Latest news with #Fagan
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Tensions in Wexford over controversial placards as Gardai ‘continue to monitor situation'
Among the subjects broached on the signs are 'Chinese nail shops' which he claims are putting indigenous operations out of business and are breaching employment law. Long a source of frustration, and one which has been raised by elected representatives in the past, the protestor also targeted organised begging gangs operating in the town. 'They are not homeless,' his sign claims. 'They have never presented themselves as homeless in the town. They are professional beggars which is against the law.' Another placard points to an apparent growth in popularity of the name Muhammad in the UK, claiming 'this is Ireland's future in 15 to 20 years if we don't act now'. Having received complaints before, Gardaí on patrol confronted the man this week, pointing out that many could be of the opinion that the sentiments expressed on the placards are offensive. The man and some supporters around him became quite frustrated by the intervention of gardaí, stating their belief that the language was not offensive and that no crime was being committed. "Gardaí were getting real abuse,' one onlooker said. 'Fair dues to them for keeping calm in the situation. They were getting abuse for not dealing with 'real criminals'.' A garda source confirmed: "Gardaí on beat patrol happened upon this guy again. They explained to the man involved that the signs may be seen as offensive by some. We had received complaints previously. "We've had a couple of engagements with him and we are actively monitoring the situation.' In attendance on this occasion, filming the encounter was the self-dubbed 'Ordinary Irishman', Gearóid Kelly, from Camross, Co Wexford, who has made several outlandish and inaccurate claims about IPAS centres via his YouTube channel in the past, most notably claiming that Johnstown Castle was to be converted into refugee accommodation. Introducing himself as Hugh Fagan, the protestor outlined his gripe with 'the Roma beggars in the town'. "They're not homeless, they are professionally begging,' he said. 'There's four of them in it together.' He then goes on to make outlandish claims on the Roma community as a whole stating 'their culture consists of robbing, professional begging and sex trafficking'. On the subject of Chinese owned nail bars he said: 'They don't hire any Irish and Wexford town is really suffering. When one shop opens, two shops close and these don't hire any Irish.' Having been approached by gardaí, Mr Fagan also stated: 'There is no hate speech in a free society, there's just speech. It's okay to be offended. It's just another person's opinion. The reaction I've had has been brilliant. I've only had three issues, so the support is there.' When confronted by a passer-by who disagreed with his signs, Mr Fagan stated: 'There's nothing racist on here. Do you have an issue with free speech? You want people to be censored just because you don't like it?' Turning towards the gardaí, he said: 'You'd arrest me if people weren't here wouldn't you? You would. You'd move me on and you'd speak to me differently." Concerns over organised begging gangs operating in Wexford town centre are nothing new. Back when he was Mayor of Wexford, now Labour TD George Lawlor said that there was a problem with 'aggressive, in-your-face, intimidating begging' in the town. "It's not illegal to beg in Ireland,' he said at the time. 'But it is illegal to be involved in organised begging, which is clearly the case when these people arrive into town in an organised manner.' Just prior to his election to Dáil Éireann, Deputy Lawlor even suggested a 'permit system for ordinary decent beggars' to differentiate them from organised gangs.
7NEWS
3 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Brisbane's ‘silent assassin' Hugh McCluggage stamps All-Australian credential in Essendon win
Brisbane's 'silent assassin' has finally revealed himself, with Hugh McCluggage's career night grinding the Lions further towards a premiership defence and his own, overdue All-Australian blazer. The midfielder had a career-best 41 touches in his 194th AFL game in Thursday's 18-point defeat of Essendon at the Gabba. He added 13 inside 50s, 17 contested possessions, 12 score involvements and four tackles as the Lions held off the Bombers' spirited fightback. In his ninth AFL season, McCluggage has been a crucial piece of the Lions' rise from the cellar to the penthouse but he has never worn the blazer. Brisbane coach Chris Fagan hopes that comes soon, the 27-year-old adding some defensive intent to his silky distribution this year. 'Huge. That's a big game. He's worked harder on his pressure, defensive side of his game,' he said of McCluggage, whose six tackles a game this season is almost double his career average. 'He's always been good with the ball and is forever trying to improve. 'We talk about All-Australians. I hope at some point in time he wins one. 'He's been such a consistent player for us for the last six years. 'He goes about it in a quiet manner but gee he's effective, a silent assassin out there, really.' McCluggage and midfielder partner Josh Dunkley had the answers on Thursday in a 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72) after the Bombers had come from 32 points behind to lead by one in the final term. It meant they avoided another slip-up to a team outside the top eight after losses to Melbourne and a draw with North Melbourne in recent weeks. They are 4-1 against top-eight sides though, Fagan excited for an eight-day break before meeting fourth-placed Adelaide on the road next Friday. They then host the Giants before a game in Geelong and a round-16 bye. 'Our boys will look forward to that; we've performed pretty well against the other sides in the top eight,' he said. Three of the past four premiership winning sides have missed the finals in the subsequent year, while 2021 winners Melbourne made the following post-season but lost both finals games. The Lions (9-2-1) are on track to buck that trend, grinding through the gears with a smattering of AFL talent yet to return from injury. 'Geez, at this time of the year, you're just happy to get the wins,' Fagan said.
West Australian
4 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
'Silent assassin' fires, Lions relish tough run to bye
Brisbane's "silent assassin" has finally revealed himself, with Hugh McCluggage's career night grinding the Lions further towards a premiership defence and his own, overdue All Australian blazer. The midfielder had a career-best 41 touches in his 194th AFL game in Thursday's 18-point defeat of Essendon at the Gabba. He added 13 inside 50s, 17 contested possessions, 12 score involvements and four tackles as the Lions held off the Bombers' spirited fightback. In his ninth AFL season, McCluggage has been a crucial piece of the Lions' rise from the cellar to the penthouse but he has never worn the blazer. Brisbane coach Chris Fagan hopes that comes soon, the 27-year-old adding some defensive intent to his silky distribution this year. "Huge. That's a big game. He's worked harder on his pressure, defensive side of his game," he said of McCluggage, whose six tackles a game this season is almost double his career average. "He's always been good with the ball and is forever trying to improve. "We talk about All Australians. I hope at some point in time he wins one. "He's been such a consistent player for us for the last six years. "He goes about it in a quiet manner but gee he's effective, a silent assassin out there, really." McCluggage and midfielder partner Josh Dunkley had the answers on Thursday in a 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72) after the Bombers had come from 32 points behind to lead by one in the final term. It meant they avoided another slip-up to a team outside the top eight after losses to Melbourne and a draw with North Melbourne in recent weeks. They are 4-1 against top-eight sides though, Fagan excited for an eight-day break before meeting fourth-placed Adelaide on the road next Friday. They then host the Giants before a game in Geelong and a round-16 bye. "Our boys will look forward to that; we've performed pretty well against the other sides in the top eight," he said. Three of the past four premiership winning sides have missed the finals in the subsequent year, while 2021 winners Melbourne made the following post-season but lost both finals games. The Lions (9-2-1) are on track to buck that trend, grinding through the gears with a smattering of AFL talent yet to return from injury. "Geez, at this time of the year, you're just happy to get the wins," Fagan said.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
'Silent assassin' fires, Lions relish tough run to bye
Brisbane's "silent assassin" has finally revealed himself, with Hugh McCluggage's career night grinding the Lions further towards a premiership defence and his own, overdue All Australian blazer. The midfielder had a career-best 41 touches in his 194th AFL game in Thursday's 18-point defeat of Essendon at the Gabba. He added 13 inside 50s, 17 contested possessions, 12 score involvements and four tackles as the Lions held off the Bombers' spirited fightback. In his ninth AFL season, McCluggage has been a crucial piece of the Lions' rise from the cellar to the penthouse but he has never worn the blazer. Brisbane coach Chris Fagan hopes that comes soon, the 27-year-old adding some defensive intent to his silky distribution this year. "Huge. That's a big game. He's worked harder on his pressure, defensive side of his game," he said of McCluggage, whose six tackles a game this season is almost double his career average. "He's always been good with the ball and is forever trying to improve. "We talk about All Australians. I hope at some point in time he wins one. "He's been such a consistent player for us for the last six years. "He goes about it in a quiet manner but gee he's effective, a silent assassin out there, really." McCluggage and midfielder partner Josh Dunkley had the answers on Thursday in a 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72) after the Bombers had come from 32 points behind to lead by one in the final term. It meant they avoided another slip-up to a team outside the top eight after losses to Melbourne and a draw with North Melbourne in recent weeks. They are 4-1 against top-eight sides though, Fagan excited for an eight-day break before meeting fourth-placed Adelaide on the road next Friday. They then host the Giants before a game in Geelong and a round-16 bye. "Our boys will look forward to that; we've performed pretty well against the other sides in the top eight," he said. Three of the past four premiership winning sides have missed the finals in the subsequent year, while 2021 winners Melbourne made the following post-season but lost both finals games. The Lions (9-2-1) are on track to buck that trend, grinding through the gears with a smattering of AFL talent yet to return from injury. "Geez, at this time of the year, you're just happy to get the wins," Fagan said.
The National
5 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Inside a chaotic and combative Hamilton by-election hustings
The Labour councillor was sat in St Peter's chapel hall in Hamilton on Tuesday night, in front of 50-or-so locals looking to quiz the candidates ahead of the crucial by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse on June 5. But, of course, Fagan isn't a candidate. The SNP's Katy Loudon, the Scottish Socialist Party's Collette Bradley and Ann McGuinness from the Scottish Greens – all sat next to him – are. READ MORE: By-election hustings chaos as Tory candidate walks out over Labour no-show This is because Labour's actual candidate, Davy Russell, didn't even turn up. To call it a trend would be an understatement. During the campaign, Russell has not only dodged local hustings but also an upcoming STV debate, radio interviews and the media, in general. It has led to speculation that he is unable to 'string a handful of words together' and claims Labour are simply throwing in the towel to both the SNP and Reform UK, whose candidate Ross Lambie also wasn't in attendance at the hustings. Fagan shuffled his papers awkwardly as the Tory candidate Richard Nelson stood behind him and announced he wouldn't be taking part in the hustings, which was organised by campaign group No Cuts Lanarkshire. 'I don't think it's right that I debate the council leader,' Nelson said. 'I would have rather debated with Davy Russell (below), with the actual candidate. So, I'm going to withdraw from here because I don't think it's fair that the leader of the council comes on his behalf.' (Image: PA) This led to some claps from the audience. One woman said: 'Absolutely.' One man in attendance then added, seemingly referring to Nelson's withdrawal: 'Shocking. Absolutely shocking.' The same woman then asked: 'Why is it shocking?' She added soon after: 'Can I just ask. This is about candidates. Why is the leader of South Lanarkshire Council sitting at a top table? That shouldn't be happening.' The host then brought proceedings back into order, ushering in opening statements. First up, Fagan. He stands up, papers in hand, and rails against the SNP in a fairly long-winded speech. 'This new term for the Scottish Parliament has to represent a new start. It has to be about turning the page in almost 20 years of SNP this rule,' he said. READ MORE: Man charged following crossbow incident at Glasgow hospital The South Lanarkshire Council leader then spends much of this monologue advocating for more Scottish Government funding for councils and arguing that the Strathclyde pension fund should be investing more into the community. 'I want the next MSP for the area to be someone who supports us in those endeavours and brings us a fairer share of public spending to South Lanarkshire,' Fagan adds. The SNP's Loudon then steps up and first highlights that she is actually there in attendance. An easy win. 'I take every opportunity that is available to me to be available to you. Whether that's local hustings, local radio, speaking to people on the doors,' she said. 'Because this by-election, I'm not here to sit and lecture you or read out a multi-page speech. This is about electing a champion for this community.' (Image: NQ) Both the SSP's Bradley and McGuinness from the Scottish Greens, predictably, advocated for a more radical approach including a wealth tax to avoid further cuts. But the first question, when the floor was opened to the local residents in attendance, was about Russell's absence. The same woman who intervened before asked Fagan directly: 'How can you stand and say your speech and say about how Davy Russell is going to lead for the constituency, going to stand in Holyrood and speak for the people of this constituency when he can't turn up to radio interviews, when he can't turn up to hustings, when he can't speak without Anas Sarwar by his side?' Fagan said: 'Well, right now, he is at an event on the NHS.' She then responded: 'He's always at an event Joe.' It's a topic that was brought up again by several other local residents, including several highlighting that the NHS event was actually 'organised by the Labour Party'. But the palpable anger I felt in the room certainly wasn't reserved solely for Russell and his no-show. Local issues dominated much of the back and forth, with local residents questioning Fagan over the increase to the cost of South Lanarkshire's leisure and culture pass for older people, as well as concerns over cuts to school bus routes. READ MORE: Anas Sarwar slams 'poisonous man' Nigel Farage amid 'racist' Reform UK ad row One NHS worker took aim at both Fagan and Loudon, arguing there has been too much centralisation in the NHS under the SNP. He also slammed the Labour policy of decreasing the number of Scottish health boards from 12 to three. One man, who described himself as a Labour Party member but that he won't be voting for them this time, said party activists had knocked at his door 'five or six times'. But the local resident said he was concerned that they appeared to be more interested in whether or not he'd be voting for Reform UK than why he wouldn't be voting for them, which he said gave him the impression Labour are open to drifting even further right. 'I'm not sure that's possible,' he then added to easily the biggest applause of the evening. Loudon, meanwhile, was also questioned about a leaflet which, according to a resident, gave too much credit to an SNP councillor for saving a local sports hall. The SSP and Scottish Greens candidates occasionally contributed, mostly to highlight that these cuts wouldn't be an issue under their proposals to levy a wealth tax. But the hustings mostly descended into a combative back-and-forth between Loudon and Fagan. The one issue everyone agreed on? That Reform UK's ad targeting Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was 'racist'. The controversial advert has been condemned in strong terms by Sarwar himself and First Minister John Swinney. The video claims the Scottish Labour leader will 'prioritise' the Pakistani community in Scotland, as it plays clips of the politician urging more people from South Asian backgrounds to get involved in politics. 'When it comes to that kind of politics, if it looks like a racist and it sounds like a racist and it spends hundreds of pounds promoting a race-baiting ad like a racist on social media,' Fagan said. 'It's a good chance it's a racist. And I think we have to call out that kind of behaviour.' Loudon also later called out the ad. And while both Lambie and Reform leader Nigel Farage have defended it, no one from the party was there to do so again. After the No Cuts Lanarkshire host brought the event to a close, the local residents – minus a half dozen who walked out halfway through – shuffled out of the hall. As I waited for my taxi outside, I overheard someone say: 'If big Davy was there, he'd have been f***ing mauled'. You do get a feeling that Labour have simply given up. The SNP, meanwhile, may win simply by turning up. As I'm being driven out of Hamilton in a taxi, I'm greeted by a large billboard of Nigel Farage emblazoned with 'Hamilton needs Reform'. Regardless, the spectre of Reform UK certainly looms large ahead of June 5.
