The Northside News 22032023

GoinG Green

Thousands Turn ouT for parades across capiTal

MORE than of half a million people are believed tyo have descended on Dublin City centre for the St Patrick’s Day parade ton March 17.

Celebrations took place across the capital with massive crowds turning out to mark the occasion in towns and cities.

Dublin’s main parade featured 4,200 performers including marching bands, aerial acrobats and vibrant costumes.

Locals watched from apartment windows, cheering and waving Irish tricolour flags

above street level.

The parade centred around the theme of “ONE” to “shine a light on all the goodness that surrounds us” by protecting and embracing global traditions, culture and heritage.

The parade started at Parnell Square, snaking its way through some of the city’s most popular thoroughfares like O’Connell Street and College Green before culminating on Kevin Street.

The Republic of Ireland women’s football team was chosen as this year’s grand

marshal and was represented by manager Vera Pauw and other famous faces from the team’s past and present.

Meanwhile in Blanchardstown, the parade kicked off at 1pm along the Castleknock Road into Blanchardstown Village.

In Lucan, the parade set off at 2pm from Lucan village and included everything from Irish dancers, sports clubs, a BMX club, gospel choirs, Indian singers and hip-hop dancers.

Continued on next page

Pictured at the St. Patrick National Parade pageant titled ‘The Future that Moves Us’ built by Bui Bolg and supported by Kia. Pic: Conor McCabe Photography

Thousands turn out for parades

Continued from previous page in Stepaside, author and producer Andrea Hayes was MC for the Stepaside parade again this year. in rathcoole, this year’s parade began at 1.30pm with the theme of our planet, our Home.

in Swords, locals were dressed in green along the parade route at the earlier time of 11am as the parade kicked off in the rain from Colaiste Choilm. St Finian’s GAA were selected to lead this year’s parade with the club’s 40th birthday as the theme.

The parade in Balbriggan started at noon from Bremore Castle before finishing up on Dublin Street.

The Malahide parade set off at 2pm from Malahide road onto Main Street.

Celebrations continued at the nearby Naomh Mearnóg GAA club.

North Runway noise ‘as bad as it ever was’

DUBLiN Airport has rejected claims its north runway breaches planning permission but said it would introduce 18 new noise monitoring terminals over the coming months. it comes as residents have complained of “unacceptable aircraft noise” from flights using the runway and that the flight paths differ from what was granted in planning permission in 2007.

The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) said it had undertaken a review of the departure flight paths used from the north runway and found some instrument Flight procedures were “not aligned to modelling assumptions included in previous planning submissions”. it said it issued a series of updates, which were approved by the irish Aviation Authority and became operational on February 23. it said it was aware Fingal County Council had launched an investigation into the north runway planning permission, which it will participate and engage with throughout the process. Meanwhile, over 200 people attended a public meeting recently to discuss the ongoing noise issues from the runway. The meeting was the third held in the last few months, after the runway opened last August.

residents said the changes made to flightpaths in February have made no difference. residents later told the pat Kenny Show on Newstalk, that things had actually got worse.

Michael, who runs a garden centre, said his business has been impacted.

“we’re an outdoor business - we can’t talk to people when a plane is going overhead,” he said.

“we can’t take phone calls when planes are going overhead

DAA to ‘take down drones’

NEW anti-drone technology to take down drones is on the way for Dublin Airport following a number of incidents in recent weeks, which forced the suspension of operations and saw a number of flights diverted.

The existing technology in use at Dublin Airport – called Dedrone – helps identify drones but does not have the capacity to force the landing of a device.

because of the noise level. we have to tell the customer: ‘Hold on please a minute’ and no sooner have we finished with that one and another one comes”.

Michael said he estimates there are planes flying overhead “every two minutes, so that is unbearable.”

“This actually got worse and weekends are very poor — on Saturday we can’t hear ourselves in the garden centre,” he added.

The Dublin Airport Authority said the new technology will ensure that any future runway closures because of drone incursions will be of shorter duration or not happen at all. It’s illegal to fly a drone within 5km of an airfield and virtually all drones are supposed to be registered by users.

The new system should ensure that Dublin Airport doesn’t have to close its airspace “at all” due to illicit drone activity. The new system can detect a drone at the perimeter, take control of it and “take it down”.

€250k

fine after fatal fall at airport

SwiSSport ireland Limited was fined €250,000 after it admitted failing to ensure the safety and welfare of people at work, following a fatal accident that occurred on the 24th of November 2018 at Dublin Airport.

An employee suffered personal injuries and died when he fell from a height whilst carrying out cargo offloading operations.

The company had pleaded guilty to two charges, in that they failed to manage and conduct work activities in such a way as to ensure the safety of employees and they failed to provide systems of work that were planned, organised, performed and maintained.

richard Gracey (64), of Balbriggan, Co Dublin, was unloading cargo on November 24th, 2018 when he fell 5m to the ground and suffered fatal injuries. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the main deck loader, a moving platform for unloading cargo, was 2.7m away from the aircraft door when Mr Gracey fell and that this gap should have been no more than three inches. The court heard there was a failure to police safety measures that would normally be in place.

Tanya Crosbie from Malahide who did a St Patrick’s Day Polar Plunge while on an expedition around Antarctica and South Georgia. Follow along at www.instragram.com/ picturetheworldphoto. Pic: Marcus Westburg

‘Trip of a lifetime’ for a true leader from Swords

A student from Loreto, in Swords, has described her trip to Strasbourg after winning the Rotary Youth Leadership Competition as a “trip of a lifetime”.

Rebecca McCloskey was one of just 24 teenagers from all over the island of Ireland to be presented with a Rotary Youth Leadership Development certificate at the European Parliament’s offices in Dublin recently.

The competition, which is one of Rotary Ireland’s longest running youth projects, rewards young people with clear leadership potential based on their extra-curricular activities. It is run in conjunction with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Dublin and Euroscola in Strasbourg.

Rebecca received her certificate from Rotary Ireland District Governor Captain Sean Fitzgerald and Patrick O’Riordan, Head of Public Affairs at the European Parliament’s office in Ireland.

After being disrupted by Covid for the last two years, this year saw a welcome return to the regular itinerary which involves visits to Belfast, Dublin, and Strasbourg.

During the six-day, all

expenses paid trip, the competition winners visited Belfast City Hall and Stormont where they met and chatted with politicians from various parties.

Then it was onto Europe

House in Dublin, where they were presented with their certificates before a trip to Dail Eireann where they met the Minister for Education Norma Foley and several other prominent TDs.

They then flew to Frankfurt for a two-day visit to Strasbourg.

After being formally welcomed by the President of the European Parliament, Robert Metsola the students

Let’s hear it for the girls at St Kevin’s

took part in an interactive workshop which allowed them to discuss and vote on amendments to an EU proposal on climate action targets.

The students also enjoyed a walking tour of Strasbourg, met students from a host of other countries before enjoying some retail therapy!

Rebecca, who is involved in the wellbeing and leadership committees at her school, is also a member of her local GAA club.

She described the trip as an experience of a lifetime.

“The highlight of the trip was sitting in the hemicycle of the EU parliament in Strasbourg. But this competition provides a truly outstanding opportunity to young students.

“You learn so much about politics in your local area but also across the EU.

“I would definitely recommend taking part in this competition as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you make lifelong friendships,” she added.

The Rotary Youth Leadership Development Competition is open to 16 and 17-year-olds who are living on the island of Ireland. For more information go to www.rotary-ribi.org

ST Kevin’s Boys Football Club have changed their name to St Kevin’s Football club, as they launch their first teams dedicated solely for girls.

The club that produced Liam and Robbie Brady will field standalone girls’ teams in Dublin leagues from the start of next season.

Ireland manager Vera Pauw was at their headquarters recently to launch the new initiative.

“I’ve been told that St Kevin’s is one of the best clubs in the country and up to now changes of club names didn’t happen,” said the Dutchwoman, glad to see the Saints don the orange of her homeland in Holland.

“I hope people realise how important that is because even in my country girls play in boys’ clubs but they won’t change the name due to their history.

“It is brilliant that this best club is leading the way by recognising the girls as equal members,” she said.

From next season the club will be providing a football section for girls to compete, starting with the UEFA Disney playmakers programme. To find out more, you can go to the club website: www.skbfc. yourclub.ie/

Rebecca McCloskey, from Swords, receiving her Rotary Youth Leadership Development award from Capt Sean Fitzgerald, District Governor of Rotary Ireland, and Patrick O’Riordan, Head of Public Affairs with the European Parliament in Ireland

Gelato firm scoops top award

IT was a case of the cream rising to the top for a local food business from Ballycoolin, as it emerged as this year’s winner of the Fingal Enterprise Award for 2023.

Cream of the Crop Gelatos took the top prize of €5,000 and will now represent Fingal at the 23rd National Enterprise Awards in the Mansion House in Dublin on June 1. Cream of the Crop Ltd is a Fingal-based

food-tech enterprise battling food waste by upcycling and using surplus ingredients to produce natural, delicious and healthy artisanal gelatos, sorbets and snacks.

The company operates online and through several retail stockists nationwide including Fallon & Byrne, Fresh and Supervalu.

Congratulating the winner, Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Howard

Apprenticeships fair for Darndale

RESIDENTS of the Darndale, Belcamp and Moatview areas who are interested in an apprenticeship have been urged to attend the Northside Partnership Apprenticeship Fair.

Employers and training providers will highlight a vast array of programmes available in the locality. It takes place at the Northside Civic Centre, Bunratty Road, Coolock, Dublin 17 on Tuesday, March 28, between 10.00am and 2.00 pm. There will be 30-minute slots and numbers are limited to 50 per session. A bus will run from Darndale’s Sphere 17 at 11.00am on the day.

A wide range of employers will attend the fair across all

fields of employment, including hairdressing, catering, engineering, healthcare, finance and hospitality. Apprenticeships allow participants to earn while they learn, without student loans or fees - and they are proving an increasingly popular way to continue in education without going to college. Structured training programmes allow apprentices work towards a qualification and gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.

For more information on the Northside Partnership Apprenticeship Fair, please email paul.hayes@ nspartnership.ie or call 01-848-5630.

Mahony said: “Our Local Enterprise Office works hard to help and support businesses in Fingal in many different ways.

“This competition is particularly valuable as it gives us an opportunity to celebrate some of our greatest local entrepreneurs.

“I am particularly delighted to see that this year’s Fingal winner, Cream of the Crop Gelatos, a Dublin 15 business,

will represent Fingal on the national stage in June and I wish them every success”.

The runner-up at the awards, which were held in County Hall, Swords, was Parenting Institute Ltd T/A Platform55, a digital company from Malahide who offer programmes to managers empowering them to support their employees through key life events which can impact the workplace.

Data centre in doubt as plans withdrawn

PLANS for a new two-storey data centre in north Dublin are in doubt after the application for planning was withdrawn. The centre was proposed for a 20-acre site in Piperstown, Dublin 11 and had been lodged with Fingal County Council, on behalf of SDC Piperstown II Limited.

The proposals included changes to the road layout in the area, with new threearm roundabouts and the realignment of Bay Lane and Kilshane Road.

According to the chief

executive’s order, the application was officially withdrawn recently but no reason was given for the withdrawal.

A number of objections to the proposed data centre had been lodged, including a submission by Social Democrat TD Róisín Shortall. The Dublin NorthWest TD said the “antiquated electricity grid cannot sustain further data centres”.

“The energy consumption of these data centres is the equivalent of an additional 200,000 homes being powered. This level of increased demand

is utterly unsustainable.” Ms Shortall added that granting permission for the data centre would “jeopardise” climate targets and put local water and electrical infrastructure at risk.

Further objections were lodged on behalf of John Conway and Louth Environmental Group, who said the applicant “failed” to notify the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, and the development does not comply with national climate action obligations. The planning documents state the centre would be connected

to the national grid when the “necessary investments to grid infrastructure and generation have been completed”.

In the meantime, the data centre would initially be powered by a proposed on-site energy centre.

“The carbon footprint of the grid itself will have reduced sustainability by that point, consistent with the Government’s Climate Action Plan objective of meeting 80pc of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030,” the documents added.

Fingal Enterprise Award winner for 2023 Giselle Makinde, Cream of the Crop. Pic: Orla Murray Coalesce

DART gets the green light to go to Celbridge

THE Government has agreed to go ahead with plans for a new DART line from Dublin city centre to Celbridge, Co Kildare.

DART + South West will provide a “fast, high-frequency and electrified rail service” from Dublin city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge via Islandbridge, Park West and Cherry Orchard, Clondalkin, and Adamstown.

Following cabinet approval, a planning application for DART + South West covering 20km of new electrified rail infrastructure is expected to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála by the end of this month.

The project will see construction of a new station, Heuston West, at Islandbridge, and the quadrupling of rail track between Park West and Heuston.

The project involves electrification of the Phoenix Park Tunnel along with the wider route allowing DART trains to operate between Hazelhatch/Celbridge and Connolly station as well as Heuston station.

Subject to planning permission and final funding arrangements, construction works for DART + South West could commence in 2025, with delivery of the infrastructure by the end of the decade.

Train services along the route are expected to at least double in frequency with up to 11 trains each way per hour at peak times.

The Department of Transport said the number of passengers using the route would quadruple from 5,000 at present to 20,000.

Commenting on the plans, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said: “The Government’s approval of DART+ South West highlights our commitment to invest in high-quality public transport and decarbonise Ireland’s transport system.

“This rail project will transform the lives of people living in communities along the route, giving them a fast, reliable and frequent train service into Dublin.

“It also means that we

Plaque unveiled for ‘forgotten volunteer’

can move ahead with good, transport led planning, facilitating vital affordable new housing along the route.

“I look forward to the DART+ Programme rolling-out further in the coming years. We’ll start this with the delivery of the first batch of 90 new DART carriages arriving next year. This will see new DART services between Drogheda and Dublin city from early 2025, before then expanding to other areas including Hazelhatch and Celbridge.”

DART + South West is part of the multi-billion euro DART+ programme that will treble the present DART network from 53km to 150km.

This will mean it will now extend the DART outwards to Drogheda, Maynooth, and as far as Celbridge.

It comes as as the Government expects that the number of people living within 1km of a DART station will increase hugely from about 250,000 at present to 600,000 in the near future.

THOMAS Bryan, one of the ‘Forgotten 10’ volunteers, has been memorialised by a Dublin City Council Commemorative Plaque at 14 Henrietta Street.

Bryan, a 24 year old electrician, was amongst a group of young volunteers who on 1 January 1921, set out to ambush Black and Tans as

they travelled into Dublin city from Gormanstown. Having been spotted in Drumcondra, the party tried to escape via Gracefield Road and Clonturk Park, but surrendered after one of the men was shot and killed.

Tried and found guilty of High Treason, four of the men, Patrick Doyle (29);

Dublin’s Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy with Jimmy Phillips aged 91 who is Thomas Bryan’s nephew and former resident of 14 Henrietta Street where the plaque is located

Francis Xavier Flood (19); Thomas Bryan (24), and Bernard ‘Bertie’ Ryan (21) were hanged at Mountjoy Prison.

Dublin’s Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy unveiled the plaque with Jimmy Phillips (91), Thomas Bryan’s nephew and former resident of 14 Henrietta Street.

Why we have to use the f-word when we talk about our weight

MICHAEL WOLSEY

IT’S not a good season for weight watchers. Maybe you drank a few too many pints over the St Patrick’s weekend and probably you’ll eat too much chocolate over Easter.

Chances are you’ll put on a few pounds, or whatever we measure weight in these days. But here’s the good news, whether you put on kilos or grams, ounces or stones, you won’t get fat.

You may become an individual with a higher weight. But not fat. That word has been more or less banned. Well, less, I suppose. More is also on the dodgy eating list.

But it’s not as bad as fat.

Psychologists won’t use that word at all and publishers have cut it from books by Roald Dahl.

The London-based Centre for Obesity Research want it entirely removed from the lexicon. And I didn’t make up that “individual with a higher weight” phrase. They did.

They have issued a set of guidelines suggesting that as well as banishing the word “fat” we should avoid terms such as an “obese person” and “overweight person” in favour of “person with obesity”, or “person with overweight” or,

yes, “an individual with a higher weight” .

“We should stop blaming people for their weight in a society where there is highly accessible cheap and calorific food which our brains are attracted to,” explains Adrian Brown, from the obesity centre.

Because, of course, it is quite

impossible to ignore the sweets at the supermarket checkout or to refuse that extra glass of wine. It’s cynical manufacturers and retailers who are to blame.

Not our fault at all, so don’t you be saying it is. Next thing you’ll be claiming we can eat less if we want to.

And don’t be talking about

“fighting obesity” or “the war on obesity”. Phrases like that can “feel like an attack and can lead to frustration ,” says the British Diabetic Association which helped draw up the guidelines. Frustration, it says, “may reduce engagement in health behaviours”. I don’t know what

that means but, clearly, it’s not to be encouraged. So I’ll have to watch my language.

Chewing the fat is out, obviously. And that stuff in the fire should now be known as low value edible material with a high empty-calorie content.

A higher-weight chance doesn’t sound quite right. An

obesity-related lot of good it will be to unfortunate bingo callers who must now find a new term to go with eightyeight. “Two overweight persons of female gender” is a bit of a mouthful. And mouthfuls should be avoided if you don’t want to get ... well, you know, there’s a word for it.

Fat cats are out too. Although there’s a lot of them about. The Royal Veterinary College has studied a million of them in Ireland and Britain and found that obesity is the second biggest threat to their health. But don’t be saying that to your moggies, now, because, you know, mental health can also be an issue. It’ s concerning, says Adrian Brown, although I think he was talking about overweight people not pudgy pets. Among phrases the obesity centre would like to ban is “pigging out”. That may have been the cause of Daddy Pig’s problems. Mr Brown laments that the cartoon character “often has Peppa pointing at his belly and making comments about his weight”.

Tom Fry, chairman of Britain’s National Obesity Forum, doesn’t approve of pointing or commenting on anyone’s weight. But he thinks these attempts to avoid such words as fat and overweight “beggar belief” and that the guidelines have taken “medical correctness to a ridiculous level”. He’s right. Eating disorders are the cause of serious problems involving weight loss and weight gain. We can’t solve them if we don’t name them in language that everyone can understand.

If we want to beat obesity we have to use the f-word.

Old Borough Schools, Swords. Published by P. J. Furlong, Dublin. A postcard from the collections of the Old Dublin Society. The school opened on Main Street, Swords, in 1809 and provided free education for all. It was relocated in 200 and the building became a pub. If you would like a free digital copy of this postcard just send

E-bike cyclist sues City Council over ‘life-changing fall’

DUBLIN City Council is being sued in a multi-million euro claim by a man who says he suffered life-changing injuries when he fell off his electric bike as he travelled along a Dublin city centre cycle lane. The action is believed to be one of the first personal injuries claims before the High Court in relation to injuries allegedly caused in an electric bike accident. All the claims are denied and full defences have been filed in the action. The man, who suffered a catastrophic brain injury, cannot be identified, the judge has ruled.

The man was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident three years ago. He claims his head struck a series of granite separators or bollards and he sustained catastrophic injuries.

He has sued Dublin City Council and the cycle lane designer, AECOM Ireland Ltd, with registered offices at Lower Hatch Street, Dublin.

AECOM has joined construction company Clonmel Enterprises Ltd, of Naas, Co Kildare, which carried out work

on the cycle lane as a third party to the proceedings.

It is claimed the man sustained personal injuries, loss and damage due to the defendants’ negligence and breach of duty in the maintenance, design, upkeep and condition of the cycle track. The man was cycling on his electric bicycle when he was allegedly caused to fall due to the design and layout of the cycle track and a pedestrian plaza at the location.

It is further claimed there was a failure to give any sufficient consideration to the difficulties that were allegedly likely to arise from the intermingling of pedestrians and cyclists at the location.

An uneven raised kerb of between 60 to 70mm in height was allegedly permitted to be present at the location when, it is claimed, the defendants knew or ought to have known that a kerb of that height presents a hazard and a danger to cyclists using the cycle track.

It is also contended there was a failure to provide a soft kerb of up to 50mm, which would have enabled cyclists to traverse it, or

a standard kerb of between 100 to 150mm, which would have alerted cyclists to the potential danger of seeking to traverse the kerb.

It is further claimed there was a failure to take any or any adequate measures to prevent or discourage cyclists from veering off the cycle track and into the alleged hidden danger that the kerb presented.

There was also, it is claimed an alleged failure to take any or any adequate cognisance of alleged previous accidents involving cyclists in the area.

As a result of his injuries, it is claimed the man is unable to live independently, work or engage in his previous family and social activities.

Counsel for Clonmel Enterprises told the court it was their case that Clonmel did exactly as required by AECOM.

Counsel for AECOM said the case was in relation to the height of the kerb and it was their case they had provided a detailed design on the matter.

All the claims are denied.

The case is listed to proceed in May at the High Court.

‘we have it all’

UNLUCKY for some it may be, but the number 13 is held in esteem by the residents of Bayside in Dublin 13, who count themselves lucky to live close to the stunning coastline around Howth, with parks galore for leisurely walks, picnics with family and friends and playing sports to all the outdoor persuits you’d expect – – watersports, sea swimming, golf, tennis,

hiking on Howth Head and, of course, all the top level sports located here. And of course Bayside Shopping Centre (inset) being rejuvenated and with the area well served by transport links with the DART and Dublin Bus operating regular timetables. Families, meanwhile, praise the close community as well as the choice of local schools.

Protecting the beauty and nature of Baldoyle

THE Chair of Baldoyle Tidy Towns, Joan Hopkins, has said that while Baldoyle Bay is a place of international importance, it is subjected to all sorts of man-made pressures. Our best form of defence is education, Joan says, adding when people know how valuable the place is they are motivated to protect it.

Baldoyle is a coastal town situated on the south east part of Fingal County. It is a former fishing village and is now a busy residential town that is undergoing development and renewed interest as a place to live and work.

Baldoyle is fortunate to look out over Dublin Bay and have views of Howth Head, Ireland’s Eye, Portmarnock Point and Cush Point in Sutton.

Natural biodiversity features in Baldoyle include the Mayne River, Baldoyle Bay and Racecourse Park which supports important habitats like Saltmarsh and Salt Meadows.

Internationally protected Light-bellied Brent Geese (Branta bernicla hrota) feed on grasslands in Seagrange Park and Racecourse Park each year.

The Tidy Towns group in Baldoyle is very active and involved in biodiversity

initiatives locally. It has already implemented many useful biodiversity actions and identified a number of locations that should be conserved and interpreted.

Baldoyle Tidy Towns are all about biodiversity and

protecting our environment — given Baldoyle Bay, itself is designated a UNESCO protected site.

Baldoyle Tidy Towns organise litter picks every month as plastic pollution is so widespread and has a very

negative impact on our waters.

Founding member of Baldoyle Tidy Towns Aoife Cannon says that “while community groups do fantastic work, we need the Government to do more about reducing plastic packaging and waste, the majority of

Bus driver fined for striking rail bridge

which ends up in landfill or incinerated”.

Baldoyle Tidy Towns were recently awarded the top prize in the National Tree Awards. Their project’s mission has been to plant a tree for every person in the Baldoyle area and last year reached the milestone of 7500 trees — one for every person in the locality.

They have also created a beautiful tree trail in the local park, featuring hand crafted wooden posts with Native Tree Names in Irish, English and Ogham (which is the oldest known form of written Irish).

They were made by Liam McEvoy (Glendalough Woodcraft) and Séighean Ó Draoi (sculptor) & funded by Baldoyle Tidy Towns & Fingal Council.

As founding Member Nike Ruf reminds us all: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago — the next best time is now”.

Baldoyle Tidy Towns will be out planting trees for National Tree Week 2023, which runs until Sunday 26th March, with many of the local clubs, schools & groups participating. If you would like to get involved contact: baldoyletidytowns@gmail.com

A bus driver who struck a rail bridge, shearing the top off a double-decker bus, has been fined.

Francis Leonard (60) was driving a double-decker bus taking 17 passengers — 15 school children and two teachers — to a sports game when the vehicle struck the bridge at Moyne Road, Baldoyle on March 7th, 2022. Nobody was injured in the collision.

Leonard, of St Catherine’s Crescent, Rush, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to one count of driving a vehicle under a structure.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard Leonard stepped in at short notice to drive the bus. He had intended to follow another route, which would have taken the bus over the bridge. However, due to roadworks, he had to change the route.

The defendant has no previous convictions and has not come to garda attention since this incident. Imposing a €500 fine, the judge said the court would order the deferral of a threemonth prison sentence and give Leonard the benefit of the Probation Act before the case is finalised later this year.

Families ‘still scrambling for school places’

FAMILIES living in North Dublin are “scrambling for places” in schools ever year, a local TD has said, with those based in the northern fringes of Balgriffin, Clongriffin and Baldoyle particularly impacted by the lack of availability in local schools.

Labour education spokesperson and TD for Dublin Bay North Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has hit out the “a lack of foresight from the Department of Education” after plans for 58 new schools nationwide have been stalled.

The Department of Education has confirmed that 58 projects due to go to tender or construction are on hold. The department said it would provide “clarity” to schools about forthcoming building projects as soon as possible amid concerns about widespread delays.

Already, Educate Together has been informed of delays to a number of new builds that were expected to start this year.

Spiralling construction inflation and demand for

additional accommodation, such as for special needs classes and Ukrainian pupils, are eating into the budget allocation for 2023.

About 300 school building projects — including more than 40 new buildings — were already in construction at the start of 2023, most of which will be completed in 2023/early 2024, the department said.

Deputy Ó Ríordáin has called on Education Minister Norma Foley to provide detail on the potential knock-on effect of the failed projects.

“It is deeply concerning that Minister Foley has failed to grasp the Education Budget and spend monies allocated to the Department efficiently. With runaway construction inflation, the increasing cost was entirely predictable,” he said.

“To learn that up to 58 school building projects have been stalled is deeply concerning. Nationwide, school communities are under enormous pressure to accommodate local children who need a place for September.

Free Disney beginners football for young girls

“We need clarity about whether funding for all 58 projects will be decided all together or on a case by case basis. If it is the 58 together, this will be devastating for many schools anticipating the commencement of building.

“In my own constituency of Dublin Bay North every year we have parents scrambling for places in primary and secondary schools particularly across the northern fringe of Balgriffin, Clongriffin and Baldoyle. These delays can only exacerbate this problem,” he said.

“Schools that have been delayed must be given assurances by the Department that they will be able to go to tender next year and commence building works. Otherwise, there will be an insurmountable backlog of school building projects in the system,” he added.

Ms Foley said her department was continuing talks with the Department of Public Expenditure to ensure funding for the 58 projects was released as soon as possible.

Baldoyle United FC is hosting the UEFA Disney Playmakers starting on Saturday 25 March. The 10 week Disney Playmakers is a programme that the FAI are running alongside UEFA in clubs across Ireland.

It’s for girls aged 5-8 years who are not currently playing

football and delivers a fun and safe introduction to learning the sport through movement, play and the magic of Disney storytelling. The programme is Free and open to all girls age 5-8. Register by email at: baldoyleunited@yahoo.ie To learn more about the programme visit www.uefa. com/playmakers.

DUBLIN 13 football club

Helen Galgey, coach at Baldoyle United FC leads the Disney Playmakers programme.

your stars

old god’s time Sebastian Barry

FROM the two-time Booker Prize finalist author, this a dazzling novel explores memory, grief, and longburied secrets as retired policeman Tom Kettle enjoys the quiet of his new home, a lean-to annexed to a white Victorian Castle in Dalkey overlooking the sea. For months he has barely seen a soul, but his peace is interrupted when two former colleagues turn up at his door to ask questions about a decades-old case. A traumatic case which Tom never quite came to terms with. His peace is further disturbed by a young mother and family who move in next door, a woman on the run from her own troubles.

AriesBegin a new physical health and fitness phase upon reaching a barrier or obstacle. Review and revamp skills and practices.

TAurusChange directions with a romance, passion or creative endeavor. Express your heart, imagination and artistry.

GeminiMake repairs. Renovate, remodel and tend your garden. Domestic changes require adaptation. Begin a new home and family phase.

C A n C erA turning point arises around income and finances. You can find profitable opportunities. Generate positive cash flow.

Leo-

A new two-week phase in communications, connection and intellectual discovery dawns. Shift the direction of your research.

Vir G o-

A challenge redirects you and illuminates a new personal direction. Expand your boundaries. Turn toward an inspiring possibility.

Libr AReview priorities privately. Balance old responsibilities with new. Meditate on dreams past and future. Begin an introspective phase.

sCorpioOne door closes and another opens. Friends come and go in your community. Share appreciations, goodbyes and greetings.

sAG i TTA riusFinish a project before beginning another professional phase. Focus on current passions. Don’t reveal unfinished plans.

C A pri CornAn exploration changes. . Experiment with concepts. Travel expands your view. Learn from a master.

AquA riusThe stakes could seem high. Shift directions with shared finances over the next few weeks. Work out the next phase together.

p is C esReach a turning point with a partnership. Compromise and collaborate for shared commitments. Adjust to a change in plans.

vhi women’s mini marathon www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie

B USINESS w OMAN and Vhi ambassador Aimee Connolly (pictured below) launched the 2023 Vhi women’s Mini Marathon at Vhi Offices, Dublin recently. The 10k event, now in its 41st year, will take place on Bank Holiday Sunday June 4th at an earlier start time of 12:30pm. The event is open to all those who wish to walk, jog or run the 10km route through Dublin City Centre. Between now and June 4th, follow @VhiwMM on social or visit vhiwomensminimarathon.ie for training plans tailored to all fitness levels, nutrition support and much more.

the matchmaker Draoicht, Blanchardstown, Sat Apr 1, 8pm

M ICHAEL Scott’s iconic production of John B. Keane’s hilarious dramatic comedy The Matchmaker first opened in January 2001 starring Anna Managhan and Des Keogh. The production went on to tour Ireland, sell-out at the Edinburgh Festival, become a Video and DVD with Sony, a BBC Radio Series, and play ‘off Broadway’. Now for it 21st year, Norma Sheahan joins Jon Kenny in this unmissable show.

STRUGGLING following a split from his partner and trying to make sense of why his ex left him at all, Dom (David Jonsson) happens upon the freewheeling, artistic Yas (Vivian Oparah), who is herself getting over a breakup in a much different way altogether. Determined to get a vinyl record back from her ex’s apartment, the two journey across South London to get it back and, in doing so, begin to find themselves drawn to one another in such an unlikely way. By far one of the best romcoms you will get to see all year.

What’s Hot this week

daisy jones & the six Amazon Prime

DAISY Jones & The Six is an adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel of the same name. The story follows a fictional band, inspired by Fleetwood Mac, that was doomed from the start. Set in the ‘70s, the plot chronicles a tortured romance between the band’s two lead singers. In what is pretty much as sex, drugs, and rock and roll story, Daisy Jones & The Six is narrated by the members of the band, years after they split up. Each character gives their version of events in juicy tell-all interviews and their vivid retellings weave together a story of love and loss . . . and, of course, rock agus roll.

na goirt Ó rga

TG4, Thursday, March 23rd at 9.30PM

daffodil

day www.cancer.ie/ DaffodilDay

TV presenter Anna Daly was joined by pharmacist and influencer Jess Redden to urge Dubliners donate for the Irish Cancer Society’s most important Daffodil Day yet, on Friday, March 24th. The Irish Cancer Society want Daffodil Day to be a reminder of the urgency to catch up on the detection of thousands of cancers remaining undiagnosed since the start of the pandemic. Anna and Jess have felt the harsh reality of cancer in their lives and are encouraging everyone to ‘Take part and take back’ by showing their support for patients and their families.

FORMER Kerry footballer Dara Ó Cinnéide presents a riveting new series of three hour- long programmes that celebrates the world’s great sporting arenas, at home and abroad. Stadiums are much more than architectural wonders of steel and stone, they are living cathedrals where communities come to bond, as they worship their sporting heroes. This is true whether you are at a county final or the world Cup Final in Mexico City. This series peeks behind the curtains of three of Ireland’s most revered sporting locations, while also bringing TG4 viewers on a trip around the world: to venues in Mexico, China, Korea, Croatia, Portugal, wales and England.

songs of surrender

LARGELY the effort of the Edge and Bono, the album is a beautiful collection of re-recorded and reinterpreted versions of 40 songs from the group’s back catalogue, many in stripped-down and acoustic arrangements. The album is a companion to Bono’s memoir, Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story (2022), which was structured into 40 chapters titled after U2 songs. Rearranged versions of the songs were first included in the audiobook edition of the memoir, and were performed by Bono during the book’s promotional tour. Essential for any U2 fan.

rye lane Cinemas Nationwide

Coastal town that just loves to learn And the Oscar goes to ... Ballyfermot College Game on in Perth for three Dubliners

A pAcked schedule has been put together for the third annual Our Balbriggan Loves Learning Festival ‘23, which takes place from Monday March 27 to Saturday, April 1. The festival provides a range of learning opportunities to local people, groups and communities in Balbriggan and surrounding areas.

The Our Balbriggan Loves Learning Festival 2023 celebrates lifelong learning and promotes it through a wide variety of informative, creative and enjoyable activities. These include educational opportunities and workshops in the fields of arts, music and the community. All are welcome. The festival is one of the actions identified in the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation programme and was first organised in response to local demand for stronger adult learning opportunities.

The Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation programme is led by Fingal county council’s economic, enterprise, cultural and Tourism department. For a full list of events check out: www.balbriggan.ie/loveslearning-festival/

BALLyFeRMOT college of Further education (BcFe) is celebrating its second Academy Award following the success of animation graduate Richie Baneham, who won yet another Oscar for his role as animation supervisor on Avatar: The Way of Water.

The Tallaght-born native previously won an Oscar in 2010 for Best Visual effects on the first Avatar film– the highest-grossing movie of all time.

Richie is one of the country’s most successful animators and visual effects supervisors. He trained at BcFe in the early 90s before chancing his luck at cracking LA’s notoriously competitive film industry. His first big break saw him work as an animator on The Iron Giant before establishing himself as a major player in Hollywood as an animation supervisor for the second and third Lord of the Rings movies.

Richie is one of 12 BcFe animation graduates living the dream in LA as part of a tight close-knit Irish diaspora.

The BcFe animation department has been punching above its weight for over 30 years. In 2021 the college was ranked 18 in the world in a global ranking of top international animation

schools, by Animation careers Magazine. The college now boasts 10 Oscar nominations among its former students. deputy principal dr denis Murray prides himself on the standard of teaching and talent the college.

“Ballyfermot college has amazing teachers and their focus is incredible, they are really invested in the students’ future. We don’t take on students for the sake of numbers here. Our animation students spend hours carefully

Mind your moths as spring nears

ReNTOkIL is warning dubliners to be on the lookout for moths as spring approaches, with the pest controller reporting that dublin is the county with the most callouts for the nuisance pests above all other counties.

The spring months are when clothes, stored products, and scavenger moths begin breeding and become more active.

Moth larvae can damage and create holes in clothes, carpets, blankets, and curtains as well as stored goods by feeding on the keratin contained in animal fibres such as wool, fur, silk, feathers, felt, and leather.

The presence of moths can become very costly for home or business owners, both financially and emotionally — nobody wants to find holes in a quilt handed down from a beloved grandparent or in a carefully stored wedding dress. And no one wants to see their hard work wasted with stored products destroyed through moths feeding.

Moths are most likely to be found in spare bedrooms, under mattresses, infrequently used wardrobes, and attics. Be sure to keep clothes in storage clean to avoid attracting them.

studying human anatomy and simple gestures. They must be passionate, driven, and want to draw all the time,” he said. Check out BCFE’s courses in Animation, Film, and Visual Effects at www.bcfe.ie/coursesdepartment/animation-games/

Fourteen Irish transplant recipients — including three from Dublin — will travel to Perth, Australia next month to represent Ireland at the World transplant Games. ranging in age from 36 to 75, the current transplant team Ireland panel of 10 inspirational men and four women travelling to Perth have all received organ transplants including, ron Grainger, from Castleknock, D 15 (kidney); Finbar o’regan, Pearse Street in Dublin 2 (liver) and nick Heather, from Sutton and now living in Melbourne, Australia (bone marrow). transplant team Ireland will have representatives in the following eleven sports: Cycling; Darts; Golf; Lawn Bowls; Petanque; road race; Swimming; table tennis; ten Pin Bowling; tennis; and triathlon.

To find out more about the World Transplant Games and to stay up to date with the team, visit www. worldtransplantgames.org

Painting the town green for summer

WORk aimed at sprucing up diamond park and James Joyce Street park, both located in the north inner city, should be completed this summer as part of a broader council initiative to ‘green’ the neighbourhood. dublin city council also plans to provide green walls on commons Street and courtney place by the summer.

The council’s parks department also intends to plant trees across the north-east inner-city and Stoneybatter, while staff are also working on detailed designs for greening custom House Quay, which should proceed this year.

The March report to councillors on the central Area committee also said there are plans to roll out an urban tree trail in the north-inner city.

councillors welcomed the plans which fall under the Stoneybatter Green Strategy and the North east Inner city Greening Strategy and called for the greening initiatives to be extended to include east Wall and for trees to be planted on

dominick Street. Independent councillor cieran perry said he fully backed the work. He’d like to see it in his area of cabra and Glasnevin too, he said.

Green party councillor Janet Horner said that the north inner-city is the least green area in Ireland. “people are suffering hugely because they live in an area that is so lacking in greenery.”

Labour councillor Joe costello said that he has written to the Taoiseach’s Office to ask them to incorporate east Wall into the regeneration efforts aimed at the north-east inner-city, following a motion passed at the area committee. Many of east Wall’s streets are narrow, he said, which makes it tricky to find good spots to plant trees.

But the council fully intends to work on greening that area this year, said Mr Toolan. He is also looking at the possibility of planting temporary pocket forests on vacant sites in the north-east inner-city,

Visual effects artist and Ballyfermot College graduate Richard Baneham (C) accepts the Oscar for Best Visual Effects for “Avatar: The Way of Water”

We take a look back at extracts from old newspapers to see what was in the news this month in years gone by