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Facebook, Instagram and within a very short time found I was well de-flowered. I currently have 3,000 plus friends, fans and followers on FB and 6,000 on Twitter and Instagram. I started receiving enormous support from thousands of people, the vast majority of whom I had never met. At the same time on Twitter I became the subject of a small number of trolls. The trolls, who of course are cowardly inadequate use false identities and seemed to be acting in some form of orchestrated unity. Their language was crude and it was apparent they were not very bright and motivated by hatred. Their Sineád O’Connor and I offensive remarks, far from upsetting me, rather perversely amused me and I took to taunting them. I even managed to deduce the true identity of some of them. My response was to report the more obscene twatterers as I christened them, to Zuckerberg’s organs. A couple I reported to the Guardians of Our Freedoms, AGS, for what it was worth. Amazingly a small army of supporters sprang up, many from the North, to challenge the imbecilic idiots and really put them to the word sword. The rantings of the trolls did not upset me, on the contrary, but what did was the way they would viciously go after anybody who was brave enough to voice support. In June I took a phone call from none other than the National Treasure who was formally known as Sineád O’Connor telling me she had a new job as a reporter for the Sunday Independent and that she wanted to talk to me about my poetry and to write an article. I agreed to meet her and gave her four hours of interview. I trusted her, she seemed to be not too unreasonable although as a seasoned senior journalist I found her interview technique of 30 throwing up to twenty different questions into one a wee bit irritating. I gave this cub reporter some learned professional critical feedback. Somehow, I suppose because our initial meeting was in semi-public the media not only got to hear of our meeting but photographed it as well. The following morning I had the first of a series of seriously abusive communications from Ms. O’Connor. After the first ranting telephone call I took no more calls but was then to receive a series of incoherent ranting texts, 12 in all (of which I have copies). The last one was sent on the Saturday night before her first ever article was to appear. It suggested I was mad, bad and needed help. She suggested I was an alcoholic and should get myself to rehab. Somehow the communication was leaked to the Irish Sun whose following Monday edition carried the legendary headline, “Sineád tells Ian he needs to go to Rehab...He said No, No, No”. This marks the end or my series of articles ‘In My Own Words’ for Ireland’s Big Issue magazine. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to have my say, as all too often I have been the subject of false narratives. As an undertaking to the editor I have agreed to answer any questions he wants to put to me in relation to events as described in the 4 articles, I have nothing to hide, never had. Hopefully the truth will come out and the killer of Ms Sophie du Plantier will be found, giving some solace to her family. In the next edition of Irelands Big Issue I will answer those questions. Ian Bailey In His Own Words: Part IV All words and photographs Copyright Ian K. Bailey 2021
Wishing all a Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year Have you a complaint about a public body? If so, the Ombudsman may be able to help. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about providers of public services such as: • government departments • local authorities • the HSE • nursing homes • education bodies You must have tried to resolve your complaint with the public body before contacting the Ombudsman. If you are unhappy with the response then you can complain to the Ombudsman: Online: www.ombudsman.ie In writing: 6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2. Call us if you need any assistance at 01 639 5600. The Ombudsman cannot take complaints about consumer matters, financial services, private pensions or An Garda Síochána. OUR SERVICE IS IMPARTIAL, INDEPENDENT & FREE Aughrim St Sports Hall, Stoneybatter, D7. (01) 8388085 Tony Gregory Community, Youth & Sports Centre, Ballybough, Dublin 3. (01) 2228584 Sports & Fitness Ballyfermot, Le Fanu Pk. Ballyfermot, D10. (01) 2228580 Sports & Fitness Ballymun, Main St Ballymun, D9. (01) 2228240 Cabra Parkside Community & Sports Complex, Ratoath Rd, Cabra, D7. (01) 2227559 Clogher Road Sports Hall, Clogher Rd, Crumlin, D12. (01) 2228594 Clontarf All Weather Pitches, Alfie Byrne Road, Clontarf, D3. (01) 2226578 Sports & Fitness Finglas, Mellowes Rd. Finglas, D11 (01) 2228620 Glin Road Sports Hall, Coolock, D17. (01) 8478177 Inchicore Community Sports Hall, St. Michael’s Estate, Off Bulfin Road, Inchicore, D8. (01) 2228562 Sports & Fitness Irishtown, Irishtown, D4. (01) 2223801 Sports & Fitness Markievicz, Townsend Street, D2. (01) 2226130 Poppintree Sport & Community Facility, Balbutcher Lane, Poppintree, D11. (01) 2223985 St. Catherine’s Sports Centre, Marrowbone Lane, D8. (01) 2227542 Coolock Swimming Pool, Northside Shopping Centre, Coolock, D17. (01) 8477743 Crumlin Swimming Pool, Pearse Pk, Windmill Rd, Crumlin, D12. (01) 4555792 East Wall Water Sports Centre, Alfie Byrne Rd, D3. (01) 2225579 Municipal Rowing Club, Longmeadows, Islandbridge, D8. (01) 6779746 https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/sports-and-leisure 31
Page 1: Digital Edition Dec 2021 Is 270 Vol
Page 4 and 5: Wishing all a Happy Christmas and P
Page 8 and 9: Issues: Life Homeless at Christmas
Page 10 and 11: There were Christmas lights everywh
Page 12 and 13: André Rieu “My Most Favourite Ti
Page 14 and 15: Simon Reeve: “Human beings are th
Page 16 and 17: who is in a dark place, they have t
Page 18 and 19: Home Alone - It's That Time of Year
Page 20 and 21: made up new child-friendly swear wo
Page 24 and 25: TEATIME c.1900, Glencar, Co. Leitri
Page 26 and 27: Ian Bailey In his own words: Part I
Page 28 and 29: would contain. What I read sent a d
Page 32 and 33: Fancy getting your hands on one of
Page 34 and 35: Issues: Historical Kate Tyrrell: Th
Page 36 and 37: Screen Scene Red Notice *** Starrin
Page 38 and 39: Irish Homeless Street Leagues (IHSL
Page 40 and 41: Issues: New Book Releases Patricia
Page 44 and 45: Jokes Because laughter is the best
Page 46: @ Is í ár dteanga féin í. It’

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