2 DUNDRUM GAZETTE 28 June 2012
FastNews
TESTING TIMES ‘End of an era’ as facility closes doors
Driving a fun show THE 21st Classic and Vintage Motor Show was opened at the Mansion House in Dublin on Monday with special guest Miriam O’Callaghan. Lord Mayor Andrew Montague (Lab)was on hand as Miriam gave details of the forthcoming car show. The proceeds of this year’s show will go to the Children’s Sunshine Home and the National Maternity Hospital. Around €2 million has been raised over the course of the show’s lifetime and been distributed to a wide number of charities. This year, the show is organised by The Irish Jaguar and Daimler Club. To find out more about the car show and the charities involved, call Jim McGuirk on 01 492 0417/097 205 2599.
Gardai renew appeal to find missing man GARDAI are renewing their appeal to the public for help in tracing the whereabouts of a local Rathfarnham man missing since May. Dean Reynolds disappeared on May 19 of this year and was last seen at Ballycullen in
Rathfarnham at around 7.40am. Dean is described as being of medium build, 6 ft in height, with mousy brown hair and blue eyes. Both Dean’s family and gardai are very concerned for his safety at this stage. Anyone with information can call Rathfarnham Garda Station at 01 666 6500, or the Garda Confidential line at 1800 666 111.
Of the Churchtown driving test centre, Deputy Olivia Mitchell (FG) said it ‘has been a part of our own and our children’s lives’
Driving centre to close as lease ends I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
THE Churchtown driving test centre will close its doors at the end of August. Speaking on foot of the announcement of the closure of the Churchtown driving test centre, Fine Gael TD for Dublin South, Olivia Mitchell described the news as the end of an era. “Every family in the area is familiar with the driving centre in Churchtown. It has been a part of our own and our children’s lives, and its closure marks the end of an era.
“Unfortunately, the lease is expiring on August 31, and the Office of Public Works (OPW), which leases the centre on behalf of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), have been given notice to quit following expiry of the lease,” said Deputy Mitchell. Churchtown Stores’ owner Barry Flood owns Number 5, Braemor Road, where the test centre has been located for almost 40 years. He said that it was “mutually agreed” between himself and the test centre that they should leave. Anyone scheduled to
take their driving test in Churchtow n will still have their test done there. This has been arranged for all those who have already familiarised themselves with the Churchtown route. In a statement, Annette Regan, of the RSA, said: “The Churchtown driving test centre at Braemor Road is closing on Friday, August 31. “The OPW, who lease the centre on behalf of the RSA, has been given notice to quit following expiry of the lease. “There are two test centres in the general area – Orwell Road, at Rathgar, which is less
than 1.5 km away, and Broomhill Road, at Tallaght, which is 9.5 km away – and which will provide an alternative location for future test applicants. “All test applicants who currently have an appointment for Churchtown will have their tests conducted at the Churchtown centre, as set out in their appointment letter,” she said. Of the closure, Noel Brett, chief executive officer said: “The centre does not fulfil the requirements of a modern test centre and, while an alternative premises in Clonskeagh was con-
sidered, this has fallen through. “To manage demand for driving tests in the south Dublin region, we have decided to relocate the staff working out of Churchtown to Orwell Road, Rathgar, and Broomhill Road, Tallaght.” Pass rates for the Churchtown test centre in 2010 were slightly higher than both of the alternatives being offered in the future. Churchtown’s pass rate was 47.8% in 2010; in the Rathgar centre, the pass rate was 40.16%, while in Tallaght, it was 42.7% for that year.
Best business pitch to scoop €50k I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com
UP AND coming entrepreneurs with the ability to pitch their best business ideas have the chance to be fast-tracked to success in Dundrum this month. Successful applicants will deliver their big business ideas to a panel of judges at the sixth Blueface Business Elevator heat in Carphone Warehouse, Dundrum Business Park this Saturday, June 30. Blueface Elevator was set up to act as a platform for Irish-based
start-ups with innovative ideas to give a three-minute pitch on their inspirational idea. Seven finalists will be selected from a nationwide search and will compete for coveted prizes which include telephony services (Blueface), mobile handsets and tablets (Carphone Warehouse), advertising (Newstalk 106-108FM), public relations (Heneghan PR) and legal advice in a grand prize worth €50,000. The prize package comprises all that a young business could need to make it in the future.
Blueface is an internet-based telecoms company which offers targeted solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses, and offers cost savings for landline and mobile services. Alan Foy, CEO, Blueface, said of the competition: “To qualify, companies must be less than five years old and any products or services being pitched must have spent less than one year on the market. “Our aim at Blueface is to help businesses cut costs and maximise efficiency by supplying cost-effective and innovative
solutions for business communications. It is time Irish startups got a little recognition.” To apply, entrants had to submit a 100-word overview of their business idea, in order to safeguard an opportunity to pitch at one of the competition locations. Those who make it through at local level will go on to the finals and a chance to win the prestigious prizes on offer. The final will be held on Saturday, July 14, at the Carphone Warehouse outlet in Grafton Street.