Shortall’s Departure Welcomed By Drug Expert
While the Roisin Shortall debate focuses on her relationship with Ministry For Health boss James Reilly, her handling of the National Drug Strategy has been criticised by Dublin-based addiction specialist Dr. Garrett McGovern. Also up for discussion when he meets Stuart Clark are the recent deaths of two young men in Kinsale.
Stuart Clark, 05 Oct 2012
Roisin Shortall’s stepping down as Junior Health Minister has been welcomed by Dr. Garrett McGovern who believes the now ex-Labour Party member should never have been put in charge of National Drug Strategy.
“I’ve met quite a few ministers with responsibility for drugs and Roisin Shortall was by far and away the most conservative,” he charges. “She’s one of those old school Nancy Reagan ‘Just Say No!’ types who can’t see beyond abstinence. Ireland’s drug problem requires innovative thinking – especially when it comes to heroin – and she wasn’t able to provide any. We appreciated her meeting us, but you got the impression that nothing we said was going to change her mindset. She had her advisors and those were the people she was going to listen to.”
While Eoin Ryan, Pat Carey and her other predecessors had drug policy as their sole responsibility, the structure of the coalition means that Shortall was handed the full health brief.
“Which, to be fair, is too broad for anyone to handle the way it needs to be handled,” Dr. McGovern admits. “Drugs need to be somebody’s number one priority, but by the nature of the job she was given it wasn’t Roisin Shortall’s. The coalition really hasn’t got to grips with the issue at all.”
Having taken power in February 2011, it was four months before anyone in the Fine Gael and Labour press offices could tell Hot Press who was in charge of drug policy. We’ve a long tradition of interviewing senior politicians and Gardai about matters pharmaceutical – Pat Carey recommended that our 2008 Drugs Issue be read in schools – but once ensconced in the Ministry For Health Roisin Shortall’s people declined five Hot Press interview requests, maintaining their boss was “too busy.”
The TD for Dublin North-West’s resignation came just a fortnight after Michael Coleman and Liam Coffey, both in their early 20s, were found dead in a downstairs room in a rented house in Kinsale. The Gardai believe they’d taken a new “brown powder” version of ecstasy, which included both MDMA and PMMA (Para-Methoxymethamphetamine), a stimulant that’s become highly popular over the past 12 months on the UK party scene. A tragic loss of life, which, Garrett McGovern suggests, mightn’t have occurred if Mary Harney hadn’t made the decision in 2010 to close the head shops.
Stuart Clark
Latest Articles by Stuart Clark
The energy of punk’s first wave is beautifully captured in a series of snaps now available for your online delectation...
2013-05-10
It was the scene of one of the greatest campaigns of mass murder in recent decades. In the late ‘70s, Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge sent millions to an early grave across Cambodia. The country is well on the road to recovery but the scars of Pot’s reign of terror remain, as Stuart Clark found in this boots-on-the-ground special report...
2013-05-02
A new documentary lays bare the truth about North Korea – and it’s even more bizarre than you might have expected...
2013-04-29
A tired ‘n’ emotional punter by the name of Craig is left with a great story to tell the grandkids when he jumps up on stage and instead of being forcibly ejected from the venue is allowed to co-sing – well, co-slur – ‘Don’t Believe The Hype’. DJ Lord’s ‘Come As You Are’ scratch-up, Khari Wynn’s metal riffing and Davey DMX’s funky bass-slapping also contribute to a night of unabashed old-skool panto fun...
2013-04-25
He’s the star of the fantastic Punk-era NI drama Good Vibrations and is about to have a break-out role in fleshpot swords and sorcery drama Game of Thrones. Richard Dormer reflects on an extraordinary year of success and discusses the world premiere he’s bringing to the Abbey...
2013-04-23
The mighty Woodkid leads this fortnight’s parade of online weird’n’wonderful-ness...
2013-04-12 - Reports
As international tensions mount over the Pyongyang regime’s flexing of its military muscle, Hot Press discusses the situation with Concern’s Overseas Director of Aid...
2013-04-12 - Frontlines
As judge in the Voice of Ireland, Bressie is one of the country’s best known faces. But he is also an ambitious musician with his sets still set on international stardom. On the release of his second album Rage And Romance he talks about the price of Über-celebrity, his fight against panic attacks, what Jamelia and Kethryn Thomas are like on a night out – and why for the foreseeable future he’s embracing celibacy...
2013-04-09 - Interview
He’s worked with everyone from Steven Soderbergh to U2. But David Holmes’ latest project – a biopic of Belfast rock legend Terri Hooley – is one of his most personal yet. He talks about the making of Good Vibrations, and his work on the forthcoming Primal Scream album...
2013-04-04 - Interview
Stuart Clark takes an extended look at the Russian punk landscape...
2013-04-02 - Reports
In a rare interview, U2’s Adam Clayton discuses why battling his own demons has inspired him to help young people with mental health issues – and talks about the upcoming U2 album...
2013-03-25 - Interview
Now back shivering in Ireland, Stuart Clark reflects on the emotional highs and lows of his Concern field-trip to Cambodia – and treats us to some local tuneage!
2013-03-20 - News
Over in South-East Asia with Concern, Stuart Clark continues with his reports from Cambodia.
2013-03-17 - Reports
Stuart Clark runs the rule over the burgeoning artisan cider scene in Ireland – and also samples one of our favourite breweries’ new seasonal beer...
2013-03-15 - Reports
With Searching For Sugarman deservedly picking up an Oscar – David Holmes who helped rediscover Rodriguez is interviewed in our next edition – the film industry’s appetite for music documentaries is insatiable at the moment...
2013-03-15 - Reports
He's there with Concern to see how their projects are progressing...
2013-03-14 - News
It had been years since anyone had heard from David Bowie, the rock icon who seemed happier to fade away rather than burn out. But suddenly, in January, came a new single with his first album in a decade to follow. Stuart Clark reflects on the Thin White Duke’s remarkable career, and then talks to his right-hand man, Dubliner GERRY LEONARD, about 2013’s most-anticipated return.
2013-03-12 - Interview
She gave up a high-flying job in advertising to become a novelist. Now Helen Seymour is the toast of the literary community, her book Beautiful Noise lovingly evoking the pirate radio scene of ‘80s Dublin. She talks about turning her back on a life of corporate bling and the encouragement she received from pals Ali Hewson and Bono...
2013-03-11 - Interview
Here’s something to give you nightmares – an Elvis impersonator in full clown make-up!
2013-03-01 - Reports
He’s best known for his stunning turn as Ralphie in The Sopranos. But off-screen Joey Pantoliano has waged a long battle against depression and eating disorders. He pulls up a stool to reminisce about the greatest TV show of all time and his struggle to make peace with himself.
2013-02-28 - Interview
The talent is still raw, but tonight Jake Bugg lives up to the hype and then some.
2013-02-28 - REVIEW
He’s one of the most infamous figures in popular music – and not just because of his mushroom cloud hair. Now Al Pacino is slipping into the platform boots of producer Phil Spector, for an HBO biopic centred on his murder trial.
2013-02-19 - Reports
She’s yet to release her debut album, but US rapper Angel Haze is already causing a massive stir online with her heartwrenchingly honest lyrics. Here, she talks hip hop, cults and er, fashion
2013-02-05 - Interview
As we mourn the loss of The Troggs frontman, we look back two decades and find him in conversation with Stuart Clark before the band's Irish shows...
2013-02-05 - Interview
The Swedish streaming service is a boon for consumers but artists are yet to be convinced.
2013-01-10 - Interview
Already a top five act at home, Delorentos have spent 2012 becoming big in Spain. When we heard they were playing in a bullring there with Wilco, we had to go and check it out!
2012-12-21 - Interview
Forget your brussels sprouts and stuffing sandwiches – Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the festive chinwag that is the Hot Press Summit. The great and good of the year in music 2012 gather to discuss the Savita Halappanavar tragedy, Chris Brown’s attempted rehabilitation and the pros and cons of poppy-wearing. words: Stuart Clark: photos Graham KeoghForget your brussels sprouts and stuffing sandwiches – Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the festive chinwag that is the Hot Press Summit. The great and good of the year in music 2012 gather to discuss the Savita Halappanavar tragedy, Chris Brown’s attempted rehabilitation and the pros and cons of poppy-wearing. words:
2012-12-19 - Interview
Rock gods do nothing to tarnish their legends
2012-12-18 - REVIEW
She blew us away with her Electric Picnic slot over the summer. At the end of a very busy 2012 avant-gardist Grimes talks about supporting EDM kingpin Skrillex, bringing buff dancers on tour – and why she’s not ashamed to have Bieber fever.
2012-12-18 - Interview
It’s been a tumultuous year in Irish politics and President Michael D. Higgins’ decision to address the Savita Halappanavar tragedy drew flak from some politicians. In a rare interview he answers the critics, outlines his vision for the presidency and reveals his admiration for Mario Rosenstock’s ‘Michael D’ character and crime show Love/Hate...
2012-12-18 - Interview
He may have Noel Gallagher and Jimmy Page as fans, but chart-topper Jake Bugg is far from your run-of-the-mill indie rocker. The teenage sensation talks about his diverse influences, his upbringing on a sketchy Nottingham sink estate and how music saved him from life on the dole. words Stuart Clark
2012-12-05 - Interview
The star of Killinaskully and one half of D’Unbelievables, Pat Shortt is the doyen of Irish comedy. But beneath the bumbling exterior is a clever and ambitious performer. In a revealing interview he talks about his friend Gerry Ryan, the painful end to his partnership with Jon Kenny and the downside of being world famous in Ireland. words Stuart Clark portrait Graham Keogh
2012-11-16 - Interview
David Chase and Steve Van Zandt have made some beautiful music – and a film – together
2012-11-16 - Reports
Legendary Joy Division/New Order bassist Peter Hook has penned a page-turning new tome. Stuart Clark catches up with him...
2012-11-13 - Frontlines
Our man Stuart Clark watched the Detroit star shake Dublin this Halloween...
2012-11-01 - News
Without in any way having to compromise on quality, this was the year when craft ales, lagers, stouts, porters, and – well, whatever you’re having yourself! – hit the mainstream and proved that we truly are a nation of beer lovers.
2012-10-24 - Reports
First Other Voices and now Sigur Rós videos! Aidan Gillen underlines his rock ‘n’ roll credentials by starring in the ten-minute promo accompanying the Icelandic outfit’s ‘Ekki Múkk’. The Game Of Thrones man plays an anorak-wearing Roy Cropper-type whose “magical journey through an English field” leads to encounters with a fox and a talking snail.
2012-10-19 - Reports
Recording on a Californian mountain top with Jacknife Lee has paid handsome dividends for Two Door Cinema club, with the resulting album, Beacon, storming its way to number one. LA, Azealia Banks, Lady Gaga, Snow Patrol, the Olympics and dressing-room trashing are all on the agenda as Nordy Ireland’s latest chart conquerors shoot the breeze with Stuart Clark.
2012-10-17 - Interview
You thought Courtney Love was the most, um, idiosyncratic member of Hole? A new online movie should set you right...
2012-10-05 - Reports
There’s never a dull moment where Ireland are concerned. After a brave Euros qualification campaign came the humiliation of the finals themselves. Then the recent last gasp win over mighty Kazakhstan. As the World Cup qualifier campaign gathers pace, three of the lynch-pins of the squad discuss Trapp’s reputation for managerial stubborness, his controversial selection of players from the lower echelons of British soccer and tell us what’s on their iPhone playlists
2012-10-02 - Interview
They’ve tasted global success, headlined the Aviva and won tens of thousands of new fans thanks to singer Danny O’Donoghue’s gig judging the UK edition of The Voice. But they’ve never stopped taking risks and on their latest album, called simply #3, The Script open up as never before about heartache and loss. Taking time out from trashing their hotel suite, they discuss fame, personal upheavals and the night will.i.am stood them up for Bill Clinton.
2012-09-13 - Interview
Stuart Clark reports live on Laughing Len's latest Irish visit...
2012-09-12 - News
With Lianne La Havas, Lee “Scratch” Perry and Cashier No. 9...
2012-09-10 - REVIEW
A fan his whole life, Glen Hansard has recently got to know Bruce Springsteen off stage as well as on. Talking exclusively to Stuart Clark, he explains what makes The Boss & The E Street Band so special.
2012-09-04 - Interview
A fan his whole life, Glen Hansard has recently got to know Bruce Springsteen off stage as well as on. Talking exclusively to Stuart Clark, he explains what makes The Boss & The E Street Band so special.
2012-09-04 - Interview
Springsteen fever was in the air as Bruce and the E-Street Band touched down for a two-night stand at Dublin’s RDS. Having hooked up with the man himself on the launch of his latest album, Stuart Clark was on hand to check out both live shows and shoot the breeze with Brucie right-hand man – and respected actor and musician in his own right – Steve Van Zandt. He brings us a frontline report.
2012-08-29 - Interview
35 years after first jamming together in a suburban garage, The Cure are playing some of the biggest shows of their lives as part of a festival tour that brings them to the Electric Picnic. Drugs, keep-fit regimes, MASTODON collaborations, Irish sojourns, football, David Bowie and Tommy Cooper are all on the agenda as Robert Smith has a late night pow wow with Stuart Clark.
2012-08-28 - Interview
There’s more to the Icelandic music scene than pale esoteric types channelling Lothlórien, as a new online documentary shows.
2012-08-28 - News
He's already made the transition from underground hip hopper to blue-eyed soul boy du jour. Now Plan B has written and directe Ill Manors, a damning indictment of cameron's broken Britain, and is also about to star alongside Ray Winstone in a reboot of classic 70's cop caper The Sweeney ("Get dressed, you're nicked!") A wellied-up Stuart Clark meets him and his crew in a north Yorkshire forest.
2012-08-23 - Interview
When he’s not playing guitar with Plan B, the Wexford-bred, London-domiciled Adam Jordan is one-half of the New Machine writing and production duo whose rapidly expanding C.V. includes Devin, Hope, Chlo33, InMe, Steve Shabytah and his Model County homey – it’s not often you get to write that! – Maverick Sabre.
2012-08-23 - Interview
“They’re my songs, so I’ll fucking sing ‘em if I want to!”
2012-08-01 - REVIEW
“More important than Picasso,” said Damien Hirst. “Music’s Kevin Keegan,” opined Nicky Wire: there was a lot of hyperbole spouted in the run-up to the Roses’ first Irish show since the infamous Ian Brown cat-strangling incident at Féile 95 – a gig I walked out of halfway through for fear of permanently souring our relationship.
2012-07-31 - REVIEW
As PiL return with their best album since Metal Box, a typically forthright John Lydon treats Stuart Clark to his thoughts on David Beckham, the Pistols, The Clash, Ari Up, butter, PTA meetings & a whole lot more besides!
2012-07-06 - Interview
He’s knocked the acting on the head and branched into documentary making. Chronicling the evolution of rap, Ice T’s first project from behind the camera is proving rather a sensation
2012-06-29 - News
Since winning an Oscar for Once, Glen Hansard‘s life has swerved like an out of control rollercoaster. There was a whirlwind romance with, and painful separation from, Markéta Irglová; the suicide of a fan which left him with brains on his shoes and a chasm in his soul and the strange guilt he felt at being successful. With his first solo album about to be released, he pulls up a stool and explains how he learned to stop worrying and love his new life in New York.
2012-06-26 - Interview
Fancy a get away with a difference? What about a converted Soviet era aircraft carrier, the centre-piece of a new Communist theme park in China?
2012-06-15 - News
A new initiative, launched by President Michael D. Higgins, is intended to focus minds on constructive ways to improve Irish society.
2012-06-06 - Frontlines
This forthnight: a comic strip from an unlikely source, Sasha Baron Cohen channels his inner tin-pot and Nikki Sixx keeps its together on radio.
2012-06-01 - News
My Bloody Valentine finally re-deliver the goods
2012-05-30 - REVIEW
In addition to releasing some of the finest indie rap to ever caress CITN’s ears, the Forbidden Fruit-bound Grimes has this week embraced the jewellery business...
2012-05-28 - News
The band’s iconic bass-player, Peter Hook has just finished a book recollecting the Joy Division-era and the suicide of Ian Curtis.
2012-05-25 - Interview
€36,000 better off after winning the Sunday Times EFG Private Bank Award, Kevin Barry has been hailed as one of the finest Irish writers of his generation. In an extraordinarily frank interview, he talks LSD, Chinese marriage scams, death threats, the IRA and daffodil theft with his old Limerick colleague Stuart Clark.
2012-05-25 - Interview
What happens when you mix a cult TV show with some top indie talent? For the answer, get thee to rural Wales without delay
2012-05-23 - News
Ahead of their Dublin stop-off this week, The Damned’s Captain Sensible talks to Stuart Clark about longevity, mad Argentine football games, Lemmy and the difficulties of teaching Sid Vicious the bass.
2012-05-22 - Interview
Bristolian legend Tricky is hitting the road to perform his 1995 masterpiece Maxinquaye in its entirety. He talks to Stuart Clark about the album’s eventful creation, the current state of hip hop and brazenly flouting ireland’s no-smoking laws.
2012-05-18 - Interview
Paul Weller may be approaching his 54th birthday, but his new album proves that the former Jam man is in the form of his life. Fresh from hobnobbing with Roger Daltrey and his other rock royalty mates, he talks fatherhood, sobriety, politics, influences and Amy Winehouse with a suitably star-struck Stuart Clark.
2012-05-17 - Interview
Look out Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones – a hot new US cable show from the people who brought you The Social Network may be about to steal your thunder.
2012-05-15 - News
Stuart Clark selflessly volunteered to meet Fanfair, a girl group with impeccable rock ‘n’ roll credentials and a member who’s the youngest of 12 kids from Terenure.
2012-04-16 - Interview
Clash legend Mick Jones discusses his imminent visits to Dublin and Belfast for a gig with a difference...
2012-04-02 - Interview
Bruce and the gang have just unleashed what is their angriest and most politicised record yet, a scathing attack on the railroading of the American Dream by political and corporate fat cats. Stuart Clark journeys to Paris to meet The Boss who also waxes lyrical about Obama, Catholicism, Joe Strummer, Dylan, being a hopeless music fan and why it’ll take four people to replace Clarence Clemons
2012-03-20 - Interview
Ex-Blizzards mainman and Voice of Ireland mentor Bressie has extremely forthright views on the way musicians are taken for granted – and on subject of free music downloading.
2012-03-05 - Interview
She’s conquered Ireland with her latest album – now Lisa Hannigan is contemplating a temporary move to New York in order to raise her American profile. She talks about her love of touring, collaborating with The Chieftains and her one-woman campaign to make the ukelele fashionable.
2012-03-02 - Interview
Or what happened when a hard rock legend brought some mates ‘round to mourn the passing of one of the world’s most storied studios
2012-02-27 - News
The elder Gallagher brother makes a triumphant return to Irish soil...
2012-02-20 - REVIEW
This fortnight; Thin Lizzy as you’ve never heard them before, The Chemical Brothers go widescreen and American right-wingers predict the coming of Caliphate.
2012-02-10 - News
Two years ago this politically unstable, poverty-wracked Caribbean island was devastated by one of the worst earthquakes of recent decades. Thousands perished, many more were left clinging on without sanitation or basic medical care. But now Haiti is fighting back, with the invaluable help of aid groups such as Ireland’s Concern Worldwide. In a frontline report, Hot Press talks to ordinary Haitians as they try to rebuild their lives and reflects on the crazy energy of one of the most dangerous countries on earth.
2012-02-08 - Reports
America is producing most of the world’s best telly – sorry Mrs Brown’s Boys – and with a raft of great new shows chugging down the tracks, it looks like US dominance is set to continue.
2012-01-16 - News
He's nearing the end of his week-long trip there with Concern Worldwide.
2012-01-13 - News
It’s unlikely that the O2 has ever witnessed a more rapturously received double-whammy than ‘Come Together’ and ‘Loaded’.
2012-01-12 - REVIEW
The second report from Stuart's week-long visit to Haiti on the second anniversary of the country's devastating earthquake...
2012-01-12 - News
On this, the second anniversary of the country's devastating earthquake, Stuart is on a week-long trip there with Concern Worldwide.
2012-01-11 - News
Not content with winning the Airtricity League for the second year in a row, Shamrock Rovers made history in 2011 by becoming the first Irish team to qualify for the group stages of a European competition. Star man Rohan Ricketts talks to Stuart Clark about their moments of magic.
2012-01-05 - Interview
James Dean Bradfield says it in relation to the Sex Pistols, but that phrase applies equally to the way the Manic Street Preachers have operated throughout all of their 21 years on Planet Rock. Following the release of their National Treasures singles collection, he talks Richey, The Clash, Diana Ross and Johnny Rotten with Stuart Clark.
2012-01-04 - Interview
A number one album, Manchester City steamrollering Manchester United 6-1 and a Hot Press Gig of the Year Award for his show in the Olympia. It’s been a great 2011 for Noel Gallagher who talks to Stuart Clark about life after Liam, the Roses reunion, Gary Speed and running in to Tom Cruise’s missus.
2012-01-04 - Interview
Whether meeting the Obamas or hanging with rock royalty, 2011 has been a year to savour for Imelda May. Stuart Clark hears about the outrageous highs and one tendon-snapping low.
2011-12-16 - Interview
To cap another highly eventful rock‘n’roll year, a slew of Ireland’s most hip and happening musician types and gatecrasher Phill Jupitus converge on Dublin for the 10th Anniversary Hot Press Summit. President Higgins, The Stone Roses, Amy Winehouse, the Boys In Green & marauding North Korean submarines are all on the agenda as 2011 is subjected to CSI-style forensic examination.
2011-12-07 - Interview
Generally a haven for all sorts of debauchery, this fortnight finds Rihanna using the internet to get across a more wholesome message via video.
2011-12-02 - News
He’d become synonymous with eccentric behaviour, but now Adam Ant has his depression under control and feels more creative than ever. The 80s pop vagabond talks to Stuart Clark about his relationship with punk svengali Malcolm McLaren, his struggles with bi-polar disorder and being "raped" by Steve Jobs.
2011-11-21 - Interview
A plucky independent record store straight out of High Fidelity, darkly funny Christmas cards and, er, a lady who paints with her own vomit. They’re all on the menu in your forthnightly guide to all that’s interesting and/or balls-out deranged on the web.
2011-11-18 - News
Jo Whiley talks to Stuart Clark about her crusade to make TV safe again for rock 'n' roll, and why she's pretty sure Bono was joking when he called Chris Martin "a wanker"!
2011-11-18 - Interview
hotpress.com
Blogs on hotpress.com
Additional Sites on hotpress.com
- The Music Show
- The Jagermeister Freezer Sessions
- Hot Press Rock Photo
- The Philip Lynott Exhibition
- The INEC Homegrown Sessions
- HTC One Hotpress Photojournalist
- Genre Free Compilation
- MIX 13: Music Industry Xplained
- Shoot To Thrill: Make a Hot Press Cinema Ad
- Other Voices
- Best of Ireland
- The Big Break
- Hot for 2013
- Josh Ritter
- Eoin Glackin
- Bitter Rocc
Contact Us
Hot Press,
13 Trinity Street,
Dublin 2.
Rep. Of Ireland
Tel: +353 (1) 241 1500
Email:info@hotpress.ie
Click here for more contact information.
Click here to find out more about Hot Press
Hot Press always welcomes feed back so if you've got something to tell us click here.
Advertise With Us
For more detail on how to advertise with Hot Press click here or call us on +353 (1) 241 1540
©Hot Press 2012. Why be a member? | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | About Us Jobs @ Hot Press