Cat owners urged to neuter their pets Plaque unveiled for firemen killed in 1891 Retailer HMV to return to Dublin

Ireland’s Pet experts Petmania are urging cat owners to be responsible this kitten season and neuter their cats to help ease pressure on cat rescue centres nationwide.

May is typically the start of what is known as ‘kitten season’, which runs until september, when many families across the country will be greeted with unexpected, and often unwanted litters of kittens that require rehoming and result in increased strain on local rescue centres.

research conducted recently by Petmania revealed that 67% of Irish homeowners have a pet in their family. a total of 46% of those pet owners have a cat in their home, making them the second most popular pet in Ireland after dogs.

during the month of May, Petmania is celebrating all things cat and encouraging customers and other pet owners in Ireland to seek the best health care and advice when it comes to their feline friends. From instore offers on cat food and litter, to scheduled visits from local cat rescue centres, Petmania’s local communities will have the chance to meet and rescue their newest family members throughout the month.

The lord Mayor of dublin Caroline Conroy has unveiled a dublin City Council Commemorative Plaque at the spot where two firefighters died while fighting a large fire in Westmoreland street on May 20, 1891.

The fire broke out at the premises of Graham’s chemists and lafayette’s photographers, now part of CCT College.

Graham’s chemist occupied the first two floors, with lafayette’s photographers on the next two, and living accommodation on the fifth floor.

at approximately 2 a.m. a fire was discovered on the third floor. There were four occupants on the fifth floor, two of whom managed to escape to the street and raise the alarm but two women were trapped on the fifth floor.

during the fire service response Inspector Christopher doherty, who had 25 years’ service in dublin Fire Brigade and was the holder of three chevrons for bravery for saving life on previous occasions, and Fireman Peter Bourke, three months’ service in dublin Fire Brigade, paid the ultimate price in their role as firefighters and lost their lives here while saving the life of a civilian.

speaking at the unveiling the lord Mayor said, “In unveiling this plaque today we remember the sacrifices made by two brave firemen in the service of their city and its citizens. In doing so we are also acknowledging the great service that their successors in today’s dublin Fire Brigade give to our City day in and day out.”

The lord Mayor thanked CCT College and its president neil Gallagher for agreeing to have the plaque erected on the building. also speaking at the unveiling

Chief Fire Officer dennis Keeley said, “The dublin Fire Brigade of today is a wellrespected, progressive, forward looking fire, ambulance and rescue service which trains and prepares for the needs of today’s city and plans for the future.” in 2019, sunrise Records, the Ontario-based business owned by music retail mogul Doug Putman, bought the remaining UK business and assets of HMV out of administration, saving 100 stores and nearly 1,500 jobs. sunrise had previously bought around 70 HMV stores in canada in 2017 from then owner Hilco.

Music retailer HMV is to make a return to ireland, seven years after it closed its last remaining shop here.

The company is to open a new outlet on Dublin’s Henry street by the middle of July this year and has indicated more will follow.

It will be the firm’s first flagship store outside the UK since it was taken over by a new owner four years ago. The chain will be taking the 6,000 square foot unit at 18 Henry street.

HMV shut its final premises in ireland in 2016 and went online only, before it also shut down the website here two years later.