Latest news with #Cert
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Tourists in Albufeira face fines in crackdown on nudity and drunken behaviour
The Algarve resort of Albufeira — a popular spot for Irish students enjoying post-Leaving Cert holidays — is declaring war on badly-behaved tourists by approving huge fines for nudity and drunken behaviour. Penalties of up tp €4,000 for holidaymakers who flout a strict new good behaviour code have been agreed by local councillors. Irish and British tourists were first warned about the new get-tough rules in February when Albufeira's mayor Jose Carlos Rolo announced the plans and put proposals out to public consultation. Over the weekend it emerged holidaymakers can be hit with the fines once they are published in an official state bulletin, expected to happen later this week. People who enter bars and other business premises with their tops off will face fines of up to €1,500 under the new rules, with the wearing of beachwear outside of allowed areas also being tackled. Spitting or urinating in the street will be punished with fines of between €150 and €750. And tourists who end up naked in public, or get caught having or simulating sex, faces fines of between €2,000 and €4,000. Bars and cafes who let customers in without the proper dress code will also be hit with financial penalties under the new rules. The mayor has signalled his intent to try to take Albufeira upmarket and win back some of the families said to have been scared off by the reports of loutish alcohol and drug-fuelled behaviour. He said: 'Tourists who fall down drunk aren't needed here at all." Read More Beyond the Pale festival will 'absolutely' go ahead organisers say despite earlier confusion
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
Funeral of Kevin Kelly (31) who died in house fire with Sunny Jacobs hears how he would ‘go above and beyond for other'
Mourners heard how Mr Kelly was a 'free spirit' who 'loved life' and 'would do anything he could for anybody'. Mr Kelly died after a fire broke out at a cottage near Casla, a village between Inverin and Carraroe, at around 6am on Tuesday morning. He cared for Ms Jacobs in a home-help capacity. She had been living in Ireland since the late 1990s, having spent 17 years in a Florida prison, including five on death row, for the murder of two police officers. She was released from custody in 1992 after her convictions on two counts of murder and one of kidnapping were overturned after procedural errors were identified. All those attending Mr Kelly's funeral mass at Discovery Church in Galway this afternoon were asked to wear bright colours to represent the 'fun, laughter and personality' of the Connemara native. The large numbers gathered were described as a 'testament' to Mr Kelly's character and friendship. A poem dedicated to Mr Kelly, written by family friend Sam Nolan, paid tribute to his 'cheeky smile and positive attitude'. "Kevin met every day. No matter what was on his mind, he was always the same way. He was a happy-go-lucky guy who loved life, what more can we say.' His younger sister Jill told those gathered how Mr Kelly "loved to laugh' and 'loved fun' throughout his life, describing his love for Connemara, for dogs and the lengths he would go to help others. 'Kev was born 31 years ago on December 28 – 14 days after he was due – and he's been doing things his own way ever since. He was a free spirit and wasn't one bit shy about standing up for what he believed and not doing things just to follow the crowd,' she said. Mr Kelly was born in Dublin but moved to Inishmore at the age of four, a move which 'started his love for the tranquil life, surrounded by the beauty of Connemara'. He would often 'disappear' on a mountain walk with his dog Mollie 'and whichever other dogs he had taken under his wing'. 'When we lived on Inishmore, Kev had a bad encounter with a dog and was bitten in the face… but he loved dogs,' she said. "That's one thing we can all learn from Kevin, the ability to let go and move on. Kev never took life too seriously and was quick to forgive and, for the most part, forget – but you wouldn't fool him twice, he was much too smart for that.' He had a 'protective streak' for his sisters as he had 'such a big heart for all those he loved'. Mr Kelly left school before completing his Leaving Cert and after 'a little big of wandering' found the Galway-based dog rescue and adoption charity Madra. 'It was love at first sight in more ways than one. Kevin's time at Madra completely changed his life. It was where his love of dogs was truly discovered,' she said. It was also where he met his partner Sheree, with his sister describing the couple as "made for each other'. "We've all lost someone today, a son, a brother, a partner, a friend, a rock. He was so many things to so many people and we always will share that grief,' she added. "If you find yourself missing Kev – as I'm sure you will – in the coming days, weeks, months and years. Here are some things you can do to feel close to him: Take a trip to Connemara, find a hill and climb it. "While you're there, go on over to Madra and volunteer to walk some dogs and walk the same route that Kev walked day in, day out, for years.' Mourners were also told to take pictures and 'capture your moments with your loved ones' as Mr Kelly was described as someone who would 'go above and beyond' for those in his life and would 'do anything he could for anybody'. Mourners heard how Mr Kelly was 'a joy and a gift to our lives', with a collection of photographs of Mr Kelly and his friends, family and dogs shared during the service. Mr Kelly was a dedicated volunteer with Madra from the age of nineteen, with the charity this week describing his love of dogs and his beloved pitbull Mollie as a 'huge driving force for him'. He has been remembered for his 'big smile and kindness' and as someone who was 'absolutely magical' with dogs. He will be 'lovingly missed and always remembered by his mother Fiona, his father Ken, Ken's partner Maureen and her son Jonathan, Kevin's partner Sheree, his siblings Jill and Cúán, brothers-in-law Conor and Kal, beloved nieces Hailee-May and Aila- Rose, nephew Ezra, all extended family, friends and neighbours,' his death notice read.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
Funeral of Kevin Kelly (31), who died in house fire with Sunny Jacobs, hears how he would ‘go above and beyond' for others
Mourners heard how Mr Kelly was a 'free spirit' who 'loved life' and 'would do anything he could for anybody'. Mr Kelly died after a fire broke out at a cottage near Casla, a village between Inverin and Carraroe, at around 6am on Tuesday morning. He cared for Ms Jacobs in a home-help capacity. She had been living in Ireland since the late 1990s, having spent 17 years in a Florida prison, including five on death row, for the murder of two police officers. She was released from custody in 1992 after her convictions on two counts of murder and one of kidnapping were overturned after procedural errors were identified. All those attending Mr Kelly's funeral mass at Discovery Church in Galway this afternoon were asked to wear bright colours to represent the 'fun, laughter and personality' of the Connemara native. The large numbers gathered were described as a 'testament' to Mr Kelly's character and friendship. A poem dedicated to Mr Kelly, written by family friend Sam Nolan, paid tribute to his 'cheeky smile and positive attitude'. "Kevin met every day. No matter what was on his mind, he was always the same way. He was a happy-go-lucky guy who loved life, what more can we say.' His younger sister Jill told those gathered how Mr Kelly "loved to laugh' and 'loved fun' throughout his life, describing his love for Connemara, for dogs and the lengths he would go to help others. 'Kev was born 31 years ago on December 28 – 14 days after he was due – and he's been doing things his own way ever since. He was a free spirit and wasn't one bit shy about standing up for what he believed and not doing things just to follow the crowd,' she said. ADVERTISEMENT Mr Kelly was born in Dublin but moved to Inishmore at the age of four, a move which 'started his love for the tranquil life, surrounded by the beauty of Connemara'. He would often 'disappear' on a mountain walk with his dog Mollie 'and whichever other dogs he had taken under his wing'. 'When we lived on Inishmore, Kev had a bad encounter with a dog and was bitten in the face… but he loved dogs,' she said. "That's one thing we can all learn from Kevin, the ability to let go and move on. Kev never took life too seriously and was quick to forgive and, for the most part, forget – but you wouldn't fool him twice, he was much too smart for that.' He had a 'protective streak' for his sisters as he had 'such a big heart for all those he loved'. Mr Kelly left school before completing his Leaving Cert and after 'a little big of wandering' found the Galway-based dog rescue and adoption charity Madra. 'It was love at first sight in more ways than one. Kevin's time at Madra completely changed his life. It was where his love of dogs was truly discovered,' she said. It was also where he met his partner Sheree, with his sister describing the couple as "made for each other'. "We've all lost someone today, a son, a brother, a partner, a friend, a rock. He was so many things to so many people and we always will share that grief,' she added. "If you find yourself missing Kev – as I'm sure you will – in the coming days, weeks, months and years. Here are some things you can do to feel close to him: Take a trip to Connemara, find a hill and climb it. "While you're there, go on over to Madra and volunteer to walk some dogs and walk the same route that Kev walked day in, day out, for years.' Mourners were also told to take pictures and 'capture your moments with your loved ones' as Mr Kelly was described as someone who would 'go above and beyond' for those in his life and would 'do anything he could for anybody'. Mourners heard how Mr Kelly was 'a joy and a gift to our lives', with a collection of photographs of Mr Kelly and his friends, family and dogs shared during the service. Mr Kelly was a dedicated volunteer with Madra from the age of nineteen, with the charity this week describing his love of dogs and his beloved pitbull Mollie as a 'huge driving force for him'. He has been remembered for his 'big smile and kindness' and as someone who was 'absolutely magical' with dogs. He will be 'lovingly missed and always remembered by his mother Fiona, his father Ken, Ken's partner Maureen and her son Jonathan, Kevin's partner Sheree, his siblings Jill and Cúán, brothers-in-law Conor and Kal, beloved nieces Hailee-May and Aila- Rose, nephew Ezra, all extended family, friends and neighbours,' his death notice read.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wicklow abuse survivor gets closure after clerics acknowledge what happened to him
Jim O'Neill invited members of the Jesuit order to attend his art exhibition A man from Greystones, who was a victim of abuse as a child, has finally been able to feel some sense of closure having completed his Higher National Diploma in Art & Design, at Bray's Institute of Further Education (BIFE). While his abuser is no longer alive, the bold step was taken to invite representatives from the order to the exhibition, where his major piece, 'We Are Forced to Bear Witness', was on display for them to see. The title is taken from a line in TS Eliot's 'Murder in the Cathedral', with its themes of faith, power and sacrifice, which his abuser guided him through for his Leaving Cert.
The Journal
6 days ago
- General
- The Journal
Open thread: Tell us your best, worst, and funniest Leaving Cert memories
THE 2025 LEAVING Cert starts today and it's no doubt as painful a prospect for this year's students as it has been for every cohort since the beginning of time. A record number of candidates are due to sit state exams this year, with Leaving Cert student numbers up 5% and Leaving Cert Applied student numbers up 11%. As the Class of 2025 ready themselves to start their exams, we're curious to hear from our readers about your memories of the LC – the good, the bad, and the brutal. Did you wake up late and miss your Maths exam? Advertisement Did the poet your teacher swore would come up fail to make an appearance on English Paper Two? Did you crack on a high note in your Music practical or nearly drown on your Geography field trip? Do you still have recurring nightmares about being thrown into an exam hall with no preparation done? Or maybe you were part of the Covid class that didn't sit it at all? Relive the pain – or go on, boast about how well it went for you – and comment below with your stories. 625 points up for grabs for the best one. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
