DublinGazette JAN 30 - FEB 5, 2020
GENERAL ELECTION 2020: This week
we bring you a full list of the candidates across the Dublin area SEE PAGES 17-20
SPORT
SOCCER: Corduff
getting best coaches involved at earliest opportunity. SEE P32
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Fingal Edition FREE
THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL AREA
Drug gangs grooming kids as young as 10 SYLVIA POWNALL DRUG gangs are grooming 10-year-old school kids and coaxing them into dealing with the promise of “easy money” and “social status”, a report has found. A trend analysis launched by the Blanchardstown Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force revealed that children are being targeted while they are still in primary school.
The shocking study also found evidence of drug use during school hours in nine out of 10 local secondary schools across Dublin 15 in 2018. Some 78% of participants said drug dealing took place in secondary schools – and most classed drugs as “very easy” to access on the internet, or from their friends. The three main problem drugs according to treated cases were alcohol, heroin
and cocaine, with cannabis herb the most widely used. The report found children were being “forced to hold and deal drugs to pay off a debt” or because an older family member was involved in the trade. Researchers Janet Robinson and Jim Doherty undertook a four-year study from 2015 to 2018 to profile drug use in Dublin 15 and to identify gaps in services. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
POLSKA GAZETA
Check out the first of our new section for the Polish community as we speak to the new Polish Ambassador SEE PAGE 26
2 DUBLIN GAZETTE FINGAL 30 January 2020
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BALBRIGGAN: CONCERNS OVER CASTLELANDS PROJECT
Plan deferred after ‘dictatorship’ debate SYLVIA POWNALL
spownall@dublingazette.com
A DECISION on a master plan for Castlelands in Balbriggan has been deferred after concerns over a lack of joined-up thinking were raised by area councillors. The Draft Castlelands Master Plan – a blueprint for the delivery of up to 1,000 houses on a councilowned tract of land – has been put back to allow for further consultation. Councillors expressed concerns that the highdensity housing development proposed would repeat past planning mis-
Cllr Murphy called for the plan to be delayed pending a review of the County Development Plan
takes because of the lack of amenities and open spaces. Fingal County Council agreed to defer its adoption on foot of a motion from Cllr Tony Murphy (Ind), who warned it was “dismissing” the opportunity to get the National
Transport Authority and the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) involved. He called for the plan, which will play a key role in shaping the future development of north Balbriggan, to be delayed pending a review of the County Development Plan
to be undertaken later this month. Speaking at the Area Committee meeting, Cllr Murphy said that the council in its response was “dismissing” the opportunity for the NTA and the OPR to make submissions – as well as councillors. He said there was a need to “take cognisance” of the fact that “we live in a democracy, not a dictatorship”, adding that he would be “very interested” to hear what the NTA in particular had to say. Cllr Karen Power (GP) was one of eight who voted in favour of a deferral, with three against and four abstaining. She said: “It would be short-sighted to sign off on a master plan when we do not have sight of the overall plans for Balbriggan and the wider Fingal area. “Castlelands is a huge project, requiring huge investment, and needs to be carried out to the highest standard. The great work that has been done on the rejuvenation plan for Balbriggan is being directly contravened with the Castlelands master plan as it currently stands.” She added: “This type of proposed large-scale housing development on the edge of town goes directly against the logic of the rejuvenation plan, which was created to start compensating our town with those things that should have been done when previous developments were built without sustainable infrastructure. “We acknowledge that we are dealing with a very serious housing crisis, and I believe that the community will readily accept the appropriate number of houses on the site when the infrastructure and services deficits in Balbriggan have been addressed. “The current housing shortage is not a valid excuse for bad planning,” said Cllr Power.
FASTNews
Reilly praises day hospital’s approval SENATOR James Reilly (FG) has welcomed planning permission for a private day hospital in Swords as a “major positive development” for Fingal to be undertaken later this month. The Lusk-based GP and former Minister for Health said the €80m investment will have a transformative impact on the delivery of health services. Fingal County Council last week granted permission for an eight-storey, 58-bed hospital on a site at Airside, with six operating theatres, an urgent care centre and 202 parking spaces. The hospital, which is backed by Vanguard Health Services International, will be constructed through rapid-build and is due to open in early 2021. Senator Reilly said: “As a vocal campaigner for this hospital for the past three years, I am delighted with the decision of Fingal County Council. “This will have a transformative impact on the delivery of health services locally and beyond. They will have a world-class health facility on their doorstep, whether a public or private patient.” The hospital will provide 500 jobs, according to Senator Reilly. No details have been disclosed on the mix of public and private healthcare offered, or to what extent the hospital will enter into contracts with the HSE. Senator Reilly said: “The only vested interest I have in this hospital is to ensure the people of Fingal have the best of healthcare facilities in their community.”
Women get DEIS schools full access set for €1m at golf club fund boost WESTMANSTOWN Golf Club has taken a historic move and changed its rules to allow women to hold full membership for the first time. The club held an emergency general meeting and unanimously agreed to scrap the male-only full membership rule – and 100 female players have already signed up. John McElligott, chairman of the joint committee and club management, said: “This move for Westmanstown Golf club is very welcome by everyone involved in our club. “We look forward to welcoming many new members following this historic event.” For further details on the club and membership, email info@westmanstowngolfclub. ie, or call 01 820 5817.
ADDITIONAL funding of €1m to reduce the cost of books for primary school pupils in DEIS schools is welcome news for parents, a Fine Gael TD has said. Deputy Alan Farrell hailed the pilot scheme which aims to provide free books to more than 15,000 pupils in 100 schools in disadvantaged areas. He said: “The investment is being made on top of the book grant provided to all schools in the country, and follows a commitment to introduce an extra support to reduce costs for families and school communities. “The pilot programme will see the book grant increase to €85 per pupil in the participating schools, all of which are in the DEIS programme.”
30 January 2020 FINGAL DUBLIN GAZETTE 3
HEALTH: OLD VEHICLE HAS ENOUGH MILEAGE TO PASS THE MOON
First aiders’ emergency call for new ambulance SYLVIA POWNALL
VOLUNTEER first aiders are fundraising for a new ambulance as their vehicle has clocked up enough mileage to travel to the moon – and part of the way back. St John’s Ambulance in Ongar hopes to raise €25,000, which is enough money to buy a ‘new’ second-hand model with fewer kilometres on the odometer. Member in Charge Darren McCarthy told Dublin Gazette: “The one we have is well over 20 years old, and there’s more than 300,000km on the clock. “A brand-new ambulance would cost €80,000, but for €25,000 we could get something just a few years old, which would be
as good as new for us. “We have to put a lot of money into the one we have to keep it roadworthy. The water pump has just had to be replaced and that cost €350. “The vehicle is safe. It is roadworthy and still in service, although we are not sure for how long, as it is due to be decommissioned at the end of this year. “Keeping it going is costing us a fortune.” The Ongar group is one of two divisions in the Blanchardstown area and last year alone it covered duties which amounted to around 2,500 volunteer hours, from GAA matches at Croke Park to community events across Dublin 15. All training, equipment, and expenses are paid for
Members of St. John’s Ambulance at the launch of their Ambulance fundraiser.
through these duties or by members raising money in the community. Volunteers hope that the purchase of a new ambulance will help them promote the cadet division and engage with the youth
of the Dublin 15 area to teach them essential life skills and life-saving skills. A series of fundraisers, including bag packing and a sponsored sky dive, will take place in coming months. For details visit
the St John’s Ambulance Ongar Facebook page. A GoFundMe appeal has also been launched. To donate, see: https:// www.gofundme.com/f/ an-ambulance-for-thecommunity.
FASTNews
Skerries Sailing Club pays tribute to late Joe Boylan SKERRIES Sailing Club has paid tribute to one of its longeststanding members, with the passing of Joe Boylan. Joe died peacefully at home on Monday, January 20, surrounded by his loving family. He was known in his younger days for his prowess on the rugby field and for his lifelong involvement in the Skerries sailing community. But Joe is probably best known as a very skilful builder of quick elegant Mermaids and as an accomplished competitive sailor. Joe’s first Mermaid creation, the famous Akita no 85, was constructed in the 1950s, followed by many
boats built for himself and several of his friends. The most famous of these was Zeila No 138 in which he won four Mermaid Championships during the 1970s and 1980s. He also found time to act as Commodore of Skerries Sailing Club and ultimately become President of the Mermaid Sailing Association. Joe’s last Mermaid creation, This Is It No 177, was skippered by his grandson, Mark, to a Mermaid Championship win in Galway a few years ago.
4 DUBLIN GAZETTE FINGAL 30 January 2020
CRIME: SHOCKED REACTION TO LATEST INCIDENT
Appeal for witnesses after teen stabbed at Portmarnock beach SYLVIA POWNALL
High praise for great urban art helping to brighten up Swords SWORDS Tidy Towns River Urban Art Project looks fantastic and is going down very well with the general public, chairperson Ken Duffy told Dublin Gazette. Congratulating all involved, he gave special thanks to urban artist Robert Hammond (pictured above, left, with Ken) who tutored the students from Fingal Community College, and the council’s environment department, which provided the muchneeded funding. Ken said: “The idea behind the project primarily for Swords Tidy Towns was youth involvement, getting their input of ideas
and their hands-on art work was essential to its success. The Transition Year students did a brilliant job. We wish to thank Siobhan Lynch, their teacher at the school, who put in Trojan work organising schedules for her students’ urban art tuition.” He added: “Head down to check it out if you’re around the village – pictures don’t do it any justice. The artwork is easy on the eye from start to finish, and brightens up the whole area.” Paint was supplied by All-City Dublin and Apache Pizza in Swords provided sustenance for the group of hungry artists.
Because no story is too small ...
A FIFTEEN-year-old boy is recovering in hospital after being stabbed in the chest during what’s believed to have been an arranged fight between two teen gangs. Gardai in Malahide are appealing for witnesses to a serious assault which occurred in the vicinity of Portmarnock beach last Friday night at around 9.30pm. The victim was taken to Malahide Garda Station where he was treated by ASU members before being taken by ambulance to Temple Street Children’s Hospital. His condition is described as stable. The area was sealed off overnight for officers to carry out a forensic examination of the scene. Shocked locals said the incident was “waiting to happen” in light of the rise in violent crime and anti-social behaviour in the area and the lack of a visible garda presence. Malahide-based FF
under threat and it’s just not right. People have told me that they won’t let their teenagers out at night. “We need and deserve a fully resourced police force. Malahide [garda] station must return to
anxious to hear from any witnesses who may have been in the vicinity of the entrance to Portmarnock beach, Velvet Strand, Coast Road and Wendell Avenue between 9pm and 10pm or to anyone with camera footage that
becoming more and more common. “Firstly, I want to wish him a full recovery after a terrible ordeal. “I’m angry ... crime is a major issue. I support our gardai and commend them for the work they do, but the reality is that in Fingal they don’t have the resources or the physical numbers to do their job. “Our community feels
24/7, and I’m committed to it. “Last year, some extra resources were allocated, down to the pressure that we exerted, but we need more. “This has to end.” Superintendent Gerry Donnelly of Malahide Garda Station appealed for information as the investigation into the assault continues. He said: “Gardai are
could assist the investigation. “Gardai are also appealing to any persons who may have been using public transport in that vicinity and came across large groups of youths availing of transport services.” Anyone with information is asked to contact Malahide Garda Station at 01 666 4600 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.
“
Our community feels under threat and it’s just not right. People have told me that they won’t let their teenagers out at night. We need and deserve a fully resourced police force. Malahide [garda] station must return to 24/7. This has to end.
Alarming spike in drug dealing in schools – report CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Gazette Dublin Your #1 paper for local news
TD Darragh O’Brien condemned what he described as a “horrific attack on a young boy” as he called for more garda resources to fight crime. He said: “Unfortunately, I’m not shocked, as these incidents are
Year four participants reported 97 cases of under-18s treated for drug abuse – down 22% from 124 cases in 2017, but still almost double the 51 reported cases in 2015. The youngest drug users presenting for treatment were just 13 – with cannabis herb the number-one problem drug for younger users, followed by alcohol. The report concluded that teens living in deprived areas were more at risk of drug addiction and that drug use was on the rise because they had become cheaper.
It stated that drug dealing was found in schools in both affluent and deprived areas, suggesting that “drugs is a community-wide issue that crosses all socio-economic boundaries”. According to the taskforce, the use of under-18s as dealers allows for easy access to customers as they distribute drugs to their peers and friends. It found: “The use of minors for drug distribution has been a longstanding method used by older, larger-scale dealers, as due to their age there are fewer criminal conse-
quences.” Mental health service providers also reported an increase in anxiety related issues among children and young people. A total of 545 children and young people were treated for mental health issues or disorders in Jigsaw Dublin 15 in 2018. “Service providers reported the need to increase access to youth mental health services. “The negative impact of intergenerational drug use and deprivation on young people was apparent.”
30 January 2020 FINGAL DUBLIN GAZETTE 5
TRANSPORT: PROPOSED FURTHER DELAY TO PROJECT CALLED ‘WHOLLY IRRESPONSIBLE’
Potential election manifesto threat to MetroLink slammed by Fine Gael SYLVIA POWNALL
A POLITICAL storm is brewing over MetroLink, with Fine Gael claiming that Fianna Fail want to throw the long-awaited light-rail project off track. A proposal within the FF election manifesto suggests delaying the €3bn scheme until 2022, only to then begin to redesign the network and its route from scratch. MetroLink, which will provide an electrified rail link from Swords to Dublin Airport and the city, has already suffered a number of stop-start delays, but is on target to begin construction in 2021 for its 2027 delivery. FG Deputy Alan Farrell warned: “Residents have
too often been sold false promises. Now we are making progress. “It is wholly irresponsible of Fianna Fail representatives to propose delaying this until 2022. “Only last week, MetroLink ground investigations, including the drilling of boreholes and associated support works, were taking place in Swords. “Now, it seems Fianna Fail are considering throwing the project completely off track. “We need sustainable public transport infrastructure as a matter of priority, both in terms of catering for our growing communities, and providing better public transport options to take vehicles off our roads,
and reduce emissions resulting from high levels of private traffic. “Without the delivery of MetroLink, the northside of Dublin will grind to a halt as a result of traffic congestion. This is simply unacceptable.” The Fine Gael manifesto also suggests making changes to the Metro plans, which were first mooted 20 years ago but shelved during the economic downturn. It s ays i t ’s wo r t h considering extending MetroLink to University College Dublin and other locations in south west Dublin – even though the preferred route was unveiled last year after a number of revisions. Last week, MetroLink issued a notice advising
of a number of ground investigations due to begin at Estuary Court in Swords to “help inform the design and development of the project”. Dublin Chamber warned last week that the capital’s success over the next decade will depend on the next government’s ability to implement the key projects of the National Development Plan, including MetroLink. Its director of public affairs, Aebhric McGibney, said: “Dublin’s ability to cope with future demand will depend on how well we can learn from the mistakes of the past. There is a history of going back to the drawing board when governments change.
MetroLink’s delivery for Dublin is still many years away – with concern that the long delayed project could be even further delayed
“But strong growth and increasing pressure on infrastructure
means Dublin cannot afford further delays in key projects. Plans for
many of the projects we badly need are already in train.”
Your selfie could see you turned into art
Salmon artistry lands Fingal girls with top contest prizes TWO young Fingal artists have been selected as winners of the ‘Salmon of Colour’ colouring competition. Maisy (8, left) from Lusk won the 8-11 category, while 12-year-old Molly (right), from Clonsilla, scooped the top prize in the older 12-14 group.
Young artists were asked to colour in the designated image of the lifecycle of an Atlantic salmon. The winners will now receive a €100 voucher for the National Museum of Ireland’s Natural History shop, and a private, guided tour of the museum.
ONE of Ireland’s top artists is looking for volunteers to help create an iconic artwork for display within the Swords Cultural Quarter. Jo h n By r n e wa n t s people to send him selfies of themselves if they are willing for their image to be immortalised on a giant billboard-style sculpture. He has been commissioned by Fingal County Council and is planning to create a large-scale photographic image, featuring a cross-section of people in Fingal, which will be printed and fired onto steel panels. The image will reference two well-known historical European paintings, for which Byrne will cast a broad range of Fingal residents. They will be immortalised in the artwork,
essentially engaged in a ‘tug of war’ between the two paintings, representing the ‘pull’ between rural and urban life in the county and beyond. The artist is asking members of the public to send him a photograph of themselves along with details of their age and height and their email and phone contact details. The photographs and other details required should be sent to johnbyrnecabra@gmail.com by February 21. Cllr Paul Donnelly, chair of the community development, heritage, culture and creativity strategic policy committee, said: “This is a unique opportunity for citizens from all over Fingal to get involved in a major arts project, and those who are eventually chosen by the artist
Artist John Byrne is looking for selfies from Fingal’s citizens as part of an ambitious new art project
will be immortalised in an iconic artwork.” Those selected to take part in the shoot in midJuly will be styled and
posed to fit his overall vision of the work, which will be permanently displayed in the new Swords Cultural Quarter.
6 DUBLIN GAZETTE FINGAL 30 January 2020
GALLERIES OF THE WEEK
Lisa McGowan celebrates 100K followers. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon
Lisa goes live with Launch Party
Bernadine Grogan and Lisa McGowan
Katherine Taylor and Linda Simpson
L
ISA Mc Gowan, AKA Lisa’s Lust List, launched her very own website on Friday, January 25 in the The Hyatt Centric in The Liberties. Surrounded by followers, her loyal brands, family and friends, Lisa threw a party to remember. Lisa also reached 100k followers on Instagram on the same night so a double celebration was had by all.
Eliska McAndrew, Katie Geoghegan, Lisa McGowan, Mandy Maher, Dearbhla Silke and Lucy Slevin
Siobhan Dolan and Tara Dolan
Orla and Michelle Dardis
30 January 2020 FINGAL DUBLIN GAZETTE 7
8 DUBLIN GAZETTE FINGAL 30 January 2020
GALLERIES OF THE WEEK
Naomi Clingen, Lorna Corcoran and Victoria Clingen
Anne Swords with Oisin, Aoife, Laragh and Cathal Gibson. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon
Panto fun for all the family at Draiocht T
HE Coolmine Panto Group were back recently with a pantomime treatment of The Robin Hood legend for all the family at the Draiocht. Audiences joined in the fun as Sir Robin of Locksley together with his Mother, Lady Rose Bud, draw swords and arrows with the money grabbing Sheriff of Nothingdoing, Sir Guy Sterling.
Kimberly and Lorraine Corcoran with Janette and Rachel Clingen Pat and Adrienne Monaghan
Nora Carty and Joe Byrne
Sadhbh Cushion, Lea O’Callaghan, Myiah Halligan, Jessica Louttit, Grace Ward and Isla MacCleod
30 January 2020 FINGAL DUBLIN GAZETTE 9
SWORDS MANOR: VOLUNTEERS ADD A FOURTH BOX THAT COULD SAVE A LIFE
AWARDS
Enter now to win a SMEDIA
Pictured are members of Swords Community First Responders and Mark Grainger (second from right), the owner of Grainger’s Manor Inn at Swords Manor
Life-saving defibrillator added to town SYLVIA POWNALL
A GROUP of volunteers dedicated to saving lives installed a defibrillator at Swords Manor at the weekend – bringing the total number of public access devices in the town to four. The defibrillator is linked to the National
Ambulance Service system and is the second to be paid for with funds raised by Swords Community First Responders (CFR). Zita Corkery, secretary of the voluntary organisation, told Dublin Gazette: “It cost close to €2,000 for the defibrillator, heated housing box, sign and fitting.
“We now want to make the public aware that should a person suffer a heart attack, there is a defibrillator available 24/7 at the side of Grainger’s Inn at Swords Manor.” The housed box will open when the person accesses the code, which will be with the 999 centre, as well as local shops and
the pub itself. It is the second public automated external defibrillator (AED) provided via Swords CFR, which installed one at Tesco Airside last year. Zita explained: “We felt there was a need in the Swords Manor area for an AED as our other unit is at Tesco Airside beside the
ATM, which is some distance away. “Other public access AEDs are at Fingal council offices on Main Street, on the railing there, and at the wall of St Columba’s Parish Centre on Church Road, across from the Round Tower.” Zita thanked Mark Grainger for facilitating
the new device, which is monitored by CCTV cameras to deter vandals and was fitted by McKevitt Electrical. She added: “We hope to next install a public access AED at River Valley, and have funds approved which will be part grant aided by Fingal County Council.”
THE National Student Me d i a Awa rd s h ave announced that they will be opening for entries on March 2, with the awards ceremony to be held in the Aviva on April 22. The National Student Media Awards, also known as the SMEDIAs, celebrate students for their work in the areas of print, photography, blogging, radio, TV, film and animation. There are also four Irish language categories. This year will be the 20th year of the awards, which are open to students across Dublin and Ireland. The opening date for entries is March 2, with the closing date set for March 19. Information on categories and how to enter is available from Oxygen.ie, or on the SMEDIAs Facebook page.
10 DUBLIN GAZETTE FINGAL 30 January 2020
GENERAL ELECTION 2020
CANDIDATES ADDRESS SOME OF
What candidates say CONTINUING on from last week’s initial focus, DUBLIN GAZETTE reached out to the confirmed candidates who will be campaigning in General Election 2020. We asked them all the same set of questions, to help inform you about where they stand on just some of the main issues of the day. Here is what the general election candidates had to say* – the following answers were from those who had responded by our print deadline this week.
QUESTION 1: HEALTH How would you address the chronic problems that are prevalent in the Health Service?
QUESTION 4: ENVIRONMENT What is your stance on Climate Change? How green/accessible is your campaign?
QUESTION 2: HOUSING How would you address the chronic problems in the housing sector?
QUESTION 5: TRANSPORT Do you think Public Transport in your area is sufficient? What changes might you make?
QUESTION 3: EDUCATION What ways would you address education issues in your area at a Government level?
QUESTION 6: YOUR MESSAGE Why do you think people should vote for you?
(*Some answers may have been edited to account for space, as necessary.)
DUBLIN FINGAL
GLENN BRADY, INDEPENDENT
Q1 AUDIT the HSE by an external body, for overspending and exorbitant senior management salaries. Prioritise frontline staff provision. Q2 Call a homeless emergency now. [Focus on] constitutional right to accommodation. [There should be a] massive public housing building scheme, balancing social/affordable/private homes. [Create] tighter rent caps and fairer mortgage assessments through a history of rent payment instead of salaries, where applicable. Q3 Match investment in school building with forward planning for population growths – [create] a rainy day fund for edu-
cation as opposed to just for banks. Review the cultural and economic value of the various college degrees, and prioritise subvention appropriately. [ Fo c u s o n] a n ew emphasis on trades, as they are under-represented. [There should be an] appropriate levels of SNAs, as per need – our future is our children. Q4 Climate change is very real. [There should be a] realistic appraisal of where we stand, and an urgent review of coastal erosion and measures to adapt. [Create] serious carbon emissions targets with a focus on industry, not punishing the individual. I have a tiny amount of posters, in comparison to most other candidates in Fingal. If elected, I will push to have them banned. I have a website where people can view my policies and contact me – see glennbradyfingal.com. Q5 [Dublin’s public transport] is not sufficient. A Dart extension is my priority. Trains are over-capacity; I will push to have [the Dart extension’s] timely completion prioritised. Bus arrivals need to
meet train departures, especially at peak times. Trains and bus services must be a public service again. Q6 [Vote for me] to put an active Independent voice for Fingal back in the Dail, to hold the government to task for our people.
Ireland. Q4 All our posters are reused and recycled. However, 70% of all carbon footprints are from the top corporations. A radical approach to these polluters is needed. A carbon tax is tokenistic. Q5 Fingal needs the Dart and many more bus routes. A cheap public and coordinated system would go a long way to protect the environment. Q6 We are guaranteed the continuation of the housing crisis and deterioration of our public services if FF or FG get elected. Also, the Greens, Sinn Fein, Labour and some of the Independents are all open to be coalition partners. So, the only alternative is to vote Socialist for real change.
SANDRA SWEETMAN, INDEPENDENT
TERRY KELLEHER, SOLIDARITY – PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT
Q1 THE health service is grossly underfunded and frontline staff underpaid. More money is required, and the state needs to train more doctors, nurses and consultants. Q2 Use state lands and funding to build affordable housing for all. Housing is a right, so take the profiteers out of it. Q3 Education is not free any more. The funding hike for the health service could be got through a progressive tax system on real wealth in
Q1 [WE NEED] enhanced primary care, community promotion and prevention, radiological services, recruitment of GPs, community, nurses. Q2 Cap rents, [focus on addressing] unemployment, job creation, reduce GDP cost of housing in Dublin compared to Cork. Q3 Fingal is the fastest-growing population [in the state and needs] more primary and secondary schools. Rush is waiting over 20 years for new schools. [Guarantee] places, not a lottery. Q4 [I’m using a] mass social media campaign, and recycled and reused posters. Q5 We need Metro North Swords-Balbrig-
gan; and connection to Dart, enhanced bus and rail services. Q6 I am a Fingal native, with a health and education background, and I am qualified for the job.
DUBLIN WEST
back hugely on both the numbers of posters and their size so as to minimise their environmental impact. Q5 To improve public transport requires a wholehearted commitment to an electrified commuter rail service. The BusConnects plan needs to be reconfigured to meet local concerns. Public transport has to have priority in investment decisions. Q6 My experience as a TD, Minister and Tanaiste gives me the know-how to pursue these issues effectively in the Dail.
gridlock and drastically reduce emissions. Q6 Whatever government we have after this election, we will not get the scale of improvements we need in health, housing and climate change. Therefore, we need a strong Left presence in the Dail, including myself, linked to peoplepower movements outside to fight for the real change we need.
JOAN BURTON, LABOUR
Q1 INVEST in primary care and a new emphasis on mental health, especially for young people. We need to increase the number of hospital beds and improve step-down facilities. Morale is a big issue among health care staff, at all levels, and that needs to be addressed. Q2 The main issue is the supply of energye f f i c i e n t a f fo rd a b l e homes, and this could be addressed by using stateowned land. It is time to look at ways to control speculation in building land, because that is the cause of the inflation in house prices. Q3 The area is experiencing a rapid population bulge, and a school places crisis is developing. New schools are urgently needed in many areas, and others need to be refurbished. Q4 Climate change poses as big as challenge as Brexit and the Peace Process, and needs a dedicated whole-of-government response. I think a large-scale home retro-fitting programme, and transport investment, are key parts of that. My campaign has cut
PAUL DONNELLY, SINN FEIN
RUTH COPPINGER, SOLIDARITY – PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT
Q1 WE NEED a one-tier Irish[-style] NHS funded through progressive taxation and free at the point of use, and to raise the pay of health workers – nurses in particular – to deal with the chronic staffing shortages. Q2 Build public housing on public land, [both] affordable and social; introduce strict rent controls and ban economic evictions. Q3 Abolish college fees and ‘voluntary’ contributions; end two-tier pay for teachers to improve recruitment and retention; reverse all legacy cuts to SNAs. Q4 Ireland and the world needs a just transition to a zero-carbon economy by 2030 to avert further catastrophic changes to our environment. Q5 We need to move to free and more frequent public transport to end
Q1 SINN Fein would completely transform the public health system by putting people first – we would implement the Slaintecare plan as quickly as possible, and recruit permanent nurses to replace agency nurses. We would open up 1,500 new beds to address the emergency department crisis. Q 2 We w i l l b u i l d 100,000 social and affordable homes within five years. We would also implement measures to control rents and create certainty in the rental market. Q3 We need to ensure that we build schools in Dublin West to cater for the growing population. There are too many students unable to get a school place close to their homes. We need to invest in our teachers and SNAs. The cuts to new entry teachers must be repealed. We need to ensure that students with additional needs have all the support and early intervention teams in place when
30 January 2020 FINGAL DUBLIN GAZETTE 11
THE COUNTRY’S MAIN TALKING POINTS
GENERAL ELECTION 2020
about the big topics land will address this problem. Q3 Education resource problems are primarily caused by a failure to use the State Census information. Aontú believe that college fees and student rent should be reduced. I believe in increased special needs supports and a dedicated school in Dublin West for special needs children. Q4 Aontú supports a reduction in the production of CO2 by the increased use of insulation of homes, the use of solar, tide and wind energy, and by reducing, re-using and recycling. My leaflets are printed on partly recycled paper from managed forests. My posters are re-used for new elections and for public meetings. Q5 BusConnects was a huge missed opportunity to provide a proper plan for increased bus coverage. I believe that the 39 and 70 buses should be retained, a direct connection must be kept between the Clonsilla Road and Dublin city centre, and the train service needs to be substantially resourced to cope with the huge demand from our increased population. Q6 Dublin West needs strong leadership rather than weak politicians. I will deliver that change in leadership, if elected.
Votes waiting to be counted ... There’s always a lot at stake in any general election, with 2020 being particularly important for the country’s future. Consider the candidates carefully, and ensure that your voice is represented by your precious vote ...
needed. Q4 Sinn Fein is committed to climate justice and a just transition for Ireland, [the] North and [Republic], and is opposed to carbon taxes in the absence of viable alternatives. Q5 We need a massive investment in public transport as the current system is not working. We need BusConnects
to listen to the people by improving the services, with the protection of existing direct services. We need to ensure the Irish Rail address overcrowding on the Maynooth line. Q6 I have been a hardworking and committed public representative on Fingal County Council and will commit to ensuring that we have the leg-
islation in place to create a fairer and more equal society, protect the vulnerable in our communities and put money back into workers’ pockets. EDWARD MACMANUS (INSET), AONTÚ
Q1 THE key to resolving most of the difficulties in the health care system is by providing increased
resources to primary care in the community to take pressure off the hospital sector.
Currently, primary care centres such as at Corduff are used at a fraction of their capacity, resulting in unnecessary pressure on Connolly Hospital. Q2 The crisis results from a failure to deliver social and affordable housing as provided in previous generations. The building of 10,000 social and affordable housing units on public
AENGUS O MAOLAIN, SOCIAL DEMOCRATS
Q1 THE Slaintecare plan – a key demand for the Social Democrats in any formation of government
– will make GP visits and hospital care free for all, reduce waiting lists in hospitals, move diagnostics like X-rays and MRIs into primary care centres, and set up community care teams for older people and mental health issues. Q2 For renters we need an urgent strengthening of their protections. We also need to introduce an immediate rent freeze and rent caps that match inflation (currently under 1%). There are over 700 local authority and housing agency-owned sites, and we need to use this public land to build social and affordable housing. Q3 We have a chronic shortage of school places in Dublin West, which needs to be urgently addressed as more and more housing developments are under construction, or planned for the near future. We need more capacity in the schools we have and enough schools for the coming generation. Where possible, children should be able to walk to their local school, and not have to be driven. Q4 We need to be Greener, but we also need to be fairer to ensure that Green measures don’t impoverish people. We have real solutions to the issue of climate change in Ireland, costed to make sure they don’t unduly burden lower income people. Q5 We need to invest heavily in our transport infrastructure - first of all by electrifying train lines, increasing their capacity and dramatically improving their frequency. Then we need to put Metro West back on the table. Q6 I believe in evidence-based policies that will fix our ailing public services and make Ireland the country we all know it can be.
12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 30 January 2020
OPINION: UPCOMING EVENT PROMISES TO DO A BETTER JOB AT ADDRESSING STARK REALITY
Tune in to ‘The Real Debate’ for a meaningful national debate PADRAIG CONLON
FOLLOWING the decision by RTE to only include the leaders of two political parties on its TV Leaders Debate, an alternative debate is set to take place in Dublin. The Real Debate – a podcast/streaming event – will be available while the proposed Leaders Debate between Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin is being broadcast next Tuesday night, February 4, and will feature a variety of opinions and views from across the political spectrum, including from journalists and podcasters. It’s been set up as a collaboration between several organisations, including Right2Homes, HomeOptions, with Dublin Gazette as a media partner. The Real Debate is offering “the other 52% of voters” a debate and will create opportunities for other voices and opinions to be shared. Moderator on the evening will be Donagh McKeown, who has many years’ experience as a radio presenter and producer with the BBC and various radio stations in Ireland, including Shannonside/Northern Sound, Downtown Radio, Mid 106, Townland Radio, and presently Belfast 89. Talking to Dublin Gazette ahead of next week’s debate, he said: “We are keen to engage with potential participants for the podcast, so do please reach out to the Facebook page, The Real Debate, for a chance to participate. “Follow our pre-event debate on the Facebook page, and/or develop your own local debate and feel free to share as we build our audience.” ‘Waltzing on borrowed time’ That’s the clarion call
from the founders of Homeoptions, taken from the title of a song by legendary Dublin folk singer/ songwriter Pete St John. Homeoptions spent 5-years trying to introduce legislation into Dáil Éireann, aiming to protect families in their homes, whilst at the same time also attempting to remove Vulture Funds from the Irish economy by offering the banks ethically-funded alternatives. These efforts were rejected out of hand by the bailed-out banks, with AIB rejecting a fully-funded €800m bid for its latest Portfolio of Distressed
“
of sitting Fianna Fail and Fine Gael TDs, with the exception of John McGuinness, Marc MacSharry, Eamon O Cuiv and Independents such as Mattie McGrath and Michael Fitzmaurice, sat on the fence while tens of thousands of families are getting thrown to the wolves.” Reilly said the “frustrating” journey began for Right2Homes in 2013 following the government’s introduction of The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill. This legislation had been designed to help protect families caught up with distressed fam-
[The voters should] understand just how powerless most of these same TDs actually are when faced with the need to tackle housing, homelessness, wanton profiteering, vested interests and internal party politics
Family Home Loans (NPLs). Similar bids were also dismissed by PTSB and Ulster Bank. Speaking to Dublin Gazette ahead of The Real Debate, Homeoptions founder Brian Reilly said: “I think voters have an absolute right to know the depths of hypocrisy they are dealing with when heading to the polls on February 8. “[They should also] understand just how powerless most of these same TDs actually are when faced with the need to tackle housing, homelessness, wanton profiteering, vested interests and internal party politics. “Most of the current crop
ily home mortgages, but quickly becoming known as the “Eviction Bill”. Right2Homes had been established to help challenge the legitimacy of that Act, given its retrospective impact on distressed family home mortgages. Meetings were arranged with numerous TDs from all parties, and also some Independents, resulting in the idea of a “People’s Bill” which was then drafted for Right2Homes by the Master of the High Court, Edmund Honohan. Reilly says that after having encouraged the production of such a “People’s Bill”, the Fianna Fail parliamentary party, under the direction of
As an alternative to The Leaders Debate on RTE, The Real Debate – bringing together many disparate opinions and views – promises to offer a meaningful alternative view on the state of the nation, and our future. Housing will be an obvious area of concern – but what else will The Real Debate focus on? Tune in and see ...
Micheal Martin and his non-elected advisers, failed miserably to support the Bill, instead leaving it up to Kilkenny TD John McGuinness to introduce the resulting Affordable Housing and Fair Mortgage Bill 2018 as a Private Members Bill, which he did in 2018 (see illustration, above right). “ T h e hy p o c r i sy involved here, especially by Micheal Martin, can only be described as breathtaking,” said Reilly, on his first face-to-face meeting with the Fianna Fail leader. He said: “We had already spent an enormous amount of time producing the actual Bill itself, encouraged initially
by an internal FF working group led by Darragh O’Brien, incorporating changes along the way as suggested by various groups, including Fianna Fail, the Bills Office, the Ceann Comhairle’s Office and the Department of Finance. “Micheal Martin’s opening remarks at that first formal meeting were: ‘I won’t be bounced into supporting this Bill’ – an alarming statement, given that we were at that time almost eight years into a mounting housing and homelessness crisis. “Nothing has changed to this day; the crisis is demonstrably worse, and the man is simply not capable of radical change
– it’s clearly not in his DNA. “A number of leading FF deputies have since confirmed to us that, should Micheal Martin and his small cohort of non-elected advisors, somehow manage to win out on February 8, nothing of any significance will have changed when we all wake up to the reality on February 9. “The country will be left facing yet another five years of blind adherence to existing Fine Gael policies supporting banks, profiteering and vulture funds. “The time for radical change is now, so why can’t voters insist their politicians grow up and envisage the collec-
tive possibilities for real change?” asked Reilly. He made the point that with 45 of the 159 seats up for grabs in the capital, voters in the 11 constituencies of Dublin could possibly decide the makeup of the 33rd Dail. Reailly said: “A Coalition of the Willing is what’s now required, with more than 77% of the electorate currently not supporting Fine Gael, according to several published polls, mostly on foot of the worsening disasters in housing, health and overspending on state projects. “It’s definitely time for real change.” For further information, see The Real Debate Facebook page.
30 January 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13
STYLE: ADORABLY ACCESSIBLE
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MAGAZINE
LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE NEWS AND EVENTS ACROSS THE CITY AND COUNTY
EDUCATION | CELEBRATING A MUSIC COLLEGE’S LEGACY IN THE LIBERTIES
Pitching in to help support open day PADRAIG CONLON
A noteworthy group ... These talented musicians were delighted to help promote the opening day at BIMM Institute Dublin. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan
A DUBLIN college that helps musicians break into the music world held a very successful open day last weekend. Situated in the heart of Dublin 8, BIMM Institute Dublin (British and Irish Modern Music), has earned the reputation of being Ireland’s most connected music college. With two campuses located on Francis Street and The Coombe, BIMM opened their doors last Saturday, January 25, to showcase what students can expect when studying at the college. Guests had the opportunity to meet graduates who are currently shaping the music industry and successfully working as producers, session players, music therapists, lecturers, events managers, agents and promoters, to name but a few career paths. BIMM offers students a launch pad into the world of contemporary music through its undergraduate and post-graduate courses, including BA (Hons) Commercial Modern Music, and its newly launched MA in
Popular Music Practice, which will commence in September. Students also have access to master classes with many high-profile industry guests. Some former guests include The Edge, Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Hozier, John Grant, Danny O’Donoghue (The Script), Imelda May, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Neil Hannon. Some of Ireland’s most successful artists have walked through BIMM’s doors since it opened more than nine years ago, including Andrew Byrne (Hozier) and Imelda May. Since 2015, more than 600 students have graduated from the BA CMM, with more than 86% currently working in the music and creative arts industries. Re c e n t su c c e s s f u l graduates include Ciara O’Connor, who is currently touring around the US with international artist Dua Lipa as her backing vocalist and dancer, and Aimee Mallon, who is one half of Dublin-based electronic indie-house duo, Le Boom.
14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 30 January 2020
DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS I N F O R M AT I O N
SOME OF THE RANDOM AND QUIRKY
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
Over 23,000 people apply to be Great Blasket caretakers C O N TA C T S Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@dublingazette.com Commercial Director: Liz Ferris lferris@dublingazette.com Group Editor: Cóilín Duffy cduffy@dublingazette.com Deputy Group Editor & Travel Editor: Shane Dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@dublingazette.com Picture Editor: Alison O’Hanlon picturedesk@dublingazette.com Online & Style Editor: Rachel D’Arcy rdarcy@dublingazette.com Advertising Sales:
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OVER 23,000 people have applied for two jobs on the uninhabited Great Blasket Island. Although no one lives permanently on the island, the tourist season of April to October has meant two people are needed to run the three guest cottages and coffee shop on Blasket. There is no electricity, Wi-Fi or hot water on the island but apparently that has not deterred thousands of people – some as far afield as Australia and the US – to apply for positions. Blasket Island lies two kilometres off the Kerry coast, is only six kilometres long and was famously the home of writer
Dating disaster goes viral A DUBLIN girl went viral last week after her tweet about her weirdest date ever amassed nearly 350,000 likes. Holly Shortall, 30, from Dublin said when she was younger, she brought her date a condolence card and present after she learnt his pet bat died.
THE reimagined and refurbished Irish Wars 1919 – 1923 opened at the National Museum of Ireland recently, as part of the Museum’s Decade of Centenaries Commemorations. The exhibition features 50 newly displayed artefacts, including an IRA intelligence file digitised and will be accessible for the first time. Pictured are Brenda Malone, Curator, Irish Wars 1919–1923; Gerard Fitzpatrick, Donor of the IRA intelligence file and Dr Audrey Whitty, Head of Collections and Learning, National Museum of Ireland. Pictures: JULIEN BEHAL PHOTOGRAPHY
However, communication wires must have been crossed between Holly and her date as she wrote: “When I was a wee emo this guy asked me out - I didn’t hear from him on the day till he texted me saying sorry and that his bat had died. So, I got him a condolence card and a present and took it to the date, like,” I’m so
sorry about your pet bat,” and he was like, “no I meant my phone battery”. Holly added: “In my defence, this was when we all had Nokia 3210s and a dead battery was unheard of.” Holly’s tweet spread all over Twitter and Reddit gaining over 30,000 retweets in the process.
DUBLIN Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs. Bonnie is a very sweet and friendly six-year-old Jack Russell Terrier. She is instantly friendly with everyone and just loves company. She is an active girl; loves to play with her toys; and enjoys a fun game of fetch. Bonnie is a very sweet girl who will make an amazing addition to any family once she is given time to settle in. As Bonnie loves company so much, she is looking for a family who will be home for most of the day, so she doesn’t get lonely. She can live with children over the age of 12, especially if they can help with her ongoing training. Bonnie can be picky with her doggy pals, so if her future family have a dog already, they will need to do a meet at the Rehoming Centre beforehand. If you have room in your heart and home for Bonnie 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.)
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Peig Seyers. Owner of the houses, Billy O’Connor, grandson of the late Peter Callery, a Dingle solicitor whose company once owned most of the Blasket, said the level of interest has taken him by surprise. O’Connor and his wife, Alice Hayes say they are still trawling through their email inbox and will get back to the successful candidates in due course. “A huge, huge thank you to everyone who took time to apply and share or like the post, we can’t explain how much your interest means to us,” said Hayes. The posting says the job is suitable for a couple or two friends who are happy to move together.
bonnie
DOG OF THE WEEK
30 January 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15
THINGS THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE THIS WEEK...
BITS & BOBS TOP TWEETS
I saw this on my walk into college. Dublin- never change. @mary guilbeaux
bruh this pic just gave me lack toes in toddler ants
New exhibits go on show Police answer mystery Heroic farm dog Patsy saves starlings found dead THE mystery of hundreds of starlings being found dead on a road in Anglesey, Wales is understood to have been solved by the police who say they were avoiding a predator. More than 200 starlings were spread over a road near Llyn Llyweran, in the north-west of Wales in December. Originally thought to be a mystery, North Wales Police’s rural crime team now saw they cracked the case after the Animal and Plant Health Agency examined the birds. The post-mortem results show the birds suffered severe internal trauma from impact. Rob Taylor, from the force’s rural crime team, said: “Please bear in mind that the full toxicology has not been received, so a final theory cannot be confirmed, but we are quite sure of the reasons and cause of deaths to the birds. “The trauma supports the case that the birds died from impact with the road. “It’s highly likely the murmuration took avoiding action whilst airborne, from possibly a bird of prey, with the rear of the group not pulling up in time and striking the ground. “We still await toxicology, but from speaking to many people, looking at the injuries and previous worldwide cases, it appears by taking avoiding flight action the murmuration has flown towards the ground and pulled up, but some have not made it.”
When My Chemical Romance announce a Dublin gig @ iresimpsonsfans
sheep from Australian bushfires THE Australian bushfires have devasted large parts of the country and killed more than one billion animals since September 2019. Volunteers from around the coun-
try and as far away as USA and Canada have fought courageously to fight the blazes and rescue the country’s animal’s, many of which are endan-
gered. Among these brave volunteers is Patsy – a six year-old border collie. According to CNET, Patsy lives with her owner Stephen Hill in Corryong, Victoria and helped save Hill’s entire flock of sheep from the encroaching blaze in early January. Patsy herded all 900 sheep to the safest paddock on the farm, as Hill fought the fires threatening his land. “I’d have been stuffed without Patsy,” said Hill. “She’s earned front-seat privileges for the rest of her life.” The fearless Patsy managed to save nearly every animal with only a handful of sheds and animals lost. Tales of Patsy’s feat has g a r n e re d a d m i re r s f ro m around the world, with her new Instagram account – Patsy the Corryong Wonder Dog – attracting thousands of followers.
News just in: Ireland is 40 years old @poilination
16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 30 January 2020
FOOD&DRINK
Seeds are sown for children’s initiative
Gary Ibbotson
INNOCENT and Grow It Yourself (GIY) and teamed up once again to launch this year’s ‘Big Grow’ initiative – encouraging young people to grow their own fresh fruit and vegetables. Now in its ninth year, the campaign has been developed closely with teachers and educational specialists to give aspiring junior gardeners the information and tools to create their own little vegetable patch in their garden, classroom or even windowsill. Michael Kelly, GIY founder, said: “Studies show that children who grow their own food are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables and show higher levels of knowledge about nutrition. “The children not only learn the science of growing, they also experience the joy of growing and eating their own food. “GIY calls this ‘Food Empathy’, which is a deeper connection with food, and is proven to lead to a healthier life longterm. “We are delighted to work
with innocent on this once again and we hope these life lessons stay with our growers into adulthood,” he says. Food writer Lilly Higgins, who has joined this year’s campaign said she “is so excited to be involved in the innocent Big Grow”. Higgins says: “This campaign is doing something very important - building a lifelong love of healthy food with children. “If we can instil a love of homegrown produce with kids at an early age, we are giving them a valuable skill for life.” The Big Grow is open for primary schools across the country with 60,000 children getting the opportunity to avail of a free grow kit. This year, for the first time, the school judged to have cultivated the most impressive grows will receive €1,000 towards their school garden adding an extra incentive for the nation’s little growers to get involved and grow crazy. The kits include three packs of seeds and children will get the chance to grow peas, cress and baby carrots.
Jessica Chinamasa and Hannah Bryce-Smith, little growers from St Brigid’s Garden Club in Stillorgan joining the growvolution with the innocent Big Grow. Picture: Mark Stedman
Thirty-two growing cups will also be included - one for each student to sow their own little ‘crop’. Compost disc that expands in their cup when water is
added, a teacher’s resource booklet which includes lots of fun and educational activities, a classroom wallchart so that teachers can celebrate the weekly growing highs and suc-
cesses and some Star Grower Badges, will also be in the growing kits. To apply for a grow kit, please visit www.innocentbiggrow.com.
Sink your teeth into Rugby inspired recipes YOGHURT brand Glenisk will host an exclusive one-day pop-up restaurant in Tang on Dawson Street on Monday, February 3. Following Ireland’s opening encounter of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations on February 1, the restaurant will be serving up a host of limitededition rugby-inspired recipes from 7:30 am. As part of its ‘Eat Like Them’ campaign, Glenisk have developed a menu of 15 scrum-ptious (aye?) highprotein dishes. The menu will feature both breakfast and lunch options as well as a selection of all-day protein snacks, developed by Glenisk in collaboration with the IRFU Performance Nutrition team. Example of dishes will include Protein Pancakes, slow-cooked Marinated Irish Beef and Vegetarian Falafel. Dishes will range in price from €2.50 up to €9, with all proceeds from the day donated to Peter McVerry Trust. There will also be chances to win great rugby prizes on the day including tickets to see Ireland v Wales on February 8.
Saba To Go Rathmines named best takeaway
SABA to Go, Rathmines was crowned Ireland’s favourite takeaway last week at the Just Eat National Takeaway Awards. Overall, 10 establishments in Dublin walked away with awards with Camile Thai, Phibsboro winning Best Takeaway Sustainability Award, while San Sab in Drumcondra won the best Spice Bag category. Hosted in Dublin’s Number Twenty-Two and presented by presenter and foodie Cassie Stokes, The National Takeaway Awards were developed by Just
Eat to celebrate the nation’s favourite local takeaways. Over 17,000 people nationwide voted on 25 categories with best vegan takeaway and best sustainable takeaway new additions to the list. Unsurprisingly, the humble spice bag was voted Ireland’s favourite dish for the second year running, beating out the burrito, chicken korma, fish and chips and pepperoni pizza. The full list of winners:
Best takeaway Ireland Saba to Go, Rathmines Best takeaway Dublin Saba to Go, Rathmines, D6 Best takeaway Connacht Xian Street Food, Galway Best takeaway Munster Camile Thai, Limerick Ireland’s favourite dish Spice bag Best Chinese Bamboo Court, Letterkenny Best Indian Bombay Pantry, Rathfarnham, D14 Best Thai Saba to Go, Rathmines Best Mexican Boojum, Kevin Street, D2
Best Japanese Wagamama, South King Street, D2 Best Middle Eastern Zaytoon, Camden Street, D2 Best breakfast McDonald’s, Swords Best chipper Macari 101, NaasBest pizza Base Wood Fired Pizza, Terenure, Dublin 6 Best salad Chopped, Fairview, D3 Best spice bag San Sab, Drumcondra, D9 Best sustainability Camile Thai, Phibsborough, D7 Best vegan Camile Thai, Greystones, Wicklow Best vegetarian Camile Thai, Limerick
Amanda Roche-Kelly, MD Just Eat Ireland, pictured with the winners of Best Takeaway Ireland, Saba To Go; Alan Cadden and Paul Cadden, and Head Chef Noraset Pradubwate . Picture: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland
30 January 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17
DUBLIN GAZETTE’S ELECTION FOCUS
GENERAL ELECTION 2020
THE CANDIDATES We bring you a full list of the candidates across Dublin THE CANDIDATES are confirmed - it’s all systems go on the campaign trail, and here at Dublin Gazette we continue with our comprehensive coverage of Election 2020. 151 candidates are running across 11 constituences in the capital. Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, The Labour Party, Sinn Féin, Green Party/Comhaontas Glas, Solidarity - People Before Profit, United People (UP), Aontú, Irish Freedom Party, Renua Ireland, The National Party, The Workers Party, Independents 4 Change, Social Democrats, Independents and Non Party candidates are all part of the mix. THE CONSITUENCIES ARE BROKEN DOWN AS FOLLOWS: Dublin Fingal (16) Dublin West (12) Dublin North West (10) Dublin Bay North (18) Dublin Central (15) Dublin Bay South (15) Dublin South Central (13) Dublin Mid-West (12) Dublin South West (16) Dublin Rathdown (11) Dun Laoghaire (13)
ALL MAPPED OUT
COMMENT: We need a strong voter turn-out
Make sure you use your vote and have your say IT’S TEN days out from the 2020 General Election, and politicans and their campaign teams across the capital and indeed the country are ramping up their efforts to gain your all important vote. That’s the thing your vote is IMPORTANT - not just to the politicians, but to you, and indeed the greater populace in how we can shape the future of this country. Irish freedom was hard earned; so too was the right to allow women to vote. All of this just happened around a century ago - but since then we have shaped a strong democracy - and for all it’s faults Ireland isn’t a bad country to live in - certainly by World standards. Granted there are plenty of things that certainly need to be tackled - the homeless and housing crisis to just single out a particular issue. How do we address this? We put pressure on the election candidates to do something about it - we vote for people who can make a difference. We read their manifestos and those of their parties (if they have one), and we shape our opinions and thoughts to select what we think are the right candidates. But if you’ve listened to what the politicans
CÓILÍN DUFFY GROUP EDITOR DUBLIN GAZETTE
canvassing have to say, or read their leaflets and manifestos, but then don’t vote - what’s the point! Only by voting can you really have a say. You’ll say what difference does one vote make - but you’ll be surprised how it can. While countries such as the United Kingdom also call themselves a democracy - they are to a point - but not as much as we are here in Ireland. The UK system uses the ‘first past the post’ type of format, which means you only vote for one candidate for who you want to get into parliament. In fact it’s only one representative in the House of Commons per consistuency too. Here we operate the ‘proportional representation system’. We vote for our candidates in order of preference. Even if you have 11 candidates and you mark it 1 through to 11, it could actually make a difference for No. 11! Vote wisely!!
18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 30 January 2020
GENERAL ELECTION 2020
30 January 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19
GENERAL ELECTION 2020
ALL 151 CANDIDATES IN 11 DUBLIN CONSTITUENCIES AIMING TO BE A T.D. ON FEB 8
THE CANDIDATES ALL MAPPED OUT DUBLIN FINGAL
DUBLIN BAY NORTH
DUBLIN BAY SOUTH
DUBLIN SOUTH WEST
GLENN BRADY INDEPENDENT
RICHARD BRUTON FINE GAEL
CHRIS ANDREWS SINN FÉIN
CIARÁN AHERN THE LABOUR PARTY
LORRAINE CLIFFORD-LEE FIANNA FÁIL
MICHAEL BURKE NON PARTY
NORMA BURKE NON PARTY
CARLY BAILEY SOCIAL DEMOCRATS
ALAN FARRELL FINE GAEL
CONOR CREAVEN NON PARTY
PETER DOOLEY NON PARTY
COLM BROPHY FINE GAEL
TERRY KELLEHER SOLIDARITY - PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT
BRIAN GARRIGAN NON PARTY
SARAH DURCAN SOCIAL DEMOCRATS
ANNE MARIE CONDREN RENUA IRELAND
DEAN MULLIGAN INDEPENDENTS 4 CHANGE
BEN GILROY IRISH FREEDOM PARTY
MANNIX FLYNN NON PARTY
SEÁN CROWE SINN FÉIN
PAUL MULVILLE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS
SEAN HAUGHEY FIANNA FÁIL
JACQUI GILBOURNE RENUA IRELAND
MICK DUFF NON PARTY
TONY MURPHY NON PARTY
DAVID HEALY GREEN PARTY/COMHAONTAS GLAS
KEVIN HUMPHREYS THE LABOUR PARTY
FRANCIS NOEL DUFFY GREEN PARTY/COMHAONTAS GLAS
DARRAGH O’BRIEN FIANNA FÁIL
DEIRDRE HENEY FIANNA FÁIL
JOHN DOMINIC KEIGHER NON PARTY
PHILIP DWYER THE NATIONAL PARTY - AN PÁIRTÍ NÁISIÚNTA
JOE O’BRIEN GREEN PARTY/COMHAONTAS GLAS
JOHN LYONS NON PARTY
ANNETTE MOONEY SOLIDARITY - PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT
SANDRA FAY SOLIDARITY - PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT
GEMMA O’DOHERTY NON PARTY
LINDA MCEVOY NON PARTY
EOGHAN MURPHY FINE GAEL
JOHN LAHART FIANNA FÁIL
LOUISE O’REILLY SINN FÉIN
DENISE MITCHELL SINN FÉIN
JIM O’CALLAGHAN FIANNA FÁIL
PAUL MURPHY SOLIDARITY - PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT
JAMES REILLY FINE GAEL
BERNARD MULVANY SOLIDARITY - PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT
KATE O’CONNELL FINE GAEL
CHARLIE O’CONNOR FIANNA FÁIL
ALISTAIR SMITH UNITED PEOPLE (UP)
CATHERINE NOONE FINE GAEL
SEAN O’LEARY NON PARTY
DEIRDRE O’DONOVAN FIANNA FÁIL
DUNCAN SMITH THE LABOUR PARTY
MICHAEL O’BRIEN SOLIDARITY - PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT
EAMONN RYAN GREEN PARTY/COMHAONTAS GLAS
COLM O’ KEEFFE NON PARTY
SANDRA SWEETMAN NON PARTY
CIAN O’CALLAGHAN SOCIAL DEMOCRATS
BEN SCALLAN IRISH FREEDOM PARTY
ELLEN O’MALLEY DUNLOP FINE GAEL
OGHENETANO JOHN UWHUMIAKPOR
PROINSIAS O’CONARAIN AONTÚ
KATHERINE ZAPPONE NON PARTY
SOLIDARITY - PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT
SEAN O’LEARY NON PARTY
AODHAN O’RIORDAIN THE LABOUR PARTY
DUBLIN WEST
JOAN BURTON THE LABOUR PARTY PETER CASEY NON PARTY JACK CHAMBERS FIANNA FÁIL RUTH COPPINGER SOLIDARITY - PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT EMER CURRIE FINE GAEL PAUL DONNELLY SINN FÉIN EDWARD MacMANUS AONTÚ RODERIC O’GORMAN GREEN PARTY/COMHAONTAS GLAS SEAN O’LEARY INDEPENDENT STEPHEN O’LOUGHLIN NON PARTY
DUBLIN CENTRAL
GILLIAN BRIEN SOLIDARITY -
PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT
CHRISTY BURKE NON PARTY PATRICK CLOHESSY NON PARTY JOE COSTELLO THE LABOUR PARTY PASCHAL DONOHOE FINE GAEL DEIRDRE DUFFY FINE GAEL MARY FITZPATRICK FIANNA FÁIL GARY GANNON SOCIAL DEMOCRATS
AENGUS Ó MAOLÁIN SOCIAL DEMOCRATS
RITA HARROLD SOLIDARITY - PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT
LEO VARADKAR FINE GAEL
NEASA HOURIGAN GREEN PARTY/COMHAONTAS GLAS
MARY LOU MCDONALD SINN FÉIN
SARAH LOUISE MULLIGAN NON PARTY
SEAN O’LEARY NON PARTY EILIS RYAN THE WORKERS PARTY
DUBLIN NORTHWEST
CAROLINE CONROY GREEN PARTY/COMHAONTAS GLAS
IAN CROFT NON PARTY
IAN NOEL SMYTH AONTÚ
DESSIE ELLIS SINN FÉIN
DOLORES WEBSTER NON PARTY
NIALL FITZGERALD NON PARTY
PAUL MCAULIFFE FIANNA FÁIL
ANDREW MONTAGUE THE LABOUR PARTY
CONOR REDDY SOLIDARITY - PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT
STEPHEN REDMOND THE NATIONAL PARTY
NOEL ROCK FINE GAEL
ROISIN SHORTALL SOCIAL DEMOCRATS
DUBLIN SOUTH CENTRAL CATHERINE ARDAGH FIANNA FÁIL
CATHERINE BYRNE FINE GAEL
JOAN COLLINS INDEPENDENTS 4 CHANGE
PATRICK COSTELLO GREEN PARTY/COMHAONTAS GLAS
TARA DEACY SOCIAL DEMOCRATS
ROBERT FOLEY NON PARTY
SERINA IRVINE THE NATIONAL PARTY
ALAN KERRIGAN NON PARTY
REBECCA MOYNIHAN THE LABOUR PARTY
RICHARD MURRAY NON PARTY
SEAN O’LEARY NON PARTY
AENGUS O’SNODAIGH SINN FÉIN
BRID SMITH SOLIDARITY - PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT
DUBLIN MID-WEST
DublinGazette
NEXT WEEK: THE PARTY LEADERS GIVE US THEIR THOUGHTS
DUBLIN RATHDOWN
SHAY BRENNAN FIANNA FÁIL DEIRDRE CONROY FIANNA FÁIL LIAM COUGHLAN AONTÚ JOSEPHA MADIGAN FINE GAEL CATHERINE MARTIN GREEN PARTY/COMHAONTAS GLAS LETTIE MCCARTHY THE LABOUR PARTY SORCHA NIC CORMAIC SINN FÉIN PATRICK NOONAN NON PARTY EOGHAN Ó CEANNABHÁIN SOLIDARITY - PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT NEALE RICHMOND FINE GAEL SHANE ROSS NON PARTY
DUN LAOGHAIRE
RICHARD BOYD BARRETT SOLIDARITY - PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT
VICKI CASSERLY FINE GAEL
JENNIFER CARROLL MACNEILL FINE GAEL
JOHN CURRAN FIANNA FÁIL
CORMAC DEVLIN FIANNA FÁIL
DAVID GARDINER THE WORKERS PARTY
MARY HANAFIN FIANNA FÁIL
PAUL NICHOLAS GOGARTY INDEPENDENT
MARY MITCHELL O’CONNOR FINE GAEL
EMER HIGGINS FINE GAEL
SHANE O’BRIEN SINN FÉIN
PETER KAVANAGH GREEN PARTY/COMHAONTAS
JULIET O’CONNELL THE LABOUR PARTY
GINO KENNY SOLIDARITY - PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT
CON ÓG Ó LAOGHAIRE IRISH FREEDOM PARTY (I.F.P.)
CAITRÍONA MC CLEAN FIANNA FÁIL
DAVE QUINN SOCIAL DEMOCRATS
EOIN Ó BROIN SINN FÉIN
OSSIAN SMYTH GREEN PARTY/COMHAONTAS GLAS
FRANCIS TIMMONS INDEPENDENT
MAIRÉAD TÓIBÍN AONTÚ
JOANNA TUFFY THE LABOUR PARTY
BARRY WARD FINE GAEL
MARK WARD SINN FÉIN
JOHN WATERS NON PARTY
DUBLIN GAZETTE NO. 1 FOR ELECTIONS COVERAGE ACROSS THE CAPITAL
20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 30 January 2020
GENERAL ELECTION 2020
LEADERS HAVE THEIR SAY IN GALWAY
(left to right) Fine Gael leader, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, Solidarity People Before Profit politician Richard Boyd Barrett, Social Democrats joint leader Roisin Shortall, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Irish Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin, during the seven way RTE leaders debate at the NUIG campus in Galway on Monday night . Picture: Niall Carson PA Wire/PA Images
Glenageary’s BoydBarrett a big winner in RTÉ Leaders Debate CÓILÍN DUFFY GROUP EDITOR AT RTÉ LEADERS DEBATE, NUI GALWAY cduffy@dublingazette.com
SOLIDARITY - PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT’S Richard Boyd Barrett certainly came out a real winner, following the RTÉ Election 2020 Leaders Debate at NUI Galway on Monday night. Hosted as the ‘Claire Byrne Live Leaders Debate’, the almost two-hour long debate tackled the issues of Crime, Housing and Taxation along with the areas of climate change and the Environment. The left-leaning polititcians in the debate certainly were the big winners in particular Boyd-Barrett who got his points across strongly, in a well-delivered fashion, with the substance of his comments factually accurate, and certainly
going down well with the public. Social media was awash with praise for Boyd-Barrett; Eamon Ryan of the Green Party, and Social Democrats leader Roisín Shortall, while there were also kudos for much of what Sinn Féin’s Mary-Lou McDonald had to say. Indeed most of the Dublin based politicians came out of the debate strongly, and while there was much pressure on Fine Gael leader An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar - he certainly came out with the quote of the night saying ‘there’s a fair few nutters in all parties including my own!’. There was certainly a huge challenge for debate host Claire Byrne to ‘get it right’ and allow for a flowing debate, while also ensuring all of those involved got a fair crack at the whip in order to achieve balance and fairness required
under Broadcasting and media Law. The Laois native certainly achieved
“
The left leaning politicans in the debate were certainly the big winners this with aplomb, and has to be praised for the way she handly the debate fairly, and not being afraid to challenge the leaders on certain points they had made. It was hugely evident that she had done her homework.
While this was a debate on national issues - of course all national issues are local! However, it wasn’t surprising that on some of the topics addressed - examples specifically relating to Dublin constituencies came to the fore. In the area of housing, Leo Varadkar made reference to allowing for more cost-rental schemes across the country, and cited the recent schemes at Enniskerry Rd. and Emmet Rd. in Dublin as a model that Fine Gael intend to roll-out across the country should they get back into power. On the issue of crime Labour leader Brendan Howlin talked about how communities who are under siege are frightened, and reference the good work being done by Gardaí throughout the country, and in particular in North Inner City Dublin, where he said that it was found
to be the case that it wasn’t just about simply having Garda Checkpoints in order to be effective. Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald talked how Fitzgibbon St. Garda Station is still close, while her local station in Cabra is only open part-time hours. ‘You have to ensure that the Gardaí have the basic stuff (also),” she said. The next debate will take place on Virgin Media One at 9.30pm tonight (Thursday January 30). Once again the seven main party leaders will come under the microscope, with VMTV’s Matt Cooper and Ivan Yates asking the questions. There had been calls from the smaller parties including Aontú’s Peadar Tobin to include them in the RTÉ debate last Monday, but an application for a court injunction was dropped at the 11th hour.
30 January 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21
FRESH IDEAS FOR YOUR WARDROBE
Adorably accessible
(L-R) Dunnes Stores: Easy dressing check shirt, €12 - €14 Wheelchair accessible jacket, €20-€22 Easy Dressing long sleeve top, €8-10 Easy Dressing star print top, €8 - €10 Easy Dressing button joggers, €12 - €14
Rachel D’Arcy, Style Editor
DUNNES STORES have launched a line of new kids clothing, designed for children with additional needs. The Additional Needs clothing range features a line of fashions and underwear designed to be more accessible for children in wheelchairs, with tubes, or with other extra needs not provided for in regular clothing.
super Sporty style Rachel D’Arcy, Style Editor THE TOMMY SPORT collection for Spring 2020 has dropped, and it’s enough to make you want to run right to the gym! The new collection is inspired by the pioneering spirit of modern America, celebrating the brand’s 35th anniversary by fusing classic heritage pieces with a twist. Essentials including sports bras, leggings and T-shirts are reimagined through colour-blocking, mesh detailing and defined ergonomic cut lines. These new details
HOME & STYLE
ensure that you’ll look fashion forward whether you’re slaying it on the treadmill or pumping iron. Innovative elements bring a technical edge to signature styles, with the garments usingantibacterial Polygiene, HerMin Weave Tech breathable and waterrepellent organic cotton, as well as moisture wicking and cooling TH Cool miDori. The silhouettes of each garment are designed forenhanced freedom of movement, while sports bras offer added high-support. There’s also a great
offering for the guys in the new collection, too! Pops of bright orange and lemonlime contrast with the brand’s iconic red, white and navy colour palette, with exciting graphics spicing things up just a little! We’ve rounded up some of our top picks from the new collection that we can’t wait to rock as we work on our ‘new year, new me’ mantra at the gym - or while we’re lounging at home on another Netflix binge! For more on TommySport, and to see the rest of the collection, check out
Items in the new range include leggings and joggers, jackets, shirts, tops and dresses that feature velcro or an alternative soft-close fastening and opening for PEG tubes. The care labels in the garments are also concealed to avoid irritation, with the fabrics soft to the touch as well. The collection also features a range of undergarments, including vests and bodysuits, that are also designed to be accessible with their openings.
22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 30 January 2020
Delight in digital
Get in touch with YOUR local paper on our newly improved website www.dublingazette.com, Facebook and Twitter
DublinGazette Wherever you are, we’ve got you covered
For all digital enquiries contact JPMontgomery@dublingazette.com
30 January 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23
WHAT’S BIG IN MUSIC, CINEMA, TV AND ONLINE
ENTERTAINMENT Picture: Anthony O’Connor
GEORGE MURPHY GEORGE MURPHY found fame at an early age, and it was almost unintended. The Dubliner was more into acting at the age of 17, but he applied to RTE reality singing show ‘You’re A Star’, progressed through numerous weeks, and went on to get a number one album. Now in his 30s, he has a far more organic approach to music. “It always served as a platform,” he recalls of his early days in television, which helped establish his distinctive vocal and mellow, folk-tinged sound. “I was always grateful
JAMES HENDICOTT
for it, but reality TV is not something I’d advise musicians to get involved in. “Like-minded people making something together in a garage or a bedroom is much better. I know that sounds hypocritical, considering the background I come from, but honestly there’s a bit of me that wishes I’d never done it.” In truth, music was almost thrust upon Mur-
phy, though through his own actions, with the stage his first love and very much his focus at the time. Musically, he was a vocalist, and couldn’t read music, let alone play guitar. That came later, as did his new band, a passion project based around local pubs in north Dublin the accompanies him as The Rising Sons. “It was great getting a number one album,” Murphy recalls. “ That said, I didn’t feel like I earned it. It was given to me on a plate. I feel what I’m doing now so much more natural and
GOINGOUTOUT
so much stronger, and I think it might surprise people who have certain expectations of me. Any success I get now, I’ll feel like I deserve it.” That confidence and attitude is emphasised by Murphy’s approach to shows: talking of playing to audiences with certain expectations, he sees a chance to win them over to his developing style. “The ups and downs are really quite full on,” he says. “It can be a funny world, music, you can be on top of the pile, and the next day you’re yesterday’s news.”
Mu r p hy re g ro u p e d post-reality TV by heading to New York, where he worked as a barman and learnt to play guitar, grifting for gigs in a city where he was a real unknown. The experience formed him into a far more complete musician. On returning home, his work with The Rising Sons inspires him, and is centred on practicality and passion. “We play in the evenings in pubs in Santry and Lorcan,” Murphy says of the band, who do the pub gigs for fun, but play far more substantial
JANUARY 30 (THURSDAY)
Krept x Konan @ The Academy, €29
Sturgill Simpson @ Vicar Street February 1
JANUARY 31 (FRIDAY)
SWITCHING TO HIS OWN GROOVE
shows as part of a tour between times. “It’s a neighbourhood vibe,” he adds, clearly passionate about the shows. “I love these guys. They all have full time jobs so I want them to be able to walk home, but I also want to be able to give this a real go with them. “They’re a good band in their own right, and they’re getting shows without me, too, now. Touring is a bit more difficult, and I’ve been advised several times to just get session musicians to go on tour. “But it’s not what I
Elkae @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €13 808 State @ The Button Factory, €17+ Carvin Jones @ The Workman’s Club, €25
Jonas Brothers @ 3Arena, sold out Beth Hart @ Vicar Street, sold out Hail The Ghost @ Whelan’s, €15 Terri Hooley @ The Sugar Club, €15 Odd Morris @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), sold out
Lil Mosey @ The Olympia Theatre, €25 Kane Brown @ The Academy, €28 Milky Chance @ Vicar Street, sold out
FEBRUARY 1 (SATURDAY)
FEBRUARY 4 (TUESDAY)
Sturgill Simpson @ Vicar Street, €30
FEBRUARY 2 (SUNDAY)
The Local Honeys @ Whelan’s (Up-
want, really. It’s about more than just being technically good, it’s about community. I can play as just myself, and I don’t want to play with anyone else. This is my natural vibe.” Finding that feel has been critical to Murphy, who finally seems like he’s found his place in the musical world, a far, far cry from where he started out. It’s been a long but vital road. George Murphy plays Dublin Racing Festival on February 2. Other dates on his ongoing tour can be found on GeorgeMurphyMusic.com
stairs), €15 Kim Petras @ The Academy 2, €23
FEBRUARY 5 (WEDNESDAY)
Black Pumas @ The Academy, €25 The Slow Readers Club @ The Button Factory, €19 Villiers & The Villains @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €15 Sun Shakers @ Whelan’s, €10 Alina Bzhezhinska Quartet @ The Sugar Club, €10 Jamie Freed @ The Workman’s Club, €5
24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 30 January 2020
DUBLIN MOTORS
WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF TRANSPORT
Turn heads with this Mazda beauty limited edition anniversary edition mx-5 wows
With only 10 of the 30th anniversary edition MX-5 available for Ireland, you’ll need luck to spot one of these stunning cars on our roads
DECLAN GLYNN
IN ORDER to celebrate the birth of the iconic Mazda MX-5, Mazda unveiled a 30th anniversary edition MX-5 at the 2019 Chicago Motor Show, three decades after its debut at the very same motor show in 1989. With global production limited to 3,000 models, only 10 units will be available in Ireland. The 30th anniversary edition features the new 184PS (181bhp) version of Mazda’s acclaimed 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G petrol engine, and is available only in the roadster (convertible) body-type. Launched as both a tribute to loyal MX-5 fans, and as a mark of the high hopes the firm has for the future of its sports car, this Mazda MX-5 is exclusively offered in the newly developed Racing Orange body paint – a strikingly vivid colour that marks out this special motor. In addition to Racing Orange, the new MX-5 features forged aluminium Rays wheels, developed exclusively for it in co-operation with Rays
Toyota readies new RAV4 hybrid model THE new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid is due to be launched in Ireland in the second half of 2020. With the experience of developing two generations of its Prius plug-in hybrid model, Toyota is well-equipped to produce an effective new powertrain for the RAV4. It has the potential to deliver acceleration from 0 to 100 kmph in just 6.2 seconds, outperforming any of its conventionally powered rivals. Moreover, it is also on course to deliver bestin-class CO2 emissions
and fuel economy, with data indicating a CO2 output of less than 29g/ km – levels unmatched by any current D-segment plug-in hybrid AWD SUV. Equipment specifications reflect the RAV4 plug-in hybrid’s flagship status. Features and options will include 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front and rear seats, a 230 V power outlet in the cabin, a bi-tone exterior paint finish, power tailgate, nine-inch display audio system and the latest Toyota multimedia package.
Some top tips to help improve efficiencies
“
This engine is one of the greatest four-cylinder motors you can buy. Silky-smooth, it starts up with a fruity growl.
Wheel Co Ltd, and a 30th anniversary badge displaying the model’s serial number Other unique features include orange brake calipers with Nissin brakes on the rear, and Brembo brakes on the front wheels. My review car proved itself to be a real headt u r n e r, b o t h w h e n parked-up and when on the move, while performance from the engine
was never an issue. Producing 181bhp and 205Nm of torque, the car can go from 0-100kmph in just 6.5 seconds, and can achieve a top speed of 205kmph. This engine is one of the greatest four-cylinder motors you can buy. Silky-smooth, it starts up with a fruity growl, and is likeable in everyday use, but really comes alive when the accelerator pedal is pushed
towards the floor. The engine revs all the way around the rev counter to 7,500rpm, and is responsible for making a superb car even better than ever before. Claimed fuel consumption of 6.9l/100km on a combined driving cycle is achievable, while an annual road tax disc will cost €570. The MX-5 is lighter than most cars on the road, and this is reflected
in the precision of the steering, the light clutch, and the enjoyable shortthrow gearbox. While the stunning new Mazda MX-5 range is priced from €28,195 (ex-delivery), this limited edition roadster is available for €40,995 (exdelivery). The Mazda MX-5 30th anniversary edition is the perfect way to celebrate three decades of this iconic sports car.
EVEN the most experienced driver out there can lapse into a little laziness in their driving or maintenance habits. However, there are plenty of things that we can all do to improve our efficiencies, and take better care of our vehicles – which, ultimately, also takes better care of us on the roads. Here are some top tips for greater efficiency for any driver to remember... Tip 1: Driving in the wrong gear – To drive more efficiently, change up into a higher gear as soon as conditions allow, as correct use of gears can shave up to 15% off your fuel bill. Tip 2: Don’t ignore warning lights – It is worthwhile to remember that warning lights are there to alert you that something is wrong and needs attention. If you choose to ignore a warning light, you could have to face expensive repairs later. Tip 3: Sudden braking – Constant sudden braking will wear out your discs and brake pads, and increase the likelihood of brake failure. Tip 4: Skimping on car maintenance – Looking after the routine maintenance of your car is an easy way to prolong its driving life, and it will pay huge dividends in the long run. Tip 5: Tyre pressure check – It is important to check tyre pressures regularly, as correctly inflated tyres can improve fuel consumption by up to 2%. Tip 6: Watch your speed – This may come as a surprise, but driving just 8 kmph over the speed limit can affect fuel consumption by as much as 23%. The most fuel-efficient speed is 75-80 kmph.
30 January 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25
TAKE A BREAK, AT HOME OR AWAY
It’s almost time for the ‘Firefall’ to flow in America IT’S that time of year again, for any lucky visitors heading to Yosemite National Park in America – time for ‘the Firefall’. The annual event lasts for just two weeks in February, drawing even more visitors than usual to the stunning national park. Already home to a dizzying range of picture-perfect sights that draw families, lovers of the great outdoors and photographers to the park in huge numbers each year, the Firefall has become an early-year attraction in its own right. What appears to be a river of fire tumbling down a sheer cliff face is both a natural phenomenon and an optical illusion, that varies from year to year. As the setting sun hits Horsetail Falls at just the right side angle, the colour of the fading sunlight, and the volume and speed of the tumbling waters, combine to create a unique visual spectacle – the Firefall. With this year’s event expected to flow from February 13-29, Irish visitors to California should definitely put this on their bucket list, heading over to the state’s Sierra Nevada mountains for the stunning park, and for the Firefall itself. With a range of direct flights from Dublin to California now possible, this is definitely something to take in.
Dublin proves a big hit with holidaymakers, list shows DUBLIN has just added another prestigious string to its bow, with the revelation that our fair city is firmly in the top ten list of European cities to travel to. That’s according to research by Loveholidays.com, which collated thousands of awards for a wide range of cities over the past several years. Examining awards in areas including travel, hospitality and entertainment, to name but a few, Dublin shot into the top ten list. As you’d expect, some usual suspects – the likes of London and Paris – are ahead of Dublin in the ranking, but Dubliners can hold their head high with the knowledge that we’re a very popular travel destination. For the full list, and information, see https://www. loveholidays.com/holidays/campaigns/mostaward-winning-travel-destinations/ award-winning-travel-destinations/.
DUBLIN TRAVEL
Bill to thwart boozy tourists welcomed THE Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) have released a statement regarding a recent decision by Spain’s Balearic Islands to clamp down on excessive alcohol consumption by holidaymakers in the area. The move by local authorities seeks to curb some of the worst behaviour at San Antonio on the island of Ibiza, and El Arenal and Magaluf on Mallorca. Welcoming the clampdown, the ITAA said: “We view the introduction of
these new laws as a positive move for the Balearic Islands. “While everyone likes to kick back and have a good time on holiday, it is important to do so safely and responsibly to ensure that nobody gets hurt. “It is important to sort this out now, for the improvement of these areas and the people who live there “It is good that the Balearic regional authorities and local tourist organisations are making efforts to resolve these issues, to ensure that other holidaymakers and residents of the islands can feel safe in their surroundings while still having fun.”
26 DUBLIN GAZETTE 30 January 2020
POLSKA GAZETA
the first of our new section for Polish readers CHALLENGE YOURIn BRAIN...JUST FORnew FUN! we speak to the country’s Ambassador
Anna, the new Polish Lidl special offers on Polish native heads Polish food this week our new section Ambassador, tells us all about her love of Ireland and its people FOOD
MARTYNA MUSZCZYNSKA
news@dublingazette.com
NEW POLISH Ambassador Her Excellency Anna Sochanska describes her initial experience and thoughts of Ireland as fantastic. According to Anna, Irish people and society are very open and approachable, which as a result makes her feel at home. Speaking to Dublin Gazette, Anna says she has big plans for her role. ’On one hand it is an easy task as 150,000 Polish people work in Ireland and are well integrated within the Irish society,’ she said. ‘However, both countries lack strong political relations.’ Therefore, the Ambassador’s aim is to establish political dialogue between Polish and Irish Ministers/PrimeMinisters/Presidents. The Polish Ambassador expresses her concern about how the full potential of
Poland and Ireland is being wasted as both countries are focused on many issues of common interest. From Anna’s perspective, taking action towards improving relations between the two countries is her main role. Furthermore, Anna finds her role challenging because ‘’we live in a very difficult world with so many problems. We need to deal with issues related to international and social security as well as climate change’’. The major aspect which contributes to the challenges that the Polish Ambassador has to overcome is having a massive diaspora of 150,000 Polish people in Ireland. Her main goal is to represent Poland in proper manner. She is very active in defending the interests of Polish people. An example of that would be the introduction of the Polish language as one of the languages in curriculum in Irish schools as a
chance for children to study Polish and to pass Leaving Certificate. Clearly, the Ambassador shows interest in cultivating the Polish language and culture. The publication and exhibition of Paul Strzelecki, a Polish hero who helped to save 200,000 Irish children during the Great Famine was opened by President Higgins. With this in mind, workshops for children in Irish schools are sponsored by the Polish community. In those schools, the information about Paul Strzelecki was demonstrated for Irish children to see how Poland and Ireland are linked through history. Therefore, the contribution and activities made by Polish people create a significant connection between Irish and Polish people. In general, the Polish Ambassador wants to connect people, whether it is on historical basis or otherwise.
SUPERMARKET chain LIDL has a raft of special offers this week - with a particular focus on Polish produce. Among the items on offer are Smoked Whole Mackeral (€4.99/kg); Pickled Gherkins (€1.49); Sesame Bars (59c each or 3 for €1 Multi-buy) and Smoked Pork Sausage (€1.99 each). The promotion begins today (Thursday, January 30).
MEET MARTYNA
DUBLIN GAZETTE welcomes on board Martyna Muszczynska, who will take charge of our new page for the Polish Community – Polska Gazeta. Martyna was born in Poland and moved to Ireland when she was 10, living in Letterkenny for eight years before moving to Maynooth where she attended NUI Maynothand graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree after studying English and history. Her hobbies include reading, writing short stories, swimming, listening to music. She said: “I am really looking forward to bringing news to the 150,000-strong Polish community in Ireland through Dublin Gazette.”
Polish Ambassador Her Excellency Anna Sochanska (left) is interviewed by Dublin Gazette Polish correspondent Martyna Muszczynska. Picture: Cóilín Duffy
Irlandia to wspaniale miejsce. Nowy Polski Ambassador
NOWA POLSKA Ambasador Anna Sochańska opisuje swoje pierwsze doświadczenia i myśli na temat Irlandii jako fantastyczne. Według Pani Anny, Irlandczycy oraz ich społeczeństwo są bardzo otwartymi i dostępnymi ludźmi, dzięki czemu czuje się tu jak w domu. Rozmawiając z Dublin Gazette, Pani Anna opowiada o swoich wielkich planach dotyczących swojej roli. „Z jednej strony jest to łatwe zadanie, ponieważ 150, 000 Polaków pracuje w Irlandii i jest dobrze zintegrowanych ze społeczeństwem irlandzkim”, powiedziała Pani Anna. „Jednak oba kraje nie mają silnych stosunków politycznych.’’ Otóż celem Pani Ambasador jest
nawiązanie dialogu politycznego między polskim i irlandzkimi premierem oraz prezydentem. Pani Ambasador wyraża zaniepokojenie na podstawie marnowania pełnego potencjału Polski i Irlandii, ponieważ oba kraje koncentrują się na wielu kwestiach wspólnego zainteresowania. Z punktu widzenia Pani Anny jej główną rolą i wyzwaniem jest podejmowanie działań w celu poprawy stosunków między dwoma krajami. Ponadto, Pani Ambasador uważa swoją rolę za wymagającą, ponieważ „żyjemy w bardzo trudnym świecie z wieloma problemami związanymi z bezpieczeństwem międzynarodowym i społecznym, a także ze zmianami klimatu, z
którymi musimy sobie poradzić ”. Głównym aspektem, który przyczynia się do sprostania wyzwaniom, przed którymi stoi polski ambasador, jest ogromna diaspora 150,000 Polaków w Irlandii. Fundamentalnym celem pani Anny jest właściwe reprezentowanie Polski. Pani Ambasador bardzo aktywnie broni interesów Polaków. Przykładem tego jest wprowadzenie języka polskiego do szkół irlandzkich, ponieważ język polski w programie nauczania w szkołach irlandzkich jest szansą dla dzieci na naukę języka polskiego i zdaniem matury. Wyraźnie widać, iż Pani Ambasador interesuje się kształceniem języka polskiego oraz kultury polskiej. Prezydent Higgins otworzył
publikację i wystawę Pawła Strzeleckiego, polskiego bohatera, który pomógł uratować 200, 000 irlandzkich dzieci podczas Wielkiego Głodu. Mając to na uwadze, warsztaty dla dzieci w szkołach irlandzkich są sponsorowane przez polską społeczność. W tych szkołach informacje o Pawle Strzeleckim zostały pokazane irlandzkim dzieciom, aby zobaczyły powiązanie historyczne pomiędzy Polską i Irlandią. W związku z tym, wkład i działania Polaków tworzą znaczący związek między Irlandczykami, jak i również Polakami. Kolejnym celem Pani Ambasador jest łączenie ludzi na gruncie historycznym oraz kulturalnym.
30 January 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27
CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!
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WALKING FOOTBALL P33
THE BEST IN DUBLIN
SPORT
BRIDGING THE GAP: SOCCER: THE LATEST in Corduff FC’s series of nine underage tournaments took place last weekend with the hosts and Navan Cosmos running out winners from the two Under-11 groupings. The Blanch club are running the series of tournaments on Saturdays and Sundays over a five-week period to fill the long gap without organised football.
GAZETTE
GAELIC GAMES P35
PAGE 32
LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS BOXING | BALLYFERMOT MAN ALL SET FOR HUGE MIAMI DATE
Cool hand Luke’s world title contest sport@dublingazette.com
BALLYFERMOT’S Luke Keeler faces world champion Demetrius Andrade on Thursday (January 30) with the WBO middleweight belt on the line, capping a remarkable turnaround. The bout takes place in Miami and will be Keeler’s biggest contest by some distance after an initially meandering career gained focus. And last summer’s big win over highly-rated American Luis Arias in Belfast has brought him to the attention of the Sky Sports cameras. “I suppose I’m a completely different fighter to what I was before I fully committed to the sport and joined up with my trainer Peter Taylor,” he said of the key change in his regimen. “The Luke Keeler who struggled in an Irish title fight in June 2017 would get stopped by the Luke Keeler I am now, so that tells its own story. “I fell back in love with the sport thanks to Pete and I owe him a lot for
this turnaround in my career.” It was at a point when he was considering stepping away from the sport to get a construction company off the ground. He tag-teamed the two professions but felt he needed to give boxing a greater focus if he was to get anything from the sport. “I was struggling with a shoulder injury which I needed surgery to repair, I was in the process of moving to a new house with my two young twin boys and, as a result, I was under a lot of pressure with work. I was thinking about setting up my own company in the building industry, which was booming in Dublin. “I realised I’d have regrets if I didn’t fully focus on boxing and give it my all. The choice was to either retire from boxing and focus on working and home life or take a huge leap of faith and commit to boxing properly for the first time in my life. “I was lucky enough to sign with MTK Global and be guaranteed regu-
Luke Keeler faces Demetrius Andrade with the WBO world title belt on the line in Miami. Picture: Laszlo Geczo
lar fights with a clear plan ahead. It would’ve been hard to give up a wellpaid job without that.” After four strong wins between 2018 and 2019, he now has a dream shot at an even bigger prize. “My motivation was always to win a world title. I have dreamed of that since I first started boxing at the age
of eight. Now, getting to this level of the game, becoming financially free is another motivation because using these pay-days and investing them wisely can secure my family’s future. “I know winning this fight brings life-changing money and I look forward to being able to provide for my family and those closest to me.”
SPORT CONTACT INFO SPORTS EDITOR: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com
For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@dublingazette.com Phone: 01 601 0240
32 DUBLIN GAZETTE FINGAL 30 January 2020
CLUB NOTES
ROUND
1
FINGALLIANS Young Fins hurlers at their indoor tournament in Gormanston.
LAST call for the Ball: The club is hosting a Valentines Ball on 14th February 2020 in the Carlton Hotel. Tickets are €65 per person and will be available very soon. Tickets are on sale at the bar or by contacting fingalliansfundraising@gmail.com Funds raised will go towards regeneration of the area beside the ball wall. Our Academy is back: We had great numbers on Saturday morning. New players aged 4 – 6 are most welcome. Please call to the club @ 9.45am to register. Our club shop is open during our academy, each Saturday from 10 – 11pm. Club Shop: Fingallians Club Shop has now reopened with an amazing full range of new stock in association with O’Neills Store. Membership 2020: Membership can now be paid on line. www.fingallians.com for all further details. GAA Draw: Tickets must be returned this week. Adult Training Times for New Players: AFL2 & AFL6 – Tuesday & Thursday 8pm. Hurlers @ 8.30pm in the club on Monday & Wednesday. Gym Opening Hours: This week the gym facility will open as normal. For further information or team bookings, please contact noel.cowman40@ gmail.com Peil trí Ghaeilge: Le teastáil: 6 bean agus 4 fear (imreoirí fásta) le gaeilge le bheith páirteach i gcomórtas peile 7-an-taobh ar an 1 Feabhra i gCeabrach. Tosóidh an chéad cluiche ag 10in. Déan teaghmháil le Liam ag 086 3814422. Wanted: 6 ladies and 4 men (adult players) with Irish to participate in a 7-a-side football competition on 1st Feb in Cabra. The first game will commence at 10am. Contact Liam at 086 3814422. Camogie Referees: Congratulations to our members who completed the ‘First whistle’ camogie refereeing course held at the club on Friday 24th. Scór na bPáistí will be hosted by Dublin GAA at Fingallians GAA clubhouse on Sun 1st March 3-5pm. This Scór competition is for primary school children. Parents of those interested should contact: liamoculbaird@gmail.com / 086 3814422 Grúpa Comhrá / Irish Language Conversation Group: Our Grúpa Comhrá starts back on Wednesday 8th Jan at 9pm. Relaxed, non-classroom environment suitable for all levels. Fun and free. Fáilte roimh chách. Tuilleadh eolas ó Liam: 086 3814422 Lotó: 5, 16, 20, 26 & 33. Two winners, Ciaran & Catherine Russell and Mary McCoy. Sellers Prize: Trisha Duffy. Lotto can now be played online – https://clubforce.com/clubs/gaa-fingallians-gaaclub-dublin/
SOCCER: BLANCH CLUB RUNNING SERIES OF LOCAL TOURNAMENTS
Corduff raising the bar from the start PRESEASON TOURNAMENTS DAVE DONNELLY
sport@dublingazette.com
THE LATEST in Corduff FC’s series of nine underage tournaments took place last weekend with the hosts and Navan Cosmos running out winners from the two Under-11 groupings. The Blanch club are running the series of tournaments on Saturdays and Sundays over a five-week period to fill the long gap without organised football ahead of next month’s resumption. Age grades from under-8 to 11 are involved, with this week’s competition seeing the 8s in action, with teams from all over Dublin and Meath involved. The Under-11 A side’s victory over Palmerstown in the final on Saturday capped a great weekend for the club as the Under12s and 13s advanced to the last 16 of the SFAI AllIreland Cup. The 12s saw off the challenge of Waterford’s
Southend United following extra time in Corduff, while the 13s travelled to Cork, where they beat Macroom 4-1. The older age groups will be involved in similar minitournaments when their season concludes in the summer, while younger age groups will again feature in what is hoped to be an annual event. “The competitive tournaments start from Under10s and 11s, and 8s to 9s isn’t competitive at all,” Corduff director of football Daniel English tells the Dublin Gazette. “We’ve been doing nine of them: the first one started in the second week of January and the last one is the weekend of February 14. “It’s to give the kids basically a little pre-season before their season starts up. They’d finish up in December and their season wouldn’t start back until February, so it’s two months off.” Club sponsors One stop Handling, the Clonsilla
Corduff’s young stars being put through their paces
Inn, Insuremyvan, Insuremyhouse and Coverinaclick car insurance have chipped in with financial support for the games. “We’re going to do them annually. “We’re going to be hosting FAI summer camps during the summer, and then we’ll host more smallsided tournaments in the summer along with the older age groups. “It’s something we want to do every couple of months. We want to push the social media, so we’re going to bring in Corduff TV over the next couple of
Participants from the recent tournaments from Corduff (left) and Verona (right)
months.” The success of the 12s and 13s, who compete at Premier level in the DDSL, is evidence of the good work being done below but more is planned to bring elite coaching to the younger grades. “We’re changing the whole culture structure now. “The academy is done Wednesdays to Saturdays, from age 3 to 6-7, and then they go up to under-8s. “What we’re doing now is, to produce better footballers, getting them better coaching from 8s to 11s.
“We’re getting the quality coaches so as soon as they come out, they’re getting the highest level of coaching possible. “I felt, in some clubs, the best coaches were being given to the older age groups and the smaller age groups were kind of being neglected and seen as not as important. “But these are players with a blank canvas that you develop yourself, so at the end of the season we’ll have a big reshuffle and we’ll put the strongest coaches in at that age group.”
30 January 2020 FINGAL DUBLIN GAZETTE 33
SOCCER: EVER-GROWING COHORT OF PLAYERS SHOW YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD
Walking football continues to grow
Winners Kildare Celtic, above; below, the Abbotstown covered pitches made for a perfect arena
Participants in the Walknig Football Festival in Abbotstown
WALKING FOOTBALL sport@dublingazette.com
THE FAI hosted its first Walking Football Festival of the new year in the new state of the art pitch at the National Sports Campus Indoor Arena in Abbotstown last week. Local FAI/Fingal Co. Co. Development Officer Paul Breen said: “14 teams participated in a fantastic day’s football, proving you are never too old to enjoy the beautiful game”. Over 120 players took part on the day which saw teams from Blanchardstown, Santry, Balbriggan, Coolock, Finglas, Cabra, Drogheda, Offaly, Celbridge, Naas and Arklow playing off in three groups, hoping for
qualification for semi-finals and finals. Kildare Celtic eventually beating Celbridge on penalties in all all-Kildare Derby final. “Targeted for the over 50s, walking football is a great way for people to keep both physically and socially active, whilst enjoying the game” said Breen. “As numbers are now growing, our next outcome will be to segment groups – with two divisions; 50 to 60 and Over-60s.” FAI Grassroots Manager Gerry Reardon added: “Developing this format, we are looking to have another festival for approximately 6 weeks’ time where we will segment age-groups for the first time. “We will look to have two age groups; 50s and 60s+.
“We believe this could be a new recruitment tool to bolster numbers as teams previously made up of players of both ages will now have to go looking for mates to fulfil the two age groups! “There is also an all-Wexford Festival planned for February 28 and discussions for Walking football to be part of the Street Football Festival in Galway in March.” said Reardon. Anybody who has an interest in walking football or would like more details of where walking football may be on in their local area should contact FAI Grassroots Manager Gerry Reardon on gerry.reardon@fai. ie or FAI/Fingal Development Officer Paul Breen on paul.breen@fai.ie.
Hogan stunner snatches Knock win LFA DALTON CUP sport@dublingazette.com
CASTLEKNOCK Celtic hosted Jobstown Celtic in Porterstown Park in this second round LFL Dalton Cup tie. This was the first fixture for both teams after
the winter break but it didn’t show as both sides put in very competitive performances. Both teams started with great intent and it was end-to-end football for the initial quarter hour. However, Castleknock broke the deadlock after
15 minutes when Gavin Byrne split the Jobstown defence with a through ball that was collected by Luke Danaher and he placed it coolly beyond the goalkeeper. After that goal, Jobstown were in the ascendancy, creating numer-
Castleknock Celtic’s Sean Hogan scoring his goal with a cracking volley.
ous chances. They were rewarded with an equaliser when midfielder Davy Simpson cut across the penalty box and beat the Castleknock goalkeeper Oisin O’Donoghue with a well placed shot; 1-1 at half-time and it was all to play for. Jobstown carried on where they left off in the first half and looked the more likely to score as the match progressed. Castleknock were not looking forward to extra time as they had emptied their bench and a further 30 minutes would be a tough ask. However, with just a few minutes remaining, David Onitiu cut in from the left and set up an opportunity for Sean Hogan. The Castleknock striker turned superbly and volleyed the ball beyond the
Jobstown goalkeeper into the roof of the net. Celtic had achieved an unlikely win in a game largely dominated by the visitors. Jobstown must be commended for how they competed throughout the match. Castleknock can now look forward to the next round of cup fixtures with confidence as their victory was achieved without many of their regulars. Celtic wish to remind readers that their Children’s Soccer Academy for 4-7 year olds starts again on Saturday, February 8 in Porterstown Park beside their clubhouse. New members are very welcome to come along and form new friendships and learn their football in a fun-filled environment. More information at www. castleknockceltic.com.
34 DUBLIN GAZETTE FINGAL 30 January 2020
CLUB NOTES
ROUND
2
ST BRIGID’S OUR CLUB Club Dinner Dance takes place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown in just over 2 WEEKS TIME on 14th February, 2020 and tickets are now on sale from Yvonne McCormack (0868548282), Paula Jackson (0872858574) and Elaine Curtin (0872025129). It promises to be a great club night with Aidan Tierney from ‘Tierney Talks’ performing LIVE also! Our St Brigids *Community of Practice* Coaching Workshops are now open for booking! Check out our club website for all the details! Thanks to all those involved in this great initiative. Our Annual Club Mass will take place on 10th February at 8pm in Russell Park. All welcome. Due to huge demand, our Club Shop with @ oreillyssports has now extended opening hours as follows: Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 5.30pm to 7.30pm, Saturday - 9.30am to 1.00pm. Group bookings and fittings are facilitated outside these times. Please email: stbrigidsgaaclubshop@gmail. com for further information and support! Our new Clothing range is also available to view on our Online Shop which is now LIVE on our website! It’s that time of year again! Club Membership for 2020 is now due and must be paid before 31st March, 2020. Please click on the membership link on our website. Thanks to all our members for your continued support. There was no winner of our Club Lotto Jackpot last week. Our next Jackpot rises to €8,400 and will take place on Friday, 31 January in Myos. Get your tickets from our usual sellers, in the club bar on play online via our club website! Our Club Nursery, in association with Sherry Fitzgerald continues this Saturday (Feb 1st) from 9.30am to 11am INDOORS in Russell Park. All boys and girls aged between 4 and 6 are welcome, especially new families! Just arrive down and speak to any of our friendly coaches or email us at; Pro.stbrigids.dublin@gaa. ie for more information.
SKERRIES HARPS ZINGO RESULT Sun 26 Jan 2020: 1 7 6 3 4 2 5. Congratulations to our Jackpot winner Jonathan Emmett, winner of a cool €8,600. Next week’s draw at 7pm Sunday 2nd Feb. Play online at skerriesharps.ie and follow the links. Thanks to all who support the Zingo every week. Academy Term 2 continues Sat mornings 10-11am. Please contact Louise 085 1465673 for more details. Skerries Harps GAA & Camogie club is currently seeking new volunteers for the year ahead across all aspects of the club - if you feel you would like to get involved - maybe on a Sat morning during Academy, on our Fundraising Committee, as a team mentor etc please contact secretary.skerriesharps. dublin@gaa.ie or pro.sker-
riesharps.dublin@gaa.ie for more details. There are many ways that individuals can contribute to our growing club! We welcome all volunteers. #clubiscommunity Membership Fees are now due - see www. skerriesharps.ie/membership for details and to pay online. Please contact club Registrar Peter Farmer skerriesharps.registrar@gmail. com with any queries. Skerries Harps Car Air Fresheners & key rings available from 2020 Feile Committee: Key rings €3 (2 for €5); Fresheners €1.50 ( 4 for €5). Contact sinead on +353 87 236 9526 to get yours !! #feile2020 Well done to our Senior club player, Jack Smith, on scoring a goal for Westmeath in their Div 2 League win over Clare.
SOCCER: IMPRESSIVE 2019 CAMPAIGN ADDS TO EXPECTATIONS
Bohs looking at Long game LEAGUE OF IRELAND DAVE DONNELLY
sport@dublingazette.com
BOHEMIANS manager Keith Long admits there will be pressure – both from outside and within the squad – to improve on last year’s remarkable season. The Gypsies surprised many by finishing third in the Premier Division – securing European football for the first time in seven years – and reaching a second successive FAI Cup semi-final. Losing out to bitter rivals Shamrock Rovers, who went on to beat Dundalk in the final, still rankles with the Dalymount Park support. They won’t have to wait long for a shot of revenge, however, as Rovers are the visitors to Phibsboro for the opening weekend’s encounter on February 15. The same clash on the opening day ended in a 3-1 win for Bohs, thanks in part to two strikes from defender Dan Casey, who is one of seven new signings at the club in the offseason. With Canadian international winger Kris Twardzik arriving from Sligo Rovers, striker Glen McAuley and defender Ciaran Kelly from St Patrick’s Athletic, Long feels they have a stronger
Bohs manager Keith Long, (centre) with NCI Sport Officer Stephen Cleary, (left) and NCI Head of Sport Deryck Tormey, (right) at the launch of NCI’s partnership with Bohs at Dalymount Park. Picture: Sportsfile
squad. “We feel like we’ve assembled a competitive squad, and there’s depth there, but we need to be better than last year to try and improve and keep moving forward,” Long told the Dublin Gazette. “It’s never easy, it’s never straightforward. People will say we’ve got a stronger squad but time will tell. “We’ve got seven new players to come in and strengthen us and to hopefully drive us forward.” The club’s impressive
AIL DIVISION 2C Skerries keep up hot pursuit of Enniscorthy SKERRIES Rugby Club continued their pursuit
if Enniscorthy at the head of the AIL Division 2C table as they eked out a narrow 13-3 win over Sunday’s Well at Holmpatrick. Defence was the order of the day as they limited the Cork side to just three points, ekeing out a 5-3 half-time lead via captain Kevin McGrath’s try (pictured). A second half penalty from Paul O’Loghlen and a Ross McAuley try in the final minute following a line-out and maul saw them finally get some relief. The win keeps Skerries in second place in the table on 43 points, just one behind Enniscorthy – 27-19 winners over City of Derry after 11 rounds of matches. The two sides meet on March 21. Picture: deryck vincent
performances over the last years have seen their players coveted by their rivals, with Ireland Under-21 left-back Darragh Leahy the latest to move to the champions Dundalk. Captain Derek Pender announced his retirement at the end of the season to take up the role of Under17s manager with the club. His absence means the responsibility to fill the leadership gap will fall more on experienced players like Dinny Corcoran and Keith Buckley but younger players will also
need to step up. To that end, they’ll need to get used to the pressure that comes not only from their previous achievements but also from a resurgent and expectant fanbase. “It’s hard to explain because we’ve got more quality in the squad, there’s no doubt about it. But there’s a little more expected of us as a result. “We’ve know we have to try and improve if we possibly can. “There’s a massive difference between where we finish in the table and
Dundalk. “Second-placed Rovers, I think they finished 15 points ahead of us and Dundalk 26. That’s a big gap to bridge. “I don’t want to put too much pressure on the players, but we are ambitious and we do want to repeat last year and get Europe again.” ** Long was speaking at the launch of Bohemians’ partnership with the National College of Ireland, which will see the parties co-fund two scholarships a year for players in the club.
30 January 2020 FINGAL DUBLIN GAZETTE 35
LADIES FOOTBALL: STORMING SECOND HALF COMEBACK YIELDS JUST A SINGLE POINT AT DALYMOUNT
Moloney denies Dublin deep into injury time in opening tie LIDL LADIES NFL DIVISION ONE R1 Dublin Tipperary CÓILÍN DUFFY cduffy@dublingazette.com
0-10 1-7
A 65TH minute equaliser by Aishling Moloney denied Dublin of a win in their opening round Lidl Ladies Football League Division 1 clash with Tipperary last Sunday at Ballyboden St Enda’s. In truth, Dublin were lucky to get a point as Tipperary looked likely winners for large periods, until Dublin made a strong fight back in the second half. But, once in a winning position in injury time, they were pegged back and had to settle for a share of the spoils. “I thought we had the winning of it,” Dublin manager Mick Bohan told Dublin Gazette afterwards. “Obviously, the first half was very disappointing from our end.
The approach, the work-rate, the stuff we’ve come accustomed to. They turned that around, in fairness. “The second half approach was completely different from the group. Then a little bit of composure. We had the game won and we ran into traffic twice to turn the ball over. That’s the type of thing, we’d expect those decisions to be made better. “It’s a learning curve, but it cost us the three points [for the win]. Anyway, that’s the way it is.” The visitors led by 1-4 to 0-2 at half-time, with top-scorer Moloney (1-6) grabbing the game’s only goal, after latching on to the end of a long delivery. Things improved for Dublin on the restart as the strength of their bench came to the fore with Clontarf’s Caoimhe O’Connor and Raheny’s Siobhan Woods introduced. Dublin fired three of the first
four points of the second half inside nine minutes of the restart, with Carla Rowe (2) and Leah Caffrey accounting for their scores. Dublin were wasteful though, with a total of 11 chances dropping short over the hour. Goal chances were few and far between with Rowe forcing Tipperary keeper Lauren Fitzpatrick to make a 40th minute save. Tipp were reduced to 14 players at this stage after losing their captain Samantha Lambert to a sin-bin, and Dublin worked their way back scoring three of the four points during this period. Dublin had a sin-bin of their own, after Lauren Magee was sent to the line in the 57th minute, but scores from St Sylvesters player Kate Sullivan and FoxrockCabinteely’s Niamh Collins put Dublin in the lead heading into injury time, before Moloney’s latelate score.
Rebecca McDonnell on the charge in her return to the Dublin side after injury, getting away from Ellen Moore. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
The Dublin senior hurlers lost their opening league tie. Picture: Deryck Vincent
Cats get the cream in Nowlan Park ALLIANZ HL DIVISION 1B Kilkenny 3-21 Dublin 0-18 CÓILÍN DUFFY cduffy@dublingazette.com
GOALS WERE the killer for Dublin, as Kilkenny powered to a 12-point win in their Allianz Hurling League opener at UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday. In front of 5,605 spectators, Mattie Kenny’s side began brightly as a brace of pointed frees from Kilmacud Crokes clubman Oisin O’Rorke saw Dublin
off on the front foot. However, Ger Aylward grabbed Kilkenny’s first goal in the tenth minute, and from then on the Cats wouldn’t trail this contest. Billy Ryan would add two further goals for Brian Cody’s charges - one in either half, with Kilkenny leading by 2-6 to 0-6 at this stage The Cats were reduced to 14-men after a red card for Richie Leahy, but they held their composure. Riain McBride, Sean Moran and Ronan Hayes
claimed scores for Dublin, but the goals still proved to be the difference, as Kilkenny held a 2-10 to 1-10 interval lead. On the restart Moran landed a fine score, while Eamonn Dillon was also on target, but Kilkenny fought back. A much required goal never arrived for the visitors, and it was Kilkenny who found the net once more with Ryan slotting home for the second time in the 60th minute. Mattie Kenny reflected
on his sides display afterwards. “Any time you go to Nowlan Park you are going to get a really tough battle, and that’s what we got from Kilkenny today,” he said. “They were very hungry and very sharp, and they played quite well out there. Having said that, we still would have liked a better performance today.” This weekend Dublin host Laois in Parnell Park on Sunday.
Gazette SPORT JAN 30 - FEB 5, 2020
ALL OF YOUR FINGAL SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 31-35
CORDUFF’S WINTER BLITZ
SOCCER: Dublin
15 club bridging the long gap between 2019 and 2020 seasons with series of high quality tournaments. SEE P32
WALK IT OFF SOCCER: Abbots-
town plays host to ever-growing number of people taking part in Walking Football with new teams announced. SEE P33
TIPPING POINT FOR JACKIES LADIES FOOTBALL: Mick Bohan’s side made big second half comeback but miss out on all the spoils to last minute Tipp score. SEE P35
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Farrell hails character after feisty Kerry draw
CÓILÍN DUFFY
cduffy@dublingazette.com
THE BIGGEST GAA attendance of the year gathered in Croke Park on Saturday night, as a David Clifford pointed free in the 10th minute of injury-time secured a share of the spoils in this Round 1 Allianz Football League clash. 42,502 gathered for a repeat pairing of last years All-Ireland Senior Football Final, with both sides as expected going toe-to-toe, with an interesting encounter produced. Entering the closing 10 minutes of this contest, it looked like Kerry might take the win, after they pulled three points clear. But Dublin showed great character to dig in, and placed themselves in a position where the first win under new boss Dessie Farrell could have been on the cards. Dean Rock slotted over his sixth pointed free seven minutes into injury-time to put his side a point clear, before Clifford’s late-late equaliser. Dublin started superbly and led by 0-5 to 0-1 after 14 minutes, with Conor McHugh and Dean Rock on target. An 18th minute David Clifford goal brought matters level, but in the 31st minute a Rock penalty goal pushed Dublin to a 1-8 to 1-6 lead. That gap was cut to the minimum at the break, with Dublin reduced to 14 players at
New Dublin boss Dessie Farrell Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
“Somehow they summoned the energy from
somewhere and showed great character going down the back straight to get their noses in front“ this stage after a black card for Eric Lowndes in injury-time. On the restart, the sides continued to be we l l m a tc h e d , w i t h plenty of drama in an elongated injury-time. Dublin manager Dessie Farrell was high on praise for the character shown by his side. “Obviously you want to try and get out of the blocks fairly lively and
it was also a question of the players that were available to us as well,” he said. “So it was a mixture of experience and youth and I think it served us well at the end. “It looked at that stage that the game was kind of sliding away from us a little bit. There was sort of not much energy coming from our lads at that particular point in time.
“But somehow they summoned the energy from somewhere and showed great character going down the back straight to get the ir noses in front at the death. “The dynamic between players and new management and trying to bed that down and have that as robust as we possibly can, get our structures in place,
get our processes in place. “So it’s all very new to both parties at this point in time.” Next up is an away date in Mayo, a reignition of one of the modern era’s enduring rivalries next Saturday evening (7pm, MacHale Park). D u b l i n b e a t M ayo twice last year, winning the ir Allianz League clash by 1-12 to 0-7 and
the All-Ireland semifinal by 3-14 to 1-10. Mayo are seeking their first win over Dublin in Allianz League or championship since the 2012 All-Ireland semi-final. S i n ce t h e n D u b l i n have won 12 and drawn three of the 15 meetings between the counties. The curtain-raiser on Saturday is the Ladies FL Division 1 clash of Mayo and Dublin (5pm).