Food & Drink

TV docuseries recalls brutal murder

Nancy Smyth strangled and her house set on fire in 1987

THE first episode of a new TG4 documentary series brings us back to Kilkenny City in September 1987 when the community woke to the news that 69 year old Ann Nancy Smyth, a widower who lived alone, had not survived a fire that destroyed her small cottage on Wolfe Tone Street, Kilkenny.

She had been strangled before her cottage was set on fire.

The four-part series, Maru Inar Measc, asks how long does it take for a killer to think they have got away with their heinous act? And how does a community get on with their lives, knowing that there could be or is a killer in their midst?

The new and compelling four-part true crime documentary series by Midas Productions for TG4 that shines a light on impact unprovoked murder cases have on families and communities in Ireland.

This series could not have been made without the cooperation of each family who shared their story and allowed us the privilege of filming with them.

Ann Nancy Smyth was a well-known and popular figure around Kilkenny. Her death sent shockwaves through the entire community. Initially thought to be a tragic housefire, it later transpired that Nancy had died from strangulation. Her nephew, Des Murphy, recalls that it was at the morgue, when called to identify her body that he noticed marks on her neck.

On the night that Nancy died, she had been seen arguing with local man, John Joseph Malone. Malone denied murdering Nancy, and with all forensic evidence destroyed by the fire, Gardaí were left with little or no evidence to convict him.

However, in 2012, a Cold Case Review was opened and a fresh Garda appeal brought forward new information. This information came in the form a witness who could place Malone at the scene of the crime and witnessed him threaten Nancy, and another witness to whom Malone confessed the murder.

In the episode about Nancy’s murder, which goes out on Wednesday, May 19, for the first time key witnesses Geraldine Brennan and Jude Curran tell their story as we uncover how it was Nancy’s own community who finally brought her killer to justice 30 years after she was brutally murdered.

Malone: nearly 30 years to bring to justice

New deal with post Brexit Britain welcome

THE European Parliament has approved the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which will see a new post-Brexit trade deal with Britain.

Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune has welcomed the passing of the agreement and said we must all prepare now for this “new relationship’” with the UK. “We are all now busy preparing for the next chapter in our 800 year relationship with the UK. It will be a different relationship particularly for business but I believe that we will continue to have a strong and friendly relationship with the UK.

“We will hope that the close trading ties built up over centuries will endure and will be supported by the common travel area,” the MEP said.

“Ireland’s place is now and will be at the heart of Europe. Our membership of the EU has allowed us to grow in stature both in economic and diplomatic terms and we will continue to use our voice at the table to help shape European policies and in so doing further our foreign policies. Europe is a good place for small member states.”

MEPs have now voted in favour of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK. On December 24 last, EU and UK negotiators agreed on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement establishing the terms for future EU-UK cooperation.

To minimise disruption, the agreement has been provisionally applied since 1 January 1 last. Parliament’s consent is necessary for the agreement to enter into force permanently before it lapses on April 30.

EU lawmakers have now voted to give the accord overwhelming approval. THE Grow it Forward initiative is a partnership between Kilkenny Library Service and the Grow It Yourself organisation. Up to 830 growing kits have been allocated for distribution throughout Kilkenny to enable people to get started on growing their own food at home.

To date, 650 packs have been distributed. The response has been phenomenal as so many people have embraced the opportunity to get involved in growing their own vegetables at home. The Library Service has also worked with a number of other local organisations, such as the Kilkenny Men’s Sheds, the Newpark Family Resource Centre and community networks to spread the word.

There are still a few packs remaining so get in touch to order yours – Contact us 056 779 4160 or any of the libraries, or email at info@kilkennylibrary.ie

THE second round of the Bank of Ireland ‘Begin Together’ Arts fund, in partnership with Business to Arts has been launched. The allisland fund will make a total of €1 million in arts funding available over three years, awarded to projects that are adapting due to the pandemic, or are inspired by and responding to our recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.

The Arts fund supports or commissions artists and arts organisations to develop arts projects that engage the individuals, audiences and communities involved. All art forms are eligible to apply to the fund.

During the first round of the Arts Fund over €300,000 was distributed to 36 projects across Ireland.

Closing date for the second round of applications is Wednesday, June 23.

School’s creativity is in fine Eoin Murphy: looking forward to new role in IT sector. Toon with pupils as gaeilge DEPUTY Principal and Art teacher Siona Nic Eoin, Colaiste Pobail Osrai, is pictured with Tomm Moore, Director Cartoon Saloon, Liselott Olofsson, artist and teacher Gaelscoil Osrai and students Stephanie Nic Giolla Phadraig and Ryan O Griofa, from Colaiste Pobail Osraí, discussing the collaborative ‘Creative Clusters’ project in conjunction with the Arts, Heritage and Culture through the medium of Irish. Students are working with Aine Ni Ghlinn, Laureate na nOg, and a series of visual artists from Cartoon Saloon, to develop a shared body of work, as Gaeilge. The aim is to promote the use of the Irish Language through a creative medium to support the love our four school communities (Colaiste Pobail Osrai, Gaelscoil Osrai, Gaelcholaiste Cheatharlach agus Gaelscoil Eoghain Ui Thuairisc) have for the Irish language, through the medium of the Arts. “We are excited to be able to work on such a project with Aine Ní Ghlinn and Cartoon Saloon, on this dynamic project. It is important to our school that we are linking with our neighbouring Gaelscoileanna, to allow our students the opportunity to make connections with the greater Irish speaking community. The Arts are a great way to hear the student voice,” said Siona Nic Eoin. Principal Cathnia Ó Muircheartaigh welcomed the opportunity for the students from all four school to engage and learn from Tomm Moore and all the artists from the multi-nominated Cartoon Saloon and from Loureate na nOg ith Aine Ni Ghlinn.