13-08-2014

18,000 COPIES WEEKLY Omeath Dubai Rose is ready for Tralee Page 09

Clan na Gael host Mr & Mrs Night Pages 10, 12 & 14

Echo Road Records to boost local arts scene Page 19

New homes needed to avoid shortages Wednesday, 13th August, 2014. Vol. 7, Issue 33 • 63 Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth.

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

By Niamh Kirk

Recent reports indicate that Co Louth may be facing housing shortages over the next ten years if action is not taken. The first warning came last week from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) who said that about 500 new houses were needed each year for seven years in the county to meet the demand.

Dundalk based company Links2Plans last week published the National Housing Construction Index which revealed that new project commencements are up 19% on last year in Co Louth, which represents about 93 new builds.

However, Louth’s minor fortunes in the residential

construction sector may not meet the growing demand.

The number of new planning applications lodged for future residential projects in the first six months of 2014, is down by -1%.

From January to June this year there have been 93 new housing commencements, up 19% so far from 2013 when there were a total of 73 new houses commenced building.

The previous year, 2012, saw only 82 new projects started and there were only 92 the year before. The amount of new projects is aproximately 70% lower than what is predicted to be needed by the ERSI. While the number of new residential builds that have commenced is growing, the Continued on Page 2

On Off win Best Rock Band Award

By Niamh Kirk

Irish Band with Dundalk roots, On Off, who moved to California have been honoured by the American music industry. The three piece whose drummer Stevie Ten Bears is from Dundalk and front-man Paulie who lived here for many years, picked up the Best Rock Band in Northern California gong at the Buttes Music Awards, named after the mountain range near where the ceremony takes place.

“We were invited to play at the Awards show first. We were supposed to be surprised with the award on the night but we kept asking questions about the show and eventually they had to tell us that we were getting something...

(Cont on Page 13)

Paulie, Stevie and Dave thank the crowd (Photo: Shawn WIlliams)

Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

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Gardai seek assistance in locating missing man Gardai in Dundalk are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 23-year-old man who has been missing from Dundalk for just over a week.

Kenneth (Ken) Fagan was last seen in Dundalk on Wednes-

day, August 6 at about 1.30 pm.

He is described as approximately 5ft 8” in height, with a medium build and has short, dark coloured hair.

A recent photograph of Kenneth can be seen below

and CCTV images from the day he went missing are included adjacent.

When last seen, Kenneth was wearing a blue hooded top that zipped up at the front and had white strings on it; dark denim jeans;

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and navy runners.

Gardai began their appeal last week but on Monday to boost the effort they released CCTV images of Kenneth.

The Gardaí are concerned for Kenneth’s welfare and anyone with information are asked to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388400, the Garda Confidential Hotline on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Left: Kenneth Fagan; right: CCTV image

Mixed fortunes in property prospects

Continued from Page 1 number of planning applications for Co Louth has fallen by 1% on the same period last year. Over the past four years the numbers of planning applications in Co Louth for the first six months has been falling. In 2011 there were 222 planning applications from January to June. So far this year there have been 157, down two from 2013 when there were 159.

Danny O’Shea, Managing Director of Link2Plans said, “The figures for planning applications and project commencements are extremely positive. They are still relatively modest in the overall context of the level of construction activity required to meet the recent ESRI forecasts for housing requirements.”

Analysis from the Links2Plans says that 25 out of the 26 counties saw an increase in project commencements with Louth recording an increase of +19%, which was well below the national average.

“Nationally, project commencements for the first six months of 2014 were up +66% when compared to the same period in 2013.”

Planning applications nationally indicate that activity in the construction sector is getting stronger as there were gains in the overall number of planed builds. However , Links2Plans report said that the only downside to the overall positive news for the sector was that planning applications were down in 12 counties, including Louth. Applications in Louth fell from 159 in January to June 2013 to 157 for the same period in 2014, which represented a fall of -1%.

The National Housing Construction Index is produced by a team of researchers at Link2Plans and it relates to all Planning Applications and Project Commencements throughout the months of January to June 2014 and gives a direct comparison with the same period in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Search party organised for missing man A search party was arranged this week to help in the search for missing Dundalk man Kenneth (Ken) Fagan.

A notice was distributed via socail media asking anyone who was willing to help look for the 23 year old to take part.

The search commenced from the Clan na Gael GFC clubrooms at 4pm on Tuesday and was open to all who wished to volunteer.

Missing Dundalk man, Kenneth Fagan

The 23 year old was last seen in Dundalk at about 1.30pm last Wednesday.

There has been an outpouring of suport for the family and friends on the Facebook page ‘Come Home Ken Fagan.’The page is designed to help and direct people who want to help in the search for Ken. A post on the page has thanked the community for their continued support.

Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

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Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

Team Torres train with world champ

A few select members of the Team Torres BJJ Team were honoured to train with current and five-time BJJ world Champion World Champion Lucas Lepri.

Lepri is one of the very few to have won all four major titles at the black belt, adult level - The World JiuJitsu Championship, Pan American Championships, the European Championship, and the Brazilian National JiuJitsu Championship.

He took time out to meet the Dundalk team while he was visiting Ireland last week.

During the session Lucas shared some of his secrets and the finer details of his winning techniques which the team hope to put to good use as they prepare for the forthcoming GrapplePalooza NoGi Grappling event in Dublin later this month. (Photo Left Team Torres with Lucas Lepri)

Bariatric Surgery cancellations blasted

Louth Sinn Féin TD Gerry Adams has said that it is disgraceful that lifesaving bariatric operations have been suspended at Dublin’s St Vincent’s Hospital.

The Louth TD made his comments after a meeting in Dundalk last week with two local women seeking this surgery.

Teachta Adams said “I met with Sarah and Margaret and they explained their circumstances to me. In Margaret’s case she had been attending St Vincent’s Hospital for the past number of years and it had been indicated to her that surgery would be performed this coming September.

“She was devastated to learn, via social media, that gastric bypass operations have been suspended indefinitely at St Vincent’s as she has been informed by medical professionals that her life expectancy will be reduced without surgery.”

Deputy Adams continued to say that this is

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD meets Bariatric patients

not an issue in County Louth alone and that individuals from across the country had been in contact with his office requesting his intervention on the matter.

“There are currently several hundred people on the waiting list for this surgery with over 1,000 on the waiting list for assessment. Senior obesity specialists have gone so far as to say that people will die if this intervention is denied to them.

“I have written to the Health Minister asking for clarity on the status

of gastric bypass operations, whether they will be reinstated and how he intends to deal with the patients currently on the waiting lists for surgery and assessment.

“I urge Minister Varadkar to rethink his predecessor’s drastic decision to stop these operations which have the potential to radically enhance quality of life and in some cases save lives.”

The gastric band surgery can cost as much as €14,000 to perform and around €20,000 including consultations in

Ireland. The procedures were cut in an effort to reduce spending in the health sector. There were 180 people on the waiting list for the life changing operation before the suspension was announced.

Last month doctors from St Vincent’s Hospital warned that the delays could lead to further health problems.

The only other hospital in Ireland the offers the surgery is University Hospital Galway where the waiting list is reported to be extensive.

Karate kids, kicking back

Family and friends of Dundalk Karate celebrate their recent success

Dundalk Karate celebrate after their series of summer medal wins. Over the past six months members of Dundalk Karate started on a very successful training regime which enabled each member to Grade to their next Kyu Level as well as compete at a number of competitions all over Ireland.

So the group took the opportunity to have some fun and celebrate their achievements.

Sensei Mary Marcus said “It was great to see everyone including mum’s and dad’s having fun alongside all our junior members. To say that our junior members were surprised to see their parents either kick or punch

or even run competitively was a joy to watch.

Everyone took to each activity with gusto and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Congratulations to all members, you have done not only myself and Dundalk Karate proud, but yourselves and all your family and friends.”

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Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

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Residents evacuated after gas leak Local Authority Housing More than 50 people were evacuated from their homes last week after a car collision caused a gas leak at a petrol station on the Dublin Road.

At 11.10pm Bord Gas were alerted to a gas leak at Burmah Garage on the Dublin Road that had arisen

after a road traffic accident. The emergency response team arrived at the leak at 11:25pm and following consultation with the Garda and the fire services it was decided to evacute nearby homes. The occupants of nine houses and six apartments were evacuated as a

precaution.

The emergency services and Bord Gáis Networks personnel secured the area with the whole incident lasting about two hours. By 1am all residents had been able to return to their homes. There was no disruption to any domestic gas supplies.

Bord Gáis Networks would like to remind gas customers and members of the public to call the 24 hour Gas Emergency Service on 1850 20 50 50 if they smell gas at home or on the street. Further gas safety information is available on bordgaisnetworks.ie.

cording to Aidan he has been helping out on the farm for as long as he can remember.

“It’s my Father’s farm so I’ve been around the farm my whole life but I suppose I started to help in the running of it since I was about 11. I entered this competition last year and didn’t make it through to the national finals so hopefully I might get there this year.

It’s a bit of craic and sure it gets me a couple of days off work,” laughed Aidan.

The aim of this prestigious competition is to recognise and reward the top young farmers in the country. The competition is kindly support-

ed by FBD Insurance.

Entrants are judged according to a number of criteria including farm business initiative and innovation, levels of farm efficiency and enterprise quality, farm safety and environmental protection awareness, as well as agricultural knowledge and community involvement.

Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place as well as to winners of the “Innovation” and “Community Involvement” Awards and to each county winner. The overall winner will receive a bursary to undertake international travel and study farm practices.

Louth fbd young farmer of the year announced

Aidan Ruddy is hoping to go one step further than last year having once again being named the Louth FBD Young Farmer of the Year for County Louth. For the second year running he will go on to represent his county at the semifinal of the 16th annual FBD Young Farmer of the Year Competition, run by Macra na Feirme in partnership with the IFA. The 28 county finalists will each compete in the national semi-finals taking place on the 20th and August 22 in Athlone. Six overall finalists will then go through to the rigorous final interview on September 2

Aidan Ruddy

in the Westlodge Hotel, Bantry, Co. Cork.

Aidan is the youngest of farmers entered in the competition. At 20 years of age he has already completed his course in Ballyhaise to get the Green Cert. The farm has 40 acres of tillage with the rest rearing 200 mid season ewes and ac-

Call for action now to meet the future demand for homes Co Louth will face housing shortages in the next seven years if action is not taken to prevent it according to a recent report from the ERSI. It is expected that about 500 new houses per year, between 2014 and 2021, will be needed to meet the growing demand in Co Louth.

It was found that nationally some 180,000 additional housing units will be required before 2021, 60% of these are needed in Dublin but about 6.5% of them will be needed in Co Louth.

That’s about 11,700 new houses needed in the next seven years.

However it was also noted that a large number of vacant dwellings would significantly reduce this requirement. While some counties have an oversupply of houses, Co Louth’s vacant housing stock is not sufficient to meet the demand as it grows.

The report’s author, Dr Morgenroth said that the concentration of demand is in the greater Dublin area and commuter belt.

“Given that the total number of housing completions recorded in the Greater Dublin Area during the 2011-2013 period is below what is needed to meet demand, this will result in significant housing shortages in the Greater

Gerry Adams TD.

Dublin Area if the rate of housing completions does not increase rapidly,” he said.

This report is part of an ongoing research programme focusing on the residential property market, jointly funded by NAMA and the IBF. It was conducted in response to a lack of detailed information at a county level.

Louth TD Seamus Kirk called for the government to intervene to kick-start housing construction in County Louth. He warned that “unless immediate action is

taken by the Government, there will be a severe shortage of housing across Louth.”

“The Government needs to fast track a new home building programme that is focused on the commuter belt.

“The new building programme must ensure there is an allocation for local authority housing and affordable housing as well as private houses. There are almost 100,000 people on social housing waiting lists throughout the country and this list is growing.

“We are heading for a housing crisis in Louth and across the country, the Government cannot afford to sit on its hands anymore,” said Deputy Kirk.

Fellow oppostion TD Gerry Adams also called for action.

“My Council colleagues have been highlighting the social housing crisis for years. Recent figures for County Louth show that the numbers on the waiting list have increased by 16% and that there are now over 4,400 households waiting to be housed.

“Currently, many families are living in very cramped, unsuitable conditions and for a lot of them, the private rental sector is out of the question due to the rise in the cost of rents,” said Gerry Adams TD.

adaptations allocations

More than €400,000 has been allocated to Co Louth to adapt local authority houses for people with special needs.

The announcement of this year’s allocation by the new Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, Paudie Coffey TD came last week.

In total €414,896 has been allocated to Louth County Council to improve their housing stock to allow them better meet the needs of people with disabilities.

In January Louth County Council sought applications for housing grants where works are required to facilitate any special needs; Housing for Older Persons, where urgent remedial works are required to privately owned properties, and Mobility Aid Grant for minor adaption’s or aids to a property.

The decisions on eligibility for grants was made by Louth County Council’s occupational therapist on a priority basis, which is based on the physical needs of the applicants.

The works allowed under the Housing Adaptation Grant scheme include access ramps, downstairs toilet facilities, stairlifts, accessible showers, wheel-

Peter Fitzpatrick TD.

chair access and other necessary works.

From 2011 to 2014 Louth County Council has received €4,005,422 in grants for the adaption of houses for older people and people with a disability.

Before her reappointment the former housing Minister Jan O’Sullivan said that “it is a matter for the Local Authority as to how they apportion their overall allocation between the three measures. The schemes

are funded by 80% recoupments available from my Department together with a 20% contribution from the resources of the local authority.”

In 2011 Co Louth received €1,076,573 in grants, which fell to €949,012 in 2012. More than €960k was allocated from the Exchequer to Co Louth in 2013 and more than €1 million in January this year.

However, new changes to the scheme means that some applicants may not be considered for more than three years.

Welcoming this round of allocations Fine Gael TD Deputy Fitzpatrick said, “Thousands of people are living in local authority housing in Louth and many of these have disabilities.

“We need to ensure that the people of the locality are living in homes that are fit for purpose and this funding will go a long way towards making the improvements required.

“Where new houses can’t be identified for tenants with disabilities, we must do everything we can to ensure that their houses are more suitable for them to live in and that is what this funding is intended to do.”

News Successful week for cricket club

in Brief Car Boot Sale

SOSAD in association with O’Hanlon Park Boxing Club are holding a car boot sale in McEvoy’s Car Park in Batchelors Walk, Dundalk on Sunday 24 August between 11am and 3:30pm. Admission is €2 for adults and free in for children. There will be teas, coffee, ice cream and face painting on the day and all are welcome. Access for vehicles is available from 10:00am and it costs €15 for a car to set up and €20 for a van.Contact 0861543210 for more details.

BOI Start-Up Awards

Bank of Ireland is calling on all business start-ups to enter the Bank of Ireland Start-up Awards 2014 before the closing date of Sunday, August 17. The objective of the awards is to pay recognition to Irish start-ups for their success in business both home and abroad. Entry into the awards is free and open to sole traders, partnerships and Irish companies from all sectors including digital, food and drink, retail, social enterprise and export businesses. To enter or nominate someone for a Start-up Award please visit www.startupawards.ie.

Dundalk Cricket Club have had good reasons to celebrate this week with two remarkable wins in the space of one week.

The furst and second teams had both been in the doldrums this season, the 1st team have had only one win all season in Leinster Division 8 and the second team only two at the beginning of the season in Division 13, both were sitting in the relegation zone. Things took a dramatic turn for the better on the bank holiday Monday of 4th August when the seconds faced Rush 4.

Having won the toss, Captain John Finnegan elected to bat and sent in the proven opening partnership of Kalkeren Kieran and Mike Waterman. A steady start was dismantled with Dundalk collapsing on themselves, losing four wickets in a row, three of them ducks. Samuel Dhinakaran and Kevin Waterman valiantly batted on a tenth wicket stand but the run out of Waterman left Dundalk stranded on just 74 runs.

The final score Dundalk 2nds 74 all out for Rush 4ths 35 all out a winning margin of 39 runs and enough to pull the team out of the relegation zone, if there are further wins in the remaining weeks of the season it should see the side stay up.

On Wednesday August 6 it was the turn of the 1st team, who were playing North Kildare seconds in the semi-final of the Dick O’Neill Cup. The opening pair of Jiwan Jodhani and Waleed Shahid did not last long, Jodhani bowled by a beautiful delivery from the pace blower Andrew Chase in the third over of their innings. Dundalk failed to make any impact in the early overs of the match with wickets falling consistently, although the partnership of Boomee Shanmugam

Neil O’Callaghan & Jiwhan Jodhani.

and Shahid began to grow as the pair top scored with 38 and 24 respectably. The partnership was broken in the middle overs of the game and the rest of the batting order struggled to make much impact on the total score, Dundalk being bowled out for a below average score of 99.

Defending a low total of 99 was never going to be easy for the Louth side, Captain Neil O’Callaghan bowling tidily as he finished on 0-25 from his 4 overs. There was a slight scare for Dundalk in the closing stages when two consecutive boundaries were hit off bowler Sajan Jeyaseelan, who fought back well to take the wicket next ball.

Shanmugam went on to hold his nerve in the final over of the match and send Dundalk into their first ever cup final.The final score was Dundalk 1sts 99 all out for North Kildare seconds 88 all out and a win by a narrow 11 runs. The final itself takes place on August 17 and Dundalk will face either Laois or Galway.

There should be enough momentum now for both sides to go onto further wins and although the chances of league success are now unachievable there is a real possibility that the club will be able to put the Dick O’Neill Cup in the trophy cabinet.

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Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014 Maria Pearla Biansumba from Dundalk Tennis Club stole the show last week when she won European U/14 Week 2 Title held at DCU national tennis centre, Dublin.

The tennis Europe event comprises of a batch of players who travel throughout Europe on the junior European tennis circuit in search of international ranking points.

Maria who lives in Kildare has been training out of Dundalks high performance tennis academy for the past three years and under the guidance of Dundalk’s Davis Cup and Head performance coach and manager John McGahon.

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Paul Martin, Billy Smith, Stephen Hutchinson and Craig Long at Mr & Mrs in The Clans.

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American Award for On Off (Cont from Pg 1)

“...but we didn’t know what,” said Paulie. “It was all a bit surreal,” he added.

The band got the award in May but their dedication to gigging and recording meant they didn’t take the time to boast their win.

“It was great, great to get the recognition, but to tell you the truth we put it on the shelf and kept doing what we need to keep doing. It not that I’m downgrading the Award, it has opened so many doors for us. But we are very focused on the music and the live shows,” said Paulie.

Based in Sacramento the band have toured extensively and On Off are currently recording their new album in ‘Tone Freq’ Studio in San Jose.

They expect to have the album ready for release

by January and will be releasing a single and shooting a video in the coming months.

“It was a struggle when we first got here.

We locked ourselves in to the house and were writing and writing,” said Stevie. “The re-

Stevie ‘Ten Bears’ examines the Best Rock Band Award on stage in California.

cording is going really well. It’s a big American sound. They say you can replicate sound but I don’t think so. The equipment is different, it’s a different set up,” he said.

As well as receiving the award, the band also had a number of other successes. After performing at the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) industry tradeshow, Paulie, picked up sponsorship from Gretsch Guitars and the band secured sponsorship for their strings too.

They also have a few major shows lined-up, including having been invited back to play at Feather Falls Casino where they impressed at a St Patrick’s Day Show earlier this year.

“In terms of the live music scene it’s very different here. In Ireland, there’s a lot of going out and getting drunk while the show is going on, as opposed to going to a concert. People don’t think much of a drive out of their way to go to live shows here,” said Stevie.

With all going so well,

do the guys miss home at all? They say they are so focused on working they don’t seem to mind.

But, Stevie is a dedicated Dundalk FC fan and despite the dedication to the music, tries to not miss a match. “I stream them online whenever I can, or watch it on TV when it’s on. Otherwise I’ll listen to the coverage on Dundalk FM. It’s great to see them doing well,” he said.

Of Off have no immediate plans to return to Ireland but their new album will be available in the new year.

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THE ROCK REVIVAL August 16th/17th 2014

B

lackrock Village will come alive this weekend, with the annual 15th August pilgrimage to 'The Rock' now a more important event than ever in the County Louth calendar.

There is a very impressive list of events scheduled in what

promises to be a fantastic weekend for both young and old alike.

There was some uncertainty about whether or not the event would go ahead this year, but such has been the success of previous years that the small organising committee felt it had to happen, and although the committee is small it is by no means easy to put together. It is something

the organisers feel very passionate about.

“We really wanted to see a day where young and old could come out together and just enjoy themselves. The Blackrock Tidytowns does such brilliant work and the more the village can do together, the better we do and the better it is for all of us,” said Caroline from The Home Bakery, one of the festivals

core organisers.

The festival will see the return of some favourite events, such as the chilli eating contest and the cook-off (this year curry). After three years there are some scores to settle in the increasingly popular tug-of-war. Taking advantage of the location this year will see Beach Volleyball added to the line up so expect plenty of laughs (especially if it rains!)

The Blackrock Festival also features some excellent live music with The Flaws, Richard Richard, The Beached Whales, the Rollers and DJ Brand New Secondhand girl hitting the beach stage. Craftmakers, artisan food producers and stall-owners will line the beachfront.

The festival should be in store for an added boost after Blackrock was featured in

Joe Martin and Carol Thornton at last year's Rock Festival.

the Irish Central’s Best Small Towns to Visit This Summer list. The Irish American Diaspora media company asked Failte Ireland to recommend villages and they selected the areas where the local business and local communities come together to deliver a positive experience and tells the story of its culture and heritage.

15th August has long been

a day when people from 'The Town' headed out to 'The Rock' for an ice-cream or a bag of salty chips on the wall, and it is in keeping with this nostalgia that this weekend has been put together. The organising committee are grateful to sponsors who have supported this year's festival and hope the public will come out to support them this Saturday and Sunday.

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Ailis Hughes Dubai Rose Final preparations are being made for Ailís Hughes as she gets ready for the Rose of Tralee festival which kicks off this Friday.

Ailís who originally hails from Omeath moved to Dubai after three years teaching in London and will now represent her adopted city in this year’s Rose of Tralee finals. As she explains, it is an experience she is really looking forward to.

“It has been a fantastic six months so far being a Rose and I’m really looking forward to getting down to Tralee for the start of the festival.

I’m so excited to see the other Roses again but I’m a little nervous about going on stage with so many people watching.”, explained Ailís.

“I have lots of family and friends coming down for the weekend and they are nearly as excited as me. I have been overwhelmed by the support from everyone in Carlingford and Dubai. Tralee is fantastic during the festival and there are loads of events for the whole family!

My friends in Dubai will

be following me as well as there’s an Irish bar called Mcgettgans in Dubai is showing the event (though it is on at 2am) live thanks to the RTE player.

“There will also be a very proud viewer back home watching me as my 92 year old grandmother will be proudly watching on,” she noted.

Ailís, a huge fan of travelling has just returned from a five week trip around Australia and will head to Tralee believing the competition has evolved over the years reaching a point where it represents the empowerment of young women.

“Being a part of the Rose of Tralee is a dream for me” says Ailís. “I think the meaning Rose of Tralee has changed over the past few years.

I think it now represents the empowerment of young women. As the Dubai Rose I got to visit Nepal with the Children of the Mountain charity who work primarily with young girls who are forced into early marriages. They use the ‘Her Turn’ programme which educates young

Ailis and Dan from Dan’s cafe in Carlingford.

Up to

OFF!

Ailis in front of Dubai’s iconic buildings

girls about life and other options. outside marriage. So to win the Rose of Tralee it would mean giving a voice to those women that don’t have one. It’s women helping women,” she noted.

“I have already gained

so much from the whole experience and met so many fantastic girls.

I aim to enjoy every minute of the festival and do everyone proud that has supported me on this journey,” concluded Ailís.

Muay Thai takes local fighter on a global journey

By Paul Byrne Stephen Hodgers may not be a household name in Ireland just yet but in the world of Muay Thai fighting he has become one of the most respected fighters on the planet.

26 year old Stephen who hails from Castlebellingham moved to Bangkok four years ago to perfect his skills having learned the sport in his local Louth Thai gym.

He is currently a professional Muay Thai expert fighting out of the Windy Gym in Pattaya and earlier this year his stock had risen so high he was named as an opponent to fight the legendary Saenchai who is considered by many to be the best Muay Thai fighter in the world.

Unfortunately that fight didn’t take place due to visa issues with Saenchai but the fact Hodgers was deemed worthy to fight such a great showed exactly how far the Castlebellingham man had come in his sport. According to the man himself hard work and dedication have helped him become one of the most feared fighters in his sport.

“I’ve been based in Thailand for about four years now and through hard work and dedication to the sport I’ve been able to take up Muay Thai full time.

I was lucky enough to get sponsored by a big glove company over here which allowed me to concentrate full time on improving and over the last few years I’ve risen up the rankings and I would be pretty well known in Muay Thai circles at this stage,” explains Stephen.

“My love for the sport probably originated about 10 years ago when a friend of mine came back from Thailand with a load of Muay Thai DVD’s. I was fascinated with the sport and joined the Louth

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I went out to Thailand for four months in 2009 and I was blown away by how popular Muay Thai is over there. It’s like the GAA over here and everybody is obsessed with it. Once I had a taste I knew I wanted more and so I made the decision to move over there permanently in about 2010,” he added.

Stephen’s Muay Thai journey has seen him fight in massive fights all over the world including Australia, Iran, Thailand and Hong Kong. Fighting in the 67kg division the Castlebellingham man is currently on a two week holiday back home before returning to Thailand to prepare for his next big bout in September.

“I fly back to Thailand on 26th August where the hard work starts again. I love the training and the sport but it can be hard sometimes as Pattaya is such a party town and you just have to try and stay away from all the bars and clubs and stay focused in the gym.

“But I feel lucky and privileged to be able to do this at a professional level so all the sacrifices are worth it,” noted Stephen.

The Hodgers family has a fighting pedigree with Stephen’s brothers Karl and Sean also occupying the top ranks of Irish Muay Thai.

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Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

10

Leaving Cert advice available locally

Guidance Councillors in the north east are advising both students and parents to not panic as the Leaving Cert results are released.

PRO of the North East Branch of the Institute of Guidance counsellors Gerry Malone says that next week is indeed a very stressful time for many families but whatever happens there will be Guidance Counsellors at hand in their own school to give them the advice and support that they need.

“I can’t emphasise this enough. Although there are two weeks left of the regular school holidays still to go Guidance Counsellors will quite rightly be back at their desks next week to help their students,” he said.

During the next two weeks when students and parents need advice and support, Mr Malone said it was vital to remember that there are a lot of education opportunities out there for them. As well as the CAO, the offers for which will come five days after the results there is a wide range of choices.

He said that many of the students who have applied for Post Leaving Certificate Courses will already know they have a place since May. “They should just notify the college they are holding an offer from of their results,” said Mr Malone To those who have applied to the northern third level institutions Mr Malone advises contacting them early to check if it is necessary to send in a copy of the results as in some colleges, such as Queens University, a place can be lost if results are not posted immediately.

“Many students from the Dundalk area have also applied for places in the Southern Regional College in Newry. The advice is contact them immediately also,” added Mr Malone.

However the CAO is still the main process of entering third level for most people. “For the students who didn’t secure the points from the Leaving Certificate for their chosen course in the CAO there is always the second round of offers two weeks later,” said Mr Malone.

“If a student did not

Gerry Malone.

get the course they were seeking and the points drop to their specific points they may be offered a place on that course. The key to the CAO maze is that a student can move up their list of preferences but not move down. They can accept a first round course next week and if the course they want is a higher preference and the points come down two weeks later they may be offered that place,” he said.

The Colaiste Ris Guidence councillor warned about taking the advice of non-professionals and underlined the importance of contacting the right people to get the right information. They will be on hand to support students who have applied to for the SUSI

Grant and the HEAR and Dare schemes.

The Institute of Guidance Counsellors will also be running a national helpline in conjunction with the National Parents Council. It is 1800 265 165. It will be open on next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 am to 7pm to give advice to parents and students. Mr Malone will be there to help his students but not all those entering third level will be so lucky.

“I will be at my desk next week to gladly help my students from my own school. Many other counsellors will also be there. But at this time I have to think of the 200 schools which have no Guidance counsellor as a result of the cuts by the current government,” he said.

“To add to these cuts some teachers had their wages cut for the fourth time over the summer without any publicity.

My own wages were cut as part of the Haddington Road deal by €250 a month. This is a disgrace.

But it won’t put me off to help my students and their parents in seeking the best for them.”

Fund-raising night for The Birches

The Birches Alzheimer’s Centre will be hosting a fundraising race night at the Dundalk Golf Club on Saturday, August 16.

Organised by Peter Durnin of Image IT Group and Joe Durnin of Joe Durnin Accountants, the event promises to be a great occasion for charitable supporters.

Participants will have the opportunity to bet on virtual races while enjoying the buffet and music provided on the night.

“This will be a great night for a very worthy charity,” said Mr Durnin of Image IT Group, whose own father received exceptional care at the Birches Alzheimer’s Centre.

“The response has been incredible. We’ve received great support from our spon-

Peter Durnin, Managing Director, Image IT Group and Brian Murphy, Treasurer, The Birches.

sors around Dundalk and Drogheda and are delighted that people are willing to help the centre maintain their outstanding work”.

So far, the organisers have surpassed their initial aim of €10,000 and believe that their total will eventually hit

a staggering €15,000.

Business sponsorship was an enormous part of their fundraising effort, with local businesses such Horseware, Costa Coffee and McKenna Man sponsoring raffle prizes, jockeys and entire races.

Mr & Mrs Night in Clan na Gaels

Karl O’Connor, Tim Riggins, Conor

Noonan and Rubbie Curan.

Fiona Dixon and Elizabeth Tumulty.

Stanley and Sharon Meehan.

Eddie and Patricia Duffy.

Megan Crilly, Paul Gore and Dara Goss .

Sandra and Kit Weldon.

While the organisation is co-funded by the HSE and the North Louth Branch of the Irish Alzheimer’s Society, approximately 60% of their funding has been raised by support groups and members of the community, in order to maintain this essential service.

The Birches would like to thank their sponsors for enabling them to continue to help those affected by Alzheimer’s through personalised care and treatment.

All of their sponsors will be acknowledged in the race programme and 100% of the proceeds will go towards helping those touched by any form of dementia.

For more information on the event, contact Peter Durnin at peter@imageitgroup.ie or call 042 9339110.

Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

11

McCrystals are going for gold Bryan McCrystal and Eve McCrystal are going for gold at World Para road and time trial championships.

Dundalk cyclists Bryan McCrystal and his sister Eve will leave for South Carolina tomorrow morning as they attempt to bring home the gold medal in the World Para Road and Time Trial Championships on August 28.

Bryan teams up with James Brown as they aim to go at least one better than their fourth place finish in the UCI Paracycling Track World Championships in Aguacalientes in Mexico in April while Eve teams up with Katie-George Dunleavy.

The pair are currently ranked second in the world on the Union Cycliste Internationale website and showed they are in fine fettle with two bronze medals in the Paracycling World Cup in Italy during June.

Both sets of riders

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Bryan McCrystal teams up with James Brown whilst Eve Mc Crystal teams up with Katie-George Dunleavy.

will represent Ireland in the Tandem class for athletes who are blind or visually impaired: They compete using a two-person cycle known as a tandem, with the vision impaired person sitting on the rear of the tandem – (known as the stoker) and the sighted person on the front (the pilot) who pedals, steers, brakes and provides

verbal instructions to the stoker.

Bryan is pleased with how his training camp has gone thus far and insists that the duo are determined to return from the championships with a medal.

“Myself and James have been training really hard for this and we are determined to get ourselves a medal.

We were so close to

bronze in Mexico and we really want to go at least one better in South Carolina. James is from Belfast but is based in the UK so he came over to Dundalk last week where we trained hard and took part in two time trials winning both. Both James and Eve’s partner Katie stayed for a week basing themselves in the Ballymascanlon hotel.

We’d like to thank Mr Oliver Quinn who was very kind in accommodating them and letting us have the use of the leisure facilities. It was perfect preparation,” explained Bryan.

“We have put in a lot of work and we head to the World Championships in confident mood. Obviously it will be very hot over there but we can handle that

and we’ll give it our all,” added Bryan.

Bryan, James, Eve and Katie begin their medal quest on the 29th of August when they take part in the 27km time trial before gearing up for the gruelling 120km race on the 31st of August. For further information go to http://www.greenvillesc2014.com/default. aspx

Cyclists secure league success

Cuchulainn’s rich vein of form in the IVCA League continued recently with Jimmy Flynn taking the win the most recent round of the league. Jimmy was part of a three man group that escaped from the main field, which included club mate Brendan Dunne. Once the break had established an insurmountable lead, Jimmy and Brendan started to attack their third breakaway companion, with Jimmy eventually managing to solo his way to the victory.

With his teammate up the road, Brendan was given a free ride to the line, where he took second place to give the club a solid one, two in the race.

The Leinster Underage Championships were held on Sunday last in the County Meath town of Kilmessan. Cuchulainn were once again in the medals with two bronze medals for Conor McKeown in the under 14s and Aaron Trainer in the under 12s. Conor is also fresh off a win in the most recent round of the FPM Accountants Summer Cycling League. Conor riding in Group 1 managed to hold everyone else off to take the win ahead of Alan Bingham.

With just one round remaining in the league Trevor Kane has a slender three point lead over Stamullen’s Gary Gorman, however, with Trevor currently on holidays and due to miss the last round, Gorman could take the victory assuming he finishes in sixth place or higher in the final event. After the summer league finishes up all eyes will turn to the Leinster & Louth Hill Climb Championships.

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Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

12

Pete Treanor’s

Weekly Quiz

1. Musicals What country was The Sound of Music set?

2. Food Iceberg, Cos and Lambs are varieties of what vegetable?

3. Cartoons What was the name of the cat who tried unsuccessfully to hunt Tweetie Bird 4. Local What was the local name given to the football field on the Carrick Road used by the Summer League adjacent to Oriel Park.

5. America Which city lies on the Potomac River 6. Art Which English artist painted the Haywain?

7. Politics Donald Tusk is the Prime Minister of

what EU Country (2014) 8. Television In the sitcom The Royal Family what was nana’s first name?

9. Nature How many eggs would a peacock lay in a year?

The Stinker: Which illusionist trick was first performed

by Count de Grisly in 1799.

—this week’s answers—

Seamus calls for more Garda Seamus Kirk TD is calling for more Garda resources in Dundalk after a spate of burglaries and recent CSO crime figures revealing an increase in break-ins and robberies in the area.

“A number of organisations have contacted me in recent weeks expressing concern about a spate of robberies in rural areas,” said the Fianna Fail TD. “Many communities across the county are living in fear, particularly those living in isolated and rural areas. They have seen their local Gardai deployed elsewhere and are concerned about crime sprees in their areas. People living alone are particularly

Deputy Seamus Kirk.

anxious and are worried about being targeted by criminals,” he added.

Pointing to resources in the area he said that the Gardai numbers had been severely depilated.

“Officers are going above and beyond the call of duty and carrying out their work in extremely constrained conditions. Technology, equipment and Garda

vehicles are all in urgent need of upgrading. It is no coincidence that there has been an increase in crime at a time when the force is stretched to the limit. It is little wonder that Garda morale is on the floor, and it is an issue that needs to be addressed swiftly.”

The number of Gardai in Louth fell by 28 in the past five years. There are 286 Gardai stationed in Co Louth. Since 2010 the number of Gardai in Dundalk has fallen from 133 to 120.

While Garda numbers have dropped, crime levels have been fluctuating. There were a total of 1,164 burglaries and related crimes in 2012, in 2013 there were

1,150. However there was a sharp rise in the third quarter of last year from 283 in from July to September last year to 323 from October to December.

“We need to maintain a strong Garda presence in border areas, yet the Minister has not sanctioned any additional resources for the region.

The Minister cannot afford to neglect falling Garda numbers any longer. It is imperative that we have a robust frontline force, which is visible and active in the community and I would urge her to address the resources and staffing issue without delay,” said Deputy Kirk.

Dip in the Nip

The ‘Dip in the Nip’, a sponsored skinny dip in aid of the North East Oncology Unit is taking place in Co Louth. Each year across European beaches, people shed their clothes and run into the sea to raise money for cancer charities.

This is the first year the Dip in the Nip has come to the North East and so far only women are encouraged to get involved. The location of the event remains top secret until the night before the skinny dip when the participants will receive a text of the beach and a time.

The ‘Dippers’ register with Dip in the Nip 2014 and get their sponsorship card or make a donation.

Once registered the organising committee will inform dippers on September 6, where the dip will take place the following day. There are separate men’s and women’s dips and the press are not permitted on the beach during the event.

The skinny dip aims to be a life affirming event, something radical to celebrate life and a reminder that are bodies are maps of our lives and that we should all be proud of them. Those who have participated in previous dips have noted the idea of a skinny dip being ‘scary’ disappears in the face of cancer. Registration is open for the Dip in the Nip, to get involved visit www.dipinthenip.eu

SOSAD appeal for volunteers for new home

By Caoimhe Duffy

SOSAD, the north-east’s suicide prevention and bereavement support organisation, are appealing for volunteers to help them expand their services.

The charity is in the process of moving to bigger premises and need about 20 voluntary workers to aid them in the

transition.

Peter Moroney, the founder of SOSAD (Save Our Sons and Daughters), said that they are looking for people who have completed a recognised counselling course, suicide risk assessors, suicide intervention officers, psychologists and administrative workers.

The charity organisation will be moving from their

current premises at 31, Williamson’s Place to 24, Jocelyn Street, Dundalk in early September and wish to further develop their services with the help of devoted volunteers.

“We’re so delighted to be moving to such a safe and welcoming premise,” said Mr Moroney, who set up the vital service after the tragic loss of his own son in 2003.

“Everyone who wishes to volunteer will receive all of the necessary training to become a member of a really committed and wonderful staff”.

SOSAD Ireland offers assistance to those who are contemplating suicide, who have attempted suicide, and also to the family and friends of those who have taken their own lives.

They provide an emergency call out service 24 hours a day, regular counselling free of charge and support groups for the bereaved.

Anyone interested in getting involved with this invaluable service can email their CV to info@sosadireland.ie or contact the organisation directly at 041-9848754.

1 Austria 2 Leuttuce 3 Sylvester 4 The Joe’s Field 5 Washington DC 6 John Constable 7 Poland 8 Norma 9 None (peakhens lay eggs, not peacocks) Stinker: Sawing a women in half.

Mr & Mrs Night in the Clan na Gaels

Sean Woods, Jennifer Murphy and

Theresa Woods.

Bernie Wesley and Jamsie Clinton.

Lauren and Caragh Duffy.

Mary Hoey and Lillian Smith.

Aoife Traynor with Johnny and Emm a Duffy.

Jamsie and Brenda Clinton.

Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

13

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Stunning photo of Carlingford Lough beautifully lit by lanterns . Photo taken by Eimear Ruane McAteer.

Louth’s alight with support for people in Gaza

By Caoimhe Duffy

The Carlingford community came together last Friday night to express their support for the people of Palestine.

Light up the Lough was organised by a host of coordinators across the north-eastern region as part of the Stand Up for Palestine campaign.

Biodegradable lanterns were released across Carlingford

Lough from points in Warrenpoint, Rostrevor, Greencastle, Omeath, Carlingford and Greenore to not only show support, but to widen the pool of discourse surrounding the conflict.

“This was a great occasion for the community to come together in solidarity to highlight the injustice being suffered by Palestinians,” said organiser, Michael Sloan.

Mr Sloan continued by say-

ing that the turnout was beyond their expectations and that the event was truly a success.

Approximately 1600 people attended Light up the Lough between Carlingford, Omeath and the surrounding areas.

“This was an opportunity for people to show their support and make their concerns heard,” said Sinn Féin Councillor Edel Corrigan.

Along with Caitríona Ru-

ane, Séan Doran, Sinéad Ennis, Michael Sloan and clusters of volunteers from each village, Cllr Corrigan was one of the central coordinators and keynote speakers at the event.

While keeping the environmental impact in mind, attendants were asked to bring lanterns, candles and flags.

Members of the local Coast Guard were notified in advance to prevent the servicemen from

being misled by a stray lantern.

Cllr Dáire Hughes congratulated the organisers for drawing so many remarkable communities together to voice their concerns.

Cllr Hughes took to Twitter to express his support and admiration writing, “Huge maith sibh to the organisers of Light up the Lough in solidarity with besieged Gaza. Sinead Ennis spoke excellently”.

SONG aim to continue singing with fundraisers

Dundalk musical theatre group SONG are currently focusing on upcoming fundraising projects to help out with the cost of their production of Sweeny Todd: The Musical which will take place in An Táin Theatre in February 2015.

For the first time, the amateur company will have professional director Rob Vickers working with them.

Rob is an Irish-born actor, singer/songwriter and musician who was recently a cast member in Les Misérables in the West End. The group’s musical director, Patrick Dunne, is a former musical director of Riverdance and has worked with Phil Coulter and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

The group are trying to raise €10,000 as their projected box office receipts only cover approximately 55% of their costs.

Plans for raising the €10,000 include a concert on September 19 in the Dundalk Golf Club, a Christmas concert in December and a table quiz in January 2015.

The money raised will go towards the hiring of costumes, make-up and hair, the cost of special effects and essential props needed for this incredible show.

The group’s previous productions include Oliver, Les Misérables, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Jekyll and Hyde.

To donate, please visit the group’s Fundit page at www.fundit.ie/project/sweeney-todd-the-musical.

For further information, contact Terese Dunne at 086-8963079 or email teresedunne@eircom.net

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Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

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Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

Over to you Question: What advice would you give to Leaving Cert students collecting their results today?

15

Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk. Ph: 042 93 57897

Sean Dawson

Martin Brennan

Luke Martin

Una Cleary

George Crozier

I’d tell them not to get too worried if they don’t get their first choice.

Even if you don’t do well the experience will stand you in good stead and you’ll do better next time.

I’d say to anybody collecting their results to stay calm. Don’t rush whilst adding up your points. If you don’t get your first offer don’t fret.

I think they should look forward to getting their results and to remember that there is always another option. I’d also say not to overdo it on the celebrations when they go to town and to drink in moderation and stay safe.

I would say to them that it’s only one of the stepping stones in life and that it doesn’t define you. Try not to panic when you go to collect them.

I’d simply tell them to pick them up, see what you get and take it from there. Don’t avoid them.

Just open them up and then you’ll have a better picture of what lies ahead.

Winner takes it all championship finale

By Caoimhe Duffy

Dundalk Mavericks are due to face the Tyrone Titans at Navan Rugby Football Club in a winner takes all championship final this Sunday.

Although the Mavericks identify as being the underdogs, they’re hoping that they’ll be able to hold their nerve and push past their strongest contender to claim the title.

The Titans have so far glided through the IAFL-2 Championship undefeated, winning all six games.

However, their biggest challenge now is in at-

tempting to overcome the power and strength of our own Dundalk Mavericks.

Dundalk has lost to Tyrone on two occasions this year so hold a great deal of respect for their final opponent.

However, the Mavericks are now hoping to use the inspiration they’ve gained from other competitors and apply mind over matter in what promises to be an incredibly exciting game.

Dundalk Mavericks AFC will take on the Tyrone Titans in their final encounter of the 2014 seaDundalk Mavericks in action. Their last match of the season takes place this Sunday at 1pm son this Sunday at 1pm.

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Huge numbers travel to Drogheda for Louth derby

An estimated 1000 Dundalk FC supporters made the short trip down the M1 to Drogheda last Friday night as Stephen Kenny’s league leaders took on their neighbours in United Park.

As the Dundalk players walked out on to the pitch they could have been forgiven for thinking they were playing at home such was the vast array of Dundalk flags and scarves on display.

The game itself was a typical derby affair with tackles flying in and space at a premium. Drogheda Utd have been one of the form teams in the league in recent weeks with ex Dundalk manager Darius Kierans and Damien Richardson steadying the ship.

The home side started this game brightly but Dundalk eventually got into their stride and the it was the away fans who were cheering after 19 minutes when hotshot Patrick Hoban stooped to head home his fourteenth goal of the season.

However, Dundalk’s joy barely lasted a minute as Gary O’Neil found the back of the net immediately to leave the scoreboard reading 1-1 after 20 minutes. Despite chances for both sides during an even second half there were to be no more goals as both managers were forced to settle for a point.

With Cork beating St Pats Dundalk’s draw means their lead at the top is now down to four points as the league enters it’s final ten games.

Next up for the Lilywhites is Limerick on Friday night as Dundalk aim to make it a trio of victories over the Lims this season.

So far this season Dundalk have seen an increase in attendances from last season with an average of 2300 going through the turnstiles compared with just under two thousand last year. With a genuine chance of a first league title since 1995 on the horizon Dundalk FC will be hoping that as many supporters as possible get behind the team as the league

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Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

16

Family Notices novena

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I asked you for many favours. This time I ask you 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). T.C. NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I asked you for many favours. This time I ask you 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). T.L. NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I asked you for many favours. This time I ask you 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). R.K.

novena

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I asked you for many favours. This time I ask you 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). P.B.

The junior litter wardens doing great work in Rivervale in Dunleer.

Rivervale Junior Litter Wardens Dunleer

The Rivervale Tidy Towns association was reformed earlier this year and has accomplished great work in their estate in just a few months.Under their chairperson Nola Pluck they have a very active and vibrant committee.They have weekly clean up in around the estate on Saturdays with many of the residents joining the committee in making useful improvements in the estate.They set about painting all unpainted walls around houses in the estate, organized to have the big green cut regularly so children could play there.They also have arranged flower beds around each tree on the green and they have had the entrance stone repainted, and had graffiti removed from walls of the electric boxes.

Now in recent weeks they have included the children of the estate in litter collection once weekly throughout the estate. They were very active this week throughout the estate and not a paper to be seen anywhere.

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WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIALS—Beautiful wedding photography professional taken and presented in Picture Book Album With 150 photographs for €750.00 Peter Hughes Photography 087-256-1161 or 042-933-3732 CARPENTER / MULTI TRADER—25+ years exp., doors, floors fencing, side gates, shelving etc. Wallpapering, painting, tiling. Quality finish assured. Call Des for free quote: 087 6180150.

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.everkleen.ie HOUSE & APARTMENT CLEANING Service. Specializing in Re-Let & Spring Cleaning. Fully insured. For a free quotation contact Everkleen 042 9352717 / 087 6873188, www. everkleen.ie CLEANEST & KEENEST—Have your windows, carpet or suite of furniture cleaned at keenest prices. Also guttering, fascia boards, power hosing.

Call Damien 0868469559 or 0879319243 TILER AVAILABLE—Experienced local tiler to carry out all types of tile work—marble, granite, porcelain.

Indoors and out. Call 0876563705 for free quote.

DUNDALK COMPUTER REPAIR CENTRE—We fix PCs, laptops, tablets, ipads, iphones and smartphones. All computer services. Includes new antivirus and microsoft office. Free callout service. No fix no fee! 9am to 10pm. 7 days a week. Call Gerard 085 128 6436.042 932 8301

BUILDER & HOME MAINTAINENCE—Building, woodwork, painting, lawn cutting, all jobs. No job to big or too small. Tel. Brian 087 295 2529 GRIMLEY’S DUBLIN ST. DUNDALK—TV aerials, satellite, Freeview & Saorview, new installations, sales & repairs. 042 935 4343.

A ALTERATIONS—For all your tailoring/sewing needs. Zips in Trousers/ Jeans €10.50. Curtains altered, Jeans patched, dry cleaning service. Hems on school trousers now €4.95. Long Walk Shopping Centre. Contact 9333380 / 087-968-8518 KI MASSAGE THERAPY—Allow me to help free the tension from both mind and body with a beautiful relaxing Ki Massage. Call now for more details and to make a booking. Mags Murtagh 086-853 1854 GARDENS TIDIED—Hedges cut, trees trimmed & topped. Tel. 087 229 6441 or 089 444 9028.

RING-A-DRINK—9337229 Spring a party or BBQ with friends, we deliver 5pm – 10pm daily. Northend Bar, Bridge Street Tel 042 933 7229 O’Brien Landscaping—Lawncutting, Fencing, Decking, Slabbing, Power Washing Driveways, Gutters and Fascias, Clean ups Call Brian 087 295 2529 APPLIANCE DOCTOR—Domestic appliances repaired. Washing machines, Tumble Dryers, Cookers, Dishwashers, Fridges – All household appliance repairs & installations Call Bob 042 938 2241, 087 790 9182 ACE GARDEN SERVICES—Tree topping, felling, hedge trimming. RUBBISH REMOVALS – Garage clearance, House & Garden refuse. Permit holder. Contact: Tom 085-113-3358

HANDYMAN—Handyman available to do general house work including tree maintenance, cutting grass, trimming hedges, painting indoors and outdoors, unblocking drains etc: Contact Romas 086-228-8444 CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINER—Professional children’s entertainer. Magic available for private parties etc.

Contact: 087-601-6795 www.keithmccabemagician.ie FORTUNE TELLER—Available for appointment, private or group bookings.Tel. Alison 042 9335102.

PAINTER & HANDYMAN—Painting, wallpapering, wooden floors, tiling & odd jobs. Reliable & tidy. Competitive rates. Contact 086-876-0272 PAUL’S THERAPIES—Reiki, massage, reflexology, I.E.T., Indian head massage. Yoga classes every Monday & Thursday evening. Contact Paul Levin’s 086 344 6944 EAT YOURSELF THIN—New revolutionary fat burning technology that turns fat to fuel. Gives you a longer workout with less fatigue and soreness. Crave blocker to help stop those cravings for sweets, chocolate, crisps etc. We show you how eating little and often is the way to go to keeping off those pounds. Look good, feel good. 086-878-9482 ALL ROOFING REPAIRS—All roofing repairs, we fix gutters, fascia & soffit, all broken tiles, slates, ridge and banger blue and torch –on. All work guaranteed, 25 years experience, free quotations Tel Paul 086 8184827

articles for sale BEDS & FURNITURE DIRECT—Beds, mattresses, wardrobes, chests, lockers, pine beds etc., also furniture removals call 086 870 4908 anytime.

SELL IT THROUGH A CLASSIFIED— Only €5 for one week up to 20 words.

04293 20888. The Dundalk Leader.

DEALGAN FURNITURE—Longwalk, Dundalk (inside The Paint Store). For a wide range of Bedroom & Dining room Furniture, Beds & Mattresses made to any size, always a selection of quality second-hand furniture on display. Suite Re-Upholstery and Furniture Repair Service. Tel 042 932 9111 or call Paddy 086 3207383 BEDS BEDS BEDS—For the largest selection of beds in Dundalk at unbeatable prices, beds from €79. The Bed Store Unit 24 Northlink Retail Park, Dundalk Tel 042 9320927 EXERCISE BIKE—Exercise bike never used for sale also Zanussi Fridge Freezer in good working order. Contact: 086-167-3792 BEDROOM FURNITURE—Bedroom furniture (Girls) for sale, bed, w’robe, locker, chest of drawers, dressing table. Excellent condition. Contact : 087-641-4000

special services GERRY’S UPHOLSTERY SERVICE— Suites/Antique furniture repaired and re-covered. Better than new.

086-080-0788 CHIMNEY & STOVE CLEANING— Inspection & Repair. Tel Paul McArdle 042-9332491/0876660094—Email tribalky@yahoo.com DUNDALK BUREAU DE CHANGE— Best Rates Guaranteed. No Commission. We Buy and Sell All Major Currencies; Electronic Bank Transfers; US and Australian Dollars. 8 Park St (Open 7 Days, 8am -11pm) & 4 Linenhall St (Open Mon-Sat)—Call 042 9339922/9370101; www.dundalkbureaudechange.com. Accepting All Major Credit and Debit Cards.

PERFECT FIT ALTERATIONS—For all your sewing needs. Curtains, Hems, Zips & Repairs. 10% off for Slimming World members. Castle-

situations vacant COOK/CHEF—Cook/Chef required for school canteen, 10 hours approx, morning, lunch time only, during

Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

Local girls meet Riverdancers

Sarah Dunne, Lily McElroy and Fiadh O’Grady with Riverdancers, Padraic Moyles and Emma Warren.

Thursday 14th of August Annual 6 hour sale from 6pm until midnight!

20% to 75% off

everything in store for 6 hours only

ACOUSTIC GUITARS

WAS

TAKAMINE AN16 ACOUSTIC BREEDLOVE BLACK MAGIC ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC BREEDLOVE D200TSM ACOUSTIC BREEDLOVE D250SBE GARRISON G41 ACOUSTIC GARRISON G50 ACOUSTIC ARIA AD65N STAGG SA300 ACOUSTIC STARTER PACK STAGG A2006 ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC STAGG A4006 ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC STAGG SJB209BBNS ACOUSTIC BASS LA PATRIE COLLECTION CLASSICAL ALHAMBRA 7F E1 FLAMENCO GUITAR

SALE

€1108 €740 €1285 €800 €507 €350 €767 €500 €925 €490 €1306 €700 €569 €320 €139 €99 €242 €160 €269 €170 €381 €199 €740 €499 €1595 €899

Some luckey ladies, Sarah Dunne, Lily McElroy and Fiadh O’Grady all from Blackrock and members of The Carol Leavy Irish Dancing School attended a very special performance of Riverdance last Saturday, August 2, in The Gaiety Theatre.

The three dancers

ELECTRIC GUITARS

WAS

IBANEZ PRESTIGE RG2550Z W/CASE TOKAI PR50 PRS COPY FENDER KOA TELE GIBSON SG STANDARD W/CASE ESP LTD ST203 SUNBURST G300 GOTHIC FLYING V PADDED ELECTRIC GIG BAG PADDED BASS GIG BAG

SALE

€1170 €819 €699 €349 €855 €599 €1170 €879 €455 €319 €249 €125 €31 €21 €31 €21

GUITAR amps

WAS

SALE

FENDER GDEC3 15W GUITAR AMP €345 €239 FENDER BDEC 30W BASS AMP €429 €299 ROLAND VGA5 MODELING GUITAR AMP €999 €499 CARLSBRO TC60 60W VALVA COMBO €767 €459 CARLSBRO STINGRAY 100W DSP COMBO €365 €219 VOX T60 60W BASS COMBO €469 €235 PEAVEY VALVE KING 112 COMBO €636 €381 HEADWAY SHIRE KING 120W ACOUSTIC AMP €1016 €609 HEADWAY SHIRE KING 120W ACOUSTIC AMP €742 €445 STAGG 40W GUITAR AMP €169 €85 APHEX ACOUSTIC GUITAR XCITER PEDAL €151 €90 APHEX PUNCH FACTORY COMPRESSOR PEDAL €151 €90

keyboards

WAS

SALE

KORG KING KORG FLAGSHIP SYNTH €1499 €899 yamaha TYROS 5 76 KEY PROFESSIONAL ARRANGER €4599 €3679 Roland SH01 GAIA SYNTH €796 €450 novation ULTRANOVA SYNTH AND VOCODER €679 €450 orla XM400 ARRANGER MODULE €909 €299 idean STARTER PACK (STAND, BOOK, KEYBOARD) €125 €99

20% Off All Other Stock INCLUDING PIANOS, DRUMS, MANDOLINS, BANJOS, VIOLINS, MUSIC BOOKS AND SHEETMUSIC, ETC.

from Dundalk got to meet Padraic Moyles and Emma Warren, the company’s lead dancers. It was a great surprise for the girls and a special birthday treat for Sarah who turned 9 that day.

Sarah’s father Patrick was Musical Director of Riverdance with The Lagan Company in America where Padraic Moyles first started dancing with the Show.

Mr Moyles said he was delighted to meet Sarah and her friends on the day.

They girls were taken backstage to meet Padraic and Emma who spoke to the them about their careers in Irish Dancing.

“They were very excited girls the whole way home and it was a lovely afternoon for them and we thank Padraic and The Riverdance Team for meeting them,” said Sarah’s mum Terese, who along with Patrick and Rosemary Winkless are the Production Team of SONG. The Carol Leavy School is based in Blackrock.

News

in Brief

Oriel Centre Events

The Oriel Centre is set to host only three more of the Summer Show series with the next event taking place this August 21. Each Thursday throughout July and August the Oriel Centre has been home to some of the finest traditional Irish entertainment.

Crowds have been gathering in the spectacular setting in old Dundalk Gaol relaxing with a drink while taking in the tunes.

17

Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk. Ph: 042 93 57897

Open 7 Days 7.30am - 11pm Mondays to Fridays; 8am - 11pm Saturdays & Sundays

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€2 Mogerley Meaty Pies

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St John’s seek runners

Call out for runners to raise funds for St John’s Ambulance service.

The teams in St John’s in Drogheda reminded runners that “You get Free Entry to Sse Airtricity Dublin Marathon, A Free Goodie bag, A Post Party Event and much more while helping a local Charity.”

You can run as an individual or as part of a team. Visit www.stjohn.ie

€1 Markos

Authentic Homemade Italian Pizza

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Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

18

LAZEEZ INDIAN RESTAURANT & TAKEAWAY

Tapas Bar

lunch & tapas menu Served 6 Days 12-3pm

Homemade Soup & Sandwich Combo Only €6.95

full tapas menu

5.30-9.45pm from €6.95

Tuesday & Wednesday Special Nachos or Wings & Any Pint €10 Market Square, Dundalk

☎ 042 935 6652

Breakfast

No 1. 3 Items + Toast & Butter + Tea/Coffee* Only €5 No 2. 5 Items + Toast & Butter + Tea/Coffee* Only €6 No 3. 7 Items + Toast & Butter + Tea/Coffee* Only €7 Items from: egg, Sausage, Black or White Pudding, Hash Brown, Beans, Grilled Tomato, Mushroom. *Freshly Filtered Coffee

Morning Coffee

Homemade Scone + Jam & Butter or Fruit Cake Only €3.50 Homemade Apple Pie Only €3.75 Luxury Iced or Fresh Cream Pastries Only €3.95 All of the above include Tea/Freshly Filtered Coffee

Home Cooked Lunches

(served 12-3pm)

Daily Plate Special Only €5 Main Lunch & Drink Only €8.95 The Saturday Special - Kids Eat Free 1 Child Free With Each Adult on Main Meal €8.95 (See Kids Menu)

Take Away Offer Meal for 2 - €22 2 Starter, 2 Main 2 Rice, 2 Nan

19 PARK ST. DUNDALK 042 933 9822

Cooley Genealogical and Historical Society ‘Childhood memories of Greenore Hotel’ Friday- August 29, 2014, Longs Pub, Grange at 8pm.

Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us. For many, memory brings back nostalgic reminiscences of a place and a time which is long forgotten.

Peter Kavanagh, will give a talk on his childhood memories of Greenore Hotel, its

many inhabitants from visitors to employees coupled with his recollections of the upstairs/ downstairs working environment.

It was a time when the rich travelled and the local employees went home.

Refreshments served.

Admission €5. Everybody welcome. If interested in tours/genealogical classes please phone 0851833110.

D’Arcy McGee Summer School

By Caoimhe Duffy

Dr Jason King is due to deliver a lecture entitled Father Dowd, the Grey Nuns and the Montreal Famine Sheds at the Thomas D’Arcy McGee Summer School (August 17-20) in Carlingford.

The third annual Summer School will take place in the Four Seasons Hotel this year and will look at the life and times of notable characters through discussions from leading experts and academics.

Dr King’s lecture will explore the Grey Nuns’ and Father Patrick Dowd’s heroic work in saving the lives of famine emigrants in the fever sheds of Montreal, his close friendship with Thomas D’Arcy McGee, and the Canadian heritage of these two legendary figures.

In recognition of their compassion, devotion, and self-sacrifice, President Michael D. Higgins declared that, “As a country we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the Grey nuns, who cared for so many Irish widows and orphans who were left destitute, impoverished and alone in a strange country.”

If you would like to hear more about some of Ireland’s most admirable figures and take part in the D’Arcy McGee Summer School, more information is available via the website at www.dkit. ie/thomas-darcy-mcgee.

Old Dundalk Society The Old Dundalk Society is delighted to announce as part of it’s ongoing Golden Jubilee Celebrations: A walking tour of Seatown: streets and stories of Dundalk’s oldest suburb on Thursday evening 28th August 2014 commencing at 5pm. (Assembling at Green Church).

The walk leader will be archaeologist Mr Paul Gosling. Paul, a native of Dundalk, is currently a lecturer in built heritage at department of heritage and tourism, GMIT. The walk will be of a two hour duration (perhaps a little longer if some of the locals have a story or two tell) The emphasis of the walk will be on the history and the development of the streets in

Seatown over the last 1000 years (from AD 1000 to AD 2000), taking in St Mary’s Road, Chapel St, Old Seatown etc.

The walk will deal with street names, street alignments and layouts and the role of prominent building within them, eg St Leonard’s Gardens, Seatown Castle, The Windmill, Quay Street Railway station, George’s Quay and much more.

The walk should prove an enjoyable experience for all and suitable footwear is advised. The Old Dundalk Society welcomes members and friends to come along on the evening and participate in this unique Dundalk Town ‘experience’.

Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

19

Echo Road Records Echo Road Records is calling out to the creative community in Dundalk to get in touch.

Established in April this year by musicians Damian McKenna and David Keenan, the aim of the new group is to create a cohesive pool of creative talent in Dundalk that can help support each other.

The ambition is that it will be the ‘go –to’ space for someone looking to embark on a creative project. Whether it is graphic design,

musicianship, photography, arts, culture or any of the creative industries Echo Road Records network will operate as an up-to-date directory of active, creative, talent from Dundalk.

Damien and David say they initially started the project to boost the camaraderie among the bands in Dundalk. David , having been impressed with the support network for musicians he saw while living in Liverpool, wanted to bring a similar set up to

Friday 15th August karaoke with

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Dundalk.

“We wanted to recreate the vibe of Greenwich in the 60’s and 70’s, an open creative scene where people are open to ideas and act on them,” said Damien.

They recognised the room for expansion early and got photographers, designers and venues on board.

Now four months in they have a series of nights held in venues from Brubakers, Toals and the Spirit Store and are aiming to makes further in-roads as the talent pool grows.

The ethos of Echo Road Records is to be helpful in facilitating all aspects of creative projects, to respect and support other artists and to enhance the live music scene here in the north east.

So far it is working well.

“There has been bit of a

lift recently with more people and more venues getting involved. There’s something in the air,” said David.

Already well on the way to cementing Dundalk as a music, culture and creative hub in Ireland Damien and David have also taken over the First Cut Radio show on Dundalk FM which is dedicated to promoting local music.

Among the future plans for Echo Road Records is a compilation CD of Dundalk bands and musicians which has not been done since Tumbleweed Studios produced First Transmission in the 90’s.

Echo Road Record records can be contacted on Facebook/echo-roadrecords, by email on echoroadrecords@gmail. com or on their Twitter handle @echoroadrecords.

I’d Fight Gandhi for Electric Picnic

I’d Fight Gandhi are set to perform at Electric Picnic this year on Sunday, August 31.

The local band was recently competed to perform on one of the central stages at the arts and music festival as part of 2FM’s Play the Picnic competition with Oxfam.

Matt McGinn, a folk and acoustic musician from Co Down, was named as the overall winner, meaning that he will hit the Cosby Stage. Matt was chosen out of the ten shortlisted finalists to perform on the Cosby Stage and to complete a studio session with some of Ireland’s top sound engineers at 2fm’s state-of-the-art facilities.

However, I’d Fight Gandhi will still have the incredible opportunity to perform at the internationally acclaimed festival on Sunday at 4pm.

Arts Centre official launch The new independent arts centre in the heart of Dundalk is set for its official launch this August 29 at 7pm. The opening of An Tain Arts Centre, in the Town Hall will also see the re-opening of one of the building’s spectacular spaces. Ciaran O’Sullivan’s new exhibition will also open in the Basement Gallery on the same day and culture vultures can get their dairies out as the Autumn/Winter Programme of events will be announced. Recently the ‘Town Hall’ was re-launched as An Tain Arts Centre with Mr Paul Hayes at the helm of the new venture. Mr Hayes has outlined his vision for the future of the centre and said he was keen to reawaken the sleeping giant that is the hub of Dundalk arts, theatre and culture.

Singing and song-writing duo Anton & Stephanie.

David Keenan and Damien McKenna.

Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

20

Blinds

Building/Contractors

Gardening

McElroy u.P.V.C.Product Ltd. For a competitive quote for All Home Improvements, Extensions, Sunrooms and Conservatories.

All P.V.C. products Supplied and Fitted, Fascia, Soffit and Guttering.

We also have a Complete Range of P.V.C. Doors and Windows

Telephone: 087 260 2501 anytime

North East Decorative Gravel Ltd We can transform your driveways, flowerbeds, walkways and verges. We can deliver loads from 1 to 50 Ton in supersacks or loose

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Gas, Plumbing & Repairs

Building/Contractors

Oliver Gaynor

Electrical

Building, Electrical & Heating Contractor

Installation & Maintenance All Electrical Works Plumbing & Heating Oil Gas & Boiler Service & Repairs Local & Family Run Business Serving The People of Louth for Over 40 Years

All Building & House Repair Works Carried Out T: 042 933 9530 F: 042 935 7549 M: 087 252 9040/087 648 9696 E: olivergaynor@gmail.com

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Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

Skips

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glenart framing @ Dundalk Lighting

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Rugby / Football Shirts, Sports Memorabilia Wedding Photographs Family Portraits Communion / Confirmation Photographs Awards/ Graduation Certificates Special Discounts for Art Groups & Photography Groups All glenart’s frames are manufactured right here in Dundalk supporting the local community

21

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Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

The new audi TT

Details of the all-new Audi TT have been released, with deliveries expected early 2015.

The new TT has nearly the same footprint as the outgoing one, both are 4.18 metres long but the wheelbase has been extended by 37 mm to 2,505 mm. It is 1,832 mm wide and is the same height at 1,353 mm. The boot has increased by 13 litres to 305 litres – which with the rear seats folded down increases to 712 litres.

Initially there will be two trim levels, ‘Sport’ and ‘S line’ both equipped with Audi’s new ‘Virtual Cockpit’ technology which comprises a 12.3-inch, high resolution LCD display that replaces the traditional dials with a digital display. There are two display modes, - the ‘classic view’ replicating the traditional layout with speedometer and rev counter taking centre stage.

The ‘infotainment view’ frees space for other data, such as navigation maps – the speedo and rev counter are still

clearly visible but are a little smaller.

The Virtual Cockpit can be enhanced by the option of the ‘Technology Package’, which comprises hard diskbased navigation mapping and internet connectivity.

That allows you to run apps such as Google Maps, Google Street View, and Audi traffic information online, and find price-graded refuelling locations. It also allows access should you wish to Twitter and Facebook and if that is not entertaining enough you may wish to look at adding the 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.

The new TT Sport model is equipped with Audi’s Multi Media Interface with the MMI touch pad for fingertip data entry, navigation preparation plus Audi Music Interface with Bluetooth connectivity. There is also Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system and keyless go.

The standard sports seats are dressed in a mixture of Alcantara and leather and there

is manual air conditioning.

It comes with 10-spoke 18” alloys wheels, sports suspension, xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights and a speed-dependent active rear spoiler.

The S Line spec adds fivestar 19” wheels, LED head and tail lights with dynamic sweeping rear indicators.

You have the choice of opting for S Line sports suspension that lowers the ride height by 10 mm – this is a no cost option.

At launch there is a choice of two engines, both two familiar four-cylinder 2.0 litre units – the petrol 2.0 TFSI which outputs 230PS and a diesel 2.0 TDI with 184PS. With the 2.0-litre petrol engine the TT has the option of either front-wheeldrive and a six-speed manual gearbox or quattro all-wheeldrive and a six-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission.

Should you prefer diesel, then you are stuck with frontwheel-drive and six-speed manual transmission.

Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014

23

CABRA CARS new merc E-class

The Mercedes E-Class has undergone some minor revisions and updates for 2015.

The revisions include the introduction of a new 9GTronic automatic transmission, a better standard spec, more power and lower emissions.

The E 350 BlueTEC powered saloon, estate, coupe and cabriolet will feature the new 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox which sees a reduction in CO2 emissions to 136 g/km a drop of 17 g/km according to NEDC figures plus there is a power gain of some 6hp – increasing the output to 258hp.

The E 220 BlueTEC also sees a reduction in CO2 levels of up to 16 g/km and a power increase of 7 hp to 177hp despite keeping the 7G-Tronic transmission. For example the E 220 BlueTEC SE Saloon now drops to 116 g/km the lowest in the E-Class range.

The E 400 AMG Sport will be renamed as the E 400 AMG Line and will see an increase in engine capacity

for the Cabriolet and Coupe models. The V6 engine will taken from a 3.0-litre unit to a 3.5-litre with CO2 emissions lowering by around 17 g/km.

All new E-Class models will feature Collision Prevention Assist Plus to help reduce the risk of rear-end collisions.

The autonomous braking system works at speeds of up 62 mph by monitoring the risk of a collision ahead – automatically breaking the car should the driver not respond to visual and acoustic warnings. At speeds less than 30 mph in can bring the car to complete halt.

Full range of New Nissan cars and Commercials on display including the all new x-trail 7 seater 2014 Opel Astra VAN 1.7 Cdti SE 4,000km's 2014 Nissan Note 1.5dci SV DEMO 2013 Hyundai i20 1.2 Premium sold 2013 Nissan Qashqai petrol & diesel 2012 Ford Focus 1.6 Tdci Edge White 2012 Nissan Juke 1.6 XE 2012 Nissan Note 1.5dci Elite 2012 Nissan Micra 1.2 5dr 2012 Nissan Juke 1.5dci SV 2012 Nissan Qashqai 2WD & 4WD Diesel 2011 VW Golf 1.6 TDI Comfortline 2011 Nissan Tiida 1.6 SVE 4dr 2011 Nissan NV200 Van 1.5dci Low Mileage 2011 Audi A4 2.0TDI SE 2011 Toyota Auris 1.4 D4D Sport 2011 Chevrolet Aveo 1.2 LS 4dr sold 2011 Nissan Tiida 1.5Dci SE Choice

MICRA

2011 Peugeot 308 1.6 HDI Top Spec 2011 Nissan Qashqai dci XE & SV 2010 Nissan Qashqai 1.6 SE 2010 BMW 520 diesel Leather 2010 Nissan Qashqai 1.5dci Choice 2009 Nissan Note 1.4 SXE 2009 Citroen C1 1.0 City 3dr 2009 Toyota Auris 1.4 D4D 5dr 2009 Ford Mondeo 1.8 Tdci Zetec 2008 Chevrolet Aveo 1.2 LS 4dr Low mileage 2008 VW Passat 1.9 TDI Comfortline 2008 Opel Corsa 3dr AUTOMATIC 2008 Toyota Auris D4D Luna sold 2007 Toyota Auris 1.4 Terra 5dr 2007 VW Passat 1.9 TDI Highline Leather 2007 Nissan X-Trail 2.2 TD Elegance 4WD 2006 Nissan Micra 1.2 Sport 5dr

QASHQAI

x-trail 7 seater

Kingscourt. Tel: 042-9667333 www.cabracars.ie

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Dundalk Leader 13th August 2014