The Secret Millionaire..

say_who_now?

Tonight at 9:35 on RTE1.

EPG Info:

"Series in which a multimillionaire goes undercover in a deprived area. Millionaire businessman Richard Mulcahy leaves his privileged background behind to go undercover in Limerick".

Should be interesting at least!

SarahBeep!

I have it recording on the UPC, Dallas is more important

Secret Millionaire shall be tomorrow night's viewing!

say_who_now?

SarahBeep! wrote: »

I have it recording on the UPC, Dallas is more important

Secret Millionaire shall be tomorrow night's viewing!

Watching it on the saorview while I'm recording Dallas on the Sky!

You're after reminding me too- it'll be on the RTE Player!

tayto lover

This programme is silly. The first programme made was the only believable one as after that when a man came with a camera crew into an estate everyone knew what was happening. Word spreads very fast.

Maire2009

tayto lover wrote: »

This programme is silly. The first programme made was the only believable one as after that when a man came with a camera crew into an estate everyone knew what was happening. Word spreads very fast.

I get what you mean, but can a programme where money is being given to worthy charities ever be silly? A bit pedantic by me I know.

tayto lover

Maire2009 wrote: »

I get what you mean, but can a programme where money is being given to worthy charities ever be silly? A bit pedantic by me I know.

Yes i agree but maybe they should drop the "secret" bit. In the Dundalk episode it was anything but secret.

RikkFlair

Poor young girl.

Harpy

RikkFlair wrote: »

Poor young girl.

Heartbreaking.. Put things into perspective..

ian87

At least it's not showing reel after reel of stab city, everybody is carrying a gun. Also no rugby rugby rugby ****e. Portrayal is to the point and not the usual rte/media witchhunt

say_who_now?

RikkFlair wrote: »

Poor young girl.

That was fairly tough to watch alright, but her dad's positive "you just get on with it" attitude was really something!

dave1982

are these repeats?

BobbyPropane

What's his story?

Lady Chatterton

I've been in floods of tears watching this programme I'm delighted that he gave the Cliona Ring Foundation a donation.

I went to college in Limerick, I loved my time there and I always found the vast majority of Limerick people to be very decent.

Maire2009

I actually know a lot about the Cliona Ring Foundation and it is fantastic what they do.

Lady Chatterton

tayto lover wrote: »

This programme is silly. The first programme made was the only believable one as after that when a man came with a camera crew into an estate everyone knew what was happening. Word spreads very fast.

At least some good comes out of the programme though! These groups would be a long time waiting for State support, particularly in the tough economic times we are in.

tayto lover

MrsD007 wrote: »

At least some good comes out of the programme though! These groups would be a long time waiting for State support, particularly in the tough economic times we are in.

Yes indeed. That bus will be of great benefit to that community and must have cost a lot of money. Fair play to him.
I wasn't running down the programme just that I believe it's not secret.

Lady Chatterton

tayto lover wrote: »

Yes indeed. That bus will be of great benefit to that community and must have cost a lot of money. Fair play to him.
I wasn't running down the programme just that I believe it's not secret.

Ah Tayto Lover, I know exactly what you mean and I know you weren't trying to run down the programme. I think Richard Mulcahy came across as a very genuine man and appeared to be significantly more generous that some of the previous Secret Millionaires.

I can't get that poor man and his daughter out of my head, it really puts things in perspective, some families get a very raw deal.

liammur

I didn't see the other programmes, but I must say a big thank you to R Mulcahy. Really shows up how poor our government and councils etc really are.

Well done.

Munstermad

Refreshing to see the people of Limerick being represented for what they are, even in tough times and in disadvantaged communities the lovely true nature of Limerick people always shines through.. Their kindness, genorosity and community spirit is inspiring. And the pain endured by the Ring family and the family of that gorgeous little girl (Sarah, I think) is food for thought... Amazing people!!

maryk123

I watched the programme last night thinking it was going to be another stab city programme. but i have to say it was a great programme to see what goes on in communities which in fairness most of limerick wouldnt know much about.

I think Limerick city council have a lot to answer for leaving estates get into such a state and the counsellor and the limerick manager handing over the keys for the pr of the tv.

Berty

Two things about it:

He could not believe the council could let people live like that. It wasn't the council throwing rocks or setting fire to houses.

Funnily enough the grey haired/bearded homeless man is not homeless and has a house on the northside. He has other problems mind you but sleeps in a bed every night

For talk about previous millionaires. Anybody remember the guy living on an island in mayo. His island is for sale for a lot less than what he paid and things are not as good as previous days. He was the Egyptian/Irish guy.

doc19827

Great to see the honest good folk of my city getting some recognition. I think people are very quick to forget that alot of good decent people live and were brought up in these areas. Like the girl who is a qualified solicitor being from Weston. A great achievement as I went to school with alot of people from the area and they generally dont make it beyond second year. However there is no point in hiding the fact that this is a highly troubled area with a huge amount of crime and anti social behaviour. Knowing the area well part of me thinks that new bus that mr mulchay supplied is well burnt out at this stage.

Hooked

Munstermad wrote: »

Refreshing to see the people of Limerick being represented for what they are, even in tough times and in disadvantaged communities the lovely true nature of Limerick people always shines through.. Their kindness, genorosity and community spirit is inspiring. And the pain endured by the Ring family and the family of that gorgeous little girl (Sarah, I think) is food for thought... Amazing people!!

Brendan Ring is my boss. You simply couldn't meet a nicer family. Cliona was such a bright, funny and incredibly strong girl. No, young woman. I just caught up with this on the rte player on my lunch hour and it's amazing how strong some people are in the face of it all. I'm heading back to the office now to do some sponsor cards and stationery for the revamped website as well as the rest of my days work...

If ye get a mo, please visit
www.clionasfoundation.com

And consider them in any fundraising events ye might have. Or spread the word via Facebook while this charity is fresh in people's minds.

I hope this is ok mods?

Kess73

doc19827 wrote: »

Great to see the honest good folk of my city getting some recognition. I think people are very quick to forget that alot of good decent people live and were brought up in these areas. Like the girl who is a qualified solicitor being from Weston. A great achievement as I went to school with alot of people from the area and they generally dont make it beyond second year. However there is no point in hiding the fact that this is a highly troubled area with a huge amount of crime and anti social behaviour. Knowing the area well part of me thinks that new bus that mr mulchay supplied is well burnt out at this stage.

You would be wrong

clappyhappy

I thought last nights show was one of the better ones. Richard Mulcahy came across as a very down to earth man who seemed to understand what people needed, as in the Cliona Ring foundation needed nationwide advertising, which will bring in a lot more money than 5 or 10 thousand euro donation. The Bus was so well received it was great to see, as the woman said it will never be off the road and no eldery person will ever be left at home again. Superb programme, well done to all involved.

Kess73

Kess73 wrote: »

doc19827 wrote: »

Great to see the honest good folk of my city getting some recognition. I think people are very quick to forget that alot of good decent people live and were brought up in these areas. Like the girl who is a qualified solicitor being from Weston. A great achievement as I went to school with alot of people from the area and they generally dont make it beyond second year. However there is no point in hiding the fact that this is a highly troubled area with a huge amount of crime and anti social behaviour. Knowing the area well part of me thinks that new bus that mr mulchay supplied is well burnt out at this stage.

You would be wrong

The solicitor is from BCG

panda100

tayto lover wrote: »

This programme is silly. The first programme made was the only believable one as after that when a man came with a camera crew into an estate everyone knew what was happening. Word spreads very fast.

I work for an organisation that was featured on the Dublin programme a few weeks ago. I can honestly say I hadn't a clue that they were filming for the secret millionare. I really did think they were filming a documentary.


I didn't see last nights programme, however I do find the whole concept of these programmes quite patronising. Some rich person, who probably pays half the tax we do, making a big show of helping us poor plebs for a few days.
While I think its important the media highlight the excellent work all these organisations and community initatives do,I don't think secret millionare is the best format to showcase it.

Lady Chatterton

panda100 wrote: »

I didn't see last nights programme, however I do find the whole concept of these programmes quite patronising. Some rich person, who probably pays half the tax we do, making a big show of helping us poor plebs for a few days.
While I think its important the media highlight the excellent work all these organisations and community initatives do,I don't think secret millionare is the best format to showcase it.

I understand where you are coming from, I'd love JP McManus to live in Limerick and pay his taxes here too but his foundation has done terrific work for Limerick and the Midwest.

The JP McManus Foundation donated €30.3m to local charities between 2007 and 2011.

The foundation is largely funding a €13m unit at Limerick’s Mid- Western Regional Hospital that will provide life-saving facilities for patients with cystic fibrosis, breast cancer, stroke and a variety of other neurological conditions.

Last year, the foundation received submissions from 241 charitable organisations and donated €4.77m to 146.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/cwauaukfidkf/rss2/

Give me JP McManus any day over someone likes of Bono. Bono lectures us all on third world debt while he enjoys his tax exile status and moved his business interests to Holland to reduce his tax liability. At least McManus is giving something back to his county.

Lady Chatterton

The Limerick Leader and the Post have articles about Richard Mulcahy's time in Limerick and a bit about his background.

http://www.limerickleader.ie/lifestyle/entertainment/the-secret-millionaire-s-visit-to-limerick-1-4291840

http://www.limerickpost.ie/index.php/navigation-mainmenu-30/local-news/4947-richard-goes-undercover-in-ballinacurra-weston.html

tayto lover

panda100 wrote: »

I work for an organisation that was featured on the Dublin programme a few weeks ago. I can honestly say I hadn't a clue that they were filming for the secret millionare. I really did think they were filming a documentary.


I didn't see last nights programme, however I do find the whole concept of these programmes quite patronising. Some rich person, who probably pays half the tax we do, making a big show of helping us poor plebs for a few days.
While I think its important the media highlight the excellent work all these organisations and community initatives do,I don't think secret millionare is the best format to showcase it.

I can't wait for the Sean Quinn episode in Cavan

Lady Chatterton

tayto lover wrote: »

I can't wait for the Sean Quinn episode in Cavan

I can't wait either

There will be a slight change to the show's format for the Cavan episode, the former billionaire will receive €2 million in pledges from the common folk of Cavan.

http://www.thejournal.ie/quinn-family-pledges-606788-Sep2012/

tayto lover

MrsD007 wrote: »

I can't wait either

There will be a slight change to the show's format for the Cavan episode, the former billionaire will receive €2 million in pledges from the common folk of Cavan.

http://www.thejournal.ie/quinn-family-pledges-606788-Sep2012/

They'll probably play the programme in reverse to see Quinn taking the money back.;)

doc19827

Kess73 wrote: »

You would be wrong

Great news thank God

panda100

MrsD007 wrote: »

I understand where you are coming from, I'd love JP McManus to live in Limerick and pay his taxes here too but his foundation has done terrific work for Limerick and the Midwest.

The JP McManus Foundation donated €30.3m to local charities between 2007 and 2011.



http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/cwauaukfidkf/rss2/

Give me JP McManus any day over someone likes of Bono. Bono lectures us all on third world debt while he enjoys his tax exile status and moved his business interests to Holland to reduce his tax liability. At least McManus is giving something back to his county.

I don't get the obsession with JP in Limerick. He is a tax exile, and scamming the goverment out of millions of euro every year.

It is unfair that I have to pay almost half of my meagre salary over to the goverment. I cannot afford helicopters to matches, a mansion in the country or Lionel Ritchie to play at my wedding. I would love to be able to donate my taxes to charities I personally support .I thought we lived in a democracy, and that all people were meant to be treated equally. Evidently wealth individuals are allowed live by differnt rules than the rest of us. As long as he remins a tax exile, and supports corrupt politicans like Bertie Ahern, it is difficult to have any respect for JP.

Lady Chatterton

Panda100, I think you need to be careful with your choice of words. JP McManus is operating within the law, he is doing nothing wrong.

The fact of the matter is JP spends most of the year living abroad and almost all of his wealth is created outside of this country. He doesn't have to contribute to charities or other projects in Limerick or the Midwest but he chooses to do so of his own back. He could simply retain all of his wealth. I'm not from Limerick but I think JP has delivered more for the county than any political representative ever has.

However, I do think that the government needs to review the current tax policy, that allows multi-millionaires to live in Ireland for up to 183 days in a calendar year, or 280 days over a two-year period without having to pay full taxes.

Kess73

panda100 wrote: »

I don't get the obsession with JP in Limerick. He is a tax exile, and scamming the goverment out of millions of euro every year.

It is unfair that I have to pay almost half of my meagre salary over to the goverment. I cannot afford helicopters to matches, a mansion in the country or Lionel Ritchie to play at my wedding. I would love to be able to donate my taxes to charities I personally support .I thought we lived in a democracy, and that all people were meant to be treated equally. Evidently wealth individuals are allowed live by differnt rules than the rest of us. As long as he remins a tax exile, and supports corrupt politicans like Bertie Ahern, it is difficult to have any respect for JP.

Would disagree with some of your comments on JP tbh. Yes he uses the current tax system to benefit himself, but I think your ire would be better served if aimed at those who allow such systems to exist in the first place. Really cannot blame a guy who uses a legal option that is in place.

As for living in a democracy, I think very few democratic societies are demorcratic in the truest sense of the word.

Swiper the fox

Getting back on topic, I watched the show on SKY+ the other night, sure any old eejit would know what was going on, the Weston crowd must have had a meeting to decide what they wanted, how many times did they tell him they needed a bus? The soldiers didn't seem too shocked either.
Still, fair play to all involved, it was good to see Weston portrayed in a positive if slightly depressing light, anything that helps keep kids out of trouble and allows a social outlet to the elderly is great, it wasn't the usual RTE/TV3 hatchet job on the city.
The Cliona Ring foundation is a fabulous organisation, I pray I never need to see them in action close up and I hope Richard Mulcahy can make good on his promise to them.

liammur

panda100 wrote: »

I don't get the obsession with JP in Limerick. He is a tax exile, and scamming the goverment out of millions of euro every year.

It is unfair that I have to pay almost half of my meagre salary over to the goverment. I cannot afford helicopters to matches, a mansion in the country or Lionel Ritchie to play at my wedding. I would love to be able to donate my taxes to charities I personally support .I thought we lived in a democracy, and that all people were meant to be treated equally. Evidently wealth individuals are allowed live by differnt rules than the rest of us. As long as he remins a tax exile, and supports corrupt politicans like Bertie Ahern, it is difficult to have any respect for JP.

I think the likes of JP are smart enough to know that by giving the money charity it will go to a good cause, by paying taxes it will be going towards 1 of bertie ahern's pensions etc.

jbkenn

liammur wrote: »

I think the likes of JP are smart enough to know that by giving the money charity it will go to a good cause, by paying taxes it will be going towards 1 of bertie ahern's pensions etc.

Too true Liammur, and also, he can sleep sound in the knowledge, that while his taxes are'nt wasted on Bertie Ahern, Mary Harney and Charlie McCreevy etc., yours are... he will however invite them to be his guests at his lavish parties

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/mcmanus-honours-horses-with-starstudded-party-3182672.html

The top brass of previous Fianna Fail-led governments, including Bertie Ahern, Mary Harney and Charlie McCreevy, made their way to the billionaire's expansive estate in south Limerick last night for the celebration.

Were you invited?..... no? I did'nt think so.

Sound man our JP

Beaver1

jp is a legend.... that is all

Lady Chatterton

jbkenn wrote: »

Too true Liammur, and also, he can sleep sound in the knowledge, that while his taxes are'nt wasted on Bertie Ahern, Mary Harney and Charlie McCreevy etc., yours are... he will however invite them to be his guests at his lavish parties

Were you invited?..... no? I did'nt think so.

Sound man our JP

While it might be difficult to get an invite to one of JP's lavish parties, I know quite a few people whose lives have been made easier or more comfortable thanks to the €13m unit at Limerick’s Mid- Western Regional Hospital that provides life-saving facilities for patients with cystic fibrosis, breast cancer, stroke and a variety of other neurological conditions. The unit is mainly funded by the JP McManus Foundation.

jbkenn

MrsD007 wrote: »

While it might be difficult to get an invite to one of JP's lavish parties, I know quite a few people whose lives have been made easier or more comfortable thanks to the €13m unit at Limerick’s Mid- Western Regional Hospital that provides life-saving facilities for patients with cystic fibrosis, breast cancer, stroke and a variety of other neurological conditions. The unit is mainly funded by the JP McManus Foundation.

True indeed , maybe JP took the opportunity, while he fed Mary Harney(the former Health Minister who landed us with the HSE ) Dom Perignon, to raise this exact point with her, then again, maybe not.

say_who_now?

MrsD007 wrote: »

While it might be difficult to get an invite to one of JP's lavish parties, I know quite a few people whose lives have been made easier or more comfortable thanks to the €13m unit at Limerick’s Mid- Western Regional Hospital that provides life-saving facilities for patients with cystic fibrosis, breast cancer, stroke and a variety of other neurological conditions. The unit is mainly funded by the JP McManus Foundation.

And just to add to this, without getting too personal, JP has made many contributions to local charities and causes that will never make the papers but have been of massive benefit to the people of Limerick.

The man can shove his money under his mattress for all I care after that! He isn't courting any self-promoting media spotlight for his contributions to local charities and is entitled to do with his money as he sees fit.

Lady Chatterton

jbkenn wrote: »

True indeed , maybe JP took the opportunity, while he fed Mary Harney(the former Health Minister who landed us with the HSE ) Dom Perignon, to raise this exact point with her, then again, maybe not.

It was actually Micheál Martin who abolished the Health Boards and created the HSE but he could have been at the party too

jbkenn

MrsD007 wrote: »

It was actually Micheál Martin who abolished the Health Boards and created the HSE but he could have been at the party too

Probably was, if he could invite Lowry, and Willie O'Dea, who knows

Beaver1

jp is a legend Lads and does great things for Limerick,

liammur

jbkenn wrote: »

Too true Liammur, and also, he can sleep sound in the knowledge, that while his taxes are'nt wasted on Bertie Ahern, Mary Harney and Charlie McCreevy etc., yours are... he will however invite them to be his guests at his lavish parties

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/mcmanus-honours-horses-with-starstudded-party-3182672.html



Were you invited?..... no? I did'nt think so.

Sound man our JP

That's true, 1 has to be in with the politicians to get the tax breaks etc. No wonder the country is bust.
I'd still prefer to see local charities benefit most though.

Kess73

liammur wrote: »

That's true, 1 has to be in with the politicians to get the tax breaks etc. No wonder the country is bust.
I'd still prefer to see local charities benefit most though.

One does not have to be in with the politicians to get tax breaks. All one needs is the proper knowledge of what tax breaks exists or an account/legal team that are aware of the breaks.

A person would want to be fairly stupid not to avail of any legal tax breaks that were open to them. For as long as tax breaks/rebates etc are legally in place, they are fair game for anyone who can use them.

liammur

Kess73 wrote: »

One does not have to be in with the politicians to get tax breaks. All one needs is the proper knowledge of what tax breaks exists or an account/legal team that are aware of the breaks.

A person would want to be fairly stupid not to avail of any legal tax breaks that were open to them. For as long as tax breaks/rebates etc are legally in place, they are fair game for anyone who can use them.

But do you not think the likes of Dermot Desmond, JP were not influencing the likes of bertie ahern on tax breaks, exile status etc ? i.e. JP would give €50m towards the national stadium (bertie bowl).


http://www.independent.ie/national-news/gambler-jp-to-stake-50m-in-giant-stadium-430392.html

Kess73

liammur wrote: »

But do you not think the likes of Dermot Desmond, JP were not influencing the likes of bertie ahern on tax breaks, exile status etc ? i.e. JP would give €50m towards the national stadium (bertie bowl).


http://www.independent.ie/national-news/gambler-jp-to-stake-50m-in-giant-stadium-430392.html

Legal tax breaks in Ireland pre date the likes of JP McManus & co. Close links between politicians and the mega rich is nowt new either and if the masses keep voting in those that keep the same old same old going, then the masses will have themselves to blame when nothing changes.

liammur

Kess73 wrote: »

Legal tax breaks in Ireland pre date the likes of JP McManus & co. Close links between politicians and the mega rich is nowt new either and if the masses keep voting in those that keep the same old same old going, then the masses will have themselves to blame when nothing changes.

I've no problem with JP, he has done far more than the likes of Denis O Brien, but these guys influence politicians with a host of tax breaks/concessions, none more so than haughey & Desmond.