Lakers and other good stuff. But mostly dad, grandad, writer, weekly opinioniser with the Irish Examiner (the best!). Loves people, politics, & a good argument.
Mandy is even more famous now! . Look who’s supporting her as she goes global. Three weeks in to her Million Steps for Lakers, according to Fitbit Mandy has now completed 272,279 steps. Please join in.
On Friday morning I criticised John McGuirk’s decision to publish the nationality of the attacker in Parnell Square. He replied that I hadn’t a clue and that his “facts” were “triple checked”. That was followed by the usual pile-on by his acolytes. He’s really something.
So - she did it. Mandy completed her Million Steps for Lakers today - and with any luck you can catch the moment on the Six News on RTÉ this evening. A million thanks for all the support - and her fundraising page is still open at
In 1983 eleven TDs (only) voted against the 8th Amendment in the Dail. Eight were Labour TDs. One - Eileen Desmond - was a woman. They were vilified, abused, threatened. But they stood up for women then and against the danger to women posed by the 8th. Finally vindicated tonight.
Imagine! After more than 13 years my last day in Barnardos, working alongside the best and most committed team in Ireland. The work they do is vital and needed. It’s also painstaking and professionally demanding. I’ll miss them and wish them huge success.
I admit I’ve been quite staggered by the scaremongering about tomorrow’s referendums. We’re being asked to remove sexist language about women, adopt a more inclusive definition of the family, and recognise the value of care. That’s all. Please vote YES YES.
The Covid payment was designed to enable people to live while their employment was effectively on hold because of the pandemic. The idea that they must be actively seeking other work to get the payment is disgraceful and absurd.
@Donal_OKeeffe
That’s an extraordinary thread Donal. Thank you. It might seem banal but the creepy hypocrisy you’ve exposed is almost the history of Ireland.
So Mandy reached her 1,000,000 steps for Lakers yesterday, and smashed her fundraising target. Her tee shirt says it all. On her behalf and on all our behalf we want to say 1,000,000 thank yous to everyone who supported her and Lakers. We will never forget what you’ve done.
Fascinating piece in the New York Times today. How Europe sleepwalked into a second pandemic wave. Only 2 countries have controlled it so far. Finland and Ireland.
In the middle of a major public policy crisis of housing and homelessness - caused by 20 years of bad politics - all I see on Facebook and Twitter is puerile conspiracy theorising and crass victim blaming. We really have lost our way, haven’t we?
The Late Late Toy Show is life-affirming and brilliant. We’re all grown ups in our house (oh all right, ancient) and we’re in floods. Big kid Ryan never better.
Spot the deliberate error! My missus spotted this after tonight’s 9 o’clock News. I didn’t believe her till I checked. But she’s always right - I should have known!
@RichardFBaker1
@PositiveaboutDS
Our daughter Mandy is 48 today. She was born with Down Syndrome and it has never defined her, though it did lead to lots of battles over services. She’s a proud independent woman now. There’s a great and sometimes challenging future ahead of Florence.
It is simply impossible to imagine any other American President, given what it says on the Statue of Liberty, acting in so humane, cruel and arbitrary a manner as Donald Trump. He is a disgrace to his country and its long held values.
Norah Gibbons was one of the most formidable people I ever knew, one of those people from whom you learn every day. She had so much more to contribute, especially to the welfare and protection of children, and her death is a terrible loss. We will all miss her.
After watching last night’s Prime Time programme on cruelty and abuse in the greyhound industry, it’s surely a source of shame that Irish governments have subsidised this disgusting business to the tune of an unbelievable €239,566,416 since 2001 - a quarter of a billion euro 1/2
Tony Holohan has provided amazing leadership, patriotism and public service to his country - all the more so when you realise the personal circumstances facing his family. He deserves Ireland’s thanks and respect. His wife and family deserve only the best outcomes.
Mandy’s most recent Fitbit figures are 943, 989. Isn’t that remarkable? She’s almost there, and she asked me to send this message to everyone who helped her. And it’s not too late to get involved!
Peter Sutherland was a gentleman. He was someone you could disagree with without rancour, and also someone who did a lot of good things in private. His public service was genuine service and motivated by the best instincts. He is a loss to his country.
70 year old makes fool of himself! I met Tommy Bowe in TV3 this morning. All I could think of was that amazing try against Wales and the intercept against Australia. I asked for a picture and he couldn’t have been more gracious.
Peggy and Breda McCarthy were punished by the Catholic Church for 50 years. For no crime. While the same church protected thousands of abusive priests. We need to stand in solidarity with the Church’s victims, not bow our heads in the Phoenix Park.
On the basis of the exit poll It’s going to be all about the last seats. But right now no government (except a grand coalition of FF and FG) can be formed unless it has SF in it. Tomorrow will be fascinating and cruel on a human level.
@DavQuinn
I was there. The first marchers turned on to the quays towards the Custom House before the last marchers left the top of Parnell Square. I don’t know the numbers, but it was certainly 10s of thousands and one of the biggest marches I’ve seen in years.
The entire first half of the 9 o’clock news tonight - up to the break - was about the fact that it was really really windy in Ireland today. At 9.23 they devoted a minute to the possibility of an invasion of Ukraine. Thank goodness we’re maintaining perspective.
If we don’t challenge hate on the internet the end result will be the destruction of democracy. 5 minute read from my column in today’s Irish Examiner.
Lakers in Bray is a club for people with an intellectual disability. Fantastic place that provides a huge range of service. Our premises (I’m chair) was badly damaged and our 4 buses destroyed in a fire last night. Our 400 members will be devastated until we can get going again.
I was beginning to wonder if were watching Macbeth. “Nothing became him like the leaving” and all that. The longer I watch the more it seems like we’re watching Les Battersby being evicted from Coronation Street.
@RichardFBaker1
@PositiveaboutDS
I should have added - Mandy insists that her condition is called Up Syndrome. She worked out that if you say Down, people look down.
Our Taoiseach delivered a hard won and honourable agreement on the border. It wouldn’t be the first time in history the British reneged. But this time we have the whole of Europe with us. Credit to good leadership.
Noel Whelan was a great writer and analyst, a wonderful strategist, a leader in powerful campaigns, and a good man who travellled a long way in his life. He will be genuinely missed.
Not just arrogant, Cummings is also a fool. His pat and self-serving narrative and his complete lack of self awareness has made his and Johnson’s situation 10 times worse. Like watching an English Pee Flynn.
The music is moving and powerful. The respect is overwhelming. But mostly it’s the thousands of people gathered at the Garden of Remembrance in solidarity. Truth, Justice and Love still have a place to call home.
So I’m stopped at a traffic light near Leeson Street. There’s a van facing me, woman driving, and a skeleton in the passenger seat. She notices me staring and suddenly the skeleton raises its arm and waves slowly at me. Why didn’t I have the wit to wave back?
@DavQuinn
It’s 16 per thousand of us. They’re English, American etc etc. as well as African and east Europen. The adults among them don’t need schools, the well don’t need hospitals. They run businesses and pay taxes. It’s a political issue why exactly? Or are we just trying to stir it up?
Took me just short of 70 years to screw up the courage, but this morning I joined the thousands in Sandycove. I’m told the circulation in my feet will recover without the need for surgery. But I still count it as an achievement!
When, I wonder, is some democratically elected leader going to tell President Trump to his face that he is both ignorant and a bully, who reflects no credit whatever on the values of the republic he’s supposed to represent?
Toddy was the man! Sad to hear of the death of the first Labour candidate I ever worked for, more than 40 years ago. Toddy O’Sullivan was a Labour stalwart and hero all his life. Never wavered from his values and convictions. And a lovely warm man. He has earned his rest.
@DavQuinn
Please David. It’s time to stop whinging. You were beaten by a campaign that you outspent ten to one - led by women of all things. But you’re not going to be silenced, imprisoned or oppressed. Why not join campaigns for all the disabled people you’ve been worrying about instead?
1/2. I see Frances Fitzgerald as an honest and committed politician. Whatever cock-up happened, I don’t believe she is part of the conspiracy against Maurice McCabe. In fact I don’t think she’d be capable of it. ..
Barnardos head office was broken into late on Friday night. Thankfully no major damage done. The Gardai in Kevin Street were alerted and couldn’t have been more helpful and thoroughly professional. We’d like to really thank them for their support.
If you’re found casting a vote in a general election for somebody else who hasn’t turned up, you can be convicted of a criminal offence. Do different standards apply to national legislators I wonder?
So Mandy wants to raise money for Lakers and she has set up a page to ask for your help. Please read her story here.
Her first week’s Fitbit report is in. 93,881 steps - 13,412 a day - 58.9 Kms. We think she’s amazing!
Just watched the new Letterman (Netflix) interview with Barack Obama. Very hard to figure out how in a year the US moved from that quality of leader to where it is now.
The Taoiseach’s address last night was an example of real leadership and a call for solidarity. He spoke as the leader of a mature country with deep values - honest and forthright, trusting us to be aware of our civic responsibilities. It’s up to us now to protect each other.