The colourful publication is a follow-up to Mud, Sweat & Jeers and Treasure Lost, Treasure Found. The 454-page book is on sale in city and county shops along with  brilliant local bookshops The Kilkenny Book Centre, High Street and Khans bookshop, James’s Street.

All volunteers in the book are interviewed. 

The stories highlight a fascinating era in the history of the Marble City and County

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I am writing to highlight a major health hazard that almost all of the Irish population is being exposed to. 

Equally concerning is the lack of response and inaction of the regulatory body, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that is supposed to safeguard the Irish public from this risk that is posed by the 5G towers and antennae which have sprung up all over our country in recent years. 

These masts emit harmful levels of EMF radiation at a level which has long been known to be hazardous to human health.

The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on cancer in 2011 classified Radiofrequency Electrofields as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

I have recorded levels of radiation exceeding the limits associated with increased risks of childhood leukaemia and have warned the EPA of the readings and asked for an urgent investigation, including witnessed readings to be carried out by them with their calibrated equipment. 

This is a reasonable request, based on dangerous recorded readings. The refusal by the EPA to carry out the testing is beyond concerning.  

The EPA is hiding behind an exposure limit set by a supposedly independent body that is supported by EU law. 

The EU also fund this body, The International Commission in Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The ICNIRP recommend a safe expose limit of 100,000 nT (nanotesla). 

This is 250-1000 times higher than many other expert groups recommend. Commercial conflicts of interest may explain this huge discrepancy as the infrastructure is clearly very expensive and I have heard of rents of €100,000 per year being paid to private landowners for these masts to be placed on their property. 

It’s clear that one of these groups is wrong and the ICNIRP is totally alone and an outlier in recommending such high limits as being safe. Making money cannot jeopardize the health of our children.    

The Proposed safety limits (flux density) in nT (nano Tesla) are 300-400nT (WHO), a US expert group (the National Council for Radiological Protection) recommend no greater than 200nT and many other independent scientific expert groups assert that lower limits of 100nT should apply. 

People living or working near these masts are exposed to higher limits, including sick and elderly people in nursing homes and hospitals and children in their homes and schools.  

The precautionary principle is well understood and does not need any specialist scientific expertise. 

It simply means that where there is known or potential risk the population should not be exposed. 

This risk is real, and exposure is affecting almost everyone. The companies behind these towers (eg Vantage Towers a Vodafone subsidiary are not responding to e-mails and have not done any proper, long term risk assessments).     

I recall a time before these towers appeared everywhere, and this was not long ago. 

I had no major issues with mobile phone signal or mobile broadband. Indeed, the signal was perfect in the majority of places where I now see these huge masts, right in the middle of towns and heavily populated residential areas.     

I do not believe in highlighting a problem without a solution. What can we do about this and how can we ensure the safety of ourselves and our children?

1. Many smart phone apps are available to detect EMF radiation. These are not calibrated but can signal a potential problem and hazard. The EPA has the calibrated equipment to do proper readings, and it is their job and legal obligation to do so.
2. The workplace exposure to EMF is covered by EU and adopted Irish legislation. 
3. This specifically mentions that their recommended safe EMF exposure limits do not cover long term exposure and there are not sufficient scientific studies to show long term safety. Employers must carry out transparent risk assessments of EMF exposure. This is particularly powerful if the employer is the State. 

Schools are a major concern where there are masts nearby, and teachers may be reading this letter, and as employees of the State are positioned to act, and by extension to force the EPA to act. 

Long term exposure studies obviously require long term monitoring and doing so while you are exposed to a potential health hazard is not acceptable.  Gardai working in stations that have masts on or near to the site is another group that need to take action.  

4. Contact your local representatives, councillors, and TDs, they all sit in areas where these masts have appeared (often with sneaky planning permission tactics such as retention, adding equipment to existing masts, hiding planning notices in hedgerows not accessible to the public etc). 

5. If they are not willing to speak to authority concerning the health of their constituents and vociferously raise these questions in the Dáil or at local council meetings, then they are not fit to be in public office.    

Finally, some facts need to be highlighted which are of major concern in light of the above. 

The excess mortality in this country and many other countries has increased sharply since the erection of these masts and the radiation they emit. 

Official EuroStat figures and data confirm this. Correlation does not equal causation, but the suspicion is there and based on scientific knowledge. 

We have also seen a sharp rise in the incidence of many types of cancers in the same time-frame, these are affecting younger people than can be expected, is there a link? 

This has been suspected long before this problem presented itself.  

We don’t need these masts or the risk they bring. We need people to apply pressure to avert a potential health catastrophe.

We need and deserve our government and government agencies to listen. Let’s collectively make that happen.    

I am a credible person, qualified to speak on this subject, and a genuinely concerned citizen and parent, the editor can speak to my bona fides. 

I have chosen to maintain anonymity and invoke the whistleblowers disclosure act for legitimate personal reasons.  

Name and address supplied.  

Editor’s note: I don’t normally print letters without name and address included but in this case I make an exception as the writer, I can assure is fully qualified to comment and wishes to protect his family from any possible recriminations.

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Although merely eight years old, Gaelscoil Osraí student Stevie Mulrooney is already a superstar with thousands of followers.

His overnight leap to stardom has to be a fairytale come true. It is a fantastic achievement, a huge tribute to a close-knit family that is the rock on which a bubbly young lad thrives and enjoys life.

 It all began when Stevie won the hearts of our nation when he sang Ireland’s Rugby Anthem, Ireland’s Call on the Late Late Toy Show on RTE.

Stevie was delighted to meet Irish rugby captain, Peter O’Mahoy and 2023 Guinness Writers’ Rugby Player of the year, Bundee Aki.

A proud son of Irish and Polish parents, Stevie was well and truly on the ball as he took the Late Late Show by storm and is now looking forward to his lead role at an international rugby clash that should be a cauldron of passion and emotion.

His superb performance on television has led to a Hollywood-like part at what to rugby aficionados will be the greatest show on earth.

It was as if the Genie in the Bottle did her trick and granted a Kilkenny boy a lifetime wish.

Hey presto, the oval ball now kicks on to our national rugby and soccer arena, where Stevie will belt out the anthem with which he has a love affair, at the 2024 Six Nations showdown between rugger giants, Ireland and Italy.

It is a dream come true.

The world will be Stevie’s oyster and among the crowd in the packed stadium will be his very own Kilkenny team, his parents Seamus and Karolina Mulrooney, his three sisters and little brother.

His nearest and dearest will be glued to every word he sings, joining in the chorus, proud as punch that the son and brother who is loved and admired is one of their own and is their champion of champions.

You couldn’t make it up, although you might dream about it, particularly if you were a multi-talented youngster like our Stevie.

 He won the hearts of thousands of Late Late Toy Show viewers with his beautiful singing.

He intends to woo a full house at the Aviva, a privilege that was fully earned. Following his TV super showing he was immediately tracked by talent scouts and signed up for the rugby fest.

So impressed was the greater rugby family with his rollicking performance that 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year, Josh Van der Flier contacted Stevie.

He invited Stevie to be host entertainer at what promises to be one of the most memorable occasions of his tender years, a fantastic honour for the boy and his family.

Van Der Flier has now confirmed by video call to our swashbuckling warrior, a passionate player with Kilkenny Rugby Football Club that Stevie will lead the packed Aviva with his own rousing version of Ireland’s Call.

 As a guest on the Late Late, Stevie scored a great victory for his parents and siblings, his school and an army of supporters and well-wishers. His performance hit the spot. He was an instant hit.

His reward is the freedom of the Aviva and he is eagerly looking forward to the rugby party on February 11.

The boy’s love of singing is matched only by his passion for sport.

He is an active enthusiast in a plethora of clubs in a collection of indoor and outdoor sports that he is wildly devoted to seven days a week.

Along with rugby he is an avid underage team member with his local Fair Green Soccer Club, Freebooters. 

He also plays with Dicksboro GAA Club, a true love of his proud granddad Jimmy Mulrooney, a son of Ballycallan, a popular retired bread salesman.

 Dicksboro is also the hurling home of his uncle, school principal, Richie Mulrooney, a lifelong aficionado of the game, a former county star and one time blazing soccer winger, along with Steve’s dad, younger brother Seamus another star of the then Emfa Football Club.

Stevie is head, neck and heels involved in martial arts and is a member of Dragon’s Lair and Kilkenny Combat Academy Clubs where he is entrenched in Japanese, Jiu Jitsu and Kickboxing.

In what’s left of his leisure time he attends swimming and singing classes and Polish School. On the back burner are Irish and Modern dancing classes, activities he loves but simply can’t fit into his hectic schedule.

As a tribute to his beloved mother he studied the Polish Language and is now a fluent speaker. 

He is also fluent in English and Irish Languages and sings his heart out in three tongues. 

But while the multiplicity of sport continues to tug at his heart strings it is his huge love for singing that is top of the charts in his helter-skelter fledgling years.

Stevie is a wonderfully friendly and mannerly youngster, enjoys meeting people and treats family and friends of all ages, children and adults, with the utmost respect.

Kilkenny Press is predicting that Stevie will be a terrific ambassador for his native city and country, the Gaelscoil he loves and the family he cherishes, as he yearns to rock the Aviva at what promises to be an occasion of joy, pride, passion and emotion.

His podium will be at the fulcrum of a soccer cum rugby stadium in Ballsbridge, Dublin and along with his family he will be on top of the world.

Stevie’s dad, Seamus is originally from Circular Road. He is a director of a company called Textech Industries that supplies acoustic installation for business jets. 

He is an industrial engineer and ran manufacturing facilities in Virginia and Phoenix Arizona before returning to Ireland after six years in the US to control Europe and the Middle East Aerospace market.

  His wife Karolina is a sales manager with the same company and is a qualified nutritionist. The couple met through the fitness industry where Karolina was receptionist in a Kilkenny leisure centre and Seamus was a keep fit enthusiast.

Stevie’s sisters, Ciara (26) and Tara (24) are teachers while Leah (22) is a trainee teacher. Five years old Aaron, the babe of the family is looking forward to an occasion that will rival the coming of Santa Claus.

The family Stevie loves, one big happy family, will sit together in stand seats in a stadium that was originally named Lansdowne Road.

But their hearts will be on the pitch with Stevie as he leads our nation in its daring pursuit of Six Nations gold.

The fuse is lit.

Stevie will lead the war cry as the Aviva erupts.

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You were taken from us at a very young age in 1953 but we will always treasure your love, your smiling face, your kindness and loving care for our little family.

Will those who think of James today a little prayer to Jesus say.

You will forever be in the hearts and minds of sons James and Joe; daughter-in-law Ann; grandchildren James and Andrea; great grandson MJ Comerford and his dad Michael Comerford.

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That infamous appeal by one of Ireland’s highly-paid TV presenters should not to be forgotten or airbrushed in the annals of recent history. 

Hats off to the 15% that did not get the jab. Hats off to the awakened 98% that are not taking the boosters.

No hats off to the presenter who pushed a branded jab through the medium of a child on a Christmas toy show, the segment regarded by complainants as abuse.

No hats off to politicians and media ignoring excess deaths.

Meanwhile: Extracts from Ireland’s National Health Service Executive website:

“We’re here for you

“Helping you take control of your health and wellbeing. Covid-19 vaccination is available to children aged 6 months and older.”

“You can book the first round of vaccination – for all children age 6 months and older. The first round of vaccination is 3 doses. The second dose is given 3 weeks after the first. The

third dose is given 8 weeks after the second dose.”

Yours etc, 

Joe Terry

Blarney

Cork

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As someone who has been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, I am writing to draw the attention of Kilkenny Press readers to a survey of women in a similar position to myself, with the aim of improving the services and supports available.

Supported by Cancer Trials Ireland, the survey is seeking the views of women whose breast cancer has spread, also known as metastatic or stage 4 breast cancer on their cancer journey experiences.

When it comes to a diagnosis of cancer, there can be so many questions, from “how serious is my diagnosis?” to “how do I tell the kids?” Unfortunately, answers to such questions and access to information often isn’t so straightforward. This survey will help determine a range of recommendations to help address these gaps.

The survey covers various topics, from discussions with medical teams to conversations with family and children, from sexuality and fertility issues to financial stresses, from coping with mental health challenges to engaging with palliative care.

I would encourage as many women who find themselves in these circumstances to take part so that we can get as comprehensive a view as possible as to what they have encountered.

Thanks to advances in treatments, we are living longer. We need to ensure that health and psychosocial services are adapting to support us, and to make life that little bit better for those who may follow in our footsteps. The survey is available online at www.cancertrials.ie.

Siobhan Gaynor, Co-chief Investigator Cancer Trials Ireland Patient Consultants’ Committee, RCSI House, 121Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2

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A beautifully written book flooding you with memories of old and recent times living in Kilkenny. 

Stories and pictures of family, friends and work colleagues wrapped up in 311 pages.

It’s a must read, and can be purchased in Khans Bookshop, James’s Street, Kilkenny.

We joked that my mother used to go to bed with Johnny Barry, I now find myself going to bed with Jimmy Rhatigan! 

Congrats to you Jimmy, it gets a 5-star read from me.

Brenda Hogan, Kilkenny City

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APTLY, a local book launch was a truly cosmopolitan occasion at the appropriately named Paris Texas Bar and Restaurant.

Over 200 packed in to support journalist Jimmy Rhatigan’s second book, Treasure Lost, Treasure Found, described as a memoir of sorts with lashings of wacky and wonderful stories of Kilkenny characters and their neighbours.

The launch was by Jimmy’s son James Rhatigan who flew from Florida in the USA, Jimmy’s son-in-law Michael Comerford, with Andrea and Michael’s son, Jimmy’s grandson MJ saying the magic words ‘I declare grandad’s book launched’.

From Portugal came Jimmy’s friend Jim Cranwell, a Dub who, with his wife Kay fell in love with Kilkenny when he came here to do business in 1984.

Jimmy’s uncle John Petherwick, a native of Holland flew from London for the launch.

Another guest was Latvia-born Sylvia Dmitrijevs, foot care specialist of Garden Row, Kilkenny

From Belfast and Clare respectively came Jimmy Rhatigan’s former workmates Gerry Loughran and Sean Fitzmaurice who did Trojan work on the design of the book.

Thanks went to a team of friends who helped the author with preparations and running of the first ever book launch at Paris, a brilliant venue for a community event

The main focus of the book is on the Rhatigan family of 24 Fatima Place who lost dad Jimmy who died suddenly in 1953, leaving his wife Maureen, aged 28, sons, Jimmy, aged 3 and Joe, aged 12 days.

Far from being a story of doom and gloom, the tale relates how a young family survived without its patriarch but with the fantastic support of two sets of grandparents, uncles, aunts and kind neighbours in Fatima and Emmet Street.

The book is now on sale at Khansbooks, James’s Street, Kilkenny City, in the shadow of St Mary’s Cathedral.

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