Marshes expansion plans given the go ahead

Two new kiosk retail units are planned for Penneys Mall

Expansion plans for the Marshes Shopping Centre have moved a step further after plans for two new kiosk units, a new entrance and an additional food outlet were given the go ahead.

Cavalli Investments Plc have been granted conditional planning permission by Louth County Council to use two existing units, nos 1 and 2, for retail use.

As part of the application they want to remove the existing doors and wall of kiosk no 2. The two kiosks, which are located on the Penney’s Mall on Marshes Avenue, have remained vacant since being built but each has a gross floor area of 16.2sqm.

Permission has also been secured for changes to an existing fire door exit on the west elevation of the shopping centre, including a replacement with glazed automatic doors to provide for public access. This would also include entrance signage.

As well as an extra food outlet there are plans to expand the seating area of the Marshes food court

Meanwhile, in a separate application, Cavalli Investments Plc have also been granted planning permission for a new 18sqm kiosk unit on the first floor at the food court. This would provide for the sale of food and/or beverages. They also propose an extension of the food court seating area into existing ancillary floorspace.

As first revealed by Talk of the Town back in February, Eddie Rockets are understood to be keen on locating in the centre with their Rockets brand.

These units aside, the Marshes expects to be at full occupancy by Christmas. Tiger, Trespass and Benefit Cosmetics opened recently while fashion outlets H&M, Diesel and Skechers are set to follow suit in the coming weeks.

Amongst other future developments planned for the centre are a cinema, for which planning permission has been granted and a filling station and a drive-thru restaurant at either side of the main entrance to Dunnes Stores, beside an An Bóthar Iarainn and the link road to the Avenue Road/Tom Bellew Avenue.

A further site on the Ramparts Road, once earmarked for a hotel, is also available for future development.

The centre will be 10 years open on November 3^rd.

Rape Crisis North East thank those who contributed to annual coffee morning

Damien Moran of Damien Moran Motors hands over a sponsorship cheque to Rape Crisis North East fundraiser Eithne Ross

Rape Crisis North East would like to sincerely thank all the very generous supporters and friends who gathered at the Oriel Centre, Dundalk Gaol in such large numbers recently for their annual coffee morning.

The group say they were overwhelmed by all who kindly provided sponsorship for the event, as well as donations and raffle prizes and issued special thanks to the following: Damien Moran Motors, who sponsored the event, Lidl (Avenue Road), The Jockey’s Bar & Restaurant, Kennedy’s Railway Bar, The Windsor Bar & Restaurant, The Home Bakery, David Darcy from Tesco Extra, Dunnes Stores (The Marshes), Larry Muckian (Spar Texaco), Snap-on-Tools, and Deli-Lites. A guge thank you also went to the staff of the Oriel Centre at Dundalk Gaol who were on hand to facilitate every need.

All proceeds resulting from this fundraising event will go directly towards the counselling and support services of the centre.

Rape Crisis North East’s goal is to continue to make a positive difference in people’s lives and with the help and kindness from many friends and sponsors.

For information or counselling support, please phone the Freephone Confidential Helpline Number 1800 21 21 22 and a counsellor will be available to speak with you.

Marshes Shopping Centre reveals plans for new retail units and extra entrance

Two new kiosk retail units are planned for Penney’s Mall

Big changes are being planned for the Marshes Shopping Centre with the owners putting forward plans for two new kiosk units, a new entrance and an additional food outlet.

Cavalli Investments Plc have applied to Louth County Council for planning permission to use two existing units, nos 1 and 2, for retail use.

As part of the application they want to remove the existing doors and wall of kiosk no 2. The two kiosks, which are located on the Penney’s Mall on Marshes Avenue, have remained vacant since being built but each has a gross floor area of 16.2sqm.

As part of the application permission is also being sought for changes to an existing fire door exit on the west elevation of the shopping centre, including a replacement with glazed automatic doors to provide for public access. This would also include entrance signage.

As well as an extra food outlet there are plans to expand the seating area of the Marshes food court

Meanwhile, in a separate application, Cavalli Investments Plc have applied for planning permission for a new 18sqm kiosk unit on the first floor at the food court. This would provide for the sale of food and/or beverages. They also propose an extension of the food court seating area into existing ancillary floorspace.

A decision on both matters is due by the end of October.

Last month it was revealed that the Marshes expects to be at full occupancy by Christmas. Tiger and Benefit Cosmetics opened recently while fashion outlet H&M and outdoor clothing and accessories chain, Trespass, are due to open shortly.

Amongst other future developments planned for the centre are a cinema, for which planning permission has been granted and a filling station and a drive-thru restaurant at either side of the main entrance to Dunnes Stores, beside an An Bóthar Iarainn and the link road to the Avenue Road/Tom Bellew Avenue.

A further site on the Ramparts Road, once earmarked for a hotel, is also available for future development.

The centre will be 10 years open on November 3^rd.

Dundalk Mental Health Association to hold Rose Day tomorrow

The Dundalk Mental Health Association is hosting their annual Rose Day this Friday.

All proceeds from the sale of the roses will go back into the association to help fund much needed social activities for local service users.

Volunteers will be selling roses from 10am on Friday at the Longwalk Shopping Centre, Clanbrassil Centre, Dundalk Credit Union and at Dunnes Stores in Ard Easmuinn and the Marshes.

All support for the event is welcomed.

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.”

New baby shop opens in Dundalk

The former Baby Shop in Market Street

The Baby Shop in Market Street closed its doors in recent times but a new venture spawned out of it opened on Park Street at the weekend.

The Baby Shop was run by Lorraine and Helen Long with Helen keeping the baby business going by opening a new store in the former Pulse Pacemaker shop at 82 Park Street, beside the old Dunnes Stores and Tony’s Pizzeria.

Here’s hoping the new venture is a success. Be sure to call in if you have a new born or toddler to shop for.

Dunnes Stores workers in Dundalk holding solidarity day today in three local stores

Dunnes Stores workers in Dundalk will hold a solidarity day today.

The event gives members of the public the chance to speak to workers at the three local stores about their current dispute which led to them taking strike action last month and show their support for them.

The events take place from 12 noon to 1pm at the Marshes Shopping Centre, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm at the Neighbourhood Centre in Muirhevnamor and from 3pm to 5pm at the store in Ard Easmuinn.

Former Dunnes employee dismissed after strike to appear on RTÉ tonight

Tony Malone

The local Dunnes Stores employee who claims he was unfairly dismissed from his job in the Marshes Shopping Centre just a day after going on strike earlier this month will be interviewed on RTÉ television tonight.

Tony Malone, from Muirhevnamor, will appear on Claire Byrne Live on RTÉ One at 9.35pm.

Last week the Mandate Trade Union said they were taking legal advice over Dunnes’ decision to let Mr Malone go from his employment just 24 hours after the strike on Holy Thursday, April 2^nd.

While the case is still under investigation, a number of locals have vowed to boycott Dunnes over the treatment of Mr Malone, with staff nationally considering proposals to strike again, most likely on the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Mr Malone told the ‘This Week’ programme on RTÉ radio at the weekend that he would choose to go on strike again if he was still working at the company.

Asked if his dismissal could scare other workers from further industrial action, Mr Malone said: “It may scare the ones that never striked, but for the ones who did strike, I think it will just add some fuel to the fire.”

Mandate Trade Union to investigate claims that Dunnes Stores worker in Dundalk was unfairly dismissed a day after strike

Tony Malone (right) on the picket line last week with Mandate’s local rep John Callan

The Mandate Trade Union are set to investigate claims that a local Dunnes Stores employee had his contract terminated illegally a day after last week’s strike.

Tony Malone from Muirhevnamor joined colleagues on the picket line on Holy Thursday, April 2^nd, only to be let go from his job in the Marshes Shopping Centre 24 hours later.

He said he was called into the office after lunchtime on Good Friday by the store manager and HR manager, who informed him he was being let go “due to the downturn in business.” He said this came as a surprise to him as his review with management had gone well a few weeks earlier.

In an interview with The Irish Times, Mr Malone said he was still “mad” at what had happened.

Tony Malone spoke to The Irish Times about the matter in a video interview

Mandate’s Divisional Organiser Willie Hamilton said: “We’re investigating the facts around the unfair dismissal of Tony that happened the day after the industrial dispute we had on the 2^nd of April. We will be taking legal advice in respect of that and we will also be consulting with our members who came out on strike on that day as to what action they believe is appropriate in these circustances.”

Mr Hamilton claimed there had been a “range of retribution” across the country against those who went on strike.

Mr Malone, who first started working in Dunnes four and a half years ago, said he believes he signed a full-time contract last September. It is understood, however, that Dunnes believe this may have only been a short-term contract after a brief break in his employment with the company.

Dunnes refused the opportunity to comment to The Irish Times.

You can view Mr Malone’s video interview here.

Gardaí called to Marshes during Dunnes strike

Local senator Mary Moran was one of several politicians who supported those on strike yesterday

Gardaí were called to the Marshes yesterday to ensure access to the shopping centre was left unblocked by Dunnes Stores workers who were striking there.

Dunnes staff and Mandate union officials were joined by local politicians and supporters throughout the day as part of their protest against 15-hour contracts with no fixed working hours.

Both the Dunnes Stores in the Marshes and Ard Easmuinn were forced to close earlier than planned as a result of the strike action, which also took place at the Neighbourhood Centre in Muirhevnamor.