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The Journal
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Father of soldier killed in Lebanon in 1989 appeals to government to update Army Pensions Act
THE FATHER OF Private Michael McNeela, an Irish peacekeeper who was shot dead by Israeli-backed militia in Lebanon in 1989, has said that he feels 'let down' by the government's stance that they cannot transfer his late wife's bereavement payment to him. Michael McNeela was 21-years-old when he was shot dead on his second tour in South Lebanon in February 1989. His mother Kathleen was supplied with a bereavement payment following his death. Following Kathleen's death last year, her husband John reached out to have the payment transferred to his name. 'They sent me a letter saying that it wasn't transferable to me,' John told Justin McCarthy on RTÉ Radio today. 'I feel very let down, to be honest with you. The act that says this now is 80 years old, 1946, and it was never updated, because there's not many cases like mine come up, and that's why it was never brought out in the open.' In the Army Pensions Act 1946 , Part IV states that only the six people set out are entitled to be deemed a dependent of a deceased soldier: his mother, his grandmother, his grandfather, his permanently invalided brother, his permanently invalided and unmarried sister, and his father – if over 60 years of age or incapacitated by ill health. As John was neither over 60 nor in ill health when his son was killed, he is not entitled to the payment, despite his wife's death. Advertisement John, who is now 84-years-old, said that the payment would make the world of difference to him. 'It means I can run a car, and I need a car because I'm not very good at walking, and if I hadn't a car, I'd be a prisoner in my own home.' He appealed to the Tánaiste and Defence Minister Simon Harris to reexamine the current act to allow bereavement payments for relatives of Irish soldiers killed in active duty to be transferred. 'It's very rare, but Ireland will always be sending peacekeepers to maybe different countries, and the thing can happen like it happened, Michael, the way one or two might get killed, which I hope not,' John said. 'I am very hopeful [for change], and I would ask the Minister to do all he can. He's the only man that can change it.' Louth TD Ruairí Ó Murchú said that he has been engaging with the Tánaiste on John's behalf. 'They stated that there would be an engagement at General Secretary level, but in fairness, I think John McNeela has said it, made the most cogent point, which is the Act needs to be updated. 'Everyone would accept that we should be looking after those families of people, of soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice, and a very small number of people. There may never be another case like this again,' Ó Murchú said. 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
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jeremy Clarkson posts photo of girlfriend skinny dipping on 52nd birthday
Jeremy Clarkson's girlfriend, Lisa Hogan, decided to strip off to to celebrate her 52nd birthday, splashing about in a river near the couple's plush Cotswolds home Jeremy Clarkson has shared a nude video of his girlfriend as she enjoyed a spot of skinny dipping on her 52nd birthday. The Clarkson's Farm star, 65, shared the saucy clip on Instagram as Lisa Hogan stripped off for a dip in a river near the couple's palatial Cotswolds home. Telling his followers, the "birthday girl is in her birthday suit", Jeremy proudly posted the clip for his nine million followers to see. However, just a few months ago he barked at Lisa to come about of the water after she asked the petrolhead if he fancied a dip too. While filming an episode of the Amazon Prime Video show Clarkson's Farm, Lisa suggested she and Jeremy enjoy a Saturday wild swim. However, the former Top Gear host was distinctly non-plussed and insisted he would not be taking a dip as he wanted to go to the pub. He told Lisa to "get out" of the water so the pair could go to the boozer for a drink, as he claimed "being drunk is better" than wild swimming. Lisa was seen splashing about in the river with her blonde locks piled up into a swimming cap, before Jeremy asked her: "What are you doing?" "Just loitering in cold water," Lisa replied, at which point Jeremy demanded to know why they weren't at the pub and suggested the couple go home and read a book. "Apparently because this is the best high you could ever get," Lisa said, trying to convince to her partner to join her, adding that Jeremy had never tried river swimming. Looking at his watch, the dad-of-three retorted: "I have been in cold water. I've done polar training - it was awful. And trust me I've been drunk - and I've been in cold water - and being drunk is better." Former model Lisa has been in a relationship with Jeremy since 2017 after meeting through mutual friends. During an interview on RTÉ Radio, Lisa lifted the lid on the launch of their romance and revealed that mutual friends had 'tried to set us up a couple of times', though the turning point for the pair occurred while at a Christmas party together. 'I was just about to leave and we were introduced and he said, 'No, no, come on, sit down and have a chat'. And that was it, really,' she told The Sun, adding: 'So he called me a couple of days later and I thought, 'Ok, you've got a bit of a rep' — so he had to really court me! He courted me for a solid three months!' Since bursting onto our screens as part of Clarkson's Farm, Lisa has become a familiar face for TV fans. In her latest project, the Irish model is set to publish her debut book, which will give readers a glimpse inside 'the nation's favourite farm' throughout the course of a year. The book, titled Animals And Other Eejits, will document all the drama on the famous Diddly Squat Farm including lambing season and harvest time. 'Barely a day goes by at Diddly Squat without a brilliant or bizarre adventure,' she told the Mirror about her offering, adding: 'I'm so excited to share this book of revelations, tips and trip-ups."
Scottish Sun
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Jeremy Clarkson posts birthday tribute to girlfriend Lisa with NAKED swimming pic
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JEREMY Clarkson captured his girlfriend swimming naked in a river as he posted a cheeky birthday tribute to Instagram. The Top Gear alum, 65, filmed Lisa Hogan, 49, in the midst of a front crawl as she marked her special day in the sunshine. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Jeremy Clarkson celebrated his partner Lisa Hogan with a video showing her swimming naked Credit: Instagram 6 The pair have been dating for seven years Credit: Getty 6 Lisa performed an impressive front crawl in the water Credit: Instagram Her blonde hair could be see partially submerged in the water as she swum starkers down the stretch of water. Jeremy uploaded the short clip to his Instagram grid with the quip: "Birthday girl in her birthday suit." One fan was quick to celebrate and wrote: "Happy Birthday Lisa," while another mused: "Ohhh Lisa is a Gemini the best star sign, Happy Birthday." A third then urged the Clarkson's Farm star: "Get the F in there JC, good for your health and we need you well, forever." The pair have been together for seven years. And Jeremy's birthday message came after former model Lisa called out her man in a tongue-in-cheek birthday post of his own back in April. She was quick to poke fun at him becoming an OAP as she shared a loved-up selfie of the pair of them. Insisting she was super proud of her partner, Lisa wrote a light-hearted caption to celebrate his birthday as she took aim to him being an OAP instead of an MBE. The star penned: "Congratulations for Finally achieving those Three Little Letters! "After five and a half decades of service to King & country, and indeed across this fine globe, I'm so proud, & frankly astonished, you've earned Jeremy Clarkson OAP. Jeremy Clarkson reveals why he was thrown in jail after arrest by the police in France "Happy Birthday @jeremyclarkson1." OPENING UP In June 2024, the Irish lass opened up on RTÉ Radio about how she and Jeremy initially started their romance. Lisa said they "met through mutual friends who had tried to set us up a couple of times". The turning point came at a Christmas party, as she explained: "I was just about to leave and we were introduced and he said, 'No, no, come on, sit down and have a chat'. And that was it, really. Meet the cast of Clarkson's Farm Clarkson's Farm began streaming in 2021 and follows Jeremy Clarkson and his team managing Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds. Here's a 'who's who' of faces in the Clarkson's Farm cast. Jeremy Clarkson: Presenter and journalist; also known for Top Gear, The Grand Tour and Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Presenter and journalist; also known for Top Gear, The Grand Tour and Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Lisa Hogan: A former actress and Jeremy's partner, who assists in the running of the farm shop. A former actress and Jeremy's partner, who assists in the running of the farm shop. Kaleb Cooper: A young farm worker from Chipping Norton, who forms a double act with Jeremy on-screen. He's later promoted to farm manager in series three. A young farm worker from Chipping Norton, who forms a double act with Jeremy on-screen. He's later promoted to farm manager in series three. Gerald Cooper: Specialist in the construction and maintenance of dry stone walls and the farm's "head of security". Of no relation to Kaleb. Specialist in the construction and maintenance of dry stone walls and the farm's "head of security". Of no relation to Kaleb. Charlie Ireland: Nicknamed "Cheerful Charlie", a professional land agent who advises Jeremy on land management. "So he called me a couple of days later and I thought, 'Ok, you've got a bit of a rep' — so he had to really court me! "He courted me for a solid three months!" She added: "He's very, very good company. And he does make an effort to make me laugh a lot, which I really appreciate. And we do get on." Lisa was married for 30 years to Baron Steven Bentinck before they split in 2011, and shares three children with him — Wolfe, Alice and Lizzy. BIRTHDAY GIRL Lisa built her career in the modelling industry in the 1990s before switching to entertainment and TV. She is best known for appearing in Clarkson's Farm on Amazon Prime Video, where she plays an active role in managing the farm and its shop. Lisa also had somewhat of an acting career, playing a small part in the 1997 movie Fierce Creatures alongside Hollywood royalty — John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline. She's appeared as herself on shows including Loose Women in 2021, and Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway in 2022. Lisa reportedly has her own successful side business as a sculptor, predominantly making statues of the human form. And it was confirmed she had bagged herself a brand new gig away from the pair's Prime Video series. Turning her hands to the publishing world, Lisa looks set to release her debut book. 6 It came after Lisa joked Jeremy was an 'OAP' during his recent birthday in April Credit: Instagram/@thetallirish 6 The pair star together in Clarkson's Farm Credit: Getty
RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Questions from hip audit to take many months to answer
The questions raised by the independent audit of children's hip surgeries will take many months, perhaps even longer, to answer. It will bring a period of great worry for parents and young children waiting to see if they are part of the patients where it was deemed surgery was not indicated. The issue first emerged after concerns were raised with Children's Health Ireland by a whistleblower about the thresholds being applied when making the decision to undertake surgery for children with Developmental Hip Dysplasia (DHD). Around 1,800 children and young adults will be offered a review and some of these are already under way. However, the process is expected to take around six months and will use external experts. One of the major findings from the audit is that the percentages of pelvic osteotomies not reaching the criteria at Temple Street and Cappagh are so high that it mandates further inquiry. The audit author, UK paediatric orthopaedic surgeon Mr Simon Thomas, also found that while there is worldwide variability between surgeons, the variance identified here cannot be accounted for by measurement error or observer variability alone. Asked about this on RTÉ Radio today, Dr Colm Henry, the Chief Clinical Officer, said the surgeons believed the interventions were necessary and had evolved based on research. Bernard Gloster, the HSE Chief Executive, described the variance as being of very serious concern and said measures will be taken to ensure this kind of variation cannot recur. Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said she is moving now to strengthen governance and oversight structures at Children's Health Ireland and Cappagh. She said this will be done with the appointment of two members of the HSE Board to the Board of CHI. Lawyers representing some of the families said the report makes for difficult reading and that the percentage of affected children is very high. They want speedy access to orthopaedic surgeon reviews and to establish what remedies are needed.
The Journal
10-05-2025
- The Journal
Sister of murdered Clodagh Hawe wants gardaí better trained to deal with murder-suicides
THE SISTER OF a Cavan teacher who was killed by her husband wants improved training for murder-suicide investigations rolled out across all garda stations. Jacqueline Connolly also said a review of the Clodagh Hawe case should be published to provide a greater awareness of the behaviours of 'family annihilators'. Alan Hawe, a vice-principal, killed himself, his 39-year-old wife Clodagh and their sons, Liam, 13, Niall, 11, and Ryan, six, in August 2016 at their home near Ballyjamesduff. Ms Connolly, who has written a memoir called Deadly Silence, said the deaths were not investigated thoroughly by gardai and she wants this approach changed. 'He was dead, what did it matter? The 'why' wasn't accounted for in that investigation, but it mattered to us,' she told RTÉ Radio's Brendan O'Connor Show. She said a second investigation carried out by the serious crime review team, authorised by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris in 2019, highlighted what was missed in the first investigation. This included CCTV that had not been examined, digital evidence that was overlooked, and 20 key witnesses who needed to be reinterviewed using different techniques. Ms Connolly said she has been told gardaí in training will be advised to gather evidence in murder-suicides as though it is a case that will be prosecuted, but she said she wants that rolled out to all rural garda stations because officers were not prepared to 'find Clodagh and the boys like that'. She called on Harris to release the findings of the serious crime review, for which Ms Connolly has seen a summary, because she said it was important that the recommendations are seen by domestic violence institutions. 'I really feel that it would warn people and show people the signs, behaviours, patterns of what family annihilators look like.' Advertisement Ms Connolly said the review heard from an expert that analysed a letter left by Hawe differently to those involved in the initial investigation, and that the teacher's pornography 'addiction' was also revealed. 'His murder letter was used to diagnose depression in an inquest, whereas in the serious crime review this showed – through (Scottish forensic criminologist) Professor David Wilson – actually there was pseudo-altruistic comments in that letter. 'He came across as caring, he wanted the perception of what he was when he was dead to be he was still a good man – that had nothing to do with depression. 'He could show that the behaviours and patterns leading up to their deaths, the research that was done digitally – that wasn't shown in the first investigation – where Alan Hawe was researching up to a year before he killed them.' She said Hawe had put a 'distance' between her and her sister, and she would 'never be able to have a conversation in the kitchen with Clodagh on my own'. Ms Connolly said all texts she sent to her older sister were forwarded on to Hawe. Recalling a tribute she wrote on her brother-in-law's Facebook profile in the immediate aftermath of the deaths, Ms Connolly said she was operating on 'autopilot' in her grief and her initial reaction was one of 'pure shock and trauma'. She said there was 'chaos' following the deaths and that no one 'said stop' to burying Hawe alongside the wife and children he had killed. 'The day after the funeral, myself and mam went to the grave, and I will never forget how mam looked that day. 'We stood there in silence, and I thought 'what have we done?' And as I thought it, she turned around and said 'what have we done? We've buried him with them'.' She added: 'You can't align the two events, this man who you trusted for so long did such a terrible thing. 'You know something must have happened, but never in a million years would you think – especially considering the findings of the serious crime review – that so much planning went into what he did that night.'
