Latest news with #Leahy
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Cork man Cian's mobile horsebox barbershop going down a storm with his growing custom base
Cian Leahy opened his business 'Giddy Up Cutz' nine months ago after working for various barbershops in Cork for a decade. Mr Leahy was inspired while he visited a coffee trailer and observed that a barber chair could fit into the area. 'I ended up going to a coffee trailer and I was watching the baristas walk around inside it and I thought to myself that a barber chair could fit into one of those. 'Then the next day I went to view one and when I was there, I said to myself 'yes, a chair will fit in there' and I went with it,' he said. The barbershop is the first of its kind in Ireland and is kitted out with a authentic barber chair, a TV, music and a mirror. Mr Leahy said after working for other business owners for a decade, it was time for him to 'do his own thing.' 'I built a strong enough customer base for them to follow me and it worked out. 'Mostly children love it because they love the idea that they are going to a horse box, like from the outside it is a horse box but from the inside it's a barber shop. 'I want people to feel comfortable inside there as well,' he said. He said that he loves chatting to customers, especially the elderly. 'I love talking to the older generation because they will have stories about the villages you're in, and they would know the history behind this and that.' 'Also, I love meeting new people and clients can become friends quicker than anyone else. 'Like, say you have a problem with a car, I could have 15 different clients who could recommend 15 different mechanics. 'Everyone will help you, which is a great thing,' he added. Mr Leahy prides himself in offering an Autism friendly atmosphere, with quiet machines, the ability to put cartoons or sensory videos on for Autistic people, as well as offering a quiet service. People have travelled from the likes of Fermoy for his Autism friendly service. 'People would come from all over to the honest. I would get Instagram messages saying people are coming from Fermoy, and I'm like 'oh, fair enough'.' 'Parents might show their kids a video of the horse box and they might think it's cool and they want to go. 'They will already feel more comfortable, and I'd throw on whatever cartoon they want on the TV or even turn everything off, if they would prefer that,' he said. Mr Leahy said acquiring a licence was 'hard' due to the uniqueness of the business. 'It was very hard to get a licence at the very start because you're trying to tell an insurance company that it is a barbershop, but it has wheels and is in a horse box, and they were like 'what now?',' he laughed. 'It is the very first made one in Ireland, so they (the insurance company) hadn't a clue, but I got one in the end after going through about eight different people,' he concluded. Giddy Up Cutz offers its services at the Boathouse in Dripsey from 10am to 6pm on Thursdays, Bweeng (beside Morey's Chipper) on Friday (12pm-7pm) and Saturday (11am-6pm) and Blarney (behind the Church) on Sunday from 9:30am-4:30pm). Follow @giddy_up_cutz on Instagram.
The Journal
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Cork TD says he 'wasn't speaking as councillor' when he made comments about Travellers on radio
CORK TD Ken O'Flynn has told SIPO that he was not speaking within the capacity of his role as a local councillor when he made comments about the Traveller community on Red FM radio. O'Flynn also argued that comments were 'legitimate commentary' and within his rights to freedom of expression. O'Flynn appeared before the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) in a preliminary application hearing today in order to request that the investigation into his comments not go ahead. The Commission is investigating whether O'Flynn, who was an elected local councillor at the time, broke the rules of the councillor's Code of Conduct, or the Local Government Act, during an interview with Neil Prendeville about a report into the living conditions for Traveller children at a halting site in Ballyvolane, Cork City, in 2021, and in his subsequent posts on social media. His legal representative, Brian Leahy BL, argued that at the time that the Independent Ireland TD made the comments he was not doing so in the capacity of his role as a local councillor, though he was speaking as a 'local politician'. This was contested by the SIPO legal representative, Conor Feeney BL, who said that the code of conduct the complaint relates to specifies that actions which are 'inconsistent' with the proper functions of a councillor's role within a local authority should be considered too. Feeney further pointed out that the City Council has a statutory role in relation to the Spring Lane halting site, and so therefore it could be considered that there is a 'sufficient connection' between the subject matter of the interview and the role of a councillor. Leahy argued that though O'Flynn was speaking in his capacity was a local politician, he was not fulfilling any function of his role within the local authority. Leahy further said that the transcript of the interview before the Commission was incorrect. It shows that O'Flynn said: 'What are they now, an ethnic minority', where in actuality he said, 'What are they now, lauded as an ethnic minority'. Advertisement 'Which could be better or worse depending on your view,' Leahy said. He said that Mr O'Flynn made the comments in an interview segment that dealt with the fallout from the Ombudsman for Children's Office 'No End in Site' report, which criticised Cork City Council's actions in relation to the conditions children were living in in the Spring Lane halting site in 2021, specifically damp accommodation, pest infestation, and illegal dumping. Leahy put forth that O'Flynn was chiefly taking issue with the way the report was conducted, as was his right to do. He said that Mr O'Flynn was 'stating the facts' when he said that there is an accommodation issue within the Traveller community, that Travellers are an ethnic minority group, and that it was not his intention to offend anyone. O'Flynn clarified that after the complaint came through, he unliked a number of comments about Travellers on Facebook that were mentioned in the complaint. He said that at least four people – who are personally connected to him – have access to his social media accounts, so he could not be sure that it was him that liked all of the comments that were objected to. The Commission will now consider the primary application made by O'Flynn to dismiss the complaint, and that will determine whether the full investigation, or any investigation will go ahead. The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) previously criticised O'Flynn's comments on the radio, saying that his contribution lacked balance and had the effect of stigmatising residents of the halting site. However, an earlier complaint to Cork City Council's ethics registrar was dismissed. O'Flynn was one of only three councillors to vote against an €18 million Traveller accommodation upgrade for the Spring Lane site in 2024. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Independent Ireland TD appears before SIPO over 2021 Red FM interview
Independent Ireland TD Ken O'Flynn has appeared before the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) following comments he made on local radio during a discussion of the Spring Lane, Ellis's Yard halting site at Ballyvolane, Co Cork. His barrister, Brian Leahy, sought to have the investigation by the ethics watchdog ended, citing a number of grounds including freedom of expression and the European Convention on Human Rights. Mr O'Flynn did not intend to offend or hurt anybody and regrets if anybody was hurt, Mr Leahy said, noting that his client is a "married gay man". Following the preliminary hearing, SIPO will deliberate and decide whether or not a full investigation into Mr O'Flynn's conduct will proceed. Conor Feeney, BL, legal representative for SIPO, said that the commission "is empowered" to reconsider its decision to investigate the matter, which relates to alleged breaches of the Local Government Act (2001) and the Standards in Public Office Act (2001) when Mr Flynn was a councillor. Mr O'Flynn was elected to the Dáil in Cork North-Central at the last general election. Mr Feeney said that during an interview on 16 June, 2021 with Red FM, Mr O'Flynn is said to have made "inaccurate and misleading" statements which are "indicative of a biased view of members of the Travellers community". On his Facebook account, Mr O'Flynn is also said to have published statements demonstrating a biased view of members of the Travellers community, Mr Feeney said. He also allegedly failed to monitor and remove remarks of an "inflammatory and derogatory nature" and endorsed other comments using the "like" feature, Mr Feeney added. These alleged breaches "collectively amount to a specificed act" under Section 4 of the Standards in Public Office Act 2001, Mr Feeney said. Representing Mr O'Flynn, Brain Leahy BL said that the preliminary application to have the matter dismissed was brought on a number of grounds. These include an alleged discrepancy between the transcript and audio recording of the Red FM interview, where remarks attributed to Mr O Flynn - Mr Leahy said - were not in fact made by Mr O'Flynn. SIPO will listen to the full recording of the interview during its deliberations, Mr Feeney noted. Mr Leahy also said that the interview was not an official duty, and Mr O'Flynn was not carrying out functions as a member of local authority when conducting it. "He wasn't instructed by the mayor to go onto Red FM," Mr Leahy said, but answering questions from SIPO members later acknowledged that differentiating between official and unofficial functions is "nuanced". Mr Leahy said that the "cherry-picking of his social media posts" is "not a fair reflection of [Mr O'Flynn's] attitude to the Traveller community". It is "merely a sample" of those comments. Deputy O'Flynn has had "half a million interactions" on Facebook since setting up his political account, his lawyer said. Mr Leahy also said that Mr O'Flynn is protected under freedom of expression, and the European Convention on Human Rights. While "not a free speech absolutist", Mr Leahy warned against a situation where "we are constantly looking over our shoulders" and afraid to make certain comments. He acknowledged the possibility of "stepping on peoples' toes". He said Mr O'Flynn understands the difficulty of people being insulted, but "this is the joys of living in the modern world of social media". "He doesn't want to offend anybody for the sake of offence," Mr Leahy added. "He doesn't believe that he has been offensive," but wants to solve problems, the lawyer said. The Red FM discussion was "an interview about housing and housing problems". But if Mr O'Flynn has been offensive, "he didn't mean it," Mr Leahy said. Mr Leahy said that he intends to seek costs if he is successful in today's application. He also told the commission that he "had to use UK law to deal with this", as "there doesn't seem to be anything" from the courts "on this question yet in this jurisdiction".
Hospitality Net
14-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Amy Leahy has been appointed Director of Sales and Marketing at Kimpton Gray Hotel in Chicago
Kimpton Gray Hotel is pleased to announce the appointment of Amy Leahy as Director of Sales and Marketing, bringing over a decade of hospitality experience and a people-first leadership style to the landmark Loop property. Born and raised in Chicago, Leahy has spent her entire career working in the local market. She began her hospitality journey as a catering coordinator, learning the ropes of the industry and gradually working her way up through various roles. This deep connection to the city and her comprehensive understanding of its hospitality landscape have been instrumental in shaping her leadership style and approach to sales and marketing. Leahy joins The Gray from Kimpton Hotel Monaco Chicago, where she spent the last several years overseeing sales initiatives in one of the city's most competitive micro-markets. During her tenure, she successfully led the team through the hotel's brand repositioning, transitioning the property to an independent concept while strengthening its market presence and guest appeal. This experience further sharpened her skills in strategic development, brand storytelling, and team cohesion—expertise she now brings to her new role at Kimpton Gray Hotel. In her new role, Leahy will oversee all sales and marketing efforts for the 293-room hotel, including brand partnerships, group and corporate sales strategy, and long-term positioning. She is especially focused on team growth and development, noting that investing in people is key to long-term success. Leahy is passionate about the sense of purpose behind each guest's stay. Whether it's a business trip, a family getaway, or a couple celebrating a special occasion, she believes the goal remains the same: to anticipate needs, provide a genuine welcome, and tailor each experience to the individual, ensuring it's a memorable one. When she's not at the hotel, Leahy is busy raising three young children but enjoys exploring Chicago. One of her favorite pastimes is grabbing coffee from her go-to local spot, Dollop, while taking in the sights of her neighborhood. She also has a deep appreciation for hotel lobbies, and The Gray's "Living Room" lobby is one of her favorites. Its cozy, inviting atmosphere makes it the perfect spot for people-watching and enjoying the aesthetic. For more information about Kimpton Gray Hotel, visit or follow along on Instagram and Facebook.
Irish Examiner
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
'It's a grim marker': Cork musician to perform his song about housing crisis outside Dáil for 157th time
'It's a grim marker, it's no celebration,' Cork singer-songwriter Martin Leahy said ahead of the three-year anniversary of his weekly housing protest outside the Dáil. Mr Leahy will perform the song he wrote about the housing crisis while facing eviction, 'Everyone Should Have a Home', for the 157th time on Thursday. He will be joined by politicians, activists and other musicians to mark the three-year anniversary at the gates of the Dáil. Mr Leahy, a respected musician who has worked with some of Ireland's biggest songwriters, including Christy Moore and John Spillane, has travelled from West Cork to Dublin every Thursday for the protest. Mr Leahy wrote the song 'Everyone Should Have a Home' as a personal response to the housing crisis, upon hearing he was to lose his home as his landlord was selling the property. For the first time in 27 years of renting, he found himself struggling to rent, with prices having risen so sharply he had been priced out of the overheated market in 2022. Martin Leahy: 'I feel that it's important to lift the shame that is felt by so many people around this housing crisis. People can feel that they have done something wrong in their lives because housing is unaffordable for them, but it's not their fault.' Picture: Moya Nolan Mr Leahy then travelled to the Dáil out of a sense of hopelessness and despair and staged his one-person protest at the Dáil. 'It was the first time I had ever done anything like this and it felt empowering and worthwhile,' Mr Leahy said. 'I also feel that it's important to lift the shame that is felt by so many people around this housing crisis. People can feel that they have done something wrong in their lives because housing is unaffordable for them, but it's not their fault. It's a failure on the part of Government. It's important to me to take a stand as one person and say that we should not accept this crisis as part of life. Homeless figures have continued to creep up since his protest began. This year, there has been a small but steady month-on-month increase in those relying on emergency accommodation. In March, 10,743 adults and 4,675 children were homeless and staying in temporary accommodation. 'When I started, I thought the crisis was at its peak,' Mr Leahy said 'I couldn't have imagined that it would have gotten any worse." His protest aims to challenge this. 'A lot of people are homeless and not able to afford rent. They might see it as a reflection of themselves and have shame around it. 'But it's not their fault. The fault for this is with the Government in my view. For people not to be able to afford basic human rights, that's not their fault. There should be no shame in talking about it." Average monthly rents were at almost €2,000 per month nationally, with a 5.7% increases in rental costs last year, according to analysis from Cork City rents rose by 10% in the final quarter of last year. In Limerick City, rents were up 19%. Rents rose by 4% in Dublin last year,to an average of €2,481 per month. Three years after he first started his protest, Mr Leahy has found somewhere to rent in Bandon. But it took six months of staying with friends as one of the thousands of 'hidden homeless'. Having nowhere to go other than emergency accommodation was terrifying, he said. 'I felt lucky that I had people to stay with for the six months. Martin Leahy: 'When I started, I thought the crisis was at its peak. I couldn't have imagined that it would have gotten any worse.' Both affordability and availability are problems for many renters now, he said. Having a home to rent now, in Bandon, West Cork, has made him feel 'more secure'. But he also now feels an extra energy to continue with the protests. 'Because of going through it and hearing about the people in much worse situations than I was. People with families are being evicted. 'If I had my way, there'd be somebody outside the Dáil all the time [protesting]. 'I can only do my one day but I just don't think that it should be accepted. It's a relatively recent thing this crisis. But I feel that it's pushing on so long now I have a fear that it will start to become accepted as part of life here and it shouldn't be. 'That's the reason I keep doing it [protesting]. 'It shouldn't be accepted and I want to go up there and just say 'this is not acceptable'. Mr Leahy will be joined by politicians, activists and fellow musician Jimi Cullen on Thursday from 1pm-2pm outside the Dáil. Guest speakers will include Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin, Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne, and People Before Profit's Paul Murphy. Read More Mick Clifford: Cork musician has his own lyrical way of protesting about the housing crisis
