{"id":323164,"date":"2026-03-01T08:54:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T08:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/323164\/"},"modified":"2026-03-01T08:54:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T08:54:09","slug":"sinn-fein-td-says-hes-a-bob-marley-guy-as-cork-accent-goes-viral-in-jamaica-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/323164\/","title":{"rendered":"Sinn F\u00e9in TD says he\u2019s a \u2018Bob Marley guy\u2019 as Cork accent goes viral in Jamaica \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was a mixed week on social media for some Sinn F\u00e9in<\/a> TDs, with party leader Mary Lou McDonald<\/a> criticised over a tribute to a late IRA commander, while a speech by Cork North-Central TD Thomas Gould<\/a> proved a hit in an unlikely market.<\/p>\n

McDonald\u2019s post on X<\/a> marking the first anniversary of \u201ccomrade\u201d Brendan \u201cBik\u201d McFarlane, who was convicted over the 1975 Bayardo Bar massacre, which left five people dead, stated his was \u201ca life well lived, a life that shaped a legacy that will inspire generations to come\u201d.<\/p>\n

A community note, which allows X users to \u201ccollaboratively add context to potentially misleading posts\u201d, beneath the tweet states: \u201cBrendan McFarlane was not a peace activist, he was a mass murderer, his youngest victim was only 17. Well known to have been an active terrorist for many years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar<\/a> was among those who criticised the post, saying \u201cattempts to whitewash history\u201d do not help the case for Irish unification.<\/p>\n

\"BrendanBrendan ‘Bik’ McFarlane: Photograph: Niall Carson\/PA <\/p>\n

Gould, on the other hand, may consider visiting the Caribbean during the upcoming Oireachtas recess after a clip of him speaking in the D\u00e1il in his unmistakable Cork accent caught the attention of some in Jamaica.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe influence the Irish has on the Jamaican accent is uncanny lol,\u201d wrote @colomboclaat876 under the clip from a housing debate, with his post shared hundreds of times and liked by thousands. <\/p>\n

Stevroy Steer, of Jamaicans in Ireland, in a segment on Cork\u2019s Red FM featuring Gould, said: \u201cI mean this is the closest similarity in terms of the Jamaican accent I have ever heard.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you nuh careful u think a Anju him a cuss \ud83d\ude2d this is an Irish Politician Thomas Gould. The influence the Irish has on the Jamaican accent is uncanny lol \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe pic.twitter.com\/YQXTmkqXum<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 IG: yawdmonteet\ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf2 \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@colomboclaat876) February 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, absolutely none at all,\u201d replied Gould when asked if he had any connection to the island. <\/p>\n

A clip of reggae artist Shaggy was played during the segment, but the Knocknaheeny man insisted he is more a \u201cBob Marley kind of guy\u201d and is \u201creally proud of being from Cork\u201d. <\/p>\n

He said the Jamaican Observer wants to interview him and people have been saying he \u201cshould come over\u201d to visit. <\/p>\n

Netflix \u2018on board\u2019 for latest dive into Keegan\u2019s back catalogue<\/p>\n

They say that success breeds success. <\/p>\n

After positive reviews for screen adaptations of Claire Keegan\u2019s<\/a> short story Foster, which became the Oscar-nominated An Cail\u00edn Ci\u00fain, and her novel Small Things Like These, which starred Cillian Murphy<\/a>, it\u2019s little surprise that Netflix<\/a> has \u201ccome on board\u201d for the latest dive into the Co Wicklow author\u2019s back catalogue.<\/p>\n

The streaming giant has announced its involvement in an adaptation of Keegan\u2019s 2007 release Walk the Blue Fields, with production on the film, which is being primarily shot in Ireland, beginning during the week. <\/p>\n

\"AuthorAuthor Claire Keegan at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Co Monaghan. Photograph: Dara Mac D\u00f3naill <\/p>\n

Emily Blunt<\/a>, Andrew Scott<\/a> and Ciar\u00e1n Hinds<\/a> headline an impressive cast. <\/p>\n

The story centres around a woman who, on her wedding day, finds her future thrown into doubt when she is confronted with a heart-wrenching decision as a love triangle from her past threatens to be revealed.<\/p>\n

John Crowley, who brought us the films Intermission and Brooklyn, is directing and the script has been written by Conor McPherson. Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe, whose Element Pictures<\/a> produced screen adaptations of Sally Rooney\u2019s Normal People and Conversations with Friends, are also involved. <\/p>\n

\"EmilyEmily Blunt will be a co-lead and a producer on the film adaptation of Walk the Blue Fields. Photograph: Gareth Cattermole\/Getty Images <\/p>\n

Scott, who has appeared in All Of Us Strangers, Fleabag and Blue Moon, will be a co-lead opposite Blunt, who will be extra keen to see the venture thrive, given her company, Ledbury Productions, is also involved. <\/p>\n

\u2018Confident and social\u2019 dogs wanted to join war on smuggling<\/p>\n

Images of dogs sitting alongside hauls of contraband in their \u201cCustoms\u201d harnesses have long been used by the Revenue Commissioners to highlight its campaign against smuggling. <\/p>\n

The tax agency last week issued a tender notice worth up to \u20ac1 million as it seeks to sniff out the next generation of canine guardians for Ireland\u2019s ports and airports. <\/p>\n

\"RevenueRevenue detector dog Rua poses with a haul of cigarettes sniffed out at the Port of Cork worth an estimated \u20ac4 million. Photograph: Revenue <\/p>\n

The three-year contract, with options for extension, involves the provision of \u201cmultipurpose dogs\u201d capable of detecting tobacco, cash, vapes and drugs. Revenue said it had procured about 17 dogs over the last three years and expects a similar number to be required over the coming three. <\/p>\n

In terms of profile, the tender seeks Labradors and spaniels (\u201cgenerally springer spaniels but also cocker or Brittany or cross-breeds considered\u201d) aged between one and two-and-a-half years. <\/p>\n

\u201cDogs must be confident, not nervy or aggressive, and social with humans and other dogs,\u201d it notes. <\/p>\n

\"RevenueRevenue detector dog Brody alongside a 40kg haul of cannabis, valued at \u20ac800,000, sniffed out at Shannon Airport. Photograph: Revenue <\/p>\n

Revenue asked that tenderers provide proof of \u201cgenetic background\u201d and that \u201cethical breeding practices are followed, avoiding puppy farms and ensuring dogs are bred in humane conditions\u201d.<\/p>\n

The successful applicant will also be expected to provide training to new dog handlers \u201ccovering the basic skills required\u201d such as search techniques, dog control, and dog health and wellbeing. <\/p>\n

\u2018Basic laws of physics\u2019 show Dublin 15 commuters get a raw deal<\/p>\n

Irish athlete Robert Heffernan moved at an average speed of 13.76km\/h when he set the national record for the 50km race walk at the 2012 Olympic Games, covering the London course in a time of 3:37.54. <\/p>\n

\"RobRob Heffernan during the race walk event at the 2012 London Olympics. Photograph: Inpho <\/p>\n

The Oireachtas transport committee this week heard that the pace that carried Heffernan to fourth place, later upgraded to third due to a Russian doping violation, would be the envy of some commuters taking buses from the city centre to west Dublin. <\/p>\n

Fine Gael TD Emer Currie reminded Minister for Transport Darragh O\u2019Brien that the National Transport Authority said the BusConnects public transport plan will, on average, reduce bus journey times by 40 to 50 per cent. <\/p>\n

\u201cHowever,\u201d she added, \u201cthe basic laws of physics tell us that for a fixed distance, journey times only reduce if speed increases.\u201d<\/p>\n

Currie cited data received from Dublin Bus in response to a parliamentary question, showing that \u201ca professional walker could match or even beat one of the primary commuter routes\u201d in her Dublin West constituency.<\/p>\n

\"FineFine Gael TD Emer Currie. Photograph: Dara Mac D\u00f3naill <\/p>\n

Number 38 buses departing the city centre between 4.30pm and 6.29pm travel at an average speed of 12.5km\/h, rising to 12.9km\/h for the 39 and 13.5km\/h for the 39a. <\/p>\n

Currie said the data showed it was critical that the 12 BusConnects core corridors were completed soon. <\/p>\n

O\u2019Brien said big infrastructure projects took time but, \u201con the positive side\u201d, contracts for two corridors had been signed and works were commencing. However, the route serving Currie\u2019s area has been held up by a judicial review taken by a petrol station operator<\/a> over the potential loss of business. <\/p>\n

Heffernan, now 48, is operating as a coach these days, should any Dublin West residents be interested in cutting their commute down. <\/p>\n