Year in Review 2020: August
By Aideen O'Flaherty
The final month of an unpredictable summer saw many people starting to settle back into some semblance of normality. There were protests about a variety of issues, and civic-minded citizens started carrying out clean-ups in the area.
A group of 54 community volunteers cleaned Killinarden Park and the stream that runs through it, filling over 70 bags with waste and removing almost three tonnes of rubbish in the process. The clean-up was organised by Tallaght Litter Mugs, with support from Croí Ro Naofa GAA Club. (August 13 edition)
Champion boxer Winnie Christina McDonagh, from Clondalkin, spoke about her prowess in the boxing ring and how, as a member of the Traveller community, she eschewed the tradition of marrying young to focus on her sports career instead. (August 6 edition)
Residents living in cottages beside freight company, David Nestor Freight Services on Ballymanaggin Lane in Clondalkin, said that it was like living next to “a port”, as a result of continuous activity at the site and highly stacked freight containers – in sharp contrasts to the adjacent residential development. (August 20 edition)
The mother of a teenage boy, who tragically drowned at Callaghan bridge in Bohernabreena, thanked the community for their support. Ghaffar Ganiyu, 13, died after he got into difficulty in the water in early August, and his mother, Fatima, praised her neighbours and Muslim and Christian friends for rallying around her in the days and weeks after Ghaffar’s death. (August 27 edition)
The repossession of the Ballycullen council house of Dan O’Reilly, 48 hours after he died in a hit-and-run incident in Tymon, prevented relatives from retrieving his belongings and was criticised by neighbours as being “absolutely disgraceful”. (August 20 edition)
Shay Murphy, the owner of the landmark Dragon Inn in Tallaght, said he was “really worried” about his staff, following Taoiseach Michéal Martin’s confirmation that the country with not be moving to Level 4 reopening measures – meaning pubs would remain shut – in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus. (August 6 edition)
St John Bosco Youth Centre members created a mural opposite the Goldenbridge Luas stop in tribute to frontline workers. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Hazel Chu, (centre) stands with some of the young people who created it. (August 6 edition)
For a full look back at December visit The Echo’s website HERE, where all editions from 2020 are free to read online until January 31st 2021.
TAGS Lifestyle
