‘Irish heart, Coventry home” is how barrister Caoilfhionn Gallagher evoked identity for her clients, the Keane family, during a landmark case in Britain this week about the Irish language.
As a tenacious interviewer unafraid to tackle the great and the not-so-good, it takes a lot to silence Claire Byrne. But there she is, on Wednesdayâs
Today with Claire Byrne (RTÃ Radio 1, weekdays), straining to be heard, uncharacteristically spluttering in frustration: âExcuse me, I beg your pardon!â The culprit for the hostâs discombobulation is not some recalcitrant politician but a more formidable (if less slimy) opponent: a frog in her throat.
âForgive my voice. I donât know quite whatâs happened,â she says apologetically. Within seconds, normal service has thankfully been resumed. It would be unfortunate if Byrne lost her voice this week in particular, as sheâs been hitting the right notes.
Republic of Ireland international James McClean has described the latest abuse and threats received this morning as "mind-blowing" and that it is "baffling" that such hatred exists against him.