Louth parents paying more in contribution fees to primary schools than any other county

Parents in Louth are paying more in voluntary contribution fees to primary schools than any other county in the country according to new figures.

Over a quarter of parents in Ireland are paying more than €200 per child to offset the drop in Government funding for schools, putting a further train on their finances.

The county with the highest percentage of parents paying over €200 in voluntary contributions is Louth – where almost half of parents, at 48%, stated they are asked for voluntary contributions of over €200 per child.

Other counties in Ireland with the highest voluntary contribution fees are Dublin, Cork, Tipperary and Laois, the new research by Bytek Managed Print Specialists, in association with Epson, shows.

The county with the lowest voluntary contribution fee is Roscommon, where almost one in four parents pay less than €24 per child.

Other counties with low voluntary contribution costs include Leitrim, Galway, Cavan and Kerry.

Earlier this year, a spokesperson for the Department of Education said voluntary contributions were permissible “provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no question of compulsion to pay and that they are doing so of their own volition”.

Nando’s looking at opening new restaurant in Dundalk

Fast food firm Nando’s are understood to be looking at possible sites in Dundalk to open a restaurant.

The chain, which originated in South Africa and is reknowned for their Portugeuese flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, have enjoyed huge success in recent years.

Up until now they have been solely based in the cities, with nine restaurants in Dublin and one in Cork. However, they revealed plans earlier this week to expand nationwide on the back of increased revenues at its Irish operation last year.

The accounts recently filed by Nando’s Chickenland Ireland Ltd show that revenues at the firm last year increased by 8% from €15.37m to €16.45m.

According to the directors’ report “the company is currently looking for potential sites to open more restaurants in the Republic of Ireland.”

A local estate agent has confirmed to Talk of the Town that Dundalk is one of the sites being monitored given its status as one of the biggest provincial towns in the country.

By locating here they could also target the cross border market, with the nearest location in Northern Ireland being Belfast.

Most Nando’s restaurants in Ireland are located in shopping centres but not exclusively.

Coincidentally, the Marshes Shopping Centre recently applied to expand its food court but this type of environment would not be the usual setting for such a restaurant. One location they could look at it is Dundalk Retail Park to team up with the new Dundalk Omniplex cinema but that has only been speculated.

Here’s hoping no matter what the location it brings top quality food and jobs to Dundalk soon.

 

Revenue seizes €86,000 of cigarettes and tobacco in Dundalk and Cork

Revenue have seized more than 111,000 cigarettes and 67.5kgs of unstamped roll-your-own tobacco in Dundalk and Cork.

The retail value of yesterday’s seizure, which was part of a national intelligence led operation, is estimated to be around €86,400.

Officers searched a premises on the North side of Cork city and in Dundalk and seized the unstamped ‘Excellence’ and ‘777’ brand cigarettes along with some unstamped ‘Flandria’ tobacco.

Two saloon cars were also seized, and two Irish men, one in his 50s and one in his 60s, were questioned.

A file is being prepared for the DPP.

Warning issued over potentially poisonous mussels, some of which were sold locally

If you bought mussels in Dundalk this week then please don’t eat them as they could be potentially poisonous.

A warning has been issued by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) after it was revealed that the mussels, harvested at Roaring Water Bay in Co Cork on Monday and Tuesday, may contain harmful levels of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins.

The mussels were sold at a number of locations around the country including locally at J&C Fish in Dundalk, Morgan’s Fine Fish in Omeath and Morgan’s Fish Stand in Dundalk, as well as some Dunnes Stores outlets.

Anyone who has taken ill from eating mussels earlier in the week is also urged to seek medical attention immediately.

Poisoning from affected batches can lead to diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and cramps for several days.

Dr Pamela Byrne, chief executive of the FSAI, said consumers who may have bought the implicated mussels should not to eat them.

“Cooking does not destroy this toxin,” she said.

The food safety watchdog said the affected mussels were sold at the following outlets from Wednesday onwards:

• * Some Dunnes Stores outlets, with the use-by date of 21.08.2015
• * Some SuperValu outlets, where mussels were sold in 2kg and 5kg bags with use-by date of 22.08.2015
• * Beshoff’s, West Pier, Howth, Co Dublin – mussels sold in 1kg net bags with use-by date of 20.08.2015
• * Doran’s, West Pier, Howth, Co Dublin
• * Kish Fish, Malahide Road, Coolock, and at Bow Street, Smithfield, Dublin.
• * The Dublin Fish Shop, Queen Street, Dublin 7
• * Morgan’s Fine Fish, Omeath, Co Louth
• * Glenmar, Union Hall, Co Cork
• * Normandy Ireland, Schull, Co Cork
• * Baltimore Fresh Fish, Baltimore, Co Cork
• * O’Driscoll’s, Schull, Co Cork
• * Bantry Central Fish, Bantry, Co Cork
• * J&C Fish, Dundalk, Co Louth
• * Keoghs Fish Shop, New Quay, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
• * Seacatch Retail Fish Stand, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan
• * Morgans Fish Stand, Park Street, Dundalk, Co Louth

The FSAI said potentially poisonous mussels have been removed from sale at outlets, and warned anyone who may have already bought some to check with the store where they purchased them and not to eat them.

“Eating contaminated mussels could cause diarrhetic shellfish poisoning,” said Dr Byrne.

“Symptoms are diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain which can start between 30 minutes to a few hours after ingestion.

“Complete recovery occurs within a number of days.

“Consumers who may have already consumed this product and are feeling unwell should seek medical advice.”

45% of new homes in Louth are one-off builds

45% of new houses built in Co Louth in the last two and a half years have been one-off builds, new figures have revealed.

There were 829 houses built in Louth between January 2013 and June 2015 with 369 of these one-off builds.

The remaining 460 were estates or apartments.

While 45% may seem high to many it is one of the lowest in the country with only seven areas having lower figures for one-off builds – all of those in urban areas including Dublin, Kildare, Galway and Cork.

Neighbouring Monaghan had 70% of its 364 houses fall in to the one-off build category during the same period.

All-Ireland Poc Fada takes place on Annaverna this Saturday

Gerard Smyth collects his Louth Poc Fada title from County Board chairman Des Halpenny last month. He will be hoping to lift the All-Ireland title when he takes to Annaverna on Saturday

The All-Ireland Poc Fada will take place at Annaverna on the Cooley Mountains this Saturday where holder, ex Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins, will be seeking his ninth title.

Also this weekend Waterford’s Patricia Jackman will be looking to capture the camogie title for the seventh year running where she will be up against the four provincial champions.

This year’s competition was launched recently by GAA president Aogan O Fearghall and sponsor Martin Donnelly said he was delighted to continue to support this wonderful and truly unique event. The Poc Fada is played out over a 5km course which takes in the wonderful views of Dundalk as well as Carlingford and this year Pearse Óg’s Gerard Smyth will be flying the local flag as Louth bids for its first winner since Paul Dunne in 2003.

There are three former U-16 winners in the field for this year’s senior event where they will be trying their best to dethrone Cummins. They are Aaron Murphy (Limerick 2007), Noel Fallon (Roscommon 2009) and Cillian Kiely (Offaly 2011/12).

The 1965 Poc Fada Champion Denis Murphy from Cork will also be honoured at this year’s event and this is sure to add to the occasion of what is the 54th running of the event.

For the first time there will be a competition on the day for U-16 camogie players where the new four provincial winners will take their place alongside the competitors in the senior hurling, senior camogie and U-16 hurling events.

List of competitors for 2015 Poc Fada:

SENIOR HURLING: Aaron Murphy (Limerick), Andrew Fahey (Clare), Brendan Cummins (Tipperary), Cillian Kiely (Offaly), Eoin Reilly (Laois), Gerard Smith (Louth), Karol Keating (Down), Keith Raymond (Sligo), Noel Fallon (Roscommon), Paddy McKillion (Tyrone), Patrick Kelly (Clare), James Skehill (Galway).

SENIOR CAMOGIE: Aisling Corbett (Clare), Catherine McGourty (Down), Catriona Daly (Galway), Elaine Gallery (Dublin), Patricia Jackman (Waterford).

U-16 HURLING: Cormac Phillips (Mayo), Barry O’Mahony (Kerry), Padraig Delaney (Laois), Reece McSorley (Derry), Shaun Murray (Waterford).

U-16 CAMOGIE: Ann-Marie Smyth (Ulster), Sarah Healy (Connacht), Ciara O’Looney (Leinster), Aine O Loughlin (Munster).

Noonan rejects Dundalk’s bid to be included in Living City Initiative

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has poured cold water on Dundalk’s hopes of being included in the Living City Initiative.

A motion was put forward by local councillor Mark Dearey at the Dundalk Municipal District Committee’s annual general meeting earlier this month seeking to have the initiative – which focuses on the regeneration of retail and commercial districts in the historic centres of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford – brought to the town.

It had been hoped the scheme, which offers tax relief on the refurbishment or conversion of old buildings, would encourage more people to take up residence in the town centre on streets like Clanbrassil Street.

However, when local TD Fergus O’Dowd asked Minister Noonan whether he would extend the list of eligible towns to include Dundalk and Drogheda, his appeals fell on deaf ears.

In his response, Minister Noonan said: “The Living City Initiative, which was enacted in the Finance Act 2013 and commenced on 5th May 2015, has been extended beyond the original pilot cities of Limerick and Waterford, to include the cities of Dublin, Cork, Galway and Kilkenny as well.

“In line with my Department’s commitment to evidence based policy-making, the inclusion of these additional four cities was as a result of a comprehensive, independent ex ante cost benefit analysis.

“This Initiative is targeting particular areas of these six cities which are most in need of regeneration. I do not currently intend to extend the Initiative further than the six cities. However, my Department will closely monitor the progress of the Initiative in the six cities, and will keep the matter of potentially extending the relief further under review.

“It is important to note that I do not see this as a wide-spread Initiative, as it is targeted at those areas in the six cities which are most in need of attention.”

Top cyclists descend on Dundalk for Leinster Time Trial Championships

Linda Stokes winning Round 9 of the Bike Station League ahead of Jamie O’Hare and Cyril Sherry

Last Friday night Leinster’s top cyclists descended on Dundalk for the Leinster Time Trial Championships.

The course was the 16km route starting at Felda Gym, going out to Castlebellingham and back in again. The light rain and breeze meant that fast times were expected on the night and Colm Cassidy of Cork’s Aqua Blue did not disappoint, setting a new course record of 19mins 36secs for the distance.

However as Cassidy rides for a Cork club he was not eligible for the Championship, which meant that Summerhill man Mark Reilly took the gold with a time of 21mins 20sec. Niall Clarke took silver with a time of 21mins 20sec. Taking the bronze medal was another Cuchulainn man Colm Quinn with a 21:28.

Ciara Kinch was the ladies champion, ahead of Cuchulainn’s Celine McPhilips and Hannah Ormesher in third.

The latest round of the Bike Station Cycling League saw Linda Stokes take her first win in race two. Linda was part of a strong group which took maximum advantage of their handicap to stay away.

Jamie O’Hare was in second, Cyril Sherry in third, Kathleen Byrne was fourth and Jason Boyle rounded out the top five. In race one the first group off also worked well together to stay away for the win. Sean McEvoy won the sprint ahead of Alex McDonnell and Eamonn McKeown.

At the half way stage of the league Alan Bingham, tops the leaderboard with four points to spare over Alan Malone.

Dundalk has one of the highest concentrations of fast food restaurants in the country

Burger King in the Marshes Shopping Centre

Dundalk has one of the highest concentrations of fast food restaurants in the country on a per capita basis.

That’s according to a new survey from online doctor service Treated.com which found that the town had the fifth highest level of takeaways in the country, including the likes of McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Subway, Domino’s and Costa.

Only Swords, Limerick, Cork and Waterford had higher levels of takeaways per capita.

The survey found there were 0.22 takeaway outlets per 1,000 of population in Dundalk.

The population of the town was estimated at 37,816 with only the above mentioned outlets taken into account. As such, local chip shops and take aways are not included in the survey.

Treated found that Dundalk had two Costa and two KFC’s with one McDonald’s, one Burger King, one Subway and one Domino’s.

The top ten fast food friendly places in Ireland are:

1. Swords
2. Limerick
3. Cork
4. Waterford
5. Dundalk
6. Galway
7. Dublin
8. Drogheda
9. Navan
10. Bray

Landmark for Greenore Port

The MV Smart Tina in Greenore Port

Following the completion of an extensive port dredging project, the arrival of the largest steel ship to ever call to Greenore represents a new landmark for the port.

The cargo vessel MV Smart Tina arrived in Greenore Port from China as part of its maiden voyage. The MV Smart Tina has a dead weight tonnage of 38,900T and measures 180 metres in length.

Greenore Port completed an extensive port dredging project in May. The main aim of the project was to make the port accessible to 8-metre draft vessels at all tidal conditions. Prior to the dredging works being carried out, the port would have been unable to handle a vessel of this size. One of the most challenging aspects of the project was the deepening of the berthing area which is located in a section of the harbour with a rock bottom and strong tidal currents.

“Dredging commenced in February and by mid-May we had removed over 7000 tonnes of rock from the harbour bed,” said Niall McCarthy, General Manager of the Port.

Greenore Port was purchased by the Doyle Shipping Group in late 2014 and the port deepening project is part of the group’s strategic plan to develop facilities at the Port.

McCarthy commented that the project was an investment in the future of the port.

“There is a growing trend in the industry for larger, more efficient vessels which provide customers with economies of scale, it is important that Greenore Port can facilitate such vessels, so the arrival of a vessel the size of the MV Smart Tina is indeed a landmark for the Port,” he said.

Greenore Port’s previous largest steel ship was the MV Ourania, which had a dead weight tonnage of 27,797T.

A privately owned Irish company the Doyle Shipping Group’s portfolio includes operations in Dublin, Belfast, Cork and Foynes Ports. The company has been operating since 1886 when it was founded by DF Doyle.