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Pádraig Ó Méalóid Banned From Octocon…

Published Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:12:51 -0500

Last updated Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:16:22 -0500

Pádraig Ó Méalóid is what one might call an uber-fan. Involved in the comics and sci-fi community, running cons, writing commentary, he's been notable for his Alan Moore interviews and reportage of late, as well as working with Bryan Talbot, Eddie Campbell, Paul Cornell and more. He's generally well-liked, well-thought of and well-bought various pints of alcohol for.

But not to OctoCon, he isn't.

OctoCon is an National Irish sci-fi convention held annually in Dublin, and its next event this coming weekend, launching R.F. Long and Derek Gunn's new novels, playing host to Harlan Ellison and Mike Carey, just the kind of thing a National Irish sci-fan fan might like to pop along to. Well, Pádraig received a letter, which, fanning the flames of enmity, he naturally decided to post;

Due to your behaviour at the convention some time ago and your online behaviour earlier this year we have come to the unfortunate decision to ban you from this convention. We believe that your attitude towards us has been far to aggressive both online and in the past at the convention.

This matter is not open for discussion and we will not enter into any online discussion regarding this nor will we discuss this with any other persons. This decision is final.

Pádraig goes on to write that while he admits to being critical of OctoCon, he's hardly been so of late and he has no idea what the convention "behaviour" could be. In a related blog however, there are tales of movie soundtracks, convention PA systems and Pádraig's attempts to sort them out. It doesn't end well, but it's a good example that all geeks are the same, wherever we are, it all comes down to in-fighting… it's what we do best!

And that's why this is currently the lead item on Bleeding Cool. And gives me a chance to plug Pádraig's recent interviews with Bryan Talbot here and here….

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