Latest news with #Dennehy
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Science
- Irish Examiner
State exams: 'Extremely relevant' climate change questions feature
Climate change was the prominent feature on the second day of the 2025 State exams, featuring on both the Leaving Cert engineering paper and the Junior Cycle Irish exam. The 2025 Leaving Cert engineering papers had good choice overall for students, according to Eamonn Dennehy, subject spokesperson with the ASTI and teacher at Heywood Community School, Ballinakill, Portlaoise. 'That would be a stress reliever for the students, and there was good choice in the questions as well.' Colour was also used well across both papers, at higher and ordinary levels. 'That's helpful,' he said. He also pointed out that 60% of marks at ordinary level, and 50% at higher level, would already be spoken for through the project and practical work. Students had a choice of six questions on the higher level paper. 'It would have been important to choose the questions carefully.' The production of hydrogen and its use as an alternative fuel featured on the higher-level paper. Climate change is a huge issue, and technology will play a role in addressing the crisis, Mr Dennehy said. 'It was very good for students to be studying that, it's extremely relevant where we stand today.' 'Their own experiences were also called on,' he added, pointing to where students were asked to distinguish between the use of hydrogen power for data centres and agricultural industries. 'That was a challenging question.' Ordinary level The ordinary level paper was also fair and had good choice for students, he believed. 'There was also recognition given to the importance of environmental issues and health and safety.' Junior Cycle Meanwhile, Junior Cycle Irish was fair and covered relatable topics for students, according to Studyclix subject spokesperson Stephen Doyle of Moyle Park College in Dublin. 'The reading comprehension, for example, was about climate change and young environmental activists, something that matters to students today.' However, question H on the reading comprehension may have challenged less prepared students, he believed. This question asked students to discuss one concern they have about climate change -'Déan plé gairid ar ábhar imní amháin atá ort féin maidir leis an athrú aeráide'. 'Overall, the listening and reading sections were very manageable. The grammar section was also straightforward and not too complicated compared to previous years.' However, this year also saw a change with the drama question, which was paired with a short film question. 'This meant students needed to have both Drama and Novel prepared, as the Novel became a stand-alone question.' 'All the literature sections questioned students on how the events, emotions or images made them feel.' Students' opinions and insights were very important throughout this exam, he added. 'Overall, the literature questions would have been welcomed by students as they were of the same standard as previous years with no major surprises.' Ordinary level The Junior Cycle Irish Ordinary Level paper was easy to approach and covered the basic language skills students need, Mr Doyle added. 'Short reading questions were about everyday things like cooking class and a visit to a concert and a disco with friend topics that students could understand easily. 'Overall, the paper was well set out and friendly for students, giving them different ways to do well while keeping to the right level for this level.'
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
UK's most dangerous female inmate plotted to kill Rose West & chop guard's FINGER to escape ‘Monster Mansion' jail
She was also accused of mutilating a corpse and stuck it in a black sequin dress LIFE OF CRIME UK's most dangerous female inmate plotted to kill Rose West & chop guard's FINGER to escape 'Monster Mansion' jail Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE UK's most dangerous female inmate tried to murder Rose West and chop a guard's finger off to escape jail. Joanna Dennehy, 42, once described killing as "moreish and fun" and has become one of four women in the country to be sentenced to a whole life behind bars. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Joanna Dennehy said she found murdering 'moreish' Credit: PA:Press Association 4 Dennehy was sent to HMP Bronzefield after her dangerous antics Credit: Alamy 4 Rose West is one of four women sentenced to a life behind bars Credit: PA:Press Association The brutal killer was convicted in 2014 after a spree of bone-chilling murders including that of 31-year-old lover Lukasz Slaboszewski, her housemate John Chapman and her landlord Kevin Lee. A judge called her "cruel, calculating, selfish, and manipulative" after a court heard of her murderous antics, which involved mutilating a corpse and squeezing the body into a sequined black dress. She has since been described as one of the most dangerous inmates and has been accused of attempting to kill fellow prisoner and murderer Rose West. It is also understood she drew up an escape plan which involved murdering a guard and using their severed finger to unlock the biometric doors. Professor David Wilson, a criminologist and former prison governor, told how part of her threat was in her ability to manipulate with sex. He told the Mail Online: "She will be using this to get what she wants. "Even when she was being interviewed in a police station in Hereford for attempting to kill two men out walking her dogs, she started to flirt with the female custody sergeant." According to the criminologist, targeting the 71-year-old mass murderer Rose West was an attempt to be "top dog" in prison. West was convicted of 10 murders in 1995 and has also been sentenced to life imprisonment. The murder threat allegedly spurred Dennehy's move to solitary confinement but it wasn't long before the villain was reported having an affair with a prison guard. I've looked dozens of serial killers in the eye… but psychotic Brit terrified me most She was moved to HMP Low Newton where she continued her devilish streak, striking up a relationship with the murderer Emma Aitken. Prof Wilson explained this string of illicit relationships is all part of the killer's vying for control. It's part of her "conning" to use sex as a tool of manipulation, he said. According to the former prison governor, Dennehy will always remain a threat whilst compos mentis because of her "unusual" killer profile. He said: "Dennehy is one of the very few female spree killers in criminological history. Spree murders tend to be a male phenomenon." He added: "I don't know what can be done with her in terms of changing her behaviour because she seems to have extreme violent tendencies. "That is based on having interviewed people who were very close to her - including her former husband."
Irish Examiner
10-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Maeve Dennehy and Tara Lyng on turning their grief into a fundraising success story
Maeve Dennehy and Tara Lyng open up the calculators on their phones, adding up the final tally. €41,608. The two business women behind a charity fundraiser that will see €20,804 go to Marymount University Hospital and Hospice, and the same amount be presented to the Children's Grief Centre in Limerick, are giddy at their success. But behind their smiles are stories of raw grief and deep loss. Maeve Dennehy, owner of Love Cherish in Charleville, lost her sister and mum to cancer. Marymount, she says, was a shining light to them all in those dark days. She was determined to raise funds for the hospice. Three years ago, Tara Lyng — sister of Kilkenny senior hurling manager Derek Lyng — saw her charity appeals on social media. The co-owner of Dwyers bar in Cork City reached out to offer help — and to be a venue for Dennehy's Love Cherish fundraising fashion shows. This year, as they joined forces for their third fundraiser, a new charity was added to the bill: The Children's Grief Centre. This year, Tara Lyng and Maeve Dennehy joined forces for their third fundraiser. Picture: Brian Arthur Lyng had endured her own deep loss. Last summer, as she holidayed in Rhodes, Greece, with her family, her husband Johnny O'Connor passed away suddenly. Without warning, she lost her life partner of 22 years, her two daughters lost their father. The Children's Grief Centre in Limerick would be Lyng's shining light in her dark days. Most mums, especially those with girls of a certain age, have watched their kids play with slime, endlessly pulling and stretching the goo through their little fingers. For Lyng, this has been so much more than just a passing phase for her daughters. It would help them to begin to understand the grieving process. She says of her daughter: She was telling me that the bubbles in the slime, they're like, the waves of grief, and sometimes they burst, and that's when all the emotions play out. A free service, almost entirely dependent on charity funds, Dennehy and Lyng's fundraising will ensure the employment of a new counsellor at the centre. 'It's going to be a 20-hour week job with the money that we've given, and it's going to clear 15 appointments in the week. So that'll be 15 kids, 15 families each week,' says Lyng. Dennehy and Lyng's fundraising will ensure the employment of a new counsellor at the Children's Grief Centre. Picture: Brian Arthur With her dynamic social media presence, and vibrant personality, Dennehy's fundraisers have always been a huge success. However, the two women are visibly blown away by the reaction to this most recent sell out event, 'Sip, Style & Sparkle', in January in Lyng's second bar, Seventy Seven. The format — an afternoon welcome drink, followed by a Love Cherish fashion show and live music — sounds deceptively simple. Inside the bar, the atmosphere was electric. Dennehy's social media and Love Cherish fans were there to party. Beginning at 4pm, by 9pm — when the doors to Seventy Seven reopened to the public — it was like the afters of a wedding. This year, Dennehy also launched her new collaboration with Hope and Ivy at the event, which saw paintings of iconic Irish landscapes — Gougane Barra among them — printed onto flowing full- length summer dresses. Women turned up for fashion and fun — and they made money for two crucial charities in the process. Mairead O'Keeffe, CEO of The Children's Grief Centre in Limerick, knows the difference this one fundraiser will make to children's lives, and the additional support it will provide. 'We currently have 12 part-time staff: Five part time support workers that work directly with children. In 2024, we offered 3,019 appointments and 374 children were seen in the centre,' says O'Keeffe. Maeve and Tara presenting the cheque to Mairead O'Keefe, CEO, and Carol Fitzgough, fundraising, both from the Childrens Grief Centre in Limerick. Picture: Brian Arthur The centre, which moved into a state of the art building two years ago, is desperately needed. 'In 2024, the reason for referral was 54% bereavement, 38% separation, and 8% both bereavement and separation,' she says, adding that the Growing up in Ireland survey revealed that 2.2% of nine year olds had lost a parent, 1% a sibling, and 28% had experienced the death of a grandparent. The waiting list at the Grief Centre is currently five to six months, a figure O'Keeffe is desperately trying to reduce. The centre is the only one of its kind in the country. People travel nationwide for the supports, from art and play therapy to one to one counselling. Often they return during life transitions — starting secondary school for example can be a trigger according to O'Keeffe. 'We are normalising grief — people are born, people die,' said O'Keeffe. Maeve with her sister Karen and mother Maeve, who have both sadly passed away. The other half of the €46,000 raised was donated to Marymount last month. It was a haven for Dennehy when she lost her sister and her mum to cancer just five years apart. Her sister Karen was at her side every step of the way when she decided to open a boutique in Charleville in 2012 (she would go on to win Xpose boutique of the year). 'I just moved to Ballyhay, where my husband's from, and realised there was nowhere to buy clothes there. I just decided, go for it. There's a gorgeous community down there as well,' she said. Dennehy would go on to build her own online community too. During lockdown, as many businesses faltered, Dennehy and her team would try on outfits — sales soared, so much so she had to expand, signing a lease on a warehouse to handle demand. The mother of two went on to launch her own label 'Oh Molly', named after her daughter (the latest collection launches tomorrow). Oh Molly SS25 launches online on and in store in sizes 8-20 tomorrow. In those early years, when success wasn't guaranteed, her sister Karen was her support. Dennehy was heartbroken when she was diagnosed with breast cancer just months later. She would spend a peaceful five weeks in Marymount before she passed away. She was just 39. Her mum was diagnosed just a few weeks later with a tumour on her sinuses and passed away in Marymount in 2018. Dennehy has gone on to raise more than €178,000 for the charity to ensure other families receive the same love and care. Already the two women are planning their next fundraising events. This is just the beginning. Oh Molly SS25 launches online on and in store in sizes 8-20 tomorrow
The Irish Sun
28-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Tomas O Se's Kerry cruise to fourth straight Munster U20 crown after triumph over Cork
TOMAS Ó Sé's Kerry completed a four-in-a-row of Munster U20 Football titles with an eight-point stroll against Cork at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. When this run began, these old rivals were tied on 28 titles apiece. Now, 2 Kerry captain Michael Tansley lifts the cup as his team-mates celebrate their fourth-straight U20 Munster title win 2 Kerry manager Tomas O'Se's side won another provincial title after the win over Cork They will face the Ulster champions, Donegal or Tyrone, who clash on Wednesday, in an All-Ireland semi-final as they bid to atone for last year's final defeat to the Red Hand County. Evan Boyle's huge hit allowed Paddy Lane to open the scoring before Darragh Clifford levelled for Cork. The sides traded goal chances but Kerry had more opportunities. read more on gaa Ben Murphy's superb solo run was denied by Billy Curtin, Eddie Healy side-footed wide, and Kennedy steered the wrong side of the post when playing with advantage from an attacking mark. At the other end, Dylan O'Neill had the keeper beaten but Dennehy made the last-ditch block. Ciarán Collins, Kennedy, and a surging run from corner-back Aodhna Ó Beaglaoich kept Kerry ticking over until Dennehy's 29th-minute goal. The Cordal half-forward was stripped of possession by Danny Miskella but profited when Dara Sheedy dropped the ball to tuck under the keeper. Most read in GAA Football They led 1-8 to 0-3 at midway and extended their scoring streak to 2-3 without reply. First, Murphy fired over from a weaving run. Then, Kennedy soared highest to palm home after Lane's shot was blocked by Colin Molloy. Oisin McConville urges GAA to ditch big rule change mid-season after controversial ending to Championship clash Molloy got back on his goalline to deny Daniel Kirby a certain goal but Kerry still stretched 2-14 to 0-5 ahead with six minutes remaining. Cork rallied with a 1-5 surge, made up of Colm Clifford's goal and back-to-back two-point frees via Aaron O'Sullivan and Darragh Gough. Kerry 2-15 Cork 1-10 KERRY: M Tansley; G Evans, M Lynch, A Ó Beaglaoich 0-1; B Murphy 0-1, D O'Connor, L Evans; E Healy, D Kirby; C Collins 0-2, E Boyle 0-1, K Dennehy 1-0; P Lane 0-4, 2f, T Kennedy 1-3, 0-1m, R Carroll 0-1. Subs: D O'Sullivan 0-1 for Dennehy 40 mins, J Tagney 0-1 for Collins 44, J Murphy for Kirby 48, O Ferris for Carroll 48, D Stack for L Evans 51. CORK: B Curtin; N O'Shea, C Molloy, G Daly; C Clifford 1-0, M Woods, A O'Sullivan 0-5, 2tpf, 1 45; D Clifford 0-1, C Gillespie; D Miskella, D Sheedy 0-1, S O'Leary; B Hayes 0-1, 1f, E Myers, D O'Neill. Subs: D Harrington for Myers h-t, B O'Connell for Woods 38 mins, M Maguire for O'Neill 44, D Gough 0-2, 1tpf, for Hayes 46, G Kearney for Miskella 54. Referee: E Morrissey (Waterford).
Irish Independent
22-04-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Cork schools urged to host Sunflower Fun Day's to raise money for Marymount
Over 40 first-class pupils from Ballinora National School launched this year's Hospice Sunflower Fun Day with a special photocall with local businesswoman and avid hospice supporter Maeve Dennehy, the owner of Love Cherish. Ms Dennehy has raised over €100,000 for Marymount University Hospital and Hospice – as she has a strong personal connection to the facility as both her mother and her sister received Marymount's care. "I am delighted to be involved in encouraging others to support Sunflower Day,' Ms Dennehy said. 'Both my sister and my Mum were in palliative care in Marymount University Hospital and Hospice, and they were treated with kindness, respect and dignity by the amazing team there. 'My family will be forever grateful for the time Marymount gave us with them,' Ms Dennehy added. Sunflower Fun Day is organised by Together For Hospice, and funds raised will contribute to the work of Ireland's 24 local hospices and specialist palliative home care services. Children are encouraged to wear something yellow, and families are invited to make a €2 donation — or whatever they can afford. Every euro raised locally stays local and, in Cork, all proceeds will directly support Marymount University Hospital & Hospice. Fundraising and Marketing Manager, Marymount University Hospital and Hospice, Enid Conway said the initiative 'brings a lot of fun and joy to Montessori schools, pre-schools, crèches, and primary schools across Ireland.' 'It is a day we all look forward to, with bright bursts of yellow and creativity. The funds raised are put to incredible use at Marymount. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'It is remarkable to see community come together to support this vital resource – and have lots of fun while doing so.' Marymount needs to raise approximately €3 million annually to support its services, which includes: - A 44-bed in-patient unit - Day hospice services - Out-patient support - Community-based care - Bereavement and family support services - Long-term and respite care for older people While this joyful day is all about having fun, it's also a powerful way for communities to give back and honour the essential work of hospice care teams. For more information or to register your school or centre, visit: and choose a date for your fundraiser. A Sunflower Fun Day Pack will be distributed, which includes sunflower seeds for planting, colouring pages, and creative ideas to make the day memorable.
