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GRANNY flats can help fix the housing disaster, with builders insisting: “These are not just beds in sheds.”

Lee Ryan is putting up “turn-key” modular homes for €70,000 in just six to eight weeks and says they are built to the exact same standard as a regular house.

Garrett White

Garrett White

Garrett White

Over 400,000 adults aged between 18 and 34 are currently living at home with their parents.

Now the Government is considering allowing the building of outhouses of 40sq m or less without planning to ease the crush.

GrannyFlat.ie chief Lee told us: “It’s really, really busy. It’s great. We’re getting inquiries all the time because it’s a need, it’s a big need.

“And people are definitely looking for something that’s built correctly.

“You think it can’t get any busier and it does.”

If approved, new legislation would mean homeowners could see a boom in back garden dwellings.

Ms Ryan said: “I’ve been working with different people proposing these to the Government for the past two years.”

As the Department of Housing considers the proposal, some government members have already paid a visit to Lee’s builds.

Lee said: “They want to know about costings and fire regs and all this kind of stuff.

“Anything that I’m listening to on the radio and the news at the moment, they see a value in it. It’s certainly not the solution. We need more houses, that’s without a doubt.

“But it could be part of the solution and that’s how I see it.”

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, John Cummins, confirmed that officials are finalising a policy paper on the matter.

Lee said: “I think if they do relax the planning laws, it will be really beneficial. Because at the moment people are building them regardless, without any thought.

“So if they do relax them at least, there will be probably guidelines about size. That’s only going to be a positive thing.”

‘RELAXATION SPACE’

The Irish Sun visited one of Lee’s stand-alone builds in Dublin currently used as a “relaxation space”.

The small unit boasted a sleek interior, fully fitted kitchen, bedroom and a toilet.

The Leixlip-based builder told how all her builds have flat roofs to avoid any eyesores.

She said: “All the units that I would build, they’re all flat roofs as well. That’s really important.

“So when you come into the garden, it’s not overwhelming.

“So the design phase has to be mindful of what you’re actually doing. It’s not just putting a house into a back garden.”

‘CERTAINLY GOING TO RELIEVE’

She added: “People are nervous about beds and sheds. This is certainly not a bed in a shed.

“I’ve seen other places where there actually is a shed and people live in it.

“So we want to get rid of all that. Because if it’s unlegislated, then people are doing what they want.”

Garrett White - Commissioned by The Sun Dublin

Garrett White - Commissioned by The Sun Dublin

The former graphic designer first built her own unit in her back garden which led to the launch of GrannyFlat.ie. Six years on, her business is thriving, creating these “small spaces with huge potential”.

Her “turn-key” builds include a kitchen, bathroom, flooring, windows and the doors.

If the legislation is passed, Lee said it would be a great option to help young couples “leave the nest”.

HOME HELP

She said: “It’s a great platform to have your first little place together. Save some money and then buy a house.”

As numerous enquiries flow in, Lee has been contacted by many people who are struggling.

Hopeful renters frequently appear on their sites. Lee said: “When we’re building, we always get people knocking at the door going ‘are you going to rent it?’”

The Dublin native continued: “It’s not the solution but it’s certainly going to relieve it.

“I think if they do relax the planning laws, it will be really beneficial. Because at the moment people are building them regardless, without any thought.”

Lee Ryan

Lee stressed her flats are “built to the same standard as a house”.

She said: “We would dig it all down, connect the sewerage lines, so it’s quite time-consuming. So these take typically about eight to nine weeks to build.”

Her new builds are all A graded with insulation in the walls, in the ground, in the ceiling.

Minister Marian Harkin said easing restrictions could “empower some families to start addressing their own housing challenges”.

She said: “We must make housing more accessible, and this is just one of several measures under government consideration.”

Garrett White

FORMER Miss Universe ­Ireland Aishah Akorede thinks she could be losing out on public votes in Dancing With The Stars — because some people have trouble spelling her name.

Despite high scores from the judges, the 25-year-old has ended up in two consecutive dance-offs on the RTE show due to a low public vote.

Kyran OBrien

aishah.akorede/Instagram

Shutterstock

But Aishah told The Irish Sun: “My uncle has been spelling my name wrong every week when he was ­voting for me so I can only imagine what the rest of the public are doing to me!”

However Aishah — which means ‘alive and well’ in Arabic — believes experiencing tie-break dances with Joanna Donnelly and then Yasmin Seky might be to her and dance partner Robert Rowinski’s benefit now the competition is hotting up.

She said: “We’re hoping we’re not in a dance-off again but if we are it won’t phase us as we’re the only couple in the competition now who have done a dance-off.”

‘I’VE WORKED HARD’

Aishah revealed herself and pro Robert were so convinced they were heading for the bottom two on a previous show, they rehearsed their dance steps towards the end.

She told us: “As the judges were doing their interviews, Robert and I were backstage practicing, because we wanted to make sure we did our best. You don’t want to go out of this competition in bad form.

“I’ve worked hard to do it even better the second time.”

The Kildare woman admits her biggest wish on each show is to hear her name being read out as going through to the next week — but she doesn’t dread the dance-offs anymore.

Aishah said: “You’re always hoping your name will be called out as you stand there with the other dancers. But if it isn’t, that’s fine. I’ve done the dance-off twice and they’ve gotten easier.

“Doing the first dance-off really threw me but on the second dance you could see me smiling.”

Aishah has been battling sickle cell disease since birth — and needed the permission of her ­doctors to enter the dance show.

She said: “I’ve had a lot of people with health conditions contacting me to say they feel comfortable now to follow their dreams after seeing how much I push myself on DWTS.

“The fact that I’m impacting ­people makes me feel I am supposed to be here on this show.”

However, some viewers aren’t so sure TV chef Kevin Dundon still deserves to be on DWTS.

DWTS COMPLAINTS

RTE’s Liveline erupted last Monday with callers livid that the 58-year-old hadn’t yet ended up in a dance-off.

But Aishah stuck up for him, telling us: “Kevin is the oldest dancer in the competition. I see how hard he works.

“For me as someone who has sickle cell, I have to work really hard to make sure I’m on the same level as the young people in the competition. And if you saw how hard Kevin was working, I don’t think anyone would have anything to say about him being in the competition.”

ROLE MODEL

Aishah, who has Nigerian roots, said she is hoping her high-profile routines might encourage people from minorities across Ireland.

She said: “Growing up I never saw people like me in the places where I really wanted to be so I’m glad I get to be someone that people can look up to.

“I have had lots of young black people contacting me saying thank-you for opening the doors but there were people who were opening doors before me like Jordan Conroy, Erica Cody and Katja Mia.”

Tomorrow night is Orchestra Night on Dancing With The Stars, with the RTE Concert Orchestra playing live in the studio as the remaining seven couples dance their routines.

Aishah will dance an American Smooth to Vanessa Carlton’s A Thousand Miles with Robert.

• The show airs on RTE One at 6.30pm.

The New York Jets might make a shocking pick at No. 7 in the 2025 NFL Draft. As the franchise moves on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, it remains unclear who will start under center next season. One thing that is certain is this franchise is going through a lot of changes. Former Detroit Lions defensive […]

The post Jets linked to unlikely QB at pick 7 in 2025 NFL Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Las Vegas Raiders are at a crossroads regarding their quarterback situation. Holding the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the team is in a precarious position, as the top three teams all have significant quarterback needs. With only three clear first-round talents at the position, there’s no guarantee that the Raiders will […]

The post Raiders encouraged to trade for NFC quarterback before NFL Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Arizona Cardinals are gearing up for an aggressive offseason, and fans have every reason to be excited. With over $76 million in cap space, the fourth-most in the NFL, general manager Monti Ossenfort made it clear during Newsmakers Week on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM that the team plans to be active in free agency. […]

The post Cardinals GM’s ‘active’ free agency approach will have fans hyped appeared first on ClutchPoints.

DERRY CITY and Bohemians both had their managers sent-off following a chaotic incident in their Premier Division clash.

The Candystripes kept all three points at the Brandywell as Michael Duffy’s stunning free-kick sealed a 1-0 win over the Gypsies.

https://twitter.com/LeagueofIreland/status/1893032896341922115

There was controversy just after the tenth minute when a confrontation on the sideline led to both managers being shown red cards.

It started when Bohemians were given a throw-in and Derry’s Shane Ferguson tried to prod the ball away, preventing Alan Reynolds from picking it up.

This led to both men coming together which, in turn, led to both sets of players and management getting involved in the row.

When it was quashed by the referee, both Reynolds and Derry counterpart Tiernan Lynch were given their marching orders while Ferguson was booked for his involvement.

Friday night’s result represented a major come down for the Gypsies, who had started their League of Ireland campaign with a sensational win over Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium.

And assistant coach Stephen O’Donnell lamented their poor start to the contest.

He told LOITV: “We expected a tough game.

“We knew Derry, after losing last week, would come out of the traps and conditions led itself to a scrappy game.

“We didn’t start the game well.

“We gave Derry a leg up in the sense of going 1-0 up and having something to hold onto.

“Second-half, obviously us playing with the elements.

“Got a bit of a foothold but, again, didn’t feel we were clean enough in or out of possession to have long spells of dominance and we would be disappointed with that.”

The sideline row was one of the biggest talking points from the game, and O’Donnell believes a mountain was made out of a molehill.

He added: “I am not sure what happened.

“There was a little schmozz. Probably more made of it than it should have.

“You see them things with the technical areas being so close to each other here.

“Sometimes it lends itself to that and obviously the crowd is on top of you which is good for an atmosphere point of view but I think there was very little in it.

“Obviously the ref felt he had to take action and send off both managers.”

EMMA RADUCANU spotted her stalker just two points into Tuesday night’s match in Dubai, her former coach claims.

The British tennis star, 22, burst into tears and hid behind the umpire’s chair as the “fixated man” was removed by security.

YouTube

Emma Raducanu was in years during Tuesday’s match[/caption]

Youtube

The British tennis star, 22, hid behind the umpire’s chair[/caption]

Supplied

Footage from the crowd showed the man being led out[/caption]

The individual was arrested by Dubai police, although charges were later dropped after he went on to “sign a formal undertaking to maintain distance from her and has been banned from future tournaments”.

Raducanu’s former coach Roman Kelecic, who has worked with her on a temporary basis, has has claimed that the man stalked her in Singapore, the UAE and Qatar over the past month.

On Tuesday night’s incident, he told Croatian outlet Net: “Three or four hours before the match we have a photo of that stalker. Not only us, the entire security at the tournament has his photo and everyone knows who he is.

“The first game, two points gone, 15-15, Emma is on the other side of the court and she’s showing us something. At that moment we didn’t know what it was. Emma loses the first game and runs to us, crying, shouting, ‘here he is, here he is, here he is’.”

Raducanu had been approached by the man, who left her a note and took her photograph, in a restaurant on Monday.

On the incident, Kelecic added: “That was the only moment in a month where I, the fitness coach, the security guard who was with us, was not with her.

“So, that man was assessing the situation and looking for the best moment to get closer to her.

“He had a strategy that was terrifying, he thought everything through, calculated it.

“It’s terrifying how much he, in essence, thought about it all and planned it. His strategy worked, and it was to get closer to her.”

Raducanu’s stalker got “physically close” to her as he posed for selfies on Monday.

Kelecic revealed: “So, it’s a creepy story.

“This man followed her back to Singapore, to Abu Dhabi where I was with her, again in Doha, now in Dubai and we noticed him.

“But initially we thought he was a fan, an admirer, because Emma is a really big tennis star with a huge fan base.

“Until he got physically close to her, started having contact in the form of selfies, hugging, etc.”

On Wednesday, Raducanu posted a statement on her Instagram account.

It read: “Thank you for the messages of support.

“Difficult experience yesterday but I’ll be okay and proud of how I came back and competed despite what happened at the start of the match.

“Thank you to Karolina for being a great sport and best of luck to her for the rest of the tournament.”

Instagram / @emmaraducanu

Raducanu posted a short statement on Instagram[/caption]

Getty

The former U.S. Open champion was in second round action in Dubai[/caption]

LUKE Littler may have only been in Dublin for a handful of days but he certainly crammed a lot into them.

The world champion was the main attraction as Premier League darts came to the 3Arena on Thursday.

He didn’t fare too well when it came to competing as Gerwyn Price continues to be his bogey man.

The fiery Welshman beat Littler for the FIFTH consecutive time in a high-quality affair that finished up 6-4.

During their match-up the ordinarily chilled out 18-year-old actually lost his cool with the crowd at one moment.

He embraced being anointed the pantomime villain with Price for once taken in by the locals due to him having worn a green top for the occasion.

After winning a leg to prolong the contest, the Warrington native signalled to the crowd to calm down as they were fervently egging on his foe by that stage in proceedings.

Afterwards though he happily acknowledged it was just the typically boisterous but good-natured atmospheres that have contributed to darts’ surge in popularity.

He said: “It’s not the way I wanted to follow up the win last week (in Glasgow).

“But there’s loads more darts to play. I appreciate everyone who came out to support.”

The two days beforehand had seen more gentle scenes as he got a chance to mingle with Pitbull – who’s behind Littler’s ‘Green Light’ walkout song.

And the Warrington native also made time for some local kids as he made a surprise visit to the D7 Youth Darts Academy at Naomh Fíonnbarra GAA Club in Cabra.

The moment was captured on film by RTE, with a countdown proceeding the teenage sensation’s arrival.

He was then flocked by kids for autographs and photographs before throwing a few darts himself.

It was a moment that went viral on social media, with fans praising Littler for a moment that the kids are unlikely to ever forget.

As if the 18-year-old didn’t have enough on his plate between all of that, he revealed to the Indo Sport podcast that he’s currently preparing for his driver theory test on TUESDAY.

Asked if he’s ever tempted to splurge on a Ferrari with his winnings from the likes of the World Championship, he replied: “When I pass my test maybe.

“I’ve not started any lessons. I’ve my theory test on Tuesday which I’ve been having a go at studying for.

“I’ve definitely got time for that.”

Throughout that interview it comes across just how much travel has been thrust upon him for all that he is making good money as well as extending his already global fame.

But seemingly he doesn’t mind too much as he’s already accepted another opportunity to be centre stage at another event since departing Dublin.

He was the guest of honour at his hometown rugby league’s match on Saturday as for one night only the Warrington Wolves renamed their stadium after him!

PREMIER LEAGUE champions Manchester City host leaders and title favourites Liverpool in Sunday’s blockbuster showdown at the Etihad Stadium.

SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest and selected the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.

Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles here

Man City vs Liverpool preview

Liverpool make the short 39-mile trip to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday for a pivotal Premier League clash against Manchester City.

The Reds head into the weekend top of the table, holding an eight-point lead over title rivals Arsenal, albeit having played a game more.

However, with Mikel Arteta’s side hosting struggling West Ham on Saturday, that gap is likely to be trimmed to five points by the time Liverpool get the ball rolling 24 hours later.

Arne Slot’s men have had the opportunity to put one hand on the title in recent weeks, but frustrating draws against Everton and Aston Villa have left the door open for a potential late challenge from Arsenal.

Liverpool will also be looking for a much-improved display after a nervy 2-1 win over Wolves last weekend – a game in which they failed to register a single shot in the second half, a first since records began in 2003-04.

While they created plenty of chances against Aston Villa last time out, their finishing let them down, with just three of 17 efforts hitting the target – including a glaring miss from Darwin Nunez.

Nonetheless, Liverpool are aiming to complete a rare Premier League double over City, having won 2-0 at Anfield in December. A victory on Sunday would mark only the third time they have managed the feat.

And, encouragingly for the visitors, they are unbeaten in their last 13 top-flight matches played on a Sunday.

For the hosts, there will be an immediate need to regroup after their midweek Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid – the first time Pep Guardiola has been eliminated before the last 16 in his 16-season tenure in the competition.

The City boss cut a dejected figure on the bench, but on the domestic front, there is reason for optimism following last weekend’s 4-0 demolition of Newcastle.

Omar Marmoush netted a stunning 33-minute hat-trick in that encounter, though City’s attacking plans for Sunday could hinge on Erling Haaland’s fitness, with the Norwegian facing a race against time to recover.

History favours the home side, with City losing just one of their last 15 Premier League meetings with Liverpool at the Etihad (W8 D6).

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Man City vs Liverpool preview betting odds

• Manchester City 7/4 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

• Draw 11/4 with Betfred – CLAIM HERE

• Liverpool 9/7 with BetMGM – CLAIM HERE

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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Man City vs Liverpool preview betting tips and predictions

Captain

Crosses and set-pieces will be a real concern for Pep Guardiola this weekend, especially with the likes of Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate about.

In terms of headed shots from defenders, the Liverpool captain ranks third in the Premier League with 13 efforts this season. In the last meeting at Anfield, Van Dijk missed a trio of gilt-edged opportunities from set-pieces and could get the opportunity to put that right on Sunday.

• Virgil van Dijk to score a header at 12/1 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

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If the shoe fits…

With 15 goals and 10 assists in Liverpool’s 13 away games in the Premier League this season, Mohamed Salah has the most ever goal involvements by a player away from home in a single campaign in the competition (23).

He’s also enjoyed his games against Manchester City.

Salah has been involved in more Premier League goals against Pep Guardiola’s side (since 2016-17) than any other player (13 – 8 goals, 5 assists). In fact, only Steven Gerrard (14) has been involved in more against the Citizens in the competition’s history. The Egyptian has also created 36 chances for his colleagues away from home this season — eight more than the next Liverpool player.

• Mohamed Salah to provide an assist at 11/4 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

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CHAMPIONS Manchester City host leaders and title favourites Liverpool in Sunday’s blockbuster Premier League showdown at the Etihad.

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Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles here

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