The Limerick Blogger: latest Limerick news and Limerick events

Some interesting events to report on the ongoing row over the Government’s decision to withdraw medical cards from people over the age of 70.

At lunchtime today, an estimated 100 protesters picketed Willie O’Dea’s Farranshone Saturday Clinic. However the Limerick Leader online reports that the Defence Minister was called to an “urgent meeting in Limerick.”

Another politician laying low is Mary Harney. She has cancelled an appointment to speak at a nurses conference in the Southcourt Hotel.

Earlier today, speaking to Marian Finucane on RTE, Harney declared that that there would be no change to the plan to withdraw medical cards, this was despite the Taoiseach’s promise to set up a review process on the matter before he leaves with a trade deligation to China.

One politician in the government showing that he just might have a pair, all be it a small pair, is Wicklow TD, Joe Behan, who resigned as a member of the Fianna Fail party over the budget. Behan was elected in the Wicklow constituency in the last election.

UPDATE: TV3 reports that Mary Harney failed to show up at her own constituency office today.  Also, a report on Indymedia claims that over a thousand people took to the streets in Cork city to protest over the medical card withdrawal plan.

Ignore the “Image not availible” message. The video plays as normal.

A collection of artworks are on display at the Keane’s Jewellers store on O’Connell Street which have the theme of “Time”

The ten exhibits are to be auctioned off next month to raise funds for Irish Autism Action.

From the blurb

The moveable exhibition, titled ‘RAYMOND WEIL Timeless Creations’, aims to raise funds and awareness of autism in Ireland, and is the primary fundraising activity, organised by luxury Geneva watchmaker RAYMOND WEIL for its 2008 charity of choice, Irish Autism Action.

Famous artists such as Graham Knuttel, Pauline Bewick, Hillary Orpen, Bernadette Madden, Helen Steele and Carmel Mooney will have a mixture of paint and print works on display at the Cork launch event in Keane’s jewellers, O’Connell Street, on October 16th. The artworks will then be available in-store for public viewing until October 22nd.

The theme of ‘time’ has been applied to each of their works, with artists interpreting this in their own individual way. This theme is fundamental to the early detection of autism, as parents race against the clock in order to identify the condition and avail of crucial early treatment.

[..]

The exhibition has already had an exclusive Dublin launch in September, as well as being on display in Appleby’s jewellers in Dublin and Keane’s jewellers in Cork. Following the Limerick exhibition, it can also be seen in Hugh Stathams in Naas in November. These exhibitions are open to all, and upon their return to Dublin in December will add an extra special element to the IAA Keith Duffy Annual Ball, where the artworks will be auctioned in aid of the charity.

The works can be viewed at the store this weekend.

This has received the most entries for any competition we have ever run.

But there can unfortunately be only one winner.

The lucky winner of the four tickets is

Linda from Garryowen.

Thanks to all those who entered

The Ryanair chief also had these encouraging words for Dermot “Going forward“ Mannion, Head bottlewasher at the former Irish national airline.

“…Some of Aer Lingus’s load factors at Aldergrove are truly awful, running less than 50% to important European capitals like Paris and Amsterdam, whereas Ryanair’s load factor on its four destinations from Belfast City are running at over 75% full.

The jury in the Niall Shannon trial have returned their first verdict in the case against him.

A unanimous verdict of guilty was returned for the charge of drink driving. They reached a decision after two and a half hours deliberation.

They are now returning to deliberations on a charge of dangerous driving causing the death of a fire officer and a Garda at the scene of an accident.

Since beginning their deliberations on the second charge, they returned briefly to seek advice from judge Carol Moran on the difference between dangerous driving and careless driving. They also returned to inform the court to state that they could not reach a unanimous decision.

Judge Moran has told them that a majority verdict will be accepted by the court.

While we all worry about how the new €10 air travel levy will affect the future of Shannon Airport, it has come to light that the filthy rich who own their own private jets will escape the tax.

Aircraft with less than 20 seats are exempt from the levy.

The Irish Examiner quotes a Transport Department spokesperson as stating that taxing small aircraft as “counter productive.”

Others also exempted include children under the age of two, the disabled, passengers in transit, and aircraft crew.

Flights to and from the Arann Islands will also be exempt.

The Limerick Regeneration Agency looks to have escaped cutbacks in state agencies proposed in yesterday’s budget.

In all, 41 agencies, including the Combat Poverty Agency, which will be obsorbed by the Department of Social Welfare, and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, which will be merged with Citizens information.

But Brendan Kenny, CEO of the Regeneration Agencies, told the Limerick Leader that he did not expect any unpleasant surprises from the budget.

Coming to the University Concert Hall this weekend is the highly pupular Harry and his Bucket Full of Dinosaurs.

From the blurb

One of the most popular children’s books and tv series in the world  at the moment is set to be brought to Ireland for the first time this Sunday October 19th . Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs – The Stage Show will be performed at the University Concert Hall in Limerick for 2 show at 2pm and 5pm and truly is a fun filled show for the whole family but especially for kids aged 3 – 9 !

The story tells the tale of Harry, who finds a collection of mini-dinosaurs in his grandmother’s house that help him to visit Dino World, where he embarks on all manor of adventures. Complete with actors in huge dinosaur costumes, this full West End Production of the worldwide hit TV Show on Nick Jnr  is sure to entertain children and adults alike.

This 90 minute show from Uk’s renowned Premier Stage Productions is the second in a series of large scale Children’s shows to come to the University Concert Hall following 4 sell out shows for the Barney 20th Anniversary Tour last month.

By jumping into his bucket, Harry transports himself and all the boys and girls into Dino World, where his six dinosaur toys become full-sized dino playmates, ready for all sorts of funny and exciting adventures!

Very Limited Tickets are still available for both shows at the moment but time is of the  essence !

Harry and his Bucket Full of Dinosaurs is on Sunday 19th October at the University Concert Hall in Limerick at 2pm and 5pm.

Tickets priced €22.50 are available now from the UCH Box Office on 061 331549 and www.uch.ie and also at the City Centre Box Office at The Tourist Office in Arthurs Quay.

And we have four tickets to give away.  So if you fancy taking yourself and your family to this then here is your chance.

To enter, simply answer the following question.

Where in Limerick is Harry and his Bucket Full of Dinosaurs taking place?

Send your answers to editors@limerickblogger.org, along with your first name and your general location.  Only the winner will be asked for their full name, which will not be published, and is only required for them to get their tickets.

The winner will be selected by computer at random.

Entries will be accepted up until Thursday at 2359 hrs.

good luck.

Britvic, the parent company of Ballygowan of Newcastlewest, are seeking as many as 14 volunary redundancies at the company.

The cuts are part of wider cost cutting measures taking place within the entire Britvic group of companies.

From the company statement which appeared on the Limerick Leader website

“We will be seeking around 14 voluntary redundancies from our full-time
staff count of 65. Over the coming days, management will be entering into a period of consultation with employees and employee representatives on this proposal.!

“Notwithstanding today’s announcement, Ballygowan remains a solid business with a very strong brand name. We are firmly committed to the long-term success of the company and will continue to invest in Ballygowan.

“In today’s increasingly competitive market, difficult but necessary decisions have to be taken now, to create a structure for continued growth and sustainability,”

With increases in the likes of A and E charges and the drugs repayment scheme, the less well off will feel a larger hole in their pocket whenever they need to rely on the financial black hole that is the HSE.

Any pay agreement reached in Partnership talks have been blown away by this new 1 percent tax levy on all incomes under 100,000 euro.

The obligation on landlords to pay €200 on rented accomodation will be passed on to the tennants, and there has been no increase on the allowable rent payable before a tennant loses rent allowance.

Value Added Tax will increase a half percent from 21 percent to 21.5 percent.

And if all this leaves you wanting to emigrate, be prepared for Brian Lennihan to take another tenner off you as you fly out.

The Construction Industry Federation will be happy, vanity projects like the National Convention Centre will go ahead.