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THE JUDGE IN ousted president Hosni Mubarak’s retrial stepped aside today, in a chaotic opening hearing that lasted just seconds and saw a proud and combative Mubarak smile and wave in the dock.
Head judge Mostafa Hassan Abdallah told the court he would recuse himself and send the case to the Court of Appeal, which will then refer the trial to a new circuit, sending the case of the ex-strongman back to square one.
As the judges filed out of the courtroom, uproar erupted with people shouting and waving their arms. Civil society lawyers attending the trial chanted: “The people want the execution of the president.”
In October, the same judge had acquitted defendants in the infamous “Battle of the Camels” trial, who were accused of sending men on camels and horses to break up a protest during the 2011 uprising that toppled Mubarak.
“This judge and this circuit acquitted all the defendants in the battle of the camels and there is a lot of doubt over their position. This prevents him from conducting this trial,” said Amir Salem, a lawyer for the families of victims.
Mubarak, his former interior minister Habib al-Adly and six security chiefs were in the dock – albeit briefly – for their alleged complicity in the murder and attempted murder of hundreds of peaceful protesters on January 25-31, 2011.
The former president and Adly had both received life sentences in a first trial in June, but all six of the security chiefs were acquitted, sparking outraged protests across the country.
Rumours
Months of rumours that Mubarak was too weak to attend his retrial were put to rest today when the former leader seemed healthy as he sat up in a stretcher in the defendants’ cage, smiling and waving to supporters.
“We love you, big man!” a handful of his supporters yelled at him.
His sons Alaa and Gamal, who are also facing a new trial for corruption, appeared to be in good spirits as they smiled and chatted with their father.
Earlier today, television footage showed Mubarak wheeled out of an ambulance on a stretcher and taken into the Police Academy in a Cairo suburb for the hearing.
A handful of supporters outside the courthouse held up posters of their former leader, chanting: “Where are the days of Mubarak?” but they were outnumbered by security personnel.
Mubarak was flown to the academy that was once named after him by helicopter from the Cairo military hospital where he is being treated, the official MENA news agency said. He left the compound the same way.
The prosecution has demanded that Mubarak undergo a medical evaluation to assess whether he could be transferred back to prison, MENA reported.
Mubarak, who turns 85 in May, has suffered several health scares and MENA even reported him clinically dead at one point as he slipped into a coma.
His original trial in August 2011 was a major moment for both Egypt and the region, being the first time an Arab leader deposed by his people had appeared in court in person.
Gamal and Alaa Mubarak, once symbols of Egyptian power and wealth, also faced retrial on corruption charges. Another defendant, business tycoon Hussein Salem, was to be tried in absentia.
In January, Egypt’s highest court, the Court of Cassation, ordered the retrial after accepting an appeal against Mubarak’s life sentence, citing procedural failings.
Farcical
Legal experts said the original case verged on the farcical, with patchwork evidence and prosecution witnesses exonerating the defendants.
President Mohamed Morsi, who won elections on the Muslim Brotherhood’s ticket the month of the initial verdict, had pledged new trials for former regime officials including Mubarak.
But until today’s courtroom turmoil, the fate of the ousted strongman has been largely eclipsed by often violent political unrest and economic woes currently gripping Egypt.
However, there is still widespread anger over no one yet being held accountable for nearly 900 deaths during the 18-day uprising in 2011.
Mubarak’s epic fall, from dictatorial head of the Arab world’s most populous nation to a defendant behind bars, was for many a promising sign the revolution which toppled him was on the right track.
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If I was stopped by the Garda I’d remember it.
Wouldn’t you?
YOU WERE WEARING YOUR PINK SHIRT!
No, I’d fail to recollect the incident at first but once I’d realised I was caught out I would then remember although I would make out it was no big deal.
That said, shatter is a disgrace and must go surely.
Damocles, he wasnt stopped by the Gardai according to the article. They gestured to him, not to use the phone while driving. I would probably have a hard time recollecting that, given that it happened so long ago. No paper work, not even pulled over.
This really stinks to high heavens. Shatter is having all the TDs followed in my opinion. This is not democracy, its becoming a facist police state, where the Gestapo are watching every move anyone makes.
“They gestured to him, not to use the phone while driving.”
Depends I suppose on how drunk I was at the time.
I’d say Wallace used the ‘i don’t remember’ excuse to see the publics reaction. Shatter looks worse breaking data protection laws than just making stuff up.
Ruth,
you’re spot on. people can say what they like about wallace but he is clever and most certainly shrewd. He knew immediately the significance of what shatter said on slimetime.
Like you said, he let it play out.
Might not have broken the days protection act. Let’s wait till the facts are known before convicting him
Are we sure any data protection laws have been broken? Everyone saying he breached data protection but its beginning to look like he didn’t. Maybe someone knows what section of the act was breached.
He wasn’t stopped though.
Unless you get stopped by the Gardai all the time and then specific incidents become hard to remember but i don’t think that’s the case here. He’s just a bit of a cowboy and it amazes me he’s still allowed to serve in The Dail after everything that’s gone on. Actually, as i wrote that, i realise it’s probably the perfect place for him along with the rest of them.
jackets – Wallace didn’t even understand the significance of what was said until Pat Kenny pointed it out to him.
I think Wallace really has a bad memory. Didn’t he forget to pay his taxes as well?
Leave Wallace alone,I think you have some vendetta on him Wallace fair play to you for bringing out sun hyprocity
Excellent point Brian Daly, Pat Kenny teed it up nicely for him but he wasn’t sharp enough even then to realise he had something to argue about. Also he hasn’t much of a poker face- it was clear as day as soon as the allegation was put to him by Shatter that it was true, despite him uneasily muttering “I don’t remember”. Obviously after the show a few sympathisers pointed out that he had an issue here he could push and they advised him how to play it. He’s not that smart our Mick.
Pink shirt?? he could do with a shave, and a haircut. Supposed to be a TD in Dail Eireann
Wallace is a shyster. So his defence is not that he didn’t do it, but that it should have been kept secret.
It’s a great country.
On this matter Wallace can not be accused of breaking any law.
The Minister and the Guards responsible for providing him with the file have to show that they did not.
Outside of Italy I cannot see any other European democracy where Shatter would not have been forced to resign by his own side and where several Guards would not be suspended under investigation.
Shatter is now an electoral liability.
Wallace was driving his car, he could have been prosecuted! And are you referring to Gardai, with regards quashing penalty points, or the two Guards who spoke with Wallace that day that should be suspended!??
“Wallace can not be accused of breaking any law.”
http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Licensed-Drivers/Driving-in-Ireland/
“It is illegal to hold a mobile phone while driving.”
http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Road%20Safety/Leaflets/Leaf_booklets/RSA_Mobile_DL.pdf
“What is the law?
You can only use your mobile when you’re driving if you are phoning 999 or 112, or it is another type of emergency. It is an offence to hold a mobile phone in your hand or support it with another part of your body, for example between your head and shoulder, when you are driving.
If the Gardaí charge you for this offence you will get a fixed charge notice of €60. If you pay the fixed charge you will get two penalty points. If you choose not to pay the fixed charge and are then convicted in court you will get four penalty points and a fine of up to €2,000.
Using a hands-free kit with your phone is not illegal, but it will stop you concentrating for a short time when you use your mobile phone and this puts other people using the road at risk. You could be prosecuted for dangerous driving, careless driving or driving without due care and attention because of this. And you could also have your licence endorsed or even lose your licence.
So remember, the safe control of your car, van or bus is your responsibility.
Don’t use your mobile phone and drive”
Wallace admitted to driving and using mobile at same time so he did break a law. The Gardaí decided not to do anything about it BUT HE DID BREAK THE LAW.
So Mick at first didn’t know what Shatter was talking about and now he remembers everything about the incident.
The memory altering environment of Kildare Street strikes another victim.
Yes, definitely. Another thing I find odd is that Wallace is now claiming he remembered the incident “following some more thought and a prompt from a journalist”. If a journalist knew about it, surely there was more to the story than Wallace is acknowledging?
The days of “Mature Recollection” spring to mind here
As described by Wallace, it could hardly have been taken to be a formal interaction. The Minister for Justice does not have the right to use confidential briefings by An Garda Siochána for party political purposes. To do so undermines our justice system and is indefensible. For the Labour Party to remain silent on this very serious incident beggars belief…. yet again!
It is not that he was stopped, he wasn’t. A guard waved at him when he saw him on the phone.
Which makes what the force and Shatter did even more sinister.
It was deemed worthy of passing all the way up the chain to the Minister.
If that does not smack of intelligence gathering on political opponents then what does.
Are Guards following and targeting certain individuals so as to garner information to discredit them.
It seems so.
Father Ted: Ah, Sister Assumpta.
Sister Assumpta: Hello Father.
Father Ted: Dougal, Dougal, do you remember Sister Assumpta?
Father Dougal: Er, no.
Father Ted: She was here last year. And then we stayed with her in the convent, back in Kildare. Do you remember it? Ah, you do. And then you were hit by the car when you went down to the shops for the paper. You must remember all that? And then you won a hundred pounds with your lottery card? Ah, you must remember it, Dougal.
[Dougal shakes his head.]
Sister Assumpta: And weren’t you accidentally arrested for shoplifting? I remember we had to go down to the police station to get you. And the police station went on fire? And you had to be rescued by helicopter?
Father Ted: Do you remember? You can’t remember any of that? The helicopter. When you fell out of the helicopter. Over the zoo. Do you remember the tigers?
[Dougal shakes his head some more.]
Father Ted: You don’t remember? You were wearing your blue jumper.
Father Dougal: Ah, Sister Assumpta.
maybe wallace has dementia,his taxes and now this
A hypocrite doesn’t like it when he get’s called out…
“Are Guards following and targeting certain individuals so as to garner information to discredit them.” Clare Daly springs to mind.
@ John Hagen Meade
Claire Daly!? By that do you mean the TD Claire Daly who had been drinking Whiskey before setting off in her car, took an illegal right turn, was stopped by Gardai accordingly, tested positive for alcohol in a road-side breath test and later at a Police station once tested was clarified as having alcohol in her system but still under the limit!?! That Claire Daly!?!?
- Yeah, the sinister elements of the State really had to swing into action there to discredit the dope didn’t they! She, like Wallace & Ming, doesn’t need targeting to discredit her, they all do a great job of it all by themselves!!
@nuffsaid
an illegal turn that’s taken by lots of people. I’ve seen taxis and guards take that turn. Claire daly was followed by the guards, harrassed, handcuffed and arrested.
This country is like stasiland.
Yes, the Clare Daly who was so threatening that she had to be handcuffed .
Funny how Detective Kevin Keys was not treated like that. Allowed to roam the countryside until it was too late to breathalyse him. Meanwhile the innocent party he rammed was tested.
An illegal turn is just that no matter who or how many take it! And what’s your point regarding her being handcuffed!?! She was arrested…handcuffs generally follow!!
handcuffs do not “generally follow” for a drink driving arrest. It’s one thing if the stasi were dealing with an aggressive muscular drunk, another when they’re dealing with asober, timid woman.
“Undermines our justice system” you got to be kidding, what “justice system”??
They both should resign no pension from the current job there in , time we started makjng examples of people who think they can do as they please in this country
Garda have discretion and always will unless they have gps trackers on their caps, which we cant afford. Its field work they do and thats the reality of it. Wallace, like the majority of the independents who spout sh1t every chance they get, got caught out!
One lefty chancer with a righty snob arguing over a bit of in talking whilst we cannot afford to complete a children’s hospital, have massive emigration etc. etc…… point is, clearly their attentions should be on much more pressing matters where some strong governance is needed.
Barry, Firstly, Shatter is Minister for Justice, not Minister for Health.
In that role, Shatter is supposed to uphold the law, not use the office to have TDs spied upon for his and FG’s political ends..
Yep, fair point. For another example, look at the aging Garda fleet, judiciary unrest……….. all more pressing matters no?
All the problems that you list in that post are by-products of the culture of contempt for law, the refusal to accept responsibility, power is to be abused.
Wallace is a muppet. He now remembers. This guy could not tell the truth to save his life.
Shatter needs to keep his mouth shut too, The worst minister ever.
Wallace has always had a short memory when it come to going outside the law. He come across as a complete chancer.
No doubt he’ll look for compensation for having his character damaged.
Shatter is a bigger idiot. i don’t know what he was thinking. He deserves all the flak he is bringing on himself.
Shatter must resign for the sake of Justice in Ireland. If the Justice Minister breaks the law, he must go…. No excuses, no slap on the wrists. Over 200 people were sent to prison last year for not paying their TV license. Shatter broke a much more serious law.
Shatter is not an idiot. You do not work in that job, or have a prominent law firm if you are an idiot.
Hubris and contempt, so common in Irish politicians who know that people will vote for them because of the civil war party badge irregardless.
Cathal – there’s no indication (yet) that Shatter has broken the law. So you might want to hold fire until we find out.
Also Cathal – what law has he broken? If there it was a warning, then there is no record and no data. So nobody can have searched through the system to get this info on that basis – so no Data Protection breach. If there is no record then it’s not unreasonable to assume that somebody who was there at the time is the source which could be a lot of people.
So the question is who supplied the information or was it sought out? Did the minister knock on doors and say, give me some dirt on Wallace or did somebody volunteer the information?
Brian, ratther has said he got the information @ a garda breifing in a file which was handed to him. Why if it’s a none incident is it in a garda file?
They both should resign
“Minister resigns over scandal”. A headline you will never see on an Irish newspaper.
You might see that headline but only if it was a British minister
Why are we even having this debate? Mick Wallace = self confessed thief.
Alan Shatter= man of no morals, prepared to abuse his position of power to destroy his political opponents. Anywhere else and they’d be sharing a prison cell. What’s so different in Ireland?
Bush head and thunderbird mush – Two complete jackasses.
This changes nothing.
From whom did shatter get the information from?
Is he actively seeking information on his political opponents from agents of the state?
The fact that fine gael cannot see the seriousness of this incident is extremely worrying.
How can you know that he hasn’t overheard Wallace discussing it with someone in the dail bar?
It’s a small country, maybe it was a concerned voter who witnessed the incident who passed the info on to the minister.
Let’s not convict without a fair trial first
“concerned voter”
lmao………….seems to be a lot of “concerned voters” passing info these days, clare daly, mick wallace etc……
It’s politics, we see a politically charged Martin nation. Wallace is disliked outside of his constituency. I’d pass the info on if I saw it.
I’d have broken no law
Oh, and I wouldn’t have libelled a cabinet minister on this forum
If it is as simple as over hearing a conservation of a man off the street mentioning it to Shatter then he is some fool to let his name become associated with this and still not have put out a statement to clarify the root of it.
For many people, myself included their will be a shadow over him after this.
If there was no paper trail how does Shatter know? That needs investigation are some boys in blue telling the minister or was the minister asking for some “dirt” on Wallace.
Yeah, I’m not a Wallace fan in any way but Shatter has really crossed the line. He’s an elected td, not a dictator and I think he should resign. Really poor judgement shown.
Shatters abuse of power becomes more interesting by the minute… Is he having TDs followed and having reports sent to him about their actions outside the Dail? Is Kenny in cahoots with him?
Are Labour really going to sit there and support a Government that is acting in this manner?
Labour don’t sit anywhere. They bend over the table.
What are you on about?? Followed… ??
So labout pull out and we have an election… what then?? Do you think they will be some great change in the way a new Goverment will have to go about its business.. Truth is that FG will still most likely be the strongest party in the country followed by FF who will have exactly the same strategy only will be less capable of delivering it..
Laughable cotter. The general election will be worse possible thing to happen to fine gael. It will be another 16+ years before they see ‘power’ again. Bring it. Revoking my vote as I wasted it on a corrupt, lying, arrogant party (and I’m not talking FF here)
Cathal – What are his other abuses of power?
Er..
How did the journalist who prompted him know about it as well?
I’ve said this before – it pains me to make this comparison but if this was the UK, Shatter would have been asked to resign by now. Leaving the clown Wallace aside, what Shatter has done is an abuse of power and he has brought his office into disrepute.
We have no culture of resignation here. Ironically, the best thing that Wallace could have done when his tax affairs were under scrutiny, was resign. He might have set a standard doing that!
Mick you are a pathetic excuse for a politician, change you’re so called dress style and people might take you seriously. We can work on the hair later !!!
Says the man in a scarf that is quite passé.
Scarr, let’s just say I was dressed for the occasion, while you were probably still in bed !!!
Yes wear a suit and people will believe you’re an honest person. Carry a briefcase and people will understand that you would never rob them. Wear a tie and people will recognise that you are an upstanding citizen who would never ruin the country through corruption and lies.
…..and wearing cammo?? Ready for action bang, bang…..boom.
Ryan’O, go back to your Call of Duty game !!!
It explains how Clare Daly was treated by the Gardai following her. It really stinks to high heavens. She was handcuffed and put in a patrol car. Her arrest was made public within only 4 hours. All the media had it. Even though she was below the legal limit (and lets face it, 1 drink puts you over the limit), how did the Gardai know she had taken a sip of a hot whiskey. A full hot whiskey would put you over the limit and Clare Daly was found to be below that limit.
Shatter must be having all opposition TDs followed and spied on all the time. How else could he have known about Clare Daly taking the sip of the hot whiskey and how else would he have known about the Wallace incident, when Wallace was never served with any papers.
Labour, you better get your act together and walk away from the ticking time-bomb that is FG.
Cathal what planet are you? Clare daly took an illegal turn hence she was pulled over. Do you often suffer from paranoia episodes? You should get that treated.
Unmanned surveillance drones coning this way next month. I still can’t understand why they will be allowed to survey a civilian population in the republic.
@ Cathal you have no idea what tolerance Clare Daly has with regards alcohol intake so she could have had a sip or maybe 3 drinks, we don’t know. And this article isn’t about Clare Daly it’s about that lying excuse for a politician Mick Wallace
Ticking time bomb?? Who do you suggest Cathal?? get your cards out… Tell me and others who you want to see in power in Ireland??
The Gardai would not have known that Clare Daly was above or below the limit until a formal test was undertaken – same with any other citizen. If you fail or can’t provide a roadside test, arrest is automatic. Handcuffs is unusual but not unlawful. If a TD is arrested for any reason, I would expect that the Minister would be informed as he should be.
A full hot whiskey after a meal would not put most drivers over the limit. Also you have factors including amount of time since drink was had. Stop rabbiting on unless you know what your talking about
Wrong again Cathal there is no set amount to put you over the limit There are too many factors involved so get over it. Sex, body weight, food consumption to name but a few
@ Cathal do you not understand alcohol tolerance at all?? Some people can be more tolerant than others that’s why we have a limit and not just 3 pints and your over attitude
Curious,, it dosn’t bloody matter what her tolerance was,, she passed the test and therefore broke no law,, she was arrested on suspected drink driving,,, and pased,,, end of story,, get over it and stop trolling like a lot of others here
He was lamped at the 4 Lamps ! No sympathy for Wallace but Shatter abused his power.it has shades of Willie O Dea .Willie resigned
Willie o’Dea was forced to resign by the Greens, especially Dan boyle.
Men like Dermot Ahern and the late Brian Lenihan laughed at the idea of a Minister having to respect the Courts, or not defame people. The jeered like thugs, even though both were Ministers for Justice themselves at a time. Which indicates the depth of the problem we have.
If it was down to FG and FF he would still be a prominent party member, oh wait, he is. Sure twas only a bit of a false statement to the court, a bit of slander.
Shatter needs to be forced to resign, the only thing that will make FG or FF’ers respect the law.
It’s not slander if it’s true.
Wallace is an embarrassment and those who defend him are worse.
We all know bout Wallace but shatter broke ethics, basically he is a criminal for obtaining information by abuse if power if we wanted to access information on any citizen of this country we would be denied but because he is a minister he has access to all information regardless of his position he should have to go through same protocol as every other citizen Ireland is turning into a dictatorship
bout wha? it”s ckear dat u r ihlly educited. u speke de gospol trut.
Fg masters of spin, big difference between a Garda judging that a caution will do and getting one overturned after the fact.
The first instance is judging the situation, the second is judged by the status of the individual. Ie wrong.
The Garda commissioners excuse for speeding is laughable.
If you are stopped for speeding take it on the chin because unless you can give an excuse that is more important than taking someone’s life you have none.
Labour are cowards they will back shatter the slimy rat. Not that clever mouthing it out the way he did and he is a minister Ireland is fecked
Shatter & Wallace, pot calling the kettle black & not for the first time. The two lads in the car went back to the station and said ” guess who we caught on a phone in his car this morning” and it went from there up the Garda ladder & some Chief Super thought that he would lighten the atmosphere when Shatter was on one of his rants to Garda management & told the story. Shatter thought ” I will store that information in my head for another day. The public service could not organise a conspiracy to save their life, it was just gossip.
Big Brother is watching you but he won’t do anything if you’re one of ‘us’.I am shocked.Not.
The fact is Shatter proved Wallace was was lying,pleading ignorance is no defence and not reconised in a court of law,he was caught on a mobile while driving and it was quashed,why.
Ah enda and Gilmore told some lies to get into government ;)
Sorry me justice cathal, where are you getting your information from. You seem damn certain that shatter broke the law, how do you know this? Are you a player in this conspiracy?
Do you possess hard evidence to back up your claim? Are you qualified to convict a man based on the small amount of circumstantial evidence available?
Sakhalin
^^^^^?????
If I were a Garda ( and I am not ) I would be fairly peed off when Mick accused the force of being essentially corrupt in the use their discretion regarding driving offences and being aware of the incident that he has now recalled I think I would be inclined to let that knowledge out amongst the force. That a story like that should work its way to the top in present circumstances is hardly surprising. That Shatter should say it in public is.
That said I suspect that Shatter is himself more than a little irritated by MIck Wallace and his chums griping about the morals of taxation, abuse of power etc. when clearly they are more than prepared use the same lack of morals and abuse of the system when it benefits themselves. The holier than thou attitude of these newly arrived politicos clearly irritates those who have been part of the political system for a lifetime and they are determined to show them up as being no better than anyone else.
Before his election to the Dail I had huge admiration for Mick Wallace and what he had achieved from a ordinary background. Events subsequent to his election has shown me that he was just like any other developer/ businessman, willing bend whatever rule was required to realise his goal. The apparent honesty, belief in equality and business ethics that he spoke of were clearly only for public consumption. There are many commentators here intent on seeing Shatter resign over this affair but on balance I have to say that despite his many faults I would rather have him represent me than Mick Wallace
I was going to post on this subject but I’d only repeating yours. Btw I’m neither a Gard nor a FG’er. A good analysis and well said.
If this is the incident in question. Would it have been recorded by the Gardai and entered into PULSE and therefore available if a Minister says go and find me some sh*t on Wallace? If it took place in a public place – it’s quite possible that somebody else with more than a passing interest may have noted it and passed it on. Whether Shatter asked for it or the info was dropped on his desk (and a few journalists as well) then the source of this info does need to be identified.
If the source is not in the public domain, they have the right to anonymity
To a lot of you Mick Wallace might not be flavour of the month etc etc. He is clearly not suitable for public office. He has serious questions to answer regarding his personal affairs. But he is not the one in this instance who did wrong. Mr. Shatter says he got the info on Mr. Wallace from the Gardai. Those of you saying the minister should not resign are treading on dangerous territory. He is the minister for Justice, he has access to sensitive information which if my understanding is correct means info relevant to national security. How, by any stretch of imagination does Mick Wallace using a phone while stopped at a traffic light threaten national security?
No, Mr. Shatter abused his position as Justice minister and he has to go.
Some member/members of the Gardai should be considering their position also.
Of course Mick Wallace did wrong in this instance – he now admits to using a mobile phone while driving which is a SERIOUS offence. and he only admitted to it when he absolutely had to – the crooked twister. He should never be in politics in the first place – he is an outright disgrace to his country and the rest of the politicians in Dail Eireann are a disgrace for allowing it continue.
In what world is using your phone while driving a serious offence?? Murder, Rape, Robbery, Burglary etc are serious offences, not minor traffic offences!
People of Wexford shame on you for voting for this……thing!!
Gowan the baiis
As much as i don’t like the ultimate sheep head Wallace he is right. What gives this little creep shatter the right to find out about such a small thing.
Is this why the Garda commissioner is always with shatter as of late? Two of these creeps should resign, and Wallace should also.
I’m going to break into wallaces house at night in a batman suit and brush his hair and iron his shirts. Then I’ll jump through a window and run off into the darkness
Maybe use the bat-scissors also.
@Justin, excellent!
A sheep shears should be sufficient…
I understand hes from the construction trade but hes no respect for his position with that attire
I’m just so pleased Wallaces amnesia cleared up. I was worried for him.
justin,
if you cut his hair bring some my way………..
@VD- just like your amnesia is getting worse along with all of fine geal and their election promises? Which opening ceremony is enda going to be at this week?
An envelope
In proper democracies Alan Shatter would have been forced to resign his position and possibly face prosecution. In Ireland he receives full support from his boss. That therefore makes Kenny every bit as culpable as Shatter.It seems we are governed by common criminals.
Johnny- I’m patently out of my depth crossing swords with you. Your rapier-like wit, well it’s just something with which I can’t compete. Truly. It is something to behold. I mean, the speed with which you extrapolated VD. Awesome. Surely you should be on a stage, somewhere? A book deal can’t be too far away. I tip my hat to you, Sir. When your path crosses a satirist of your stature, what else can one do?
Awwww someone’s having a hissy wissy fit.
*picks VDs toys up off the floor*
There ya go, back in your FG buggy. Good lad.
It only took ya half an hour to come back with that, good man. Now, like your fellow stooges, how about not avoiding the question…
So would Wallace for tax evasion. Correct me if I’m wrong but Al Capone was sent to prison for the same crime, Wallace gets a gentle slap on the wrist.
Hey Bren. Just so that you know. Mick Wallace didn’t actually avoid paying tax. He stole the money. Plain and simple.
Jesus , Leonard the red thumbers are wailing on you.
Would you give his jeep a bit of a wash also.
To be honest neither person comes out of this incident with any glory and both are in the wrong.
Shatter has shown extremely poor judgement to reveal this information on a national television programme. He has completely undermined his argument because of his arrogance. Wallace once more proves that his memory is selective until he’s caught out and he’s a hypocrite to boot, giving out about this when he has benefited from it and probably well knew it.
A plague on both their houses. Perhaps if both of them resigned, Shatter as a minister and Wallace as a TD it would be worth it. I suspect neither will happen.
if this was england they’d both be in jail
Just out of curiosity, would a minster for justice not have access to records like this. I am well aware certain civil servants can access this information. Very certain if it was Wallace he’d do worse. . Wallace is a tax evading sham who will happily knowing his position happily take the Gardas “better judgement and discretion” , He could of took the fine as a matter of principle. He did something wrong, he should be punished. Yes it might of been a small thing on the journal about it, but I’m sure he could’ve found some positives in with being honest.
If I worked in a call centre and used information on someone for my own benefit then I would be imprisoned. Shatter is a disgrace and is eroding justice.
Ya wouldn’t be imprisoned so relax
I understand data protection very well thank you, But do you know what Alans powers are? What he has access too? How do you know he’s not allowed to have access to these files? Maybe he shouldn’t of brought it up on Prime time, but still brought up none the less. Wallace a public elected figure, lied. He challenged shatter and lost as he was caught committing a criminal offence If Wallace came across a such a incident but was in Alan’s shoes, would he do the same? I think very much so. Ever greedy , always looking to make their competition to look bad.
How can anyone here be sure that shatter obtained this info illegally?
It’s quite possible that there was a witness to the incident who passed on the information as part of the investigation into points disappearing.
It’s also possible that Wallace ess indiscrete with the info to the wrong person.
So, perhaps we should stop the hang him attitude until the facts are known.
Shane,
seems to be “witnesses” to a lot of incidents lately. This is the same trash spewed about clare daly,
“it must have been witnesses that passed on the info”
well it wasn’t “witnesses” it was gardai.
Jackets – Clare Daly was arrested by the roadside in public. Being seen by somebody else was unavoidable – a photo of her being arrested could have been published online before she even got to the station. That’s the reality – it’s not that outlandish. Plus I don’t think any Gardai would have an elected TD sitting in the cells without telling their superiors. That could be a real hot potato. Also, it’s only right that the minister responsible should also know – it’s not an ordinary arrest. Unfortunately, the more people who know the more likely it is to leak. The flip side we don’t want TDs being arrested in secret either.
The minions in authority in AGS are mugs running to shatter with this information. Probably delighted with themselves appeasing the minister with a bit of ‘info’ on Wallace. Pathetic. Keep out of politics An Garda Siochana, it is not your place.
Shatter & co continue to abuse their power on such topics. Why don’t the abuse their power and jail the bankers, developers and politicians who robbed this country and its people?! Its slowly turning into a dictatorship. This country will change only when idiots stop electing failed teachers, publicans and farmers who are clearly out of their depth and only in it so they and their familys can be set up for life at our expence.
And also when we stop electing corrupt ‘cute hoor’ developers who have selective memories and cheated the state out of tax revenues.
Slowly paying off his debts to the state with the salary the state pays him…
Only because he was caught. I didn’t notice him paying anything back to the state on this missing tax until it was brought to light.
Wallace is a much better act than Wurzle Gummage, maybe one of the TV channels could do a series on him? An updated Wanderly Wagon?
A lot of people seem to think it was a “witness”, who informed Shatter about the incident. If this is correct, it would be classed as hear-say. Is this what our Justice minister is reduced to ? Acting on hear-say, and gossip !
Or it could be a case of whistleblowing if you wanted to look at it in another light. A garda who was in position of the fact that Mick Wallace was being openly critical of a policy that he had benefited from and had kept secret.
You can spin it any way you want really depending on which side of the argument you are on. Personally I’m on neither side. They’re both in the wrong.
I don’t think the point is that Shatter disclosed information on Mick Wallace.i think the point is that Minister of Justice publicly aired information about a citizen to discredit him with no regard to that Citizens right to privacy. It is still unknown why Shatter had this specific information. Can he remember the names of everyone that received a warning off the top of his head or is he using his position to gather dirt on his political opponents?
It’s very disturbing when the Minister of Justice has no actual regard for Justice or the rights of the Citizens he is supposed to protect. I don’t see Shatter being so transparent about the letter used to threaten the Irish Govt into taking the Bailout or protecting the Bondholders.
You have to wonder why this story is making more headlines then how the gardai investigated themselves and found themselves a “great bunch of lads”. Instead shatter does a move that even a second rate politician knows “create a bigger story”. Go to the courts Mick don’t waste your time explaining your case allowing yourself to be judged by a media court. Shatter has used you on national television to divert attention away from gardai corruption and misuse of data stored on the gardai computer system. Questions also have to be also asked of RTE about how these two people were invited onto the programme did shatter advisers set this whole thing up. If labour can do it for the presidential election.
Garda no.1–”Who’s yer man beside us on his phone”? Garda no.2– “Jaysus, it looks like yer man Wallace”. Garda no.1- “Are ye sure”? Garda no.2– “Well,that’s what it says on the side of his vehicle”. Both gardai together– “Howya Mr.Wallace, how’s she cuttin”??
You can take are land but you’ll never take are freedom
*our
why would the garda go to the minister of justice about someone’s penalty points,have they nothing better to be doing
If that is how he was stopped, would the incident even be recorded on PULSE?
What I can’t understand is how a journalist was able to prompt Mick Wallace’s memory. Had he already told others about the incident and then forgotten it? Or had the journalist been briefed by the same source who briefed the Minister? When a politician is making capital from throwing accusations about others they need to be above reproach themselves. If not, it is in the public interest to reveal information that shows them
To have double standards. As usual, the chattering class are trying to turn this into another outrage. They should devote their energy to something important.
You can just imagine the two Gardai pulling up to the lights. Nice blond there says one to the other. Edge up a little closer so I can see, ‘m off this weekend ya never know. Ah no its Mick Wallace. Christ on a bike – think of something to say. Errrr were you using that phone? Sorry guard. Thats was close says they. Lads drive off – not a word to anyone now. But meanwhile back @ Gestapo head quarters – a diligent young FGer listening to one of the many the bugging devices in active service contacts the bould Alan. Let it with me says he – I will sort this out.
about as believable as the minister’s story thus far
If you saw this chapie being pulled over by the Garda and not being booked [He's not exactly invisible is he] would you be on to the Minister or the Commissioner or at least the Journal for an explanation? I bet that the Minister will have on record a call from a ‘concerned citizen’ who saw the event.
uncle garda….more like
Ah another “on mature recollection” moment
I don’t drive, but it is a very unfair situation that Gardai show ‘discretion’ when it comes to politicians for driving offences that should incur penalty points. Driving while talking on the phone is a crime, no matter who the perpetrator is.
lets bury this falsehood…Gardai exercise their discretion every day with regard to minor offences of all types. noone gets preferential treatment. its part of policing in this country.
Wallace has some neck – not only did he not pay taxes including VAT but was there something about using money that should have gone into employees pensions?. Pot Kettle and Black come to mind. I do agree that two wrongs do not make a right – they are both in the wrong and to me it just emphasises how much we, the citizens of Ireland need a total overhaul of society to include political parties, legal profession, banks and their executives.
I do not believe it is good enough to our sovreign debt situation is improving, what is the point of getting that right when the structures and the people who led us down into a financial hell are still scot free and in many cases in charge and still earning big money.
Is his jeep left hand drive ?
On mature reflection!!! Haha what a joke
someday a journalist will write a piece on the poor state of garda transport and other essential kit as compared with police forces in Uk…someday a journalist will examine procurement policies…maybe compare staffing levels….though Im not holding my breath…much easier to make headlines out of nonsense!
well i was correct not to hold my breath wasnt I….
have your say