Latest news with #Ennis
Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Former TD Violet Anne Wynne tells court she has no income to pay ex-employee
Former Independent Clare TD Violet Anne Wynne told a court she currently has no income to pay off a €6,500 debt from a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) award against her . 'I am currently unemployed so I don't have an income at this point in time,' Ms Wynne said at Ennis District Court on Friday. Ms Wynne was appearing in court over a determination order that her constituency office worker Fiona Smyth secured last December. The order concerned a then unpaid €11,500 unfair dismissal made by the WRC against Ms Wynne. Daragh Hassett, solicitor for Ms Smyth, told the court Ms Wynne has paid only €5,000 of the €11,500. READ MORE In court last December, Ms Wynne said that she would pay down the debt from her Dáil termination payment. Judge Alec Gabbett warned Ms Wynne that non-payment 'becomes a criminal sanction as it is an offence to disobey a court order'. Ms Wynne said: 'I know that when we were here the last day that I hoped to make the commitment to make the payment in full.' She said at the time it was her understanding 'that I would be able to draw some of my pension payment and that is how I made the partial payment in the first instance'. 'You said that you were getting a lump sum on retirement from Dáil Éireann?' the judge said. Ms Wynne said 'as it transpires they changed the pension scheme for new TDs elected in 2020'. She said the change was not fully outlined to her. Mr Hassett said it was open to Ms Wynne to pay the outstanding €6,500 in instalments. In response, the mother of six said she was 'not in a position to make any commitment here today'. Asked by the judge whether she could make payments on a weekly or monthly basis, Ms Wynne said she could not currently but that may change in the very near future. Ms Wynne said she is unemployed at the moment and her partner is also off work due to illness. 'You have been told by Ms Wynne that there is nothing coming into the house. I find that hard to believe and I would ask that she file a statement of means,' Mr Hassett said. The judge directed that a statement of means be provided including bank statements. He adjourned the case to July 11th and told Ms Wynne: 'I would rather not go the enforcement route.'
BreakingNews.ie
7 hours ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Ex-Clare TD tells court she cannot pay off €6,500 WRC debt as she has no income
Former Independent Clare TD Violet Anne Wynne told a court that she currently has no income to pay off a €6,500 debt from a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) award against her. At Ennis District Court, Ms Wynne said: 'I am currently unemployed so I don't have an income at this point in time'. Advertisement Ms Wynne was appearing in court concerning a Determination Order that her former constituency office worker Fiona Smyth secured last December in court concerning a then unpaid €11,500 unfair dismissal award made by the WRC. The Determination Order matter was re-entered as the solicitor for Ms Smyth, Daragh Hassett, told the court that Ms Wynne has paid over only €5,000 of the €11,500, leaving €6,500 outstanding. In court last December, Ms Wynne said she would pay down the debt from her Dáil termination payment. Judge Alec Gabbett warned Ms Wynne on Friday in court that non-payment 'becomes a criminal sanction as it is an offence to disobey a court order'. Advertisement In court on Friday, Ms Wynne said: 'I know that when we were here the last day that I hoped to make the commitment to make the payment in full.' Ms Wynne said that at the time it was her understanding 'that I would be able to draw some of my pension payment and that is how I made the partial payment in the first instance'. Judge Gabbett said to her 'you said that you were getting a lump sum on retirement from Dáil Eireann?' Ms Wynne said 'as it transpires they changed the pension scheme for new TDs elected in 2020'. Advertisement 'It was, I suppose, crossed wires where it wasn't fully outlined to me,' she told the court. Mr Hassett said that it was open to Ms Wynne to make the outstanding €6,500 in instalments. In response, the mother of six said she was 'not in a position to make any commitment here today'. Asked by Judge Gabbett whether she could make payments on a weekly or monthly basis, Ms Wynne said not currently but that may change in the very near future. Advertisement Ms Wynne said she is unemployed at the moment and her partner is also off work due to illness. She said her partner's epilepsy seizures have returned and he has been referred for further treatment to find out why they have returned. Ms Wynne said the seizures have returned since May 17th 'and he hasn't been able to work either so we have no income coming into our household'. Judge Gabbett asked: 'Not even social welfare?' Advertisement In response, Ms Wynne said: 'No - none of that has been explored at this point.' Mr Hassett asked that Ms Wynne file a statement of means to the court for an adjourned date. He said: 'I am none the wiser after hearing what she has had to say about how she lives day to day.' Judge Gabbet commented: 'Neither am I." Mr Hassett said: 'You have been told by Ms Wynne that there is nothing coming into the house – I find that hard to believe and I would ask that she file a statement of means.' Judge Gabbett directed that the statement of means be provided including bank statements. THh judge adjourned the case to July 11th and told Ms Wynne: 'I would rather not go the enforcement route.' Last August, the WRC ordered Ms Wynne to pay the €11,500 after finding that Ms Smyth was unfairly dismissed by Ms Wynne. Ms Wynne – who received a TD's annual salary of €113,679 – lost her seat in the November general election in Clare, receiving only 310 first preference votes as an Independent candidate. In the 2020 general election she topped the poll as a Sinn Féin candidate.
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Why 'Brokeback Mountain' still stuns 20 years later
I remember the first time I heard about "Brokeback Mountain," the love story between two cowboys. My mom told me that my grandfather enjoyed the movie. A simple sentence, one that other prepubescent children might have forgotten. But as a closeted gay child, this sentence meant everything to me. It meant that maybe, someday, if I ever realized or told someone that I was gay, at least one person I knew close to me would be OK with it. And 20 years later, that's the film's legacy. "Brokeback Mountain," which returns to theaters June 20 to mark the movie's 20th anniversary, still stuns as a universal love story trapped in an unforgiving, hateful time. Director Ang Lee's film is also worth watching again and again to witness the importance of not merely tolerance, but unquestionable acceptance. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox What is 'Brokeback Mountain' about? "Brokeback Mountain" begins with two cowboys in 1963 Wyoming: Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger). They work atop the titular mountain for a summer, herding sheep and eating beans. The pair's natural chemistry and banter develops into a sexual relationship – and ultimately a loving one. But neither can express what's obvious to all watching, even with each other. "It's nobody's business but ours," Jack tells Ennis. Ennis insists he isn't "queer," and Jack says the same. Nonetheless, they carry on an affair for nearly two decades. Both marry women, have kids and sneak away for "fishing trips" together. Over time, Jack grows increasingly frustrated with not being able to spend more time with Ennis and even suggests they get a ranch together. Ennis is less than sold on the idea and can refer to their love only as "this thing" that takes hold of them when they're around each other. Even after Ennis and his wife, Alma (Michelle Williams), divorce, he still can't be all in with Jack the way Jack wants. (Spoilers ahead if you haven't seen the movie and don't want to know.) "I wish I knew how to quit you," Jack says, invoking the film's most famous line. It's implied a short time after that Jack is killed, perhaps in a hate crime – the very thing Ennis was always afraid of, after seeing the aftermath of such a murder when he was a child. Does 'Brokeback Mountain' still resonate? An initial thought that may percolate in a film nerd's head is that "Brokeback Mountain" lost the 2006 best picture Oscar to "Crash" – a decision that has left heads scratching to this day. But there's much more to talk about than losing an award. The film broke ground for the LGBTQ+ community the same way "Philadelphia" did more than a decade earlier, bringing the AIDS discussion to mainstream audiences and earning Tom Hanks his first Oscar. "Brokeback," on top of eight Oscar nominations, also showed that there was an audience for gay stories: It made $178 million worldwide. But the chief piece of its footprint on film is the love story. The actual "love" part of the story of Jack and Ennis is simple, despite difficult circumstances, and happens quickly. Other high-caliber LGBTQ+ movies, like "Call Me By Your Name" and "Portrait of a Lady on Fire," are beautiful, but the build-up to the romance makes up more of the film than the romance itself. "Brokeback Mountain" takes a different approach: The main characters have sex before the film wraps up its first act, allowing viewers to linger in the established love for the rest of the movie. This decades-long, nuanced relationship, presented to a mass audience, altered the way people felt about gay romance and reflected a growing broader societal shift in favor of gay rights. That shift panned out in some respects, but backlash to LGBTQ+ progress has made the film ever more vital. What 'Brokeback Mountain' means for gay culture It may seem like gay culture has changed tremendously (and it has) since the movie's release. "Don't Ask Don't Tell," the ban on gays in the military, was repealed in 2010. The Supreme Court has since both legalized gay marriage and made it illegal to fire someone if they are gay, lesbian or transgender. But the LGBTQ+ community is still under threat, with legislation targeting the community ramping up the last few years. Outward anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment has surfaced amid the Trump administration's efforts to root out DEI in both public and private institutions. One film on its own cannot inherently create sweeping change. But "Brokeback Mountain," just by telling the story of two cowboys in love and the societal conventions that tore them apart, instructs its audience to listen. Sure, the film has its issues. Did straight actors take on roles in a gay love story? Yes. Did one of those characters die in service to the plot? Yes. Were these characters miserable through most of the film? Yes. But anything that could move the needle further toward LGBTQ+ acceptance is a film worth watching and discussing – especially one that also doesn't choose to put a sexuality label on its main characters, suggesting they aren't even necessary. When I think of a modern day Jack and Ennis, I picture them eyeing each other across a crowded bar in the same cowboy hats and jeans. Daring each other to make a move. No trauma holding them back, no secrets, no lies. Just smiling and flirting – everything society should've afforded them in the first place. My fervent hope: A parent or guardian watches this film, looks over at the teenager next to them and says how much they enjoyed the movie. You have no idea how that affirmation could change a life.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Man punched retired judge after saying ‘you put me in jail for nothing', court hears
A Co Clare man told a retired District Court judge 'you put me in jail for nothing' before punching him outside a cafe, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court, Jamie O'Connor (44), of Laurel Lodge, Clare Road, Ennis, has appeared in connection with the alleged assault of retired District Court judge Joseph Mangan last Saturday afternoon. Mr Mangan, who is in his early 80s, served on the bench for 27 years and was the assigned District Court judge for Clare from 2001 to October 2011, when he retired aged 67. Mr O'Connor is charged with assault causing harm to Mr Mangan at Barrack Court, Ennis, on June 14th, contrary to section three of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. READ MORE Judge Alec Gabbett said this is 'an extremely serious alleged offence' where a man in his 80s was allegedly assaulted for 'carrying out a public duty when he was a judge'. Judge Gabbett said there is a possibility of other charges to follow. In a contested application for Mr O'Connor's bail, Sgt John Burke told the court it will be alleged Mr Mangan was having a coffee on the afternoon of June 14th when he was approached by Mr O'Connor, who allegedly said: 'You put me in jail for nothing.' Sgt Burke said it is alleged Mr O'Connor punched Mr Mangan after the brief interaction. He said the accused fled the scene. He said Mr Mangan was treated at the local injuries unit for possible concussion and dizziness. Sgt Burke said Mr O'Connor was later arrested, making no admissions and blaming alcohol 'for his memory loss'. Sgt Burke said gardaí were opposing bail. Judge Gabbett refused bail due to the seriousness of the charge. Judge Gabbett granted legal aid for solicitor Stiofan Fitzpatrick to represent Mr O'Connor. Mr Fitzpatrick asked for bail to be granted as he said it will take months for directions to be made in the case. Judge Gabbett remanded Mr O'Connor in custody to appear before court next Wednesday.
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Clare man punched retired judge outside café saying 'you put me in jail for nothing'
A 44-year-old Co Clare man told a retired district court judge, 'You put me in jail for nothing' before allegedly punching him outside an Ennis café, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court, Jamie O'Connor of Laurel Lodge, Clare Road, Ennis has appeared in connection with the alleged assault of retired district court judge, Joseph Mangan last Saturday afternoon. Advertisement The retired judge, now in his early 80s, served as a judge for 27 years and was the assigned district court judge for Clare from 2001 to October 2011 when he retired at the age of 67. In the case, Mr O'Connor is charged with the assault causing harm to Joseph Mangan at Barrack Court, Ennis contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act on June 14th. Judge Alec Gabbett said: 'This is an extremely serious alleged offence where a retired district court judge, now into his 80s, was allegedly assaulted for carrying out a public duty when he was a judge.' Judge Gabbett said: 'There is a possibility of other charges to follow here.' Advertisement In a contested bail application for Mr O'Connor, Sgt John Burke told the court that at 2.25pm on June 14th, Mr Mangan was sitting outside the Gourmet Store on Barrack Court in Ennis, having a coffee. Sgt Burke said that it will be alleged that Mr O'Connor approached Mr Mangan 'and told him aggressively 'you put me in jail for nothing'. Sgt Burke said: 'Following a brief interaction, it is alleged that Mr O'Connor stood up and punched Mr Mangan.' Sgt Burke said that Mr O'Connor then fled the scene in the direction of O'Connell Street. Advertisement He said that Mr Mangan went to the local injuries unit in Ennis, where he was treated fora possible concussion and dizziness. Sgt Burke said that Mr Mangan made a statement to local Gardai. Sgt Burke said that there was no medical evidence yet to hand and said that Mr O'Connor was later arrested, where he made no admissions, 'and blamed alcohol for his memory loss'. Sgt Burke confirmed to the court that there is an independent witness to what occurred. Advertisement Sgt Burke confirmed that Gardai were opposing bail and said that the original Garda position of consenting to bail for Mr O'Connor on stringent conditions was based on the length of time the case will take before the court. Judge Gabbett said that he was refusing bail based on the seriousness of the charge before the court. He said: "The allegation here is that a retired member of the judiciary was punched on the street". He said that 'the facts of the case are very straightforward'. Judge Gabbett granted legal aid to solicitor Stiofan Fitzpatrick to represent Mr O'Connor. Mr Fitzpatrick asked that bail be granted as it will take a number of months for directions to be made in the case. Judge Gabbett remanded Mr O'Connor in custody to appear via video-link from Limerick prison in court next Wednesday, June 25th.
