That’s Ireland

This week’s Sunday Independent has a great correction. Last week, they reported that Mattie McGrath TD was arrested and held in Newcastle Garda Station following a late night fracas. Now they acknowledge that he was not arrested, and was not held in Newcastle or any other Garda Station. For good measure, they add that there is not even a Garda Station in Newcastle.

Here are a few other newspaper apologies that I like: >>>

This one has me wondering what on earth was going on. It’s from the Connacht Sentinel, February 23, 1988:

We would like to apologise to Mr Ivor Robinson of [address] in connection with our report in last month’s edition of the Connacht Sentinel where it was stated in a court report that Mr Tom Brett purchased a chainsaw from Mr Robinson for £200. Mr Brett did not purchase the saw from Mr Robinson and we regret any misinterpretation our report may have caused.

In 2003 the Daily Telegraph in Sydney, Australia published the following apology:

The Daily Telegraph reported yesterday that the English rugby team was boring. This was incorrect. The entire country of England is boring. The Daily Telegraph wishes to apologise for this error.

I particularly like the last line of this one, from the Irish Independent Property Supplement, May 4, 1990:

The lounge which is pictured in colour with our front page story on the sale of Alan Shatter’s house in Rathfarnham is, in fact, part of Jackie Lavin’s home near Stepaside, County Wicklow. Mr Shatter’s home also has an extended lounge.

In 2003 the London Times published the following apology:

Contrary to our report of July 23, no EU directive exists stipulating that hard hats must be worn by circus tightrope walkers. We apologise for any confusion caused.

My favourite came from an Irish magazine for the motor trade back in the late 1980s or early 1990s. It ran an article about dodgy used car trade dealers, titled ‘Would You Buy a Used Car from This Man?’ The article was illustrated with what they thought was a stock photograph of a used car salesman. Unfortunately, it was a photo of an actual car dealer, working in Ireland. Oops.