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LAST UPDATE | 11 Jun 2020
WHEN WORLD CHAMPION boxer Tyson Fury yesterday announced what would likely be the two biggest events in the sport next year, he mentioned Daniel Kinahan by name within the first three seconds.
The namecheck was the most obvious sign yet that that the Dublin man who was named in the High Court as the controller of an international drug gang had become a major player in the world of professional boxing.
Dubai-based Kinahan will not be unfamiliar in Ireland but it is only in recent times that he has attempted to carve out an image as a boxing broker on a global scale.
This has led to several Irish politicians raising concerns about his involvement in the sport and calls for an intervention by government.
Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that there has been diplomatic contact between Ireland and the UAE on the issue.
“I have to say I was rather taken aback to see Tyson Fury and his video the other day and just dropping in that name that you mentioned,” Varadkar said in response to a question from Labour’s Alan Kelly.
As if this was not somebody who has quite a chequered history in this State and elsewhere. And while I can’t comment on any particular garda operation, I can certainly assure you that there has been contact between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the authorities in the United Arab Emirates about that matter.
Despite Kinahan’s name being notorious in this country, his background has been absent in much of the UK coverage of his rise in the sport.
The omission or downplaying of this fact was again notable as news of the planned fights between Fury and fellow British world champion Anthony Joshua was reported today.
The fight itself dominated UK back pages and even made some front pages.
Here’s how they mentioned Kinahan and his involvement in the potential bouts:
The Telegraph
The Telegraph’s description of Kinahan has prompted particular raised eyebrows, with its story last night on the fights describing him as “a sometimes controversial figure during his time as a Dublin businessman”.
A further story about by the same writer, which is specifically focused on the potential lucrative nature of the contest, does not mention Kinahan by name.
The Times
The Times carried news of the fight as its main sports story but referenced Kinahan’s involvement in the opening sentence of the article, saying it is likely to cause controversy.
The paper said that Fury “is facing fresh controversy for publicly thanking a man who has been accused of heading an international crime gang”.
The paper says Kinahan has no criminal convictions but reports on what the Criminal Assets Bureau said about him in a submission to the High Court.
Sky Sports
Perhaps the biggest media outlet when it comes to boxing in the UK is Sky Sports, which has broadcast each of Joshua’s world title winning fights.
The broadcaster carried the Fury-Joshua fight as its main story last night but it didn’t mention Kinahan’s involvement.
On its website this morning Sky Sports namechecks a number of the promoters involved in the fight including Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren and Bob Arum but does not mention Kinahan.
Irish reaction
The Irish reaction to the fight has been markedly different however among both sport and crime reporters. Many have been urging UK-based reporters not to ignore Kinahan’s involvement in the deal.
The Irish Daily Star has today said that it would not be covering the Fury-Joshua fights at all and that they should be “treated with contempt”.
A number of politicians have also urged the government to get involved.
Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond has said that Kinahan “cannot be allowed run for cover with the protection of the international boxing community”.
“I have called on our Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney to make a direct appeal to the authorities in Dubai to hold Kinahan to account for his real activities,” he said last night.
Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon, Labour’s Kelly said that Kinahan is “rebranding himself in the Middle East as a boxing promoter” and that the country must intervene.
“We have to through the Department of Foreign Affairs intervene with the UAE in relation to this individual. We owe it to the victims of such a cartel. Our country needs to do this and needs to do it today. We also need to communicate very strongly with certain sports broadcasters and certain sports companies and other companies involved in this.
“This is an important juncture Taoiseach and I would ask you through the Department of Foreign Affairs through the Minister for Foreign Affairs to highlight how important this is for us because of the parasitical criminal activities of this individual and all associated with him.”
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One less thing to worry about.
Jennifer Zamperelli. Jesus wept
@Gregson from the Block: I actually like her. I feel she would be a good person to take over.
@Madra:
she does information videos for the windmill industry
Her first interview would be some fella talking about covid. She got some mileage out of it.
This starting to feel more like a poisoned chalice than a great opportunity lol
She obviously got pulled aside in the hallway at Montrose and told she is not being considered.
Dara ó Briain would be a good fix, imo
@Maire Morrison: I find him a bit sanctimonious to be honest. So maybe you’re right actually
@Maire Morrison:
whatever happened to echo island ?
Sorry but the obvious choice is Brendan o Connor he has a proven track record in Rte and at 33/1 i would put my Fiver on Him.
@Larry Rawson: If he’s 33/1 and you put on a fiver that means you’ll lose a fiver right?
@Paddy Kennedy: you could put an each way bet on him, and then you’d be in with well more than a shout of losing twice as much
Who actually cares?? I read the article for the comments rather than the content. The show is outdated and well past its bedtime and should be put to bed permanently.
Oliver Callan would be brilliant
@Ger Byrne:
SF IRA supporter hosts the late late
ah huh ..
@GERARD KENNELLY: What planet are you on ?
A good news story, for once.
Gay Byrne was young when he started on Late Late Show , maybe 24 years of age . If RTE continues with LLS , how about giving the gig to a young unknown person , not one of the tired old faces who are said to be in the running for the job .
@FixoUZLA: That would make perfect sense but it’ll never happen in modern RTE.
@Rochelle Hart:
Eoghan McDermott will host the late late
Ask a teacher, they do 3 hours live before & after lunch with a live audience who sometimes answer back..
@Paula Leane: Work smart, not hard!!
@Paula Leane: You obviously have no idea of what teachers do. If it is such a handy job, why aren’t you at it yourself? And why is there such a shortage of teachers if it so easy?
@Paula Leane:
brendan gleeson was a teacher before he went into acting
Ditch the poxy late late show, it’s as boring as dishwater & Trump’s speeches
@Dave: You don’t have to watch it lol
Who are we left with? Bosco?
@Stevie Doran: they might as well go with Dustin . Better candidate than Bosco and the other faves anyway
@Stevie Doran: Dustin
She gave her own program to spend time with her family so didn’t make sense to go back to long hours again
John Creedon,or Tom Dunne, both blessed with soft voices.
Time to put this show on the dead heap now. Its been on its knees for years now time to actually end it
Good.
Can’t be many left in the RTE canten to choose from .
I think Oliver Callan would be perfect for the show as presenter. Funny, intelligent, sensitive and vibrant.
Like it or not, the much derided LLS is still the heartbeat of middle Ireland. John Creedon or Brendan O Connor or Baz (I don’t think he’d have the patience for it) for me. I’m struggling to come up with a female name that’d be a bit of craic. Angela Scanlon wouldn’t want it long term and as for Jennifer Z; she is a bit crude at times for me.
RTE are about as relevant as whatisname yeah with whatsisface in thatseries I can’t remember.
Michael D Higgins
Why are they picking Newsie’s for it… It’s supposed to be a topical Show is it not… And light entertainment.. What about either of the Seoighe Sisters and someone like Tommy Tiernan.. I don’t think it’s a Show for a Newsreader or Political Correspondent… Or what about giving a chance to Una Healy….
@Amanda Joyce: you’re having a laugh.You must be
Maybe they should have a few different presentaters taken from the existing staff. Just for variety.
@Michael Dowling: they don’t have the talent at hand.
I think somebody like Rita Ann Higgins, somebody with a sense of humour and not too into themselves
@Angela Kirrane: She was recently interviewed by Brendan O’Connor and spoke extensively about her holidays and her gall stones – sounded pretty much into herself.
@KilkennyProud: That must have been galling
@Thomas O’ Donnell: It was painful alright.
That’s a pity. I think she would have been the 2nd best candidate next to Miriam, now both are out of the reckoning.
Dougal…..from Father Ted.
And just call it The Dougal Show. Ah go on go on!
What about Jerry Maye – a nice presenter and respectful interviewer.
Think outside the box. How about Conan O Brien? He would crush it! He could do rotating 2 shows in Ireland followed by 2 in NYC. That’s mad, Ted!
Mike D
That just leaves me then …… I’m looking forward to it who will be our first guest
Just bury the show, let it die in peace and give us a break from the Rte windbags.
Who would want it.?
All she’s, any sport on the other side
have your say