THURSDAY
David Davin-Power
I was sorry to hear of the passing today of David Davin-Power. RTE’s Northern Editor for many years, he was a giant of Irish broadcasting (TV and radio) for over four decades. Aged 72, his death follows a short illness.
An accomplished journalist and commentator, his eloquent tone was a nightly backdrop in living rooms around the country for many years. Well informed, articulate and measured, his was a trusted voice during what were often turbulent times.
There was usually a twinkle in the eye too, and a quirky turn of phrase… little wonder that those who knew him say David Davin-Power was great social company. Gone too soon, he will be missed and fondly remembered.
FRIDAY
Cringe update
Beware those celebrity love-ins, more pertinently the silly talk that some people involved in the showbiz luvvie-type world go on with.
According to the latest issue of Phoenix magazine (and I accept there are marginally more important things happening in the world), former Irish rugby international turned ‘TV star’ Donnacha O’Callaghan recently said of Today FM’s Ian Dempsey: “Like. I look at Ian Dempsey and I feel like genuflecting. Anyone that sees this man should hug them. To have done what he has done (presenting breakfast shows) for well over 30 years is amazing”.
This maximum cringe was rightfully included in the Phoenix’s ‘The Hot Air Brigade’ column. I mean, I know a local plumber who’s being doing his job (very well I might add) for over 40 years. Should we all line up to genuflect/hug him?
Apart from the cringe factor, it’s worrying language from a supposed one-time ‘hard man’. This is like Julius Caesar complimenting ushers in The Colosseum on their timekeeping and general appearance.
SATURDAY/SUNDAY
On Netflix
In keeping with my commitment to occasionally make or pass on TV/streaming recommendations to readers, a word in favour of the true crime drama ‘A Confession’ which is now on Netflix.
Having received a recommendation, we watched it over recent days. ‘A Confession’ is a six-part dramatisation of an investigation into the murder of Sian O’Callaghan in Swindon in 2011. A second murder is also covered, and there is a strong suspicion (at least on the part of one senior police officer) that the main suspect could be a serial killer.
That police officer (Chief Superintendent Steve Fulcher) is played by the always excellent Martin Freeman (it may be unfair to keep referencing him as ‘Tim from The Office’ because he has arguably gone on to greater things). Good and all as Freeman is in this series, there’s a stand-out performance from Imelda Staunton, who plays Karen, mother of one of the murdered women. Meanwhile, Siobhan Finneran (an English-born actress with Roscommon connections) also stars. It’s excellent.
MONDAY
Murphy’s move
So, after over 40 years together, Fianna Fáil and Eugene Murphy have gone their separate ways.
The turning point in their relationship relates to the fall-out from the party’s recent Selection Convention. Grassroot members narrowly voted for Dr Martin Daly as their General Election candidate, but there was an expectation that Murphy – a sitting senator and former TD – would be added on, making a two-member team. It didn’t happen.
Faced with the resulting dilemma, Murphy diagnosed what the problem was, and has now come up with his own proposed remedy. He’ll run as an Independent. Safe to say it’s not what the ‘doctor ordered’ – or wanted – that doctor being Martin Daly.
Leaving the medical terminology aside (to readers’ relief), today’s announcement by Senator Murphy adds a new dynamic to the campaign now kicking off in Roscommon-Galway.
Dr Martin Daly has certainly got ahead of the posse in recent weeks, and the view is that he will poll very well. Eugene Murphy and others have ground to make up, but the campaign is only officially starting this week.
For Murphy, who argues that Roscommon has been badly let down by Fianna Fáil HQ (in not offering a Roscommon candidate/sufficient choice), getting elected as an Independent is a tall order. But he’s an experienced operator, is known throughout the constituency, and will thrive on the challenge.
With regard to the Dáil chamber, it remains to be seen if there will be a (new) ‘Doctor in the House’, or a Murphy Masterstroke. Or both.
TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY
Man gets job back
The dog and I both stayed up half the night to watch coverage of the US election. Actually, the dog began snoring at 1.30 am, but then she probably doesn’t have my patience/tolerance for waffling TV panellists.
You could almost see the blood drain from the faces of the CNN crew – as it dawned on them that years of anti-Trump bias had yielded nothing.
It’s easy to demonise Trump – and some of his behaviour is indefensible – but a shamelessly biased media and an inept Democratic Party grossly underestimated him over recent years. After Trump’s defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, he persisted in launching a new White House bid, but his critics wrote him off. To them, he was yesterday’s man.
That Trump hold could withstand so much – political attacks, impeachment, multiple court appearances, assassination attempts, and an almost universally hostile media – and win today’s election, is a testament to his resilience. And greatly to his credit. I can say that, without remotely approving of the man’s morals, etc.
By the way, the media bias against Trump is rampant in Ireland, where some reputable broadcasters have been guilty of obnoxiously smug and sneering coverage over recent years.
All this unbalanced media coverage (and lazy caricaturing) played into Trump’s hands. As I wrote last week, he is brilliant at tapping into what matters to people. Trump won this election because of immigration, and the economy. He won it by going on podcasts, by ‘working’ in McDonald’s for a day (both showing him in a great light to ordinary people) – and because he was demonised by media and opponents, many of whom are out of touch with the public. Plus, Kamala Harris turned out to be a very average candidate.
Trump’s win is a phenomenal achievement (and some kicking for his critics). As to what the next four years will hold, only time will tell. It would be nice to think that, fresh from completing his extraordinary comeback, Trump will now try to be a unifying force. We might not hold our breath on that one (I think I see our dog nodding). We live in volatile times. We live in the age of Trumpism. There will be drama, but there will be pragmatism too.
