Irish Independent Columnists | Read The Indo Newspaper Writers' Columns

Columnists

Ian O'Doherty: It's time we laid off Jedward . . . no, I'm actually being serious

Well, what the hell are we going to do now? I am referring, of course, to the fact that the maddest, most infuriating, exhilarating and, as a United fan, most heartcrushingly disappointing season ever has finished.

Ian O'Doherty: And proper bloody order

Y'know what? My respect and affection for Muslim countries is growing by the day.

Ian O'Doherty: There's one thing the bust can't take away from us: civic pride

You know what? I'm sick of it. I'm just bloody sick of it. And I bet you are too.

Ian O'Doherty: So, have you stopped getting sick yet?

Frankly, this column still hasn't quite recovered from the traumatic events of Sunday afternoon.

Ian O'Doherty: Does he have a point? You decide . . .

What is the cause of our current situation? The banks? Speculators? The markets?

Ian O'Doherty: Well, that hardly seems fair

As regular readers of this column will know, I am a bit of an obsessive about dogs.

Ian O'Doherty: They really don't get it, do they?

Honestly, there are times when the only rational response to the official mutterings of the Catholic Church is outright bloody laughter.

Ian O'Doherty: Um, slightly missing the point?

I must admit, I approached the latest Ricky Gervais pilot with a rather large degree of trepidation.

Ian O'Doherty: Relax -- I'm back!

Judging by the almost complete absence of any emails, letters or phone calls demanding to know where I was last week, it's obvious to me that the entire Indo readership was simply stunned into silence when they opened the paper every day to discover there was no iSpy.

Ian O'Doherty: Where are the protests from the Irish Left against Syria?

Nine thousand people are dead so far. Kids are being tortured in jails across the country. There's an active policy of sectarian, ethnic cleansing./p>

Ian O'Doherty: Okay -- sign me up!

I remember being invited to appear on a panel for a debate about whether the Irish media was "hideously white".

Ian O'Doherty: A slight overreaction, perhaps?

It says a lot about this country that one of our most prominent and outspoken politicians is none other than Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, a self-confessed stoner.

Ian O'Doherty: Lock up your dictator

Sacha Baron Cohen is not to everyone's taste.

Ian O'Doherty: Anyone remember the pathetic sharks?

I absolutely adore sharks. I'm an animal lover anyway but there's something utterly fascinating and mysterious about these amazing creatures.

Ian O'Doherty: Really? Are you sure you want to do that?

RTÉ is getting an absolute shellacking at the moment and, even as someone who has many friends who work out in Montrose, you can't say that they don't deserve it.

Ian O'Doherty: No man has the right to tell a woman what to do with her body

You may recall the piece I wrote earlier in the week about the courageous women who appeared on The Late Late Show to discuss their recent ordeal.

Ian O'Doherty: What a lovely, compassionate man. . .

Most of us are so completely skint now that we can't afford to go out as much on Fridays and Saturdays -- which is why viewing figures for weekend telly are at an all time high.

Ian O'Doherty: Let the battle commence!

Look, I know this a pretty shameful admission, but I have a large soft spot for Jedward.

Ian O'Doherty: Well, she should know

Despite claiming it to be an unauthorised biography, the author of The Intimate Life Of Simon Cowell, Tom Bower, was allowed access to Cowell, his friends and his family. But the results haven't pleased everyone.

Ian O'Doherty: Hooray! Rejoice! We're all saved!

So, the sun is out -- well it was when I was writing this, it's probably lashing down as you're reading the column now -- and all is well in the world.

National News Video

(video)

Dublin Sightseeing Reaches New Heights

Ireland’s most iconic venue, Croke Park Stadium, announced the opening of the much anticipated Etihad Skyline tour on the roof of the historic ground. Sponsored by Etihad Airways and opening to the public on Friday 1st June, the tour offers access to a unique Croke Park rooftop walkway and spectacular panoramic views of Dublin city.

(video)

McAreavey suspect accuses police

Avinash Treebhoowoon, 30, confessed to police about his involvement in strangling Michaela McAreavey, but now insists he was forced to sign the statement.Treebhoowoon and co-accused Sandip Moneea, 42, deny murdering the 27-year-old teacher on her honeymoon at the Legends Hotel.

(video)