Metro Herald, Monday, December 8, 2014

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Monday, December 8, 2014

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Monday, December 8, 2014

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Penalty points toughening up Learners who drive unaccompanied in Ireland are to receive penalty points for the first time.

Motorists who overtake dangerously or fail to obey traffic lights also face tougher penalties as part of a new clampdown.

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe said the authorities were targeting particularly dangerous behaviour.

‘We need to remember that the main purpose of the penalty points system is to concentrate minds and, ultimately, change driver behaviour,’ he said.

‘Learners must be accompanied and must display an L plate as a condition of their learner permit, and should remember that as learners they should exercise caution at all times. The L plate is as much a reminder to them as to other road users.’

The new points offences include learner permit holders driving unaccompanied or failing to display an L plate, and failure by novice drivers to display an n plate.

Two points will be due on payment of a fixed charge or four on conviction in court. among the offences for which

Open City to help shoppers go with flow

by Michael Mchugh

the penalty points have increased are dangerous overtaking, failure to stop a vehicle before a stop sign and failure to obey traffic lights.

The number of points will be increased for nine offences, and a further 14 will attract points for the first time. Two offences which previously involved a court appearance have now been brought within the fixed charge and points system.

The minister added: ‘ s i n c e the penalty points system began, there has been a dramatic fall in the numbers dying needlessly on our roads. However, 2013 showed the first increase in road fatalities for many years, and, unfortunately, we are on course for similar figures in 2014.

‘The penalty points system played an important role in reducing road fatalities and improving safety from 2002 on. We need to keep up the pressure to reduce road deaths, and I am confident that the measures which I am introducing today will make an important contribution to achieving that goal.’

Pointed: Paschal Donohoe

«

dentist drilled with win A DENTIST has won a major award after detecting throat cancer in a patient.

Rathdrum, Co Wicklow-based Dr James Turner has been named Sensodyne Sensitive Dentist of the Year 2014 after being nominated by Mary Hallis for his role in diagnosing her.

Ms Hallis said: ‘I will always

be in his debt. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for him.’

Dr Turner (above) said: ‘Mary has come through a very difficult time and I’m just delighted she’s in good health.

‘I’m just thrilled and I thank Mary for her nomination. I’m looking forward to seeing her in the coming days.’

Keep Dublin tidy – Please recycle this Metro Herald when you are finished with it

GARDAÍ have launched Operation Open City to keep Dublin moving during the busy shopping season in the run-up to Christmas.

The traffic management campaign began yesterday and will run until Christmas Eve to keep traffic flowing around the capital.

Open City involves the National Transport Authority, the National Roads Authority, the four Dublin local authorities, public transport providers and city businesses.

It is the latest incarnation of Operation Freeflow, which ran from 1996 to 2010, before it was replaced by the scaled back Operation Artery in 2011.

According to the Gardaí, this year’s new operation will include ‘highly visible Garda traffic patrols’ on the city’s arterial routes and at car parks and shopping areas during peak commuting and shopping times, and for major events.

As part of Operation Open City, there will be additional night-time bus and Luas services.

Further details are available on www.transportforireland.ie.

METRO HERALD Monday, December 8, 2014

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James Galway, flautist, 75; Gregg Allman, rock guitarist, 67; Kim Basinger, actress, 61; Teri Hatcher, US actress, 50; David Harewood, actor, 49; Sinead O’connor (pictured), eccentric rock star, 48; Nicki Minaj, US pop singer, 32.

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Weather Today

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Starting cold and windy with overnight showers gradually dying away. There will be good sunny spells and it will be mostly dry in the afternoon. Westerly winds will turn northwesterly. Cold with top temperatures reaching 5° to 7°C.

Derry

6˚C

5˚C

Donegal

25kph Belfast

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Cavan

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Tipperary

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Tonight

5˚C

Sunrise: 8.27am Sunset: 4.07pm

Min: -3°c

Heavy thundery showers will increasingly turn wintry, especially over higher ground with some accumulations likely over hills. Temperatures falling to between -1° and -4°, with ground frost and icy conditions common.

EUROPE today

Tomorrow Frost clearing before dawn as temperatures increase under cloudier skies.

Cloudy and windy, often dry C but with damp misty conditions 40kph coming and going. Heavier and more persistent rain will spread C eastwards during the evening.

11˚C

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Geneva

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Monday, December 8, 2014 METRO HERALD Monda

D’Arcy starts on RTÉ today after shock station jump

Proud: Gráinne Seoige (left) with Paul McGrath and winner Adam Horgan

Panti win is a noble call

GAY rights activist Rory O’Neill, aka Panti Bliss, found himself centre stage again this weekend, as he was awarded a People of the Year Award.

Actor Stephen Fry jetted in to present the performer with the gong, awarded for ‘his courage and defiance in fighting for freedom of expression and breaking down barriers to equality’.

The adjudicators said Panti Bliss’s ‘emotional address’ from the stage of the Abbey Theatre describing the reality of everyday life for some members of the LGBT community ‘triggered national and international debate on the notion of tolerance and equality for all members of society’.

Fry up: Stephen Fry presen award to Rory O’Neill (Pa ts nti Bliss) pictures: robbie reynolds

by JOANNE AHERN

Fry later tweeted a link to Panti Bliss’s Noble Call at the Abbey and said it motivated him to come to Ireland to present the prize.

The awards were televised on RTÉ, whose Saturday Night Show interview with O’Neill drew legal action from members of The Iona Institute, which opposes gay marriage.

Saoirse Foundation founders Mary and Tony Heffernan – two of whose children have died of the rare Batten disease – were awarded for their ‘selfless dedication and commitment to helping the families of sick children’.

Boys in blue: Gráinne Seoige (left) with John Wilson and Maurice McCabe

And the winners Are... n 2014 People of the Year Award Winners Rory O’Neill; Garda whistleblowers Maurice McCabe and John Wilson; Mary and Tony Heffernan; Paul Kelly, Console; Abuse survivor Louise O’Keeffe n Every Day Hero Award Owen Condon – for saving the life of a customer who suffered a heart attack, aged 17 n Young Person of the Year Award Adam Horgan – who at 15 saved the lives of a mother and child who got into difficulty while swimming in Youghal, Co Cork

Shane Kennedy – for becoming a fulltime carer to his baby brother, Cian, who suffers from Cri du Chat syndrome n Community Group of the Year Award The Society of St Vincent de Paul – for its commitment to helping the most vulnerable people in Irish society n International Person of the Year Award Holocaust survivor Tomi Reichental – for his dedication to peace, truth, reconciliation, to tolerance and forgiveness and to the rejection of all forms of racism and discrimination

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Thinking outside the box: Karen Sullivan, an, Kenneth Egan, Audrey McGrath h and Deiric Hartigan on the red carpet

BROADCASTER DCASTER Ray D’Arcy has said returning to RTÉ ‘feels a little bit like coming home’.

The Kildare man will rejoin the national broadcaster in February to take up the Derek Mooney midafternoon slot on Radio One after 15 years at Today FM. Announcing Ray of flight: D’Arcy D’Arcy’s immediate departure yesterday, Today FM chief executive Paul McPartlin said he was ‘disappointed’ to lose the host from the station’s ‘great line-up of talent’.

He added: ‘I want to thank him for his great contribution and wish him and his family well with his new venture. We move on as a station and begin the process of establishing another great show on To Today FM.’ Head of RTÉ Radio 1, Tom McGuir said: ‘It’s great to McGuire D’Ar back to RTÉ welcome Ray D’Arcy and I look forward f to him being at the heart of our afternoon after schedule on Radio 1.

‘His programme has been one of the top performers perf in the country and I know kno that listeners to Radio 1 and Ray D’Arcy D’Ar will really enjoy the latest addition to an exciting 2015. schedule in 2015.’

D’Arcy said: ‘I’m excited about the challenges in both radio and tele television.

To be honest, it feels a lik coming home.’ little bit like He joins RTÉ in the new year sho will air from and his radio show Fe February 2. Alison Curtis will pr present in his morning slot on To Today FM today.

METRO HERALD Monday, December 8, 2014

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Buyers urged to shop local for Christmas MORE than one third of Irish people plan to do their Christmas shopping outside Ireland, according to a new survey – as small businesses launch a ‘shop local’ campaign.

The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) revealed a total of 35 per cent of people intend to buy Christmas gifts in another country – 14 per cent in Britain, 11 per cent in the North, 7 per cent in Europe and 5 per cent in the US. Two thirds (67 per cent) plan to do it online this year, a slight increase on last year’s figure of 65 per cent.

And the 2014 Christmas Spending Survey from the ILCU found just 29 per cent of Irish people feel positive about their financial position.

More than half (51 per cent) plan to borrow to cover the cost, with more women getting into debt than men.

Meanwhile, Isme, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, called on shoppers to ‘shop local and buy Irish’ for Christmas, saying ‘every €10 spent locally on Irish products can generate up to €24 benefit to the local economy’.

Investment funds push rents surge

By RObERT KEnnEDy

Super Mario’s on song

Mario Rosenstock entertains carer Noleen Reynor and Mary Keogh at the Light Up A Life Ceremony at Our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross Chris Bellew

‘VULTURE’ funds that have bought up blocks of apartments across Dublin are hitting tenants for big rent increases, it has been revealed.

More than 2,300 apartments in the city have been bought from banks and Nama by international property giants in the last year.

Two of the funds, Ires and Kennedy Wilson, have told investors rents are increasing in the Dublin market.

Irish Residential Properties REIT (Ires) is backed by Canadian fund Capreit and has bought up some 1,300 residential apartments in developments around Dublin, including at Docklands, Sandyford, Smithfield, Inchicore, Finglas and Tallaght.

In a recent briefing for investors on the Dublin rental market, Ires reported that it had increased average rents in its first tranche of investments by

22 per cent, from €900 in September 2013 to €1,097 in September 2014.

A number of Ires apartments are advertised on Daft.ie, with a monthly rental of €1,250 being sought for a two-bed at the Charlestown development in Finglas, €1,600 for a two-bed at Beacon South Quarter in Sandyford, and €2,000 for a two-bed at

€2,000 for a two-bed at Grand Canal Square Grand Canal Square in Docklands.

Meanwhile, the Simon Community has presented the Government with a ten-point plan to tackle what it calls the ‘homelessness emergency facing the country’.

The ten-point plan calls for adequate funding and a temporary increase in emergency accommodation for the homeless.

HUGE SKI SALE NOW ON.

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Monday, December 8, 2014 METRO HERALD

Police clash with marchers but victim’s family proud of ‘heart-warming’ response

Breathless protests at chokehold death

DEMONSTRATORS clashed with police as protests over the decision not to charge an officer over the chokehold death of an unarmed black man turned violent.

Missiles were hurled, shops looted

by DAniEL Binns and one officer injured as the people of Berkeley, California, expressed their outrage at the killing of Eric Garner.

Police used tear gas and smoke

Gesture: New Yorkers in chokehold mode at Grand Central Picture: reuters

Haines’ killers are ‘lowest form of life’

THE widow of murdered aid worker David Haines has branded his Islamic State killers ‘the lowest form of life’.

Dragana Haines said the moment in September that his beheading was posted online ‘marked me for the rest of my life’.

bombs to disperse the crowds, some of whom wore stickers over their mouths bearing Mr Garner’s repeated last words, ‘I can’t breathe’.

In Grand Central station in New York, protesters recreated the chokehold of NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo, which killed the 44-yearold on Staten Island.

The nationwide protests were mostly peaceful though, with the victim’s widow, Esaw Garner, watching from her New York window and telling her son: ‘Look at all the love that your father’s getting.’

His mother, Gwen Carr, added: ‘It is just so awesome to see how the crowds are out there. It just warmed my heart.’

‘They consider themselves brave but that’s not bravery,’ she said. ‘It’s a cowardly act to behead someone who has his hands tied behind his back, who is kneeling.’

Silent protest: A woman with tape across her mouth in Hollywood Picture: getty

The 44-year-old former Royal Air Force engineer (pictured) had spent 20 years helping refugees, and met his wife when they worked with war victims in the former Yugoslavia.

He was killed 18 months after being seized from a Syrian

refugee camp near the Turkish border.

Mrs Haines, now bringing up their daughter, aged four, alone in Croatia, said: ‘They took away part of my life, but I’m not afraid of them. We can’t allow this group of individuals, sorry, I can’t call them humans, to scare us.’

METRO HERALD Monday, December 8, 2014

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WHAT’S BOTHERING THE PLANES? UK Law states Drones weighing less than 20kg must not: Fly more than 400ft up

For surveillance purposes they must not: Fly over or within 150metres of any densely populated area

Fly out of the sight of the pilot, to a maximum of 500m away Fly in ‘controlled airspace’ such as around airports

Around

2,000

drones are sold every month in the UK

Fly within 50m of any person, vehicle or structure, except during take-off

For commercial purposes you need a licence from the Civil Aviation Authority

2010

5

applications

Sources: CAA, UK Parliament, Amazon

2014

230

(to October)

5

popular drones Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 Cost: £279.99

Hubsan X4 H107 with LEDs Cost: £29.50

DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ Cost: £889.99

Walkera QR X800 DEVO 12E Cost: £3,298.30

Syma S107G Indoor Helicopter Cost: From £18.35

Flight time: 12 mins Extras: Live video streaming, Smartphone control

Flight time: 8 mins Extras: Can perform somersaults and rolls

Flight time: 25 mins Extras: 14 Megapixel camera, auto-pilot system

Flight time: Up to 60 mins Extras: Streaming HD video and camera, control range of up to 2km away

Flight time: Up to 20 mins Extras: USB PC charging, on-board gyro for 'smooth' flying

Airport drone scare

by DOMINIC YEATMAN

A PASSENGER jet came close to hitting a drone near Heathrow Airport, it has emerged.

The Airbus A320’s pilot spotted the unmanned aircraft, which did not show up on air traffic control systems.

It is thought to be the first such nearmiss in UK skies.

The incident, given the most serious

A320 in near-miss at 220m

‘A’ rating, took place on July 22 as the Airbus flew at 220m. It is unclear what type of drone was involved and its owner was never identified.

The results of an investigation by the UK Airprox Board will be published on Friday.

Small drones are selling for as little

Meet Maggie & Annie!

as €50 and police fear more mishaps as people given them for Christmas try flying them.

Pilots’ union Balpa called for regulation to ensure drones sharing airspace with piloted craft can only be flown by trained operators.

General secretary Jim McAuslan

said: ‘The UK should become a safe drone zone so we can make the most of the major business and leisure opportunities offered by remotely piloted aircraft, while protecting passengers, pilots and residents.

‘The technology is developing quickly and we could see remote aircraft the same size as a Boeing 737 being operated commercially in our skies within ten years.’

Tuesday 9th December 2-3pm Brown Thomas Dublin

Hurry while stocks last!

SOME 3,000 blood donors will be needed every week for the next month to maintain supplies over Christmas, according to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS).

It said it will need 15,000 donations between today and January 9 – and it is concerned about meeting demand over the holiday period.

Operations director Paddy Bowler said: ‘Traditionally, holiday periods and especially the lead into the Christmas/ New Year festivities present significant difficulties in sustaining the blood supply.’

He said the IBTS has seven days of supply across the main blood groups and on any given day 200 patients receive transfusions in Irish hospitals.

This year, Christmas and New Year fall on Thursdays, which is traditionally the busiest day of the week for blood donations. Mr Bowler said IBTS is running additional Saturday and Sunday clinics before Christmas, between Christmas and New Year and after New Year’s Day to meet demand.

‘The demand for blood is constant... so we are urging donors to give a priceless gift this Christmas, the gift of blood,’ he added.

‘Butterfly meadow’ gets wings

Daughters and nieces of Benefit Co-founders Jean & Jane Ford

Discover pretty parfait the Brown Thomas exclusive Christmas gift set.

Appeal for greatest gift of all: blood

Full of life: New garden

IRELAND’S first ‘butterfly meadow’ has been created by a leading food manufacturer to help sustain and grow the number of butterflies native to the country.

The 1,800-metre wild flower meadow was developed by the Nestle’s Wyeth Nutrition Infant Formula plant in Askeaton, Co Limerick. The meadow was officially opened yesterday.

Nestle’s Wyeth hopes the meadow will increase the number and variety of native Irish butterflies in the area. John O’Sullivan, of Nestle’s Wyeth Nutrition, said: ‘Our butterfly meadow is part of our overall sustainable strategy which includes enhancing local biodiversity.’

Irish software can measure web emotions IRISH SCIENTISTS claim they have created world-first software that can measure how people express a wide range of emotions online.

The Belfast-based experts say their internet gauge can detect 24 specific emotions, from trust and admiration to rage and terror, conveyed through 60,000 news and blog sources.

It has been designed to enable companies to assess exactly what the public think about their brands and, significantly, benchmark that against competitors. The software has been

Creators: Fergal Monaghan and Chris Johnston developed by tech start-up Adoreboard.

Entering a specific brand name into the online platform generates an Adorescore, which essentially quantifies its perception in the format of an index rating from –100 to 100.

To demonstrate how the new technology works, Adoreboard assessed the huge volume of online data generated on golfing superstar Rory McIlroy in 2014. The result was a graph of Adorescores that charted how the media and general public viewed the highs and lows of his eventful year.

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Monday, December 8, 2014 METRO HERALD

METRO HERALD Monday, December 8, 2014

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So cool Courteney is our new best Friend

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ODALINE almost had a special Friend belting out the songs on their next album. After hanging out with Courteney Cox and her Snow Patrol fiancé Johnny McDaid, 38, at her LA home last month, the Dublin rockers tried to coax her into singing backing vocals.

‘We had an amazing time out there.

We wrote tracks with Johnny and one song, Love Will Set You Free, is one of our favourites,’ frontman Steve Garrigan, 26, told Guilty Pleasures

in an exclusive chat. Mark piano. ‘We asked her to come Prendergast, 25, addand do backing vocals on ed: ‘At first it was our album, but she said like, “S***! That’s no,’ Prendergast admitted.

Monica from Drummer Vinny May, 24, Friends!” But said the actress was nothshe’s so ing like Monica. ‘She is cool.’ He so filthy. Her house is a said that tip!’ he joked.

Cox, 50, Kodaline’s single, loved invitHonest, is out on Februing pals to ary 1, before LP Coma singalong ing Up For Air goes on around her There for her: Kodaline hung out with Cox Picture: DAVe MA sale on February 9.

DON’T SAY I’M A QU IRK, IT JUST WON’T WOR K

Branching out: Ex-dancer FKA twigs Picture: GettY

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FKA TWIGS says she’ll barf if one more person describes her as ‘qu The Mercury-nominatedirky’. said: ‘If anyone says I’m singer, 26, qu again, I’ll throw up on irky ever myself.’

She also feels she was ‘su by the experience of be cked dry’ ing a backing dancer for stars such as Ky Minogue, 46, and Jessie lie J, ‘You’re making someon 26. dream happen by sellin e else’s g and them boxing you yourself into the “alternative kooky danc You just feel a bit sucke er” role. d dry,’ she told Q magazine.

MILEY CYRUS and new love Patrick Schwarzenegger needed a crowbar to tear them apart at an art fair.

The singer and son of Arnie didn’t care who was looking as they snogged and pawed each other att Art Basel in Miami.

Pop vixen Miley, 22, has been partying non-stop with her beau, 21. But friends say if anyone’s being led astray, it’s her, as Patrick calls the shots.

Ed turned down our stage SOS, say 5SOS Ed SHEERAN left 5 Seconds Of Summer disappointed when he turned down their request to join them on stage. The Aussie pop punks were without Michael Clifford, and asked Sheeran to fill in for him at the Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball. Unfortunately, the 23-year-old hitmaker was in no mood for new bandmates.

‘Ed has red hair like Michael, so we would like him to join us on stage,’ the band’s Ashton Irwin told Guilty Pleasures. ‘We already asked him but he didn’t respond positively,’ he said, deflated.

The drummer said the boys were feeling the pressure ahead of their set at London’s O2 Arena because they are used to having Clifford with them.

‘We haven’t been rehearsing as a three-piece, which made performing

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JOURDAN DUNN’S is… a supermodel secret ld -o ar -ye 24 e toothbrush. Th ld to el od m t cre Se Victoria’s r he s wa it Look magazine that She said: . ial top beauty essent t it’s not bu ‘It sounds random ng teeth. hi us br r fo od just go ush br to I use mine rows eb ey y m h throug and tame flyaway hairs around my face.’

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KODALINE’S Steve Garrigan broke a rib when he fell in his bedroom.

The singer didn’t find out how badly hurt he was until three days later, when he saw a doctor because he was struggling for breath.

He said he fell getting out of bed, but Vinny May joked: ‘He was dancing to Taylor Swift.’ The band reveal a new tour today at kodaline.com

5 down: Calum, left, Ashton and Luke Picture: iAn WeSt/ PA

Sheeran invited to join Aussie band terrifying,’ Irwin, 20, added last night, before storming the stage to perform.

Frontman Luke Hemmings, 18, said the band were not worried about the reception they would get as a trio. ‘We were only worried about our phone reception,’ he laughed.

Although the boys proved a hit as a three-piece, along with bassist Calum Hood, 18, they said they are a long way from reducing themselves to a Take That-sized band. ‘It’s not preferable

with Michael not here,’ said Irwin. ‘We can’t perform without him, really. It’s not the same.’

With some of the liveliest fans in the business, 5SOS – whose new live album, called Live SOS, is out next week – said they were alarmed that fans last week jumped into their cars after a gig. They fear for the fans’ safety, not their own.

‘For their safety it is scary, but if they want to say hi, that’s cool,’ Irwin added.

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Suits you sir: Walliams

DAVID WALLIAMS says his cross-dressing antics started from an early age.

The 43-year-old said: ‘From a young age, my sister would dress me up like a doll in dresses and fur hats. So I was used to it when I went to an all-boys school and was asked to play a girl in the play. I got a big dress and big laughs.

‘My mum made sure I had the best dress as I played the Queen. It gave me a taste for the finer things in life,’ he told the UK Radio Times.

IT’S STARMAN v ALL DeS The youingNtogteachDhisu young

DAVID BOWIE will be hop en he takes on successors a thing or two wh n and Sam era men of the moment Ed She sic Smith at this week’s BBC Mu gy Zig ld r-o yea 67Awards. The inst the Stardust legend is pitted aga the for rs two singer-songwrite at British artist of the year award . don Lon in rt Cou Earls There is a further walk down ay’s memory lane during Thursd and 68, , ton Par lly Do h wit w sho t bes as ted Prince, 56, nomina ll rre Pha ist. art al internation 24, Williams, 41, and Taylor Swift, g. nin are also in the run

Nic dumps Kirsten to woo J-Law again

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NICHOLAS HOULT and Jennifer Lawrence are back together, amid talk he ditched Kristen Stewart for his old flame. ‘Nick is still in love with Jennifer,’ a source told Life & Style magazine.

Green Day’s Jason is fighting cancer

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gReeN Day guitarist Jason White, 41, has tonsil cancer. The band broke the news on Facebook.

‘It is treatable... he should make a full and speedy recovery,’ the rockers’ statement said.

Under pressure: Bowie, Sam and Ed PICTURES: gETTY

’s Great Scott! Andrew rd Pride as acting awa g follows Bond castin

IT HAS been a winning week for new Bond villain Andrew Scott as he scooped a coveted Moët British Independent Film award just days after landing the 007 role.

The 38-year-old Dublin actor led his Pride co-stars for a string of awards at the A-list bash in London’s Old Billingsgate near London Bridge last night. Scott took home a gong and a personalised, Swarovski crystal encrusted magnum of Moët & Chandon as he collected the best supporting actor award for his role in the film about the gay community rallying to aid Welsh miners in the 1980s.

Pride also won the Best British independent film award while fellow star Imelda Staunton took the best supporting actress award.

Scott this week was also unveiled as rumoured new Bond villain Bruce Denbigh for the 24th film in the espionage series titled Spectre – which is due for release in October of next year.

ho, ho, Joe – gaga gives dad mansion

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LADY GAGA has reportedly handed over control of her €19millon Malibu mansion to her dad. It means Joe Germanotta, 59, is in charge of the six-acre estate.

Charlie’s united at football match

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FoRMeR feuding couple Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards smiled for a selfie as daughter Lola, nine, played football.

‘Cheering on Lola!’

Richards, 43, wrote on Instagram.

Weight jibe over Cara’s no-show

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MODEL Robert Konjic claimed Cara Delevingne looked ‘too bloated’ to be in a Victoria’s Secret show.

The 22-yearold did not walk in London eek. last week.

Monday, December 8, 2014 METRO HERALD

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Uber driver is World arrested over claim of rape

digest

Ban on diesel cars is vital, says mayor

FrANCe: Diesel cars must be banned from Paris by 2020 and pedestrian-only neighbourhoods created in the city centre, the mayor said yesterday. Anne Hidalgo’s anti-pollution plan will be discussed at a city council meeting tomorrow. Driving on streets that have become ‘canyons of pollution’, such as the ChampsÉlysées or Rue de Rivoli, could be limited to low-emission cars and lorries, she said. Some 84 per cent of Parisians see fighting pollution as a priority.

by DANiel BiNNs

A WOMAN has claimed she was raped by a taxi driver booked through the online service Uber.

Her alleged attacker was arrested yesterday but the incident sparked protests about the rise in sex crimes in India and the unlicensed taxi firm.

The victim, who works at a finance firm in New Delhi, was returning from a dinner engagement on Friday when she fell asleep during the taxi ride.

When she woke up, she found the car parked in a secluded place. The driver raped her and warned her not to tell the authorities, police said.

As Shiv Kumar Yadav, 32, from Mathura, was held in connection with the attack, campaigners from the All India Students Association marched on police headquarters in the capital.

‘I am here to protest the failure of the state machinery, which refuses to acknowledge that rapes happen due to their failure,’ said Urvashi Joshi.

Police said they would take legal ac-

A trifling €50,000 for largest truffle Anti-Uber: Anger in Delhi picture: ap tion against the US online taxi service which has faced worldwide criticism over its failure to screen drivers.

Uber said it had suspended the driver and provided the police with ‘all relevant details,’ such as trip information.

‘Safety is Uber’s highest priority and, in India, we work with licensed driver-partners to provide a safe transportation option,’ said Uber’s Evelyn Tay said on the c o m p a n y ’s blog.

‘Council estate Santa’ card axed

click

AmeriCA: A huge white truffle has sold at auction in New York for almost €50,000. The 2kg fungus, found in Italy, is almost twice the size of the previous record holder. It was sold on Saturday to a gourmand from Taiwan, Sotheby’s said. The owner of the lot, Sabatino Truffles of Umbria, donated the proceeds to Citymeals-on-Wheels having turned down much higher offers for the truffle from China.

CANADA: Ice hockey fans respond to a home team goal by hurling bears on to the rink to be given to needy children. The teddy toss is a festive tradition for followers of the Vancouver Giants picture: splash

Benedict ‘wanted title of Father’ germANy: Pope Benedict would have liked to be called Father Benedict after his resignation, but felt ‘too tired’ to push his request through, a German newspaper reported yesterday. The retired pontiff (pictured) felt it would have distinguished him more clearly from the current Pope Francis than the name he adopted last year, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI.

and finally...

AmeriCA: Amateur rocket engineers were flushed with success after launching a portable toilet more than 30m into the air. The 30-strong team cheered as smoke and flames poured from its base as it completed an arc over a soya bean field in Three Oaks, south-western Michigan.

fill

A ‘VILE’ Christmas card mocking social housing tenants in the UK has been withdrawn from sale after a backlash from furious customers.

The €2.50 card listed ‘10 reasons why Santa Claus must live on a council esvtate’, including ‘He’s never been seen doing anyy work in his life’.

Customers reacted with horror to the jokes – with some labelling the whole idea as ‘vile’.

Towering error: Clintons, which pays its The offending temporary workers only Clintons card €6.29 an hour, said: ‘It is picture: swns in no way reflective off our views and we apologise with without reservation.’

the ‘ten reasons’ n He has a serial record for breaking and entering n He uses various wild animals to pull his sleigh n He only works once a year n He’s never been seen doing any work in his whole life n He wears the same, out-of-fashion clothes every day and never washes them n He barely leaves his

home for fear of being recognised n He gets letters from lots of people, all demanding that he owes them things n He uses loads of different names and aliases for his own gain n He drinks alcohol during working hours n He can get hold of all the latest designer gear but never pays a penny for it

ship

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North Korea insists it was not behind cyberattack on studio as revenge for movie

You have the wrong-un for hack on Sony NORTH KOREA yesterday denied it was behind an orchestrated cyberattack on Sony Pictures but called the hack ‘a righteous deed’.

The secretative state was thought to be involved as revenge for the studio’s film The Interview, an upcoming comedy about a plot to assassinate its leader Kim Jong-un.

A North Korea spokesman said: ‘We do not know where in America the Sony Pictures is situated and for what wrongdoings it became the target of the attack, nor do we feel the need to know about it.

‘But what we clearly know is that the Sony Pictures is the very one which was going to produce a film abetting a terrorist act while hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership of North Korea.’

Y D E M O c S iE f L E S D E k A N E DuO wANT YOu TO SE

by NicOLE LE MARiE

The attack ‘might be a righteous deed of the supporters and sympathisers,’ the spokesman added. Last week’s cyberattack disrupted the studio’s computers and spewed confidential information on to the internet.

North Korea has built a cult of personality around the Kim family, which has ruled for three generations and sees any criticism or mockery as an attack on its sovereignty.

Some cyber-security experts say they have found similarities between the code used in the hack of Sony Pictures and attacks blamed on the North targeting South Korea last year.

However, experts are divided over the likelihood that North Korea or independent hackers were involved.

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COMEDY duo James Franco and Seth Rogen poked fun at hackers by posing for jokey selfies.

The stars, whose salary details for new movie The Interview were last week leaked in a hack attack on studio Sony, hit back by getting nude on Saturday Night Live.

In the movie, the pair play reporters hired by the CIA to kill North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.

Is Mourinho tops? Chants would be a fine thing...

CHELSEA may be the team to beat on the pitch this season but their fans are also leading the way on the terraces as their festive chant has been named the funniest of all time.

Sung to the tune of Christmas hit Let It Snow, their melodic tribute to Blues manager José Mourinho (below) topped a poll of supporters.

The favourite goes: ‘Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the goals are so delightful, Stamford Bridge is the place to go, Mourinho, Mourinho, Mourinho.’

Other popular chants in the survey include odes to former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and a ditty inspired by the rivalry between Chester City and Wrexham. Winter Wonderland is the most commonly used refrain used by supporters – and why not? It has already been covered by more than 150 artists since it was written in 1934.

‘There is nothing like a bit of festive banter on the terraces at Christmas time,’ said Joe Crilly of bookmaker William Hill which commissioned the survey. ‘Our wittiest chants highlight how passionate fans are. Chelsea’s twist on one of the most recognisable Christmas anthems tops our poll, very much reflecting their current position in English football and feelings toward the “Special One”.’

12 METRO HERALD Monday, December 8, 2014

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Powerful storm sweeps across Philippines, but lessons from 2013 disaster save lives

Million flee from typhoon by jOEL TAyLOR

MORE than a million people fled their homes yesterday as a powerful typhoon swept through the Philippines.

Typhoon Hagupit roared into the central Philippines before barrelling westward across a string of islands at speeds of up to 170kph, bringing torrential rain to areas still scarred by last year’s Typhoon Haiyan.

But preparations in the wake of that disaster seem to have avoided mass casualties. Officials said three people had died, one killed by a falling coconut tree as people rushed to 1,500 emergency shelters set up in advance by the government.

‘People did not need much convincing to move to safety,’ said welfare minister Dinky Soliman.

Families told of their terror of a repeat of last year’s tsunami-like surge which left thousands dead. Fleeing yesterday to a centre in Tacloban city, Rhea Estuna, a 29-year-old mother, said: ‘There were no bodies scattered. Thanks to God this typhoon wasn’t as violent.’

However, several eastern villages isolated by downed telephone lines were out of contact. The EU said it will send a team of experts to assess the damage.

Wind cheaters: Filipinos use plastic sheets for protection Picture: aP

Safe inside: Pupils peer from a school window Picture: ePa

Give the gift of hair this Christmas Now with 10% off all procedures booked in December

Before

Shelter: Children wait at a makeshift home for evacuation Picture: ePa

Smell turns plane into vomit comet A PLANE journey from hell was forced to make an emergency landing after a strange odour sparked a chain reaction of vomit.

The nightmarish scenes took place after take-off from Ben Gurion Airport in Israel on Friday night.

A weird smell wafted its way through the US Airways cabin.

Soon after passengers and crew members began spewing up and down the aisle.

A total of 14 crew members and two passengers fell seriously ill – prompting the Philadelphia-bound flight to make an emergency landing in Rome.

A number of people were taken to hospital and released soon after.

US Airways maintenance crews are working to discover the source of the pungent odour.

Nightmare: Two passengers and 14 crew got seriously ill

Abortion pill Factory blaze Slayer rockers ad on church finally tackled are pussycats

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GALWAY Cathedral found itself an unlikely advertising billboard for abortion pills at the weekend.

Newly formed feminist group Diobhail claimed responsibility for the ‘Need an abortion? Safe pills – womenonweb.org’ banner, which hung from roof scaffolding on Saturday.

In a Facebook post, it said the aim of the action was to ‘spread the word of the invaluable work that womenonweb.org do; assisting women all around the globe in acquiring the essential medical care that they so desperately need.’

FIREFIGHTERS battling a blaze at a disused furniture factory in the south inner city faced ‘challenging’ conditions yesterday.

Units from Dolphin’s Barn, North Strand and Tara Street were dispatched to the fire, close to the Guinness Storehouse.

Tweeting the details, Dublin Fire Brigade said conditions for crews were ‘challenging in zero visibility in a difficult environment’.

The fire was extinguished in the afternoon and the scene handed over to An Garda Síochána for examination.

ThrASh metal group Slayer have let their softer side out.

The band, responsible for such songs as raining Blood, Angel Of Death and Dead Skin Mask, rescued a tiny homeless kitten before their concert at the Old National Centre in Indianapolis.

They even found the little mite, called Gypsy, a new home.

Slayer’s publicist heidi robinson-Fitzgerald said: ‘The guys saw a homeless man on the street who offered up this little kitten for a dollar. The kitten was freezing so they took it and found it a new home.’

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14 Metro heraLd Monday, December 8, 2014

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Mailbox

Email: Twitter:

mail@metroherald.ie Text: @metrohnews and Facebook: #metromailbox

‘Mail’ to 53131* Facebook.com/ metroherald

Missing the big picture of austerity

t

he unchallenged, antiausterity hysteria in the Irish media is a sight to behold. Those who hold the view austerity is the lesser of two evils and the only other option is default are told to shut up.

I would like to point out that in 2014, according to the figures published during the Budget, the Government will spend nearly €8billion more than it will collect in taxes.

The Government will, therefore, have to borrow that to balance the books. Ireland now owes more than €180billion and, since our services cost more than we are collecting in taxes, it is increasing.

If those who are complaining at having to pay the water charge and similar austerity measures have their way, the Government will have to borrow much more.

The reason for the present austerity is that this country was bankrupted

by reckless decisions made by powerful people running the most important institutions during the boom.

The rest of us were not told what was happening until it was too late.

The present hysteria about austerity is just as reckless and irresponsible as the recklessness which bankrupted the country all those years ago during the boom.

The least we can expect is that, unlike what happened during the boom, the consequences of giving in to the present anti-austerity hysteria be spelled out – that we will have even worse austerity unless the culture of borrowing to fund the running of the State stops. A Leavy ■ To the person who took my dad’s present of a jigsaw that I left on the 17.05 Sligo train, I wish you poisonous luck over the Christmas.

Do the right thing and hand it into Lost & Found in any train station.

Suzanne, Maynooth

*Please include a name and location.

Texts cost €0.30 per message + standard network charges. SP. Oxygen8 Communications, 4th Floor, Malt House North, Grand Canal Quay, D2. Customer service number 0818286606

good on ya ● Thank you to the hot cyclist who had strong words with the driver on Shelbourne Road on Thursday morning at 8.45 for nearly running me over. Chivalry is not dead. I tried to cycle up and thank you but I just wasn’t fast enough.

Siobhán ● To anyone who donated to SVP after the Late Late Show on Friday night, well done to you all. Christmas must always be about remembering those less fortunate than ourselves. Let’s keep it up!

G

randoM acts of kindness

yeh big ride

Quick pic

REFLECT ON IT: The lovely Marisa Lopez Sardaillon sent us this curious after-rain shot while in Dublin

trending

Send your photos to pictures@metroherald. ie with ‘Quick pic’ as the subject and we will print the best each day in the paper

● To the stunningly gorgeous girl sitting down in Dillingers on Saturday afternoon.

You were with your beau but it was still very hard not to steal a glance or two at you, you were so magnificent.

John ● Conor, you’re the best pundit. Quinning isn’t everything, you handsome devil... P

your rush-hour crush @metrohnews #metromailbox

#Leinster

● Well that Leinster result really doesn’t make a good end to a Sunday.

Newstalk’s @ianguider

googly eyes glasses? fake poo? whoopee ball?

● Leinster, beware Harlequins’ sneaky jokeshop tricks in the final qtr. Who knows what this time:

● Impressive response from Leinster but it wasn’t enough. A lot to do in six days. @RuaidhriOC

(David O’Doherty) @phlaimeaux

● He scored Leinster’s first ever try in Europe and tonight he led Quins to a win. Well done, Conor.

@leinsterrugby

● Low point for Leinster. #MOCOUT @asthecrawflies

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or Some, it is the highlight of the year; for others, a night to endure.

The office Christmas party is back.

And while it might not be top of the management team’s agenda, it would be a serious mistake to overlook.

A survey of office managers found nearly two-thirds believed the Christmas party played an important role in improving employee engagement. Figures collected by Viking Direct showed that of 135 managers surveyed, 68 per cent said it was a great way to recognise employees’ hard work. employee engagement has largely replaced team morale when it comes to motivating a workforce; combining the idea of job satisfaction and organisational commitment. engagement takes into account how a person feels about their job and the organisation they work for, and whether, for example, they feel good enough about them both to invest their ‘discretionary effort’.

‘The benefits to organisations of employee

essential to say thank you to loyal, hard working staff and provide an opportunity for engagement cannot be understated,’ said John the company to come together.’ moore of Viking Direct. ‘A truly engaged however, employers need to remember the organisation can expect to experience high Christmas party is still a work-related levels of staff loyalty, retention, productivity, activity. employment laws apply even when innovation and profitability as well a party takes place somewhere other as low levels of absenteeism.’ than in the workplace. This means This year, nine out of ten that employers may be liable d e rs ne e y Irish companies are having a for accidents that happen or lo p Em er the b Christmas party for their incidents of harassment. m e m e to r arty is staff, and while for many it Drink is often the root of p s a m t Chris k is a knees-up with many tribunal claims, and r o w still a ivity. someone else footing the employers should set the t c a related nt laws bill, it should not be boundaries of behaviour. me overlooked for its use.

There are options. Firms Employ ply ap ‘The Christmas party is one could hold smaller scale events way of reminding staff they’re such as lunch in a local eatery. part of a common endeavour,’ said This has the advantage of being Dr Gerard Daly of the Institute of low-key, closer to work, more convenient, management Consultants and Advisers. doesn’t interfere with people’s time outside ‘redundancies often mean extra pressure of the working day and alcohol is likely to and workloads on those that are left, and it’s be less of a factor.

by david kearns

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Monday, December 8, 2014 METRO HERALD

PLUS

Your To-do List What’s hot in the city, P17

TV Highlights

Top ten on the box tonight, P18

Life Books The Miniaturist, P19

NATIONAL CONCERT HALL

12 Fantastic prizes to give away, every day, starting Mon 8 Dec PRIZES INCLUDE

e h t o t t a Th Take e e r h t f o r e pow

16 e g a P , m r o f e n fi n i d n a – k c a The boys are b

Family Ticket to The Snowman Christmas Concert Evening Meal plus a bottle of wine for two in Terrace café Overnight Stay in The Shelbourne Hotel plus tickets to British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor Family ticket to The Wizard of Oz Tickets to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra with Joyce DiDonato plus overnight stay in The Shelbourne Hotel Afternoon tea in the Terrace Café National Concert Hall ¤100 Gift Cards Complimentary Membership to Young Maestros music club Tickets to the 2014 New Year’s Eve Gala Concert with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra Family ticket to The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child Tickets to Philip Glass See Twitter and Facebook for details

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16 METRO HERALD Monday, December 8, 2014

music

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v1

features@metroherald.ie to advertise, call 01 7055010

Take That and add happy AC/DC

ROCK OR BUST (COlUmBia) ★★★✩✩ That they’re never going to spring any ‘new direction’ surprises is part of the enduring appeal of AC/DC, whose heavy, elemental bluesbased rock has sustained them for 30 years. Demon guitarist Angus Young’s licks coupled with Brian Johnson’s ravaged roar once more carry the weight but, unlike 2008’s triumphant Black Ice, there’s a definite plod in AC/DC’s step.

Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder especially drags its Status Quo-ish anchor, although the punchy Baptism By Fire and raucous Rock The House rekindle the flames of old. Sharon O’Connell

WU-TANG CLAN a BETTER TOmORROW (PaRlOPhOnE) ★★★✩✩

TAkE THAT iii (POlydOR) ★★★★✩

i

f the departure of Jason Orange has left the remaining members of take that feeling blue, they’re doing their best to hide it on their seventh studio album. In fact, III (so named to reflect their new trio status) sees Messrs Barlow, Owen and Donald take a shot at making the world’s most uplifting record.

Song titles such as Let In the Sun and higher than higher reflect the all-pervasive mood of pumped positivity. ‘Do you really love life?’ the boys ask in such a way as to make you think that, if you don’t, Gary and his mates are going to come round to your house and, you know, jolly well force you to. the likes of superproducer Greg Kurstin

e not to b e d r a h k ’s a It as the T moved ain man That m have so ‘I intones so many , y n ma flaws’

(who has worked with Lily Allen and Katy Perry) have been brought in to add a sheen of contemporary production smarts: I Like It and Into the Wild echo arty Goldfrapp/ Depeche Mode electro-funk and blues, while first single these Days (complete with kitsch video) is Daft Punk’s Get Lucky sanitised for the mums and dads. the opening lines of Portrait are delivered with a soaring melodic irresolution suggestive of thom Yorke, or tom Chaplin from Keane – before the track mutates into

‘Still number one,’ claim the Wu on the punched-up opening track of their first LP since 2007. That’s now debatable but the reunited nine-piece crew’s latest is a RZA/Raekwon/Ghostfacedominated affair that mixes their usual cinematic backdrops and beloved dialogue samples with live retro-soul and funk sessions. It’s often soft, sluggish and stylistically messy (Wu-Tang Reunion, a makeover of The O’Jay’s Family Reunion, is a syrupy low) but the tough yet easy-rolling Hold The Heater is a reminder of their power. SO’C

an Abba-eque stomper. there’s classic Barlowstyle balladry in flaws, where the sudden shift into confessional poignancy is signalled by flicks of acoustic guitar and plonky piano.

It’s hard not to be moved as the take that main man intones ‘I have so many, so many flaws’ with breathy Bono-ish soulfulness – although if you haven’t seen the title written down you might actually assume he’s just boasting about the size of his mansion.

But self-lacerating introspection really isn’t the goal of this celebration of corporate survival and the result is an irresistible tinsel-draped Christmas party-starter of a disc – provided you and your cool friends do ironic, of course. Robert Shore

GAMECHANGERS

Spotlight on seminal artists or songs that have influenced music

DipLO

The reissue this week of his 2004 debut LP Florida casts a light on just how much Thomas Pentz (aka Diplo) has helped shape the electronic dance landscape of the last decade. The US producer first made his name as a DJ in Philadelphia, creating mixtapes with fellow jockey Low Budget and staging parties under the Hooked On Hollertronix banner – known for its mashing up of 1980s electro pop, crunk and dirty south hip hop. Diplo made shifting from a cultish figure

on the local scene to an agenda-setting world player look easy – he did it via his globe-trotting DJ gigs and especially his work with ex-girlfriend MIA, whose Grammynominated 2008 hit Paper Planes he produced. After that, everybody wanted a piece of Diplo’s clanging and ravey, noise-strewn and pitch-bent, mutant hip hop action. His latest surprise move is Jack U, a hook-up with galaxy-conquering EDM star Skrillex.

The Diplo beat goes on. SO’C Florida is released this week on Big Dada

iN MY LiBRARY Tiga reveals his top six tracks FRanKiE GOES TO hOllyWOOd

RElax I love the raw ambition of this track – the absurdity, the balls, the simplicity and also the underlying intelligence.

dOn hEnlEy

BOyS OF SUmmER In an alternate reality, one where

talent was spread out differently, this is the kind of song I would make. It’s subtly modern and unique while being massively emotional.

haPPy mOndayS

WROTE FOR lUCK While I was never a huge Mondays fan, this song was massive for me – I think in many ways it was my first exposure to rave. It always seemed shrouded in mystery and menace. But I guess that was the drugs.

SOFT CEll

BEdSiTTER I could pick any song from that early Soft Cell era but this one nails it every time. It’s everything I love about music.

lEOnaRd COhEn

hEy ThaT’S nO Way TO Say GOOdByE Every list needs to have Leonard on it. He writes, and everybody else just tries. His

songs grow with you. He is as close as I’ve come to having a hero.

PRinCE

yOU GOT ThE lOOK Not only is this track just perfection, he got Sheena Easton to say ‘let’s get to ramming’. AD Tiga’s new single Bugatti is released on December 21 on Virgin EMI

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going out

Monday, December 8, 2014 Metro Herald

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features@metroherald.ie to advertise, call 01 7055010

HEAR taliB kweli

In a market filled with factory-farmed MCs, Brooklyn MC Talib Kweli – a thought-provoking rapper of substance and lyrical dexterity – is a cut above. Even Jay-Z has doffed his cap: ‘If skills sold, truth be told/I’d probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli.’

Wed, The Sugar Club, 8 Leeson Street Lower, D2, 8pm, €22.50. www.thesugarclub.com

YOUR DUBLIN

to-do list HEAR Mark olson

VISIT pop-up independent BooksHop

Following the release of 2011’s Many Coloured Kites – a love letter of sorts to girlfriend Ingunn Ringvold – The Jayhawks co-founder returns with a new album, Goodbye Lizelle, to promote. This time, Ringvold joins him on vocals.

Tonight, Upstairs @ Whelan’s, 25 Wexford Street, D2, 8pm, €18.50.

Tel: 1890 200 078. www.whelanslive.com

Rather than buy your mate the latest Brian O’Driscoll or Graham Norton money-spinner – sorry, autobiography – for Christmas, why not do your bit for independent local publishers and pick up a thoughtful title at this pop-up Christmas bookshop on South

William Street. All books for sale come courtesy of homegrown houses including The Stinging Fly, Liberties Press, Lilliput Press and New Island Books.

What makes the venture unique is that staff from the respective publishers are manning the operation and will be delighted to offer you advice to ensure your loved ones get the titles that they surely deserve.

Until Dec 23, 27 Sth William St, D2, 11am to 7pm daily, (until 8pm on Thu)

HEAR Ben Howard

SEE an evening witH noel Fielding

An eccentric exhibitionist with a penchant for the psychedelic, the Mighty Boosh and Never Mind The Buzzcocks star brings his one-man show to The Olympia this week. Expect surreal flights of fancy in the first half, followed by appearances from some of the characters in Fielding’s Luxury Comedy series on C4 in the second.

Thu & Fri, Olympia Theatre, 72 Dame Street, D2, 8pm, €30.50. Tel: 0818 719 300. www.mcd.ie

HEAR sun kil Moon

Erstwhile Red House Painter Mark Kozelek returns to Dublin in his much-loved Sun Kil Moon guise. Expect tracks from his Benji album. Raw and devastating. Tomorrow, Button Factory, Curved Street, D2, 7.30pm, €24.50. Tel: 670 9202. www.buttonfactory.ie

‘I find the importance other people put on fame funny, especially when there aren’t many famous people saying interesting things,’ million-selling singer-songwriter Ben Howard told us this year. He better get used to it: following this Olympia date, Howard will be in the 3Arena in April. Tonight, Olympia Theatre, 72 Dame Street, D2, 8pm, €33.50 (sold out). Tel: 0818 719 300. www.mcd.ie

Get into the Christmas spirit with Aware on December 13th for our 10k & 5k run in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. Whether you’re a runner, jogger or stroller, everyone is welcome. Enter today at www.aware.ie

HEAR trio con Brio copenHagen

Brio is certainly an apt word for the panache this trio bring to their art.

Formed in Vienna in 1999 before relocating to Denmark, Trio Con Brio Copenhagen’s winning formula is the musical chemistry between pianist Jens Elvekjaer and Korean sisters Soo-Jin Hong and Soo-Kyung Hong, which seethes with passion in the interplay between his ivories and their strings when their recitals are in full-flight. For this Intimate performance of Haydn, Mendelssohn and Sally Beamish’s The Seafarer Trio, they’ll be joined by actor Barry McGovern on narration. Wed, Smock Alley Theatre, 8 Lower Exchange Street, D8, 8pm, €20/€25. Tel: (01) 677 0014. www.smockalley.com

Saturday 13th December Phoenix Park, Dublin GET INVOLVED JOIN US ON

/AwareIreland @Aware

18 METRO HERALD Monday, December 8, 2014

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s ’ T H g i n TO

v T 0 1 p O T

2 What tricks can Top Gear’s The Hamster get up to in Wild Weather With Richard Hammond?

1. neven Maguire: Home Chef Christmas special

RTÉ1, 8.30pm

Neven Maguire brings the Home Chef style to Christmas, and offers interesting recipes, ideal for entertaining. The ingredients may be traditional, but the approach is novel, including a crown of turkey marinated in buttermilk, which he promises is the moistest and most delicious turkey you’ve ever tasted.

1

Neven Maguire prepares some festive treats in Home Chef Christmas Special

3 Guy Pearce stars as an unconventional private eye in crime drama Jack Irish

2. Wild Weather With Richard Hammond BBC1, 9pm

Water is this week’s weather theme – if that’s not too grand a term for this show’s collection of meteorological bits and bobs – with the chirpy one off Top Gear having great fun creating a cloud, kickstarting an avalanche and crushing a car with just a few drops of water. Some fun facts drip through the matey banter style of presentation.

3. Jack irish: Dead point

Fox, 9pm A somewhat belated third outing for Guy Pearce as troubled private detective Jack Irish in this laid-back Aussie spin on the TV crime genre.

Without Pearce’s star-power presence, this would be a run-of-themill gumshoe outing, but he gives Irish a diverting charm as he sets about infiltrating the justice system.

5 Cate Blanchett bagged three Best Actress awards for her troubled socialite in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine

4 Lovely jubbly! Watch Jamie prepare feasts in Jamie’s Cracking Christmas

4. Jamie’s Cracking Christmas

C4, 8pm The Christmas cooking season is well under way. After Neven Maguire (above), now it’s Jamie Oliver’s turn. Here, we find him rubbing spice into his goose and all sorts of other culinary stuff you’ll love. It’s fun watching someone else do it, though.

5. Today’s Film: Blue Jasmine

Sky Movies Select, 8.15pm Cate Blanchett bagged the Best Actress big three – Oscar, Golden Globe and Bafta – for her turn as a New York socialite whose brittle world is collapsing around her.

Woody Allen’s 2013 film, an update of A Streetcar Named Desire, takes a scalpel to the modern world.

YOUR gUiDE TO THis EvEning’s EssEnTiAL viEWing 6. Through the Roof: Rental Crisis

RTÉ1, 9.35pm

Recent census figures show 29 per cent (almost 500,000 households) are renting across Ireland. That’s a 47 per cent increase over a five-year period. In Dublin, the figure is even higher, with 37 per cent of households renting. This observational documentary about the private rental sector in Dublin focuses on the experiences of both landlords and tenants during the busy autumn season in the city.

7. Toast Of London

C4, 10.35pm Matt Berry and Morgana Robinson are a comedy marriage made in heaven, so the final episode of this hit-and-miss UK thespian comedy is rich and fruity as Berry’s Toast goes into romantic meltdown. Josh Homme from Queens Of The Stone Age guest stars as a rock god.

8. posh people: inside Tatler BBC2, 9pm

The final slice of this shameless

piece of forelock-tugging at the altar of money and privilege includes a look at blue-blooded mag Tatler’s sister publication in Russia. If oligarchs dripping in diamonds and Rolexes rock your world, then this is heaven – but the lack of perspective in this puff piece is jaw-dropping.

9. The World’s Most Extreme… Runways More4, 10pm

Nervous fliers should avoid this hairraising swoop around some of the more challenging plane rides the

planet has to offer. We head for Talcha in Nepal, which boasts a gravel ledge carved into a mountainside that’s used as a runway.

10. The Librarians

Syfy, 8pm and 9pm It’s not a title that screams ‘sexy adventure caper’, is it? But this movie franchise spin-off is fun. It stars a kick-ass Rebecca Romijn alongside action man/bookworm Noah Wyle in a Merlin-esque romp about the battle to bring magic back to the world.

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books

Monday, December 8, 2014 METRO HERALD

features@metroherald.ie to advertise, call 01 7055010 PA

Making it

Big

that is both rich and in places repugnant, and Burton is clear that she always wanted to write an impression of the city and the period, rather than a history lesson. ‘i got all my information from books and Google Maps,’ she says. ‘i’d just close my eyes and write what i’d see.’

B

The response to Jessie Burton’s novel The Miniaturist has been massive. She shares her inspiration with Claire Allfree

U

ntil last week Jessie Burton’s novel the Miniaturist was the fastest-selling debut since 50 ay Shades Of Grey. ‘i’ve been ibble aw r c s d I’ pipped by Zoella,’ she says eatre wryly, referring to the during th during Youtube sensation whose ls, even rehearsa which I had debut young adult novel scenes in nes Girl Online has gone few li stratospheric. ‘You can’t compete with teenage girls.’

Still, Burton has done pretty well, given that the Miniaturist is not a social media phenomenon. Rather it is a thickly woven historical mystery that explores ideas of feminism, homosexuality, secrecy and desire in puritanical 17thcentury Amsterdam. not quite the thing to fly off the shelves, you’d think, and yet it has: 100,000 copies since publication; plus it won a national Book Award, and last week was named Waterstone’s Multi-faceted: Burton wrote her book while working as a PA by day and actress at night Book Of the Year. Oh, and it also happens to be brilliant. newly married to a wealthy sugar things,’ says Burton. ‘in the 17th PA during the day and as a jobbing Burton got the idea for it in merchant whom she barely knows. century they were educational tools actress in theatres above pubs by Amsterdam, when she stood in His wedding gift to her is a night. ‘i’d scribble away during for illiterate young women to learn front of a lavishly decorated, 6ft rehearsals, even during scenes in how to run a household. But they miniature house in the Rijksmuseum cabinet-sized version of her new house that nella is to commission a also push out metaphysical which i had few lines,’ she says. and wondered just who would miniaturist to furnish. Yet as nella boundaries because you can’t live She couldn’t afford to go back to spend the same money creating a becomes conscious of the secrets in them. they are forms of selfAmsterdam to research it so she tiny replica of a house as they did that fester within her new home, expression but they are also forms dreamed up the place instead: its on the real thing. the owner of the and her heavily constricted role of imprisonment – a reminder for bone-chilling damp, its cold, miniature, Petronella Oortman, a within it, so the miniature house women that they live in the domestic austere wealth, its plush, heavily 17th-century wife of a Dutch takes on an eerie symbolic and world and not the real one.’ decorated interiors, the stinging merchant, had done just that, and prophetic force.

Burton, now 32, wrote the thrill of sugar on the tongue. she appears in Burton’s novel as ‘Doll’s houses are such funny the book oozes sensory detail Miniaturist while working as a City determined 18-year-old nella,

n JEssiE O g wRiTin

❛

uRtOn has had a bit of flak in some quarters for appearing to write the Miniaturist from a 21st-century perspective. nella is a proto-feminist, her husband is secretly gay, the servant is black while her sister-in-law Marin is a closet hedonist masquerading as a pious puritan. All her characters are in opposition to the conservative, religiously fundamentalist society in which they live. Yet Burton insists not only that she never set out to write an ‘issues’ novel but she wasn’t even aware that she had.

‘Sometimes there is this belief that we have come so far that people in the 17th century could never have thought the same things as we do; that women wouldn’t have sat round the kitchen table wondering why the men get to earn money while they are stuck at home,’ she says. ‘And it’s not as though there weren’t gay or black people in the 17th century. Certainly i didn’t set out to do this but maybe i’ve produced a hybrid of modern issues and a historical context.’

She always wanted to be a writer but assumed life as an actor would be easier – and a bit more exciting.

‘So i went to the Central School of Speech & Drama and spent my twenties working above pubs and as part of the national theatre’s ensemble,’ she says. ‘But i got to 29 and thought: i just can’t keep waiting 12 months between jobs.

Acting is a beautiful career to have if you can do it but i had to accept i wasn’t landing the big jobs i had dreamed of.’

So she turned to writing. ‘i have to admit i’m better at it,’ she says. ‘i’m certainly more successful.’ not even the internet sensation vloggers can argue with that.

The Miniaturist (Picador) is out now

Books I Want For ChrIstmas BenjAMin Lee Benjamin Lee (right) is the creator of the spoof Twitter account for the film director Michael Haneke. His Twitter account, @middle classproblems, has been published as a book.

The Disaster Artist by Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell i’m rather fascinated with the mechanics of what goes into making a truly awful movie and how things go so badly wrong. Therefore, this first-hand account of what it was like to star in The Room, the most compellingly dreadful film you’ll ever see, is a hugely intriguing prospect to me.

19

You by Caroline Kepnes i’ve often wondered how iconic literary villains would benefit from the advent of social media. Tom Ripley or Annie Wilkes would find stalking so much easier. That seems to be the central idea of this thriller, where a bookshop worker uses a woman’s digital life to get scarily close to her.

A Good School by Richard Yates even though i went through a lifeconsuming Richard Yates obsession a few years back, this is the one book i

still haven’t read. i love how he sees people, with all of their faults, and i never fail to read one of his books without seeing part of myself in at least one of his characters.

Middle Class Problems: Problems But Not Real Actual Problems, Just Middle Class Ones by Benjamin Lee (Square Peg) is out now

20 METRO HERALD Monday, December 8, 2014

puzzles

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METROSCOPE

by Patrick Arundell

NEMI by Lise

Aries Mar 21 – Apr 20

You can burst into this week with a

real sense of optimism and a desire to expand your experiences. This combination can make you more of a risk-taker but remember: you are at your best when you just go for it in life and don’t analyse things too much.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 70

Taurus Apr 21 – May 21

You can have a fantastic ability to get beneath the surface of situations today but there is a proviso to this in that you should try to resist making snap decisions. This may sound contradictory, yet by taking your time you can just double check.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 71

METROKU Easy, Moderate and Challenging

Gemini May 22 – Jun 21

Your natural ability to relate well with others is certainly going to come to the fore today. And this could see you having a sparkling but also informative conversation. This can also be a great time to build greater cooperation.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 72

cancer Jun 22 – Jul 23

The Moon starts the week in your sign, yet just briefly she aligns with two other planets, suggesting that what you get back from others could seem rather critical. If so, don’t let this dent your confidence.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 73

Leo Jul 24 – Aug 23

On one hand you can find your mind alive to creative possibilities, and yet with the Moon being affected by Pluto, you could find yourself influenced by the moods or reactions of others. You will get stronger and more outgoing as the day goes on.

PEARLs BEFORE swINE

For your forecast, call 15609 114 74

Virgo Aug 24 – Sep 23

All sorts of strands that you ordinarily enjoy may seem less important than what’s going on at the very base of your life. If you are someone who loves to be with you and yours at Christmas time, plans can excite you.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 75

Libra Sep 24 – Oct 23

Your mind can be super-sharp today. In fact, you could be so switched on it

might be hard or others to keep up with you. However, this influence can give you a definite edge when it comes to learning new skills, technology and bright conversations.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 76

scorpio Oct 24 – Nov 22

A discussion can become much more intense. The trick is going to be in listening to one another without taking it personally if there are differences. However, one area you could make excellent progress on is if you’re looking for any type of financial product.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 77

sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 21

One of the things you are currently working on can feel exceptionally important to you, and you should remain single-minded in pursuit of your goal. This is going to be especially the case if anyone questions your motives.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 78

capricorn Dec 22 – Jan 20

You could find yourself enjoying some exceptional insights into your psyche today, or perhaps those of others. You may not feel like connecting to others, so if you are able to spend some time alone, quietly ruminating, then do.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 79

Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19

Your forward-thinking way of looking at life is shaped by the energies of Uranus. Yet, you have the happy knack of bringing others along, often because you can impart these ideas in a down-to-earth manner. Today, you can shine particularly well like this.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 80

Pisces Feb 20 – Mar 20

Your moves can be effective today.

This can see you able to get your thinking and actions nicely attuned, and this focus can see you productive.

If you are a goal-orientated person, look to take advantage of this energy to push on.

For your forecast, call 15609 114 81

1 2 3 5 6 7 8 13 15 16 17 20

Careless (6) Actually (2,5,2,4) Pulsate (5) Object (7) Defer action (13) Outcome (6) Scatter (5) Make less expensive (7) Achieve success (6) Earlier (5) Coming (6) Cleanse (5)

Solutions to previous puzzle: Across: 1 Straight away; 7 Swell; 8 Preen; 9 Tie; 10 Propagate; 11 Option; 12 Limpid; 15 Inspiring; 17 Arc; 18 Globe; 19 Haven; 21 Protestation. Down: 1 Shortcomings; 2 Ire; 3 Hollow; 4 Appealing; 5 Arena; 6 Interdiction; 7 Sweet; 10 Prominent; 13 Plain; 14 Sights; 16 Spoor; 20 Via.

Astrology calls cost 1.27 euros per min from a BT landline. Live Services cost 2.40 euros per minute. Calls from mobiles/other networks may cost more. Callers must be 18 or over to use this service and have the bill payers permission. For entertainment purposes only. All calls are recorded. PhonePayPlus regulated(ComReg in ROI) UK SP: StreamLive Ltd, NR7 0HR, 08700 234 567. ROI SP:Moveda, 1 Courtyard Business Park, Orchard Lane, Blackrock, Co Dublin, 0818 241 398

ENIGMA In the great Victorian age Parks all had this kind of stage Where orchestras would do their bit.

(The name implies they could not sit.)

WHO AM I? A writer, I was born in Connecticut in 1915. I majored in journalism at the University of Michigan and was a reporter for Michigan Daily. My daughter Rebecca is married to Daniel

Day-Lewis, who starred in the film adaptation of my play The Crucible.

WHO, WHAT, WHERE & WHEN? WHO… wrote The Magus and The French Lieutenant’s Woman?

WHAT… is palaeography the study of?

WHERE… in England was Sir Walter Raleigh born?

WHEN… was Eleanor Roosevelt born?

SCRIBBLE BOX

1 Cotton cloth (6) 4 Impede (6) 9 Holding irrational beliefs (13) 10 Friendly (7) 11 Christmas hymn (5) 12 Adhere (5) 14 Stanza (5) 18 Plunder (5) 19 Answered (7) 21 Unsuitable (13) 22 Stretch (6) 23 Abandon (6)

DOWN

QuIz

ACROSS

QUIZ ANSWERS: ENIGMA: Bandstand. WHO AM I? Arthur Miller. WHO, WHAT, WHERE & WHEN John Fowles; Ancient handwriting; Devon; 1884.

QUIcK cROsswORd

For a live one-to-one consultation with one of my gifted psychics, call 15809 113 68 or 1800 719 688 to book using credit card

rugby

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Monday, December 8, 2014 METRO HERALD

rugby leinster No Quin do: Gordon D’Arcy is tackled by Danny Care

Mighty ’Quins see Leinster stoop to earn bonus point Blue ruin: Rhys Ruddock breaks loose in Leinster’s loss to Harlequins at the Stoop yesterday picture: inpho Harlequins defied their dismal domestic form to avenge their 2009 ‘Bloodgate’ defeat by leinster and continue their passage through the group phase of the inaugural Champions Cup with a 24-18 win at The stoop.

The third quarter delivered the turning point when outstanding no.8 nick easter touched down with outstretched arms to break the 9-9 halftime deadlock.

Five minutes later, wing aseli Tikoirotuma then breached the three-times european champions with a 70-m intercept try as ’quins cemented their place at the summit of Pool Two ahead of saturday’s return trip to Dublin.

Two late penalties from ian Madigan set up a tense final 10 minutes, but scrum-half Danny Care calmed nerves by landing a late drop-goal in an impressive finish from a club languishing ninth in the aviva Premiership. eleven players from the only previous meeting between the rivals in april 2009 were on display at Twickenham stoop, six from ’quins and four from leinster, with prop Mike ross having represented different clubs in each game. ross endured a torrid afternoon at the stoop after being demolished by Joe Marler in the scrum, and there were also notable performances from

cHAMpiOns cup harlequins..................24 leinster..........................18

by DAnny HOgAn Marler’s fellow england internationals Chris robshaw and Care.

The dominant scrum will have been welcomed by Conor O’shea, who saw his pack pulverised at the set piece by Bath last weekend. ’quins were clearly fired-up at the end of a week that saw minds drift back to the episode in the Heineken Cup quarter-final five and a half years ago when a faked blood injury dragged the reputation of the game through the mud and resulted in a three-year ban for then director of rugby Dean richards.

Madigan and evans swapped early penalties, but the opening was notable for the visiting scrum being driven into the turf, loosehead Jack McGrath proving the weak link on this occasion. easter gave opposite number Jamie Heaslip a childish pat on the back in mock commiseration after the leinster scrum was demolished once more and the nightmare continued when ross was driven into the turf. evans limped off with a groin injury and his replacement Tim swiel

(whose target was regularly off) landed a rare three points, but ’quins were struggling to capitalise on their set piece dominance with their irish opponents forcing small openings with fly-half Jimmy Gopperth lively.

Madigan and swiel exchanged penalties, the second of which came after a strong attack launched by a turnover from the omnipresent robshaw, who was then prominent in a bright start to the second half.

Care escaped on a smart run and the england contingent were to the fore as leinster’s defence was tested with Marler subduing ross once more, robshaw acting as the link-man in open play and Mike Brown probing down the flanks.

The pressure finally created an opening with Marland Yarde being stopped short of the line moments before easter produced his sublime finish with swiel converting.

Disaster struck for leinster for a second time as they created an opening just metres short of the whitewash only for Kearney’s final pass to Zane Kirchner to be picked off by aseli Tikoirotuma who then crossed after a 70-metre sprint to the line.

Madigan slotted successive penalties to narrow the deficit to six points to secure the losing bonus point, but Care’s drop-goal put ’quins back in thee driving seat.

O’cOnnOR finALLy HAs A cHAncE TO buiLD – AnD HE DEspERATELy nEEDs iT THIS Saturday is monumental for Leinster. It will define their season and it will define Matt O’Connor’s tenure as head coach.

Yesterday’s performance in the loss to Harlequins was no aberration: it was in keeping with the form guide that we have seen from Leinster for the past three months.

It’s also important to point out that this was not Toulon that they scavenged a losing bonus point from, it was an out of sorts ’Quins side who are struggling in the Premiership and have only just righted their mental focus.

The issue with Leinster is not graft, it is craft. There is just no invention in their play and they are going to really bring some variety to the return game in Aviva Stadium this weekend.

It’s been a tough gig for O’Connor – as it would be for anybody coming in to replace Joe Schmidt – and the number of Leinster players involved with Ireland and the fixture schedule has severely limited his opportunity to broaden the team’s style of play.

Leinster are effectively operating with two squads of players. One that plays in the Champions Cup and one that plays in the Pro12. To prepare for yesterday’s game, O’Connor had just one full week of training with complete access to his international players and no game time to get them reacquainted

7 Games Leinster will

play before the Six Nations kicks off and they lose their international players.

with the Leinster playbook.

In fact, this period that Leinster have entered will probably be the most sustained contact O’Connor has with all of his players available – although the national player welfare system will probably rear its head over Christmas.

Leinster will be able to build week on week until the end of the pool stages but then they will lose the bulk of their internationals for two months and face the same issues as last week in trying to reintegrate players ahead of the Champions Cup knockout stages – assuming they get there.

Despite the circumstances, however, O’Connor needs to introduce more invention in Leinster’s play and that starts with Ian Madigan getting an opportunity to play at out-half over the out-of-from Jimmy Gopperth.

As long as Luke Fitzgerald remains healthy during the week it would be invigorating to see Leinster line up with Madigan at 10 and Gordon D’Arcy and Fitzgerald in the centre. That would help add more threat and flair to attack – exactly what Leinster are missing right now.

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22 METRO HERALD Monday, December 8, 2014

P Chelsea 15 Man City 15 West Ham 15 Southampton 14 Man United 14 Arsenal 15 Newcastle 15 Swansea 15 Liverpool 15 Tottenham 15 Aston Villa 15 Everton 15 Stoke City 15 Sunderland 15 Crystal Palace 15 West Brom 15 QPR 15 Hull 15 Burnley 15 Leicester 15

W 11 10 8 8 7 6 6 6 6 6 5 4 5 2 3 3 4 2 2 2

D 3 3 3 2 4 5 5 4 3 3 4 6 3 9 5 5 2 7 6 4

L 1 2 4 4 3 4 4 5 6 6 6 5 7 4 7 7 9 6 7 9

F 34 32 26 24 24 24 17 20 19 18 10 24 17 13 18 14 16 15 10 15

A Pts 13 36 14 33 18 27 10 26 16 25 18 23 18 23 17 22 19 21 21 21 19 19 23 18 20 18 23 15 23 14 20 14 27 14 21 13 24 12 26 10

results Hull.............................. 0 Liverpool .................... 0 Man City ...................... 1 Newcastle....................2 QPR ..............................2 Stoke ............................3 Tottenham.................. 0 Aston Villa...................2 West Ham ...................3

West Brom .............. 0 Sunderland.............. 0 Everton..................... 0 Chelsea ..................... 1 Burnley .................... 0 Arsenal......................2 Crystal Palace .......... 0 Leicester.................... 1 Swansea.................... 1

rooney the party planner lifts LVg lOUIS Van Gaal is impressed at the team spirit which has developed at manchester United, highlighted by the christmas party organised last week by Wayne rooney.

‘It was fantastic,’ the United boss said.

‘Usually, I don’t use words like this, but I think it showed the cohesion in our group. ‘my wife and I enjoyed it very much.

The squad is important, and that’s why the timing of our party was fantastic. It showed the togetherness in the squad. I think we are in a good position.’

Tonight’s match at Southampton is being billed as a battle between dutch bosses Van Gaal and ronald Koeman, who fell out when they were at ajax in 2004. The pair have refused to discuss their relationship but look to have now made peace. according to dutch newspaper reports, at a recent league managers’ association meeting Van Gaal patted Koeman on the back and said: ‘you have a good team.’

It’s Carroll singing for Allardyce

High life: Carroll nods in his second goal and, inset, rises superbly for his first

pICtures: getty

premier league table

football

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Sam allardyce was full of praise for andy carroll after the striker hit two goals in their 3-1 win over ten-man Swansea. asked if carroll had played his best game since joining the club, allardyce said: ‘I have to say it was very close to it and when he has scored two at the end you would have to say yes.’

Swansea boss Garry monk was not happy with the straight red card shown to lukasz Fabianski and said the club would consider appealing.

‘When you look at it with the replays it isn’t [a red card]. Hopefully, we will appeal it,’ monk said.

small steps

Smalling failed to taste victory in any of his first five League games this season, but he has played 90 minutes in each of their last three wins Driven: Smalling is determined to help get United back into Europe pICture: getty

europhile smalling is out to face the music cHrIS SmallInG says the misery of watching other clubs play in the champions league is driving manchester United on this season.

Smalling admits just hearing the tournament’s iconic music is enough to bring it home they are missing from europe’s elite.

However, United are on course to qualify for next season’s competition, with four successive victories leaving louis van Gaal’s side fifth in the Premier league, one point behind fourthplaced Southampton.

Three points from tonight’s match against the Saints, who have lost their last two league matches, at St mary’s and United will go third.

Smalling said he and his team-mates are determined not to miss out on champions league football again. ‘you hear the champions league music when they all line up and it’s just a case where we’ve been in it year after year, so it’s a sad time,’ said the 25-year-old defender. ‘We’ll be making sure we don’t miss out again next time.

‘I was watching it the other week. even when we were in it, I would watch it on the other night anyway,’ added the former Fulham man. ‘even more so this year. It’s a bit gutting that we’re not involved but you can see the standard of football we need to make sure we rise to.’

Andy times rise well to leave Big Sam Iron mighty

Two-goal andy Carroll helped west Ham climb to third in the Premier league.

Irons boss Sam allardyce this week revealed he opted to sign Carroll rather than wilfried Bony in the summer of 2013, insisting his decision would be vindicated in time.

Bony has since lit up the league, while Carroll has struggled for fitness and form in east london.

It looked as though allardyce’s comments would backfire on him when Bony put the Swans in front, but Carroll turned out be the hosts’ match-winner. Swansea ended the match a man down, with goalkeeper lukasz Fabianski dismissed for trying to impede Diafra Sakho, who later sealed the three points.

The visitors had been secondbest until Bony converted the

pREMIER LEAguE west ham .............3 swansea ...............1

by James Boylan Swans’ first chance in the 19th minute. Jefferson Montero and gylfi Sigurdsson exchanged passes before the former fed Bony, who coolly slotted past adrian for his seventh goal in ten games.

However, Hammers pressure was rewarded when Carroll rose majestically to nod in a Carl Jenkinson cross five minutes be-

fore the break. Bony clipped the bar after the restart but, in the 66th minute, Carroll again leapt highest to head home a Stewart Downing corner, prompting a touchline embrace between the giant forward and allardyce.

Fabianski was shown a straight red card for fouling a through-ongoal Sakho. Not long after, the returning striker hit the post when one-on-one with substitute keeper gerhard Tremmel.

Swansea continued to look dangerous on the break but substitute Sakho (left) slammed in a thunderous 87thminute strike – his seventh in the league this term – to wrap up the Hammers’ eighth win of the season.

football

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Konchesky is foxes’ Villan of the peace pREMiER LEAguE

then Clark caught ulloa in a strong tackle which forced the Argentine off at the break.

City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel came into his own, denying Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Guzan brilliantly kept out David nugent at the other end before Villa completed their comeback, Christian Benteke picking out Hutton at the far post to smash home.

Schmeichel saved his best for last to keep out Benteke at pointblank range. And leicester’s hopes were over when Konchesky saw red, while Hutton stayed on, despite a clash in which the players had squared up head-to-head.

27 Seasons in which Cristiano Ronaldo’s 23 La Liga goals this term would have been enough to win him the golden boot. The Real Madrid star (right) scored his fourth hat-trick of the season in the 3-0 win over Celta Vigo.

Rafa draws blank on Napoli’s start

Pearson: No ifs or butts, we’ve got to accept red

NAPoLI boss Rafael Benitez bemoaned his side’s slow start after they had to come back from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw against empoli yesterday. The draw saw Napoli slip to fourth in Serie A and Benitez (pictured), who is under pressure due to an inconsistent campaign, was not impressed. ‘The character that the team showed in the second half is positive,’ he said. ‘But I am not happy because I wanted to see this attitude from the first minute.’

lEICEStER boss nigel Pearson admitted he is unlikely to appeal Paul Konchesky’s red card. the defender was sent off despite it appearing Aston Villa’s Alan Hutton pushed his

head into his opponent’s face.

Hutton was booked while Konchesky faces a ban, and Pearson (pictured) said: ‘It’s difficult to have a decision like

Derby day destiny: Messi

LIoNeL MeSSI scored a hat-trick to reach the 400-goal mark for Barcelona and spark his team’s 5-1 comeback victory over espanyol in the Catalan capital derby, keeping the winners second in La Liga. The Argentina star matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s treble in Real Madrid’s win the day before to ensure Barca stayed within two points of their fierce rivals. It was Messi’s third hat-trick in a fortnight but his team had to do it the hard way. Sergio Garcia put espanyol in front before Messi, Gerard Pique and substitute Pedro netted. espanyol boss Sergio Gonzalez admitted: ‘Messi is a football legend.’

by Matthew Nash

‘To ask for action would lack class’

fOOTbALL DigEsT

Hat-trick hero Leo’s hailed as ‘a legend’

astoN viLLa ...... 2 LeicesteR.............1 AlAn Hutton bagged his first Aston Villa goal as they clinched victory over ten-man leicester. the right-back, who had been frozen out by boss Paul lambert until this season, netted with 20 minutes left to cap Villa’s comeback from a goal down. leonardo ulloa ended his goal drought to put the Foxes ahead but Ciaran Clark headed an equaliser within minutes.

And Paul Konchesky was sent off late on for leicester after clashing with Hutton – who was lucky to stay on – to compound the visitors’ woes.

It left nigel Pearson’s side rooted to the bottom of the table and lifted resurgent Villa to 11th. the visitors had taken the lead on 13 minutes when Villa failed to close down Riyad Mahrez and goalkeeper Brad Guzan spilled his deflected effort straight to ulloa, who tapped in.

Villa levelled four minutes later when Clark was granted the freedom of the area to head in Ashley Westwood’s free-kick. the match took a fiery turn when Jamie Vardy clattered into Westwood, who needed to be carried off, with the Foxes striker lucky to receive only a caution.

Monday, December 8, 2014 METRO HERALD 23

that rescinded in all honesty.’ on Hutton, he added: ‘It would lack a bit of class for me to ask for retrospective action against another manager’s player.’

Marta hurt in crash

Action packed afternoon: Hutton celebrates his winner and, inset, clashes with Konchesky

BRAZILIAN women’s star Marta has suffered minor injuries in a car accident.

The five-time World Player of the Year was taken to hospital for tests after the crash while she was on holiday in north-eastern Brazil but sustained only bruising. She is believed to have lost control of the Audi she was driving.

SPORT

24 METRO HERALD Monday, December 8, 2014

“I didn’t start too well but I came through and got the win”

Back in the saddle: Padraig Harrington waves to the gallery on the 18th green in round four of the Indonesia Open piCture: getty

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Carroll’s singing as big Sam toasts high-flying Hammers

«see page 22

HARI’S I’S game

Dubliner relocates winning ways by pAuRIc MORgAn

Triple major winner padraig Harrington overcame an early final round wobble and a brave charge from Thailand’s Thanyakon Khrongpha to win the Asian Tour’s indonesia Open by two shots following a dramatic final hole yesterday.

The Dubliner and the 24-year-old Thai headed down the last level at 16-under but both found trouble.

Harrington hit his tee shot to the edge of the hazard, with the Thai failing to capitalise by dumping his second in the water en route to a double bogey six, while the irishman recovered to record a par four. ‘i had a bad break on the 18th hole when i hit my tee shot and it rolled to the edge of the hazard,’ Harrington said. ‘i was about to chip my ball sideways to the fairway but when Thanyakon hit it into the water, there was no point to take a chance. So i went back to the fairway and hit my six iron for my best shot of the week.’

The victory was Harrington’s first at a full field tournament since he lifted the 2010 Johor Open title, also on the Asian Tour.

‘Winning is a good habit to have. it gives you a lot of confidence and i need that confidence,’ the world No.385 said. ‘i didn’t start too well but i came through and i got the win. This win

brings a lot of confidence to my game and hopefully it will show up next year.’

Harrington and Thanyakon were two of 46 players who returned early yesterday to finish their third rounds after bad weather had halted play.

A birdie, bogey and three pars saw Harrington sign off his third round with a four-under-par 67 and a four shot lead over Thanyakon (71).

But the irishman, who won the 2007 and 2008 British Opens, had a tough start to his final round, opening with a bogey six and then recorded a double bogey five at the seventh to allow Thanyakon to erase the deficit.

A rain delay disrupted Tha ny a k o n ’s momentum, however, as Harrington prevailed with a 71. ‘it was a great final round from me but i was under so much pressure on the last hole,’ said the Thai, who finished with a 69.

O’Connor ‘disappointed’ after Leinster’s Stoop failure to conquer

MATT O’CONNOR lamented his team’s shortcomings at the scrum in Leinster’s bonus-point loss to Harlequins yesterday.

The head coach pointed to Aseli Tikoirotuma’s intercept try for ’Quins as the key moment in his side’s 24-18 defeat in London yesterday evening while also doffing his cap to a powerhouse performance from Conor O’Shea’s No.8 Nick Easter.

‘That was as good as Nick Easter has played in the last 25 years! Full credit to ’Quins, I thought they played very, very well,’ O’Connor (pictured) said.

‘We didn’t control set piece and with a French referee away from home that’s massive, and we spoke a lot about it this week.

‘We thought it would be a lot closer contest up front and the beauty of sport is that we have a week to fix it.’

The three-times European champions failed to score a try of their own as

O’Shea’s men touched down twice, although six penalties from the boot of Ian Madigan allowed Leinster to at least claim a losing bonus point.

‘It’s disappointing,’ said O’Connor afterwards at the Twickenham Stoop. ‘Full credit to ‘Quins, I thought they played very, very well.

‘We were a bit off in the first half. I thought we fought our way back into it quite well, and then the intercept was instrumental. It was a bit too big of a hill to climb.’

After two Madigan penalties Leinster back to within three points at 21-18, it was

ultimately the Tikoirotuma score that proved vital for ‘Quins, even if Leinster looked to be building momentum heading into the final 10 minutes.

Unfortunately, a high error count and a kick into touch on the full from Isaac Boss stymied Leinster hopes of a comeback. Danny Care’s clever drop goal with six minutes remaining sealed the deal for the Premiership outfit.

O’Connor dismissed the idea that his team’s decision-making with possession was askew, blaming execution more than anything.

‘I wouldn’t say it was decision-making; I thought our execution was off in the first half. We had opportunities to build pressure and we didn’t look after the ball.

‘They slowed our release and we made errors which meant we didn’t put them under enough pressure in the first half. We were not unhappy at half time, but it got away from us when they got the intercept.’

Meanwhile, Quins victory avenged the infamous ‘Bloodgate’ defeat by Leinster in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup five and a half years ago and O’Shea was delighted by the display.

‘We’ve had a tough couple of weeks and not the greatest start to the season, but sometimes you have to show some fight and we did,’ he said. ‘We now Leinster will come firing back, but our belief will grow from this. It will be an unbelievable contest for us next week.’

« Leinster fuMbLe – page 21

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