In this week's Irish Post...
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In this week's Irish Post...

WIN BACKSTAGE PASSES TO MEET DAMIEN DEMPSEY 

IN NEWS

Ireland misses out on a £7.4bn Battersea windfall
The Irish exchequer may have missed out on an estimated £7.4billion through the premature sale of London's Battersea Power Station.

NAMA sold the iconic building - which has since become one of London's most prized properties - for £400million in 2012.

GAA clubs condemn 'neknomination' drinking craze
GAA clubs across Britain have warned players not to take part in the 'neknomination' binge-drinking craze which proved fatal over the weekend.

The dangerous drinking challenge requires participants to film themselves 'necking' a pint of alcohol before nominating two further candidates to take on the task and post the clip online.

Damien Dempsey: Younger Irish have no sense of history
Damien Dempsey has lamented the eroding links of London's Irish community.

Speaking to Philip Cummins in this week's Ri-Ra the Dublin singer-songwriter reflected on his time in Kilburn and how he found creative inspiration in a Shepherds Bush bedroom.

Mother 'haunted' by image of dead son as his killers get life sentences
A mother has described how she is haunted by the image of her late son who died in a meat cleaver gang attack.

As the five thugs who killed Hani Hicham Abou El Kheir were jailed for a total of 131 years this week, Kilkenny woman Pauline Hickey said she pines for her son every day.

Comment: Penalty points scandal makes Ireland sound like a despotic banana republic
Irish Post journalist Robert Mulhern looks back at what happened after two garda whistleblowers brought what they alleged were irregularities in the penalty points processing system to the attention of their superiors in 2012.

IN ENTERTAINMENT

Ireland's eye

Damien Dempsey on 15 years of giving the downtrotten a voice.

The Dublin singer-songwriter talks history, republicanism, drugs and the social injustices he's spoken about for 15 years.

Fast and the Furey

Finbar Furey on why he'll be kept busy on the 100-year anniversary of the Great War and how he caught Martin Scorsese's eye.

The Fureys & Davey Arthur hit the road in March for a British tour which starts in Dundee.

Do nice guys always finish last?

Asks Jarlath Regan, who writes: "Whenever I hear a girl say 'women want a bad boy' I want to grab her and shake her."

'We should have called ourselves The Culchies'

The Dublin Legends may have only one 'true Dub' between them but, as Sean Cannon says, they've an important legacy to carry on.

Music columnist Joe Giltrap interviews.

From farmer's son to country gold

The latest Country and Irish music column from Henry Wymbs charts the rise of Declan Nerney, one of Longford's biggest exports.

IN SPORT

Mullins: 'Having a yard is a non-runner'

Champion Irish trainer Willie Mullins has denied rumours that he is considering opening a satellite yard in Britain.

Speculation was rife at the weekend that the Carlow-based trainer was investigating the possibility of expanding his operation in a bold move across the Irish Sea. However, Mullins told the Irish Post that such a move is a 'non-runner'.

Forde makes London switch

The latest big-name gaelic player to make the move from Ireland to London is Galway full back Colin Forde.

Forde, who captained the Tribes to the 2011 All-Ireland U-21 title, has transfered to Kingdom/Kerry Gaels.

Giles backs under-fire McDermott

John Giles has backed countryman Brian McDermott who is at the mercy of a power-struggle at the 73-year-old's former club, Leeds United.

In an interview with Robert Brennan for The Irish Post, the Ireland soccer legend has given his support to second-generation McDermott who is being driven out of the club by new owners, Massimo Cellino, according to his boss.

Richard Purdon column: Celtic must offer support to unfortunate Cadete

In his latest One For The Bhoys column, Richard Purden backs former Hoops striker Jorge Cadete after the Portuguese international was recently filmed living with his parents on state benefits of £155 per week.