Dublin Gazette: Fingal Edition

DublinGazette MAY 23-29, 2019

MOTORING: The Opel Insignia Grand Sport

offers great style and design, not to mention some very impressive features, too SEE PAGE 20

SPORT

FOOTBALL: Maur’s

enjoy magical Feile weekend to win their division. SEE P31

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

Fingal Edition FREE

THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM THE FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL AREA

Gardai issue weapons warning after seizure Youths had hammer, scalpel, knives SYLVIA POWNALL

GARDAI have issued a warning to parents after seizing weapons from young people in North County Dublin in the past week.

A hammer, a hunting knife and a scalpel were among the potentially deadly tools confiscated along with smaller blades and kitchen knives.

The haul highlights the reality of knife

crime and arranged fights between teen gangs as Gardai seek to alert youths and their parents to the lethal dangers they pose.

An Garda Siochana warned: “Knives are lethal weapons. These weapons were seized from young people over the last week in North County Dublin.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Brea-lliant new book TALENTED young author Brea Mullarkey, from Garristown in north Fingal, has had a dream come true with a book she wrote published and now available at Eason’s.

The girl, who is recovering from leukaemia, saw her adventure novel Lost & Found (A Bedtime Story for my Brothers) published thanks to the Make-A-Wish SEE PAGE 3 Foundation.

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 23 May 2019

PICK UP YOUR

DublinGazette FINGAL EDITION

EVERY THURSDAY! at the following locations:

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

For further info

www.dublingazette.com

01 60 10 240

DEPUTY MCDONALD URGES ON-SITE EXAMINATION

SF chief calls on FCC to rethink greenway

Appeal for witnesses after body is found

 SYLVIA POWNALL

spownall@dublingazette.com

SINN Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has urged council officials to meet with Castleknock residents concerned about the proposed route of the Royal Canal greenway.

Ms McDonald wrote to Fingal’s interim chief executive AnnMarie Farrelly asking that officials reconsider a decision not to attend an on-site visit with residents living along the proposed north bank route.

Opposition is mounting to a lower-cost alternative to dealing with the section of the urban greenway at what is known as the ‘deep sinking’ section of the canal around Dublin 15.

Installing a greenway at this point, where the towpath is narrow, would require extensive engineering works and the council plans to develop a new path to the north of

FASTNews

Deputy McDonald is calling on council officials to meet with Castleknock residents concerned about the proposed route of the Royal Canal greenway

the canal instead.

This would see the greenway route remain on the north side of the canal for longer and only cross to the south side using a new walking and cycling bridge west of Castleknock train station.

Hundreds of submissions were lodged with residents claiming that the proposed cycle trail running along their back gardens will threaten their security and privacy.

Deputy McDonald said following the first phase of public consultation on the proposed north bank route, Cllr Natalie Treacy (SF) invited officials to take part in an on-site visit with residents, which they refused.

She added: “I’ve written to the council’s interim chief executive to ask that her officials reconsider their decision.

“An on-site visit would add real value to the 500-

plus submissions to the consultation and would enable engineers redress the shortfalls of the council’s costly aerial survey of the area.

“It is important to emphasise that local residents strongly support the Royal Canal Greenway project but want it placed on the south bank for significant privacy and ecological reasons.

“During a recent visit I saw first-hand the obvious flaws with the north bank route. The council’s refusal to constructively engage with residents and local councillors is deeply disappointing.

“Whilst the north bank may be the council’s preferred option there are strong arguments and evidence for running the route along the south bank, as was originally envisaged.

“We understand ecological studies were completed earlier this year, yet council management have yet to publish them.

“I have sought a publication date for these studies from the council’s interim chief executive.

“It appears the decision to move the Greenway to the north bank is budgetary with little consideration of the cost to local people and the environment.”

GARDAI in Balbriggan are appealing for anyone with information to come forward after a man’s body was discovered beside a burning car at Walshestown on the M1 on Tuesday.

The victim was shot several times and gardai are treating his death as murder. The body was found at Rowan’s Little, near Junction 5 on the motorway.

Gardai are anxious to speak to anyone who travelled along the M1 Dublin to Belfast motorway near Junction 5 at between 11pm and midnight on Tuesday or who may have seen anything suspicious.

Officers responded to reports shortly after 11pm that a car, believed to be an Opel Insignia, was on fire near the motorway. When they arrived at 11.20pm they discovered the man’s body next to the car.

The scene was preserved for a forensic examination and diversions were in place for much of Wednesday.

Detectives suspect the man’s death is connected to organised crime and are looking at the possibility that it could be linked to the ongoing criminal feuds in Dublin and Drogheda.

‘Scrap costs Drive-by for parking shooting in at hospitals’ Mulhuddart SINN Fein Health spokesperson Deputy Louise O’Reilly has called for the practice of charging patients for hospital car parking to be scrapped.

She revealed that a parliamentary reply she received from the HSE showed that more than €22 million was collected in hospital car parking charges in 2018.

Deputy O’Reilly said: “When a patient is sick, the last thing they or their loved ones need is a hefty car parking bill; it is extremely unfair and adds to stress and strain at a very difficult time.

“Patients have told us that they simply can’t manage the cost of parking on top of other expenses they face as they battle their illness.”

Calling on the Minister for Health to phase out car parking charges, as was done by the NHS in Wales, she added: “We should be making sure the patient experience as smooth as possible and not charging people for being ill.”

GARDAI are investigating a drive-by shooting which outside a gym in Mulhuddart on Tuesday night.

Nobody was injured in the attack which happened at Church Road at around 9.30pm.

Officers said two cars pulled up beside each other and it was unclear last night if shots were discharged from both vehicles.

One source said that at least five shots were fired into one of the cars from the occupant of a black Lexus car which pulled up beside the other car and then sped from the scene.

An occupant of the car targeted is a criminal in his 20s who is linked to the spiralling drugs feud in Corduff and Finglas.

A number of local shops were still open when a gunman opened fire from a passing car.

A man working in a pizza takeaway just metres away said it was still light outside when he heard a succession of what sounded like three or four gunshots.

23 May 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

POLICING

Dangerous weapons warning CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“Parents keep your children safe, make sure know what they are up to. Please report any sightings of dangerous weapons to Gardai.”

Gang attacks across the north county have escalated in recent months with a teen hospitalised two weeks ago following an attack by up to 15 youths.

In April, a group of young thugs armed with a hammer threatened a group of younger boys in Swords and stole their mobile phones, cash and takeaway food.

Gardai are now concerned that the problem is set to worsen over the summer months during the school holidays.

A garda source said: “These weapons could casue fatal injuries. If you bring a knife or a hammer to a fight you are talking about serious damage.”

Last month a schoolboy was surrounded by a gang of teens in Rush before being pushed to the ground in a terrifying attack which was recorded on Snapchat.

The problem is rife across the capital, with two teens stabbed in separate attacks in south Dublin on May 10 – one of them fatally.

Azzam Raguragui (18) died after being knifed in Finsbury Park in Dundrum shortly after 8pm as he was on his way home from prayer.

A second teen sustained stab wounds after he was assaulted by a gang of teens in a separate incident at around 8.20pm on Nutgrove Avenue, also in Dundrum.

Just last week a 13-yearold boy was treated in hospital after being stabbed in the arm at a shop on the Ballygall road in Finglas.

PEOPLE: GIRL RECOVERING FROM LEUKAEMIA SEES HER DREAM COME TRUE

You’ll Brea enchanted by little author’s new adventure book SYLVIA POWNALL

A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl recovering from leukaemia is now a published author after 200 copies of her adventure novel went on sale at Eason’s last week.

Brea Mullarkey from the village of Garristown in north Fingal saw her dream come true thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with help from author Catherine Doyle and illustrator Fatti Burke.

Lost & Found (A Bedtime Story for my Brothers) tells the tale of three children living on Achill Island and their adventures there.

Budding author Brea, who is in remission from acute myeloid leukaemia, told how she wrote the book for her two younger brothers.

She revealed: “I have two brothers who love stories, especially adventure stories. Every night I sit in their room and tell them a story until they fall asleep.

“Then I sneak back to my own room and enjoy the peace and quiet until I fall asleep too. I wrote Lost & Found for my brothers.”

Brea was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of three and underwent treatment at Crumlin Children’s Hospital. Locals rallied to support her family who raised funds for St John’s ward where she was looked after.

Proceeds from the sale of the €5 book, printed

by Gill, will be shared between Crumlin Children’s Hospital and MakeA-Wish, with all future proceeds going to Crumlin Hospital.

C h i l d r e n’s a u t h o r Catherine Doyle, who is best known for her 2018 book, The Storm Keeper’s Island, helped Brea write her first published piece and described her as “a truly gifted girl with a special imagination”.

The little girl’s proud mum Elaine said: “Brea has had some tough times with her illness but the

Talented Brea Mullarkey (9) and her parents, Tommy and Elaine, as they helped her launch her new book, ‘Lost & Found (A Bedtime story for my Brothers). Pictures: Robbie Reynolds

“

It is truly amazing that Brea can now touch and feel her very own book that she created journey she has been on to make this wish happen has just been wonderful. “ B re a h a s a l w ays shown an interest in books and writing. It is

truly amazing that she can now touch and feel her very own book that she created and is now published.

“I cannot tell you the

value of this wish to Brea and the whole family.”

Susan O’Dwyer, chief executive of Make-AWish Ireland, said those who collaborated to publish the nine-year-old’s story “have made a special memory for Brea and her family and I think we have started a wonderful creative journey for Brea”.

She added: “This was a unique wish and we are

Local election candidate hits back at negative labels some give her party LOCAL election candidate Sinead Moore has hit out at the anti-immigrant and anti-feminist labels being given to her political party, Aontu.

The 44-year-old teacher is running in the Mulhuddart electoral area for Peadar Toibin’s newlyformed Aontu, but insists integration is at the core of her ethos.

Sinead, who lives in Castlecurragh Heath in Mulhuddart, is married to an Algerian muslim and her elder daughter Aisling’s father is from Ghana.

She told Dublin Gazette: “I could be in the kitchen listening to my 19-year-old daughter speaking Arabic. I think that is so cool.

“This is a very multi-cultural and diverse community we are living in and we should embrace

that.”

Sinead grew up on a farm in Emo in County Laois and previously contested the 2016 general election in Laois on behalf of the Green Party.

She left the Greens over their stance on abortion and is one of several Aontu candidates standing in Fingal including Edward McManus in Castleknock and Gerard Sheehan in Ongar.

A teacher at St Joseph’s Secondary School in Rush, she is quick to admit that her route to the ballot paper was less than conventional and she doesn’t easily fit into any one box.

But she is quick to reject suggestions that just because protection of life is a core value of the Aontu party, that this means it is in any way anti-women.

Peadar Toibin with Sinead Moore and her daughters Miriam and Aisling

She said: “I got pregnant in the UK and I was in a mother and baby home in Dublin. I was a single parent trying to put myself through college.

“I’m not anti-woman, I’m 100% a feminist. I think you can be a feminist and pro-life at the same time. My daughters are very strong, powerful women.”

honoured to have made Brea’s one true wish a reality. To see the joy and happiness on Brea’s face when she first held the print version of her book has made it all so worthwhile.”

The book is on sale now at Eason’s in O’Connell Street. To help grant more wishes for children like Brea, visit www. makeawish.ie.

Fianna Fail introduce owner Bill

FIANNA Fail have introduced a Bill to establish an Ombudsman for Owner Management Companies (OMCs).

The Bill aims to set up the body to help in training board members, assist in dispute reconciliation and make recommendations on the future development of the sector.

Party spokesperson on Housing, Darragh O’Brien, paid tribute to the voluntary owner management companies which run the majority of the estimated 500,000 multiunit developments.

But he added: “This Bill will provide a new body focused on assisting the sector and helping the people who run these companies for the greater good of their development.”

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 23 May 2019

FASTNews

LEO business help for sportspersons A NEW Start Your Own Business Programme has been unveiled for competitive sportspersons to help them set up a company.

Fingal Local Enterprise Office (LEO) along with the three other Dublin LEOs is introducing a course aimed at full-time athletes to enable them to use their skills in business.

The Sport to Start-Up programme – three hours once a week for eight weeks – is designed to provide a solid grounding in how a business is set up and will help participants to plan and prepare for a successful career in enterprise.

Participants learn how to research and evaluate their idea and bring it right through to a viable business plan stage.

The programme is €1,000 per participant with 85% funded by LEO, so the net cost to successful applicants is €150. For further details or to apply, see www.localenterprise.ie/Fingal.

COMMERCIAL CONTENT

Jagan Muttumula hopeful for a better future in Ongar A SHOP owner, a husband and a father of two is this year’s local election candidate for Ongar ward representing Fine Gael.

Jagan Muttumula arrived here 15 years ago with a vision to make something of himself, and today, he is hoping to fulfil a dream with an opportunity to serve the greater public.

Over the years, Mr Muttumula has been an active member of the Indian community in Ireland.

He has taken part in several community integration events, played an essential role in setting up organisations such as the Fingal Ethnic Network, Telugu Associations and a few other Indian Community Organisations; simultaneously, he is a member of the Public Participation Network and Fingal Local Community Development Committee.

He believes that Ongar ward is a microcosm of a new and emerging Ireland, and says together we can dream of a nation where our education system is the best in the world, where we tolerate diversity, respect age, nurture children, provide for the marginalised and sick and encourage the leaders of tomorrow.

His message is to make sure that you are registered to vote and be an active citizen of this state by casting your Number 1 vote for Jagan Muttumula.

COURTS: ELDERLY CASTLEKNOCK MAN IS SENTENCED

Three-year jail term for sexual attacks on boy in the 1970s A FORMER meditation teacher has been jailed for three years for sexual attacks on a child in the 1970s.

Bernard Ward (71), of Knockmaroon Estate, Castleknock, was working as a teacher at the Transcendental Meditation Centre in Dublin city when he abused a child who was attending the centre.

The victim and his parents had received training for the meditation technique at the centre and the child began working there at weekends when he was aged ten.

The trial heard evidence that Ward molested the child in a shower room in the centre.

Ward invited the victim into the shower with him while they were alone in the building and instructed that he clean him with a bar of soap, before abusing him.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard details of the abuse in the mid 1970s

When questioned by the victim on a later date about the abuse, Ward said he was not proud of what he had done, and he had been going through an experimental phase.

Ward had pleaded not guilty to three counts of indecent assault at the centre on Eccles Street, Dublin on dates between January 1, 1974 and

December 31, 1977.

After a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last March a jury convicted him, by majority, of these charges.

The jury acquitted him of a further charge of indecent assault at a different location in Dublin city centre between the same dates.

Judge Elma Sheahan

said Ward’s inability to accept the jury verdict and show any remorse indicated a complete lack of insight on his part.

She imposed consecutive sentences totalling three and a half years and suspended the last six months.

She said Ward’s action were an abuse of trust given his position as a

teacher in a place where the victim’s parents saw as “a place of safety”.

She noted Ward has a number of medical ailments and is now an elderly grandfather with a supportive family. He has no previous convictions, is married and has three adult children.

In a victim impact statement, which was read out in court, the injured party said he had lost out on so much in his life as a result of the sexual abuse.

He said he was in and out of clinics as a result of the abuse but said he is proud to still be alive today. “I was just a young boy who should have been kept safe,” he said.

During the trial the jury heard evidence that Ward had met “the Maharishi” in Switzerland in the mid ‘70s and taken part “almost as guinea pigs” in experimental meditation techniques.

Looking at you-oo-ooh at Dublin Zoo AFTER waiting and waiting – and waiting some more – the gender of the new baby gorilla born recently at Dublin Zoo has been revealed. It’s a girl!

Her very protective mum wouldn’t put this lovely little looker down from the moment she was born, keeping zoo staff and carers on their toes while they kept an eye open to see what gender the zoo’s latest little arrival was.

Now, SSE Airtricity and Dublin Zoo have launched a competition to name the little girl gorilla, with a year’s free electricty up for grabs.

To help name the latest arrival, just see www.sseairtricity.com/dublinzoo and suggest a name for the baby that reflects her West African origin ...

23 May 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

CASTLEKNOCK: FOUR BLOCKS OF HOMES APPROVED

The units will be built on a 1.5-acre site which forms part of a larger development of around 100 acres

88 apartments set for racecourse site SYLVIA POWNALL

PERMISSION has been granted for a development of 88 apartments at the former Phoenix Park racecourse in Castleknock.

An Bord Pleanala gave the green light to Flynn & O’Flaherty Construction for four blocks – two six-storey, one five-storey and one four storeys in height.

The units, comprising 72 two-bed, 12 onebed and four three-bed homes, will be built on a 1.5-acre site which forms part of a larger development of around 100 acres.

The site, which was previously proposed as a potential location for the new National Children’s Hospital, is adjacent to the main N3 Dublin to Navan Road.

Permission to build was granted by Fingal County Council last year but this decision had been appealed by one objector.

The appeal argued that the height and scale of the proposed apartment blocks are out of line with existing developments in the area and are unsuitable for this location.

It also raised issues relating to “overlooking, density and open

space provision” but an inspector’s report ruled these were “specifically addressed” at an earlier stage of the planning process.

The inspection found that the development is “a significant distance from existing dwellings and will not give rise to overlooking” and is also “consistent with the density standards” in development guidelines.

A n B o rd P l e a n a l a granted permission with a number of conditions attached.

The project will include 111 car parking spaces, with access to 96 “under

croft” spaces via Phoenix Park Avenue with 15 more on street.

There will also be an “accessible landscaped garden deck” at first-floor level and landscaped open space at ground level.

Flynn & O’Flaherty Construction claimed that the appeal was “vexatious” and that the appellant “has no material interest in the proposed development”.

The appellant, James Wharton of Ballicky, Bantry, County Cork, denied that the appeal was vexatious or frivolous.

FASTNews

Skillnet Ireland launches a new network to help meet the growing needs of Fingal firms

SKILLNET Ireland has launched a new network for the Fingal region as part of a move to address the growing skills needs in the film, TV, retail, health and fitness sectors.

Fingal Dublin Chamber Skillnet is among six new networks launched nationwide. It aims to support the 8,000plus organisations in Fingal which collectively employ more than 100,000 people.

Noreen Fitzpatrick,

network manager of Fingal Dublin Chamber Skillnet, said: “Our aim is to upskill more than 290 people in our first year and provide many opportunities for businesses to network and engage.

“Training will be provided for a wide variety of sectors including hospitality, transport and logistics, tech, manufacturing, biopharma, agri-food, construction and retail.”

Learning networks

can apply to receive up to 50% of the cost of training from Skillnet Ireland, and the remainder of costs are funded from participating busi-

nesses in the learning network.

Applications for funding are open until September 30 at www.skillnetireland.ie/funding.

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 23 May 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Aaron Lee, Patrick Quinn and Ben

Sean Masterson Jake Maples

Senan, Darragh, Aaron and Saoirse. Pictures: ALISON O’HANLON

Enjoying Fingallians GAA family day Caoimhe Herity

Lily May

Ayda Shannon

Grace and Eva Masterson

Lucy Reddin and Sarah Jane Valentine

Seoda Herity

23 May 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 23 May 2019

PEOPLE: BALBRIGGAN FAMILY CLINGING TO HOPE DOWN UNDER

Fight continues in Oz over Darragh’s future SYLVIA POWNALL

AN IRISH family facing deportation from Australia because their young son has cystic fibrosis has vowed to keep fighting their case for permanent residency.

Earlier this month a review of Christine and Tony Hyde’s application was referred to Immigration Minister David Coleman in a move that has given them hope.

Tony and Christine, from Balbriggan, had

their original application re jected by the

Department of Home Affairs on the grounds

that three-year-old Darragh’s condition would burden taxpayers with a “significant cost”.

After the decision, teacher Christine said: “The visa was refused as expected. However, the member has made a decision to recommend our case to be referred to the minister.

“This means the case goes back to the Department of Immigration and they will decide if the minister should look at our case to intervene.

We still have a battle to get the minister’s attention.”

T h e re c o m m e n d a tion by the Administrative Review Tribunal in Australia must first be signed off by the Immig ra t i o n D e p a r t m e n t before being referred back to the minister.

Christine admitted: “At the moment, we

still have no guarantee the minister is going to intervene, but we do have the recommendation. It’s still up in the air, but at least we have got through this hurdle.

It helps us along.”

An online petition in support of the Hyde family has so far gathered almost 74,000 signatures with the case widely reported in the Australian media.

Christine and Tony packed up their lives in Ireland and moved to Australia in 2009, settling in the regional town of Seymour, 100km north of Melbourne.

Condition The couple applied for permanent residency weeks before Darragh was born in 2015.

Because of his condition he requires ongoing medical treatment and physiotherapy.

An upbeat Christine said: “They have refused our visa based on the medical officer’s opinion which is what we knew would happen.

“If we do sit in front of the minister, I do believe we’ll be fine.

“The trouble now is getting there. Every day, we’re getting positive messages.

“It gives us the strength to keep going.”

Two arrested after Swords Lidl robbery RAIDERS armed with knives and hatchets made off with cash after holding up the Lidl supermarket on the Rathbeale Road in Swords on Friday evening at 8.30pm.

Shoppers were left terrified as two thugs threatened staff and ordered them to empty the cash registers.

The men fled on foot towards Broadmeadow Green with what gardai described as a sum of cash.

Two men, in their 20s and 30s, were arrested a short time afterwards and were questioned at Swords Garda Station. No injuries were reported and investigations are ongoing.

FASTNews

Lack of legislation on scramblers criticised GREEN Party Cllr Roderic O’Gorman has claimed that Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan is abdicating his responsibilities regarding dangerous scrambler bikes.

He slammed the Minister’s revelation that he does not intend to bring forward new legislation despite a cross-agency group being established last year in the wake of a horrific smash in Darndale that left a man critically injured.

Cllr O’Gorman said: “The Minister has confirmed that the ‘cross-agency group’ has recommended no legislative change. They’ve literally taken a year to decide to do nothing.

“This is a shocking abdication of responsibility by the Minister and his Department. Whenever I speak to either community gardai or to council officials they state that they currently don’t have the power to properly solve the problem.

“The Minister needs to actually act. Legislation requiring the registration of scramblers, and increased powers for the gardai to seize them if they are driven dangerously, would be a start.”

Fears over Teacher set four-storey to face trial apartments over sex act PLANS to build four-storey apartment blocks in Donabate have been questioned by the local community council.

Donabate Portrane Community Council said the move to increase the number of units at the Hearse Road site from 215 to 306 units represents “excessive density”.

It said the area is already suffering from over-crowding on public transport links, with the road infrastructure insufficient even when the Donabate Distributor Road is completed.

The community council said there was also a local fear that units in the development would be sold to “cuckoo funds”.

The application was made under the Strategic Housing Development scheme, meaning it can be directly submitted to An Bord Pleanala to speed up the process.

The community council called on residents to make a submission on the application to An Bord Pleanala before May 29.

A TEACHER has been sent for trial accused of engaging in a sex act with a teenage boy who was a student in her school.

The woman, aged 24, who is also accused of sexually exploiting the youth, had a book of evidence served on her at Swords District Court last week. Judge Dermot Dempsey sent her forward for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

The accused, who claimed she met the boy at an over-18s nightclub, has since lost her job.

She is charged with engaging in a sex act with a male child under the age of 17 on February 1 and February 13, 2018, contrary to Section 3 (1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006.

The accused was initially charged last October. She was further charged in February with two further charges of defilement and two of sexually exploiting a child on February 1 and February 13, 2018.

She will appear in the circuit court on May 31.

23 May 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

FAST NEWS COUNCIL: MEMBERS UNHAPPY WITH PLAN BUT APPROVE RESTRICTIVE MODEL

Everyone urged to go and vote SWORDS Cllr Joe Newman (Ind) is urging all residents to get out and vote this Friday, May 24.

He said: “Everybody has a right to make their feelings known as to who they want to represent them in the council chamber.”

The Independent Cllr added: “Over the next five years decisions will be made about Swords and how it is developed and how that will impact on local families.

“It is really important that local people are part of that process.

“They are the people who will decide who they want at the table representing their views and concerns. Local people should never lose the feeling of ownership of their town.

“They have invested heavily in the locality and public representatives have to insist that the views of their constituents are paramount at council.”

Anger as affordable housing scheme is ‘rammed through’

SYLVIA POWNALL

AN AFFORDABLE housing scheme which discriminates against Fingal residents who have had to leave the capital because of high rents has been approved.

The model determines who is eligible to buy discounted homes built on council-owned land – but restricts applicants to those living, working or in education within a 70km radius of Fingal.

T h e c o n t rove r s i a l scheme was voted in at the current counc i l ’s f i n a l m e e t i n g

where some members expressed grave reservations and claimed it had been rushed through.

Proposing the motion, Cllr Duncan Smith (Lab) said though it had been agreed by the housing special policy committee, members were unhappy with several issues.

Solidarity Cllr Matt Wa i n e s a i d h e w a s “shocked” at how such an important issue was being raised, adding: “It’s an absolute disgrace.

“My p ro b l e m w i th this is there are literally tens of thousands of people who were born

in Fingal or who lived here and worked here, who paid taxes here ... who because of ... hiking rents, were forced out of this county to the Midlands and very far afield.

‘A smack in the face’ “This is a smack in the face and a kick in the teeth to those people.”

Applicants for affordable homes set to be built by the council at Ballymastone in Donabate, Church Fields in Dublin 15, Hackettstown in Skerries and Dun Emer in Lusk will be assessed under the Department’s

new ‘scheme of priority’.

Affordable units will be sold at a discount of up to 40% on market rates and will be aimed at those over the threshold for social housing unable to secure a mortgage.

But councillors – who were invited to discuss it just hours before voting on it – say it was “rammed through” with the impression given that projects would not p ro ce e d w i t h o u t i t s approval.

Questioning the timing ahead of the local elections, Cllr Malachy Quinn (SF) said: “This is

more about optics than anything else. We needed this to be properly discussed.

“I find this very hard to support but we have projects across Fingal that we are told won’t move forward unless we vote for this.”

Cllr Adrian Henchy (FF), who seconded the motion, issued a statement after the meeting calling for more details to be published on the scheme of priority.

He said while he welcomed it, he was concerned that the regulations require a household

to be living within the Fingal area for 12 months before applying.

He added: “This means that households who have moved out of the county and who don’t qualify for social housing support may find themselves ineligible to apply.

In my view that is far too restrictive and should be reviewed.”

Cllr Tom O’Leary (FG) welcomed the scheme in principle, insofar as it clears the way for the council to deliver affordable homes, adding: “The details can be ironed out later.”

Cllr calls for clarity over park’s gates GREEN Party Cllr Roderic O’Gorman has called on the Office of Public Works (OPW) to give further clarification on when the entrance gates to the Phoenix Park will be returned.

The gates were removed for the Papal visit and a Dail reply from the Minister for the OPW said they were undergoing preservation works, though no timescale was given for this.

Cllr O’Gorman said he found it “strange” that the experts undertaking the preservation works could give no timescale.

He added: “Coming on the back of the Strategic Review of the Park that the OPW are undertaking, people are concerned that major changes are being made to the Park with no oversight of what is happening.”

Protestors gathered in opposition to the the destruction of hedgerows in Donabate during the nesting seasons

Protest as hedgerow works disrupt nests SYLVIA POWNALL

A PROTEST over the destruction of hedgerows on the Balcarrick Road in Donabate was held last week by residents outraged that they were being bulldozed during the sensitive nesting season.

The works were halted after gardai arrived following a complaint from Donabate Portrane Community Council, along with numerous residents.

The works were being carried out as part of the construction of the Donabate Distributor Road in an area where Yellowhammers – globally red-listed for conservation –

have been seen.

Donabate Portrane Community Council has asked Fingal County Council why, if it is necessary to clear hedges, this work was not done outside the nesting season.

Cllr Paul Mulville (SD) also expressed his outrage and said he would be demanding answers from the council on foot of the distressing incident.

He said: “I was absolutely appalled that Fingal County Council demonstrated such ignorance in relation to the natural environment.

“If this work is required to construct the Donabate Distributor Road, why on earth could it not have

taken place outside the nesting season?

“Situations like this might be avoided if the council stopped dragging their heels in relation to appointing a full-time heritage officer, who has a key role regarding conservation and the environmental planning.”

In response to a query from Cllr Adrian Henchy (FF) a council official said works had ceased while the situation is investigated, and an update would follow.

The official added: “The works in question were being undertaken on behalf of Irish Water as part of the road contract.”

Celebrating Fingal’s very best businesses JUSTIN Perry, of Frequency, was congratulated by the Mayor of Fingal Anthony Lavin on his success in claiming runner-up in the Best Startup Category at the Best Young Entrepreneurs for 2019 awards ceremony hosted by LEO Fingal recently.

A wide range of Fingal businesses are progressing to the upcoming Dublin Region IBYE final, which takes place on Wednesday, June 12. Picture: Orla Murray/SON Photo

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 23 May 2019

SWORDS: LOCAL RESIDENTS BACK TRANSPORT LINK – BUT FEAR FOR IMPACT ON ESTATE

‘Don’t destroy our beloved green area with the MetroLink route’ RACHEL D’ARCY

RESIDENTS in Swords are urging MetroLink planners not to run a track through Ashley estate as they say it would destroy their only green area.

Scores of submissions have been lodged objecting to the move, and an online petition calling for a rethink has garnered hundreds of signatures.

Locals are opposed to plans for an overground track and are instead calling for an underground tunnel – avoiding surface ventilation or emissions – to alleviate their concerns.

They are also calling for the estate’s boundary wall to be raised to minimise disruption during construction and for the green area to be restored afterwards.

Deputy Darragh O’Brien

(FF) is backing their campaign along with local Cllrs Darragh Butler and Adrian Henchy.

In a joint submission they argue: “Ashley residents are fully supportive of the MetroLink project but they do not wish to lose their green open space when there are alternatives that would allow it to be saved.

“If the route can be moved slightly to the west ... this should allow for the green open space to be saved and returned to its former glory once construction works have been completed.

“There were also concerns expressed regarding the ventilation shafts and requests for these to be moved further away from residential properties. “ No i s e a b a te m e n t measures should also be

considered for this location and all residential areas along the MetroLink route.”

The light-rail network is key to the future growth and economic development of Fingal with Swords set to expand to a population of 100,000 people by 2040.

However, a number of issues have been raised locally regarding the revised route and its potential impact on the Balheary pitches, Balheary bridge, North Street junction and roundabouts at Seatown and the Malahide Road.

Several people have also raised the need for a public bike scheme to allow access to MetroLink without the need to drive and use the park-and-ride facility.

Residents in Ashley

Above, right: The green area running parallel to the R132 which local residents fear losing to the proposed MetroLink route. Pictures: Google Maps

say they have “serious concerns” over the level of noise, dust and dirt during construction and have requested full consultation before works get under way.

They also warn that increased traffic levels may result in motorists being unable to enter and exit the estate during

rush hour.

Outlining concerns regarding the park and ride facility, a spokesperson said: “We feel that the volumes being allowed for fall way short of what any reasonable person may expect ... we feel our neighbourhood may end up as the unofficial overflow car park.”

AnnMarie Farrelly named as Fingal County Council’s interim chief executive

They wish you’ll support a fun fundraising walk in June WISH child Liam is pictured with Sheila Kelly from Make-A-Wish at the launch of Walk for Wishes – in Memory and in Hope. The upcoming Make-A-Wish interactive celebratory walk for Wish Children, both former and present, will take place in Malahide on Sunday, June 16.

Starting at 11am from Malahide Tennis Club, participants will walk to remember all of the 2,400 children whose wishes have been granted across the country over the past 27 years, and to raise funds to grant wishes for those who apply daily to Make-A-Wish Ireland. In turn, Make-A-Wish strives to make dreams come true for many children with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

To take part in what’s sure to be a fun, worthy event, you can register online today at https://www.makeawish.ie/buy-gifts. Picture: Michael Mc Laughlin

ANNMARIE Farrelly has been appointed as interim chief executive of Fingal County Council following the departure of Paul Reid to the HSE. Ms Farrelly, previously director of planning and strategic infrastructure, was appointed by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy and assumes the role until a permanent appointment is made.

“Quality of life, housing and economic development will remain our key priorities for the county,” Ms Farrelly said, adding that there was a substantial operational and capital works programme to be delivered in 2019.

Ms Farrelly said she was deeply committed to serving local government and was looking forward to working with the elected members in delivering for the people of Fingal.

“It is really a great honour for me to have been appointed by Minister Murphy as interim chief executive,” she said.

“I am looking forward to continuing the good work we have been doing as a council since our formation in 1994.”

Ms Farrelly listed key projects to be delivered to include the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation plan, Swords Cultural Quarter and the Shackleton Gardens as well as activating land banks for housing.

She added: “The proposed designation of Fingal County Council as the Competent Authority for aircraft noise will, if enacted, be a new statutory responsibility.”

Ms Farrelly served as FCC’s director of housing and community from 2011 to 2015 and previously chaired the boards of the Seamus Ennis Arts Centre and the Drinan Enterprise Centre.

AnnMarie Farrelly

23 May 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 23 May 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK Pictures: Kevin Morris Photography

Celebrating Portrane’s superb hockey legacy A

LL ROADS on the peninsula led to the Shoreline Hotel, Donabate, for the much-anticipated celebration of Portrane Hockey Club’s Centenary earlier this month. In what was the centrepiece weekend of its celebrations, Portrane celebrated with their annual

golf classic on the Friday in Donabate Golf Club, followed by the club’s awards night and then the marquee event, the Gala Ball on Saturday evening with 200 guests joining Master of Ceremonies RTE’s Darragh Maloney. The theme of the Centenary Ball was, Remembering

our Past and building for an exciting future. Portrane Hockey Club, also at different times from the past remembered as St Ita’s hockey club, are immensely proud to have reached its 100th year and can still claim to be North Dublin’s oldest and most successful hockey club.

Club chairman Cllr Adrian Henchy congratulates Chris Neville, Player of the Year – just one of the highlights of the evening that paid tributes to the club’s successes and teams during the year

23 May 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

The lads scrubbed up very well, giving the girls strong competition in the fashion stakes

World Special Olympic medal holders from Sports Club 15 also joined the models on the catwalk

A glamorous, great race night in aid of teens with cancer

T

HE Castleknock Localise Glamorous Race Night in aid of Canteen, helping teenagers with cancer took place on Friday, May 10 in Our Lady, Mother of the Church Parish Hall, Castleknock, Dublin 15.

The event included a “night at the races” fashion theme which showcased a wide variety of clothes and designs supplied by shops from the Westend Shopping Park and the Blanchardstown shopping Centre.

The fashion show was organised by the young volunteers from Castleknock Localise with expert assistance and support from adult volunteers. The race night was run by the young people, who modelled the clothes on the night and were joined by guest models from the Dublin 15 Special Olympics Club.

Localise is a youth and community development organisation with more than 45 years of experience in community service and youth volunteerism.

The members of Dublin 15 Special Olympics Club and Castleknock Localise came together to show off some of Westend Shopping Park, Blanchardstown’s Summer fashion, with everyone looking very stylish indeed

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23 May 2019

POLITICS

IT’S TRULY YOUR CHOICE THIS FRIDAY, MAY 24

Voting day is here at last – so choose your vote wisely ELECTION DAY is upon us at last, with the local and European elections taking place tomorrow, Friday.

In our last two editions of Dublin Gazette, we have already emphasised the importance of casting your precious votes to determine

who will be your voice at council level, as well as deciding who will represent Dublin at European level.

With four Dublin seats to be decided in the European elections, a recent TV debate will have given Dubliners some profile of the candidates and

an indication of the importance of the European parliament for Ireland.

This is particularly important, particularly with Brexit looming and the dark shadow of ultra-nationalist populism that is gaining ground across the continent.

Much publicity has surrounded both European and local elections, with candidates’ posters on practically every tree and lamp post across the city and suburbs.

However, there is also a third vote to be cast that can change the Constitution on divorce that has largely been overlooked in the run up to Friday.

So, what are the proposed changes?

The first question relates to how long people must be living apart before applying for a divorce, and the second is the recognition of foreign divorces.

There will be one question on the ballot paper and voters can either vote Yes to allow both changes, or No to reject both changes.

Voters cannot accept one change and reject the other.

The proposal to amend the Constitution must first be

No matter what your views, just be sure to use your precious vote this Friday, and vote for the person, party or outlook that you want to support

“

Whatever your views, be sure to cast your precious vote in the upcoming elections

introduced in the Dail as a Bill, setting out the text of the proposed amendment.

The Bill cannot contain any other proposals. If the Bill is passed by both the Dail and the Seanad, as it was, it is then submitted to the people in a constitutional referendum, so that they can vote for or against it.

If the majority of the votes

cast at the referendum are in favour of the change, the President signs the Bill into law and the Constitution is then amended.

If the majority of the votes cast at the referendum are not in favour of the change, the Bill is not signed into law and the Constitution is not amended.

Only Irish citizens who are aged at least 18 can vote in a referendum. You need to be registered in order to vote – either on the main Register of Electors, the Postal Voters List, the Special Voters list or the supplement to one of these lists.

However, non-EU citizens may vote at local elections only.

23 May 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

MAGAZINE

Opel’s new Insignia Grand Sport P20

DUBLIN

Try the latest thrill seekers attraction in Malaga P20

THE WEDDING PRESENT: KINGS OF MUSICAL JUXTAPOSITION P19

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

JUMP FOR JOY

THE visually spectacular Canadian aerial acrobats ‘The Silver Starlets’ swing into Dublin with Emma Weafer from Boogie Bounce to launch Ireland’s biggest summer festival which takes place this July 12 - 14 in Dublin’s Merrion Square. Laya Healthcare’s City Spectacular will feature an exciting line-up of talent and is entirely free.

Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23 May 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

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

Costa Rican tree frog found in a bunch of Lidl bananas

STOWAWAY on Aisle 10 – a tree frog native to Costa Rica managed to make a voyage all the way to the exotic town of Netherfield, Nottingham, in a box of fresh fruit.

Workers at a Lidl supermarket in the town were sorting through a delivery of fresh fruit into the store, when they spotted the tree frog inside.

Immediately calling the RSPCA, the animal organisation came to take the amphibian, placing him with a keeper that had knowledge of the breed, who was found sat atop bananas that workers were unloading to put on shelves.

The frog, which has since been named Lloyd, travelled over 5,000 miles on his holidays.

sales@dublingazette.com

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

Sally is a very sweet three-year-old Collie cross who is looking for a patient and understanding home. Sally was quite unwell when she first arrived at our Rehoming Centre so she will need a family with a gentle approach who will be sympathetic to her on-going medical issues.

Sally can be quite shy, but with time and patience she will make a super addition to the right family. She needs someone who will help build up her confidence and will let her settle in at her own pace.

Sally is a gentle girl, so she would be happy to share her home with children over the age of 12 who will be calm and gentle with her.

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

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.

Dublin 8 studen

Sally

DOG OF THE WEEK

23 May 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 17

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

BITS & BOBS

‘Plastic bag’ found at deepest point on Earth

A PLASTIC bag has been found at the deepest part of the ocean by an expedition team who were exploring the seabed.

Victor Vescovo, a private equity investor from Dallas, Texas who has also climbed to the world’s highest points, spent four hours exploring the remote bottom of the Mariana Trench with members of his crew.

The team believes it has discovered four new species of amphipods, a type of crustacean.

However, disturbingly, Vescovo and his

team also found a plastic bag and sweet wrappers. Sadly, this isn’t the first time plastics have made their way down to the deepest parts of the world’s oceans.

In 2018, National Geographic found a piece of plastic that descended to the deepest part of the Mariana Trench after examining thousands of photos taken during dives over the past 30 years.

The expedition established Vescovo as the record-holder for the world’s deepest dive.

Diner accidentally gets £4,500 bottle of wine PICTURED are The class of 2019 from The Liber8 Music Project photographed at the programme’s showcase event which took place at BIMM Institute, Dublin 8, last week. The 10-week music programme is designed for 14 – 16 year olds living within and around the Liberties area of Dublin 8, who have limited exposure to music and digital media. Over the course of ten weeks, students immerse themselves in the creative programme which includes modules on ‘Music Styles’, ‘Introduction to Performance Techniques’, and ‘Introduction to Recording and Sound Design’.

The programme culminates with a showcase event where the course participants perform live on stage to an invited audience. Pictures: Peter Houlihan

nts hit the high note Guns N’ Roses Sue Brewery Is this the world’s

IT seems as if Guns and Roses won’t be welcoming this brewery to the Jungle anytime soon, as they’re suing Oskar Blues Brewery for trademark infringement.

The rockers are accusing the Colorado-based brewery of piggybacking off their band name to sell the ‘Guns N Rose’ beer, in addition to merchandise and bandanas in support of the product.

The complaint launched against the brewery says that Oskar Blues tried to trademark Guns N Rose last year, but abandoned the efforts after the 80s rockers objected.

Now, Guns and Roses want a court order blocking the brewery from using the name, and turning over any profits from the merchandise and the product itself.

Looks like the group have a slight appetite for destruction…. of the brewery’s claim on the name.

worst Airbnb?

A BRITISH tourist in Amsterdam was given a shock when he discovered his Airbnb lodgings turned out to be a shipping container placed on the side of a road.

Londoner Ben Speller paid £100 for a single night stay at the accommodation described as “clean room with private bathroom,” by the host, Jacob on the popular room-sharing website.

But what he found inside the container was a mattress, a blanket and a portaloo attached to

the “bedroom”.

Speller decided then to book a hotel room for the night with Airbnb refunding him his £100 and money paid for the hotel.

The company say that ‘Jacob’s’ account and listings have been taken down from the website.

“Misrepresented or fraudulent listings have no place on our platform, and our team works hard to constantly strengthen our defences and stay ahead of bad actors,” said Airbnb in a statement.

A LUCKY customer was given a £4,500 bottle of wine after a mix up occurred at the Hawksmoor restaurant in Manchester. A tweet posted on the Hawksmoor Manchester Twitter account said: “To the customer who accidentally got given a bottle of Chateau le Pin Pomerol 2001, which is £4500 on our menu, last night - hope you enjoyed your evening! To the member of staff who accidentally gave it away, chin up! One-off mistakes happen and we love you anyway.”

According to the high-end restaurant, the customer had actually ordered a bottle of Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2001 which is priced at £260.

“A member of staff picked up the wrong bottle, mistaking it for another Bordeaux of the same vintage. The wine went out and was served to the customer.”

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23 May 2019

WHAT’S BIG IN MUSIC, CINEMA AND TV FAIR CITY: Opportunity knocks for some, but not others THIS week in Carrigstown, some more surprises catch locals unaware, bringing a mixture of good news – and bad – for some ...

AN UNEXPECTED visitor stuns Bob and Renee early this week, which leads the pair to grow increasingly concerned as the week ploughs on.

They wonder if they may lose Ellie for good, leading Renee to take some desperate measures, leading to some turbulent consequences later in the week.

Hughie is concerned when Ellie slips back into her role of Heather’s carer. Renee fears the consequences for Heather as a visit from Deegan looms.

Doug lets Erica in on his big mystery this week, too. Doug also tells an impressed Pete his big surprise. Jackie and Pete share a warm moment talking about him.

Dean is determined to get Hot Pots back on track and enlists Hayley to help, reluctantly taking her advice on board

to increase his social media presence.

Hayley advises Dean to give Hot Pots his full commitment, leaving Dean torn about his job at Vino’s.

Christine tells Paul bad news about his business venture, and Fiona offers to help him out. Unknown to Fiona, Jarleth returns and sees an ally in Jane.

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

WIN BIG!

CINEMA | POKEMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU ENTERTAINS

Fun family film is one to Pika-choose SHANE DILLON

TO BE honest, I couldn’t name many Pokemon if my life depended on it, and even after seeing Pokemon Detective Pikachu (Cert PG, 104 mins) recently, that’s still pretty much the case.

Err – Pikachu, Mewtwo, Bulbasaur, Charizard ...

Sleepy, Bashful, Rudolph, Prancer, Smurfette? No? So it’s fair to say that I’m not exactly the world’s greatest Pokemon expert, but perhaps Pikachu is the world’s greatest Pokemon detective.

The furry clever yellow creature is one half of the dynamic duo at the heart of the film set within the Pokemon universe, where Pokemon and humans coexist to a large degree.

Pikachu (voiced by Ryan Reynolds) is introduced soon after we’ve met a driven young man, Tim (Justice Smith), who heads to bustling Ryme City after learning of his dad’s death.

Tim (Justice Smith) and Pikachu (Ryan Reynolds) are an unlikely dynamic duo, but there’s a mystery to crack down Ryme City’s mean, fluffy streets ...

Tim soon crosses paths with Pikachu, and as Tim has the rare ability to understand the adorably cute Pikachu – who’s actually a Pokemon cop who was working a case with his late partner, Harry, Tim’s dad – the pair team up to investigate Harry’s suspicious death.

Through some dogged detective work, a little luck, and with help from a reporter, they’re soon on the trail that led to Harry’s death.

However, there’s something rotten going on in Ryme City’s murky underworld, where a bumbling human and some pushy Pokemon could make some dangerous enemies ...

It can be hard to rate kids’ films, even if you helpfully have a kid who knows the subject matter (plus their disinterested parent) in tow, as I did.

I know that Junior thought the film was “cool”, and he certainly snickered here and there

during the film.

Personally, I thought it was fine. A big baffling, if you don’t know your Pokemon from your Pikachu, but despite having plenty of Pokemon lore the film stayed accessible enough even for non-Pokemon people like me, with some great visuals to take in.

I’m still not convinced about Reynolds’ suitability as Pikachu, but the film will clearly entertain kids and Pokemon fans – so pika pika, I choose ... 7/10

Wild Youth sure to wow at the Court Yard, Leixlip

To enter this amazing competition, please email your name, location and contact details – as well as your answer – to competitions@dublingazette. com. The closing date for this competition is May 30th. Full competition terms and conditions are available at https://bit.ly/2HSLvf2.

THE Leixlip festival returns to the Court Yard hotel this June Bank Holiday Weekend, and promises to be an exciting Summer highlight.

The spectacular open air music festival offers four days of outstanding entertainment with the best of national and local musical talent, including main stage rockers Wild Youth (inset).

Having sold out their first Irish tour, including a headline show at The Olympia, Wild Youth will open the festival on the Rock the Yard main stage on Friday, May 31.

The Irish four-piece is enjoying a breakthrough year with their hit single, Can’t Move On, following earlier chart-toppers, All or Nothing, and Lose Control. Their signature radio

toe tappers will be sure to make you dance!

Their melodic brand of pop-rock has seen them support artists such as Niall Horan, The Script, Zara Larsson and Kodaline, playing numerous gigs across Ireland and the UK. Tickets for the weekend are now

on sale, with Day Tickets at €10 each plus booking fee, and a Weekend Ticket at just €30, offering four days for the price of three.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite and via the Court Yard Hotel website, and will be sold at the gate each day, subject to availability.

23 May 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

ENTERTAINMENT

The Wedding Present:

Past Glances 34 YEARS after their formation, The Wedding Present - under the continued tutelage of their inimitable frontman David Gedge - are still one of the kings of musical juxtaposition.

A deeply emotional band ruminating on themes of love and desperation, Gedge’s pulsating live act complement the alluring simplicity of their age-old topics with vibrant, manic guitar and melodic gnash.

Gedge, the sole remaining original member of the band, is going through something of a nostalgic period at the moment.

“There are new ideas within this group,” he says, “but these anniversary tours are quite interesting. When they were first suggested to me, I wasn’t at all keen on the idea, but I spoke to people about it and almost universally, to a person, they said ‘do it’.”

“I’ve come to really enjoy them. Oddly, I’ve found it easier this time around. We used to fall off stage and almost col-

 JAMES HENDICOTT

lapse backstage after shows. Maybe I’ve developed the muscles to play guitar this way.”

Back living in the UK after various periods in the US, Gedge and the band have ended up playing a series of 30th anniversary shows, touring in spots such as Asia and lesser-known corners of Europe along the way.

“Back then I wrote a little like I was writing in a diary, so when I go back to this, it’s almost like reading back,” he says of the latest tour, which is in memory of 1989 album ‘Bizarro’.

“It has meant that we don’t write as much now,” he continues. “I just don’t have the time.

Back then, we released ‘George Best’, ‘Bizarro’ and ‘Seamonsters’ in six years. Now I’d be lucky to get one album out in that time.

“It’s been very inter-

esting, though. We have a different kind of crowd now. People are coming back after years. They’ve had kids and moved away from music, and then all of a sudden the kids have left the home and they’re back at our gigs. Some of the kids are with them.

There are more people, a changing profile.”

The Wedding Present were never a band afraid to make a statement.

Famously, when performing Bizarro single ‘Brassneck’ on Top Of The Pops.

Gedge and co lightly mocked the show by standing stock still and refusing to mime along.

“It was a reference to the video for the song,” Gedge laughs.

“In it, we stand still while people dance madly around us. I loved Top Of The Pops. I think I was expecting someone to step in and have a word about it, we were getting more and more ridiculous with every rehearsal. But no one ever did.”

Audience reaction, it happens, is the main thing that keeps bringing Gedge back to Ireland, a

place The Wedding Present particularly love to play. “People love to get involved and dance here,” he says.

“If you go to somewhere like Germany, they’re still fans, but they kind of stand back and study the music. In Ireland, they get that music is about connection. You know if you play in Ireland and the gig gets a bad reaction, something’s wrong.

“Music isn’t a film,” he explains. “It’s not a book.

It’s about connection, about back and forth.

“Next year, we’re going to take it a bit easier, and we might get to some recording. Before that, I’ve got the shows, there are two books, the new movie and there is a single on the horizon. It’s been busy!”

The Wedding Present play The Academy on May 25. Earlier in the day, the new indie movie about their career, ‘Something Left Behind’ will show at the IFI in Temple Bar, with Gedge and director Andrew Jezard taking questions.

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23 May 2019

MOTORS

WHAT’S NEW IN THE WORLD OF TRANSPORT

Opel’s ‘impressive’ new Insignia Grand Sport DECLAN GLYNN

THE Opel Insignia ‘Grand Sport’ is the replacement for Opel’s family saloon and hatchback offering, the Insignia, which – in turn – replaced the Vectra many moons ago.

The new Insignia Grand Sport is built on an allnew platform, which has allowed the car to grow substantially, leading to increased cabin space in the process.

Trim & Engine Options There are four specification levels to choose from in the new Insignia Grand Sport – SC, SRi, SE and Elite.

Engine choices include 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre turbopetrol units offering 140PS and 260PS respectively.

Diesel engines consist of a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel with 110PS or 136PS, a 2.0-litre turbo diesel with 170PS, or a 2.0-litre Bi-turbo-diesel with a whopping 210PS. Equipment is generous across the entire range with stylish alloy wheels, automatic lighting control, electric windows front & rear, keyless entry & start, LED daytime running lights, LED rear lights, air-conditioning.

Also cruise control with speed limiter, leather multi-function steering wheel, IntelliLink infotainment

Audi’s A4 Celebrates its 25th Birthday ON May 7th 1994, the first Audi A4 drove off the assembly line in Ingolstadt, Germany.

Since then, the premium car brand has produced more than 7.5 million units of the model.

A quarter of a century after its birth, demand is unabated for the Audi A4, now in its fifth generation.

With 344,586 units sold in 2018, the A4 is the world’s most popular

system with DAB/FM/ AM radio with 7 speakers, 7-inch colour touchscreen, Smartphone connectivity,

Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Siri/Google voice command, Bluetooth, ESP, ABS, front camera system, six airbags, ISOFIX on 3 rear seats, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, and an alarm system all included.

All new Insignia’s feature Opel’s innovative OnStar Personal Assistance system, which gives you a direct line to a personal assistant 24/7.

My review car was an Opel Insignia Grand Sport ‘Elite’ 1.5-litre (140PS) ecoTec turbo-petrol, in Mineral Black metallic paint.

The range-topping Elite model is extremely well equipped, with standard features including 17” diamond cut alloy wheels, IntelliLux LED™ matrix headlights, auto wipers, front & rear parking sensors, rear privacy glass, front fog lights.

Also Navi Pro infotainment system (incorporating an 8” colour touchscreen with fully integrated European satellite navigation, Bluetooth™ audio streaming with mobile phone portal, USB audio connection, and seven speakers), dual-zone electronic climate control, leather seat trim, heated ergonomic front seats, and a Driving Assistance Pack. On the road, the

model for Audi.

Approximately every fifth Audi delivered worldwide today comes from this series.

The Audi A4 set new standards when it went into production in 1994 as the successor to the Audi 80 series.

With its elegance, sportiness and comfort, it quickly impressed customers all over the

new Insignia Grand Sport really excels, with terrific road-holding ability, direct steering, strong brakes, and a composed ride on offer.

The smooth-revving engine in my review car produces 140PS (138bhp) and 250Nm of torque, is capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in just 9.9 seconds, and will hit a top speed of 226km/h.

Fuel consumption as low as 6.2l/100km (45.4mpg) is possible on a combined driving cycle, while annual road tax is just €270. When tested by Euro NCAP for crash protection of occupants and pedestrians, the new Opel Insignia Grand Sport achieved the maximum score of 5 stars.

The crisp, clean lines of the new Insignia Grand Sport ensure that the car attracts positive attention from fellow motorists and pedestrians alike, while

the sumptuous interior of the car will do likewise for occupants.

Ergonomic active front seats in my review car provided excellent support in crucial areas of the body, and are certified by the ‘Campaign for Healthier Backs’ (AGR), an independent centre of excellence for ergonomics.

The boot is big, square, and ultra-practical, with 490-litres of space available with the rear seats in place, or multiples times this capacity with the rear seats folded flat.

The new Opel Insignia Grand Sport oozes quality in every detail, possesses striking coupé-style contours, and is engineered

by Opel to exceed expectations in every perceptible sense. Prices start at just €28,145, with my review car specification priced from €33,540.

world.

The model became a bestseller in its first full year of production in 1995, when more than 272,052 units drove off the production line.

And today, the model continues to launch highlights in its class with numerous driver assistance systems.

“For a quarter of a century now, the A4 has symbolised Audi like no other model. It stands for cutting edge technology in the premium mid range, as well as for innovative production technologies at the highest level,” said Albert Mayer, Plant Director at Audi’s site in Ingolstadt.

“Our employees’ tireless commitment and passion for our brand have been, and continue to be, the driving force behind the impressive success story of the A4.”

23 May 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

TRAVEL Dare to try the latest thrill seekers attraction in Malaga

Enjoy the local gastronomic tuna festival in Tarifa

Cordoba “Patios” Festival

SPAIN | SOME GREAT EVENTS HAPPENING IN AND AROUND THE COUNTRY THIS MONTH

Perfect for a short break away SYLVIA POWNALL

Travel Editor SPAIN remains the number one holiday destination for Irish sun-seekers and as the weather warms up so too does the calendar of events and festivals.

Whether you’re a thrill seeker, a foodie, a gardening enthusiast or just a lover of outdoor pursuits in the sunshine there’s a last-minute break away to suit.

Experience the thrill of skydiving at Spain’s first open-air skydiving simulator, Fly4Real in Malaga. Open from May 1, the wind tunnel experience packages start from €52.

Stay in the nearby village of Alora

in this rustic lakeside one-bedroom traditional Spanish farmhouse with panoramic views over the turquoise El Chorro lakes.

Enjoy an adventure-filled break in the Andalusian countryside. Hike in the El Caminito Del Ray, once considered to be the most dangerous footpath in the world. A three-night break in Alora can be had from just€134 per person, with flights to Malaga (extra) from €60 return.

Head to the surfer’s paradise of Tarifa on the Atlantic coastline at the end of May for foodie heaven!

This traditional fishing village celebrates the annual bluefin tuna harvest with a tapas competition – Ruta del Atún – from 24 May to 2 June,

where over 50 participating bars and restaurants compete to create the winning tapa. In all over 40,000 tapas will be served during the weeklong event.

Stay in this well-appointed twobedroom apartment with swimming pool just 50m from the beach and close to the town centre with its bohemian vibe. Three night stay from just €41 per person sharing, flights (extra) to Malaga.

The annual Cordoba “Patios” Festival sees the owners of private traditional Cordoba-style houses open up their courtyards to the public for visitors to enjoy and experience these hidden treasure floral oases.

Stay in a well-appointed two-bed-

room apartment in the heart of the city, ideally located to visit the courtyards and other cultural attractions in the historic centre. Three nights’ accommodation from €143 per person (four sharing), flights to Malaga.

Paint the town Pink Benidorm Pink Weekend (26 May) is dedicated to all things pink, with four days/nights of parties, fun, picnics on the beach and fiestas.

Stay in this two-bedroom apartment which amazing sea views with well-maintained gardens and communal pool.

Located just 100m from the Playa de Poniente beach along with shopping, dining and nightlife all close by.

Three nights’ stay from €51 per person, flights (extra) to Alicante from €120 return.

For more visit www.spain-holiday.com.

Benidorm Pink Weekend

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23 May 2019

PUZZLES

CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR 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 BATTLE BERNSTEIN BORNE BREWED CASSIE DEPORTED ELECTRICS FERVENTLY FLOSS IDEALS IMPATIENT MCCOY

MEMPHIS MISSOURI PEAK PERFECTED PINCH PRUE PUNJAB SAVER SLADE SUES TIMED WATCHERS

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

23 May 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

24 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 23 May 2019

DUBLINGAZETTECLASSIFIEDS  FINGAL DVD TRANSFERS

GARDENING

PAINTING

GARDENING

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

FRENCH COURSES

RECRUITMENT

23 May 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 25

FINGAL  DUBLINGAZETTECLASSIFIEDS ROOFING

PLANNING

FOLLOW US TODAY ON OUR SOCIAL NETWORK

RECRUITMENT

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

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

LOCAL

MATTERS

26 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 23 May 2019

23 May 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

LADIES FOOTBALL P31

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

SATURDAY STARS SOCCER: ST MOCHTA’S held their

nerve to get the point they needed to seal the LSL Saturday Major 1A title in a winner-takes-all battle with Tolka Rovers at Porterstown Road.

Gary Moore’s side won ten of their final 12 games to win the league at the expense of Tolka with both teams having lost just once all season.



GAZETTE

RUGBY P29

PAGE 28

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS BASKETBALL | SEVENTH YEAR OF INTERNATIONAL EVENT

Dublin ready for Master Class  sport@dublingazette.com

THE SEVENTH Dublin Masters International Basketball Tournament takes place this weekend from May 24 to 26 with 40 teams competing in four age categories.

This year’s main tournament sponsors are SDCC (Dublins Outdoors), Failte Ireland and ‘Wines

by Lily’.

With over 300 people travelling to Dublin for the tournament it is an event which is growing year on year and has become an important weekend in the Irish Basketball Calendar.

Twelve teams will compete in the Over 40 men’s with leading contenders likely to be Joe’s Boys – a team of ex professional BBL players in England –and twice winners St Declan’s who are bolstered by former Irish Super League stars Ricardo Leonard and Gabe Jackson.

Team BNAF have a few Americans and top Irish players on board plus St Vincent’s Dublin will also be challenging for top honours.

Another team to watch from Croa-

tia is Adriatic Split.

In the Over 40 Ladies, Wild Rovers have dominated this competition in recent years and will be going for their sixth title in a row.

Led by Catriona White and with a team of many ex Super League stars, this team would still be strong contenders in the current National and Super Leagues.

Last year’s finalists, Mustangs, with the incredibly talented Siobhan Kilkenny leading the way, will be hoping to go one better while local team Oblates always put up a great show and have been unlucky in recent years not to win the title.

From abroad, there is a new team from Malta as well as from the UK: Sheffield Pick n Mix and Team Fusion.

In the Over 50 Men’s, DM Ballers will hope to retain their title but will have very stiff competition from a super Lithuanian team containing many Olympic medallists from the 90’s and will be the team to beat.

A new category added this year is the Men’s Over 60s with three

The 2018 men’s Dublin Master champions from St Declan’s

teams competing, Irish side Shannon Dodgers, from Scotland Strathclyde Sixers and from USA the aptly named Still Here.

72 games will take place from Friday to Sunday in four venues – Oblate Hall and Inchicore Sports Centre, National Basketball Arena and Colaiste Bride Clondalkin.

Entry is free to all games and the

main finals are on Sunday from 1pm-5pm in the Oblate Hall Inchicore.

This year’s nominated charity is Hugh’s House (www.hughshouse. ie) and there will be a great raffle with first prize of an overnight stay in Ashford Castle and other activities at the Tournament Party in the Louis Fitz hotel on Saturday night.

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 23 May 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

1

SOCCER: MAGUIRE STRIKE ENOUGH TO EARN CRUCIAL POINT

CASTLEKNOCK

SENIOR 2 Camogie lose a tight match, 2-10 3-9, against Naomh Mearnog but the Junior 2 side continue their winning ways with a 6-13 1-1 win over St. Anne’s to become Champions Elect. In the Junior ‘C’ Hurling Championship Castleknock experience a first defeat going down 0-17 1-17 to new table-toppers St. Joseph’s/OCB. In a marvellous contest Castleknock beat Naomh Olaf, 1-28-1-22, in the Senior ‘B’ Hurling Championship. A slow start left Castleknock Ladies IFC team with too much to do to catch Cuala, 2-5 3-15.

Congrats to Alex Watson, Senan Forker, Luke Swan (0-3) and Ben Harding on Dublin’s LMFC win 2-13 0-13 over Offaly. Congrats too to Matthew Lynam who was named Best and Fairest player in Dublin Clarke’s Celtic Hurling Challenge (U-17) victory over Laois.

Huge Junior ‘F’ Hurling Championship win for Castleknock over Civil Service. Well done to Hannah Bourke on winning the Dublin Puc Fada in Howth.

FINGALLIANS THE Senior Ladies Div 1 played their second game of the Senior Champ on Wed Night last to Ballyboden but lost out on the night.

Great win on Saturday night in Lawless Park for the AHL 4 Hurlers on a scoreline of 2.23 to 1.08 against Ballinteer St John. Next League game is away to St Vincent’s on May 29th Well done to the U15B Team who played out a super game against Castleknock in the U15B Shield Final a great performance by the Twenty Players and Mentors winning out in the end ,chairman Tony Gordon was on hand to present the winners Shield. Well done to all who came down to support the lads.

Check out the Fingallians

St Mochta’s celebrate their LSL Saturday Major 1A success. Picture: Martin Doherty

Facebook page for details of the club Summer Leagues .This is a great opportunity to introduce non members to the club.For any information contact Brian Jordan Club GPO. The Lotto numbers for last week were 7,11,18,21,36.

There were Eight winners: C Hughes, K Manning, R Mooney, A Markey, E Wright, N Whalley, E O’Reilly, K Rodgers. Next week’s jackpot is € 2,582.

Check out the Facebook page for details of classes available in the club gym.

Social football: New Players are always welcome to the All Weather on Friday nights at 8pm to join the Social Football Team ,great way to blow off a few cobwebs.

GARDA/WESTMANSTOWN BUSY at Westmanstown last weekend when we hosted Girls Feile Group and welcomed Naomh Barrog,Templeogue Synge St and Oliver Plunketts.

Well done to our own girls on a great effort and Comghairdeas to Oliver Plunketts who topped the group.

Lots of action this week; Inters are away on Sunday to Cuala.Juniors away on Sunday to O Tooles.

Ladies lost narrowly to Ballinteer St Johns in home championship tie on Wednesday last.

Congratulations to Luke Curran who played for Dublin minors against Offaly last week.

Luke continues a great family tradition of inter county service after his father Paul with Dublin and grandfather Noel with Meath in the 1960s.

Two fundraiser dates for club members diaries are the Club Golf Classic on July 4th and Club Racenight on October 4th.

Super Saints hold nerve to secure Major 1A title LSL SATURDAY MAJOR 1A St Mochta’s Tolka Rovers  DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

1 1

ST MOCHTA’S held their nerve to get the point they needed to seal the LSL Saturday Major 1A title in a winner-takes-all battle with Tolka Rovers at Porterstown Road.

Gary Moore’s side won ten of their final 12 games to win the league at the expense of Tolka with both teams having lost just once all season.

A two-point lead heading into the final day meant nothing less than a win would do for Tolka, while avoiding the defeat

would be enough for the Clonsilla side.

It’s Mochta’s third promotion in as many seasons since Moore took charge– and Tolka have been alongside them all the way – but the first time they’ve topped the table.

They had to do it the hard way as they endured seven minutes of injury time and put in a big defensive shift to see the game out.

Tolka’s Robbie McGuinness had put the Glasnevin-based side in front in the first half, before Dean Maguire levelled for Mochta’s with 20 minutes to go.

Mochta’s goalkeeper

Adam Kmet had already saved smartly from Kiefer Trappe when McGuinness was played through on goal and slotted the ball under the keeper’s body.

The home side pressed in the second half for a leveller and eventually got their rewards when an inswinging free kick was turned into the net

by Maguire.

“I don’t think they would have wanted to play us to go for the title on the last game of the season and we sure as hell didn’t want to play them,” Moore tells the Dublin Gazette.

“It could easily have been roles reversed – there was only the kick of a ball

in it. We’re lucky enough to come out on the right side of it.

“Going into that game we only dropped seven points all season. The two sides were head and shoulders above everybody else in the league, but they kept us honest all the way.

“They won the first ten games, and then I think we won ten out of eleven on the way back in, so it was nip and tuck.

“We had three games where we scored a lastminute winner, 94th-minute winners. It’s down the lads – they have a neversay-die attitude.

“It was the same on Saturday, where they

didn’t play well in the first half and came out and played much better second half.”

That team spirit has been vital, as has the help of senior manager Brian McCarthy, who has helped out with seconding players when needed over the season.

“We’ve a lot of young lads playing who have a great camaraderie together, and that is what gets us through.

“Two lads that weren’t involved on Saturday, who didn’t make the squad, they’re first running onto the pitch rather than sitting down sulking because they’re not playing.”

Fintan’s All-Ireland quartet

ST FINTAN’S High School, Sutton, saw a large number of students quality from the Leinster region for the All-Ireland stage after a brilliant series of performances on the track and field.

Luke Ingle led the way with his first place in the province’s 75 metre hurdles with a 11.83 second run, holding off the challenge of Temple Carrig’s Daniel Quirke by just 0.03 of a second.

Steeplechaser James Hyland followed St Fintan’s HS, Sutton’s James Hyland in steeplechase action. Picture: Eoin Noonan/Sportsfile his lead with a second place finish in the

1,500m race at intermediate level. He was only second to Colaiste Eoin’s Morgan Mac an Chleirigh by just a second in a 4.39.30 performance.

Jonas Norvaisis won his shot putt competition to advance from Leinster and contest the national stage. His best throw in the junior competition was a launched 13.62 metres.

Leo Cunningham’s silver in the 110m hurdles added his name to the list for the June 1 culmination of the schools athletics calendar.

23 May 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

RUGBY: NORTH COUNTY CLUB TURN THE SOD ON HISTORIC NEW DEVELOPMENT

Balbriggan link past and future with a clubhouse of their own BALBRIGGAN RUGBY CLUB  sport@dublingazette.com

IT WAS an historic weekend at Balbriggan RFC as the sod was turned for their new clubhouse as the builders moved on-site on Monday, May 20, with the project due to be completed before Christmas.

It will be the first time in the club’s 94 years that they will have a clubhouse of their own.

Two children from the club, Daniel Cumisky and Tara Hickey, had the honour of turning the sod. Daniel is the fourth generation of Cumisky to have played with Balbriggan RFC. Daniel’s great-grandfather Willie Cumisky was one of the founding members of the club which was founded in 1925.

In a fitting tribute to that link to the past, Daniel wore his great-grandfather’s Towns Cup medal on his jersey.

Tara is a team-mate of Daniel. The land where Balbriggan RFC is located was in her family for many generations. Two players with a link to our past, the present day, and also the future.

“There was a great crowd in attendance at the ceremony including many dignitaries. The club was grateful to Lorcan Balfe, President of Leinster Rugby, for taking time out from his very busy schedule to attend,” club PRO Caroline McFadden said of the event.

“Thanks also to Senator James Reilly, and Councillors Tony Murphy and Tom O’Leary for their support.

Also to be acknowledged are the club members, both past and present who turned out to witness this great occasion.

“Brian Howard of Progressive Credit Union was also in attendance. Progressive Credit Union is one of the main sponsors of the club and will remain as sponsors next season.”

Howard of PCU presented a cheque to Balbriggan RFC at the turning of the sod ceremony for the new clubhouse.

“This is an exciting time for the club with the development of two new pitches also taking place at the club grounds. This is in addition to the three all-weather grass pitches already in place and will cater for the growing needs of the club and community alike.”

Balbriggan RFC’s Tara Hickey and Daniel Cumiskey, above, turn the sod on the club’s new clubhouse; club members, left, celebrate the big day

Fingal pair tested in Weymouth SAILING  STEPHEN FINDLATER

sport@dublingazette.com

SKERRIES YC’s Robert Dickson and Howth YC’s Sean Waddilove finished 44th overall from the men’s 49er class at the Volvo European Championships last week in Weymouth.

The pair did enjoy a first place finish in the silver fleet last Friday in one of the highlights

from an Irish perspective while they ended with 29th and 9th place finishes on Saturday.

A f te r ve r y s t ro n g conditions earlier in the week, the regatta ended with a bit of a whimper on Sunday when a lack of wind in Weymouth Bay meant that there were no silver or bronze fleet races.

The Olympic hopeful sailors will return to training at their new

performance HQ in Dun Laoghaire later this month, hoping to put into practice the lessons they learned during a week of challenging conditions at the event in Weymouth, England.

With 18 races already completed over six days, the race officer made the decision not to force any races in very light conditions for the silver and bronze fleets, although there were final races in

the gold fleet competitions.

Irish Sailing 49er coach Ross Killian said: “It’s been a long regatta with seven consecutive race days. The wide variety of conditions has challenged our sailors, we’ve had very windy races and very light races.

“Steady breeze and s h i f t i n g b re e z e, b i g waves and flat water.

An all-round test really.”

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  FINGAL 23 May 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2

ST BRIGID’S OUR Club Nursery, in association with Sherry Fitzgerald, continues as normal this Saturday for 4-7 year old boys and girls from 9.30am - 11.00am on our All-Weather pitch in Russell Park! New families always welcome! Just arrive down and speak to any of our friendly coaches!

Well done to our Féile Ladies Footballers who reached the Division 1 semifinal. Thanks to all those who helped and organised the hosting of the event in Russell Park. Great Championship wins last week for our Inter and Junior Hurlers while there were great league wins at the weekend for our Senior and Inter Hurlers, Inter Camogie team and Junior Ladies Footballers.

Some great performance at the weekend by our Juvenile Handballers in the Dublin finals - well done to all the Brigids winners!

Lots of Adult Football League games this week with both midweek and weekend games!All the details on our website and twitter page!

Our hugely popular annual Golf Classic takes place this Friday, 24th May in Royal Tara Golf Club. Two Shot Gun starts, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Cost is €400 per team of 4 which includes a 3 course meal. Tee boxes can also be sponsored from €100. Please contact Paddy for more info 0868229312.

There was no winner of our Club Lotto Jackpot last week. Our next Jackpot rises to €3,000 and will take place in the Roselawn Inn on Thursday evening.

SKERRIES HARPS WELL done to our U14 Girls Feile Div 3 & 10 teams who competed on Sat on the LGFA Feile. Both teams made it to semi-final stages which is a fantastic achievement. 2019 Feile has come to an end & our U14 boys and girls took part in Hurling Camogie & football and represented the club with pride in all competitions.

Many thanks to the mentors, parents, feile committee and co-ordinators and sponsors TMG Cycles, Frenchlawn Construction, Little Daisy Flowers & Kudos Kitchenware for all their support.

Well done to the Minor Camogie team on winning the B shield vs Kilmacud crokes on Sun 19th. Senior 1 Camogie recorded a league win over St Judes midweek and Senior Ladies Football defeated Lucan Sarsfieds in the Intermediate Championship.

Well done to the Skerries u10 boys & U12 girls Community Games GAA teams who both won their first games against Castleknock on Sun 19th Joe May, Ben Jones & Eoin Wilde represented the club on the Dublin u16 team vs Kerry in Limerick on Sun 19th. Well done also to Megan Frazer who represented the club in the Poc Fada Competition on Fri 17th.

NAOMH MEARNOG

Upcoming Fixtures:Thurs 23 May : AFL9 Vs Erin go Bragh Home 7.30pm; Sun 26th May: AFL4 vs Na Fianna AWAY 10.30am; AFL1 vs St Judes Home 10.30am; AFL9 vs Templeogue SS Away 3pm Upcoming Events /Diary Dates: Sat 1st June Elvis Extravanganza in the Clubhouse Tickets €20 available now from clubhouse bar (Limited availability) Last few tickets now available.

The major club fundraiser for 2019 will be the Chaser! Taking place Sun 27 Oct 2019! Keep an eye on social media for more info and save the date! You wont want to miss it.

Zingo result 3-4-1-6-7-5-2. No winners. of Jackpot or Dividend. Next week’s draw Sun 26 May 6.30pm..Jackpot now a amazing €5100. See you there! Play online at skerriesharps.ie Annual Primary School Football Leagues continue every Monday during May, with Finals day Mon 3rd June. Over 400 boys & girls take part each week, with 24 teams in total, so a great atmosphere around the club!

All welcome to come down and support these young players!

AS YOU all know we are hosting our annual Govan Jolliffe-Byrne Tournament on Saturday the 1st of June. Cathal and Niall O’Reilly, the owners of KOBA have offered to donate ALL PROFITS from business day, Thursday 23rd May to help raise funds for the tournament and our charity partner The Arch Club.

This is an unprecedented gesture and we are extremely grateful. We are asking that you ALL support this amazing opportunity by ordering takeaway/delivery or dining in at KOBA Restaurant on May 23rd. Thank you Cathal and Niall at KOBA You can order online on www.koba.ie or call 01-8461120. Please be sure to mention Naomh Mearnóg GAA club when ordering!

The hosting of this event means that we will have over 600 visitors from all over the country and we want to show them our amazing hospitality. We are therefore requesting that all teams in all codes bring up trays of sandwiches. These can be dropped to Club from 8am on Saturday, 1st June.

HURLING: CASTLEKNOCK UP TO SECOND IN SHC

O’Callaghan’s late Knock inspiration SENIOR B HC GROUP 2 Castleknock 1-28 Naomh Olaf 1-22  KEVIN MALLON sport@dublingazette.com

A MARVELLOUS evening for hurling saw a stunning Castleknock goal which effectively ended this Senior ‘B’ Hurling Championship Round 3 match against Naomh Olaf in Somerton.

Seven minutes from time, a Naomh Olaf clearance to midfield was pulled on in mid-air by Niall O’Callaghan. The Castleknock full-forward’s audacious strike landed in the Naomh Olaf square where Richie McInerney was on hand to lash the breaking ball to the visitor’s net.

It was a glorious end to a match which produced a mammoth 52 scores, many of them right out of the top drawer.

Fast and furious from the throw-in, it was Olaf’s who made most of the running in the first 20 minutes after which they enjoyed an 0-11 0-9 lead.

Niall O’Callaghan ended the evening with a superb 12-point haul. He scored six of Castleknock’s early points, the others being picked off by Cian Ó’Dúlaing, McInerney and

Castleknock’s Jack king moves to make a block against Naomh Olaf. Picture: Niall O’Connell/@KnockPhotos

Kieran Duggan.

It was only in the last 10 minutes of the first half that Castleknock really got to grips with the opposition, outscoring them by 0-5 to 0-1 on the run-in to the break.

Five different players, Kieran Duggan, Liam Quinn, O’Callaghan, Colm Breslin and Ó’Dúlaing, shared those scores to give Castleknock a 0-14 0-12 interval lead.

Within two minutes of the restart, 1-1 from Olafs

DIVISION 10 WIN Castle class in super finale

CASTLEKNOCK’S Under-14 Division 10 Feile side celebrated their success last Sunday as they got the better of St Margaret’s 1-2 to 1-0 at O’Toole Park.

It completed an excellent weekend’s work as they made it through a thrilling group which was decided on points conceded after Knock, Trinity Gaels and Margaret’s were all level. The Somerton side then knocked out Skerries Harps in the semi-final with a 2-7 to 1-0 success at Trinity Gaels’ Druimnigh ground.

Picture: gaapics.com

undid most of that good work and it was another 12 minutes before Castleknock got back in front again.

O’Callaghan led the way with two pointed frees.

Substitute Luke Whelan added two more from play.

Kieran Duggan, playing his last match before leaving for South America, fired over off the upright and Ó’Dúlaing’s pointed free from distance put Castleknock ahead by 0-22 1-18.

Then came that piece

of O’Callaghan wizardry leading to McInerney’s decisive goal. Still Olaf’s never gave up and it took more terrific points from Tadhg Kelleher, Liam Quinn and appropriately enough O’Callaghan to see off the Naomh Olaf challenge.

Even though there were six points in it at the end, it felt much closer and Jack Banks had to pull off a fine late save to maintain Castleknock’s winning margin.

23 May 2019 FINGAL  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

LADIES FOOTBALL: EARLY BLITZ POWERS DIVISION 3 FEILE SUCCESS

HURLING

Brigid’s back in the mix in AHL1 tussle

St Maur’s celebrate their success (above); Ella Hegarty offloads a pass during the final.

Pictures: GAAPics.com

St Maur’s enjoy Feile gold rush AIG LADIES FOOTBALL FEILE DIV 3 FINAL St Maur’s St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh  CÓILIN DUFFY sport@dublingazette.com

5-5 2-2

ST MAURS brought plenty of excitement to St. Peregrines GAA Club on Sunday, as their AIG Dublin Under 14 Ladies Football Feile Division 3 success, earned them a place in the AllIreland Feile in Connacht next month, thanks to an eight-point win over St. Oliver Plunkett’s/ Eoghan Ruadh in the decider.

The Rush outfit led throughout in a memorable final, with their Navan Road counterparts not making it easy.

In ideal conditions, Maurs started well with a Kerrie Austin point after just 30 seconds.

From then on, Maurs wouldn’t trail although they were met with some strong resistance with Plunketts

unlucky ot to grab an equaliser, with two quick attacks, but Emily Vahey’s effort was blocked out for a 45’, which Amber McCloskey failed to convert.

At the opposite end, Tara Brady grabbed the first of her two points from frees over the tie, and it wasn’t long before the first goal of the tie.

Eoghan Ruadh’s defence was now under strong pressure, with Zara Thorne grabbing the first goal after just four minutes.

Less than 90 seconds later another goal followed, after a high ball in, Tara Brady found the net.

Brady saw a further effort from the resulting kick-out come off the posts, before Saoirse Mehigan was on hand to net a goal from an acute angle – and complete her sides hat-trick in less than two and a half minutes.

Brady brought her tally to 1-2 and while Maurs now had a 3-3 to 0-0 lead after seven minutes, it wasn’t until the seventh minute of the second half that they would get their next score.

Maurs saw an early effort go out for a 45’ on the restart, before Plunketts created their first real goal chance in this game.

Molly Foley Brown was in for goal, but her third minute effort was saved by Maurs keeper Isobel Lyster.

Tori McDonnell opening Plunketts account with a fine score and they grew in confidence, with Amber McCloskey adding a point, but Maurs netted for a fourth time, as Rebecca Sweetman’s dipped effort finished in the net.

Emily Vahey cut loose, before finishing

a much required goal for Plunketts, but once again Maurs rattled the net – this time from Kerrie Austin 11 minutes into the half to put her side 5-3 to 1-2 in front.

Plunketts managed a second goal, with McDonnell bundling the ball over the line in a crowded goalmouth late on, but St Maurs had laid the foundations in the opening half, with a trip to Connacht for the All-Ireland Féile now awaiting them next month.

Afterwards Pat O’Donoghue Dublin LGFA presented the Cup to St Maurs captain Ella Hegarty (pictured).

ST MAURS: Isobel Lyster; Ellie Han-

ST OLIVER PLUNKETTS/ER:Kerri Cuggy

ratty, Rebecca Fitzpatrick, Cianna

Byrne; Gemma Cushen, Sarah Fitz-

Flynn; Sania Baloch, Ella Hegarty, Lucy

maurice, Emma Forde; Áine Bresnan,

Clarke; Zara Thorne (1-0), Colleen

Bláthnaid Murray, Sky Synott; Éabha

Moran; Kelli Carthy, Aimee Cotter,

Ní Mhaolagáin, Emily Harold; Alex

Kerrie Austin (1-1); Saorise Mehigan

O’Hara, Amber McCloskey (0-1),

(1-0), Tara Brady (1-2, 2f), Rebecca

Rachel Fitzmaurice; Emily Vahey (1-0),

Sweetman (1-0).

Cáit Rouse, Grace Flanagan.

Subs: Holly Monks, Rebecca Att-

Subs: Molly Foley Brown, Tori McDon-

ley, Keely Durnan, Aoibhe Kelly, Ella

nell (1-1), Grace Flanagan.

O’Connell.

REFEREE: Simon Redmond

ST BRIGID’S got their Adult Hurling League Division One campaign back on track with an impressive 0-25 to 2-15 victory over Whitehall Colmcille at Collins Avenue on Saturday.

They now move level on points (six) with both Na Fianna and Craobh Chiarain at the end of round five.

Whitehall did start well and created a 1-6 to 0-7 cushion on 22 minutes. Yet with Johnny McGuirk and Eoghan Dunne in splendid scoring form, Brigid’s got themselves back on level terms (1-8 to 0-11) in time for the interval.

Whitehall were playing with plenty of confidence, but the Brigid’s defence gradually came to terms with their challenge as the play progressed. Eoghan McKeigue, Mark Kavanagh and Donnacha Ryan produced powerful displays, while Keith Mullally and former Dublin hurler Daire Plunkett were in superb form.

Supplementing a Plunkett effort, Sean Dunphy, Andy Dunphy, Conal Burke and Ciaran Kellett also added their name to the scoresheet. Nevertheless, it was McGuirk and Dunne who proved the scorers-in-chief for Brigid’s on the night.

McGuirk contributed an outstanding haul of 0-15, including two excellent scores from play. Dunne caught the eye with a brace of sideline cuts and eventually finished with five points to his name.

While a spirited Whitehall bagged a second goal, it wasn’t enough to halt the march of St Brigid’s.

GazetteSPORT MAY 23-29, 2019

ALL OF YOUR FINGAL SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

MAGICAL MAUR’S

FOOTBALL: Rush

club produce wonderful weekend of football to land their Feile laurels, signing off with five-star win over Plunkett’s. SEE P31

TURNING THE SOD RUGBY: Balbriggan RFC set to enter a new era as they break ground on their first ever clubhouse after over 90 seasons. SEE P29

MOCHTA’S GET DRAW THEY NEED SOCCER: Clon-

silla club conclude remarkable run of results to nick Saturday division on final day. SEE P28

Find us on

PICK US UP

EVERY THURSDAY!

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

Cooper urges caution ahead of Wee clash  CÓILIN DUFFY

sport@dublingazette.com

JONNY Cooper has urged caution as Dublin Footballers begin the ‘Drive for Five’ this Saturday, with a Leinster senior football championship quarter-final against Louth at O’Moore Park (7pm).

There’s no live TV from Portlaoise for the game which forms part of a Leinster quarterfinal double-header with Carlow and Meath in the curtain-raiser – and Cooper knows Dublin will have to be sharp, if they are to avoid a potential slip-up.

Already in the championship, teams of lower ranking in the league have accounted for higher counterparts. Cooper doesn’t want this to happen his side.

“What’s always been our mantra, and what has worked for us in the past is giving our opposition the respect they deserve,” he told the Dublin Gazette at AIG’s #EffortisEqual campaign launch.

“We’ll look at as much footage as we can to get to know them as best we can.

“We’ll try to highlight areas that we can capitalise on, but also stop them, because equally they have some dangerous players, particularly offensively.”

Cooper says the club month has really refreshed his side after a disappointing league campaign, which saw

Dublin stars Niamh Collins and Jonny Cooper launched AIG’s new #EffortIsEqual campaign.

Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

“The main things we took out of it was when

you don’t work hard, and work for each other, and invest the time that’s required, you get caught out.“ Dublin fail to reach the final for the first time since 2012. “ T h e r e ’s a g o o d healthy buzz around our camp certainly. We had a good club four weeks away which gave us good refreshment, and was a good energiser to go away and reflect, and do good work with our clubs and with ourselves.

“I think it serves as a great benefit to us to give us a break; keep us involved in a different way, but also give us an opportunity to come back with a refreshed and energised mindset.”

Cooper acknowledges Dublin made a lot of mistakes during the league this year.

“I think the team as a

whole - we got what we deserved I guess,” he said.

“In many respects we weren’t at the pitch of it in some of the games that we lost in particular, and obviously the results went against us.

“We ref lect on ourselves, and I think the main things we took out of it was that when you don’t work hard, and

work for each other, and invest the time that’s required at this level you get caught out.

“It’s a big lesson for us, going into what will be a big game against Louth.”

Since the club action, many players have got their chance to come into the Dublin squad, including Kilmacud Crokes Rory O’Carroll.

“He’s back in, and he has an equal opportunity like the rest of us,” Cooper said.

“He went off and done his own thing for the last few years and more power to him, even more so now having an opportunity off the back of his club performances, coming back in and pushing as hard as anyone else to do so.”