Latest news with #JimGildea
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Ireland's newest train station opens to passengers
Ireland's newest train station has opened to passengers. Woodbrook, located between Shankill in Co Dublin and Bray in Co Wicklow, is the first new station in 15 years. Advertisement Dart services began serving Woodbrook early on Sunday morning in advance of the official opening at 11.45am by Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien and the cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Jim Gildea. The new station is about 250 metres north of the former Woodbrook halt, which served the area from 1910 to 1960. The station consists of two 174m-long platforms Service frequency is about every 10 minutes in each direction on weekdays. The journey to Dublin city centre is about 40 minutes. The station consists of two 174m-long platforms with associated passenger shelters, seating, lighting, CCTV, customer information, bicycle parking and ticketing facilities, Irish Rail said. Advertisement Ireland Record numbers used public transport last year wit... Read More Access to the southbound platform is via a new pedestrian bridge with ramped and stepped access. To mark the official opening, there will be a family fun day with entertainment for children and adults at the station. Irish Rail said parking at Woodbrook will be limited and visitors are being asked to take the train to the events.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Trauma cleaner: The grim reality of decontaminating death scenes
Warning: The following article contains upsetting content "The flies and the smell are the worst things," says Jim Gildea through a face mask, as he sprays disinfectant on the floor of a room where a man died weeks from Gosport, Hampshire, recalls his first trauma cleaning job was decontaminating a building after a murder in Portsmouth, going in after scenes of crime officers had finished their work and the victim's body had been removed."You never get used to it," he says. "It's the most unpleasant thing you could possibly ever think of doing and it's different every time."With 10 years' experience behind him, Jim has developed coping mechanisms to protect himself from the emotional challenges this type of work can bring. He says he always treats the scene of a death with "respect", while at the same time trying to "forget the reality" of what he is doing."I find I'm only able to do this by switching off completely," he smell in the room is overwhelming. "We use concentrated odour blocks, break them up, put them around the house and rub them on the nostril of the mask by the side of the filter and that really covers it up," Jim with a colleague, he works methodically, sanitising the room with a fogging machine, cutting away carpet and carefully packing all contaminated materials into sealed boxes to be taken to an incinerator. Body fluids on the floor are covered with absorbent granules, as Jim explains how human bodies decompose at different rates in different environments, temperatures and humidity."You've got to make sure your protocols are right," he says. "Your chemicals are right and yourself and your staff are safe."Then it's scrapers, bags and strong stomachs, and you just get it done." The hundreds of dead flies on the floor were dealt with on Jim's first visit species can detect decomposing tissue from up to 10 miles says: "Sometimes it can be like a scene out of The Exorcist, where you can hear the throb of the flies circling before you put your hand on the door handle and when you open it they rush to escape." While he tries to avoid knowing too much about the intricate details of the human stories behind each death, he has come to learn that people can experience profound loneliness, even when living with recalls being called to a house which was home to a landlord with four tenants, after a putrid smell had caused them to discover one of the tenants had died over the Christmas holidays."The sad thing is that no one had knocked on his door on Christmas day and he was dead and he'd been there for six-and-a-half days," he tenant had been a single man, which Jim says is often the estimated at least nine out of every 10 of his trauma cleaning jobs followed the sudden, unexpected or unattended deaths of men. This anecdotal evidence aligns with research which reveals men are three times more likely than women to need a state-funded funeral after dying alone, in poverty or without family who can afford a cremation or burial. Having finished what he calls a "rough clean", he puts yellow tinted lenses over his protective glasses and switches on a forensic investigator's torch so he can see how much contaminated matter looks pleased and says: "You can really see it on those floor tiles, because underneath they're glowing red, aren't they?"We'll be able to get them absolutely perfect with this equipment and make sure we've removed every single biological trace." Despite the grim nature of his work, clearly Jim finds a quiet fulfilment in meticulously erasing all evidence of trauma, so others do not have to face a wry smile, he tells me: "I'll be doing this until the day I die, until I'm a mess on the floor somewhere." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
Extra.ie
10-07-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
New bins popping up where you can leave - or take - plastic bottles and cans
Re-turn have announced that they're rolling out their bin surrounds to towns across Ireland, after a successful rollout in Dublin. The Deposit Re-turn scheme, which sees people pay a 15c-25c deposit on your cans and plastic bottles, was rolled out last year — with people saving up their cans and bottles to get their deposits back in lump sums. While some people get annoyed at the fact that they'll need to carry around their cans all day, the company launched surrounds for bins where they can leave their cans and bottles, or can take similar bottles and cans to get the deposit back. Re-turn have announced that they're rolling out their bin surrounds to towns across Ireland, after a successful rollout in Dublin. Pic: Peter Houlihan / Fennells Photography. After a successful pilot of the pilot in Dublin, Re-Turn have announced that they'll be rolling out the bin surrounds nationwide. The bin surrounds will be expanded to bins in Galway City, Meath, Carlow, Clare, Westmeath and further areas in Dublin City Centre in the coming months, with the company saying that they hope it makes on-the-go recycling visible and reducing litter, as well as preserving valuable recycling materials. 24 of these bins will be installed along the Dún Laoghaire Harbour area. Research from Re-turn found that containers left on the bin surrounds were collected on average within 16 minutes, while a survey carried out by Re-turn reveals that 79% of the public support on-the-go recycling schemes and would welcome a similar scheme in their local area. Cllr Jim Gildea, Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, and Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn, at the launch of Re-turn's 24 new bin surrounds in Dún Laoghaire Harbour. Pic: Peter Houlihan / Fennells Photography. 'We're really pleased to see the new Re-turn bin surrounds now in place at Dún Laoghaire Harbour,' Cllr Jim Gildea, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said. 'It's a simple idea that makes a big difference, giving people an easy way to return their bottles and cans while out and about. Putting these units in such a busy, scenic spot helps encourage better habits and keeps the harbour looking its best.' Re-turn are also welcoming the expansion of the surround scheme, with CEO Ciaran Foley saying 'Re-turn is delighted to collaborate with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on this important on-the-go recycling initiative. 'We are committed to providing the public with convenient and visible recycling options, and the bin surrounds pilot scheme is successfully delivering on that promise. We are encouraging the public to utilise bin surrounds and assist with the recycling of plastic bottles and cans. Together, we can support the circular economy and make a real difference in our communities and environment.' The bins will be expanded to new areas in Dublin, as well as Galway, Clare, Carlow, Westmeath and Meath. Pic: Peter Houlihan / Fennells Photography. 'The launch of these innovative bin surrounds on the outside of our Big Belly Bins is a practical step forward in capturing and segregating bottles and cans from general waste, making recycling more accessible for everyone,' Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, added. 'This initiative directly supports the implementation of our Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy and aligns with the Council's Climate Action Plan 2024-2029. By working in partnership with Re-turn, we are not only encouraging sustainable habits but also taking tangible action to reduce litter and protect the environment across our communities.' Since February 2024, when a person buys a drink with the Re-Turn logo, they pay a small deposit in addition to the price. The containers included in the scheme are PET plastic bottles and aluminium and steel cans from 150ml to three litres. The 'Give Take Return' program adds the surrounds to 80 bins for people to donate empty bottles and cans while on the go. Others are allowed to take these donations for recycling at the Reverse Vending Machines (RVM), located in most major chain shops.
Dublin Live
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Dublin Live
Thousands of fans to head to Dun Laoghaire for Ukulele Hooley 2025
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 Dun Laoghaire will be abuzz this with thousands of enthusiasts from Ireland and beyond gathering for the renowned Ukulele Hooley. Now in its 14th year, the event boasts an impressive line-up of international and local ukulele talent, taking place from Saturday, August 23 to Sunday, August 24. As Europe's longest-running ukulele festival, the Hooley promises a financial boost for the charming south Dublin seaside town, offering a fun-filled weekend of entertainment for fans. The highlight of the two-day celebration is the free concert in the People's Park, Dun Laoghaire, on Sunday, August 24, which draws in thousands of enthusiasts. The 2025 Hooley, supported by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, will feature an array of fan-favourite attractions, including: Workshops, with a special session for kids The UKE Factor competition Saturday Afternoon Stage at Eblana Cabana Flash Mob The Bus Busk Open Mic The Big Concert and Jam in the People's Park This year's Hooley will showcase ukulele performers from the USA, Poland, Italy, the UK, and a wealth of homegrown talent. Organiser Niall Carty said: "I can promise a bigger and better festival this year. It's a very unique music event that bring people together through the sheer joy that the ukulele brings. "We want everyone to be a part of this extraordinary experience. This is a free, family focussed, fun event that has grown into an internationally recognised celebration of the humble ukulele which is now one of the most popular instruments in Ireland." Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Cllr Jim Gildea, added: "We are delighted to welcome the return of Ukulele Hooley to Dún Laoghaire this August. Now in its 14th year, the festival has become a vibrant celebration of music, community, and creativity that draws visitors from all over the world. Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is proud to support this joyful and inclusive event, which brings such positive energy and international attention to our beautiful town." Further information on the festival can be found at 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.
RTÉ News
24-04-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
BusConnects confident of progress despite opposition to project
Construction is due to begin in the coming months on the first two of 12 bus corridors that are being built in the Greater Dublin Area as part of the BusConnects programme. Eleven of the 12 corridors have been granted planning permission with work on two of them - Liffey Valley to city centre and Ballymun/Finglas to city centre - due to begin in the coming months. There have been significant local objections to some of the schemes, with five of them subject to judicial reviews. However, BusConnects said it is confident that the corridors - which are a major part of the transformation of the services - will be completed by 2030. Shankill is the latest area where a judicial review application has been sought against by An Bord Pleanála's decision to grant permission for a core bus corridor. The suburb is just off the M11 - a motorway that connects Dublin with the southeast of the country - asnd is flanked by old stone walls and long lines of mature trees, much of which locals say will be lost under the plans. Last week local resident and Fine Gael Councillor Jim Gildea was among those who made a court application to have the scheme reviewed "I have been a councillor for 10 years and I have not known any single project that has had this amount of opposition. "Almost 3km of hedgerows, about 400 trees, all of the granite walls on either side will be removed. "The whole fabric of the village, plus the surrounding area, will be just destroyed. The removal of the trees is just going to be an environmental disaster." BusConnects has amended its original plans for the area and will no longer change the core of Shankill. However, Cllr Gildea said that it is not enough and alternative proposals that locals have put foward are being ignored. The new bus lanes, he claimed, will cut just two minutes from the journey time through the area, adding the time cut be much quicker if the M11 and N11 were used for bus journeys from Bray to the city centre. "We have proposed to the National Transport Authority on numerous occasions that they would consider using the hard shoulder on the N11, which Transport Infrastructure Ireland themselves are planning to use for national bus services, and only buses that need to come to Shankill would utilise Shankill." In Ballyfermot, businesses have also had issues with proposals for a core bus corridor. Following a series of protests and community consultations, BusConnects agreed to amend parts of the plan and reduce the number of car parking spaces to be removed from outside businesses. However, concerns remain, in particular about the loss of the Ballyfermot roundabout. Des Shiels and his wife Jackie Moran have been running Jackie's Florist on Ballyfermot Road for 37 years. Mr Sheils has been involved in talks with BusConnects to change the plans to reduce the impact on businesses and said that progress has been made. "The original plans would have gotten rid of 90% of the parking spaces. It would have turned half the Ballyfermot Road into a one-way system, which would have impacted greatly on the residents and deliveries and shop owners as well. "We're caught between a rock and a hard place that they already had full planning permission granted. We couldn't do a judicial review, because we just couldn't afford it. "We were told it would to be about €150,000 so we just knocked that on the head and went the protest way. And they came around. "We've had several meetings and they've come to see our point of view and we've seen their point of view, to a certain extent." However, Ms Moran said she still believes the bus lanes will have a negative impact on the area. "The impact will be very, very strong. Day-to-day business will not be the same, not just for me, for all the shops along this area and really the hub of Ballyfermot is the few shops we have. "It's really crazy what they're trying to do. As it is, it's fine. We've got a great bus service, but what they're trying to do from Liffey Valley to get into town quick, it's not the answer, in my opinion. "The Ballyfermot roundabout, if you ask anybody where they're going in Ballyfermot, everyone says the roundabout. "It's part of our heritage and it's part of our culture. And if that goes, the heart of Ballyfermot goes. Twelve corridors, that will be 230km long, are to be built as part of BusConnects. It said it accepts that there have been "challenges" with the project. "We've worked very closely with the communities. Where there are opportunities for improving and making small refinements to public realm spaces, we have worked really well with them," Communications Manager Grainne Mackin said. "Obviously, there are challenges. We do recognise that we are going to be taking some on-street parking, some trees and portions of gardens, and we've been very clear with people, and we're working very closely with them in terms of the CPO (compulsory purchase order) process around that. "It can be challenging, and obviously there are people who have concerns about it, but we're working with a finite amount of physical space. "In order for us to get in the safer cycling, the dedicated bus lanes, improving the footpaths and pedestrian areas, there will have to be compromises made." Ms Mackin also said that the construction of the core bus corridors will bring traffic disruption but BusConnects is trying to balance the impact. "The schemes, we anticipate, will take between 18 months and two years each to complete. "So in order to ensure that we keep the city moving, we plan on building approximately two schemes at any one time, maximum, maybe three, because we obviously are aware that there will be some congestion, there will be some traffic diversions and impact on people. "However, people will start to see the benefits as we open each section of the new bus lanes and cycle lanes."
