Latest news with #JohnBuckley
Irish Examiner
13-05-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Council refuses to install dog fouling bins in East Cork town
Council officials have flatly refused to put designated dog fouling bins in the biggest town in East Cork, despite an abundance in smaller towns in the region. There are 75 litter bins and 15 dog fouling receptacles in Cobh, while there are 46 and 10 respectively in Youghal. However, there are just 23 litter bins and no dog fouling bins in Midleton and council officials are refusing to introduce the latter unless some voluntary organisations like Tidy Towns offer to clean them out. The decision has been described as totally unacceptable by independent councillor John Buckley, who's also a noted volunteer with the local Tidy Towns. Mr Buckley said Midleton is being blighted by dog fouling, especially on popular walkways in Broomfield and on the Northern Relief Road. Mr Buckley said: 'People are dumping dog poo in these areas and it's attracting vermin. We have just 23 litter bins of which most are in the town centre and we don't have any dog poo ones. Midleton has the biggest population in the East Cork region, which is growing all the time. It makes no sense at all. He said he couldn't accept the council offer to put in two dog fouling receptacles only if volunteers came forward to clean them, as council workers provide that service in the other two towns. Labour councillor Cathal Rasmussen, who lives in Cobh, said he couldn't understand the council's stance in Midleton. 'We've even put in an extra couple of these bins in Cobh this year,' he said. Mr Rasmussen pointed out that when his municipal district was in charge of the very popular 'People's Park' at Haulbowline, council officials somewhat unexpectedly refused to put dog fouling bins in there. He said that a huge number of dog walkers visit the park and the lack of such bins is leading to pet owners dumping filled bags into shrubbery and also into the harbour. Youghal-based independent councillor Mary Linehan Foley said that while they have these bins in her town and provide free poo bags to locals, they still have issues. 'People are still flinging the bags onto bushes and trees. I mean what kind of person actually does that? Sometimes you can provide all the bins in the world, and they don't work,' she said. Midleton-based Fine Gael councillor Rory Cocking said that the problem in his town emanates from people walking their dogs for long distances and 'get sick and tired of holding the bag for so long they just fling it away' as they don't have the designated bins in which to dispose of them. Fianna Fáil councillor Ann Marie Ahern suggested that the council put up warning signs about fines for culprits at the areas in Midleton which are being blighted by dog fouling. Council officials said they will consider doing this but remain adamant that their policy as regards to putting in such bins is that people should carry their pet's droppings home and dispose of them in their own bins.
Irish Examiner
07-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Cork sports retailer is running to a new location of its own
Running specialist retailer John Buckley Sports is ready, set, go to open a new shop, having bought the former Gala shop premises on Camden Wharf in Cork City. Currently trading from rented premises on nearby Mulgrave Road, the country's longest-established specialist running shop is due to move to Nos 4/5 Camden Wharf — near the new Moxy Hotel on Camden Quay — by the end of the year. Conor Kavanagh, director of John Buckley Sports, pictured outside the shop's soon-to-be new premises on Camden Wharf, Cork City. Picture: Chani Anderson 'It's really been about finding a permanent home that's our own, to have a premises that we can do what we want with,' said company director Conor Kavanagh. 'We'd prefer to be in charge of our own destiny, and I think the spot we have chosen is a very good spot. 'I think everyone else is running for the outlet centres, but we are quite confident that the city is going to survive and that a small independent retailer can survive against all the big multiples,' he added. The Camden Wharf premises was brought to market last year by Declan Hickey of Casey & Kingston with a guide price of €300,000 — but didn't quite make the guide. 'It will be great to see a new user in such a high profile location in the city,' Mr Hickey said. The 'Running Wall' inside John Buckley Sports showcasing signed shoes donated by legendary Irish athletes. Picture: Chani Anderson The premises is across the River Lee from the Cork Opera House and the Crawford Art Gallery, sitting adjacent to the Q carpark at Carroll's Quay. The Camden Wharf move will mean the business has relocated as many times as there are baton changes in a relay since founder and former Irish international runner John Buckley opened his first shop on Blarney Street in 1981. Since then, it's nudged its way slowly closer to the city centre, operating from two different Mulgrave Road premises — including No 11 — where it has traded for the past 14 years. Mr Kavanagh said the move to Camden Wharf, at the northern end of Christy Ring Bridge, would bring 'two sporting legends closer together'. 'It will be the meeting of Christy Ring and John Buckley,' he quipped. Mr Kavanagh said owning its own premises going forward meant the shop would have a permanent home rather than relying on leased premises. The business currently employs seven staff, a mixture of part-time and full-time. As they still have 10 years left on the existing lease, it has not yet been decided what the future is for Mulgrave Road — which is a bigger premises than the new one. 'We've been spoilt for choice on Mulgrave Road, so when we move, we will have to be a bit more clever about how we manage our stock,' Mr Kavanagh said. Officially retired from the business, John Buckley continues to be involved in organising the upcoming John Buckley Sports 39th Annual Road Race. It takes place on May 20. Brands stocked at John Buckley Sports — where gait analysis 'is the first port of call' — include Asics, Brook, Hoka, Mizuna, Adidas, New Balance, and Saucony. Nike is no longer stocked following a move by the global sportswear brand to cut back on third-party selling during the pandemic. 'If people want a good shoe, they come to us. We don't need to be right in the city centre — we are a destination store, rather than depending on passing footfall,' Mr Kavanagh said. He added that a big part of their business success is down to the staff 'and their knowledge and interest in getting the right product for the customer'. As well as selling 'specialised products', about 25% of business is generated by referrals from health care professionals, Mr Kavanagh said. They also have a seasonal trophy business, supplying medals for school sports and the like. The shop has long been supported by Ireland's international runners such as Olympic medal winners Sonia O'Sullivan and Rob Heffernan. John Buckley himself has held several Irish records and has won European Masters titles and World titles for distance running. Officially retired from the business, he continues to take an interest and is involved in organising the upcoming John Buckley Sports 39th Annual Road Race — which takes place on May 20 over the Marina circuit. The growing popularity of the Marina area among walkers, reinforced by covid, has been great for business, Mr Kavanagh said. 'I'd say 50% of our customers are walkers and the uptake has been huge since covid.' The move to the new shop is expected to take at least six months. 'Hopefully, we'll be in before the start of next year,' Mr Kavanagh said.
The Independent
04-04-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Blackburn Rovers vs Middlesbrough LIVE: Championship latest score, goals and updates from fixture
Follow live coverage as Blackburn Rovers face Middlesbrough in the Championship today. An increasingly competitive second tier in English football remains an intense and exciting competition, with the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer at the end of the season. Relegation from the top flight last term means Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United are all back in the second tier this term and will be expected to push for play-off spots again at least, but so too will Norwich City, an improving Coventry and beaten play-off finalists Leeds United. At the other end of the table, Wayne Rooney is aiming to revive Plymouth's fortunes after they narrowly avoided relegation last year, with Portsmouth and Derby the teams promoted from League One along with play-off final winners Oxford. Follow live updates from today's game in the live blog below. Blackburn Rovers vs Middlesbrough Attempt missed. John Buckley (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box. 4 April 2025 20:34 Blackburn Rovers vs Middlesbrough John Buckley (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 4 April 2025 20:33 Blackburn Rovers vs Middlesbrough Foul by Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough). 4 April 2025 20:33 Blackburn Rovers vs Middlesbrough Substitution, Middlesbrough. Rav van den Berg replaces Neto Borges because of an injury. 4 April 2025 20:32 Blackburn Rovers vs Middlesbrough Delay over. They are ready to continue. 4 April 2025 20:32 Blackburn Rovers vs Middlesbrough Delay in match (Middlesbrough). 4 April 2025 20:31 Blackburn Rovers vs Middlesbrough Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 4 April 2025 20:29 Blackburn Rovers vs Middlesbrough Delay over. They are ready to continue. 4 April 2025 20:28 Blackburn Rovers vs Middlesbrough Delay in match (Middlesbrough). 4 April 2025 20:27 Blackburn Rovers vs Middlesbrough Neto Borges (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 4 April 2025 20:26
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hornell adopts 2025/26 budget; no increases to tax rate
HORNELL, N.Y. (WETM) — The City of Hornell on Monday approved the 2025-2026 city budget in a unanimous vote that saw no increase to the city's current tax rate, according to a release from the city. The Hornell Common Council voted Monday, March 24, after a review of the budget and approved the general and water funds. The budget has no increases to the current tax rate and keeps the City of Hornell one of the most affordable communities in New York, according to the city. Although the city tax rate isn't increasing, the city did approve the increase to the garbage collection fee from $95 to $105. The city associated the increase with rising costs of garbage services through Lippincott's Rubbish and tipping fees at the landfill. Easter events across the Twin Tiers for 2025 The city claims that even with the increase, Hornell's fee remains significantly lower than comparable municipalities. The city used Corning and Olean as examples that use pay-per-bag, sticker, or tote systems. For Corning, the city makes residents buy blue bags for waste pickup, costing $2.25 per 30-gallon bag. Olean offers a sticker or tote system, where residents pay $3.28 per bag or $27.17 a month for a 96-gallon tote, the city of Hornell pointed out. Hornell compared its garbage system to Elmira's system but said Elmira's annual fee is much more expensive at $365 per unit compared to Hornell's $105. 'With the increase to $105 per year, this averages out to just $2.02 per week for the pickup of five 30-gallon bags and occasional large items,' said Hornell Mayor John Buckley. 'Garbage collection is an essential service that directly impacts the cleanliness of our community and quality of life for our residents,' Buckley said. Hornell officials expressed their commitment to keeping the city affordable while continuing to provide high-quality services to residents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Palworld dev reckons "very few companies could survive" a launch like theirs: "A lot of companies might crumble under the threats, under the pressure, under the negativity"
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Palworld launched in early access last year to a nearly unfathomable level of success for a relatively small studio – as well as no shortage of criticism. Communications director and publishing manager John Buckley reckons that many studios would've been crushed under the weight of that launch, but says Poketpair's work culture has held the studio together. "Pocketpair really is a very, very friendly place," Buckley said in a recent panel at the Game Developers Conference. "It always has been an incredibly friendly company. This is just my opinion, you can disagree, but I think very few companies could survive a post-Palworld situation like we did. I think a lot of companies might crumble under the threats, under the pressure, under the negativity, but we managed to retain all our staff. We managed to push on and do what we do because we're such a close and tight knit company." Palworld was an immediate, massive hit, selling two million copies in 24 hours and becoming just the second game in the history of Steam to reach two million concurrent players. But the game's popularity compounded with the obvious Pokemon comparisons to make it a unique target for criticism and harassment from the gaming world, not to mention accusations of using AI-generated art and that whole lawsuit from Nintendo itself. Whatever you think of Palworld as a game, that kind of pressure certainly isn't conducive to a healthy work environment, and Buckley went on list a few "silly examples" of things the studio does to keep morale up, from pizza and sushi parties to going out for drinks. "Our CEO always gives us the day off to play big games," a fact which made headlines around the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds. "For some reason that's newsworthy," Buckley says. "I don't think it is." But when you're working on a game as successful as Palworld, it's tough not to make headlines. Palworld is finally getting crossplay across PC, Xbox and PS5 this month as Pocketpair teases "some little surprises" to come to the survival game.
