Latest news with #O'Gorman
The Journal
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Journal
Uber will give women in US a choice to only travel with other women - but no plans to do it in Ireland
UBER IS INTRODUCING a feature in some US cities that will enable women to ask to only be paired with drivers who are also women – but has no plans to bring the measure to Ireland. The ride-sharing company announced this week that it is piloting a feature called 'Women Preferences' in three US cities in the coming weeks. The function will allow women using the app – both passengers and drivers – to request to only be matched with other women on trips. The pilot will start with Los Angeles, San Francisco and Detroit, with intentions to expand further across the US. Several dozen countries (Ireland isn't one of them) already have an option in the app for women drivers to request to only be paired with other women as passengers, but this will be the first time that passengers have the option. In a statement to The Journal , Uber said it does not currently plan to introduce the feature in Ireland. 'This is just a US product,' a spokesperson said. More choice. More control. Women told us they wanted the option to be matched with other women—and we listened. Now, after piloting these features in dozens of countries, we're bringing Women Preferences to the US. 🙋♀️ Riders can choose a woman driver 🚘 Drivers get more… — Uber (@Uber) July 23, 2025 Advertisement Other taxi apps operating in Ireland include Freenow and Bolt. Freenow is being acquired by Lyft, another taxi app, which has a similar feature in the US called Women+ Connect. In a statement to The Journal, Freenow Ireland General Manager, Danny O'Gorman said that Women+ Connect has been 'well received in the US' and it is 'currently evaluating whether and how similar features could be relevant for European markets'. 'Supporting passenger and driver safety is a key priority for Freenow, and we are committed to providing safe and reliable service to app users through safety features like 'Share your trip', which allows the trip to be shared with friends or family,' O'Gorman said. 'Taxi drivers in Ireland are regulated by the National Transport Authority and require full vetting by An Garda Síochána before obtaining their taxi licence,' he said. Bolt, which has a feature in some countries for passengers called 'Women for Women', said that it keeps the available locations under review but that there are barriers in the industry to growing the number of women working as taxi drivers. Kimberly Hurd, Bolt's Senior General Manager for Ireland, said: 'Safety is a top priority for Bolt, and we're always looking at new ways to support both passengers and drivers. We introduced a 'Women for Women' feature in several countries, which allows women passengers to request women drivers where available. 'While this feature is not currently available in Ireland, we're constantly reviewing where it could be rolled out next,' Hurd said, adding that Bolt has other in-app safety features like an emergency assist button. 'As a woman in the industry, increasing the diversity of drivers is a particular focus of mine. However, a major barrier to growing the number of women in the industry is the current regulatory environment,' she said. 'The cost of entering the market is high and the SPSV Driver Entry Test needs modernisation to better reflect today's technology and operating conditions. These issues need to be addressed if we're serious about improving diversity across the sector.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
21-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
SETU and Dungarvan Enterprise Centre to advance rural enterprise and innovation
The partnership aims to strengthen enterprise development and innovation across Dungarvan and west Waterford. The agreement was formalised following the official opening of DEC's new facility at Fairlane, Dungarvan. Under the partnership, SETU and DEC will collaborate to support entrepreneurs and enterprise communities to develop, test and scale new solutions, particularly in AgriTech and related sectors that are central to the region's economic and social fabric. Professor Bill O'Gorman, chairperson of Dungarvan Enterprise Centre, welcomed the collaboration. 'Within the EU and Ireland, as expressed in Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021–2025, there is an increased understanding nationally and internationally that rural development is integrally linked to policies across a wide range of areas including spatial planning, enterprise growth, job creation, social cohesion, community development, public services, communications infrastructure, agriculture, the marine, climate adaptation, tourism, heritage, health and leisure.' Professor O'Gorman said that he sees strong synergy between what is know as the TU RISE Rural Enterprise Programme and the BECEE. TU RISE stands for Technological University Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise, while BECEE stands for Balanced and Enhanced Collaboration for an Entrepreneurship Ecosystem. The latter is part-funded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology Higher Education Initiative, in which DEC is a partner. Brian Ogilvie, head of entrepreneurship and rural engagement at SETU, said: 'SETU is committed to working in partnership with enterprise centres and regional stakeholders to drive innovation and support vibrant rural communities. 'Through TU RISE, we are building capacity and infrastructure that enable entrepreneurs to thrive, and this new hub in Dungarvan will be a catalyst for collaborative research, technology adoption and enterprise growth.' The TU RISE is co-financed by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021–27 and the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021–27. The programme supports the development of research capacity, knowledge transfer and enterprise engagement across the region. SETU said it 'looks forward to working with Dungarvan Enterprise Centre to co-design and deliver initiatives that will enhance innovation, skills and entrepreneurship, supporting sustainable economic development in Dungarvan, west Waterford and beyond.'
Irish Independent
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Lack of action on proposal to close key Wicklow artery is slammed – ‘Too little, too late'
These are just some of the words used by elected representatives in Bray following a presentation from the Stop the closure of the Herbert Road campaign group at the municipal district meeting on Tuesday evening. Since Easter numerous protests have taken place in the area, as residents look to call a halt to plans to close what is viewed as a vital access route to the town – the Herbert Road junction – to make way for the N11/M11 Bus Priority Interim Scheme. The campaign group has grown from just 10 key members when it was formed in April to over 2,300 followers and counting on its Facebook page. In recent weeks over 10,000 leaflets have been distributed to local estates. Despite the calls for the scheme to be paused for a review, Wicklow County Council has indicated it will progress with its plan, which is being developed in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Department of Transport. The council has said previously it is 'committed to ensuring that the closure of each direct access point is considered carefully' and the implementation of any major road improvement features 'will improve journey times for the residents of east Wicklow'. Local resident Clare Finnegan started the campaign from a picnic table over three months ago. Speaking during the meeting she said they won't stop until a proper solution is found. 'The invitation to speak in the chamber here this evening is too little, too late, but we will remain humble, we will grow strong as our councillors continue to do nothing. The core idea of government is that the government is held accountable to the people who elected them. We call on you to do more for our community which needs your support at this critical time.' 'The town of Bray needs a traffic management plan. 773 buses will be delayed over the course of any given day if the closure goes ahead. This junction is a vital artery for Bray - linking communities, supporting businesses, and ensuring access to schools, homes, and the seafront.' 'Despite their critical role in this process, TII has shown little willingness to explore viable alternatives, instead treating this move as non-negotiable, even though the scheme does not depend on the removal of this junction.' 'When we attended the monthly meeting of Wicklow County Council in April, we found the comments from the Chief Executive Emer O' Gorman to be dismissive, with inconclusive information from engineers. We were told bus corridors are the way forward.' she added. Having received a pledge from Ms O'Gorman during that meeting to contact the Taoiseach and Transport Minister about the issue, Ms Finegan also grasped the opportunity in June to present Ms O'Gorman with a letter during the sod turning of the Fassaroe Park and Ride facility asking for an update, delivering a second letter seeking a meeting with representatives from the NTA. Meanwhile churchwarden of Saint Brigid's Church Gordon Lennox warned elected members in the chamber that compulsory purchase orders for the bus corridor will make access impossible for hearses, wedding cars, and anyone with mobility needs. 'The church lies at the bottom of Herbert Road, and it has been serving families since the 1860s. The building is a protected structure. If the county council move ahead with this plan, they may be in breach of its own county development plan. There is also a consecrated burial ground in the church grounds, with many family members of residents buried there.' The junction of the N11 and Herbert Road, in Bray, with the entrance to Kilbride Church, which would be closed off to make way for the bus corridor. Separately local businessman Donal Egan highlighted the potential toll on businesses if the plans go ahead. He cited a statement issued by the Bray Chamber of Commerce. 'The closure of one of only four key access and egress points to Bray will inevitably cause increased congestion both within the town and on major surrounding routes such as the Southern Cross and the Dublin/Bray Road. This will lead to longer delays and higher costs for businesses operating in Bray. 'Bray already experiences significant traffic challenges during weekends and peak summer periods due to the high volume of day visitors. Removing Herbert Road as an access point will only worsen the situation, making Bray less accessible and potentially deterring visitors.' 'There is growing frustration among residents who feel their voices are being ignored. It is unacceptable that the expressed concerns of local elected representatives are not being considered in the decision-making process.' Councillors widely praised the group for their efforts in highlighting the issue with Cllr Joe Behan stating it was 'the most powerful grassroots campaign I have seen in the town over the last 40 years'. 'This proposal will cut 25 per cent of the access available to the town. It is a cheapskate solution to improve public transport in the area. The move will be dangerous for traffic. 'You all must be praised for holding fire to elected members feet.' he added. Cllr Melanie Corrigan who was left 'speechless and overwhelmed' following the presentation, commended the group for leading their campaign with dignity and respect. 'It's an appalling situation, I will work to try and stop the plans going forward.' she added. Cllr Dermot Daisy O' Brien acknowledged the people powered campaign that has grown in prominence and impact. 'Does the will of the people matter in this process? What's at stake is clear for residents. Up to now though, their concerns have been dismissed. We need to think about the future of the town.' he added. To date, over €1.45 million has been spent on the scheme which Cllr Malachai Duddy branded as a 'complete waste of money' and 'a form of imprisonment for residents', while Cllr Ned Whelan called it the 'stupidest' plan he's ever heard of. Cllr Ian Neary apologised for the lack of action from the elected representatives, while paying tribute to the work of the campaign. Cllr Caroline Winstanley informed the chamber that the proposed closure will be an agenda item for the July meeting of the Municipal District's traffic and transport subcommittee. Cllr Erika Doyle called for better communication and community engagement from the relevant state agencies. As Cathaoirleach of the district she will also write to the council's chief executive to express their concerns and reiterate their support for the campaign on behalf of the eight local councillors. Attention now turns to Tánaiste Simon Harris, who has invited all Wicklow Oireachtas members across all parties to attend a meeting with the Transport Minister Darragh O' Brien to discuss the issue. The meeting on July 9 is expected to be met with further protests by the campaign group outside the gates of Leinster House. Sinn Fein TD John Brady is also due to submit a petition which has amassed thousands of signatures against the proposal since the start of the campaign. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
The Journal
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Irish politicians to attend Budapest Pride as Hungary threatens participants with fines
Lauren Boland Lauren Boland reports from Budapest SEVERAL IRISH POLITICIANS are travelling to Budapest to take part in the city's Pride in a show of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community amid an attempted ban by Hungarian authorities. Green Party TD Roderic O'Gorman, Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh and Fianna Fáil MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurcú are due to attend the march tomorrow along with dozens of other politicians from around Europe. Pride parades have been held in Budapest for 30 years, but this year, prime minister Viktor Orbán and his right-wing government have sought to quash the event. The government and police are using laws that limit visibility of LGBTQ+ related content and new legislation that restricts freedom of assembly to try to prevent celebrations of Pride by threatening fines or imprisonment for participants and organisers. The city's mayor, a left-wing politician, said he would host the parade as a municipal event and argued that would get around the restrictions – but the authorities have insisted that attendees could face legal repercussions. Orbán told state radio today that there will be 'legal consequences' and that the police have the authority to 'break up such events', but that Hungary is a 'civilised country' and 'we don't hurt each other'. Police have been given powers to use facial recognition software to identify people who attend the parade, which could carry a fine of up to €500, while organisers could be sentenced to a year imprisonment. Speaking to The Journal , O'Gorman said he felt it was important to take a stand as the government has been 'chipping away' at LGBTQ+ rights in recent years and that the banning of the Pride is a 'major escalation in those attacks'. Advertisement The TD said that Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris should summon the Hungarian ambassador and communicate Ireland's 'deep, deep concern with the measures that have been taking place, and how they are an erosion of basic freedoms today for the LGBT+ community'. If they get away with this, who knows what freedoms they'll look to attack tomorrow. 'I'll be missing my first Pride in Dublin for about 20 years, but I think it was important to stand with the LGBT+ groups in Budapest,' O'Gorman said. 'I hope the day goes off peacefully, and I hope that there'll be a big attendance. I expect there will be, because I think it has galvanised a lot of Hungarians in terms of an obvious attempt by the government to distract from the poor state of the Hungarian economy at the moment.' Counter-demonstrations that oppose LGBTQ+ rights are also planned for tomorrow and have not faced pushback from authorities. O'Gorman said that Pride organisers have cautioned participants 'not to engage' with far-right groups at the counter-protests. 'We've also been told what happens if tear gas is released or if there is violence. The organisers are planning for worst case scenarios, but I think everyone hopes that it will go off peacefully.' MEP Maria Walsh, along with other MEPs from EU countries attending the march, received a safety briefing in the European Parliament. 'Carrying ID, making sure we don't connect to WiFi, making sure we travel in groups of people and not as individuals, and as soin as the Pride protest is done, all forms of rainbow colours and any protest gear has to be removed,' Walsh told The Journal . 'That is out respect for making sure community members are safe and sound, which is vastly different to the privilege we experience in Ireland.' Walsh described a 'roll back' on human rights in Hungary over the last few years, both for the LGBTQ+ community and for women and people of colour, as well as a weakening of adherence to rule of law. Related Reads Hungary is setting 'political trap' for EU with Pride ban, says Leo Varadkar Budapest mayor threatened with imprisonment as he defies police to host Pride parade 'I attended Pride in Hungary a number of years ago, and I remember speaking to media outlets at that point and saying there was maybe two or three LGBTI flags in windows, and then outside of that, you wouldn't know there was a public assembly of pride,' she said. 'In comparison to what we had in Mayo a couple of weeks ago, what people in Dublin will see this weekend – Pride is is still very much a protest in Hungary.' She said that Ireland must not be 'complacent' about protecting human rights in the face of a rise of far-right ideology. 'It's not just online anymore. They very much have bled into the offline and the physical space, and it is an incredible worry.' MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú is also part of the contingent of MEPs due to take part in the parade. In a statement, she said the ban was a 'blatant attack on our civil liberties within the European Union'. 'Can you imagine the 18 year old gay or lesbian young person in Hungary watching this unfold on the news? They will be scared, uncertain and afraid to come out,' she said. 'This isn't Russia, this is the EU, where we believe in diversity and equality.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Otago Daily Times
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Hooker's key to longevity: Few beers, physio, swimming with sons
Rowan O'Gorman is in his 25th season of premier rugby, and even after notching another remarkable milestone the veteran hooker shows no sign of slowing down. O'Gorman came off the bench for Marist Albion in their 33-26 win over Lincoln University on Saturday, making his 350th appearance for the club's division one side. Now 43, he's the oldest player in the competition – but says he will keep playing for as long as he can. 'I'll just keep on playing until I'm done enjoying it or get too injured. The number (of games) is all about how good the boys are going, if the boys don't need me, then they don't need me. 'But it's still fun to be around.' His 350 appearances since his debut aged 18 in 2000 are not only the most for Marist, but a Metro record as well - one O'Gorman has held since he overtook fellow Marist man Tala Kale's record of 330 in 2022. Recovery is key at his age. O'Gorman credits his longevity to 'a few beers,' good physios, and regular swims with his sons Eli, 6, and Noah, 9 – both of whom play in Marist's junior grades. 'Swimming pools are a really good one, that's quite often the usual, take the kids to swimming lessons on the Sunday or Monday, and go for a swim,' he said. His boys were on hand for Saturday's milestone and got the chance to run out with their dad before kick-off. 'It was pretty cool being able to do that with them,' O'Gorman said. 'Noah, the oldest one, he's right into it. He would've been to every game pretty much since he was about three-years-old. 'The younger one (Eli) enjoys playing around in the mud, but I'm not sure how much footy he actually watches.' Rugby runs deep in the family. O'Gorman's father Kevin played more than 200 games for Marist, and several of Kevin's six siblings – and their children – have also represented the club. Over the years, O'Gorman has won the premier competition three times and held the DCL Shield on 10 occasions, including Marist's current reign. He believes there's a strong chance of more silverware this season. Marist have been the standout team through the regular season, sitting atop the table with one round to go before the playoffs. 'If we play well, we give ourselves a good opportunity to do that and lock away the DCL as well,' O'Gorman said. 'It's definitely one of the stronger squads I've been involved with. 'A lot of it when it comes down to this end of the season is preparing well, doing your homework and making you're in the right space when it comes to the Saturday.'
