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IRISH PARTICIPANTS in yesterday’s Boston Marathon have spoken of their trauma and anguish as they witnessed the twin bomb blasts at the finish line of the race – and of their difficulty finding loved ones in the chaos.
Eamonn Loughran from Ballymena had asked his wife to meet him at the finish line after completing the 26-mile race – and could not be united with his wife for several hours afterwards.
“I was no more than fifty yards over the line – I actually thought it was an amplifier, or a music thing, that had exploded,” he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
“I wasn’t sure what it was, at that stage, but another one [exploded] within a minute, 100 yards on… that says, ‘Right, this is real… get out of here, quick’.”
Official race tracking timers showed Loughran had passed the finish line around two minutes before the blasts, which came within 15 seconds and 100 yards of each other on the same crowded side of Boylston Street.
Loughran had asked his wife to meet him at Copley Square, a green area just past the finish line on Boylston Street, but was unable to get in touch with her because of difficulties with mobile phone networks, and Loughran could not know for sure where his wife had been at the time of the blasts.
“I was crying, thinking the worst, because that’s where I had told her to be,” Loughran said.
“There was another man who came in at that time, and his wife had been watching too – but his wife had come back, and my wife was the only one who hadn’t come back.”
It later transpired that his wife had tried to return to their hotel, but had been unable to take a train or taxi, and had travelled on foot – but had gotten lost because she was not familiar with the area.
“I couldn’t get over how happy I was, and how happy everyone else was,” Loughran said, recalling his feelings finishing the marathon before the blast. “It had all changed, from the most happiest and joyful event ever to the most horrible, worrying time. It just ruined it.”
Bobby Hilliard from Clonakilty said he thought the explosions were sparklers or fireworks going off – but realised otherwise when he saw the reaction of the American athletes.
“The American runners started running very quickly. They panicked,” he told Morning Ireland. “They knew straight away and started running in every direction. They knew what they were doing.”
Hilliard said he had only just finished the race – and could have been closer to the blasts, as he had considered walking the final stretch of the race instead of keeping pace to record a better overall time for the 42-kilometre course.
“If somebody set off the bomb with the intent of hurting, they couldn’t have picked a better time,” he said. “They knew they’d get maximum devastation of it.
“One of the most positive things you can do is run a marathon in your life,” he added, but asked – with reports of an 8-year-old among the dead and with around 10 people said to have lost limbs – “What’s the point?”
Eugene Coppinger, an organiser with Sports Travel International, an Irish firm which arranges tours to major global marathons, said another Irish runner – Gerry Carr from Clonliffe Harriers – had finished the race only 30 seconds before the blasts.
He told Newstalk Breakfast that the timing chips worn by participants meant he was confident relatively quickly that most of his runners were not as close to the site of the explosions – as skilled runners would have finished the course by the time, while more amateur runners would have had some way to go.
“People should be celebrating – it’s a fantastic marathon. Anyone who did get to the finish would normally be out celebrating … there’s no way you could be out celebrating in Boston tonight.”
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God help us all.
@David Field: and the Pride disco cancelled
@Mr “JonnieBoy” Johnson: postponed not cancelled
@christine downey: well it doesn’t coincide with Jacks appointment
@Mr “JonnieBoy” Johnson: what has jack got to do with the cancellation of an lgbt disco in wickoow?
@brian madden: really Brian, cmon.
What’s the idea having Ministers, Super Junior Ministers and Junior Ministers. It’s a gravy train that aint stopping any station soon!!
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: have you been living in a cave for decades ? Ministers of States are required as number of cabinet ministers is limited by the 90 year old Constitution
@Pat Hazzard: Rubbish! That’s an FF answer, absolutely no need for all the makie up Ministers and Subs etc. Just rewarding the licks in the government!!!
@Pat Hazzard: And???
@Pat Hazzard: have you been living in a cave Pat ? There 63 MP’s for the London Metropolitan area , London with 1 if the main financial areas in the world , and all the credentials of G7
Yet we have this leeching bunch here with political dynasties all too quick to keep the gravy amongst themselves and create posts that are deemed ” crucial ”
Absolutely sickening
What happened the last time FF had hold of the nation’s finances? We went from 40 billion in debt to 240 billion. Now FF are only trusting the nation’s finances onto a person WITHOUT financial experience.
@9QRixo8H: They have held it with Mc Grath for 18months, the crash was a global event and we were totally exposed due to cheap money after the dot.com burst we recovered so quick SSIAs we’re introduced to stem domestic inflation the 1990s weren’t to bad, devaluation of the Punt hurt but we recovered again and we got our house in order for joining the Euro, 70s and 80s were a total mess by all parties and of course back handers were plentiful.
@Paul O’Mahoney: you trust him?
@9QRixo8H: Additionally, yes, Gross Debt is 240bn but as a % of GDP and GNI is very good in comparison to, say, France.
We run a budgetary surplus and have done for a while now. Again, France runs a deficit, and our economy is doing well financially, but it’s how it get down to the ordinary people is the problem, we have a very progressive tax system that in truth needs to reward the workers more, a 30% tax rate needs to be introduced for those in the 40- 70k bracket…….but overall we are financially well.
@Paul O’Mahoney: 13% of the nation earns 60,000 or above. So you’re not going to get down to the ordinary people with that tax bracket. Perhaps stronger workers’ pay and rights would reach more people, but then we’d need a left govt for once. “Financially well” but FG had the portfolio until this year.
@9QRixo8H: I’ve never met him , I know Mc Grath personally and was never a fan but he is a nice person and has helped my mother with stuff in the past, as TD .
Chambers seems intelligent and has his degree overall. The job is one of curator the Civil Service do most of the main lifting budget wise, he appears to articulate well and he’s young…..time will tell domestically our economy is strong but global events might change, for example French Banking is under pressure if that wobbles it’s a different game.
@9QRixo8H: Mc Grath delivered the budget last year and was minister since Jan 23….I think.
@9QRixo8H: Well earning 42k and then getting taxed at 40% on anything above that is to steep a jump, €1000 pa per 10000 earned extra isn’t a kings ransom but it’s something and us less than 50% we pay 52% on everything over 70 odd grand which is probably the highest in Europe.
@Paul O’Mahoney: would you get the top financial job in a company because you were “a nice person, helped people and seem intelligent” despite having no experience?
@Paul O’Mahoney: that 52% of tax was introduced by FFG.
@9QRixo8H: Yes along with abilities and certain other qualities….Brian Lenihan was a nice guy just got caught up in a global catastrophe.
We learned from that and if it happens again we’ll see what is done.
@9QRixo8H: it’s 40% tax 4% prsi and 8% USC , does it matter who introduced it? The country needed money and still does but it’s how it’s spent is the real issue.
@Paul O’Mahoney: if FFG managed the finances well, they wouldn’t be having us paying 52% in tax, which is “the highest in Europe” as you mentioned. Taxes they introduced.
@9QRixo8H: Most countries especially in Europe are between 48 and 50% on average but their governments seem to be able to do things with the money raised properly. We were in Cork this week, it’s my home town and it looks worse than I have ever seen weeds on payments….dirty looking, 50% for high earners seems fair and about 45% sub 80k seems equitable but using the money wisely is the key.
@9QRixo8H: don’t trust any politician.
@Paul O’Mahoney: Pure spin & deflection, Fianna Fail drove this country over a cliff edge, destroying many lives for decades. Anyone such as yourself serving up excuses, is just a party hack deflecting on behalf of the Brown Envelope party.
@9QRixo8H:
Our OAPS pay 40pc on all Income over €18000??..
@SV3tN8M4: Well, firstly, I’m not a party hack. Secondly, what excuses? Yes, FF was at the wheel when the economy crashed multiple times. However, they were also at the wheel when things were better economically.
I know you like to blow your trumpet no matter how inaccurate your drivel is. My approach is different it deals with facts, and I understand facts aren’t your friends, but remember your personal views are only personal views and of little value just like you worthless.
I don’t get this, if the TD wants something to do with Europe then become an MEP, to be it comes across a bit cute hoorish, sitting as a TD also. Nothing against Chambers but this is a serious Ministry that needs a serious safe set of hands, he’s been tip away at handy numbers ministry wise. Not sure if I agree with it.
@Dave C:
Should have placed Jack Chambers into Health Ministry
He has all necessary qualifications. Moved Stephen Donnelly into Finance, he is not happy with his portfolio, and it shows,
A very simple reshuffle . Much stronger government and I feel more acceptable
@sean callan: Stephen donnelly? No, master of talking and no delivery
@sean callan: this is a joke I assume? Donnelly who has never done anything of substance anywhere into finance!? Holy jaysus.
@Ronan M: Donnelly has done more for women’s health in 4 years than previous 4 decades, delivered one of the best Covid vaccine programmes in the world, new consultants contract, reduced waiting lists etc etc
@sean callan:
A supreme example of a non functioning government
Square Plugs placed in Round Tables??
@Sean Callan: Sean Callan
Oops ,, Square plugs pushed into Round Holes???
Any politician should be able to handle the finance gig. Most know how to hide assets before they reach puberty.
@bruce banner: Wow, that has to be the silliest post here for a long time.
Finance isn’t about hiding assets it’s about setting budgets and getting the budget holders to comply with their respective plans.
Why you think it’s about assets or are you just trying to be cool?
@Paul O’Mahoney: I’d imagine it was a joke, albeit not a very good one. And btw, the role is a lot more wide ranging than just budget related: the holder heads up the dept of finance and is responsible for the achievement of the governments economic, fiscal and financial policy goals. The minister for public expenditure is more directly involved in budget setting and monitoring than the minister for finance.
@Paul O’Mahoney: Those budgets keep swelling on the back of the tax payer who are struggling with the COL.
@SYaxJ2Ts: Yes, but the main job is budgetary discipline, setting, most of the operational stuff mentioned are done be the Civil service and others . Minsters of Finance are doing Debits and Credits or reconciliations of Bank Accounts.
@another one? what’s going on is the semi state sec: Well, things have to be paid for are the government is doing a good job with taxpayers’ money, NO, and no government does. It’s a fact of life.
@Paul O’Mahoney: I’m not talking about operational stuff like bank reconciliations ffs. It’s a wide ranging strategic role covering as you say department budgets, but also tax, international finance, EU, investments, governance, banking, to name but a few. And as I said, the minister for public expenditure has a much more hands on role with the budgeting process
@Paul O’Mahoney: *aren’t doing
@SYaxJ2Ts: He’ll have all the specialist civil service at his disposal who will advise him……he won’t be making many decisions with them or the EU.
He looks like he’s still getting his pocket money.
@Bryan: Might be an advantage and he might keep some of ours for a rainy day.
This isn’t democracy. 2 Party leaders in the govt gone (or soon to be gone) in 2024, a Finance Minister changing today, and 4 current unoccupied TD positions in Clare, Offaly, Kilkenny and Dublin. General Election now !!
@John Manahan:
Back room of a pub in South Armagh is not exactly the best way of picking a leader to run a party in a modern western democracy.
@John Manahan: Actually a government picking who’s a minister is exactly how democracy works. Whatever party or parties have most Tds get to be in government. That’s how it works
@John Manahan: maybe not but it’s how a representative democracy works, which is what we have.
Where in his CV has he the qualification to become Minister of Finance?? Filling up these positions with lackies who have not been educated in their remit, is like making Joe the Blacksmith down the road… Minister for Education!!!
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: Or filling the post of President with someone that got their second level education in an abattoir.
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: He has a degree in political science which is more that Doherty who wasn’t a civil engineer eventhough he said he was….in 2010
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: The 12 advisors will be the minister of education, hell just be the face of it.
@Paul O’Mahoney: He did a Bertie on his qualifications alright.
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: He may need to do a post grad course in unemployed West Belfast barmanology to bring him up to speed.
It really inspires confidence in the government seeing someone who brings such a vast wealth of financial inexperience with him being appointed to such an important position…
@William Tallon: none of the other parties economics briefs are held by people qualified in economics. Or, in the case of p. Doherty anything at all, as we discovered despite his lying about his qualification
@Alan: Doherty lied that he was a Civil Engineer but quit the course to be a traffic controller ( lollipop man).
33 years of age. Ridiculous.
@Niall Cassidy: why ?
@Pat Hazzard: name me a post that he would have ascertained like this in the private sector without ZERO FINANCIAL EXPERIENCE ?
You’ll be searching a very long time Pat
Anyone unhappy at Garda Ryan’s predicament ?
Would you look at at the head on that blue shirt.lol Now there’s a man of the people.omg
@Wayne Shoes: omg Wayne he’s not Fine Gael, he’s Fianna Fáil, so he’s not a Blueshirt
@Wayne Shoes: This is the silliest post .
Does his Mam know?
May aswel let him at it,what’s in there at the min couldn’t run a bath let alone a country.
@Paddy C: can’t do much worse it’s already arseways
That gig should be given to Helen McEntee.
I would live to see all those than comment negatively or make snark comments would run in the next general election seeing as the are all so clever with their comments and obviously know all the answers. Of course that actually means doing something other than typing into a keyboard . Everyone knows next Government will be FF FG with probably the Green Party
@Peter Byrne: Constant moaning and whining from you.. why don’t you put your money where your mouth is and run yourself, instead of making snide remarks about those you disagree with and complaining about others.
In fact you’d fit right into FG, always crying about when others do what you do.
@Michale Kane: actually I wasn’t moaning about anything and as it stands I am involved in my local community. Far as I am concerned Government is doing a fine job in what has been a difficult few years.
Every country in Europe has problems with housing , education, health care and crime.
You only have to read or watching programmes on the British Election. France , Germany, The Netherlands and Spain all have issues with immigrants camping on the streets and similar issues with homelessness.
I was only remarking how not one original idea is put forward to solve any issues or how to fund it
Well giving a minister to someone with an in depth knowledge of that particular subject doesn’t always work out. James’s Reilly is a shining example of that.
Department of finance is really the boss.
How many more will run to the hills with their massive pensions or into some other lucrative role like Mc Grath’s €443K in Europe. There will be another plethora of Ministries handed out between now & the election in October, it’s destroying trust in politics, it’s become a farce worthy of Ballymagash Town Council. I would bet Micheal Martin is next up, having landed some role outside the country. They have no moral authority to continue Governing & Michael D should stand up & call it, if he had any respect for the people. What are these people signing off on or legislation before they are thrown out of office.
@SV3tN8M4: They are signing off on legislation as they are the Government it’s not difficult to understand.
As the local and EU elections have shown who exactly is going to put them out of office.
You really don’t understand very much do you.
Hints at a frugal personality if the elders are trusting this young buck with the purse strings!
I’m not sure a more vapid politician exists. He was canvassing with his mother when I lived in Castleknock. He stands for nothing other than being a politician.
Don’t care they turned blue
Plz there has to be strong irish men left
I see the Shinners still have no European cop-on.
Imagine ringing up your doctor or mechanic and then saying.your.now my accountant !
It really is this ludicrous
have your say