The Moyross Voice

Revenge not a factor say Keith Earls

Hollywood comes to Limerick thanks to Bronx Monks

The

Moyross Voice

The Voice of the Village Tuesday, December 1, 2009 www.moyrossvoice.com For the birds: Dermot Harney of Shannon Falconry demonstrates his skills in Moyross.

Insurers discriminate against Moyross residents Exclusive Investigation

By Craig Hughes and Rowan Gallagher

Picture: Eugene Kiely

€1.5bn private investment plan for Moyross

By Orla Walsh, Kelly Moran and Leo Stiles A MAJOR €1.5bn private investment plan for Limerick’s regeneration areas is to be brought to the Cabinet today, the Moyross Voice has learned.

But issues about the length of time the regeneration project is going to take, and the low prices being paid to residents for their homes, still remain unresolved.

Defence Minister Willie O’ Dea has confirmed that ministers will discuss a master plan to rebuild the four regeneration areas of the city this morning.

The Cabinet meeting will also consider an approach from a group of local businessmen who have had contacts with international developers interested in investing in the city.

“It’s impressive and exciting. They think it is a good prospect and a good long term investment. I think they will invest,” said the Minister.

He refused to be drawn on the identity of the interested parties but said he expected an announcement in the next couple of weeks.

Regeneration Agency chief executive Brendan Kenny has said meanwhile that the redevelopment of the city – including Moyross – could take up to 20 years to complete.

Mr Kenny warned that the regeneration project would take much longer to complete without private investors.

He also said he hoped to start building houses in Moyross in 2010 to show residents that Government backing for the project was solid.

“What we are saying to the government is that we accept there is no money, we accept that there is a recession, but what we need to do is

get one small development in each of the areas to show the people that we are committed to building,” he said.

Mr Kenny also said: * the €28,000 being offered to house owners was “unfair” * the first new houses in Moyross would be built next year * the new head of the North Side agency, Anne Haugh will start work in January In future he said he would like to see money given to the City Council diverted to his agency to build houses.

Mr Kenny said: “We’ve calculated overall that over 10 years, €3 billion would be required, but that’s private investment and the reality now is that in the current climate a lot of that is not going to happen. We never really calculated exactly, but some of the things that were going to take 10 years to happen may take 20 years but we’re planning for the future,” he added.

Regeneration Agency Chief Executive Brendan Kenny.

MOYROSS residents are being charged 20 percent more than than their counterparts in Dublin 4 for car insurance by one of the biggest insurers in the country.

A survey conducted by the Moyross Voice has revealed that car insurers Quinn Direct, Hibernian Aviva and FBD all charged residents from Moyross more for car insurance than residents in Sandymount, Dublin 4.

We surveyed price quotations for a 20-year-old male with the following details: currently unemployed, two years full Irish drivers licence, two years no claims bonus, social drinker, and driving a 2006 5 door Volkswagen Golf with a 1.4l engine.

Quinn Direct quoted €2,045 when the home address was in Moyross, compared to a quote of €1,699 when the home address was Sandymount Dublin 4, a difference of €346.

Hibernian Aviva quoted €2,702 for a person with an address in Moyross, compared to a quote of €2,532 for a home address in Dublin 4 - resulting in a discrepancy of €170.

The difference in price is lowest for FBD - they quoted €1,700 for a person with a Sanydmount address and €30 more for a person with a Moyross address.

Niall Capman, a Moyross resident, who currently has a policy with Quinn Direct said: “It’s discriminating I think.

I changed my address to Tipperary because for me it came down by about €300”.

In a statement Quinn Direct said a number of factors, including licence type, driving history and the location where the vehicle is kept overnight, influenced the price of insurance.

More: Page 3

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NEWS

The Moyross Voice December 1, 2009

The Voice of the Village University of Limerick Student Journalism Production

Editor’s Choice A lack of licence

By Sarah Moyles

Rowan Gallagher speaks to residents of Moyross who claim their healthy horses are taken from them because they cannot get proper licenses. Page seven.

News Health Matters Jean O’Donovan visits the local Moyross Women’s Health day and discusses health issues with local woman, Deirdre O’Driscoll. Page five.

Features Bonding sessions Ciaran Twomey chats to the lads and dads of Corpus Christi National School about their initiatives to get parents and kids working and playing together. Page thirteen.

MORE than 25 jobs are to be created in Moyross in the New Year as Eurospar plan a complete refurbishment and re-launch of their Watch House Cross store.

Since Eurospar took over from the failing Super Valu store last summer, business has grown steadily despite the economic downturn, thanks to the support from the local community.

Manager of the Watch House Cross Eurospar store Derek Coyle believes the reason behind the stores success is its friendly atmosphere and customer service.

“All of the staff here are locals and they would be well known in that respect, as they would know all the regulars coming in and it would be a very friendly atmosphere.”

Labour TD for Limerick East Jan O’Sullivan said she was “delighted that much needed jobs will be provided in

Watch House Cross Eurospar store manager Derek Coyle. Picture: Sarah Moyles

Moyross by Eurospar.”

She also hoped that people living in the area who are suitable for the jobs should be given first preference.

Mr Coyle said that in these difficult economic times value for money was essential for any consumer. “[With] the difficult times that we are in we just have to continue to give the customers what they want which is value.”

Fine Gael TD for Limerick East, Michael Noonan, commented that unemployment was the biggest problem for people living in Moyross and he claimed these new jobs would be very welcome to the area.

Mr Coyle added that Eurospar was a community store and that they were looking forward to many years of success in the Watch House Cross Centre.

Moyross currently has an unemployment rate of 24.6 per cent. 13 per cent of people in Moyross are employed in community employment schemes and job initiative schemes.

Eurospar currently employs 54 staff, and the Watch House Cross Centre was opened in 2004.

Just a little bit of Christmas spirit

By Sarah Moyles

Sport Torpey looks to future Limerick snooker veteran, John Torpey, talks to Neil Treacy about maximums, victories and his battle to finish the season as Ireland’s number one. Page fourteen.

Editorial and Staff: Editor: Deputy editors: Chief sub-editor: Sports editor: Design editors: Features editor: Sports sub-editor: Sub-editors: Reporters:

Spar shop to create 25 new jobs in New Year

Orla Walsh Kieran Foley (News); Kelly Moran (Features & Analysis) Denise Calnan Neil Treacy Leo Stiles, Rowan Gallagher Sarah Moyles Criag Hughes Deirdre Allen, Aisling Hussey, Michaela Ingram, David Kelly Niall Kelly, Jason Kennedy, Janna Murphy, Trisha Murphy, Emma O’Brien, Joanne O’Connor, Jean O’Donovan, Stephen O’Sullivan, Rachael Power, Ciaran Twomey, Sharon Whelton.

MOYROSS and White Cross Gardens resident Martin O’ Halloran covers his house in Christmas decorations every year for the past 20 years and this year he shows no signs of stopping.

Mr O’Halloran began decorating his house when his children were small and now he has started all over again because of his grandchildren.

“We used to do it for our own children but now we do it for our grandchildren,” he said.

Despite what would seem like a huge expense to Martin, he insists that it really doesn’t cost that much.

It doesn’t cost a lot, we’ve built the decorations up over the years, my eldest is 25 and we’ve been doing it since he was two.”

He believes that the Christmas decorations help create a community spirit since Moyross’ regeneration project started.

“If we didn’t put them up people would be wondering why,” he added.

Irate Dell workers are ‘disgusted’ with Coughlan

By Kieran Foley A MEMBER of the Dell Worker’s Representative Committee has launched a scathing attack on Minister Mary Coughlan and the Department of Enterprise.

Dennis Ryan says that he is disgusted with the Tanaiste for her lack of communication with the former Dell workers.

“Mary Coughlan or any Fianna Fáil TD has never approached a Dell worker. We are all disgusted with her.

We’ve had one letter from her personal assistant, and that was it. I am very disappointed with her,” he said.

“I had to go to Europe to meet a Fianna Fáil politician. Brian Crowley was the first Fianna Fáil person I met.

We had to bypass the government and we had to go to people like Alan Kelly,” he added.

Last week, the EU Parliament approved funding of €14.5 million for the re-training, up skilling and further educating of 2,500 Dell workers, many of whom are from the Moyross area.

Labour MEP Alan Kelly also criticised Mary Coughlan and the Department of Enterprise for not having plans in place for the distribution of the money.

“There is now only 18 months to spend it and there is of yet no plan or structure for how to spend the money,

and the committee to administer the fund has not been fully established,” he said.

“The various departmental stakeholders, FÁS, Enterprise Ireland and the third level colleges are only getting together now,” he added.

Under EU criteria, if the money allocated is not spent within 18 months, it must be sent back to the EU. Mr Kelly has called on Minister Coughlan to “personally intervene” to show workers where the money will be spent.

“Minister Coughlan seriously needs to start taking more direct action as it would be a travesty to waste this once-off money,” he said.

“I call on Minister Coughlan to personally intervene and show the workers the plan to spend the money,” said the Munster MEP. Along with the €14.5 million from the EU, the Irish government have added an additional €8 million for the further educating, re-training and up skilling of the former Dell workers.

Ms Coughlan says that plans have already been made for the distribution of the money.

“Contrary to remarks made in the media, considerable preparatory work has already been undertaken in anticipation of a successful outcome and structures are in place to ensure that funding can and will be effectively and

efficiently spent,” she said.

She added that since the announcement of the Dell redundancies last January, training and advisory supports along with occupational guidance services have been provided to FÁS, Enterprise Ireland, the City and County Enterprise Boards and local Vocational Education Committees.

However Mr Ryan said he believes the Government have no proper plans in place.

“We’ve only had two meetings with the Department of Enterprise. Brian Cowen, Brian Lenihan and Mary Coughlan are following each other over the cliff,” he added.

NEWS

The Moyross Voice December 1, 2009

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Trust launch to honour memory of slain rugby star Geoghegan

By Craig Hughes THE Shane Geoghegan Trust is currently preparing to launch their pilot activity of ‘street games.’ Moyross, along with other disadvantaged areas in Limerick, are being targeted by the Trust in an attempt to combat antisocial behaviour.

The Shane Geoghegan Trust was launched in October 2009, as a positive response to the murder of Shane Geoghegan outside his home in Dooradoyle last November. Shane, who played rugby with Garryowen Rugby Club, was a devout sports fan. His family want Shane to be remembered for his life and the way he lived it, not the way it ended.

With a motto of “helping lives shine,”

the Shane Geoghegan Trust is targeting disadvantaged areas in Limerick where there are not adequate sporting facilities. By doing this the Trust aims to create a desirable alternative to anti-social behaviour.

Jamie Daly, manager of the Moyross United B team believes, “It’s a great idea, it’s great to see such sportsmanship, to see people getting involved in sports for the likes of Shane.”

The Trust’s pilot activity of street games will be run in a similar fashion to the already successful model already in operation in England. Board member and Shane’s uncle, Tony Geoghegan, believes the Street Games initiative will be a success and “bring sport to children’s doorsteps.”

The Trust is being closely modelled on successful charities in England,

including Street Games as well as the Sunderland FC Foundation. The Trust has received a lot of high profile attention, most notably from Sunderland FC CEO Niall Quinn. The Shane Geoghegan Trust is being modelled in a similar fashion to the Sunderland FC Foundation charity, which has been highly successful for the past 20 years.

Speaking about Niall Quinn’s involvement in the Trust, Tony Geoghegan said “Niall has given the Trust the impetus it needs to succeed.” Quinn

and the Trust are currently planning a showpiece friendly for July between Sunderland and a Limerick FC side combined with a few famous faces.

Meanwhile, The Trust is running a major fundraiser in the college of Art and Design on December 8 and 9, which has already generated some significant donations from patrons.

The Trust has a number of high profile patrons including Paul O’Connell, John Delaney, Gay Byrne, Brendan Grace, Pat Short, David Wallace and many more. Anyone wishing to donate to

the Shane Geoghegan Trust can do so on their website www.sgt3.com Shane Geoghegan’s death shook the city of Limerick as well as the nation.

Now, his family as well as the people of Limerick are determined to ensure the “gentle giant” is remembered.

Picture shows Tony Geoghegan, comedian Brendan Grace, Patron of the Shane Geoghegan Trust, and Parkway Shopping Centre Manager Rodger Beck .

Courtesy: Press 22.

‘The story so far’ by Local women unite Moyross former Limerick Mayor against home abuse Insurers

By Orla Walsh THIRTY years and counting. A book on the history of Moyross and a look to its future is set to be published this Christmas.

The idea for the book was suggested

by Parish Priest Father O’Dea, when the regeneration plan for Moyross was announced in 2007.

“If the whole place was knocked and there was no recording, either photographs or the story of Moyross, it would be a pity,” said Fr O’Dea. The book which has a working title of “The story so far” is being written by former Mayor of Limerick Frank Prendergast along with an editorial team from the area.

Mr Prendergast has interviewed numerous people for the book including former residents and land owners of the farms that Moyross was built on.

“Hopefully we’ll have a few ordinance survey maps and pictures of the farmyard,” said Fr O’Dea. “Most of the written part is done, we have to collect the photographs now and identify the names which is the difficult part,” he added.

The book will feature stories from the past thirty years including sporting heroes right up to Keith Earls, interviews from the residents, articles on housing policy and the community centre.

By Janna Murphy

INVOLVED: Fr Frank O’Dea

The book looks at Moyross as it was thirty years ago; the Delmege family who owned the area and Maloney’s Field, Hartigan’s Hill, Craeval Lane which were all named after families of that time.

“It captures Moyross; the ups, the downs, the expectations of people. It paints a picture of a community that has been growing over the last 30 to 35 years and will continue to grow,” said Fr O’Dea. The team are planning to print around 1000 copies as well as around 100 hard back copies. The book is set to be out in all major bookstores by Christmas and with an estimated retail price of €10.

HUNDREDS of women united in Limerick for a conference to end gender-based violence. The conference marked the beginning of the national campaign “16 DAYS of action opposing violence against women” which ends on National Human Rights Day, December 10.

Since 1996, 159 women were murdered in the Republic of Ireland. A partner or ex-partner murdered 51 percent of these women and 61 percent were murdered in their own homes.

One in seven Irish women experience abuse. In 2008, 15,158 cases of domestic violence were disclosed to the Women’s Aid National Helpline.

Co-ordinator of the Limerick Women’s Network Liz Price said that an important part of the conference was for women to realise that they are not alone and they are part of global problem.

“With women organising in a small area like Moyross, by coming to this conference today, all of a sudden they realise that they are part of the 156 countries globally who are marking this violence against women,” said Ms Price.

Feminist organisation, Banúlacht, worked together with Limerick Women’s Network and Clare Women’s

Network to organise the conference which took place on November 26.

Mary McGrath works with Hospital Family Resource Centre. She came to the conference because she was interested in finding out more about local and global responses to violence and gets women.

Ms McGrath said: “I’m particularly interested in learning about violence against women in the global context and just keeping up to date with what we can do at Hospital Family Resource Centre.”

During the conference there were speeches, workshops and discussions.

The speakers were the director of Women’s Aid, Margaret Martin, a Tanzian journalist/activist, Leila Sheikh and co-director of Global Women’s Studies Programme at NUI Galway, Dr Nata Duvvury. There were quick intervals for women to discuss the issues raised in the speeches with the women around their table.

A former board of management member of the Clare Women’s Network Leslie Hill came to the conference to support “16 DAYS of action opposing violence against women”.

Ms Hill said: “I just think it is wonderful to connect with the network of women that are active in the country.

It strengthens me to come each time.

I thought there were some wonderful speakers today.”

The theme of this year’s campaign is “Commit, Act, Demand”.

From page one “Research claims history for each of these elements and clear patterns can be identified. For example, male drivers are proven to have more claims than female drivers. Younger drivers are proven to have more claims than older drivers. Likewise certain areas have more claims than others.”

Hibernian Aviva responded to us with the following statement: “Hibernian Aviva provides insurance cover for 1.2million people in Ireland and provides cover in every county in the country through brokers, our branch network, our call centre and internet site. As with all insurance products the price charged is influenced by a number of factors. The price of insurance varies from area to area based on things like the number of vehicles in the area, the roads infrastructure in the area, the number of accidents in an area and is not necessarily based on the geographic or address area.”

Consumer champion Eddie Hobbs said insurance companies can legally charge specific geographical areas more for insurance provided that they have data proving that the area has a higher claims ratio than other areas in the country.

However, if the Financial Regulator investigates a specific insurance company and finds that they are being predatory and not basing their prices on accurate data there can be serious consequences.

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The Moyross Voice December 1, 2009

Kids don’t throw stones anymore, says community worker...

By Jason Kennedy A SUPERVISOR at Moyross Community Centre Youth Group has pleaded with members of the Government to visit the area to see the work done with disadvantaged children before they bring forward next month’s budget.

Eugene Kiely, who has worked at the Centre since its foundation, claims the centre is at risk of closure if the budget does not go their way, as they are totally reliant on Government funding.

“If there are cutbacks it will impact on the work we do here. We already had a cutback over the holidays for our summer camps, but we managed to get by.”

The After School Youth Group caters for 20 children a day and Mr Kiely claims that if the Government do bring forth cutbacks, the centre will have to search for volunteers.

“Finding volunteers can be very difficult and one of the major troubles with them is that there is no continuity.

At least with Community Enterprise workers we have continuity for a 12month period with the kids.”

Mr Kiely stated that they mainly seek people who have experience with dealing with children.

“Every youth worker and child minder that works here would feel a high level of responsibility to these kids.

Our workers have the best interests of these kids at heart.”

The youth group was founded in 1992, under a Community Youth Project, helping unemployed youth in the area by getting them to help run the youth group.

“I have seen a lot of kids go through this place. If they did not have what they had here, I don’t want to think about where they could have ended up.”

Mr Kiely also claimed that the community responds very well to work the youth group are doing.

Mr Kiely stated that the children that attend the youth group also attain greater social skills, as they get to socialise with other children outside of the school setting.

“Before we established ourselves, there was a big problem of kids throwing stones at passing trains. One day we went down and brought the kids that did it into the centre and now kids don’t throw stones anymore.

“We are not asking for millions, we are only asking for thousands. This money would save children from a future that could be very bleak if we lose the club.”

Nine-year-old Luke claims that if it wasn’t for

Pictured; Children participating in a community centre sports camp. Picture provided by Eugene Kiely

the club, he would be in his bedroom doing nothing.

“I like coming here to see friends.

If Idon’t go to the group, I’d be alone doing homework for the night.”

Local parent, Christopher Wallace, claims that the work done by Mr Kiely and the other volunteers in invalu-

able.

“The work done here is absolutely fantastic and it is highly beneficial to the local community.“We really trust everyone in the centre and the summer camp is something that both the kids and I are really appreciative of.”

Mr Wallace, who sends his son and daughter to the group every day, stat-

ed that without the group, the children of Moyross would be disadvantaged.

“We would all be lost without them, they have become part of our daily lives and we would miss them greatly.

“I would also like to thank everyone there for the fantastic work they have done.”

... But a little Mickey Mouse money would help

By David Kelly BUDGET cuts and a decrease in funding will result in more children engaging in anti-social behaviour, a local youth worker has warned.

Moyross Community Centre Youth Supervisor Eugene Kiely said December’s budget could spell the end of community development projects in the area.

“This centre teaches young kids how to behave, the social skills involved in life and it keeps them out of trouble and harm’s way,” he said.

“What’s down the line in six months for these kids? They will be out on the road, breaking windows and throwing

stones at trains,” he added.

With the An Bord Snip Nua report calling for the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to be shut down, the centres existence could be jeopardised. The centre runs a number of summer camps, childminding services and sports activities for kids.

Mr Kiely said that if the community development projects are downgraded and funding reduced, these services may have to be withdrawn and a number of workers let go.

Mr Kiely said that the great work done by the communities’ volunteers would be erased and Moyross would take two steps backward instead of forward. He called on the Government

Art & Craft: Artwork on display at the Probation and Welfare Centre

not to target the projects and he added that the funding needed to maintain the centre was “Mickey Mouse money, in the thousands not millions.”

Meanwhile, Limerick Women’s Network Co-ordinator Liz Price called on the Government not to target those already at risk. She said that the organisation is one of a kind in Limerick. It helps women who are disadvantaged and who have suffered at the hands of violence.

“There is potential for a huge increase in anti-social behaviour if these projects are cut because it is hard for youths to engage in education, and because they see the benefits reaped by criminals,” she said.

The network, based in Moyross, is involved in anti-poverty and awareness of violence campaigns. It also provides crèches and meals for the elderly. The proposal by the Government regarding the community employment scheme will reduce women’s social welfare from two payments to a single payment. In effect, women will have to bear the burden and costs involved in travelling to work, she said.

“People who benefited least from the Celtic Tiger are being hit. I urge the Government to come down here and meet the people; there are hundreds of volunteers. If the funding for these community development projects is withdrawn or downgraded, we will

be paying for it for a long time,” she said.

Community Education Project Manager, Josephine Sheedy, said the resource centres budget was already on hold and that her job would be at risk, should An Bord Snip Nua’s recommendations be put into effect.

An Bord Snip Nua recommends the closure of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, which would save €151 million and scale backs of 196 staff. Its role would be transferred across other departments.

The report calls for a reduction in the allocation of funds for community development programmes, saving €44 million.

Youth bus behaviour improves

By Denise Calnan ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour on the Moyross bus route has decreased in recent months, due to the ongoing work between Bus Éireann and the Moyross Residents Alliance.

Reports of stone-throwing and abusive youths have practically diminished due to the hard-working community in Moyross, according to Bus Éireann’s Regional Manager Miriam Flynn.

Ms Flynn said the anti-social behaviour is caused by a minority group and it can tarnish a place’s name quickly with negatives.

“This image is not indicative of normal life in Limerick, it brings a huge black negative cloud down around the whole city,” she said.

Ms Flynn added that the problem of anti-social behaviour on bus routes is not isolated to certain areas like

Moyross, rather that it is a problem spread right across different locations.

Bus Éireann’s ethos is to work close with the Moyross community to address any problems or incidents that may arise and pose a threat to the drivers’ or passengers’ safety.

Tom Daly, the Chairman of the Moyross Residents’ Alliance, agreed that he had not heard of any major social behaviour on the bus route in recent months.

“There has definitely been a decrease in the anti-social behaviour on buses.

And it is actually still a problem I hear from different areas around Limerick city like Southill, Weston and Castletroy.”

Mr Daly does not agree with Bus Éireann’s positive attitude and belief that a “negative cloud” is created by a minority group in Limerick. He insisted there are plenty of other sides to the story of anti-social behaviour in Moyross that people do not realise.

“It is false, things are happening and it is being hid. Everything is not positive out here, it’s only positive to the people that want it like that, like the regeneration people and the Government. With the anti-social behaviour there is a lot happening, not just on the buses,” he said.

Mr Daly stressed that the only way to fix the problems in an area is to highlight them. “If you hide them, they get worse and worse,” he added.

Ms Flynn said that all these problems start negatively but with a positive approach a solution can be created.

Since she began her job as Regional Manager in 2003, she said that they have solved many problems in the Moyross area and have a lot of staff working with the community.

She added that she would not target Moyross as an area with a particularly high level of anti-social behaviour on the buses.

NEWS

The Moyross Voice December 1, 2009

5

Moyross cancer rate is higher than national average

By Janna Murphy CANCER rates in the Moyross/Ballynanty area are significantly higher than the national average, according to the last study conducted by the Mid-Western Health Board.

The area was rated as one of the “at risk areas” of the Mid-West for increasing cancer rates by the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI).

The Mid-Western Health Board attributes these high numbers to either

lifestyle or the toxins in the living environment. The fact that the area is also rated as a high deprivation section of the county may also have contributed to health problems. However, the exact reason for the high rates cannot yet be pinpointed.

The NCRI suggested in reports that more detailed studies for smaller areas such as Moyross are needed. An IT upgrade is currently taking place in the Mid-Western Health Board, the NCRI, the fire services and ambulance services for the figures on 2009.

This will mean a more specific view of what needs to be done in the area with regards to prevention and treatment.

Prostate cancer is the number one cause of death for male cancer sufferers and breast cancer for women, with one in three women suffering with the disease.

There are no cancer support groups currently running in Moyross. However, a cancer support group which welcomes people from all areas of Limerick suffering from cancer is

stationed on Henry Street. Support groups also run from the Mid-Western Regional Hospital.

“We have been up and running since the mid-eighties. Anyone from city or county can come [and] have a cup of tea, chat and share their experiences and help each other,” said Linda Leonard who helps in the running of the group.

There was a large elevation rate recorded in urban areas of Limerick over a nine year period by the HSE. Rural areas such as Ballysimon and

Ballyglass have a significantly lower number of cancer sufferers than the Moyross area.

Smoking related cancers of the lung and bladder in Limerick city and its surrounding areas, are twice as high as the rest of the county, and it has 16 per cent more invasive cancers than the rest of the county.

118 deaths due to cancer were recorded in Limerick city last year.

Cancer is the second highest cause of death in Ireland.

Women’s health day raises awareness

By Jean O’Donovan DEIRDRE O’Driscoll came to the Moyross community centre for a general check-up. As a mother of a young girl, she finds that she is always busy and does not have the time to get her blood pressure and cholesterol checked.

Ms O’Driscoll said that because the women’s health day was so close to her home it made it easier.

“When it was available so close and it only takes a half an hour, there is no excuse not to go,” said Ms O’Driscoll.

Ms O’Driscoll was one of dozens of women who came to the Moyross community centre on November 26 to become more health conscious.

She said that she found the health day useful as it was easier than going to a doctor because the test is done there and then and you get the results immediately.

“I found the breast check very useful, I know now exactly what to do. I know how to keep on top of my cholesterol and watch out for my diabetes,” said Ms O’Driscoll.

Ms O’Driscoll was tested by one of the two nurses from Pfizer Health

Care Ireland who were giving breast checks and testing blood pressure and cholesterol throughout the day.

Fiona Treacy, the screening promotion officer for the National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) was also there to offer advice to women.

Ms Treacy stated that registering with BreastCheck is vital for women 50 and over. BreastCheck offers free mammograms every two years for women between the ages of 50 and 60.

She said: “We are currently screening women in this age group in Limerick City. Once you are registered and there is screening in your region you will automatically be sent your invitation letter.”

Ms Treacy recommends that women aged 25 to 44 should have a smear test every three year and women aged 45 to 60, every five years.

The leading cause of death for Irish women is breast cancer and with 38 per cent of all deaths in Ireland relating to heart attacks and strokes, the Moyross Community Development Network decided to raise awareness.

Geraldine Clohessy, Tracy McEligott and Antoinette Yelverton organised the women’s health day and were happy with the outcome. Geraldine Clohessy

Picture by Jean O’Donovan

said that they have had almost thirty women come in for check-ups.

Ms Clohessy said: “It’s about bringing information and health issues for women out into the community.” She added that when people go to the doctor it is usually for a specific illness so

they forget to get blood pressure and cholesterol checked.

There was a presentation on healthy eating given by Kathy Whyte from Pfizer Health Care Ireland. Ms Whyte advised that eating colourful fruit and vegetables are essential for keeping

cholesterol down and maintaining a healthy heart.

She said: “People should look in their shopping baskets and make sure that half of it is colourful fruits and vegetables, whether it is fresh, frozen or tinned.”

Gardaí make headway as Limerick City crime rates fall

By Jason Kennedy CRIMINAL offenses are decreasing in Limerick this year, as there was a marked marked fall in crime by 6.3 per cent in the first and second quarters of the year, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office.

In January, February and March of this year, there were a total of 7,936 criminal offenses recorded, which fell to 7,438 in April, May and June.

Compared to last year, a total of 131 less criminal offenses have been recorded, which is a 6.3 per cent decrease.

Members of the Moyross Community Centre have stated that crime rates in Moyross are decreasing dramatically as well.

Paddy Flannery, Manager of the Moyross Community Centre claims that there is too much hype over crime in Limerick.

“There is an overemphasis of crime in Limerick compared to the rest of the country. This year, the figures speak for themselves.

“Gun crime is way down, serious criminality is way down and feuding way down.”

Mr Flannery also states that it is only petty crime that is currently prevalent in Moyross.

“The estates here suffer way more from minor crime and anti-social behaviour.

It is mostly kids acting the maggot, rather than burglary and violence and ausalts.”

Mr Flannery noted that the lack of burnt out cars in the area was proof that criminality is decreasing in Moyross.

“One of the main things we do is clean up burnt out cars in the green, and we have not removed any of them this year.

“This to me tells a story, because they

used to be prevalent five to ten years ago. We used to get rid of dozens of cars. Now we have none.”

Mr Flannery claimed that the greater police presence in the estates has played a part in the reduction of crime.

“People feel safer in the area because they are around. The fact that they kept their promise and brought and extra 70 or 80 gardai on the streets of Limerick means that people feel more secure. The area is starting to make a real turn.

“People are starting to be more proud to live in Moyross and I think they should be. There is a noticeable calmness in the air that was not there five of six years ago” A garda source from Mayorstone Garda station agreed with Mr Flannery, stating that the extra presence made a huge impact on the crime rate.

“We have gotten a great response from people living in Moyross and we hope that the crime rates in the area

continue to deteriorate.”

Mr Flannery stated that there are three elements that are needed to make a community feel more comfortable.

“You got a combination of garda presence, vigilant communities and people taking an interest in their local area. When you have those three things working together, that in effect makes a community safer to live in.

We are starting to see that working in Moyross.”

Fine Gael Councillor, Cormac Hurley stated that regeneration has played a substantial part in the decrease in crime rates.

“There was a lot of sympathy for people living in Moyross, and now, thanks to regeneration, people are getting on with things and everything is coming up really well.”

Cllr Hurlery, a former member of an Garda Síochána, also claimed that a lot of people involved with criminality have left the area.

“A lot of decent, hardworking people have left Moyross, but a lot of people who would have been involved in crime in the area are gone too.”

Mr Flannery also said it is up to the justice system to sort out criminality, not communities.

“Nobody condones criminality. Only the people involved in crime can decide if they want to be involved in a life of crime or not.

“Communities should not have to be the ones that deal with crime. It should be the justice system, and that is what needs to be done.”

Mr Flannery advised all residents of Moyross to be active members of their community.

“Be proud of your estate, taka an active interest in your estate and show belief in Moyross. Once people start to believe in Moyross, the change will really come.”

6

NEWS

The Moyross Voice December 1, 2009

Fire service suffers bogus calls

By Janna Murphy MORE than 30 percent of all calls made to the fire service from Moyross this year were bogus calls. More than 20 unnecessary calls to Moyross were made this year by the staff of the only fire station in Limerick city on Mulgrave Street.

The number one legitimate reason for calls to the area was car fires.

There were 17 reported cases of this so far in 2009.

House fires were a close second with 15 calls this year. Some of these were deliberate and have caused fear in some residents in the area.

All other emergency calls were incidents of people’s property on fire including sheds and rubbish.

Fire staff officer with Limerick City Council Anne Grace said she believed the regeneration was a positive thing for the fire service as it has resulted in less emergency calls to Moyross.

“The regeneration process has definitely assisted in reducing the number of calls to the Moyross area and especially the number of house fires,” said Ms Grace.

Since the regeneration began no incidents involving fire fighters were reported.

In previous years there had been altercations between fire staff and residents of Moyross.

Most of the time this was due to anti-social behaviour and prevented the fire fighters accessing those in need and working effectively.

The reduction in calls has remained throughout the holidays. This Halloween was reported as an unexpectedly quiet night for the Limerick City fire service.

The Limerick City Fire and Rescue Service had a total of 821 fires they responded to in Limerick City this year. This means, including the bogus calls, Moyross accounts for less than 10 percent of emergency calls to the fire service this year. This is a significant decline from previous years.

The regeneration had no impact on the work load of the Raheen ambulance service, which are responsible for answering calls in Moyross.

The process of some residents being relocated to other areas of Limerick has not decreased the number of emergency calls to the ambulance.

Picture: Courtesy Limerick Leader.

Locals call on FAS to lift age bar on jobs

By Deirdre Allen

MOYROSS Community Centre workers have expressed their anger at FÁS recruitment restrictions for community employment schemes.

The community centre, which is one of the main employers in Moyross, is unable to recruit people under 25 years of age for its FÁS Community Employment scheme because of restrictions imposed by FÁS itself.

“The community centre is crying out for young people to come and

work with the children and there are young people from the area that want to help, but under FÁS guidelines they are not permitted to. The situation is simply a travesty,” said Eugene Kiely, Moyross Community Employment Supervisor.

“How can a 55-year-old man be expected to bond and make a real connection with a child of eight years or so?

“The restrictions really should be revised to address this age gap problem,” he added.

FÁS rules dictate that to train under the programme a person must be 25 over and in receipt of social welfare for

12 months or more. There are however some exceptions to the rule.

Exceptions include persons aged 18 years or over who are unemployed travellers, refugees, ex-offenders who have been referred by the probation service but also those who have not been referred.

Geraldine Clohessy of Moyross Community Development Network said: “Third level education is not for everyone and for those who struggled through the Leaving Certificate or didn’t get enough points, seven years is a long time to wait. There has to be alternatives or adjustments to the criteria.”

Mary Donnelly, FÁS Regional Director said: “The programme caters for adults experiencing long-term unemployment; it was never designed for young people.

There are other programs available to all age groups that provide the opportunity for further learning and to secure a job.

“I don’t think it would be appropriate to alter the eligibility criteria, it’s not the answer, because then the programme wouldn’t cater for people’s individual needs.”

People within the 25-35 years age bracket can train in one particular place for a period of up to one year.

However people within the 35-55 years age bracket can be employed for a maximum of three years in one location.

A total of six years overall participation in one location can be spent by eligible persons of 55 years and over.

“Sometimes a year is not enough. 12 months including holidays is a very short period of time for a person to build up self-esteem.

“They may not be ready for work or may not be able to decide what they want to do or how to go about it after it,” added Mrs Clohessy.

For a full list of eligibility criteria, see the FÁS website at www.fás.ie.

Moyross report ‘appalling’ says local councillor Hurley

By Michaela Ingram

There has been intense disapproval of Donal McIntyre’s recent Crime Capitals documentary on Limerick, in which he describes Moyross as “a social black spot.”

The documentary, which aired on October 29, sparked a storm of controversy throughout Limerick, which Mr McIntyre inaccurately stated as one of Europe’s murder capitals.

“We launched an official complaint to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland last Wednesday,” said Tim Hourigan, the administrator of Changing Ireland, the largest national community-based magazine in the country. “The docu-

mentary had a number of inaccuracies; we couldn’t let it go unnoticed.”

Particular criticism has surrounded footage used of youths destroying a car – this incident in fact happened in Dublin over four years ago.

The Mayor of Limerick, Kevin Kiely (FG), has written a complaint to TV3 on the documentary, stating that the programme was “unprofessional and biased.”

“I wrote to the CEO of TV3, looking for an answer as to why false footage was used,” said Mr Kiely. “I was told that they unearthed it from the National Library. They more or less apologised for that, but when I pressed them as to why they portrayed Moyross in such a bad light I got no satisfactory

REPORTER: Donal McIntyre.

Courtesy TV3

response.”

Two formal complaints were lodged against the programme according to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

TV3 Press Officer, Maureen Catterson, claimed that while the general feedback from Limerick was disappointment, there were no untrue statements or facts in the programme.

“A couple of people weren’t happy about it, but it was all factual, none of it was untrue,” said Ms Catterson.

“There is no more crime here than anywhere else in town – crimes in other areas aren’t reported,” said Eugene Kiely, who works in the local Community Centre. “Three cars were burnt out in Castletroy last week – if that had happened in Moyross it would have

made national news.”

“I think the documentary was appalling,” said Cllr Cormac Hurley (FG). “Most of the people in Moyross are amongst the nicest you will ever meet. It is a small few who dominate the headlines with violence and antisocial behaviour; this documentary is only rehashing old wounds.”

“Nobody is reporting on the good events in Moyross,” said Cllr Michael Hourigan (FG). “There are 46 organisations working in Moyross, including employment schemes and youth education, not to mention the regeneration process. Everyday crime in Moyross has dropped considerably due to the installation of CCTV – all good things, all gone unreported.”

NEWS

The Moyross Voice December 1, 2009

7

Residents’ outcry as horses are removed

By Rowan Gallagher RESIDENTS of Moyross claim that healthy horses are being taken off them by the Limerick City Council because they cannot get a licence.

This outcry by the residents comes a year after 30 Moyross locals protested outside the Southside Regeneration Agency’s offices in Roxboro, over the seizure of horses in the area.

Sarah Evans, a highly spoken-of stable owner, who last year took on six horses from the Moyross residents, said: “The residents were very grateful but some of my regular customers weren’t impressed and I told them it was time to move along after a while.”

To obtain a horse licence, you must be over 16 and need a separate licence for each horse costing €31.74 each, along with the cost of feeding the animals.

An inspector, appointed by Limerick City Council, must be satisfied that you have proper facilities to house the horse, have adequate food and water.

Anne Kelly of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), believes that there are huge problems with neglect to the horses in Moyross because they are currently not of any value, and the residents cannot afford to feed these expensive animals.

Moyross resident, Darren O’Loughlin said: “It’s all down to the Gardaí and the Council taking all the horses; it’s disgraceful and it’s not right.”

Residents say that the fees incurred through the seizure of horses are far too high and they cannot afford to maintain their tradition of keeping horses.

Picture by Craig Hughes

Sean O’Sullivan, a resident of Moyross, who claims that he cannot afford to go through all the red tape to own a horse, stated: “It’s over €1,000 to get your horse back if it gets seized.

How am I meant to pay that when I’m only getting €200 a week on the dole?”

Mark O’Hagan from Moyross said: “The pound came and just took the horses belonging to my younger sister.

They just don’t care.”

When asked if he had a licence, he claimed he wouldn’t be able to get one without land.

Limerick City and County Council

both deny any discrimination towards the people of Moyross and claim that the bylaws must be enforced to the letter of the law.

Limerick Animal Welfare (LAW) Deputy Manager Ann Kelly claims: “There is more cruelty that occurs outside the city and in Limerick County than in Moyross.

“The situation is not confined to Moyross. In the main, people in Moyross do care for their animals,” she said.

Marian Fitzgibbon, Chairperson of Limerick City ISPCA, said: “Traditionally the Council haven’t put in any facilities for the people who keep horses

in the city, unlike in Dublin.”

A horse can be disposed of at any time seven days after notice has been issued to the owner of the animal; although in a case where the owner is unknown, a notice is displayed at the nearest Garda Station where the horse was seized, where the animal is detained, as well as at the pound.

In summary, horse owner and resident of Moyross, Darren O’Loughlin, said: “We don’t mind it as much anymore, but the kids are going to grow up into this and they are going to be worse because of the way they see the Gardaí treating us.”

A MOYROSS community worker has warned people buying pets this Christmas to consider the welfare of the animal and the owner’s ability to care for it, before going ahead with their plans.

Moyross Community Centre Project Co-ordinator Juan Carlos Azzopardi said that while pets are a novel idea for Christmas presents, it should be noted that not all animals receive the care and nurture they deserve.

“There are certainly situations where young people who have not got enough knowledge or responsibility are expected to look after their pets. This means their pets are often neglected.

“It happens every year where there is pressure by young people to parents to buy ponies, where they don’t have the living conditions to look after them adequately.

“In the main, I think people who have animals treat them well. People do buy pets for Christmas and then a large number of the pets are in animal shelters a few weeks later,” Mr Azzopardi said.

Mr Azzopardi said people who cannot look after their pets properly should give them away to animal sanctuaries.

“What I certainly wouldn’t want to see happen is people just abandoning their pets on the street and not taking any responsibility for them. We need to promote responsible animal ownership,” he added. Limerick Animal Welfare offer help in re-housing stray animals and animals who have suffered neglect and cruelty. They have a sanctuary which caters for dogs, cats, rabbits and horses.

Moyross college-goers double in the last 10 years

By Deirdre Allen THE NUMBER of students from Moyross entering third level education is increasing every year.

“Sixty-two percent of the entire population of Moyross would have left secondary school early. Back in 1996, 4 percent of students entered third level education. Since then, that figure has doubled,” said Juan Carlos Azzopardi of Moyross Community Centre.

An initiative was set up in 1991 to investigate the education access inequalities in disadvantaged areas and to aid the students from these communities.

“The Limerick Community Based Education Initiative has supported students from the disadvantaged and marginalised communities of Moyross and Southill since 1991.

“There are 21 students from Moyross currently in third level degree courses throughout Ireland but largely based in Limerick.

“There are also many more applicants for Post Leaving Certificate courses,” said Mary McSweeney, LCBEI Director.

The LCBEI was set up to reward children who were academically showing promise. “The focus in schools will be on children who are not doing well and who are in danger of dropping out,” said Mr Azzopardi.

There are currently 12 students from Moyross studying in the University of Limerick, nine of which are in receipt of a bursary. Thirteen people from the area are studying Post Leaving Certificates courses in Limerick. Six students are attending Limerick Institute of Technology.

One student from Moyross is in University College Cork, another in the National University of Ireland Galway and one more in University College Dublin. There is also another student studying abroad in America.

A mature student from the Moyross community is working and studying with the National Counselling Institute of Ireland. Last year, one student completed his masters and is now studying for his PhD, while this year another student is studying for his master’s degree.

These students were all awarded with bursaries provided by Caherdavin Credit Union and the Northside Regeneration Agency.

“In 1998, there were 12 applications for our bursaries. This year, there were 34 applications which is a very positive indication.

“It is now often the case, because of the strong encouragement for people to enter third level education that mothers and daughters are going to college together. Often it is the mother who takes the first step which inspires the daughter to further her education

also,” revealed Juan Carlos.

Research conducted in Moyross schools in 1997, showed that those who left school without the Leaving Certificate were far more likely to be unemployed than those with the qualification.

However, it also showed that those who did do the Leaving Certificate examination were just as likely to be employed in the same job as those who did not do the exam.

The LCBEI deliberately worked on shifting that pattern. The organisation conducted a survey of Moyross schools showing that 72 percent of students were interested in going on to third level education but only 4 percent actually entered third level education.

“I wouldn’t be where I am now without the support of my grants.

They have helped me to sustain myself in college and lessened the financial burden,” said James Ryan, 4th Year Law and Accounting, University of Limerick student from Moyross.

“If anything people are more accommodating to me when they hear I’m from Moyross. It’s quite the opposite reaction you would have expected. The university has been very supportive,” Mr Ryan added.

Mrs McSweeney concluded: “Young people from Moyross need successful role models who can demonstrate what can be achieved and the way forward.”

Picture by Deirdre Allen

8

NEWS

The Moyross Voice December 1, 2009

Moyross Regeneration: “The reality is that there are an awful lot of unfair things out in the regeneration areas.”

The people of Moyross have been waiting. Waiting for a difference to be made in their living environment. Can Brendan Kenny and the Northside Regeneration Agency deliver their promise to the people of Limerick City before it is too late?

By Kelly Moran and Leo Stiles THE FIRST houses for the regeneration project will begin construction in late 2010.

The agency is working on plans for the 30 unit sheltered housing in Cliona Park, Moyross, which will start in the autumn of next year.

CEO of Limerick Regeneration Brendan Kenny says this will be the first significant step in the revitalisation of the area.

“It’s the first development and a major step to show people here that we are serious and this is going to happen,” said Mr Kenny.

Mr Kenny said they don’t want to raise people’s expectations, but things are going well.

Speaking in an interview with the Moyross Voice, Mr Kenny said: “That’s why we have gone for this idea of sheltered accommodation for older people, because they have been affected badly, probably worse than any others in these areas.”

The planning will commence in February.

For 2009, the budget for Limerick regeneration was €25 million. €16.75 million of this was given to Limerick City and County Councils, and Clare County Council to buy the houses of the people who wanted to leave the regeneration areas.

Some residents have been offered €28,000 for their homes which has caused outrage.

“I think it is very unfair, but the reality is that there are an awful lot of unfair things out in the regeneration areas. People have suffered hugely over the last 20-25 years from all kinds of difficulties and yes, it’s very unfair that if people want to sell their house that’s the most they are going to get,” Mr Kenny said.

Mr Kenny added that he would prefer that no-one would leave but that he couldn’t stand in the way of a family who is looking to improve

the situation. Mr Kenny also stressed that the process of relocation was in the hands of the local authorities and not the regeneration agencies and that much of the bad publicity was out of their control.

Mr Kenny points out that the flood of people leaving is now down to a trickle and that he hopes most of the funding in the future will be channelled directly into the areas.

Mr Kenny said: “The money, it buys a house but it doesn’t create any jobs.

We would like to see that money in time changing over to being used for building houses.

“Say if you build five houses, you get five new houses, but you also get jobs. If you buy a house you get onto an estate agent and buy a house, so we would like to see the money being diverted over,” he added.

While Mr Kenny acknowledged the difficulties the country is facing in the recession, he said that regenera-

tion will continue because it has to and that it needs the support of the government.

With all eyes on the government next week and the 2010 budget, Mr Kenny remained confident that the regeneration agencies will be allocated the funds they need to remain effective and while 2009 had been a difficult year, he was optimistic that the agencies would continue to receive support.

“I believe that the focus all the time is about the budget, but we never did any major shouting about budgets and we were happy with the budget we got in 2009”, he said.

Mr Kenny said: “People don’t realise the budget for 2008 was €15 million, so there was a significant increase there.

“In 2010 we would certainly need a similar amount to the one that we had in 2009,” he added.

Regeneration has stalled, claims community leader

By Leo Stiles A MOYROSS community leader last week hit out at the Regeneration Agencies and said that the entire process of regeneration has stalled and failed the people of the area.

Chairman of the Moyross Residents Alliance Tom Daly who claims to represent 300 families living in the area hit out at the regeneration agencies for not delivering what had been promised in the Fitzgerald Report and the Master Plans.

“All that is happening now is you have people down in regeneration holding their jobs and hoping something will happen in the economy and it’s not going to happen because the country is in dire straits at the moment and it’s

only going to get worse this year.”

Mr Daly also expressed disappointment with the level of policing in the area and highlighted the murder of Darren Bennett in March of this year, the recurring instances of cars being burnt out and a recent incident in Delmege Park where the home of Marie Troy was broken into and set on fire.

“There are no Gardaí out here, you never see them .The 100 Gardaí that were promised to us never materialised, he said.

“Policing is gone and we are just trying to cope, they just haven’t the man power, they can’t afford it now with the cutbacks,” he added Brendan Kenny CEO of the Regeneration Agencies disagreed with this assessment and said the 100 extra Gardaí were delivered, but to the city

and not just to Moyross. Mr Kenny also pointed to recent statistics that show that gun crime has fallen 66 per cent and ordinary crime has fallen 15 per cent in Limerick.

“The Gardaí have been getting a lot of success with big criminals being put away. The good thing about the Gardaí in Limerick is that they do get the results,” he said.

“The major problem that we had when we came down wasn’t major crime or the shootings which the people had become used to, but what was bothering people more than anything else was the public order issues; children causing problems, children threatening people, children threatening older people and threatening to kill them. It’s very hard for the Gardaí to do anything about that,” he added.

But Mr Kenny expressed sympathy with the residents who are still contending with high levels of anti-social behaviour Mr Daly’s comments were dismissed

by Development Worker Tracy McElligot with the Moyross Residents Forum who rejects Mr Daly’s position that Regeneration has failed the people of Moyross.

“We are open to and fully support the ongoing regeneration process.

Regeneration is ongoing in the community and is contributing particularly in the area of social regeneration and community projects, she said.

Demolition is continuing with the consent of the residents along with the upgrading of street lighting and the visual aspect of the area and the construction of sheltered housing

will hopefully begin next year,” she added.

Mr Daly is particularly critical of the level of information and communication residents have with the regeneration agencies, something he feels deteriorated with the departure of Paul Foley, the former Northside Director.

Mr Kenny agrees that the last 6 months have been tough for Northside Regeneration but that people should not lose sight of what is being achieved in the area of social initiative which have seen good levels of funding over the past two years “We are stuck with all kinds of issues, competing agendas and demands, but our job is to improve the area and in 10 years time normal society and normal community can apply,” he said.

NEWS

The Moyross Voice December 1, 2009

9

: The burning question New councillor on block works with Moyross residents at ground level

By Emma O’ Brien LABOUR councillor Tom Shortt is new to politics after winning a seat as one of six councillors to represent the North side of Limerick. He spends his weekends calling to the residents in Moyross, getting to know how they feel about what’s happening in the community.

Cllr Shortt is more interested in community harmony than he is in pandering to the voters as he believes that these areas can often conflict with each other.

“I’m getting to know people more and more. I know the good things that are being done out here, but there is a problem with consultation with regard to regeneration and that’s where I am Limerick has seen a major reduction in crime with the instances of gun related crime down 66 per cent. While praising the work of the Gardaí, Mr Kenny highlighted the role of regeneration and its positive effect on the wider communities in Limerick.

“Through regeneration there is now 100 more Gardaí in Limerick and there has been a significant improvement particularly in Moyross. Some people say that these areas are quieter now

than they have been for 10 years,” he said.

But Mr Kenny said some people are living in the same environment they were for the last several years.

“For a number of people their situation hasn’t changed, they are still beside the same people that have been causing problems and they are afraid.

“People come and tell us that there are all kinds of things going on, but

they won’t tell the Gardaí. It’s near anarchy in some ways and you can understand why they won’t come forward,” he said.

Southside Director Brendan Hayden has been overseeing both agencies while they have been looking for a new Northside Director. Mr Kenny agreed that this was not ideal but that it was just as important to get the right person for the role as it was to fill it quickly.

Haugh takes director’s position

By Kelly Moran THE POSITION of Northside Regeneration Director will be filled next year, having been vacant since July.

The position will be filled by Director of Environmental Services Anne Haugh (40) of Kerry County Council.

Anne Haugh will begin her role as Northside Director of Regeneration on 4th January 2010.

“I am looking forward to the challenge,” Anne said.

Paul Foley of Limerick City Council held the role previously.

Chief of Regeneration Brendan Kenny said: “Paul left for personal reasons, I think he was frustrated by the lack of recent progress and sometimes people want to go back to their old job.”

Mr Kenny stated that Paul Foley put his heart and soul into the project.

Anne Haugh previously worked with Limerick County Council for nine years, most recently as Director of Community and Enterprise.

She is working with Kerry County Council since April 2007 and is originally from County Clare, where she still lives.

The position is vacant for five months due to the moratorium on filling public sector positions.

Mr Kenny added: “We were lucky that we are not affected by the moratorium of replacing staff in the public service, but we wanted to get the right person while also giving Paul the opportunity to change his mind.”

Mr Foley is the first employee to leave the regeneration project, since it began in June 2007.

becoming more of a representative for another point of view.

I believe there are decent people everywhere, the concept of decency is a major factor in the Labour Party, where everyone is equal and it’s not just the vocal minority getting the majority done.”

Tom is passionate about social regeneration in the Moyross area, as opposed to just geographical regeneration.

He believes that educating the community and teaching them to be more responsible is key to making the community work on a more harmonious level.

“There are a lot of people in the area who do a lot of thinking about where they live and they communicate it to me in turn and I do my best to come up with a solution.”

Martina Clancy and Paul Doherty of Cosgrave Park, Moyross have regular contact with Tom regarding issues in the community, from drugs and antisocial behaviour to boarded up houses and lack of access to facilities.

There are home owners in the area who have an issue with boarded up houses on their block.

“In two years time we will own our house, two doors down there is a house boarded up that should have been fumigated, but instead the council re-housed the people across the road and boarded up the house. We have to look at that eyesore everyday and it’s not fair.”

Tom said: “We have to impress on the Council that these are peoples’ lives. They aren’t sitting in City Hall and going home to a lovely house out the country, there are human emotions and feelings wrapped up in all of this and it doesn’t go away.”

Not only does he see the importance of supporting the community as a whole, he sees the importance in improving the lives of Moyross’ youths, stamping out drug abuse and the need for integration within the city limits.

“We are not just gated communities wanting to keep to ourselves; we are a city, an urban area with urban culture.

We are only healthy when we belong to a culture. The argument is there; are we an economy or are we a society? Is it about money or is it about our health on various levels? It is about giving people a natural high rather than have them turn to drugs.”

10

COMMENT

The Moyross Voice December 1, 2009

The Moyross Voice Recession hit private developers a big loss to regeneration

T

The regeneration of Moyross

HE Limerick Regeneration Agency was set up to tackle serious social decay in two main areas of the city. The people of Moyross, on the north side, were promised a new dawn. Some €3bn of spending was due to be invested to physically and socially rebuild the communities.

Fifty percent of the money was to be sourced from private investors, with the remained promised by the Government. The money would rebuild houses, communities, social services and other infrastructure including a train station for the area.

The recent flooding of the Shannon is an apt metaphor for what happened to the country’s economy: the Celtic Tiger drowned, and with it so did many of the developments planned for Limerick city.

The Ahern Government reduced taxes and over-relied on a construction bubble to fund day to day spending. Had the Government maintained tax rates and saved for the inevitable bust, many of the current spending cuts could have been avoided. Of course the regeneration of Limerick city could and should have begun 10 years ago when the money was available.

Some €1.5bn of private investment is required by the Regeneration Agency within the next eight years if their ambitious plans are to succeed within the decade.

There is legitimate public concern that this private investment will not materialise. The Chief Executive of the Regeneration Agency, Brendan Kenny, has speculated the project may take up to 20 years to complete without such funding.

In that light it is a welcome developement that the Cabinet meet today to discuss the master plans for Limerick’s regeneration project, and the issue of private investment.

Minister Willie O’Dea is the public face of the Government in Limerick.

The Minister’s assurances that international private investors are interested in getting involved in the project is heartening.

Writing in today’s Moyross Voice economist Dr Stephen Kinsella has called for the project to be completed within the next three years. While this timeframe seems optimistic, swift action is necessary if the project is to suceed.

It would be a travesty if this worthwhile and immensely important project was long fingered. Ultimately the residents of Moyross will suffer and will continue to lose faith in the Agency and their government.

Politicians of all hues have a moral responsibility to their citizens. It’s high time that politicians stopped worrying about votes and started worrying about voters.

Cancer Rates THE HSE in the Mid West has revealed that cancer rates in Moyross and Ballynanty are significantly higher than the national average.

The Executive have claimed this is because of lifestyle choices or toxins in the living environment.

These figures are worrying, and paint a stark portrait of the lifestyles of the people in the area. It is imperative that we look after ourselves because our health, unlike our wealth, is in our own hands.

Life choices including regular exercise, reducing alcohol consumption and quitting smoking are all decisions that ordinary residents can make. to improve their health. The little things make the difference, whether it be walking to the shop for once or resisting that second helping.

It is encouraging to see the development of local health days for women that provide vital services including blood pressure tests, and breast and cervical checks.

These health days are free and should be taken advantage of. The Regeneration Agency exists to improve the appearance of the local area. But it is up to each individual to regenerate themselves.

Cartoon: Ann Cronin

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wo intertwined facts convince me that the Regeneration project must be completed, and ahead of schedule.

First, more than 20,000 people are signing on the Live Register in Limerick alone. Second, nearly 6,000 of these are young men under 25, with no more education than a Leaving Certificate, and most likely unemployed for the first time following the collapse of construction in the region.

These men are builders. The Regeneration Agency is in the business of building and rebuilding. The local community, and Limerick’s wider community, will benefit if the government targets funds for the immediate fulfilment of the agency’s plans.

If it did nothing else, the Regeneration project would provide employment for thousands of these young men—not to mention young women—and so inject much needed capital into the local economy through their wages at a time when local consumption of goods and services is flagging, forcing employers to reduce their staff levels and rein in inventory orders, further contributing to the economic malaise we find ourselves in.

I propose that the Regeneration agency be given priority over all capital spending projects in the country for this simple reason: quite aside from the potential benefits to the populations of Moyross, Southill, Ballinacurra Weston, and St Mary’s Park, building the Northside and Southside projects

The Government needs to fast-track the regeneration project and get people working on building projects in Limerick, writes Stephen Kinsella simultaneously over a three year period will result in a regeneration for the wider community.

If increased borrowings by the Irish Government are required to achieve this aim, then I believe the potential benefits outweigh the costs of servicing any borrowing to fund such an expansion of the project.

Great care must be taken when rolling when the regeneration project out. The project aims to achieve the laudable ‘soft’ targets of reducing criminality, increasing social inclusion and more effective public service provision.

It also aims to increasie population health and the general quality of life for residents, increase literacy, and, perhaps most importantly, allow the communities the freedom to decide their own route to economic and social prosperity as they define it.

The regeneration project itself is an exercise in ‘hard’ targets: numbers of buildings built, community gardens planted, infrastructural initiatives set up.

It is not clear to me how the introduction of these hard targets maps onto the soft targets the vision statements for both Northside and Southside strands of the project clearly wish and hope for.

Even the vision statement for the Southside strand defines the physical environment as “the facilitator of regeneration”, but there is no clear link between the physical environment and the social benefits this new environment might generate.

I don’t deny the need for a new and well-imagined space to live and work in. Houses are

machines for living in, and you need good houses to live well.

But, I believe we are not precise enough on how much benefit these new houses and other ‘hard’ targets will be to the local communities. There is a means to gain that precision.

There is an urgent need for benchmarking of the current health states of the local population, their median literacy rates, and so forth, as well as articulating clearly their expectation of what ‘success’ might look like, in a much more concrete from than the vision statements currently do.

Only then, with a clear measure of where these diverse communities are, can we judge the successes and failures of the large-scale changes to the residential landscape the Regeneration project envisages.

I believe the Regeneration Agency will work, and it should be funded as a matter of urgency.

I also believe an untested and large-scale resettlement plan created many of the areas currently requiring Regeneration in the early 1970’s, and so I advise caution, careful thinking, and most importantly, research and benchmarking.

UL is in a position to provide these services, and my colleagues’ collective expertise should be put to use in surveying and assessing some of the communities the University was created, in part, to serve.

- Dr Stephen Kinsella is a lecturer in economics at the University of Limerick

FEATURES

The Moyross Voice 1 December 2009

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“Have we forgotten what it means to be human” MAKING MOVIES: Jeff Azize, Michael Campo and Clifford Azize in a scene from ‘Human Experience’ which was screened at the LIT Millennium Theatre. COURTESY: Grassroots Films

Monks bring movies to Moyross

By Rowan Gallagher & Craig Huighes FLANKED by two Franciscan Friars from Moyross, the director casually meandered through the crowd looking sheepish, wondering if his movie lived up to the standards of the people of Limerick.

To his relief, the theatre erupted with applause after the audience had been captivated by the visually stunning story of life portrayed in ‘The Human Experience’.

The movie follows the journey of brothers Cliff and Jeff Azize as they explore ‘The Human Experience’.

Protagonist Jeff Azize and writer Michael Campo were invited by the Franciscan Friars of Renewal to screen their award winning movie in Limerick.

Brother Sean and Fr Paulus of Moyross know both Jeff and Michael from their childhood living with the Franciscans in the Bronx, New York.

Coming from an abusive home and losing their mother at an early age to AIDS, Cliff and Jeff’s journey takes them around the world until they finally discover “the beauty of the human person and the resilience of the human spirit.”

The tag line of the movie: “Have we forgotten what it means to be human?” is constantly asked to the audience members invoking a series of emotions in the movie goers.

The movie is split into three acts which culminate in the unforgettable and emotional finale when the protagonist experiences a life changing meeting with a long lost family member.

Their journey sees the brothers going from sleeping homeless on the streets of New York, to an orphanage in Peru and finally through the heart of Africa where they see the stark horrors of a leper colony and the AIDS epidemic.

Maria Bennett, from Moyross, praised the Friars for their constant efforts to help people from disadvantaged communities.

Directed by Charles Kinnane, the film uses clever interjections from a philosopher, theologian and a doctor to give added credibility to it, which had a profound effect on many of the viewers.

Their attire provoked an angry response from a movie goer Jonathan Mires, who felt that the amount of money they spent on their suits went against the entire ideologies of the film.

Fr Alphonsus Cullinan described

it as “a film with a difference, it’s really uplifting, powerful and deep.”

I think it will make people think more when they pass a homeless person in the street.”

Charles Kinnane, accompanied by lead actor Cliff Azize and producer Joseph Capo shyly walked to the stage to take questions from the emotional audience members after the movie.

Speaking after the film, Ger Caldwell from Edinburgh said: “It was excellent, it spoke the truth. I found myself fighting back tears throughout.”

“We’re very happy with how tonight went. It’s amazing to see the response we get from people,” said director Charles Kinnane.

“If someone walks away inspired, that’s the best thing that could happen with this film” he added.

Established in Brooklyn New York in 2001, the movies production company Grassroots Films attempts to “bring the audience to places everyone knows exists but are sometimes hard to find” with the ultimate aim of inspiring people and changing the way they see reality.

They have been touring Europe and America for the last year promoting their first feature length film.

Winning 27 film festival awards

including ‘Best Documentary’ at the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival 2009, The Human Experience has already been viewed by over 70,000 people across Europe and the US. Grassroots Films plan to begin work on a new project in the coming year.

Franciscian Friar: Brother Shawn.

Picture by Craig Hughes.

From the Bronx to Moyross The FRANCISCAN Friars of the Renewal were founded in New York’s South Bronx by eight Capuchin Friars in 1987.

Their mission is to serve the materially poor and to evangelise in the Church through preaching and teaching the Gospel, and by sharing the rich treasures of the Catholic faith with all.

On the 18th of August 2007 the Friars officially opened St. Patrick’s Friary, at 64 Delemege Park in Moyross, with a celebratory mass at Corpus Christi Church, with the objective of bringing a peaceful presence to the area.

Fr. Paulus, Br Shawn, Fr. Silvestre and Br Martin are currently on their own spiritual journey in Moyross.

Their daily routine is centred on their four hour prayer sessions. They take an active role in the community, volunteering at the local youth centre as well as organising an annual nativity play. The opening of St. Patricks Friary was the first friary established in Ireland.

Father Sylvester has worked in the Bronx, Harlem, Yonkers and in Bradford, England.

The Friars won the Limerick Person of the Month Award in November 2007, just two months after moving to the city.

The Friars have a good relationship with local parish priest Fr. Frank O’Dea and occasionally take sermons in the parish when Fr O’Dea is unavailable.

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features

The Moyross Voice December 1, 2009

J-Red: Moving the Moyross youth to a different beat

Emma O’ Brien speaks to local hip- hop hero Jay Red about giving back to the community.

E

AGER, young faces look on in anticipation, waiting for the next step as Jay Red pops and grooves to the hip- hop beat. Transfixed, the group of young girls follow his lead, repeating the dance steps over and over until they get it right.

Growing up in a socially disadvantaged area is never easy for anyone.

People are faced with crime, drug abuse and antisocial behaviour on a regular basis.

Hip- hop MC Jay Red took his life experience and used it to express himself through the art of rapping, or in urban culture what is known as ‘MC- ing’, and to work at giving something positive back to the community through teaching children urban dance moves.

Having grown up in Kileely and attending youth clubs as a child, he was hugely influenced by the youth workers in his area.

“The impact they had on me, it made me want to be a bit more respectful towards people in general. Their role in the community is very important, I wanted to be in their position and have the same impact that they had on me.

I’m the class facilitator now, so I have to facilitate the class.”

Jay enrolled in Youth and Community work at Limerick Senior College, Mulgrave Street this year to pursue his dream of working with kids. He is currently teaching a group of 25 kids, from the age of five to 17, break- dancing in Moyross Community Centre.

He began working with children four years ago, running workshops in Kileely, Southill, Moyross and Saint Marys Park. The workshops revolved around MC- ing and song writing.

“The Community Development Projects pretty much asked the kids what they wanted to learn. Everyone has an interest in music and hip- hop and break

dancing, which are projected every day through TV, so on the reputation of the album I recorded five years ago, the kids wanted to meet me. It was around this time I started to learn how to break- dance.”

Although Jay has spent years teaching kids, he doesn’t take for granted the training he is receiving in college regarding dealing with children.

“The stuff we are learning in college is all stuff that I had overlooked. I would go into a class and expect them to just dance immediately, but the thing was that I didn’t know that they were at a storming stage, trying to figure out this new person in front of them.”

However, he commands the attention of the young children in his class and keeps them focused, part of which he equates to being from the area.

“It is very important for youth clubs to get the community involved in the work. If they have someone they know, who they see every day, they are more in their comfort zone. If it is someone they know and can relate to it helps because they all have one thing in common and that’s location.

“I have a great advantage with the kids on the strength of the music I’ve made and the fact that I’ve been working for so many years. Some of the kids look up to me and now I feel like those youth workers from when I was a kid, I’m in that position of trying to project positive energies on them and to give them a positive outlet through hip- hop and music.”

Jay has always followed his own flow in life, setting goals and aims for himself and shunning deviant behaviour throughout his youth. His passion and drive has carried him to a point in his life where he feels the only way is up.

“When I went to the youth clubs, goals were set and we were rewarded with trips away. These goals and facilitation of youth club leaders reflects on your life actually. In your own life you want

to have goals set for yourself, you want to be respectful to other people, but the thing is in order to have that impact on the kids you need to relate to them a lot, so it’s very beneficial for me to be coming from the same area because I have a rough idea where their level is. If I’m from the same area and I’m doing something positive then they know they can do it as well.

“If I could just put one person on the right road through the work that I do, anything positive at all, then I feel like my work is done.”

Jay is hoping that in the future there will be a permanent hip- hop school in the Moyross area, where children can come and go as they please without time constraints. Until then he plans to keep on keeping on and hopes to continue to have a positive impact on the lives of the kids he works with.

Above: Jay-Red Left:Nicole Cronin, Chelsea Harty and Danielle Whelan Photos by Emma O’Brien

Moyross Voices

Sarah Moyles asks about Christmas in a recession

Christmas will be very tough, with the downturn

Linda Cronin

and the recession. I have people out of work myself;

Neil McCarty

it’s very hard on young people.

People are going to be un-

It’s definitely tighter, I mean things cost more when you look

Ann Harvey

der a lot of pressure this Christmas; I can see it already people are trying to

in your purse and you see that you don’t have enough,

join Christmas clubs and get some money together

even with toys at half price the jobs aren’t there so even at

and get ready for the New Year. People are very

half price people can’t afford it.

stressed and under serious pressure.

FEATURES

The Moyross Voice December 1, 2009

13

Heritage of horses hopeful to remain in Moyross

By Aisling Hussey

A

COMMON misconception exist that horses are mistreated in Moyross, when in fact a proud heritage of horse ownership is part of the community’s identity.

Michael Long, a horse-owner from Moyross, believes that everyone has a different perception of what is ideal living situation for an animal, but can it really be argued that a horse belongs in an estate?

The short answer is no, Michael does not think that horses should be kept in an estate. However, he says that people have no alternative but to keep them there, after years of trying to find a suitable area for the horses have come to no avail.

“We sourced land ourselves, met with guards, probation officers and members of the community to make sure it was okay. We were told we would be given the land, but it’s all been empty promises.”

The land which was originally allocated for horses under Regeneration was taken off the table, and now horse-owners in Moyross are forced to continue to keep their horses in the estate, which is what Michael claims

that horse-owners do not want.

He is a member of an organisation called the Horse and Foal Club, which tried to help horse owners to comply with new by-laws introduced by Limerick City Council and keep the horses in a place which would be acceptable to the community.

This club was established in 1997 by Juan Carlos Azzopardi, and it accommodated for a limited amount of local horse owners with one or two animals who agreed to keep their horses in suitable grounds and allowed them to be used in horse education programs for young people.

Like Michael, Juan Carlos is frustrated with the current situation.

“We have been working since 1997, and what have we to show for it?”

Despite meeting consistently for many years, the club has been unsuccessful in moving from a group of horse owners who would be interested in being responsible for their animals, to actually having the resources to do anything worthwhile.

Resources and land that were promised under Regeneration are not being provided.

Plus, in terms of the recession, the prospect of receiving funds for a horse project is unlikely.

Despite this rather bleak outlook, hope

still remains. When asked if the project was completely dead in the water, Juan Carlos replied that it is instead “marooned in a dingy somewhere at the moment.”

At this time, the club is concentrating on education programs in the three local primary schools and St. Nessan’s secondary school. Juan Carlos is hoping to run three eight-week courses in Stable Management and Yard Routine, a FETAC level 4 qualification, in line with the Horse Welfare Trust.

Juan Carlos says that these courses are a “reason for these people to get up in the morning,” and helps engage young people in educational activities.

Michael is a strong believer in a horse project for young people, as his own interest in horses developed at a young age, through a neighbour who owned horses.

However, Michael’s parents never allowed him to have a horse, so as an act of defiance, he bought his first horse

at the age is 18. Now the owner of ten horses which he keeps in a rented field, he compares picking his favourite to “picking which finger to cut off.”

“Once you start to get interested in horses, they’re hard to get out of your system. The minute I hear a horse outside, I’m out the door to see it.”

He would love to see an equine centre in Moyross so that young people could learn how take proper care of horses and channel their energy into something positive.

Michael is now studying Equine Sciences in UL. He returned to education after being told he did not have the adequate qualifications for a job in the Northside Equine centre, which he was told was being developed under the Regeneration project.

It now looks unlikely that this centre will even be built.

Michael feels this is because there is a lack of interest in a horse project.

“If we were rugby or a soccer club

or any other kind of organisation, we’d be accommodated for under the Regeneration Project in terms of clubhouses and facilities.”

Juan Carlos is clearly unhappy by the progress of the club, while Michael feels that the club is being “pushed under the carpet.”

Horses are still being kept in inappropriate places, with no clubhouse or land to show for 12-years of hard work on the part of the club and its members. Plus, there is little prospect of receiving any resources and funding for the club.

Michael believes that the people of Moyross genuinely have a connection with horses, and they are being punished for it. Unfortunately in this case, it’s the horses who are really suffering.

Above Keri(6) and Kayce(2) with Billy Photo: Michael Long

Father and son bond in ‘Lads and Dads’

By Ciaran Twomey “IT’S like that old saying, you know?

It takes a whole village to raise a child.”

This is how Tiernan O’Neill, HomeSchool Community Liaison Coordinator, described the value of the parent-child education programmes being offered by Moyross’s Corpus Christi National School.

In his role Tiernan O’ Neill oversees many of the parent-child classes offered at Corpus Christi National School.

The programmes, such as Lads and Dads and its partner programme Mams and Gals, focus on parents and children working together in classes to build both knowledge and relationships.

“Parents are growing with their children” says Principal Anne Cremin, who acknowledged the importance of providing children with educational role models through their parents.

The Dads and Lads programme sees fathers and sons working together in classes such as furniture restoration, copper and pewter sculpting, as well as classes in web design and art design.

Paul O’ Brien and his son Tyrone Cronin have participated in the programme for the last two years consecutively and both share an interest in sport.

Mr O’ Brien said “It’s a good way for the kids to show their talents, through sport. It’s the best way for kids to bond with their parents, through shared interests.”

He added: “it’s great to have loads of things going on, especially during the most anti-social hours. It’s a good way to keep the kids off the streets.”

Paul and Tyrone have taken a range of classes in the Dads and Lads programme, such as computer design classes, woodwork and copper and pewter sculpting.

Tyrone who is in 5th class, said he enjoyed the soccer and pool tournaments the most and he feels closer to his dad now.

The father and son duo are also involved with the programme this year, taking web design classes at Corpus Christi school.

Commenting on his experiences with the programme Mr O Brien said:

“I thought it was brilliant.” Tiernan O’ Neill also agreed with Paul that sports tournaments are a good way for fathers and sons to bond through a shared interest.

Both Mr O’ Neill and Principal Cremin agree that the participation and involvement of the community in these programmes is fantastic. Principal Cremin said: “By providing role models for their children, parents ensure that their kids get the most out of primary education.”

She adds that education at the primary level is critical for children, “to give them the correct foundations to keep them linked to education” beyond primary and secondary level.

Principal Cremin believes that the

and their children and also parents and the school.

“Since 1984, Corpus Christi has valued parental participation” said Principal Anne Cremin. Before programmes like these were introduced in other schools, Corpus Christi was placing a big emphasis on the homeschool relationship.

“We see these programmes as helping to build social confidence and social skills in the children.

“The community is working together, building community spirit.”

Principal Cremin added “There has been huge co-operation from the community” in these programmes, and believes they help to build community spirit.

The community-wide co-operation in their children’s education shows that the people of Moyross want the best for their children, and are willing to do everything they can to get it.

The benefits can be seen for the children. When asked if he felt closer to his Dad through being involved in Dads and Lads together, Tyrone enthusiastically responded: “Yeah, definitely!”

critical funding for education should be aimed more at primary and secondary level rather than third level, as primary and secondary education provide the foundation for a student to get to third level, and should be funded accordingly.

Mr O Neill said he believes that the union between the home and school environment is a key component to a child’s education. And the union between home and school is very strongly encouraged at Corpus Christi National School.

Above:Homeschool liason Tiernan Principal Cremin said that these O’Neill with Paul O’Brien and Tyrone programmes aim to offer “a non- Cronin threatening, positive experience and a welcoming atmosphere which fosters positive relationships” between parents

14

sport

The Moyross Voice December 1, 2009

“Maximus” sets his sights on pro tour

By Neil Treacy THERE is only one light on in an otherwise pitch dark snooker hall. John Torpey is in practice mode. Above his head, a plaque reminds him of the maximum 147 break he achieved on this exact same table 12 years ago. But pressure doesn’t bother him.

John Torpey, from College Avenue, has been the top dog of Limerick snooker for more than ten years. The 34-year-old amateur star’s history can be seen all over the City. His first club, St Michael’s on Cecil Street proudly displays a plaque on its wall dedicated to another maximum break he made in 2000. Above the plaque, a framed article from the Limerick Leader with the headline, “Watch out Ken, John is on his way”, another reminder of his popularity.

With a record like John’s, it’s no surprise that he’s held in such high regard on the tour. Ireland’s number two rank from last year is a seven time Irish International, seven time Limerick Champion, a member of the Munster Club winning side four times, and a Munster Close Champion on four occasions. Outside of Ireland, John reached the last 32 of the World Amateur Championship in 2007 and the quarter finals of the European Championships in 2008.

His love affair with snooker began at an early age after his father bought him a mini table for Christmas, and as his affection for the game grew, so did the size of the table.

“It started when I was growing up, from about the age of five, the father got me a small little snooker table from Christmas and then it grew to

getting a larger one each year.

“I remember when I was doing my exams for school and heading in to St. Michael’s to get a few games, so that’s where it started really.” He said.

Growing up in the ‘80s, John looked up to six-time World Champion Steve Davis, and recalls vividly the thrilling World Championship final from 1985, in which Davis lost to Northern Ireland’s Dennis Taylor on the final ball of the final frame.

“Well the first player I looked up to was Steve Davis in the eighties, and I remember the final he had with Dennis Taylor when they were on the black until the early hours of the

morning.” He said.

Throughout the ‘90s, John followed the Scotsman, Stephen Hendry, winner of seven world championships, before finding his latest hero in Ronnie O’Sullivan, the undisputed “showman” of the modern era.

Arguably Torpey’s proudest moments came in his two victories against O’Sullivan in exhibition matches in Limerick in 2007.

“Since 2000 I’d say I’ve looked up to Ronnie O’Sullivan, and especially beating him twice in exhibition here in Limerick, so it would have to be Ronnie.

“Oh it was unreal. Beating your idol

Limerick boxers flocking to Moyross

By Emma O’Brien THE INTENSITY and testosterone is palpable during the rigorous training sessions in Moyross Boxing Club. With close on 20 people focused and intent on displaying their strength, it is almost natural to feel a little intimidated.

Originally based on Hartstonge Street, Moyross Boxing Club made its move to the heart of Moyross in 1992.Funded by the Moyross Youth Development and Garda Special Project, the move to Moyross was urged by Community Guard Dave Mulcahy to take the kids off the street and give them something positive and disciplined to focus on.

Deccie Fitzgerald has worked on a voluntary basis in the club since its inception 23 years ago. He firmly believes that sports as an outlet is something that people need and is dedicated to helping the members of his club reach their full potential.

He praises Limerick as a city of sport and thinks that the Moyross community are at a great advantage in having the boxing club right on their doorstep.

There are on average 20 to 35 people attending the club, training three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and competing on a national and international level, from children aged 11 to senior boxers taking part.

Jerseys brought back from tournament are proudly displayed on the walls of the boxing club.

“We have members travelling all around the world to compete. They have been to Liverpool, Norway and even to New Zealand. Then we have the younger kids who compete on a national level.

“We compete every other weekend.

Recently we had four boxers competing in Dungarven and Fermoy interclub tournaments. We won two and we lost two so it wasn’t too bad.”

Not only do people from the immediate community use the facilities but people travel from further afield to use train in the Club.

“It’s not just people from the area that come, we have lads from Hospital, Thomondgate, Miltown Malbay, they come from all over the place. We have some from UL and also from LIT.” Deccie thinks that it is of utmost importance that the boys from the locality have the advantage of mixing with people from outside the community in the club because of the perspective they gain through seeing that they can progress from their current location through their shared interest.

“The boys meet so many walks of life here in the club, without ever having to get out of Moyross. They interact with them, travel to tournaments with them and get to see that they can actually move on from here.”

“We have two members of our club that have gone on to do great things.

Johnny Kiely, one of our senior boxers has moved on to coach the British

track and field team and Brendan Kirrane, another senior boxer is now a sports massage therapist for the Irish Paralympics Team.”

Brendan Kirrane trained with Moyross Boxing Club for 15 years and says it was an extremely positive experience.

“The lads running the club brought a real sense of professionalism and for me it was an absolutely fantastic experience training there.

“They instilled self discipline into the youngsters and commitment along with hard training. I myself competed in the national senior finals in the heavy weight section and got to that level with the support of the club.”

Brendan believes that being in the club was great practice for his future in massage therapy. “Now, I treat all injuries and it was great being in the club, because you do pick up injuries through strength training and also repetitive injuries so I could put it into practice.”

Although there are plans to move the boxing club from its present occupancy to a proposed new sports complex funded by the Limerick Regeneration Agency in Moyross, Deccie plans to keep on doing what he does best, regardless of what is to come in the future.

“I’ll stay on here as long as the four walls are standing, I’ll keep on putting down mats to cover the slippy floors and buckets to catch the leaks.”

in front of 600 people in the Exhibition Centre below in The George and The Hilton Hotel and having your friends and family there watching you.

And then having Ronnie say to you, ‘Weren’t you over in England playing?’ so it was a great buzz beating him.” John said.

John’s attacking style has won him many plaudits over the years, and has earned him the nickname, “Maximus”, referring to his three career maximum 147 breaks. There could have been many more though, as John recalls how he tried and failed before the elusive black ball dropped into the pocket.

“Before I got my first one I was getting to the black, or the yellow and green. All you can think about is getting the 147 but eventually the hard work paid off and it came through. It‘s nice to get them because no one likes missing blacks on 140.” he said.

His attacking nature and break building skills are evident in his statistics, more than 500 century breaks to his name, and John admits that he should have made a lot more maximums during his career.

“I missed the second last red for a maximum which would have won me a car about four years ago. In practice I’d say I missed the black about seven times on 140.” he said.

A place on the professional tour has eluded John during his career, but he still harbours ambitions of playing the world’s best someday. Provisionally ranked number four in Ireland, the Moyross man will earn his spot on the pro tour if he finishes the season as Ireland’s number one.

“If you finish top of the Irish senior tour you are straight onto the pro tour, into the top 96 in the world. Last year I finished number two and just narrowly missed out so it’d be great to play against the likes of Ronnie in competition.

“I’m about six points off number one at the moment so another few good tournaments and I’ll be right up there.” he added.

After the interview John walks back to the table. More potting practice, this time in front of the camera. It doesn’t put him off though. The only blemish is a long range blue that rattles the jaws of the pocket. The black would have been easier, but the blue made a better photo. Forever a showman.

sport 15

The Moyross Voice December 1, 2009

Moyross sports face cuts

By David Kelly BUDGET CUTS will deal a massive blow to sports in Moyross, an FAI officer has warned.

FAI Development Officer for Limerick City Tommy Barrett said a reduction in the grant to the Irish Sports Council would have disastrous knock-on effects for the area.

“A cut in funding will have a negative impact on the area. Kids learn about social integration and inclusion through sport. They also learn manners and discipline, as well as respecting other cultures. It will affect all the kids and there will be a negative impact of social behaviour, as kids won’t have the options to do stuff and play sport,” he said.

The Moyross Community Centre runs after school services, kids play pool and soccer and during the summer and spring we run late night soccer activities, he added.

“Sport is a great way of mixing people of all backgrounds. We hold blitz days each year and it is a great way for kids to be active and make friends. The sports development in Moyross is unique in that we are co-

funded by the FAI and the Regeneration Agency,” he said.

Mr Barrett said that funding should not be cut because the service is a mainstream one that provides employment, keeps the kids active and away from the streets.

“Facilities aren’t great at the minute, the base is flooded. We need more centres like this, we should have swimming pools and other pitches,” he said.

He added that the Government should not put a monetary value on sport, because its benefits far out weigh any negatives.

Limerick regeneration Community Rugby Officer George Guilfoyle, who also works in the Moyross area, said sporting activities provide kids with an outlet away from the street.

“Sport brings kids together and creates friendships. It’s a fact that kids who are provided with sports facilities and nurtured from a young age will continue playing sport into adulthood,” he said.

Mr Guilfoyle helps run activities in the community centre. He works with primary and secondary schools in developing pupil’s sporting ability and the social aspects of sport.

“We work with St Mary’s and Corpus Christi National School’s in the locality, as well as St Nessan’s. We run tag rugby activities, a Saturday club, Ceim ar Ceim groups, as well as local competitions and community games,” he said.

“If you cut any budget there will be knock-on effects. The bigger picture is everyone suffers. Health will suffer and crime may increase as kids are bored.

An hour and a half in here is an hour and a half less on the street.

“Since I became involved here in Moyross, after eight years of experience in Clare, I have seen interest from kids who are seven to kids who are 10 and 13. We don’t make kids play rugby, we encourage the development of other codes and multi-sports, so there is something for everybody,” he added.

Mr Guilfoyle said that the continuation of these activities is vital to children’s development and he urged more locals to get involved.

“The next big event is a second hand gear collection on the dates of the upcoming Munster matches vs. Connacht, Northampton and Glasgow Warriors,” he said.

Their comments follow the Joint

Local striker Quinn aims to stick with his football roots

By Craig Hughes MOYROSS United striker Barry Quinn has pledged his immediate future to the club after being linked with several Premier Division clubs recently.

The Moyross marksman has scored 20 goals in just 10 games for the newly promoted side, who sit top of the league after an unbeaten start to the season.

Quinn (23) has had two unsuccessful trial periods with Limerick FC but admits he would be open to offers from other League of Ireland sides in the future.

Moyross currently find themselves in pole position in Division 2B after an astonishing 10 game unbeaten run which boast nine wins, one draw and zero losses. Quinn has been central to United’s astonishing form having scored 20 of the teams 43 goals.

Despite gathering a lot of attention from a number of Premier Division clubs, Moyross United chairman and manager, Michael Ryan, insists his star striker is committed to ensuring a second straight promotion for the Northsiders.

Moyross chairman and manager, Michael Ryan, is confident his side can build on their impressive form and win the league. However, he realises that there is no room for compliancy, “We have to keep winning our games, Polo Luimini and Hyde are right up behind us. We simply can’t afford to slip up once.”

Ryan attributes hard training and great team camaraderie to his teams early season success. The Northsiders

enjoyed both league and cup success last year, winning

Photograph courtesy of Limerick Leader

both. This success has drawn a number of new players to the club, which has created some healthy competition.

“It’s down to hard training and everything else. There’s great camaraderie in the team, they do everything together.

We’ve also drawn a lot of players to the club after winning the league and cup last year.”

Moyross United entered a ‘B’ team into Division 4 this year due to the influx of new players. Moyross B are currently well poised at the top of the table as they prepare for the second half of the season. Like their club mates, Moyross B also boast an unbeaten record this campaign, with five wins, five draws and zero loses seeing them joint top of Division 4 on 20 points alongside Lisnagry B.

Manager, Jamie Daly, insists that despite it being their first season together their sights are clearly fixed on the Division 4 title, “I’m not here to come third or fourth, I’m here to win.”

“They were saying that the team wasn’t any good before the season started, that gave me a challenge...

Since we’ve started we’ve had are up’s and downs but we’re cursing at the minute,” said Daly.

The success in Division 4 has not gone unnoticed, with Pa Roach receiving a call up to the Limerick Oscar Traynor U-18 squad.

Neither the A nor B team have played in the last two weeks due to the torrential rain and flooding which has swept the nation. Both sides will hope the rain hasn’t washed their momentum away as the New Year approaches.

Photograph courtesy of Inpho.ie

Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs discussion entitled Funding of Irish Sport: Discussion with Federation of Irish Sports earlier this month.

The committee heard from members of the GAA, IRFU, FAI, Olympic Council of Ireland, Cumann Camogaiochta na Gael, Special Olympics Ireland and the Paralympic Council of Ireland.

They were highly critical of the McCarthy report’s recommendations to cut funding to the Irish Sports Council by €18 million, and the discontinuation of Sports Campus Ireland, saving €2 million. They were also adamant that sports remains a department and that its functions are not transferred to other bodies and departments.

GAA Director General Paraic Duffy said that more children are playing

hurling in Ireland than at any time in the history of the state. He said that further cuts would cause the playing of our native games to diminish.

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne cited a number of ERSI reports which suggested “the State and the public are getting a very good deal from sport”.

He added that sport was responsible for economic and social dividends as well as Ireland’s positive image.

“Rugby alone... is providing an economic impact to the State of approximately €300 million per year,” he said.

FAI Chief Executive John Delaney said that the work done in Moyross is tremendous.

“This helps to develop family relationships, creates a new community of volunteers and gives great self-esteem to both young and old,” he said.

Floods ruin training

By Patricia Murphy Training for LIT Sarsfield under-ten GAA club has been cancelled for more than three weeks due to two thousand euro worth of flood damage to the area’s community sports hall.

“Training had to be cancelled last Saturday and the one before due to the flooding,” said Denis Haigney, U10 trainer of Sarsfield GAA Club.

The hall sees about 30 children arrive for training every Saturday morning during the winter months.

Co-ordinators have said that the flooding of the hall located in Unit 7, The Bays, Moyross is the result of a debris pile up in the gutters causing a burst pipe in the mains of the building.

The damage is also being attributed to the heavy rainfall that has been affecting the area throughout the last number of weeks.

“We do not know the extent of the damage yet until the insurance company assesses the situation but we think it’s going to cost more than two thousand euro,” said Andrew O’Byrne, Coordinator of the sports hall.

The flood has caused extensive damage to the building’s carpet leaving co-ordinators with no other option than to remove it from the hall. Mr. O’Byrne

In Brief

AFTER a fifteen year absence from the soccer scene, Moyross Ladies Soccer has regrouped under the guidance of Limerick woman Karen Keehan , and 17 year old Moyross woman Laura Hughes, and is going from strength to strength.

The U14 girls’ team recorded a 3-0 victory over Bilboa in Corbally on Saturday November 21, with Court-

said: “We don’t know yet whether we are going to put down carpet once again or if we will replace it with solid timber floors. It’s too early.”

The flood water has also created dampness in the interior of the hall.

The hall has been unfit for play for more than two weeks. The facility has closed its doors to all training sessions until the damage is repaired. The renovation of the hall is not expected to be completed for at least a week.

The sports hall is one of Moyross’ six converted factory units which house a large number of youth activities in the area. The soccer hall accommodates a variety of activities for young people including boxing, kung fu, soccer, rugby, and GAA sports.

“We prefer to use the indoor pitch during the winter because of the weather. The Bays is a lot easier for people here to access. The other nearest indoor pitch to us is LIT which is over a mile away from Moyross. The sports hall is important here,” he said.

“The Bays is an important part of the community especially for the young people in the area,” said Mo Foley of Corpus Christi Community Companions.

It is hoped that the building will be repaired and the floors will be replaced as quickly as possible. ney Hayes and Chelsea Travers the girls on target. Hayes scored twice to secure the win.

“Moyross Ladies Soccer is run in association with the Garda Youth Diversion Project,” Karen said, “and we also work closely with FAI Youth Development Officers in the area.”

“We currently have an u14 team which are competing in the Limerick Ladies League.

Sport The Moyross Voice

Inside:

“Maximus” sets his sights on pro tour

Keith Earls is tackled by Springboks outhalf Morne Steyn during Saturday’s match in Croke Park.

Picture courtesy Sportsfile

Revenge not a factor in Irish win says Earls SPORT EXCLUSIVE

By Neil Treacy MUNSTER and Ireland winger Keith Earls has said that revenge was not an issue for Saturday’s win against South Africa at Croke Park.

His Ireland teammate, Jamie Heaslip, yesterday said that Ireland’s Lions contingent could take satisfaction from the 15-10 victory, but Moyross native Earls said that events during the summer were not on his mind.

“It’s about two different teams. The Lions is one story but with Ireland we just concentrate on what we have to do ourselves,” said Earls.

The 22-year-old played an important role for Ireland in their Autumn International Series, scoring two tries against

Fiji, before putting in a gritty defensive performance in the season ending victory against the Springboks.

After running in two of Ireland’s five tries during the 41-6 victory against Fiji, Earls admits that he had never experienced a side as physical as the South Africans.

“I didn’t get much ball, but I’ve definitely never experienced physicality of that calibre before...it was tough, very tough,” he said.

Earls was delighted about beating his Munster teammate Jean De Villiers, a substitute on the Springbok side, and added that it was an extra special feeling denying De Villiers a match winning try in the dying minutes of the game.

“Both of us are slagging each other.

He’s trying to say that he bashed me over and I’m saying I bashed him into touch,” he joked.

“He’s a big, strong guy and it’s always

good to beat someone you play with at Munster,” he added.

With Leinster winger Luke Fitzgerald facing up to six months out with a knee injury, Earls is hoping he can seize the opportunity to retain his place in the team when Ireland try to defend their Six Nations Crown in the spring.

“Hopefully I can, that’s the plan anyway. There’s still a lot of rugby to be played. We’ve the Heineken Cup and a few Magners League games to play yet.

“There are plenty of wingers in form at the moment. The likes of Ian Dowling are in form so I’m not going to relax at all. I’ll have to push myself more and more as the Six Nations approaches,” he added.

Despite playing his best rugby for Munster at outside centre and fullback, Earls has impressed for Ireland on the wing in place of Fitzgerald, both defensively and in attack. Earls said

he is happy to play out of position if required to, although he would like to get the chance to prove himself in his favourite positions.

“I’m just happy to be on the team, whether it’s Ireland or Munster, to be honest,” he said.

“You have to do what’s best for the team overall, but I wouldn’t mind getting a few games at centre and full-back,” he added.

Earls found time to praise his Ireland coach Declan Kidney, who won the prestigious IRB coach of the year award on Saturday night after guiding Ireland to an unbeaten run in 2009, in what was his first full season in charge.

“Declan has his own unique way of coaching us. His man managing is very, very good. He knows how to gel together a squad of players and coaches, so he’s been brilliant,” he said.

After seeing the All Black’s captain Richie McCaw win the Player of the

Year award, Earls was surprised the title didn’t go to his Ireland captain Brian O’ Driscoll.

“Brian is having the best season of his life, I’d say. He’s in incredible form.

Personally, I thought he was definitely going to win it,” he added.

But having seen Ireland’s Six Nations opponents during the autumn tests, Earls is looking forward to the spring, when Ireland’s new caps Cian Healy and Jonathan Sexton can blend into the team.

“This was our first time playing together this year and that’s the same for all the other national teams. But there’s plenty more rugby to be played this year and more national camps too,” he said.

Earls’ club Munster, return to action at the weekend with a trip to Swansea to play The Ospreys, before tough home and away ties against French outfit Perpignan in the Heineken Cup.

INSIDE: MOYROSS SPORTS TO LOSE OUT IN BUDGET CUTS: PAGE 15