Yes (6593) Nov 23rd 2016, 8:46 AM Poll: Should neutrality be enshrined in the Irish Constitution? The Independent Alliance wants a free vote on a bill proposed by Sinn Féin. Wednesday 23 Nov 2016, 8:46 AM 21,590 Views By Michelle Hennessy No (4173) Share499 Tweet Email YesNoI’m not sureVote Short URL Image: RollingNews.ie http://jrnl.ie/3097006 Poll Results: Defence Forces conduct a mission readiness exercise in preparation for peacekeeping deployment in the Lebanon. SINN FÉIN HAS proposed a Bill that would see neutrality enshrined in the Irish Constitution.The Irish Times reports Independent Alliance ministers have sought a free vote on the bill, as both Shane Ross and Finian McGrath previously voted in favour of a similar bill.However, the Taoiseach has insisted they observe Cabinet responsibility and vote with the government. Leo Varadkar told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland there was a “robust discussion” about it and that the government would reaffirm Ireland’s commitment to neutrality.We want to know what you think of Sinn Féin’s bill: Should neutrality be enshrined in the Irish Constitution? I’m not sure (604) Defence Forces conduct a mission readiness exercise in preparation for peacekeeping deployment in the Lebanon. Image: RollingNews.ie 203 Comments Tweet thisShare on FacebookEmail this article
Poll Should neutrality be enshrined in the Irish Constitution
Man who punched and kicked victim in head over disputed taxi given
15,420 Views 29 Comments Short URL Feb 8th 2017, 8:15 PM Source: RollingNews.ieA COLLEGE STUDENT who knocked a man unconscious and kicked him in the head during a row over a taxi outside a Dublin nightclub has been ordered to carry out community service.Adam McCarthy (24) with an address in Raheny, Dublin, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Niall McHale at the White Sands Hotel in Portmarnock on 27 December 2014.Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard at a sentence hearing last November that McHale had come home to Dublin from London, where he is currently living, to visit family and friends for the Christmas holidays.On the night of the incident, he was out socialising with friends in the nightclub attached to the hotel in Portmarnock and left around 2.15am.He and his friends were waiting on a taxi when another group of men “ran out from the nightclub and jumped the queue”, getting into a taxi, Garda Thomas Halligan told Tony McGillicuddy BL, prosecuting.When McHale approached McCarthy to protest that it was not their taxi, McCarthy turned and punched him “before Mr McHale had even finished his sentence”, McGillicuddy said.McCarthy hit McHale above the right eye and he fell to the ground. He then kicked him in the head.McHale suffered a brief loss of consciousness before being taken by ambulance to Beaumont Hospital. He received seven stitches to the head, as well as bruising and lacerations. McCarthy was restrained by nightclub bouncers until gardaí arrived.In a brief victim impact statement read out in court, McHale said he was housebound for most of the Christmas holidays in the wake of the assault.The court heard McHale is still in London, but has requested that €5,000 which McCarthy had in court today go to Headway Ireland, which Judge Melanie Greally said would support people with head injuries who had not been as fortunate as the victim.Fatal consequencesShe commented at the earlier sentence hearing that a kick to the head can have fatal consequences. The fact that Mr McHale did not suffer a serious injury was “through no restraint on your part”, she told McCarthy.“The incident which has come before the court is yet another where a young person is out for the night socialising when a slight provocation, if you can even call it that… provokes an act of extreme violence,” the judge said.Today Judge Greally considered a probation report before the court that concluded that McCarthy was suitable for community service. She ordered that 240 hours service be carried out in 12 months in lieu of a one year jail term.The judge said it was “fortunate for both men that the consequences of McCarthy’s violent and reckless actions were not overly severe”.She accepted that McCarthy came from a respectable background, had taken steps to curb his drinking, had completed an anger management course and had expressed appropriate insight into the “actual and potential consequences” of his behaviour.Brian Storan BL, defending, said McCarthy’s reaction to his actions that night “has been one of shame and genuine remorse”. He said McCarthy was two years into a four-year degree at DIT and his ability to achieve was described as “unparalleled” by former educators.In a letter handed up to court, McCarthy “profusely” apologised to McHale and his family for the “lack of respect” he had shown and the pain he had caused them.“There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t think of this act and the consequences it has brought,” the letter said.Storan said his client had saved €3500 and borrowed a further €1500 from his parents to give to McHale as a token of his remorse.Read: Men in forestry fraud case accused of deception by inducing investor to hand over £52kRead: Café owner who grew cannabis to ease back pain given 240 hours community service By Isabel Hayes and Sonya McLean https://jrnl.ie/3229852 Tweet thisShare on FacebookEmail this article Wednesday 8 Feb 2017, 8:15 PM Man who punched and kicked victim in head over disputed taxi given community service Adam McCarthy expressed “genuine remorse” in court over the attack which left Niall McHale unconscious. Share50 Tweet Email2 
Poll Are you going to a religious service today
Short URL Poll: Are you going to a religious service today? Like Christmas, today is a day when mass attendance is higher than usual. http://jrnl.ie/3321674 By Sean Murray Image: Vandeville Eric/ABACA/PA Images 156 Comments 30,308 Views Sunday 16 Apr 2017, 8:30 AM YesNoNo interest/No opinionVote No (12340)
Tweet thisShare on FacebookEmail this article Poll Results: Yes (6114) Apr 16th 2017, 8:30 AM TODAY IS EASTER Sunday.Celebrated by Christians as the day when Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead, it is one of the most important days in the religious calendar.Like Christmas time, Easter Sunday is a day when attendance at churches across the country is higher than usual.So, today we’re asking you: Are you going to a religious service today? Share Tweet Email No interest/No opinion (461) Image: Vandeville Eric/ABACA/PA Images
14 people found hidden in back of truck at Rosslare port
14 people found hidden in back of truck at Rosslare port The 12 males and two women are believed to be in good health. Sunday 2 Apr 2017, 5:57 PM Share512 Tweet Email2 88 Comments http://jrnl.ie/3320458 By Michelle Hennessy Short URL Image: truck image via Shutterstock 21,680 Views GARDA IMMIGRATION OFFICERS have discovered 14 people in the back of a truck at Rosslare Port in Co Wexford.The truck arrived in Rosslare shortly after 2pm today on an Irish ferry from France.The 14 people were discovered in a refrigerated trailer unit by garda immigration officers during a routine search. It is understood the lorry was transporting a load of fruit.The 12 males and two women are believed to be in good health, though one person was taken to Wexford General Hospital “as a precaution” according to gardaí. One young male is understood to have been part of the group, accompanied by his parents.Investigations are ongoing.Read: Six more teenagers from ‘The Jungle’ migrant camp arrive in Ireland> Apr 2nd 2017, 5:57 PM Image: truck image via Shutterstock Tweet thisShare on FacebookEmail this article
Thats Johnny were a bit used to it Thats his way of
26,941 Views https://the42.ie/4524796 SOME CRITICS HAVE an issue with the manner in which Johnny Sexton expresses his frustration on the rugby pitch, but the Ireland out-half won’t be changing at the age of 33.Sexton’s latest show of annoyance came as he was replaced in Ireland’s win over Italy in the Six Nations two weekends ago, with the Leinster man visibly upset at his team’s inability to retain the ball in Rome. Sexton was frustrated in Rome. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHOThe Ireland vice-captain has faced some criticism in the wake of that Ireland victory, with the suggestion being made that Sexton’s visible frustration may add to the pressure felt by team-mates.However, those within the Ireland camp are well accustomed to Sexton’s mannerisms and deny that it has a negative effect on the players around him.“No, I don’t think so,” said Ireland fullback Rob Kearney when asked if Sexton’s shows of frustration impact on team-mates.“That’s Johnny, isn’t it? We’re a little bit used to it. We all get very frustrated and we all show our frustration in different ways. I’ve played with Johnny for 15 odd years now so maybe I’m not the one to ask but, certainly, I don’t think it’s having much of an effect on us.”Asked if he has often been on the receiving end of Sexton’s annoyance, Kearney smiled.“Weekly,” said the Leinster 15. “I think we all have.“I think it’s good, it drives standards among us. Johnny understands the game very well and he’s very clear in terms of how he wants to play it. That’s his way of communicating it.”Sexton and Ireland are focusing on cutting out the errors that stunted their attacking game against Italy last time out as they prepare for Sunday’s Six Nations clash against France.Ireland lost their opening round clash with England in Dublin, denting their confidence, but have since recorded wins over Scotland and Italy while remaining short of their best form.There have been major concerns about Ireland on the outside since the Italy performance, but Kearney says there is belief within Schmidt’s group that a strong showing is coming.“There’s a lot of excitement, a little bit of nerves and frustration,” said Kearney. “But there’s a huge amount of confidence, as well, in our ability and in the type of game that we know we’re close to producing.“We’re going to be filled with different emotions during the week but the important thing is that when the weekend comes, there’s a huge amount of excitement to go and play rugby.“We’re at home in front of our fans in the Aviva playing for our country in the Six Nations, and that needs to be the overriding feeling for us at the weekend.”Subscribe to our new podcast, The42 Rugby Weekly, here: Mar 5th 2019, 2:28 PM Share6 Tweet Email 65 Comments By Murray Kinsella
Subscribe Tuesday 5 Mar 2019, 2:28 PM ‘That’s Johnny, we’re a bit used to it. That’s his way of communicating it’ Ireland’s out-half has faced some criticism for his show of annoyance against Italy. Short URL Tweet thisShare on FacebookEmail this article
Trinity launches investigations after furore over alleged bugging of secret society hazing
TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN has launched an investigation after reporters from one of the university’s student newspapers planted a recording device outside a student’s on-campus apartment where an alleged society hazing event was taking place.Editors of the University Times are now facing a petition calling on them to step down over the “bugging incident” but the paper says it stands over its reporting. Last Friday, the University Times published a story about the initiation ceremony of an elite, invite-only sporting society and admitted it planted a recording device outside the apartment of the society’s president.In a statement to TheJournal.ie, Trinity College Dublin confirmed that an investigation is progressing which is being conducted by the Junior Dean.The university added that a separate investigation was also underway into the alleged hazing incident reported by the University Times (UT). Its integrity has been destroyed. It can only be restored if those responsible apologies for their actions, step down, and allow the culture of the paper to change.The Knights of Campanile told TheJournal.ie that it would not make an official comment on the incident until the investigation by TCD is complete. Wednesday 20 Mar 2019, 6:22 PM 45,127 Views By Adam Daly 29 Comments https://jrnl.ie/4552190 Image: Shutterstock/Kit Leong Share84 Tweet Email3 Mar 20th 2019, 6:22 PM Image: Shutterstock/Kit Leong Trinity launches investigations after furore over alleged ‘bugging’ of secret society ‘hazing’ The University Times used a recording device while investigating an alleged on-campus hazing event. Trinity takes matters such as these very seriously and absolutely condemns such practices. We are fully investigating the alleged incidents.‘Bend over’The UT had reported that on 27 February the Knights of Campanile held an initiation ceremony on campus which started in the main square, moving on to the apartment of the all-male society’s president. Reporters who waited outside the apartment said they heard members being hazed inside. Members were allegedly being told to “bend over”, to “get in the shower” and that “it’s gonna be a long night boys”. “The reporters placed a recording device outside the apartment and proceeded to wait upstairs out of sight for over an hour and a half,” the UT reported. The device was discovered when society members left the apartment and moved to another location. UT has said that the device is still in the possession of the society and therefore any quotes used in its article are from reporters on the scene and not from the device. The paper’s editor, Eleanor O’Mahony, told TheJournal.ie that on the night in question they had not planned on using the recording device but did so because “one of our reporters had it on hand”. O’Mahony added that those involved in the report have no intention of stepping down and continue to stand over their work. “We take our work seriously. We’re happy to stand over our reporting,” she said. ‘Integrity destroyed’Earlier today, Trinity News reported that a petition had been launched to remove the funding for the University Times editor’s salary and accommodation from the Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union constitution. O’Mahony said that the petition was “personally very disappointing”. “The aftermath of controversy like this is not the time to make decisions about the long-term future of the paper,” she said. In a recent editorial, Trinity News – a separate college publication – called for the students involved in the story to face consequences as it claims their actions have “breached any code of journalistic ethics worth the name”.“If UT escapes this situation with no consequences, and believe, as both the current and incoming editors who wrote the story seem to, that secret recordings are acceptable news sources, then students should be worried,” Trinity News said in an editorial this week. The paper argues that the UT will be tainted if the editors remain in their positions. Short URL Tweet thisShare on FacebookEmail this article
Family of man who died tragically at St Columbas Hospital brings legal
Thursday 28 Mar 2019, 6:20 AM The Four Courts Building in Dublin THE FAMILY OF a man who died tragically in St Columba’s Hospital is bringing a High Court action against the HSE. 30-year-old Karl Collins died at the hospital in Sligo on 3 April 2017 after seeking help for anxiety and insomnia, according to RTÉ.Collins, who had been living in Bundoran in Donegal, presented to St Columba’s on 1 April 2017, RTÉ reported. On 3 April 2017, a nurse found him unresponsive in his room and efforts to resuscitate him failed, according to RTÉ. An inquest, which returned a verdict of suicide, heard an apology from the HSE. The High Court proceedings were issued on Tuesday 26 March by John Collins against the HSE.John Collins is represented by solicitors O’Connor Johnson. In a statement, the HSE said: “It would be inappropriate for the HSE to comment as the matter is before the court.” Comments are closed as legal proceedings are ongoing. https://jrnl.ie/4563786 Image: Graham Hughes via RollingNews.ie No Comments Mar 28th 2019, 6:21 AM Tweet thisShare on FacebookEmail this article
Short URL 23,932 Views By Hayley Halpin Family of man who died tragically at St Columba’s Hospital brings legal action against HSE 30-year-old Karl Collins died at the hospital in Sligo on 3 April 2017. The Four Courts Building in Dublin Image: Graham Hughes via RollingNews.ie Share4 Tweet Email1 
Heres What Happened Today Thursday
https://jrnl.ie/4617698 Thursday 2 May 2019, 9:02 PM Pro-IRA graffiti that appeared just metres away from where the journalist Lyra McKee was killed in Creggan. Source: PA Wire/PA Images#VENEZUELA: It was announced that one woman has died and more than forty people were injured in Venezuela yesterday during clashes between armed forces and opposition supporters.#UNITED STATES: Florida’s House of Representatives has approved a bill allowing teachers to carry firearms.PARTING SHOT It’s Poetry Day Ireland – with lots of poetry events and readings taking place up and down the country. Follow the #PoetryDayIRL on Twitter for a round-up of what’s been happening. For the day that’s in it, here’s a poem Paint Me, by Dean, about his experience of homelessness. Give it a look and a listen. Get our daily news round up: “At no point in time did I decide that I wanted to be homeless”On #PoetryDayIRL, we are sharing a video of Dean, who wrote Paint Me to describe his experiences of homelessness. pic.twitter.com/2eLN8aZcPq— Peter McVerry Trust (@PMVTrust) May 2, 2019 10,002 Views May 2nd 2019, 9:02 PM No Comments NEED TO CATCH up? TheJournal.ie brings you a round-up of today’s news.IRELAND rtist and Naomh Og Builder Holger Lonze, living in Waterville, plays a medieval horn to welcome people to Poetry Day Ireland 2019 on the early monastic settlement of Church Island or Inis Uasal, Lough Currane, Waterville, Co.Kerry. Source: Valerie O’SullivanTwo men were charged and another arrested in connection with the thefts of ATMs in Northern Ireland.CCTV images showing one of the boys accused of murder walking with Ana Kriegel on the day of her disappearance were shown to the jury this afternoon. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that holding an investigation into claims by consultants that dead bodies were left decomposing on a mortuary corridor at University Hospital Waterford is not one of his priorities.Tega Agberhiere (16) – one of the teenagers injured in an apparent acid attack in Waterford – said he didn’t think he would ever be able to see again. Health Minister Simon Harris launched his Bill for an opt-out organ donation system for Ireland.Prison officers expressed concern about the number of gangs in Irish prisons and about their regularly violent behaviour.Several Irish banks advised customers that delayed payments will be made after a European bank holiday caused disruption.The Road Safety Authority called on motorcyclists to take specific care on the roads ahead of the May bank holiday weekend.The Abbey Theatre said it has learned from talks with artists and is committed to changes that will improve its engagement with them.Aircraft manufacturer Bombardier announced that it was selling its Belfast operation. An alleged “IRA man” who raped two teenage boys at a “republican safe house” two decades ago was jailed for seven years.TheJournal.ie spoke to people who have left their jobs to take up a new position in the HSE, but are now in limbo due to a recruitment freeze. WORLD Tweet thisShare on FacebookEmail this article Here’s What Happened Today: Thursday Ana Kriegel murder trial continues, Bombardier cutting Belfast operation and concerns over gangs in prisons – It’s The Fix. Short URL Source: Peter McVerry Trust/Twitter Share7 Tweet Email By Cormac Fitzgerald
Man sentenced to 16 years for luring British model to Italy and
Lukasz Herba sits at a Milan court in Italy during his trial. Source: ITV News/Twitter Image: Antonio Calanni 32,026 Views If she felt forced verbally in any way, I am very sorry. But it certainly was not as Chloe has described.“I was in love, and I was hoping that once her fame took off that she would repay me with feelings and we would share the money,” he said.Previous testimony showed the two had met on Facebook and saw each other in person at least once before her pregnancy.Herba was arrested when he released Ayling at the Milan consulate. In his initial statement to police, he said he did so out of sympathy for her role as a mother.Ayling told investigators she never tried to escape, even when she accompanied Herba into a store to buy shoes, because she was terrified, believing his threats that he was part of a bigger Romanian criminal gang that had eyes on her constantly.She said she was told she would be auctioned off online since she was not able to come up with €300,000 that the criminal ‘Black Death’ group was seeking. She said Herba showed her photos of other girls who were reportedly being sold over the deep web.But in his shifting storyline, Herba also testified previously that he concocted the alleged criminal group and that his brother – not a Romanian criminal group – helped him in the scheme agreed to by Ayling.Italian prosecutors are seeking the brother’s extradition from Britain.Herba said he didn’t tell police that Ayling was in on the deception initially because he believed she would come forward to defend him.Storari, in his closing arguments, noted that Herba had invested at least €10,000 in the kidnapping, taking into account real estate rentals and travel. He said it was unrealistic that Herba would have done so only to get ransom money through a young woman without any means.The prosecutor also cited Herba’s purchase of two ski masks, which Chloe said she saw kidnappers wearing when she was freed from the canvas bag, and the exchange of notes with his brother about cleaning the car trunk well to make sure there were no traces of her hair.During closing arguments, Herba’s lawyer cited an email she received from a film producer, who pointed out that Ayling’s story closely matches the plot of an American movie titled ‘By Any Means’, released about eight weeks before the 2017 kidnapping.Ayling’s lawyer, Pesce, dismissed the attempt to discredit his client, saying “there have been films made about every crime in the world”.He also said Ayling was considering possible civil action in British courts against media that accused her of lying about being a victim to become famous.“There were many cases in which she was publicly shamed about this,” Pesce said. https://jrnl.ie/4065666 AN ITALIAN COURT has convicted a Polish man of kidnapping a 20-year-old British model for ransom, rejecting the defendant’s claim that the abduction was staged to boost the victim’s career.The court sentenced Lukasz Herba to 16 years and nine months in prison – a month longer than prosecutors requested. Herba denied guilt throughout the trial, even as his story shifted, and left the courtroom in handcuffs without comment.The lawyer for British model Chloe Ayling, Francesco Pesce, called it “quite an important verdict”. He said would seek €500,000 in compensation for Ayling, though conceded it was unlikely Herba would be able to pay.Defence lawyer Katia Kolakowska, expressed disappointment that the court did not take into account that Ayling emerged from the ordeal physically unharmed. Kolakowska said that would have limited the sentence to between one and eight years. She said she would appeal.In his closing arguments, prosecutor Paolo Storari cited the possibility that Ayling could have died during the July 11-17, 2017 kidnapping in seeking a lengthy prison sentence for Herba.Herba at first claimed to be working with a group that auctioned young women off on encrypted internet sites. He also said he had extensive experience with international secret services, including the Mossad and CIA.During the trial, prosecutor Storari said the kidnapping started with the promise of a modeling job. After being lured to Milan, Ayling was knocked out with a drug, zipped inside a canvas bag and transported to a farmhouse, where she was handcuffed to the furniture for at least the first night, he said. Lukasz Herba sits at a Milan court in Italy during his trial. Image: Antonio Calanni Share44 Tweet Email Man sentenced to 16 years for luring British model to Italy and kidnapping her Polish national Lukasz Herba claimed that the model had organised the kidnapping as a publicity stunt to boost her professional career.
Jun 11th 2018, 8:14 PM Polish man convicted of kidnapping British model Chloe Ayling in Italyhttps://t.co/XxEVdVlOt9 pic.twitter.com/QeLXsLkm9F— ITV News (@itvnews) June 11, 2018 18 Comments By Associated Press In a declaration that defendants are allowed to have in an Italian court, Herba said he had been in love with Ayling and they concocted the kidnap plot to help her overcome financial difficulties after the birth of her son.“I never hurt the girl. I was not violent with her,” Herba said. Monday 11 Jun 2018, 8:14 PM Short URL Tweet thisShare on FacebookEmail this article
Theres been a huge increase in the number of Leaving Cert appeals
There’s been a huge increase in the number of Leaving Cert appeals The increase comes after last year’s legal challenge. Share4 Tweet Email Tweet thisShare on FacebookEmail this article By Rónán Duffy Aug 30th 2019, 9:50 AM Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie Friday 30 Aug 2019, 11:00 AM 39 Comments 
https://jrnl.ie/4788482 Short URL Leaving Cert students from 2018 in Pobalscoil Neasain, Baldoyle. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie Updated Aug 30th 2019, 11:00 AM THERE HAS BEEN huge increase in the number of Leaving Cert students who have appealed results this year.The State Examinations Commission has said that 9,049 students have appealed more than 17,037 grades.That’s a 74% increase on the number of students appealing compared to last year, when 5,197 candidates appealed results.Overall, 16% of Leaving Cert students this year have appealed results, up from 9% last year. Per subject, over 17,037 grades have been appealed this year compared to 9,087 last year, an 87% increase.Higher level Biology has seen the largest number of appeals this year with 2,092 followed by Higher Level Irish, English and Maths. Last year, 16% of papers that were appealed were upgraded. There were just five downgrades.The huge upsurge in the number appeals this year comes after changes were made to the CAO timeline this year following a High Court case last year.The legal action was taken by student Rebecca Carter, who won a judicial review case to have her amended results considered by the State Examinations Commission.Her results had been incorrectly totted up meaning her points score fell marginally short of achieving that necessary to earn a place studying veterinary medicine at UCD.Carter claimed that under the previous timeframe for processing appeals, she would have not been able to commence that course in the current academic year, but would have instead been required to accept a deferred offer for the following year.The State Examinations Commission has acknowledged that the appeals process “has been in focus since last year”, contributing the upsurge in students availing of it. “The SEC has been very active in alerting examination candidates to the revised timelines this year which has heightened awareness of the viewing and appeals processes among candidates,” it said.“The services were also more accessible to candidates as the viewing and appeals applications were provided online through the portal. For the first time this year, candidates were provided with the marks that they achieved in all subjects including the individual component marks in multi component subjects.”LEAVING IT LATE: Does the system for appealing Leaving Cert results work and is it fit for purpose? > 22,540 Views Leaving Cert students from 2018 in Pobalscoil Neasain, Baldoyle.
Clash in Patras
Four people have been injured in clashes between police and hundreds of immigrants in the Greek port of Patras last week. The confrontation occurred after an Afghan migrant was seriously injured trying to jump onto a moving truck bound for Italy. After he fell from the truck, fellow Afghans attacked the driver and also clashed with police officers who rushed to the scene. Police dispelled hundreds of immigrants with tear gas as they demonstrated in the streets and set fire to garbage cans, causing traffic jams for several hours. The injured Afghani was later transferred to hospital in a serious condition. Patras is home to a large number of illegal immigrants who hail from Afghanistan and are aged between 15 and 25 years. Many live in makeshift camps without proper water or hygiene facilities. Facebook Twitter: @NeosKosmos Instagram
Adelaide Glendi a roaring success
Facebook Twitter: @NeosKosmos Instagram The Greek Glendi Festival in Adelaide was held for the first time in October, after three decades of being held in March to commemorate Greece’s Independence Day. The move to hold the event on the weekend of October 3-4 was made to distinguish the festival from the “mad month of March”, which sees a multitude of festivals and events.Despite the date change, the Glendi, held at the Wayville Showground still managed to attract more than 10,000 people. “The highlight was John Katevas’s (from Greece) performance, and George Kapiniaris was also good,” said festival director, John Chefalachis. “We were also entertained by local dance groups performances, including two dance groups from Melbourne; Pontiaki Estia and Manassis.”Children enjoyed table wrestling, indoor soccer, and author Bea Julian’s reading of her new picture story book, The Fountain Cat, which was inspired by her time spent on the beautiful island of Rhodes.Greek cuisine (Kouzina) was the theme for the Glendi School’s Program, which saw children use art and clay to create lifelike Greek dishes.The real cooking was left to the experts, including a cooking demonstration by chefs from the popular Greek restaurant, Greek on Halifax. 
10000 for the Metropolitan Community Clinic at Helliniko
A total of $10,215 was raised by The Cretan Brotherhood of Victoria Charity Group, The Friends of Hellenic Charity, at their recent charity function at Normandy House, attended by 250 people and aiming in aiding the Metropolitan Community Clinic at Elliniko in Greece. On Wednesday 27 November, representatives of the Cretan Brotherhood of Victoria Charity Group presented the cheque to the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria and to the organisation Every Greek is an Ambassador for Greece Inc, at a function held at the premises of the Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne and Victoria, in Brunswick. The Greek Community together with the Ambassadors of Greece have joined forces to assist in a program whereby the provision of pharmaceutical goods are purchased for the Metropolitan Community Clinic at Elliniko, in order to assist those who require but cannot afford medical and pharmaceutical assistance. The donation for the Metropolitan Community Clinic comes after $10,000 was raised in a special fundraiser that was held at GOCMV’s and other community schools. Facebook Twitter: @NeosKosmos Instagram
Technicality thwarts Mildura case
“I’m very disappointed with this. I’m not giving up, I’m determined to explore my options,” a passionate Mary Bakopoulos told Neos Kosmos this week. After The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) denied giving a ruling on the discrimination case she brought against the Greek Orthodox Parish of Mildura, Ms Bakopoulos isn’t backing down on getting a membership in the committee recognised. Ms Bakopoulos claims the church’s financial committee, made up of more than 30 men, denied her application for membership because of her gender. The committee has never elected a female to its committee, instead pushing those interested to take up a role in the Women’s Philoptochos Auxiliary that has no administrative or financial power in the church. Based on the church’s constitution, everyone is free to apply to become a financial member but approval rests at the committee’s discretion. Ms Bakopoulos’ application was unanimously rejected by the committee, and was given no reason for the decision.The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal didn’t proceed with the hearing after finding the church committee isn’t considered a club in the eyes of the law.VCAT states that the church must have a liquor license to be defined as a club under the Equal Opportunities Act; but the church has only had temporary liquor licenses for social events and didn’t currently hold a license. While the case might have been derailed by a small technicality, the issue has drawn the attention of the Archdiocese and the media. “The church is not cleared, it’s inconclusive,” Ms Bakopoulos says.Ms Bakopoulos might have an ally in Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis who has voiced his concern over the matter.He told Neos Kosmos that he hopes to get in touch with Ms Bakopoulos and the committee in the hopes of mediating a resolution.He says the Archdiocese respects that the parish has its own constitution and they have their independence, but like other churches, it is still governed by the rules and regulations of the Archdiocese and will be answerable to them.He says the church will be in contact after Easter to amicably help the parties reach a resolution. Without a solid time-frame in place, Ms Bakopoulos is still uncertain she can fully rely on the church to find a solution and will exhaust all options available to her. “I’m happy if the Archdiocese comes down and they can resolve all this, but I can’t wait forever, because I have an elderly mother, I have elderly relatives and there are people that need Holy Communion on their death bed, I can’t wait any longer,” she says. She was compelled to become a financial committee member in 2012 after she was denied access to the church for her father’s memorial which she had booked months in advance. She says they argued there was no one available to open the church and hall because the committee was too busy preparing for a paniyiri at the time. Ms Bakopoulos had to travel more than 100km to the nearest Orthodox Church in South Australia to have her late father’s six month memorial. In the tribunal statement, Ms Bakopoulos was described as wanting to “play an active role” in the parish community after she had “spent a lifetime cleaning and cooking for the parish”. Bishop Ezekiel of Dervis, who supplied a statement in the case said the Archdiocese has “always encouraged publicly the inclusion of women in such committee and feels that such appointments enrich and balance the pious endeavours of the few who seek to serve the many”. Facebook Twitter: @NeosKosmos Instagram
Breast screening info day a success
Facebook Twitter: @NeosKosmos Instagram More than 80 women packed the Greek Centre for Contemporary Culture to attend an information day on breast cancer.Delivered entirely in Greece, the forum was designed especially for those affected by breast cancer from Greek-speaking backgrounds and included expert presentations by one Australia’s leading oncologists, Sydney based Professor John Boyages and Greek speaking social worker Voula Kallianis from Melbourne’s St Vincent’s Hospital. While the program informed many women of new medical breakthroughs and up-to-date information, there was a focus on addressing some of the common emotional, social and physical issues associated with a breast cancer diagnosis.Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) cultural diversity manager Mikayla Rose said women from culturally diverse backgrounds were missing out on vital information because of a lack of language specific resources.“Culturally and linguistically diverse communities have previously not been able to access information about breast cancer treatment and care in their own language,” she says.“We’re thrilled to have been able to provide these women and their families with vital information and support.”The event also provided an opportunity for attendees to meet and share with other Greek-speaking women who had been through a similar experience.Breast cancer survivor Marie Pandeloglou said she relished the opportunity to connect with other Greek speaking women who had also been through a breast cancer diagnosis.“It really made me feel like I was not alone in my breast cancer journey,” she said.For more information about BCNA’s cultural and linguistically diverse program visit www.bcna.org.au
Victoria gets creative
In an effort to build upon Victoria’s reputation as ‘the creative state’, Victorians are being called upon to assist in the development of the state’s first ever creative industries strategy.Earlier this week, Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley launched a discussion paper entitled ‘Let’s get creative about Victoria’s future’, bringing together all sectors of the arts.“This strategy is an opportunity to re-imagine the role creative and cultural industries play in our lives, our communities and our state – and ensure that all Victorians reap the cultural, social and economic benefits they bring,” said Mr Foley. With Victoria’s creative industries estimated to account for 200,000 jobs, and contributing around $22.7 billion to the state’s economy, the strategy looks to broaden this contribution by nurturing talent and creating new jobs.Development manager of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival Fotis Kapetopoulos told Neos Kosmos he agrees with the approach and described the consultative process as “fantastic”. “I like the integrated approach they’ve put in place. It’s bringing in the whole sector of creative activities. I think it’s really important,” he said. The minister’s discussion paper looks at how creative industries can build audiences and markets, cultivate skills and innovation, and realise opportunities provided by digital technologies.Greater support for Aboriginal arts and culture, along with funding for the arts across regional Victoria and outer metropolitan Melbourne are also on the agenda. “We need to have a discussion about heritage in terms of cultural diversity,” adds Kapetopoulos. “One area that has always been difficult for us to navigate is the role of the ethnic festival. How does it fit in the creative sector? The ethnic festival is often the first port of call an artist finds themselves in. Currently a lot of these are funded by local government and by the Victorian Multicultural Commission.“The overall strategy is a good thing. Having said that, at the end of the day, it depends how much money comes into the policy.”To oversee the development of the strategy and provide independent advice, Mr Foley has appointed a taskforce led by chief executive of Melbourne University Publishing, Louise Adler. Victorians are invited to take part in the discussion online and can attend public forums being held throughout Victoria during June and July. To add your voice to Victoria’s Creative Industries Strategy go to: strategy.creative.vic.gov.au Facebook Twitter: @NeosKosmos Instagram
New Democracy fiasco
New Democracy has decided to call off the leadership election due to take place on Sunday as technical problems prevented conservative voters from casting their ballots in the morning.The party’s electoral committee took the decision after IT complications meant the voting process could not begin. As a result, current leader Evangelos Meimarakis, who was the favorite to win the ballot, had asked for the election to be suspended.Another of the four leadership candidates, Adonis Georgiadis referred to the failure as a “fiasco” and demanded the resignation of all the members of the electoral committee.“This is not an image that honors New Democracy,” he added.Another hopeful, Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the failure to hold the election “a black page in the history of New Democracy.”Mitsotakis also called for ex-Education Minister Marietta Giannakou to take over as interim leader of the party until the elections are held.Source: Kathimerini Facebook Twitter: @NeosKosmos Instagram
Club bouncer murdered in front of school
A shocking crime took place in broad daylight in an Athens suburb on Wednesday morning when a club bouncer was murdered taking his 11-year-old son to school.Vasilis Grivas, 46, a former bodybuilder, had just dropped his son in front of the 2nd Elementary school in Glika Nera (an outer eastern suburb of Athens) and was about to drive off when a man approached him from his car’s driver’s side and shot at him eight times through the window. One of the bullets ricocheted and injured a woman, 37, who had also just dropped her child at school. She was transferred to hospital where she underwent surgery and is now out of danger. Dozens of other parents and students were around, as it was school assembly time. According to witnesses, the victim’s child, who had just gotten out of the car and was heading for class, ran to his teacher crying and asked for help. The killer is said to have three accomplices. Another man was waiting for him in a car, which was foundburnt out 600m from the scene. According to reports, two other men were waiting there and they all fled the scene of the crime on motorcycles. Authorities believe that the murder was an execution ordered by the ‘Greek mafia’. The victim was believed to be associated with organised crime – he was part of an investigation on an extortion ring a few years ago and police believe that his death is related to a recent attempted murder of a convict in prison, or the murder of another former bodybuilder and bar owner the previous week. Facebook Twitter: @NeosKosmos Instagram
Maria Vamvakinou MP calls for unity and respect
Facebook Twitter: @NeosKosmos Instagram Victoria has been dubbed the “progressive” state, giving same-sex marriage a resounding ‘Yes’ in the postal survey, altogether garnering 64.9 per cent; three percent above the national average.Only two out of the 37 Commonwealth electoral divisions in Victoria voted against changing the law: ALP-held Calwell and Bruce, with 56.8 and 53.1 per cent respectively. Amidst celebrations some chose the path of recrimination instead of cheering, blaming migrant communities for being “un-Australian” and “stuck in their backward ways”.“I have had to be put through that on a number of occasions since Wednesday,” Labor’s Maria Vamvakinou MP, Federal Member for Calwell told Neos Kosmos.“I would have thought that the 61 per cent that voted for marriage equality should have been spending these days being happy that the majority of Australia is in favour of change, not shifting the blame.”“To those who have decided this is about winners and losers and blame game, I say to them, that this attitude is the exact attitude that will continue to divide people instead of bringing them together,” Ms Vamvakinou continued expressing her disappointment towards the divisive mentality and the migrant-blaming comments on mainstream social media posts.“I’ve seen the comments; I know what they can do. I know it’s just social media but social media has the tendency of becoming the norm – it starts to develop as a narrative. This kind of narrative is dangerous and sadly it’s coming from the people who’ve won the pole; people who have been fighting for rights. One would hope they would have the foresight to understand, not to go on a finger pointing blame.”Ms Vamvakinou highlighted the importance of rejecting such narratives that could divide the community, a community built from “migrants’ blood sweat and tears”. Calwell, according to last year’s Census, is home to one of Australia’s most religious demographic: with 34 per cent of its residents Catholic, almost 18 per cent Muslim, and 5.4 per cent Orthodox. Residents’ ancestry amounts to 24 per cent identifying as being of Australian or English heritage, with people of Italian and Turkish descent comprising 8.7 per cent and 6.2 per cent respectively. Of the 165,000 people living in the area, over 50 per cent are married or de facto and only 14.6 per cent have a university degree, with an equal number of residents working in trades, professional, or clerical roles. “I have held this seat since 2001 and although I will be voting for the legislation, a large portion of my electorate has conservative views. From my point of view, I understand what my community has done but I won’t have it attacked because they are one of the two electorates that voted ‘No’,” Ms Vamvakinou said adding that she was not surprised with the outcome.“I know my constituents and I know where they’re coming from. I understand that they cannot cross that bridge – but I also know that they will respect my view and the view of other people, different to theirs and at the end of the day I will continue to work with them. Some people have faith while others don’t. It’s in neither group’s [interest] to impose their views on the rest of the society. Faith and family values are very strong amongst members of my electorate and it’s those values too, that create and service the broader community.”The Labor MP went on to stress that she is proud Australia is moving on; becoming more inclusive and respective. Even though she understands that many of the ‘No’ voters are in her electorate – she is certain that they won’t harbour any resentment again those who voted ‘Yes’ and is committed to promoting respect in the rights of people to hold a different opinion, by focusing on mutual acceptance in coming together as a community.“It is the majority of Australia’s will, there is no denying that and it must be accepted,” Ms Vamvakinou emphasised.“As a member of federal parliament I see the broader national view – and this issue is in the final stages of being dealt with. It is crucial that legislation moves forward with respect. It is a great win but blaming the migrants, name-calling and suggesting that their values and way of life is un-Australian takes away from it.”“More than 61 per cent of Australia has voted ‘Yes’, as I have voted for the legislation, but 39 per cent of Australia hasn’t. I don’t understand why people are surprised that there are members in the community that at this stage, disagree. I must ask, is the entire 39 per cent of non-Anglo descent or fully comprised of migrants?”, she fired back stressing that on a national level, some of the strongest opposition to same-sex marriage legislation came from Australia’s own hardcore conservative groups, predominantly of Anglo heritage.Ultimately, Mrs Vamvakinou expressed her resentment towards the latest social media attacks towards migrant communities, calling negative commentary myopic and racist. “I’ve been hearing comments the likes of ‘If they can’t live by our standards, they should not come here at all’, to me, it is this mentality that is un-Australian. The idea that those who voted ‘No’ are not living by Australian standards is factually wrong and makes people defensive.“Let’s not stereotype migrants again, it’s racist. Let’s not again divide the community. Gay people fight against homophobia, it’s the same situation to be stereotyped like that and blamed. Sometime before this year the Marriage Act will change, and it will be enacted, and everyone will go back to their lives. There only way forward is through dialogue and reconciliation.”
Amnesty wants to change definition of rape in Greece
Facebook Twitter: @NeosKosmos Instagram Amnesty International has launched a campaign to revise article 336 of Greece’s penal code and change the definition of rape from one that focuses on coercion to one based on the absence of consent for intercourse.The organisation wants it to be recognised that “sex without consent is rape” in Greece and all around the world. The Greek penal code defines rape as intercourse through the use of physical violence or threat of serious harm. The Greek chapter of Amnesty would like the definition to include cases of rape when the perpetrator may not use violence, however still deprives the victim of free and voluntary consent.Amnesty’s data shows that one out of 20 women over 15 years of age have been raped in the European Union (nearly 9 million women), however one in 10 has experienced sexual violence of some sort.The organisation claims that women are often afraid or ashamed to ask for help after sexual abuse and others don’t press charges because they fear that they will be stigmatised.Amnesty has started a petition that it will submit to Justice Minister Michalis Kalogirou.CLICK HERE to sign the petition. 
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