A roundup of today's other Ireland news in brief
Dubliners favour Oscar Wilde in naming of Merrion Square
Dubliners have backed dropping the official name Archbishop Ryan Park for Merrion Square. There were 567 responses to a Dublin City Council advertisement in the national newspapers last month and only 13 wanted to keep the old name of the Catholic archbishop Dermot Ryan, who transferred ownership of the square to the city in 1974.
Oscar Wilde is the clear favourite for a new name with 219 backing him. Brigit Park/Square/Gardens is backed by 113 who replied to the advert, the name Merrion Arts Garden is favoured by 98 and just reinstating the old name of Merrion Square was suggested by 45 people.
‘Cycle to school’ idea wins award
Students from a Dublin school have won an award for their idea to tackle climate change and promote energy efficiency.
This years overall One Good Idea prize went to students from Loreto High School in Beaufort, Co Dublin, for their project “The Sandwich Stops”.
The students aimed to increase the number of students cycling to school by surveying parents who drove their children to school.
They handed out penalty points to those who regularly congested the school entrance.
As a result they increased the number of first-year students who cycled to school from 18 to 35 per cent.
Tribunal awards barman €22,000
A Cork barman has been awarded €22,000 by the Employment Appeals Tribunal after it ruled that his employer was excessively confrontational in dismissing him.
Stephen McCarthy, of Shanowen, Rathcormack brought a case of unfair dismissal against Gary O’Donovan of The Rochestown Inn, Co Cork.
The claimant brought the claim after his boss challenged him over days off which he believed he had in lieu.
The tribunal ruled that MrMcCarthy was partially responsible because he made inappropriate remarks to his employer and awarded him €22,000.
999 call urged if stroke suspected
Fewer than half of Irish adults would ring the 999 emergency number if they thought they were having a stroke, new research has found, writes Dr Muiris Houston.
Almost two-thirds of those surveyed do not know what a stroke is, according to the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) study. The survey of 1,000 adults, carried out by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Red C, also showed 63 per cent of respondents were not able to name more than one warning sign of an impending stroke.
The IHF yesterday launched a €1 million “Act Fast” campaign to highlight the key signs of stroke, which affects 10,000 people in the Republic each year.
The acronym “Fast” stands for: Face – has the person’s face fallen on one side?; Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?; Speech – is it slurred?; and Time – it’s time to call 999 if you see any of these signs.
IHF medical director Dr Angie Brown said getting emergency treatment immediately could mean the difference between “walking out of hospital or spending the rest of your life being dependent on others”.
People want 3-way debate – Gilmore
A three-way debate between the party leaders is what the Irish people want at the next election, Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore said yesterday.
Repeating his call for RTÉ to involve him in the leaders’ debate next time around, Mr Gilmore said broadcasting organisations, particularly the public service network, had a responsibility to ensure that it happened.
Asked about objections from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, he said: “It is not what the parties want, it is what the people want that is important.” Mr Gilmore was speaking at a press conference to welcome a new recruit to the Labour Party, Jimmy Harte, formerly an Independent councillor.
€20m tourism campaign unveiled
A €20 million tourism campaign, focusing on good value for visitors, has been announced by Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin, reports Alison Healy.
She said recent months had been a “particularly challenging time” for the tourism industry due to bad weather, currency fluctuations and Iceland’s volcanic ash cloud.
“That’s why this particular marketing drive – €20 million – is pertinent, given that 60 per cent of our tourists arrive between May and September,” Ms Hanafin said yesterday.
The new marketing drive will focus on Britain, mainland Europe and the United States.
Mitchell to retire from Press Council
The Press Council of Ireland is to seek a new chairman following the decision of Prof Tom Mitchell to step down when his inaugural term of office ends next month, Paul Cullen reports.
Two new ordinary members of the council will also be recruited by public advertisement to fill vacancies arising from the decision of members not to seek reappointment after a three-year term.
Prof Mitchell, a former provost of Trinity College Dublin, has been involved in the Press Council and Office of the Press Ombudsman over the past six years.
Alone charity says support is crucial
The Alone charity, which works with vulnerable older people, has called for greater collaboration between all groups working with such people, reports Alison Healy.
It said demand for its services was growing and that services must be increased in the downturn.
Alone was founded by fireman Willie Bermingham in 1977 to combat isolation among older people. Yesterday Alone marked the 20th anniversary of his death with a forum on ageing, in Dublin’s Mansion House.
Alone is at 01-679 1032 or www.alone.ie