Echo Year in Review: June 2023

SUMMER was in full swing in the county in June, when various celebrations were held, and there was a strong showing of community spirit.

Special Olympics athletes John Keating (golf) from Knocklyon and Keith Doyle (ten-pin bowling) from Ballyfermot shared their excitement before setting off to compete in the games in Berlin.

There was also big news for the county at Grange Castle West in June.

Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk acquired 85 acres of land at Grange Castle West for €51m in a deal hailed as “big news for the county and Ireland” according to South Dublin County Council.

The deal for the council owned land also includes the option for the pharma giant to acquire a further 21 acres, which will return back to council ownership in two years if it is not used.

Old Bawn woman Lauren Westman took part in the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon, with her wife Leanne Farnan and family, and raised over €4,500 for Breast Cancer Ireland – in between receiving treatment for the disease.

A 24-hour protest was held outside the Dáil by the ‘Not Our Fault’ campaign

A 24-hour protest was held outside the Dáil by the ‘Not Our Fault’ campaign, including homeowners from Park West and Ballycullen, calling for emergency funding for defective fire issues in their properties.

Tallaght teenager Sean Murphy

Tallaght teenager Sean Murphy, who died when an electric bike he was on collided with a pillar in Mac Uilliam, was remembered as hardworking and dedicated, with his relatives saying their memories of him will be “cherished forever”.

Ursula Bishop in Templeogue

Ursula Bishop, a retired service user of intellectual disability service Templeogue House, celebrated the culmination of years of work to make Templeogue more wheelchair accessible with the official opening of a ramp linking the facility to nearby Rossmore.

To read the full Year in Review for June 2023 pick up The Echo on Thursday, January 4, or Subscribe Online.