code: private static Date parse(final String dateString) {
  		try {
  			return new SimpleDateFormat("dd/mm/yyyy").parse(dateString);
  		} catch (ParseException e) {
  			LOG.error("Error parsing date: " + dateString, e);
  			return null;
  		}
  	}
docs: Parses a date string.
  
  @param dateString the date string to parse
  @return a date corresponding to the given dateString, or null on error.