The Week on Twitter: Cilla Black, Denis O’Brien & a Big Minion
This week, Denis O’Brien threatened to sue someone (again), Twitter remembered the tragic nuclear bombing of Hiroshima, and showbiz entertainer Cilla Black passed away. Oh, and a giant inflatable Minion got loose in Santry. Yeah, really…
#DenisOBrien threatens legal action against Waterford Whispers News #JeSuisWWN
A few days ago, satirical (meaning ‘a bit of a joke,’ or ‘not real at all’) website Waterford Whispers News published an article exposing Denis O’Brien’s bribery of Fine Gael’s Michael Lowry, in order to obtain a mobile phone license in 1995 in a parallel universe. The article – which has since been removed – detailed O’Brien’s means of procuring the license 20 years ago, which involved a few payments and lots of punts. It was the 90s, remember – we didn’t have the euro yet. It was also a parallel universe, lest you forget.
The article was funny and we all had a bit of a laugh at it. That was, until, WWN founder, Colm Williamson received a letter from O’Brien’s solicitors, demanding that the article be removed or else “all necessary steps to vindicate our client’s good name and reputation” would be taken.
https://twitter.com/ColmWhispers/status/629345366585016321
Although the article was removed, O’Brien has found himself to be (yet again) a victim of the Streisand effect – as the thing he was trying to censor actually gained a lot more traction after he tried to censor it. Isn’t the internet fun? Since its deletion, Twitter hasn’t stop talking about Williamson’s article. #JeSuisWWN even trended for a bit. Make of that what you will.
#JeSuisWWN pic.twitter.com/8F9su1esF2
— WWN (@WhispersNewsLTD) August 6, 2015
Breaking: Denis O'Brien's lawyers write to O'Brien's Sandwich Bars. "Scandalous and libellous. Our client is not a sandwich." #jesuiswwn
— Peadar Ó Caomhánaigh (@TheKavOfficial) August 6, 2015
Newstalk ripping on Denis O'Brien.
You know its time to stop when your own raido station is taking the piss out of you.
— Gary Sherwin (@GarySherwin) August 7, 2015
https://twitter.com/hiredknave/status/629585314101743616
Regardless, O’Brien’s actions seemed to have opened up a nationwide debate on ‘Free Speech.’ As far as I’m concerned, it’s probably alright to say whatever you want as long as you’re not infringing on anybody’s rights, or causing anyone harm. And while I may not be an expert in all things Denis O’Brien, I’d imagine that a satirical article, and a photoshopped picture, are the least of his worries.
#CillaBlack dies in Spain, aged 72
Over the weekend, it was reported that TV presenter, actress, and singer Cilla Black had passed away in her apartment in Spain. Cilla, who was best known for her recording career, and shows like Surprise Surprise and Blind Date, apparently fell and hit her head on her balcony, leading to a stroke.
Tragedies of this magnitude don’t come around too often – and when they do, it’s up to the good people of Twitter to accurately and eloquently express how we all feel.
In memory of the late, great Cilla Black: http://t.co/loCHd2xcns pic.twitter.com/ztWgUAZtbl
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) August 3, 2015
I've just heard the incredibly sad news that the legendary Cilla has died. So sad. A truly wonderful lady and an entertainment icon 😢
— Phillip Schofield (@Schofe) August 2, 2015
Cilla Black, thank you for years of delightful warmth and entertainment! A real class act. RIP 💔 pic.twitter.com/CaWywFG9CW
— Gwendoline Christie (@lovegwendoline) August 4, 2015
Take your final bow Cilla. What a British legend… #RIPCILLABLACK pic.twitter.com/oLOmEckapi
— Anttix (@OfficialAnttix) August 2, 2015
Twitter commemorates the bombing of #Hiroshima
Thursday August 6th, marked 70 years since the bombing of Hiroshima by the US in 1945. Alongside the subsequent bombing of Nagasaki on August 9th, the event is not only associated with the end of World World Two, but has acted as a reminder of the devastation that can be caused by nuclear weapons.
On Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, attended a ceremony in Hiroshima’s peace park, where he and thousands of others remembered the 140,000 lives that were lost. Speaking to the crowd, Abe said – “Seventy years on I want to reemphasise the necessity of world peace.”
The internet seemed to agree with him, as thousands took to Twitter to share their images of the city, the disaster, and the commemoration.
Burned shadows, imprints of people left behind from the atomic bomb at Hiroshima pic.twitter.com/D6nGm5NUxV
— Aaron Stewart-Ahn (@somebadideas) August 7, 2015
Japanese gathered on Thursday to mark the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. http://t.co/O7Iii51Xpg pic.twitter.com/IKvfvAfPnZ
— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) August 7, 2015
"Hiroshima opened a new grisly chapter – and we have still not closed it." – Hans Blix writes. http://t.co/GWghhDjCPm pic.twitter.com/1fppl7jr1p
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 6, 2015
GALLERY: #Hiroshima Memorial – http://t.co/q0r4rEOhXG, via @RTENews pic.twitter.com/uWN4GmZ9mX
— RTÉ (@rte) August 6, 2015
#Japan marks 70 years since dropping of atomic bomb #Hiroshima http://t.co/qgQn13Xevo @HiromiMooney @JimmyBeattie22 pic.twitter.com/2Nd33CNj2l
— Morning Ireland (@morningireland) August 6, 2015
Giant inflatable #Minion makes everybody late for work
As if there weren’t enough Minions in the world, now there’s a massive one in the middle of road. During the week, a huge blowup Minion ‘got loose’ and wreaked havoc in Santry. It was ridiculous and stupid, but apparently it was newsworthy enough to allow Ireland to make global headlines. Cool.
"Gardai were called to the scene in Santry in north Dublin after the inflatable Minion got loose and rolled out onto the Old Swords Road."
— Karlin Lillington (@klillington) August 3, 2015
Wait, what?! A giant inflatable Minion got loose and caused a traffic jam in Ireland http://t.co/uKRqhCERcl #Minions pic.twitter.com/kIYSMtuDGO
— IGN @ #E32017 (@IGN) August 3, 2015
The moment you realize your boss won't believe why you were late for work. http://t.co/tA8ZX4Wsdb pic.twitter.com/4neJiRS1ch
— Jarlath Regan (@Jarlath) August 3, 2015
Ireland has been in the international news this year for gay marriage and a rampant giant minion. Ireland is proving God doesn't exist
— Adam (@RummHammm) August 5, 2015
Featured image via itv.com