Quotes of the week
“She ran out of the school building covered in blood from head to toe. The first words she said to her mom when she got outside was: ‘Mommy, I’m OK, but all of my friends are dead’.” Pastor Jim Solomon on a surviving child from the Connecticut massacre.
“It’s not called a break-up for nothing. It’s horrendous for anyone to go through. The joy of having great friends, great family and the odd bottle of wine get you through.” Kathryn Thomas, RTE presenter, on splitting with her partner of five years.
“We have all lost money. We were all very foolish with money in the early days. We all bought cars and watches — the silly things. I don’t think any of us were lucky. We did very well out of Westlife but everybody lives and spends. We all looked after it as best we could but none of us are absolutely minted.” Nicky Byrne of Westlife.
“I am a true European, a citizen of the world as my father always taught me to believe. Despite my excesses, my appetite and love for life, I am a free being. . . Unfortunately there’s nothing left for me to do here, but I will continue to love the French, the public with whom I’ve shared so many emotions. I leave because you consider that success, creation, talent, difference, in fact, should be sanctioned.” Gerard Depardieu, French actor, addressing the French prime minister on his decision to move to Belgium in protest at penal taxes on the rich.
“Where I come from a jeep is a work vehicle, not something that can be seen swanning around the suburbs of Dublin or taking children to school.”
Michael Healy-Rae, TD.
“If I never heard the name Jimmy Savile, I would die happy. Nobody knew him. He was a front, he was a facade. Whether there was a real person in there, I don’t know.” Sir Terry Wogan.
“There are strange people around. I have no bulletproof vest on. I have constantly said mature debate should be measured debate.” Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, on getting a death threat (on abortion).
“Criminalisation impacts disproportionately on poorer, minority and marginalised women. Welloff women will always be able to access abortion elsewhere.” Anand Grover, UN rapporteur on health.
“Dancing has been better than sex for me. It’s had to be. I’m too busy for anything else at the moment.” Lisa Reilly, Strictly Come Dancing contestant.
“Unless you have been a carer with all the exhaustion involved, perhaps even being on the brink of suicide at times, you cannot understand all that is involved.” Senator Mary Ann O’Brien, co-founder of the Jack and Jill foundation.
“I did see the looks on the faces of Shannon’s and Erin’s friends and they are going through so much too. I want them to know that suicide is not the answer to whatever hurt and pain they are going through. There is another way and there are people there to listen.” Lorraine Gallagher, whose two daughters committed suicide.
“It’s fantastic. A number of people went through a stage of mourning after the recession and there were fewer parties. I think that has plateaued out now and people are gearing up for more positive things in 2013.”
Tim Whyte, manager of the Raddison Blu Royal Hotel.