FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The fact that one of the men involved in these attacks had lived in Dublin is truly frightening

ANOTHER horrible attack in London last Saturday night. Innocent diners, tourists, families and Londoners all out to enjoy the summer weather and they were attacked without warning.

Seven dead and 48 injured, some 21 critical. What is happening? Theresa May is correct when she says enough is enough.

I was working and didn’t hear about it until I turned on the radio driving home late on Saturday night.

Horrified is too small a word to describe how I felt and my sympathies are with those families, friends and loved ones of the dead and injured.

God love them all. Life will never be the same for them again and all because of some religious zealots who clearly have no conscience.

Looking at the news coverage, and the interviews given by neighbours of one of the men involved, he was a member of the community, he had a wife and children and no one ever suspected he was anything other than a local doing his best for his family.

I hate to repeat myself, but we all need to be vigilant and on our guard. The fact that it transpires one of the men involved had lived in Rathmines, in Dublin, is frightening.

He was found with his Irish ID on his person. These attacks are getting closer and closer to home. Again, thank God my family and friends are safe, but we need to all ask outselves for how much longer?

Meanwhile, this week, I attended the launch of the South East Radio Hospitality Awards at the Ashdown Park Hotel in Gorey, Co Wexford. I am a judge again this year along with Jules Mahon, from the Taste.ie; TV3 chefs Edward Hayden and Joe Shannon; Deirdre McGlone from Harvey’s Point and this year we are also joined by Niall Rochford, GM of Ashford Castle. All the judges are from outside the county of Wexford.

These awards, which are for hotels, restaurants and pubs, were a huge success last year.

Some 66,000 people voted for their favourite hostelries, and those with the most votes wil make the final list for the judges to visit. The awards will be handed out at a Gala Dinner on September 18 in the ballroom at the Ashdown Park Hotel. I do hope there are more Gorey nominations this year — yes, I love Gorey, because I can spend time off with my darling Derry in Courtown!

Best of luck to everyone. For more details on the awards, please visit: hospitalityawards.ie