There were great celebrations at the O’Neill home on Cathedral Road this weekend.

The three year dream of a 12 year old Cathal, who has spina  bifida, came true thanks to his  parents and community. Cathal had always wanted to sleep upstairs like the rest of his family  and the big reveal of his  new upstairs bedroom took place, performed by Lord Mayor Chris O’Leary.

Cathal O’Neill in his bedroom at his home in Cathedral Road, with his parents Terry and Pauline, Lord Mayor Cllr Chris O’Leary and family and friends.
Picture: David Keane.

St Mary’s church choir  held their annual advent carol service at St Marys Dominican church, Pope’s Quay last night  and once again it was a hugely entertaining event enjoyed by a large crowd. See Wednesday’s Evening Echo for more pictures.

St Mary’s church choir during the annual advent carol service at St Marys Dominican church
Picture: Eddie O’Hare

Aerial footage by AerialView.ie showing Inniscarra dam and the Lee Valley.

STAR Wars mania has swept Cork with hundreds of fans turning out to see the seventh instalment in the film series at cinemas at midnight last night. Many of them were dressed in Star Wars masks and light sabres for the ultimate experience and the overall concensus when the credits rolled was ‘amazing’ with many already booked to see it again.

David Devlin, Baltimore and Yvonne Karwig, Blackrock Rd dressed up as Jawas at the midnight screening of Star Wars-The Force Awakens in the Omniplex, Mahon Point Shopping Centre.
PIC DARRAGH KANE

Star Wars creator George Lucas and the new film’s director and co-writer JJ Abrams joined a host of stars at the highly anticipated London premiere.

Patrons on their way to see the new Star Wars movie at the Omniplex Cinema in Mahon Point, Cork.
Picture: David Keane.

Harrison Ford , who reprises his role as intrepid traveller and smuggler Han Solo, said he hoped fans would enjoy the movie. Critics have hailed Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens as a tour de force to rival the original trilogy.

Crowds await the arrival of loved ones returning from duty in the Mediterranean Sea from thieir humanitarian mission. 

ALL I WANT FOE CHRISTMAS IS YOU… Return of LE Samuel Beckett to the Irish Naval base at Haulbowline. Molly Histon O’Sullivan greets dad LEA Charlie O’Sullivan after his return from duty in the Mediterranean Sea.

Able Seaman Declan Forbes is greeted by 5month old daughter Olivia and partner Ciara MCarthy, Hollyhill as he returns from duty in the Mediterranean Sea.

Able Seaman Vicky Linsley is greeted by parents Mick and Ann Linsley, Co Kildare

Jacinta Lynch hugs her son Eric while dad Noel, sister Vikki and Celine Hayes look on

Return of LE Samuel Beckett to the Irish Naval base at Haulbowline. Hugs and kisses as crew returns from duty in the Mediterranean Sea. ( l to r) Vikki Lynch, Eric Lynch, his brother Darren (rear), parents Noel and Jacinta, with Celine, Cian and Ger Hayes from Ballyvolane greet Eric upon his return.

Kyle Histon (4) from Cobh with dad Ships Bosun Steve Histon

“Seeing people in great distress with such limited options in life makes you realise how lucky you are to live in Ireland,” said Micheal Daly from Youghal as he disembarked the LÉ Samuel Beckett in Haulbowline naval base yesterday.
In charge of catering, he helped feed more than 1,000 people the crew saved from almost certain death in lonely seas. “I’m just happy to be home and cold!” he said.
The LÉ Samuel Beckett was the third Irish naval vessel deployed to assist Italian Authorities on a humanitarian search and rescue mission in the Mediterranean.

EEXX news 17/12/2015.
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU…
Return of LE Samuel Beckett to the Irish Naval base at Haulbowline. Molly Histon-O’Sullivan hugs dad Charles O’Sullivan as he returns from duty in the Mediterranean Sea.
Pic; Larry Cummins

Roy Noonan was welcomed home by his wife Niamh Noonan from Carrigaline and their baby daughter Emily.
“Emily started walking and chatting while he was away; it’s great to have him back,” said Mrs Noonan.
Her husband had been counting down the days to see his family again.
“When you rescue infants you think of your own family. It’s such a relief when you get them to safety. We rescued more than 500 people crammed onto only one barge, and other vessels designed for 20 people that carried 120; they were never safe. We rescued four babies from one boat, it was hard to see that at the start, and realise that there are other boats full of people in difficulty that you don’t find. But it gives you a great sense of worth to help people,” said Mr Noonan.
One of the three medics on board, Christopher Scott tended to babies and children as well as adults who were rescued from the sea.
“To risk your kids lives by bringing them to sea hints at how awful the situation that they’re fleeing from is. There’s a lot more going on than what we see.”

EEXX news 17/12/2015.
Return of LE Samuel Beckett to the Irish Naval base at Haulbowline.
Crowds await the arrival of loved ones from duty in the Mediterranean Sea.
Vicky Bowdren, Mahon with children Jack and Conor Walsh await the arrival of James Walsh.
Pic; Larry Cummins

Ciara McCarthy from Blarney Road was waiting for her partner Declan Forbes, along with their nine-month-old daughter Olivia Forbes.
Olivia is the youngest child of all of the crew members. A helium balloon floated above her pram, with a picture of the baby girl in her father’s arms, taken just before he left for sea.
“Olivia was only five-months-old when he went away so he’s missed a lot of her growing up, but now he’s finished his sea-time and he’s back for two years,” Ms McCarthy said.
James Cotter from Cobh was on the humanitarian mission with his 20-year-old stepson Adam Steele.
So Shelly Cotter had both husband and son away at sea, but she was proud that her men are volunteering for such an important job.
“My husband knew his kids were safe in bed at home, so he had to help other families whose lives were being torn asunder at sea. The defence forces stepped up to the plate and they deserve respect for that,” she said.

AFTER more than 100 years in existence, historic Cork Boat Club has gotten a facelift after 18 months of renovation.

Situated in the heart of Blackrock Village, on the outskirts of Cork city, rowers of all ages, locals and dignitaries gathered at the clubhouse for the unveiling cemerony on Saturday last.

Cork Lord Mayor Cllr Chris O’Leary and Minister Simon Coveney attended,as did TDs Ciaran Lynch and Jerry Buttimer, Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin, councillors Laura McGonigle and Des Cahill, and MEP Deirdre Clune.

The refurbishment was funded by the Government’s Capital Grant Programme, and three projects were completed.

The club and Cork City Council restored the Blackrock Coastguard Station on the club’s grounds, which dates from the 1840s, and was in ruin, while the clubhouse roof was replaced and the gym refurbished.

Junior 18 rowers (clockwise from left) Aine Rice, Julie Mackey, Tara Hanlon, Amy Mason and Erika Deasy on the rowing machines at the official opening of the newly renovated Cork Boat Club clubhouse at Blackrock.
Picture: Larry Cummins

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Minister Coveney congratulated the club on its transformation, as he cut the ribbon held between oars pained in the chocolate and white club colours.

“The transformation of Cork Boat Club in recent years has been remarkable. The extent of work done is a credit to the club and is a tremendous example of the direct impact that the government’s Sports Capital Programme is having in the community,” commented the Minister.

Cork Boat Club is one of the most successful rowing clubs in the country and club PRO Des O’Sullivan was delighted with the recent upgrades.

“Our building program has transformed our club and ensured that Cork Boat Club’s landmark clubhouse at Undercliffe is now a modern and exciting structure, which will serve generations of rowers well for many decades to come.

“We are particularly proud to have secured the structure of iconic 1840s Blackrock Coastguard Station with the significant assistance of Cork City Council’s Conservation Department.

“We would like to acknowledge the tremendous support of Minister Simon Coveney TD, Ciaran Lynch TD, Jerry Buttimer TD, Micheal Martin TD  and our other public representatives who attended today, all of whom have been ardent supporters of Cork Boat Club down through the years.”

The club also received financial contributions from its members and if you would like to become a member then you’d be welcome along on Saturdays at 12.30pm for the club’s beginner sessions.

STAR of the Cork University Hospital’s Children’s Christmas Appeal, five-year-old Daniel O’Sullivan from Hollyhill, was the special guest at the English Market on Saturday.

Daniel arrived in a vintage fire engine, before he met Santa Claus who paid an early visit to Cork to help raise awareness and funds for the new children’s unit in CUH.

Daniel O’Sullivan with his parents Vincent and Deirdre and brothers Shaun and Anthony, Santa and Mrs Claus and Frozen stars Olaf and Elsa during the CUH Children’s charity appeal at the English market last Saturday.
Picture: Eddie O’Hare

Building has begun on the new unit, which once completed will be the largest centre for paediatric care outside of Dublin.

Although the HSE are funding the main capital costs of the build, the CUH Children’s Appeal is fundraising for such features as pull-out beds in paediatric wards so that parents can sleep by their sick children’s sides.

Daniel’s mum Deirdre O’Sullivan praised the staff at CUH, but said that the new unit is badly needed.

When he was just days old, Daniel contracted a rare virus which led to severe organ failure and a brain bleed; doctors at CUH rallied around the baby, and saved his life.

Daniel has defied the odds, but he still requires ongoing care.

“Daniel’s on oxygen 24/7, he’s peg fed [through a tube inserted into his stomach wall], and at night he’s monitored by a machine to check that his oxygen levels don’t dip dangerously low. But he’s a little fighter,” said Mrs O’Sullivan who is hugely grateful for the care at CUH.

Daniel received a special gift of a fire engine from staff at the English Market, presented by Pat O’Connell, of K O’Connell Fishmerchants on Saturday.

His face graces collection boxes throughout the English Market’s countertops this month;  donations cam be made  through the English Market, at www.cuhcharity.ie, by calling 021 423 4529, or emailing info@cuhcharity.ie.

LOCAL businesses have kept the spirit of Christmas alive and well by bringing festivities to Deerpark CBS.

Enjoying the Deerpark CBS,  sponsored Christmas party celebration for students, staff, members of the board of management and parents association at the school.
Picture: Denis Minihane.

Yesterday, some 200 students and 50 teachers were treated to Christmas dinner courtesy of Carambola Ltd., Nemo Rangers, Ballinacarriga Stores, Martin O’Sullivan of Keelings and the Deerpark staff. Two teachers — Lisa Ronan and Vicki Corcoran — organised the event with the aid of some students. The generous initiative saw full Christmas dinner and many extra treats for the students and teachers

Given the time of year we just had to bring you a selection of some of the best Christmas lights across Cork city and county and ask the question does Cork take the award for best lights this year?

What makes the decorations and lights featured in the video below all the more admirable is the fact that they are helping to raise money for charities.

Anthony and James Corcoran and Aisling Murphy at the home of  Peggy  and Donal O’Callaghan’s in Codrum, Macroom  with the Christmas decorations and lights,  with monies raised for Marymount hospice.

The Muldowney house in Norwood,  Cobh in aid of  the Mercy hospital Oncology department.

Two Cork  sporting stars walked down the aisle yesterday –  Football star Briege Corkery and  Irish  International hockey player Cliodhna Sargent.

Congratulations to them both!

A guard of honour by members of the Irish ladies hockey team and Cork Harlequins Hockey Club for John Hobbs, chairperson of Cork Harlequins and his bride Cliodhna Sargent, Irish international and Cork Harlequins hockey player, folllowing their marriage at St. Columba’s Church, Douglas.
Picture: Denis Minihane.

Cork ladies duel star Briege Corkery and her husband Diarmuid Scannell at her wedding reception at the Rochestown Park Hotel.
Picture:Des Barry

The national flag and a copy of the 1916 Proclamation were presented at a recent ceremony at Scoil Mhuire Lourdes Boys N.S., Carrigaline.

Among those attending were Simon Coveney, T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food, the Marine and Defence and Vice-Admiral Mark Mellett, Chief of Staff, Defence Forces.

Simon Coveney, T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food, the Marine and Defence, and Lt. Elizabeth Barrett, Irish Naval Service, meeting pupils after the presentation of the national flag and a copy of the 1916 Proclamation ceremony at Scoil Mhuire Lourdes Boys N.S., Carrigaline.
Picture: Denis Minihane.

CPO Damien Murphy, Irish Naval Service, reading the Proclamation during the presentation of the national flag and a copy of the 1916 Proclamation ceremony at Scoil Mhuire Lourdes Boys N.S., Carrigaline. Also in picture are Lt. Elizabeth Barrett, Irish Naval Service; TPR Bryan O’Dwyer, Collins Barracks, and pupil Billy Cronin.
Picture: Denis Minihane.

A BALLYVOLANE social enterprise project is one of only five initiatives nationally to be shortlisted for this year’s Get Involved sustainable communities competition.
Boomerang Enterprises, with whom the Evening Echo has teamed up for Get Involved, received a site visit this week from judges, including Duncan Stewart, Johnny O’Hanlon and representatives from SEAI and Clann Credo, which provide social finance for community growth.

Photographed during a site visit to Boomerang Enterprises, Ballyvolane Business Park, Cork, by judges and the co-ordinating group of the Get Involved competition were (from left) Johnny O’Hanlon, co-ordinator; Paul Kelly, project manager, Boomerang Enterprises; Bernie Connolly, Cork Environmental Forum co-ordinator; the four judges Anja Murray, Ruth Buggie, Duncan Stewart and Lisa Moran looking at an attic stairway insulater, a future product.
Picture: Denis Minihane.

Judges were impressed by the local mattress-recycling initiative, which opened 18 months ago and now accepts and recycles 200 mattresses a week from civic amenity sites, furniture shops and public customers as far afield as Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.
Products of the recycling process include metal springs, which are recycled, wood that is sold on-site as kindling, and materials that are currently the subject of testing by DIT researchers (in the hopes of using them as building materials in the future).
In addition to providing a viable alternative to landfill, Boomerang offers up-skilling and training of TUS scheme workers, supporting their progression to more secure, long-term employment.
Mr Stewart said, following his tour of the premises: “I’m very, very impressed and I think all of us judges are.”
He added: “I have to say that what we’re seeing here is a really true exercise in social enterprise, but it’s also a sustainable enterprise,” praising the training scheme in particular.
Mr Stewart said that “I can see this becoming huge and doing lots of things.
“I can see massive opportunities with it and this should be going on everywhere in Ireland.”
Speaking about the shortlisting, Paul Kelly, project manager, said: “My opinion is it’s a great accolade to be suggested as a possible runner, initially.

PJ Field (left) and Daniel McSweeney dismantling a mattress for recycling and reuse.
Picture: Denis Minihane.

“To reach this far is fantastic. I’m humbled by the whole thing, really.
“I’m here every day and I do see the benefits of the social enterprise model.
“It works, we’ve proven that it works, and it’s a necessity.”

A MAJOR security and logistical operation will take place in Cork Prison on February 12 when inmates will move to their new and much improved accommodation.

One of the new double cells at the new Cork Prison. Picture: Eddie O’Hare

The €40m development immediately adjacent to the current prisonfacility stands in stark contrast to the razorwire-wrapped old building. A 7.2m concrete wall, too sleek to allow a foothold, wraps around the new complex which includes classrooms, gym and recreational areas, and en-suite cells which will end the ‘slopping out’ system still necessary in the old facilities.

Media open day at the new Cork Prison, Rathmore Road, Cork City.
Video Eddie O’Hare.

Governor Patrick Dawson said that this change represents the biggest improvement for both prisoners and staff; up until February 12, prisoners only had a bucket to use as a toilet, which they had to empty and wash daily. Although the toilet and shower facility are barely screened off in an open cell, it is a vast improvement from the old system.

New Cork Prison Governor Patrick Dawson. Picture: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

Mr Dawson aims to match the new modern environment with a modern approach to prison governance. Good behaviour will grant additional privileges to prisoners, and effort will be made to facilitate families of prisoners, in a bid to foster good relationships and ultimately divert people from crime.

“The idea is to normalise prison life as much as possible, so thatprisoners can integrate into normal life as smoothly as possible post-release,” said Mr Dawson.

He said that extra security measures will be taken if anything proves them to be necessary. “Security is dynamic, it needs to move and change depending on the prisoner,” he said.

One of the visitors area at the new Cork prison. Picture: Eddie O’Hare

A new three-tiered visiting system will be introduced in the newprison. Prisoners who behave well will be permitted a relaxed but supervised ‘café style’ visit, in which some physical contact will be allowed in a bright room. But if any security or behavioural problems are identified, they will be moved to another area for visits conducted across high tables, or through a screen, which will completely separate prisoner from visitor. Mr Dawson hopes to make Cork prison‘more of a community’ in which the skills and behaviour necessary to function successfully outside prison gates can be fostered. They have a pottery room, a kiln, computer rooms, library, home economics room, training kitchen, sewing room and various classrooms.

169 cells accommodate two people, with a bunkbed, a desk, a secure window and a television. The prison will additionally have two wheelchair accessible cells, eight segregation cells, seven high-support cells, two safety observation cells and 10 committal cells. It currently has an occupational capacity for 275 prisoners with current staffing levels. Phones are accessible in the outside recreation yard, and indoors, but prisoners will not be permitted mobile phones.

The control room in the new Cork Prison. Picture: Eddie O’Hare

There will be no wifi but prisoners will be permitted access to approved websites for educational purposes on prison computers.

Energy costs are estimated to be 85% of what they are in the currently operational prison.

ONe of the cell wings of the new Cork Prison. Picture: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

In the latest of  our ‘Meet the Candidate’ videos ahead of the General Election, Minister Dara Murphy Fine Gael  candidate for Cork North Central talks superhero powers, teenage daughters and Cork humour in his favourite Cork haunt – the English Market.

Dara Murphy TD with his wife Tayna and daughters Sophie, Nicole and Isobel as he launched his campaign at the Kingsley Hotel
Picture: Eddie O’Hare

Discover what makes Cork special, and what would be a perfect day for the Minister for European Affairs and Data Protection.

The Get to Know Your Candidate video series aims to give Cork voters an insight into their general election candidates’ lives, loves and interests.

Jonathan O’Brien Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central talks tattoos, conker fights and honesty in the  latest Evening Echo ‘Get to Know Your Candidate’ video.

Find out about Deputy O’Brien’s novel ways to gain number one votes and about  getting out of Council meetings to support his beloved Cork City football club.

The Get to Know Your Candidate video series aims to give Cork voters an insight into their general election candidates’ lives, loves and interests.

Workers’ Party candidate for Cork North Central Ted Tynan talks to Evening Echo reporters Liz Dunphy and Audrey Ellard Walsh about Mayfield, his love of mountain climbing, and the importance of helping others in the latest Evening Echo ‘Get to Know Your Candidate’ video.

The Get to Know Your Candidate video series aims to give Cork voters an insight into their general election candidates’ lives, loves and interests.

Sinn Fein candidate for Cork North Central Thomas Gould talks to Evening Echo reporters Audrey Ellard Walsh and Liz Dunphy in the latest ‘Get to Know Your Candidate’ video.

The ‘Get to Know Your Candidate’ video series aims to give Cork voters an insight into their general election candidates’ lives, loves and interests.

Fine Gael candidate for Cork South Central Simon Coveney talks to Evening Echo reporters Liz Dunphy and Audrey Ellard Walsh in the latest ‘Get to Know Your Candidate’ video.

The ‘Get to Know Your Candidate’ video series aims to give Cork voters an insight into their general election candidates’ lives, loves and interests.

Green Party candidate for Cork North Central Oliver Moran talks to Evening Echo reporters Liz Dunphy and Audrey Ellard Walsh in the latest ‘Get to Know Your Candidate’ video.

The ‘Get to Know Your Candidate’ video series aims to give Cork voters an insight into their general election candidates’ lives, loves and interests.