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Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Irish taxpayers should charge Michael O'Leary a few little extras on big bonus'
You had to feel for the guy. Anyone who has ever torn open a minimum-wage payslip would have recognised the sense of disillusionment. That moment when you see the pesky taxman has taken his skim off the top and your heart sinks a little. And for Ryanair's rock star CEO Michael O'Leary, that pain is a lot greater than for the rest of us regular working saps. You see, Mick has bagged a €100 million bonus for guiding the budget airline to bumper profits. Asked about it on RTE, he scoffed at the suggestion it was a corporate record. Seemingly other big shots in the city get these fat pay-outs all the time. He then had radio listeners reaching for the violins when he declared the first thing he would have to do with this bonus. A Ryanair plane comes in to land at Dublin Airport during Storm Isha (Image: Collins Photos) Buy a private jet? A racehorse? Maybe an island? No, sir. The first thing he would have to do is hand over €55 million of it to the Irish exchequer. Or to me and you in other words. Mick has never been a man to suffer fools in that classic euphemism that defines a certain no-nonsense kind of bossman. And he left no doubt that's who he feels would be in charge of his tax dollars. Fools who could then give it all to the OPW to blow on a "bike shed or a security hut", he jibed. In Mick's worldview, you wouldn't trust the taxman to take a prize heifer to the Mullingar mart and not swap it for a handful of magic beans on the way. It's pretty clear the Ryanair boss doesn't see the privilege of being a paid-up citizen of the Republic as much bang for his hard-earned bonus bucks. After all, what has the Republic ever done for Mick except elect gobsh**e ministers who cap his capacity to send more people on city breaks to the arse-ends of eastern Europe in February? Well, unless you count the airports maybe. The runways? Then there's the roads and buses that herd his paying punters to the planes of course. Or the functioning democracy and stable economy that mean the bums on seats have the few quid to afford the little luxury of an annual family holiday. Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary (Image: PA Wire/PA Images) But c'mere a minute Mick, surely you didn't think that €55 million was an end of it? It's there in black and white in the 427 pages of Ireland Inc. T&Cs. That's just the entry-level price to enjoy the privilege of living in your Westmeath estate as a law-abiding taxpayer. But we can't help noticing your family want to live beside you in the same county? Eh, that'll be another €10 million thanks, or they might have to go reside in Leitrim. And obviously that basic rate of tax entitles you to all the privileges of citizenship, but who said anything about your belongings? They'll have to pay their own way clearly, unless you want to go around in the nip. Will we say €5 million? And if you don't mind us saying, it takes the State a bit more fuel to carry your fat billionaire lifestyle. You do know you're a member of a class that pollutes the earth more in 90 minutes than the rest of us do in a lifetime? Not to mention Ryanair being in the top 10 polluting companies in Europe. So there will be the small matter of a voluntary carbon tax donation to offset all that damage and havoc – shall we call it another ten mill between friends? By our calculations that brings the total to €80 million. Which still leaves you with the makings of a memorable weekend in Yerevan. We'll even throw in a free jingle of the national anthem when your cheque lands. Thanks for choosing to pay tax with us today. Now can we interest you in buying the National Lottery? Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Award-winning photographer was a mirror to the world and a dear friend to many
The funeral of our photographer Mick O'Neill, tragically killed in a road traffic accident last weekend, took place on Monday, July 21, in had travelled all over the world with his job, on often risky assignments, sent home pictures from places as far flung as Peru, Lebanon, The Netherlands, Mauritius, India, Dubai and it is also fair to say many of our sports-mad readers had a brush with his lens at times as he covered, by choice, a lot of domestic and Mick's long standing joke about some of the more obscure games we covered was that 'we were not so much outstanding in our own fields but out standing in someone else's...' It never ceased to amaze me either that he was on first-name terms with so many. He had privately organised/sent on pics, to players, clubs, charities and they remembered him. Photographers form a guard of honour at the funeral of Irish Mirror photographer, Mick O'Neill. (Image: Collins Photos) I've done every sport imaginable with Mick as well as news stories encompassing everything from astronauts to Holocaust, from Ballyragget to Ballymun, Ploughing Championships to Galway was a tough newspaper character, stoic by times, with an often 1940/50s lazy carry of the camera but with a hawkeye for a picture, especially a compassionate one amid we recently found ourselves in a corner in a tough, some might say infamous neighbourhood where his bravery behind a quick smile got us out. It is not easy carrying a couple of thousand euros worth of cameras, it makes you an easy target, but he just had that carriage - trust PLC's Head of Photographic Zoe Watson was Mick's boss but it also made her the person responsible for delivering the roster/bad news to they have to spend some time in a cold ditch or cramped in our 'secret' van without heating or a toilet or in Mick's case he had to go somewhere where there was sun."I've some great memories of the few times we'd been together, the last being at the photography awards in February," says Zoe. "I'll always remember his mischievous snigger when you knew he was up to something and always had a sparkle in his eye. The funeral of photographer Mick O'Neill at the Church of St Finian's, River Valley, Swords, Dublin this morning. (Image: Stephen Collins/Collins Photo) "He was a chancer who once tried to claim expenses for three deodorants, three bottles of suncream and four shower gels - he was only going on a four day trip to the Leb."I remember phoning him about it and the both of us just burst out laughing, he knew he wouldn't get away with that one."Multi-award winning sports writer and documentary maker David Coughland ('Louder Than Bombs: The Smiths in Ireland, 1984', 'Cigarettes and Samba', 'Crossing The Line', 'Hello Spaceboy', 'Green and Gold') is also a sports editor with this photography is about the instant, it sometimes needs a cross between Billy the Kid and Butch Cassidy - quick on the draw - or miss the moment. "One of my favourite photos by Mick is from a job we did together down in Youghal," says Coughlan of a split-second, single frame shot he will always remember. "It was the week before Cheltenham and Davy Russell's last Festival. "Mick lined up a photo of Davy and his father Jerry - now also sadly gone - when up popped then-four-year-old Liam in between them in sunglasses and a cowboy hat. "Mick pressed the shutter and captured a special moment." Jockey Davy Russell with his son Liam, 4, and father Jerry in the family home in Youghal in Cork (Image: Mick O'Neill) The Star's Deputy Sports Editor - and former Target kingpin - Paul Kavanagh recalls another deodorant related tale. "We were in Vienna for on night to cover a motorsport event and we both had ours sprays taken from us going through the airport. "The next morning we went wandering through the streets of the city, no clue where we were going and no shops pandering to the Lynx effect. "We had a great laugh , and that was Mick all over, easy company and good craic." Of course Mick O'Neill's most celebrated shot was that of the family and the big wave coming over the is a PPAI (Press Photographers' Association of Ireland) award winning shot and I remember him telling me that shot came a different family had been walking along completely oblivious that the storm wall was breached every so often, it was a question waiting. When the wave finally crashed over top, the family's St Vitus Dance wasn't just captured in one shot. There is actually a succession of them, one after another with so much movement they are almost 3D. Mick O'Neill with his PPAI award and award-winning picture That's the same PPAI that accorded Mick one of their highest marks of respect - members formed a guard of honour for the coffin as it left the church with their cameras on the ground at their Crime Reporter and fiction author Mick O'Toole (Black Light, Goodreads, 2022) recalls: "As far as I am concerned his best 'sports' picture is from a golf course where, naturally enough, he wasn't a member. It was the one at Shelton Abbey prison in Co Wicklow. "Regarding this, we believe he is the only person in Irish history ever to break INTO a prison when in September 2021, he learned that the criminal, serving life for the murder of Veronica Guerin, was now locked up there. "Mick gained access and fought his way through woods and heavy undergrowth before hiding for several hours to get photos of his target playing pitch and putt in the prison grounds – his images deservedly made the front pages the next day." Mick is gone but may have one big headline left in him. His picture of Michael Kelley, taken from tracking the subject deep into a wooded area in Kerry, may yet be a 2025 PPAI award winner. Michael Kelley seen here on Michael Gaine's farm near Kenmare Co Kerry. (Image: Exclusive Image: Mick O'Neill/Daily Mirror)
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Funeral mass hears photographer was 'solid bloke' who loved his family dearly
Irish Mirror photographer Mick O'Neill was a 'solid bloke' with a wicked sense of humour who loved his family deeply, his funeral Mass heard on Monday. Mick sadly died aged 62 on July 12 after a motorcycle accident on the Old Airport Road in north Dublin. The talented photographer worked for the Irish Mirror and Irish Daily Star for over 20 years, and is dearly missed by all his colleagues. His funeral mass took place at the Church of St Finian's in Swords on Monday morning, followed by burial in Dardistown Cemetery. A motorcycle helmet, press photographer awards and a photo of Mick and his beloved granddaughter Mya, 12, were brought to the altar as gifts. Mourners heard that Mick, who was from Artane but lived in Swords, was a 'proud Dubliner' who was happiest when on his bike or with his family. His granddaughter Mya told the funeral Mass that he would do anything to make her happy, and was immensely proud of her. She said: 'Grandad wasn't only my grandad, he was my best friend, we had such a strong bond. I'm not sure if he just liked breakfast or if it was an excuse to call me because every time he did it would be the same question- 'Do you want to go for breakfast?' 'Grandad always liked to keep his little princess happy, if I had a problem he would solve it. He was always so proud, he would make it out that whatever I did no one had ever done before. "He did everything to keep me happy, he went all over Ireland to find Uggs for me for Christmas. We loved to eat chocolate together so if he was to buy me a gift that's what he could get but sometimes all I got was a photo.' Mick O'Neill is carried to his final resting place following his funeral on Monday morning. (Image: Collins Photos) Photographers form a guard of honour at the funeral of Irish Mirror photographer, Mick O'Neill. (Image: Collins Photos) Mick is dearly missed by Mya, his son Karl, Karl's partner Vicky and mother Lorraine, brothers Terry and Owen and sisters Ann and Helena. On behalf of the family, Mick's close friend Noel Fay thanked everyone for their support, and the emergency service and hospital staff that helped him after the tragic accident. Paying tribute to his dear friend during the mass, Noel said: 'Mick was a solid bloke, when you became his friend, you stayed his friend. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone, he had a great respect for people. He was well-liked because of his modesty, subtle sense of humour and his professional approach to his work. 'Everybody here has some memorable and funny stories of Mick but he wasn't perfect and he had his flaws. Mick was always early, it was so annoying. He was never late and I hated that. As for his antique phone, iPhone 1 I think. Everybody pleaded with him to get a new one. 'When at any restaurant he would try and order the most obscure things that weren't on the menu. But he loved his sticky buns.' On behalf of Crime Correspondent Mick O'Toole and his colleagues, Noel told the mass that he was 'a mentor and friend to dozens of reporters over the years'. He added: '(Mick) would treat a homeless person with the same respect he would give to the president. He had a unique way of putting interviewees and people he was photographing at ease. His humour, energy, dedication and sense of decency all made a reporter's job easier. Pictured from left to right, Irish Mirror photographer, Mick O'Neill with Irish Mirror journalists Paul Healy and Michael O'Toole. Michael Kelley seen here on Michael Gaine's farm near Kenmare Co Kerry. (Image: Exclusive Image: Mick O'Neill/Daily Mirror) 'He travelled all over the world with his job, often on risky assignments. Some of the countries he went to included Peru, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Mauritius, India, Dubai and Spain. All of his colleagues are devastated by his loss, he is irreplaceable.' Mick was a renowned news photographer in Ireland and won multiple awards for his incredible photos that no one else managed to snap. Mourners heard that the Dubliner would wait for hours to get the perfect shot, and was always highly professional when it came to his work. Noel continued: 'With Mick, he was always the happiest when he was out on the bike with the lads. It was only when sharing a pint with Mick that you would get the full story about his work and his achievements. The problem was his modesty starved you of his news and you had to drag it out of him. Some of his stories were so outrageous but they were all true. 'I remember a few months ago I was trying to get Mick on the phone over the course of a few days, but each time I got no answer so I guessed that he was away or busy working. The next day I saw that famous dramatic photo on the front page of The Star of the guy with a big axe in his hands regarding the missing Kerry farmer Michael Gaine. 'It then made sense to me why I couldn't get him on the phone. The photograph was by Mick O'Neill, exclusive image for the Star and Mirror. There he was doing what he does best, making the news. But today my friends, in a sad way, Mick is the news.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Examiner
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Work on Cork taskforce 'ongoing' as Fine Gael appoints first ever spokesperson on city
Fine Gael has appointed its first ever spokesperson on Cork with the Tánaiste insisting that work is ongoing to establish the city taskforce his party promised within the first 100 days of government. Simon Harris was speaking during a visit to Cork on Friday as he announced that Cork North Central TD Colm Burke will play a leading role in ensuring that the 'issues that matter most to the people of Cork are front and centre of the government's agenda'. In the run-up to the general election last November, Fine Gael ministers Helen McEntee and Paschal Donohoe announced their party's commitment to the establishment of a new Cork City Taskforce within the first 100 days of government to rejuvenate the city centre and drive major infrastructure projects. That 100-day deadline passed in early May. Mr Harris insisted that the taskforce is still 'a very clear commitment' in the program for government but said there is still a bit of work to be done on it. Simon Harris said Colm Burke (pictured) brings a wealth of experience to the new role as Fine Gael spokesperson on Cork and that one of the areas that must be prioritised is the delivery of the new taskforce. File picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos He said Mr Burke, a former senator and minister, brings a wealth of experience to the new role as Fine Gael spokesperson on Cork and that one of the areas that must be prioritised is the delivery of the new taskforce. 'This is something that government is working on and I think the example we have seen in Dublin shows that a taskforce will benefit businesses and communities alike,' he said. 'We have seen the difference it can make in Dublin this week, where government, local government and community stakeholders, work together and say 'what's our common vision – let's stop this silo (thinking), that's a job for the council, that's a job for the government, that's a job for somebody else – let's actually pull together and say where do we want the city to be over the next 10 to 15 years. 'We've now done it in Dublin. It needs to happen in Cork.' He declined to discuss in detail its funding allocation, pending a detailed analysis of what might be required, or to comment on whether the establishment of a 'special purpose vehicle' will be required through which the funding would be channelled. But he said the model followed by the Dublin taskforce could be replicated in the second city. He said: The Dublin plan looks at a variety of things, as I imagine a Cork one would too. It looks at dereliction, at vacancy, at how you can bring landmark buildings back into use. 'It looks at how you can have a common vision for your city. It looks at safety and policing. It looks at a whole variety of things.' But he added: 'The government will have to consider when it wants to press go on that (the Cork taskforce) in due course, and then obviously the composition of it as well.' Mr Burke said with a growing population, Cork needs to see the development of key infrastructure such as the Cork to Limerick road and the northern distributor road for the area to thrive. 'I am committed to working with the businesses across Cork, who have given such vibrancy to the region,' he said. 'Our pharmaceutical, IT, and service industries are thriving, and we want to see new locations identified to ensure continued development of this industry and all businesses in Cork.'
Extra.ie
25-06-2025
- General
- Extra.ie
Watch: Moment lorry driver rescues man from burning building in Dublin
A lorry driver who reversed his truck up to a burning building in Dublin is being hailed a hero for saving a man's life. The man had been trapped on the third floor of the four-storey building on Granby Row in Dublin 1, as smoke billowed from the windows out onto the street, when the quick-thinking lorry driver reversed his lorry directly outside the burning building. After a minute or so, a man can be seen jumping from a window onto the top of the lorry to the amazement of a group of onlookers who had gathered at the scene. Dublin Fire Brigade and An Garda Síochána at the scene of a fire on Granby Row. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos The lorry driver, who has since been identified as Polish man, Tomasz Zareba. Fire in Dublin this morning 😯 weldone to the truck driver 👌 👏💯 — ThisisDublin (@Thisisdublin0) June 24, 2025 Three people were hospitalised following the blaze, with gardai and Dublin Fire Brigade attending the scene. The street remained closed on Tuesday afternoon with local diversions in place, and Dublin Bus were among public transport operators implementing diversions as a result.
