The conclusion of the wrongful death lawsuit brought forth by the Tuomey family was reached this Wednesday at Four Courts. The litigation revolved around the tragic suicide of 11-year-old Milly Tuomey, and was prosecuted against various entities within the national mental health services. Utilising the mediation process, the family were granted a financial settlement of €65,000, along with the cover of court costs and written expressions of regret. Pearse Sreenan, the family’s barrister, spoke of a tale of overlooked chances and process break down that occurred after the Tuomey’s requested help for Milly in the two months leading up to her taking her own life. Experts concluded that this was due to individual malpractice amounting to a systemic failure in meeting Milly’s needs, which possibly resulted in the unsuccessful saving of her life.
This week, notorious criminal Tony Felloni, also known as “King Scum”, passed away at the age of 81. Crime Editor Conor Lally recalls the life of Felloni who, having been raised in the inner city of Dublin in the 1950s, became an infamous figure instrumental in the heroin crisis of the area. His actions continue to have repercussions even after many decades.
Furthermore, David McWiliams scrutinizes the repercussions of internet retail on conventional storefronts. He points out that while the rise of online shopping has contributed negatively, the high local authority rates are also a significant challenge for traditional businesses. As these rates increase, fewer businesses may feel confident in starting up, and existing establishments may reassess their profitability, possibly opting for closure. In McWilliam’s view, this is a serious concern as he believes the vitality of small Irish towns plays a pivotal role in the framework of Irish society.
Marese McDonagh, in Galway, converses with Ian McDonagh, the premier funeral director from the Traveller community in Ireland. He observes shifting trends within the funeral industry where traditional roles like an auctioneer or a publican are being replaced by professional funeral directors. The new breed hailing from younger generations are pursuing higher education in embalming and funeral directing, something that he considers as a welcome change.
Through the opinion columns, Jennifer O’Connell questions the ideal age for her daughter to get her own smartphone. She solicits views from her teenage offspring, only to get responses discouraging the usage of a smartphone as much as possible. The reason given was to promote presence in the real world instead of constant digital engagement.
In another opinion piece, Pat Leahy argues that the vision of a leftist Government is slowly fading. Pointing out that in the wake of recent elections, leftist parties have dodged power, barring the Greens. He notes that while they may not have achieved everything they desired, they recognised the necessity of being in the government to meet their political goals. Leahy questions if other parties and independents on the left would learn from this. But, there seem to be no indications as of yet.
Our weekend culture writing includes Tara Brady’s interview with Kerry Condon, a reputable Irish actor who maintains a private lifestyle and avoids unnecessary attention. Additionally, Fiona Gartland chats with Jo Spain, the popular novelist who depends on her upcoming books, contracts, or TV appearances to take care of her mortgage expenses. Book reviews feature Zeinab Bedawi’s insightful An African History of Africa, while Donald Clarke provides a meta review on the multiple reviews of Taylor Swift’s latest album.
For gastronomy enthusiasts, John Wilson assists readers in selecting the ultimate summer wine. Simultaneously, Mark Moriarty shares the unlimited culinary potentials of a simple ingredient – the lemon.
In the forthcoming hurling showdown between the teams of Cork and Clare this Sunday, there’s an in-depth article by Denis Walsh that profiles Pat Ryan, the manager of the Rebels. He has been faced with the tough task of managing a transition period since he came into power. It’s noteworthy that out of the past six under-20/21 All-Ireland finals, Cork has participated in five and triumphed in three; the under-20 squad that achieved accolades as minor champions three years prior is this year’s team. In spite of this, there was surprise amongst fans when established players such as Pat Horgan, Conor Lehane, Seamus Harnedy, and Damien Cahalane were all selected to play from the starting whistle last week; this prompted questions regarding the whereabouts of fresh talent. In response, Walsh explains that the answer may have been rather apparent, though ignored.
In another section, Dominic Coyle brings us the latest issue of ‘On the Money’ newsletter, providing advice on how to procure an affordable loan for home retrofitting.
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