
The Mick Clifford Podcast: John Whyte on fighting disaster in Gaza
It's a long way from the disadvantaged enclave of Rialto in Dublin's inner city to the rubble and humanitarian devastation of Gaza, but John Whyte has seen both.
Before joining the UNRWA refugee agency, John oversaw the regeneration of Fatima Mansions that is considered a template of how to tackle disadvantage in this country.
Today, as senior deputy director of UNRWA his brief is to alleviate the catastrophe that Gaza is now turning into.
During a recent visit home, John spoke to the podcast. Listen below:
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GHF says all aid distributions sites in Gaza closed
UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma discusses how US- and Israeli-backed group handing out aid in Gaza have said that all its distribution sites were closed until further notice, urging residents to stay away from these venues "for their safety" after a series of deadly shootings.


Sunday World
5 days ago
- Sunday World
Late mafioso John Gotti's grandsons accused of beating up brother-in-law
"He got what was coming to him' Mafia Boss John Gotti, aka 'The Dapper Don; ' is photographed on a street corner January 20, 1987 in New York City. Two grandsons of the late 'Dapper Don' John Gotti have been accused of beating up their brother-in-law. It comes after he allegedly burgled John's home in Queens, New York on Sunday. John (31) and Frank (27) Gotti, grandsons of the late mafioso known as 'Teflon Don', were charged with third-degree attempted assault and harassment after allegedly beating up accused thief Gino Gabrielli. Mafia Boss John Gotti, aka 'The Dapper Don; ' is photographed on a street corner January 20, 1987 in New York City. News in 90 June 4th They appeared before Queens Criminal Court and pleaded not guilty. Gabrielli is the brother of John's wife, Eleanor Gabrielli. It's alleged that Gabrielli was caught on camera breaking into the home his sister shares with husband John, via a bedroom window. He's accused of stealing $3,000, a pair of earrings, a watch, a wallet and a belt. A source told the New York Post he needed 'money for boxing lessons.' He was arrested and charged with second-degree burglary, third-degree grand larceny and third-degree criminal possession of stolen property. He was out on supervised release when the brothers allegedly attacked him. According to the NYPD, when they arrived on scene following a 911 call, they witnessed the men punching Gabrielli in the face. Gerard Marrone, a lawyer for Frank Gotti told the New York Post that Gabrielli 'got what was coming to him.' John Gotti while he was incarcerated in the 1980s, around the time he know Doherty 'You know, this fella, Gino Gabrielli, had some kind of issue, and the brothers went to talk to him, and I don't know, I guess he got a little smart,' he said. 'He should have kept his hands up.' He added that he was not concerned about the charges, and that his client should 'have never even really been arrested.' The brother's grandfather John Gotti was the head of the Gambino crime family before he was convicted of murder and racketeering in 1992. The mobster died in prison aged 61, in 2002. The Gambino crime family have inspired numerous films such as Getting Gotti, Witness to the Mob, Boss of Bosses and Gotti. One of the most successful films of all time, Goodfellas, featured Gambino family made man William 'Billy Batts' Devino, who was killed in a fight with Joe Pesci's character Tommy DeVito.

The Journal
01-06-2025
- The Journal
Father of soldier killed in Lebanon in 1989 appeals to government to update Army Pensions Act
THE FATHER OF Private Michael McNeela, an Irish peacekeeper who was shot dead by Israeli-backed militia in Lebanon in 1989, has said that he feels 'let down' by the government's stance that they cannot transfer his late wife's bereavement payment to him. Michael McNeela was 21-years-old when he was shot dead on his second tour in South Lebanon in February 1989. His mother Kathleen was supplied with a bereavement payment following his death. Following Kathleen's death last year, her husband John reached out to have the payment transferred to his name. 'They sent me a letter saying that it wasn't transferable to me,' John told Justin McCarthy on RTÉ Radio today. 'I feel very let down, to be honest with you. The act that says this now is 80 years old, 1946, and it was never updated, because there's not many cases like mine come up, and that's why it was never brought out in the open.' In the Army Pensions Act 1946 , Part IV states that only the six people set out are entitled to be deemed a dependent of a deceased soldier: his mother, his grandmother, his grandfather, his permanently invalided brother, his permanently invalided and unmarried sister, and his father – if over 60 years of age or incapacitated by ill health. As John was neither over 60 nor in ill health when his son was killed, he is not entitled to the payment, despite his wife's death. Advertisement John, who is now 84-years-old, said that the payment would make the world of difference to him. 'It means I can run a car, and I need a car because I'm not very good at walking, and if I hadn't a car, I'd be a prisoner in my own home.' He appealed to the Tánaiste and Defence Minister Simon Harris to reexamine the current act to allow bereavement payments for relatives of Irish soldiers killed in active duty to be transferred. 'It's very rare, but Ireland will always be sending peacekeepers to maybe different countries, and the thing can happen like it happened, Michael, the way one or two might get killed, which I hope not,' John said. 'I am very hopeful [for change], and I would ask the Minister to do all he can. He's the only man that can change it.' Louth TD Ruairí Ó Murchú said that he has been engaging with the Tánaiste on John's behalf. 'They stated that there would be an engagement at General Secretary level, but in fairness, I think John McNeela has said it, made the most cogent point, which is the Act needs to be updated. 'Everyone would accept that we should be looking after those families of people, of soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice, and a very small number of people. There may never be another case like this again,' Ó Murchú said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal