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xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_crime-law"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/crime-law/courts" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Courts</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/property" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Property</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_property" aria-label="Show Property sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_property"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/property/residential" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Residential</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/property/commercial-property" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Commercial Property</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/property/interiors" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Interiors</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/food" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Food</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_food" aria-label="Show Food sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_food"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/food/drink" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Drink</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/food/recipes" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Recipes</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/food/restaurants" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Restaurants</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/health" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Health</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_health" aria-label="Show Health sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_health"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-family" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Your Family</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-fitness" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Your Fitness</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-wellness" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Your Wellness</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-fitness/get-running" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Get Running</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Life & Style</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_life-style" aria-label="Show Life & Style sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_life-style"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/fashion" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Fashion</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/tags/beauty/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Beauty</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/fine-art-antiques" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Fine Art & Antiques</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/gardening" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Gardening</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/people" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">People</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/travel" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Travel</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/culture" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Culture</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_culture" aria-label="Show Culture sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_culture"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/art" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Art</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/books" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Books</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/film" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Film</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/music" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Music</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/stage" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Stage</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/tv-radio" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">TV & Radio</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/environment" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Environment</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_environment" aria-label="Show Environment sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_environment"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/environment/climate-crisis" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Climate Crisis</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/technology" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Technology</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_technology" aria-label="Show Technology sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_technology"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/technology/big-tech" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Big Tech</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/technology/consumer-tech" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Consumer Tech</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/technology/data-security" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Data & Security</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/technology/gaming" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Gaming</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/science" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Science</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_science" aria-label="Show Science sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_science"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/science/space" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Space</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/media" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Media</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/abroad" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Abroad</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/obituaries" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Obituaries</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/transport" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Transport</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/motors" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Motors</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_motors" aria-label="Show Motors sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_motors"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/motors/car-reviews/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Car Reviews</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/listen/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Listen</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/podcasts" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Podcasts</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_podcasts" aria-label="Show Podcasts sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div 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href="/politics/2025/03/21/how-conor-mcgregor-secured-his-meeting-with-donald-trump-in-the-oval-office/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><img data-chromatic="ignore" alt="" class="c-image" loading="lazy" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/4ST34LT2T5EOHITFQ4VV5OKQEM.jpg?smart=true&auth=3bff750ba4c9a249e09bd3462e976177fb318feb01d605950fbd6dfacc01adff&width=274&height=182" srcSet="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/4ST34LT2T5EOHITFQ4VV5OKQEM.jpg?smart=true&auth=3bff750ba4c9a249e09bd3462e976177fb318feb01d605950fbd6dfacc01adff&width=137&height=91 137w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/4ST34LT2T5EOHITFQ4VV5OKQEM.jpg?smart=true&auth=3bff750ba4c9a249e09bd3462e976177fb318feb01d605950fbd6dfacc01adff&width=274&height=182 274w, https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/4ST34LT2T5EOHITFQ4VV5OKQEM.jpg?smart=true&auth=3bff750ba4c9a249e09bd3462e976177fb318feb01d605950fbd6dfacc01adff&width=548&height=364 548w" width="274" height="182"/></a></div><hr aria-hidden="true"/><div class="c-stack 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Was there any truth in the story a reader had sent in earlier in the week - that a goose had been strangled to death by murderous bindweed a few days beforehand?","type":"text"},{"_id":"BSMXAL5EBJE2JLGMCFARUZXRCA","content":"“That’s all wrong,” replied one of the workers, “it wasn’t a goose.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"K7BGRZTO53GDWIDWH4GT2RGOSE","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"POOXYUPRRZGXXCIR6ULSS2HPRM","content":"Owing to other pressing stories and “newspaper men’s natural scepticism”, the story had been put on the back burner since the tip arrived to the newsdesk two days beforehand, on Tuesday, September 1st, 1942. Now, as the unnamed reporter stood talking to the two Dublin gardeners amid what was clearly a painfully slow news day, the trip became worth it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CHI5S6D4TJBG7C6LRIVDLZ3ZRM","content":"“It was a duck - an Australian duck,” the gardener continued, quickly adding: “But it was nearly as big as a goose, rightly enough. George Byrne that’s working up on the terrace there was the man who found it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"JE7VIAG6DNAMPCRK5XGWMS7N4M","content":"The reporter left the men to their work and wandered off in search of Mr Byrne, who confirmed the play-by-play.","type":"text"},{"_id":"H3NIBM34DVE6VEQDUPMUHORFY4","additional_properties":{},"content":"\"The duck was the largest of four which had been presented to the park a year ago,\" reads the story of the encounter, published in <em>The Irish Times</em> on September 3rd that year. It appeared on the front page - alongside reports of building tensions at Stalingrad, and above a short story about fixed maximum pricing for biscuits.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4VNE3WRB5FBJRJQ6TAJ5HUTF4Y","content":"The “White Duck Case”, began earlier in the week, when Mr Byrne noticed the bird’s absence from the pond. The gardener knew the park well - including the ducks’ favourite nesting spots. That’s where his search started - and ended.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ILREUY4CDJF7LN5SAH7GU5LMAA","content":"In the middle of the pond, on a small island planted with a few shrubs, he made the grim discovery.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZMKOWYTCG5C4LFGV6YMJVWIFGA","content":"“He found it dead, sitting on a nest containing fifteen eggs and the strands of a convolvulus plant gripped tightly around its neck.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"TQ2V5E5GBNAQ3BQQ7EQ7QPSBPM","content":"There were no witnesses to the “Herbert Park Killing”, as it was headlined, but the gardener proffered his own theory: “The duck was sitting on its eggs, as it is accustomed to do for some days at the time of hatching. It dipped its head to pick up a leaf or something edible, and in doing so, poked its head into a loop in a convolvulus plant, which was twisting itself about the branches of a nearby shrub.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MTLIQYTFJBDBHKUYTF3EN2OGXE","content":"At this point, went the theory, the duck panicked. “Feeling the tangle around its neck, it twisted its head and neck, trying to get free. But a convolvulus - as Mr Byrne demonstrated to our reporter - in such circumstances works on the slip-knot principle: the more the duck struggled, the tighter it drew the strands, and finally, in a frantic effort for release, it drew the strands so tight that it strangled the body.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q7IJM6WOGRGWJJU7TSYVYDQ3VM","content":"The position of the dead duck seemed to firm up the story.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LCNVBGBAQFEM3E27HV5SVMJEZY","content":"Mr Byrne freed the animal’s body, with some difficulty, before leaving the plant free “to concentrate on its usual task of strangling - as it often does - young shrubs and trees.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"HX2CIWSVGVH4PGOETEWHOY3MX4","additional_properties":{},"content":"<strong>This story is from the Lost Leads series - a revisiting of lesser-known stories that have made the pages of The Irish Times since 1859. What can you find? Let us know on Twitter: </strong><strong><a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/irishtimes\">@irishtimes</a></strong><strong> or </strong><strong><a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/deanruxton\">@deanruxton</a></strong><strong>. For more information on subscribing to the archive, see </strong><strong><a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/archive\">www.irishtimes.com/archive</a></strong>","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Dean Ruxton"}},"name":"Dean Ruxton"}]},"description":{"basic":"Drake news: In 1942, a reluctant reporter was sent on a wild goose chase in Dublin"},"display_date":"2018-02-18T09:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"The White Duck Case: A fowl killing in Herbert Park"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"66FHLK6S7XDGZNA4BFP3AJONCU","auth":{"1":"512ecb19a5ed97dd4485b7824ff67d76758c9394332ef193ef062f60512a43fc"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/66FHLK6S7XDGZNA4BFP3AJONCU.jpg"}},"subtype":"opinion","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/the-white-duck-case-a-fowl-killing-in-herbert-park-1.3394780","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"T34JRTBNFROV6D4ZDU36IT6DEI","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/never-give-up-damian-browne-completes-mammoth-solo-atlantic-row-1.3394758","credits":{},"description":{"basic":"Former Leinster and Connacht rugby player Damian Browne describes the highs and lows of his solo row across the Atlantic Ocean, a 4,800km trip. Video: Precious Media"},"display_date":"2018-02-16T13:45:39Z","embed_html":"<div class=\"powa\" id=\"powa-T34JRTBNFROV6D4ZDU36IT6DEI\" data-org=\"irishtimes\" data-env=\"prod\" data-uuid=\"T34JRTBNFROV6D4ZDU36IT6DEI\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.562\" data-api=\"prod\"><script src=\"//irishtimes.video-player.arcpublishing.com/prod/powaBoot.js?org=irishtimes\"><\/script></div>","headlines":{"basic":"'Never give up': Damian Browne completes mammoth solo Atlantic row"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"auth":{"1":"eec5276546b63a71e0e88a9f916fb49f67e6166b2744a1d11e4ebc10757e4aac"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_b0ed5e63c0ed40e79b59f540a9faafdd_name_1795463433001_5735091545001_5735082051001_.jpg"}},"taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Video"},{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"video","website_url":"/news/offbeat/never-give-up-damian-browne-completes-mammoth-solo-atlantic-row-1.3394758","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/video","name":"Video"}}}},{"_id":"ZFEEIXPLMDO3FOA65PJUGC6XF4","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/huge-sinkhole-swallows-cars-on-street-in-rome-1.3394648","content_elements":[{"_id":"V6MY7SPMDNGZ7I55ZQN4DYHJYA","content":"Authorities in Rome have launched an investigation after a 30ft-wide sinkhole swallowed half a dozen cars on a residential street.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JAAA2V4K5ZDVVKDIRS37M2QHBU","content":"No one was injured in Wednesday evening’s collapse in the Balduina neighbourhood, but families in nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RFD5VIVSMFHDHLNTMW3WCGBZCY","additional_properties":{},"content":"The ANSA news agency said prosecutors had placed a property owner and the company handling construction along the road under investigation.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EJEDBQDC6MOTP5DRQAOVRJFYY4","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BA75CC7ZVT6GJHC4Q4WJFFR3GI","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"V6F5T5UN7RBI7FUIPEO4DTNTVM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Rome mayor Virginia Raggi visited the site and stressed that the sinkhole, which appeared to shave off the entire side of the road, occurred at an active construction site, and that the situation is under control.– AP","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"description":{"basic":"Famillies in nearby buildings were evacuated from the residential street"},"display_date":"2018-02-16T11:56:14Z","headlines":{"basic":"Huge sinkhole swallows cars on street in Rome"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"D7LKAO4LJEP7GZYF2FVFQE5I7A","auth":{"1":"dbfee53987967b16fbfe61cefd6e6226fe47ec39a3d543edc902481d7e154f0e"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/D7LKAO4LJEP7GZYF2FVFQE5I7A.jpg"},"lead_art":{"_id":"QJM6GIQXI23O42Z66U6FPCKCB4","embed_html":"<div class=\"powa\" id=\"powa-QJM6GIQXI23O42Z66U6FPCKCB4\" data-org=\"irishtimes\" data-env=\"prod\" data-uuid=\"QJM6GIQXI23O42Z66U6FPCKCB4\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.562\" data-api=\"prod\"><script src=\"//irishtimes.video-player.arcpublishing.com/prod/powaBoot.js?org=irishtimes\"><\/script></div>","promo_image":{"auth":{"1":"9bc66f87780ed81ede516baeaa1ff4859b746fc76091e71c327b11a95b4f1f12"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_f9a20f7dc8a14cbc95bac32862561ca9_name_1795463433001_5735038563001_5735028292001_.jpg"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"auth":{"1":"9bc66f87780ed81ede516baeaa1ff4859b746fc76091e71c327b11a95b4f1f12"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_f9a20f7dc8a14cbc95bac32862561ca9_name_1795463433001_5735038563001_5735028292001_.jpg"}},"type":"video"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/huge-sinkhole-swallows-cars-on-street-in-rome-1.3394648","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"GUDSKY74MW7MT4H4M3V6WG42TI","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/former-rugby-star-completes-epic-row-across-atlantic-ocean-1.3394034","content_elements":[{"_id":"R7LQTR2QPFDXFKVP3Q4MGCJBXA","additional_properties":{},"content":"A former Leinster and Connacht Rugby star has completed a solo Atlantic crossing by rowing 4,800km.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZFZQYFQ6JNF4PB4WMZHMRF35LY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Damian Browne crossed the finish line of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge at 9.30pm Irish time. The former provincial rugby player set off upon this arduous and hazardous voyage on Thursday, December 14th, from the Canary Islands and finished in Antigua. The solo Atlantic rower had been at sea aboard his boat <em>Gulliver's Travels </em>for nine weeks.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MV4PS5N72JHBS2GHTSXWLQLU7I","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"WASWINFN5JC3DCVSB7L7WRPRY4","subtype":"facebook-video","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"FCUVBAVESNF3NAYQV2WBOGBBE4","content":"Browne paid tribute to those who had supported and encouraged him through difficult times during the crossing. “Thanks for all the help and support,” said a visibly tired but relieved rower as supporters cheered his achievement.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PF2WVM2VMFFOXHBZL7YFLMPPYM","content":"Browne took on the challenge as an extreme trial of his mental and physical strength. As a solo rower there was no support vessel or company, just himself and a boat laden with food to sustain the adventurer on his journey.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AI7GHNLR4K75L5M24FGNWKUZHM","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"R3AAQJRJQFGAPNNSAVCAC6JYTE","content":"Two days ago, the 37-year-old – who has been posting videos and updates along the way – admitted he was feeling the inevitable effects of a perilous life on the ocean as he entered the final 100 nautical miles of this voyage.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7MHYUTIZDVCAZHS4X6DTYFJPIM","content":"“Last three mornings have been the hardest of the journey,” he said. “Imagine it: alarm summons you from the only semi-dry place on the boat, your bed. You pull on soaking wet shorts, base layer and wet suit top and climb out into the craziness. The ever-present howling wind and raging seas, now joined by frequent squalls and a**e sores back with vengeance. It won’t be sunrise for four hours . . . ignore the pain, ignore the impulses trying to weaken your resolve and just f****ng row.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"RZPRC7Z2GBH7ZPXZDQ2X63CK2A","additional_properties":{},"content":"Browne is no stranger to that searching test of self. During his rugby career, in April 2016, he completed the Marathon des Sables in the Moroccan Sahara. This fulfilled a dream 12 years in the making. He then set his sights on his next perilous venture: the Talisker Whisky Challenge and discovered that more people have climbed Everest and been into space than have successfully rowed the roaring Atlantic Ocean. Browne has been in training for this extreme event for two years, which included rowing around the west coast of Ireland.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OZ4777HDALFOQVKBOS43IUUJWI","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"DYLJALKKNFHYJIAYWV7RQSPUJE","additional_properties":{},"content":"To see Browne come ashore on Facebook Live and how to donate to charity partners visit his Facebook page, Damian Browne – Atlantic Row. Here you will also glean an insight into his solo endeavour to date.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EPBFJUYRPMNGNUEH7MQT2BQH5M","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"E5LIBDNJXVD2ZDUSY2U2OPH77Y","additional_properties":{},"content":"He is also rowing in an effort to raise funds for his chosen charities MADRA Dog Rescue & Adoption, Médecins Sans Frontieres and the Strong Roots Foundation School Rwanda.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"description":{"basic":"Damian Browne defies ‘howling wind and raging seas’ to finish perilous 4,800km voyage"},"display_date":"2018-02-15T21:09:24Z","headlines":{"basic":"Former rugby star completes epic row across Atlantic Ocean"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"2USTXSF73YSFGEK7HKZUK5TQ7I","auth":{"1":"95e54ccbfdf0bab2449c007ff03769e15c466d9c8df4ce36946d2b5a6d41a1e4"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/2USTXSF73YSFGEK7HKZUK5TQ7I.jpg"},"lead_art":{"_id":"T34JRTBNFROV6D4ZDU36IT6DEI","embed_html":"<div class=\"powa\" id=\"powa-T34JRTBNFROV6D4ZDU36IT6DEI\" data-org=\"irishtimes\" data-env=\"prod\" data-uuid=\"T34JRTBNFROV6D4ZDU36IT6DEI\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.562\" data-api=\"prod\"><script src=\"//irishtimes.video-player.arcpublishing.com/prod/powaBoot.js?org=irishtimes\"><\/script></div>","promo_image":{"auth":{"1":"eec5276546b63a71e0e88a9f916fb49f67e6166b2744a1d11e4ebc10757e4aac"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_b0ed5e63c0ed40e79b59f540a9faafdd_name_1795463433001_5735091545001_5735082051001_.jpg"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"auth":{"1":"eec5276546b63a71e0e88a9f916fb49f67e6166b2744a1d11e4ebc10757e4aac"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_b0ed5e63c0ed40e79b59f540a9faafdd_name_1795463433001_5735091545001_5735082051001_.jpg"}},"type":"video"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/former-rugby-star-completes-epic-row-across-atlantic-ocean-1.3394034","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"3U5UYYUS6GXDDZBKYMOIXDBCEA","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/varadkar-takes-transparency-in-politics-to-a-whole-new-level-of-crepe-1.3391831","content_elements":[{"_id":"7WRFIP3DMBC2ZKCX5CSODYBAXU","content":"Pity poor Leo Varadkar. Late last night on Twitter our Taoiseach posted what he described as his “last treat” before Lent and - by almost every single measure we can think of - it reeked of sadness.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2BZQCSCGCJB65KE6VVD3AAMHQU","content":"The state of the pancake for a start. It was just crêpe - horrendously uneven and thinner and yellower than the skin on Monty Burns’s withered face. It was virtually translucent and ridiculously small, barely occupying half of the weird bowl/plate hybrid it was served in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M6P4DJZETVH3DPZT34TI6T42GY","content":"Whoever was responsible for it should really go and have a long hard think about what they inflicted on our dear leader on his final night before his - metaphorical - 40 days and nights in the desert. And if he made it himself, then maybe he should really consider his position.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3FIAPMVS4BHUPNGBDZ27E7CKBY","content":"<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Last treat before the Lenten fast begins. Looking forward to an uber healthy 40 days <a href=\"https://t.co/UdV6IciyKe\">pic.twitter.com/UdV6IciyKe</a></p>— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/campaignforleo/status/963463687402131456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 13, 2018</a></blockquote>\r\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>","type":"raw_html"},{"_id":"BGB7AO3MPFB7NKMPZTKSAFJNLM","content":"But the pancake was only the start of Leo’s last supper of sadness before “an uber healthy 40 days”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NXTILKP5MBDZBFE7RXFWIZB53Y","content":"Added to his self-styled treat meal were a handful of miserable looking berries - with two spoons on the plate, suggesting the Taoiseach was expected to share his “treat” with at least one other person.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T2HS3CQUDJANPMP4XTNRB7OQQE","content":"There was also a shamefully small jar of chocolate spread and - and one of those little plastic squeezey lemon things. Could he not have got an actual lemon? Seriously? It would been cheaper and more eco-friendly and, let’s face it, would have tasted a whole lot better.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CHRJ2YMNPNGZ7DWTNL4HQRMZAA","additional_properties":{},"content":"On the fringes of his badly lit pic - one posted without so much as a single Instagram filter enhancement - was a jar of mixed nuts and a plastic bottle containing an unpleasant looking yellow liquid.","type":"text"},{"_id":"S24J6Q37IFENFB6BZVQY6KR2I4","additional_properties":{},"content":"We'd also have to question the location he chose for his last treat. He ate it off a visibly distressed looking beech-veneered table that would frankly be more at home in a bedsit over a Cabra chipper. Or on a skip.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YRZ3RAVDUVAHHCYARGJDY3U4NA","content":"But what is most troubling about the post is that it paints a most terrible picture of what Leo believes to be a delightful treat.","type":"text"},{"_id":"37DUDXEOKNABBBCIAO5V6KNYEI","content":"Who, but a dangerously unhinged and woefully misguided soul would ever describe a few berries, a terrible crepe and an energy drink as a treat?","type":"text"},{"_id":"6KXSPSS7CZBG7FWF6GPFNJCCVY","content":"Where were the fine wines? The fancy Dan gins? The enormous steak? The chips? The snack box from Supermacs?","type":"text"},{"_id":"JRTLWM6PBFBETCQWPV4RA6GYWA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Even the terrible food pics Donald Trump has posted on Twitter look more appealing Leo's trial dressed as a treat. Charlie Haughey would not be impressed. That much is true.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Conor Pope"}},"name":"Conor Pope"}]},"description":{"basic":"Taoiseach posts ‘last treat’ pancake before ‘uber healthy’ Lenten fast"},"display_date":"2018-02-14T11:24:28Z","headlines":{"basic":"Varadkar takes transparency in politics to a whole new level of crêpe"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"ZFFY4626OMNGFXX4HZKILDF5CQ","auth":{"1":"16b639257caaa1366873b97667018d18a3a0a84471ea01e630e612ff77b9377e"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/ZFFY4626OMNGFXX4HZKILDF5CQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/varadkar-takes-transparency-in-politics-to-a-whole-new-level-of-crepe-1.3391831","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"NGQRUROFSISHWH77P2XIQGZQVM","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/love-divided-as-european-cities-compete-over-st-valentine-s-remains-1.3391177","content_elements":[{"_id":"4JMLF4PQVBHNZOU27S3IK4MIYA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Love is in the air today when couples flock to Whitefriar Street Church in Dublin and the Shrine of St Valentine.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KO7AM7SP7NGZJK55BS6Z7FKF3U","content":"The reliquary contains a vessel “tinged with blood” of the saint, along with a box with relics wrapped in paper, tied up with ribbon and held together with wax seals that have never been broken.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HKNB6OKR6VCMTOJQDOO4MNH3RY","content":"But Dublin doesn’t have a monopoly on the saint. Some 2,000km east, the Polish town of Chelmno will on Wednesday also welcome thousands of couples to its own reliquary in St Mary’s Assumption parish church.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EQOV5AFRTBDJPMFULU2BXTSLCM","additional_properties":{},"content":"<iframe frameborder=\"no\" height=\"166\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/398244324&auto_play=false&color=ff5500\" width=\"100%\"></iframe>","type":"raw_html"},{"_id":"45N4FEYG5JDFBEQWGW55R42QQ4","content":"The octagonal silver vessel dating back to about 1630 – two centuries before the remains arrived in Dublin – displays a relic under a glass dome-shaped lid which can be kissed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LAJQA4GC3RE35FVKOK3KZ5FVBA","type":"quote"},{"_id":"UZFFJP7KHVHAVBYLMG2HK4ZCNI","content":"The relic, according to a report from 1830, “is the size of about two fingers”. Since 2002, the reliquary has been on public display below a painting depicting the beheading of St Valentine.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QX5RF35LDBAQBGK3NRSXYR6BZQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Tourist attraction","type":"header"},{"_id":"FUHZ4L5B2JGFNHRNDADWDHBSKY","content":"Chelmno has turned its famous saint into a big tourist attraction, with bakers and confectioners selling special Valentine rolls and heart-shaped treats.","type":"text"},{"_id":"S5HCFCMPZ5FT5ET2Q6ULGAU2M4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Complicating the love affair with St Valentine is that there may have been at least two individuals of that name, martyred in Italy in the late 3rd century.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3M7FGCFUJ4GB4R4HBDJ7LYX62M","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"QAYH6KRKWVACVPRGGDGXPAX2WQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Italian Valentines rose to fame in 496 when Pope Gelasius I dedicated February 14th as the saint's holy day. Previously it had been a holiday for Juno, the Queen of the Roman gods and goddesses.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RTLTUES7ENAQ3BIF2CYXWEZEPY","content":"A day later, on the Feast of Lupercalia, Roman boys were allowed to draw the name of a girl and spend the day with her.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KN5VKDHBHBAPJDXLP4D3VSVLAU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Traditions surrounding St Valentine as the patron saint of lovers appear to date back to Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century. Today at least 10 different churches claim to hold relics of St Valentine – from Madrid, Prague and Vienna to Birmingham and Glasgow.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A4ABFLMU5VH6BKD5O3DOCJJDQY","content":"Not satisfied with the sealed packages and bits of bone displayed elsewhere, Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria displays a skull discovered in the early 1800s which it claims to be that of the man himself, wearing a crown of flowers.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7KR2RNXMOFHPNHJZOMRKM6SR74","additional_properties":{},"content":"Ireland's ambassador to Poland Gerard Keown is delighted to have another connection between the two countries, alongside those of culture, business and the many Irish-Polish families.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GVW2GG32DJFNTBIYQ2LEVPGIQ4","content":"“It’s wonderful to think we can add a shared love of St Valentine to the list,” he said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XY4CA3XWSRHSNGLRWF2P2TCTYE","content":"Some 18 centuries on the message of St Valentine- remains unchanged: spread the love.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Derek Scally"}},"name":"Derek Scally"}]},"description":{"basic":"Many European churches – besides one in Dublin – claim to hold relics of St Valentine"},"display_date":"2018-02-14T01:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Love divided as European cities compete over St Valentine’s remains"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"WFH7TLP53HLMDAFM73VGMAUTCE","auth":{"1":"03a5d79fefe96c75755003647cbb5bae717362951ca3b105b6db0c7e45e21274"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/WFH7TLP53HLMDAFM73VGMAUTCE.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/love-divided-as-european-cities-compete-over-st-valentine-s-remains-1.3391177","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"DGATNBP4VTKJL3POJEAM7NQID4","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/plans-to-dim-fastnet-lighthouse-cause-upset-in-west-cork-1.3391294","content_elements":[{"_id":"TC5TBE2YEVDUNMW5FU4ZYRKMC4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Plans to dim the beam of Fastnet Lighthouse – known as Ireland's teardrop by departing emigrants, and a welcome sight for arriving sailors – have upset some tourism interests in west Cork.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XT6T42IODJFBDLFY7Y7YWTHX2E","additional_properties":{},"content":"The beam shines 27 nautical miles into the Atlantic. The <a href=\"http://www.irishlights.ie/\">Commissioners of Irish Lights</a>, which maintains navigational marks around the island, plans to install an Led-based light on the 28m tower from this summer. Powered by battery rather than the current three diesel generators, it will stretch only 18 nautical miles.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5TL3TQMPWRFGPBHX363FLML5K4","content":"A west Cork community organisation involved in tourism said several such groups in the area were very upset by the plan, and noted that Fastnet is a protected structure.","type":"text"},{"_id":"H7HN5KFWDJFM7FJ3X4OBGJ5NA4","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Independent Cork South-West TD Michael Collins, who lives near Schull, called on the lighthouse authority to start \"immediate consultations\" with the local community. He said tourism interests were very concerned about the loss of illumination at night, particularly on the landward side.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TPDN7EV5BFDOLGJRX2LIZYTW3A","additional_properties":{},"content":"\"Communities in Goleen, Schull, Baltimore and the islands of Roaringwater Bay are also worried about the visual impact of a shorter and narrower beam, given that this light is so important for safety at sea,\" said Mr Collins, who added: \"Just like president Mary Robinson had a light in her window for emigrants, so this Fastnet light represents something for Irish people everywhere.\"","type":"text"},{"_id":"UTRCIF6IKBE2HDYN3HX4FG3JZI","content":"Irish Lights’ director of operations and navigational services, Capt Robert McCabe, said the new light would be more fuel efficient and, although less powerful, comply with the maximum range required for lights on British and Irish coasts.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XTZXF3ZUV5HELJBZ6GBZKC4QDI","additional_properties":{},"content":"The <a href=\"http://www.irishsouthandwest.ie/\">Irish South & West Fish Producers' Organisation</a> has welcomed the upgrade.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Lorna Siggins"}},"name":"Lorna Siggins"}]},"description":{"basic":"Battery-powered LED beam due to replace three diesel generators"},"display_date":"2018-02-14T01:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Plans to dim Fastnet Lighthouse cause upset in west Cork"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"HOBHTUWBPWVXNABVKPCEI2WDLY","auth":{"1":"29662075047114511bcafe85c345cd09a16de1a366546f351e79aa58044287bb"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/HOBHTUWBPWVXNABVKPCEI2WDLY.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/plans-to-dim-fastnet-lighthouse-cause-upset-in-west-cork-1.3391294","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"2OVPB6T6N6HBZOHC3442BSLMPA","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/photoshopped-jesus-image-leads-to-fining-of-instagram-user-1.3386743","content_elements":[{"_id":"T5H2DJWJMNAYZHS2UYR3BV2RNY","additional_properties":{},"content":"A man who posted a picture on the internet of his own face superimposed on the body of an image of Jesus has been fined nearly €500 by a Spanish court, provoking outrage and a slew of copycat images.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NNVLUIYTFNFNLITZEHM36SSOZE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Daniel Serrano (24) posted the picture on the social media site Instagram in April of 2017. In it, his face, nose-ring included, appeared on the body of the Cristo de la Amargura, a large, wooden sculpture of Jesus.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FBGXFO45SBFRLNU2CCTP5EE4E4","content":"A local religious brotherhood, whose members carry the sculpture through the streets of the southern city of Jaén every Easter, asked Mr Serrano to remove the picture, but he refused, prompting them to take legal action. The prosecutor in the case described the Instagram post as “a shameful manipulation of the face of the image”, which amounted to “manifest contempt and ridicule of the brotherhood with the intention of offending”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7GR3FRVJP5BETPGZFTZVHBWQ5Q","content":"On Wednesday, a court in Jaén ordered Mr Serrano to pay €480 for committing a crime against religious feelings. The prosecutor had originally called for a fine of €2,100.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4I4VEZXFZZBIJJQ5OI7S5WC5LQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"\"Obviously, I wouldn't do it again, but this seems outrageous,\" Mr Serrano told <em>El Diario de Jaén</em> newspaper. Under the image, Mr Serrano had written a tribute to deceased American rapper Tupac Shakur.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WRP3M7PQG5AUHLAM47P22JI7NM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Olive farm","type":"header"},{"_id":"4PL3DAGZTNEQ5FKM5X2MKHZ3VE","content":"He said that he pleaded guilty on the advice of his lawyer. “She said it was best and that if I didn’t then I could be sentenced to pay much more,” he said. “I keep saying that at no point was it my intention to offend anyone.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"EVZFU2Y6TFASFNAXMON3GQCCBM","content":"Mr Serrano said he does not have enough money to pay the fine and that after finishing working at a local olive farm in the coming days, he will be unemployed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KJYTJS3NQRBRVCSHXACZSMUEOI","content":"But the court’s decision appears to have inflamed the controversy further. Soon after the ruling, a number of social network users posted images with their faces superimposed on bodies of Jesus, in a show of support for Mr Serrano.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DTTVWHHUEBF2NM45DRFVSYSQ3U","content":"Among them was Joaquín Urias, a former jurist at Spain’s constitutional court, who wrote under his own picture: “Well, given that I think sentencing a young guy for photoshopping his face on Christ is an outrage, I offer my solidarity.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QN4EMHWWMRDWTK7L3PZOJUDKNA","content":"The leftist Podemos party described the sentence as “absolutely disgraceful”, saying in a statement that “it’s as if Torquemada had come back to life and we had gone back to the times of the Inquisition”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5IN7KYT2KRG6NHFBINUKBXNQEE","content":"The party has started collecting money to help Mr Serrano pay the fine.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Guy Hedgecoe"}},"name":"Guy Hedgecoe"}]},"description":{"basic":"Spanish court finds Daniel Serrano guilty of offending religious feelings with picture"},"display_date":"2018-02-09T16:44:03Z","headlines":{"basic":"Photoshopped Jesus image leads to fining of Instagram user"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"NWLSMUL56YK4BUJSUEKEDYBXHA","auth":{"1":"f9d1adf8a4843a5c9a8579b0fc00209c04614e78ec1bb78f48fb2d059a354c97"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/NWLSMUL56YK4BUJSUEKEDYBXHA.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/photoshopped-jesus-image-leads-to-fining-of-instagram-user-1.3386743","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"WWVRDI36YMIJIUFSO5UIFS5RAE","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/student-flushed-emotional-support-hamster-after-airline-refusal-1.3386475","content_elements":[{"_id":"MGRKEECJZZFQRDPCRTOGV2DAVU","content":"Missing a flight can be quite a hassle for your average passenger, but for Pebbles - an emotional support dwarf hamster owned by Belen Aldecosea - it was downright deadly.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OXOUVALUGVH63LDH63OR4EHM2I","content":"Ms Aldecosea flushed Pebbles down an airport toilet after her pet was denied passage on a Spirit Airlines flight on November 21st and she could not figure out any other way to get home to south Florida. The 21-year-old college student said she had been assured in advance the hamster could travel with her and said an airline employee advised her to either flush the animal or let it loose outside.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7GCLDBFBZ5HAHGKZF57LG7GEV4","content":"After hours of indecision - and unsuccessful attempts to rent a car - the hamster owner chose the former, she told the Miami Herald.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DWH6R4FTRJE4JMJHC4TOT5XD3I","content":"“She was scared. I was scared. It was horrifying trying to put her in the toilet,” Ms Aldecosea said. “I sat there for a good 10 minutes crying in the stall.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"7UE7LBH4XVCLFFNWFMG5UAEHLI","content":"Derek Dombrowski, spokesman for Spirit Airlines, acknowledged that the company had mistakenly told Aldocosea that the hamster was permitted to fly, but denied that killing the animal was their idea.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CQPQKEDMCJEGVDVKSQT4P7JMYY","content":"“We can say confidently that at no point did any of our agents suggest this guest (or any other for that matter) should flush or otherwise injure an animal,” Mr Dombrowski said by email. “It is incredibly disheartening to hear this guest reportedly decided to end her own pet’s life.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"A3B6JSV72VFCBC4NBKADPE5SO4","content":"Pebbles is just the latest emotional support animal to make headlines in the US. In January, an emotional support peacock named Dexter was barred from travelling on a United Airlines flight, despite having been bought its own ticket.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QTOB5A2DWJA57EOYWPUGOGMQUA","content":"In recent weeks, both United Airlines and Delta have cracked down on the wide range of creatures claimed as therapy pets. Such moves have been supported by the union representing flight attendants, which said in a statement that the workers struggle to cope with issues like “biting, aggression, urination, defecation, allergic reactions, conflict and other disruptions”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JR56RD4KEZDY3FGVCWV5RZ5VIA","content":"But Adam Goldman, a Miami attorney representing Ms Aldecosea, pushed back on any comparison between Pebble and Dexter.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FHHIQFKB4VFKTLWA32VQASXSUU","content":"“This wasn’t a giant peacock that could pose a danger to other passengers,” he told the Herald. “This was a tiny cute harmless hamster that could fit in the palm of her hand.” – Guardian","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"description":{"basic":"‘She was scared. I was scared. It was horrifying trying to put her in the toilet’"},"display_date":"2018-02-09T12:03:39Z","headlines":{"basic":"Student flushed ‘emotional support hamster’ after airline refusal"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"7KEKCVMKVNWNEPWXQ5MYVZE5AA","auth":{"1":"1608790473231da2472d3f1edfa82ef5c3d097c16636c60f2cce6b9ac63a40a7"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/7KEKCVMKVNWNEPWXQ5MYVZE5AA.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/student-flushed-emotional-support-hamster-after-airline-refusal-1.3386475","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"LOBKU7RNCRA5CXSEMMHJOOZBSM","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/donald-trump-s-marilyn-monroe-moment-hair-raising-video-goes-viral-1.3384720","content_elements":[{"_id":"NRG6MV3KKFFS7KYMVYMIQSBKX4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Is Donald Trump's hair morphing into Marilyn Monroe's dress moment? A hair-raising gust of wind as the president of the United States of America walked the plank – sorry, steps – to board Airforce One blew up more than any self-respecting comber-over might like. The hair-raising gust lifted the lid on a deadly combination: the pairing of a massive ego and a lack of self-awareness.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LPQE3QHRDVDDVL63UBY2VMKNNY","content":"The video of Trump inadvertently exposing the truth of what lies beneath the orange manes went viral on Wednesday, with shares, memes, mirth and speculation about what was exposed on top of his head. It was a mesmerising sight, an ‘uggghhh’ moment. It wasn’t pretty.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z2D7GZHNGVH6JCBLCFZOL2CURM","additional_properties":{},"content":"The effects of this blast compare unfavourably with another famous gust; Marilyn Monroe's white dress blowing up as she steps over a subway grate in Billy Wilder's <em>The Seven Year Itch</em>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5TGY5ESPERF4NDL4725ITICB4I","additional_properties":{},"content":"The 20-second video clip, of Trump boarding Air Force One to head to Florida last Friday, captures the president from behind and exposes new battlelines in the US – the president's struggle to keep whatever hair substance is on his head attached to the scalp.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TYUOWCGJERFEZLKXGVQWKM44J4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Analysing the footage","type":"header"},{"_id":"IRLEMBUFAJH2DJQGISQGIDS6BY","content":"There’s been a bit of analysis of the orange one’s hair, and it’s generally agreed it’s not a rug but overlong strands in a sort of tonsure, badly dyed, probably drugged, then teased into a comb-over and fixed with hairspray.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YWER5PPDGRDATKY5UYTGLKUKRE","additional_properties":{},"content":"The somewhat blurry footage seems to confirm his daughter Ivanka's gleeful description of her father's bizarre rituals, as reported in Michael Wolff's <em>Fire and Fury</em>: \"An absolutely clean pate – a contained island after scalp reduction surgery – surrounded by a furry circle of hair around the sides and front, from which all ends are drawn up to meet in the centre then swept back and secured by a stiffening spray.\"","type":"text"},{"_id":"XOIK6NF5JVGXLILQPXVU25VRCA","content":"“Expert” analysis from hair restoration folk apparently indicates previous hair transplantation to the front of his hairline and high powered topical medication or a laser therapy cap. The latter is a device that applies laser beams to the scalp to try to sprout hair growth; some say it would explain why Trump wears a baseball hat so often.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EBMN5ILEBRF7BIA2LTVCPQK3BU","additional_properties":{},"content":"The hair question","type":"header"},{"_id":"YVFKBGRIBVG6DI2LDYLCHZBLEA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Unsurprisingly, the White House didn't respond immediately to enquiries, but the man himself has previously referred to the hair question. During the campaign he promised to change his hairdo if he won. At a campaign event in Winterset, Iowa he said: \"I would probably comb my hair back. Why? Because this thing is too hard to comb. I wouldn't have time, because if I were in the White House, I'd be working my ass off.\" And later at an election rally in Alabama he promised: \"If it rains, I'll take off my hat, and I'll prove once and for all that it's mine.\"","type":"text"},{"_id":"UKSOFNPTPBBSPCWQECIHBQUP7A","content":"His inadvertent hair-raising exposure probably proved that, but in a rather undignified way. Plus ça change.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Deirdre Falvey"}},"name":"Deirdre Falvey"}]},"description":{"basic":"Following analysis, it’s generally agreed Trump’s hairdo is overlong strands in a sort of tonsure"},"display_date":"2018-02-08T11:18:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Donald Trump’s Marilyn Monroe moment? Hair-raising video goes viral"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"DTFCBHNZHSZXBGD7VGTQ4OJUCY","auth":{"1":"19069b4ae889f55312ff9358def59e27ed48d6f72c267f20dca32fca39db83c7"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/DTFCBHNZHSZXBGD7VGTQ4OJUCY.jpg"},"lead_art":{"_id":"3SDJYXBMU42HWRKMQQYFE4VRLA","embed_html":"<div class=\"powa\" id=\"powa-3SDJYXBMU42HWRKMQQYFE4VRLA\" data-org=\"irishtimes\" data-env=\"prod\" data-uuid=\"3SDJYXBMU42HWRKMQQYFE4VRLA\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.562\" data-api=\"prod\"><script src=\"//irishtimes.video-player.arcpublishing.com/prod/powaBoot.js?org=irishtimes\"><\/script></div>","promo_image":{"auth":{"1":"cb330717459c934a9d8285304f11c00282768925a590ac5cb7e18b7ccd886161"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_404dfc4797b04fc0a991679f7e01dbcf_name_1795463433001_5728763282001_5728754282001_.jpg"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"auth":{"1":"cb330717459c934a9d8285304f11c00282768925a590ac5cb7e18b7ccd886161"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_404dfc4797b04fc0a991679f7e01dbcf_name_1795463433001_5728763282001_5728754282001_.jpg"}},"type":"video"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/donald-trump-s-marilyn-monroe-moment-hair-raising-video-goes-viral-1.3384720","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"3SDJYXBMU42HWRKMQQYFE4VRLA","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/hair-raising-footage-reveals-trump-comb-over-1.3384672","credits":{},"description":{"basic":"Gusts of wind revealed US President Donald Trump famed comb over as he walked onto Air Force One on Friday 2nd February. "},"display_date":"2018-02-08T10:19:30Z","embed_html":"<div class=\"powa\" id=\"powa-3SDJYXBMU42HWRKMQQYFE4VRLA\" data-org=\"irishtimes\" data-env=\"prod\" data-uuid=\"3SDJYXBMU42HWRKMQQYFE4VRLA\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.562\" data-api=\"prod\"><script src=\"//irishtimes.video-player.arcpublishing.com/prod/powaBoot.js?org=irishtimes\"><\/script></div>","headlines":{"basic":"Hair-raising footage reveals Trump comb over"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"auth":{"1":"cb330717459c934a9d8285304f11c00282768925a590ac5cb7e18b7ccd886161"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_404dfc4797b04fc0a991679f7e01dbcf_name_1795463433001_5728763282001_5728754282001_.jpg"}},"taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Video"},{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"video","website_url":"/news/offbeat/hair-raising-footage-reveals-trump-comb-over-1.3384672","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/video","name":"Video"}}}},{"_id":"TBGLJBY33B6XKLF2ILWNHTDH5E","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/drone-footage-captures-beauty-of-the-dublin-mountains-under-snow-1.3381991","credits":{},"description":{"basic":"A gentle dusting of snow brings out the beauty of the Dublin Mountains. Met Éireann says any low-lying frost, ice and snow will recede this morning.Video: Enda O'Dowd"},"display_date":"2018-02-06T11:19:45Z","embed_html":"<div class=\"powa\" id=\"powa-TBGLJBY33B6XKLF2ILWNHTDH5E\" data-org=\"irishtimes\" data-env=\"prod\" data-uuid=\"TBGLJBY33B6XKLF2ILWNHTDH5E\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.562\" data-api=\"prod\"><script src=\"//irishtimes.video-player.arcpublishing.com/prod/powaBoot.js?org=irishtimes\"><\/script></div>","headlines":{"basic":"Drone footage captures beauty of the Dublin Mountains under snow"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"auth":{"1":"03f54d8131f6969561f38d3f022855dce6f84da10a8e3fed78d3add96301fc53"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_75cfe0d4359f4721bbd7d43d58cee4f1_name_1795463433001_5727084927001_5727082490001_.jpg"}},"taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Video"},{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"video","website_url":"/news/offbeat/drone-footage-captures-beauty-of-the-dublin-mountains-under-snow-1.3381991","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/video","name":"Video"}}}},{"_id":"3LE64AW2J35KCAFR43QNSLGH2E","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/ashes-and-cinders-a-spontaneous-combustion-on-prussia-street-1.3369596","content_elements":[{"_id":"FFIVCYEXZNDXDJE52WZDMHXOX4","additional_properties":{},"content":"The walls of the front room of number 33 Prussia Street were covered in black, fat-laden smuts. Plastic flowers on a table in the centre of the room had been reduced to liquid and a television with a melted screen sat 12 feet from an armchair containing the ashen remains of Margaret Hogan.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FO5OUKR4JFFGBL47IV36RZO2ZQ","content":"The pensioner’s body had been burned, almost to the point of complete destruction, by a fire. However, her surroundings were, for the most part, untouched by flames.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FM5I3ON6YNCZTDE74QUF4GEHME","additional_properties":{},"content":"Conor Brady, who would later become Editor of <em>The Irish Times</em> in 1986, was the first reporter on the scene on March 28th, 1970.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YKUHMNRRUVHTFCKRB3Z6BUBIV4","additional_properties":{},"content":"\"The lady had been reduced to a little pile of ashes, it was just two little ankles sticking out,\" recalls Brady, speaking to Lost Leads.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XQYXTKSQJFF77JE6TNSCFI3MLY","content":"“There had been evidence in the room of the most intense of heat. The television set was turned into a blob in the corner. But there was very little evidence of fire - a bit of charring around where she was sitting.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"UPZOE3GOSZESFD7DR2MNFKIPGI","content":"Mrs Hogan was a widow and lived alone. The 89-year-old, who required “a deal of looking after” was often visited at home by her neighbour, Kathleen Rigney.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VYV4CBHVVRA4FMUIRZF66G2M4E","content":"On March 27th, 1970, Mrs Rigney called into Mrs Hogan’s house at about 4pm. She washed Mrs Hogan’s feet and hair before leaving her in her usual health, sitting in an armchair by the fire. At 9.30am the following morning, Mrs Hogan’s remains were discovered.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZUFIVCOR25F77G6YJRP2HPFM54","additional_properties":{},"content":"The damage caused to her body was extensive, \"so much so, that a pathologist who carried out the postmortem on the remains said that he had never seen such complete destruction of human tissue,\" reads the report Brady wrote for <em>The Irish Times</em>, published on May 12th, 1970.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IOO5IWTB3RCLVGK5MGIXJQKA2A","type":"quote"},{"_id":"RQQ6XPLKC5H7VIZBUJZVJVUIYA","content":"Although the majority of her body had been turned to “ashes and cinders”, her two feet, from below the knees, had been undamaged. “Apart from the chair on which the dead woman had been sitting and a square yard of linoleum and some rug directly under the remains, there was no damage from the fire in the room.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QQLUIIDNCRFODCAQC6UTLSRYDQ","content":"While it was clear Mrs Hogan had died due to burning, there were no apparent clues as to what started the fire. The room she was found in was five-sided, and a small coal fire had been burning in the grate when Mrs Rigney left the house. However, “no connection could be found between this fire and that in which Mrs Hogan died.” Self-immolation was ruled out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2TP6QX4JBBAJ5I27WCU7PSP52A","additional_properties":{},"content":"‘Nobody believed me’","type":"header"},{"_id":"IVPEMU44BNC4FAWBBD5OLAVH3I","content":"The idea of “spontaneous combustion”, a forensic term used to describe a fire without an obvious cause, arose.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z3VX6I4SWJASTI55FCWIAU5BPE","additional_properties":{},"content":"\"Nobody believed me at the time in <em>The Irish Times</em>, and in fact, I had the greatest of difficulty in getting them to publish it,\" says Brady.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D7AHEIXIWFF35NCFMU7KUPTWFY","additional_properties":{},"content":"\"The news editor at the time was Gerry Mulvey and he was very sceptical about it. The thing went around the house for a few days before it got in. I remember Maeve Binchy got very excited by it - 'Oh' she said, 'maybe she swallowed a cigarette!'\"","type":"text"},{"_id":"SKKP4PM2UZDBZC4CZHDG7ONEII","content":"Another person interested in the case was the Dublin city coroner at the time, the late Dr Paddy Bofin. When Brady called to ask his opinion, it emerged the doctor had a bet with another city coroner in the UK - the first to encounter a verified case of spontaneous combustion had to buy the other dinner. Following this case, Dr Bofin won the bet.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2Q25OMDQJSUV6YRDD4OSR76PIE","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"7R5AXXHXPFD2VKYTGKZUN3BVG4","content":"At the time, Dr Bofin concluded he had no doubt Mrs Hogan died from burning.","type":"text"},{"_id":"33A4Z6ZNZFG4NBFVY5RKSY2TSI","content":"“The circumstances of the burning are unusual and would conform to what is called ‘spontaneous combustion’,” he said, adding that the term “does not mean that the fires are in fact spontaneous in origin, it’s simply a term carried on in forensic literature to describe a set of circumstances in which a person is burned to death without an obvious source for the fire.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"V7PW32MJTZB4RDLU4NRTAZBPKA","content":"This is a point stressed by Brady: “The phenomenon reposes in the extreme degree of destruction - nobody seriously argues that people burst into flames on their own.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"46FUKBDZFJE3ZCJKOFRGCEPIME","content":"In theory, a spark from the from the fire could have ignited Mrs Hogan’s clothes. However, the story notes, it was “difficult to visualise such utter destruction of human tissue arising from a fire of this nature, but it is even more difficult to conceive of such a fire reducing a body - bones included - to ashes and cinders without causing a conflagration in the room.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"HB56BCTMYZD45DVJDQLYRUWCKI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Cause ‘unknown’","type":"header"},{"_id":"NDDYM5OSNBHFBHZFU6DYRIIIWI","content":"The inquest, held on April 3rd, recorded death by burning, with the cause of the fire listed as “unknown”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZB4GE4FPGFB6ZKQ7ZE2DM5VO5I","content":"Door-to-door Garda inquiries, not published at the time, uncovered witnesses who reported seeing a ball of orange light near Mrs Hogan’s window. It was not clear what that could have been; the idea of a lightning strike or perhaps even ball lightning was proffered, though it may have been the glow of light of the fire.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DEVICBOM3JGBBG4ZALLP4VX7PA","content":"Deaths by spontaneous human combustion (SHC) have been recorded for centuries, both in official inquests and often in literature. Brady, in his report in 1970, noted how the “modern origin” of SHC appeared in Charles Dickens’s Bleak House, in which the character Mr Krook burns to death.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2RHJBM3UKZAH3OBLXWLLEZKRVI","content":"A more recent Irish case of SHC involved the death of 76-year-old Michael Faherty at his home in Ballybane, Co Galway, in 2010.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EN3GPHGPMJENHGFP7PDMNKPGQM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Like Mrs Hogan, Mr Faherty's body had been badly burned, yet \"the court was told that no trace of an accelerant had been found and there was nothing to suggest foul play,\" according to an <em>Irish Times</em> report on September 23rd, 2011.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6Z5BNUYIJVHLHCUXQE3EHAY33M","content":"Mr Faherty had been found near an open fireplace, which was, like the Prussia Street case, deemed not to have been the source of the blaze that engulfed him. Again, the only real damage was to the body and the floor beneath it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UIFJ7AUMEZBB3OSWZ3BZJAEMLI","content":"Dr Ciarán McLoughlin, addressing the inquest, told the inquest he had never encountered a case like that of Mr Faherty in 25 years. SHC victims, he noted, were almost always near an open fireplace or chimney.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BGLYFQ2NLJBODKPO73B4RYBIVE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Potential causes","type":"header"},{"_id":"6SX44BUUXVDY5LBD662UOD65TQ","content":"High blood alcohol, methane in the digestive system and static electricity are among the potential causes that have been used to explain the phenomenon.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WX2VFX7M55HY5HNYOZFX3LZX2U","additional_properties":{},"content":"A modern theory often used to describe the intense burning of SHC victims is the \"wick effect\". Writing in the wake of the 2011 verdict, <em>Irish Times</em> columnist and emeritus professor of biochemistry at UCC William Reville summed it up by describing the human body as an \"inside-out candle\".","type":"text"},{"_id":"AD7QKVRAO5BLFFYCACACFXXJPM","content":"The theory assumes an external source of ignition, which lights the person’s clothes. A person’s skin may then split, which releases subcutaneous fat, which acts like the wax in a candle. The fat then “soaks” into the wick (the clothing) and burning continues as it does in a normal candle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DS267T6YJZHQNMNHTKYZ527ELQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Scientists remain sceptical of using the term \"spontaneous human combustion\". Writing in the journal <em>Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology</em> in 2016, Prof Roger Byard of the University of Adelaide's Medical Science unit says researchers prefer \"isolated body combustion\", as there is ''always an external source of heat to ignite the body.''","type":"text"},{"_id":"PDF4H3R23NBBNLWRZASYBGYFZI","content":"“It would seem reasonable to relegate ‘spontaneous human combustion’ to the category of urban myth,” he concluded.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HQKRA6VKJNEUXLS4BKQJEHP2N4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Lost Leads","type":"interstitial_link"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Dean Ruxton"}},"name":"Dean Ruxton"}]},"description":{"basic":"Lost Leads, 1970: Gardaí struggled to find the cause of a fire that ‘almost completely destroyed’ a woman’s remains"},"display_date":"2018-02-04T10:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘Ashes and cinders’: A spontaneous combustion on Prussia Street"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"VAPZ244AA55G4DI7BRWXOIGI6E","auth":{"1":"4065900767a556553a3e859183e8b2ac430daf3cf16a1fd8b32a3063fce01e62"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/VAPZ244AA55G4DI7BRWXOIGI6E.jpg"}},"subtype":"opinion","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/ashes-and-cinders-a-spontaneous-combustion-on-prussia-street-1.3369596","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"K7RH7UJMWTJ7AQ6WIAQ2YFILJY","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/emotional-support-peacock-turned-away-by-airline-1.3374879","content_elements":[{"_id":"FFGHMI4ISVHSVDUNZ7SWVNMYRY","content":"A United Airlines passenger who tried to take her “emotional support peacock” with her on a cross-country flight has had the bird turned away by the airline because of health and safety concerns.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EQIZ7MMIIJA2HGDZXAY63HF4YI","content":"New York City-based photographer and performance artist Ventiko says she bought a ticket for her peacock, Dexter, so he would have his own seat on Sunday’s flight from New Jersey’s Newark Liberty international airport to Los Angeles.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DYRT3JXWMREZPGETQDYEDGY2GA","content":"A spokeswoman for Chicago-based United says the peacock didn’t meet guidelines for several reasons, including its size and weight. Spokeswoman Andrea Hiller says the issues had been explained to the passenger three times “before they arrived at the airport”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SHIFNV76GVFILA4HDE5MLPSNMU","content":"<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/BeejEFChTct/\" data-instgrm-version=\"8\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:8px;\"> <div style=\" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;\"> <div style=\" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;\"></div></div> <p style=\" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;\"> <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/BeejEFChTct/\" style=\" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;\" target=\"_blank\">@kumathedestructor took this great shot of me at #newarkairport today. Spent 6 hours trying to get on my flight to LA Tomorrow my human friends are going to drive me cross country! Keep an out for us! #bestroadtripbuddy #dexterthepeacock</a></p> <p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\">A post shared by <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/dexterthepeacock/\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;\" target=\"_blank\"> Dexter The Peacock</a> (@dexterthepeacock) on <time style=\" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;\" datetime=\"2018-01-28T03:01:41+00:00\">Jan 27, 2018 at 7:01pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src=\"//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js\"><\/script>","type":"raw_html"},{"_id":"4ZKRI7YBABAQJBCLNIMP55BS6Q","content":"Dexter’s Instagram account notes his “human friends” will be driving him cross-country.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BC6XU3KJZVFSFLY3KTKAL2POIA","content":"“Spent 6 hours trying to get on my flight to LA,” the post reads. – PA","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"description":{"basic":"Bird named Dexter was banned from United Airlines flight flight due to health and safety"},"display_date":"2018-01-31T09:51:13Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘Emotional support peacock’ turned away by airline"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"36UBAD36VVP6V5UYBJ32AN6VEE","auth":{"1":"0e973aa8a1f23afbc542b2484b4ccf750b7df1598f7f130d5e6a0fb9f9f92040"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/36UBAD36VVP6V5UYBJ32AN6VEE.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/emotional-support-peacock-turned-away-by-airline-1.3374879","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"5LQOWU2NDREOZJJCC5SSF7Q5C4","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/ferry-mcferryface-unmasked-foi-reveals-minister-chose-name-not-the-public-1.3373443","content_elements":[{"_id":"SHV7QJE53JBXVKQY5NUZDCLCII","content":"A freedom of information request has revealed that Ferry McFerryface, a controversial new name for a Sydney ferry supposedly chosen by the public, was not actually voted in but chosen by the New South Wales transport minister.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4E3GL35OGZEU5DNLWSI2KNPTXA","content":"Last November the NSW government announced that the name - a reference to the UK’s infamous Boaty McBoatface - had been chosen by an overwhelming number of voters as part of a $100,000 campaign to pick the names of six new ferries.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KC3ONCNFZFH3VABOBMED7ADDV4","content":"At the time the transport minister, Andrew Constance, declared it had come second, after Boaty McBoatface. “Given Boaty was already taken by another vessel, we’ve gone with the next most popular name nominated by Sydneysiders,” he said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A7QTAYE2SBCQDARZJQEFPS2PVE","content":"But a Channel Nine freedom of informationrequest revealed on Tuesday that Ferry McFerryface only received 182 votes and was not the popular choice.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7VQRA3T34RACXI5N7S6Q4R2XXE","content":"The real winning response, with more than 2,000 votes, was to name the ferry after the founder of Clean Up Australia and 1994 Australian of the Year, Ian Kiernan.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DWJ7662D2ZFIDLNZY3RWSCZ6QQ","content":"Fairfax Media reported at the time that, weeks before the announcement, Kiernan had been told by the department that his name would grace the ferry. The day before the Ferry McFerryface announcement, he was informed that he had been replaced.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TZ4ZNDI3RVHVVDIY5V7WRXPIN4","content":"On Tuesday, Constance issued a statement saying that in an initial round of nominations, prior to voting, Ferry McFerryface received 229 nominations compared with 17 for Ian Kiernan.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LKP6C2YXRVGOXCRMTTKR3NOOAU","content":"“The second round of voting did not include Ferry McFerryface as an option,” he said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VBFB6MNPIZED3E2PITCNSR5GSA","content":"He also defended the name as “branding” that was only intended to be temporary.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IWMII35LZZAWBBFG6TFV7MOMR4","content":"“We always said we would just run it over summer, have a look at how it goes,” he told Channel Nine. “It’s had a bit of international recognition, bit of lighthearted fun, lots of kids taking selfies.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RDOBI7PFMJBO7D2O6ZTMATFBYE","content":"“We followed the panel recommendations for the first five but, for the last one, we thought, ‘Let’s do something a bit different’.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"DG3LPCESRJBWRFJXQJ67BGUZ7I","content":"In the statement he said: “The ferry is officially named Emerald 6 for maritime purposes and branded Ferry McFerryface.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"TKP7FTCIB5CZXGGBQJPT3NBVXE","content":"A Transport for NSW briefing, obtained by Channel Nine, revealed that, 12 months before the announcement, the department warned Constance to “mitigate the risk of satirical naming campaigns”. The minister signed off on the plan while adding the proviso that there be “no fish names”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"62S5K2LOFBBYHDZ6IBJAJYWZIM","content":"But, a year later, he intervened to christen the boat Ferry McFerryface.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O4C5HTCQHRAXBIF6DT2I7LN27M","content":"The other five ferries were named after the obstetrician Catherine Hamlin, the ophthalmologist Fred Hollows, the heart surgeon Victor Chang and the Indigenous leaders Pemulwuy and Bungaree.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IJHA3FCMTJEZ7GORL4VOOJNGHY","content":"The non-McFerryface names were suggested by a panel including the directors of the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Australian Museum, among others.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VZEFHQHIFFEZHLVIRPPNR45FVM","content":"The initial announcement in November was greeted with disdain on social media and strongly opposed by the Maritime Union of Australia.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5QSTTOACEFBKHKI6DE2SF4CS3M","content":"The assistant secretary of the union’s Sydney branch, Paul Garrett, told 2GB radio Constance was “taking the absolute mickey out of public transport in this state.” – Guardian","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"description":{"basic":"Freedom of Information request reveals public wanted ferry named after Clean Up Australia founder Ian Kiernan"},"display_date":"2018-01-30T07:41:35Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ferry McFerryface unmasked: FOI reveals minister chose name, not the 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UK’s first package holiday company to provide such a service.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TC2M4QC4RFA4ZL4CRJIBYDPUTM","content":"Travel firms receive numerous complaints from customers unable to use hotel sunbeds because many are reserved by people leaving towels, books and other belongings on them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WWKFHSRXPVEGJNPY6JRKSPMW5A","content":"A number of videos have been posted online in recent months showing desperate holidaymakers waiting for hotel pools to open in the early hours of the morning so they can bag a sunbed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YI6TV4MF6RBP3D5T2LP6R677UY","content":"Thomas Cook believes its new service will prove popular with families who want to spend more time together in their preferred location.","type":"text"},{"_id":"X33OFD7JT5DSRA6XHAWKRTUK64","content":"It commissioned a poll of 1,500 working parents which found that three out of four (74 per cent) feel they “lack quality time with their children” during an average weekday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IBPMDBJGQFEJ3KPT3YEELKUHNY","content":"Half (50 per cent) of those surveyed said holidays are their top spending priority in 2018.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RTMKEW3OLJC7XHGV7SKYIEPIYY","content":"Thomas Cook’s UK managing director Chris Mottershead said: “Traditional package holidays are a thing of the past.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KUKYOZSDUNBEBPSVCMHFO4UIPA","content":"“Holidaymakers today want to personalise their package, mixing and matching the elements that best fit their needs and lifestyle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XW7HPS27V5F43CIRMILKKD2GTM","content":"“We’re excited about the opportunity with Choose Your Favourite Sunbed, particularly among families that want to secure a number of beds together in a specific spot.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QC5BUHFWTNG4TMT72C6FMA2I2Q","content":"Sunbeds will be displayed on a map featuring a compass to help people work out whether certain areas will be in the sun or shade a different times of the day.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2OH64V3TGZENXBIJMD4RUVP5II","content":"Only a proportion of a hotel’s sunbeds will be bookable, in a bid to ensure there are still enough sunbeds for those who do not want to pay the premium.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JQVGTJHILBGEVP3XNZINEZ4BIA","content":"The scheme is being trialled in three hotels from the end of next month, and will be available in 30 hotels this summer.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZCWFSJSWMRCC5LJL3F42KSK4ZQ","content":"A service to allow customers to select their hotel room before the start of their trip attracted more than 10,000 bookings during a trial phase last year, Thomas Cook said. – Press Association","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"description":{"basic":"Holidaymakers are being offered the chance to reserve sunbeds, for a price"},"display_date":"2018-01-29T08:02:28Z","headlines":{"basic":"Will this mark the end of the daily dash for 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Video: CCTV"},"display_date":"2018-01-28T10:49:50Z","embed_html":"<div class=\"powa\" id=\"powa-WI3FW3AEW4BDMX4S6ZZ7QS4LJU\" data-org=\"irishtimes\" data-env=\"prod\" data-uuid=\"WI3FW3AEW4BDMX4S6ZZ7QS4LJU\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.562\" data-api=\"prod\"><script src=\"//irishtimes.video-player.arcpublishing.com/prod/powaBoot.js?org=irishtimes\"><\/script></div>","headlines":{"basic":"Papers please? Wild elephant casually slips over China-Laos border"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"auth":{"1":"859b8509dfd970e6eb671ee3605dad139b3d030152b32850d10f2abfc02ce247"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_69e34541cb9e4ab6bde8f3baf95cb4fd_name_1795463433001_5721084631001_5721080304001_.jpg"}},"taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Video"},{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"video","website_url":"/news/offbeat/papers-please-wild-elephant-casually-slips-over-china-laos-border-1.3371208","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/video","name":"Video"}}}},{"_id":"KES2MDVQ5LOPMGXDLLEJT3FSOQ","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/police-called-over-nutella-riots-in-french-shops-1.3369472","content_elements":[{"_id":"FEARNJKGS5D4HE3MOIUSAZS56A","additional_properties":{},"content":"The French government will discuss ways of limiting special promotions on food items at its next cabinet meeting on January 31st, after shoppers shouted, pushed, shoved and even came to blows in \"Nutella riots\" in various parts of France on Thursday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"47H6KNOJHRG5PKRSCKKW5TNL3M","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Intermarché supermarket chain precipitated what one employee called a \"catastrophe\" by advertising a three-day sale on 950-gram jars of the Italian-made hazelnut and chocolate spread, which were reduced in price by 70 per cent, from €4.70 to €1.41.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GLE6ZNLFGNCXTCKGRYQENTIJYQ","content":"The promotion was supposed to last until Saturday, but many shops ran out within minutes. Police intervened in some places.","type":"text"},{"_id":"W7FNTPLCRRGEXPEPDAM2UJLN5E","additional_properties":{},"content":"\"People rushed in, knocked things over, broke jars. It was an orgy!\" an Intermarché employee in Moselle told the Agence France Presse. At Horme, in the Loire Valley, \"We tried to act as buffers between clients, but they pushed us out of the way,\" an employee told Europe 1 radio. She swore a customer sustained a black eye in the scramble.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VUU3QHDOWFDZTFCCYPPLW2UDDE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Three hundred jars at the small Intermarché in Saint-Chamond, also in the Loire, went in 15 minutes. \"People were fighting. We sold three months' worth. There was nothing but Nutella at the checkout,\" a cashier said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YXBIYMILY5F57FPAC7HZTVMXNA","content":"A customer at Rive-de-Gier said people “acted like animals. A woman had her hair pulled. An old lady was hit in the head with a cardboard box. Someone else had a bleeding hand. It was horrible”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6AZE73M6LJCQNMQQ34VCWBKQHQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Queues formed outside supermarkets before opening time on Thursday morning. Some customers had hidden Nutella jars in other parts of the store the previous night, the manager of the Intermarché at Montbrison said. He limited the offer to three jars per person.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4KUM5LO6IZH4HLDYC2ZVTMXLFY","content":"Somehow, one can’t imagine anyone rioting for Marmite.","type":"text"},{"_id":"V43T35E65RBCHBXI23P2JWY43I","additional_properties":{},"content":"Ferrero, the Italian company that makes Nutella, issued a statement saying it \"deplores this operation and its consequeances that create confusion and disappointment in the minds of consumers\".","type":"text"},{"_id":"LLBJKYFRAREDZGALFS4TIB4BZQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"This is not the first time Nutella has made headlines. Last November, Ferrero had to reassure consumers regarding a tiny adjustment in milk content. In August 2017, a lorry filled with 20 tonnes of Nutella and Kinder eggs was stolen in Germany. In 2016, the McDonald's fast food chain in Italy launched the \"McNutella\", a burger-shaped brioche filled with Nutella and served in a burger box.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CUKLESHX6RCUVGEWM2TG2UU4KA","content":"France accounts for a quarter of the global consumption of Nutella and is the largest Nutella market in the world.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Lara Marlowe"}},"name":"Lara Marlowe"}]},"description":{"basic":"‘People rushed in ... it was an orgy!’: 70 per cent discount sends shoppers into a frenzy"},"display_date":"2018-01-26T16:40:57Z","headlines":{"basic":"Police called over Nutella ‘riots’ in French shops"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"D4UAH6V642OJ5RRS2ERXTAOVAQ","auth":{"1":"5edf90255a62d3edf2866cbd8c5ff07d4f3ff162e6f531103f21501eecf9f780"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/D4UAH6V642OJ5RRS2ERXTAOVAQ.jpg"},"lead_art":{"_id":"BEAIOQO632INOSMXLX45CUPTQI","embed_html":"<div class=\"powa\" id=\"powa-BEAIOQO632INOSMXLX45CUPTQI\" data-org=\"irishtimes\" data-env=\"prod\" data-uuid=\"BEAIOQO632INOSMXLX45CUPTQI\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.562\" data-api=\"prod\"><script src=\"//irishtimes.video-player.arcpublishing.com/prod/powaBoot.js?org=irishtimes\"><\/script></div>","promo_image":{"auth":{"1":"7612af07d8ca32bd5b2bfe5de00a60fb6729110f9d393c327c0e28e3586f7d95"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_977196095b9f4aeaad0af7073b2659a6_name_1795463433001_5719953826001_5719942553001_.jpg"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"auth":{"1":"7612af07d8ca32bd5b2bfe5de00a60fb6729110f9d393c327c0e28e3586f7d95"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_977196095b9f4aeaad0af7073b2659a6_name_1795463433001_5719953826001_5719942553001_.jpg"}},"type":"video"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/police-called-over-nutella-riots-in-french-shops-1.3369472","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"BEAIOQO632INOSMXLX45CUPTQI","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/nutella-riots-spread-across-french-supermarkets-1.3369518","credits":{},"description":{"basic":"There were violent scenes in some of France's Intermarché supermarkets after they slashed the price of Nutella from €4.50 to €1.40. 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Her body was first uncovered in 1975, while Basel's Barfüsser church was being renovated.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KXPWWLF4NNE2ZNONSORRXSWHY4","content":"It was well preserved due to a high level of mercury in the remains, often a sign that someone had been treated for syphilis. The site of her burial, in front of the altar in the church, indicated that she was probably a person of high status.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SUWWKVK4GBHXHJMCT3DPNI7N6Q","additional_properties":{},"content":"Johnson relationship confirmed","type":"header"},{"_id":"4PRQLJNGRFFG3ALSBRMTN5QUFE","content":"A new study of the body extracted DNA from the mummy’s big toe, and this was compared to descendants of the Bischoff line. A 99.8 per cent match was found, and the relationship to the Johnson family is confirmed by records of births, deaths and marriages.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AHS5TMKENBGVXFLSA4C2FYXA4U","additional_properties":{},"content":"Bischoff's daughter married Christian Hubert Baron Pfeffel von Kriegelstein, and several generations of Von Pfeffels later the family line reaches Boris Johnson's father, Stanley.","type":"text"},{"_id":"66DGHBZBSFDF5OIDINPZ6UB6M4","content":"Swiss public television channel SRF 1 is airing an edition of science programme Einstein about the hunt for the mummy’s identity.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DKJJIRMC25DDTHMRKF3WBFREPI","content":"Boris Johnson had yet to comment on his rediscovered great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmother. – Guardian service","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"name":"Martin Belam"}]},"description":{"basic":"Corpse from Basel church identified as that of Anna Catharina Bischoff, who died in 1787"},"display_date":"2018-01-25T15:23:25Z","headlines":{"basic":"18th century Swiss mummy proves an ancestor of Boris Johnson"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"LW57KJKLVHLNWSS4LEO4KZ4I2A","auth":{"1":"0eb0c91da3dbae2f2511ab71b3ab301a5238759791d3e1120aa8a0adcc00455a"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/LW57KJKLVHLNWSS4LEO4KZ4I2A.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/18th-century-swiss-mummy-proves-an-ancestor-of-boris-johnson-1.3368492","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"JYS3TON4W3CW5KSQQZY7JWEOCI","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/camels-banned-from-beauty-contest-after-receiving-botox-injections-1.3368184","content_elements":[{"_id":"7LXFVVAAOJE5PMHWDIMZFERICY","content":"Twelve camels have been disqualified from Saudi Arabia’s annual camel beauty contest after receiving botulinum toxin injections to make their pouts look more alluring.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IDOIIMUT6FG57F2EAE4NJ3BMFQ","content":"Saudi authorities have raised the profile of the King Abdulaziz camel festival by relocating it from the desert to the outskirts of the capital, Riyadh.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FH6FRLFVSBGTNKSJAEAJA3G22Y","content":"This year’s event has been been mired in scandal after the lure of €25.6m in prize money tempted some owners to cheat.","type":"text"},{"_id":"45A2NFIP7NGH3EX3IESTIMGBNU","content":"The key attributes in camel beauty are considered to be delicate ears and fulsome snouts. But there are strict rules against drugs in the lips or shaved or clipped body parts. This year, a dozen contestants were banned after a vet was caught performing plastic surgery on camels. At his clinic camels were also given Botox-type injections, according to Saudi media.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UJJLQF43XFCVPHSKU6YNQG5TAA","content":"“They use Botox for the lips, the nose, the upper lips, the lower lips and even the jaw,” Ali al-Mazrouei, the son of an Emirati camel breeder, told the UAE daily the National.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AO6F6TXORNFUNKOSIQCMWYL23U","content":"He added: “It makes the head more inflated so when the camel comes it’s like, ‘Oh, look at how big is that head is. It has big lips, a big nose’.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"SUZJY4IYMVCWPBSYWT2TOFH374","content":"After the decision to ban the camel, the chief judge of the show, Fawzan al-Madi, told Reuters: “The camel is a symbol of Saudi Arabia. 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We are for justice, always!\"","type":"text"},{"_id":"K24CUYYEQNBIZHD4WEWB6JJCEU","content":"It is unclear why the tourists, among the estimated 30 million people who visit Venice each year, did not refuse to pay the bill. They filed a complaint after leaving the Italian city and upon returning to Bologna, where they were on a study visit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KVTWLKB6RJA3DLHRNGU6QMMELY","content":"A spokesman for the restaurant, which according to local media is owned by Chinese investors and managed by an Egyptian national, reportedly told journalists he had “no recollection of any problems with Japanese customers”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IB5HH7GRL5GRZCIX4SH5POYS5Y","additional_properties":{},"content":"Action group","type":"header"},{"_id":"MT35LW3PCZDX5AYO3AL6NWFQH4","content":"A residents’ action group, Gruppo 25 Aprile, jumped on the case as further evidence of the risk run by tourists of being ripped off. “We defend local residents and whoever puts the good name of Venice at risk harms all Venetians,” it said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WWO6ZNCR6BA5XHKZ4M5GTXW2HY","additional_properties":{},"content":"The group's spokesman, Marco Gasparinetti, said that, in the immediate vicinity of St Mark's Square in the historic city centre, only 1 per cent of restaurants were still owned and operated by locals.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y6P7SL7GWNDJLK7WGETJRSHDZU","content":"With Carnival fast approaching, he said the group planned to publish “a user’s guide for visitors on how to survive in Venice, with details on the kind of situations to avoid”. Other associations are considering introducing a seal of approval for strictly local businesses. – Guardian service","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"description":{"basic":"Japanese tourists were allegedly charged over a grand for four steaks and a plate of fish"},"display_date":"2018-01-23T13:46:39Z","headlines":{"basic":"Venice authorities intervene in row over €1,100 restaurant bill"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"PP754N22HGTEK47LGRDBITWPU4","auth":{"1":"55ad189c702934716208536eb45a5ef3698f29ffe841fe37b945fb90f4c27cee"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/PP754N22HGTEK47LGRDBITWPU4.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/venice-authorities-intervene-in-row-over-1-100-restaurant-bill-1.3365542","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"7FR7TA7V2TD4UPAZZF6JEFXL6Y","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/crowds-gather-to-watch-starlings-acrobatic-display-in-west-cork-1.3363832","content_elements":[{"_id":"B46X6YACA5GGHLMZCYREU6MU6M","additional_properties":{},"content":"An ever-growing flock of starlings is starting to draw crowds to West Cork even in the depths of winter.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FA4QBHPWY5E6RHNLXRNXV7UTXA","additional_properties":{},"content":"The flock - or murmuration - of starlings began gathering near Timoleague in early November but is continuing to grow and the birds' extraordinary aerobatic display just before dusk every day is drawing ever increasing crowds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QS35MAG3MJBUTPFMAGDWYFEAC4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Among those who gather to watch the extraordinary swooping and whirling mass of birds is artist and local resident Peter Wolstenholme of Birdwatch Ireland's West Cork branch who has captured the stunning daily performance on video.","type":"text"},{"_id":"W7SWEVACOJFKTD7IZU5D4UZ5PU","additional_properties":{},"content":"\"A lot of the birds would have originated in Scandinavia and Russia but there are birds coming down all the time from further up the country where it's cold and snowy.","type":"text"},{"_id":"57BUTATQQJB6JHKYOXG7RLUGL4","content":"“I estimate there are between 5,000 and 10,000 starlings which would make it the biggest murmuration we’ve had in West Cork.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"YMBXWWYTQZAILOXBIIBWKYQOCM","additional_properties":{},"content":"According to Mr Wolstenholme, starlings had a particularly good breeding season last year and he believes they may have settled on the Timoleague location because of a nearby wood which is adjacent to a pig factory which may be warming the immediate vicinity.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ROZYGKYJPRDUFC3IPKKITTVGIU","content":"“The starlings feed off farmland but there’s a pine wood grown around a pig factory nearby and I think there’s probably heat coming from the pig factory and that makes the trees warmer than normal and that’s where they are roosting in the evening.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"RABJT5ON5JCMFPPCAOQCWPKPYU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Group think","type":"header"},{"_id":"XHI5XR4QQ5H2XITIQJZMTSFJIY","content":"Mr Wolstenholme explained that the starlings feed in small groups in the fields during the day before gathering together at dusk to sweep and wheel and soar in the murmuration which, he believes, they use to train the young to protect themselves.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FUHVVVG2ENHI7C36IAGKQJW7M4","content":"“Why they do it is very complicated -they are obviously learning flying skills, they are learning how not to be caught by a predator - if they are on their own, a sparrow hawk can fly along in the field and just pick them up in its talons,” he said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R2E6MQU4B5FLXEHSK2D5OJJOX4","content":"“But as soon as they go into a tight group, it confuses the bird of prey which has to have one thing to lock on to and catch, but if it’s a moving group, they can’t lock on to anything - there’s no leader in the murmuration, it’s just a mass thinking and movement.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"YSH3ILAGHFC2HOPXY5UL362ACQ","content":"Mr Wolstenholme has been out to Timoleague every day - except Christmas Day - to watch the murmuration and while he has seen a peregrine falcon and Merlin both try to catch some of the starlings, the only bird of prey to have any success to date has been a sparrow hawk.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7G2I2Q77ERDTJG5O4V2YCKLPGE","content":"“When it first started there was a sparrow hawk there and he tried to attack the murmuration and got nowhere but very cleverly, he realised that if he went and sat in the wood where they all roost, he could just grab one and he came flying past me against the sunset with a starling in his talons.”","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Barry Roche"}},"name":"Barry Roche"}]},"description":{"basic":"Up to 10,000 birds taking part in Timoleague murmuration, Birdwatch Ireland estimates"},"display_date":"2018-01-22T09:20:38Z","headlines":{"basic":"Crowds gather to watch starlings’ acrobatic display in west Cork"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"VGXTGSSUJUNSPEFOF6NKRZS5XY","auth":{"1":"52de2b0f8dbbeed6ba5a3616ce9b94f6781274439c80c286c9223165ed49faef"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/VGXTGSSUJUNSPEFOF6NKRZS5XY.jpg"},"lead_art":{"_id":"N5OXGETNEHNHFVTURODDV5EH5Q","embed_html":"<div class=\"powa\" id=\"powa-N5OXGETNEHNHFVTURODDV5EH5Q\" data-org=\"irishtimes\" data-env=\"prod\" data-uuid=\"N5OXGETNEHNHFVTURODDV5EH5Q\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.562\" data-api=\"prod\"><script src=\"//irishtimes.video-player.arcpublishing.com/prod/powaBoot.js?org=irishtimes\"><\/script></div>","promo_image":{"auth":{"1":"648f167a1abcefcb006336ee1802d89b8e9895d454979d006f0014a1f9eb68be"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_e4d860e1bd784d77a793ccbc222509fd_name_1795463433001_5716469653001_5716462940001_.jpg"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"auth":{"1":"648f167a1abcefcb006336ee1802d89b8e9895d454979d006f0014a1f9eb68be"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_e4d860e1bd784d77a793ccbc222509fd_name_1795463433001_5716469653001_5716462940001_.jpg"}},"type":"video"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/crowds-gather-to-watch-starlings-acrobatic-display-in-west-cork-1.3363832","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"N5OXGETNEHNHFVTURODDV5EH5Q","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/visitors-flock-to-west-cork-after-murmuration-of-starlings-video-goes-viral-1.3363830","credits":{},"description":{"basic":"A video posted on Facebook last week showing a peregrine falcon attacking a murmuration of starlings went viral. As a result, visitors have flocked to Timoleague to witness the phenomena. Video: Peter Wolstenholme \nBirdwatch Ireland West Cork"},"display_date":"2018-01-22T08:39:40Z","embed_html":"<div class=\"powa\" id=\"powa-N5OXGETNEHNHFVTURODDV5EH5Q\" data-org=\"irishtimes\" data-env=\"prod\" data-uuid=\"N5OXGETNEHNHFVTURODDV5EH5Q\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.562\" data-api=\"prod\"><script src=\"//irishtimes.video-player.arcpublishing.com/prod/powaBoot.js?org=irishtimes\"><\/script></div>","headlines":{"basic":"Visitors flock to west Cork after murmuration of starlings video goes viral"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"auth":{"1":"648f167a1abcefcb006336ee1802d89b8e9895d454979d006f0014a1f9eb68be"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_e4d860e1bd784d77a793ccbc222509fd_name_1795463433001_5716469653001_5716462940001_.jpg"}},"taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Video"},{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"video","website_url":"/news/offbeat/visitors-flock-to-west-cork-after-murmuration-of-starlings-video-goes-viral-1.3363830","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/video","name":"Video"}}}},{"_id":"C3BCDMT4FDEPFTKCWAEL4RKVCA","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/pope-performs-impromptu-mid-flight-marriage-ceremony-1.3360159","content_elements":[{"_id":"XGUJFXR2BNABPPGRRALAOKPKKY","content":"At 36,000 feet, it was a marriage almost made in heaven.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CJE4T73OORGUXEPOT3SRGSQUPY","content":"In the first such ceremony on a papal flight, Pope Francis performed a wedding for a steward and stewardess while flying between two Chilean cities on Thursday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"B4KKDGWLEJBFTD6KVMTOYYYH6E","content":"Paula Podest Ruiz (39) and Carlos Ciuffardi Elorriga (41) who had a civil union eight years ago, told the pope that a religious ceremony that was to follow was canceled after their parish church in Santiago was heavily damaged in an earthquake in 2010.","type":"text"},{"_id":"J4ICMRZOP5CWNJF4GIPORS4I3Y","content":"<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/PopeFrancis?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#PopeFrancis</a> has performed the first ever papal airborne <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/wedding?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#wedding</a> ceremony! ✈️ <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModoPapa?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ModoPapa</a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/FranciscoEnChile?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FranciscoEnChile</a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/PopeinChile?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#PopeinChile</a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/ElPapaEnChile?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ElPapaEnChile</a> <a href=\"https://t.co/a1Po2njAjA\">pic.twitter.com/a1Po2njAjA</a></p>— Antonio Spadaro (@antoniospadaro) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/antoniospadaro/status/953987252723609601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 18, 2018</a></blockquote>\r\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>","type":"raw_html"},{"_id":"ODNF67HAPZAI3PAEXVYXZUJIL4","content":"They asked him to bless their marriage. But he had something else in mind.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GFDZOMI6ANDNRK5BSWHNJC2U2E","content":"“We told him that we are husband and wife. That we have two daughters and that we would have loved to receive his blessing. All of a sudden, he asked us if we were married for the Church too,” Mr Ciuffardi told reporters afterwards on the plane, which was en route to the northern city of Iquique from Santiago.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2LYZTGIXVNFO7ISXEOSR6ZL3JM","content":"The couple explained to the pope how the 2010 earthquake had damaged the church they had hoped to marry in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7DJ3REW2S2ZJT2XFCZF76EDNB4","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"XWFGSTXK5BH3JAYFYAE7RYDXYY","content":"“He liked us and he asked: ‘Do you want me to marry you?’ He asked: ‘Are you sure?,’? Ms Podest said. “’Yes of course,’ we said.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"CA3IBNUJ2BAFXMEFCTQURHHDTY","content":"The pope performed the brief ceremony in the front of the plane. Ignacio Cueto, president of Latam airlines, who was on board, was the witness.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HCHF75PKGBDINLQV73UPE3WAFI","content":"An improvised marriage certificate was signed by the pope, the couple, Mr Cueto and a bishop who was on the plane.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L7L6FGWBSVBC3DT3XAULM6445U","content":"The Catholic church’s view that civil wedding ceremonies are not valid, and therefore the couple’s two children, Rafaella, six, and Isabella, three, were born out of wedlock, appears to have been glossed over.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZMQRQY4BFBBN5CAQDDUYGGIKWU","content":"“Being married by a pope on board a flight is something priceless,” Ms Podest said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FERT35K2UFA7BMP4MECIMXG2KA","content":"“I asked him: ‘Do you marry people?’ He said: ‘Yes, from time to time. I have married 40 couples. But never has a pope married somebody on a flight,” she said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IZXCANXYIJAD5I6X2UKHXTT7NY","content":"When the beaming couple emerged from the front section of the plane, some reporters in the rear section at first thought it was a practical joke.","type":"text"},{"_id":"H7MQ7M5L5ZGQXPC2YNJZXIPCPI","content":"Vatican spokesman Greg Burke came out a minute later to confirm it all.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EU5PURLXGBFO3CSNOMH4WXTVCI","content":"“Everything is valid. Everything is official,” he said. He later sent reporters a picture of the marriage certificate.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UUXKKLAABNHYNPWTZP7C5LEWHE","content":"“We had a short and small ceremony. He took our hands and he asked if there was love in our marriage and if we want to keep on being together all life long,” Mr Ciuffardi said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UK245L3I2NGEREHLX6UHLV2BEQ","content":"Ms Podest told reporters and the pope that the couple had met on a flight when she was his boss, adding: “I am still his boss.”–Reuters and Guardian","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"description":{"basic":"Flight attendants Paula and Carlos asked Pope Francis to bless their marriage, but he had something else in mind"},"display_date":"2018-01-18T14:00:11Z","headlines":{"basic":"Pope performs impromptu mid-flight marriage ceremony"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"43PX3OBJCLXX2QGTDEJIFV7FJ4","auth":{"1":"6c4f8d49d025352cadfd9859fbce02436ed2855b84a6f87f9eff9fc3b8624524"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/43PX3OBJCLXX2QGTDEJIFV7FJ4.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/pope-performs-impromptu-mid-flight-marriage-ceremony-1.3360159","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"XU4C24FFEY2H72NX63QAV4OSJY","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/dublin-zoo-monkeys-staged-daring-escape-during-storm-ophelia-1.3358612","content_elements":[{"_id":"44TSLIHGXFG37LGL3LCEJGNYNA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Three monkeys staged a daring escape at Dublin Zoo after Storm Ophelia blew the roof off a section of their enclosure last October.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5TPD4FR3RFAHLEYGSKO6HN7LHU","content":"Three juvenile Sulawesi crested macaques jumped 20ft from a climbing frame in the enclosure onto an electric fence overhang, before escaping into the zoo grounds, an incident report released under the Freedom of Information Act shows.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GC5LUGLVLBCULBUX5M5R7OXPJY","content":"A zookeeper noticed that the monkeys were missing when he checked the enclosure that morning and an emergency team responded and located the three fugitives hanging out in a tree close to their habitat, some 65ft above ground.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y4D635EQIOUMPD3BAGDIH3MZJU","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"JQM3PI47YREB3ECVEPLO5OMXHA","content":"Staff attempted to shoot the macaques with tranquiliser darts from a cherry picker, but were stymied by high winds and tree branches blocking their shot.","type":"text"},{"_id":"V2MI7QMXFJFJHBFQ5B3O6DVGU4","content":"Zoo workers then pulled back from the tree and waited for the animals to climb down. When they did so some two hours after their escape was noted, one monkey was caught using a net. The other two initially evaded capture but were later tranquilised.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JZ26JYZIZVAVTFDOPLY76QLM3I","content":"All three were examined by a veterinarian and returned to a secure area within their habitat, bringing their adventure to an end.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YOFKWQ265NHPBMSPJUFP2GYEFI","content":"A subsequent debrief noted an “excellent response” from zoo staff, who attributed the escape to anxiety amongst the macaques as a result of “the previous evening’s wind”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3UGHJM6JS5BPHODL7FLMEYRKGA","content":"In response to the incident, Dublin Zoo undertook to repair the storm damage to the macaque house and shortened the climbing frame used in the escape.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P4YDYXVDXRB4ZCXB5AHKO7ETIY","content":"Keepers said the electric fence overhang had been “working perfectly” when it was checked that morning. It was decided to reinforce the fence with added earth wires.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CXHAFZX5PFEZPEQY6G2IMNJZSU","content":"Sulawesi crested macaques belong to a critically endangered species of monkey, which can grow to 60cm in height and can weigh as much as 10kg.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RBYH73ISJNC3BHR35M55X43YU4","content":"Fota Wildlife Park experienced similar problems with the species in 2015, when a macaque called Stevie Wonder successfully escaped from his enclosure four times.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"name":"Darragh McDonagh"}]},"description":{"basic":"Three macaques jumped from damaged enclosure with two later needing to be tranquilised"},"display_date":"2018-01-17T09:56:15Z","headlines":{"basic":"Dublin Zoo monkeys staged daring escape during Storm Ophelia"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"PEIRTSD6K7A4QXBUTWYECP4U74","auth":{"1":"48339cd41fd5fb0b2242c731e20fea2f3dd54c0ae40a5874f2bf77055561cb7b"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/PEIRTSD6K7A4QXBUTWYECP4U74.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/dublin-zoo-monkeys-staged-daring-escape-during-storm-ophelia-1.3358612","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"P74JCOWMA63NRKMRKNXHN6JDH4","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/wallaby-caught-on-the-hop-by-police-on-sydney-harbour-bridge-1.3357364","credits":{},"description":{"basic":"A wallaby has been captured by New South Wales police after it was found hopping across Sydney Harbour Bridge at 5am, where the wallaby came from remains a mystery. 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Bridge"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"auth":{"1":"e57a6284f1092d309b7fff017a375bf36e9d8e34702151008fbaa0016fce37bf"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_a586dd62c73a4db5bbc4689a6e9cc42f_name_1795463433001_5712661438001_5712646337001_.jpg"}},"taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Video"},{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"video","website_url":"/news/offbeat/wallaby-caught-on-the-hop-by-police-on-sydney-harbour-bridge-1.3357364","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/video","name":"Video"}}}},{"_id":"VO7BZPD5OJ6HIPMX3GDDZEAAF4","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/don-t-do-it-a-man-ruptured-his-throat-trying-to-hold-in-a-sneeze-1.3355837","content_elements":[{"_id":"IEH7UHOJPZBNDCUZUSJQ4GAYJE","content":"Holding your nose and closing your mouth while you sneeze might seem a harmless thing to do, but doctors have advised against it following the case of man who ruptured the back of his throat when doing so.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LGAZRI3Z4VGQVHOOQAQNZBHBFI","content":"Ear, nose and throat specialists at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust said trying to contain a forceful sneeze in such a way is not a good idea as it could lead to “numerous complications”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ER4KBHZXBRG35MP4IN2T6P6ZCA","content":"Writing in the journal BMJ Case Reports, they described the case of a 34-year-old man, described as previously fit and well, who spent a week in hospital and was left barely able to speak or swallow after suffering spontaneous perforation of the pharynx.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OXA5Q4MWQZADHH2OKQ3XUZLXMQ","content":"They said the “unusual condition” is most often caused by trauma or sometimes by vomiting, retching or heavy coughing, so the patient’s symptoms initially surprised emergency care doctors.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PYA7SJ4AOJDL7PNRYONU5WKOJQ","content":"He told them he had developed a popping sensation in his neck which immediately swelled up after he tried to contain a forceful sneeze by pinching his nose and keeping his mouth clamped shut at the same time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y7WBZZXFKFBMNOPLBWF6NEN5AQ","content":"He then found it extremely painful to swallow and could barely speak.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CZL3XJ5Z3NC3XAB4O3EKMBU2DQ","content":"When doctors examined him they heard popping and crackling sounds, which extended from his neck all the way down to his ribcage, a sign that air bubbles had found their way into the deep tissue and muscles of the chest — later confirmed by a scan.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O5NTWPJ72ZALBKUSTCIQ53GCV4","content":"Because of the risk of serious complications he was admitted to hospital where he was fed by a tube and given intravenous antibiotics until the swelling and pain had subsided.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E65OCHKWYNFOXF54SFI2MCJYV4","content":"After seven days the man, who has not been identified, was well enough to be discharged with the advice not to block both nostrils when sneezing in future.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RZISZKA6YVDPFJVT647EY7B7XE","content":"“Halting sneezing via blocking (the) nostrils and mouth is a dangerous manoeuvre, and should be avoided,” the authors said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JC3HBAQPKNEERA2UQ2SH3QLNCQ","content":"“It may lead to numerous complications, such as pseudomediastinum (air trapped in the chest between both lungs), perforation of the tympanic membrane (perforated eardrum), and even rupture of a cerebral aneurysm (ballooning blood vessel in the brain),” they added. – PA","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"description":{"basic":"The man spent a week in hospital and was left barely able to speak or swallow"},"display_date":"2018-01-15T23:30:13Z","headlines":{"basic":"Don’t do it: a man ruptured his throat trying to hold in a sneeze"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"HSFGZOK7UGMYKRF2Q4O2DVURH4","auth":{"1":"30d05ed1272d390f5bb865201adb39379e8b9c60843cebf53bf70c8bfc71d618"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/HSFGZOK7UGMYKRF2Q4O2DVURH4.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/don-t-do-it-a-man-ruptured-his-throat-trying-to-hold-in-a-sneeze-1.3355837","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"2AEV5Y6ZOR6G7I6UPWGKJLW2E4","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/murder-in-mullingar-a-canal-walk-that-ended-in-tragedy-1.3354929","content_elements":[{"_id":"QQARG56GIJEM3ASG3PZ2EMUYCY","content":"At about 3pm on a dry, blustery day in Mullingar, 32-year-old Mary Walker left her house for a walk along the canal, which she often did after dinner. She wasn’t expected back in work until 7.45pm.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CEFC4HGPRBHI7P3DL5ABT7UWGY","content":"Mary, a telegraphist at the town post office, was quiet, and liked to walk alone. The promenade was popular among the residents of the town, but on that Thursday afternoon in 1909, it was all but deserted, but for two young men fishing on the bank. She knew one of them personally, an auxiliary postman named Thomas Nooney - the second man was his younger brother, 14-year-old Michael. She bid the two good evening and continued on her walk towards the racecourse, disappearing around a bend.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6QDKTMFKUNDRXBHIOU5HVDI65A","content":"Mary’s landlady, Mrs Daly, became worried when she didn’t return for food at 6.30pm, before her shift resumed. Michael Daly, the landlady’s son, was sent to the post office to check for Mary. Nobody had seen her since she last clocked out at 2pm.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NIAMCUPZWVDYNLTMAP6OTDNPM4","content":"On his way home, Daly encountered Thomas Nooney at the Green Bridge, his fishing done for the day. He was standing, this time, with a second postman named John Lundy. Michael asked the men if they had seen Mary, and when Nooney recalled their encounter hours before, the three set off along the bank to look for her.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WX6BU5WHWFCEBLGOT6VCD4K5MU","content":"They stopped about a quarter mile from where the Nooneys had been fishing, in a well-known resting spot for walkers. The area was quiet, sheltered by the canal bank on one side and a railway on the other. The eastern was entirely hidden by 8 feet of hawthorn bushes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"S2KY3X5O4NCOZJTXQTTN4FFIMA","content":"They spotted her umbrella first. Then her gloves, and then a lady’s belt. About 40 yards up the path, there was a bundle of something the men couldn’t readily identify, partially covered with grass.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GYKM2YN5U5DMJO62LI3YMTYGBU","additional_properties":{},"content":"\"They hurried forward and were horrified to discover it was the apparently dead body of Miss Walker,\" reads an <em>Irish Times</em> report on Friday, July 9th, 1909. \"The poor girl's clothing was torn to rags, and the marshy ground on which she lay was stained with blood.\"","type":"text"},{"_id":"3E2DALVVDVBHBK667QJLXCRJSA","content":"Mary’s throat had been cut “from ear to ear”, and there had clearly been a struggle. Despite the Nooney brothers’ short distance from the crime scene, neither had heard screams. Winds had been fresh, and the Nooneys had been upwind.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L3JG5KXNPZC6VH4Q2R4F7LFFLA","content":"Mary’s body was found at about 8.30pm. The doctor was sent for, but all he could do at that point was confirm her death.","type":"text"},{"_id":"X4POPPMLVJFLHIWBVAGSU6XYTU","content":"Police secured the area, taking plaster casts of footprints at the scene. They determined “that the first contact of the murderer with his victim must have taken place close to the hawthorn bushes, as there were clearly defined traces of the body having been dragged along the bottom of the hollow for fully forty yards to the place where it was found.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"JJPYYYEQMVDQ3MUOZ5ZX4DVZHY","content":"During searches of a nearby tunnel, a knife was later found, partially covered in mud.","type":"text"},{"_id":"V4SDDODS3VBM5H3XQEWBSJIA7Q","additional_properties":{},"content":"‘A strange presentiment’","type":"header"},{"_id":"SDUCDFI4DRAX7CMSB72WYDANTI","additional_properties":{},"content":"The murder rattled the community, with little else as gruesome having been seen in the country, let alone the area, for years. <em>The Irish Times</em> reported Mullingar had been \"stirred . . . to its depth\". Crowds flocked to the scene on the banks of the Royal Canal that evening.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MF75IHI4G5ARTFPYUY5T7MS4AQ","content":"Mary was originally from Bagenalstown, Co Carlow. It fell to the postmaster there to break the news to Mary’s mother, who it was said “had a strange presentiment on Wednesday” that harm would befall her daughter. The news confirmed her worries, she said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3DABAGLDR5AE3LMV4MZKPBYNPM","content":"It wasn’t until the next morning that one of the Nooney brothers recalled seeing a second man on the canal that day.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ELZ4JQWGSBB7VFVGZUGR5GSFXY","content":"A young labourer named Joseph Heffernan had passed a short time before Mary, walking in the same direction. He was identified as having been in the area by a number of other people that afternoon; all mentioned his distinctive leggings. When police arrived to his house the morning after the murder, they found his boots matched the plaster casts of the prints from the banks of the canal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RRIAPDT64ZEZ5MCRX23J4MUAXY","content":"Heffernan was charged with murder. His clothes were removed and sent to Dublin for analysis, while he himself was “removed to Dublin under heavy escort, being accompanied to the railway station by a crowd of people, who vigorously booed.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"I5U5USN4FJACHCFR5KYL5I4HSA","content":"At the inquest, doctors deposed that one, four-inch wound in the throat had killed Mary. They couldn’t confirm whether she had been sexually assaulted, “but there was every appearance that such a thing had been attempted.” A knife, or sharp object, had been used, in a “stab and draw” motion.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7DLUXDQHAFAEHJM7JU2Q6TOXT4","additional_properties":{},"content":"An <em>Irish Times</em> report quotes the coroner as saying Mary's murder \"was one of the saddest events that had ever occurred in Mullingar, or the County Westmeath, so far as he knew.\"","type":"text"},{"_id":"MBXPIY6L2VB7LB7QFMNF4KGVFA","content":"Heffernan was brought before the magistrate and charged, to which he asked “Is it me? I knew nothing about it. I am not that bad.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"UU7VCL5P5FBUXJDFHKGAYUNQYY","content":"Further witnesses emerged at subsequent court sittings. One, a boy aged 16, said he had seen a struggle on the bank of the canal, but from a distance, and he couldn’t say for sure who the two people were. A woman named Ellen Woods said that at about 5pm, she was picking watercress when she spotted Heffernan. He was sitting on he other side of the canal at the water’s edge, washing his hands.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LF6RAN24KRH6RFPVLZCXHDPTUI","content":"“When he saw the witness (Ms Woods), he pulled his cap down over his eyes. . . he spoke across the canal at her, saying: ‘Have you e’er a match?’ she said no, and added: ‘If I did have one, how would I give it?’”","type":"text"},{"_id":"HCZIBAQWVZHFDEVCFFWHVODNSU","content":"She also gave evidence of hearing a scream, as would other passersby, including a clergyman, who said he assumed it was just “children at play” on the canal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"B5FYJDXK4BGR7M5RPEG2T3HM5U","content":"A 14-year-old girl named Elizabeth Flanagan gave evidence at a hearing in July of a tense encounter with Heffernan. He arrived to the house on the day, saying he was looking for a woman named Molly. He invited himself in and produced a bloodstained knife from his pocket, and began cutting tobacco in the kitchen.","type":"text"},{"_id":"J42RXJYBRRAXTJKNH6HMDIS6NU","content":"“The knife had a handle like lead,” according to Elizabeth. “It had a thin, narrow blade, which, said the witness, ‘wasn’t so bright’.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"TDXDVC4NWJDRFEZ26LB36LOIKA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Heffernan claimed the blood on the knife came from a goat he skinned earlier. According to a report in <em>The Irish Times</em> on July 31st, Elizabeth \"began to get frightened of him, and ran out of the house to her cousin, who came back with her and ordered the man out of the house.\"","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZRR6SPEFWJHUZM7FNLNMDS7SGA","content":"She later identified the knife found in the tunnel as the same one he had drawn from his pocket.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OMVHZUR5INEZ5CIGGMXA5KYBEU","additional_properties":{},"content":"‘A terrible thing’","type":"header"},{"_id":"NGIS23XCIFGK5NVJQCLSXDMD54","content":"Police Sergeant Cooke, who had been with Heffernan after his arrest, said that while on the train to Dublin, the accused had said: “This is a terrible thing to be charged with. I was not even in that direction yesterday, nor had I any business out there either. I never left the town. I did not take any drink for the past three months until yesterday, and I should never take it, because I am not accountable for what I do when I do take it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"C4RMKHXTZJHURNKZDRDNC3WIZ4","content":"This evidence followed depositions from a number of publicans, who said Heffernan had drinking in their respective pubs on the day of the murder.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CUN347Y3RZBJ7H2IMQMGKTV7VA","content":"Heffernan was committed for trial at the winter assizes, to which he said to the magistrates: “I hope you won’t go hard on me anyway.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"OMTQJMDHF5BRHGIA5UMHDRTLDU","content":"Extensive forensic and technical evidence, as well as further witness testimony from a number of witnesses, was heard at the trial when it opened the following December. Heffernan pleaded not guilty.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IKPPQSVQRFDLBGIQT4ZEL6FLTE","content":"An analysis of the yellow leggings Heffernan wore when he was arrested confirmed a number of blood stains. An attempt had been made to wash the leggings and a number of minute, spattered blood drops were found on closer examination, “which at once yielded to the reactions characteristic of human blood.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GA5IBETPNVGFFFKLBRHBU3TYG4","additional_properties":{},"content":"On December 10th, 1909, the trial concluded at Green Street Courthouse in Dublin. According to a report in <em>The Irish Times</em> the next day, key evidence was heard from John Mansfield, as warder at Kilmainham, where Heffernan had been held in the interim months.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BJ5AY6A5UNAR5B3RWNE66B7BF4","content":"Heffernan, it emerged, had tried to take his own life while in custody, in October. After being transferred to the prison hospital, he lay in bed, raised himself on his elbow, and asked Mansfield: “What do you think I will get, sir?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"CY6G7TMH4NHIJENTVUUWX3KBVQ","content":"When the warder said he didn’t know, Heffernan had replied: “There is no use in denying it. I killed the poor girl right enough. Everybody knows it. I don’t know what came over me - the devil I suppose. I was drinking all that day. I put my arm around her neck and knocked her down. I cut a hole under her ear. The poor girl died easy.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"4FDAKHKP2VEWTK4S2OHRB7BEM4","additional_properties":{},"content":"This statement, according to <em>The Irish Times</em> reporter, caused \"much sensation\" in the court.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ABGI5TS6UVHWRO2Z6UMBNGG4AU","content":"On the issue of Heffernan’s sanity, Dr Richard A Leeper, said “his examination of the accused led him to the conclusion that he was a sane, but low type of man,” who was able to distinguish between right and wrong. On cross examination, he said “all degenerates were liable to uncontrollable impulses.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"E7UKE7URNVFJNIX5RDHFXZ5GWI","content":"After 25 minutes, the jury found Heffernan guilty of murder. When asked if he had anything to say, Heffernan “said something in a feeble voice, which was understood to be an appeal ‘for a few more days’”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RKB6SLLI3VESDIG47IRZGE3HVU","content":"Heffernan was sentenced to hang and on January 4th, 1910, paid “the extreme penalty of the law” at Kilmainham Jail. A public meeting had been held long before the verdict, and it was decided a memorial would be erected in Mullingar, in memory of Mary Walker.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DG4M3OGIOFB2ZB3O5PYBHDRORQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"<strong>This story is part of the Lost Leads series - a revisiting of lesser-known stories that have made the pages of The Irish Times since 1859. What can you find? Let us know on Twitter: </strong><strong><a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/irishtimes\">@irishtimes</a></strong><strong> or </strong><strong><a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/deanruxton\">@deanruxton</a></strong><strong>. For more information on subscribing to the archive, see </strong><strong><a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/archive\">www.irishtimes.com/archive</a></strong>","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Dean Ruxton"}},"name":"Dean Ruxton"}]},"description":{"basic":"When Mary Walker didn’t return from her break in 1909, a grim discovery was made"},"display_date":"2018-01-14T09:05:34Z","headlines":{"basic":"Murder in Mullingar: a canal walk that ended in tragedy"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"KEWZGERKQOG6CWKL5OGD2YXVGQ","auth":{"1":"381e5d5b52aaffe52b9fff54b2f20e6d26abdff6591e86c3d68bd2849ac69c37"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/KEWZGERKQOG6CWKL5OGD2YXVGQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"opinion","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/murder-in-mullingar-a-canal-walk-that-ended-in-tragedy-1.3354929","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"FEALM3U34JPCRHZAO36JN43RSY","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/haymaker-truck-wipes-out-finish-line-at-australian-cycling-race-1.3353009","credits":{},"description":{"basic":"A recording of a news report on Australia's Tour Down Under cycling race has gone viral after a truck carrying hay bales wiped out the finish line in the background, the inflatable was later returned and erected without damage. 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All three of the burglars, he told the show, had received six month suspended sentences, but the man suing him was in prison for a different offence.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7Y5EYHOKR5DS7G6MJQVFOBPKEI","content":"In November, he heard from the man’s solicitor requesting he take responsibility for the accident. After ignoring that correspondence, Kevin subsequently received a standard contact from the PIAB - the statutory first port of call for injury-related insurance claims - seeking notice of whether he consented to it reviewing the case.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F3H6TQ2G4ZBCXKKN5TODWV2ZS4","content":"While that process incurs a €600 processing fee, a respondent is not obliged to consent, at which point it is no longer a matter for the PIAB and can, where a claimant decides, proceed to the courts.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HQP6KEXGSZDE5GMPFNZBNEYWME","content":"Kevin said his solicitor had advised him to refer the matter to his insurance company and that he believes they are not consenting to accept responsibility.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L4LZEII4UFBUBFRCXHR367INCU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Commenting on the case, a spokesman for the PIAB told <em>The Irish Times</em> recipients have 90 days in which to respond.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HFGFPEE4FNE73GTEZ5IODR3LZM","content":"“If they don’t see the validity in the case they can certainly consider the matter with their insurers,” he said. “We are obliged to contact them early so they have time to consider the matter.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NYPUN55GPZEUHLNM7SGLP6YXT4","content":"Anyone taking a claim for damages must first process that through the PIAB which, where consent is given on both sides, will assess the nature of the damages and an appropriate level of compensation.","type":"text"},{"_id":"W7L2JTHMXRFFVPM5AMS7XN7ECM","content":"“When we receive a claim we are required by law to write to the person the claim is made against giving them the option of having the case assessed by PIAB, which is a low cost and quick system,” he said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IOU6H3QW7BDZRPQF4I3O6CV7WI","content":"Solicitor Stuart Gilhooly said he believed such a case would be unlikely to succeed as the standard of proof would be far greater for a trespasser in a personal injury claim that someone in normal circumstances.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R4SYS5ZOIJE5DBPN4SHKOPJL7Y","content":"“There is also a more human factor in that a judge listening to a case like that is likely to have very little sympathy for the burglar,” he said.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Mark Hilliard"}},"name":"Mark Hilliard"}]},"description":{"basic":"Personal Injuries Assessment Board says processing €600 fee must only be paid if respondent consents to the claim being assessed"},"display_date":"2018-01-08T18:43:53Z","headlines":{"basic":"Shopkeeper sued by burglar who injured himself during break-in"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"7LQXWBSFPSQVD32WFZF44OUXMA","auth":{"1":"e21213ab744638d7f67048d83b3cf4655ae8b8cb88a054d4dac36c5479bb0560"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/7LQXWBSFPSQVD32WFZF44OUXMA.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/shopkeeper-sued-by-burglar-who-injured-himself-during-break-in-1.3348803","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"IL6P2DDJXKUUB3YLMGWP6XA4XM","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/dense-fog-creates-mysterious-city-landscape-1.3347274","credits":{},"description":{"basic":"Dense fog shrouded Heze City, east China’s Shandong Province on Friday. 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The fog lasted about two hours and lifted around 10:00."},"display_date":"2018-01-06T12:55:24Z","embed_html":"<div class=\"powa\" id=\"powa-IL6P2DDJXKUUB3YLMGWP6XA4XM\" data-org=\"irishtimes\" data-env=\"prod\" data-uuid=\"IL6P2DDJXKUUB3YLMGWP6XA4XM\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.562\" data-api=\"prod\"><script src=\"//irishtimes.video-player.arcpublishing.com/prod/powaBoot.js?org=irishtimes\"><\/script></div>","headlines":{"basic":"Dense fog creates mysterious city landscape"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"auth":{"1":"b16e9117f9031dd72a56de93c877af6dc975845828e1f24364a2902c02b9e6cf"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_2cd55cb0b52941cbb3462d662317399c_name_1795463433001_5703872011001_5703867868001_.jpg"}},"taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Video"},{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"video","website_url":"/news/offbeat/dense-fog-creates-mysterious-city-landscape-1.3347274","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/video","name":"Video"}}}},{"_id":"FF42NXRU5J5KD3BW45FW2Q5AWM","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/the-gorilla-channel-thing-is-a-joke-trump-gag-gains-traction-1.3347260","content_elements":[{"_id":"ZBHHU64TXZDPFMO74AWZUXYYNM","additional_properties":{},"content":"With tales of White House tantrums, fast food addictions, early bed times and questionable sources swirling after the publication of Michael Wolff's book on the goings on in Donald Trump's administration, there was always the potential for a gorilla to appear in the room.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YIM5RFSVLBA77BGE7YDQE5AESY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Would-be readers flocked to buy <em>Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House</em> - the publication of which was brought forward amid threats of a lawsuit by the US president - as passages filled the airwaves, websites and TV screens around the world.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XJSHLUKLHBCZTIGICKYGWKZEQA","additional_properties":{},"content":"The claims featured in the book include that Mr Trump and those around him never expected to win the 2016 election, media mogul Rupert Murdoch thinks the president is a \"f**king moron,\" the Trump family regard their new roles as stepping stones and that Mr Trump turned his White House bedroom into a TV-watching retreat for some very specific programming.","type":"text"},{"_id":"W6D3GPELFJAM3KUCXKSICTVANU","content":"<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Trump yearned for "The Gorilla Channel" his first night in the White House <a href=\"https://t.co/YMJAW37Ksz\">https://t.co/YMJAW37Ksz</a></p>— LilaSquad (@LilaSquad) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/LilaSquad/status/949108281699483648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 5, 2018</a></blockquote>\r\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I don’t believe the Gorilla Channel thing. I hope it’s true, but that is so patently absurd, even for Trump, that I can’t believe it.</p>— Jon Lavia (@Laviator_) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/Laviator_/status/949113806042615808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 5, 2018</a></blockquote>\r\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Dammit guys, I got totally punked on the Gorilla Channel thing - but when you've already gotten to "eating KFC in bed," I mean, we're through the looking glass. <br><br>Thanks to all who called me out. We keep it clean and Deza-free at Game Theory HQ. </p>— Eric Garland (@ericgarland) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ericgarland/status/949343914573615104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 5, 2018</a></blockquote>\r\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Wow, this extract from Wolff’s book is a shocking insight into Trump’s mind: <a href=\"https://t.co/1ZecclggSa\">pic.twitter.com/1ZecclggSa</a></p>— the gorilla channel thing is a joke (@pixelatedboat) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/pixelatedboat/status/949100087350710272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 5, 2018</a></blockquote>\r\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\r\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">tfw you parody a guy making up shit about Trump but people believe it so you become part of the problem</p>— the gorilla channel thing is a joke (@pixelatedboat) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/pixelatedboat/status/949118287480111104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 5, 2018</a></blockquote>\r\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>","type":"raw_html"},{"_id":"WBUB3ROGTJHDDODBZRDRQOGOQI","content":"Tales of Mr Trump’s love for TV gathered pace and one of these, alleging that he supposedly watched a “gorilla channel” for hours on end, gained traction on social media.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SB6EKJSEKVFDDCTW4OCQB2NDYY","content":"The “excerpt” from the book stated that the president, on his first night in office, complained that TVs in the White House did not carry “the gorilla channel”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MZBBBJ7EDZHL3PQ3R3MIVEZD3E","content":"It went on to say that his staff ultimately created programming to satisfy his appetite for watching the animals and that this was broadcast into his room from a makeshift transmission tower.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UQDTPUVHPBAH5DRGLZPLU3S65Q","content":"Alas, their efforts were said to have not satisfied Mr Trump’s wishes because the footage was “boring” as the “gorillas weren’t fighting”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XX74QKXQBRHI3FTJITM3C57QHQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Many Twitter users took seriously the excerpt, posted by <a href=\"https://twitter.com/pixelatedboat\">@pixelatedboat</a>, who described the passage as a \"shocking insight into Trump's mind\".","type":"text"},{"_id":"IY4SOV26DJBCJLJF3UCZKG26YM","additional_properties":{},"content":"The fake news spread and among those stung by the gag was Eric Garland, a commentator with nearly 175,000 Twitter followers who is known for his views on Mr Trump's alleged ties to Russia.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UANCGLZYDFACFFY55AFY25HEOE","content":"“I got totally punked on the Gorilla Channel thing - but when you’ve already gotten to ‘eating KFC in bed,’ I mean, we’re through the looking glass,” Mr Garland tweeted Friday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4WZRXNIHLND5DOBVAYDIM5NLPQ","content":"The spread of the story prompted @pixelatedboat to subsequently post a clarification and switch his user name to “the gorilla channel thing is a joke”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZQ24FADJENGOVB3TXOAUMCZTOY","additional_properties":{},"content":"The man behind the claim, aka cartoonist Ben Ward, later tweeted that he had parodied \"a guy making up shit about Trump but people believe it so you become part of the problem\".","type":"text"},{"_id":"NGZDM44DZRAW5IWQ2OC5F7OH54","content":"Ward has been credited with creating the term “milkshake duck” to describe someone who became a fast rising internet star and won adornment before the discovery of them having a distasteful or offensive past.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CAZXM4AS4ZF6BDMV723SB7SI3A","content":"The 2016 term has been taken on board by Oxford Dictionaries which defines a milkshake duck as “a person or character on social media that appears to be endearing at first, but is found to have an unappealing back story”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QOXC4TSXIVA23M4IODXYP5NJGI","content":"Last month the dictionary firm declared the phrase was runner up in its word of the year competition, losing out to “youthquake”.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"description":{"basic":"Twitter users ‘totally punked’ by fake extract from ‘Fire and Fury’ book"},"display_date":"2018-01-06T12:06:01Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘The gorilla channel thing is a joke’: Trump gag gains traction"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"6GAYIZYGW3KCKT3WWCVG4WIUPY","auth":{"1":"651a7ce2a4fd601a52838a5f5e8ec5ebf768830d63add475d7da21a5f3c26659"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/6GAYIZYGW3KCKT3WWCVG4WIUPY.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/the-gorilla-channel-thing-is-a-joke-trump-gag-gains-traction-1.3347260","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"VNQTA7ZPP3FPGUTX6UALF2QMBU","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/why-is-it-raining-frozen-iguanas-in-florida-1.3345918","credits":{},"description":{"basic":"The recent cold weather on the eastern border of the United States has reached as far as south Florida, which is causing the local iguana population to \"freeze\" and fall out of trees. 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Video: Ronan McGreevy "},"display_date":"2018-01-04T17:57:48Z","embed_html":"<div class=\"powa\" id=\"powa-54SJIR6H3KQM7D3G4FHQWZZKDU\" data-org=\"irishtimes\" data-env=\"prod\" data-uuid=\"54SJIR6H3KQM7D3G4FHQWZZKDU\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.562\" data-api=\"prod\"><script src=\"//irishtimes.video-player.arcpublishing.com/prod/powaBoot.js?org=irishtimes\"><\/script></div>","headlines":{"basic":"Malahide shop sold winning ticket for €38.9m jackpot"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"auth":{"1":"669ad2c59b1fad7c12caa8e097641f6c017bdb69fae2345894a6dfef4087f838"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_ae54ba6850c841f4837fc003fbbf6eb5_name_1795463433001_5702242324001_5702227268001_.jpg"}},"taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Video"},{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"video","website_url":"/news/offbeat/malahide-shop-sold-winning-ticket-for-38-9m-jackpot-1.3345171","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/video","name":"Video"}}}},{"_id":"NUSZTSV5C4JFIVEMJU6BLIN54Q","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/ten-overweight-hedgehogs-make-new-year-s-resolutions-1.3345013","content_elements":[{"_id":"ZVZ4U5LJKJGWXLB3RIFYXZ4YZQ","content":"Ten overweight hedgehogs had to go on strict diets and exercise regimes after eating too much on the streets of Israel.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AHRN3V2M6ZFNDHAOBEZYQYBW6I","content":"The hedgehogs struggled to curl up into a ball to fend off predators. Animal lovers found them waddling around and brought them into the hospital at Ramat Gan Safari Zoo.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FJZ5NSV2VBGHXCMD6VCIAT57BI","content":"Staff at the hospital said the hedgehogs had probably been snacking on food left out for pets.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YVNF5X4YTNBKBLQ7VEIPE2XLK4","content":"“A lot of people put cat food on the streets for the stray cats, which is very nice but ... the problem is that there’s other wildlife that eats it,” zookeeper Becka Rifkin said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7CTZGPQ3PJTHJECCKXIYIIOZMU","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"FGARXZRZ2RBUPN7W475ZGDBDFQ","content":"One adult male named Sherman was 1.6 kg when he arrived at the facility two months ago, almost double the average weight for a hedgehog his age.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PC4GKP6OBJF6DGOLK7QFTXZ7QQ","content":"He has since lost 120 grams after staff monitored his diet and left him to run around an enclosure. They hope he will be fit for release by summer. – Reuters","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"description":{"basic":"One adult male weighed in at almost double the average weight of a hedgehog his age"},"display_date":"2018-01-04T15:48:15Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ten overweight hedgehogs make New Year’s resolutions"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"N2IFNGYDAXOTAVUGFBRYZ5O2O4","auth":{"1":"98cbc6d476c8df6f8f792bb802239a45e980d9623d2380ed80e7b451e107c6d0"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/N2IFNGYDAXOTAVUGFBRYZ5O2O4.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/ten-overweight-hedgehogs-make-new-year-s-resolutions-1.3345013","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"IFMDULBDHEUN6JXW5TIXLZQU7E","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/fire-alarm-takes-itv-news-at-ten-off-the-air-1.3344809","credits":{},"description":{"basic":"The ITV News at Ten was forced to end its broadcast early on Wednesday evening (January 3rd) after a fire alarm caused the building to be evacuated, the alarm was later found to be false and no injuries were reported. 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But in a case that made its way to Taiwan’s highest court, a mother who had financed her son’s dental training sued him, asserting that he had broken a written agreement to use the proceeds of his dental practice to support her. On Tuesday, the supreme court sided with the mother.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BF6C73K425AWDN4VFVALGETHUQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"The case attracted considerable attention because the mother and son had put down in a written contract, signed when he was 20, what is often left unsaid, particularly in a Confucian-influenced society that emphasises filial piety. The principle is backed up by law in Taiwan, where adults are legally prohibited from abandoning their parents.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5ABW5GTTJFEAPP2XT2FZNAQGPA","content":"Each side had advanced arguments: The mother urged the court to enforce the contract. The son maintained he had already paid his mother $1 million (about €830,000) and should not have to pay her more.","type":"text"},{"_id":"G22FIHZNKBD77APVXCMXMZPEKM","content":"According to Taiwanese media covering the case, the woman, identified only by her surname, Luo, raised her two sons after she and their father divorced, putting both through dental school.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QB23EEQ4E5CGLOAQNYODKKD6EU","content":"When she filed her lawsuit eight years ago, the woman said she had come from a well-to-do doctor’s family. “When I was young I came from a naive and wealthy family and married into a military family that didn’t even have a license” to practise medicine, Luo said, according to the Apple Daily in Taiwan. “I sacrificed all of my leisure time.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"DNOCZWCVAREV5PKXGWVMUAQA6E","content":"Luo’s family provided funds that enabled her to run a dental clinic where her husband, surnamed Chu, practised until their divorce.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5CCF3WC4KNFSHF63Q5GT6USUTI","content":"Luo told the supreme court that as a single mother working to put her sons through dental school, she was concerned that they might not help support her in old age, so she had each sign an agreement when they turned 20.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O6ICWU253NDBHNPSRY5XY6EL5E","content":"The agreement stipulated that after becoming dentists, her sons would pay her 60 per cent of their net profits until the total amount paid reached 50 million new Taiwan dollars, or just under $1.7 million.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZX5MQAWUCJESFB64PUOMG5CFNE","content":"Her sons both became practising dentists in 2003, the Apple Daily reported.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6QHWRT3T6NCK7BDHFLGV7JI7M4","content":"According to a report in The Liberty Times, the son in question told the court that he worked in his mother’s dental clinic and had repaid her more than $1 million.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GL5MM45OBNGY5JANKREQQ3APNA","content":"Given that he signed the contract when he was only 20, and that he had already paid back so much of his contractual debt to his mother, he argued that his debt should be cleared.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XKENXCQMJVFWTBKTVA3NAMX6UI","content":"The court disagreed, however, ruling on Tuesday that because he signed the agreement as a legal adult, he was responsible for satisfying its terms.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QIISJSMF5RHOVHXEDDGKB6RNGU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Upbringing fee","type":"header"},{"_id":"6QHNGASYQNECBBHFPEITHVD3YY","content":"The court ordered him to pay an “upbringing fee” of more than $754,000 (about €600,000), with additional interest bringing the total award for his mother to more than $967,000 (about €800,000). In Taiwan, filial piety and education are widely recognised as important virtues, but young people face a tougher economic environment than their parents. The verdict drew mixed reactions.","type":"text"},{"_id":"V3LK7JNKFVCBDGXVDXY5ZW5D6A","content":"“I believe everyone should want to repay their parents for raising them once they’ve grown old, so I support the judges’ decision,” one Taipei-based dentist, Wu Chih-hang (30), said in a phone interview.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MTYZZCL4OBF4PJM7QII24ZXYZE","content":"“I also sympathise with the dentist’s rough lot,” he said. “His mother went as far as to put a value on raising her son, which is probably a difficult environment for the average person to imagine growing up in.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NHIPJZP7EJDWRJOWS4J263VOWE","additional_properties":{},"content":"But a Facebook user, Huang Ya-ling, was critical of the dentist. \"Unfilial people are beneath pigs and dogs,\" she wrote. - New York Times","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"description":{"basic":"Taiwan’s supreme court rules that the man must fulfil terms of a contract with his mother"},"display_date":"2018-01-03T15:07:47Z","headlines":{"basic":"Dentist ordered to pay his mother €600,000 for his upbringing"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"4VENYY7Z5ZE3RQ4XYWY4RHX3D4","auth":{"1":"8d765447965ed07accba0911cb1880781f313bc3c4e08343450b6e57c70fa0ed"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4VENYY7Z5ZE3RQ4XYWY4RHX3D4.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/dentist-ordered-to-pay-his-mother-600-000-for-his-upbringing-1.3343871","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"VBBM6RQ6X2YA7CYTRQD5WGIWFY","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/the-last-taushiro-the-final-person-on-earth-to-speak-an-ancient-language-1.3343166","credits":{},"description":{"basic":"Amadeo García García is the last person on Earth to speak his language, when he dies the language and culture of the Taushiro, a previously uncontacted people in the Amazon, will die with him. 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Video: Seán Molloy"},"display_date":"2018-01-02T09:34:43Z","embed_html":"<div class=\"powa\" id=\"powa-PLFZPYTY52LN7XYVH4J6MDGJ2U\" data-org=\"irishtimes\" data-env=\"prod\" data-uuid=\"PLFZPYTY52LN7XYVH4J6MDGJ2U\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.562\" data-api=\"prod\"><script src=\"//irishtimes.video-player.arcpublishing.com/prod/powaBoot.js?org=irishtimes\"><\/script></div>","headlines":{"basic":"Hundreds of swimmers braved the icy waters of the Atlantic for New Year's dip"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"auth":{"1":"914bd9745a6c2ad3b0299460910332d2263c34da66485586bccbaed2905f74ad"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-20-2021/t_c540c177238a42a895ae3ef73fa009ed_name_1795463433001_5700224208001_5700219659001_.jpg"}},"taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Video"},{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"video","website_url":"/news/offbeat/hundreds-of-swimmers-braved-the-icy-waters-of-the-atlantic-for-new-year-s-dip-1.3342938","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/video","name":"Video"}}}},{"_id":"5W2BTBBV4A3DT5SLPZR4XC3U4M","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/political-rally-donald-trump-irish-dances-on-romanian-television-1.3342275","credits":{},"description":{"basic":"Donald, is that you? Well, no it's not. Local celebrities, including an Irish dancing Donald Trump, take part in a guessing game of \"Who is behind the mask\" as part of New Year's Eve on Romanian television. Video: Antena 1"},"display_date":"2018-01-01T15:40:49Z","embed_html":"<div class=\"powa\" id=\"powa-5W2BTBBV4A3DT5SLPZR4XC3U4M\" data-org=\"irishtimes\" data-env=\"prod\" data-uuid=\"5W2BTBBV4A3DT5SLPZR4XC3U4M\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.562\" data-api=\"prod\"><script src=\"//irishtimes.video-player.arcpublishing.com/prod/powaBoot.js?org=irishtimes\"><\/script></div>","headlines":{"basic":"Political rally: 'Donald Trump' Irish dances on Romanian television"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"auth":{"1":"c8b1555be2ecd8acf985a5558b38d4c5ea5b5df9ad88faa0f61b0037938e3c66"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-22-2021/t_365e581922b345799d482bda549795a1_name_1795463433001_5699692110001_5699683975001_.jpg"}},"taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Video"},{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"video","website_url":"/news/offbeat/political-rally-donald-trump-irish-dances-on-romanian-television-1.3342275","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/video","name":"Video"}}}},{"_id":"D226Q22ZEU5GI6XUHNRINKIMHU","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/sparkling-lucozade-for-convalescence-ads-from-the-1950s-1.3340577","content_elements":[{"_id":"RIPZ65HMDVHVRAEYPNIYNYEQJA","content":"'Tis the season to look at ads. Below is a short collection of the typical advertisements that appeared in The Irish Times during the 1950s. This was a big decade for advertising - and consumerism - generally. Illustrations were still popular, but more photographs began to appear. See how these ads compare with the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/news/offbeat/asthma-cigarettes-and-jam-jar-appeals-ads-from-the-1940s-1.3340601\">1940s</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/news/offbeat/your-man-for-all-seasons-ads-from-the-1960s-1.3340578\">1960s</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6U27EW6L3LRWEYKL3HBSNHUBGA","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"EZSCU2DWDJD6TGPQF2QHLMJLWU","content":"p","type":"text"},{"_id":"4APMSE4FPTSYES22ZL7LLQCDJE","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"LGUH7YTY7DTVEVBGAUIBCUTQ34","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"QJVOYNGPKMBWKBX6H7KJKCIJS4","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZZ6FYTRVJJAKFNNG2DQWZ7VSQQ","content":"p","type":"text"},{"_id":"IY7YQBSOKFCLHD7FM5ATMLCUAI","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GDHUJHG4J65FKQWYPDRAMFWCBA","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"OQWDE4CYC3COMRMXXVXSG6BSYE","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"H53SUDH5C6G42XIVSJCJLJLVTM","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"XECDSKMAVBCYWZPZTT3GLUJ2VE","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SF4DYZF6C6BAHZRCU7A4Q62MAA","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"NDCOJL3TSNJJ7FNW5LWIDJJJCU","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"LPWX6SJE32YF6E7NFKIYM5AZ5U","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"NTMH4P4YHD5IDGVOVFV6YAZUOU","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"4YKIH35M3C4RVBHKAQZX3QSZZU","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PFOW6ETZKH6O6MGNBFJXSKVCZQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"R77IKKDWGTPK4UPXX3L6WCIJ7Q","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Dean Ruxton"}},"name":"Dean Ruxton"}]},"description":{"basic":"A look at a selection of advertisements printed in ‘The Irish Times’ in the 1950s"},"display_date":"2018-01-01T13:06:34Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘Sparkling Lucozade... for convalescence’: Ads from the 1950s"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"E57ONJSRIHOMR4H3QXUFOVQVJE","auth":{"1":"0616e2275aba278dd5946c8e5b82f46f54c7f0fc0dec6e6eb548dc90794c89f8"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/E57ONJSRIHOMR4H3QXUFOVQVJE.jpg"}},"subtype":"opinion","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/sparkling-lucozade-for-convalescence-ads-from-the-1950s-1.3340577","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"4TW742SAUBOS7OUL7LG3L7XIF4","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/your-man-for-all-seasons-ads-from-the-1960s-1.3340578","content_elements":[{"_id":"SBBK6N2TGFEN7A4G5NNHTVI6NU","content":"Fed up looking at ads? Well here are loads more.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GDAID3X3HJHLPBZVBL7Z2YJJ7I","content":"These ads, published in The Irish Times during the 1960s, give a good feel as to how the paper looked day-to-day during that decade. Ads in the 1960s were markedly different to the preceding two decades, which you can also check out <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/news/offbeat/asthma-cigarettes-and-jam-jar-appeals-ads-from-the-1940s-1.3340601\">here</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/news/offbeat/sparkling-lucozade-for-convalescence-ads-from-the-1950s-1.3340577\">here</a>. Photographs were in in a much bigger way, as were more sylish illustrations.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HTLHQUDPZE3FC7WXIJDZ4LGXAQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"N52L2VCR2XLVR34QMOHBGN44VM","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZVUELQYYAPGMHUY2BTH4MLP6JA","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"STP5J7QM34X5XHXOMR75PR7VCI","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"E6WDW3D2YQ3FSUHD3DA3RXTO2A","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"WOJKYR5TI2ZC2ULOVVSZNDAKAI","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SUGODUZDV3FZWJNRDP643EKXXQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"NGYSQHGWUHOV6LKYLLMKAVTC2M","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"Y2EW26SAQ7QMHF7FOKJEYXJOFU","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"REKW4UTOW53IT5NNGUYQUTK3PE","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PRHKNFKXHT5WUPBA7RWFRGO5GI","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"O6UON6LR5662YEG65QT6AAM2QQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"6N4SFTBOGWJR4N2XHCWKN7SF2U","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"5UYFVQU3RO4ESZ4MRVBPJYA2SY","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"Q6J7P5QDCC3THEAX2NHVCBYQXY","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"IJ3TYXFFRSXOFGDESPMU4HOMFA","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"5EYHKWOJCO2XF6W5LCYQJV4TXE","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"HBFDLEJGNUU5NFBKIB64OFXWHQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"7A25EVXUNL7PU2GB44MTKPBTDI","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Dean Ruxton"}},"name":"Dean Ruxton"}]},"description":{"basic":"A look at a selection of advertisements printed in ‘The Irish Times’ in the 1960s"},"display_date":"2018-01-01T13:06:11Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘Your man for all seasons’: Ads from the 1960s"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"37A2BCWK747QJB4PUUGPSXH5ZA","auth":{"1":"8fba0ab7528e6e36e236aa3351da2cec041a98ae6b0b63e723a333e02119fd0a"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/37A2BCWK747QJB4PUUGPSXH5ZA.jpg"}},"subtype":"opinion","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/your-man-for-all-seasons-ads-from-the-1960s-1.3340578","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"O7I26KF2OH4REQ5QXTGO2UET7E","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/asthma-cigarettes-and-jam-jar-appeals-ads-from-the-1940s-1.3340601","content_elements":[{"_id":"256ZJJRR7ZDOZHN2E6BY5752YQ","content":"The January sales are among us. Take a break from the barrage of advertisements flooding your newsfeeds to look at... more ads. Here's a selection of some advertisements typical to The Irish Times during the 1940s. See how they compare with the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/news/offbeat/sparkling-lucozade-for-convalescence-ads-from-the-1950s-1.3340577\">1950s</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/news/offbeat/your-man-for-all-seasons-ads-from-the-1960s-1.3340578\">1960s</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DGA6G7DAOZETNA3AK2ASDH3JSY","content":"Illustrations were common during the 40s, as were lines of text and a backstory in bigger spreads.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AICURL2AINQXTLHKX6XRMVLKG4","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"FASJI334QQTS2SN4G2FJHBFLLY","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"3DPTS4QZZTBLOZUC3UYQRGW5CM","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"AYCCWUJB2RIAABXGCHOQNHBDVE","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CQJL5CV56UR4EYV5P3KNYZRVAA","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"A4UY7LZS6TJRQ4KO3H4B5S66KU","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"4YXC2KUB7F3P7Q4G322QQFKVAE","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"AYCCWUJB2RIAABXGCHOQNHBDVE","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"O2LR5V7ERNG5HE5S6ZGYV6FVDQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"UNUN2DNVE7OD6DTF3NPA653YII","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"JOFFK7BZ3TIJLIVAGTSYYGB2KU","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"UYWBUYVSLMM6MX7H277AKMDPHQ","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"6Q54WGCTVKX2YCDZ5WSTHWNYKM","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"33FO6GSEROFLMET5FIPJBKBWUM","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VZZI6UUPCFWI5DM5MQPN3ZYBY4","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"X6YO5GCLTUDRBRUAXIHSDYGV4I","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"XSGE5MXAFH5JK43UH6VWXWRSKY","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SXNUF2UQQU7I5IERC7T5PCGS7Y","additional_properties":{},"type":"image"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Dean Ruxton"}},"name":"Dean Ruxton"}]},"description":{"basic":"A look at a selection of advertisements printed in ‘The Irish Times’ in the 1940s"},"display_date":"2018-01-01T13:05:20Z","headlines":{"basic":"Asthma cigarettes and jam jar appeals: Ads from the 1940s"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"MS3YFR2ZZRHAZ2ANTTMBGZH6SY","auth":{"1":"701d28199d682e21668887c2328a4cabaa685735288f7541a38c8d4e210cdd42"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/MS3YFR2ZZRHAZ2ANTTMBGZH6SY.jpg"}},"subtype":"opinion","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/asthma-cigarettes-and-jam-jar-appeals-ads-from-the-1940s-1.3340601","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"36TI2SHJGX3VIZYJQO6OTOO5XU","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/granny-fights-darth-maul-in-virtual-reality-game-1.3341838","credits":{},"description":{"basic":"A video shared on Twitter by her granddaughter Heather Hrutkay shows 81-year-old Flo Hrutkay screaming and waving a light sable as she battles the Dark Side on the Jedi Challenge game in Madison, Ohio. Video: Reuters / Twitter @hrutkayy"},"display_date":"2017-12-30T08:35:58Z","embed_html":"<div class=\"powa\" id=\"powa-36TI2SHJGX3VIZYJQO6OTOO5XU\" data-org=\"irishtimes\" data-env=\"prod\" data-uuid=\"36TI2SHJGX3VIZYJQO6OTOO5XU\" data-aspect-ratio=\"0.562\" data-api=\"prod\"><script src=\"//irishtimes.video-player.arcpublishing.com/prod/powaBoot.js?org=irishtimes\"><\/script></div>","headlines":{"basic":"Granny fights Darth Maul in virtual reality game"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"auth":{"1":"b3e88a5bc59935375780b75c2379ba36c7c9ce53037e55f49d1aa6acce8da692"},"type":"image","url":"https://d2j5ip5u6h2g6o.cloudfront.net/10-22-2021/t_cd2a72c5171142038468401e8e8edfd2_name_1795463433001_5696850501001_5696849178001_.jpg"}},"taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Video"},{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"video","website_url":"/news/offbeat/granny-fights-darth-maul-in-virtual-reality-game-1.3341838","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/video","name":"Video"}}}},{"_id":"26SDZZQ2UUDP753WZ6XELDURKE","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/canine-stars-of-game-of-thrones-drive-interest-in-rare-breed-1.3339800","content_elements":[{"_id":"LKC3OLZ2ZBBXDO56BM5CYKM7L4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Two dogs from Northern Ireland which starred in <em>Game of Thrones</em> are helping drive a surge in the popularity of a rare breed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KP4ADIIBIZFKZPCNZTTYLWYMMQ","content":"The owner of Odin and Thor, two Northern Inuit dogs which played direwolves in the hit show, is facing a growing number of enquiries about pups but has turned down offers from celebrities wanting to buy the pets.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T6N6PJWNJ5AH7BVYQGKYKA3XMU","additional_properties":{},"content":"William Mulhall, from Co Down, said his dogs have met about 400,000 people in the last four years as a result of their roles as Summer and Grey Wind in <em>Game of Thrones.</em>","type":"text"},{"_id":"US37K7S4KRFM3PRUWRSE4LBLRQ","content":"“Odin and Thor are Northern Inuits, which is a wolf lookalike breed, the closest thing to wolf we can get without a licence,” said Mr Mulhall. Their parents were brought from England, making them the first born in Ireland.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CQ4245KVNBHJXAJLKBFY2FNHBM","content":"Usually when a wolf appears on screen it will be a Northern Inuit due to the similar appearance.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M3Y7DWWCY5FUHGOAEIZVDZ2QSM","content":"Mr Mulhall bought the pups seven years ago, and three weeks later the breeder called to say a TV show was interested in using them. After seeing them, trainers from the show picked Odin and Thor to be cast as direwolf pups.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2YH6C4JWXJCWDKACBYUOAEXB5Y","content":"They now have their own Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts and are insured for £1 million (€1.1 million) each.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LKFMMNJM2RBCTFWTUFW3SC5Q2U","content":"However, the two are not the only members of the family to appear on the show.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BID6VENAOBAVNNOOIEEAALNKZU","content":"Mr Mulhall featured as an extra in the series, while his father played a Dothraki slave master. His two brothers have also been involved, as has one of their boats.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZOZXUXDNG5CHPNEBIGMGURQD5U","additional_properties":{},"content":"Tourism circuit","type":"header"},{"_id":"XTOW3GB5MNBATOPENWPGK6WR3Y","additional_properties":{},"content":"The dogs are now a regular attraction on the flourishing <em>Game of Thrones</em> tourism circuit in Northern Ireland, where fans from all over the world visit locations used in the series.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DG6M4NEV4BH4JNEHSE5R5ATDJE","content":"Mr Mulhall is also investigating the possibility of using Odin to father a litter: “He’s had quite a lot of popular demand asking for pups, so we’ll see what happens in the future.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WTJWQ3KGYNBSNJPJLDQFGBQGLA","content":"“We’re just happy to have healthy, happy dogs. They love people, they love being around people.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HSBWFR5EARGSBEMTXN5BCJN5XQ","content":"“They live in the house with us, they have their own sofa. We take them for walks, minimum three miles a day, and they are really quite friendly and affectionate dogs.” – PA","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"description":{"basic":"Northern Inuit is ‘the closest thing to wolf we can get without a licence’"},"display_date":"2017-12-28T16:02:03Z","headlines":{"basic":"Canine stars of ‘Game of Thrones’ drive interest in rare breed"},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"YS3SIRIERCSV4DG6JYNW5IWORM","auth":{"1":"3159333b4b94c8e1e5605c7ecc29cd2e97741d57ab8791742c69e23638a94d81"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YS3SIRIERCSV4DG6JYNW5IWORM.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Offbeat"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/news/offbeat/canine-stars-of-game-of-thrones-drive-interest-in-rare-breed-1.3339800","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/offbeat","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Offbeat"}}}},{"_id":"Y4XGUFJFYPXMFNAQHAOPYMF2GU","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/news/offbeat/when-a-robbery-turned-into-a-revolver-duel-in-blackrock-1.3338098","content_elements":[{"_id":"JQFK7ERBL5HPJEYFUPL5XYYEIA","content":"It was late in the evening when JJ Byrne heard a strange noise in his garden. To him, it sounded like someone was on the way in or out of the house.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZKIIVG5U7BFK7DH2ZKVKNTT2XA","content":"Approaching the front door of Newtown House - a large 19th century home that still stands in Blackrock, county Dublin - he spotted a man stooping low underneath the window, and a second man at his back.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y4DZM762MFEMZCWM6LVXHTIJJ4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Startled by the two strangers on his porch, Byrne \"rushed for his revolver, and on returning found the men were walking away,\" according to a report in <em>The Irish Times</em>, just over a week later on December 29th, 1923.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OUVHAIJCFZBWXHZAZUTUIOE2GE","content":"“Going outside, he shouted at them to stop, but they quickened their pace. Mr Byrne again called on them to halt.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"3R375VBTIBEORA3UQW6JNQL4RU","content":"The two men broke into a run and then turned suddenly, both pulling out revolvers and firing at Byrne. By a stroke of luck, he escaped fatal injury when one of the bullets missed his head while piercing a hole in his hat.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SEUNL7ILGJETZMD4QRTHTNE55M","content":"“Flashing his electric torch in their direction, Mr Byrne discharged five shots from his revolver,” reads the report, adding, “one of the men staggered, but continued to run.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"OFH3AZFWWZDWNEZK2VLYM7SEHI","content":"The would-be intruders made off in different directions - one towards nearby Seapoint Station and the other in the direction of the main road.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NQJASKSBQNAPZKDMMRSVP4MOSI","content":"Mr Byrne ran back into the house and phoned Blackrock Police Station. Coincidentally, the assistant commissioner of the Dublin metropolitan police, Mr Barrett, was carrying out an inspection of the station when the call came in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NPECLZ7X3RDZVG5PHJ4F2F4AUQ","content":"Barrett “started at once for the scene with a small police force”. By the time they arrived at 11.06pm, the shooting had stopped and they discovered Mr Byrne unharmed, though a “little the worse of his strange experience”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VEAFDZEQXNBXVCKSEQT7RRRKBY","content":"A search of the grounds of Newtown House threw up no clues, nor did police have any luck at Seapoint station. The men were traced as far as Westland Row station - the modern-day Dublin Pearse station.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GBBE7FIOKZESLN4KA6FU3BAMNA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Christmas thefts","type":"header"},{"_id":"4L4TJ2OEHZCB7GZ5PU5SEX75E4","content":"The shootout, which happened on December 20th, was assumed to be a robbery gone awry - it was one of a number of raids mentioned in the report, amid an apparent spike in pre-Christmas thefts.","type":"text"},{"_id":"H6C7OSKTAVGMTIRIKAC3MDDD3U","content":"On the same night, also in Blackrock, a van driver working for Messrs Clery was stopped by a man wearing a mask and brandishing a revolver. “Keeping his revolver pointed at the driver, the masked man examined the van,” according to the report.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I4SPXD65DVGILKLUDGXPSKQZYA","content":"“Having finished his inspection, he remarked curtly: ‘I thought it was a Ford; you may go.’ The driver proceeded on his way.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"UYTZ2YBNBFEGBIUT5UCYNBG2GY","content":"Earlier that evening, between 6 and 7pm, a woman named Ms Brady who lived at number 19 Wicklow Street was boarding the tram at Nassau Street, when her handbag was snatched. 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