TheCity

Tag: dublin

  • GAA round Up

    GAA round Up

    There was lots of club action across Dublin and Ireland over the weekend.  In the Dublin SFC there were wins for St. Jude’s, Ballymun, Ballyboden and St. Vincent’s.

     St Jude’s overcame Parnells on a score line of 1-12 to 1-9

    Ballymun-Kickhams advanced to the last four thanks to a Dean Rock inspired 0-15 to 0-7 victory over Raheny.  2011 champions St Brigid’s lost out to Ballyboden St Enda’s by five points, 2-13 to 1-11.

    Dean rock will be hoping that Ballymun can go one further this year. credit sport.ie
    Dean rock will be hoping that Ballymun can go one further this year. credit sport.ie

    St Sylvester’s battled valiantly but just fell short to the 2007 All-Ireland Club champion’s St Vincent’s. The Griffith Avenue based side beat Syl’s by 0-14 to 2-07.

    In Armagh Crossmaglen made it 17 wins in 18 years following a nine point win over Cullyhanna, 0-17 to 0-8.  Ireland captain Michael Murphy helps his Glenswilly side overcome Killybegs 3-19 to 2-6.
    Burren lost out to Kilcoo 0-9 to 0-7 in Down, whilst in the AIB Ulster GAA Club Championship Preliminary Round Ballinderry (Derry) beat Clonoe (Tyrone) by four points 0-14 to 0-10.
    Dr. Crokes beat Austin Stacks by 4-16 to 0-12 to claim a historic four in a row whilst in Limerick Monaleen lost by two points to Dromcollgher-Broadford 2-9 to 2-7.

    In Waterford Stradbally were hammered by Ballinacourty 0-12 to 0-05.

    Colm Cooper has never won a club All-Ireland. credit thescore.ie
    Colm Cooper has never won a club All-Ireland. credit thescore.ie

    Zach Tuhoy inspired Portlaoise to a 2-8 to 1-8 victory over Arles/Killeen. In Meath Summerhill beat Na Fianna 1-13 to 1-10.

    In Hurling Mount Leinster Rangers claimed a 1-20 to 0-11 victory over St Mullins in Carlow whilst in Westmeath Castletown beat Geoghegan 1-12 to 0-11.

    Oulart-The Ballagh beat Ferns St Aidan’s by two points, 3-12 to 1-16 whilst in Wicklow Glenealy beat Bray Emmets by 0-17 to 0-14.

  • How Dublin won the treble

    How Dublin won the treble

    Dublin claimed the treble in 2013, the National league, Another Leinster crown and the coveted Sam Ma Guire.

    How and why did the Dubs have such a fine season, after Mayo exposed them in last summer’s All-Ireland semi-final?

    Jim Gavin took over from Pat Gilroy and introduced lots of youth into the metropolitan’s side.  Jack McCaffery, Paul Manion and Ciaran Kilkenny to name but a few.

    Dublin topped the league table and set up a league final meeting with Tyrone.  In a magnificent game of football Dublin won by the minimum, 0-16 to 0-15.

    Five weeks later Gavin’s boys overcame Westmeath quite easily on a score line of 1-22 to 0-09.

    Kildare and Kieran Mc Geeney were next to challenge; a goal from Tomas O Connor inside the first minute gave the Lillywhites a great platform but Dublin hit back with four goals of their own to hammer Kildare by 16 points, 4-16 to 1-09.

    Bernard Brogan is a hero for the Dubs. credit liberty.ie
    Bernard Brogan is a hero for the Dubs. credit liberty.ie

    For the third year in a row Meath were in the Leinster final, having only been outdone by a Bernard Brogan goal in 2012 the Royals were full of confidence.  And after an excellent first half Meath looked to be on their way as they lead by four at the break.

    Second half goals from Paul Manion and Bernard brogan, however, ended Meath hopes as Dublin won their 52nd title.

    In the All-Ireland quarter final Dublin had 85% of the possession, six clear cut goal chances and hit the post on a couple of occasions and still only managed to beat Cork by five points, 1-16 to 0-09.  It was in this game that the Dubs showed their real strength as a force in Gaelic games.

    In the semi-final Colm Cooper showed why he is the greatest player of all time with a virtuoso display.  However the great man’s efforts couldn’t stop the champions elect as they ran out winners by seven points, 3-18 to 3-11.

    Dublin before the All-Ireland final. credit the liberty.ie
    Dublin before the All-Ireland final. credit john mulhollandbookmaker

    In the final, the biggest in history if you believe the hype, Mayo were hoping to bridge a 62 year wait for Sam.  In the first 25 minutes Mayo were sharper, hungrier, fitter and more coherent but their failure to convert their chances in scores coupled with Bernard Brogan’s first goal eight minutes before the break shattered James Horans’ side.

    Another Brogan goal in the second half cancelled out Andy Moran’s earlier strike and the Dub’s were celebrating their second title in three seasons and 24th in total.

  • Ireland’s 5 biggest drug busts

    Ireland’s 5 biggest drug busts

    Last week, Gardaí seized over €100k worth of cannabis from a house in Galway (http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/1009/479382-cannabis-seizure/).

    While drug seizures may not be as shocking to Irish society as they used to be, there have been a surprising amount of them of late. I took a look at some of the biggest hauls the country has seen in recent years.

    Number 5: €650k heroin seizure in Dublin, October 2013.

    • Three men arrested following a raid on an apartment at Crumlin Road, Dublin 12 and an apartment in West Part, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin.
    • Of the three men, two were released on bail.
    • Mr Keith O’Brien (36) and Mr Paul Gantley (30) were released on a bail of €500 and €300 respectively.
    • Both men were granted legal aid and are due to appear in court on 13 December.

    http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/two-bailed-following-650k-heroin-seizure-29634297.html

    Heroin. Copyright 8weeks2thrive @wordpress.com
    Heroin. Copyright 8weeks2thrive @wordpress.com

    Number 4: Irish couple arrested in Spain over €3 million cannabis haul, September 2012.

    • The Irish couple were arrested on the Costa del Sol hours before a scheduled flight home to Co. Cork
    • The Irish 57 year old businessman was believed to have been organising boats trafficking cannabis shipments from Morocco to Ireland.
    • Spanish police intercepted a yacht with drug onboard off the Spanish coast shortly before the couple were due to depart for Cork.
    • The seizure was the result of a joint effort between Gardaí and the Spanish police codenamed ‘Ciana/Fortuna’.

    http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/irish-couple-held-in-spain-over-3m-drugs-bust-26893288.html

    A cannabis joint. Copyright 3news.co.nz
    A cannabis joint. Copyright 3news.co.nz

    Number 3: 350 ecstasy tablets and 80 kilos of cannabis seized in €5 million drug-bust, Dublin, June 2013.

    • The drugs were seized when Gardaí and Revenue’s Customs Service officials raided a building in Rosemount Business Park in Blanchardstown.
    • A 41-year old male was arrested in connection with the seizure.

    http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/gardai-make-5-million-drug-1932855

    Number 2: Irish man arrested in €135 million cocaine drugs bust, August 2013.
     

    • The Irish male was arrested by Spanish police in Gran Canaria.
    • The man has been named as Mr Kenneth Qualtar, with an address in Co Tyrone.
    • Mr Qualtar was one of five people arrested after Spanish police intercepted a yacht with 500 kilos of cocaine onboard.
    • Two Spaniards were arrested, along with an American and an Australian women in connection with the raid.
    • Firearms, gold bars worth €135k, satellite telecommunications equipment and three boats were also confiscated relating to the smuggling operation.

    http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/irishman-in-135m-drugs-bust-is-named-29469398.html

    Cocaine. Copyright londonfriend.org.uk 2013
    Cocaine. Copyright londonfriend.org.uk 2013

    Number 1: €1.2bn cocaine seizure off the coast of Co. Cork, July 2008.

    • In Ireland’s biggest drug smuggling operation three Englishmen were convicted.
    • Joe Daly (41), Martin Wanden (45) and Perry Wharrie (48) were all convicted of attempting to bring 1.5 tonnes of high-purity cocaine into the country.
    • A fourth man, Gerard Hagan (24) was also arrested in connection with the failed smuggling operation.
    • The four men were believed to be part of a joint enterprise of up to 12 individuals.
    • The drugs were being carried by an RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat), with the three men onboard.
    • The boat stalled after one of the men mistakenly fed the boats engines with diesel instead of petrol, leading to their capture.
    • The cocaine shipment originated from Barbados.

    http://www.herald.ie/news/irelands-biggest-drugs-bust-highlights-scale-of-our-problem-27879696.html

  • Anti-social behaviour still a problem on Red Line Luas

    Anti-social behaviour still a problem on Red Line Luas

    Red Line Luas users are still subjected to frequent anti-social incidents, despite additional security and Gardaí patrols.

    Though that particular Luas line has become infamous in recent years, the frequency with which incidents take place (of which only a fraction are actually reported) is startling.

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    Despite regular checks by ticket-inspectors and STT Luas Rail Security officers, the trouble-makers, all of varying ages, continue to wreak havoc upon commuters.

    In fact, Luas officials have complained of an increase in the amount of threatening behaviour they have to deal with, as well as a rise in the levels of verbal and physical abuse directed towards them.

    Worryingly, racial abuse is a becoming a common occurrence, with slurs directed at both members of the public and Luas employees.

    One Dublin-born ticket-inspector, who has worked on both the Green and Red routes and asked not to be named, stated that there was simply “no comparing” the two rail-lines as regards the behaviour of their patrons.

    “A lot of them [anti-social Luas-users] have nowhere else to go, and just ride up and down all day making a nuisance of themselves”, stated the Transdev employee, who pin-pointed the inner-city section of the Red Line between Rialto and Connolly as the source of most complaints.

    blur1

    Although an increase in security presence was made in the wake of South Dublin Central TD Catherine Bynre’s complaints of “inadequate security” early last year, there has been no noticeable improvement, with around 25 incidents being reported to Gardaí every week.

    Transdev has stated that the safety and well-being of their customers is of paramount importance as they strive to deliver “an environment for Luas customers that is as free as possible from anti -social behaviour, low-level crime and fear of crime”.

    “Anti -social behaviour is rife in society generally and unfortunately Luas is not immune to the challenge which such behaviour throws up”, stated the company.

    Combined, the Red and Green lines transported nearly 30 million people in 2012, an increase of 6% from 2011. However, public order offences on the trams also rose, this time by 11%. Nevertheless, the Luas still continues to provide a reliable, affordable and (for the most part) safe method of transport for its customers.

  • Roll out of Xtra-vision vending machines

    Roll out of Xtra-vision vending machines

    These could be seen in much greater volume depending on how successful these vending machines prove to be. Image by: Craig Farrell
    These could be seen in much greater volume depending on how successful these vending machines prove to be. Image by: Craig Farrell

    Xtra-vision have rolled out DVD and game rental vending-machine kiosks throughout Dublin.

    The concept was created by the UK company Hilco, which recently took over Xtra-vision and HMV. The vending machines will function very much like the company “Redbox” in the United States and Canada.

    The kiosks offer over 300 rentals, with new releases added every friday. Users do not require an xtra-vision card as the machines run using debit or credit cards. Prior to the rental a debit or credit card is read, upon returning the rental the card is swiped again and the payment is charged based on number of rentals and duration.

    Rentals cost €2.99. An additional fee of €1.50 is charged per day the rental is not returned. However if the rental is not returned within 10 days the charges halt and the rental is considered purchased.

    One of the first kiosks in Dublin has popped up in Spar on Ranelagh Road, Ranelagh village.

    Ranelagh resident Thereseanne McCormack said, “I think it’s a good idea, but a novelty idea.

    “Currently it only has one screen to work from, I think it would be better if more than one person could use it at a time.

    “Although considering the Baggot Street and Rathmines xtra-vision shops have recently closed it is good to have the option available again,” Thereseanne concluded.

    Other Spar and Eurospar outlets supplying the new vending-machines include; Sandymount, North Circular Road, Inchicore, Kilmainham, Ellis Quay, Monkstown.

    “It’s a great idea”, said movie and video-game buff Daniel O’Reilly, “it is quick and easy, which is always a great selling point.”

    The Sallynoggin resident continued, “it’s sad to see that this has been a result of people losing their jobs and if these type of outlets are successful it could lead to the company removing all employees and stores and turning completely to these types of vending machines.”

    The kiosk is the first initiative introduced by Hilco to boost sale revenues since they bought the chain earlier this year. Another initiative is integrated Xtra-vision and HMV stores which have opened in Artane and Ashleaf.

  • #Budget2014: The story so far

    #Budget2014: The story so far

    https://twitter.com/ArthurGriffin/status/390124810119835649

    https://twitter.com/PadraicPodge/status/390119768943910912

    https://twitter.com/seansherlocktd/status/390119548030312449

    https://twitter.com/Pat_Guiney/status/390074396158619648

    https://twitter.com/PetRabbitte/status/390070670341988353

  • Proposed transition to opt-out system for organ donation

    Proposed transition to opt-out system for organ donation

    A joint Oireachtas Committee, chaired by Mr. Jerry Buttimer, has called for a change in the way Irish citizens are asked to donate our organs, in the hope more organs will be donated.

    An opt-out system, instead of an opt-in system, would increase the number of organ donors, according to Mr. Buttimer.

    In this way, Irish residents would automatically become donors unless they specifically choose not to, by opting out.

    Under the present system, organ donors opt-in by choosing to donate their organs by carrying an organ donor card.

    Nevertheless, the Irish Kidney Association does not think an opt-out system will increase donor numbers and would prefer a change in the way organs are obtained.

    It expected the public consultation process, initiated by the Department of Health, to debate whether an opt-out system should or should not be introduced, and explained this in their submission.

    We have been asking Irish people to donate organs for the past 49 years, said the Irish Kidney Association, and the proposal now is to tell them they can object to organ donation.

    A “public awareness campaign for an opt-out system is a much harder proposition to sell to the public, than the informed consent system” and needs careful consideration, it added.

    In 2012, three Dublin hospitals carried out 239 organ transplants – 163 kidney, 50 liver, 14 lung, 10 heart and two pancreas.

    The total number of donors was 78 deceased and 32 live donors. Notwithstanding, the number of patients on the transplant list was 563, an increase of 35 on 2011 figures

    Video

    Reporter: Anne Stewart

    Camera: Kay Cairns

    Production: Jonathan Crean

  • Do you feel safe in a taxi?

    Do you feel safe in a taxi?

    For those of us that live in the city, taxis are a vital mode of transportation.

    But, when you know nothing about the driver, it can sometimes be an unsettling experience.

    Just last week, Gardaí seized a Dublin taxi for forensic examination after a woman claimed that she was raped by the driver.

    The woman, who is in her 20s, told Gardaí that the incident happened while she was travelling home from Copper Face Jack’s nightclub.

    According to the woman, the driver took a detour to the Phoenix Park where he stopped the car and raped her.

    It is understood that he sexually assaulted her near the park’s Wellington Monument sometime after 1.30am.

    The woman was later dropped off outside the gates of DCU where she raised the alarm to Gardaí.

    Upon being questioned by the Gardaí, the driver, who is in his 40s, denied the allegation, stating that the sex had been consensual.

    He said that he had put his phone number into the woman’s phone with the intention of meeting up with her again.

    However, detectives believe that the woman may have been too intoxicated to give consent.

    Medical professionals have since examined the woman, but no arrests have yet been made.

    In light of this incident, Claire Mc Quaid took to the streets of Dublin to find out whether or not people feel safe in taxis.

    Video Credits

    Reporter: Claire McQuaid

    Camera: Anne Stewart 

    Production: Jonathan Crean

  • Dublin doors open for architecture enthusiasts

    Dublin doors open for architecture enthusiasts

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    Historical buildings opened up all over the capital from October 4-6 as Open House Dublin celebrated its 8th annual celebration of unique Irish architecture.

    With special ‘access-all-areas’ dispensations being given to visitors of some of the city’s most iconic architectural landmarks over the course of the weekend, patrons were given the opportunity to glimpse into historical venues such as Farmleigh House, Casino Marino, Uras an Uachtaráin plus 97 other buildings for free.

    Organised by the Irish Architecture Foundation, guided tours were provided to give a fascinating insight into places of interest ranging from educational and political institutions to cutting-edge community and residential new-builds in what has been deemed by the IAF as the country’s largest celebration of architecture.

    My tour took me to one of the most instantly-recognisable landmarks on the island in the form of the GPO on O’Connell Street before heading south over the river and getting a behind-the-scenes view into the Earlsfort Terrace complex, which now plays host to the National Concert Hall, and the adjoining Iveagh Gardens.

  • TheCity sleeps…

    TheCity sleeps…

    TheCity.ie was produced by 4th year journalism students from DIT during the first semester of 2012, and, as dissertations and projects beckon in semester two, theCity.ie will be going into mothballs for a few months.

    But don’t forget us! We’ll be back with a new batch of 4th years in September 2013.

    We’ve all really enjoyed working on the project – just click on the video to see what our favourite stories were: