The Cathlaoireach of the Municipal District of Bray, John Brady has expressed total outrage and horror at a burglary in the town were an elderly couple in their 80s were tied up and robbed in their home in Bray, Co Wicklow on Monday night. Three men broke into the couple’s home at Briarwood, Vevay Road in Bray at about 8.30pm.
The Cathlaoireach said "I am totally shocked at the horrific incident which happened on Monday evening last at about 8.30pm. Three men tied up the couple, who are in their 80s, and ransacked the house before leaving with a small quantity of jewellery. This has to be a new low and I appeal to anyone with any information to bring it to the Gardaí."
"Unfortunately burglaries are on the increase in most areas in Wicklow. In 2014 there was an increase of 8% from 838 to 905, in the Wicklow Division. Out of the three subdivisions, Baltinglass was the only one to see a decrease of 18% from 194 to 176 burglaries. In Bray there was an increase of 1% from 413 to 417, in the Wicklow subdivision there was a huge increase of 35% from 231 burglaries to 312. Unfortunately 2015 has seen the figures continue to spike" Cllr Brady went onto say.
Cllr Brady continued "Unfortunately the Garda recruitment ban that was implemented in 2009 has badly depleted the force and inevitably that has had an impact on policing in Wicklow. Thankfully recruitment has started again and there are currently 200 recruits undergoing training in Templemore. I hope that Wicklow will get a number of these new Gardaí to help try tackle the spike in burglaries that we are experiencing."
"I wish the two elderly residents who had to endure such a horrific experience a speedy recovery and I hope the culprits who carried out this horrendous burglary are apprehended and brought to justice. I encourage people to be vigilant and keep a watchful eye out for any suspicious activity and report it to the Gardaí." Ends
Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow john.brady@oireachtas.ie
Tuesday, 17 February 2015
Councillor John Brady unanimously chosen as the Sinn Fein candidate for Wicklow/East Carlow in the forthcoming General Election
At a selection convention on Monday evening in the Glenview Hotel, Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady was selected unopposed to run in the forthcoming General Election for Sinn Féin in the Wicklow/East Carlow constituency.
Speaking after the convention Councillor John Brady said:
"I am delighted to have been selected as the party candidate for the forthcoming General Election for the constituency of Wicklow/East Carlow. It's a massive honour to run again for the party, in the 2011 General Election we narrowly missed out on taking a seat and I'm delighted that the party in Wicklow has unanimously chosen me to be their candidate in the forthcoming election. Wicklow needs strong and effective political representation and I hope to build on the fantastic success the party had in Wicklow at the last local elections and win a Dáil seat this time round."
"Wicklow/East Carlow has a lot to offer and has huge potential. However it is being held back by poor political representation from the Government parties and a failure of Government TDs. In 2011 four Government TDs were returned to the Dáil, in the forthcoming elections I know there will be a lot of changes and the Government parties will be held to account for their austerity policies that have hurt so many families and communities across Wicklow and East Carlow."
Brady continued "Citizens and communities across the State have suffered massively as a result of the policies implemented by the Fine Gael/Labour government. This government promised a fair recovery but has instead presided over deepening inequality and unfairness. We in Sinn Fein want to put money back into people’s pockets and we will work to create jobs for everyone. We hope to stem the tide of youth emigration and create a climate of fair work for fair pay.
"I will be a strong advocate for low and middle income workers and the unemployed. I have a track record of robustly challenging unfair Government policies and standing up for ordinary citizens. I will also champion rural development and challenge rural decline and the closure of vital services."
"Sinn Féin is committed to a fair recovery, progressive taxation, investment in public services prioritising health, housing and childcare and championing decent work and pay. We will defend public services and prioritise the delivery of social housing. We have also given a hard and fast commitment to abolish the property tax and water charges - measures that will benefit every single household across the constituency, from Arklow to Ashford and Ballyknockan to Bray" he concluded. Ends.jpg)
Speaking after the convention Councillor John Brady said:
"I am delighted to have been selected as the party candidate for the forthcoming General Election for the constituency of Wicklow/East Carlow. It's a massive honour to run again for the party, in the 2011 General Election we narrowly missed out on taking a seat and I'm delighted that the party in Wicklow has unanimously chosen me to be their candidate in the forthcoming election. Wicklow needs strong and effective political representation and I hope to build on the fantastic success the party had in Wicklow at the last local elections and win a Dáil seat this time round."
"Wicklow/East Carlow has a lot to offer and has huge potential. However it is being held back by poor political representation from the Government parties and a failure of Government TDs. In 2011 four Government TDs were returned to the Dáil, in the forthcoming elections I know there will be a lot of changes and the Government parties will be held to account for their austerity policies that have hurt so many families and communities across Wicklow and East Carlow."
Brady continued "Citizens and communities across the State have suffered massively as a result of the policies implemented by the Fine Gael/Labour government. This government promised a fair recovery but has instead presided over deepening inequality and unfairness. We in Sinn Fein want to put money back into people’s pockets and we will work to create jobs for everyone. We hope to stem the tide of youth emigration and create a climate of fair work for fair pay.
"I will be a strong advocate for low and middle income workers and the unemployed. I have a track record of robustly challenging unfair Government policies and standing up for ordinary citizens. I will also champion rural development and challenge rural decline and the closure of vital services."
"Sinn Féin is committed to a fair recovery, progressive taxation, investment in public services prioritising health, housing and childcare and championing decent work and pay. We will defend public services and prioritise the delivery of social housing. We have also given a hard and fast commitment to abolish the property tax and water charges - measures that will benefit every single household across the constituency, from Arklow to Ashford and Ballyknockan to Bray" he concluded. Ends
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Monday, 9 February 2015
Council to carry out safety improvements at dangerous junction following another traffic accident
The Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Bray, John Brady has welcomed a commitment from Wicklow County Council to improve safety at the junction between Adelaide Road and Florence Road in Bray. The junction is very dangerous and a number of serious road traffic accidents have recently taken place there, the latest on Saturday night last.
Councillor Brady said "Over the last number of months I've been raising concerns at council level about the junction between Adelaide Road and Florence Road in Bray. This follows a number of serious road traffic accidents at this location, the latest of which happened on Saturday night last when there was a two car crash at the junction, resulting in one man being hospitalised and treated for his injuries. The council has now thankfully agreed to carry out a number of improvements at the junction to improve safety".
Following discussions on Monday Councillor Brady said "Hopefully this week work is to be carried out improving the signage and road markings at this junction. I have also been given a commitment that the public lighting is also to be improved and a speed table will also be installed in the near future. I welcome that the council has acted on this issue and is addressing the dangerous junction".
Cllr Brady concluded "Only last week I raised serious concerns about this junction with the Gardaí and they shared my concerns. Unfortunately another accident has taken place over the weekend and i wish the driver a speedy recovery, but thankfully the council has committed to improving the junction and the work is to be carried out imminently". Ends
Councillor Brady said "Over the last number of months I've been raising concerns at council level about the junction between Adelaide Road and Florence Road in Bray. This follows a number of serious road traffic accidents at this location, the latest of which happened on Saturday night last when there was a two car crash at the junction, resulting in one man being hospitalised and treated for his injuries. The council has now thankfully agreed to carry out a number of improvements at the junction to improve safety".
Following discussions on Monday Councillor Brady said "Hopefully this week work is to be carried out improving the signage and road markings at this junction. I have also been given a commitment that the public lighting is also to be improved and a speed table will also be installed in the near future. I welcome that the council has acted on this issue and is addressing the dangerous junction".
Cllr Brady concluded "Only last week I raised serious concerns about this junction with the Gardaí and they shared my concerns. Unfortunately another accident has taken place over the weekend and i wish the driver a speedy recovery, but thankfully the council has committed to improving the junction and the work is to be carried out imminently". Ends
Wednesday, 4 February 2015
Brady welcomes plans to celebrate and remember Fran O'Toole from the Miami Showband on his 40th anniversary
The Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District of Bray Councillor John Brady has welcomed plans to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Bray man Fran O'Toole from the Miami Showband. At Tuesdays Municipal District meeting a presentation from local man Peter Carroll who is a family friend of the O'Toole’s was given and he outlined a number of proposals to remember and pay tribute to Fran O'Toole in his home town of Bray. Fran was murdered on 31st July 1975 along with two other members of the Miami Showband.
Speaking after the council meeting the Cathaoirleach Councillor Brady said "At Tuesday’s council meeting local man Peter Carroll gave an excellent presentation on the Miami Showband and local man Fran O'Toole whose 40th anniversary takes place on 31st July. Haven spoken to Peter over the last number of months I felt his proposals were long overdue and invited him to give the presentation at the council meeting. In the late 60's and early 70's the Miami Showband were huge and described as the 'Irish Beatles' The Miami Showband massacre took place 31 July 1975, near Newry, in South Armagh, while the band was travelling home to Dublin after a gig in Banbridge, County Down."
"Unfortunately nothing has ever been done in Bray to acknowledge, pay tribute or remember Fran who was the lead singer with the band at the time of his death. The band had a massive following and played in packed out venues right across Ireland, the UK and the United States. The band united people through music both north and south of the border and gave people a glimmer of hope at a bleak time in our history. The Miami regularly played in Fran’s hometown of Bray in the Arcadia Ballroom. People would travel from far and wide and on occasions thousands would have to be turned away as the Arcadia was packed to capacity.”
Cllr Brady continued “There are a number of plans been worked on by Peter Carroll with the support of the O'Toole family and many of Fran’s showband friends and colleagues. There was broad agreement at the meeting from all the members for the need to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Fran, these plans are to be progressed by Peter and the council has pledged to financially support some of the proposals.”
Brady continued “People right across Ireland were shocked at the murder of Fran and his colleagues Brian McCoy and Tony Geraghty. Bray came to a complete stand still for his funeral, which people say was the largest ever to be held in the town. It’s only right that we remember Fran, his music and the legacy he left. I look forward to the events that are been planned and will continue to work with Peter to ensure they are successful as they can be.”
Speaking after the council meeting the Cathaoirleach Councillor Brady said "At Tuesday’s council meeting local man Peter Carroll gave an excellent presentation on the Miami Showband and local man Fran O'Toole whose 40th anniversary takes place on 31st July. Haven spoken to Peter over the last number of months I felt his proposals were long overdue and invited him to give the presentation at the council meeting. In the late 60's and early 70's the Miami Showband were huge and described as the 'Irish Beatles' The Miami Showband massacre took place 31 July 1975, near Newry, in South Armagh, while the band was travelling home to Dublin after a gig in Banbridge, County Down."
"Unfortunately nothing has ever been done in Bray to acknowledge, pay tribute or remember Fran who was the lead singer with the band at the time of his death. The band had a massive following and played in packed out venues right across Ireland, the UK and the United States. The band united people through music both north and south of the border and gave people a glimmer of hope at a bleak time in our history. The Miami regularly played in Fran’s hometown of Bray in the Arcadia Ballroom. People would travel from far and wide and on occasions thousands would have to be turned away as the Arcadia was packed to capacity.”
Cllr Brady continued “There are a number of plans been worked on by Peter Carroll with the support of the O'Toole family and many of Fran’s showband friends and colleagues. There was broad agreement at the meeting from all the members for the need to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Fran, these plans are to be progressed by Peter and the council has pledged to financially support some of the proposals.”
Brady continued “People right across Ireland were shocked at the murder of Fran and his colleagues Brian McCoy and Tony Geraghty. Bray came to a complete stand still for his funeral, which people say was the largest ever to be held in the town. It’s only right that we remember Fran, his music and the legacy he left. I look forward to the events that are been planned and will continue to work with Peter to ensure they are successful as they can be.”
Wicklow County Council to establish a cross party committee to plan for the 1916 Centenary commemoration
Wicklow County Council is to establish a cross party committee to put in place plans to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 rising. The issue of commemorating 1916 was raised by Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady who questioned the funding available and what plans are in place in Wicklow for 2016. He stated Wicklow volunteers played a key role in the build up to 1916 with many participating in the fighting during Easter week. Councillor Brady's proposal of a cross party 1916 committee was unanimously agreed to.
Speaking after the meeting Councillor Brady said "Wicklow played a key role in the build up to 1916 and a number of volunteers from Wicklow actively participated in the fighting during Easter week when the Republic was declared. There is less that eleven months now before 2016 comes and the centenary commemoration events start. At the meeting on Monday i stated that it was important that every County across Ireland puts in place detailed plans to commemorate 1916, the men and women who set about declaring the Republic and that Wicklow should be no different."
"In January the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys announced that €1 million was being made available to local authorities for commemorative events in the state. At the meeting i stated that Wicklow needs to put in place a programme of events to commemorate the men and women of 1916 and that key to this would be education as to the true meaning of the Republic that was declared. Wicklow could get up to €32,000 in funding so its vital to get working on a programme of events straight away. I proposed at the meeting that a cross party 1916 committee be established to engage the public and put in place a programme that is dignified, respectful and educational."
Cllr Brady concluded "It was unanimously agreed that the cross party committee would be established and i look forward to its establishment and participating in it to ensure that the memory and legacy of the men and women who participated in 1916 and its buildup are remembered in a dignified manner here in Wicklow."
Speaking after the meeting Councillor Brady said "Wicklow played a key role in the build up to 1916 and a number of volunteers from Wicklow actively participated in the fighting during Easter week when the Republic was declared. There is less that eleven months now before 2016 comes and the centenary commemoration events start. At the meeting on Monday i stated that it was important that every County across Ireland puts in place detailed plans to commemorate 1916, the men and women who set about declaring the Republic and that Wicklow should be no different."
"In January the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys announced that €1 million was being made available to local authorities for commemorative events in the state. At the meeting i stated that Wicklow needs to put in place a programme of events to commemorate the men and women of 1916 and that key to this would be education as to the true meaning of the Republic that was declared. Wicklow could get up to €32,000 in funding so its vital to get working on a programme of events straight away. I proposed at the meeting that a cross party 1916 committee be established to engage the public and put in place a programme that is dignified, respectful and educational."
Cllr Brady concluded "It was unanimously agreed that the cross party committee would be established and i look forward to its establishment and participating in it to ensure that the memory and legacy of the men and women who participated in 1916 and its buildup are remembered in a dignified manner here in Wicklow."
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Sinn Féin to hold protest at Irish Water closed meeting in Wicklow County Council
Wicklow Sinn Féin are to hold a protest outside Wicklow County Council on Monday 2nd February from 12noon, to coincide with Irish Water officials meeting behind closed doors with some Councillors.The six Sinn Féin County Councillors are to boycott the meetings and have urged all other Wicklow Councillors to do likewise because of Irish Waters refusal to meet in an open forum.
Speaking ahead Monday’s meeting and planned protest Cllr. Brady said "Unfortunately after numerous requests for representatives from Irish Water to attend and answer questions from Councillors at a full council meeting, they have responded by refusing to meet in a public forum, but have said they will hold a number of clinic type meetings behind closed doors with Councillors on February 2. Sinn Féin are to hold a protest outside the meeting to show our opposition to the process of secrecy that Irish Water are putting in place to meet with the democratically elected representatives of the Wicklow people".
“The Sinn Féin team of six Wicklow County Councillors have decided to boycott the meeting with Irish Water. It’s planned that councillors from the five municipal districts will be given 45 minutes per district to put questions to the officials from Irish Water on February 2, they will be held behind closed doors in secret at the council buildings. Sinn Féin will boycott the meetings and we have called on all the other councillors to do likewise”.
Cllr Brady concluded “Irish Water is toxic. It should be scrapped along with the government’s water charges. The planned meetings are an attempt to manipulate councillors into accepting an organisation that has no public credibility. In November Wicklow County Council supported and passed a Sinn Féin motion calling on the government to scrap water charges, halt water metering and to abolish Irish Water. Boycotting the private meeting on Monday will send a strong message to both the Government and Irish water that it’s not business as usual and that an alternative open process of meeting councillors will have to be put in place. We will be handing the Irish Water officials a letter outlining our objections at the protest which starts at 12noon. We are asking other councillors not to attend the meetings and for the public to attend the protest".
Speaking ahead Monday’s meeting and planned protest Cllr. Brady said "Unfortunately after numerous requests for representatives from Irish Water to attend and answer questions from Councillors at a full council meeting, they have responded by refusing to meet in a public forum, but have said they will hold a number of clinic type meetings behind closed doors with Councillors on February 2. Sinn Féin are to hold a protest outside the meeting to show our opposition to the process of secrecy that Irish Water are putting in place to meet with the democratically elected representatives of the Wicklow people".
“The Sinn Féin team of six Wicklow County Councillors have decided to boycott the meeting with Irish Water. It’s planned that councillors from the five municipal districts will be given 45 minutes per district to put questions to the officials from Irish Water on February 2, they will be held behind closed doors in secret at the council buildings. Sinn Féin will boycott the meetings and we have called on all the other councillors to do likewise”.
Cllr Brady concluded “Irish Water is toxic. It should be scrapped along with the government’s water charges. The planned meetings are an attempt to manipulate councillors into accepting an organisation that has no public credibility. In November Wicklow County Council supported and passed a Sinn Féin motion calling on the government to scrap water charges, halt water metering and to abolish Irish Water. Boycotting the private meeting on Monday will send a strong message to both the Government and Irish water that it’s not business as usual and that an alternative open process of meeting councillors will have to be put in place. We will be handing the Irish Water officials a letter outlining our objections at the protest which starts at 12noon. We are asking other councillors not to attend the meetings and for the public to attend the protest".
850 Low income families and elderly people in Bray start to feel the effects of Wicklow County Council Budget
850 low income families and elderly people in the Bray area are starting to feel the effect of the Wicklow County Council budget that was adopted by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and some Independent councillors last November. In passing the budget the councillors voted to scrap the Waste Subsidy Scheme that Bray Town Council had in place. The scheme which had been in place for a number of years at a cost of €40,000 gave a subsidy to the most vulnerable in society to help cover the high costs of refuse collection.
Cllr Brady commented "Over the last couple of weeks I've been inundated by constituents contacting me about the Waste Subsidy Scheme that Bray Town Council had in place since the privatisation of the domestic refuse collection service in Wicklow. Many were very upset after being informed by the Municipal District in Bray that the scheme has now been abolished due to the passing of the County Council budget by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and some Independents."
"The Waste Subsidy Scheme was put in place after the privatisation of the refuse service to help some of the most vulnerable in society to pay for the collection of their refuse. This scheme is needed now more than ever due to the exorbitant charges for the collection of refuse by the private operators. Unfortunately with the passing of the budget in Wicklow this scheme has now been stopped and many elderly and vulnerable people now find themselves in situations were they simply cant afford to put their bins out for collection."
Cllr Brady went onto say "This is just another cut that will hurt the most vulnerable in our society, these people are already struggling to cope due to Water Charges and the Property Tax which have been introduced by Fine Gael and Labour and supported by Fianna Fáil. People are getting hit at a national level and also at a local level and it exposes the myth of a recovery wide open. There is no recovery for the most vulnerable in our society and this latest cut is further evidence of that." Ends
Cllr Brady commented "Over the last couple of weeks I've been inundated by constituents contacting me about the Waste Subsidy Scheme that Bray Town Council had in place since the privatisation of the domestic refuse collection service in Wicklow. Many were very upset after being informed by the Municipal District in Bray that the scheme has now been abolished due to the passing of the County Council budget by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and some Independents."
"The Waste Subsidy Scheme was put in place after the privatisation of the refuse service to help some of the most vulnerable in society to pay for the collection of their refuse. This scheme is needed now more than ever due to the exorbitant charges for the collection of refuse by the private operators. Unfortunately with the passing of the budget in Wicklow this scheme has now been stopped and many elderly and vulnerable people now find themselves in situations were they simply cant afford to put their bins out for collection."
Cllr Brady went onto say "This is just another cut that will hurt the most vulnerable in our society, these people are already struggling to cope due to Water Charges and the Property Tax which have been introduced by Fine Gael and Labour and supported by Fianna Fáil. People are getting hit at a national level and also at a local level and it exposes the myth of a recovery wide open. There is no recovery for the most vulnerable in our society and this latest cut is further evidence of that." Ends
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