31st January, 2002
Notice
Board
Do you feel safe on our streets?
This week saw
another vicious attack on a lone male in Cork City. Feeling safe
on our streets is no longer the norm. Increasing levels of
disorder and crime have made Cork City a more violent place.
Monday next, 4 February, the worrying increase in street crime
and violence in Cork will be highlighted and discussed at an
important conference entitled ‘Do You Feel Safe On Our
Streets?’
Conference Chairperson Simon Coveney TD explained the reasoning
behind the conference, ‘Increasingly people are recounting
harrowing incidents that have happened to them in Cork. Vicious
unprovoked assaults that change the person’s life. For the
victims it is a tragedy but there are major negative implications
for Cork both socially and economically,’ notes Simon
Coveney.
Dealing with and preventing street crime and violence is a
complex matter, as the factors that bring about such aggressive
behaviour are not easily identified. Monday’s open
discussion aims to bring together a diverse range of people with
first hand experience of the victims and perpetrators. The aim is
to identify causes and find solutions to the shocking crimes on
our streets.
While past victims of such violent attacks will detail their
ordeals on Monday night, there will also be four key speakers:
Mr. Stephen Cusack, A&E, Cork University Hospital,
Judge A. G. Murphy, former Circuit Court Judge,
Mr. Pat Delaney, Small Firms’ Association, and
Ms. Sally Hanlon, Victim Support.
The floor will then be open to the people of Cork to ask their
questions and share their suggestions.
Everybody affected and worried about street crime and violence in
Cork is invited to attend the conference (no cover charge) at 7.00pm
on Monday, 4 February 2002 at the Conference Centre, Rochestown
Park Hotel, Cork.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWS
Insurance Premiums Increases
The issue of high level of insurance increases currently being
experienced by members of the Chamber is of on-going concern.
Increases of 50-100% are likely for most members particularly
those in hazardous professions.
There are a number of factors involved in the large increases. As
a result of the terrorist attack of September 11th insurance
companies have lost between $50-70 billion. Certain markets
temporarily closed down and in particular Lloyd's market where
they had to await the estimates of losses that occurred. The
liquidation of UK company The Independent Group in June of last
year with losses of €44.4m affected many Irish businesses
who were forced to renew their policies, quoted rates more than
100% above what they were paying Independent.
Following recent amalgamations of Insurers the market has lost a
lot of its competitiveness as Hibernian Insurance is the merger
of 4 companies and Royal & Sun Alliance is the merger of 3
companies. Some Insurers are also pulling out specialised markets
e.g. scaffolders, builders, high risk businesses, leaving them
unable to get insurance which is leaving an exposure to everyone,
including the employer, the employee and the public.
Training Requirements Survey by Chamber
A training needs survey was recently conducted by the Chamber
with a questionnaire distributed to a random sample of 150 member
companies. The purpose of the survey was to assess the level of
investment in training by members, assess the main areas of
training investment, the level of satisfaction with quality and
value-for-money from existing training providers and the extent
to which the Chamber should become involved in assisting members
to determine their training needs and, if appropriate, to become
involved directly or indirectly in the provision of training.
The survey revealed that 88% of respondents invested in training
in the previous 12 months, 49% spent between €6,500 and
€20,000 on staff training in 2001 and 45% invested in
training in sales training, e-business, customer service and
presentation skills training in 2001.
For further information on the survey please contact Chris
Dorgan, Training Liasion Manager at tel 4509044 or
chris@corkchamber.ie.
Internet Marketing
A website on it's own will not complement your business. Learn
how to integrate your company website into your traditional
marketing mix and explore new online marketing approaches by
attending a full day training course provided by Cork Chamber of
Commerce in association with Web Intellect. Learn how to promote
your website successfully on 14 February, 9-5pm, cost €200
at the Chamber's new training facility. To book contact Renate
Murphy at tel 4509044 or email renate@corkchamber.ie.
The History of Douglas by Con Foley
Part 74 VERNON MOUNT AND AN ABDUCTION (continued)
A proclamation was issued on July 17,1797, for "apprehending
Sir Henry Hayes for forcibly taking away Miss Mary Pike, on the
Strand near Cork." As might be expected the abduction became
a talking point in club and at street corner. A reward of £1,000
was offered for the gallant knight's arrest and the penalty on
conviction was death. Sir Henry was arrested and brought before
Mr. Justice Day at the Spring Assizes, 1801. John Philpot Curran
was counsel for the prosecution; his comment to the crowd
applauding him outside the court, "If I gain the day, you
must lose the knight." The jury returned a verdict of guilty
but with a recommendation to mercy. The judge had no power to
mitigate the sentence, so the accused was sentenced to be hanged
at Gallows Green, (Greenmount). The sentence however was
mitigated to penal servitude for life in Botany Bay, New South
Wales.
A local ballad singer made a jingle to the tune of "Merrily
danced the Quaker," and thereby enriched his financial
standing.
"Sir Henry kissed behind the bush
Sir Henry kissed the Quaker
And if he did the ugly thing
I am sure he did not ate her."
In the meantime Sir Henry was speeding to Australia in the
convict ship "Atlas," a vessel of 300400 tons. On board
and, indeed after landing, he was treated as a special prisoner,
having his own lodgings and maintaining himself. He even brought
his valet with him! Having acquired some land, he built a cottage
at the head of picturesque Vaucluse Bay near Sydney. It was
reported also that a brig specially chartered from Cork, brought
out a load of Irish soil, which was laid in a circle around his
cottage. But Sir Henry was not destined to end his days in exile.
In far off London, at a fete given by the Prince Regent in
Carlton House, his daughter having attracted the attention of the
gallant prince was allowed to plead successfully for her father's
release, and he was permitted to return home, 1816.
But things could never be the same for him at home. He was unable
to regain his former social position - the ladies in particular
kept well aloof! On his return from Botany Bay, he was described
as "a portly person, wearing striped trousers, a blue coat
with brass buttons, and having a rubicund face, charged with
effrontery, and shaded by the broad leaf of a sombrero." In
old age he was feeble and blind; sitting outside his residence in
Grattan Hill he would ask passers-by to take his chair and lead
him into the sun - "it is so much colder nowadays to what it
was when I was sheriff." He died in May 1833. The Cork
Constitution in its obituary stated "On Friday at his
residence, Grattan Hill, most sincerely and universally
regretted, Sir Henry Brown Hayes, Knight, aged seventy years. He
sustained a very severe illness for many months with pious
resignation. He was a kind and indulgent parent, and a truly
adherent friend. The suavity and gentlemanly manners he possessed
made him endeared to every person who had the honour of his
acquaintance." He was buried in the family vault in the
crypt of Christ Church, no date being specified.
More next week
THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED
OForty three years ago this week the world of pop
music lost one of its major influences, when a single-engine
plane crashed near Ames, a few miles from Mason City, Iowa.
Charles Hardin Holley (when Buddy signed his first recording
Buddy Holly contract the recording company omitted the 'e"
in Holley, so Buddy let it stand and Holley became Holly) was
born in Lubbock, Texas on September 7th, 1936, the youngest of
four children. Buddy began to play the violin and piano at four
years of age and three years later he took up the guitar.
In the early '50's he started playing locally, mostly country
music, but by the mid-'50's a new sound was spreading across the
USA. Rock 'n' Roll was tearing up the '50's, and it was there
to stay. Buddy's early major influences were Elvis, Little
Richard and Chuck Berry. His first recordings were made in 1956
and were rockabilly, and recorded solo. He had been signed by
Decca. But when the records failed to impact, Decca terminated
his contract. The next stop for Buddy was to go back to the
drawing board, so he got together with some local friends and
they decided to form a group. Next they had to come up with a
name. One suggestion was Buddy Holly and the Beetles (five years
later four lads from Liverpool would
call themselves the Beatles, as a tribute to the Crickets).
Buddy's friends were Jerry Allison, Niki Sullivan and Joe Mauldin.
The Crickets were born.
They eventually came to the attention of record producer. Norman
Petty, who being a producer had many contacts, and secured The
Crickets a recording contract with Brunswick Records (a
subsidiary of Decca) and Buddy a contract on Coral Records (another
Decca subsidiary). They recorded "That' LL Be the Day"
(a line taken from the John Wayne classic movie The Searchers).
It went to the top of the charts and more success followed with
"Oh! Boy", "Maybe Baby", "Think it Over",
"Peggy Sue" and more.
In the late '50's Buddy had a disagreement with producer Norman
Petty. Petty wanted to be listed on the songwriting credits and
Buddy didn't agree. The Crickets stayed with Petty and Buddy
formed a new group, comprising Tommy Allsup, Charlie Bunch and
young rock 'n' roller Waylon Jennings (soon to be a huge country
star on his own).
In 1958 Buddy married Marie Elena Santiago. He was also trying
new projects, singing with orchestras and strings on such hits as
"True Love Way's" and "I Guess it Doesn't Matter
Anymore".
In early 1959, Buddy and his band, together with rising pop star
Ritchie Valens, JP Richardson (The Big Bopper), and Dion (of The
Belmonts) were travelling in a tour-bus doing one night stand
concerts in the Mid- West. Anybody who knows his or her geography
will know that the American Mid-West in the month of February is
a very cold place. Picture the scene: travelling in a crowded
bus, hundreds of miles between towns in the middle of winter.
When they arrived in Clear Lake, lowa, the heater in the bus was
out of order. They faced a long trip to Fargo, North Dakota.
Holly, AlIsup and Jennings decided to hire a plane to take them
to Fargo. They wanted to get their suits cleaned and get some
rest before the show in Fargo. When the other tour artistes heard
about their plans, Richardson, who was suffering from a heavy
cold, asked Waylon Jennings for his seat on the plane. Waylon
agreed. Ritchie Valens challenged Tommy Allsup to a coin-toss for
a seat, and Ritchie won. The plane took off from Mason City,
Iowa, piloted by 21-year-old Roger Peterson. At the time of take-off
there was a blinding snowstorm and soon afterwards the plane
crashed near Ames, killing all on board. Buddy Holly, 22, Ritchie
Valens, 17, JP Richardson, 28, and pilot Roger Peterson, 2]. 13
years later Don McClean had a worldwide No 1 with a song about
the death of his teenage idol, Buddy Holly.
The song was "American Pie", and to most fans of Buddy
Holly one line from this classic song sums up Buddy Holly's death:
"The day the music died".
Michael O'Hanlon
NOTICE BOARD
Crohn’s Disease
Has your child been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease or
Ulcerative Colitis ? A campaign for a non-means-tested medical
Card for young sufferers is underway. For more information 01-
6282618
Answering Calcutta’s Call
The shantytowns of Calcutta can be described as desolate mazes of
poverty and disease. Thousands of abandoned children live a
cumbersome existence on the streets, without essential food,
shelter, education and even sanitation facilities. Each day is
torment for these outcast youngsters most of whom are destined to
die a premature death. However this is not always the case. For
many there is a drop of hope in the sea of chaos. An Oasis in the
acrid city.
The Hope Foundation set up by Edith Wilkins, a past pupil of
Regina Mundi College is a voluntary charity, providing imperative
food, shelter and education to rehab traumatised street children
and give them the future they deserve. The charity relies on the
generous aid of the Irish public, in order to feed and educate
the children.
As part of a C.S.P.F. project the first year pupils of Regina
Mundi are organising a fast to benefit the Hope Foundation. As an
advocate we would ask you to support these young enthusiasts on
their quest by sponsoring a partaker you too can help to permeate
the bedlam that is Calcutta
Clune
welcomes extension of Recycling Facilities
in the Douglas Area
Cork County Council is extending the number of facilities around
the county where residents can bring their waste for recycling.
“People are becoming very aware of the need to recycle their
waste and I am delighted to let your readers know about the
provision of extra collection facilities for recyclable material
in Douglas. There are currently banks to collect glass, cans,
textiles and books in the Douglas Court Shopping Centre and
facilities to collect card, paper, aluminium, cans, glass and
textiles in the Douglas Shopping Centre.
“In addition, Cork County Council are putting card and paper
banks into the Douglas Court Shopping Centre and are presently
looking for another location to set up a collection centre in the
Douglas area.
“I believe many of us want to play our part in reducing our
waste. I would like to see the day when we can have separate
collection facilities from our houses. There is much discussion
about landfill or incineration but very little emphasis on
recycling and reducing our waste.
DOUGLAS ISSUES by Deirdre Forde, Cllr.
Readers may be interested to know that Cork
County Council is currently preparing the Review of the County
Development Plan at present which is concurrent with the coming
into force of the new Planning and Development Act 2000 which
requires County Development Plans to incorporate such things as:
1. More strategic context for the Development Plan
2. Statutory base for Local Area Plans
3 Six year term for Development Plans
4 More community involvement at the formative stage of the
Development Plan process.
The Plan will shortly be put before the public for their
observations and submissions and I would urge people to get a
hold of it and see what is proposed for their areas. This is the
time for residents to have a say on how their community evolves.
Obviously, there will be a diverse range of opinions and comments
on such issues as Incineration; Densities; Commercial
Development; Amenity & Recreation; Residential
Neighbourhoods; Infrastructure & Transportation and provision
of services and local Area Plans and much more. What it all boils
down to is whether you, readers and I can live, work and play in
an environment that produces the quality of life that we would
like to have. The more people participate in the process the
better as far as I am concerned.
Cork Airport and its Environs
I wonder do any of us stop how much of an asset Cork Airport is
to us here in the Douglas Area and to the wider region. The
Airport plays a significant role economically in the
establishment of major industries in the area. A recent Study by
U.C.C. states that the impact of business conducted at the
airport including the Airport Business Park directly results in
employment amounting to 1302 jobs paying 47M in Wages; and
purchases 24M worth of goods and services within the region. In
addition the E240m spent by visitors in 2000 had an impact in the
catchment area. This impact which includes the direct, indirect
and induced effects, was E335m worth of purchases of goods and
services. Is it any wonder that we would want to protect this
asset and ensure its growth for the future prosperity of our
area?
Non-National Roads Grants 2002
Cork County Councill has been allocated E36,871,778 this year
under the grant scheme from the Department of the Environment and
Local Government. Without going into too much detail I will list
below for readers where some of the money will be spent locally:
Access Road from Sli Carrig Donn to Garryduff 304,737
Ballyduhig - Bowens Cross Roads` 66,000
Riverstick /Five Mile Bridge 250,000
Restoration Improvement Schemes
Monkstown: Passage to Rafeen 181,021
Fingerpost to Rochestown 58,565
Crosshaven Graball Road 72,375
Grange : Inchvale Close ` 15,236
Grange : Inchvale Road 12,316
Castletreasure: Melbourne Donnybrook 14,220
Castletreasure : Calderwood Road 22,220
Tramway Terrace Douglas 30,474
Frankfield Estate 8,888
Newton Court Grange 18,986
Monkstown Glen Road 32,759
Monkstown Passage to Rafeen 101,474
Upper Road to Grand Crosshaven 49,011
Crosshaven Point Road 33,755
Pembroke Church Hill Passage West 54,598
Maulbaun Meadowlands Passage West 33,013
These allocations are on top of those I outlined last week and
should save on car maintenance and blood pressure especially when
the bad weather desends on us!!
Cooney's Lane
It is proposed to install traffic lights at Conney's Lane
junction with Grange Road. This should be welcomed by residents
here who have had to endure long delays exiting especially at
peak times.
Parkgate/Bellevue
It is also proposed to install traffic lights here to facilitate
residents and school traffic. There are approx 10000 pw on this
section of road and it would be extremely dangerous for children,
buggies etc. The cost of these lights will be in addition to
Douglas Traffic Study allocation and we have recommended that
developments charges should be used for same.
Bye for now - more next week. Deirdre Forde 021 4363318
MUSIC
NEWS by Aoife BarryI thought that I had
thoroughly expunged myself of my detestation of Irish 'wonder'-band
'6', but, alas, I still have a little more to say on the subject.
Bear with me - I shall be finished shortly! On Liveline last
week, Ronan Collins took it upon himself to tell the country what
he really thinks about the band- and needless to say it was less
than complimentary! Labelling both them and their single "awful"
and "unimaginative", he went on to indulge in a war of
words with none other than Mr. Louis Walsh! Obviously Ronan's
insults grew too much for Louis, who then proceeded to call the
kettle black and throw some insults at Ronan.and all over a
manufactured band...it's as good as Jerry Springer!
Major gigs are planned for Cork in the coming month, so if I were
you I would save my last pennies! Damien Rice is to play the
Lobby on the ninth of February, at 4pm, which means that all ages
are free to attend, as far as I know, which has worked extremely
well in the past. Early attendance is advised to ensure a good
seat!
Wilt will be playing the Half Moon Club on the 16th of the same
month, with the wonderful Turn supporting them. Apparently they
have a new member and tons of new material, so the show promises
to be a good one! Tickets will be 11 euro each, expensive enough,
but worth it, I assure you!
Pete Courtney, one of Ireland's rising stars, is also to play the
Lobby on the 23rd of February. Pete has expanded his band to
include Tomo, Damien Rice's drummer, and Paul Smyth, who is the
keyboardist with David Kitt, and promises to include loads of new
songs in his set, as well as "a few surprises".
Definitely not one to miss!
Hearsay have announced that Kym Marsh has left the band - excuse
me while I wipe away the tears - and shall shortly be replaced by
a new member. Kym is apparently hoping to spend more time with
her two children and fiancé Jack Ryder. The band played a five-minute
long set at the Childline concert in Dublin recently, minus Kym,
but refused to divulge if they had a new member yet. So we'll all
have to wait and see - ooh, I'm biting my nails already...
If you are in despair at the sorry state of Music Awards
ceremonies at the moment, (Gorillaz winning 'Best Dance Act' at
the MTV Music Awards?!) then have no fear - there is one Awards
ceremony that consistently brings back the goods. The Technics
Mercury Music Awards awarded none other than P.J. Harvey the
prestigious 'Album of the Year' award for her outstanding
'Stories from the city, Stories from the Sea' and although P.J.
herself wasn't there to receive it in person, she extended her
thanks via video link. Ed Harcourt, Zero7, Tom McRae and
Goldfrapp were other artists that were nominated, and I have to
say that each and every one of the albums up for the award
deserved it. So if you have money to burn after the Christmas
season then I would recommend any of them, especially Ed
Harcourt's 'Here Be Monsters', which is one of the best debuts by
a British soloist for years.
Finally, if you are in the habit of buying film soundtracks, then
I would recommend the soundtrack to 'Vanilla Sky', Cameron
Crowe's new film. Featuring everything from Radiohead to R.E.M,
it is not in any way as weird as the film, which can only be a
good thing!
Cllr Deirdre Forde writes ...
AMBERLEY
Residents in this area have been in touch with me regarding a
number of issues. (They have a very dynamic committee up there!)
and the co-operation between residents and Council is very
heartening.
Council have cleared soakways at entrance and increased capacity
as much as possible. They will also repair paving at entrance
shortly. The Ball at the entrance Pillar was removed and the
remaining one will be examined to ensure safety and perhaps it
will be removed. Council have also agreed to place a crash
barrier at one section within the estate. I have written to
Council placing a request for lighting to be installed along the
walkway and invited a deputation of residents before our next
Area Roads meeting. This allows residents representatives to
speak to all Councillors at the meeting outling their concerns.
We do not debate the issues at that time but I can follow up
matter subsequently. The Council have also agreed to co-operate
with residents and assist them with removing debris of various
origins in the vicinity of the walkway. This is certainly the way
I envisaged Better Local Government to operate on the ground and
I say well done to all to try to make their environment a better
place to live in. I will continue to play my part in the loop.
Regards 'til next week.
THE ONLY HOME I KNEW
Part Three
Two weeks ago we printed the second part of the interview with a
former detainee of the Industrial School in Upton. The Douglas
Weekly recently spoke with the same individual about what is
happening to him today. He continues…
When I was last talking to you there were a lot of our people
sleeping rough on the streets. We now have our own organisation
“Right of Place” and our own premises on Bishop Street,
with a full time staff, run by our own committee. There is also a
branch in Limerick and we even have a branch in London. Here
people can be re-educated; they can attend classes and do
computer courses. The Committee corresponds with the various
Health Boards around the country and has even been in contact
with the Minister. They have approached the Corporation and so
far have found housing for about twelve of our homeless, but
there are still a lot of our people out on the streets. The
Committee are appointed from existing members and meet
approximately once a month. All victims of abuse are welcome, but
some have difficulty coming to terms with the fact that the
committee members are themselves former abuse victims, so
sometimes the newcomer’s understandable resentment of
authority shows. But they get plenty of encouragement and
hopefully they will all come back again.
The government has liased with the Committee and together they
have come up with a draft proposal in relation to compensation.
The Committee has various questions in concerning the overall
document but have accepted the proposals in general.
Members now know that there are people out there fighting for
their rights, people who are themselves former institutional
detainees. There is one man in particular who is spearheading the
project; he is a former detainee who went on to study for the
priesthood. While studying to become a priest he was sent back to
one of the institutions where he had been detained. When he saw
what present day detainees are going through he was reminded or
his own experiences as a result he decided to throw away the
collar and champion the cause. To get things off the ground he
let everybody know exactly what is and what was going on over the
years in these institutions.
There has been no apology from the Institutions or the Religious
Orders and I don’t think we’ll ever hear the word sorry.
They want anybody going forward to make a statement, and if it is
deemed justified they will receive a sum of money. First they
must sign a document absolving the guilty parties of their
responsibility and forfeiting any further mention in the press or
the Courts. Starting with the older ones everyone is to be
compensated although that’s not much good to the seventeen
who committed suicide as a result of the treatment they got as
children. They can’t all be given lump sums because about 30
or 40 % of them are alcoholics and it won’t end there
because you can never scrap memories.
I’ve hated the system. I have no respect for priests. As one
gets older and gets more confidence and one can look back and
remember a time when one had respect for them but not any more
that’s probably why half these fellows are going around in
civvies and not in clerical uniform. No! You can never scrap
memories, I can still remember one Priest abusing me at twelve o’clock
at night an then the following morning he’d be down at the
alter preaching about hell and the devil and all that sort of
thing. When I look back I say to myself what a load of scum.
I do believe in God but not in religions that have someone
preaching ‘The Word’ and using their God as a shield to
do what they want. I feel guilty going into a church. I feel
guilty about having being in an Industrial School. I feel guilty
talking about it. So do a lot of others.
But I’ve been lucky. I got a good a good start when I got
out of Upton and I was able to build my life around that. Now I
have my family and we’re quite happy thanks be to God! I
suppose at the end of the day it’s not about revenge,
because that that would only eat you up, it’s about justice!
But I still go back, back to Upton. Back to the bread and lard,
to porridge once a week, to one egg a year, to the crying at
night, to the abuse, to betrayal in confession, to the grave of a
nine year old boy who was left to die, to the Nun who told me I
didn’t want to know who my mother was and slammed the door
in my face. Yes I still go back, because that’s where my
roots are. It was where I was reared. As a child it was the only
home I knew.
DEPUTY BATT O'KEEFFE WRITES ...
I’m pleased that Minister Michael Woods has
agreed to the purchase of a new site at Maulbaun, Passage West
for the development of a 16 classroom school. The Office of
Public Works and Cork County Council are currently in
negotiations with regards to the price of the site and it is
hoped that the sale of the site to the Department of Education
will be completed within a matter of weeks.
In the interim period, the Girls National School in Passage West
has been cited as being totally unsuitable and the Dept. of
Education has now agreed to purchase new pro-fabricated
classrooms so that the school can be amalgamated on the site of
the Star of the Sea School in Passage West. Tenders for the
purchase of the prefabricated classrooms are to issue immediately.
The conditions in the old school in Passage West were so bad that
it was cited by the INTO and agreed by the Minister that it could
not realistically safely house Teachers and students in the long
term. Accordingly, I am determined that the design of the new
school will proceed apace and that the building will be put in
place at the earliest possible date.
l am delighted that Cork County Council have again reiterated
that they envisage surfacing the car park at Lion House which
will provide an opportunity for off street parking to many
persons wishing to Co business in the general Douglas West area.
This facility will also be important in terms of car parking for
the Church and is a badly needed amenity in the area.
At a recent Council meeting I insisted that traffic lights would
be put in place at Cooney's Lane and, in order to ensure the
safety of school children, that a pedestrian crossing would be
made available at Parkgate / BeIlevue
Residents in Pinocroft, HoIlyville and Newton Court will welcome
this decision as It will alleviate difficulties being
experiencing in alighting onto the Grange Road1 particularly at
peak traffic times. The advent of the pedestrian lights will also
facilitate schoolchildren as parents were particularly worried
for their safety crossing the road.
