Latest news with #DublinAirport
Irish Examiner
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Book review: IWU members' essays offer first-hand accounts of activists on the Contraception Train
The vast accomplishments of modern Irish feminism would look very different without the courageous, yet often overlooked, efforts of Irishwomen United (IWU) activists in the years following the Contraceptive Train. This phenomenal collection of 20 essays offers first-hand, historical accounts of on-the-ground activities during this period, shining a light of neglected truth on the history of how Ireland was changed. In this book, writer and IWU member Evelyn Conlon together with academic Rebecca Pelan, ensure the impact of the organisation will no longer be forgotten. The collective memories of these women describe everything from pickets to sit-ins, self-questioning to dancing, the development of feminist ideas and publishing despite the restrictive laws and attitudes surrounding them. Through relentless, difficult discussions, publications, marches, and allyship with the global feminist and civil rights movement, the ideas of IWU were transformed into action for the sake of reproductive rights, sexuality, representation, and rape crisis work. The foreword from former Irish president Mary McAleese contextualises the collective labour of IWU within a not-so-distant past in Ireland This book also features an archive of original art, flyers, photographs, and memorabilia of the movement. A glimpse at the long-winding track of history behind us reminds us how far we've come. Irishwomen United and its allies set the precedent for change for the next generation. The stories of these women campaigners are not only representative of past movements, they also a call to action for future social justice activists in the fight for liberation and equality for all. Foreword by Mary McAleese The position of women in Irish society in 2025 bears little resemblance to that which existed in 1975, the year Irishwomen United came into existence, though what is clear from these essays is that the changes and improvements gained did not come about without a great deal of effort on the part of women themselves. This collection attests to what can be achieved when goals and pathways to essential egalitarian reforms are collectively prioritised, regardless of political and ideological differences. Irishwomen United drew on successes from the recent and distant past, by bringing together women from vastly different backgrounds in education, class, sexual orientation, and politics. Irishwomen United picketed at Dublin Airport picket over the X Case. Picture: Evelyn Conlon Extraordinarily, their mission thrived on allowing space for these differences to be expressed whilst, at the same time, retaining a clear focus on what needed to be done to improve the lives of Irish women. There was a lot of apathy to be overcome, resistance to be faced down, doubters to be persuaded, and time to be invested over and above the demands of busy everyday lives. That time had to be reinvested over and over again, for this was the work of decades not days. That such a representative group from the 1970s and 1980s has contributed to this collection 50 years after the events is testimony to their commitment to a cause that changed the country in significant ways. For some, the commitment continued as a life-long passion and a central part of who they are. For others, Irishwomen United was a moment in time — an exciting, stimulating, even dangerous one — that set them on a path of personal discovery about themselves and the world around them. The recurring description by contributors of the anticipation, excitement, joy, and satisfaction felt around 4pm on Sunday afternoons in a run-down flat on Pembroke St, Dublin, is palpable and shines bright in memories captured here. Make no mistake, though these meetings were stimulating and enjoyable, they were primarily about planning and strategising on how to change Ireland, in whatever ways were necessary. The equally strong, determined voices from organisations that were part of that change — from Cherish to women's publishing — is fascinating to read. In 1976, I became legal advisor to and co-founder with David Norris of the Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform. The battle then was for decriminalisation, and it was fought tooth and claw with meagre resources, but fierce moral integrity, through the courts of this land and Europe When the fledgling Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (RCC) was being set-up, they requested advice as to the legal issues involved, and I was privileged to be able to give that. A great deal of thought and research went into the establishment of the RCC, with initial meetings taking place from 1977 until the official opening in 1979 and thereafter. The RCC remains one of many enduring success stories from that period. Along with other service agencies from the period — such as Cherish, The Well Woman Centre, and the Irish Pregnancy Counselling Centre, the development of women's publishing and women's studies, the creation of space for the development of lesbian and gay rights, as well as Irish reproductive rights — Irishwomen United and the network of women and groups who changed this country in so many ways, did so from the ground up, building on what had gone before, and changing course only when enough had been achieved to ensure that there would be no going back. 'After the Train: Irishwomen United and a Network of Change' also features an archive of original art, flyers, photographs, and memorabilia of the movement. There were minds to be changed, attitudes to be challenged and, in fairness to the Irish people, the evidence is in that a profound change of hearts and minds is now embedded in civic society. Séamus Heaney wrote perceptively that: "What looks the strongest has outlived its term. The future lies with what is affirmed from under." (From the Canton of Expectation III) From under the centuries-old layers of sexism, misogyny, patriarchy, exclusion, dismissal, and condescension, a new future has emerged and not by accident or coincidence! The 'how' of it you will read here. I heartily commend the contributors to this collection, all of whom have so generously shared their first-hand experience of Irishwomen United and the times of change, and I congratulate the editors on putting together such a fine example of Irish women's voices and history, and in creating a body of work that will continue to be relevant and exist as documentary evidence of just what can be achieved, what grace can fill the voids, when women gather to change their world.
Dublin Live
3 days ago
- Business
- Dublin Live
New Dublin Airport plane viewing facility given green light
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Planning permission to to build improved viewing facilities for the public to watch planes take off and land at Dublin Airport has been granted by Fingal County Council. The approval comes after daa recently provided Fingal County Council with additional information regarding a proposal submitted last year to significantly enhance the site of the current informal airport viewing point on Old Airport Road, locally known as "The Mound". When complete, the facility will provide a comfortable, dry and safe space for the community to view aircraft movements, with a clear view of the south runway (10R/28L) and the cross-wind runway (16/34) at Dublin Airport. The site is fully owned by Dublin Airport and daa will pay for the construction of the free-to-access facility as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting and working with the local community. The proposal will see the existing muddy grass mound and the adjacent informal parking area replaced with a dedicated car park. This will include spaces for people with reduced mobility and families, bike parking, and an elevated covered platform with seating. The facility will be fully-lit, with power provided by solar panels located on the site. Gary McLean, Managing Director of Dublin Airport, said: "This news will be cheered by locals, families and aviation enthusiasts all around the Dublin region. The public reaction to our proposal, which we'll pay for, has been incredibly positive and people really want it. This location has been an informal 'plane-spotting' area over the past 40 years and we think it's time to put a more formal facility in place. It's a rite of passage for kids in Dublin to be taken to 'The Mound' to watch the planes landing and taking off at the airport. This new facility will make it safer and more enjoyable for users and we think it's a facility that the local community will really enjoy. "Aircraft observation facilities are a feature of airports around the world, and we want to get on and build this as soon as possible. We look forward to working with the planning authority to deliver this much-wanted public amenity which will be used by locals young and old for decades to come. daa will now begin the process of identifying a contractor to bring our new facility to life and will provide an update on timelines very soon.' Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Dublin Airport viewing area cleared for take-off
Dublin Airport has secured planning permission from Fingal County Council to build improved viewing facilities for the public to watch aircraft take off and land on its runways. The approval comes after DAA provided the local authority with additional information on the proposal, which it submitted last year. It is aiming to significantly enhance the site of the current informal airport viewing point – a layby locally known as 'The Mound' – in operation for more than 40 years, on the Old Airport Road. DAA is to build a permanent, sheltered facility for people to watch aircraft taking off and landing. READ MORE 'When complete, the facility will provide a comfortable, dry and safe space for the community to view aircraft movements, with a clear view of the south runway and the crosswind runway at the airport,' it said. The site is owned by the airport and construction of the free-to-access facility will be paid for by DAA 'as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting and working with the local community'. [ DAA's plan to build a facility for Dublin Airport plane spotters delayed at planning stage Opens in new window ] The existing muddy grass mound and the adjacent informal parking area will be replaced with a dedicated car park (including spaces for people with reduced mobility and families), bike parking and an elevated covered platform with seating. It will be fully-lit with power provided by solar panels. Airport managing director Gary McLean said: 'This news will be cheered by locals, families and aviation enthusiasts all around the Dublin region. The public reaction to our proposal has been incredibly positive and people really want it. 'It's a rite of passage for kids in Dublin to be taken to 'The Mound' to watch the planes landing and taking off at the airport. This new facility will make it safer and more enjoyable for users and we think it's a facility that the local community will really enjoy.'
Irish Times
4 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Gardaí dealt with more disruptive passengers at Dublin Airport so far this year than in all of 2024
Gardaí have dealt with more incidents involving disruptive passengers at Dublin Airport so far this year than in all of 2024, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has said. The incidents reported include unruly passengers fighting among themselves; obstructing, abusing or assaulting staff; or refusing to obey safety instructions. Alcohol is said to be a factor in many of the cases, while staff say drug taking is increasingly a feature. The latest IAA-published Garda statistics, released as part of an aviation industry campaign aimed at addressing disruptive behaviour, show gardaí dealt with 30 such incidents in the opening months of 2025. This is an 80 per cent increase on the number of reports across all of last year, the IAA said. READ MORE Ryanair says there is an average of three serious incidents for every thousand flights it operates. In January it filed a civil legal action seeking €15,000 in damages against a passenger who it said caused a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote to be diverted to Porto in April of last year. It is a sign of the airline's 'zero tolerance' approach to a growing problem, its head of communications Jade Kirwan said on Thursday. Fórsa, the union that represents the majority of cabin crew and pilots at the two main Irish airlines, said the scale of the increase is all the more remarkable because it comes before the summer season, when most of these incidents occur. 'It picks up as the number of flights increases and people are looking to let their hair down while travelling,' said Fórsa national secretary Katie Morgan. 'We are being told of instances where drugs are being taken on-board, people are doing lines of cocaine or drinking the duty-free they have just bought in the airport,' she said. She said there have been instances of cabin crew being abused, pushed or spat on for asking people to sit down and behave themselves. 'Sometimes it can be two people fighting with each other but when a staff member goes to intervene it all turns on them,' she said. The vast majority of passengers behave 'properly and respectfully' and are victims of the incidents too, she said. The fact that staff are highly trained to deal with such incidents means the Garda statistics fail to accurately reflect the scale of the issue of passenger disruptions. 'When the problem persists, though, it's very serious, the crew have to contain it because it's not like they can just open the door and throw the people out,' she said.
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Man held at Dublin Airport by gardaí probing activities of Kinahan crime gang
An Irish man has been arrested at a Dublin Airport by gardaí investigating the activities of the Kinahan crime gang. Sean McGovern was escorted on an Irish military flight from Dubai to Casement Aerodrome, where he was arrested on Thursday evening. A senior Garda officer confirmed the extradition had taken place. McGovern is due to appear before the Special Criminal Court later on Thursday evening. During a press conference in Dublin ahead of the court appearance, Garda Deputy Commissioner Shawna Coxon said the man arrested had been the subject of an Interpol Red Notice.
