The Indo Daily: Kim Kardashian, the Grandpa Gang and the Queen of the Underworld
What came next was a global media frenzy as news broke that reality TV star Kim Kardashian had been robbed at gunpoint in Paris.
Nearly nine years later, Kardashian has returned to the City of Light - not for fashion, but for justice.
This week she faced the so-called 'Grandpa Robbers' in a Paris courtroom, delivering an emotional testimony about the night she feared for her life.
Today on The Indo Daily, Ellen Coyne is joined by Paris-based freelance journalist Catherine Field to discuss the cast of characters standing trial in the Kim Kardashian case, including the so called 'Grandpa Gang' and the 'Queen of the Underworld'.
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Irish Examiner
33 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Wish List: Eight ideas to treat ourselves and loved ones
3D Maps Father's Day is coming up, and if you're on the hunt for something a little different for any sea-loving dads, Sligo-based Outcrop have nailed it. Their beautifully crafted round wooden 3D maps (€99) are the kind of gift that ticks all the boxes — personal, Irish-made, and eco-conscious. You can even mark a meaningful spot with a solid brass pin or add a custom engraving. We love the Atlantic blue stain (a nod to their coastal roots), and the new natural finish is just lovely. Made without glue or nails and fully compostable — how sound is that? Browse over 100 Irish locations at or check them out at stockists like Foxford Woollen Mills, The Loft in Clonakilty, or Krafted in Wexford. Street Carnival Mark your diaries: The brilliant Irish Yogurts Clonakilty Street Carnival is back on Saturday, June 14, and fitness expert Karl Henry has already cut the ribbon. It's one of West Cork's happiest days out — think street food, music, colour, and serious summer vibes. Pearse Street transforms into one long open-air dining room, with top-notch dishes from local chefs (everything from spicy Indian to seafood feasts). Non-food activities are free, but grab meal tickets early from O'Donovan's Hotel or Fuchsia Footwear. Hungry birds Got a dad who loves his garden birdies? FieldDay's bamboo bird feeder could be a sweet little gift. It's part of their expanded collection, which now includes reusable stoneware candle pots and refill packs — great for repurposing and easy on the planet. This bird feeder, along with their wild bird seed, is a gentle reminder to enjoy the outdoors. Find them at and in stores like Avoca, Meadows & Byrne, and Blarney Woollen Mills. Bagged Beach days are back, and we spotted the perfect bag in Clonakilty: The Venice from Burke by Design — fully lined, zipped, with handy internal pockets, and just €39.95. It comes in black, brown, cream and gold, and honestly, it looks far more expensive. Pam's shop is a real treasure trove — think baby gifts, homeware, jewellery (Ania Haie, Ted Baker, Chlobo), and even bespoke wardrobe styling. You'll find them on Instagram @burkebydesign or at Or just pop in if you're in town — it's that kind of place. New tastes I had planned to include Keogh's new crisps in our Tried & Tested spot... but they vanished before I got the chance (thanks, family, ye hounds). Their Ghost Chilli & Sour Cream flavour launched at Bloom, and apparently, it's hot, hot, hot — but it is balanced beautifully by that cool tang. They're €2.89 a bag and available from June in stores and You've been warned! Time to cleanse One thing I did get to try is the new Rosalique cleanser and night cream. I'm a long-time fan of their three-in-one anti-redness cream, and the balm cleanser (€34.95) is gorgeously gentle — and it also doubles as a mask. The night cream left my skin calm, happy, and totally unbothered. Everything is vegan, cruelty-free, and available from pharmacies or Organic beauty Beauty lovers take note: Innersense Organic Beauty has landed in Ireland. If you're into clean, conscious self-care, this California brand ticks every box — high performance, sustainable, and transparent. Prices range from €28-€70 and it's all available via The story behind it is special too, rooted in family, care, and making better choices. Cork pride Oh and before I forget, we had to include Jando's 'Everything Is Better In…' print series. It's a colourful, county-pride collection of riso prints that's perfect for GAA-loving dads or anyone missing home. Naturally, we went for Cork. Up the Rebels! Available in Irish and English, €30 unframed, €70 framed, at
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish wife of 'innocent hostage' in Iraq shares his first words after release
The Irish wife of an "innocent hostage" freed from prison in Iraq after four years has revealed his first words were, "my family, I'm out". Robert Pether left his family home at Elphin in Roscommon in April 2021 to fly to Baghdad to sort out a €20 million contract row between his Dubai-based employer and the Central Bank of Iraq. But he was arrested and jailed on fraud charges, which he denies and which the United Nations claims are false. After over four years of his family campaigning in the Irish Mirror for his freedom amid rapid deterioration in cancer survivor Rob's health, he is now out of prison. His wife Desree revealed he is in seriously bad health but cannot return home yet because Iraq has imposed a travel ban. She told us: "We got the news from Robert himself via video call on his solicitor's phone. His first words were, 'There's my family, I'm out'." She added that it is such "a huge relief" but he "is not home yet" so this is just a "step in the right direction". She revealed that she can't go to Iraq to bring him home for "urgent medical care" because their "kids are too scared of me going out to get him in case I would get jailed too". Desree said her husband is "unrecognisable" to her, four years after she last saw him. She hopes that the move to get him home will start as soon as the Islamic holiday of Eid ends. The religious period, which is often used by countries in the Middle East to release prisoners, started yesterday and ends on Tuesday, June 10. The UAE released 963 as part of Eid and Afghanistan released 1,500, according to international figures. Desree told the Irish Mirror: "It was a really brief call when he rang to say he was out. It was the first time that we had seen him in the flesh in four years. "We were in shock because he has deteriorated so much. He is unrecognisable. "He is really scrawny and skinny and looks so unwell. It was a huge shock for the kids to see him like that. "We knew that he had been sick for the last four months, but to actually see the toll that all of this has taken on his body was shocking. "It reinforced for us how much we have to fight to get rid of this travel ban and get him home after Eid finishes. "He needs to get home for urgent medical treatment. We are talking to him and trying to keep up his spirits and keep him company while we try to get him home. "It is a huge relief that we have taken a step in the right direction, but he is not here yet. I can't go to him. "The children are just not comfortable with me flying over. They have already lost one parent and they don't trust that I would be safe. "They would be devastated if they lost me as well. We can't be there with him now, but it is brilliant that it is happening. We are massively grateful." She added: "Robert is not well at all. He really needs to just come home so he can get the proper medical care he needs. "It was a shock. It was hard to be very happy to see him but also to see the state of him. "He's completely unrecognisable. It's a shock to the system to see how far he has declined. "We don't know the exact stipulations on the travel ban but at least he's out of the prison, and in a comfortable bed. "It has been a living nightmare every day, 18 hours a day, seven days a week. "We've still got another major battle ahead to get him home. Until he's actually on the plane, out of airspace, and on his way, I don't think we will breathe properly and let go of all the angst." Rob, who is from Australia but his home is in Roscommon, applied for Irish citizenship before he was sentenced to four years in prison. His family – who say he is an "innocent hostage" – last month warned in the Irish Mirror that he had been hit with a new cancer diagnosis. They said his continued detention could mean a death sentence. Rob, who previously had melanoma skin cancer, has a prostate that is "three times normal size", revealed Desree. His family expected him to be released in January, but he was hit with fresh money-laundering charges, which Rob and his lawyers have rejected. Efforts to have him released urgently intensified, with Tanaiste Simon Harris holding top level talks with Iraq's deputy prime minister Dr Fuad Hussein to lobby for Rob's freedom. The family was making plans to sell their home, their car, and their furniture in a bid to raise cash to "survive". Construction engineer Rob, 49, and wife Desree, 53, and kids Flynn 21, Oscar 19, and Nala 12 have been apart since he was arrested in April 2021. Several high-profile figures including Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Mr Harris, Sinn Fein Dail TD Claire Kerrane, party leader Mary Lou McDonald, and former senator Eugene Murphy all vowed to help secure his release. Australia's foreign affairs minister Penny Wong recently called for his release and said: "It's time for him to be returned to his family." A spokesperson for America's special presidential envoy for hostage affairs (SPEHA) said recently: "We hope to see him reunited with his family as soon as possible." Mr Harris said the latest development is "welcome news in what has been a long and distressing saga for Robert's wife, three children and his wider family and friends"
Irish Examiner
12 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Robert Pether's family to hear of restrictions put on engineer next week
The family of Irish-based engineer Robert Pether has to wait until next Wednesday before being able to find out exactly what restrictions have been placed on him following his release from an Iraqi jail. The 50-year-old was released on bail on Thursday and is currently in accommodation in Iraq, organised by the Irish, Australian, and Egyptian embassies for himself and his Egyptian work colleague, Khalid Radwan. The men have been in prison in Iraq since April 7, 2021, after being arrested on fraud charges following a contractual dispute involving his employer over a new building for the Central Bank of Iraq. The Australian and his wife Desree had been living with their children in Elphin, Roscommon, prior to his arrest. They moved to Ireland in 2019. He and his colleague were arrested after being called to a meeting in Baghdad to discuss the project they had been working on. Desree told the Irish Examiner that legal fees have cost the family more than €100,000 since Robert's imprisonment, and she had to sell the family car 'so that we could eat'. She said her husband has missed many family milestones including their children's birthdays, their oldest son's graduation, and his own 50th birthday in April. Their 12-year-old daughter asked Santa every year to bring her father home She said the couple were 20 years married last October — a milestone they had planned to mark with a vow renewal ceremony. Desree says they are waiting to get information on what restrictions apply to his release. However, they cannot get this information until the Eid Al-Adha festival ends on Wednesday. Gut issue She said he needs to be brought back to Ireland as a matter of urgency because he is very ill with a gut issue. He has had no medical assessment since his release. While he was on a high after his release, he found it difficult to sleep on Thursday night, finding his new accommodation as 'too quiet' after his prison experience. Desree said the Irish Government has gone 'above and beyond' in Robert's case, especially as he is not an Irish citizen. On Friday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the fact that he is an Australian citizen is a complicating factor. However, he said: 'Both ourselves and the Australian government have been working together in terms of endeavouring to get him out.' He said the Irish Government has been making 'continuing efforts for quite a long number of years now' in Robert's case. Mr Martin said the current Iraqi foreign minister has been very helpful and he said he himself, as well as Tánaiste Simon Harris, have been in touch with him. Mr Martin added: "It is very distressing for his family and his wife and kids, and I don't want to say things that may in any way hinder his eventual arrival back to Ireland, but I believe this is a good first step. "We have to work very hard with countries such as Iraq and others in terms of the treatment of Irish citizens.' Read More Irish-based Australian released after four years in Iraqi jail
