08-02-12

18,000 COPIES WEEKLY Select St Patrick’s Grand Marshal

Scouts look for new recruits

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School opens Friendship Bench Page 12

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Facebook act over abusive webpage Wednesday 8th February, 2012. Vol. 5, Issue 6. 63 Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth.

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

By Niamh Kirk

Social network giants Facebook are investigating a public page that was set up on their site depicting an apartment block in Dundalk as haven of illegal activity.

The page entitled ‘The Scum-Hole that is ******’ was fully public and as well as uploaded photos of the buildings interior, with photographs of two women digitally edited in, it displayed the building exterior along with descriptions of security arrangements.

The content on the page was highly abusive and exposed the residents of the building to potentially serious harm. As well as casting disparagements on the residents, the ‘troll’ went so far as to identify one resident, though by description and

not name.

Facebook confirmed that the page was under investigation. The public details provided by the person who created the page do not appear to be legitimate but anonymity is not failsafe online.

There has been an increase in legal cases against Facebook users who use the site to spout hatred, incendiary and defamatory information.

In September this year a man was taken to court in Kilkenny under the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 after setting up a Facebook page that targeted the Travelling Community.

However the claim was dismissed but did set some precedent for future cases.

It was also one of the first complaints about content See Page 16

Ian in line to make TV show

By Niamh Kirk Aspiring film maker and local musician Ian Hunt Duffy’s comedy ‘Talk it Out’ has been selected for this year’s RTE’s Storyland.

The competition which delivers new drama to the Irish audiences kicks off next week when Ian’s ‘website’ will be uploaded to RTE’s website. It will be subject to a public vote along with seven others. After four weeks of the online episodes, one will emerge victorious.

Talk it Out, follows Martin – a therapist whose patients are leaving him for a smooth talking hypnotherapist working in the same building. A desperate Martin then turn to his patients for advice and things quickly spiral out of control. The show

Ian Hunt Duffy on set

a host of stars including Mark Doherty (A Film With Me In, 2008), Bernard O’Shea (Republic of Telly), Peter Coonan (Love/Hate) and Aoibhinn McGinnity (Love/Hate).

Ian hails from Dundalk and followed his early ambitions of

working in film when he studied Film and Television Production in the National Film School in Dun Laoghaire.

Ian had already achieved much before he had graduated as he was on the team that won See Page 18

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Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

TD’s expenses figures released

By Paul Byrne

Louth’s five TDs claimed a total of almost €197,000 in 2011 according to recent figures released on the Oireachtas website.

The list which includes expenses accrued between February 25 and December 31, shows that €6 million was spent on expenses by Ireland’s 166 TDs. Newly elected Sinn Fein TD Gerry Adams claimed the most out of all the Louth TDs with a total of €48,643.52 for last year. Deputy Adams is closely followed by Fine Gael’s Peter Fitzpatrick who claimed a total of €47,893.52.

Labour’s Ged Nash came third on the list with a total of €45,4678.95

while FF’s Seamus Kirk claimed a total of €37,490.62. Fine Gael’s Fergus O’Dowd was bottom of the list with a total of €17,484.58.

Ministers, Ministers of State (junior ministers) and the Ceann Comhairle generally have lower expenses in these figures released by the Oireachtas because they claim their travel expenses from their individual departments.

Reacting to the news that he had claimed the most expenses out of the five sitting Louth TD’s Gerry Adams explained how the money was being spent.

“All my expenses are vouched.

And all money paid in expenses is used to provide a first class constituency service in Louth which

includes full time offices in Dundalk and Drogheda with full time staff.

“For part of the week I stay in accommodation in Dublin. Like all my Sinn Féin colleagues in the Dáil and Seanad I receive the average working wage. Sinn Féin TDs’ gross annual pay is €34,049.”

Ordinary TDs are allowed to claim travel expenses to and from Leinster House as long as they fulfill the minimum attendance set at 120 days a year.

Deputies, Fitzpatrick, Nash and Kirk have confirmed that they will not be giving back any of the total listed for the 2011 expenses list.

Minister O’Dowd was unavailable for comment.

Local Authority now has staffing gap of 129

By Niamh Kirk

The Louth Local Authorities will have a staffing gap of 129 positions when the final stage of the early retirement scheme is complete.

The final date for applications to avail of the scheme, which allows public servants to retire early on pensions based on their pre-paycut salaries was January 31.

While the local authorities say that only nine staff will retire across grades by the end of February the council has seen a reduction of 120 staff since September 2008.

The current Government embargo prohibits the Local Authority from recruiting to fill the vacancies created but is to be lifted in 2013.

A statement from Louth County Council says County Manager Conn Murray “outlined his approach to staffing beingone of a unity staff

across the three local authorities and that under the Public Sector Agreement (Croke Park Agreement) he would implement a number of structural and operational changes in order to ensure continuity of service delivery and ensure that there was a continuance of a high quality of service to all the clients of Louth Local Authorities”.

“Certainly the departure of such a high number of very experienced staff will have an affect on the organisation and the Local Authority will have to examine the breath of services it provides and where necessary reduce this breath to ensure that priority services continue to be delivered in the manner which our clients have come to expect’ the statement read.

Louth County Council say they have already completed a restructuring of the planning services and it has ‘demonstrated

that services can continue to be provided in an efficient and effective manner despite what some would describe as monumental shifts in how we do our business.’

The council are already in the advanced stages of restructuring the Area Service delivery platforms the Counties Fire Service.

In November Eamonn Woulfe confirmed that the ‘process is ongoing and dialogue is continuing with employee representatives’ and that the public ‘will be fully informed on any impacts they may need to be aware of.’

Discussion with Management and Unions under the Public Sector Agreement model are ongoing.

Nationally latest figures show that around 7,700 staff have applied for the scheme, which allows public servants to retire early on pensions based on their pre-paycut

Gillian Keoghan and Grainne Shanley at the 80s Charity Night in the rugby club.

salaries.

Minister for Public Enterprise and Reform Brendan Howlin said staff shortages in any specific areas would be dealt with by redeployment and, if necessary, recruitment The overall cut in public sector numbers aims to be 37,500 between 2008 and 2015, a reduction of 15 per cent.

It is expected to save €2.5 billion off the public sector pay bill. However the State’s pension bill has increased by almost 67% since 2006 to €2.39 billion for last year.

Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

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Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

Stolen items found in crashed car Gardai attending a traffic accident at Bellurgan on St Stephen’s Day became aware that two burglaries had occurred in town and it was learned that finger print evidence at the scene of one of the burglaries matched one of the occupants of the car involved in the accident.

Conor Brady (24) 382, Beechmount Drive, Dundalk appeared in custody at Dundalk Court on two charges of burglary, one at

Park Villas and the other at Ard Easmuinn on December 26 last and also with being carried in two stolen cars on the date.

He offered pleas of guilty in respect of what occurred and was put back for two weeks for a report to see if he was suitable to do 240 hours community service in lieu of 12 months in jail.

The court was told that a car was stolen from Ard Easmuinn and later recovered in Meigh. The vehicle

involved in the accident was stolen in Meigh. Both were crashed. The defendant was found in possession of some of the property stolen in one of the burglaries.

Solicitor James McGuill said that defendant was heavily under the influence of drugs and drink at the time.

He had a serious difficulty in terms of addiction, and was not applying to be admitted to bail to try and become drug free.

Bay Estate School

Pupils from Realt na Mara who took part in the Seinn 2012 service in St Patrick’s Cathedral as part of the Catholic Schools Week

Vote against septic tank charge

By Niamh Kirk

Over 100 people attended a public meeting on the septic tank charges in Ravensdale on Monday last. The meeting was organised

by Sinn Fein TD Gerry Adams and local Councillors Jim Loughran, Edel Corrigan and Tómas Sharkey after much discussion the attendees unanimously passed a motion of opposition to the fee as well as intent to lobby against it.

The Government is due to set the dates for the consultation pe-

riod before the septic tank charges are introduced and Sinn Fein are encouraging those concerned to make submissions once the four week process begins. They are also calling for the public to “organise public meetings; to encourage other citizens to make submissions to the consultation; to challenge misinformation at the government sponsored ‘The truth about Water Services Act’ meetings; and to lobby Fine Gael and Labour TDs, and the Minister for the Environment”.

Gerry Adams speaking after the

meeting said “Rural communities are rightly outraged by the actions of the government on septic tanks.

In the last decade in the region of €3 billion was spent on waste water services. All of it went to providing urban services.

“What rural dwellers want to know is why can urban households have their sewage upgraded out of public monies but they have to pay for theirs, and if they cannot afford it they will be dragged through the courts and will face fines of up to €5000. It’s not fair”, he said.

LSPCA takes 6,000 calls in year

By Niamh Kirk

The Louth Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LSPCA) has been inundated with calls for help according to last year’s inspectors report.

The LSPCA took just over 6,000 calls to its help line last year. As well as the 5,200 calls they received from concerned people within Co Louth they also received over 850 calls from outside the county.

Not all calls need to be attended to, but over 1,000 animals were taken in and re-homed. The society’s inspector, Fiona Squibb, has a litany of stories depicting the shameful be-

haviour of some pet owners who have abandoned their animals in remote locations where they are unlikely to be found.

“The ones that are noticed are the lucky ones.

I would appeal to people not to dump animals in a public place, you are not doing the right thing and you don’t know who is going to find them, if anyone. If you are determined to get rid of them, leave them at a vet’s office or somewhere similar and they will contact us. That way at least the animals won’t suffer as much”, she said.

The LSPCA have been calling on people to neuter their animals for some time, in particular to neu-

ter their cats. The LSPCA do try and neuter as many as possible but have limited funds.

Due to the volume of cases the charity are dealing with they have been forced to take step back as they are no longer able to help with all cases.

The group are facing major financial problems, while they take in donations, their subscriptions bring in only €330 per anum. Their financial records show how €40k of their income, almost two thirds goes to vet and kennel expenses.

The charity have been forced into making some tough decisions with respect to what cases they can now take on with, as

the number of outlets for rehoming the animals has had a significant drop.

The charity had sent many animals to the UK sanctuaries and family homes. But this is no longer an option for the LSPCA due to the increasing costs involved.

The need to crack down harder on those who are responsible for the poor treatment has been called for as discussions among TDs and a Government Technical Group on the Animal Heath Bill continue.

The Bill is due for enactment later this year.

Currently the dumping of animals is illegal and can incur a fine as well as a prison sentence.

Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

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Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

Consumers put brakes on car sales

By Niamh Kirk

Car Sales are down 6.68% in Co Louth from January last year, it is the first drop in January car sales since 2008 when the county saw a dramatic 68% fall in over the previous year.

Nationally the industry welcomed a small overall increase of 1.5% as predictions were bad after the Government’s scrappage scheme ended last June.

As 50% of new car sales occur in the first quarter of the year, January is crucial for the motor industry.

The figures released by SIMI

Ireland last week show the changes in motorists’ habits as the sales of petrol cars drop for the third year running as fuel prices soar.

The sale of diesel cars saw a moderate 5% increase while hybrid cars jumped by 99% and flexi fuel by 82%. Nationally 27% of cars sold in January were petrol, 71% diesel.

Nationally over 21,000 cars were sold in January, Co Louth securing 2.24% of the market share with 536 sales.

However 2012 does not look promising if predictions on the decline of cars sales come true. Alan Nolan, Director General of SIMI

commented, “Despite the strong start we are still fairly cautious about the outlook for the year, predicting a fall of around 15% in new car sales for the full year which would deliver a market in the region of 76,000 new car sales for 2012.”

Adding to the woes of the industry the Government announced a review if VRT and Road Tax that is expected to be implemented in 2013.

“We welcome the process whereby we can make submissions on this review, however, history has taught us that ‘review’ often means ‘increase” said Mr Nolan.

New scout troop formed Young people in Dundalk with a spirit of adventure will have the opportunity to challenge themselves with the establishment of a new scout troop in Dundalk.

The 5th Louth Scouts group will be launched in the coming weeks and scout leaders are calling for young people to join in an activity that is challenging, educational and most of all, fun.

The new troop will meet on Friday nights in the scout centre on the Castletown Road and leader, Gerry Byrne is encouraging young people to try it out.

“The scouts has the biggest growth in membership of any youth organisation in the country and it is one of those activities that once people take it up, they generally stay. It is a great way to learn skills such as cooking, map reading and first aid, as well as taking part in camping trips, kayaking, orienteering and hiking among other activities.

“Lots of people are following the adventures of Bear Grylls on television at the moment and that has certainly helped create a

huge interest in scouting”, explained Gerry.

The group is open to people from 12 to 16 years and will involve meeting every Friday night from 7pm to 9pm in the Scout Hall, with a number of weekend camps and hikes throughout the year.

“Friday nights will be about teaching the scouts various skills that will be required for camping, but there will be plenty of games as the emphasis is very much on having fun.

“It is great for young

people to be involved as we encourage the scouts to be responsible for themselves and learn skills that will stand to them in the future. When we go on a camp, they have the responsibility of planning for their patrol, erecting tents, shelters, bridges and tables, as well as cooking on an open fire”, added Gerry who has over 20 years experience as a scout leader.

Overall it is a relatively inexpensive activity and costs approximately €3

Judge Flann Brennan warned two drug offenders that those involved in drugs are the “worst people you can met” Mihails Laksa (24) 24, Valley Close, Carrickmacross and James Gaffey (22) of 27 Barton Park, Dundalk were separately prosecuted at Dundalk Court after they each

were found in possession of illegal drugs.

The Judge also told the latter that he would want to have “nothing to do with them.”

He applied the probation act in each case.

Inspector Martin Beggy said that Mr Gaffey admitted ownership of €20 worth of cannabis

herb that was found in a Garda search of a house at Marian Park on February 3 last year.

The Inspector said the charge against Mr. Laksa arose when a Garda stopped and searched a car in which there were 28 tablets. The defendant admitted getting the tablets from a house.

A group of people concerned with the rights of single and separated fathers are calling on individuals affected by such issues to join them.

The group is hoping to organise a rally to highlight issues that affect

single and separated fathers, such as inequality, and would welcome support from the local community.

Representatives of the group say that they are seeking fair play in a foul play system and

want to be able to discuss relevant issues. The invitation is open to all, including women and grandchildren.

Those interested can contact Luke at 085 7777647 or Padraig at 0873587384.

Local scouts enjoying some outdoor activities

per week and those interested in joining the new group can contact Gerry at 087 2541931.

For those unable to commit to a Friday night, there may be some vacancies in groups who meet on other nights. The scouts are also looking for members for the other sections, Beavers 6 to 8 years old, Cubs 9 to 11 years old, Scouts 12 to 15 years old, Venturers 16 to 18 years old and Rovers 19-20 years old, more information www.stpatricksscout.ie

“Worst people you can meet”

Separated fathers’ group

News

in Brief

Stop smoking

McCabe’s Pharmacy in Carroll Village, Dundalk has invited a HSE Cessation Smoking nurse to an in-store event on February 10.

Those interested can visit McCabe’s Pharmacy for advice and information between 11am and 1pm.

The ‘Stop Smoking’ event will feature advice and information on the benefits of giving up smoking and the damage it causes to health.

Phone 042-9352053 for more information.

Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

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Third Green Flag for local school

Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

Pupils and teachers from Ardee Educate Together NS are delighted with their prestigious award

Ardee Educate Together National School is ready for their third Green Flag, this time for Water Saving.

Pupils have been busy doing water projects, experiments and art murals.

They have visited Cavanhill Water Treatment Plant, Stephenstown Pond, The River Dee, Ardee Water Treatment Plant, Reservoir and Waster Water Treatment Plant.

Gerry Caliss from Louth Co. Council visited pupils to give a very interesting workshop on water conservation. As part of their water saving efforts the school has fitted water butts to collect rainwater, water hippos in all toilets and push taps in sink units.

Pupils have come up with water saving tips compiled a water saving newsletter and circulated it to the school community. They have also kept up their high standard in the areas of anti-litter, recycling, energy saving and biodiversity.

Pupils are already working on the theme for their next flag which is transport and travel. The school community is very much looking forward to getting their third green flag which they intend to ask past pupils Lana Jordan, Environmentalist of the Year 2010 (girl) and Lorcan Dixon, Environmentalist of the Year 2011 (boy) to raise it in June.

Got into trouble on return home A 19-year-old Carlingford man could face jail after he became involved in an altercation between two groups while on a weekend at home.

Conor Young , Avonmore House, Mullatee, Carlingford was under a four year suspended prison sentence at the time, and as a result was remanded back to the Circuit Court where the suspended sentence was imposed on April 17 next.

Dundalk Court heard that he refused to leave the area when requested

by Gardai on January 29 last at the Square, Carlingford. He shouted at one stage “I’ll slit your throat” at the other group.

He faced three counts under the public order fact arising out of the incident for threatening, insulting and abusive behaviour, being intoxicated and failing to comply with a direction of a

Maritime lecture

Charlie McCarthy of the Maritime Institute of Ireland, will give a lecture entitled “Aspects of the Maritime History of Annagassan” on Wednesday 15th February at 8pm. Annagassan has a very long maritime history spanning from Viking times down to the present day. The lecture will cover the history of the Annagassan Schooners who plied their risky trade on both sides of the Irish Sea up until the last one called ‘The Lucie’ in 1928. It will also cover the herring fishing yawls, salmon boats, steamers used in Annagassan’s coal importation business and shipwrecks.

This illustrated lecture promises to be a very interesting and informative one. It will be held in The Loft History Hall (above Slan’s Pub) in Annagassan at 8pm on Wednesday 15th February at 8pm sharp.

Places are limited so come early. Entrance fee is €5 which includes a free raffle and tea/coffee after the lecture. All are welcome.

Garda. These were adjourned to May 16.

His solicitor Peter Lavery said he had a very troubled youth and left the area to get away from a group he was associating with. He came home on this occasion and got drunk and acted in a very irresponsible manner.

He was living in England with his father and in full time employment in Brighton as an electrician.

News

in Brief Separated parents

The next Tuesday meetings of will take place on February 21st. Those wishing on attending the meetings should confirm their intentions with Val on 085 7303609. Donations in lieu of set charge for attendance from 7.30pm until 9pm, at: Social Services Building, 15a Clanbrassil Street.

Members of the Blackrock/Haggardstown Fine Gael party who visited Leinster House on Tuesday January 17

Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

RTE Nationwide to film in DkIT Students from the 2nd year of the BA in Video & Film Production in DkIT along with students on the Certificate for Skills in Independent Living will be featured on RTE’s Nationwide in relation to a joint project the two groups of students undertook this year.

Entitled DKIT Ablevision, the project was inspired by a network of the same name in the US where people with special needs work alongside others in making television programmes.

The students produced a five-minute chat show together last semester that had its premiere screening in the Screening Room in PJ Carrolls in before Christmas. The project is the brainchild of local entrepreneur John Delaney

DkIT students with the students taking part on the Certificate for Skills in Independent Living

and filming took place on Monday February 6.

Meanwhile, Solaria, a short film made by Darren O’Connor, John Hoey, Rossa O’Dowd and Craig Broughton as part of their

4th year Practice-Based Research project on the BA(Hons)in Video & Film Production last year has been selected for the International Sci-fi Film festival. It takes place

from March 29 to April 5 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Solaria centres on Alex Russell, a geneticist onboard the Solaria Research station and was shot locally in Dundalk.

High levels of radon gas in north Louth New research into national radon levels reveal that large areas of Co Louth have an above average level of the gas.

According to the recently updated Radon Map, which is maintained by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, North Louth has a particularly high radon level. The Cooley Mountains are in acute areas where 20% of the homes are above the Radon Reference Level. The Reference Level is a guideline as to when one should consider taking

action to reduce the radon level and not a rigid boundary between safety and danger.

Radon is a radioactive gas which is naturally produced from the uranium present in small quantities in all rocks and soils. The gas produces tiny radioactive particles, which, when inhaled deposit the particles in the airways and on lung tissue. This can produce a radiation dose that can cause lung cancer.

The risk of contracting lung cancer from exposure to radon depends

on the amount radon an individual has been exposed to and for how long. Between 150 and 200 lung cancer deaths in Ireland every year can be linked to radon. In Ireland.

Between 5% and 10% of homes in the immediate area of Dundalk were found to be above the Reference level. If more than 10% of homes in an area are above the reference level and are designated as a high radon area. The only way to know if radon is a problem in your home is by having a radon test carried out.

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Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

Nine Co Louth schools to get high speed broadband

By Niamh Kirk

Nine of County Louth’s second level schools are to have high speed broadband installed by the end of 2012.

The investment is a part of the Programme for Government to incorporate the integration of ICT in teaching and learning

across the curriculum and investing in broadband development to ensure schools have access to modern high-speed networks.

stated Minister Pat Rabbitte.

It is hoped that the move will help the current and future generation of second level pupils have the skills and competencies to fully embrace the challenges and

opportunities of the digital age.

Schools with high speed broadband access will be in a position to develop innovative teaching models which can benefit both pupils and teachers.

Five Schools from Dundalk are to benefit, including, Dun Lughaigh, De La sale and Dundalk Grammar school are to have 100 Mbps broadband installed.

“The provision of high speed broadband

to second level schools will underpin the commitment in the Programme for Government to integrate ICT in teaching and learning across the curriculum.

ICT skills are in strong demand in Ireland and

internationally and the availability of highly skilled graduates in this area is a priority, so that Ireland can reap the full reward of our digital economy – in terms of jobs and the continued growth of the vibrant ICT sector in Ireland”,

Plans for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day festival are being put in place as official organisers arrange to deliver the best St. Patrick’s Day Parade and festivities yet. The festival is taking place

on Saturday 17th March 2012 and it is expected to attract a lot of visitors to the town.

Last year, around 25,000 spectators lined the streets of Dundalk to witness possibly Dundalk’s best St Patrick’s Day parade to date as all the stops were pulled out to make it a memorable day.

Now, this year the plan is to make it even better and surpass the 25,000 spectator mark. As St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Saturday this year and the bank holiday is the Monday, the shops will be open during the festivities and the influx of people into the town should benefit business.

The theme for the festival this year is “Land of Legends…and Full of Life”, which is based around the story of the Tain. A competition is currently underway only in The Dundalk Leaderwith the people of Dundalk voting for their Cuchulainn and Queen Medb who will be the Grand Marshals in the parade. Sporting

clubs, Dance groups, Traditional Irish bands, Marching bands and other local clubs and societies are guarantees for the Parade which will commence at 1pm at Patrick Street and travelling onto Clanbrassil Street in the traditional manner.

The town is offering entertainment for all ages straight after the parade which will run from 2 to 4pm on the market square and various other locations around the town.

Entry forms are now available from Dundalk Chamber of Commerce for all those eager to take part, and we encourage all participants to get Aoibhinn Smyth winner of the St Vincent’s talent show involved in the theme of during rehearsals the parade and try and try to stand out from the crowd.

As always donations and sponsorship are welcomed and are essential for the future of the parade in Dundalk.

For more information about the festival please log onto: www.facebook.com/ parade.dundalk

St Patrick’s Day parade plans

You can contact the Dundalk Leader at: 63 Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk.

Phone 0429320888; Fax 0429329676 E-mail (Ads) advertising@dundalkleader.com (News) editorial@dundalkleader.com Managing Director: Peter Kierans Advertising Consultants: Paul Myles & Niamh Moran Editor: Eunan Whyte Newsroom: Niamh Kirk/Paul Byrne Production: Stephen Dullaghan Accounts/Administration: Noeleen Heneghan

Over to you What’s your opinion of Valentine’s Day?

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Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

Emanuelle Salako I like Valentine’s Day. I’m expecting to receive a card from somebody this year. As long as he is good between now and then he might even get one back.

Sofia Aarola I’m an exchange student over from Finland so I’m not too sure if I will get anything this year.

Maybe I will get one from my room-mate though.

Make a Wish Foundation

St Louis students are hoping to come out on top with their entry into the Pizza Apprentice’ competition which is being hosted by Eno’ Bar & Grill, Dundalk. The team, named Fiestas Chicas, came up with the Macho Nacho pizza which is a a spicy chicken pizza topped with sour cream, nachos, chillies, mozzarella and avocado. Some of the proceeds from the sale of the pizza will go to the Make a Wish Foundation.

Our picture shows: back l-r: Deirbhile Osbourne, Eimear Geoghegan, Kate Halligan, Megan Kelly; front l-r: Niamh Daly, Andrea Browne and Rachael Dunne.

Carlingford gets the thumbs up from visitors Visitors to Carlingford have had their say about the popular tourist village and the response is overwhelmingly positive. During 2011 tourists to the area were surveyed on a number of key issues in order to identify overarching issues and in parallel with this develop structures where planning for the future can begin.

The data shows that the majority of people who visit the area for short breaks are young, professional groups of singles or couples, the majority of whom are from Dublin.

In total, 54% of respondents were either employer/managers or

professional (higher & lower), while a further 13% were retired and 3% were students. No respondent indicated they were unemployed; however, these could be contained within the 17% who did not specify their occupation.

The survey also shows a healthy mixture between first time visitors and those who like it so much they keep going back.

A wealth of data has been collected and analysed for Carlingford & the Cooley Peninsula. The next phase will be to identify the most substantial issues which have emerged and to put action plans in place.

Sadhbh Dennedy, Patrick Gardiner and Louisa Kennedy at the 80s Charity Disco Night in the rugby club.

Liz Brannigan

Ben McArdle

I think the concept of Valentine’s Day is lovely. There’s not enough love in the world so of course it’s a good thing for a day to be all about love. I will be sending out Valentine’s cards.

I’m not going to be showering her with gifts or anything like that but I’ll definitely get her a card and maybe make her dinner on the day.

Susan Scully The whole thing is an absolute money racket. Although in saying that, if I don’t get a bunch of flowers this year there will be trouble!

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Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

Pupils extend the hand of friendship

By Laura Campbell

Realt na Mara National school is holding a “Friendship week” from February 6 to 10 during which students will be involved in many activities based on the idea of friendship.

These will include looking at the qualities that make a good friend, celebrating the friendships in school, learning to be tolerant of others, co-operating with others and being confident. The school will also be looking at the more serious issues of bullying why people bully, bullying feelings and what to do if you or someone you know is being bullied.

The school has a friendship bench in the

Realt na Mara pupils on the Friendship Bench

playground where a child can go when they want someone to talk to. The friendship bench is different from other seating

areas in the school. The bench is designed with stars as wheels because Realt na Mara translated into Irish means star of

the sea. The bench is situated in an open area of the playground so if any child uses the bench they will be noticed quickly.

The friendship bench is a means by which a child can seek support without the need to explain their feelings or to seek

out a member of staff to help them. The students who have no one to play with in the playground are encouraged to sit on

the friendship bench and other students can then invite them to join in a game.

Because the bench is in the day-to-day environment of the school it can be used at any time and for any reason from seemingly trivial matters to more serious concerns and encourages children to ask for help when they are troubled.

During the week teachers are focused on rewarding and highlighting the children’s friendly behaviour.

The teachers give compliments to students showing friendly behaviour towards each other.

This week will teach the students to accept everyone and communicate with people.

Disappointment as town misses out on Smart Travel funds

By Paul Byrne

The team behind Dundalk’s ambitious bid to become a pilot town for Smarter Travel has expressed disappointment at this week’s announcement that they are not among the three locations to receive substantial central Government funding.

However, they have also said that the work that went into the comprehensive submission will serve the town well as it provides a blueprint for sustainable transport that will now be rolled out over a longer timeframe as alternative funding sources become available.

Former Dundalk Town councillor Olann Herr who was one of the main voices behind the ambitious scheme accepted that the

announcement came as a blow but insisted that the smarter travel scheme would eventually be looked upon as the best in the country.

“Of course it would have been nice for our bid to receive government funding but I still firmly believe that we will have a travel scheme to be proud of here in Dundalk.

“From a philosophical point of view I would actually prefer for a steady flow of cash coming in rather than one big dollop all at once”, he explained.

“We have to be patient and build these cycleways step by step. The biggest obstacles to parents letting their kids cycle to school is fears for their safety but when these cycle-ways are completed we’ll have the safest routes in the

country” he added.

“Crucially the children will be physically separated from any moving traffic and we are also getting ramped crossings at every junction.

“We will look for benefactors to help us out and the challenge will be to eventually have safe cycle routes to all the secondary schools in town.”

Catherine Duff, Town Engineer and project manager for Dundalk’s bid, added: “While we’re obviously very disappointed by the outcome of what has been a lengthy bid process, the earlier funding we received from the Department has been well used in creating a detailed set of proposals for how sustainable transport can work for Dundalk.

News

in Brief Drink driving

Barry McKeever (28) of Stranacarry, Kilcurry was fined €300 and banned from driving for three years.

However, Judge Flann Brennan agreed at Dundalk Court to postpone the ban to April 1st after the defendant admitted a charge of drink driving

This arose after his driving drew the attention of Gardai on October 16 last when heading from the Castletown Road to Newtownbalregan.

He first failed to stop at a stop sign.

Beekeepers’ lecture County Louth Beekeepers Association will host their monthly meeting on Thursday February 16 in the Teagasc Centre, Dublin Road, Dundalk, from 8pm to 10pm.

The subject is “What Challenges Lie Ahead for my bees January to May” and will be given by Ben Harden.

Tea/Coffee served during the question & answer session.

Admission is free and bring a friend.

Life in the Spirit The Family of God Community’s Life in the Spirit seminars will commence on February 9 at 7.30pm in St Brigids School, Ard Easmuinn, Dundalk. All welcome.

Cancer fund The Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF) needs your help this February. The OCF is calling for more volunteers in Louth to help raise vital funds for its services on Friday and Saturday February 24 and 25.

For more information on Lollipop Day and how to volunteer in Louth go to www.lollipopday.ie, call 086 1006550.

Scout investiture on top of mountain

Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

Four scouts were recently invested into 1st Louth Scout Troop part of St. Patrick’s Scout Group on the Castletown Road, Dundalk.

The purpose of the investiture is for boys to make a promise to uphold all the laws that scouting has. The laws include being helpful, friendly, cheerful, respectful of others and to be respectful of the environment.

When a scout makes their investiture they also promise to serve their community. Scouts do this by helping at fundraisers, cleaning local parks and helping their neighbours.

This year the four scouts organised a stay over in Mullabouy, right on the edge of the Cooley Mountains. To make their investiture they decided to have a night hike and get invested at the top of a mountain.

On what was a windy, wet and cold night the

Scouts taking part in the investiture on the Cooley Mountains

scouts and their leaders made it to the top of the mountain with only the moonlight as their guide.

The whole scout troop were present to witness the investiture, an event that they had all done in the past.

Once the scouts have made their promise they are presented with their troop necker. This is a symbol of the scout now

being part of the troop.

Along the way to this point the four scouts have learned many different scouting skills from hiking, camping, lighting fires, map reading and teamwork.

They will now work in their patrol with the aim of one day being a Patrol Leader.

The local scouts are always looking for new

scouts so if you have a son, nephew, grandson, cousin, neighbour aged from 12 to 15 years please contact Allan on 0877776153 or email stpatricksscoutgroup@ gmail.com.

Check out the scouts website on www.stpatricksscoutgroup.ie or facebook page www. facebook.com/DundalkScouts.

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Pete Treanor’s

Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

Weekly Quiz

Religion Which saint is associated with Glendalough, Co Wicklow?

Movies Who played the title role in ‘The Wrestler’ in 2009?

Legends Which colour was worn

by Robin Hood and his Merry Men? Ireland Which city stands where the River Suir enters the sea?

Cartoons and Comics Who was the only driver never to have won any of The Whacky Races?

Geography In what country is the tourist resort of Acupulco?

Local What was the name of the parish magazine published by St Patricks, Dundalk, in the late 1970s and early 80s?

Scandal

What Irish businessman was arrested in Florida in 1992 on drugs charges?

History Which European leader of the 20th Century survived the most assassination attempts?

Pop and Rock Which was the only on of their No 1 hits in which The Beatles did not play any of their instruments?

This Week’s Stinker Steven Gerrard wears the No 8 jersey for Liverpool but who wore that number for them beforehand?

—this week’s answers—

Adams’ concerns over respite care

On Friday afternoon, February 3rd, Sinn Féin Louth TD Gerry Adams met senior managers from the HSE to discuss the crisis in public nursing homes and the threat to respite care in Louth.

Among those he met were Dermot Monaghan – HSE Area Manager Louth/Meath; and Willie Mc Allister Operations Manager Louth Primary Care Services.

Speaking after the meeting which he described as ‘useful’ the Louth TD expressed his serious concern at the threat of cuts to nursing home care within the constituency, specifically at St. Joseph’s in Ardee and the Cottage Hospital in Drogheda.

“I am also deeply worried at the threat to respite care provided by these and other institutions in Louth. Last week I asked the Minister for details on this. There are 212 respite beds in residential units in County Louth which last year saw over 1200 admissions for respite and 371 clients received respite care”, said Mr Adams who revealed that the HSE have promised to come back with more information.

Jobs and advice fair for Dundalk Eures together with Dundalk Chamber of Commerce are working in conjunction with Louth County Enterprise Board & Louth Local Authorities to organise a Louth Jobs & Advice Fair for one day only on Friday March 9 in the Marshes Shopping Centre Dundalk as part of Enterprise Week.

There will be 30 stands at the

event. The event will be attended by both local employers, locally based Employment Advice Agencies and a number of Cross Border Advisers who will be available to assist those interested in employment and career development options both north and south.

Chamber President Paddy Malone stated that he is delighted

with the response with many employers collecting CVs on the day for vacancies which they have coming on stream, we are booked out with 30 companies taking stands on the day.

The event will take place in Marshes Shopping Centre Dundalk and will be open on Friday March 9 from 10am until 7pm.

Man stole purse

Dundalk Court heard that security staff observed a man going through the contents of a purse in a cubicle in the toilets in a local hotel.

Gardai were called to the Imperial Hotel, and found Seamus Walsh (32), an unemployed plasterer’s labourer, of 4, Mountainview Crescent, Point Road with a Nokia phone which didn’t belong to him

Walsh pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and was given a week until this Wednesday to come up with a €100 as compensation to the owner of the purse.

Solicitor James McGuill said the defendant was “very much the worse for wear” and couldn’t offer an explanation for his behaviour.

1. St Kevin 2. Mickey Rourke 3. Lincoln Green 4. Waterford 5. Dick Dastardly 6. Mexico 7. Dealga Life 8.

Ben Dunne 9. Charles de Gaulle. 10. Eleanor Rigby.

Stinker – Emile Heskey.

15

Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

Pioneer annual general meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the North Louth Region of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association was held in the Meeting Room of St.Fursey’s Church, Haggardstown, Dundalk on Sunday January 15, hosted by Haggardstown Centre with Regional President, Gerry Stewart, Haggardstown Centre presiding.

The Secretary, Tom Mulholland, Kilkerley outlined the activities of the region since the previous AGM and Treasurer Theresa O’Neill, Ravensdale gave a detailed account of the finances. In his address the President welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked the Vice-Chairman for all his help during the year. He urged us to do what we can to keep the Pioneer Association alive. A lot of people are not drinking but don’t want the commitment of wearing the Pin. He praised the Secretary, Treasurer and Committee for their dedication.

When it came to the election of Officers for the coming year, it was proposed that the present Officers be returned en bloc :President:- Gerry Stewart, Haggardstown; Vice- President:- Gerry Taggart, Haggardstown; Secretary:- Tom Mulholland, Kilkerley; Treasurer:Teresa O’Neill, Ravensdale; PRO:- Kathleen Sharkey, Kilkerley.

Gerry Taggart gave a detailed account of the meetings he had attended on behalf of the Region.

The annual Temperance Sunday Mass will be celebrated in St.Fursey’s Church, Haggardstown, Dundalk at 3pm. on Sunday February 19 and all are welcome.

Prayer service with a difference Over 600 students give up their lunch break for a prayer service with a difference on Tuesday last week.

Giant screens displaying words and photos, a packed church, teachers and students clapping and singing together, all have a ‘glee’-like atmosphere to the whole event.

This was “Seinn 2012”, a ‘songs of praise’ type service to celebrate Catholic Schools Week.

Seinn 2012 was the brainchild of Muirne Lawlor, a teacher in St. Joseph’s National School.

“I know from many years working with my own school choir, what an uplifting and joyful experience it is to sing as part of a large group.” At a time when we are surrounded and besieged by much negativity and cynicism, a group of local teachers felt it would be worthwhile to spread a little joy and encourage a sense of a Faith Community

Students taking part in the Seinn 2012 service

among Catholic schools in the area. Working with Muirne and Fr. Rushe were Mary Mullen (Friary Girls School), Áine Quinn (Gaelscoil Dhúndealgan) and Brendan McCourt (Organist in St. Patrick’s).

Catholic schools, both primary and secondary, in the Dundalk Pastoral Area were contacted in September and received a rehearsal pack to assist them in preparing for the service. Schools are very busy places and it is not

easy to find the time and energy to prepare for what is essentially extracurricular work.

It all came together last Tuesday when the students were joined by Cardinal Seán Brady, Bishop Gerry Clifford,

Monsignor James Cassin (Executive Secretary of the Council for Education, Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference), many local clergy, representatives of School Management, teachers, parents and RTE for an hour of

delightful singing and heartfelt prayers.

At the end, all students were presented with a rubber wristband inscribed “Seinn” as a memento and there were many requests for a similar event next year.

16

News

in Brief

Road improvement

Local Sinn Féin Councillor Tomás Sharkey has been in contact with council staff and the contractors in relation to the condition of the Castleblayney road.

“The realignment of this road from Rathmore to Barronstown has been ongoing for some months now and will be for some time to come. After receiving complaints from a number of residents on the condition of the road I contacted the staff involved in the project.

“A lot of material gets drawn along the main road and indeed along the Kilkerley road from Quigleys Cross. The staff have given a commitment that the road will be kept as clean, safe and clear of

Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

Facebook act over abusive webpage From Page 1 on a Facebook page that was brought to the attention of the gardaí.

The page vilifying the residents of the Dundalk apartment block was removed over the weekend. A spokesperson for Facebook said “We have removed the page as it broke our rules as set out in our terms and conditions. While we can’t comment on the specific details of individual cases, content, pages or profiles can be removed from Facebook for a number of reasons such as the account was registered under a fake name or the content bullied or harassed another user.”

It is not the first page of its kind about Dundalk, as in August another page which invited people to discuss aspects of the town, including local businesses and public figures, was removed.

While most public pages on the so-

cial network site are designed to cultivate discourse sometimes the user generated content breaches privacy and defamation laws, as well as they company’s terms of use. Pages that encourage users to ‘out’ litter louts or to vote for their favourite places are largely set up in good humour and with good cause. Upon investigation it emerges that businesses and individuals associated with them are occasionally the subject of serious accusations. A number of pages citing the addresses of homes in Dundalk labelling them ‘party houses’ also appear on the site.

As the content of the pages is user generated, Facebook is not liable for any material that appears but the company are quick to react once a complaint is received. A spokesperson said “We have reporting links across every page of our site and we encourage people to report content to us so we can take appropriate action quickly.”

W ostatni piątek stycznia, dokładnie 27-go, do Shamrock Pub powróciły Polskie Wieczory Klubowe.

Karnawałowa playlista nie przyciągnęła tłumów, więc wieczór odbył się w kameralnym gronie. Amatorzy rozmów i braku splendoru byliby zachwyceni. Wieczór bowiem upłynął na ploteczkach i żartach, a przy naszym stole – jednym wspólnym – można było po czuć rodzinną atmosferę, entuzjazm i sympatie.

Ta styczniowa impreza z jednej strony wyglądała właśnie tak, jak to sobie wyobrażaliśmy ponad rok temu, gdy powstał pomysł na ten cykl. Z drugiej strony to była też spora lekcja dla nas, osób działających w Simul Polonia, gdyż nasi goście podzielili się przemyśleniami i refleksjami oraz legendami na temat organizacji i naszej pracy.

Wszystkim obecnym, a także naszym nowym twarzom Mirkowi i Tomkowi i miłośnikom fotografii z klubu fotograficznego dziękujemy za przybycie, wspaniałą zabawę i udany wieczór. Obiecuję, że wszystkie uwagi biorę sobie do serca i poprawimy co się da ;) Gorąco zapraszamy też wszystkich na koncert grupy Episode 6, która zagra dla nas już w ostani piątek lutego, 24tego, tradycyjnie pomiędzy 20tą a 23:30.

“Simul Polonia” w tym roku planuje zająć się organ izacją 4 imprez, poza co miesięcznymi spotkaniami w Shamrock Pub. Obchodami Dnia Św. Patryka – w najbliższym czasie to nasz największy projekt, tymbardziej, że Społeczność Polska zaprezentuje się na pradzie po raz pierwszy w historii miasta. Mamy nadzieję, że taka integracja z Irladczykami i podczas tak ważnego dla nich święta poprawi wizerunek Polaka, a i nam, i Irladczykom ułatwi relacje ze sobą nawzajem. Jednocześnie polskie dzieci urodzone lub/i wychowywane w Irlandii będą miały okazję na połączenie dwóch kultur i tradycji, wzięcie udziału w pradzie sprawia jest pokazaniem, iż chcemy czynnie uczestniczyć w życiu Irlandii a nie być tylko biernym widzem, kimś kto jest tu na chwile.

Dniem dziecka, Dniami Polskimi oraz Mikołajkami.

Wciąż mamy na uwadze klub Młodych Mam. Pozdrawiamy gorąco – w imieniu Simul Polonia, Agnieszka Boniewicz.

Failed to sign on for Gardai Judge Flann Brennan remanded in custody for a week a 20 year-old man who was on bail on a substantial number of charges.

This was after hearing evidence that Mark McCourt an unemployed plumber with addresses previously given at Cornagarvoge, Inniskeen and Mullaghmacateer, Carrickmacross had failed a number of times to sign on at the Garda Station as part of his bail and over other issues over addresses.

Judge Flann Brennan remarked that the accused’s own evidence could be summarised into: “I do not care and I’ll do what I like.”

He put the case back to

this Wednesday at Cloverhill Court, adding “I have no doubt he’ll be back as quick as a flash to the High Court with an application.”

He said he did not know what address to bail him or the conditions to apply because he couldn’t take seriously any undertaking the accused gave him.

The accused originally appeared before the local court in August last in respect of charges for allegedly handling stolen property, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

Garda Padraig Kelly asked for amendments to be made to charges and others to be struck out on Wednesday last.

Got a Story?

We want to hear from you Phone: 0429320888 Email: editorial@dundalkleader.com

Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

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Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

80s School Disco

News

in Brief

Ian in line to make TV show from page 1

the Drink Aware film competition with ‘On The Cutting Room Floor’. The short film went on to be on RTE and in cinemas nationwide.

On the back of this success Ian and his colleagues set up a production company ‘Fail Safe Films’ who, along with a number of achievements, have produced adverts for EBS and a video for the Marriage Equality Charity that is running at over 65,000 hits. The production company are also planning on releasing a short film later this year.

“We had followed the RTÉ Storyland competition over the previous years, and decided to enter it ourselves this year.

Another college friend of ours, Darach McGarrigle, had written a script that we thought could work well in this format, so we developed the idea and pitched it to RTÉ.

We were delighted to get the green-light from RTÉ, as it’s such a great opportunity for us to both develop a series and a working relationship with them. We’re really happy with how the first episode went and hopefully we’ll get a chance to make the whole series.

“In the future our goal is to move into making feature films, so this will hopefully be a stepping stone towards that. It can be very difficult to get ahead in the Film Industry in Ireland given that it’s such a small country with so much competition, so you just have to keep pushing yourself to try and make work that will stand out and that an audience will enjoy” Said Ian. Previous winners such as The Hardy Bucks have now gone on to be commissioned for TV and developed a strong cult following.

The first episode of ‘Talk It Out’ goes online on February 13 where it is then up to the public to vote to keep the show going. Viewers can vote up until February 19 at www.rte.ie/storyland.

Organisers of the event: Ursula Martin, Margaret Gamble, Jill Gallagher, Karen Coan and Sandra Mc Court. The 80s school Disco night that took place at the Rugby Club was a charity fundraiser for three charities: Friends of Carrick, Solas and the Gary Kelly Centre

Avril Byrne and Gerry Dillon

Lorna Mc Aleer and Zita Dempsey as students from Summer Bay High

John Halpenny and Niall Mc Court Mike Mc Mahon and David O’Hagan

Margaret Walsh and Brian Byrne

Alan Tinsley and Ultan Herr

Lisa Power and Elaine Cunniffe

Tom and Collette Rodgers

Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

19

20 Legal Notices AN CHUIRT CHUARDA THE CIRCUIT COURT EASTERN CIRCUIT COUNTY OF LOUTH IN THE MATTER OF: THE LICENSING ACTS l833 to 2008. THE COURTS (SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS) ACT, l96l SECTION 2 (l) OF THE LICENSING (IRELAND) ACT, l902 AS AMENDED BY SECTION 23 OF THE INTOXICATING LIQUOR ACT, 1960 ORDER 49 OF THE CIRCUIT COURT RULES 2001 AND IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION BY: CHARLIE COYLE APPLICANT NOTICE OF APPLICATION TAKE NOTICE THAT Charlie Coyle of No.32 Millstream Apartments, Distillery Lane, Dundalk, County Louth will Apply to the Circuit Court, Sitting at Dundalk Circuit Court, Courthouse, Market Square, Dundalk in the County of Louth, at 10:00 am., on the 9th March 2012, or at the first opportunity thereafter, for a Certificate entitling and enabling the Applicant to receive a new full Publican’s Ordinary Seven Day On Licence for the sale of intoxicating liquors at the former licensed public house premises known and trading as “McD’s” and situate at Earl Street, Dundalk, County Louth in the Town of Dundalk, Barony of Upper Dundalk, Parish of Dundalk and the County of Louth which said premises are more particularly shown on the Plans to be adduced at the Hearing of this Application whereon the area proposed to be licensed is surrounded with a red verge line. Dated this 31st day of January 2012.

SIGNED: Catherine Allison & Co. Solicitors for the Applicants 6 Roden Place, Dundalk,Co. Louth To: The County Registrar at Courthouse, Circuit Court, Market Square, Dundalk. The Judge of the District Court at Courthouse, Market Square, Dundalk. The Superintendent of An Garda Siochana at The Crescent, Dundalk, Co. Louth. The Fire Authority at Millenium Buildings, St. Alphonsus Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth.

Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

Cuchulainn Cycling Club’s AGM Cuchulainn Cycling Club’s members recently gathered for their AGM, where they reviewed 2011 and looked ahead to 2012. The night commenced with a quick presentation of the Louth Championships Jerseys, for the respective road and off road categories.

Afterwards the various officers put forward their 2011 reports, the most worrying of which is always the treasurer’s report.

However Peter Tomany assured the members that all was good and the club had managed to donate to various charities over the course of the previous year.

As well as the usual racing round up, Philip Kerely talked members through the huge amount of activity on the touring side.

The club had highlighted 11 cyclosportive events for 2011 that they would target.

Jason Boyle excelled as the only club member to finish all 11, which is very impressive given the horrendous conditions the 200km long Wicklow event was run off in.

Elections for 2012

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Arriving regularly: container loads of quality Dutch furniture. A wonderland of household furniture including leather & fabric suites, dressing tables, kitchen tables and chairs, pictures, mirrors, bedroom furniture. Open 364 days a year- you’ll pick up a bargain at Main Street, Collon. Tel 041-98 26484. The only Dutch furniture shop in the North East.

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Man is warned to remain sober A 36-year-old man who was twice found lying on the footpath in town in less than a fortnight, was cursed with an alcoholic problem, Dundalk Court heard.

Judge Flann Brennan offered Thomas McDonald (36), 64, Father Murray Park the chance to do 120 hours community service in lieu of four months jail, but warned him he’d have to remain sober.

The judge put back counts of being drunk on both dates and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour on one of the occasions

Honorary Life Member Sean Kelly presents the Louth Women’s Road Race Champion 2011 Celine McPhilips with her jersey

officers saw almost all 2011 officers return to their posts.

Youth Development Officer Sé Weston however had to step down due to work commitments but was replaced

by Peter Collins.

There has been a significant increase in the number of female cyclists in the club and their

sale, 2 years old and in perfect working order. €120 O.N.O. Tel 087 9165242 Garden Sheds (Steel)All sizes available, also Steel Insulated Dog Kennels & Dog Pens www.steelgardensheds.ie 086 3556670 JEWELLERY FOR VALENTINE’S. Silver Pendants, Earrings, Silver Sets. Best prices & service. Goldstar Discount Jewellers, Longwalk S.C., next to Tesco. Also at 1 Demesne S.C. €20k DREAM KITCHENIncludes all appliances, fittings, electrician, plumber.

Unwanted prize. All reasonable offers considered. Genuine enquiries only. Call 0879100600.

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Kitchen Sinks, surplus stock, wide variety, all brand new, big discounts. Cofra Cabinets , Northlink Homepark, Dundalk Tel 042 9351599 CLASSES, COURSES & LESSONS Guitar Lessons Available Beginners Welcome – Contact Gerry Larkin 0871684260 CELTIC SCHOOL OF MOTORING. ADI approved driving instructor, dual controlled car, test routes covered, nervous pupils welcome. Motorcycle lessons also available. Contact Frank 089 425 8215 or 042 93 26148. www.celticschoolofmotoring.com Beginner Guitar Lessons. Adults and Children catered for. Dunleer / Togher area. Reasonable rates. Weeknights and weekend lessons. Contact Neil on 0863818196 Beginner guitar lessons only €8 per lesson. Weekdays/Evenings and weekends. Can provide guitar if needed. Call Roy 086-2052108 ACCOUNTING: Leaving Cert Honours Accounting Grinds available. Grinds complete with typed questions, answers, notes, study guides & exam tips. Tel. 0872545359 YOGA CLASSES. Free Trial. Monday - 12 noon - Over 55’s class. Thursday 6pm - Beginners. 7.15pm - General Classes. 8 Roden

interests will be managed jointly by Kathleen Byrne and Michelle Dolan.

A number of committees were formed to cater for off road cycling, track cycling, road racing and the rapidly growing BMX area.

With BMX racing now an Olympic Sport and with the opening of a dedicated track in Ra-

Place, Dundalk. Tel 0857347133.

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toath, Co. Meath this area of the sport will continue to see rapid growth.

As ever the club will undertake to run a plethora of events in 2012, the mainstay being the 3 leagues.

The club will beginning preparations for it’s season opener, The Traders Cup being held on Sunday February 26.

and remanded him on continuing bail to May 16 for a report to see if he was suitable.

Garda Inspector Martin Beggy said that on January 4 the defendant was found very drunk lying on the footpath at Clanbrassil Street.

He was found in a similar condition at Church Street on January 15, and not able to stand up without assistance.

He had a quantity of alcohol in a bag.

The Inspector added the defendant had 29 convictions.

Saint Brigid’s annual torchlight procession The 36th consecutive annual torchlight procession took place on St Brigid’s Day, Wednesday, February 1, with over 1,000 people walking the 2km from Faughart Graveyard to St Brigid’s Shrine.

The celebrations to mark the saint’s feast day saw the making of the

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Looking for a unique gift? Create a personalised newspaper page to celebrate a special occasion - birthday, anniversary, birth, sporting success etc. Contact 086 3238328 www.frontpagenews.ie A VAN AND DRIVER available for furniture removal, also single items, 3 piece suites, cookers, fridges, washing machines.

Day & night Tel 086 8704908 Computer callout service. Day, evening & weekend hours. Experienced and professional. Dundalk & Blackrock and surrounding areas. Call Oisín now on 0868778361.

Fully Qualified Mechanic available for MOT, servicing & Mechanical repairs. Renault specialist Tel Declan 0044 7749488859 HOUSE MAINTENANCE All types. Renovations/Extensions/Facia/Soffet Guttering Garden Fencing and Patios. Estimates free Tel Tom 0863961206 Advertise your service to over 60,000 readers for only €5 per week up to 20 words Phone Dundalk Leader 042 9320888 We can distribute your leaflets from €65 + vat per thousand Phone Dundalk Leader 042 9320888 Aerial, Satellite – TV, Freeview Freesat professional installations, repairs etc.

Phone Eamonn Cooney 087-267-1809, 7 Distillery Lane.

Weddings 2012 Special at Peter Hughes Photography, Professional Wed-

Station of the Cross on Sunday January 29, led

by Bro George Whyte DLS. There was a Triduum of Prayer in honour of St Brigid in St Nicholas Church, Dundalk, where about 500 people walked in procession through Bridge St, The Fair Green and Linenhall St.

ding Photography, full coverage of wedding and 26 page picture story book album total price €750 phone 042 9333732 mob 087 2561161 LAPTOP COMPUTER REPAIRS. Internet Set Ups, Broadband Set Ups, Security, Anti Virus Removals, Business & Home Networking. Collect & Return Service. Tel 042 9323419 Mob 087 6244151 GremlinBusters Computer Services, FREE fault diagnosis, no-fix/no-fee, collect and return, experienced professional technicians, for very cheap service and repair rates call Paul on 086 885 7350 Wedding Photography. All day coverage, DVD with pictures €350. www. elmotions.com Tel: 086-4036942 Wall Paper Hanger available.

Reasonable rates, excellent work. Phone: Tom 087-632-8292 Carpenter available. 25 years exp.

All interior, exterior including kitchens, decking, doors, floors, etc. No job too small.

Keenest prices. Quality finish assured. Call Des for free quote: 087-6180150 CHIMNEY CLEANING SERVICE Dust Free Brush and Vac Reasonable rates.

Phone Tommy 0871869164 McALOON UPHOLSTERY. All furniture recovered as new. 3 piece suites, dining chairs etc. Cushions & springs replaced. Tel: 087 2305941 / 041 9842974.

Window Cleaning, office cleaning, domestic cleaning. EVERKLEEN. 0429352717 CLEANEST & KEENEST Have your windows, carpet or suite of furniture cleaned at keenest prices . Also guttering, fascia boards, power hosing. Call Damien 0868469559 or 0879319243 ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC Dundalk & Carrickmacross. Acute & Chronic Pain, Stress & Anxiety plus Fertility Treatment. Ph 0864008189 www.acupuncture4health.ie Man with own equipment available to do tree felling, hedges, gardening.

Phone Paul 0879705724.

Tarot & Spiritual readings €35 for one on one reading, Parties catered for with discounts.Phone or text 0871820400.

VIDEO BOOTH FOR WEDDINGS AND PARTIES.20% DISCOUNT ON ALL BOOTHS. Wedding chair covers 1.75 Fairylight backdrop 180 Paula 087 9194111 www. wow-weddings.ie G & M Print. A3 poster prints €1 each.

100 A3 posters €85. 100 full colour business cards €30. 5000 A5 B/W flyers €99 Docket books, envelopes, stickers, memoriam cards, invitations. Contact 086 3006102/0416852821 www.gmprint.ie All prices subject to vat TILER AVAILABLE For all your tilingjobs.

No job too big or small. Discount for multiple rooms. Free quotations. Call Cormac 0876563705 CHILDRENS ENTERTAINMENT Magician and Balloon Modeller available for all parties. Contact Odenni. 042-9372455 or 087-2473342.

CARS/VANS FOR SALE 2007 Volkswagen Caddy Van 1.9tdi, 90k. DOE 12 months. Clean.

Service up to date. €6,500 ono. Louth.

0863818196 2002 Renault Laguna. Silver/Grey Diesel. Just passed NCT. Great condition inside & out. One lady owner since new.

Call 0877955521 SITUATIONS WANTED Driver with B,C1,C,D1,D Full clean driving license looking for any job.

0857046307 Handyman available €6 per hour. Cleaning, painting, gardening, farm-hand. Honest, reliable, highly recommended. Tel 0862256968 or 0863761503 Experienced Electrician available for all domestic jobs. 30 years experience. Free quotes. 0872685328 SITUATIONS VACANT Established Financial Services Company wishes to recruit part time financial advisors primarily within the Life Assurance Business but not limited to this area. Please email your c.v. in strict confidence to ovocagroup@gmail.com.

FAO Jim.

Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

The Return of the Horsemen just the music that defined a generation.’ The night aims Hailing from Donegal the to bring back those ‘magiReturn 0f the Horsemen are cal nights when a round of a five piece Horslips Tribute drinks meant 2 cokes and 3 fantas a cup of tea in the Act are making their way supper room meant she reto Dundalk. The five piece promise to recreate the ‘raw, ally liked you and the Ford primitive and magical expe- Cortina was king.’

The cover band got togethrience that was more than

By Niamh Kirk

er in 2008 and were brought together by a shared love of the Horslips music. All talented musicians in their own right the bands set, dress and style takes are reminicisnt of the original line up. The Return of the Horsemen are a must see for any Horslips fans.

All set for Bush Factor

By Laura Campbell

The final of Bush Factor took place in St. Patricks Complex, Lordship on Thursday February 9 at 7.30pm.

The competition organised by four Transition Year students was a quick sell-out leaving many peoply hoping to get in at the door.

Thirteen acts with a range of

talent competed in the final. The audience were entertained by a rock band, break-dancers and beat boxers, singers, hip hop dancers and rappers. All with outstanding talents but an act called “The Megans” stood out to everyone on the night.

Both with the same first name, Megan McDonald and Megan Conroy, won an All-Ireland Science Competition were they

had to make a rap about “The Chemistry of Life”.

They received over 1000 views of their video they posted on YouTube. Realising they had a talent they decided to enter the talent competition.

During the half time break the students enjoyed a performance from 16 year old singer and judge of the competition Simon O’Driscoll.

Circus in town

The ever popular Duffy’s Circus is back in town and will be located at The Marshes Shopping Centre for the first time.

The show runs until Sunday February 12 and promises to be a great treat for all the family. Don’t miss the lions and tigers and be sure to visit the zoo after selected performances.

The Return of the Horsemen

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Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

Dundalk Musical Society

Fresh from the success of their recent sell-out Pantomime “Cinderella”, Dundalk Musical Society are already setting the wheels in motion for their next production “Broadway and Beyond”.

This exciting new production will feature extracts from some of the best Broadway Musicals of the past and the present, such as, Mamma Mia, Chicago, Sister Act, Hairspray,

Blood Brothers, Wicked and Little Shop of Horrors. As well as a tribute to the golden age of musical theatre featuring songs from the great western and cockney musicals ensuring something for everyone.

An information and audition evening for past present and future members will take place on Monday February 13 in Dundalk Tennis club, and will follow the following

format.

Boys and Girls aged between 8 and 15 years are invited to audition from 6 to 7pm. At 7pm there will be a workshop for all males and females aged 16 and upwards wishing to be involved in the show which will be led by director Robert Murphy.

Then from 8pm onwards auditions will be held for those wishing to sing solo numbers

in the show. New members are always sought and welcomed and there is no upper age limit. The rehearsal process will begin in on Wednesday February 15 and the show will take place in An Tain Theatre at the end of April.

For further information contact dundalkmusicalsociety@ gmail.com or contact Paudie Breen on 085-7306179.

Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

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HOL I S TIC & P SYCHIC H EA LTH E X PO This sunday 12th February in the Crowne Plaza Holistic Healers & Psychics at the Crowne Plaza Hotel this Sunday from 11am-6pm.

We aim to promote healthy living in the full sense and this Holistic and Psychic Health Expo provides a fantastic opportunity to experience a vast range of holistic therapies natural products, and therapies.

Jewellery, Crystals, Aloe Vera, Natural Skincare and more.

New to Ireland is the Japanese Revelation of Kangen Alkaline Water. Why Not try it out on the day for free Angel workshop for children A New Addition To this year Expo is angel treatments & workshops for young people suitable for ages between 7-12 See Deirdre Barry or Rose Mary Milner Aidan Storey Work-

shop Aidan Story Angel Healer & Reader will hold a workshop at 11am sharp.

Workshop cost will be €20 and paid on the morning of the fair. Aidan will also give private readings afterwards, to book Aidan you can do so on Sunday morning before workshop.

Further info email aidansworkshop@gmail.com You can experience all kinds of psychic alternatives at the fair from tarot to angel cards, psychic –mediums, numerology and astrology. Just turn up on the day, no appointment necessary and the readers will be happy to talk to you. Have you ever wanted to have your aura read? The aura is a mirror to the soul and with the latest photographic technology you can now see it for yourself. Each colour in the aura contains a different message to help you on your path through life.

Come to the fair where an aura photographer will take a photo of your aura and read it to you – giving you a deeper insight into your spiritual wellbeing. You can sample mini treatments of ancient therapy Indian Head massage, reflexology, Bio- Energy therapy, massage, and much more.

For more info call Geraldine on 087-6730717 Open to the public. www. holisticfairsireland.com

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Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

Appliances

Builder

Blinds

Book-Keeping

Bathrooms

Blinds

Coach Building

Builder

Boiler Repairs (Oil)

Conservatories/Windows/Sunrooms

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Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

Driving School

Couriers

Electrical

Garden Sheds

Home Insurance & Claims

Engineering

Heating

Locksmiths

Sliding Wardrobes

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Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

80s School Disco

News

in Brief Skips

Dundalk No Name Club

No Name Club, Dundalk, are holding a Mother & Children morning from 11am to 2pm on Wednesday February 15 in the Outcomers Hall, Roden Place, Dundalk.

Proceeds go towards the No Name Club. Free entry. Kids entertainment provided.

Tea, coffee, refreshments for Mums.

Call Christina 0852710881 if you need any info. Booking not necesClaire Byrne, Catriona Nulty, Aileen Fitzpatrick and Shauna Mc Gee sary.

St Patrick’s fund-raiser

St Patrick’s Parish will hold a fundraiser in The Lisdoo on Easter Sunday, April 8, at 8.30pm.

Music is by Toronto Showband plus disco from 70s, 80s and 90s, with drinks promotion on the night.

Admission is by ticket only which are available at 1€10.

Man stole wine

Orla and Killian

Des Malone and David Gaffney

A 44-year-old man who took four bottles of wine and placed them in a bag in a local supermarket, had a problem with alcohol, Dundalk Court heard.

Solicitor Sean T O’Reilly said that alcohol was the root cause of almost all of the trouble of Maris Ololinis, with an address at 31, Ashbrook, Tom Bellew Avenue.

The goods were recovered. The defendant lived here the last six years.

Windows

Judge Flann Brennan Fiachra O’Ceilleachair and Mark Coan adjourned the case for a report to May 16th to see whether the defendant was suitable to do 120 hours community service in lieu of four months in jail.

Maria O’Sullivan and Siobhan Smyth. Siobhan celebrated her birthday at the 80s School Disco night at the Rugby Club

The defendant was observed by a security man take the bottles off a shelf at Dunnes Stores, Ard Easmuinn on September 22 last.

Book of evidence

Joe Molloy and Mark Mc Cumiskey

Noel Twibill and Emma Tinsley

Judge Flann Brennan gave the state five weeks “but no more” to produce a book of evidence in a case of Gerard Rogan (29) of 5, Crescent One, Muirhevnamor.

The defendant faces charges of assault causing harm and producing an article in the course of a dispute/fight at Crescent One, Muirhevnamor on April 30 last year.

The charges were put back to March 7.

John Mulligan

John and Frank Mc Gahon and Fintan Reilly

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Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012

SERVICE YOUR C AR

The most vital part of a car service is to have your

oil changed.

If you don’t regularly change your

oil, sludge may build up which will prevent the engine being

correctly lubricated. This could result in engine failure and an expensive repair.

Having a regular service will help you avoid this problem and save you money in the long run.

Although you should schedule to have your car serviced regularly, there are times when it’s particularly important.

For example,

if you’re about to embark on a long journey or if your car hasn’t been used for a while. Cars which have been sitting still for prolonged periods of time may have developed issues on account of the engine being left idle.

A regular service will: Help reduce engine wear Improve fuel economy

Prolong the life of your engine.

Highlight any

outstanding safety issues or wear and tear on

suspension, steering and braking systems.

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Dundalk Leader 8th February 2012