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LIAM NEESON IS set to receive a medal from Michael D Higgins and appear on the Late Late today.
The Ballymena actor is to receive Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad which highlights work by Irish people living overseas across a range of areas, from sport to science, charity or community support.
He is to be honoured for his acting as well as his charity work.
The awards were formally presented at a ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin on 30 November, but Neeson was unable to attend that day.
The citation for his award reads: “As an extremely gifted and internationally renowned film actor, Liam Neeson has helped to raise Ireland’s profile and awareness of Ireland and Irish artists around the world, especially in the United States where he is based.
He is a strong supporter of the Lyric Theatre in Belfast, where he started his career, and the Irish Arts Centre in New York, where he currently lives.
He has given his strong support in recent years for Irish cultural projects, including for the 2016 commemorations and his central involvement in the highly successful Notre Dame University documentary on the 1916 Rising. Liam has also provided strong personal support for a variety of initiatives to promote tourism to Ireland.
While the government stresses it is not an honours system, like the one used in the UK which grants yearly awards to recognise people in various fields, it is used as a means to “recognise the contribution of members of the Irish diaspora”.
The criteria for selection are that the person must have “rendered distinguished service to the nation or its reputation abroad”, “have actively and demonstrably contributed to Ireland or Irish communities abroad” and “have a track record of sustained support and engagement with Ireland”.
Neeson is also scheduled to appear on the Late Late tonight.
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That’s Christmas ruined, nothing ‘Free’ about FreeNow. Maybe they should change their name to FreeNowt’!
@Heywood Jablome:
Use NRC, Taxy.ie, Lynk or your local cab app/number if still available from now on….fυ¢ⲕ them scabby sheisters….unless they reinstate all vouchers from earlier of course! ;~}
Got it this morning. Taken away now. Gutted
@Gareth Wogan: I believe this is a publicity stunt… how many more Will have heard of free now because of this.. even though it is bad news,they will upgrade the vouchers for more later and get more publicity..
@hi from heaven: Nah, they’re hungry barstewards, I have a few mates who used to work for them.
Free now or just free untill you try and use them
Does anybody else despise FreeNow?
Drivers hate driving for them. Absolute greedy cants.I can sense an increase in commission after Xmas due to all the bonus’s being offered to drivers to accept all jobs at the moment. Can see them going bust very soon
@Daisy Domergue: I drive with FN. I don’t hate them at all. Who elected you spokesperson for “drivers”???
@Daisy Domergue: Did you not read about the massive increase in profits for FN?? Covered in the media earlier this week.
@Fred Coloe: I’m not surprised charging 15 euro for a trip across navan town
@Fred Coloe:Either you work in the mount st office or your licence starts with N Foo,l
Rarely ever use taxis, or buses, unless absolutely 100 per cent required. Would rather walk. Even if it took hours.
Once drove from Glasnevin to liffey valley for car service. Walked back via ballyfermot, kilmainham, city centre, phibsboro, glasnevin. Then a few days later walked to liffey valley via phoenix park, chapelizod, ballyfermot just to pick up the car. If I can’t drive myself I walk. That’s my bit fir the environment.
@AnthonyK: Blue Peter badge on the way.
@AnthonyK: You sound like a lot of fun!
@AnthonyK: A new age Rasputin.
@AnthonyK: not often I agree with you Anthony, but I prefer to walk too
Speaking as a taxi driver with FN. If the technical issues with the driver app are anything to go by, then the removal of vouchers is also a tech issue. Will be resolved later today probably.
GOUgers ag caint as gaeilge ?
@JP: LOL, they haven’t even grasped English yet.
More of our taxpayers money thrown away to the FAI.
The riddle ends with Uber. At least Uber give you regular discounts freenow give nowt!
@keith reid: because free have the biggest share of all the taxis in the country, Uber are playing catch-up, watch the discounts become few and far between as they try and grow market share here.
Pleased for them but Genocide resumes in Gaza and comments are closed. Journal check your moral compass! Or better yet rebrand as ears closed
They aren’t free now, they weren’t free then and they won’t be free any more.
@Fred Coloe: Cannonball Adderley “Autumn Leaves”, yeah, I’m fun.
have your say