Death of Seamus Deane
He was in the same class as Seamus Heaney at St Columb’s in Derry. He went on to a career in academia, first in UCD and after 1992 in the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. He is best known for his book Reading in The Dark, a semi-fictional account of growing up in Derry which was a Booker finalist in 1997. He was one of the early recruits to the Field Day anthology, founded by playwright Brian Friel and actor Stephen Rea. Tintean urges readers who may have Reading in The Dark on their shelves, to take it down and revisit it: a classic.
Sportswoman of the Month
Tintean congratulates Orla O’Dwyer on her selection as Sportswoman of the Month for April by the Irish Times. She won the award for her role in helping the Brisbane Lions to win the 2020-21 AFLW competition earlier this year. She is now back in Ireland to resume her career as footballer and camogie player for Tipperary. She is the second Irish player to win an AFLW Premiership: the first was Ailish Considine who was in the Adelaide team that won the 2019 title and also a member of the team beaten by Brisbane in this year’s final.
Hacking the HSE
the Irish HSE (Health Services Executive) is similar to My Health Record in the Australian system. The HSE has been hacked by a group of Russian-speakers somewhere who are said to have demanded $20 million in bitcoin or they will release portions of what they have collected. The Irish Minister for Justice Heather Humphreys has said that no ransom will be paid. Meanwhile health services in a number of hospitals have been severely affected. the head of the HSE estimated that the cost of fixing things will be at least $100 million
New Bishop
In these days, it is not obvious whether consecration as a bishop should attract congratulations or commiserations. One of the new bishops appointed by Pope Francis to help the strenuous work of running the Archdiocese of Melbourne is Fr Martin Ashe. Born in Killarney, he is the oldest of 11 children; his late father used to be town clerk in Killarney where his wife, Fr Martin’s mother, still lives. Tintean congratulates Fr Martin and wishes him well.
Tinteán 