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A PLAN to increase compensation payouts will close businesses, a Senator has warned.

The Judicial Council’s larger payouts for injury awards is being looked at by the Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan.

Alamy

TONY MAXWELL

Senators Linda Nelson Murray[/caption]

This is despite the impact it could have on firms already wrestling high running costs.

Fine Gael Senator Linda Nelson Murray, who runs Huckleberry Den play centre in Navan, Co Meath, says larger payouts will force some companies to close and is urging the Minister not to bite.

The Senator predicts that raising the level of payouts by the recommended 16.7 per cent will result in premiums rising for employers — and could force some to close their firms down altogether.

Cllr Nelson Murray said: “There is a proposal on a Minister’s desk to raise the injury awards which I have no doubt will further increase premiums — which could result in the loss of jobs and businesses closing.

“This isn’t an idle threat. It’s a real example as we saw so many businesses close — particularly in the leisure sector — only a few years ago.

“These increases could also reduce the volume of cases settled at the Injuries Resolution Board, which will lead to substantial increases in litigation expenses.

“The previous government did so much on the programme for insurance reform.

“It would be wrong to see all that work unfold, which will happen if these awards go ahead.”

While the Programme for Government commits to driving down insurance costs for households, drivers and firms, Cllr Nelson Murray believes that taking up this recommendation from the Judicial Council will do the exact opposite.

She added: “I am asking the Minister to meet with and listen to policy holders, as these are the people who will ultimately pay the price.

“Right now, businesses are faced with a myriad of increased costs and we can’t add more fuel to the fire by doing something that will drive premiums up.

“I fully support anyone who has suffered a severe injury being fully compensated and taken care of.

“But we need to examine the lower end of the market — the smaller claims.”

HER global chart-topping podcast, Scamanda, has been turned into a deliciously watchable TV series for true crime lovers to binge-watch.

The four-part docuseries is a passion project for journalist Charlie Webster, 42, who wanted to bring jailed cancer faker Amanda Riley’s story to life for a new audience free from constraints of an audio format.

ABC News Studios.

Charlie Webster’s Scamanda podcast took the world by storm[/caption]

ABC News Studios.

It has now been turned into a four-part docuseries[/caption]

Though she’d already made acclaimed podcasts like Surviving El Chapo and Died and Survived, she didn’t predict the phenomenon her Scamanda project would become when it was named the most popular podcast globally in 2023.

The pinch me moment was a long way from her humble beginnings growing up in the north of England and a life marked by harrowing incidents of childhood abuse as well as a near-death experience after contracting malaria during a charity cycle ride in Brazil in 2016.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Charlie said: “Sometimes I don’t even know where to laugh or cry, or think I’m the unluckiest person or the luckiest person in the world.

“Because sometimes I feel like, what the f**k, give me a break. Like, I’ve just been going through horrific IVF and none of it’s worked.

“I had a miscarriage earlier last year, I nearly died eight years ago. It’s like give me a break. But then sometimes I’m like, well, I’m still here.

“I’m speaking to you. And I’ve made a global phenomenon, which is my work. And that’s incredible, right?

“I’ve worked my ass off. I come from absolutely nothing. I don’t come from like, middle ground. I come from absolutely nothing.”

Later this year, Amanda Riley will be a free woman three years into her five year sentence for pleading guilty to wire fraud.

The mum-of-two conned people into believing she had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma via a highly-detailed and believable online blog which she used to aggressively fundraise, pulling in over $105,000 in donations over a seven year period.

A driving factor behind Charlie’s podcast was to examine betrayals and female friendships, which she feels aren’t explored enough.

Scamanda shows Amanda to be a pillar of her local church and community, and gradually reveals how her unethical plot was finally rumbled by the authorities after a whistleblower, now known to be Amanda’s former friend Lisa Berry, contacted investigative journalist Nancy Moscatiello who was looking to expose fraudulent activity.

Lisa was burned by Amanda years previously when she claimed to have terminal cancer, which her friend eventually found to be a lie prompting her to cut Amanda out of her life.

When she stumbled across Amanda’s cancer blog years later, alarm bells immediately rang and she raised the alarm.

Rather than paint Amanda as the monster some believe her to be, Charlie was keen to be non-judgmental and let viewers make up their minds.

Since being jailed, it has come to light that Amanda could have Munchhausen’s disease, a personality disorder where the sufferer craves attention through feigning illness, which, if the case, would make her actions less black and white than perhaps it might previously have been.

Charlie said: “One of the things I was intrigued with is like, is she a monster? Is she like a sociopath? Is she somebody that’s like very mentally, psychologically ill? Or is she aware of what she’s done? And she does she understand it?

supportamanda.com

Amanda Riley was sentenced to five years in federal jail[/caption]

Getty

Charlie wants to explore betrayals and female friendships[/caption]

“So from my perspective, having spent a lot of time with her, and I’m the only person that has spent that time with her, and I’m the only person other than her mum and her husband that she’s spoken to. And to me, she is aware what she’s done.

“She is sorry. And she takes responsibility for it. And she said to me that she’s every day, regrets what she’s done is and is ashamed of herself and can’t believe what she’s done.”

Amanda turned down Charlie’s request to take part in the series, however, she does feature in documentary footage made by an unnamed person prior to her arrest.

Though she isn’t actively involved in the series, Charlie believes Amanda will eventually want to share her side of the story.

She said: “I think she feels like she probably wants a voice. But also is concerned people won’t believe her.

“I think from her perspective, she’s not a monster but people think she is.”

Amanda’s story might still be creating a buzz two years on from its initial media frenzy, but Charlie is already working on a new project due for release later in the year and is also open to the possibility of a film being made about her own life.

Last year she released a book, Why It’s OK to Talk About Trauma, which delves into her own story and explores the mental, emotional and physical elements of trauma.

She decided on that direction over a memoir because she felt it would be more helpful to others, but now it is out in the world she is open to telling her story in more conventional terms.

Among the key moments would undoubtedly be her brush with death when she contracted malaria on a 3,000 mile cycle ride across Brazil in 2016.

During the terrifying ordeal her vital organs collapsed and she even recalled having conversations with Death as her life hung in the balance.

“A few people in the industry have commented about it,” said Charlie. “And maybe it is something that I will write up and then pursue.

“I’d love to do something like a film, because honestly, even if I just think about what happened to me in Rio, it’s kind of surreal sometimes.

“Honest to God, it’d be like a hopeful, inspirational film, with probably a bit of dark comedy.”

Watch Scamanda on Disney+ from 21st February in the UK.

PA:Press Association

Charlie nearly died from malaria in 2016[/caption]

The New York Jets might make a shocking pick at No. 7 in the 2025 NFL Draft. As the franchise moves on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, it remains unclear who will start under center next season. One thing that is certain is this franchise is going through a lot of changes. Former Detroit Lions defensive […]

The post Jets linked to unlikely QB at pick 7 in 2025 NFL Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Las Vegas Raiders are at a crossroads regarding their quarterback situation. Holding the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the team is in a precarious position, as the top three teams all have significant quarterback needs. With only three clear first-round talents at the position, there’s no guarantee that the Raiders will […]

The post Raiders encouraged to trade for NFC quarterback before NFL Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Arizona Cardinals are gearing up for an aggressive offseason, and fans have every reason to be excited. With over $76 million in cap space, the fourth-most in the NFL, general manager Monti Ossenfort made it clear during Newsmakers Week on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM that the team plans to be active in free agency. […]

The post Cardinals GM’s ‘active’ free agency approach will have fans hyped appeared first on ClutchPoints.

KEITH Barry has decided not to be consumed by seeking justice for the killers of his grandfather.

But the magician said: “I will always be angry . . .  I haven’t found closure from this, I never will.”

Ger Duffy

Handout

Grandad Paddy Barry, 82, who was found injured in his house in Waterford following an attempted burglary in September 2009.

The OAP later died in hospital after falling into a coma.

No one has ever been charged over the vicious killing, despite a file being sent to the Director of Public Prosecution by Gardai.

Keith said: “My grandfather was beaten black and blue. His head was beaten against the ground and for the last 16 years no one has been caught.

“I got very angry about it and wanted the people responsible caught.”

But Keith said the Garda investigation has not led to any charges being brought, adding: “It’s supposed to be an open case but no one is bothering to investigate.

“In my mind Paddy Barry was murdered.”

Gardai insist the matter was fully investigated.

However, TV star Keith told the Grief Podcast with Venetia Quick how the alleged name of his grandfather’s killer was spray painted on walls in Waterford town, and in nearby Tramore.

He said: “The message named a person who they said should be investigated. It must be the same person who is spray painting this everywhere.

“You don’t need to be Inspector Clouseau to check the CCTV and see who is doing it. But I informed the Gardai.

“My cousin tells me that Gardai have appointed a new liaison officer on the case. They spoke to my cousin but they haven’t rung me. I thought ‘here we go again’.

“What we need is a savvy, hungry investigative garda. If the people who did this to my grandad were in their 30s at the time, they would be in their 50s now. It would be beneficial to get them off the streets.”

Keith, 48, said he had since taken a personal decision not to be consumed by the case.

He explained: “You go through grief, and you’re shocked and you get angry but then you realise this is consuming me for years.

“So you have to make a choice and go, ‘am I going to let this consume my life now as some people do?’ You can look for ­justice, this can’t become my life, so I won’t let it consume me.

NO CLOSURE

“But I will always be angry. My grandfather was 82, he was smoking a cigarette in his house with the alarm on, and three locks on the door and a number of people broke his door down and beat him up, he died five days later.

“It’s not a death anybody should have to deal with in a family because it’s not the shock of him dying, it’s the shock he didn’t die from natural causes. I haven’t found closure from this, I never will.”

And Keith revealed how his dad, Ken, passed away last month after a battle with cancer without the closure of having Paddy’s killers brought to justice.

Gardai say they do not comment on named individuals.

But a spokesperson said: “Gardaí are aware of and conducted an investigation into reports of ­graffiti . . .  and allegations made regarding the burglary investigation that occurred in 2009.

“Gardai conducted an extensive investigation in relation to these allegations. This matter was fully investigated and the allegations made were of no assistance to the burglary investigation.”

RTE

EMMA RADUCANU spotted her stalker just two points into Tuesday night’s match in Dubai, her former coach claims.

The British tennis star, 22, burst into tears and hid behind the umpire’s chair as the “fixated man” was removed by security.

YouTube

Emma Raducanu was in years during Tuesday’s match[/caption]

Youtube

The British tennis star, 22, hid behind the umpire’s chair[/caption]

Supplied

Footage from the crowd showed the man being led out[/caption]

The individual was arrested by Dubai police, although charges were later dropped after he went on to “sign a formal undertaking to maintain distance from her and has been banned from future tournaments”.

Raducanu’s former coach Roman Kelecic, who has worked with her on a temporary basis, has has claimed that the man stalked her in Singapore, the UAE and Qatar over the past month.

On Tuesday night’s incident, he told Croatian outlet Net: “Three or four hours before the match we have a photo of that stalker. Not only us, the entire security at the tournament has his photo and everyone knows who he is.

“The first game, two points gone, 15-15, Emma is on the other side of the court and she’s showing us something. At that moment we didn’t know what it was. Emma loses the first game and runs to us, crying, shouting, ‘here he is, here he is, here he is’.”

Raducanu had been approached by the man, who left her a note and took her photograph, in a restaurant on Monday.

On the incident, Kelecic added: “That was the only moment in a month where I, the fitness coach, the security guard who was with us, was not with her.

“So, that man was assessing the situation and looking for the best moment to get closer to her.

“He had a strategy that was terrifying, he thought everything through, calculated it.

“It’s terrifying how much he, in essence, thought about it all and planned it. His strategy worked, and it was to get closer to her.”

Raducanu’s stalker got “physically close” to her as he posed for selfies on Monday.

Kelecic revealed: “So, it’s a creepy story.

“This man followed her back to Singapore, to Abu Dhabi where I was with her, again in Doha, now in Dubai and we noticed him.

“But initially we thought he was a fan, an admirer, because Emma is a really big tennis star with a huge fan base.

“Until he got physically close to her, started having contact in the form of selfies, hugging, etc.”

On Wednesday, Raducanu posted a statement on her Instagram account.

It read: “Thank you for the messages of support.

“Difficult experience yesterday but I’ll be okay and proud of how I came back and competed despite what happened at the start of the match.

“Thank you to Karolina for being a great sport and best of luck to her for the rest of the tournament.”

Instagram / @emmaraducanu

Raducanu posted a short statement on Instagram[/caption]

Getty

The former U.S. Open champion was in second round action in Dubai[/caption]

DERRY CITY and Bohemians both had their managers sent-off following a chaotic incident in their Premier Division clash.

The Candystripes kept all three points at the Brandywell as Michael Duffy’s stunning free-kick sealed a 1-0 win over the Gypsies.

https://twitter.com/LeagueofIreland/status/1893032896341922115

There was controversy just after the tenth minute when a confrontation on the sideline led to both managers being shown red cards.

It started when Bohemians were given a throw-in and Derry’s Shane Ferguson tried to prod the ball away, preventing Alan Reynolds from picking it up.

This led to both men coming together which, in turn, led to both sets of players and management getting involved in the row.

When it was quashed by the referee, both Reynolds and Derry counterpart Tiernan Lynch were given their marching orders while Ferguson was booked for his involvement.

Friday night’s result represented a major come down for the Gypsies, who had started their League of Ireland campaign with a sensational win over Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium.

And assistant coach Stephen O’Donnell lamented their poor start to the contest.

He told LOITV: “We expected a tough game.

“We knew Derry, after losing last week, would come out of the traps and conditions led itself to a scrappy game.

“We didn’t start the game well.

“We gave Derry a leg up in the sense of going 1-0 up and having something to hold onto.

“Second-half, obviously us playing with the elements.

“Got a bit of a foothold but, again, didn’t feel we were clean enough in or out of possession to have long spells of dominance and we would be disappointed with that.”

The sideline row was one of the biggest talking points from the game, and O’Donnell believes a mountain was made out of a molehill.

He added: “I am not sure what happened.

“There was a little schmozz. Probably more made of it than it should have.

“You see them things with the technical areas being so close to each other here.

“Sometimes it lends itself to that and obviously the crowd is on top of you which is good for an atmosphere point of view but I think there was very little in it.

“Obviously the ref felt he had to take action and send off both managers.”

LUKE Littler may have only been in Dublin for a handful of days but he certainly crammed a lot into them.

The world champion was the main attraction as Premier League darts came to the 3Arena on Thursday.

He didn’t fare too well when it came to competing as Gerwyn Price continues to be his bogey man.

The fiery Welshman beat Littler for the FIFTH consecutive time in a high-quality affair that finished up 6-4.

During their match-up the ordinarily chilled out 18-year-old actually lost his cool with the crowd at one moment.

He embraced being anointed the pantomime villain with Price for once taken in by the locals due to him having worn a green top for the occasion.

After winning a leg to prolong the contest, the Warrington native signalled to the crowd to calm down as they were fervently egging on his foe by that stage in proceedings.

Afterwards though he happily acknowledged it was just the typically boisterous but good-natured atmospheres that have contributed to darts’ surge in popularity.

He said: “It’s not the way I wanted to follow up the win last week (in Glasgow).

“But there’s loads more darts to play. I appreciate everyone who came out to support.”

The two days beforehand had seen more gentle scenes as he got a chance to mingle with Pitbull – who’s behind Littler’s ‘Green Light’ walkout song.

And the Warrington native also made time for some local kids as he made a surprise visit to the D7 Youth Darts Academy at Naomh Fíonnbarra GAA Club in Cabra.

The moment was captured on film by RTE, with a countdown proceeding the teenage sensation’s arrival.

He was then flocked by kids for autographs and photographs before throwing a few darts himself.

It was a moment that went viral on social media, with fans praising Littler for a moment that the kids are unlikely to ever forget.

As if the 18-year-old didn’t have enough on his plate between all of that, he revealed to the Indo Sport podcast that he’s currently preparing for his driver theory test on TUESDAY.

Asked if he’s ever tempted to splurge on a Ferrari with his winnings from the likes of the World Championship, he replied: “When I pass my test maybe.

“I’ve not started any lessons. I’ve my theory test on Tuesday which I’ve been having a go at studying for.

“I’ve definitely got time for that.”

Throughout that interview it comes across just how much travel has been thrust upon him for all that he is making good money as well as extending his already global fame.

But seemingly he doesn’t mind too much as he’s already accepted another opportunity to be centre stage at another event since departing Dublin.

He was the guest of honour at his hometown rugby league’s match on Saturday as for one night only the Warrington Wolves renamed their stadium after him!

PREMIER LEAGUE champions Manchester City host leaders and title favourites Liverpool in Sunday’s blockbuster showdown at the Etihad Stadium.

SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest and selected the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.

Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles here

Man City vs Liverpool preview

Liverpool make the short 39-mile trip to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday for a pivotal Premier League clash against Manchester City.

The Reds head into the weekend top of the table, holding an eight-point lead over title rivals Arsenal, albeit having played a game more.

However, with Mikel Arteta’s side hosting struggling West Ham on Saturday, that gap is likely to be trimmed to five points by the time Liverpool get the ball rolling 24 hours later.

Arne Slot’s men have had the opportunity to put one hand on the title in recent weeks, but frustrating draws against Everton and Aston Villa have left the door open for a potential late challenge from Arsenal.

Liverpool will also be looking for a much-improved display after a nervy 2-1 win over Wolves last weekend – a game in which they failed to register a single shot in the second half, a first since records began in 2003-04.

While they created plenty of chances against Aston Villa last time out, their finishing let them down, with just three of 17 efforts hitting the target – including a glaring miss from Darwin Nunez.

Nonetheless, Liverpool are aiming to complete a rare Premier League double over City, having won 2-0 at Anfield in December. A victory on Sunday would mark only the third time they have managed the feat.

And, encouragingly for the visitors, they are unbeaten in their last 13 top-flight matches played on a Sunday.

For the hosts, there will be an immediate need to regroup after their midweek Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid – the first time Pep Guardiola has been eliminated before the last 16 in his 16-season tenure in the competition.

The City boss cut a dejected figure on the bench, but on the domestic front, there is reason for optimism following last weekend’s 4-0 demolition of Newcastle.

Omar Marmoush netted a stunning 33-minute hat-trick in that encounter, though City’s attacking plans for Sunday could hinge on Erling Haaland’s fitness, with the Norwegian facing a race against time to recover.

History favours the home side, with City losing just one of their last 15 Premier League meetings with Liverpool at the Etihad (W8 D6).

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Man City vs Liverpool preview betting odds

• Manchester City 7/4 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

• Draw 11/4 with Betfred – CLAIM HERE

• Liverpool 9/7 with BetMGM – CLAIM HERE

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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Man City vs Liverpool preview betting tips and predictions

Captain

Crosses and set-pieces will be a real concern for Pep Guardiola this weekend, especially with the likes of Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate about.

In terms of headed shots from defenders, the Liverpool captain ranks third in the Premier League with 13 efforts this season. In the last meeting at Anfield, Van Dijk missed a trio of gilt-edged opportunities from set-pieces and could get the opportunity to put that right on Sunday.

• Virgil van Dijk to score a header at 12/1 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

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If the shoe fits…

With 15 goals and 10 assists in Liverpool’s 13 away games in the Premier League this season, Mohamed Salah has the most ever goal involvements by a player away from home in a single campaign in the competition (23).

He’s also enjoyed his games against Manchester City.

Salah has been involved in more Premier League goals against Pep Guardiola’s side (since 2016-17) than any other player (13 – 8 goals, 5 assists). In fact, only Steven Gerrard (14) has been involved in more against the Citizens in the competition’s history. The Egyptian has also created 36 chances for his colleagues away from home this season — eight more than the next Liverpool player.

• Mohamed Salah to provide an assist at 11/4 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

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