The Limerick Blogger - latest Limerick news and Limerick events

The Minister for Health, Mary Harney, has ordered that breast cancer services to be suspended after a Health Quality Authority raised concerns.

From the Examiner

These concerns were raised by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) when it undertook a review of pathology services at University College Hospital, Galway after it was revealed a 51-year-old woman who attended Barrington’s was incorrectly given the all-clear for breast cancer twice. Her treatment was delayed for 18 months because of the error.

The Limerick Pride Parade will be taking place at 1100 hrs on Saturday and not 1200 hrs as reported in the newspapers.

Those taking part in the parade will convene at the City Hall, and then move down Patrick Street, O’Connel street as far as the junction with Mallow Street, where they will turn right and follow the one way system up Henry Street back to City Hall.

There will be no road closures as the parade will only be taking up one lane of the streets.

There will be members of the LGBT community from around the country coming to Limerick to take part in the parade.

There are a whole host of other events taking place over the weekend, and while it is a “Gay Pride” festival, the events are open to everyone.

Previously on Limerickblogger.org

Pictured at the meeting of Mayors and charepersons along the western seaboard as they met in Shannon yesterday afternoon. Pictured are, Back Row, Left to Right, Michael Healy-Rae, Mayor of Kerry, James Deegan, Chairperson of the Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly, Jim Casey, Mayor of North Tipperary, John Fahey, Cathaoirleach South Tipperary County Council, Front Row, Left to Right, Seamus Kilgannon, Cathaoirleach Sligo County Council, Sean Canny, Cathaoirleach Galway County Council, Lily Wallace, Cathaoirleach of the Mid Western Regional Authority, Ger Fahey, Mayor of Limerick City, Kevin Sheehan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Seamus Weir, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council.

First up - The online petition, 13,271 signatures.

The above pictured people, chairpeople of their respective local and regional authorities, held what it described as an unprecedented meeting to discuss the impact on the withdrawal of Aer Lingus’ Shannon-Heathrow service. All those in attendance agreed to make presentations to their local authorities of matters discussed at the meeting.

Other people holding meetings with local bodies yesterday was a deputation from the Sinn Fein party.

Mary-Lou McDonnald MEP, Martin Ferris TD and Maurice Quinlivan, Sinn Fein Limerick, are hoping to form a political alliance in an effort to prevent the withdrawal of the Shannon-Heathrow service.

oday we had a positive and constructive meeting with Shannon Action Group at which we agreed to make contact with the leaders of all the opposition parties in a bid to form a political alliance against the withdrawal of the Shannon to Heathrow route. - Mary-Lou McDonnald MEP

I want to commend the Shannon Action Group who have re-energised the struggle for the Mid Western region which has been suffering due to Government failure to create proper balanced regional development - Maurice Quinlivan Limerick Sinn Fein

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has serious questions to answer in relation to the advice he has received from the Attorney General concerning the retention of the Shannon to Heathrow route.

The Government told us, prior to the privatisation of Aer Lingus,
that the golden share that they were to retain would be enough to ensure that the national interest is maintained. It is unacceptable for Noel Dempsey to now tell us that the Attorney General advises that a majority shareholder vote would not be enough to ensure the retention of the Shannon to Heathrow route.

The Minister has serious questions to answer in relation to this. Did he seek the advice of the Attorney General before the privatisation? And, if not – why not?

“If he did seek the advice of the Attorney General, why did he proceed with the privatisation in the knowledge that the national interest could not be guaranteed by the retention of the golden share? And why did he tell the Dáil that the golden share would guarantee the national interest. - Martin Ferris TD

The Irish Independent’s lie of omission - Whilst pointing out that the first week of Aer Lingus’ route to Heathrow from Belfast has only received fifty bookings, the paper neglected to mention that there were fifteen times the number of bookings from Shannon to Heathrow for the last week the route will be running.

Aer Lingus will face fierce competition in Belfast. BMI has flights from Belfast City airport to Heathrow, whereas Aer Lingus’ Belfast International Airport is located 18 miles from the City of Belfast.

Aer Lingus may be able to block a request by Ryanair for an Extraordinary General Meeting. If this happens, it could be up to ESOT, who as the holder of more than 10 percent of Aer Lingus, are also entitled to call for an EGM.

An interesting piece on Willie O’Dea in relation to Shannon

Also:

Mary White, Green Party Senator has a letter in Thursday’s Irish Independent

Is Soccer the poor relation in Ireland, I ask? .As I was driving by Hassets cross this evening with my work colleague Conor, he pointed out to me the contrast between the two sports Rugby and Soccer.Thomond Park Home to Munster Rugby is undergoing major development, with its towering edifices visible. Next to it is the green area best described as an excuse for a soccer pitch which is and has been used by so many down through the years, at times it has so often been neglected. This is an area that should have been properly fenced in, a proper pitch and a small all weather pitch, goals with nets, floodlit a place that will attract both young and old. A proper facility. The Limerick City council and our local elected representatives down through the years have a lot to answer for.
This evening I saw several youngsters training there, adults also, with a backdrop of burnt out sofas, beds etc in the same location. Limerick 37 I will give credit to for their direction, but this is a different story ,this is the story about those people who give up their free time to help train the younger members of Clubs and do it voluntary. Let’s look at Ballynanty Rovers who train in Shelbourne Park, it was through the media they found out that will no longer be training there as it is been closed for restoration .(about time with the restoration of the Park I say)This now leaves Ballynanty Rovers without facilities for their school boy teams who range in age from 7 to 14 ,Thomondgate,Kileely,Ballynanty ,Moyross and Farranshone is where over 60 children come from to train 3 times a week.
It is no wonder youngsters, volunteers get totally P***** off, and they drift away to do other things! We hear about the implementation of Asbo’s etc ,why do we not try and give more support to people like this by having proper facilities to go to .We do even have proper outdoor all weather basketball facilities in every corner of this city, a skateboard park, all weather pitches for soccer , Gaelic or hurling ,tag rugby.or any other sport.
The latest news is that the City Council who have a responsibility for sports grounds in the city are looking into it ???

A twelve year old boy has been killed in a road traffic accident in Moyross, on the north side of Limerick City.

The boy was walking in the estate when he was struck by a vehicle shortly before 1100 hrs.

The scene has been sealed off while Gardai carry out their investigations.

The boy has not yet been named.

Some new infor on the incident. The young boy has been named locally as John Leo, who was from the locality.

Reports suggest that John was hit by a truck carrying rubble from a nearby demolition site. He was playing with friends near to the site, which was only yards from his home.

The Mayor Limerick, Ger Fahey, has extended his sympathies to the Leo family.

John had completed primary school in June, and was due to enter first year of secondary school today [Friday]

Spotted in Moyross: