Ray O’Hanlon

2 months ago | irishcentral.com | Ray O’Hanlon

Born to a family of Protestant Ascendancy in March 4, 1778, Robert Emmet, the  Irish Republican, orator and rebel leader, was executed for high treason having sought to organise an attempt to overthrow the British Crown. Robert Emmet was executed on September 20, 1803, following a one-day trial the day before on a charge of high treason against the king. As charges went in Ireland of the day, this was definitely one to avoid if you aspired to old age. No appeal or plea for mercy was allowed.

Sep 29, 2023 | irishcentral.com | Ray O’Hanlon

On this day, September 29, 1979, Pope John Paul II visited Ireland. Our columnist recalls being in the Phoenix Park as close to a million people came out for the Papal visit. One of the basic skills for any half-decent news reporter is to be able to count the number of people. I have lost count of the number of occasions when the reported numbers at some event or gathering are way off the mark. Most times it is a case of exaggeration in an upwards direction.