Dublin Gazette: City Edition

DublinGazette MAY 16-22, 2019

MOTORING: Even in a crowded hatchback

market, Renault stands out with the very impressive new Megane’s features SEE PAGE 28

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THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL AREA

DublinGazette MAY 16-22, 2019

MOTORING: Even in a crowded hatchback

market, Renault stands out with the very impressive new Megane’s features SEE PAGE 28

SPORT FOOTBALL:

McCarthy’s full focus on Leinster date with Louth. SEE P38

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THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL AREA

‘End these Victorian horse carriage laws!’

Drivers call for end to legal limbo RACHEL D’ARCY

HORSE-DRAWN carriage drivers in the city that have been left in a loophole under old Victorian laws.

The drivers teamed up with My Lovely Horse Rescue to deliver a letter to the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, last week at the Dail, calling for the old laws to be abolished as drivers have been left in legal limbo.

In 2018, it was discovered that the powers for the carriages’ licencing may still rest under the Dublin Carriage Acts of 1853, 1854 and 1855, which falls under the power of the Dublin Metropolitan Police Commissioners.

SEE FULL STORY ON PAGE 5

Tributes to paraglider SHOCKED taxi drivers have paid tribute to a colleague who was tragically killed in a paragliding accident in Wicklow last weekend.

Rafal ‘Ralph’ Skora (41) was described as a very honest person who went out of his way to help passengers, with his grieving wife also highlighting what a loving husband and father he was.

SEE PAGE 5

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 16 May 2019

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BALLYFERMOT SENIORS INTIMIDATED BY YOUTHS

Call for more policing at Ballyfermot homes  RACHEL D’ARCY

rdarcy@dublingazette.com

RESIDENTS of a senior citizens complex in Ballyfermot have reported feeling intimidated by young people, who have begun hanging around their homes.

Gangs of teenagers have begun to hang around the Claddagh Court senior citizens complex, which is overseen by Dublin City Council (DCC) near Cherry Orchard in recent months, with residents in the complex calling gardai to address their concerns.

It is believed that the

The Claddagh Court in Ballyfermot, where residents are on tenderhooks over anti-social behaviour

gangs are climbing over the gates into the home, in a time when anti-social behaviour in the locality is steadily on the rise.

Residents are said to feel intimidated and uncomfortable by the young individuals hanging around their homes.

However, due to a lack of gardai in the area, it has become difficult for law enforcement to come to the complex to force the youths off the property.

Calls have now been made for DCC to introduce additional safety measures at the home to tackle

the loitering, including the introduction of a higher, curved gate to provide peace of mind to the individuals living in Claddagh Court.

At last month’s council meeting, Cllr Hazel Di Nortuin (PBP) put forward a motion to call on the area manager to commit to the upgrading of the current gates and security system in the complex, with the order agreed at the meeting.

Cllr Di Nortuin told Dublin Gazette that the security system has been an issue for residents for the past number of years, and that they now need the council to conduct the upgrades for their peace of mind.

She said: “The kids have been hanging around on the stairs and smoking and going up and down in the lifts. There’ve been no reports of violence, but there is a continuous presence of these young people, a bit of an intimidation.

“If none of this is solved [soon], the residents are talking about direct action.

“In fairness to the council, the whole area around the complex is being looked at and there will be changes made, it just won’t be a quick response.”

Dublin City Council told Dublin Gazette that council staff are aware of the issue, and that Gardai in Ballyfermot Garda Station are aware of youths accessing the complex.

A spokesperson said: “At our request, Ballyfermot Maintenance Depot arranged for an engineer to call to the complex to investigate as to whether the security fence can be raised, and a curved top added to prevent these youths gaining access to the complex.

“DCC staff have briefed the local Garda Inspector on the complex and the sheltered areas where these youths congregate.”

FASTNews

A blooming good mystery in a village A BUNCH of beautiful blooms were left beside Chapelizod Pharmacy last week, brightening up the village.

It’s understood that the bouquet was left beside the pharmacy as part of the international ‘Lonely Bouquet’ project, which aims to encourage the spreading of happiness through local communities.

A bouquet is made by a florist, left in a public area and usually has a tag attached saying ‘take me’, and is free to a good home to brighten someone’s day.

A picture of the fabulous flowers was posted on a local community page, saying that the blooms were there since May 5, which is recognised in the UK as National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies day, and a traditional day for the ‘Lonely Bouquet’ project to take place around the world.

New €110m Councillors quarter is agree new approved climate plan

AN BORD Pleanala have given permission for a new plan for a cultural quarter at Parnell Square.

The plans for the redevelopment include a new city library, a public plaza, and a conference centre.

Under the plans, some of the area’s Georgian houses are also expected to be restored.

The cost of the project is estimated to be around €110 million – nearly double the original estimate.

Dublin City Council (DCC) will pay 45% of the bill, with the other 55% to be funded through donations. DCC made its submission to An Bord Pleanala for the plans last September.

Speaking on the approval, Lord Mayor Nial Ring said: “This part of the north inner city will eventually be a cultural, social and economic hub. The whole area will be transformed with the completion of this new city cultural quarter.

“The fact that it is being part-funded by philanthropy is an exciting, new and innovative way of giving life to this neglected part of town.”

COUNCILLORS have approved a Climate Change Action Plan for the city. The plans identify the main climate risks facing Dublin and outline both the council’s and the region’s current levels of greenhouse gas emissions.

They also outline all the actions that are ongoing or planned within the council and these are grouped under five key areas: Energy and Buildings, Transport, Flood Resilience, Nature-Based Solutions and Resource Management.

The public consultation for each of the four Draft Climate Change Action Plans was held through a series of events and workshops earlier this year.

Speaking about the plan, Lord Mayor Nial Ring said: “I welcome the approval of [the plan], which marks a significant step forward in the council’s efforts in combating the causes and impacts of climate change.

“The variety of submissions received ... is a testament to the need for an all-of-society approach in making our city tackle climate change in a meaningful way.”

16 May 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

PEOPLE: RAFAL SKORA (41) DESCRIBED BY FELLOW TAXI DRIVERS AS VERY HONEST, DECENT DAD

Tributes paid to Artane man killed in paragliding accident RACHEL D’ARCY

The late Rafal ‘Ralph’ Skora

TRIBUTES have poured in for an Artane taxi driver who died in a tragic paragliding accident in Wicklow last weekend.

Rafal Skora, who was originally from Poland, was an experienced paraglider who had visited the Wicklow Mountains last Saturday to go paragliding with a friend.

However, when he failed to return to his home in Artane on Saturday night, the alarm was raised by his wife and a massive search operation was launched

on Sunday morning.

The body of the 41-year-old, who was also known as Ralph, was found in a field at Ballinacor Estate near Rathdrum in Wicklow around 8am on Sunday, alongside the wreckage of his paragliding equipment.

Many taxi drivers paid tribute to the Artane man, commending his honesty for a good deed he had committed just a day before he passed away.

He had posted on Facebook looking to track down the owner, or recipient, of a €500 voucher for Brown Thomas alongside a wedding card that he found

in his taxi on Friday after dropping off a passenger in Monkstown.

He went out of his way to track down the owner of the voucher, successfully finding the engaged couple after his post was shared 22,000 times.

Following the news of his passing, his wife Dominika told RTE News that Ralph was “a good friend and pilot”.

She said: “Most of all, he was the best husband to me, and father to our children. All I’m asking of those who knew him is to never forget him.”

Dominika also mentioned that she still has the Brown Thomas voucher

in her possession, and has appealed for the couple to make contact with her to organise a return of the wedding gift.

A Facebook page posted tributes to the Artane man on Sunday evening, calling Ralph “the most honest taxi driver”, sharing news of his passing.

T h e Ir i s h Ha n g - g l i d i n g a n d Paragliding Association also paid tribute to Ralph, saying that their “thoughts and prayers are with his family”.

Ralph was the father to two children, three-year-old Benjamin and 12-weekold Julianna.

Victorian laws leaves neigh bother for carriage drivers RACHEL D’ARCY

REPRESENTATIVES of My Lovely Horse Rescue and Dublin’s carriage drivers have delivered a letter to Minister for Transport Shane Ross at the Dail over Ireland’s Victorian laws on horsedrawn carriages.

The current laws on horse-drawn carriages in the city centre leaves the drivers of the carriages in a legal limbo, leading to the drivers calling for a repeal of older laws.

Drivers are asking for Minister Ross to enable D u b l i n C i t y Co u n c i l (DCC) to draft new and improved bye-laws to allow for the driving of such carriages in the capital.

New bye-laws were introduced in 2011 by DCC; however, licences for the carriages ceased be ing issued by the council after it was discovered that Victorian Acts, known as the Dublin Carriages Acts, 1853, 1854 and 1855 still exist.

This was discovered in a Transportation committee meeting of DCC last September following a question asked by Cllr Deirdre Heney (FF).

Bye-laws may not be made by local authorities where powers exist elsewhere in legislation, meaning responsibility for licences in Dublin

may no longer rest with the council.

Drivers who appeared at the Dail to deliver the letter said that under the old Victorian laws, when they presented to renew their driver and carriage licences, they were told that licences were not being renewed or issued at present.

My Lovely Horse Rescue support the drivers’ efforts, and in conjunction with the drivers, would like to see stronger laws in place to ensure the horse, harness, driver and carriage are fully assessed, ensuring a better service for customers and high welfare standards for all of Dublin’s carriage horses.

The congregation met Deputies Joan Collins (Ind 4 Change) and Maureen O’Sullivan (Ind), Cllrs Deirdre Heney (FF) and Cieran Perry (Ind) and were supported by Cllrs Criona Ni Dhalaigh (SF) and Mannix Flynn (Ind) in their efforts to have the ancient laws tackled.

The letter from the group will be conveyed to the Minister by Joan Collins TD and Cllr Deirdre Heney will convey a copy to Owen Keegan, chief executive of DCC. My L o v e l y H o r s e Rescue have said that they have requested on numerous occasions to

FASTNews

Family of teen stabbed in Dundrum ask for space and privacy

David Mulreany with Cllr Deirdre Heney (FF) and Deputies Joan Collins (Ind 4 Change) and Maureen O’Sullivan (Ind); right: Dublin horse-drawn carriage drivers arrive to hand deliver their letter to Minister for Transport Shane Ross. The drivers are calling for our Victorian laws on horse-drawn carriages to be amended, ending ongoing legal limbo.

“

Pictures: Simon Peare

Licences for the carriages ceased being issued after it was discovered that Victorian Acts, known as the Dublin Carriages Acts, 1853, 1854 and 1855 still exist meet the Minister, but no meeting has taken place.

When contacted by Dublin Gazette, Minister for Transport Shane Ross said: “While these

matters should normally be managed at local government level, I am actively investigating this matter.

“I required that my

Department engage with An Garda Siochana and Dublin City Council and seek separate legal advice if necessary.

“Depending on the

outcome, there may be a requirement to amend or repeal legislation in order to ensure an appropriate, modern regulatory framework is in place.”

THE parents of an 18-yearold boy killed in South Dublin last Friday have released a statement through An Garda Siochana.

Azzam Raguragui (above) was killed in Finsbury Park, Dundrum, after being stabbed in the chest.

It is understood that Azzam was killed following a row whilst he was on his way home from prayers.

The parents of the teen, Abderrahmane Raguragui and Hajiba Elouaddaf, released the statement on Monday afternoon, as the investigation continued into the death of their son.

The statement read: “The past few days have been very difficult and challenging for our family.

“An Garda Siochana are leading in the investigation to uncover the truth behind our son Azzam Raguragui’s murder and we are resting our faith in the Irish Justice system to hold the perpetrator(s) to account.

“We are grateful for the community support we have received.

“At this critical time we would like to request some space and privacy to allow us to grieve as a family.”

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 16 May 2019

APPEAL: DOCTOR BROKE HER NECK IN A FREAK FALL AT HOME

FASTNews

Can you help pick the paw-fect pup?

Anne O’Reilly with her best friend, Dr Michele Cahill, who broke her neck in a fall down the stairs as she went to answer a ringing phone

GoFundMe page set up to help Michele RACHEL D’ARCY

FUNDS are being raised for a former doctor from Dublin, after a freak fall down the stairs in her home last year left her quadriplegic.

Originally from Limerick but now living in the capital, Dr Michele Cahill (65) slipped down the stairs of her home on May 20 last year, where she broke her neck on her way to answer the phone.

“It was her son who found her about an hour after her fall and he called the ambulance. I rushed myself to A&E in Vincent’s as soon as I heard,” said Anne O’Reilly, Dr Cahill’s best friend.

“It was very scary, but Michele

was well able to keep herself calm.

She was a psychiatrist and ran her own private practice for two years or so, and a doctor before that before she retired, and I think that [her knowledge as a psychiatrist] was a help to her.”

Dr Cahill spent some time in intensive care, and was then moved to the Mater unit for spinal injuries when doctors in Vincent’s determined the severity of her injury.

“She was in the Mater for a while before moving to the rehab centre in Dun Laoghaire, where they couldn’t have done enough to help her.

“She was in Dun Laoghaire for about nine months.

“The care she received across

the board was fantastic, as it was a huge adjustment both for Michele and her family and friends,” O’Reilly explained.

Now recently back at home, Dr Cahill’s home has been adapted to coincide with her needs, with a team of carers providing her support, and a GoFundMe has been set up to help with her newfound on-going living costs.

“There’s a lot of hidden costs with Michele’s condition that you wouldn’t even dream about,” O’Reilly detailed.

“For example, every time we want to take Michele out somewhere, we have to plan it in advance – we can’t just [pick up a taxi on the road], we have to order an adaptable taxi, and

have everything ready before heading out.

“Taxis are a primary form of transport for her. We’re looking to get an adapted car for her, so it’ll be much easier for Anne to get around and we won’t have to keep paying for taxis.

“Another aspect is that if Michele gets sick, say she gets a chest infection, she will need to go to physio to be able to help her cough properly, which is another expense.”

So far, €27,000 has been raised for Michele’s Benevolent Fund on GoFundMe, out of a goal of €100,000. To donate, and for more information, see gofundme.com/ michele-cahill-benevolentfund.

THE finalists for this year’s Dublin Puppy of the Year have been revealed, with five finalists set to battle to be top dog.

The winner of the Dublin round of Puppy of the Year will then go on to try and snatch the bone to be crowned Ireland’s 2019 Puppy of the Year.

Run by Petmania, the finalists for the Dublin round have been narrowed down from more than 80 nominations, with 3,200 votes cast for the top five.

In the top five for Dublin are Tiggi the Cockapoo, Bella Bear the Chow Chow, American Bulldog Butch, another Cockapoo named Oscar (above) and Bo Nua the Shorkie.

Puppy-lovers can cast their vote on Petmania’s website, www.petmania.ie/vote2019, or in the Petmania store in Santry, Gulliver’s Retail Park The winning puppy will also receive a top prize worth over €1,500. Pet lovers have until May 23 to cast their vote.

Canal clean-up reunites boy with his stolen bike A YOUNG boy has been reunited with his stolen bike after it was found during a canal clean-up last weekend in Inchicore.

The young boy had only owned his bike for a few weeks when it was stolen by a gang in Brickfield Park in Drimnagh earlier this month.

However, thanks to a canal clean-up by a local environmental group, The Inchicore Environmental Group, the boy has been reunited with his bicycle after they found it in the water.

An Garda Siochana took to Facebook to reveal the young

boy’s bike had been found.

Their post said: “The Inchicore Environment group set about a day of cleaning the Grand Canal between Bluebell and Suir Road when they discovered, submerged in the canal, a brand-new boy’s bike.

“They contacted their local Community Garda, Graham O’Neill in Kilmainham Station who, thanks to the description of the bike provided to gardai when it was stolen [was able to identify its rightful owner].

“The bike was reunited with its very happy young owner and his parents.”

Thousands take part in National Pyjama Day

Mia and Calvin from Carr’s Child and Family Service, Ranelagh

OVER 300 early childcare services and 16,000 children in Dublin took part in the annual fundraising event, National Pyjama Day, last Friday.

National Pyjama Day is organised annually by Early Childhood Ireland, the national representative body for the early years sector.

Children taking part arrived at preschool on Friday, and took part in activities including ‘PJ picnics’, denbuilding, pillow fights, bear hunts, and

storytelling. All funds raised are donated to charities that work with children with additional needs.

Helping Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland, said: “We’re thrilled that so many early childcare services around the country, including 309 childcare services and 16,110 children in Dublin, are on board for National Pyjama Day this Friday.

“Since National Pyjama Day began, pre-school children and their families have raised over €3 million to help support children with additional needs.

“The beauty of this initiative is that it’s all about children helping children.

“Each year, we’ve seen how much children love getting involved – they get such a kick out of wearing their PJs for an entire day in pre-school, but they also love the fact that, by doing so, they’re helping other children too.”

16 May 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

SIMPLE COUGH WAS ANYTHING BUT

EDUCATION

Gran’s warning to stay vigilant over your lung health RACHEL D’ARCY

A GRANDMOTHER f ro m Nava n Ro a d i s encouraging people to be vigilant about their health, after discovering she had a rare lung illness.

Dolores Williams wa s d i a g n o se d w i t h Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) in 2013 after having a persistent dry cough for weeks.

She says she had never heard of IPF before and it was quite a shock as she had always been quite healthy.

Ta l k i n g to D u b l i n Gazette, she said: “It was a cough that just wouldn’t go away, and

my chest felt tight as well.

“I went to the local doctor and then I went on to be properly diagnosed.

I couldn’t believe it, that what I thought was a small cough could be something like this”.

Now, Dolores is on ox yge n c o n s i s te n t l y and attends regular gym classes in an effort to improve both her overall health and lung health.

She said: “I visit a local gym three times a week for supervised classes, because I like to keep active, I want to give myself the chance to live longer.

“I received fantastic news last week in that

I’ve been told I’m eligible for a lung transplant now, and I think keeping myself healthy and fit played a contributing factor in that. The whole family are delighted.”

Dolores has also stressed the importance of organ donation, saying that donation can play a key role in saving the life of someone like her, who is battling an illness such as IPF. She added: “Finding out I might get a transplant is like I have been given a second chance. If I can say anything, it’s that I would encourage people to seriously consider being an organ donor.”

Lecture space gets renamed

Leaping ladies help to usher in smash-hit WellFest 2019 SAOIRSE Kavanagh and Lauren Finnegan jumped for joy as they joined thousands of other people attending WellFest 2019, in association with KBC, at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. The two-day event saw Europe’s largest outdoor health, fitness and wellness festival featuring 17 stages, more than 150 health and fitness experts alongside a vast array of talks, workshops, cookery demos and workouts. Guests included British broadcaster Fearne Cotton, fitness expert Joe Wicks, Mixed Martial Arts coach John Kavanagh, cookery author Roz Purcell and Dublin footballer Philly McMahon. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

DUBLIN City University has named one of its most prominent lecture theatres after the murdered journalist, Veronica Guerin.

The naming of the theatre took place at an event on its Glasnevin campus on Tuesday, May 14.

The event forms part of the DCU Women in Leadership initiative, Project 50:50, which represents a commitment by the university to name 50% of its major buildings and lecture theatres after inspiring women.

DCU has a long-standing relationship with Veronica Guerin and her family, with Veronica serving on the DCU governing body from 1982 until 1992, and with the establishment of the Veronica Guerin MA in Journalism scholarship, set up by DCU and Independent News & Media in 2007.

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 16 May 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Mairead Ronan

Ian Dempsey

Mario Rosenstock as Michael Flatley Presenters Feargal Darcy and Muireann O’Connell Johnny Ward and Emily Barker. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Stars put best foot forward for charity

Dermot Whelan and Dave Moore

Eoin O’Leary

T

ODAY FM and thousands of listeners around the country have come together to dance in order to raise vital funds for the Irish Cancer Society. The radio station has been asking people to ‘Be A Dancer for Cancer’ and hosted a special live show in aid of the Irish Cancer Society at the National Stadium.

Noel Byrne, Matt Cooper and Brian Kennedy

Mairead Ronan and John Nolan

16 May 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 16 May 2019

FASTNews

Electing to get pal a date with posters

Praising schools that help to drive digital interaction

MINISTER of State with responsibility for Digital Development, Sean Canney, was on hand to present students from St Mary’s Holy Faith, Killester with a certificate in recognition of the school’s participation in the Digital Champion Programme.

The St Mary’s students were among the

range of schools represented at The Foundry at Google last Thursday for the School Digital Champion Project Showcase, where the schools and students could demonstrate a wide range of their projects designed to promote digital technology’s use in education and life. Picture: SON Photographic

Murphy opens 31 mixed-use housing units in The Liberties RACHEL D’ARCY

MINISTER for Housing Eoghan Murphy opened several new housing units in Dublin 8 last week, days before it was revealed that rents in Dublin have reached a new high.

M i n i s te r M u r p hy appeared at the opening of 31 mixed-size units at John’s Lane West in The Liberties last week, launching the new accommodation alongside the chief executive of Focus Ireland, Pat Dennigan.

“

Rents in Dublin are rising an average of 6.8% each year, with the cost of renting a home in Dublin averaging around €2,000 A b o u t 7 0 p e o p l e, including more than 30 children, will move into the new apartments.

These include 15 families leaving homelessness and five single people being housed under the Housing First programme, which sees long-term rough-sleepers placed into housing.

The minister faced

heckling at the event over the rising level of individuals in emergency accommodation across the capital, but Minister Murphy has said that the Government are taking “radical” steps in an effort to combat the worsening homeless crisis.

In response to questions at last Friday’s launch of the new homes, Minister Murphy said that measures taken by

the Government include fast-track planning for large-scale developments, a vacant site levy and the introduction of rent-pressure zones.

He also said that the Government will monitor the private rental sector to ensure renters are protected.

The launch of the new Focus Ireland development came just three days before the latest report

from Daft.ie revealed that rents are on the rise in Dublin for the 31st consecutive quarter in a row.

Rents in Dublin are rising on an average of 6.8% each year, with the cost of renting a home in the capital averaging around €2,000 per month.

Nationally, rents are 33% higher now than at their 2008 peak.

The report also references an anaemic supply of housing in the capital, suggesting that the capital needs to build around 80,000 rental homes to accommodate demand as soon as possible.

The report says: “Suppose the average tenancy last three years, which is somewhat shorter than is currently the case, and thus lowering the total number of homes needed.

“In that case, Dublin would need to build an extra 500 rental homes to come on the market each week for those full three years, to close the gap between the 500 that are coming on and the 500 that are needed.

“That’s almost 80,000 rental homes that Dublin needs to build, as soon as possible.”

A YOUNG man has had his face plastered on ‘election posters’ across the Ranelagh area – despite not running for election.

Galway-born Darren Coen’s posters read ‘Independent and Single’ and were supposedly hung around the south city suburb in a prank by his friends.

The posters claim that the singleton is looking for love, and will “not stop until he gets tired”.

Speaking on Newstalk earlier this week, the Dublin-dweller told the station’s breakfast show that the posters were hung in revenge for pranks he’d previously committed on his friends.

Coen said: “A couple of my friends from college pooled their resources both financial and creativity wise and came up with this fairly convincing looking election poster (inset).

“I know who’s responsible but I’m trying to figure out how to let them know, for my revenge. I am currently single [so] they’re probably looking out for me, maybe trying to get me a couple of dates.

“It was very good on their part and I was completely caught by surprise, but hopefully I’ll win out at the end of the day.”

‘Restore the MyTaxi €5 Phoenix Park cancellation gates’ call fee defended WITH the famous Phoenix Park gates removed from the park since the Papal visit last August, a councillor is calling on the OPW to clarify when they’ll be returned.

Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (Green Party) has called for further clarification on when the entrance gates to the Phoenix Park will be returned.

The Minister for the OPW, Kevin Moran, stated that the gates were undergoing preservation works but that no date for their return had been set.

Cllr O’Gorman said that many locals have asked when the gates will be returned, as they have now been missing for nearly ten months.

He said: “Surely the experts undertaking the preservation works much have some understanding of the timescale within which the work will be finished?

“I will continue to seek clarification from the Minister and the OPW on when exactly the gates will be returned. The current temporary barriers are a blight on the entrances.”

MYTAXI has issued a statement clarifying a new €5 cancellation charge on taxis booked through their service, following outrage online.

The popular taxi app released updated terms and conditions earlier this week, one of which detailed that passengers would now be charged a €5 cancellation fee every time they cancel a pre-booked service after two minutes.

This fee is expected to be implemented across the service by the end of June.

A MyTaxi statement read: “To reduce the number of passenger cancellations on the MyTaxi app and to boost fleet efficiency to meet surging demand, particularly at peak times, MyTaxi is introducing a €5 passenger cancellation fee in late June.

“This is a charge we never want our passengers to incur and is intended to change behaviour when our fleet is most under pressure and to boost the reliability of our service when our customers most need it.”

16 May 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

CHARITY

Four peaks hike helps to reach more than €42k GARY IBBOTSON

Picture: Brian McEvoy

Tubbers says ‘Thanks a million’ for supporting a Coca-Cola fund

LATE Late Show host Ryan Tubridy launched the 2019 Coca-Cola Thank You Fund in the Little Museum of Dublin last week, with help from Clara Ryder, a former participant of Irish Guide Dogs’ Next Steps programme and guide dog Noah.

This year marks a major milestone year for the fund, which will see the total figure donated to youth-oriented non-profit

groups reach more than €1,000,000.

Praising the initiative, Tubbers said: “Young people need to be supported to bring about change and the Coca-Cola Thank You Fund is giving community leaders and hardworking non-profit organisations across Ireland the ability to activate programmes that are doing just that.” For further information and to apply, see www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou.

Kid coders impress at contest GARY IBBOTSON

TALENTED students from Dublin have taken part in the national finals of the prestigious Scratch Coding competition.

The popular coding competition took place in the University of Limerick

on Wednesday, May 15.

Dublin was represented by a total of seven teams of young coders.

T h ey i n c l u d e d S t Mary’s NS, Belmont Avenue in Donnybrook with their project, Choose the Right Thing; St Cronan’s Senior National School in

Swords with Galaxy Quest Heelllpp!; Coder Dojo Malahide with Starfighter Extreme; Scoil Mhuire Girls National School in Lucan with Around The World; Dominican College Sion Hill with The Life Cycle of a Bear; Catholic University School with

Fidgemon Demo, and Wicklow Park School, Blackrock, with Jungle Escape 1.0.

In operation since 2010, the National Scratch Competition has established itself among both teachers and students as a leading platform and show-

case for Ireland’s aspiring digital creators.

Scratch is a visual programming language that makes it easy for young people to create their own interactive stories, animations, games, music and art – and share their creations on the web.

EIGHT Dubliners have taken part in the Four Peaks challenge over the May bank holiday weekend.

Gemma Vaughan from Rathfarnham, Emmet Boylan from Rathcoole, Colm Scannell from Terenure, Gerry O’Brien from Tallaght, David McAvinue from Walkinstown, Pat Moore from Balrothery, Ciaran Kelly from Lucan and John Bradley from Finglas all climbed the highest peaks in each of Ireland’s four provinces as part of a Grafton Merchanting ROI team.

With the climbers raising more than €42,000 for charity – although the complete total won’t be known until June – the group ascended Slieve Donard in Co Down, Lugnaquilla in Co Wicklow, Carrauntoohil in Co Kerry and Mweelrea in Co Mayo.

Four charities have been chosen to be beneficiaries of the funds, including Focus Ireland, CMRF Crumlin, Pieta House and CF Ireland.

The team at Grafton Merchanting ROI had been training hard for the demanding four-day challenge but Gemma said it was easy to stay motivated.

Ciaran Kelly added: “Getting over the first mountain, Carrauntoohil – which is also the highest mountain in Ireland – was by far the hardest challenge, but the reward of getting to the top and lifting the flag made it 100% worth it.

“The collective camaraderie of the group of 22 people and the fact that the challenge was in aid of such worthy charities was the real driving force, and it is an incredible feeling to have accomplished the Four Peaks.”

MOTORING ... PAGE 28

Renault delivers in style with the new Megane Hatchback

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 16 May 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

David Mitchell and Clint Drieberg

Claire Hannigan and Alison Elukanlo

Barbara Coyle and Carla Banks Sandra Eglington and Sinead O’Neill Timi Ogunyemi with Karli Mulvanney and their son Atlas. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Preview show of Pokemon Detective

Alison Canavan and son James

Kerri Nicole Blanc and daughter Kayla

P

OKEMAN fans both young and old stepped out in Dublin for a special preview screening of Pokémon Detective Pikachu, among those spotted on the day were Kerri Nicole Blanc and her daughter Kayla, Roz Lipsett and her sister Sarah and their children.

Sarah Lipsett with daughter Amelia and Roz Lipsett with son Theo

Triona McCarthy with husband Will White and children Maxi and Minnie

16 May 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

Donnachadh and Saoirse Ronan

Ingrida and Aiste Sabaliauskiene

Darren Gleeson with his daughter Maia

Declan Fetherston and his grandson Calvin Sandra, Andrew and Evannah Mahon. Pictures: Conor McCabe Photography

Darkness Into Light at the Phoenix Park H

Conor Neylon and Miriam O’Keefe

Mary Locke and Anne McGowan

UNDREDS of men, women and children got up in the middle of the night to set off on a journey of hope for the annual Darkness Into Light event at the Phoenix Park last week. They were joined by thousands across Ireland and throughout the world who walked together in hope against suicide. The money raised goes towards keeping Pieta House’s counselling services free of charge for people in suicidal crisis, those affected by suicide or those who self-harm.

Denise Loftus and Elaine Bias

Margaret Keogh and Ann Marie Lyons

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 16 May 2019

HEALTH: CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSED MERCHANT’S QUAY FACILITY HITS ANOTHER SNAG

Anger as HSE unit objects to HSE-tendered injection centre RACHEL D’ARCY

A MEDICALLY supervised injection centre at Merchant’s Quay has been delayed again, with the operators saying they need more time to address planning concerns.

Merchant’s Quay Ireland were given the tender to operate the centre from their HQ on the quays, with a planning application lodged for the centre last September, but the charity was met with severe resistance from local groups and businesses objecting to the centre.

In submissions against the centre, issues such as anti-social behaviour and an over-concentration of similar services were raised.

This led Dublin City Council (DCC) to request additional information from the charity before a decision could be made.

DCC is now granting Merchant’s Quay an extension to

provide it with additional information on the planning application, meaning Merchant’s Quay must now submit the required information by August.

It originally had until May to provide a detailed assessment of why the injection centre wouldn’t add to an ‘over-concentration’ of facilities in the area, in addition to an operation plan for the centre and a policing plan.

Speaking on the extension from DCC, a spokesperson from Merchants Quay said: “To allow for a full and comprehensive response to be prepared, DCC have granted Merchants Quay Ireland an extension for submission of further information regarding the pilot medically supervised injecting facility until September 5.

“More than 700 lives are lost to addiction every year, and injecting facilities are proven to save lives.

Merchant’s Quay Ireland. Picture: Google Earth

“We share frustrations over the delay to the opening of the facility and will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure the earliest possible delivery of this vital and urgently needed health service.”

It was aimed for the centre to initially be open in 2017, but the move has faced several setbacks.

It is now expected that the centre won’t open until at least 2020, if permissions are given

by DCC and An Bord Pleanala, despite legislation being passed in 2017 to make it legal to possess and take drugs in the centre.

One of the objectors to the plan for the injection centre is the HSE’s health business ser-

Petition launched to save small park from MetroLink FURTHER controversy has been raised over MetroLink plans for the north of the city, ahead of the closure of the public consultation process.

A petition has been launched in the hopes of stopping the destruction of a locally loved park in the north inner city, whilst a cycling group have called

for alternative arrangements to be made whilst Glasnevin Station is constructed.

The petition has been launched to try to save Four Masters’ Park on Berkeley Road in Phibsborough, which is expected to be uprooted to make way for a MetroLink station.

Beloved by the local

community, the green space was given to the area by the Sisters of Mercy for the benefit of residents in the north inner city.

Under new MetroLink plans, a substantial part of the green space (right) is set to be absorbed for a new metro station.

However, as detailed in the petition, a station was

already constructed under the former Metro North plans in 2012, underneath the Mater Hospital’s Mater Whitty building – less than 500 metres away from Four Masters’ Park – when current Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was then Minister for Transport.

In April, the National Transport Authority

vices unit. It was the HSE itself which issued the tender for the centre to begin with, leading to severe criticism that one of its own units is now objecting to what was originally a HSE proposal.

Labour candidate Declan Meenagh responded in anger to the HSE objecting to the supervised injection centre, saying it shows a “shocking lack of copon”.

Meenagh said: “These centres are international best practice because they reduce drug deaths and act as a first point of contact for [addicted] people to services.

“Everyone is rightly worried about the dangers of children finding used needles on the street and in our parks. The supervised injection centre will have ‘sharps’ boxes to safely dispose of needles.

“For one part of the HSE to license this centre and for

defended plans to build the new station, despite the €12 million spend on a ‘station box’, saying to Journal.ie that as the MetroLink has taken on a revised route from the Metro North plans, it would be difficult to disrupt the hospital to access the previously constructed stop box, and that the angle of the approach toward the hospital has shifted from old plans.

The petition against the decision to destroy the Four Masters’ Park has already garnered almost 300 signatures, with one signatory saying they grew up in the area using the park, and feel that planners aren’t putting enough value on Dublin’s green spaces.

Cyclists have also ral-

another part to object to it shows a shocking lack of cop-on and brings up serious questions about the leadership of the HSE. “I’m calling on the leadership of the HSE and the Minister for Health to confirm if they still support treating drug abuse as a public health issue, or are they following another policy and if so, what is the evidence that it will be more effective?

“I would also like to ask since when the HSE became responsible for protecting people going to mass [as raised by objections to the centre].

“The inclusion of this in their objection brings up a lot of questions. How exactly will providing a safe place inside a building for people to inject make it harder for people to walk around?

This is simply not true.

“I’m calling on the Minister [for health] to order the HSE to withdraw this objection,” he said.

lied against MetroLink this week, criticising the fact that a section of a longawaited cycle greenway may be shut as a result of developments for the Glasnevin stop of MetroLink.

‘Counterproductive’ Dublin Cycling Campaign has claimed that the temporary closure at the Royal Canal would be counterproductive as it would create a barrier to people looking for alternative ways to access the city.

Still under construction, the greenway will provide an off-road walking and cycling link from the River Liffey to the Shannon in Longford.

Under MetroLink con-

struction, 2.25km of the project – from Cross Guns Bridge to Broombridge in Cabra – would be affected by the Glasnevin station’s construction.

The Dublin Cycling Campaign allege that no alternative plans for cyclists and pedestrians have been proposed by Transport for Ireland (TII), and have asked for TII to consider the construction of a bridge over the Royal Canal to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians during construction.

It is understood the construction of the station would take approximately three years.

Public consultation on the MetroLink proposals is currently open, and will finish on May 21.

16 May 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

EUROVISION 2019

INTERVIEW: FCC’S FORMER CHIEF TAKES ON A NATIONAL ROLE

From running a Dublin council to running the country’s health system

The HSE’s new chief executive, Paul Reid, talks to Dublin Gazette about his new job SYLVIA POWNALL Adele and Lorna Dempsey

Ready to wow with Irish song, 22, in Tel Aviv SYLVIA POWNALL

DANCER Adele Dempsey says she will “never forget” turning 30 – as she celebrated her birthday on a flight to Tel Aviv to represent Ireland at Eurovision 2019.

The backing dancer has been caught up in a whirlwind since arriving in Israel with the rest of the Irish crew taking part in the song contest.

Speaking ahead of rehearsals on Wednesday she told Dublin Gazette: “I turned 30 the night before we flew over, so it’s a birthday I’m not going to forget in a hurry.

“The energy and positivity here is just amazing.

The nerves are turning into excitement now and we can’t wait to get on stage.”

Adele, who runs Dance LA stage school in Castleknock, Leixlip and Celbridge with her sister Lorna, will perform with another female dancer, Rihanna Binns, in Thursday’s semi-final.

They will dance on a moving stage set up to look like an American-style diner alongside 25-year-old singer Sarah McTernan for Ireland’s entry, 22.

17 countries competing A total of 17 countries are competing for 10 slots in the final including Russia, Malta, Denmark, Sweden and this year’s favourites, The Netherlands.

Choreographer and Zumba instructor Adele said: “It’s very surreal, it all happened so quickly. It’s even better than I expected.

“The first day of rehearsals was just mind-blowing. The stage is huge, there’s so much going on. The second time I went on stage I just stood there and went, ‘Wow’.”

Adele says as soon as her Dance LA students finish class on Thursday they will gather in the hotel across the road to watch the show together and cheer her on.

She added: “I think the song, 22, and the whole theme of our act is full of colour and fun. We could absolutely win for sure.”

Ireland’s Eurovision entry performs in the second semi-final on Thursday, May 16 which airs on RTE 2 at 8pm.

THEY say a week is a long time in politics but for new HSE chief Paul Reid it’s more a case of what a difference a day makes.

On Monday, the outgoing chief executive of Fingal County Council performed his last official duties and bid adieu to his ‘penthouse’ office at its Swords HQ. Less than 24 hours later he was in Tullamore as the new director general of the Health Service Executive, hitting the ground running and nailing his colours to the mast.

The Leeds United fan from Finglas wasted no time in setting about the arduous task of winning hearts and minds as he met with frontline hospital staff along with clinicians and management.

In a tweet, he pledged: “I will set out three early priorities; 1: safe and quality services; 2: moving to new models of care; 3: strengthening confidence and trust.”

This is no mean feat, considering his predecessor Tony O’Brien stepped down last May over the CervicalCheck scandal and Health Minister Simon Harris has been embroiled in controversy over the children’s hospital cost over-run.

But where some would see a poisoned chalice, Paul Reid sees a glass half-full; reckoning he is more than up to the job – and that his time at the helm of one of the country’s most progressive councils has honed

his skills.

He told Dublin Gazette: “It is a huge challenge, there is no doubt about that.

“But the reason I went for it is because it’s a challenge. The timing was good for me with the council coming to the end of its term.

“Fingal has been fantastic for me. It’s kind of the place where I found my ow n va l u e s. It s councillors have played a huge role in terms of working with the executive [council officials].

“Where I’m heading to, when you’re committed to public service, there’s no greater place where you can make an impact than the HSE. “All I can say is I am looking forward to it.”

With a rumoured annual salary of €300,000, Mr Reid will be better paid than the chief executive of the NHS. Trinity College But the Trinity College business graduate has already spent two years on the board of Slaintecare and has a proven track record.

During his time in the Department of Public Expenditure he oversaw reform and delivery in the public service and later became chief operations officer.

And, as he meets his new challenge head-on, he’s confident that Fingal is in capable hands.

He said: “Swords Cultural Quarter, Our Balbriggan ... these are not pet projects. They are projects that emerged as being huge requirements

for towns.

“In Swords, it’s key to have a theatre, a new library, a civic centre, renovating the castle.

“It’s not my personal project, it’s right for the town. Financial investment has been secured through the European Investment Bank, the leadership team is fully committed, the local

members are fully behind it.

“It has its own momentum now and the same can be said of Our Balbriggan. These things gain great momentum.”

Mr Reid looks back with pride on his fiveyear term in Fingal where he identified housing, economic development and tourism as three key

priorities.

A n d h e s ays t h a t despite his busy schedule he will make time for the odd visit to his old stomping ground.

He vowed: “I’ll be dropping in on the likes of Flavours of Fingal and the Swords Summer Festival.

“I will definitely be keeping in touch.”

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 16 May 2019

POLIITICS: WOULD-BE MEP ON ISSUES FACING IRELAND, FROM BREXIT TO TOXIC POPULISM

I think now is the time to stand up for the EU – Barry Andrews PADRAIG CONLON

BARRY Andrews defeated some Fianna Fail top brass to secure the party n o m i n a t i o n fo r t h i s month’s European elections.

Previously a TD and Junior Minister, since losing his seat in 2011 he has been CEO of GOAL and Director General of the Institute of International and European Affairs.

Ta l k i n g to D u b l i n Gazette he explains why he has now decided to run for Europe.

“I’m running because I believe we have reached a turning point in the history of the EU,” he says.

“The latest forecasts suggest a third of the next European Parliament could be made up of anti- EU MEPs. “I think now is the time to stand up for the EU, we need to send pro-European MEPs to Brussels who will work together,

as envisaged by the EU founding fathers, to make Europe stronger.”

What does he feel he can bring to the EU parliament if elected?

“Having served as a Councillor, a TD and a Minister, I have a wealth of political experience and I know what matters to Dublin voters,” he says.

“Over the last eight years, I have worked as CEO of GOAL, our leading Aid Agency and as Director General of the Institute of International and European Affairs.

“In GOAL, I learnt a huge amount about leadership and about working in highly pressurised circumstances responding to the Syrian Civil war, the Ebola outbreak and other humanitarian crises.

“As director general of the Institute of International and European Affairs over the last two and half years, I have seen at close quarters the

Rathdown students showcase a science project STUDENTS from Rathdown School joined hundreds of other students at the recent SciFest@TU Dublin event held at the Blanchardstown campus, where the students from 16 schools exhibited more than 100 subjects showcasing a variety of STEM-related projects.

Zoe Fitzsimons , Sookyin Kwak and Johanna Fluer showcased their project, Cymatics, as part of the SciFest, with the winning project going on to represent Ireland at the International Science and Engineering Fair to be held next May in Anaheim, California.

Picture: Andres Poveda

debate that’s taking place in other member states.”

How does he feel Brexit will affect Ireland and what ideas will he bring to the table on this issue?

“Brexit has made us more pro-European but it also fundamentally changes our relationship with the EU,” he says. “ I re l a n d n e e d s to b e c o m e m u c h m o re

Brexit negotiations.

“This Group is also tipped to hold the balance of power in the newly elected European Parliament.

“If I am elected as an MEP, I will be in a strong position, as a member of the ALDE group to influence the Parliament’s response to big challenges of our time like climate

engaged in the Union.

“As the member state most impacted, we need our MEPs to be at the forefront of shaping its future in the wake of the UK’s departure.

“Fianna Fail is part of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, a group that has stood four square behind Ireland’s interests in the

change, integration, the breakdown in social cohesion, innovation and digital responsibility.”

He says the growth in anti-European sentiment in EU members states is “alarming” and a big reason why he is running in this election.

“The values of the EU, respect for human rights and for the rule of law, are

“

The values of the EU, respect for human rights and for the rule of law, are under threat

under threat,” he says.

“And if the EU is under threat, Ireland is under threat.

“By sending pro-European MEPs to Brussels, we can defeat the populism and narrow nationalism that is gaining ground in Europe.

“Europe is about building alliances to promote the issues you want to progress for your constituents, in my case the people of Dublin.

“I am in a really strong position to hit the ground running and to get work done rather than wasting time on an anti-European agenda that is damaging to the interests of our country and our capital.

Finally, where does he stand on a European army?

“I do not support a European army, the idea of a European army has not once been an option suggested or entertained

by Fianna Fáil,” he says.

“For the last 50 years,

Barry Andrews canvassing with Maria Bohan in Ringsend

Eurosceptic parties have been scare mongering people about a European army, all in the service of their own interests in damaging the EU in Ireland.

“It hasn’t happened and it won’t because there are quite a few m e m b e r s ta te s w h o oppose the idea.

“To be absolutely clear, the purpose of PESCO (Permanent Structured Co-Operation) is not about creating a European army or undermining our neutrality.

“It’s about deepening our co-operation with other member states in the Union.”

FOOD P26

Try delicious Dublin prawns with this quick and tasty dish from Bord Bia

16 May 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 16 May 2019

POLITICS Even for those who are ‘just’ interested in local politics, the people who are voted in as individuals still collectively help to shape the country, so choose who best represents your views

FRIDAY, MAY 24 IS THE DAY TO MAKE YOUR VIEWS KNOWN

Use your vote to AS WE all know by now the 2019 elections will be held on Friday, May 24.

At these elections, members of the local community will elect councillors to represent their areas within the four Dublin local authorities.

The voting is fine-tuned to incorporate areas called local electoral areas, formerly wards, within each local authority area.

This means that you can vote for candidates who will represent you specifically

on issues pertaining to your immediate local area.

Typically, these can be neighbours who are intimately familiar with issues and will use their voices to represent you at council level.

Dublin City Council will elect 63 councillors from all political parties and none, as well as 40 councillors each from the remaining council areas of Fingal, Dublin South and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown (DLR) Local elections are held every five years and the polling

date is set by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and is the same day in all of the local authority areas.

The polling period must last at least 12 hours between 7am and 10.30pm.

The local authority returning officer in each local authority is responsible for managing the election in their local authority area. Each local authority pays the cost of running their own election.

On polling day, voters will

16 May 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

help guide our country’s destiny place their votes by secret ballot at their local polling station.

Our electoral system is based on proportional representation by the single transferable vote (STV).

Voters can number the list of candidates 1, 2, 3, and so on, in the order of their preference.

In order to be eligible to cast your vote, there are a number of rules that apply.

Firstly, you do not have to be an Irish citizen to vote in a local election; however, you must be ordinarily resident in the State

“

Whatever your views, be sure to cast your precious vote in the upcoming elections

on September 1, 2018, to be allowed register on the 2019/20 Register of Electors.

You must be over 18 years of age, you must live in the local electoral area, and you must be listed on the Register of Electors, or the Supplement to the Register.

For election candidates, it is

the law that election posters must be removed within seven days of polling day by the candidate or party.

After seven days, an on-thespot fine of €150 can be issued by your local authority for each offence.

If an election poster is causing a hazard to motorists or

pedestrians, you can inform your local authority about these safety concerns.

On election day, you will also vote for candidates for the European elections. Dubliners will elect four candidates, three immediately and a fourth once Britain exits the EU. This vote is much more important than people imagine, especially with the dark threat of populist extreme Right-wing parties beginning to make their presence felt across Europe.

The emergence of anti-EU

parties in countries such as The Netherlands, France and Austria is a cause for concern, with an anti-immigration tinge attached to these parties.

Closer to home, Ireland – the land of a hundred thousand welcomes – is also seeing a hardening of views, with stirrings of anti-immigrant and anti-EU sentiment now appearing on the fringes of political and cultural discourse.

Indeed, the main thrust of Brexit was largely based on the restriction of the free

movement of people based on extreme nationalism.

With 12% of Ireland’s population now from non-Irish backgrounds, caution in this country needs to be to the fore.

Ultimately, the shape and direction of our country comes down to you, with your vote, as ‘just’ voting for your local representative still has an impact on our shared destiny at a local and national level.

So, whatever your views, be sure to cast your precious vote in the upcoming elections ...

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 16 May 2019

DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS I N F O R M AT I O N

SOME OF THE RANDOM AND

Heritage House, Dundrum, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240 Dublin Gazette Newspapers publishes four weekly quality free titles, covering the latest news, sport, entertainment and lifestyle from the four local authority areas of Dublin

Frenchman completes four month Atlantic crossing in barrel C O N TA C T S Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@dublingazette.com Group Editor: Patrick Finnegan pfinnegan@dublingazette.com Deputy Group Editor: Shane Dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@dublingazette.com Picture Editor: Aisling Conway aconway@dublingazette.com Travel Editor: Sylvia Pownall spownall@dublingazette.com Advertising Sales:

01 - 6010240

A 72-YEAR old French man has completed a four month long journey across the Atlantic Ocean in a custom made giant barrel.

Jean-Jacques Savin, a former military parachutist and pilot, undertook the quest after being inspired by fellow Frenchman Alain Bombard, who had travelled solo across the Atlantic in a lifeboat in 1952.

Savin’s brightly-coloured barrel measures at about 10 feet long and seven feet wide.

It was custom-built using resin-coated plywood by two French barrel-makers.

In order to survive, Savin brought with him essential goods, such as a fishing rod as well as notso crucial items such as foie gras and wine.

Savin’s main concern was to build a sea home that would withstand the force of orca attacks.

Luckily, his 128 days at sea were mostly uneventful, except for the occasional sleepless night caused by strong waves knocking the barrel around from outside.

Setting off from the Canary Islands in late December, Savin and his trusted barrel landed on the shores of the Dutch island St Eustatius, a month later than expected.

sales@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs.

This week’s dog of the week is Prince, a big, beautiful nine-month-old male pointer who just loves to play all day long.

As he is only a young dog, Prince is quite a playful and bouncy boy with a fun personality. He absolutely adores going for long walks, so he would be the perfect companion for someone who enjoys the great big outdoors and would like a hiking partner.

Prince can be a little shy when meeting new people, but he comes around pretty quickly, especially with the help of a tasty treat.

He loves to have company, so a home with someone that is there most of the time would be ideal for him. Prince is a fantastic dog that will thrive in an energetic and fun-loving home.

If you have room in your heart and home for Prince then please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie.

You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. (Remember: Always have your dog on a lead when in public.)

FIND US ON

www.dublingazette.com Dublin Gazette Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the City Gazette, Fingal Gazette, South Gazette and West Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

prince

DOG OF THE WEEK

16 May 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

D QUIRKY THINGS THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE THIS WEEK...

BITS & BOBS

Man charged with DUI after crashing lawn mower into police cruiser A FLORIDA man is facing charges of driving under the influence after he crashed his riding lawnmower into a police car earlier this month.

The Haines City Police Department said 68-year-old Gary Wayne Anderson crashed into the vehicle while an officer was away from the car, according to the Lakeland Ledger.

The officer walked back to the car after hearing the crash and saw a man on a lawn mower with a trailer.

Anderson admitted hitting the cruiser but insisted there was no damage. The officer noticed minor damage to a rear plastic piece on the vehicle.

Anderson told the officer that he was drunk, according to police.

Officers said Anderson was unable to complete the field sobriety tests and said his demeanour “ranged from laughing to aggressive.”

After Anderson was taken into custody, he reportedly accused the police of poisoning him and asked to be taken to a hospital, according to WPLG-TV. Police said that Anderson’s blood-alcohol content registered .241 ― more than three times the legal limit ― and that he also had cocaine in his system.

However, Anderson insisted the police put the cocaine in his system, making his point with profane language and racial slurs, according to ABC Action News.

Sheep enrol at school to stop classes from closure

BLOOMING MARVELLOUS:

Noel Reid, Kieran Dunne and Dave Kearney were on hand to help launch Bloom, Ireland’s favourite horticulture, food and family festival, which takes place in the Phoenix Park, Dublin from Thursday 30th May – Monday 3rd June. Now in its 13th year, Bloom provides the ultimate day out for those interested in gardening, crafts, design, food, fun and fashion and is one of the highlights of the June Bank Holiday weekend in Ireland. This event attracted over 119,000 visitors last year and this year will feature 22 show gardens, 14 postcard gardens, over 100 Irish food and drink producers, 25 plant nurseries, 25 live cookery demonstrations with some of Ireland’s best-loved chefs and some 100 retailers, all within a 70 acre site. Pictures: Conor Healy / Picture It Photography

FIFTEEN sheep have been registered at a French primary school as part of a novel bid to save classes at risk of closure.

Ju l e s - Fe r r y i n C re t s e n Belledonne, a small town of less than 4,000 people at the foot of the Alps, had been told that it would have to scale back its lessons because of falling pupil numbers.

There are only 261 children at the school - but now they have been joined by more than a dozen sheep in a symbolic

move to tackle what parents have described as a “miserable situation”.

The farm animals were provided by a local herder, Michel Girerd, who with the help of his dog escorted the new pupils along to the school to see them officially signed up with their birth certificates.

Among the names added to the register during a ceremony watched by parents, teachers and children were Baa-bete and Saute-Mouton.

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 16 May 2019

WHAT’S BIG IN MUSIC, CINEMA AND TV

Another stellar line-up awaits at Leixlip Festival WILD Youth, Hermitage Green and The Riptide Movement are among an exciting line-up of headline acts announced for Leixlip Festival this June Bank Holiday Weekend.

The spectacular open air music festival, staged in the Court Yard Hotel, Leixlip, offers four days of outstanding entertainment with the best of national and local musical talent, including Monday night’s hugely popular main act, Smash Hits.

2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the longstanding community festival in Leixlip, and the Court Yard Hotel’s 15th live music festival.

New to Leixlip Festival this year – having sold out their first Irish tour, including a headline at The Olympia – are Wild Youth, who open the festival on the Rock the Yard main stage on Friday, May 31.

The Irish four-piece is enjoying a breakthrough year with their hit single, Can’t Move On, following earlier chart-toppers, All or Nothing, and Lose Control.

Their melodic brand of pop-rock, full of electronic touches, has seen them support artists such as Niall Horan, The Script, Zara Larsson and Kodaline, playing across Ireland and the UK. Saturday, June 1 welcomes Hermitage Green back to Leixlip, following a sold-out international tour covering Ireland, the UK, the Middle East, Australia and the US. The Limerick act boasts a unique arrangement of instruments, delivering a truly original Irish music sound and memorable hits such as Quicksand, Not Your Lover, and Save Your Soul.

The band has a new EP of six progressive sonic masterpieces, Gold & Rust, made with producer Matt Lawrence, known for his Grammy Award-winning work with acts such as Adele, Amy Winehouse and Mumford & Sons.

Also returning to Leixlip Festival on Sunday, June 2, by popular demand are The Riptide Movement, with their soaring guitar rock that’s drawn comparisons with U2, Kings of Leon, The Clash and Oasis.

The four lifelong friends from Lucan are practically locals, with their huge following all set to descend on this year’s Leixlip Festival Sunday night showcase.

The Dublin-based modern rock quartet toured extensively last year on the back of critically acclaimed releases, All Works Out, Elephant in the Room, and Changeling.

Festival goers will enjoy these and more, including the band’s three-part web series, Plastic Oceans, released last November and their latest new EP, I’ll be There, released just this month Bank Holiday Monday in the Court Yard Hotel just would not be the same without Smash Hits.

The unique tribute band to the golden era of 90s dance, pop and R’n’B will close out the open air festival’s weekend line-up with rip-roaring, feel-good boogie and the best of classic 90s tracks.

With support acts still to be announced, tickets for the eagerly awaited open air music weekend are now on sale, with Day Tickets at €10 each plus booking fee, and a Weekend Ticket at just €30, offering four days for the price of three.

More than a dozen amazing live music acts, top bands and DJs are appearing, with main stage music action from Friday evening, May 31, until Monday night’s closing gig with the inimitable Smash Hits, which starts at 9pm.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite and via the Court Yard Hotel website, and will be sold at the gate each day, subject to availability.

CINEMA | ONE OF THE LAST STARS OF CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD DIES

A Day to remember as Doris passes away SHANE DILLON

WHEN someone of the rare calibre of Doris Day dies – as the late Hollywood stalwart did on Monday, aged 97 – that trumps any standard cinema news or reviews.

(Sorry about that, Detective Pikachu – pika, pika – but your new film’s review will probably make it onto these pages next week.)

Recent decades saw Day living a quiet life, resolutely avoiding any media press or exposure, with the star determined to live very firmly out of the spotlight – a sharp contrast to her many years as one of America, and Cinema’s, most famous stars, known to countless millions around the world.

Born as Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff, a descendant of German immigrants, the talented young singer had already reached a spectacular level of success by 1946 when she was the world’s highest paid female singer.

That stellar accolade wasn’t enough, however, with Day stepping into cinema in 1948 – marking the start of one of the Twentieth Century’s most successful cinema careers, which was cemented with

ease in the 1950s.

That was a period which saw Day at the height of her reach and success, as she stamped out a singular career as the star of one musical or comedy after another, generally paired with some of cinema’s leading men, but resolutely on an equal footing.

Putting Day on any film’s marketing was a sure-fire way to ensure it was a hit, with Day keeping a firm grip on her role as one of America’s favourite sweethearts, blessed with a singular voice and a light touch that lended itself with ease to comic roles.

Her carefully cultivated ‘sweetheart’ image would prove to be a millstone, however, once the Swinging Sixties began to influence cinema and culture.

The public’s appetite for the kind of wholesome roles so indelibly linked to Day began to fade away, with her films increasingly out of step with a more jaded, cynical audience.

By the 1970s, her star was waning – by no means was Day a dim has-been from Hollywood’s golden era, but her power and box office draw had substantially waned, largely prompting her to retire

The late Doris Day (97); inset: in her glamorous heydey, as one of Cinema’s most popular international stars

from any significant films or roles.

Later years saw Day largely devote herself quietly to animal welfare activism, finding a new passion and focus upon which to leverage her fame and influence.

Still, although Day faded from the public consciousness quite some

time ago, her sheer star power never truly faded away.

Even a cursory examination of her cinema resume – let alone her many musical tracks – reveals a uniquely talented star; someone with

THIS week in Carrigstown, sickness and secrets prove difficult for some locals to deal with. However, there’s good news for some, and some fun to be had, too.

Sickness and secrets affect locals living in Carrigstown

CAROL is troubled when an unwell Robbie doesn’t respond well to her romantic advances, whilst Nora suggests somebody told Robbie about Darragh’s accident.

Robbie is in pain but hides it from Carol.

He’s also left housebound due to his injury, but refuses to rest, causing friction in the house.

Paul has a new venture, but his excitement turns to shock when Fiona finally reveals herself to him, with Fiona testing the waters with a suspicious Paul.

With the poitin in McCoy’s, Jane gets a

Fiona and a suspicious Paul

shock when someone she didn’t expect makes a return. She lies to the unexpected guest to stop him finding the poitin in McCoys, but he eventually uncovers their secret and tries to make them dispose of the poitin.

Eoghan receives sad news in the post and when Killo and Vinny lecture him, his grief turns to anger.

the skill to become a true star, and the quiet humanity to step away from it all when the time came. Rest in peace, Doris Day...

Cristiano and Will show Eoghan their sympathy but Eoghan’s troubles continue when Leo tells him his phone is being used to send spam messages.

Leo unintentionally encourages Eoghan to take matters into his own hands. However, things start to look up for Eoghan later on in the week.

Zak decides to leave Carrigstown again, with Dearbhla organising a send-off before he goes back down the country.

Robbie is left seething when setting up for the charity race night turns chaotic. Cass uses his cunning to increase takings at the race night.

Watch Fair City on RTE One on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

16 May 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

ENTERTAINMENT GOINGOUTOUT

PICK WEEK OF THE

MAY 22 (WEDNESDAY)

Mariah Carey @ 3Arena, €70+ After years of vocally-propelled pop, Mariah Carey finally drops in to headline Dublin for the first time ever. The reception, we suspect, will be rapturous...

MAY 16 (THURSDAY)

Mongoose @ Whelan’s, €19 Mick Flannery @ Vicar Street, €30 Dermot Kennedy @ Olympia Theatre, SOLD OUT Shawn James @ Whelan’s (upstairs), €16 Bullet Girl @ Workman’s Club, €10

MAY 17 (FRIDAY)

Tony Law @ Whelan’s, €20 Oh Bryan @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €13 Kid Trunks @ The Academy Green Room, €20 Sons of East @ Workman’s Club, €20 Louis Cole @ The Sugar Club, €15+

MAY 18 (SATURDAY)

Colm Mac Con Iomaire @ Vicar Street, €28 BEAK @ Whelan’s, €22 Montauk Hotel @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €10 The Macc Lads @ Workman’s Club, €29 Ed Motta @ The Sugar Club, €20

MAY 19 (SUNDAY)

KERN @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €12 Bry @ The Academy Green Room, €14

MAY 20 (MONDAY)

Alice In Chains @ Olympia Theatre, SOLD OUT

MAY 21 (TUESDAY)

LP @ Olympia Theatre, SOLD OUT Big Thief @ Vicar Street, €23 Aaron McCann @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €10

MAY 22 (WEDNESDAY)

Bess Atwell @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €14 Paul Young @ Olympia Theatre, SOLD OUT Liniker E Os Caramelows @ The Sugar Club, €20

Anything but ‘just another cover band’

ON THE face of it, Deja Boo are ‘just another covers band’ working the Irish wedding circuit.

That would be a gross oversimplification, though: there’s quite a bit more to the project – propelled forward by boisterous co-stars Niamh Collins and Zamo Riffman – than initially meets the eye.

Zamo Riffman, in a former life, was something of an 80s high-school icon, studying at an edgy Dublin Christian Brother’s school and playing music for fun.

If that sounds familiar, you might have seen the film made by his old bandmate, John Carney, in which those times are recreated.

Riffman (real name Eamon) stars in a colourful form as one of the main characters in the 2016 hit, Sing Street.

A s we l l a s b e i n g portrayed in the film – like Riffman as a kid, his character also loves rabbits – Eamon also has a small walk-on part as a janitor, and provides some of the bass lines for the film’s music.

In his more everyday life in 2019, though, Zamo Riffman plays under his own moniker, and in the aforementioned popular wedding, corporate and party covers band, Deja Boo. “Our aim is to give a

 JAMES HENDICOTT

kind of A-Z of everything for everybody,” Riffman explains of the band.

“It’s hard, fitting all the different songs and genres in there. The first set is usually an hour, and we try and get the ‘oldies and goldies’ in, to keep everyone in the room happy.

“The second half will be all the modern stuff.

At the end, there’s a fullon rave, people hanging off chandeliers and stuff!

It can get very lively, and we’ve seen all sorts at weddings.”

Deja Boo’s current setlist shows that eclectic, playful direction: it features James Brown and George Ezra, Blur and The Specials.

“We play anywhere and everywhere,” Riffman continues. “It’s a great band. We have amazing m u s i c i a n s i n t h e re, through knowing a lot of people on the music scene.”

Previous contributors have included Jake Kearn (now a guitarist with Niall Horan’s touring band) and Rory Doyle (who now plays drums with Hozier).

“We like to think we nurtured them,” Riffman laughs. “We have a lot of

on-stage experience.”

Of the modern music industry, he says: “We live in a really hard scenario now. I play my own stuff, but it’s really difficult to get anywhere.

“I think as artists we deserve a proper percentage of the money b e i n g m a d e. T h e s e corporations are making millions and millions selling these people’s works.

“Spotify is very clever, but not great for artists.

YouTube’s the same. The way round that is playing live and trying to sell merchandise, and to try

and get a bit of advertising, songs in movies, stuff like that.

“I was in my first band in De La Salle, Churchtown with John Carney, as teenagers,” he remembers of those early days.

“We were called ‘The Twilight Zone’, and there’s a photograph of us in the annual in De La Salle.

The Frames “We did that for three or four years, and then John went and played with The Frames, and then became and independent movie maker.”

“He got me involved in

the songwriting team,” Riffman says of the Sing Street role. “It’s quite mindblowing, someone making a movie about you. It’s semi-autobiographical.

I can see all the little t h r o w b a c k s . H e ’s embellished it.”

“Mainly, now, we’re a high-energy covers band.

We try to do everything really intensely, like you’d get with an original band.

“For me that’s what makes Deja Boo special. A lot of wedding bands, they don’t want to be there, they don’t really care.

“We’ve never been that kind of band.”

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 16 March 2019

DUBLINERS: THE STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE WHO CALL THIS CITY THEIR HOME

Meeting Arturo Centore

A journey from Italy to Ireland turns into a love affair with Dublin I’M originally from Italy but I’ve been living in Dublin since 2006 and really feel part of the community here.

I love this country and its wonderful spirit, it’s why I chose to live here, it’s one of the best countries in the world for helping other people.

The community spirit where I live in Blanchardstown is so strong, I have lived in a few other countries and I’ve never experienced such strong spirit as here.

I live with my wife Paola and my daughter,

Alice, who was only four months old when we moved here.

Now she is fluent in Irish and speaks with a strong Dublin accent!

I was only supposed to come here to stay for one year, now I want to stay for life and I’ve applied for citizenship.

My daughter attends a local secondary school, Coolimine Community School, where I also volunteer in the Parent’s Association.

It’s a great school, I really want to congratulate the PA, the teachers and the Principal for the amazing work they

do with the pupils not just in relation to the syllabus but the social inclusion, environment projects, cultural diversity etc.

I am also involved with the De Paul homeless charity too.

I volunteer in one of their busiest homeless hostels in the city centre where we help up to 120 homeless people, distributing food, counselling, doing anything we can to help really.

The experience there is amazing, and it is important to be able to help who have been less lucky then us.

This experience is really changing my life point of view.

I also work in the maritime industry, usually as captain on a vessel, my career at sea started over 20 years ago when I completed a five year study program at the Maritime College in 1996.

I served a year in the Italian

Thousands take part in National Pyjama Day

OVER 300 early childcare services and 16,110 children in Dublin took part in the annual fundraising event, National Pyjama Day, last week. They joined thousands of children nationwide sponsored by their families to wear their pyjamas to preschool.

National Pyjama Day is organised by Early Childhood Ireland, the national representative body for the early years sector. Once participating children arrived at preschool, they took part in activities such as ‘PJ picnics’, denbuilding, pillow fights, bear hunts, and storytelling. All funds raised will be donated to charities that work with children with additional needs.

Pictured at the launch of National Pyjama Day are Mia Bevins and Calvin Smith Hayes from Carr’s Child and Family Service, Ranelagh. Pictures: Marc O’Sullivan

Navy on board the Coast Guard SAR units, then with Grimaldi Lines on board their vessels travelling throughout the major shipping routes of the world North Europe, West Africa and South America.

and much further away than a “few hours” - when we rescue them they’re usually in a very bad way.

The volunteer activists from all over Europe have been involved in the rescue of more than 37,000 people so far.

Refugees I should finish my law degree Last year I was contacted by a this year or next, and specialise group called Sea Watch e.V. in International Law and a non-profit organisaHuman Rights. tion that carries out And apart from I love this c ivil search and my professional country and its rescue operations b a ckground wonderful spirit, it’s of refugees in the this is one of why I chose to live here, Central Mediterthe reasons I it’s one of the best ranean. am involved countries in the world Sea-Watch prowith Sea for helping vide emergency Watch and their other people re l i e f ca p a c i t i e s, cause. demands and pushes Apart from some for rescue operations by the contribution when on European institutions and stands board the Sea Watch, I am a small up publicly for legal escape routes entrepreneur and I have a packaging business based in Dublin 15. for refugees.

I created a brand a few years According to the Law of the Sea, if you see someone drowning it is ago which provides packaging for your duty to save them, so we are businesses now we mainly have online customers. there to help refugees.

Sometimes volunteer work is Sometimes we get stopped by navies from European countries, perceived by many as not a real we’ve also had attacks on our job, but I must say sometimes it is even more satisfying, at least for boat.

It’s such a heart-breaking situ- the soul. ation at the moment with people By the time this is published I risking their lives trying to flee will be aboard Sea Watch 3 for the war torn countries. next mission.

The people they pay to help “assist” them reach Europe give  What’s your story? Do you them a little rubber boat and tell have an interesting connection them Europe is only a few hours to Dublin and why you call it away. home? Please email your story The Mediterranean is massive to news@dublingazette.com

16 May 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

STYLE

FRESH IDEAS FOR YOUR WARDROBE

Beauty Bits

 V By Very

 Topshop





eys



n Pen



F F&

 F&F

THIS SUMMER, Regatta Great Outdoors have launched a brand-new footwear collection.

Their footwear range works for every forecast, even unpredictable Irish summer weather.

The Marine II (RRP €80) and the Marine Lady (RRP €70) are a modern take on a classic boat shoe, with kids also able to get in on the action with the Marine Sport Junior (RRP €55).

For bootlovers, The Samaris II Mid (RRP €130.00) and the Lady Samaris II Mid (RRP €120.00) come in stunning bright colours. Get the kids booted up too

with the Samaris Mid Jnr (RRP €70).

Sporty sandals with robust soles and all the appropriate adventureready trimmings were a hit with leading fashion houses this SS19, and Regatta have their own take on the style in the brand-new collection.

Especially on-trend are the Holcombe Vent (RRP €60.00) and the Lady Holcombe Vent (RRP €55.00). For Kids, the Kota Drift Jnr is an excellent choice perfect for playing on the beach.

For a full list of products please visit your nearest Regatta store, or www.regatta.ie.

GOLDEN  HOUR   ASOS

 Rachel D’Arcy

TIME TO grab your cowboy boots and saddle up, because western styling is back with a bang.

Thanks to the resurgence of country music thanks to the likes of Grammy winner Kacey Musgraves, and the likes of Miley Cyrus rocking a more Nashville-style ensemble, the country look is back in fashion.

The style calls for floaty, light fabric in neutral colouring with a more sturdy shoe.



 NEXT





 GUESS

 NEXT



RIVER ISLAND BURSARY | DUBLINER WINS ANNUAL NCAD PRIZE RIVER ISLAND have announced the winner of their annual River Island National College of Art and Design fashion design bursary.

This year, Una King from Dublin was chosen to receive a €3,500 bursary and 3 month paid internship at River Island’s London design studio.

The bursary provides graduates with an invaluable first step into

the commercial fashion world, with past winners having designs sold in River Island stores and online.

This is the sixteenth year of the River Island bursary which offers final year fashion design students in N.C.A.D the chance to win.

The students were judged by River Island’s Head of Womens-

wear Design, Lucy Moller. Una’s winning entry is a collection of functional clothing that acknowledges Ireland’s ever-changing climate. The collection is adaptable, with garments providing protection for the wearer - city survival style.

Many past winners have gone on to become full time members of the design team at River Island.

 V By Very

Feel footloose and fancy-free this summer

 Penneys

 Penneys

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE 16 May 2019

FOOD & DRINK

A GUIDE TO TEMPTING FARE

RECIPE | GET IN THE MOOD FOR THE DUBLIN BAY PRAWN FESTIVAL

A tasty celebration of Dublin prawns GARY IBBOTSON

WITH the Dublin Bay Prawn Festival set to take place between May 17-19 in Howth, we bring you a delicious but simple recipe for a prawn omelette, courtesy of Bord Bia. Combining locally caught Dublin Bay prawns and a fluffy, classic omelette recipe, this take on the staple dish (which serves two, with a cooking time of just about 10 minutes) is best served immediately with a lightly dressed rocket salad and fresh, crusty bread.

Ingredients • Approx 12 140g locally c a u g h t , u n c o o ke d , Dublin Bay prawns • A little olive oil • A knob of butter • A little salt and freshly ground black pepper • 6 large eggs • 1 tablesp. cold water • 2 tablesp. chives, chopped • 50g peas, defrosted Picture: Bord Bia

It takes just about ten minutes to whip up this delicious prawn omelette fare for two

Preparation • Heat a non-stick frying pan, with a base that’s

about 20cm in diameter.

Add a little oil and a little butter. Once the butter is foaming, add the prawns.

• Season and then saute gently for 2-3 minutes.

Remove to a plate and keep warm.

• Break the eggs into a bowl and add the water, chives and a little salt and black pepper and lightly beat.

• Add a little more oil and then a little butter to the pan, swirling it around so that the base and sides get coated.

• While the butter is still foaming, pour in half the egg mixture, tilting the pan from side to side.

• Stir gently with a fork or wooden spatula, drawing the mixture from the sides to the centre as it sets.

• When the eggs have almost set, scatter over half the peas and prawns.

• Cook for another minute or two, then tilt the pan away from you slightly and use a palette knife to fold over the omelette.

• Slide on to a warmed plate; repeat to make the second omelette.

•

A terrific pint and great

pub make this a must-visit

ARGUABLY a pub that is one of the most talked about in Dublin while remaining a well-kept secret of sorts, the Strawberry Hall deserves the plaudits it receives.

Despite being as isolated as a Dublin pub really can be, tucked away alongside the Liffey and under the huge Westlink toll bridge, this place has relied on its authenticity and high standards of customer service to bring in the trade, and you can see that it’s working.

The pub is one of the capital’s oldest, dating back to the 1800s, and just outside the M50, has a feeling of being the only watering hole for miles around.

The pint was as enjoyable as the rest of the pub, so good even the novelty strawberries on the walls started to look tasty. Plenty of cream, volume and taste on point until the last drop, you can see why the locals might not be shouting about this gem of a pub – they’re keeping it all for themselves.

The Strawberry Hall, near the city edge, deserves the trip @guinnessadvisor

Delicious Skerries crisps should make a packet AN ARTISAN crisp brand based in Skerries, Clinton’s Crisps, has now rolled out their product nationwide.

Made by brothers Sean and Martin Clinton, the snack will be stocked at supermarkets and convenience stores across the country from this week.

The brothers set up Loughbarn Farms in 2017 with the aim of producing the flavour-packed Clinton’s Crisps. The company began trading last August, and has since gone from strength to strength.

The crisps come in three flavours – seared steak, mature cheddar and red onion, as well as classic sea salt and vinegar. The crisps are also gluten-free, with no preservatives or artificial flavourings.

Available in both individual packs and sharing packs, they will be available at €1.30 and €2.60 respectively.

Indie brewers from all over the country celebrate the launch of Independent Craft Beer Week

A week to support local independent breweries

IRISH Independent Craft Beer Week starts on Wednesday, May 22 and features a series of nationwide celebrations across the country.

The launch event took place on Wednesday, May 8 at Lost Lane with more than 30 breweries providing the opportunity for guests to sample some of the best beer Ireland has to offer.

Peter Mosley, chairperson of the Independent Craft Brewers of Ireland, said: “The launch starts a series of celebrations to encourage visitors to discover their local independent breweries and to taste and explore particular beers very unique to their area.

“It is important for the association to raise awareness about microbreweries in Ireland that employ talented young professionals and produce quality and genuinely independent beers.”

This year’s Independent Beer Week will see local breweries collaborate with pubs, restaurants, and offlicenses for tastings, live music and food-pairing events.

16 May 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

A STUNNING STAYCATION JUST A SKIP AWAY

TRAVEL

Powerscourt’s perfection makes it so easy to praise Some stunning interior and exterior images of Powerscourt Hotel & Spa

SYLVIA POWNALL

Travel Editor THE mere mention of Powerscourt Hotel & Spa conjures up images of opulence and luxury on a grand scale.

The spectacular five-star hotel on the Powerscourt Estate in Co Wicklow is set in beautifully manicured gardens overlooking the magnificent Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Hotel manager Ian Wynne and the rest of the team pride themselves on giving guests staying at the 200-room hotel a level of customer service second to none.

T h e r e f o r e i t ’s n o surprise that it was awarded the title of Ireland’s Leading Luxury Spa Hotel in 2019 in the Global Luxury Hotel & Spa Awards.

Powerscou r t Ho te l Resort & Spa was also voted Resort Hotel of

“

It is undoubtedly the spa that is Powerscourt’s top asset – the ESPA mecca of relaxation is vast the Year at the Irish Hospitality Awards in March of this year.

But enough of the CV – we decided to take up an offer of a visit with dinner and spa treatment to find out first-hand what an overnight stay has to offer.

First off there’s the location.

It really is a superb setting with the sweeping mountains acting as a backdrop, Powerscourt House and Gardens a short stroll to the west and the charming village of Enniskerry a mere 10-minute walk downhill.

Not forgetting the breathtaking Powerscourt waterfall

(inset, right), which is just a few minutes’ drive away – and all this is literally on Dublin’s doorstep.

As you’d expect, the hotel itself is all high ceilings, chandeliers, wide sweeping staircases and sumptuous carpets – but despite the grandeur of style there’s not a hint of stuffiness and the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.

Guests seem more than happy to languish by the open fire and staff are friendly and helpful, without being in any way obtrusive or, perish the thought, conspicuously over-attentive.

The hotel was lavishly developed at the tail end of the last economic

boom by a consortium which included Johnny Ronan, originally opening as a Ritz Carlton.

Pa r t s o f t h e 2 0 0 2 remake of The Count of Monte Cristo were filmed in the grounds and there’s a humorous nod to this in the hot-air balloon motif running through the property.

To describe the rooms as spacious is a gross understatement – deluxe rooms all boast a separate dressing room and suites are bigger than your average apartment.

Little touches make all the difference, such as the top-of-the-range coffee machines, touch controls for lighting and air-conditioning, and the integrated TV in the bathroom mirror.

H o w e v e r, i t i s undoubtedly the spa that is Powerscourt’s top asset.

The ESPA mecca of relaxation is vast; it stretches over two floors and opens onto the hotel gardens, with a gym, pool, hammam suite, spa cafe and state-of-the-art

relaxation room.

I was in safe hands with Hannah who administered a 90-minute natural facelift otherwise known as the age-defying ESPA ultra Lifestage facial.

The treatment m i n i m i se s w r i n k l e s, b o o s t s hyd r a t i o n , and helps reduce the appearance of pigmentation, large pores and redness.

The lifting facial massage techniques were bracing at times, but the results were spectacular.

Dinner at Sika restaurant was another memorable experience.

My rabbit croquette starter was outdone by my companion’s smoked duck.

We both opted for fillet of Irish Hereford prime beef with burnt onion puree, confit potatoes and pepper sauce for mains, and tried our damnedest to finish

every morsel on the plate.

Our dessert was an event in itself with our server triumphantly pouring warm chocolate sauce over a chocolate sphere, which melted to reveal vanilla ice cream inside.

The salted caramel cheesecake – a deconstructed plate with chocolate soil, a dulcey sponge, salted popcorn and fresh mango – was a party for the palette.

After a blissful night’s sleep in our comfy queensized beds we returned to Sika for an abundant buffet breakfast, before a stroll down to the river walk reserved for hotel guests only.

• E n j oy o n e - n i g h t accommodation, dinner at SIKA restaurant plus 20% discount off any 50-min ESPA treatment, prices from €320.

For more contact 01 274 8888, or visit www. powerscourthotel.com.

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE 16 May 2019

MOTORS

WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF TRANSPORT

Plenty of comfort and class in Renault Megane DECLAN GLYNN

WITH its sculpted shoulders, tight curves, an imposing front grille, and distinctive LED lighting signature, the dynamic design of the Renault Megane Hatchback promises powerful sensations from every angle.

The C-shaped front headlights, and rear signature lighting, attracts everyone’s attention, and makes the Renault Megane instantly recognisable from afar.

There are three specification levels in the standard Renault Megane 5-Door Hatchback – Play, Iconic, and GT Line, while performance car buyers can choose from a 280bhp Megane RS, or a 300bhp Megane RS Trophy.

Thanks to the acknowledged expertise of Renault’s engine specialists, cutting-edge technology and up-tothe-minute engine innovations are employed across the Megane range.

Petrol and diesel engines are available in the new Renault Megane Hatchback, with the new 1.33-litre (TCe) petrol engine coming in two states of tune, 100bhp or 140bhp (with 200Nm and 240Nm of torque respectively).

However, the lowerpowered engine is only available in the entrylevel Play specification model.

The 1.5-litre (Blue dCi) diesel engine is offered with 115bhp and 260Nm of torque, and is available across the entire model range.

Transmission options consist of a six-speed manual gearbox, or a dual-clutch (EDC) sevenspeed automatic (Iconic and GT Line models

Overall car registrations still down on 2018 figures THE Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) have issued the new vehicle registrations statistics for April, along with their Quarterly Motor Industry Review (Q1 of 2019).

New car registrations for the month of April were up 10.8% (8,923) when compared to April 2018 (8,053), while new cars’ registrations in the year, to date, are 8.5% (73,044) down on the same period last year (79,813).

New Light Commercial Vehicle registrations were slightly up by 1.12%

With a dizzying range of specifications as standard, the Renault Megane offers terrific value for money. Away from the impressive features, the range also offers decent power and range, and all in a range that’s thoughtfully designed with high-quality materials.

only).

My review car was a Renault Megane Hatchback GT Line TCe 140 GPF (Gasoline Particulate Filter) in stylish F l a m e Re d m e t a l l i c paintwork.

Thanks to the cars’

standard six-speed manual gearbox, and 240Nm of torque, the 0-100km/h sprint can be completed in just 9.5-seconds, with a claimed top speed of 205km/h achievable.

S ta n d a rd G T L i n e equipment includes 18”

FACT BOX

1) Stylish French design flair 2) Technologically-advanced petrol engine 3) Frugal diesel engine 4) Three trim levels 5) Priced from €22,140

alloy wheels, an 8.7” touchscreen with TomTom LIVE services (complete with Western European mapping), FM/AM/ DAB tuner, Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free calls.

Other features include USB and AUX sockets, voice control, rear parking camera, front and rear parking sensors, Visio system (including lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and automatic high/low beam), sports seats with integrated headrests, chrome door sill plates – and much, much more.

In fact, the list of standard specification is so comprehensive, that the only optional extra on my review car was metallic paint (at €675)!

Moving on from a dizzying range of standard specs, five different driving modes are available in the Renault

Megane, offering five unique driving experiences.

With Renault’s MULTI-SENSE system, you can choose between Neutral, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Personal driving modes, which will configure the car to meet the driver’s command.

Fuel economy Fuel economy across the entire Renault Megane Hatchback range is excellent.

On a combined driving cycle, Blue dCi (diesel) engines consume as little as 4.5-litres of diesel per 100kms driven, with TCe (petrol) engines consuming as little as 6.2l/100km.

Annual road tax will cost between €180 and €390, depending on the engine and model chosen.

The thoughtful layout of the dashboard and driving controls in the

Renault Megane makes the car very pleasura b l e to d r ive, w h i l e high-quality materials are used throughout the cabin.

A l a rge c e n t ra l l ymounted portrait-style infotainment screen dominates the dashboard, while heating controls are, thankfully, still dial-controlled.

B o o t s p a ce i n t h e Renault Megane Hatchback is very impressive, with 434-litres available with the rear seats in place, or up to 1,409-litres on offer when the rear seat backs are folded.

All new Renault passenger cars are supplied with a comprehensive 5-Year/200,000km warranty, and a spare wheel comes as standard too.

Priced from just €22,140, the Renault Megane Hatchback represents terrific value for money.

(1,812) on April 2018 (1,792), and in the year, to date, down 9.95% (12,892).

New Heavy Commercial Vehicles have increased 27.27% for the month of April (308) compared to the same month last year (242), and are up 3.11% (1,194) in the year, to date.

Imported Used Cars increased by 2.8% for April 2019 (8,886) when compared to April 2018 (8,644), and year to date are 2.75% (35,717) ahead of 2018 (34,761).

The SIMI report shows that while the Irish economy is still positive, both new cars and commercial registrations declined in the first quarter of 2019, with the exception of both electric cars and used car imports.

Interestingly, while overall car registrations this year, to date, are down by 8.5%, registrations in Dublin are down by a lesser margin, at 4.68%.

16 May 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

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16 May 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 33

SOCCER P35

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

RED HOT PURSUIT: SOCCER: SHELBOURNE cut the gap at

the top of the First Division to two points following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Athlone Town at Tolka Park on Friday night.

Second-half goals from Ryan Brennan and Ciaran Kilduff saw the Reds to victory after Dean Williams had put Athlone in front from the spot midway through the first half.



GAZETTE

FOOTBALL P37

PAGE 34

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS DIVING | RED BULL EVENT SEES TOWN PACKED LAST WEEKEND

Dun Laoghaire thronged for cliffhanger  sport@dublingazette.com

THE first-ever Red Bull Cliff Diving event in the Irish Capital saw divers leap from 27m at Dún Laoghaire Harbour, in front of the highestever spectator turnout in the World Series’ 10-year history.

Huge crowds filled the east pier in the town, taking in the spectacle over two days with an estimate of 100,000 people enjoyed the event which moved from Inis Mor where it was based for the past few years.

It was the second stop on this year’s world series following April’s event in the Philippines with further events coming up in Italy, Portugal, Lebanon, Bosnia and Herzegovina and finishing in Spain.

The Irish stop saw a new name on the top step of the men’s podium, whilst reigning women’s champion, Rhiannan Iffland continued her winning streak on the Irish shores.

Romania’s Constantin Popovici

won in only his second event. He had placed second in his debut event at the 2019 season opener in El Nido in the Philippines.

Popovici, winning men’s diver, said: “I was hoping for a podium place, and wanted to come first, but I wasn’t sure I was going to get it.

“Some of the athletes went for easier dives today because of the windy conditions, but I went full on and managed to perform better than everyone. Gary [Hunt] is one of the best divers in the world, so I’m really happy with my result.”

His victory ended Gary Hunt’s five-event winning streak.

He beat the British seven-time champion by just 1.85 points; one of the closest winning margins in World Series history.

American David Colturi placed third in the men’s competition, over 75 points behind Hunt.

There was a more predictable result in the women’s event, with

Michal Navratin of the Czech Republic dives from the 27 metre platform at Dun Laoghaire Harbour . Picture: Sebastian Marko/Red Bull Content Pool

reigning champion Rhiannan Iffland of Australia claiming the win by a dominant 30-point margin.

Canada’s Lysanne Richard placed second, with Mexico’s Adriana Jimenez a further 30 point back in third.

Iffland was delighted with her success, saying: “Each competi-

tion brings new challenges. There are always ups and downs.

“Today went really well. I was scoring straight nines, which is what we all hope for.

“I went in cold [with no practice dive] to save my body a bit from the cold water and that really worked for me.”

SPORT CONTACT INFO SPORTS EDITOR: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@dublingazette.com Phone: 01 601 0240

34 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 16 May 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2 1

LUCAN SARSFIELDS BALLYMUN KICKHAMS OUR under WELL done15 togirls the Junior team have, A la quite superbly, won their league title on Saturday, by defeating Templeogue and have won their crown with a game to spare. This excpetional bunch have been climbing the divisions every season and are now reaching dizzying heights. Well done to Gerry and all the girls. A perfect preparation for their trip to Portugal next week. Well done girls!

We have now launched our summer camps.

Anybody who books online for the Kelloggs Cúl camps, will also get free entry to the club camp the following week, great value indeed. For more information visit our website.

Well done to our seniors who had a significant victory over Templeogue away in the league winning by a scoreline of 1-18 to 1-13 over. Maith sibh Brendan and the squad.

Our Inters game was postponed and our Junior A team were defeated away to Plunketts. Hard luck to our ladies team who faced stiff competition in championship opener last Wednesday, and the step up proved difficult. Plenty of time for redemption though, and this team have proven their worth and will do so again. Hard luck ladies and JP. We would like to remind all members, that under no circumstances are dogs allowed on our pitches and surrounds, and that smoking is not allowed on our pitches and surrounds. This is an executive order, and will be strictly enforced.

O’TOOLE’S “NEVER give up”*, is the motto of our senior footballers. They were narrowly beaten by Naomh Barrog last Wednesday night by a mere two points, having led for long periods.

Even though they lost, it was a very encouraging performance in what was a terrific game.

Sunday morning, the lads faced St Peregrines in Blunden drive, in another vital league match. After a slow start where we trailed 1-8 to 0-6 at the break, we put in a brilliant second half performance to deservedly win 1-15 to 1-11.

It was a tight game and good victory for our U14A hurlers winning by a single point at home in the league to Fingallians on an otherwise miserable Thursday evening.

While our U15 ootballers had a superb game and a great win away to Round Towers Lusk in the shield last week.

The lads play Fingal Ravens in the final this Sunday 19th in Rolestown at 11:30am, and they’d love to see and hear lots of O’Toole’s support

Not forgetting our little Larriers at U8 level that had another great outing on the weekend. The lads are really putting the effort in when training and it shows when they’re playing every Saturda.

Our pretty little girls are participating in Féile this Saturday 18th and O’Toole’s are hosting the group stage from 10am. It’s going to be a great morning and you’d be mad to miss it. The girls are looking forward to showing off their skills on the pitch Important dates for your diary…….Summer Camps 2019: Junior Camp for girls & boys 4 to 7yr olds……..

Tuesday 9th to Thursday 11th July* Kellogg’s Cul Camp for boys & girls 6 to 13yr olds……Monday 15th to Friday 19th July.

Club Camp for boys & girls 6 to 13yr olds……

Tuesday 30th July to Friday 2nd August. *For Information or Booking call David on 086 3101034, Kelly 085 1600381 or Hellen 086 3060524. *orms can also be returned to the Club office.

SOCCER: SECOND HALF GOALS SEES TOLKA PARK SIDE CLOSE

Kilduff keeps Shels in pursuit at the top LOI FIRST DIVISION Shelbourne 2 Athlone Town 1  DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

SHELBOURNE cut the gap at the top of the First Division to two points following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Athlone Town at Tolka Park on Friday night.

Second-half goals from Ryan Brennan and Ciaran Kilduff saw the Reds to victory after Dean Williams had put Athlone in front from the spot midway through the first half.

It turned out to be a good weekend for Shels as the top two, Cabinteely and Longford, met the following night, with Cabo winning 1-0 to replace Longford on top.

That didn’t look a likely outcome for the better part of an hour as Shelbourne laboured against a side who went into the game with nine defeats from their last ten games.

Shels threatened twice early doors through

Ja m e s E n g l i s h , w h o forced a good save from Aaron Myles at his near post before the keeper tipped a powerful volley over the bar.

T h e v i s i to rs ve r y nearly took the lead when Ciaran Grogan got on the end of a corner but the defender’s goalbound shot cannoned fortuitously off the head of Luke Byrne.

Byrne was responsible for the opening goal moments later, however, a s h e b u n d l e d ove r D e a n Wi l l i a m s, a n d the on-loan Shamrock Rovers striker scored from the spot.

At h l o n e g rew i n confidence and the inf luential Kaleem Simon curled a shot just past the top corner b e fo re Mc C a b e w a s forced to tip over when Byrne deflected the same player’s free.

Rya n B re n n a n h i t the crossbar late in the half and Ciaran Kilduff missed a sitter in injury time, but Shels emerged a different side after the break.

They levelled 11 m i n u te s i n a s A l e x O’Hanlon slipped in Ryan Brennan, and the midfielder squeezed a shot through Myles’ legs.

Brennan turned provider then as he nodded sub Shane Farrell’s cross into the path of Kilduff, and the former Dundalk man dispatched a brilliant first-time volley.

Shels had a penalty of their own when Darren Meenan was harshly

judged to have fouled B re n n a n , b u t My l e s saved Lorcan Fitzgerald’s weak penalty with his trailing leg.

Williams should have salvaged a point for Athlone in added time as he was picked out by Dean George but his firsttime effort clipped the outside of the post.

“Everyone seems to raise their game when they play against us and we have to cope with that,” Shelbourne

manager Ian Morris told the Dublin Gazette.

“Thankfully we came back and showed our class in the second half.

We won’t lose faith in what we’re trying to do.

We’ll keep plugging away and we know we have the quality there.

“We look to move the ball quickly and we look to hurt teams, and we have the players to do it. Frustrating night for me, but we got the three points.”

St Kevin’s win U-14 All-Ireland

St Kevin’s Boys celebrate their Under-12 success.

ST KEVIN’S Boys Under-12s retained the SFAI Sketchers Norton Cup with an emphatic 4-1 win over Shamrock Rovers at the Oscar Traynor Complex in a game played in ideal conditions in front of a large crowd.

Aaron Donnelly opened the scoring after 10 minutes as Kevin’s dominated the opening stages and could have been further ahead but for some good goalkeeping by Rovers keeper Todd Bazunu.

Rovers equalised before half time when a shot from Ike Orazi was deemed to have crossed the

line before Theo Hennessy got his hands to it.

The second half was all St Kevin’s and again it was Donnelly who forced a mix up in the Rovers defence to gain possession and slot home his second goal. Soon after, he made way for Andy Paraschiv to come on and make an immediate impression by scoring number three before Bezalel Agbontaen added the fourth to the issue put the game beyond all doubt.

Chris Conlon won the man of the match award but he had stiff competition in Richie Vodo, Ivan Gramminschi and Fiachra Coffey.

16 May 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 35

GAP TO LEADERS

SOCCER: O’SULLIVAN STRIKE THE KEY DIFFERENCE FOR AVONDALE

Crumlin dreams dashed FAI INTERMEDIATE CUP FINAL Avondale United Crumlin United  DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

Shelbourne have closed the gap significantly on the leaders.

Picture: Maurice Frazer

MAN OF THE MATCH Yoro shines for Stella but Hanover prevail STELLA Maris’s Eric Yoro was presented with the player of the match trophy at the Under-15 SFAI Cup Final by Skechers Gemma McGurk, pictured below, following their time with Hanover Harps at the Oscar Traynor Centre. Hanover won the final in the end 1-0, becoming the first Carlow Juveniles League team to win a national cup.

Picture: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

1 0

CRUMLIN United’s dream of an intermediate double were dashed as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Avondale United in the FAI Intermediate Cup final on Saturday afternoon.

A wonderful solo goal from Mark O’Sullivan eight minutes before the break proved the difference despite a spirited second-half assaulted from the Crumlin Boys.

Martin Loughran’s side were pronounced LSL Sunday Senior champions two weeks ago and hoped to go one better at a sunny Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

It was a disappointingly small crowd at the Ballsbridge venue owing to the postponement of the Junior Cup final between Sheriff YC and St Michael’s.

Both Sheriff and Michael’s had promised to bring large numbers and their absence – owing to an appeal by Aisling Annacotty – hit the attendance considerably.

Crumlin last united the league and cup in 2010 when Derek Griffin captained them to victory over Avondale at Dalymount Park.

Also on the pitch that day was striker O’Sullivan, and the 36-year-old former Cork City man rolled back the years with a starring performance.

He had a great chance to put Avondale in front midway through the first half when played in by Jack Walsh but, after ghosting between two defenders, he shot meekly.

Earlier, Crumlin had the ball in the net but the goal was chalked off as Jake Donnelly was judged to have taken out goalkeeper Sean Barron to get to the ball.

O’Sullivan would only give one warning of his intentions, and the veteran striker opened the scoring just before half time with a goal worthy of winning any cup final.

He picked the ball up wide on the left and went on a mazy run that saw him free 25 yards out, and he sent a powerful shot into the bottom corner of Michael Quinn’s goal.

Donnelly should have levelled within three minutes of the restart when he showed good

Crumlin United’s Craig Walsh tries to get away from Eoin Lougheed. Picture: Eoin Noonan/ Sportsfile

strength to hold off two defenders, but he leaned back at the vital moment and shot over.

Crumlin’s top scorer saw Barron save at the near post before a powerful volley was blocked

by Avondale captain Dave Kiely with his head.

Walsh and Eoghan Lougheed both had opportunities for Avondale from precise David O’Leary crosses, but neither could find the target.

Crumlin became increasingly more attackminded as time ran down and their need for a goal intensified, although they lost Donnelly

to what looked a nasty knee injury.

He was replaced by Liam Brady – along with left-back Gareth, one of two brothers of Ireland international Robbie in the Crumlin team – and he looked to provide the spark.

A smart nutmeg on Ryan Hogan almost resulted in a tap-in for Alan McGreal, but sub Vinnie O’Brien cleared from his toe.

Crumlin had one final chance to force extra time as, deep into the seven added minutes, McGreal’s corner found captain Thomas Hyland but his header drifted agonisingly wide.

Dundalk pull clear of Bohs at the top

LOI PREMIER DIVISION

 sport@dublingazette.com

BOHEMIANS succumbed to Dundalk 2-0 in the SSE Airtricity League on Friday night in a high quality battle at the top of the table.

Both sides started brightly but the reigning Champions began to flex their muscle, Michael Duffy looked the liveliest for the visitors and had a couple of efforts straight at James Talbot.

Brilliant play down the left from Duffy resulted in the ball

falling to Georgie Kelly, in for the suspended Pat Hoban, and the front man turned on a six pence to hammer home low past the helpless Talbot.

It was the first goal Bohs had conceded from open play this season in the 22nd minute.

And the game was settled in the 79th minute moments after a series of penalty debates, one given, one not. Dundalk missed the one given but scored soon after when Sean Hoare rose highest to head home from Duffy’s floated free kick.

Dinny Corcoran in possession for Bohs. Picture: Martin Doherty

36 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 16 May 2019

SOCCER

DIVING: DUBLIN 15 BASED TRIO IN IRISH SQUAD

Dingley, Cryan and McGing all on Road to Tokyo  STEPHEN FINDLATER

sport@dublingazette.com Cherry Orchard celebrate their victory. Picture: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Cherries’ Divine inspiration in SFAI Under-14 decider CHERRY Orchard won the Skechers SFAI Under-14 Cup final last weekend 3-2 at the Oscar Traynor Centre, holding off Belvedere in a cracking final.

It owed a lot to Divine Lzekor’s inspiration as his trickery and strength played a pivotal role. His push and run saw him escape the Belvo back four down the right flank before delivering a perfect pass into the middle for Matthew Alonge to score the opening goal in the seventh minute.

Daragh Murtagh equalised from the penalty spot for Belvedere after Taylor Burton was fouled but the Cherries were back in front by half-time. Again, Lzekor was the man to make the incision as he weaved in and out of a couple of tackles before firing at goal; the goalkeeper got a good boot to it but it spun wickedly up and over him and dropped just under the bar.

Belvedere did have their moments, drawing a couple of good stops in the first half but Cherry Orchard made it 3-1 early in the second half when Adam Murphy headed in from close range after a couple of ricochets in the box.

Dan Bergin got another back for Belvedere with eight minutes to go but the Ballyfermot side stayed clear to record a fine victory.

Cherry Orchard manager Brendan Wynne said afterwards: “unfortunately, there are winners and losers but lucky enough we came out as winners. I felt we deserved it and had a lot more threat going forward, created a lot more chances.

“We asked the lads to step up against an excellent side but we were always quietly confident in ourselves and the players to really do damage to create chances and score goals.”

He paid particular tribute to Lzekor who was awarded the man of the match title, presented by Skechers regional manager Gemma McGurk (pictured below) on the day: “Technically, he is very good. He can link it up, he can turn and he can beat players and he has a great smack of a ball with both feet and I knew he would cause them an awful lot of problems up front with his pace and power and he has stepped up a level. Great kid, great attitude.”

ABBOTSTOWN based divers Oliver Dingley, Clare Cryan and Ciara Mc G i n g h ave b e e n named in the Irish team for this summer’s series of competitions.

FINA Grand Prix medallist Clare Cryan will be joined on the Korea bound team by Rio 2016 Finalist Oliver Dingley, also a FINA Grand Prix medallist this season as well as World Youth Olympic Games finalist Tanya Watson who will also joining them in Gwangju.

The nine days of diving in Korea are the first opportunity for nations to qualify places for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Cryan and Dingley will both compete in the 1m and 3m Springboard individual events, whilst Southampton Watson will feature in the 10m Platform.

On the back of Ireland’s first ever international synchronised

diving medal at the FINA Grand Prix in Calgary in April, Swim Ireland will request a slot for Cryan and Dingley to jointly pit their abilities against the best in the world in the Mixed 3m Synchro event.

For the LEN European Junior Championships in Kazan, Ciara McGing – a product of Dublin 15’s Shamrock Diving Club, will be the sole representative at the event.

McGing will feature in the 10m Platform in Russia.

All four athletes will return to the pool in August in Kiev to compete at the LEN European Championships, with a guaranteed 2020 Olympic birth available to gold medallists in Olympic events at this competition.

National Performance Director Jon Rudd said, “It is great for Irish diving to now have such a significant number of athletes competing at this level and for us to be able to confidently send three such athletes into the World Champi-

BIG DAY OUT Nells’ Saoirse leads out Dubs

PARNELLS youngsterSaoirse Ní Bhuaidh had a day to remember as she was mascot for the Dublin senior camogie side’s championship clash with Kilkenny last weekend.

She is pictured with Dublin’s Orla Gray, Roisin Baker Dublin Captain, Aisling Carolan, Aisling Maher and Alison Maguire.

The cats prevailed 6-12 to 2-10 in the final reckoning at O’Toole Park.

Picture: ilivephotos.com

Rio Olympian Oliver Dingley is in the Irish diving team for this summer’s world championships.

Picture: Sportsfile

onships this summer is excellent.

“We’re all mindful that the World Championships is a major event in itself but we’ve also got one eye firmly placed on the Olympic Games next year and the fact that this event is one of

only three possible entry routes into the Games.

“We can yet again all feel and see our progress and the summer of 2019 will be yet another important step for those of us seeking international success from Irish diving”.

16 May 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 37

FOOTBALL: DIVISION 3 FEILE GLORY SECURED BY RISING UNDER-14 STARS

Whitehall topple Towers

Mun silence Synger with AFL1 win

DIVISION 3 FOOTBALL FEILE FINAL Whitehall Colmcille Round Tower, Clondalkin  JAMES HENDICOTT sport@dublingazette.com

2-7 0-10

WHITEHALL Colmcille got off to a poor start as they hosted the Division Three football Feile, but held their nerve in an ‘every game’s a cup final’ scenario. That meant winning the next four games in a row to take the title .

They had been narrowly beaten by St Vincent’s in the opening game of their group, but went on to win the remaining two and top the group, before seeing off Naomh Barrog to make Sunday’s final.

“Barrog were really shattered by then,” Under-14 mentor Mick McGuinness said of the one-sided semi-final that must have come as a shock to Colmcille in what had been the tightest of tournaments.

“They’d had an arm break and some tough games, and we really just overwhelmed them.”

Having looked in trouble in the very first game, then, Colmcille won their semi-final with a glut of goals, by 8-8 to 0-7, and set up a final against Round Towers.

FOOTBALL

The Whitehall Colmcille Feile team celebrate their Division 3 win

The final was a close encounter, with Colmcille scoring early through Harry Page, but being pegged back to 1-2 to 0-5 by half time. Round Towers went ahead just after the break, scoring the opening two points, before Cillian Chatham hit a goal for the hosts, and Tom Kearns frees pushed the home side to four points ahead with six minutes to go.

Whitehall were backs-to-the-wall for the final few minutes, though, with the last three almost literally seeing Colmcille camped on their own goal line as they hung on to take home the title by a 2-7 to 0-10 margin, with goalkeeper Cillian Cummins saving a penalty along

the way.

McGuinness praised the team all around for their performance in a tense final, but as well as the boys scoring the key points, mentioned Sleidas Sabaliauskas and Jamie Rafferty, who were particularly consistent performers for the side throughout their run over the course of the weekend.

“Our second team in division eight made a semi-final as well,” McGuinness said of the feile.

“They missed the final because of a last minute goal against Kilmacud Crokes.

“We have 40 kids coming down regu-

larly now, and that’s really good for the club. It’s gone up by another ten because of the quality of the current Dublin side, this stuff really rubs off.

“For these kids, the Feile is huge. The division three team get to go to the All Ireland in Roscommon in June.

“That’s something to really look forward to for the whole team.

“The girls side are booming, too, which is great as when I started getting involved twelve years ago there wasn’t a girls team.

“We’ve also just opened new facilities at the club. Things are going really nicely.”

Scoil off bottom with big AFL2 derby win Scoil ui Chonaill in action against Castleknock.

Picture: Martin Doherty

AFL DIVISION 2  sport@dublingazette.com

BOUYED by an encouraging start to the Intermediate Championship, Scoil Ui Chonaill got their league campaign up and running with a 2-10 to 1-7 success at the expense of Whitehall Colmcille at Collins Avenue.

While Scoil suffered an early set-back in the shape of a Whitehall goal, they soon settled thanks to Conor Dixon’s 1-1 salvo.

Dublin senior panellist Andy Bunyan was a notable presence between the sticks for Scoil and he split the posts off a brace of long-distance frees to supplement a Tiarnan Crowe effort.

The towering netminder later stepped forward to dispatch a penalty to the Whitehall net, giving the visitors a 2-5 to 1-2 cushion at the midway point. Despite a spirited showing from Whitehall in the second period, Crowe, Bunyan, Robert Kennedy and Donncha Fenton were all on target as Scoil Ui Chonaill eased over the line.

That victory came in midweek but they could not follow it up five days later on Sunday when Castleknock – coming off a loss to St Sylvester’s – proved far too strong in a 3-7 to 0-5 triumph over Scoil Ui

Chonaill at Somerton Park.

During a tentative opening, Shane Boland broke the deadlock with a hardearned point. His excellent build-up play laid the foundations for a later goal by John Kindlon.

Scoil did their best to stem the tide in a low-scoring half, but Rory Corcoran and Boland ensured Castleknock were 1-3 to 0-1 ahead moving into the second period. Whilst Scoil initially fought their way back into the reckoning, a superb Rob Shaw major propelled the hosts into a commanding position.

Substitute Tommy Corcoran then set-up his brother Rory for a well-earned goal as Castleknock eased over the line.

Nonetheless, Scoil end this series off the bottom in 12th place.

Elsewhere, Clontarf have discovered their best form in recent weeks.

A comprehensive 2-20 to 0-10 victory against Round Tower Clondalkin on Wednesday signalled their intention ahead of a trip to Naomh Fionnbarra on Sunday.

A stunning Kieran McKeon hat-trick was the highlight of their latest success on the field of play - 4-22 to 3-6 - and Maitias MacDonncha also rattled the Fionnbarra net over the course of the hour.

TEMPLEOGUE Synge Street are still searching for their maiden win of the campaign.

They produced some positive football at home to Ballymun Kickhams on Sunday, but were ultimately on the receiving end of a 1-13 to 1-18 reversal.

In the absence of brother Eoghan, Killian O’Gara was selected on the edge of the square. After seeing his opening point swiftly cancelled out, he released raiding wing-back Kevin Hughes for a superb goal.

Three successive points from the excellent Jason Whelan got Mun back into the groove, only for O’Gara and Vickery to fired back at the opposite end.

Yet, propelled by the influential Whelan, Mun controlled the tempo inside the second-quarter.

Vickery’s 0-2 salvo ensured Templeogue stayed in the reckoning at the midway mark and he helped them to restore parity in the early stages of the second half.

They proceeded to trade scores on a number of occasions, until Mun developed purple patches either side of a Killian O’Gara point.

In addition to Whelan’s continued prominence, Ted Furman made a big impact off the bench for Kickhams.

He kicked three points during an impressive cameo as the northsiders earned their first league win since a round two success over Thomas Davis.

GazetteSPORT MAY 16-22, 2019

ALL OF YOUR DUBLIN CITY SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 33-37

DIVINE INSPIRATION

SOCCER: Cherry

Orchard storm their way to SFAI AllIreland youth title with thrilling victory over Belvedere at the Oscar Traynor complex SEE P36

CRUMBLED SOCCER: Crumlin

undone in FAI Intermediate Cup final by Avondale as single goal makes the difference. SEE P35

COMEBACK KINGS FOOTBALL:

Brilliant Whitehall bounce back from slow start to win the Division 3 football Feile. SEE P37

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McCarthy’s full focus on Louth showdown  STEPHEN FINDLATER

sport@dublingazette.com

BALLYMUN Kickhams man James McCarthy says Dublin are taking nothing for granted as their pursuit of a 14th Leinster senior football championship title in 15 years comes into view.

They now know they will meet Louth on May 25 in O’Moore Park at 7pm after the wee county saw off Wexford last weekend.

Asked whether the provincial title still holds much weight for him, McCarthy has never lost a game in Leinster but insists it remains a priority.

“We are very much focused on the Leinster championship, we always are,” he said. “It has always served us well and we were waiting and watching closely to who our opponents would be and now we know it’s Louth. All our training is for that and we never look further ahead than the next game. “ I ’d h a v e p l a y e d against a few good Louth guys over the years. I played college football against Andy McDonnell and Jim McEneaney so I know Louth have good footballers.

“It’s a hugely exciting time of year getting ready for the championship. We had a break with the club for a few weeks so it’s good then to get back with the lads.

It’s always a good time of year, like you’re getting

Dublin and Ballymun Kickhams James McCarthy at AIB’s launch of the 2019 All Ireland championship. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportfile

“We go out to try and win every game we go out

to play, it’s no different in the league, Leinster Championship or All-Ireland series“ ready for summer.”

For the first time in a while, Dublin come into the summer series without the league title in the bag. Their later return to training than other counties has been well documented with suggestions they were using the competition as their preseason.

In the face of that suggestion, McCarthy said there was some experi-

mentation but the focus to win every game is always the same.

“This year’s league was a bit of a mixed bag, we lost a few games but we learnt a lot from it as well and got a few new players tried out and stuff and got back up to speed.

“A lot of our more experienced guys were out as well so we’re happy enough.

“We go out to try and win every game we go out to play, it’s no different in the league, Leinster Championship or All-Ireland series. We didn’t achieve that in the league so obviously that was disappointing.

“But we took plenty of things from that into the championship, like trying out younger guys and playing against top class competition.

“So there are positives going into the championship.”

Talk of the five in-arow is never far away but McCarthy says that remains out of his side’s control.

“Look, we’ve never looked at ‘anything ina-row’ before and won’t be doing it now. Championships are hard enough to win at any time so we’re just working hard,

getting our heads down, training hard and just focusing game-by-game.

“There is a lot of talk about it but not from us.

The way I look at it a lot of people just want to wish you well and wish you the best of luck and you’ve just got take it that way.

“We’re just trying to keep our heads down, push each other on and keep focused.”