Contrary to the rock ‘n’ roll stereotype of loud parties disrupting the neighbourhood, Joe Elliott, frontman of Def Leppard, has run afoul of the local council in a rather unexpected way. The 64-year-old Sheffield native and his wife Kristine inadvertently broke local regulations in South Co Dublin by constructing a treehouse for their young children on their property.
An enforcement order was handed down to the couple by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on January 9th, citing the treehouse as a non-permitted development within their home’s woodland in Stepaside House, located near Three Rock Mountain. Following an evaluation by a council inspector in March, they sought to argue that the treehouse did not require planning permission, referencing a previous case from 2017 in Limerick involving a similar structure.
The council, however, decided the 7-square-metre structure did need planning permission. The Elliotts are now applying for retention permission for the treehouse, which includes a wooden deck supported by trunks with wooden and Perspex siding. It falls far short of being a full-scale Stonehenge replica, wouldn’t you agree?
In other news, Liz Truss, despite her short stint of 49 days as UK Prime Minister, has penned a substantial amount about Ireland in her recent memoir, ‘Ten Years to Save the West.’ She frequently mentions how President Joe Biden consistently sided with Ireland regarding Brexit, with some persuasion from the Irish Embassy in Washington. She also criticises the protocol gifted by Boris Johnson, stating that it proved to be unworkable in Northern Ireland, causing businesses to complete a plethora of irrelevant paperwork.
One must remark on the disparity within Ireland’s housing situation. Some struggle with significant monthly trading costs while others enjoy increased asset values.
The future of the Canary Islands is hanging by a thread’ – a sign of Spain’s waning affection for tourists. If she felt so strongly about Northern Ireland, she may have been more cautious with the cover of her book that labelled her the prime minister of Great Britain, it seems like a detail was overlooked.
An encounter with GAA for McEntee
Helen McEntee, the granddaughter of Gerry McEntee – the champion of All-Ireland, and the late Meath overseer Andy McEntee, is ensconced in GAA greatness. A host of legal assessments from the GAA, presumed to be linked to investor visa programme requests, now confront the Minister for Justice.
Kerry GAA had intended to utilize the programme to garner funds to refurbish Fitzgerald Stadium and had registered a legal examination against a decision by McEntee on Tuesday in the High Court; a similar move was made by the GAA group in Islandeady, Co Mayo, on Wednesday. Last week the Department of Justice remained mute on the lawsuits, though it noted it would take multiple years to manage applications received prior to the cessation date.
Does McEntee recall that the head of Islandeady is her previous employer, Enda Kenny?
A new house for Banty
Seamus “Banty” McEnaney, a well-known figure from GAA and resident of Co Monaghan, doesn’t appear to struggle to obtain finances. The erstwhile manager for both Monaghan and Meath has garnered a small fortune by providing lodgings for international protection claimants. He now plans to utilize some of these funds to construct a new home in Corduff, Co Monaghan.
Banty, who was put on a 12-week hiatus by Monaghan GAA during a Covid-19 lockdown following pictures of the county team breaking rules by practicing, was granted permission last week by An Bord Pleanála to construct a 582sq m home in suburban Shanco. While the Monaghan County Council initially denied his application due to the potential environmental impact, despite previously allowing him to construct a house twice the size, with a separate garage, games area, and indoor swimming facility.
Ready for rabbit burgers, anyone?
The Digicel Foundation, established in 2004 by businessman Denis O’Brien, has been engaging the youth of Trinidad and Tobago in a rabbit-rearing initiative. Catalogued as Bunny Builders, this programme equips these youngsters with rabbits and imparts knowledge regarding the creation of pellet feed as well as diverse community-level value-added products. The initial schema required younger participants to yield rabbit-based products like burgers as the animals matured. However, owing to the reluctance of certain youths to slaughter these creatures, alternative business and selling skills were introduced.
Padel tennis, a hybrid sport combining elements of tennis and squash originating from Mexico, is trending in recent times. The latest craze has reached Carrigtwohill, Co Cork as a new facility boasting four courts has taken root. Numerous hotels including Adare Manor and Killiney’s Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel are integrating these courts. Dermot Desmond, familiar with the sport through the two courts at Sandy Lane, took his passion to a new level by constructing a court within his Shrewsbury Road residence’s grounds.
In an unconventional move, Bray Wanderers’ Carlisle Grounds are preparing to debut in this trend, with plans to erect four courts adjacent to their primary stadium as a method of boosting revenue. After an anticipation period for State funding to revamp the grounds, the club has chosen to propel itself into the padel scene.