Friday 24 May 2013
THE SAVAGE and terrible events in Algeria over the past week are a sombre and terrifying reminder to us all of the dangers posed by militants bent on creating mayhem. More than 80 people have died, both hostages and Islamist fighters who assaulted the BP Gas plant in the Algerian desert, murdering some captives in cold blood, in what was the worst international hostage crisis for decades.
THE ONLY thing worse than a cheat is a cheat who lies about their actions. The meagre efforts by disgraced cycling hero Lance Armstrong in recent days to atone for his doping sins only serve to prove this.
I'M SURE there were plenty of working mothers incensed by the comments of former Boyzone member Shane Lynch this week who said he couldn't possibly be married to a woman who worked outside the home.
I' VE turned into one of those women who finishes their children's food. I never thought I'd be one of those women, women that I secretly used to view as being a bit sad.
A MEMBER of Wicklow County Council has welcomed a government u-turn on proposed budget cuts to the Senior Alert Scheme.
SMALL THOUGH Ireland is, it sometimes seems like two countries, made up not of North and South but those inside the pale and those outside - a troublesome lot who have been nothing but a source of bother this past 800 years and more.
ACCORDING to car history experts Motorcheck.ie, almost a quarter of used cars sold in Ireland have been clocked.
IT'S EXPECTED that the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter will move to introduce legislation to have convicted sex offenders electronically tagged upon their release from prison. I think this is the most sensible of moves and welcome it wholeheartedly. It would certainly make it easier for Gardaí to keep tabs on these offenders who more often than not are still a real risk to society.
HARDLY A week has gone by in recent times without media revelations of yet another ugly incident of Internet bullying, sometimes with tragic consequences. It has the appearance - but wrongly so - of an epidemic and those in the Government, and elsewhere, with a leaning towards censorship would be happy to impose yet more freedom of speech restrictions in an effort to curb the problem. The solution, however, lies elsewhere.
AS USUAL around this time we look back and we look forward – back at the year that has been and forward to the new year that's about to unfold. What will this New Year bring? Understandably there's a lot of trepidation and worry among people for the year ahead, with the enduring economic crisis and the severe the budgets emanating from Leinster House.
THE DAWN of the New Year brings with it hopes and expectations for the year ahead, renewed optimism and a resolve not to repeat the errors of the past. We make resolutions and strive to make ourselves and the world around us a better place and even if our commitment fails, we have at least demonstrated a desire to improve.
THERE ARE signs the property market in Wicklow is stabilising after the median asking price for three and four-bed homes remained unchanged in the last quarter of 2012 from quarter 3.
WELL THAT'S it done and dusted for another 360 odd days.
Dear Editor, OVER THE last number of years I have written a letter to the Wicklow People in December/January thanking readers for their support during the year.
THE DEVASTATING situation Louth developer Martin Mccaughey found himself in as a result of injuries he caused to an intruder at his home is simply the stuff of nightmares.
OVER THE past few weeks, and particularly in the past few days, there have been a lot of advertisements in the public domain seeking help for the homeless. There are TV and radio ads, billboards with huge posters, and newspaper pieces showing us the reality of homelessness in Ireland today.
THE RACE row which erupted last week when the Mayor of Naas announced that he would no longer represent black Africans raised many questions about where Irish society is today. In an ideal world communities large and small would be perfectly inclusive however although we would like to think we have reached that stage, we have a long way to go.
Wicklow's most famous resident, Daniel Day Lewis, was raising the profile of the Wicklow Hospice at the 2013 American Ireland Fund Gala last week.
A man was brought to hospital last week after his jeep crashed in to a wall at Killarney Road.
Wicklow people need to secure jobs as a result of the upgrading of the Arklow to Rathnew road according to Deputy Billy Timmins.
Bank of Ireland, Arklow will play host to a number of local businesses at an event entitled 'Is The Tide Turning Business' on Tuesday, May 21.
As movie star Angelina Jolie (37) announces that she opted for a double mastectomy to help prevent cancer, Bray author Emma Hannigan said that her own decision to do the same was simply a no-brainer.
A week-long festival celebrating the poetry of Thomas Moore, Ireland's national poet, who wrote his poetry at 'The Meetings of the Waters' along with the village's 200 years of rich mining heritage will run from May 23-30.
A Wicklow developer will serve a week in prison if he does not ensure that works are completed at an unfinished development in the village of Shillelagh by the middle of July.
The recent fodder crisis has left many dairy farmers in heavy debt as they struggled to feed their herd during the harsh winter weather.
Just 60 jobs were created in Wicklow by the IDA last year through foreign investment according to the latest figures.
A gagging order has been imposed on members of Wicklow Fire Service by Wicklow County Council.
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