Latest news with #Laois
BreakingNews.ie
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Electric Picnic to cost €25m to €30m to stage
Laois County Council has given the green light for the largest ever Electric Picnic festival to take place. Today, the Council granted the licence to EP Republic Ltd to stage the festival where 80,000 are to attend each day to see the likes of Hozier, Chappell Roan and Becky Hill perform. Advertisement Last month, Becky Hill was named as the final headliner and joined Sam Fender, Fatboy Slim, and Kings of Leon on the roster. The 80,000 for the 2025 EP - which is expected to cost between €25 million to €30 million to stage - is a 5,000 increase on the 75,000 tickets that were sold for the 2024 event. Entertainment for weekend ticket holders will commence on Friday at 2pm and finish at 4am on Monday, September 4th. The Council has granted the licence for the multistage live music and arts event at Stradbally Hall, Stradbally Estate, subject to 51 conditions. Advertisement The Council had received a number of submissions calling on the EP promoters to support local businesses. In one of six submissions made to the Council on EP Republic Ltd's application, David Walsh Kemmis of Ballykilcavan Brewing Company said: 'With a view to supporting small local businesses, I would like to see the Council enforce a planning condition that the festival organisers must provide access to the festival for food and drink suppliers based in Laois, even if their product is in competition with a sponsor of the festival However, in its 29 page planner's report into the licence application, the Council stated that submissions received relate to a number of issues relating to the event supporting locally produced produce and particularly the nearby Ballykilcavan Brewing Company. The report stated that 'this matter is outside of the remit of the Local Authority and therefore cannot be dealt with in the Event Licence. The decision to allow or not the Ballykilcavan Brewing Company or any corporate entity to trade at the event is a commercial decision for the Promoter.' Advertisement Ceo of Electric Picnic, Melvin Benn said last month that the cost of staging this year's Electric Picnic will be between €25m to €30m. In an interview, Mr Benn said Electric Picnic provides an enormous economic boost to the local economy. He said that every year, EP has 'an awful lot of local businesses and local traders that sell at the festival'. Mr Benn gave the example of Laois Taste which is a collection of local producers which sell their produce at the Electric Picnic Ireland EU foreign affairs chief criticised over 'clear la... Read More He said that 'we work very closely with local traders and I choose the ones that I work with. It is not up to the local authority to say who we work with. We have the freedom to choose who we work with and we exercise that freedom'. Tickets for the 2025 EP event went on sale on August 21st last and sold out within hours without any act confirmed at the time. This year's event returns to the traditional last weekend of August where it will run from Thursday, August 28th to Sunday, August 31st. The first Electric Picnic was staged on Saturday, September 4th 2004 when around 10,000 people attended.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Tusla copy-and-paste process could lead to false claims on children's files, Aontú claim
A review must be carried out on Tusla files amid concerns that incorrect information has been copied on to children's case notes, according to Aontú . The party's leader, Peadar Tóibín , said he was concerned that false claims on files could lead to children being 'wrongly or unnecessarily taken into care'. Tusla staff handling child welfare concerns have previously used a process called 'cloning' – where information about one child is copied on to the form relating to a sibling. Earlier this year, the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) published a review that it carried out on Tusla services in the midlands. The review, which was sparked by concerns about the inaccuracy of information on child and family agency casework in Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath, found that staff were using 'cloning' on children's files. This is when certain information is included on the files of each child in a family, even when it may not be accurate. READ MORE The Hiqa report said: 'The process of cloning information from one sibling to another meant that some children's files reviewed did not contain accurate information about the child, but was copied information about a sibling, which meant it did not accurately reflect that individual child's circumstances or level of risk.' During the inspection, the midlands service was found to be not compliant with a standard which ensures relevant information is used 'to plan and deliver effective child-protection and welfare services'. [ Tusla's failure to provide secure care beds for children at risk an 'affront to rule of law', judge says Opens in new window ] Mr Tóibín described the process of 'cloning' as effectively 'copying and pasting'. 'This is a very significant problem – Tusla have openly admitted to me that there are 'copying and pasting' errors on files relating to the process of taking children into State care, off their parents.' The Aontú leader has been asking Tulsa about the practice of copying inaccurate information on to files after becoming aware of a case where a file on a woman included a false assertion that she had a problem with alcohol when she does not drink. The case, which was reported on by The Irish Times in 2021 , involved a number of 'clear errors' on the family's file. Tusla has since apologised to the family. 'Tusla refuse to tell me how many others are affected, and say they are training staff in how to copy and paste accurately. This isn't good enough,' Mr Tóibín said. 'Aontú believe there must be a review of all files to determine how many others contain untruths and inaccuracies, and indeed how many other children have been wrongly or unnecessarily taken into care.' Tusla previously said it had taken action and increased staff training in order to avoid mistakes being copied on to files. In response to the Hiqa review, Tusla said 'workers have been advised of the importance of ensuring accuracy of information specific to each child when cloning records. Team meetings and the supervision process will be utilised to continue to reinforce this.'
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Jarlath Burns to set up group to reform inter-county structures, with hurling set for tweaks
GAA president Jarlath Burns is to set up a group to review the structure and scheduling of the senior inter-county championships. Burns gave the commitment at the meeting of Central Council in Croke Park on Saturday. As a new All-Ireland senior football championship format will be commencing next year, any structural change is likely to come in the hurling championship where the All-Ireland preliminary hurling quarter-finals could be disbanded completely or the Joe McDonagh Cup finalists removed and replaced with the fourth-placed teams in the Leinster and Munster championships. In that case, Wexford instead of Laois would have faced Tipperary and Clare, not Kildare taken on Dublin this past weekend for All-Ireland quarter-final places against Galway and Limerick. Instead, less than a week after their McDonagh Cup final, runners-up Laois lost to Tipperary by 23 points and Dublin defeated second tier winners Kildare by 21 points. In the six years of the preliminary quarter-finals, MacCarthy Cup sides have won 11 out of 12 times with an average winning margin of 17.9 points. Last week, Burns indicated the McDonagh Cup could run parallel to the MacCarthy Cup instead of being run off in time to feed into it. 'If you do away with the preliminary quarter-finals, there are advantages to that because you could stretch out the Joe McDonagh Cup and you could make that a longer competition.' Although the Munster Council will be loath to alter the jeopardy associated with their championship that again pulled in record attendances and gate receipts this year, the likes of Clare, Waterford and Wexford may be in favour of such an amendment. A relegation play-off between the bottom teams in Leinster and Munster may also be considered. The expected return of provincial final replays after extra-time, set to be debated at Special Congress in October, would have to be factored into any structure or scheduling changes. Simply ending the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals could mean up to a five-week gap for the third-placed team in Munster between their last provincial match and All-Ireland quarter-final. A compromise may come in the final round of the provincial championships being pushed out to June. However, that is unlikely to happen until 2027 at the earliest as Burns confirmed concerts have been booked for Croke Park in August of next year and therefore All-Ireland finals won't be staged in that month. Yet there is growing support for the inter-county season to conclude in the eighth month of the year as Burns acknowledged at last week's All-Ireland senior hurling championship launch. In his Munster SHC final programme notes last week, provincial chairman Tim Murphy wrote of the same. 'The split season has generally been effective with inter-county players in particular expressing high levels of satisfaction. Having spoken to clubs, counties, players, managers, administrators and supporters over the last number of weeks and months, there is however a strong desire for the season to be extended. 'I am confident a comprehensive national review – engaging all relevant stakeholders and considering the full range of perspectives – can produce a well-balanced extension to the playing season that meets the needs of all involved.' The following day, Leinster chairman Derek Kent, who too has called for an August finish to the championships, wrote of the lack of hurling being played in summer. 'Almost 60% of our senior hurling teams in Leinster will have no hurling in June, which surely demonstrates a troubling lack of hurling promotion. 'On the contrary, over 91% of our football teams, all but one of the 12 in the province, will play football this month. That clearly highlights an imbalance in the playing of our games.'
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Tipp braced for 'very dangerous' Galway
All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-final: Laois 0-18 Tipperary 3-32 BEWARE the lessons of history, says Liam Cahill, as Tipp march on to an All-Ireland quarter-final against Galway. Two years ago, the Premier inflicted a record haul of 7-38 on Offaly in this fixture. They could've come closer to that mark against Laois on Saturday, but for the crossbar, post, and Cathal Dunne denying them further green flags. Back in 2023, Cahill's high-flying side were brought crashing back to earth by Galway within a week. Indeed, the Blue and Gold have lost four of their last five championship meetings with the Tribesmen, plus a league final. 'Galway are a really, really dangerous opposition,' Cahill emphasised. 'Historically, with really strong Tipperary teams down the years, they've caused us great difficulty. We will not be going into this game with our eyes half-closed or not ready for what's coming. We know what's going to come from Galway. 'They will be very sore after the Leinster final. They'll feel they only hurled for 15 minutes, maybe less, and could have got something out of the game. 'So they're a very, very dangerous opposition for us.' After surviving this preliminary quarter-final 'injury-free', the next week will be centred around 'freshening up' bodies to avoid a repeat. Eoghan Connolly's absence was precautionary due to a 'soft tissue injury'. He was named among Tipp's three stand-by players in Portlaoise. Jake Morris, Noel McGrath, and Conor Stakelum were not called from the bench as they, too, got a day off. In their absence, Jason Forde bagged 2-5, Darragh McCarthy tallied 0-9, while Sam O'Farrell netted his first Tipp goal and assisted another. Yet, Willie Connors was the standout performer, clipping 0-5 from midfield. They had 12 different scorers in total. After this non-event fixture, both managers reached for the word 'application' in the first sentence of their post-match interviews to allocate praise. In the words of John Giles, they took the game on its merits. It was over just beyond the four-minute mark, by which time Tipp had rattled an unanswered 1-5. They took their foot off the gas, and Laois kept within one point for the remainder of the half to trail 1-18 to 0-12 at midway. 'It was always going to be tough to react and respond considering the six-day turnaround and everything that goes with losing a final,' said Tommy Fitzgerald, still processing the fresh wound of their Joe McDonagh defeat. 'It was a big, big ask. A fresh Tipp team after being off for four weeks. It's a bit of a… maybe today isn't the day to speak about my opinions on that particular fixture. It is what it is. 'The boys came in Tuesday night, and we had a recovery session. We weren't even able to train, to be honest with you.' Tipp had 26 shots in either half, mining 2-14 in the second, while twice belting the woodwork. A flagging Laois struck 0-6 in reply for a 23-point margin of defeat. Like the first half, Tipp did their best work in the opening four minutes. With Cahill's corrections still fresh, they took care of business with goals from O'Farrell and Forde. That presented Tipp with the opportunity to rest some players and trial others. Robert Doyle, Andrew Ormond, Ronan Maher, Craig Morgan, and McCarthy were called ashore. In came Johnny Ryan, Peter McGarry, Brian McGrath, and Joe Fogarty for their first championship involvements of 2025. For former football panellist McGarry, it marked his first senior appearance in the small-ball code. He put his hand up the highest for further minutes. Showing impressive pace and passing, the St Mary's prospect teed up points for Alan Tynan and John McGrath before slotting one of his own. In between, he came close to a debut goal only to crack the post. 'We're still keeping one eye on making sure that we're unearthing as many players as we can,' noted Cahill. John McGrath, who smacked the crossbar, Fogarty, and Oisín O'Donoghue also came close to green flags. Earlier, keeper Dunne had denied McCarthy and produced a trademark double save to foil Forde and John McGrath. Laois did raise 40 shots at the posts, but converted just 45%. They ended with 17 wides. Free-taker Tomás Keyes matched McCarthy's 0-9 tally, and midfielder Paddy Purcell came within one point of Connors' mark, shooting 0-4. Rhys Shelly had one save to make, from Keyes, in order to ensure Tipp's first championship clean sheet in 12 attempts. 'The first step was just to give fellas a bit of time back,' said Cahill of their approach to the four-week layoff since securing Munster progression. 'A week break to get back into the swing of things and just come down from the exertions of a really intense Munster Championship. A number of players got County League action in and got back in among their own at home. Then, we ramped it up over the last two weeks. 'We've got a good block of training in, and it's a case now of really freshening up for Galway.' Scorers for Laois: T Keyes (0-9, 6 frees); P Purcell (0-4); D Hartnett, P Delaney, J Walshe, J Keyes, A Dunphy (0-1 each). Scorers for Tipperary: J Forde (2-5, 0-2 frees); D McCarthy (0-9, 6 frees, 1 65); W Connors (0-5); S O'Farrell (1-1); A Ormond, J McGrath (0-3 each); R Doyle, J Caesar, A Tynan, J Fogarty, P McGarry, O O'Donoghue (0-1 each). LAOIS: C Dunne; C Comerford, P Delaney, D Hartnett; R Mullaney, L Cleere, J Walshe; D Dooley, P Purcell; FC Fennell, T Keyes, A Corby; M Dowling, B Conroy, J Keyes. Subs: T Cuddy for Delaney (35, inj), J Lennon for Corby (49), A Dunphy for Dowling (51), P Dunne for Mullaney (57), M Phelan for Walshe (64). TIPPERARY: R Shelly; R Doyle, B O'Mara, M Breen; S Kennedy, C Morgan, R Maher; J Caesar, W Connors; A Tynan, A Ormond, S O'Farrell; J Forde, J McGrath, D McCarthy. Subs: J Ryan for Doyle (h-t), O O'Donoghue for Ormond (47), P McGarry for Maher (47), B McGrath for Morgan (54), J Fogarty for McCarthy (55). Referee: C Mooney (Dublin).
The 42
4 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Dublin strike eight goals to book quarter-final place, Kerry and Galway also progress
HANNAH TYRRELL AND Kate Sullivan both grabbed three goals apiece at Clann Mhuire GFC on Sunday as Dublin booked their spot in the TG4 All-Ireland senior football championship quarter-finals with an emphatic Group 4 victory over Leitrim. On a day when her Na Fianna club-mate Eilish O'Dowd was coming face-to-face with her sister Laura – as well as their cousin Dearbhaile Beirne, a star of domestic women's soccer with Peamount United – Tyrrell helped herself to an outstanding tally of 3-7 for the Jackies. The game was due to take place on Saturday before the original venue of Parnell Park was deemed unplayable. After Sullivan completed an opening period hat-trick with goals in the 27th and 29th minutes, Niamh Hetherton also rattled the net to guide Dublin towards an unassailable 4-12 to 0-4 interval cushion. Although Leitrim were playing with the aid of a breeze on the resumption, their Leinster rivals maintained a ruthless streak in front of the posts in the second half. Holders Kerry are safely through to the quarter-finals. the Kingdom got the better of Cork at Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday to book their place in the last eight. 2024 runners-up Galway are safely through, and also as table-toppers, following their victory over Donegal in Lifford. In Group 3, Meath got the better of Kildare to also make it through. Kerry, despite a second minute goal from Niamh Ní Chonchúir, had to come from behind to achieve victory, with goals from Aine O'Sullivan and Katie Quirke helping Cork lead by 2-6 to 1-1 having played with the wind. Kerry, though, took over after the restart and outscored their neighbours by 4-4 to 0-3 after the restart, with Siofra O'Shea (two), Danielle O'Leary and Rachel Dwyer getting the goals as they ran out 5-7 to 2-9 winners. Kerry are now certain of a home quarter final but Cork must travel to Mayo next weekend to keep their season alive. Galway also booked a home quarter-final thanks to a 1-11 to 1-2 win over Donegal in Lifford. They laid the foundation for victory in the opening half when a goal from Ailbhe Davoren helped them to a 1-2 to 0-0 interval lead, before pushing the advantage out to nine points after the restart. Donegal, who travel to Tipperary next week to determine the group runners-up, finished strongly. Susanne White pointed a free before assisting in their goal which was finished to the net by Mia Bennett. Advertisement Meath also advanced to the last eight when they edged out Kildare by 0-7 to 0-4 at Manguard Park in another game impacted by the bad weather. The sides were level at 0-2 apiece at the break before Meath got on top with Emma Duggan taking her haul to 0-5 to book their quarter-final spot, with Kildare heading to Armagh next weekend with a quarter-final spot on the line. Meanwhile, the eight quarter-finalists in the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship have been confirmed, with a draw to take place on Monday morning to confirm the last eight pairing. Table-toppers Laois are joined in the knockout phase from Group 1 by Fermanagh, who defeated Roscommon by 4-10 to 3-9. Two goals from Eimear Smyth and one apiece from Molly McGloin and Bronagh Smyth paved the way for last year's All-Ireland junior champions who led by 4-2 to 1-5 at the interval. Tyrone defeated Westmeath by 6-11 to 0-7 to top Group 2, with Westmeath also advancing in second place. Last year's All-Ireland IFC finalists Tyrone led by 2-4 to 0-4 at the break thanks to goals from Caitlin Campbell and Aoibhinn McHugh, while a brace of penalties from Sorcha Gormley and further goals from Niamh O'Neill and Aoife Horisk wrapped up a big win. In Group 3, Wicklow edged out Monaghan by 1-11 to 1-10 but dropping out on score difference as three teams finished level on three points. Cavan top the group with Monaghan also going through and Cavan dropping out despite a win where Lucy Dunne's goal was decisive after Monaghan had an early goal from Éabha Sherry. In Group 4, Clare defeated Wexford by 1-9 to 0-10, with Clare going through in first place and Wexford as runners-up. Lauren's Conway early goal was decisive for a Clare side who led by 1-5 to 0-4 at the break. In the ll-Ireland Junior Championship at the weekend, there were victories for Limerick and Louth in Group A, while in Group B there were victories for Antrim and Longford. ***** Results: All-Ireland Senior Championship Group 1: Galway 1-11 Donegal 1-2 Group 2: Kerry 5-7 Cork 2-9 Group 3: Meath 0-7 Kildare 0-4 Group 4: Dublin 8-18 Leitrim 0-7 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Group 1: Fermanagh 4-10 Roscommon 3-9 Group 2: Tyrone 0-11 Westmeath 0-7 Group 3: Wicklow 1-11 Monaghan 1-10 Group 4: Clare 1-9 Wexford 0-10 All-Ireland Junior Championship Group A: Limerick 8-12 Derry 1-8 Group A: Louth 4-20 Kilkenny 1-1 Group A: Antrim 3-18 London 0-0 Group B: Longford 2-6 Carlow 1-4 *****
