Anti-immigrant camp in Dublin ‘not about racism’, residents say

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2 weeks ago

April 27, 2024

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In the nation of ‘Cade Mile Failte’ (a hundred thousand welcomes), the residents of Coolock want to shut the door.

They’ve set up an anti-immigrant camp in the north Dublin suburb, outside a disused factory earmarked to house asylum seekers.

With green, white and orange, they’re staking claim to this ground, their protest tents bedecked with dozens of Irish flags.

Car horns blast every four or five seconds, in response to a large poster reading: “Beep if you support Coolock.”

Their other roadside banners state: “Community concern over 1,000 male migrants being housed in this building” and “Irish lives matter”.

The camp is occupied 24 hours a day, with young men guarding it overnight and residents of all ages during the day.

Two elderly women, two younger women and half a dozen men of various ages were on site when we arrived.

Analysis: Clashes with police as anti-migration protests erupt in Ireland

Sean Crowe, who describes himself as “a concerned parent”, said: “Coolock’s message is we don’t want them here, we just don’t want them, end of story.

“We have our own gangs and trouble going on that we can’t sort out. The place is bad enough as it is.”

“It’s just going to put more of a strain,” the father-of-one added.

Asked how he would reply to those who describe protesters as “racist”, he replied: “It’s not about racism.

“It’s about the strain it’s going to put on the community and local amenities around the place.

“That’s all it’s about, concerned parents.”

The camp at Coolock is just one of several that have sprung up across the Republic in the past year.

In several places, like Newtownkennedy in County Wicklow, the tension has reached breaking point, with public order police officers deployed.

“We fear they’re going to do the same thing here,” said one protestor at Coolock, who wished to remain anonymous.

“If the Gardai [Irish police] attempt to shut down our peaceful protest, all hell will break loose here,” she added.

With the sun shining and the smell of meat cooking on their barbecue, it had a community feel about it.

But they’re fiercely critical of their current government and you can sense that the tension isn’t far beneath the surface.

“Eighty percent of them are crossing the border from Northern Ireland and they knew that would happen,” Sean told me.

“It’s time to close the border” are not words you expect to hear, when Ireland fought hard to keep it open.

World

Mother of Australian brothers killed on Mexico surfing trip says world ‘a darker place’

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3 hours ago

May 8, 2024

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Mother of Australian brothers killed on Mexico surfing trip says world 'a darker place'

The mother of two Australian surfers allegedly shot dead by thieves in Mexico says “the world has become a darker place for us” after their deaths.

The bodies of brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and American Jack Carter Rhoad were found south of Ensenada in northern Mexico last week, after the men went missing on the weekend of 27 April.

The trio, who were on a surfing trip near the city, were shot dead by thieves who wanted their truck’s tyres, according to prosecutors, and their bodies dumped in a remote 15m-deep (50ft) well.

Debra Robinson delivered a tribute to her sons at a beach in San Diego on Tuesday.

“Our hearts are broken and the world has become a darker place for us,” she said. “They were young men enjoying their passion of surfing together.

“Jake’s passion was surfing, and it was no coincidence that many of the hospitals that he worked in were close to surfing beaches.”

“Live bigger, shine brighter, and love harder in their memory,” she said, and thanked Australian officials and supporters there and in the United States.

Mrs Robinson, who also paid tribute to Jack Carter Rhoad, said her sons’ bodies, or their ashes, will eventually be taken back to Australia.

“Now it’s time to bring them home to families and friends,” she said. “And the ocean waits in Australia.”

Prosecutors have identified three people as potential suspects, two of whom were caught with methamphetamines. One of them, a woman, had one of the victims’ mobile phones when she was caught, they said.

Prosecutors said the two were being held pending drug charges but continue to be suspects in the killings.

A third man was arrested on charges of a crime equivalent to kidnapping, but that was before the bodies were found. It was unclear when or if he might face more charges.

The third man was believed to have directly participated in the killings, prosecutors said.

33-year-old Callum, Jake, 30, and their friend Jack, also 30, had posted photos on social media of isolated beaches shortly before they went missing.

Callum had reportedly been living in the US to try to become a professional lacrosse player, while Jake, a doctor, had flown out to visit him two weeks ago.

Thieves likely saw their truck and tents and wanted their tyres but the men probably resisted, said prosecutor Maria Elena Andrade Ramírez.

She said the bodies were taken to “a site that is extremely hard to get to” in Baja California state.

The well, near where their truck and tent were found, also contained a fourth body that had been there much longer, she added.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday he had requested an opportunity to speak to Mrs Robinson and her husband Martin.

“This is a terrible tragedy and my heart goes out to them,” Mr Albanese said.

World

Trump trial: This was Donald with his trousers down – no doubt

Published

3 hours ago

May 8, 2024

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Trump trial: This was Donald with his trousers down - no doubt

There are moments, more than others, that scream the humiliation of it all.

Take this, before Tuesday’s proceedings got underway. “No descriptions of genitalia or anything but it’s important to elicit that she had sex with him.”

It was the prosecution’s assurance prior to questioning Stormy Daniels after Donald Trump’s lawyers had objected, in advance, to her testifying to the details of sexual acts.

It would be that kind of day in this kind of trial.

Trump trial as it happened: Stormy Daniels accused of car park ‘threat’ lie

In a dingy New York courtroom, this was the president and the porn star, together again, in a reunion most reductive for Mr Trump.

He might have secured guarantees on anatomical detail but, from the moment the court heard “The People call Stormy Daniels” this was Mr Trump with his trousers down, no doubt.

Ms Daniels told her story, of growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the daughter of a single mother. She edited her high school newspaper, enjoyed ballet dancing and horses and had ambitions to be a technician.

By the time she met Mr Trump, aged 27, we learned she was an adult film actress and director, star of the likes of 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up.

By her telling, the Trump encounter was more Austin Powers – the penthouse suite, the satin pyjamas and the spanking with a rolled-up magazine.

“Bullshit,” Mr Trump was heard to mutter. His problem is that this kind of bullshit sticks.

Whatever his lawyers’ protestations about Ms Daniels’ credibility – and there are holes – that’s hardly the headline for a watching, voting, public.

What will they take from court to the polling booth in November? Quite apart from the imagery, what message does it send to key demographics?

An affair with a porn star, whilst married, is a poor fit with the principles of evangelicals, so critical to the Trump vote in 2016. Suburban women might also reel from this tawdry peek backstage at the presidency.

How much will Mr Trump worry? About $130,000 (£103,000) worth. It is the premium he paid to stop the story coming out in the first place.

Sadly, for him, the insurance policy has run out.

World

Eurovision facing controversy over contestants and political statements – as protests around event expected

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3 hours ago

May 8, 2024

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Eurovision facing controversy over contestants and political statements - as protests around event expected

The Eurovision Song Contest is already facing controversy over performers making political statements ahead of the big event in Sweden at the weekend.

Bambie Thug, who will represent Ireland, has criticised organisers for asking the performer to alter a pro-Palestinian message before their performance in the first semi-final last night.

Meanwhile, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has put out a statement expressing “regret” that former Swedish contestant Eric Saade, who is reportedly of Palestinian origin, was wearing a keffiyeh – a traditional scarf that has become a symbol of support – tied around his wrist as he sang.

He is not competing this year, but opened the first Eurovision semi-final show in his home country ahead of the finalists being chosen.

Eurovision bills itself as a non-political event and organisers have resisted calls to boycott Israel, sparking protests.

Israel’s Eden Golan will perform her song Hurricane in the second semi-final on Thursday, with bookmakers placing her among the top 10 most likely to win the competition.

Security is being ramped up in the Swedish host city of Malmo, which expects to welcome some 100,000 Eurovision fans – along with thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters, with demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war planned on Thursday and Saturday.

After making it through to the final with their song Doomsday Blue, Ireland’s Bambie Thug told reporters at a news conference that they had been forced to change writing painted on their body ahead of the semi-final performance.

The 31-year-old singer said the painted script in Ogham – an early Medieval alphabet – had translated to ‘ceasefire and freedom’.

“It was very important for me because I’m pro justice and pro peace,” they said. “Unfortunately, I had to change those messages today to ‘crown the witch’ only (which was an) order from the EBU.”

A spokesperson for the EBU said: “The writing seen on Bambie Thug’s body during dress rehearsals contravened contest rules that are designed to protect the non-political nature of the event.

“After discussions with the Irish delegation, they agreed to change the text for the live show.”

In a separate statement about Saade’s opening performance, an EBU spokesperson said the organisation “regrets” that he chose to wear the keffiyeh pattern material and “chose to compromise the non-political nature of the event”.

Elsewhere, UK entrant Olly Alexander also performed at the event to showcase his song, Dizzy, although he is already through to the final as the UK is one of the “big five” Eurovision donors.

The Years & Years singer has found himself facing criticism from some who called for him to withdraw over Israel’s inclusion amid the ongoing war.

He addressed the controversy in a documentary following him as he prepares for the show, describing some comments he and other contestants have received as “very extreme”.

In April, Eurovision organisers condemned the abuse and harassment of contestants over Israel’s inclusion in the competition as “unacceptable and totally unfair”.

Speaking on Sky’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, EBU deputy director general Jean Philip De Tender defended Israel’s inclusion.

“We do understand the concerns and deeply held views around the war in the Middle East,” he said.

“The song contest is a music event organised and co-produced by 37 public broadcasters, it’s not a competition between nations or governments.

“Our governing bodies reviewed the participation of Kan [Israel’s public broadcasting corporation] and found that they met all of the competing rules.”