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RTÉ News
11-07-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Four public parks in Cork to offer free sunscreen
Four public parks in Co Cork will be offering free sunscreen from Monday. Labour Councillor John Maher said the cost of sunscreen is a factor in preventing people from using it. It comes as the Irish Cancer Society says that there is an increased risk of skin cancer amid high temperatures. It said that according to a survey, seven in ten people find that sunscreen is too expensive. The charity also says that one in ten people surveyed do not wear sunscreen because they cannot afford it. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Maher said providing sunscreen dispensers was something "that was achievable" and could be delivered at a low cost. "This is a partnership with the HSE and we're going to share the costs initially and it's going to run to the end of the summer. "As with all pilots, we're going to see how it goes, we're going to see the usage," he said. Mr Maher said that because the sunscreen dispensers will be in public parks owned by Cork city, they expect to have good control over the initiative and to be able to manage it well. He said the sun in Ireland is "still dangerous" and this will provide people with protection. The sunscreen on offer will be factor 50, he added. "There's a mirror there so that if you are putting it on yourself, you can get all the spots behind your ears and neck and you don't go around with a lot of cream on you," he said. The sunscreen dispensers will be available at Marina Park, Fitzgerald Park, Clashduv Park and Meelick Park from Monday. A Status Yellow high temperature warning is in effect for 14 counties, and will be extended countrywide from midday tomorrow.
Irish Independent
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
Ireland set to sizzle as sun-lovers enjoy 30C on hottest day of year; parks to offer free sunscreen
8 minutes ago Cork to see free suncream in parks The people of Cork will be able receive free suncream at four parks across the city from Monday. Visitors to Marina Park, Fitzgerald's Park, Clashduv Park and Meelick Park - which are owned by Cork City Council - will have access to free SPF50 suncream through new dispensers. Labour Party councillors John Maher and Peter Horgan brought the idea of the scheme to Cork City Council, motivated in part by figures from the Irish Cancer Society which found the cost of suncream has prevented one in 10 people from using it. The pilot scheme will run until the end of summer in partnership with the HSE. Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Maher said: "Just because we're not in mainland Spain, and you know, the sun isn't always belting down on us, the sun is still dangerous in Ireland, and the UV rays that it gives off. So, this is giving people a bit of protection in our public parks." The dispensers will contain SPF 50 and will also feature a UV dial and a mirror to help people applying their suncream. Maeve McTaggart 47 minutes ago Today 03:05 AM Hosepipe bans begin in the UK Hosepipe ban begins in Yorkshire as summer's third heatwave grips country A hosepipe ban is coming into force in Yorkshire as the third heatwave of the summer grips the country. Households in Yorkshire are the first to be hit with the ban after months of extremely hot and dry weather across England, with more high temperatures forecast over the weekend. Temperatures could reach 32C in parts of central and southern England on Friday and are expected to remain high into the weekend, with a yellow heat health alert in place for all regions in England until July 15. The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency, warns of the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over, or with health conditions, because of the heat. Ellie Crabbe, PA Today 03:04 AM Today 03:03 AM Today 03:03 AM Today 02:52 AM Status Yellow high temperature warning to come into effect from midday A Status Yellow high temperature warning will come into effect for 14 counties from midday, with Met Éireann warning of temperatures higher than 27C. There will be plenty of sunshine, clear skies and dry weather throughout the coming days. Nighttime temperatures are unlikely to fall below 15C. The forecaster has warned of uncomfortable sleeping conditions and the potential risk of heat stress, water safety issues and forest fires. It will extend to the entire country from noon on Saturday and will in effect until 6am on Sunday morning. There will be a break in the "mini heatwave" next week, when more unsettled and cooler weather is expected from Monday. Scattered showers will return as Met Éireann forecasts a band of rain moving over the country throughout the morning and continuing into Tuesday. Maeve McTaggart Today 02:43 AM Do you put suncream on a cow? Farmers will also be watching out for their cattle as the mercury climbs this weekend, with Peter Hynes in Aherla, Co Cork, even using sun cream on the udders of his show cows if they need it. 'I think the most important thing at the moment is to ensure they have a good water supply and are in a shaded paddock,' said Mr Hynes. The show cows are more at risk of sunburn as their fur is clipped. He keeps them indoors during hot spells, but would use sun cream on their udders if they needed to be out in the sun for extended periods of time. 'Over the weekend, we have to be mindful of how sun affects us – it is the same for animals and you don't want them distressed,' he said. His cattle currently need around four kilos of dairy nuts a day due to a lack of grass on the farm, in comparison to the usual two or three kilos he would be feeding his herd this time of year. However, there has also been a silver lining to the current conditions, with the farmer's maize reaching new heights. 'Generally, maize in Ireland should be around knee-high by July 4 but our maize crop was actually over seven feet by July 4 and putting up cobs. 'It's extremely unusual for this country to see maize at that height and putting up cobs that early, but it is down to the weather.' Gash Gardens in Portlaoise, which Ross Doyle runs with his wife Mary, has seen a surge in visitors in the last few days, with 'all hands on deck' this week to keep four acres of grounds watered during the warm weather. 'When we saw the heatwave coming, even though it's fantastic to see the hot weather, it brings a lot of extra work,' said Mr Doyle. Today 02:42 AM Today 02:41 AM Cooling off in Dublin as Temperatures are set to soar close to 30C over weekend as the public are urged to conserve water. Photo: Mark Condren Today 02:40 AM Zoos and wildlife parks stock the freezers The freezers in Fota Wildlife Park in Cork are also fully stocked with ice blocks. Some are filled with fruit and leaves, others with meat and even blood. Senior ranger Cathriona Ni Scanaill said animal welfare is a priority through all seasons, with the Fota team thinking 'outside the box' to keep every animal from the meerkats to the big cats cool and entertained. There are shady areas and access to water in every habitat, which are adapted to the needs of each animal. Rhinos use mud wallows to cool down, as they would in the wild, and the ostriches give themselves dust baths, while semi-aquatic animals like capybaras and tapirs have access to ponds. 'With the rhinos, sometimes we give them a hose shower, which they really enjoy. For a lot of the primates and even the big cats, we prep ice blocks – sometimes with fruit in them so they have to work to get the fruit out,' said Ms Ni Scanaill. 'We pop in little treats, maybe grapes. For the big cats like the tigers, lions, we put in chunks of meat, or we could use blood [in the blocks] as well to help cool them down. For the giraffes, we might pop an ice box up with leaves in it.' The freezers are prepped with ice blocks and frozen peas, which are scatter-fed to the primates in their care. Ms Ni Scanaill said the rangers are well prepared and all the animals seem to be enjoying the sunny spells, though she urged all visitors to bring their sun cream if they are planning a trip. 'All the animals seem happy and contended with us. It's really nice here, the sky is absolutely blue and the trees are green, but you also get the lovely breeze coming in from Cork Harbour so that really helps to cool the place down.' Today 02:39 AM Surge in sales of hot tubs, barbecues and garden furniture Hardware suppliers have reported a surge in sales of hot tubs, barbecues and garden furniture in anticipation of the hot weather. Supermarkets including SuperValu, Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and Marks & Spencer said they had already sold out of hot-dog rolls, burger buns and charcoal in anticipation of a weekend of outdoor eating. SuperValu expects iced coffee sales to increase by 200pc, while sun cream sales are up 400pc and sales of bags of ice have doubled in their stores. Woodies, B&Q, 4Home and Home Value reported a surge in sales of barbecues, garden chairs and parasols as families unable to head to the beach prepared to make the most of the fine weather in their back gardens. Oisín Kelly at Woodies in Airside Retail Park, Swords, said parasols, gazebos and patio furniture have been a major hit in store, while 'plants and compost have been really popular'. Caroline Whelan, who runs A Room Outside in Co Limerick, said: 'We have also had a big run on hot tubs at the moment. They have been popular all through this season so far, but they are selling quite well at the moment.' Ralph Riegel Today 02:37 AM Ireland set to sizzle as sun-lovers enjoy 30C on hottest day of year Mini-heatwave on way as some parts of the country won't dip below 18C overnight Ireland will experience the hottest day of the year this weekend – as high as 30C. The mini-heatwave will also make it hard to sleep, with some parts of the country having overnight temperatures stuck around 18C. Met Éireann has forecast 29C for tomorrow, and huge crowds are expected to head to coastal areas to make the most of the sunshine. Forecaster Aoife Kealy said Ireland's hottest temperature of the year to date – 29.5C at Mount Dillon in Co Roscommon on June 20 – could be topped over the next 48 hours, with some sheltered inland areas possibly hitting 30C or slightly higher. The mini-heatwave will not set a new July record – the hottest July day ever recorded was in Dublin's Phoenix Park on July 18, 2022, when the temperature reached 33C. Over a million people will head to coastal and lake resorts, and gardaí and local authorities warned people to allow time for their journeys and to expect possible congestion. Parking is expected to be at a premium at popular locations throughout the weekend. Lifeguards said they were gearing up for one of their busiest weekends of the year. Aaron Duffy, who works alongside his sister, Alicia, on Claremont Beach in Howth, Co Dublin, issued a warning to sun lovers. 'Always ensure that you swim between our flags, our red and yellow flags. That's our patrol zone, and that's where we'll be able to keep an eye on you,' he told the Irish Independent. 'Swimming in a big group is always good because you'll have a lot of people to look out for you. And if, God forbid, you get into trouble in the sea, what I would advise would be to remain calm. Try to keep your head above water with basic strokes.' Water Safety Ireland also urged those heading for the beach to 'make safety a top priority' this weekend.
Sunday World
05-07-2025
- Sunday World
Man (37) accused of careless driving causing death of dad-of-two on Wicklow building site
John Maher, was a father of two aged in his late 40s, and died at a workplace incident in Rathdrum. The late John Maher from Rathangan, Co Kildare, who died on Wednesday A 37-year-old man appeared before a court yesterday evening, charged with careless driving causing the death of a man on Wednesday who died at a construction site in Co Wicklow. The man who died in the Rathdrum incident, John Maher, was a father of two aged in his late 40s, and was living in Rathangan, Co Kildare. Tarieli Schatz, of no fixed abode, appeared before Judge William Aylmer at a special sitting of Bray District Court yesterday evening. Evidence of arrest, charge and caution was given by Sergeant Simon Whelan of Wicklow town Garda station. Sgt Whelan said he had earlier arrested Mr Schatz in the presence of an interpreter and that the defendant made no reply after he was charged with the single offence. Tarieli Schatz Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 5th The incident allegedly happened at the Regan Construction Site in the Knockadosan area of Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, on Wednesday afternoon, which the court heard was not described as a public place. Mr Schatz – who sat with his head bowed throughout the brief proceedings – did not object to a garda application that he be remanded in custody. The court heard that the Georgian national had been earning €700 a week while working in construction and legal aid was granted in the case. Judge Alymer ordered that he be medically assessed in custody and a Russian interpreter was assigned for his next court appearance which is due for next Tuesday at a Wicklow District Court sitting in Bray. Tarieli Schatz The court heard that a bail application will be made on this date. Mr Schatz, who was aided by an interpreter throughout the proceedings, did not address the court at any stage. An Irish Coast Guard helicopter was tasked to the building site on Wednesday, but it did not land as Mr Maher had died from his injuries at the scene. The Health and Safety Authority have been notified and have launched an investigation into the incident which is separate to the garda investigation. Mr Maher was living in Rathangan at the time of his death but was originally from Co Laois. His body was removed to St Columcille's Hospital in Loughlinstown on Wednesday and a post-mortem examination took place on Thursday. The late John Maher from Rathangan, Co Kildare, who died on Wednesday Locals said that Mr Maher was a 'thorough gentleman and a very hard worker''. He is survived by his wife Tracey, sons Seán and Fionn, parents Pat and Mary, brother Liam and sisters Patricia and Eileen. His funeral is due to take place on Monday at The Church of Assumption and St Patrick in Rathangan. Tributes to Mr Maher have been pouring in online since the devastating news broke of his death, with a spokesperson for Kildare Cycling Club writing: 'John will be sorely missed by everyone at Kildare Cycling Club and in the wider community.'
RTÉ News
05-07-2025
- RTÉ News
Man charged over Wicklow construction site death
A 37-year-old man has appeared before Bray District Court this evening charged with careless driving causing death at a building site. It follows the death of father-of-two John Maher, formerly of Rathevan in Portlaoise, at a Co Wicklow construction site on Wednesday afternoon. Tarieli Schatz, a Georgian man of no fixed abode, was arrested this afternoon and charged by Sergeant Simon Whelan. In the presence of a Russian interpreter, he made no reply when charged with careless driving causing death at a Regan construction site on the Greenane Road in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow. Judge William Aylmer heard there was no objection or consent to bail and no application for bail was heard today. The case was listed again before Wicklow District Court, sitting in Bray, next Tuesday, 8 July. Mr Schatz was granted legal aid after the court heard he was working in construction, earning €700 per week. Remanding him in custody, the judge also directed that he be assessed to see if any medical assistance was required and he was assigned a Russian interpreter, ahead of his next court appearance.
Sunday World
03-07-2025
- Sunday World
Wicklow community ‘devastated' following death of dad (40s) in workplace accident
Locals said that John was a ''through gentleman and a very hard worker''. Tributes have been paid to a man who was killed in a workplace accident in Rathdrum, County Wicklow. The victim died from his injuries following a fatal workplace accident at a building site which occurred on Wednesday afternoon at approximately 3.30pm. He has been named locally as John Maher who was in his late forties and was living at Kilmoeny North in Rathangan in County Kildare but who was originally from Rathevan, Portlaoise in County Laois. John Maher News in 90 Seconds - Thursday, July 3 An Irish Coast Guard helicopter was tasked to a building site. It did not land as the man had died from his injuries at the scene. His body was removed to St. Columcille's Hospital in Loughlinstown where a post-mortem exam is due to take place on Thursday. Locals said that John was a ''through gentleman and a very hard worker''. Paying tribute the Fine Gael TD for Wicklow-Wexford Brian Brennan said 'I spoke to a number of people in the Rathdrum area and people are absolutely devastated.' "To say there is a cloud over Rathdrum this morning is putting it mildly.'' 'You know, it's horrific for any family to deal with such a sudden death. It's just horrific and our thoughts and prayers are with the family obviously of this man and with the people of Rathdrum. As I say they're absolutely devastated.'' John is survived by his wife Tracey, sons Seán and Fionn, parents Pat and Mary, brother Liam, sisters Patricia and Eileen. No funeral arrangements have been made as yet. Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) have each launched separate investigations following the death of a man in Rathdrum, County Wicklow on Wednesday July 2nd His death comes just a day after a man lost his life in a workplace fatality in County Kilkenny. The man who has not been named was hit with a lorry during road works close to Kilkenny city.
