Latest news with #Linehan
RTÉ News
29-05-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Bloom is set to feature a garden of reimagined waste with Repak
Ahead of their appearance at Bord Bia's Bloom, environmental not-for-profit organisation Repak has shared its latest research, revealing that 67% of Irish adults rate their recycling knowledge highly, but there is still room for improvement, as 71% don't know how to recycle bleach bottles correctly. To help close these knowledge gaps, Repak will host a 'Most Sorted Garden' at Bord Bia Bloom in Dublin's Phoenix Park this Thursday - Monday, welcoming thousands of visitors with hands-on tips and practical inspiration for better recycling habits at home and in the garden. Ahead of Ireland's premier garden festival, we spoke to journalist and sustainability advocate Jo Linehan about the festival and ways in which we can make our homes a little more eco-friendly "The festival itself has so many unbelievable sustainability initiatives," Linehan says of Bloom, noting that coffee grounds from the festival will be donated to OPW for fertilising material; reusable cups and glassware will be available to attendees; and multiple public transport options will be available so cars can be avoided. "Repak have designed a beautiful garden," she adds. "Everything in it will be what we, traditionally, would describe as waste items. They've reimagined so many things that we would throw away or recycle, and featured them as beautiful pieces in the garden." As the host of one of Repak's panel discussions, Linehan hopes that the garden will inspire attendees to open their minds to reusing household items. As it stands, three in five (60%) of people surveyed have used empty packaging for gardening purposes, such as starting seeds, as plant pots, for watering or for creating plant labels. "I think people are so innovative," Linehan says of the findings. "The fact that that many gardeners are thinking that way is amazing." Although the enthusiasm to recycle seems to be there, Linehan says that there is often a "knowledge gap" when it comes to organising our bins. According to the research, less than half of adults can correctly identify which bins tinfoil (44%), cosmetic jars (45%) and deodorant cans (50%) should go in, while 71% don't know how to recycle bleach bottles correctly. So, let's get straight to the answers: Tinfoil is recyclable as long as it is clean, dry, and loose. Cosmetic jars are recyclable as long as they are clean, dry and loose. Empty glass jars can be placed in the glass recycling bin, while plastic jars are typically recyclable with other plastics in the green / recycling bin at home. Deodorant cans can not be recycled as they are aerosols. Bleach & household cleaning bottles are recyclable as long as they are clean, dry and loose. This means you should rinse them to remove any residue, ensure they are completely dry, and place them loosely in the bin, without any bags, and with the lid on. As well as hosting a panel discussion featuring Repak Members Ballymaloe Foods, Britvic Ireland, Coca Cola HBC, Homestore and More, Lidl Ireland and Musgrave to explore the future of recycling, Linehan will be speaking across the weekend on topics including sustainable fashion and sustainable beauty. Over the five days of the festival, the journalist hopes to inspire optimistic, creative, and exciting conversations surrounding sustainability in Ireland. "We hear so much about the negatives of what's happening to the environment, but we never really hear about the amazing things," she muses. "It's lovely to shine a light on the things that are really good." When it comes to simple and effective ways to improve household recycling, Jo says to follow these four tips: Print out recycling guides and stick them on the fridge or above the bin. Every household is entitled to a brown compost bin - if you don't have one, get in touch with your bin supplier or apartment management. Add coffee grounds to the plants in your garden. Make a bird feeder from an empty plastic bottle - you can find handy tutorials on YouTube. "It can be a really overwhelming thing to say you're going to be more sustainable," she admits. "It's really difficult to do, so if the only thing you did was up your recycling a bit or get that compost bin and start using it, that would be massive." In fact, according to Repak, if every Bloom visitor decided to recycle one more item per day, it would result in 36.5 million more items diverted from landfill - the equivalent of 28 GAA pitches.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Falcon Heights adds paid parking zones for Minnesota State Fair
The Falcon Heights City Council voted Wednesday to create temporary paid parking zones during the Minnesota State Fair. The pay-by-mobile parking program will turn select city streets east of Snelling Avenue into paid parking zones, providing around 1,000 parking spots near the Fairgrounds, for a fee, according to a news release from the city. The program, which has a one-year agreement with ParkMobile, will charge a flat fee of $25 per day for vehicles to park between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. during the 12 days of the Fair. As part of the program, the city will also hire trained ambassadors to give directions, answer questions and enforce parking. The affected streets north of Larpenteur Avenue include: Asbury, Arona, Simpson, Pascal, Holton, Albert, Ruggles and Crawford. Affected avenues to the south of Larpenteur include: California, Idaho and Iowa. 'Pay-by-mobile parking provides an excellent solution to promote safety for our Falcon Heights residents and the hundreds of thousands of visitors we welcome to our city during the Minnesota State Fair,' said Falcon Heights Mayor Randy Gustafson in the release. If you're determined to find free parking and your go-to street now has a fee, Falcon Heights City Administrator Jack Linehan suggests trying the free park-and-ride options the Minnesota State Fair offers. As for residents who live on streets that are designated as a parking zone, they will receive one free parking pass delivered by mail starting in July with the option to request additional passes. The city estimates around 600 properties will be eligible for these passes. Attendees will be able to pay online via website, app or automated pay-by-phone line and enforcement will be tied to the vehicle's license plate. Should drivers fail to pay, parking violations will set them back $100 from Aug. 15 to Sept. 15, which is double the normal rate of $50, Linehan said. Los Lobos and Arrested Development among acts to play free Minnesota State Fair shows Family friendly Minnesota State Fair Grandstand show to pay tribute to Taylor Swift Hank Williams Jr. to play Minnesota State Fair Grandstand for the third time Ten years after she canceled, Meghan Trainor will headline the Minnesota State Fair Minnesota State Fair selling personalized tiles on its new Welcome Wall Falcon Heights will receive an estimated 80% of the parking fees, which the city anticipates could range from $100,000 to $200,000, Linehan said. The city will use its proceeds to support the ambassador program, cover fair costs and invest in its roads and infrastructure. 'We heard from our residents during this process on how we could improve the plan, and we believe the version adopted by the City Council will meet the needs of our community,' Gustafson said in the release. Temporary parking zone signs will be installed before the start of the Fair and removed after Labor Day.
The National
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Graham Linehan denies harassing transgender woman
The Irish comedy writer, 56, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday to deny the charges of harassing Sophia Brooks on social media and damaging her mobile in October. The Bafta-winning writer, who also came up with TV sitcoms The IT Crowd and Black Books, has become a strong vocal critic of the trans rights movement in recent years. Linehan, who created Father Ted in the 1990s with fellow Irish writer Arthur Mathews, said in a post on X in April that the allegations were related to an incident at the Battle of Ideas conference in London on October 19. Court documents show Linehan is charged with harassing the alleged victim by posting abusive comments about her on social media between October 11 and October 27, and damaging her phone to the value of £369 on the day of the conference. Speaking outside of the court, Linehan said: "For six years, ever since I began defending the rights of women and children against a dangerous ideology, I have faced harassment, abuse and threats. 'I've lost great deal, but I am still here, and I will not waver in my resolve.' Deputy District Judge Louise Balmain told Linehan his trial would take place on September 4 this year at the same court. He was freed on bail with the condition not to contact the complainant directly or indirectly.
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Father Ted creator Graham Linehan vows to continue trans rights fight after pleading not guilty to hate crime charges
FATHER Ted writer Graham Linehan vowed to continue criticising trans rights as he denied hate crime charges in court. He is accused of abusing trans activist Sophia Brooks on social media and They are described by prosecutors as hate crimes — but Linehan remained defiant after his court appearance yesterday. He told supporters outside Westminster magistrates court: 'I have pleaded not guilty and will defend this case at trial. In doing so, there is far more at stake than my own name. For six years, ever since I began defending the rights of women and children against a dangerous ideology, I have faced harassment, abuse and threats. 'I have lost a great deal but I am still here and I will not waver in my resolve.' Read More on TV The IT Crowd co-creator, who has also written for Brass Eye and The Fast Show, has a long-standing history of criticising the trans-rights movement. He has previously said that the charges relate to an incident at the Battle of Ideas conference in London last year. The Ireland-born writer was bailed at yesterday's hearing on the condition he does not contact his alleged victim. His trial was set for the same court on September 4. Most read in News TV Dozens of supporters, many unable to get inside owing to a lack of space, greeted Linehan outside the court. He thanked them for the support, also urging people to join the Free Speech Union. 1 Graham Linehan vowed to continue criticising trans rights as he denied hate crime charges in court Credit: PA
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Graham Linehan pleads not guilty to harassment of transgender woman
FATHER Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has pleaded not guilty to harassing a transgender woman and damaging her phone. The Irish comedy writer, 56, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday to deny the charges of harassing Sophia Brooks on social media and damaging her mobile in October. The Bafta-winning writer, who also came up with TV sitcoms The IT Crowd and Black Books, has become a strong vocal critic of the trans rights movement in recent years. Linehan, who created Father Ted in the 1990s with fellow Irish writer Arthur Mathews, said in a post on X in April that the allegations were related to an incident at the Battle of Ideas conference in London on October 19. Court documents show Linehan is charged with harassing the alleged victim by posting abusive comments about her on social media between October 11 and October 27, and damaging her phone to the value of £369 on the day of the conference. Speaking outside of the court, Linehan said: "For six years, ever since I began defending the rights of women and children against a dangerous ideology, I have faced harassment, abuse and threats. 'I've lost great deal, but I am still here, and I will not waver in my resolve.' Deputy District Judge Louise Balmain told Linehan his trial would take place on September 4 this year at the same court. He was freed on bail with the condition not to contact the complainant directly or indirectly.
