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DUNDALK’S FREE NEWSPAPER Untreated wastewater

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Carrickarnon scourge

Dawn to Dusk fundraiser

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Concerns over fire risk in forest

Wednesday, 11th August, 2021. Vol. 14, Issue 32 • 63 Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth

Tel: 042 9320888. Fax: 042 9329676. Email: editorial@dundalkleader.com; advertising@dundalkleader.com

By Paul Byrne

Concerned residents in Ballymakellet near Ravensdale have pleaded with Louth County Council to put up signs warning people of the dangers of having bbq’s in the forest after the fire service were called last week to extinguish a fire close to the popular spot Foyles Way. Local residents found the poorly extinguished camp fire after they saw smoke while walking in the mountains. A local resident said: ‘It was clear food had been cooked over a camp fire as a grill pan had been left behind along with several plastic water bottles. It was clear attempts had been made to extinguish the fire, and those responsible no doubt thought the camp fire had successfully been extinguished, however this was not the case. Continued on Page 2

Dundalk supporters pictured at a Vitesse Arnhem game. See page 2 for full story.

Dundalk Leader 11th August 2021

Undercover Dundalk fans witness McEleney’s ‘dutch’ of class

There should have been complete silence last Thursday evening when Dundalk midfielder Patrick McEleney scored one of the best goals of his career against Vitesse Arnhem to put the Lilywhites 2-1 ahead deep into the second half. Dundalk were playing away in the third qualifying round of the Europa Conference League and because of COVID-19 regulations UEFA had announced that no away supporters were allowed into any game in the competition. However, as we know hardcore supporters are famed for their ingenuity at getting around these obstacles and with that in mind that McEleney wonder goal was greeted by the sound of excitable Dundalk roars of approval much to the bemusement of the home fans.

Dundalk supporters. Daniel Shields and his Dad Aiden along with Niall and Brian McGuinness and Cian and Paul Kieran were sitting in the home section wearing Vitesse Arnhem jerseys but there was no doubt as to where the loyalties lay as Dun-

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dalk fought back valiantly in the second half to secure a famous draw ahead of tomorrow evening’s return leg in Tallaght. According to Daniel, who hails from the Quay area of Dundalk, the journey to get inside Vitesse

Arnhem’s impressive 34,000 capacity GelreDome stadium was a long and arduous one. “As soon as we had beaten Levadia Tallin in the previous round I went straight onto the laptop to try and get flights and tickets for

the game against Vitesse. Even that was hassle as we couldn’t get the tickets with an Irish address so we had to put in a fake dutch address to get round it. “Myself, my dad, my two mates and my two uncles flew to Amsterdam before making our way to Arnhem. We got talking to some Vitesse supporters who were very friendly and we had the craic with them in the city before joining them on the bus to the game. Unfortunately we noticed as we got close to the ground that there were police following the bus and sure enough when we got to the stadium the police got on the bus and told the Vitesse fans to get off the bus while making us stay. They told us we wouldn’t be getting in as they knew we were Irish. Jim Magilton from Dundalk FC came out and

pleaded with the police to allow us into the game but they weren’t for budging. “We were really disappointed as we went back to our hotel but then one of the lads remembered that we had all bought Vitesse Arnhem jersey’s earlier that day and maybe we could put them on and try getting in again. So we put on the jersey’s got a taxi to the stadium wearing our Vitesse jerseys and scarfs and walked nervously up to the turnstiles. We couldn’t believe it as we were ushered into the stadium and we were delighted as we took our seats amongst the Vitesse supporters to watch the game. There were a few stewards about so we had to stay quiet but when McEleney scored that equaliser we couldn’t contain a yelp of excitement. We actually saw another Dundalk fan go crazy when McEleney

scored his first but he got thrown out by stewards so we knew we had to be very careful. When that beautiful second goal went in we couldn’t jump up but we just all grabbed each other in excitement grinning from ear to ear and I had to hold my uncle down as he was jumping up after the goal. At that stage all the Vitesse supporters around us knew we were Dundalk fans and there was lots of good natured laughing and slagging for the remainder of the game. “We got to talk to a couple of players after the game and they thanked us for making the trip. It was one of the weirdest but best nights of my life and if we can get past Vitesse on Thursday night you can bet we’ll be on the laptops straight away planning our next away adventure,” laughed Daniel.

Concerns over fire risk in Ravensdale forest From Page 1 The fire was thought to have been lit in the forest either Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. Local residents found a large area of woodland smoking with patches breaking into flames. Each time the flames ignited the residents stamped out the flames, however as the wind picked up, the situation rapidly deteriorated and the fire brigade was called shortly after 3pm. The Dundalk fire brigade attended the scene and after some time successfully extinguished the fire. Residents who remember all too clearly the damage caused last year when a fire raged in the Cooley mountain for weeks are scared that a similar outbreak could happen again if people aren’t careful when lighting fires in the forest. ‘It is very annoying that no doubt those who lit the fire were oblivious to the potential damage they left behind,” stated a concerned local resident. “Last year a fire raged for 7 weeks in the close-by mountains of Jenkinstown and the local community rallied around supporting the fire department supplying them with refreshments and kind words of support.

Ravensdale forest.

“The fire department worked around the clock to successfully extinguish the fire and it must be very frustrating for all concerned that a similar situation could have occurred once again. The area around Ravensdale is beautiful and is available for all to enjoy but people need to also realise fires cause significant damage. It is a shame, that a year later, Louth County Council have not erected signs advising people of the dangers of BBQ’s and camp fires in the forest

and how they should be successfully extinguished. This would save a lot of time and money in the long run and also help protect and preserve the local area for all to enjoy,” they added. According to a statement issued by Louth County Council: “The lands in question are not in the ownership of Louth County Council. Any plans for signage or other awareness initiatives will be considered at the next Wildland Fires Meeting, in conjunction with Coillte .”

Dundalk Leader 11th August 2021

New hospitality rules ‘impossible to keep right’

Dundalk Leader 11th August 2021

By Tamara O’Connell

A DUNDALK publican has described the new Covid-19 guidelines for the hospitality sector which allow outdoor events with up to 200 people, along with live music and other performances as a “complete turnaround”. Michelle Byrne of the Bodhran Bar on Bridge Street told the Dundalk Leader that she would love to see the return of live music but fears it would be “impossible to keep it right”. Under the revised guidelines live music and performances are permitted in outdoor hospitality settings, subject to adherence with all other Covid-19 guidance, with the performance area

Michelle Byrne. to be located at least two metres from customers. The guidelines also clarify that multiple tables can be booked in an outdoor area, al-

though intermingling between tables is not permitted. “People would love it but after a year and a half of no live music in pubs I think peo-

ple would find it very hard not to mix,” said Michelle. “I think people might lose the run of themselves. I can’t wait to have it back but I don’t know when we will bring it back. “In Ireland it would be very much weather permitting. If it’s a sunny weekend people will be about but if it’s lashing rain, then we would have to ring the band and cancel.” She added: “I’d find that very hard as a lot of musicians have been out of work for the past year and a half. “It’s all very uncertain. You’d nearly prefer to wait until there was some normality. It’s a crazy situation.”

Irish Water working to end the practice of discharging untreated wastewater Irish Water, working with Louth County Council, is progressing with plans to upgrade the wastewater infrastructure in Omeath. Irish Water is committed to ending the unacceptable practice of discharging raw sewage in Ireland by constructing wastewater treatment plants and network infrastructure. We are working to ensure that wastewater is adequately treated and meets appropriate standards before being safely discharged into the marine environment. The discharge of raw sewage threatens water quality and detracts from the amenity value of the coastal waters in Carlingford Lough. Action is required to stop this discharge of untreated wastewater. Irish Water recently signed a contract with Veolia Water Ireland Limited to complete this essential project. Irish Water intends to rectify

this problem by constructing a new Wastewater Treatment Plant and associated infrastructure. The project will include the following works: Construction of a new Wastewater Treatment Plant to serve a population equivalent of 1,600; A new Network Pump Station with emergency storage; New Sewer pipelines to bring untreated wastewater to the plant and the treated effluent to the existing outfall pipe; and The existing outfall pipe will be upgraded and extended by approximately 50m to safely discharge the treated effluent to Carlingford Lough. Once completed, the project will provide the following benefits: End the current practice of discharging untreated wastewater into Carlingford Lough which will significantly improve the water quality in the area

Ensure adequate capacity for future growth in the area Safeguard human and environmental health Ensure compliance with European regulatory standards Enhanced environmental amenity of Omeath Contribute to the protection of recreational swimming, fishing, kayaking and sightseeing waters Provision for social and economic development and future growth within the Omeath area. Irish Water recently signed a contract with Veolia Water Ireland Limited to complete this essential project. Works are due to commence in the coming weeks. We will endeavour to keep you updated as the project progresses. For more information on the improvements Irish Water is making to water and wastewater services across Ireland, please visit our website.

Dundalk Leader 11th August 2021

Passport backlog out of control says O’Murchú

Dundalk Leader 11th August 2021

Almost 1,300 passport applications for people in Louth are sitting in a massive 112,000 backlog in the Passport Office because of ‘the lack of resources from government to help the service during the busiest time of the year’, says Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú. Figures released to Sinn Féin’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson, John Brady TD, reveal how more than 110,000 passport applications are outstanding. The Dundalk deputy said the backlog is ‘affecting families and individuals, some of whom have been told online that they would have their passports by June’. He said his office has been ‘inundated’ with requests for assistance from constituents urgently seeking passports. Deputy Ó Murchú said: ‘The backlog in processing passport applications is down to the failure of the government to put in place sufficient supports for the passport service during this the busiest time of the year.

Ruairí Ó Murchú, TD. ‘There can be no doubt as to the effort that the staff and management in the passport service are putting in to deal with both the backlog accrued over Covid, and the deluge of applications coming forward at this point, which is the peak period for passport applications. ‘So far to date in 2021 alone, the Passport Service has re-

ceived almost 400,000 passport applications. ‘Some 50,000 of these applications require additional documentation, while a further 62,000 applications are sitting with the Passport Service. There are 1,294 applications from Louth waiting to be processed. ‘This is despite passport service staff working long hours, and in some cases, on Saturdays and Sundays to attempt to deal with a growing workload. But the reality is that, during normal times there is a core staff of around 450 in the passport section, which is increased during the peak period by 200 to 650. But at present staff numbers are significantly reduced, with only about 500 personnel in total being left to deal with demands. ‘The Department of Foreign Affairs has to ensure that there are sufficient staff on hand to deal with demand at this time. The responsibility lies with Minister Coveney, and he must act accordingly’.

Joined-up approach needed to tackle ‘boy racer’ scourge—Watters Sinn Féin Councillor Antóin Watters has said the on-going scourge of ‘boy racing’ in the Carrickarnon area is “causing genuine fear among residents with many of them at their wits end.” Cllr Watters said “the local Sinn Fein representatives for the area, Liz Kimmins MLA, Cllr Roisin Mulgrew and myself have been meeting with residents, liaising with the PSNI and the Garda Síochana in a cross-border effort to bring this anti-social and downright dangerous activity to an end. “The positive news is that the PSNI has confirmed to us that it is working closely with the Gardaí to tackle this issue and give the residents some peace of mind. Carrickarnon is a popular place for them to gather, even though there are hundreds of people living close by. It is right on the border of North Louth so if the

“The negative impact it is having on the community is evident. The noise and disruption caused by these people is unacceptable and they are preventing the local community from going about their normal business as many feel ‘hemmed into’ their homes when these gatherings are taking place. “I welcome the partnership between the Gardaí and the PSNI as do my colleagues on the north of the border and we believe that a joined up cross-border approach is the only way to deal with this issue. We will continue to work with residents and the relevant agencies, north and south, to ensure this issue is laid to rest once and for all.” Concluding, Cllr Watters said: “Once again I would Cllr Antóin Watters. appeal to all those involved Gardaí arrive they just head in this activity to please stop north and vice-versa if the and let this community live in peace.” PSNI show up.

Dundalk Leader 11th August 2021

Israel’s Olympic dream Like many other people across the world Israel Olatunde has been enjoying watching the finest athletes in the world compete at the Olympic games in Tokyo. Unlike many others there is a good chance that Israel will be competing rather than watching when the next Olympics comes around in three years time. The nineteen year old Dundalk sprinter can lay claim to being the fastest man in Ireland right now having won the senior 100 metres title last month. That title came hot on the heels of his success at the junior championships where he also claimed first place and he admits that he plans to work as hard as he possibly can to get better and hopefully qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024. Israel first burst onto the scene nationally in 2019 when he broke both the 60 and 100 metre U18 records when aged just 16. The former Marist student lives in Castle Ross in Dundalk and

Israel Olatunde. his athletic talents were honed locally in Dún Dealgan AC where he was coached by Gerry McArdle. His parents are from Nigeria and they moved to Ireland over 20 years ago in search of a better life and to give their children more opportunities. According to Israel his pathway into athletics came about through his sister. “Growing up I always copied whatever my sister did and that’s how I got into athletics. My sister loved all kinds of sports and was

a member of Dún Dealgan Athletics Club so I followed her to the club one day and really enjoyed it. My old coach Gerry McArdle took me under his wing and encouraged me to try all kinds of sports including running and long jump and over time we realised that sprinting was my best discipline,” explains Israel. “I’m very proud to say that I’ve represented Ireland on the European and World stage at underage level and I suppose the dream for me is to make it to the Olympics. Paris in three years is definitely a goal of mine and I will do everything I can to be on that Irish team but I won’t put too much pressure on myself as I know I’m still just 19 and it’s not the be all and end all if I don’t qualify,” he added. “I started college in UCD last year and I joined a training camp in Tallaght where I have really focused on building up my strength to help me finish races bet-

Louth Mavericks begin recruitment

ter,” explained Israel. That strength work payed off in spades last month in Santry at the national championships when he ran the best race of his life to beat reigning champion Stephen Gaffney by just 1/100th of a second with a new PB of 10.49. According to Israel he believes that there is plenty more to come and the main ambition is to represent his country at the Olympic Games just like his idol Usain Bolt. “I can remember watching the 2008 Olympics when I was just six years old and there was this crazy guy waving to the crowd half way down the track in the final of the 100metres. That image really stuck with me and for me to one day be able to line up in a 100 metres race at the Olympic Games would mean absolutely everything to me. I’ve been enjoying watching it on tv the last couple of weeks but hopefully in Paris people will be watching me compete instead,” stated Israel.

Louth Mavericks American Football Club are on the lookout for new players and are putting on a series of recruitment camps locally over the next couple of months. The club kicked off their fullcontact Rookie Camps (recruitment camp) on Sunday (8th August) in St Oliver’s Community College in Drogheda and will hold two more in the same location on the 15th and 22nd of August between 10am and 1pm. There will also be camps in Dundalk and possibly Ardee following the completion of the one in Drogheda. All of the equipment; pads and helmets, are provided so attendees need only bring boots and gum shields. There is something for everyone within the club, with senior mens kitted American Football teams and non-contact Flag Football teams available for women, men and 16+ year olds, further details are available from our Facebook or Instagram pages or

by contacting louthmavericks@gmail.com. All are welcome and no experience is necessary. According to Kelly Dwyer who is both a player and board member of the Louth Mavericks the club is growing both on and off the field and in a strong position as they head into their tenth year. “Our last competition for our men’s senior side was in the Shield and we did really well against well established sides like the Dublin Rebels, Westmeath Minotaurs, Cill Dara Crusaders, North Dublin Pirates, UCD and Trinity. “We started the shield season slowly with a 2-win 2-loss record. We needed two wins to clinch a playoff spot.

The matchups were unfavourable for the 4thseed Mavs with their first game being scheduled against hot-shot Shield-favorites Trinity American Football club and their second fixture against third seed the Westmeath Minotaurs. We had an excellent win against eventual finalists Trinity which gave a huge confidence boost to the team and although we lost our final group game against Westmeath the series instilled belief that we can ultimately go the distance and bring home the AFI League Cup home,” stated Kelly. “Building on the talent we already have in the club is now the number one priority for the board ahead of

the Championship and DV1 league campaigns. Our Flag team (noncontact for 16yo+, men and women) trains on Thursdays at 7pm and Sundays at 12pm in Dundalk IT. Our Contact/Kitted team is due to return to training in Dundalk IT on Sundays at 10am. “There is something for everyone within the club, with senior mens kitted American Football teams and non-contact Flag Football teams available for women, men and 16+ year olds, further details are available from our facebook or instagram pages or by contacting louthmavericks@gmail.com. All welcome and no experience necessary so we hope to see you there!”

Dundalk Lion’s Club Golf Classic

Martha Byrne,Helen Reilly,Aman da Reenan, Joanne Reenan with Pat Byrne, President of Dundalk Lions Club.

Bridie O Callaghan, Celina Burns, Ursula Duffy and Vera Kelly.

Irene Brennan, Ann Redmond, Noe

Graham Purcell (Main Sponsor) &

Pat Byrne.

leen Heneghan and Angela Hall with

Angela Hall teeing off

President Pat Byrne.

David Corrigan Fairway

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Dundalk Leader 11th August 2021

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Mary Wallopers star continues to rise Dundalk Leader 11th August 2021

DUNDALK folk group The Mary Wallopers appeared on an RTE programme called ‘The Heart’ on Saturday night last. The popular local band comprised of brothers Charles and Andrew Hendy and Seán McKenna performed a tribute to Ronnie Drew. Charles (27) and Andrew (25) are from Haggardstown and Seán (27) is from the Avenue Road. “We did a tribute to Ronnie Drew with Damien Dempsey, John Sheehan and Phelim Drew, Ronnie Drew’s son,” said Andrew. “It was good craic. It was an absolute honour to play with John

Sheehan and to play with one of the Dubliners was scary but good fun.” Andrew added: “We are mixing our first album at the moment. We are working away on it but it won’t be ready until next year. “We are looking forward to getting back to performing gigs and we will be going on tour in December. “We’ll be touring all over the country and will be announcing a date in Dundalk soon. We’ve done a lot of work restoring a pick-up truck too.” He continued: “Refined Car Care in Newry is spraying it for us at the minute and we will do gigs on the back of it around the country.” The Mary Wallopers.

SNAIL run innovative water sports programme for kids A group of Special Needs Assistants (SNA) is running an innovative inclusive water sports programme in Co. Louth. The programme aims to introduce children and young people with additional needs to water sports and is in line with the new “National Outdoor Recreation Strategy” launched very recently by the Government. The group wishes to establish a sailing club from next year onwards to provide an opportunity to every child/young person with additional needs in Co. Louth to experience water sports. The SNAs volunteering are part of SNAIL (Special Needs Assistants in Louth), a group supporting children with additional needs, their siblings and parents/guardians in the local community since 2016. The initiative is called SNAIL SailAbility, highlighting that with support, all children can reach their full potential. It is an inclusive programme, so children and young people with additional needs participate alongside their siblings and parents if they wish to do so. Parents from a local group

Volunteers and staff training day. called SNAP (Special Needs Active Parents) are also volunteering in the programme. SNAP aims to provide support for children with additional needs and their parents and is run voluntary by the parents. They organise events and activities for the children and training for parents. SNAP welcomes new parents to join the group. SNAIL Sail-Ability runs in conjunction with Carlingford Sail Training Centre (CSTC), a certified business established in Carlingford. All their staff are fully qualified sailing instruc-

tors and have a vast knowledge and experience in engaging children in water sports. CTSC staff and volunteers (SNAs & parents) trained alongside before starting the inclusive water sports programme. The training consisted of disability inclusion, water equipment, first aid, manual handling, communicating with non-verbal children, and water safety (provided by the Greenore Coast Guard Station). The Netwell CASALA Advanced Research Centre and the School of Health and Science in DkIT are also involved

in the programme. A group of researchers from Netwell CASALA are undertaking an evaluation of the programme to explore and document the experiences, feelings and opinions of parents with children participating in the programme. The programme is sponsored by Louth Leader Partnership and the Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the Irish Sailing Association and SNAP. LMETB Community Education Louth Service provided funding for training the volunteers.

Lady Captain Pauline Campbell and Captain Trevor Giff with Category Winner in the Captain’s Prize to the Ladies, Niamh Maguire

John asks for electric vehicle charging point in Omeath CLLR John Reilly has written to Minister of the Environment Eamonn Ryan asking if it is possible to install an EV car charging point in Omeath village. Cllr Reilly had originally written to Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton but his query has now been passed on to Minister Ryan. According to John he had something of a lightbulb moment while walking through Omeath recently with regards to the lack of a charging point in the village. “Omeath has become a very popular village and there are big plans for regeneration in the area over the next couple of years. We got the good news this week that Irish Water have committed to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant and the network infrastructure so

Mrs Jennifer Purcell , Cllr John Reilly, and Mrs Clodagh Malone. that is going to mean more businesses will start up in the area and there is a lot of cross border tourism so I think there is definitely the demand for a charging point now in the village. A lot of people also take a trip up to the Long Women’s Grave and up into the Cooley mountains and driving on that terrain can be hard on the battery of an electric car so it would be nice to have a charging point nearby,” explained John. “The greenway to Carlingford is also very

popular and wouldn’t it be ideal for people to have their car charging away while they go for their walk. We all know the popularity of electric cars are on the increase as we move away from petrol and diesel engines and over the next couple of years we are going to see a big surge in the popularity of electric vehicles. Change is coming and we need to be ready for it. I look forward to receiving a reply from Minister Ryan and I hope that it will be a positive one,” added John.

SOSAD Dawn to Dusk Fundraiser SOSAD Ireland are delighted to announce that the registration for our annual walk Dawn to Dusk is now open. We are asking everyone, young or old, to join us walking 7km - one kilometer for each office we run, on Sunday the 12th of September 2021. You can choose when to walk any time between 6:30 am to 6:30 pm. We have 27 venues across Louth, Monaghan, Meath and Cavan where you can collect your registration T shirt, route suggestions

and light refreshments. All registrations can be done online at: https://sosadireland.rallyup.com/ dawntodusk There are a number of options available for groups and families. Whether you want to challenge yourself, take part in the event as a family, or have a few friends together, your support and participation in our Dawn to Dusk event will help us to keep delivering our life saving service to our community.

Dundalk Leader 11th August 2021

Family Notices in memoriam

in memoriam

novena

CURLEY

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I asked you for many favours This time, I ask for this special favour (mention it). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart, where your Father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes, it will become your favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for 3 days. Promise publication and favours will be granted. (Never known to fail). A.B. NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I asked you for many favours This time, I ask for this special favour (mention it). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart, where your Father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes, it will become your favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for 3 days. Promise publication and favours will be granted. (Never known to fail). D.W.

5th ANNIVERSARY

CURLEY 5th ANNIVERSARY

In loving memory of Pierce Curley, whose fifth anniversary occurs on 14th August. We think of you in silence, We often speak your name, But all we have are our memories, And your picture in a frame. Your resting place we visit, And put flowers there with care, But no one knows the heartache, As we turn and leave you there. —Always loved and remembered by your wife, Rose.

A beautiful memory, Dearer than gold, Of a father whose worth, Can never be told. There is a place in my heart, That can never be filled, I miss you Dad, And always will. —Always loved and remembered by your loving daughter Michelle, son in law John and grandsons Adam and Sean. XXX. CURLEY 5th ANNIVERSARY Dad, No matter how life changes, No matter what we do, A special place within our hearts, Is always kept for you. —Sadly missed and always remembered by your son Pierce, Madeline, Rachel and Aaron.

Heritage Week Event for Voluntary Groups

Volunteers at the Legends of Louth Festival in Dundalk back in 2019.

National Heritage Week takes place this year from the 14th to the 22nd August and is about getting as many people as possible to enjoy our local heritage. Volunteers are the lifeblood of heritage projects, whether that is preserving a local landmark; sharing local history; r carrying out clean ups; raising awareness of environmental issues; continuing traditions such eas music and language or prostecting local wildlife. - Louth Volunteer Centre are -hosting a free online seminar for volunteers and voluntary rgroups in our community who help to care for our precious and diverse heritage. Manager

of Louth Volunteer Centre, Gráinne Berrill said: “Voluntary organisations play a very important role in caring for and protecting our natural and historic legacy here in Louth. That important role of volunteers and voluntary groups can be easily seen in our local area from Dundalk Famine Graveyard to the volunteers who make events like the Táin March, St Patrick’s Festival and Legends of Louth Festival happen to the Biodiversity Garden in Blackrock to volunteer tour guides in Carlingford and much more in between and beyond. We are delighted to host this free event for volunteers who

are making such a difference to our local heritage so that they can find out what supports are available for them and get a chance to connect with one another. The seminar will include a variety of speakers and will cover topics such as supports for volunteer engagement; funding; project opportunities; expanding reach in the community and the opportunity to network with other local groups. If you are interested in finding out more or attending the event go to www.volunteerlouth.ie, @ volunteerlouth on social media or contact the team at info@volunteerlouth.ie.

PROPERTY/RENTALS

special services

ATTENTION—For B.E.R. CERTIFICATION of properties being offered for sale or rent, contact Robert Mulholland, BER assessor. 087 609 1906 www.louthber.ie. I AM LOOKING for an Ensuite Room, apartment or house in Dundalk Town Centre, a.s.a.p. Please contact Martin 083 8894363. HOUSE SWAP WANTED—From bungalow to two storey house. Not Cox’s or Muirhevna Mor. Tel. 089 9525563. ADVERTISE YOUR HOUSE Premises for rent or sale to 60,000 readers a week from €5. Telephone Dundalk Leader 042 93 -20888.

FORTUNE TELLER—Available for appointment, private or group bookings. Tel. Alison 042 933 5102 or 087-67-51229. Building Services—Extensions, Renovations, Sunrooms, Conservatories and All General Maintenance. P.V.C. Fascia, Soffit and Guttering products supplied and fitted. Bathroom Refurbishment, Painting, Decorating, Wall & Floor Tiling. All types of Roof Repairs & Maintenance. For free estimates Tel 087 260 2501. ROOF LEAKS MASTER—We repair all types of roof/tile, slate, bangor blues. Repair torch on roofs, scrape & clean, chimneys & chimney pots, chimney bird guards, gutter facia & soffits. All work guaranteed, 25 years experience. Tel. 086 818 4827. Carpentry & Joinery—Maintenance and repairs, roofing, 1st & 2nd fix carpentry, sash window repairs. No job too big or small. Contact Seandon Carpentry 087 298 5110. MOBILE HOME TRANSPORT—Transported throughout 32 Counties. Contact Eugene 086-607-1702. CARPET & OVEN CLEANING—Carpet, upholstery & specialist oven cleaning available. Call MVI Cleaning Dundalk on 042 94 21300 or visit www.mvicleaning. ie. Roofing Repairs—Stoves supplied and fitted, fully insured, Hetas certified. Contact Paul Englishby 087 6301914 or 041 98 94633. GARDEN & HOUSE MAINTENANCE— Strimming grass, hedge cutting, weeding, also garden clearance, concreting, patios, painting, power washing, gutter cleaning, window cleaning, fencing. Have all the equipment. Contact Brian 086109-7358. PROPERTY MAINTENANCE—Repairs, building, plumbing, painting, roof repairs, tiling, bathroom refurbishments, concreting, gardening, power washing, PVC facia and soffits, Over 20 yrs experience. References available. Tel 085-830-9878. Coaching with Esther—Life and Executive Coach Tel 086 8972007 www. coachingwithesther.com. GARDEN SERVICES—Lawn & hedge cutting in and around Dundalk. Keen prices. Tel. 087 1477067.

Qualified Carpenter available for Floors, Doors, Frames, Architraves, Skirtings, Stud Walls, Roofing & All Building Repairs. No Job too big or too small. Call Mark 086 089 5508. BUILDER & HOME MAINTAINENCE— Building, Woodwork, Painting, Plumbing, Tiling, Kitchen Refurbishments, Paving & Fencing. No job to big or too small. Tel. 087 295 2529. Secure your Wheelie Bin with Mr. Binlockin, locks for Domestic & Industrial Bins. Stops others filling your bin, prevents interference from animals, secures your personnel recyclable documents, gets you prepared for and saves you money on pay by weight enquires Tel 042 9377611. Shamanic Counselling—Past Life Regression. Book your 2 Hour 1-1 Shamanic Counselling / Past Life Regression sessions today! Phone Peter on 089/2234633 for further information or to book an appointment. WATCH REPAIRS—Mechanical/Quartz (battery) and Vintage. In our own workshop. Most brands: Cartier, Longines, Omega, Revue, Raymond Weil, Seiko, Citizen & more. Goldstar Jewellers, Demesne Shopping Centre Dundalk Tel. 042 93 39478. Childminder available—Castletown Road,Dundalk. Full-time and parttime hours available from October 2021. Phone 0877554713 or email childminding16@gmail.com. LOCAL MAN AVAILABLE For block laying and plastering, small to medium jobs undertaken. Tel. 087 6359856. TRANSIT VAN & DRIVER For Hire. All runs considered. Tel. 089 4784982. DIY MAN AVAILABLE—Dundalk area with a construction degree and 5 years construction experience. Please call Shane on 089 2356599.

articles for sale Attention Landlords—We supply furniture & Beds for any rental properties you have, Sofas from €299, Beds from €180, Bedroom Furniture Sets from €249 Call us today www.bedstore.ie, Coes Rd, Dundalk Tel 042 932 0927. SELL IT THROUGH A CLASSIFIED— Only €5 for one week up to 20 words. 042 93 20888. The Dundalk Leader.

articles wanted WANTED—Old Dundalk Memorabilia wanted including Tempest Annuals, 1916 related items & pub memorabilia. Please contact Robert on 087 7683547.

special services CHIMNEY & STOVE CLEANING—Tel Paul McArdle 042 933 2491 / 087 666 0094 Email tribalky@yahoo.com. CHIMNEY CLEANER—The Clean sweep, clean & tidy, no dust. Brush & Vac. Also gutter cleaning. Contact - Cathal 087225-9799. ADVERTISE YOUR SERVICE to over 60,000 readers for only €5 per week up to 20 words Phone Dundalk Leader 042 932 0888. WE CAN DISTRIBUTE your leaflets from €75 + vat per thousand Phone Dundalk Leader 042 932 0888. WINDOW CLEANING—Gutter & facia cleaning carried out by professional, fully trained and insured staff. Affordable rates. Domestic & Commercial. Call our office for a free quotation. Everkleen 042 935 2717 or 086 829 3585. www.everkleenservices. ie. HOUSE & APARTMENT CLEANING Service. Specializing in Re-Let & Spring Cleaning, Carpet & Upholstery cleaning. Fully insured. For a free quotation contact Everkleen 042 9352717 / 087 6873188, www.everkleenservices.ie. TILER AVAILABLE—Experienced local tiler to carry out all types of tile work marble, granite, porcelain. Indoors and out. Call 087-387-8995 for free quote. GRIMLEY’S DUBLIN ST. DUNDALK— Televisions, TV aerials, satellite, Freeview & Saorview, new installations, sales, service & repairs. Free estimates 042 935 4343. DUNDALK GARDEN SERVICES—Tree topping, felling, hedge trimming, grass cutting & strimming. Rubbish Removals/ Garage clearance, House & Garden refuse. Permit holder. Contact Ben 085-8407707.

tuition MATHS GRINDS—Leaving and Junior Certificate. All levels. One-on-one tuition with an experienced tutor. Phone/text 083 094 1872. TEFL English Lessons—TEFL English one-to-one lessons available in your/ my home. Phone Peter 085/8371708 to book your lessons.

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Dundalk Leader 11th August 2021

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Dundalk Leader 11th August 2021

Over €4.7m in capital funding secured for Louth hospitals

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Over €4.7m in capital funding has been allocated for Louth Hospitals in the Health Service Executive’s Capital Plan for 2021 which was published last Wednesday by the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly. Under the plan Ardee are set to receive €2.95m for a new ambulance station while St Mary’s hospital in Drogheda have been allocated €950,000 for refurbishment work which includes an additional 60 beds. Our Lady of Lourdes hospital will receive €500,000 which will go towards its Medical Resource and Telemedicine Project. The remaining €390,000 will be split between Castlebellingham who will receive €290,000 for refurbishment while the Psychiatry of Later Life Unit in Drogheda will get €100,000. The total Health capital allocation nationwide in 2021 is €983m for the construction and equipping of health facilities. This investment enables the HSE to plan and fund the projects that were in-

Senator Erin McGreehan. cluded in previous plans and to progress additional evaluated and prioritised projects in 2021 including Government priority programmes and major capital projects. Announcing the allocations last Wednesday Minister Donnelly pointed to the investment as evidence that the government are intent on improving healthcare in Ireland. “The significant investment in health infrastructure reflected in this plan is evidence of the importance that the government places on improving healthcare in Ireland and supporting the move towards universal healthcare. “The projects in this plan place a focus on the patient

experience and the delivery of a quality health and social care service. At any time around 350 capital projects in health are ongoing and this plan continues the progress in delivering new builds, replacement infrastructure and more community healthcare,” stated the Minister for Health. Local senator Erin McGreehan welcomed the news saying she was pleased with the investment while promising to push for more for the north east region. “Our entire health service has been through the most difficult 16 months and are still under severe pressure with the ongoing pandemic. “As we come out the other side of what has been a most gruelling period, where so much has been asked of our health services, I’m delighted to see continued Government investment. “I look forward to the progression of these longawaited projects and I will continue to push for further investment in the region,’’ concluded Senator McGreehan.

1—How many gold medals did Ireland win at the Tokyo Olympics which finished on Sunday? 2—Actor and comedian, and half of a famous double-act, Arthur Stanley Jefferson was better known by which name? 3—Who is the oldest member of the current Irish government? 4—If you had Peridontal disease, which part of the body would be affected? 5—Name the three GAA football clubs in Co. Louth that begin with the letter C. 6—What German word refers to a ‘double’ of a living person, often an evil version? 7—What supposedly militarily-derived term refers informally to not

wearing underwear? 8—The central bank introduced a new violet coloured twenty pound note in 1992. What famous politician was on the front of that note? 9—What is the name of the syndrome in which a person feigns severe illness in order to obtain medical attention? 10—Who is the patron saint of lost causes? The Stinker—The term Paraskavedekatriaphobia informally refers to an irrational fear of what time-related concern?

—this week’s answers— 1—Two. Kellie Harrington (boxing), Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy (rowing), 2—Stan Laurel (from Laurel and Hardy), 3—An Taoiseach Micheál Martin (61), 4—The mouth (disease of supporting tissue of teeth), 5—Clan na Gael, Cuchulainn Gaels, Cooley Kickhams, 6—Doppelganger, 7—Commando, 8—Daniel O’Connell, 9—Munchausen’s Syndrome, 10—St Jude. Stinker: Friday 13th.

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What a fantastic summer it has been for Tara O’Connor of Dundalk St Gerard’s AC. Just a few short weeks ago, the young Dundalk athlete set a new Championship record for the U15 Girls High Jump in the Leinster Championships. She jumped 1.64m, breaking the previous record of 1.63m that had been in place since 2014. It seems however that Tara was only getting warmed up for the National Championships which took place at the weekend in Tullamore. On Saturday, despite the awful weather conditions she not only claimed All-Ireland Gold and the national title but pulled off an incredible feat and set another Championship record in the process. Her best jump of 1.68m beats the 15-year-old record of 1.67m, set in 2006! It is a staggering achievement for Tara and a credit to her commitment and dedication to Athletics. It was double Gold medal joy for St Gerard’s as Grainne Moran also romped home to victory in the U15 Girls 200m Sprint. Having comfortably won her heat, Grainne ran a perfect final in 26.34s to take the National Title and well-deserved Gold medal to round off another very solid season. Meabh O’Connor, who took the U15 Girls Leinster Long Jump title a few weeks ago clinched the Bronze medal in the Nationals on Sunday with a jump of 5.20m and finished in seventh place overall in the High Jump event on Saturday. On Sunday, Leinster Champion Enya Silkena competed in the U15 Girls Javelin competition and threw 37m, enough to secure the All-Ireland Bronze medal. Andrew Rosbotham competed in the U16 Boys Shot and claimed 4th spot, just missing out on a medal. Andrew looks forward to competing in his second event, the Javelin next weekend.

Above: All-Ireland High Jump Champion and new record holder Tara O’Connor on the podium; left: a proud Tara O’Connor with her medal; below: All-Ireland 200m sprint champion Grainne Moran.

Dundalk Leader 11th August 2021

recent deaths Una WHITE (née Russell), Dunany, Togher, Louth. Peacefully, after a short illness. Sadly missed by her loving husband Paddy, daughter Sharon, sons Erik and Allen, sonin-law Eamon, daughters-in-law Yvonne and Letitia, granddaughters and grandsons. Also greatly missed by her twin sister Ann, brothers Heber and Patrick, sistersin-law Cora and Carol, nieces, nephews, family and friends. Seán Maguire Waterview, Lower Point, Dundalk, Louth. Peacefully surrounded by his heartbroken family in the kind and gentle care of the staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. Seán, a wonderful father to Jake and loving partner to Clara, he will be forever missed by his heartbroken family, his parents Elaine & Jackie, sister Karen & brother Eddie. Seán will be sadly missed and remembered with everlasting love by his son, partner, parents, sister, brother, niece Rosie, Karen’s partner Seán, nanny Madge, uncles, aunts, cousins,his large circle of very close friends and great neighbours and by all who knew and loved him. Dermot Reynolds Donaghmede, Dublin / Dundalk, Louth. Peacefully at St Gabriel’s Nursing Home, Raheny surrounded by his loving wife Lora and his beloved daughters Siobhán, Jill and Fiona. Dermot will be deeply missed by his family, sons-in-law Andy and Brendan, grandchildren Cian, Abbie, Aoife, Rachel and Andrew, sister Nora, brothers Joseph, Aidan, Paul and Alan, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunt Kathleen, cousins, nephews, nieces and his many friends and neighbours. Sean Hanley 7 Brannock Close, Newry, Down / Dundalk, Louth. Peacefully at home. John C (Sean) RIP. Beloved husband of Ellen (nee O’Hare) and brother of Brendan, Brian and the late Marie and Jimmy. Oliver Dullaghan Stonehouse, Corderry, Louth Village. 4th August 2021,Died peacefully at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. Cherished and loved father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and friend. His unwavering optimism and positivity shone through to the very end. He will be sadly missed every day by those who love him. Sincere gratitude to the staff in the Coronary Care Unit of Our Lady of Lourdes who showed such kindness, humanity, and dedication over the last six weeks. Seán O’CONNOR Grange, Carlingford, Louth. Peacefully, at home. Predeceased by his parents John and Mary and infant son, Joseph. Deeply regretted by his beloved wife Anne, daughter Marie, son John, cousins Alison and Kevin, son-in-law Aidan, daughter-in-law Eilish, grandchildren Shane, Āine, Oisín, Matthew, Erin and

Wedding Announcement Aoife Moore Kavanagh ESQ an attorney in NYC. Originally from Dublin and Dunleer married Patrick Boyd from the UK in New York City on 24th July 2021.

Michael, sister-in-law Eileen, brothers-inlaw Peter and Michael, nephews, nieces, relatives, colleagues, friends and neighbours. Jim McParland Omeath, Louth. Jim passed away peacefully at Craigavon Area Hospital, surrounded by his devoted family, 4th August 2021. May he rest in peace. Beloved husband of Mary and dear son of Beatrice and the late Jimmy RIP and much loved brother of Roisin, Eileen, Patricia, Bernadette and the late John RIP. Funeral leaving his home Mountain View, Cornamucklagh, on Saturday 7th August 2021, at 10 am for 11 am Requiem Mass in the Church of St. Laurence, Omeath. Interment immediately afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Sadly, due to the government guidelines the house is private. Those wishing to, may view the Funeral Mass online via.htt://www.churchservices.tv/ omeath Jim will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, mother, sisters, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, his aunt, cousins, entire family circle and his many friends. Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on his soul. Eamon McCONVILLE Barton Park, Dundalk, Louth / Lurgan, Armagh. Peacefully, in the dedicated care of the staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. Predeceased by his wife Bríd. He will be sadly missed by his loving daughter Donna, sons Pat, Eamon and Conor, Donna’s partner Kenny, Donna’s children Kellie, Aoife and Shannon, Pat’s wife Ann and their children Linda and Paul, Eamon’s partner Eilish, Eamon’s children Jason, Amanda, Lee and Ellie, Lee and Ellie’s mother Susan, Conor’s wife Jeanette and their children Kalum, Tadhg and Morgan, sister Marie and her husband Francie, brother Patsy (whose wife Kathy is deceased), brother Ciaran and his wife Ann, brother Seamus (Australia), nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Bridie CORCORAN (née Rafferty), Ashgrove, Avenue Road, Dundalk, Louth / Kilmainhamwood, Meath. Peacefully at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Predeceased by her husband Ted, daughters Kathy, Kelly-Ann and baby Peter, parents Jimmy and Bridget, brothers Paddy and Jimmy, sister Catherine. Bridie will be sadly missed with love by her son Ted, daughters Bridget Lowndes, Annie Carr, Caroline Moran and Colleen Farnon, brother Brian, sisters Anne, Frances, Maureen, Chris, Concepta and Stephanie, sons in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers in-law, sisters in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends. Mary Douglas (née Hughes), Trim, Meath / Ardee, Louth. In St Josephs CNU Trim in the company of her loving family

and dedicated staff. Predeceased by her beloved husband Henry and daughter Ann. Dearly loved mother of Carmel and Bernadette, cherished Nanna of Michael, Luke and Niamh. She will be sadly missed by her daughters Carmel and Bernadette, grandchildren, sons-in-law Don and Simon, her brother Pat and extended family, neighbours and friends. Tom Brennan Chestnut Grove, Tallanstown, Co. Louth, peacefully surrounded by his loving family at The Louth County Hospital, Dundalk, Thursday 5th August 2021. Predeceased by his parents Michael and Theresa, his brothers Noel, Nicky, Michael and Aidan and his sisters Caroline and Marion. Tom is survived by his loving family, his wife Bernie, sons Mark, Michael and Dean, daughters Gina and Emma, grandchildren Nicky, Kayleigh, Mai, Evie, Maddie, Donnagh, Caleb and Ella-Mai, sister Martina, brothers Francie, Paul and Enda, sons-inlaw Peter and Conor, daughters-in-law Laura, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and his many many good friends. Damian McCONNON Manydown Close, Red Barns Road, Dundalk, Louth. Unexpectedly at his residence. Beloved husband of Lesley (née Matthews) and dear dad of Adam, Ciarán and Saoirse, Predeceased by his parents Owen and Mary, brother Joseph (late of Beechmount Drive). Damian will be sadly missed with love by his wife, sons, daughter, brothers Patrick and Eoin (Perth Australia), sisters Aine (Long Island USA), Breige Cunningham, aunt Ethel, brothers and sisters in-law, mother and father inlaw Maureen and Patsy Matthews, nephews, nieces, extended family relatives, wonderful friends and neighbours. Colm McCartney “Avondale”, Avenue Road, Dundalk. Died peacefully at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. Beloved husband of Elizabeth née Crichton and loving father of Oonagh, Aoiffe, Hannah and Conall. Deeply regretted by his wife, daughters, sons, grandchildren Ellen, Beth, Megan, Oran, Matthew, Rebecca, Alexander, Thomas, Isaac and Felix, sons in law, Mark Hughes, Alan Halpenny, Conall’s partner Kelly Mackin, Ellen’s partner Dylan Carey, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. May (Mary) Fay (née Phillips), Old Dawson’s Demense, Ardee, Louth. Peacefully at her residence. Predeceased by her husband Paschal and her brothers and sisters. Sadly missed by her loving family, sons John, Michael, Joe & Kevin, daughters Mary, Alison, Angela, Susan & Annette, sister Tina, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Aa ireland summer driving advice By Anna Cullen, AA Ireland

Summer is in full swing and with the good weather, many motorists will be planning longer trips, especially towards coastal areas. But, driving during the summer months can present some unique challenges such as glare from the sun, your vehicle overheating and keeping your belongings safe. Traffic volumes may also increase on coastal routes and parking properly at your destination is vital. Here is our advice to ensure that your journey is a safe one. Overheating Heat can cause problems under the bonnet. Low coolant levels, leaking hoses or broken electric cooling fans can make the car overheat and this can lead to expensive damage. Keep an eye on your temperature gauge and top up your coolant fluid regularly. It might also be time to get your car serviced. Remember a car service is just as important during the summer months as it is in winter. Punctures Check the condition of your tyres before you leave as high temperatures can aggravate any existing damage to the rubber. Underinflation causes friction and the greater the heat, the greater the effect on weak spots in the tyre. If you combine these issues, then you’ll find it’s a perfect recipe for a blow-out. Glare The glare from the sun can be very dangerous and has been known to cause collisions. The best way to protect yourself is to make sure that your windscreen is clean, both inside and out and remove smears, which will catch sunlight

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and impair vision. Don’t forget, windscreen wipers only last about a year so it might be time to change them. A pair of unscratched, clean sunglasses are always good to have as well. Large traffic volumes Traffic volumes have increased during the summer months, particularly around coastal areas. Areas that you can expect to find large volumes, especially at the weekends, include Howth and Sutton Cross in Dublin, Laytown and Bettystown in County Meath, Brittas Bay and Arklow in Wicklow, Tramore in Waterford, Kinsale in Cork, Lahinch in Clare, Salthill in Galway and parts of Mayo and Sligo. When you arrive at your destination ensure that you follow all Garda advice and directions, ensure you park safely and be extra mindful of Covid-19 guidelines. Tractors/Farm Machinery As mentioned already, with the good weather and more people travelling for ‘staycations’, roads are much busier these days so you will need to take extra care. Watch out for farm vehicles exiting from fields if driving in rural areas, and you’re advised to never overtake a slow-moving vehicle unless you’re certain you have enough space – all usual overtaking rules apply. If you’re driving farm machinery, slow down and be mindful of pedestrians and cyclists. Parking Safe parking is a key part of safe driving. With many of us travelling to scenic areas, beaches and outdoor attractions, it’s very important to ensure your car is parked properly. Watch out for pedestrians, especially children, when driving and parking near beaches.

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Badly parked vehicles can pose a particular issue for cyclists, wheelchair users and for those who are visually impaired, and parents with prams. They can also add to traffic congestion, and lead to fines, clamping or penalty points for the driver. Your vehicle could even be towed away. When parking, ensure you leave enough space for a fire truck or ambulance to get past in a hurry (at least 2.55m between cars). It is illegal to park your car in a number of circumstances including double yellow lines, where there is a ‘No Parking’ sign, in a cycle lane during operational hours, contra flow bus lanes and a pedestrian only street. For full information on safe parking check out our other blog post here. The Beach If you’re going to the beach, then it’s important to keep a pair of runners or suitable shoes in the car boot, as it’s best not to drive in flip-flops, sandals or barefoot and whilst it is not illegal to drive in flip flops or your bare feet, it could be at the discretion of a Garda to summons a motorist under Section 52 of the Road Traffic Act, Careless Driving. When you arrive at the beach, keep your belongings safe. Car keys can often get lost in the sand or you can ruin your remote-control by leaving the fob in your pocket while swimming. AA Membership receive calls every year with this issue, as the remote-control access to your vehicle will not work when it’s wet. Every year our patrols are sent to pull motorists out of the sand, so beware of parking on soft sand. Follow the signs on beaches where this is usually indicated.

Dundalk Leader 11th August 2021