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16th July 2013 • Volume 20, Issue 26 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie
Lack Of Lifeguards Almost Leads To Tragedy After the much reported incident know why the County Council insist By Patrick Finnegan on North Beach, Rush last week, on having a lifeguard hut in place, lifeguard on duty at the busy beach when an elderly swimmer almost but nobody to man it. It makes no during one of the warmest spells of drowned, due to the absence of a sense at all.” the year. She said, “I would like to lifeguard, the local authority “It seems ironic that this incihas been heavily criticised dent comes at a time when resifor scrimping on costs. dents have paid their property The lady, Daphne Lee got into tax, which is supposed to pay difficulties whilst swimming for local services, like lifeat North Beach, and only for guards. I went down to Rush South Shore shortly afterwards the lightning quick actions of and there were two lifeguards a man, who was swimming on duty there, with a defibrilnearby saved her life. The lator. Why was one of them not fact that there was a lifeassigned to the North Beach.? guard hut there, without the Fingal County Council have presence of a lifeguard has squandered money on many brought a stinging rebuke useless projects and it’s no from the swimmer’s cousin. thanks to them that my cousin Daphne’s cousin and Rush is still alive,” she said angrily. resident , Valerie Sheridan spoke to the County Leader Rush resident, Valerie Sheridan is pictured here with her The Council response is that, about her anger at the local daughter, also Valerie, who played a significant role in “Every year, the Council has limited resources to provide authority for failing to have a rescuing Daphne Lee from drowning on North Beach, Rush.
Pavilions Shopping Centre Manager Receives Award Ian Hunter, Pavilions Shopping Centre Director was presented with the Award for Irish Manager of the Year 2013 at the SCEPTRE Awards, which recognise the best practice and the best people in the Shopping Centre Industry and are the pre-eminent accolades in the shopping centre industry. The SCEPTRE Awards put the spotlight on management teams, retailers and suppliers that demonstrate real excellence. The 2013 Awards was presented at the superb London Dorchester Hotel. Pictured are Hal Cruttenden (MC for the evening), Ian Hunter and John Riordan (MK Illumination).
lifeguards at our 13 designated bathing beaches, and we make every effort to to focus lifeguard cover at the busiest times and at the busiest beaches,” If lack of resources is the problem, then the question of why council officials undertake expensive, fully paid trips to far flung places like China, when the Department of Trade and Industry is there to undertake these journeys to bring business to the country. It is understood that one council offi-
Brave Young Jack Brings Dubs Home Safely
Jack McGuirk from Swords, is pictured at Croke Park last Sunday, with Bernie Agnew, assistant camp director, and Dee Ahern, CEO of Barretstown, at the Leinster Senior Football Final, where Jack acted as mascot for the victorious Dublin team.
Last Sunday was a very special day in the life of young Swords boy, Jack McGuirk. The brave nine year old, who suffers from leukaemia, was chosen to be the mascot for the Dublin football team in their Leinster final clash with Meath. Jack, who lives in Carlton Court, is a pupil at St Colmcille’s Boys National School in Swords, was chosen by Barrettstown Castle to be Dublin’s mascot on the big day. Jack, who is seriously ill, is a regular attender at Crumlin Children’s Hospital, since he was diagnosed with the disease, three and a half years ago. His parents, Declan and Catherine are rightly very proud of Jack and his get up and go philosophy is a lesson for us all. Catherine told the County Leader, “Jack had a bone marrow operation three weeks ago and the news of the operation is encouraging, which gives us great hope. We have to monitor his bloods and look out for infection at all times. A local doctor, Tony Margiotta from Boroimhe Medical Centre has been absolutely marvellous to Jack. He is involved with the Make A Wish Foundation and organised for us to visit Clearwater in USA for six days, and then on to Kissimmee in Florida, to partake in the ‘Give the Kids the World’ project for a further eight days. We were only the second family from Dublin to be invited there and it did Jack a power of good. He was much improved upon his return and I’m sure that this is down to the kindness of Dr Margiotta,” said Catherine. She went on to
cial has been to China on at least five occasions, all paid for from the coffers of the local authority. How many lifeguards could have been funded by these council junkets.? This great spell of weather was flagged well in advance, so many locals question why the beach was still open without a lifeguard? Last week alone, there were five tragic drownings of young people around the country, so the need for lifeguards has never been greater. Continued on page 18
explain how Jack was chosen to be the mascot. “When Jack first attended Crumlin Hospital and was diagnosed, he was sent to Barrettstown. His doctor and consultant are involved with the Hole In The Wall project at Barrettstown, which is a magical place for healing. They then rang me last week to know if Jack would be the mascot for the Dublin team. Of course, he jumped at the chance and enjoyed every minute of it.” “He has met the Dublin players previously and they have been very good to him, through fundraising and sponsorships. “Dublin are my favourite team and I’ delighted they won. Everyone was really excited,” said a thrilled Jack. “Jack has previously met Ronan O’Gara and Katie Taylor, and they were really nice to him. Katie Taylor is lovely and she let him wear her Olympic Gold Medal, which was amazing and meant so much to Jack,” said Catherine. “Everyone has been really generous towards Jack.” Jack plays for local team River Valley Rangers football team and is the goalie. “I sometimes play in the defence, but I like being goalie. That’s why I love Stephen Cluxton, said the plucky youngster, who also lists Manchester City goalie, Joe Hart as another favourite of his. Jack certainly brought good luck to the Dublin team on Sunday and he described the atmosphere of the occasion. “We were treated really well. The Dublin players were all really nice to me,and I got to meet Stephen Cluxton and I think he’s brilliant,” said a delighted Jack.