Latest news with #Whelan
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
All you need to know about the Hull Trains strikes
Rail passengers using Hull Trains for trips between East Yorkshire and London will continue to see services impacted by strike have been taking place since February after the Aslef union claimed a driver had been unfairly sacked for raising a safety Trains has consistently denied the union's claim and said it had put forward solutions to end the dispute, but they had been latest round of industrial action could continue for the next six months, or until a resolution is found. Why is it happening?In January, Aslef union said a train driver had been sacked after raising a safety concern about fatigue during a briefing by the rail Whelan, the general secretary of the union, said the driver in question had a "totally perfect" record and had worked for "20 years without a single incident".Claims emerged in April that the driver at the centre of the dispute had fallen asleep at the controls, but Aslef denied that was the case and Hull Trains declined to the initial strike action, union members voted this month to continue their protests, which could see walkouts continue until February is Hull Trains saying?The operator said it would not comment on individual members of staff but all drivers and managers "adhere to stringent standards of assessment".Hull Trains added: "We informed both the union and [mediation body] Acas that we would be willing to take part in discussions on resolving this matter for all concerned; we have had discussions with Aslef where proposed solutions were put forward. These were rejected and not considered."It also said safety "remains and always will be paramount", and it would work to minimise the impact of the strikes and disruption on customers. What does Aslef say?In an interview with BBC Look North, Mr Whelan answered with a resounding "No" when he was asked if the driver should have been said: "We have to do the right thing and make sure [Hull Trains] operates safely within the agreements that we have."We have processes in place and we brought in a no-blame culture, so if people came forward with issues they wouldn't find themselves in the predicament."Mr Whelan added that he and the union remained open for talks, and he said he "wanted to work with the company" and move on from the issue as quickly as is it impacting services?Hull Trains is warning passengers there could be "short notice" cancellations, and it is encouraging them to check before Tuesday, for example, two of seven services from Hull to London King's Cross and one return journey were cancelled. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Department of Public Expenditure gave green light to higher pay for housing executive
The post was meant to be filled with a starting package of €161,593 a year, the first point on the Assistant Secretary salary scale of the civil service. However, the Housing Agency said their preferred candidate had been paid a higher salary than that in his previous role in the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA). They argued that their new CEO, Martin Whelan, should start at €184,852 per year, the fourth and final point on the agreed salary scale. The Department of Public Expenditure said that based on his 'substantial knowledge and experience' and his previous salary, they would have 'no objection' to the higher package. Internal records detail how the Housing Agency was left without a CEO when previous boss Bob Jordan resigned in September last year after a three-month notice period. An email from the Department of Housing said: 'Given the short lead-in time to Mr Jordan's resignation there is an urgency in commencing the recruitment process. 'It may be a case that an interim CEO will be required for a number of months as it is imperative that the work and consequential outputs of the Housing Agency is uninterrupted while the substantive CEO process is ongoing.' In response, the Department of Public Expenditure said they had no objection to a person being appointed on an acting basis if the need arose. They said the full-time appointment should be made on the Assistant Secretary level which begins at €161,593 per year and with no perks permitted under government policy. In November, the Housing Agency said they had found a candidate for the role but submitted a business case to seek a higher starting pay rate. It said that while Mr Whelan was 'enthusiastic about the role,' he had 'requested a review of the remuneration package.' The business case said: '[His] current salary at the NTMA is [redacted] which contrasts with the €163,209 at the first point of the Assistant Secretary grade. 'To address this and to reflect the level of experience and expertise Mr Whelan will bring, the Agency proposes appointing him at the top of the Assistant Secretary scale, €186,701.' It said a committee led by the chair of the Housing Agency fully supported it and believed it was a 'prudent and necessary investment'. As part of the business case, the Department of Housing said they also agreed that Mr Whelan should start on the higher rate of pay. There were further discussions with details sought on how many people had applied and how many were considered suitable for the role. In mid-November, the Department of Housing said they were hoping for a final decision as the matter was now 'very urgent and impacting the business of the [Housing] Agency'. On November 29, an email from the Department of Public Expenditure said they had closely considered the case and the candidate's previous experience. 'Taking into account his current salary in the NTMA, [we] would have no objection to the Housing Agency negotiating a salary up to the fourth point of the Assistant Secretary scale,' said the message. Asked about the records, the Department of Public Expenditure said they had nothing further to add.
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Workmates: American Playboy, Narcos star Matt Whelan explores love and theatre in new NZ film
'I love the genre of romance and relationship dramas and exploring that,' the Go Girls alum admits. He says his latest movie, NZ International Film Festival entry Workmates, felt 'very real'. Matt Whelan and Sophie Henderson in Workmates, a love letter to Kiwi theatre and love itself. Directed by Curtis Vowell, Workmates draws on the real-life experiences Vowell and writer and star Sophie Henderson (Fantail) undertook as they found their feet in the wonderful world of theatre. Filmed at recognisable Auckland institutions like the Basement theatre and ASB Aotea Centre, and featuring an all-star Kiwi cast, Whelan says the movie shows an unseen side of the NZ theatre scene from those who know it best. Truthful, honest and messy are just some of the words he uses to describe the heart of the film. 'I think that's largely due to Sophie's real-life experience of running the Basement. She's had those experiences. 'I love theatre, and I love that we were able to create something as kind of like a little nod or a love letter to theatre and to the creative community.' Workmates explores the relationship between two people working in theatre, and the trials and tribulations of romance. Another big part of the project was trust, something Whelan says Vowell and Henderson had in bounds. There was a degree of improv involved, with the cast given freedom to work together to create something special from the script. 'There's that satisfaction of being able to really sit deeply in something, and just to be present and not be afraid of making dumb choices. It was malleable enough that we could take it to places and experiment,' Whelan says. It was also, in some sense, a full-circle moment for Whelan, who is once again stepping into the shoes of a romantic lead. It's been more than 10 years since rom-com drama Go Girls ended, an experience Whelan credits as a great 'learning ground' for his diverse career since. 'I think it was a big turning point in Kiwi television as well,' he says. 'It was a really fun show, and again, great cast and great people.' Kiwi actor Matt Whelan makes a star turn in season three of Narcos. Whelan has since made a name for himself on the world stage with his roles in American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story and Narcos, but reveals there isn't much difference between working on Kiwi projects and those in the US. 'It's not too dissimilar,' he says. 'The only thing that you notice is there's maybe some more lights around, or there's more crew, but as far as going into the shoot, it's a very similar thing.' A lot of that might have to do with his commitment to the work as an actor, fully engaging in the task at hand, no matter the circumstances. 'When the cameras are rolling, I'm only focused on the other person, you know, in the scene, or the other people on the scene. I'm just kind of there, present with them. In a way, kind of nothing else really matters.' Workmates was shot at theatres around Auckland, including the Aotea Centre and the Basement. For someone who's been in the game for as long as Whelan, it's no surprise he's learned a thing or two about the business and has some sage advice for young actors heading into the wild unknown world. 'It's not like something where you're in a corporate job, for example, and there's a ladder that you can climb. 'Sometimes the next job can feed into opportunities that can open up for you in the future, but nothing is guaranteed.' He says the key is putting yourself out there, and what better way to do that than in your local theatre scene. 'There will always be spaces for performers, so I would always encourage anybody who wants to pursue that to do it because there will always be a space for you to put something on and to create something.' But as with all professionals, making the most of your downtime is also crucial. Now based in Taranaki, Whelan isn't just stretching his acting muscles; he's also stretching his real ones after taking up weightlifting. 'I'm certainly not at an Olympic level, but it's lots of learning, like what a snatch and a clean and jerk are. I'm also a big board gamer.' Workmates will screen at the New Zealand International Film Festival 2025 on August 1 at the Civic in Auckland and will be released nationally on August 21. Mitchell Hageman joined the Herald's entertainment and lifestyle team in 2024. He previously worked as a multimedia journalist for Hawke's Bay Today.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Keane dreaming of home glory as Rafferty eyes second South win
Lahinch's Jonathan Keane says it would "mean everything" to win the Pierse Motor Group South of Ireland, but he knows he must stick to the one-shot-at-a-time cliché if he's to make his dream come true. The Kilfenora man (25) gave up the accordion to focus on his golf, and while he faces a tough semi-final against Edmonstown's Liam Abom (22), he knows he has the local knowledge, the support and the game to make the final. Dundalk's Caolan Rafferty, the 2018 champion, is the hot favourite as he faces Grange's Jake Whelan, a former semi-finalist, in the other big match of the morning. But if former Walker Cup star Rafferty is the virtuoso performer, as he showed when reeling off a brace of 5&3 wins over Monkstown's Sean Desmond and Athenry's David Kitt, Keane showed he has the grit to go all the way. He played excellent golf to beat Galway veteran Joe Lyons 5&4 in the third round before using his short game to see off the highly experienced Carton House man Paul O'Hanlon 2&1 in the afternoon. Just one up with seven to play, he got up and down on the 12th for a birdie to double his lead, lost the 13th to a three, but got up and down again on the 14th for a half before repeating the trick to win the 15th and 16th with pars. A two-putt par got him over the line on the 17th, and he admits winning a championship he first saw contested a decade ago would be like winning a major. While overseas member Patrick Adler, now a pro, won last year, Keane would be the first local member to win since JD Smyth in 1968. "It'd be great to win it after him," said Keane, who joined the club in 2011 and first saw the final in 2015 when Stuart Grehan beat Colin Fairweather in a downpour. "He used to coach me when I was younger. I have to give credit to him now for the up and downs. He really was a short game wizard." Abom had to dig deep to beat the talented Roganstown teenager, Mark Cadden, one up in the morning, and it was a dogfight in a quality afternoon quarter-final with Fota Island's David Howard. He won by two holes, getting revenge for his younger brother Thomas' 20th-hole defeat to the Corkman in the morning. Thomas won the Irish Close last year and Liam admits it would be nice to claim back some bragging rights by going all the way this week. "I'd say that was my best performance," Abom said after making seven birdies against Howard with his birdie-birdie-par run from the 13th key to his win. "I feel like I'm playing freely and I'm not worried about the consequences as much." Fatherhood has made Rafferty a more mellow character, but he remains the man to beat, as Whelan explained after his 2&1 win over Donegal's Ryan Griffin. "He's one of the best in Ireland, if not the best," said Whelan (30), a former Mullingar Scratch Cup winner who is looking for his first championship win. "He does everything well, and he's been one of the top one or two players in the country now for five or six years." Whelan feels he's a far better player now than he was in 2019, when he lost 5&3 to Keith Egan in the semi-finals. "Everyone here can play, so I'm just going to have to shoot a good few under tomorrow and see where that leaves me," he said, believing that playing the course rather than the man is the best tactic. Rafferty has won the South, East and West of Ireland titles, but he never tires of winning, "Every championship is the same, it's the best feeling ever," he said. "That's why we play golf. This will be a wee bit more special, be the first one that the child will be here, to have that as well. So that's an addition to it this time." Having done it all in the amateur game, he's more relaxed than ever. "No pressure, it's another day of golf and just see what happens," he said. "I'm definitely playing less golf (as a father). "Probably a little bit uptight at times with golf like we all do. But no,nice and relaxed. Just let the clubs hit the ball and find it and hit it again.' Pierse Motor Group South of Ireland Amateur Open Championship, Lahinch Third round Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk) bt Seán Desmond (Monkstown) 5 & 3; David Kitt (Athenry)bt Jordan Hood (Galgorm Castle) 19th; Ryan Griffin (Ballybofey & Stranorlar) bt Dylan Holmes (Greystones) 21st; Jake Whelan (Grange) bt Luke O'Neill (Connemara) 2/1; Jonathan Keane (Lahinch)bt Joe Lyons (Galway) 5/4; Paul O'Hanlon (Carton House) bt Conor Stapleton (Westport) 2/1; David Howard (Fota Island) bt Thomas Abom (Edmondstown) 20th Liam Abom (Edmondstown) bt Mark Cadden (Roganstown) 1 up Quarter-finals: Raffertybt Kitt (Athenry) 5/3; Whelan bt Griffin 2/1; Keane (Lahinch) bt O'Hanlon 2/1; L Abom bt Howard 2 up. Sunday Semi-finals: 8:30 Rafferty vWhelan; 8:45 Keane v L Abom.
The Irish Sun
18-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Colm Whelan scores FOUR goals as Bohemians hit Killester Donnycarney for SEVEN in one-sided FAI Cup hammering
COLM WHELAN scored four for Bohemians in their Oasis FAI Cup kit — as Leinster Senior League outfit Killester Donnycarney Shed Seven. Rookie midfielder Markuss Strods started the rout off and got a brace with Rhys Brennan also netting. Advertisement 2 Colm Whelan scored four as Bohemians advanced in the FAI Cup Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile 2 Bohs hammered Killester Donnycarney 7-0 Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile Bohs lit up Dalymount Park despite the floodlights being off to ease their way into the last 16 of the Cup, ensuring the majority of the crowd left happy as the 'visitors' won comfortably. Killester were drawn at home but opted to play the game at Dalymount and bar their fans taking Sections A and B that normally house the Gypsies hardcore, it felt in every way like a Bohemians game. The entrance music was the same, the faces were the same and Bohs took the home dressing room — and were right at home on the pitch too. There was a brief scare in the opening minutes when goalkeeper James Talbot had to race off his line and tackle Daniel Bergin with his feet. Advertisement Read More on Bohemians But after that it was one-way traffic with the top-flight side ahead after six minutes and three up inside the opening 20. Latvia Under-19 midfielder Strods showed why he has been around Alan Reynolds' League of Ireland first team with two well-taken goals. He opened the scoring on six minutes when he followed up to tap into an empty net after Ernest Lemantovic had saved from Connor Parsons. And he added the third on 19 minutes from the edge of the area having been picked out by Brennan. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive Live Blog A minute earlier, Whelan had fired home a penalty after Parsons was fouled as he dribbled between Gavin O'Brien and Stephen Chambers. The fourth arrived nine minutes before half-time as Parsons crossed to the near post. Whelan claimed it after going for it with defender O'Brien with the ball ricocheting in. Oasis launch shock football club partnership despite Liam and Noel Gallagher's dying love for Man City Killester Donnycarney had a few half-chances with Bergin's ambitious overhead kick easily saved by Talbot. And Chambers had a shot deflected for a corner early in the second half. But Bohs added a fifth on 64 minutes through a second Whelan penalty after Jack Power fouled him. Advertisement Whelan sent Brennan in one-on-one to add a sixth before the four-goal man wrapped up the scoring nine minutes from time, rifling home from close range. SUN STAR MAN Colm Whelan (Bohs) KILLESTER DONNYCARNEY : Lemantovic 5; Jones 5 (Cummins 74, 5), O'Brien 5 (Whelan 58, 5), Power 5, Kiernan 5; Wall 5 (Mooney 67, 5), Jeal 5, Chambers 5, Moore 5 (O'Connor 58, 5); Nolan 5 (Daly Dolan 74, 5); Bergin 5. Advertisement BOHEMIANS : Talbot 7; Smith 7, Byrne 7, Kavanagh 7 (Morahan 70, 6), Mountney 7; Buckley 7, McDonnell 7 (Conlan h-t, 6); Brennan 7, Strods 8 (Harpur 61, 6), Parsons 8 (Osagie 61, 6); Whelan 8. REFEREE : D Murphy (Dublin) 6
