“A 16-year-old youth sustained serious injuries and was removed to the Mater Hospital. The scene is currently preserved,” said Sergeant Margaret Flanagan.

Anyone who may have witnessed this assault or who may have information is asked to contact Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station 01- 666 8400, the Garda Confidential Line 1-800-666-111 or any Garda Station.

Gardai have appealed for help finding 15-year-old Paddy Cash who has been missing from Drumcondra since April 13.

“He is described as being approximately 5’6” in height, of medium build, with brown hair and brown eyes. When last seen he was wearing a grey hoodie, black tracksuit bottoms and white runners,” said Sergeant Brian Whelan.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Gardaí at Mountjoy Garda Station on 01-666 8600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Dublin Bus says routes 13 and 13a will be merged into the 13. Route 19a will be renamed the 19 and the current 19 will be merged with the 83.

It says that the 11/a/b will also operate as the 19, but it appears that this effectively means that the route will no longer operate as the 19 only serves a small portion of the 11 routes.

The new 19 will extend to serve Charlestown Shopping Centre, and Route 140 will be extended cross city to Rathmines, Terenure, Tallaght (The Square) and Kiltipper.

Some streets and areas will no longer be covered, see dublinbus.ie for details.

Dublin Bus continues to list the cuts in the no 4 bus as an “improvement”; it said it is including the no 4 to inform customers for changes already made. However, it would not answer in what context it sees a frequency cut of 30% on weekdays and 66% on Sundays as an improvement.

The following buses (some routes part of previous changes) at the below frequencies are due to serve the areas covered by the above mentioned buses:

Route/Peak/Off Peak
4         15          15
13       10          15
17a     10          20
19       10          20
83       15          30
140     10         20

MORE: Finglas, Glasnevin, Drumcondra changes on dublinbus.ie
MORE: Dublin Bus Network Review on Boards.ie

The following are recent Department of Education school inspection reports. The reports can be read on the department’s website – click on month published and then on the ‘PDF’ link for the school report you wish to view.

These are the schools in Dublin which were evaluated, and what subjects were looked at. WSE = whole-school evaluations. Sorted by date published and type of school:

National Primary Schools

Gaelscoil Uí Earcáin, Fionnghlas, Baile Átha Cliath 11 – WSE
St Joseph’s BNS, Terenure, Dublin 16 – WSE
John Scottus NS, Northumberland Road, Dublin 4 – WSE

Post-Primary Schools and Centres for Education

Loreto Abbey Secondary School, Dalkey – PE
Assumption Secondary School, Walkinstown, Dublin 12 – History
St Laurence College, Loughlinstown – TY
Synge Street CBS, Dublin 8 – Science & Biology

Published December 2010

National Primary Schools

Scoil San Treasa, Mount Merrion – WSE
Scoil Treasa, Firhouse, Dublin 24 – WSE
St Joseph’s School for Deaf Boys, Navan Rd, Dublin 7 – WSE
St.Mary’s School for Deaf Girls, Navan Rd, Dublin 7 – WSE

Post-Primary Schools and Centres for Education

Fingal Community College, Swords – MTWCS
Ardscoil La Salle, Raheny, Dublin 5 – Religious Education
Balbriggan Community College, Balbriggan – Music
St Declan’s College, Nephin Road, Dublin 7 – Art
Manor House School, Raheny, Dublin 5 – Music
Dominican College, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9 – English
Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan – Science & Biology
Riversdale Community College, Blanchardstown Road North, Dublin 15 – Science & Biology
Plunket College, Swords Road, Whitehall, Dublin 9 – Science & Biology
Belvedere College S.J., Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1 – Art
St Fintan’s High School, Sutton, Dublin 13 – SPHE
Maryfield College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 – Gaeilge, Irish(t)
St Aidan’s Christian Brothers’ School, Whitehall, Dublin 9 – Geography
St Finian’s Community College, Swords – Music
Mercy Secondary School, Inchicore – History
Christian Brothers College, Monkstown – English
Gonzaga College, Dublin 6 – PE
Sancta Maria College, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 – Business Studies
Saint Benildus College, Stillorgan – History
Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock - WSE, French, Gaeilge, Irish(t), Mathematics, Metalwork & Engineering
Presentation College Terenure, Dublin 6W – LCVP
Holy Child Community School, Sallynoggin – French
Rockbrook Park School, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 – French
Loreto College, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 – History
Deansrath Community College, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 – History

Published November 2010

National Primary Schools

Our Lady of Mercy Convent School, Booterstown – WSE
St Pius X Boys’ National School, Terenure, Dublin 6W – WSE
Kilternan Church of Ireland National School, Kilternan – WSE
Saint Catherine’s Infant School, Cabra, Dublin 7 – WSE
St Brendan’s Boys’ National School, Artane, Dublin 5 – WSE
Drumcondra National School, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 – WSE
St Catherine’s Senior National School, Ratoath Road, Cabra, Dublin 7 – WSE
St Kevin’s Junior National School, Donaghmede, Dublin 13 – WSE
St Mary’s National School, Windsor Avenue, Fairview, Dublin 3 – WSE

Post-Primary Schools and Centres for Education

Jobstown Community College, Tallaght, Dublin 24 - History
Mount Sackville Secondary School, Chapelizod, Dublin 20 - Science & Biology
St Kevin’s Community School, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 – History
Moyle Park College, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 – Mathematics
Coláiste na hÍde, Tallaght, Dublin 24 - Stair, History (t)
Tallaght Community School, Tallaght, Dublin 24 – Mathematics
St Michael’s College, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 – Spanish
St Columba’s College, Whitechurch, Dublin 16 – Science & Biology
Clonkeen College, Blackrock – TY
Ringsend Technical Institute, Dublin 4 – Metalwork & Engineering
Jesus and Mary College, Goatstown Road, Dublin 14 – WSE, TY, History, Mathematics
St Joseph Of Cluny, Killiney, Co Dublin - Music
St Andrew’s College, Blackrock, Co Dublin – PE
Mount Anville Secondary School, Dundrum, Dublin 16 – Classical Studies
Ballinteer Community School, Dublin 16 - English
Caritas College, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 - French
St Laurences’ College, Loughlinstown, Dublin 18 - French
Meánscoil Iognáid Rís, Drimnagh, Dublin 12 – Technical, Graphics & Design & Communication, Graphics
St Conleth’s College, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 – CSPE
St Colmcille’s Community School, Knocklyon, Dublin 16 – Business Studies
Ballinteer Community School, Dublin 16 - Science & Physics
Pearse College, Crumlin, Dublin 12 – English
St.Tiernan’s Community School, Dublin 16 – Science & Biology
John Scottus Secondary School, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 – Science & Biology
CBS Westland Row, Dublin 2 – Science & Biology
Mount Anville Secondary School, Dundrum, Dublin 16 – Science & Physics
Terenure College, Terenure, Dublin 6W – PE
Rockford Manor Secondary School, Blackrock – English
Mount Temple Comprehensive School, Malahide Road, Dublin 3 – WSE, English, Guidance, Music, Science/Biology
Patrician College, Finglas, Dublin 11 – Gaeilge, Irish (t)
St David’s C.B.S., Artane, Dublin 5 – SEN
St Joseph’s C.B.S., Fairview, Dublin 3 - SEN
St Aidan’s C.B.S., Collins Avenue, Whitehall, Dublin 9 – MTWCS
Pobalscoil Neasáin, Baldoyle, Dublin 13 – TGDCG
Loreto College, Swords – RE in Junior Cycle
St Paul’s C.B.S., North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7 – RE in Junior Cycle
Portmarnock Community School, Portmarnock – English
St Paul’s College, Raheny, Dublin 5 – RE in Junior Cycle
Mater Christi Secondary School, Cappagh, Finglas, Dublin 11 – Science & Biology

A city councillor who has put up modified election posters is not breaking the rules, according to Dublin City Council.

The election posters for Cllr Aine Clancy (Labour) – who is running in heavily contested Dublin Central constituency in the forthcoming general election – have been modified and now include details of a public meeting in small text on the front of the posters.

Spray paint covers part of the back of the posters, leaving just ‘Clancy’ visible and no reference to the meeting.

“There is a protocol in place which was adopted   by the council. The councillor applied for and was granted the right to put up posters advertising the meeting.  All protocol was adhered to,” Paul Finan at the Dublin City Council told Dublin Observer this afternoon.

Local authorities had warned each poster put up before an election is called, or 30 days before polling day, would attract a €150 fine. But the protocol acts as a loop hole allowing candidates to get their faces and names on street polls before this time.

The councillor also this afternoon tweeted, in response to a question, that the “posters are for [a] public meeting on mon 31st. Organised when we thought #ge11 would be at end Mar, permit obtained from DCC.”

The inserted text on the posters are advertising a public meeting, ‘Way forward for Ireland’, with Fergus Finlay and Clancy. It is hosted by Labour Women and will be held on Monday at 8pm in the Skylon Hotel

Our images show the posters in Drumcondra and Glasnevin yesterday and today.

The election, previously announced for March, is now due to happen earlier, Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said he will seek the dissolution of the Dail on Tuesday. Reports say the election is most likely to be held on February 25.

Although the opposition had been calling for an early election, there is some frustration from candidates. Fingal Councillor Alan Farrel (Fine Gael), who is a general election candidate for Dublin North, said on twitter this morning: “Posters to go up on Tuesday, such a waste of time, money and effort. #ge11.”

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said yesterday that his party will not be going around to every cross roads and promise a railway station or hospital.

He was responding to a question from Newstalk presenter Ivan Yates on the proposed Metro North light railway between Dublin and Swords.

Gilmore said: “This is a very different election. This is not going to be an election where the Labour Party is going to go around to every cross roads in the country and promise a railway station here or a hospital there or whatever the case might be.”

The Labour Party told Dublin Observer today that it is its policy to “strongly support” Metro North but it would be unwise to proceed without all of the facts.

“We recognise that it is an enormous construction project that has long-term benefits for public transport and for development in Dublin. However in the current economic climate, given the enormous damage that Fianna Fail has inflicted on the economy and on the public finances, it would be extremely unwise to give a blank cheque to the Metro North project without all the facts in our possession,” said Dermot O’Gara at the Labour Party press office.

He said the party wants a clear and transparent cost-benefit analysis to be undertaken before a final decision can be made.

The business cases released to date have key cost figures blacked out. Estimates for the project range from €5 billion, a number of years ago, to €2.5 billion leaked by government sources to a newspaper recently.

The Department of Transport, the National Transport Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency all say that the cost of the project will not be released before final bids have been made by the two groups of companies looking to build and run Metro North.

Eamon Gilmore yesterday said the railway line would be reviewed and repeated that the party wants focus on the projects which will deliver the most employment.

“We would do a complete review of the National Development Plan and we will bring forward those projects which are capable of delivering employment in the immediate term. We have already said that Metro is one of the projects that we are going to revisit and relook at,” said Gilmore.

Although, the Railway Procurement Agency says the metro line construction is expected to create 4,000 direct construction jobs and thousands more indirect jobs over the years of construction.

The redacted business case for the line says that when ‘spin off’ jobs are included, “Metro North is expected to generate approximately 6,000 jobs during the three years of peak construction, and in excess of 3,000 during the remaining years.” Construction is expected to last around five years.

Those against Metro North say that most of the jobs will go to foreign companies. However, supporters say that — as with the Dublin Port Tunnel – normal construction workers would get the bulk of jobs created, even many of the specialised workers are already living in the country, and nearly as many jobs could be created in the wider economy.

As we reported recently, more advanced enabling works are due to start within months and the RPA are to seek permission for a new depot location in April after its original location was rejected. Monuments are due to be removed from O’Connell Street as part of the enabling works.

For Breakfast on Newstalk’s interview with Eamon Gilmore in full, click below (new window pops up):

Gardai named the man as 31-year-old Adil Essalhi who had an address in Drumcondra, Dublin 9.

Blanchardstown Gardai last night also renewed an appeal for information from the public last night.

The body of the man was found in a ditch between a field and GAA pitches off Bellgree Avenue in Tyrellstown, Dublin 15. The body was removed to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown and a post-mortem was conducted by the State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy.

RTE News reported that the dead man was found in 3 foot of water in the ditch and an attempt had been made to burn the body after death, but Gardai are now saying that the post mortem examination results will not be released at this stage.

“The post mortem has concluded on the body found in Tyrellstown… and the results are not being released to media for operational reasons,” said Sergeant Gerry Curley of the Garda Press Office.

A woman and man were arrested on Friday. A 21-year-old woman was arrested yesterday evening and is being detained at Blanchardstown Garda Station under section 30 of The Offences Against The State Act. While a man in his late 30s was arrested after 1pm and remains in custody, he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 on suspicion of murder.

“Gardai are asking anyone who may have seen anything unusual or suspicious in the last 7 days in the area near Bellgree Avenue or the nearby playing-fields to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station on 01-6667000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111,” said Sergeant Curley.

View Adil Essalhi murder in a larger map

An RPA image of what enabling works hoardings could look like

The Railway Procurement Agency says it expects to spend less than €50 million on enabling works, but said that further costs of enabling works are currently ‘confidential.’

Enabling works for Metro North — which started last April — are soon to move up a gear. The enabling works includes clearing sites, moving statues, and diverting utilities away from work sites (such as ESB lines, communication cables, and water and gas pipes).

Asked how much enabling works would cost this year and beyond, Tom Manning at the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) said: “Less than €50m in 2011. Remaining figures confidential in advance of tender processes.”

An Bord Pleanala last year granted the RPA a railway order – the project’s planning permission – to build Metro North. However, one of the main conditions given was that no stops are to be built north of Swords and that the planned depot above the town is to be relocated.

The planning authority said that main construction, such as tunnelling, must not begin before permission for a new depot was granted, but enabling works are allowed to continue.

Manning said the agency will make an application for a new depot in April, but the time frame for a decision on that issue lies with An Bord Pleanala. The public consultation for the depot is due to end next week.

An Bord Pleanala also said that bored tunnelling should be looked as an alternative to the current planned ‘cut and cover’ build method along the Ballymun Road, between DCU and Ballymun. But that condition – the RPA says — leaves the decision to the Metro North contractor. Two ‘preferred bidders’ remain interested in that Public Private Partnership contract. Boring a tunnel is less disruptive, but more expensive than ‘cut and cover’, which is cutting a trench in the ground and effectively building a tunnel by putting a roof on the trench.

Manning said the selection of the winning bidder for full construction is now due in 2012, with that construction due to start in mid 2012.

The final decision the government has said can only be made when bids are finalised. Both the government and the RPA refuse to reveal the estimated costs of Metro North. Figures from €5 to €15 billion have been repeated in the media, although a ‘government source’ was quoted recently by the Irish Independent saying that the metro would cost €2.5 billion.

The project’s funding transferred from the Department of Transport to the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009. Before that happened, costs had toped €127.2m – this was broken down: €64.9m on project management and development, €24m on land acquisition, and €38.3m on enabling works.

Once enabling costs are paid for, the Private Public Partnership is expected to spread the cost of the project over 25 years, and payable only once passengers are on the metro after 5-6 years of construction. The European Investment Bank has said it would loan up to €500m of the cost. Although a report late last year says that the bank is looking at funding up to €1 billion, leaving a smaller amount to be raised by the preferred bidders.

The amount of under €50m to be spent on metro enabling works this year comes from the NTA capital expenditure budget of €240m, which is given down from a total Department of Transport budget for €2.12 billion. The rest is set to be spend on finishing the Citywest Luas line, traffic management, bus priority, and other projects and programmes.

View Metro North in a larger map

One of the main Dublin business groups has welcomed the approval of Metro North.

An Bord Pleanala yesterday gave the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) approval for the segregated light railway line from St Stephens Green to Swords via Dublin Airport.

Fine Gael transport spokesman Simon Coveney also welcomed the approval for Metro North. But he warned that there was an ‘information deficit’ about the project’s business plan.

“For some time Fine Gael has been in favour, in principle, of the Metro North project. It makes sense to dramatically upgrade public transport infrastructure on the northside of the city,” said Coveney.

Costs

He said he looked forward to the RPA publishing the business plan which says the project will generate €2 for every euro spent.

“At such a critical time for the economy, it is essential that taxpayers know exactly how much major projects will cost, and what they will gain from them. At this moment, we have only limited information about the project. We need an honest discussion as to whether we can afford it, even under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) structure,” said Coveney.

The RPA said today that a PPP deal could be finalised by the end of next year. However, it said it wanted to start works on diversion of utilities in the city centre and heritage works in March 2011. The Government have yet to give the final go-ahead for the project.

See more details of how Metro North is planned to be paid for here.

Conditions

Giving approval, An Bord Pleanala attached a number of conditions. The most significant change is that the metro route would go no further than Swords.

The conditions imposed means two stops – Lissenhall and Belinstown – will now be removed from the plans. It is proposed that a new park and ride be placed close to the planned Estuary Stop, between the Estuary Roundabout and the N1 interchange north of Swords. The planned depot will also be relocated from Belinstown to the open land between Dublin Airport and the M50 around where Metro North is planned to link with Metro West.

Disruption

“The Dublin business community welcomes today’s decision as it provides clarity on how Metro North will be built,” said Gina Quin, chief executive of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce.

She added: “We would now call for the RPA to invest in a high profile marketing campaign to communicate this to the general public and key stakeholders as there has been a lot of discussion about the project. It is vital that people understand what changes will be in place and ultimately how Metro North will improve the city.”

Only a small section of Dublin businesses have been against Metro North, most has just called for strict traffic management arraignments.

An Bord Pleanala said that it acknowledged the construction phase of the proposed development would result in serious impacts on the Dublin region, but it said, “It was considered that such impacts were an inevitable consequence of the scale and nature of the project and that the applicant had demonstrated that comprehensive mitigation measures would be employed.”

It said: “The Board accepted that the long term benefits of the scheme would outweigh the short term impacts due to construction.”

Dublin City Council said that the city would remain open at all times for all activates.

Need for infrastructure

“A public transport friendly city is a key feature of the top performing cities in Europe. Therefore infrastructure such as Metro North is crucial for Dublin’s future economic growth. We have the opportunity to develop the most modern system in Europe within five years. It is value for money and funding is structured in an affordable way,” John Tierney, manager of Dublin City Council.

Ciaran Cuffe, the Minister of State for Sustainable Transport, pointed out that over the construction period there are due to be 4,000 direct construction jobs created as well as 2,000 indirect jobs.

“Metro North, a vital piece of infrastructure; ten years in the planning, will benefit the city of Dublin and its inhabitants for generations to come. It represents integrated transport and land-use planning. I am now hopeful that the Government will give final approval to the project so that the works can proceed without delay,” said Cuffe.

Gina Quin of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce added: “Failing to address our sub-standard transport infrastructure with the proper capital investment will only benefit our competitors. The delivery of Metro North is essential to Dublin in attracting international business.”

Quin said: “We have an inadequate public transport system as people are still choosing to drive to the city centre. The project will lead to improved commuting times for the capital’s workforce to the city centre and the surrounding Greater Dublin area.”

Meanwhile consultation on changes to Finglas West and South routes started last Thursday, October 21, and will run until Sunday November 14 2010.

The changes are part of the Network Direct plan to reform and cut Dublin Bus routes.

Central to the proposals for both Ballyfermot and Finglas is a merger of current routes 40 and 78/a to make a new 40 r0ute which will link the two area via the city centre. It’s planned to operate at a frequency of 10 mins peek and 12 mins off-peek.

The new 40 will serve Finglas, Glasnevin, Phibsboro, Drumcondra, Dorset Street, O’Connell Street, Dame Street, St James’s Hospital, Inchicore, and Ballyfermot and the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre.

Another high frequency route will also serve each route.

Ballymun is to get a merged 79/a which will be called 79 (10 mins peek and 15 mins off-peek). It will run from Park West to Beaumont Hospital on the northside, via Heuston Rail Station, O’Connell Bridge, Connolly Rail Station and Fairview.

On the Finglas consultation, a new high frequency orbital route 17a will be formed from merging the 17a and 220 buses. At 10 mins peek and 20 mins off peek, it will link the Blanchardstown Centre, Connolly Hospital, Ballycoolin, Cappagh Hospital, Finglas, Ballymun, DCU, Santry, Beaumont Hospital and Howth Junction & Donaghmede railway station.

For Finglas commuters travelling into the city, the new 40 route will be supported by capacity from a 40D route to Parnell Street running every 15mins at peek and 30mins off-peek.

For details on other changes and further details of the Ballyfermot route changes here and Finglas changes here.