September 3, 2017 · Issue no 10,069· thesundaytimes.ie RoI €3 (inc Vat) · NI £2.50

ROBBIE MARIAN HOW TO OVERCOME WILLIAMS THIS JOB IS YOUR MARRIAGE GOING TO KILL ME MIDLIFE CRISIS MAGAZINE INTERVIEW KEYES MAGAZINE GRENFELL GOES TO THE BEACH May secretly Junior health ADRIAN SHERRATT agrees to a €55bn minister called Brexit bill Tim Shipman Political Editor Theresa May is set to approve a politically explosive Brexit bill of for HPV jab ban up to £50bn (€54.6bn) after the Conservative Party conference in October in an effort to kickstart Mark Tighe “remove the HPV vaccine Gardasil other anti-vaccination groups as trade talks with the EU. as a matter of priority”. He also “emotional terrorism”. He said Under plans being drawn up in Finian McGrath, the “super junior” called on Varadkar to support they used “disinformation”, Whitehall, Britain would pay minister for health, called for the Regret, a group campaigning including claims that Gardasil has between £7bn and £17bn a year to withdrawal of Gardasil, a vaccine against the vaccine’s use. Varadkar caused long-lasting side effects, Brussels for three years after Brexit used in the battle against the rejected the TD’s requests and said that are not based on science or before ending sizeable direct pay- cancer-causing human papilloma the vaccination programme, medicine. ments into EU coffers in time for virus (HPV), just before he was which has been operating in McGrath criticised O’Brien’s the 2022 general election. appointed to cabinet last year. Ireland since 2010, was safe. language as “a bit hard”. He said: But May and her Brexit secre- McGrath, a member of the Inde- McGrath was appointed to cabinet “More humanity should have been tary, David Davis, risk accusations pendent Alliance, told The Sunday as a “super junior” minister for shown to those families who find that they are keeping their inten- Times this weekend that he was health some six weeks after mak- themselves in that situation. It’s tions secret to protect the prime not “rowing back” on his opposi- ing the representation. perfectly legitimate for families minister from attacks by Euroscep- tion to the vaccine. He said Asked last week about his parlia- whose daughters have been vacci- tics at a conference where she will sustained criticism by groups mentary question, McGrath stood nated to ask these questions.” fight to re-establish credibility. opposed to the vaccination by his position. “I did ask that ques- He also disagreed with Simon Brussels is demanding a Brexit programme were driven by con- tion at the time because I had Harris, the health minister, who bill of £92bn but senior Tories say cerned parents voicing “legitimate major concerns about the HPV said “those who wish to scaremon- Britain will open with a bid of questions”. vaccine,” he said. ger” should “butt out” unless they £20bn-£30bn after May’s confer- Ireland has one of the highest “My current position is of were medical professionals. ence speech on October 4, to try rates of cervical cancer in Europe. course that these concerns have to “I don’t agree with that,” said to strike a deal in the two-week More than 90 women die from the be examined and looked at care- McGrath. “Every citizen has a right window before an EU summit in disease every year, while a further fully. I won’t be rowing back from to question vaccination and health Brussels on October 19. 280 women require treatment ran- that position because of some of things. Every parent has a legiti- A close ally of May has privately ging from surgery to chemother- the events internationally. I think mate right to question any medica- admitted that the final bill could apy or radiotherapy. somewhere in the region of 30% of tion given to their children.” rise by £20bn because the UK’s The rate of uptake for the vac- reported events are categorised as McGrath said Regret was not negotiating position was weak- cine dropped from 87% in 2014 to very serious.” scaremongering. “I believe they ened when the prime minister lost about 50% last year, following a Asked the source of this statistic, are following the experience inter- her majority at the UK general elec- campaign by anti-vaccination McGrath said: “I think that’s in the nationally. I believe there are coun- tion. “We were looking at a final bill groups who alleged that many girls UK. I’m 99% sure. It’s something I tries around Europe where the of £20bn to £30bn, now it will be had subsequently suffered serious saw earlier on in the office. I’m same situation has arisen; I think nearer £50bn,” the source said. side effects. nearly positive.” France, Spain, Germany and By staggering the final bill over The drug is made available to all McGrath said society had to Japan. I think there has been an three years, ministers hope to schoolgirls in first year at second- “constantly question these kind of award already paid out by the US argue that the payments are about ary level. A new campaign to pro- vaccinations” due to potentially vaccine court [over Gardasil]. My the same level as the current mote the vaccination programme serious health concerns. “People bottom line is I’m not rowing back. annual payment of £13.1bn after was launched by the Department have been on to me and raised the I have concerns and the parents’ the UK’s rebate has been applied. of Health and the HSE last week. issue,” he said. “At the time I was concerns should be examined.” No 10 said last night it did not McGrath, who is minister for raising a genuine concern and I still McGrath said he did not want to recognise the plans, but a Tory disability issues, was not present at have concerns about it. I will go further as he did not want source who has discussed them the launch. constantly be raising it even when I to “cause world war three with with May’s inner circle said: “They On March 22 last year, while in am in government.” Simon [Harris]”. are planning to do the Brexit bill opposition, McGrath made a writ- Last week Tony O’Brien, the Nine-year-old Sara Chebiouni, left, a survivor of the Grenfell Tower fire in London, playing at Marazion, and how much they’re going to ten request in the Dail for Leo Var- HSE director-general, described Brenda Power, Cornwall, with a friend. Sara and her family were part of a group that went to the West Country last week pay after party conference. They adkar, then health minister, to the campaign waged by Regret and Comment, page 5 for a free holiday to help them recover from the tragedy, in which at least 80 people died Continued on page 2→ TD bungled ‘IRA bomb’ apology No special privilege for judges, says Ross

Justine McCarthy published in relation to the 1973 Attempts to contact the Irish Shane Ross and the Independent “I have spoke to Charlie Flana- cerns about a provision in the bill [sic] atrocities that claimed the Independent yesterday were Alliance say they will insist on gan [the justice minister] and he is which would make it a criminal INDEX Junior minister Patrick O’Donovan lives of 34 innocent people in no unsuccessful. fundamental changes to the Judi- taking everything into considera- offence to publish details of an Lottery News 2 got the date of the and Mon- way represented my belief as to The four explosions on May 17, cial Council Bill, which has been tion,” said Ross. “The Independent investigation into a judge. He is Weather News 23 aghan bombings wrong three who was responsible for the 1974, were perpetrated by the criticised by opposition TDs Alliance is supportive of making also confident the bill will be times in a letter to a survivors’ deaths,” O’Donovan told her. “I am Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) with because it proposes to keep secret changes which will involve full amended to require judges to keep Letters News 16 group, after implicitly blaming the fully aware of the tragic events of suspected collusion by British the names of judges reprimanded transparency in terms of who the a register of interests. Sudoku Money 15 IRA for the atrocities. Irish history and I have never security officers. They killed 33 under its disciplinary regime, judges are and what happened [in “We will be requiring it,” said TV & Radio Culture 41 The Fine Gael TD was replying alluded to anybody at any stage civilians and a full-term unborn writes Mark Tighe. a disciplinary case]. Ross. “I think there is no question to a letter sent by Margaret Urwin that the Dublin-Monaghan bomb- child. Almost 300 people were Ross, the transport minister, “Judges have to be treated like that that will happen. The judges of Justice for the Forgotten last ings were committed by the IRA.” injured. who has campaigned for reform of normal individuals. There is abso- must learn they can’t be treated Monday in which she said survi- His original comments were O’Donovan told Urwin he the judicial appointments system, lutely no way they should have like some sort of elite to whom dif- vors and victims’ relatives had published in the Irish Independ- accepted the conclusions of the said the bill must provide “full some sort of privilege accorded to ferent rules apply.” been “horrified” by the misattribu- ent, but O’Donovan did not say 2003 Barron report that “the 1973 transparency” on judicial repri- them about anonymity when oth- Irish judges are not covered by tion of blame. whether he had asked the newspa- [sic] Dublin-Monaghan bombings mands. He is also insisting on a ers wouldn’t.” ethics legislation that requires y(7HA9F6*LNSQRQ( |||+@!\ “I made it clear that what was per to publish a clarification. Continued on page 2→ new register of interests for judges. Ross said he had serious con- Continued on page 2→ The Sunday Times February 4, 2018 21 NEWS REVIEW

xcitement and pride were the Spanish/Portuguese and Russian teams videos. “You can see girls virtually naked most common sentiments of While the average Google staff are some of the busiest by volume, yet or smoking hash but we have to mark it as those recruited to work for they are paid less than most of the other ‘family safe’ because they are music vid- Google in Block R of Dublin’s teams. We feel we are being taken advan- eos and there’s artistic licence,” he said. Eastpoint business park last member earns over €90,000 a tage of and we are humiliated.” “This is not written in any of the policies year. That’s because the web Some are also unhappy that their des- but we’re trained to review it this way.” giant, which has about 6,000 year, teams of subcontractors ignation as outsourced contract staff We feel we In response to the issues highlighted, workers based in Dublin, is means no entitlement to sick pay. They Helen Tynan, Google’s director of people regarded as a top employer. have tried to address their low pay with are being operations in Europe, the Middle East A 2016 study of Google’s are paid just €11.06 an hour to Accenture management. More than half and Africa, said that keeping its platform Irish accounts estimated that the average a dozen workers based at Eastpoint told taken safe was important and challenging Esalary of its Dublin staff was €94,590. Its The Sunday Times they felt managers work. “We use machine-learning tech- moderate some of the worst of offices around the Silicon Docks area are had not taken their concerns on board. advantage of nology along with a mixture of full-time renowned for their free staff meals, well- The content reviewers sometimes staff, policy experts and contractors to ness centres, massage rooms, swimming the internet, writes Mark Tighe study videos or websites containing and we are review content and counter abuse,” pool, micro-kitchens and music centres. graphic violence, child abuse or drug-tak- she said. “We demand high standards Alphabet, Google’s parent company, Google’s policies not to promote any- to take a taxi home but they must claim ing, which they find disturbing. Staff say humiliated of our contractor companies and are reported a 23% annual increase in thing illicit. “I’ve a background in educa- the fare back from Hays, a process they it was only late last year a psychologist working closely with them to address revenue in 2017, with a record $110.9bn tion and, considering this was for a tech- say can take more than three weeks. was made available to offer counselling to these concerns. (€89bn). However, some companies nology company, I found the training Among staff on the €11.06 rate, which anyone affected by extreme content. “Reviewing this content can be chal- withdrew advertising from the platform appalling,” said the former employee. includes Spanish and Portuguese speak- There are strict rules on what content lenging and upsetting work, and all after their ads appeared beside videos “We had to sit down for hours looking ers, there is a resentment that colleagues is prohibited, and there is a grading Google’s content contractors have full access to on-site promoting terrorism or paedophilia. at dull text presentations or a large on the Dutch or German teams are paid system with “family safe” being the moderators are based in counselling and emotional wellbeing In response, Google promised to step screen, while somebody reads out the up to €5,000 a year more, at €13.46 an lowest rating. Moderators say they try to Eastpoint business park, programmes. We encourage everyone up its moderation, and said it would basic policies while often saying they are hour. “We feel it is discrimination,” said implement these policies but feel exemp- below left; Carlos Maciá, who works for us to reach out to Google employ 10,000 people to tackle abusive already out of date. The pace is frantic, one worker on the €23,000 wage. “Our tions can be made for those with large below, was a member of the via our confidential helpline with any content by 2018. and then we had a shambles of an assess- colleagues do exactly the same jobs. The YouTube followings or for “artistic” Spanish/Portuguese team issues or complaints.” Hundreds of these were recruited in ment. We were expected to fail but then Google said it would investigate Accen- Dublin. Although they responded to a job they gave us the answers so we could ture’s manner of reimbursing workers’ ad posted by Accenture, an international repeat and pass the same exam.” taxi fares. It has an arrangement to pay consultancy, successful candidates were Maciá said once staff are “validated” Accenture for workers’ fares at times told they would actually be employed by after four weeks of training, they start when public transportation may be Hays, an international recruitment firm, working “live” on those policies/formats, limited. The internet company’s contract to work on a project for Google. even though they did not get to practise. with Accenture sets out agreed rates for The enthusiasm of the new “Google” He said he wrote an email to a manager the work it requires. It is understood staff quickly dissipated when they were suggesting how the training could be Google does not, however, have any told the salary would be €23,000 a year, improved. He was told they would direct knowledge of the actual salary paid or just €11.06 an hour. “look into it”. Maciá claims that this was to Accenture-contracted employees. While the minimum wage in Ireland is the standard response to any suggestion Google insists it does not pay contrac- €9.55, social justice campaigners have or complaints made by staff to the tors differently based on nationality. It calculated the living wage in Ireland is Accenture managers. points out contractors may be paid based €11.70 an hour. They say this is the wage Staff say there has been a huge turn- on their language skills, as a result of “which makes possible a minimum over of employees in Eastpoint as the market forces. It believes this is standard acceptable standard of living”. content reviewers become frustrated practice across industries. Most of the staff recruited by with the low pay and lack of opportuni- Hays said: “As a recruitment agency Accenture/Hays to work as Google ties for advancement. At a recent meet- our role is to supply workers to meet a moderators in Dublin were not Irish. ing, a manager said the average content client’s needs. These workers are man- Teams were assembled to moderate reviewer stayed for just eight months in aged by the client, and rates of pay and Google AdWords and YouTube videos in the job. Staff claim they are increasingly working conditions are set by the client in the Russian, German, Spanish, French, asked to work unsocial shifts that end at line with local legislation. We do not com- Portuguese, Dutch and Asian markets. 1am or 2am. Many are alarmed that ment on specific client arrangements.” Carlos Maciá, a member of the Accenture has said there will soon be a Accenture said: “We are aware of these Spanish/Portuguese team up to last requirement for a new night shift, to concerns and are actively working to December, told The Sunday Times that, ensure the service in Eastpoint is a address them. We pay competitive rates, although his job interview was all about 24-hours-a-day operation. based on skills and experience, and the YouTube videos, he was told he would Currently, for working Sundays or any vast majority of the team earn above the be moderating AdWords after he joined. hours after 10pm, staff receive just a 15% living wage. Accenture also offers train- This job involves moderating up to 3,500 increase in their hourly pay. AdWords ing, wellness programmes, paid holidays ads a day to ensure they comply with staff who work the late shift are entitled and travel subsidies.”

he announcement last The chain said patients were It’s a very difficult the end of the food from €65 to €340. Until last Monday by the Health advised that if they modified conversation to have with intolerance testing industry week, its tests were also Products Regulatory their diet based on their test a patient to say they have in Ireland. Two of the main offered through pharmacies, HEALTHY PROFITS Authority (HPRA) that results, they should do so wasted €200. non-pharmacy suppliers of including the Gallery Quay Tit had judged food under the supervision of “The huge problem for the immunoglobulin G (IgG) Pharmacy in Dublin 2, which intolerance blood tests to be a GP or dietitian. me as a dietitian was the People were blood test, which the HPRA did not respond to a request FROM FOOD worthless was swiftly “As such, the service number of people who had singled out for criticism, have for comment. followed by a notice from the operated in accordance with been taken off dairy, and had told The Sunday Times they The HPRA confirmed this Pharmaceutical Society of [the 2015] guidance, in that absolutely no advice on putting will continue to market and weekend that IgG tests can Ireland (PSI), a regulator, no diagnosis was provided on bringing up their calcium and sell their product in Ireland. still be legally sold in Ireland INTOLERANCES telling pharmacies to stop the basis of self-testing iodine. They were putting themselves The HPRA said the IgG as they carry a CE marking, offering them. alone,” Boots said. themselves at risk of test “will not diagnose the certification of This was not the first The PSI said it had osteoporosis.” at risk of intolerance to a certain food conformity with European Described as a waste of money by warning from the HPRA in highlighted the HPRA’s 2015 The HPRA’s new advice, type, but rather will detect standards. However, the the medicines regulator, expensive relation to the efficacy of food advice in a newsletter, which based on a review of the tests osteoporosis previous exposure to a food” HPRA now advises that “the intolerance tests. In 2015, it advised pharmacists to on the market, does not mean — in other words, what a only valid and safe way to over-the-counter tests could have said diagnoses of conditions “consider the usefulness of person has recently eaten. diagnose food intolerance is had their day, writes Valerie Flynn relating to the ability to these tests in light of the This criticism was rejected to eliminate foods following digest or “tolerate” food HPRA notice and by Fitzwilliam Food Test, a clinical advice” from a doctor should be made by doctors, pharmacists’ responsibilities Dublin-based clinic, and by or dietitian. and consumers should under their code of conduct”. York Test, a British company Martin Healy, Fitzwilliam’s “exercise caution” in relation Both the regulator and with an Irish base. Both sell director, claimed the HPRA to commercial food the Irish Pharmacy Union, self-testing kits online, with ignored evidence he provided intolerance services. which represents 2,200 customers posting a blood on the legitimacy of IgG So should pharmacies have pharmacists, said the HPRA’s sample back to be analysed. testing and said it was stopped offering these tests latest advice had brought York Test’s cheapest product “intolerable” that “people sooner? Many were “clarity” to the issue. is a €30 “first step test” while who may have benefited from marketing them right up Sarah Keogh, a registered its most expensive is a €375 this test may now not avail of until the HPRA and PSI dietitian, said: “At least once “ideal weight programme”, it”. He says he is considering intervened last week. every day someone would which claims to help people a legal challenge to the HPRA. Boots, which withdrew its come in who has had these to identify their “trigger Keogh said: “It’s fantastic food intolerance testing tests done. They’re marketed foods” and alternatives that to see this guidance coming service on Tuesday, said this all over the place and a lot of will give them “a better out. It’s something dietitians weekend it had been people have got them in chance of achieving [their] have been calling for, for operating in accordance with pharmacies, so they’ve ideal weight”. a long time.” the HPRA’s 2015 guidance. trusted they were accurate. Food intolerance kits can cost between €30 and €375 Fitzwilliam’s prices range @valerie_flynn February 4, 2018 · Issue no 10,091 · thesundaytimes.ie RoI €3 (inc Vat) · NI £2.70 IRELAND’S 100 BEST FILM RESTAURANTS AWARDS JOHN AND SALLY McKENNA SPECIAL REVEAL THIS YEAR’S WINNERS SUNDAY CULTURE Sexton’s long drop stuns France

BRENDAN MORAN/SPORTSFILE ‘Second-class’ John Burns Magnifique! Johnny Sexton dropped a 42-metre drop goal in the 83rd minute to secure a sensa- tional win for Ireland in Paris. Google workers The drop-dead gorgeous kick followed 41 phases of possession as Ireland, behind 13-12 after a Teddy Thomas try, battled from deep inside their own half to set up a kicking chance for the out-half. slam conditions Fortunately there was no déjà vu for Sexton, who had missed an earlier “banker” penalty. Mark Tighe about low pay and working condi- So Ireland left France regretting WHAT IS THE LIVING tions. “Everyone I told I was work- nothing, after a match that was in Google has promised to review pay WAGE IN IRELAND? ing for Google assumed I made big danger of being overshadowed by and working conditions at one of money and had free meals, but criticism of captain ’s its Dublin operations following an NEWS REVIEW, PAGE 21 that was far off the mark,” he said. decision to appear at the rape trial investigation by The Sunday Times. “We continually wondered at of his club-mates Paddy Jackson The internet giant, the second- the office, how much does Google and Stuart Olding last week. largest company in the world by inappropriate content, and to pay to Accenture for each one of Speaking after the match, Best market value in 2017, is using third make sure it meets the standards in us? And how much do they pay in defended his appearance at the parties to hire workers whose job territories where Google operates. return to Hays? I know dozens of trial, noting he had a day off on is to monitor content on Google The Irish Congress of Trade cases of colleagues carrying out Wednesday, so did not need per- AdWords and the Google-owned Unions (Ictu) said the pay levels of extra work without a pay rise for mission from the Irish Rugby Foot- YouTube video-sharing website. the Google content reviewers months or even years.” ball Union. “The reason I was there Some of the 200-plus staff “reveal the dark underside of the Content reviewers employed is because I am on record as a char- employed at EastPoint in the Dublin digital sector and expose the through Hays and Accenture are acter witness. I was advised that it docklands are being paid as little reality of working life for many in not entitled to sick pay. Staff claim was important I got both sides of as €11.06 an hour. This is below the the industry, one of low pay and management in EastPoint have the story,” he said. living wage of €11.70 an hour that poor conditions”. refused to engage with their con- Moments before Sexton’s social-justice groups say is the It added: “Ironically, the sector cerns and say they have no oppor- match-winning kick, the out-half minimum required to allow for an has always claimed that its high tunity to approach Google. had put Irish fans’ hearts in their acceptable standard of living. Dis- pay and excellent working condi- On one occasion Maciá said he mouths when he launched a cross- count supermarket chains Aldi and tions made the presence of unions became aware that a female col- field kick but it was gathered Lidl have both committed to pay the unnecessary, yet here we have one league believed she was the victim expertly by . Full-back living wage to all entry-level staff. of the world’s wealthiest corpora- of inappropriate behaviour by a said afterwards: “To Our investigation found that tions outsourcing critical work for male co-worker. Maciá reported build that amount of phases, to Google “content reviewers” are low pay and keeping workers at the issue to a manager and claims keep the ball — the conditions are employed through an arrangement arm’s length.” he was told “never” to contact awful — and then the stones on with consultancy Accenture and Ictu said the hourly pay rates Google directly about such issues. Johnny at the end was incredible. recruitment agency Hays on con- “would certainly not be enough to Google said it will investigate the “I thought [the drop goal] was a tracts that pay as little as €23,000 a afford decent accommodation, allegation that Maciá was told not little short. It went in slow motion year. Accenture manages the oper- given the surge in housing costs”. to use the Google helpline as this and it just crept over.” ation for Google, and staff are paid The content reviewers are paid would be against company policy. Sexton, who scored all of by Hays. This compares with aver- an extra 15% an hour for working Helen Tynan, Google’s director Ireland’s points, said: “I’m just age salaries of €94,590 paid to staff Sundays or after 10pm. The last of people operations for Europe, happy I got another chance. In the employed directly by Google in its shift currently ends at 2am and said it would also investigate the last moment something caught my other Dublin-based operations. some staff say they are concerned staff complaints about pay rates. eye, and I was just happy to get Content reviewers on the Span- about plans to require them to “We demand high standards of another chance to get victory for ish and Portuguese teams have work a new night shift from later our contractor companies and are the boys.” said they feel discriminated this month, as EastPoint becomes working closely with them to With three home games to against because colleagues in the a 24/7 operation. address these concerns,” she said. come, Ireland will be favourites for German and Dutch teams, with Carlos Maciá, who worked in “Reviewing this content can be the Six Nations, with the final game whom they work side by side, are Dublin as a reviewer of Google challenging and upsetting work, at Twickenham on St Patrick’s Day. paid up to €5,000 a year more. AdWords between last May and and all contractors have full access All the workers monitor content December, said management had to on-site counselling and emo- Full story, Sport Johnny Sexton celebrates his stunning match-winning drop goal in front of a stunned Stade de France in order to weed out illegal and failed to respond to concerns tional wellbeing programmes.” Killer was paid €1,000 to stab Irene White Doping rife at Winter Olympics

John Mooney after confessing to the murder another party was hired to kill fleeing from the scene of the crime The Sunday Times and the Ger- INDEX following his arrest by gardai at White. Gardai believe a number of and catching a lift to Dublin air- INSIGHT man broadcaster ARD have been The man who admitted the grue- Dundalk last year. people, including a doorman from port, where he flew to Britain with given access to a database contain- Lottery News 2 some murder of Irene White at her In custody, Lambe told gardai he Dublin, were asked to murder a former girlfriend, who was Secret data exposing the extraordi- ing more than 10,000 blood tests Weather News 23 home in Co Louth in April 2005 had attempted to murder White White before Lambe eventually unaware of what he had done. nary extent of blood doping by from nearly 2,000 winter sports Letters News 16 was promised a payment of weeks before she died after he was agreed to kill the mother of three. Officers established that Lambe endurance skiers at the Winter stars. It reveals that about a third of between €10,000 to €20,000 by provided with specific information Security sources say Lambe, had confessed his crime to at least Olympics can be revealed this all medals, including 91 golds, have Sudoku Money 13 two men who hired him to kill his on her whereabouts but did not go who had been a promising student two women, and possibly others, weekend, days before the start of been won in the Olympics and TV & Radio Culture 41 victim, but received a payment of through with the killing because he but whose life fell apart due to per- who had not to come forward or the 2018 Games in South Korea. world championships since 2001 €1,000 in cash with a promise of was overcome by a mixture of sonal issues in 2005, showed genu- did not believe his story as he was Hundreds of skiers have by skiers who have recorded tests shares in a new company, which nerves, anxiety and fear. ine remorse for the violent crime using drugs and drinking exces- escaped bans despite recording judged to be suspicious. never materialised. He told gardai he was subse- he had committed. sively at the time. abnormal blood test scores — some Russia, which has been banned Anthony Lambe, a 34-year-old quently threatened, intimidated He told gardai his involvement He told detectives that with less than a one in a million from competing under its own flag PhD candidate at NUI Maynooth in and bullied by two men after he in the woman’s death had haunted statements made to the investiga- chance of being natural. At times at the Olympics, tops the list of Kildare, was sentenced to life failed to carry out their instruc- him for more than a decade. tion team by the women who the blood was so dangerously thick cheating countries. imprisonment at the Central tions which led him to believe that He told detectives he had prayed named him as White’s killer were that the skier should have been in The revelations will plunge the y(7HA9F6*LNSQRQ( |||+"!\ Criminal Court in Dublin last week he himself might be killed if over his victim’s body before Continued on page 2→ hospital rather than competing. Continued on page 2→ The Sunday Times November 19, 2017 3 NEWS Blind Date star PADDY CUMMINS ‘groped me on psychiatric hospital visit’

Mark Tighe and Colin Coyle totally shot. I’m not saying he did it because I was a patient but it really pisses A former psychiatric patient has claimed me off that he did it despite the fact that I that Al Porter, the broadcaster and come- was a patient and vulnerable.” dian, groped and kissed him while visit- The student said he only felt free to ing a hospital in 2015. talk about the incident following recent The student, who is in his mid-twen- revelations about the actor Kevin Spacey ties and who asked not to be named, and the emergence of a number of men spent almost six weeks as an inpatient in last week who claimed they had been St Patrick’s after he was diagnosed with “groped” by Porter, who presents Blind depression. He had previously made a Date for TV3. suicide attempt. Davey Reilly, 27, a comedian, claims he The man said he and two fellow was groped in May 2014 while working patients met Porter on October 6, 2015, for Porter at a comedy night in the Wool- when the comedian was one of a number shed Baa & Grill in Dublin. In an interview of celebrities visiting the hospital to pro- with the Ireland edition of The Times, mote Mental Health Awareness Week and Reilly said Porter had put his hand the Walk in my Shoes charity broadcast. “straight down the front of my jeans” as “We were chatting to Al and he was all he was paying him. handsy, touching my chest, telling me “He said something along the lines of, I’m gorgeous,” the man said. “He said I ‘Oh you’re still not single are ya.’ I batted was ‘nice and small, just like I like them’. him away. I kind of just laughed it off as it He said he was going to ‘devour’ me. was so uncomfortable.” Reilly said a I was pushing and squirming away and second incident took place in the bath- obviously felt uncomfortable, but he room of the Gilded Balloon nightclub in kept going. He put his hand on the lower Edinburgh in August 2015. “I ran into him part of my back and it made my hairs and he went to hug me,” he said. “As he stand on end.” did so, he put his hand down the back of The student was not sure who Porter my jeans. Both times he touched me was was. One of his fellow patients took pho- under underwear, straight down.” Blind Date host tographs of them together later that day Conor O’Toole, 26, another comedian, Al Porter, top, has near the hospital foyer. also claims to have been groped by Porter been accused of “He put his hand on my crotch at least in 2014 at the Ha’penny Bridge comedy groping a former twice, outside my trousers,” said the stu- club in Dublin. “I was sitting on the stairs psychiatric patient, dent. “I pushed him away again and it backstage, as comedians do, and I was left, on a visit to St ended with him laying the sloppiest, chatting away to Al and a few of the Patrick’s University most disgusting kiss on my lips.” The people,” he said. “I was sitting with my Hospital, right man, who is not gay, said he did not com- legs in the birthing position on the stairs plain at the time as he did not want to be and he grabbed my balls and I was like, considered homophobic. He later told ‘Hey, don’t f****** do that.’ He stopped his brother about what had happened. and that was it.” He said the incidents were not witnessed George Fox, 33, another comedian, by the other celebrity visitors. claims Porter put his hand on his penis in The student said that when he saw front of his girlfriend, saying: “How come Porter on RTE’s Cutting Edge programme you don’t get hard for me?” last year talking about his own depres- Eoin O’Faogain, 26, a musician and sion, he became angry about what had writer, claims Porter put his hands down happened. “I didn’t complain to the hos- the back of his trousers in October 2015. pital either, it actually didn’t annoy me Porter allegedly said: “Oh, I’ve awfully until I saw him crying on the TV one night busy hands, don’t I?” about depression and I thought what a BBC Radio 4, for whom Porter is hypocrite he was,” he said. “It got me recording a documentary about his com- thinking about what he did when I was edy influences that is to be broadcast going through the hardest time of my life, next year, declined to comment. with my confidence and self-esteem Porter did not respond to queries. Another blow for embattled museum as senior official quits

Justine McCarthy institution to deal with “legacy issues”. This included One of the most senior permission to fill a number of officials in the National HR positions. Museum of Ireland (NMI) has Stephanie Regan, a clinical announced his retirement, psychotherapist hired by the amid allegations of bullying museum in 2008 to provide and sexual harassment staff support following other against other staff members complaints, issued a public at the institution. statement last Monday in Museum staff were which she said her dealings informed on Thursday that with Humphreys had given Seamus Lynam, the head of her “no confidence” that operations, was retiring after anything would change. “40 years of service in the “I whistleblew in 2011, public sector”. speaking out for those who The news came after were being bullied Heather Humphreys, the arts Lynam, right, at an event with James Reilly and Judith Finlay consistently and deliberately and heritage minister, met by two senior managers,” the NMI’s board on Thursday She said “the context of the Gaeltacht last Wednesday, it Regan said. “These managers morning. The meeting meeting was to discuss the was stated by Peadar Tóibín, have never been sanctioned followed media reports of board’s vision for the its chairman and a Sinn Fein and are still in situ.” allegedly inappropriate museum in the short and TD, that she and her Lynam, who is not the behaviour by Pat Wallace, a longer term”. predecessor as arts minister subject of any complaints, former NMI director, and the However, Raghnall Ó had been “saturated” with was the museum’s acting alleged sexual harassment of Floinn, the museum’s information about allegations director for 16 months after a colleague by Andy Halpin, director, told staff in a in the museum. “You cannot Wallace’s retirement in 2012. an assistant keeper of Irish circular on Monday the board say you didn’t know what was He is due to finish on antiquities. would be discussing going on,” Tóibín said. December 22. He did not Asked what was the harassment allegations “with Humphreys has said she respond to attempts by The purpose of meeting with the the minister at its next could not get involved in Sunday Times to contact him. NMI board, Humphreys’s meeting on Thursday”. human resources issues at the An NMI spokeswoman spokeswoman said it was in When Humphreys museum, as it was an said: “It is [our] policy not to response to “a long-standing appeared before the autonomous body, but she comment on any individual invitation” and had been Oireachtas committee on had provided additional HR matters in respect of [our] agreed in September. culture, heritage and the support to the cultural duty of confidentiality.” founder steps up for RTE

Colin Coyle noting that she did not like Doherty, 59, said her Eurovision song contest in “signing away her life” for experience of working with 1994, has earned the couple As one of the founders of too long. “I am by nature colleagues in RTE and across more than €76m. Doherty Riverdance, she is used to nomadic,” she said at the the sector had made her and McColgan recently sold long runs. , time, noting that career- realise she wanted to be “part their mansion for who has served as chair of the breaks were important to of this transformation and to €8.2m to concert promoter RTE board for three years, maintain creativity. continue with the role until Peter Aiken. has been reappointed for a This weekend she said it we reach a conclusion worthy Since Doherty began her further five. was a critical time for RTE. of the audience we serve”. tenure at RTE, the Denis Naughten, the “The past three years since Donegal-born Doherty broadcaster has successfully communications minister, I became chair have seen stepped down from the board navigated the 1916 centenary extended her term last week. profound changes in the of Tyrone Productions, the celebrations, receiving praise His spokesman said the media industries, and RTE company she ran with for its coverage. It is now decision would “ensure has had to negotiate this husband John McColgan, running a deficit and recently continuity on the board and continually changing space,” when she was appointed to improved redundancy terms the retention of her she said. “At this point, while the RTE board to avoid any as it tries to shed 300 staff. It considerable corporate the challenges are substantial conflict of interest. The also sold part of its Montrose knowledge and experience”. and testing for all, I am company subsequently campus in Dublin to a Before taking up her convinced RTE will have a produced the 1916 Rising housing developer. appointment in 2014, major role in shaping public- centenary concert for RTE. @colincoyle Doherty specifically asked to service broadcasting, not just Her involvement with be given a three-year term, in Ireland but across Europe, Riverdance, which began as Orchestras’ futures in the instead of the usual five, for the foreseeable future.” an interval act at the dark, News Review, page 21