The Life and Times in Carrigaline

Orange Sherbert is Growing Out of My Bin

2011-07-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

At least it gives me a chance to post an image from my new phone.

United American Healthcare Corporation (UAHC)

2009-11-25T02:54:00.000-08:00

The United American Healthcare Corporation (Nasdaq:UAHC) is a tiny micro-cap company that is involved in management, consulting and financial services for the healthcare industry in the United States. Up until last year, the company was contracted by two customers to provide healthcare services. Unfortunately, the provider of these contracts (the State of Tennessee) has renegotiated with other entities to provide these services, leaving UAHC with no customers and no revenue as of the end of December 2009.

Since the cancellation of these contracts last year, management have been engaging in exploring "strategic alternatives" or to elaborate in their own words.

"During this review, all feasible options are being considered, including pursuing a joint venture or other strategic partnership, completing a strategic acquisition or merger, or liquidating our assets. Further, it is important to note that the exploration of strategic alternatives includes all industries that satisfy the three primary objectives, not solely the healthcare industry." From the most recent 10Q.

Reading between the lines, I don't think it would be unreasonable to conclude that management have too much confidence in their ability to continue in the healthcare industry. If logical consequence was to follow, the company would be liquidated, with the remaining assets being distributed to shareholders. Unfortunately for shareholders however, management appear reluctant to follow this path (which is natural self-preservation, given they would lose their jobs, sizeable salaries and benefits). Judging from a recent 13D filing from Strategic Turnaround Equity Partners (9% owners of common stock of UAHC and on the Board of Directors), it would seem that not only are management reluctant to liquidate, but hostile to the idea of shareholders taking control of the company.

"Dear Gentlemen:

As you are aware, Strategic Turnaround Equity Partners, LP (Cayman) and its affiliates (“STEP”), own approximately 9% of the common shares of United American Healthcare Corporation.

As you know, November 6, 2009 will be the one year anniversary of the Company’s last Annual Shareholders Meeting. Since the filing of our Preliminary Proxy on September 11, 2009 it is our strong belief that management and certain members of the Board of Directors including the Chairman and the Chairman of the Governance Committee have taken steps to intentionally delay the setting of a date for the 2009 Annual Shareholders Meeting. Furthermore, later that same day the Company issued a press release announcing the release of its year end results. The Company also announced that:

“It would not host an investor conference call for the fourth quarter and full year results in an effort to reduce costs and conserve resources.”

This was the first time in 10 years that management did not hold a quarterly or year-end investor call.

We believe that this is nothing but a ruse and smoke screen to avoid accountability to shareholders. Management and the Board are well aware of shareholder dissatisfaction from various 13D filings and past investor calls. It is obvious that management does not want to answer shareholders’ questions to explain a loss from operations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 of $8.7 million compared to a loss from operations of $1.9 million in the previous fiscal year. We believe that with such significant losses management has a greater obligation to hold an investor call. The last investor conference call this Company held was almost 6 months ago on May 7, 2009.

If management was so concerned about reducing expenses, they would have implemented many of our suggestions over the past 18 months which would have saved the Company significant sums of money including the elimination or reduction in bonuses, salaries and investment banking fees. Rather than focus on this, management decided to save $1,000 on an investor conference call!!! A company that is concerned about saving money does not have executive offices in 4,000 sq. ft. of luxury office space with art adorned walls for 4 people, including 2 administrative. If management truly wanted to have a conference call they could have set up a free call at www.freeconferencecall.com. If asked, our fund would have underwritten the cost of a conference call for the sake of good corporate governance so that shareholders have a forum to ask questions of management.

As we have stated in the past, the Board and management of the Company are obligated to manage in the best interests of all of the shareholders. In our opinion management and various members of the Board seek to avoid accountability to shareholders and maintain the status quo.
Furthermore, if the Company sent notice of an Annual Shareholders Meeting today, it would make it the latest that notice has been sent to shareholders in over 10 years. This is not right and a breach of your duties to the shareholders.

This must change and the shareholders of United American Healthcare Corporation demand the setting of the date of the 2009 Annual Shareholder Meeting immediately.

Very truly yours,

Strategic Turnaround Equity Partners, LP (Cayman)"

When a situation like this occurs, it is often up to the inititive of shareholders to user their voting rights as owners of the business to force the issue. Often in these situations however, shareholders are fragmented, and there is no single voice, with a large enough bloc of voting rights to demand that management liquidate, rather than plundering the remaining assets of the company for themselves. In this case however, things are different, and even as of yesterday (November 24th, 2009) the situation is looking more promising for shareholders as per the following 13D filed by activist investor, John M. Fife, who is now 10.31% owner.

This means, that we now have a significant catalyst that can force the liquidation of the company (Strategic Turnaround Equity Partners - 9% owners, John M. Fife - 10.31% owners, value investor Lloyd I. Miller, III - 9.7% and activists WC Capital Management - 10.8%) link. With management holding small amounts of stock (circa 15%), there should be no impediment to a liquidation.

The pertinent question at this point, would be to evaluate the liquidation value of the company against the current share price. Going from the last 10Q, we can see that the balance sheet of UAHC is simple to understand, has few liabilities and is comprised mainly of cash and cash equivalents.

Cash and cash equivalents - $9,747 (million)
Marketable securities - $3,922
Accounts receivable — State of Tennessee, net - $12
Interest receivable - $57
Other receivables - $708
Prepaid expenses and other - $135
Property and equipment, net - $94
Marketable securities — restricted - $2,370
Other assets - $486
Total Assets - $17,531

Total Liabilities - $3,863

Shareholder Equity - $13,668 or $1.68 per share
Market Cap - $7,730 or $0.95 per share

While it's unlikely that the full value of shareholder equity would be realised in the event of liquidation, the 75% difference between book value and market value offers a huge margin of safety.

I believe that UAHC at, or near current prices offers good value. I am currently initiating a position.

Jon Lord - Exclusive!

2009-10-03T19:01:00.000-07:00

Money is tight - pennies on the floor.

Sept 24th, 2009

Broken Down Nissan Skyline

2009-10-03T18:44:00.000-07:00

Oh dear.

The Changeling

2009-01-25T11:34:00.000-08:00

It's only taken a year, but I've finally gotten around to putting up a review of the Mike Oldfield biography, The Changeling.

In one word, I suppose you could call label it as disappointing, for a number or reasons.

Firstly, without even reading a page of the book, it's clear that we wouldn't be getting a major exposé on his relationship with Richard Branson, as the book is published by Virgin Books. By dealing with Branson, he effectively gagged himself from discussing his long and highly publicised dispute with Virgin. If you read between the lines though, it's clear that the animosity between Oldfield and Branson has not been completely forgotten.

Another disappointment was the writing style that Oldfield engages in. Too often, when Oldfield is describing events of his past; they end up as rambling, stream of consciousness-type meanderings that often fall short in detailing the event itself. It's obviously not fair to expect him to compare with James Joyce, but I do think he could have done more research in backing up his sources.

While his childhood is covered reasonably well and his Tubular Bells piece is quite well done; everything after that feels rushed, fuzzy and written as an afterthought. It struck me that Oldfield had lost a bit of interest himself in the story at this stage, but was obliged to complete it for finality.

Overall, it's an interesting read for Oldfield fans; but completely avoidable otherwise.

Interesting fact I never knew: The name of his album Ommadown, is actually a bastardization of the Irish word for idiot, amadán.

ISEQ Stock Market Crash - Again

2009-01-19T12:16:00.000-08:00

It's at a time like this that I'm reminded of our great statesman, Patrick Bartholomew Ahern. He imparted this bit of wisdom on us last year.

"Bank of Ireland shares are €3.80 today. Now if I meet you here next year, or the year after, do you seriously think Bank of Ireland shares will be €3.80? I'd go out and buy Bank of Ireland shares . . . that's what I'd do,"

Bank of Ireland share price today - 40 cent.

I suppose he was half right.

Willie O' Dea at Dell HQ in Texas

2008-12-23T08:44:00.000-08:00

Willie O' Dea, snapped in Texas while trying to persuade Michael Dell to keep Dell jobs in Limerick.

Christmas Grinch Refuses Tickets for Late, Late Toy Show

2008-11-22T11:13:00.000-08:00

Budget Reaction

2008-10-15T11:24:00.000-07:00

Zeig Heil Motherfuckers!!

"Clap for Trap"

2008-10-14T00:23:00.000-07:00

So, Ireland are playing Cyprus at home tonight in what's an eagerly anticipated clash. I noticed that the FAI have initiated a campaign for supporters to get behind the new manager.

"The Football Association of Ireland today (Sunday) announced that EA Sports will give out 33,000 inflatable giant hands to Irish fans at Wednesday evening’s World Cup qualifier in Croke Park (7.45om). The hands call on fans to ‘Clap for Trap’ and will be distributed before the game.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni said: “The game against Cyprus is our first World Cup qualifier at home. It will be very important for all of our fans to get behind us on Wednesday night. Irish fans really will be our twelfth man and I hope everyone makes their voice heard on Wednesday night”. Tickets for the World Cup qualifier match are still available through www.ticketmaster.ie and from ticket booths at Dalymount Park (opening hours Mon & Tue 12.00 – 20.00, Wed 10.00 – 17.00)."

I personally wouldn't wish "The Clap" on my worst enemy.

Government Guaranteeing Irish Deposits

2008-10-07T02:50:00.000-07:00

Imagine a man walks into a VHI health insurance office. The man looks pale. almost sickly you'd say. His back is bent and he walks to the desk with a stoop. He then tells the clerk at the desk, he'd like to sign up for some health insurance and with that, he lets out a loud, rattling cough. The clerk at the desk asks him, "Ok, before we approve you, we need to know if you have any prior health conditions". The sickly looking man tells the clerk everything is fine, infact things couldn't be better. The clerk then happily rubber-stamps the application form and the man is now covered.

It sounds ridiculous, but this is exactly what the Irish government has done by acting as insurer for the Irish banks. Without even looking at the loan books of the banks, we have given an assurance that we will cover any potential liabilities that may arise from them.

Cork City Dole Queue

2008-09-19T05:27:00.000-07:00

Defrauding the Passport System is Easy

2008-09-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

After losing my passport a few months, I finally got around to getting the documentation together to make my new application.

So, off I head into the local Garda station, form, birth cert and photos in my sweaty little hands. After sitting next to a bare-footed hobo, half doused in pant, I was finally summoned to the desk. The conversation goes a little something like this . .

Me - "I'd like to get my passport and photos signed please"
Garda - "Ok, have you got your form, passport and photos?"
Me - (passes documents) "Yes, here they are"
Garda - "Ok, have you got a photo ID?"
Me - (frantically searching) "Umm, all I have on me is an old college ID"
Garda - "I'm sorry, I'll need to see a valid picture ID. Have you got your old passport, national age card or driving licence?"
Me - "I don't have an age card, I don't drive and as it says on the form, I've lost my old passport"
Garda - (passing a form) "You can apply for the national age card then"
Me - "Right, what do I need to apply for that?"
Garda - "Birth certificate, passport photograph and picture ID"
Me - "Oh, like a college ID?"
Garda - "Yes"
Me - "So what you're say is, my college ID isn't good enough to get a passport but it is good enough to get a national age card which in turn can get me a passport?"
Garda (a little confused) - "I'm sorry, but we're really clamping down at the moment"

I was then explaining this to a colleague at work. He thought it was pretty strange that I even needed to produce a form of ID, he offers to drive me to another Garda station where he got his application done without the need for photo id. We go, I walk in . . .

Me - "I'd like to get my passport and photos signed please"
Garda - (sitting at a computer on what looked like Bebo) "Wait a minute"
Garda - (a few minutes later, comes over, signs everything and without a word sits back down)
Me - (leaving, amazed) "Umm, cheers Garda"

I honestly thought that the days of the gombeen Garda were finished; evidently, they're not. I'm also amazed that in a world where identity fraud is so prevalent, that there doesn't seem to be any standards or defined process in obtaining a passport. Even with the first Garda, there was absolutely nothing to stop me from producing any sort of mickey mouse id to obtain a national age card fraudulantly. Is it any wonder the public has lost respect for the Gardai when they're so careless and negligent?

Bebo Fools Incriminating Themselves

2008-08-06T11:46:00.000-07:00

From RTÉ News

Students urged to start house hunt Wednesday, 6 August 2008 15:56

Third level students in Dublin are already being urged to find a place to live for the upcoming academic year as soon as possible.

Leaving Certificate results are not being released until next week.

However, the Union of Students in Ireland say 90% of rentable student properties in the city will be gone by the end of this month.

It is warning that students risk being forced into staying in B&Bs unless they start searching for accommodation soon.

21-year-old I****e M****n from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, who is studying at Trinity College, says every year it is a struggle to find accommodation for the college term.

'Last year I looked for eight weeks, couldn't find anything. I even contemplated getting a place with no windows - it was €550 a month,' she said.

Ms Moylan said that many people would pay €500-550 to rent in Dublin city centre, or around €450 for a shared room.

'This year a lot of my friends were rejected from campus accommodation, as was I, so that made it even more difficult, because in fourth year you're kind of banking on getting on campus.'

Students need to be 'on the ball' - USI

She urged students to start looking early. 'Once September hits, everyone gets back from America or wherever they were on holidays and everyone starts looking, it's so hard to find a place.

'And also a lot of places don't take students - they'll only accept professionals so if you find a place now you just take it, and you pay the extra couple of months' rent.'

USI President Shane Kelly said some problematic accommodation remains around the city. 'We hear from students who are trying to rent in places where they have an outside toilet or a toilet shared between 15 apartments.'

But he said that while such situations still existed, they were only experienced in a minority of cases.

He said students were already on the look for places for next year, and added that the search would intensify after the Leaving Certificate results are issued.

'So really people need to be on the ball now if they're trying to find a decent accommodation close to where they're thinking of studying,' he said.

Naoise McNally of property website Daft.ie says there is approximately double the amount of rented property on the market compared to last year.

She said that this should make it easier for students to find a property, and added that rents were falling.

'They're not dropping by huge amounts in nominal terms - we're talking about 2% across the board - but it does vary significantly from region to region and from area to area in the city.'
The USI said that while there were more properties on the market, demand for rental housing had also increased.

I've underlined the pertinent bit in bold. Googling the young Ms. I****e M****n reveals the young lady has a Bebo page! Lots of pictures of boozing and a nice little anecdote about having to get the firemen out because some of her friends decided it would make a super spot for a mosh pit.

All I can say is, little wonder she should have trouble finding a place to stay!

Her bebo.

The ActionScript 3.0 Documentation is Muck

2008-07-22T06:09:00.000-07:00

Imagine, you're relatively new to Flex. You try to create an array of objects. From your Java days, you remember the java.util library contains ArrayList, which fits the bill perfectly. Now, you go to the Flex documentation, mx.collections, expecting to find something similar. The LiveDocs contain nothing, so you try Google, which give the suggestion of using mx.collections.ArrayList.

Hold on, didn't you just read the ActionScript documentation and there was no mention of ArrayList? For fun, you try importing mx.collection.ArrayList, creating an ArrayList, populating it and then print the length of the array.

import mx.collections.ArrayList;
import mx.controls.Alert;

var theList : ArrayList = new ArrayList();
theList.addItem(new Object);
theList.addItem(new Object);
theList.addItem(new Object);

Alert.show(theList.length.toString());

Surprisingly, this compiles and outputs 3 as the expected result, despite the fact there is no documentation to suggest it would work.

Well Done Munster

2008-05-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

Legend.

Where Are They Now? Sean Thornton

2008-05-20T13:21:00.000-07:00

He's only just turned 24, but it seems like Sean Thornton has been around the football scene for years now.

He started his career at Tranmere Rovers but it wasn't long before the highly-talented youngster was quickly snapped up by Sunderland. In his debut season, he was regarded as one of the few positives in the dismal 02/03' season where Sunderland scored what was then a record low of 19 points for the season. The high point of the season for Thornton came when he scored this cracker against Chelesa while still only 18 years of age.

After an impressive first season, his form dipped badly and he was eventually off-loaded to League one side, Doncaster Rovers. It was clear that then manager, Mick McCarthy was tired of his off-field boozing. Here's a few choice quotes about Thornton from the Sunderland forum, readytogo.

"Loads of talent and potential but threw it away. He was spotted in the Hollymere, slumped over his pint with a baseball cap pulled over his face."

"He still owns the house next door to me. Our other neighbour looks after the gardens. Really nice lad, loved Sunderland AFC and the local people/area. He just couldn't keep off the drink."
"He once tried to nick a staff taxi off me when I worked at the Derry. He told the driver he'd pay him double to take him to Liquid, he was sound with me like)."

Despite putting in a Man of the Match performance to know Aston Villa out of the League Cup, he soon fell back into bad habits after a promising start at Doncaster. He's now at his present club, Leyton Orient where the now married Thornton was spotted on the razz in Ibiza.

(Didn't even take the ring off the finger!)

godhatesireland.com

2008-05-19T14:38:00.001-07:00

With the economy going down the shitter, maybe the Westboro Baptist Church were right after all!

Buying Stocks With Sharewatch

2008-05-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

Buying shares in companies listed on the ISEQ index is a pain.

First of all, not only do you have to deal with the 1% government stamp duty on all purchases, but you also have to pay some pretty hefty execution fees.

Secondly, you've got to decide whether you want your shares to be held electronically, or whether you want the actual paper certificates. To have the shares held electronically, then you'll have to pay an annual fee. By holding the shares yourself, you don't have to worry about paying the annual charges.

Finally, you've got to decide if you intend on regularly buying and selling stocks. If you intending on trading often, then you need to choose a broker who has low execution costs (each time you execute a buy or sell order, you will incurr a fee). With this in mind, the small-time Irish investor has two realistic broker options.

Sharewatch offer a small trades, execution-only service, that let's you purchase shares for a flat rate fee of €50 with no annual fee. If you're like me, and don't intend of trading regularly, then it makes sense to choose a broker with no annual fee. The shares are issued in paper form, so they can be stuffed in a drawer until you're ready to cash out. I've personally used Sharewatch and found them to be quite speedy and efficient. You simply transfer your cash to their bank, call them up, buy your shares and give them your details. A few days later, you get your sweaty little hands on your very own share certificates.
NIB on the otherhand will hold shares electronically and charge an annual fee of €40, regardless of what trading activity occurs on your account. The upside of using NIB though, is that each time you trade, you're only charged €20. If you're making several trades a year, an NIB share account makes a lot more sense than paying €50 a trade with Sharewatch.

In short, if you plan on trading often, then the NIB offer is about the best in the market at present. If you're like me though, and simply want to make a very occasional trade, then Sharewatch is your only man.

Galway in Sticky Sex Situation Shocker!

2008-05-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

Irish Independent 19th/May/2008

"Demands have been made for the immediate closure of a "lurid" sex cinema in Galway. Fine Gael Councillor Padraig Conneely said he was shocked to discover that such a cinema -- apparently the first of its kind in the country -- was operating in the city.

The 24-seater cinema is located behind a sex shop called Jade Winters at the Liosban Industrial Estate, on the Tuam Road on the outskirts of the city.

"There are 24 seats and patrons pay €12 admission. It is staffed by two men from eastern Europe and all efforts to contact the owners or manager have been unsuccessful," Mr Conneely said.

"Patrons are asked whether they wish to watch gay or straight porn films and there are a number of small cubicles in the cinema where customers can watch specific films. It all sounds quite lurid and it is not what we want for the image of Galway. We are a city of culture, not of sleaze."

He said that the premises was open from 2pm to 2am and he wanted Galway City Council to immediately investigate it and have the cinema closed down.

"We can have a liberal agenda but there are limits. There are adult shops in a lot of towns and cities but this is unacceptable and I want this cinema closed," he insisted.

A garda spokesman said he was not aware of any complaints to date about the Galway cinema.
If a complaint was received, all of the circumstances surrounding the operation of the cinema would have to be looked at and it could be a matter that might need to be referred to the film censor."

That's the only comment I feel this thread needs.

No One Subscribing to Ireland.com

2008-05-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

I was interested to hear Geraldine Kennedy remark that Ireland.com only has between 8,000 and 10,000 paying subscribers and that it was "struggling to break even". I must say I was rather surprised that such a long-running service was attracting such few numbers.

A Love Soupreme

2008-03-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

(from Aldi at 45 cent)

Interesting House Share on Offer

2008-03-24T10:27:00.000-07:00

After watching Eastern Promises last night (a movie about the Russian mafia and the prostitution of women), it was interesting that I came across this interesting little house share advert on daft.ie.

(I saved the image because I don't imagine it will be up for long).

Maybe I should pop an e-mail off to this cheeky chappie?

Tom Waits for Christmas No. 1!

2007-12-15T05:51:00.000-08:00

Tired of the usual boyband, Christmas-pop, Cliff Richard bile that usually gets to number 1 in the music charts for Christmas? Well, do something about it this year! Get Tom Waits' classic Christmas song, Christmas card from a hooker in Minneapolis to number 1. in the Irish charts!

See here, for more information! Give Ireland the gift of Tom Waits for Christmas, God knows, with all the recent redundancies, we'll need it!

RTÉ Cock-Up Katy French Report.

2007-12-07T13:31:00.000-08:00

Disgusting, and completely insensitive.

Sap Gets Fleeced at the Pumps

2007-11-09T12:01:00.000-08:00

Driver shocked at €95 cost of filling tank

By Aideen Sheehan
Friday November 09 2007
FILLING up has just got an awful lot dearer with one petrol station in the capital now charging a staggering €179.9 a litre.
The Statoil filling station on Dublin's Usher Quay (pictured above) -- long notorious for its high prices -- has now increased them to this jaw-dropping new rate.
One driver, Helen Donaghy, was staggered to be charged €95 to fill her Peugeot Convertible there, even though it normally costs her a maximum of €55 elsewhere.
"I simply could not believe it.
"I did not see a sign from the road with the price, or it may have been very small, but they should not be allowed charge prices like this," she said.
Consumers Association of Ireland Chief Dermott Jewell last night slated the price hike. "Nobody in their right mind should use this petrol station," said Mr Jewell.
However, the bad news for drivers is that petrol prices are rising across the board and are expected to hit €1.18 on
average this month.
Maxol is the first to raise prices by 3c a litre this week.
Topaz Energy which supplies Texaco, Fareplay and Statoil garages is also set to raise prices.
- Aideen Sheehan

You have to love the Indo's style of sensationalism here. I'm familiar with the petrol station on Usher's Quay and now full-well that the price of the petrol is displayed prominently on the sign fronting the garage; and on the petrol pumps themselves.

19th/May/2008 - Update : Apparently this gaff has been closed!

Richard Delevan, Fired For Citing a Blog.

2007-11-05T15:04:00.000-08:00

Newspaper journo, blogger and all-round nice guy, Richard Delevan was fired from his position in the Tribune today for discussing auctioneer Ken McDonald's inability to sell his house. The article is still online here.

In a previous interview, Richard was asked if he regrets anything that he writes, I bet he'll think long and hard about this one.

Fianna Fáil Making up the Budget Deficit.

2007-11-05T13:11:00.000-08:00

Drivingtest.ie Collapses Under Huge Strain

2007-10-26T03:25:00.000-07:00

25th of October 2007: The Irish government announces a clamp-down on provisional drivers who driver unaccompanied. Other tough new measures are introduced in order to reduce the 400,000 provisional that are on Ireland's roads.

26th of October 2007: http://www.drivingtest.ie/, the website for booking driving tests in order to qualify for your full licence collapses under the strain of worried provisional drivers booking their tests.

Women's Magazines - Vacuous Claptrap

2007-09-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

I noticed these two magazines lying on the table in my living room. Now Carrigaliner isn't as quick as he used to be, but the glaring contradiction between the two boxed items on the magazine covers hitted me like a bag of cinder blocks.

If I replaced my girlfriends Closer magazine with the much more excellent Happy_Woman magazine, would the magazine content be any more ludicrous?

De Backlan's

2007-09-28T11:28:00.000-07:00

Magners or Bulmers?

2007-09-25T12:33:00.000-07:00

Took this piccy while in Tesco's. Interesting to see that U.K. branded Magners has found it's way to Ireland. Either we Irish can't get enough of the stuff, or the Brits aren't swallowing the multi-million Euro advertising campaign that has been unleashed accross the water.

Interesting to note what C&C would make of Tesco damaging the brand awareness of Bulmers cider by introducing a copy. Perhaps they couldn't give a toss as they hope to flog the company anyway.

Amusement Machine Licence Duty

2007-09-23T04:46:00.000-07:00

While on a trip to a fast food joint, I noticed this little sticker afixed to the amusement machines. Doing some research, I learned that it's a statutory requirement for all amusement machines to be licensed at the cost of €125 per year, per machine.

Further inspection of the snap I took yields the information that this particular licencee is not up to date (as of 22nd of September 2007) with the licence!

I wonder how long Joe Public would last if they decided not to pay Motor Tax or the T.V. Licence fee?

More information on the Amusement Machine Licence Duty peice of legislation can be found here.

Eddie Hobbs - Me and your Money

2007-09-08T07:24:00.000-07:00

Quick! Remortgage the house so you can take advantage of this unique opportunity to invest in Eddie's retirement fund, oops, I mean Pan-European Property Fund! Now with extra gearing!

Toilet Humour

2007-07-16T04:34:00.000-07:00

Back after temporary hiatus!

I snapped this tricky treasure in the toilets in the basement of the Kane building in UCC. Devoted to my favourite, worst movie ever, Troll 2.

Moronic Cork City Councillors

2007-04-27T04:14:00.000-07:00

Taken from Inside Cork, 26th of April 2007.

"Flats should be banned" - councillor

Fianna Fáil city councillor Dave McCarthy has once again called for his motion banning high rise development in suburban areas to be honoured following a planning application made to develop student accommodation on College Road in buildings ranging from three to five storeys in height.

Cllr McCarthy said, "I am now calling on the planning department of Cork City Council to respect the wishes of democratically elected memers on relation to this, and any further applications for
high-rise flats in the suburbs of Cork. I am objecting to this proporsal as I believe that flats can never work in a modern city.

"One third of the flats built in the past four years are vacant. We should have learnt from past mistakes when we knocked the Togher and Ballymun flats. This type of housing unit only promotes anti-social behaviour and should never be allowed".

To anyone, living in an apartment in Cork; how do you feel being told that your dwelling should never have been allowed and that by living in it, you're encouraging anti-social behaviour?

Councillor McCarthys remarks remind me of comments made by our Minister of Community, Rural and Gaelteacht Affairs, Eamonn Ó' Cuív on planning.

"We are a unique people and an ancient race with long-established traditions and settlement patterns. Why should we be forced to live by imported models, designed to suit people who live in totally different countries with totally different cultures?"

Free Guinness For Carrigaliners!

2007-04-04T15:39:00.000-07:00

Cheers Cllr Michael McGrath!

2007-03-15T17:35:00.000-07:00

For many of us in modern Ireland, the St. Patrick's Weekend remains one of the most important hoidays for Irish people. For some; it's religious reasons that the weekend signifies, but for most it's the chance to take a breather and spend some quality time with our families and friends. My favourite memories of St. Patrick's Day; are those I spent with my family, curled on the couch with Guinness in hand, catching the parade on televison (we're always too bloated from our traditional turkey turn to even consider making the trek into Cork city).

Invariably though, with the progress this country has made, product prices go up. Fortunately this St. Patrick's Weekend, I happened to hear Michael McGrath on the radio_today, unearthing a bargain to take some of the financial pressure off of the holiday. Michael informed Cork that Tesco were running a special promotion whereby you get a 24-can slab of Guinness or Budweiser at half price! I'm glad Michael was there to inform us of this fantastic deal, because I would never have known otherwise as I tend to ignore all advertisments.

Three cheers to you Michael!

(Cllr Michael McGrath, ready to go for St. Patrick's Day!)

Ireland - A False Economy

2007-03-08T05:11:00.000-08:00

We're constantly subjected to a PR barrage from the media/government about how we're "moving up the job value-chain" and "becoming a knowledge-based economy". When little nuggets like the following comes out, our tenuous position as a hub of multinational investment is exposed. SanDisk, who recently established an office here in Dublin reported revenue of $955 million, nearly half of SanDisk's global revenue of $2,300 million. Since the company employs 1,083 people worldwide, you'd expect that since the Irish operation would contribute a significant figure (hundreds of workers at least) to that workforce.

Infact, SanDisk only employ 4 people in Ireland.

9/10 Nigerian Scammers Love Carrigaline.

2007-03-03T08:38:00.000-08:00

Mattie Kiely's - Closed

2007-02-23T16:52:00.000-08:00

I only found out about this from reading yesterday's Irish Examiner. Incase you're wondering what I'm on about, Mattie Kiely's is a delightfully grotty little chipper on Maylor Street, across the road from Smyth's Toy Shop. Given the dubiously dirty surroundings and menu consisting of only beef burgers, fish and chips, you'd have expected the place to have gone to the wall years ago. Not so. Not only that, but in an age of political correctness, Mattie Kiely was all too happy to taunt and jibe his customers. I'll always remember the first time going into Kiely's and asking for a chicken burger only to be told that if I wanted that sort of luxury, perhaps I'd be better off at the Victoria Hotel! Despite his waspish sense of humour, you never felt like a stranger whenever you stopped by. After being away from Cork for a year and returning for a lunch time feed, Kiely made mention of my absence, suggesting that a coronary from his chips was responsible as he prepared my usual order without needing to ask.

Enjoy the retirement Mattie, Cork will miss you sorely.

The Bodega: Going, going, well not yet.

2007-02-20T15:54:00.000-08:00

I haven't seen this reported online yet, so for those of you that don't know, The Bodega has received yet another reprieve. According to todays Irish Examiner, the owners of The Roundy will be leasing The Bodega for five months until TK Maxx move in. This was confirmed by the new owner of the premesis, Owen O' Callaghan.

So now you all get to enjoy "one more night" of The Bodega for the third time.

Cork Anti-War Demonstrations Against British Navy Juggernaut

2007-02-20T15:05:00.000-08:00

From page 2 of todays Evening Echo, I've put the interesting bits in bold.

"As Croke Park prepared to welcome the English rugby team on Saturday, the Union Jack was already flying in Cork today as HMS Severn (pictured below) sailed into the city on a courtesy visit.

The patrol vessel, which is skippered by Lieutenant Commander Rex J. Cox, arrived this morning with 32 crew members. The ship, which was built in Woolston Docks, Southampton, and is based at HM Naval Base Portsmouth, is part of the Fishery Protection Squadron on the Royal Navy. It will depart on Thursday."

According to the Irish Examiner and IndyMedia, Anti-War Ireland are protesting this visit of this British "war machine" (words used by one anti-war type). Fearsome stuff indeed, sounds like a veritable deathmongerer! In the interests of fairness though, let's get a bit more details on this machine. This site tells gives us a bit more detail on this fishery protection vessel. The formidable weapons compliment consists of . .

1x20mm BMARC KAA gun, 2 GPMGs

Yep, that's right, three machine guns.

House Prices Falling In Carrigaline.

2007-02-19T12:15:00.000-08:00

Buying a house in Carrigaline or the surrounding area? Well buyer beware, because prices in the area have stalled and in many cases, have fallen. Not only that, but the inventory of properties on myhome.ie has increased almost two fold, a similar trend is being repeated at local auctioneers such as Dennehy, Daly and McNamee. With even more developments to come online on Castle Heights and a 100 acre site at Shannon Park being earmarked for development, the property boom in Carrigaline may very well be coming to an end. With job losses in nearby Pfizer and speculation about the removal of Stamp Duty for first time buyers, I think there's scope for further price drops. However, if you must buy right now, don't be afraid to play hardball with auctioneers. I recently viewed a property in the area that was on the market for €400,000, the auctioneer was quite open about accepting an offer as low as €381,000 (the stamp duty threshold).

12 Carrig Avenue, Carrig Na Curra, DOWN €10,000.

€350,000

€340,000

19 Dun Eoin, Ballinrea Road, DOWN €42,500 (price dropped twice!!)

€360,000

€350,000

€317,500

29 Highfield, Ballinrea Road, DOWN €40,000

€340,000

€320,000

€310,000

€300,000 (Sale Agreed)

9 The Close, Waterpark, DOWN €50,000

€350,000

€300,000

30 Waterpark Green, DOWN €20,000

€400,000

€380,000

90 Mount Rivers, DOWN €20,000

€300,000

€280,000

Archella, Ballinrea Road, DOWN €120,000

€720,000

€600,000

6 The Brambles, Heron's Wood, DOWN €30,000

€330,000

€327,000

44 Silverhill, Heron's Wood, DOWN €5,000

€345,000

€340,000

7 Weston Heights, Ballinrea Road, DOWN €5,000

€600,000

€595,000

12 Spring Lane, DOWN €35,000 (price dropped twice!!)

€415,000

€395,000

€380,000

New price drops as of 8th of March!

No. 1 Shrewsbury Park, Fernhill Road DOWN €25,000

€800,000

€775,000

73 Wrenville, Kilmoney Road DOWN €15,000

€360,000

€345,000

14 Kinalea, Nohoval DOWN €2,500

€317,500

€315,000

33 Highfields, Ballea Road DOWN €10,000

€325,000

€315,000

58 Glen Rua DOWN €10,000

€340,000

€330,000

106 Spruce Drive, Ballea Road DOWN €3,000

€298,000

€295,000

Ballea, Forrest Road, DOWN €30,000

€425,000

€395,000

37 Rockboro Heights, Waterpark, DOWN €10,000

€325,000

€315,000

42 Liosbourne, Upper Kilmoney, DOWN €40,000

€415,000

€410,000

€400,000

€375,000

1 The Grove, Herons Wood, DOWN €20,000 (price dropped twice!!)

€325,000

€315,000

€305,000

New price drops as of 8th of March!

30 Dun Eoin Meadow, DOWN €10,000

€350,000

€340,000

27 Kilmoney Heights, DOWN €11,000

€370,000

€359,000

34 Elm Drive, Westwood, DOWN €15,000

€355,000

€340,000

36 The Green, Herons Wood, DOWN €10,000

€335,000

€325,000

It's also interesting to note there are now 10 pages of entries for Carrigaline on daft. Many of the properties that have been listed above are still on the market despite a price fall.

Make what you will of that.

Dick Roche - Delivering on Affordable Housing.

2007-02-18T15:45:00.000-08:00

In a fresh initiative to combat spiralling house prices, Dublin citizens who have been priced out on the market are now being given a chance of home ownership. The affordable housing scheme; applies to impovrished persons earning between €45,000 and €58,000 per annum who are unable to afford homes at market price. One hopeful applicant, sucessful strategic manager Geordan Sheehy-Skeffington (pictured below with BMW 7 Series and two wifes), spoke to us about the scheme.

"Roysh goys, I'm rawther miffed here. Loike, how in Gawd's name will I be able to face the goys in the Rugby club knowing I live in Loo-cun, ugh", "I suppose one must make do, afterall, one must keep his family in Prada handbags and Manlo shoes, roysh girls?" he said guffawing.

Later, in the press conference launching the inititave, Minister Dick Roche (pictured below) brushed off suggestions about those earning less than €45,000 a year who didn't qualify for the housing scheme as "inconsequential" and "pointless".

(inset, Dick Roche pouring milk into a political opponents petrol tank)

Podge and Rodge - Saturation Point

2007-02-13T15:35:00.000-08:00

Not content with presenting music award shows and presenting their own talk show several times a week, we now get these greasy Podge and Rodge delights.

What started with as a refreshingly different, ten minute show on Network 2 every week has now exploded in an attempt to milk the Podge and Rodge concept dry. I thought the scripted short story format suited Podge and Rodge well. The transition to improv however hasn't suited the talk show well. Too much recycling of clapped out gags and awful Z-list guests promoting their latest bit of unwanted tat. Who would have thought that the original pilot (DVD-rip by the way) would have spawned all this?

Keep flogging the crisps, bed clothes and dolls lads, it won't take long for people to get their fill.

Media Frenzy Descends on Carrigaline

2007-02-12T10:05:00.000-08:00

In scenes not witnessed since Kevin Kennedy's visit (aka, Norman "Curly" Watts from TV's Cornation Street), Carrigaline greeted Irish country music sensation, Richie Kavanagh (pictured below in Barry Collins').

In a world exclusive, carrigaline.blogspot photographers fought through throngs of paparazzi to snap the elusive musician. Kavanagh, who has had No.1 chart-smashing hits with "Aon Focail Eile" and "Dick On Her Mind" declined interviews merely grunting "Bebo" before hurridly making his way to his Toyota Hi-Ace van.

Dedicated to RK.

Valentine's Day Job Vacancy

2007-02-12T09:25:00.000-08:00

I wonder how they test for flexibility in an interview.

IrishFest, Milwaukee.

2007-02-04T09:32:00.000-08:00

Another oldie but goldie, I snapped this shot at the worlds largest Irish Festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Sinn Féin Attack Harney on Suicide Strategy

2007-02-01T07:18:00.000-08:00

Irish Examiner - Wednesday 31st 2007 - Suicide Strategy

"Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has described Health Minister Mary Harney's approach to tackling the issue of suicide as "disgraceful and indefensible".
His criticism comes after the minister's office announced the provision of €1.85 million a year for suicide prevention.
Yesterday Mr. Adams said Ireland has the second highest incidence of suicide in Europe."

I for one applaud Gerry Adams on his uncompromising stance to accept our current status. Let's put Ireland in our rightful position as number one!

That Wonderful Organisation, the BBC.

2007-01-30T14:34:00.000-08:00

In what must have been a rare coup for BBC Sport, viewers were treated to Chelsea V. Nottingham Forest, live! However, between pompous nonsense about "giant-killing" and "the magic of the FA Cup", the BBC Sport team came out with a classic line about Chelsea's Lasanna Diarra, who was deputizing in the holding midfield role for Claude Makelelé.

about Diarra . . . "he's like a little Makelelé"

Now, from the official Chelsea FC website.

Claude Makelelé, height: 170cm, weight: 66Kg.
Lasanna Diarra, height: 172cm, weight: 73Kg.

I'm glad I don't pay their licence fee.

An Oldie, But a Goodie!

2007-01-28T04:44:00.000-08:00

Bored at work :)

New Sinn Féin Product?

2007-01-24T15:38:00.000-08:00

Following the notorious "Sniper At Work" t-shirts being pulled from the Sinn Féin online store, perhaps they'll consider my product to make up the deficit in lost revenue?

The Honeydew II Trawler Disaster and Uninformed Opinion.

2007-01-24T14:28:00.000-08:00

It's a tragedy when two men lose their lives while trying to earn a living for themselves and their families. I'm sure the relatives of Ger Bohan and Tomasz Jagla are grieving much at the loss of these two men. However, reading through the Irish Examiner on Tuesday the 23rd, I was aghast at the comments of a certain John O'Mahony, friend of one of the deceased fishermen. He claimed that the Navy search effort was "terrible" and derided the decision of the Navy not to send in divers (in bad weather) to aid the search effort claiming "A sports diver could go down in that".

Mr. O'Mahony must have a very short memory. It was only last year that in a similar search for a sunken vessel, Navy divers called off a dive citing dangerous weather conditions. Disregarding this, a "sports diver" as O'Mahony eloquently put it went into the water to try and retrieve the bodies. The episode ended in tragically, with the diver being pulled from the water and later dying.

I can understand Mr. O'Mahony's urgency to get the bodies out of the water. What I can't understand however is The Irish Examiner allowed his negative and uninformed comments about the Navy being published. Lazy journalism I suppose.

Purgatory Nightclub Outting

2007-01-23T15:44:00.000-08:00

Weary of the typical club and late bar scene of Cork City, a friend and I decided to give the alternative club in the Cruiscin Lan a try! Good almosphere (if you're into band t-shirts, long hair and jackboots), reasonable pints (served in plastic glasses though, boo!) and friendly enough folk (expect to be picked up if you take a tumble while moshing). One quibble was that the smoke machine had been set to ape-shit mode, giving an ominous Gorrilla's in the Mist ambiance if you were half-cut like I was.

I snapped this bare chested young go-getter in the process of trying to rip the railings from around the stage.

In the interests of bias, I sought an opinion from another Purgatory regular. I received a resounding, thumbs up! So there you have it!

Inflation Busting 6.4% Increase For Carrigaline Bus Eireann Commuters.

2007-01-22T16:16:00.000-08:00

Average Irish Rail Fare Increase - 2.75%

Dublin Bus Fare Increase - 5-10 cent

Ok, ok, maybe I exaggerate slightly with the headline but in comparison to Dublin Bus and Irish Rail; the recent 30 cent increase of a return fare from Carrigaline to Cork City Centre is absolutely scandalous. I understand inflation is a fact of life, but if Bus Eireann are going demand above that, then I expect at least some improvement in service. An extra bus or two on during peak times, buses not departing from the Bridge in Carrigaline before they're due. Heck, would it even be too much if they could clean out the buses so as to remove the smell of dust/mould/mildew/sweat/urine/shit (yes, believe it or not, I was once confronted with a charming pile of steaming brown poo on the 222 to Carrigaline)?