Dublin Gazette: West Edition

DublinGazette NOVEMBER 21 - 27, 2019

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THE LATEST NEWS & SPORT FROM SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL AREA

Santa’s arrival

THE most wonderful time of the year kicks off in Tallaght this weekend in what promises to be an exciting day of celebrations. That’s because Santa will be arriving at The Square on Saturday to launch the countdown to Christmas.

SEE PAGE 5

SPORT ALL-STAR DELIGHT:

Thomas Davis duo pick up TG4 Ladies Football All-Stars, as seven Dubs are honoured. SEE P32 Laura Kelly, Robyn Fagan, Laura Medbury and Kim Doran from Harolds Cross Tallaght Musical Society pictured at The Civic Theatre in Tallaght during their production of Curtains. See Gallery on Page 11. Pictures: Aishling Conway

food P21

DUBLIN DELICIOUS FESTIVE FARE AND FUN

Was murder victim lured to his death?

PADRAIG CONLON

Find us on Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

THE man whose body was discovered in a burning car in Lucan on Monday is believed to have been lured to his death by someone he trusted.

Gardai confirmed the still unnamed man, at the time of going to print, died as a result of gunshot wounds before his

body was discovered in the passenger seat after the fire brigade extinguished the blaze at 8.15pm on Monday night.

Addressing reporters outside Lucan Garda Station on Wednesday, Superintendent Paul Dolan said gardai were still working to identify the deceased.

He said: “All I can say at this stage is we are following a specific line of enquiry.

“The car itself was a navy Toyota Corolla, reg 05-CW-2225.

“This car was sold on November 13 this year, and today I’m appealing to any person who has seen this car or knows of its whereabouts [since then] to contact investigating gardai.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

Charity calls on Lucan’s help

A DUBLIN charity which helps the city’s homeless is calling on Lucan residents for help. Inner City Helping Homeless hope locals will come out to support a muchneeded appeal taking place in Lucan this Saturday, 23rd November.

SEE PAGE 3

2 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 21 November 2019

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MAN FOUND IN LUCAN DIED AS A RESULT OF GUNSHOT WOUNDS

Gardai suspect latest murder victim was lured to his death FROM PAGE 1

“I’m appealing to any person in the Mount Andrew Estate who has seen this vehicle or anything suspicious in or around the time of this inc ident on Monday night, to contact gardai in Lucan Garda Station, at 01 666 7300, or the Garda Confidential Line, at 1800 666 111.”

Local Fine Gael Councillor Emer Higgins condemned Monday’s suspected murder, and moved to reassure the local community that gardai are acting swiftly to investigate.

Speaking on Tuesday, she said: “I spoke directly with my Fine Gael colleague, the Minister for

Gardai are appealing for any information about this incident

Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, about it early this morning.

“Minister Flanagan has assured me that gardai are doing everything possible to investigate this

very serious and frightening incident.

“The Minister has assured me he will keep me up to date on any developments. Gardai are appealing for witnesses

or anyone with information to contact them at Lucan Garda Station.”

Fianna Fail Councillor Shane Moynihan also spoke of his shock at the events of Monday night.

He said: “I was horrified to hear of the violent incident last night, which has seen someone lose their life.

“Any crime, but particularly violent crime like this is unacceptable. We will not tolerate it in our community.

He added: “Communities across Dublin MidWest can clearly see that crime is getting out of hand, but Government inaction, spurred on by their rapidly worsening response to drug-fuelled gangland crimes, means the situation risks spiralling completely out of control.

“Families in Dublin Mid-West don’t need yet another announcement by the Government promising an increase in Garda numbers.”

Labour Lucan Cllr Joanna Tuffy criticised the Government for “failure to control gangland crime”.

She said: “I condemn this latest incident, but

it highlights the ability of criminals to act with impunity. Parents are having to explain these violent acts that is happening on their streets to their children.

“We saw in 2016 and 2017 a series of violent killings in the Lucan and Clondalkin area, so these latest attacks are the latest in a long line of criminality.

“Local communities are deeply concerned at these escalating attacks.

It is time to take on the growing number of gun shootings by committing the resources to tackle this once and for all.

“Continually insisting these incidents are an operational matter for the gardai is insulting to the communities who need protection. The Government must be seen to respond.”

FASTNews DCC readies its popular Winter Lights in town DUBLIN City Council’s (DCC) Winter Lights will return this Winter, from December 1 to January 1, from sunset to 2am, with 14 locations around the city to be transformed with custom projections and lighting displays.

Projections will illuminate the facades of buildings including City Hall, the Custom House, the GPO, the Hugh Lane Gallery, the Mansion House, and Trinity College.

Glistening lighting will be installed at O’Connell Street, Millennium Bridge, Parliament Street, and Samuel Beckett Bridge.

For more, see https:// dublin.ie/winterlights.

21 November 2019 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 3

FIRHOUSE: RAISED PLANTERS DEVELOPED TO ENABLE WHEELCHAIR-USERS TO TEND GARDEN

New wheelchair-accessible garden officially opened

CRC Firhouse Day Centre officially opened a wheelchair-accessible garden on ground beside the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel last Friday 15th November.

Over a year in planning and construction, and working with South Dublin County Council, the project grew from an idea that came about on a sunny day last summer.

Sitting outside, a group from the centre realised that a small garden that both they and the wider Firhouse community could benefit from would be a worthwhile addition to the area.

After looking at an overgrown and

neglected plot of local land, the group got together and drafted a plan to develop the small plot.

Local Councillor Brian Lawlor was then brought on board to get the project moving.

SDCC were supportive of the Accessible Garden initiative, and with low maintenance and full wheelchair accessibility among the main requirements, specially shaped raised planters were developed to enable wheelchair-users to tend to the garden during the year.

Following discussions with the group from CRC Firhouse, plants were chosen that

were tactile and scented so that those with a visual impairment could enjoy the garden too.

The garden is also intended to be enjoyed equally by the whole Firhouse Community.

The official opening event was attended by a number of local community members and representatives including Sean Crowe TD, Councillors Alan Edge, Deirdre O’Donovan and Charlie O’Connor and Brian Lawlor (who was asked to perform the ribbon cutting ceremony) local businessman John Regan and Catherine Stuart and Alison McCallion representing CRC’s management.

The ribbon cutting ceremony

Dublin homeless charity calling on Lucan’s help PADRAIG CONLON

A DUBLIN charity which helps the city’s homeless is calling on Lucan residents for help.

Inner City Helping Homeless hope locals will come out to support a much-needed appeal taking place in Lucan t h i s S a t u rd ay, 2 3 rd November.

B r i a n Mc L o u g h l i n , ICHH head of communications explained to Dublin Gazette how readers can do their bit.

“I am reaching out re g a rd i n g a c l o t h e s appeal being held for us in Inner City Helping Homeless taking place in Lucan on Saturday,” he said.

“The appeal will take place from 2pm-5pm in Esker Cemetery Car Park, and we will be in attendance with our outreach vans as I am actually from Lucan myself.

“We accept second hand clothes such as: Coats/jackets, jumpers/ hoodies, t-shirts/shirts/ tracksuits/jeans/hats/ scarves/gloves.

“We also accept donations of new underwear/ socks and new toiletries as our teams bring them out on the streets on outreach 7 nights a week.”

ICHH is a volunteer led registered charity with two full time staff mem-

bers, an office manager and a warehouse manager, and their office is open 12 hours a day offering a day service including case management, clothes orders, food parcels of nonperishable groceries, accommodating families left with no alternative option, other than to sleep in a garda station.

Ireland is suffering the worst homelessness crisis in the history of the state, with Government figures saying 10,338 people are relying on emergency accommodation.

One in three homeless people is a child.

Campaigners and charities say the actual number is much higher and have criticised the Government’s figures which do not include rough sleepers, those in women’s refuges and Direct Provision centres.

Inner City Helping Ho m e l e s s h ave a l s o teamed up with music legend, Liam Gallagher ahead of his two gigs in Dublin this weekend.

Donate This is part of his “Part with your Parka” appeal to encourage people to donate a warm coat/ jacket to Inner City Helping Homeless in the run up to the gigs.

Anyone who donates

Inner City Helping Homeless have teamed up with Liam Gallagher to aid the homeless crisis

a coat to ICHH will be automatically entered into a draw to win 2 VIP tickets to his show in the 3 Arena with a Meet and Greet with Liam himself.

There are two pairs of VIP tickets available, one for each night.

“We are very thankful to Liam and his team for partnering up with us in ICHH ahead of his shows at the end of this month,” Brian said.

“Liam and his team are fully aware of the homelessness crisis in Ireland

and want to do their bit by encouraging fans to donate a parka/jacket/ coat to us in ICHH in return for entering a draw to win a meet and greet and two tickets to Liam’s shows at the end of the month.

“What to do: Go to the ICHH offices and donate a coat and they will take your details and enter you in the competition.

“The draw will be done

by Liam’s management team who will contact the winners directly.”

FASTNews

Increase in parking charges/ tolls ‘disappointing’

FIANNA Fail spokesperson for Dublin, and Dublin MidWest TD, John Lahart says news that Dublin will face increased parking charges and tolls is “disappointing.”

In an interview last week, Dublin City Council chief executive Owen Keegan said the council will experience increased costs and large losses, including the loss of rates income of €8.4 million on Irish Water-owned properties.

It has been reported that the Government had committed to paying a grant to local authorities to cover the Irish Water rates losses and that there would be a “cost-neutral” impact on local authorities.

“News that Dubliners are facing increased parking and toll charges will be disappointing for many to hear,” Deputy Lahart said.

“The Government had committed to paying a grant to the local authorities to covering the Irish Water rates losses, however this does not appear to be happening and to fill the void left, the city is going to see increased costs in the form of increased tolls and commercial rates.”

“We need to see the government follow through with their commitment to pay the grant, so that the city does not face a hike in already expensive parking costs and tolls,” concluded Deputy Lahart.

4 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 21 November 2019

VOTE: BUDGET PROVIDES ROUGHLY €256M IN EXPENDITURE ON SERVICE PROVISION

South Dublin County Council adopts budget for 2020 ELECTED Members of South Dublin County Council last week voted to adopt Budget 2020 which provides for approximately €256 million in expenditure on service provision, an increase of 5% on the 2019 budget.

The Draft Budget for 2020 provides for a total expenditure of €255,755,400 and anticipates income of €118,807,400 from a range of services and sources including rents, fees, charges, loan repayments, grants and recoupments.

The Council say the balance of €136,948,000 will be funded from a combination of commercial rates and local property tax.

Specific budgetary provisions are: Housing “Our comprehensive build, purchase and leasing initiatives under the Capital Programme continue to meet and exceed targets.

“In the context of current operations, the following new and enhanced measures are in keeping with our intention to enhance services where possible, on an ongoing basis.”

Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Development “Provision for the current and future generations must include a focus on job retention and creation. In this regard,

investment in existing business and future opportunities are provided for including.”

Recreation, Amenity and Community Development “The development of social infrastructure in the interests of community integration, health and wellbeing and quality of life is central to our approach to community development.”

Climate Action “In 2019, the Council adopted the inaugural Climate Change Action Plan 2019 – 2024 which provides an opportunity for the Council to clearly illustrate its commitment in this regard, which although

ongoing for years, was largely undocumented.

“A clear Action Plan for 2020 will be published in the near future and clear commitments have been made in the Budget in this context.”

Commenting on Budget 2020, Daniel McLoughlin, Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council, said: “The Budget as presented is particularly positive in the context of the available funding and while more needs to be done, it is a true reflection of our corporate objectives and the wishes of the public as expressed through our elected representatives.”

Alone launches Christmas campaign MARIAN Keyes, author and Alone Christmas Ambassador launched Alone’s Christmas Campaign, “Make Your Minutes Count” in the Westin Hotel in Dublin recently.

Alone, the organisation that supports older people to age at home, is asking members of the public to take a few minutes out of their day to interact with their older neighbours and relatives who may be experiencing feelings of loneliness as the festive season approaches.

Alone is also asking for support from new volunteers and donors to help to support them to combat loneliness and other challenges faced by older people. It says one in 10 people over 75 are lonely a lot of the time, and demand for Alone’s services has increased five-fold in recent years.

Marian is pictured with Betty Kinsella.

Picture: MAXWELLPHOTOGRAPHY.IE

FASTNews

Dubs take dim view of new sign

THERE has been online fury amongst Dubliners after a much-loved Christmas sign was replaced with the apparent new name for the Grafton Street area.

Following the illumination of the city’s Christmas lights last Thursday, Dubliners were left perplexed after the traditional Nollaig Shona Duit sign at the top of Grafton Street was replaced by a new sign: Welcome to Grafton Quarter (inset).

The name has apparently been coined by the business organisation, Dublin Town, which is responsible for the illumination of the Christmas lights, with a Twitter account set up referencing the organisation.

In a statement, DublinTown said: “The initiative is aimed at encouraging footfall not only to Grafton Street but also to adjoining streets, in the run-up to Christmas – a crucial trading period for retailers.

“The ‘Grafton Quarter’ refers to Grafton Street and the streets adjacent and has been a colloquial reference for the area for a number of years.”

Failure to deliver health care centre slammed

A LOCAL representative has blasted the Government for failing to deliver on their promise for a health care centre in Clondlakin.

Fianna Fail TD for Dublin MidWest, John Curran has criticised the Government’s failure to progress the promised and planned delivery of Rowlagh Primary Health Care Centre in North Clondalkin in 2019.

Deputy Curran was commenting after receiving a reply letter from the Minister on the issue this week.

“It is very disappointing that Fine Gael has failed to ensure that the HSE fulfil its commitment to Rowlagh Primary Health Care Centre in 2019. It is over a year since planning permission was granted for the development of a Primary Care Centre in Rowlagh; however in the Minister’s reply to me

it is very unsettling to read that the HSE have not yet sought tenders for this project. In July the HSE informed me they expected contractors to be on site in Q3 2019.

“However; this is now Q4 2019 and the HSE have not yet sought tenders for this project.

“After years of inaction; planning permission was finally granted in July 2018 to deliver primary health care in Clondalkin.

“It’s over 6 years since the Rowlagh Primary Care Centre was first announced under the infrastructure stimulus package with a planned completion date of late 2016. This project is now three years overdue and this is utterly unacceptable.”

Deputy Curran said the proposed development in Rowlagh, when

operational, will be a significant and substantial health service facility for the local community.

“This is something that I have been campaigning for a long time now. The centre is to employ 36 staff and provide a substantial range of primary care services including a GP Clinic, a Nurse managed Clinic, suites for speech & language therapy, occupational and physiotherapy therapy, a dental Clinic, a paediatrics suite and a Mental Health Suite from 9am-6pm every weekday and some out of hour GP services.

“Every effort must be made now to ensure that the HSE fulfil its commitment to this centre as a matter of priority to allow the people of North Clondalkin access to essential Health Care by 2020.”

21 November 2019 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 5

TALLAGHT: THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR KICKS OFF THIS WEEKEND ADAMSTOWN

Spectacular fireworks for Santa’s arrival PADRAIG CONLON

THE most wonderful time of the year kicks off in Tallaght this weekend in what promises to be an exciting day of celebrations.

That’s because Santa will be arriving at The Square on Saturday (23rd) to officially launch the countdown to Christmas.

There is loads of entertainment lined up throughout the day at The Square, including a giant ferris wheel, carousel, DJ and face painting, before Santa touches down at 5pm, to officially switch on the centre’s Christmas lights and launch a spectacular firework display that will light up the Dublin skyline.

Santa will be joined by special friends Paul Ryder and Giz a Laugh’s Enya Martin, with musical and dancing performances from Dancing with The Stars Karen Byrne and many more for an after-

noon of complimentary entertainment.

This Christmas, The Square is also excited to launch a spectacular Frozen 2 themed mall in association with Disney.

Come and check out

lowing Santa’s big arrival, and will run until December 24th.

This year, visitors to Santa’s Grotto are in for a real treat as they pass through the ‘Naughty or Nice’ scanner before tak-

luminescent Frozen 2 projections on the Centre’s huge sails, and the muchloved selfie screen featuring Frozen 2’s favourite characters.

D i s n ey ’s Fro ze n 2 opens in Irish Cinemas on November 22.

The Square’s beautiful Santa Grotto will also officially open its doors on November 23rd, fol-

ing Ireland’s only 4D virtual reality sleigh ride, to feel like they are flying through the night sky on a “Journey to Santa’s Kingdom” with special effect wind machines and gentle movement.

Speaking about this year’s bumper event, commercial manager at The Square, Fiona Power said: “The 23rd of November is

“

Seasonal Craft Courses

We’re so excited to share it with all of our customers, everyone is welcome to join in the celebrations

Santa will be arriving at The Square on Saturday (November 23)

a date not to be missed at The Square with Santa and Frozen II both landing on the same day, it’s going to be our biggest ever event.

“We’re so excited to share it with all of our customers, everyone is welcome to join in the celebrations!”

Angry scenes and accusations at annual budget meeting THE annual budget meeting of South Dublin County Council last Thursday (14th) ended with angry scenes and accusations in the chamber.

The Budget was proposed by the chief executive and supported by the ruling alliance of Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, the Green Party and two Independents.

It includes a rent increase of €3 per week for all council tenant households, and the removal of the rent discount of €10 for those in receipt of the state pension in households with any other income except the state pension.

The ruling group were also accused of preventing Councillors from debating amendments in a move described as “circumventing democracy” as they brought forward a motion to vote on the Budget from section A to F. This caused angry scenes in the chamber as councillors who had submitted amendments didn’t get a chance to propose them.

Some Councillors then walked out of the chamber in protest as the vote on the Budget was taking place.

Kellie Sweeney, People Before Profit candidate for the by-election in Dublin Mid-West slammed the decision by the ruling alliance.

“It seems that circumventing democracy has become

national policy for Fine Gael.

“From the money message in the Dail, to rigging the budget debate in the council, this is a serious attack on democracy and a cynical way to dismiss the views not only of other political parties but of the public as well.”

Cllr Mark Ward, Sinn Fein candidate for the by-election in Dublin Mid-West accused the ruling alliance of “attacking the most vulnerable in society.”

“Sinn Fein were part of the ruling group in the last Council and we defended the weekly rents charged to Council tenants from constant attack by Fine Gael.

“We had robustly defended the €10 a week discount to weekly rents for all Old Age Pensioners.

“At today’s budget meeting, the ruling group voted to remove this in one foul swoop.”

Cllr Ed O’Brien, leader of the Fianna Fail group on South Dublin County Council, however welcomed the passing of the budget saying “it is the start of a return to the provision of full and proper services for those living in the County.”

“I stand full square behind this budget and will continue to work with Council management to ensure that we continue to deliver and fair, balanced and productive budgets for the remainder of this Council term,” he said.

LEARN a new festive craft one evening each week over four weeks to for your own Christmas gift sets.

Week 1: Christmas Candles: coloured, scented, Container. Week 2: Ceramics: bowls, candle holders, plates. Week 3: Painting and decorating ceramics. Week 4: Winter wreaths and assembling gift sets.

All materials and break included.

Wednesdays 6pm – 8pm, 20th and 27th November, 4th and 11th December, Cost: €35 (total), €10 deposit required to secure a place (Minimum of ten participants) Please register at Adamstown Youth & Community Centre or email: manager@aycc.onmicrosoft. com

6 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 21 November 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Linda and team cutting the ribbon for the grand opening of Carraig Donn Tallaght. Pictures: EMILY GALLAGHER

Elaine Whelan

Sandra Gernon, Margaret Fahey and Tina Murphy

Noleen Delaney, Marlis Spellman and Marianne King

Julie Colton

Debbie and Joan Griffin

Carraig Donn open new store C in Tallaght arraig Donn were delighted to open their brand new Tallaght store in the Square Shopping Centre on Friday, November 8th. Guests enjoyed 20% off full price stock and goodie bags for the first 50 customers plus more exclusive opening offers.

21 November 2019 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 7

AWARDS: APP MONITORS YOUNGSTERS’ ACTIVITY TO PREVENT BURNOUT, INJURY

FASTNews Call for ‘healing garden’ on site of Magdalene Laundry SOUTH Dublin councillor and Dublin Mid-West By election candidate Cllr Francis Timmons (Ind) is calling for a state museum and “healing garden” to be built on the site of the last Magdalene Laundry owned by the State.

The building on Sean McDermott Street was the last such laundry to close, in 1996.

In September, 2018, Dublin City councillors voted to block the sale of the former laundry to a Japanese hotel chain.

“This site must remain in state ownership and serve as a place of remembrance and healing for all those who went through church and state institutions,” Survivors Cllr Timmons said: “As we again approach the Christmas Season, there are many [Magdalene Laundry] survivors who find Christmas particularly hard.

“Many mothers think about the sons they have no contact with.

“Others mourn the Christmases that were lost as children. Everyone has their memories, their story to tell. They need to be shared and heard.

“As a survivor myself I want my story told about the institution I was in and how I was used in the Vaccine Trials,” said Cllr Timmons,

Unique new App hailed as gamechanger PADRAIG CONLON

A SPORTING app crowned Best New Business at the recent South Dublin Chamber Awards could be a real gamechanger.

Surpassport is a unique sports app that addresses the issue of burn-out and safety for young players who perform across multiple disciplines, allowing their coaches and mentors to monitor them in a fully safe and compliant manner.

For the first time ever, coaches can see how club players are doing, even when those same players are playing for the county or indeed other teams.

The brainchild of Adrian Geissel, a scientist and software engineer

from Naas, Surpassport provides powerful team management providing insights into workload, injury and wellbeing, and informing underage coaching for development, retention and fielding stronger adult teams.

Basketball Ireland has just endorsed it and are using it for their international teams.

Adrian told Dublin Gazette: “As a dad of a busy 10-year-old, I was curious about what constitutes a safe and sustainable level of sport “Training provided by the GAA encourages coaching in a child-specific manner, but little detail about how to answer the above question, in particular, for my son.

“I therefore returned to published academic literature, and learnt that consistency and gradual change in workload were key, especially when the child is uninjured and most importantly, enjoying themselves.

“As a coach to a dozen or so other 10 year-olds, I wondered how I could apply this to the team.

“Was their activity history over the past few weeks consistent, or were they at risk of injury from over play? Or simply overtired?”

Given his involvement with his GAA team Adrian says he gained deep insights that were crucial to the development of Surpassport.

“My vision for my app is

2020 calendar by camera club out

Thank you for supporting station

CELBRIDGE Camera Club have created a topquality 2020 calendar in partnership with NCBI (The National Council for the Blind Ireland).

These are wonderful images taken by their members all across Ireland, superbly printed and produced.

The calendar is available to purchase from Centra Celbridge, SuperValu Celbridge, Barker and Jones Naas and NCBI shops in Celbridge, Naas, Maynooth, Lucan, Leixlip and Clane.

THANK you to everyone who supported the Liffey Sound 96.4FM church gate collections at St Mary’s church last weekend.

Their generosity is greatly appreciated and helps to keep Lucan’s Community Radio station on-air.

Come and celebrate Nollaig na mBan with Liffey Sound on Monday, January 6 at 8pm in Kenny’s pub in Lucan village. An exciting evening of entertainment is promised.!

Adrian Geissel, founder and CEO SURPASSPORT

to combine best practice and sports science into a comprehensive, easy to use app for coaches and parents, to help each know more about their kids and to help them make informed decisions for their sporting wellbeing,”

he said.

“It builds a comprehensive picture of player athlete readiness, appropriate to their age, but most importantly, tracks ‘fun’, for every team session and game.

“After all, if kids are not

For further information, see www.liffeysoundfm.ie, or the station’s Facebook page.

Great climate seminar taking place at Maynooth MAYNOOTH University is set to host a climate seminar next Thursday, November 28.

Taking place in the IONTAS second floor seminar room, north campus, the geography

enjoying sport they won’t practice and won’t stick with it.

“I am very excited about the growth of Surpassport and believe it will become synonymous with sports management in Ireland and beyond”.

seminar is entitled The Art of Citizen-Science: Monitoring a Climate Crisis.

Running from 4-5:30pm, the seminar will feature a conversation with Kildare county weather observers; artist Martina O’Brien; Dr Catherine O’Connell, Irish Peatlands Conservation Council; Dr Lisa Orme, co-director, MSc Climate Change, Geography & ICARUS; Prof Karen Till, Geography; and Lucina Russell, arts office, Co Kildare Council Arts Service.

The seminar will be followed by an exhibition launch of Quotidian, which runs from then until January 29, at MU Illuminations Gallery.

8 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 21 November 2019

Clondalkin to see 500 Accessibility focus Santas cycle week at TU Dublin

FASTNews

THE Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Cllr Vicki Casserly, will officially open National Accessibility Week 2019 in the foyer of TU Dublin Tallaght campus at 11am next Monday, November 25, along with Professor David Fitzpatrick, the president of TU Dublin.

In April, TU Dublin became the first Irish Higher Education Institute to receive a Recognition of Excellence trophy from the National Disability Authority, in celebration of a decade-long collaboration with their founding Institutions, and their commitment to the application of Universal Design.

National Accessibility Week 2019 is being launched in TU Dublin Tallaght Campus to highlight, and celebrate, the increased access that is now available on campus for disabled students.

Mayor Casserly said: “South Dublin County Council is strongly committed to equality, inclusion and providing facilities and services that are accessible to all. I would encourage everyone to get involved in the planned activities and to help make National Accessibility Week 2019 in our county a success.”

IRELAND’S biggest Santa Cycle takes place on Sunday, December 1 to once again raise funds for sick children.

Everyone is invited to take part in the Santa Cycle, now in its fifth year.

More than 500 people will be dressed as Santa as they leave Clondalkin Village at 5pm, before going through town, past the CHI at Crumlin (formerly Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital) and finishing in Clondalkin.

The Laurels Cycle Crew, who are arranging the cycle, won the charity event of the year at the Irish Healthcare Awards in 2016.

The cost is €30, which includes the Santa suit and Christmas lights.

Album aiming for a Christmas No 1 A CHRISTMAS album with a difference is aiming to claim the No 1 spot in the music charts this year. ‘Jingle Jangle’ is a collaboration between the SOLAS Workplace Choir and the Mountjoy Prison Inhouse Voices.

The album was launched last week at a special fundraising concert in Mountjoy. All proceeds from the concert and from sales of the album will go to Dublin Simon.

Jingle Jangle is available to buy for €10 in any Tower Records store or online at www.towerrecords.ie. The picture shows Eddie Mullins, governor of Mountjoy with Nikki Gallagher, director of communications and secretariat at SOLAS, and journalist Roisin Ingle, with the SOLAS Workplace Choir and the Mountjoy Prison Inhouse Voices.

Picture: MAXWELLPHOTOGRAPHY.IE

Man had sexual encounters with underage girls A SEPARATED man who had sexual encounters with three underage girls a year after he was caught with child pornography has had his sentence adjourned to next month.

David Masterson (54), who is originally from Tallaght but has been on remand in custody since September 2017, met the three girls through a teenage boy who had linked in with the victims on social media.

Detective Garda Colin McKiernan agreed with Paul Carroll SC, defending, that this teenage boy had gone online “ looking for sexual experiences for payment and roped these girls into this situation”.

One of these girls, who was 17 at the time, started a relationship with Masterson in February, 2016 and continued seeing him after she turned 18. The detective confirmed that there were multiple sexual encounters between Masterson and this girl during that time.

Masterson pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three charges of defilement on dates between February, 2016 and December, 2016 and charges of possession and distribution of child pornography on November 14, 2015.

He has one previous conviction for a road traffic offence.

Det Gda McKiernan told Garrett McCormack BL, prosecuting, that gardai were called to “an incident” during a New Year’s Eve party in December, 2016, which Masterson and some of the victims were attending, and an investigation was launched.

He said the girls later gave statements and confirmed that Masterson had sex with one of them while she was 17 years old and had engaged in oral sex with another girl when she was 15 years old.

The other girl confirmed that she and Masterson were in an ongo-

ing sexual relationship before she turned 18. There were no victim impact reports before the court.

Det Gda McKiernan confirmed that Masterson’s rented home was searched in November, 2015 following confidential information and a laptop was seized.

The court heard that 5,121 images were discovered on the laptop, 3,846 of which showed pre-teen boys and girls engaging in sexual activity with adult males.

Det Gda McKiernan said 196 videos were also found, 176 of which showed pre-teen boys and girls having sex with adult males, including one during which a child can be heard screaming while she was strapped down and raped.

Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case to December 20, this year, and ordered the preparation of both a psychological and a governor’s report for that date.

21 November 2019 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 9

CLONDALKIN: SERVICE FORCED TO CLOSE AFTER TRUCK RAMMED INTO DOORS

Centre forced to close after door rammed PADRAIG CONLON

A B U I L D I NG w h i c h hosts a specialised early years service for children in Clondalkin has been forced to close after a truck was rammed into its front doors.

Deansrath Family Centre in Clondalkin provides services for 50 children, many of whom have physical or intellectual disabilities.

Following a shocking truck-ramming incident at 7.30am on Monday, the centre has closed after the building was declared structurally unsound by the HSE.

Staff at the centre have been trying to find accommodation for essential family services, such as early years service (preschool, including hot meals), family support, play therapy, loss and bereavement counselling and safe space for separated families.

The Deansrath Centre, which provides support to families by offering art therapy, play therapy, family one-to-ones and family access service, has catered for support services hundreds of families in the Clondalkin area.

That is all now in jeopardy as the centre is closed.

Siobhan Feehan, chief executive of Deansrath Family Centre, said: “The attack on Deansrath has come as a terrible shock to all the staff and families who use the centre daily.

“We have never experienced any incident like this in the 20-odd years we have been here in Clondalkin.

“Luckily nobody was hurt, as at 7.30 in the morning – when the truck rammed the centre – children would have been coming here looking for their breakfast.

“We were already looking at fundraising for a new centre as we are full

HEALTH

Tallaght to help host EU games

at capacity in Deansrath but we will certainly be needing a new one now,” she added.

The HSE engineering department declared the building unsafe and gardai are investigating the attack.

A garda spokesperson told Dublin Gazette that the investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

They said: “Gardai are

The door and damage caused by the ramming incident

investigating a burglary incident that occurred at a premises on St Cuthbert’s Road, Clondalkin, on Monday November 11 at approximately 7:30am.

“Nothing was taken

f ro m t h e p re m i s e s, although there was significant damage caused to the building.

“No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.”

TALLAGHT Community School will be one of the Dublin venues that will host the 11th European Transplant & Dialysis Sports Championships, Dublin 2020.

Next year’s 2020 Championships will see transplant and dialysis athletes from more than 25 nations, ranging in age from 18 to more than 80 years old, descend on Dublin to celebrate life through sport.

Praising Dublin’s selection and venues for the upcoming games, Giuseppe Canu, the chairman of the organising committee for the previous Games held in Cagliari, Italy, said: “To add to our already inspiring Irish team, we hope that the games being held on home soil will attract lots of enthusiastic newcomers.”

10 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 21 November 2019

GALLERIES OF THE WEEK

Oliver Barrett, Owner Pamper YourSelf salon, Liana Kopeina, Viktorija Jonuskyte

Pamper yourself in Adamstown bd Claire Johnson

P

AMPER Yourself at Adamstown Hair & Beauty recently held an event night where all customers could have a professional consultation on the day with Victoria from Amber

Permanent Makeup, Laura from Academie Skin Products, Shona from GHD and Simone from Davines. Christmas Savings club is now open to help customers plan ahead for Christmas.

21 November 2019 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 11

Musical Society put on a show

H

AROLDS Cross Tallaght Musical Society (HXT) had full houses every night for their hilarious 2019 production Curtains at The Civic Theatre in Tallaght.

Gearoid McGauran

Arthur, Sarah and Gearoid McGauran

Charlene Masterson, Julie Donnelly and Catherine Lambe

HXT Male Chorus

Aoife Small and Dermot O’Callaghan

12 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 21 November 2019

FAMILIES: HARROWING FERTILITY JOURNEY LEADS TO APPEAL FOR PROMISED LEGISLATION

Calling for Irish fertility clinics to be regulated A DUBLIN MUM is calling for Irish fertility clinics to be regulated and for legislation, after going through her own harrowing fertility journey.

One in six couples worldwide face infertility, and every year the number of people referred to infertility centres increases by 8-9%, according to Fertility Europe.

Dublin mum Deirdre Donnelly, who is also Leas-Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, is sharing her story in the hopes to spread awareness about the need for controlled standards among fertility clinics, and to try and help people all over the city.

Speaking to Dublin Gazette, Cllr Donnelly said

when she was trying for a second baby with her husband, they realised there was a problem.

“I have been married for 21 years and have one son [David] who was born in 2004.

“I was working in RTE back in 2003, and went back to UCD to study for an MA on a fulltime basis.

“It was halfway through

the first college semester that I found out I was expecting David, which was totally unexpected, but a nice surprise.

“I continued with the studies which were very time-consuming and kept thinking that ‘next time round’ I would do the ‘nice things’ like shopping for baby clothes, pregnancy yoga, etc. Sadly, that never

happened.

“It was a few years after David was born that we were trying for ‘No 2’ and I realised that there was a problem.

“My consultant recommended exploratory surgery, and then an appointment with a fertility specialist.

“The first hurdle was getting an appointment with a clinic. This can take months. Treatment in Ireland is only available privately and there is a huge demand.

“I had my first appointment back in 2007. Each appointment included blood tests and scans and there was a high cost each time.”

Deirdre said she was given “false hope” by an Irish fertility clinic.

“We were told at the first consultation that there was a strong chance that we could have twins and were asked if we were happy with that.

“We of course were delighted. The assumption all the time was one where we were going to be successful.

“It was after many attempts with medication, self-injections, consultations, blood tests and scans as well as a painful surgery and recovery that I was told that I had only ever had a 3% chance of ever getting pregnant.”

Deirdre shared with us what it was like emotionally during that difficult time, and in the midst of it all, her mum passed away.

“You literally have to put everything on hold. When your treatment involves daily self-injections, your day is based around getting home, or wherever, to the fridge because the injections have to be kept in cold storage.

“My mum died in August 2009, I look back now and think I was up and down

Deirdre Donnelly

to the clinic all that time, when I could have been with my mum before she died.”

Deirdre feels that counselling should be offered as mandatory, and said: “There were days when I left the clinic in tears on my own and the staff saw the state I was in. Once again, there was no offer of counselling or support.”

Deirdre was told she had “secondary infertility” which she said, “is basically the inability to get pregnant after giving birth at least once previously.”

She added: “People can make comments as well. “Would you not try again?” “Is he not lonely?”

“It’s selfish to only have one child.”

During treatment, her husband had to travel within working hours to hand in his identification and sign for “permission” so Deidre could be prescribed medication.

On another occasion, she was refused treatment because the blood tests came back on the wrong headed notepaper.

Deirdre said it took her a decade before she could

open up about this, and it’s now she is sharing her story in the hopes of seeing the legislation change and fertility clinics regulated.

“It took about 10 years before I could really open up about it. I was upset at the time obviously and the whole experience was draining.

“I believe that if legislation was brought in, and that all clinics were regulated in the sense that they had the same standards and services, it would be better for all patients.”

Deirdre also highlighted that the cost of treatment is prohibitive to many since it is only available privately, and the cost of the drugs is high, which also needs to be addressed.

She concluded; “Legislation was promised years ago, and it is still not in place. I think that the Taoiseach and Minister for Health are letting the women of Ireland down badly.”

Dublin Gazette contacted the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, for comment but did not receive a reply by the time of going to print.

21 November 2019 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 13

14 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 November 2019

GIFT GUIDE: BAUBLE-ING OVER WITH IDEAS: ‘Tis the season to start

DUBLIN

thinking of presents for loved ones (or maybe even for yourself).

We’ve put together a great twopage spread with an awful lot of ideas – you’re sure to see a perfect gift for the special people in your life inside... Pages 18-19

MOTORING:

FESTIVE FARE AND FUN P21

MAGAZINE IMPRESSIVE: Volkswagen’s e-Golf takes the popular model and brings it bang up to date with some impressive features, with its e-features wowing even our experienced reviewer P21

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

A boost for all visuallyimpaired students ...

REBECCA RYAN

FOR the first time ever, students with a visual impairment and print disabilities will have access to more than 500,000 books and other materials, in the student’s preferred format.

The National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) has launched Bookshare Ireland, which is the country’s largest digital accessible library.

It will massively help students in higher and further education who have a visual impairment or print disabilities, and guarantees equity of access to the curriculum with their sighted peers.

Aoife Watson, a recent NUIM graduate with sight loss, explained how frustrating it was that the books she needed to study were not available in an accessible format, and what this new launch means to her.

She said: “I absolutely loved my time in university but it was extra challenging for me as the books I needed were simply not in an accessible format.

“It was so frustrating seeing how easy it was for other students to access the books that I couldn’t.

“I know if I had access to the books I needed when I needed them, I would have achieved a higher overall mark in my degree.

“Having Bookshare.ie will now revolutionise a student with visual impairment’s experience of third level, as being able to access a book at the same time as your classmates is essential to creating an inclusive experience.

“I am envious of them, yet feel I will return to do a master’s sooner than planned now because of Bookshare.ie.”

To register students for this new service, sign up at Bookshare.ie.

21 November 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 15

16 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 November 2019

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

BITS & BOBS

COOL AND QUIRKY THINGS

Heritage House, Dundrum, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240 Dublin Gazette Newspapers publishes four weekly quality free titles, covering the latest news, sport, entertainment and lifestyle from the four local authority areas of Dublin

Santa-stic fun!

C O N TA C T S Managing Director: Michael McGovern mmcgovern@dublingazette.com Commercial Director: Liz Ferris lferris@dublingazette.com Group Editor: Patrick Finnegan pfinnegan@dublingazette.com Deputy Group Editor & Travel Editor: Shane Dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@dublingazette.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile jmaile@dublingazette.com Picture Editor: Alison O’Hanlon picturedesk@dublingazette.com Online & Style Editor: Rachel D’Arcy rdarcy@dublingazette.com Advertising Sales:

01 - 6010240 sales@dublingazette.com

FIND US ON

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

AOIBHIN, Ailbhe and Doireann Garrihy are pictured unveiling An Post’s 2019 Christmas Stamp collection, with this year’s designs showing the charitable activities that mean the most to Irish people. The trio braved the chilly waters of Dublin Bay to help highlight Christmas Day swims – just one of the many ways people help charities, with funds from the Christmas stamps’ sales helping to support homeless services around the country. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

Anyone for a lovely Ice cream thief ‘Unicorn tail puppy’ isn’t gin and dung-ic? No? makes his cool a bit of a shaggy dog story A SOUTH African gin is being infused with elephant dung. The creators of Indlovu Gin, Les and Paula Ansley, came across the idea a year ago when they learnt that elephants eat a variety of fruits and flowers but digest less than a third of it.

Paula wife came up with the idea when she was on safari and learnt about how elephants digest. The couple, who are both scientists, said they’d give it a go and got to work figuring out the gin-making process.

The gin is named Indlovu, which means ‘elephant’ in the Zulu language

getaway on TV

A MAN attending a sports game was caught red-handed stealing an ice cream during a news report.

Fox Sports were reporting on Carolina Hurricanes’ 8-2 win over the Ottawa Senators in ice hockey.

As the reporter delivered his piece, a man in the background can be seen getting distracted, looking at his friend’s phone, while a fellow Hurricanes fan carefully lifts the ice-cream from his hands and gets stuck into the tasty treat.

The owner of the ice cream looked around to catch the thief, who fled into the crowd.

A LITTLE puppy – with a tail growing in the middle of his forehead – has become a viral sensation.

Rescue organisation Mac’s Mission in the States found the abandoned puppy, who was left out in the freezing cold and had a foot injury.

Named ‘Narwhal the Little Magical Furry Unicorn’ by the staff, he quickly gained a lot of fans when videos were uploaded onto Facebook.

The Missouri-based centre answered the question everybody wanted to know: “Does his tail wag

when he gets excited?”, and the answer was no!

The centre wrote: “The extra tail is not connected to anything and has no real use other than making him the COOLEST PUPPY EVER! “There is no real reason at this time for the unicorn tail to be removed (and we all wish it wagged).”

The staff will monitor the tail to make sure it doesn’t become a problem, and there will definitely be a long queue of people wanted to adopt Little Narwhal when he’s ready.

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

This week’s dog of the week is Kenneth, a very clever and playful twoyear-old Pit Bull Terrier boy who forms a strong bond with understanding and patient people.

He needs some time to build his trust and confidence so he is looking for an experienced adopter who will be willing to meet him multiple times.

Kenneth would love his ‘forever home’ to have a nicely sized and secure garden to frolic and play in.

Kenneth is a very smart boy and loves playing with interactive toys that put his clever mind to work. He loves food so he is happiest when doing food enrichment challenges and sniffing out treats.

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

Kenneth

 Q by Quiz bodysuit €33 and high-waisted vinyl trousers €33

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

  ned sequin Green s from dres H&M €39.99

No. 1 Jenny Packha m, Sequin Mini Wrap Dress from Debenhams €150

Ilac Centre  gets the Party Started!

 

HUNDREDS OF FABULOUS designer brands and high-street fashion favourites mean the serious style mavens are making a beeline for Dublin’s Ilac Centre, right now, ahead of the festive party season.

Plenty of sequins, satin and lace, in stunning seasonal colours, is set to dazzle shoppers, with party dresses, jumpsuits, sparkly bodies and slinky separates adding the glitz and glamour.

Fabulous footwear includes the essential strappy sandals and sling-backs in festive silver, gold and bronze metallic, while gorgeous accessories cover a spectrum from funky fun to seriously sophisticated!

All on one floor, in the heart of the city, Dublin’s Ilac Centre is a mecca for Christmas shoppers.

And now, the fabulous Christmas lights and tree animations add to the special seasonal feel.

Designer style at Debenhams includes highend labels such as Julien Macdonald, Jenny Packham, Jasper Conran and Phase Eight, with dazzling occasion-wear collections, and fabulous jewellery pieces by the likes of Jon Richard.

Quiz Clothing has also just launched a fabulous new collection that has every occasion covered for the party season and casual festive wear.

The gift of style this Christmas comes from River Island, with luxe dresses, the coolest co-ords and statement bags and shoes.

TKMaxx is the destination to bag a bargain in

amazing designer styles right across dresses, separates, jewellery, footwear and bags.

Dunnes Stores has all the family’s fashion needs covered including covetable new collections from Savida, Peter O’Brien, Lennon Courtney and Paul Costelloe, as well as ‘affordable embellishment’ with the all-new Gallery collection for Christmas.

Wearable on-trend style is the buzz at Gerard ladies fashion, where a phenomenal selection of dresses, separates and accessories in sizes 10-22 ensures something for all ages and personalities.

Catch Clothing has Christmas wrapped up for younger shoppers with teddy bear jumper dresses, funky satin bodysuits, faux fur and wetlook leggings, as well as luscious body-con party dresses and separates.

Desirable delights from Angel Paris include tops and dresses in metallic sequins, leather trousers and eye-catching festive footwear and accessories that are temptingly affordable.

From fabulous festive knits and cuddly nightwear for all the family, to backless lace dresses, H&M again delivers party wear to sizzle in as well as cosy comforts for casual Christmas wear.

Need advice from some of the Ilac Centre’s top stylists and sales assistants?

‘You can never go wrong with a sequined dress at Christmas time, and the classic little



black dress is always in fashion!’

‘Jumpsuits are the ultimate sassy party style this year!’

‘Mixing and matching glittery tops and skirts creates a new look every time, especially for budget conscious style mavens!’

‘A subtle but slinky slip midi dress; just add metallic heels and glitz accessories for the perfect Christmas party outfit.’

Party season is well and truly on and, whatever your style, the Ilac Centre in Dublin’s hottest Christmas shopping district has the look you’re after!

With entrances on Parnell Street, Henry Street and Moore Street, the Ilac Centre offers 70 great stores to browse this Christmas and over a dozen dining destinations.

The Centre is home to international retail brands for amazing fashion and gifting options like River Island, H&M and Argos, as well as Regatta, Diesel and Liverpool FC. It also has Dunnes Stores, Debenhams and TKMaxx as its biggest department stores.

 Q by Quiz Polka Dot Mini Dress €39

In the heart of the city, Dublin’s Ilac Centre is a mecca for Christmas shoppers. And now, the fabulous Christmas lights and tree animations add to the special seasonal feel.

18 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 November 2019

Celestial Stars bracelet, €79, Pandora Chupi Stars in the Sky disc necklace, €699, Powerscourt centre Wet n Wild Midnight Goddess Collection €14.95, pharmacies

Forever Livin

g Sonya skin

Tropical hair treatment, €24.99, The Kind Co

Vanity case, €19.99, Aldi

GADGETS

€96.87

Avene Hydrance kit, €34.50, pharmacies

Duet Diamond ring, €2950, Stonechat Jewellers

Sparking Wishbone bangle, €99, Pandora

(L-R) iFrogz Ear Bugs, Amazon.co.uk Braven BRV-Mini, Amazon.co.uk Mophie powerstation, €99, zagg.com Instax Mini 9, €80, Harvey Norman 2 in 1 Rotary shaver, €29.99, Aldi Instax SQ6, €115.99, Littlewoods Ireland Nespresso Vertuo Machine, €127.99, Littlewoods Ireland

care range,

Chill y The s wate rb Cons mas ciou ottle, € s Ch Stor rist 30, e -

E M O H R FO

FOR HOME (L-R): Caulfield country boards cheese paddle, €26.95, Kilkenny LEON Friends and Family cookbook, LEON Temple Bar Lindt Gold Selection Box, €15, supermarkets Cafetiere and coffee giftset, €30, Debenhams Butlers Chocolate Cookbook, €20, booksellers English Tea Shop ultimate tea collection, €17, Debenhams

Charlotte Tilbury Gift of Pillow Talk set, €32, department stores

21 November 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 19

OUR TOP PRESENT PICKS THIS CHRISTMAS

Tropical Cacao Detox Mask, €22.50, The Conscious Christmas Store

GIFT GUIDE

Vichy Neovadiol gift set, €38, pharmacies Silver and rose gold pendant, €370, Stonechat Jewellers Chupi solid gold huggies earrings, €739, Powerscourt Centre

Aromatherapy room spray, €15.50, The Kind Co

Light up mirror, €22.50, Penneys Rainbow stainless steel straws, €4, The Conscious Christmas Store

Drop earrings, Weir & Sons, €8220

GET READY FOR

gifting THEY’LL BE TICKLED PINK!  Rachel D’Arcy, Style Editor

ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE... the busiest shopping period of the year!

It can be tough to know what to buy for those you love the most, which is why we’ve compiled our Gazette gift guide full of items your loved ones will adore.

From sustainable gifts to gadgets and beyond, there’s something for everyone on offer in our guide.

Make Up Brush Cleaner Giftset, €26.99, Aldi

Essence Epic Sunset Palette, €11.99, pharmacies

Pocket Cup, €15.50, The Conscious Christmas Store

Soy Wax Candle €25, The Conscious Christmas Store

Chopard Happy Hearts bangle, €2695, Weir & Sons

20 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 November 2019

PART 3 OF 7

What is happening exactly with distressed loan sales at Irish Banks?

PADRAIG CONLON

IRISH banks have sold billions of euro in nonperforming debt in recent years, most of it secured on buy-to-lets or business debt.

AIB, Ulster Bank, Permanent TSB, BoI and KBC have all sold off non-performing loans to vulture funds for massive write downs not offered to borrowers.

Recent loan portfolio sales by AIB and Ulster Bank worth €700m and €800m, and Permanent TSB’s €3.7bn ‘Project Glas’ sale last year caught the attention of the public.

Now state-owned AIB is getting ready to offload thousands of distressed mortgages secured on family homes in a loan sale code named Project Birch.

This sale, which is being planned for early next year, is likely to be met with fierce opposition due to the fact that thousands of family homes will be at stake, a new departure for AIB which is 71% owned by the taxpayer.

They will be following in the footsteps of Ulster Bank and Permanent TSB who have already sold owner-occupier loans to investment funds earlier this year.

In a statement released recently AIB said they have “reduced non-performing exposures from €31 billion in 2013 to €4.7 billion.”

“The vast majority of the reduction in (non-performing exposures) has been achieved through working with customers,” they said.

“We remain focused on reducing non-performing exposures to more normalised levels.”

Just last week however the Central Bank criticised the countries five main lenders for being too quick to sell distressed mortgages to vulture funds instead of ‘putting customers first’ and restructuring the debts.

Speaking at the Banking and Payments Federation (BFPI) annual conference in Dublin, Deputy Central Bank Governor Ed Sibley said the financial regulator has had to put pressure on the banks to treat their customers fairly.

“On too many serious issues, be it tracker mortgages or to a limited extent in terms of Brexit prepara-

AIB is getting ready to offload thousands of distressed mortgages secured on family homes in a loan sale code named Project Birch

Deputy Central Bank Governor Ed Sibley

tions,” he said.

“The Central Bank has had to push retail banks and other financial institutions too hard over too long on too many of these issues in order for you to really put your customers first and make sure you continue to deliver.”

“Sustainable resolution of mortgage arrears has required determined and ongoing Central Bank

intervention to protect consumers’ interests.

“Your commitment to delivering for your customers must continue to extend to those that are in difficulty if you truly want to be considered trustworthy.

‘Banks need to engage with their customers in a sensible and proactive manner with a view to finding long-term solutions that work for both parties.

He criticised AIB, Bank of Ireland, KBC, Permanent TSB and Ulster Bank, saying good customer service ‘requires more than branding and marketing slogans’.

“The Central Bank does not have a preference for loan sales,” Sibley said.

“We have a preference

for sustainably reducing non-performing loans.

“There are multiple tools available, including: reengaging with borrowers, restructures, accounting write downs, mortgage to rent, engaging through the Insolvency Service, sales and securitisations and the legal process.

“Your commitment to delivering for your customers must continue to extend to those that are in difficulty if you truly want to be considered trustworthy.”

Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty, speaking in the Dail last week, also criticised the behaviour of Irish banks.

“Speaking at the Banking and Payments Federation, the deputy governor of the Central Bank, Mr. Ed

Sibley, said that Irish bankers were displaying echoes of pre-crisis arrogance,” Deputy Doherty said.

“My view is that it never left them and I am glad that the penny is dropping in the Central Bank.

“He went on to say the banks were hitting mortgage holders with double the interest rates needed for them to make a profit, that they were charging new customers between 2% and 3%, while in some cases existing and loyal customers were being charged almost double these rates, at 4.5%.

“It is complete discrimination.”

According to the Central Bank’s latest data, the number of mortgage accounts for principal dwelling houses (PDHs)

in arrears over 90 days was mainly unchanged in the second quarter of this year (Q2 2019) with a minor decline of 340 accounts.

This is the twentythird consecutive quarter of a fall in the number of accounts in this category.

“At the end-June 2019, there were 723,280 private residential mortgage accounts for principal dwellings held in the Republic of Ireland, with a value of €97.6 billion,” the report states.

“Of this total stock, 61,901 accounts were in arrears, representing a decrease of 933 accounts or 1.5 per cent over the quarter.

“Some 43,303 accounts (6.0 percent) were in arrears of more than 90 days.”

With regard to repossessions, the report reveals that during the second quarter of this year the Courts granted an order for repossession or sale of the property on 120 accounts.

221 properties were taken into possession by lenders during this time, up from 127 in the previous quarter.

233 properties were disposed of by lenders and as a result, lenders were in possession of 1,407 PDH properties at the end of June 2019.

Vulture funds are expected to acquire another €9bn worth of distressed Irish mortgages before this year is out.

The implications this will have for our society are frightening, both morally and economically.

21 November 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21

A GUIDE TO TEMPTING FARE

FOOD & DRINK

Rebel Whopper makes the big jump over to Ireland from the US FOLLOWING the popularity of their plantbased Impossible whopper in the US, Burger King have announced that Irish customers can now get a taste for themselves.

The Rebel Whopper – the Irish version of the US favourite – has been launched on Deliveroo.

The patty contains no beef whatsoever and is entirely plant-based.

Unlike the US version, the patty won’t be provided by plant food startup Impossible Burger, but the patties are under-

stood to be provided by food giant Unilever’s The Vegetarian Butcher.

Made from sustainable soy, wheat, vegetable oil, herbs and onion, the burger is flame-grilled in the traditional Burger King way.

It’s then topped with tomatoes, lettuce, mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles and onion on a sesame seed bun.

The burgers will be available in over 2,500 outlets across Europe, including Ireland.

Skerries deli scoops Just Ask Restaurant of the Month award

Yule love this taste of Dublin delicious festive fare and fun REBECCA RYAN

THE cold weather is setting in and, dare I say it, Christmas is just around the corner.

There’s nothing like a good food festival to get the festivities under way.

Taste of Dublin has announced its Festive Edition, which will make its mark as Ireland’s ultimate winter food festival right on our doorstep.

The four-day festival takes place in the RDS from November 28 to December 1, and the event includes celebrity chefs, Ireland’s best restaurants, cooking and baking demos, master-

classes, live entertainment and so much more to feast your eyes and taste buds on.

Taste of Dublin has truly contributed to the city’s flourishing food scene.

For 14 years, the festival has played a vital role in progressing Dublin’s food revolution, showcasing the range of eclectic restaurants, producers and chefs that make up the city’s vibrant culinary scene.

A truly unmissable Taste experience is the DID Electrical Chef ’s Theatre. Here, you’ll find Ireland’s top culinary talent as they slice and dice

their way through all our favourite festive recipes.

Ballymaloe favourites Rachel Allen and Rory O’Connell will chat with Erica Drum on how you can prep smartly for the festive season. Their tips and tricks will leave you stress-free and ready to relax in the festivities.

The incredible line up at The DID Electrical Chef’s Theatre also includes Adrian Martin, JR Ryall, Shane Smith, Nicola Curran, Brian McDermott, Patrick Ryan, Erica Drum, Sharon Hearne Smith, Paul Kelly, Jeeny Maltese, Aoife Noonan, Edward Hayden, Mark Moriarty, Graham Herterich, Holly

White, Lizzy L yons, Ciara Brennan, Alberto Rossi, Karan Mittal, Edward Hayden, Jack O’Keeffe and Ludovic Lantier.

For bread lovers, Patrick Ryan (Firehouse Bakery) will show you how to make your own sourdough.

Other things to enjoy are learning how to dress your table for the festivities, the best of Irish cheesemakers, tips about festive meats from craft butchers, learning about wine and learn how to make zero-waste this Christmas.

Tickets are now available at www.tasteofdub lin.ie.

OLIVE Deli & Cafe, Skerries, Co Dublin has been awarded Just Ask Restaurant of the Month for November.

Selected by renowned food writer Georgina Campbell and Bord Bia, the awards rewards eateries across Ireland that exhibit best practices in showing transparency in the sourcing of the food on their menus.

Established in the fishing port of Skerries in 2005, Peter and Deirdre Dorrit’’s specialist food shop and cafe has always showcased a carefully selected range of artisan produce from Ireland.

Georgina said: “Olive set the bar high

when opening in 2005 and, true to its original mission, it’s still championing artisan foods – and remains a must-visit daytime destination for food lovers visiting this charming seaside town today.”

Dunnes Stores scoops 34 awards with Simply Better DUNNES Stores scooped some more international kudos with wins at the prestigious 2019 International Great Taste Awards recently.

Established in 1994 and regarded as the Oscars of the food industry, the top awards saw the Dunnes Stores Simply Better collection win 34 awards.

This year almost 13,000 products were blind-tasted by a panel of more than 500 industry experts, including acclaimed chefs, restaurateurs and food critics.

Winning a 2-Star award for Simply Better was the exclusive 28 Day Matured Irish Angus Rib Roast on the Bone, produced by Tendermeats, based in Clondalkin.

The Simply Better Collection, which is Dunnes Stores’ premium food brand, is one of the most celebrated food labels in Ireland and has been awarded 135 Great Taste Awards since it was established in 2013.

Of that win, Diarmuid Murphy, Simply Better brand manager, said: “We are thrilled for this fan-

tastic product to be recognised internationally through these awards.

“Many of our award winners are new to the collection and this is really exciting for us. Feedback on these new additions from our customers throughout the country has been phenomenal and we are thrilled that the Great Taste judges agree.”

The award-winning products which are part of the Simply Better Collection are available in selected Dunnes Stores nationwide.

22 DUBLIN GAZETTE 21 November 2019

DUBLIN SENIORS

This week, we look at positive ageing, travelling for free in CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN! Northern Ireland and protective factors for dementia

What does positive ageing mean?

Towards a Dementia Friendly Ireland ACCORDING to figures from the HSE, nearly 50,000 people in Ireland are living with dementia, and every year another 4,000 are diagnosed – 11 new people every day.

There are also more than 50,000 people in Ireland who are caring for someone with dementia – and a great multiple of that when counting all of their wider family and social networks.

By 2036, the number of people living with dementia will have increased to over 100,000.

While the experience of Dementia as a progressive illness is a challenge which must be faced by many, we know that developing a greater sensitivity in our communities and society to the needs and challenges of people with dementia and their loved ones can act as a support, in what is a very difficult and often isolating time.

Increased knowledge and understanding could also support people to feel less fear of diagnosis, seek advice and help at an earlier stage, improving their experience and increasing inclusion.

In our community, the lack of understanding and information, combined with stigma, leads to: Avoidance of people with dementia and their families, Assumptions about lack of ability to take part in normal life, Exclusion from community living and diminished quality of life for people with dementia and their family.

In our own lives, there are many steps that can be taken to help maintain our health and wellbeing, including helping to prevent the development of dementia.

The following are protective factors for dementia, but also many other debilitating chronic illnesses: Self-care, Being physically active, Keeping a healthy weight, Maintaining good mental health and wellbeing, Not smoking, Good brain health and lifelong learning.

POSITIVE ageing refers to a holistic individual, community and ‘wholeof-government’ approach to changing attitudes towards ageing.

Particular emphasis is based on the life course approach, highlighting that ageing policy and practice is an issue for all ages and sectors of society.

In order to help better inform policy responses to population ageing in Ireland, the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative (HaPAI) has been established.

The HaPAI is a collaborative partnership involving the HSE Health and Wellbeing Division, the Department of Health, the Atlantic Philanthropies and Age Friendly Ireland, with all partners recognisng the value of undertaking research to improve and maintain the health and wellbeing of older people.

The Health Service Executive (HSE), Health and Wellbeing Division has published a ‘Healthy and Positive Ageing for All’ Research Strategy. The purpose of the Research Strategy is to support and promote research that

aims to improve people’s lives as they age.

The HSE has awarded a multidisciplinary team of researchers, practitioners and policy makers led by Professor Catherine Woods from the University of Limerick just under half a million euros to undertake a community-based research study

aimed at increasing levels of physical activity in adults over 50 years of age in Ireland.

The funding was awarded under the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative (HaPAI), which is a co-funded programme between The Atlantic Philanthropies, the HSE and the Department of Health

to support the development and use of evidence informed decision making at all levels of planning, to deliver the objectives of the National Positive Ageing Strategy.

The team’s vision is that adults over 50 years in Ireland will live a more active and healthy lifestyle as a result of being part of the

study entitled “‘Move For Life’: An evaluation of a peer mentoring intervention designed to cascade and consequently up-scale existing programmes to help inactive people over 50 years old become more active”.

Please visit the Move For Life website at www. moveforlife.ie.

Senior SmartPass for travelling in Northern Ireland WE all know that people over the age of 66 can avail of the free travel pass in the Republic of Ireland, but what about travelling to Northern Ireland?

The All Ireland Free Travel Scheme allows a Free Travel cardholder (those aged 66 and older) to travel free of charge on all bus and rail services within Northern Ireland using a Senior Smartpass card.

Similarly, Northern Ireland Senior Smartpass holders are entitled to travel for free on services in Ireland using their existing Senior Smartpass.

If your Free Travel Card allows you to be accompanied by a spouse, civil partner or

cohabitant or companion, they may continue to travel with you for free on cross-border journeys, but they cannot accompany you for free on public transport within Northern Ireland.

Free Travel cardholders wishing to avail of the All Ireland Free Travel scheme within Northern Ireland must first get a Senior SmartPass card.

To get a Senior SmartPass card you must fill in an application form (FTNI1). It is not possible to get this form online.

To get a form you must contact your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

The application form must be filled in with

black ink only and returned in person (not posted) to your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

You must bring the following items with your application form to your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office: • Your current Free Travel Pass/Public Services Card and • Evidence of your address, (for example, a gas, electricity, phone bill or bank statement) • Evidence of your identity, (for example, your driving licence, passport or another form of photo identification) and • A recent passport standard colour photograph.

21 November 2019 DUBLIN GAZETTE 23

CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN...JUST FOR FUN!

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21 November 2019 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 27

BASKETBALL P28

THE BEST IN DUBLIN

SPORT

SEVENTH HEAVEN LADIES FOOTBALL: DUBLIN picked up seven awards at the TG4 Ladies Football All-Stars at the Citywest Hotel, including Thomas Davis duo Siobhan McGrath and Olwen Carey Midfielder McGrath was also named as ‘Senior Players Player of the Year’ on the night, while Ballyboden St. Enda’s and Galway’s Sinead Burke claimed an All-Star.



GAZETTE

SOCCER P28

PAGE 32

LET DUBLIN GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS INFORM YOU OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AND SCORES OF YOUR FAVOURITE TEAMS RUGBY | LEINSTER UP AND RUNNING WITH BONUS POINT

Blue brigade coming back to full strength  sport@dublingazette.com

GARRY Ringrose helped himself to a hat-trick in Leinster Rugby’s fivetry 33-19 Heineken Champions Cup win over Benetton Rugby at the RDS Arena.

The Ireland star touched down twice inside the first 14 minutes, sandwiching a Dean Budd effort, and Ronan Kelleher marked his European debut with a try on the half-hour mark as last season’s runners-up opened up a 19-7 interval lead.

A crowd of 15,080 watched Leinster captain Johnny Sexton convert his own bonus point try, but Hame Faiva hit back to keep the pressure on. Man-of-the-match Ringrose cut inside a 68th-minute tackle to notch his first career hat-trick, before Luca Sperandio claimed a late consolation score.

For Leinster coach Leo Cullen, he was well aware it was far from a flawless performance, but that is to

be expected given this was the first appearance of the season for many of the World Cup players.

“Off the back of what those guys have been through, it’s like starting their season all over again,” he said after the victory. “It’s round one for us as an entire squad and we do have a couple more guys still to appear.

Overall, we are pleased. We knew it wouldn’t be perfect; it was far from it but we got the job done.”

His side will now travel to Lyon to try and back up the result. It is a similar schedule to last season when Leinster won their first group game before losing in France at Toulouse.

“Can we be better than this time last year? That’s the kind of question we ask ourselves. That’s the challenge because we are not fully up and running with this group yet.

“There was good intent from the players. We started the game well and knew Treviso would give us a good physical challenge and they

Leinster’s James Ryan tackled by Benetton’s Pierre Brousset. Picture: Martin Doherty

did it well. Our guys fought back well and took our chances late on in the first half. We had a decent lead and Jonny scored that brilliant try early in the second half.

“Maybe we thought the job was done at that stage with the four tries, but we knew Treviso would come back – we have seen it on numerous

occasions.

“So, you have to give them a lot of credit for the way they fight on in games and they made life very difficult for us.

“Overall, we got the win, the bonus point and we move on to a totally different challenge next week against Lyon.”

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  WEST 21 November 2019

CLUB NOTES

ROUND

2 1

SOCCER: LOCAL DUO TASTE GLORY WITH PROVINCIAL TEAM The Leinster Under-15 schoolgirls side

LUCAN SARSFIELDS BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S la WELL done to to the ourJunior seniorAfootballers on reaching the League final with a win over Lucan at the weekend.

Congrats to our club player Sinead Burke on winning her second all star with the Galway Ladies Footballers.

All roads lead to Mullingar on Sunday 24th of November where our Senior Footballers will face Garrycastle of Westmeath in the Leinster Semi Final at 1.30pm.

Hard Luck to our U21 footballers falling to Cuala in the Championship Semi Final at the weekend.

Well done to all those involved in the Boden Theatre Group on their sold out musical production of “50 Shades Of Boden” last week.

As Ballyboden St Enda’s 50th Gala Gathering Celebration approaches why not find out more from some players, mentors and members who have contributed to the club’s success.

Log on to www.ballyboden.ie and check out our social media pages to find out more from our Fifty from 50 profiles.

Join us to celebrate 50 years of Boden on Friday 29th of November for our Gala Gathering in the Citywest Hotel - Contact Liam Deane for enquiries on 087 6471121.

There was no winner of this week’s Ballyboden St Enda’s Lotto - This week’s jackpot is €14,000.

The numbers drawn were 8, 5, 6, 18

LUCAN SARSFIELDS CHAMPIONS –A massive well done to our U15A hurlers, who captured the 15a Championship title in Abbottstown yesterday, beating rivals Kilmacud Crokes 0-15 to 0-09, a great team performance, well done to Cathal Doody on his man of the match performance, and to the management team of Colm Farrell, Lenny McSweeney, John Kennedy, Anthony Doody and Matt McCaffrey.

FOLLOWING defeat to A good Naomh O win as well on Saturday for our U21 footballers, resources were stretched with the AFL1 semi-final the next day but again the team showed great character to grind out the win. Unfortunately the Senior footballers lost out by 6 away to Ballyboden in the Semi-Final. The Minor A Camogie game was postponed; Minor C bounced back from an opening day loss to record a good win vs Commercials.

On Saturday at 2pm in O’Toole Park, the U21A team contest the County Final vs NaFianna.

The Club’s AGM will be held THIS THURSDAY 21st November.

Lucan Healthy Club are organising a “Moustaches and Music for Movember” so please Save the Date – 30th November , we are of course looking for more volunteers for this worthy cause, funds raised will go to the Marie Keating Foundation. Come on Lads let’s get involved.

Also the 30th November the Lucan Healthy Club presents – COMPLETE MADNESS! Tickets on sale here ; don’t be disappointed; get your ticket ASAP, ONLY €10 We will be again holding the Christmas Craft Fair this year, it will be on held on Saturday 14th December in conjunction with out Academy Christmas Party. If interested in a stall contact Jackie Foley 086 6776122 or jackiefoley10@gmail.com Tá athrú dáta ann do Scór na nÓg Áth Cliath. Beidh Scór na nÓg Átha Cliath ar tarlú anois ar an Domhnach 1 Nollag (01/12/2019) idir 3-5 i gclub theach CLG Fingallians. Má tá eolas breise uait is féidir teagmháil a dhéanamh le Cóilín Ó Cearbhaill coilinoc@gmail. com nó ar 086 8599 067 le tuilleadh eolais a fháil.

ROUND TOWER, CLONDALKIN

Fleming and Stapleton in Leinster interpro success

U-15 GIRLS INTERPROS

 sport@dublingazette.com

LUCAN Community College’s Aoibhe Fleming and Palmerstown CS’s Jessie Stapleton were both part of the Leinster Under-15 schoolgirls side that maintained their phenomenal record in the Under-15 interpros with a stunning performance in the AUL Complex, Clonshaugh.

On match day one, Larkin CC’s Leah Tighe’s rocket nine minutes from time set up the defending champions nicely against Connacht, winning out 1-0 to Dom Coll’s crew.

Ringsend College’s Abbie Larkin was named player for the match her performance in a really enjoyable test for both teams which may have merited a draw over the 60 minutes.

It was honours even in the second game of the evening with Munster and Ulster finishing one apiece.

The Saturday afternoon fixtures saw Leinster claim the two points over Ulster. Tighe had her initial strike hit off the crossbar but Larkin was on hand to tap in at the far post on 17 minutes.

Their lead was dou-

bled ten minutes from time when an audaciously high ball in the box was deemed to have crossed the line from an Eve O’Brien attack.

Castleknock CC’s Tara O’Hanlon was the recipient of the player of the match following her dynamic performance.

It meant the side only required a draw in the tie to see them victorious.

A goal in each half was enough to see off title contenders Munster in a really entertaining contest.

Larkin hit the back of the net with 11 minutes played when Aoife Kelly played a lovely ball to

the feet of the Ringsend grad, who latched onto it from outside the box.

Daniel Ellison’s side extended their lead nine minutes into the restart with O’Brien showing some fancy footwork with both feet to slot past the diving Munster shot-stopper from distance.

Munster were plagued with injuries but kept looking for an elusive goal to bring them back into contention. However, Leinster’s defence were alert to the challenge and smartly saw the game out to ensure a worthy victory in the end.

As well as provincial honours this weekend, there could be more celebrations for the players involved.

T h e i n te r n a t i o n a l management staff use this tournament as the key recruiting tool for their Republic of Ireland Schools selection.

Following the tournament, an extended panel will be invited back for trial on Saturday, November 30 in FAI HQ, Abbotstown.

The 68 players lined out this weekend will be hoping for a call-up in a fortnight’s time as Berkeley’s title defence will be on the line.

Templeogue’s mixed fortunes GRIFFITH College Templeogue secured a key win at the weekend, running out 75-58 point winners over Phoenix Rockets in Dublin in women’s basketball’s National Division One. Morgan O’Donnell was the stand out for Templeogue on the night, scoring 23 points, with Lynn Tunnah again very impressive for the Dublin outfit. Rockets kept right with them in the first half, thanks to Rachel Kehoe and Kayonna Lee, but Templeogue had too Templeogue’s women enjoyed a strong vic- much fire power in the end. tory over Phoenix Rockets. Picture: Rolf Stenberg On the men’s side, it wasn’t good news

for Griffith College Templeogue who were stunned by Moycullen on Saturday evening, running out five point winners over the Dubliners in Galway.

The Dubliners still had the edge going into the last, 54-58, but Moycullen were in sharpshooting form, with Grant Olsson, Kyle Cunningham and underage international stars James Connaire and Paul Kelly running home some big scores to edge the victory, 75-70, and leave Templeogue still without a road win so far this season.

21 November 2019 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 29

SOCCER: COMEBACK KINGS SECURE THREE-GOAL VICTORY OVER SWEDEN IN TALLAGHT

Ireland 21’s deliver home win The Republic of Ireland Under 21’s came from behind to deliver a 4-1 win over Sweden at Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday night.

UNDER 21 SOCCER INTERNATIONAL Republic of Ireland 4 Sweden 1  DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

MILLBROOK LAWNS’ Stephen Kenny saw his Ireland under-21 side score four second-half goals to produce a stunning 4-1 comeback victory over Sweden at Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday night.

Goals from Lee O’Connor, Adam Idah, Troy Parrott and Zack Elbouzedi saw Ireland turn around a half-time deficit to maintain their three-point lead at the top of their Euro 2021 qualifying group.

Viktor Gyokeres had handed Sweden a shock early lead and Ireland were outplayed in the first 45 minutes but some key half-time

changes swung the momentum of the game.

Captain Jayson Molumby and defender Conor Masterson withdrew at the break with injury and were replaced by Connor Ronan and Liam Scales, and the former bagged two assists.

The result leaves Ireland three points ahead of Italy, albeit with two more games played, as they took maximum points from the back-to-back games with Armenia and Sweden.

The prospect looked somewhat more remote at the break after Gyokeres outmuscles O’Connor wide on the left and cut inside Masterson before curling past a helpless Gavin Bazunu.

Ireland were a different side in the second half, however, and lev-

elled within four minutes of the restart as Celtic full-back O’Connor finished spectacularly from Idah’s pass.

The 19-year-old, who got an assist on his senior international bow against New Zealand last week, continued his run into the box before rattling the back of the net.

Just past the hour, Ireland took the lead as Idah got on the end of an Elbouzedi cross from the right and finished calmly.

Parrott netted his fourth goal in four under-21 games – having been in the senior squad for the draw with Denmark the night before – 16 minutes from time.

Ireland broke and the lively Ronan played the Spurs man into space wide on the left, and the

Zefi on target for Irish U15’s UNDER 15

INTERNATIONAL SOCCER Republic of Ireland 2 Poland 1  DAVE DONNELLY sport@dublingazette.com

SHAMROCK ROVERS player Kevin Zefi scored a stunning solo goal as the Republic of Ireland under-15s edged out their Polish counterparts in the first of two friendlies between the sides in

Galway.

Cork City defender Cathal Heffernan – the son of Olympians Rob and Marian – doubled Ireland’s lead early in the second half before Marcel Szymanski pulled one back to set up a tense finish.

J a s o n D o n o h o e ’s side began the game the brighter and went close in the early stages through captain James McManus of Bohemians/

St Kevin’s Boys.

It took until just past the half hour for Ireland to break the deadlock, but it was a goal worth waiting for courtesy of the tricky winger Zefi.

Zefi picked the ball up inside his own half and played a swift one-two with Caden McLaughlin of Malaga and glided through two challenges before calmly rolling the ball past the goalkeeper.

Heffernan doubled

I re l a n d ’s a dv a n t a g e five minutes after the resumption, as Luke O’Brien’s free kick was only half-cleared and Rovers’ Sam Curtis headed across goal for the Corkman to stab home.

The final half-hour saw a debut for Rocco Vata, son of the former Albania captain and Celtic defender Rudi as Ireland saw the game out comfortably.

prolific striker cut inside before picking out the bottom corner with a fine finish.

And Ronan was the provider once more for the clincher as he found space near the byline, lifted his head and picked

out Elbouzedi for an easy tap-in.

“It was an incredible second-half performance and the team deserves a huge amount of credit,” said Kenny after the match.

“The way we respond-

ed after the break was fantastic to see and I’m delighted the players got their reward for fantastic team performance. It was a fantastic camp with six points across the two games.”

30 DUBLIN GAZETTE  WEST 21 November 2019

ROUND

CLUB NOTES

2

ST PAT’S, PALMERSTOWN OUR ANNUAL General Meeting is on this Wednesday evening in the Clubhouse at 8pm. Members are asked to attend.

Deceased members of St Patrick’s GAA will be remembered at mass in St Philomena’s Church on Saturday evening at 6pm. All are invited to attend.

We had a great night in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel for our Dinner Dance and Club Awards. Our thanks to guest speaker, Dublin footballer James McCarthy, who presented the awards. Thanks also to the events committee – Gill, Eileen, Gemma and Diane, Darren Kinsella for taking care of the photographs, and to our invited guests and sponsors.

Presentations were made to our senior camogie team, with player of the year awards to Ciara Gaff - senior camogie, Rob Shannon – junior football, Aidan Galligan – senior hurling, and Mark O’Leary – senior football.

Awards were also made to Maree O’Toole, Lisa Fogarty and James Brennan in respect of their contribution to the club over many years. Club President, Andy Slater, presented a posthumous award to the family of John Flynn, our former chairman.

Hard luck to our U15, U16 and minor footballers who lost out to stronger opposition at the weekend. A special mention for the minor footballers and their managers who did very well to get to a county final. Hopefully these players will enjoy better days in the future.

THOMAS DAVIS THIS week’s Lotto No’s 2,8,10 & 22.Jackpot not won. Next Week’s Jackpot €10,000.

Saturday 30th November academy Christmas party takes place in the Club Hall., with special guest Santa Claus arriving at 10.00. Congratulations to Ciara, Olwen and Siobhan on winning the Philip Preston sports award at the Tallaght Pearson of the Year Award. Congratulations to our other Club nominees in this category Geraldine Peggs (Camogie), Paula McGuigan (ladies football), Eoin, Brian + Bren Kirby (senior football) and Thomas Davis GAA club as a whole.

An upcoming fundraiser for the O’Neill Family Medical Fund in Ahernes pub on Friday 22nd Nov. Looking for lads to volunteer for a head shave or leg wax, sponsorship cards will be available shortly for anyone taking part, Cards are available in the Club. Any players who wish to participate contact Colin Browne 086 207 7773. Many of our club members and players are taking part in this fundraiser. A go

fund me page for the event has already been created and has reached over €16k to date, massive support from club members and all local community.

Anybody is welcome on the function and if any businesses or to anyone who can donate a prize for the raffle please contact Mary Hoey, Carmel McGinty, Ali Johnston or Colin Brown. It promises to be a great night to celebrate Dylan’s life and to support Serena and the O’Neill family. Donations can be made online.

Players Presentation Night takes place on Saturday 30th November. Details from Colin Browne. Tickets are now available for the Christmas Double Up Draw. Tickets €20 each available from Kevin Lydon 087 633 8227.

Commiserations to the Minor Football Team (pictured) and their Management who were defeated by Castleknock on a 2.16 to 0.16 score line in the Minor A Championship Final on Sunday last.

GARDA/WESTMANSTOWN EXCELLENT week for the club with the announcement of the 2020 Sports Capital Grants and the allocation of over €60,000 to help with upgrading of facilities at Westmanstown.

This funding will allow the club to further develop for the benefit of both Garda Siochana members and the local community in the Westmanstown area.We now field teams from nursery to adult in football,hurling,ladies football and camogie and we look forward to welcoming new members of all ages and grades for the new season in 2020.

Some excellent results on the playing field last weekend with three of our teams reaching finals as the season draws to a close.U21s beat Good Counsel 6-18 to 0-06 to get to their championship final,U16 Boys beat Na Fianna by a point 1-15 to 3-08 to also get to their championship final,and Minor Ladies qualified for their Shield Final beating O Tooles by 6-14 to 1-06.U14 Boys lost away to Scoil Ui Chonaill but have a chance to make amends next weekend against St Anne’s.U11 Girls played their last match of the season against Skerries Harps last Saturday.Well done to the 36 girls involved, their coaches and parents on a great season.

Two important dates coming up are the Club AGM on Monday November 25th in Westmanstown at 8.00.PM and the Club Annual Dinner and Awards Night also in Westmanstown on Saturday Decembet 7th.

GAELIC FOOTBALL : 15 CLUBS REPRESENTED

‘Boden and Davis players in line for Dubs Stars awards  CÓILÍN DUFFY

sport@dublingazette.com

PL AYERS from Dublin Senior 1 Football Champions Ballyboden St. Enda’s and beaten finalists Thomas Davis, along with St. Jude’s and Lucan Sarsfields are among those that feature strongly in the list of nominees for the 2019 Dublin Bus Dubs Stars Football selection which was revealed on Tuesday.

Ballyboden, who have been unbeaten in League and Championship this year, and contest the AIB Leinster Club SFC semifinal against Westmeath side Garrycastle this Sunday; have 13 players nominated.

Thomas Davis also feature strongly, with 11 players from the Kiltipper Road side in contention for awards, after reaching their first Senior 1 Championship final since 1991 earlier this month.

For Ballyboden, keeper Darragh Gogan; fullbacks Shane Clayton, Bob Dwan and Cathal Flaherty; and half-backs

Aran Waters, Robbie McDaid and Daragh Nelson are nominated in defence.

Both Michael Darragh Macauley and Declan O’Mahony are included among the eight nominees at midfield.

Up front, half-forwards, Colm Basquel and Darren O’Reilly; and on the full-forward line Ross McGarry and Ryan Basquel are short-listed.

For Thomas Davis, Robert Crilly is among the four nominees for the goalkeeper berth.

Adam Fallon, Brian Kirby and Aaron Shorten are short-listed in the full-back line.

Cian Murphy is the only half-back from Thomas Davis shortlisted, with Ryan Deegan and Brendan Kirby in contention at midfield.

Upfront, Eoin Kirby, S h a n e Mc G ra t h a n d David Keogh are among the half-forward nominees.

Ciaran Farrelly is the lone Thomas Davis nominee in the full-forward line.

HEART CARE JOY Mrs. Brown’s Boys & FAI expand programme MRS. BROWNS’S BOYS and the FAI have announced the latest phase of their innovative Heart Care programme as it enters its second year in operation, helping to protect children and adolescents from Sudden Cardiac Death. Mrs. Brown’s Boys have committed €430,000 over six years to the programme which has been developed under the guidance of FAI Medical Director, Dr Alan Byrne. Picture: SPORTSFILE

Brian Kirby is one of 11 Thomas Davis players nominated for a Dubs Star. Picture:Niall O’Connell/ @KnockPhotos

St. Jude’s defenders Ciaran Fitzpatrick, Chris Guckian and Tom Lahiff are also in contention for awards, as are midfielder Kieran Doherty, and forwards Mark Sweeney, Diarmuid McLoughlin and Kevin McManamon from the Templeogue

side.

Lucan Sarsfields clubman Brendan Gallagher is among those in contention on the half-forward line.

A total of 15 clubs are represented among the list of 60 nominees.

21 November 2019 WEST  DUBLIN GAZETTE 31

GAELIC FOOTBALL: FANTASTIC BALLYBODEN STETCH UNBEATEN RUN Cathal Flaherty in action for Ballyboden.

St. Enda’s in their AFL1 Semi-final win over Lucan Sarsfields.

Picture: John Kirwan

Ballyboden book a league final berth AFL DIVISION 1 SEMI-FINAL Ballyboden St. Enda’s Lucan Sarsfields sport@dublingazette.com

2-12 2-6

BALLYBODEN St Enda’s kept their winning run rolling as they reached the All-County Football League Division 1 final, with a six-point home semi-final win over Lucan Sarsfields at Páirc Uí Mhurchú on Sunday.

It keeps the Firhouse side in strong form, as they extended their unbeaten run to 23 games in both Championship and league in 2019, ahead of their AIB Leinster senior championship semifinal next Sunday at TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar at 1.30pm.

With a lot of first team players not available due to injury or being rested, the depth of the Boden squad was tested. Tom Hayes took over the frees from the left and had a point on the board from a free in the first minute.

Lucan replied with two points from play in the seventh and 19th minutes with Brendan Galllagher and Harry Ladd on target, before Warren Egan

restored parity a minute later.

While scores were hard to come by in the first 20 minutes, the next 10 were more generous. Lucan went four points up with a goal and a point in the space of two minutes.

Corner-forward Brendan Gallagher was Lucan’s top-scorer overall, and delivered a well placed goal.

This was certainly putting it up to the home team and they duly responded.

Cavan man Hayes scored twice from frees, but Lucan got one back from a free as Gallagher added to his tally.

Then three points in a row from play from the versatile Conal Keaney, Hayes and Alan Flood brought the sides level as the half time whistle blew, on a 0-7 to 1-4 score-line.

The second half started with Ross McGarry and Collie Basquel coming off the bench.

McGarry popped over a point after five minutes followed quickly by Flood when he fisted over.

Egan then powered his way through the defence and finished to the back of the net.

Collie Basquel converted two frees to put Boden seven points ahead approaching the mid-way point of the half, on a 1-11 to 1-4 score-line.

The visitors got a point back and were awarded a penalty which they duly converted with Gallagher again finding the back of the net, to bring Boden’s advantage back to three points.

The home team were then awarded a penalty but they didn’t manage a goal from it, as Warren Egan popped over for a point.

Lucan cancelled this out to leave just three points between the sides.

With time running out, and the home goalmouth under pressure, the ball was cleared to Kieran Kennedy who carried the ball up the right wing.

He spotted Keaney all alone in front of goal and duly found him. Although he was being tackled by a Lucan defender, the former Dublin star managed to get a shot off past the goalkeeper to put six points between the sides and the final whistle sounded shortly afterwards.

This was a match that gave some of the extended panel members an oppor-

tunity to show management that they were available for selection for the Leinster semi-final.

Many of the players put their hands up, none more so than Cian Murray at corner back.

Ahead of Sunday’s last-four provincial tie, Ballyboden St. Enda’s will be weighing up their options, with Dubs Stars nominee Michael Daragh Macauley making a five-minute cameo in their quarter-final win over Newtown Blues.

Macauley suffered concussion a week previously in Boden’s Dublin final win over Thomas Davis.

There’s also concerns over Aran Waters, who picked up a knock in the win over the Louth champions last time out.

Keaney has also had injury concerns this year, but performed well in the league semi-final win last weekend.

Ballyboden’s 2016 All-Ireland winning captain Darragh Nelson didn’t feature in the Drogheda encounter.

Sunday’s semi-final will be broadcast live from Mullingar on TG4.

FOOTBALL

Davis denied minor A crown by Knock THOMAS Davis were denied the Minor A football championship title by Castleknock on a 2-16 to 0-16 scoreline in an enthralling final at O’Toole Park.

The Somerton side produced a stunning last quarter to outscore their opponents 1-6 to 0-1 during that crucial period to secure victory. There were several of this year’s Dublin minor footballers on display and one of them, Senan Forker, sealed victory for Castleknock with his injury time goal.

Two of his other Dublin team-mates, Luke Swan and Conor Murray, played leading roles for the eventual winners with Swan kicking 1-2 and Murray tallying 0-4 from play.

In the opposing corner was the deadly accurate Fionn Murray, Dublin minor’s topscorer this summer, and his personal haul of 0-10 (0-6f, 0-1 ‘45’), brought the Kiltipper Road side to the brink of victory.

Davis trailed 1-9 to 0-7 before the Tallaght side hit five points in-a-row to draw the game, 1-9 to 0-12.

Fionn Murray kicked four of these scores, three from frees, with Kevin Mullarkey also on target for the Tallaght outfit.

But typical of this dramatic duel there were further twists with Luke Swan, Ronan McCann and Conor Murray on target with Conor Chawke hitting three points.

Deep in added time Chawke fed the marauding Forker who applied the killer goal and seal victory for Castleknock.

GazetteSPORT NOVEMBER 21-27, 2019

ALL OF YOUR WEST DUBLIN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31 33-39

DUBS STARS NOMINEES REVEALED GAELIC FOOTBALL: Ballyboden St.

Enda’s and Thomas Davis dominate the Dubs Stars Football nominees list SEE P13

BODEN BRILL GAELIC FOOTBALL: Ballyboden

St. Enda’s kept their unbeaten streak in 2019 going with a D1 League semi-final win over Lucan Sarsfields SEE P31

KENNY’S 21S DELIVER SOCCER: Stunning

4-1 win, as Ireland 21’s come from behind to deliver against Sweden SEE P29

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Davis duo win Ladies Football All-Stars  CÓILÍN DUFFY

sport@dublingazette.com

THOMAS Davis celebrated on the double on Saturday night as Dublin Ladies Footballers Siobhán McGrath and Olwen Carey picked up awards at the TG4 Ladies Football All-Stars, not too far from home at the Citywest Hotel in Saggart.

It was an extra-special night for McGrath who also claimed the ‘Senior Players Player of the Year’ award, as All-Ireland Senior Champions Dublin picked up the biggest number of All-Stars on the night with Seven awards.

Three of Dublin’s AllStars came on the halfforward line with Clann Mhuire’s Carla Rowe; Niamh McEvoy from St. Sylvester’s and Skerries Harps player Lyndsay Davey picking up awards.

28-year old McEvoy was honoured with an All-Star for the first time, but wasn’t present on the night due to her Aussie Rules commitments.

Davey picked up her fifth All-Star, following awards in ‘05, ‘14, ‘15 and ‘18.

A l o n g w i t h C a rey, Niamh Collins and Sinead Goldrick also claimed awards in defence.

13 Dublin players were shortlisted for awards, with St. Brigid’s goalkeeper Ciara Trant; Kilmacud Crokes trio Éabha Rutledge, Aoife Kane and Lauren Magee; along with Cuala’s Martha Byrne in contention.

Galway and Bally-

Dublin footballers and Thomas Davis club members - Olwen Carey, left, with her TG4 All Star award and Siobhan McGrath with her TG4 All Star award and TG4 Senior Player’s Player of the Year award during the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football All Stars banquet, in association with Lidl, at Citywest Hotel in Saggart on Saturday.

“The amount of effort that everyone puts in

throughout the year, and to just get this honour at the end of it is a great achievement. boden St. Enda’s player Sinead Burke was also honoured with her second All-Star in defence, and was one of four Galway winners on the night.

“I’m extremely honoured to win this award, and thanks to everybody. I’m representing the girls that I play with - the Dublin girls, and the management of this unbelievable set-up. I’m just extremely honoured to get this,” McGrath said on stage after collecting

her ‘Senior Players’ Player of the Year’ award.

“It puts the icing on the cake on a great season. Girls up here have had. They are absolutely fantastic footballers.

The amount of effort that everyone puts in throughout the year, and to just get this honour at the end of it is a great achievement.

“Too be fair, a lot of players could have got that (award) tonight, and I’m just lucky enough to be one that got it. Ladies

Football is in a really, really good place and to see the amount of representation that’s on that stage is great.”

McGrath said it was a brilliant feeling to see Dublin getting seven AllStar awards.

“Yes I don’t think we could complain about anything. It’s great and to get seven awards is just unbelievable. A lot of the girls are playing very good football out there across all counties, so I think it’s really good the

representation.”

It may be the middle of November, but talk of the new season is already u n d e r way, w i t h t h e league fixtures released last Tuesday.

Dublin will host Tipperary in their first game on the last weekend of January.

It’s followed by an away trip to Mayo a week later, with home ties against Cork and Galway, before trips to Waterford , Donegal and Westmeath.

McGrath hopes everyone

will stick around.

“I think that’s more on an individual basis. I don’t know about the other girls, but I’ll probably talk to him. It depends where you are in your career as well. Hopefully most of us will stay going! I think everybody does that (meeting with management) individually, and I don’t think anyone puts it out there what they are doing until they probably give them another few weeks to make up their minds.”