Tonight:
- Sarkozy denies asset stripping plans in the wake of France's acquisition of Belgium.
- Uproar in the Likud as Israeli man jailed for having fun released early for good behaviour.
- US State department announces victory in the War On Terror, but concedes inevitable defeat in the War On General American Stupidity.
- And in sport, Mayo announce long-term genetic engineering plan to capture 2036 All-Ireland.
- But first the main story... The global financial crisis took another turn today after it was rumoured that Michael Grimes was thinking of returning to Australia.
While the news was generally greeted well in Antipodean markets overnight, there was some panic selling of CUB (Fosters) shares. The brewery had been slowly regaining market share following the 2007 departure of Michael Grimes, but his return is likely to hand competetive advantage back to rivals Coopers Brewery Ltd. A Coopers' spokesman said it was good news for Australia. A Victorian state government office has been set up to organise the welcome parade, and the hope locally is that the arrival will not clash with another major event which would have to be moved. Considerably more muted was the response at home. From Athlone, here's Síle.
- Thanks Brian, I'm here in Athlone where an emergency meeting of local publicans is ongoing. There is a sombre mood around the town in general and the feeling is that this will result in the biggest general staff turnover since the smoking ban was introduced. Here with me now is local TD, Mary O'Rourke. Mary, a dark day for Ireland?
- Well, indeed Síle, this is a tragedy for Ireland if it's true, and particularly for Athlone, and for small business in Westmeath in general, although we need to be aware that at this stage, it is only a rumour and that there has been no confirmation from Michael Grimes himself or anyone belonging to him, but you can be assured I'll be raising this with The Taoiseach and with Brian Lenihan as soon as possible, they can't be allowed to forget there are midlands jobs at stake here and with the current economic climate this can't be good for the region, and of course we shouldn't forget our friends across the water in Roscommon who will obviously also feel some impact.
- Thanks Mary, take a breath there. Brian.
- Former Minister Mary O'Rourke there talking with Síle Seoige. An unsubstatiated rumour it may still be, however the news was greeted with shock by investors. Guinness shares plummeted this morning. Plans for the new mega-brewery in Leixlip have been suspended, pending a full review of the implications of the move.
In other news...