Luas Crashes into Dublin Bus

Posted in General on September 16, 2009 by Stewart McCarthy

luas crashA Luas tram has collided with a bus at the junction of Abbey Street and O’Connell Street in Dublin City centre.

Several people are understood to have been injured in the incident which took place some time before 3pm.

The double-decker Dublin Bus was coming from O’Connell Bridge when it was hit by the tram. The Luas, which moving in the direction of Lower Abbey Street, was derailed in the crash.

People were escorted off both vehicles and emergency services attended the scene.

There is an unconfirmed report that the Luas driver went through the window of his cabin and into the bus. The driver had to be cut out of the wreckage by members of Dublin Fire Brigade and has been taken to hospital.

Several people are being treated for minor injuries by emergency service personnel at the scene.

The Luas red line services between Tallaght and Connelly Station have been suspended until further notice.

source: The Irish Times

R.I.P Michael Jackson

Posted in General on June 26, 2009 by Stewart McCarthy

Michael Jackson dead death rip 1958 2009

Today, the world has lost a true inspiration, an icon and a musical genius. Michael  Jackson will be missed by millions of fans around the world, and will never be replaced.

‘Dont stop till you get enough’!!!!

The Face of Defiance And Hope

Posted in International, opinion with tags , , on June 23, 2009 by Stewart McCarthy

>>>WARNING!<<<

The following post contains text and video of human death and suffering. It is highly graphic and is not suitable for minors. viewers discretion is advised.

>>>WARNING<<<



Neda Agha Soltan is not a name that should mean anything to the majority of the people in the world, except those who love her. But since the last moments of her life captured on a mobile phone, she has come to personify the struggle that goes on in Iran. Neda in Farsi means ‘voice to be heard’. yet it is her image that has the power to look into the millions of souls around the world and inspire.

The look in her eyes as she gasps her last breathe of air are both chilling, yet awe inspiring.

Nobody knows what the future holds for the Iranian people, but those who continue to protest on the streets throughout the Islamic country will not let Neda Soltan’s death been in vein.

Corí (“,)

Blood on the Calles: Mexico’s Drug War

Posted in International with tags , , on June 23, 2009 by Stewart McCarthy

On the streets of Mexico, over the past 3 years there have been more than 10,800 people brutally murdered as a direct result of ongoing Drug mexican-drug-warWar between some of the country’s most prolific drug lords and their cartels.

This war, which has also seen some 45,000 people arrested doesn’t appear to be easing, with the constant battle for territory and power affecting the millions of Mexican inhabitants in their everyday lives as they walk the streets in fear.

In response to this ever increasingly bloody conflict, the Mexican government headed by president Felipe Calderón has deployed up to 46,000 specially trained armed forces throughout the country. As of yet however, this effort has been almost ineffective in quelling the violence.

The most effected areas of the conflict have been the northern cities of Chihuahua, Baja California and Sinaloa. The later of these three cities, Sinaloa, is the home of one of the most prominent figures of this drug war and also one of the richest in the world. Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman is head of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the two biggest cartels in Mexico along with the Gulf Cartel.

Power and territory are the biggest factors in this ongoing war, which originally started out as an inter cartel feud. However, since 2006 when Felipe Calderón took office and declared an end to the drug culture in the country, there has been an increase in policing along the Mexican border with the United States, meaning fewer routes through which the drug runners can pass. This has meant that cartels are now fighting for control over these highly profitable routes.

In response to the increase of violence, the United States committed to sending millions of dollars and more armed forces to work with the Mexican Government. President Barack Obama personally visited the North American country, while Secretary of State Hiliary Clinton publically apologized for the role the United States played in the war, a huge step forward, at least politically, for both countries.

In the past, this war was just between members of these cartels, however, with the high level of poverty in Mexico, an increasing number of young men and women are turning to a life of crime in an attempt to improve their lives. Many young people follow the old urban mantra thatsinaloa_mexico_0626states ‘its better to live 6 months as a king, the your whole life as a thing’. This sentiment appears to be having an effect on these impoverished youths, as thousands of new ‘recruits’ are being found to fight this conflict for the cartels.

Unfortunately for the Mexican armed forces, the cartels are becoming increasing better equipped to deal with this conflict. Arms are being smuggled into the country from places like Columbia, a country which also has huge drug problem.

It is extremely difficult and almost inappropriate to determine when this drug war will end. However, until then, Mexican people all across the country walk the calles in fear, the very calles that have witnessed thousands of murders in such a short time.

Corí (“,)

Real Madrid for Tallaght?

Posted in Sport with tags , , on June 3, 2009 by Stewart McCarthy

Reports coming from the Irish Daily Star report that Spanish football giants real_madrid_logoReal Madrid are coming to play in the newly opened Tallaght Staduim.

Mark McCadden reports that Real Mardid, who has stars such as Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Raul, Ramos and Guti, are coming the stadium which is the home ground of League of Ireland club Shamrock Rovers.

The Friendly game is expected to be played on July 17th when Real Madrid are on an eight day visit of the country.  Madrid are rarely of the back of the newspapers for the constant speculation that they are going to buy Manchester United star Christiano Ronaldo.

Its hugely unlikely that the Spanish league runners-up will field their best side,  prefering to field up and coming stars.

The stadium currently has a maximum capacity of 3,500, but temporary seating is expected to be installed, accommodating an extra 3,200 for the high profile game.

The match would be hugely welcomed for tallaght, and would solidify Tallaght a home for football. Tickets for the friendly are currently unavailable, but are expected to sellout quickly, so be quick when they do become available.

Corí (“,)

GPS System Set to Fail

Posted in Technology with tags , , , on May 20, 2009 by Stewart McCarthy

The world’s GPS systems could start to fail next year, according to GPS systems set to faila report presented to Congress. This could cause catastrophic problems for aviation, 911 services and ordinary drivers, as well as the military.

GPS devices calculate their position by comparing time signals from at least four satellites. Because the Earth is spherical, a minimum of 24 satellites is required at all times. There are currently 31 operating, but many are way past their design lifetime.

The GAO predicts a one in five chance that the number will drop below 24 at times in 2011 and 2012, hampering accuracy. This could lead to blackouts and even misdirection of people all over the world.

The US Government Accountability Office (GOA) blames mismanagement and lack of investment. In recent years, says the report, the Air Force has encountered technical difficulties and problems with contractors. As a result, the program has overrun its cost estimate by about $870 million, and  the launch of its first new IIIA satellite has been delayed until November – almost three years late.

Presenting the report, Cristina T Chaplain, Director of Acquisition and Sourcing Management for the GAO, said that both the military and civilian users could suffer. “The military could see a decrease in the accuracy of precision-guided munitions that rely on GPS to strike their targets,” she warned. “Intercontinental commercial flights use predicted satellite geometry over their planned navigation route, and may have to delay, cancel, or reroute flights. Enhanced 911 services, which rely on GPS to precisely locate callers, could lose accuracy particularly when operating in urban canyons or mountainous terrain.”

The report recommends that the Secretary of Defense appoint a single authority to oversee the development of the GPS system. The Department of Defense has agreed.

Source: TGDaily