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14th April 2015 • Volume 22, Issue 12 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie
Local Credit Unions Ready To Help Pictured enjoying the rich harvest of Easter Eggs, as part of the Easter Egg hunt, are children from Swords Manor Grove in Swords. Included are, Adam Butler, Ross Keogh, abigail Nguyen, Alannah Lawlor and Leah Lawlor
Eggstraordinary Community Spirit In Swords Every Easter, Colette Stears from Swords Manor Grove in Swords has been holding an Easter Egg Hunt for the children in her estate, and last Easter Sunday marked the the 20th year of the event.
their faces. The eggs are all dotted around the place, in neighbours’ gardens and there’s always plenty for everyone. Of course there is a little surprise for whoever manages to locate the golden egg. I get great help from my neighbours, especially John Phelan, By Patrick Finnegan who has been helping me for Colette gathers hundreds of many years,” said Colette. Easter eggs at her own expense, “It was a great way for neighbours so that the tradition of having the to meet, especially as there were Easter Egg hunt continues every many transient families living in year. She explained her reasons the estate. We have photos going back over the years, and these for doing so to the County Leader. “I started having an Easter Egg children are now grown ups. In the hunt for my son and his friends first year, we had a special prize when he was just five years old for the child with the least eggs, and I have continued the tradition where they were rewarded for not for the next 20 years. I just love being greedy. Of course they doing it and get a great thrill out didn’t know about this at the of watching the excitement on all time,” she said. The excitement of the children was palpable, as Colette gave the signal to start the hunt. with children scattering in all directions in search of the delicious eggs. Tireless Colette has no intention of pulling the curtain down on this tradition, and is already looking forward to next year. “I just want to continue this tradition and for it to be replicated for Colette Stears, who organised the Easter Egg hunt in many years to come,” Swords Manor Grove, is pictured hiding one of the eggs said Colette happily.
A financial expert has warned that many parents preparing children for holy communions are forced to resort to loan sharks because of unduly strict conditions imposed on some credit unions. The story broke last week, when Fianna Cunningham, CEO of Member First Credit Fail’s Social Welfare spokesperson, Willie Union, which incorporates the former O’Dea urged the Central Bank to ease the Swords and District Credit tough conditions imposed on credit union Union said, ‘There’s always loans after several big credit unions got into “We find that all people need is common trouble in recent years. He sense and sound advice, and we look has called on the financial after them. We regularly warn people of authority to ease restric- the dangers of using moneylenders.” tions on smaller loans for - Fiona Cunningham - Members First family projects like first holy communions and confirmations. a reason fo the Central Bank He asserts that the Central Bank have to place restrictions on credit unions, such gone overboard regarding red tape in rela- as poor governance and poor tion to the provision of small credit union lending practices. Luckily, this loans of €1,000 or less. The Central Bank’s does not apply to us, with the requirement that extensive documentation result that we have no restricsuch as payslips, bank statements, credit tions in place. It is all based on card details and mortgage statements are ability to pay back. We try to provided for these micro meet the needs of our cusomers, loans is proving excessive and sit down with those who are looking for a “Our message is very clear. Our doors loan, for the are open, we very much welcome loan likes of holy enquiries and we will do what we can to c o m m u n i o n s make the process as easy as possible.” and confirma- Vivienne Keavey - Malahide tions. We find that all people in his experience. He feels need is common sense and that many people are frightened away by sound advice, and we look after these regulations, and often employ the them.” She continued, Sometimes famiservices of a moneylender. The umbrella body of credit unions, the lies have to cut their cloth to their ILCU, has now embarked on another measure and we warn people at nationwide campaign warning parents all times about the dangers of preparing for holy communions to “If parents do find themselves in a avoid moneylen- position where they require financial ders who usually assistance and need to borrow for charge excessive special occasions, we are here to suit interest rates. each individuals needs and offer an They are also affordable and secure way to borrow” lobbying the - Seán Staunton - Progressive Central Bank to ease the lending rules and awaiting an using moneylenders. We regularly feature on local radio, early response on the issue. The County Leader contacted local credit speaking about the dangers of unions to gauge their response to going to moneylenders. requests for small loans, which would be Suddenly a €500 loan can escaused for holy communions and confirma- late to €1,200 in no time,” she tions at this time of year. Fiona said.
Malahide Credit Union also rushed to reassure customers that such restrictions don’t apply to them either. Branch manager, Vivienne Keavey, said, “At Malahide Credit Union we always strive to provide a simple, hassle-free and speedy lending service to all of our members, with minimum “red-tape”, whatever their financial circumstances. This is especially true when it comes to smaller loans. We will shortly launch a new Express Loan facility, which will apply to loan applications of up to €2,500. We aim to make this process as straightforward as we can, keep the documentation requirements to a minimum and we hope to be in a Continued on page 18