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INSIDE: Local Rose to represent Dublin in Tralee P9

June 30, 2011

READ ALL ABOUT IT: New book-

shop opens on Tower Road See Page 8

Get on your bike: New programme for jobs announced Boxing: Ormond victory sets up title opportunities Page 32

TOLULOPE Adekoya, Proinsias De Rossa MEP, and Damilola Oshin were getting ready to set off on a new road at the launch of the Pathways to Work programme, designed to help young migrants access jobs and services in Ireland, Britain, Spain, Italy and Poland.

The launch, at the European Parliament Offices in Dublin City Centre last week, saw Rathcoole resident, Samson Ogunshe, hail the programme as “clear, interesting and interactive”.

Full Story on Page 3

Sports Awards: June’s nominees are announced inside Page 29

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ................... 10 MOTORS ........................18 BUSINESS .................... 21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Opposition grows to new care centre Local group and Minister voice concerns at plans

Q PAUL HOSFORD

OPPOSITION has risen over plans to demolish a health centre on the Boot Road and replace it with a five-storey primary care facility and private nursing home.

The application consists of plans to build a three- to five-

storey primary care centre with a cafe, HSE administration and medical treatment rooms.

It also includes plans to develop a one- to three-storey nursing home that would accommodate 80 bedrooms, with surface and basement level car parking.

Bernie Cronin, of the St Brig-

id’s Residents Association, said they had huge concerns over the proposal, with the biggest issues including “the height of the development, traffic and the related problems”.

Local TD and Minister Frances Fitzgerald also voiced concerns.

Full Story on Page 8

2 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 30 June 2011

SOCIAL WELFARE: BILL

COURTS: MAN STAMPED ON WOMAN’S HEAD

Wage move welcomed LOCAL TD Joanna Tuffy has heralded the restoration of the minimum wage, saying that the move will reduce inequality locally and nationally.

The move comes in the Social Welfare Bill, which Deputy Tuffy’s party colleague, Minister Joan Burton was at the helm of.

“I would like to welcome the provisions in the Social Welfare Bill that will restore the minimum Wage by July 1.

“Reversing the cut in the minimum wage is an important step in reducing income inequality in Ireland, and I would like to congratulate Minister Joan Burton for bringing this legislation through.”

Tuffy said that the move will have far ranging implications across

the county and country.

“According to research carried out on behalf of ICTU and TASC, the gap between rich and poor in Ireland widened during the boom years. Those organisations are campaigning for more income equality in this country.

“There is substantial evidence that the citizens of countries with less income inequality live longer, have better health, and have better outcomes in education and the protection of the environment.

“T his decision to reverse the cut can be an important step in a programme by the Government aimed at reducing income inequality,” said Deputy Tuffy.

Wesley Ward was jailed for three years

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Killed over alleged rumours A FORMER soccer player has been jailed for three years for killing a woman he thought was spreading rumours about his newborn baby being taken into care.

Wesley Ward (33), pulled Tracey O’Brien to the ground and kicked and stamped on her head outside the Rotunda Hospital. The mother of his child was also involved in the attack. She was acquitted of manslaughter but convicted of assault causing harm last month.

The court heard Ward told gardai on his arrest: “All I did was kick her in the face, what’s wrong with that?”

Ward, of Aras Na Cluaine, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Ms O’Brien (31), in Dublin on June 25, 2009. The victim was in hospital for a week after the assault before she died of her injuries, which included a skull fracture and brain haemorrhage.

Judge Martin Nolan took into account Ward’s guilty plea and accepted that the deceased had a “myriad” of health conditions, which made her vulnerable to assault and contributed to her death.

At the sentence hearing the court heard Ward was a promising footballer in his youth before he fell into heroin addiction. He played for Home Farm and Monaghan Town football clubs and was also called for a trial with

Queens Park Rangers.

Detective Sergeant Desmond McTiernan told prosecuting counsel, Mr Dominic McGinn SC, that Ward’s former partner, Michelle Brannigan gave birth to a child that suffered from severe medical difficulties.

Shortly after the birth, Ward arrived at the maternity hospital and told Brannigan that Ms O’Brien was spreading false rumours that the child had been taken into care. Ms O’Brien came down to the hospital and Ward and Brannigan confronted her outside.

A fight broke out between the victim and Brannigan and the two were exchanging punches before Ward intervened and pulled Ms O’Brien to the ground by her hair.

He then punched and stamped on her head while she lay on the ground.

Brannigan continued fighting with the victim for a short time after. After the fight Brannigan and Ms O’Brien made up and sat on a bench talking.

Ms O’Brien was bleeding heavily, disorientated and vomiting. She was taken to hospital where she fell into a coma and died a week later.

The coroner determined she died from the injuries to the back of her head, which were most likely sustained when she was pulled to the ground

by Ward.

30 June 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 3

JOBS Rathcoole man launches Pathways to Work

ROADS: WORK TO BEGIN SOON ON RONANSTOWN

Councillor welcomes road works Q PAUL HOSFORD news@gazettegroup.com

Pictured at the launch of Pathways to Work - a new training programme to help young immigrants access jobs - were Samson Ogunshe, Tolulope Adekoya, Proinsias De Rossa MEP and Damilola Oshin

Training programme for migrant workers Q STAFF REPORTER news@gazettegroup.com

RATHCOOLE resident, Samson Ogunshe, was in the European Parliament Offices in Dublin City Centre last week to launch a training programme for young migrants who need help accessing the jobs market in Ireland.

Pathways to Work (www.pathwaystowork. eu) comprises online training courses aimed at young migrants looking for work in Ireland, UK, Spain, Italy and Poland.

Research undertaken last year to inform the programme found that

young migrants are aware that their career chances are negatively impacted because they lack certain skills, or they face attitudinal and administrative barriers.

Prior to its launch last week, the Pathways to Work programme was piloted in Ireland among a group of ten young migrants, including Samson, who is originally from Nigeria.

Speaking about participating in the pilot training programme, Samson said: “Lots of information is available – from various sources – about job-seeking in Ireland. But what’s great

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‘We often grapple with preparing CVs and conducting successful interviews’

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about this course is that it makes everything available in one place, and the information and materials are presented in a really clear, interesting and interactive format.

“For migrants, especially, the information available takes account of the fact that Ireland has a range of employment legislation that’s very different from that in most of our countries of origin. As well as that,

the information offered on CV and interview preparation is specifically adapted to meet the expectations of Irish or European employers, and that’s something of real benefit to young migrants, as we often grapple with preparing CVs and conducting successful interviews.” said Samson.

The Pathways to Work online training resource comprises five modules,

each containing up to six courses.

The module areas i n cl u d e – p e r s o n a l confidence; teamwork and communications; employ ment rights; career preparations, and job-search/inter view skills. Course material includes straightforward information, interactive elements and videos.

The modules were developed by experts in employment, training and immigration issues and web-based learning technologies.

The courses are free of charge and participants do not need to fulfil any pre-qualification criteria.

SINN Fein Councillor Matthew McDonagh has welcomed the beginning of work on roads commissioned by South Dublin County Council in the Ronanstown area of north Clondalkin.

Councillor McDonagh said that the news was a welcome boost to the area, given the damage sustained across the bitter winter months.

“It is great news that the council has given the goahead for the upgrading of our roads infrastructure in north Clondalkin.

Campaigning “This is an issue that I have been campaigning for in the past number of months.

“Significant damage was done to local roads during this year’s harsh winter.

“These works will provide a much-needed improvement for local people and businesses.” said Councillor McDonagh.

He went on to say that the work created should remain local, as a means to bring down the high Live Register figures.

“It is also important that the council use the opportunity of this work to ensure that local people get access to much needed employment.

Argued “I have argued that at least 25% of the jobs generated should be kept local.

“This is essential in order to get people back to work and to stimulate the local economy.

“The live register for Clondalkin and Lucan is extremely high.

“In May 2011, it hit a record eight-month high of 10,181.

“While there are no figures available for north Clondalkin there is little doubt that is significantly higher than the State-wide average of 14%.

“It would be disastrous if this already colossal figure was to increase.” said McDonagh.

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4 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 30 June 2011

COUNCIL: LABOUR COUNCILLOR IS NAMED AS NEW MAYOR OF SDCC

SHOP LOCAL The Gazette explores

Catriona’s Supporting ‘honour’ to local business take on role

and enterprise helps our area

Q PAUL HOSFORD news@gazettegroup.com

A LUCAN councillor has become Mayor of South Dublin County Council (SDCC) for only the second time her party has held the role.

Labour councillor Catriona Jones was elected to the role last week. The last Lucan resident to hold the post was the Green’s late Billy Gogarty.

Cllr Jones was initially elected to the council in Tallaght South in 2004, before moving out of the re-drawn constituency to join Eamon Tuffy on the Labour ticket in Lucan.

There, following an agonising night’s counting, Cllr Jones was elected on the 11th count, justifying her decision and taking a second seat for her party.

She then fulfilled her pledge to her electorate, moving to the town that had elected her.

Nominating his local colleague, Cllr Tuffy said that he was “honoured” to nominate his partymate.

“In Lucan, our campaign in 2009 was a very united one, based on existing and developing friendships.

“Shortly after she was elected, Catriona kept a particular promise she made to the people of Lucan, selling the family home in Kiltipper and moving to Lucan.

“In my view, this was a strong affirmation of her commitment to the Lucan electoral area,” he said.

“Since her election, Catriona has worked hard as a councillor, and brought a lot of insight into her work.

“As a member of the VEC, her ability, knowl-

Labour councillor, Catriona Jones, the new Mayor of South Dublin County Council

edge and hard work has contributed to the building of a number of schools in the county.

“Catriona knows that, being elected, she takes on a big challenge, being the leader of the thirdbiggest local authority in the country.

“I know she has the intellect, the capacity and the political will to carry out the job on behalf of all people of South Dublin.

“I also know she will bring her own personal qualities of sharpness, liveliness and friendliness to a job I know she will enjoy,” said Cllr Tuffy.

“Taking on the role, she will be the first Lucan Labour councillor to hold the office, and the first Lucan councillor, since our dear friend and late colleague, Billy Gogarty.

“I think Lucan and Catriona Jones’ time has come, and I commend

her for the position of Mayor,” he said.

Cllr Jones was seconded by Cllr Cathal King, with whom she attended secondary school, and was backed from across the aisle by Fine Gael’s William Lavelle.

Cllr Jones went on to outline three key issues to her mayorship – identity, collaboration and developing business in the county.

“I am very honoured to represent the people of South Dublin County and, in particular, my constituents in Lucan/ Palmerston.

“During my term in office, I want to focus on promoting South Dublin County’s identity and achieving better outcomes for the citizens and business community here through collaborative working between the elected members and our partner agencies,” said the newly-elected mayor.

THE Gazette is never backward about coming forward when it comes to our support for the local community – in fact, it is the very essence of what we do.

By bringing together news, features, pictures and reports about local politics, sport, social events and enterprise, we do what we can to support all of these areas.

Support is the key to a thriving local community, and every member of the public can contribute to this support.

Simply put, shopping locally benefits the local area.

By shopping locally, without any of the expedition involved in travelling across the city, we can support local business, enterprise and industry,

all of which play a far greater role in our quality of life than one might imagine.

On a very basic level, the commercial rates that even the smallest of such local businesses pay, goes directly to our local council.

Without these rates, the quality of public amenities, from parks and playgrounds to sports facilities and community groups, would simply not be of the standard we currently enjoy.

Taking this train of thought a little further - by keeping one local business open when we shop local, we are supporting local

jobs for local people.

On top of this, every local business, and their employees, will naturally tend to support their neighbouring businesses

30 June 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 5

why we should be spending closer to home

– be it by buying a sandwich, renting a DVD, getting their dry cleaning done, or filling a prescription – the hustle and bustle that goes hand in hand with local business is mutually beneficial.

Clondalkin, along with its nearby areas, is a vibrant hub of business, with a vast array of local, home-grown businesses running in the area.

Even at a time when money is scarce, there is a plethora of local businesses for residents to get behind.

Thyes Kavanagh, chairman of the Clondalkin Chamber of Commerce, says that the Chamber hopes that jobs can be preserved and business can grow if people can be convinced to Shop Local.

“In these difficult times, Clondalkin Chamber of Commerce is calling on people to Shop Local.

“Please support local business, not only do they offer great value for money but also a personal service. These businesses employ a large number of local people,

both full and part-time, and need your support.

“Clondalkin Chamber of Commerce is at present working on their own campaign to promote local business and

are also updating their website.

“We hope to encourage visitors to the area who are staying in local hotels to spend some time, and money, in Clondalkin

village. We would like to thank the Gazette for their Shop Local feature and hope that shoppers will support the advertisers within the supplement,” Mr Kavanagh said.

6 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 30 June 2011

COURTS Three-year sentence

ENVIRONMENT Recycling your food waste

€58k drug cache found in hall press a press in the hallway of the Neilstown Drive address, and the owner, Byrne’s partner’s father, immediately denied any knowledge of them.

The man’s son was later interviewed by gardai and he, too, denied any responsibility.

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‘He could have walked away scot-free but, instead, he went and handed himself in’ --------------------------

Gda O’Sullivan said Byrne arrived at his local garda station three days later and handed himself in.

He agreed with Mr Sean Gillane SC, defending, that his client had been truthful to gardai, and that his role was to

transport the drugs.

Gda O’Sullivan accepted Byrne had a long work history, but had lost his job in 2010.

Mr Gillane told Judge Martin Nolan that Byrne had worked every day of his life since leaving school at 16-years-old, but had “fallen prey to earn money in the manner in which he did” when he lost his job.

“He could have walked away scot-free but, instead, he went to the gardai and handed himself in,” said Mr Gillane.

Counsel handed in a letter from Byrne’s partner, which said although she was shocked to learn of his involvement, she was willing to support him.

Judge Nolan said Byrne had “made his own case against him” by handing himself in, and accepted that his involvement was to transport the drugs.

Artist Don Conroy cheers on some powerful worms as he officially opens a composting site at Airfield

Composting – the dirt cheap helper FAMILIES and businesses throughout Dublin are keen to save money. With the help of South Dublin County Council, DunLaoghaire Rathdown County Council, and the Stop Food Waste initiative of the Environmental Protection Agency, a new home composting demonstration site has been built by the programme’s newly-trained master composters at Airfield Estate, in Dundrum.

Almost one-third of all food purchased by households ends up in the bin. This includes scrapings from plates,

food past their use-by dates, and food preparation residues.

Food waste prevention and home composting are two ways that homes and businesses can reduce costs and, at the same time, reap the benefits by making their own compost.

Achieve savings To help you achieve these savings, more than 25 master composter volunteers have been trained to provide talks, workshops, information stands and simply offer advice on food waste

prevention and home composting throughout the South County Dublin and Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown communities.

The home composting demonstration site located in Airfield includes examples of composting bins, turning units, leaf mould, wormeries and a food digester, all ideal ways to convert your food scraps into a nutrient-rich compost for gardens.

On Saturday, June 18, the home composting demonstration site at Airfield was officially opened by wildlife artist,

Don Conroy, while master composter volunteers were presented with graduation certificates.

The master composters were available to give composting demonstrations and to offer advice on food waste prevention.

The location of the compost demonstration site in Airfield makes for a great family day out.

Airfield is open from 10am-5pm and, as the only urban working farm in Dublin, the estate offers visitors an opportunity to explore the gardens and working farm.

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SHOP LOCALLY

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A FATHER of five, who handed himself into gardai and accepted responsibility for a cache of drugs found in his partner’s father’s home, has been jailed for three years.

Jason By rne (38) , of Liscarne Gardens, Clondalkin, told gardai he had been paid €400 to transport 40 nineounce bars of cannabis resin, worth an estimated €58,629.

He told gardai he did not own the drugs, but had agreed to move them for someone else.

Byrne pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drugs at Neilstown Drive, Clondalkin, on June 25, 2010. He has previous convictions for drug and road traffic offences.

Garda Rory O’Sullivan told Ms Lisa Dempsey BL, prosecuting, that the drugs were found in

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30 June 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 7

COURT 22 year-old man could give no reason for starting blaze

Man arrested for setting fire to a house the living room where he used a lighter to set the curtains ablaze. The fire spread to the room and the bedroom above it, causing the floor to collapse.

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‘The next door neighbour was awoken and became worried the fire would spread to his house. He tried to douse the flames with a garden hose until he was told to move by the Fire Brigade’ --------------------------

The next door neighbour was awoken and became worried the fire would spread to his house. He tried to douse the flames with a garden hose until he was told to move by the Fire Brigade.

Raf ter y was spotted by gardai walking quickly away from the house. Gardai caught him after a chase and he was arrested. He was

very drunk and gardai allowed him to sober up before interviewing him.

He told gardai he didn’t know why he set the fire and that he had no reason to burn the house down.

The owner estimated the damage would cost €200,000 to repair. The neighbouring house suffered €20,000 damage.

Gda Sullivan said Raftery was a “decent young man” who felt guilty and stupid when he sobered up. He added he had never been in trouble with gardai before.

Defence counsel, Mr Philipp Rahn BL, said the incident was out of character and a moment of “inexplicable madness”. He handed in a character reference from one of Raftery’s former teachers who called him quiet, well-behaved and responsible.

Mr Rahn said his client was an apprentice metal fabricator, who always worked when work was available.

Judge Hogan remanded Raftery on continuing bail and ordered a probation report be prepared to examine any alcohol or drug problems he may have. He also ordered Raftery be assessed for his suitability for community service.

1,000 further Post Leaving Certificates to be allocated L A B OU R P a r t y T D for Dublin Mid West, Joanna Tuffy has welcomed the announcement from Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn that 1,000 additional Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) places will be allocated.

“These additional placements are badly needed and I am

delighted that 30 of these places will go to County Dublin Vocational Educational Committee (VEC).

Jobs “We need to get people back to work and this announcement is yet another step in the Government’s Jobs Initiative Scheme, which

will see almost 16,000 additional places in education and training provided countrywide.

“It is important also that the VECs take into consideration the needs of those seeking these courses and I would ask that they prioritise the unemployed in the allocation of these placements.”

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A DRUNKEN youth set fire to a house in a moment of “inexplicable madness”, causing €200,000 worth of damage, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.

The blaze spread to the neighbouring house where a couple and their five-year-old child were sleeping. When arrested, Augustine Raftery (22) of Wheatfield Grove, Clondalkin could give no reason for setting the fire.

He faces a maximum term of life imprisonment when he is sentenced in November.

Although Judge Desmond Hogan said a non-custodial sentence is possible, Raf ter y pleaded guilty to arson at Wheatfield Grove, Clondalkin, in the early hours of October 12, 2008.

Garda Colin Sullivan told prosecuting counsel, Ms Fiona Murphy BL, that a fire had been started in the same house the day before causing some damage. Nobody has been charged with setting the first fire. The house had been unoccupied for several weeks at the time and was not insured.

At around 5.30 am, R a f t e r y b r o ke t h e kitchen window of the house and went into

Designer pets: Do you know where your puppy is from?

Augustine Raftery pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

SEE PETS PAGE 15

8 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 30 June 2011

HEALTH: OPPOSITION TO HEALTH TD responds to ‘shocking’ report into drug use PRIMARY CARE FACILITY PLANNED FOR BOOT ROAD

Calls for extra drug treatment

Locals oppose height, density Q PAUL HOSFORD news@gazettegroup.com

OPPOSITION has risen to plans to completely demolish the health centre on Boot Road and replace it with a five- storey primary care facility and private nursing home.

The application, made to South Dublin County Council at the end of May, seeks the “demolition of all existing buildings on site and construction of an integrated Healthcare facility with vehicular access from Boot Road / Convent Road to include a three-to-five storey Primary Care Centre building with incorporated pharmacare centre, cafe, HSE administration, medical treatment rooms, ancillary service areas and staff facilities; a one-to-three storey nursing home building to accommodate 80 bedrooms, ancillary amenity and service areas and staff facilities; surface and basement level car parking.”

Opposition

A meeting of residents from the St Brigid’s estate brought a large turnout as locals prepared to fight against the move.

Bernie Cronin, of the St Brigid’s Residents Association, said that the biggest issues were “the height of the development, traffic and the related problems.”

The Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald also expressed concern at the planning application for the development.

Speaking about the application, she said: “Many people in the locality have expressed to me their serious concerns about the scale, height and traffic implications for this proposal.

“The proposed development would seem to be excessively high and over-scale for such a residential location.

“No traffic analysis has been conducted, meaning that the traffic implications for the local area cannot be properly assessed.

“The plans also propose intruding on the public footpath and roadway, which is wholly unacceptable,” continued Fitzgerald.

“At a meeting convened

by Bernard Cronin, of Saint Brigid’s Residents Association, I, along with Councillor Tony Delaney and a number of other local representatives, met with concerned residents who have specific worries about this proposal,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

“The national move towards Primary Care Centres is a streamlining of services and it is something that would be a welcome addition to the village of Clondalkin, were the proposals a right fit.

“The current proposal, which scales to five storeys is too dense and too high for this residential site.

“I, along with Councillor Tony Delaney, will be making a strong submission on this application naming these concerns,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

Q PAUL HOSFORD

LABOUR TD Robert Dowds has called for the extension of the Drug Treatment Court Programme, following the publication of a “shocking” UN report showing that Ireland has one of the highest levels of drug-related deaths in Europe.

T h e Wo r l d D r u g Report 2011 shows that Ireland has twice the European average of

drug-related deaths, and that while the prevalence of heroin abuse is falling in most of Europe, it appears to be on the rise here in Ireland.

The Clondalkin TD has, along with Michael Conaghan TD, called for the extension of the catchment area of the Drugs Court beyond its current catchment area of the north inner city.

Deputy Dowds said that his work within Clondalkin and his per-

spective on the drugs problem in the town had informed his work.

“Over the past number of months, I have been working closely with groups tackling the drug problem in my own constituency.

“It appears that rising levels of unemployment is contributing to increased levels of heroin abuse in the most deprived communities.

“We need to be proactive in tackling this prob-

lem before it deteriorates to the situation that was seen some years ago. For that reason, I am calling on the Minister for Justice to move swiftly to expand the operational area of the Drug Treatment Court Programme beyond the north inner city of Dublin. The Drugs Court is a positive programme which gives drug addicts who have been convicted of a nonviolent offence, and who are seeking to straighten

out their lives, the opportunity to do so.

“From meetings I have held with officials of the Drugs Court, I understand that there is significant capacity to take more individuals onto the programme without any significant cost to the State. The geographical restrictions placed on the court mean that it cannot take on individuals from outside of Dublin 1, Dublin 3 and parts of Dublin 7,” said Dowds.

Minister Frances Fitzgerald at the opening of The Wise Owl

OPENING: CLONDALKIN’S NEW BOOK STORE, THE WISE OWL

Turning the page for news, young readers Q PAUL HOSFORD

clondalkin@gazettegroup.com

CLONDALKIN’S newest bookstore, The Wise Owl, opened this week in the old Credit Union building on Tower Road.

Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, helped out by children from St. Joseph’s school, was on hand to officially open the new store.

“It is a real honour to have been asked by store owner, Eoin Murphy, to officially open Clondalkin’s newest bookshop,” said the Minister at the official open-

ing.

“Schools are winding down for the summer holidays but parents know that holidays mean new booklists and uniforms.

Pleased

“I am delighted that we now have, on our doorstep, a brand new book shop which specialises in school books and stories for children,” said Fitzgerald.

“August and September can be particularly costly months for parents and affordable shops, like The Wise Owl, play

a huge role in helping to minimise the financial pressures being placed on families,” she said.

The store, which is the 13th outlet of the chain, which was established in 1984 and has its online bookshop www.wiseowl.ie, will provide an outlet for parents in the town to create and continue children’s interest in reading.

Wise Owl specialise in schoolbooks for primary and secondary schools in Ireland.

In addition, they supply art, craft, educational games and toys, educa-

tional resource materials, including maps and globes, along with a wide range of stationery supplies for school, home or office use.

“As Minister for Children, I am particularly pleased to see so many children’s books, puzzles and games on offer throughout this store and would encourage parents to drop in and sample some of these fantastic products,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

“We have some children here from St. Joseph’s School who inform me that they

don’t like homework very much but I am delighted to see them taking such an interest in the books on offer here in The Wise Owl,” said the Minister at the opening.

“It is vital for us to recognise the valuable contribution small and medium businesses play in the wider economy, and to support risk takers who are creating local employment.

“I wish The Wise Owl and their staff the very best of luck as it officially opens its doors for business,” said Minister Fitzgerald.

THE VILLAGE AT LYONS, CELBRIDGE ‘This is not like any other part of Dublin’.

A look at the peaceful, tranquil surroundings of The Village at Lyons.

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30 June 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 9

TRAVEL, PAGE 22

ROSE OF TRALEE: CLONDALKIN WOMAN TO REPRESENT DUBLIN

Siobheal is bound for Tralee in August Q PAUL HOSFORD

CLONDALKIN’S own Siobheal Nic Eochaidh will fulfil the dream of thousands of girls this summer, when she represents Dublin in this Year’s Rose of Tralee Festival.

The Hip-Hop Dancing Gaelgoir was rendered speechless when she heard her name announced at the Dublin Rose of Tralee Final in Citywest Hotel on Saturday night, beating off stiff competition from girls from all over the county.

“I was genuinely in complete shock.

“I remember looking around at all the other girls and they were all looking straight at me.

I just couldn’t register that my name had been called but, apart from the shock, I was thrilled and absolutely delighted” an elated Siobheal said as she came to terms with her new role.

The 22-year-old said that the competition was a completely unique Irish experience.

“It is so glamorous, but what I like about the Rose of Tralee is that it is not a beauty pageant. It is just about having fun, really good banter and really good atmosphere, that is what I really like about it, everyone is so genuine.

“There is nothing else like it, I love the way it celebrates Irish women and it celebrates our heritage. I love the Irish language. I love seeing the glamour too, that is what draws me to it,” she said.

COURTS: BAIL FOR I-POD THEFTS THAT WERE WORTH OVER €11,000

Soccer coach awaits sentence

Since applying to the Dublin Rose of Tralee Centre, Siobheal’s experience has involved numerous activities, from a visit to the National Rehabilitation Hospital to celebrate their 50th birthday; fundraising for Chernobyl Orphans; a sky dive for Make-A-Wish Ireland, and many other social events with the 61 girls from all over Dublin who became involved this year.

Siobheal will now go on to represent Dublin at the International Rose of Tralee Festival in Tralee this August.

From Friday, August 19, Siobheal and 31 other International Roses from across the world will join the thousands of people who will flock to Tralee to celebrate the worldfamous International Rose Festival.

Joining Siobheal in Tralee will be Darragh McGrath, who was selected as the 2011 Dublin Escort of Year.

Q STAFF REPORTER

Siobheal will represent Dublin in the Rose of Tralee festival this August

A YOUTH soccer coach ,who stole over €11,000 worth of I-pods from Marks and Spencer has been remanded on bail pending sentence.

Reginald Horton (39) took the music players to help pay off a drug debt he had run up.

He used them to take €1,000 off his debt.

Judge Yvonne Murphy noted he was addressing his drug addiction and adjourned sentencing until March next year.

Horton, of Glenview Park, Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to theft of I-pods worth €11,504 from Marks and Spencer, Liffey Valley, on April 30, 2010.

Garda Kevin Dingley told prosecuting counsel, Mr Pieter LeVert BL, that Horton and another man pulled up to the store in a van and went in.

They were spotted on CCTV cameras going to the cabinet containing the MP3 players and filling a bag with I-pods.

They then returned to the van and left.

The registration of the vehicle was picked up by the cameras and gardai traced it to a house.

They found the van parked outside and Horton inside with his partner.

He was arrested and made full admissions to Gardai.

He said he used his partner’s van for the theft and that she had no knowledge of it.

He claimed he needed to pay off money he owed for heroin and used the I-pods to take €1,000 of his debt.

He was shocked when Gardai told him their true value.

Garda Dingley said Horton has 29 previous convictions, mainly for theft and road traffic offences.

He agreed that he showed remorse for the theft.

Defence counsel, Ms Elizabeth Davey BL, said --------------------------

‘Judge Yvonne Murphy noted he was addressing his drug addiction’

--------------------------

Horton has a partner and three children and coached an under-sevens’ soccer team.

She said he has earned two coaching certificates from the FAI. Ms Davey said her client is a long-term heroin addict but was seeking treatment and is trying to turn his life around.

She added that he came from a traumatic background and had lived in England until ten years ago.

10 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 30 June 2011

PRIZES

It’s a day to remember for local players

Kevin Behan is congratulated by Men’s Captain Sean Quigley

Lady Captain, Una Murphy, and Men’s Captain, Sean Quigley congratulate Richard O’Donovan, East of Ireland Amateur

Lady Captain’s winner, Yvonne O’Reilly, and her sons, Luke and Jordan

Championship winner

Great celebrations at Lucan Golf Club

ucan Golf Club had many reasons to celebrate after an exhilarating day of golf when the Men and Lady Captain’s competitions were held recently.

Kevin Behan took the Men’s prize, whilst the Lady Captain’s trophy went to Yvonne O’Reilly.

The club had even more reason to raise

L

a glass after one of its junior members, Richard O’Donovan, captured the East of Ireland Amateur championship at Baltray golf course.

Celebrations for the three and all others that obtained a prize were held at the Golf Club where the club members were surrounded by family and friends.

Sponsor, Martin Walshe, and Captain Sean Quigley congratulate Ivan Chadwick

Richard was joined by his proud mother, Betty, to celebrate his win in the East of Ireland Amateur Championship.

Niamh Williams is congratulated by Lady Captain Club president, Billy Hill and Men’s Captain Sean Quigley

Una

30 June 2011 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 30 June 2011

HEALTH Therapies being used to deal with life problems

Offering support as you figure out best way forward Q GILLIAN BUCKLEY

Counsellor and Psychotherapist

challenge you, according to counsellor and psychotherapist, Gillian Buckley

-------------------------------------------------------

‘The therapist will offer you support when you try to figure out the best way forward when dealing with some of life’s problems’ --------------------------------------------------------

talk to.

The therapist will offer you support when you try to figure out the best way forward when dealing with some of life’s problems. It would not be possible to go through life without some upset or a particular time of uncertainty.

The reasons why people attend therapy vary.

Some people may attend due to unexpected current events taking place in their lives.

To name a few – redundancy, fertility difficulties or illness. Others may have been considering therapy for some time, as they are aware of events in their past or present that are affecting the quality of their lives.

These could include abuse, events in their childhood, bereavement or ongoing conflict in their relationships. Or, maybe, you or someone you know, is experiencing an overall sense of frustration and helplessness. Perhaps a number of things have compounded leaving you or your friend feeling over-

whelmed.

Seeing a therapist is not about being weak or unable to cope. It can help you overcome life’s obstacles and come out with solutions. It is helpful to anyone.

Therapy offers a safe opportunity to speak freely of your thoughts, opinions and experiences without judgment.

The role of a therapist is not to make decisions for you, but to support and challenge, so that you’re able to come up with your own solutions.

Through listening to your story the therapist will encourage you to look at aspects of your life, they can offer you insight and perspective to your situation.

Therapists work on the belief that people have the power to work out for themselves what is true for them.

The therapist helps the process of self-discovery and the development of new life skills.

Contact Gillian at hello@gillianbuckley.ie or visit www.gillianbuckley.ie

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

SHOP LOCALLY W

The role of a therapist is not to make decisions for you, but to support and

OFTEN people are hesitant when they hear the word psychotherapy.

Some think it’s like psychology or psychiatry, others imagine lying back on a black leather chair while a therapist takes notes.

The truth is psychotherapy has very little in common with either.

Psychotherapy is centred around offering perspective and support, it’s not about analysing someone’s mind or taking notes, but rather it is focused on what the client wants to achieve.

Counselling and psychotherapy are two terms that are often heard being used interchangeably.

Both of these therapies are used to deal with life problems, and the skills used by the therapist are very similar.

Although these two practices have common characteristics, there are some differences.

Counselling can be defined as focusing on a specific life problem, whereas psychotherapy tends to deal with deeper, more long-term issues that may have stemmed from the past.

Psychotherapy can offer an opportunity to

bring about welcome change. The differences between counselling and psychotherapy need not concern anyone seeking help.

The practitioner will discuss the desired outcome of attending and will want to ensure the help they offer is appropriate for the individual concerned, before a commitment is made.

For the remainder of this article I will refer to counsellors and psychotherapists as therapists and the service they offer as therapy.

Therapy offers a unique opportunity to speak to a person in confidence about your life experiences and feelings in a way that is not always possible with friends or a family member.

Perhaps speaking with someone close can be more confusing than helpful. Maybe you only share part of your situation with them, not wanting to burden or worry them.

Or perhaps you are concerned what they may think, or they may advise you on what to do.

They may not know what is best for you, fuelling your own confusion.

When faced with obstacles that occur in life it can help to have someone impartial you can

CALL THE GAZETTE ON

60 10 240

30 June 2011 GAZETTE 13

R1

A few simple steps to tackle the effects of debt THE Phoenix Process is a group of individuals who came together with a vision of National Recovery.

The Phoenix Process articles will focus on different issues, the intention behind all the articles will be to encourage, inspire, motivate and to bring muchneeded hope.

Each writer is a professional, who has been affected by the economic crisis in different ways.

Five-point Recovery Plan: FIRST, write down a list of all unsecured loans (name of creditor and amount owed) Make a ring binder file for each of these creditors and name them, then put these files in a box named ‘Courage under Fire’ ( For example).

Make a separate file for mortgage and household, personal/family bills. Name this file ‘LIFE’ One file is about looking after You, Your loved ones and Your Home. The other is not!

Now make an Income and Expenditure List: (These forms are available from MABS offices) Remember to include EVERYTHING you, and or your dependents, need on this list.

Include EVERYTHING that is essentially and necessarily beneficial to your, and your family’s, well-being. Do this as a sixmonth forecast.

1. Make at least 30 copies of your Income and Expenditure Form – put these forms in another file called ‘Action Plan’.

2. For every file you make, set up a folder on your PC with the same name.

3. For every file you make, set up a folder in your email account with the same name.

4. Now make a diary named ‘Life after Debt’ and make a first entry 1. ‘Make an appointment with Debt Management Agency’ – you will carry out tasks the day after you enter them in the diary.

5. Write to all creditors to let them know that you are in financial difficulty and will write again enclosing an income and expenditure form, as well as all other relevant details.

6. Enter one task in your diary per day that you will carry out on the following day, and so on.

So, that’s it: A ‘Life’ File A ‘Courage under Fire’ File A ‘Life after Debt’ Diary An 'Action Plan' File This will lead to …… Recovery A five-point plan that will happen and will work.

Remember to be honest with everyone around you and receive support with all of this.

There should NEVER be shame around being in debt – especially when there is a National debt crisis.

One of the most important aspects of dealing with any crisis is positive and proactive support systems.

This column will be printed weekly, and if you feel you would like to join in this process, please contact www.phoenixprocess.ie This week, we hear from Tara O’Grady. Tara was a restaurateur who lost everything financially in recent times, following the closure of her business.

She has actively been seeking debt law reform to protect people’s homes, minds and lives for some time now. Having suffered from a stress-related disorder due to the pressures that were put upon her, she decided to put together a survival package for those suffering from debt despair. She is positive and proactive about dealing with the ramifications of debt, both on an individual and national level.

Tara O’Grady

14 GAZETTE 30 June 2011

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY

Edited by Dawn Love

Get ready to improve you beach confidence Q KATHLEEN ROWLEY

W

E Irish love the sun – we wait impatiently for its arrival then lose the run of ourselves once it’s here! However, there is one word associated with our welcomed visitor that is guaranteed to strike fear into the hearts of Irish women … bikini.

After a very tough winter spent wrapped up under numerous layers of clothing and clinging to radiators, most of us will have bluey-white skin that has taken on a slightly bumpy feel. Fear not ladies, there are a number of things you can do that will improve your beach confidence.

Brushing

Body brushing each morning before your shower has numerous benefits for your body – its helps improve circulation, remove dead skin and can reduce the appearance of our worst enemy, cellulite!

It’s a relatively cheap way to improve skin tone with the Body Shop’s Round Body Brush coming in at a pursefriendly €11.95.

Using long sweeping strokes, go from toe to head making sure to brush gently and towards the heart, go softer on areas where the skin is thinner.

Scrubbing dishes and floors is not my idea of a good time, but I adore giving my body a good scrub! Regular exfoliation softens rough skin, sloughs away dead skin cells, leaving skin softer and allowing sun cream to work more effectively. It has become a real beauty staple, so there are loads of options. L’Oreal Exfotonic Skin Revealing Exfoliator (€13) has just the

right amount of grit to refine the skin and has a fresh scent.

Green Angel Sunrise Body Smoother (€25.95) feels like a real treat for the skin, it contains natural salt, lemon, grapefruit and Irish seaweed extract and l e av e s s k i n soft and rejuvenated. Dove Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash (€7) is a nice introduction for those who have never used exfoliating products before.

Moisturising

The next step is moisturising! Moisturising regularly is the most important thing, so there is no need to spend a fortune.

Apply straight after your shower when pores are still open and can absorb the lotion better. The Vaseline Sheer Infusion (€6.50)

range aims to moisturise deep into your skin without being sticky.

For the green queens out there, Voya’s Softly Does It combines a silky blend of wild seaweed extracts and organic essential oils for a deep moisturising experience. Personally, I’m nuts about nuts, so Palmers Cocoa Butter (€6.50) and legendary Body Shop Body Butters (€17.95) are my favourites.

Fake tan

If you’ve been doing your damnedest to shape up, but still don’t feel like a truck load of dollars, then a bit of fake tan can help. If you can’t tone it – tan it! For gradual tans without that fake tan scent, Dove’s Summer Glow (€6.30) and St Tropez’s Gradual Tan Everyday (€20) have been praised for their pleasant fragrances.

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze range has creams, gels and lotions, so they suit most skin types ranging from €13 to €20.

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There are a number of things you can do that will improve your beach confidence this summer

Smoothest feet ever with the Micropedia home spa DO you tend to suffer from dry, cracked heels or rough skin on your feet? Well, don’t even think about slipping into high heels and gladiators without taking care of your footsies this summer!

Most of us tend to neglect and abuse our feet, getting a pedicure once every leap year and squeezing into shoes that look gorgeous, but feel torturous. There is a good solution to resolve this problem forever.

Now you can get super smooth holiday feet with Lifes2good’s amazing new Micropedi and put your best foot forward this summer, whether you are staying home or going abroad.

Home spa The professionalat-home pedicure system works quickly and effectively on all areas of your feet, removing

The Micropedi is ideal for smoothing dry, rough, calloused skin on feet

the dead skin cells safely and leaving your feet feeling soft and looking like you just stepped out of a spa.

The Micropedi is ideal for smoothing dry, rough, calloused skin on feet, its unique roller spins 360 degrees at 30 times per second.

It’s safe and gentle action give immediate results and it is portable and easy to use. and is

just €39.95.

Lifes2good claims that it’s the perfect way to get a professional spa-like pedicure in the comfort of your own home. Holiday footperfect in just a few minutes!

Micropedia is now available at the leading pharmacies and health stores nationwide or, alternatively, visit www. lifes2good.ie.

30 June 2011 GAZETTE 15

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: PURCHASING A ‘DESIGNER’ DOG CAN LEAD TO NOTHING BUT MISERY

Although not from puppy farms, the Dublin SPCA rescued these three pups, Chipstick, Bruno and Georgie, which only look this healthy due to their care and veterinary treatment

Do you know where your new puppy came from?

V E RY DAY, through my education programmes and my work on the mobile clinics, I speak with people regarding animal welfare issues and it concerns me when I meet pet parents who tell me they’ve purchased so-called “designer” dogs from some puppy farmers – often spending as much as €500 per puppy!

These dogs, they inform me, often become “very ill, very quickly,” and they cannot understand why this has occurred.

Really?

Ok, let’s not beat about the bush…if you buy a dog from some puppy farmers you’re buying TROUBLE! You’re buying HEARTACHE! Now, please don’t get me wrong, I must point out, immediately, that there are many responsible, registered, humane breeders out there who are appalled and dissociate themselves totally

E

from those who farm puppies in a cruel and inhumane manner – where the poor animals are treated as commodities.

A responsible breeder will always invite you to visit his/her premises and allow you inspect them, and will be equally interested and concerned about your bona fides and want to know where the puppy is going and the type of person who will become his new parent.

A responsible breeder is one who cares about animal welfare.

However, let me educate you regarding the reality that is the inhumane puppy farmer: Each year, approximately 90,000 puppies are born in this country – around 45,000 of these are exported overseas, usually to the UK and, as you can imagine, this is a very lucrative business, pulling in around €29m.

Therefore, in order to identify the origin

of each puppy, prevent the unscrupulous overbreeding of animals in appalling welfare conditions, i.e. puppy farms; protect you, the consumer, ensure traceability as well as accountability and prevent the spread of disease and enhance the credibility of responsible breeders, a very necessary piece of legislation was required.

That legislation is called The Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010. This is an act to regulate the operation of dog breeding establishments, which requires local authorities to establish and maintain registers of dog breeding establishments and to prohibit the operation of unregistered ones.

The Act was welcomed by the Dublin SPCA, and other animal welfare groups, because some puppy-farmed animals spend their lives in squalid conditions, often in underground oil drums

or standing on painful wire flooring, are matted with their own faeces.

Often this is all they have to eat – their own faeces – and are forced to drink their own urine because little or no sustenance is provided for them.

Inhumane

They are too ill to move because of their cramped, over-crowded, inhumane conditions and suffer horrendous injuries and illnesses and receive little or no medical care. In fact, in most circumstances the only care they ever receive is just enough to keep them alive to breed again and again and again.

Oops, did you think the cute little farmed puppies slept in warm beds and frolicked around in open fields, like something out of a Disney movie?

Well, get real and think again.

Remember, often when dogs in some puppy farms

are no longer capable of breeding, they’re callously discarded. So purchasing a puppy from one of these places is the best way of supporting this shameful practise, adding to the misery of these animals and condemning them to a life of suffering and abuse.

This is a plague and it’s spreading – don’t feed it!

Again, I stress responsible, registered, breeders are not the cause of this situation!

So, take the following into consideration as a guideline before you buy.

Better still, adopt from an animal shelter. We have numerous, wonderful dogs looking for loving homes.

• Research dogs that interest you and find out which breed is right for you and your family/ environment.

• Insist on seeing the puppy’s parents – examine temperament / mental and physical condi-

tion/eye problems/other related health problems specific to your breed of choice.

• Inspect the environment where the puppy was kept and never, ever agree to meet the breeder half way or in a car park – insist on visiting the premises.

• Ask about inherited conditions from parents/ grandparents.

• Does the puppy come with a veterinary certificate of health? Speak to the vet.

• Dogs are adults longer than they are puppies, so make certain you are familiar with the adult type of your chosen breed.

If the breeder is responsible, he/she should ask certain questions such as: • Have you researched this breed/ why do you want this dog?

• What hours do you work/who will care for this dog when you’re at

work/on holiday?

• Do you have children/their ages?

• Describe a typical day/week at your house • What will you do if you can no longer keep this dog?

• Will the dog be spayed/neutered?

• Will the dog be allowed into the family home or be kept outdoors?

• Do you have other pets?

Remember it’s important you maintain good contact with your puppy’s breeder and understand you’re committing to this animal’s care for the rest of its life. A responsible breeder will welcome your commitment.

If you’re uncomfortable, or have any concerns, contact your local animal welfare shelter.

For more information, log onto www.dspca.ie or email me at Miriam.kerins@dspca.ie

16 GAZETTE 30 June 2011

SNAPSHOT The stories of the day from across the capital

Over the hurdle Invincible Ash wins the Woodie’s DIY Sapphire Stakes: Pictured at the presentation was Ray Colman, and his wife Dolores, with winning connections PJ & Bernadette Condron, their daughter, Aislinn Swanick, Trainer Michael Halford and jockey, Gary Carroll.

Gazette Contacts Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 6010240

Managing Director: Liam Holland email: lholland@gazettegroup.com General Manager: Michael McGovern email: mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com Editor: Cormac Curtis email: ccurtis@gazettegroup.com News Editor: Dawn Love email: dlove@gazettegroup.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile email: jmaile@gazettegroup.com Sports Editor: Rob Heigh email: sport@gazettegroup.com Financial Controller: Carly Lynch email: clynch@gazettegroup.com Advertising Production: Anita Ward email: ads@gazettegroup.com Advertising Sales: 01 6010240 email: sales@gazettegroup.com Gazette Group 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 Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

Opening of Martello Towers’ exhibition

DUN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN County Council has launched its 2011 Summer of Heritage programme with the Martello Towers’ of Dublin exhibition.

And to celebrate the start of Summer of Heritage 2011 the Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr. John Bailey opened exhibition at County Hall, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, this week. The exhibition will be open to the public from July 1 at 9.30am.

The iconic buildings along the Dublin coast are familiar landmarks.

But how many people know anything about them?

The exhibition will, for the first time, tell the story of Dublin’s Martello Towers that were built to defend the capital from French invasion.

It will also tell the story of why they were called Martello Towers.

People will learn how they worked as a military unit, how they were the first fortifications for centuries built to defend Dublin from attack, how they are being treated in the 21st

DIARY century by brave owners (one of whom has spent nearly €2m of his own money on restoring one) and how Stately Plump Buck Mulligan rooted the towers in literary legend.

In addition to the exhibition the Seapoint Martello Tower has been restored and is open for tours throughout the summer!

The Martello Towers of Dublin Exhibition is part of The dlr Summer of Heritage programme, which runs throughout the summer until Sunday, September 4.

of July 4.

The celebrations will run from Friday to Sunday.

All three nights are completely free and feature a host of talented bands from all across Dublin.

Friday night will see the hotlytipped Gypsies On The Autobahn headline.

Meanwhile, The Late Fragments, who packed Captain Americas only a couple of months ago, are also on the bill, with many more acts to follow as well. Saturday will see more great local acts in Stone Motion and Jerome’s Law heading the proceedings. Sunday has more local heroes with HyperGiants topping the bill, along with The Million Dollars, Last Second Magic and Any Mans Gang.

For more information on the festivities and the acts performing, log on to their website now: www.captainslive.com

The Captain celebrates in style Dragons invade Fingal Enterprise week CAPTAIN AMERICAS in Blanchardstown is set to come alive this weekend A three-day festival is planned celebrating the 40th birthday of the restaurant chain as well as American Independence Day,

FINGAL businesses will be

pitching against each other in a Dragon’s Den-style competition to decide the overall winner of the 2011 Fingal Enterprise Awards, as part of Fingal Enterprise Week this September.

Bobby Kerr, from RTE’s Dragon’s Den series, will sit on the judging panel alongside Ben Dunne and 11890’s Nicola Byrne.

Four local businesses are expected to go head-to-head in front of the Dragons, for a chance to win a share of the €6,000 cash prize, with mentoring support and the chance to represent Fingal at the National Enterprise Awards later this year.

For the first time, audience members will also get a chance to have their say on the best business pitch.

Audience voting will take place in a special Audience Winner prize category.

The Fingal Enterprise Awards are expected to be one of the main highlights of this year’s Fingal Enterprise Week.

Fingal Enterprise week runs in various locations throughout the county from Monday, September 26 to Friday, September 30.

30 June 2011 GAZETTE 17

POLITICS He talks to the Gazette about life, family, career

Why I would like to be President - Cox PAT Cox is seeking the Fine Gael nomination for the Presidency. The Party will hold its Selection Convention on July 9. Here, he answers a number of questions about his family, values and career.

Who influenced you most in life?

My parents, whose main legacy was to encourage a belief that a good education was a key to a successful life.

Tell us a bit about your family.

Our family consists of seven children, six of them young adults and our daughter, Mary, who was tragically killed at the age of six in a traffic accident in 1988.

Did you miss out on family life/ children growing up due to your political commitments in Dublin and Brussels/Strasbourg?

Political life is very demanding on family life with a lot of time spent away from home. Staying in touch constantly and ensuring some family time each week got us through.

What has been the most testing

time in your life?

Undoubtedly, coping with the loss of our daughter Mary.

What, to date, is your greatest regret in life?

I have two. The fact that Mary died so young and that I never really got to know my father as an adult.

How much is your current income?

Approximately €180,000 gross before tax.

What is your vision for the upcoming Presidency?

Today, too many of our citizens have no jobs, too many young people are worried about their prospects and too many parents are anxious about their children’s future. The next Presidency needs to strike a balance between recognising this reality and promoting hope in our future. I would like to be a strong advocate for our country and to use all my skills and contacts to be a champion for Ireland’s cause abroad.

Would you forgo your public

service pensions during your term if elected?

Yes, very definitely.

Do you agree that our current Corporation Tax rate of 12.5% is non-negotiable?

Yes. Ireland is entitled to defend our corporate tax rate. We are also entitled to remind President Sarkozy that, politically, he was a key author of the legally binding guarantees given to us to that effect initiated during the French Presidency of the EU in 2008.

Is the Europe project now doomed to fail?

No, it is not doomed to fail, but it is under more pressure now than for some time. This relates especially to the Eurozone crisis which, since its onset in Greece early in 2010, has witnessed the failure of the EU and key national political leaders to move beyond reactive policies and get on top of the problem. So far the EU policy response has addressed some key symptoms of the problem but has yet to solve the underlying debt crisis.

Pat Cox is seeking the Fine Gael nomination for the Presidency

18 GAZETTE 30 June 2011

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs

MOTORISTS DISTRUST SPEED CAMERAS: A NEW survey in Britain showed that less than a third (29%) of motorists think that speed cameras are only used at sites with a bad record of crashes and injuries, and 50% think that raising money is their primary aim. And are we any different here in Ireland? The survey showed that support generally for speed cameras was high at 79%. Seventy percent of motorists agree that speed awareness courses are a better idea than prosecution. The greatest support for this is among 17 to 24-year-olds, with 82% in agreement.

IRELAND IS SIXTH SAFEST COUNTRY IN EU: A NEW report published by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) based in Brussels shows that Ireland has made remarkable road safety progress over the last decade and is now the sixth safest country out of 27 EU Member states.

The report shows that, since 2001, Ireland has seen a rapid improvement in road safety. A total of 411 people were killed on Irish roads in 2001, compared to 212 in 2010, which represents a 48% cut in road deaths. Only 10 other countries, out of 27 EU member states, managed to achieve or improve on this level of reduction in road deaths.

Volkswagen’s new Amarok double car pick-up is a big machine with a modern, twin-turbo diesel 2.0-litre engine that delivers good power and economy

Volkswagen Amarok is here Volkswagen is widening its scope as it aspires to be the world’s leading car. MICHAEL MORONEY checks it out.

OLKSWAGEN’S Amarok is here and, on first impressions, this is one big machine. It almost has an American pick-up feel to in terms of size, yet under the large bonnet is a thrifty 2.0litre, turbo-diesel engine that provides some running cost comfort.

It is unmistakably a Volkswagen, with that big VW badge up in front.

But, it also combines the solid design features with a strong chassis that’s designed to combine work and play.

It has a wide stance on the road, giving it extra stature and making it

V

SPECS: VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK 2.0T Top speed: 181 km-hr 0 – 100km/hr: 11.1 secs Economy: 12.8 km/litre (7.8 l/100km) CO2 emissions: 206g/km Road Tax Band: N (€614) or commercial tax €288 Scrappage Eligible: Yes Warranty: 2 years Entry Price: €34,110

very noticeable on the road. It’s 100mm wider than the Nissan Navara, and you can feel that from behind the wheel.

Volkswagen has chosen this modest size engine for the Amarok to

combine enough power with the best-in-class economy. There are two power options for the new Amarok – either the entry level 122bhp or 163bhp version.

Volkswagen expects that the higher power version will be the most popular because the price differences are not that significant. And that was the Amarok Highline version that I drove, which had the benefit of attractive styling and comfort features.

The modest-size engine is impressive. Volkswagen has achieved this by combining the effect of two exhaust, gas-powered

turbo-chargers. It can develop 163bhp, which is more than a match for any of the 2.5-litre pickup competition in terms of power and torque output.

The Amarok accelerates impressively. I would rate it as the fastest crew cab 4x4 pick-up on the market, marginally faster than the 2.5-litre Nissan Navara, which, along with the Toyota Hilux, is its main competitor.

Economy The bonus comes in terms of fuel economy.

The new Amarok comes with a rating of 12.8 km/ litre (7.8l/100km) which,

on any comparison, is rated as the best in its class.

That’s because the Amarok can sit on the road at 2000rpm and in sixth gear achieve the motorway speed limit of 120km/hr with absolute comfort. The economy figure will drop significantly with trailer work, but it’s still ahead of the competition.

The Amarok range is rated at 1,000km on a full 80-litre tank of diesel.

While I covered more than 1,300km in a week’s driving, I achieved closer to 900km on a full tank.

On road, the Amarok is very comfortable due

to its big size 3,095mm wheelbase. The bigger 17-inch alloy wheels added to the comfort, even though, like all pickups, the rear suspension is a leaf spring design.

Take it across field and hills and the Amarok lives up to its claims. The ground clearance is second highest at 249mm, just slightly lower than the Toyota Hilux.

There is a simple to operate 4x4 engagement system that includes the option of a low 4x4 drive and the option of including a differential lock.

The system is a mechanical one that electrically engaged at low speeds.

Driving in Europe – ignore the rules at your peril MOTORING on the continent can work out expensive. In Europe, speed cameras, over-zealous policemen and on-the-spot fines await the unwitting Irish driver.

An EU directive began in March allowing European countries to share driver information. EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said: “Foreign

drivers account for 5% of traffic on Europe’s roads, but 15% of offences. If you are that driver, I have bad news. It’s about to stop.”

Penalties Irish drivers are being forced to hand over €90 for not displaying an IRL sticker or failing to carry a high-visibility vest.

Not having a warning triangle or spare bulbs can cost another €90. In France, licence and vehicle confiscation is another possibility. Ignore the rules and drive at your peril.

There are frequent police checkpoints at the exits of the major ferry ports to check whether drivers have the required safety equipment, so it is best to ensure

that you have all the necessary equipment before travelling to France.

Different countries have various rules on what you need to keep in your car.

Check out the Department of Foreign Affairs website www.dfa.ie for full details on what you’re obliged and advised to take. Ignore the rules and drive at your peril.

30 June 2011 GAZETTE 19

20 GAZETTE 30 June 2011

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GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY Wool carpets: Nothing else compares

Castlethorn’s Adamstown development

ADAMSTOWN: WIDE RANGE OF PROPERTIES

Discernible value for house-hunters For discerning property buyers looking for real value, Castlethorn’s popular development at Adamstown Square, in Lucan, is well worth a visit. £135,000 is the competitive price of the twobed apartment that boasts an extremely high level of specification, and is also located close to the main amenities of Adamstown, including local shops, schools and train station.

For those looking for a larger home, there are new large three-bed duplex units located on the second and third floors, with over 1,000 ft sq accommodation and a spacious balcony at prices from £165,000. Similarly-sized, groundfloor three-bed duplexes with private amenity areas start from €185,000. In addition, there are a small number of three- and four-bed houses available from €235,000 and €249,950 respectively.

In total, there are six fully-fitted showhomes on view at Adamstown Square, so there is plenty of choice for the price-conscious home hunter.

All homes come with the standard of quality and finish synonymous with the Castlethorn brand.

All master bedrooms are very generous in size and are en suites.

In addition, purchasers will benefit from modern, fitted kitchens complete with oven/ hob, fridge-freezer, dishwasher and washer/ dryer. The BER (Building Energy Rating) rating of each home is very high.

The Adamstown marketing suite and show units are open every day, weekends from 3 to 5pm and on weekdays from 10am to 5pm.

For further information, phone Leahys on 601 1800, or log onto www.castlethorn.ie

WOOL Carpets are still tops with homeowners! That’s according to TC Matthews, who are the biggest sellers of wool carpets in the country.

According to their MD, Brendan Cumiskey, the demand for quality wool carpets has never diminished – even in these severe recessionary times. He claims: “People are prepared to look at wool carpets as a future investment, rather than a casual discretionary purchase.”

Carpets woven from man-made fibres do not offer the same degree of quality, luxury and long-term wear, he advises. “Wool carpets have, in fact, recently come down in price, in relative terms. This obviously makes them more affordable. And, at TC Matthews, we are always delighted to pass these savings onto our customers,” says Brendan.

Certainly, it would appear that Cumiskey’s company is cashing in on the “wool” demand. He has just opened a €1million expanded and

refurbished branch in Walkinstown.

“Like Feargal Quinn, we believe the customer is king, and we have always offered a very personal service to our customers,” he says.

“Carpets still account for a big slice of home furnishing spend, and we feel we owe it to our customers to personally advise on what is the best investment for them, in the longer term. And, because we buy big

volumes of wool carpets, we get them at very keen prices, and can then pass these savings on. It means more people who thought they couldn’t afford wool, now can!”

Certainly, the current TC Matthews Summer Sale seems to offer astonishingly good value across a wide range of quality household names. Savings of up to 65% in some cases.

DUNSANY: FIVE-BEDROOM LUXURY HOME IN COUNTRY FOR €595,000

Opulent accommodation in rural County Meath FOR homeseekers looking for something special in the countryside of County Meath, Carty Properties, in Trim, are bringing Rolling Hills Lodge, at Boycetown, Dunsany The property is an architecturally-designed five-bedroom detached dormer bungalow set on a landscaped site of c.75 acre, to the market for €595,000 This property is located down a country lane in peaceful rural setting approximately one mile off the Trim to Dublin road, four miles from Trim and just 24 miles to Dublin city centre.

The house comprises entry hall with Chinese slate flooring, a formal dining room with two windows to the front of the property, and a solid teak wooden floor.

Also downstairs is a family room with two

windows to the front, a feature fireplace and s o l i d t e a k wo o d e n floor.

The kitchen/breakfast room features maple fitted kitchen units, an island, a sliding door to the outside decking area, and a Chinese slate floor. There is a utility room plumbed for washer and dryer.

The lounge has three cathedral-style windows to the side, and two windows to the front, a wood-panelled high ceiling with recessed lights, and a wood pellet stove.

There are five bedrooms in the property, all of which are en suite, with carpeted or wooden floors, and three of which feature walk-in wardrobes.

The attic area is partially converted, with a bedroom, bathroom and games room all accessed

Rolling Hills Lodge at Boycetown near Dunsany is on the market for €595,000

by Styra.

The property is approached by a sweeping gravel driveway and is surrounded by landscaped lawns to the front, side and rear.

The third bedroom downstairs comes complete with a separate

kitchen and outside access, providing an ideal granny flat, or suitable for renting with a potential rental income of €450 per month.

Features of Rolling Hills include underfloor heating, a solid teak wood staircase, a double

detatched garage, and its peaceful rural location with panoramic views of the local countryside.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Carty on 04694 86860 or see www.carty. ie.

30 June 2011 GAZETTE 21

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

Interview: Eimear Connolly, Area Sales Manager for Carlton Hotels, Dublin.

The success behind Eimear Connolly of Carlton Hotels EIMEAR began her career as a HR Administrator in ntl and eventually decided to move into a sales role with the company. This gave her a taste for selling and she spent many years growing within sales divisions in a couple of large multinational telecoms and IT Companies, including ntl and BT. Eimear decided in 2007 to put her career on hold and pursue her life-long ambition of doing a world tour for nine months. On return, she decided to move into a new industry with new challenges, and joined the Burlington Hotel as corporate sales manager. She then joined the Carlton Group in June 2010, where she took up the position as sales and marketing manager for the Carlton Dublin Airport Hotel. Eimear recently received a promotion to area sales manager Dublin, when the group took over their new addition to their expanding Irish Hotel Group, Carlton Blanchardstown, formerly known as Park Plaza Tyrrelstown.

Having two properties to look after, Carlton Dublin Airport and Carlton Blanchardstown, Eimear’s new role is challenging. However, coming from a strong sales background, it all comes natural to her. Loving the excitement and challenge of each day, Eimear spends most of her time out on the road meeting new people and developing new working relations with business clients.

Eimear is enjoying the challenge of her new role

FINANCIAL ADVISER OR SALES REPRESENTATIVE? Q – I am finding it hard to see the difference between a so-called financial adviser and someone who is just trying to sell you a product like an insurance policy or mortgage. Is there any way of telling and what is the best route to take ? Mairé - Bray

Q&A Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be?

A: A nun, and then I spent 14 years in convent schools, and discovered boys.

Q: What sport do you follow?

A: GAA – Come on Down!

Q: What sport can you play?

A: Tennis, when I find the time.

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?

A: Anyone that lets me.

Q: What was your worst holiday experience?

A: Nearly falling over a cliff

Q: What was your last Tweet/ status update?

A: Haven’t updated anything in

edge in a jeep in Bolivia.

Q: Describe your dream holiday?

A: Sun, sea and ... sangria!

Q: What was your first job?

A: McManus Shoe Shop.

Q: What is your guilty music/ TV or movie pleasure?

A: Well, I love my soaps and

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: £1 an hour – slave labour.

I could watch Pretty Woman over and over and over....

Q: Describe your dream meal?

Q: When did you start your present job?

A: June, 2010.

Q:What’s currently on your desk that shouldn’t be?

A: A box of mince pies that

Q: Who would you rather have dinner with – Enda Kenny or Dame Edna?

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: I guess I love the fact that

have been there since Christmas...

A: Can I not have dinner with

Q: Who best represents modern Ireland – David Norris or Jedward?

A: Jedward all the way!

someone else?

in Peru, it was tough and I never in a million years thought I could do it...especially as I did no training for it!

Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?

A: Clothes, shoes and furniture

Q: What would be your dream job?

A: I think I have it!

no two days are the same, and managing our Blanchardstown and Dublin Airport Hotels gives me the opportunity to meet a lot of new people.

Q: What part of your working day do you ‘delegate’?

A: Well, I just hired three new staff so still working out what I can delegate!

Q: What music/pictures/movies do you have on your iPod/ iPad? A: Don’t have an iPad, but would like one, and I lost my iPod when I was away travelling and have yet to replace it.

a while.

A: Anything hot and spicy

shops.

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

A: Funny you should ask; I arrived home last night and my husband had lined them all up, as I suggested I needed more...

67 pairs!!

ANSWERS TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE QUESTIONS

Q: Have you achieved anything that you once thought you could not pull off?

A: I completed the Inca Trail

Q: What do you plan to do when you retire?

A - GOOD question Maire. One way of telling the difference is the fee you pay. If you DON’T pay a fee, you should ask: How does the adviser earn their income?

When you then realise the ONLY way the adviser earns income is by selling a product, you can ask further questions. The second question to ask is: Does the adviser have a vested interest in the product? All financial advisers are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and about 400 of them MUST give the best advice, irrespective of agencies held (yours truly is one of the 400).

They MUST give you a TERMS of BUSINESS which states who they act for and what they charge. There are stringent regulations now governing financial advisers, and when you meet they MUST obtain all financial information from you, so that appropriate recommendations, action plans and solutions can be found. This is a legal requirement.

There is a difference between servicing a need and forcing you into a financial product – a true financial adviser will know that difference.

Currently we are offering 20-minute Money Doctor consultations for €65 – the same fee as you would pay your local GP.

Contact John with your money questions

A: Retirement is a bit far away,

at jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website

but I think I would like to move somewhere hot, catch up on some much-needed sleep and just enjoy doing nothing!

at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

New web business offers virtual shop for Irish-made goods Siopa.com is a new web business providing a virtual shop window for quality and unique Irish-made crafts and goods. It is expected that the launch of siopa.com will help to create 100 local jobs in indigenous Irish craft and gift businesses, and small local producers across Ireland by tapping into the vast international Irish diaspora market in order to profile the very best Irish products abroad.

With the Irish crafts industry estimated to be worth €500 million annually in economic terms, siopa. com expects to generate in excess of €10 million annual turnover before their third year of operation.

Siopa.com’s supply partners range from some of the long-established popular Irish gift brands such as Waterford and Tipperary Crystal and Carraig Donn Knitwear, to many of the smaller craft and jewellery mak-

ers, such as Dublin-based Alan Ardiff, Baby Elegance, Boru Jewellery, Breda Haugh Jewellery, Gaga Baby and Tipperary Crystal.

This 100% Irish-owned company, run by Irish online entrepreneur Lulu O’Sullivan, who has over 15 years online retail and global delivery experience with giftsdirect.com, has been developed with the support of Enterprise Ireland.

The site acts as a conduit to inter-

national markets for smaller artisan producers across Ireland. Currently, siopa.com supports more than 100 indigenous Irish craft and gift businesses, giving them opportunity to market their wares to the world in a cost-effective manner, by tapping into the extensive experience of online marketing skills and world-wide logistic capabilities that the siopa. com team have.

Lulu O’Sullivan, CEO of siopa.

com, commented: “With siopa.com we bring you the very best of Irish giftware with a level of personal customer service that is second to none.

As part of siopa.com, my team and I travel extensively around Ireland to source the best quality traditional products and we can now provide an extensive outlet for unique Irish products.”

For more information, please log onto www.siopa.com

22 GAZETTE 30 June 2011

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel Brittas Bay in County Wicklow. Photo courtesy of Wicklow County Tourism

With 84 Irish beaches awarded blue flags for great bathing areas, now is the perfect time to enjoy an Irish summer holiday RECENTLY 84 beaches around the country were awarded blue flags for their top-class seaside bathing areas and what better way to celebrate the Irish summer than with a “staycation” to one of these spots.

Excellent water quality, lifeguards on duty, and clean and safe facilities are just some of the things to expect when visiting these golden strands, and Hotels.com is offering some good deals on hotels around the country. Just keep everything crossed for blue skies.

In Wicklow, The Grand Hotel in Brittas Bay, comes complete with a nightclub and fitness centre. Local attractions include gold-standard beach Brittas Bay, Wicklow’s Gaol and Mount Usher Gardens. Prices starts from €105 per night, from July 1 to 3.

On Inchydoney Beach, in Cork, the Quality Hotel starts from €110 per night.

Situated in Clonakilty, just a short drive from Inchydoney, the Quality Hotel is an ideal spot to relax after a day enjoying the surrounding attractions. Long appreciated as a picturesque and romantic location, make sure to pack a picnic and enjoy the ocean views while there.

Positioned in Castlebar, close to McHale Park, the Harlequin is a family-friendly property. Visitors can enjoy the private surroundings of Old Head Beach or climb Croagh Patrick for something a little different. Prices for The Harlequin Hotel, on the Old Head in Mayo, start from €79 per night.

Lahinch Golf and Leisure Hotel in Clare is a famous golf and leisure hotel, which is located right on the beach making it the perfect summer holiday destination. Surf lessons can be taken at the beach and local attractions include the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Prices start from €105 per night from July 1 to 3.

GETTING AWAY: REJUVENATE THE MIND AND THE BODY

‘This is not like any other part of Dublin’ PAUL HOSFORD

HE promise of h e ave n w i t h i n reach of the city centre will sound more like an ominous warning than an advertisement for Celtic Tiger sur vivors, burned by the notion of commuter belts and supposedly ideal surroundings.

Luckily, however, sometimes marketing is capable of simply summing up a place succinctly.

Pulling into The Village At Lyons, on the grounds of Celbridge Abbey, you are immediately struck by the other-worldly charm.

This is not like any part of Dublin I have ever been to.

Quaint brick buildings, the twisted chimney stack on The Shackleton House, the absolute tranquillity.

On checking in, we were brought the short distance to the residences, where we would spend the night in The Grace Morrison Suite, a beautiful ground-floor lodging.

Tucked away behind wrought iron gates, the residences feel secluded,

T

peaceful and calm.

An emphasis is on silence and the result is a stay so peaceful, that it will rejuvenate the weariest of bodies and minds.

Having got our bearings, we decided to take a walk around the spectacular surrounds.

The layout of The Village feels perfect. The residences are a short walk from the centre

thing to keep us going.

While on the surface, it looks like a regular cafe, the food is just that notch above.

The Girlfriend tucked into a potato and pesto soup while I plumped for honey roasted ham on a brown health loaf with Gubbeen cheese and spicy apple chutney.

Now, as a veteran of many GA A matches

evision completed this feeling.

Although, given it was the night of the Champions League Final, this was a blessing and a curse but, being the intrepid reporter I am, I bore my burden of missing Messi and Co. Following a short rest, we walked to dinner in La Serre.

The beautiful restau-

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘Tucked away behind wrought-iron gates, the residences feel secluded, peaceful and calm. An emphasis has been placed on silence and the result is a stay so peaceful, that it will rejuvenate the weariest of bodies and minds’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

area, which includes the Canal Cafe, NP2 Jewellery, Renaissance Designs and the Clodagh M c K e n n a C o o ke r y School and General store.

T h e j e we l i n t h e crown, however, is La Serre Restaurant, which was to be visited later in the evening.

Feeling slightly peckish, we stopped by the Canal Cafe for some-

and days out to Thurles, I consider myself a connoisseur of the “hang sangwich”, but this was like nothing I’d ever tasted. It will be hard to return to tin foil from a car boot, anyway.

Taking the chance to explore the Grand Canal walking path, we were struck by just how relaxed a place this is.

Indeed, the absence of anything resembling tel-

rant, set under a conservatory, is remarkably relaxed, but gorgeously adorned, with food to match.

I opted for a monkfish and bacon starter that was beautifully balanced and cooked to perfection, while The Girlfriend’s crab risotto was sweet and light, bordering on perfect.

As the mains of fillet of beef and roast chicken

The Village at Lyons boasts

breast arrived, the immediate impression you get is just how fresh everything is.

The vegetables feel freshly picked and the presentation of both dishes was truly impressive.

The flavoursome beef, served with a truffle oil, was perfectly done, while The Girlfriend was highly impressed with the chicken.

Desserts of white chocolate parfait for herself, and an amazingly done apple pie panacotta with blackberry jam, rounded out a glorious meal.

The next morning we were so comfortable in bed we missed breakfast.

But, whether it is the noise of a town, breakfast or a football match, it is hard to feel you miss anything when the surroundings are this impressive.

30 June 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 23

Edited by Mimi Murray

TravelBriefs

Experience a city fjord cruise in beautiful Oslo this summer OSLO is beautifully situated at the very head of the spectacular Oslo Fjord, making it the perfect location for an introduction to cruising. The proximity to unspoiled nature lends a special atmosphere to the city and a two-hour guided boat trip provides a unique perspective on Oslo city centre, the busy harbour, and the fjord with its islands and inlets. Cruise by the stunning Opera House, through narrow sounds, idyllic bays and through a maze of islands with small summer houses as well experiencing fantastic views of the Akershus Fortress.

Fly direct from Dublin to Oslo from as little as €69 one way, including all taxes and charges with SAS. For more details go to www.flysas.ie.

Castle Durrow - Midweek Summer Pamper/Garden Package

spectacular surrounds, as well as a fantastic cafe and restaurant

SPOIL yourself in one of Castle Durrow’s luxurious individually-styled bedrooms, and indulge with amazing food and wine served by friendly, efficient staff in relaxed country surroundings Dinner, bed and breakfast costs from €210 per couple, with a delicious evening meal in the Castle’s dining room Complimentary tea/coffee, and mineral water available throughout your stay.

Guests can be pampered in the tranquil beauty salon and receive two treatments for the price of one from their full range of facials, massages and body wraps, or receive a guided tour from the head gardener, Bart, through the extensive gardens of the castle including its walled kitchen garden.

The beds are so comfortable you may miss breakfast

Music lovers and sun worshippers can enjoy both this September PAUL Claffey, the well known presenter and managing director of MWR (Mid West Radio), has been involved in the entertainment business all his life and has been organising music holidays in Ireland and abroad for over 17 years.

Music and Fun in the Sun with Paul Claffey packages to Portugal include entertainment from some of Ireland’s best known bands and entertainers.

For more information, call Joe Walsh Tours on 01-2410800 or visit www.joewalshtours.ie

24 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 30 June 2011

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT 1GoingOUT PAVILION 01 231 2929 Irish Youth Dance Festival Dublin Youth Dance Company, in partnership with dlr County Council Arts Office, presents, The 11th Irish Youth Dance Festival. The Irish Youth Dance Festival Is Ireland’s leading youth dance event. Held over two days, the programme will showcase the wealth of youth dance talent from around the country and abroad. At the event, Dublin Youth Dance Company premieres their latest choreography, Lilith.

Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3 Tickets: €10/€14

SEAMUS ENNIS CULTURAL CENTRE 01 802 0898 Fionn Regan Acclaimed singer-songwriter Fionn Regan, with two albums under his belt, brings his unique live show to The Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre. With a new album coming later this summer, this show is not to be missed and is your chance catch this talented artist that is still on the rise.

Saturday, July 9 at 8:30pm. Admission: €16.

THE HELIX 01 700 7000 National Youth Orchestra of Ireland Summer Proms The National Youth Orchestra of Ireland returns to The Helix’s Mahony Hall for Summer Proms on July 2. This performance will feature guest conductor Garry Walker and pianist Sophie Cashell, who, along with the orchestra, will perform Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2 and Mahler Symphony No. 1.

Saturday, July 2 at 8pm. Tickets: €15 or €10 with concession.

Liz Taylor Film Season The Helix begins its Liz Taylor Film Season on Wednesday July 6, with the opening film, Cleopatra. The season will run until July 16 and will also show National Velvet, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and A Place In The Sun. Season tickets are €20, or €12 concession. Entry to each showing is €4/€6.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Waiting for Ikea Director Alan King brings his production, Waiting for Ikea, to Dundrum’s Mill Theatre for two nights on June 30 and July 1, after sell-out runs in the past. This comedy has been lauded as full of laughs as it follows the everyday lives of Jade and Chrissie, two single mothers in Dublin.

Thursday, June 30 and Friday, July 1 at 8pm. Admission: €18/€15

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Syncopated Tempos of Time Syncopated Tempos of Time is the new show from the students of Dance Fusion who are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their first performance in Draiocht. The show is promised to be a “rhapsody of imagination, celebration and inspiration”.

Sunday, July 3 at 2.30pm and 8pm. Admission: €18/€15

CIVIC THEATRE 01 4627477 Don’t Dress for Dinner Beezneez Theatre Company presents this new comedy, Don’t Dress for Dinner for two nights in the Civic Theatre. Don’t Dress for Dinner is story of one man’s attempts to entertain his mistress while his wife is away for a weekend. Laughs are guaranteed.

Monday, July 4 - Wednesday, July 6 at 8pm. Admission: €20/€16 with concession. Super Saver: All tickets €10 on Monday July 4.

Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake are the focal points of the film

Too cool for school Cameron Diaz struggles a little in the role of Bad Teacher but still delivers some silly laughs Q JONATHAN KEANE

“LEAVE your brain at the door” comedy is an exhausted phrase but sometimes it’s just necessary, and, in the case of Bad Teacher, it’s right on the money.

This is director, Jake Kasdan’s, return to the big screen after 2007’s Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, in that time though, he brought the hit series, Californication to our smaller screens.

Bad Teacher, unfortunately, does not, in any way, scale those same heights as the series.

In one sense, the plot of Bad Teacher is strange one. Cameron Diaz is teacher Elizabeth Hasley, a young gold digger who thought she had left the teaching profession behind when she met the loaded hubby of her bank account’s dreams.

However, things go

stale for Ms Hasley when she is found out and dumped. Crestfallen, she must return to the doldrums of teaching junior high school, where the classroom acts as her retreat for mouthing expletives, knocking back a few drinks and getting high – the traits of any great teacher, of course!

Several comparisons can be made to Bad Santa, the 2003 Billy Bob Thornton flick that saw him dawn a Santa outfit in a haze of drunken and misanthropic misbehaviour.

What made that film work was Thornton’s commitment to the role with no give in his explicit rambling and actions.

Diaz, on the other hand, is half-baked in the role of the crude Ms Hasley.

The odious and, intended, offensive remarks and gestures throughout just don’t have that same

bite. She is not the most suitable, when an array of the other actresses would have slotted into the crass character with ease.

The film is salvaged, somewhat, by the other characters of Scott Delacorte (Justin Timberlake) and Russell Gettis (Jason Segel). They can distract from some of the more overly-dim moments throughout, the former more so.

Timberlake’s Scott Delacorte character is a key element in the plot.

He plays the young substitute teacher, who just happens to be an heir to a wealthy fortune, so of course he catches the eye of Ms Hasley.

With that, she begins to stalk her prey in the hope of wooing young Scott and landing the ludicrously wealthy husband and cushy and worryfree lifestyle of yore that she so craves. But she

FILM OF THE WEEK: Bad Teacher +++ (16) 00 mins Director: Jake Kasdan Starring: Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Jason Segel, Lucy Punch

OUR VERDICT: BAD Teacher is a relatively decent comedy flick, just with a few mishaps in casting here and there. But there are plenty of moments that filled with silly laughs. Justin Timberlake is the film’s true redeeming factor in his role of Scott Delacorte and meshes well with Jason Segel and Lucy Punch too. Bad Teacher is certainly good summer comedy movie.

has competition in the form of Ms Amy Squirrel (Lucy Punch), something of a polar opposite to Hasley.

Justin Timberlake is the shining light of the film. The guy has proved a handful of times in the past that he has the chops for comedy roles of this nature. Of course, he’s not going to change the face of comedy anytime soon, but when held up against the rest of the cast, he’s a godsend to the film.

To be fair to both Diaz’s

role and Kasdan’s leadership, Bad Teacher is not an utter failure. There are laughs to be found, and good ones at that, and as far as simple comedies like this go, there are far, far worse out there.

Granted, it’s not essential viewing by any means.

Bad Teacher might be the kind of film worth renting out when it lands on DVD, opposed to making the heroic trek to the cinema, when this summer movie listings are littered with some truly must-see movies.

30 June 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 25

R1

Google’s extra tech for searches ADAM MAGUIRE

WITH its Android system for phones, and its “Chromebook” laptops coming to market in the US, you might think that Google had forgotten that it is a search engine at heart.

However, this could not be further from the truth.

T he company still makes the majority of its massive profits from its search engine, and ensuring people that keep using it is vital to its success.

But, with Microsoft and others nipping at their heels, they need to keep what they offer fresh and fast to stay attractive.

A number of new features announced for Google.ie in recent weeks is the proof, if any were needed, that they intend to do that.

Here is what the search engine can do, now ...

Voice Search Already a feature on mobiles, Google will now allow users to search using their voice alone (though only when they use Google’s own Chrome web browser, coupled with a microphone).

Assuming you are using Chrome, you will now see a microphone icon every time you are on Google.ie, which you just have to click to activate.

The idea is that using your voice will be quicker and more intuitive than typing – but how good a job the voice recognition will do with Irish accents remains to be seen!

Search by image While searching for an image has been a common feature of Google for years, you will now be able to search with an image, too.

This means that you can point Google to a picture, and it will help

you find out more about it.

So, for example, you might have a holiday snap where you cannot remember the name of the building in the background – drop that image into Google, and it should be able to tell you what it is.

Instant pages A big part of what Google wants to do is make searching faster – that is the main reason why search results now come up even before you’ve entered your

entire request.

However, as Google points out, once you find what you want and click on it, you might have to wait a few more seconds for it to load.

Now, with a new feature called “Instant Pages” this wait will be reduced.

Google will now load the top few pages in the background before you even click on them.

This means that if, these pages are what you are looking for, they will be ready to load instantly by the time you realise that.

Samsung Galaxy S II

WITH the first Samsung Galaxy S proving such a hit world-wide, its successor was always

going to have a lot to lose. However, the Galaxy S II hits all the right notes.

Samsung had a bit of a spluttering start with the Android platform when it launched its Galaxy device, which looked cheap, and felt rushed.

But the Galaxy S w a s a m a s s i ve i m p r ove m e n t o n that, with good looks and a great interface, which made it a real competitor in the smartphone market.

Thankfully, the Galaxy S II takes that quality and brings it on to

a significant degree.

The first thing you

will notice when you pick up the device is just how large its screen is – it dwarfs the iPhone 4, for example – but just how thin and light it is, despite this.

Indeed, when balanced on a fingertip, the phone has barely any weight at all, while it fits neatly in even the tightest of pockets.

Aesthetics aside, the operating system’s interface is simple but user-friendly.

The large touchscreen

is extremely responsive and vibrant, while its 8MP camera, with flash, delivers as much as you would expect it to.

Overall, this is one of the better Android phones out there – only HTC has done as good a job as this.

It is also up in the big leagues when it comes to smartphones in general, putting up a decent challenge to the iPhone.

The Samsung Galaxy S II is available from free on a contract with Three.

Visit teic.ie for the latest tech news, reviews and views.

GAZETTE

26 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 30 June 2011

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RECRUITMENT DRESSES PLANNING NOTICE SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

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30 June 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

STARS FOR JUNE:

Dublin Sports Awards nominees for month are announced: Page 29

RUGBY: IRELAND FAIL TO IGNITE IN TOURNAMENT AGAINST WORLD-CLASS OPPONENTS

’Rock boy takes top scorer title in U-20 World Cup sport@gazettegroup.com

IRELAND’S Under-20 rugby side, who were filled with an array of local talent, were only able to claim eighth place in the IRB Junior World Championship, played recently in Treviso, Italy.

The tournament saw impressive performances across the board from the whole playing panel, but their opponents in many of the matches were among the elite of world

rugby, as was reflected in the results.

The team started off with a close game against England, which saw Ireland come within seven minutes of an historic win in the competition, following Blackrock College’s Andrew Conway’s try, Ireland’s only fivepointer in the game.

However, a late fade from the boys in green allowed England to steal victory and a late penalty denied Mike Ruddock’s

side even a losing bonus point.

The Under-20s then put in a brave performance that saw Conway once again the try-scorer, but ultimately the Baby ‘Boks’ size and power proved too strong as they ran out 42-26 winners in the side’s second Pool C match of the tournament.

Ireland’s only win in the tournament came in their final pool game against Scotland, scoring

Former Blackrock College students, Jordi Murphy and Andrew Conway, along with Paddy Jackson

three late tries against the Blues, to register a 30-13 win that saw them into the fifth-eighth place play-offs.

Unfortunately, their first match again was against South Africa, who recorded an even higher margin against

Ireland, but their hopes of back-to-back wins were not to bear fruit against the strong and slippery Boks.

A final match against Wales saw Ireland come close again, but the Dragons were not to be extinguished and Ireland were

outscored by five tries to three, going down 38-24 in the seventh-eighth place play-off.

Despite the defeat, it was still a memorable afternoon for Ireland full-back Andrew Conway whose first half try saw him draw level

with New Zealand’s Zac Guildford in the all-time top try-scoring stakes at the championship.

Conway, who turns 20 next month, has scored 10 tries in as many matches - five each in the 2010 and 2011 tournaments.

28 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 30 June 2011

GazetteSport Sport

Children find out how the coast guard saves lives

The local fire brigade giving a guided tour of the fire engines

Sarsfields

125 years of GAA History

UCAN Sarsfield’s GAA club continued their 125th anniversary celebrations with an open day at 12th Lock recently.

There were fantastic displays from the emergency services, as well as bands playing, a food market, stalls, barbecue and football and hurling workshops It was a great day out for all of the members and their families who attended.

They were also lucky enough to see a highprofile senior match played on the pitches as the day drew to a close.

The club have also recently launched a book, Na Sairsealigh Abu, detailing the history of the club.

L

A great crowd came out to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the club

The emergency services were on hand to give a display

30 June 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 29

in association with

2011 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - JUNE NOMINEES

FastSport

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

+ STARof the

Peamount discover draw for UEFA qualifiers

MONTH

LIAM RUSHE

LEEANNE ROYLE

MARIA MCGRATH

ST PAT’S hurling star Rushe was a pivotal player for Dublin as the Blues claimed their place in this weekend’s Leinster final.

His showing when injury forced him into a positional switch earned him a well-deserved man-ofthe-match award.

THE Corduff karate star registered a first for the sport in Ireland when she was awarded the prestigious Charles Naylor Memorial Trophy for the most outstanding child competitor at the Karate Union of Great Britain’s National Championships.

BALLYBODEN St Enda’s Maria McGrath was awarded the player-ofthe-match award when she helped guide Dublin Under-16 ladies’ footballing side to the Leinster title after a deluged and delayed final against Meath.

MALAHIDE CG TEAM

LORETO HC

MOUNTVIEW BOYS

THE Malahide Community Games’ team celebrated a bumper medals haul following the Dublin Community Games’ Athletics finals in Santry, which saw the group bring home 13 medals, including three golds.

LORETO stormed to European glory in Lille when they claimed gold at the EuroHockey Club Champion’s Challenge II, with tournament top-scorer Nikki Symmons, Cathy McKean and Naimh Small all scoring in the final.

MOUNTVIEW Boys’ Under-11s triumphed in the national final of the Danone Nations’ Cup held in AUL Complex, beating 900 teams from around the country to the title. They now travel to Real Madrid’s Bernabeu to contest the world title.

+ TEAMof the MONTH

WELCOME to the 2011 Dublin Sports Awards, as we mark our local sportsmen and women’s June sporting achievements across the capital and, indeed, across the nation.

We’re delighted to once again be able to celebrate the finest achievements in Dub-

lin sport, with some huge efforts at local levels coming to our attention in a variety of well-known, and some, less prominent, sports.

Ever y form of sporting achievement, at any level and in any sport, is valuable and gives an indication of the diversity of sporting commit-

ment there is around our fair city at all times of the year.

Let us know!

Let us know about your achievements in sport, so that the Gazette can tell the rest of Dublin — and give you, or your team, a chance of being one of our monthly stars.

Contact us on 01 601 0240 or sport@gazettegroup.com to tell us all about your successes, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ gazettesport.

You can also check out the latest stories from GazetteSport at our new website, www.gazettegroup.com

FAI Women’s Cup holders, Peamount United, have been drawn in Group 3 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League Qualifying Round.

The draw, held in Nyon last week, paired the Clondalkin club were paired with Spanish side Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, ZNK Krka of Slovenia and Purnu FC from Estonia.

The group matches are to be played in Slovenia from August 11 to 16.

Spanish champions Rayo Vallecano will be favourites to top the group having come within a minute of beating Arsenal LFC in last season’s quarter-finals.

Coached by Eileen Gleeson, Peamount are bidding to join the Gunners and the other 22 top seeds in the round of 32, but must get through one of eight mini-tournaments that will be played.

All eight group winners plus the two best runners-up will proceed to the draw for the rounds of 32 and 16 on 23 August, with the two-legged knockout phase beginning the following month.

Holders Olympique Lyonnais are among those entering in the last 32.

30 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 30 June 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Hurling Summerfest coming this weekend ALMOST 1,000 children will take to the fields in Clondalkin in the coming weeks to participate in a festival of hurling at Round Tower GAA club’s Summerfest 2011.

Over 20 clubs from Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow will compete in the competition for Under-8, 9, 10 and 11 levels.

The competition will begin this Saturday at Corkagh Park in Clondalkin, and will run for consecutive Saturdays at the same venue, before concluding on July 23.

Summerfest 2011 hopes to build on the success of last year’s inaugural competition, which saw hundreds of children participating from clubs in Dublin and Wicklow.

The tournament will be played out over 10 pitches in Corkagh Park and a shop and food stall will be among the attractions.

Peamount holding trials this weekend PEAMOUNT UNITED are inviting ambitious young players from across Dublin to try out for one of the club’s schoolboy teams this weekend and become part of Ireland’s most exciting football project.

The West Dublin club are holding trials this Saturday for the array of teams they have competing in top divisions in the Dublin District Schoolboy League from Under8s all the way up to Under-18s – boys and girls.

Even youngsters born in 2005/2006 are welcome to join the

club’s 2011Academy, which is under the guidance of the club’s UEFA A Licence Director of Coaching.

Located in Greenogue, Newcastle, the club’s now-renowned football complex is an ideal location for players from Lucan, Clondalkin, Leixlip, Celbridge, Tallaght and almost anywhere in Dublin if they are ambitious enough.

The club are now looking to create the top schoolboys/girls’ section in the country to go with the best women’s section and welcome all players along this weekend.

For specific times each age group are holding trials at Peamount FC on Saturday, July 2, go to www.peamount.com

SOCCER: LOCAL SIDE HOPE TO CAP A HISTORIC YEAR THIS WEEK

Peamount’s women’s team set a high standard that the rest of the club have followed throughout the season just ended

Peamount prepared GAVIN EARLEY sport@gazettegroup.com

PEAMOUNT United will hope to claim the prestigious FAI Club of the Year Award this Friday and cap an historic year in Greenogue.

Undoubtedly, one of the leading lights in womens soccer in recent years, the ladies’ team unsurprisingly set the West Dublin club on their way again last summer, and the rest of the club’s sides kept up the momentum in the season just ended.

P e a m o u n t p i c ke d up the FAI Club of the Month Award for March recently and, if they were to collect the overall prize

at Friday’s awards night, there could be little argument.

Coming off the back of the senior womens side’s unprecedented treble last summer, where they were not only unbeaten, but won every game in all three competitions entered, the schoolboys’ and men’s senior side took inspiration.

Even before a ball was kicked in league action, national eyes were on the Newcastle outfit as Dutch giants and multiple European Cup winners, Ajax, came to town.

Veteran coach Eddie Van Schaik put players from every level in the Peamount schoolboy sys-

Aiming high in Athens: Special Olympics SARAH Byrne from Palmerstown drives

for the basket for Team Ireland during a divisioning game in the early stages of the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Ireland were in action against Turkey in this match at the OAKA Olympic Indoor Hall, Athens Olympic Sport Complex in Greece.

The games got under way on Saturday night with an opening ceremony at the Kallimarmaro stadium.

The events will run until July 4 and will feature 7,500 athletes from 183 countries taking part in 22 sports.

tem through their paces during an unforgettable training week last August.

The club’s senior setup was rejuvenated at the very same time by an exciting amalgamation with Clondalkin club Moyle Park.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, just ahead of the impressive academy every Saturday morning, Peamount’s first ever Under-7 side began their second season of league competition flanked by two new teams.

The success of Stuart Smith’s young guns at the very top of the DDSL’s Under-7 section was echoed by the debut-season efforts of the other two 7s’

teams debuting.

All three sides have big shoes to fill this coming August as Paul Hennessy’s Under-9s won the DDSL A1 league by a huge eight-point margin over rivals St Joseph’s Boys and Malahide United.

Paul Crone’s Under-13 Major side were unlucky to just lose out on a playoff spot by a single win.

To m my Mo o n e y ’s Under-11 girls stole the show by winning their league title for the third year in a row, capturing the DWSL Blitz and the Belle in the Meadow Blitz in Enniscorthy.

UEFA president Michel Platini presented them

with the UEFA Grassroots title they won in the build-up tournament held before the Europa League final at the Aviva Stadium.

The senior men marked their debut season under managers Paul Pollard and Ben Buckley with a the tough LSL Senior 1 division, however, only last weekend their female counterparts were knocked out of the FAI Women’s Cup, which they won last year.

Their disappointment is sure to be minimal seen as they travel to Slovenia next month to take on Europe’s best in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

30 June 2011 CLONDALKIN GAZETTE 31

in association with

AHL 3: CLON SIDE HOLD ON TO CLAIM JOINT LEAD

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ROUND TOWERS THE intermediate hurlers won away to Kevin’s and lost at home to Clanna Gael.

The 33rd annual Mass for deceased members will be celebrated in the clubrooms on Wednesday, July 6 at 8pm. All attending are asked to be seated by 7.45pm.

the word throughout the locality.

Gaelic 4 Fathers light training session continues on Wednesdays at 7.15pm in the Community Centre.

Spread the word, all welcome!

Bingo continues every Tuesday in the club.

The AED in the clubhouse is now in

The club committee wishes to

a new alarm box. All trained per-

invite all members past and present

sonnel are asked to test access to

and also relatives past and present

the device. New training courses

of deceased members. While every

commence in two weeks.

effort will be made to notify personally the large number of people involved, the committee would welcome your assistance in spreading

This week’s lotto numbers were 7, 16, 28 and 30; Bonus Ball 20.

There was no winner of this week’s jackpot of €2,800.

ST PATRICK’S, PALMERSTOWN Round Towers took their chance to tie at the top of the intermediate league with this win over St Kevin’s

Towers tie Kevin’s at top of league

Tickets for Leinster hurling final

fixture to Naomh Barrog and win at

can be collected at clubhouse this

home against Raheny, while juniors

Thur sda y from 7. 30 to 8 . 30pm.

lost at home to Faughs.

Stand €35 and Terrace €20, while

Juvenile hurling Under-8s and 9s

2-10 2-14

sport@gazettegroup.com

ROUND Towers’ intermediate hurlers got the better of St Kevin’s last week in a clash at the top of AHL 3, played in Dolphin Park.

Towers made it five wins in six outings after the victory which led them to take joint top spot in the league with St Kevin’s.

Kevin’s had won five in five, looking formidable with a daunting unbeaten record in the league going into the match.

The Clondalkin men came out fast, with Jack Whelan bagging a 65 and two points in opening ten minutes.

On the ten minute mark, Kevin’s grabbed a scrappy goal to put them right back in the mix.

The sides went point for point for the majority of the first half, with

a stand-out score coming from Eoin Walsh of Towers, from right wing back, whose ferocious drive pushed the ball over from 90 yards.

W i t h a t wo - p o i n t gap separating the sides coming into halftime, Eoin Ryan pulled Round Towers further ahead, with a solo effort.

Starting from a wide corner forward position, he beat two players and then smacked the sliotar inside the Kevin’s goalkeeper’s near post.

The score at half-time was 1-9 to 1-4 in favour of the Clondalkin men.

Playing into the wind in the second half, Towers again started strongly, with Eric Finn tipping a few points over.

Finn really hit form in the second half, helping his side to pull away when it seemed like Kevin’s were on their way back.

More scores, including points from Mark Keane and Jack Whe-

lan, gave Towers a ninepoint lead heading into the last ten minutes, when a controversial penalty was awarded to Kevin’s.

Colm Hayes, Towers keeper, was holding possession around the scoring area, when two players tackled him. When the whistle blew, most spectators believed the referee had given a 21, when instead he pointed to the spot.

The penalty was put away and then two more Kevin’s scores went over to bring it to a four-point game. Eric Finn scored a scrappy goal to pull Towers clear again by seven.

Kevin’s didn’t stop there, though, and came

at the Clondalkin side until the end, with only four points in the difference, 2-10 to 2-14, for Towers come the final whistle.

Manager Mark McKenna highlighted the determination of his side this season.

“At the beginning of the season, I wouldn’t have believed you if you told me we’d be in this position.

“We have a lot of players missing due to injury and some to county duties, but we’ve shown great unity and I couldn’t be happier.

“Promotion is still on the cards, we just have to take it each game as it comes,” said McKenna.

juveniles remain at €5.

played Stars Of Erin and Castle-

To book your Leinster football final

knock, 11s beat St Finian’s and 12s

tickets, text your order to 086 89 88

lost to Castleknock. Under-15s

920 before this Friday 12 noon.

footballers lost to St Joseph’s OCB. Senior footballers are at home on Saturday to Naomh Fionnbarra at 6.30pm, while juniors are away

AHL DIVISION 3 St Kevin’s Round Towers PETER CARROLL

SENIOR hurlers lost away league

on Friday at 7.30pm to Kilmacud Crokes.

To view our website, simply log on to www.stpatricksgaa.ie.

Lotto: Numbers drawn were 3, 13, 23 and 29.

There was no winner of the €8,200 jackpot.

The first summer camp, which is

Match any three numbers win-

a hurling and camogie camp, takes

ners were Dessie O’Brien, Paul

place on July 25 to 29 and costs €30.

Bevan and Mick McLoughlin and

Camp two VHI football camp takes

each receive €70.

place on August 15 to 19 and costs €50. The VHI camp which costs €50e includes gear, socks and jersey.

Next week’s jackpot is €8,400.

Draw is held each Sunday night at 10pm in the Palmerstown House.

LUCAN SARSFIELDS CONTINUING Lucan Sarsfields 125

ished fourth in national feile skills

celebrations, Na Sairsealigh Abu

competition, and good luck to the

was launched on Saturday night.

boys’ footballers at national feile

The book is now on sale in the bar.

in Dunmanway next Thurday and

Summer camps have been fixed

Friday.

for July 4 to 8, and 11 to 15; August

Golf classic is July 15, and teams of

8 to 12 and 15 to 19. Register online

three players can be booked though

via website. Discount if done before

Dave Whittle (087 252 2656), Michael

June 30.

O’Grady (087 233 1983). All forms of

Thanks to everyone who helped in recent clean-up.

support welcome.

Lotto: Numbers drawn were 9,

Well done to Dublin minor hurl-

11, 18 and 28. There was no winner.

ers and in particular captain Chris

Next week’s jackpot is €2,500. Mick

Crummy, Seanie McClelland, Mat-

Mulhall’s team will be in charge next

thew McCaffrey and Eoin O Con-

weekend.

ghaile on great performances in

Do not forget you can alwa ys

helping Dublin reach Leinster hurl-

enter our Lotto online by clicking

ing final.

on www.lucansarsfields.ie.

Good wins by senior hurlers and

Tickets also on sale in Carey’s

junior B hurlers in league during

Newsagents. Thanks to Newcas-

week.

tle Golf centre who are this week’s

Well done to Jenny Ryan, who fin-

sponsor.

ALL OF YOUR CLONDALKIN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

SUMMITS IN SIGHT: Peamount

reflect on their epic 2010/11 season P30

JUNE 30, 2011

JUNE’S JEWELS: Sports Awards nominees revealed P29

JONNY STAPLETON clondalkinsport@gazettegroup.com

STEPHEN Ormond claims he will buckle the first of many pro titles around his waist this September, and is eager to begin on a path that will eventually see him fulfil his potential over the coming years.

The prodigal son returned to the venue where he made his name as an amateur, the National Stadium, last Saturday night, and ensured his Clondalkin following were partying with an impressive knock-out performance.

T he man Bernard Dunne tipped to be his successor, broke Valentin Stoychev’s spirit with some crunching shots and a nice varied approach in the first four rounds before a massive right in the fifth.

And, not long after, the referee halted proceedings with the safety of the tough Bulgarian in mind.

The Frank Warren-promoted fighter revealed he could be out again on a Ricky Burn’s world title undercard as early as July but stressed the British promoter has promised him a title shot in September.

“I might be out in three weeks time in Liverpool, that has yet to be confirmed, but the main one for me is September, which will be a title shot. It should be a Commonwealth or EU title.

“It is very important to me to get a title now. I am 28 next year and I want shots now. I want to move up the ladder.

“Fighting my stablemate, Ricky Burns, for a world title was mentioned, but I need to get titles and wins to get into contention there.

“Hopefully, over the next year, I can a bigger fighters. I plan to start fulfilling my potential this year,” Ormond said.

In truth, the Clondalkin native, and former St Matthew’s ama-

teur, was expected to brush aside Valentin Stoychev, but he looked impressive regardless.

He was keen to stress prior to the bout that fighting for the first time as a pro in the home of Irish boxing brought no added pressure, but it was clear from the first bell that Ormond wanted to add to his fifth KO to a now ten-fight record, and to entertain the Dublin faithful.

“He was a tough lad and was bigger than me. He took some good shots. Although I said I wasn’t under pressure to perform, I did want to stop him. That’s why we took a six-rounder. I am better over a distance, I can grind lads down.

“I am learning from Pascal Collins and we brought a lot of stuff from the gym into that fight.

Working with Frank will open doors and Pascal is teaching me a lot. I have a good team and that is reflected in today’s performance.”

Stephen Ormond’s fight against Valentin Stoychev was an indication of the Clondalkin fighter’s promise

GazetteSPORT

Ormond seeking title bouts