The March meeting of Youghal and District Community Alert was held at 11 am in the Red Store on Tuesday March 1st. The attendance was small, possibly reflecting lapse promotion and/or a general satisfaction amongst the populace with the present level of security in the town.

Newly elected Sinn Fein TD Sandra Hennessy attended, as did her party colleague Cllr Michelle Hennessy and Fine Gael Town and County Councillor Barbara Murray. Fine Gael Town Councillor Michael Beecher was present as Chairman of the Community Alert group.  Guest speakers on the occasion were Peter Butler form TASK, a community care organisation that supplies, installs and monitors socially monitored alarms and Desmond Davis of the local Care and Repair service.

Community Garda Peter Queally commenced proceedings with a brief update on the situation regarding socially monitored alarms. He said over 40 applicants were represented in the current funding request to the Department of Community and Gaeltacht Affairs. He also revealed that a Garda representative will give presents talk on drugs at April’s Community Alert meeting. He added that a February presentation to Pobalscoil na Trionoide, at which drugs and drug-related paraphernalia were exhibited, had drawn a very positive response from parents and pupils alike.

Crime figures

Garda Queally then delivered a brief breakdown of crime statistics since the previous Community Alert meeting on February 1st. The figures showed there had been 29 persons stopped and searched for drugs and four premises searched under warrant. Ten persons were found in possession of drugs for personal use and two found in possession with intent to supply. The total street value of drugs seized in Youghal was €3,500, across cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy.

Other statistics included one assault causing harm and one common assault at a house party. As statements were not forthcoming, the gardai were effectively unable to proceed with investigation and/or prosecution. A file had been forwarded to the DPP in respect of a man accused of assault in a licensed premises in January. Two burglaries had been reported. Investigations were ongoing in regard to one burglary, at a holiday home in Cork Hill, in which household appliances were taken. The other burglary, at a licensed premises in which approximately €200 had been stolen, had been solved and a man was in custody.

The garda said there had been seven incidents of public disorder, with six arrests. Reported criminal damage cases amounted to six, with one detection. There were two reported thefts as follows: on February 14th a Lithuanian gang targeted a pharmacy in town. The gang are now in custody and are thought to have committed theft in pharmacies across  Munster over a prolonged period. The garda said they were suspected of using a distraction method to steal items such as perfume from the shelves. They had been in Youghal two months previous but had been recognised on their return. The second theft, on February 21st, invoved he larceny of high-powered, valuable batteries from a road sign in Garryduff.

Scams

The garda warned retailers to be alert to ‘a change scam’ in which foreign nationals –thought to be Romanian- have endeavoured to confuse shop staff with requests to change notes. The procedure is so highly well synchronised and complex that it victims may not realise for some hours that they have been conned. Another scam presently prevalent involves ATM’s, in which a plastic device known as ‘a mousetrap’ prevents the cash from exiting. The criminal removes the device –and the cash- after the mystified card holder departs. The services at Youghal’s TSB and Bank of Ireland had been targeted in recent weeks.

Socially monitored alarms

TASK representative Peter Butler then spoke of his organisation which, he said, was 32 years in business. Mr. Butler said one in three people over 65 suffer a fall per annum, increasing to a one in two chance amongst the over 80’s. Getting to a phone or summoning help could take some time, he surmised.

The speaker then reviewed the availability and functionality of the devices as follows: grant funding for socially monitored alarms is available for anyone of 65 years or over, including more than one such house occupant. They can also be purchased privately –from TASK and other sources- @ €250 (TASK price). An annual maintenance fee of €66 is required in each instance. It is essential that the user has a landline telephone socket in the house.

The base unit, about a foot square, is usually installed in a hallway. The user wears a two-way communication device, usually of a neck pendant or wristwatch design, known as a ‘panic button.’ Pressing the ‘panic button’ opens a two-way communication with the unit’s 24-hour monitoring personnel based in Dublin. On activating the system, the monitors have access to any conversation in progress in the house. Mr Butler outlined how valuable it was to activate the system when answering the door to a stranger, for example. In such instances, if the monitor overhears raised voices or any suspicious evidence, the gardai or a responsible key holder are alerted.

‘Like a man’

The user provides the monitoring station with three phone numbers representing family/house key holders. When the unit is activated, the monitoring operator first responds by voice. If the user does not reply or asks for help, the monitor will alert the key holders in order of preference to summon assistance. Should this prove unsuccessful for any reason, the gardai are summonsed.  In the words of her son, this level of security was memorably described by one elderly woman as “like having a man in the house!”

Mr Butler was keen to emphasise that accidental activation of the units was commonplace, was considered part and parcel of the process and did not inconvenience the monitors. He also advised that users test the device by activating it if and whenever they wished to do so. He further stressed the importance of wearing the pendant/watch at all times, citing incidents where people had failed to do so and had had to wait hours for assistance when unexpected accidents occurred.

Other aspects of the alarm units include 10 year batteries and a facility to warn the householder if the house temperature has fluctuated dangerously. Any number of pendant/watches can be acquired. The signal is operative up to 100 metres and indeed it was noted that an elderly lady who feel in her garden last winter was able to summon assistance that probably saved her life.

Smoke and CO2 alarms

Mr Butler also spoke on other devices, one of which was monitored smoke alarms. These worked similarly fashion to the accident equivalent, except that the monitoring station is automatically alerted when smoke activates the system. It was important, he said, to realise that when we sleep, our sense of smell shuts down, rendering it almost impossible to detect smoke. The service was also valuable when a householder was absent from the premises. These alarms cost €75 but similarly to the other alarm, grant assistance is available through the Seniors Alert Scheme. Mr. utler assured that he criteria of ‘living alone’ was not compromised by regular or overnight visits from family members etc. He advised that smoke alarms not be located in kitchens, where heat detectors are more appropriate.

Also featured were carbon monoxide detectors, which combat what Mr. Butler referred to as “the silent killer.” He said gas, oil and other posed a risk of exposure to carbon monoxide. He described various ways by which to lessen the danger; a) clean chimney, b) have boilers regularly serviced and beware of black deposits, c) ensure house is well ventilated. In this instance there were various levels of exposure –two hours’ exposure of 200 parts CO2 might cause headaches, 400 parts might bring nausea as well whereas 800 parts could cause unconsciousness. The detector sets off a signal once expose surpasses 300 parts. This alarm could be purchased privately for €100 but grant-aid was available for the over 65’s. (In fact all three alarms can be acquired with grant assistance under the Senior Alert programme. Any grant application needs submission of quotes from three distinct companies. The €66 annual maintenance fee covers any or all alarm systems and is not grant-aided) Application forms for all devices are available at Youghal garda station (Tele: 024-92200).

Mr Buler concluded his address with advice on how to minimise risk of falls: i) get eyes tested; ii) makes sure floor space is uncluttered; iii) wear safe shoes and iv) provide adhesive maths in bathroom.

Senior Alert Scheme

The Senior Alert Scheme is a project under which individuals or voluntary groups register for grant aid on behalf of individuals. Other grants provided under the scheme include coverage for outside home security lighting (€120), with dawn-to-dusk systems preferable to the sensor only version that a wandering cat is liable to activate! TASK contact number: (01) 8435889; Peter Butler 086-0568155; net: www.taskltd.com.

Caring and Repairing

In a comparatively brief address, Mr. Desmond Davies, from the Youghal Care and Repair service then spoke to the gathering. The Repair and Care initiative is a burgeoning success story in the Youghal community. It began a few months ago and presently 15 volunteers –including some females- are giving their time and efforts to the project. Mr Davies explained that the workers undertake minor jobs on behalf of the elderly (65+) and/or more vulnerable members of the community. Exemplary chores would include lawn mowing, changing bulbs, tacking carpets, installing locks or hanging curtains.

The householder provides the work materials and the volunteers provide the service free of charge.. “We work in pairs and member is first given garda clearance,” Mr Davies elaborated. The service does not undertake professional type tasks such as plumbing and electrical work and is not intended as an alternative to trades people. The speaker observed that some people preferred to make payment but he stressed than any financial donation “has to be small” while tokens of appreciation such as biscuits or cakes, are no less appreciated

Those wishing to avail of the Care and Repair service are asked to contact Cumann na Daoine on (024) 91900. “Anyone wishing to volunteer their services will be very welcome too,” he concluded.

The next Community Alert meeting is on Tuesday April 5th in the Walter Raleigh Hotel at 7.45 pm.

A new service that assists the elderly with minor maintenance jobs in and around the house has been established in Youghal. Care and Repair is accessible to those over 65 and provides voluntary assistance with such tasks as changing bulbs and fuses, hanging curtains, minor painting and decorating, lawn mowing, tacking carpets or installing home security devices.

Youghal Care and Repair evolved from the monthly Community Alert meetings, following a suggestion by regular attender Pat Carey. The idea was pursued, assisted by Cumman na Daoine and in particular staff member Stacy Quinlivan and Ann Marie McCarthy. Further help and support was provided by Age Action Ireland which, in partnership with Irish Life, has a programme committed to ‘creating new services that help other people to acquire independence fulfilling lives for as long as they wish in their own homes.’

The Youghal service is now fully established and held its inaugural monthly committee meeting last week. Desmond Davis, a Wicklow man resident in Youghal for three years, is its first chairman, working alongside PRO and community garda, Peter Queally.

Desmond, a former farmer (he once worked the farm that was later cultivated by Biddy and Miley in the Glenroe series) and now a Methodist minister, speaks with quiet pride and confidence of the new resource. “We presently have a core group of about 15 volunteers,” he explains. They are aged roughly from 20’s to 60’s and include two females. Some are professional tradespeople and others, like me, are just general handymen but it’s fair to say we have a wide range of abilities. All our volunteers are garda vetted,” he adds.

Short wait

Over 65’s who seek to avail of the service are asked to contact Cumman na Daoine with details of the task required. The group will select two volunteers to visit the client, matching abilities as close as possible to the job at hand. “Waiting time should not be more than a couple of days and ideally he jobs we undertake should take about two to three hours to complete,” says Desmond. While the manpower comes free of charge the onus is on the householder to provide the appropriate materials.

The chairman is keen to stress that the service is confined to minor maintenance. “We don’t attempt anything like electrical or plumbing jobs and certainly will not take work from tradespeople,” he explains.  “Also, we don’t climb ladders or undertake anything else with a personal safety risk. Computer and television repairs would also be outside our remit. ”

Thus far the group has answered about a dozen calls amidst “much appreciation,” says Desmond. A gradual growth in requests can be expected as the profile spreads. “It’s still very new in Youghal and a lot of people are probably unaware of the service,” Desmond surmises. “In that sense we are not just eager for more people to call us but would also welcome new volunteers.”

Sociable

In a world where age and alienation are too often associates the benefits can extend beyond just painting a skirting board. “Because we work in pairs, one volunteer might spend more time just chatting over tea with the householder. Observes the chairman. “So the social benefits cannot be underestimated. In fact the overall benefits are two-way, with volunteers acquiring great satisfaction as well.”

Youghal Care and Repair Service is available through Cumann na Daoine on 024-91900 (Mon-Fri, 9.30 am-5.00 pm)

Hi all – a big well done to the cast and crew of The Clearing, directed by Jack Ahern, who’s currently touring the play around the Festival Circuit.

Jan O’Sullivan has picked up a raft of Best Actress Awards, with Emily Ahern winning a Best Sound award and Martina Cullinane getting a Special Adjudicator’s Award for Lighting, leading her to win a week away in Limerick this year at the Drama League of Ireland Summer School – always great fun.

Also, a big congrats to Emily and Martina (and their friend Lorna Cullen) who won a national song-writing award last weekend on Radio Ri Ra for their Irish language tune Briongloid Alainn. It’s going to be released later on a CD, so thanks to everyone who helped vote them into first place via the the Ri Ra website.

All the actors in The Clearing have got fine mentions at many festivals and what really has been good, has been the universally excellent reception the play has got from audiences. Every house has been near full and the play has been regularly applauded from scene to scene. This Thursday night is the last of our shows, at Holycross, Co Tipperary, so a big well done to Jack, who has done his usual amazingly energetic and detailed preparation and delivery. The Clearing is a play with a complex form and setting and Jack’s direction has been excellent.

Also, here’s a useful website with lots of reviews from all sorts of media around the world, for those on the lookout for a good play to produce: http://www.complete-review.com/maindex/maindex.html. If you search by play authors or titles, it lists all the major newspapers and media outlets that have covered productions in the UK, US and elsewhere.

If anyone’s a short-story writer, remember that entries for the Co Waterford Molly Keane Short Story competition close on March 31. See www.waterfordcoco.ie for details (under the Arts page).

Finally, Kevin McCormack of Fermoy (and Ballyduff Drama) would like to invite everyone to his latest production: “Hi, I hope this email finds you well.  I would appreciate your help in letting the world and his uncle know about the upcoming musical comedy The ‘ALL STAR’ Wars! The show runs at Cork Opera House from April 19th to 23rd 2011.  The ALL STAR Wars is written by Bryan Flynn and myself and we would really love to have full houses for the five nights as we premiere what we promise will be a superb night’s entertainment. Warm Regards, Kevin”

Youghal Youthreach, VTOS,  BTEI students and teachers take part in “Today FM’s Shaved or Dye”. The charity Shaved or Dye event was held on Friday (11th March 2011) at the East Cork Further Education and Youthreach Centre, Youghal. The participants made the collection through sponsorship cards and the Facebook network. “Today FM’s Shaved or Dye” 2011 has raised over €541,000 for the Irish Cancer Society! - Report / Pictures www.youghalonline.com

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has already contributed and good luck to anyone who is going to Shave Or Dye in the coming weeks – if you haven’t already signed up, read below to see how you can take part.

In February 2010, Today FM launched Shave or Dye – our first ever station charity drive in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.  The campaign saw our presenters shaving and dyeing their hair and in turn asking listeners to do the same. The response was phenomenal, as people across the length and breadth of the country raised more than €800,000 for the Irish Cancer Society and we’re doing it all again!

 

Get Involved

There are several ways you can help raise money for Shave Or Dye.to benefit the Irish Cancer Society.

Get a Sponsorship Pack -  get your fundraising pack jammed with fundraising resources, a sponsorship card, Shave or Dye t-shirt and poster.  Just click here to register your participation or call the Shave or Dye hotline at CallSave 1850 350 360.

Other Ways to Help

If you plan to hold an EVENT, either in your workplace, a club, pub or other venue where lots of people can Shave Or Dye, call our Shave Or Dye Hotline on CallSave 1850 350 360 and we’ll do all we can to help.

The latest data from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland indicates that there were 29,775 new cases of cancer diagnosed in 2009 and new cancer cases are expected to reach over 40,000 by the year 2020. That’s why we need your help (and head) more than ever.

If you are concerned about or affected by cancer, please call the National Cancer Helpline on Freefone 1800 200 700 for advice, support and information.  Staffed by specialist cancer care nurses and open Monday – Thursday 9am – 7pm and Fridays 9am – 5pm.

Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Youghal Credit Union Car Draw Winner February 2011  Patricia Flanagan

Pictured below Barry Treacy Manager presenting Patricia Flanagan with the keys to her new KIA, also featured Patricia’s husband Jimmy Flanagan and Pat Ryan, Youghal Kia

4 x €500 Winners

Elaine O’ Dwyer

Barry O’Neill

Elizabeth Griffin
David Colbert

The next car draw will take in July 2011 -
only €6.00 per draw.

Lucky the Lobster has a ‘Tail’ to tell

Giant lobster has lucky escape. A giant lobster has been saved from the pot after Youghal fisherman Kevin Murphy decided the crustacean was too special to eat.

The Lobster, which measures 31″ inches approx in length and weighs more than 10 and a half pounds, was caught in the nets while  Kevin was fishing for Ray fish in the outer harbour area of Youghal. The fishman said that while it was not the heaviest Lobster he ever caught it was certainly the biggest, comparing the catch to a prized athlete.
“He’s a fantastic specimen and by his size alone he has got to be at least 40 to 50 years old, He is an amazing creature and it’s quite an achievement to have reached such an impressive age.”

When the lobster was first caught on Tuesday 15th March in the fishermans net he appeared weak, so, Kevin brought the lobster to Youghal’s international renowned Aherne’s Seafood Restaurant and with the permission of the Fitzgibbon family placed in a special holding water tank to recuperate for a couple of days. On the 17th March, St. Patrick’s Day, the local Aquatrek Sea Training school just after participating in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in town, brought the lobster back  to where he was first caught.

The fisherman thought the lobster was so amazing he decided to cut a special V shape on his tail. Kevin explained that particular lobster was a protected species and he made a special cut on his tail, a V shape, so that if in the future he may be caught again, he will immediately be placed back at sea.

So the lucky lobster has a ‘Tail’ to tell to his fellow fish in the sea in the freedom of the enormous aquarium that is the Atlantic ocean.

Click here for related story where Kevin Murphy caught another unusual Lobster which was covered here on YoughalOnline.com

Free Claw-dia – The Crustacean needs a Vacation!

 

Over 300 hundred people took part in the annual Chernobyl Childrens Trust cliff Walk which took place yesterday (Sunday March 20th 2011). The walk began at 12 noon in Ballycottton and the weather conditions were fantastic for this popular fundraiser. Free buses were available from Ballinrostig at 11am to bring walkers to Ballycotton to begin the cliff walk back to Ballinrostig.

This is a most beautiful walk along the East Cork coastline, there are a number of points along the way where you could leave the walk if need be, which made it suitable for all abilities.  Walker were advised to wear good study walking shoes, bring light rain gear and a snack and drink for along the way.The walkers that did the full distance were aware that some points of the cliff walk were a bit tricky.
Free refreshments and music awaited all sponsored walkers at ” Poc ar Buile” in Ballinrostig after the walk

 

Click on image to enlarge

THE AILBRIN SOCIETY YOUGHAL presents a talk by Anthony Summers- “How To Write Books & Other Things Of Which I Know Nothing……” on Wednesday, 23rd March at 8.30 p.m. in the Red Store, North Main Street, Youghal. Admission: members free; non-members €5. New members always welcome.

Anthony Summers was educated in Oxford University and is a well known writer, TV producer and journalist. He has written best selling books on historical figures such as the Tsar Nicholas 2nd, JFK, J.Edgar hoover, Richard Nixon, Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra.

Kennedy controversy
Writing about the assassination of John F. Kennedy, he rejected the findings of the Warren Commission, and claimed that Kennedy was killed by a right-wing conspiracy that could have included major organized crime figures, such as Johnny Roselli, Carlos Marcello, Santo Trafficante, and Sam Giancana; other figures possibly involved included David Ferrie, Gerry Patrick Hemming, Guy Banister, and E. Howard Hunt.
Major writings
Summers has written about historical figures including Nicholas II, John F. Kennedy, J. Edgar Hoover and Richard Nixon. He also wrote about entertainment superstars Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra. His main works include: The File on the Tsar (1976), The Kennedy Conspiracy (1980), Goddess: The Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe (1985), Honeytrap (1988), The Secret Life of J. Edgar Hoover (1993), Not in Your Lifetime (1998), The Arrogance of Power: The Secret World of Richard Nixon (2000) and Sinatra: The Life (2005).

Graphic MickH

Its that time of year again. The 8th annual Antique Fair and Road Show in aid of the Lourdes Invalid Fund, will take place on Sunday April 3rd (Mothers Day) at the Walter Raleigh Hotel, Youghal.

A great day out for all the family, browse at your leisure at the large selection of jewellery, ware, coins, old bank notes and furniture, and much more on offer.

On the day do bring along your antiques to be valued by our local Antique dealer Niki Loughnan. Perhaps you have a hidden treasure sitting in your house.

This annual fundraiser has proven to be an enjoyable event for all age groups, while raising much need funds to send the sick and invalids from the locality, on the annual diocesan  pilgrimage to Lourdes, a time treasured by all for the peace and wellness it affords them.

Entrance Fee   3 Euro: Prize on door ticket

Date April 3rd

Venue: Walter Raleigh Hotel

Time 11: am till 7 pm

YOUGHAL UNITED AFC are currently running a draw that is offering the chance for two people to watch Barcelona FC play at their famous ground, the Nou Camp. Tickets for this very exciting prize are now on sale from players and committee members. The prizewinning ticket includes two match tickets, flights and two nights accommodation.

Committee member, Michael Twomey said the draw will attract a lot of attention because of the prize. “We (the club) looked at various options and we are delighted to have settled on this prize. We wanted something that would be attractive to everyone. You don’t have to be a football fan to want to visit the Nou Camp, it is one of the great sporting arenas in the world and Barcelona is a wonderful city and certainly, you don’t even have to be a football fan to enjoy the experience of watching Barcelona FC play at their own stadium.

They are now recognised as one of the greatest footballing sides in the history of the game and the opportunity to see them is not one to pass up. No matter what sport you like or are involved in, everyone enjoys seeing the very best perform from their chosen discipline. Of course, there is the added bonus of the warm climate not to mention that you can be guaranteed a great atmosphere because the Spanish title race will be coming to its conclusion and the match is bound to be very significant, it could even be the title winning game!”  The draw will take place at the Ardrath clubhouse on Tuesday May 3rd at 8pm. “Tickets are 5 euro each or 20 euro for a book of 5. That represents terrific value for a prize worth 1,000 euro. The winner can choose which match to go to. Michael added.

Despite tough financial times, Michael is expecting a positive response to the draw. “These are tough times, for everyone, but what you can always rely on, and even more so in this current climate, is what sporting clubs, and by that I mean all the clubs, can offer to people and especially young people. We have fantastic facilities, some of the best in the county and we know it was the people of Youghal and past committees that put them there. The large academy and youth teams that enjoy these facilities today will be the ones who go on to support the town’s sporting clubs in the future. Youghal clubs will always rely on the support of the people and in return the clubs can offer something vital, healthy, and life-affirming to future generations. We all want the same thing. We believe the trip to Barcelona is a great reward for the support we will receive from a town that has never been slow to support all its clubs.”