Latest news with #Crowe
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
‘It was a jumble of words' says Fianna Fáil TD as Taoiseach Micheál Martin urges calm over comments British Army never shot Irish civilians
He was reacting to the claim by one of his own backbenchers, Cathal Crowe of Co Clare, that British Army troops never shot any civilians in Ireland – for which he has since apologised. Mr Crowe apologised for his remarks in the Dáil and described them as 'pretty awful'. He has said it wasn't what he wanted to say and isn't how he views things. The Fianna Fáil TD told RTÉ's Morning Ireland: 'This is not how I view the Irish situation. I was speaking on Gaza, I had bullet points in front of me, not a fully scripted speech. 'A point I wanted to make was in the darkest days of recent Irish history, we never saw the carpet bombing of our cities by the Royal Air Force or anything like that, or the launching of missiles, and I was trying to convey in some way the disproportionality, the horrendous stuff we're seeing day in, day out, the acts of genocide in Gaza.' He said he statement in the Dáil was a 'jumble of words' and he only realised what he had said later on Wednesday evening when he read back the transcript of his speech. 'I didn't say what I wanted to say, and I unequivocally apologise for the mess I made in those jumble of words. It's not what I meant. I apologise for hurt I've caused and it's not how I see the Irish situation or the many atrocities that the British Army inflicted on people over many, many years including my own family.' Mr Crowe, a student of history at university who later went on to work as a history teacher, said he studied the events of Bloody Sunday in Derry in 1972, when 26 unarmed civilians were shot by British soldiers during a protest in the Bogside area and 14 people died. 'It's a jumble of words and I'm sure you've made mistakes on-air,' he told Morning Ireland presenter Gavin Jennings. 'Show me a person who hasn't made a mistake.' He added: 'I'm a republican. I'm someone who very much is victim orientated, and this was a jumble of words. It was an absolute bags, or a balls I made of it.' Mr Martin, who revealed Mr Crowe contacted him to express his regret at embarrassing the Fianna Fáil party, said people should 'calm down'. Commenting at the Bloom festival, Mr Martin said there has been 'a bit of an over-the-top reaction', in response to Mr Crowe's absolution for the British Army. 'We don't need any lessons in terms of Northern Ireland and the pain and the violence – and yes, the British state was responsible for Bloody Sunday, Ballymurphy, and much, much more,' Mr Martin said. 'I think he was talking in the context of Gaza. Thank God that Gaza never happened in Northern Ireland to the same extent, although one person killed is one person too many. 'As far as I'm concerned, there was horrendous violence in Northern Ireland perpetrated by the State and by the Provisional IRA and by Loyalists like the Glenanne gang. 'There were reprehensible murders, and shocking bombings like Enniskillen, Birmingham, the Dublin-Monaghan bombing, Belturbet, and right across Britain. 'A lot of innocent people were murdered and slaughtered by the IRA. People in Derry and in Ballymurphy were murdered by the British army. We resolved that through a peace process and through reconciliation. 'When I spoke with [US] president [Donald] Trump, and he referred back to the viciousness of what went on in Ireland over 30 years, I made the point to him: We managed to build a peace out of all that vicious violence. 'Peace can work, and the same needs to happen in the Middle East.' Mr Martin said Mr Crowe had been anxious to correct his remarks after speaking 'off the cuff'. 'Cathal Crowe is a very solid TD and doesn't need to be reprimanded. I think people need to be careful about overreacting here. 'We have a peace process in Ireland that is sustained, and we are at peace with Britain. I'm building reconciliation in Northern Ireland through the Shared Island programme, so there's no need to be re-fighting old wars.'
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Taoiseach Micheál Martin urges calm after Fianna Fáil TD says British Army never shot Irish civilians
He was reacting to the claim by one of his own backbenchers, Cathal Crowe of Co Clare, that British Army troops never shot any civilians in Ireland – for which he has since apologised. But Mr Martin, who revealed Mr Crowe contacted him to express his regret at embarrassing the Fianna Fáil party, said people should 'calm down'. Commenting at the Bloom festival, Mr Martin said there has been 'a bit of an over-the-top reaction', in response to Mr Crowe's absolution for the British Army. 'We don't need any lessons in terms of Northern Ireland and the pain and the violence – and yes, the British state was responsible for Bloody Sunday, Ballymurphy, and much, much more,' Mr Martin said. 'I think he was talking in the context of Gaza. Thank God that Gaza never happened in Northern Ireland to the same extent, although one person killed is one person too many. 'As far as I'm concerned, there was horrendous violence in Northern Ireland perpetrated by the State and by the Provisional IRA and by Loyalists like the Glenanne gang. 'There were reprehensible murders, and shocking bombings like Enniskillen, Birmingham, the Dublin-Monaghan bombing, Belturbet, and right across Britain. 'A lot of innocent people were murdered and slaughtered by the IRA. People in Derry and in Ballymurphy were murdered by the British army. We resolved that through a peace process and through reconciliation. 'When I spoke with [US] president [Donald] Trump, and he referred back to the viciousness of what went on in Ireland over 30 years, I made the point to him: We managed to build a peace out of all that vicious violence. 'Peace can work, and the same needs to happen in the Middle East.' Mr Martin said Mr Crowe had been anxious to correct his remarks after speaking 'off the cuff'. 'Cathal Crowe is a very solid TD and doesn't need to be reprimanded. I think people need to be careful about overreacting here. 'We have a peace process in Ireland that is sustained, and we are at peace with Britain. I'm building reconciliation in Northern Ireland through the Shared Island programme, so there's no need to be re-fighting old wars.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Here's How to Find Work When Entertainment Jobs Are Scarce
When did the entertainment industry start its downturn? Was it the rise of Netflix? The strikes? The COVID-19 pandemic? Brad Hall, founder of said the dip began in December 2019. During the final quarter of that year, he and his team noticed some very 'strange signals' that suggested jobs in production were about to take a massive hit. 'We felt that we had reached a pinnacle of production in our lifetime, especially in the United States, especially in Los Angeles, and we didn't see a meaningful recovery for 10 years,' he said. 'Then, of course, that was all hidden because the pandemic happened and then multiple labor strikes.' More from IndieWire Ana de Armas 'Hated' Singing in Ron Howard's 'Eden': 'I Would Rather Do 100 Stunts' Pete Davidson Uncovers a Retirement Community Serial Killer in 'The Home' Trailer Hollywood took a similar hit during the economic crisis and recession that began in 2008, but recovery came when tech companies like Amazon, Netflix, and Apple poured in cash to build platforms and libraries. Today, Hall doesn't see a savior — but there's still creative work to be found and a lot of it on Entertainment Careers, with members who pay $9.95/month or less depending on the plan they choose receiving the full benefits of the site. This work just might not be where you expect. 'What we do now is try and point people to see themselves in a larger skillset,' said Hall, 'like pointing [producers] to experiential marketing or pivoting into live events.' Hall predicts 'massive growth' in live events: It's where companies like Amazon and Netflix are redirecting their investments with comedy and sports. He believes one of these platforms may stream music festivals like Coachella or live Broadway shows down the line. 'The cost of production is relatively low,' Hall told IndieWire. 'It's an event that's already happening. So we are trying to get people that have any experience in live events to start shifting in those directions.' At Backstage, vice president Luke Crowe takes a similar view. He said while self-tapes now make it easier for actors to audition, that glut also makes it harder to get noticed. Through its $24.99/month or $199.99/year membership fee, what Backstage wants to provide, Crowe said, is redirection. 'There's a lot of new types of work coming up,' Crowe said. 'Depending where somebody's interests are and where they are at in their career, there are some good opportunities. We've seen a lot of growth in online advertising — branded content that's not meant to really look like advertising.' These are typically TikTok or YouTube videos featuring actors using a product in a way that doesn't feel like too much of a pitch or when a company puts their name behind a live event or series that attracts its sales base. 'Branded content' does not sound as sexy as 'network pilot'; the work may not be union and the pay will be lower. However, it's still a paycheck and can go on a reel. It's also possible that it will be seen by more people than an independent feature or even some television shows. More importantly, Crowe said, working in this space of creative advertising will likely lead to more job opportunities. 'Actors and directors and crew who may not have even had those opportunities before, they get that one big nationwide commercial, now there's like a 1,000 smaller [commercial] spots for them to be able to get into,' he said. 'It can build up better reels and you can really create a living out of a lot of that, cumulatively.' Another key to creating long-term success is self reflection: Where are you, really, in your career? Dreams of fame, fortune, and the belief that your story is so special that it must be told are common; it's what draws many people to entertainment. However, the ability to stick around is based largely on the ability to get over yourself and focus on developing interpersonal skills and the ability to adapt. 'You've got to jump over this chasm from graduating or from career changing to becoming employable, to start getting consistent paid work,' said My First Job in Film founder and managing director Sam Kirkwood. As a 'hybrid film school/agency,' My First Job in Film offers a free service that focuses on teaching soft skills, like networking and the ability to cold-call with grace. They also aim to adjust mindsets, advising some to take jobs that may not do anything for your entertainment career other than making you available for it. 'We start advocating for what we call 'safety net jobs.' It's a job that gives you flexibility — typically shift work,' said Kirkwood, 'so if a job does come up last minute or tomorrow there's a great opportunity, you can get someone to cover.' Developing these soft skills and sense of determination can represent all the difference in making the leap across what he calls 'the employability chasm.' With each member, Kirkwood and his team assess what specific stage they're at and work to level them up. 'For a production PA, it might be you've gotta do half a dozen short films,' Kirkwood said. 'Why? Because on the fifth one you might meet somebody who's doing a favor for somebody and they're looking for a PA for their next paid gig. And so you've come from somewhere having no experience, met people, networked, had time to get comfortable in the environment, understand the lingo of being on set — all the soft skills that are required.' For jobs in development or at agencies, My First Job in Film promotes a challenge that requires members to execute 20 steps each day toward advancing their careers. That could be a LinkedIn post or a cold call, but it's all about getting in the habit of putting themselves out there — and being easier to find. Who you know in this industry always matters, but Hall added that experience you rack up is what recruiters find most attractive nowadays. 'I would say we're back into that era of the resume,' Hall said. 'For us, 85 percent of the people are applying incorrectly.' He said most people look at 'how awesome this job would be for them' rather than communicate how they fit 'the needs of the employer.' Truth is, chasing your dreams is a marathon. When creative work is impossible, it's always okay to redirect your skills to whatever lets you pay the bills. Said Hall, 'Any port in a storm.'Best of IndieWire Nightmare Film Shoots: The 38 Most Grueling Films Ever Made, from 'Deliverance' to 'The Wages of Fear' Quentin Tarantino's Favorite Movies: 65 Films the Director Wants You to See The 19 Best Thrillers Streaming on Netflix in May, from 'Fair Play' to 'Emily the Criminal'
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Martin criticises 'over-reaction' as Cathal Crowe apologises for remarks about British Army
A Fianna Fáil TD has apologised for claiming in the Dáil that no British soldiers had ever shot or bombed the civilian population of Ireland. Clare TD Cathal Crowe has formally corrected the Dáil record over his comments, after significant criticism was levelled against him. During a speech in the Dáil on Wednesday on Gaza, Mr Crowe said the ongoing bombardment of Gaza and withholding of aid is the 'worst we have seen in our lifetime'. Mr Crowe then compared the actions of the Israeli government to the actions of the British army in Ireland. 'The British army was a bad actor on this island for many centuries but even in the worst of days, when its cities were being bombed by the terror organisations of the IRA, it never retaliated by bombing and shooting the civilian population of Ireland,' Mr Crowe said. HISTORY HUB If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading Fr Edward Daly, later Bishop Daly, with a group of men trying to bring 17-year-old Jackie Duddy to safety during Bloody Sunday on January 30, 1972, when British troops opened fire on unarmed civilians in Derry. Duddy was the first of 13 people to die that day. His comments were seized upon by Sinn Féin, with the party's Gaeltacht spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh describing Mr Crowe's speech 'as appaling as it is untrue'. In a statement on Thursday, Mr Crowe said he wanted to 'apologise profusely" to anyone offended by his comments. Mr Crowe said he made his speech without a script. 'I began by stating that the Israeli eye-for-an-eye approach has been reprehensible and that the bombing of hospitals, schools and tents alongside the killing of babies, including many new newborn babies in hospitals, amounts to genocide and ethnic cleansing. I then wanted to make the point that brutal, bad and all as the British armed forces have been on this island for a very long time, they never resorted to sending over the Royal Air Force, tanks and missiles to pummel Irish cities. Mr Crowe said he wanted to convey the 'huge disproportionality' that Israel has adopted on attacking Gaza since the October 7 attack. He added that he had 'clumsily and wrongly stated' that British forces had never bombed and shot Irish civilians. 'Let me be very clear, it was not my intention to say this, and I didn't realise how woeful all of that sounded until late last night when I received the transcript of what I had actually said,' Mr Crowe said. Palestinians collect belongings from a school used as a shelter by displaced residents which was struck twice by Israeli army strikes on Tuesday, May 6, killing more than 25 people, in Bureij, Gaza. Picture: Abdel Kareem Hana/AP While Mr Crowe apologised, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said there had been an 'over-reaction" to his comments. He confirmed that he had not told Mr Crowe to apologise and had rather counselled him that "everything is in perspective". "We don't need any lessons in terms of Northern Ireland and the pain and violence, and yes, the British state was responsible for Bloody Sunday, Ballymurphy, and much, much more, in terms of what it did," Mr Martin said Mr Martin said that Mr Crowe was a "very solid TD and did not need to be corrected". Read More Fianna Fáil TD apologises for inaccurate Dáil claim about British army actions in Ireland
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Taoiseach defends Cathal Crowe following apology for remarks on British army
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has stated that Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe 'doesn't need to be correcting things' following his comments suggesting the British never 'bombed or shot' Irish civilians. The Fianna Fáil leader also confirmed that he did not tell the TD to apologise in the Dáil. The Clare TD was criticised by Sinn Féin for the comments during a Labour motion on the situation in Gaza on Wednesday. He said: 'The British army was a bad actor on this island for many centuries, but even in the worst of days, when its cities were being bombed by the terror organisations of the IRA, it never retaliated by bombing and shooting the civilian population of Ireland.' On Thursday morning, Mr Crowe was given an opportunity by the Ceann Comhairle to make a personal statement. He said: 'I apologise profusely to anyone that may have been offended by my comments. 'The speech I made was during the debate that this house had on Gaza. 'I was speaking without a scripted speech, and instead, using a series of bullet points. 'I began by stating that the Israeli eye-for-an-eye approach has been reprehensible, and that the bombing of hospitals, schools and tents, alongside the killing of babies, including many newborn babies in hospitals, amounts to genocide and ethnic cleansing. 'I then wanted to make the point that brutal, bad and all as the British armed forces have been on this island for a very long time, they never resorted to sending over the Royal Air Force tanks and missiles to pummel Irish cities. 'I wanted to convey the magnitude and the visceral hatred which has been behind the Israeli Defence Forces' actions in Gaza and I also wanted to convey the huge disproportionality that the Israeli state has adopted following their reprehensible Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. 'Regrettably, speaking largely off the cuff, I clumsily and wrongly stated, 'They never retaliated by bombing or shooting the civilian population of Ireland'. 'Let me be very clear, it was not my intention to say this, and I didn't realise how woeful all of that sounded until late last night when I received the transcript of what I had actually said. 'It was a genuine slip up on my part, but it was wrong, and I wish to unequivocally and profusely apologise.' Speaking at Bord Bia Bloom, Mr Martin said he thought the situation had been blown out of proportion as he insisted that he did not tell Mr Crowe to make the Dáil statement. The Taoiseach said: 'Cathal Crowe is a very solid TD and he doesn't need to be wrecked. 'I think people need to be careful not to be overreacting here. We have a peace process in Ireland that was sustained. We're at peace. 'I'm building reconciliation in Northern Ireland through the Shared Island Programme. There's no need to be fighting old wars. 'I don't think it merits this focus. I said to him, 'Everything is in perspective'. That's all. 'Cathal's views on the North are well known. Cathal's views, he studied history himself, are well known. 'He doesn't need to be correcting things, as far as I'm concerned. My view is things get said in the context of Gaza.' Mr Martin told one journalist to 'calm down' when he was asked if it was embarrassing and reminiscent of the controversial Fine Gael attempt to commemorate the RIC in 2020. The Taoiseach also said that Sinn Féin will try to 'provoke this and that kind of nonsense'.
