The Limerick Blogger: latest Limerick news and Limerick events

A husband and wife have died following a two-vehicle collision outside the town of Askeaton.

The couple were travelling along the R518 shortly after 1800 hrs when their car was involved in a collision with a van travelling in the opposite direction.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident while her husband died from his injuries at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital.

The two men who were travelling in the van were also injured.  They were taken to the Mid Western Regional also where their condition is described as critical, but stable.

The R518 Askeaton to Rathkeale Road is currently closed while Gardai carry out a technical investigation.

Meanwhile, motorists travelling on the N20 are urged to drive with caution between Charliville and Croom, as there may still be fuel on the road following an earlier collision.

UPDATE: Gardai have named the couple who were killed in yesterday’s accident on the Askeaton to Rathkeale Road.

They have been named as Maurice (61) and Margaret (58) Hartnet, from Gurteen West, Balingarry.

The two men who were travelling in the van remain in hospital, one is still in a critical condition.  Both of these men are understood to be from Rathkeale.

According to Local radio, an 88 year old woman was left distressed yesterday after she was mugged in broad dayloght as she waited for a bus

The woman was waiting on the Old Cratloe Road between 1845 hrs and 1900 hrs when three males, described to be in their early teens attacked her and stole her handbag..

The bag contained some cash, a cheque book and some personal items.

No doubt they did it because they came from a broken home, or their dog ran away or somesuch nonsence.  One wonders who is teaching the children morals today, and what morals they are teaching them.

Download the full report here (PDF format)

The task force set up in response to the announcement by Dell to cut 1,900 jobs has recommended that the Limerick Regeneration programme be accelerated.

This Regeneration Programme needs to be implemented in full. The severity of the conditions which led to this focus on Limerick, which included the safety and well being of children and the elderly in these areas, will not be solved through local effort and resources alone. It is important also that the local communities are involved as much as is possible in the regeneration of their areas. Addressing the social element of the programme is also critical to ensure that the people of these areas will enjoy long term enduring benefits and not merely a short term physical uplift. The regeneration effort will also boost economic activity in the area via an improved image for the city, and attraction of increased visitor numbers, retail expenditure and investment generally.

It is also recommended that the pedestrianisation of the City Centre and the development of access routes begin.

The authors of the report belive that overall unemployment in the mid-west region could peak at 55,000  It has also called on the government to increase the number of education schemes, as well as to tackle high costs and introduce insentives for business in the area.

Another recommendation in the report is to utilise the Shannon Estury for the generation of electricity.

Expressing alarm at the unemployment predictions in the report, Labour TD for Limerick East, Jan O’Sullivan welcomed its release, as it now gives some sense of direction as to where the region goes from here

We certainly should be leveraging the resources that we have in the region, so that we can enhance our competitive advantage and deliver on jobs. As home to a pioneering third level sector, an international air transport hub, and a well educated workforce, the Mid-West has traditionally been a centre of innovation, and I believe that this tradition should be given every encouragement. In particular the proposal to develop an energy hub in the region is an imaginative and worthwhile idea. As the report points out, harnessing new ideas in the areas of alternative energy and carbon capture is of increasing importance and the efforts already being made in the region in this regard, should be given every encouragement.

Energy costs impact on every employer, and the fact that gas is 50 per cent higher than in the UK, and that electricity prices are the second highest in the EU 25 is an indication of the problems that companies face in this regard.

Also welcoming the report, Cllr Maurice Quinlivan of Limerick City Council (North Ward) supported the acceleration of the regeneration project.

I have argued for years that thousands of people could be put to work if the Master Plans which already exist were implemented. I’m delighted to see the report agree with me that 3,000 jobs could be created in the construction process and 4,000 jobs developed in the Regeneration areas. The Regeneration plan was never simply about the Regeneration areas but always had the potential to enhance the whole city and provide thousands of jobs. With 21,000 people on the Live register here in Limerick we need this recommendation from the report to be implemented immediately. It is important that this recommendation not be allowed to sit and that action be taken to have this recommendation urgently implemented. The master plans are ready, the people are in place we need to see building commence and people put to work, it simply make economic sense.”

As part of their dispute with the HSE, a number of pharmacists have withdrawn from the Government Drugs Scheme, which covers things such as the Medical Card and Drug Repmayment services.

Based on the numbers of letters of withdrawal received by the Executive, they have released a list of pharmacies who continue to participate in the schemes.  The list of Limerick pharmacists is below.

O’Connor’s Pharmacy, Main Street, Bruff, Co. Limerick
Newtown Pharmacy, Newtown Shopping Centre, Annacotty Co. Limerick
Declan Hickey Chemists Ltd, 1 John’s Square, Limerick Co. Limerick
Green Cross Pharmacy, Castle Centre, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick
Sloan’s Pharmacy, Castle Street, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick
Castletroy Pharmacy, University Court Castletroy, Co. Limerick
Medicare Pharmacy, Castletroy Shopping Centre Castletroy, Co. Limerick
Clarina Pharmacy, Clarina, Co. Limerick
Plunkett’s Pharmacy, Main Street, Croom, Co. Limerick
Annette Collins Pharmacy, Main Street, Doon, Co. Limerick
Keating’s Pharmacy, St. Nessan’s Road, Dooradoyle, Co. Limerick
Rosedale Pharmacy, Dooradoyle Road, Dooradoyle, Co. Limerick
Power’s Pharmacy, Main Street, Kilfinane, Co. Limerick
Arthur’s Quay Pharmacy, Arthurs Quay Shopping Centre, Limerick
Ballycummin Pharmacy, Ballycummin Village, Raheen, Co. Limerick
Cecil Street Pharmacy, 37 Cecil Street, Limerick
Charlotte Quay Pharmacy, Charlotte Quay, Limerick, Co. Limerick
Gray’s Pharmacy, 3 Castletroy Court, Castletroy Limerick, Co. Limerick
Hanley’s Pharmacy, 20 Shannon Street, Limerick, Co. Limerick
Maureen Osborne, Caherdavin Shopping Centre, Ennis Road, Limerick
McCormack’s Chemist, 51 Upper William Street, Limerick, Co. Limerick
McKenna’s Pharmacy, 38 William Street, Limerick, Co. Limerick
Old Windmill Pharmacy, Lower Gerald Griffin Street, Limerick
Osborne’s Pharmacy, Ennis Road, Limerick, Co. Limerick
O’Sullivan’s Pharmacies, 3 O’Connell Avenue, Limerick, Co. Limerick
O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy, 133 O’Connell Street, Limerick, Co. Limerick
O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy, Corbally Centre, Corbally Road, Limerick
O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy, 19-20 Sarsfield Street, Limerick, Co. Limerick
O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy, The Park, Edward Street, Limerick, Co. Limerick
Prescription Centre, 41 Cruises Street, Limerick, Co. Limerick
Raheen Pharmacy, Courtfields SC, Raheen, Limerick, Co. Limerick
Robert’s Pharmacy, 105 O’Connell Street, Limerick, Co. Limerick
Southside Pharmacy, Quality Retail Park, Roxboro Limerick, Co. Limerick
Unicare Pharmacy, 53 William Street, Limerick, Co. Limerick
Unicare Pharmacy, Roxboro Shopping Centre, Limerick, Co. Limerick
Unicare Pharmacy, Thomondgate, Limerick, Co. Limerick
Unicare Pharmacy, Parkway Shopping Centre, Limerick, Co. Limerick
Unicare Pharmacy, Grove Island Shopping Centre, Corbally, Limerick
Unicare Pharmacy, Unit 16, Jetland Shopping Centre, Ennis Road, Limerick
Dooley’s Pharmacy, Bridge Street, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick
Tony O’Brien Pharmacy, Limited Main Street, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick
O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy, Main Street, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick
Boots the Chemist, 3-5 William Street, Co. Limerick
McCabe’s Pharmacy, The Crescent Shopping Centre, Dooradoyle, Limerick
Racefield Pharmacy, Father Russell Road Ballykeeffe, Limerick City
O’ Malley’s Pharmacy, Dooradoyle, Limerick City
Power’s Pharmacy Main Street Kilfinane Co. Limerick
O’Donoghue Pharmacy 2 Bridge Street Croom Co. Limerick
Newtown Pharmacy Newtown Shopping Centre Annacotty Co. Limerick

Those looking forward to the hosting of one of the Compromise Rules games in Limerick will be disappointed with the news that the Australian Football League have announced that they are unable to participate this year.

Current economic cirucumstances mean that the Australian team are unable to travel to Ireland for the tour, which consisted of two games, one in Limerick and one in Dublin.

The Limerick leg of the tour was expected to bring €10m into the local economy.

It is not all bad though, it is expected that the games will take place in the same venues in 2010.

“We welcome the Minister’s announcement, which ensures further commitment to providing necessary support for those directly affected by the recent industry closures in the Shannon region. In the current economic climate, it is essential that opportunities are made available for re-skilling, to those who have lost their jobs”

“In light of recent challenges in the Mid-West, UL has partnered with higher education institutions in the Shannon region, with the aim of strengthening capacity for access to Adult Education, Lifelong learning programmes and research through collaboration and building on our current strengths”.

Prof. Paul McCutcheon, Acting President of UL

130 places on part-time undergraduate courses are to be offered to unemployed people at the University of Limerick.  The places are being offered as part of the Department of Education programme to retrain people who have lost their jobs.

In total, there are 285 places being offered in the Midwest out of 1,500 nationally.  The 285 places are being divided between UL, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick IT and IT Tralee.

Anyone interested in applying can contact Catherine McCarthy or Fiona Roberts, Department of Lifelong Learning and Outreach, telephone 061-202530.

The closing date for receipt of applications is August 19.

More info from the Website.

List of courses being offered:

BSc Health Informatics
BSc Economics & Mathematics
BSc Computer Systems
BSc Financial Mathematics
BSc Mathematical Sciences
BSc Pharmaceutical & Industrial Chemistry
BSc Biomedical & Advanced Materials
BSc Production Mgt Degree
BSc Industrial Biochemistry
BSc Applied Physics
BSc Wood Science & Technology
BSc Food Science & Health
BE Computer Engineering
BE Electronic Engineering
BE Manufacturing Engineering
BSc Electronics
BSc Manufacturing Systems
BSc Mobile Communications & Security
BSc Health & Safety
BSc Multimedia and Computer Games Development
BE Robotic Engineering
BSc Science and Technology Studies (by Distance Learning
Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS by Flexible Learning) – optional entry and exit routes at level 6 and 7 (i.e. Certificate in Project management, Diploma in Management, Diploma in Small Business Management)
BA (Hons) in Human Resource Management (evening programme) – optional entry and exit routes at level 6 & 7 (i.e. Certificate in Personnel Practice, Certificate in Management, Diploma in Management)

Solving not one, but two different rubiks puzzles, the traditional cube, and the newer Rubiks 360 in three minutes flat. Hannah Lowe from Limerick has attracted over 200 visitors to her video in the last week.

Amid all the doom and gloom going about we finally have some good news.  An Bord Planeala have granted planning permission to the Opera Centre, which has been going through years of planning applications, objections, deliberations and other formalities.

The €350 million development, which will be located in the City Centre, promises to be the biggest shopping centre in Munster. It will bring much needed construction jobs, and eventually, commercial rates into the City.

The race is now on to find an anchor tenant for the Opera Centre.   At present the Crescent Shopping Centre expansion is going through the planning process, and both the Crescent and Opera Centres have been hoping to lure UK chain Marks and Spencer.

The decision on the Crescent expansion is due in the next couple of weeks.

Gardai at Henry Street are investigating a vicious attack on an eight-year-old boy by two dogs in the Garryowen area of the city.

The boy received bite wounds to his hands after he was attacked by an alsatian and terrier in the estate.

LSPCA were able to recover the terrier as the boy’s father knocked it onconsious, however, the alsatian left the scene and is still on the loose.  No one has claimed ownership of the two dogs.

The boy was taken to the Midwestern regional hospital and treated for his injuries.

Just a few notices we have been asked to pass along:

First up is the Rapparee production of Patrick Marber’s play “Closer,” which runs on July 30 and 31 at the Beltable Cecil Street.

Rapparee are in their first year and consist of a group of students from the University of Limerick.  Their first performance earlier this year, Losing Elysseum, was nominated for a number of awards.

Meanwhile, the White House Poets are seeking submissions for their October edition of Revival.  If you fancy yourself as a poet and would like to see your work in print,  then head over to the revival website where you can find more information.

The closing date for submissions is August 31, and is open to local, national, and international writers.