Latest news with #Dornan
The National
6 days ago
- Politics
- The National
MSP demands answers from Police Scotland over Kneecap 'safety concers'
It comes after Kneecap were axed from TRNSMT amid concerns raised by police over safety. They were due to perform at the festival on July 11 but organisers said the band would not be part of the line-up after concerns were expressed by police about safety at the event. Police Scotland said any decision on the line-up is for TRNSMT organisers, and that no prior consultation with the force was made before acts were booked. READ MORE: Kneecap announce new gig after being axed from TRNSMT James Dornan, MSP for Cathcart, has requested several pieces of information as well as for Police Scotland to reconsider their decision and to request for TRNSMT to reinstatement Kneecap on the line-up. The MSP wrote: "In order to alleviate public concern regarding potential threats or disruptions at the event, would be grateful if you could clarify the following: What credible information did Police Scotland possess indicating there was a risk of an attack or significant disruption should Kneecap perform on the proposed date? Were there any representations made to you by organisations- including religious bodies -individuals, public authorities, or political representatives, from any jurisdiction, that influenced this decision? Did the group's well-publicised pro-Palestine, criticism of the Israeli government, and anti-genocide stance contribute to this outcome? To what extent did the fact that the concert was scheduled for 11 July - the day before Glasgow hosts two major, and several smaller, Orange Walks - influence your advice? "While I recognise that certain information may be withheld for security reasons, it is crucial for public confidence that decisions of this nature are free from undue influence by political or (semi-) religious organisations. "It is equally important to understand if threats of public disorder prompted this course of action." Dornan further highlighted that the Irish band has "performed at numerous venues, both independently and alongside other artists, without incident or threat". Dornan (above) concluded by challenging chief constable Jo Farrell, writing: "The only reasonable conclusion, absent further information, is that Police Scotland feared that a high-profile, openly Irish Republican, pro-Palestine group might provoke hostility among some attendees of our multicultural, multi-faith city. "If this is the case, I, along with many others, would be deeply disappointed that Police Scotland has yielded to such pressures." Police Scotland have been contacted for comment. In April, First Minister John Swinney had called for the organiser of the July festival to reconsider the group performing, following footage emerging that allegedly showed a member saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' Earlier this month, Kneecap member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged under the name Liam O'Hanna by the Metropolitan Police with a terror offence over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig in November last year. The group, also made up of Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, apologised last month to the families of murdered MPs but said footage of the incident had been 'exploited and weaponised'. They also said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, both of which are banned in the UK.
Rhyl Journal
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Rachael Blackmore announces retirement from riding
The 35-year-old made international headlines in 2021 when she teamed up with the Henry de Bromhead-trained Minella Times to win the world's greatest steeplechase at Aintree – the first woman to do so in the then 182-year history of the race. In a statement, Blackmore said 'My days of being a jockey have come to an end. 'I feel the time is right. I'm sad but I'm also incredibly grateful for what my life has been for the past 16 years. I just feel so lucky, to have been legged up on the horses I have, and to have experienced success I never even dreamt could be possible.' Prior to her Grand National triumph Blackmore had already become the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle aboard Honeysuckle that year and in 2022 she secured another first when steering A Plus Tard to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Having won the two-mile Champion Chase at the 2024 Festival with Captain Guinness, Bob Olinger's Stayers' Hurdle win in March meant Blackmore ticked off the final championship event at Cheltenham – a feat very few jockeys complete during their career and putting Blackmore further out on her own among female riders. Her statement continued: 'The people to thank are endless, it's not possible to mention everyone (as I don't want this to be another book) but I'm going to get a few names in here anyway and to everyone else, you know who you are, as they say. 'Firstly, my parents who provided me with the best childhood, and a pony I couldn't hold! This set the seed for a life of racing. Aidan Kennedy gave me my first ride in a point-to-point. I spent time riding out for Arthur Moore and Pat Doyle which I loved. Sam Curling and Liam Lennon were also big supporters as was Denise O' Shea, John Nicholson, Ellmarie Holden, Harry Smyth and Gigginstown House Stud. 'I rode my first winner for Shark Hanlon, who then helped me become champion conditional. I will be forever grateful to Shark for getting behind me, supporting me and believing in me when it would have been just as easy to look elsewhere. He was the catalyst for what was to come. 'A conversation between Eddie O'Leary and Henry de Bromhead in a taxi on the way to Aintree took my career to a whole new level. Eddie got me in the door at Knockeen, and what came next was unimaginable: Honeysuckle, A Plus Tard, Minella Indo, Captain Guinness, Bob Olinger, Minella Times, among many others… all with one thing in common – Henry de Bromhead. 'He's a phenomenal trainer, who brought out the best in me. Without Henry, my story is very different. 'To my sponsors over the years. Dornan, KPMG, Volvo, Betfair, PCI Insurance, thank you for your support. To Garry Cribbin, who looked after me as my agent since day one with professionalism and friendship. To Rebecca Matthews who managed (and hopefully will continue to manage!) the non-horse related requests. To Willie Mullins who provided me with success throughout my career. 'To all the team in Knockeen who do such incredible work looking after all the horses, without you and all the stable staff across the country, winners don't happen. To Davy Roche, whose help was invaluable when I was privileged enough to have a choice in a race. 'To all the amazing doctors, surgeons and physios who looked after me over the years. To all the wonderful owners who trusted me and gave me the opportunity to do what I love doing. To everyone I shared the weigh room with, I'll miss being in there with you. 'To all my great friends – you made winning special. Brian Hayes won't enjoy getting a mention, but he was more important to my career than I'll ever be able to thank him for. 'It is daunting, not being able to say that I am a jockey anymore… who even am I now! But I feel so incredibly lucky to have had the career I've had. To have been in the right place at the right time with the right people, and to have gotten on the right horses – because it doesn't matter how good you are without them. They have given me the best days of my life and to them I am most grateful.' Blackmore rode her first winner as a professional in 2015 and bows out with 18 Cheltenham Festival victories on her CV. She had been booked to ride at Sligo and Tipperary in the coming days but her decision to retire with immediate effect means Blackmore's final career success came aboard Ma Belle Etoile, fittingly trained by her long-time ally De Bromhead, at Cork on Saturday.
North Wales Chronicle
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Rachael Blackmore announces retirement from riding
The 35-year-old made international headlines in 2021 when she teamed up with the Henry de Bromhead-trained Minella Times to win the world's greatest steeplechase at Aintree – the first woman to do so in the then 182-year history of the race. In a statement, Blackmore said 'My days of being a jockey have come to an end. 'I feel the time is right. I'm sad but I'm also incredibly grateful for what my life has been for the past 16 years. I just feel so lucky, to have been legged up on the horses I have, and to have experienced success I never even dreamt could be possible.' Prior to her Grand National triumph Blackmore had already become the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle aboard Honeysuckle that year and in 2022 she secured another first when steering A Plus Tard to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Having won the two-mile Champion Chase at the 2024 Festival with Captain Guinness, Bob Olinger's Stayers' Hurdle win in March meant Blackmore ticked off the final championship event at Cheltenham – a feat very few jockeys complete during their career and putting Blackmore further out on her own among female riders. Her statement continued: 'The people to thank are endless, it's not possible to mention everyone (as I don't want this to be another book) but I'm going to get a few names in here anyway and to everyone else, you know who you are, as they say. 'Firstly, my parents who provided me with the best childhood, and a pony I couldn't hold! This set the seed for a life of racing. Aidan Kennedy gave me my first ride in a point-to-point. I spent time riding out for Arthur Moore and Pat Doyle which I loved. Sam Curling and Liam Lennon were also big supporters as was Denise O' Shea, John Nicholson, Ellmarie Holden, Harry Smyth and Gigginstown House Stud. 'I rode my first winner for Shark Hanlon, who then helped me become champion conditional. I will be forever grateful to Shark for getting behind me, supporting me and believing in me when it would have been just as easy to look elsewhere. He was the catalyst for what was to come. 'A conversation between Eddie O'Leary and Henry de Bromhead in a taxi on the way to Aintree took my career to a whole new level. Eddie got me in the door at Knockeen, and what came next was unimaginable: Honeysuckle, A Plus Tard, Minella Indo, Captain Guinness, Bob Olinger, Minella Times, among many others… all with one thing in common – Henry de Bromhead. 'He's a phenomenal trainer, who brought out the best in me. Without Henry, my story is very different. 'To my sponsors over the years. Dornan, KPMG, Volvo, Betfair, PCI Insurance, thank you for your support. To Garry Cribbin, who looked after me as my agent since day one with professionalism and friendship. To Rebecca Matthews who managed (and hopefully will continue to manage!) the non-horse related requests. To Willie Mullins who provided me with success throughout my career. 'To all the team in Knockeen who do such incredible work looking after all the horses, without you and all the stable staff across the country, winners don't happen. To Davy Roche, whose help was invaluable when I was privileged enough to have a choice in a race. 'To all the amazing doctors, surgeons and physios who looked after me over the years. To all the wonderful owners who trusted me and gave me the opportunity to do what I love doing. To everyone I shared the weigh room with, I'll miss being in there with you. 'To all my great friends – you made winning special. Brian Hayes won't enjoy getting a mention, but he was more important to my career than I'll ever be able to thank him for. 'It is daunting, not being able to say that I am a jockey anymore… who even am I now! But I feel so incredibly lucky to have had the career I've had. To have been in the right place at the right time with the right people, and to have gotten on the right horses – because it doesn't matter how good you are without them. They have given me the best days of my life and to them I am most grateful.' Blackmore rode her first winner as a professional in 2015 and bows out with 18 Cheltenham Festival victories on her CV. She had been booked to ride at Sligo and Tipperary in the coming days but her decision to retire with immediate effect means Blackmore's final career success came aboard Ma Belle Etoile, fittingly trained by her long-time ally De Bromhead, at Cork on Saturday.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Anthony Mackie, Jamie Dornan Heist Series '12 12 12′ Casts Jack Kesy
Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan's upcoming heist series at Apple TV+ has added Jack Kesy to its cast, Variety has learned. The series landed at Apple back in May 2024. The official logline for the series states: ''12 12 12′ unfolds across the three propulsive timelines of a heist: the 12 months of planning, the 12 hours of the heist, and the 12 days following the heist. The series follows a disgraced FBI agent (Mackie) and an American career criminal (Dornan) who play a zero-sum game of cat and mouse across Europe. At the center of it all is the daring, epic raid on a bank vault deep beneath the streets of Zurich.' More from Variety Ayo Edebiri and Will Sharpe to Lead Rom-Com Series 'Prodigies' for Apple TV+ Corey Stoll Joins 'Imperfect Women' Limited Series at Apple TV+ Joel Kinnaman Joins Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington in Apple TV+ Series 'Imperfect Women' Kesy most recently starred in the feature 'Hellboy: The Crooked Man,' making him the third actor to portray the iconic comic book character onscreen following Ron Perlman and David Harbour. His other film roles include 'Deadpool 2,' 'The Killer,' 'Sheroes,' and '12 Strong.' In television, Kesy has previously starred in shows like 'The Strain' and 'Claws.' He is repped by Paradigm and Range Media Partners. '12 12 12' is created by Dudi Appleton and Jim Keeble, who will also executive produce. Kari Skogland will direct the pilot and executive produce. Dornan and Mackie executive produce, with Mackie executive producing under his Make It With Gravy production banner. Jason Spire of Inspire Entertainment will executive produce alongside David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Matt Thunell for Skydance Television, with Anonymous Content executive producing. The series is a co-production between Anonymous Content and Skydance TV. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
Sky News
14-04-2025
- Sky News
MSP James Dornan reveals attempted murder charge as teenager after success of Netflix show Adolescence
An SNP MSP has revealed he was charged with attempted murder when he was 15 years old. James Dornan, 72, said the incident still sticks to him "like a curse". Speaking to The National newspaper, the politician said he was walking the streets of Battlefield in 1968 in the southside of Glasgow when one of his friends ran across the road and challenged two young boys. He said he then ran over and punched one of the boys, who was later hit with a weapon by one of his friends, leaving him seriously injured. His charge was later reduced to common assault and he received a £15 fine and two years' probation. The MSP for Glasgow Cathcart said he decided to open up about the ordeal 57 years later due to the release of the hit Netflix drama Adolescence. The series follows a 13-year-old boy arrested over the murder of a young girl and the impact it has on his family. Mr Dornan said he has not watched the show, explaining: "I find this quite traumatic and very difficult emotionally to look at something that triggers things that have happened in my past, having just seen the clips. "When you're a young man, you do things without thinking of the repercussions and then the repercussions just expand, and everyone is caught up in it. "I didn't want to see two actors playing a very emotional role that I could see being my mum and dad. "Stephen Graham is a magnificent actor. He acts with his heart, and I think that's why I would've found it very difficult. He reminds me of my dad." Mr Dornan said he felt "shame and fear" following the incident. He said: "The first bad bit was when my dad came down (to the police station) because my dad was straight as a die and this sort of thing was just awful. "I felt shame and fear. I felt shame my mum would be suffering but also that my dad was going to have to go through this and at the same time I felt fear because I had no idea what was going to happen to me. "I am now 57 years away from that incident and I still feel responsible for lots of things that have happened because of it, how people felt because of that incident. "I don't think about it all the time but one of the problems I've got is I carry guilt about with me. It sticks with you like a curse. It never leaves you." Mr Dornan praised the show's message around toxic masculinity. He said: "It astounds me that we've now created a society where big sections think the denigration of women is acceptable behaviour. "That's what I like about Adolescence. I hope it will engender the debate."
