The Echo Year In Review January 2016: Centenarian celebrations, heroic barman, and murder most foul

By Brendan Grehan

THE DETRITUS of the Christmas splurge started the year off with the news that South Dublin County Council was planning to prosecute people who left boxes and bags of empty bottles on the ground beside local bring banks despite the banks being overflowing.

During the month a fire raged through Firhouse woman’s Antoinette Geoghegan’s home. Antoinette, a mother of six, was bowled over by the public support she received afterwards.

 

A local man, Kenneth Usher, who had previously competed in The Voice of Ireland, organised a charity concert in aid of the family.

The scourge of crime was never far from the pages of The Echo. A barman fought off three raiders, one armed with a gun, when they tried to enter the Kingswood Lodge early on a Monday morning.

John ‘JC’ Ryan (58), from Tallaght, made sure that the three masked thugs didn’t get into the pub where two teenagers were cleaning up. John received 14 stitches in his face.

In December 2015, Kenneth O’Brien (33) returned from Australia to live with his partner and their young son. In early January his family reported Kenneth missing.

On January 16, 20116, Mr O’Brien’s torso was recovered from the Grand Canal at Ardclough, Co. Kildare.

There was good news for two landmark premises in Tallaght. A Cork-based business family purchased the Abberley Court Hotel and the hotel has since been reopened.

Over on the Greenhills Road, the Lynch family applied to South Dublin County Council for planning permission to build 40 homes at the back of the Cuckoo’s Nest pub. As part of the application it is envisaged that the iconic licensed premises will reopen.

Over in Ballyfermot, Francis Delaney celebrated his 100th birthday with a party in the Ballyfermot Sports and Social Club.

A special birthday cake was prepared for Francis who has lived most of his adult life on Claddagh Road in Ballyfermot.