Legendary jockey Mr Lester Piggott, sadly passed away today aged 86, while in hospital in Switzerland, following a recurrence of a previous heart problem. Mr Piggott had emigrated to Switzerland in 2012, where he had continued to reside in rented accommodation with his mistress Lady Barbara FitzGerald, latter more than 20 years his junior.
Born on November 5th, 1935 in Wantage, Berkshire, England; Mr Piggott is regarded as one of the greatest flat racing jockeys, and the finest of his generation. Mr Piggott, who won the Derby nine times, began racing horses from his father’s stable when he was ten years old winning his first race in 1948, at the aged of twelve, on a horse called ‘The Chase’, at Haydock Park racecourse in Merseyside, North West England. His final victory was on the same course in 1994, a few weeks before his 59th birthday. He retired in 1995.
Believed to be one of his last visits to Co. Tipperary; on Thursday May 23rd, 2013, Mr Lester Piggott, accompanied by his daughter, RTE television presenter Tracy Piggott, was the guest of honour at the official launch of the newly redeveloped Tipperary Racecourse, at Ballykisteen, Limerick Junction, Co. Tipperary.
Tall for a jockey at 5 feet 8 inches, and known as “The Long Fellow”, Mr Piggott kept himself thirty pounds (14kg) under his natural weight to remain competitive. During a career lasting almost 50 years in all, he rode 4,493 winners and was crowned champion jockey 11 times between 1960 and 1982, and last year was inducted into the British Champions Series Hall of Fame.
In a low point in his career, he served 366 days of a three-year prison sentence handed down in 1987 for tax evasion and was stripped of his Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Piggott married Susan Armstrong, the daughter of trainer Sam Armstrong, in 1961 before moving to Newmarket, Suffolk. The couple would later separate, but remained married. They had two daughters, Maureen, married to Derby-winning trainer William Haggas and Tracy, latter a sports presenter on Irish television station RTÉ. He also had a son, Jamie, from his relationship with personal assistant Anna Ludlow.
In 2014 his Eve Lodge Stables training yard and complex, (which included four semi-detached, two-bedroomed bungalows) which could then house up to 100 horses, was put on the market for £1.25 million.
Following the first case of the monkeypox virus having been confirmed in the east of Ireland on Friday night last; The Minister for Health, Mr Stephen Donnelly, has confirmed that the HSE has secured a third-generation smallpox vaccine. Health officials have also confirmed that a further suspected case of the virus is also being investigated and test results are eagerly being awaited.
The HSE confirm that public health teams are now following up with people who were in close contact with the known positive case and are advising them on what to do in the event that they themselves become ill.
Monkeypox is an infectious viral disease that can occur in both humans and some other animals. The disease can appear similar to chickenpox. Early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pains, shivering, backache, and the feeling of extreme tiredness. Lymph nodes will swell behind the ear, below the jaw, in the neck or in the groin. This is then followed by a rash that forms blisters and eventually crusts over.
The time from exposure to onset of symptoms of the virus is usually 7 to 14 days, with the duration of these symptoms lasting typically two to four weeks. Cases may be severe, especially in children, pregnant women or people with suppressed immune systems.
Some three-quarters of affected people can develop abnormal changes in tissue in the form of lesions on the palms of their hands and on the soles of their feet. More than two-thirds develop lesions in their mouth, while a third develop lesions on their genitals and one in five have lesions in their eyes.
Same begin as small flat spots, before becoming small bumps which then fill with clear fluid changing to yellow fluid, which subsequently will then burst and scab over.
Contrary to the name, Monkeys are not a main causative agent for the virus; it is believed African rodents, such as the African giant pouched rat, [Gambian pouched rat *] serve as the actual agent.
* APOPO [Anti-Persoonsmijnen Ontmijnende Product Ontwikkeling: or in English Anti-Personnel Landmines Removal Product Development], train Gambian pouched rats to detect land mines and tuberculosis using their highly developed sense of smell.
Complications Complications can include secondary infections, pneumonia, sepsis, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and loss of vision following severe eye infection. If infection occurs during pregnancy, still birth or birth defects may occur. The disease may be milder in people vaccinated against smallpox in childhood.
The current standard for treatment is Tecovirimat SIGA, an antiviral that is specifically intended to treat infections with ortho poxviruses such as Cowpox, Smallpox and Monkeypox.
Tecovirimatis is approved for the treatment of monkeypox in the European Union; its benefits being considered greater than its known side effects, which are often severe headaches and nausea, which in turn affect up to 1 in 10 people.
Pre-deceased by his parents Matty and Bridie, brothers Michael and Martin, brother-in-law Lofty; the passing of Mr Hynes, (1st Armoured Car Squadron Plunkett Barracks, retired), is most deeply regretted by his loving wife Mary (Dwyer), daughters Mandy and Grace, grandchild Alannah-Rose, son-in-law Johnny, brother Patsy and sister-in-law, Eileen (Thurles), sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, friends and his loyal dog ‘Bear’.
For the many persons who would have liked to have attended the funeral service for Mr Hynes, but due to distance or ill health are unable to do so, same can be viewed online HERE.
[NB: Due to C-19 virus fears; those attending will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering, with no hand shaking.]
The extended Hynes family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Her passing is most deeply regretted by her heartbroken family; daughter Megan, grandsons Jamie and Conor, mother Margaret, father Tommy, brothers Kieran, Ger, Jim and T.J., sisters Michelle and Tracy, nephews, nieces, brother-in-law Michael, sisters-in-law Josie and Maria, cousins, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.
The funeral cortège bearing her body, will be received into the Church of St. Joseph & St. Brigid, Bothar-na-Naomh, Thurles on Tuesday morning, May 31st, (travelling via Kennedy Park) at 9:30am, for to further repose for Requiem Mass at 10:00am, followed later, by private cremation.
For the many persons who would have liked to have attended the funeral service for Ms Woodlock, but due to distance or ill health are unable to do so, same can be viewed online HERE
[NB: Due to C-19 virus fears; those attending will continue to observe strict adherence to social distancing, face covering, with no hand shaking.]
The extended Woodlock family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time and have made arrangements for those wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
The Irish Prison Service, in partnership with the FAI and St. Patrick’s Athletic Football Club, today marked the graduation ceremony for 20 prisoners who have recently completed the FAI Coach Education department’s Adult Amateur Licence course.
The course was led by St. Patrick’s Athletic Director of Football and UEFA Pro Licence holder Ger O’Brien and will enable all licence holders to coach in the Adult Amateur game and integrate into Irish football on their release.
Republic of Ireland Under 21 manager Jim Crawford in presenting each successful candidates with their coaching licence stated, “Football can be such a positive influence in so many lives and we have seen the power of football and the impact it can have on these graduates here today. I look forward to the coaching journey they have now commenced on. There will be many opportunities for them in football in the future and I wish them well”.
St Patrick’s Athletic Director of Football Ger O’Brien led the course on behalf of the club and thanked the graduates for their commitment and willingness to learn through the medium of football and coaching. Ger stated, “When we were approached by the Irish Prison Service and the FAI about delivering this programme, we were more than happy to oblige. This has been a fantastic initiative from all involved to help educate the participants of both courses. Coaches from St. Patrick’s Athletic have been working closely with the groups to enhance not only their football knowledge, but also interpersonal skills. The development of the participants throughout the program has been clear to see”.
The FAI’s Head of Coach Education, Niall O’Regan stated: “The programme is a fabulous way to connect the participants to the game of football, providing them with an introduction to education through the medium of the game they all love, having the link to the prison and using the game of football to help develop the participants knowledge of the game, but also their own interdisciplinary skills such planning, organisation, administration, writing sessions plans, completing assignments and presenting in front of their peers theoretically and practically. “These are all huge characteristics of being an effective coach but also helping the participants with their future integration into their respective communities. The success of the programme has been down to the fabulous delivery style of Ger O’Brien and it is something himself and his club should be extremely proud. We would like to thank Ger and St. Patrick’s Athletic for their contribution and the management and staff of Wheatfield for their collaboration on such a worthwhile project for all concerned”.
Assistance Governor of Wheatfield Prison, Amanda Sutton said, “This course is a fantastic gateway into adult education involving both practical and class room based modules. The Irish Prison Service is committed to managing custodial sentences in a way which encourages and supports prisoner’s resettlement and reintegration into their communities. I believe that the skills learned through participation in this course provides prisoners with some of the core skills required for their successful reintegration. We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with the FAI and St. Patrick’s Athletic, and working on future projects together.”
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