Dublin Gazette: City Edition

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DECEMBER 19-26, 2019

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THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL AREA

SPORT

FOOTBALL: Dessie

Farrell brings major pedigree to the top job with Dublin’s senior footballers after U-21 and minor success.

SEE P32

tv guide

OUR PICK OF THE BEST OF TV ACROSS CHRISTMAS P18-19 PILOTS Timo Rebel and Colin O’ Neill welcomed Matthew Sadat into the cabin of their plane when CityJet flew a special Santa Express flight over Dublin. Matthew was one of more than 30 children from Temple Street Children’s Hospital, and their families, for a very special trip above the capital. Picture: Maxwell’s

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

We’d like to thank all of our loyal readers and advertisers for their support this year, and wish each and every one of you a Happy and Peaceful Christmas, with good will to all.

OUR NEXT EDITION IS OUT ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27

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Ernie’s fundraising drives €5k to charity

Bus man dressed as Santa a huge hit RACHEL D’ARCY

A BUS-DRIVING Santa from Finglas is on track to raise more than €5,500 ahead of Christmas week, in memory of his daughter.

Ernie Gore received permission from his bosses to dress up as Santa Claus as he drives

his bus in North Dublin, in a fundraising effort for Aoibheann’s Pink Tie. Ernie said that the charity were a great help to his family – and continue to be – following the passing of his five-year-old daughter, Mia, in 2015.

He added: “Every year on Mia’s anniversary, they send out a bouquet of flowers and

a ‘Thinking of you’ card, and the same on her birthday in October.

“We should be going out buying toys for Mia – when Mia passed away in 2015, we went out that December and still bought toys for her because we couldn’t accept that she was gone. Hopefully I’m doing Mia proud now.”

So far, he has raised €5,230 for the charity.

FULL STORY ON PAGE 3

Council ready for Winter

ALONG with the other local authorities in the capital, Dublin City Council has prepared a wide range of measures to help, as needed, if and when Winter really bites.

From snowploughs to lots and lots of salt, DCC’s Winter Maintenance Plan is in place to tackle any outcome, with the council, and its counterparts, preparing plans – and all the relevant items – to keep the city moving along.

SEE PAGE 5

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 19 December 2019

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WIN: ANONYMOUS DAD HITS IRELAND-ONLY JACKPOT

A €1,005,000 pressie for a family in Finglas  RACHEL D’ARCY

rdarcy@dublingazette.com

A FAMILY in Finglas will be having a holly jolly Christmas this year, after one lucky man has promised to spoil them after becoming Ireland’s newest millionaire.

The delighted Dublin dad – who remains anonymous – has yet to tell his family about the lifechanging news, after winning €1,005,000 in the Euromillions Ireland-Only raffle on Friday, December 6.

He said: “Absolutely nobody knows yet! I still haven’t told a soul because, to be honest, I’m completely overwhelmed by the enormity of this win.

“From the very second that I checked my ticket, I knew there was something different about it.

“I was absolutely over the moon when I noticed that I had one of the winning raffle numbers for

The delighted dad isn’t letting his newfound fortune get in the way of having a great Christmas with his family

the €5,000 prize – only to find out that I’d also won an extra €1 million.

It’s absolutely amazing.”

The anonymous man said he wants to thoroughly enjoy the Christmas period with his family before he lets them in on his wonderful news.

H e p u rc h a s e d h i s winning ticket at Paul’s N ew s a g e n t ’s i n t h e Dunnes Stores Shopping

Centre in Finglas ahead of the draw earlier this month.

The mystery man said that he’ll be spoiling his family with his winnings for what’s sure to be their best Christmas yet.

H e a d d e d : “ T h e re is a lot of responsibility coming into a sum of money like this. It should be life-changing

and that’s what I intend it to be.

“I don’t want to make a big announcement to everybody and immediately start spending like a millionaire!

“I have some meetings organised with the bank, so they will put me on the right path to spending wisely.

“In the meantime, however, I intend to put some of the money away for Christmas and spoil my family in a way that they don’t think that I’ve won a million euro!”

Ne a r l y 3 0 ce n t i n every €1 spent on all National Lottery games goes back into sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts, heritage and the Irish Language.

In total, more than €5.4 Billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery was established 32 years ago.

In 2018 alone, more than €228 million was raised; the equivalent of €625,000 a day in support for local causes in communities across Ireland.

Rehoming of dogs paused

by Dogs Trust this Xmas RACHEL D’ARCY

DOGS Trust have announced that they have suspended the rehoming of dogs from their centre over the festive period to prevent people rushing out to get a dog for Christmas.

The charity will restart adoptions again on January 4.

However, the centre in Finglas will remain open to the public during that time, so people can visit all the dogs looking for homes and start the rehoming process with a view to adopting in the New Year.

In addition, Dogs Trust will be ‘pawsing’ their weekly Puppy Cam so viewers will have to wait until the new year to set eyes on their ador-

able puppies.

Dogs Trust has received 2,135 calls and emails from members of the public from January to November this year, looking to surrender their dog, with 667 of those in the first three months of the year.

January continues to have the highest number of surrender requests each year, with 189 calls and a further 47 emails in 2019.

You can give the gift of life this Christmas by sponsoring a dog instead. You can save lives and give abandoned dogs the second chance that they deserve so much.

To find out more about how you can sponsor a dog, see: www.dogstrust.ie/sponsor.

Dogs – and puppies – are for life, not just for Christmas

FASTNews

Most short-term lets are ignoring rules – SF INFORMATION received from Dublin City Council (DCC) has shown that an “overwhelming” majority of short-term lets in the city centre are ignoring new rules for the sector, a TD has said.

Sinn Fein Housing spokesperson Eoin O Broin has commented on information from DCC, saying only 13 change of use permissions have been received by DCC since new regulations came into play over the summer.

Deputy O Broin said: “This indicates that the overwhelming majority of short-term letting providers are flouting Minister [for Housing Eoghan] Murphy’s new rules and continuing to short term let properties without seeking the required planning permission “It’s also concerning that only 176 enforcement investigations have commenced since the beginning of July, with just one prosecution initiated.

“Minister Murphy should revisit his opposition to legally obliging short-term letting platforms to police their listings.”

Irish Life staff Missing raise €365k pair found for charities safe and well IRISH Life has announced that its employees have raised €365,000 for two Irish charities – Stewarts School, and Pieta House.

Funds were raised in 2019 by the 2,330 Irish Life employees through different fundraising initiatives, with the funds raised matched by Irish Life to reach the final total.

Stewarts School caters for students with moderate, severe and profound general learning difficulties, and Pieta House is a centre that specialises in the prevention of self-harm and suicide.

Each charity will receive a donation of €182,500.

Each year, the Irish Life Staff Charities Committee shortlists a number of charities to receive donations collected throughout the year, and the final two are selected by Irish Life employees.

Since 2005, the Irish Life Staff Charities Initiative has raised in excess of €2.9 million for a wide range of Irish and international charities.

A DUBLIN couple who had been missing from their home for more than a week were found safe and well on Monday.

Bernard and Carol Devine, both 53 and from Woodford Lane in Portmarnock, vanished on Tuesday, December 10 and gardai appealed for help in tracing them.

Their BMW car was found abandoned at Carne Beach near Our Lady’s Island, Co Wexford, on Sunday, sparking a largescale search by emergency services.

Sniffer dogs were used in the operation and they tracked the couple who were discovered at St Helen’s Bay golf course in Rosslare.

The Search and Rescue Dogs Association, Garda Dog Unit, Coast Guard Helicopter R117, Civil Defence and Coast Guard units from Rosslare, Carnsore and Kilmore, were drafted in to help.

19 December 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

PEOPLE: HELPS AOIBHEANN’S PINK TIE TO HONOUR ITS SUPPORT OVER LATE DAUGHTER DUBLIN 8

Ernie the bus man’s fundraising helps drive €5,000 to help charity RACHEL D’ARCY

A BUS driver from Finglas is doing his best to get Dubliners in the festive spirit, whilst also raising money for a charity close to his own heart.

Ernie Gore is a driver for Go Ahead Ireland and is currently dressing up as Santa Claus whilst on duty with the aim of raising money for Aoibheann’s Pink Tie (APT).

Go Ahead Ireland gave Ernie the permission to drive his bus route donned in festive apparel, with his driver’s hatch covered in festive decorations.

Ernie chose the charity for several reasons, but mainly for the support that the charity has shown to his family since his daughter, Mia, passed away in 2015.

Mia was diagnosed at two months old with a rare brain tumour, and her treatment went on for five years.

Speaking to Dublin Gazette, Ernie said it was important to him that he could give back to APT after all the help they’ve given his family following Mia’s passing.

He said: “Aoibheann’s Pink Tie has always been in my heart to help, and I wanted to give back something like they’d given to us.

“When Mia passed away, APT was there for us from day-one, so I came up with an idea to dress up as Santy while operating the Go Ahead bus.

“I asked them if I could do it as a fundraiser, and they got back to me within 24 hours to tell me I could

do it while I was out on duty, which was great.

“Every year on Mia’s anniversary, APT send out a bouquet of flowers and a ‘Thinking of you’ card, and the same on her birthday in October.

“Any family that’s going through what we’ve been through, Jimmy [Norman, founder of APT] has been through it too – APT are there to comfort them in any way they can.”

Ernie said that the reaction from the public has been incredible, with donations flooding in for the charity from those who see him on the route.

He said: “I have posters on the bus directing people to the GoFundMe page, and the response has been fantastic. Even the messages on the GoFundMe page are really nice; people

saying they’re sorry for our loss, and that it’s a great way to say ‘Thank you’ to APT. “This time of year, it’s very hard – I should be going shopping for five kids, but unfortunately I’m only going shopping for four kids, and it breaks my heart.

“It’s very difficult – I wouldn’t wish what I’ve been through on my worst enemy. Hopefully, I’m doing Mia proud now.”

Ernie will be driving the 220, 104, 238, 239, 270, 17A this week, if you’d like to catch a glimpse of him on his route.

As cash can’t be taken on the bus, a GoFundMe account has been set up, and anyone interested in donating should see h t t p s : / /a o i b h e a n n spinktie.ie/.

Ernie Gore has definitely earned his place on the real Santa’s Nice List – he’s raised more than €5,000 since last Saturday, in honour of his late daughter, Mia (right)

2020 major works for Francis St FRANCIS Street in The Liberties is set to become a brand new public realm in 2021, with a strong emphasis on pedestrians.

Work will take place throughout 2020 on the new project set in the heart of The Liberties area of Dublin 8, which will see widened pavements to the front of the Iveagh Market.

There will also be changes to car parking and loading arrangements, 20 new trees and new landscaped areas, sustainable urban drainage measures, new street lighting, street furniture and utilities, and other additions and changes.

Construction is set to begin in March on the new project, which will be officially launched in 2021.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 19 December 2019

CHARITY: GOFUNDME’S ANNUAL REPORT CITES OUR NUMBER OF DONATIONS PER CAPITA

Ireland officially the world’s most generous country – again RACHEL D’ARCY

GOFUNDME’S 2019 Year in Giving Report has revealed that Ireland has topped the list as the most generous country in the world once again.

Ireland had the highest number of donations per capita, with 341,026 donations so far in 2019.

Since the platform first went live in Ireland, almost one million donations have been made across the country.

Dublin was voted the second

“

Since going live in Ireland, almost one million donations have been made across the country

most generous city in the country, preceded only by Galway.

In the report, the giving platform also revealed that, surpris-

ingly, Friday is the preferred day to give, with most campaigns started on a Tuesday night.

GoFundMe chief executive Rob Solomon said: “It’s great to see Ireland keep the top spot as the most generous nation on GoFundMe, highlighting something very special about this country and its character.

“As we approach a new decade, we are committed to continuing to bring compassion and empathy to life through our tools, resources, and platform.

“When it comes to social fundraising, the distance, background, or relationship to those in need doesn’t matter – our donors and organisers span the globe and have different needs, concerns, and interests.

“What they all have in common is the drive to care for others and take action.

“They are people who see something and do something. Together, we can bring more good into the world and unlock the power of global giving.”

Dubliners: Helping to make Ireland the most generous country, according to GoFundMe

Failte Ireland funding set to help DCC develop Docklands RACHEL D’ARCY

DUBLIN City Council are set to receive funding from Failte Ireland to help develop tourism in the Docklands district.

Funding has been allocated to local authorities across the country as part of the €15.5 million Destination Towns initiative, which was launched earlier this year by the National Tourism Development Authority.

Up to €500,000 per local authority will be allocated in two rounds

by Failte Ireland to allow county councils to boost the attractiveness and tourism appeal of towns.

The process of identifying the towns that receive funding commenced in mid-2019 and was led by the local authorities, in consultation with Failte Ireland.

As well as Dublin City Council receiving funding for the Docklands, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will receive funding for Dun Laoghaire, Fingal County Counc il will receive funding for Skerries, and South Dublin County Council will be given funding to boost the attractiveness of Lucan.

Failte Ireland have said that research showed that attractive towns and cities are motivators for

FASTNews Community policing in report focus

THE policing forum network in Dublin South Central recently launched Building Community Resilience, a new report responding to criminal and anti-social networks in the locale.

Speaking at the launch, Cllr Daithi Doolan, chair of Ballyfermot Policing Forum, said: “This is a groundbreaking report. It puts up in lights that the problem of criminality is manageable.

“With proper community policing and resources, communities can be reclaimed from the clutches of criminal gangs.”

Junk Kouture contest also now for kids

Tourism in the Docklands region should benefit from the funding. Picture: Google Maps

“

Up to €500,000 per local authority will be allocated in two rounds by Failte Ireland to allow county councils to boost the attractiveness and tourism appeal of towns holidaymakers coming to Ireland, with the new scheme providing funding to enhance public spaces such as squares, streetscapes and markets.

This could include spaces for food and craft markets, areas for town centre events and public

art displays, as well as orientation and signage to help visitors explore a town’s local heritage.

Paul Kelly, chief executive, Failte Ireland, said: “The towns which reap the greatest benefits from tourism and schemes such as Destination Towns are those

where all local tourism players work together – from local authorit i e s a n d b u s i n e s se s to t h e c o m m u n i t i e s themselves, each complementing another’s efforts to create a full and appealing offering for their area.

“We’re delighted with

the support from the local authorities, and we would like to thank them for their work in putting forward such compelling cases for investment.”

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, said: “Tourism’s importance as an economic driver for

Ireland cannot be overstated.

“It sustains 260,000 jobs across the country and generates revenue in communities nationwide.

“Initiatives such as D e s t i n a t i o n Tow n s, funded through the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 [strategy], is a great example of how investing in infrastructure can deliver long-term economic benefits for local communities.”

JUNK Kouture has rolled out a new element of its competition, Junk Kouture Junior, which will be open to primary school students.

Launched last week, Junk Kouture are now calling on primary school students to get in touch with their inner fashion designer by downloading their special Junk Kouture Junior starter pack Junk Kouture Junior is said to aim to inspire young people to do something good for the planet through a creative means. The one rule is that whatever they design, it must be 100% recycled People can register their interest on the JK website, and the handbook will be available for download from https://junkkouture.com/ junior/.

19 December 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

FASTNews

COMMUNITY: PLOUGHS AND TOOLS SALTED AWAY UNTIL NEEDED

City’s councils ready to battle any Winter weather SYLVIA POWNALL

Dublin Bus signs a five-year NTA deal DUBLIN Bus has signed a new five-year direct award contract with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to provide Public Service Obligation bus routes for five years.

This contract took effect from December 1, and runs until November 30, 2024, allowing Dublin Bus to operate all of the current services they operate at present, subject to meeting quality performance standards.

Speaking about the new contract, Dublin Bus’s chief executive, Ray Coyne, said: “All aspects of this contract are quite rightly focused on meeting our customers’ needs. Over the next five years, public transport in Dublin is going to be transformed.

“We in Dublin Bus are being trusted to lead this transformation. The demand for high-quality, sustainable and accessible public transport is increasing.

“Contract 2019-2024 sets out a clear roadmap towards the continued growth of Dublin Bus and we look forward to working in partnership with the NTA to continue the success of public transport and the city as a whole.”

Guns N’ Roses set for Marlay RETURNING to Ireland for the first time in more than three years, Guns N’ Roses have announced their Dublin return with a huge Marlay Park gig next June.

This tour will see Guns N’ Roses returning to Europe for the third time since their Not In This Lifetime tour started in 2016.

Since then, the band have performed more than 160 shows for more than 5.5 million fans in stadiums, arenas, and as part of festivals worldwide.

The band shook Slane Castle with their return in 2017, and now have announced a string of headline dates across Europe, wrapping up in Marlay Park on June 27.

Tickets are on sale now, priced from €99.50 including booking fees, and are available from Ticketmaster.ie.

1.2m set to use airport at Christmas DUBLIN Airport is expected to have its busiest Christmas on record this year, as almost 1.2 million people are expected to arrive and depart during the festive season.

From December 20 to January 3, an expected 1,171,000 people will travel through the airport – up 3% compared to the same period last year.

Spokesperson Siobhan O’Donnell said: “Friday, December 20 is expected to be the busiest day before Christmas, with more than 90,000 passengers due to arrive and depart through both terminals, while Friday, December 27 is expected to be the busiest day after Christmas.”

Dublin Airport will close on Christmas Day, with flight operations ceasing on Christmas Eve after the last flight departs to Chisinau with Air Moldova at 11.20pm.

Flights will resume on St Stephen’s Day when Aer Lingus’ EI 104 from New York lands at 5am.

LOCAL authorities across Dublin are encouraging people to check on vulnerable neighbours and practice safe driving as the cold weather begins to bite.

As part of their response to the Government’s ‘Be Winter Ready’ campaign, all four councils have put a Winter maintenance plan in place to cope with extreme weather.

Dublin City Council’s Road Maintenance Services have prepared a Winter maintenance plan that will run until the end of April.

In the event of freezing temperatures, ice or snow, approximately 300km of the road network in the city council’s administrative area will be treated with gritting salt.

A total of 21 salt bins will soon be placed at strategic locations across the city, with 2,100 tonnes of road salt stored in four depots across the city.

Dublin City Council also has a fleet of 10 gritters and six snow ploughs as well as a number of lorries, JCBs and four wheeled drive vehicles.

Me a nw h i l e, S o u t h Dublin County Council told Dublin Gazette: “Our Severe Weather Assessment Team meets in advance of all storms

on foot of any Met Eireann weather warnings received.

“The purpose of the meeting is to assess the readiness of the council to deal with the upcoming storm and severe weather events and put in place preventative actions as required.”

The framework includes a major emergency plan, flood emergency plan, severe weather plan and rest centre plan.

Seven gritting routes have been identified with gritting trucks and snow ploughs for each route.

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has 10 trucks available for dealing with snow and ice as well as gritting predefined routes, while six of these can be adapted for use as snow ploughs.

A spokesperson said: “The council’s objective is to provide an effective and efficient winter maintenance service within the resources available and to minimise the impact of frost, ice or snow on the travelling public.

“Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown also has a severe weather plan and severe weather assessment team in place that deals with severe or extreme weather events, such as snowstorms and prolonged periods of ice and snow on the ground.”

Snowploughs and other heavy-duty Winter machinery are standing by for the councils

Meanwhile, Fingal County Council’s Winter plans include a fleet of eight gritting and salting trucks, four of which have been replaced since last year, plus five new snow ploughs and several JCBs. Four duty engineers, 10 rostered engineers and 20 rostered trained drivers

are on stand-by to treat roads and salt depots in Swords and Coolmine are “sufficiently stocked”, according to the council.

Met Eireann is not predicting a white Christmas, though it does forecast freezing temperatures with the mercury plummeting as low as minus

three degrees.

It urges people to heed its colour-coded warnings, with status yellow advising caution; orange signifying possible threat to life and property; and red indicating that you should stay indoors and take action to keep yourself safe.

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 19 December 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Jenny and her son Jake O’Donovan, with Danny O’Reilly, Graham Knox and Conor Egan

Mairead Hughes, Suzanne Cashin, Ann Marie James and Claire Ronan. Pictures: Robbie Reynolds

Full House M to support a great cause

ORE than 250 people came along to House in the city centre for a Jingle and Mingle Christmas party at in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland. The great evening was a fundraiser for the charity’s Ability programme, which breaks down barriers and gives adults with Down syndrome access to meaningful employment opportunities.

Graduates from the programme spoke at the event, sponsored by Mondelez International, about the importance of the programme in creating meaningful pathways for adults with Down syndrome into the workplace.

Sinead Fahey, with her son, Donnacha, and Dublin footballer, Dr Jack McCaffrey

Mason Carroll and Charlene Howe

Niamh Flannery and Aoife Gaffney

Eoin McHugh and Ross O’Neill pictured with Dublin Senior footballer Paul Mannion

Some light work for Santa as he turns the illuminations on. Pictures: Andres Poveda

Delight as Santa visits Temple St

S Des McFadden with Edel Moran and Mark O’Doherty

Yvonne Shovlin and Deirdre Ward

ANTA Claus is very busy as Christmas approaches, but he took the time to call by Temple Street Children’s Hospital recently to spread a little magic – and to turn on the hospital’s Christmas lights.

He was joined by Jake, one of the hospital’s patients, with the pair turning on the lights to the cheers of all the onlookers, which included staff, patients, parents and well-wishers, including members of The Coronas. As well as turning on the great lights, Santa also visited the wards to meet the children, have a chat and give out some gifts and treats, bringing real festive joy to the families.

19 December 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

CRIME

Kind taxi driver helps girl after quay mugging RACHEL D’ARCY

A TAXI driver in the city centre has been praised for helping a young girl who fell victim to a mugging on the quays on Saturday.

The girl was mugged while walking from The Workman’s Club on Wellington Quay in the early hours of Sunday morning, according to a post on Facebook from her sister, Lisa.

Lisa wrote that when her sister was mugged, she was left with no way to get home as both her phone and her money were stolen.

“She had no way to get home, just a ten euro note which she used to get to my sister’s house, who didn’t answer the door,” Lisa posted.

The post, which has been shared over 2000

times online, then detailed that the girl then managed to hail a taxi in Drumcondra, and explained what had happened to the driver.

“He brought her to a guard [garda], to a shop to buy her water and tissues, and then brought her out to us in Bray all free of charge.

“After such a s****y encounter, it was nice to restore her faith in humanity,” Lisa wrote.

The pair are now trying to find out who the taxi driver was so that they can thank him properly, with dozens of people praising his actions on social media.

A popular Facebook page for taxi drivers, Dublin Taxi Drivers, have also shared the post in the hopes of finding out who the kind-hearted driver is.

TRAVEL... PAGE 21

Christmas belles gather for a Very Aisling Party over at The Sugar Club

CO-AUTHOR of the massively popular ‘Aisling’ series of books, Emer McLysaght (centre) was joined by Michelle Henessy and Amy Croffey at A Very Aisling Christmas Party at the Sugar Club in Leeson Street.

Emer and fellow Aisling author Sarah Breen were joined by friends and fans of the popular series, which have become the

bestselling Irish-published fiction titles of the 21st century, with more than 250,000 copies sold through Irish booksellers’ tills since the first book was published in 2017.

Well-known Aisling fans on the night included Alison Spittle, Tara Flynn, Sinead Gleeson and Louise McSharry, with live music, goodie bags and a great atmosphere adding to the night’s fun. Picture: Brian McEvoy

Head off sun-where nice with a great New Year holiday ...

President pays tribute to killed cyclist (19) RACHEL D’ARCY

TRIBUTES have been paid to a teenager from Windy Arbour, who lost his life in a tragic incident involving a Luas last weekend.

Cormac O Braonain was cycling when he

was involved in a collision with a Luas at Peter’s Place near Charlemont Bridge in the early hours of Sunday morning, December 15.

P re s i d e n t M i c h a e l D Higgins led the tributes to O Braonáin, who was recently elected as

chairperson of the youth wing of the Labour party, and who had campaigned as part of President Higgins’ presidential campaign.

Statement In a statement, President Higgins said: “Cor-

mac’s energy, idealism, g e n e ro s i t y, c re a t ivity and commitment to social justice and his vision of a kinder, more just society were exemplary.

“He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

“Sabina and I express our deepest condolences to his family and friends, and to all those who were privileged to know him.”

O Braonain was also fondly remembered by members of The Scouts, of which he was a dedi-

cated leader.

Dozens of others also fondly remembered the 19-year-old on social media, with his name made a trending topic on Twitter in Ireland all day Sunday.

Gardai in Pearse Street are appealing for

anyone who may have witnessed the collision or may be able to assist them with the investigation to contact them at Pearse Street Garda Station on 01 666 9000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 19 December 2019

THE LIBERTIES: JOINT SUBMISSION OPPOSES PROPOSED BUILD PLAN FOR FUMBALLY LANE

Cross-party unity sees councillors fight hotel, co-living space RACHEL D’ARCY

A CROSS-PARTY objection to the proposal for a hotel and co-living scheme at Fumbally Lane in Dublin 8 has been lodged by the five councillors that represent the South West Inner City of Dublin.

Local councillor for the area, Cllr Tina MacVeigh (PBP) said: “The local community is outraged by this proposal for a number of

reasons, including the fact that it is more temporary, profit-led accommodation instead of secure and affordable homes for people at all stages of the life cycle.

“The community and councillors have joined forces to shout loud our objection to the further destruction of our community.”

The submission was jointly lodged by South West Inner City councillors including Criona Ni

Dhalaigh (SF), Michael Pidgeon (GP), Michael Watters (FF), and Rebecca Moynihan (Lab), in addition to Cllr MacVeigh.

The submission says: “We urge the city’s planners to consider our joint submission as a strong and urgent mandate from the community of Dublin’s South West Inner City to reject this type of development and to refuse this application for planning permission.

“We want a city that is developed sustainably with regard to the wishes of the people who live and work here.

“The community has voiced its wishes through the planning process for some time now, and we urge the planners to listen.

“This is the kernel of the democracy that is central to our planning process and this voice must be heard.”

A render of the proposed development

Helping to drum(stick) a message home over food safety CHEF JP McMahon was joined by Grace Dalton to help raise awareness of the importance of cooking Christmas food properly and thoroughly, to help ensure delicious – and safe – fare.

New research from Safefood reveals that a quarter of people are cooking Christmas dinner for the first time this year, with 22% nervous about the task ahead.

However, the new food safety campaign aims to prove that cooking Christmas dinner can be child’s play with the help of safefood.eu, which is a helpful source of practical tips and advice, as well as recipe inspiration for the all-important Christmas leftovers.

Picture: Julien Behal

Robber left Finglas shopkeeper with ‘life-changing injuries’ A ROBBER who attacked a defenceless shopkeeper with a claw hammer, leaving him with “life-changing” injuries, has been jailed for 11 years.

John McKeon (31), with an address at Gleann Riada, Strokestown Road, Longford and his cousin, Daryl McKeon (23), of North Cumberland Street, Dublin, entered Tansey’s Newsagents, Fitzmaurice Road, Finglas, armed with a hammer and screwdriver.

John McKeon hit Kevin Tansey three times to the back of the head with the hammer as he tried to escape. He threatened passers-by who tried to help the injured man.

In CCTV footage of the incident, Daryl McKeon can be seen stepping over the unconscious body of Mr Tansey in order to try and open the cash regis-

her husband for driving and help with other tasks, described to the court the dramatic changes in her husband and their lives since the attack.

ter. The robbers ultimately fled empty-handed.

Mr Tansey suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, which doctors said was potentially fatal.

His wife, who is legally blind and had relied on

“The man who left for work that morning has yet to return, and I am not sure he ever will,” said Mrs Michelle Tansey.

John McKeon was convicted by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury fol-

“

In CCTV footage of the incident, the robber can be seen stepping over the unconscious body of the victim in order to try and open the cash register

lowing a trial last October of robbery at Eurospar, Swords and attempted robbery and assault causing serious harm at Tansey’s Newsagent on March 18, 2017.

He has 71 previous convictions for offences including burglary, dangerous driving, robbery from taxi drivers, criminal damage and common assault of a former partner he punched two days after she had given birth.

Vincent Heneghan SC, defending John McKeon, said his client acknowledged his guilt and was disgusted and ashamed of what he did.

He said his client had been abandoned and iso-

lated and embarked on crime at a young age.

Counsel said his client went into care at nine years old and by 15 he was living in homeless hostels.

He began abusing alcohol at 12 years old and later tablets and cocaine.

Passing sentence, Judge Patricia Ryan said that Mr Tansey sustained very serious injuries which had a “catastrophic” effect on him, his wife and his immediate family.

Judge Ryan sentenced John McKeon to 12 and a half years’ imprisonment, but suspended the final 18 months on strict conditions.

In 2018, Daryl McKeon was jailed for seven years.

19 December 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

COURTS: GUILTY PLEA ON CARELESS DRIVING CAUSING DEATH AND FAILURE TO STOP

Driver who left hit and run victim (13) is sentenced to eight months

A DRIVER who caused the death of a teenage boy in a fatal hit and run has been jailed for eight months.

Lee Henry (13) and a group of his friends were running across a road when he was struck by a black VW Golf driven by Dean Shelley (29), of Casement Road, Finglas West.

Investigations later determined that the car was driving up to around 80kmph in a 60kmph zone.

The investigator concluded that it would be very hard to see anyone running from the side due to hedging and the layout of the road.

Shelley pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to careless driving causing death and failure to stop on the R139 road, Coolock on October 22, 2016.

Passing sentence, Judge Karen O’Connor said the case was aggravated by the nature of the offending, the distress caused to the family and the accused driving in excess of the speed limit.

Judge O’Connor said the mitigating factors in the case were the guilty plea, the accused’s admissions, his presenting himself at a garda station, his troubled background, his impressive work record and his significant remorse and regret.

She said the grief felt by the family was evident and palpable, and that Shelley’s leaving of the scene had caused significant pain to them.

Judge O’Connor sentenced him to 18 months’ imprisonment, but suspended the final ten

months of the sentence on strict conditions, including that he follow all directions of the Probation Service for 12 months after his release.

At an earlier hearing, Detective Sergeant Noel Smith told Dominic McGinn SC, prosecuting, that on the date in question at around 9pm,

a group of four teenage boys ran across the road as Shelley approached the pedestrian crossing in his car.

Det Sgt Smith said that Shelley’s car struck the boy and carried him for some distance on the bonnet before the car braking caused the child to fall onto the road.

Lee was attended at the scene by emergency services and pronounced dead in Temple Street Hospital at 12:15am.

Shelley did not stop at the scene and was pursued by gardai to the back of the nearby Clare Hall housing estate, where he abandoned his car and climbed over a wall.

Gardai discovered his wallet and driving licence within the abandoned car.

There was considerable damage to the bumper of the car and the windscreen had “basically caved in” on top of the driver.

Det Sgt Smith said a collision investigator estimated that Shelley was driving faster than the road’s 60km/h speed limit and was probably driving around 80km/h.

The investigator concluded that it would be very hard to see anyone running from the side due to hedging and the layout of the road.

Shelley arrived to Finglas Garda Station with his father at around 11pm and informed them he thought he had hit someone or something.

In interview, Shelley said he panicked and drove away due to his tax disk being expired and he was afraid his car would be seized.

The accused had been stopped earlier in the day due to his tax being expired and his car was not seized.

He has 12 previous convictions, including convictions for possession of drugs, no insurance and other road traffic matters.

TRAVEL

Westbury on Conde Nast list CONDE Nast Traveller has revealed that a Dublin city centre hotel appears on its The Gold List for 2020, which contains editorial teams’ favourite hotels for next year.

The Westbury Hotel, just off Grafton Street, has been selected as one of the two Irish picks, alongside Adare Manor in Limerick.

Several major hotels, including the Beverly Wiltshire in Los Angeles, the NoMad in New York and the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok, also made the prestigious list The list is curated by Conde Nast Traveller’s award-winning editorial team under editor-in-chief Melinda Stevens More than 100 hotels on The Gold List can be booked directly through the Conde Nast Traveller website via Expedia.

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 19 December 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Liz and Lauren Benson

Hayley and Chloe Fynes

Alan Amsby

The one and only Dame Stuffy, preparing for the show. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

A dame-fun gig T

HERE is nothin’ like a dame – words Dame Stuffy took to heart for her new show, Dame Stuffy’s C’mere Till I Tell Ya! at the Liberty Theatre recently, providing some alternative laughs as panto season gets into high swing across the capital. With several Christmas panto gigs under her belt, Dame Stuffy’s decade-long experience in Christmas cabaret was to the fore for one special night of Stuffyminded fun in the heart of the centre, which highly entertained the audience.

Katie Heffernan and Ciaran McDonagh

Kayla O’Connor and Emmaline Patchell

Shane Coburn and Ramiz Habibovic

A great group shot from The Cast

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Paul Mc Auliffe, with Ciara McGaughey and Millie and Hugh McAuliffe

Full house for a great Helix show

A

Henry and Deirdre Shefflin and kids Henry, Sadhbh and Suin

Lucy with Jack and Holly Kennedy

Colette Fitzpatrick with Milo and Olivia McDermott. Pictures: Sasko Lazarov

FULL house greeted the opening night of The Three Musketeers at The Helix recently, with the panto attracting a host of Irish stars and their families to the busy arts hub.

Guests included the likes of Lucy Kennedy, Anna Daly, Mairead Ronan, Colette Fitzpatrick, Henry Shefflin, Bernard Dunne, Norma Sheehan and many others, with the panto proving a hit with them and the kids.

19 December 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Keith Conlan and Elaine Crowley

Eoghan McDermott and Aoife Melia

Laura Woods and Diana Bunici

Natasha Rocca Devine, Roz Lipsett and Sarah Lipsett. Pictures: Brian McEvy Photography

Designer Claire Garvey

Glamour and glitz at the Julian Benson ball T

HIS year’s Julian Benson Winter Wonderland Ball drew a who’s-who to The Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge recently, with many well-known faces rubbing shoulders with fashionistas and supporters of the ball. They all shared one thing in common: a wish to help support the Julian Benson CF Foundation, with Julian revealing that, thanks in part to the supporters of the popular annual ball, Spring 2020 will see the opening of Tranquility House, a 10-bed, en-suite facility in Ballsbridge, near St Vincent’s Hospital, to help support families living with CF. The 400 guests at the ball were treated to a dizzying range of entertainment from more than 60 performers, with everything from pro dancers from Dancing with the Stars to magic from Keith Barry adding to the evening’s upbeat atmosphere of glamour, fun, and support for people living with CF.

Jake Carter and Karen Byrne

Julian Benson

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 19 December 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Jamie and Mary Kelly

Shannen and Catriona Cox

Mick Devine, Peter Aiken and Maurice Cassidy

Sadhbh McCoy, Claire Teare and Felicity Caffyn.

Pictures: Brian McEvoy

Mamma Mia! There show’s fans go again M

USICAL and Abba fans were out in force at Bord Gais Energy Theatre for the opening of Mamma Mia! recently.

Running at the popular theatre until January 5 as part of its international

Nick Grace and Judy Craymer

Zoe and Hugh Grehan

tour, the smash-hit musical is currently celebrating 20 years since first premiering in London in 1999, and has previously been a huge hit on Dublin visits – bringing fans back for the latest production.

Judy Craymer’s vision of staging the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs with a sunny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads unfolding on a Greek island idyll has wowed audiences all over the world.

19 December 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Mary Black and husband Joe O’Reilly

Fans Caroline Duffy, Catherine McCarthy, Catherine Birch, Anne Durran and Lorraine Browne

Niamh and Shona Doyle with Orla Perkins

Sarah and Frances Hyland

Susan and Ellie Heaney

Ellen and Lorna Walsh

Kris Turnbull, Miriam Doherty, Mary Aiken and Christophe Aertssen

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19 December 2019

DUBLIN GAZETTE EXCLUSIVE EXPOSE ON VULTURE FUNDS: PART 7 OF 7

Your New Year’s Resolution News for county You might win the right to stay in your home, they registrars do not have all the cards

Part 3 of 3 such articles drafted for us by a panel of legal and debt advocacy experts

THE unhappy news for County Registrars is that, even if it’s only an Application to Renew (after a year) an Exemption Order made under the old Law, the new Act will have to be considered (and it will have to be on notice to the Defendant).

The happy news for the County

Registrar is that he/she cannot make the decision under the new Act (including a decision to Renew): he/she must place the matter on the Judge’s List.

Also, the County Registrar can’t just presume the loan contract was fair: after Grant he/she has to read it. And if there’s any query – off to the Judge’s List!

‘Proportionality’ – so what’s new?

THE fact is, most judges a p p l y p ro p o r t i o n a l ity in these cases through Adjournments and Stays.

Is the new Act a new ball game? And if so, how?

Navigating the Act is quite difficult. Expect argument. It speaks of “appropriate” matters to be considered when making “appropriate” Orders.

Not spelt out. Not very clear!

The central theme is the settlement proposal to enable you to remain.

That’s what’s new!

Until now, judges have presumed that repossession is the only proportionate outcome but now they’re on a learning curve: it’s not just proportionality in the area of ECHR, it’s proportionality in the sense of justice, having regard to real interests and conduct of both parties.

We have clear references in the Act to the circumstances of the Borrowers, but the position of the Lenders is not specifically listed.

Interference with the Plaintiff’s Constitutional right to private property will not be disproportionate if it is fully justified for the Common Good.

The private property rights of a secured creditor are already diluted by the Insolvency Legislation,

“

and borrowers should aim to offer a settlement proposal which, all in all, is no worse for the creditor than with a court-approved Personal Insolvency Arrangement.

Where the Act refers to “the total amount that remains to be paid,” the court should look for a Present Value of that stream of payments, and the rate of interest used to discount same.

And the court should note that the loan originator has already recovered

the court should examine “in detail” relevant arguments on interference with your Article 8 rights (“of central importance”) and then “provide adequate reasons” (Yordanova v Bulgaria).

Of course, the Fund might try to load the dice by providing a draft Judgement for the judge. Would they dare? What do you think?

Proportionality cuts both ways. It may be that the Fund which is refused an Order for Possession

98% of the nominal value from the ECB, and doesn’t have to pay that back (this was ‘the bailout’). Somebody’s making an unconscionable gain!

So you’ve actually got two sets of Rights: your Rights under Boxer Moran’s Bill, and your Rights under the ECHR (Article 8).

You may not get a reasoned judgement regarding the judge’s “discretion” under Boxer’s Bill, but you are entitled to insist that

will immediately attack the decision as a disproportionate interference with their Rights and assert that it was not necessary to bring about the policy objective set out in the 2009 Act (as amended).

And they could be right (these are uncharted waters): it all depends on the circumstances in the test case(s).

So, please don’t let the side down. Make sure your Affidavit sets out all the circumstances.

Until now, judges have presumed that repossession is the only proportionate outcome but now they’re on a learning curve ... it’s proportionality in the sense of justice, having regard to real interests and conduct of both parties

Even when a Vulture Fund has you in its grasp, there’s still a lot you can do to present your case fairly and honestly, with your rights also of the upmost importance to consider

If it’s not on affidavit: forget it!

BUT please do not include your legal points in the Affidavit or ANYTHING YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND (‘mumbo jumbo’). “In your own words: do not copy someone else’s.”

Your Affidavit (true facts only) is your answer to the Plaintiff’s case.

All facts which are part of any “matter” which you say should be taken into account should be in the Affidavit(s). Including the “details of any proposal” you make.

Don’t be lazy: work out your own

proposal – the sample proposals set out here are just a few of many. Be creative. You might be surprised at how receptive the judge might be.

You’re helping him/her to decide “proportionality”.

But if you want to cross-examine the other sides’ witnesses (or they want to cross-examine you) in the witness box, the judge can (probably, in due process terms must), set the case down for a full hearing (not just Affidavits).

19 December 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

for 2020 should be ‘Engage’ PTD – The Portable Your ‘Circumstances’ Trade Down YOU can afford to pay the mortgage now, but not the arrears?

Carry the loan (and a mortgage to secure it) to a trade-down home.

Happy days: you do not need to fit in with Central Bank guidelines because the Vulture Fund is not a bank!

Go to over 100% LTV if necessary. Build in an equity

release to cover other creditors (if any). A fresh start!

Bring into court the exact plan: “This is the house we could move to, and we can do this if the court agrees.”

Your winning argument should be: This gets the Vulture Fund a better

deal than in an Insolvency Arrangement.

Difficult to prove, but also difficult to disprove.

If the Vulture Fund tries, argue back: the current arrears will be paid, and the mortgage payments will resume.

The ‘MTR’ Put Option BET you didn’t know that you’re a ‘receivable’! Every (net) cent the Vulture Fund hopes to generate from your situation is, for them, a ‘receivable’.

The issue for the court is that in order to assess ‘proportionality’, it needs to know what figure the Vulture Fund has pencilled in.

If they expect say, 100, from the sale, with the then unsecured deficit written off, (and can prove it), then you may be able to meet that by offering to pay a rent which, as a stream of future payments discounted to its Present Value

(PV), at a specified and reasonable rate of interest, is equivalent to 100.

You can do this by offering to pay annual rent to the Vulture Fund as your landlord, and you get to remain in your home as a long-term tenant.

That Landlord/Tenant deal has a capital value of 100, which the Vulture Fund can sell on.

And the put option? Pay a little extra to buy the right to buy your home back, whenever (within 21 years).

Rent unpaid? Lose the house, lose the option.

BCF – The Bailout Carried Forward MOST of us remember the crazy junior bondholder decision (pay them 100%).

It is a fact that your mortgage loan has been securitised, collateralised, sold on, reinsured and assigned by subrogation and so forth, again and again, to the point where its core asset value, resting

finally in some balance sheet, has shrunk to the grade of junk bond.

Discounted many times, losses absorbed and risks priced in, the ultimate owner is the “junior bondholder” of this transaction.

Ask the court to presume (unless it’s proved otherwise) that the beneficial owner is

offshore, not Irish.

Offer a full and final 50% to buy out the nominal debt.

That’s TWICE the asset value in the owner’s balance sheet, and HALF what you owe.

That’s proportionality.(And an offshore owner doesn’t have Constitutional rights here.)

CMR – The Court Managed Receivership NOMINATE a trusted but independent third party to be a Court Supervised Receiver of the home, pending further Order.

To conduct a sale by public auction (“with vacant possession” but with the option of renting to you), and in the meantime (until completion) to allow your continued occupation as a licensee.(Pay a market rent to the Receiver).

Court directions to place a reserve on it, namely the sum which you, or your VBF or PRF, are able to raise to

buy it.

Do not attempt to rig the auction: stay well away (this isn’t John B Keane’s The Field).

If you don’t get to buy, offer the new owner to rent the place from him even if only on a temporary convenience basis.

Knowing how keen you are to stay, he may realise you’ll be a long-term and paying tenant, with or without HAP. Just the sort of tenant an investor will appreciate.

‘YOUR circumstances’ are not just the history, not just where you’re at now, but ALSO, what the future holds.

What’s your plan for after retirement if you can’t pay off a “warehoused” lump sum then?

And your dependants after you die?

Will you be able to afford a nursing home “fair deal”?

Or will you transfer the house to one of the children, and stay there with a right of residence?

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19 December 2019

DUBLIN

TRAVEL P21

MAGAZINE AUDI’S NEW A4 OFFERS A GREAT MIX OF CLASS, COMFORT AND FEATURES P21

SENIORS P22

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE NEWS AND EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY AND COUNTY

Run, two. three, Go! A RECORD number of Dubliners are expected to take part in one of Ireland’s favourite festive fundraisers, the GOAL Mile, over the Christmas period.

Three Irish stars and GOAL ambassadors, Rugby international, Jenny Murphy; middle distance running champion, Ciara Mageean; and writer, and Ross O’Carroll Kelly creator, Paul Howard, began their warm GOAL Mile warm-ups as they launched this year’s event in the iconic Irishtown Stadium in Dublin, with help from siblings Saoirse and Rossa Moore.

Now in its 38th year, the GOAL Mile is one of Ireland’s largest and longestrunning annual fundraising events and people can choose to walk, run or jog the mile.

Last year, GOAL reached more than 5.5 million people in need, helped by the €250,000 raised from the 2018 GOAL Mile. All GOAL Miles are listed over at goalmile.org with dates and times.

Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

19 December 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19 December 2019

ONE UNIVERSAL tradition over the Christmas season is the annual television binge.

There’s nothing like sitting down in front of the television on a particularly cold December evening, with a mince pie and a mulled wine in tow, or even sitting down after a hefty Christmas

dinner to decompress while watching one of the dozens of films on offer.

With so much choice, it can be difficult to narrow it don’t - but fear not, we’ve got you covered.

We’ve picked our favourite shows on offer across the big six channels - RTE, Virgin Media, TG4, Channel 4 / E4, ITV and BBC - over Christmas week, and up to New Years Eve.

mas Letter, starring a host of Irish actors and narrated by Kate Winslet.

The Irish 3D animation tells the story of eightyear-old Henry’s attempt to bring Christm a s

cheer to a lonely old lady, Mrs Broom. It premieres at 6:30pm on December 23.

RTE’s Christmas Day film highlight is the live action remake of the Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast, starring Emma Watson.

The movie will premiere at 4:45pm on Christmas Day on RTE One – just in time for a

THIS year, Virgin Media TV has a host of to p e n te rtainment on the way, from movies to quizzes and festive

specials too.

Movies on offer this year include a Christmas Day showing of the iconic Wizard of Oz, as well as a traditional viewing of The Snapper on Stephen’s Day. Die Hard 4 and the Pursuit of Happiness will both show on Christmas Eve, with Furious 7 and John Wick both set

to be screened on Virgin Media TV over Christmas week.

There’s a whopping 19 movies set to be showcased on Virgin Media across the festive season, ensuring that there will truly be something for everyone and every taste, but if that’s not enough, be sure to take a look at Virgin Media’s On Demand service.

ITV has a stocking full of Christmas and New Year treats for viewers this year, including more drama on the Cobbles, gossip from the Woolpack, entertainment shows, returning Dramas, Christmas specials of viewer favourites and some fantastic films for all the family.

In the run up to Christmas Gordon Ramsay, Gino

D’Acampo and Fred Sirieix head to Morocco in Gordon, Gino and Fred: A Christmas Roadtrip as they take on more food challenges on this new road trip.

There will be festive specials of Celebrity Catchphrase, The Sara Cox Show at Christmas, James Martin’s Saturday Morning at Christmas, John & Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen, Tenable All

Stars Christmas Special, Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?

Celebrity Special, Jonathan Ross, In For A Christmas Penny and Tipping Point: Lucky Stars Christmas Special.

It will be an eventful Christmas in ITV’s soaps this year, for Coronation Street and Emmerdale. Christmas is all about family and in Emmerdale it’s no difONCE again, the BBC brings a bumper box of yuletide treats featuring a whole host of much-loved performers and presenters which will delight and enchant audiences this Christmas.

Making a welcome return to BBC One on Christmas Day is Gavin & Stacey, showcasing what’s been going on in the

epic Scorcse movie The Irishman, the brand new Ryan Reynolds flick 6 Underground, fantasyfilm The Witche r, r o m a n tic drama and award nomined Marriage Story and much, much more.

For those looking for a view into the modern world, there’s also new documentary series Broken, looking at everything from counterfeit cosmetics, to what’s in vaping products.

Ch 4/E4

snow and all things Christmassy. There’s the

THIS year on Channel 4 there’s something for everyone – whether you’re partial to Kirstie being Crafty, Jamie revealing his go-to Christmas tips, a double portion of festive themed Great British Bake Off, or some heart-warming romance courtesy of The Undateables, they have Christmas wrapped up.

Some famous faces make

TG4

THERE IS more choice than ever over the festive period, thanks to streaming services like Netflix.

An abundance of TV shows and films are on offer on the streaming giant this Christmas, including several new additions and special Christmas content, too.

Highlights to get us in the festive spirit this year include Jack Whitehall: Christmas With My Father, Merry Happy Whatever, Klaus, Let It Snow, the Christmas Prince Tr i l o g y , The Knight B e f o r e Christmas and much more.

If you’ve had too much Christmas contet for one festive season - fear not. Netflix has a host of new films on offer that stray far away from

THERE are several movie premiere highlights on RTE this Christmas, alongside a host of special shows looking back on 2019, and those Irish legends we have lost this year in special productions for the national broadcaster.

One of the main highlights of the Christmas season this year is the animated tale The Christ-

BBC

Other streaming services have started to bite, but for most of us, Netflix is still king – for now – of streaming content.

Here are some highlights to enjoy...

VIRGIN

RACHEL D’ARCY

ITV

What’s on the TV this Christmas?

RTE

HO-HO-HERE’S YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST OF WHAT TO

Fear Darb Ainm Harris

a reappearance on Channel 4 this year, between Jamie Oliver’s Easy Christmas Countdown and Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas, there’s something for those that like to get to work with their hands over the holiday season.

There will be special editions of some of E4 and Channel 4’s best loved programmes this

Christmas, including a Child Genius vs Celebrities Christmas Special starring Jo Brand and Richard Bacon, as well as Made In Chelsea: Buenos Aires, with the north London gang jetting off to Argentina for a festive fling.

Channel 4 will also deliver one of their signature documentaries this Christmas, tak-

IF you’re a documentary buff or a movie fanatic, TG4 is the place for you this Christmas.

The Irish language station will be debuting three fantastic new documentaries on Christmas week – Phil Coulter – Mo Shaol, Ar Thoir na Crown Jewels and Fear Darb Ainm Harris.

Premiering at 9:30pm on Christmas Day, Phil Coulter –

Mo Shaol will take a look at the life of the prolific songwriter/ producer at 9:30pm.

On December 28, Ar Thoir na Crown Jewels will take a look at one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in Irish history – Mary O’Farrell discovering the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels in Dublin Castle in 1907.

New Year’s Day sees the

19 December 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

O WATCH, WHETHER ON YOUR TV OR STREAMING post-dinner relaxation session.

Also,on Christmas Day is the delightful Paddington 2, which showcases Paddington happily settled with the Brown Family and searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday. Paddington 2 will premiere at 7pm on Christmas Day. They have the likes of Frozen and Love Actually ready to watch at any time to get you in the festive spirit, and to keep you entertained over the Christmas season.

There’s also old episodes of Love Island, if you’re in the mood for a re-watch of the antics in the villa, or Living

lives of the Shipmans and the Wests in the last ten years.

The nuns of Nonnatus House return for a Call the Midwife Christmas Special as well, while the residents of Albert Square have to cope with secrets and lies in what promises to be an explosive festive episode of EastEnders.

Doctor Who will also return

Children and adults alike are catered to on St Stephen’s Day when it comes to movies.

Storks will premiere at 2:10pm on December 26, while Bridget Jones’s Baby has its Irish television debut at 9pm on the same night.

Apart from films, RTE also has a host of great television content on the way this Christ-

The Big Soap Quiz of 2019

some of Ireland’s best loved musical artists, including Mary Black, Colm Willkinson, Sonny Knowles, Elvis Costello and more.

There will also be a more poignant show on offer this festive season from RTE, as they show Brendan Grace: Thanks for the Memories concert, in remembrance of the man who brought

so much love and joy to the nation.

The Big Christmas Rewind will also premiere on Christmas Eve, with Irish celebrities and their real-life or TV families sitting down together to rewind through a nostalgic, heartwarming and hilarious mix of the best of Irish Christmas telly from years gone by.

Pat Shortt, Music from D’Telly

With Lucy as well if that’s more up your alley.

Entertainment is also on the cards in abundance this festive season, with the Jonathan Ross Christmas Special on Christmas Eve expected to be a highlight. Graham Norton will also host a New Year’s Eve special on Virgin Media One

this year.

Quizzes are also on the table – the Big Soap Quiz of 2019 will take a look back at the year that was, whilst the Celebrity Chase Christmas Day Special is sure to provide some great post-Turkey-andham entertainment for the whole family.

Lest not forget the major soaps shown on Virgin Media either, who’ll also have bumper packed Christmas specials on offer. Coronation Street and Emmerdale will both suffer major blows in their respective villages, which always proves to be explosive watching on Christmas Day.

senting a one-off special, Pride of Britain: Celebrating 20 Years, this Christmas, reliving many of her favourite memories spanning over the last 20 years.

Paul O’Grady is back with the heart-warming Paul O’Grady: For The Love of Dogs at Christmas. Paul once again brings his unique blend of heartfelt warmth and humour to the

waifs and strays of Battersea as he tries to give the dogs the best Christmas present possible, a new home.

Dancing on Ice fans are in for a treat with Dancing on Ice at Christmas where all the celebrity and professional skaters for the 2020 series will be seen on the ice for the first time.

ferent this Yuletide as The Tates gather to carve the turkey at Home Farm, there is pandemonium when Gra-

ham walks in and delivers a devastating revelation, shattering relationships.

In Coronation Street the residents are dreaming of a White Christmas, but dreams can all too easily turn to nightmares, and this will be one festive season they will never forget.

ITV will also take a look back at some of Corrie’s nostalgic

festive moments in Coronation Street at Christmas.

Alan Carr is hosting a games night that will see six celebrities take seats on his sofas for a show that looks back at the good, the cringe and the unbelievable events of the year in Alan Carr’s Celebrity Re-Play 2019.

Carol Vorderman will be pre-

for it’s 12th season this Christmas period.

Mary Berry caters for a very special party for charity volunteers in A Berry Royal Christmas, and following another glittering series, the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special returns for an all-star episode with six of the most-loved Strictly stars.

On BBC Two, there’ll be an in-depth look at Hugh Grant’s career in new documentary ‘Hugh Grant: A Life On Screen’.

A Merry Tudor Christmas With Lucy Worsley will take a look back at how Christmas was celebrated during the reign of Henry VIII whilst Frankie Boyle will reflect on 2019 in Frankie Boyle’s New World Order.

One of the nation’s favourite children’s books, Paddington, is to be the subject of a special heart-warming programme on BBC Two. A Bear Called Paddington & A Man Called Michael will take a look at how author Michael Bond created an international phenomenon with a little bear from Peru.

ing a look Inside the Toy Factory in an hour-long look inside different toy factories around the world.

Fresh from her legendary slot at Glastonbury this Summer, Kylie Minogue will host Kylie’s Secret night, allowing her fans to see her like never before on Channel 4.

A real Christmas treat this

year will be hand-drawn animated special, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, debuting on Christmas Eve. Based on the best-selling book, the Channel 4 version will also be replayed on Christmas Day. This year, there will also be The Great Festive Bake Off

comedy As Good As It Gets.

Angels & Demons gets a showing on TG4, as well as Catch-22, Apollo 13 and the crime drama Fargo on December 28.

There’s plenty for the whole family on the station as well this Christmas, including the Irish language version of cult classic Shrek on Christmas

day, and the Irish version of Happy Feet Two, which sees penguins Mumble and Gloria return to our screens with a son of their own.

For those not as fluent in our native tongue, they will also be showing Dr Seuss’ The Lorax on Christmas Eve, starring Zac Efron, Danny DeVito and singer Taylor Swift.

The Great Festive Bake Off with the Derry Girls cast

debut of Fear Darb Ainm Harris, celebrating the colourful life of Richard Harris, one of the last great hellraisers of Hollywood.

Showing at 9:30pm, the movie features exclusive interviews with Clint Eastwood, Daniel Radcliffe, Ridley Scott, Jim Sheridan and Stephen Rea. For those looking for something a little different, TG4 are

mas. Finglas is turned into a festive wonderland as Mrs Brown’s world is turned upside down by the arrival of an angel in the first of two festive specials from the ‘queen of Dublin Town’.

Pat Shortt will also have an in-depth look at Music from D’Telly this Christmas, featuring festive favourites and rarely seen performances from

showing older films such as Around the World in 90 Days, Into The West, Rear Window and Flight of the Doves – something a little different from the other more festive offerings on other channels.

Other movies on TG4 this Christmas include the original A Star Is Born starring Janey Gaynor, as well as the 1997

CHRISTMAS TV

Call the Midwife Christmas Special

sees Noel, Sandi, Prue and Paul welcoming brand-new bakers to the festive tent for the first time, in the form of the Derry Girls star cast.

Competing for the coveted Star Baker title are SaoirseMonica Jackson (Erin), Nicola Coughlan (Clare), Jamie-Lee O’Donnell (Michelle), Dylan Llewellyn (James, the Wee

Flight of the Doves

English Fella) and Siobhan McSweeney (St Michael).

To celebrate the dawn of another year, Jimmy Carr returns with the Big Fat Quiz of the Year. Putting a panel of celebrity teams to test as he presents his fiendishly difficult quiz. He’ll also host the Big Fat Quiz of the Decade, to round off the 2010s.

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19 December 2019

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

COOL AND QUIRKY THINGS

BITS & BOBS

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

PICTURED at the launch of the safefood Christmas campaign are Chef, JP McMahon alongside Matei Balasca and Grace Dalton. New research from safefood reveals that one quarter of us are cooking Christmas dinner for the first time this year and 22% are nervous about the task ahead. The food safety campaign aims to prove that cooking Christmas dinner can be child’s play with the help of safefood.eu, which is a helpful source of practical tips and advice, as well as recipe inspiration for the all-important Christmas leftovers. Picture: Julien Behal Photography

C O N TA C T S Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@dublingazette.com Commercial Director: Liz Ferris lferris@dublingazette.com Group Editor: Patrick Finnegan pfinnegan@dublingazette.com Deputy Group Editor & Travel Editor: Shane Dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@dublingazette.com Picture Editor: Alison O’Hanlon picturedesk@dublingazette.com Online & Style Editor: Rachel D’Arcy rdarcy@dublingazette.com Advertising Sales:

01 - 6010240 sales@dublingazette.com

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.

Unpeeling Art Basel ART Basel took place last weekend, with one artwork catching slightly more attention than the others - a banana duct taped to a wall.

The banana, slightly past the ripe stage, was stuck to a wall with duct tape at the annual exhibition in Miami Beach by artist Maurizio Cattelan.

The ‘artwork’ sold to an art collector for $120,000, in news that peaked the world’s interest.

However, just a day later, a random man - who was later revealed to be a performance artist took the banana off the wall and ate it, rendering the art virtually non-existent.

Then, on Sunday, a passer-by entered the gallery, and spotted a man scrawling a controversial message on the wall that previously held the banana, forcing organisers to cover the wall with white cardboard.

Sacha Medici spotted a man live streaming himself writing the phrase ‘Epstein didn’t kill himself’ in red lipstick on the now infamous wall of the gallery.

The message was in reference to the death of former financier Jeffrey Epstein, who is reported to have died by suicide in his jail cell earlier this year.

Raccoon drinks too much wine

Pigeons in tiny cowboy hats are a mystery

THE rodeo must have rolled into Las Vegas last week, as dozens of pigeons were spotted wearing tiny red cowboy hats.

Locals noticed the birds with the tiny hats, posting videos and images to social media. However, nobody is sure who is giving the pigeons these hats, or how they’re managing to get the tiny cowboy hats to stay on the birds’ ever bobbing heads.

A pigeon advocacy group in Las Vegas, Lofty Hopes, have raised concerns about the tiny hats and how they managed to find themselves on the pigeons’ heads.

There is still no word on who is making the hats, or putting them on the pigeons’ heads.

A RACCOON in Germany got a little too into the festive spirit recently, after sipping too much mulled wine from abandoned glasses around a Christmas Market.

The raccoon eventually passed out in the middle of the market, after staggering through groups of people for a short period beforehand. He is believed to have toyed with a woman’s shoes and taken a rest on the steps of a nearby building.

A police spokesperson from the city of Erfurt, in central Gemany, said that the raccoon was ‘obviously intoxicated’, but that no breathalyzer tests were carried out on the animal.

Sadly, although German media initially reported that the raccoon had been taken to a nearby animal shelter, it was revealed that the animal was handed over to a local hunter, who sadly shot the raccoon.

DOG OF THE WEEK 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 Biddy, a beautiful seven-year-old female Alaskan Malamute who loves to say ‘Hi’ to everyone she meets, but can be a little unsure about being handled by new people. Once she decides she likes you, she will approach and seek rubs and affection on her own terms.

Biddy is looking for an adult family who will allow her time to settle in.

She will need someone who is always home, at least for the first while.

As she settles into her new home,

time spent alone can be built up gradually. Biddy can be quite vocal when meeting dogs on walks, but she just wants to play. She could share a home with a dog of similar size.

If you have room in your heart and home for Biddy 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.)

biddy

19 December 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

latitude&longitude

TAKE A BREAK, AT HOME OR AWAY

TRAVEL

Catch the Winter Sun

SHANE DILLON Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon and the Northern Lights

A 2020 holiday in Iceland could be one of the coolest destinations you’ll ever see FOR those looking for an unforgettable trip once the New Year is well under way, Travel Department are offering the trip of a lifetime to the land of fire and ice – Iceland.

The March 2020, fully-guided holiday will bring you to a wide range of the famously rugged, beautiful island, where you’ll discover firsthand its unique character and natural wonders.

With its ‘Land of Fire and Ice’ moniker, there aren’t many places in the world which have such contrasting dramatic landscapes.

From the Blue Lagoon to spouting geysers, glaciers and fjords, Iceland is an enchanting country just waiting to be explored.

It is one of few places in the world where it is possible to see the amazing Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) rippling in eerily beautiful waves overhead.

On terra firma, the unusual and versatile landscape, with its black volcanic beaches, waterfalls, bird cliffs, volcanoes, glaciers, hot springs and more, will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

On this fully-guided holiday with Travel Department, enjoy a visit to the world famous Blue Lagoon, take a guided tour of Europe’s most northerly capital, Reykjavik; hunt for the incredible Northern Lights, and embark on a full-day tour of the Golden Circle – a route that is home to some of Iceland’s most wonderful natural attractions, including Gullfoss Waterfall.

There will also be a full day of leisure time to further explore this beautiful region or relax at your own pace.

This trip and a half is priced from €929pp for four nights including return flights, transfers, three-star or four-star B&B hotel accommodation, and excursions with expert local guides.

To book, see www.traveldepartment.ie, or call 01 637 1600.

Travel Editor IT’S beginning to look a lot like ... the perfect time to plan a New year break.

As much as we all love you-know-what, the thought of stretching our legs by the pool under some Christmas sun – or at least enjoying a warmer clime – is sure to give would-be holidaymakers a sunny disposition, even as the Winter chill bites.

Holiday experts TUI have rounded up a range of New Year and early 2020 breaks that won’t bust the post-Christmas bank, but which you can surely bank on to be a great holiday in a sunnier, warmer spot.

After all, Irish holidaymakers need no introduction to the likes of old favourites Lanzarote, Gran Canaria (main image) or Tenerife (inset), none of which will be exactly scorching hot in January or February, but all of which can be relied upon to have much better, warmer weather than dear old Dublin.

From Blue Flag beaches for family fun, to busy nightlife options, to strong cultures and friendly locals, these and

similar destinations have it all for anyone looking for a post-Christmas holiday.

Here are just a few of the holiday deals that could give a perfect, wallet-friendly break in the coming months ...

• January 9, Dublin to Gran Canaria, Mirador Maspalomas by Dunas, Maspalomas, three-star, all inclusive, seven nights from €569pps.

• January 17, Dublin to Tenerife, Hotel Catalonia Las Vegas, Puerto de la Cruz, three-star-plus, half board, seven nights from €599pps.

• January 20, Dublin to Lanzarote, Paradise Island, Playa Blanca, three-star-plus, all inclusive, seven nights from €559pps.

• February 7, Dublin to Tenerife, Las Piramides resort, Playa de las Americas, two-star, self catering, seven nights from €529pps.

• February 20, Dublin to Gran Canaria, Monte Feliz, Bahia Feliz, threestar, self catering, seven

nights from €449pps.

• February 24, Dublin to Lanzarote, Cinco Plazas, Puerto del Carmen, three-star-plus, self catering, seven nights from €509pps.

And, if you’re thinking of a mid-term family (2+1) break, why not plump for February 13, Dublin to Gran Canaria, Castillo de Sol, Puerto Rico, threestar, self-catering, seven

nights from €1,329pps.

All holidays are subject to change and availability.

For further information on these and other offers, see www.tuiholidays.ie, or call 1850 45 35 45.

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19 December 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

WELL WORTH A LISTEN AND A LOOK

Moncrieff: The Alt-Pop star on the rise London-Irish experiences have helped the Waterford native really find his voice

THERE were plenty of barriers to Moncrieff pursuing a life in his colourful, emotive brand of pop music, from social pressures at school to a gut feeling that it wouldn’t work as a career at home.

He’s jovial and outgoing, though, and prepared to spill his life into his heartfelt, poetic melodies.

A move to London to commit fully was the kickstart he needed.

“There were no avenues really to pursue modern music, just the choir,” Moncrieff says of his upbringing in a small town outside Waterford.

“The choir was social suicide, really. I did love singing, I probably would have enjoyed it, and the occasional musicals, but growing up I didn’t want to stick out. I was a sportsperson.

“I didn’t start doing things publicly until I was 18, in a band, and played local school shows. It snowballed for me – I became obsessed.

“As soon as I decided I was

 JAMES HENDICOTT

going to make music, I realised that it was what I wanted to do, a dream to chase, and that it could be done. It’s been done before, so why not?”

He continues: “I knew London would make the learning curve steeper.

Difficult, but worthwhile.

“There are a lot of people that succeed in Ireland but never achieve anything in the UK. “Sometimes, the quality in Ireland isn’t in the spotlight elsewhere, and there is so much quality.

“I knew I’d learn a lot more and get a lot further outside of my comfort zone in London.”

Since arriving across the water, Moncrieff’s Irish success has seen a massive uptick, with his show at The Soundhouse selling out extremely quickly, and his forthcoming Academy main room date showing his progression.

“

“For the first few months I couldn’t get on at open mic nights over there,” he laughs.

“Later, I figured out when to get on for my time of music, how to get my name down, stuff like that.

“I did so many nights, and I learnt so much. I learnt so quickly, and that’s what London represented to me. It made it much easier to perform live, which is everything to me.

“One thing that’s very important to me is that what I do is genuine. I don’t think it’s possible to do anything else without people seeing through you,” he says of the tracks that appear on his EP, The Early Hearts.

“It’s the story of the early days, of everyone who impacted me as an artist, a collection of personal stories.

“You want to give so m e t h i n g ge nu i n e, something that is real, but you don’t want to dictate to the audience how they should see it.

“Ultimately, the power lies in being able to see yourself in the song, and evoking a feeling the listener has. It sounds a bit airy-fairy, but it is about that connection.

“Some of my songs are very close to the bone. I wrote one of them about trying to get back with my ex, and leaving it way, way too late.

“That song has to come out and tell that story, and I spoke to her about it, and told her I didn’t think she should listen to it. Obviously, she did.

“You never really know what the reaction is going to be, but it was ok.

“I think as long as you go into it with a positive heart, I hope people I sing about can’t be too offended!

“For the average person, it can be about whatever they want it to be about. It’s not really ‘my’ song once it’s done.”

Moncrieff plays the Soundhouse (sold out) on December 19, and The Academy on April 26.

There are a lot of people that succeed in Ireland but never achieve anything in the UK. Sometimes, the quality in Ireland isn’t in the spotlight elsewhere, and there is so much quality.

19 December 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF TRANSPORT

MOTORS

Renault Captur earns max safety The new Audi A4 saloon offers a very attractive mix of comfort and class, with a rich set of features

New Audi A4 delights DECLAN GLYNN

THANKS to a new design language, and an almost completely new body (everything except the bonnet, roof and boot lid), the sporty character of the new Audi A4 saloon comes into play more than ever – it appears dynamic and powerful, while attractive and aesthetic at the same time.

A 2. 0- li tre pe tro lpowered engine (badged TFSI) is available with a power output of 150bhp or190bhp, while the diesel-powered 2.0 TDI engines produce 136bhp, 163bhp or 190bhp.

The latter variant features quattro all-wheel drive, ensuring optimum traction and driving dynamics.

Some of these engine

variants feature a 12-volt mild hybrid system with a belt-starter generator and a Lithium-ion battery.

This technology allows, for example, a shutdown of the engine while driving, which

reduces fuel consumption.

Two ge n e ro u s l yequipped trim levels are available in the new Audi A4 – SE, and S Line, while a 7-speed automatic (S-tronic) is standard across the engine

and model range – with the option of a six-speed manual gearbox reserved exclusively for the 150bhp petrol engine.

Standard SE specification includes items such as front and rear seats in leather, heated front seats, three-zone deluxe automatic climate control, front and rear parking sensors and rear view camera.

Other features include Audi drive select, cruise control with speed limiter, Audi Smartphone Interface, LED interior lighting package, and electric folding exterior mirrors, which are also heated and auto-dimming.

Additionally, S Line specification includes 19” Audi Sport Alloy Wheels, S line front and rear bumpers, headlining

in black cloth, decorative inserts in Matte Brushed Aluminium, black gloss look (area surrounding gear knob), scuff plates with aluminium inserts in front, illuminated, with ‘S’ logo, leather/Alcantara sports seats with ‘S’ embossing, and sports suspension.

The cabin of the new A4 remains simple, intuitive to use and stylish, while the Audi’s numerous aluminium and soft-plastic trims look classy and feel absolutely bulletproof.

No other car this size is quite as well built as the Audi A4, and the car feels like it will last for generations to come.

Pricing for the new Audi A4 starts at €40,520 (ex-delivery), and is available to test-drive and order now.

THE new Renault Captur has been awarded the maximum 5-star Euro NCAP safety test rating.

T h e n ew C a p t u r passed the Euro NCAP safety test with 5 stars with its latest generation, proving its qualities in terms of safety and wide range of driving aids.

The Captur now joins the all-new Clio (also 5 stars) on the list of the safest vehicles, and benefits from an optimised body structure, revised seat structures and seat belt fasteners designed to provide optimal support for all occupants with pyrotechnic pre-tensions and force limiters.

New features on the Captur include the option of a 360° camera and active emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, which are both firsts in the Renault range.

The highlight is the Highway and Traffic Jam Companion, which

is rare in the small SUV class and provides significantly improved comfort and tranquillity when driving.

This advanced driver assistance system constitutes a first step towards autonomous vehicles.

ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) available on the all-new Captur fall into three categories: Driving, Parking and Safety.

Together, they form t h e Re n a u l t E A SY DRIVE system.

Their settings are easy to adjust from the Renault EASY LINK multimedia system touchscreen.

With its renewed design, improved technology features and all its innovations, the new Renault Captur opens a new era in Groupe Renault’s product strategy and offers the best in safety for the marketleading urban SUV. For further information on the new Captur, see www.renault.ie.

It’s nearly the end of the road for the manual handbrake DECLAN GLYNN

Now you see it ... but manual handbrakes are going the way of the dodo in new cars

THE manual handbrake is quickly becoming a thing of the past in the new car market, with 70% of current models coming only with an electronic parking brake with no manual option.

Indeed, some manufacturers – namely, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes and Porsche – have discarded the mechanical handbrake across their entire

model line-up, meaning it’s electronic or nothing if you want a car from these brands.

The trend for replacing manual handbrakes with electronic ones is increasing, too.

In 2018, 37% of cars had a manual handbrake, with just 30% having one today.

Dacia and Suzuki are among the car makers to continue to offer a manual handbrake across their ranges, but with seven out

of 10 new cars coming as standard with an electronic handbrake, the familiar ratchet sound of a brake being applied is set to be consigned to the history books.

Advancements in car technology are happening at a rate never seen before, so it is logical that electronic systems will take over from their mechanical counterparts.

A major advantage of the electronic handbrake is the assistance

they give for hill starts, and this can be a huge benefit to learner drivers and fully qualified drivers who have a fear of their car rolling backwards on an incline.

However, one drawback the demise of the mechanical parking brake brings, is the fact that the handbrake turn – performed safely in track conditions, of course – may become an unachievable prospect for the latest generation of drivers.

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19 December 2019

DUBLIN SENIORS

This week we speak to CEO of ALONE, Sean Moynihan

Public urged to be mindful of vulnerable seniors this Christmas ALONE is a national organisation that supports and empowers older people to age happily and securely at home.

They support individuals and their families, work with other organisations, and campaign nationwide to improve the lives of older people.

They work with all older people, including those who are lonely, isolated, homeless, living in poverty, or are experiencing other difficulties.

ALONE supports them through these challenges to help them find long-term solutions.

CEO of ALONE, Sean Moynihan

CEO of ALONE, Sean Moynihan (pictured) spoke to Dublin Gazette and appeals to our readers to be extra mindful of our vulnerable senior citizens over the festive season.

“With the festive season well and truly upon us, it is a wonderful time of year for families, friends and communities to come together and connect.

For many of us it is the only time of year that we meet up with some family members and neighbours, and the Christmas season is one which is full of reunions and reminiscences.

However, the winter season is not

without its challenges, particularly for older people who are experiencing loneliness, living in poor housing conditions, or experiencing financial difficulties – and unfortunately through our work in ALONE, we work with more and more people facing these challenges every year.

At ALONE, we support older people to age happily and securely at home.

This year we have supported more than 5,000 older people who are experiencing loneliness, housing and health challenges, difficulties accessing services, fuel poverty and other difficulties.

We work with all older people, from those who are most vulnerable to those who are most active and independent.

Even though Christmas is a time for connection, there are many older people we work with who will be spending Christmas alone, not by their preference.

There are thousands of older people across Ireland who struggle with loneliness, and Christmas is just one of many long nights throughout the winter months which can be particularly difficult.

One in ten people over 75 feel lonely a lot of the time.

This year, ALONE will deliver Christmas dinners to older people spending Christmas Day by themselves.

However, loneliness isn’t just an issue on the day itself; for many older people it is an issue all year round.

Many of us don’t realise the impact that loneliness can have on your physical as well as your mental health.

Not only has loneliness been associated with mental ill-health, it is also linked to adverse outcomes including premature nursing home admission.

Sean Moynihan is pictured with staff and service users of ALONE. Picture: Jason Clarke Alone

And most troublingly, older people experiencing high levels of loneliness are almost twice as likely to die within six years as those who are not lonely.

We can all be guilty of getting caught up in the build up to Christmas.

But we must remember that for older people, challenges including loneliness, the increased difficulty of getting out and about, the cost of fuel and heat-

to have to rely on charity. Many of the people we serve at ALONE have worked or in some cases struggled all their lives.

For many, things have changed as they have gotten older and they need support.

Most never thought they would be using our services in their old age. But until we fully acknowledge the challenges experienced by older people

ing, and associated challenges relating to mobility, finance, and health, can all prove a struggle at this time of the year.

We are working with increasing numbers of older people who are experiencing challenges such as notices to quit from rented accommodation, substandard housing conditions, and many who are struggling to manage on the State pension.

The important thing to remember is that there are solutions to these challenges.

But we need to ensure that every older person knows that support is available.

Getting older can and should be a positive experience, and if not already that way, we can help to support and make it so.

At ALONE, we don’t want anyone

and resource the solutions, NGOs like ALONE must step up to fill the gaps.

“

Our volunteers always emphasise the impact that volunteering has had on them and how much benefit it brings to their lives. In helping someone else, you can actually help yourself.

This year we have welcomed the launch by Government of a €3 million funding scheme for organisations that combat loneliness, and the release of a Joint Policy Statement on Housing Options for our Ageing Population.

However, we need to do more, and as a community we need to respond too.

Our volunteers always emphasise the impact that volunteering has had on them and how much benefit it brings to their lives. In helping someone else, you can actually help yourself.

If you are among the lucky people looking forward to the festive season, I encourage you to spread it forward in your community.

During winter we all value connection. It only takes a few minutes to make a difference this Christmas.

If you need support from ALONE, or are interested in volunteering, find more details on www.alone.ie or call ALONE on 0818 222 024.

ALONE service users Paul Hynes and Don Johnson. Picture: Jason Clarke Alone

19 December 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!

CODEWORDS

You could advertise here

PUZZLES

SUDOKU EASY

MODERATE

SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR THE SOLUTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S PUZZLES

WORD SEARCH

HOW TO SOLVE Codewords are like crossword puzzles - but have no clues! Instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle.

All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number!

To start you off, we reveal the codes for two or three letters.

As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid.

Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

FIND THE HIDDEN WORDS AFFORD BOREDOM DEPENDING DISGUST EARL ENIGMAS EVENSONG FINALIST HILLSIDE KEENS NONSENSE

POLLY REPRINTED SADDLERS SCHOOLING SEIZES SLORC SMALLNESS UPHELD VALUED YOURSELF

To advertise here please contact sales@dublingazette.com or call 01 6010240

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 19 December 2019

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FUTURE

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CITY  DUBLINGAZETTECLASSIFIEDS

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19 December 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

FOOTBALL: EVENT AIMED AT DE-STIGMATISING PEOPLE IN CUSTODY

HOCKEY

Muckross celebrate. Picture: Adrian Boehm

Muckross and Alex snag crucial results

Deputy Governor of Mountjoy Donnacha Walsh, Cllr Larry O’Toole, Thresa Walsh, Governor Eddie Mullins and Bohemian Foundation President Thomas Hynes.

Bohs Foundation hosts Mountjoy Xmas dinner BOHEMIAN FOUNDATION  RYAN CLARKE

sport@dublingazette.com

THE BOHEMIAN Foundation put on its annual senior citizens Christmas dinner in Mountjoy Prison recently to great success.

The event is aimed at bringing senior citizens inside Mountjoy to help de-stigmatise people in custody who have shown a desire to rehabilitate themselves before they are released.

The Christmas dinner was made and served entirely by a team of people in custody who work in the Mountjoy kitchens.

The Bohemian Foundation is the volunteer community organisation from Bohemian Football club.

Along with its work inside Mountjoy, it has a number of other programmes helping children and adults with learning disabilities.

This is the seventh year that the Bohemian Foundation has put on the event, and the numbers attending have steadily

grown over the years.

Initially, it was just a small group from Cabra who attended the dinner but, now, they are joined by groups from Finglas and Phibsborough and they now number 70 in total.

The atmosphere in the dining room was laid back, with conversation flowing everywhere you looked – the prisoners laughing and joking with the senior citizens the whole time.

However, the usual singsong after dinner was brought to another level when award-winning opera singer, David Scott, stunned the room with some traditional Christmas tunes.

His performance inspired both Governors of Mountjoy to take to the stage and they were in fine voice alongside Cllr Larry O’Toole, who was deputising as Lord Mayor.

Governor Eddie Mullins outlined the importance of being able to show senior citizens that the prisoners are capable of turning their lives around.

“This event is about bringing

everyone from the community in to show the good work going on here,” he said.

“The fun that people are having tonight is fantastic, and to be able to show them we’re not all monsters in here is brilliant. This is true rehabilitation.”

With the evening coming to an end, Theresa Walsh is crowned the singer of the night by David Scott.

She praised the behaviour of the prisoners throughout the evening and said that the food was lovely.

She added, “We look forward to this every year and it’s brilliant to meet new people and the singsong we have is great. I didn’t expect to win tonight.”

The work of the Bohemian Foundation is vital to Dublin according to Cllr O’Toole. He said that he was privileged to represent the Lord Mayor at the event and praised the prisoners and the staff of Mountjoy.

Dr Ian Marder, who lectures Criminology in Maynooth University and Dr Laura Booi, a

research fellow at Trinity College Dublin’s Institute of Neuroscience also attended the dinner.

Dr Marder stressed that the most important thing the Bohemian Foundation does is bring the outside community inside the prison walls.

Dr Booi, whose work focuses on dementia, said: “It is terrific seeing the interaction between the people in custody and the senior citizens. The Bohemian Foundation is a valuable asset to Dublin and I look forward to collaborating with them in the future.”

Bohemian Foundation President, Thomas Hynes, explained he was honoured to host such distinguished guests and the Foundation is excited to work with them in the future.

“Tonight’s dinner was a huge success once again. It’s great to see the senior citizens and prisoners being able to chat and joke with one another.

“It shows the huge potential of rehabilitation when done correctly,” Hynes said.

MUCKROSS moved up to sixth place at Christmas in the women’s EY Hockey League as Sophie Barnwell’s 50th minute goal earned them a 2-1 win over Dublin 4 rivals Pembroke at Serpentine Avenue, their second victory of the campaign.

It was all square at half-time with Susie Cannon opening the scoring before Aisling Naughton was credited with the Pembroke goal to make it 1-1.

The crucial moment saw Barnwell on the back post to tap in after a lovely piece of skill from Anna O’Flanagan from a penalty corner.

Pembroke had plenty of pressure in the closing phases but Muckross held on for an important win.

In Belfield, meanwhile, two Deirdre Duke goals in three minutes along with a Carolyn Crampton penalty stroke save combined to earn Old Alex a 2-2 draw, keeping them in third place in the table with UCD in fifth.

The students dominated large tranches of the contest but they could not make full use of their opening and ended up paying the price.

They did go 1-0 up in the eighth minute when Michelle Carey did much of the approach work and Lena Tice finished off a great goal.

It stayed that way until three minutes into the second half when they produced another classy team goal, Ellen Curran passing to Michelle Carey and on to Sarah Young in the D. She picked out the perfect ball for Niamh Carey to slot home.

But from Alex’s first corner, Deirdre Duke found the net in the 47th minute and three minutes later, she had her second to level the match at 2-2.

It opened the gate for an end-to-end final quarter with both sides having their chances but none more than Tice from the penalty spot after a foul on Niamh Carey. Crampton denied her, however, and so Alex retained their hold on a point.

Loreto made the big move over the weekend with a 3-2 win on Saturday against Railway Union backed up by a 4-2 success in Limerick against Catholic Institute.

Deirdre Duke following her equaliser. Picture: Adrian Boehm

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  CITY 19 December 2019

CAMOGIE

BASKETBALL: CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE ASSURED FOR MERCY

DCU Mercy and Saints Super wins SUPER LEAGUE  DAVE DONNELLY

Whitehall celebrate their success

Whitehall close year with cracking finale MINOR C CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL  DARREN BRADY

sport@dublingazette.com

WHITEHALL brought down the curtain on the Dublin camogie year in the best possible fashion as they landed the minor C camogie championship title with a 3-8 to 1-9 success in Abbottstown in dry but baltic cold conditions.

This game promised to be a cracker between the established Whitehall Colmcille’s and the up and coming Naomh Maur from Rush.

From the throw in, the game was played at a frantic pace with Ailbhe Noonan opening the scoring for Whitehall with a fine point.

This was quickly followed with a goal by Abbie McDonald to put Whitehall 1-1 in front.

Maurs created a couple of goal chances of their own and were starting to warm into the game.

A great point from Eile O’Ceallaigh put Whitehall 1-2 up before Aoife Brady opened the scoring for Maurs with a well taken point off the left. This was followed up with a point from Sophie O’Hara for Maurs after a fine run and strike.

Another point from O’Ceallaigh and one from Isabellè McGarry stretched the Whitehall lead 1-4 to 0-2.

From this point Maurs took the game by the scruff and points from Megan Benson (3) and Ashling Mc Cormack brought the gap to the minimum. On the cusp of half-time, a second goal for Whitehall, this time from Ciara Power, stretched the lead to 4.

Maurs were not to be outdone and finished the half with two quick points from Aoife Brady and Megan Benson, leaving just two points in it at whistle.

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first with Whitehall opening the scoring with points from O’Ceallaigh, Sarah Quinn and Isobelle Gray, giving them a five point margin to work with.

Maurs hit back with a pointed free from Benson to narrow the gap to four.

But Whitehall found another gear at this point and were cutting through the Maurs defence at will, resulting in two well-taken goals from Ciara Power and O’Ceallagh.

Ailbhe Noonan registered her second point of the afternoon to leave the scores Whitehall 3-8 Maurs 0-9.

Hazel Austin added a goal for Maurs but it proved to be too little, too late after some great defensive play from Whitehall.

sport@dublingazette.com

DCU Mercy will occupy pole position in the Women’s Super League over Christmas as they ran out handsome 76-33 winners over Liffey Celtics on Sunday afternoon.

A dominant performance against last season’s double winners made it nine wins from ten for the season and maintained the buffer of six points between them and the chasing pack.

Mercy went into the half-time break with a 31-point advantage, having restricted the Celtics to a miserly eight points in the first two quartets.

DCU pulled further ahead as they spread points evenly around the team, with Meredith Burkhall leading the charts with 16, Sarah Woods posting 11 and Ashley Russell 10.

Pyrobel Killester came out the right side of an epic battle with Brunell in Cork as the emerged 95-93 winners following overtime.

The two sides were inseparable at the end of normal time, at 81 points

DCU Saints’ Marcus Black drives toward the basket. Picture: Martin Doherty

apiece, with Christa Reed and Adella Randle El particularly impressive.

Reed finished with 28 points, Randle El with 26 and Aisling McCann 20 after overtime – an incredible 74 of the 95 points between the three players.

The result leaves Killester on 18 points after ten games, just three points off WIT, Maree and Glanmire in the top four.

HIGHER LEARNING DCU honour Gavin with honorary degree DUBLIN CITY University conferred former Dublin manager Jim Gavin with an honorary doctorate at a special ceremony on its Glasnevin Campus this week.

He is pictured with Dr Martin McAleese, DCU Chancellor, Professor Brian MacCraith, DCU President, and Dublin player, Jonny Cooper.

“I am honoured, and I am humbled by this award and I accept it on behalf of the people who have shaped me and the teams, institutions and organisations that I have been privileged to represent and serve,” Gavin said at the event.

Picture: Julien Behal photography

In the men’s Super League, DCU Saints picked up a big derby win over Pyrobel Killester as they ran out 95-89 winners in Clontarf.

Veteran Mike Bonaparte top-scored with a stunning 36 points, while Graham Brannelly managed 18 to draw the Saints level on points with their hosts.

Saints coach Mark Kiernan said: “I’m extremely

happy tonight with that win after a tough few weeks. We’ve kept positive in training and worked hard and that showed there tonight.

“We moved the ball ex t re m e l y we l l a n d knocked down our shots.

Credit to Killester who fought until the buzzer, but we’re very happy to be going into the Christmas break with a win.”

Griffith College Templeogue slipped two places to fourth following their 90-79 home defeat to Belfast Star, who replaced them in second position as a result.

The sides were separated by just a point going into the final quarter but two three-pointers from Connor Johnston helped the Antrim side to inch clear in the latter stages.

19 December 2019 CITY  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

HURLING: NEW BOSS TEST HIS OPTIONS AS SCHUTTE RETURNS TO THE FOLD

FOOTBALL

Dubs get RTE gong

Dublin’a Aidan Mellett on the attack;inset - Mattie Kenny. Main picture: Cliona Mellett

Kenny reign’s good start WALSH CUP Dublin 1-22 Westmeath 0-17  CÓILÍN DUFFY sport@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN’S senior hurlers began their Walsh Cup 2020 campaign on a strong note, delivering an eight-point win over Westmeath at TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar on Sunday afternoon last.

Manager Mattie Kenny was pretty pleased with his side’s performance, fielding a largely experimental side, handing Dublin Senior debuts to five players.

Among the newcomers was Belfast native Lorcan McMullan who put in an incredible shift over the 70 minutes plus, and scored three points from play for the Metropolitans from midfield.

McMullan, who has played for Kilmacud Crokes in recent years, really grasped his chance with aplomb.

The returning Donal Burke also made a strong contribution, with the Na Fianna clubman having missed out on the 2019

championship.

Cuala’s Mark Schutte also made a welcome return after a three-year lay-off through a mix of being involved with the Dublin footballers and also injury in the past 12 months.

“Mark did really well,” Kenny said after the game.

“He got 70 minutes under his belt. Mark was anxious to get out there today and get some game time.

“Over the past few seasons he’s had a number of injuries and a number of issues that were unfortunate.

“He’s back training away now and he’s getting strong and fitter, and his hurling will be coming on with every game and every training session.

We are hopeful that Mark will have a really good season for us next year.”

It was Westmeath who got off to the stronger start in this contest, as the hosts led by by 0-5 to 0-2 after nine minutes, with Niall Mitchell and Eoin Price hitting two points each, before Darragh Clinton ensured a

three-point lead, after converting a free.

Dublin levelled the tie by the 13th minute, following scores from Kilmacud Crokes clubman Oisín O’Rorke (2) and Na Fianna’s Burke.

Kenny’s charges kept up the momentum and claimed a lead they wouldn’t relinquish after Aidan Mellett grabbed the only goal of the game a minute later.

The Ballyboden St Enda’s clubman finished to the net after some great support play.

These scores came in a brilliant spell for the visitors, where they grabbed 1-7 unanswered, with Schutte, Thomas Davis clubman Davy Keogh, McMullan and Burke all adding fine points, to ensure a seven-point lead.

That advantage was extended to double scores at the break, as O’Rorke, Burke and McMullan continued to add scores, to ensure a 1-15 to 0-9 advantage.

Westmeath battled hard on the restart, with the likes of half-time substitute Derek McNicholas

and Price taking scores, but the 53rd minute dismissal of Joe Boyle on a second yellow card proved costly.

Dublin continued to register some fine scores after this, with Davy Keogh landing a fine sideline cut, and Donal Burke and Mark Schutte also on target on the way to a richly deserved victory.

Boss Kenny was, overall, pleased with his side’s display.

“This time of the year is about the pre-season.

A lot of the lads are doing heavy gym programmes, and a little bit of running.

“Obviously their hurling would be a little bit off at this time of the year.

“One thing is always constant, and that’s guys attitude and work-rate.

“The guys put in a good shift out there today, and I suppose that’s all we can ask of them.

“It’s like a training session, you come down and work hard for 70 minutes.

In fairness to them they put some nice passages of play together, and got some nice scores, and they did pretty well.”

DUBLIN’S men’s senior footballers were honoured with the prestigious ‘Team of the Year’ award at the RTÉ Sport Awards on Saturday.

They became the first Gaelic Games team since the Cork Ladies footballers to pick up the award in 2014.

“Credit to the lads, eventhough a lot of them are still young, these are lads I looked up to in 2011, seeing Ciaran Kilkenny out there (in the Minor All-Ireland), and Brian (Fenton) - getting the opportunity to play with him also with Raheny,” Dublin forward Brian Howard said. “It’s special when you get to play with your friends and the lads you looked up to, on the pitch on the special days in September.”

GazetteSPORT DECEMBER 19-26, 2019

ALL OF YOUR DUBLIN CITY SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 29-31

BOHS BRING THE ’JOY SOCCER:

Bohemian Foundation run annual Christmas event in Mountjoy Prison SEE P29

DCU GET SUPER DOUBLE WIN BASKETBALL: DCU Mercy and Saints both land impressives league wins.

SEE P30

KENNY OFF TO WINNING START HURLING: New blues boss gets up and running with an experimental side seeing off Westmeath. SEE P31

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Farrell brings perfect pedigree for Dubs role  CÓILÍN DUFFY

sport@dublingazette.com

DESSIE Farrell will lead the Dublin senior footballers in 2020, taking over the mantle from Jim Gavin as manager with confirmation coming at the Dublin GAA convention on Thursday night.

The Na Fianna clubman’s appointment was announced by outgoing Dublin GAA chairman Sean Shanley to delegates.

Farrell will set about appointing his selectors in the coming days, although it is likely that there will be little change in the back-room setup, according to new chairman Michael Seavers.

“We’ve had discussions with Dessie about what he wants in the background,” Seavers said.

“We have offered our expertise. We aren’t going to be, and we never have been, a county that puts restrictions on somebody. We trust him to do the job.

“We have a lot of the p ro fe s s i o n a l i s m a n d methodology in place from Jim’s time, and we don’t see a need to break it up.

“From talking to Dessie, he doesn’t see too either. We take all of the things that are going to make us better, and I don’t think there will be much alteration to what is already there - if it’s not broken why fix it?!”

The former Ga elic Players Association chief executive brings a wealth of experience to his new

Dessie Farrell is the new Dublin manager.

Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

“We have also identified that we have to create

the ‘culture of Dublin’ - the love of the jersey and what it stands for. role, having guided Dublin minor and Under-21 teams to All-Ireland successes.

Farrell won an All-Ireland senior football title alongside Gavin in 1995, and is seen by many as his natural successor as senior manager.

Seavers says Gavin’s boots will be tough to fill.

“It’s a hard act to follow, that page is now closed. Dessie followed the same apprenticeship that Jim followed, with

All-Irelands at Under-21 level.

“He told us in our discussions with him the pain of losing the minor final to Tipperary in 2011 is as good a learning curve as it was for the senior footballers with Donegal.

“Dessie is well qualified. With him, it will be a case of man managing, because of the ability of the guys.

“He does recognise that they are super ath-

letes, and they are so humble. He’ll just build on that culture Jim and his backroom team have.

“We have full confidence in Dessie that the team will still be there or thereabouts [challenging for All-Irelands].”

Seavers says that it is important for the progression of the team, that Farrell has worked with many of the current Dublin senior players in the past at underage levels.

“It’s very important for

Dublin; we tended to be ‘gung-ho’ over the years, a manager stepped down and everything went,” he said.

“As a county board, we were conscious that we had a role in the background, that we had professional people medical people, S&C and nutrition; that we took on board, and they now are our backroom team, and they are the people we can offer to the likes of Dessie and Mattie

[Kenny].

“It takes a lot of pressure off that they don’t have to go searching for these things, that they are inherent within Dublin GAA. “We have also identified that we have to create the ‘culture of Dublin’ - the love of the jersey and what it stands for.”

Dublin face an O’Byrne Cup semi in mid January, before an Allianz League opener against Kerry on January 25 at Croke Park.