For the next two weeks, Fair City, will break from its normal storylines for a dramatic two week special entitled “Sins of our Children”. The plot revolves around Mondo O’Connell (George McMahon) and will result in his departure from the soap. The episodes will be broadcast in the usual Fair City time-slot at 8.00pm, between Tuesday 26th July and Sunday 7th of August on RTÉ One, and will include a dramatic one-hour episode on Thursday 28th of July at 8.00pm.
A host of new characters will be joining the cast for the next two weeks, including some well-known faces from television, theatre and film. These include Gary Whelan (Brendan; Ballykissangel), Ciaran Fitzgerald (Ossie; Into The West), Colin O’Donoghue (Peter; Love is the Drug), Billy Carter (Festival), Orla O’Rourke (Jenny; The Clinic, 2nd Series)
As the story begins, Mondo is becoming involved with a few of Lauren’s (Rachel Kavanagh) friends who are embroiled in insider trading. They’re young, rich and arrogant and are using information gleaned from their wealthy and influential parents for their own benefit. Between them they have amassed millions which are hidden away in offshore accounts.
The group consists of Jake (Billy Carter), Finn (Ciaran Fitzgerald), Emmet (Colin O’Donoghue) and Avril (Orla O’Rourke). Jake is the brains of the operation, a Machiavellian character who is adept at manipulating the group. He’s also blackmailing Finn, supplying him with heroin while at the same time threatening to go public with his addiction.
However, things quickly unravel for the group when Finn is murdered at a party in Emmet’s house. One person holds the key to what has happened: Mondo. He witnesses Finn’s death from a bedroom window. No one believes his account though, as Jake busily spins a web of lies in attempt to cover his tracks.
To make matters worse, the Office of Corporate Enforcement notice something amiss in some of their companies’ transactions and the investigation leads them to Emmet.
Mondo and Lauren rekindle their relationship. The reunion is short-lived, however, when Mondo finally admits the real reason for their break-up. He begs for forgiveness and tries to warn her about Jake. But it’s Jake that Lauren chooses to believe. Jake remains worried though – Mondo needs to be silenced if Jake’s to keep out of trouble with the law.
George McMahon has decided to take a break from the Fair City but may return at some point in the future. He is twenty years of age and has been in the soap for three years. During this time George has been involved in some of the soaps more popular soaplines such as his on/off relationship with Kira Cassidy, the birth of their daughter Juliet, and his transition from apprentice mechanic to burgeoning business tycoon.
Date: Tuesday, July 19th, 2005
Contact: Tara O’Brien, Press and Publicity, Tel: 208 2287/086 35 444 81
See below for a list of the main characters and a brief character description;
Mondo O’Connell – George McMahon
Mondo has been working for Seamus McAleer for the past six months. He is very ambitious and has just set up his own apartment management company. Mondo was going out with Lauren when he began working for Seamus but while he was impressed with Mondo’s get up and go, Seamus didn’t think he was suitable for his daughter. He gave Mondo an ultimatum; Lauren or the job and Mondo choose the latter. But he still has very strong feelings for her and really regrets what happened.
Jake Mulholland – Billy Carter
Jake is in his mid-twenties. He is the brains of the operation and extremely manipulative. He knows what he wants and will do anything to get it. He became friends with the group while he was in college. Jake has been supplying Finn with heroin but has kept it a secret from the others. He knows that Finn wants out but they need him if they are going to close the deal on Mrs. Woods’ cottages. So he blackmails Finn into doing the job.
Emmet Fitzgerald – Colin O’Donoghue
Emmet works in the finance sector. He comes from a very wealthy family in south county Dublin. Finn and Avril are old school friends and their families have been friends for years.
Avril Winter – Orla O’Rourke
Avril works in real estate. She is confident, good-looking and very ambitious. She has no qualms about the manner in which they are getting their information. She knows that there is something wrong with Finn but thinks he just has a drink problem.
Finn McDonald – Ciaran Fitzgerald
Finn has just failed his accountancy exams. His father, Robert, is a business associate and an old friend of Seamus McAleer. Finn has developed a heroin habit which is being fed by Jake. He is losing his grip on things and is extremely unhappy about using his father for the groups’ benefit. He wants out and feels guilty for letting his parents down.
Robert McDonald – Gary Whelan
Robert is Finn’s father, and a business associate of Seamus McAleer. He is assisting Seamus purchase Mrs. Woods’ cottages. His firm also handles take-overs and is privy to highly sensitive information. He has no idea about his son’s involvement in drugs and criminality.
Anthony Farrell – Frank Smith
Anthony is a solicitor whose clients are primarily involved in criminal activity. He is a brilliant negotiator and is an expert at getting his clients out of trouble. He has been going out with Carol Meehan for a number of months.
Lauren McAleer – Rachel Kavanagh
Lauren is Seamus McAleer’s daughter. She is an only child and extremely spoilt. She used to go out with Mondo and was very upset when Mondo announced that he was getting back with his ex-girlfriend Kira. She found out last week that Mondo lied about this and used it as an excuse to break-up with her.
Seamus McAleer – Vinne McCabe
Seamus is a wealthy property developer who is about to begin developing a huge apartment complex. He is under pressure to close the deal but needs to buy one last strip of land which belongs to a sharp old lady called Mrs. Woods.