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Irish Examiner
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Tom McKibbin leading next generation of Irish hopes in golden Open era
Food for thought. If there is no Irish winner at this year's Open Championship it will cement the longest stretch without one since Padraig Harrington ended the 60-year drought stretching back to Fred Daly at Carnoustie in 2007. Mad, right? Okay, so a non-Irish Champion golfer this week would stretch the gap back to Shane Lowry's 2019 success on this very patch of land to just six years rather than 60. It's still the sort of stat that speaks for the ridiculous run of success this island has had at the majors. And for the job involved in extending it. Men from this island have won one of the four majors eleven times going back to Harrington's historic breakthrough 18 years ago. His second Open, at Royal Birkdale a year later, was followed in 2011 by Darren Clarke's success at Royal St George. Rory McIlroy followed suit with his two-stroke victory at Royal Liverpool in 2014 before Lowry had his day in the sun and the rain and the storms on the Dunluce Links here in 2019 when the Championship returned to Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951. So, what now? Harrington, Clarke and Graeme McDowell's days of being major contenders are behind them, unless one of them can channel Tom Watson's herculean hurrah at Turnberry in 2009, or redemptive Tiger Woods at the Masters a decade later. McIlroy and Lowry still have plenty of good years in them, but the problem with all golden ages is that they do have a finite lifespan. This too will end, but the hope is that Tom McKibbin can lead the way for the next generation. Could he, whisper it, win this week? 'I don't know,' he said. That's fair enough. McKibbin is still just 22 years of age but his potential was franked by winning the Porsche European Open in 2023 and an Italian Open playoff loss to Marcel Siem last year. Then he accepted a lucrative lure to throw his lot in with LIV. Judging the form of the 19 players from the breakaway tour isn't an exact science given the questionable competitiveness of their gambit but the Northern Irishman has posted a fifth and a fourth on successive weeks in Dallas and Valderrama before returning home. Jon Rahm, his LIV teammate, expressed a 'jealousy' for the sense of calm that McKibbin brings to the course and to his game. The Spaniard made similar noises about his envy for the younger man's smooth swing. The switch to LIV created a minor storm at the time. Rory McIlroy had advised him against it in the wake of having secured a PGA Tour card back in November while his exposure to majors this year prior to The Open has been limited to his appearance at the US PGA at Quail Hollow. That was just his third time at one of the 'Big Four' and his record is solid but not spectacular. His best to date is a tie for 44th and his low a joint 66th. Though tied for 50th at the PGA, he played well enough to creep into the top 20. Now would be a good time to make a bigger splash. He was at a junior amateur tournament in Ohio six years ago when The Open returned to Royal Portrush and Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951. From Newtownabbey, he is a club member here and used to play these links a bit in winter when closer courses were shut. Time on this course has been more limited lately. He has only played maybe half-a-dozen times now off the championship tees. His one competitive experience here is the British Boys Amateur back in 2018. More reason again to be pumped for this. It's already been a week of note. Tuesday had him playing the course with Darren Clarke, who he has partnered around the place before, and Rory McIlroy: three Northern Ireland pros, two of them legends and former Open winners. How he'd love to cement his membership of that second club. 'Yeah, it was great. We did it last year in Troon [at the 2024 Open], and to be able to do it again this year here at Portrush was pretty special. And to get out there nice and early, get 18 holes in, sort of pick their brains a little bit. 'I came up a couple weeks ago and played with Darren a few times, so getting to play with him a little bit more has been nice. It was great, the crowds were amazing. They came out and supported us the whole way around.' Imagine the swell if one of them threatens come Sunday.
Irish Examiner
09-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Non-national man assaulted in Limerick after ‘fabricated allegations'
Gardaí are investigating after a non-Irish national was assaulted in Limerick following 'fabricated allegations" that had been made against him. The man, aged in his 40s, was taken to University Hospital Limerick after being assaulted on July 1 at approximately 3.45pm in the Parnell Street area, near People's Park. According to a Garda spokesperson, he suffered non-life threatening injuries. The assault came after several members of the public expressed concerns about the man's alleged behaviour in People's Park on the previous day. A Garda spokesperson said: 'On Monday, June 30, 2025 a number of members of the public expressed their concern to Gardaí attached to Henry Street Garda Station, for the alleged behaviour of a man who had earlier been seated in the People's Park, Limerick.' After enquiries, Gardaí have said they are 'satisfied that the alleged conduct was not of a criminal nature and was nothing untoward'. 'The male fully co-operated with Gardaí during the course of their enquiries. Gardaí are aware that this is the same male (the male who was assaulted) that was subject of the claims expressed on Monday, June 30,' the spokesperson added. An Garda Síochána is appealing for witnesses to this incident of assault to contact Roxboro Road Garda Station on 061 214340 , the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. Online disinformation Gardaí also noted that they are aware of the 'misinformation and disinformation currently in circulation online' relating to the initial concerns raised my members of the public. They have asked for any content shared to not be 'forwarded onwards or further posted'. Limerick-based refugee and migrant rights organisation, Doras, shared a statement condemning the "fabricated allegations'. 'We are appalled by the recent assault in Limerick of a man from a migrant background, following unfounded and fabricated allegations against him. This was a targeted act of harassment and violence. It has understandably caused fear and distress within migrant communities — and, rightly, outrage among the vast majority of people in Limerick who reject racism and vigilantism,' read the statement. Doras said Limerick has a proud tradition of being a welcoming and inclusive city — and that hate and harassment has no place there. 'We urge everyone: please do not share or engage with posts or videos that spread false claims. Doing so can put innocent people in real danger.' Doras said they are providing support to the man who was assaulted. 'We stand firmly with all migrants and others who face harassment or violence simply because of who they are,' they added. 'If you witness or experience racism or a hate crime, please contact us at 083 008 6391 or email: mvs@ Read More Beach-goers warned about poisonous weever fish amid spell of hot weather
The 42
04-07-2025
- Business
- The 42
American businessman confirmed as new owner of Athlone Town
NICK GIANNOTTI HAS been confirmed as the new owner of Athlone Town AFC. Giannotti takes over from US-based company owners Valeo Futbol Partnership. The American businessman is a co-founder of Redball Energy, a Washington-based solar company, and has served as a Director and minority shareholder of Plymouth Argyle FC. Advertisement In a statement, Giannotti pledged to be 'honest, transparent, thoughtful, and open' with supporters in his new role. 'Many of you may be skeptical, as I am not local to Athlone, but I can assure you that I am not just another disconnected, non-Irish owner,' Giannotti said. A message from Nick Giannotti. — Athlone Town AFC (@AthloneTownAFC) July 4, 2025 'I was born and raised in San Diego, California, where I grew up playing football for a club called the Nomads and won three national championships. As a teenager, I was fortunate enough to spend two summers in the Northwest of England playing with the team, witnessing firsthand the significance of football to local communities. 'My father immigrated to the United States from Italy through Ellis Island. His story echoes that of so many Irish families who made a new life abroad. My wife, whose roots trace back to Cork, also studied at university in Dublin. Together, we have two young children, and our family is proud to now become part of the Athlone community. Related Reads Bohemians are a financial monster in League of Ireland and will only get stronger Shelbourne confirm Joey O'Brien as Damien Duff's full-time successor Losing the LOI's top scorer for €30,000 shows measures clubs must take just to keep up 'Professionally, I co-founded Redball Energy, a solar company I've had the privilege to lead for over 15 years. More recently, I've had the chance to merge my professional skills and personal passion by serving as a Director and minority shareholder of Plymouth Argyle FC. Football is a lifelong passion of mine, and it is with that same energy, respect, and drive that I come to Athlone. 'While I am not from Ireland, I know how much this club means to its supporters and its town. I understand the responsibility of this role. Please know that I am not here to change Athlone's identity. I aim to honour it, to protect it, and to grow it alongside all of you.' Athlone currently sit bottom of the First Division table, having won just three of their 21 league games.
Sunday World
01-07-2025
- Business
- Sunday World
Shop worker who claimed he was left out of birthday whip-rounds loses racism claim
'I never saw a foreigner get flowers or presents,' the worker told a tribunal last month A shop worker who claimed racial discrimination saw him excluded as a recipient of workplace whip-rounds organised for those celebrating birthdays has lost his case. 'I never saw a foreigner get flowers or presents,' the worker told a tribunal last month. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has rejected a complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998 by the worker, Artur Czopek, against TJX Ireland Unlimited in a decision published today. The company, which trades under the TK Maxx brand, had denied allegations of discrimination, harassment and victimisation brought by Mr Czopek, a Polish man working as a part-time sales assistant at one of the firm's shops in Newbridge, Co Kildare since 2017. Presenting his own case at a hearing last month, Mr Czopek told the tribunal that an assistant manager was in the practice of arranging voluntary collections among staff to go towards gifts to colleagues for birthdays or significant events at the store. Mr Czopek said he contributed to these collections, but was 'never selected' on his birthday. Stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 1st 'She always selected Irish employees, and at no time was a non-Irish national the beneficiary of a collection,' Mr Czopek told the WRC. A document presented to the WRC by the employer set out 17 collections done at the workplace from 2020 onward, marking 11 birthdays and six work anniversaries. Gifts were given for 18th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 65th birthdays, and to mark increments of 5, 10 and 15 years' service, the tribunal was told. Mr Czopek told the WRC that after complaining to the store manager, Scott Cooper in July or August 2024 he was assured the practice would cease, but it didn't. Cross-examining the complainant, counsel for the respondent Tiernan Lowey BL, appearing instructed by Hayes Solicitors LLP, put it to Mr Czopek that the collections were only done to mark 'milestone birthdays or events'. Mr Czopek said: 'I turned 40 and nothing happened. No, only selected people were receiving presents.' However, he agreed that the practice of doing the whip-rounds only started in 2020 and that he turned 40 in 2019. Mr Lowey put three examples of other workers at the store who got presents funded by the collections practice to Mr Czopek. These including a Latvian woman, a Polish woman, and a Russian man, he said. 'I don't deny these,' Mr Czopek said. After complaining, Mr Czopek said, he found that his usual Sunday shifts were cut, he was given 'unusual work' and that it took longer to get approval for bathroom breaks. Mr Czopek further alleged he was being harassed on the basis of his nationality by Mr Cooper during a four-week medical absence from work, when he was expected to report in weekly. Mr Czopek also claimed that there were 'no foreigners' being employed at the store since May 2024, but later qualified his position and said that since Mr Cooper took over, 'less non-nationals are employed'. Mr Cooper said hiring across all nationalities 'continues as normal' and denied that there was 'any fall-off in the recruitment of non-Irish nationals' since he took charge of the store. In her decision, adjudicator Bríd Deering wrote: 'The evidence shows that the occasions celebrated are objectively understood as milestone events and the beneficiaries of the collections were of various nationalities, not just Irish employees.' She wrote that Mr Czopek had failed to establish facts that would back up an inference of racial discrimination in connection with the practice of gift collections. Ms Deering, accepted the company's position that all of Mr Czopek's complaints were 'assertions unsupported by evidence' and rejected his case in its entirety.
Irish Examiner
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Cork TDs clash over emigration figures as housing crisis forces more young people abroad
A war of words has erupted between two Cork TDs over the number of people emigrating as the housing crisis continues to take its toll. Colm Burke took exception to a speech made by Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould at a housing rally in Cork where he told the crowd that "Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have driven over 150,000 young people" out of the country. The Fine Gael TD responded with CSO figures which show that since 2020, 143,900 Irish citizens have left the country compared to 147,600 citizens who have returned. Looking solely at the number of people leaving the country and not acknowledging those who are returning does not give an accurate portrayal of the situation, Mr Burke said. There is also a need to look beyond the figures at the people included in them such as non-Irish citizens who arrived to study or work in Ireland on a temporary basis and are now returning home, he noted. In any country, you will have young people who move abroad to experience other cultures and those - for example, doctors and nurses - who get work experience abroad for a period of time before coming home, Mr Burke added. However, Mr Gould has said he stands over the figure he quoted at the rally saying he believes it was actually a conservative estimate. He cites data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics which showed over 103,000 Irish-born people were living there in June 2024. That figure does not take into account the number of Irish people who have moved to other countries around the world nor those who have moved to Australia over the past year. Mr Gould said he has young people in his constituency that are coming to him every week telling him that they are leaving the country because they cannot afford a home. One young working couple, for example, came to his office as they had received a notice to quit and are earning too much to go on the social housing list. Thomas Gould cites data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics which showed over 103,000 Irish-born people were living there in June 2024. "They have applied for affordable housing but there are so many people applying so they are going into a lottery and if they don't come out of the lottery, they are going to be homeless," Mr Gould said. Mr Burke said there is no question there are challenges in relation to housing that need to be resolved. "I have a very strong view that we should bring in tax incentives again to get money back into investment in housing," he said, although he would not like to see a re-introduction of incentives seen around 2008.
