Dublin Gazette: Fingal Edition

DublinGazette FEBRUARY 6-12, 2020

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THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL AREA

Crisis forces creches to warn of closures SYLVIA POWNALL

SOCCER:

Rush Athletic in dreamland with FAI Junior win. SEE P32

Fingal Edition

CHILDCARE facilities across Fingal closed on Wednesday as workers protested to highlight a sector in crisis.

Creche owners warn they are facing closure due to low pay, soaring insurance costs and a lack of support from the Government.

Lynsey McCabe, owner of Bright Sparks Montessori in Malahide, took part in a demonstration from Parnell Square to Merrion

Square along with her four teachers.

She told Dublin Gazette: “After years of being undervalued and overworked, I joined the protest to show how the Government’s input has destroyed our sector.

“They are providing ‘Free ECCE places’, but at the cost of our teachers and owners. Many owners have had to close.

“People coming out with degrees in early childhood education cannot stay in the sector when the average wage is €11.50.

“The Government only provides us with payment for 10 months, so teachers cannot get mortgages or personal loans.”

Ashley’s words were echoed by Rachel Hughes Tarpey, owner of Cheeky Monkeys in Kinsealy, who took part in the demonstration along with her two staff.

Susan Gaynor, owner of The Cottage Montessori in Malahide, and her two teachers also marched in Dublin to call for critical CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 supports.

Sun-what incredible activity A MALAHIDE IT company must be feeling over the moon as Saturday looms – after all, Captec’s playing a key role in the successful operation of the Solar Orbiter spacecraft being launched in Florida this weekend.

The orbiter being launched by the ESA and NASA will be carrying out an intensive study of Sol’s polar regions, with Captec having played a key role in the orbiter’s software to guide and control the spacecraft.

SEE PAGE 3

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 6 February 2020

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TRANSPORT: TEN-FOLD INCREASE OVER ISSUES IN 2019

15,160 complaints over aircraft noise

87 social housing units are approved

 SYLVIA POWNALL

spownall@dublingazette.com

THERE was a ten-fold increase in noise complaints at Dublin Airport last year, with one individual lodging almost 8,000 grievances.

In all, there were 15,160 complaints about noise from aircraft on take-off and landing from January to December 2019, compared with 1,453 the previous year.

One person from Ongar lodged more than 7,700 complaints, averaging 21 a day, according to figures published by Dublin Air-

FASTNews

One person in Ongar made over 7,700 complaints about noise from aircraft using Dublin Airport in 2019, figures published by Dublin Airport Authority revealed

port Authority (DAA).

This total included 4,554 in July alone, averaging 147 daily complaints during the airport’s busiest month, while another person registered a total of 3,435

complaints.

An airport spokesperson said the DAA had engaged directly with the two individuals who made the most complaints.

There were 37 grievances from people in Swords,

27 from residents in Portmarnock, 25 from people living in Hollystown, 20 from St Margaret’s and 13 from Tyrrelstown.

Overall, the number of individuals who lodged complaints was down, with 284 in 2019, compared to 293 during 2018.

Monthly breakdowns of the figures show there were 623 in January (up from 63 in 2018), 404 in February (up from 83), 749 in March (up from 50), 446 in April (up from 44), 812 in May (up from 100) and 783 in June (56 in 2018).

The number of complaints peaked in July at 4,918 (up from 89), with 1,158 in August (up from 168), 2,554 in September (up from 132) and 2,354 in October (up from 91).

November and December, at 120 and 239 respectively, recorded a decrease.

Meanwhile, UK coach operator National Express has confirmed it will begin operating three routes between Dublin Airport and the city centre from March, creating 70 jobs.

The company has been awarded a contract to run a “high-frequency, crosscity network of coach services” providing direct links from suburbs to the airport.

The Dublin Express service will be operated by Bernard Kavanagh Coaches on the UK firm’s behalf, with the first three routes running on a 24/7 basis.

COUNCILLORS have approved plans to build 87 more social housing units on three sites in Swords, Cappagh and Clonshaugh.

Fingal County Council (FCC) has reported that since 2015 the local authority has provided more than 6,200 “housing solutions” through construction, Part V, acquisitions, leasing and HAP. However, with thousands still on the housing list, Mayor Cllr Eoghan O’Brien admitted while there had been progress “there is still work to do to reduce the numbers who are homeless and the numbers on the housing list”.

Since 2016 the local authority has built 288 homes, with 2019 seeing the completion and allocation of homes at Avondale and Church Road in Dublin 15 as well as Rolestown and Castlelands in Balbriggan.

Construction is ongoing on four sites which will deliver a further 98 homes in 2020. Another 236 homes are at tender stage or in the planning process.

The first of four affordable schemes will be introduced in Lusk during 2020, and the others will be rolled out in Mulhuddart, Cappagh and Hackettstown.

FCC is also about to complete the construction of its first project under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Scheme, with up to 1,200 units (20% social, 20% affordable) at Ballymastone in Donabate.

Work on Fingal’s second LIHAF project, the Rathbeale Road in Swords, is under way while the tender for the third project, at Stapolin, Baldoyle, has just been awarded.

These three strategic projects will deliver 2,800 homes by 2021 and have the long-term potential to facilitate the provision of 6,900 units.

village and surrounding Table quiz to the areas. A table of four is €40. To a table, email blanchtihelp Blanch book dytowns@gmail.com.

Tidy Towns All welcome BLANCHARDSTOWN Tidy Towns group is hosting to fun public a table quiz in The Greyspeaking hound Inn, 15 Main Street, Blanchardstown, on February 12 at 8pm.

Volunteers hope the event will raise much needed funds for the purchase of gardening equipment, flowers and other necessary equipment, which they will use to continue their important work in enriching the village as a place to live, work and thrive.

Re-established in late 2018, Blanchardstown Village Tidy Towns Association aims to enhance the physical and social environment of

DUBLIN 15 Toastmasters is issuing an open invitation to its fun public speaking club in St Mochta’s Parish Centre, Porterstown.

The group meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Visitors are always warmly welcomed and there’s no pressure to speak. Admission is free.

Contact Ahmad at 086 233 5871, or just come along – enter D15 Y580 into Google Maps and it’ll bring you right to the door.

6 February 2020 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

HEALTH: TOP GARDA PRAISES FOOTBALL INITIATIVE

Blanch campaign in a bid to battle drugs SYLVIA POWNALL

AN AWARENESS campaign in Blanchardstown has been hailed by the country’s top garda for highlighting the link between drugs and violent crime.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has endorsed the Think Before You Buy initiative, which sees young footballers spreading the message via a logo on their new kit.

The shirts – worn by Corduff FC and St Brigid’s GAA in Castleknock (see pic, right) – were sponsored by the Blanchardstown Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Force.

The scheme has now been adopted by clubs in Derry and Sligo and there are plans to introduce it across Swords and north Fingal and elsewhere in Dublin.

Philip Jennings, of Safer Blanchardstown, who was involved with the project from the start, told Dublin Gazette: “This is part of a wider campaign to raise awareness.

These two lads were happy to help raise awareness in their branded Corduff FC and St Brigid’s GAA kit

“These are young lads playing football, but it’s not just a young person’s issue. People from all walks of life are using drugs for recreational purposes at the weekend.”

The National Advisory Committee for Drugs and Alcohol estimate 9% of adults use drugs each weekend and Think Before You Buy warns that this generates huge profits for gangs.

It calculates that if each

adult using drugs spends just €10 per weekend, that translates into €3,692,582 per week, or a staggering €192,014,264 a year for gangs.

It warns: “It is the vast amount of money involved in recreational drug use that helps explain why drug gangs are prepared to commit murder.

“You are the first and most important link in the drugs supply chain.”

Mr Jennings said the

savage murder of 17-yearold gang enforcer Keane Mu l re a d y Wo o d s i n Drogheda recently sent “shockwaves” right across the community.

Mr Jennings added: “Recreational drug use is generating huge amounts of money. That is where all the violence is coming from. Teenagers are now adding the cost of their cocaine to their budget for their Debs, along with their suit hire and other expenses.

“If parents look at their 12-year-old children moving into secondary school; as soon as they get into secondary school, they’re going to have to start negotiating the drugs issue.

“If we get the message out to everyone it might become a moral code – why you shouldn’t use drugs at the weekend – the same as why you should never drink and drive.

“People who think: ‘I’m just paying my tenner and it’s nothing to do with me’ have a very selfish attitude. We need to wake up to this now.”

Malahide IT firm helping to chart the sun’s behaviour A SOFTWARE firm based in Malahide is playing a key role in the world’s first deep space mission to the sun.

The Solar Orbiter spacecraft is being launched this Saturday, February 8 by the European Space Agency and NASA at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

The spacecraft is tasked with taking clear images of the sun’s solar regions for the first time, and engineers from Malahide firm Captec have been working on the project since 2013.

Captec provided verification of the software that will guide and control the spacecraft when it is in flight.

Managing director Jon Kennedy said the company “has analysed each stage of the software development and has run independent tests

A render of the Solar Orbiter, mid-mission

simulating failures to check the spacecraft’s reaction”.

The Solar Orbiter aims to observe the sun’s behaviour and take detailed photos of the solar poles for the first time, to learn how solar

events impact earth and its weather patterns.

It will observe the sun at an orbit two-thirds closer than the earth’s, enduring temperatures of more than 520C on its titanium heat shields.

FASTNews

€7,290 raised to help centre’s residents THERE was a huge jump in support for this year’s fundraising appeal for residents of Balseskin Direct Provision Centre on St Margaret’s Road.

The Christmas holiday appeal, an initiative of Fingal Feminist Network (FFN), raised a total of €7,290.

This was distributed to the direct provision centre residents in the form of One4All vouchers and essential basic clothing needs, such as underwear and socks.

FFN activist Lauren Foley said: “The generous response to our appeal made it a bit easier for our neighbours living in direct provision to contact their families and friends over the holiday period and cover other holiday, and even day-to-day, expenses.”

This was the second year Fingal Feminist Network has run the Balseskin Holiday Appeal, but the €7,290 raised is a big increase on last year’s total of €945.

Pictured are Cindy Hogan, Sinead O’Connell and Lauren Foley taking part in the Fingal Feminist Network Balseskin Holiday Appeal.

Fingal LEO readies for a busy week

FINGAL Local Enterprise Office (LEO) has prepared a series of exciting business events and initiatives for Local Enterprise Week in March.

An intensive half-day Business Start-up Bootcamp takes place on Monday, March 2 in Newbridge House in Donabate, with a dedicated Leadership Skills workshop at the Marine Hotel in Sutton and a Digital Masterclass at the PayPal HQ in Ballycoolin.

On Tuesday, March 3, local businesses will join Fingal Dublin Chamber for a networking breakfast in Malahide; and Plato Dublin will be running a seminar, helping businesses to prepare for growth at the IBM Campus in Damastown.

The week continues with workshops, seminars and networking events. Several events are free of charge, while some have a nominal booking fee of just €10.

You can find out more about the week at www.localenterprise.ie/fingal.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 6 February 2020

CHILDCARE

Warning of threat to creches’ futures CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Cheer-mendous efforts to stay fit all across Fingal

THERE was a great cheer from this group of walkers in Balbriggan recently as they took part in the latest series of Operation Transformation walks taking place across Fingal.

Once again proving a big hit with people of all ages, the Transformation

walks held at five locations across the county invited everyone to come along and share in a healthy walk, with 3k or 5k walks providing a very achievable walk.

Whether in Balbriggan, Porterstown Park, Rivervalley Swords, Tyrrelstown Park or St Catherine’s Park, the Fingal

walkers were joining more than 17,000 people stepping out at 143 locations across the country, with Fingal’s citizens delighted to do their part to help get the county, and the country, exercising to stay healthy and well for 2020 and beyond.

Man left teen with broken jaw in ‘cowardly’ nightclub attack

A MAN who took part in the “disgraceful and cowardly” assault of a teenager then brought his confused victim to McDonald’s and pretended he was helping him.

The 17-year-old boy was left with multiple jaw fractures after Christopher Sherry (22), of Fortlawn Avenue, Clonsilla, and an accomplice

kicked him repeatedly as he lay on the ground, a court heard.

Sherry kicked the victim in his shoulder and chest while another teenager kicked him repeatedly in the head.

The savage attack took place following a dispute outside the Wright Venue nightclub in Airside, Swords in March 2017,

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told.

The attackers then brought the confused victim into a nearby McDonald’s restaurant to clean his face, telling him they hadn’t touched him and were there to help him.

Sherry pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm to the teenager outside the Swords

nightclub, which has since closed, in the early hours of March 17, 2017.

Sergeant Terry Ferguson told the court that the victim was socialising in the club in the early hours of the night in question when he was refused reentry by doormen.

He spoke with his mother on the phone and told her he was going to the McDonald’s restaurant across the road before heading home.

However, he was then set upon by a teenager, who was with Sherry and another man, who blamed the victim for getting them kicked out of the club.

CCTV footage played in court showed the teenager pursuing him, followed by Sherry and the third man. He was kicked repeatedly by the teenager before Sherry also kicked him.

The men were then shown going with the victim into McDonald’s.

He later found his way back to the nightclub, where an ambulance was called.

The teenager suffered multiple jaw fractures and underwent surgery, with two metal plates inserted into his face.

He also suffered about €8,000 worth of dental damage.

The victim did not complete a victim impact report and did not wish to come to court. His parents were present instead.

T h e te e n a t ta c ke r was dealt with in the courts through the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme, the court heard.

A letter of apology was handed into court.

Sherry, who has worked in the security industry in the past, has no previous convictions and has not come to the attention of gardai since.

Judge Patricia Ryan adjourned sentence to March 20 for a Probation Services report.

The city centre protest was organised by the Early Years Alliance to demand a “sustainable solution” to the deepening childcare crisis.

Association of Childhood Professionals chairperson Marian Quinn warned: “High-quality services don’t come cheap and we can’t continue to subsidise the true cost of provision through low wages, unsustainable services, and high fees for parents.

“It is inequitable, unjust and immoral. Staff turnover is enormous because our profession is being exploited to meet political objectives.

“This has to stop.”

Staff at Ladybird Lane Community Childcare Service, which is based in Huntstown Community Centre in Blanchardstown, elected to protest locally instead of joining the city centre march.

Creche manager Marian Sheridan told Dublin Gazette: “While we support the demonstration, we are having one of our own outside the community centre, with the children supported by parents.”

She said locals wanted to highlight the building issues that need to be urgently addressed at the centre – fire safety works and a roof upgrade.

Some funds have been raised but a shortfall of €100,000 remains.

6 February 2020 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

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6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 6 February 2020

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Ella and Sarah

Anna, Matilda, Grace, Lorna, Rachel, Emily, Olivia, Sophia and Maggie. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

Hilarious fun for all in Baldoyle T

HE panto season came to a rip-roaring close in Baldoyle recently with Baldoyle Musical Society bringing the house down with their vibrant production of Aladdin.

The skilled players of the society, already old hands at putting on great

shows, had promised the community a production to remember, and they certainly didn’t disappoint, delighting audiences of all ages with their colourful retelling of Aladdin.

These girl guides certainly thought the show was a hit, as they giggled and

laughed their way through the zanier parts of the show.

It was yet another highlight for Baldoyle Musical Society’s cast and crew to take credit for, capping off a particularly vintage year for pantos all around Dublin.

Erin and Georgie

Luna and Emma

Lorna, Kate, Emily, Sophia and Anna with the Nan Bread, General Jaffa, Jay and Bits

Juliette, Isabella, Emma and Robyn

6 February 2020 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 6 February 2020

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6 February 2020 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

SCHOOLS: HIGH-TECH TOOL HELPS TO DRIVE HOME MESSAGES OVER ROAD SAFETY

Students get a first-hand virtual look at ‘accident’ aftermath SYLVIA POWNALL

STUDENTS at Castleknock Community College were the first to try out the council’s new road safety virtual reality experience, ‘Your Life – Your Choice.’

Fingal County Council launched the initiative, which simulates a road traffic accident in virtual reality, to promote road safety.

The virtual reality headset immerses students in a seven-minute simulated experience of a road traffic accident, with the viewer being fully immersed as a front-seat passenger in the crash scenario.

The simulated collision highlights the impact of driver distraction, speed, mobile phone use and shows why wearing seat

belts is so important for all passengers.

Students will also witness, from the passenger seat, the immediate aftermath of a serious accident from when paramedics, fire services and gardai first arrive on the scene.

New research by Aviva Ireland shows almost half (45%) of 18-24 year olds have felt unsafe travelling as a passenger in a car on

more than one occasion, with 5% feeling unsafe frequently.

A total of 148 people died on Irish roads in 2019, including five on Fingal roads – an increase from three in 2018 – and 19 on Dublin region roads, up from 14 in 2018.

The VR experience will be rolled out to Transition Year students across Fingal in coming months.

Students of Castleknock Community College trying out the VR headsets

Locals demand a wider role in shaping a Donabate urban plan SYLVIA POWNALL

RESIDENTS in Donabate and Portrane have demanded full participation in shaping plans for the town centre on the peninsula amid claims they are being short-changed.

At a packed public meeting last week, they voted overwhelmingly to seek full participation in putting together an Urban Framework Plan (UFP) for the area.

Despite major residential growth, the town continues to suffer with commercial, retail and community facilities only capable of serving a small rural village, the meeting heard.

But the community council said it was concerned that FCC has been rebuffing its efforts over the past few months to have a meaningful consultation process.

Last week there were claims and counter claims over an invite-only consultation meeting in the local library, with some people claiming they were locked out and denied access.

The community council said all residents should be involved rather than invite-only focus groups, with chairman Charlie Weston insisting there will be “no divisions” locally.

He said people on the peninsula are at the “end of their tether” due to the

slow pace of the delivery of infrastructure to accommodate the house-building surge.

Figures were produced showing that in the three years to 2018, the peninsula has had just €650,000 invested by FCC on infrastructure.

Over the same period, the council has generated €15.5m in development levies and commercial rates.The community was being “short-changed”, the meeting was told.

Two weeks ago, FCC announced that it had “commenced an extensive consultation process” in Donabate ahead of an UFP. The local authority said the meeting in Donabate Library, which saw more than 50 invited representatives from 25 community groups attend, was just the first step in the participation process.

It stated: “Extensive and proactive participation with the community is a key feature of urban framework plans. The work and the input from the community is crucial.”

Council chief executive Ann Marie Farrelly said: “Unfortunately, some people in Donabate were misinformed by others as to the purpose of [the] workshop.

“We issued invitations to more than 50 community organisations in the

area and have plans to hold more workshops with other stakeholders in the coming weeks.

“The people of Donabate, like the people of

Rush, will have a significant input into this UFP, and we look forward to creating and implementing a new vision for Donabate town centre.”

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 6 February 2020

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Rob and Ripley Reid

Alan Morrison and Laura Eustace

Full steam ahead for the Fry model railway A

Ann, Rose and Helena Podesta.

Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

FTER many long years of storage, the Fry Model Collection is once again back on public display in Malahide, thanks to the official opening of the superbly restored Casino Model Railway Museum in Malahide.

It’s full steam ahead for the treasured collection, now presented in wonderful fashion at the lovely building, following a €4m restoration programme on the historic Casino building, and conservation of the Fry Model Railway Collection.

The Casino building, which occupies a prominent position at the entrance to Malahide, is the only thatched cottage Orne of this type in Fingal and is of significant historical importance to Fingal’s architectural heritage.

Of great importance in its own right, the striking building has gained even greater prominence thanks to its housing of the Fry Model Railway collection, which is also of great historical importance not only to the people of Malahide but to model train enthusiasts worldwide.

The project was funded through Fingal County Council’s

6 February 2020 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

FAMILIES: TEENA SPEAKS FOR THOUSANDS WITH RALLYING CRY TO HELP CARERS

FASTNews First festival of voices sure to delight all

THERE will be no stopping the music this March when the first ever Fingal International Festival of Voices is staged from March 12-15 in Balbriggan.

As part of preparations, 11 schools have signed up for free singing workshops as part of an outreach programme of workshops coordinated by Donal Kearney, the co-founder of Fingal Academy of Music and the Irish Institute of Music and Song.

The festival is focused on celebrating diversity and inclusion through music. It will provide a platform for individuals and communities from home and abroad to showcase their culture.

An open invitation is extended to anyone interested in taking part in community workshops in the Flemington Community Centre on Saturday, February 15, and in the Castlelands Community Centre on Saturday, February 22, from 1-3pm.

Seachtain na Gaeilge plans are under way

ARE you organising an event for Seachtain na Gaeilge 2020 in Fingal?

If you are, remember to check out www.snag.ie for advice. You can register your event on https://peig.ie/ claraigh-imeacht/, selecting the category, Seachtain na Gaeilge.

Fingal County Council will be putting together its own programme for Seachtain na Gaeilge, to include events organised by the council and also by groups within the county.

If you would like your event to be included, contact eolas@fingal.ie or ring Bernie Kelly, Irish Officer, at 01 890 5369 before February 18.

Not all events are organised yet, but there will be a Seachtain na Gaeilge Social evening at 6.45pm on Tuesday, March 10, in the Atrium, County Hall, Swords including traditional music from Paudie O’Connor, Aoife Ni Chaoimh and Caoimhín O Fearghail.

Clonsilla campaigner’s call to ‘deliver on dementia’ SYLVIA POWNALL

CAMPAIGNER Teena Gates has called on election candidates to pledge their support for families living with dementia who are now “in crisis”.

The Clonsilla-based broadcaster revealed the heartbreaking reality of the lack of supports for the 12,498 dementia sufferers in Dublin – and their carers.

Teena – full-time carer to her dad, Terry, who was diagnosed with dementia last year – said serious gaps in essential supports and services have left people struggling.

She revealed: “I used to think I knew what being a carer was. I used to think I knew what 24/7 care meant. I didn’t have a clue.

“It means you never go to the toilet on your own again. It means you never close the door when you shower. It means you can’t meet a friend for coffee without a complicated cover system.

“It means working outside the home is practically impossible. Yet all of these things are possible with support. So many of us just need a little help, to help us love and care for the ones we love and care for.”

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland says access to dementia care in the community depends on where you live and no county in Ireland has an acceptable

Broadcaster Teena Gates and her dad, Terry Martin (94), who was diagnosed with dementia last year

level of dementia support.

Its general election 2020 campaign, Deliver on Dementia – Time to End the Crisis, aims to ensure that dementia is included in the new Programme for Government.

Teena first spoke out

last year after a successful online campaign to secure a homecare package for her 94-year-old dad, Terry Martin, who spent two months in Connolly Hospital after a fall.

She wrote an open letter to Health Minister

Simon Harris describing how she was unable to secure supports from the HSE, and asking: “How can we do this to our loved ones?”

The campaign was widely shared on social media and Teena revealed

she had been “inundated” with messages, some from people who told how their loved ones had died while they waited for packages to get them home.

On Monday, Teena issued one last rallying call to General Election

2020 candidates to support the ASI call for the National Dementia Strategy to be fully implemented, home care for every person who needs it, and Dementia to be included in the Chronic Disease Management Programme.

Campaigners warn of threat to D15 autism school CAMPAIGNERS are warning that a new Autism Special School in D15 which opened its doors last November may have to close just months later due to a lack of specialist staff.

They have called on An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and outgoing Education Minister Joe McHugh to make good on their promises regarding the facility in Dublin 15.

Danu Community Special School opened its doors last year in temporary

accommodation following years of lobbying by parents – but the key post of Behavioural Therapist has not yet been sanctioned.

A spokesperson for ‘Autism School D15’ told Dublin Gazette: “The relief and joy of the parents in finally having an ‘education home’ for their children may prove to be short-lived if the promised resources to ensure it can function properly cannot be delivered.

“The children attending the new school

– Danu – present with very complex and challenging behavioural problems.

“Teachers and special needs assistants require the support, intervention and guidance of a properly trained and qualified Behavioural Therapist to ensure that they can all continue to provide an education for these vulnerable children in a safe environment.

“The reality is that the situation in the school has reached a crisis where in order to safeguard the welfare of the children

and teachers, the closure of the school may have to be considered.”

Campaigners said the Taoiseach now has an opportunity to “show everyone that he can empathise with the suffering that these stressed parents ... have endured”.

The spokesperson warned: “If he breaks his promise to the most vulnerable citizens in our society – children with disabilities – then how can we trust any of his other promises in this election?”

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 6 February 2020

POLITICS: GATHERING OF DISPARATE GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS SHARED A COMMON FOCUS

Bringing genuine thoughts and solutions to the fore as The Real Debate examined Ireland, 2020 PADRAIG CONLON

WHILE the RTE Leaders Debate was being broadcast live on Tuesday night, an alternative debate was taking place online.

The Real Debate – a podcast/streaming event – was offering the electorate several different opinions and views from across the political spectrum.

With contributions from members of both the judiciary and the legislature, as well as from policy makers, campaigners and commentators, The Real Debate discussed topics such as housing, health, banking, vulture funds, radical political change, public accountability, collective solutions and many others.

The idea for this streaming event emerged from the growing frustration of large sections of the Irish electorate following RTE’s decision to initially only invite leaders of the two main parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, who between them represent less than 50% of the electorate.

Even though RTE decided on Monday to invite Mary Lou McDonald, for Sinn Fein, to take part in the Leaders Debate, the organisers of The Real Debate decided to go ahead with their event and subsequently release it to the public following RTE’s offering on Tuesday night.

Set up as a collaboration between several organisations, including Right2Homes, HomeOptions, and ourselves, Dublin Gazette, as a media partner, The Real Debate set out to offer the other 52% of voters a debate.

One of the moderators on Tuesday, Donagh

Contributors on the night hold aloft The Affordable Housing and Fair Mortgage Bill 2018 – a bill to support homeowners, rather than vulture funds, that was just one of the topics discussed on the night, which also saw a wide range of issues highlighted and discussed

“

In this election, there’s a strong wave for social change; true reengagement with the disenfranchised. There’s a strong move of support away from the Centrist parties.

McKeown, told Dublin Gazette why he was so keen to be involved.

He said: “Whether you take the word of the numerous surveys and polls by ‘official’ groups, or take your own straw poll with folks on the street, you’ll soon see that both will lead with deep concerns, firstly about health, and the health service in Ireland.

“More than 50% [of people] in collective polling say that’s their number-

one concern, with housing coming second, and in that mix comes the plight of the homeless.

“Calls for increased affordable housing are being heard at every doorstep, from the inner cities to our most rural areas.

“Deep in the Irish psyche, there’s the desire to own one’s own home.

“Many people are also deeply concerned for the growing numbers of homeless people who now roam our streets.

“Once again, perhaps subconsciously, there’s a collective memory of famine and eviction that’s within, and the frustration of a lack of meaningful reform or action from politicians to change the system is rising.

“Combine this with the continuously circling wake of vulture funds preying on the threatened homeowners,” he said.

Donagh added: “There’s a growing belief in the electorate that they have

the power in this and future elections to bring about change.

“In this election, there’s a strong wave for social change; true re-engagement with the disenfranchised.

“There’s a strong move of support away from the Centrist parties, with an almost tsunami level of support moving to more socially democratic-leaning parties, with Sinn Fein rising, in polls at least, leading that movement for change.”

Another contributor on the night was property developer Paddy Kelly who shared his ideas on how to stimulate house building nationwide.

He said: “We need a better awareness of the cycli-

cal nature of the building and development industry.

“Annual housing completions went from an annual high of 94,000 to a low of 5,000 in the decade ending in 2008.

“In the decade ending in 2018, there was an average of 10,000 homes completed annually – with a low of 5,000 in some years – and the industry almost closed down.

“Uncertainty and delay needs to be taken out of the planning process.

Zoned Land needs to be provided.

“We need a policy for dealing with third-party objections – it’s estimated that approximately 40% of the cost of a new home is government tax.

“There should be policy change whereby the VAT at 13.5% is passed back by the government to firsttime buyers.

“In the UK, there are a number of support systems for first-time buyers which we should look at adopting.

“Create building capacity by advancing professional training for the various groups involved and advance knowledge in regard to building methods and materials,” he said.

You can find The Real D e b a te o n Yo u Tu b e (search using #therealdebate, with the video posted under user Sean O Cearrullain), as well as on Facebook or Twitter pages (using #RealDebateIreland).

6 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

STYLE: FRESH NEW LOOKS

SPRING for some fresh fashions as colour and flowery fabrics flow back into wardrobes. With the grand stretch in the evenings giving more time to show off your new outfits, embrace this season’s new trends and help celebrate these fresh new styles!

MAGAZINE

DUBLIN

MUSIC P16

VALENTINE TRAVEL P24

PAGE 24

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

Filming her new show isn’t a tall order for Andrea

P R E SE N T E R A n d re a Hayes (above, right) met a lanky new friend as she filmed her new series, Fota: Into the Wild.

The new four-part show, airing on Virgin Media One, follows life in the iconic

Cork wildlife park, with Andrea meeting many of the park’s animals and the people who care for them.

With the first episode airing last Sunday, February 2, Dubs have already seen a little of how our

country cousins are helping to care for some of the world’s most vulnerable animals, with Andrea promising that there’s much more still to come.

Animal lovers and Dubs alike will relish the chance

to learn more about the animals and the park, with Andrea’s tall pal here just one of the many highlights of the show.

See the next episode of Fota: Into the Wild this Sunday at 9pm on VM One.

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 6 February 2020

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

SOME OF THE RANDOM AND QUIRKY THINGS

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

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:

01 - 6010240 sales@dublingazette.com

FIND US ON

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

FINGLAS girl Matilda Byrne was delighted to help The Oesophageal Cancer Fund launch the upcoming Lollipop Day. Taking place across the country on February 26 and 27, the fundraising and awareness campaign aims to increase public awareness of the symptoms of oesophageal cancer and to highlight how the cancer can be prevented or diagnosed early to improve cure rates. Picture: Jason Clarke

Dope with dope lands Islands disappear off in even bigger trouble South Sumatra coast A TENNESSEE courtroom lit up with laughter earlier this month after a defendant tried to smoke a marijuana cigarette – while he was being charged with marijuana possession.

Spencer Boston (20) was appearing in court in the town of Lebanon before Judge Haywood Barry for a simple possession charge – but now could be prosecuted further for his behaviour.

Seemingly engaged and coor-

dinating with the judge, the scene quickly changed when Boston removed a rolled cigarette from his pocket and began smoking it.

Security personnel quickly realised what was happening and apprehended Boston while he waved the joint around.

He was arrested immediately after the incident, and is currently serving 10 days in jail for contempt of court.

TWO islands in South Sumatra have vanished while four more are already on the brink of disappearing as a result of rising sea levels, according to the Indonesian Forum for the Environment.

Betet Island and Gundul Island have submerged and are currently sitting one metre and three metres below sea level, respectively.

“These islands were uninhabited. One of the islands, Betet, is a part of Berbak-Sembilang National Park,” said Hairul Sobri, executive director.

“Should there be no significant efforts to address the ever-rising oceans, four other islands in the area with elevations of less than four metres above sea level could follow suit and disappear sooner or later”, Sobri said, referring to specific islands at threat off the eastern coast of South Sumatra’s Banyuasin regency.

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

This week’s dog of the week is Callie, a beautiful two-year-old female Labrador cross that has bundles of energy and is full of fun.

She loves going out for walks, playing with her toys and will do anything for a tasty treat.

Callie can be a little conflicted with people, sometimes seeking cuddles and interaction, but at other times preferring space to do her own thing.

She is looking for patient and gentle adopters who are willing to get to know

her over a couple of meets and allow her to build trust at her own pace.

She is a very sweet and lively girl, and will make a lovely addition to the right family.

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

callie

6 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

DUBLIN BITS & BOBS Kids take on locust swarm

THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE THIS WEEK...

TOP TWEETS

Finally an emoji for chastising my business associates when they come to me for favours on this, the day of my daughter’s wedding. @finryan87 In the pub....

Drunk Fella: Can I get you a drink?

Me: No thank you.

Drunk Fella: You’re lovely.

Me: I’m far too old for you.

Drunk Fella: No ... you’re not old.

Me: I was at your Christening and I’m friends with your Mam. Drunk Fella: Fair enough. @RealFionaO They call it Dublin because the rent always is. @bigmonsterlove Unpopular opinion - Mrs Brown’s Boys isn’t funny. Don’t @ me. @ManjitThandi78 Catherine Noone called in to my mam about two weeks ago. In the middle of the conversation she apparently slipped in that Varadkar was autistic. No one believed my mam when she told them, and this morning she has a face on like Mrs Doyle correctly guessing Todd Unctious’ name. @rohal_ As an Irish person, my only thought in Brexit is that I wish the Brits had discovered this zeal for getting out of places 800 years ago. @daithihartery

BILLIONS of locusts have swept through East Africa and are now invading Kenya in what is the worst locust infestation the country has seen in 70 years.

According to Al Jazeera, the swarm has migrated from Ethiopia and Somalia, and is now making its way through Kenya, since first beginning in December.

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated one swarm

Horse call lands man in court A MAN riding a horse in Australia was brought before court, because he didn’t have a hands-free mobile device fitted to his trusty steed.

The man was caught using his phone on a rural road in New South Wales, while riding the horse at around 10kmph, when the police stopped him.

In New South Wales, a ‘vehicle’ includes an animal-drawn vehicle, and an animal that is being ridden under NSW legislation, Road Rules 2014, Road Users and Vehicles.

The man pleaded guilty at Mudgee Local Court to using his mobile phone while in use of a vehicle, as he conceded the horse was in motion as he was making a phone call.

Bug-ly idea for Feb 14 TEXANS will have the chance for revenge on their exes this Valentine’s Day, thanks to a local zoo.

The El Paso Zoo have launched their ‘Quit Bugging Me’ campaign, where locals can name a cockroach after their ex and have it fed to one of the animals at the zoo.

This will be the second year of the scheme, with the zoo saying they had a “tremendous response” last year on their Facebook page.

Madagascar hissing cockroaches are frozen and a normal part of some animals’ diets.

alone in Kenya covered 930 square miles – almost the size of Moscow.

Based on that estimate, there could be up to 200 billion locusts invading the country’s skies and farmlands.

While these plucky kids (right) were doing their best to beat back the blighters in their area, authorities are warning that if the locust population is not contained, it could grow into a ‘plague’ and spread even wider throughout the African continent.

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 6 February 2020

DUBLIN ENTERTAINMENT

WELL WORTH A LISTEN

We’re in the midst of a spiritual crisis, warn London band HMLTD HMLTD’S early career has been a dramatic one.

A London act that sit somewhere between a boisterous protest and a broad, flamboyant cultural experiment, they’re difficult to pin down on anything from genre to outlook, exhibiting a kind of Glam-Punk, style-borrowing ethos.

Once, they were a major label investment project, making and then dumping an expensive album along the way, as NME hyped them as the next big thing.

With a new version of that debut album, entitled West of Eden, finally on the market, their experimental approach

 JAMES HENDICOTT

has brought them to a scatty but enthralling release, and a more natural (to them) anti-Capitalist stance.

Fro n t m a n He n r y Chisholm is a politically poignant figure, and he’s not in the least bit shy about the journey the band have been on so far, or how he views modern-day society. It’s not a pretty angle.

“People are isolated,” he explains. “We’re in the midst of a spiritual crisis, and I think things like

Brexit, Trump – these things are just responses to a larger crisis.

“At the start of the 20th Century, religion s t a r te d to c o l l a p s e, which is a good thing in some ways, but I don’t think it was fully replaced.

“Collective views have disappeared, and we’ve been left with this kind of alternative individuality.

“That’s part of why the Left are no longer viable.

We all see things as an individual, not from the view of a community.”

The album title, in a typically oblique way, is a reference to HMLTD’s inherent air of protest.

West of Eden is a reference to biblical banishment, a nod to Chisholm’s broader metaphor.

They’re not religious, so much as borrowing the imagery to make a point. In this case, it’s about the band’s own “spiritual quest” – one they hope to bring an audience along with.

“We live in a world that’s toxic, and full of exploitation,” Chisholm continues. He’s happy to talk about this stuff in depth – delivering the message, it seems, is the core purpose of the music.

“It sits oddly, releasing a record in a commercial

HMTLD

way,” he admits. “We don’t think we’re going to bring down a system, of course.

“That’s not realistic, it’s more about spreading a message. We have to work with what exists.”

“We wrote about 30 songs,” he says of the record. “The result is a record with a lot of different influences, it’s really, really varied.

“To us it still feels like an album, though we could have done a second album in the process.

“The original album [the one recorded with Sony, but never released] felt like a collection of

songs rather than a connected whole.

“This one is the story of a downward spiral.

It’s heavily influenced

by Nine Inch Nails, who are probably the most important band to us.

“It’s certainly been a rollercoaster, and a bit of a struggle,” he laughs.

“It’s been a strange thing to go through.

We had a lot of hype, but you come out of the other end of that, and then you’re considered to be ‘established’ and it doesn’t work in quite the same way. “You’re not quite flavour of the month anymore, and

GOINGOUTOUT OUT FEBRUARY 6 (THURSDAY)

Local Boy @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €7 Beak @ the Button Factory, €22 Eoin Martin @ Crowbar, FREE

FEBRUARY 7 (FRIDAY)

Fruitz @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €10

FEBRUARY 8 (SATURDAY)

Mae Muller @ The Academy, €16 Algiers @ Whelan’s, €15 Fin Furey @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €10

FEBRUARY 10 (MONDAY)

Tenacious D @ 3Arena, €50 (right) Bombay Bicycle Club @ Vicar Street, SOLD OUT The Menzingers @ Whelan’s, €25

that’s okay, but then it’s time to go out and do something real, something that makes your point.”

That point? It’s clear in Chisholm’s mind that the whole thing is a protest statement. “We’re speaking out against cookie-cutter culture,” he says.

“Against brainlessness, taking things for granted, and regurgitation. It hits to the current situation. Not everyone’s going to like it. We’re fine with that.”

H M LT D p l a y T h e Soundhouse, Dublin, on February 18.

Tenacious D

FEBRUARY 11 (TUESDAY)

Bombay Bicycle Club @ Vicar Street, SOLD OUT Sean McConnell @ Whelan’s, €20

FEBRUARY 12 (WEDNESDAY)

Sigala @ The Olympia Theatre, €24 Cuig @ Whelan’s, €15

6 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

DUBLIN ENTERTAINMENT

Explore when Animals ruled Dublin GANGSTERS are never far away from the capital’s headlines, these days – but there’s nothing new on our Fair City’s streets, with gangsters a common issue for many a long year.

In fact, one gang – the Animals – were a particular problem back in the day, in the 1930s and into the 40s, with Ballyfermot author Dylan Henvey turning to their exploits for his new work, Animals.

Described as the untold story of Francis Lawless, founder and sole surviving member of the infamous Animal gang, the 60-minute rehearsed reading promises to bring some fascinating insights into Dublin in the good old, bad old days back into the light.

Dylan’s looking forward to presenting his new work to Dublin audiences, with some startling tales from Dublin’s largely forgotten criminal world for Animals to draw from.

He says: “The Animals were a real Dublin street gang who first appeared in news stories in the 1930s and continued to make headline into the 40s.

“They were the Irish ‘Peaky Blinders’ – they are legendary Dublin folklore.

“I felt it’s about time their legend was

told, and was brought to life.”

However, Animals is more than just the tale of gangsters, Dylan says, as it also nods at some of the changes and history in the city at the time.

He says: “It is set around the Printers’ Strike in Dublin in 1934. This is the start of a story which will take my protagonist, Francis Lawless, from innocent newsboy to founder of the legendary Animal gang, and head of the Dublin underground.”

That base of real-life struggle in the city influences Animal, with some famous Dublin and Irish figures also featuring in the tale, including Eoin O’Duffy, leader of the Blue Shirts; Frank Ryan, the famous Socialist and Republican, and even ‘Lugs’ Branigan, Dublin’s most legendary police officer.

Dylan says: “We have so much history in this city, but 90% of history goes undocumented or unnoticed and gets lost, especially Working Class history.

“The Working Class have a history; they had lives that mattered. They had adventures, they should be heard and remembered, not forgotten.”

See Animals at 4pm on Sunday, February 23 at the main space, Smock Alley.

Ballyfermot author Dylan Henvey: “The Working Class have a history; they had lives that mattered. They had adventures, they should be heard and remembered, not forgotten.”

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 6 February 2020

6 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

GENERAL ELECTION 2020

WE SPEAK TO THREE OF THE FIVE DUBLIN-BASED PARTY LEADERS*

*Dublin Gazette contacted the main Dublin-based party leaders, with these being the parties who had responded by the time of going to print

GENERAL ELECTION 2020

Social Democrats are keen to be

a meaningful alternative to just the same old status quo in power CÓILÍN DUFFY

Green Party’s agenda fits nicely with priorities for Dublin voters who want a breath of fresh air GREEN PARTY leader Eamon Ryan believes that his party’s manifesto on Green issues and climate change policies fits well with the priorities of voters in Dublin.

Speaking exclusively to Dublin Gazette Group Editor Cóilín Duffy, Ryan says that he doesn’t believe that it is harder to drive the Green agenda in the capital city.

“We’ll see on election day, because our slogan is if you want Green vote Green!,” he said.

“What we are presenting is our vision for the future.

I think it’s as relevant in the centre of Dublin, as it is anywhere in the country.”

He added, “It’s about the same basic. You make it easier to do the right thing in how we move around and how we manage our homes.

In how we deal with waste – in how we look after nature – including in our own city.

“Nature isn’t just something out in the far distant world – it’s Dublin Bay; it’s the Dublin hills; it’s every park. I think our vision is as relevant in Dublin as it is for the people in any part of the

“

I think it’s voting for a different way of doing things and the public service will have a bigger role country, and, indeed in any part of the World.

“This transition is so significant. It involves everyone and every place matters, including every community in Dublin.”

Waste charges are always a hot topic of debate, and across the capital private operators are constantly proposing an increase in charges.

Ryan says that it’s perhaps time to go back to the old model, where the local councils looked after waste collection themselves.

“I think the broad market model that everyone bought into for the last 20 or 30 years isn’t delivering,” he said.

“I think there is a widespread public consensus or political consensus that, such as in certain key areas like housing, waste and water we need public enterprise. You

need public services delivered by public companies.

“I think that’s one of the key things in this election.

The past 10 years have been the status quo, really, trying to just get back our economy, but now the next 10 years are what we are voting on here.

“I think voting Green is for a different way of doing things and the public service will have a bigger role.

“It’s not saying there isn’t a role for business; it’s not saying there isn’t a role for enterprise, but there are certain public services that are best delivered by public companies– housing being one, water obviously another, and I think waste is another.”

Looking at the broader picture of taking responsibility in combating climate change, Ryan says it’s important to continue to build

on the good relationships with other countries in this regard.

“The Paris Climate Agreement sets the broader picture. That’s every country having to contribute. Locally for us it’s as a member of the European Union that we collaboratively work together with our other European colleagues.

“We can’t do it on our own, but we can’t opt out either.

We have to play our part, because it’s better to be a leader rather than a laggered on this because this is where the new economy is going.

“This is something we can and will be good at.”

Housing is also a key issue in this election, and Ryan outlines what he believes is a potential solution.

“The key thing is supply and what type of supply. I think that should be costrental housing. It’s the type of housing that would most acutely address the crisis which is in the rental sector.

“I think it would change our whole concept and perception of public housing and that’s why I support it.”

SOCIAL DEMOCRATS coleader Róisín Shortall says it means a huge amount to her to get the chance to contest another general election, with the possibility of representing her constituents once again.

She has been at the head of the Social Democrats since June 2015, but her Dáil involvement stretches a lot further back, when she first assumed office in November 1992 as a Labour Party T.D. “Getting elected to the Dáil by your neighbours and people in your constituency is a huge honour,” Shortall told Dublin Gazette.

“It’s very humbling from that point of view. I always feel very grateful to people after an election, if I succeed in being re-elected.

“It’s very heart-warming in many ways, but it is also a huge challenge, because what people are doing is they are deciding that they want you to represent them.

“That is ultimately what a

“

The issues in Dublin North West are very similar to the issues around the country T.D. is – a public representative, and given the fact that I have been a T.D. since 1992 it is about track record, and I think I have done a lot of work over those years.

“It’s reassuring if I am re-elected, but I don’t take anything for granted, I can assure you.”

Speaking about some of the key issues for her constituents, Shortall sees this mirroring the national picture.

“The issues in Dublin North West are very similar to the issues around the country,” she said.

“Probably the top issue is health, and concern about the fact that it is so hard to access care in the public health system, and then a lot of people are afraid of not being able to do that, and that the service won’t be

there when they need it.

“Then they are forced into a situation where they are forced to buy very expensive private health insurance and it shouldn’t be like that, because other European countries have proper public health services that actually work and are available to people when they need them.

“There’s also an older demographic and access to healthcare is more important as people get on in years.

“The other issue is housing. Housing is so unaffordable now for people and it doesn’t have to be like that.

“The problem is that both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil leave the responsibility for housing to the market, and the market, of course, won’t deliver affordable housing.”

Are more laws needed in

relation to housing?

“I wouldn’t say it is about laws, it’s about political beliefs,” Shortall counters.

“We in the Social Democrats very strongly believe that the government has a responsibility to ensure that there is enough housing available, but also that it is about it being affordable to people.

“That means affordable, whether you want to buy or you want to rent.

“The other area obviously is that there is sufficient social housing. Currently that is not happening at all.

“The outgoing government is very much dependant on the market, both in terms of the housing assistance payment, rather than building social housing.

“Overall, they are not doing anything to drive down the cost of housing to make it available.

“If you have a decent job, you should be able to afford a decent house, and that’s not the case at the moment.”

People Before Profit want to see the people put centre-stage right at the heart of decision-making CÓILÍN DUFFY RICHARD BOYD BARRETT is keen to stress the message which is contained in his party’s name, that it’s about people before profit.

The Solidarity-PBP Leader contests the Dun Laoghaire constituency once again this weekend, and says that people should be centre stage, when it comes to decisionmaking.

“I do think the problem that lies behind many of the crises that we face in Irish society at the moment is an economic system – the major political parties putting profit over the major needs of society,” he told Dublin Gazette.

“Whether it is in the area of housing; whether it is the two-tier of a semi-privatised healthcare system; whether it is the unbalanced distribution of wealth, where a small minority control most of the wealth and huge numbers of people are struggling.

“At many other levels you can see that profit is prioritised by the political estab-

“

Frankly, the school students have been as effective, if not more effective than the politicians in driving the climate agenda lishment over the needs of people.

“We want to move in the opposite direction.

“We think people have the right to affordable housing, to a decent healthcare system, to properly resourced education, or indeed other things like special needs and disability, public transport.

“I think that can only happen if we start meeting people’s needs – the services and the rights that they have, rather than the profits of corporations or vulture funds.”

Smaller parties such as PBP have made great strides in recent years against the more established forces.

When asked if he would prefer to be in or out of Government, Boyd-Barrett said that the key thing is staying true to your beliefs.

“It’s neither of those things,” he said.

“It’s about sticking to your convictions, whether you are in government, or in opposition; or indeed whether you are the school students out on the streets protesting.

“Frankly, the school students have been as effective, if not more effective than the politicians in driving the climate agenda.

“We saw it with the water movement, and we saw it with Repeal the 8th. It’s not just about being in government or being a minister.

“It’s about sticking to principles and convictions whether you are inside or outside the Dáil, or whether you are inside or outside government and driving an agenda for progressive change.”

Many national issues in this

election are also local ones, and Boyd-Barrett sees it no differently, with housing a key priority for his constituents.

“Housing and public housing are key issues,” he said.

“Rents that are affordable for people – the whole picture around housing is one of the biggest crises if not the biggest crisis.

“The shambolic state of the health service and the inequity in terms of accessing healthcare, whether you are public or private – that inequality has to go.

“The cost of living for people working very hard, but having absolutely nothing at the end of the month because of unfair taxes, charges and rising bills, has to be addressed.

“Then obviously climate change is in existential threat to all of us.

“The government’s record has been diabolical in taking the sort of radical measures that are necessary to deal with the climate emergency.”

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 6 February 2020

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Get in touch with YOUR local paper on our newly improved website www.dublingazette.com, Facebook and Twitter

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6 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF TRANSPORT

DUBLIN MOTORS

The new Corolla Touring Sports TREK model impresses with some excellent driving dynamics, alongside a pleasingly rugged identity and confident design

Toyota’s TREK model boldly goes FACT BOX

DECLAN GLYNN

WITH the introduction of the new Corolla Touring Sports TREK model, Toyota has made their strikingly-handsome, and utterly-practical, estate car even more appealing.

By e l e v a t i n g t h e standard Corolla Touring Sports (T/S) ride height by 20mm, and adding some cladding to the bodywork, the new TREK takes on a rugged and durable identity.

Available in frontwheel-drive only, the TREK is best described as

1) Rugged, off-road styling 2) Petrol/electric hybrid 3) Powerful and practical 4) Impressively spacious 5) On sale now a car that sits somewhere between a regular estate car and a SUV, with the car being the result of a partnership between Toyota and cycle manufacturer, TREK. Externally, to set the TREK apart from the re g u l a r Co ro l l a T/S, design differences con-

sist of chunkier bumpers (complete with skid plates front and rear to lend an air of off-roading authenticity), while black 17” machined-face alloy wheels (5x doublespoke) also feature.

Additionally, the TREK comes with a chrome dual exhaust pipe fin-

isher, black wheel arch mouldings, black rocker panel with silver insert, rear privacy glass, new front fog lamps, LED headlamps, and a TREK badge on the boot door for total exclusivity.

Inside, the Corolla TREK has new twotone cloth upholstery, a redesigned dashboard with decorative wooden inlays, and TREK badges for its door-steps and boot lid.

Powering the new Corolla T/S TREK is a powerful new 2.0-litre petrol/electric powertrain, which produces

178bhp, and a healthy 190Nm of torque, for instant acceleration.

This new 4-cylinder, 16-valve engine, is capable of fuel consumption as low as 5.3l/100km on a combined driving cycle, while enabling the car to tow a braked trailer of up to 750kg in weight.

The new Corolla T/S T R E K h a s e xc e l l e n t space in the front for two adults, while passengers in the rear are provided with good head, elbow and legroom too.

Boot space, with the rear seat backs in place, is a generous 581 litres,

but this can be greatly increased by folding the standard 60:40 split rear seats when the need arises.

My review car performed admirably well on a variety of road surfaces, with very little wind noise from around the door mirrors.

At a steady motorway speed, the car’s engine tone is hardly noticeable at all, while excellent driving dynamics ensure that the car remains composed when faced with a twisty country road too.

The hugely impressive

new Toyota Corolla is the Continental Tyres Irish Medium Car of the Year for 2020 – a category which is fiercely competitive.

While the new Corolla Hybrid range is priced from just €26,390 (exdelivery), the Corolla T/S TREK is competitively priced at €35,990 (exdelivery).

With its rugged ‘go anywhere looks’ and remarkable practicality, the new Corolla T/S TREK is proving a very worthwhile new addition to the Toyota Corolla family.

Renault to give away 36 Clios to support charity RENAULT Ireland is partnering with Irish charity The Care Trust (TCT) to supply 36 all-new Renault Clios for its series of fundraising lottery draws in 2020.

Renault Ireland brand ambassador, broadcaster Ian Dempsey, was on hand to help launch the new partnership.

TCT is a non-profit organisation and a registered charity, raising much needed funds for the CRC, Rehab, and the Mater University Hospital since 1974.

In 2019, TCT provided €2.15 million to CRC, Rehab and the Mater Hospital from its fundraising efforts.

These funds help to ensure that thousands of children and adults

with physical, medical or intellectual disabilities, those who are socially disadvantaged, and those requiring medical care have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

TCT runs three draws every month, and an all-new Renault Clio must be won in every draw.

In the 30 years since the iconic supermini first went on sale, Clio has become Renault’s best-selling model worldwide, with 15 million Clios sold.

The fifth generation of Clio arrived with a totally refreshed exterior styling combined with revolutionary interior design, and sets new standards for quality, technology and practicality.

It’s also one of the safest cars in its class, as highlighted by its five-star EuroNCAP rating.

Co n o r D ixo n , Renault Ireland, said: “We’re delighted to partner with TCT, which does such fantastic work through its benefic iaries at the CRC, Rehab and the Mater Hospital.

Broadcaster Ian Dempsey helps to launch the initiative “We wish all 36 lucky winners safe and happy driv- TCT, said: “We are very grateful to ing in their Renault Clios.”

Renault Ireland for their tremenSenan Mullins, chief executive, dous support and goodwill and we

are looking forward to a great partnership which will offer our contributors 36 chances this year to win an all-new Renault Clio, along with cash prizes in every draw.

“TCT has been fundraising since 1974, thanks to our generous and loyal contributors from all across the country, who make a huge difference to the lives of children and adults in Ireland who depend on the fantastic services provided by CRC, Rehab and the Mater University Hospital.”

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 6 February 2020

DUBLIN TRAVEL

Chinese citizens have adopted widespread use of masks in affected areas in a bid to stay safe

Governments and travel sectors scramble to cope with ‘Wuhan flu’ threat THERE’S no getting away from it: the coronavirus (dubbed ‘Wuhan Flu’ by some) looms large over global travel at the moment.

Here at home, travel and life is unaffected – for now – but this swiftly-developing global issue could yet prove to be very disruptive for Irish holidaymakers, or indeed for the country.

China still remains the epicentre for the Wuhan virus, tragically seeing soaring deaths and infection rates, while regional countries and governments, and others around the world, are all also mobilising in a bid to get ahead of the virus’s spread.

At the time of writing, the Department of Foreign Affairs has flagged China as ‘Avoid non-essential travel’; meanwhile, Hong Kong/Macau remain at ‘High degree of caution’, unmoved from the general level prompted by the ongoing protests from 2019.

If you are planning on visiting China, or for the Department’s up to date official advice on any particular country, see https://www.dfa.ie/travel/ travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries.

ITAA Statement The Department isn’t the only official Irish body that’s closely monitoring the Wuhan virus – the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) have also put out a statement on the coronavirus’s impact.

In a statement, the ITAA say: “The ITAA is recommending that customers avoid travelling to the Hubei province of China entirely, and reconsider travelling to the rest of China unless it is absolutely essential.

“The ITAA is also advising affected holidaymakers in the country to follow the advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Chinese local authorities and accommodation providers.

“As the situation remains fluid, containment measures could be increased at any time. Travellers should be aware of delays and checks when moving within China, entering or leaving, especially at airports.

“If you are affected, you should contact your tour operator or travel agent.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs is advising travellers already in the country to take extra care, wash their hands regularly with alcohol-based soap, wear single-use masks and observe food safety as recommended by the World Health Organisation.

“As this situation is developing rapidly, they have also advised following guidelines on the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control website, at www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronaviruschina.

Latest travel updates can be found on the Department’s TravelWise app, at www.dfa.ie/travelwise/

Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, in stunning Connemara, could help you ‘pop the question’ in unforgettable style

Have a lovely break away on February 14 SHANE DILLON

Travel Editor IT’S THAT time of year again – but if you haven’t yet found a lovely place to take your other half to for a great Valentine’s Day break, don’t panic.

This week, we have a range of breaks at home or away which are guaranteed to be a hit with your loved one.

Dublin First up, and why not step over to The Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin?

Not everyone has the time or the budget to head off down the coun-

try, or even further away, so a stay practically on your own doorstep could still be a brilliant idea.

And with a luxurious stay guaranteed, the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel is sure to offer a superb stay for a special night.

After all, apart from the hotel’s sheer luxury, guests will also be treated to an exclusively designed bouquet delivered to the hotel and placed in their room before arrival, courtesy of premium contemporary florists Adonis Flower Designers.

The hotel’s Valentine’s package also includes a three-course dinner for

two at the tasteful Chancery Grill, while a complimentary ‘Fancy That’ cocktail should also go down a treat.

Available from next Thursday, February 13 to Sunday. February 16, the hotel’s Valentine stay costs from €350 per couple, to include an overnight in a Premium King room, dinner for two in The Chancery Grill with a cocktail, an exclusive premium bouquet, and Super Breakfast in bed, with bubbles, and late check-out.

See www.radissonblu.com/royalhoteldublin, or call the hotel directly at 01 898 2900.

Galway If you’re looking to leave the city behind, whisk yourselves away to the west coast for a romantic break in the heart of Galway.

Nicknamed ‘the grand old dame of Galway’, the historic Hardiman Hotel has been a hit with guests since originally opening in 1852.

However, the hotel has moved with the times, and while honouring its past it also offers a very contemporary stay, with a special Heartfelt package likely to wow this Valentine’s period.

A one-night stay features open fires, a rooftop

hot tub, a rose and handmade-chocolates waiting in your room, and a candlelit dinner for two in the hotel’s Gaslight Brassserie.

And after that, all the craic of Galway is waiting, offering a great night out in the west’s fun-filled city.

The Heartfelt package is available from €199 per room, based on two sharing. See www.thehardiman.ie.

Connemara Staying over on ‘the other coast’, Ballynahinch Castle Hotel in Recess, Connemara has everything you could

6 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

OUR SUGGESTIONS FOR A ROMANTIC BREAK

DUBLIN TRAVEL

The ferry company is positive about the route change, saying it will be attractive for trade and tourism alike

Brittany Ferries to move its Ireland/Spain ports

From free flowers to fine dining, The Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin has a perfect Valentine package for you

You’ll be in hot tub heaven at the Hardiman Hotel, with all the fun that Galway has to offer on your doorstep

FERRY users, take note – Brittany Ferries is moving its Ireland/Spain sailings from Cork to Rosslare Eurosport from the end of the month, with the new Spanish arrival port from Rosslare to be Bilbao.

Taking effect from February 28, the change has been made following extensive consultation with freight customers, with the new route providing better, shorter access to European markets.

That particular ferry route has primarily been aimed at freight users, although holidaymakers have also been a core user base of the route.

All customers already booked on affected sailings from Cork will be given the option to transfer their booking to sailing between Rosslare and Bilbao/ Roscoff. An allowance will be given to cover additional transfers. Alternatively, a full refund will be provided to those who choose to cancel.

Celebrating the best of the Irish travel industry

Marry a romantic break with some superb golf with a stay at Carton House, just a short drive away from Dublin city

need for an unforgettable Valentine’s break.

The hotel is set in one of the calmest, yet most beautiful corners of the country, with everything from the building’s charms to woodland views and a rolling river by the gorgeous country estate sure to delight – especially if you’re (sssh) planning to ‘pop the question’.

If so, the hotel already has a plan in place to help, ready to whisk out everything from special picnic butler with a picnic basket to a bottle of chilled champagne to help, if required, as part of a special package.

However, if you’re ‘just’ looking for a holiday away, you’ll be more than charmed by the hotel and its superb setting.

With two nights’ bed and breakfast in one of Ballynahinch Castle’s lovely Riverside rooms with views over the river, a package including the picnic butler proposal and celebratory candlelit dinner costs from €380 per person.

For further information, see www.ballynahinchcastle.com, or telephone 095 31006.

Kildare If the west of Ireland is a little beyond the pale for you, Carton House

should be just the ticket.

Set just outside the city in Maynooth, the hotel has made quite a name for itself with its beautiful setting in 1,100 acres, and while the building itself has centuries of history, its 36-hole golfing experfience has also put it on the map.

Whether you love golf quite as much as your other half, Carton House will be a hit, potentially offering nature and sport lovers something a little different for this Valentine’s Day. The hotel is offering a two-night golfing break, arriving on February 14, and priced at €260 per

person sharing.

For further information, see www.cartonhouse. com.

Europe Finally, for those ready to spread their wings a little further, a whole host of European capitals are within easy reach – the tricky part can be finding an afforable place.

So, why not turn to the award-winning boutique accommodation provider Generator, which has particularly stylish and comfy places to stay in a wide range of EU capitals?

Whether it’s Venice, London, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Berlin, Barce-

lona, Paris, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Rome or Madrid in your sights – or even right here in Dublin – there’s a Generator to choose from.

Gone are the days of dorms full of rickety bunk beds and musky backpackers – the Generator experience offers a much more comfortable (not to mention affordable) way of taking in a foreign capital with ease.

Depending on location, prices vary – but your bank account will love that there are 20% off entire stays (two nights’ minium stay) when booking directly at staygenerator.com.

HUNDREDS of travel experts from across the country and all around the world gathered at the Mansion House for the annual Irish Travel Industry Awards recently.

The popular shin-dig was a chance to network, reflect on continuing and emerging trends in the industry and, of course, to celebrate some of the very best companies and individuals at work in the industry.

Heavyweights Atlantic Travel and Tour America were crowned ITAA Travel Agencies of the Year 2020.

Other big winners on the night included John Spollen, president of the ITAA, Atlas Travel congratulated Marie Grenham, and FCM, managing director, Grenham Travel who won on winning the ITAA Presidents’ Best ITAA Award for special contributions to Corporate the Irish travel industry Travel Agency; CaminoWays, who won Best ITAA Member Digital Marketing Campaign; and J Barter Travel, who won Best ITAA General Marketing Campaign.

Siobhan Byrne Learat, of Adams & Butler, won Best ITAA Travel Professional.

For the full list of awards, see http://irishtravelindustryawards.com/2020-winners/.

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE 6 February 2020

HOME & STYLE

FRESH IDEAS FOR YOUR WARDROBE

BeautyBITS

Founder of HUDA Beauty, Huda Kattan

Huda Beauty joins beauty at Boots SUPERSTAR beauty brand, Huda Beauty, has joined a legendary line up of beauty brands at Boots.ie, with a limited assortment of Huda’s Hero products to be available in selected Boots stores from early February.

This brings Huda Beauty to the high street, joining other cult brands like Milani, Lime Crime and Morphe in Boots evergrowing beauty line-up.

“We’re super excited to be launching Huda Beauty in Boots. Boots are an incredible retailer and we are so thankful to them for their support and belief in our brand and vision.

Our global expansion has been very quick and to now be partnering with Boots to bring Huda Beauty to the high street is both humbling and mind blowing! We’re so proud that we can truly spread the love across Ireland.” said Huda Kattan, Founder and CEO of Huda Beauty.

For more information on Huda Beauty and to check out the products on offer, visit Boots.ie

Zalando launch new capsule collection ONLINE retailer Zalando has teamed up with nine Nordic brands to develop an exclusive, sustainable womenswear collection, titled Small steps. Big impact. by Zalando.

Lena-Sophie Roeper, Head of Buying Premium and Sports, Zalando, says: “As a platform with more than 29 million active customers in 17 countries and more than 2,000 brands, we know that we can influence the demand for and the supply of sustainable fashion.

“That’s why we’re introducing our customers to sustainable fashion, working with partners who share our vision and ethics, and move the industry forward, every day. The collection is a huge step in the right direction.”

This collection follows the release of their Sustainability Strategy 2023, titled do.MORE, in October 2019.

Small steps. Big impact. by Zalando is available now on Zalando.ie

SPRING REFRESH READY to hit refresh and bring some spring into your wardrobe?

There’s a grand stretch in the evenings, meaning colour and flowy fabrics are back on the cards as we wave goodbye to Winter.

Spring is the perfect time to try out new trends and get a lit-

tle daring with your wardrobe.

Online Irish retailer iclothing. com is serving up wearable, bold prints, brighter colours and a retro feel with their newest collection, that’s sure to brighten up the days as we creep into slightly warmer, nicer weather.

Animal and retro prints are a must this season, as well as polka dots, teamed with a certain 90’s edge thanks to neon SHADES, PUFF SLEEVES AND faded denim all making a comeback.

These trends all had a moment on the catwalks for Spring 2020 this season, with iclothing.com translating these trends into affordable styles for those looking to get in on the hottest looks this season.

6 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

POLSKA GAZETA

This week we bring you Part Two in our exclusive CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN! interview with the new Polish Ambassador

Sochanska takes pride in role as the new ambassador for Poland  MARTYNA

MUSZCZYNSKA news@dublingazette.com

THERE’s no doubt that Her Excellency Anna Sochanska takes great pride in her new role as the Polish Ambassador in Ireland.

It’s a challenging role, but one which she has taken on with great gusto, and already is firmly bedded in, despite being just a few months in the position.

Anna has a keen interest in foreign affairs, something which has been high in her thoughts since her early twenties.

Moreover, Anna and her family grew up during a time of Communism in Poland. However, she is keen to accentuate the positives from it. “ We r e m e m b e r e d Poland’s rich history and what the country was like before the Second World War,” she told Dublin Gazette.

“Polish people never surrendered, although they lived through a very horrific period of the German, and thereafter the Soviet occupation.’’

“Both of those regimes wanted to crush Poland and its people, but they have failed to do so as Polish people are very resilient.’’

Furthermore, as Anna says ‘’those characteristics gave us power and motivation. It is true that Polish people love their country and are very proud of it and its

Martyna Muszczynska, Cóilín Duffy (Group Editor Dublin Gazette) and Polish Ambassador Anna Sochanska Martyna Muszczynska, Cóilín Duffy (redaktor grupy Dublin Gazette) i Polska Ambasador Anna Sochanska

Sochańska jest dumna z roli Ambasadora  MARTYNA

MUSZCZYNSKA news@dublingazette.com

BEZ jakichkolwiek wątpliwości można uznać, iż Pani Anna jest dumna ze swojej nowej roli Ambasadora RP w Irlandii.

Rola Ambasadora RP w Irlandii jest trudna. Aczkolwiek, Pani Anna podjęła się tej roli z wielkim rozmachem i jest już mocno zadomowiona, pomimo tego, że jest zaledwie kilka miesięcy na tej pozycji.

Od wczesnych lat dwudziestych Pani Anna interesowała się sprawami zagranicznymi.

Pani Ambasador i jej rodzina dorastali w czasach komunizmu w Polsce, jednak chce wyciagnąć z tego wydarzenia pozytywne wnioski. „Pamiętaliśmy o bogatej historii Polski i tym, jaki był ten kraj przed drugą wojną światową” – powiedziała Pani Anna Dubachievements.’’

“A t t h e m o m e n t Poland is flourishing in terms of employment,

lin Gazette. „Polacy nigdy się nie poddali, choć przeżyli bardzo przerażający okres okupacji niemieckiej, a następnie okupacji sowieckiej”. „Oba te reżimy chc iały zmiażdżyć Polskę i jej mieszkańców, ale nie dokonali tego, ponieważ Polacy są bardo silni”.

Ponadto, Pani Anna mówi, iż „te cechy” dały nam siłę i motywację. Prawdą jest, że Polacy kochają swój kraj i są z niego bardzo dumni oraz z jego osiągnięć.” „W chwili obecnej Polska kwitnie pod względem pracy, gospodarki i polityki społecznej, są to pozytywne aspekty, na których powinniśmy się skupić.”

Pani Ambasador wyraża zaniepokojenie na podstawie marnowania pełnego potencjału Polski i Irlandii, ponieważ oba kraje koncentrują się na wielu kwestiach wspólnego zainteresowania, niemniej jednak nie „zjednoczyły się” jeszcze na

e co n o my a n d so c i a l policies and those are the positive aspects we should focus on.’’

The Polish Ambassador expresses her concern about how the full potential of Poland and

podstawie dyskusji wielu tematów. „Czas zmienić stereotyp Polaków, którzy są zatrudnieni nie tylko jako piekarze lub hydraulicy, ponieważ wielu z nich pracuje dla wielkich firm, takich jak Facebook, Google itp.” – powiedziała pani Anna. „ I s t n i e j ą ró ż n e p ro f i l e Po l a kó w mieszkających i pracujących w Irlandii.”

Pani Anna chciałaby wysłać Irlandczyków do Polski, aby mogli doświadczyć pełnego piękna jej ojczyzny. „Polska jest krajem bogatym pod względem przyrodniczym, ponieważ składa się z wielu gór, mórz i jezior, dla Irlandczyków ważne byłoby, aby zobaczyli wszystko, co Polska ma do zaoferowania.”

Niemniej jednak, bariera językowa w Polsce już nie istnieje, co jest ważne, ponieważ jest łatwiej zarówno dla Irlandczyków, jak i Polaków w kwestii porozumienia się. ‘’

Ireland is being wasted, as both countries are focused on many issues of common interests, but

that perhaps they have yet to ‘come together’ on a lot of these topics.

“It is time to change

the stereotype of Polish people as they are not only employed as bakers or plumbers but work for enormous companies such as Facebook, Google etc,” she said.

“There are different profiles of Polish people living and working in Ireland.”

Anna would like to send Irish people to Poland in order for them to experience the full beauty of her native country.

“Poland is a rich country in terms of nature as it consists of many mountains, seas and lakes and it would be important for Irish people to see all that Poland has to offer.’’ Nevertheless, the language barrier in Poland no longer exists, which makes things easier for both Irish and Polish people alike.’’

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN POLSKA GAZETA? EACH week, DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS are focusing on news and views for the Polish community with Polska Gazeta.

Would you or your business like to get on board?

If you or any advertiser would like to be involved with this new concept,

and to be part of a sponsorship option, please contact Martyna Muszczynska at her email below.

Polish Correspondant Martyna Muszcynska • sales@dublingazette.com

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE 6 February 2020

DUBLIN SENIORS

Where there’s a will ... has yours been made clear?

MAKING a will is not something that any of us relish, but it’s also one of the most important things that you can do in your life. After all, a will gives certainty – certainty for you, and potentially for your loved ones, that your wishes are known, clear, recorded and all arranged.

With that certainty comes a likely peace of mind, but it can be hard to know where to start, how to go about making your will, who to turn to, and other such issues.

Here, we present some helpful insights to get you started. Note, however, that this is an initial and incomplete overview, and legal advice or assistance is strongly advisable.

REASONS FOR MAKING A WILL If you die without a will, the law on intestacy decides what happens to your property.

A will can ensure that proper arrangements are made for your dependants and that your property is distributed in the way you wish after you die, subject to certain rights of spouses/civil partners and children.

It is also advisable to complete and keep in a safe place an updated list of your assets, making it easier to identify and trace them after you die.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DIE HAVING MADE A WILL? If you have made a valid will, you will have died ‘testate’, and all your possessions will be distributed in the way you set out in your will, with your named executor(s), who may also be a beneficiary, ensuring this happens.

There are legal limits as to how much of your property goes to which person.

If you leave a will before you die, one or more of your named executors will usually have to get legal permission (a Grant of Representation) from the Probate Office, or the District Probate Registry for the area in which you lived at the time of death, deal with your estate – typically gathering all your money or possessions, paying your debts, then distributing the remainder as instructed.

If you did not name any executors in your will or if the executors are unable or unwilling to apply for a Grant of Representation, Letters of Administration (With Will) are issued.

When your estate is distributed, the legal rights of your spouse/civil partner and children, if any, will be fulfilled first after any debts are paid before any other gifts are considered.

THE REQUIREMENTS OF A VALID WILL It is possible to draw up a will yourself, or you can hire a solicitor to help you. For a will to be legally valid, there are several rules that apply, such as the will must be in writing, you must be of sound mind, you must sign or mark the will or acknowledge the signature or mark in the presence of two witnesses, you must be over 18, and several other such rules.

This week, ALONE CEO Seán Moynihan talks issues a call for action on housing and health for older people ahead of the upcoming Election

‘We are failing to plan for needs of our older people’ WITH every budget and general election campaign, promises to add a fiver to the pension come in thick and fast.

In recent weeks we have also seen a huge c o nve rs a t i o n s h i f t regarding the increases to the pension age as political parties scramble to come up with solutions to address a gap in a policy which has been there for more than six years.

But the current ‘pensions anomaly’ as it is being described is just o n e e xa m p l e o f t h e many ways we are failing to plan for the needs of older people.

We know there are more than 7,000 people on the waiting list for home supports, and the funding that is needed to meet the demand. We see the images of older people who are homeless eating their meals from windowsills.

We hear there are more people on hospital trolleys than ever before.

And importantly, we see the population projections which mean that these issues will impact more and more older people in the years to come. We see these problems, and we know many of the answers, but sufficient action is not being taken to address them.

The issues raised by the increasing eligibility age for the State Pension must be urgently addressed. But this is not the only issue impacting older people, and politicians would do well to remember it. We need

to have a full discussion about the needs of older people, most particularly in the areas of health, housing and finance.

The fact is we are not putting the measures in place which will appropriately support older people who are most vulnerable. In ALONE we see this every day in our work.

Waiting list In recent months we have worked with someone living in an extremely isolated area who has been on the waiting list for the home support service for seven years.

We have worked with older people with terminal diagnoses who are homeless or living in unstable accommodation.

We have worked with people who cut back on their heating and food so that they can afford transport to hospital appointments. These are the people who are not taken into account as Government policies are drafted and changes are made, the people who never felt any economic recovery.

Older people need more from their representatives than a commitment to add a fiver to the State Pension.

We need representatives who will deliver real change for the older people we work with, for those most in need of support.

We need the next Government to fund home supports and health services in line with

“

Older people need more from their representatives than a commitment to add a fiver to the State Pension

demand, to increase housing delivery targets and deliver housing for older people, to triple lock the State Pension to ensure older people have financial security, and to appoint a Minister of State exclusively for Older People and Demographic Change who can properly plan for the needs and opportunities of our ageing population.

We need the actions outlined in Sláintecare to be implemented without further delay, for fur-

ther supports for renters to be put in place, and for homelessness exit programmes to be delivered for older people experiencing homelessness.

Vulnerable If the next Government does not implement these actions, the most vulnerable older people in our society will continue to be left behind. A fiver on the pension here and there is not enough. We must demand more from our representatives.

No matter what age we are, we all have a responsibility ahead of the General Election to inform canvassers and candidates that we will consider the needs of older people a priority when we make decisions on Election Day, and to vote with the needs of older people in mind.

A vote for older people is not just a vote for older people today, but for all our future selves.

Seán Moynihan is ALONE’s CEO.

6 February 2020 DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!

CODEWORDS

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

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

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

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

Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

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6 February 2020 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

SOCCER PP32

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

HIIDDEN GEM: TENNIS: CASTLEKNOCK Lawn Tennis Club hope to put a ‘hidden gem’ of the North Dublin landscape on display as they polish off a multi-million-euro refurbishment of the club on the Old Navan Road. 2018 saw the completion of renovations that brought the facility up to ten outdoor tennis courts and five indoor courts with the next stage to be completed in July.



GAZETTE

GAELIC GAMES P35

PAGE 33

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS RUGBY | FIRST HALF OF JOB DONE AS ENERGIA PARK AWAITS

Club matters close to heart for Wesley trio CLUB XV INTERNATIONAL  sport@dublingazette.com

ENERGIA Park will host another Club Series International decider this Friday as Ireland Club XV and Scotland Club XV (5.45pm) go head to head for the Dalriada Cup. The Irish side are made up of the most exciting talent in the Energia All-Ireland League and nine players from four Dublin clubs are named in the match day squad.

The Irish won back the trophy in Donnybrook last year and the occasion on their home ground stoked a fire in Old Wesley trio Paul Derham, Conor Maguire and JJ O’Dea. “It was one of my goals to make the clubs team,” says Derham. “I don’t actually know what I’d be doing if I didn’t play rugby. It’s effortless out there. You don’t have to think about anything else. You can set goals, get more out of yourself and get better.”

An obvious goal for the squad is to

win both games in the series. Both Derham and Conor Maguire started in the away leg last Friday – a 39-17 win in Galashiels. They have been retained in the starting line-up while O’Dea is named as a reserve. It’s all about delivering a result in front of their own people this weekend.

“We’ve worked very hard as a team for the last year,” say Maguire. “For Old Wesley and our club coach Morgan Lennon especially, it would be a massive thing for us to represent Ireland at Energia Park.

“We want to play with the best of the best amateur rugby players in the country and to do it on our home pitch in front of club members, family and all the people that we respect.”

“It’s quite a special place to play,” says Paul Derham. “I’ve been to a lot of different clubs and you can just feel within the clubhouse that everyone gets behind each other.”

There are four Terenure College players in the squad including

Old Wesley’s Paul Derham on the attack last Friday night against Scotland.

Picture: Craig Watson/Inpho

Michael Melia in the back-row and Matthew Byrne on the wing.

Colm Hogan of Dublin University is on the other wing while Gearoid Lyons of Clontarf is among the replacements.

In the first tie last Friday, Ireland post a record score, producing five tries with Bryan Fitzgerald opening

the scoring just eight minutes in.

Derham broke the line before playing in Aran Hehir for try number two before the forwards took over for Conor Maguire’s try after 32 minutes.

Scotland fought back in the second half but late tries from Jamie Heuston and Matthew Byrne well clear.

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 6 February 2020

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

1

CASTLEKNOCK CONGRATS to all the Castleknock players who recently represented Dublin. Eoin O’Brien and Graham Hannigan played for the Dublin Senior footballers against Longford in the O’Byrne Cup. Darragh Warnock, Ciaran Murphy, Senan Forker, Conor Chawke, Conor Kelly and Luke Swan played for Dublin U-20 footballers in the John Kerins League and Cian Boyle, Conor Murray, Matthew Lynam, Evan McSherry, Luke Swan and Conor Chawke on representing Dublin North in the Leinster Colleges Senior Hurling Championship. Proud of you all.

Jan.30 – Congrats to all our players on the Castleknock Community College team on winning the Dublin Senior ‘B’ Football Championship SemiFinal beating Lucan CBS 7-8 2-13. Wishing Ben Harding a speedy recovery.

Jan.31 – No Lotto Jackpot winner. Next week’s Jackpot €4,000. Six Match 3 winners receive €50 each – Rita O’Gara, Paula Harper, Conor Horgan, Brian McCann, Kevin Moloney, Dermot Nolan.

Lucky Dip €30 – Madeline-Anna-Noel.

Feb.1 – Great Man of the Match display from Ciaran Kilkenny in Dublin’s NFL Div.1 victory over Mayo in Castlebar.

Feb.2 – Congrats to Aoife Whelan on making her Dublin Senior Camogie competitive intercounty debut in the second-half of the National Camogie League defeat to Galway. Aoife becomes the first Castleknock player to represent Dublin at this level.

Good win in the Leinster Camogie Club League Div.2 with Castleknock edging out O’Moore’s of Laois by 4-7 3-8 while in Div.4 Castleknock ‘B’ lost by 3-12 3-04 to Athy of Kildare.

FINGALLIANS 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.

Fins TV: Beidh cuid maith carachtair ó Fhins ar chlár speisialta leath uair faoi Fingallians ar TG4 ar an Déardaoin, 6ú Feabhra ag 17.05 C.L.U.B. There will be plenty of characters from Fins on a special half hour programme about Fingallians on TG4 on Thursday, 6th February at 17.05 C.L.U.B. 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.

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.

SOCCER: EXTRA TIME GOAL EARNS FINGAL SIDE FIRST EVER FAI

Rush’s dream rolls on as McAllister provides the magic FAI JUNIOR CUP Rush Athletic Greencastle after extra time  ROBBIE O'NEILL sport@dublingazette.com

1 0

BARRY McAllister’s super extra-time finish saw Rush Athletic’s dream FAI Junior Cup roll on into the quarter-finals, knocking out Donegal’s Greencastle last Sunday in St Catherine’s Park.

The club hailed it as the biggest day in their 50-year history and they savoured the moment after a titanic battle with the players walking out to be greeted by a sizeable crowd.

Rush started the brighter with winger Brian Gillen causing the Greencastle back huge problems from early on.

Centre half Aaron Kelly could have given his side an early lead in the 16th minute when he had a great chance but his effort

on goal was well blocked away for a corner.

That was the signal for the game to open and Rush had goalkeeper Steven Kirwan to thank for keeping the game scoreless with a great save to deny Donegal man Jamie McCormack.

Both defences were standing firm with Nigel McGonigle of Greencastle showing his experience, making life difficult as the rain lashed down and the wind swept in off the Irish Sea. McAllister, meanwhile, clashed with keeper Dylan Doherty, drawing loud shouts from the strong Rush crowd for a penalty but they were waved away as the minutes ticked on Fellow striker Mark Doyle had a good chance smothered while, at the other end, McGonigle found an opening but he struck his shot over, sending the game into extra time.

With a heavy pitch, some of the players were finding the going tough but it was the Fingal side who again started on the front foot, knocking on the door with lots of pressure.

And that pressure was rewarded when McAllister was played through on goal and he tucked the ball away well into the corner which sent the big local crowd ecstatic.

Extra time was taking its toll on a number of

players with some going down with cramp and it limited Greencastle’s ability to press in the dying minutes and Rush held on for a famous win.

It continued their longest run in the competition’s storied history and they can now look forward to seeing their name in the hat for the final eight with the draw set to take place on either February 17 or 18.

St Kevin’s Boys will join

them in the quarter-finals after they knocked out another Fingal side, Verona, also after extra time in Coolmine.

Normal time ended 2-2 as Kevin’s twice fought back to level the game before running riot in extra time when they went goal crazy, transforming a tight tie into a 7-2 success.

Yuki Saito was the instigator with a couple of goals with Luke Ingram and Jordan Farry also get-

Elmiger schools his principal

Portrane’s Ossian Elmiger. Picture: Adrian Boehm

PORTRANE won the Fingal derby in Leinster hockey’s men’s Division One with Ossian Elmiger securing the rare feat of scoring twice against his school principal.

He struck twice past Dublin North’s Ronan Walsh, making for some interesting conversation at Sutton Park during the week.

Elmiger got the first before half-time after good work from Imran Khan.

Khan - a former Pakistan and Azerbaijan international - got the second after a breakaway and a snap-shot from the top of the circle and it was 3-0 in the 44th minute when

Derek Ledwidge got first to the ball after good baseline work from Dylan Eustace.

Elmiger added the fourth with 10 minutes to go from a deflection from a well-placed smash from Khan.

The win keeps Portrane motoring along in fourth place in the league, a couple of points below Rathgar who were 6-5 winners in a spectacular contest in Kilkenny.

North, meanwhile, remain in seventh place with a home tie against high-flying Railway Union next on their agenda this weekend.

6 February 2020 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 33

JUNIOR QUARTER SPOT

TENNIS: CLUB OPENING ITS DOORS TO WIDER COMMUNITY

Castleknock’s ‘hidden gem’ Rush Athletic’s senior squad

AWAY VICTORY

Balbriggan win crunch match with Coolmine Balbriggan’s men’s team put in an incredible performance to beat second place Coolmine 19-15 in Ashbrook to move into fourth place in Leinster Division 2A. Henry Bryce’s early try helped them settle into a 7-5 lead. They fell 12-5 behind but Ruaidhri O’Brien scored a great try under the posts to return them to the lead at half-time.

A Coolmine penalty, meanwhile, was counter-acted by an Andrew Miller surge which yielded the crucial try.

MAJOR DEVELOPMENT

Castleknock Lawn Tennis Club

 DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

CASTLEKNOCK Lawn Tennis Club hope to put a ‘hidden gem’ of the North Dublin landscape on display as they polish off a multi-million-euro refurbishment of the club on the Old Navan Road.

2018 saw the completion of renovations that brought the facility up to ten outdoor tennis courts and five indoor courts and the next stage, to be completed in July, will see a touchup on the exterior.

A land-swap with Fingal County Council has opened up frontage on the main road whereas, previously, the club’s premises had been somewhat hidden away.

The housing development at Castleknock Cross has seen the local population increase and the club have aimed to capitalise on by giving a major facelift to the part of the club facing the road.

“There’s a public realm that extends out to the east road,” club chairman Philip Carey tells the Dublin Gazette.

“Fingal have been very supportive of our planning application, and part of our planning application was that we would provide this public realm.

“The developers were trying to open it up just to a people passing by point of view. We had very little frontage, so people didn’t really know what was going on.

“It will benefit the community because when you come off the overpass from the M50, there will be an open realm there with our building bordering the bridge. It’s a win-win for everyone.

“When people come out of the overpass, they come out into a bright, well-maintained, fairly attractive space that will bring them on their journey up to Brady’s or across to the 12th Lock.”

Last May, saw the club host the Four Nations Veterans tournament, under the guidance of Tennis Ireland, as Over-45s from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales duked it out in Castleknock.

While Ireland’s relegation to Group III means future Davis Cup hosting opportunities are

unlikely for the foreseeable future, the capacity remains to host top-class events at the new facility.

“We’ve held them in the past, so there’s no reason we can’t host them in the future. The only problem for us is where Irish tennis is at the moment.

“I don’t want to blow our trumpet too much, but we’d definitely be in one of the top three or four clubs in the country, facility-wise.

“It’s a good mix. The indoor courts give great capacity for junior coaching and performance programmes where kids can train all year round.”

The club have link-ups with local schools

St Brigid’s NS and Educate Together, while a partnership with Stewart Care in Palmerstown is another extension of their community outreach.

Former Ireland number one James McGee, who competed at Wimbledon in 2017, is a product of the club having been a student at Brigid’s before turning professional.

“He’s currently coaching in America but he was home here at Christmas and did a few clinics with the junior guys.

“He’d be a great role model for them because he lived down the road, he went to Brigid’s – he was just the same as them. If James can do it, and of those guys can as well.”

Thunder strike down leaders UU DIVISION ONE BASKETBALL  sport@dublingazette.com

SWORDS Thunder caused one of the big upsets of the women’s Division One weekend on Saturday evening when they downed Northern Conference leaders, Ulster University in thrilling fashion in Dublin, winning out 72-66 in the end.

The hosts had the better of the first half, opening up a 17-9 end of first quarter lead behind good scoring from Peggy Black and Niamh O’Donovan.

Ulster regrouped well in the second though, and with Kollyns Scarbrough in solid form, closed the gap back to five at the half, trailing 30-25.

Swords kept their composure in the third though, and some superb work from Black, Aoibheann Byrne and O’Donovan saw them keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Some great defensive stops also paid dividends, and they widened out the gap once more, to lead 52-43 going into the last.

A big fourth quarter followed,

and despite superb work from Scarbrough, Aoife Callaghan and Alex Mulligan, they just

couldn’t get past Swords, who held firm to win out 72-66 in the end.

34 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 6 February 2020

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2

ST BRIGID’S WELL done to Andrew Dunphy who made his National Hurling League Debut for Dublin Senior Hurlers at the weekend and to Ciara Trant who fielded in the Ladies Football win over Mayo.

Congratulations to Our Juv Handballers who played in Kells on Sunday last - Dublin v Meath. Conor Cleary and Liam O’Connell (U13) played very and Lorcan Doolin and Ben Moore (U14) won their doubles match which went to the third game scores 15/5, 7/15, 15/12.

There was a great atmosphere in a packed gallery.

The Club Dinner Dance in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown takes place on 14th February. Tickets are available, cost is €55 each.

Tickets for the GAA’s National Club Draw are now on sale for €10 each. Speak to Jerry Nolan on 0872272518 or Paddy on 0868229312 for tickets and further info. All allocated tickets must be returned by 9th February.

Club bar available for functions and Birthdays (21sts and older) ring 018202484 after 8.30 any evening or call in.

Club Nursery sponsored by Sherry Fitzgerald takes place each Saturday from 9.30 to 11.00.

All 4 to 7 year olds are welcome. The younger age groups (up to and including U6) are indoors until the weather is a bit warmer.

Thank you to our great lotto Committee and all those who support St Brigid’s Lotto.

There was no Jackpot winner last Friday and the Jackpot for the next draw on Thursday 6th February in Russell Park will be €8,600.

The Club Shop is open every Saturday morning from 9.30am to 1pm, and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, and is located in our Club Coffee Shop. stbrigidsgaaclubshop@gmail.com Keep up with all our news on our website www.stbrigidsgaa.com and our Club App, Facebook and Twitter pages.

GARDA/WESTMANSTOWN JUVENILE season stirred into action last weekend with U15 boys winning their opening league match against Clan Na Gael at Beechwood Park,U12s hosted St Pats Palmerstown for two games and U10 Girls welcomed Erin Go Brath.Off field U14Girls Feile squad held a very successful fund raising Quiz in Westmanstown on Friday night-thanks to all who supported.

Adult men’s teams continue their pre season training every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30.

PM.Opening league games for both Inters

and Juniirs at Westmanstown on Sunday week February 16th.Ladies pre season training continues on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7.30.PM at Westmanstown.

Club membership for all from Juvenile to Adult is now due and must be complied with before the end of February.

Payments may be made online at-https://payments.gardawestmanstowngaels.com/ It is essential that all are paid up fully to comply with insurance requirements in the event of a serious playing or training injury.

CRICKET: FORTY-YEARS AT THE FOREFRONT OF WOMEN’S GAME

Rush legend Grealey ends incredible innings  STEPHEN FINDLATER

sport@dublingazette.com

INTERNATIONAL captain, Team Manager, Chair of National Selectors and coach – these are just a few of the roles Irish cricket legend Miriam Grealey has held over the last 40 years.

O n M o n d a y, s h e announced “all good things must come to an end” and announced she will step down this month as Ireland Women’s selector, ending a 40-year involvement in international cricket.

Raised in Dublin and playing primarily with Rush and YMCA Cricket Clubs, she made her international debut in 1985 – playing 79 oneday internationals and one Test match – rising to the national captaincy and breaking many records along the way.

After retiring from the international team in 2005, she continued her involvement with Irish women’s cricket as team manager, coach and Chair of National Selectors.

Acknowledged as an inspiration and role model for Irish cricketers for generations, in 2017, Grealey has been recognised

Miriam Grealey receiving her Hall of Fame award with Mary Pat Moore in 2017. Picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

variously, including her induction into the Cricket Writers of Ireland Hall of Fame in 2017, and international recognition from the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) with Honorary Life Membership for her services to cricket.

Although her involvement in Irish cricket has been extensive, Grealey admits there was no ‘grand plan’ behind the last four decades.

“How did I stay in crick-

FAI INTER CUP DRAW Mochta’s and Malahide set for LSL showdowns BOTH St Mochta’s and Malahide United have been handed Leinster Senior League derbies in the FAI New Balance Intermediate Cup quarter-finals.

Mochta’s are on the road to play St Kevin’s Boy’s after the Whitehall club scored five times in extra time to see off Verona after normal time had ended 2-2.

Malahide United will face either Crumlin United of Maynooth University Town in the last eight with a home draw at Gannon Park.

The quarter-final ties are currently pencilled in for February 23 with Ringmahon Rangers playing College Corinthians and Killester up against either Kilnamanagh or Cockhill Celtic.

et so long? Quite simply my love of the game, and every aspect of it - with the exception of manager!”

Her introduction to cricket was fortuitous and not out of any family or community tradition: “I went to school at St. Andrews College where there was boys’ cricket, but only hockey for the girls. When I was in fifth year in 1982, one of the teachers Caroline Wat-

son – who at the time played cricket for YMCA and Ireland – asked around to see if any girls were interested in learning the sport.

“So, from chucking a tennis ball around in PE classes to actually playing in the school league the following year, I was hooked.”

She cites her first century for Ireland against Pakistan as a stand-out memory along with a 50

against Australia in College Park.

“I guess though my proudest moment was winning the European Cup with Ireland in 2001, our first major trophy beating England in the final.”

She has decided to step back now as a result of the increasing workload of national selector is no longer compatible to balance with her job and family life.

6 February 2020 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 35

FOOTBALL: NAOMH MEARNOG MAN TAKES HIS PLACE IN DCU HISTORY DCU get the party started on their Sigerson Cup celebrations

Carthy’s precious Sigerson success SIGERSON CUP FINAL D.C.U. Dochas Éireann I.T. Carlow  CÓILÍN DUFFY cduffy@dublingazette.com

0-14 0-7

SHANE CARTHY firmly cast away any thoughts of injury, as he covered every inch of the pitch in DCU Dochas Éireann’s home Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup final win in Glasnevin.

The Naomh Mearnóg clubman has been blighted by injury in recent years, but really made an impact, along with many of his Dublin colleagues.

Ballymun Kickhams clubmen Evan Comerford and Paddy Small were also impressive; along with man of the match David Garland from Monaghan; DCU held out to take a 0-14 to 0-7 win over first-time finalists IT Carlow in front of a huge crowd.

Other Dubs involved included fellow

clubman Karl Lynch Bissett, Fingallians man Conor Hickey, and Stephen Smith of Skerries Harps.

Mun duo Paddy Christie and Davey Byrne along with Ballyboughal’s Gerry Seaver were among the backroom staff.

“It’s fantastic,” Carthy told Dublin Gazette after the game.”

“I believe it’s the 40th Anniversary of DCU and, obviously, hosting it is an added bonus to be here, and then go ahead and win it against a good IT Carlow outfit.”

Carthy and his St Vincent’s namesake have been Dublin team-mates in the past - but while it was just the Naomh Mearnóg man in action for DCU, he seemed to be omnipresent throughout this decider.

“I was happy enough with my display,” he said.

“I’ve just got over an injury and I’m

happy to be out on the pitch. Every minute is precious.

“A Sigerson Cup final is extra special, and I’m delighted to get my hands on a medal eventually.

“It’s huge. You go into DCU and you are made aware of the history gone by before.

History “You very much put an onus on yourself and the team and everyone else to continue on that history, that has been quite successful.

“Hopefully long may it continue, and we have just been another staple in that.”

DCU had coasted to victories over Queens University Belfast and UCD in the previous rounds, but this was a much tighter affair, with DCU really pushed all the way with the likes of Offaly’s Cian Farrell trying strongly

for the visitors.

“Absolutely, the hard work went in not just from Paddy [Christie] and Davy [Byrne] and all the backroom team doesn’t go unnoticed.

“A lot of the hard work was done last October and November, laying the foundations and thankfully it came to fruition tonight.”

Carthy was delighted to get 2020 off to a winning start, and he’s hopeful it’s a sign of bigger things to come over the next 12 months.

“Fingers crossed, I have massive aspirations of getting back into the inter-county setup,” he said.

“Hopefully that comes through. I’ll keep working away, and stick my hand up whenever the call may come.

“We’ll enjoy this win now. It’s been a while since I last had a night out, so we’ll enjoy it as a team, and go on from there.”

FOOTBALL

Rowe on form as Dublin ease by Mayo MICK Bohan’s Dublin ladies football side were rarely in trouble as they claimed their first win of the competition with eight Carla Rowe points key to a 0-12 to 0-7 victory over Mayo last Saturday evening.

Played as part of a double header with the men’s teams, Dublin fielded a mix of experienced and younger players and the blend was enough to guide the sky blues to the win.

“I’m very pleased with the win. It’s always a balancing act, trying to develop players while also doing the jersey proud and playing the game on its merits,” said Bohan.

“Our backs did very well – at the other end we created a few goal chances and didn’t take them, so we need to improve there. The effort from every one of our girls cannot be faulted.”

It was a victory acquired through hard work rather than flair. Bohan started with a series of Fingal players with St Brigid’s Ciara Trant in goal and Fingallians Muireann Ni Scanaill in front of her at full back.

Rowe was joined in the half-forwards by St Sylvester’s Kate Sullivan - who landed a point for her efforts - Clann Mhuire club mate Oonagh Whyte in the corner.

Next on Dublin’s agenda is a date with Cork in Croke Park on Saturday evening with the game throwing in at 5pm as the undercard for the men’s game.

Gazette SPORT FEBRUARY 6-12, 2020

ALL OF YOUR FINGAL SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 31-35

RUSH CONTINUE INCREDIBLE RUN SOCCER:

Huge home crowd another massive date in Rush Athletic’s history as they reach last eight of FAI Junior Cup. SEE P32

KNOCK’S NEW TENNIS CASTLE TENNIS: Club enjoying the fruits of their labour with major makeover to Dublin 15 home. SEE P33

SIGERSON SUCCESS GAELIC FOOTBALL:

Naomh Mearnog’s Shane Carthy helps DCU achieve Sigerson Cup dream with super final win over Carlow IT. SEE P35

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O’Leary and Archer set to dovetail with U-20s U-20 LEINSTER FC

 STEPHEN FINDLATER

sport@dublingazette.com

BRIAN O’Leary is looking forward to taking a first step toward potentially making amends for last year’s EirGrid Under20 All-Ireland final loss to Cork.

As p a r t o f a f re e sco r i n g f u l l - fo r wa rd line, O’Leary dovetailed brilliantly with Naomh Maur’s Ciaran Archer last year and they are looking to reignite that relationship when they get their Leinster campaign up and running on Saturday against Wicklow.

“I know his strengths and obviously he scored a lot last year!” O’Leary told Dublin Gazette.

“Some of the scores he put up were outrageous; me and him have trained and played together a lot now and we know what runs to make when either of us are on the ball.

“We just look to benefit each other in the best way for the team.”

O’Leary’s explosive p re s e n c e – p e r h a p s forged by his triple-jump training in his youth – in the sky blue side helped them sweep through Leinster and on to the final stage where they built a nine-point lead.

But, despite O’Leary’s 0-3, the Rebels produced an outstanding comeback to win out 3-16 to 1-14 in the end.

“Delighted to get another chance at it,” is O’Leary’s assessment as

Brian O’Leary at the launch of the 2020 EirGrid Under-20 All-Ireland Championship on Tuesday. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

“Some of the scores [Archer] put up were

outrageous; we know what runs to make when either of us are on the ball.“ he relishes the challenge of bouncing back.

“Last year we came up short in the final; we’ve talked about it a lot and what we left behind us.

It has definitely given us the incentive to work harder and go that last step.

“We do tend to have Cork at the back of our mind but we want to keep it going game by game like we did last year.”

The journey this year is a rapid-fire one with the provincial and AllIreland series set to be done and dusted by the end of March.

It starts on Saturday a g a i n s t Wi c k l ow i n Aughrim with the winner going on to play Longford a week later.

It comes hot on the heels of a development league campaign which manager Tom Gray used to shuffle his deck.

That series saw Dublin finish on a winning note when they beat Laois in Portlaoise by three points, adding to an earlier draw with Kildare.

Wicklow, meanwhile, impressed with wins over Clare and Limerick but then fell to a 4-10 to 0-12 loss to Offaly with an understrength team.

O’Leary missed most of those games with a slight hamstring injury

but says he is ready for the challenge.

He has previous experience of facing the Garden County at Under-17 level, enough to know they will be “definitely up for it”.

Current Wicklow Under-20 manager Kevin O’Brien was over that side back in 2017, a 2-6 to 0-8 win also in Aughrim for the Dubs, so there is a level of potential familiarity.

“We have somewhat of an idea about how they will line out which we will go over in the next couple of days and really zone in on them.

“It will be a tough campaign because it is a very short turnaround this year.

“It is just a case of getting the body right first but you get used to it over the years, playing a lot of games in quick succession.”