Latest news with #COLLECT
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Major airport favourite gets glow up with tasty food, premium drinks and the best plane spotting views
AVIATION lovers are set to love this busy spot for delicious food, buzzing atmosphere and the best plane spotting views. Less than an hour from 7 Hook & Ladder at Weston Airport has been revamped Credit: COLLECT 7 Diners can enjoy breakfast, brunch and lunch while watching planes land and take off Credit: COLLECT 7 The Hook & Ladder restaurant makes the perfect day out for all the family 7 The new look restaurant is bustling with visitors Credit: The newly revamped Birthday celebrations, friend groups and aviation enthusiasts chattered over food. The new look restaurant boasted a modern Great Gatsby look with cosy cushioned booths, chic lighting, marble flooring and a sleek bar. As soon as my eyes were drawn to a statement clock in the body of an aeroplane, I knew this was the spot for me. READ MORE ON TRAVEL This busy airport is a hive of activity with planes and helicopters hitting the runway as visitors indulge in tasty dishes. The award-winning Irish family-run eatery had a selection of mouth-watering options on the brunch menu from 13.95. From the Mother Clucker, a crispy buttermilk chicken breast, to the Biscoff French Toast, I was torn for choice. The Ampersand Eggs with beet hummus and mashed avocado did not disappoint. Most read in News Travel Breakfast options include Buttermilk Blueberry Pancakes, Homemade Granola and the Chicken & Waffle Stack. While the lunch menu boasts the Fireman's Chicken Curry, Ballycotton Smoked Salmon and the Weston Club Sandwich. Emotional scenes as Irish Lebanon peacekeepers arrive home in Dublin Airport Those with a sweet tooth will love the scrumptious section of home baked cakes from their in store bakery. Airport officials said there are great photo opportunities. They said: 'Dublin Weston Airport is an ideal location for 'Our new From flying clubs to air displays to A unique charity event, Run the Runway, was held at the airport last month where participants could run or walk 3k or 5k along the iconic runway. The National Flight Centre pilot academy, which has operated at Dublin Weston Airport since 1977, is now in the process of a full fleet renewal. This historic airport was established by Darby Kennedy in 1931. Over close to a century, Dublin Weston Airport has undergone many additions and enhancements, including a tarmac runway, new control tower, hangers, VOR and a terminal building. In 2021, the airport was bought by a consortium of aviation enthusiasts. A full modernisation of the airport security infrastructure has taken place with over €3m invested. For more information and make a booking visit 7 It's the perfect place for plane spotting Credit: COLLECT 7 The airport has numerous aircrafts landing and taking off Credit: COLLECT 7 A charity event was held at the airport last month Credit: Facebook
The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
I tested rich tea biscuits from Dunnes, Lidl & Aldi – the winner is €1.95 cheaper than real deal & great with cuppa
NOTHING beats dunking a biscuit into to a pipping hot tea at the end of the day The debate is ongoing over the nation's favourite biscuits to see which one is best for dunking. Advertisement 3 We put four rich tea biscuits to the test Credit: COLLECT 3 They all had a similar blue packaging but different prices Credit: COLLECT 3 Aldi was the winning biscuit for me Credit: COLLECT With so many rich tea options on the market, we decided to test a popular brand and some Popular brands like McVitie's can set shoppers back around €2.49, while own-brands start from a bargain 54 cent. I tested four popular rich tea biscuits, all in similar blue packets. Firstly, I dunked for 15 seconds but found myself scrambling to taste them before they broke. Advertisement READ MORE ON MONEY To make the test a fair result, I then switched to 10 seconds. Here's which biscuits were a big success, and which ones were a flop. The original McVitie's Rich Tea Biscuits melted fast but did not disappoint. These classic biccies seem to have the perfect balance between sweetness. Advertisement Most read in Money These branded biscuits consisted of wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oil, glucose-fructose syrup, barley malt extract, raising agents and salt. A classic treat that won't let anyone down. Man Utd hardman Roy Keane and Sky Sports presenter blind rank BISCUITS before Ruben Amorim's first match_1 You do pay a Taste test after 10 second dunk: 4/5 Advertisement Value for money: 3.5/5 Dunnes Stores After a 10 second dunk, these biscuits melted just like the originals. Crunching on these biscuits, they were everything I expected. Advertisement Feeling lighter than others, I could see myself reaching for more and more of these. The retailer said: 'Crispy plain biscuits. Free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. 'Free from hydrogenated fat. Suitable for vegetarians.' These own brand biscuits cost a bargain 70 cent. Advertisement Taste test after 10 second dunk: 3.5/5 Value for money: 4/5 Lidl Lidl fans are treated to a larger rich tea biscuit, compared to the original. The Tower Gate brand has a similar look to the rest but has a smoother finish. Advertisement After the 10 second dip test, these biscuits gave a little crunch. For me, they tasted less sweet and almost had a hint of ginger. But they are made up of wheat flour, sugar, palm oil and invert sugar syrup. The popular Lidl rich tea treats cost only 54 cent. Advertisement Taste test after 10 second dunk: 3/5 Value for money: 5/5 Aldi Much to my surprise Aldi rich tea biscuits were crowned the winner. These were larger than the originals and has a smooth finish. Advertisement After the 10 second dunk, these biscuits had a nice mix of crunch and the biscuit structure didn't fall apart. Although smaller than the original, they felt crunchier and crispier as I munched away. Best of all these were the cheapest biscuits I tested at a bargain 54 cent. Taste test after 10 second dunk: 5/5 Advertisement Value for money: 5/5
The Irish Sun
29-04-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Doctors gave me devastating news after I noticed weakness in my hand and started dropping files in work
A FORMER Clinical Nurse Manager and long-time Special Olympics coach told how a trip to the hairdressers led to a shock diagnosis. Catriona Dixon, 58, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in December 2023. 5 A Wexford told how she was diagnosed with MND Credit: COLLECT 5 Catriona Dixon was a Clinical Nurse Manager and Special Olympics Coach Credit: IMNDA 5 Catriona was diagnosed with MND in 2023 Credit: COLLECT She told The Irish Sun: 'It's an ongoing loss, but I am making the best of it and keep hope as my mantra.' Crowned 'Person of the Year' at Gorey Business and Endeavour awards in Wexford in February, Catriona told how her life changed drastically over the last 16 months. She said: 'Everyone with motor neurones is affected differently. Mine is that my arms, the muscles in my arms, my upper arms are dying. 'So I would have very little strength in my arms and hands. But my legs are good. My voice is good so far.' READ MORE ON HEALTH Catriona discussed how she has to 'accept' her own challenges now as a The former Nurse Manager said: 'I always said to my clients 'don't be embarrassed'. I'd always make sure their dignity was maintained. 'So I can't think that I could have asked them to do that, if I'm not prepared to be that way as well.' The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association have helped Catriona plan ahead for whatever may come. Most read in Health She explained: 'I've recorded my voice so that if the day ever comes that I can't communicate verbally, I have an iPad that the IMNDA lent to me. 'I can use that to communicate if I need to. It does sound like me. It's amazing. It's a great thing to have. Coronation Street Dominates the Inside Soap Awards 2024 'Communication is such a big thing. It's really what keeps me going.' The Gory native explained how weakness in her wrists eventually led medics to the shock diagnosis. She said: 'Looking back, it's only when you put all these things together that you realise something isn't going well. 'In January to February 2023, I started to notice a weakness in my right hand in work.' Catriona noticed she would drop an 'odd folder' and she went to see a doctor in late February. Her TESTS Medics referred her to neurology, which took almost six months to get an appointment. She continued: 'At that stage, my left arm was falling in the way of my right arm. It was the same type of weakness. 'I was actually in my hairdresser, I went to get my hair done. I was leaning back against the sink to get the hair washed. 'I went to sit up, and I couldn't lift off the sink without putting my hand behind my neck. 'So that showed that there was something going on there.' She added: 'Motor Neurone Disease is an unfortunate condition because you have to rule out other things to come to the realisation that it's more from neurones. 'So I had a number of blood and nerve conduction tests. Where they take responses and reactions of the muscles in your body.' LIVING WITH MND Catriona is adamant that MND 'can't define' her and she will continue to stay active. She said: "It is an illness. It's an ongoing loss of motor function. 'I know it's going to get worse, but I don't know when. So there's no point in sitting around waiting for it. 'There's no point in giving up either. So I'm going to keep going. I'm going to do as much as I can for as long as I can. That's really important to me.' In December, Catriona was forced to 'give up driving' but is thankful for the support from loved ones. She said: 'I'm a bit like driving Miss Daisy now. They come and collect me and they bring me out and about.' 'NO CURE' The Wexford woman praised the team in Beaumont Hospital looking after her. She said: 'When you're sitting here on your own and you're thinking 'now what do I do? How am I going to manage this? How am I going to get on with this.' But the team, they really support you.' There are around 470 people across Ireland living with Catriona said: 'There are a bunch of people in Ireland with MND. 'While there's no cure, I think we're all kind of hopeful that maybe someday they'd find a treatment to even prolong the time that we have. That's what everyone wants.' Despite the challenges of her diagnosis, the 58-year old remains active and engaged in her community. Catriona said: 'Though I've had to reduce some of my activities, I still remain active. Last year, I even fulfilled a lifelong dream by going inter-railing across Europe. 'But more importantly, I've been reconnecting—with my family, my friends, and my community. We regularly walk, talk, drink tea and connect. It really helps. 'I couldn't have done that without the support and expertise of the IMNDA Nurses.' SIGNS OF MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE WHILE motor neurone disease isn't usually painful, symptoms can be extremely debilitating. In many cases, signs of the disease will begin gradually. Typically, this will occur on one side of the body only, before progressively worsening. Heartbreakingly, motor neurone disease may leave the diagnosed unable to move or communicate property. Swallowing and breathing may also become a difficult task. The NHS outlines initial symptoms to look out for… a weakened grip, which can cause difficulty picking up or holding objects weakness at the shoulder that makes lifting the arm difficult a "foot drop" caused by weak ankle muscles dragging of the leg slurred speech (dysarthria) MND affects everyone differently, the MND Association says. Not everyone has all the symptoms, or in the same order, and the speed at which symptoms progress can vary. People may have: muscle weakness muscle spasms stiff joints speech and communication problems swallowing difficulties breathing problems Around 35 per cent of people with MND experience mild cognitive change, which can cause issues in executive functions such as planning, decision-making and language. A further 15 per cent of people with MND show signs of 40K YOUR WAY Taking on 40k Your Way in aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, Catriona is urging people to join her team. Participants can walk, jog, run, cycle or swim 40 kilometres in whatever way suits them best. Registration is completely FREE and all participants will receive a limited-edition '40K Your Way in May' cap and a kilometre tracker card to help them stay on course. Every kilometre you cover—and every euro you raise—will directly support the IMNDA's critical services. Visit 5 The Gorey woman has a team in IMNDA's 40k Your Way Credit: COLLECT 5 The fundraiser will take place in May Credit:
The Irish Sun
22-04-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
‘It's actually life or death' – Mum's plea for EpiPens in public spaces as daughter, 11, at risk of deadly reactions
A MUM told how she fears her 11-year-old daughter could die of an allergic reaction if EpiPens aren't available in public spaces. Róise Ní Bhraoináin, from Co Carlow, was diagnosed with a severe egg allergy and a soya allergy as a baby. 4 Róise's parents Alan and Eimear called for EpiPens to be available in public spaces Credit: COLLECT 4 EpiPens have been rolled out in schools in England Credit: Alamy Her mum Eimear told how she carries an EpiPen everywhere she goes. A severe untreated anaphylaxis can lead to Mum Eimear told The Irish Sun: 'There's a lot of confusion. People think it's an intolerance but it is actually life or death. It's important.' Fine Gael's Evanne Ní Chuilinn highlighted in the Seanad the urgent need for EpiPens to be installed in public spaces nationwide. READ MORE ON HEALTH Almost 30 per cent of people in Ireland suffer from allergy issues but half of those are dealing with complex, severe cases requiring specialist care. Backing the campaign, Eimear said: 'It's great that we have this insurance policy nearly, as in the EpiPen, that can save a child's life. 'Because if she goes into severe anaphylaxis, it can have very serious consequences. You have to get to the hospital very fast.' One morning, Eimear had little baby Róise on her lap at the breakfast table. MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN Eimear recalled: 'We were on FaceTime with my mother. I'll never forget it because she reached out her little hand onto my plate because I had scrambled egg on toast. 'I thought I could see something straight away, I didn't know what was going on.' The six signs you could be allergic to the cold - and when your allergy could be life-threatening While chatting to her mum, Eimear caught a glimpse of Róise's arm going red in the video. She continued: 'I'd just seen her hand bringing the egg up to her mouth and something just told me, I don't know why…I just slapped the egg away from her mouth. 'Because I could see little bumps and a redness on her hand from where she had touched the egg straight away.' Róise had a reaction to the egg, without even eating it. Eimear continued: 'Then I discovered around the same time about the soya. 'Soya was more sinister in a way because it's hidden in lots of things. 'So even a slice of bread, lots of processed foods would just have soya in it, even baby foods and baby biscuits and things like that.' While working fulltime in radio, Eimear quickly figured out that she would have to make everything from scratch for her daughter. She said: 'Everything really had to be very careful and make stuff from scratch. 'Because I couldn't risk anything… I didn't fully understand what was going on.' As Róise's parents learned how to protect their daughter from having an anaphylactic attack, they quickly realised the dangers outside the home. She discussed how parents live in constant fear that their child may be given the wrong foods, which can be fatal. FOOD THREATS While food labelling has gotten better, Eimear admitted companies are still using the 'cop-out' term 'may contain' on lots of foods. She explained: 'That's very hard with a child because then they're in to the birth parties - you don't want to be that mother… Obviously they can't have cake because there's clearly egg in it. So we just got to be very savvy.' As Róise grows older, her parents are noticing more products on the market without eggs. Eimear said: 'I'll never forget the first time the poor child tried a bar of Cadbury's dairy milk or a Whispa. 'It was something that my dad gave her, because she didn't even know what chocolate was. 'It was like the Ratatouille moment. She absolutely loved it.' Now 11-years-of-age, Róise brings her own jellies to birthday parties. Eimear said: 'When it comes to school and summer camps, it can be very frightening. 'Some people are very aware, which is great. But some people aren't and they mean well, but they think it's an intolerance. 'So certain situations can arise like arts and crafts, children could be playing with egg cartons.' DINING OUT Although eating out in restaurants can be 'very difficult for people with severe allergies', Eimear told how her daughter made her experience easier. She chuckled: 'Róise knows all these different chefs now around Carlow and Kilkenny, and wherever we go because she can say it to them. 'So once you're able to use your voice and speak up and explain it to people.' While there is EU legislation around menus, the Carlow woman admitted that food establishments can't always be trusted. Eimear said: 'The funny thing is, the bigger chains now, maybe because they have more resources, they're able to look at this stuff, the likes of McDonald's. 'At least you know they can have chips or chicken nuggets. They have no egg at the moment in them. 'But you have to always be vigilant because they could change the ingredients at any stage.' Eimear told how the threat of little ones having an allergic reaction is ever-present. Although EpiPens are prescribed medication, there are exceptions for emergency situations, to allow trained individuals to administer it without a prescription in specific circumstances. Anytime Róise leaves the house, her parents remind her 'your coat and your EpiPen'. Eimear said: 'I make sure hers is in her school bag when she goes to school. 'We have spare EpiPens in different places, like in her grandparents, we have one in the house, we keep one in my car. They're very expensive.' SCHOOLS In the UK, where anaphylaxis kits were given to more than 600 schools, 12 lives were saved in just two years. Eimear insisted a similar program is needed urgently in Ireland. She said: 'It's very difficult for As adults can develop an allergy at any stage, Eimear said the roll out of EpiPens is a practical solution to decrease the risk of illness, and even death. She warned: 'There's nothing to say, I won't wake up tomorrow or somebody else could wake up with a shellfish allergy that they didn't have previously.' Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn said EpiPens should be available in public spaces across the country, similar to the roll out of defibrillators. Evanne said: 'In most cases a shot of adrenaline – using an EpiPen – is needed immediately, but this is not always straightforward, particularly for children. 'While EpiPens are prescribed medication, there are exceptions for emergency situations, to allow trained individuals to administer it without a prescription in specific circumstances. 'We need to explore how EpiPens could be made available in public spaces, as we've seen with the roll-out of defibrillators in schools and sports clubs. 'Parents live in constant fear that their child's EpiPen may not work as they need to be stored in a cool place away from sunlight, which makes summer camps and sports a particular challenge for those with severe allergies. 'EpiPen kits could be every defibrillator's next-door neighbour. These kits can provide safely stored and well maintained EpiPens, along with instructions and training given to staff and volunteers to ensure that help is on hand in an emergency.' 4 The Carlow family are backing Evanne Ní Chuilinn's campaign Credit: COLLECT 4 Evanne Ní Chuilinn spoke in the Seanad about the challenges faced by allergy sufferers Credit: Instagram
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Yahoo
Groton woman accused of using fake ID to buy car in 2023
ELLINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) — State police say a Groton woman accused of purchasing a vehicle using fraudulent identification in 2023 was arrested last week. Tracie Tarabek, 53, was arrested in Groton on Feb. 21. She was charged with first-degree larceny, first-degree identity theft, and third-degree forgery. Accused wrong-way driver charged with OUI in Farmington The charges stem from 2023, when troopers were dispatched to a car dealership in Ellington, where the finance manager said he believed a woman used a fraudulent ID to obtain a vehicle. The transaction was made through a national bank, but the bank said the woman had failed to pay the loan two weeks later. A COLLECT search of the license given to the dealership reportedly showed it was a valid license number, but the picture was different, state police said. A few months later, troopers also learned a woman using the same fraudulent ID to withdraw funds in West Virginia was arrested. The woman was identified as Tarabek. She was arrested for unrelated criminal charges in West Virginia and held on a $50,000 bond through June of 2024. With this evidence, state police obtained an arrest warrant and on Feb. 21, Groton police located and arrested her. Tarabek was held on a $750,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior Court on Feb. 24. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
