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Irish Independent
10 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Meath Councillor Brian Fitzgerald reflects on health board system as he marks 40 years of service
Speaking to the Irish Independent at the ceremony to mark his four decades of service to Meath County Council, the independent councillor—who began his political career with the Labour Party in 1985 – described the abolition of the health board system as the 'biggest disaster.' Mr Fitzgerald served on the North Eastern Health Board for 13 years, representing Meath during a period of national scrutiny over healthcare reform. He said: 'A lot of our power was taken from us, the abolition of the health board was one of the biggest disasters in rural areas. When the health board was there, people were helping on the ground. Councillors were on the ground, we were able to keep our finger on the pulse.' The health board system in Ireland was established under the 1970 Health Act, originally consisting of eight regional boards. In 1999, the system was expanded to eleven regional bodies. However, on January 1, 2005, the health boards were abolished and replaced by a single national authority, the Health Service Executive (HSE). Cllr Fitzgerald's commitment to public service goes far beyond healthcare. Over the past four decades, Cllr Fitzgerald has championed causes ranging from housing and education to rural infrastructure and youth development. He added: 'It has been an enjoyable journey, it has had its ups and downs but overall Meath has been a great county to represent.' 'During my 40 years, I have worked with many councillors and officials and every single one of them had one priority and that was to make Meath better. I am so proud today to celebrate 40 years on this Council.' Cllr Brian Fitzgerald was first elected to the then Dunshaughlin Local Electoral Area (now covered by the Ratoath MD) in 1985, taking the seat of his uncle Jack Fitzgerald. Since then, he has been re-elected seven times and has served as Cathaoirleach three times. He also served as a TD from 1992 to 1997 and was appointed Whip of the Labour Party. At the event yesterday, colleagues paid tribute to his career, former Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Cllr Sharon Tolan said: "Thank you to Councillor Fitzgerald for 40 fantastic years, whose tireless campaigning and championing of vital projects to improve people's lives in Meath continues to this day." Meanwhile Chief Executive of Meath County Council Kieran Kehoe said: "On behalf of Meath County Council, I would just like to say congratulations on 40 brilliant years and thank you for all your hard work, tremendous service, and for making Meath a better place."
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
'Down the s...... at record speed': Pub denied licence up for sale
A Southland pub described as "putrid" by patrons is up for sale after being banned from selling alcohol. Colac Bay Tavern, near Invercargill, had its applications for new liquor licences declined over concerns which included the "unsanitary state" of an adjoining campground. The campground was ordered to be cleaned, and a car sales business operating from the tavern's carpark was also cited as an issue by Southland's district licensing committee. Owner Rajesh Batra, who bought the tavern in February last year, confirmed it had not been selling alcohol since the committee's decision in February this year and it had since been placed on the market. "[The] committee did not leave any [other] option for myself other than to sell the business and property," Mr Batra said yesterday. Patrons reacted with dismay when the pub announced it was no longer serving alcohol in a social media post in March. One commenter said the cleanliness was "totally the pits". "They should lock its doors and sell to someone who actually knows what [they're] doing." Another said a urinal in the men's toilet smelled "putrid". Others said the new ownership had done "a real disservice" to locals and out-of-towners, and they had "never seen a business go down the s...... in such record speed". In its decision, committee chairman Paul Duffy said evidence was presented by Southland District Council licensing inspector Bernadette Paisley at a hearing in January that showed Mr Batra had "ongoing issues" with compliance. That included the named duty manager not being on site on two occasions and the need for a "cleansing order" under the Health Act to have the associated campground brought up to an appropriate standard of cleanliness, Cr Duffy said. The committee also heard from Dunedin City Council chief licensing inspector Tanya Morrison and Joanna Case of Immigration New Zealand. They indicated Mr Batra had previously applied for liquor licenses in Dunedin which were opposed due to his suitability, but he had withdrawn the applications before they could go to hearing. "Ms Tanya Morrison spoke about the flaws in the applications that were submitted to the council and Ms Joanna Case spoke to the applicant's inability to obtain the correct visas and to comply with the accredited employer scheme." The matters raised by both licensing inspectors highlighted a shortfall in systems and staff training regarding signage, keeping incident records and awareness of compliance requirements, Cr Duffy said. "The breach of the Health Act related to the unsanitary state of the campground facilities that resulted in an order to clean being issued. "A further legislative breach of the Southland District Plan regarding the location of the car sales business in the Colac Bay Tavern carpark was also noted." Mr Batra believed the committee was "being biased" and had not made a fair decision on one of the applications. Many of the compliance issues were first enforced after he took ownership, and compliance with new fire safety requirements had not been asked of any previous owners. An infringement notice from Immigration New Zealand had been revoked, and he hoped that had been shared with the committee for future reference, Mr Batra said.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Pub denied licence up for sale
A Southland pub described as "putrid" by patrons is up for sale after being banned from selling alcohol. Colac Bay Tavern, near Invercargill, had its applications for new liquor licences declined over concerns which included the "unsanitary state" of an adjoining campground. The campground was ordered to be cleaned, and a car sales business operating from the tavern's carpark was also cited as an issue by Southland's district licensing committee. Owner Rajesh Batra, who bought the tavern in February last year, confirmed it had not been selling alcohol since the committee's decision in February this year and it had since been placed on the market. "[The] committee did not leave any [other] option for myself other than to sell the business and property," Mr Batra said yesterday. Patrons reacted with dismay when the pub announced it was no longer serving alcohol in a social media post in March. One commenter said the cleanliness was "totally the pits". "They should lock its doors and sell to someone who actually knows what [they're] doing." Another said a urinal in the men's toilet smelled "putrid". Others said the new ownership had done "a real disservice" to locals and out-of-towners, and they had "never seen a business go down the s...... in such record speed". In its decision, committee chairman Paul Duffy said evidence was presented by Southland District Council licensing inspector Bernadette Paisley at a hearing in January that showed Mr Batra had "ongoing issues" with compliance. That included the named duty manager not being on site on two occasions and the need for a "cleansing order" under the Health Act to have the associated campground brought up to an appropriate standard of cleanliness, Cr Duffy said. The committee also heard from Dunedin City Council chief licensing inspector Tanya Morrison and Joanna Case of Immigration New Zealand. They indicated Mr Batra had previously applied for liquor licenses in Dunedin which were opposed due to his suitability, but he had withdrawn the applications before they could go to hearing. "Ms Tanya Morrison spoke about the flaws in the applications that were submitted to the council and Ms Joanna Case spoke to the applicant's inability to obtain the correct visas and to comply with the accredited employer scheme." The matters raised by both licensing inspectors highlighted a shortfall in systems and staff training regarding signage, keeping incident records and awareness of compliance requirements, Cr Duffy said. "The breach of the Health Act related to the unsanitary state of the campground facilities that resulted in an order to clean being issued. "A further legislative breach of the Southland District Plan regarding the location of the car sales business in the Colac Bay Tavern carpark was also noted." Mr Batra believed the committee was "being biased" and had not made a fair decision on one of the applications. Many of the compliance issues were first enforced after he took ownership, and compliance with new fire safety requirements had not been asked of any previous owners. An infringement notice from Immigration New Zealand had been revoked, and he hoped that had been shared with the committee for future reference, Mr Batra said.
Metro
19-05-2025
- Metro
Raid on Café Diana in Kensington uncovers 45 tubs of ‘illegal' shisha tobacco
Dozens of tubs of suspected shisha tobacco were seized from a Princess Diana-themed cafe where she once took Princes William and Harry. Trading standards officers found people smoking the substance in the basement area of the famous venue during a late-night raid on May 9. The inspectors, who were working with the Metropolitan Police and Home Office, then seized around 45 unlabelled tubs from the rear of the area at Café Diana in Kensington, west London. The seized goods are believed to contain illicit shisha tobacco, which is often counterfeit or smuggled without paying duties or taxes, according to Kensington and Chelsea Council. The cafe in Wellington Terrace, near Kensington Palace, was a haunt of Princess Diana's, whose visits included taking William and Harry in for a glass of orange juice in 1989. Cllr Johnny Thalassites, lead member for environment and planning said: 'Illicit tobacco sales not only damage consumer trust but also undercut law-abiding businesses. 'Our officers work hard to educate businesses and ensure they comply with the law for a fair playing field. More Trending This joint operation reflects our commitment to protect our communities and work towards becoming a safer and fairer borough.' A full investigation and formal action will be taken by the trading standards team against the business for breaching the Health Act and tobacco-related legislation, according to the council. Earlier this year, the team successfully prosecuted two companies in South Kensington for flouting smoking regulations and supplying shisha products without any health warnings. Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: Brockwell Park festival organisers give major update over future events MORE: Man says cafe staff refused to serve him because of his face tumours MORE: Man, 26, dies after being stabbed during 'altercation' in north west London
Sunday World
06-05-2025
- Sunday World
Ex-Lord Mayor found drinking in office above pub during lockdown avoids conviction
Judge Gerard Jones said they were 'two decent men' and struck the charges out after they each made €1,500 charity donations. A FORMER Dublin Lord Mayor and his business partner found drunk in an office above a pub during lockdown have been spared convictions for breaching Covid regulations. Dublin City Councillor Nial Ring (65) and the pub owner Liam McGrattan (70) were among five men caught by gardai in the room at the height of the pandemic in 2020. Judge Gerard Jones said they were 'two decent men' and struck the charges out after they each made €1,500 charity donations. Ring, from St Laurence Road, Clontarf and McGrattan of Clontarf Road, pleaded guilty to contravening Regulation 4 of the Health Act, prohibiting people from leaving their residences without a reasonable excuse. The emergency provision was brought in at the time to prevent, limit, minimise or slow the spread of Covid-19. Liam McGrattan Summonses for allegedly holding or taking part in an event were previously withdrawn by the prosecution. Dublin District Court heard the incident happened on April 17, 2020 while restrictions on movement were in place. Garda sergeant Farrah Fox said officers on patrol in Ballybough at 11pm saw the shutters come up on the Ref pub and three men leave in separate directions. When they went over, the shutters had gone back down and they could see lights on and hear people inside the building. They banged repeatedly on the shutters and put their patrol car's flashing blue lights on in an attempt to gain the attention of those inside. They could see people drinking from bottles upstairs but nobody responded to requests to come to the door. It took 45 minutes before someone came and opened the shutters and gardai entered the premises. There were five men in a room upstairs who were consuming alcohol and appeared to be intoxicated. They all had 'different stories' as to why they were there, Sgt Fox said. The licence holder at the time, McGrattan, said no drinks had come from the bar downstairs. On inspecting the premises, gardai found 37 glasses in the dishwasher and saw a note beside the CCTV that stated: 'put the plug back in the camera when leaving the pub.' Ring and McGrattan were co-owners of the office where they carry out their business, defence barrister Peter Maguire said. 'This was not in a pub… nobody was found in a pub,' he stressed. Ring, a city councillor and former Lord Mayor had had a 'very substantial input' into what was a marginalised inner city community.' The office was in the heart of the constituency and at the time, the accused were involved in 'the distribution of a leaflet in relation to coronavirus and how it could be controlled.' The News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, 6th of May Weeks earlier, the taoiseach had made an order that essential workers included local authority members, he continued. Ring as a councillor was deemed to have been an essential worker and had a certificate from the chief executive Owen Keegan, Mr Maguire said. 'If there was a breach, it was a very technical breach,' Mr Maguire said of the offence. Ring was embarrassed and remorseful and the adverse publicity the case had already received was a 'significant penalty' for him. McGrattan had been on the phone to PPE providers abroad and had to make calls at that hour because of the time difference, Mr Maguire said. Neither accused was denying alcohol was consumed. The gardai had a key to the premises where they had previously been allowed to use the toilets and to make tea while on duty nearby at Croke Park, the barrister said. He added that McGrattan's home was 1.8km from the premises. However, he said the accused were pleading guilty and throwing themselves on the mercy of the court. Both Ring and McGrattan were excellent and 'outstanding members of society,' and had apologised, Mr Maguire said. Judge Jones said the accused were 'two decent men' with no past criminal record. He struck the charges out after they each made donations to the Pieta House charity. Two other co-accused were previously left without convictions after making €500 charity donations each. Ring, an independent councillor for the north inner city, previously served as Lord Mayor of Dublin from June 2018 to June 2019. Last year, he and his co-accused lost a High Court challenge against the State's Covid-19 regulations.
