Tiernan saddened as Diocese turns down proceeds of charity gig

COMEDIAN Tommy Tiernan said he was “saddened” by this week’s decision by Galway Youth Diocesan Services (GDYS) to reject his offer donating funds from a marathon 36 hour comedy show to the centre.The charity, which works with disadvantaged young people, had initially accepted his offer when he approached them in February with details of the marathon gig. It is scheduled to take place over the Easter Weekend, as Mr Tiernan bids to enter the Guinness Book of Records.However, members of the GDYS board met on Monday night and decided that “on further reflection and given the diocesan patronage of GDYS it was felt that it was not appropriate for the organisation to be associated with a comedy show on this, the most solemn day in the Christian calendar”.Mr Tiernan was surprised by the board’s sudden decision as the GDYS were aware “from the beginning” that the 36 hour long show would take place between 3pm on Good Friday and dawn on Easter Sunday.He still intends to donate the proceeds to the group’s drop-in centre at No 4 Augustine Street, Galway City as the cause of disadvantaged young people is one that “is close to my heart”.“Number 4 had given the go ahead and details of the show was on their website. They [office staff] must have had the backing of the board. It was all fine. But we got a phone call on Monday afternoon saying that...