DUNDALK’S FREE NEWSPAPER Eve’s final fling in Paris
Marian Park residents ready for 65th anniversary
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Search begins for remains of Robert Nairac in Faughart Page 9
Wednesday, 28th August, 2024. Vol. 17, Issue 35 • 9A, Crowe Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth Tel: 042 932 0888 | Email: editorial@dundalkleader.com; advertising@dundalkleader.com
Recipe for disaster
‘More businesses in hospitality sector will close if government don’t step in’ By Paul Byrne THE closure of three local businesses in the hospitality sector in quick succession has led for calls locally for the government to support the restaurant industry by reinstating the 9% VAT rate on food. That 9% VAT rate was introduced by the government in November of 2020 in a measure designed to help the hospitality industry through COVID. However, last year the rate was increased back to 13.5% which according to the Restaurants Association of Ireland is one of the main causes of the spate of recent business closures, not only in Dundalk, but nationwide. In Dundalk there have been three local businesses who announced they will no longer be trading with Coffee Corner, The Townhouse restaurant and McAteers Food House all closing their doors for the final time in recent weeks. McAteers Food House on Clanbrassil Street (where Joe Biden paid a well documented visit last year during his time in Dundalk) announced the news they were closing on social media, citing rising costs as the main factor behind their decision. Continued on Page 2
Proud mammy Pamela Malone with daughter Kate McAvinney at St Louis Secondary School last Friday morning where students collected their Leaving Certificate results. See Page 7.