20-10-2021

DUNDALK’S FREE NEWSPAPER €1m Park And Share Facility Opens Page 2

Doc On Pavarotti's Dundalk Show Page 4

Enterprising Brothers Unveil Business Page 10

Wednesday, 20th October, 2021. Vol. 14, Issue 42 • 63 Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth

Dentist medical card scheme is in decay

Tel: 042 9320888. Fax: 042 9329676. Email: editorial@dundalkleader.com; advertising@dundalkleader.com

By Tamara O’Connell

The Irish Dental Association have warned that the scheme which provides dental treatment for medical card holders is in ‘complete chaos’ with dentists withdrawing from the Dental Treatment Services Scheme in their droves.

Locally there has been a 40 per cent reduction in the number of dentists operating the medical card scheme for patients in County Louth over a fiveyear period.

According to the Irish Dental Association (IDA) Chief Executive Fintan Hourihan, the figures come from an answer to a parliamentary question.

“From September 2017 to September 2021 the number of dentists operating the medical card scheme in County Louth fell from 41 to 25. It was a 40 per cent reduction,” he said.

Continued on Page 2

President Michael D. Higgins presented the Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal to Dundalk harper Fionnuala Donlon at a special ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin on Tuesday. The 22 year old from the Redbarns Road comes from a musical family and started playing harp at nine years of age. She has won numerous All Ireland medals for her playing, and won the Senior Harp trophy at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Drogheda in 2019.

“Chimney Corner” Ard Easmuinn Rd, Dundalk.

Tel: 042 935 7296 Email: dunnesmonumental@gmail.com

Extensive Range of Quality Headstones Large Selection of Designs and Grave Accessories IN MEMORIAM - Remembered In Stone

“We hold you close within our hearts and there you shall remain.

To walk with us throughout our lives until we meet again”

Dentist medical card scheme in decay Dundalk Leader 20th October 2021

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Continued from Page 1 “In relation to County Louth, I do know from speaking to some of the dentists, that in Drogheda hardly any dentists are seeing medical card holders.

“And the situation in Dundalk isn’t much

better. I believe some of the 25 dentists may be dormant in County Louth.”

Fintan added: “Dentists and patients are angry and astonished that there was no plan to deal with the crisis in the budget.

“It has affected the

Northeast in the most obvious way but it is a nationwide problem.

There are 1.5 million eligible medical card patients in the country as a whole. There has been a mass exodus of dentists from the medical card scheme in recent years. People are finding it harder and harder to find a dentist.”

He continued: “Dentists can’t afford to stay in the scheme. They want to be able to help medical card patients.

We need a new scheme, the old one is beyond saving. We have sought to engage with the Department of Health to modify this scheme over many years but to no avail,” he stated.

Because of the drop

off in funding and dentists’ participation medical card patients are now faced with delays while seeking treatment; increased travel times while seeking that treatment; and possible reliance on the already underfunded public dental service to provide care in areas where DTSS contracts are not in place.

Fintan Hourihan, Chief Executive of the Irish Dental Association.

Park and Share facility opened on M1 Fiadh Mary O’Hagan was the first person to walk on the recently re-surfaced new road in Hyde Park.

The launch of a new €1m purpose built park and share facility on the M1 just off junction 16 is the first of its kind in the country.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Louth County Council announced the opening of Ireland’s first purpose-built Park and Share Facility on the Motorway Network last Friday. The new facility off junction 16 (formally the N52 Junction) on the M1 is now open.

The 226 Parking Bay Facility represents an investment in the order of €1 million, and will significantly improve safety at the junctions off the M1 Motorway , in particular the N33, N53 and R215 where there is an existing safety issue of parking in the verge.

The project incorporates 226 Parking Bays (incl. 22 Disabled parking bays); Wired for Electric Vehicles (EV) – all parking bays have been prepared for elec-

Local Electrical Wholesale Distributor have a job vacancy for

Counter Sales/ Stores Person The person will have various duties including goods in and out plus sales on our trade counter.

Full driving licence and forklift experience an advantage but not essential.

Please send CV to Box No. 212 C/O Dundalk Leader, 63 Clanbrassil St., Dundalk

The new €1m Park and Share purpose built facility on the M1 just off junction 16. tric vehicle provision; Flood Lighting; CCTV Cameras; A turnaround area to facilitate pick up and drop offs; Pedestrian footpaths; Safe access off the R215; Closing of existing hard-shoulders on the N33, N53 and R215 to prevent future on-road

parking; VMS Signage directing drivers to the Park and Share.

The Park and Share Facility was initiated and funded by TII. The site was originally identified through the TII Road Safety Inspection process, which found that there was danger-

ous parking taking place in the verge and hardshoulders of the National Routes adjacent to the M1.

The scheme was progressed by Louth County Council as well as technical advisors for the scheme, Bruton Consulting Engineers

and PMCE. Construction works were undertaken by ACS Civils Ltd. The opening of the scheme means that vehicles currently parking adjacent to high-speed national roads will now be able to park safely in a purpose-built park-

ing facility. The facility will have the added benefit of also incentivising more vehicle sharing and access to private bus operators, which in turn will reduce the environmental impact of commuting in individual cars.

By Tamara O’Connell

pointing we couldn’t move up a few more places in the league considering how much work we put in.

“We have up to 50 volunteers. It was better during lockdown as we had lots of people out cleaning the streets.

“However, those people are back at work now but we still have a committed group of volunteers. Plus, the council are out consist-

ently every week.”

Helen added: “We are due to have a meeting with council officials next week because we are due to take part in a cross-border competition called ‘Ireland’s Tidiest Town’.

“It’s so hard to keep on top of. The three biggest culprits are facemasks, cigarette butts and takeaways.”

The survey by IBAL has shown the major-

ity of our towns have cleaned up over the past 12 months.

IBAL’s Conor Horgan commented: “With local authority cleaning schedules normalising again, and volunteer groups re-engaged in cleanups across the country, our towns are almost as clean as two years ago. This is still some way short of where they were in 2014,

however.”

However, litter in our main cities has worsened to levels not seen in ten years.

Portlaoise emerged as cleanest of the 40 areas surveyed nationwide, but Dublin’s North Inner City was at the foot of the rankings, the only area to be branded a ‘litter blackspot’. The study found no fall-off in PPE litter across the country.

Dundalk moderately littered in latest IBAL league table Dundalk is ranked in 27th position, two places ahead of Navan, Co Meath. Navan is also classed as moderately littered.

Meanwhile, Drogheda has been classed as heavily littered and sits in 38th position in the IBAL survey.

Dundalk Tidy Town’s Chairperson Helen Byrne said: “It’s disap-

Dundalk Leader 20th October 2021

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A Fiver for a Tenor Dundalk Leader 20th October 2021

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1—Which capital city derives its name from the Spanish for “good air”?

2—The champion racehorse Rock Of Gibraltar was the subject of an acrimonious legal battle between John Magnier and which Scotsman?

3—Quint and Martin Brody were characters in which 1975 Stephen Spielberg movie?

4—Into which sea does the River Nile flow?

5—Which Greek author was famous for his fables?

6—Where in Dundalk is Albert Place?

7—Sarah Palin was the first female governor of which

state?

8—In which town did the Pied Piper play?

9—Which founding member of The Chieftains passed away last week?

10—What county was Rory McIlroy born in?

The Stinker—What was the most downloaded app of 2020?

—this week’s answers—

A ‘Fiver for a Tenor’ is a one-hour radio documentary that will transport us back to May 1963, when a then unknown tenor took to the stage of the Town Hall, Dundalk for his first ever solo performance not in an opera outside of Italy. His name? Luciano Pavarotti.

‘A Fiver for a Tenor’ explores a story that at first read, could be dismissed as local legend. But as we dig deeper, even local legends are often grounded in fact.

It was the spring of 1963 - Eamon de Valera was President and Sean Lemass, Taoiseach. In the South of the country, preparations were well underway for the visit of US President John Kennedy in the summer. In Dundalk, on May 7th, a group of opera lovers who together formed St. Cecilia’s Gramophone

Pavarotti performed his first solo concert outside Italy in Dundalk.

Society were on their way to Belfast to see a performance of Puccini’s La Boheme in the Grand Opera House.

Waiting nervously behind the scenes before his performance on that day, was a man whose name would soon become recognised world-wide.

That name was Lu-

ciano Pavarotti.

A few days later, the then 27-year old was to perform in Dundalk, stopping over with other Italian singers as he was travelling to Dublin to take part in the opera Rigoletto hosted by the DGOS - Dublin Grand Opera Society (as Opera Ireland

was then called) in the Gaiety Theatre.

The sum paid for his performance in Dundalk? Five punts, with each ticket sold for a half crown. Five days later, on May 12th 1963, the now world-famous Pavarotti took to the small stage of the Town Hall in Dundalk and per-

formed his first ever solo concert outside of Italy, to a small but appreciative audience and accompanied only by a piano.

He performed Che Gelida Mamina from Puccini’s La Boheme, La Donna E Mobile from Verdi’s Rigoletto along with a role in the Duet from Puccini’s Butterfly.

‘A Fiver for a Tenor’ explores the story behind how such a world-famous name began his international solo career on a humble Town Hall stage in Ireland.

Helping us piece together this story is Sr. Leonie Marron, a lifelong friend of Monsignor Peter Shields, who helped organise the night. Sr. Leonie recounts the strange rules that existed in the church at the time that meant that Monsignor Shields could organise the trips for the Society to these

concerts to places like Dublin and Belfast, but was not allowed to attend many of the performances as it was forbidden by the Archbishop of the Diocese. Also interviewed are Paddy Brennan of the DGOS and Niall Morris, a founding member of ‘The Celtic Tenors’, who staged a show about Pavarotti’s life.

In the creation of this 1-hour radio documentary, ‘A Fiver for a Tenor’, we seek to elevate what was once local legend to the realms of fact and in doing so, recount an almost unbelievable tale for a modern audience.

The documentary was funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television Licence Fee. A Fiver for a Tenor will broadcast at 12 noon on Monday October 25th on LMFM.

Dundalk company to take part in four day week pilot

By Tamara O’Connell

DUNDALK company Soothing Solutions is taking part in a national pilot that is being rolled out to test the feasibility of a four-day working week.

Founded in 2017, Soothing Solutions manufactures products to promote comfort to young children when they are under the weather.

Based in the Brewery Business Park, the company focuses on product innovation and offers clever concepts to help solve common problems that parents face when their young children become ill and are seeking to give them relief.

According to Soothing Solutions co-founder Sinead Crowther, the project will begin running workshops for the companies involved in the pilot soon.

Soothing Solutions co-founders Sinead Crowther and Denise Lauaki.

“We are very excited to take part in this project. We are a start-up so it will be interesting to see how it will work for us,” said Sinead.

“I worked as a pharmacy technician and the hours were extremely long. A four-day work

week would help with work-life balance.

“It would also help from an environmental perspective by off-setting the carbon footprint of the business making it more sustainable” The new pilot programme for employers will test the effective-

ness of a four-day working week for staff with no loss of pay.

“I’m really hoping we can successfully implement it. It would help us to attract and retain staff if it was something we could offer that other businesses don’t,” said Sinead.

1—Buenos Aires, 2—Sir Alex Ferguson, 3—Jaws, 4—Mediterranean, 5—Aesop, 6—Street off Bachelor’s walk. 7—Alaska, 8—Hamelin, 9—Paddy Moloney, 10—Co. Down. The Stinker: TikTok.

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Dundalk Leader 20th October 2021

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‘Told in Toberona’ is back on the bookshelves Told in Toberona is a book which was seventy years in the making and having originally been released in 2008 it is once again back on local bookshelves having been unavailable for a number of years. ‘Told in Toberona’ is a memoir by Dundalk born John Swift which was first started during the first world war and only completed some 70 years later in the late 1980’s when John was 92.

The book is now once again available in paperback and hardback in Roe River Books in Dundalk. Told in Toberona intersperses episodes of his life with original folklore relating to his Dundalk childhood around the turn of the last century.

It is one of the very few written accounts of the experiences

of an Irishman during the First World War and one of the few autobiographical accounts by an ordinary person of that period.

John Swift was born at 83 Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, County Louth, on 26 August 1896. He was the eldest of four children of Dundalk-born Alice Swift, née Deane and Patrick Swift, who ran a bakery business, Swift and Cooper, jointly with relatives, also at 83 Clanbrassil Street.

A few years following John’s birth, the family moved their residence, but not their business, to 77 Clanbrassil Street.

Educated at the local Christian Brothers and, briefly, the de la Salle Brothers Schools, Dundalk, John Swift also acquired an elementary knowledge of the

bakery trade in his family’s bakery. Following the bankruptcy of the business around 1909, the Swifts moved permanently to Dublin in the winter of 19121913, settling in the Clanbrassil Street district of the city.

Swift was elected to the fulltime Bakers’ Union positions of National Organiser in 1936 and General Secretary in 1943.

A delegate to the Dublin Trade Union Council from 1933, he served as Vic-President from 1942-1945 and President in 1945, succeeding James Larkin Senior. He was also a National Executive Committee member of the Irish Trade Union Congress for thirteen years, eleven as an officer: vice-President, 19451946, President 1946-1947 and Treasurer 1949-1958. In 1948,

he was the principal progenitor and a founder of the People’s College Adult Education Association, commonly known as the People’s College. It was also in 1948 that Swift’s book, History of the Dublin Bakers and Others, was published.

A prominent figure in the International Union of Food and Allied Workers’ Association (IUF) for many years, Swift was elected President for the period 1964-1967. He retired from both the IBCAWAU and IUF in 1967.

1925 circa, John Swift [1896A left-wing member of the 1990].

Labour Party from 1927, he was particularly active in the 1940s radical socialist policies, one of and again from the mid-1960s which on Workers’ Democracy, to early 1970s, a period when was originally drafted by Swift. the Party adopted a series of Founding President of the Ire-

land-USSR Society in 1966, he was elected founding President of the Irish Labour History Society in 1973. Also in 1973, he was among a minority on the Left who supported Ireland’s entry to the European Economic Community. Late in retirement, Swift wrote his memoir, Told in Toberona, which was published posthumously in 2008.

John Swift died in St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin, at the age of ninety-three on 20 March 1990. His socialist and secular funeral service was held three days later in Glasnevin Crematorium. He was survived by his wife and three children. His memoir is available to buy in both hardback and paperback in Roe River Books in Dundalk.

Halloween Spooktacular Fun in St Helena Park organised by Turas Outdoor Spooky Halloween fun for all the family will take place in St Helena’s Park on Sunday 31st October with a Spooktacular organised by Turas.

The Tricks and Treats get underway from 12-2pm and will take in a park trail with a ghostly stroll through the numerous spooky zones with children joining in Halloween games and fun as they make their way around.

Beware of the ghosts, ghouls and goblins along the way.

All those taking part will find themselves transported to a haunted realm with a host of creepy characters to encounter.

There will also be be games, bouncy castles, fang-tastic treats, sugar skulls, eyeball digs and much much more to be confirmed.

Along with the spiritual traditions of All Hallows Eve, the season is also a time of

harvest and community. A Gratitude Tree will be located in the park to give children and adults an opportunity to count their blessings while also learning a little about the work of Turas as a community organisa-

tion in Dundalk supporting people with addiction.

The event is sponsored by the County Louth Solicitors Bar Association, Pelican Promotions and Intact. Turas is extremely grateful for the sup-

port.

Registration costs €10 per family and can done at turascounselling.ie Turas is a Dundalk based not-for-profit addiction service providing counselling, detox and other supports to 350 people a year to create addiction free lives.

We provide a range of services including our Transformation Recovery Programme, Community Alcohol Detox, one-to-one counselling, relapse prevention, harm reduction, group supports and a number of outdoor based social prescribing activities.

These interventions offer hope, opportunities and a new future to men and women, 18+, struggling with an addiction in the North East.

For further information contact Nicki Jordan 0871892656 nicki.jordan@turascounselling.ie.

Dundalk Leader 20th October 2021

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Dundalk Leader 20th October 2021

Dundalk Leader 20th October 2021

Louth County Council welcomes Pride of Place Judges to county

Left—Pride of Place judges Katrina Murphy (2nd from right) and Peter Hynes (back 2nd from left) with Joan Martin, CE of Louth County Council, Paddy Donnelly, Director of Service, and members of Cox’s Demesne Youth and Community Project (The House) Pride of Place team, Clodagh O’Mahony, Vincie McGrory, Norma Cooney and Paul Owens at the Pride of Place judging held in the Dundalk Sports Centre.

Pride of Place judges Katrina Murphy (seated 1st on right) and Peter Hynes (back 2nd from left) with Joan Martin, CE of Louth County Council, (seated 1st on left) Paddy Donnelly, Director of Service, (standing 1st from right) and members of the Blackrock Pride of Place team, Eileen Carter, Mandy Fee, Mary Murtagh, John Horan, Noel Sharkey, Brian Cafferty, at the Pride of Place judging held in the Dundalk Sports Centre.

Pride of Place is an all island competition that acknowledges and celebrates the great work of communities throughout the country. As part of the competition community groups must demonstrate pride of their place, partnership with their local authority and inclusivity of the community at large by way of presentation on their activities to a judging panel. Tom Dowling Chairman of the Pride of Place initiative remarks “The competition is about showing respect and inclusion for every sector in our communities, young, old, rich or poor and creating communities to which the people are proud to say they belong”.

On Tuesday 12th October, Louth County Council hosted a visit from the Pride of Place judges at Dundalk Sports Centre, and welcomed them to the county to judge their nominated entrants.

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Louth has nominated two entries to represent the county in this year’s Pride of Place competition.

Blackrock has been entered into the “Island and Coastal Communities” category, while “The House” which hosts the Cox’s Demesne Youth and Community Group are in the “Community Wellbeing” category.

The judging took place in the afternoon with the two nominee groups representing Louth, presenting on their areas of interest, followed by a question and answer session by the judges.

The competition which endeavours to showcase community spirit across the island of Ireland is organised

by Co-operation Ireland, in conjunction with IPB Insurance.

Speaking about the competition, Joan Martin, Chief Executive of Louth County Council said “We are delighted that Black-

rock and “The House” in Cox’s Demesne are representing Louth in this year’s Pride of Place Competition. It is a wonderful competition which showcases all that is best and innovative in communities throughout the island of Ireland.”

Speaking after the judging, Paula Gribben, from the Social & Community Office, Louth County Council, said, “Today, both groups representing Louth were outstanding and we are confident that they will do well in this competition. It has been a pleasure for Louth County Council to work with both nominees over the years and we are extremely proud of their performance.”

Results of the competition will be announced on the 12th February 2022.

For more information on Pride of Place please visit www.prideofplace. ie.

Dundalk Lions David Larkin, Pat McGee, Pat Byrne, President,Pat Smyth, NAS North East, Barry Hennessy, Dundalk First Responders Liam Stewart, NAS North East.

Dundalk Lions invite support to purchase and install defibrillators in public areas in and around Dundalk. Currently National Ambulance Service North East have registered defibrillators at Dundalk Garda Station, Civil Defence, Aikens Barracks, Point Road, Fatima area and Dundalk Courthouse. Pat Byrne President Dundalk Lions outlines the importance of having access to a defibrillator. “Early CPR and access to a defibrillator are vital to achieve survival from Cardiac Arrest. Dundalk Lions hope to increase this survival rate by adding to the number of defibrillators in public areas. We appreciate the support from Barry Hennessy at Dundalk First Responders and Liam Stewart & Pat Smyth from National Ambulance Service. We thank all who contribute to this fundraising,” stated Pat. Any Interested party please contact the Lions Club c/o Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dundalk, Co.Louth ‘Or contact lionsclubdundalk@gmail. com or any Lions Member.

Dundalk Leader 20th October 2021

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Family Notices novena

novena

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). A.B. 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). P.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). M.F.

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.McB. Medugorje 25th September, 2021 “Dear children! Pray, witness and rejoice with me because the Most High continues to send me to lead you on the way of holiness. Be aware, little children, that life is short and eternity is waiting for you to give glory to God with your being, with all the saints. Little children, do not worry about earthly things, but long for Heaven.

Heaven will be your goal and joy will begin to reign in your heart. I am with you and bless all of you with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Family Notices Contact Noeleen

Telephone 042 9320888

Shane and Jack McGlade. garnering interest from plenty of people locally.

“The two boys have been very busy working away making these wee burners and they managed to sell some of them to Hollands Hardware on Park Street. They have been receiving very positive feedback and I am getting told from people that the burners put a smile on their faces when they see them outside Holland’s shop. The idea was born when Jack was told he would have to pay for a quad bike himself if

special services

special services

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.

ADVERTISE YOUR HOUSE Premises for rent or sale to 60,000 readers a week from €5. Telephone Dundalk Leader 042 93 -20888.

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. 086 818 4827.

Carpentry & Joinery—Maintenance and repairs, roofing, 1st & 2nd fix carpentry, sash window repairs. No job too big or small. Contact Seandon Carpentry 087 298 5110.

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

GARDEN & HOUSE MAINTENANCE— Strimming grass, hedge cutting, weeding, also garden clearance, concreting, patios, painting, power washing, gutter cleaning, window cleaning, fencing. Have all the equipment. Contact Brian 086-109-7358.

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE—Repairs, building, plumbing, painting, roof repairs, tiling, bathroom refurbishments, concreting, gardening, power washing, PVC facia and soffits, Over 20 yrs experience. References available. Tel 085-830-9878.

Coaching with Esther—Life and Executive Coach Tel 086 8972007 www. coachingwithesther.com.

Qualified Carpenter available for Floors, Doors, Frames, Architraves, Skirtings, Stud Walls, Roofing & All Building Repairs. No Job too big or too small. Call Mark 086 089 5508.

GARDEN SERVICES—Lawn & hedge cutting in and around Dundalk. Keen prices.

Tel. 087 147 7067.

Secure your Wheelie Bin with Mr. Binlockin, locks for Domestic & Industrial Bins. Stops others filling your bin, prevents interference from animals, secures your personnel recyclable documents, gets you prepared for and saves you money on pay by weight enquires Tel 042 9377611.

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

Roofing Repairs—Stoves supplied and fitted, fully insured, Hetas certified.

Contact Paul Englishby 087 6301914 or 041 98 94633.

CHIMNEY CLEANER—Brush and vacuum. The original clean sweep. Contact Billy on 087 644 8230.

J. King Plumbing—Heating & Property Maintenance Tel 086 6086327 or 042 9377775.

WEDDING CAKES—Cakes for all occasions: Christmas, Anniversaries, Christenings, Birthdays, Confirmations/Communions, etc. All made by Chef, reasonable prices Tel 087 3228790.

Fifi’s Alterations Longwalk S.C. (formerly A-Alterations) Tel 083 0118728.

Zips, hems, clothes taken in or let out, also Dry Cleaning Service. Open Mon - Wed 9.30 - 5.30pm, Thur & Fri 9.30 - 6pm & Sat 10-2pm.

Boarding for Cats & Dogs, Darver/ Knockbridge/ Blackrock areas. Based in Darver. Taking bookings now. Contact Liz 085-149-4858.

Lady available for housework, Blackrock area, rate €10, non-smoker Tel 086 3502686.

Cleaner Wanted Dundalk Area. 1-2 Hours per week. Contact—086-344-8359.

GARDENING LANDSCAPING—Hedge trimming & new hedges sowed, flower beds tided up and new bulbs planted, general property maintenance and decking cleaned. Dundalk & District. Tel. 086 3818184.

articles for sale

Weld done boys!

When 12-year-old Kilcurry native Jack McGlade asked his father Paddy if he could get a quad bike the response was positive.

However, there was one small catch. Jack would have to buy the quad himself. Given the fact most 12-year-olds don’t have access to a few hundred-euro, Jack was forced to think outside the box to earn the cash.

Using his recently acquired talent for welding and his dad’s contacts in the gas and oil industry Jack came up with the bright idea of creating a homemade bonfire out of old gas cylinders.

Jack with the help of his elevenyear-old brother Shane got to work quickly knowing Halloween was approaching and created mini home burners which can be used as mini bonfires, garden heaters or to even heat some marshmallows during the festive season.

Jack, learned how to weld last year and he used the skills he acquired to laser cut the shapes of faces into the cylinder. He also installed a hat on top of the cylinder where the heat from the fire in the cylinder rises out from. According to Jack and Shane’s father Paddy the youngsters start up business has been

PROPERTY/RENTALS

he wanted one and to be fair to him, he went away and came up with this idea before employing his younger brother Shane for some help. My background is in the gas industry, so we went around and got a good few used gas cylinders and then Jack used his welding skills to create the finished product. They’ve sold a few of them already and are delighted with themselves and they’re hoping they will get a good trade now in the run up to Halloween,” stated Paddy.

Attention Landlords—We supply furniture & Beds for any rental properties you have, Sofas from €299, Beds from €180, Bedroom Furniture Sets from €249 Call us today www.bedstore.ie, Coes Rd, Dundalk Tel 042 932 0927.

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

SMALL FRIDGE For sale. Tel. 9332468.

Roller Blinds & fixtures for sale. Off white. €30. Tel. 085 7197990.

special services CHIMNEY & STOVE CLEANING—Tel Paul McArdle 042 933 2491 / 087 666 0094 Email tribalky@yahoo.com <mailto:tribalky@ yahoo.com>.

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>.

HOUSE & APARTMENT CLEANING Service. Specializing in Re-Let & Spring Cleaning, Carpet & Upholstery cleaning.

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Dundalk Leader 20th October 2021

Shock as Horseware announce Irish Business Design plans to leave Dundalk Challenge—Final Call!

Deputy Ruairi Ó Murchú has said he was shocked by the news coming out of Horseware.

He said: ‘My office was contacted on Tuesday by concerned workers who had been told that their positions were being moved to Cambodia.

‘People are shocked because when the warehouse redundancies were announced in March, the manufacturing workers seemed to be reassured by what they were told by management about the security of their positions.

‘This has turned out not to be the case, six months later, and this week’s announcement seems to show Horseware’s clear intention to shut down the facility in Dundalk.

‘Office staff have been advised this week that they have the option to transfer to Swords’.

Ruairi Ó Murchú, TD. The warehouse staff are due to finish in December, while the production staff have been told their finishing date is March 2022.

Deputy Ó Murchú said: ‘Horseware started in Dundalk and is synonymous with the town for over 35 years.

The staff is not unionised and there are major concerns about what redundancy will be available to them and what their future job prospects will be, particularly for the mostly female manufacturing staff who have highly specialised skills.

‘The fact is that the production of the famous Horseware blankets will wholly take place in Cambodia, where the wages are a tiny fraction of what is being paid in Dundalk, where there are far fewer workers’ rights and longer working weeks.

‘The average wage for a garment worker in Cambodia is just €126 per month.

‘I have written to Mark Saunders, CEO at Horseware, and to Lonsdale Capital about the redundancies, seeking an urgent meeting with them, asking them to outline their plans for the site and how they will engage with workers during redundancy discussions.

‘I have also made Ministers Heather Humphries and Leo Vardakar aware of the situation and have asked them to intervene to ensure that workers are properly looked after’.

“This is your last chance to enter the Irish Business Design Challenge … so don’t delay” urges Thomas McEvoy, Louth County Council’s Head of Enterprise.

The Irish Business Design Challenge is open to micro, small and medium enterprises across Ireland who are adapting to a changing world and rethinking the way they do business.

Thomas explains “Looking at the world through your customers’ eyes, helps to unlock innovative ideas, new solutions and unique experiences. It helps your business to get ahead of the client, to design products and solutions that set your business apart from the rest. This competition celebrates businesses that have been creative, clever and innovative in delivering for their customers.”

Thomas McEvoy, Head of Enterprise, LEO Louth.

A panel of expert judges will review all the applications. They will short-list standout customer-centred innovations. Shortlisted companies will benefit from publicity in a national media press and social media campaign, where the public will be invited to vote. Finalists will be

in with a chance to win a share in a €50,000 prize fund. Each category winner will receive €15,000, while runners-up will win €2,000 each.

He continues “This competition aims to highlight best practice examples of design and innovation across Ireland. Through the

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telling and sharing of these success stories, IBDC also aims to demonstrate the role that design plays in our economy and society.”

Thomas concludes “We encourage local businesses who have developed new products or redesigned their products or services to meet their customers’ needs to enter this competition. It’s a great opportunity to showcase the ingenuity and innovation of Louth businesses to the whole country through this exciting competition. Don’t miss out.

Enter now on www. dcci.ie/ibdc-2021” The Irish Business Design Challenge is an initiative of Design & Crafts Council Ireland in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices, supported by the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment.

Dundalk Leader 20th October 2021

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Dundalk Leader 20th October 2021

News

in Brief

St Joseph’s GFC Lotto

Plumbing

No winner of Jackpot of €7,700 The numbers drawn were 15,19,23,32 The €30 winner were 1. Frank Killeen c/o Mulligans 2. Marion Hoey c/o Jim Hoey 3. Aidan Gorham c/o Self. 4. Eimear Lynch c/o Kevin Kerr 5. Breda Drumgoole c/o Simon Fagan.

No winner of Jackpot of €7,300.

The numbers drawn were 1,3,18,31. The €30 winners were 1, Pat Finnegan c/o Centra 2.

Annie McKeown c/o Jim Hoey 3. Eugene McArdle c/o Self 4.

Ciaran Clarke c/o Marie Lynch 5. Eugene McManus c/o Tony Doherty.

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We are having a draw for 3 x €5,000 Holiday Vouchers on 19/12/2021.

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Tickets are €20 each and can be bought online at www. thejoesdraw.com or from any committee member or player.

Auditions For ‘Cinderella’ Dundalk Musical Society is delighted to confirm that it will be back on stage in January 2022 for its 30th Anniversary Pantomime ‘Cinderella’. Show dates are Tuesday 11th to Sunday 16th of January 2022 at 7.30pm nightly and matinees on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th at 2.30pm. Auditions for chorus and principal roles will take place on Sunday 24th of October. Auditions will only be held on this date so you must be available to attend.

Tots: Ages 5-7 years old; Juniors: Ages 8-11 years old; Seniors: Ages 12-16 years old; Principal Roles: 16 years and upwards.

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Budget 2022 hits lowest earning motorists hardest – AA Ireland Fuel prices—Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe announced a rise in the cost of all carbon-based fuels, including petrol and diesel. Carbon tax will increase by €7.50 per tonne, as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7 percent per year.

This adds approx. 2 cent per litre to petrol, and 2.5 cent per litre for diesel. So a 60-litre tank of diesel will rise by €1.48, while a 60-litre tank of petrol will jump up by €1.28.

“Increases in the price of petrol and diesel were expected – but this is on the back of what is a 25 percent increase in prices of petrol and diesel over the past 12 months.

Irish motorists are already paying around 60 percent in tax at the pumps for their fuel,” says AA Ireland Head of Communications, Paddy Comyn.

“For some motorists, moving into an EV is as yet too far a stretch, and they have no choice but to now pay more to get around, as the public transport network remains imperfect, especially outside of the capital,” he continued.

There will also be a €5 increase in the fuel allowance. This will bring it to €33 a week and the payments will be issued to eligible social welfare recipients.

Electric Vehicles—Ireland has set targets of having around 1 million electric vehicles on our roads by 2030. This year, EVs account for 15 percent of all new car purchases in Ireland.

It was announced in Budget 2022 that increased supports will remain in place for EVs. €100 million will now be provided over the course of 2022, almost double the level of funding in 2021. The supports will include: Fully electric vehicles priced under €50,000 will continue to get a Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) exemption of €5,000 until the end of 2023.

The Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax exemption

for battery electric vehicles will be extended to 2025 and this measure will take effect from 2023. For BIK purposes, the original market value of an electric vehicle will be reduced by €35,000 for 2023; €20,000 for 2024; and €10,000 for 2025. Continuation of the purchase grant scheme at existing levels for fully electric passenger cars and vans, and the refocusing of exchequer funding on zero tailpipe emission vehicles. Continuation and expansion of the home charging infrastructure scheme to include multi-unit dwellings.

Continuation of a grant scheme for taxi and hackney drivers, of an alternatively fuelled heavy goods vehicles purchase grant scheme and of the Low Emission Vehicle Toll Incentive Scheme. There will be an introduction of a revised scheme for public point charging, of a new scheme for electric vans and of a new scheme for destination charging.

However, the Department of Transport has announced that from January 1st 2022, the Plug in Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) purchase grant of €2,500 will no longer exist. All new applications for PHEV grants will only be accepted for vehicles delivered, registered, and taxed before the end of December 2021.

Any PHEV or Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) (above the 60k value threshold) which has an existing grant offer and was due to be delivered in 2021 but has met unforeseen delays due to semi-conductor shortage, may avail of an extension to 31st March 2022.

“While we are very much welcome the official announcement of the extension of the supports for electric vehicles (EVS) we feel that the announcement of the cessation of PHEV grants in January, which will be just six months after they were halved from €5,000 to €2,500 is premature and will not encourage the move away from petrol or diesel cars,” says Comyn.

“PHEVs are a stepping stone for many

people away from petrol and diesel cars and for some people, a BEV doesn’t quite yet meet their needs just yet and a PHEV would have given many motorists the natural progression to move into a Battery Electric Vehicle.”

“We acknowledge that the grant money will be used to increase the penetration of electric vehicles, but The AA feels that this should have been at least extended to the end of June 2022, to allow motorists who were undecided to order a new car for next year and still take into account any delays due to the global shortage of semiconductors,” adds Comyn.

Motor Tax—A revised motor tax system was also announced. This means that VRT rates will increase for vehicles emitting more than 110g of CO2 per km. It will run as follows: 1 percent increase in VRT for bands 9-12 (111-130g/km); 2 percent increase for bands 13-15 (131-145g/km); 4 percent increase for bands 16-20 (146g/km).

“We were aware that there would be increased taxation in this Budget and it does appear that there are steps in the right direction in terms of keeping EV grants in place.

But, there is a worry that this is being paid by lower income motorists being forced to stay in older cars,” states Comyn.

“The AA welcomes the promised investment in public transport with investment in areas such as BusConnects, MetroLink and the DART+ Programme, but asserts that there shouldn’t have been further increases in petrol and diesel prices until these alternatives were in place,” he adds.

“It is crazy to assume that any motorist would prefer to sit in traffic daily, but many of them quite simply do not have an alternative option to their car yet.”

By Anna Cullen, AA Ireland.

Hill Street, Dublin Rd., Dundalk.

042 9331515/086 2559201

To secure an audition please send an email to this address: cinders2022@gmail.com Include in the email, full name, date of birth and a contact phone number.

Auditions times will be between 12pm and 4pm and venue will be confirmed in a return email

by Friday.

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We want to hear from you Phone: 042 932 0888 Email: editorial @dundalkleader.com

For All Car Parts & Accessories Headlamps, Panels, Bumpers & Grills

For All Your Winter Motoring Needs Anti-Freeze, Coolant, De-Icer Etc.

T. 042 9331555/9331006 The Ramparts, Dundalk (formerly Martin's Garage)

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Dundalk Leader 20th October 2021

Dundalk Leader 20th October 2021

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Dundalk Leader 20th October 2021