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The Irish Sun
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Irish presidential race still one-horse show, but from skeletons in closet to €330k pay – here's 6 questions for runners
WHY do so few people seem to want to become President of Ireland? We're expecting an election at some point in October, but so far only have one runner in the race to replace 4 The election to replace Michael D Higgins is expected to occur in October Credit: � 2023 PA Media, All Rights Reserved 4 Our man Adam Higgins shares his six questions for potential candidates Credit: Garrett White - Commissioned by The Sun Dublin 4 Independent TD Catherine Connolly is the only candidate for the election so far Credit: PA:Press Association The President gets the final sign off on new laws passed here, plays an important role in representing However, we haven't got droves of people running for the Presidency yet because of politics. Potential candidates are terrified a long campaign will see their chances unravel as they field questions and their past is poured over. Here, Irish Sun Political Correspondent HOW'S YOUR CÚPLA FOCAIL? The President of Ireland will represent the country across the world and an important part of that will be bringing a little bit of Irish culture with them on their way. Michael D Higgins has a real grá for the Irish language and has done a brilliant job in sprinkling a cúpla focail into his speeches wherever he goes. If we want to keep our language alive, we need those at the very top to lead the way. Candidates may want to sharpen up on their Irish — there's a course in HAVE YOU ANY SKELETONS IN YOUR CLOSET? You might as well come clean from the start. No matter how hard you try, those transgressions from your past will find a way to come out. With the Us reporters will be on the lookout for any sort of scandal to sink out teeth into and it can lead to I'd imagine we might see a few 'tell all' style interviews from candidates who want to air their dirty laundry early. IS THE PRESIDENT PAID TOO MUCH? How much money is too much for one person from the public purse? Especially when they already get free room and board in a beautiful home in the Uachtarán na hÉireann is the second highest-paid head of state in This falls only behind SHOULD OFFICE OF THE PREZ BE FOI-ABLE? As a journalist, I believe the Freedom of Information Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation. This law enables me to demand documents and information from every State agency and department so that we can keep tabs on what is being done with your However, the office of the President is immune to the FoI Act. Through this legislation, I can obtain documents about how much the Taoiseach spent on flights, what the Minister said to the Board of Children's Health Ireland or what developers said in letters to the Housing Minister. But I cannot access documents from the President's office about how much was spent on a garden party. Shouldn't the President be held to the same transparency measures as the Taoiseach, Ministers and other State bodies? JUST HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW CONSTITUTION? Mostly the President must do what the government of the day says when it comes to dissolving the Dail or green lighting new legislation. They can sign off on new bills or refer it to the Michael D Higgins referred a bill on how judges are appointed to the Supreme Court and considered sending the coalition's monster Planning Bill to the courts. Presidents are also supposed to avoid criticising the government of the day or favouring one political party over another during their speeches. President Higgins tested this convention by addressing and sometimes criticising issues such as housing policy, defence and neutrality policies. Will the next President use their voice as much as their predecessor? BLUR OR OASIS? Politics is a serious game but at the end of the day it's also a popularity contest. Candidates have to endear themselves to voters and not every question on the campaign trail can be hard-hitting queries on policy and the Constitution. I would hate to spend the next few months writing countless boring articles that focus solely on candidates' opinions on the constitutionality of the role of the President — and I don't think you would want to read them. Politicians are people too. Therefore, it's important we know a bit more about them. So expect some softer questions from journos that might give a bit of a laugh and also give our talented art desk staff the chance to have a bit of fun while creating mock-ups. And with the Gallagher brothers dominating August with their upcoming series of sell-out shows in Dublin's Have I missed anything? What sort of questions do you readers want to hear our Presidential candidates answer? Get in touch with me and I'll put them to the runners and riders while we're out on the campaign trail! Email 4 Potential candidates will see their chances unravel as they field questions Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription
The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
My Dublin family won €175m EuroMillions but my side-hustle new venture has netted me thousands more despite cruel twist
EUROMILLIONS winner Matt Rogers has revealed he is having a Lotto fun after amassing a stable of eight horses. 4 Matt Rogers has amassed a stable of eight horses Credit: Garrett White - The Sun Dublin 4 Nico de Boinville riding Break My Soul, which is one of the horses owned by Matt Credit: Getty Images - Getty 4 Matt has fixed up his old family farmhouse Credit: Garrett White - The Sun Dublin The budding horse owner today lifts the lid on how he is having a nag-nificient time owning a collection of runners, including Lisnamult Lad, Break My Soul and Tankardstown Diva. Minted Matt, who loves to travel to the racetrack by helicopter, has landed tens of thousands of euro in prize money with his horses. In an exclusive interview with JP and Mullins teamed up to win the UK Topham Handicap Chase with Gentleman De Mee at But it was Matt's mount Lisnamult Lad who looked to have the race won when taking up the running after the last. Speaking to The Irish Sun, Matt opened up on how a loose horse derailed a dream triumph. He told us: 'I've eight horses now. It's my big interest. 'One (Lisnamult Lad) was second in a top chase in 'One of Mullins' horses beat him. He (Lisnamult Lad) had it won. You know when you come to the elbow? There was a loose horse. And he went across and brought him out that way. And when he came to the elbow, he brought him out the other way. 'And Mullins' horse just came up and took him under the line. He could have won by about three lengths. It was a tough one for Lisnamult Lad.' Massive Aintree Controversy As 20-Minute Stewards' Enquiry After Three-Way Photo Finish Sparks Outcry Gentleman De Mee, priced at 14/1, ensured the Mullins bandwagon rolled on in the Topham Handicap Chase at Aintree in April. Mullins' nine-year-old swooped late under jockey Mark Walsh to nick the win amid high drama in the closing stages of the race on the famous course. Lisnamult Lad's rider Johnny Burke touched down clear after the last and had victory in his sights — only for it to be snatched away from him by the riderless Ash Tree Meadow. CRUEL TWIST In a cruel twist for Matt's 21/1 shot Lisnamult Lad, the loose horse proved too tough to avoid for pilot Burke. He had to check his momentum, allowing rival rider Walsh to bridge the gap and emerge victorious by three-quarters of a length. But despite the bitter blow, Matt revealed he gets a buzz out of watching his horses in action. 'I've eight horses now. It's my big interest." Matt Rogers He told us: 'I go down the country and that. 'We went down to 'I've a yearling and a foal was born there about two weeks ago. 'The horses are my big interest.' Loaded Matt shared a €175.4million PURCHASES MADE The modest multi-millionaire has shunned mansions to remain in his native village in north Co And he snubbed sports cars to snap up a Matt, along with his three brothers and five sisters, divvied up their mega loot after buying their ticket in Les Reilly's Daybreak on Main Street in Naul. The clan are mostly retired and living between Naul, in north Co Dublin, and the nearby villages of Duleek and Bellewstown, Co CELEBRATION FEAST The Irish Sun previously revealed how the lucky siblings, including Christine Rogers, celebrated their monster win with a €12.50 carvery. We also told how sister Kathleen Sheridan dipped into her share to upgrade her old Mazda2 to a Mazda CX-5. And rather than upping sticks to a fancy new pad, Matt has stayed put at the farmyard where he and his brothers and sisters grew up. HOME RENOVATION He spent months renovating the site - and made do with living in an outbuilding while works were being carried out. Proud Matt recently showed The Irish Sun the finished job, which features a bungalow with its own bar and a sprawling greenhouse out the back. He told how the clan have not gone jack-potty since landing the EuroMillions, with holidays including budget breaks to the Czech Republic and Spain. And he vowed never to move from his beloved native village. Matt told The Irish Sun: 'I'm the same as usual. Why change?' 4 Gentleman De Mee edges out Lisnamult Lad at Aintree Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I work in brothel where husbands stop by for lunch quickies and the women make £40k fulfilling bizarre sexual fetishes
TUCKING into her cheese sandwich, Catherine de Noire keeps an eye on the clock. It's just gone midday and she's expecting the lunch time rush at any moment - with hoards of hungry men due to rush through the door. Advertisement 6 Catherine de Noire works as a manager in a legal brothel Credit: SUPPLIED 6 She says that she wants to dispel the taboos around sex workers Credit: Instagram/ catherine_de_noire 6 She says that aside from the red lights outside the interior looked 'surprisingly normal'. Pictured: Stock image of a brothel in the red light district of Amsterdam Credit: Crispin Rodwell - The Sun Dublin But Catherine doesn't work in a deli or a local boozer - her office is a 'Surprisingly, the earliest 'rush hour' at the brothel is 12pm to 1pm, when men pop in on their lunch-breaks from work,' she tells Sun Club. Advertisement 'The next is between 3pm and 5pm, giving them time to get home without raising suspicion.' Catherine, 31, had been studying for an undergrad in 'While I loved it, I was getting frustrated with its attitude to 'Reading psychology books, so much of sex was described as 'deviant'. 'As a fan of Advertisement One day while researching an essay Catherine came across an article that grabbed her attention called Psychologist in a Whorehouse: They Call Me Pimp, but I Protect Women. 'I lived in a country in Europe outside the UK where sex work was legal,' Catherine says. 'The article was written by a manager at a brothel who had a background in psychology. Watch the moment Strictly champ Stacey Dooley sleeps at a BROTHEL in explicit new TV series - and admits she 'loves it' 'He emphasised the importance of respecting and protecting sex-workers. 'The girls were independent contractors, who rented space from the brothel in exchange for a flat rate. Advertisement 'It sounded like my dream job.' Catherine found an email address for the same brothel and got in touch to ask if they had any vacancies. To her delight she was called for an interview. 'Beforehand, I couldn't help but feel a bit nervous,' she admits. 'Not only did I not have any experience in the adult industry, I also had no managerial experience. Advertisement 'I had no idea what to expect of the office, I was half expecting it to all be leather, velvet and fake fur.' 6 Catherine says that while some people confuse her for a pimp, her job is to protect the workers Credit: Supplied 6 It was during her psychology degree that she became disillusioned with the way sex was viewed Credit: Supplied 'But while the outside of the building was all done up with red lights, the interior was surprisingly normal.' The manager, who was the author of the article she'd read, gave Catherine a tour of the HR and IT department Advertisement 'We had a fascinating chat,' she explains. 'He told me that women are often at an advantage in brothel management because they don't try to control the workers.' The following week Catherine started working at the brothel as a manager. 'I'd be working nighttime shifts, from 7pm to 6am, but I quickly learned that the brothel wasn't just busy in the evenings,' she says. Catherine's main responsibilities involved answering emails, overseeing bartenders, IT and marketing as well as recruiting and onboarding the girls themselves and she quickly discovered that stereotypes did not apply. Advertisement 'In the media, sex workers were often represented as desperate or addicted, but this wasn't my experience,' she says. 'Some of the girls were earning up to £40,000 a month, and many planned on working for just a few years to set themselves up for the rest of their lives. 'Yet, plenty of them were from overseas, and needed local advice or help reading over rental contracts.' It was a few months into her job that Catherine decided to come clean about her work to her family. 'Dad's a nuclear physicist, and his response was typically calm, understanding and matter of fact,' she says. Advertisement 'But Mum was horrified, she thought that I was a pimp! 'But I explained I wasn't exploiting the girls but rather looking after them and the more I explained, the more she came to accept it. 'Dad even came into the office with me one day to see the set-up. 'From then on, I never lied when someone asked me what I did.' Protecting the workers was of the utmost importance to the brothel and was a large part of Catherine's job. Advertisement 'We had panic buttons in all the rooms and made sure they knew the workers had the right to say no to any request,' she explains. 'While some of the girls did just BDSM work, others exclusively worked with lesbians – it was entirely up to them to decide.' While clients were well behaved on the whole, Catherine says that they did have to remove them occasionally. On another occasion I recognised a familiar face in the corridor – my dentist Catherine de Noire 'Sometimes we'd have to call security to turf them out at 5am when they didn't want to make the journey home,' she says. Intriguingly, one of the most surprising things that Catherine discovered was that plenty of men weren't even looking for sex. Advertisement 'Sometimes they were only after companionship,' she explains. 'One guy paid one of the girls £4,500 just to drive to a graveyard with him and share a cigarette.' But it wasn't all quite so straight-laced. 'One man turned up in a head-to-toe polar bear suit for a role play session,' Catherine says. 'I had to explain to him that he would have to remove the head while he was in reception for security reasons. Advertisement 'Another man turned up dressed as a plumber and spent the whole booking fixing one of the blocked loos.' Working in the brothel required the utmost discretion from Catherine who came across some pretty awkward scenarios. 'One of our girls came in to work every Monday, while her husband visited as a client every Friday,,' she says. 'Neither of them knew about the other and it wasn't my place to tell them. 'On another occasion I recognised a familiar face in the corridor – my dentist. Advertisement 'I realised where he'd been while I had been trying to get an appointment, fortunately, he didn't recognise me. 'His office was filled with family portraits of him with his wife and kids, and I thought he might have been a bit embarrassed.' While the workers of the brothel were discreet, occasionally angry wives and girlfriends would get wind of their partners' hobbies. 'Plenty would buy a ticket and storm through looking for their boyfriend or husband,' Catherine explains. Are brothels legal in the UK? There has been a growing debate in the UK about whether brothels should be legalised, following the emergence of pop-up brothels across the country. These temporary establishments, often set up in residential areas, have sparked concerns among local communities and law enforcement agencies. The current legal framework in the UK criminalises the operation of brothels, but individual sex work is permitted. This has led to a complex and often problematic situation for those involved in the industry. Advocates for legalising brothels argue that regulation could improve safety and working conditions for sex workers. By bringing the industry out of the shadows, they believe that sex workers would have better access to health services and legal protection, reducing the risks of exploitation and violence. Furthermore, regulated brothels could be subject to health and safety standards, ensuring a safer environment for both workers and clients. On the other hand, opponents of legalisation worry that it could lead to an increase in human trafficking and exploitation. They argue that normalising the sex industry might encourage more people to become involved in it, both as workers and clients. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact on local communities, with fears that legalised brothels could lead to an increase in crime and antisocial behaviour in residential areas. As the debate continues, it is clear that there are no easy answers. Balancing the rights and safety of sex workers with the concerns of local communities and broader societal impacts remains a complex challenge. Policymakers will need to carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of legalising brothels in the UK, taking into account the experiences of other countries that have taken similar steps. 'When arguments did break out, we'd gently encourage them to take it outside or to a private room.' Advertisement While most expressed a healthy interest in her job, Catherine explains that her job could pose a problem when it came to dating. 'I noticed quite a few men seemed to be bothered by my job,' she says. 'One guy told me my job was fascinating but he'd never let his girlfriend do it. 'It wasn't a problem, I was happy to give him the boot.' Catherine says that working in the brothel definitely changed her view of marriage and monogamy. Advertisement 'I met plenty of men who'd tell me they loved their wives, they just weren't having sex anymore,' she adds. 'I've had men tell me that the brothel has saved their marriage.' Fascinated by everything she was learning, Catherine started posting about her experiences online. 'There was such stigma around the topic and I wanted to encourage a conversation and debunk stereotypes of the industry,' she says. 'People loved my videos and I soon amassed 400,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok. Advertisement I've had men tell me that the brothel has saved their marriage Catherine de Noire 'I even started an Only Fans account where I could tell my wildest stories.' But while she received plenty of positive attention, she also endured some backlash. 'My inbox and comment sections were filled with death and rape threats against me, my family, and my potential future children,' she says. 'It was shocking and I had to be careful with my mental health.' Eight years into her job, Catherine realised it was time to take a step back. Advertisement 'When I first started the job at 22, the night shifts didn't really bother me,' she says. 'But by the time I hit 30, the 3am to 6am stretch started getting much harder. 'Especially as I was simultaneously studying for a PHD in organisational psychology. 'Now, I've been working in this role for nine years, and I'm starting to think about my next steps. 'I definitely want to stay in the industry, but perhaps move across to a luxury swingers club or something similar. Advertisement 'Ultimately, my work in a brothel has taught me one important lesson. 'Sex work is only dangerous when it's illegal, legalising it keeps women safe.' 6 She wants sex work to be made legal globally in order to keep women safe Credit: Supplied
Scottish Sun
03-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
‘Scots crime gang' masterminded shipment of £26million worth of cocaine into Ireland
Cops believe the drugs haul was destined for the UK and European market and was transported to the suspects in a mother ship COASTAL CRACKDOWN 'Scots crime gang' masterminded shipment of £26million worth of cocaine into Ireland Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SCOTTISH crime gang masterminded the shipment of £26million worth of cocaine into Ireland, according to forces who smashed the plot. And investigators are probing whether the mob had "logistical support" from transnational crime gangs based in Ireland. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 They were arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle £26m worth of cocaine into Ireland Credit: Getty 4 A probe has been launched to find out if the mob had 'logistical support' from transnational crime gangs based in Ireland Credit: Crispin Rodwell - The Sun Dublin 4 The Irish Navy were involved in the operation Credit: Andy Gibson - The Sun Dublin New details have emerged about the men accused of being involved in a cocaine plot to ship in a vast haul from South America to the UK. We told how they were snared off the coast of County Cork after gun cops swooped on Tuesday. Among four suspects taken into custody is a man, 40, from the Pollok area of Glasgow and a trawlerman, 39, from Keith, Moray. Another suspect is a businessman, 44, from Cornwall, England and a German national, 31, from Bavaria. A source told The Irish Sun: "These suspects are considered to be important cogs of this organised crime group. "The Scottish gang are heavily involved in transnational drug trafficking, but this smuggling route is now dismantled. The Scottish gang are heavily involved in transnational drug trafficking, but this smuggling route is now dismantled A source told The Irish Sun "Crime gangs are targeting fishermen and others who are corrupted by money and greed. "There is no doubt that these individuals were critical enablers for this criminal organisation." The four were lifted after a major op, which began with a surveillance investigation over the weekend. Two of the suspects were lifted as they left in a van with the huge haul of drugs. Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger on Scots gang convictions The other two tried to escape on a boat, but were caught by the Navy. Cops believe the drugs haul was destined for the UK and European market and was transported to the suspects in a mother ship. The suspects can be held for a week. We told how the seizure is the largest since the £135million nabbed on board the MV Matthew in September 2023, with eight of its crew set to be sentenced at the Special Criminal Court later this week. A joint task force led by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau - which included Revenue, the Irish Naval Service and local cops - had monitored a number of men and vehicles for over 24 hours in the run-up to the seizure. These suspects are considered to be important cogs of this organised crime group A source told The Irish Sun In recent weeks, senior Gardai in Cork have held briefings to discuss the threat posed by transnational drugs gangs over the summer months. Although Europe's traditional drug networks have previously used the summer to transport shipments of cocaine across the Atlantic, they have also arranged shipments in late autumn and spring. A source said: "The international gangs seem to be more brazen and their shipments are happening all year round now. "They have vessels that can be used in adverse weather conditions. "They also have access to RIBs that are faster than some of those used by the Irish Naval Service." West Cork Fine Gael Senator Noel O'Donovan said: "This is a significant detection - the biggest drug bust in Ireland this year.' A Gardai source added: "It was a hugely successful operation and should serve as a warning for international drug gangs targeting the Irish coastline."
The Irish Sun
02-07-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Brother Kevin Crowley dies aged 90 after devoting life to people in need & founding Dublin's Capuchin Day Centre
BROTHER Kevin Crowley, the founder of the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People in Dublin City, has passed away aged 90. The esteemed humanitarian died in the early hours of this morning in the "wonderful care" of staff at Mount Desert Nursing Home in Co Cork. 1 Brother Kevin Crowley at the Capuchin Day Centre Credit: Garrett White - The Sun Dublin Brother Kevin was a Capuchin Friar who devoted his life to supporting people living in poverty and in food need. He founded the Capuchin Day Centre on Bow Street in Dublin in 1969. The centre provides over 1,000 hot meals each day, more than 1,450 food parcels each week, clothing and day care facilities for people who are homeless and in need. A notice on the Capuchin Franciscans' website this afternoon reads: "With great sadness we announce the death of our Capuchin confrere, Brother Kevin Crowley OFM Cap. READ MORE IRISH NEWS "Brother Kevin died early this morning (02 July 2025) in the wonderful care of Mount Desert Nursing Home in Cork. "He was known throughout the country and beyond as a Brother to the poor, particularly through his work in the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People which he founded on Bow Street, Dublin in 1969. "Through his ministry and life as a Capuchin Friar, Brother Kevin opened his heart and his hands to serve those most in need."
