Irelands online discount directory for students
Posts tagged judge
Judge had ‘no idea’ he was head-shop landlord
Feb 4th
A JUDGE known for showing no mercy to defendants on drug charges was apparently unaware he was the landlord of a so-called “head shop” that sells legal “highs”.
Judge John Coughlan earned himself a name as a “jailing judge” because of his frequent refusals to grant bail.
Yesterday, the judge came to an “agreement” with the owner of the Happy Daze in Naas, Co Kildare, and the business will vacate its premises.
Judge Coughlan is a district court judge who is assigned to different areas of the country.
And he said he believed the site of his former legal practice was an alternative medicine centre.
Roma raise children to steal — judge
Oct 29th
A JUDGE yesterday accused the Roma community of raising their children to steal, and she said they were responsible for “our shops being robbed blind”.
Victoria Beckham ‘to judge on American Idol’
Aug 6th
Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham is to replace Paula Abdul as a judge on the United States’ most popular television series, American Idol, according to a report.
The wife of the former England football captain, who is promoting her own fashion collection, is said to have been brought on board by promoter Simon Cowell.
Madonna adopts Malawian girl
Jun 9th
Madonna has been given long awaited permission to adopt Malawian orphan Mercy James.
The queen of pop, millionaire and ex wife to Guy Ritchie has persuaded three appeal judges to allow her to have the girl. Two of the judges have filed reports detailing their acceptance of her proposals, while the third is reported to be “in unison with them”.
Permission to adopt Mercy James was first denied and a shock to Madonna (50) who was told last March she would not be allowed to adopt her.
The ruling is likely to be officially confirmed at Malawi’s Supreme Court of Appeal on Sunday.
A local source is quoted as saying: “The paperwork is being typed up now. All recommendations are in favour of the adoption. Mercy should start packing her bags. She’s off to America.”
A friend of Madonna added: “She’s ecstatic. She’s made a promise that she wouldn’t give up on Mercy and believe me, she could move mountains when she’s this determined.”
At the original court hearing earlier this year, the pop star’s application was rejected because she had not lived in the east African state for the required 18 months. But the judges are now expected to conclude that the rule is out of date.
If, as is now expected, she is able to take Mercy to America, the young girl will be the newest member to her growing family, following Madonna’s Malawian son, David Banda (3).
[smartads]
The star was granted an interim adoption of David in 2006 and immediately took him to Britain. The adoption process was completed last year.
The government of Malawi has in the past voiced support for the adoption. The country’s Information Minister, Patricia Kaliati, said: “Madonna has been good to us. She is supporting over 25,000 orphans in this country and she has proved that she can take care of David.
“Very few rich and famous people can take time to fly all the way to Malawi to support our children. We support her adoption process.”
However, Mercy’s extended family has expressed dismay at the prospect of losing the little girl, and human rights groups have accused the singer of “child trafficking” and skirting local adoption laws.
Madonna’s efforts to adopt another child are seriously under fire by a British organization that says she needs to ease up on the whole “give a kid a chance” thing.
According to a statement released by Save the Children UK, Madonna may be sending the wrong message by going through with her plans to adopt a second child from the poor African country, Malawi.
The org believes Madonna’s actions may unintentionally feed more interest into the criminal adoption industry in Malawi. Madonna faced criticism during the adoption of her son David Banda in 2008 after she allegedly circumvented the traditional two year waiting period by using her money and influence.
Some people may think buying people is wrong … but everyone agrees that living with Madonna would be way worse.