Cuban leader commissions Irish painter for portrait

AN Irish painter has been commissioned to paint a portrait of Cuban President Fidel Castro.

Bill Griffin, a one-time oil-rig contractor, is to travel to Cuba in November for a series of sittings with the famous revolutionary leader.

A native of Cork city, Mr Griffin began painting in the mid 60s in London and moved into the oil business in the early 70s after failing to make any serious impact as an artist.