Dublin Gazette: Fingal Edition

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PADRAIG

CONLON

NEW RULES

URE FUNDS ON HOW VULT

CAN OPERATE

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Fingal Edition FREE

THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL AREA

Anger boils over new water notice in Fingal Homes may be disrupted for months

SYLVIA POWNALL

HOUSEHOLDS across Fingal served with a second boil water notice in as many weeks, could be facing disruption for at least the next 12 months. Irish Water admitted on Tuesday that the Leixlip plant, which was built 40 years ago, needs major refurbish-

ment works which will take more than a year. The Environmental Protection Agency warned that the upgrade would not be enough to fix the underlying problem describing the facility as “unfit for purpose”. On Monday, 615,539 residents in north Dublin were issued with a sec-

ond boil water notice in the space of ten days after heavy rainfall resulted in contamination. Households in Ashtown, Balbriggan, Baldoyle, Clonee, Clonsilla, Corduff, Donabate, Howth, Lusk, Malahide, Naul, Rush, Skerries, Sutton and Swords were affected. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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Goodbye to Uncle Gaybo

THE HOWTH community has been paying tribute to long-time neighbour Gay Byrne since sad news of his death broke earlier this week. Gay was a proud resident of the fishing village and could regularly be seen walking the Hill of Howth. SEE PAGE 3


2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 7 November 2019

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SWORDS: GARDAI SEARCH FOR BOOKIES ROBBERS

FASTNews

awarded to Gardai in continued Grants community groups hunt for armed robbers SYLVIA POWNALL

spownall@dublingazette. com GARDAI are continuing their hunt for two armed men who held up a bookies in Swords on Halloween. Thieves brandishing knives and a hatchet threatened staff at the premises in Manor Mall before making off on foot with an undisclosed sum of cash. Luckily nobody was hurt while the men escaped with a sum of cash in the direction of The Jacko area. Gardai confirmed the incident which occurred on October 31 at 8.10pm and said the investigation into the robbery was ongoing. A spokesperson said: “ Two m a l e s a r m e d with knives entered the premises, threatened

FUNDING of almost €26,000 has been awarded for two voluntary and community organisations in Fingal under a HSE-run grants scheme. Donabate Portrane Senior Citizens Social Club has been allocated €6,500 while Empower Local Development, which works to benefit residents across Fingal, will receive €19,433. Welcoming the funding Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell said the

grants initiative allows groups to continue their work to support older people and family carers. He added: “These projects approved for grant funding were selected based on their sustainability, and where a need for new or additional services had been clearly demonstrated. “The approval of this funding for these two organisations will be beneficial to many local residents across Fingal.”

Clarification: Businesses Irish Rail arti- reaping online cle on Oct 31 rewards s ta f f a n d d e m a n d e d cash. An undisclosed sum of cash was taken in this incident. “No injuries were sustained. Investigations are ongoing.” G a rd a i h ave a l so launched a probe into an attempted robbery on a cash in transit van in Clongriffin after the vehicle was left “significantly damaged”. The incident occurred in the Grange Lodge Avenue area at around 1 1 . 4 5 a m o n Mo n d ay morning. A number of men broke into the vehicle as it was parked, however no cash was taken and the men left in a white Volkswagen van which was later found burnt out. Gardai in Coolock are appealing for anyone who may have dashcam footage or who witnessed the incident to contact them in confidence on 01 6664200. In another terrifying

raid, a young employee at Spar in Portmarnock had a gun pointed at his chest during an armed ra i d a t t h e s h o p o n Strand Road last week. Gardai are investigating after a “substantial” sum of cash was stolen from the busy store in a brazen broad daylight robbery on Wednesday October 30. The thug barged his way behind the counter shortly after 9am and ordered the shocked staff member to open both tills before making off on foot with the loot. Management at the store said the shaken staff member was recovering well, adding: “He was naturally very nervous but he’s doing well – he did brilliantly. “I was out the back of the shop doing some paperwork at the time. There was nothing he could have done but comply with the robber’s demands.”

AN ARTICLE appeared on page two of the Dublin Gazette Fingal Edition, published October 31, titled ‘Prebook is unacceptable to commuters’. This article was based on a comment from a north Dublin Senator in regard to potential ‘prebook’ services in North Dublin. This article did not appear online, only in the October 31 printed edition of Dublin Gazette: Fingal Edition. In clarification, Irish Rail have told Dublin Gazette that the senator is mistaken in her comment, and that ‘prebook’ services are only under consideration for Intercity services for major outdoor events. Irish Rail have also said that ‘prebook’ services are not being considered for ‘day to day’ Intercity services, and prebooking for commuter services - such as Northern Commuter services - will ‘never be a feature’ of those particular trains. We are happy to clarify this, and apologise to Irish Rail for any inconvenience.

FINGAL BUSINESSES are reaping online rewards with internet trading support, according to the Local Enterprise Office. LEO Fingal has reported the largest increase in Trading Online Vouchers (TOV) applications across Ireland in the last two years. In all, 61 Fingal businesses were awarded €163,000 worth of TOV grants so far in 2019 - mostly small businesses planning to invest in their online sales platform. This matched funding scheme gives small businesses access to expert mentoring, training and a €2,500 voucher to set themselves up online. The TOV is open to small Fingal businesses that have a limited or no online trading presence, no more than 10 employees and a turnover of less than €2 million. Applicants must be trading for a minimum of six months. A call for applications is now under way. A free information seminar will be held on Friday 6 December in the Riasc Centre in Swords. Places can be booked online at: www.localenterprise.ie/ Fingal.


7 November 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

RIP GAYBO: DUBLIN LEGEND PASSES AWAY AGED 85

Tributes paid to broadcasting legend Gay Byrne by neighbours

SYLVIA POWNALL spownall@dublingazette. com

THE Howth community has been paying tribute to long-time neighbour Gay Byrne since sad news of his death broke earlier this week. Gay – who will be forever remembered by the nation as Uncle Gaybo – was a proud resident of the fishing village and could regularly be seen walking the Hill of Howth. The legendary broadcaster passed away age 85 on Monday after a long battle with cancer sparking an outpouring of grief normally reserved for heads of State. How t h Co m m u n i t y News posted: “Aul Uncle Gay, up the hill. Always an ambassador for Howth. His heart never left…” Gay grew up in Dublin 8 and attended Synge

Street CBS before moving to Howth, where he and wife Kathleen raised their family. The couple moved to Sandymount a few years ago to be closer to the city centre, where they were regulars on the culture circuit. Mayor of Fingal Cllr Eoghan O’Brien said on Tuesday: “Gay Byrne was an icon of broadcasting, and generations of Irish people grew up with him. “Fingal has lost a treasured member of its community as he lived in Howth for many years.” Cllr O’Brien was the first to sign a book of condolence, which remains open until close of business this Friday at County Hall, Swords and the civic offices in Blanchardstown. A steady stream of people queued in Dublin city

centre to sign a book of condolence at the Mansion House on Tuesday and Wednesday. Leading the tributes, President Michael D Higgins described Gay Byrne as a man of great charisma who “exuded warmth and presence”. He said: “Through his work in radio and on television he challenged Irish society, and shone a light not only on the bright, but also the dark sides of Irish life.” Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Gay was “the most influential broadcaster in the history of the State, a much-loved figure who changed Ireland for the better in so many ways”. Gay’s funeral will take place this Friday, November 8. There will be a live broadcast on RTE at 11.30am, presented by Brian Dobson.

Mayor of Fingal,Cllr Eoghan O’Brien, signs the book of condolences


4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 7 November 2019

WEST DUBLIN: COMMUNITY PAYING THE PRICE

IRISH WATER

Anger boils over in Fingal residents after new notice

Thousands worth of damage caused SYLVIA POWNALL

CONTINUEDFROM PAGE 1

Senator James Reilly (FG) called for new laws to be enacted so Irish Water could be held accountable for “dereliction of duty”. Senator Reilly also called for greater powers of enforcement for the EPA following the latest disruption. He told Dublin Gazette: “I am calling on the Minister to bring forward legislation to give the people of Fingal greater confidence in their water supply and to show that consequences will follow for dereliction of duty. “It is deeply concerning that yet another boil water notice has been issued in such a short space of time.” It emerged in recent days that Irish Water failed to act on recommendations made by the EPA earlier this year in a report on the Leixlip facility. Managing Director of Irish Water Niall Gleeson admitted the plant had repeatedly caused problems but said it could not be taken out of service. He added: “Ideally we would shut the plant down for six to 12 months and do all these refurbishment works, but because it’s such a critical part of the Dublin water supply, we have to keep it in operation.” EPA head Dr Tom Ryan said the

facility was “not sufficient to manage risk” and warned that the upgrade works would not solve the problem. He told an Oireachtas Committee: “The level of treatment at this plant is not sufficient to manage the risk posed by the River Liffey source water. “In particular, there is currently a deficit for treatment of parasites such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia. “Filter upgrade works are underway to reduce this deficit but will not be sufficient to confirm adequate treatment.” Fianna Fail water spokesman Darragh O’Brien said the two boil water notices in as many weeks had “rocked people’s confidence in the water supply”. Cllr Duncan Smith (Lab) said an urgent investigation was needed describing a second major disruption in less than a fortnight as “incredible”. He told Dublin Gazette: “I can’t believe that we are back in this situation. We need answers from Irish Water whether this is to become a regular occurrence during bad weather this winter?” Fingal County Counc il advised households with any questions to contact Irish Water directly at www.water. ie or 1850 278278.

COMMUNITIES in west Dublin are counting the cost of Halloween 2019 after a blaze caused thousands of euros of damage to a school and a pub went up in flames. A fire started in the grounds of Ladyswell NS in Mulhuddart destroyed insulation and damaged scaffolding erected where part of a new school building is under construction. The blaze was detected on Wednesday October 30 in the run up to Halloween night and fire fighters discovered a stockpile of pallets stashed on the grounds for a bonfire up in flames. Cllr Paul Donnelly (SF) posted a video of the fire and tweeted: “Serious fire in Ladyswell national school. “It appears that it’s the new building works that has gone up. I really hope this wasn’t a targeted attack.” He urged people to report stockpiled bonfire material in the wake of the fire and asked that households stop the practice of putting stuff out for bonfires.

Ladywell National School in Mulhuddart, which suffered extensive fire damage

He added: “I’m just relieved that no damage was caused to the new school being built. We have waited years to have the new school started to replace the old prefabs.” The fire was started adjacent to prefabs of the school but was quickly brought under control by the units of the fire brigade from Blanchardstown and Phibsboro. Dublin Fire Brigade said they were called to 43 bonfires in the Dublin area in the 24 hours before Halloween - some were flaming stockpiles while others were described as pre-Hal-

loween bonfires. The emergency service responded to 230 incidents in the capital between 4pm and 6am over Halloween night itself. On Friday emergency services rushed to the scene of a vacant pub in Mulhuddart village after a blaze broke out. The alarm was raised at around 5pm as dark smoke billowed from the premises forcing pedestrians to move away from the building. A Garda spokesperson said the scene had been preserved for forensic examination, adding that

there were no injuries and enquiries are ongoing. Fingal County Council described its four free organised Festival of Fire events in Balbriggan, Naul, Swords and Blanchardstown as a “terrifying triumph”. The local authority also revealed that its four-day amnesty over the Halloween period was a huge success with over 4,000 vehicles visiting its Estuary Recycling Centre in Swords where 86 skips were filled along with 40 cages of small electrical waste and 35 crates of paint.

Art exhibition in Connolly SYLVIA POWNALL

AN artist from Carpenterstown is the latest Fingal talent to have his work exhibited at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown. Wi l l Na t h a n s w i l l show his paintings in the main hospital from this week as part of an initiative to enhance the environment for both patients and staff. Will, who completed his degree in New York, d e s c r i b e s h i s p a i n tings as “an attempt to portray nature and the human person as I see it”. He added: “My train-

ing was in the classical vein of art technique and I use this as a basis for my work, verging off as I see fit, particularly in the genre of landscape painting. “I work mainly in oil and dry media basing my work on studying the subtle range of tones and hues found under natural light.” You can check out some of his work at Connolly Hospital where the exhibition runs for the next few weeks. For more from Will, and to see more of his artwork, please visit WillNathansPaintings. com.

One of Will Nathan’s paintings


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6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 7 November 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Festival of Fire amazes with spooktacular fireworks show

T

he sky was ablaze with fireworks last week at the Blanchardstown Halloween Festival of Fire as thousands of people showed up to watch the dazzling fireworks display.

As part of Fingal County Council’s Safer Halloween initiative, Blanchardstown enjoyed the family-friendly event as Halloween revellers made their way in full costume enthusiastically to celebrate the spookiest night of the year.


7 November 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

‘NICHE LIVING QUARTERS’ MET WITH PLENTY OF PROBLEMS FROM LOCALS

Objections lodged against co-living site SYLVIA POWNALL

ALMOST 100 objections have been lodged against plans for a shared living scheme in Blanchardstown. By Monday of this week, An Bord Pleanala had received more than 90 submissions against the controversial proposal for the site of Brady’s pub. One submission argues that the developer omitted a report that it commissioned which ruled that shared living is not suitable in suburban areas. Bartra Capital lodged plans in September to develop a 198-unit co-living complex with 210 bed spaces on the old Brady’s Public House site near Castleknock. Plans were filed directly

What the proposed building will look like

with An Bord Pleanala in September, bypassing the council’s planning department as per new guidelines to fast-track strategic housing developments. Bartra Capital has branded the concept as ‘niche living’, however a spate of similar applications have sparked calls to rewrite design standards for new apartments. Within days of the appli-

cation for the iconic Dublin 15 site being lodged Labour TD Joan Burton, publicly called for it to be blocked as opposition mounted locally. Her party colleague Cllr John Walsh told Dublin Gazette: “This site already had permission for a substantial number of apartments, but instead the developer wants to squeeze in 210 bed spaces.

FAO Schwarz lands in Arnotts KATHRYN THOMAS and her daughter Ellen were on hand to attend the opening of iconic toy retailer FAO Schwarz at Arnotts, Henry Street. The Arnotts flagship is just one of two unique locations in Europe for the world famous toy store and follows the opening of FAO Schwarz at Selfridges, London. The new location offers customers and visitors a taste of the same magic and wonderment as the plethora of tourists who visit the New York flagship. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

Bus Lane comments unhelpful says TD TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar’s comments on making bus lanes accessible to electric cars in Dublin have been described as “unhelpful” by a Fianna Fail TD. Fi a n n a Fa i l ’s Jo h n Lahart expressed surprise at Mr Varadkar’s comments during a ra d i o i n te r v i ew l a s t week.

Deputy Lahart said: “The Taoiseach’s comments were surprising, given his own government’s commitment to BusConnects; to reducing congestion in Dublin and to proposing greater use of public transport. “The idea of filling up our bus lanes into the city with cars just defies l o g i c. D u b l i n t ra f f i c

needs a major shakeup.” He added: “We already are the slowest moving city in Europe, with the average city commuter spending ten days of the ir lives each year stuck in city traffic. At the very least, the Taoiseach would be better employed ensuring the roll out of e-Charging points nationwide.”

“These will be so small that they hardly deserve to be called bedsits… by any standard it amounts to over-development and would be totally out of keeping with the surrounding area.” Fingal County Council received notification of Bartra’s SHD application and An Bord Pleanala has

given councillors an outline of its opinion. Bartra wants to demolish the existing two-storey pub and restaurant and build a five-storey “build to rent shared living residential development”. The site notice describes a 6,549sqm scheme divided into 210 “bedspaces” with 182 single occu-

pancy rooms, four accessible rooms and 12 double rooms. The property will also include “communal living/kitchen/dining rooms at each floor level”, a “tv/ cinema room at basement level”, a gymnasium, library and roof terrace. Deputy Burton said: “Coliving developments sim-

ply prevent the building of real homes for Dublin 15. It is fundamentally wrong and misguided to suggest that substandard housing of this kind will solve the housing crisis.” A decision is due by January 16, 2020, and the application can be viewed at – www.bartrablanchardstownshd.com


8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 7 November 2019

LEAD: FARRELLY BECOMES THE SIXTH PERSON TO FILL THE ROLE OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Farrelly becomes first female chief of Fingal County Council SYLVIA POWNALL

FINGAL County Council formally appointed its first female chief executive at a special meeting last Friday. Counc illors passed a special resolution to appoint AnnMarie Farrelly to the position she has privisionally filled since Paul Reid left to head up the HSE in May. The local authority’s Corporate Policy Group had last week unanimously supported the recommendation of the Public

Appointments Service. Ms Farrelly becomes the sixth person to fill the role of chief executive, formerly known as county manager, of Fingal County Council. The married motherof-two, who is originally from Co Monaghan, said it was an “honour and a privilege” to take up the position. She added: “The county has transformed since the council was established in 1994. Over the past 25 years, for example, our population has doubled to

300,000. “Our rates income, which was €3.7million back in 1994, has risen to €129million this year. This level of growth is an indication of our success but has also presented some challenges, which we will continue to address.” Ms Farrelly previously worked for Dublin County Council before joining Fingal County Council on its establishment in 1994. She was Fingal County Council’s Director of Housing and Community from 2011 to 2015 before serv-

ing as Director of Planning and Strategic Infrastructure from 2015 to 2019. She said: “I want to ensure that Fingal remains a vibrant, outward-looking and wellrun council and that we embrace opportunity and diversity. “We will need to take a lead on issues such as climate action, public transport improvement, employment and housing. “It is also important that we perform our core responsibilities well and I do intend to keep a focus on this area, particularly on our roles as regulator.” Former council chief Paul Reid was one of the first to congratulate his successor. He tweeted: “Couldn’t have wished for a better successor to the privileged role as CE of Fingal County Council. “You are a remarkable leader and the people and business in Fingal will do well under your stewardship. The very best of

AnnMarie Farrelly has been appointed chief executive of Fingal County Council

luck.” Mayor of Fingal Cllr Eoghan O’Brien said: “I firmly believe that she is the right person to lead our local authority. She is an exemplary public servant whose knowledge

of the sector is second to none.” Ms Farrelly listed housing on public lands in Donabate, Swords Cultural Quarter, the regeneration of Balbriggan, the Coastal Way and the Snugborough

Interchange as key targets She pledged: “I will continue with my management team and staff to deliver essential projects, and to ensure a good quality of life for all our citizens both young and old.”

Kinsealy site on market for €8 million A 16-ACRE site in Kinsealy zoned for housing and formerly owned by Treasury Holdings has gone on the market with a guide price of €8 million. The land is located in the centre of the village with the majority zoned ‘Rural Village’ allowing for the delivery of up to 85 new homes and a new village square. Agent Savills is handling the sale on the instruction of Declan McDonald, receiver of Alhans Limited, which is a subsidiary of Johnny Ronan and Richard Barrett’s now defunct Treasury Holdings. The rural village zoning relates to about four hect-

ares (10 acres) of the site, while a further 1.9 hectares (4.7 acres) is unzoned allowing for a significant element of open space or an opportunity for rezoning in any future development. The site had a previous planning application for 81 units (three and fourbedroom houses) refused, pending the outcome of the Kinsealy Local Area Plan (LAP) and a transport study, both of which are now completed. The Kinsealy Local Area Plan was adopted earlier this year by councillors and will provide guidelines for the area’s growth over the next decade.

Have a WEEE thought and recycle those bulbs WEEE Ireland is calling on Irish consumers to “Have a Lightbulb Moment” and recycle their compact fluorescent (CFL) lightbulbs. For an interactive map to find a participating retailer or local authority recycling centre and to find out more about what can be recycled, please visit www.smallthingsmatter.ie Pictured helping to promote CFL lightbulb recycling was Rian O’Reilly (age 7 yrs) from Ratoath, Co. Meath, highlighting that CFL lightbulb recycling is free, easy and local. WEEE Ireland have published findings that 3.2 million lightbulbs were recycled in 2018, despite an estimated 10 million being sold in Ireland in the same period. Picture Conor McCabe Photography.


7 November 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9


10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 7 November 2019

ANA: BOY A AND BOY B SENTENCED FOR KRIEGEL MURDER

Ana’s killers sentenced PADRAIG CONLON

Patric and Geraldine Kriegel. Picture: Virgin Media News

GARDAÍ who investigated the shocking murder of Ana Kriegel described the case as “unprecedented.” Speaking at a press briefing following the sentenc ing of Boy A and Boy B on Tuesday, Superintendent John Gordon was direct and to the point. “None of us have seen anything of this nature in our time and hopefully will never see anything of its nature again,” he said. The two teenage boys had earlier been sentenced for Ana’s murder last year. Now aged 15, they

were convicted in June of murdering Ana, thus becoming the youngest murderers in the history of the State. Boy A was sentenced to life in detention, with his sentence to be reviewed in 12 years. Boy B was sentenced to 15 years for his role in the murder, with his sentence to be reviewed after eight years. The boys aged 13 when they killed Ana in a derelict house in Lucan. Boy A also sexually assaulted her. He was given an eightyear sentence for the sexual assault to run concurrently with the sentence for murder. The lead investigator on the case, Detective Inspector Mark O’Neill, said establishing a motive was vital as soon as they suspected Ana had been killed by other children. “I think you always want to find out why when you investigate any serious case, but even more so in this particular case,” he said. “ U n f o r t u n a t e l y, w e weren’t able to in this case and we still don’t know why. “But the investigation team were dedicated and committed to solving it and they did that.” Supt Gordon said several “special arrangements” were put in place once gardai knew Boy A and Boy B were suspects in Ana’s disappearance. “ T h ey s ta r te d w h e n the case first became a missing person case in Lucan,” he said. “Ana was first reported missing initially to Leixlip Garda Station. “She was 18 hours missing when Lucan first became aware of the missing person case. “From the time she went missing it became very obvious that something

was awry. “I met Ana’s parents, Geraldine and Patric, in St Catherine’s Park on the afternoon of May 15. “They were devastated at that time, above and b eyo n d a n o rd i n a r y missing person case.” Superintendent Gordon went on to explain how the investigating team worked. “The search continued for three full days. “Ana had missing person status up to and including May 17, when her body was discovered. “From there suspects were identified, and as we know now they were Boy A and Boy B, who were 13 years of age at the time. “I had met Boy A and Boy B and they presented as the last persons to have seen Ana. “As things moved forward they were identified as actual suspects. “As the court kept pointing out they are juveniles and have that entitlement to their anonymity. “By default their families are also entitled to that. “It was deemed necessary at the time of arrest that stations other than Lucan would be used and the boys would be housed in different stations so Blanchardstown and Clondalkin were made available to us. “Those stations were cleared out from midnight the night before so that there were no other prisoners in there. “We had free access to both those stations from late May.” As the case unfolded in the months following the boy’s arrest over 500 lines of inquiry were investigated, over 500 statements were taken, 250 exhibits were seized and examined, and up to 700 hours of CCTV was examined.

FASTNews

Linda Barry, Store Manager Robbie Kelly, Debbie Myler and Noeleen Walker

Tesco raise funds for Temple Street TESCO IRELAND stores across the country raised a fangtastic €128,388 as part of Trick or Treat for Temple Street over the bank holiday weekend. In all 151 stores, Tesco colleagues dressed up in a variety of costumes while they hosted Halloween parties with cake sales, face painting, balloons and much more. Funds raised will go toward purchasing new paediatric scopes; life-saving equipment needed for Temple Street to ensure that each child receives the best care possible. Temple Street has been Tesco Ireland’s charity partner since October 2014 and to-date Tesco Ireland has raised €4.7 million in aid of the little heroes of Temple Street.

Cases of credit Poverty card fraud workshops to around Dublin take place GARDAI are warning businesses in north county Dublin to be vigilant following a spate of credit card fraud in the area. Officers are appealing to retailers to make their staff aware of potential fraudulent behaviour in the wake of five incidents in Balbriggan last week. They involve customers using cards with either just card details and no card present, or a card has been present but has passed its expiry date. In some cases the cards were used to get cash back. As the busy shopping period approaches Gardai are advising retailers to be extra vigilant about suspicious credit card use “particularly if an individual attempts to use a number of failing cards or card details one after another for cash back”. CCTV is being examined.

AFRI Hedge School will take place in TU Dublin – Blanchardstown Campus, Main Hall, Croi Building on November 13 with registration from 9.30am to 4pm. Learning about and resisting the causes of poverty is at the heart of Afri’s work, and the theme of this year’s Afri Hedge School is ‘Food Fashion Fuel’. The event will feature a blend of speakers, workshops, drama and creative activity and takes place this year as part of Fingal Social Inclusion Week. This is a free event and lunch will be provided for all attending. However, advance booking is essential as spaces will be limited. Please book at the following Eventbrite link: https:// www.eventbrite.ie/e/afrihedge-school-2019-tickets76758006263?aff=ebdssbeac.

Toastmaster speaking club DUBLIN 15 Toastmasters invites you to visit its fun public speaking club at its open night on Monday 11 November at 7.45pm in St Mochta’s Parish Centre, Porterstown. Members promise that you will be very warmly welcomed and there is no pressure to speak. Come along, have some cake, a chat and a good laugh. Free admission. Contact Ahmad (086 233 5871), or Clodagh on 083 164 3200. For more information visit: https://www.dublin15toastmasters.com https://www.facebook.com/dublin15toastmasters/


7 November 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

COURT HEARS TEACHER THOUGHT LEGAL AGE OF CONSENT WAS 16

Teacher jailed for underage sex with pupil

A SUBSTITUTE teacher who had sex with her 16-year-old student has been jailed for 12 months. T h e wo m a n , w h o was aged 23 at the time, waited until the boy’s sixteenth birthday before they had sex because she believed that was the legal age of consent. The 25-year-old, who cannot be named to protect the identity of her victim, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of defilement in early 2018. The victim was in his fifth year in a north Dublin secondary school when the woman started

working there as a substitute teaching English. The court heard she came over and hugged him after he saw her in a local nightclub and waved. From that night they began to communicate via Snapchat. On the boy’s 16th birthday, the teacher drove him to Gormanston Beach. She gave him birthday presents including a jumper, aftershave, highlighters and pens. They began to kiss in the car before the matter progressed into sexual activity. The pair went on to engage in sexual intercourse.

On the day before Valentine’s Day, while the boy was on a mid-term break, the teacher drove him to the Carlton Hotel in Tyrellstown where there was a room booked in her name. They slept together in the hotel room that night and she dropped him home the next morning. The boy told his parents that he had stayed in a friend’s house. The boy believed the two were in a relationship and the teacher was concerned about people finding out as she would not be able to teach again, the court heard.

Delight as St Peregrine’s give €2,500 to D15 suicide support STUDENTS from Blanchardstown Community Training Centre have just returned from a youth exchange in Spain involving 24 young people from six countries. The four were the only Irish participants and they took part in workshops on their national cultures with students from Estonia, Italy, Poland, Romania and Spain. Some of the group had never been abroad before, but they soon got into the swing of things and

even gave an Irish dancing lesson in the town square. The project was fully funded by Erasmus+ and the European Social Fund so there was no cost to the young people involved. It was a success and the young people who took part had a once in a lifetime experience, met new friends, built new relationships, strengthened personal values and got to witness the wider world outside of Dublin 15.

The boy’s mother was aware her son was in a relationship with a girl bearing the teacher’s name, but was unaware this person was his teacher. After being contacted about her son’s erratic school attendance, she contacted the school’s principal and discovered the woman’s identity at

which point the teacher’s contract was terminated. In his victim impact statement, the boy said he had developed serious life threatening anxiety and depression. He said it followed him around like “a little black cloud” and that sometimes it felt like the cloud was shaped like a barking dog.

Judge Nolan said the case was aggravated by the woman being the victim’s teacher at the time. He said she was in a position of authority and trust which she abused. He said that, as a teacher, she should have known the age of consent, adding that it was “completely unethical and immoral” for a teacher to have

sexual relations with a student. He sentenced her to three years imprisonment with two suspended on condition she keep the peace and be of good behavior in custody and for two years post release. The woman, who has no previous convictions, cried throughout the sentence hearing.


12 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 7 November 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Fingal Mayor Cllr Eoghan O’Brien and his Deputy Buzz lightyear

Anna, Deirdre, Nicola, Sarah, Derek and Tony. Pictures: Alison O’Hanlon

Ruby, Lacie, Martin, Madison and Demi

Oliver and Andris Selis

David and Emily Caffrey

Stephane, Chloe, Hermine and Agnieszka


7 November 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

Spooky fun at Halloween Festival of Fire in Swords

C

ROWDS were out in force last week to enjoy this year’s Spooktacular Halloween Festival of Fire event in Swords Castle. Halloween revellers made their way in full costume enthusiastically to celebrate the spookiest night of the year. A magical fireworks display lit up the sky at Town Park in Swords with bursts of orange, red and yellow.

Emilia and Krzysctof

Ger, Luke, Gavin, Gracie, Gillian, Lucy, Ruth, Rebecca and Nathan

Ciara, Saki and Fumika

Paul and Emma Ward with Ross and Sean

Joshua, Emily and Maya Chalmers


14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 7 November 2019

PART 1 OF 7

Vulture funds are continuing to feather their nests in Ireland SINCE 2016, vulture funds have bought almost €30 billion of Irish property, including tens of thousands of family mortgages, at less than half their true value. PADRAIG CONLON

These vulture funds are about to acquire another €9bn before the year is out with letters due to be sent to mortgage-holders in early 2020. Who, and what, exactly are these funds and who is benefiting from their profiteering? Vulture funds are private equity firms and pension funds that purchase non-performing or distressed loans at heavily discounted prices, which are eventually sold for profit. They invest in several different asset classes, one of which is debt, and they are attractive prospects for banks, as they can clear non-performing loans off their books. These loans are usually related to commercial or residential property, and vulture funds buy with the aim of taking charge and possession of the asset, through either a receiver or the courts. Many homeowners were not even aware their mortgage was sold to a vulture fund. The UN special rapporteur on the right to housing, Leilani Farha earlier this year sent a letter to the Irish government noting how they have facilitated housing financing through “preferential tax laws and weak tenant protections among other measures”. The report was highly critical of Ireland for allowing vulture funds buy up properties, which has led to rocketing rents and a worsening housing crisis. The report states that “almost overnight multinational private equity and asset management

firms like Blackstone, have become the biggest landlords in the world, purchasing thousands and thousands of units… they have changed the global housing landscape”. So who are the vulture funds operating in Ireland? CEREBRUS A US private equity firm created to mainly operate in the distressed debt market, they have been active in Ireland, among their largest purchases was a portfolio of commercial property loans from Ulster Bank. GOLDMAN SACHS T h e wo r l d ’s l a r g est investment bank, they were memorably described by US journalist, Matt Taibbi as a “great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money.” Goldman Sachs’s three main vulture funds, Ennis Property Finance, Beltany Property Finance and Liffey Acquisitions, have collected almost €1 billion from local borrowers in the last two years on distressed property loans. B e l t a ny P r o p e r t y Finance caused widespread anger in 2016 when it threatened to evict more than 100 families from their rented homes in Tyrrelstown. LONE STAR Another of the world’s largest private equity firms, Lone Star and its affiliate Shoreline Residential, are the main vulture funds which bought the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC) mort-

gage loans. Shoreline employs Pepper Asset Servicing to manage its portfolio in Ireland. BLACKSTONE World’s biggest private equity firm have been an active investor in Ireland since the economic crisis and the collapse of the property market. START MORTGAGES Another affiliate of Lone Star, Start Mortgages bought a portfolio of loans off Permanent TSB in September made up of 1,422 home mortgages and 510 buy-to-let mortgages, with a net book value of €274m. Start are one of the most active vulture funds in taking legal proceedings against customers. APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT A leading US “global alternative investment manager” Apollo bought a portfolio of Irish home loans from Lloyds Bank in 2013 for €307m.

NEW RULES ON HOW VULTURE FUNDS CAN OPERATE IN IRELAND THIS week, new rules were announced aimed at helping consumers resolve mortgage disputes with vulture funds. The deal between the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI), the State’s main banking lobby group, and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) will see an information leaflet created for borrowers. The deal sets out the rules of engagement between banks or funds and MABS, when they are representing borrowers. It provides for how MABS and lenders can work together to try to resolve mortgage arrears for those borrowers who have already exhausted the Central Bank’s mortgage arrears resolution process, and are entering or are about to enter the legal process. As per the new rules, where a mortgage is sold

by a bank to a third party, that party must appoint a credit servicing firm to manage it and the protections afforded by the Central Bank’s Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears still apply. This comes on foot of concern that borrowers whose loans were sold off by banks to third parties, would not be afforded the same consumer protections. A new consumer information leaflet, “Protections If Your Mortgage Is Sold to a Third Party”, has been published to accompany the agreement. However, David Hall, CEO of the Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation, was critical of the new agreement between the BPFI and MABS. “This morning’s ‘Agreement’ raises more questions than answers and appears to favour vultures rather than customers, not least whether this

informal scheme helps vultures bypass the current insolvency process with its checks and balances,” he said. “Already people are asking is this ‘code’ an attempt by vultures to block people availing of ever improving insolvency arrangements. “Vultures don’t like some of the insolvency arrangements where, despite some recent high-profile cases, many ordinary families have gotten good insolvency arrangements approved. “I welcome the recognition by the Banking Federation and MABS that more than 40,000 citizens are in crisis, a potential tsunami in anyone’s language. “The timing of this is curious, given that the Central Bank is examining restructuring arrangements vultures are doing. “There is an old saying about the need to be wary of Greeks bearing gifts.”


7 November 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

STYLE: SHOP SUSTAINABLY:

DUBLIN

THE REAL TASTE OF THAI P20 PAGE 18

WHAT’S ON IN THE CAPITAL THIS WEEK P21

One of Europe’s biggest online retailers is leading the charge in shopping sustainably online, having recently announced their plans to hopefully reduce their carbon footprint within the next decade.

MAGAZINE

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

FUNDRAISING | ANNUAL FUNDRAISER WILL TAKE PLACE NOVEMBER 20

Have a cup of tea for the kids Noah Pender, Amber Mooney Finnerty and Ciara King at Tallaght Hospital

REBECCA RYAN

RTE 2FM PRESENTER, CIARA KING, had a ball with children at CHI at Tallaght Hospital when she visited to highlight Children in Hospital Ireland’s Cuppa & Cookie annual fundraiser which takes place on November 20. Now in its 3rd year, funds raised by Children in Hospital Ireland Cuppa & Cookie Event will be used to support the volunteer run, play

services that Children in Hospital Ireland provide in 14 hospitals across Ireland. This service is much valued by the families of children in hospital, as it can give parents a break to get a cup of tea or it can simply provide some fun for the child during their hospitalisation. CHI are calling for people to host a coffee morning for Children in Hospital Ireland on International Children’s Day Novem-

ber 20th or any day that suits in November/December. All funds raised will help to provide much needed arts & crafts materials, books and games as well as expanding our training and support programmes for CHI volunteers. Email info@childreninhospital.ie to receive your starter pack which includes a range of items including coffee, biscuits and recipes.


16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 7 November 2019

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

7 November 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

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

Man turns nail clippings he saved for a year into an engagement ring

TOP TWEETS

MOST people would love a unique engagement ring, but one made out of fingernails, maybe not so much. In an online video, a Japanese man documented how he made a ring from his fingernails that he collected for an entire year to make a ‘diamond’ ring. First, he collected the chippings, ground them into a fine powder, then mixed with water, compressed the mixture and put it in the oven for 90 minutes. The dark clay-like mixture was then put into a mound to shape it like a ‘diamond’. The man even made the silver ring for it to go on himself. Many people were disgusted by the

The Catholic church hasn’t been too good to us in Ireland so I propose a new religion, “Crispianity” where Mr.Tayto is our God Northern Ireland can be “Potatostints” and they will believe in the Northern Mr.Tayto Our first mass will take place outside Centra!

Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@dublingazette.com Commercial Director: Liz Ferris lferris@dublingazette.com Group Editor: Patrick Finnegan pfinnegan@dublingazette.com Deputy Group Editor & Travel Editor: Shane Dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@dublingazette.com Picture Editor: Alison O’Hanlon picturedesk@dublingazette.com Online & Style Editor: Rachel D’Arcy rdarcy@dublingazette.com Advertising Sales:

01 - 6010240 sales@dublingazette.com

FIND US ON

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

LAST year a man who‘d recently moved to ireland came into h sam*el to show us a ring he “found in a cake” bc he wanted to know if it was real gold or not and after a few mins of profound confusion i had to explain bairin @nimfeachuisce

WINTER in Ireland is battling a cold, thinking you’ve triumphed over a cold, only to wake up discovering that you do, indeed, have a cold again every day of your life until May @JadeHayden

The way everyone congregates at the doors of the Luas and won’t move down where there’s loads of room so you can’t get on is deadly, I love it so I do @its_erinlindsay

footage. One joked: “Nothing says romance quite like ground up fingernails.” While another said: “That’s just flat out gross.”

Last McDonalds in Iceland

@stephenlough95

C O N TA C T S

BITS & BOBS

TEN years on, the last ever McDonald’s hamburger to be sold in Iceland is still in perfect condition, and is kept at a B&B in the country. McDonalds closed in Iceland on October 31 2009. Hjortur Smarason bought the last McDonald’s hamburger in the country after hearing rumours that McDonald’s burgers never decay, and wanted to test it for himself. Smarason kept the burger, accompanied by fries, in a plastic bag for three years during which it remained unchanged. He gave the burger to the National Museum of Iceland in 2012, but a museum specialist told them they couldn’t preserve the burger.

Appeal for loose Lego donations BROTHERS Paddy Sweetman and Osheen Sweetman from Stillorgan, pictured with Tom Searle, DPD Ireland at the launch of the Jack & Jill Foundation who are starting a national drive for LEGO donations of any loose, unwanted or old pieces gathering dust or in attics. LEGO pieces will be recycled into extra Jack & Jill home nursing care for families across Ireland. Every €16 raised (size of average bag) will gift

one hour of home nursing care for a child with a life limiting condition, who typically can’t walk or talk, may be oxygen dependent, tube fed and with heavy medical needs. All unwanted, loose (no instructions, or boxes required) Lego pieces can be dropped off at one of 33 DPD Ireland depots nationwide with all the drop off points on www.jackandjill.ie Pictures: Robbie Reynolds

House contents for sale in Clontarf The contents of the home of Ann (D. April 2019) & Art Mc Gann, a well-known and successful dentist in Fairview for over 40 years will be auctioned off by well-known antique specialists Matthews Auctioneers next Saturday & Sunday, 16th & 17th November. The auction to commence 2pm each day. The house, known locally as The Lodge, is located at 51 Summerville, Clontarf, Dublin 3, Eircode DO3 KD27 will be signposted on public viewing days. Well known local collectors the auction comprises Georgian, Victorian & Edwardian furniture as well as old gilt mirrors, rugs, and collecta-

bles. A life-time collection gathered over fifty years together it’s “a veritable magpie’s nest!” says the auctioneer Damien Matthews. This auction will also include the part-clearance of a fine Dublin 6 red-brick and the residual contents of a prestigious Castleknock residence recently sold for development. The catalogue is illustrated online on the auctioneer’s website, www.matthewsauctionrooms.com and the house itself will be open for public viewing of the contents from Thursday 15th November, 11am onwards.

Ravenous hunger for chocolate foils thief A MAN in Seattle got in trouble this week, thanks to his sweet tooth and an impromptu break-in to a financial services office. The 44-year-old man snuck into an office building earlier this month, took the elevator to a financial services office, rattled the doors open and managed to get into the office. Once inside, he allegedly moved a painting on the wall before discovering a glass bowl filled with expensive chocolates. An employee who was still in the office spotted the man and hid, watching him as he began to eat over $200 worth of gourmet chocolate. The man then sat on a nearby couch and took a nap, following his sweet treat. When security arrived, they discovered that the man had stripped himself of his jacket and shoes, and told security that ‘they’d have to kill [him] to take [him] to jail.

‘I’m in love with the shape of you’

Some of the chips were eaten by guests to the museum too. Rather than throw the burger away Smarason said it had great historic value - he gave it to friends who run Snotra House in south Iceland, were it remains on display in the lounge of the guesthouse. To this day, ten years on, the burger remains relatively unchanged.


7 November 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

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

BITS & BOBS

Man turns nail clippings he saved for a year into an engagement ring MOST people would love a unique engagement ring, but one made out of fingernails, maybe not so much. In an online video, a Japanese man documented how he made a ring from his fingernails that he collected for an entire year to make a ‘diamond’ ring. First, he collected the chippings, ground them into a fine powder, then mixed with water, compressed the mixture and put it in the oven for 90 minutes. The dark clay-like mixture was then put into a mound to shape it like a ‘diamond’. The man even made the silver ring for it to go on himself. Many people were disgusted by the

footage. One joked: “Nothing says romance quite like ground up fingernails.” While another said: “That’s just flat out gross.”

Last McDonalds in Iceland

TEN years on, the last ever McDonald’s hamburger to be sold in Iceland is still in perfect condition, and is kept at a B&B in the country. McDonalds closed in Iceland on October 31 2009. Hjortur Smarason bought the last McDonald’s hamburger in the country after hearing rumours that McDonald’s burgers never decay, and wanted to test it for himself. Smarason kept the burger, accompanied by fries, in a plastic bag for three years during which it remained unchanged. He gave the burger to the National Museum of Iceland in 2012, but a museum specialist told them they couldn’t preserve the burger.

Ravenous hunger for chocolate foils thief A MAN in Seattle got in trouble this week, thanks to his sweet tooth and an impromptu break-in to a financial services office. The 44-year-old man snuck into an office building earlier this month, took the elevator to a financial services office, rattled the doors open and managed to get into the office. Once inside, he allegedly moved a painting on the wall before discovering a glass bowl filled with expensive chocolates. An employee who was still in the office spotted the man and hid, watching him as he began to eat over $200 worth of gourmet chocolate. The man then sat on a nearby couch and took a nap, following his sweet treat. When security arrived, they discovered that the man had stripped himself of his jacket and shoes, and told security that ‘they’d have to kill [him] to take [him] to jail.

‘I’m in love with the shape of you’

Some of the chips were eaten by guests to the museum too. Rather than throw the burger away Smarason said it had great historic value - he gave it to friends who run Snotra House in south Iceland, were it remains on display in the lounge of the guesthouse. To this day, ten years on, the burger remains relatively unchanged.


18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 7 November 2019

HOME & STYLE

FRESH IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME AND WARDROBE

Shop sustainably

Style FILE

Green Angel goes organic

ZALANDO, an online shopping

packaging designed with the

mecca, have said that they

minimizing of waste in mind.

ZIGN, are also committing to

Currently, their shopping

sustainability going forward,

are committing themselves to

The brand’s own private label,

carbon neutrality across all of

boxes are made from 100%

with the brand hoping to be fully

their deliveries and operations.

recycled materials, and their

sustainable by Spring / Summer

shipping bags from 80% recycled

2020.

The pledge comes as part of Zalando’s new ‘do.MORE’ campaign, which sees the

plastics.

Rubin Ritter, the co-CEO of

Kate Heiny, Director Corporate

Zalando, says: “The fashion

European based shopping giant

Responsibility & Sustainability at

industry is facing sustainability

commit to sustainability, aiming

Zalando, said: “We make it easier

challenges and we know we have

for a net-positive impact on

for customers to shop more

been part of the problem. Going

people and the planet.

sustainably and we experiment

forward, our aspiration is to be

and collaborate across the

part of the solution.

This year alone, the company have switched to over 90%

industry to shape a circular,

renewable energy across all of

prosperous future for fashion.

sustainability into their business

their locations.

This is how we will do more to

strategy will stay relevant for

Single use plastics will also be

“The inclusion of natural ingredients in Green Angel’s products has, along with the use of natural packaging where ever possible, has been of upmost importance to the brand and these new initiatives put them at the forefront of environmentally proactive companies both in Ireland and abroad,” the statement read. The Green Angel Pure & Organic Brand is available in Kilkenny shop, Avoca, Meadows & Byrne and Shaws, as well as select pharmacies and lifestyle shops across the county.

Get your glow on with No7

“Only those who incorporate

move the entire fashion industry

their customers and we believe

eliminated by the company, with

forward, for people and the

that it will be a competitive

Zalando hoping by 2023 to have

planet.”

advantage in the future.”

Baby, it’s cold outside... so warm your interiors up! IT’S OFFICIALLY THE SEASON - Christmas is on it’s way, coming at us fast! The weather is changing, the shops are already flogging the Christmas bits and pieces, and the songs are stuck in our heads. No better time to take a look at your interiors in the home to get prepared for the festivities that the Christmas season will bring in the next seven weeks!

Homesense

IRISH SKINCARE BRAND Green Angel have pledged to switch their formulas to use organic ingredients where possible. In a statement, Green Angel say the decision has been made as they continue to strive toward reducing their carbon footprint, lessening their impact on the environment. Some of their packaging has already been switched from plastic to post-consumer recycled plastic as they strive to become more environmentally friendly.

If, like me, you’re already looking to get into the swing of things and fully embrace all things Santa and otherwise in the home, many high street stores have a great selection of bits and bobs in store that will be sure to brighten up any home. From wreaths to statuettes, even to blankets, rugs and more, there’s an array of Christmassy content available to help you indulge in designing a festive home of dreams. .

(L-R) Debenhams, Penneys, Argos, Argos, Penneys, Argos

BOOTS HAVE announced the latest edition to their cult favourite No7 range, with a series of glistening Highlighting Drops. The No7 Custom Blend Highlighting Drops are available in four shimmering shades, designed to compliment every skintone. Highlighting drops have become a key make up trend in recent years, ensuring to add a luxe glow with minimal effort. Fully customisable, the drops can be mixed and matched to provide your perfect look, allowing you to ‘glow your

own way’! Available in white gold, rose gold, golden and bronze, the four hues pack a punch, perfect to take into party season to freshen up your look or to add an extra little flair. The multi-purpose, concentrated highlighters can also give a natural, healthy-looking glow on their own for those laid back, no makeup days. Usually priced at €18, the highlighting drops will be available at a special introductory offer of €14, from November 13 to December 10 online at Boots.ie.


7 November 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19 COMMERCIAL FEATURE

A day of reflection and remembrance

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is being hosted for the second year in Dublin by Friends of Suicide Loss

FRIENDS OF SUICIDE LOSS IRELAND (FOSL) are asking for your support as they host the International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (or Survivor Day), that began in America in 1999. The day traditionally falls on the Saturday before Thanksgiving in America as the holiday period can be a challenging time for the suicide bereaved. It was designated by the United States Congress as a day on which those affected by suicide can join together for healing and supporting one another. Every year hundreds of events take place throughout the world to mark this day of reflection and remembrance. In 2018, there were 371 events held in 20 different countries around the world. FOSL have introduced its ‘’Mourning Has Broken’’ commemorative walk and associated events since last year into Ireland for the first time to mark this occasion with its own unique event for its members while integrating with

others bereaved by any personal loss who are equally welcome to participate. This year FOSL will hold the “Mourning Has Broken” c o m m e m o r a t ive w a l k o n 23rd November commencing at 1.30pm from the Spire in O’Connell Street to Clontarf Castle followed by special events, entertainment and a sit down meal for participants. Former Leinster and Ireland rugby star Mike Ross will lead the walk to Clontarf Castle where he will be then interviewed by Dublin City FM radio. An entertaining and special evening is anticipated for all who attend on the day, with a commemoration for the beloved departed followed by a candlelight dinner, music and live performances all evening up to 23:30. There will also be a number of raffles and draws on the day with some great prizes. Tickets for the FOSL event package is €60, and these can be purchased on their website or directly from FOSL at 01 492 7576 or on Eventbrite by clicking the link o d re C https://www.eventbrite. Loss f Suicide Friends o ie/e/friends-of-suic ide. th ng re l o s s - f u n d r a i s e r - t i c kst we create Together another. pport one su to . n us ve ets-75995008115 in unite A safe ha ss and pa t, ories of lo gnity, trus Shared st respect, di , re If you are bereaved by ca d pathy Hand an n and em compassio her’s. ot d an . lf fs suicide and need support se and belie for one’s ’s opinions individual ce of the train. r or know someone in need n. ou Acceptan io is ct e re Peac e right di stone in th . steppingto others a d is an s of support, please coned es rt Forgiven es depa g to the on nnings. Connectin new begi of e s ar tact Friends of Suicide ilitie Aw r vulnerab r lives gaging ou While en ation in ou transform e th Loss through their webg . in pe dg ve and ho acknowle elixir of lo with the site www.fosl.ie. They are also on Fa c e b o o k u n d e r Friends of Suic ide Loss and on Twitter @foslireland. FOSL services i n c l u d e o u t re a c h Loss support to the homes of f Suicide Friends o nd credo the bereaved or wherIrela

ever they feel most comfortable to meet, one to one counselling, specialized support groups ranging from the recently bereaved, transition groups, unique group to group support and long term bereavement support groups, specialized workshops, coffee mornings, walks, pamphlets, literature and books for members.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN IMMEDIATE CRISIS AFTER A SUICIDE PLEASE RING EMERGENCY SUPPORT LINE

Mobile: 086 937 1030 or landline 01 4927576 or email foslpost@gmail.com


20 FINGAL GAZETTE 7 November 2019

FOOD&DRINK

Local chefs serving up authentic Thai dishes IF you want a taste of real Thai food, you don’t need to hop on a plane or go too further afield, as Kin Khao Thai in Maynooth is serving up authentic Isaan style dishes, using local Irish ingredients. When you walk into the restaurant you literally feel like you have been transported to Bangkok. Bursting with colour and style, the decor is certainly a feast for the eyes and a must see. Based on their interpretation of one of their favourite food streets in Bangkok, owners, and husband and wife duo, Jayna and Adam Lyons,

carefully chose the pieces for the interior of the restaurant all sourced from Thailand, which pays homage to the shop houses of Bangkok. Adam says of the decor: “We scoured Bangkok looking for the discards of a disappearing age. Seeing, touching and sensing the life of previous generations of street traders and businesses was very moving.” Owner Janya hails from a family history steeped in food; with restaurants, food stalls, noodle bars and butchers in her family history. Born and bred in Bangkok, Janya spent her early years working in the kitchen with her family preparing for a day

of selling her family’s famous fish cakes and soups. She put herself through business school and worked in several five-star hotels in Bangkok before emigrating to Australia. It was there in Sydney

that she met her future husband Adam Lyons, from Raheny, Dublin. Adam and Janya found love in each other’s shared passion for Thai food and moving back to Ireland, the culinary couple saw a gap in the market to share real authentic Thai food. They took the plunge and opened the successful Kin Khao Thai in Athlone 16 years ago - and in the last year opened their Maynooth branch. The food in the restaurant does not disappoint. On the menu you will see all the classic dishes, and if you are brave enough to try something new, Kin

Jayna and Adam Lyons

Khao Thai is the place to do it, each dish is as authentic as the next. The Isaan style dishes that Kin Khao Thai Maynooth prepare originate in Northeastern Thailand which is notable for its complex layering of bold ingredients. The presentation of each dish is Instagram worthy, with a classic bamboo leaf at every opportunity. The meats, often marinated, are prepared over an open char grill. Kin Khao Maynooth is the only Thai restaurant in Ireland using a char grill imported from Thailand. The taste it exudes is out of this world and worth going to the restaurant for alone. Jayna said: “In Thai-

Worth entering the belly of the beast RUNNING this page can be both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes when going for a pint now, it can be hard not to start overthinking it. Having said that, when you get pointed in the direction of a pint that meets the acclaim, there’s not much better a feeling. Originally known as O’Neill’s or “The Convent” the bar didn’t become The Dragon until 1962 when Edward Gilen bought it. The area around the bar is full of history. @guinnessadvisor

On the wall beside the pub, there is a commemorative plaque dedicated to the men who fought at the Battle of Tallaght. Part of the Fenian rising in Dublin in 1867, thousands of men gathered on Tallaght hill armed and ready for rebellion. Due to poor organisation and infiltration from British intelligence, that rising never gathered enough momentum; however, the old constabulary barracks on the main street (now a funeral home) was the

scene of an engagement that became known as the Battle of Tallaght. As soon as I walked in, every lad sat at the counter turned their head. I’ve started to think this is a sign that there is Guinness worth protecting from outsiders. Despite this, the clientele and staff are as friendly as they come once you’ve a pint in your hand. The pint was smooth, full, and the taste was exactly where it should be. Served from the upper level bar at the

right temperature, it’s certainly worth entering the belly of this beast.

The Dragon Inn, Tallaght

land an open charcoal grill is the standard method of cooking for generations of cooks in Thailand. The taste is the best and it is something that cannot be substituted. “Authenticity is the benchmark for Kin Khao Thai. Traditional cooking styles and recipes. All made in house.” Michelin chefs Tong and Bank are preparing these authentic Isaan style dishes at affordable prices, using local ingredients. Recommended to try at the end the meal, is The Trio desert, which includes, poached pumpkin in coconut milk with cinnamon cream and Tapioca Coconut Cookies, Thai Tea Ice Cream and Pandan Cake with Coconut Ice Cream. Located in Greenfield Shopping Centre in Maynooth, there is more than enough parking to accommodate Kin Khao Thai’s rapidly growing following. There is also fantastic transport links within short walking distance. Kin Khao Thai Maynooth is open six nights a week and closed on Tuesdays. There is a pickup and delivery service also. Janya and Adam Lyons have become a staple of the culinary community and should be applauded for bringing authentic traditional, regional style Thai dishes to Ireland. www.kinkhaothai.ie

O’Donnells release two new flavours

WHEN you see your colleagues at Dublin Gazette scoff four big bags of a new brand of crisps in minus two minutes, you know you’ve a hit on your hands! O’Donnells Hand Cooked Crisps have launched two new limited-edition flavours, so if you want to try them, you’ll need to be quick! The family-run company called on their cousin, model and author Roz Purcell, to help launch the range; O’Donnells Spiced Chutney and ’Donnells Aromatic Sweet ‘n’ Sour Flavour. I overheard it in the office being called “a lovely dinner in a bag”.

Recyclable black plastic range launching FULLY recyclable detectable black plastic trays packaging will feature on over 100 individual Tesco own-label products before the end of December this year. At its recent national supplier briefing involving over 300 of its own-label and branded suppliers Tesco, in its ambition to end hard-to-recycle plastics in its business before the end of 2019, confirmed it has launched fully recyclable packaging across a suite of its own-label meat, chilled ready meals and fresh produce lines. Pigment changes in this Tesco packaging, which involves infra-red detectability in black plastic trays used for meat and other products, will mean 448 tonnes of plastic* can now be recycled. The move is part of the company’s global commitment to make all its packaging fully recyclable by 2025.


7 November 2019 FINGAL GAZETTE 21

ENTERTAINMENT GOINGOUTOUT Jojo Siwa plays 3Arena on November 7

NOVEMBER 7 (THURSDAY)

Jojo Siwa @ 3Arena, €39 Giggs @ The Olympia Theatre, €24 Alice Jemima @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €13 WhenYoung @ The Button Factory, €17

NOVEMBER 8 (FRIDAY)

Machine Head @ The Olympia Theatre, sold out Metal legends are sure to shake the Olympia Theatre to its very foundations. The Tallest Man On Earth @ Vicar Street, €35 NC Grey @ The Sugar Club, €15 Isaac Butler @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €13

The Midnight @ The Button Factory, €22 The Rendez-Vous @ The Workman’s Club, €10

NOVEMBER 9 (SATURDAY)

Brave Giant @ The Olympia Theatre, €22 Zestra @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €13 AA Bondy @ The Workman’s Club, €16

NOVEMBER 10 (SUNDAY)

Lizzo @ The Olympia Theatre, sold out Mat Kearney @ Whelan’s, €21 Piersi @ The Workman’s Club, €25 CheryM @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €14

NOVEMBER 11 (MONDAY)

Tinariwen @ The Olympia Theatre, €34 Lucy Spragga @ The Button Factory, €18

NOVEMBER 12 (TUESDAY)

All Tvvins @ Whelan’s, €24 Snarky Puppy @ The Olympia Theatre, €43 Charlie Cunningham @ The Button Factory, €17 Under Starling @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €5

NOVEMBER 13 (WEDNESDAY) All Tvvins @ Whelan’s, €24

Lacuna Coil

Giving it all amid the curveballs ITALIAN metal band Lacuna Coil - meaning empty spiral - are a bit of a temple in a rare realm. A heavy but melodic act known for their theatrical stage performances, they come from a corner of the world little-known for its metal, yet they’ve topped two million worldwide album sales, and tour the globe relentlessly.

 JAMES HENDICOTT

Their themes might draw on gothic inf luences and blistering, pounding guitars, but they also touch on some of the tougher, emotional aspects of life, as Andrea Ferro, one half of their sharp vocal duo, tells me. “We’ve been mostly exploring the human

sphere in our albums and probably the strongest concept we have is that life isn’t perfect, and very often throws curveballs at you. “You have to make the best out of it, you have to accept dark times in order to overcome it and make it better. It’s ok not to be ok all the time,” he says. Coming from that relatively isolated corner, at least from their genre’s perspective, has helped Lacuna Coil develop, though Ferro is modest

enough to put their success down, at least in part, to coincidence. “We are still one of the few metal bands out of Italy to have had an impact on the intern a t i o n a l ro c k /m e ta l scene,” he says. “I think that our label at the time was sort of ‘collecting’ metal bands with a strong identity from all over Europe and they wanted to get one from Italy too, so we were presenting the right thing at the right time from the right place

I guess. “Probably being Italian has helped us having a more personal approach to the genre.” Latest single, Reckless, very much deals with pushing back against modern society, an obvious source of the Italian’s frustrations. “It feels great, the song it’s really a call for freedom, liberate your mind and just go for it,” Ferro explains. “Do what you feel. There are way too many pressures in our society, too much pre-cooked overly worried politically correct nonsense. “The song is an invitation to be yourself and feel alive but also to

You have to make the best out of it, you have to accept dark times in order to overcome it and make it better think outside the box, it’s ok not to fit in all the time.” W h e n i t co m e s to thinking outside the box, Lacuna Coil certainly do it with their live show, which has become renowned for its costumes and theatrics. “In our world, music and visuals go hand in hand and the costumes a n d m a ke u p a re a n important part of it. “It’s like seeing a theatrical play without the costumes, it’s not the

same. “Not every band needs to have this, but for us it makes the show way more complete. “We usually start to imagine the costumes for the live show when we work on the basic concept behind the album, it takes time to find the right thing and you have to think about it in advance. “We spend a lot of time on the road and far away from our families and friends, we are will-

ing to sacrifice this but it has to be worth it, we are not going to settle for an average show.” As for playing in Dublin? “There’s going to be head banging, screaming, jumping, singing along,” Ferro says. “It’s going to be a fun show with some Lacuna Coil classics, and some new tunes plus a really good touring package.” Bring on the noise. Lacuna Coil play The Academy, Dublin on November 14.


22 FINGAL GAZETTE 7 November 2019

DUBLIN SENIORS

This week, we look at using computers, getting help CHALLENGE YOUR FOR FUN! withBRAIN...JUST major tasks and home support

Check out the Care and Repair service for home assistance AS WE GROW OLDER basic household tasks can become very difficult to manage. Even something as simple as changing a light bulb can become a major problem for an older person, who is not in a position to climb on a chair to change the bulb. Other household tasks such as trimming hedges, installing smoke alarms, changing locks, painting and moving furniture cause similar difficulties. Care & Repair is a service that helps to keep people living in their own homes in increased safety and comfort. Volunteers carry out DIY work for older people free of charge. They also keep a list of local tradesmen whose contact details can be provided for paid work, where jobs are too large for volunteers. The vision of the programme is to enable older people to remain in their own homes, in their own communities, living as independently as possible, through the improvement of their housing conditions and their level of comfort, security and wellbeing. The purpose of Age Action’s trade referral service is to provide older people with a list of tradesmen in their local area. Their service aims to prevent older people from being ‘ripped off’ by rogue tradesmen.

Learn more about PCs with Age Action’s course H AV E YO U E V E R wished that you had more computer knowledge and feel that you have been left behind in this fast moving world of ever-changing technology? Well, don’t despair – help is on the way. More than 35,000 Irish people have benefited from Age Action’s Getting Started Computer Training programme, which provides training in computers, smartphones and the Internet for people over the age of 55 all over Ireland. Their volunteers and learners come from all walks of life. Learners range from people who have literally never even switched on a computer before, to those who know the basics, but want a little more practice. As part of the fight against digital exclusion, Age Action’s Getting Started Computer Training programme

What type of jobs can I get done? A huge variety! They do the smaller jobs that you cannot get a tradesman to do such as changing lightbulbs, putting up shelves, installing a grabrail, installing a smoke alarm or a carbon monoxide alarm. What will using Care and Repair cost me? The small jobs provided by the Care & Repair service are free of charge. Clients only pay for the materials required. How many jobs can I get done under the Care and Repair Service? As many as you want or need. However, they aim to spend no more than two hours per visit. They can do several jobs within that time frame and can call back another time if more work is required.

delivers free training on computers, tablets and smartphones to people over the age of 55. Since 2006, Age Action has trained more

than 35,000 older people in 14 counties with the assistance of thousands of volunteer tutors. The training takes place in small classes

The programme delivers free training on compuers, tablets and smartphones to people over the age of 55

g ro u p s a n d r u n s i n libraries, community centres, schools, colleges, family resource centres, corporate offices, and housing complexes for older people. Funding has come from a variety of sources such as government grants, corporate donations and grants, public donations, charitable foundations and Dublin

City Council. If you are interested in enrolling in a oneto-one Getting Started class with one of their trained volunteers starting soon, or you know an older friend or relative who you think might benefit, please call the Age Action Getting Started team on 01-4756989 for more information.

Stay in your home as long as possible with HSE help THE HSE HOME Support Service (formerly called the Home Help Service or Home Care Package Scheme) aims to support older people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible, and to support informal carers. The Home Support Service provides you with support for everyday tasks including getting in and out of bed, dressing and undressing, and personal care, such as showering. The support you will receive depends on

your individual needs. These supports will be provided by the HSE or by an external provider, approved by the HSE. The Home Support Service is free. You do not need a medical card to apply and your income will not be assessed. However, if you arrange additional home supports, over and above the level funded by the HSE, you will have to pay for these. The Home Support Service is available to people aged 65 or over who may need support to continue living at home, or to return

home following a hospital stay. Sometimes exceptions are made for people younger than 65 who may need support. For example, people with early onset Dementia or a disability. If you are approved for a Home Support Service and HSE staff are not available to deliver the service, then a provider who has been approved by the HSE, will deliver the home support to you. Further information on CDHS is available in the Home Support Service for Older People Information Booklet.


7 November 2019 FINGAL GAZETTE 23

CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!

CODEWORDS

You could advertise here

PUZZLES

SUDOKU EASY

MODERATE

SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

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

WORD SEARCH

HOW TO SOLVE Codewords are like crossword puzzles - but have no clues! Instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle. All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number! To start you off, we reveal the codes for two or three letters. As you find letters, enter them in the key and into the grid. Cross off the letters in the A to Z list.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

FIND THE HIDDEN WORDS ACER AGONISING BECAUSE BOSWELL BRIGHTER CESSNA CIRCUIT CROOKED MONASTERY NARCISSUS REMOVED

RESOLUTE REYKJAVIK RUDELY SHRINKAGE STUN SUMP SUSTAINS TUMBLING WHOLENESS

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


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7 November 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

Twitter: @DublinGazette

ROOFING

PLANNING NOTICE Fingal County Council Truefiction Ltd intend to apply for permission for development at this site at 76 Main Street, Swords Glebe, Swords, County Dublin. The site is also bounded to the west by Well Road.

IN DUBLIN

The development will consist of a new standalone, fourstorey hotel (3,376.5 square meters), comprising 104 bedrooms and ancillary services, including day cafe, toilets, reception, foyer, administrative and staff facilities, etc., over a two-level basement car park (1,915 square meters) providing 52 no. parking spaces, and all associated landscaping, site works and services. Permission is also being sought for demolition of an existing, two-storey, pitchedroof building within the site, a former builders’ providers outlet. The site is bounded to the north by a protected structure, The Old Borough Schoolhouse, a Wetherspoon’s Public House, and to the south by a Colourtrend Paint outlet. The proposed hotel will be built to ‘Passive-House’ standards of construction and energy conservation. Upon completion, this will be Ireland’s first Passive-House certified hotel.

 THE FUTURE IS LOCAL, THE FUTURE IS FREE! 

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of this application. 35412

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7 November 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

FOOTBALL P31

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

TOKYO 2020 VISION: HOCKEY: CASTLEKNOCK woman Sarah Hawkshaw played her part as the Irish women’s hockey team qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games last weekend following a dramatic shoot-out win last Sunday at Energia Park in Donnybrook. It capped an incredible year for Hawkshaw as she broke into the side that won silver at last summer’s World Cup final.

GAZETTE

RUGBY P28

PAGE 29

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS RUGBY | KEARNEY AND LOWE BOTH CROSS TRY-LINE TWICE

Leinster slay Dragons with 50-point haul  sport@dublingazette.com

DAVE Kearney and James Lowe both touched down twice as Leinster Rugby ran out 50-15 bonus point winners over Dragons in rain-soaked conditions. Kearney took his Guinness PRO14 season’s haul to five tries in three matches, while 20-year-old Academy out-half Harry Byrne marked his first start with a try and five conversions in a man-of-the-match performance. Michael Bent, with his second score in three games, Kearney and Byrne all touched down to establish a 19-8 half-time lead. Dragons deserved to be closer on the scoreboard but an opportunist Jordan Williams try did keep them in contention. Nonetheless, Leo Cullen’s men were in rampant form in the second half as efforts from Ronan Kelleher, Kearney, Lowe (2) and replacement Hugh O’Sullivan took them to the half-century mark. Owen Jenkins scored Drag-

ons’ second try from a last-minute turnover. Settling the quicker of the sides, Leinster pressed from a lineout won by captain Devin Toner. Dragons did well to hold the maul at bay but Bent was able to burrow over from a close-in ruck, eight minutes in. Sam Davies responded with a penalty, rewarding an initial surging break from Taine Basham. Kearney’s first try was countered by Williams’ effort but the hosts were soon racing off into the distance/ Leinster’s third try arrived when Byrne’s close-range run-in from a Jamison-Gibson Park pass ended with the Ireland Under-20 Grand Slam winner scoring his second in the senior shirt after a TMO check. He also converted his own touchdown, and the home crowd were treated to a rampant second half display from the province. They racked up five tries and 31 points in a tremendous 21-minute spell.

James Lowe escapes a tackle en route to one of his two tries last Friday at the RDS. Picture: Martin Doherty

It puts Leinster in great shape for their first interprovincial tie of the season as they take on Connacht – second in Section B – on Friday evening (7.35pm) at the Showgrounds. “Dragons were very good until a certain point where we could score a few tries,” said backs’ coach Felipe Contepomi of the challenge ahead.

“Sportsground is another story. Connacht is one of those teams in form at the moment. “Always, it has been a difficult part of the world to play in because conditions could be tricky. As much as it could be of more use to rival teams, those conditions, it’s the passion and how they play their game.”

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

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


28 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 7 November 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2

ROUND

1

RUGBY: SKERRIES MAKE BIG JUMP INTO TOP FOUR

CASTLEKNOCK LUCAN SARSFIELDS OCTOBER 29 – Opening day of the Advanced Camp for young players from Castleknock, Brigid’s, OPER WELL done toSt. the Junior A la and St. Peregrines. Day 1 in Russell Park, hears from Dublin hurler Eoghan O’Donnell, Laois’s John O’Loughlin, Dublin All-Ireland Ladies Footballer Hannah O’Neill and Dublin 5-in-a-row footballer Jonny Cooper. Oct.30 – Day 2 of the Advanced Camp is in St. Peregrines with Sean Bugler, Evan Comerford, Kate Fitzgibbon and Stephen O’Shaughnessy providing some invaluable coaching. Castleknock’s Ladies ‘A’ Footballers lose the Div.2 League Final 0-9 2-12 to Parnells in Somerton but the good news is that both finalists are promoted to Div.1 so congrats to players and management alike. Oct.31 – The Advanced Camp comes to a close in Somerton with the focus on hurling. Kilkenny goalkeeper David Herity gives a goalkeeping masterclass while Parnells GPO Collie Martin and Dublin Camogie star Emma O’Byrne provide outfield coaching. Nov.02 – The CRR/Defib Course continues in the Clubhouse. Thanks to everyone for participating. No joy for the U-21 Footballers in the ‘B’ Championship Preliminary Round as they go down by 1-8 1-14 to St. Vincent’s. The U-16 footballers lose the Shield Semi-Final to Naomh Olaf. In the U-12 Hurling League Castleknock lost in Div.2 to Sylvesters, the Div.6 team lost to Scoil Ui Chonaill and the Div.10 team beat St. Judes. Nov.03 – A huge day for our three Minor Football teams playing in Championship Semi-Finals. The ‘A’ Championship team have a real battling victory over Ballyboden, 1-13 1-11, with late points from Cian Boyle and Ben Harding sealing a brilliant victory. Hopefully a repeat now of our last Minor Championship success in 2011. Unfortunately, no luck for the ‘C’ Championship side beaten 0-13 4-15 by St. Peter’s in Garristown and a similar story for the ‘E’ Championship team beaten 1-9 3-6 by St. Pat’s, Palmerstown. Getting all three teams to Championship Semi-Finals represents a massive achievement for the Club and all the players, parents and mentors deserve enormous thanks for all the hard work involved. The AHL9 hurlers complete their League campaign going down by 0-10 2-10 to Na Fianna. Castleknock finish fourth in Div.9. Well done to the U-15 Camogie team on defeating Good Counsel to progress to the Div.2 Final. Upcoming: The Juvenile Awards will be held in Westmanstown Conference Centre on Wednesday November 13 – U-8’s to U-11’s from 6.30-7.30pm and U-12’s to U-16’s 7.45-8.45pm. The Club’s AGM will be held on Monday, November 25 at 8pm in the Clubhouse in Somerton.

Skerries RFC were on the winning trail at Holmpatrick with victory over Midleton in AIL 2C

Lennox’s top return AIL DIVISION 2C Skerries RFC 27 Midleton 3  sport@dublingazette.com

SKERRIES RFC made a big jump up the AIL Division 2C table courtesy of their strong win over Midleton, moving into the top four and overtaking the Cork side who had been second prior to kick-off. Conditions were damp and dreary in Holmpatrick but this didn’t deter the home team setting out with an attacking intent. Paul O’Loghlen kicked an early penalty from a ruck infringement and doubled the lead after

15 minutes with another successful penalty kick. Midleton, following a rolling maul, put huge pressure on the home side and their reward was three points from a penalty kicked by outhalf Stuart Lee. Skerries landed two further penalties before half time to lead 12-3. Midleton were reduced to 14 men for offside and, again, O’Loghlen slotted over another three points to make it 18-3. The hosts introduced Hugo Lennox for the second half from Irish Rugby’s Sevens team. He was home for the weekend and togged out with his former teammates in

the Skerries colours. This gave the team a huge boost and, after 20 minutes, Skerries scored an excellent try by captain Kevin McGrath after good work by the pack. They were now well in control at 20-3 with 20 minutes to go. Complacency never crept in as the home team went on to produce the best period with excellent handling by the backs and forwards. It was finished off again by another try fo r Kev i n Mc G r a t h . O’Loghlen’s boot did what it was told, leaving the score 27-3. Into the last fifteen minutes of play, Skerries

pressed for the additional tries to get a bonus point but Midleton defended well to limit the damage. Nonetheless, this was an overall excellent performance by Skerries, the defence was particularly good with discipline superb. O’Loghlen was in tremendous kicking form while two great tries from captain McGrath and the wingers of Lorcan Jones and Conor Lennox were always a threat. All roads lead to Bruff next week with a tough game in store but huge momentum can be built on Saturday’s performance.

Caldwell named in Irish squad

BALBRIGGAN woman Diane Caldwell has been named in the Republic of Ireland women’s squad for their next UEFA women’s European Championship qualifier next Tuesday, November 12 named by Vera Pauw. Midfielder Denise O’Sullivan, who recently helped North Carolina Courage retain their NWSL title in the United States, is included along with three players who have quali-

fied for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League (Louise Quinn, Katie McCabe, Clare Shine). Wexford Youths forward Rianna Jarrett is also part of the squad following last Sunday’s triumph in the Só Hotels FAI Women’s Cup Final at Aviva Stadium, while seven other home-based players have been called up. Ireland sit second in Group I fol-

lowing wins over Montenegro and Ukraine with five goals scored and two conceded. This next game, against Greece, will be the final fixture of 2019 before action resumes in March 2020 with a double header (home to Greece, away to Montenegro). The squad met up on Wednesday, to begin preparations for the game before flying to Greece on Sunday ahead of Tuesday’s qualifier.


7 November 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

HOCKEY: CASTLEKNOCK WOMAN AIDS FAMOUS IRISH WOMEN’S SUCCESS

Hawkshaw’s Tokyo vision OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS  STEPHEN FINDLATER

sport@dublingazette.com

CASTLEKNOCK woman Sarah Hawkshaw played her part as the Irish women’s hockey team qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games last weekend following a dramatic shoot-out win last Sunday at Energia Park in Donnybrook. It capped an incredible year for Hawkshaw as she broke into the side that won silver at last summer’s World Cup. She played in both of the 0-0 draws against Canada, marking an ever-present year in green, making her major tournament debut in the summer in the FIH World Series in Banbridge before playing in the European Championships in Antwerp in August. Olympic qualification added the extra cherry on top, a perfect birthday present as she turned 24 on Monday. “It all happened very quickly. I was watching the World Cup final from the states, crying watching it – I didn’t know many of the girls at all, never played with many of them. Then to be invited into the programme earlier this year was amazing.” That was at the tail-end of her degree at the University of Massachussets, combining studies with a sports scholarship. Hockey, though, was just one among an array of sporting options open to her in her late teens before

Metro St Brigid AC’s club coach Charlie Martin provided the sage advice that sticks with her. Hailing from a prodigiously talented sporting family, at the time she was helping Dublin’s ladies footballers to Under-16 and minor All-Irelands, as well as running a mean 800m. “Are you ever going to make the Olympics in running?” he asked one day. “Probably not.” “Will you make it in hockey?” “Yeah, I’d like to.” “That’s it, decision made and Charlie never coached me again. He was brilliant, he was just wise; he knew and I knew but I needed someone to tell me. He told me that day and that was it!” It has paid dividends for the razor-sharp forward, blessed with a serious engine and three-dimensional skills honed on the camogie field at St Brigid’s Russell Park. Her inclusion – along with other newcomers, twins Bethany and Serena Barr at Liberty Flames – is a big thumbs up for players taking the US route after school. While concerns remain over the standard of hockey on offer, Hawkshaw says college scholarships make the transition to high performance sport less of a jump than from Irish club level. Olympic qualification, meanwhile, now gives her potential bragging rights over family dinner. Her mother played badminton for Ireland; her father is a prolific marathon man while younger brother David captained the Irish Under-20 rugby side to the Grand Slam.

Sarah Hawkshaw, right, tackles Canada’s Natalie Sourisseau. Picture: Deryck Vincent

BASKETBALL

Thunder recover to crash Rockets SWORDS Thunder picked up a narrow away win over Phoenix Rockets on Saturday in the women’s national league. Rockets got off to a quick start through the scoring of Rachel Kehoe (16), but Thunder recovered well in the second quarter, and at the half the hosts had a 29-28 point lead. Thunder came out on fire in the third quarter with scoring from Aisling Sullivan (16) and managed to build a 43-51 lead. Rockets battled back in the fourth quarter but Thunder managed to get the narrow 61-65 win.


30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 7 November 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2

SKERRIES HARPS IT WAS a weekend of mixed fortunes on the field of play over the weekend - Hard luck to our Intermediate Footballers who lost out in the Junior 1 Championship final to Kilmacud crokes & to the Minor Footballers who lost out to Thomas Davis in the A championship semifinal. The U21s also lost out to Ballyboden on Sat 2nd. Well done to the U16 A Championship footballers on their Qtr Final win over Lucan, they now play Kilmacud Crokes on 16 Nov in the semi final. The Junior team defeated St Brigids in the Junior 5 Championship semi final and will play Ballyboden in next weekend’s final. ZINGO RESULT Sun 3rd Nov: Zingo result 3-2-6-5-1-7-4, No winners of Jackpot or Dividend. Next draw Sunday 10th Nov, Jackpot will be a fantastic €7500, Dividend €250.Envelopes still €2 or 3 for a fiver. Thanks to all who support the Zingo every week. Play online www.skerriesharps.ie/zingo. Academy continues Sat 9th Nov 10am. Upcoming Diary Dates:Thurs 28 Nov - Club AGM takes place 8.30pm sharp at the Clubhouse. All members encouraged to attend. Nominations for club positions welcomed - as per official notification issued, nomination forms to be returned to the club secretary via email (secretary.skerriesharps.dublin@gaa.ie) or by post to the Clubhouse. Sat 30 Nov - Juvenile Presentation evening held at the Community Centre, followed by Members appreciation night from 8.30pm in the Clubhouse. The club extends its deepest sympathy to the family of the late Michael Daly RIP, the family of the late Michael Guiney RIP, and to the family of the late Eddie Murphy RIP. St Brigid’s Paddy Andrews visiting Scoil Bhride with Sam Maguire

ST BRIGID’S ’TOWN HALL Meeting’ was on in Russell Park on Wednesday (6th November 2019) to review our Strategic Plan 2020. Our Annual AGM for 2019 will be held on the 8th December, 2019. Another date for your diary is 14th February, 2020 - Our Club Dinner Dance in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown! Tickets to go on sale soon! Our AFL3 Footballers and Minor Hurlers have huge games this week. Our AFL3 Footballers face St Vincents in their Relegation Play Off in Russell Park while on Sunday our Minor Hurlers face OPER in the Minor Hurling Championship Final at 11am in Blakestown. Lots of camogie action also with our U16 team in the Shield Final, U13’s in their Championship Final and our Minor camogie team in Championship action on Sunday morning. Fixture details and times on our website and twitter pages! There was no winner of our Club Lotto Jackpot last week. Our next Jackpot rises to €6,800 and will take place this Thursday, 7th November in Russell Park. Get your tickets from our usual sellers, in the club bar on play online via our website!

Our Club Nursery, in association with Sherry Fitzgerald continues this Saturday morning, 9th November from 9.30am with our GPO Colm Schwer. All boys and girls aged between 4 and 7 are welcome, especially new families! Just arrive down and speak to any of our friendly coaches or email us at; Pro.stbrigids.dublin@gaa.ie for more information. Juvenile Handball Training, which is open to current and new juvenile players, continues every Wednesday evening at 7pm in Russell Park! We’ll have our Handball Coaches on hand to support all new players and introduce them to the game! Everyone is welcome! Keep up with all our news on our website www.stbrigidsgaa.com, our free to download Club App and our Facebook and Twitter pages. It is with great sadness that St Brigids have learned of the passing of U9’s player Rory Bruen. The Trustees and members of St. Brigids wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the Bruen Family and to let them know that our thought and prayers are with them always. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

FOOTBALL: CASTLEKNOCK IN MINOR A DECIDER

Boyle and Harding strike late winners MINOR A SEMI-FINAL Castleknock 1-13 Ballyboden St Enda’s 1-11  sport@dublingazette.com

LATE POINTS from Cian Boyle and Ben Harding powered 14-man Castleknock to an impressive two-point win over Ballyboden in this breathtaking Minor ‘A’ Championship semi-final last Sunday. In spite of the heavy overnight rain, the two teams served up a feast of football with Castleknock availing of two turnovers to forge an early two-point lead courtesy of points from Ev a n Mc S h e r r y a n d Conor Chawke. Next Conor Chawke brought a great save from the Ballyboden goalkeeper before Cian Boyle raised a green flag which the referee ruled out due to a disagreement between the two ‘not-so-neutral’ umpires. However, a superb passing movement did end with a Cian Boyle point on 12 minutes but, still, by the end of the first quarter, Ballyboden had pulled level. Castleknock then scored three points in as many minutes, the first

Castleknock are hoping for more minor success having won the minor B championship title in 2018. Picture: Shay Hogan

from a Chawke free after Luke Swan was fouled and, almost straight f r o m t h e k i c k- o u t , Chawke added another point from play. The third in the sequence came from Ronan McCann. Further points from Chawke and Boyle left Castleknock 0-8 0-6 in front at the break after a an excellent first-half display which included another superb Conor Kelly save on 21 minutes. Castleknock’s opening score in the second-

NEW MANAGERS Duo to head up camogie side JOHN Treacy (right) and Willie

Braine (left) will be the joint Dublin camogie managers for the 2020 season following their appointment this week. They will be supported by ane Nicoletti (Athletic Development Coach and Strength and conditioning), Tadhg Dornan (match day statistics), Laura McCague (physio) and Lorraine Keane (female liaison officer) for the upcoming campaign. Picture: ilivephotos.com

half came from Boyle after good play by Senan Forker. Conor Murray and Chawke came close to goaling before the latter finally found the net eight minutes into the half, cutting in from the left wing. It put them in control, leading by six points, 1-11 0-8. Knock went down to 14 players following a second-yellow red as the game entered the final quarter and Ballyboden took full advantage. They wiped out Castleknock’s six point lead, scoring 1-3, mak-

ing it 1-11 apiece with five minutes left. In spite of enormous pressure, Knock raised the siege three times in those final minutes. Four minutes from time, a terrific move, begun by Joe Kelly and carried on by Conor Murray, saw Chawke win a penalty. He took it himself only to have his kick brilliantly saved off the post. Even so, Castleknock came strongly again with Boyle putting the visitors back in front and then Ben Harding sealing the victory.


7 November 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

FOOTBALL: LUSK CLUB UP TO SFC1 LEVEL AFTER YET ANOTHER TROPHY

Towers remarkable rise continues with glorious SFC2 win SENIOR 2 CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL Round Tower, Lusk Whitehall Colmcilles  sport@dublingazette.com

3-21 3-10

THE RISE and rise of Round Tower, Lusk continued at Parnell Park on Sunday in Parnell Park when they added the Dublin SFC2 title to their roll of honour. Last year’s Dublin intermediate champions, who secured the Dublin junior A title as recently as 2015, gave a brilliant display in deservedly defeating Whitehall Colmcille. The sides had already met in both AFL and SFC2 action, as they were in the same group, and the Lusk men won all three encounters but none as emphatically as Sunday’s decider in Donnycarney. Lusk started with intent in this action-packed encounter and crucially hit six unanswered points inside the opening ten minutes. The role of Adam Caul gave Towers and early foothold in the game with points also from the influential Cormac Howley and unerring freetaker Liam Bohan saw the Lusk men bolt from the blocks. During that spell of dominance,

Lusk keeper Rory O’Brien denied Enda O’Donnell from close range after he was picked out on the move by a brilliant Cormac Costello pass off his left foot. Twenty-four minutes into the half, Costello fetched a ball and turned on goal before finishing to the net to make it 0-8 to 1-4. But Towers responded immediately when Howley raced through before placing Kyle Connell who finished clincially to the Colmcille net. Enda O’Donnell had another sighting on goal before the interval but heroic Towers full-back Robert Magee cleared off the line and his side led 1-9 to 1-6 at half-time. A point from Liam Bohan and goal from Luke White, with Howley at the pivot of the move, pushed Lusk 2-10 to 1-6 clear. However, an Eoghan O’Donnell goal, having won possession from a long delivery, kept Whitehall in contact. In the 38th minute Kyle Connell and Luke White combined for Towers for the maurading Darragh Kelly to goal and Towers were now on the road to victory, both teams regardless of the eventual result progressing to SFC1 for

Mearnog moving on up after 17 years

Round Tower, Lusk celebrate. Picture: Mark Condren

2020. Both keepers were kept active at times before the finish with Whitehall’s Seán Motherway and Lusk’s Rory O’Brien showing good reflexes to deny their opponents goals. But Towers held the upperhand and counter-attacked with great purpose and positiity to keep clipping over

scores with Howley kicking two measured scores. Before the finish Aaron Duffy was rewarded for a strong display by making his way up from corner-back to kick a stylish point with the outside of his right boot. Late on Keith Campbell scored Whitehall’s third goal but it was too little, too late.

Ballyboughal win first inter title in 47 years INTERMEDIATE FINAL Ballyboughal 1-11 Trinity Gaels 1-10  sport@dublingazette.com

Ballyboughal’s celebrations begin in earnest

FOOTBALL

BALLYBOUGHAL were crowned Dublin intermediate football club champions when defeating Trinity Gaels 1-11 to 1-10 in Sunday’s decider at O’Toole Park. It was ‘Boughal’s first success at the grade since 1972 and they progress to face Kilkenny senior champions Mullinavat away this coming Saturday afternoon as their hectic recent schedule continues having played replays recently against both St Pat’s, Donabate and Clanna Gael Fontenoys. H o w e v e r, E v a n Whelan’s 13th minute goal gave Trinity Gaels the early impetus with Seán Behan’s point giving his side a 1-3 to 0-4 advantage. With a little over ten

minutes remaining in the opening half Gerry Seaver’s penalty for Ballyboughal improved to lead 1-8 to 1-6 at half-time. Seaver finished as Ballyboughal’s top scorer with 1-5 (1-0 pen, 0-3f, 0-1 ‘45’) and during this spell John Rodgers, Seaver (free) and Ritchie Downey added scores to assume the upperhand. Gaels, for whom Jack Rowe impressed, went close to hitting a second goal in the opening period but David Downey did very well to deny Evan Whelan, keeper Craig Reilly converted the resulting ‘45’. Inside the last ten minutes the sides were level but Trinity Gaels had lost former Dublin senior Dean Kelly to a second yellow card before the deadball accuracy of Seaver and Ciarán Wynne saw ‘Boughal to glory.

NAOMH Mearnóg secured top-flight league football for 2020 when they defeated neighbours St Sylvester’s, 1-10 to 0-8, in their AFL2 promotion play-off at Broomfield on Saturday afternoon. The Portmarnock outfit, who were last in Division 1 in 2003, will join league winners Castleknock and second-placed Clontarf in AFL1 next season. When the sides met in their regulation AFL2 match in early October, Syls came out the right side in a 1-8 to 1-6 victory but the fortunes were turned around on this occasion. Shane Kavanagh’s 41st minute goal was crucial for Mearnág as Syls had Glen Hazley dismissed in the opening half. However, it was Syls were led at half-time, 0-7 to 0-5, with former Dublin senior Micheál McCarthy doing well for the home side. The also had a goal opportunity shortly before the break but Jack Hazley’s effort was brilliantly saved by Mearnóg keeper Mark O’Connor. Alex Wright’s 40th minute free proved to be his side’s only score of the second half as Mearnóg’s midfield partnership of Shane Carthy and Brendan Colreavy began to exert a winning influence on the game. Carthy was involved in the move that led to Kavanagh’s crucial goal and he kicked three points overall in an impressive showing with the deadball accuracy of Kavanagh ensuring victory.


Gazette SPORT NOVEMBER 7-13, 2019

ALL OF YOUR FINGAL SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

LUSK STORM TO MORE GLORY FOOTBALL: Round

Tower moving on up to the very top championship tier they win Senior 2 crown to continue meteoric rise. SEE P31

BLUE MAGIC RUGBY: Leinster slay Dragons to lead into Connacht interprovincial match in strong form. SEE P27

OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION HOCKEY:

Castleknock’s Sarah Hawkshaw pays her part as the Irish women’s team create history with ticket to Tokyo. SEE P29

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Skerries finding feet on new LSL Senior 1 stage  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

SKERRIES Town manager Alan Sweeney feels the north Dublin side are ‘finding their feet’ following a difficult start to life in LSL Sunday Senior 1. Skerries were promoted last year alongside Lucan United and Kilnamanagh but have been faced with a tough fixture list that includes a strong Lucan side, Sacred Heart/Firhouse Clover and Home Farm. A 3-1 win away to Greystones United on Friday night, their second win in two games following a 2-0 triumph at home to UCD, suggests they are adapting to the higher level. Despite falling behind inside the opening ten minutes, Skerries won out thanks to goals from Carl Costello, Bob McKenna and Shane Langan. “It’s been a tough start,” Sweeney told the Dublin Gazette. “We’re finding our feet a bit now but the first three or four games we played a couple of the top teams, Lucan and Sacred Heart and Home Farm. “We were probably unfortunate not to pick up a win. We had a couple of draws and Lucan beat us 2-1 and Sacred Heart beat us 3-1 at home. “But, in general, we’ve been playing reasonably well without getting the bit of luck. The cup game down in Portlaoise kind of turned it for us.

Skerries Town are enjoying life in Sunday Senior 1

“We went down there on the Wednesday night and played really, really well and beat them 2-1. The confidence has grown since then and we got a great win against UCD, beat them 2-0 at home.” Greystones hit the front inside the opening ten minutes when a mistake from Carl Young, who lost the ball on the edge of his own box, let

the home side in on goal. The visitors quickly found their feet after that but were frustrated in front of goal as both Bob McKenna and Carl Young fell foul of the woodwork. McKenna struck the post from just inside the box before a wonderful effort from Young from 25 yards struck the base of the post. Skerries finally drew

level on the stroke of half time as McKenna picked the ball up inside his own half and played in Costello. Costello was clean through on goal and kept his head to lob the ball calmly over the Greystones keeper and level the tie. Ten minutes into the second half, Skerries were in front as Young picked the ball up in his

own half and pinged a 40-yard pass over the centre-halves to McKenna. The striker had a lot to do still but he carried the ball into the area and slotted the ball into the bottom corner with his right foot. And the away side sealed the three points ten minutes from time when Langan took the ball up on the right wing

and beat two men before hammering a shot into the top corner. Sweeney added: “We’re getting players back from injury and we’re in much better shape than we were. It’s positive at the moment and we’re happy enough. “Keeping ourselves in there is the aim for the rest of the year – if we hold our own I’ll be happy enough.”


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