The 7 o’clock round up

November 10, 2015November 10, 2015 Mark 1 Comment

By Mark O’Brien (@markjsobrien)

Same-sex couples to be able to get married from Monday

The final steps have to allow same-sex couples to marry have been taken after Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald signed the commencement order for the Marriage Act 2015. According to thejournal.ie the Department of Justice have confirmed that couples can register their intention to marry from Monday 16 November. Ireland became the first country in the world to ratify same-sex marriage by popular vote in May of this year.

PSNI arrest former British soldier in connection with Bloody Sunday killings

A 66-year-old former British soldier is being questioned about three of the Bloody Sunday killings. According to the Irish Times, security sources have confirmed that the former member of the British Parachute Regiment is being questioned about the killings of 19-year-old William Nash, 17-year-old John Young and 20-year-old Michael McDaid. The three men were among 13 civilians shot dead in Derry on 30 January 1972.

Lamb of God frontman assaulted in Dublin

Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe has urged Dublin to “please neuter and spay your feral children” after he was assaulted near the Samuel Beckett bridge in the city. In a lengthy Instagram post, Blythe details how he was set upon by a number of youths, one of whom hit him in the head. Fortunately a passing taxi driver chased the gang off and Blythe was left with only minor injuries and despite the incident, he assures Dublin that “I still love you”.

Sometimes doing what you love comes at a price: here's the Samuel Beckett bridge in Dublin, Ireland. Last night around midnight I walked one block away from my hotel to take some long exposures- right after I shot this very frame, I looked up & saw 5 or 6 teenage dudes (16 to 18 year olds?) in hoodies & track pants spreading out around me. "Well, crap, I guess it's on" I thought. I started stepping quickly into the street away from the little cul-de-sac where I was (it was a bad spot to be trapped), trying to keep my eye on all of them at the same time. One kid drew up to my left getting close & BLAM- someone else hit me in the head from behind with something (I think they had a stick or whatever)- I saw stars for a second, then I heard car horns & a cabbie was driving at these kids & I was standing in the street trying to shake it off, because that little fucker had rang my bell pretty good. Like all cowards & weaklings all over the world, they came at me in numbers and struck from behind. I never even had a chance to smash one of the little shits because the cabbie (thank you, whoever you are) scattered them while I was regaining my wits. So now my glasses are gone (but I have contacts), my new Surf City hat w/the Black Flag bars is gone (but I brought another hat), my new e-cig is gone (but I have others), & I have a split open elbow & a bit of a headache (but it could have been much, much worse- I could have caught a knife). I remain grateful- I'M FINE. I've been in some of the sketchiest neighborhoods on earth & escaped unharmed, but last night I got distracted & forgot my street smarts for a couple of minutes. That was very, VERY stupid of me, & I paid the price. So lesson learned here is STAY ALERT, y'all. And Dublin- I still love you, I'm NOT afraid to come here, it's a lovely city, BUT… please neuter & spay your feral children, because next time they might club someone whose head isn't as hard as mine & kill them. They didn't even try to rob me, they just wanted to hurt someone, anyone – it was nothing personal for them- this makes me very SAD for these children. So Dublin, sorry if tonight's show was a little rough- I did my best for y'all…

A photo posted by D. Randall Blythe (@drandallblythe) on Nov 9, 2015 at 2:44pm PST

Government proposes rent freezes until 2017

Ministers Michael Noonan and Alan Kelly unveiled a housing package today that will include freezing rents until 2017. The proposal will mean that tenants who had their rent increased in 2015 cannot have their rent increased again until 2017. According to The Irish Times there will also be more obligations on landlords to prove that any future increase is in line with market rates and landlords who claim that they are selling their property must sign a statutory declaration to that effect.

Seaworld to stop its killer whale shows

Seaworld in San Diego is to put an end to their killer whale shows and are planning on introducing an “all new orca experience” that focuses on the orca’s natural environment. Dazed are reporting that since the release of the documentary Blackfish in 2013 Seaworld has seen an 84% drop in profits. The killer whale shows will continue in Seaworld’s other parks in Texas, Orlando and San Antonio.

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