Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Here’s What Happened Today: Wednesday

Everybody’s talking about the bad weather, bankers charged with €7.2 billion fraud, and Ian Watkins sentenced to 35 years in prison.

Updated 11.22pm

NEED TO CATCH up? TheJournal.ie brings you a round-up of today’s news…

image

Flooding at Salthill in Galway tonight as heavy rain and heavy winds hit part of the country. (Pic: Cathal Collins/Twitter)

IRELAND

INTERNATIONAL

image

The scene of the Great Train Robbery in 1963. (PA/PA Wire)

#JAILED: Former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for child sexual abuse.

#RUSSIA: Russia is to free the two jailed members of punk protest group Pussy Riot and end the prosecution of 30 Greenpeace crew members.

#DEATH: The Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs, who escaped from jail and spent decades on the run, has died in London at the age of 84.

INNOVATION

PARTING SHOT

The Irish Farmers Journal (no relation) has been asking farmers to take selfies for a competition on Facebook and it has now been whittled down to ten finalists. The results, as you might expect, are excellent. It’s hard to choose just one, but you can vote for your favourite on the Facebook page here.

image

(Pic: Official Irish Farmers Journal/Facebook)

Originally published 9.00pm

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mcdb06
    Favourite mcdb06
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 1:20 PM

    Arlene looks like the Undertaker in 1993

    587
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Fynite
    Favourite Niall Fynite
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 1:21 PM

    @mcdb06: Comment of the year tbf!

    92
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán O'Loughlin
    Favourite Seán O'Loughlin
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 1:31 PM

    Is Mícheál wearing a poppy badge there!?

    85
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vladimir Macro
    Favourite Vladimir Macro
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 1:52 PM

    @mcdb06: LOL

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger Murphy
    Favourite Ger Murphy
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 2:40 PM

    @Seán O’Loughlin: Specsavers have an offer. You should avail of it

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Shannon
    Favourite Peter Shannon
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 3:31 PM

    @mcdb06: looks like a broad black brimmer to me

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán O'Loughlin
    Favourite Seán O'Loughlin
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 4:29 PM

    @Ger Murphy: on his left lapel adjacent to his tie knot, that looks like a small metal/enamel poppy badge. Maybe it’s you that needs to go to Specsavers.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Ó hAodha
    Favourite Liam Ó hAodha
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 7:33 PM

    @Seán O’Loughlin: yes, we are witnessing the first FF member to openly were an emblem that commemorates British imperialism and crusades that brought slaughter around the globe, have land grabbed, murdered, bombed, pillaged & raped in Ireland

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Ó hAodha
    Favourite Liam Ó hAodha
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 7:34 PM

    @Ger Murphy: the irony is lost on you man.
    You should of at least looked at the picture before commenting

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chin Feeyin
    Favourite Chin Feeyin
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 7:58 PM

    @Seán O’Loughlin: no.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán O'Loughlin
    Favourite Seán O'Loughlin
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 8:50 PM

    @Chin Feeyin: I think you’ll find you’re wrong, he is wearing one, albeit small.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shedonny
    Favourite Shedonny
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 1:40 PM

    Why is the Taoiseach laying a wreath in remembrance of a foreign war in what is for the moment another jurisdiction?
    Does he also go to France, Italy etc. to remember their war dead?
    Following in the footsteps of FGers Kenny and Varadkar.

    271
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ajax Penumbra
    Favourite Ajax Penumbra
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 1:44 PM

    @Shedonny: Many Irish people have served in in the British Armed Forces and deserve to be remembered and acknowledged in an official capacity be the government of their home country.

    429
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute IAmTheTruth
    Favourite IAmTheTruth
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 1:46 PM

    @Shedonny: many Irish gave their lives for the freedoms that you enjoy today. Have a bit of class mate

    400
    See 10 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Kavanagh
    Favourite Michael Kavanagh
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 1:48 PM

    @Shedonny:
    He is respecting thousands and thousands of your (presumed) countrymen who fell in combat and offering solidarity to the victims of an atrocity.
    Simple really.
    Amazing how clearly you can see when you remove the bigot lenses.

    217
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vladimir Macro
    Favourite Vladimir Macro
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 1:54 PM

    @Shedonny: I think hes more comfortable remembering anything outside the Republican cause. ANYTHING.

    120
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute EFitz66
    Favourite EFitz66
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 2:57 PM

    @IAmTheTruth: You are asking a Shinbot tp have some class??? Come on

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Teresa Ryan
    Favourite Teresa Ryan
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 4:58 PM

    @Ajax Penumbra: This nonsense every November is beyond tedious. More civilians were killed by various militaries than military during both World Wars. Who remembers the civilians?

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Teresa Ryan
    Favourite Teresa Ryan
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 5:07 PM

    @Michael Kavanagh: Yet no unionist politican attends the annual famine commeration. It seems only the Irish who died in British uniform are worth commentating.

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute herp
    Favourite herp
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 5:48 PM

    @IAmTheTruth: they did, you wear a lily.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamo
    Favourite Jamo
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 7:02 PM

    @Teresa Ryan: Is there a memorial for civilian victims of the 1916 rising? Or is it just for republicans?

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Ó hAodha
    Favourite Liam Ó hAodha
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 7:37 PM

    @Ajax Penumbra: is that the same for those that fight for all foreign war lords as mercenaries? ISIS? Taliban?

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Teresa Ryan
    Favourite Teresa Ryan
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 8:37 PM

    @Jamo: Republicans, RIC, British soldiers, Dublin Metropolitan Police and yes civilians. Erected 2016.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Felim O'Rourke
    Favourite Felim O'Rourke
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 10:55 PM

    @Shedonny: he is honoring the dream of uniting Irishmen so that we can all live happily in a new shared Ireland. That which FF gets from Great Irishmen like Wolfe Tone and Parnell.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Geraldine O'Riordan
    Favourite Geraldine O'Riordan
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 1:24 PM

    And not one of them wearing a mask…!!!

    138
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Enda Corry
    Favourite Enda Corry
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 1:25 PM

    @Geraldine O’Riordan: 2 Metres apart?

    104
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jess Kelly
    Favourite Jess Kelly
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 2:09 PM

    @Enda Corry: but way outside his 5km! And don’t say it’s ‘essential ‘

    146
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Dalton
    Favourite Sean Dalton
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 2:42 PM

    @Geraldine O’Riordan: its outside!!

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kiern Mcx
    Favourite Kiern Mcx
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 3:12 PM

    @Jess Kelly: Have a day off

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mona Murphy
    Favourite Mona Murphy
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 6:19 PM

    @Kiern Mcx: he is telling the truth, I cant travel up north to see my 80 year old mother in law yet he can travel to lay a wreath. Might just head off this week, what’s good for the goose us good for the gander.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kiern Mcx
    Favourite Kiern Mcx
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 6:36 PM

    @Mona Murphy: The Taoiseach is an essential worker, whatever work that may be, whether you agree or disagree. I know, I hear you, it’s a tragic situation we are living in but that’s how it is.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe
    Favourite Joe
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 11:24 PM

    @Jess Kelly: they’re exempt under the new travel guidelines which came into effect today. look it up

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mona Murphy
    Favourite Mona Murphy
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 11:30 PM

    @Kiern Mcx: going to enniskillen was not essential he should not have attended this year.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan McArdle
    Favourite Alan McArdle
    Report
    Nov 9th 2020, 6:20 AM

    @Mona Murphy: you missed the ‘whatever work that may be’ part.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jimmy Mac
    Favourite Jimmy Mac
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 2:17 PM

    Will the Nolan show clear the decks for a rant on this crowd not social distancing , no masks, and some travelling miles to be there.

    99
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Mc
    Favourite Paul Mc
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 2:23 PM

    Why is that Republican Martin wearing a Poppy?

    103
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jimmy Mac
    Favourite Jimmy Mac
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 2:33 PM

    @Paul Mc: because he’s not a Republican

    165
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Euro McPúnty
    Favourite Euro McPúnty
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 6:15 PM

    @Jimmy Mac: “the Republican party”

    24
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Ó hAodha
    Favourite Liam Ó hAodha
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 7:42 PM

    @Paul Mc: Micheál Martin is as republican as Ian Paisley was
    There’s 2 Fianna Fáils now

    Majority Partitionist FF led by Micheál
    Minority Republican FF led by Jim O’Callaghan

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chin Feeyin
    Favourite Chin Feeyin
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 8:01 PM

    @Paul Mc: not wearing a poppy.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shedonny
    Favourite Shedonny
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 4:48 PM

    Ireland did not participate in World War 2, so why is the Taoiseach honouring the dead of a foreign power?

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute FlopFlipU
    Favourite FlopFlipU
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 4:56 PM

    @Shedonny: Irish people fought in both world wars so maybe he is recognizing that

    108
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shedonny
    Favourite Shedonny
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 6:09 PM

    @FlopFlipU:
    I know that many Irish people fought in both world wars (including some of my family), but they were in a BRITISH army, in a war declared by a BRITISH government. As you know Ireland was not self-governing at the time.
    Most Irishmen who enlisted did so for economic reasons as a result of the dire economic situation in Ireland.

    55
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Dalton
    Favourite Sean Dalton
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 8:14 PM

    @Shedonny: yes but they were still IRISH, should they not be remembered or would you have them brushed under the carpet and forgotten to history

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mickymac
    Favourite Mickymac
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 1:30 PM

    Outside and 2 m apart

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Giles Wolohan
    Favourite Giles Wolohan
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 3:33 PM

    5k rule not apply to martin

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Byrne
    Favourite Paul Byrne
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 6:35 PM

    West brits showed is colours

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Carr
    Favourite Declan Carr
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 5:00 PM

    he’s not wearing a mask. What’s the travel restrictions, or is there any?

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute peter monaghan
    Favourite peter monaghan
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 4:56 PM

    Glad to see Arlene in THE BROAD BLACK BRIMMER respect ms foster lol

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cultural Dissident
    Favourite Cultural Dissident
    Report
    Nov 9th 2020, 1:54 AM

    This is the centenary of a critical year of our war of independence. What acts of remembrance has our Taoiseach performed so far to honour the memory of those who fought to establish this nation?

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Carroll
    Favourite Jim Carroll
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 6:04 PM

    Maith thú Taoiseach

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Demo
    Favourite George Demo
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 3:27 PM

    Due to public health restrictions President Michael D laid a wreath in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Teresa Ryan
    Favourite Teresa Ryan
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 5:04 PM

    @George Demo: Funny how most of the Irish who died are commerated in Protestant churches when most were Catholic. Could it be because Orange Order would forbid their members to attend a CC Church.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
    Favourite sean o'dhubhghaill
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 5:15 PM

    @Teresa Ryan: What is a CC Church?

    20
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
    Favourite sean o'dhubhghaill
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 5:21 PM

    @Teresa Ryan: When Douglas Hyde died in 1949 his funeral was held in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The entire Irish Cabinet stayed outside the door. Can you guess why?

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Teresa Ryan
    Favourite Teresa Ryan
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 8:41 PM

    @sean o’dhubhghaill: I know why but what do you expect from the weasels who took over the state after the civil war? Besides, that was over 70 years ago. Doesn’t explain why the commerations take place in Protestant churches only when most Irish who died were Catholic.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Teresa Ryan
    Favourite Teresa Ryan
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 8:42 PM

    @sean o’dhubhghaill: Catholic Church. Seriously!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
    Favourite sean o'dhubhghaill
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 9:22 PM

    @Teresa Ryan: I doubt very much if your average Protestant knows (or cares?) the reasons why various celebrations and commemorations are or are not carried out in Catholic churches. Perhaps the local Catholic Bishop could give you a summary of the Catholic Church’s laws surrounding war memorials.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Teresa Ryan
    Favourite Teresa Ryan
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 10:20 PM

    @sean o’dhubhghaill: The Protestant churches are in control the narrative or more specifically, The Church of England and more specifically again, the British monarch, who of course is the Head of that church.

    An Irishman was ten times more likely to be shot at dawn than any other British soldier. Far more likely to be the first over the top. Pure cannon fodder for the imperial army. All they did is help add more peoples and countries to the British empire, notably the Middle East.

    And look at the mess left behind.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cez Miname
    Favourite Cez Miname
    Report
    Nov 9th 2020, 11:20 PM
    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Caroline Otoole
    Favourite Caroline Otoole
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 8:40 PM

    I remember it so well, I never thought peace was possible after that.
    The Good Friday Agreement really is a miracle.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Flavin
    Favourite Brian Flavin
    Report
    Nov 8th 2020, 4:37 PM

    Silly Toaiseach Micheal Martin shouldn’t travel to enniskillen due covid restricted 5km

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ned O Mahony
    Favourite Ned O Mahony
    Report
    Nov 9th 2020, 9:55 AM

    Well Done Micheal A great Statesman

    6
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.