The Friday View 07/07
Will a horror car crash lead to a culture change? City Library staff set for protest and planners want more time to look at the Marina Market and the city's plans for a light railway.
A tragedy foretold
Back in March, I contacted my local TDs on the advice of the Gardaí I spoke with. The issue was personal, but it also had broader societal implications. In February, my car, a Japanese import, was stolen and crashed in my driveway. It was subsequently deemed a write-off by the insurers. Reflecting on it now, it sounds somewhat formulaic, but the experience was far from that. I contacted my local TDs for two reasons. Here's an excerpt from that email
“The Gardaí I spoke to are asking for a task force to be set up to apprehend those who are stealing the cars - many of which are Japanese imports. Senior Gardaí in Cork are well aware of the ongoing problem with car theft, especially of these types of cars.
At city council level, it’s been raised at Joint Policing Committees and Gardaí have been proactive in warning owners about the thefts. Yet it persists. Each time the car thieves are successful, they are emboldened. (In fact, even when they're not it's a cause for celebration!) At least 20 cars have been stolen in Cork city since December last.
What’s especially maddening with this crime is that the teenagers - they’re mostly young men - are posting what they do on social media, especially but not exclusively on TikTok. The same morning my car was stolen and crashed and the pillar in the driveway knocked over, a young lad on TikTok was boasting how he “wrecked the garden”. They’re online celebrating the fact that they can rob and steal cars, and that they are untouchable.
Cars were stolen for 'joyriding' long before TikTok came into existence, but it’s especially upsetting to see videos showing stolen cars on social media and a chorus of comments celebrating the fact. Gardaí told me that the gangs - there are two in Cork, one on the southside and one on the northside - are brazen enough to steal cars in broad daylight from outside their owner’s house.
Until the Gardaí are given the resources to properly tackle this problem it will persist. The consequences could also be deadly. One insurance investigator told me that if - or when - the steering wheel locks on one of these cars while it's being driven it could lead to serious consequences.
I ask that you do more than raise the issue with senior Gardaí in Cork city, but ensure that the resources are there so that Gardaí can apprehend those responsible. It’s not a case of identifying them; they’re not hiding the fact that they are stealing and ‘joyriding’ cars. It’s only a matter of time before an accident far more serious than a pillar being knocked over occurs.”
In the early hours of Saturday, July 1, a stolen car driving into traffic plowed into a car being driven by a woman who was returning home from work on the M8 near Mitchelstown. The Independent noted that the stolen car had reached speeds of 175 km/h before driving in the wrong direction on the M8 and colliding with the woman's car.
That head-on collision led to the death of Johnny Foley, a 16-year-old from Togher who was a passenger in the stolen car. The driver of the other car, a 37-year-old woman living in Glanmire, was taken by ambulance to CUH with "serious life-changing injuries."
"It's very sad – there's a 16-year-old lad dead and five others in the hospital. It's a terrible tragedy, but it could have been worse because it was like a war zone there with all the injuries," The Irish Times reported.
In the week since, there has been an outpouring of grief for the death of Johnny Foley and the devastating loss it has brought to his family. However, the car thefts have not stopped. Neil Prenderville interviewed a woman on his show yesterday morning who had her car stolen this week in Grange and abandoned in Douglas Golf Course. It is the second time her car, also a Japanese import, has been targeted. Of course, footage is then posted and shared on social media.
Culture does not change overnight. On social media, young men and women are "keeping it lit" by posting "tribute" videos with clips of stolen cars, as if the death of a young man is comparable to that of a fallen soldier. Meanwhile, the driver of the other car, who was returning home after last Saturday's car crash, has had her life changed irrevocably.
During the 16-year-old boy's funeral this week in Ballyphehane, Fr Gregory Howard delivered a message to the mourners on behalf of the deceased boy's aunt: "Accidents do happen. When you feel tempted or experience a thrill, try to understand that life can be so fleeting. Don't involve yourself in dangerous activities. Life is too precious, and each of you is too precious to lose your beautiful lives."
Moderators at TikTok routinely add warnings and labels to the videos showing cars being broken into, stolen and driven at in excess of 150 km/h.
“Participating in this activity could result in you or others being hurt.”
The message, and not just from social media platforms, needs to be much, much stronger.
-JJ
News in brief:
Not emerging: Fans of the Cork Luas, or Cart (Cork Area Rapid Transport), suffered a setback this week when the National Transport Authority (NTA) delayed opening a public consultation on the emerging preferred route of the east-west line. It was expected that the public consultation would open this month, but the NTA announced this week that more time is needed. They are going to delay publishing the route for public consultation by a few more months, allowing for additional time to consider preferred acronyms for Cork's Light Railway (CLR).
Even phenomena have to play by the rules: The NTA wasn't the only one stalling decisions this week. The City Council has delayed judgment on planning permission for Marina Market, which opened during the pandemic and has won over many fans since. However, the City Council has concerns about the market's capacity, outdoor seating, access via Kennedy Quay, and the site's proximity to Gouldings, the fertilizer maker.
A judgment from City Hall was expected on July 6, but the Council wants more information, as is their prerogative. CPR Properties told The Irish Examiner that the market had become a "Cork phenomenon". Interestingly, quite a few (non-Cork) phenomena have been cut down to size lately for not following the rules. The phrase "Ask for forgiveness, not permission" comes to mind. A judgment is now expected later in the summer
Protest and march: Cork City Library staff members, who are members of the Fórsa labour union, will take to the streets today as they march up to City Hall to highlight the intimidation they are facing at work from a small cohort of the alt-right. These individuals have disrupted the peace, filmed staff, and torn up books in the City's flagship library. Union members were informed of the protest action by the union through an email. A City Council spokesperson stated that the City Library will remain open, although it remains to be seen how the library will operate if most staff members are out protesting. It's a step in the right direction, but the impact on the staff's safety and well-being is still uncertain.
Updates: Cllr Oliver Moran is undoubtedly one of the most active elected local representatives on social media (Cllr Moran also publishes a round-up of his council work and campaigns in a newsletter on Substack, the platform we use to publish Tripe + Drisheen). He has been breaking some significant announcements over the past few weeks. Just recently, he tweeted that Irish Rail would be submitting planning permission for new stations on the commuter line at Blackpool and Blarney.
Additionally, this week he provided more information about the walking and cycling plans connecting Kent Station to Glanmire, which are set to be announced by the City Council. While many of these plans are still in the planning phase, the level of their advancement and likelihood of implementation is an important question. Not to pour scorn on Cllr Moran's publicity efforts, but one may recall hearing about new train stations to be opened in Cork... twenty years ago. However, where there's a will or a tweet, there's a way.
City Hall Event Centre: While the costly Event Centre saga goes on and on and nowhere, one venue that’s making a comeback is Cork City Hall. It was filled with sand for a performace in the Cork Midsummer Festival and the Charlatans will be performing their as part of the Jazz Festival. The line-up was announced this week for the Jazz fest. The Charlatans would be a good fit for the Event Centre if it ever opens, given that the project is currently being run by a bunch of…
Out + About
Summer sounds: Accomplished musician and singer Molly Sterling will be performing at the Opera House today at 1pm as part of the music venue's ongoing series of free lunchtime summer concerts. In 2015, while still only 17, Molly represented Ireland in the Olympics. A teacher at Cork Life Centre, she’ll be holding court at the Opera House’s Half Moon Place cafe. You can listen to Molly’s music here.
Time, date, place: 1-2pm, Friday July 7 Cork Opera House
Eyes on the underground: Tonight at 7pm is the launch event for Galway raised, Cork based artist Maclaine Black’s first solo exhibition, Faoi Thalamh. An exploration of Cork’s techno culture, raves and various subcultures, it features ninety-two photographs from underground techno events around Cork.
Time, date, place: 7pm, Friday July 7, St Peter’s, North Main St.
Collage à trois: The winner of the most unlikely and most original title for an exhibition in July goes to Brazil-born artist Silvio Severino aka loop_conspiracy best known for his enigmatic collages. Silvio’s new show, Bambis, Slugs and Other Cosmonauts is currently showing at The Laneway Gallery in Shandon, Silvio uses photographs he comes across and assembly images in both analogue and digital format, to explore the online landscape of social media, sexuality, consumerism and popular music with a surreal sense of humour, which you get a sense of with a title that combines slugs and beloved fictional cartoon dears. More information here.
Time, date, place: Tuesday - Sunday, throughout July, Laneway Gallery, 120A Shandon Street
Deep house down the bar: If you’re looking to stay within the city’s techno scene this weekend, Alliance Promotions’ monthly Down the Bar Sessions will be taking place in The Roundy tomorrow, Saturday 8th. DJs Adam Dunbar and Elaine will taking on the decks from evening until close. Expect some deep house and good vibes.
Time, date, place: 5pm, Saturday July 8, The Roundy, 1 Castle St.
Let’s talk about getting old: Test Site will be hosting three events over the weekend, as part of a two-day neighbourhood conversation on the types of spaces needed to live well as people age. In Plugd, tonight and tomorrow at 7pm, there will be a screening of ‘Reimagining Elderhood’, along with a photography exhibition by Ailbhe Cunningham and Annie Mar. This will be followed by musical performances by Roslyn Steer and Eoghan Horgan tonight, and performances by Niamh Dalton, Jason Turk and a Roy Stam DJ set tomorrow. At midday, tomorrow,July 8, there will be a conversation about how neighbourhoods can support aging l, with a musical performance by Dan Walsh. Tickets for the screenings are €12.50/€10 via Plugd, while admission for the talk is free.
Time, date, place: 7pm, Friday 7 and Saturday 8, Plugd Records, Cornmarket St., and 12pm, Saturday July 8, Test Site, Kyrl’s Quay.
Re-examining sexuality: After an opening event and artist talk last night, visual artist Helen Cantwell’s first solo exhibition, ‘In My Day’, is taking place in Studio 12, Wandesford Quay, until August 4. Cantwell explores the “unruly expression gender and sexuality” from the 6th Century BC to the modern day, using seven digital collages, re-examining seminal figures and celebrating their impact. More information here.
Time, date, place: 10am - 5pm, July 6 - August 4, Studio 12, Wandesford Quay.
Bus bargains: If you like rummaging and finding some hidden gems, Ballinadee Bus Farm is hosting a jumble sale on Sunday, July 9t. There will be a few stands in their bus yard, and their rescue farm and coffee dock will be open as well. If you’re Sunday driving around West Cork, it could be worth checking out!
Time, date, place: 10am - 4pm, Sunday July 9, Ballinadee Bus Farm, Cloncouse, Ballinadee (between Kinsale and Bandon).
Noises and melodies: Rebel Reads will be hosting a noisy affair on Saturday 8, with Dublin hardcore band Hubert Selby Junior Infants and Twitcher playing the intimate space. Hubert Selby Junior Infants features the members of a few other Irish heavy bands, but are described as being more melodic than other hardcore bands. Twitcher is a melodic solo project by Lisa O’Grady, described as “Enya meets The Wickerman on a Casio.” Tickets are €7 on the door.
Time, date, place: 7pm, Saturday July 8, Rebel Reads, Marina Commercial Park, Centre Park Road.
Hands on: Japanese artist Seiko Hayase is following herfluffy ‘Egg - Collection of Emotion’ exhibit, which sat in the Marina Market for the duration of the Midsummer Festival, and her ‘Creepy Parade’ performances, with a month-long exhibition in the Lord Mayor’s Pavilion. ‘Individual Masses’ is a solo exhibition of Hayase’s works, and features ‘Sprouting Hands’, which was made from a series of hand moulding workshops around Cork and explores the different emotions that a person’s hands can hold. The exhibition runs until August 6th, after an opening reception last night. Her works can also be seen on a trail at City Hall, the City Library, Grand Parade, and Living Commons, Shandon Street.
Time, date, place: 11am-5pm Tuesday - Saturday, and 1-5pm Sunday, July 6 - August 6, Lord Mayor’s Pavilion, Fitzgerald Park, The Mardyke.
This week on T+D:
On Tuesday, we took a look once more at the closed off steps on Horgan’s Quay that would connect with Lower Glanmire Road if they were opened. There’s not new news in that story, both BAM and Clarendon Properties are quite content to say nothing at all, but in the absence of official answer we we had a look at some of the theories as to why they might not be open. You can read that piece here.
On Thursday, Dr Eoin Lettice wrote a guest essay outlining the reasons as to why a corner of Bishop Lucey Park should not be sold to the Freemasons at next Monday’s City Council meeting. You can read that piece here. And if you have an idea for a guest essay (a comment piece) do drop us a line. There’s a petition here to keep twith more details.
Also, a reminder to all photogrpahers or indeed anyone with a camera phone: our second T+D photo competition is up and running. The theme is summer in Cork. Full details here.
We’ll be back tomorrow with a story from Kilian on changes, additions and plans at the Triskel Arts Centre just off Grand Parade.
That’s it for this week’s Friday View. Any tips, news or events you’d like to share with Tripe+Drisheen, you can contact us via our About page here. We are always happy to speak to people off the record in the first instance, and we will treat your information with confidence and sensitivity. Get in touch. Have a lovely weekend.
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