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NEWS
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 24 February, 2017
Yo u r Observer Council to seek proof of household waste disposal S O Inside this week … N DUNGARVA
BSERVER Friday, 24th February,
@DungarvanO bserv
EMERALD CRYSTAL STAR AWARD FOR AC WEST WATERFORD
Vol. 105
Friday, 24th February,
SPORTS SECTION
€2.00
2017
PORT
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2017
Vol. 105
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DUNGARVAN PROGRESS TO MUNSTER JUNIOR BOWL FINAL Killarney
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THINKING OF BUYING, SELLING OR LETTING? CONTACT SHERRY FITZGERALD REYNOLDS TODAY
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in the event will be held the annual charity Dungarvan, for Credit Union. The on Main Street, Images] sponsored by Dungarvan [Dan McGrath/Editorial the stage are pictured Jigs & Reels Freestyle who will take to and Orlaith Brady. Lions Club's Deise April 1st. Some of the dancers Cliodhna Wadding Launch of the Dungarvan Centre on Saturday, n, Peter Finnegan, Cappoquin CommunityHannigan, Jane Cooney-McGover Nicky launch (l. to r.):
Council to seek proof of household sal waste dispo
Moe’s new film premieres this Sunday page 3
to the Council that this amounted charging for bins, pointing out rubbish without collecting household Cllr. Siobhán Whelan conwhich it - a point with to crack down environCouncil is expected evidence of curred. that “the general WATERFORD and estimated with no visible Cllr.Tobin commented to and getting on my nerves” this year on households of their waste in a bid ment theme is to eat a burger “about three miles dumping the assohow they are disposing ore that it took night before curb illegal dumping. chip” on a Saturday roadway. meeting of Dungarvan-Lism Tobin urged the At the February Officer, ciated waste on Council, Cllr. James Senior Executive towns and Municipal District to check whether households Ray Moloney, that litter in the local authority private bin collection services, Environment Section, agreed and warned that diswith is disposing of major concern have registered bin was illegal. of how the household he villages was waste in a public or seek evidence the meeting that posing of domestic Cllr.Tobin told 2 of their rubbish. “little plastic bags” Continued on page people putting public sees into regularly or turnip peelings” some with “potato
By Christy Parker
Local film to be screened in Canada page 11
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Athletics Ireland 2016: Mary Ashe,Emerald Crystal Star Awards for West Waterford John Smyth AC receives the Cup for Best Country Club Championships ) from Georgina (B Athletics Ireland Drumm, President Athletics Ireland and John McGrath, Chairman Juvenile Committee, Tullamore Court at the Hotel. [Dan McGrath/Editorial
Images]
EMERALD CRYSTAL STA R AWARD FOR WEST WATERFORD AC
SECTIONS .........................……………………………………... PAGES News .............................…………..……………………………….. 1–27 Classifieds ..........................…..……………………………..... 28–31 Understanding and enjoying Waterford nature .… 32-33 County News ...........………….……………………………….. 34-44 Schools ............................................................…………... 45-53 Obituary .……….……..................…………………......……… 53-55 Farming .....................………….……………………………….. 56-59 Entertainment ........………….……………………………….. 60-63 Déise Newsround ..............……………………………………….. 64 Includes your 24-page Sports pull-out
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WEATHER OUTLOOK FORECAST for Wednesday – Bright spells are likely across the north and east for a time on Wednesday but cloud is expected to thicken from the west as the day progresses with outbreaks of rain extending eastwards from the Atlantic in association with a rapidly deepening low pressure system. Afternoon temperatures will range from 8 to 12 degrees in strengthening southwesterly winds. The rapidly deepening low pressure system will push eastwards across the country on Wednesday night bringing the risk of gales and some heavy rain. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees. Forecast for Thursday/Friday – Cold and blustery on Thursday with sunny spells and showers, some heavy and of hail. Top temperatures 8 or 9 C., in fresh to strong and gusty northwesterly winds. Cold overnight with winds falling off light. Lowest temperatures 2 or 3 C., with some frost developing. Friday morning will be dry and bright, with a few sunny spells. The afternoon and evening will be cloudy and misty with some rain. Top temperatures 9 or 10 C., in a freshening southerly breeze. Friday night will be windy with strong and gusty southerly winds. Rain too, heavy much of the time, with some fog in places also. Lowest temperatures 7 or 8 C. Forecast for Saturday/Sunday – Once the early rain clears, Saturday will be a bright, fresh day, with sunny spells and just the odd light shower, with most places having a good deal of dry weather. Top temperatures 10 or 11 C., in a moderate southwest breeze. Dry at first on Saturday night, but rain is expected to set in late on in the night. Lowest temperatures 5 to 7 C., in a freshening southwest breeze. Sunday will be misty and mostly cloudy, with further outbreaks of rain. Some patches of fog too. Some dry spells may develop later in the day. Highs on Sunday of 10 or 11 C. Outlook (Monday/Wednesday) – Changeable and unsettled. Some showers or longer spells of rain at times. But some dry interludes also. Temperatures around normal by day, but cold at night with the prospect of some frost.
FROM FRONT PAGE Mr. Moloney said the Council had reduced the size of the bins’ openings to restrict the size of bags placed in the bins, but added that this had limitations. Mr. Moloney also warned that the Council has the statutory authority to request evidence from households on how they are disposing of their rubbish. Last year, the Environment Section of Waterford City and County Council received a total of 3,805 complaints, most of which related to illegal dumping, control of dogs, littering and flytipping. The figure is an increase of 701 on the number of complaints received in 2015.
The Council’s Environmental Inspectors continue to investigate complaints received and issue fines for illegal dumping, littering and flytipping offences. Members of the public are encouraged to report any illegal dumping or littering to the Council’s Environment Section on 0761-10-20-20. WALKING THE DOG Meanwhile, Cllr. Siobhán Whelan said people were unhappy at the dearth of bins for dog litter in the Dungarvan area. Mr. Moloney replied that extra bins had been supplied on the outer ring road, leaving scarcely 500 metres between bins. Furthermore, he pointed out that
dog waste can be put on all types of bins. Cllr. Declan Doocey said the dog fouling issue needed “a county approach” and a focus on education. “You can train a dog but you must train owners too!” as he put it. Mr. Moloney agreed. He also believed that dog fouling usually occurred not very far from the animal’s home. “It needs to become unacceptable”, he concluded. TREE PRUNING In other environment matters, Mr. Moloney told Cllr. John Pratt that tree pruning at An Boreen, Dungarvan would be conducted by month’s end, once quotations were finalised.
Conor McGuinness ceaptha ar Bhord Foras na Gaeilge TÁ FEAR ó Phort Láirge ceaptha ar bhord Foras na Gaeilge, an príomh eagraíocht i dtaobh cur chun cinn agus maoiniú an earnáil Gaeilge. Cheap an Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas Conor McGuinness, a bhfuil cónaí air i nGaeltacht na nDéise, mar chomhalta de bhord na heagraíochta. Dúirt Conor McGuinness: “Is mór an onóir domsa bheith ceaptha mar chomhalta bhoird ar eagras comh tabhachtach le seo. Is é Foras na Gaeilge an údarás reachtúil atá dírithe ar chur chun cinn na Gaeilge ar fud fad na tíre, agus is é an Foras an príomh eagras i dtaobh maoiniú i dtaca leis an nGaeilge. “Ta uair na cinniúna buailte leis an teanga Gaelach agus le Pobal na Gaeilge. Ar thaobh amháin tá an Ghaeilge ag fás agus ag neartú. Is léir ó suirbhéanna a dheintear le déanaí go bhfuil meon thar a bheith dearfach ag daoine maidir leis an nGaeilge, agus tá níos mó tuismitheoirí ag iarraidh go mbeadh a bpáistí ag freastail ar scoileanna lánGaelacha. “Ar an taobh eile tá naimhdeas ag dreamanna éagsúla leis an teanga agus le lucht labhartha na Gaeilge. Tá buiséid Foras na Gaeilge agus ciste infheistíochta chaipitil Údarás na Gaeltachta tar éis bheith gearrtha 50% ó 2008. Ní chuirtear maoiniú ar fáil chun na pleananna teangan a chur i
bhfeidhm sa Gaeltacht, nó sna bailte seirbhíse Gaeltachta cosúil le Dún Garbhán. “Is ár bpobail atá síos leis an méid seo, maraon le deiseanna fostaíochta anseo in Iarthar Phort Láirge. É sin raite, tá pobal na Gaeilge láidir agus acmhainneach. Leanfaidh sé ar ag fás agus ag forbairt, in ainneoin na fadhbanna seo. Úsáidfidh mise mo ról ar bhord Fhoras na Gaeilge chun dea-rialachas, cothroime, agus cur chuige stratéiseach a chur chun cinn laistigh den eagras teanga” Is comhairleoir polaitiúl é Conor McGuinness leis an bhfeisire Eorpach de chuid Sinn Féin, Liadh Ní Riada agus is céimí de chuid Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh agus Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Phort Láirge é. Tá taithí aige insan earnáil léiriú teilifíse Gaeilge agus chaith sé seal i dTír na mBascach ag obair ar roinnt tionscadail teangan. An seachtain seo chaite ceapadh Oifigeach Gaeilge na Comhairle Cathrach agus Contae, Maire Seo Breathnach mar chomhalta ar bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta, rud a chiallaíonn go bhfuil beirt ionadaithe ag Port Lairge ar an dá eagraíocht is tabhachtaí i dtaobh maoiniú agus forbairt don pobal Gaeilge. AS BEARLA: Conor McGuinness appointed to the board of Foras na Gaeilge A COUNTY Waterford man has
been appointed to the board of Foras na Gaeilge, the key funding body for the Irish language sector. Conor McGuinness, who lives in the Waterford Gaeltacht, is from Dungarvan and was appointed to the all-Ireland body at a recent meeting of the North South Ministerial Council. Conor McGuinness said: “It is a great honour and a privilege to be appointed to such an important body. Foras na Gaeilge is the statutory organisation tasked with promoting the Irish language throughout the whole island of Ireland, and is the key funder for the Irish language sector. “The Irish language and the Irish language community is at a crossroads in many respects. On one hand it is growing and strengthening. Recent surveys show public attitudes to the language remain overwhelmingly positive, and more and more parents are seeking to educate their children through Irish. “On the other hand there is hostility to the language and its speakers from some quarters, both North and South. The Budget of Foras na Gaeilge and the capital investment fund of Údarás na Gaeltachta have been reduced by over 50% since 2008. Funding to implement the language plans in the Gaeltacht and in the Gaeltacht service towns such as Dungarvan, has not been forthcoming.
Conor McGuinness. “This is hurting communities and stifling job growth but the Irish language community is resilient and we will persevere and continue to grow and develop. I will use my position on the board of Foras na Gaeilge to ensure good governance, fairness, and an overall strategic approach in the work of the language body.” Conor McGuinness is a political advisor with Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada. He is a graduate of NUI Galway and Waterford Institute of Technology. McGuinness previously worked in the Irish language television production sector and on a number of language projects in the Basque Country. Last week Waterford City and County Council Irish Officer Máire Seo Breathnach was appointed to the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta, meaning that the county is represented on two of the most important funding and development bodies in the Irish language community.
Council called on to support small local broadband providers By Christy Parker
WED 12º
THUR 9º
FRI 9º
SAT 11º
SUN 11º
DUNGARVAN-Lismore Municipal District Councillors believe Waterford Council should support small, private broadband service providers to help them avoid decimation by major providers such as eir. The issue was raised at February’s Dungarvan-Lismore Municipal District meeting after Cllr. Declan Doocey recalled a “great presentation” by eir at the monthly plenary council meeting. The company had pledged its commitment to providing broadband across rural Waterford. However, Cllr. Doocey also recalled plead-
ing some months ago for the council to support private companies that were keen to provide satellite broadband to the “15%” of remote areas beyond the reach of fibre optic, or even telephone, infrastructure. Cllr.Tom Cronin estimated the figure is “a lot more than 15%”, suggesting there were “parts of rural Waterford where eir have no chance” of supplying fibre optic broadband. Meanwhile, he continued, there was “a man in Clashmore getting no help at all at all from the government” and who had “no grants available.” Yet, he was providing a “superb service” to the village. “The council should help this man to expand his business”, he urged.
Cllr. Pat Nugent agreed, describing eir’s promise of meeting rural requirements by 2018 as “a long ways away”, if it ever happened at all. Cllr. James Tobin said he was “worried” that a local person starring up would be put out of business by eir under a national policy. “We have to be very careful where we put money”, he cautioned. Cllr. Tobin said of the eir agent, “He did a fantastic job and had all the green spots, like on his van. They must have got a big deal in green paint”, he noted. It was “pie in the sky” to him however and he feared the “tragedy” of a local operative being “blown to one side” by a huge company.