The Blame Game

Concert promoters MCD issued a report yesterday criticising the gardaí's role at the recent Swedish House Mafia gig.

The July 7 concert, held at the Phoenix park in Dublin, was marred by violence and anti-social behaviour. Seven people were stabbed at the event, 40 were treated in emergency departments, more than 30 arrests were made for knife attacks, public order offences, drug possession and drug dealing and two men who attended the concert later died of suspected drug overdoses.

Accusing them of 'ineffective policing', MCD claimed gardaí did not enforce the law within the Phoenix Park and failed to control public drunkenness outside the venue. The concert promoters further claim that a risk assessment carried out on April 16 stipulated that the Swedish House Mafia concert should be policed by 206 gardaí, however, that number was reduced to 149 and, on the day, there were only 145 personnel on duty.

The report is a response to a letter sent by Garda Commissioner, Martin Callinan, to Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, outlining the gardaí's response to the events.

Mr Callinan, of course, was quick to point the finger of blame at MCD. He said the Phoenix Park was not a suitable place for a concert such as the Swedish House Mafia, the concert promoters 'did not have appropriate security measures in place' and stewards were not given clear instructions on how to eject drunken fans.

In the days following the incident, Voice of Ireland coach Bressie took an altogether different tack and put the troublemakers' parents at fault.

'We have this thing in Ireland that our first port of call is that someone is to blame on a bigger level or society is to blame . . . If it happens and your kids are out doing it, a massive part of the blame lies with the parents and that's just the way it has to be.'

Ultimately, the only people responsible for the instigators' behaviour are the instigators themselves. Fuelled by drink and drugs, it's easy to see how things escalated, and both MCD and the gardaí must realise this.

It's time for the feuding parties to call off the blame game and instead focus on implementing more stringent security measures for future gigs.

Astral Gaze

A shoot styled by Laura and I - way back when - for our college magazine, Chrome. 

Make-up Sarah Jane Wai O'Flynn; Hair John Cheese; Photographer Johnny McMillan; Model Vanessa Jobb.

Wallace tickled pink

Shamed TD Mick Wallace will not face prosecution after under-declaring €1.4m of VAT in his construction company M&J Wallace.

The corporate enforcement watchdog has decided not to investigate the tax-dodging politician's company, claiming that the VAT returns of companies were 'a matter for the Revenue Commissioners'. However, Revenue have already made a €2.1m settlement with M&J Wallace, meaning the Wexford TD is likely to escape punishment.

When the tax scandal was made public in June, Wallace said he would give up half of his Dáil salary in order to repay the Revenue. There is little chance of this happening, however, as the tax cheat would need to serve as a backbencher for another 87 years in order to pay the €2.1m owed.

The only other sanction that Wallace is now facing is a motion of censure - basically an expression of disapproval - in the Dáil. So the disgraced TD is free to keep his seat for the Wexford constituency as well as his whopping €92,000 salary.

Happy days for Wallace, so.

Shameless Self-promotion

Did a stint on community radio station Liffey Sound 96.4FM over the summer as a Presenter, Producer, Sound Engineer and Newsreader - a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Have a listen to myself and Laura Garvey cackling away below. 

Work it

Absolute portfolio post! Just some of the work I've done as an Editorial Assistant with IMAGE Interiors & Living.

IMAGE Interiors & Living, October 2011 Edition


IMAGE Interiors & Living, October 2011 Edition


IMAGE Interiors & Living, December 2011 Edition

The Man at War

After seven years of what he described as a 'living nightmare', loving husband, father and locked-in syndrome sufferer,Tony Nicklinson, has died.

Resigned to a life cocooned in a shell following a stroke which left him paralysed  in 2005, Tony launched a landmark legal battle to be granted the right to die. His case received worldwide recognition through the airing of Channel 4's documentary, Let Our Dad Die, which followed Tony's day-to-day struggles - from his complete reliance on his wife, Jane, the couples' two daughters, Lauren and Beth, and his carers, to his inability to communicate.

Although he managed to take his case to the High Court, Tony unfortunately lost his battle, and therefore his right to die, last week. In a statement issued through his lawyers at the time of the ruling, Tony said: 'I am saddened that the law wants to condemn me to a life of increasing indignity and misery.'

Tony was so hellbent on escaping from his nightmare that he was willing to starve himself if he did lose the High Court case - in undoubtedly what would have been a most painful and harrowing experience for both himself and his family. Thankfully, it did not come to that and Tony is believed to have died of natural causes at his family home at around 10am this morning.

Here's hoping that the man at war has finally found peace.