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Irish Times
9 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Alcohol labels fool nobody
Sir, – The logic behind placing warning labels on bottles of alcohol seems to be that the product can cause health and other problems and, therefore, people must be told. Apart from the fact that this is condescending – people already know that – it is unwise to take the same approach to alcohol as has been adopted towards tobacco. Alcohol only causes problems in excess, while most people use it in moderation. Last Saturday, for example, in the Drinks section of The Irish Times, there was an article headlined 'Wine shops moonlighting as bars are saving the neighbourhood'. On the opposite page were the four recommended tipples of the week. READ MORE Should that, too, be banned as it encourages dangerous behaviour? There is no evidence that warning labels will have any effect, in particular on problem drinkers. Labelling a bottle of wine 'This could kill you' is an irrelevant message for most people and will be regarded as laughable and therefore ignored. The obvious measure to take is to properly fund addiction treatment and services. That takes time, money and political will. Slapping warning labels on bottles is an exercise in 'Something must be seen to be done. Here is something'. – Yours, etc, DAVE SLATER, Co Kildare.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Will Saipan film reopen old wounds between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy ultras?
Watching the teaser trailer for Saipan before its cinematic release later this summer called to mind that episode of Friends in which it is revealed Joey leaves his copy of The Shining in a freezer whenever it becomes too scary for him to continue reading. While 23 years may have passed since Roy Keane's fabled eruption on the eponymous volcanic speck in the western Pacific, it is hard to get past the feeling that the makers of this drama-biopic might have been better off leaving the most seismic row in Irish football history and its accompanying media frenzy hidden among the frozen peas, ice-cream and portions of batch-cooked lasagne. Instead it is about to be sent out into a public domain where it will almost certainly reopen old and, in many cases, still festering wounds. Everyone of a certain age with a passing interest in football has their own version of what happened in Saipan that they believe to be true, although the details often differ depending on who happens to be doing the telling at any given time. Over the years I have chatted to several former Republic of Ireland footballers who were present at the infamous team meeting where Mick McCarthy held aloft a copy of that interview given by Keane to the Irish Times and asked his captain to explain comments that were scathing in their criticism of the national association's laissez-faire attitude when it came to preparing for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea in the immediate run-up to the competition. Of those who have been prepared to revisit the subsequent vicious takedown of McCarthy by his star player, no two versions have been consistent, although everyone seems prepared to agree that the phrase 'stick it up your bollocks' was definitely uttered. Years after the event, Tom Humphries, the famous Irish sportswriter with whom Keane's controversial interview was conducted, was imprisoned for unrelated child sexual offences. There will inevitably be a morbid audience fascination in how, or if, his critical role in proceedings is portrayed in Saipan, which has been directed by the husband and wife team of Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D'Sa. While accounts of the precise nature of what happened vary, either by his own or his manager's volition, Keane subsequently left the camp, flew home and ultimately refused to return despite diplomatic interventions by Sir Alex Ferguson, the Irish prime minister and one particularly overwrought RTÉ journalist who was granted a TV interview with the midfielder. Ireland went on to advance through the group stages of the tournament before going out to Spain on penalties in the second round. Meanwhile in Cheshire, Keane spent the tournament walking his labrador Triggs around a golf course while being followed by nervous reporters and a paparazzo. In Ireland everyone took a view and was either a Keane apologist or a McCarthyite. In weeks to come, everyone will get to take another, far more literal view. Saipan has a yet-to-be-confirmed cinema release date and the early signs are good, even if the reception to the teaser on social media was not. With monotonous predictability, an army of amateur critics who appear to have no concept of what a film actually is wondered what the point was in making one about something interesting that happened a long time ago. Others angrily observed that some of the actors don't look enough like the real-life people they're playing. And while it can legitimately be argued that Éanna Hardwicke does looks more like a young John O'Shea than Keane, and that Sam the Eagle from The Muppet Show might bear a more uncanny resemblance to McCarthy than Steve Coogan, both leads are renowned for their deftness at playing complex characters. Steve Coogan and Éanna Hardwicke in SAIPAN; Pic: Aidan Monaghan Leyburn and Barros D'Sa have previous in the field, their extremely charming and often hilarious second feature Good Vibrations having received the accolade for film of the year from Mark Kermode in 2013. Set in Belfast during the 1970s and based on the legendary life and times of the endearingly eccentric Northern Irish record shop owner and music promoter Terri Hooley, Barros D'Sa described Good Vibrations as 'a film that is set in the context of the Troubles but it doesn't approach it from one side or the other – it is really about people who were living in that world but don't want to be defined by it'. Very early indications suggest the same description could be accurately applied to Saipan. 'It's not about football; it's a football film with no balls,' said Leyburn in an interview with the Mabfield podcast, his own description sounding particularly apposite when one considers much of the rancour between the two main antagonists had its roots in the conspicuous absence of footballs, training cones, bibs and other equipment from what Keane presumed to be a serious World Cup training camp but was, ostensibly, a pre-tournament piss-up for players, staff, media and Irish Football Association blazers in which he did not wish to participate. 'We're not in the business of doing a hatchet job on anybody or being unfair to anybody,' Leyburn has said of his new release. 'The story is told in a kind of heightened way. There's a convention of films about going to tropical islands and there being a slightly different, almost magical atmosphere. I suppose it stems back to Lord of the Flies or King Kong, all of those things. There can be a kind of alternative reality in those kind of places and I suppose Saipan has a bit of that about it. We're definitely not making a documentary.' Guardian
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Irish Times
Cathy Dillon: A reporter remembers the Air India Disaster of June 23rd, 1985
The date was June 24th, 1985, the day after the Air India disaster, when a terrorist bomb blew up a 747 jumbo jet in Irish airspace off the coast of West Cork, killing all 329 people on board. A wannabe journalist, straight out of college and working in the shambolic newsroom of a local pirate radio station, I had been sent by the head of news to report from Cork airport for the six o'clock evening bulletin. When I arrived at the normally sleepy airport terminal, lugging my enormous and ungainly tape recorder, I could hardly believe my eyes. Teams of army and navy personnel, security men and ambulance staff jostled with large crowds of reporters from news channels and papers throughout the world. Amid the throng, I spied Nell McCafferty, small in stature but definitely not in personality, instantly recognisable from the telly with her head of bushy grey hair. While the other reporters ran around in a tizzy, she stood and surveyed the scene coolly, her hands in the pockets of her jeans. I was awe struck – I had grown up reading her brilliant series of court reports, In the Eyes of the Law, in The Irish Times, and in our house we regularly used her wry TV sign-off phrase: 'Goodnight, Sisters' among ourselves, with a roll of our eyes, in response to some particularly egregious instance of chauvinism that had been brought to our attention. I somehow made myself walk over to her and introduce myself. Sensing I was slightly at a loss in this melee, Nell was kind enough to take the greenhorn under her wing. She had heard that some of the media were being taken out on helicopters to survey and photograph the crash scene. READ MORE 'Hello there,' she greeted the security officer. 'How are ya?' The man in the high-vis vest instantly recognised the face. 'Ah, 'tis yourself, Nell.' 'Listen, I was wondering is there any chance you could get me and the wee girl here out on one of the choppers?' The man in the high-vis vest looked dubious. 'Oh,' he said, shaking his head, 'I don't know. I don't think so.' Nell waited a few moments and then tried another tack. 'Did anyone ever tell you you're the image of Jack Nicholson?' she said flirtatiously. She turned to me, standing meekly beside her. 'Isn't he the head off Jack Nicholson?' I couldn't see the resemblance myself, but I wasn't about to argue. The crash site was 190km off the coast of Mizen, where Irish Naval Service crewmen, assisted by RAF and Royal Naval helicopters as well as merchant ships and fishing trawlers, were searching for bodies that could be returned to the victims' relatives. Nell was doing her best to get us right to the grim heart of the action. On this rare occasion, even Nell's charm couldn't prevail and I, at least, never got out on the helicopter. In truth, though of course I didn't say this to Nell, I was partly relieved. I left and went about finding others to talk to and filed my report by phone from the airport. I never met Nell afterwards, either, or got a chance to thank her, though I was lucky enough to share one space – the list of contributors' in Hot Press magazine – with her (and many others) in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The incident showed me that kindness and humour can survive in the bleakest of circumstances. Air India flight 182 was on its way from Toronto via Montreal to London and New Delhi, and the majority of the passengers were Canadians of Indian descent. The main suspects in the bombing were members of the Sikh militant group Babbar Khalsa. After a fraught investigation that lasted almost 20 years, in 2003 Inderjit Singh Reyat, a Canadian national, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for building the bomb that exploded aboard Flight 182 and another that went off prematurely at Narita airport in Tokyo and killed two baggage handlers. He was freed in February last year. In 2010, a report by a commission of inquiry found the victims' families had been left in a limbo by the Canadian government, and had 'often been treated as adversaries, as if they had somehow brought this calamity upon themselves'. After 25 years, the prime minister of the day, Stephen Harper, issued an apology on behalf of the government. The local people in West Cork, as is their wont, showed great compassion to the bereaved relatives who arrived immediately after the disaster and some struck up friendships with them that have lasted over the decades. Some of the families, seeking to find the nearest land point to where the plane disintegrated at 31,000 feet, discovered a site at Ahakista where a shoreline memorial garden was created, with a sundial made by Cork sculptor Ken Thompson. Every year since, on June 24th, in the garden, locals join relatives of the victims in remembering. The families float white balloons into the sky, and walk in silence. They recite the names of those they lost. This year, it's the 40th anniversary. And, a little later this year, we will also remember Nell, who died on August 21st last year.
The Journal
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
'Trump's gamble risks all-out war': Irish and global newspapers react to the US bombing Iran
THE ESCALATING CONFLICT between Israel and Iran reached new heights over the weekend as the United States got involved in the war. The US struck three nuclear facilities with bunker-buster bombs on Saturday night, with president Donald Trump insisting the attack had 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear capabilities, though other officials said it was too soon to determine the impact. All eyes are now on Iran to see how it will respond to the attack, after it warned over the weekend that the development would have 'everlasting consequences'. Newspapers in Ireland and abroad have been reacting to the US bombing Iran on their front pages this morning. The Irish Independent says 'Trump's gamble risks all-out war as Iran vows revenge', accompanied by a picture of the US President in a meeting in the White House's Situation Room on Saturday ahead of the imminent attack. Many of the other newspapers feature the same photograph on their front page. The Irish Times leads with the same picture on its front page with the headline 'Middle East on edge as US enters war with Iran'. Advertisement Meanwhile, The Herald's headline says Trump is 'taking the peace' by entering the conflict. The UK front pages are also dominated by the Middle East. A satellite image showing the impact of the US's bombs targeting Iran's underground uranium enrichment facility takes up a large part of The Times's front pages under the headline 'Iran vows revenge on US'. The Guardian also features Iran's vow of revenge against the US in its headline. The front page of the paper features an image of Trump announcing the airstrikes on Saturday while flanked by US vice president JD Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio and defence secretary Pete Hegseth. 'Stop now' is The Mirror's headline, as it claims British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is leading calls for calm following the US's escalation. Scotland's Daily Record goes with a more chilling headline as it hints at the world being on the brink of war, claiming Trump has the 'whole world in his hands'. Related Reads 'There are many targets left': How Trump announced to the world that the US had bombed Iran Iran targets 30 sites in Israel after US nuclear site strikes, including international airport US bombs three nuclear sites in Iran, a major escalation in the war between Israel and Iran Meanwhile, newspapers in the US are also unsurprisingly leading with the conflict. The New York Times highlights the hypocrisy of the US's move in its headline, featuring the Pentagon's statement that the US strikes had inflicted 'severe damage' on Iran's facilities against its warning to Tehran not to strike back. The paper's front page also states that by entering the war, Trump is testing the unity of his coalition and runs the risk not only of miring the US deeper into the conflict, but also of splitting his MAGA fanbase, which is divided on the issue . The New York Post, which endorsed Trump ahead of last year's presidential election, focuses on the US warning Iran against retaliation with the headline 'Don't even think about it'. USA Today's front page says US troops are on high alert following the strikes, with officials warning of potential retaliation. Below a photo of Trump announcing the bombing, it questions if his gamble is 'a threat erased, or yet another 'endless war'?'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Times
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
‘Indications' Israel breached human rights obligations during Gaza war, EU review finds
A review by European Union officials has said there are 'indications' that Israel 's actions during the war in Gaza breached commitments to uphold human rights. The finding raises the prospect of the EU taking action against Israel for the first time since the start of the conflict. The review, a portion of which has been seen by The Irish Times, finds Israel's actions during its 20-month bombardment and invasion of Gaza constituted a failure to respect human rights. Focus will now likely turn to potential consequences for Israel, which EU states have to date been unable to find common ground on. READ MORE [ Israeli fire kills at least 44 Palestinians in Gaza Opens in new window ] The review examined whether Israel's actions in the Palestinian enclave had broken guarantees made about upholding human rights as part of the EU's 'association agreement' with Israel. The agreement governs relations between the two sides and includes a free trade deal, access to research funding and enhanced political dialogue. A majority of EU states last month supported a review taking place to determine whether Israel's military campaign in Gaza had broken human rights commitments signed up to as part of the agreement. The review was carried out by officials from the EU diplomatic corps, which is led by foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas. It was shared with diplomats from EU states on Friday evening. It concluded: 'On the basis of the assessments made by the independent international institutions ... There are indications that Israel would be in breach of its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel association agreement'. The findings will be debated at a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels on Monday. Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris is expected to advocate for the EU to use what leverage it has, to put pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. It is expected ministers will ask Ms Kallas to come back to a further meeting next month, with a set of proposed actions the EU could take against Israel, such as possibly suspending parts of the EU-Israel association deal. A group of nine states, including Ireland, Spain, Belgium and Poland, have suggested the EU needs to do more to cut off trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and other occupied Palestinian territories. More than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which began after Hamas militants who control the enclave attacked southern Israel on October 7th, 2023. The governments of Ireland and Spain first called for a review of the EU-Israel deal in February of last year, but received little backing at the time. The worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, exacerbated by Israel's recent blockade preventing food and aid getting into the territory for several weeks, saw growing support within the EU to exert political pressure on Israel to change course. It is understood the Israeli government has been lobbying EU states intensely behind the scenes through diplomatic and high-level political channels to push back on those efforts. Some of Israel's staunchest allies – Germany, Hungary and Czechia – had opposed the review taking place, as did the governments of Italy and Greece. 'We want to, through this process, up the pressure on Israel to change what they are doing,' a diplomat from one EU state said of the review. 'We want a broad agreement as possible on the outcome of the review.'
