabab was in charge of developing Al Qaeda's mass-casualty weapons and was linked to a series of Outside of building bombs, the group spent their time debating and listening to the radio. "We would just sit down and discuss everything endlessly. We would talk about what is wrong with the world. "We would reinforce each other's negative views and talk about the need for change and how this could only come if we tear the system down," Aimen recalled. With just a mattress on the floor to sleep on and little else but books to keep him occupied, the bunker was basic at best. I remember thinking this is so much fun, why didn't they teach chemistry like this at school? Aimen Dean Bombs and extremely toxic chemicals were stored in wooden shelves, which Aimen joked would have given any British health and safety inspector a heart attack. He said: 'We were dealing with chemicals all the time so they gave us lots of fruit to build up our resilience.' 'Khabab told us that your first mistake is your last mistake. He had two missing fingers to which I said, well you are testament of living to make another mistake. 'He said: 'it's idiots who came before you who did this. They are no longer here anymore - I was just collateral damage'". Your first mistake is your last mistake Terror leader, Abu Khabab But just under a year after Aimen joined the The devastating assault on U.S embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Tanzania resulted in 200 deaths and an estimated 4,000 wounded. According to Aimen, some 150 civilians were also blinded because the vans were 'loaded with shrapnel' to maximise death and destruction. 10 Aimen Dean was 17 when he met Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, pictured, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks Credit: AP 10 Firemen walk amid the smouldering rubble of the World Trade Center following 9/11 Credit: AFP New beginnings 'This is when I started to have doubts and I realised things were going in the wrong direction. "I realised it was about making gas canisters full of hydrogen cyanide to attack nightclubs and cinemas,' he said. 'My good moral compass and critical thinking kicked in. "I thought, what if I build something for someone that is then used on civilians? I disagreed completely with this," he added. When he raised his concerns with Khaleb, the "This is a jungle. Kill or be killed. The world only respects one language: terror.' Feigning sickness, Aimen was sent to Qatar where he renounced his oath to the terror group and decided he would never go back. I started to have doubts and I realised things were going in the wrong direction Aimen Dean Arriving in the country, he was questioned by security services as a suspected Al-Qaeda member. He cooperated by giving them a number he had memorised for an Al-Qaeda bank account. Delighted at having landed on an treasure trove of intelligence, the Qataris offered him the choice of being handed over to America, 'I felt little cultural affinity with the French and didn't speak the language. And I didn't trust the Americans either," said Aimen. Within nine days he had 'landed in the lap' of MI5, who he said enthusiastically whisked him back to the UK after quickly recognising his impressive knack for map reading and photographic memory. Arriving in the UK, he was offered a Coca-Cola which he tried for the first time (now, his favourite drink) and a Harry Potter book. The next six months were filled with long training days and getting to grips with English before being sent to live in a flat with an Al Qaeda operative in London. 10 Osama bin-Laden addresses a news conference in Afghanistan on May 26, 1998 Credit: Reuters 10 Aimen worked for the MI5 and MI6 for eight years, becoming one of the secret service's most audacious spies Credit: Supplied / Aimen Dean On becoming an informant for the British Secret Intelligence Service he said the best piece of advice he received was to just 'go and have fun'. During this time, Aimen hopped between homes and became close with his roommates by leaning on his superior intellect and offering them religious guidance. He said: 'I am generally theologically better trained than the average Al Qaeda person so I ended up being kind of like a spiritual coach. "It's a bit brutal but it means they will open their hearts and minds to me, which made my espionage much easier.' It wasn't long before Aimen was asked if we would go back to Afghanistan and acquire intelligence for the MI6. This is a jungle - kill or be killed. The world only respects one language: terror Abu Khabab After rigorous training, he returned to the Middle East pretending his return was so he could get back in touch with his spirituality. He spent the next eight years spying for MI5 and MI6, becoming one of the secret service's most audacious spies. When asked about any close calls, he told The Times about a period in 2001, when he was called to meet one of bin Laden's closest lieutenants. He feared they had clocked on but was instead asked to deliver a message to four "brothers" in London, instructing them to "leave the country". The message read: "They must leave the country and come here before September 1. Something big is going to happen and we expect the Americans to come to Afghanistan." Aimen was walking along Oxford street later that year when he learned of the terror attack on America's Twin Towers and remembered those haunting words: "something big". Not long after, he caught wind of a worrying plot engineered by his former leader Khabab to bomb the New York Subway. Thanks to Aimen's tip, news of the planned attack was passed to the Oval office and successfully foiled. When asked about any close calls, he recalled the time he was cooking at the military camp and suddenly felt the cold end of a pistol against his lower spine. "Someone said, that's it confess, we know who you are. We know who you are working with," he said. His thorough training had taught him how to detect a bluff, so he held his nerve. It later transpired the incident was a routine test. Did he ever feel scared? Nervous, yes, he said. But the trick is to always "forget you're spying". 10 Aimen has a brilliant photographic memory which he owes to hours spent reading growing up Credit: Supplied / Aimen Dean 10 On becoming an informant for the British Secret service he said the best piece of advice he received was to just 'go and have fun' Credit: Supplied / Aimen Dean
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Palestine Action: Why has it been banned in the UK?
Earlier this month, British politicians voted to ban pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action, proscribing it as a terrorist organisation. It is now a crime to be a member of Palestine Action that carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. RTÉ's London Correspondent Tommy Meskill takes a look at why the group has been banned. In the early hours of Friday, 20 June, under the cover of darkness, people belonging to the group Palestine Action broke into the British RAF base Brize Norton. Video posted by the group later that day showed one of the intruders on an electric scooter, filming themselves spraying red paint on a military plane. According to a statement from the group, members broke into the base because "despite publicly condemning the Israeli government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel US and Israeli fighter jets". It prompted an investigation by counter terror police and widespread condemnation of their actions by political figures, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "disgraceful" and an "act of vandalism". The incident also raised many questions around how people could breach the perimeter fence of the base. It was subsequently claimed that £7 million worth of damage was caused to two Voyager aircraft. Last week four people were remanded in custody and charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interest of the UK. They were 29-year-old Amy Gardiner-Gibson, 24-year-old Jony Cink, 35-year-old Daniel Jeronymides-Norie and 22-year-old Lewie Chiaramello. Prohibited group Palestine Action describes itself as "a pro-Palestinian organisation which disrupts the arms industry in the United Kingdom with direct action". It says that it is "committed to ending global participation in Israel's genocidal and apartheid regime". The group was formed in 2020. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper was quick to announce to parliament that she would proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group after the incident at RAF Brize Norton. Announcing her decision, she said that there was a "long history of unacceptable criminal damage committed by Palestine Action". The proscription of the group was approved by the UK parliament, 385 to 26, meaning that membership or support of the group could result in a jail sentence of up to 14 years. Other proscribed international groups include al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, Hezbollah and the so-called Islamic State (ISIS). The IRA and UVF are among proscribed groups linked to Northern Ireland. An appeal of that decision to proscribe Palestine Action was held last Friday but failed. Another appeal is due to be heard in the High Court later this month. Protests On Saturday, 5 July protests were held in London against the decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group. There were 29 arrests. Among those arrested, was 83-year-old retired priest, Reverend Sue Parfitt. During the protest she could be seen sitting in a camp chair holding one of the many signs that read, 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action'. As she was led away by police, she described the ban of Palestine Action as "total nonsense" and a "loss of civil liberties in this country". In a statement that day, Metropolitan Police said that officers were "responding to a protest in support of Palestine Action". "The group is now proscribed and expressing support for them is a criminal offence." In a letter to the Home Secretary, the group said that they "do not wish to go to prison or to be branded with a terrorism conviction, but we refuse to be cowed into silence by your order." Those arrested have since been released on bail as police make further inquiries. Reaction The sight of Sue Parfitt, a long-time activist, being arrested prompted many questions around whether the policing of the protest was heavy-handed. Asked by the BBC the following morning if the arrests were a good use of police time, Met Police commissioner Mark Rowley said that "the law doesn't have an age limit, whether you're 18 or 80". He added, that "if you're supporting proscribed organisations, then the law is going to be enforced. "Officers, you could see, did it with great care and tried to preserve that person's dignity, but they're breaking a serious law." Mr Rowley also said that Palestine Action have been involved in "some really serious criminal offences" that pre-date what happened at RAF Brize Norton. Further protests Supporters of Palestine Action have indicated that there will be further protests in opposition to the decision to ban the group. Demonstrations are due to take place across a number of cities including London, Cardiff and Derry. Opponents of the UK government's decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group describe it as a dangerous overreach, curtailing people's right to free speech. Many would also point out that recent coverage of the decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group, and the subsequent protests against such a decision that have followed, only serve to raise the profile of the group. The same argument has been made in relation to Kneecap band member, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who was charged with a terrorist offence after allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig. He is due before Westminster Magistrates' Court again on 20 August. A judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action is due to take play on 21 July 21. The human rights lawyer, Gareth Peirce, who is part of Mr Ó hAnnaidh's legal team, is also expected to be part of the team arguing against the proscription. Ms Peirce was the solicitor for Gerry Conlon and the Guildford Four and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his fight against US extradition. The proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation may have been intended to diminish the notoriety of the group. However, with further protests planned and a court challenge to the decision later this month, debate around Palestine Action will likely continue for sometime to come.
