Latest news with #Northside
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Always running for office: Barry Heneghan praises northsiders' athletic superiority
Part of the TD's job is to talk up their constituency. Dublin Bay North Independent Barry Heneghan , one of those Government-supporting deputies for whom Opposition speaking time was controversially sought, is no different. He recently drew the attention of Minister of State for sport Charlie McConalogue to the work of Raheny Shamrocks Athletics Club and how 'the northside needs more investment' in running tracks. He noted the club had 'a significant history of producing Olympians not just for the northside but for all of Ireland', namechecking sprinter Sophie Becker and Olympian Brian Fay , 'who I went to school with'. Irish Olympian Sophie Becker at the homecoming for Team Ireland following the Paris Olympics. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill 'There are way more running tracks on the southside,' he told the Dáil. 'I believe the estimate is six or seven public tracks compared with two public tracks on the northside of Dublin. I do not know if this is because previous northside politicians did not raise it enough with the department.' READ MORE Heneghan asked that the Minister commit to possibly looking into Dublin City Council adding a 400m running track to St Anne's Park in Raheny 'to be used by future Olympians'. McConalogue noted the 'wonderful work' done at the club and that it has previously been supported through sports capital grants, which would be open for applications again next year. 'I welcome the fact that the Minister of State said that,' Heneghan replied. 'Regarding the lack of running tracks and the number of Olympians, maybe northsiders are just better runners.' Padel is one of the 'fastest-growing sports globally' but is underserved in terms of infrastructure in Dublin. Photograph: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire Public support fails to smash squash club's problems Public statements of displeasure about a planning application that could jeopardise the future of south Dublin's Old Belvedere Squash Club have failed to smash away its looming problem. Dublin City Council this week granted permission for Old Belvedere Rugby Club's proposal to raze the squash club's facilities on its Ballsbridge grounds, which it argued had become a 'financial drain' on its wider operations. A slew of observations in support of the squash club, which has a 100-strong membership, landed before the deadline, with many claiming the proposed demolition would be contrary to the council's policy objective GI49: to protect existing and established sporting facilities. The RFC wants to replace two squash courts and related facilities with three courts for padel tennis, which it said is one of the 'fastest-growing sports globally' but is underserved in terms of infrastructure in Dublin. It said its plan to add them could see usage rates rise from 20 per cent to about 80 per cent, with the proceeds helping to secure the rugby club's 'long-term viability'. However, the padel element of the plan will have to wait a little longer as the council has asked the RFC for further information regarding proposed access and parking arrangements, as well as on drainage matters. It will have six months to respond. While the price of making an observation on the application was €20, the early objectors would have to pay €220 should they wish to serve up an appeal against the council's decision. Among the correspondence sought was that between Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and the HSE board's chairman. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien When does 'routine' become 'vexatious or frivolous'? Part of a newspaper correspondent's job is to keep up with those whose decisions govern their beat. The Freedom of Information Act offers a means of doing this but, due to its nature, the system can be hit and miss, with requests liable to be rejected for reasons including that they are 'voluminous' or even 'vexatious' or 'frivolous'. A recent application from The Irish Times to the HSE seeking correspondence over a two-month period between Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill , HSE chairman Ciarán Devine, Department of Health secretary general Robert Watt , and HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster ; along with memorandums issued by the chief executive and leadership team, initially fell foul of the 'voluminous' view. The journalist offered to drop the latter element and stated that there tended only to be a small amount of relevant correspondence as well as that the request's scope was similar to others routinely processed by the HSE over the years without issue. However, a compromise was not forthcoming from the HSE decision maker who said granting it would cause 'interference in the work' of the offices of the chief executive and board. 'Therefore, I must refuse also under section15(1)(g), where the request is, in the opinion of the Head, frivolous or vexatious or forms part of a pattern of manifestly unreasonable requests from the same requester or from different requesters who, in the opinion of the head, appear to have made the requests acting in concert.' The matter will be appealed. Eoin Burke and Francesca McAllister from Dublin Zoo announcing the Run for Wildlife event. Photograph: Patrick Bolger Want to sweat with the sloths and gasp with the giraffes? Experiences are everything these days. From swimming with pigs in the Bahamas to cuddling koalas in Australia, there seems to be no end to the Instagrammable activities people are coming up with. Step forward Dublin Zoo , which has announced a novel approach to raising funds for a group working in Indonesia to save the critically endangered Sulawesi crested macaque, of which there are only about 5,000 left in the wild. The zoo will on July 26th host the Run for Wildlife event which, for a €40 entry fee, allows participants to traverse a 3km route around its Phoenix Park grounds. Callie was Dublin Zoo's first cheetah in 20 years. Photograph: Patrick Bolger 'Whether you sprint or jog, every step counts and helps to support the critical work of wildlife protection and habitat preservation,' it said. The zoo said one of the day's spectators, Callie the cheetah, could complete the 3km route in less than two minutes. The human record for the 3,000m, 7:17.55, was set by Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen last year. His mark is unlikely to be beaten but runners will – in addition to being able to sweat with the sloths, gasp with the giraffes and cramp up with the chimps – receive a 'bespoke eco-friendly medal' handmade in Indonesia and a Run for Wildlife T-shirt. There will also be early access to the zoo, where entertainment is to be provided by the Indonesian Irish Association and animal selfie opportunities will be abundant. Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon at the launch of the National Centre for Brewing and Distilling at Oakpark, Co Carlow. Photograph:Finbarr O'Rourke Minister for Agriculture heading from the 19th hole to Seoul Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon is a busy man these days with the threat of US tariffs looming over Ireland's multibillion euro agrifood sector. The Kildare South TD recently reminded the Dáil that some 90 per cent of the food and drink produced in the State was exported and that 'any interruptions to that trade [would] have impacts'. He said the latest round of his trade promotion work would see him travelling to Japan and South Korea in early June. 'I will attend the Seoul Foods Expo, which is the fourth-largest food exhibition in Asia, as well as World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.' Even in the face of big threats, it's worth remembering that all politics is local. According to a diary notice circulated this week, the Fine Gael TD has an engagement at Castlewarden Golf Club before he takes off. The club was among 67 in Co Kildare he congratulated in September after they secured grants under the Community Sports Facility Fund. Castlewarden received €144,404 to repair a roof, enhance facilities and buy a mower. Heydon will, the invite says, launch the club's open week, which begins on June 21st, at a reception in its clubhouse next Friday 'in advance of his departure to Asia on a trade mission'. From the 19th hole to Seoul.
Irish Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
TD questions why security staff not deployed on Dublin northside public transport
A northside Dublin TD has questioned why security personnel have been deployed on public transport on the city's southside but not on services north of the Liffey. Fine Gael Dublin Bay North TD Naoise Ó Muirí highlighted the disparity as he spoke of the 'urgent need for security personnel on public transport services in north Dublin, in particular during evening hours'. Speaking in the Dáil, he called for the deployment of An Garda Síochána or security personnel on Dart and bus services as part of the community-safety programme and said 'it is an issue of growing concern, particularly in areas such as Raheny, Donaghmede, Belmayne and Clongriffin'. Mr Ó Muirí said 'there is a question mark as to why the southside's services are manned but the northside's services are not'. READ MORE His party colleague Cllr Supriya Singh had consistently raised the issue and 'we have had a steady stream of incidents, including violent attacks at both Raheny and Clongriffin Dart stations within the past year. 'These are not isolated incidents. They reflect a pattern of escalating antisocial behaviour that if we do not address the behaviour, it will erode public confidence in the safety of our transport system.' Mr Ó Muirí said: 'this affects everyone but particularly women, older people and those travelling alone in the evening time. How can we encourage women to switch to or even use public transport if they do not feel safe? It is a public service and a safety issue.' Safety on public transport 'must be treated as a basic right not a privilege', he said. They had written to the National Transport Authority (NTA) 'but to date there appears to be little or no tangible progress'. 'Meanwhile, security personnel have been deployed on some southside routes last year. Why the delay on the northside of the city? When will we see a proper security presence on the ground, on buses and on trains in our communities,' he asked. Minister of State Jerry Buttimer acknowledged that 'antisocial behaviour on our public transport system needs to be addressed. It has been tolerated for far too long.' But he said a great deal of work had been done to address the issue including the establishment of a public transport safety working group. He said, however, 'it is important to note that decisions regarding the policing of public transport and the allocation of Garda resources are matters for the Minister of Justice and the Garda Commissioner. 'The allocation of security staff employed by the various operators, such as Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, and Transdev, are matters for the operators.' Mr Buttimer said the Government is committed to establishing a transport security force under the under the NTA 'which would operate and have similar powers to airport police and customs officers', but it requires the development of legislation and the 'deliberative process' on this is 'in the preliminary stages'. Mr Buttimer said he would raise the question of security personnel with the NTA and the Department of Transport and would come back to Mr Ó Muirí 'with the timeline for the northside personnel'.
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
League of Ireland's success driven on back of derbies hitting new gears, football's all about teams you love to hate
THERE was only one place to be on the final day of the League of Ireland season in 2005. That was Turner's Cross for Cork City's clash with Derry City, where Cork beat the visitors to overtake them in the last match and claim the title. Advertisement 2 Damien Duff has even fallen out with Stephen Bradley of late 2 There's clearly friction between Duff and Bohemians manager Alan Reynolds I was not there. Instead, I was at Dalymount Park for a Northside derby as Bohemians lost 3-0 to Shelbourne to confirm their sixth-place finish, 29 points behind winners Cork. The crowd was sparse but there was still enough there for a flashpoint when some Bohs fans reacted to a Shels player's gesture. Bottles were thrown but when Owen Heary eventually took a throw-in, Shelbourne glided up the other end of the pitch and Jason Byrne scored before running all the way back to goad the Bohs fans. The striker was booked, and afterwards his boss Pat Fenlon shrugged and admitted he might have done the same. Advertisement Read More On Irish Football Yet, three years later, Bohs won the Double and the three Shels men above were key to it. Heary as captain, Byrne as their top scorer and Fenlon as manager. That is a reminder of how derbies stand the test of time because of the name on the jersey and the fans in the stands. Your enemy this year could be your hero next. Tonight's Northside derby is bigger. Granted, the whole league is bigger and both sides are now challenging for honours in what is a crazy season. Advertisement Most read in Football Even the volume of Dublin derbies — 24 in the league — has not sated the appetite as attendances have shown. Shelbourne's return to the big time has been welcome, and it is telling how it has led to big rivalries returning. Moment fans sing iconic song at Stephen Bunting lookalike as they're convinced darts star is moonlighting as a steward St Pat's boss He also argued that the Ringsend derby between Shels and Shamrock Rovers is more friendly, though Hoops boss Stephen Bradley and Reds counterpart Damien Duff Advertisement Derby rivals are the people we love to hate but also grudgingly have to love, because beating them always make a weekend better. When Shamrock Rovers were in the First Division in 2006, it was not just their derby rivals' accountants who missed them. It was the same of Shels for too much of the past 20 years. It is similar this year in Louth between Drogheda United and Dundalk. Advertisement There were six derbies last year, including the Jim Malone Cup, but just one this season unless the FAI Cup pairs them together again, with the Lilywhites now in the second tier. Derry City's rivalry with Finn Harps is another not happening this year, yet is responsible for arguably the greatest ever play-off game — in 2004. MUNSTER MATCH-UP Cork City and Waterford have passed each other too often going in opposite directions between the divisions. Their relationship sums up derbies well. This week, I contacted a City-supporting friend trying to remember a Blues banner from about a decade ago that annoyed them so much. Advertisement That fan recalled the flag read, 'You can't buy history', referencing when FORAS took over the Leesiders. But the contact also admitted that Waterford's recent '20 is plenty' display highlighting increased ticket prices at Turner's Cross was appreciated by some City fans. City's €25 per ticket is the most expensive in the league as they look to thread the needle between sustainability, competitiveness and affordability. WEST'S AWAKE And tonight, there is another derby that needs to happen more often so that those of us outside the Galway and Sligo bubbles can really appreciate it. Advertisement United boss John Caulfield admitted as much this week. He said: 'That's on us. It's been our mistake because we haven't been in the division for a long time. 'It's not Sligo, because they've been very successful.' But roles have been reversed recently. Advertisement Galway were top of the table around 5.30pm last Bank Holiday Monday but are now eighth, just 150 minutes of football later. Sligo Rovers have been bottom all year despite topping the scoring charts at times this season. They will hope for a change of fortunes soon. And Caulfield is well aware how derby madness can make that happen.
BreakingNews.ie
12-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Beautician was 'naive' when she tried to help partner evade murder arrest, court told
A beautician was "naive" when she tried to help her then partner – "an extremely dangerous" killer – evade arrest after he shot dead a young drug dealer on Dublin's northside, her lawyer has told the Central Criminal Court. Dominic McGinn SC, for Rachel Redmond (35), said on Monday that despite his client's plea of not guilty, she now accepts the jury's verdict and understands why they convicted her. The barrister asked for leniency for Redmond, the younger sister of career criminal Robert "Roo" Redmond, with the court hearing she once worked in security for the Saudi Arabian embassy. Advertisement Mr McGinn said the relationship with Cooney "fed into her behaviour" and prevented her from "realising what would have been abundantly obvious to everyone else". Redmond wrote a letter of apology to the family of Jordan Davis, who Wayne Cooney shot dead in an execution-style killing on May 22nd, 2019, at a laneway beside Our Lady Immaculate Junior National School in Darndale on Dublin's northside. Mr Davis was pushing his four-month-old son in a pram when Cooney cycled up behind him and fired eight shots, three of which struck him, causing immediate death. A child who happened to be cycling through the laneway was just metres away when Cooney started firing. Cooney fled the scene on his bicycle and went to a bus stop near the Clarehall Shopping Centre, where Rachel Redmond arranged to pick him up in her friend's car. That night, she arranged for Cooney to stay at the Clayton Hotel. Advertisement A jury convicted Redmond, from Coolock but with an address at Cliftonville Avenue, North Belfast, Co Antrim, of attempting to impede Cooney's apprehension or prosecution while knowing or believing him to have committed murder. Following her conviction, she shouted from the dock: "I didn't do it though, I didn't do anything." She had taken the stand at her trial, saying that she did not know what Cooney had done, that she was in love with him and was unable to see the bad in him. Mr McGinn on Monday told the court that Redmond now accepts the jury verdict. He asked Mr Justice Paul Burns to consider that, despite his client's efforts to impede the investigation, gardaí did arrest Wayne Cooney and he was convicted of murder. Redmond was, counsel said, "perhaps naive, blinded by the relationship and turned a blind eye rather than deliberately setting out to commit a crime." Asking for leniency, Mr McGinn pointed out his client's "solid work record" over her adult life. She has worked as a beautician, including for the IFSC and Aer Lingus. She has also worked in security for the Saudi Arabian embassy and for the psychiatric unit at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. Advertisement Mr McGinn handed in testimonies from Redmond's mother, father and a former employer. The testimonials refer to her as a "hard-working, kind, loving young lady" for whom these offences are "very much out of character", Mr McGinn said. Mr Justice Burns adjourned the matter to next Monday to deliver sentence. In April, 2024 Rachel Redmond's brother, Robert 'Roo' Redmond, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder Jordan Davis. Text exchanges showed that Robert Redmond was demanding Mr Davis repay him a drug debt of €70,000. Advertisement Ireland Convicted killer Robert Redmond pleads guilty to m... Read More In one exchange, 19 days before Cooney carried out the murder, Robert Redmond warned Mr Davis: "I'm on your case mate, it won't be long" and "soon, very soon bang bang". A career criminal, Robert Redmond had 99 previous convictions, including two counts for possession of firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life. In 2022, Robert Redmond received the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murdering father-of-eight Barry Wolverson (40) at Madigan's Yard, Kileek Lane, Swords, Co Dublin on January 17th, 2020. Following Rachel Redmond's trial, the jury took seven hours and 33 minutes over three days to unanimously accept the State's case that she drove Cooney away from the scene and later checked him into the Clayton Hotel near Dublin Airport on the night of the murder.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
2 charged with giving man fentanyl that he overdosed on, deputies say
Two people are facing manslaughter charges after investigators say a man they gave drugs to overdosed and died. Forsyth County deputies say Dean Kratochwill, 33, was found in his truck with no pulse and was taken to Northside Hospital Forsyth where he was pronounced dead. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] They say that when he died, he had toxic levels of fentanyl in his system. Investigators say Hayley Rider organized the drug deal with her dealer, Terrance Hampton. Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents pulled over both Rider and Hampton and found drugs, including the same type of fentanyl found in Kratochwill's truck. TRENDING STORIES: Traffic stop lands GA college student in ICE custody 2 weeks after same thing happened to father North Georgia paramedic accused of installing camera in ambulance office restroom CSX train partially derails near Cobb County neighborhood, middle school Both were arrested and charged with aggravated involuntary manslaughter. Rider is currently being held in the Hall County Jail on a $4,550 bond. Hampton is being held without bond in the Jackson County Jail. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
