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02nd June 2015 • Volume 22, Issue 19 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie
‘Star Wars’ Accused Cleared Our Story Of Murder In Swords Prompts Wonderful Gesture The County Leader, your number 1 local newspaper has played a prominent role in a wonderful gesture by a Malahide based pilot last week.
By Patrick Finnegan In our edition of 3rd March, we ran a story about a Malahide man, Michael Leahy, who was recently recognised as Ireland’s best ‘Public Transport Ambassador’ Twenty-eight year old Michael, who attends Prosper Fingal Day Service in Swords, an umbrella group for people with intellectual disabilities, was chosen to be Ireland’s best ‘Public Transport Ambassador’ by the National Transport Authority (NTA). A room in his home has been converted to accommodate his impressive collection of model trains, buses and aeroplanes.
It was then that fellow Malahide man and Aer Lingus pilot, Captain Conor Keeling entered the picture. He had a surprise in store, when he was presented Michael with a 50 year old model aircraft, which had never been opened until now. It had never been put together and was still in its original box. It was presented to him by his father, Bill Keeling, who comes from a well-known Balbriggan family. Conor said, “When I read the article about Michael in the County Leader, I knew then that I had found a new home for my model aeroplane. I was very impressed with the work that Michael has done as National Transport Ambassador, and I knew then that I had found a new home for the aeroplane. My father bought it for me when I was about
six years old and it ‘s now about 50 years old, the same age as me,” said Conor. I wasn’t sure how to go about putting it together, and I thought it would be good to give it to Michael, as he would know all about that and provide it with a good home. It’s a Fokker Friendship model plane and Aer Lingus was the first airline in the world to use these planes.” I decided to ring Kate Madden here in Prosper Fingal on North Street in Swords and she was delighted, as am I that it has now found a good home,” said Conor. Michael was thrilled to receive such a wonderful gift and he invited fellow Malahide man, Conor over to his home to see his collection, an invitation which was gladly accepted.
Pictured is Aer Lingus pilot, Captain Conor Keeling presenting Michael Leahy with his 50 year old model aeroplane at Prosper Fingal, North Street, Swords
Local Reps At War Major Fundraiser For Over Aer Lingus Little Molly In Balbriggan The sale of the Government’s 25.1 per cent stake in Aer Lingus, which had been anticipated for many months, has caused deep division among local public representatives in the North County. Government party politicians are lined up in support of the deal, while opposition politicians take the view that the deal is harmful for both the company and the local economy. The deep divisions between the opposing parties came to a head, with all sides throwing accusations in all directions. Opposition representatives accused their Government opponents of selling out and forgetting about retired staff, who they claim have suffered unduly. Fianna Fail senator, Darragh O’Brien said it’s a slap in the face to long-serving members who are being sacrificed for the Government’s immediate interests. They also claim
that the Government sold a perfectly viable business for much less than it is worth claiming that Labour had sold out on he sale, to the detriment of the local economy. Clare Daly TD said that the Government parties should be ashamed of the part they played in selling out the company The Government parties fought back by saying that the deal is an excellent move for the country, which is good for Aer Lingus, good for Dublin and particularly good for the North County, while slamming the role that the last Government played in the demise of Aer Lingus, when they had full control of the company. They also claimed that the decision will see 150 net jobs being created by the end of 2016, with the net number rising to 635 by 2020. See our full story on page 17
A White Collar Boxing event will be held in aid of the Molly McNally Miracle Trust on Friday, 12th June at the Bracken Court Hotel, Balbriggan starting at 8pm. The event is a major fundraiser in the search for treatment for little Molly McNally, the six year-old Balbriggan girl, who suffers from Stage Two Neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer. Molly has captured the hearts of people all across the North County and beyond, as she Molly McNally bravely fights her illness. Her parents, Gerry and Emma have done extraordinary work in organising funds for Molly, as well as bringing her to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin for treatment on an almost daily basis. Such is the popularity of little Molly, that this event is expected to be a sell out. Tickets cost €20 and tickets can be bought at the door. Tony Finnegan is main sponsor and if any companies would like to sponsor a boxing vest, complete with their name and contact details, they can do so for as little as €100. They can contact Tony at 087-7017694 if they wish to avail of this sponsorship deal. There will be three raffles on the night, including a signed Ricky Hatton boxing glove, a signed Dublin GAA jersey and dinner for two in the Bracken Court Hotel. Make sure not to miss out on a great night, knowing that you are supporting a wonderful cause in the process. Molly’s father Gerry has reported that Molly is continuing satisfactorily with her treatment and she will have scans all this week in Crumlin Hospital, and results are expected the following week.
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