NEWS
Dungarvan Observer | Fri. 25 Dec. ‘15 & Fri. 1 Jan. ‘16
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The Newsreader THE WEEK THAT WAS IN IT . . .
The rise of the drone IS there anyone who would be happy to see someone walking past their back fence and peering over to have a view of your back garden? Probably not, but this is the potential of drones carrying cameras which, we are told, are set to proliferate widely this Christmas. This is not a condemnation of those camera enthusiasts who already have drones and who post magnificent pictures on Facebook or other social media sites. The trouble is, advances in technology are not always used properly and there will be some people who will use their drones for nefarious purposes. There are, according to a recent report in the Irish Examiner, an
estimated 4,000 to 5,000 drones in Ireland. Currently, only a handful of countries in the EU have legislation in place governing their use. Now, Ireland has legislation to cover the use of drones, of which those weighing more than 1kg must be registered by law from as Ireland becomes one of the first countries to regulate the hobby. To register a drone, the registrant must be 16 years of age or older. Drones operated by those under 16 years of age must be registered by a parent or legal guardian. A nominal fee of €5 will apply from February but this has been initially waived by the IAA in order to encourage early registration.
The new legislation prohibits users from operating their drones in an unsafe manner and adds a string of other conditions in regard to height, distance from people and not over assemblies. If people abide by the rules, there should be no problem, but here in Ireland many rules and regulations are honoured more in the breach than in the observance. With the arrival of these drones, here will not be a hill or a valley, a stream of a beach that will not be photographed from every angle and from ever height. Seems a pity to take the mystique or challenge out of getting the difficult shot, but hen, technology has removed the challenge from many enjoyable activities.
Couldn’t be Trump, surely? AS if it could not get any worse for Donald Trump in the minds of the thinking voter in the forthcoming American Presidential Election, he got the kiss of death from none other than Vladimir Putin last week. The Russian President praised Trump’s talents and lauded his calls for better ties with Russia. “It was not quite an endorsement,” the Irish Examiner wrote this week. Speaking to journalists after his annual, marathon news conference, Putin called Trump an “absolute front-runner” in the Presidential race and a “bright and talented person”. Putin said he “certainly welcomes” Trump’s calls for better US-Russia ties. Putin had said earlier he was ready to work with the eventual winner in the presidential race, and Trump has said he could work with Putin.
“I think that I would probably get along with him very well. And I don’t think you’d be having the kind of problems that you’re having right now,” Trump said of Putin in an October interview with CNN. Donal Trump may be a wizard at making money and acquiring a whole street in Manhattan, but his basic manner and respect for people are non-existent. The very thought that he could be the leader of their country some day makes some Americans shudder, but surely there can not be sufficient ‘red-necks’ and extremists and bigots in the US to see him past the post. No doubt when people get serious about the election and the primaries and causes begin, eyes might open . . . we hope.
Happy Christmas – Time to wish all our readers a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a successful and serene New Year.
Council commends work of outgoing Environmental Education and Awareness Officer COMERAGH District Council paid tributes to the former Education and Awareness Officer at Environmental Services in Waterford City and County Council, who has transferred to the Council’s Library service. At the recent Comeragh
District Council meeting, Cllr. Michael J. O’Ryan led the tributes to Anne Sullivan, who was the well known Education and Awareness Officer for Waterford County for many years. “It would be remiss of us not to pay tribute to Anne,” Cllr.
O’Ryan said. “I have worked with her since I became a Councillor, including the clean-ups for the Ballymacarbry, Nire Valley, Touraneena, Kilmacomma areas and she was very helpful on that,” he said. “I have also worked with her
as school principal and she was very helpful in relation to the Green Flag process. “Whether it was Green Flag / Tidy Towns applications or litter pick proposals, she was always willing to give her assistance, her time and knowledge, and no task was ever too big.
“Where the environment section loses out, the library section will definitely gain. I wish her well and thank her for her work in the environment section.” Concurring, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Liam Brazil said Anne was brilliant to work with on envi-
ronmental issues. “She has done tremendous work throughout the county in relation to Green Flags,” Cllr. Brazil said. Director of Services, Fergus Galvin, said he would pass on the Council’s good wishes to Anne.
Economic Development Team praised on successful Comeraghs Wild Festival THE Economic Development Team at Waterford City and County Council was commended for its work during the Comeraghs Wild Festival last September. At the recent meeting of Comeragh District Council, Cllr. Mary Butler commended Richie Walsh
and his Economic Development Team for their work, describing the Comeraghs Wild Festival as a huge success. “You really went out on a limb to bring a ‘big name’ to the Curraghmore Estate, and it was very, very successful,” said Cllr. Butler.
“Credit is due to Richie and his team. It was great for the whole Comeragh area. “And the fact that EirGrid have withdrawn their monster pylons, the beauty of the Comeraghs is safe, and with the Copper Coast achieving UNESCO standard, we
are doing very well in the Comeragh area.” C o n c u r r i n g , Cathaoirleach Cllr. Liam Brazil said the Comeraghs Wild Festival was a success and to bring such a big name like Mary Black to Portlaw was fantastic for the area. He noted that RTÉ’s
Nationwide programme recently recorded footage in relation to the Comeragh areas. Mr. Walsh said it is believed Nationwide are featuring a full programme on the Comeragh area, which is due to be broadcast sometime in December.
Sympathies Capital projects update for expressed Dungarvan-Lismore District Council By Christy Parker
By Christy Parker
CLLR. Pat Nugent extended a vote of sympathy to the Scanlon family in Clashmore following the tragic accident that claimed the life of 21 year-old Donal Scanlon in an industrial accident in Youghal last month. Speaking at December’s DungarvanLismore Municipal District meeting, Cllr. Nugent also extended sympathy to the family of Kathleen Flavin of Ballymullala, near Cappagh, who died recently. Cllr. Tom Cronin asked to be associated with both condolences.
WATERFORD Council circulated upgrades on Capital Projects and related matters to December’s Dungarvan-Lismore Municipal District sitting. The following information was noted: HOUSING CONSTRUCTION S&K Construction Ltd. has commenced work at the old Ormond cinema site.Tenders are expected to be issued in January for construction of four social houses at Barrack Street, Cappoquin. Efforts are ongoing to clarify title issues regarding the Part 8 (public consultation) process for Alms houses in Tallow set for refurbishment. A €2.5m scheme to build 20 social houses at Ballinroad, Dungarvan has been referred to the Department of
Environment, Community, and Local Government for stage approval, prior to being brought to the Municipal for Part 8 initiation. ENERGY EFFICIENCY RETROFITTING 1. Council insulation works -100% grand aid from Dept. of Community and Local Government: €700,000 has been granted for allocation across the county. Approximately 120 houses were identified in the greater Dungarvan town area as in need of this scheme.They are at, Caseyville, An Cluain, Brigid’s Well, Lisfennel Close, Hillview, Abbott’s Close, Cois Trá, Buttery Lane, Parklane, Estuary Heights, Murphy Place, Colligan View, Brewery Place, Glendine Drive, Boreenatrá and Cluain Ard. Work is expected to be completed by the New
Year. 2. SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland –supplying 75% grant aid): €589,605 grant aid was received in respect of works in Dungarvan town at St. Martin’s Terrace and St.Thomas’s Terrace, with projects expected to be finished by the New Year. Housing adaption Grant Schemes- details of grants approved and allocated: There was one applicant under ‘Housing Adaption for People with Disability. Maximum grant is €30,000 and €18,815 was approved. Five applicants under Mobility Aids Scheme (max €6,000) received a total of €19,112. Three applicants under Housing Aid for Older People (max €8,000) received a total of €5,637.
Pictured at the launch of ‘Kilbeg Creamery Memories’ at Kirwan’s Bar, Kill, last week were: Martin Kennedy and his wife Maura.