Blanch GAZET TE FREE
YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER
INSIDE: Festive fun at Blanchardstown Centre P6
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December 1, 2011
LOOKING FOR CROWN: Two lucky
Dubs make it to RTE series final P3
Inauguration: Welcoming a new President Soccer: Local sides target place in FAI Senior Cup Page 32
DUBLIN CASTLE resounded to pomp and ceremony recently for the inauguration of Michael D Higgins as the ninth President of Ireland. The new President and his wife, Sabina, arrived at the castle in a 1947 Rolls-Royce. They entered the historic St Patrick’s Hall and took their place on the platform. They were joined by the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste, Government Ministers and former Presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese. Full Gallery on Pages 8-9
Sports Awards: November winners are announced Page 29
ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ............. 2, 8-9 MOTORS ........................18 BUSINESS .................... 21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26
Tender shock forces downsize for pitch New all-weather facility set-back for local council
Q LAURA WEBB
A proposed all-weather pitch in Hartstown Park is to be significantly reduced in size after tenders for the project came in at almost double the amount of money available for its construction. Fingal County Council had
proposed to construct a fullsized GAA all-weather pitch as part of an overall upgrade plan for the local park but said that prices for the full size pitch had come in at €800,000, almost more than double the original budget. Now the council is proposing to construct a full-sized soccer pitch instead, which
could be extended. However, Socialist Party councillor Ruth Coppinger said it would be wrong to reduce the size of the pitch adding that the council should wait and see if it can get alternative funding sources “to make up the shortfall”. Full Story on Page 6