22nd July 1999
Reading the reports on the
tribunals last week I was amazed at the memory loss in middle
aged wealthy men, not to mention politicians. These men can
glance at share prices in the Financial Times while eating their
rice crispies over breakfast and within seconds they know what
they’re worth. But once they appear before a tribunal their
poor brain cells shut down. It’s terribly sad, there’s
only one known cure for this terrible disease, but it’s a
high price to pay … it’s called the truth!
And what about the leader of our country Bertie Ahern? On tuesday
he appeared before the tribunal, but we never saw him go in. Lots
of those old buildings have secret passages. My God I thought, is
Bertie going to come out like Martin Cahill with Mickey Mouse
underpants over his head, but thankfully he didn’t. What
I’d like to know is why hide when you have nothing to hide?
Am I the only one who believes all these tribunals are a complete
waste of time and millions of pounds of tax payers money. Money
that could be spent of providing state run ceches for infants
whose mothers and fathers have to work very hard just to make
ends meet, or giving couples tax relief who pay child minders up
to £100 a week.
Last week a reader mentioned to me that Douglas Library has no
audio tape books for people who are visually impaired, In simple
terms a book such as “Ivanhoe” on a set of tapes which
people could listen to. I decided to ring Douglas Library, and so
let my fingers do the walking and looked up Libraries in the
Golden Pages. No Douglas Library in the phonebook. Next step ring
the county Library, after all Douglas Shopping Centre is situated
in the county. I rang the county Library to be informed that I
should ring the City Library, so I rang the City Library,
“Can I have the telephone number of Douglas Library
please?”
Back came the answer, “It doesn’t have one! I’ll
connect you.”
I called down and spoke to a charming woman who informed me that
they do not have audio tapes but they can borrow them from the
other branch in the Northside. It seems they have a very good
selection of audio book up there. I have a few books in tape form
which I intend to give to Douglas Library and if any readers have
something similar they can hand them into the Library, which
would be appreciated.
To paraphrase Martin Luther King, “Clean at last! Clean at
last! My God its clean at last!!”. On sunday morning last,
Douglas was swept by the council. Several readers remarked how
clean it was as they made their way to mass in the GAA Hall (the
good Lord must have been listening because Cork won!!).
Anyway, Douglas Weekly has been campaigning for Sunday cleaning
for a year and a half and finally it’s been done, so
don’t stop. Next step - more bins and not open topped ones!
On last weeks weekly we had a photograph of Jerry Russell, well
known singer. We received a telephone call from a reader who
remembered Jerry when he sang in the Glengarrif House Hotel on
the Model Farm Road many years ago. We rang Jerry and he told us
that he used to sing with his friend Des Malarky in the above
hotel, but they have now moved to Water Rock in Midleton and the
good news for all lovers of fine singing is that they are there
every Saturday night.
On another subject I mentioned last week about my attempt to fly
from Cork to Edinburgh and the costs flying Aer Lingus
Cork/Dublin/Glasgow which was £324. A reader rang and suggested
I contact Travel Direct on an 1850 telephone number and the good
news is that I can fly to Edinburgh from Cork for £140 return.
Many thanks to that caller who didn’t leave her name.
Finally, Joe Dolans Munster agent Dominic McSweeney was seen in
Laser Discs buying a ticket for the Daniel O’Donnell concert
in Rochestown Hotel. Dominic was heard to say, “It’s
not for me, its for my wife.” We believe you Dominic.
I have a confession to make, being a music purist, enjoying the
singing and songwriting talents of people like Eric Bogle, Townes
Vanzandt, Tom Russell (Guy Clarke, etc...), like the new single
from … wait for it … Ronan Keating, lead singer with
Boyzone. I’ll never be able to show my face again in the
Lobby.
Bye for now.
Michael O’Hanlon
