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Commemorative stamps RTE

RTÉ to open archives to celebrate 50th anniversary

RTÉ launched TV50 yesterday to mark the year-long anniversary celebrations.

GAYBO’S FIRST BROADCAST? Mary Robinson on the Den? Footage from Italia 90? Which would you like to be able to watch again?

They may all be available soon as the National Broadcaster is to release more of its archived footage online for its 50th anniversary celebrations.

RTÉ will publish photos, video clips and TV50 Classics as part of TV50, a year-long celebration starting New Year’s Eve.

The comprehensive archives which provide a snapshot of Irish life will be made available from spring 2012.

Other events have been organised across the group to celebrate the golden birthday. Of course, there are the stamps as well.

Fifty years ago on New Year’s Eve President Eamon de Valera launched Telefís Éireann with these words:

Never before was there in the hands of men an instrument so powerful to influence the thoughts and actions of the multitude.”

That first evening included poetry readings by Siobhán McKenna and Mícheál MacLiammóir, a look back at the preparations for the television service, and an hour of music and song featuring Jimmy O’Dea and Maureen Potter.

Speaking at the launch of TV50, Director General Noel Curran said, “Television has served as both a window and mirror to an evolving nation; witnessing and chronicling huge change across five decades of Irish life. I hope that in that time we have served the viewing public well: that we have reflected their lives in a way that is nuanced and recognisable; that we have stimulated our conversation as a nation; that we have informed the populace in a way that has furthered our democratic rights and responsibilities; that we have promoted a sense of national identity. And that we have entertained and engaged along the way.”

Read more: “For me, it’s been a pleasure” Anne Doyle reads RTE news for the final time>

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10 Comments
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    Mute John Culhane
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    Dec 7th 2017, 8:52 AM

    That’s lovely isn’t it

    258
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    Mute Jon Mackey
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    Dec 7th 2017, 9:22 AM

    @John Culhane: such a contrast in characters.. a real Garda shot during duty this morning and this waster in the next article.

    There’s obviously a food chain in the Gardaí too, this clown at the bottom

    213
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    Mute Bognor regis
    Favourite Bognor regis
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    Dec 7th 2017, 9:50 AM

    @John Culhane: no comment to make on the guard getting shot carrying out his duty this morning?

    19
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    Mute Niall Sullivan
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    Dec 7th 2017, 9:15 AM

    No psychiatric report ordered? Strange.

    155
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    Mute Karl
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    Dec 8th 2017, 12:23 PM

    @Joe Bloggs: there is zero logic in that comment. Are you suggesting that arresting drunk drivers is a bad thing and he’s being punished for doing it or its his reward?

    No logic

    4
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    Mute Keith Ellis
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    Dec 7th 2017, 9:00 AM

    Two months weren’t enough. His brief obviously didn’t say he had a hard upbringing.

    142
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    Mute Pat Bateman
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    Dec 7th 2017, 11:12 AM

    @Keith Ellis: You won’t find a lot of cases where people get a prison sentence for a drink driving charge.

    45
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    Mute John Fahy
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    Dec 7th 2017, 9:46 AM

    However bad his behaviour was, it occurred after the offence of drunk driving was committed. As such it was irrelevant in deciding the penalty unless he was also charged with a public order offence and there’s no mention of that. The judge is wrong here.

    73
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    Mute Karl
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    Dec 7th 2017, 10:02 AM

    @John Fahy: every single day in every single court a persons behavior after arrest and in court are considered. An apology gets a reduction, offering compensation gets a reduction, resisting arrest gets an increase.

    93
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    Mute pat seery
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    Dec 7th 2017, 10:35 AM

    @John Fahy: lets see if he appeals it
    The truth always comes out wit a few beers in you
    Well done to The GARDA doing their work

    59
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    Mute Ger
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    Dec 8th 2017, 4:18 AM

    @pat seery: no point appealing it. By the time the appeal comes to court he’ll be long released

    1
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    Mute Kevin Slater
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    Dec 7th 2017, 9:38 AM

    Voodoo now a Garda tool

    71
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    Mute FlopFlipU
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    Dec 7th 2017, 8:55 AM

    The onset of something something ,I seen this before

    56
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    Mute Donnie McGowan
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    Dec 7th 2017, 12:09 PM

    I once worked with this man and found him to be an absolute gentleman, he was understanding and caring. In his capacity as a Garda Sargent he went beyond the call of duty to assist people .
    I can’t understand what happened to him to create this Jekyll character. I’m so sorry to hear it.

    55
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    Mute Misanthrope
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    Dec 7th 2017, 5:49 PM

    @Donnie McGowan: booze does that to some people. Most of us know someone like that

    17
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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Dec 7th 2017, 6:23 PM

    @Misanthrope: True enough, some people are just nasty drunks and should give it up.

    14
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    Mute Ger
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    Dec 8th 2017, 4:20 AM

    @Donnie McGowan: only time I’ve ever heard of a personality shit like that the man was later diagnosed with a brain tumour.

    2
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    Mute gerry fallon
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    Dec 7th 2017, 9:24 AM

    Can you imagine what he was like as a garda.
    Thank God he’s retired.Its the likes of that bad pill that gives the Gardai a bad name because overall there’s a decent lot in the Gardai today thank God.Imagine somebody wishing cancer on a person.Just disgusting.

    161
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    Mute Rita Gleeson
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    Dec 7th 2017, 10:59 AM

    Correction – Apologies. Good to hear stories which show there are honest Gardai who are prepared to make arrests and breathalyse people at accident scenes – and arrest one of their own – if the Gardai want to restore public confidence in them – this is how they do it by being honest and doing the job they are supposed to.

    45
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    Mute Anthony Gallagher
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    Dec 7th 2017, 12:25 PM

    Any man that would use the language he used and went to the extent of writing it down on paper obviously has mental health issues ,this man worked for 35 years as a garda ,his fellow member said that he had worked with him and said he had been kind and intelligent ,this needs to be investigated further ,if the man has mental health issues he needs to be given sympathy not locked up .the the judge with all his experience got it wrong by the looks of things .

    43
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    Mute Eagle eye
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    Dec 7th 2017, 3:11 PM

    @Anthony Gallagher:
    I couldn’t agree more. Even the prosecuting garda said he was kind and intelligent and he was clearly competent enough to be promoted during his career. It certainly sounds like some form of mental illness . How else could you explain such a drastic change in personality and such hatred toward his former colleagues.

    29
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    Mute Donnie McGowan
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    Dec 7th 2017, 11:45 AM

    I have had previous experience with Mr Kiely. This is totally out of character for this man. I find it hard to understand what has happened him over the last number of years.

    36
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    Mute Donnie McGowan
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    Dec 7th 2017, 12:16 PM

    I find it hard to believe that this is the man I knew. For it’s totally out of character.
    Joe Kiely is one of the most helpful and understanding individuals you could wish to meet.

    30
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    Mute Mark Dawson
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    Dec 7th 2017, 9:58 AM

    Very nasty comments this x garda made more like school boy antics but he was charged with driving over the limit ,period. First offence ive never heard of anyone been imprisoned . gardai hear much worse during the course of arrests but I think judge over stepped the mark in this case

    43
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    Mute gerry fallon
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    Dec 7th 2017, 11:12 AM

    @Mark Dawson: it’s the deep venom and belief he has the curse to pass it on that is so bad.

    24
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    Mute Tom Harpur
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    Dec 7th 2017, 9:48 AM

    Hopefully whilst in prison he’ll be on the wrong side of some prison love. That’ll soften his cough

    37
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    Mute Karl
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    Dec 7th 2017, 10:01 AM

    @Tom Harpur: you wish a person to be raped? Really? For drink driving it because he was a cop for 34 years?

    You sir, are a vile person

    152
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    Mute Ger
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    Dec 8th 2017, 4:21 AM

    @Tom Harpur: I don’t care what crime someone commits, if you wish rape on them you need to be locked away from the public too

    5
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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Dec 7th 2017, 10:44 AM

    And he served as a Garda I would love to know the type of law he upheld in his time as a Garda

    19
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    Mute John Considine
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    Dec 7th 2017, 12:51 PM

    @Alan Scott: a great man to fill in the statistics too I’ll bet.

    7
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    Mute patrick
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    Dec 7th 2017, 6:24 PM

    I also can’t understand his behaviour. I know this man and to me he was a gentleman. Something has obviously happened in the 6 months since I last saw him.

    14
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    Mute Rita Gleeson
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    Dec 7th 2017, 10:57 AM

    Good to hear stories which show there are honest Gardai who are prepared to make arrests and breathalyse people at accident scenes – and arrest one of their – of the Gardai want to restore public confidence in them – this is how they do it by being honest and doing the job they are supposed to. ☮️

    14
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    Mute John Considine
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    Dec 7th 2017, 12:52 PM

    @Rita Gleeson: would he have ever been bagged if he hadn’t crashed into somebody though?

    8
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    Mute Paul Delahunty
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    Dec 7th 2017, 10:58 AM

    My god, it’s like an evil version of a Myles na Gopaleen story. Bizarre.

    12
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    Mute Living The Laws
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    Dec 7th 2017, 9:30 AM

    what a horrible person. seriously horrible.

    48
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    Mute patrick
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    Dec 7th 2017, 6:29 PM

    Sorry, seen a picture of this man. Not the same man i was thinking of.

    5
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    Mute John Barnes
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    Dec 7th 2017, 2:51 PM

    C u Next Tuesday

    5
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    Mute Jason O Brien
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    Dec 8th 2017, 12:57 AM

    Such a bold sergeant

    1
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    Mute Thomas Sheridan
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    Dec 14th 2017, 12:51 PM

    “Sean McGee acting for solicitor Catherine Boner”

    had to check if it was April 1st.

    1
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    Mute Jason O Brien
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    Dec 8th 2017, 12:51 AM

    Oh no

    1
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