Dublin Gazette: Fingal Edition

DublinGazette FEBRUARY 14-20, 2019

DUBLINMAGAZINE: You-know-what is

here – and we have some luvverly content inside to help keep you entertained SEE PAGE 13

SPORT SWIMMING: Para-

lympian James Scully calls time on his international career following a decade at the top.

SEE P32

Fingal Edition FREE

THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL AREA

D15’s drug dealers as young as 10 – report SYLVIA POWNALL CHILDREN as young as ten are dealing drugs in Dublin 15 and kids as young as eight are involved in distribution, a new study has found.

A trend report for 2018 compiled by the Blanchardstown Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force shows a sharp increase in the number of minors peddling narcotics.

dubliners

OUR NEW SECTION ON EVERYONE WHO CALLS DUBLIN HOME

A great great-grandmother

P12 Find us on Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

Amongst under-18s, the average age of a drug ‘runner’ was 13, while the youngest reported was eight.

Shockingly, the average age of a drug dealer was 14 and the youngest reported was a boy of 10.

According to the research, conducted by Janet Robinson and Jim Doherty, young people see drug dealing as a way to make “easy money” and boost their social staCONTINUED ON PAGE 8 tus.

CELEBRATING SPORTS STARS: Mairead and Brendan Griffin were among the many people who came along to The Carpenter Pub, Carpenterstown to celebrate Castleknock Hurling and Football Club’s annual adult player awards recently. See Gallery on Pages 10-11

OUR grandparents are always special – but Swords great-grandmother Kathleen McGuinness (82) is particularly special, scooping the title of Specsavers Grandparent of the Year.

Judges in the nationwide competition were moved by her devotion to her autistic grandson, who sang the praises of Kathleen’s care and attention at the heart of the family.

SEE PAGE 3

COURTS TWO innocent teens wrongly accused of theft by a Blanchardstown golf shop have been awarded €10,000 each for defamation of charSEE PAGE 4 acter.

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 14 February 2019

PICK UP YOUR

DublinGazette CITY EDITION

EVERY THURSDAY! at the following locations:

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

For further info

www.dublingazette.com

01 60 10 240

LANDMARK FACILITY MOOTED FOR BALBRIGGAN

Council may splash out on pool for town

St Mary’s NS scoops ‘Battle of the Book’

 SYLVIA POWNALL

spownall@dublingazette.com

A LONG-AWAITED public swimming pool for Balbriggan looks set to be provided on a landbank owned by the council at Castlelands.

The pool is just one of the amenities earmarked for delivery in response to a survey encouraging locals to have their say on a €20 million transformation of the town.

More than 4,000 people – more than 25% of the local population aged 11 and over – took part in the Our Balbriggan poll to prioritise a wish list of improvements.

Transforming the Main Street and connecting it to a reimagined harbour area topped the board across all age groups in the public realm pillar of the survey.

A leadership group, chaired by DCU president

FASTNews

Architect’s render of the proposed harbour view – just one of a number of transformative projects that could benefit Balbriggan, with other mooted works seeing the possible addition of a public swimming pool at Castlelands

Professor Brian MacCraith, prepared suggestions for an ambitious new vision for the town, shaped by residents’ views.

Prof McCraith said: “ We c o u l d n’t h a v e dreamed of this level of response. When asked to name the thing that people most valued about Balbriggan, the five most popular words used were beach, community, people, sea and harbour.

“By connecting all of these, and creating a properly functioning town centre, we can build a bright future in a town with fabulous assets and a diverse and rapidlygrowing talent base.”

Fingal County Council chief executive Paul Reid said: “An idea which strongly emerged in the survey results was the desire of the people of Balbriggan to have a swimming pool.

“In response to this, provision is being made for a swimming pool in the Castlelands master plan.

“What we need to do next is to work through the most effective models to deliver and manage such a fabulous facility for the town.”

Mo re t h a n h a l f o f respondents wanted to see Quay Street transformed so it can be used as a multi-purpose plaza area with a linear park alongside the Bracken River featuring tiered seating for open air events.

T h e Ra i l w ay Vi a duct arches will also be revamped into a vibrant market space, including redevelopment of the RNLI Boathouse.

In a joint statement, three local elected repre s e n ta t ive s o n t h e Balbriggan Leadership Group, Cllrs Grainne Maguire (Ind), Tony Murphy (Ind) and Malachy Quinn (SF) said they were “delighted with the huge numbers” who had their say.

They added: “We now have a strong set of priorities such as the redevelopment of the main street and reimagining the harbour which will transform the town, realising its full potential.”

ST MARY’S NS, Garristown has won the hotly contested final of the Fingal County Libraries’ Battle of the Book. Last week’s final in the Riasc Centre saw six Fingal schools quizzed on The Book of Learning, by ER Murray, and Arthur Quinn and the World Serpent, by Alan Early.

Children read from the book and took part in activities based on the themes presented in the book. It was a hard-fought quiz with all children displaying an amazing knowledge of the content of each book.

This year’s Battle of the Book involved St Colmcille’s GNS Swords, Powerstown Educate Together Tyrrelstown, St Patrick’s Senior NS Corduff, Rush NS, St Mary’s Garristown NS and St Nicholas of Myra NS, Kinsealy.

Pictured are Maura Cassidy, DAA; the Mayor of Fingal Anthony Lavin, and Helen O’Donnell, Fingal Libraries with the winning team from St Marys NS: Danny Dunne, Alannah Rock, Scott Thomas, Liam Tallon, Senyo Clarke and Evan Boylan.

Nurses slam protest by ‘Battalion’ NURSES led the condemnation of Sunday’s protest outside the home of Health Minister Simon Harris as those responsible warned of further action.

An organisation known as Fingal Battalion Direct Action Group took part in what they described as a peaceful protest outside Mr Harris’s County Wicklow home.

In the face of growing criticism on Monday, its members defiantly posted on Facebook, warning: “We won’t be backing down! TDs, sheriffs, judges ... anyone who’s been involved with bringing austerity measures on the people of Ireland.”

The group, which held the demonstration with members of the Anti-Eviction Flying Column, said on Sunday: “Anybody who played a part in bringing austerity, corruption, evictions on the people of Ireland. Let’s bring it to their doors. They’ve brought it to our doors long enough.”

The Irish Nurses and Mid-

wives’ Organisation, as well as cross-party politicians, hit out at Sunday’s action after gardai were called to the health minister’s home to clear 20 people protesting outside the property.

Help master your public speaking DUBLIN 15 Toastmasters public speaking club is having an open meeting for adults on Wednesday, February 20 at 7.45pm in St Mochta’s Parish Pastoral Centre Porterstown, D15.

Most people have to speak in public at some time or other in their lives, at weddings, residents’ association meetings, at family gatherings and at work, while virtually every executive position advertised specifies the need for communication skills.

Visitors are afforded a warm welcome and are not expected to speak unless they wish to.

Admission is free so that you can see the benefits of Dublin 15 Toastmasters.

Contact Tony at 086 822 1274 for more information, or just come along on the night.

No appointment is necessary.

14 February 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

PEOPLE: SWORDS WOMAN WOWS JUDGES WITH DEVOTION TO FAMILY

Meet Grandparent of the Year – kind Kathleen, 82 SYLVIA POWNALL

A FINGAL woman in her eighties has won an award for the outstanding support and care she gives to her autistic grandchild.

Kathleen McGuinness from Swords was crowned Specsavers Grandparent of the Year for her devotion to her 11-year-old grandson, Anthony Bissett.

The 82-year-old matriarch, who is also a greatgrandmother, was entered for the prestigious award

by Anthony, who wanted to say ‘thank-you’ for all she does for him.

She said: “It’s such an honour and so touching to know that my grandchild is proud of my story, and that he cherishes our relationship. I am so proud of Anthony for his winning

entry; I love him so much.”

In his written entry, Anthony outlined the special bond he shares with his beloved granny who, he revealed, gently covers his ears with her scarf when they’re out shopping as she knows loud noise upsets him.

He also detailed how Kathleen plays a vital role in his development, listening to his lively stories and providing guidance on a daily basis.

As his minder three days a week, Kathleen cooks for him and spoils him with his favourite food – as well as continuing to gather the entire family for a meal every Sunday.

Anthony’s mum, Ciara, said: “The way they interact with one another is just amazing – she is the apple

of his eye. They both care and look after each other.

“It was Anthony who encouraged Kathleen to get her hearing tested. He thought she was suffering from hearing loss, as he had to shout more for her to hear him.

“Anthony and I, with my husband and daughter, go to Kathleen’s for dinner every Sunday. It’s his favourite time of the week.”

The Grandparent of the Year campaign was launched in October by Specsavers in association with Beaumont Hospital to highlight the role grandparents play in families and local communities.

Consultant ENT surgeon at Beaumont Peter Walshe said the hospital was “delighted” to be

Swords woman Kathleen McGuinness proudly shows her award for being the Specsavers Grandparent of the Year

involved in such a “family and community-focused campaign”, adding that grandparents play a “pivotal role” in the lives of young people.

Grandchildren of all ages

were asked to nominate their grandparents with a written entry on why they deserved the title. Kathleen was chosen from hundreds of entries following a nationwide search.

Delighted shock for Swords dancers with Ireland’s Got Talent win

A DANCE group from Swords are jumping for joy after landing the second official Golden Buzzer of the series on Ireland’s Got Talent.

BSD dance crew showcased their energy and skills on Saturday’s show with 39 members of the group aged from ten to 17 blowing judges away with their talent.

The youngsters have now booked their place in the live semi-finals of the Virgin Media reality show after bringing both judges and the audience to their feet.

They posted on their Facebook page on Monday: “Waking up thinking is this real? We got a golden buzzer! Words simply can’t describe how much this means to us.”

Viewers on Saturday night saw comedian Jason Byrne press the coveted buzzer following chants of encouragement from the hyped-up audience.

After joining them on stage, Jason revealed: “I got the shivers down my back. And that’s what we’re looking for all the time. You should go straight through to the live shows.”

Louis Walsh said they reminded him of “an Irish Diversity”, in reference to the world-class dance troupe which beat Susan Boyle to the title in Britain’s Got Talent ten years ago.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 14 February 2019

COURTS: BLANCH GOLF SHOP FOUND GUILTY OF DEFAMING CHARACTER OF INNOCENT TEENS

€10k awarded each to siblings accused of theft last year while waiting for their mother to collect them.

Circuit Judge president Mr Justice Raymond Groarke was told that a member of staff approached the teens on the upper floor and said: “You are up to no good. I saw you put leggings in the bag.”

The staff member then searched their bags, which contained items bought in other stores at the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.

Counsel Padraig Lyons said: “Not only were no items belonging to

McGuirks Golf found in the bag, but the staff member took it upon himself to escort them to the door and put them out of the store.”

The siblings, through their mother Susie Heather, had sued Livy Issue Limited, trading as McGuirks Golf, for defamation and had each been offered settlements of €10,000.

Mr Lyons said the words spoken by the staff member suggested the children were guilty of theft, and they were marched to the front door in full view of other customers.

The court heard how a member of staff at McGuirks Golf searched the siblings’ bags and put them out of the store in full view of other customers, defaming the innocent pair

He told Judge Groarke that both children were upset and embarrassed by what happened and that there had been no apology of any sort made to them by representatives of the store.

The judge approved the proposed settlements of €10,000 and the children were also awarded costs.

MOTORING, PAGE 23

Nissan LEAF: Firm’s latest impressive electric vehicle could spark something of a revolution



TWO teenagers wrongly accused of theft from a golf shop in Blanchardstown have each been awarded €10,000 damages for defamation of character.

Siblings George and Emily Heather, of Green Park Lane in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath told the Circuit Court that a member of staff at McGuirks Golf in the west Dublin shopping centre searched their bags and put them out of the store.

The court heard that keen golfer George (13) and his 14-year-old sister Emily had been browsing in the shop on August 8

Inspirational speeches Tidy Towns group seeks at Dunboyne College’s a temporary annual graduate night indoor base SYLVIA POWNALL

GAA star Alan O’Mara was among those who delivered inspirational speeches at Dunboyne College’s annual graduate night in the Solstice Arts Centre.

The event was held in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Week and college principal Denis Leonard and cookery graduate Niamh Hartnett also gave speeches.

Cavan goalie Alan O’Mara (inset), who wrote a brave and inspiring memoir, The Best is Yet to Come: A Memoir about Football and Finding a Way Through the Dark, spoke to students about his mental health struggles.

Guests were then treated to a thoughtprovoking play entitled, In the Window, from Belfast comic actress Nuala McKeever. The one-woman monologue tells the story of Margaret, an isolated woman grappling with loneliness.

Music was provided courtesy of the college’s Music Performance students under

Alan O’Mara

the guidance of tutors Susan Clarke and Rob Kelly.

Dunboyne College, which serves west Dublin, Meath, north Kildare and other parts of Leinster, had more than 2,100 applicants for 800 places last year.

Its full-time courses start in September and include applied social studies, nursing, beauty, nutrition, airline studies and a host of pre-university courses.

SWORDS Tidy Towns is seeking a temporary indoor base for use by its community art project and other local organisations.

The group has been using its polytunnel on North Street but is hoping to secure a space indoors for use during the harsher winter months.

Swords TT chairperson Ken Duffy said they were hoping a local business might have a suitable space which volunteers can use to continue the art project.

If you can help Swords Tidy Town with a temporary indoor base, please contact Ken at 086 600 8313.

14 February 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 14 February 2019

FASTNews

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Howth school choir to perform at launch of sculpture A LOCAL school choir will perform at the launch of Robert McColgan’s sculpture in Howth this Friday, February 15.

Fifth and sixth class children of Scoil Mhuire, Howth will perform at the western spit of the town’s east pier where the artist’s Realt na Mara sculpture is located.

It’s the latest creation from former lecturer in fine art sculpture Robert McColgan, who has created several large-scale works including the Beehives on the M1 Balbriggan bypass.

The sculpture, created in a marine grade stainless steel, was envisaged as a beacon of light and hope and a compass point to guide all who journey to and from the sea.

Refreshments will be served after its official launch by Fingal Mayor Cllr Anthony Lavin on Friday morning at the Howth Yacht Club and all are Robert McColgan’s sculpture welcome.

Cathriona Duffy

Extensive search leads to drugs and imitation firearms GARDAI from Blanchardstown last week seized cash, drugs and imitation firearms after searching six properties in connection with the sale and supply of drugs in the Corduff and wider Dublin 15 area.

Members of the District Detective Unit along with uniformed gardai searched the properties under warrant, with armed support from the Armed Response Unit and Emergency Response Unit.

A total of €21,335 in cash was seized as well as 20 phones, including a number of concealable phones and signal blockers associated with criminal gangs. Two imitation firearms and a number of machete weapons were also seized.

Drugs, including cannabis, prescription tablets, crack cocaine and €5,000 worth of cocaine was found, as well as other drug paraphernalia including weighing scales.

Lightning Comedy series continues in Swords pub THE Lightning Comedy series continues upstairs at the Lord Mayor’s pub in Swords this Saturday, February 16 with doors open at 8pm.

The monthly event hosted by playwright David Gilna features well-known faces on the Irish comedy scene along with some talented newcomers.

Saturday’s headline act is Patser Murray, a firm favourite at the Laughter Lounge who has appeared in Love/Hate, Can’t Cope Won’t Cope, and Finding Joy. The line-up also includes Margaret McHugh, Niall Feiritear, Conor Carey, Emily Ashmore, David Hynes, John Kelly and Stephen Harmon.

Show starts at 8.30pm and admission is €10. All welcome.

Breda Kennedy and Trish Caffery Sarah Jane Nicholls and Amy Carroll. Pictures:Paul Nicholls

Paula Richardson and Jacqueline Brennan

Hairlarious fun at opening party for Skerries salon S KERRIES was rocking last week as Frame Creative Hair Design held their launch night with attendees enjoying fun, food and goodies. It was a great chance to meet the team who were only too obliging to talk about hair and beauty.

Amy Carroll (stylist), Jane McDermott, Daniella Tolan (stylist), SarahJane Nicholls, Emilly Drumm (stylist) and Claire Linehan

Tony Roy and salon owner Wendy Hyland

John and Theresa Murphy

14 February 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

COURTS: VICTIM LOST 25% OF KIDNEY FUNCTION AND NOW SUFFERS FROM HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Man pleads guilty to assault causing harm at football match A FORMER professional footballer who unintentionally caused the “split kidney” of another player during a five-a-side game has pleaded guilty to assault.

Petru Pinto (50), of Bellgree Boulevard, Tyrrelstown pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to reckless assault causing harm at an astroturf pitch in Santry on November 16, 2012.

A jury failed to reach a verdict on a charge of intentionally assaulting Paul Ceusan causing him harm after a trial on November 30, 2018.

Pinto subsequently pleaded guilty to an amended indictment which stated that the assault had been reckless rather than intentional.

“

The victim suffered a Grade 4 renal injury, also called a split kidney, requiring a stent to be inserted from his kidney to his bladder

Detective Garda Ronan Cogavil told the court that on the day in question Pinto had a heated verbal exchange with Mr Ceusan during a football match.

He ran in Mr Ceusan’s direction and jumped with his knees raised.

His knees collided with the side of Mr Ceusan’s torso, causing him to fall to the ground and the match was halted.

The victim suffered a Grade 4 renal injury, also called a split kidney, requiring a stent to be inserted from his kidney to his bladder.

In a victim impact statement Mr Ceusan said that he had lost 25% of kidney function and now suffers from high blood pressure.

He said his medical costs were €1,350, and he was not able to work for around 20 weeks after sustaining the injury.

Both men were members of Transylvania FC, a club set up by painter and decorator Pinto and friends in 2001 for Romanians living in Dublin.

Pinto and Mr Ceusan both played professional football in Romania prior to coming to Ireland.

The court heard Mr Pinto had sole custody of his 17-year-old son and had a number of previous convictions for minor road traffic matters.

Judge Pauline Codd asked that documentation regarding Pinto’s finances be provided to the court.

She ordered a report from the Probation Service and adjourned the matter for sentencing to October 8.

Hopes Julia’s 10-year stay at a nursing home to end SYLVIA POWNALL

A 45-YEAR-OLD woman forced to live in a nursing home for more than 10 years says she is cautiously optimistic of getting her own home this year.

Julia Thurmann was left paralysed from the waist down after contracting the rare virus Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis, which attacked her brain and spinal cord.

She is now wheelchairbound and has been living in a nursing home in north Fingal since 2008 but says after more than a decade of being institutionalised there is now a light at the end of the tunnel.

Fingal County Council says a ground-floor home to suit her needs is reserved in a new development being built off the Rathbeale Road in Swords, which is due to come on stream in late 2019 or early 2020.

Julia, who is originally from Berlin and works at the Hertz European Centre in Swords, told Dublin Gazette: “Finally something is happening. But this is after a long time of campaigning, writing emails, all sorts.

“I haven’t been this close [to getting a home] ever. It is very encouraging, but until I have the actual key in my hand ...”

Julia said staff at the

nursing home near Balbriggan, which has been her home, have been very supportive, but she needs her own space and her independence.

She said: “Downstairs is the Alzheimer’s unit, I am in the acquired brain injury unit. There are young people, but they cannot talk.

At this stage, I go around the place like a horse with blinkers. It can be very depressing.”

She added: “In the beginning, I needed a lot more help. It was only one year after my illness and I was coming to terms with being a paraplegic. Now, I don’t need 24-hour care, I’m back at work.

“It has been difficult.

When I came here initially, friends and colleagues visited me. One friend said: ‘It’s like visiting you in hospital; we won’t meet you here, we’ll meet you outside – to get you out of this institutionalised environment’.

“I try to get out more for coffee. In January, I spent more than €400 on taxis, but it’s worth paying the money for my sanity.”

Julia said she’s now looking forward to doing “normal” things like watching TV and cooking for friends.

She added: “I’d love to plan it all but on the other hand I’m trying to hold myself back, though I am a little bit hopeful now.”

Julia Thurmann

FASTNews Rush school campaigns for new building

THE Board of Management at St Joseph’s Secondary School in Rush has launched a coordinated campaign for a new school building.

Rush Stands Up representatives held a briefing meeting outlining the urgent need for action to tackle the accommodation crisis at the school.

Following a series of public protests, temporary prefab accommodation was approved for September 2019 but a new building has been promised for several years.

Last month Fine Gael Senator James Reilly welcomed news that Education Minister Joe McHugh had asked officials to liaise with the council on site acquisition.

Local election candidate Bob Dowling (FG) said: “This is a positive step but ultimately must be followed by swift action in order to progress the development of this critical piece of educational infrastructure for the people of Rush.

“As a teacher I am fully committed to pushing this project all the way and will help in any way needed.”

Learn to get the write stuff

“

Julia said staff at the nursing home near Balbriggan, which has been her home, have been very supportive, but she needs her own space and her independence

CREATIVE Writing classes take place at Ardgillan Castle, Balbriggan on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.30am12.30pm. Course fee €12 per class. These classes will help you put a shape to your story and give you the building blocks to fulfil your dreams.

Contact Ross at 085 139 5320, email ros1@hotmail. com, or see the Ross Campbell Creative Writing Facebook page.

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 14 February 2019

DONABATE: CLEAN COASTS CREW FRUSTRATED AS PAPERWORK BLOCKS BIKE’S USE

Beach quad is held back by red tape SYLVIA POWNALL

A CLEAN COASTS group in Donabate cannot use a new quad bike and trailer bought last year to clear rubbish from the beach because of Government red tape.

Olive Gilsenan, a volunteer with Donabate and Portrane Clean Coasts, revealed that the new vehicle is still lying idle

months after its triumphant launch last November.

Olive, who was nomin a te d fo r a n O ce a n Hero Award last year, expressed her frustration in an update to the local community on the issue.

The equipment was bought with funding from FLAG, Board Iascaigh Mhara, local action groups and local busi-

nesses to support the ongoing effort to restore Donabate’s Blue Flag status and keep the shoreline clean.

But Olive revealed: “I’m sure many of you are wondering why it has not been seen on our beaches yet.

“There has been one main setback which has been the uploading of a form on the Revenue web-

REPORT

Scale of D15 kids engaged in drugs revealed

The new quad and trailer – already bought and paid for, but frustatingly prevented by red tape from taking to the shoreline to help clean Donabate’s coastline

site in order to register the quad.

“This form has not been made easy to navigate and the system being used by Revenue is not fit for purpose. I made no fewer than ten visits to the VRT section in Ballymun.

“As of Friday the form was finally uploaded to their system and they presented us with a new problem that may now take weeks or months, we are not sure as yet.

“We believed that a registration for a new vehicle would be pretty straightforward – we were wrong.”

Olive, who runs educational summer workshops for children to explore the shoreline, said the Clean Coasts volunteers were taken aback to receive a

bill for VRT which was double what they had been told it would be.

They were also asked to pay VAT which she said the group already paid when they purchased the quad.

She said: “The quad supplier had already paid the vat to Revenue, but Revenue said VAT paid won’t show on their system and we must pay it again and claim it back ourselves, but they could

“

not tell us how and from whom?

“This has been already a very long, drawn-out, frustrating process and very, very tiresome.”

Undaunted, Olive said the group is “pressing ahead” with other plans and would do all in its power to have the quad on the beaches “as soon as possible”.

Efforts to contact Revenue for comment were unsuccessful.

We believed that a registration for a new vehicle would be pretty straightforward – we were wrong

Glory for Fingal Girl Guides at Lego League Leinster finals SYLVIA POWNALL

TWO Girl Guides from Fingal scooped a top prize in the First Lego League Leinster finals at Dublin City University.

Cara Sharry (13) from Howth Guides and Sarah Fitzgerald, also 13, of River Valley Guides in Swords had spent several months working on their project, which explored how astronauts could grow vegetables in space.

They were part of Team Sparrots, which comprised Girl Guide members from all around the country. The girls met five times for full-day workshops developing a research project based on identifying a human physical or social problem faced during long-duration space exploration

and proposing a solution.

The girls also had to design, build and programme a robot to undertake various challenges on a themed playing field during the finals. They named their robot Pablo.

The league is an international competition involving children and young people age 11 to 16 from 80 countries.

Cara said: “I still can’t believe we won!

It was an amazing experience. I really enjoyed researching growing plants in space.” Sarah added: “I loved the whole experience, especially the teamwork part of it. .”

For further information on Irish Girl Guides, see www.irishgirlguides.ie or contact 01 668 3898.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 They noted: “An explanation for the youngest ages was reported to be that older family members were drug dealers.”

The 118-page document revealed that underage runners and dealers were “predominantly male” though females aged 12 and over were also engaged in the trade.

The Drug and Alcohol Trends Monitoring System 2018 report said the use of minors for drug distribution was a method used by older, larger-scale dealers, as there are less criminal consequences due to their age.

It noted that the presence of children in the trade could be related to drug debt intimidation “whereby young people are forced to hold and sell drugs to pay off debts”.

It said drug availability appeared to have increased across the Dublin 15 region, a mixed demographic area, including affluent areas such as Castleknock and more disadvantaged areas such as Mulhuddart and Corduff.

Availability The report said availability was greater due to an increase in dealers, dealers making home deliveries, people buying illegal drugs online and from some GPs. The study found there had been a rise in reports of secondary school students showing signs of drug use before, during or after school – but this was attributed to improved research methods.

It found drug-related intimidation, drug use and shoplifting were the most frequent drug-related crimes.

Other offences including burglary, visible drug dealing, domestic violence, firearms offences and sex work were also reported.

14 February 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

FASTNews

SKERRIES: HORROR INCIDENT BY SCHOOL PROMPTS DEMAND

Traffic-calming call as jeep crushes dog SYLVIA POWNALL

Swift reaction at crash site praised SINN Fein Cllr Paul Donnelly has praised Fingal County Council for its swift reaction after a motorist crashed into the entrance to Hazelbury Park in west Dublin.

Cllr Donnelly called the council’s emergency number to ask that the rubble be taken away in case it posed a risk to other road users.

The rubble was cleared within hours and a temporary measure put in place. Cllr Donnelly said: “Sometimes we don’t give credit when due as we move onto the next issue, but on this occasion, I’d like to give huge credit to the emergency crews who sorted out the problem very quickly.”

Chiefs insist Agreement kids’ hospital on centre to ‘on schedule’ honour Ashe THE first phase of the new national children’s hospital will open on schedule this summer, health chiefs have insisted.

Their claims follow a warning from the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) that the satellite centre at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown would not be open on time.

The IHCA said the numbers of required medical staff being recruited were not sufficient as the Irish Medical Organisation issued a similar warning.

But on Tuesday, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) said despite “challenges” 10 of the 13 consultant posts required to open the paediatric outpatient and urgent care centre had been filled and recruitment was ongoing for the remaining posts.

CHI said all six paediatric emergency medicine consultants required had been appointed and would be in place prior to the opening of the new satellite centre in July.

It said a recruitment campaign was beginning this week for an orthopaedic consultant while interviews for two consultant radiologist posts would be scheduled shortly.

FINGAL County Council has approved a lease arrangement with Lusk Community Council for a centre to remember 1916 Rising hero Thomas Ashe.

The fabled teacher and soldier, who was a Kerry native, was also founder of The Black Raven Pipe Band and Round Towers GAA Club.

Welcoming the move, local election candidate Bob Dowling (FG) praised Lusk Community Council for their persistence in pursuing the land lease.

He added: “I’m delighted that FCC have passed the motion to activate the lease of the land and the Lusk community can have a place of pride for the local hero of the Rebellion.”

The land at Katie Hunt’s cottage will be leased under a 35-year agreement to Lusk Community Council.

A Government grant of €200,000 will allow the development of a memorial centre to Ashe, who spent so much of his life teaching at Corduff National School and who distinguished himself as a leader in The Battle of Ashbourne in 1916.

A MAN whose dog was run over as she sat on the path outside his house has called for traffic-calming measures at a nearby school.

Ritchie Chapman (39) watched in horror as a jeep mounted the path and reversed over his beloved collie, Maggie (inset), which suffered catastrophic injuries.

The rescue dog’s legs were crushed under the vehicle’s wheels and although she was rushed to the vet he had to put her to sleep.

Now Ritchie, who lives in Mourne View estate in Skerries, is demanding traffic controls outside Realt na Meara NS, which is located on a residential cul de sac.

Maggie

He told Dublin Gazette: “Maggie was just lying on the path outside the house. A jeep drove into the school then reversed back out, up on the path and over her back legs.

“I had her four years. She was clever, and she didn’t chase cars, she was just lying down. It hap-

pened around 1.40pm, just before the young kids get out of school.

“I’ve a four-year-old daughter who nearly saw it as well. She came out of the side of the house just after it happened, but my twin brother grabbed her and brought her back inside.

“It could have been my daughter who got run over, she had been out two minutes earlier.”

Ritchie is calling for trafficcalming measures outside the local national school where he says there are only enough parking spaces for staff and the space is too tight for cars to turn around.

He said: “It’s just chaos, there’s too many cars trying to get into the school. They block you in, they park anywhere. They drive

in through the school gates and reverse back out. It is dangerous.”

A spokesperson for Fingal County Council said they had not received any complaints about traffic at the school, adding: “The council’s road safety office is happy to assist members of the public with complaints or enquiries and can be reached at road. safety@fingal.ie.”

However, local Cllr Tom O’Leary (FG) said he had raised the issue with council engineers.

He said: “The school asked for flexible bollards to restrict parking near the gates and I have lobbied the council for that, as haphazard parking is a danger.

“At my request the road safety officer will visit the school, examine and report on the options.”

Get ready to walk 16.2 miles to help support Aware’s work

Picture: Andres Poveda

ALISON Canavan and her son, James, were happy to jump into action at Dublin Port to help promote the upcoming annual Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk.

More than 2,000 people are expected to take part in the popular fundraiser, undaunted by the 16.2 mile/26km challenge of walking from Howth to Dun Laoghaire Harbour (or vice versa), with a ‘halfway hooley’ at Dublin Port Centre to help give participants a welcome rest and refreshing reception before tackling the remainder of their walk.

Alison and James are calling on people to register now at www.aware.ie/events, and help the charity to provide support and information for people who experience depression or bipolar disorder and their loved ones.

Parents warn of looming school places crisis SYLVIA POWNALL

THE emerging school places crisis in Skerries will get significantly worse unless the Department of Education acts swiftly, it has been warned. The Government’s own projections reveal that the capacity issue at Skerries Community College is just the tip of the iceberg.

The grim forecast was exposed by a group of concerned parents who obtained figures through a Freedom of Information request.

Parents Association representatives from Educate Together, St Patrick’s, Realt na Mara, Holmpatrick and Milverton joined forces to call on the Minister to provide more school places and assess the need for another post-primary

school in Skerries.

Joe O’Brien, a parent of children at Educate Together, warned: “The Department is underestimating the growing need, in our view, projecting an enrolment demand of 193 first-years in September 2020 and 204 first-years in September 2021.

“It would also appear that the Department is not factoring in the development of a new housing estate on the Golf Links Road which could house 200 families, within a few years.”

Mr O’Brien said projections based on the group “simply asking the primary schools their current enrolment numbers” were “startling” and at variance with official figures.

The group has written to Education Minister

Parents Rachael Marsh (Realt na Mara), Derval Adams (St Patrick’s), Debbie Cosgrove (Milverton) and Joe O’Brien (Educate Together)

Joe McHugh calling for urgent action to increase capacity at the community college and explore the need for another primary school.

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 14 February 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Tara King

Ollie Coffey and Caitlin Coffey

First adult ladies football team. Pictures: Shay Hogan

Awards night enjoyed by Castleknock GAA Club C

Louise Mahony and Erin Bergin

ASTLEKNOCK Hurling and Football Club annual adult player awards night took place last week in The Carpenter Pub, Carpenterstown.

The event celebrated the on field achievements of 2018 including the Ladies Footballers Dublin Junior A championship win and Leinster runners-up, the Dublin Minor ladies Division 2 Football

Rachel Slater and Ray Rafferty

Lucy Garry and Stephen Rafferty

Ciaran Barry, Hannah Hanlon and Kevin Finney

First adult camogie team

Championship win and the Minor Men’s Dublin B Football Championship win.

Hannah Hanlon was crowned Ladies Footballer of the Year, Tom Shields was men’s Footballer of the year. Luke Whelan took the award for Hurler of the Year and Ciara Murray received the Camogie Player of the Year award.

14 February 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

Disgust and anger as playground is torched by thugs

Mikey Bohan, Eoin Sawyer and Sean Andrews

Part of the badly damaged playground after a blaze was started in the middle, causing significant damage

PARENTS have expressed their outrage and disgust after mindless vandals torched a kids’ playground in Swords.

Dublin Fire Brigade were called to the scene to tackle the blaze, which caused significant damage to the playground in the Thornleigh estate in Applewood.

One parent from neighbouring Castleview estate fumed: “This is ridiculous. My kids love going to the playground because there is nothing else close to them.”

Fingal County Council confirmed that the play amenity would remain closed on health and safety grounds pending repair.

Cllr Duncan Smith (Lab) said: “It seems a mattress was set ablaze in the middle of the jungle gym, destroying most of it, damaging the ground surface and melting the slide. I will be working to have the playground repaired as a matter of urgency.”

Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) said: “Terrible. Will never understand the mindset of people who think they can just dump their rubbish and then those that set it alight knowing the damage it will cause.”

Caution urged as Tolka flood works under way SYLVIA POWNALL

Sinead Comerford, Rachel Sater and Jessica Comerford

CAUTION is being urged for motorists and pedestrians while flood defence works are under way at two west Dublin locations along the banks of the River Tolka.

Engineers from the Office of Public Works recommended the removal of all vegetation to avoid any deterioration of the embankment.

Clearance at the council car park along the flyover over the N3, which involves installing a temporary roadway through the footpath, began last week and is due to finish by next Monday.

The contractor will use a timber harvester to fell, chip and remove trees and the earth bank will be

reinstated once work is finished, according to the council.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “This work will have to be undertaken at night under lights and over the course of two weekends.

“Due to the dangerous nature of the works being carried out, and the extent and amount of large machinery being used in a public park, the work site will be secured from the public.”

Fencing has been erected along the Snugborough Road restricting access to the river path. Pedestrians are being asked to cross the river further upstream.

Work began at a second site at Westpoint Business Park last Friday

and is expected to last two weeks.

Fingal County Council’s director of operations David Storey said the work was being carried out in accordance with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and FreeFlow Traffic Management Company requirements to minimise traffic disruptions.

Cllr Mary McCamley (Lab) welcomed the move and appealed for patience while both sites are being cleared.

She told Dublin Gazette: “The work is, I’m afraid, essential and necessary to prevent flooding in the area in the future. I would like to warn people living in the area, especially those with children using the park, to be extra careful.”

FCC set to top up €40k Have your say on Dublin’s autism funding with €10k climate change planning

Second football team

FINGAL County Council has welcomed the allocation of €40,000 in Government funding for the Not So Different Creative Ability Hub project and have pledged a further €10,000.

The hub celebrates diversity and promotes inclusion of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder to realise their full potential through education and employment.

It aims to provide employability skills training and support talented creative individuals to become work-ready, and build connections with employers that value talents such as logic and pattern thinkers, thinking in pictures, problem-solving, analytical abilities, creative and innovative abilities, and others.

A PUBLIC consultation has opened up on Dublin’s climate change action plans.

The four Dublin local authorities aim to set out the actions each council will take to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Members of the public are invited to make submissions on the plans until March 25.

A public information event will take place on Monday, February 18 for Fingal County Council from 6pm9pm, at County Hall, Swords.

To register for the event, or to find out how to make a submission, see www.eventbrite.ie/o/codemadublins-energy-agency-8218489520, or alternatively www.dublinclimatechange.ie.

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE 14 February 2019

DUBLINERS: THE STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE WHO CALL THIS CITY THEIR HOME

Meeting Francesca

A journey from Rome to Letterkenny turns into a love affair with Ireland

“WHEN I was 16, I went on a trip to Letterkenny to learn English and be immersed in the Irish culture.

It was an experience I will never forget.

I was coming from Rome, where I lived in the city centre, and I landed in Letterkenny where I discovered an entirely new way of living.

The families I met had more children than your average Italian family, and what surprised me the most was the independence of the children and teenagers I met.

They had jobs, they

looked after older family members and younger siblings, and unlike myself and my friends back in Italy they were trusted to be responsible for themselves and for others from a very young age.

During that trip I made some great friends and I saw incredible dramatic landscapes, and I decided that I would try to go back to Ireland as much as possible to relive the experience.

At the age of 22, after several trips around Ireland, I decided to study in Ireland and try to see what real life would be like here.

“I moved to Dublin to finish my studies in linguistics in Trinity College, and my parents tell me that I moved to when they Dublin to finish my saw me at studies in linguistics in Trinity the airport College, and my parents tell Italy, but to be honest after t h a t d ay me that when they saw me 15 years I don’t they knew at the airport that day they have a life in that this knew that this would be a Italy any more, would be a one way ticket and many of my one way ticket. old friends have moved Of course I visit to different countries too, so Italy sometimes, but now Ireland is my home now and more that I have a family here importantly it is the home of my my trips are becoming children. less and less frequent, and I now work as a lecturer in LinguisI am almost in a limbo. tics in Trinity College, and in 2017 People often ask me I founded an organisation called where I come from, and Mother Tongues to support families my immediate answer is

like mine that are dealing with bilingualism in the home.

My work with Mother Tongues has allowed me to meet families who have moved here from many different countries, and talking to them has given me a great insight into how people feel about starting a family in a new country, and their struggles when trying to pass on their language to their children.

This has a great impact on the children’s self confidence as it strengthens their sense of identity.

Since my first trip to Donegal 20

years ago, Ireland has become a much more multicultural place, and I hope that my children will understand how important it is to learn about and learn from people who are different from us.

Every culture is fascinating and brings us an understanding of what it is like to be human.”  What’s your story? Do you have an interesting connection to Dublin and why you call it home?

Please email your story to news@ dublingazette.com

14 February 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

DUBLIN

Few surprises at the steady, if dull, Baftas P19

MAGAZINE

NISSAN LEAF IS WELL PLACED FOR A REVOLUTION... P23

ALTERNATIVE CITY BREAK DESTINATIONS P20-21

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

ISPCC AND PENNEYS CAMPAIGN MAKES CENTS FOR CHILDLINE

BROADCASTER Anna Geary teamed up with ISPCC Childline and Penneys to celebrate the launch of ‘Penneys Makes Cents’ – a partnership which makes it easy for shoppers to support children and young people across Ireland. Penneys Makes Cents takes place in Penneys stores nationwide from February 17th to 23rd. Pictured with Anna are Mia Duffner, age 7 and Ben Cullen, age 7, both from Dublin. Picture: Robbie Reynolds

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 14 February 2019

FOOD&DRINK

MORSELS OF NEWS IN THE CAPITAL

Annalise’s not yolking about her love of chicken Olympic sailor leading Bord Bia campaign about versatile meat REBECCA RYAN

DUBLIN’S Olympic Sailor Annalise Murphy joined rugby player Donnacha Ryan to launch a new campaign aimed at encouraging the nation to spread their wings and try something new with chicken recipes.

Irish people seem to love their chicken, with 95% of Irish households p u rc h a s i n g c h i c ke n regularly, according to a Kantar survey in September.

However, while chicken may be a staple in our fridges, one can be guilty of relying on the same tried and tested recipes.

Annalise trained at B a l l y m a l o e Co o ke r y School and said s h e has a

keen interest in all things food-related and is always experimenting with new recipes and flavours.

Dublin Gazette caught up with the Rathfarnham athlete who said she is “really excited” to be part of Bord Bia’s Make It Your Way campaign.

Of the chicken-highlighting campaign, she said: “It’s a really good fit for me because, well, first of all, I love cooking!

“Secondly, chicken is a massive part of my diet.

Being an athlete, chicken is one of the most ideal ways get in a high-protein meal.

“It’s low in fat and fills you up pretty easily, and best of all, you can do so many different things with it.”

Annalise is passionate about promoting healthy eating and finds she rare-

ly gets sick.

She said: “I’m a big advocate of healthy eating, mainly because I have always eaten pretty healthily – I have to, because I’m an athlete. “ D u e to h av i n g a healthy diet, I never really get sick.

“I feel really good the whole time and I’m convinced it’s down to having a healthy diet.

“That’s something that I think is very important.

That, and some sort of exercise, are two things that you can really do to live a longer, better life.

“A lot of people just think that healthy food is boring food. But healthy food can be really interesting and tasty, it’s just about finding new recipes.”

S h e r eve a l e d h e r favourite way of cooking chicken is a thai chicken curry because it’s “really easy” to make.

Bucking the trend

at the Lord Edward

OVERLOOKING Christchurch Cathedral, there is hardly a better located pub in Dublin.

Close to everything but outside the panic and messiness of the Temple Bar, the Lord Edward has bucked the trend of certain city centre establishments towards New York and London style uppity bars. Given the proximity to some of Dublin’s most visited attractions, on any given day you could hear any language but local and regulars are ever present. Known by a previous generation for one of the most famous seafood restaurants in the capital, the ground floor bar is largely unchanged from when it became the Lord Edward at the start of the 20th century, with a semicircle counter looking out over wooden panels and seating (Upstairs is a lounge which feels so distinctly separate, and steeped in its own tradition, that it will be rated separately). The pint is worthy of the history and style of the pub and explains some of the place’s popularity. With only two taps, there is consistency in cream and flavour and the volume lasts ‘til the last drop leaving a taste of more. @guinnessadvisor

Annalise feels like chicken tonight, like chicken tonight – and many nights, with the Olympic rower singing the praises and versatility of the highly adaptable white meat

She also likes roast chicken because you can just “lash it in the oven!”

The Olympic silver medallist filled us in on how her preparation for Olympics 2020 in Toyko is going.

“Preparation for the

Olympics is going well. I have changed into a twoperson boat, which is really fun, because I’m a member of a team, rather than just myself.

“I’m now sailing with my friend, Katie. It’s really challenging, training

every day and trying to get better every day.

“We have to qualify in December for the Olympics, but our first big competition together is the European Championships and that’s in May. “This will be our first

test to see how all our hard training over the winter has paid off and we’re excited for what’s to come!”  For recipe inspirations, check out bordbia.ie/ qualitychicken.

CRAFTBEERCORNER McGargles - Daragh’s Session IPA Brewed by Rye River Brewing Company Celbridge, Co Kildare  PALE MAILE, Beer Aficionado THIS easy-drinking session IPA offering from McGargles is very smooth and enjoyable.

The hops gives you that combination of pine and citrus without being too overbearing and with a subtle bitterness. Being a session IPA, it does not have the full strength body that other IPAs can have, which makes it a perfect starter beer for newbie craft beer fans. It allows you to enjoy the flavour that this smooth, hoppy drink offers but with an alcohol volume of just 3.8%. This strength enables to you enjoy this refreshing pint over and over again.

14 February 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 14 February 2019

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

SOME OF THE RANDOM AND

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

Harvey Norman CEO, Blaine Callard, presenting the first cheque to Fr Peter McVerry in 2018

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

01 - 6010240 sales@dublingazette.com

FIND US ON

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

Harvey Norman wants to help bring a happy home to those in need HARVEY NORMAN are partnering with Peter McVerry Trust to raise a further €170,000 for the charity this February.

Harvey Norman hope to surpass the amount raised last year - €183,693 - to donate even more to Peter McVerry Trust with the Making Homes campaign.

If you pop into a Harvey Norman shop this February, you will see lots of fundraising activities in store.

Pat Doyle, CEO, Peter McVerry Trust said: “The support of Harvey Norman enables us to communicate the importance of a home and the happiness a home can bring to those in need.

“In 2018 the Making Homes appeal helped Peter McVerry Trust move over 20 people out of homelessness. Peter McVerry Trust wishes Harvey Norman every success for Making Homes and extends a sincere thank you to all those who are able to support.”

You can help raise money for the Peter McVerry Trust by buying a product from the Harvey Norman “Making Homes” Collection, with €5 of the proceeds to the Peter McVerry Trust, donating at harveynorman.ie/makinghomes, adding a €1 donation at the Harvey Norman Checkout online or by donating in store.

Johnny

SHE BLINDED

DUBLIN Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs. Johnny is a bouncy, four-year-old Collie cross that loves all sorts of activities. Walking, running, chasing, jumping, playing, and solving brain games – he is always on the go, and Johnny is just full of love and fun.

He would love an active and fun-loving family which can match his energy and love of life. He will need some training to manage his excitability, but he is super clever, so this should take no time at all.

If you are looking for a dog that is great fun and full of love, Johnny will be your paw-fect match!

If you have room in your heart and home for Johnny then please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. (Remember: Always have your dog on a lead when in public.)

DOG OF THE WEEK

14 February 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

D QUIRKY THINGS THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE THIS WEEK...

BITS & BOBS TOP TWEETS

D ME WITH SCIENCE Earn £2,000 to make someone’s entire decisions for a month

FANCY getting paid to make someone’s life decisions?

Similar to the Netflix show, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, a woman has posted a job opening to make all her decisions for an entire month.

After having a “rubbish year”, including getting mugged and losing money she lent to a friend, the unnamed woman from Bristol decided to spend £2,000 of inheritance money she got last year on this quirky venture.

The successful candidate will help her make decisions on such things as who she should go on Tinder dates with and how she should spend her savings.

The advert on Bark.com said: “Hiya, bit of a weird one I know but basically, I feel like I need someone to make my decisions for me.

“I’ve had a really rubbish year and would love for someone to take control of my life think of it a bit like a real-life Bandersnatch.”

Actor, Paul Rudd

THERE’S BEEN a call for secondary students to put their skills to the test and enter this year’s SciFest@College competition.

Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. launched the 12th edition of the competition last week.

SciFest is the largest and most inclusive second-level STEM fair initiative in Ireland. Since launching in 2008, more than 60,000 students have participated in the competition.

SciFest aims to give students of all abilities and backgrounds the opportunity to develop research, problem solving, critical thinking, and presentation skills. The closing date for SciFest@College 2019 is Friday, March 8, 2019.

Don’t Foo around with Rudd

EVERYONE loves a good gig and a decent dance, but nobody had as much fun as actor Paul Rudd when he saw Foo Fighters recently.

The ‘Ant Man’ actor went to see the US rock band last week at a pre-Super Bowl celebration, and a video of him rocking out to their cover of ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’ by the Ramones went viral on Twitter.

The six second video of Rudd’s excited headbanging has racked up over 2.3 million views, 108,276 likes and 21,252 retweets.

Many commented on just how wholesome Rudd’s adoration for Foo Fighters is, with one Tweeter saying: “Can we wrap him in bubble wrap? He’s one of the last remaining good things we have left.”

It’s gas how every Irish duo gets expressed in terms of Jedward [on Twitter], like how The Happy Pear are Hummus Jedward.

My daughter brought home the most dreaded thing from school today. Not lice, not a note from the principal... a recorder. @armsnfarms

@dvvidmurray

I feel so boujee because my leap card balance hasn’t gone below €30 in like two weeks. @saiberbully_

Overhead on the Luas ‘come to think of it, there are no black people in Michael Collins. @overheardindublin

I would like a Netflix category called “simple enough to follow while also on your phone. @StefPreissner

Why is Adam Levine wearing my curtains? @dpbrelsford

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 14 February 2019

GOINGOUTOUT

DJ Kormac ups his game in the search for beat perfection

PICK WEEK OF THE

FEBRUARY 15 (FRIDAY) Ennio Morricone @ @ 3Arena, €91+ A pricey night out, sure, but the Italian movie soundtrack maestro playing his last ever show outside of Italy is a real special rarity.

One to push the boat out for.

FEBRUARY 14 (THURSDAY)

Post Malone @ 3Arena, €56 Toy @ The Workman’s Club, €15 Cub Sport @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €15 Luluc @ The Grand Social, €15

FEBRUARY 15 (FRIDAY)

Micah P. Hinson @ Whelan’s, €20 Kevin Krauter @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €12 Oslo IX @ Workman’s Club, free

FEBRUARY 16 (SATURDAY)

Professor Brian Cox @ 3Arena, €42+ Bodega @ Whelan’s, €18 Just Mustard @ Workman’s Club, €10 Makings @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €10 Whiskey Shivers @ The Grand Social, €13

FEBRUARY 17 (SUNDAY)

The Johnny Cash Roadshow @ The Olympia Theatre, €29 Smokie @ Vicar Street, €39 Ouzo Bazooka @ The Grand Social, €10 AJ Croce @ Whelan’s, €20 Electric Eel Shock @ Workman’s Club, €12

FEBRUARY 18 (MONDAY)

Jungle @ The Olympia Theatre, sold out Microdisney @ Vicar Street, €47

FEBRUARY 19 (TUESDAY)

Razorlight @ The Olympia Theatre, €35 Hippo Campus @ The Academy, sold out Gorilla Troubadour @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €5 Kneecap @ Workman’s Club, €10

DJ KORMAC has fingers in a whole lot of pies. He’s a man who takes his work extremely seriously: a perfectionist, playing off the roles of dozens of different contributors, and drawing aspects of music from all over his life, including the sounds he hears around him.

“I went to this massive jumble sale, I guess you’d call it, in France, and that’s where I found my best sound,” said the Dubliner on his developing love of ‘field recordings’.

“I go around with my Zoom recorder and take in lots of different things that I’ve started drawing into my music.

“In France, I found one of those really old telephones that makes a noise when you hang it up. That was a really useful one.

“I think I always sound like me, even if it is quite eclectic,” the varied DJ explains of his mixed offerings.

In recent years, he’s branched out, working with the Irish Chamber Orchestra as well as a host

 JAMES HENDICOTT

of contemporary Irish singers as a more conventional DJ, and even with novelist Irvine Welsh.

“It all has this uptempo element, especially for the melodies,” he says. “I grew up on stuff like Sonic Youth, and the more I listen to things, the more it sounds to me like there are

QUIKFLIX FLIX Streaming the latest news

E4 acquires popular US Minnie Driver comedy ADDING TO their growing line up as US shows, E4 have recently announced that they’re adding US sitcom ‘Speechless’ to their roster.

The British channel, a younger off-shoot of Channel 4, has acquired all three seasons of the comedy, which is expected to

be on air soon.

‘Speechless’ stars British actress Minnie Driver as a devoted mom to her husband and kids, including her eldest son who lives with cerebral palsy.

The show originally debuted on American TV in 2016 on the ABC channel.

FEBRUARY 20 (WEDNESDAY)

Eddi Reader @ Vicar Street, €31 Former vocalist with Fairground Attraction, this distinctively vocalled Scottish legend with jazz, pop and folk influences is a breathtaking watch.

Mide Houlihan @ Whelan’s (Upstairs), €10 Kneecap @ Workman’s Club, sold out

The cast of ‘Speechless’, coming to E4 soon

influences in there from things like guitar progressions. I don’t know if anyone else can hear it, but it’s had a lasting effect for me.

“In some ways this is a quiet time of year, as things go crazy in the summer with the tours, but in others it’s been really intense with work.

“I’ve been heading for the studio at half six in the morning and working through the day. It’ll all play into what I do over the summer.

“My new show is a mix

of a solo AV [audiovisual] show and playing a second part with some guests,” Kormac told us.

“I’ve been working with AV for a long time. I’m developing a multiscreen idea that’s quite exciting; it will allow me to do different things; to do stuff musically that might not work without the screens.”

Kormac’s track with Saint Sister and Jafaris, Causing Trouble, has been nominated for song of the year at the RTE Choice

Music Prize – something the DJ sees as a great acknowledgement of his progress.

“It’s nice to feel like you’re on the right track, and that people appreciate what you’re doing” DJ Kormac performs his new show at the Button Factory, Dublin along with special guests on Saturday, February 23. Tickets cost €20.

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

Oscar winning producer signs Netflix deal NETFLIX HAS announced that it has entered into a multi-year deal with Oscar winning producer Darla Anderson.

Anderson will develop and produce new animated and live action projects, both feature films and series..

Vice President of Kids and Family at Netflix, Melissa Cobb, said: “Darla is one

of the most successful and accomplished producers in the entire film industry and her creative instincts for championing and shepherding films that transcend borders is truly unmatched.

Together with Darla we will seek to bring more unique and diverse voices to our global audience on Netflix.”

Darla Anderson

The Simpsons might just outlive us all THE SIMPSONS has been renewed for another two series, it was announced last week.

The famous family has been picked up for a 31st and 32nd season at FOX. Over 700 episodes of the much loved animation will have aired by the end of

the 32nd season.

The Simpsons is longest-running primetime scripted show in television history.

According to CNN, at the end of the 32nd season, it will take 10 days without stopping to watch every episode.

14 February 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

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

ENTERTAINMENT

Brothers hoping the Price is right for big plans

Some of the Baftas winners at the awards ceremony widely regarded as a forerunner for the upcoming Oscars

CINEMA | EXPECTED VICTORIES ROMPED HOME

Few surprises at the steady, if dull, Baftas REBECCA RYAN

AFTER a busy and successful 2018, Sean and Conor Price are about to bring brandnew music to their fans in 2019.

The Blessington brothers have been working hard over the past year and just released their first single of 2019, Storm.

The brothers say Storm is a youthful pop song about a girl who is exciting, but you know she is bad news, just like a ‘storm’.

Dublin Gazette caught up with Sean (19) and Conor (16) who told us more about the new single and how their music is taking a different direction.

“Storm is a pop song with catchy hooks and cool bass lines. Written by ourselves [Sean and Conor] with Conor O’Donohoe from Irish band, Wild Youth.

“It’s a fun, cool, mature pop song starting off a new direction for us in 2019.”

The brothers have been working with producers and writers in Dublin, London and Stockholm on their new music and are excited to show their fans.

“We have been doing a lot of writing, recording and gigging over the past year.

“We have worked with top-class producers and writers and have a great catalogue of new songs ready to release this year. We are really looking forward to the year ahead.

“On the X-Factor we were two inexperienced buskers riding the wave and enjoying ourselves.

“Now, in 2019, after a lot of learning

over the past year or so, we have developed a cool pop sound that we really feel represents us.

“Now we are making music we really love and enjoying ourselves.”

Sean and Conor revealed they will be releasing an EP this year, “hopefully this Summer”, and they will also be hitting Dublin in June to play The Olympia.

“We can’t wait to play in The Olympia!

It is one of Ireland’s most renowned venues and we have seen many of our favourite artists play there.

“We are so fortunate to have great audiences at our shows, but nothing beats a Dublin audience!

“There is just a buzz and energy that they bring. We have experienced this playing at the 3 Arena, Vicar Street and the Helix.”

So, what’s next on the agenda for the popular brothers?

“Next for us is lots of new exciting music [and] our 2019 tour, which is under way. We also plan to bring the tour to the UK later in the year.

“We are pretty excited about the music we have written and recorded for 2019 and there may be a few more exciting announcements to come during the year.”

Sean and Conor Price will play The Olympia Theatre, Dublin on Saturday, June 29. Full details of tour dates and tickets are available at www.seanandconorpricemusic.com.

IT WASN’T exactly a huge surprise at the Baftas that the favourite – The Favourite – went on to scoop a whopping seven awards in a variety of fields.

The quirky film continued steamrolling its success through one awards ceremony after another, with the Oscars dead ahead in its sights later this month, on Sunday, February 24.

 SHANE DILLON

The awards haul was yet another victory for Irish production company (and member of Screen Producers Ireland) Element Pictures, which has made a name for itself in recent years with slightly oddball but entertaining films that audiences and critics have lapped up.

Olivia Colman (inset) grabbed a well-deserved Best Actress award for her turn, with her significant chops in comic roles all but forgotten after her striking turn as the somewhat horrid yet ultimately sympathetic h e a r t of The Favourite.

Aw a y from The Favourite’s expected successes, however, the Baftas had a few sur-

prises in store, with some outright upsets in both the winners – and behind the scenes.

Away from The Favourite’s victory laps, there were few surprises in Baftas 2019, which largely played things safe and, to a degree, kept things pretty sterile.

Those watching at home, or reading up on it afterwards, learned from the short acceptance speeches that so-and-so was “very talented”, or that such-and-such film’s crew worked “very hard”, and so on. Great.

No maverick off-thecuff diatribes, no controversial comments, nothing of any particular import from anyone, while seasoned old ham Joanna Lumley kept things rolling along without a glitch – or mukch of a spark – as the evening’s MC. A few films stood out in the largely predictable roll-call of wins. While The Favourite largely swept the boards, the stirring Roma was in close pursuit, with the critically acclaimed film proving a particular hit on Netflix.

As a period piece with

a very different flavor to The Favourite, its very personal tale of turmoil in 1970s Mexico leaves it trotting along as a dark horse to look out for at the upcoming Oscars, where it’s a particularly strong contender in a number of categories.

Bohemian Rhapsody added Bafta glory on the night to its awards haul, to nobody’s great surprise, with the film continuing to be an awards magnet despite its flaws.

It was also interesting to note that Black Panther (released a year ago) also had Bafta victory on the night, underscoring its place as one of the most critically and commercially successful films of recent decades.

Ultimately, despite the particular safeness of the wins, it’s hard to argue against the winners of the 2019 Baftas, with some great films and individuals singled out for particular glory.

At least it was a steady ship to follow -–the upcoming host-less, potentially chaotic Oscars seems set to be a much wobblier affair ...

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 14 February 2019

TRAVEL

Get some excellent value before the season starts THE month of May is a great time to getaway and enjoy a bit of guaranteed sun before the Irish summer starts in earnest.

Many of the well-known European beach resorts offer some excellent value before the season starts in earnest so it’s an ideal opportunity to grab a quick bargain and top up your tan for summer ‘19.

With the week that’s in it, why not surprise your partner with a GoHop.ie holiday voucher and plan a romantic sunshine getaway together? Check out the GoHop.ie holiday voucher page at https://www.gohop. ie/travel-voucher/holidays A selection of some great value GoHop.ie May getaways include: The Algarve – 08 May – 3* Rio Apartments – Vilamoura – from €169 pp Costa del Sol – 08 May – 4* Grangefield Oasis Club – Mijas – from €225 pp Tenerife – 19 May – 4* HC Hotel Magec – Puerto de la Cruz – from €249 pp Majorca – 01 May – 4* Playa Ferrera – Cala Ferrera – from €265 pp Lanzarote – 05 May – 3* Tabaiba Center – Costa Teguise – from €299 pp All the above prices are subject to availability and include return flights from Dublin, taxes and 7 nights self-catering accommodation. Baggage and transfers not included.

GoHop.ie is now considered one of the most popular holiday websites in Ireland.

Irish owned and managed, the brand continues to broaden its appeal to holiday consumers’ offering great value holidays to suit every budget at some of the best prices on the market with flights from Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Knock airports.

The company boasts over 45,000 followers on Facebook and enjoys a Feefo rating of 4.8.

Consumers can sign up to the GoHop weekly newsletter to ensure they are kept up to date with unbeatable worldwide holiday deals and exciting product updates.

For further information, see GoHop.ie, or call 01 241 2389; on Facebook see GoHop.ie; on Twitter follow @GoHop_ie; or on Instagram follow #GoHop.ie.

Alternative city break destinations for 2019

Discover the next big destination before the masses

SYLVIA POWNALL

Travel Editor IT’S that time of year when most people start to think about their next city break.

M ay b e so m ew h e re you can disappear to for a weekend getaway that isn’t inundated with tourists?

Or perhaps you want to discover the next ‘goto destination’ before your friends? Here’s a list of alternatives you probably haven’t thought of but really should...

Been to Krakow?

Try Wroclaw

If you want an Eastern European city that isn’t swarmed with thousands of visitors then you won’t find better.

Fewer tourists mean more snaps of this stun-

n i n g m e d i ev a l c i t y which was named the European Capital of Culture in 2016.

Rynek, the main market square, is one of the most beautiful in Europe. Wroclaw also homes an exceptional f lower garden which hosts open-air concerts and events and is the ideal space for relaxing on a summer’s day.

The Old Town is one of the city’s top tourist attractions but don’t forget a visit to Ostrow Tumski (Cathedral Island).

And watch out for the Dwarves of Wroclaw - small, bronze, ornamental gnomes dotted cleverly around the city.

Not forgetting the Wrocław Multimedia Fountain; a light show which has to be seen to

Discover the buzzing Grand Bazaar, a shopping experience which is unique to Istanbul.

part of UNESCO World Heritage. Since the fall Been to Prague? of communism, most Try Riga buildings have been renRiga is ideal for your ovated giving the city a next Eastern European strong blended theme adventure. It’s the larg- where modernity meets est of the Baltic region medieval. and has been referred to St Peter’s Church in as the ‘Little Paris of the the Old Town is the place North’, due to to go to get panoramic views of the city where your view is be dabbled with red rooftops and The biggest landmark cobbled streets.

Fu n f a c t : Ju s t in Seville is the Alcazar outside St Peter’s of Seville, one of the Church lies a oldest palaces still in use charming statue with stacked aniand a UNESCO World mals (a donkey, dog, Heritage Site cat and rooster) called the “Town Musicians of Bremen” from the Brothits magnificent build- ers Grimm fairy tale. ings and little-cobbled People say that ruballeyways. bing the noses of each Riga’s stunning Art animal on the statue will Nouveau infrastructure bring you good luck! has won itself a place as be believed.

Been to Budapest?

Try Istanbul

Is ta n b u l h a s b e e n described as a city where Europe meets Asia.

The c ity is spread across both continents and separated by the Bosphorus River – you will see the contrasts of both continents every corner you turn.

With endless possibilities of what to see and do, Istanbul will soon become your favourite city break destination.

Discover the buzzing Grand Bazaar, a shopping experience which is unique to Istanbul.

This place will hit you with a unique sensory overload.

Somewhere you’ll find treasure troves of gold and silver jewellery, aromatic spices and chic fabrics in a bustling set-

14 February 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

Rynek, the main market square in Wroclaw

Top: Hamburg’s International Maritime Museum.

Above: Arab baths located in the oldest part of Seville.

ting.

A visit to the Haggia Sophia has to be on your list. It has been considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and the eighth ‘Wonder of the World’.

It’s located near the Sultan Ahmed Mosque aka The Blue Mosque because it’s adorned with beautiful blue tiles throughout the building.

The Beatles really strengthened their reputation and made a name for themselves back in the 60s.

Pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants surrounded by neon lights, striking graffiti and eclectic music adorn the streets and it is definitely worth a stop off on your trip.

Fun fact: There are more canals in Hamburg than in Amsterdam and Venice combined!

Been to Berlin?

Try Hamburg Been to BarceloHamburg has one of na? Try Seville the biggest and busiest ports in Europe. They also have a Maritime Museum, a very famous fish market, and harbour cruises for visitors to enjoy making it a seafaring city.

St Pauli’s district is known for its football club and its insane night life but it also has a strong historical background.

It was known as the sailor’s area and where

Seville is most commonly known as the birthplace of tapas and flamenco dancing.

It was voted the top destination to visit in 2018 and it has a great mix of something for everyone, with amazing monuments and palaces to explore, a wide range of entertainment and leisure activities and a plethora of tasty cuisine to devour.

The biggest landmark

in Seville is the Alcazar of Seville, one of the oldest palaces still in use and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You may recognise it from productions such as Game of Thrones and Star Wars.

If you need another reason to go to Seville it has to be their festivals.

The Semana Santa de Sevilla takes place

before Easter and celebrates Holy Week.

Another major festival in Seville is the Feriade Abril which takes place in April after Easter.

Celebrations There are fairs which are adorned with lights, tents and people in traditional Andalusian costumes with activities such as bullfights and a

St Peter’s Church, Riga

large firework displays to mark the end of the week and its celebrations.

Click and Go offers g re a t d e a l s o n c i t y breaks to all of the above destinations and many more, with a three-night stay in four or five-star accommodation from as little as €249pp.

Visit www.clickandgo. com for details.

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 14 February 2019

PUZZLESCHALLENGE CHALLENGE YOUR YOUR BRAIN...JUST BRAIN...JUST FORFOR FUN! FUN!

CODEWORDS

You could advertise here

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 BELIEVES BERT BLAZES BROM CANOPY CATECHISM COLA CURIOUSLY CYCLING DAWN FENDER

GENRES KUNG LABELLING MAUSOLEUM MUNCH NAVIGATE OVERDOSE PEARL PUDDLE SIGNIFIER SURVIVING

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

14 February 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF TRANSPORT

Learning to drive is pricey but worth it LEARNING to drive in Ireland can be costly – gone are the old days of getting a provisional licence and off you go.

Now to drive a car in Ireland, there are all kinds of unavoidable costs before you can hit the road.

Let’s start with the Driver’s Permit, as just one example of costs.

When you are applying for the permit, you will be required to verify your identity with documentation to prove your name, address and PPS number, as well as confirmation of your country of birth/ residency entitlement.

A Driver Theory Test must be completed and passed. The test consists of 40 multiplechoice computer-based questions, which 35 or more must be correct and a time limit of 45 minutes is allocated.

The cost of this test is €45 for a car, and an applicant must be aged 17 years or over before this test can be taken.

All questions are out of the Official Driver Theory Test Questions and Answers book, which costs about €20.

Once the Driver Theory Test is passed you are eligible to apply for a Learner’s Permit ...

That’s only a little of the process you have to take, with costs all along the way. Once you factor in the minimum driving lessons that you absolutely must take, the cost of learning to drive is expensive, with a minimum cost of around €600 to include lessons and a ten-year licence.

However, having a full driving licence is priceless, and worth all the hassle and expense.

MOTORS

The Nissan LEAF is well placed for a revolution DECLAN GLYNN

RECENTLY released sales figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) for the month of January indicate a massive increase in the number of fully electric cars sold throughout Ireland – with 811 sold that month alone.

When compared to January 2018’s 104 sales, it’s easy to see that an electric car revolution is taking hold.

Nissan is one of the leading car manufacturers capitalising on this upward trend, with their all-new LEAF attracting 296 customers in January 2019, as opposed to 54 customers in the same period last year – representing a gigantic 448% increase.

Part of its appeal, of course, comes from its charging – two charging sockets are located under a neatly designed flap in the nose of the car, while a three-pin plug cable and a standard charging cable are stored neatly in the boot.

Charging will take 21 hours from empty to 100% off a household plug, 7.5 hours with a home 7kw charger, or you can get an 80% charge in 40 minutes from a 50kw fast charger.

New technology fastcharge units are due to be rolled out in the next 12 months which will, potentially, allow the car to receive an 80% charge from empty in as little as 10 minutes.

The all-new Nissan LEAF is available in

three trim levels – SV, SV Premium and SVE, with the standard equipment levels be ing hugely impressive.

Even the entry-level SV model comes equipped with features such as 16” alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, leather multifunction steering wheel, a heat pump, intelligent cruise control, Nissan Connect infotainment system and many, many more features, while the other models get a dizzying range of features, too.

On test this week was a new Nissan LEAF 40kwh SV Premium model, in a black, executive finish feel.

In terms of acceleration, Nissan’s new 40kwh battery pack and inverter will propel the car from 0-100km/h is a lively 7.9 seconds.

Press the accelerator pedal and you will be rewarded with an instant and seamless rush of torque – which is 26% higher than that of the first generation LEAF. Standard across the new Nissan LEAF range is stunning new technology which Nissan calls the ePedal, selected by a toggle-switch by the gear selector, and allowing you to drive the car with one

pedal alone.

Enough braking effort is applied when you lift off the accelerator to slow the car to a complete stop, while the brake lights illuminate at the back of the car in the normal fashion The use of the ePedal is entirely optional and a brake pedal is located in the usual place for drivers who prefer to brake for themselves.

Nissan’s engineers have endowed the car with excellent driving dynamics.

Build quality throughout is excellent and the materials used feel durable and familyfriendly, while a 435-litre boot will cater for the needs of most families too.

The new Nissan LEAF is priced from €28,690 (inclusive of a €5,000 Government/SEAI grant for private buyers).

N i s s a n ’s t h r e e year/100,000km warranty comes as standard. Switch to a 100% electric car and you get to say goodbye to petrol, or diesel, and hello to tax credits, incentives and reduced routine maintenance costs.

And for the new Nissan LEAF price, you get a really roomy family car, too.

FACT BOX

1) Annual road tax just €120 2) Zero emissions 3) Cutting-edge technology 4) Extremely low running costs 5) Priced from €28,690

Apart from its impressive charging ability, the new LEAF – in all models – has a huge amount of features, coupled with great build quality and a roomy, comfy feeling

Going the credit union route could drive your next motoring purchase

MANY of the major financial institutions specialise in providing loans for new and used cars, with all the major banks competing with each other to attract new customers.

They all have competitive interest rates and attractive payment packages to make sure you get the best package available and one that suits your financial requirements.

However, a loan avenue worth exploring is through your local credit union.

Their car loan applications are straightforward, where applying is easy and decisions are fast.

You can also get a flexible payment term to suit your financial situation.

Loans are available with flexible terms for up to five years.

Unlike a Hire Purchase agreement or Personal Contract Plan, with a credit union car loan, you own the car from the outset.

There are no hidden fees or charges and definitely no balloon payments or mileage restrictions.

If you want to own the car you’re driving and want the freedom to decide when to sell it, a credit union loan may just be for you.

Another advantage of using your local credit union to finance your new car is that you can pay off your personal loan early, make additional lump sum repayments or increase your regular repayments, without a penalty.

Other lenders (not all) may charge you extra for paying them back faster and no matter what your loan is for, your credit union will ensure everything is clear, transparent and straightforward.

You can pay off your personal loan early, make additional lump sum repayments or increase your regular repayments, without a penalty.

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 14 February 2019

DUBLINGAZETTECLASSIFIEDS  FINGAL CARPET CLEANING

RECRUITMENT

ROOFING DVD TRANSFERS

GARDEN SERVICES

PAINTING

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

LOCAL

MATTERS

14 February 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

FINGAL  DUBLINGAZETTECLASSIFIEDS LOCALMATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

GazetteAdvertising The best low cost advertising for your business

tes are Our ad ra at

e always gr value!

call us on 60 10 240

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 14 February 2019

14 February 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

SWIMMING P32

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

COMEBACK TRAIL: SOCCER: LUKE Byrne spent the last two years at Shamrock Rovers coaching the Under-15s alongside Damien Duff – but he’s looking forward to getting back out on the playing field with Shelbourne.

The Howth native has seen the last three years of his career marred by a cruciate ligament injury and subsequent niggles that restricted him to just 38 games.



GAZETTE

FOOTBALL P31

PAGE 28

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS SOCCER | SEAN COX FUNDRAISER

McAteer back in red and green  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

15 YEARS on from his final game there as an international, Jason McAteer’s next step on the turf of the Aviva Stadium will take on a whole other sort of significance.

The 52-times capped midfielder lined out for his country for the last time as a substitute in a friendly against Brazil, having already decided to call it a day at international level.

He’s pulled on the green jersey since – notably in the recent Soccer Sixes competition where he was involved in an altercation for former Liverpool team mate Michael Owen.

The former Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers winger is thrilled every time he gets to lace up his boots, but there’s particular honour in being selected on this occasion.

Last April, Irish Liverpool fan Sean Cox travelled to Anfield for the Champions League semi-final between the Reds and AS Roma.

The 53-year-old, who grew up in Clondalkin, sustained serious head injuries after being attacked and will require lifelong care and rehabilitation treatment.

His family need to raise €2 million to cover his care for the next five years and have already raised half that amount through initiatives in Liverpool and at home.

April 12 will see a Liverpool legends team line out against their Irish counterparts for what Sean’s wife Martina and his family hope will cover the rest.

“I’d hope I was going to be involved having played for both [Liverpool and Ireland],” McAteer said at the launch at the Aviva Stadium.

“I would’ve been disappointed if I wasn’t asked. Obviously we know the story first hand from the day it happened. But with Sean being Irish, I’ve been following it closely.

“I came over as a club ambassador for the Napoli game where we met up with Martina and the family and got a behind-the-scenes take on exactly what had happened.

“It’s something that she should never have had to be involved in. Noone should go to a football match and sadly end up in this situation.”

McAteer represented his country more than 50 times over a ten-year period and was played for Ireland at two World Cup finals – in 1994 under

Stephen Felle, Sean’s Cox’s son Jack and wife Martina along with Jason McAteer at the launch of the Liverpool Legends v Republic of Ireland fundraising match. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Jack Charlton and 2002 under Mick McCarthy.

McCarthy will take charge of the Ireland XI on April 12, but his main focus will be on the senior international team and qualification for Euro 2020, something McAteer feels is achievable.

“He did a fantastic job transitioning the first time around after Jack.

He had an ageing squad and had to

bring some fresh faces through – Gary Breen, Damien Duff, Robbie Keane.

“He brought them through and he bedded them really well. We got the success out of it by going to Japan in 2002… was it that long ago? Bloody hell. 16 years ago. He did a phenomenal job.

“Players will run that extra couple of miles for Mick and put their bodies on the line.”

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 14 February 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

1

FINGALLIANS THE Lotto numbers for last week were 10, 15, 21, 27, 36.There were three winners. Monday Club,Rose Dignam and Mary Mc Gee each received €1,328 . Next weeks jackpot is € 2,576. Try playing online through the club force website you can play multiple weeks from the comfort of your armchair.

Car Park: The Club have introduced a new one way system for the car park each weekday evening from 6-8pm. We would ask if ALL drivers ENTER ONLY through the top gate and turn left and follow the car park arrows and EXIT ONLY through the bottom gate. Please can we try to make this new system work as there are a lot of small people running around at that time and we would like fro them ALL to grow into BIG people, remember one accident would be one too much.Thank you all in advance.

Academy:The Joe Duffy Group Fingallians Academy continues on Saturday’s at 10am on the All Weather,great to see all the young stars of the future running around and enjoying the experience of Gaelic Games. New Members are ALWAYS welcome; just turn up and see what can happen.

Remember the hardest part is coming through the gates .

U-16 ladies football team: The club are seeking Applications for the role of U16 Ladies Football Manager.Contact Nicky Fitzgerald Ladies Chairperson.

Well done to Niamh Crowley and the Dublin U-16 Camogie Team on a great win over Offaly in Lucan.

U-12 Boys : Our U12 Boys played their first grading games with a win over Ballyfermot DLS and lost out to St Vincent’s and Naomh Fionbarra in two very tight games.

There will be a dual Football and Hurling course on February 26/28 and March 5 in the club.Anybody wishing to take part please emailfingallianscoaching@gmail.com. Place are limited.

GARDA/WESTMANSTOWN OSKARS night with Garda Rugby Club is scheduled for Friday, May 3 and is an opportunity for everyone to contribute both in front of and behind the cameragive back to your club and have fun while you’re at it. Contact Alan Lynch at lynchalan03@hotmail .com.

The ladies section hold a Quiz Night in Westmanstown on Friday March 1st at 8.00.PM-table of four is €40 and all are welcome.

Training continues on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s for a Intermediates and Juniors at 7.30.PM in Westmanstown under Jack Sheedy; new league season kicks off next Sunday, February 17 with Inters away at St Finians Newcastle at 10.30am and Juniors at home to Ranelagh Gaels at 12pm.

Ladies pre season training continues with gym session at Insanity Fitzone on Monday nights at from 8.30-

9.30pm and pitch sessions on Wednesday at 7.30pm and Saturday at 8.00.AM in Westmanstown-new players both Garda and civilian always welcome.

All juvenile teams now now back training for the new season and our Nursery is open to all the children of the locality on Saturday morning on the All Weather Pitch at 10am. U-15 girls won their second friendly of the season against Lucan Sarsfields by 4-14 to 2-2 and U-13 boys lost to Templeogue in their grading match on a 6-6 to 4-4 scoreline.

Club membership now due and can be paid online.

Congratulations to two former club members on their Croke Park success last weekend with Ian Devane winning an Intermediate Club Championship with Kilcummin and Paudie Sears involved with Beaufort in their Junior success.

SOCCER: HOWTH’S BYRNE READY FOR NEW ROLE AT TOLKA Shelbourne’s Luke Byrne at the League of Ireland launch on Tuesday.

Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Byrne buzzing for new challenge with Shels LOI PREVIEW  DAVE DONNELLY

sport@dublingazette.com

LUKE Byrne spent the last two years at Shamrock Rovers coaching the Under-15s alongside Damien Duff – but he’s looking forward to getting back out on the playing field with Shelbourne.

The Howth native has seen the last three years of his career marred by a cruciate ligament injury and subsequent niggles that restricted him to just 38 games.

The 25-year-old Byrne parted company with the Hoops at the end of 2018, bringing to an end a fiveyear spell in Tallaght, to link up with new Reds boss Ian Morris.

Defender Byrne, who courted controversy when he swapped Bohemians for Rovers in 2013, will line out for a third of Dublin’s big four next year as they look to return to the Premier Division.

Shels have been in the First Division since 2013 but are newly debt-free and made some eyecatching signings in the off-season including Byrne, Ryan Brennan and Conan Byrne.

“It is a really good squad,” Byrne tells the Dublin Gazette.

“A lot of Premier Division experience. A lot of lads that have won games and scored a lot of goals.

There’s experience all over the pitch.

“You’ve also got a num-

ber of younger lads that were there last year and have come in and have got a lot of ability. It’s a really good squad going into the season.”

While pre-season results haven’t gone to plan – they’ve won none and drawn just once, and lost to non-league Beggsboro – Byrne is happy to be deployed in his preferred centre-half position.

“That’s where I’m going to play this year.

“Obviously, if needs be, I can play full-back. I can play either side at fullback. Centre-half is somewhere I’ve wanted to play for a while.

“I’ve always felt I suited the position so I’m looking forward, not so much learning on the job, but

getting more used to the position.”

There is experience down the spine of the team, from goalkeeper Dean Delany and Byrne himself to Conan Byrne and Ciaran Kilduff up front.

That experience will be key in helping Morris – another Bohemians old boy in his first job as manager – to translate his ideas to a team who not so much hope as expect to win promotion.

Byrne’s experience shadowing Duff – who recently made the move to Glasgow to become Celtic’s reserve coach – will be particularly useful in a side still reliant on young players.

“I’ve done two years

with the 15s out there and I’ve just finished my B License, so please god I’ll get onto the A License.

“I’m still figuring out what team might need me in terms of Shels because I came in quite late. A lot of these things have been decided and confirmed.

“But I will be involved in some capacity during the season.

“We’ve a lot of lads there who haven’t played full-time football. They’re coming out of under-19s and into Shels or whoever.

“Even myself, if I can pass on anything I know from being in a full-time set that will help the lads, and in turn help the team, that’s one of the manager’s jobs and he’s been doing it so far.”

Skerries Towns’ run ends

Enniscorthy rise highest at line-out time at Hompatrick.

SKERRIES second team bowed out of the Provincial Towns Cup at the hands of reigning champions Enniscorthy 35-6 at Holmpatrick last weekend after a tough second half outing.

The Wexford side played with a strong wind in the first half but couldn’t penetrate a strong home defence despite a strong scrum and lineout.

Dave Goodman’s break nearly led to a try but was helped up over the line while an injury to Jim Mulvaney left Skerries without a key lineout man. Going into injury time in the first half

the score was still 0-0 but, on 41 minutes, Enniscorthy were awarded a penalty which Ivan Poole converted for 3-0.

In the second half, penalties were exchanged and after 20 minutes the score was 6-6, both of Skerries efforts coming from Robbie Jenkinson.

Enniscorthy, though, suddenly cut loose in ruthless fashion with tries from Davy Murphy and Angelo Todisco putting them ahead.

Timmy Morrissey, Tom Ryan and David O’Dwyer all got in on the try-scoring act in the closing stages as Enniscorthy march on.

14 February 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

BASKETBALL: INCREDIBLE RUN OF THREE-POINTERS SEES NORTHSIDE CLUB WIN BIG

Killester end Celtics’ streak WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE Pyrobel Killester Courtyard Liffey Celtics  sport@dublingazette.com

109 86

PYROBEL Killester became the first team this season to overcome league leaders and Cup champions, Courtyard Liffey Celtics.

They did so with a stunning exhibition of three-point shooting at the IWA Clontarf, completing a perfect double-weekend as they also saw off IT Carlow 87-54 on Saturday.

Indeed, a dazzling performance that saw 17 three-pointers from Killester in total – with nine of these coming in the fourth quarter alone – was enough to see them come back from a 47-56 point deficit at half time to win out in thrilling fashion, 10986.

Rebecca Nagle and Miah Spencer were the stand-out three-point stars

in a dazzling team display for Killester, bagging seven and six threepointers respectively on the night, with Christa Reed chipping in with four huge long range efforts as well in a game that really dished up everything from the off.

A high-scoring first quarter saw nothing much separating the sides, with Liffey edging proceedings at the end of the period, 22-26, thanks to superb work from Aine O’Connor and Allie LeClaire.

The intensity continued in the second, with Killester finding ways through the Liffey defence to drive inside and pick up some bonus points from the free throw line, but Sorcha Tiernan, LeClaire and Briana Green kept the pace up for the Cup champions to lead 47-56 at the half time break.

A huge second half followed and what a showcase of Irish basketball

it was, as Killester just could not miss.

They outscored the league leaders 28-10 in the quarter thanks to the superb shooting of Spencer, Nagle and Reed to lead 75-66 going into the last.

The women in orange certainly dared to dream going down the stretch and, after losing to Liffey in Leixlip last weekend, were certainly not giving up on their home turf easily/ By the midway point of the fourth, the three-point shooting exhibition continued to see them into a 10-point lead.

The scores just kept raining in, with Spencer and Nagle dominating on offence and despite big efforts from LeClaire, Tiernan and Karen Mealey at the other end, nothing could stop the Killester onslaught and they won out 109-86 point winners in the end.

Dublin North and North Kildare lock horns in Division 4.

Picture:Martin Doherty

Asdf asfd sdaf dasf dsaf dsaf dsaf sdaf sdaf sdaf dsaf sdaf dasf aasdfasdf. Picture: XXXX YYYY

North off the bottom twice over LEINSTER HOCKEY

 STEPHEN FINDLATER

sport@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN North’s first and second men’s teams both ran up important wins in their respective battles to avoid their bottom rung of their respective divisions of Leinster hockey.

The first team are off the bottom of Division One courtesy of a first win since October as they leap-frogged fellow Fingal side Portrane 3-1 with Michael Gahan, Adrian Sweeney and Shane Dempsey doing the damage.

Former team mate Chris Neville got the reply for Portrane.

For North, it has been a tricky season with the likes of seasoned campaigners like David and Eamonn Bane and Ben Chillingworth missing large chunks of the campaign but this win sees them up to ninth and a couple of points off the bottom, Their seconds, meanwhile, had an eye-catching win over previously high-flying North Kildare.

Two goals from Eoin Dineen and one from

Philip Gahan saw them win 3-1 and also move off the bottom of the table, overatking Pembroke.

It was their second win of the campaign and gets them a bit closer to Kilkenny in eighth place which would represent safety.

North Kildare had been in second place prior to their date with the NSC based club.

The club were also relieved to hear this week that their pitch in Abbotstown will not be replaced until much later in the spring.

In December, Sport

Ireland announced they would be replacing the turf imminently to provide a new home for the national hockey teams That would have left North on the hunt for a new venue at short notice for the second half of the season to accommodate their large youth section.

Work, though, has been pushed back to late March when the hockey season will be winding down for the most part.

The upgrade should be complete by the start of next season with time slots available for the club to remain in situ.

Killester’s Rebecca Nagle was ecstatic with her sides’ victory. Picture: Deryck Vincent

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 14 February 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2

NAOMH MEARNOG OUR U-12 boys football team travelled the short distance to Raheny on Saturday and came away with two impressive victories. The U-15B footballers had a tough day at the office away to Thomas Davis. However, they are a resilient group and will bounce back.

Great to see our newly relaunched adult ladies football team in action on Friday night against Craobh Ciaran in a friendly. With over 20 players togged out it was good to see some new faces and some very familiar faces among them. We are still welcoming new players. Contact Cliodhna O’Connor.

The adult football and minor hurling leagues start at the weekend. Good luck to all.

Our AFL2 team play Castleknock at 10.30am, the AFL 7 team are pitted against Crokes at 12pm while our newly formed AFL11 North team take on St.Maurs. All 3 games are away. Our minor hurlers play Round Towers Cliondalkin at home at 11.

The numbers drawn in this week’s club Lotto were 3, 18, 20 and 24. There was no winner. The Jackpot is now €7,600. Members are reminded that our club bar opens at 5pm on a Friday from now on.

SKERRIES HARPS WELL done to our Senior 1 Camogie Team who opened their Leinster league campaign on Sun 10th with a 1-9 To 0-8 win over Na Fianna.

Congrats to Lyndsey Davey, Eve Kehoe & the Dublin Senior Ladies on their league win over Tipperary on Sunday.

Well done to our Club representatives who played for Dublin over the weekend - James Casey, pictured, (Dublin Minors vs Derry) & , Hannah McGinnis (U14 Football development vs Wicklow) . Congrats to Megan Carroll & Emma Parker, both named on the 2019 Dublin Minor Camogie Panel.

Reminder , Skerries Harps Annual Membership fees are now due and are available for renewal online at www.skerriesharps.ie/club-membership. All Players (Adult & Juvenile) must have membership and injury fund fees paid up to date before commencement of the 2019 season, which for some teams has already occurred.

Contact Club Registrar Peter Farmer @ SkerriesHarps.registrar@gmail.com with any queries.

ST BRIGID’S

Upcoming Events /Diary Dates.

FRI 22 FEB : Junior disco 7-9pm in aid of our Feile Fundraiser 2019, in the Clubhouse Ages 12-14 years. Fully supervised Entry €6 , refreshments available.

SAT 2ND MARCH : Annual Cheltenham Preview Night in the Clubhouse. 8PM TILL LATE! Great line up of experts on our panel , contact Fergal 086 8984657 for more info.

FRI 8TH MARCH: Annual Skerries Harps Fashion Show 8pm. Tickets Sold Out. FRI 15TH MARCH: Race Night fundraiser in aid of Feile 2019. Always a great night , more details to follow!

SAT 1ST June : Elvis Spectacular at the Harps ! Save the date in your diary a night not to be missed ! Contact Pat 087 2505479/Joanne 086 4058523 for tickets.

Skerries Harps Golf Society (SHAGS) 2019: FRI 10th MAY - Balbriggan Golf Club; FRI 14th JUNE - Swords Open GC; FRI 16th AUG - Lisburn Golf Club; FRI 13th SEP - Captain’s Day Skerries GC; Contact Paul Murray.

WELL done to our U-15 team and to both U-16 teams who had good wins at the weekend. St Brigid’s Club Nursery will continues this Saturday morning and every Saturday morning from 9.30am to 11am. All 4-7 year old boys and girls are welcome to come down and join in the fun.

2019 Memberships are now due and can be paid online via our Club Website.

A huge thank you to everyone who supports St Brigid’s Club Lotto and thanks to our hard-working Lotto Committee. Our next Lotto draw is in The Greyhound when the Jackpot will be €10,200 this Thursday, February 14.

A Foundation Course for mentors of underage teams is being held- Monday 18th February and Friday 22nd February from 7pm to 10pm on both nights.

Please contact @BarryMullane1 or barry.mullane.gpo.dublin@gaa.ie to book your place.

Handball Foundation Coaching Course in Russell Park - Monday 25th February (7pm-9.30pm) and Monday 4th March (7pm-9.30pm). Book your place by emailing; endatimoney@gmail.com Best wishes to our Adult Football teams who begin their league campaigns this Sunday. Keep up to date on all fixtures and results on our Twitter page.

All our adult teams are back training and new or returning players are always welcome. Just contact; pro.stbrigids.dublin@gaa.ie for info.

Thank-you to everyone who supported the GAA Club Draw and to Jerry Nolan and Paddy Davey and all those who assisted in organising support.

LADIES FOOTBALL: JACKIES BOUNCE BACK WELL

Davey returns as Dublin hit Tipp for six in Ardfinnan LIDL NFL DIVISION 1 Dublin 6-9 Tipperary 2-8  NIGEL MCCARTHY sport@dublingazette.com

SKERRIES Harps’ Lyndsey Davey returned to the starting line-up to score two goals as Dublin got the defence of their Lidl National Football League Division 1 title back on track with a comprehensive win over Tipperary in Ardfinnan.

Goals were the order of the day for the Sky Blues as they raised six green flags – three in each half – with two each for Killeen and Lyndsey Davey in an emphatic Dublin performance.

Tipperary played their part in an entertaining game but Dublin’s superior movement and firepower were the telling factors by the full-time whistle.

A quick-fire start saw the Dubs’ race into a 2-1 to 0-0 lead inside the opening four minutes. Killeen found the bottom corner in the opening minute, before Davey scored their

second three minutes later.

In the sixth minute, Tipperary landed their opening score – a point from Caoimhe Condon – but Dublin stretched their lead out to nine points when Nicole Owens found the net shortly after.

Points from Owens, Carla Rowe and Killeen, were responded to by Aishling Moloney for Tipp, and six minutes from the break Roisin Daly intercepted a Dublin kick-out and goaled with a cool finish to cut Dublin’s half-time lead to 3-4 to 1-3.

The TG4 All-Ireland champions started the second half as they had the first with a palmed goal from Davey after a good run and pass down the right from secondhalf substitute Kate Sullivan.

Points from Elaine Fitzpatrick and Moloney reduced the deficit, but a goal from Killeen put 12 points between the sides as Dublin continued to hold the upper hand.

Midway through the

AFRICAN TOUR

Purcell and Cannon GUI call RECENT Australian Amateur Open champion Conor Purcell (Portmarnock) and Balbriggan’s Robert Cannon have been included in the nine player Golf Union of Ireland squad for their annual winter coaching trip to South Africa. The group departed on Tuesday ahead of two events in South Africa: the South African Amateur Championship (King David Mowbray GC, February 17-22) and the South African Amateur Stroke Play (De Zalze GC, February 26 to March 1).

Picture: Golffile/GUI

Clann Mhuire’s Oonagh Whyte on the attack for Dublin. Picture: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

second-half a speculative long pass from Rowe bounced over the head of the onrushing Tipp goalkeeper Lauren Fitzpatrick and ended up in the empty net, although Tipp got back into the game and a goal from Aishling Moloney from a free with

11 minutes to go lifted the home side.

But a couple of missed shots at goal halted their momentum and two points from the impressive Davey and one from Oonagh Whyte sealed a comprehensive win for Mick Bohan’s charges.

14 February 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

FOOTBALL: HARPS LOOKING TO ESTABLISH CLUB IN THE TOP LEAGUE TIER Skerries Harps, pictured in green, have had an intertwined history with St Sylvester’s in recent years.

Picture: Peter Hickey/GAAPics.com

Skerries’ boss hopes to shake off underdog tag AFL1 PREVIEW  JAMES HENDICOTT

sport@dublingazette.com

SKERRIES HARPS are determined to shake off the “underdog” tag and establish themselves firmly back in AFL1, as the returning Fingal club take the place of nearby St Sylvester’s at the top table.

Harps have been relegated and promoted in consecutive seasons and feel their young, skillful squad will quickly surmount their status as one of the top-tier’s smaller clubs and threaten in the top half of the table.

“Anyone who is writing us off on the basis that Skerries Harps aren’t a big club isn’t doing so based on the players,” manager Ciaran Roche told the Dublin Gazette. “We have a strong

young squad and we’ll be very competitive.”

Roche singled out the young Smith brothers Jack, Eoin and Stephen, who between them have played for the Dublin seniors, several age group sides and the Westmeath senior side. There is also plenty of experience to be found around the team, giving them added depth, and a number of other players who’ve played for Dublin and their age group sides.

The opening contest of the season is as tough as they come, however: a trip to St Vincent’s that might feature the enigmatic Diarmuid Connolly.

“We’re assuming he’ll be playing,” Roche said. “He’s one of only a handful of players that you have to make specific plans for. Most would just fall into our defensive system but he’s some-

thing special.”

Roche would know. He was part of a St Sylvester’s side that conceded a particularly extravagant Connolly goal a few years ago, a goal that went viral after Connolly lashed in a low handpass on the volley after a move from the halfway line.

His old side give an odd symmetry to Harps new top-tier status.

“We’ve taken my old club St Sylvester’s fixtures,” Roche laughs. “The only time Sylvester’s ever got one over on St Vincent’s when I was there was the in the first game of the league season.

“They have a new manager so we’re not really sure what to expect. We’ve got used to winning in division two.

I’m not sure we’re expecting to win this one, but we’ll give it a shot, it could happen.”

There’s no fear of a repeat relegation at Harps, then, with the men in blue looking to fly higher.

“It won’t be long before we get a landmark win,” Roche said. “We could have beaten St Vincent’s and Na Fianna in the last couple of years, we ran both close.

“It’s a massively young team, scarily young, but with the added experience that comes from a few seasons in the senior team. We were unlucky to go down two years ago, having won three and drawn five.

“We’re definitely not going to be favourites in a few of these games, but I think we’ll surprise a few people.

“We’ve been back since early January, after having a bit of a break through November and December.

We’re ready to go.”

FOOTBALL

Late scores not quite enough for Dubs A ROUSING Dublincome in injury time was not quite enough to get something from their trip to Tralee as they ultimately succumbed in a Saturday night thriller in Tralee 1-18 to 2-14 to Kerry.

A 11,982 packed house got great value as Dublin came with a storming finish to come from five points in arrears to draw level in injury time, had chances to win, but fell foul to a well-worked late Kerry score.

Kerry looked in control when they moved 1-15 to 2-7 clear when sub Tommy Walsh scored with just a half hour remaining.

But heading into the last ten minutes Dublin summoned up all their battling spirit following the sending off of Michael Fitzsimons (second yellow card) to hit four unanswered points from Brian Fenton, Mannion (free) and two (one free) from Cormac Costello to draw level three minutes into added time.

However, it was the Kingdom who had the final word when Stephen O’Brien and David Moran combined to release Peter Crowley to fist over the winner in the 74th minute.

The opening half was played at championship pace and when the dust settled Kerry were 1-11 to 2-6 to the good.

The Kingdom started the better but Dublin had just established a firm footing though trailing 0-6 to 0-5 when Kerry landed their goal as the hosts stretched out a lead before Dublin closed the gap with the two goals.

GazetteSPORT FEBRUARY 14-20, 2019

ALL OF YOUR FINGAL SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

NAC’s Scully bids farewell to Paralympic career  STEPHEN FINDLATER

sport@dublingazette.com

NAC swimmer James Scully announced that he is retiring from Paralympic Swimming on Tuesday following a groundbreaking career.

He last represented Ireland at the World Para Swimming Allianz European Championships that took place in the Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre last August.

It was a fitting venue to close out the career, the place he started his odyssey when he joined the National Aquatic Centre swim team in 2006.

He finished in fourth place at the 2010 World Championships in Eindhoven, also finishing in fourth in the same 200m

Freestyle at the European Championships in 2011.

He was named as the Disability Swimmer of the Year that year before competing in his first Paralympic Games in London 2012.

Between 2013 and 2014, Scully enjoyed his most successful period in terms of results as he won a bronze medal at the World Championships in Montreal in the 200m freestyle and, in 2014, he added two European bronze medals in the 100m and 200m finals.

He contested his second Paralympic Games in Rio when he reached finals in both the 100m and 200m freestyle events, swimming his best ever times in both events as he finished in

7th place overall.

Speaking about his retirement, Scully said: “I feel proud of what I achieved competing for Ireland. It was fitting that my career came to an end in the NAC which was where it all started for me 12 years ago.

“I would like to thank all of my coaches and team mates for everything that they did for me during my time swimming for my country. I can now look forward to cheering them on in Tokyo.

“Swimming was a huge part of my life and it probably all centred around swimming in college and school and even when I started working. It’s hard to move away – don’t get me wrong, I am enjoying the break and not getting up so

early in the mornings! – but life moves on.

As for going out on a high at his home venue, he added: “I started at the Aquatic Centre in 2006 without any real targets; just to get in the pool and see where it would go. It was nice to have the whole family there, my friends and the whole community.

“You always want to finish on a high. My big concern was under performing. I was juggling a career and wasn’t as fit as I had been before. The fear was I would be emotionally in the zone but not fit enough. I still managed to go under three minutes in the 200m which was a surprise even to myself. I had only done that once in my career!”

James Scully on the starting block at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Picture: Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile