KildareStreet killed by the Government. Funds urgently required

The website KildareStreet has effectively been closed down by the Government.

For some years now KildareStreet has provided a very valuable information serivice which allows citzens to keep tabs on what politicians are up to in the Dail and Seanad.

On September 18th last, with no warning or published statement of intent, a significant change was made to the Houses of the Oireachtas website which had the effect of killing KildareStreet for the foreseeable future.

KildareStreet urgently needs donations from the general public in order to get up and running again.

Anybody interested in keeping this valuable service alive can donate here.

Dozens of art works missing (stolen?) from Leinster House

It has been reported that thirty-seven pieces of state-owned artwork are missing or “unaccounted for” from within Leinster House.

A spokesman for the Office of Public Works (OPW), who is responsible for the safekeeping of such items, made the following response.

We don’t have the resources to constantly keep a track of where things go.

Often, when staff move offices, they take artwork they like with them and this poses great difficulty to the OPW and management staff in Leinster House to keep a track on them.

Given the size of the collection under the auspices of the OPW, it is impossible to know where everything is all of the time.

This response indicates a complete abdication of responsibility for valuable state/citizen owned property.

In effect, this spokesman is extending an open invitation to any thieving official, politician or member of the public to steal at will.

While serving in the Naval Service I was appointed as a storeman for a number of years. I had absolutely no training for the job and was given just one assistant.

We were charged with keeping track of items ranging from radio equipment on several ships, bedding, lockers and other equipment in three billets, thousands of items in stores and a large volume of arms and ammunition.

When something went missing it was usually noticed quickly and acted upon immediately.

The claim by the OPW official that it is impossible to know where everything is all the time is complete rubbish.

These art items went missing from Leinster House, presumably from offices and public areas like halls and stairs.

The standard method of keeping track of such items is simple and effective.

An inventory of all items in any particular office is typed up, signed by the politician/official responsible for that office and displayed on the wall for all to see and inspect.

When that politician/official is vacating office they simply ask their successor to check that all items on the list are present and take responsibility by signing the inventory.

All inventories are independently checked on a regular basis to make sure all is in order.

The system is simple, effective and easily operated.

I phoned the OPW to ask some questions regarding the missing items and, as usual, was referred to the Press Office who asked me to put my queries in writing.

Dear Ms.
Re our phone conversation today regarding the missing pieces of art from Leinster House.

What are the name, position and rank of the person/s responsible for the safe keeping of the missing items?

What action has been taken in response to the missing items?

In particular, what action has been taken in respect of items that went missing prior to the last general election?

What is the overall time period in which the items went missing?

Please supply a list of the estimated value of each missing item

Please supply a list of the exact offices/locations from which items went missing

Please supply a list of the officials/politicians who occupied offices from which items went missing.

Please confirm or otherwise if members of the public are entitled to speak directly to OPW officials regarding this matter.

Yours Sincerely,
Anthony Sheridan

Gerry who?

The media is full of reports, interviews and analysis about the pulling of a book concerning some guy called Gerry Ryan.

As a country we’re fortunate that we have nothing else to worry us.

On the road to hell

Letter in today’s Irish Examiner

The criminal and the corrupt are the norm

Criminal activity and amoral behaviour are being normalised in Ireland.

Our society is akin to the Italian mafia, complete with murders, hit men and racketeering, and corrupt politicians who can be bought and influenced by special interests.

Murder has become common, and with it an indifferent and de-sensitised nation that has become accustomed, and acquiescent, to it.

The old Ireland is dead and gone, only to be replaced by a sick and twisted Ireland with hypocritical values that are self-serving in the extreme.

The overall picture for this country is the development of an ‘Irish mafia’ who have taken over the suburbs with all kinds of vice.

Our idle and decadent, conservative upper class should be concerned, because the country is on track to be taken over by those who are gaining more and more power.

Former attorney general and senior counsel Michael McDowell emphasised the threat of the underworld to the authority of the State.

We are now a nation that has developed its own mafia and they have become part of the silverware in a country without an effective government, a government that is, at times, arguably just as corrupt as our most hardened criminals.

The term ‘organised crime’ should not be construed too narrowly either, because so-called legitimate business is rife with price-fixing cartels across the country and it is clear that frowning on the underworld can only go so far.

The line between honest business and criminal activity is as thin as a hair — if it exists at all — in a country that is never far away from the criminal courts. Many “pillars of our community” have gone down in shame with the legacy of a bad example to others.

Dear old Ireland is very much a country that has resigned, given up, and couldn’t give a damn one way or the other.

We are surely on the road to hell … can there be any doubt given that crime, organised or not, is such a prevalent factor in our national life and takes up a huge share of media reporting?

Maurice Fitzgerald
Shanbally
Co Cork

Wallace: "I hired a hitman…This man has guaranteed me I’m going to get it."

I have often described politicians, businessmen and even ordinary citizens as living in a parallel universe when it comes to the reality of how things are done in Ireland.

But the manner in which the media has reported Mick Wallace’s admission that he hired a hitman to recover owed money is beginning to make me suspect that perhaps it’s me that’s living in a parallel universe

Here are some examples of how Wallace’s claim has been reported (my emphasis).

He had once spoken to a hitman who described how he could threaten a contractor with a gun in order to recoup money owed to him.

He once threatened to hire a hitman.

He made it clear that he did not actually hire a hitman.

Ok, I need to do a forensic examination of exactly what Wallace told Marian Finucane to see if I’m missing something that’s obvious to everybody else.

Fact one: Marian Finucane brought up the matter of how Wallace dealt with money he was once owed by a building contractor.

She described Wallace as having dealt with the matter in a very particular kind of way.

Fact two: Wallace did not dispute Finucane’s description but launched immediately into the story.

Fact three: Wallace stated he was owed €170,000 but only received €150,000 from the building contractor.

Fact four: Wallace made it clear he was unhappy with being refused the money he was owed.

Fact five: Wallace stated he tried to retrieve the money he was owed through his solicitor but strongly suggested that this option was a dead end.

Fact six: Wallace stated he met a debt collector the very next night in a pub (the night after talking to his solicitor, presumably).

Fact seven: Wallace recounted his conversation with the debt collector as follows:

I said, there’s a guy who owes me money, a contractor right. I’ve never met the owner but I’m dealing with a contracts manager, all my dealings have been with him.

If I said to you; go get my money, how would you do it?

Well, he said; I just need his name and the company he works for and I’d find out the rest and I’d go out to his house at eight or nine at night when he’s at home. I’d knock on the door, I’d put my foot in the door and I’d have a gun with me and I’d give him seven days to pay and generally they pay.

And I said, well, I’m owed €20,000. What would it cost me?

He said; four. You get sixteen and I get four.

I said right, ok. Let me think about it.

Fact eight: Wallace recounted how he arranged to meet a guy for a pint who used to work for him but now worked for the contracts manager involved in the matter.

Wallace recounted the following exchange between himself and the man he invited for a pint.

By the way, I’m going to get that money from the contractor.

Are you serious?

I am, yeah.

That’s great, how did you do it?

I haven’t got it yet but I’m going to get it. This guy has guaranteed me I’m going to get it.

How did you do it?

Well, I hired a hitman and I explained to him (the man he was having a pint with) how he (the hitman) is going to get the money.

I don’t believe you Wallace; I don’t believe you; that’s incredible.

What can I do, I need the money, they owe it to me; he will pay so there won’t be any trouble.

Fact nine: Wallace stated that two days later he received a phone call from the owner of the company that owed him money and he agreed to accept €16,000 from the company.

Fact ten: Wallace ended his account of this matter with the following sentence.

But to be honest, no, I wouldn’t have sent a gunman to his door, no.

Here’s my understanding of Wallace’s claims.

He was refused money he was owed by a building contractor. He was unable to retrieve the money through his solicitor. He hired a hitman to recover the money for him.

Try as I might I am completely unable to change the meaning or even put any kind of slant on the following words that came from Wallace’s own mouth:

I hired a hitman.

Neither can I put any slant on Wallace’s words:

This guy has guaranteed me I’m going to get it.

His claim that he wouldn’t send a gunman is bizarre and unbelievable when compared to his frank and detailed account of events.

Wallace 'hitman' comments unfortunate according to fellow TD

There’s an article in today’s Irish Independent regarding my complaint against Mick Wallace.

Independent TD and friend of Wallace, Maureen O’Sullivan, said that Wallace’s ‘hitman’ comments were very unfortunate.

She continued:

I know he said he didn’t use a hitman but the interview could have done without a mention of it.

The point to note here is that Ms O’Sullivan seems completely unconcerned by the fact that a fellow politician seems to be admitting that he committed a serious crime.

Her sole concern seems to be that the matter was mentioned at all. In common with most Irish politicians Ms. O’Sullivan would, apparently, prefer if such matters were swept under the carpet.

Formal complaint against Mick Wallace TD

I have an appointment with Cobh Gardai for 3pm today in which I will lodge the following formal complaint against Michael Wallace TD in response to his admission that he hired a hitman to recover an outstanding debt from a building contractor.

To Whom It May Concern:

I wish to lodge a formal complaint against Michael Wallace TD in response to his admission that he hired a hitman to recover an outstanding debt from a building contractor.

During a conversation with Marian Finucane on RTE on Saturday 6th October 2012 Mr. Wallace outlined the background regarding his decision to hire a hitman and the subsequent successful outcome of his actions.

The conversation between Mr. Wallace and Marian Finucane is available on the RTE website.

I have included an account of the conversation with some minor editing for ease of reading.

Yours sincerely
Anthony Sheridan

I was working for a large builder supplying labour only and he owed me €170,000 and gave me €150,000. When I said I need the last twenty they said you can go to hell, that’s all you’re getting.

When I said that’s not fair, they said; we don’t give a fuck.

I said that’s not the way I do business.

They said, well, that’s it.

After trying to get the money back through the legal process for six months my solicitor told me, you’re owed €20,000, you’ll be lucky to get €13,000 out of €20,000 and you’ll have your legal costs and take at least two years, so whatever you think.

Ok, let me think about it.

I just happened to meet a guy in a pub the next night and he told me about what he did, how he made his living. He was a debt collector.

There’s a contractor who owes me money. I’ve never met the owner but I’m dealing with a contracts manager and all my dealings have been with him.

And I said, if I said to you go get my money how would you do it?

I just need his name and the company he works for and I’d find out the rest. I’d go out to his house at 8 or 9 at night when he’s at home. I’d knock on the door, put my foot in the door and I’d have a gun with me and I’d give him seven days to pay and generally they pay.

Well, I’m owed €20,000, what would it cost me?

Four, you get sixteen, I get four.

Right, ok. Let me think about it.

So I arranged to meet a guy that used to work for me but now worked for this particular contracts manager. I said to him, by the way, I’m going to get that money from the contractor.

Are you serious?

I am, yeah.

That’s great, how did you do it?

I haven’t got it yet but I’m going to get it. This guy has guaranteed me I’m going to get it.

How did you do it?

Well, I hired a hit man and I explained to him how he’s going to get the money.

I don’t believe you Wallace; I don’t believe you, that’s incredible.

What can I do, I need the money, they owe it to me, he will pay so there won’t be any trouble.

Two days later, I got a phone call from the owner of the company who I had never spoken to in my life and he asked to meet me.

I believe there’s an outstanding sum of money.

There is, you owe me €20,000.

I went to his office and agreed to accept €16,000.

But to be honest, I wouldn’t have sent a gunman to his door, no.

ENDS

Good question

Letter in today’s Irish Examiner.

Gorman should ask his questions of the rich

It really annoys me when RTE presenter Paddy Gorman interviews people in queues waiting for so-called social welfare.

Throughout all the years I have been listening to RTE programmes (I am 45 next birthday) I have never heard an interviewer ask any rich person a question similar to the questions Paddy asks people in queues.

The super rich will never have to queue, so Paddy will never get to ask them what contraception they use, if they enjoy a drink, or if they have a man or woman in their life.

Can we please have a show where Paddy meets people queuing for the toilet in the Shelbourne and asks them questions like “Where did you spend all the billions given to you by the Labour/Fine Gael government?”

Looking forward to a new and equal media.

Ray Corcoran
Dublin 11

The Troika: The truth is beginning to dawn

Slowly but surely the Troika is beginning to realise that the Irish political/administrative system operates in a parallel universe when it comes to honesty, efficiency and accountability (Irish Independent).

Brendan Keenan lists the following failures. (Failure, by the way, is one area where Irish politicians/administrators are leaders in the world).

Failed to sell off Permanent TSB.
Failed to take on the professions.
Failed to reduce the bill for public sector pay and pensions.
Failed to introduce a property tax.
Missed the deadline for personal insolvency legislation.
Accepted we won’t reach the deadline for the introduction of water charges.
Ignored repeated Troika warnings about protecting the elderly from cuts and placing an unfair burden on children.

Now the reason for all this failure is simple, the corrupt Irish political system is concentrating all its energies and all the people’s resources in protecting its privileged position.

Keenan goes on:

The Troika itself is getting antsy about the failure to meet almost any deadline that does not have a number attached to it and has repeatedly told the Government in private that more needs to be done to meet those targets to modernise the economy and break the power of the many vested interest groups that brought Ireland to the brink.

The Troika is getting antsy because the corrupt system that destroyed the country is still in power and still looking after the many vested groups at the expense of ordinary citizens.

Sooner rather than later I believe the Troika will realise just how rotten the system really is and begin to do some serious screw turning.

Stroke politics still the preferred option of our politicians

Ireland is not a democratic state.

It is a state governed under the rules and very low standards of gombeenism and stroke politics.

Every politician/political party must decide, on coming to power, whether to cooperate with the rotten system to further their own interests or challenge the system in the interests of the Irish people.

Here’s some examples from recent times of decisions made that support the rotten system.

Former Progressive Democrats TD, Fiona O’Malley.

It’s something that has always annoyed me, that the PDs are watchdogs. We have our own standards. Every other political party is responsible for their own standards within their own party. We are not watchdogs for any other party.

Green Party leader and then Minister for the Environment John Gormley.

We never assigned ourselves that role because it’s a role which you cannot fulfull properly and do your work as well. We’re not the moral watchdog of any political party…we look after our probity and our standards…we cannot be responsible for events that took place before our entry into government.

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton effectively rejecting the ethical standards of Roisin Shortall in favour of Minister Reilly’s stroke politics.

The fortunes of individual politicians and political parties comes after the issue of restoring the fortunes and the businesses and the employment that’s been lost in this country, and that’s our objective.