Latest news with #NeilPrendevilleShow
The Journal
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
TD Ken O'Flynn says he didn't know La-Z-Boy was a brand and just wanted what ‘everyone else has'
INDEPENDENT IRELAND TD Ken O'Flynn has said he was unaware that La-Z-Boy was a 'brand' and that he just requested what 'everyone else is provided with'. In an email in mid-February to the Leinster House facilities management, O'Flynn looked for ten separate items for his parliamentary office to 'enhance the workspace's comfort and functionality.' That included a La-Z-Boy recliner as 'comfortable seating' for use during break periods and office meetings – such seats often retail at well over €1,000. However, in an interview on the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork's RedFM, O'Flynn said he didn't know where the €1,000 price tag came from. When it was noted by host Prendeville that La-Z-Boy chairs are routinely priced in excess of €1,000, O'Flynn said he was unaware that La-Z-Boy was a brand and that he thought the term referred to a style of chair. O'Flynn said he 'didn't realise they were a brand and I just thought it was the name of the chair'. He added that he uses the term 'La-Z-Boy' for a style of chair that 'goes back slightly' and that there is 'no footrest' on the chair. Meanwhile, O'Flynn had been at loggerheads with Oireachtas management over delays in getting his office fitted out since he was elected. He told RedFM that he 'was assigned an office in the engineering block, which is outside Leinster House'. 'When I went into an office, there was a table but no chairs, no shelves, there were empty paint cans in the middle of the floor, a big stain on the carpet, and not even a chair for me to sit down at the computer'. He added that he and his staff were 'waiting six weeks for a laptop to be provided'. 'I wrote to the facilities manager and said, 'please, can I have some furniture? Could you take out the rubbish that was left from the previous occupant and could you provide furniture?'' Advertisement O'Flynn said it took six months for him to be assigned an office inside Leinster House and that he was working out of Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins's office 'on part of his desk'. The Independent Ireland TD had had frosty relations with the Oireachtas since his appointment and in January accused them of a 'disregard for the dignity' of his office in a row over lengthy delays in the fit-out of his office. He told RedFM that he 'looked around at what every Senator and TD has' and that the offices contained what O'Flynn described as a 'La-Z-Boy'. 'I requested the exact same furniture that's inside every other TD's office. 'It's a bit misleading to say that I requested a €1,000 chair, I requested a chair to come out of the stockroom where they have chairs but they're out of them.' In response to his request in mid-February, the Oireachtas said they had no recliners in stock and that they were not 'commonly purchased'. When asked if his request 'flies in the face' of previous criticisms of government spending, O'Flynn said he just 'asked them to take a chair out of the stockroom that they have, that everyone else is provided with'. 'I haven't asked for designer wallpaper or floor-to-ceiling mirrors,' said O'Flynn in reference to requests that had been made by other TDs. 'I am just asking to have a proper office after six months of not having an office,' said O'Flynn, 'and an exhausting amount of emails back and forth about where the office is going to be. 'I don't think I asked for anything extraordinary or marvelous, I think it has been blown out of proportion by certain members of the media. 'They're a normal chair, it's just that the back of it goes back.' O'Flynn said he ended up being provided with an 'old-school chair'. -With additional reporting from Ken Foxe 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
Sunday World
05-05-2025
- General
- Sunday World
Young man who drowned in Cork river had a ‘caring nature,' funeral hears
Luke Hyde (33) got in to difficulties while swimming across the river from Pope's Quay to Lavitt's Quay A man who drowned in the river Lee in Cork earlier this week had his own troubles in life but never hesitated to reach out and help others, his requiem mass has heard. Luke Hyde (33), from Wolfe Tone Street in Cork, got in to difficulties while swimming across the river from Pope's Quay to Lavitt's Quay shortly before 7pm on Wednesday. Mr Hyde's mother, Lily, contacted the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork's Red FM in the aftermath of the incident. She spoke about the shock she experienced when she arrived at the quayside to find that onlookers were filming events instead of going to the aid of her son. Ms Hyde read the two main readings at the funeral of her son at the North Cathedral church in Cork this morning. She also placed the crucifix and a copy of the bible on the coffin of her son. A framed picture of Luke was also on the coffin. He had started a new job in a supermarket in Douglas in Cork last week. Lily Hyde has lost two sons in five years. Her son Brian died in his sleep in 2019. Luke was the youngest of her adult children and they shared a close bond. Parish priest Fr Marius O'Reilly told mourners at the 10am requiem mass today that Luke didn't have it easy in life having lost his father Michael when he was a young boy. Fr O'Reilly noted that Luke subsequently had to grieve the death of his older brother Brian. Luke Hyde drowned while swimming in the River Lee last Wednesday Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 5th Fr O'Reilly stated that in spite of all the tragedy Luke experienced in life he still retained his loving nature. 'These (losses) had a big impact on him at such a young age. But the thing that everyone seems to talk about is what a gentle person he was. He had a loving, caring nature. 'I even heard how he would love the animals and even the worms. How he would look after even worms — wanting to care for them. That is not something you would hear about too often. 'He was also someone who would reach out to people and try to help people. He had his own troubles. But he was a great lesson to all of us in that sense.' Fr O'Reilly told mourners that Luke loved sport and played with the Na Piarsaigh Hurling and Football Club in Cork city. 'Sport was something that was very important to him in this life. He played with Na Piarsaigh. He ws a rare breed — A Leeds United supporter. There are not many of those around. They (Leeds) had a good year.)' He added that Ms Hyde had asked him to thank the gardaí, the emergency services, medics and the local community for their assistance and support since the loss of Luke. Prayers of the Faithful were recited by nuns from the Missions of Charity Sisters in Blarney, Co Cork with whom Luke had a 'good relationship.' Fr Con Doherty, a family friend from the Sacred Heart Church in the Western Road, also celebrated the mass alongside Fr O'Reilly. Commendation prayers were recited by Bishop Emeritus, John Buckley, who also comforted the relatives of the deceased. The coffin was carried from the church for burial as a soloist sang the hymn 'Going Home.' The mother of the late Luke Hyde shook the hands of well wishers as she walked behind the remains of her son. Mr Hyde is survived by his son Leon, his mother Lily, siblings Michael, Mark and Lucia, extended family and a large circle of friends. He was buried at St Catherine's cemetery in Kilcully, Co Cork.
Irish Independent
05-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Man who drowned in Cork had a ‘caring nature,' funeral hears
Luke Hyde (33), from Wolfe Tone Street in Cork, got in to difficulties while swimming across the river from Pope's Quay to Lavitt's Quay shortly before 7pm on Wednesday. Mr Hyde's mother, Lily, contacted the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork's Red FM in the aftermath of the incident. She spoke about the shock she experienced when she arrived at the quayside to find that onlookers were filming events instead of going to the aid of her son. Ms Hyde read the two main readings at the funeral of her son at the North Cathedral church in Cork this morning. She also placed the crucifix and a copy of the bible on the coffin of her son. A framed picture of Luke was also on the coffin. He had started a new job in a supermarket in Douglas in Cork last week. Lily Hyde has lost two sons in five years. Her son Brian died in his sleep in 2019. Luke was the youngest of her adult children and they shared a close bond. Parish priest Fr Marius O'Reilly told mourners at the 10am requiem mass today that Luke didn't have it easy in life having lost his father Michael when he was a young boy. Fr O'Reilly noted that Luke subsequently had to grieve the death of his older brother Brian. Fr O'Reilly stated that in spite of all the tragedy Luke experienced in life he still retained his loving nature. 'These (losses) had a big impact on him at such a young age. But the thing that everyone seems to talk about is what a gentle person he was. He had a loving, caring nature. 'I even heard how he would love the animals and even the worms. How he would look after even worms — wanting to care for them. That is not something you would hear about too often. 'He was also someone who would reach out to people and try to help people. He had his own troubles. But he was a great lesson to all of us in that sense.' ADVERTISEMENT Fr O'Reilly told mourners that Luke loved sport and played with the Na Piarsaigh Hurling and Football Club in Cork city. 'Sport was something that was very important to him in this life. He played with Na Piarsaigh. He ws a rare breed — A Leeds United supporter. There are not many of those around. They (Leeds) had a good year.)' He added that Ms Hyde had asked him to thank the gardaí, the emergency services, medics and the local community for their assistance and support since the loss of Luke. Prayers of the Faithful were recited by nuns from the Missions of Charity Sisters in Blarney, Co Cork with whom Luke had a 'good relationship.' Fr Con Doherty, a family friend from the Sacred Heart Church in the Western Road, also celebrated the mass alongside Fr O'Reilly. Commendation prayers were recited by Bishop Emeritus, John Buckley, who also comforted the relatives of the deceased. The coffin was carried from the church for burial as a soloist sang the hymn 'Going Home.' The mother of the late Luke Hyde shook the hands of well wishers as she walked behind the remains of her son. Mr Hyde is survived by his son Leon, his mother Lily, siblings Michael, Mark and Lucia, extended family and a large circle of friends. He was buried at St Catherine's cemetery in Kilcully, Co Cork.
The Irish Sun
05-05-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
‘He was a great lesson to all of us', man, 33, who drowned in horror Cork river tragedy remembered as he is laid to rest
A MAN who drowned in the river Lee in Cork earlier this week had his own troubles in life but never hesitated to reach out and help others, his requiem mass has heard. Luke Hyde (33), from Wolfe Tone Street in 3 Luke was swimming when he got into difficulty Credit: sean ryan collect 3 The incident occurred on Wednesday evening Credit: Collect image through journalist Mr Hyde's mother, Lily, contacted the Neil Prendeville Show on She spoke about the shock she experienced when she arrived at the quayside to find that onlookers were filming events instead of going to the aid of her son. Ms Hyde read the two main readings at the funeral of her son at the North Cathedral church in Cork this morning. She also placed the crucifix and a copy of the bible on the coffin of her son. A framed picture of Luke was also on the coffin. He had started a new job in a READ MORE IN NEWS Lily Hyde has lost two sons in five years. Her son Brian died in his sleep in 2019. Luke was the youngest of her adult children and they shared a close bond. Parish priest Fr Marius O'Reilly told mourners at 10am requiem mass today that Luke didn't have it easy in life having lost his father Michael when he was a young boy. Fr O'Reilly noted that Luke subsequently had to grieve the death of his older brother Brian. Fr O'Reilly stated that in spite of all the tragedy Luke experienced in life he still retained his loving nature. Most read in Irish News 'These (losses) had a big impact on him at such a young age. But the thing that everyone seems to talk about is what a gentle person he was. He had a loving, caring nature. 'I even heard how he would love the animals and even the worms. How he would look after even worms — wanting to care for them. That is not something you would hear about too often. "He was also someone who would reach out to people and try to help people. He had his own troubles. But he was a great lesson to all of us in that sense.' Fr O'Reilly told mourners that Luke loved sport and played with the Na Piarsaigh Hurling and 'Sport was something that was very important to him in this life. He played with Na Piarsaigh. He ws a rare breed — A Leeds United supporter. There are not many of those around. They (Leeds) had a good year." He added that Ms Hyde had asked him to thank the gardai, the emergency services, medics and the local community for their assistance and support since the loss of Luke. Prayers of the Faithful were recited by nuns from the Missions of Fr Con Doherty, a family friend from the Sacred Heart Church in the Western Road, also celebrated the mass alongside Fr O'Reilly. Commendation prayers were recited by Bishop Emeritus, John Buckley, who also comforted the relatives of the deceased. The coffin was carried from the church for burial as a soloist sang the hymn 'Going Home.' The mother of the late Luke Hyde shook the hands of well wishers as she walked behind the remains of her son. Mr Hyde is survived his son Leon, his mother Lily, siblings Michael, Mark and Lucia, extended family and a large circle of friends. He was buried at St Catherine's cemetery in Kilcully, Co Cork. 3 He tragically drowned last Wednesday Credit: Collect image through journalist
Irish Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tragic Cork man who drowned in river Lee had troubles but always helped others
A man who drowned in the river Lee in Cork earlier this week had his own troubles in life but never hesitated to reach out and help others, his requiem mass has heard. Luke Hyde (33), from Wolfe Tone Street in Cork, got in to difficulties while swimming across the river from Pope's Quay to Lavitt's Quay shortly before 7pm on Wednesday. Mr Hyde's mother, Lily, contacted the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork's Red FM in the aftermath of the incident. She spoke about the shock she experienced when she arrived at the quayside to find that onlookers were filming events instead of going to the aid of her son. Ms Hyde read the two main readings at the funeral of her son at the North Cathedral church in Cork this morning. She also placed the crucifix and a copy of the bible on the coffin of her son. A framed picture of Luke was also on the coffin. He had started a new job in a supermarket in Douglas in Cork last week. Lily Hyde has lost two sons in five years. Her son Brian died in his sleep in 2019. Luke was the youngest of her adult children and they shared a close bond. Parish priest Fr Marius O'Reilly told mourners at 10am requiem mass today that Luke didn't have it easy in life having lost his father Michael when he was a young boy. Fr O'Reilly noted that Luke subsequently had to grieve the death of his older brother Brian. Fr O'Reilly stated that in spite of all the tragedy Luke experienced in life he still retained his loving nature. 'These (losses) had a big impact on him at such a young age. But the thing that everyone seems to talk about is what a gentle person he was. He had a loving, caring nature. 'I even heard how he would love the animals and even the worms. How he would look after even worms — wanting to care for them. That is not something you would hear about too often. He was also someone who would reach out to people and try to help people. He had his own troubles. But he was a great lesson to all of us in that sense.' Fr O'Reilly told mourners that Luke loved sport and played with the Na Piarsaigh Hurling and Football Club in Cork city. 'Sport was something that was very important to him in this life. He played with Na Piarsaigh. He ws a rare breed — A Leeds United supporter. There are not many of those around. They (Leeds) had a good year.) He added that Ms Hyde had asked him to thank the gardai, the emergency services, medics and the local community for their assistance and support since the loss of Luke. Prayers of the Faithful were recited by nuns from the Missions of Charity Sisters in Blarney, Co Cork with whom Luke had a 'good relationship.' Fr Con Doherty, a family friend from the Sacred Heart Church in the Western Road, also celebrated the mass alongside Fr O'Reilly. Commendation prayers were recited by Bishop Emeritus, John Buckley, who also comforted the relatives of the deceased. The coffin was carried from the church for burial as a soloist sang the hymn 'Going Home.' The mother of the late Luke Hyde shook the hands of well wishers as she walked behind the remains of her son. Mr Hyde is survived his son Leon, his mother Lily, siblings Michael, Mark and Lucia, extended family and a large circle of friends. He was buried at St Catherine's cemetery in Kilcully, Co Cork.
