There was some bad news on the employment front at Dublin Airport, with the news that the Dublin Airport Authority are set to reduce staff numbers by up to 150, as part of cost-cutting measures. This comes hot on the heels of news that capacity at Dublin Airport is up four per cent for the summer season, with more than half a million extra seats available this year. It seems strange to think that staff reductions are on the agenda, in view of the steady progress made in the past five years. During this time, Dublin Airport has moved from being bottom of the pile to joint third amongst their European peers. Staff have been informed of the plans, which involve a limited voluntary severance scheme and an early retirement scheme. It’s understood the redundancies will be sought in a limited number of areas at the airport, including retail services.

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Residents in two Swords housing estates separated by a two and a half metre high wall, have hit out at the County Council’s plans to create a pedestrian footpath through the structure. The Council claims that the proposal would put an end to the anti-social behaviour problem in the vicinity around the wall, which separates the Swords Manor Crescent, Valley View, and Lios Cian estates. However, both Resident Associations within the area have rejected such claims. The Swords Manor Residents Association (SMRA) has hit out at the proposal, claiming that such a move would worsen the problem of teen loitering. SMRA chairwoman, Karen Gorrey added: “It’s a thorn in all of our sides, even if they closed off the parcels of land where the problem (with anti-social behaviour) is...this would solve the problem.”

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Sunday, 6th May was indeed a red letter day for Swords Celtic Football Club. The famous club celebrated it’s 50th anniversary with the launch of a new book, entitled ‘Swords Celtic - 50 Years of Football 1962-2012’ at their magnificent clubhouse. Special guest on the day was Republic of Ireland manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, who launched the new book.

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Eleven year old Hannah Rudden, a fifth class pupil at St. Brendan’s National School in Loughshinny, was announced as a winner in the ‘Dear Grace’ writing competition at a special awards ceremony in the Helix on Wednesday, 3rd May last. Presented by Brendan O’Carroll, the event was a mixture of glitz, awards, celebrities and music. Special guests included Jedward, Brian Kennedy, Keith Duffy, Brian Ormond, Alan Lynch, The Willoughby Brothers and the cast of Mrs Brown’s Boys.

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Councillor Darragh Butler (FF) recently asked the County Manager to re-consider asking local businesses to sponsor the main Swords roundabouts. The question was posed as the Fine Gael / Labour Government have postponed a decision on Metro North until at least 2015. This would mean eventual construction would commence much later than this date.

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On Thursday 3rd May, County Mayor, Cllr Gerry McGuire officially opened the new Flemington Burial Ground in Balbriggan. This burial ground is a multi-denominational one - a place which respects all beliefs. Blessings were performed by Rev. Cecil Hyland (Church of Ireland), Rev. Frederick Odekoya (Celestial Church of Christ, Balbriggan) and Fr. Eugene Taaffe (Roman Catholic). The County Council has designed and built this burial ground in the hope that over the years, it will provide solace to bereaved families, dignity in loss and an opportunity for prayer, regardless of the language of that prayer or the beliefs of those who pray the words. Phase 1 will provide 200 graves spaces and another 200 niches for burial of ashes with a parking area for almost 100 vehicles. Phase 2 will include another 1,000 niches, 3,800 grave spaces and a second memorial garden, bringing the total development area to around 10 acres.

Fingal Community College students experienced what it might be like to work in the hospitality industry during a careers seminar hosted by the team in the Hilton Dublin Airport hotel last Friday. Leaving Certificate Applied students, many of whom have a direct interest in the sector, and their teacher, heard general manager Paul Flavin discussing the opportunities a career in hospitality offers young people. Flavin gave an insight into his own experiences as general manager, and advised on the best routes for entry to the industry, the various roles on offer and answered questions posed by the students.

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This summer, the Balbriggan Youth Service are providing another action packed summer programme for the young people of Balbriggan. The aim of the programme is to involve young people in their community during the often boring summer months in a range of exciting activities and to enable them to develop and have great fun in a safe environment with people their own age. The summer programme – open to young people aged 10 to 21 - will kick off on July 9th and will be running until August 17th.

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Fingal Community College in Swords, was one of eleven schools in the country, who recently hosted a new initiative called SciFest@School which was sponsored by Intel. The aim of SciFest is to encourage a love of science and maths through active collaborative, inquiry-based learning and to provide a forum for students at local or regional level to present and display their scientific investigations.

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It’s less than two weeks until teams from all over the world finish the gruelling Rás in the seaside town of Skerries. Large crowds are expected in the town in what is expected to be an enthralling climax of the 60th edition of the famous race. Last year saw huge numbers cheering the riders along the final stage route.

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