Latest news with #Cork-born
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Trial of man accused of murdering Cork-born bishop in LA remains stalled
The case against a man accused of the murder of Cork-born Bishop David O'Connell in Los Angeles remains stalled amid efforts to establish whether he is mentally competent to stand trial. Carlos Medina, husband of Bishop O'Connell's housekeeper, was charged in February 2023 with the murder of the Brooklodge native at his home in Hacienda Heights in Los Angeles on February 18, 2023. Medina was also charged with a special allegation that he used a firearm during the commission of an offence. He has denied both charges. His case came before Hollywood court on Thursday for a mental competency hearing. The case has now been adjourned until September 11, 'for further proceedings', according to the office of the district attorney for Los Angeles. The case against him has been at a standstill for almost a year, after being suspended last October following concerns raised by Medina's lawyers about his ability to stand trial, during a pre-trial hearing. It is understood that his legal team raised their concerns about Medina's mental competency because of interactions they had with him since his arrest over two years ago. Behaviour in prison sparked concern His behaviour while in prison awaiting trial has also sparked concern. He has been assessed by an independent expert who believes he is not able to stand trial. Medina's wife worked as a housekeeper for the bishop, while Medina himself also carried out some work for him on a number of occasions. He was arrested after barricading himself into his home following the discovery of the bishop's body by a deacon who went to the house after Bishop O'Connell failed to turn up for a scheduled meeting. Candles and messages near Bishop David O'Connell's residence in Hacienda Heights, California, after his death in 2023. Picture: AP/Damian Dovarganes If Medina is found mentally unfit to stand trial, he will be required to undergo psychiatric treatment by a licensed psychologist. Following that, the judge will decide on what treatment options are required, which could include referral to a state mental health facility for a period of up to four months. After that, the court could grant additional time for treatment or order that the criminal proceedings against him could continue. If convicted, Medina could face up to 35 years to life in prison. The 69-year-old Glanmire native's killing devastated Catholics across the Los Angeles archdiocese, where he had served since his ordination in 1979. He was laid to rest in a crypt in Los Angeles Cathedral.
The 42
02-08-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Success for highly rated Irish coach Brian Barry-Murphy as Cardiff win
Updated at 17.02 NEW SKIPPER Rubin Colwill inspired a 2-1 comeback win for Cardiff over Peterborough in League One today. Sir Alex Ferguson was in the stands at Cardiff City Stadium to support his son Darren, who saw his Peterborough team go into the break 1-0 ahead. Advertisement New Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy turned out the youngest team selected by any Cardiff manager this century, but saw Posh draw first blood in the 33rd minute when Brad Ihionvien stepped up to coolly convert from the penalty spot after Will Fish had barged Declan Firth in the box. The 47-year-old Cork-born coach previously managed Rochdale in League One between 2019 and 2021 before going on to spend three years as the manager of Manchester City's Elite Development Squad. Cardiff, led for the first time by 23-year-old Colwill, earned their stripes in the second half of their first game in the third tier of English football in 22 years. The skipper led the way with a wonder free kick from 25 yards, three minutes after the restart and then 18-year-old Ronan Kpakio hammered home his first senior goal to grab the lead on the hour mark. The visitors had a chance to level at the death, but Matt Turner made a brilliant save from Gustav Lindgren to save the day. Elsewhere, there were mixed fortunes for the other Irish managers in League One. Conor Hourihane's Barnsley beat Plymouth Argyle 3-1, while Noel Hunt-managed Reading lost 2-0 at Lincoln City. In League Two, a Jaze Kabia penalty helped Grimsby Town overcome Crawley Town 3-0. And former Drogheda player Evan Weir was on target in Walsall's 2-1 defeat of Swindon Town.
Irish Independent
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Pop sensation Allie Sherlock enjoys farm-fresh gelato in Louth
The family-run business shared a post of the 20-year-old pop sensation saying 'Look who had a taste of our Gelato at a local event, the amazing singer @alliesherlock We hope you enjoyed and be sure to call down to the farm shop soon!' The Cork-born singer shot to fame when a video of her performing the Ed Sheeran hit Supermarket Flowers on Grafton Street when she was just 12 went viral, leading to an appearance on the Ellen De Generes Show. Since then she has headlined gigs in Ireland and the UK and played support to the likes of The Script, Picture This, OneRepublic and Gavin James. This summer she has played at the Kaleidoscope Festival and Live at Leopardstown and has just announced a European tour in the autumn following the release of her new single Damage Control.
RTÉ News
18-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Anika Thompson grabs U23 European gold for Ireland, Nicola Tuthill secures silver
Anika Thompson has become Ireland's second European Under-23 athletics champion in 33 years after taking gold in the women's 10,000m final in Norway while Nicola Tuthill earned the first Irish field medal by claiming silver in the hammer. Thompson went out hard in Bergen, sticking with the leaders for the majority of the 24-lap race before sprinting home to take the win in a new national U23 record of 32:31.47. Thompson, born and raised in Oregon, but representing Ireland through her Cork-born mother, follows on from another woman of Rebel ancestry Sophie O'Sullivan, who claimed Ireland's first ever gold at these championships in the 1500m two years ago. The newly crowned champion said she had planned to attack the race from the start and showed grit throughout the race to stick with the pace. EUROPEAN U23 CHAMPION ANIKA THOMPSON 🥇🥇🥇🥇 Anika Thompson speaking to us after winning the women's 10,000m in a new U23 record of 32:31.47 👊 #irishathletics — Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 18, 2025 "I'm overjoyed,"Thompson said afterwards. "The plan was to go by instincts, and I trusted my gut. I knew that I had every tactic in the bag, I could do well if it went out slow or if it went out honest." Thompson's parents were unable to attend, but her wider family from County Cork were in the crowd to cheer her on. "My granny Marie, my aunt Fiona, and my uncle Kevin are here… I was glad to put on a show for them today." Heather Murphy finished 19th in a time of 35:07.09. Nicola Tuthill (above) made history again just 30 minutes later by claiming silver in the women's hammer with a throw of 70.90m. This is the first field event medal for Ireland at the championships, with Tuthill throwing her best of the competition in the fourth round. "Second is where I was ranked, and second is where I came, so delighted with that," she said. "I'm always looking for a little bit more, but these medals are really hard to come by. "It's really special.. I know there is more in but it's still another throw over 70m and my third best in the competition so in a major championships like this, with the nerves and everything that comes with it I'm delighted. " In the morning session, two Irish athletes secured qualification to finals. Eimear Maher of DSD AC progressed to the final of the women's 1500m by finishing third and securing an automatic qualification spot in a time of 4:13.84. This is Maher's debut championship on the track, and she comes in with an impressive personal best of 4:08.67. Cara Laverty of Finn Valley AC was ninth in heat one of the women's 1500m in 4:23.66, which wasn't enough to qualify on this occasion. Ava O'Connor also secured her place in the women's 3,000m steeplechase final, crossing the line in second place in 10:02.95. Alexandra Joyce made her Irish debut just three months after taking up the steeple event and finished just two seconds off her personal best in 10:15.63 to take 11th place in heat one. Ailish Hawkins completed the steeplechase trio, finishing her competition in 11th position in heat two in a time of 10:44.45. Andrew Egan made his individual debut, after being part of the 4x400m squad two years ago in Espoo. Egan finished in fifth position in 21.77, which was two places outside automatic qualifying. Maher will race in the 1500m final on Sunday afternoon, and O'Connor will run in the 3000m steeplechase final on Saturday evening. Tomorrow will see Nick Griggs make his 5,000m championship debut. Anna Gavigan will compete in the morning session in the women's discus qualification.
Irish Examiner
18-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Irish Examiner
Bia Beirut: Bold Middle Eastern flavours on the go
WHETHER you want to bring lunch into the office, eat in a park, or go on a picnic, summer is a time for lighter, brighter options. Soggy sandwiches or limp salads just aren't going to hit the spot. Instead, we're craving fresh ingredients, bold flavours, and bright colours to nourish us — body, mind, and soul — while the sun shines. Someone who understands the power of uplifting food is Rabih Farah, known as the Beirut Baker — after his homeplace in Lebanon. He is the owner and cook behind Bia Beirut, a stall he set up with his Cork-born wife, Pamela Crowley-Farah, to bring traditional Lebanese food to farmers' markets in Cork. They started trading at Mahon Point and Douglas Farmers' Markets in Cork last October, selling a range of mezze boxes, along with dips, spreads, breads, cheese, and their signature crunchy sourdough crackers or snaps. The popular takeaway boxes make for a balanced lunch, including an assortment of colourful dips, olives, pickles, breads, and snaps that Farah makes at his home in Glounthaune. That healthy mix is no accident. 'This is what we eat in Lebanon,' says Farah. 'Our favourite [food] is mezze. On the stall, the whole idea is to keep it interesting and keep it nutritious and keep it authentic to Lebanon.' Rabih Farah, the man behind Bia Beirut, prepares one of his colourful mezze boxes at Mahon Point Farmers Market, filled with Lebanese dips, olives, and handmade breads. Picture Chani Anderson In her definitive A New Book of Middle Eastern Food, celebrated Middle Eastern food writer Claudia Roden explains that the word mezze comes from the Arabic t'mazza, meaning 'to savour in little bites'. The tradition of mezze in Lebanon showcases a diverse assortment of small plates, which Roden describes as 'a national institution that represents a convivial art of living'. Mezze dishes are fresh and vibrant with diverse textures, incorporating chickpeas and other pulses, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and spices. These are all key ingredients of the Mediterranean diet, naturally high in plant-based proteins and healthy fats, fibre, and antioxidants. This light, delicious, and mood-enhancing food is exactly what we intuitively feel like eating in the summertime. It's also very portable. Farah has noticed that the most popular of his mezze dip line-up is 'traditional Lebanese hummus, focused on pure chickpeas rather than all these add-ons that you see in the supermarket. Muhammara [a roasted red pepper, walnut, and almond dip] is also very popular and the latest addition, our dip of the month, is bazella, a green pea, mint, and lemon dip. Everyone comments on the colour', he says: 'It's green, fresh, summery, and people are loving it.' Before Bia Beirut, Farah studied Arabic literature in Lebanon. He became an Arabic teacher and head of department at a school in Oman, which is where he met Pamela. They subsequently moved to the UAE where he worked in educational consultancy. In 2021, they moved to Ireland with their children, Liam and Ciara, now aged 14 and 12. While Farah is still working remotely as a learning and development consultant, he's also educating people through his food, which is labelled in Arabic. Experiencing a language through food offers customers an immersive and interactive opportunity to learn about culture and heritage. 'The feedback has been fantastic,' he says. 'A lot of people look and, if they're not sure what to eat or to take, I give them a taste and explain that a lot of dishes have a sentimental attachment to me and my family. For example, the teta bread [a thick focaccia-style bread, ideal for dipping] is my grandmother's recipe, and teta means grandmother in Arabic.' Although he only began cooking professionally in 2024, Farah started working in the family bakery in Beirut at the age of 12. When he was 13 years old, his father was shot and injured by a sniper during the Lebanese Civil War. Rabih Farah at Bia Beirut, his vibrant food stall at Mahon Point Farmers Market. Picture Chani Anderson Farah took on more responsibilities at the bakery, his day starting at 4.30am when he prepared bread before getting the bus to school. It was difficult, but he has good memories from that time, making dough while listening to music by Lebanese singer Fairuz, known as the diva of the Arab world. 'It was very, very tough at the time but it made me who I am. I looked at the positive side of it,' says Farad. The intense experience also gave him a clear idea of the importance of food and what he wants to do with it. 'I love good food. I want to educate people about [Lebanese food] and get them to enjoy it. I like to explain to people what's in my food, and I don't mind sharing recipes,' he laughs. 'It's nutritious and has zero additives as it doesn't need to last long. Good food should be eaten within two to three days maximum when it's fresh.' With his customer base actively increasing through markets and online orders, it seems that people's interest in Lebanese food is only growing. Healthy, full of flavour, colour, and history, Bia Beirut mezze makes an ideal summertime lunch. For Farah, it's simple: 'Food doesn't need to be complicated to taste good.' Find Bia Beirut at Mahon Point Farmer's Market on Thursdays, Douglas Farmer's Market on Saturdays, and on Instagram at @biabeirut. Building a mezze box Mix flavours and textures: The top three Bia Beirut dips are hummus, muhammara, and bazella. On the stall, you'll also find labneh — thick strained yoghurt — with zaatar or sumac, baba ghanouj (smoky, creamy grilled aubergine), and a special spicy yoghurt with chilli and garlic that Farah developed because of his father's love of chilli. The top three Bia Beirut dips are hummus, muhammara, and bazella. On the stall, you'll also find labneh — thick strained yoghurt — with zaatar or sumac, baba ghanouj (smoky, creamy grilled aubergine), and a special spicy yoghurt with chilli and garlic that Farah developed because of his father's love of chilli. Add a salad: Farah makes traditional Lebanese shankleesh — balls of aged and fermented cheese — from probiotic-rich natural yoghurt curd that he rolls, spices, and ages. To serve, the balls are crumbled and mixed with chopped tomato, onion, and olive oil. Farah makes traditional Lebanese shankleesh — balls of aged and fermented cheese — from probiotic-rich natural yoghurt curd that he rolls, spices, and ages. To serve, the balls are crumbled and mixed with chopped tomato, onion, and olive oil. Choose sourdough: Fermented food is good for the gut and Farah's sourdough breads and snaps are made 'using just four ingredients', including a starter that he brought from the UAE when he and his family moved to Ireland in 2021. Fermented food is good for the gut and Farah's sourdough breads and snaps are made 'using just four ingredients', including a starter that he brought from the UAE when he and his family moved to Ireland in 2021. Fresh herbs: Lebanese food is characterised by the plentiful use of fresh herbs, adding flavour and nutritional value. Lebanese food is characterised by the plentiful use of fresh herbs, adding flavour and nutritional value. Sprinkle some dukkah: An addictive mixture of toasted crushed nuts, seeds and spices — Farah includes walnuts, sesame, and sumac in the blend that he sells at markets.
