Dublin Gazette: Fingal Edition

DublinGazette APRIL 4-10, 2019

CYCLESAFETY: The first in a three-part CYCLE

series examining cycling in the capital. Just how (un)safe is cycling in Dublin? SEE PAGE 17

Fingal Edition FREE

THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL AREA

Wheelie helpful support

SPORT

SOCCER: Malahide

United the first side to beat Crumlin this term as they win the Charlie Cahill Cup. SEE P28

Appointment COUNCIL boss Paul Reid is moving on to an even bigger brief – running the HSE. The popular FCC chief executive is set to take on the director general role at the HSE following his departure in the near future.

With the news of his appointment, he paid warm tribute to the council’s staff and departments, and the businesses and commuPAGE 2 nities of Fingal.

CAROLINE Lafferty, the chief executive of of Cycle Against Suicide (CAS), was joined at Connolly Station recently by CAS volunteer John McQuaid; Barry Kenny, corporate communications manager, Iarnrod Eireann, and CAS volunteer Peter Dancer to announce CAS’s annual cycle, which takes nationwide place from April 27 to May 6.

Picture: Colm Mahady/Fennells

motoring

FIAT’S FACELIFTED 500X SHOULD BE A CROSSOVER HIT P22

Fury over ‘reckless’ shots at school gates Calls for feuding gangs to end violence

SYLVIA POWNALL

Find us on Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

GARDAI have condemned a shooting incident outside a school in Blanchardstown as community representatives call for feuding gangs to end the violence.

Riversdale Community College in Corduff went into lockdown on Tuesday after-

noon after shots were fired outside the school gates just as students were due to leave.

Teachers stood against the doors of their classrooms and parents were informed as an intercom announcement warned staff and students not to leave the building.

Eye witnesses said they heard two shots

being fired and saw a man running for cover.

One upset parent fumed: “If you know your life is under threat, then you shouldn’t go anywhere near a school.”

Labour TD Joan Burton said: “This escalation of feuding and violence must be tackled. This type of shooting cannot be allowed become the norm.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Rush has a whole Lotto luck LADY Luck tapped another Fingal family on the shoulder again this week, with the news that a family in Rush has won €1 million.

The anonymous family had their whopping win with the Lotto Plus 1 draw on March 23, with the disbelieving dad unable to believe his luck – and his eyes – when he eventually checked his ticket.

After taking care of their mortgage and some family treats, the generous dad is splitting the remainder with PAGE 3 the family.

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 4 April 2019

PICK UP YOUR

DublinGazette FINGAL EDITION

EVERY THURSDAY! at the following locations:

• Westmanstown • Eurospar Dunboyne • Ongar Community Centre • Eurospar Hartstown • Lidl - Blakestown • St Peregrine’s GAA • Mountview Community Centre • Spar - Mulhuddart • Tyrrelstown Community Centre • Blanch Centre • An Draiocht • Blanch Library • Justin’s • SuperValu - Blanch • Centra - Laurel Lodge • Castleknock Community Centre • Fingal County Council • Tesco - Roselawn • Londis - Castleknock • ITB • Blanch Hospital • Hartstown Community Centre • Blakestown Community College • Coolmine Community College • Centra - Estuary Rd • EBS - Swords • Energie Fitness • Eurospar - Applewood • Fingal County Council • River Valley Community Centre • Holywell Community Centre • Kinsealy Garden Centre • Londis- Yellow Walls Rd • Malahide Library • Malahide RFC • Hilltop, Malahide • Swords Central SC • Tesco - Clarehall • Texaco - Portmarnock • Portmarnock Leisure Centre • B&Q - Airside • Tesco - Airside • JC’s Supermarket Swords • SuperValu - Balbriggan • Tesco - Balbriggan • SuperValu - Skerries • DCC Office - Bunratty Road • Tesco - Omni Park • SuperValu Swords • Rivervalley Community Centre, Swords • Tesco Rush • Marks & Spencers - Omni

For further info

www.dublingazette.com

01 60 10 240

PAUL REID TO LEAVE IN MAY; PAYS TRIBUTE TO FCC

Council chief is appointed as HSE director general  SYLVIA POWNALL

spownall@dublingazette.com

THE chief executive of Fingal County Council has been appointed as the new director general of the HSE, it was confirmed on Tuesday.

Paul Reid will take over the top post vacated by Tony O’Brien in the wake of the Cervical Check scandal last year, in a deal rumoured to be worth €300,000 a year.

After five years at the helm Mr Reid will leave his position with the Fingal local authority on May 13 after the final monthly meeting of the current council before the local elections.

Announcing his departure, he said: “It is both an honour and a privilege to have been appointed to such an important role that impacts on the lives of everyone in the state.

Paul Reid

“However, it will certainly be with a heavy heart that I will leave Fingal County Council.

“I can say for sure that being in the role as chief executive of Fingal has been the best and most fulfilling job that I have had in my career, to date.

“I have had the opportunity to make an impact on the quality of life of all

of the people, business and communities of Fingal that we serve.”

Mr Reid is a former senior official of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and during his time in Fingal he has overseen a number of key projects.

He said: “We have achieved a lot over the past five years. I was

delighted when I came in 2014 to find a body of councillors who were committed to the council’s vision of making Fingal the place of choice in Ireland to live, work, visit and do business.

“Over the past five years, there was always a willingness to find the best solution for the people of Fingal. The quality, commitment and calibre of staff made my job extremely rewarding.

“Fingal County Council is highly respected for being a highly-innovative and ‘can-do’ council.

“I have been truly honoured to hold this position and I hope that I too have played my part in making this such a great county.”

Mr Reid will lead the executive into the council meetings in April and May before a new council is elected on May 24.

An interim chief executive will be appointed shortly to lead the council while the public appointments service recruit his successor.

Man remanded on murder charge after fatal stabbing in Mulhuddart A MAN in his 40s has been remanded in custody after he was charged with murder following a fatal stabbing at a house in Mulhuddart on Saturday.

Mark Whelan (45) of Castlecurragh Heath, Mulhuddart appeared before Judge Paula Murphy at Blanchardstown District Court on Monday.

He was accused of the murder of Noel Whelan, who was in his 20s, at Castlecurragh Heath, Mulhuddart on Saturday.

Shortly after 6pm on Saturday,

gardai attended the scene of an incident in a house at Castlecurragh Heath where Mr Whelan was discovered with stab wounds.

He was treated at the scene by emergency services personnel, but was pronounced dead a short time later.

Evidence of arrest, charge and caution was given at Monday’s court hearing by Detective Sergeant Shane MacCartan.

He said the accused, who was arrested on Saturday, made no reply when the charge was put to him at

Finglas Garda station at 1.15pm on Monday.

Judge Murphy acceded to a request from the solicitor to direct medical attention and psychiatric evaluation of the accused while in prison remand.

The court heard that Mr Whelan, who had visible cuts and scrapes to his head, stayed handcuffed throughout the hearing for his safety and the safety of others.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court this Friday, April 5.

FASTNews

Hughes among the best for film-making A TEENAGER from Malahide has been awarded third place in Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards 2019 at the Fresh Film Festival in Limerick.

Milosh Hughes (18), was recognised last week for his film, Descensus – a story about a young boy who loses his grip on reality as constant nightmares cause him to spiral into madness.

Milosh (second-right) is pictured with Jane Foley, founder of Fresh Film Festival; second place finalist Cal Arnold O’Driscoll; first place winner Sean Treacy and comedian Pat Shortt.

Now in its 23rd year, it features screenings and workshops including an industry master class with the National Youth Film School.

For further information about the festival, see www.freshfilmfestival.net.

Blanch saw the most burglaries last year BLANCHARDSTOWN Garda Station had the highest number of burglaries reported in north Dublin last year, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.

There were 450 reported burglaries in the area, with Santry Garda Station investigating 335 burglaries, and Store Street third with 249.

Overall there was a 3% fall in burglaries in north Dublin in 2018, with a total of 3,139 reported.

A burglary takes place in north Dublin every three hours.

Phonewatch said the decrease in break-ins corresponds with an increase in the number of households signing up to its monitored burglar alarm system.

Reilly welcomes new Hedgestown school THE Department of Education is expected to put a building project for a new 1,600sq m, eight-classroom national school in Hedgestown out to tender shortly.

In a reply to Senator James Reilly (FG), the Department said the project is at the detailed design stage which includes preparation of tender documents, and all statutory approvals had been secured.

Senator Reilly said the scheme was making progress, adding: “This new national school is eagerly awaited by the parents, pupils and teachers at this excellent national school just outside Lusk.

“I look forward to a modern state-of-the-art Near Zero Energy Building being constructed here.”

4 April 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

SAFETY: NEW SAFETY CAMPAIGN REMINDS DRIVERS TO SLOW BY ROADWORKS

See the cones, obey the zones, council warns

FINGAL County Council has joined forces with other local authorities to take part in an ‘Orange Cone Safety Zone Week’ campaign.

The council is urging motorists to curb their speed when passing roadworks to give workers a safe working environment.

It says that each year there are hundreds of incidents at sites that put workers’ lives at risk, some result-

ing in injury and death.

The campaign was launched on Monday, April 1 - April Fool’s Day – with the message that “only a fool speeds through roadworks sites”.

Andrew Nolan, Fingal road safety officer, said: “A small minority of drivers still think it is okay to speed when driving through roadworks.

“This is not only danger-

ous to themselves, but they are also putting the lives of the road workers at risk.

“The campaign is about reminding road users that road works are like any other workplace, and our workers have just as much right to work in a safe environment.

“We know you want to get home – but so do our workers. See the cones, obey the zones.”

The campaign

by Fingal and other local authorities calls on motorists to drive responsibly by roadworks.

Those working there have the right to a safe environment too, reminds the campaign.

Picture: Mac Innes Photography

Tesco Rush customer service employees Brenda McEntire, Ann Mullen and Sinead Flanagan celebrate the store’s role in selling the Lotto Plus 1 top prize of €1 million euro

€1 million gold Rush as a Fingal family land Lotto win SYLVIA POWNALL

A LUCKY family from north Fingal celebrated at Lotto HQ last week as they claimed a massive €1 million prize won on the Lotto Plus 1 draw on Saturday, March 23.

The large family – who wish to keep their win private – purchased their winning Quick Pick ticket at the Tesco store in the seaside town of Rush.

They were oblivious to the celebrations taking place in their nearby

Tesco store the morning after the draw and only found out about their win when their father came across his lucky numbers in a newspaper.

The dad said: “I spent most of the day flipping through the Sunday paper and all of the supplements, and it wasn’t until I got to the front of the paper where the Lotto numbers were listed that I remembered to check my ticket.

“My mouth absolutely dropped when I saw all of my six numbers, but

“

I must have checked my numbers a hundred times before I realised that we’d won. When I eventually told all the family, they thought I was barking mad!

I was convinced I had made a mistake.

“I told myself that my ticket could have been for another draw or something, so I didn’t get carried away at all.

“I must have checked my numbers a hundred times before I realised that we’d won.

“When I eventually

told all the family, they thought I was absolutely barking mad!

“They took a lot of convincing before they would believe me.”

Incredibly, this is the seventh winner of the Lotto Plus 1 top prize of €1 million since Lotto and Lotto Plus game e n h a n c e m e n t s we re

introduced last September.

And while it’s a tidy sum for the winning family, it’s eclipsed by the record €175million Euromillions jackpot won last month by a family syndicate from The Naul.

The winning dad said: “The win has yet to sink in but we’ve already

made a sound plan for absolutely every single penny.

“We’re going to pay off what’s left on our mortgage and treat ourselves to a brand-new family car and a once in a lifetime holiday.

“Whatever is left after that will be split evenly among all of the family.

“We’ll certainly enjoy the next few months and it will give the adult children the very best start in life knowing that they have a small few bob in the bank for a rainy day.”

FASTNews Castleknock Tidy Towns all set for its spring clean of avenue CASTLEKNOCK Tidy Towns is organising a monster spring clean of Auburn Avenue as their first big project since getting back up and running after an 18-year gap.

A steering committee has been put in place and it sees the approach road as key in their efforts to improve the locality.

The clean-up will take place on Saturday, April 13 from 10am to 12 noon, with Myo’s car park the meeting point.

Rubbish collected Fingal County Council have provided equipment and rubbish bags and will arrange to have all of the rubbish collected taken away that same afternoon.

From April 27 onwards, the group will meet every Saturday morning from 10am to noon, starting from Myo’s, and will do litter patrols and general clean-ups in and around the village over the summer.

Castleknock Tidy Towns has a Facebook page too – you can Like it and check in there regularly for updates; alternatively, email castleknocktidytowns@gmail.com for further information.

€40k set for works at St Doulagh’s Church site FUNDING of €40,000 has been approved for works on St Doulagh’s Church on the Malahide Road.

The allocation under the Built Heritage Investment Fund and Historic Structures Fund has been welcomed by Fine Gael Deputy Alan Farrell.

The money will be used to carry out masonry repair and repointing work at the historic building in Balgriffin.

Deputy Farrell said maintaining and preserving historic buildings was vital “both in terms of preserving our local heritage, and in making our communities more attractive to tourists”.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 4 April 2019

COURTS: REFUSED TO NAME PERSONS WHO PRESSURED HIM TO HOLD ITEMS

CRIME

Man jailed after gardai find gun, stolen motorbike at home

Fury over shooting by school

A SUPERMARKET manager has been jailed for two-and-a-half years after gardai found a sawn-off shotgun and a stolen motorbike at his home.

Edward O’Keeffe (38) told gardai he was put under pressure by a criminal gang to hold the items at his home in Mulhuddart.

He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of a semi-

automatic shotgun and a stolen Suzuki motorcyle at Huntsdown Drive on December 4, 2017.

The court heard that gardai acting on a tip-off obtained a warrant to search the house where they found the gun, wrapped in black tape and containing a spent cartridge, in a bag under the floorboards.

Detective Garda Gavin Curran said that

as far as gardai were aware the gun was not used in the commission of an offence.

He said that O’Keeffe was not on any “garda radar”.

Judge Melanie Greally said that the whole operation of organised crime gangs relied on the use of people who “are under the radar” and that it would be pointless for criminal gang members who are under

surveillance to carry out these operations.

She imposed a five-year prison sentence, suspending the last two and a half years after taking into consideration the financial pressures O’Keeffe was under at the time.

Counsel said his client, who worked as a manager in a supermarket, refused to name the people who gave him the items.

Fyffes reveals an appealing kit to help sick kids in hospital SWORDS-based banana importer Fyffes has partnered with Dundalk Football Club to raise funds for Temple Street Children’s Hospital by designing a bespoke jersey, trunks and socks, which will be the club’s third kit for the 2019 season.

Under the initiative, Fyffes has removed its name from the front of the new jersey – replacing it with that of Temple Street Foundation for the duration of the season. A limited number of jerseys – finished in Temple Street’s purple colours – are on sale now, the proceeds of which will go to Temple Street and to funding the equipment and care provided for more than 147,000 patients it treats every year.

Pictured revealing the new branding and are Celine Nic Oireachtaigh, Temple Street; Mike Treacy, chairman, Dundalk FC and Gerry Cunningham, managing director, Fyffes. Picture: Arthur Carron

PEOPLE: GRIEVING LOCALS TO HONOUR DEAD BABY GIRL FOUND AT BEACH

Balbriggan community plans ceremony for Belle SYLVIA POWNALL

LOCALS in Balbriggan have vowed to hold a ceremony for baby Belle amid calls for the Justice Minister to investigate the circumstances of her lonely burial in Glasnevin..

There was a huge outpouring of grief and sympathy after the newborn baby girl’s body was found on a Balbriggan beach just days before Christmas 2018.

Gardai and Fingal County Council had been given to understand that once her tiny body was released by the coroner, they could arrange a local burial.

But shock news of her inter-

“

Shock news of her interment without mourners at the Angels Plot in Glasnevin left the community reeling with hurt and anger

ment without mourners at the Angels Plot in Glasnevin left the community reeling with hurt and anger.

Cllr Grainne Maguire (Ind) told Dublin Gazette locals were in favour of a quiet, dignified local ceremony to pay their last respects to the tragic tot.

She said: “There is talk of doing something, whether it be a private visit to Glasnevin cemetery or something locally.

I think both might happen.

“Certainly, the women who were directly involved and who found her, they need to do something themselves, but that might be a very private thing.

“I think the town has to do something. Nobody wanted a public funeral, but we wanted to be included and just have a chance to pay our last respects and say goodbye.”

Staffords undertakers provided Belle with a private funeral service but only the gravedig-

ger and undertaker was present as her tiny white coffin was lowered into the ground.

She was buried under the name ‘unknown baby’, as she was not born alive and could not be legally named without a parent’s consent.

Last Sunday, a low-key service was held in Glasnevin for Belle, coinciding with Mother’s Day, with flowers and tributes laid at her grave, which is located at plot R1.

Gardai in Balbriggan involved with the investigation were not made aware of Belle’s funeral arrangements and are said to be “devastated” over the way it was handled.

Raising the issue in the Sean-

ad last week, Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee (FF) called on Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan to provide answers.

She said: “We were assured that once the coroner had done the appropriate investigation baby Belle’s body would be released to the local gardai and local community.

“Baby Belle impacted us all, the situation her mother faced impacted us all because she was part of our community. We’re very, very upset and we’re really, really grappling for answers.

“The raw emotion is still very real. I want to know why baby Belle was not returned to us and buried within her community.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Appealing for witnesses, Superintendent William Carolan condemned the “reckless attack”.

In a statement, the patron board said all students and staff were “safe and well” following the incident and the school reopened as normal on Wednesday.

It said psychological support services would be available to students where needed and it commended the principal, staff, pupils and parents for “the excellent and calm manner in which they reacted to this regrettable incident”.

A lone assailant armed with a handgun opened fire on a 23-year-old man and a 17-year-old youth as they arrived to collect a student.

Both escaped injury, with the older man fleeing into the school grounds.

The shooting is believed to be linked to an escalating dispute between two feuding gangs.

Cllr Paul Donnelly (SF) said he was “horrified” to hear of the shooting, adding: “It beggars belief that a person would put the lives of school children in danger like this.

“I am asking the community to give the gardai any information they have in relation to these idiots to ensure that they are taken off our streets.”

Garda intelligence has connected at least 30 people to the feuding gangs and several of those have already been formally warned of a credible threat to their lives.

A Garda armed response unit was quickly on the scene on Tuesday and local Fianna Fail TD Jack Chambers is now calling for specialist units to be deployed, as was the case with the Hutch/Kinahan feud in the inner city.

Gardai are appealing for anyone with information to contact them at 01 666 9700, or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.

4 April 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

FASTNews

PLANNING: ISSUES RAISED OVER PLANNED LIDL STORE AT CASTLEFIELD

Council accepts Currie’s concerns about Clonsilla Fingal landscapers win All Ireland awards supermarket plan David Ryan, of Forever Landscapes

THREE Fingal landscaping businesses have been recognised at the All Ireland Landscape Contractors annual awards. Forever Landscapes, based in Castleknock, were announced as joint category winners for their work on a private garden in Dublin.

They were honoured alongside Meath-based KHS Landscaping in the category.

Redlough Landscapes based in Hollystown were announced as the overall winner in the Public Authority category for their work at French Mullen House, Dublin 2 for Dublin City Council.

Tully Landscapes, based in Ballyboughal, were overall winners in the Residential Development category at the awards for their work with South Dublin Construction in Killiney.

Inspection sought of new traffic island A SAFETY inspection has been called for at the location of a new traffic island on the Hearse Road in Donabate. Requesting the move, Cllr Adrian Henchy (FF) said it was needed “with a view to urgently improving the visibility of this location, particularly at night. There has already been a couple of accidents at this location and a number of motorists have reported very near misses when driving in darkness.”

The council said: “This junction is being considered at present and Fingal County Council and the developer of this site will meet shortly to discuss measures to address this situation.”

SYLVIA POWNALL

FINGAL planners say they will take on board the concerns of Clonsilla residents in relation to a planned Lidl store at Castlefield.

The German discount supermarket chain is seeking amendments to an existing planning permission allowing for a 1,300sq m anchor store in a neighbourhood centre.

Lidl has applied for permission to build a larger supermarket covering 2,445sq m over two storeys with off-licence, a 159sq m cafe, retail unit and underground parking.

The council has now requested more information following submissions from locals concerned about the size and scale of the development and its impact on traffic.

Fine Gael local election candidate Emer Currie, who called a public meeting on the issue, said there were fears the development would lead to traffic congestion as has been the case with Lidl in Castleknock.

She told Dublin Gazette: “We’ve seen what happened in Castleknock where there is absolute gridlock. On the doorsteps there it’s nearly the first thing people mention.”

‘Specific concerns’ Ms Currie added: “The majority of people are not against development, but they do have specific concerns about traffic, the visual look of it and the loss of trees and hedgerows, which I raised in my submission.

“Traffic is the biggest issue – people do not want a repeat of what is happening in Castle-

knock because of the new Lidl where tailbacks and traffic jams are now a frequent, daily occurrence.

“A full traffic report and count is required, on a school day, including all junctions in order to inform an appropriate traffic strategy for Clonsilla.

“I hope Fingal County Council is now taking those concerns seriously.”

The original Lidl application included a traffic report based on 2014 data which Ms Currie said was not credible because it’s five years out of date.

She added that there was no data for the Castlefield and Clonsilla link road junction where cars park to access the train station.

She said: “I cautiously welcome Fingal County Counc il’s request for

Emer Currie and Mark Dillon

more information from Lidl Ireland in relation to this application including a traffic assessment, a revised finish and design that takes more account of its prominent location and is more appropriate to Clonsilla’s historical village location.

“The community want Lidl to get this right for Clonsilla and their

neighbourhood – a place they are deeply invested in and want the best for.

“The community has done their part in scrutinising this application and it now over to Fingal County Council to do theirs.

“There is no point having Development Plans and Traffic Strategies if Fingal County Council do not uphold them.”

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 4 April 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

The Helix was overcome with excitement as the stage was brought alive with singing and dancing as the children from Curtain Call Stage School entertained parents and friends with their production of The Little Mermaid.

Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

Children from Curtain Call Stage School entertain

4 April 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 4 April 2019

TRANSPORT: SINN FEIN CALL FOR KEY INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE CONSIDERED

Revised light-rail plan welcomed amid calls for Metro West link SYLVIA POWNALL

While MetroLink has been making headlines, there are also calls for a Metro West light-rail link to also be seriously considered to help meet Fingal’s future needs

A METRO WEST light-rail project must now be seriously considered, according to Sinn Fein Cllr Paul Donnelly.

Cllr Donnelly has called for the Government to consider bringing forward its plans now that Metro South is not going ahead.

He said: “Dublin West has a growing population and faces increasing strains on its limited public transport infrastructure.

“It makes sense to me that Metro South is being

“

FCC’s plans for the development of large tracts of land around Swords hinge on Metro plans shelved and that consideration must be given to proceeding with the Metro West project.”

Sinn Fein has written to Transport Minister Shane Ross calling for the line – first mooted by then Transport Minister Noel Dempsey in 2007 – linking Tallaght and Blanchardstown to Dublin Airport to be put back on the table.

Meanwhile, Senator James Reilly (FG) has welcomed the revised MetroLink route, which he says will be a “gamechanger” for Fingal.

The local authority’s plans for the development of large tracts of residential and industrial land around Swords hinge on Metro plans, and if the two are delivered in tandem it could create up to 18,000 new jobs and provide 3,000 housing units.

Senator Reilly said:

“Four significant master plans for 165 acres in Swords have gone on public display, synchronised with the announcement of the MetroLink project.

“These plans include 218,000sq m of office space, just 10 minutes from Dublin Airport.

That’s 55 acres of office buildings in a very central location in Swords and is a very attractive proposition for major foreign investment companies looking for large-scale office space capable of holding 1,000 employees and upwards.”

Fingal County Council also welcomed last week’s announcement on the preferred route, but stressed the importance of delivering the project by 2027.

Its chief executive, Paul Reid, warned: “Fingal is the top county from which

workers flow into Dublin city and 72% of those journeys are made by car.

“The longer we go without a Metro system, the longer the roads into and out of Dublin city will remain clogged up, and that will inhibit the development of Fingal.”

Transport chiefs have refused to put a cost on the revised project, which was originally planned to have two tunnels stretching 26km from Swords to Sandyford in the south and at a cost of €3 billion.

But the new preferred route will now have only one 19km tunnel, ending at Charlemont.

Other changes include plans to run it below road level along the Swords bypass, rather than on an elevated track, as well as locating the train storage depot at Dardistown instead of the estuary.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland will host a public information day on MetroLink at Fingal County Council’s offices in Swords on Tuesday, April 16 from 2-8pm.

More info sought on €320m runway project at airport DUBLIN Airport Authority (DAA) has been asked by Fingal County Council to provide more information about planned changes to its €320 million runway project.

The local authority has raised issues around flood risk and surface water drainage relating to proposed changes to infrastructure including taxiways.

The DAA plans to reduce the number of taxiways and relocate others. It also wants to make other changes to the project, including the relocation of electricity sub-stations, a new perimeter fence, and the installation of airside blast-protection fencing.

The total paved area at the airport

following construction of the runway is to be significantly reduced under the changes being sought by the airport authority.

Planners have requested more information regarding a planned earthen embankment that the DAA intends to construct in a flood zone, including a flood-risk assessment.

The Irish Airline Pilots’ Association claimed in a submission to the council that the redesign of the taxiways “radically compromises the safe, efficient flow of aircraft”, and “creates congestion”.

It has also claimed that the length of the new runway – at just under 3.2km – is “sub-optimal”.

FASTNews Calls for ice arena to be built in Fingal LOCAL election candidate James Fitzpatrick is calling for a national ice arena to be built in Fingal.

An online petition with more than 2,600 signatures points out that Ireland is one of the few countries in the world without a national ice arena.

According to Swordsbased Mr Fitzpatrick: “The facility would be dual-purpose, linking schools and businesses while at the same time promoting an agglomeration of economies.

“The structure would house curling, a seated area which could revert to conferencing when booked, and a full-size ice rink with 2,500 seats for international competitions, which would revert to exhibition space.”

To back the campaign, visit https://www.ipetitions. com/petition/national-icearena-for-ireland.

Gardai may up patrols by playground FINGAL County Council has asked gardai to increase patrols in the vicinity of Thornleigh playground in Swords after fire damage caused by vandals forced it to shut.

The local authority says it is awaiting the arrival of replacement playground equipment “with works expected to be carried out towards the end of April”.

The council was responding to queries from a number of local councillors, including Fianna Fail’s Darragh Butler who asked for an update and “what can be done to prevent vandalism such as this recurring”.

The playground, which was provided partially thanks to funds raised by the local community, was forced to shut several weeks ago for health and safety reasons after thugs deliberately set equipment on fire.

4 April 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

COMMUNITY: LOCALS PRAISE NEW MULTI-USE GAMES AREA WITH INTRINSIC KNIGHTS THEME

Squeals of delight at new themed playground in Balrothery

A THEMED playground in Balrothery opened last week to squeals of delight from local school children who couldn’t wait to try out the new equipment.

The multi-use games area at Glebe Park has a knight theme – to reflect Balrothery’s heritage as Baile na Ridire, the town of the knight.

The playground, constructed

by Creative Play Solutions, has a strong emphasis on natural play opportunities.

Meanwhile the multi-use games arena has been designed as a modern fit-for-purpose facility to cater for five-a-side football, basketball and general training activity.

Before tendering for the project, the council’s Parks Division undertook extensive consultation with the local community to determine their requirements.

Kevin Tolan, chairperson of Balrothery Community Association, said: “We were delighted to work with, and say a heartfelt thanks

to Fingal County Council, our local councillors as well as our own members.”

Kevin also thanked the Department of Rural & Community Development and contractors Creative Play for helping to collectively deliver the project.

He added: “The Knights Playground and multi-use area will make a positive difference to the Balrothery community for many years to come.”

Fingal County Council has

now published the tender for the development of a series of naturalthemed playgrounds, with a closing date of April 23.

The council plans to deliver playgrounds in Quay Street, Balbriggan, Band Stand, Balbriggan and Skerries Town Park as well as a play trail in Lusk recreational hub.

Feedback from public consultation has formed a key part of the design brief which aims to encourage children to take part in natural play and physical exercise.

Mathew, Elsie and Hannah Tolan were among the first to try out the great new playground

FASTNews

The montage of shots of little Darragh that’s online at the change. org page asking for a change of heart over the family’s life in Australia

BSD troupe dance a way into IGT final

Balbriggan mum’s plea: My Darragh is no ‘burden’ SYLVIA POWNALL

A BALBRIGGAN mum is pleading with the Australian government to let her family stay in Australia where her son is being treated for a life-threatening illness.

Teacher Christine Hyde and her husband, who live in Victoria, applied to become permanent residents in 2015 shortly before their son, Darragh, was born.

Darragh, now three,

was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis within weeks of his birth – and the family’s application for residency was subsequently turned down.

Christine explained: “Our family’s application for permanent residency was refused by the Australian Department of Home Affairs because they assessed him as having a condition which make him a burden on the Australian community.”

The family appealed

the decision to the Administrative Review Tribunal, but that body does not have the power to overturn the health assessment.

Their only hope now is to appeal directly to David Coleman, the Australian Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to reverse the harsh decision.

Christine said unless a top politician intervenes on their behalf, she fears they will “be forced to leave our friends, family,

and the life we have built for ourselves in Australia”.

She said: “Our son Darragh was born in Australia on August 18, 2015. Australia is the only home our son knows.

“Darragh has been doing extremely well considering his condition, and we have positive letters from his doctors and specialist stating that he should live a full life and that his disease progression will be much slower than average.

“His condition has no effect on his cognitive ability, and should he wish to finish school and go to university, he has every chance at being successful in a career path of his choosing.

“Darragh is a bright boy with a positive future ahead of him. We have always felt extremely grateful to live in Australia. I studied here, gaining my Masters in special education.

“We have been living

in Australia for almost 10 years and have a strong support network here with our friends and family, and we are well settled in regional Victoria.”

Christine has started an online petition on change. org which has almost 4,000 of its target 5,000 signatures.

To support it, see https://www.change. org/p/hon-david-coleman-mp-please-let-our3-year-old-son-stay-inaustralia

SWORDS-BASED dance troupe BSD have made it to the final of Ireland’s Got Talent after securing top votes in their semi-final on Sunday.

Their fluid second performance was very different to their high-octane audition which saw judge Jason Byrne give them his Golden Buzzer vote, drawing mixed comments from the panel this time round.

But the gifted group of dancers, aged from nine to 17 years, won the allimportant public vote and will compete in the grand final which airs live on Virgin Media One this Sunday, April 7 at 7.30pm.

We wish them the best of luck!

€116,350 set for harbours’ upgrade work FUNDING of €116,250 has been allocated for works on Balbriggan and Rush harbours from the Department of the Marine.

A total of €60,000 has been approved for the restoration of a section of the pier in Rush with €56,250 for the provision of water and electricity supply points in Balbriggan.

Welcoming the investment, Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) said: “Ensuring our harbours are maintained is of the utmost importance in terms of supporting the local community and making our coastal communities more attractive to visitors.”

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 4 April 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Fair City actress Rebecca Grimes officially opened the new headquarters of Remember Us

Nora Roban, founder of Remember Us, with one of the service users

Historic time in Balbriggan for a local charity

L

OCAL charity Remember Us officially opened its new headquarters in Balbriggan last week. The bespoke building is designed to meet the particular needs of the children and adults that Remember Us brings so much joy to on a daily basis.

Over 300 people attended the event and the atmosphere was electric.

Special guests included actress Rebecca Grimes from Fair City who helped cut the ribbon and Charlie Rogan who brought out the Sam Maguire Cup to the event.

Locals enjoy the opening of Remember Us new headquarters

4 April 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Helen McDonagh and Christine McDonagh Karina Abbes, David Kavanagh, Paolo Trenta and Fiona Fitzgerald.

Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

Maria McCabe and Fiona Farrell

Julie Churchill and Anne Hyland

Mental health support James Reilly and Thomas Kathleen Joyce, Maria McCabe and Ann Collins

McCarthy

B

LANCHARDSTOWN Traveller Development Group launched their mental health leaflet last week in the Draoicht Theatre, Blanchardstown.

The leaflet provides practical tips for looking after your

mental health as well as providing useful contact numbers for local services. The play Magpies on the Pylon written and directed by Traveller actor Michael Collins was performed as part of the launch.

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 4 April 2019

DUBLIN

GET THE LITTLE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE LOOKING STYLISH P16

a pampering getaway in the sunny south east P20

MAGAZINE CROSSOVER FIAT 500X IS A TREAT WITH WIDE APPEAL P22

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

DUBLIN EXHIBITORS ADDED TO LINE-UP FOR HOUSE 2019

Pictured at Cafe en Seine at the launch of house 2019, Ireland’s premium interior design event, were interior designer Suzie McAdam, broadcaster Brendan O’Connor, architect Dermot Bannon, architect Hugh Wallace and interior architect Roisin Lafferty. All five are speaking at house, which takes place from May 24 to 26 at the RDS. Picture: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

4 April 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

OPINION: A CLEAR FOCUS IS NEEDED TO KEEP PACE WITH POPULATION CHANGES

Older citizens’ housing needs are in danger of being overlooked in the current crisis – but this must not happen

Our older citizens need their housing needs to be met too

“

I N OU R ex p e r i e n ce, there needs to be choice in housing to allow older people to age in place.

This choice should be open to all older people in Ireland, not just those who qualify for social housing or who can afford to avail of more costly private options.

This is why we are calling for a ‘spectrum of housing’ that not only takes into consideration the needs of older people from a health, community and social inclusion perspective, but also shows an awareness of the need for different price points.

ALONE values the importance of community-based supports to be in place on the ground to enable the older person to overcome challenges, as well as to access the benefits and resources that will enable them to remain living at home.

ALONE estimate that at any one time, some 20% of older people require some level of support intervention.

We welcome the commitment from the HSE to roll out ALONE’s services nationally over the coming years, including befriending, coordination of supports, housing and technology.

This will be the beginnings of a network of support across the country Now is the time to begin the process of building communities for

people to live in throughout their life cycle and to support older people to age in place, preparing for the demographic change and addressing gaps in housing options.

We believe that further planning needs to take place to ensure that this housing is located in areas of high demand, close to people’s current homes.

This will ensure that people are not displaced from their communities and forced to move away from their families and social networks.

National planning policy should make sites available for local authorities and approved housing bodies to provide more social housing with supports for older people, and for private developers to provide affordable housing.

This needs to become an integral part of creating age-friendly communities.

The cost of building smaller homes for older people is estimated at between €10- 20k cheaper than building three- and four-bed family homes.

This will also reduce the incidence of older people having to remain in acute hospital settings, due to a lack of housing options available, or long delays in housing adaptations, and will reduce the numbers of older people moving to costly nursing home provision due to a lack of alternative

supports.

It is estimated that the cost to the Fair Deal scheme will increase by an additional €729m annually by 2031, as a result of demographic changes.

The pressure on the private rented sector and HAP Scheme will also reduce.

We believe that the delivery of these ambitious targets will depend on an innovative and collaborative approach between all stakeholders, including the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government, the Department of Health, local authorities, the HSE and the approved housing body sector.

 SEAN MOYNIHAN

Chief executive, ALONE

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 4 April 2019

HOME & STYLE

FRESH IDEAS FOR YOUR WARDROBE

Spa-fresh skin at a fraction of the price and time

 Ted Baker Sequin girls dress

COMPANY: Nivea PRODUCT: Clay Fresh shower clay PURPOSE: A deep shower clean with the power of Kaolin clay TEXTURE:  FRAGRANCE:  PERFORMANCE:  PRICE: € Rachel D’Arcy THERE IS nothing better than a trip to the spa, but it’s not always

 Penneys boys suit

 River Island lace floral prom dress

Beauty Review

easy to get the time to devote a day to self care.

A little indulgence is always welcome in my eyes, particularly at an

 Debenhams boys suit from Ted Baker

affordable price - and here enters the new Nivea Shower Clay.

Coming in a range of scents for all noses and tastes, there’s

same impact as an hour

the uplifting, refresh-

long mud session at the

ing Ginger & Basil, the

spa.

After one use, I could

& White Sage and an

feel a massive differ-

Intense, aromatic Blue

ence to the texture of

Agave & Lavender.

my skin. Slightly more

My scent of choice

supple with a softness

was the delicious gin-

that truly lasted post

ger and basil, offering

shower, I was genuinely

an authentic spa-like

excited to use it again

scent packed into the

to see whether or

blue bottle.

not the effects would

Billed as a ‘shower clay’, I was intrigued to

I’m pleased to report that the clay is a repeat

consistency the prod-

offender, in the best

uct was. Slightly more

use of the term.

Each use delivered

the body wash looked

consistent results,

like a watered down

with the vibrant scent

version of a typical spa

of ginger and basil last-

clay.

ing on the skin.

However, that’s not to say it didn’t have the

to impress!

 Rachel D’Arcy

repeat themselves.

see just exactly what

liquid than expected,

DRESS

For €3.39, the clay is a definite must-try.

 River Island girls pink prom dress

delicate, floral Hibiscus

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN! Spring and early summer is time for weddings, communions, confirmations and more.

Kids can be the hardest to dress, but there’s tons of options on the high street and in Dublin’s shopping centres for formalwear.

From mini dresses to tiny suits, get the little people in your life looking stylish at big events this season.

We’ve rounded up some of our favourite picks, available in stores now.

GO ON THE LASH | PENNEYS BEAUTY RANGE INTRODUCE FIVE NEW MASCARAS MASCARA IS EVERY BEAUTY LOVER’S GO-TO. Whether you’re going full glam or keeping the look more natural, PS.. Beauty at Penneys have just launched seven exciting new mascaras, with one suiting every lash and taste.

All priced at €3,

they promise to pack a punch at a low price point, catering for those who love volume, length, curl and more.

The seven mascaras - HD Fanatic, 3D Lash Effect, WonderLash, Fake It, Dramatic Lash, AquaLash and False Lash Queen are all in store now.

4 April 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

THE FIRST IN A THREE-PART SERIES ON CYCLING SAFETY Got a bike?

Get – and then wear – a helmet too CYCLING helmets are invaluable and anyone can use or wear one when riding a bicycle. These helmets provide the necessary and much-needed protection and safety in case of a fall or crash while riding a bicycle.

A bicycle helmet can help save lives, which is why it is essential to wear them. They have one function – to help provide safety and protection from head injuries, and likewise to prevent a potentially fatal one.

They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, styles, and colours that all serve a single purpose, which is to save lives.

A bicycle helmet has proven time and time again to reduce or prevent serious head injuries and even death.

Statistics from a study in the USA show that most fatal injuries incurred among bicycle-related accidents was that the cyclists didn’t have or were not wearing a bicycle helmet.

Fatal bicycle falls or crashes always resulted with major injuries to the head, which a bicycle helmet generally protects.

Since the implementation of bicycle helmet laws, the number of bicycle related accidents and deaths considerably dropped by more than 50%.

Cycling is a great sports or hobby and many Dubliners are now using bicycles as the preferred mode of transport to negotiate the busy streets of the capital in order to get to work on time.

However, cyclists should know that there’s more to safety than wearing helmets, especially for children or young adults.

A new study in Norway shows that helmets reduce the risk of serious head trauma by 60%.

Turned around, that means you run nearly twice the risk of serious head injury in an accident if you are not wearing a helmet. Head injuries are the most common fatal injuries among cyclists in road accidents.

Moreover, helmets reduce the risk of serious brain damage and face injuries. The total number of killed or seriously injured cyclists drops by 34% when they have these protective shells around their skulls.

CAMPAIGN

OPINION: GOVERNMENT, NTA CONTINUE FAILING TO ADDRESS ISSUES MEANINGFULLY

Still a long way to go to meet our cyclists’ needs Donna Fox from Balbriggan was killed while cycling to work in Dublin in September, 2016. Her brother, Neil, is now a safe cycling advocate and tells us in his own words why we need to change our laws and focus...

D O N N A’ S death obviously has had a profound and life-changing effect on me, but in trying to highlight issues on cycling, especially in the city where she died, I find it’s a good way to channel shock and grief.

The huge success of cycling in Dublin has one very serious pitfall – the safety of those who have donned their helmets and embraced the bike in their thousands is not being properly addressed by Dublin City Council, the NTA and the Department of Transport.

It is shameful that as Dublin is about to host the biggest cycling conference in the world, Velo, in June, we are lagging so far behind in even upholding the barest minimum duty of care to those cycling in Dublin.

Big projects and recreational ones are being used to distract from the real-life dangers of a daily cyclist’s commute to and from work or college in the city.

What matters most is making Dublin functional as a city for cycling. It’s about providing safety for the child who wants merely to cycle down the street to visit his friend, or the girl who wants to cycle to school.

I am not in a position to say you must wear a helmet and hi-vis clothing to be safe cycling, since my sister Donna was killed in broad daylight doing both – while in a cycle lane.

Neither are mandatory, either.

That said, it’s my personal belief that tackling cycling safety does begin with ourselves as bikers.

In doing all we can to protect ourselves we are also giving a message to other road users that we are responsible, and this may well go some way in affording us the respect as cyclists unfortunately we don’t get from many quarters.

When Donna died, I was regularly asked “Was she wearing a helmet?”, not from trolls online but from well-meaning folk who somehow equate all cyclist fatalities and injuries with this one thing.

Most became much more open-minded once they learned my sister did in fact have her helmet on.

Collisions I’m not an expert on the helmet debate, but it’s my understanding that in low-impact collisions they can make a real difference especially.

My point is that we need a hell of a lot more than helmets.

There is no quick fix – if only there was. However, some easy steps can be taken while we await proper changes and infrastructure.

Simple things like ensuring potholes are fixed, debris is cleared from cycle paths, that painted lines (for all their shortcomings) are not fading but maintained.

And one biggie is the freeing up of the cycle lanes.

It’s become a joke how parking in cycle tracks

At a bare miniumum, you should have a cycling helmet, like these responsible cyclists have – but there are many options that can affect cyclist safety on the road, as Neil Fox discusses in his opinion piece here ...

Neil Fox (right) highlights many of the issues and dangers still faced by cyclists today, years after his beloved sister Donna (far right) was killed in an accident while cycling

“

Big projects and recreational ones are being used to distract from the reallife dangers of a cyclist’s commute to and from work or college in the city has become the norm.

This must be tackled immediately – it’s unacceptable.

Equals we may be in the general sense, but there’s one hell of a difference between a cyclist and a motorist, a bike and a car, lorry, bus or HGV, which seems to be lost on the powers that be who clump all together on the roads.

We must demand more than the painted lines – at the very minimum, we need kerbed cycle paths.

The announcement that €400,000 is to be allotted to improving safety at some junctions in the city is good news, but it’s still a drop in the ocean for the amount of investment needed to truly allocate for cycling safety.

It’s my sincere belief

that until we increase our funding to 10% of Ireland’s Land Transport Budget for cycling, and bring in the much-needed Minimum Passing Distance legislation, we are sweeping leaves on the deck of the Titanic.

All the other tweaks are great, but radical action is really needed nationally as well as here in Dublin.

That’s why the Government and the NTA must start listening to cyclists.

Let’s not become a city of ghost bikes and flowers on poles, but one of easy commutes and shared respect on our streets and roads.

We can do it. We can make Dublin a safe envi-

ronment for cycling. We must.

Injuries and deaths on our streets are preventable, so let us all be mindful of the part we play in this.

Donna was a very kind, optimistic sister with so much energy for life, and she was always making plans. It remains difficult to believe she is gone, to put it mildly.

I find the Irish Road Victims Association, in which I am now involved, to be a very helpful resource and would urge anyone bereaved on our roads to consider making contact for some support.

See www.irva.ie for further information and contact details.

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 4 April 2019

4 April 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS I N F O R M AT I O N Heritage House, Dundrum, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240 Dublin Gazette Newspapers publishes four weekly quality free titles, covering the latest news, sport, entertainment and lifestyle from the four local authority areas of Dublin

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE THIS WEEK...

TOP TWEETS ...

Just stared at a guy in a coffee shop for a few minutes wondering where I knew him from. After repeatedly looking in his direction and catching his eye (from all the staring I was doing) I realized that it was Domhnall Gleeson.

Some paw-fect tips for puppies

IF YOU’RE a new pet owner, or trying to train your dog, you may need all the help you can get! Luckily, we have some great tips and advice to help you train your puppy, making living together much easier for you and him – and much more fun, too ...

@iamCiaraKing.

Tyra Banks isn’t as ecofriendly as her brother Bottle

Aloneness: Dogs are naturally social animals. To avoid separation or isolation anxiety in your pup, introduce them to ‘aloneness’ gradually. When at home, create a bed for them as a safe space. Slowly increase the distance and the length of time you leave them alone, until they are calm and relaxed.

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

01 - 6010240 sales@dublingazette.com

FIND US ON

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

BITS & BOBS

@Ciara_Knight

Supermac’s is just McDonald’s for people who know how big an acre is

House-training: Puppies need to go to the toilet more often than adult dogs; from 0-2 months they go every 2-3 hours; for every additional month, add an hour; and from 6 months, add 6-8 hours.

Always take your puppy out for potty time after the following events: right after a meal; immediately after sleep, and after a playtime session. Always praise them for going to the toilet outside, and never punish them for a potty accident.

@alan_maguire

Chewing: Puppies love to chew but before you give them the freedom of the house, they must learn what is allowed and what is not. Have lots of chewable items to hand until you discover what they like. Endorse toy play and gently chastise if they chew items that are out of bounds.

You say 100 people can use this – I say...

Learning should be fun: The best way to train your puppy is to make the process fun and positive. Along with treats, incorporate happy tones and toys. Your pup’s eyes should light up with joy when you tell them it is training time.

Fast recall: Teaching your puppy to come when called is probably the single most important behaviour you can teach. A dog which has a solid recall can be given more freedom to run and play in areas where dogs are allowed off the lead.

The key is to a use a recall cue that always means ‘something good’, such as a chance to play or a highvalue activity.

Conversely, never use the cue to do something they don’t love, like giving them a pill, treating their ears or putting them in a dog carrier.

A positive approach is the ‘run-away, come’ technique. Call the dog and then run away fast, so the dog comes galloping and romping after you and gets to celebrate with treats and/or toys when they catch up.

The puppy learns that the ‘come’ is an irresistible

Brought to you by Carl & Patricia Cautley Affordable Super Premium Pet Food Tel. 089 602 6096

www.hussed15.ie carl@hussed15.ie patricia@hussed15.ie

THEY don’t do things by halves in Texas – except in this case, where a re-evaluation by the Grapevine fire marshal’s office of a balcony’s safe-user number of 100 people saw a slight adjustment...

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

This week’s dog of the week is Brody, a very sweet one-year-old male terrier cross.

He is looking for a patient family who will help him to grow in confidence.

Brody can find the world to be a scary place at times, but with some gentle reassurance he will learn in time that he has nothing to be afraid of.

He will need to live with another, more confident dog which will help to show him the ropes and settle into his loving home.

Brody would love to live in a nice, quiet area with an adult family who will have time to dedicate to his confidence-building training. He has a beautiful soul and will thrive in the right home.

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

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

A huge red flag for me is when a date doesn’t find me funny, it demonstrates that there exists perhaps a cultural gap that is simply too far to bridge, I am the funniest person I have ever met, I regularly walk into traffic because I am overcome with laughter thinking about me @nthnashma

Social media really does ruin your mental health that’s why from today I’m going to be deleting the AIB online banking app. I have no time for negativity in my life any more! @justinbyrne85

Taytos are the best crisps in the universe THE END as you were LG x

brody

@liamgallagher

My 123 bus and another 123 bus just passed each other and the drivers didn’t do the wave omg are they enemies @infinityonhi

Wot, no Boyzone nod? The battle of the boybands’ legacies continues...

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 4 April 2019

GOINGOUTOUT

PICK WEEK OF THE

APRIL 9 & 10 (TUESDAY + WEDNESDAY) Glen Hansard @ Vicar Street, €35 FRONTMAN of legendary rockers The Frames and star of the movie Once, Glen Hansard has an extensive back catalogue to explore as he returns home to headline Vicar Street.

APRIL 4 (THURSDAY)

James Morrison @ Olympia Theatre, €42 Ziggy Alberts @ Whelan’s, sold out Jacob @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €5

APRIL 5 (FRIDAY)

Thanks Brother + Powpig @ Workman’s Club, €15 Two of Ireland’s fastest rising west-coast acts combine for a trip to Dublin as part of Musictown. A show sure to have the critics purring.

Swimming Tapes @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €13

APRIL 6 (SATURDAY)

The Scratch @ Whelan’s, €18 Pom Poko @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €13

APRIL 7 (SUNDAY)

Charity Show for Aware - The Blizzards, Ryan Sheridan @ Olympia Theatre, €28+ Easy Life @ Workman’s Club, €13 Owen Colgan @ The Sugar Club, sold out

APRIL 8 (MONDAY)

Dave @ Olympia Theatre, sold out Shy Mascot @ Workman’s Club, free

APRIL 9 (TUESDAY)

Dave @ Olympia Theatre, sold out Nerves @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €5 Sean Bradford @ Workman’s Club, €10

APRIL 10 (WEDNESDAY)

Glen Hansard @ Vicar Street, €35 Set It Off @ Workman’s Club, sold out

James Morrison

Feeling the music ‘A ZERO commitment choir’ is the tagline that’s fuelled the rise of a quirk of the Irish music scene, the wonderfully boisterous ‘Sing Along Social’.

The concept is simple: several lively ‘craic mechanics’ put on a few of your favourite cheesy records, and you crowd together, a mass of euphoria with the most innocent of aims: to belt them out at the top of your lungs.

Aoife McElwain, who started this glorious, carefree cheese-fest, stumbled across the idea almost by accident.

“A few years ago, a friend and I discovered we were both obsessed

 JAMES HENDICOTT

with Alanis Morissette’s ‘Jagged Little Pill’,” she recalls.

“We thought it would be a hilarious idea to get together and just sing it from start to finish.

Then we thought about who else might like that, so we could invite them along.

“It turns out we know too many people who liked the idea, so we booked a room on a local pub and then thought why not put it on Facebook, in

case anyone else wants to join us. The next thing we knew, over 1,000 people wanted to come.”

Things have barely let up since. Sing Along Social have two monthly events, at MVP in Dublin 8, and The Sugar Club, just off St Stephen’s Green.

There’s an ever-diversifying list of themed days, corporate events and hen parties, and McElwain also an Irish Times food writer and the author of a book on time management, ‘Slow At Work’ - has made this boisterous party her full time job, one that’s now close to fully booked for the remainder of 2019.

“I’ve always been a bit of a dork,” she laughs.

“I think my job at Sing Along Social is to be the first person to make a fool of myself. When I do that, and nothing bad happens, it helps get things going.

“I put on this pink boiler suit and I’m just not afraid of anything. I think Sing Along suits introverts and extroverts. It’s not like karaoke as everyone sings together. In a sense, we just push play and see what happens.”

Previous themes have included Beyonce v Lady Gaga, that Alanis Morissette album, and festival cheese-alongs at events from Electric Picnic to

THIS week in Carrigstown, Orla and Wayne are still searching for a surrogate, Darragh tries to fix a strained relationship, Jackie is held at knifepoint, and more...

A terrifying incident may unite Jackie and Hughie

Feeling guilty, Darragh tries to fix things between Erica and Doug. Doug and Erica make up and Dearbhla senses something is going on between them.

Orla is still frosty with Dolores and shocks Wayne when she tells him she has asked Sash to be the surrogate.

Knowing that they will need Dolores’ financial help if Sash agrees to the surrogacy, Orla warms towards Dolores, raising Pete’s suspicions.

Orla brings Junior along to meet up with

Jackie and Hughie

Sash, but when Sash is about to tell Orla her decision, Junior collapses.

Jackie minds Ellie when she takes ill, leaving Renee unsettled. Ellie worries that she could inherit Heather’s problems. Renee is put out by how well Jackie and Ellie are getting on.

Hughie accidentally allows a burglar into the Pod office. Jackie walks in on the burglar

Body and Soul. The next festival-sized outing, at Mother Pride in June, will see Sing Along Social return to some well cultivated roots amid the LGBTQ community.

“Our natural audience seems to be a lot of women and LGBTQ folks,” she explains.

Sing Along Social will appear at Mother Pride Block Party at Collins Barracks, Dublin alongside Mo, Daithi, Panti Bliss and Pillow Queens. You can learn about their regular shows via the Facebook page.

See the full-length article on our website at www.dublingazette.com

and fears for her life as she’s held at knife-point.

Pete, rushes to Jackie’s aid, but questions why she didn’t phone Hughie first.

The burglary has left Jackie traumatised and a gift from Pete adds to her anxiety. Jackie tries to talk to Pete about her feelings for him.

Hughie realises the depth of his feelings for Jackie.

Darragh’s idea for Erica’s birthday falls through, leading to Erica being disappointed when Darragh reveals low-key plans for her birthday.

Doug gets Erica a thoughtful present but gives it to Darragh to give to her instead, knowing that Darragh’s gift will let her down.

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

4 April 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

WHAT’S BIG IN MUSIC, CINEMA, TV AND ONLINE

ENTERTAINMENT

NETFLIX | DOCUMENTARIES, MOVIES AND TV SHOWS GALORE

Your round-up of the best that Netflix has to offer this April RACHEL D’ARCY

THE weather is hotting up, and so is the content coming to Netflix.

A new month brings a host of new content to the platform, with some big hitters taking centre stage.

One of the most exciting additions is ‘Unicorn Store’, a feature film starring and directed by Oscar winning Brie Lawson, and also featuring Samuel L Jackson and Joan Cusack.

The movie is about Kit (Lawson), a failed artist who moves back in with her parents and takes a job up as an office worker.

One day, she receives a mysterious letter from an unnamed salesman (Jackson) who invites her to “The Store”, a strange indeterminate place.

It’s already recieving rave reviews, earning a place on our ‘must watch’ list.

Another promising watch is ‘The

Fresh from starring in Captain Marvel, Samuel L Jackson and Brie Lawson star in Unicorn Store

Silence’, which seems to follow a similar thread to last year’s smash ‘Bird Box’.

Starring Stanley Tucci and ‘Sabrina’

actress Kiernan Shipka, ‘The Silence’ is about a world under attack from terrifying creatures who hunt their human prey by sound.

16-year old Ally Andrews (Shipka), who lost her hearing at 13, and her family seek refuge in a remote haven.

But they discover a sinister cult who are eager to exploit Ally’s heightened senses.

If you’re more of a binge watcher, April sees a varied addition to Netflix’s line up. There’s the intriguing ‘Bonding’, about a New York City student moonlighting as a dominatrix, and ‘Special’, about a gay man with cerebral palsy who is seeking the life he wants.

‘The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ also returns for a second season, which finds the young witch exploring her darker side.

A series to keep an eye out for, if you’re a wilderness enthusiast, is You Vs Wild starring Bear Grylls.

An interactive adventure series, the viewer will help Bear Grylls to make key decisions to help him survive, com-

plete missions and endure to survive some of the world’s harshest conditions.

For those that are documentary fans, you’re catered for this month as well with the launch of a number of new documentaries to the streaming giant.

‘Our Planet’ will deliver exhilarating visuals of rarely seen animals, with somber truths of humanity’s impact on the planet’s habitats, while ‘Street Food’ will look at some of the world’s most vibrant cities and the rich culture of street food .

There’s also a doc for music lovers this month, as ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads hits our screens, telling the story of influential blues guitarist Robert Johnson before his early death.

There’s something for everyone on Netflix this April, with even more promising content yet to be delivered over the coming months.

CINEMA | CLASSIC DISNEY ANIMATION GETS A REBOOT

A bit plodding in parts, but Dumbo also entertains ...

SHANE DILLON

ROLL up, roll up, one and all, for Disney’s latest live-action remake of an animated classic, with Dumbo (Cert PG, 112 mins), the tale of a baby elephant that can fly.

But will the latest wannabe hit from the Mouse House soar to the top of the circus tent, or is it something of a beastly film?

In fact, Dumbo lands somewhere in the middle, with the film wobbling along in parts but eventually finding its feet – just like Dumbo!

And that’s enough met-

aphors, with it being time to present a much more straight-laced review.

Straight-laced is also the approach that director Tim Burton takes here, with Burton toning down his usual excess to present a more restrained film.

Here, his remake is almost twice the length of the 1941 classic animation, requiring plenty of additional details, but without straying too far from the original tale.

Set in a pre-Depression America, a former circus star and dad to two kids Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) returns from war.

He’s lost an arm, and his wife has died, leaving him with two bright kids to raise alone at the struggling circus, whose boss, Max Medici (an enjoyably great Danny DeVito) gives him a lowly job caring for the elephants.

After something of a pregnant pause, enter Dumbo: the goofy-looking baby elephant with giant ears, mocked by everyone but embraced by Holt’s kids, who take to caring for the isolated animal after its mother is separated.

Cue an uplifting discovery in the most literal sense, when it’s discovered

that Dumbo can fly, courtesy of those outsized ears, with his amazing ability proving just the (circus) ticket to turn the roaming roadshow’s fortunes about.

Dumbo’s discovery soon reaches the ears of would-be elephant empresario Vandemere (Michael Keaton), who knows that Dumbo would be the perfect attraction for his razzle-dazzle, glitzy Dreamland complex, with the circus folded into its attractions.

As you’d probably guess, however, a truer name for the complex would be Nightmareland, with

Little Dumbo has a big role at (and as) the heart of the remake

a grim, cruel future for Dumbo soon revealed.

They may be strictly a small-time crew, but Max, Holt, the kids and the carnies have much bigger hearts than even an elephant‘s, with the gang determined to save Dumbo from an unhappy life.

And all the time, of course, Dumbo’s just looking to be reunited with his mother...

As I said, despite being about another fantastical

subject, director Burton generally keeps things much more down to earth than seen in several films.

There are a few directorial flourishes from him, but Dumbo plays out pretty much on the level.

Long-time Burton fans will enjoy seeing DeVito and Keaton reunited, after their terrific pairing in Batman Returns (1992), though here they reverse their hero/villain status, and Eva Green is reliably

great as a trapeze artist.

Perhaps Burton has played things too straight – Dumbo’s a generally sweet remake with some dashes of darkness, but some tart touches could have added a little more flavour to the tale.

On the whole, however, it’s a decent family film.

While it’s as plodding as an elephant in parts, Dumbo generally finds a way to entertain.

Verdict: 8/10

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 4 April 2019

TRAVEL

HEAD DOWN THE COUNTRY FOR A BREAK

The sympathetically developed and run country house hotel honours the rich heritage and natural feel of its setting, while offering contemporary touches to ensure the best of both worlds

DOMESTIC BREAKS | HEAD TO CO WEXFORD FOR A PAMPERING GETAWAY AT DUNBRODY HOUSE

A superb country house retreat SYLVIA POWNALL

Travel Editor THE Blue Book is regarded as the bible of Ireland’s best country house hotels – so the offer of an overnight stay at one of them was an opportunity not to be missed.

Nestled in the heart of the Hook Peninsula in Wexford is Dunbrody House, the luxurious country retreat run by Kevin and Catherine Dundon.

The old Georgian residence boasts a grand entrance, a cocktail bar and a dramatically opulent dining room, and with the addition of a cookery school and a spa has become something of a mecca for foodies and a hotspot for honeymooners.

The hotel opened in 1997 and was named Luxury Country House of the Year by the Luxury Travel Guide in 2016 – and it’s easy to see why.

There is no formal ‘reception’ desk, just an inviting foyer with a book

where guests can leave their comments, and a very warm welcome from Catherine and the team.

The rooms are everything you’d expect; wellappointed and spacious with high ceilings and intricate cornice work, beautifully decorated, yet with all mod cons including orthopaedic mattresses, coffee machine, iPod docking station, Damana Earth & Sun toiletries and full-size bath.

As you’d expect, dinner in the Harvest Room restaurant is a culinary experience to be savoured thanks to the food, the service and the ambience created by the large roaring fire.

Hannah and April were attentive without being intrusive and their knowledge of both the food and drinks menu was impressive to say the least. A delicious amuse bouche of bream with beetroot offered a hint of what was to come.

The wild mushroom soup with truffle oil was literally bursting with fla-

Chef Kevin Dundon adds a master’s touch in the kitchen

There’s food for the mind – and delicious fare alike – at Dunbrody House

vour, but it was upstaged by the roasted hake with tenderstem broccoli, celeriac and mussel cream, which was to die for.

Dessert was a difficult choice between beetroot cake with cream cheese ice cream and walnut tuille, and sweetcorn pavlova with honey madeleine and honey confit egg yolk.

If in doubt try both, I always say ...

After a relaxing night’s sleep and an excellent breakfast it was time for some pampering in the spa where Laura unleashed a glorious cocktail of oils to administer a facial combined with a back, neck and shoulder massage.

“We use Aromatherapy Essentials which is a fabu-

lous range,” she explained as the deliciously heady scent of bergamot filled the room.

“The nice thing about them is that they are not overpowering, and they are 100% natural.”

With 300 acres Dunbrody really does feel like another world – converted stables are home to the cookery school and it even

has its own gastro pub, The Local.

If you want to leave its cocooning warmth, which is unlikely, the lighthouse at Hook Peninsula is a must-see.

Catherine and Kevin have been at Dunbrody for more than 20 years and they always manage to make time to chat to their guests no matter how busy things get behind the scenes.

Before I left with batteries recharged, they walked me around the courtyard garden which has just been replanted after the damage wreaked by the snow and drought last

year.

“We knocked a wall which was blocking the light just to open things out a bit,” explained Catherine. “We’re using the salvaged bricks around the flower beds.”

Kevin added: “This is a gorgeous spot. It’s a lovely place to sit and have a drink of a summer’s evening, or even have your dinner out here.”

Go see for yourself: B&B prices start at €95 with a two-night getaway with B&B and one dinner priced at €395 per person.

For further information, see www.dunbrodyhouse.com.

4 March 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

FOOD & TRAVEL APRIL | THERE ARE PLENTY OF FOOD-BASED DAYS OUT FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES ACROSS OUR FAIR ISLAND

Feast your eyes on these fantastic food festivals APRIL is the gateway month to the Summer.

Days are getting longer, the sun is ever so slowly inching its away through the bleak, grey clouds and everybody’s favourite chocolate-based holiday is on its way.

In addition to being a month full of optimism and anticipation of (hopefully) warmer days - it also happens to be packed full of food festivals taking place all over the country.

From an All-Ireland Chowder Cook-Off in Kinsale to the Rye River Rising Craft Beer Festival in Kildare, there are

plenty of food-based days out for people of all ages and from all corners of our fair island.

We have selected the best of these events to give you all the information needed for a wonderful, delicious day (or night) out right through the month of April.

April 7: All Ireland C h owd e r Co o k- O f f , Kinsale For the ninth year running, Kinsale will see an All-Ireland Chowder Cookoff winner crowned in April.

The annual competition returns to the Cork

food haven on Sunday 7 April.

On the day the plan is to have a representative from each of the 32 counties battle it out for the title of All-Ireland C h owd e r C h a m p i o n , with the public deciding the outcome.

Kick-off is 2pm with tickets €15.

In recent years you could have over 30 chowders to sample on the day, with the winner invited on to the Great Chowder Cook Off in the US. The €15 fee gives you a card for sample each chowder and a vote for your chosen winner.

Kinsale will see an All-Ireland Chowder Cookoff winner crowned in April

April 12-13: Gin Experience, Dublin Join the best gin producers from Ireland and across the globe to sample some of highest quality and flavourful gins around.

As part of a G&T, cocktail or with tasty food pairings, the choice is up to you as you enjoy one of Ireland’s most popular spirits.

More than 40 producers and over 130 gins will come together to fill Dub-

lin Castle with passion, expertise and a whole lot of fresh fruit and premium tonic.

Tickets start at €6 and begins Friday 12th (6pm9:30pm) and Saturday 13th April (1pm-4:30pm and 5:30pm–9:30pm) at The Printworks, Dublin Castle, Dame St, Dublin 2.

April 14: Irish Vegan Festival, Belfast The Irish Vegan Festival returns to The Europa Hotel, Belfast for a day of the best vegan food the

island has to offer.

Wander through the vendors and stalls for your favourite plantbased foods with all proceeds raised going towards the Farplace Animal Rescue, a charity focused on helping animals.

A p r i l 2 6 - 2 8 : We s t Waterford Food Festival, Dungarvan The West Waterford Festival of Food is the annual showcase of all that is on offer in Dun-

garvan and surrounding regions from local food producers, restaurateurs and hospitality providers.

Since 2008 the festival has grown to be one of the most successful, best loved and well attended in the country, where foodies, foragers, farmers and families can explore the region and learn its rich food heritage.

To find the full range of events on offer over the weekend, visit: https:// www.westwaterfordfestivaloffood.com/

Dine in the dark in the heart of Dublin City HUNTING FOR IRELAND’S BEST MARGARITA

JOSE Cuervo is challenging bartenders all over Ireland to mix things up by creating a Cuervo Tradicional margarita with a twist.

The most impressive margaritas will be invited to a live final in Dublin on May 14 where finalists will compete to win the title of Ireland’s Best Margarita in front of a panel of expert judges.

By definition, a margarita is made by using tequila, sweetener and citrus but this competition is set to mix things up as bartenders are encouraged to use their imagination when creating their innovative cocktails.

Using Cuervo Tradicional Silver, the criteria for judging includes inventiveness and quality in both the recipe and presentation.

Entrants are encouraged to keep sustainability in mind as well as the latest cocktail trends. You can submit your entry at cuervomargarita.ie

LIDL IRELAND have announced it’s opening a new pop-up restaurant with a twist in the heart of Dublin City.

Located on Anne’s Lane near St Stephen’s Green, Rare by Lidl Dine in the Dark promises to submerge diners in complete darkness while they enjoy their meal.

The experience is designed to inhibit your sight while it enhances your taste buds.

The three-course menu has been created by Chef Gary O’Hanlon (pictured) and features all Lidl ingredients.

Tickets are priced at €15 per person and all proceeds from the event are being donated to Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health in Ireland. Rare by Lidl opens its doors from 25-27 April in Venue 35, Anne s Lane, Dublin 2.

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 4 April 2019

MOTORS

WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF TRANSPORT

LEGO helps to make a new McLaren Senna motor A UNIQUE full-scale LEGO McLaren Senna has been created in secret by shifts of specialist assemblers working around the clock.

Taking almost 5,000 hours to assemble, it comprises almost half a million separate components.

Unusually for a

The SUV market has become saturated in recent years – but the stylish Fiat 500X has enough great features, and some impressive specs – to stand out on its own merits

Crossover Fiat 500X is a treat with wide appeal DECLAN GLYNN

THE FIAT 500X is a crossover, not only in terms of vehicle segment, but also in terms of its potential customers.

FIAT has face-lifted the 500X for 2019 in the hope that customers will appreciate the outright value on offer, and “cross over” from rivals such as the Kia Stonic, Renault Captur, SEAT Arona, and Dacia Duster.

Revisions to the 500X include new LED headlights, LED daytimerunning-lights, LED rear light clusters, redesigned front & rear bumpers and a refreshed interior, along with advancements in driver assist technology.

Thankfully, however, the new car still retains the bold, stylish and unique character of its predecessor, and still possesses a strong road

presence.

Inside the new 500X, the dash itself has been slightly reshaped, and there are tweaked dials.

All 500Xs come with a 7” central touchscreen and – between the dials – a 3.5” colour TFT screen.

The front seats offer a high degree of comfort and adjustability, with wraparound bolstering and perfectly aligned arm rests in the centre console and door trims to aid relaxed cruising.

With an “H point” of 669mm (distance from the ground to the driver’s hip), the FIAT 500X offers excellent visibility, while also ensuring that passengers feel safely enclosed and connected with the vehicle.

Available in two trim levels – Urban Look, and Cross Look – the new 500X has a boot capacity of 350-litres with the rear seats in place, but

this figure increases dramatically once the rear seats are folded – thereby, making the car very practical indeed.

The Urban Look model is available with just one petrol engine, a 1.6-litre ‘eTORQ’ power-plant with 110bhp, and mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

However, two petrol engines are available in the Cross Look model – a 1.0-litre ‘Firefly’ producing 120bhp, linked to a six-speed manual gearbox, or a 1.3-litre ‘Firefly’ producing 150bhp, and only available with

a DCT (automatic) gearbox.

The car I drove was a FIAT 500X Cross Look, fitted with a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, and finished in stunning Blue Italia metallic paint.

Stylish on the outside, and comfortable on the inside, my test car came with a long list of standard equipment, such as automatic climate control, cruise control, electric windows, heightadjustable driver’s seat with armrest and longitudinal roof bars.

It also featured rear parking sensors, revers-

FACT BOX

1) Revised compact SUV 2) Two trim levels 3) Three petrol engines 4) Manual or automatic (DCT) 5) Priced from just €21,795

ing camera, remote central locking, split-folding rear seats with head restraints, 7” HD touchscreen radio with 3D navigation, Bluetooth with USB and DAB and six speakers.

It also included Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity, Uconnect Infotainment Live, 17” alloy wheels, Lane Keep Assist, Road Sign Recognition, and Intelligent Speed Assist.

The refreshed interior in the new 500X provides refined elegance, and exclusive comfort for every road trip.

T h e n ew 1 . 0 - l i t re turbo-petrol engine in my test car produces 1 2 0 b h p a n d 1 9 0 Nm of torque, while being capable of returning fuel economy of up to 56mpg (extra-urban).

T h i s s we e t- revving engine is capable of completing the

0-100km/h sprint in 10.9-seconds, while a top speed of 187km/h is impressive.

T h e s t a n d a rd s i xspeed manual gearbox in my test car was very slick, and enhanced the overall driving pleasure, while the steering was well weighted and precise.

The fact that the new FIAT 500X shares its underpinnings with the JEEP Renegade (a close relative) will serve to enhance the desirability of FIAT’s terrific SUV. T h e rev i s e d F I AT 500X is priced from just €21,795 (excluding delivery), with my test car specification priced from €24,995.

Overall, the FIAT 500X is a well-rounded, highquality, rugged, and handsome SUV, which deserves to be on every compact SUV buyer’s wish list.

McLaren, the LEGO Senna is something of a heavyweight, tipping the scales at 1700kg – some 500kg more than the McLaren Senna that sold out as soon as it was announced in 2017.

Pieced together from one metric tonne’sworth of LEGO elements, you may not be able to drive off in it, but enthusiasts can climb aboard, sit behind the wheel, push the start button in the roof and even hear a simulation of the car roaring into life.

Fans of the famous brick, as well as fans of the McLaren Senna, will be able to see it soon at one of a programme of events across the world.

Audi SQ5 TDI price revealed AUDI Ireland has announced the pricing for the new Audi SQ5 TDI. The premium SUV has a powerful V6 engine under the bonnet.

An electric-powered compressor ensures that maximum torque is available to the sporty SUV with a mild hybrid system further enhancing efficiency.

Pricing starts from €89,820 on the road.

4 April 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!

CODEWORDS

You could advertise here

PUZZLES

SUDOKU EASY

MODERATE

SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

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

WORD SEARCH

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

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

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

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

Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

FIND THE HIDDEN WORDS BISON CHANGE COST CURSORY DRAFTER ESPECIAL ETIQUETTE EUCLID HITCHED JUMBLED LIBERTIES

LOSING MARINER MARIO OULD POROUS SPIKES STARTEDUP SUITCASES SUPPLYING USEFUL WEAVING

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

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 4 April 2019

DUBLINGAZETTECLASSIFIEDS  FINGAL GARDEN SERVICES

ROOFING

SUPPORT

LOCAL BUSINESS Elite Roofing & Property Maintenance Driveways Cleaned & Sealed Powerwashing Steam Cleaning

27 Years in Business - Fully Insured - Free Estimates Phone: Northside - 01 485 4955 • Southside - 01 485 4961 Mobile: 087 4133643 Email:info@eliteroofingdublin.com

DVD TRANSFERS

SHOP LOCALLY



All Roof Repairs - Facia - Soffits New Roof & Roof Repairs Choice of Colour • Gutters Cleaned & Sealed - €49 Acrylic Roof Painting • Roof Cleaning New Facia & Guttering Supplied & Fitted

CALL THE GAZETTE ON

60 10 240

4 April 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

reader offer Alarm Plus Amplified Desk Phone

The Big Button Phone Store Big Button Desk Phones, Big Button Mobile Phones, TV Listeners, Hearing Amplifiers and much more for senior citizens...

Easy to use big button phone that has extra loud volume, 3programmable emergency numbers and an alarm pendant. It also has 3 direct dial emergency numbers.

If help is needed, simply press the button on the alarm pendant and it will automatically alert your emergency contacts. It comes with an oversized LED screen and optical alarm when the phone is ringing. Hearing aid compatible with adjustable receiver volume up to 40dB.

www.markettown.ie Include discount code: DublinGazette and get 20% off your order €84.90 inc. p&p

DG50

Mini Pedal Exercise Bike

Barking Dog Alarm DG1385

Our Mini Pedal Exercise bike lets you exercise your legs and arms from the comfort of your own DG36190 chair - perfect for seated exercise. Easy to carry, it has nonsliding feet and a strap to prevent your foot sliding off and a regulation wheel to adjust the resistance when pedalling Displays calories consumed during the exercise, exercise time, pedal rounds since start of current exercise and total pedal rounds. Size: 30x 46x19 cm, weighs 8kgs

Garden Kneeler

DG5474

€94.90 inc. p&p

Special offers Exclusive to Dublin Gazette Readers

20%

Protects your home, garage, shed or caravan 24 hours a day!

Uses radar technology to detect intruders through doors, walls and windows.

Once triggered it gives out the sound of a vicious barking German shepherd dog protecting your home 24 hours a day. Mains or battery operated €76.90 inc. p&p

Electric Weed Sweeper Clears drives, patios and paving of weeds, moss

Takes the strain out and dirt with ease! off all purchases(valid until end April) Simply push along cracks and joints of paving or of gardening! paths and the high speed nylon or steel brush will Features robust steel Quote: get into the smallest of crevices removing debris in an tubing designed instant. With a powerful 140W motor, the nylon brush is around a raised, soft perfect for light vegetation and the steel brush is ideal for See below for details use on tougher kneeling platform, the side surfaces. Weighs just arms will assist you in getting 1.9kg, back up without causing back Addition set of 2 Brushes strain. The Garden Kneeler can be €14.90 turned over to become a comfy seat or handy step. Folds flat for easy storage DG3188 €62.90 inc. p&p €32.90 inc. p&p

DublinGazette

DG4582

Credit Card Protection Wallet DG8962

A sleek, stainless steel hard case that acts as a Faraday cage effectively preventing contactless bank cards from being scanned by criminals.

Helps prevent theft, fraud, data loss, and privacy breaches from credit and debit cards through to work ID key cards.

DG7442 DG7443

Credit Card Protection Wallet 2 x Credit Card Protection Wallet

To Order: Order online: Collect:

Himalayan Salt Lamp

€17.90 inc. p&p

Designed to clean the air by absorbing and evaporating surrounding water molecules.

The lamp can reduce allergy and asthma symptoms and ease coughing. It has a wooden base, relaxing orange light and measures 10x17cms €27.70 inc. p&p

€32.90 inc. p&p

Call 01-2962333 and quote ‘DublinGazette’ for your discount www.markettown.ie and apply discount code DublinGazette Markettown, Unit 18, Churchtown Business Park, Dublin 14 and quote DublinGazette

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 4 April 2019

DUBLINGAZETTEPLANNING  FINGAL PLANNING NOTICE

PLANNING NOTICE

FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL

Fingal County Council

Permission sought for a 2 storey extension at side incorporating a garage conversion, single storey extension at rear, front canopy, 2 metre high wrought iron fence to the front garden boundary along with a vehicular entrance and masonry piers at 104 Georgian Village, Castleknock Rd, Castleknock, Dublin 15,D15 F54N for Gillian Fitzsimons.

We Aurélie and Stéphane Léger are applying for full planning permission for a proposed rear single and two storey extension. Proposed pitched roof to two storey extension and pitched roof to single storey extension with selected roof lights. Rear upper floor windows to have selected timber feature louvres all with associated site works at 12 Mount Garrett Walk, Tyrellstown, Dublin 15.

This Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee,€20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

33805

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (20Euros) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of this application.

33818

WANTED

Cleaner for Scoil Bhríde Girls’ school in Blanchardstown Village, after school hours during term times. 10-15 hours weekly Mon - Fri, The successful candidate will need to be Garda vetted (organised by the school).

Please send CV, including references, to: Principal, Scoil Bhríde GNS, Church Ave. Blanchardstown, Dublin 15

Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 2 email news@dublingazette.com

PAINTING

CONTACT SHAUNA BURKE AT SBURKE@DUBLINGAZETTE.COM OR ON 60 10 240

GOT A STORY? Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240

RECRUITMENT

GOT A PHOTO?

WINDOWS



FOLLOW US TODAY ON OUR SOCIAL NETWORK Visit: Facebook: www.facebook.com/DublinGazetteNewspapers Twitter: @DublinGazette

LOCALMATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

4 April 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

SOCCER P30

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

MALAHIDE MAGIC SOCCER: LEVI Boardman was the hero for Malahide United as he equalised before netting the decisive penalty in the shootout as they lifted the Charlie Cahill Cup with victory over Crumlin United. The north Dublin side became the first team to beat Crumlin in any competition this season as Martin Loughran’s side have seen off all challengers.



GAZETTE

SWIMMING P29

PAGE 29

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS BASKETBALL | KEENAN’S CREW REACH THE TROPHY FINAL AGAIN

Templeogue hope for third time lucky  sport@dublingazette.com

TEMPLEOGUE will be hoping it’s third time’s the charm in the coming weeks as they reached their third consecutive Champions Trophy final following an 88-84 point win over Pyrobel Killester in Clontarf.

Mark Keenan’s charges have been in the final of this competition for the past two years, losing out to Garvey’s Tralee Warriors on both occasions, but they made no mistake about reaching the final once more this year.

They won the quarter-finals a day earlier with a 108-95 win over DCU Saints and followed up in great shape.

Dee Proby led the scoring for Templeogue in Sunday’s clash, finishing the game out with 26 points, while Jason Killeen and Neil Randolph chimed in for a combined 31 points in a game that finished in dramatic fashion.

Leading 36-42 at the half time break, Templeogue were still in con-

trol, 52-65, going into the last.

However, a late comeback from Killester, led by Luis Garcia Filiberto Hoyos, Royce Williams and Alex Herreros brought the game right back into the melting pot with just minutes on the clock. Templeogue weathered the storm though and held on to win by four in the end.

“We were up 13 points with less than three minutes on the clock and we almost let them steal it at the end,” admitted coach, Mark Keenan afterwards.

“But we came up with what we needed right at the death to keep that gap so we’re just delighted to get back to the Champions Trophy final - we’ve been there the past two years.

“We’re going to focus on the real positives from this game. We’ll talk about taking care of the lead. But really, we’ll be talking about all the good things we did well. Playing two games over the weekend, recovery is going to be important.”

Templeogue’s Lorcan Murphy on the attack. Picture: Martin Doherty

Templeogue will now meet Belfast Star in the final in two weeks’ time, Star heading into the big game following wins on the road with a 84-42 win over UCD Marian and 81-65 against Warriors.

Against Marian, Mike Davis topscored with 26 points to tee up a trip to the kingdom. Davis was to the fore once more for the Belfast side, finish-

ing the game out with 21 points, as Star led the action for the game, running into a 35-43 point lead at half time.

Good scoring from Conor Quinn and CJ Fulton kept their scoreboard ticking over in the face of pressure from Tralee’s Eoin Quigley and Keith Jumper and Star held on to win out in impressive style, 65-81 in the end.

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

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

28 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 4 April 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

1

GARDA/WESTMANSTOWN MIXED results for our adult teams last weekend with Inters losing to St Judes,ladies losing to Ballinteer St John’s in a high scoring encounter and Juniors beating Ballyboughal at home to make it two wins out of three played in Division 8.Trainiing continues at the usual times for all teams.

Minor girls beat Lucan Sarsfields 5-12 to 1-2; next fixture on April 8 away to Kilmacud Crokes,U-15 girls host Whitehall Colmcilles on April 6 and adult ladies have Naomh Barrog at home on April 10.

U13 hurlers beat Thomas Davis in a high scoring game 5-15 to 3-6,U-11 footballers had 1 point win over old rivals St Vincents by 3-3 to 3-2 and U-10 boys travelled to Baldoyle to take on Na Dubh Gallwell done to all our juvenile players and coaches.

U-14 boys had busy weekend away from the playing field with a big fundraising effort at Westmanstown for their Feile Competition-thanks to all who supported.

Our Easter Camp takes place from April 23-26 from 10.00-14.30.All welcome boys and girls from 5 years and upwards-cost €50 per child.Booking and payment may be made online at https://payments. gardawestmanstowngaels.com.

NAOMH PEREGRINE WELL done to our U14 Camogie girls who had a fantastic Feile over the weekend. The girls reached the semi-final stage after a very competitive three games and were unfortunate not to progress to the final. Managers Tony Higgins and Sinead Boyd were very proud of the team and their fighting effort throughout the competition.

We are sure to be hearing more from this squad over the coming months. Well done team, management and all the supporters who made a great atmosphere for the U14s.

Big thanks to 65 Hurls who donated sliothars to our Feile teams complete with St. Peregrines Crest.

Our teams will put them to great use!

Congratulations to our Minor hurlers who beat a strong St. Brigids side on Sunday 2-13 to 1-3.

Easter Camps are now live for registration on www. cnp.ie All kids will receive a drinks bottle and drawstring bag. We look forward to hosting the first camp of 2019. We hope all our Peregrines Ladies enjoyed

the entertainment in the Clubhouse provided by Mr Hollywood And DJ Richie on Mothers Day. A truly deserved day off for all our wonderful Ladies.

Joe Dolan Tribute Night takes place in the Clubhouse on Saturday May 18th. We are looking forward to a great night of music and entertainment. There is no cover charge for this event so get the gang together and enjoy a great night out!

CNP would like to offer our sincere condolences to Brendan Dunne and his extended family on the passing of his sister Jackie.

Ar dheis de go raibh an anam.

There was no winner of this weeks lotto. Numbers drawn: 2, 17, 21 and 27. Next weeks Lotto Jackpot €7400.

Big thanks to our U12 girls & boys who sold lotto tickets throughout March. Our U11 girls and boys will take on the challenge for the month of April. Reminder to all teams that memberships are now overdue. If you have not renewed your membership please do so without delay to avoid missing out on training sessions and matches.

SOCCER: CRUMLIN FALL TO THEIR FIRST DEFEAT OF SEASON Malahide United celebrate their Charlie Cahill Cup success

Brilliant Boardman brings Charlie Cahill to Malahide CHARLIE CAHILL CUP FINAL

Malahide United 1 Crumlin United 1 Malahide win 5-4 on penalties  DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

LEVI Boardman was the hero for Malahide United as he equalised before netting the decisive penalty in the shootout as they lifted the Charlie Cahill Cup with victory over Crumlin United.

The north Dublin side became the first team to beat Crumlin in any competition this season as Martin Loughran’s side have seen off all challengers in the league and three cups.

The LSL Sunday Senior pacesetters had won this

trophy in each of the last two years and were looking to make it a third successive success in Home Farm’s Whitehall Stadium.

There was little to separate the sides through 120 minutes with normal time ending scoreless.

Tired legs began to offer up more opportunities in extra time and it was Crumlin who took the lead six minutes in.

Liam Brady broke from midfield and met Alan McGreal’s cross with a glancing header past Dylan McNulty to put his side in front.

Crumlin took the advantage into the break but were undone shortly after and it was another substitute who did the damage in

Boardman.

Former Dundalk underage striker Jordi Ebanda peeled out to the right and, after wrong-footing Thomas Hyland, he curled in a perfectly-weighted cross. Boardman, who had replaced Jack Traynor early in the game, was completely unmarked in the centre of the goal and he could hardly miss with a header from six yards.

Malahide captain Darren Craven could have even won it for his side with a well-struck shot from distance but Crumlin keeper Mickey Quinn tipped the ball over the bar.

Quinn had been the penalty hero in Crumlin’s 2017 FAI Cup run, saving twice in the 2-1 victory over

League of Ireland Wexford and another in the 3-1 defeat to Premier Division champions Dundalk.

It was his opposite number, McNulty, who proved the hero in the shootout as he forced the only miss of the ten spotkicks taken, denying a penalty specialist in Aidan Roche.

John Sullivan, Conor Murphy and Brady were all on target for Crumlin, but the 2018 FAI Intermediate Player of the Year, who recently moved back from Liffey Wanderers, saw his shot saved by McNulty.

Craven, Dylan Cashin, Kieran McGahan and Rob Duggan all found the net for Malahide and, though McGreal scored Crumlin’s fifth penalty, it was left to

Boardman to slam home the winning kick.

“It means a lot for the club to win the trophy,” Malahide skipper Darren Craven told Dublin Gazette. “It had been a long time since Malahide have won anything at senior level so to do it with such a young squad and beating probably the best amateur side in the country in the final just made the day even more enjoyable for everyone.

“We knew we would have to beat them at some stage if we were to win anything this season.

“Hopefully we can use the momentum from Sunday to kick on and finish as high as possible in the league.”

Getkate gets emerging contract

Shane Getkate in action for the Ireland Wolves against Sri Lanka

MALAHIDE’S Shane Getkate has been rewarded with an “emerging player contract” this week with Cricket Ireland now able to offer “significantly increased match fees” for players in the Inter-Provincial Series and Ireland Wolves.

The contracts are designed to help support players transition to the next level and make their mark for the Irish senior team in time on a full-time basis.

Speaking about the Emerging Player Contracts, Andrew White, Chair of National

Men’s Selectors, said: “Shane Getkate has been on our radar for a while and we were delighted that he made his international debut in Oman.

“Shane is dedicated to improving his game further, and his all-round abilities were on display for all to see throughout the first few months of 2019.”

He was one of five players to be awarded the new contracts ahead of the 2019 interprovincial series which gets underway on Monday, April 22 in La Manga, Spain.

4 April 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

SWIMMING: ABBOTSTOWN CLUB HOSTS SUPER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Silver lining end for NAC’s O’Sullivan IRISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS  sport@dublingazette.com

NAC Swim Club’s Brian O’Sullivan ended his competitive swimming career at his adopted home pool last weekend with a 50m butterfly silver with a 24.69 second swim.

He has been a member of NAC Swim Club since 2009 having moved to the Dublin 15 club from Kingdom SC in Kerry.

In 2011, he brought home a bronze medal from EYOF in 50m backstroke and represented Ireland on a number of occasions at European Championships.

He has also held a number of national records in 50 backstroke, 100 and 200 individual medley.

O’Sullivan has been studying in Loughborough College.

For the last number of years while in the UK had continued to compete at a high level, returning to swim with NAC frequently for both training and competition.

It was a highlight among a series of fine swims for the club who also were acting as hosts for the competition.

Day one produced super swims with bronze for Orla Adams in the 100m breaststroke and silver for O’Sullivan.

Adams backed that up on day two with bronze in both the 200m breaststroke and 400m individual medley.

B re a s t s t ro ke a c e D a r ra g h

Greene collected the ‘Swimmer of the Meet’ Trophy as the Irish Open Swimming Championships came to a close on Sunday evening.

Greene’s 200m Breaststroke swim on Thursday was the closest time to a World Record at the event in 2:10.05.

The National Centre Dublin swimmer had set Irish and Championship Records in the swim as well as going under the consideration time for World Championships.

The 5-day Championships saw six new Irish Records, three Irish Junior Records and seven vhampionship Records as well as over 20 consideration times met for this Summer’s International Meets.

Cabra lifesavers shine in Sheffield LIFESAVING  sport@dublingazette.com

DEDICATED Masters lifesavers and their junior colleagues from North Dublin have been making big waves at a major international swimming event where they achieved a string of top times.

The swimmers from the St John Berchman’s Lifeguard Club in Cabra proved itself amongst the best in Britain and Ireland at the prestigious RLSS international open speed championships at the

Ponds Forge International 50-metre pool in Sheffield last weekend.

Swimming and lifesaving clubs from England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and Ireland took part in the championships, which bring together the best and fastest volunteer lifesavers.

Over 40 competitors from the lifesaving section of the Dublin club took part in the event, which was organised by the RLSS, an international charity dedicated to safeguarding lives in, on or

near water.

Winners of medals included Gavin Callender and David Browne (rescue rope throw) and with team-mates Paddy and Patricia Kelly successfully defended their title in the rope team relay event.

In the Obstacle relay (the swimming equivalent of hurdles in athletics), the two masters teams (Aine Galvin, Mary Lowry, Patricia Kelly and Barbara Smyth; David Browne, Paddy Kelly, Ciara Kavanagh and Gavin Callender) took first and sec-

ond place overall.

In the individual disciplines, medals went to David Browne and Mary Lowry in the 100-metre manikin towing events.

The club’s Director of Swimming, Sheila Mulhair, said: “This year was one of our best performances at the international speed championships and everyone was elated after a really hectic weekend. It was amazing to see them do so well, with over forty personal bests recorded in the various events.”

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 4 April 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2

NAOMH MEARNOG ON SATURDAY, we hosted the Camogie Féile and it turned out to be a wonderful occasion. The club was buzzing all day and our own girls did us proud. After three tough games, they qualified to meet Raheny in the final on Sunday.

In a nail biting finish, we were pipped by one point after a great game.

Congratulations to Siobhan and the girls for a magical weekend and well done to our friends in Raheny who were worthy winners. Well done to Sophie Cotter who got player of the tournament, A sincere thank also to the many people who helped run the event on Saturday.

Our senior footballers traveled to Clondalkin and captured two very valuable league points. Our junior footballers also won. Our minor hurlers were involved in a mighty battle with Faughs where a last minute goal earned us a draw.

Our adult hurlers start their championship campaign at the weekend. On Saturday evening at 6, our intermediate team play Crokes while on Sunday our junior lads are away to Na Fianna at 3pm.

Our very popular Easter Camps take place as usual. Book early to avoid disappointment. Contact club GPO David Sweeney.

Portmarnock Community School is running a performance of Les Miserables to raise funds for the construction of a Community Theatre in the school.

The concert takes place on the 27th of April and details can be found on the school website. Many of our players, parents and supporters are products of this fine school and we ask that you support them.

SKERRIES HARPS 2019 Feile competitions started over the weekend and our U14 Div 3 Camogie team competed strongly in group competition on Sat 30th, defeating Fingallians in the semi final and unfortunately lost out to St Judes in the final.

Congrats to the girls and mentors on a great weekend of Camogie.

Our AFL1 team defeated Thomas Davis by a 1pt margin at Home on Sunday 31st, AFL9 travelled to Round Towers Clondalkin and took home a win and the Minor Hurlers defeated Craobh Chiarain in the Div 3 league.

Emma Parker & Megan Carroll represented the club on the Dublin Minor Camogie Panel

& Jack Smith lined out with the Westmeath senior footballers over the weekend.

Gaelic for Mothers & others took part in their first blitz of the 2019 season on Sat 23rd and are always welcoming new members. Contact Chris on 087 9725519 for more info Upcoming Fixtures: Sun 7 Apr : Senior1 Camogie vs BSJ Home 10.30am MFL1 vs St Vincent’s AWAY 11am; Junior Hurling Vs Raheny AWAY 11am (Championship).

Upcoming Events /Diary Dates.

• EASTER CAMP: 23- 25 April 10am-2pm Daily. Suitable for ages 5-13 years. Cost €35.

Contact Louise 085 1465673 for details.

ST FINIAN’S WHAT a full and busy weekend with nearly all our teams competing. We have hosted a blitz, taken part in a Feile and the last of the grading series matches along with much more.

We also had 2 representatives on the Dublin U16 Team, with Emma Howe and Teagan Comber as captain of the team playing against Meath on Sunday.

These girls are fantastic role models for all the younger players coming up behind them. Well done girls, your club is behind you 100% cheering you on.

In round two of the Leinster U16 Championship match v Meath, Dublin was captained by our own Teagan Comber but unfortunately, it wasn’t their day and the final score was Dublin 1-8 / Meath 6-8.

Our AFL4 Team played away to St. Finians Newcastle and were unfortunate to lose with only a 3 point difference. Final score 0-12 to 2-3.

Our Minor (u18 ) Camogie girls had a tough game on Sunday in the valley against a very strong Na Fianna Team. Our girls fought very hard with some great individual skills on show.

Well done to our U15 and U13 girls who played in a Div 3 Feile at St Anne’s GAA Club The girls should be very proud of the effort they displayed. It’s super to see two teams come together as one to give the girls a day out.

Great credit to all the mentors and everyone who helped make it happen. Its very early in both teams seasons, so much to play for.

Our U12 Camogie team played against Commercials Hurling Cumann Iomanaiochta and Beann Eadair CLG in the Blitz in Ridgewood. The girls put in super performances in both games!

U12 boys had 2 great wins in the final football grading games. The White team kept their best performance for the last match of the grading series with a great win over Whitehall Colmcille in sunny Ridgewood.

SOCCER: SWORDS CLUB MAKE IT FOUR IN A ROW

Rivervalley roll on as Garda beaten LSL SUNDAY MAJOR 1 Garda 1 Rivervalley Rangers 2  sport@dublingazette.com

RIVERVALLEY Rangers dug out a crucial three points on Tuesday evening in the LSL Sunday Major 1 as they came from a goal down to defeat Garda 2-1 in Westmanstown.

The Swords club fell behind after 20 minutes despite a bright start and the visitors felt they should have been level minutes later but for a tight offside call on Ruairi Deasy who finished off at the back stick.

A quality Conor Fowler free kick was then headed in by Paul Currivan from 12 yards to give a deserved equaliser for the Swords men.

Darren Doyle and Diddy Gaul were a constant menace down the left flank combining multiple times. The best effort came from Gaul, striking the bar with a peach of a shot.

Then with five minutes left in the first half, Jimmy Rock broke his toe and a nasty neck injury for a Garda player resulted in an ambulance being called.

The Rivervalley Rangers LSL Sunday Major 1 side have been in a great run of form

The second half was end to end with Yohann Bedos called upon a good few times to make saves or relieve pressure from set piece after set piece for the home side.

With 10 minutes to go, substitute Lee Murray dinked a sublime

OFF THE BOTTOM Portrane find late season form PORTRANE Hockey Club are

finishing their season with a flourish as they recorded their second and third wins of the Leinster men’s Division One season this week.

Sean Graham’s single goal saw them beat Rathgar and they then moved off the bottom of the table courtesy of an Imran Khan double in a 2-0 success over Kilkenny on Saturday.

They meet the cats again next Sunday away before finishing their season on April 13.

one-touch finish over the keeper following an equally beautiful diagonal pass from Currivan to get what proved to be the winner.

Valley survived another barrage on goal from Garda and could have made it safe late on with

a quartet of chances but none were taken.

Nonetheless, it was a fourth successive victory for the team and moves them up a couple of places in the division and into sixth, well clear of any potential relegation issues.

4 April 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

CAMOGIE: HARPS PRODUCE EXCEPTIONAL SERIES OF RESULTS IN ANNUAL FEILE

FOOTBALL

Magical Maur’s make it three in a row

Skerries Harps Evelyn Apara and Jude’s Caoimhe French give chase. Picture: ilivephotos.com

Skerries feel the Feile fever in run to final FEILE DIVISION THREE FINAL St Jude’s Skerries Harps  sport@dublingazette.com

4-0 1-0

SKERRIES Harps enjoyed a super run in the annual Feile last weekend as they reached the Division 3 final, eventually being undone by a top class St Jude’s outfit at O’Toole Park last Sunday.

The final was a repeat of the very first tie of the competition when Jude’s won out 0-3 to 0-2.

Skerries bounced back to beat Naomh Olaf 2-1 to no score and then saw off St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh 2-3 to 2-1.

That set up a semi-final with the other group winners Fingallians which they duly won as well while Jude’s beat Castleknock in their semi-final.

That set up a rematch with Jude’s but while the first meeting was shy on goals, the Tymon North club were hungry for majors right from the outset and they hit the net very quickly.

It came in fabulous fashion as Jenny Power gobbled up a sharp chance after an initially brilliant save from the

Skerries goalkeeper.

Skerries came out strong and held the Jude’s side off until the final minutes of the first half where they created a few promising chances in front of goal.

With a spring in their step and some excellent defending all the way up the pitch, Mia Clohessy pushed the ball over the line shortly before half time.

This left the Jude’s side two goals up when the referee blew the short whistle.

Ten minutes after the ball was thrown in for he second half, Jude’s Millie Farrelly continued her team’s goal run with a stylish finish.

Skerries had a new energy about them and responded to Jude’s two goals with a well-worked goal by Alex Ward.

However, captain Caoimhe Begley’s team stood strong against Skerries relentless attack.

With Jude’s goalkeeper Iseult Caffrey making some major saves, and Sarah Frisby bursting through the tackle to clear the ball into space, Jude’s looked strong.

They could not relax however, in the

final ten minutes Skerries, showing a huge amount of character, looked like they could easily have pushed ahead.

But Jude’s led by Farrelly and Heather Dunworth in the forwards confirmed their sides win with a perfect finish by Emma Maher to make the game even

The Skerries Harps Feile team

safer.

Captain Caoimhe Begley proudly accepted the division 3 trophy on behalf of her side as well as a welldeserved player of the match award presented by Jim Shanahan Dublin County board Secretary.

ST MAUR’S find themselves in a share of top of the AFL Division One table after three rounds following their latest success against St Jude’s in Rush on Saturday evening.

A half-dozen goals helped the hosts to record an eyecatching 6-5 to 1-12 victory. In addition to Ciaran Archer’s impressive haul of 0-4, Ciaran Reddin and Conor McGuire bagged a brace of threepointers for a rampant Maur’s.

Eoin Fletcher also rattled the net during an explosive opening and while Jude’s kept themselves in touch late on, an Eoghan Conroy goal on 58 minutes finally sealed the two points for the northside outfit.

It leaves the Rush men level on points with Lucan Sarsfields and Ballinteer St John’s at this early stage in the season with Kilmacud Crokes in fourth on five points from three games.

Skerries Harps, meanwhile, ran up a competitive 2-13 to 1-15 win over Thomas Davis on home turf to get off the mark for the season, leaping up to 13th place as a result.

Elsewhere, Ger Vickery struck a dramatic 65th-minute point to give Templeogue Synge Street a share of the spoils at the end of a gripping Division One clash with St Brigid’s at Dolphin Park, making it 1-8 to 0-11.

The draw means Brigid’s are still awaiting their first league win of the campaign.