09-02-2023

Yilmaz launches earthquake appeal

By Paul Byrne

A Turkish family living in Dundalk have launched an aid appeal to help their devasted countrymen back home following a massive earthquake in the south of the country on Monday.

Yilmaz Yildrim and his sons Emrah and Ercan are well known around town with Emrah running Johnny’s Turkish Barbers on Park st. and Emrah and Yilmaz located in Yilmaz Turkish Barbers on Clanbrassil st. Both barbers have launched an appeal for people to drop in donations to their shops with the aim of extending a helping hand to those in need affected by the earthquake.

The Yildrim’s are asking people to donate winter clothes such as coats/ jackets, raincoats, boots, sweaters, trousers, gloves, scarfs, beanies, socks and underwear as well as tents, beds, matresses (for tents), blankets, sleeping bags, vacuum flasks, baby food, nappies, hygiene products, sanitary pads etc.

Continued on Page 2

A relieved and delighted David Keane with Sophie the Springer Spaniel and her owner Jackie. David had put out an appeal to find Sophie after she went missing on the Cooley mountains last week while he took her for a walk. She had been missing for a week before being found last Sunday morning. see Page 2.

Joy as missing Sophie is found in Cooley mountains

A mAn who organised a search party for a missing dog in the Cooley mountains has said he is “over the moon” that she has been found.

David Keane from Swords told the Dundalk Leader that he put his “heart and soul” into finding Sophie, the lost Springer Spaniel.

Sophie was being walked by David on the Táin Way at the Slieve Foy Trek stop

when she ran off over a week ago.

Sophie doesn’t belong to David; she is owned by a woman called Jackie who isn’t in a position to walk her.

David works as a sub-contractor for a courier company and got to know Jackie and Sophie while making deliveries.

“I was eating, sleeping, and dreaming about getting Sophie back. Last Saturday, I

camped up on the hills and brought sausages and beef stir-fry in the hopes that she would catch the scent,” said David.

“She was up on the hills for the week and just came down 40 minutes before the planned search.

“She was found 2km from where I had camped. I was just outside Fitzpatrick’s for 9.15am on Sunday morning.”

He added: “I was greeting people who had turned up to take part in the search when the wife of the man who found Sophie called me.

“The man who found her, marcus, said he recognised Sophie straight away

thanks to the power of social media.

“marcus was dropping his daughter to work and the car in front swerved to avoid Sophie. But marcus recognised her and stopped and opened his car door and she hopped in straight away.”

David continued: “marcus video called me and when I saw Sophie’s harness I knew straight away it was her.

“I was an absolute emotional wreck. We met at the Granvue Hotel in Omeath and Sophie was over the moon. myself and her owner, Jackie, were really emotional.

“Thankfully, there wasn’t a scratch on

Sophie even though she was gone for seven days. I’m considering bringing her on the Kerry Way next but she will have a GPS tracker.”

David concluded: “I am extremely grateful to the local community. So many locals from Omeath and Carlingford volunteered for the search. It’s been a whirlwind of a week.”

While this particular story finished with a happy ending walkers are once again reminded that dogs are not allowed up on the Cooley mountains.

Last year Cooley IFA chair matthew mcGreehan, speaking in the Farmers Journal, warned people that

Earthquake appeal

From Page 1

The family are originally from Gaziantep in Southern Turkey which is just forty minutes away from the epicentre of the devastating earthquake in the city of Kahramanmaras. According to Yilmaz he is devasted and very worried for his family and friends back home.

“We woke up on Monday morning to the devastating news of the earthquake and of course the first thing you want to do is to contact family and friends to see how they are. We were frantically ringing and texting and thankfully most of my people are safe. My families houses have been destroyed and they are staying in friends houses at the moment. Sadly my aunty and one of my cousins were killed in the earthquake which is the worst to hit our country in almost 150 years. We feel so helpless watching the images on the tv and we wanted to do something to help so we have asked people to drop in donations to our shop which we will deliver to the Turkish Embassy in Dublin who will then send them on to Turkey.

Yilmaz has been living in Ireland since 2000 and says he and his family are heartbroken as they watch the death toll rise (at the time of going

to press more than 9,600 people had been killed by the earthquake which registered at 7.8 on the Richter Scale.

Yilmaz’s son Emrah pleaded for people to help saying that temperatures are very low at the moment in Turkey and neighbouring Syria and many of those who have survived the quake have been sleeping in their cars or on the streets as they wait for aid to arrive. Rescue workers have strug-

they are free to enjoy walking around the Cooley mountains but pleaded with them to abide by the local countryside code that prohibits walkers from bringing dogs up the mountains.

“We will try and cater for people walking and co-operate with the local authority, but unless you are a shareholder on the mountain you have no business bringing a dog.

“These sort of incidents are becoming very common unfortunately and it is leaving a very bad taste in sheep farmers mouths, some of whom are regretting allowing walks on their share of hill land.” david and sophie.

gled to reach some of the worst-hit areas with many roads destroyed by the quake combined with poor weather and a lack of resources and heavy equipment. Some areas are without fuel and electricity.

Emrah’s brother Ercan says that donations can be left in either Yilmaz’s Turkish Barbers on Clanbrassil St or Johnny’s Turkish Barbers on Park St. to help those affected by the earthquake.

Emrah and yilmaz yildrim.

Ercan yildrim from Johnny’s Turkish barbers.

McGreehan welcomes opening of Anam Chara Respite Centre

FIAnnA Fail Senator Erin McGreehan today welcomed the official opening of Anam Chara, an overnight respite house for adults with physical and sensory needs. The new stateof-the-art respite centre, which is run by My Life by Estrela Hall, will provide a home-from-home experience with purposebuilt sensory facilities and nursing oversight.

Minister of State for Disabilities, Anne Rabbitte, was on hand to officially open the new respite centre, saying that respite is a subject close to her heart and she was delighted to see respite services expanding and offering support to families in need.

Senator McGreehan expressed her support for Anam Chara, “I’m delighted to see this facility open today which will offer invaluable respite care to people in Louth. The dedicated team at this centre will

help individuals achieve their highest level of independence and the facilities and ethos of the service will enrich the lives of everyone who attends in their time of need.

The official opening of Anam Chara marks a new chapter for Louth Disability Services, which has been providing overnight respite for adults with disabilities for the past 27 years. The

closure of Sruthan House in 2019 led to a consultation process with service users, families and staff, resulting in the development of Anam Chara and the outsourcing of respite service provision to a provider who could deliver a modern, people-centred service.

“Anam Chara is a much-needed and welcomed respite centre that will provide support and care to families in

need and help enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities. Delivering this centre was a huge priority for me, and I recognise it was a really difficult time for families not having accessible respite. I’d like to thank Minister Rabbitte for her help on this and I will continue to work alongside her to deliver more disability services in Louth,” added Senator McGreehan.

Dáil bill could see an increase of murals around Dundalk

A BILL was introduced to the Dáil last week that aims to modernise laws governing murals and protect public art which should see plenty more murals popping up around the town over the coming months and years. If and when that happens local historian and SEEK walking guide Liam Gaynor will most likely need to extend his tours around town which take place on the first Friday of every month.

There are currently 18 murals in Dundalk, according to SEEK walking tour guide, Liam, who is originally from Hill Street.

“We visit 13 murals on the tour which takes one hour and 20 minutes. Along the way, I talk about local history and architects,” said Liam.

The SEEK walking tours are held on the first Friday of every month at 11.30am. The starting point is the Dundalk Tourist Office at the Market Square.

The tour lasts for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Tickets cost €6 per person and can be booked via Dundalk Tourist Office.

liam Gaynor

“This is the fifth year of the SEEK walking tours. Originally they were held only during the SEEK Festival but they have become very popular so now we do one tour per month,” said Liam.

“In between we are doing all sorts of group tours. Last november we did 11 tours for groups such as schools or the

Dundalk men’s Shed for example.

“We have been doing a lot of tours for Ukrainian refugees at the minute. I work with an interpreter.”

He added: “The Ukrainian refugees are lovely people. The murals have been an incredible success for Dundalk.

“Dundalk has never looked so well. We didn’t expect the walking tours to take off but they are very popular now.

“People can discover the history and stories behind the murals. I love it. When you love Dundalk, it comes across on the tours.”

Liam continued: “I know a lot about the town. I’ve been interested in local history since I was 12. There are so many interesting things about the town that people don’t notice. People don’t look up.

“People have great pride in the town. They always have. The streets never looked so good. We started off with four murals and now we have 18 in the town that all have a connection to the place.”

The state of the art respite centre was officially opened last week.

Body cams to be introduced for Gardai ‘Braindead government scheme must be rectified’ states Ó murchú

THE Minister for Justice, Simon Harris has introduced legislation in the Dáil to allow for the use of body worn cameras and other crucial modern policing tools by An Garda Síochána.

Minister Harris said the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 will significantly strengthen the capacity of An Garda Síochána to tackle crime and protect national security.

The Minister hopes to enact the Bill as soon as possible to allow Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to pilot the use of body-worn cameras later this year with a full roll-out expected after that.

Independent TD Peter Fitzpatrick welcomed the news stating that it will give gardaí an additional tool to boost their safety.

“I welcome the opportunity to speak on this crucial Bill and I unreservedly support its progress on Second

Stage. Regrettably, already this year, we have seen a number of serious assaults on gardaí. An officer was assaulted at an anti-asylum seeker protest in County Cork on 19 January.

A traffic garda had part of his finger bitten off in a vicious attack in Ballymun on Friday, 20 January. Let us not forget the arson attacks on the homes of a Dundalk garda in recent years,

which was the third attack on a Garda home in and around Dundalk in 18 months. This is on top of the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe and the tragic killing of Garda Tony Golden.

“While all gardaí accept policing has its risks, there can never be any excuse for these disgraceful attacks. There were 144 attacks on gardaí in 2012. Last

year, there were 241 attacks and, yet, basic measures such as body cameras are being stalled and are not due to be rolled out until 2024. Providing digital technology, including body cameras, dashcams and drones, to gardaí will help the prosecution of people who have committed crimes, as well as giving gardaí an additional tool to boost their personal safety.

“Overall, the Garda ethos is based not on force of arms but on its relationship with the community. That ethos has served us well but we need to keep our gardaí safe. The Bill needs to be enacted before the body cameras can be deployed. I hope they will be brought into operation as quickly as possible. Attacks on gardaí injure not just the victims themselves but communities as a whole,” stated Fitzpatrick.

THE ‘braindead’ government scheme that saw household electricity customers subsidising big business and large energy users must be rectified and households should get their money back as soon as possible, Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú told the Dáil last week.

The Sinn Féin TD raised the issue, first revealed through a Freedom of Information request by his colleague, Senator Lynn Boylan, with Tanáiste Micheál Martin.

Deputy Ó Murchú said it was ‘wrong and unfair’ that households, struggling to pay bills, were subsidising big business and large energy users.

He said: ‘The Commission for Regulation of Utilities failed to protect the public interest. That is why Sinn Féin has been pursuing this issue.

‘That’s the reason my colleague, Senator Boylan, submitted freedom of information requests on the issue was to get fairness for hard-pressed households.

‘We welcomed the fact that,

as a result of shedding light on this issue, households will now each get €50 back. However, it was reported in the media that it appears this will not happen any time soon.

‘Does the government agree that the CRU must provide a full

breakdown of how much this subsidy has cost domestic users so we can know exactly what households are owed?

‘Will he commit to ensuring that households are repaid immediately for this overcharging, as a result of an absolutely braindead Government scheme and CRU failings?

Minister Martin said: ‘Last autumn, the Government made an unprecedented allocation of resources and outlined an unprecedented cost-of-living package to help householders with their electricity bills, energy bills more generally, and also a whole range of payments within the budget.

‘I think that has given some help to people to deal with the unprecedented energy price crisis we are currently experiencing.

‘I will talk to the Minister in respect of the €50. I believe there is an onus on the agency, in this context the ESB, to pay back what is due as quickly as possible. I will talk to the Minister about that’.

Ruairi Ó Murchú.

Council leading the way in dog control

LOUTH County Council is leading the way in the enforcement of dog control, with the second highest number of Fixed Penalty notices (FPn’s) issued in the country, according to new figures released by the local authority.

Statistics from 2021 indicate that 147 FPn’s were issued by Louth County Council under the Control of Dogs Acts (1986 &1982), second only to Cork County Council which issued 170 notices in the same year.

Louth County Veterinarian Garrett Shine explained that Louth regularly issues the highest annual number of Fixed Penalty notices in the country.

“Dog wardens in County Louth are very proactive, and respond to an average of 1,500 call outs every year. The calls are often complaints regarding dogs

louth leading the way in dog control.

not under proper control, causing nuisance, fouling , excessively barking, etc. Sometimes it can be more serious such as attacks on livestock, attacking other dogs and/or attacks on people.”

He added: “The wardens protect the right of the public to be able to walk safely, whether they are walking their own dog on a lead or they are just generally

out walking, and that includes any public place, be that an urban area, a large estate or a quiet country road.”

In 2021 the breakdown of 147 FPn included: 65 FPns issued for people not having a valid dog license; 48 for dogs not being under proper control and; 25 for the ‘restricted breeds’ not complying with the specific requirement for those breeds, who have

to be muzzled and on a lead at all times whilst out in public.

In 2020 the overall figure was 231, with 104 for licenses, 53 for control and 19 for restricted breeds.

Louth County Council wardens also issue an average of 1,000 ‘Section 16’ notices every year, a legal notice requiring the keeper of a dog to submit proof of a valid dog license. An average of 4,000 house calls, with door-to door license checks, are also made.

The Louth County Veterinarian concluded:

“The number of dogs licenses in Louth averages 6,500, each year, however we are aware that there are many more dogs in the county and so the wardens remain vigilant.”

A license may be purchased at any Post Office or alternatively at www.licenses.ie

Bluecool Water dispensers based in Dundalk supplies, installs and maintains mains fed drinking water solutions to our customers nationwide, including water coolers, water dispensers, fountains, under sink chillers, hot water boilers and taps. Established over 20 years ago by Sales and Marketing Director Juanita.

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We also offer a free site audit where we will visit your site to assess the drinking water needs of your staff and visitors and offer advice, options and a competitive quote. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sales and Marketing Director Juanita McEntegart

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Council express disappointment at damage to new houses

LOUTH County Council Housing Department have expressed disappointment at the discovery of a number of incidents of vandalism to new local authority housing units in Dundalk.

The incidents occurred on Tuesday January 31st at four properties within Park Green, Coulter Place, Dundalk.

Windows were broken at the front and rear windows of the units, with damage to a patio door, and further damage to the inside of one property.

Paddy Donnelly, Director of Services at Louth County

Council explained the impact of anti social behaviour on housing which is awaiting allocation.

“These are particularly disappointing incidents, which cause not only additional costs for Louth County Council as a housing authority, but which can lead to a delay in allocating new homes in a time of a national housing crisis.”

He added that it was “very disappointing for new tenants to see their new home for life violated in this way. There can be an impact on young children seeing this vandalism on

their new home and then having a fear of moving to the location.”

Vandalism anti social behaviour are “ a real distraction on staff who are managing over 4000 local authority units and a waiting list in excess of 3,500.”

The incidents have been reported to Gardai.

An appeal has gone out to any members of the public who may have witnessed this behaviour to report it to gardai and to Louth County Council on 042 93 35457.

Inclusion Louth Spring General Meeting

InCLUSIOn Louth (formerly Dundalk Parents and Friends) will hold its Spring General meeting on monday 13th February at 7.30pm in the Fairways Hotel (Bellingham Suite), Dundalk.

We are pleased to have ms Derval mcDonagh, Chief Executive Officer of Inclusion Ireland as our guest speaker. Inclusion Ireland is the national association for people

with Intellectual disabilities.

ms mcDonagh as CEO, is the most senior advocate for people with intellectual disabilities in Ireland and works with Government, Health Boards and Service Providers.

She will discuss the findings of Inclusion Ireland’s research into ‘Progressing Disability Services’, outline the practical application of the

proposed ‘Assisted Decision making Act (2015)’and take questions from the floor. By attending this meeting, you will be able to meet and learn from other families, share knowledge and experience, and add your voice to the call for improved services.

We hope you will attend–maybe bring a friend!

Louth’s golf ‘on par’ with the best at PGA Show US golf journalists hear all about our world-class golf

TOURISM Ireland’s golf promotional programme for 2023 kicked off last week at the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida. Thirty-one (31) tourism companies from Ireland took part in this important event in the golfing calendar – including County Louth

Golf Club. The PGA Show is one of the biggest golf exhibitions in the United States, attracting more than 10,000 golf professionals and journalists.

Before the PGA Show kicked off, Ireland’s world-class golf was highlighted to some 100 golf

pros, buyers and other stakeholders – at a special Ireland Golf Day, sponsored by Tourism Ireland, north & West Coast Links Golf Ireland and SWInG Golf Ireland, at the Reunion Resort & Golf Club near Orlando.

The new houses were vandalised last week at Coulter Place, Dundalk.

Tourism companies from Ireland at the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida.

Department confirms 14,482 Ukrainian pupils currently enrolled in Irish schools

THE Department of Education has confirmed that as of 31 January, 430 Ukrainian pupils are enrolled in schools across Louth. That figure is made up of 254 pupils who are attending primary schools while 176 pupils are enrolled in post-primary schools.

These figures show a slight increase from the last figures which were released by the department in December which showed that 386 Ukrainian pupils were in schools across the county.

In total 14,482 Ukrainian pupils have been enrolled in schools across Ireland. Out of that figure, 9,334 of these pupils have been accommodated in primary schools while 5,148 pupils have enrolled in post-primary schools.

Current data indi-

cates an enrolment rate of 92% among Ukrainian children aged 5-18.

To assist with the transition of Ukrainian students and their families into Irish schools Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) continue to operate, hosted by the 16 regional

Love grows on the Friary Hill

WITH Valentines Day fast approaching local poet Sean Brannigan has offered forward these words of love to get people in the mood for the big day. The poem can be found in Sean’s recently released book ‘Oriel Observations’ which can be bought for just €10 in various locations around town including Central news, Clanbrassil Street/Dundalk Leader, Clanbrassil Street/Devenneys Office Supplies, Crowe Street/ Cortex Hair Design, Francis Street/Byrne’s Pharmacy, Church Street.

THE FRIARY HILL

Lovers kissing on a Summer seat Cherry blossom petals at their feet, The evening’s warm, the world is still As I walk down the Friary Hill. Their eyes are closed in old fashioned dreams, Adam and Eve in tight fitting jeans. They whisper, lost in time until It’s twilight on the Friary Hill. Between the school and the brewery wall As little pink Maytime snowflakes fall

I wish their wishes are fulfilled

And love grows, on the Friary Hill.

education and training boards around Ireland and staffed by regionally-based education support personnel.

These teams are ensuring that clear, accessible information flows are in place between schools, local education support services and national support structures in

relation to people arriving from Ukraine.

Information for parents in Ukrainian and Russian on accessing school places is available on gov.ie/Ukraine.

The Department have stated that they will continue to publish figures on the enrolment of Ukrainian children each month.

1—Which former boyband member picked up a Grammy award for best album last weekend?

2—What kind of animals are the cartoon characters ‘Pinky and the brain’?

3—in the lyrics of a Johnny Cash song, who, in Gatlinburg in midJuly, stopped for a brew at an old saloon on a street of mud?

4—Which british writer coined the phrase ‘ youth is the most beautiful thing in this world- and what a pity that it has to be wasted on children’.

5—sine, cosine and tangent are terms used in which branch of mathematics that studies angles and distance?

6—Which famous irish woman opened the new school gymnasium in st louis secondary school in 1992?

7—What type of bird featured in Guinness adverts for almost 50 years?

8—in roman mythology Cupid is the son of whom?

9—Which chocolate bar has been advertised under the slogan “Why have cotton when you can have silk”?

10—a mahout is a person who works, tends and rides which animal?

Stinker—Which city with a population of more than a million is furthest away from any other city with a population of more than a million?

—th IS WEE k’S an SWE r S

There are curently 430 ukrainian pupils enrolled in louth schools.

1—Harry tyless (formerly of neo irection),d

2—Mice, a3— oyb amedn ue,s 4—George ernardb haw,s 5—Trigonometry, 6—Former

i rish President Mary obinson,r 7—Toucan, 8—Venus, 9—Galaxy, 10—Elephant. The tinker:s uckland,a ewn Zealand.

Final piece of the Louth GAA Stadium jigsaw

LOUTH GAA will host the official launch of their final fundraising drive as they look to fill in the final jigsaw piece of the long-awaited new stadium which is located on the Inner Relief Road in Dundalk.

An information evening for the sale of three-year seats in the new stadium will take place in the Imperial Hotel at 7:30pm this evening. Louth GAA are hoping to sell 1500 tickets at a cost of €1000 each which will potentially raise €1.5m towards the cost of the stadium which will have a capacity of 14,500.

The Louth GAA Stadium Committee have already raised the vast majority of funds needed to build the stadium thanks to the Government’s Irish Immigrant Investor Programme which raised almost €15m and the double house draw which raised a further €1.2m. Louth GAA are also hopeful that the GAA will stump up between €4m-€5m to go towards the cost of the project.

According to Louth GAA chairman Peter Fitzpatrick this final

fundraiser is the final piece of the jigsaw to help raise the necessary funds for the project which will cost in the region of €20m.

“We are inviting everybody to come up to the Imperial Hotel on Thursday evening (tonight) for an information evening in relation to our seat reservation sale for our new stadium. We have the President of the GAA, Larry McCarthy coming down for the launch and we will have refreshments and a meet and great as well as information on the seating plans.

“We are asking local Gaels to help push this

project over the line and we have information on the three year seating plans as well as the various options people have to pay for their three year ticket.

“We have fixed a deal with a number of local credit unions who have agreed to offer generous long term loan terms for anybody interested in buying a ticket. There will be information on that as well as what the three year ticket entitles you to. We are asking for one last push from Louth Gaels to get us over the line and we are hopeful that they will support us,” stated Fit-

zpatrick.

“There’s been a lot of work going on over the last few weeks down at the site and we are about to go out to tender in the next couple of weeks. As soon as the contract is awarded we’ll be ready to start. We are hopeful that the early summer the work will begin in earnest. The site is completely levelled out. Soil has been compacted and we are ready for the next stage now. It’s a hugely exciting time and we are still hopeful that we will be ready to play our first game in our new stadium by September 2024,” he added.

Chairperson of Disability

Louth Calls for a Ban of e-Scooters on Footpaths

By Brooke Bannon

E-SCOOTERS are highly dangerous and pose a significant risk of harm to pedestrians and drivers according to the chairman of a local disability rights group.

David Larkin, Chairperson of disABILITY Louth, has called for a ban of e-Scooters on footpaths and pedestrian areas. When speaking to David he expressed how electrical scooters are particularly dangerous to people with mobility issues, people with a guide dog or assistance dog and

people with visual impairments.

He stated that “it is challenging enough to navigate on footpaths with a visual impairment without the added danger of an e-scooter”. He explains that as an e-scooter is a motorised vehicle it should not be permitted on footpaths and that there should be a speed limit to stick to whilst in a pedestrian area.

David explained that all peo-

ple driving an e-scooter should be licensed. He believes there should be a type of driving test put in place before a licence is given out.

David Larkin and the rest of disAbility Louth hope to see a law put in place to ban e-scooters from footpaths and pedestrian areas to reduce the risk of them causing harm to people on the streets.

He hopes that people on scooters think twice and be aware of others on the street whilst using them in public places.

The new stadium is expected to be completed by september 2024.

Family Notices

NOVENA AckNOwlEdgMENt

McaLester

John ‘Maxi’

John’s wife Angela, sons Gerard, Sean, Mark, Michael and Darren, Brother Thomas and all extended family members we offer our heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful friends and neighbours who attended the funeral, called to our home, sent Mass cards and offered condolences and all who donated food for the wake.

A special word of thanks to Castletown Pharmacy, Grainne Gogan HSE Lung Cancer Co-Ordinator, the Doctors, Nurses and Staff of the East Boyne Ward in the Lourdes Hospital for their kindness and care to John and Doctor Shane and Nurse Tina Glesson. We would also like to thank his beloved team Dundalk Football Club. Thank you to Fr. Peter who celebrated the funeral Mass and rite of burial, to Patsy Breen and accompanied soloist for the beautiful songs during the Mass and to Dixons Funeral Directors for the dignified and respectful care. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually please accept this acknowledgment as an expression of our deepest gratitude. John’s months mind will be held on Sunday 12th February in St. Nicholas Church at 10.30am.

cOnnOLLy (Michael)

50th ANNivErSAry

in loving memory of my dear father, late of St Nicholas Avenue, who died 12th February 1973, No more tomorrow for us to share, But yesterdays memories will always be there, Often as we walk down the path of memories, Gently we gather them to love and treasure forever.

—Always loved and never forgotten by his daughter Breda, son in law, grand-daughter Elaine, husband Gerard and greatgrandsons Sean and Kaylon.

IN MEMORIAM NOVENA

nOVena tO st Martha St Martha, i resort to thy aid and protection. As proof of my affection and Faith, i offer thee this light, which i shall burn every Tuesday. Comfort me in all My difficulties and through the great favors thou didst enjoy when the Saviour Was lodged in thy house, intercede for my family, that we be provided for in our Necessities. i ask of thee, St Martha, to overcome all difficulties as thou didst overcome The dragon which thou hadst at thy feet. Our Father, Hail Mary, Gloria Thanksgiving for many favors received. J.K.

nOVena tO the sacred heart

Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past i asked you for many favours This time, i ask for this special favour (mention it). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart, where your Father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes, it will become your favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for 3 days. Promise publication and favours will be granted.

(Never known to fail). M.M.c

nOVena tO the sacred heart

Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past i asked you for many favours This time, i ask for this special favour (mention it). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart, where your Father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes, it will become your favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for 3 days. Promise publication and favours will be granted.

(Never known to fail). eM.

nOVena tO the sacred heart

Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past i asked you for many favours This time, i ask for this special favour (mention it). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart, where your Father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes, it will become your favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for 3 days. Promise publication and favours will be granted.

(Never known to fail). M.McP. nOVena tO the sacred heart

Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past i asked you for many favours This time, i ask for this special favour (mention it). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart, where your Father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes, it will become your favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for 3 days. Promise publication and favours will be granted. (Never known to fail). O.f.

Watters urges public to keep on reporting dumping offences

By Brooke Bannon

THERE has been widespread disgust with the news of a mass dumping of rubbish in one of County Louth’s popular natural beauty spots in Omeath.

A total of eighteen black bags of rubbish and a large quantity of cans and bottles were found scattered just off the Turf Road in Omeath, along with the remains of a bonfire.

Local Sinn Féin Councillor Antoin Watters highlighted the issue on his social media claiming that evidence

had been found with a name and address and that a fine will be sent out, while also prais-

ing the Louth County Council Litter Wardens for their great work.

“Great Work from the Louth County Council Litter Wardens”.

When speaking to Councillor Watters he informed us that “Unfortunately rubbish dumpings have been happening every week in Louth’s rural areas, With large scale dumpings like this happening at least once a month”.

Councillor Watters claimed that a fine had been sent out to the person involved in this dumping but he would rather see a larger scale

PROPERT y/RE n TALS SPECIAL SER v ICES

ATTEnTIOn—For b.E.R. CERTIFICATION of properties being offered for sale or rent, contact Robert Mulholland, bER assessor. 087 609 1906 www.louthber.ie.

L ARgE SPACIOUS bEAUT y Room to Let. Available from 1st February. Ready to work from imediately. Fully equipped with brand new equipment. Freshly painted. Over a busy Hair Salon in Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk. Advantage of existing clientele. For further queries please call 087 3606252. DOUbLE bEDROOMS to let in wellequipped, large home in Dundalk, may suit professionals. Private parking Tel 089 2430287.

ADvERTISE yOUR HOUSE Premises for rent or sale to 55,000 readers a week from €5. Telephone Dundalk Leader 042 93 -20888.

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CD LOgS—Kiln Dried Ash/Oak & birch, Weekly Deliveries to Dundalk & surrounding areas. Newry Co. Down Mob 00 44 77 6040 3254 or 048 30269632 www.cdlogs.com.

SELL IT THROUgH A CLASSIFIED—Only €5 for one week up to 20 words. 042 93 20888. The Dundalk Leader.

CHIMnEy & STOvE CLEAnIng—Tel Paul McArdle 042 933 2491 / 087 666 0094.

CHIMnEy CLEAnER—The Clean sweep, clean & tidy, no dust. brush & Vac. Also gutter cleaning. Contact - Cathal 087-2259799.

ADvERTISE yOUR SERvICE to over 60,000 readers for only €5 per week up to 20 words Phone Dundalk Leader 042 932 0888.

WE CAn DISTRIbUTE your leaflets from €75 + vat per thousand Phone Dundalk Leader 042 932 0888.

WInDOW CLEAnIng—Gutter & facia cleaning carried out by professional, fully trained and insured staff. Affordable rates.

Domestic & Commercial. Call our office for a free quotation. Everkleen 042 935 2717 or 086 829 3585. www.everkleenservices.ie <http://www.everkleenservices.ie>.

FORTUnE TELLER—Available for appointment, private or group bookings. Tel. Alison 042 933 5102 or 087-67-51229.

bUILDIng SERvICES—Extensions, Renovations, Sunrooms, Conservatories and All General Maintenance. P.V.C. Fascia, Soffit and Guttering products supplied and fitted. bathroom Refurbishment, Painting, Decorating, Wall & Floor Tiling. All types of Roof Repairs & Maintenance. For free estimates

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ROOF LEAKS MASTER—We repair all types of roof/tile, slate, bangor blues. Repair torch on roofs, scrape & clean, chimneys & chimney pots, chimney bird guards, gutter facia & soffits. All work guaranteed, 25 years experience. Tel. 086 8184827.

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MObILE HOME TRAnSPORT—Transported throughout 32 Counties. Contact Eugene 086-607-1702.

CARPET & OvEn CLEAnIng—Carpet, upholstery & specialist oven cleaning available. Call MVI Cleaning Dundalk on 042 94 21300 or visit www.mvicleaning.ie.

ROOFIng REPAIRS & STOvES—Stoves supplied and fitted, fully insured, Hetas certified. Contact Paul Englishby 087 6301914 or 041 98 94633 and Mark on 087 1302040 for roofing enquiries.

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PODIATRy/CHIROPODy treatment in the comfort of your own home. Ms. Dara McCoy, bsc. Podiatry 0871924794.

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RETIRED RELIAbLE local man available for Painting & Decorating, Internal and External,30 years’ experience, also grass cutting, strimming. General Garden Maintenance and Garage Clearance, Contract Gardening considered. Keen prices. Tel 086 845 9472.

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LInE DAnCIng beginner classes continue in Dowdallshill GAA hall every Tuesday night at 7PM. Classes also in the boys Club Seatown Wednesday mornings. At 10am. All welcome. Contact 087 2618773.

fine introduced. He claimed that one of the only ways to stop the dumpings is to increase the fine being issued and that he would be bringing up this issue in the next meeting taking place during the week.

Councillor Watters said that he would like the public to report any dumpings that they see or any suspicious behaviour to help reduce the amount taking place. With the help of the public and an increase on the fines being issued he hopes that the mass dumpings will come to an end.

HOUSE & APARTMEnT CLEAnIng Service. Specializing in Re-Let & Spring Cleaning, Carpet & Upholstery cleaning. Fully insured. For a free quotation contact Everkleen 042 9352717 / 087 6873188, www.everkleenservices.ie <http://www.everkleenservices.ie>.

TILER AvAILAbLE—Experienced local tiler to carry out all types of tile work - marble, granite, porcelain. Indoors and out. Call 087-387-8995 for free quote.

SC TILIng—Professional Tiler, Specialises in full bathroom refits. Top Class Work Guaranteed Call Shane—086 107 5080.

gRIMLEy’S DUbLIn ST. DUnDALK Televisions, TV aerials, satellite, Freeview & Saorview, new installations, sales, service & repairs. Free estimates 042 935 4343. DUnDALK gARDEn SERvICES—Tree topping, felling, hedge trimming, grass cutting & strimming. Rubbish Removals/Garage clearance, House & Garden refuse. Permit holder. Contact ben 085-840-7707. gARDEn MAInTEnAnCE—Hedge and Tree Cutting Services. Power Washing. Garden Tidy Up. Call Colin 085 1726520.

WATCH REPAIRS. Mechanical/Quartz (battery) and Vintage. In our own workshop. Most brands—Cartier, Longines, Omega, Revue, Raymond Weil, Seiko, Citizen & more, also Jewellery repairs. Goldstar Jewellers, Demesne Shopping Centre Dundalk Tel. 042 93 39478.

All-in-one! home and property maintenance and improvements. Painting, decorating, general household maintenance, exterior cleaning, power washing, gutters, dust free sanding, No job to big or small, quality but affordable service contact Ian 0874158238.

POWER WASHING - Get ready for Spring/ Summer. Power washing of driveways/ paving from €150. Call William on 085 8604048.

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LOUTH COUnT y COUnCIL—I, Kevin Holland, intend to apply for replacement planning permission for the construction of a new outbuilding to the rear pf No.8, Cuchulainn’s Terrace, Castletown Road, Dundalk Co. Louth. This planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of Louth County Council from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Authority in writing within a period of 5 weeks from the date of receipt by the Authority of the application and on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00.

€1,719,447.00 for local community group in Louth

SEnATOR Erin McGreehan has welcomed €1,719,447.00 for local community groups in Louth under the Community Services Programme. The Community Services Programme is an initiative designed to support community-based businesses, social enterprises and organisations that provide local services and create employment opportunities for disadvantaged people.

A total of €1,719,447.00 has been awarded to various organisations in the county, including creches, media centres, playgroups, and youth development groups, among others.

Senator McGreehan stated, “This funding will make a huge difference in the lives of so many people in our community. These organisations provide valuable services and support to those in need, and I am thrilled that they will now have further resources to continue their important work.”

The Senator went on to say, “This investment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the community organisations in Louth, and I am proud to have played a role in securing this funding for them.”

The organisations that will benefit from this funding include Holy Family Parish Community Creche Company Limited By Guarantee, Ait na nDaoine Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Ráthaíochta, Dundalk Media Centre Company Limited By Guarantee, Lios na nog Playgroup Company Limited By Guarantee, Muirhevnamor Community Council Company Limited By Guarantee, and many others.

Artist in the Community Project—Brigid1500

LOUTH County Council are seeking applications for an Artist in the Community Project as part of their Brigid1500 commemorations.

Louth County Council has today submitted an RFT(Request for Tender) on E-Tenders, seeking an artist/artist collective to facilitate an Artist in the Community Project as part of its Brigid1500 commemorations. The Brigid1500 programme is an initiative that seeks to engage communities throughout the county to come together to celebrate the life and legacy of Brigid.

The Artist in Community project will offer an Artist/Artist group the opportunity to work with a range of local community groups and schools throughout 2023.

As a result of this work, a number of artistic creations will be produced and then exhibited during the 1500 anniversary commemorations in February 2024. The year-long project is expected to create a widespread awareness of the legacy of Brigid, the Saint and the Goddess.

The unique exhibition next year will feature all works created by the various groups and will encompass the many elements of Brigid, the woman, the life and the legacy.

The competition is open to an individual artist, or an artist collective/group, which have expertise/specialise in Textile Art & Design and one or more of the following disciplines: Ceramics, Glass or Printmaking.

Details of the RFT can be found on E-Tenders. LInK HERE

Details will also be found on the VAI website HERE , CreateLouth website HERE and on the Brigid1500 page on the Visit Louth website HERE

Deadline for queries is Thursday 16th February and all queries relating to the RFT should be processed through the E-tender portal. Closing date for application on E-Tenders is Thursday 23rd February 2023.

Any further queries on the Brigid1500 plans in Louth can be addressed by contacting the email address brigid1500@louthcoco.ie

Councillor seeks booster pole to improve phone coverage

CLLR. John Reilly has recently conducted a door-to-door survey of phone coverage in the Kilkerley area as part of the Get Connected initiative.

“My recent survey in the Kilkerley area shows that the Vodafone coverage is particularly poor” Cllr Reilly claims. He says the response to the survey has led to Cellnex performing a drone survey on the area. Depending on the results of the data, Cllr Reilly says he is very confident that the Kilkerley area will be in line for a booster pole, which will greatly improve the mobile coverage over 2 square kilometres.

Kilcurry has also been surveyed with drone technology and suitable sites for booster poles will soon be looked into.

Cllr Reilly says that so much of our modern life revolves around technology. Long gone are the times when mobile phones were solely used for making calls and sending texts.

Cellnex has identified a number of suitable sites in the Cooley peninsula and hopes to be in a position in the coming weeks to formally apply for licenses for new infrastructure in the area. They said that rural connectivity should be today’s solution, not tomorrow’s problem.

disABILITY Louth thank all who attended recent AGM

THE first in person AGM since the start of the Lockdown was held at the Crowne Plaza, and was opened and compered by our chairperson David Larkin.

David thanked our Officers, Committee Members, Group Members,Speakers, Dara Mc Gabhainn of Louth Local Development and Sinead McVerry and Eamon Redmond from Louth County Council for their work and support.

We start the new Year with a new Public Image Logo, designed by Crown Creatives and printed by Print Express and a

renewed call to be One Voice for Persons with Disability.

A review of the years activities of events research and representations was given by our Secretary Vesna Radosevic.

Our treasurer Annette Monaghan reviewed our finances and also give a presentation on our ‘Breaking the Mould’ Creative project. The work from this project will be displayed at the Highlanes Gallery Drogheda from Feb 2023.

The all-important theme of Cost of Living and Wellbeing was reflected in the presentations

of our Guest Speakers.

Disability Louth extends thanks to the Guest Speakers:

Helen Grant, Manager, EmployAbility Service Louth; Sean Brosnan, Money Advisor M.A.B.S.; Peter O’ Toole, Head of Counselling, n.C.B.I.

A video summary of the results of our research on the effects of covid and lockdown on persons with disABILITY was screened.

This event afforded the opportunity to meet with our group members and to restate our objectives.

OnE Voice for All.

Credit Union School Quiz back with a bang!

COnnECT Credit Union held the annual credit union primary school quiz on Monday, 30th January, in the Blackrock Suite of the Fairways Hotel. This was the first quiz since 2019 due to Covid and was welcomed back by all!

Schools from Blackrock, Dillonstown,

Knockbridge, Haggardstown, Kilkerley, Stabannon, Kilsaran, Clogherhead, and Tullydonnell all gathered to take part in the quiz with the hopes of crowning themselves victorious.

Two quizzes took place on the day, the U11 competition and the U13 competition. Present from

Connect Credit Union were Mary Price, who took the role of quiz master, CEO, norman McDonald who acted as the quiz adjudicator, as well as several volunteers from the surrounding areas.

The U11 quiz had a dramatic finish with two teams battling in a double tiebreaker for second

place! St. Fursey’s nS took home first prize, with St. Francis nS in second, and Knockbridge nS in third spot.

The U13 teams battled it out for two extra rounds, and it also came down to the wire in a tiebreaker round. In the end, Kilkerly nS took the title spot, followed closely by

Knockbridge nS in second and Kilsaran nS in third places. Both first place teams will go on to compete in Stage Two of the credit union quiz in March, with other winners from Louth, Cavan and Monaghan.

Connect Credit Union CEO, norman McDonnell said “It was great to see so

many schools back at the quiz this year, and with so many teams entered. The students did fantastic and we can’t wait to see how they get on at the next level. Hopefully, we’ll see one of our local teams at the national level! Credit to the teachers as all students represented their schools extremely well!”

First place winners pictured with naomi O’Donoghue, Current Account Manager, CCU: Under 11 - St. Fursey’s nS - Brian McCabe, Conor Ball, Emilia Sharkey, Jake Kelly. Under 13 - Kilkerley nS - Clara Conway, Enya Green, Rebecca Mulligan ÉinÍn Stacey.

disABILITY Louth held their first in person AGM since the first lockdown recently.

St. Furseys NS 1st prize U11.

Knockbridge NS 2nd prize U13.

Kilkerly NS 1st prize U13.

St. Francis NS 2nd prize U11.

Knockbridge NS 3rd prize U11.

Kilsaran NS 3rd prize U13.

Cllr Sheridan wants more visible dog license checks

By Sorcha Reilly

LOUTH County Councillor John Sheridan, has called on Louth County Council to have more visible dog licence checks to boost compliance of licensing and microchipping.

The Fianna Fail councillor brought up the question dueing the January meeting of the local authority where he asked Louth County Council, how many dogs are there in Louth and how many of those are microchipped and licensed. He also asked how the local authority

Cllr John sheridan.

could increase compliance of the dog license and getting them microchipped as they are very important for dog control.

According to John

there are six and a half thousand licensed dogs in Louth but the actual number of dogs lies somewhere between 12,000 to 18,000.

“It’s a worrying factor and by not having the ability to track the correct amount of dog that are actually in Louth as they can’t be put down to be recorded.

“It’s difficult to find the dogs that aren’t either, microchipped, or licensed, as there isn’t anything at the moment to search for those dogs. It’s not possible to go

door to door, but we should engage with vets across the county, around compliance and as well as that get dog wardens to actually go out and attend popular walking routes at the weekends when people are walking their dogs. I believe this would be a good way to ensure dog compliance,” stated John.

John concluded by saying, “ That there is a balance to be found but ultimately as far as I’m concerned we need to shine a light on the compliance levels of dog’s licenses.”

Make it happen for your business in 2023

LOCAL Enterprise

Week is back for 2023 with loads of great free learning and networking events for local business.

Taking place from Monday 6th to Friday 10th March, the theme for this year is “Making It Happen” for local business.

Sarah Mallon, Coordinator of Local Enterprise Week for Louth, explains “We’ve planned a busy schedule of events, with learning to suit businesses at all stages. We invite local business owners from all over the county to check out the line up on localenterprise.ie/ louth.”

“In addition to events planned and managed by the Local Enterprise Office, we’ve teamed up with business organisations to stage joint events. We’ve partnered with Drogheda Chamber to help businesses navigate the rapidly changing landscape of HR and employment law. Working in partnership with Dundalk and newry Chambers, we’re exploring opportunities to expand business cross-border at the annual Cross Border conference. We’ll also be tackling issues of cyber-security

for business at a Dundalk Chamber breakfast briefing on Thursday morning.” Sarah continues.

“We’ll mark International Women’s Day by joining forces with network Louth for a brilliant evening event at The Mill Enterprise Centre on Wednesday, 8th March. The subject will be supporting neurodiversity in the workplace and it promises to be a really stimulating evening.”

“Take the first steps to get your business online by signing up for our TOV seminar in conjunction with the Local Enterprise Office Cavan. Then TikTok your way to business success with a brilliant

TikTok for Business seminar on Tuesday.”

“Have you got an idea for a food business? Join us for “Starting your own Food Business” in conjunction with the Local Enterprise Office Meath. Ready to move into export markets? Don’t miss our regional event, led by LEO Meath, with an online exporting workshop. And of course, the finale of the week will be the Louth Enterprise Awards lunch on Friday 10th March, at The Monasterboice Inn, Drogheda.”

Sarah continues “Watch out for the 5 Spotlight Events being hosted by our colleagues around the country, one each day.

They will be tackling subjects such as Exporting, Digitalization, Sustainability, Lean and Innovation in a series of brilliant dynamic online events.”

Sarah concludes “Whatever stage your business is at, there’s something for you at Local Enterprise Week. Check out the full lineup on LocalEnterprise. ie/Louth and book your tickets now. And do share this information with anyone you think should take part in this year’s events.” Local Enterprise Week is brought to you by Local Enterprise Office Louth, proudly supported by Louth County Council and Enterprise Ireland.

hubert Murphy (Drogheda Chamber), Geraldine Johnston (Boyne Communications), Niamh Pentony (Network Louth), Sarah Mallon (LeO Louth), Geraldine Carr (Aphix Software) and Michael Gaynor (Dundalk Chamber).