Local media roundup 31.1.08
Rather than have an “in brief” post, I am going to just put a brief post up letting people know what the local media are saying. Now that most of them have a half decent enough online presence, it is easier to link to their stories online and go into more detail on the stories that they do not put on their websites.
Thomas Street: Traders on the newly pedestrianised street claim that due to bad planning, business has slumped to such an extent that it would be easier to do business in Beirut. I hadn’t heard any reports of Israeli bombs falling on Thomas Street, but as soon as I do I will let you all know.
Taxi Drivers are feeling the pinch too, according to the Limerick Independent, but this is for different reasons. It is felt that the market is flooded with licenced taxi drivers and full time cabbies are finding it difficult to make a living from the trade.
John Ughamadu: A place has now been found for John Ughamadu at the Central Mental Hospital after he was remanded to Limerick Prison earlier in the week. Ughamadu had previously spent the weekend in the Quality Hotel, which he was later evicted from, as well as spending five days in a Garda cell.
Jailed for twelve months: A 17 year old boy has been jailed for twelve months for crimes relating to an attack on a car at St. Enda’s School. During the incident, the youth smashed one of the windows of the car, showering two children, aged 8 and 11 with glass, and stole a wallet with €90 in cash and some cheques. The youth has 16 previous convictions.
January 31st, 2008 at 1:21 am
As far as I know, Beirut is booming after the reconstruction. To the best of my knowledge, it’s very easy to do business there.
January 31st, 2008 at 7:50 am
It’s also easy to get a taxi in Beirut these days too.
People don’t have to wait out in the howling blue skies and torential sun light
January 31st, 2008 at 10:09 am
These are the same traders who cry out for traffic control, pedestrianisation and for unsightly buildings (such as the one at Thomas St./Catherine St. corner) to be redeveloped in the first place.
iirc, similar moans were heard from Dubland traders while the Leuy LUAS was under construction. Strangely now not a peep.
As for Thomas Street businesses’ complaining, well if they weren’t all clothes shops it might help vary trade. And why don’t they encourage an Market during summer, seemed to work last year when it was up & running. The Cafés there seem to be doing well enough though. And of course the street is not fully pedestrianised anyway thanks to the Council decision to allow traffic swing in from William St. via Todds/Kranks.
January 31st, 2008 at 10:18 am
The people on Thomas St I have most sympathy with are Bella Italia. They pointed out in the article that between the redevelopment of Finucanes old site, the Catherine st-Thomas st corner and now pedestrianisation its impossible to tell if they are open or not and all or how to figure out a safe walking route to the restaurant. Lucky for me they are just a short hop around the corner.
The other traders seemed more irate over parking than anything else. But there is a large car park just off Thomas St.
All in all, I think it would be a good idea for the council to issue rate rebates or reduce rates for those that can show their business was affected by 20% or more during pedestrianisation.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:03 am
Squid,
You appear to have misrepresented the Thomas Street story. The shop owners that are complaining are the ones that are faced with a street that’s completely dug up.
The section of the street isn’t as you claim “newly pedestrianised” It’s a complete building site and is set to remain that way until September. I’m not surprised that their business has suffered because of all the construction. When you look up the street it appears that the whole place is closed off.
You should correct your erroneous statement.