Lucan News

Lucan News ©

3rd. April 2017

01 451 3822 / 01 451 9000

email: info@newsgroup.ie

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SAVE THE HELLFIRE CLUB

by Lynda O’Donoghue Donnelly

Residents are ramping up their campaign to prevent South Dublin County Council from developing the lands at Massy’s Wood and the Hellfire Club.

The Dublin Mountains Project was proposed by

the council, along with Coillte and the Dublin Mountains Partnership, earlier this year and aims to develop a “key recreation site” in the area.

However, some local visitors and residents

Aerial view of the Hellfire Club.

do not believe that the development of Massy’s Woods and the Hellfire Club is in the best interests of the Dublin Mountains.

The non-political Save The Hellfire campaign was started in October

2016 when residents heard rumours that there were plans to develop the area for tourism.

Save the Hellfire Treasurer, Paul Feenan, explained that there are several issues which concern residents about increasing the footfall in the area.

These issues include Road Safety, the environmental impact, the archaeology of the area, admission charges and problems with the proposed tourist information centre.

Paul said: “The impact on the environment and wildlife is one of the biggest reasons we started the campaign.

There are also issues with the road structure and the possibility of sewage pipes. We feel that we are having no say in this.”

The council has hosted a number of information evenings for residents and will hold further Open Days for members of the public on Thursday 6th and Friday 7th April at Tallaght Stadium from 8am to 8pm where the Project Team will be on hand to discuss the proposed development.

Despite this the Save the Hellfire campaign believes that the public should have been consulted earlier in the plan to ensure that key concerns were understood.

CONT. PAGE 2

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SAVE THE HELLFIRE CLUB........FROM PAGE 1

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Titles: Tallaght News, Clondalkin News, Lucan News and Rathcoole & Saggart News Printed by: Webprint Ltd. Distributed by: Local Post Co. Contact Details: Email: info@newsgroup.ie Website www.newsgroup.ie www.facebook.com/newsgroup.ie Twitter @NewsgroupIRL www.linkedIn.com/company/newsgroup Registered in Ireland: 497158 Tax and VAT Registration: IE 3354179CH Advertising: Anthony Russell Sales Director anthony@newsgroup.ie Design & Editorial: John Russell john@newsgroup.ie Administration: Sarah Brooks Office Manager admin@newsgroup.ie

Paul said: “The information evenings didn’t really give any additional details.

There needs to be a proper consultation, it’s not long before the plan will be going to An Bord Pleanala so time is not on our side.”

The council explained that the aim of the project is to “provide the highest possible

quality visitor enjoyment of the landscape and its key cultural, archaeological, geological and natural features”.

The Dublin Mountains Project concept currently includes the development of a mixed forest, an improved network of trails, conservation measures and

Sinn Féin spokesperson for the Arts, Youth Affairs and LGBTQI Rights Senator Fintan Warfield has expressed his disappointment that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have worked together to block the Electoral Amendment (Voting at 16) Bill 2016 until 2018, despite their commitments to work towards lowering the voting age.

and European elections and, in essence, voting against their own party policy to appease Fine Gael.

Senator Warfield said: “In a bizarre turn of events, Fianna Fáil claimed that they support the bill ‘in principle’, but supported a Government amendment to delay the Bill until 2018, making it impossible to enact in time for the 2019 Local

“Despite the Bill being initiated in July 2016, both parties felt they needed more time to consider the debate. I am calling on both parties to truly engage with stakeholders and return the Bill in January 2018 for its speedy implementation.”

FIANNA FÁIL AND FINE GAEL BLOCK ‘VOTE AT 16’

Katherine Zappone,Independent TD. Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

To make an appointment, please contact my

constituency office at 45 Main Street, Tallaght Dublin 24

Email:katherine.zappone@oir.ie

Tel: 01 4271072

www.katherinezappone.com Equality. Opportunity. Fairness.

“Equally, Fine Gael have supported lowering the voting age to 16 in the European Parliament.

“The Constitutional Convention also supported lowering the voting age for all elections.

sensitive interpretation of heritage.

The plan also features the provision of visitor facilities such as a café, toilets and other services as well as opportunities for activity and learning.

The council said: “Almost one third of people accessing the Dublin Mountains do so through the Hellfire Club and Massy’s Woods, putting the area under growing, daily pressure.”

“The car parks are overflowing, roads are blocked with parked cars

and on busy days private entrances and access to fields are obstructed. This is not desirable or sustainable.

It is vital however that the Dublin Mountains are not only appreciated by visitors, but are also protected and preserved for future generations and managed in a sustainable way.”

For more information about the campaign visit www. savethehellfire.com. South Dublin County Council has information about the proposal on the website at www.sdcc.ie.

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CAR PARKING FEES FOR CANCER PATIENTS AT TALLAGHT HOSPITAL MUST BE EXAMINED A typical four-hour stay during treatment costs cancer patients €10 or more

Local Fianna Fáil TD, John Curran says that it is time for the HSE to regulate car parking fees in hospitals across the country and particularly city based hospitals.

In December, The Irish Cancer Society’s ‘Park the Charges’ report revealed that cancer patients could be paying up to €63 a week in car parking charges.

Deputy Curran has called on the Health Minister to ensure that the HSE issue guidelines to hospitals so that all people undergoing in-patient cancer treatment receive free car parking and to also examine and review hospital parking charges more generally.

“Car parking charges represent a huge cost for many cancer patients undergoing treatment at a time of complex need and financial pressure.

These are people that are already facing real hardship with additional costs and

large drops in income; extortionate car parking fees further add to this.

“Patients receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy must be exempt from paying carparking fees. This practice is currently in place at hospitals such as Mayo General Hospital, St. Luke’s, Rathgar Co. Dublin and Wexford General Hospital and needs to be more widely adopted.

“This is an important issue which is brought up time and time again by people in our community and which needs to be addressed. We must continue to highlight the financial burden of car parking on patients and their families.

“Should hospitals such as Tallaght adopt these guidelines and change their pricing policy for cancer patients, it will no doubt alleviate some of the difficulty with managing a long-term and serious illness.”

NEEDS OF MANY CANCER PATIENTS NOT BEING MET

Dublin South West TD, Seán Crowe, has claimed that cracks in our under resourced Health Service are widening under Minister Simon Harris’ watch.

The Sinn Féin TD accused him of failing to meet the needs of patients after it was revealed that cancer operations are being cancelled in significant numbers as a result of overcrowded hospitals.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:“Health Minister, Simon Harris, is clearly out of his depth in his job and the cracks in our under resourced health service are widening and getting worse every day. As a result patients are suffering unnecessarily and that is simply unacceptable.

“It’s not just opposition politicians that are saying this. According to the Irish Hospitals Consultants Association the unresolved problems in our hospitals

are now at such a critical level that patient care and safety is compromised on a daily basis, and that this practice is resulting in the cancellation of essential surgery with increasing frequency.

“They also go on to say our capacity to deliver care has deteriorated to the point where surgical appointments for cancer patients are now being cancelled in significant numbers. Cancer treatment had been prioritised as a model of care but increasingly this is another area that is seeing longer response times, waiting lists and cancelled surgeries.

“As a direct result of the Minister’s failure to tackle hospital overcrowding, hospitals are now cancelling surgeries for cancer patients in ever increasing numbers.

This is putting the safety and chance of survival of these patients at an even greater

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“Longer waiting lists for suspected cancer sufferers mean that response times are slower and treatment or surgery is inevitably delayed.

“The health crisis has gone on for so long under both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil administrations that many people have become despondent or feel helpless to the endless horror stories that emerge week in week out from our health services.

“Many of those same people believe that if you eventually get into the health system, as bad as it is, that care will somehow follow. Unfortunately this is increasingly not always the case and in more and more cases the failure and long delays are being reported by frustrated family members and patients.

“It is simply unbearable to think of the anguish and worry that families of

critically ill patients have to endure after being told that long awaited operations or lifesaving surgery is cancelled due to the lack of a bed.

“We need to adopt new approaches and to respond with greater urgency to these health challenges.

“Sinn Fein’s ‘Comhliosta’ proposal, which the Minister has already responded positively to, is a system that would allow patients to transfer across different hospital lists to get on to the shortest possible one. It is a system which works well in places like Portugal and we want to replicate it here.

“We must prioritise this because we cannot stand over a system that fails cancer patients, women and children, that leaves our sick and elderly on hospital trolleys, and over 600,000 patients languishing on waiting lists many of them in chronic pain.”

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SVP SAYS THAT LOCAL MABS SERVICES MUST BE SAFEGUARDED IN PROPOSED RESTRUCTURING

Since its formation in 1992, MABS has been working to help people cope with debts and take control of their own finances. With over 25 years of experience, it continues to provide invaluable

support and advice to people at a time of great need on a range of debt issues.

A key element of MABS work and factor in its effectiveness, is the face

SCHOOL ONLINE SAFETY DAY

Graham Mulhern of online safety firm BeSecureOnline.ie, was invited to speak with the Transition Year Students in St Josephs. IT co coordinator Martina Farrell organised the session as part of the schools ongoing programme about Internet safety and general online pitfalls. He also addressed the issue of using mobile phones on public wi fi (free) and the ease with which phones can be publicly exposed.

Pictured are TY’s 4A/5 students, Aisling, Emily, Kelly, Yaae, Aoife and Sarah

to face and personal service that it can provide through its over 60 locations nationwide, and its 51 local companies and boards.

It is now proposed by the Citizens Information Board (CIB) to restructure MABS into 8 regional companies.

While it is stated that clients will receive the same services as before there is no guarantee that changes to services will not occur once MABS is reorganised.

Another key strength and resource of the MABS service is the central role of volunteers and volunteering on their local Boards.

There is a real concern that volunteers will become disengaged, and local leadership of their service will disappear.

“Local boards also have a strong organic connection to the local community, including local civil society representatives such as St Vincent de Paul. SVP’s involvement is most obvious in the commitment of its

members to voluntarily work within the MABS service and the referrals between SVP and MABS of people who need assistance with budgeting.”, said Mr Stafford.

SVP says that the structural changes under discussion require careful implementation through a sensitive process, and in a way that will honour the role of the thousands of volunteers who helped establish, maintain and provide the MABS service.

It says that there is a need to ensure appropriate resources are available for services locally to manage any implementation plan, and staff and volunteers working in the current services are clear as to their future roles.

Any realignment/ consolidation will need to carefully consider potential implications and how the direct change will impact the services provided for people in need of guidance with debt.

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VARADKAR MUST STOP UNWARRANTED INTERFERENCE IN LOCAL MABS AND CITIZENS INFORMATION SERVICES

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West Eoin Ó Broin has called on Minister Varadkar to stop his department’s unwarranted and unwelcome interference in local MABS and Citizens Information Services (CIS).

Speaking on the issue in the Dáil, Deputy Ó Broin said: “Local MABS and the Citizens Information Services provide an exceptionally high quality service rooted in the community which must be protected. The current independent management of these services is drawn from the local community sector and this should be maintained.

“What concerns me most about the Minister’s proposals is that it appears to be another drive towards an excessive level of centralisation. For example, we witnessed this already with the undermining of the independence of the community development programmes. Somewhere in government there seems to be a lack of trust in local people taking decisions to manage services in the best interests of the local community.

“Minister Varadkar’s reasons for the restructuring and regionalising of these vital local services are unfounded.

The Minister’s contention that there are too many board members completely misses the point about what is valuable about locally managed decision making in services such as these. In fact the large number of board members is exactly what is unique and valuable about these kinds of enterprises.

“The Minister must call a halt to the proposed restructuring plans and let MABS and CIS continue delivering grassroots support to local communities.”

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GROWING ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE MUST BE ADDRESSED

Senator Catherine Noone has called on the Minister for Health Simon Harris to address the alarming issue of super-bugs and the growing resistance to antibiotics.

Senator Noone said: “According to the Assistant Director-General of the World Health Organisation, if research and development

is not immediately pursued, new antibiotics which are needed urgently will not be developed in time.

“Some 700,000 people worldwide die annually from AMR-related infections.

Moreover, a predicted death toll of 10 million by 2050 will make AMR the world’s largest cause of death, surpassing cancer.

“In addition to developing and researching new antibiotics - according to Professor Colum Dunne, Director of Research at the University of Limerick’s Graduate Entry Medical School - failing to resource vigilance in this area means that when outbreaks occur the resulting actions are just ‘fire- fighting’.

“A four-year project is currently probing the potential of coatings that might not just repel but also eliminate micro- organisms that come into contact with everyday hospital textiles such as bedsheets and gowns.

“These anti-microbial coatings could also be used on solid surfaces such as walls, floors, beds, and tables.

“According to Professor Dunne, new applications of coatings to existing hospital infrastructure, as well as their use in the manufacture of disposable items like bedsheets and other textiles, are possible.

“As such, I believe that the HSE should do all that it can to support this endeavour especially when taking into consideration investment into new hospitals. There

is no silver bullet to tackle the challenge of AMR - but clearly any new practice that reduces the unnecessary use of antibiotics must be considered and supported.

“I am also calling on the Minister for Health to provide funding for further research and funding for further research into developing new antibiotics capable of resisting super bugs.”

Fianna Fáil Seanad Group Leader, Catherine Ardagh has said that despite the passing of 60 years, the vision and idealism that founded the European Union is needed now more than ever by EU leaders.

across Europe are just some of the benefits the people of Ireland have witnessed.

“This historic milestone falls during a time which is particularly complex in light of the internal and external challenges that face the union. This has materialised in a Brexit Referendum and in a matter of days the British Prime Minister will trigger article 50 in a planned exit from the union.

“Millions of people are abandoning their countries of origin and fleeing oppressive regimes, wars and grave political strains, climate disasters, poor economic prospects and looking for a bright future in Europe.

“Unfortunately this flow of people has engendered

fear in many across the continent and was as we saw during the Brexit campaign, one of the main stimuli for Britain’s decision to leave the European Union.

I believe that this reaction was amiss and as a result of unwarranted fear.

“Europe is undoubtedly experiencing a period of change but the benefits of Ireland’s membership far outweigh any ill-perceived concerns regarding the role or expectation of the Union.

“I look forward to participating in the Seanad Brexit Chamber to examine our role as a member state and to contribute to the important debate on the path Europe will take postBrexit,” concluded Senator Ardagh.

VISION WHICH FOUNDED EUROPEAN PROJECT NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER

Senator Ardagh joined representatives of other member states at the Conference of Speakers of EU Parliaments held in Rome last weekend to mark the 60th Anniversary of the signature of the Treaty of Rome which laid the foundations of the European Union.

Speaking in the Seanad the Senator said, “For over 60 years European member states have worked closely together to forge the longest period of peace and prosperity that the continent has come to know.

“The economic and social benefits of membership of the European Union have been incalculable for Ireland since joining in 1973. The visible investment that the EU have put into our roads network, the opportunities presented for indigenous business, the rise of intraEuropean tourism due to low cost travel and the ease of mobility for European citizens to study and work

Senator Catherine Ardagh

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LIVES AT RISK DUE TO MASSIVE HIKE IN INSURANCE COST FOR NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for National Drugs Strategy, Jack Chambers has said that dozens of life saving drug programmes across the country face closure due to the threat posed by massive increases in insurance costs.

The Deputy was commenting following reports that many local and regional drug task forces are faced with increases of more than €4,000 to their insurance premium. These dramatic increases will potentially leave some needle exchange programmes with little option but to shut the service down.

“Needle exchange programmes operate

nationwide and are a critical service that allows IV drug users to replace used syringes for clean ones. The measure is aimed at harm reduction and a 2015 HSE study found that their introduction in Ireland has coincided with a considerable reduction in the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C,” explained Deputy Chambers.

“According to the same study, some 13,700 people were engaging with needle exchange programmes and these numbers are only set to rise as polydrug use becomes more popular.

“One drug project operating under the Tallaght Drug and Alcohol Task Force has seen their insurance costs

rise from €2,800 in 2013 to almost €10,000. Another in Bray, Co Wicklow has been forced to close their needle exchange programme after it was quoted €15,000 by their insurer.

“Everyone working and volunteering within the area of drug treatment and rehabilitation understands that developing proper community based services is the best way to effectively tackle Ireland’s crippling drug problem. Drug projects in the community, supported by local and regional drug and alcohol task forces are the most appropriate way to offer support to those most in need,” said the Dublin West based TD.

“Needle exchange programmes are an important part of the overall suite of measures required to help those most vulnerable who are struggling with addiction.

“The fact that lifesaving programmes are being forced to shut down is unacceptable.

Minister Byrne needs to find out immediately why insurance costs have rocketed and what can be done to address this “I will be calling on the Government to intervene to ensure drug projects can continue to provide crucial services.” Chambers concluded.

NEW DENTAL PRSI ENTITLEMENTS FOR THE SELF EMPLOYED

Self-employed people are now entitled to a free dental and eye check up through their PRSI contribution. This includes small business owners, farmers, tradespeople, freelancers, contractors and professionals.

“This is a positive development for self-employed people; entrepreneurs who in many ways are neglected. Under new legislation 450,000 self-employed workers across the country, and dependent spouses, will now be entitled to free regular dental and eye exams. They will also be able to avail of up to 50% towards the cost of hearing aids every four years,” said Cllr. Emer Higgins who represents the people of Rathcoole, Newcastle and Clondalkin.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT CELEBRATED

“We are exceptionally lucky to have so many entrepreneurs in our county and in our communities. Self-employed people are risk takers who often end up employing others and creating small and medium businesses. In many ways they are the backbone of local economies and they should be treated equally when it comes to tax and social insurance.

I’m really pleased that Minister Varakdar has introduced these measures that give them free access to wellness benefits,” concluded Cllr. Emer Higgins.

Up to now these social welfare measures were not available to people who worked for themselves and paid a different class of PRSI.

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Community spirit is alive and well in Rathcoole according to local Cllr. Emer Higgins who attended the Rathcoole Community Council AGM. “It was great to see so many people come out to support the Rathcoole Community Council AGM. The Community Council is made up of a team of committed volunteers who keep the fantastic centre in the heart of the village running. They have over 30 staff in the centre so it’s like running a business and they do it all in their spare time and in the name of community spirit. I’d like to congratulate the outgoing committee on a successful year and wish the incoming Council a productive year ahead. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with them,” said Cllr. Emer Higgins.

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PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS USE SUBSTANCES: A KEY PRIORITY Investment in families, specifically children and young people (potentially) impacted by substance misuse, remains a key priority for Tallaght Drug & Alcohol Task Force (TDATF) as they launch their Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020 and Next Generation Research.

2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the formation of Local Drug Task Forces, including Tallaght, and while originally set up to deal with the heroin epidemic in 1997, TDATF is now dealing with a very different landscape that includes poly drug use, open drug dealing (involving young people in some instances), online drug dealing, violence and intimidation.

Chairperson of TDATF, Eamon Dolan cites: “Statistics show an increase in the number of people using illegal substances and sadly the number of deaths through substance misuse is also increasing. Our own research tells us that hidden harm also needs to be a major priority going forward. As a Task Force we feel an innate responsibility to reverse these trends in our area”.

Three strategic themes shape the plan being launched by TDATF: - Improved Service User & Community Outcomes - Effective Partnership - Increased Capacity With 20 years work experience to their credit, TDATF know that delivering an outcome focused strategic plan successfully, depends greatly on having the capacity and capability to see it through. Developing the capacity of TDATF and its services has been a key theme underpinning their planning, while sustainability remains a very real concern.

TDATF Coordinator Grace Hill adds: “while we have focused on specific strategic themes in our plan and are particularly highlighting the needs of our ‘Next Generation’ at the launch, sustainability and supporting the

Cllr Vicki Casserly

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email: vcasserly@cllrs.sdublincoco.ie

development of local, essential community drug and alcohol services remain a priority”.

Community drug services have been hugely impacted by cumulative budget reductions 2008 – 2013. TDATF are appealing to Minister of State for Communities and the National Drugs Strategy Catherine Byrne, to restore funding to community drug services, back to 2008 levels. Previously Tallaght Drugs Task Force, TDATF agreed to include alcohol in their remit in 2014 upon request of the then Minister.

However, this too was done without any increase to core funding.

Next Generation Research The TDATF and Barnardos Next Generation Research estimate the number of children of parents who misuse substances, including alcohol, across the communities of the TDATF area. The research, which was undertaken by Trinity College Dublin – Karen Galligan and Catherine Comiskey, identifies the number of children in the community that are at risk of being impacted by illegal drug misuse.

dealing, intimidation and violence.

TDATF represents a partnership between the community (including service users), voluntary, statutory and political sectors. Our vision is to be the central coordinating body in Tallaght and Whitechurch advocating on behalf of individuals, families and communities in relation to substance (drug & alcohol) misuse and related harm.

MINISTER KATHERINE ZAPPOINE CELEBRATING ACTIVE WEEK AT TALLAGHT COMMUNITY SCHOOL

TDATF is currently promoting the Crimestoppers Dial to Stop Drug Dealing campaign locally. Members of the community are being urged to freephone 1800 25 00 25 in confidence, to report any incidents of drug related crime, including

CALLS ON TDS TO REFUSE PAY INCREASE

Eoin Ó Broin TD has called on his constituency colleagues from Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and People Before Profit to refuse their pay increase due to come in this month.

The call comes as Ó Broin this week signd the official Oireachtas waiver gifting the salary increase back to the State.

Deputy Ó Broin said; “There is simply no justification for any TD or Minister to take this pay rise. We are already

paid too much.

At a time when many families are struggling to get by on low wages or with rising prices and high levels of household debt, the right thing for all TDs to do is to gift this substantial pay increase back to the State.

Celebrating Active Week at Tallaght Community School - students Aoife Rafferty and Katie O’Neil explain their project work to Dublin South West TD and Independent Minister Katherine Zappone.

“As a Sinn Féin TD I only take home an average wage and invest the remainder of my salary into the local community and my constituency service.

Cllr. Charlie O’Connor PC Working for Tallaght

WEEKLY ADVICE CLINICS Dominic’s Community Centre MONDAY AT NOON Fettercairn Community Centre TUESDAY 7PM Trustus, Tallaght Village, SATURDAY AT NOON

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mobile 087 2982079 THE FIANNA FAIL TEAM IN DUBLIN SOUTH WEST

John Lahart TD, Councillors Paul Foley, Emma Murphy, Charlie O’Connor

Tallaght Community School Student Femi Emmanuel outlines her project work for Active Week to Dublin South West TD and Independent Minister Katherine Zappone.

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CALLS ON YOUNG PEOPLE IN RATHCOOLE TO CHECK OUT THEIR LOCAL YOUTH CAFÉ

Local Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Mid-West John Curran is calling on young people in Rathcoole to go check out their recently opened Youth Café in Rathcoole Community Centre.

After Rathcoole Community Council’s AGM that was held recently in Rathcoole I learned that the Youth Café in Rathcoole is looking for young people to come and check out their services. They are actively looking for new members for the Rathcoole Youth Café.

Rathcoole has been allocated with a Foroige Youth Officer and use of the Rathcoole Community Centre and funding to provide

fun activities, this project is just getting started and has the potential to be a great local service for our young people in Rathcoole.

I am calling on young people and their parents to go check it out and see what they could bring to their local club in Rathcoole and make this a really worthwhile project and service for young people in Rathcoole.

The club is run by Foroige, Ireland’s Leading Youth Organisation and is a safe, warm and welcoming environment for young people to go and chill out/ hang out with their friends or make new friends. The services on offer at the club include a

youth café, music recording studio, pool tables, computers, free wi-fi, baking and trips away and an upcoming Easter Camp.

There is a lot on offer and the club Foroige Youth Officer Yvonne Anderson is happy to discuss what other services and activities young people in Rathcoole might like to do at the club, after all it is their club to make of it as they wish .

The club currently meets every Tuesday evening in the Rathcoole Community Centre between 6pm – 8pm and caters for ages 12 – 18. For more information call Yvonne Anderson on 086 0205592 or check out www.forgoige.ie

PUBLIC MEETING PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN AWAITING COMMUNITY DISABILITY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES Dr Katherine Zappone, Minister for Children & Youth Affairs and local TD for Dublin South West invites parents and caregivers of children awaiting community disability assessment and services to attend a public meeting on Friday 26th April I have been working on issues with the Assessment of Need (AON) process and service delivery since concerns were voiced time and time again as I knocked on doors across our communities.

I was shocked by the number of parents and carers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who felt lost in the health system.

It was clear to me that the disability services for children were struggling to deliver timely therapeutic intervention.

Since then I have undertaken a number of actions.

A public meeting and workshop in Tallaght Library last June was organised with the assistance of one of Irelands leading minds on Autism, Professor Louise Gallagher of Trinity College Dublin.

A report on that meeting can be found on my

website www.katherinezappone.com .

Following discussions with experts in the HSE and Tallaght Hospital I can confirm progress on some of the recommendations in that document.

A new Liaison Officer is now working to clear the service statement backlog and a temporary Assessment Officer will be in place from this week.

However, more must be done.

As your local Independent TD I will hold a public meeting for those affected by these services on April 26th at 5pm.

A member of senior management from Disability Services will be at this meeting to answer your questions.

Please feel free to contact my constituency office on 01-4271072 or email Claire.murphy@oireachtas. ie for further details.

Katherine Zappone, TD. Independent. Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

BILL TO TACKLE TICKET RIP OFF CHANCERS IS A WELCOME STEP

Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe, has welcomed the drafting of new a Bill that will tackle ticket rip off chancers who charge outrageous prices for tickets to entertainment and sport events in Ireland.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:“The ongoing problem of ticket touting was highlighted this week after tickets for the Electric Picnic music event sold out within minutes, but appeared immediately after on ticket reselling sites for huge additional prices.

“Weekend camping tickets for Electric Picnic, went on sale at a price of €246.10 including charges literally on the same

day, tickets were reproduced and widely available on reselling sites at hugely inflated prices.

“I am informed that tickets on the Seatwave site, a Ticketmaster owned company, were selling for €474.98 for a weekend camping ticket, while the same tickets were again selling on another site for a whopping €542.36.

“This opportunistic money grabbing bunch of chancers are preventing genuine concert goers and sporting enthusiasts the opportunity to attend events, and this needs to be tackled head on.

“My party Sinn Féin want to close this loophole with the Sale of Tickets (Sporting and

New Bill will tackle ticket rip off Cultural Events) Bill 2017, which will begin to address this issue.

“The legislation has two main objectives firstly it will protect the ordinary consumer who buys tickets in good faith, only to discover that they cannot attend the event. This Bill would ensure that they will be able to dispose of their tickets legitimately, allowing up to a 10% profit margin.

“Secondly, it will act to stop those who purchase event tickets

with the sole intention of reselling them at a profit. The Bill intends to dis-incentivise ticketing touting by the introduction of substantial fines.

“I believe the practice of consumers getting ripped off by a bunch of money grabbing chancers has continued long enough and this latest Electric Picnic case highlights the need for greater regulation in this whole area to protect Irish public.”

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CLONDALKIN STUDENT BRINGS IRELAND ONE OF JUST FOUR COUNTRIES IN EU WHICH DOESN’T HAVE ‘OPT-OUT’ POLICY – THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE SAYS MEP COLOUR TO ART COMPETITION

Texaco Children’s Art Competition adjudicator Aoife Ruane pictured during judging of entries in this year’s competition, the results of which will be announced mid-April.

In her hand is a self-portrait entry by 7-year old Holly Rafferty, a pupil at St. Mary’s Junior School, Clondalkin.

Prizes will be presented at a ceremony that takes place in Dublin in May.

A common approach needs to be adopted by EU member states with regard to organ donation, Brian Hayes MEP stated, saying that Ireland is just one of four member states in the European Union which operates an ‘opt-in’ system with regard to organ donation.

“As of January 1st, France is the latest country to align its policy with a number of other European countries such as Spain and Austria, where ‘presumed consent’ means that anyone can become a donor of organs and tissues when they die unless they specifically choose not to.

“Currently in Ireland, only those who have given explicit consent for organ donation are potential donors in the unforeseen case of death.

Countries that have changed to opt-out systems have seen significant increases in their rates of organ donation. Over a three year period after making the

Brian Hayes MEP “The donor family are central to the whole process, as they are asked to perform one of life’s most selfless acts at a time of extreme distress.

Their wishes must be respected” change to opt-out systems, Belgium saw its rate of organ donation increase by 100%.

“Closer to home, Wales introduced an opt-in system in December 2015. It saw an increase of 24% in donors in the first year.

“The rate of organ donation in Ireland is approximately 18 donors per million of population, but this rate lags behind that of Spain, Portugal and Croatia, who are achieving donor rates of up to 30 donors per million population.

“There are in the region of 600 people on transplant

lists around the country now.

There are also over 2000 people on dialysis, where the only next treatment option is a kidney transplant.

This figure has doubled since 2003.

“The Minister for Health is in favour of introducing legislation to change our national policy. Minister Harris intends to bring proposals for legislation before the Oireachtas Health Committee very shortly.

“These proposals include a ‘soft’ opt out approach, which means that next of kin must continue to give

their consent to the organ donation of a family member who is a potential organ donor. The donor family are central to the whole process, as they are asked to perform one of life’s most selfless acts at a time of extreme distress. Their wishes must be respected.

“In addition, any new legislation must include provisions for the management of a secure database for those who wish to opt out of organ donation as well as protection for vulnerable people, such as the homeless, mentally incapacitated and those with poor literacy skills.

“The introduction of a national opt-in organ donation policy and legislation could potentially allow for an additional 2-6 organ donors per million of population. The effects of an increase like this are immeasurable for any beneficiary family.”

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DAFFODIL MAN

O’CONNOR CALLS FOR ASSURANCES ON MAYBERRY ROAD WORKS Local Councillor Charlie O’Connor has called on South Dublin County Council to give assurances in respect of the completion of all works on Mayberry Road, Tallaght.

The local Councillor added that he had received a number of representations regarding the new road markings and he had asked for an explanation from the Council in that regard.

He said that the works, associated with the Amazon site, had generated much comment and indeed complaints over the last number of months and he has stressed to Council Management the need to ensure that all works are completed to the satisfaction of the community.

Council Management tabled a report to Charlie O’Connor at the March meeting of the Tallaght Area Committee and stated as follows: “A number of complaints were received during the installation of new road markings on Mayberry Road.

What has been provided is an advisory cycle lane

(broken white line) which allows motorised traffic to enter or cross the lane.

There is insufficient space for a mandatory cycle lane and general traffic lane i.e. the general traffic lane and the cycle lane overlap. The purpose of the layout is to emphasise to drivers the presence of cyclists and to encourage drivers to proceed behind the cyclists at their pace.

This is in accordance with the National Cycle Manual (published by the National Transport Authority).

This arrangement has been

in use on Greenhills Road for a number of years.”

According to Charlie O’Connor, he is anxious to hear from residents who may still have concerns in this regard and he will continue to monitor the situation. He has also added that he has had complaints this week about aspects of the works not completed at the entrance to Redwood across from the new Amazon entrance and he has brought these matters to the direct attention of Council Management.

FUNDING TO GIVE TALLAGHT’S YOUNG PEOPLE A SAY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT South Dublin County Council receives €20,000 to engage with children and teenagers

The Irish Cancer Society, Ireland’s national cancer charity, strives to improve the lives of those affected by cancer by ensuring cancer patients receive the best care, treatment, information and support. The charity also aims to reduce the risk of cancer among people in Ireland, lead high quality collaborative research and inform and influence public policy. Some of our most important research has been supported by funding raised by the Irish Cancer Society through Daffodil Day. Pictured is Clondalkin native, Austin Lysaght with his granddaughter Ciara, selling daffodils for the Irish Cancer Society. Austin has been involved in Daffodil Day selling every year since his diagnosis.

(Pic credit Laura Lysaght)

Tallaghts young people will be given a say in local Government decisions which impact their lives under a €20,000 scheme announced

by Dublin South West TD and Independent Minister, Katherine Zappone.

Minister Zappone says the money should be used so young people can give their views on issues including parks, sports facilities, library plans, local policing, mental health and transport.

The Council is being asked to engage with children and

young people in Tallaght and local communities who are members of Comhairle na nÓg.

Confirming the funding Minister Zappone said: “Young people have firm views on the future of their local areas and it is important their voices are heard.

As Minister I do not accept the view that children and teenagers are not interested in politics.

Everywhere I go they want to discuss the issues of the day including the need for more

resources, better services as well as issues such as LGBT rights, equality and justice.

They are citizens of today and not just the adults of tomorrow. It is important that South Dublin County Council listen to and then act on these views. This is an opportunity to identify critical issues for local young people.

By giving children and teenagers a say we will ensure that the decisions taken on recreation, sport and library services are the right ones. Their voices will

guide us towards policies which work.

Getting teenagers involved in the future of their neighbourhoods will also give them a sense of local pride and ownership.

I urge the Council to use the funding to also consult with members of Comhairle na nÓg on the development of services and policies which are at the centre of local government, including Local Economic Community Plans, development strategies and heritage plans.”

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WORRYING TRENDS CONTINUE IN LATEST MORTGAGE ARREARS DATA REPOSSESSIONS, RESTRUCTURES, LONGER TERM ARREARS

The latest data on mortgage arrears released by the Central Bank confirms that worrying trends continue where family homes are in mortgage arrears. Legal rights group FLAC highlighted that repossession data shows over 5,000 homes repossessed over the last four years.

“With the Quarter 4 figures for 2016, we now have four full years of data on repossession in Ireland.

Since 2013, a total of 28,917 new repossession cases have been brought, and 5,306 family homes have been repossessed through court orders or by voluntary surrender during this time,” noted FLAC Senior Policy Analyst Paul Joyce.

“We also know that a substantial number of cases have been struck out or withdrawn but it is worrying that there is no figure provided for the number of

repossession cases currently before Circuit Courts. What is clear is that many such cases have been in the system for some time and the households involved are at serious risk of repossession. FLAC believes that this information is necessary to understand the scale of the issue facing such households and should be made available,” he said.

While overall arrears continue to fall, FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) is concerned that there is limited progress in tackling longer term arrears cases.

Although the number of accounts in arrears for over two years has decreased from 34,551 to 33,447, Mr Joyce noted that the average arrears amount on these accounts increased from €63,611 to €65,895 over the last quarter of 2016.

Significantly, vulture funds are increasing their share of impaired mortgage

accounts, particularly those which are in deep, longerterm arrears. Vulture funds now own over 15% of the accounts in arrears over two years, up from 11% in the previous quarter.

“The rate of failure in restructures is another worrying trend,” said Mr Joyce. “Almost 1,400 split mortgage arrangements are failing to meet the terms of the arrangement, and the failure rate for capitalisation of arrears is 22.5%, almost a quarter. This indicates that unrealistic restructuring arrangements are being made, with most lenders continuing to avoid the write-down of the mortgage to a sustainable level.

“FLAC believes lenders must consider all available restructuring options, including mortgage writedown where appropriate, if the aim is to keep as many people in their homes as possible,” he concluded.

READY TO DROP FOR CHILDLINE?

Last August, the ISPCC ran a hugely successful abseil in Croke Park where participants had the opportunity to abseil off the roof of the stadium. The feedback from those who took part was extremely positive so the charity has decided to run the event again this April! So get your wits out, you’re going to need them!

Fergal D’Arcy from Today FM, who launched the abseil last year, said: “I loved being part of this event last year but it certainly tests the old nerves! If you’re someone who’s looking for a challenge, this is definitely the one for you.

It’s exhilarating and exciting

and you need to see that incredible view of Dublin!

“Get out there and make some money for Childline!”

Home to the headquarters of the GAA, Croke Park is the third-largest stadium in Europe. The iconic grounds present a unique venue for the ISPCC Abseil, which will take place on the Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th April 2017.

Participants are asked to pay a deposit of €50 and fundraise a minimum of €200. The abseil is ideal for office days out or if you’re just feeling like a challenge!

Mike O’Shea from Work at Height, who are operating the abseil, stated: “Croke Park is an amazing location

for abseiling and we’re really looking forward to the event in October! Abseiling is a great challenge and something that you will probably not get the chance to do that often so it’s worth it to take the opportunity.

You can also help out a great cause in the ISPCC.” Places are limited so to ensure your place register at https://www.ispcc.ie/ f i l e s / C r o k e - Pa r k - I S P C C Abseil-2017/ For more information or if you have any question please contact corporate@ ispcc.ie.

Pictured Fergal D’Arcy (Today FM) at the launch of the ISPCC Childline Abseil in Croke Park

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AA Warns Car Buyers of New Mileage “Lowballing” Scam

When buying a car many motorists will look at how many miles the car has driven in order to understand its current condition. However, while most will view a higher mileage as a bad sign the AA is warning that low mileage may not always be a good thing, after coming across a number of incidents of clocked mileage recently as part of its Car Inspections service.

Recent figures from the Central Statistics Office highlighted a 47% yearon-year increase in the number of cars being imported into Ireland from the UK. However, the AA, which offers inspections to customers in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland highlighted

that while the lower price tag may be tempting for motorists these imported vehicles may come with added complications, as mileage discrepancies in cars imported from the UK appear to be on the rise.

In 2015, research from Cartell.ie indicated that 14.5% of UK cars imported into Ireland had had their mileage altered in some way.

However, recent reviews of small sample groups that the 2015 report indicate this figure has increased to 16.5% in respect to UK cars currently on Irish roads.

While clocking of cars may not be new, the AA’s Car Inspection technicians have found evidence of a new technique being used by some unscrupulous traders who are now deliberately

lowering mileage twice on cars they’re selling, as this is harder to detect than simply reducing the mileage.

Originally the mileage is lowered significantly before the car is taken for an NCT or MOT in the case of UK cars, before being increased to a more believable but still drastically reduced level before sale.

“During one recent inspection, where a customer was interested in buying a 3-year old car with 30,000 miles previously registered in the UK a background check found that the car’s mileage had been recorded as 18,000 miles during its first MOT (the UK equivalent of the NCT) 90 days earlier,” Joe

who lives in Killiney, and Paul, who hails from the local area, have both spent their entire careers to date with the Ford dealership.

A new accolade, the Ford Dealer Employee Recognition award acknowledges highly valued and long-standing personnel within the Ford aftersales network.

“Our servicing and repairs operation here at Airton is award-winning and has gained a wellearned reputation for the consistency and quality of

the work we carry out,“ said Paul Molloy of Airton Ford. “That reputation is the direct result of the experience and knowledge of staff like Peter and Paul.

They are the backbone of the operation and it is fitting that their contribution to the company be celebrated in this way.”

“It was a great honour to recognise Peter and Paul for their continuous service to one of Ford Ireland’s landmark dealerships, and to thank them for their

professionalism, dedication and loyalty to the Ford brand,“ commented David Pimlott of Ford Ireland.

“Sometimes a good deal is simply too good to be true”

Langan of AA Car Inspections stated.

“So we were expected to believe that this car had taken nearly 3 years to do 18,000 miles - and then driven over 130 miles per day for the last three months. This just does not add up - we suspect someone had decided to turn back the mileage on this car – perhaps dropping it from 60,000 miles – but decided to ‘lowball’ it first, down to 18,000 miles, ensure a low base mileage was recorded during the first MOT, from which they could then adjust the mileage to something more realistic when selling it on.”

Since only a higher mileage in the past produces a mileage alert, traders are then free to do this and give themselves a bit of leeway

if they decide to bring it back up to something more realistic.

“While it can be easy to think that you may have snagged a bargain, sometimes a good deal is simply too good to be true,” AA Director of Consumer Affairs Conor Faughnan added. “Before buying any car it’s important to have it checked out by your mechanic or arrange an AA Car Inspection as it’s only during this step that doctored mileage or hidden damage to the car is likely to be detected.

A 2011 report from The AA found that 11% of UK imports had had their mileage doctored in some way. As a result, unexpected servicing and repair costs could negate any savings to be made by importing a car.

FORD ACKNOWLEDGES LOYALTY AT AIRTON FORD

Two long-standing staff members at Airton Ford on Airton Road in Tallaght were recently the recipients of prestigious awards from Ford Ireland in recognition of their service to the blue oval.

Service Manager Peter Mahon and Paul Byrne, accompanied by their wives Jo and Janet, accepted the awards from Ford Director Dave Pimlott for 30 years’ service to the brand in the aftermarket area. Peter,

“Peter Mahon and Paul Byrne are acknowledged and commended by the Company for their hard work and contributions towards Ford Ireland becoming one of the most successful customer service providers in Europe, and for also helping to put the Ford logo amongst the top ten reputable brands in the country.”

Pictured l to r: Richard Downey, Ford Ireland, Janet and Paul Byrne, Paul Molloy of Airton Ford, Peter and Jo Mahon, Dave Pimlott, Director, Ford Ireland

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Miriam O’Shea Slimming World Bohernabreena St. Annes’s GAA Club Bohernabreena, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Times: Tuesday Mornings 9:30am & 11:30am.

Tuesday Evenings: 3:30pm, 5:30pm & 7:30pm.

Mobile: 087 9703016.

Caroline Mulhall Slimming World Red Cow Inn Red Cow Inn (Free Parking) Naas Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 Times: Saturday mornings: 9:00 am Mobile: 086 3057043 Sandra Maxwell Slimming World St. Mark’s GAA Club McGee Park, Cookstown Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Times: Tuesday Evenings: 5:30pm & 7:30pm Wednesday mornings: 9:30am.

Mobile: 085 1484669 Sharon Daly Slimming World Citywest Citywest Educate Together School (Opposite Saggart LUAS stop) Saggart, Co. Dublin Times: Wednesday Evenings: 5:30pm & 7:30pm.

Mobile: 085 1402870 Pauline Slimming World Plaza Hotel Plaza Hotel, 1st Floor, Belgard Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Times: Wednesday 5.30pm & 7.30pm Thursday Mornings: 9:30am & 11:30am Thursday Evenings: 5:30pm & 7:30pm.

Mobile: 085 7704751 Sharon Daly Slimming World Jobstown/ Brookfield Brookfield Youth & Community Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Times: Tuesday Evenings: 5:30pm & 7:30pm Mobile: 085 1402870 Sharon Daly Slimming World Kingswood Kingswood Community Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Times: Thursdays Evenings: 5:30pm & 7:30pm Mobile: 085 1402870 Sandra Maxwell Slimming World Maldron Hotel Tallaght Maldron Hotel, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Times: Friday Mornings: 9:30am & 11:30am Mobile: 085 1484669

Pamela Slimming World Old Bawn The Maldron Hotel, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

Times: Monday Evenings: 3:30pm, 5:30pm & 7:30pm Tuesday Mornings: 9:30am Mobile: 086 1231774 Sharon Coleman Slimming World Kilinarden Knockmore Junior School Tallaght, Dublin 24 Times: Tuesday Evenings 5:30pm & 7:30pm Mobile: 085 710 3660 Cherie Slimming World Lucan Chinese Gospel Church, Esker House, Esker Road, Lucan, Co. Dublin.

Times: Thursdays 9:30am, 11:30am, 5:30pm & 7:30pm.

Friday mornings 9:30am 085 1008666 Deborah Slimming World Spa Hotel Lucan Lucan, Co. Dublin Times: Tuesday Evenings: 5:30pm & 7:30pm Mobile: 085 8503029 Ailish Slimming World Knocklyon Iona Centre (Beside Knocklyon Parish) Knocklyon, Dublin 16.

Times: Thursday Evenings: 5:30pm & 7:30pm.

Mobile: 087 7445909 Christine Murphy Slimming World Tallaght Plaza Hotel Plaza Hotel Belgard Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

Times: Saturday Mornings: 9.00 am & 11.00am Mobile: 086 088 5142 Josephine Ballyfermot Drumfinn Ballyfermot Community Church, Drumfinn, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 Mondays 9:30am, 3:30pm, 5:30pm & 7:30pm Tuesdays: 5:30pm & 7:30pm.

Mobile: 087 387 2718

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STACEY’S A WINNER AT LOSING GAME!

While most people would be offended to be called a ‘loser’, one woman from Jobstown is over the moon to have been named the town’s ‘Greatest Loser’ of 2017.

That’s because Stacey Corcoran has lost a lifechanging 6st to take the title, which is awarded to the member of the Brookfield Slimming World group who has lost the most weight, and feels fabulous as a result.

Stacey, who’s gone from 18st 5.5lb to 12st 5lb, says: “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a loser when it feels this good! I feel like a new woman since losing weight – in fact, I look

‘GREATEST LOSER’ OF 2017 STACEY: Corcoran has lost a life-changing 6st Stacey, who’s gone from 18st 5.5lb (below) to 12st 5lb (right)

so different that people who I haven’t seen for a while often can’t believe I’m the same person. For me though it’s the change on the inside that’s been the greatest – I’m happier, healthier and much more confident now.”

The proud 28-year-old joined the Brookfield group, which is run by Sharon Daly, in 28th April 2015. She says: “Before I lost the weight I hated having my photo taken and whenever I saw pictures of myself I knew that my smile wasn’t real. My weight impacted on so many aspects of my life, from struggling to find clothes that I like to fit to not being able to do simple everyday tasks without feeling tired and out of breath.”

Stacey’s weight was also putting a huge strain on her health and her mental health and was at risk of type 2 diabetes. People who are severely overweight, with a BMI* above 30, are more likely to suffer from health problems like coronary heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and cancer, and obesity is linked to a reduction in life expectancy of between seven and nine years. In Jobstown 60 per cent of people are so severely overweight that their health is already at risk.

After Stacey and a group of her friends saw a sign outside their children’s school St Thomas’s National school 5 of them got together and joined the new group for

half price because there was 5 of them they availed of the offer 5 join together for half price that is always available 52 weeks a year.

So, they decided to join their local Slimming World group at Brookfield Youth and Community Centre.

She says: “Walking through those doors was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, I was embarrassed about my size and scared that I might be the biggest person there. I needn’t have worried though, everyone there was so friendly especially my Consultant Sharon Daly and I was so relieved when I found out that my weight was confidential between me and her – I’d had visions of having to tell everyone how much I weighed!

“Since then I’ve made so many friends at the group and I honestly don’t think I could have done it without their support each week.

They helped me with recipes and tips and if I was ever struggling they were always there to remind me why I’d wanted to lose weight in the first place and how far I’d come since first stepping through the doors.”

Stacey followed the club’s Food Optimising eating plan and swapped take aways for fake aways. She says: “People think slimming means going hungry, eating nothing but salad or obsessively counting every calorie you eat, but it’s not like that at all at Slimming World. I love food and it’s never once felt like I was on ‘a diet’ – in fact, people are always surprised at how much food I have on my plate and can’t believe I’m losing weight eating so much delicious food and without ever feeling hungry.

“I still enjoy all my favourite meals like burgers and chips Fried chicken and roast dinners but I’ve learned how to make small changes like using lean meat or cooking with low calorie spray instead of oil or butter. It fits in well with the rest of my family and we can all eat the same meals. I know that I haven’t ‘gone on a diet’, this is a change that I’ve made for life and have the tools I need to keep up forever. My smile is definitely real now!”

Today Stacey’s lost a total of 6st and gone from 22/24 to 12/14. She’s also

more active nowadays and regularly goes walking or bringing her lovely daughter Jasmine to the park on her bike or scooter.

Sharon Daly, who runs the Brookfield Slimming World group, says: “The changes we’ve seen in Stacy are incredible she is an amazing member and goes onto inspire all of the group week in week out. I hope her success will inspire other people in Jobstown who’d like to lose weight by forming new lifestyle habits and become happier and healthier to take action.

There’s a warm welcome waiting at Slimming World and, just think, if you start today you could feel like a completely new person just like Stacey.”

The Brookfield group meets every Tuesday at 5.30 and 7.30 at Brookfield Youth and Community Centre.

To join call Sharon Daly on 0851402870 or pop along.

If Tuesday’s don’t suit you Sharon also runs groups in Citywest Educate Together School 5.30 and 7.30 on Wednesday or Thursday in Kingswood Community Centre 5.30 and 7.30.

SLIMMING WORLD GROUP AT THE RED COW INN Tallaght native Caroline Mulhall started her Slimming World journey a week before her 41st birthday just over two years ago, she learned how to eat healthier and encouraged her family to also get involved. As a coeliac disease sufferer Caroline struggled and then she found Slimming World. The simple to follow plan at Slimming World worked well alongside her dietary needs and suited a busy family life.

Slimming World has given Caroline Mulhall a new lease of life when she slimmed down by 23lbs.

Caroline added ‘I love my new career and I love to motivate my members on their weight loss journey and it is so encouraging to see they love to motivate each other. The energy and inspirational feelings that are generated on a nightly basis is fantastic’.

‘Slimming World has done so much for me and my amazing members, healthy eating and healthy living with the added bonus of looking good and feeling good! It’s not a diet, it’s just healthy eating, like most people I struggled to lose weight and found it difficult to manage my meals around family life’.

Start your weight loss journey with “Slimming World and get great support from others in the group. Believe in yourself and you can do it!!

Caroline’s Slimming World group is on at the Red Cow Inn every Saturday morning Caroline Mulhall slimmed down by 23lbs at 9am.

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MARGARET FINLAY, FROM PALMERSTOWN CAMERA CLUB RECEIVES A HIGHLY COMMENDED RIBBON

There are many Genres of photography that our members are interested in for example landscape, portrait, architecture and street. These photographs would be prints. But there is also another type and that is audio visual where the photographer records a theme either using photographs or film, but there must be music or a story recorded with the theme. This is projected on to a screen for approx. 5 to

8 mins and then it is judged.

The Northern Ireland Photographic Association Audio Visual Festival 2017 was held in Ballyearl Arts &Leisure Centre on the 18th February. It was judged by Colin Ballis FRPS, APAGB who judged the 25th IPF Audio Visual championships some time ago. A highly commended ribbon was received by Margaret Finlay, from Palmerstown Camera Club on her sequence The Rebel

Countess. Congratulations Margaret and well done.

Congratulations to all the other winners on what was a very strong competition.

Palmerstown Camera Club organises weekends away and a trip to the Saltees Island in Wexford.

The Saltees is a bird sanctuary and trips can be booked to take people across to the island at 9am and returning at 5pm. Our members took some fantastic photographs of the birds in their natural

habitat taken great care not to disturb the nests. Here are some of the photographs taken last year of Gannets and puffins.

These photos were taken

by Angela Dennis and Peter Walsh. If you’re interested in photography or would like to develop your skills and take learn to take great photos join us in the Parish Centre Palmerstown on Wednesday nights between 8pm and 10pm you will be made feel very welcome.

READERS PICTURES OF ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADES

Members of the Clondalkin St.Patricks Festival Committee Jean Brotlebank, Cllr. Francis Timmons and Darren Lamont.

(Pic Cllr Francis Timmons) Children from Funky Steps participating in Clondalkin St.Patricks Festival Parade.

(Pic Cllr Francis Timmons)

Members of the Clondalkin Youth Band playing in Clondalkin St. Patricks Festival Parade.

(Pic Cllr Francis Timmons)

Cllr Vicki Casserly with local group Lucan Lions Club at the Lucan Parade.

Participants of the Four Districts Parade in Rathcoole and Saggart. The Old Steam Engine were overall winners of the parade. Business winners were Happy Feet Crèche.

Community winners were Rathcoole Football Club.

Local hero James Casserly, his brother Tom and their cousin Lucy Silke enjoying the Lucan Parade.

Cllr Emer Higgins pictured with Kayleigh Haslam (6), they both attended the Four Districts Parade which ran from Rathlawns in Rathcoole to St. Mary’s GAA Club in Saggart.

The annual parade is organised by Sharon Greene and committee.

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FOREIGN HOLIDAY COMING UP? CHECK YOUR PASSPORTS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

Sinn Féin’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Seán Crowe TD, is reminding people who are going abroad for holidays this summer to check their passports today and not leave it until the last minute.

Deputy Seán Crowe said: “TDs are regularly contacted by panicked constituents who are due to leave the country soon but have only just discovered that their passport is out of date or who have left it too late to renew their passport and it is not due back on time. While we do everything we can to help these constituents it causes a lot of stress and anxiety, and sometimes nothing can done to get the passport completed on time.

“The summer season is always the busiest time for the passport office as many people plan to leave the country for holidays. I am therefore encouraging people to check their passports, as well as the passports of all their family members, to ensure that

they are in date. If they need to be renewed you will hopefully have plenty of time to get them renewed before the summer rush.

“People can renew their passport through An Post’s Passport Express service or online at www.dfa.ie/ passportonline. A standard Passport which lasts for 10 years costs €80.

“If you are travelling within the next three weeks (15 working days) and you need to renew your passport you can make an appointment at the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork. There are a limited number of appointments per day and proof of travel is required. You can make an appointment at www. passportappointments.ie.

“If people are travelling within the EU they can also use the new credit card size Passport Card. It costs €35 and is valid for 5 years or for the length of time left on your Passport. You can apply for the Passport Card online at the same address as above. If you apply for the Passport Card and Passport at the same time there is currently a €10 discount.

“The current turnaround time for a Passport is 16 working days, but as a matter of best practice the passport office recommends that applicants allow six weeks for a passport application to be processed, just in case there are any difficulties with the application.

“If you are travelling within the next three days a rapid renewal service by appointment at the Passport Office in Dublin can provide a same-day turnaround.

There are a limited number of appointments per day and again proof of travel will be required.

“The Passport Service also offers a free email reminder service to passport holders whose passports are due for renewal and I would urge people to use this service, available at www. eforms.gov.ie/en/reminder/ passport.

“So save yourself the stress and anxiety of a last minute rush to get a passport renewed and check your passports today.”

RENEW YOUR PASSPORT ONLINE

Fine Gael Councillor Brian Lawlor welcomes the announcement that you can now renew your passport on line.

The new Online Passport Application Service (OPAS) will be available on the Department of Foreign Affairs website. Applications can be made via smartphone, tablet or PC and should speed up the turnaround time considerably.

This is great news for anyone who is travelling abroad to work or on holidays and who needs to renew their passport. There have been delays this year due to a glut of applications. This is due to an increase in ...travel abroad from Ireland due to peoples finances improving combined with a jump in applications from the UK for Irish Passports following the Brexit vote. The new service is only for the renewal of adult applications; first time applicants and children and

Councillor Lawlor those whose passports have been lost or stolen will still have to use the current systems.

The target turnaround time for the new online system is 10 days and it should also ease the pressure on those currently processing the backlog of manual applications.

However, my advice for anybody travelling is not to leave it to the last minute – Stated Councillor Lawlor

SPONSORED 5KM WALK

Sinn Féin’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Seán Crowe TD

Booth Road Celtic Football Club school boys section is hosting a sponsored 5km walk in Corkagh Park on Sunday the 9th of April at 3pm.

All welcome. Support the schoolboy section who are raising funds to help with the cost of new gear.

JOIN THE CRUISE BOOM AT Family Fun Day CASSIDYS IN THE SQUARE

As more and more Irish people opt for a cruise as their main holiday, the choices on offer grow too. Cassidy Travel in the Square has a full range of cruise holidays, from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean and lots more adventurous destinations in between. Cruises may traditionally have been seen as the preserve of the more mature well-heeled traveller, but no more.

Prices are becoming ever more affordable, to the extent that a week’s cruise with flights is available from

as little as €719 pps, and the vast array of activities on board are geared to young as well as old. Packages typically include full board with drinks and flights and transfers from Dublin.

Enjoying a cruise does not have to mean taking to the high seas – increasingly popular are high-end river cruises, of the Danube for example, where guests are provided with their own personal butler! Nor does a cruise necessarily entail a week or two away from land: you can avail of short cruises of just 3 or 4 nights, or opt

for a ‘cruise and stay’ with a week’s cruise combined with a 7-night sunshine break in one of the ports, such as Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. This is a popular option for ‘first time cruisers’.

“There’s no doubt customers quickly get the cruise bug,” says Annmarie Durkin of Cassidy Travel in the Square.

“They might try out a Med cruise and then come back for something more exotic, like the Middle East. A cruise allows them to see lots of different places in the one holiday with a minimum of hassle.”

Cassidy Travel in the Square has a full range of cruise holidays, from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean and lots more adventurous destinations in between

This week Cassidy Travel has a luxury 7-night cruise of the Western Med in July aboard the Azamara Quest taking in Roma (Civitavecchia), Florence (Livorno), Santa Margherita, Monte Carlo, St Tropez, Provence and Barcelona. A highlight is an evening of music and dance at the Sant Marcal Cerdanyola Castle in Barcelona. Price of €2,295 pps includes return flights from Dublin departing 22 July and full board.

Drop into the team at Cassidy Travel in the Square or call 01 4629100.

NEWLANDS / CASTLE PARK FC FOOTBALL ACADEMY Are Hosting a Family Fun Day on Sunday 23rd April in Moyle Park College, Clondalkin Village

COME AND SEE WHAT THEIR FOOTBALL ACADEMY IS ALL ABOUT

● FAI Coaching Session ● Bubble Football ● Penalty Shoot Out ● Bouncy Castle ● Face Painting ● Games and More

All Are Welcome

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INLAND FISHERIES IRELAND ANNOUNCES FOUR ANGLING INITIATIVES IN TALLAGHT AND WALKINSTOWN TO RECEIVE SPONSORSHIP Angling initiatives which drive participation rates and benefit local economies receive support through Sponsorship Scheme

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Inland Fisheries Ireland is committed to ensuring that angling continues to be recognised as a valuable national asset and to achieve the maximum benefit to the exchequer by promoting angling as a leisure pursuit and by developing the tourism potential of the resource.

Inland Fisheries Ireland has announced the recipients of its 2017 Sponsorship Scheme which supports angling events and initiatives across the country. In Dublin, three angling projects organised by Killinarden Angling Initiative in Tallaght will receive sponsorship alongside Walkinstown’s Scout Group. Overall across the country, the scheme will support 79 initiatives to the tune of €30,000 with a focus on those which help grow Ireland’s angling tourism product and support novice anglers.

The angling initiatives receiving support in Dublin include: Angling Training Days: Killinarden Angling Initiative, Tallaght, will receive support to host a number of training days for children from the area throughout the Summer months. The children will learn how to fish and be offered guidance from trained and certified coaches.

Killinarden Angling Open Day: The Killinarden Angling Initiative will hold the Killinarden Angling Open Day in June 2017, an event to attract young people to the sport which will be held in Corkagh Park Fishery, a coarse fishing venue in Clondalkin.

Angling for Mental Health and Suicide Awareness: Finally, Killinarden will also receive support for ‘Angling for Mental Health and Suicide Awareness’, an event which aims to raise awareness through the Angling community. This initiative will take place on the Oaklands Lakes, in Co. Wexford and aims to raise awareness and funds for Pieta House & The Hope Centre for the prevention of Suicide & Self Harm.

The 94th Dublin Walkinstown Scout Group’s Annual Camp Fishing Programme: The scout group will visit Castle Saunderson in Cavan in July where they

will camp and participate in a special ‘Learn to Fish’ programme.

Inland Fisheries Ireland’s National Strategy for Angling Development aims to increase overseas angling visitors from the 163,000 reported by Fáilte Ireland in 2015 to over 173,000 and increase the resident Irish adult participation rate of 7.6% (273,000 anglers) to 8.1% (over 290,000). Angling in Ireland is currently worth €836 million to Ireland’s economy annually, supporting upwards of 11,000 jobs. If increase in participation is realised, angling could bring in an additional €53 million annually and support 18,000 jobs.

For more information on the initiatives awarded funding under the 2017 Sponsorship Scheme, visit: http://www. fisheriesireland.ie/AnglingInformation/sponsorshipprogramme.html .

CALLS FOR ACTION ON GALLAHER’S SITE

Local Councillor Charlie O’Connor has called on South Dublin County Council to take any action open to the Council in respect of what is seen as the poor image of the former Gallaher’s site on Greenhills Road, Tallaght.

The CEO of South Dublin County Council, in a detailed response, told Charlie O’Connor as follows: “Enforcement & Licensing Section has being monitoring this site on an on-going basis for some time.

Statutory Notices have been served on the site under both the Derelict Sites Act 1990 as amended and the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1964, as amended,

in 2016. Following all Notices served, to date, the Property Management Company of the former Gallaher’s site site has been very co-operative and has addressed all issues brought to attention i.e. removal of rubble/debris and rubbish, cutting back of all overgrown vegetation/weeds, securing of the site and blocking up of all entry points and the chain link fence was removed at our request and replaced with additional palisade fencing.

According to Charlie O’Connor, this is an important issue for the community and he intends to closely monitor the situation.

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ACTION TO APPROVE GO AHEAD FOR LUCAN COMMUNITY EXTENSION WELCOMED

Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Mid-West John Curran has welcomed the decision

by Minister for Education Richard Bruton to give the go ahead for the extension works at Lucan Community College to move to the next stage (Stage 2b) of the project.

Speaking on the matter Deputy Curran said: “I had been contacted from concerned parents from Lucan Community College and by the school’s representatives in relation to this matter.

Delivery and completion of the renovation and extension work at Lucan Community College was stuck and making no progress past the very early stage

of Architectural Planning Process (Stage 2A).

After seeking further information and making representations to the Minister in relation to the progress of the school’s extension I managed to secure a special Dáil Debate on the matter with the Minister and I am happy that he has now taken affirmative action to proceed to the next stage of extension works.

I raised this issue with the then Minister Jan O’Sullivan in April 2016, where she informed me that the project was listed to proceed to construction in 2016.

Now Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board will shortly receive written notification that Lucan Community

College can now proceed to Stage 2B. The design team will then begin the Stage 2B work.

The school’s current building is nearly 30 years old. The accommodation is over stretched and insufficient to cater for the growing school population and the needs of a modern teaching and learning environment.

The Department has already made it clear that the school building is not fit for purpose.

Lucan Community College has a wonderful reputation throughout the school community in Lucan, however the college will no longer be in a position to meet increases in enrolment demands without provision of a suitable building.

I will be calling on the Minister to set out specific time frames for delivery and

completion of this project and to seriously prioritise this issue in Lucan. I will

continue to follow up on this matter,” concluded Deputy Curran.

TALLAGHT HOSPITAL COFFEE SHOP IS OFFICIALLY REOPENED

The Mayor of South Dublin Cllr Guss O’Connell has officially opened the new volunteer coffee shop in Tallaght Hospital.

The facility, which is entirely run by dedicated volunteers, has been refurbished and moved to a new part of the Hospital Atrium.

Operated by the Tallaght Hospital Volunteer Service, the coffee shop has long provided patients, visitors and staff with a welcoming and affordable service during their time in the Hospital and will continue this role in its new location.

Cllr Guss O’Donnell, Mayor of South Dublin County Council said: “I am delighted to be here today to open the new volunteer coffee shop. Tallaght Hospital is a very important part of the community and the volunteer coffee shop is a testament to the important work done by volunteers in supporting the work carried

out at the Hospital. Their work demonstrates the importance of community activism and the strength of local pride and support for Tallaght Hospital. I doubt if many of the public know that this café is staffed by volunteers, which highlights the fact that much of the work done by volunteers across our communities, and even in Tallaght Hospital, goes unnoticed. And today we honour them while praising the wonderful staff here in the coffee shop and the comfort they bring to people at what can be a very vulnerable time in their lives.”

Carol Roe, Volunteer Services Manager at Tallaght Hospital, said: “I know the whole Volunteer Service at the Hospital is really overjoyed to see this facility open today. Everyone who volunteers at the Hospital are committed to serving patients and their families

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Pictured at the new Volunteer Coffee Shop from left to right Tallaght Hospital are volunteer Kathleen Haugh, Director of Facilities & Estates Ciaran Faughnan, Deputy CEO Lucy Nugent, Mayor of South Dublin Cllr. Guss O’Connell and Hospital Volunteer Susan Finlay Inset Mayor of South Dublin Cllr Guss O’Connell and visitor Marie Maguire from Homelawn Gardens

as well as staff. The ethos of Tallaght Hospital is “People Caring for People” and I believe this new facility and location will enable us to do this in a more effective way.”

Ciaran Faughnan, Director of Facilities and Estates at Tallaght Hospital, said: “The reopening of the Volunteer coffee shop is a very special time and I am delighted that the Mayor of South Dublin was able to attend the opening, as a representative of the community in which we are based and care for. I wish to congratulate everyone who was involved in making this happen and to commend the work of our Volunteer Service. Tallaght Hospital is unique in the wide variety of roles our volunteers play in supporting patient care, something which they do in great numbers and with great enthusiasm and understanding.”

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The Legal Column

In this month’s edition of the paper, Romaine Scally Solicitor, of Romaine Scally & Company, Solicitors, Main Street, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Telephone 01-4599506 email legal@scally.ie deals with the area of marriage breakdown and how to try to resolve your difficulties without the necessity of going to a Solicitor.

In recent years, Divorce/ Judicial Separation has been out of the reach of many couples as a result of tough personal financial circumstances, falling property prices and negative equity. This has meant that many couples have had to continue to live together despite the marriage having failed. Now however, with rising property prices in certain areas of Dublin, Divorce is or may indeed be an option again for some couples although, availability of ready cash to pay the hefty legal costs involved, may not be available. The question arises as to what other options are open to couples in these situations.

While Divorce/Separation can undoubtedly be a very emotionally disturbing time for couples and their children, it can also be an expensive one. Couples should consider whether or one

or both of them would qualify for legal aid to help defray the costs of legal representation.

If your income is below a certain threshold then, you should qualify for subsidised legal aid from the state funded LEGAL AID BOARD. While Legal Aid is not free, depending on your income, you may pay as little as €130.00 to be represented in your Divorce/Judicial Separation by a Solicitor. In certain cases however, there may be an additional capital contribution. It is important to note however that qualification for legal aid is VERY STRICTLY MEANS TESTED after accounting for tax and allowances such as your mortgage and the number of children you have, your income needs to be less than €18,000.00 a year to qualify. Even if you are €5.00 over this amount, you will be entirely cut off. In addition, the problem for many couples is that even if they do qualify, they can in certain areas be waiting a very long time for a preliminary appointment. In certain areas, this waiting time can be up to one year.

If you do not qualify for Legal Aid and don’t want to part with a significant sum to pay for legal services privately, or simply don’t have the funds, one low cost option is to go it alone and file your own Divorce papers. This is perfectly legal under Irish Law and can cost virtually nothing. It is probably most suited for people who either already have a Judicial Separation or who have already hammered out all the details of the Divorce. The typical types of people who tend to do it themselves are often young couples who have been married for only a short period of time with few or no complications or older couples in their 50s or 60s who may have been separated for 20 years and who long ago reached agreement on the dissolution of their assets. To assist in preparing for this, you can look on the Internet for information or learn from other people’s

Romaine Scally is the principal in the firm of ROMAINE SCALLY AND COMPANY SOLICITORS, Main Street , Tallaght, Dublin 24.

TEL 01 4599 506

FAX 01 4599 510

experience online or attend a FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centre) which is free and you are able to attend as often as you like.

However, while this is a low cost option, if there are any contentious areas in the Divorce such as issues over custody and access to children, ongoing issues relating to maintenance or the couple have pensions which have to be divided or if you simply would be very nervous turning up in Court without the support of your Solicitor, then this may not be for you. It can be difficult for someone without a legal background to be fully aware of everything that might be relevant in a Divorce such as working out a Pension Adjustment Order or life assurance in the event a spouse paying maintenance should die. Also, if one spouse has been dominant in the marriage, it might be difficult for the other spouse to assert themselves fully without the aid of legal representation.

If going it alone is just that bit too scary, you could enlist the services of a DIY SERVICE PROVIDER to help smooth your path. Just like you might use an online service to help file your taxes rather than pay an Accountant, there are now several outfits operating in Ireland which promise to help you go through the Divorce for a fixed low-cost fee. There has recently been reported to be a big increase in the number of people opting for this route in the past few years. IRISH DIVORCE SERVICES for example, offer two options, €349.95 for a self-managed Divorce or €499.95 to allow Irish Divorce Services to manage it for you. Additional costs may also apply such as €149.00 for a Pension Adjustment Order. With such services, you will still have to attend Court alone but you will get help preparing the documentation. It is also very important to point out however that firms offering such services are not Solicitors so they are not in a position to offer legal advice or opinions. On the other hand, if you start off

email: legal@scally.ie

representing yourself and your circumstances change, or the Divorce proceedings become more contentious, you are not precluded from seeking legal representation at some point during the proceedings.

Having a Solicitor on your side to hammer out an Agreement which is in your interests, and to communicate with your spouse from whom you may have become estranged, or their representative, may be worth its weight in gold at what can be a very traumatic time. If you decide to appoint a Solicitor, you should ask him or her to set out in writing their fees and what charges you can expect. Many Solicitors will allow their clients to pay legal fees monthly or bi-monthly so that they are not stuck with a sizeable bill at the end. The more a couple can agree before engaging the services of a Solicitor, the cheaper the case is likely to be. However, lack of agreement may be the reason why legal representation was sought in the first place thus increasing the costs.

If a couple do not already have a Separation Agreement, availing of the MEDIATION SERVICE can help. What is critical here however is that both sides agree to go to mediation. In many ways, this is more suited to dealing with parenting issues then Court. The state offers a free mediation service which can help couples negotiate their own terms of agreement by coming to mutually acceptable arrangements on everything from custody of the children to what will happen to the Family Home. It usually takes between 2 and 6 sessions to come up with a written document which can then be drawn into a Deed of Separation or, ultimately, end up as a Decree of Divorce. The waiting time for mediation varies and if the free service is not available for a lengthy period of time, the couple can opt to go privately at a cost.

In contentious business a Solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement

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FIRST ‘BUMBLEETTE’ SEES EXPANSION OF CHILDREN’S AMBULANCE SERVICE BUMBLEANCE

Bumbleance, the world’s first interactive children’s ambulance service has expanded its operations with the introduction of a new, smaller, regionallybased unit, appropriately named Bumbleette.

No less visible than Bumbleance itself – and

finished outside and inside with the same cartoon-like ‘bumble bee’ imagery - the new Bumbleette is built on an extra-long MercedesBenz Vito body.

To eliminate stress and create more relaxing surroundings for children, its internal décor and features include all of the online and

interactive elements it is possible to provide with all of the wi-fi, audio-visual and child-friendly gizmos that have made the Bumbleance service so successful.

First of the new Bumbleette units will be based in Donegal, servicing the county and the wider North West region.

NOVENAS NOVENAS NOVENAS NOVENAS NOVENAS MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked for many favours.

This time I ask you for a very special one.

Take it, dear Heart of Jesus, and place it within your own broken heart where your Father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes it will become your favour and not mine.

Amen. Say this prayer for three days.

Promise publication and favour will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail. M.D. MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked for many favours.

This time I ask you for a very special one.

Take it, dear Heart of Jesus, and place it within your own broken heart where your Father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes it will become your favour and not mine.

Amen. Say this prayer for three days.

Promise publication and favour will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail. D.M. MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked for many favours.

This time I ask you for a very special one.

Take it, dear Heart of Jesus, and place it within your own broken heart where your Father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes it will become your favour and not mine.

Amen. Say this prayer for three days.

Promise publication and favour will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail. E.F.

Pictured are Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles sales manager, Fergus Conheady and Saoirse Foundation and Bumbleance founder Tony Heffernan pictured at the unveiling of Bumbleette.

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MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked for many favours.

This time I ask you for a very special one.

Take it, dear Heart of Jesus, and place it within your own broken heart where your Father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes

it will become your favour and not mine.

Amen. Say this prayer for three days.

Promise publication and favour will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail. T.C. MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked for many favours.

This time I ask you for a very special one.

Take it, dear Heart of Jesus, and place it within your own broken heart where your Father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes it will become your favour and not mine.

Amen. Say this prayer for three days.

Promise publication and favour will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail. Recite 3 times. A.B. As our regular readers will know we have asked for your generosity in supporting very worthy charities over the last few years. Going forward, we are delighted to support The Irish Pilgrimage Trust.

We are appealing to you our loyal newspaper readers to show your generosity in helping us to support an equally worthy charity, The Irish Pilgrimage Trust.

For more information on the Irish Pilgrimage Trust please contact us at 091 796622 or Email info@irishpilgrimagetrust. com or visit our web page on http:// www.irishpilgrimagetrust.com for more information..

If you would like a Novena published please send a postal order or cheque made payable to The Irish Pilgrimage Trust and send it, along with your Novena to: Newsgroup, Unit 3, Floor 2, St. Dominic’s Shopping Centre, St Dominic’s Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24 If you require any further information call us on 087 6535443.

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BALGADDY HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED AS THE 180TH LUCAN SOUTH SCOUT GROUP

The spirit of giving unto others and helping your neighbour was alive and well in Lucan late last year where the 180th Lucan South Scout Group unintentionally became the recipient of a building and site at Balgaddy, west Dublin.

Up until now the 180th Lucan South Scout Group had never imagined they would enjoy the security and safety of a site that could house a scout den of their own but in an unexpected show of generosity and community giving, Father John Hassett and his diocese have donated the Bush Centre and its site to the group with which they can use to develop a scout den and community centre to serve the approximate 200 children, young people, families and scout leaders who currently make up the group.

It is envisioned that the site will house a community building that continues to serve a variety of other community groups and services in Balgaddy from those offering childcare services, healthy lifestyle classes, after school activities to those who need a place for their community group or small business to

meet and greet others.

The result of an impromptu conversation between Father John Hassett and scout leader Ann Power, it emerged that the diocese were in a position to offer a site they owned to the scout group with the promise and understanding that the site and any subsequent building erected there would be used to serve the children and families living in the area.

This incredible act of kindness has come at just the right moment for the 180th Lucan South Scout group as they had to seriously consider their future and how they could continue to offer their program of informal education to children and young people in the area.

Without a scout den of their own, they had endured damage and theft of equipment, and have had to deliver the scout program at a number of venues throughout the neighbourhood over a number of evenings which has proved a drain on the volunteer leaders and led to difficulties when organising group activities.

“Having been in operation, for over 10 years, in the area, the group is now larger in

number with waiting lists for each section being managed, and yet, we have not had the advantage or comfort of owning a scout den or secure storage facilities in the area”, explains Lorraine Kelly, group leader.

Each year the 180th Lucan South Scout group support and engage with approximately 200 local children and young people from approximately 100 families and households.

The age of attendees ranges from 6 to 18+ years. As such, the group can offer informal education that manages to cover personal development, encourage children and young people’s role as active citizens, and explores how they can engage in a healthy lifestyle while acquiring a full scouting skill set.

This education is delivered by trained volunteers in a safe, positive and encouraging setting.

The Scout program tries its best to retain children and young people for as long as possible where it is hoped they will move on to become the next Scout leaders and pay back their knowledge and experience to other children in the community.

The children and young people at the 180th Lucan South Scout group are representative of the large and wonderful diversity of families and homes in West Dublin.

“Scouting activities bring so much to the community not just for its leaders and attendees but through the community work it carries out,” added Lorraine Kelly, group leader.

The site at Balgaddy is 0.5acre in size, is located next to the Divine Mercy church and car park and

currently houses a basic community centre with limited facilities, both the building and small green area are in need of repair and restoration.

The dream for the 180th Lucan South Scout group now is that they will be able to raise funds to develop a modern, mult -purpose community building that will engage the local community and its children and young people. Because the work of the 180th Lucan South Scout group is entirely voluntary, there will be a call for help

to achieve this dream.

“We would love to hear from anyone with a social corporate funding program or anyone who could assist with materials or skills to help complete this building” explained Lorraine Kelly.

The group is also exploring grant options but have come up against a suspension in funding from the National Lottery via the Department of Children and Youth Affairs so it is calling for a meeting with local councilors and Ministers to get help with this.

NEWCASTLE COMMUNITY GROUP TIDY TOWNS

Volunteers Needed

The local Tidy Towns are a small group of volunteers who continuously work to improve and enhance our village but we currently only have six active volunteers. We meet regularly to litter pick, paint, plant shrubs, maintain flower beds, and mow grass, to name just a few of the things we do.

We need volunteers to come out and join us to help with our many on-going projects.

Typically we meet on Wednesdays at 7pm and Saturday at 10am, weather permitting but if Wednesdays or Saturdays do not suit, people are welcome to volunteer any day or time that suits.

Whatever your interest, there’s a need for your time and expertise! If you can spare an hour or two and would like to get involved please contact:

Breda at bredaflatley@gmail.com or Declan at dsheerin36@eircom.net or Fergal at fergalbritton@hotmail.com.

We would be really delighted if you joined us.

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Your FREE Local Newspaper

Entertainment Guide

With

by Lynda O’Donoghue Donnelly email: lynda@newsgroup.ie

Covering ● Tallaght ● Clondalkin ● Lucan ● Rathcoole ● Saggart ● Newcastle TOP FIVE FILMS – ANIMALS From man’s best friend to the deadliest predators on the planet animals captivate, enthral and interest us mere mortals the world over.

With that in mind we have decided to look at the best movies about animals; real, imagined and everything in between.

Perfect family picks for a quiet night in and a few options that are more suited to an older audience for a movie-night with friends – we have something for everything in our Top Five Films – Animals…

1. Planet of the Apes – The modern version of this classic movie is unbelievably good. The special effects, the acting and the great storyline make these movies unmissable. The first two instalments – Rise of Planet of the Apes and Dawn of Planet of the Apes have already been released with the next movie, War for Planet of the Apes released this Summer.

2. The Secret Life of Pets – What do dogs, cats, birds and fish get up to while their owners go out for the day?

That is the key question in this animated movie that the kids will love. Max is a lovable house dog whose life is thrown into turmoil when his owner brings home a new pet, the disruptive Duke.

The two must band together to stop rogue pets taking revenge on their owners.

Lots of laughs for the whole family.

3. Jurassic World – The world of Dinosaurs gets a modern make-over with this brilliant sequel to the original movies. A theme park which brings the dominant creatures to life is thrown into chaos when the most dangerous of the beasts escapes. Everything is bigger, better and bolder than the first time around and Chris Pratt is excellent in the lead role.

4. Marley & Me – A family favourite Marley & Me

charts the life of a pet dog who grows alongside his owners, and eventually their own children, ultimately becoming an integral part of the family. Marley arrives as a small puppy but quickly grows into a huge, impulsive and lovable ball of fur.

Perfect movie for sharing some quality time with the family.

So, if you love animals – or just like to admire them from a distance – then one of our Top Five picks is bound to keep you entertained for hours.

WALKING ON CARS GIG made up of friends Patrick Sheehy, Sorcha Durham, Dan Devane, Paul Flannery and Evan Hadnett who all hail from Kerry.

They will take to the stage in Kilmainham on Saturday, June 24th for what is set to be an unbelievable live music experience.

The band hit the headlines in 2012 when their debut

best-selling UK label signed breakthrough acts of 2016, selling over 210,000 albums worldwide with hit single Speeding Cars enjoying over 59 million streams worldwide.

To catch the band live at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham this Summer visit Ticketmaster where tickets are priced from €39.50 for

the over 18s event.

Walking On Cars will also play the Marquee in Cork and Custom House Square in Belfast as well as dates in Switzerland, Czech Republic, France, Germany and Belgium in the coming months.

For further details visit www.walkingoncars.com.

5. Arachnophobia – Not for the faint-hearted or for those who have a fear of spiders, Arachnophobia is one both horrifying and amusing.

Huge nests of spiders have a small sleepy town at their mercy, and they won’t give up without a fight. Prepare to squirm in your seat and be turned right off your popcorn while watching this movie.

A scene from The Secret Life of Pets

Irish rockers Walking On Cars have announced a major gig at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham this Summer.

Although they have been together for almost seven years the band has come to prominence in the last 12 months after the release of the debut album, Everything This Way. The five-piece band is

Be With You and Ship Goes Down.

The album, which spent 31 consecutive weeks in the charts, is certified double platinum in Ireland and is the only debut album by an artist, Irish or International, released in 2016 to pass the incredible milestone.

The band were officially amongst the top three

single, Catch Me If You Can, reached number 1 in the iTunes Irish music chart, however, they are more in demand than ever after the huge success of their debut album last year.

Everything This Way reached number 1 in the Irish charts and spawned the hit single Speeding Cars, as well as the radio friendly tracks Always

Irish rockers Walking On Cars

STARRING MEG Creating children’s books that tell a story but also engage young teens is something that author Natasha Mac a’Bháird has perfected.

Her Star Club series of books has been a huge hit with readers, the first instalment Hannah in the Spotlight, receiving rave reviews.

Mac a’Bháird returns with the second book in the Star Club series, Starring Meg, which builds on the drama from the first book.

Book 2 focuses on Meg, who is new to the neighbourhood and befriended Hannah, Laura and Ruby in the first book.

After Hannah misses out on a place in drama camp the girls decide to form Star Club; their very own drama club which will give them each a chance to shine.

Starring Meg delves deeper into the mysterious girl who has been hiding secrets from her friends – when another new classmate, Tracey comes between the friends Meg doesn’t know what to do.

Meg has been hiding a big secret and she is worried that it could make fitting in even more difficult than it already is.

However, the girls have a huge Star Club performance coming up so the show must go on, can Meg workout who her real friends are before it is too late?

The series of books is aimed at music and drama fans aged 10-years plus and contains plenty to keep little popstars entertained.

Mac a’Bháird was previously shortlisted for a Reading Association of Ireland Award for children’s book Olanna’s Big Day and her

other titles include Hannah in the Spotlight and Missing Ellen which was included in White Ravens 2014, the International Youth Library’s annual selection of the best books for children worldwide.

The second book in the Star Club series, Starring Meg, is published by The O’Brien Press and is a great read for young teenagers. It is available now from all good bookstores priced €8.99.

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Easter Egg Sale Starts Tuesday 4th April

Cadbury Giant Eggs After Eight Large Smarties Medium & Aero Medium Eggs Were €15.00 Now less Egg Was €8 Now 7 For then half price Now Only

€5.99 €4.00 €10.00 Smarties & Milkybar Sets Normal price €5

Now Only €2.00

Trolls Easter Eggs Ideal for Hunt Bags!

Half Price

Now €2.00

NOW OPEN SUNDAYS 12 NOON TO 6PM

M50

SEAN WALSH PARK

SCHOOL