Welcome to the latest edition of the Blanch Bulletin.

An Coimisiún Pleanála has granted permission for the demolition of Salmon’s Public House and the Paddy Power unit at Mountview Shopping Centre in Coolmine, with a three-storey Family Hub to be built in its place.

The proposed development will provide accommodation for families experiencing homelessness, with 40 family rooms and capacity for up to 100 residents.

The plans also include dining and living facilities, play and homework rooms, an outdoor children's play area, landscaping and an on-site medical/GP suite.

The Commission said the site's location close to shops, schools, public transport, sports and recreational facilities supported the development.

Permission has been granted subject to a number of conditions, including an operational management plan and a complaints procedure for local residents.

The decision follows an earlier refusal by Fingal County Council and represents a significant change for the Mountview Shopping Centre area.

The Dublin 15 community is mourning the loss of Leah Carrick, who died following a single-vehicle collision in Ballycoolin last week.

Leah, who was in her 20s, was involved in the collision on Wednesday, 26th August, between the Snugborough Road and Cappagh Road roundabouts.

Tributes have been shared by friends and those who knew Leah, remembering a young woman who meant a great deal to the people around her.

Her family asked those attending her funeral to wear bright colours in her memory — a fitting celebration of Leah's life.

Her Funeral Mass took place at St Joseph's Church in East Wall, followed by cremation at Dardistown.

Our thoughts are with Leah's family, friends and everyone who knew and loved her.

The Castleknock community is also mourning the sudden death of Detective Garda Stephen Harte, who died unexpectedly on 27th August.

Stephen is survived by his wife Vivienne, his children Scott, Lewis and Ava, his parents Terry and Sheila, his siblings and his wider family, friends and colleagues.

He will repose at Cunningham's Funeral Home, Clonsilla, today, Friday 4th September, from 5pm to 7pm.

His Funeral Mass will take place at St Brigid's Church, Blanchardstown, tomorrow, Saturday 5th September at 10am, followed by burial at Esker Lawn Cemetery.

Stephen's death will be felt deeply by his family, friends and colleagues in An Garda Síochána and throughout the local community.

We extend our sincere condolences to everyone who knew Stephen. May he rest in peace.

There are fears for 164 jobs at PayPal in Ireland, with the company beginning a consultation process over proposed redundancies.

PayPal employs almost 1,400 people in Ireland, with its Irish operation based in the Blanchardstown/Ballycoolin area.

The proposed redundancies are expected to take place between 7th and 21st October, with employees now entering a consultation process.

PayPal has not confirmed the exact number of positions that will be affected but said staffing changes form part of a wider multi-year transformation programme.

The company previously announced 290 Irish job cuts in 2024, while a further 62 roles were affected in 2023 alongside the closure of its Dundalk office.

A Castleknock woman has appeared in the High Court after allegedly using an angle grinder and power saw to regain entry to a repossessed property.

The case concerns a house at 22 Park Drive Grove, Castleknock, which had been repossessed following a default on a loan of around €160,000.

The receiver appointed by Pepper Finance alleges damage was caused when entry was regained.

The woman denies the allegations and disputes the circumstances surrounding the repossession and the property's valuation.

The case has been adjourned until next week, with an injunction remaining in place.

Two men have been charged following an alleged major drug handover in Blanchardstown.

Gardaí allege that approximately 18kg of cocaine, with an estimated value of around €1.8 million, was involved in the operation at Brandon Square.

The drugs were allegedly found inside a Smyths Toys shopping bag.

The overall seizure, including other drugs, has been valued at around €2.2 million.

Both men deny the allegations and the case remains before the courts.

A rather unexpected visitor turned up in a Blanchardstown garden this week. 🐍

Kildare Wildlife Rescue was called after a snake measuring around three feet was discovered beside a compost heap.

It was identified as a North American corn snake, checked over and placed into foster care.

Not exactly the kind of thing you'd expect to find beside the compost!

Public transport users are set for another fare increase from January 2027.

The average adult fare will rise by around 15%, while the Dublin 90-minute Leap fare will increase from €2 to €2.30.

Town Leap fares will rise to €1.65, while some intercity fares will increase by between 10% and 20%.

The increases will apply across Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Irish Rail, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland and TFI Local Link.

Child fares are being reduced in many cases, while free travel for children under nine and those aged 66 and over will remain.

An inquest into the death of Seán O’Neill has heard that two Gardaí who were dispatched to search for him at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown said they had “no recollection” of the incident.

O’Neill, who was 25, left the hospital in March 2017 after being transferred there from Ashbourne Garda Station.

Hospital staff contacted Gardaí shortly after he left, with two officers dispatched at 7.17am.

Both officers told Dublin District Coroner’s Court that they could not recall searching the hospital grounds or viewing CCTV footage.

The inquest also heard that no details of their initial inquiries were recorded on the Garda Pulse system.

O’Neill's body was found on the hospital grounds the following day, around a five-minute walk from the emergency department and close to where he was last seen on CCTV.

One of the officers said that, based on his usual practice, he would have searched outside the hospital grounds and passed information back to his sergeant, although there was no evidence recorded of this.

The inquest continues.

🏢 Trump to meet President at Áras an Uachtaráin during visit next weekend

🇮🇸 Irish woman, aged 18, dies in car crash in Iceland

🎤 Westlife confirmed for Katie Taylor's Croke Park farewell

Today: Bright and blustery with sunny spells and scattered showers. Highs of 16–19°C.

Friday night: Mostly dry and clear, with isolated showers in the west and northwest. Lows of 9–12°C.

Saturday: Mostly dry to start before rain arrives from the southwest during the afternoon. Highs of 16–19°C.

Saturday night: Rain and drizzle clearing northeastwards. Mild, with lows of 13–16°C.

Sunday: Wet and breezy with widespread showery rain. Highs of 18–22°C.

Monday: Scattered showers followed by persistent rain spreading from the southwest. Highs of 15–19°C.

Tuesday: Crisp and breezy with northwest showers.

Further outlook: Remaining unsettled, wet and breezy with temperatures generally in the low to mid-teens.

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