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Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
'This magician told me to pick a number, now I think he hacked my brain'
'Pick a number between 1 and 100,' magician Conn McCormack asks me, as he explains that he has a numbered list on his phone of all his magic tricks. I pick 59, and as I do I wonder why I pick it. As if he's reading my mind, Conn asks if it has any special meaning to me and I say no. He hands me his phone, tells me to open up the notes app and scroll down to number 59. It says 'This is the number Ciara is going to pick'. Now I'm bewildered, Is this man able to read my mind? Alas, he isn't, but he can control it. In the few seconds that the mentalist was explaining his list to me he was displaying the numbers five and nine on his fingers. I didn't even think my brain was taking in what he was doing with his hands. It's scary how easy the human brain can be manipulated. While Conn's act is all about fun, can he use it to his advantage outside of putting on a show? 'There are skills that you can use outside of magic tricks as well," he says. "I couldn't use them to rob a bank or anything crazy, like you see in the movies. But it's fun to think that maybe you could leave a job interview and if that person was asked to say a number they'd probably say 27 for the next three days or something.' At 28 years old, the Dubliner is a rising star in Ireland's small circle of magicians and mentalists. He knows all the big names across the globe- Keith Barry, Darren Brown, Dynamo and David Blaine. And while he looks up to them, the performer is doing things his way. Since the age of seven Conn has spent endless hours studying the craft and coming up with his own ways of tricking others for wonder. He's also an actor- and believes being a confident performer is the biggest component of being a successful magician. 'I think you could teach a really skilled actor, if you said here are five tricks and they weren't really slight, heavy tricks. There are certain slights with cards that have taken me 10 years to do this. Some are really sore, but totally worth it.' Magician Conn McCormack pictured showcasing his tricks. (Image: Collins Photo Agency) Some sceptics love to catch magicians out, but Conn says a key skill is even being able to trick people when things go wrong. 'If I said 'pick a card', and you picked the queen of hearts, and then I messed it up, flicking out the two of spades, you can tell that I clearly got it wrong. 'So I would say 'Oh, it wasn't this card? No way. What was it?' And I'll flick a queen of hearts. Now the audience's expectations were down, but they were shot back up again.' A big reason why the Dubliner got into magic may surprise some- as a child he was a big fidgeter and needed something to do with his hands. 'I used to fidget a lot, but there are loads of random stories that I suppose got me here, and I feel like they all connected at some point. 'My dad's friend did a trick on me when I was a kid and it fooled me. So I spent years in retaliation, learning the craft. So I've been doing it professionally since I was 16. That started with 'I'll give you 50 quid to come to the tennis club and do card tricks for an hour'. 'And now I'm booked up for weddings for the year, and I've got corporate events all the time. I did Joe Duffy's retirement party and each year I do the Irish rugby team's ball in the Shelbourne.' The Liveline Host, who recently left RTÉ after being at the helm of the popular show for 27 years, is a fan of the young magician. While they both live in Clontarf, the man of the people enjoys a good trick or two. They met while Conn was working at a show in Malahide, and Joe knew he'd be the perfect person to have people in awe at his retirement bash. 'Joe loves magic, he was saying 'I love magic, show us a trick!' So I did the number notes trick on him straight away.' Like most people that Conn manages to fool, the broadcaster was in awe. Getting a good reaction from people and bringing a bit of child-like fun into their lives is why the mentalist loves his job so much. 'It's like Santa Claus. Everyone knows in their rational mind there's a method behind all of it, and there's a method to the madness. 'The magic world is so cool, sometimes I wonder' Why doesn't everyone want to know how to do this?' It's so fun, why doesn't everyone want to make someone smile?' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Dublin Live
09-06-2025
- Dublin Live
Young girl injured in Parnell Square attack 'back in school'
The young girl who was seriously injured in a stabbing incident on Parnell Square is "back in school" and "getting stronger again" after an "unexpected stay back in hospital". The little girl, who was aged five at the time of the horror November attack in 2023 was critically injured and spent 281 days in Temple Street Children's Hospital before being released at the end of August last year. Two other children and a carer, who also sustained injuries, received treatment in hospital before being released. A fundraiser was set up for the young girl, called Barróg do Chailín Beag or a Hug For A Little Girl, with her family sharing updates on her health as people continue to donate to the fundraiser. So far, it has raised over €134,000.. In their most recent post on Friday, the family said: "Our angel warrior's resilience is impressive. "Even after an unexpected stay back in hospital, she smiled through lines being put in, bloods being drawn, oxygen mask, the works. "She is out again, back home, back in school, getting stronger again. (Image: Conor O Mearain / Collins Photo Agency) "Despite the circumstances, it was really nice seeing so many familiar faces. They were also delighted to see how far she has come, how strong she looks." So far the GoFundMe has raised €134,304, far surpassing the initial €500 target. To donate, go here. Riad Bouchaker (50) is currently before the courts charged with three counts of attempted murder, one of producing and possessing a kitchen knife, three counts of assault causing harm and one of assault causing serious harm. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
The Irish Sun
08-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Kinahan cartel stooge enjoys seaside trip & 4 nights at home on release from Mountjoy as hood's next location revealed
KINAHAN cartel stooge Michael Crotty enjoyed trips to the seaside just a year after he was caged for his role in the killing of grandad Noel Kirwan. And we can reveal the former gym owner, 42, has also received permission to visit Co 3 Michael Crotty enjoyed trips to the north west just a year after receiving his sentence Credit: Collins Photo Agency 3 Innocent grandad Noel Kirwan Credit: Journalist Collect His visit to Leitrim was granted after he enjoyed day release trips to Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal, from Dublin's During his trips to He spent his days relaxing at the beach and enjoying ice creams. Crotty enjoyed the trips to the north west just a year after he received his Crotty's treatment by the Irish A relative told us: 'How can an individual who supplied a phone used in the death of a completely innocent man be allowed to enjoy such freedoms. 'This isn't a punishment or justice — it's a disgrace. 'He has never shown any remorse for his involvement — and yet here he is enjoying nice trips to the seaside." As part of our revelations on the cartel facilitator, we can also reveal that he spent four nights away from prison in his home town of Cashel, Co Will the Kinahan Cartel now step in after bloodbath double shooting in Spanish bar His nights away from Mountjoy were between May 1 and 5, before he was out again from May 10 to 14. Mr Kirwan's relative added: 'Crotty isn't just getting trips to the seaside — he's getting to stay out of prison for four nights at a time. 'It's like they're allowing him to go on holiday when he's meant to be serving a prison sentence. 'He received a two-year sentence so he should be staying those two years in prison.' WHO IS BEHIND KINAHAN CARTEL? Christy Kinahan Sr began preying on Dublin's vulnerable drug users at the height of the city's heroin epidemic in the 1980s. His early efforts came to a sudden halt when he was arrested in September 1986, and was slapped with a relatively-lean six-year jail sentence in 1987. But prison wouldn't stop him from working to expand his now-€1billion empire. He was one of the first Irish prisoners to get his own computer — and used it to brush up on the skills that would make him one of the world's deadliest narco-terrorists. Now, his son Daniel has stepped into his shoes as the top dog of the cartel, while also attempting to forge a legitimate career in boxing. Today, his sons and their cronies continue to evade the US' DEA, An Garda Siochana, Interpol and a number of other police services globally. The ruthless Kinahan family has dominated gangland crime in Ireland and across Europe for years. But the shocking attack at Dublin's Regency Hotel in 2016 and a murderous feud that resulted in 18 killings thrust them into the global spotlight. And the sheer scale of their criminal empire was laid bare in April 2022 when the US government announced a $5million bounty for information leading to the arrests of the heads of the Kinahan cartel — Christy and his sons Daniel and Christy Jr. Gardai believe Crotty — who was under the Garda radar — was targeted by the The cartel figures he aided were travelling to Co Tipperary in the middle of the Kinahan and Hutch feud. Cops suspect Crotty was offered One source added: 'Crotty was nothing more than a gopher used by the cartel. "He was one of many who were simply expendable to Others convicted for the roles they played included Declan 'Mr Nobody' Brady, Jason Keating and Martin Aylmer. 3 He enjoyed day release trips to Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Garda faces trial for dangerous driving causing serious harm after Brazilian delivery driver's leg severed by car on M50
A GARDA faces trial after a Brazilian delivery driver's leg was severed by a car on the M50 in Dublin in 2023. Joao Henrique Ferreira, 25, who had lived in 2 Joao Henrique Ferreira's leg was severed by a car on the M50 in Dublin in 2023 Credit: Collins Photo Agency 2 Garda Neil Doyle is set to face trial Credit: When the incident allegedly occurred, he was at a slip road to the motorway in Following a probe by Fiosru, the police ombudsman (formerly Gsoc), criminal proceedings have commenced. The garda, dressed in a suit and tie, stood forward when the case was called, but did not address the court. Read more on News The prosecution told Judge Michele Finan that this was the first listing of the case. Lawrence Masterson BL, instructed by solicitor Daniel Hughes, representing Mr Ferreira, said his client had travelled back from Judge Finan noted that the Director of Public Prosecutions had authorised the case to stay in the District Court if the accused pleaded guilty. Otherwise, it would have to go to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers. Most read in Irish News Judge Finan held off on hearing an outline of the allegations. The accused has not indicated a plea and his barrister asked for disclosure of prosecution evidence. FURTHER SURGERY PLANNED Judge Finan noted that Mr Ferreira was set to go back to Brazil for further prosthetic surgery in two weeks. The prosecutor sought a four-week adjournment, which the judge granted. She also ordered the prosecution to provide the defence solicitor, Liz Hughes, with disclosure of evidence "as soon as possible" so the garda's legal team can "consider his position" and his plea. She told Garda Doyle he must return on June 12 to indicate a plea, and for the court to consider jurisdiction, and confirm his trial venue.
The Irish Sun
25-04-2025
- The Irish Sun
State is failing young people caught up in crime, with Oberstown at breaking point we need early intervention changes
IRELAND'S prison system is bursting at the seams, with inmates left sleeping on floors. Advertisement 2 Overcrowding in Oberstown has resulted in some teenage criminals being let off after being convicted Credit: Collins Photo Agency 2 Dublin TD Mark Ward said that early intervention is key to tackling youth crime Credit: Damien Eagers - The Sun Dublin This overcrowding crisis is mirrored in the country's only prison for young offenders at Oberstown in The facility has a max capacity of 40 boys and six girls. But figures show almost every month last year it was overcrowded, with 54 kids incarcerated in May and 53 in December. Oberstown is under so much pressure that officials are considering the possibility of trying to add a number of cells into the existing building. The overcrowding in Oberstown has resulted in some teenage criminals being let off after being convicted because there is no prison space for them. Advertisement Read more in News Dublin TD Mark Ward believes the Government needs to target resources at communities most affected by crime in order to tackle the issue from the bottom up. Here, Deputy Ward tells of the real impact of overcrowding in Oberstown in his constituency and what he believes needs to help prevent teens ending up in a life of crime. THE state is failing our young people by not resourcing communities most affected by crime. Early intervention is key to tackling youth crime and to give young people a chance to succeed in society. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun Young people turn to crime for a myriad of underlying social reasons, including poverty, lack of local services, and lack of opportunities. I have raised this on many occasions on the floor of the Their communities need to be funded, particularly to build resilience to criminality. If a young person is groomed into criminality, then there must be sufficient intervention services to assist them away from this. CRIME ROOT CAUSES NOT ADDRESSED Unfortunately, there is not enough emphasis on stopping repeat offending. The root causes of crime are not being addressed. The Irish Penal Reform Trust have highlighted the benefits of the Bail Supervision Scheme. Advertisement The Bail Supervision Scheme gives the This consists of multi-disciplinary teams going into the home of the young person, finding out what their issues are and working with them to address them. I have followed up with the Minister in relation to this service, to ask the levels of funding and the impact the service is having. Restorative justice is another path to reducing crime by young people. This process allows the victim of a crime to speak with the perpetrator of the crime, alongside an independent professional. Advertisement RESTORATIVE JUSTICE An open conversation can help both the victim and the perpetrator to understand the motives but also the impact that it has on a victim. It humanises the victim. Evidence has stated restorative justice practices will encourage young people to not reoffend. Dr Ian Marder, Associate Professor in Criminology at Maynooth University, has highlighted that referrals to restorative justice for 2023 had not reached their pre-pandemic levels. I have received parliamentary question responses that show this decline between 2019 and 2023. 2024 data is being correlated and I would like to see these numbers increase. This, alongside other youth diversion programmes such as targeted outreach models, are a way forward in reducing repeat offences. Advertisement The alternative to the above interventions is youth detention, and while this is what is needed for serious crimes, we know that this is not only costly, but also not the most effective way at reducing repeat offending. The capacity in the Oberstown HIGH COST OF DETENTION Prime Time last month highlighted that there is a daily cost of €1,700 per young person to detain them in Oberstown. Imagine if this money was invested in those young people within their communities, to fund local services, youth groups, sports clubs. We need to target young people where they live and provide them with positive options for their lives. I am aware of incidents in my community where a young offender was sentenced to Oberstown but that the detention centre was at capacity. The young person was sent back to their community, with no support, and allowed to reoffend. Advertisement This impacts the morale of my community, and also the local The MOORE NEEDS TO BE DONE More needs to be done to build resilience in our communities to tackle the causes of crime. It is important the areas of highest disadvantage are funded to be the most resilient to crime. The state needs to listen to services on the frontline, resource them and allow them to build resilience in our communities. Advertisement The building blocks for a fully functional youth justice strategy are there, it just requires the political will to put it all together. Young people and their communities deserve it.
