That's News To Me

Check mates in Athy

2012-02-08T07:03:00.001-08:00

Strategy, game-playing, tactics, skill and logic. No, it’s not a political party get-together, it’s the Athy Chess Club that transforms the Athy Library every Tuesday afternoon into a chess haven of little grandmasters.

Athy’s grandmaster is Philippino man Franco Rivera. He set up the club two years ago and teaches adults and children of all ages. He has 40 years of chess skills and strategy behind him, competing on the international stage.
“They are good students,” he modestly explained when the Leader paid a visit. “The children have different sets of mind and learning styles, some of them have been playing years. The youngest we have is five-years-old.”
With chess there are 32 dark squares, 32 light squares and 32 pieces, with the Queen being the ‘queen bee’ literally, the most powerful piece on the board (how apt!).
“The pieces all have different moves and they need to be co-ordinated and well-balanced to form a good defence as well as a good attack, a good combination. When they are five-years-old or six, the children look at a game of chess for fun and we respect that, it’s the beginning stage of the learning process. And then in their second or third year, they begin to take it seriously. From that point, they put the clock on.” Mr Rivera explained.
Indeed the skill and logic chess can bring to children cannot be under-estimated.
“Chess is a basic tool for improving the intellectual capacity of the child. It build goods behaviour for the child. Concentration, time management, being patient, learning how to accept defeat, learning that in every defeat a lesson to learnt. They won’t mind losing a game as the most important thing is what they are going to learn. Chess teaches values. These are the importance of mental games, at their age their mind is still strong and young and not contaminated, that they can absorb these values," he added.
The pupils take it very seriously in their quest to check-mate. “I like the strategy of the game, it’s interesting to think three, four moves ahead,” said nine-year-old Lorchain Robinson, who has been playing for years. And his favourite piece, the Queen of course.
Sisters Maria and Anna Lazarut are familiar faces in the club, both buzz the timer with glee on every move. Seven-year-old Cora Lee Bennett is very focused and has been playing for three weeks now. “I plan to get a chess board this weekend,” she declares as she outmoved this reporter’s bishop with ease.
The club meets in Athy Library every week. The library runs a host of events and workshops, including an inter-generational music project, a screenwriting workshop, a knitting club, computer classes and two book clubs.

Published Leinster Leader February

10-year sentence for Tiger kidnappings sought

2012-02-07T08:05:00.000-08:00

A minimum 10-year jail term should be imposed on criminals involved in tiger kidnappings, according to a local TD whose sister was the victim of such a crime.
Sean O Fearghail, whose sister was held at gunpoint during such a kidnapping last year, last week published proposals to beef up the law on the area.
The main proposal in the Criminal Justice (Aggravated False Imprisonment) Bill is to impose a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years on those involved in tiger kidnappings. Exceptions to the sentence would be allowed only if an individual who participated assisted gardai in identifying the others involved.
Tiger kidnappings are where a criminal gang target workers who have access to large sums of cash, typically bank executives, by holding a family member hostage.
Last April, Mr O Fearghail’s sister, Mary O’Sullivan, and her family were the victims of a tiger kidnapping. Raiders entered their home in Kildare and took Ms O’Sullivan away to a location in Dublin. Her husband, a senior official in An Post, and their two children were held at the family home until the following morning, when the raiders demanded he go to the GPO and obtain €100,000 in cash for them.
However, the gang got spooked after suspecting gardai had learned of the operation and so abandoned the ransom attempt.
Mr O Fearghail said the experience of his sister and her family had alerted him to the lack of deterrents for the crime.
“I was motivated by our own family’s experience in bringing forward legislation. At the time I looked to see if the legislation was strong and saw that there was no specific crime of tiger kidnapping. Since 2005 there has been 30 such kidnapping. These crimes are crimes against a family and vulnerable people, they target people in the financial and security sector. This needs to be a recognised crime in legislation,” he said.
The garda investigation into his sister and her family’s tiger kidnapping is ongoing.
“We are confident it will eventually be solved. The gardai are working very hard on it. My sister and her husband have come out of this reasonably well. The events themselves are life-impacting, you can walk away physically unhurt but there can be other nasty repercussions.”

Published Leinster Leader January

South Kildare is 'high' radon area

2012-02-07T08:04:00.001-08:00

Large parts of South Kildare have higher than average levels of Radon.
The substance is a naturally occurring, odourless gas and is most prevalent along the M9 corridor.
The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) said radon is the second biggest cause of lung cancer in Ireland after smoking, and is linked to up to 200 deaths from the disease each year.
Speaking to the Leader, David Fenton, a senior scientist with the RPII, is urging people in the region to test the levels in their homes.
“We have identified large parts of the country more prone to high levels of radon and south Kildare is a high radon area, from Kilcullen south towards Moone, Castledermot and near Athy. There would be a danger that there is a higher chance that people would have a high radon level in their houses and they need to be alerted to that.”
He is calling on people in the area to test the level of radon in their homes. “It’s an easy thing to do, we can post detectors to your homes...It’s like a smoke alarm or getting your boiler checked, checking radon levels is another household chore.”
He added the high radon level in the area is a result of the geogolgy of the area and not man-made.

Published Leinster Leader January

Kildare was second richest

2012-02-07T08:03:00.001-08:00

Kildare was Ireland’s second richest county in 2009, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO.
The newly published County Incomes and Regional GDP figures show that only Dublin and Kildare were bucking the trend with higher than average disposable income in the country in 2009.
Lilywhites saw their income soar from €13,841 at the turn of the century to a high of €24,091 in 2008 before beginning to fall again in 2009 to €21,877. This fall indicates the impact of the recession during 2009 on average incomes in Kildare.
The poorest counties are Kerry, Donegal, Offaly and Monaghan, where average disposable income is less than 90pc of the national average.
The CSO’s definition of disposable income is any salary after tax and contributions, such as social insurance contributions.

Published Leinster Leader January

Board members asked to waive fees

2012-02-07T08:01:00.001-08:00

Members of state boards in Kildare have been asked by the Department of Finance to surrender their board fee.
This will affect board members in Bord Na Mona, Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish National Stud.
On average board member fees range from €6,000 to €14,000, and for a chairman from €11,000 to €29,000 per annum.
Irish National Stud board members include Dermot Weld and Jessica Harrington. In Horse Racing Ireland it includes John McStay and Denis Brosnan. In addition there are 12 board members in Bord na Mona.
A statement from the Department of Finance to the Leader confirmed the request had been made to all state board members in Ireland.
“This Department recently wrote out to personnel officers to advise them that, in respect of (i) all existing board members of State Bodies under the aegis of their Departments, and (ii) any members that may be appointed in the future to such Boards; it is considered that such board members should be given the option to waive the related board fee on a discretionary basis as a matter of formal protocol.”
It added that it hopes to “proceed with the implementation of this required protocol with immediate effect.”
A spokesman for Bord na Mona said: “Bord na Mona can confirm it did receive a letter on this matter and has sought and is awaiting clarification on a number of points contained in that letter. In the interim the company is not in a position to comment further on the matter.”
He added: “Just as a point of information most of the directors at Bord na Mona took a voluntary reduction in their fees in April 2009 of 7.5 per cent well before any request from the Government.”
Horse Racing Ireland declined to comment at time of going to press and the Irish National Stud was uncontactable.
This recent request by the Government is part of a nationwide change in protocols and fees to all state board members throughout the county, including board members of RTE, Aer Lingus, Bord Gas, CIE and IDA Ireland.
The Finance Department declined to confirm the uptake of the new protocol, stating “that information is complied by each department” and that “it does not have a central figure on the uptake.”

Published January Leinster Leader
Freelanced to The Irish Times front page

Fears over slot machine arcade in Athy

2012-02-07T07:58:00.000-08:00

Plans for a gaming and amusement arcade on Leinster Street, Athy, have been hotly criticised by the town council’s chairman Cllr Richard Daly.

Last week Cork-based Coalquay Leisure Ltd applied for planning permission to convert the former Hibernian Bank on 46 Leinster Street Athy into a gaming and amusement arcade. The building itself is a protected structure.
Cllr Daly, who is also the principal of Athy Community College, said that Athy Town Council has a policy whereby it is not in favour of gaming machines.
“Amusement arcades can have a very strong effect on family incomes. Over the years Athy Town Council has maintained that policy, so we would need an awful lot of convincing for such an arcade to go ahead. Of course any person is entitled to apply for planning permission and that should be upheld. Hopefully the planners will take our recommendations on board,” he said.
“I would personally be opposed, as a parent, politician and principal. The culture of gaming can be very dangerous. We have a National Lottery and an abundance of bookies in the town that takes care of that need already,” he added.
The planning file is currently with Athy Town Council and submissions in relation to the application need to be in within five weeks.
Coalquay Leisure Ltd could not be contacted at time of going to press.

Published Leinster Leader February

Aussie Olympians for Athy

2012-02-07T07:56:00.000-08:00

It’s set to be a heat wave of sorts in Athy this summer with rumours that the Australian Triathlon Olympic Team plan to make the south Kildare town its training base prior to the London Olympic Games, writes Lisa Deeney.

While the Australian Olympic Committee remain tight-lipped on its plans, TriAthy’s organiser Arthur Lynch said he is not surprised by the unconfirmed reports which have been circling the town.
“Athy is ideally placed for a triathlon training base for athletes to accclimatize,” he said. “The River Barrow and the surrounding flat areas make it ideal for Olympic athletes and the course here is very similar to the London Olympic Games course. Obviously it would be fantastic if they were based here, but as of yet we have no official confirmation.”
In a statement to the Leinster Leader from Down Under, a spokeswoman for the Australian Olympic Committee said the Director of Sport and the Australian Olympic Triathlon manager are still confirming the final itinerary for the team. She declined to confirm whether or not the team will be based in Athy before the Olympics.

Published Leinster Leader February

Footbridge designs for Athy

2012-02-07T07:54:00.000-08:00

Designs are under way for a new foot and cycle bridge in Athy, with the proposed location opposite the old Batchelors Beans factory.

It was presented to local councillors at a recent’s town council meeting, under the review of Athy’s Traffic Management Plan.
It is hoped the 100m bridge will receive funding by the National Roads Authority and the National Transportation Authority within the next five years. The design was met with a mixed response, mainly down to its proposed location.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Richard Daly said the bridge should be located closer to town, near St Michael’s Church and SuperValu on the opposite side, and not just cater for a residential area.
Cllr Mark Wall agreed. He welcomed the continuing monitoring of at Fortbarrington Junction, in particular the need for a left-turning lane and praised new lights at the Gaa/Rugby Showgrounds. He also called for more footpaths to connect service stations with residential estates.
Cllr Mark Dalton said that there would not be universal support for the new foot and cycle bridge because of its current location.
“The real problem is in our face, its day to day traffic, everything else we get is piecemeal until we get the proper infrastructure,” he added, referring to the Southern Distributor bypass still awaiting multimillion funding.
Cllr James Mahon questioned if the pedestrian crossing on Leinster Street is still in the pipeline.
Cllr Aoife Breslin called for the disintegrated footpaths on Duke St to be examined as a matter of urgency, and also the traffic light sequence at the Post Office. Cllr Mary O’Sullivan agreed, noting it is an accident waiting to happen .
Cllr John Lawler predicted a hostile reception to the proposed location of the bridge.
Cllr Mick Dunne was critical of the state of potholes throughout the town and the footpath near Shanrath. “Look, it’s not going to get done,” he fumed. “So many things are talked about around this table and nothing gets done.”
The Kildare County Council traffic official present said he would progress the designs in the Athy Traffic Management Plan based on the opinions at the meeting.
The document will come back for review at a later stage.

Published Leinster Leader February

‘We can flourish in Recession’

2012-02-07T07:51:00.000-08:00

“You. Can’t. Be. Driven. Crazy. Without. Your. Full. Co-operation.” These were the wise words of Dr Maureen Gaffney, one of Ireland’s most accomplished psychologists when she addressed the Network Kildare branch last Thursday, January 2, at the Killashee House Hotel.

At the packed meeting, she spoke on everything from personal development to organisational, cultural and societal change in a gripping, stimulating and inspiring speech that received a standing ovation from the Network Kildare branch.
At a time of deep crisis the notion of flourishing seems unimaginable, however the distinguished Dr Gaffney believes passionately that not only is it possible for us to flourish, but in an increasingly uncertain world, it is essential that we plan to do so.
Speaking to the Leader beforehand, she spoke of her grave concerns that Ireland is not in a good place, but is in the depths of ‘recession despair’.
“Learning to flourish and helping others to flourish is the most powerful and worthwhile investment we can make in our own well-being and in our country’s future,” she said.
Dr Gaffney’s new book - which is entitled ‘Flourishing’ - is available in Barker & Jones in Naas.
“Flourishing people are not just happier - they are more productive, more innovative and creative, have better judgement and make better decisions,” according to Dr Gaffney.
“They are more realistically optimistic. They are more resilient in dealing with set-backs and frustrations. They are more effective at setting and pursuing goals. They are better at motivating and managing other people. They are quicker to see and exploit new opportunities. They achieve better balance in their lives.”
A clinical psychologist by profession, Dr Gaffney has worked for many years in Trinity College Dublin as Director of the Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology. Over the past 10 years she has divided her time between her own consultancy business and a number of state and other boards. She has worked with companies in Ireland, the UK, Israel, and the US. In Kildare she has worked closely with the multinational company Intel for several years.
Dr Gaffney took to the stand in the Killashee Hotel outlined her strategies to help people flourish in business and personal development.
“How to be happy – this is a realistic goal including allowing for adversity and realising what is making you unhappy. Example, your friend’s cousin is ill, her mood will affect you. Using our attention in a focused way. We can only concentrate for a short length of time each day – use this wisely and not on negative thoughts.
She also advised the audience to multitask. “Have three projects on the go – one could be a work one, one could be settling your child into school and one could be a small task. Know the positive purpose to all meetings whether professional or social ie be prepared. Build your resilience and health. Don’t be afraid of the future and for every negative thought, you need five positive thoughts to counter-act and balance.”
She received a standing ovation from the audience of Kildare women, who are involved in business, the arts, the professions and politics.
Network Ireland, the organisation for women in business, the professions and the arts was founded nationally in 1983, the membership base consists of women from all areas in Irish business.
“We welcome new members from all industries, not just women who run their own business but those in employment, such as banking, education, health, the arts, technology, engineering, the horticulture sector,” said Network Kildare chairperson barrister Eugenie Houston, who added that Dr Gaffney’s keynote speech was an outstanding success.

Published Leinster Leader February

Check mates in Athy

2012-02-07T07:47:00.000-08:00

Strategy, game-playing, tactics, skill and logic. No, it’s not a political party get-together, it’s the Athy Chess Club that transforms the Athy Library every Tuesday afternoon into a chess haven of little grandmasters.

Athy’s grandmaster is Philippino man Franco Rivera. He set up the club two years ago and teaches adults and children of all ages. He has 40 years of chess skills and strategy behind him, competing on the international stage.
“They are good students,” he modestly explained when the Leader paid a visit. “The children have different sets of mind and learning styles, some of them have been playing years. The youngest we have is five-years-old.”
With chess there are 32 dark squares, 32 light squares and 32 pieces, with the Queen being the ‘queen bee’ literally, the most powerful piece on the board (how apt!).
“The pieces all have different moves and they need to be co-ordinated and well-balanced to form a good defence as well as a good attack, a good combination,” Mr Rivera explained. And the children take it very seriously in their quest to check-mate.
He added: “When they are five-years-old or six, the children look at a game of chess for fun and we respect that, it’s the beginning stage of the learning process. And then in their second or third year, they begin to take it seriously. From that point, they put the clock on.”
“I like the strategy of the game, it’s interesting to think three, four moves ahead,” said nine-year-old Lorchain Robinson, who has been playing for years. And his favourite piece, the Queen of course.
Indeed the skill and logic chess can bring to children cannot be under-estimated.
“Chess is a basic tool for improving the intellectual capacity of the child,” according to the grandmaster. “It build goods behaviour for the child. Concentration, time management, being patient, learn how to accept defeat, learn that in ever defeat a lesson to learn. They won’t mind losing a game as the most important thing is what they are going to learn. Chess teaches values as well. These are the importance of mental games, at their age their mind is still strong and young and not contaminated, that they can absorb the values.”
Sisters Maria and Anna Lazarut are familiar faces in the Athy Chess Club, both buzz the timer with glee on every move. Seven-year-old Cora Lee Bennett is very focused and has been playing for three weeks now. “I plan to get a chess board this weekend,” she declares as she outmoved this reporter’s bishop with ease. The Athy Chess Club meets in Athy Library which runs a host of events and workshops, including an inter-generational music project, a screenwriting workshop, a knitting club, computer classes and two book clubs.

Published Leinster Leader February

Modus Link sheds 37 jobs

2012-01-30T08:31:00.002-08:00

Modus Link, based in Kildare Town, has confirmed it is shedding 37 the positions with immediate effect, writes Lisa Deeney.
Staff were officially informed yesterday afternoon. It will leave a remaining workforce of 211.
A ModusLink spokesperson said the redundancies are in response to a change in market dynamics, with a shift to digital, rather than physical, supply chain management.
“We looked for redundancies and the majority of these are voluntary. A total of 37 positions are being eliminated and this will take place in a staged process through February, March and April. Most of the employees affected by the reduction perform a variety of operations functions, both indirect and direct labor, as well as some management staff,” a statement to the Leader said.
“Modus Link routinely seeks ways to improve the efficiency of our operations on behalf of our clients. These actions in Kildare are being taken so that we are staffed appropriately in response to constantly changing market dynamics, including lower client volumes and a shift to digital rather than physical fulfillment of products such as software,” it added.
At the time of going to press the Leader could not contact the trade union at the company.
Local councillor Tony O’Donnell said he was surprised by the cuts. “Modus Link has always been a good employer in the town for a long number of years. I am surpised. I thought they were weathering the recession pretty well. It’s not good news and I hope the jobs remaining are safe,” he said.

Leinster Leader 24 January

Human remains discovered in Athy

2012-01-30T08:31:00.001-08:00

Human remains over 100 years old were found during an archaeology dig in the Shanraheen area of Athy last week, writes Lisa Deeney. According to Sgt Jim Bergin of Athy Garda Station, the human bones were discovered last Tuesday by local archaeologists on a dig exploration for the River Barrow Abstraction Scheme. On the orders of County Coroner Dr Ravi, the bones were removed for analysis. Previously, more than 100 human remains were discovered in the Ardreigh area of Athy in the discovery of a large medieval cemetery.

Published 24 January Leinster Leader

Gardai assaulted in Athy fracas

2012-01-30T08:30:00.000-08:00

Two gardai in Athy were assaulted by local teenagers during a public order incident in Athy during the early hours of Sunday morning, writes Lisa Deeney. Athy garda were called to the Castlepark area of the south Kildare town where a fight was in progress, according to Sgt Jim Bergin. The gathering then turned into a public order incident, where two local gardai were assaulted, he said. “The injuries were not very serious and the two garda were back on duty the next day,” Sgt Bergin added. Two people were arrested, one teenager was arrested at the scene in the Castlepark area and another teenager was arrested a short time later.

Published 24 January Leinster Leader

New designs for Scoil Mhicil Naofa Athy

2012-01-30T08:29:00.000-08:00

Scoil Mhicil Naofa in Athy is set for a mulitmillion revamp, which includes a refurbishment of the old building, an extension, a new library and computer area, a garden and autism units, writes Lisa Deeney.

Principal Mary English is delighted. Speaking to the Leader, she said: “It’s very exciting that we have moved up the ladder to the design stage. It is very positive. The temporary structure will be replaced and the old building will be refurbished.”
The Board of Management is currently looking for a design team to build the redevelopment of the school. The deadline for this tender is 28 February.
“When the Department of Education officials came in to view the building they were amazed at the 1958 original floors were still intact in the old building,” she explained.
The principal acknowledged it will not happen immediately because of budgetary constraints but she noted the tender deadline was the next step in the process.

Published 24 January Leinster Leader

Great news for Athy sport

2012-01-30T08:28:00.000-08:00

There is good news for Athy in terms of sport facilities, writes Lisa Deeney.
Firstly Athy Rugby Club has applied to Athy Town Council for planning permission to install floodlights on its pitches. “It will make a huge difference to our 300 members. It will put us in line with GAA and soccer club and it is good for sport in Athy,” said pro Aideen Treacy. And secondly St Michael’s Boxing Club is also applying to the town council for an single-storey extension. A decision on both planning files is due in the coming weeks.
Published 24 January Leinster Leader.

Residents call for action over illegal encampment

2012-01-30T08:27:00.000-08:00

Residents in Kilmeade have called for action as a group of Travellers have set up illegal encampments in their estate.
Cllr Martin Miley is calling on Kildare County Council to act immediately. “It’s an ongoing problem,” he said. “It needs to be nipped in the bud. They are parked at the back of people’s houses and the entrance into the residential areas. They congregate at night and block areas. There are sanitation and health issues as well. Local residents are alarmed. This has been going on for three years now.”
Previously Kildare County Council took court action against a number of travellers in the area under the Housing Act in a bid to halt illegal encampments two years ago.
“They are now returning,” Cllr Miley claimed. “The last time it ended up 14 caravans in the estate. It is very concerning.”
The issue is to be discussed at a Kildare County Council meeting next week. Meanwhile the Moate View Estate Residents Association AGM is taking place on 1 February at Scoil Ide Naofa at 7pm where the issue will also be discussed.
Efforts to contact the Kildare Traveller Network before going to print were unsuccessful.

Published 24 January Leinster Leader

Credit Union league reassures Kildare members

2012-01-30T08:26:00.000-08:00

The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) is reassuring members in the Kildare area this week that savings are safe and secure and are guaranteed of up to n100,000 under the Government’s Deposit Guarantee Scheme.
This follows the appointment of a ‘special manager’ to Newbridge Credit Union earlier this month. “The ILCU notes that the move by the Central Bank of Ireland to appoint a special manager to Newbridge Credit Union is necessary in the interests of the members of the credit union,” spokesperson Emma Casey told the Leader.
“There are currently 13 ILCU affiliated credit unions operating in the Kildare area with over 93,000 members and assets of over n332 million,” the spokesperson continued.
“We would urge any member that has any queries, to contact their credit union where a member of staff will be happy to answer questions.”
Credit Unions affiliated to the ILCU include Athy, Castlerdermot, Coill Dubh, Kilcullen, Kildare, Leixlip, Maynooth, Monastervin, Naas, Narraghmore and Rathangan. The ILCU was keen to stress Newbridge Credit Union is not affiliated to the ILCU. Asked for account information on each branch, the spokesperson noted the credit unions are currently compiling their year-end data for 2011. The spokesperson added a strong, viable and competitive credit union alternative to the remaining commercial banks operating in the State is a public imperative.
“The Irish League of Credit Unions is focused on how this alternative can be provided and on identifying the legislative and regulatory changes that are required to ensure it will be achieved. The deliberations of the Governmental Commission on Credit Unions continue towards agreeing a comprehensive strategy around a restructuring of the credit union movement in the Republic of Ireland. The Commission will report to the Minister in March.”

Published January 24 Leinster Leader

2012-01-30T08:23:00.000-08:00

Athy Town Council is calling an emergency meeting with the County Librarian over the cut to opening hours of the local library.

Kildare County Council took the decision last September to close Athy Library on Saturdays following a review of its library facilities in the county.
It said the usage of the Athy library was extremely poor on Saturdays so priority was given to weekday afternoons and evenings opening as these were the busiest times. Cllr Thomas Redmond is calling for a reversal of this decision. “There is a need for people to visit the library on a Saturday. It is very important for commuting families and others. I feel that the need for extending the opening hours in Athy is badly needed,” he told the Leader.
“I was given a cathegoric ‘No’ by the County Librarian at a recent meeting to reverse the Saturday openings. I was told the library will remain closed because of staff issues. This is not acceptable,” he added.
The emergency meeting was called at last week’s town council meeting. There was heated political tension when Cllr Thomas Redmond sought to discuss the issue at the end of the agenda.
“Things should be brought up in advance. There is already an avenue for this and AOB should not be used to bring up a gripe,” noted Town Manager Mr Joe Boland, referring to protocol procedure.
“It’s unfair, It’s a grandstand,” fumed Cathairleach Cllr Richard Daly. “We all want the library open on a Saturday. To get a response from the council, advance notice is needed. It’s not fair to spring it on them.” Cllr Mary O’Sullivan, who brought up the issue originally last September, intercepted: “It is a serious subject. I am hearing that library staff are in on a Saturday but are deployed to other towns, to other libraries. I welcome a debate on it.” It was agreed to call an emergency meeting in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the library’s plan to build a glass lift on the outside of the building is currently on hold because of budgetary constraints.
“In order to make the library fully accessible, a glass lift on the outside of the building is required. But at present we do not have the financial resources to pursue this,” a Kildare County council spokesperson told the Leader.
The proposed glass lift would require a Part 8 as it is a listed building. Cllr John Lawler was very critical. “I object to the glass lift outside the listed building and with the Heritage Centre below. There is a lift there already. If it is not working, why not. There is no need for a new lift. The priority is to keep the library open.”

Published Leinster Leader 24 January

Kilcullen GAA expansion

2012-01-23T09:29:00.000-08:00

Plans to further develop facilities at Kilcullen GAA on lands owned by Kildare County Council are currently under way.
The economic development unit of Kildare County Council is progressing the matter with Kilcullen GAA officials and Cllr Mark Wall.
It is assessing the club’s request to develop and use some or all council land adjoining the club’s existing facilities. Any proposal to enter a lease agreement with the club will be brought before the committee in the coming months. Kilcullen GAA chairman Dan Bell welcomed this move.
“Our underage teams have doubled to 200 children in the space of two years. We are looking to develop facilities to accommodate this growth. It make five years to develop fully but the council have given us a favourable response and we are happy with that. There is a long way to go, with fund-raising and grants, and we understand that. This is for the next generation, for the players coming up.”

Published Leinster Leader December

Delay in council’s new long-term house leasing proposals in Athy

2012-01-23T09:27:00.000-08:00

The process of making housing units available under Kildare County Council’s long-term house leasing proposals is taking longer than anticipated in many cases because of a lack of funding, non-completion of estates, non-compliance with planning permission, paperwork and value for money concerns.
More than 400 people are on the housing wait list in Athy.
Kildare County Council is in discussion with a number of property owners and voluntary housing bodies in the south Kildare town on a significant number of projects under the Social Housing Leasing Initiative.
Each proposal involves the signing of a payment and availability agreement between the council and a voluntary housing body and a seperate agreement between the voluntary housing body and developer or property owner.
At a recent Athy Area Committee meeting,the council confirmed that this process is delayed.
Cllr Mark Wall, who raised the issue, said he was aware houses had been accepted under the new agreement in the past number of weeks but to-date nothing has happened in terms of the houses been given out.
He is requesting the council provide a timeline as a matter of urgency.

Leinster Leader Published 13 December

Credit problem linked to property loans

2012-01-23T09:26:00.002-08:00

Difficulties at Newbridge Credit Union over the maintenance of its cash reserves is linked to three key property loans that are now in default, the Leader understands.
In addition, according to the Stubbs Gazette, an established provider of business information and credit data, Newbridge Credit Union reserved judgement against 400 individuals over defaulting loans totalling €6.6m in October 2010. The defaults relate to loans ranging from €2,000 to €61,000.
There are no official figures for post October 2010, but managing director of the Stubbs Gazette, James Treacy, claims there has been a significant increase in the number of cases before the courts since then. “You are talking about millions of euro easily,” he added.
Leading charity and community organisations in Kildare are among the investors in Newbridge Credit Union.

Published Leinster Leader January 16

Legal advice over M9 CPOs as farmers await payment

2012-01-23T09:26:00.001-08:00

Land-owners, residents, businesses and local politicans are seeking legal advice regarding compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) issued by the National Road Authority (NRA) on the proposed M9 Services Station near Kilcullen.
At a meeting in Ballitore last Thursday, it came to light that a number of land-owners have yet to be paid for CPOs of their land.
Halverstown farmer Billy Cole said he has yet to receive money for his three acres of CPO land. He said he was issued with a CPO in February 2010. “We were given our notice to treat and the next day we were given notice to take posession. And no money has been handed over yet. It’s all very unusal,” he claimed.
Sean O’Neill of the NRA defended its CPO process, stating negotiations have not yet concluded. At time of going to press, he could not clarify when the M9 Kilcullen CPOs were issued.
Currently Superstop and Topaz are compteting for the final bids for the new multimillion services station. The development, estimated to cost €25m, will include new roundabouts, bridges and a service station along the M9 near Kilcullen. The NRA is set to advance works early to mid this year.
“This project was approved in 2009 by An Bord Pleanala. It has been through the planning process and it’s part and parcel of a public private partnership. We are looking to move ahead with advance works early to mid this year. The contract was awarded to Wills Brothers Civil Engineering Contractors. The second element of this is the construction of the service area itself. The PPP bidding procurement process is ongoing. Currently, Superstop and Topaz are competing for final bids, to build and operate the service station,” Mr O’Neill added.
He added that there were no plans to toll the M9 because the public private partnership is based on a bond deal, whereby monies are paid by the Government over a number of years.
Residents, businesses and local politicans are now in a last-ditch attempt to halt the project.
Also speaking at the Ballitore meeting last Thursday was Pat Higgins, who led the Usk anti-superdump campaign to the High Court and Superme Court and won.
He advised the gathering to seek legal advice as a matter of urgency. “Government bodies are as complancent as complacent as can be,” he claimed. “You need to get legal advice to look at the CPO, look at the orders and see if it is right. A good solicitors firm and council will go through everthing,” he advised.
This Wednesday a delegation comprising Kildare South TDs Martin Heydon, Jack Wall and Sean O’Fearghail, Senator Mary Ann O’Brien and three community representatives will be meeting with the Transport Minister in a bid to halt the multmillion-euro planned services station.
Senator O’Brien said she has spoken to Taoiseach Enda Kenny personally on this matter. “It is economically not viable. We don’t have the money. But there is a fear the NRA will sign the contracts soon.”
Deputy Heydon said the project would become a “white elephant on a greenfield site”.
The gathering also heard current estimates suggest 12,000 people use the M9 annually and between 1,500 and 2,000 use the old N9, lower than predicted. Deputy O’Fearghail said the policy of online services stations needs to be changed because the volume of traffic on the M9 does not call for one.

Leinster Leader January 17

Tender for new council toilet signs

2012-01-23T09:25:00.000-08:00

Kildare County Council must be flushed with cash as it currently has a tender out for new toilet signs, writes Lisa Deeney. The tender, published last week, is looking for the supply and installation of new internal office signs for Aras Chill Dara. According to a spokesperson, its aim is to make the council more accessible to staff and the public. It is understood it amounts to 30 new signs with an estimated price tag of a couple of thousand euros. The spokesperson added no cost or budget has been allocated yet for the new signs as the council is waiting to consider proposals. Deadline for the tender is January 19.

Leinster Leader Published 17 January

Athy man on trial in Armagh

2012-01-23T09:24:00.000-08:00

The trial of 37 people – including the President of Republican Sinn Féin, Athy’s Des Dalton for participation in an anti-internment march in Lurgan Co Armagh in January of last year began last in Craigavon Courthouse, Co Armagh, writes Lisa Deeney.
The anti-internment march is in relation to Republican Martin Corey who has been held in Maghaberry prison since April 2010. He served 19 years in Long Kesh prison – the longest serving Republican prisoner – and was released in 1992. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1973 for the shooting of a member of the RUC. Last February letters were sent out to a large number of people by the PSNI accusing them of having participated in an “illegal parade”. A judgement is expected in March.

Leinster Leader January 17

Woman’s skull fractured in car theft

2012-01-10T07:59:00.000-08:00

An Athy woman’s skull was fractured in a car theft assault in the driveway of her home in Coneyboro Athy last week.
The woman, in her 30s, was sitting in her car in her driveway at 7.30am last Friday in Coneyboro Avenue when two men approached.
In stealing the car, they assaulted the terrified woman, fracturing her skull and breaking some of her bones.
Both men then fled the scene and the car was recovered in Roundwood, Wicklow, the following Sunday.
The woman is currently recovering in Beaumont Hospital.
It is understood the incident is connected to a theft in Abbeyleix the same morning where intruders threatened a woman with a knife in the bedroom of her home. They demanded money and jewellery as she was getting her two young children ready for school.
The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made.
Athy gardai are appealing for information or witnesses to contact the garda station on 0598634210.

Published Leinster Leader January 2012

Campaign against M9 service station gears up

2012-01-10T07:58:00.000-08:00

Superstop and Topaz are competing for the final bids of a new multimillion services station on the M9 near Kilcullen as local residents, businesses, politicans and chairty organisations step up their campaign against National Roads Authority’s (NRA) project.
The development, estimated to cost €25m, will include new roundabouts, bridges and a service station along the M9 near Kilcullen.
Speaking to the Leinster Leader, an NRA spokesperson said it is looking to advance works early to mid this year. “This project was approved in 2009 by An Bord Pleanala. It has been through the planning process and it’s part and parcel of a public private partnership. We are looking to move ahead with advance works early to mid this year. The contract was awarded to Wills Brothers Civil Engineering Contractors. The second element of this is the construction of the service area itself. The PPP bidding procurement process is ongoing. Currently, Superstop and Topaz are competing for final bids, to build and operate the service station.”
Indeed, a reduction in speed limits on parts of the motorway was published in a media notice recently in advance of the works.
Local residents, politicians and businesses have long been against the proposed project. In an extraordinary cross-party agreement Kildare South TDs Jack Wall, Martin Heydon and Sean O’Fearghail, and Independent Senator Mary Ann O’Brien are meeting with Transport Minister Leo Vadarkar next week in a last-ditch attempt to scrap the project. “In my mind it is not economically viable, it’s a huge debt on the NRA when the services are already there, the lay-bys are already there and the services are met by the local businesses and people,” said Deputy Wall.
Local councillor Martin Miley claimed the planned bridges are an “extraordinary waste of money” and he is calling on the funding to be transferred to the much-needed Athy bypass. “There is greater urgency for a bypass in Athy than a services station on a motorway just opened two years ago,” he added.
Local resident and social entrepreneur Jonathan Irwin of the Jack and Jill Foundation said if the planned services station goes ahead it will be the “economic death of south Kildare”.
“I find it very difficult to understand why €25m should be spent on an online motorway services station that is not economically viable and will probably be offered rent-free for eight years when there is a plethora of services, restaurants and shopping facilities easily accessible from Junction Three. As a resident of Ballitore, local businesses have fought like tigers to keep business booming. There will be a loss of 180 jobs if the services station goes ahead, villages like Ballitore, Castledermot, West Wicklow will become ghost towns. It will be the economic death of south Kildare,” he added.
Questioned on these issues, the NRA spokesperson stressed: “This project has gone through the planning process. The process has been very public and its phases have been approved, like any other project, and that is the outcome that has been decided and approved.”
A public meeting is planned for this Thursday, January 12, at 8pm in Meeting House, Ballitore.

Published Leinster Leader 10 January 2012

Child in car theft ordeal

2012-01-10T07:43:00.000-08:00

A mother got a horrible scare when a thief drove off in her car with her six-year-old daughter still in the back seat.
The theft happened on Dukes Street in Athy last Tuesday evening December 6. It is understood the child’s mother was shopping in a nearby supermarket when a man in his 30s jumped into the driver’s seat and sped off. Garda say the thief apparently realised what happened a short time later, stopped the car on the Stradbally Road, took the girl out of her car seat and left her on the side of the road.
Athy Garda retrieve her a short time later. Sgt Jim Bergin said the family and young girl were in a very upset and distressed state and he is appealing for witnesses to contact Athy Garda Station on 059 8634210.
The stolen car resurfaced in Clonmel later that evening when local gardai gave chase. The car then crashed into another vehicle and both drivers were brought to Clonmel Hospital with minor injuries. The man was released from hospital and detained overnight in Clonmel Garda Station, where he was then released without charge. A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Leinster Leader December 2011

Owner pledges to reopen Athy hotel

2012-01-10T07:39:00.000-08:00

The builder of the Carlton Abbey Hotel in Athy has pledged to reopen by February.
The hotel, which was operated by Cabath Ltd and was a franchise partner in the Carlton Group of hotels, closed its doors last week.
The shock announcement was made to its 40 staff members on New Year’s Day, most by a phonecall. Its gym members were informed via a poster on the shut doors of the hotel and leisure centre that same morning. The previous night, the hotel entertained huge crowds at a Wolf Tones gig.
The Leader understands a number of staff members have been put on protective notice. Despite several attempts to contact Cabath Ltd to clarify the situation, the employment status of all its 40 staff members remains unclear. They are not represented by a trade union.
According to Company Registration Office (CRO) accounts, three people have shares in Cabath Ltd - Elizabeth Niland, Elizabeth Dawson and Jason Bowes, all with Dublin addresses. No annual returns have been filed with the CRO and it is unclear if the company is still operating.
The hotel building is owned by Wicklow man Eamonn Esmond, who previously ran the hotel before Cabath Ltd came on board as an operator.
Speaking to the Leader, Mr Esmond, said the hotel will reopen in February.
“We are contacting people who have made bookings and we are getting ready to reopen. We are also in discussion with the Carlton franchise. By the end of the week we will have a definite reopening date.
“It is regretful the manner in which the hotel closed on January 1st. I cannot speak for Cabath Ltd, it is a separate company, but I am working on the future of the hotel as its building operator.”
Mr Esmond bought the building eight years ago and has so far invested €12m in its hotel conversion.
“In this current economic times running a hotel is very challenging. We need to protect the hotel, the site, the building. It is integral to Athy. Bank of Scotland has been very helpful to us and we need to protect their interests as well. The aim now is to get it back up and running and move forward”.
Deputy Jack Wall welcomed this announcement and described it as a positive outcome. “It is vital that the hotel is open sooner rather than later and we will do everything we can to assist. It is a key business in south Kildare that employs a significant number of people.”

Published Leinster Leader 10 January

Examination of Kildare’s quarries

2011-12-13T08:37:00.001-08:00

The Hill of Allen Action Group this week welcomed Kildare County Council’s move to examine the county’s quarries.
It said it was better late than never but conceded it was too late for the Hill of Allen itself.
An intensive examination of the operation of every single quarry in Kildare is currently under way. In a statement to the Leinster Leader, Kildare County Council admitted it does not have a complete list of registered quarries in the county, but its files in 2005 suggests there are some 67 quarry operations in the county.
“It is estimated that in addition to the 67 quarries that registered in 2005, there are approximately 30 other quarries in the county. Many of these quarries have already obtained the benefit of planning permission but some may be unauthorised development,” it stated.
The quarries fall under the auspices of Naas or Athy Town Councils, or Kildare County Council, dependent upon where they are sited.
All three local authorities are coming together to examine these quarries in terms of whether or not environmental impact assessments have been carried out on their operations, or whether such an assessment is needed.
Two approaches will be taken, depending on whether the quarry was granted permission before October 1964, or whether it applied to An Bord Pleanala for substitute consent thereafter.
If any of the three authorities find that quarry operators should have carried out an environmental assessment, but have failed to do so, a planning enforcement notice will be issued.
The closing date for submissions by members of the public is January 25th.
“While the planning status of a number of quarries is being investigated it has not yet been determined whether legal proceedings are warranted,” the council concluded.
A spokesperson for the Hill of Allen Action Group welcomed the new initiative by Kildare County Council but noted that “unfortunately it comes too late for the Hill of Allen”.
Back in 2008 it was revealed that Kildare County Council made a huge blunder in its planning areas whereby Roadstone was given the go-ahead to quarry the Hill of Allen for the next 50 years without planning permission.
The current review of Kildare’s quarries is required under section 261A of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 as inserted by Sections 74 and 75 of the Planning and Development Act (Amendment) Act 2010.
This amendment to the legislation was required following a decision of the European Court of Justice in the case C-215-06 delivered on the 3rd July 2008.

Leinster Leader December

Athy’s historical Pipe Shop closes its door for the last time

2011-12-07T04:41:00.000-08:00

Athy newsagent Cathleen Webberely is all set for some well-earned lie-ins, having been used to getting up at the crack of dawn for more than 34 years to sort the newspapers.

Cathleen, 62, is shutting shop this week as a newsagent. Her shop, The Pipe Shop on William Street, Athy, closed its doors for the last time last Sunday. She and her late husband Peter bought the shop in 1978. “I have very good memories,” she said. “Memories of the people I’ve met, the friends I have made.”
The most popular items 34 years ago are still popular today. “Cigarettes, newspapers, swweets, chocolates, minerals and pipes, although we do not sell as many pipes now a this stage.”
“I’d like to say a thank you to the loyal customers who have supported me through the years.”
As of yet Cathleen has no plans for her retirement but top on the agenda is more time with her grandchildren, Ben and twins Dan and Max.
Her daughter Laura, married to Richard Donnelly, lives in Athy and Donna, works as a teacher in the Mercy Convent, Naas.
“I will miss the people coming and going, but it’s time with the grandsons now that’s important and sure I still see everybody which is good.
“I’d like to thank Athy for all their support over the years, for their loyalty and support. I have made great friends and I’d like to thank my family and Peter’s family that I have always been close to.”

Published Leinster Leader 22 November 2011

Landlord tax under scrutiny

2011-12-07T04:39:00.000-08:00

Calls have been made to ensure landlords in Athy are paying the annual E200 charge amid concerns of possible evasion, writes Lisa Deeney.

According to council figures, 513 units paid the the non principal private residence charge in 2009, with a net collection of E99,522. In 2010 that dropped to 465 to E94,130. So far this year, 427 have paid the fee, totalling E83,558.
“Media reporting claims there is a 40 per cent evasion rate. Is this true in Athy?” asked Cllr James Mahon who raised the matter. He said the figures for Athy indicate 120 people are either exempt since 2009 or simply not paying.”
“We need to aggressively pursue people.” Does the money collected remain in Athy, he concluded.
Cllr John Lawler, who has five rented properties in the town, said the charge was daylight robbery. “There are a lot of hard-pressed people ou there,” he added.
“I have five properties in Athy and all my charges have been paid. It’s an unsatisfactory process, money for jam that’s all,” he said.
“It’s the law,” said Cllr Mahon. “It doesn’t mean it is fair,” said Cllr Lawler.

Published Leinster Leader 30 November 2011

St Vincent’s ‘scaremongering’ needs to stop as council seeks clarity

2011-12-07T04:38:00.000-08:00

“The scaremongering over St Vincent’s Hospital needs to stop,” pleaded Athy town councillor Aoife Breslin at last week’s town council meeting.

“This is not a political football. We all have or had family members there. I don’t have grave concerns about the hospital. It has not come to my attention. We need assurances from the HSE in where it sees its future,” she added.
The council is seeking urent clarification from the Department of Health and the Health Service Exective on the future plans for the hospital amid conflicting reports on bed closures. The INMO said 24 beds were closing, while the HSE said only six.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Richard Daly said the council, along with Kildare South TDs, are seeking clarity as a matter of urgency. “There are changes happening and we need to support the hospital to ensure it complies with HIQA to secure its future. We don’t want to damage its future by not dealing with it properly.
“We are very fortunate that patients are not being discommoded and that there are no job losses. We can thank our lucky stars we are not on that list.”
“It is important to work collectively,” said Cllr Mark Dalton. “We don’t want to see knee-jerk reactions. St Vincent’s is too important to the fabric of Athy.”
“The HIQA report concerns me. If it hits below 120 patients then we are in a critical area of funding. We have been told that it is not on the HSE agenda to close the hospital but we need certainty.”
“All we need is clarity,” said Cllr Mary O’Sullivan. “There are just so many rumours.”
“We need to keep focused on what we want and do that together as nine voices around this table,” said Cllr Mark Wall. “We are asking for clarity. St Vincent’s is essential for Athy and we will do everything in our power to maintain the hospital.”
“When the story broke last Friday there was no clarity, no offical word and then the rumours started,” noted Cllr James Mahon. “In Athy everyone has connections with the hospital, familiespast and present andit is the biggest employer in town. Three councillors here have relatives thereand I did too. Is it 120 beds or 105 beds? We need clarity. The care given at St Vincent’s is priceless.”
Cllr Mick Dunne said the INMO and HSE reports were conflicting and asked for clarity.
l For more on the St Vincent’s story, see page 12

Published Leinster Leader 29 November 2011

Seeing out the distance

2011-12-07T04:37:00.000-08:00

A new documentary, Punchestown, Seeing Out the Distance, gives a thrilling insight into the unique Punchestown Horse Racing Festival both past and present with footage from several cracking races.
It would make an ideal Christmas present, particularly with its local interest factor.

There are interviews with leading owners, trainers and jockeys, both from Ireland and the UK. Participants include, Barry Geraghty, Conor O’Dwyer, Edward O’ Grady, Ken Whelan, Jim Dreaper, JP Mc Manus, Mouse Morris, Nicky Henderson, Noel Meade, Paul Carberry, Paul Nichols, Paul Townend, Tony and Willie Mullins. Also included are visits to Willie Mullins’ and Jim Dreapers training yards. Not to mention the fashion, style, celebrities, and pundits.
Backed up with archive footage and photos, contributors delve into the past when races were over banks and stonewalls and when the first VIP visits were royal.
Having had a close association with the military it portrays Captain Laurence Oates (Antarctic explorer) whose horse won the Grand Military Cup in 1905. Also, the programme looks back at many memorable moments including the late legendary trainer Paddy Mullins’ first win, great horses that graced it’s grounds (including Arkle and Istabraq) and the ‘Match Race’ between Buck House and Dawn Run.
According to Sir Peter O’Sullevan, The Voice of Racing: “A brilliant, colourful and fast evocation of the spirit of Punchestown -- the heartbeat of Irish history on the hoof.”
The DVD is available to buy in HMV Newbridge, Farrell’s Book Shop Newbridge, Top 20 Naas and Newbridge, Barker Jones Naas and Golden Discs. The DVD is also available in NTSC format for American and Candian customers. Please visit www.bankostales.com or telephone 0872285065.
Bankostales has two DVDs to give away to Leinster Leader readers. The first two correct answers to the following questions will win the DVD. Who in the end jockeyed Dawn Run in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham racing festival in 1984? Answers via email to editor@leinsterleader.ie.

Published Leinster Leader 22 November 2011

Scully a no-show at council meeting

2011-12-07T04:33:00.000-08:00

It was a gloomily affair, Naas Town Council’s special meet-up last Tuesday night over its former Mayor, Cllr Darren Scully’s, comments on his refusal to represent “Black Africans".

The waiting international, national and local media, from radio stations, newspapers and TV stations, packed the council carpark.
Councillors were inundated with phone calls, emails from at home and abroad. People were in shock and dismay at the Naas Mayor’s comments. The public anger and outcry, and the reputation of Naas town was under fire. An explosion of huge proportions, that went international in a matter of hours.
Councillor Pat Clear spoke before entering the meeting. “He has resigned as mayor. I’m not going to kick a man when he is down. There are families and kids involved in this. We have to think about Darren Scully as a person too. It’s very upsetting for everyone,” she pleaded. There were tears in her eyes.
Next was Deputy Mayor Willie Callaghan and Cllr Rionagh Bracken, who arrived, marching in unison, with their heads low. The deputy mayor calmly spoke to the cameras. Cllr Bracken remained tight-lipped as she whisked fellow councillors aside. “It is not a good day for Naas,” the deputy mayor conceded.
Just before nine, it was clear Cllr Scully was a no-show. Naas councillors were huddled in the back room of the Chamber. The shiny glass see-through windows of the building gave the waiting media a magical insight. Clearly an animated debate was taking place and heated arguments were observed.
There was ‘white smoke’ an hour or so later. First to emerge were Cllrs Dunne and Breen.
The Deputy Mayor Willie Callaghan took on the task of restoring the reputation of Naas after its former mayor’s comments.
“Throughout his time on the council, we have always found Darren Scully to be a hardworking public representative. Nevertheless we, the members of Naas Town Council, were surprised and disappointed by Cllr Scully’s comments that he will no longer represent black people of ‘black African origin’. As public representatives we have a duty to represent our constituents, irrespective of county of origin, to the best of our ability. Cllr Scully’s’ comments in no way reflect the views of Naas Town Council or the community of Naas.
“As elective representatives we know that the town is very inclusive to all nationalities and is providing a very welcoming environment to the many different backgrounds.”
And then they were off, back to their respective homes and political parties, to take in all that had happened in the previously 24 hours, where headlines of Naas and racist comments were beamed across the world from CNN to the New York Times.

Published Leinster Leader 30 November 2011

‘We took our eye off the ball’ - Fine Gael

2011-12-07T04:29:00.000-08:00

It was a one horse race for Kildare voters in the Presidential Election with poet Michael D Higgins first past the post.

Speaking at the Punchestown count centre, Labour Party chairman Jack Wall, TD for Kildare South, said Michael D Higgins will make a “good president”.
“Higgins had the goodwill of everyone, organisations across the country and within the Labour Party itself. He was not involved in any controversies and he didn’t reflect on them. The people trust him, he was a safe pair of hands. He will be a good president.”
Kildare South tallies indicate the Higgins Labour Party vote scored highly in middle class areas and urban areas throughout Kildare, along with Labour strongholds - Newbridge, Ballymore Eustace, Kilcullen, Kildare town and Athy.
Emmett Stagg, Labour chief whip and Kildare North TD, said it was quite an amazing turnaround.
“The last week has had an amazing effect and the debate started noticeably from that,” he said. “The public were entitled to get answers to the questions that are raised and some of the answers given led to new questions. That is good for democracy.”
In Kildare South the rural vote, usually associated with Fianna Fail, supported independent Sean Gallagher, with Castledermot, Monasterevin and Rathangan ranking him highly.
Athy man Cliff Reid, who was on the Gallagher HQ campaign team in Dublin, said the public had a massive appetite for an Independent president. “We had a massive online presence, with 50,000 supporters on Facebook, and Twitter,” he said.
An interesting statistic from the tallies shows that the postal vote in Kildare South, which was cast before the Frontline debate, noted a huge surge favouring Gallagher, 41 per cent compared to Higgins at 26 per cent.
Fianna Fail whip, Kildare South’s Sean O Fearghail said a proportion of Fianna Fail votes in Kildare went to Gallagher and noted: “Gallagher attempted to distance himself from Fianna Fail in the early stages - that backfired when in fact he had close associations with us, legitimate and proper associations.”
The FG vote in Kildare collapsed to a dismal 5.4 percent, compared to 33 per cent just months ago in the General Election.
FG’s Martin Heydon TD said he was “disappointed” with the low turnout of the Fine Gael vote for Gay Mitchell. “We felt for a while it was going to be difficult. I don’t know where it went wrong. We have to look back. Fine Gael supporters did not come out for him.”
FG’s Anthony Lawlor TD argued it was a “different type of election” but conceded the candidate did not connect with the people. “It’s not a protest vote against the Government. Higgins did well. This election was more about personality.”
Mayor of Kildare Michael ‘Spike’ Nolan was more stark. “We took our eye off the ball,” he said.”Fine Gael has questions to answer and they need to be answered. I am very disappointed that in Kildare South we returned the highest percentage vote of 33 per cent for the party in the State [in the General Election] and this has now fallen to 5 per cent. It’s not a good day for Fine Gael locally or nationally.”
Kildare North did not have an organised tally, with Carmel Kelly, the former assistant to the late TD Michael Fitzpatrick, examining just three boxes. Fianna Fail traditionally organised the tally for the constituency but no longer have seats in Kildare North. The constituency also made the news for reportedly being the last to declare a result, but this was hotly refuted by Kildare North returning officer Eithne Coughlan. She said: “We sent the results fax to Dublin Castle twice... their fax machine may have been out of order.”

Published December 2011

Freelanced for RTE on its Presidential Live Blog
Filed last count details, Kildare North, that allowed RTE to declared the final result. The prize? Respect and a big cheer!

Free parking a boost for Athy festive shoppers

2011-12-07T04:27:00.000-08:00

FREE parking is coming to Athy this Christmas as its council drops charges to attract more customers.

Athy Town Council will introduce free parking at all its locations in the south Kildare town seven days a week to boost trade following a request from Athy Chamber of Commerce.
All nine Athy councillors ignored their town manager’s advice and voted in favour of free parking at last week’s meeting.
“It will result in all-day parking that will not help business,” noted town manager Joe Boland.
“We need to give businesses a chance,” said Cllr Thomas Redmond. “Businesses are struggling to pay rates and this will bring new business into Athy.”
Cllr John Lawler said three businesses had closed in the last month. He said free parking would send out a positive message.
Cathairleach Cllr Richard Daly said it cannot be certain it will boost business but it sends out good signal.
Cllr Aoife Breslin said the council needs to show goodwill and she supported the move.
Cllr Mark Wall said he would like to get feedback to see if the free parking will increase business. “Business people are drowning out there and we need to do something,” said Cllr Dalton.
Cllr Mary O’Sullivan also urged people to shop locally in what is the biggest spend time of the year.
“We need to stop the talk,” said Cllr Mick Dunne. “We talked about this for hours last day and we agreed what we were going to do. We need to give businesses a chance.”
It was agreed to all to suspend pay parking from 5-31 December. “There will be financial implications,” warned Mr Boland.

Free parking
is a boost for
Athy’s
festive
shoppers

FREE parking is coming to Athy this Christmas as its council drops charges to attract more customers.

Athy Town Council will introduce free parking at all its locations in the south Kildare town seven days a week to boost trade following a request from Athy Chamber of Commerce.
All nine Athy councillors ignored their town manager’s advice and voted in favour of free parking at last week’s meeting.
“It will result in all-day parking that will not help business,” noted town manager Joe Boland.
“We need to give businesses a chance,” said Cllr Thomas Redmond. “Businesses are struggling to pay rates and this will bring new business into Athy.”
Cllr John Lawler said three businesses had closed in the last month. He said free parking would send out a positive message.
Cathairleach Cllr Richard Daly said it cannot be certain it will boost business but it sends out good signal.
Cllr Aoife Breslin said the council needs to show goodwill and she supported the move.
Cllr Mark Wall said he would like to get feedback to see if the free parking will increase business. “Business people are drowning out there and we need to do something,” said Cllr Dalton.
Cllr Mary O’Sullivan also urged people to shop locally in what is the biggest spend time of the year.
“We need to stop the talk,” said Cllr Mick Dunne. “We talked about this for hours last day and we agreed what we were going to do. We need to give businesses a chance.”
It was agreed to all to suspend pay parking from 5-31 December. “There will be financial implications,” warned Mr Boland.

Published Leinster Leader 29 November

Naas Fine Gael Mayor resigns over radio outburst

2011-12-07T04:24:00.003-08:00

Fine Gael town councillor Darren Scully resigned as mayor of Naas last night and apologised “unreservedly” for saying he would no longer represent “black Africans”, writes Lisa Deeney.

The former general election candidate said his remarks had “caused deep hurt and offence in all communities and all sectors of society”.
The statement as full is as follows: “I wish to apologise unreservedly for my remarks on 4FM and KFM. I realise they have caused deep hurt and offence in all communities and in all sectors of society. I realise now that my remarks were open to an interpretation that I did not intend. I abhor racism in all its forms. I have been proud to be Mayor of Naas and to represent all the people of the town. However, as a result of the upset that I have caused, I feel it is appropriate that I step down from this position.”
He did not attend a special Naas Town Council meeting last night. In a statement the council expressed surprise and disappointment and said councillors had a “duty to represent” constituents “irrespective of country of origin”.
“Throughout his time on the council, we have always found Darren Scully to be a hard-working public representative,” said Deputy Mayor Willie Callaghan. “Never the less we, the members of Naas Town Council were surprised and disappointed by Cllr Scully’s comments that he will no longer represent black people of “black activism origin”. As public representatives we have a duty to represent our constituents, irrespective of country of origin, to the best of our ability. Cllr Scully’s’ comments in no way reflect the views of Naas Town Council or the community of Naas.”
It is understood Cllr Scully is under pressure today to resign from the Fine Gael party and to resign his town council and county council seats.
The Mayor of Kildare and a Kildare North TD, both Fine Gael, distanced themselves from their party colleague last night.
“I wish to disassociate myself and the other elected members of Kildare County Council from the personal views expressed by Cllr Darren Scully, Mayor of Naas and member of Kildare County Council,” said Cllr Micheal ‘Spike’ Nolan. “Kildare County Council is committed to serving the needs of all sections of our community on a totally impartial basis as reflected in the council’s policies and practices.”
Deputy Anthony Lawlor TD agreed: “I strongly disagree with the personal comments made by Cllr Scully. I believe that public representatives are elected to serve all the people. Since becoming a TD I’ve operated an open door policy for all my constituents in Kildare North and will continue to do so,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Paddy Power predicts a swift exit for, as they described, the “racist naasist”. Following Fine Gael’s statement distancing the party from the councillor’s remarks, Paddy Power pushed his chances of survival from even-money out to 2/1. “Well what would you expect from a Lilywhite?!” Paddy Power controversially observed.

Published to Leinster Leader. Freelanced to RTE and Irish Times

Council has evicted 14 families so far

2011-12-07T04:24:00.001-08:00

Kildare County Council has entered into more forced evictions of people in arrears than any other local authority in the country. According to figures, 14 families were evicted from their homes so far because they fell into local authority loan arrears.

Kildare South TD Sean O Fearghail, who obtained the information via a Dail question, said he was astonished at the council’s harsh response to the loan arrears crisis.
In a statement, he said: “I am extremely dismayed and angry at the refusal of the Council to deal more sensitively with families in financial distress across the county. In the past local authorities, in extreme circumstances, converted mortgaged properties into council stock available for rent. In my experience people are finding it easier to deal with financial institutions, than with Kildare County Council - quite frankly an incredible situation in the Ireland of 2011.
“Clearly some people are in finding it almost impossible to make repayments to loans issued by the Council, especially in the case of Shared Ownership Loans and I am calling on Kildare County Council to look at alternative measures that might deal with this extremely difficult problem in a more imaginative way.”
A statement from Kildare County Council said: “The repossessions that took place during the current year are the end result of a process which commenced in 2007. No repossessions took place between 2007 and 2011. Of the 14 cases referred to in the response from Minister Hogan to Deputy O’Fearghail, 8 had commenced in 2010.
“The council is always willing to meet with those in financial difficulties in order to reach realistic agreements, which take into account the person’s current financial position. Court cases have been adjourned on several occasions, with the agreement of the council, in order to allow borrowers additional time to agree a repayment plan. Where a borrower gives an undertaking to address the arrears the process to repossess the property has been halted and only recommenced where the agreement has not been adhered to.

Published 6 December Leinster Leader

Future of dog pound services unclear

2011-12-07T04:23:00.000-08:00

Negotiations are under way to secure the future of dog pound services in Kildare as the ISPCA has terminated its contract with Kildare County Council.
The ISPCA recently notified Kildare County Council that it has terminated its current contract for dog control services in Kildare.
“We are in talks with Kildare County Council and we are examining all options. Discussions are ongoing,” said Noel Griffin, CEO of the ISPCA.
“If it goes to tender again it would not be right to talk about it for our staff members and anyone else interested in a contract. I can confirm talks are taking place with Kildare County Council and both sides are looking at all the options. The service will continue until discussions have concluded.”
The ISPCA has been looking after the dog pound services for Kildare County Council since 1987. On average it caters for 250 to 300 dogs per year.
According to a KCC report presented at a recent Athy meeting: “Kildare County Council just received notification from ISPCA regarding termination of the current contract for dog control services. It will be effective in six months and the council is currently examining its options and the area committee will be kept informed. Some discussions have also taken place with the ISPCA.”
A spokesperson for KCC said there was no further update at this time.

Published Leinster Leader 6 December

Beet jobs hope for south

2011-12-07T04:21:00.000-08:00

Sugar industry revival on the cards

Some 3,500 jobs could be created by the revival of the sugar beet industry, 500 for the Kildare South region alone, an Irish Sugar Beet conference in Athy heard recently, writes Lisa Deeney.

The packed Clanard Hotel heard this news from Beet Ireland and listened to its plans to revive the sugar beet industry. According to its feasibility studies, the establishment of a bio-refinery plant would produce sugar as well as ethanol from beet and grain and, with farmer buy-in, create hundreds of jobs. And the good news for growers in Kildare South is that the preferred plant location the Leinster Leader understands is Carlow.

The plant, which would be privately owned and run, would cost an estimated €350 million to construct, explained Pat Cleary of Beet Ireland.

It is envisaged that 30 per cent of the finance would come from equity investment, mainly sugar beet growers, and 70 per cent from 15-year bank loans. The plant would be profitable within the first year, according to the Beet Ireland study.
The revival of the sugar beet industry has been gaining traction over the last number of years, primarily due to the fact that the European Commission is to end its quota system at the end of 2015.

European sugar prices have also reached 30-year highs over the last year due to undersupply, hitting about €800 a tonne, with occasional price spikes of €900.
The next phase for Beet Ireland is planning for the new plant and securing investment, Mr Cleary told the Leader, noting however there will be no Government investment.

A number of oil companies are interested, explained Mr Cleary, but it is crucial sugar beet growers themselves hold shares. Pressed on the possible location for the new plant, he said it will be somewhere in the south east and that Carlow is currently the preferred option.

“It depends on the biggest catchment area and that is why consultations with beet growers is so important. Carlow has been identified but not on the same site as the old factory.”

Ireland’s last remaining sugar plants, Greencore’s plants in Carlow and Mallow, closed in 2005 and 2006 following EU sugar policy reform. Irish sugar producers and processors received significant compensation.

Just over a year ago, a report by the European Court of Auditors found that the closure of Greencore’s Mallow factory was needless because the business was profitable at the time.

Mr Cleary now sees a bright future for the sugar beet industry. Most of Ireland’s sugar is imported from Britain. Earlier this year Ibec warned that suppliers were finding it difficult to source sugar. Many farmers still grow sugar beet which is used for animal feed.

“The sugar industry left Ireland and the Greencore sites were flatten and are now not developed because of the way the economy went and nothing has happened. We will be going back to the European Commission soon to see if we can get unspent sugar reform monies. We have a number of private investors interested as well, some oil companies but we need sugar beet growers to have a share so that factories will never be allowed to close again. We built factories before and we’ll do it again.”
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has previously signalled his support for the revival of the industry but only if a sound economic and commercial case could be made.

Kildare South TD Martin Heydon also spoke at the meeting. His main message to the large gathering of former and potential future beet growers was that the potential outlined in the Beet Ireland Feasibility Study could only be realised by farmer buy-in. “The positive potential for the Irish economy if we can return to the production of beet for sugar and ethanol production is enormous. However this will not happen without the buy in of Irish farmers. There still is a long road to go on a political level but farmers can rest assured that we are up for that battle in Europe,” Heydon concluded.

Published 5 December Leinster Leader

A helping hand

2011-12-07T04:18:00.000-08:00

In Kildare one in five people volunteers at least four hours a week to a charity or community organisation. That’s more than 2,800 people and 318 organisations. Kildare Volunteer Bureau held a seminar at the Osprey Hotel in Naas on Thursday, November 24, at which several of these organisations were showcased. Reporter Lisa Deeney spoke to many of the chairties and organisations.

The Jack and Jill Foundation currently looks after 16 families in Kildare where children have severe neurological development issues and are being nursed at home.
Christine Prestley spoke about her experiences with her son Bobby who passed away in 2008. “I was one of those parents who arrived home from hospital and had to pick up the phone to Jack and Jill and I had a professional nurse in my living room helping me out that Friday.” She now volunteers with the Foundation, which is based in Johnstown.

Nas Na Ri Housing Association was there too. “We have a fantastic facility with a residential building of 53 apartments in Naas for people 63 years and over, who are independent living. We have an arts and cultural centre along with an interactive garden and in the not-too-distance future a cafe. We are always, always looking for volunteers,” explained Ashley McEvoy.

Barretstown, the children’s cancer charity, takes in 700 volunteers each year. “There is nothing more powerful than a bereaved parent speaking on their experience. In Barretstown we get a lot bereaved parents who come back and volunteer for our programmes,” noted spokesperson Andrea Smith.

The Irish Girl Guides were out in force at the seminar. In the Kildare area they have 22 units. Sinead Nic Giolla Phadraig started when she was 11 years old. “We are always looking for volunteers. You gain more than just volunteering. Friends and opportunities to travel. I went to Kenya and it opened many doors for me,” she said.

Peata’s James Wade was there with his dog Ted Bundy. Named after the serial killer, a Samoyed puppy, he is certainly not a beast. The healing dog visits old folk’s homes throughout Kildare. “Basically we perform a service whereby people who are in an institution or a home who can’t have their own pets, we bring the pets in,” explained Mr Wade.

The Forogie Youth Club was present too. Una Daly spoke on its activities in providing social activities for young people throughout Kildare.

The Samaritans is also appealing for volunteers. Miriam Maguire, manager of the Newbridge Branch, is appealing for volunteers for the 24/7 call-in telephone service that is currently inundated with desperate calls.
“We are passionate about what we do,” she said. “24/7 we are there. We are always looking for volunteers, we run an eight-week spring and autumn training course. People are lonely and have money troubles. They are very frightened with what is happening at the moment. Those calls have increased absolutely.”

Dr Deirdre Gleeson and her charity Almas helps families and children who suffer from HIV and poverty in India. She is complying a volunteer book, where people can write about their experiences. “I have five stories so far so I won’t make it for this Christmas! All the money will go towards Age Action Ireland and Almas. Volunteers are very shy and they don’t like to say what they do, but we are appealing for stories.”

Kildare Down Syndrome had a stand at the event. “In general we have 100 families in Kildare that we look after. It varies from adults to infants. Like every other organisation we would always welcome anybody. And we are continually fundraising. It costs about E110,000 per year to run the Kildare branch and we run a house in Newbridge where we run drama sessions, speech therapy, pottery,” explained Kevin Cleary.

Founder of the Women’s Integrated Network, France Soney-Ituen, said the showcase event was “brilliant”. “WIN is a network for women from diverse backgrounds and our aim is to empower women for positive integration we do that through training, development and social networking.”

The Community Games has 28 areas in Kildare and each area has up to 20 volunteers. President Michael Donoghue has been 35 years at the helm. “We cover all activities in sport, major events and all the new events. Everything for every child has an opportunity to take part. An activity for everyone,” he said.

KARE has 50 core volunteers in the county and a large number of people fundraise. KARE looks after more than 400 children and adults everyday. “They do wild, wonderful and fantastic things. We are always looking for volunteers. We appreciate volunteers. They bring new and exciting things into the organisation,” explained Ann Byrne.

The Citzens Information Centre has noticed a big increase in people availing of its services. It had 80,000 queries in Athy, Naas and Newbridge last year. “We would have seen the downturn before it came. We are still busy and we are always looking for volunteers on our waiting list,” explained Eithne Byrne.

H.O.P.E (D) Kildare Person of the Year, Sean Sullivan, is also looking for volunteers. “We are down a couple of good people, who are studying in college, so yes we need volunteers. There has been an increase in depression and suicide. We need to be able to talk about it. I have a whole lot of young girls in counselling because of bullying, it’s so sad. We need to talk about depression more.”

Eveylan McKee of the Little Way Cancer Society said it is “challenging times at the moment”. “We really need people to come onto our committee to help us fundraise,” she said. “Since last Friday we took in five new clients. We have about 40 to 45 people a week attending the house, plus people in treatment and in counselling.”

The Irish Countywomen Association (ICA) is looking for new members. It has 22 guilds in Kildare and it is hoping to set up a new one in Naas. “We don’t just sit at home and drink tea,” explained Nora McDermot.

The Irish Red Cross was also present. “We have about 40 people in the Clane branch, and more in Newbridge and Kildare Town. Volunteers do not need any experience. Just give us a shout, look at the website, and contact us. We induce, induct and train,” explained PRO of the Clane Branch, Jonathan Crowley from Naas.

Mayor of Kildare Spike Nolan, who spoke at the event, praised the thousands of volunteers in Kildare who give their “time, talent and energy to help others”.
“Volunteering and community spirit is stronger than ever in Kildare and support for people is needed now possibly more than ever.”

For more information on volunteering or any of the organisations and charities mentioned please contact the Kildare Volunteer Centre on 045 449156 or call into the office on Edward Street in Newbridge.

No fuel service for Castledermot

2011-12-07T04:16:00.000-08:00

The Castledermot Community Service is unable to distribute fuel for Christmas this year to more than 100 households throughout the Kildare South region.

It mainly caters for elderly widows and people who live on their own in homes across south Kildare but due to a lack of funds this year the service is being cancelled.
It is the first time in 40 years the community-based service cannot deliver fuel and it is calling on clients in dire straits to contact the local St Vincent de Paul.
“Last year was such a bad year that we had to give out fuel twice,” explained PRO Betty Byrne. “We spent E6,000 on two runs and we don’t have the money this year for the service. If anyone finds themselves in dire straits please contact the local St Vincent de Paul or ourselves. Between us both we will help out.”
According to Mrs Byrne, the Recession is having a huge impact in its fundraising efforts throughout the year. “We do do a Christmas draw, but people are light on money and everyone has cutback.”
In the past, the fuel usually amounts to 10 free bales of briquettes delivered to each home. “It is upsetting,” she added. “It’s just last year we had to deliver double fuel and there is not that many grants out there now.”

Published Leinster Leader 6 December

Hollywood star comes home

2011-11-08T04:11:00.000-08:00

Hollywood came to Athy last Thursday night, when Emmy award-winning animator Seamus Malone revisited his old school, Athy College, as a guest of Athy Film Club, and led a workshop presentation of his works from Chicken Run to his latest Arthur Christmas.

Athy College principal Richard Daly described Seamus as one of Ireland’s greatest export that young people can aspire to. “We are very proud of him. He saw an opportunity and went for it. This is Seamus’ night.”
The award-winning animator explained his skills, techniques and his rise to international success to a captivated Athy crowd.
From Barrowhouse, Seamus has worked for more than 15 years at Aardman Animation based in Bristol, England. He is the only son of Mary, Ballitore’s librarian, and Jim Malone.
Despite not doing art as a subject in secondary school, that did not put him off. “I always had an interest, doodling away,” he explained. “It didn’t hinder me. I may have not been as experienced starting off but the other subjects helped my later on. It was more of a challenge.”
In the early 1990s he went to study animation at Ballyfermot Senior College and Dun Laoghaire, a nursery for award-winning animators. “Both colleges produce great artists and I would recommend that path.”
He won a scholarship to Bristol University and after graduation stayed on there with Aardman.
At the top of his game, Seamus walked away with an International Emmy Award in New York last year and is a senior animator on Arthur Christmas due to open in cinemas across Europe later this week.
“Animators are actors that are afraid to stand in front of the camera,” Seamus joked.
“You have to constantly think 10 frames ahead and in Aardman Studios we work at 12 frames in a second in animation. It takes half an hour for one second of footage. Animators at times can be impatient, it is not uncommon for puppets to have their heads ripped off set in a fit of anger,” he joked.
The technique they use in Aardman is that the film dialogue is recorded first and then the scenes are created, he explained.
“Because an actors time is limited, we get them to do lines again and again and again - about 100 times until we are happy with them and lock them down. We then base our animation on the dialogue. Some actors come out saying they didn’t expect that it would be such hard work, but sure we make them work for their few bob!”
Another fascinating insight, Seamus recalled how Aardman animators act out the characters. “We got dance lessons for a scene in Chicken Run where we had to learn some moves, animators making a fool of themselves, but it worked.”
Computer animation projects Seamus has worked on include Flushed Away, director of the Shaun the Sheep series and Arthur Christmas, which is opening in cinemas across Europe this week.
For the captivated crowd, Seamus went through the actual Sony pitch for Arthur’s Christmas.
Firstly a storyboard of a scene was created, then characters were formed. “It took a long time to get the characters right.” Then a live action shot was acted out and filmed by some lead Aardman staff and executives. “We took on the poses and script to get an idea, feeling for the film.” Once Aardman was happy with the scripts and the computer character stills were complete, with the crucial lighting, the pitch was ready for Sony, and naturally the Sony executives were blown away.
Simply put: “Animation is where you take the task of expression and acting, most animators are actors who hide behind their puppets,” Seamus concluded. Animation is no easy task and it’s not for the faint-hearted. Arthur Christmas took four and a half years, but clearly Athy’s Hollywood star is leading the way. Next for Seamus is a pirate animation feature film, where true to form, he is up for the challenge.
The Athy Film Club paid tribute to Seamus and member Hugh Hyland presented him with a lifelong membership and a framed picture of the old Grove Cinema in the south Kildare town. The down-to-earth animator was clearly humbled, with a hint of nostalgia in his watered eyes as he received this gift.
“This is not the end of our association with Seamus,” aspired his old principal Richard Daly. “It won’t end here. We are looking at engaging with him on future workshops so watch this space.”

Published Leinster Leader November

Athy dezones Tegral land

2011-11-08T04:10:00.000-08:00

Athy councillors have declined to explain a move to dezone Tegral lands in its Draft Development Plan 2012-2018.

In an unusual move, all nine councillors submitted a motion at a recent meeting to dezone some Tegral lands from new residential to agricutural to ensure no future development will take place.
The lands in question are located at the back of the ESB substation and the Tegral pitch in the town centre.
In his report town manager Joe Boland disagreed with the local representatives. “No planning reason has been given to justify the dezoning of these lands,” he noted, saying the sites are deemed appropriate as they are centrally located.
“That site should not be touched,” argued Cllr Mick Dunne at the meeting. “No,” said Cathaoirleach Cllr Richard Daly, “That’s not right”, referring to the manager’s reply. “Tegral have not looked to have it developed,” said Cllr John Lawler.
KCC Senior Planner Michael Kenny noted: “Clearly local councillors know something the town manager doesn’t.”
“No,” said Cllr Mark Dalton, “And we should say no more on the matter.” “They will never build houses on that land,” Cllr Dunne added.
All councillors then voted to dezone the land parcels to Open Space and Amenity.
Asked for clarity on the issue, speaking afterwards Cathaoirleach Cllr Richard Daly said: “We like an amenity area in a heavily built up zone and this it is the only opportunity we get to do that.” Cllrs Dalton and Dunne, both former employees of Tegral, declined to elaborate on their comments. In a statement from Tegral to the Leader, the company said: “The company has no comment to make until it has seen the proposed development plan and it will then assess its position.”
According to Occupational Health and Safety OHSS, an established consultancy firm based in Dublin, Tegral Building Products previously manufactured asbestos-containing cement products at its factory in Athy.

Published Leinster Leader November 8

Syringe robbery at sweet shop

2011-11-08T04:08:00.000-08:00

An Athy man was being questioned yesterday (Monday) regarding an alleged syringe robbery on a sweet shop in the south Kildare town last Sunday afternoon.
According to Sgt Jim Bergin of Athy Garda Station, a man entered a sweet shop on Duke Street at 5.30pm on Sunday and threatened staff.
Employees at Rachel’s Sweet Shop said the man threatened them saying he had a syringe in his pocket. He left the shop with a small amount of cash and was subsequently arrested a short time later.
The local man in his 30s was being questioned yesterday evening (Monday) in Athy Garda Station.
“There were no injuries and as of yet there have been no charges against anyone,” explained Sgt Bergin.
“The local man told staff he was in possession of a weapon, a syringe. When he was arrested and searched no weapons were found, but that is not to say there was not a syringe. For operational reasons I cannot comment any more as the suspect is still being interviewed.”
Meanwhile the South Western Regional Drugs Taskfore is today, November 8, making a presentation at the Athy Joint Policing on substance misuse in Athy.
The Leinster Leader understands its report indicates that there is a high level of heroin use in the south Kildare town.

Published Leinster Leader November

Project for Athy unemployed

2011-11-08T04:03:00.000-08:00

Launched earlier this month, the Athy Men’s Shed project is providing a new social outlet in the south Kildare town.

The “Men’s Shed” project provides a meeting place for men to come together and enjoy activities such as woodwork, metalwork, photography, card playing, darts and bowls.
“The idea is that men can come together during the day, have a cup of tea, a chat and teach eachother different skills. There is no age limit. They have to be 16 and upwards. Most men have experience in carpentry, plumbing, a trade and they can share that,” explained Mick Osborne, community development worker with the Kildare Leadership Partnership programme.
This is the first time a Men’s Shed project has set up in Kildare. Athy’s first project could be repairing bicyles or restoring a vintage car, according to Mr Osborne. “The men decide. It is in its very early stages. The first meeting had 11 men down, which is a good start.”
They are currently finalising a premises in the town. “We are hoping the message gets out there and the project takes on a life of its own.”
Mr Osborne stressed the importance of the project in the current climate. “It is extremely important. There is a lot of men in the town who are unemployed and are at home. The only exercise they get is switching the tv channels and they know all the nursery rhymes. They are walking the streets with no where to go. Social contact is very important.
“People can donate tools or if there is barrels of money they can dig up that would be great too,” Mr Osborne added.
Currently plans are under way to open Men’s Shed projects in Maynooth and Leixlip.

Published Leinster Leader November

Calls for more lighting at Nelson Street

2011-11-01T09:12:00.000-07:00

Residents from Nelson Street in Athy are calling on the council to improve the lighting in their area. This follows a recent attack on an elderly resident in her home.
Speaking at the annual Athy Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting last week, committee member Ann Redmond highlighted the issue. She said the light was too dim and not focused on the road corners, and that residents would like it to shine better into people’s homes. “People would feel a lot safer and less excluded,” she said, noting more garda presence during the day and night is needed. Athy Town Council representatives said the lighting would be addressed at its next meeting.
Security in the home was the main issued discussed at the meeting. “Whenever something happens in your home you realise how vulnerable and isolated you area, in particular elderly people,” said JPC chairman Cllr James Mahon. “We are here today to see what can be done for people and to bring that message back to friends in our community.”
“Put yourself in the position of a burglar and check your home,” said Kildare Crime Prevention officer, Sgt Conor McMahon. He outlined the benefits of alarms, sensor lighting, panic buttons, CCTV systems. “It depends on your home,” he added, noting that he is available to call around privately to people’s homes if required.
“Panic alarms save lives,” said Denise Nolan of Alarms for Older People. She outlined the criteria for the grant to obtain an alarm system free-of-charge. “Once you turn 65 years of age, you should get one. Don’t wait until it is an emergency. You can press the button if you think their is an intruder, if you fall ill or anything that you need help or assurance with. At the press of a button, help is at hand.” People can apply through community-based organisation such as Kare for the Elderly or The Bleach and District Resident Association.
“This time of year again when darkness falls. Your neighbour who was independent five years ago, may not be now. Take a fresh look and see if their is anything you can do for them,” observed Cllr Mahon, chairman of the JPC.
Supt Pat Kavanagh outlined crime statistics in the south Kildare town. “Since the beginning of the year their has been a high level of serious incidents, these criminals are now before the court. There was a huge effort in investigating these and the response from the JPC and the local community has been outstanding.” He said the level of burglaries and thefts have remained constant and noted the levels have not increased substantially in the past number of years. He praised the work of the JPC, which launched as a pilot scheme five years ago.
Anti-social behaviour in a number of estates in the town was also brought up. “In one area public drinking was brought to our attention. It’s been over a year now and there has been improvements in that area,” said Cllr Mahon, who called on residents and community groups who have concerns to come forward to the JPC.
Supt Kavanagh said the additional gardai in the traffic corp based in Athy allows for a greater presence in the town. “If we are doing it right you shouldn’t be able to spot surveillance,” he added.
The revitalisation of Neighbourhood Watch schemes were also discussed. A resident from Ardrew Meadows said they have been making efforts, but to no avail. “I have copies of all the documentation and nothing has happened.” Sgt Tom Harte of Athy Garda Station said the procedure for such schemes will be addressed immediately.

Leinster Leader October 2011

Sex attack and robbery of 80-year-old woman

2011-11-01T09:10:00.000-07:00

A woman in her eighties was sexually assaulted and robbed at her home in Athy on 1 October last.
The house of the elderly woman, who lives alone, was broken into at 10.30 pm, in the centre of town.
The woman attends respite care. She is believed to be heavily traumatised by the attack. She reported the alleged crime to gardai the following Monday as she was so distraught.
She was in a Dublin hospital for a number of days last week. She has now moved out of her home and is currently staying with relatives, who are also in a state of shock.
“There have been no arrests to date and investigations are on-going,” said the garda press office in a statement.
Sgt Jim Bergin of Athy Garda Station said: “The investigation is in its infancy and it’s ongoing.”
Councillor Aoife Breslin described the attack as “sick” and “deeply worrying”. In the past she has lobbied for home improvements and repairs in the elderly housing estate in question and knows the residents there well.
“It is the first time an elderly person in Athy has been attacked so viciously in their home, probably in the county,” she said.
“These are sick people. They will do anything for some pills, for money for drugs. There seems to be an increase in burglaries and an attack like this is deeply worrying. She gave a good description of the attacker, a foreign national, he is not a local and the gardai are investigating. How can she ever recover from something like this at 84? It’s horrific. (These are) sick, sick people.”
The annual Athy Joint Policing Committee meeting is taking place this Wednesday at 7.30pm in the Community Arts Centre, where the issue of security in the home is to be discussed. Cllr Breslin welcomed this and said she will be seeking burglary figures in the town to examine if there has been an increase and, if so, what can be done to combat it.

Leinster Leader October 2011

Thieves strip lead from chapel

2011-11-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

Thieves have stripped lead off the roof of the chapel in St Corban’s Cemetery in Naas last Thursday night.
Council officials are now trying to step up security after the incident and are set to install bollards at the cemetery entrance as they fear the chapel could be targeted again.
According to Naas Garda Station, the theft occurred between 2am and 10am last Thursday, 13 October. The strips of lead were 1ft by 8ft, and eight strips were stolen. The lead was worth approximately E800 in total.
The chapel itself is more than 100 years old and was designed by Michael Scott, one of Ireland’s foremost architects. It is in the care of Naas Town Council. Some 15 years ago it was refurbished, when the roof was reworked.
“While the Council will be required to make good the damage to the roof, we would ask that anyone with information pertaining to same would contact the gardai in Naas,” a spokesperson said.
Naas Parish Priest Fr Tom MacDonnnell, who was made aware of the theft at a funeral on Saturday morning, said the local community was “shocked and disappointed”.
“There is a lot of obvious upset and anger but this is happening all over the country. Churches are being targeted. It’s a phenomenon happening all over the country and the UK. It’s shocking and disappointing,” he added.
Naas Mayor Cllr Darren Scully confirmed that Naas Town Council is putting a bollard in place at the entrance to the cemetery. This bollard will be put in position every day after the caretaker finishes his day’s work. “It means people will not be able to drive into the cemetery after normal working hours,” he noted.

Leinster Leader October 2011

Dealers ‘dole’ out heroin

2011-11-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

A small number of drug addicts in Athy are being forced to hand over social welfare payments to their dealers to feed their heroin habit, the Leader understands.
According to sources in the health services area, this has been happening for a number of months now.
On payment day, usually a Wednesday, a small number of addicts are handed their dole card by their dealer and told to collect their money. Once the money is collected from the Post Office on Dukes Street, the money and the dole card is handed back to the heroin dealer.
Sgt Jim Bergin of Athy Garda Station said he is “not surprised one bit”.
“I personally have never heard of this activity or this kind of activity in Athy but that is not to say that it doesn’t happen. There is no investigation like this going on at the moment.
“We are aware there are people using heroin in the town, to what extent we are not able to quantify but we are carrying out investigations with our house drug searches and intelligence operations to try and contain it,” he added.
The Leader also understands a report by the South West Regional Drugs Taskforce, which examined drugs-related issues in the entire county, has noted there appears to be high heroin rate in the south Kildare town and a high rate of alcohol abuse amoung young people.
The report is due to be published in the coming weeks.

Leinster Leader October 2011

Councillors come under pressure over dezoning

2011-11-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

Christmas has been cancelled for several land-owners in Athy, remarked Cathairleach Cllr Richard Daly as the process of dezoning in its next development plan neared conclusion.
As of last week, Athy Town Council has agreed to dezone nearly 66 per cent of its land in the south Kildare town, from 200ha to just over 72ha.
It was earlier warned by the Environment Department that Athy was “over-zoned” to a whopping total of 200ha and that this needs to be downgraded to 52ha in its next Athy Development Plan 2012-2018.
“Many people may not be happy with this but we are doing the right thing,” said Cllr Daly at the special meeting on Tuesday (October 11). “We are not experienced engineers we do the best for our community. We are bound by our best judgement to develop Athy and not property value.”
One councillor noted there has been undue pressure on elected representatives. “This is the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do since 1985,” said Cllr John Lawler. “There has been undue pressure on elected members. We need to get this done and dusted today. I need some kind of life back.”
A number of submissions for developers and builders were discussed. Councillors went against their manager’s advice in zoning some lands in favour of the submissions. These were 7.7ha new residential for Hampton Properties, .4ha new residential at for Michael Hennessy and 3.95ha in Prusselstown for John McDonnell.
During the course of the meeting, two Athy councillors removed themselves from because of a potential conflict of interest. Cllr James Mahon excused himself from a vote on the zoning of the three parcels of land - 6.9ha, 7.4ha,4.05ha at Prusselstown with Paddy Raggett Homes - as he currently farms on that land.
In separate decision, Cllr James Lawler excused himself from a vote on the zoning of a parcel of land, 2.6ha near Prusselstown for Jim Lawler, as he said, “his brother owns the land”.
Both these submissions were passed in favour of the developers and the lands retained their new residential status.
In conclusion, almost 135ha of lands were dezoned, with 48ha in Shanrath the biggest catchment.
“It has been a very difficult task to dezone land. We have done so with the best of intentions under the economic circumstances,” said Cllr Daly. “There has been some not popular decisions for people who bought during the boom and who own property. For half of the people we are spoiling their Christmas but we did a hell of a job.”

Leinster Leader October 2011

Donadea run for charity

2011-11-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

The rain stopped and the clouds cleared as the fourth Donadea Forest 10km run got under way last Saturday.
All 800 participants stretched the road beside St Kevin’s GAA eager in anticipation. Sounding the horns with great enthusiasm were local boys Charlie (12) and Zack (8) Winefield and then we were off.
From the novice to the elite, the forest setting from Alymer Walk to the castle was perfect, with the wind hustling through the trees giving extra gusto to the runners. An idyllic place to run around, we experienced the full beauty of one of Kildare’s finest gems, and we also brought home a piece of Donadea with us, in the form of a unique 10km tree medal!
A new course record was set by Sean Hehir, 30 minutes 57 seconds, and the first female prize went to well-known former Olympian Pauline Curley, 36 minutes 32 seconds. The Ladies Team prize went to local girls Tara Shirley, Lavanna Chanmey and Tara Doyle.
The event was organised to support the local community and to bring runners from Kildare and all over Ireland together. The proceeds from the run this year went to charity Friends of Naas Hospital, where many staff members took part on the day.
“This is the 4th running event to take place in the local area and the committee is working hard to ensure everyone has a positive and memorable experience,” founder of Donadea Running Club Jo Cawley said. “It is a great way to support a local charity keep fit, have fun and meet other like-minded people”
Kildare Civil Defence, local scouts, Donadea Running Club, Kildare Sports Partnership, St Kevin’s Staplestown GAA and volunteers from Friends of Naas Hospital were all on hand, marshalling their support throughout the day and Alice Casey’s apple crumble for 800 people proved a big hit!

Leinster Leader October 2011

The Plough and the Rathangan stars

2011-10-10T06:45:00.002-07:00

The Kildare Ploughing team were very successful at this year’s event, with farmers from Rathangan taking the lead.
The NPA runs the biggest ploughing competition in the world, with more than 320 competitors in the national finals. The Kildare Ploughers made it to the podium.
Rathangan’s Dominick Dunne won second in the junior class, young Denis Dunne came forth in the U21 category, Joe Dunne came forth in the three furrow match plough and Straffan’s Noel Cummins came third in the single furrow vintage.
Kildare Ploughing Chairman Billy Gray said they were “happy enough”.
“There was one of two disappointed but in general we are very happy. The plough was good. Every day is different and sometimes it is the luck of the draw what plots you get. The competition was fierce,” he said.
They also organised a Ploughing Through the Ages display, that featured a four horse four furrow plough demonstration by Kildangan’s Godfrey World. “We had huge attendance at that. It was a great success.”
And is he happy to see the championships move to Wexford. “Yes, of course. It’s history repeating itself. It’s the cycle of years gone by. It allows fresh people to come involved. It did great work for the local economy here and we hope to get it back in Athy in maybe seven or eight years please God.”

Published Leinster Leader September

Kildare companies put best foot forward

2011-10-10T06:45:00.001-07:00

A lot of Kildare companies and charities were showcasing their wares over the three-day National Ploughing Championships.
Edel Monaghan from the Jack and Jill Foundation was busy. “We are having a great time, raising awareness of the charity that we recycle mobile phones, print ink, computer games,” she said. They also had a novel raffle for Daisy the cow and a lotto for an acre of land in Lusk. “We’ve had a great reaction. The picture of Daisy pinned to the wall is getting a lot of attention.”
Building Products Company Tegral was there too. “Business has been very steady. Plenty of people have come through. Tegral is very much associated with Athy and agri-business and we are proud of that. It’s our 75th anniversary this year so it ties in nicely with the 80th anniversary,” explained Tegral’s David McMurty.
Arlene McEvoy and her family were at the The Luke Renehan ‘Help Me To Walk’ stand. Her son Luke needs a stem cell operation abroad and they were raising funds. “It’s brilliant - a great day. I can’t believe everyone’s support. It has been amazing - the people’s support (we’ve received). And to be beside the music band stand is great,” she said.
Aideen Treacy of the Narraghmore Vintage Club organised the vintage tractor display. “We promote heritage and vintage. We bring together a spectacular display of things from the past, things people have seen in their granny’s or in their barns. We have restored them and people are recognising and remembering the makes. It’s great,” Aideen explained.
The County Kildare Leadership Partnership was out in force too. Over a dozen business were on display. “We are finding that products sell well when it is something small and affordable. For other businesses it is about making contacts and following up afterwards. We are getting good feedback and we are very pleased with the Leader village,” said Leader’s Brian Kelly.
Among the exhibitors was Derek Malone Stone Crafts, who has the business in Allenwood and lives in Clane. “It is very good. It is our first big outing to the Ploughing. We are enjoying the occasion and we are delighted to see so much handmade Kildare products,” said Derek. Also showcasing was Ruria Glover of Prosperous with his Vivid Stories, photographic educational jigsaws. “We are very happy with the feedback and the product. We are not sure about sales yet but come we’ll see!”
For Kildare South TD Martin Heydon, the Leader tent was a highlight. “To meet local enterprises and talk to them about how their business is going, not just this week but in general is great,” he said as he was making his way to greet Fine Gael candidate Gay Mitchell.
Another highlight was local girl Roisin Kinsella, who was elected the most appropriately dressed lady and Martin Taylor, Clonskeagh, Dublin, the most appropriately dress gent at the National Ploughing Championships!
And the Ploughing won’t be ploughing without a plough stick. Ballymore man Cyril Joyce was selling them non-stop. “It started five years ago. It’s a souvenir thing now. The sticks are only for chipping, they are no good for walking. When the kids see them, they want them, it’s alive with them here now.”

Published Leinster Leader September

Ploughing event showcases Athy

2011-10-10T06:44:00.001-07:00

Not only did the Ploughing Championships bring a windfall of a E15m cash boost to the local economy, it also acted as a showcase for Athy.
The opening parade last Monday evening say large crowds flock to the street to see the 32 passing vintage tractors, representing the 32 counties, organised by Narraghmore and Suncroft Vintage Clubs.
The Athy Town Promoters Group, spearheaded by Brand Athy and the Athy Heritage Centre-Museum were out in force over the three days, showcasing the town’s assets to the 200,000 people who ploughed by.
They also featured on an Athy focus show on TV3’s Ireland AM, along with TriAthy organisers and a host of local-based businesses including cooking demonstrations from The Bay Tree restuarant, spa features from the Cartlon Abbey and a fashion show from local boutiques.
Cathairleach Cllr Richard Daly said it was just fantastic. “The Ploughing Championships is a fantastic asset to town. The numbers are well up on any day last year. We had an extraordinary day here today, three hours filming for three hours promoting the Athy Brand project. TV3 gave us a great chance to promote Athy,” he added.
Ger Kelly of Athy Tidy Towns said the event was marvellous for the town. “It is a pity we don’t have it every year. It’s a great event, a great spin-off and asset for Athy. A lot of people are coming through the Athy stands here. It’s a great day out really.”
Brand Athy’s Patricia Berry was busy organising the TV3 shoot. “We got the image and showcase of Athy in the public domain and we promoted the rest of the county as well with the likes of Newbridge Silverware. In the future we hope people will use Athy as a base to visit the rest of the county.”
Athy-based Winsent, a social entrepreneurship support, was showcasing its wares too. “People are very interested to find out what social entrepreneurship is all about and what Winsent is doing...The buzz at the ploughing is great. There is such a variety of people and stands. There is so much activity and it is great for the county.”
There was an extra historical dimension for Athy as well - this year’s event was on the farms of the Fox and Fennin families, it was the Fox farm that the inaugural championships were held 80 years ago.

Published Leinster Leader September

Driving the safety message

2011-10-10T06:43:00.000-07:00

Free pens, a 360 degree-turning car, 5,000 high-visibility jackets and an important message. The Kildare County Council Road Safety and Fire Service stands at the Ploughing Championsips were attracting the crowds in their thousands.
The Fire Service’s message was clear, fire safety in the home. Bernie Hansley of Kildare Fire Service stationed in Newbridge explained: “Our main advice to people is fire safety at home. Close all your doors, plan your escape route, test smoke alarms and chimney fire prevention tips. We are having a great time and it is very busy, people coming up asking questions and looking for advice.”
At the environmental awareness tent, officer Darragh Weir, was manning the free raffle for a Kildare County Council compost bin. “I’m a Dub so this is my first Plough and we won the Sam Maguire, it’s all excellent,” he beamed. And the raffle question, what percentage of waste is compostable? And if you got 35 per cent, you could be in for a surprise win this week!
Busy manning the Kildare Road Safety stand was Declan Keogh, who had the honour of a visit by President Mary McAleese. The big attraction was a 360-degree roll over car to give passengers a real-life sensation of a car accident, a huge TV screen documentary with driving from boozy contestants to show the dangers of just one drink. Also on display was the infamous garda car cutout, four-years on the road it is weathering well. “We are driving the message across about road safety,” explained Mr Keogh. More than 5,000 high-visibility vests were available for a small donation of E2 that goes towards the National Rehabilitation Hospital. “People have been very supportive,” he said. And his favourite bit about the ploughing: “The President’s visit. She was so supportive and respectful, that has to be the highlight.”

Published Leinster Leader September

Picture perfect for Athy snappers

2011-10-10T06:42:00.000-07:00

It was picture perfect in Athy CDP recently where the Athy Photographic Society held its annual exhibition. Now in its 22nd year, the event is a strong tradition in the South Kildare town.
With more than 20 members, the society runs on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Founding member Vincent O’Connor spoke to the Leader.
“It started out with guys who had a common interest in photography. We wanted to advance our knowledge of photography and it grew from there,” he explained.
For the past two decades the club has acted as an archive of every aspect of life in Athy. “You have the capturing the moment element of photography but also the historical record of the moment. We are record keepers on every aspect of life in Athy. We also cover a vast range of topics of historical, people, events, photos from anywhere around the world.”
The exhibition displayed fresh material, some 90 photographs, and more than 80 people attended. Local author and playwright John MacKenna gave the opening address.
The Athy Photographic Society is a small but important group in the town, which is involved in a lot of local projects such as the Kildare County Show and its annual Images of Athy charity calendar. One of the most photographed areas in Athy is White’s Castle and the Courthouse, Mr O’Connor explained. “Anybody can start photography if the interest is strong enough and we would of course welcome new members.”

Published Leinster Leader September

Naas businessman to answer ‘Anglo 10’ questions

2011-10-10T06:41:00.000-07:00

Kildare businessman Jerry Conlan has been ordered by Naas District Court to answer ‘Anglo 10’ questions by the Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement.
The order, made yesterday under new legislation, Section 15 of the Criminal Justice Act 2011, by Judge Desmond Zaidan, requires the Naas-based businessman to furnish documents and make statements regarding multi million loans by Anglo Irish Bank to 10 wealthy individuals in July 2008, designed it is claimed, to support the bank’s share price at the time. Mr Conlan has 21 days to do so.
Anglo Irish Bank allegedly loaned a total of E300 million to 10 wealthy individuals, each borrowing E30m from Anglo Irish to buy shares in the bank, designed it is claimed, to support the bank’s share price.
Regulatory authorities are currently investigating whether Anglo Irish subsequently changed the original non-recourse loan terms by substituting them as collateral, which ultimately davalued the shares. The taxpayer is currently exposed to the E300m debt at the now nationalised bank.
This is the first time the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement has used these powers.
Garda Inspector Ray Kavanagh of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement said it was seeking the order for Jerry Conlan to furnish documents and answer questions regarding the ‘Anglo 10’ dealings.
“I am satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to suspect Mr Conlan has in his possession or control documents,” said Judge Zaidan, in granting the application. He also noted that Mr Conlan “is not being investigated as a suspect but is being treated as a witness”.
Barrister for the Office, Mr Paul Anthony MacDermott, said the statements and documents to be furnished are of “great importance to the investigation into Anglo Irish Bank”.
A native of Kildare, Mr Conlan lives in Naas with his wife and six children. He is one of Kildare’s most prominent and successful businessmen. A director of several companies, he was the brainchild behind the Millennium Business Park in Naas Co Kildare - a 200 acre high-specification office park with direct access to the M7 Motorway.

Published Leinster Leader 4 October
Freelanced to Irish Times and RTE

A ploughing success

2011-10-10T06:40:00.000-07:00

The most successful National Ploughing Championships has recorded the highest attendance in its 80-year history. 190,000 people visited Athy over the three days of the event between last Tuesday and Thursday, September 20 - 22, with a resulting E15 million boost to the local economy.
Anna May McHugh, the managing director of the National Ploughing Association, said the championships had been boosted by a fine harvest, improved prices for farm produce and the general air of optimism that now surrounded agriculture.
She said there had been growth in all areas that made up the championships and she noted the growth in the number of colleges and schools coming to the event.
President Mary McAleese and her husband, Senator Martin McAleese, were among the huge crowd. She opened the event and described agriculture as the star of Ireland’s economy in these tough times. All five declared candidates in presidency race were in Athy for the event.
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Simon Coveney, attended all three days of the Championships.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny added to the general feeling of goodwill when he pledged the Government’s support for the sector, which he described as being central to the economic recovery of the country.
He said the Championships were an outstanding success and, with the growth in income and export potential now being realised by the agri-sector, there was generally a mood of confidence here.
“I recognise the difficulties and challenges that lie ahead both for our European members of parliament and our Government in reforms which must come to the CAP, the abolition of quotas, the Mercosur discussions and so on, which will have to take place.
“But for this year, 2011, the agri-sector is a very important fundamental part of Ireland’s recovery pattern on export-led growth in the agri-sector.
“It is great to see the young people here and showing an interest in agriculture because these young people are our future and they can see here, all in one place, what Irish agriculture is all about.”
The only negative news was that Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority, was being required by the Government to reduce its staffing levels by 240 by the end of 2014 and negotiations with unions and staff, some based in Naas, is still ongoing.

Published Leinster Leader 4 October

Up for the challenge

2011-10-10T06:38:00.000-07:00

The key to motivation is a challenge. The 25km and 70km adventure race, Motivate Challenge, consisting of three disciplines - a run over the Ballymore hills, kayaking the Blessington Lakes and cycling back through Eadestown and around Punchestown Racecourse - proved just that. Last weekend 400 participants, from the novice to the elite, took up this fun challenge under glorious sunshine. Race director Emmett O’Brien of Naas Triathlon Club signalled the countdown and in unison we darted off through the racecource to conquer the Ballymore hills with gusto. Picturesque, yes, but not pretty to run - Elverstown hill is over 1,000 feet high. (Much thanks to the locals for the water, oranges and good encouragement!) Once the Lakes were in view, it was all worthwhile though.
Next was the kayaking. Organised by Avon Ri, the water was colder than the Atlantic.
The cycle back from Blessington to Eadestown proved more light and speedy, and the final lap of Punchestown Racecourse was a unique way to end the race. Winner of the 70km distance, Harry Fowler from Kilcock, was ecstatic. This time last year he was in a hospital bed recovering from a serious car accident. “It was enjoyable but gruelling. I had a fall on one of the hill roads and it took a while for the limbs to get going again.”
The first female past the post on the 70km was Laura Ward of Naas Triathlon Club. “The cycle was tough, it was never straight or flat or nice. I can’t believe I’m the first lady, it definitely keeps you motivated.” Second in the 25km race, Naas Triathlon Club’s Niamh Stein said the run was tough. Chairman of the club, Darren McCarthy said; “We had 10 members who competited overall.Alot of club members were stewards as well. It was a great day and great day for the club,” he added.
Richie Galway, Punchestown Racing Manager, said it was a great day out for all the family, with bouncing castles and entertainment free of charge. While he didn’t compete on the day, he said he did a dummy run last week! Ballymore GAA were there too, with their U7s,U8s and U9s demonstrating their winning skills. Rumour has it they even won the blitz! But the real competition was the 9th Annual Wag and Bone Dog Show. Winner of the fancy dress category, seven-year-old Jack Tobin dressed as a dragon slayer, and Freckles his four-legged companion was wearing dragon suit!

Published Leinster Leader 4 October

New bridges for Athy in SDR designs

2011-10-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

Kildare County Council is pushing the boat out for Athy’s multimillion Southern Distributor Route.
It recently issued a tender for the design works of numerous bridges over the River Barrow and the Dublin to Waterford railway line. The work also takes in a new roundabout to the east of the south Kildare town. The new 3.2km relief road is set to link the N78 Kilkenny Road to the south west of Athy.
“This tender is part of a detailed design. We have funding for these design works and we are in ongoing discussions with the Department of Finance for the future funding of this project. We are pushing the boat out indeed,” a spokesman said. The deadline for the ground work investigations tender is this Friday, September 2. Currently, the multimillion project is the number one road project for Kildare and is awaiting phased funding from the Department of Finance. Speaking earlier this year, Athy town manager Joe Boland is optimistic the project will get the go-ahead.

Published 4 October 2011 Leinster Leader

Mushroom factory smell

2011-10-10T06:36:00.000-07:00

Local residents are concerned about the smells coming from the Monaghan Mushroom factory in Carbury, writes Lisa Deeney.
Cllr Seamus Langan said the odours are happening occasionally and locals are worried. “They put up a new chimney to eliminate smells but it is not working effectively. People from the Monaghan Mushroom factory called out to residents and assured them the new chimney would eliminate the smell but it hasn’t.”
The Monaghan Mushroom facility is now under the remit of the environment section of Kildare County Council. Odour assessments are being undertaken by technical staff in accordance with regulation. Staff from Kildare County Council have called to householders who have experienced odour issues and have confirmed that monitoring of the site will be ongoing.
“The operators of the facility will be required to ensure that all necessary measures are in place to deal with odours emanating from the site,” a KCC report noted at a recent Clane Area meeting.
In a statement to the Leader, a spokesperson for Monaghan Mushrooms said: “Carbury Compost have invested a significant amount of time and financial resources into its facility in order to reduce odour. The company actively continues to investigate its options to make further improvements.”

Published 4 October Leinster Leader

Thieves take home the bacon

2011-10-10T06:35:00.000-07:00

Athy Garda Station is investigating the theft of 29 pigs from a piggery in Clonery, Athy last Friday night/Saturday morning.
According to Sgt Jim Bergin, the theft occurred in the early hours of October 1 last. It is believed an axe and a trailer were used in the theft. He is appealing for witnesses or anyone who heard noise during the night to contact Athy Garda Station on 059 8634210.
“I really don’t know what to say,” said pig farmer Paddy Kelly, who was still in shock. “All the pigs were let loose. They were fat finished pigs ready for market. They would be worth about
E1,200 a piece. It was very brazen. They also took tools from the store room as well. I am very much shocked. This is the first time this has ever happened. Even the guard who was out said he never heard the likes of it before.”
Teagasc’s head of commercial pig production, Michael Martin, said pig rustling was on the increase and for farmers to be on alert.
“It’s unusual but not uncommon. It does happen. It all depends on the weight and age of the pigs.
“It would be easy to take small piglets who are 8-10 weeks old, but older than that the heavier they are the more difficult. There would definitely be noise disturbances in the vicinity.”
“Pigs going to slaughter need national identification and transparency codes so if these missing pigs turn up at a licensed slaughter house they will be detected,” he added.
There is still hope that these little piggys will hopefully find their way home.

Thieves take home the bacon

Athy Garda Station is investigating the theft of 29 pigs from a piggery in Clonery, Athy last Friday night/Saturday morning.

According to Sgt Jim Bergin, the theft occurred in the early hours of October 1 last. It is believed an axe and a trailer were used in the theft. He is appealing for witnesses or anyone who heard noise during the night to contact Athy Garda Station on 059 8634210.
“I really don’t know what to say,” said pig farmer Paddy Kelly, who was still in shock. “All the pigs were let loose. They were fat finished pigs ready for market. They would be worth about
E1,200 a piece. It was very brazen. They also took tools from the store room as well. I am very much shocked. This is the first time this has ever happened. Even the guard who was out said he never heard the likes of it before.”
Teagasc’s head of commercial pig production, Michael Martin, said pig rustling was on the increase and for farmers to be on alert.
“It’s unusual but not uncommon. It does happen. It all depends on the weight and age of the pigs.
“It would be easy to take small piglets who are 8-10 weeks old, but older than that the heavier they are the more difficult. There would definitely be noise disturbances in the vicinity.”
“Pigs going to slaughter need national identification and transparency codes so if these missing pigs turn up at a licensed slaughter house they will be detected,” he added.
There is still hope that these little piggys will hopefully find their way home.

Published Leinster Leader 4 October 2011

Celebrating farming success

2011-10-10T06:34:00.002-07:00

The National Ploughing Championships are about much more than ploughing. It is also a celebration of the quality of life, skills and values that infuse farming. An organisation that knows this well is the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA).
The ICA stand at the recent Athy championships was hosted by the Kildare Federation, which has 600 members in 33 guilds in the county. Throughout the three days a number of talented and skilled ICA members demonstrated a variety of traditional crafts.
“The ICA are proud to have a long association with the Ploughing Championships, a prestigious and well established event,” said Kildare ICA’s Evelyn McKee.
Peg Hayden from Castledermot and Nelly Gillion from Clane, both nearly 40 years in the ICA, were manning a stand in the marquee. “Lots of people have come through to have a chat and see what we have to offer. We have the central office over there too if anyone wants to join,” said Peg.
The ICA also had speakers on Colour Me Beautiful by Jill Jeffreys, a talk on drugs by Garda James O’Sullivan, and gardening by Yvonne Quinn. Imelda Byrne, one of the mentors of ICA Bootcamp, demonstrated the making of fascinators and Woman’s Way were also welcomed, providing makeovers for the ladies.
Fiona Marron from Clane, a well known artist, gave an excellent demonstration on painting.
“On behalf of the ICA, the Federation President Mrs Norah McDermott thanked Anna May McHugh and her Team who have given tremendous support to the ICA through the years,” Ms McKee added.
Another strong farming force was Kildare Macra na Feirme. The voluntary youth organisation is committed to the personal, social and vocational development of young people that contribute to agricultural and rural affairs. It is also very successful in matching-making. Kildare Marca told that Leader that next month four Macra weddings are in the pipeline.
New to Macra was Robbie Holohan from Kildare Town, who just signed up at the Ploughing. “I often heard about it and you see advertisements for it and all that. It’s a good social outlet to meet other farmers.” His pal Paddy Higgins from the Curragh also signed up. “I am 28 and back working on farm. I just decided to sign up. My cousin is in it and she said it is great craic with lots of activities so I said I’d give it a try.”

Published Leinster Leader 4 October 2011

Coneyboro estate taken in charge

2011-10-10T06:34:00.001-07:00

Local residents in Coneyboro, Athy have finally got the news they have been long campaigning for.
The 200-plus housing estate, developed by Ballsbridge developer Sean Dunne, and built by six different builders, is going to be taken in charge by Kildare County Council, according to local representatives.
“I am ecstatic about this news that has come from Kildare County Council that the Coneyboro estate is to be taken into charge from October,” said Cllr Thomas Redmond, who also lives in the estate with his family.
“This is a magnificent achievement for the residents who were calling for the estate to be fixed,” he said.
The ongoing problems in the estate range from road subsidence, water supply issues, derelict sites and anti-social behaviour in the vacant houses.
Local residents have been campaigning for years for it to be addressed and Athy Town Council has not ruled out pursing the issue through its legal channels with developer Mr Dunne himself.
In addition, plans are under way for Kildare County Council to purchase eight of the 42 empty houses for a social housing scheme and the remainder to be taken in charge by a voluntary housing organisation.
“This will allow the estate to be completed by the end of October. I and my fellow Labour Party councillors have consistently delivered this estate by motion each month and query, and now this motion to complete this estate to a safe standard is now becoming a reality,” Cllr Redmond added.
Cllr Mark Wall also welcomed the news. “The council plans to purchase eight houses and the balance will be taken in charge by a voluntary housing agency.” It is understood Cluid is one such interested housing agency. “The money raised from the sales of the right houses will be used to complete and solve the issue,” Cllr Wall added.
Negotiations and plans are still being finalised with Kildare County Council and it is expected to issue a statement in two week’s time.

Published Leinster Leader 4 October 2011

Early closing on the cards for pubs

2011-09-26T08:31:00.000-07:00

For the first time ever senior gardaí and Athy Town Council are scrutinising public order and assault statistics in the south Kildare town to see if they are directly linked with late opening hours of takeaway restaurants and pubs.
Last week’s Joint Policing Committee meeting discussed the issue.
“There needs to be a proper balance between people’s needs to make a livelihood and the need of citizens to move about peacefully,” said Cllr James Mahon, who was at the meeting.
He did not rule out a change to licence regulations. “The problem is that there is a congregation of people who have consumed alcohol outside licensed premises and takeways. This is common in all towns. While we need to respect people’s right for a business, we need to respect people’s need for a peaceful environment.”
This latest move by gardaí and the town council has already met with stiff opposition from publicans. Owner and manager of the Immigrant and CI Bar in the town Mark Redmond said if there was an objection to its late pub opening hours he would be “out of business”.
“We obey the law as pub owners. We hire security, we provide entertainment, DJs and bands to the young people of Athy. If it is a thing that there is a problem with late bar opening hours, if there is an objection from the gardai or local authorities, we would lose valuable customers to competitors in towns such as Carlow, Portlaoise and Naas. In the current climate we cannot afford to lose more business.
“We have a good reputation with gardai locally. They have our mobile numbers and normally they ring us to make us aware of problems. We also provide significant employment in Athy, employing 30 people,” he said.
A report including statistics is being prepared for the next JPC meeting in the autumn. Supt Pat Kavanagh noted the overall level of crime in Athy was down in the past 12 months but there was an increase in burglaries, thefts from motor cars and criminal damage.

Early closing on the cards for pubs

For the first time ever senior gardaí and Athy Town Council are scrutinising public order and assault statistics in the south Kildare town to see if they are directly linked with late opening hours of takeaway restaurants and pubs.

Last week’s Joint Policing Committee meeting discussed the issue.
“There needs to be a proper balance between people’s needs to make a livelihood and the need of citizens to move about peacefully,” said Cllr James Mahon, who was at the meeting.
He did not rule out a change to licence regulations. “The problem is that there is a congregation of people who have consumed alcohol outside licensed premises and takeways. This is common in all towns. While we need to respect people’s right for a business, we need to respect people’s need for a peaceful environment.”
This latest move by gardaí and the town council has already met with stiff opposition from publicans. Owner and manager of the Immigrant and CI Bar in the town Mark Redmond said if there was an objection to its late pub opening hours he would be “out of business”.
“We obey the law as pub owners. We hire security, we provide entertainment, DJs and bands to the young people of Athy. If it is a thing that there is a problem with late bar opening hours, if there is an objection from the gardai or local authorities, we would lose valuable customers to competitors in towns such as Carlow, Portlaoise and Naas. In the current climate we cannot afford to lose more business.
“We have a good reputation with gardai locally. They have our mobile numbers and normally they ring us to make us aware of problems. We also provide significant employment in Athy, employing 30 people,” he said.
A report including statistics is being prepared for the next JPC meeting in the autumn. Supt Pat Kavanagh noted the overall level of crime in Athy was down in the past 12 months but there was an increase in burglaries, thefts from motor cars and criminal damage.

Published Leinster Leader 20 September 2011

Bord na Mona criticised over Donadea bog fire

2011-09-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

The fire management and emergency protocols of Bord na Mona in dealing with the five-day Gilltown Donadea bog fire back in May came under sharp criticism by the Timahoe Community Council last week.
In addition, the community council said there has been a reluctance by the semi-state body to take any responsibility for the impact of the five-day bog fire has had on local residents.
A fire started on private land on 2nd May and it spread quickly over Gilltown Bog where it lasted five days.
Local resident mother-of-one Claire Kelly, who has lived in the Donadea area for seven years, spoke at a recent Clane Area meeting about the affects the five-day bog had on locals.
There were unsuccessful requests over the five days to Bord na Mona for assistance which resulted in residents having no options but to fight the fire themselves, she claimed.
“More than 40 houses were located on the road in the main path of the smoke and ash. Some 19 houses were evacuated due to health risks, in total 69 adults and children. The remainder were afraid to leave due to risks to their property from fire and theft. A number of businesses were affected. They were forced to close because workers were breathing in ash and smoke. There was a loss of production and a huge clean-up had be undertaken. Farmers were forced to relocate stocks for up to four weeks while grazing fields recovered from ash. There was damage caused to boundary fences, there were deaths of livestock due to smoke and ash. Farmers incurred the costs of the clean-up, loss of stock, milk yields were reduced and livestock had to be temporary rehouses.”
In a survey of local residents affected, complied by the Timahoe Community Council, residents said there was a lack of communication over the course of the bog fire that was “extremely harrowing and distressing”.
“Residents did not know what was happening. They did not know the direction of the fire or smoke, how it was being managed or was it safe to stay. No person seemed to be in charge, ie where was the emergency plan. Was this not an emergency? The Fire Service did not appear to be fully briefed, they did not appear to know the location of water hydrants. Bord na Mona focused only on its own bog, not the impact it was having on locals, including some of their own pensioners. There were unsuccessful requests to Bord na Mona for assistance which resulted in residents having no options but to fight the fire themselves,” the survey found.
Ms Kelly outlined the ongoing concerns of Timahoe Community Council. “How can Bord na Mona ensure an emergency plan is activated for future events? How can Bord na Mona prevent and restrict similar fires and their spread in the future. How can the local communication lines be managed between Bord na Mona, the Fire Service and local residents.”
There is also growing concern over the nearby proximity of the Drehid landfill and waste recovery site that could be another potential fire risk to the local area.
Currently the community council is awaiting a response from Bord na Mona regarding the restoration to locals damages caused by the smoke, ash and fire caused by the burning peat. Local residents are also still seeking a restoration of a peat milling dust barrier that was destroyed by fire.
“Local residents were seriously affected the fire. The major emergency plan was not effective and not activated. Communication gaps were a key issue. Local residents are still suffering financial and residual impacts of fire and ash. There is a reluctance on part of Bord na Mona to even met with us,” Ms Kelly concluded.
“The fire kept coming closer and closer,” said landowner Willie O’Sullivan, who has lived in Coill Dubh for 58 years. He had his grandchildren over for the Bank Holiday weekend when he first noticed the fire, they were soon evacuated. “At around 4pm on Monday, the first day of the fire, I asked Bord na Mona to help. But no-one from management would talk to us. The fire was practically on our doorstep. I went back down to Bord na Mona again on Monday and asked for a bulldozer but they wouldn’t give us one. Only the plants, trees, and bushes were our shield from the fire. On Tuesday morning it was very bad. I didn’t sleep the whole time. All the kids were evacuated in the area at this time. There was a massive move out. The fire brigade on Tuesday were very helpful but they didn’t know the position of fire hydrants in the area so I showed them.”
In the end, Mr O’Sullivan said he had no option but to put the fire out himself. “I got my own machine on the Tuesday to smother some of the fire. If that was the way to fight the fire then that was the only way we could go. My two sons had machines too and they used them to smother the fire. We requested help again from Bord na Mona and we were told ‘We are fighting your fire’. This was very upsetting. The plant was kept open and running throughout the five days. At no time did I feel Bord na Mona had a safe plan of action. We had to take the fire on ourselves. The fire got completely out of control. It was like 9/11 with the ash, strong winds. Bord na Mona did not move. We were vexed with them. They had no plan of action and were still milling peat while the fire kept moving towards us.”
Stud farmer Frank O’Haire said the smoke was unbelievable. “All day Monday all I could see was my neighbours trying to fight this giant fire and not one person from Bord na Mona was there.”
Mr O’Haire recalled a chance meeting with Bord na Mona managing director on site when he requested help to tackle the fire that was threatening his livelihood. “The managing director told me he had 450 people out fighting fires. He said it was not their problem, they did not start it.”
The meeting heard Bord na Mona eventually gave the loan of a build dozer from the nearby Drehid landfill site to the local residents.
“Bord na Mona promised us they would repair and restore. A rep was sent out, surveying the damage, and he said Bord na Mona was not admitting liability at all. We have not heard from Bord na Mona since. Our ditches are over flowing with ash and dirt. We have had no response from Bord na Mona. We couldn’t sleep at night, we were watching the night glow get bigger and bigger,” Mr O’Haire said.
Speaking at the meeting, Chief Fire Service officer Celia Barret said meetings have taken place with Bord na Mona to draft a sub-emergency plan that included co-ordination approaches, procedures to integrate better bog mapping and so on. Kildare Fire Service have committed to providing a household ‘quick reference’ guide.
Cllr Brendan Weld noted “Bord na Mona were dragging this issue out”. “It was a serious fire. The people suffered greatly. The testimonials are not being exaggerated. We need a emergency plan in event of this ever happening again.”
Cllr Padraig McEvoy said after listening to testimonials of local residents he could see how terrifying the uncertainly of the five days were.
Cllr Liam Doyle said it must have been “very stressful and distressing time” for people. “If more had been done sooner it could have alleviated a lot of problems,” he said noting the Defence Forces should be deployed to tackle future bog fires sooner rather than later.
Cllr Seamus Langan said Bord Na Mona needs to face up to their responsibilities once and for all.
Mayor of Kildare Michael ‘Spike’ Nolan said he would look into the matter.
Representatives from Bord na Mona were not present. Speaking to the Leader afterwards, head of peat Paul O’Riordan said the company was disappointed, surprised shocked that they were not invited to the meeting. He said Bord na Mona have been operating in Gilltown bog for more than 40 years and denied all claims made by the Timahoe Community Council.
“In terms of the fire, it went on for five days. It started off on private lands and then spread onto our bogs. We were five days fighting the fire. It is not fair to say very little was done. We suffered severe losses as well. Our entire peat stock was lost.” He said Bord na Mona had a large number of staff that were dealing with the fire over the course of the five days and that the Fire Service were dealing with the dangers around people’s homes. He further added the company is committed to restoring the shelter belt, including the dust cover. He also said the company is undertaking a national media campaign regarding the dangers of gorse fire near boglands.

Published Leinster Leader 20 September 2011

Castledermot locals help raise funds for toddler’s operation

2011-09-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

The Castledermot Vintage Club is helping a Ballylinan family raise funds for a crucial operation for their little boy.
Monies raised from its annual Vintage Day this Sunday, 25th September, will go towards the Luke Renehan ‘Help Me To Walk’ fund.
The fund-raiser aims to send the Ballylinan toddler abroad for stem cell treatment so that he may eventually be able to move independently, perhaps sit, walk and maybe one day talk.
It will help the 20-month-old, who has cerebral palsy, travel to a children’s hospital abroad for the operation.
In addition, it is raising money for Cancer Homecare after its Vintage Club President, Jim Corcoran, lost his battle to cancer earlier this year.
His mother, Arlene McEvoy from Athy, explains Luke’s condition and why the family needs the support and help of their local community.
“Luke was born 12 weeks early, weighing a mere 3lb 6oz. He was baptised within minutes and rushed to the Coombe Hospital in Dublin. We feared for his life. Things seemed to get worse when it was discovered he had a grade two bleed on both sides of his brain. We were devastated but remained positive and strong.
“He spent the next few weeks in a little incubator and he was hooked up to all kind of machines and monitors. He was ventilated and tube-fed. He had a lumber puncture done as doctors feared he had meningitis. He also had a blood transfusion while in the Coombe and after five weeks I made my journey back to Portlaoise Hospital.”
Luke arrived home on 11 January 2010 to a huge welcome. “After 11 weeks he finally got to see his aunts, uncles and cousins for the very first time.”
At his four-month check-up the consultant told Luke’s parents he was showing signs of cerebral palsy. An MRI scan confirmed the worst - cerebral palsy and the extent of the damage was worse than what they had expected.
“At the moment, Luke is 20 months old. He is learning to roll over. He can’t sit independently, he can’t crawl, he can’t walk. He struggles to hold things,” Arlene explains.
His parents have started a trust fund for their son, The Luke Renehan Fund.
“With your help and support we hope that one day Luke can travel abroad to get stem cell treatment and extensive physio. There have been many children that have benefited from this stem cell treatment, it has changed their lives, enabling them to do the things they never dreamed possible.
“Luke is such a happy, little boy, we would love the chance for him to do the simple things in life that most of us take for granted,” she adds.
Organiser say the 5th Annual Vintage Day promises to be a great day out for all the family.
The show takes place at a new venue this year on the Corcoran farm at Gorteengrone (on R448 Castledermot-Carlow Road), one mile past Tougher’s Restaurant on the Castledermot side.
Organiser Suzanne Corcoran explains: “Come and see traditional threshing from yesteryear, steam engines, tractor-pulling, and a large vintage working and display area. You can also view traditional crafts such as weaving and butter-making. There will be lots to entertain all, including funfair, pony rides, dog show, pet farm, tractor dismantling and assembly, and lots of stalls to interest all.”
Admission is only €5 with children under-16 free. For those interested, there will be a bus providing free transport from the church yard in Castledermot to the farm throughout the day, starting from 12 noon, and every 30 minutes thereafter.
In addition, on Saturday evening, 24th September there will be a ‘Parade of Steam’ through Castledermot as steam engines parade through the town returning then to The Castle Inn, Castledermot, for a night of music, craic and barbecue.
In the past four years the Castledermot Vintage Club has donated €89,000 to charities.

Published Leinster Leader 20 September

Playground swings into action

2011-09-26T08:21:00.000-07:00

Kilcullen playground, officially opened last Wednesday, has kept children entertained all summer with its swings, slides, merry-go-rounds, climbers and the-all-important sand and water pump station.
After six years campaigning and with a price tag of n190,000, opened in June the community-led playground has proved a big hit in the town. “Families no longer have the money to take their children off to places that cost money. Now Kilcullen has this and since June it has been constantly full,” said Orla O’Neill who spearheaded the playground committee. “It is a fantastic amenity here in Kilcullen and with the economic downturn parents are looking for value for money for entertaining children nowadays and just look around here tonight and the playground is full,” said Kildare Mayor Michael ‘Spike’ Nolan. The Kilcullen Community Action Group manage the opening hours. “It’s getting great use but trying to empty it at night can be a problem,” joked Kieran Forde. To create sensory play, a ‘water pump’ is centre-stage, much to the amusement of children and adults alike. “It’s the first time we have tried it and so far it has been great,” said park superintendent Simon Wallace. The Leader caught up with many families at the launch. An unemployed couple said the playground was a God send. “We are both out of work so this is fantastic for us.” “I love the sand pit and water pump. I put sand into the water and I get mucky and I go home and shake all the muck off,” said three-year-old Emily Langan, who her dad explained, never comes home clean, an indication of a great playground indeed!

Published Leinster Leader 21 September

Drehid investment creates 40 jobs as director hints at bin charge increases

2011-09-06T03:57:00.000-07:00

A E6m organic waste facility operated by Bord na Mona at the Drehid landfill on the Allenwood to Derrinturn Road will open for business this October creating 40 jobs.
The new facility will process more than 25,000 tonnes of household brown bin and other food and organic waste, enough capacity to serve the needs of 100,000 households each year.
Hailed as “innovative” and “a significant investment”, the new facility at the Drehid landfill, near the Bog of Allen in Carbury, will employ 30 construction workers and up to 10 systems jobs.
In addition, more plants and jobs are planned at the site and, speaking to the Leader, a director hinted that increases in its AES domestic bin charges for Kildare customers are in the pipeline to correspond with government waste levies.
Sepaking to the Leader, Tom Walsh, director of resource recovery at Bord na Móna explained the innovative facility further.
“It breaks down the organic material, removing any odour nuisance and, by bio-stabilising the material, eliminates the potential for both leachate and greenhouse gas production. Composted organic waste material will be then used by Bord na Móna’s horticulture business as a raw material for growing media, thus supporting that business in meeting its peat-dilution targets.”
“We are committed to the environment and have set ourselves a target to divert 80 per cent of our waste from landfill by 2014,” he added.
Waste management is big business. AES Bord na Mona is one of the top three waste management and recycling companies in Ireland.
Established in 2001, AES became a subsidiary company of Bord na Móna plc in 2007. It has reported turnover growth in 2011 of 11.5 per cent to E56.4m.
It recently took over the domestic waste disposal services currently provided by Kildare County Council across the county. And in new contracts signed recently, in the region of 150,000 tonnes of waste will be taken from Dublin to the Drehid landfill in Kildare.
The landfill at Drehid, one of the biggest in Ireland, provides a range of waste management and recycling services to 80,000 homes, in addition to the commercial services provided to 5,000 businesses across the country.
Overall Bord na Mona employs more than 350 people – over 150 in the Kildare area.
Bord na Mona is also examining Drehid as a possible location for an additional mechanical biological treatment plant and plans for a electricity generator hub are currently with Kildare County Council for approval.
“We are hoping to submit plans directly to An Bord Pleanala, to have our application in by the end of the year. Drehid is a potential site, this is not certain yet. This plant would create 35 permanent jobs.”
Mr Walsh also hinted increases in bin charges for domestic customers in Kildare are on the cards. “A key driver to any bin charge increase will be an increase in the government levy on landfill material. In September there will be a large levy and that will affect the domestic customer, an increase charge of E20.”
Meanwhile, the increase in summer flies from the landfill, which was a problem in 2008, is very much reduced with a covering sheet proving very effective, he added.
In addition, relations between Bord na Mona and local residents have “improved dramatically” since a stand-off last January where waste from Keridiffstown was in transit to Drehid without prior consultation with the local community.
“Relations have very much improved,” the director said. “The outcome of that situation was positive. We realised better communication leads to better relations with our neighbours.”
Under its local community initiative, as set out in its planning requirements with Kildare County Council, Bord na Mona sets by E1.27 a tonne to fund local projects. Last year, it allocated E250k. A figure for this year is being finialised. The fund, administered by Kildare County Council, is to make its allocations this September.
Local councillor Cllr Seamus Lanagan, who is on the Drehid Waste Disposal Liaison Committee, and lives locally, agreed that relations have improved significantly.
“The Drehid Waste Disposal Liaison Committee mets on a regular basis and things are going well. We have no complaints, things have improved dramatically. The plastic membrane cover is working effectively with the smells and flies. We have no concerns at this time. We have regular meetings with Bord na Mona and they have been very helpful.”
Kildare North TD Catherine Byrne welcomed the investment and local jobs. She also praised Bord na Mona’s good reputation in waste management. The Drehid landfill is one of the largest in the country and management has to be spot on, she added.

Leinster Leader September 2011

Cut to library opening hours

2011-09-06T03:55:00.000-07:00

Libraries across Kildare are facing a cut in service and opening hours.
Currently negotiations are under way between Kildare County Council and IMPACT and Siptu, which represents library staff and caretakers.
Kildare County Council is seeking a reduction in opening hours in libraries across the county because of the current staff moratorium, explained town manager Joe Boland at last week’s Athy Town Council meeting.
Staff numbers in the county’s libraries have reduced from 72 to 64 due to retirements and, as a result, a cutback in hours in all libraries throughout the county will apply, he added. It is proposed the working hours for staff will reduce from 40 hours to 33 hours per week.
Cllr Mary O’Sullivan sought clarification of the opening hours of Athy Library in particular and was informed that from September, Athy Library is set to close on Saturdays.
“We have been informed that Saturday is not busy at all,” noted Mr Boland.
“Saturdays are when most people, workers and students, use the library. It is very sad to see another thing in the town downgraded,” she responded. Cllr Aoife Breslin said it was a “fantastic facility” and “to close the library on the busiest day, a Saturday, was a disgrace. Next it will be closed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and in six months time we may not have a library service.”
“It’s beyond logic,” observed Cllr John Lawler. Cllr Mark Wall said Athy Town Council should not accept this, noting that the library serves more than 10,000 people. “It is not acceptable.”
Town manager Mr Boland is the library in Athy was a “very important resource” and it was “regrettable” to close the service on Saturdays but it was an indication of “cutbacks in general”.
Writer and author Athy man John MacKenna said he was “very disappointed” to hear the news. “The library in Athy is a fantastic service, like the service throughout the county. It’s more than a place to go for a book. Any cuts to the arts is unfortunate, it seems to be first thing hit during a recession. I am really disappointed to hear this. The library in Athy is used as a meeting place for book clubs, local activities, theatre groups. It is not just a room with books. It is an important part of our community. It’s a real shame.”
A spokesman for the county librarian service said, as of yet, nothing has been agreed and negotiations with unions are ongoing. “Everything is up in the air until it has been decided,” he said.
A spokeswoman for KCC said: “Kildare Library Service is under constant review to optimise service delivery to the public. Currently the service continues as normal. If and when changes are to be implemented, full details will be communicated in advance to the public.”

Leinster Leader August 2011

Don't give up on that job

2011-09-06T03:53:00.000-07:00

“I was 16 years on a crane. Then one day the foreman asked me to come down from my crane and I was told I was being laid off. I went home and I was feeling very sorry for myself. I have two teenage kids that need my support.

“I signed on in January 2010 and that May I got a letter from Obair. At first I thought I got a job but they said I had to got for an interview at the Kildare Local Employment Service Network. I felt threatened but they treated me with so much dignity. I enjoyed the interview and I signed up for more.”
These were the sentiments of Adrian from Kildare, who spoke in public recently about his experiences of unemployment and the new direction his life has taken as a result.
With the help of the Obair’s Kildare Local Employment Service Network (KLESN), he undertook retraining and applied for a truck licence. In his spare time he is actively involved in the local scouts. “Last October I was offered a job in the Scouts, but the Budget came two weeks later and I lost my job. I went back on a course and updated my CV. In May the position of tools supervisor came up. I did the interview and I am delighted to say I am now back in work four weeks and two days. I love the job, the people and I enjoy the challenge and I am standing here and talking to you today which is a pleasure.”
Adrian, who wished, like the other speakers, for his surname not to be used, was a guest speaker at a KLESN seminar in Kildare County Council last Tuesday evening, July 19.
Councillors, TDs and several representatives from state agencies were present. He received a huge round of applause in the chamber and words of encouragement.
Currently there are 19,000 people unemployed in Kildare, which is a rise of almost 50 per cent since the recession began.
Set up in 1996, KLESN has five offices in Kildare - Naas, Newbridge, Kildare, Athy and Leixlip - and offers a range of services for long-term unemployed people, including training courses, job placement and return to education help. It also runs a jobs club and works with FAS, the Department of Social Protection, Kildare Leadership Partnership, local employers and others.
The Mayor of Kildare, Michael ‘Spike’ Nolan, praised its work. “The service is needed more now today than ever before in the history of the state to assist those unemployed and to obtain training.”
KLESN co-ordinator Paul Aspell said the service has made huge inroads in Kildare. “There is no quick-fix solution to solve unemployment problems. There are 19,000 people unemployed in Kildare alone. This is not going to be fixed by some sound bite. All the stakeholders and agencies need to work together.”
He recalled being unemployed himself three times in the space of a year and a half during the Eighties and being forced to emigrate for five years.
So far this year, from January to June, more than 1,110 people availed of the service, with 375 having progressed - 68 in job placement, nine are self-employed and 298 are in FAS, community education programmes or in training. “That is our first six months. The figures are not too bad, it is a little bit of good news for you.”
Chairperson Mary Keane acknowledged the role of the board is more demanding now and all agencies need to work in a collaborative way to get better value. “The main thrust is to prepare people who are now unemployed for the opportunities for the future.”
Bernadette Collins, Eugene Doyle, and Ann Dempsey from the KLESN all spoke on the range of services it provides to people from mock interviews, organising internships, confidence building and many more skills. Ms Collins herself recalled how she was unemployed in the 1980s and how she upskilled. “The same problems we had 30 to 20 years ago we have know,” she noted.
KLESN clients Mary Rose and Patricia were also guest speakers at the event. Both spoke of their experiences of unemployment. Entrepreneur Mary Rose’s massage and holistic company closed and she turned to KLESN for direction. “If I had the information I have now my company might have survived,” she noted. “I have a job lined up in October and a wealth of information now with new contacts and new friends. Thanks to the KLESN I have restored my self-worth, self-belief and a line-up of supports to move onwards and upwards.”
Mother Patricia first came in contact with the service when her son left school and sought its advice. “I am happy to say he is one of the lucky ones thankfully and is now in stable employment.”
She has undertaken training and mentoring herself. “I am not employed yet but I am upsklling. Without the centre it would be a lot tougher out there.”
“This message, this gospel has to spread. These testimonials have to be told. These are important positive stories for people who are unemployed. People need to know what is possible and what is being done to tackle this,” noted Director of Services Peter Minnock of Kildare County Council, who praised all the guestspeakers for their inspirational speeches.
K Partners, an integrated service provider, has recently been set up in Kildare, comprising the VEC, KLESN, HSE and a range of employment and training agencies throughout Kildare to tackle growing long-term unemployment in the county. “It needs to be repeated again. These positive stories have an energy that is good for people, it is a formula for the future,” Mr Minnock added.
The meeting was then opened to the floor for questions. Cllr Paddy Kennedy asked how long the waiting list was for the jobs club and if this KLESN service will be extended throughout Kildare. Currently there is a four-week waiting list and it is hoped to extend this service to Naas, Leixlip and Athy over the years as and when funding becomes available, noted KLESN’s Ann Dempsey.
Independent TD Catherine Murphy praised the trojan work of the service over the years. Cllr Liam Doyle queried if there was an outreach programme in the north-west area of Kildare and if the service would explore part-time/holiday time work with local employers, including Kildare County Council. Mr Aspell conceded that clinics have not yet started up in this area. “Resources are tight. As it is we have to beg, steal and borrow office space for our outreach services,” he explained.
Cllr Willie Hamilton said it was a challenge to prepare people for jobs when the jobs just don’t exist any more. “To keep them motivated, to upskill,” he said. He noted KLESN had something of an “orphan syndrome” for other agencies in Kildare for a long time and he called for “co-operation not competition” in the new K Partners intergrated service provider.
Cllr Senan Griffin said the service was invaluable. “You never get a second chance on a first impression.”
Fine Gael TD Tony Lawlor called for more information for unemployed people and better communication among agencies.
“Yes, the information needs to be clearer for people,” conceded Mr Aspell. “The information for people is like a minefield. It is absolutely terrorifing to loose a job after 20 years. Terrorifing.”
Fine Gael TD Martin Heydon said the testimonials were inspiring. “As a TD who sits in clinics and listens to really hard cases on a regular basis it is great to hear positive stages. Some speakers mention dark spells they went through when first unemployed that would of course be a natural reaction and to come out the other side of it is fantastic. There are so many unemployed now, everybody has to learn the ropes, the paperwork. It’s not easy and its a fantastic service.”
The Kildare Local Employment Service Network can be contacted on Naas 045 89555, Leixlip 01 6245414, Athy 059 8632685, Newbridge 045 435666, Kildare 045 521950.

Leinster Leader August 2011

Athy leads way on agribusiness

2011-09-06T03:50:00.000-07:00

South Kildare is continuing to lead the way on the agricultural front, according to an Athy Irish Farmer’s Association spokesman.
Cereal farmers in the county are producing the goods this harvest, said Liam Dunne.
“A 10,000 tonne boatload of quality oats, much of which was produced in Kildare, has set sail for the US and another 10,000 tonne boatload of quality surplus malting barley is being assembled in BoortMalt in Athy for export to the UK. This is a big thumbs up sign for Kildare cereal farmers and great news for the Irish economy.”
On top of this, Boort Malt, Athy, has increased their demand for malting barley by 50 per cent over last year and will process 90,000 tonnes into malt, mostly for Guinness, this season.
“This makes the Athy operation one of the most important agri-businesses in the country. Although yields of grain are little better than average this year, Kildare farmers are producing some of the highest quality grains seen for many years despite all the setbacks of last winter,” Mr Dunne said. Harvesting of peas for Batchelors, is also nearing completion and the quality is exceptional, he added. All Batchelors tinned peas are grown and assembled in Kildare.
“At this stage, about 65 per cent of the total harvest is complete and with the promised return to good weather next week, should be completed soon and so maintain high quality wheat, barley and oats.
“We are anxious to see the job completed as soon as possible and we thank the public and especially motorist for their patience and courtesy while we move large combine harvesters and grain trailers about.”

Leinster Leader August 2011

Kildare miracle twins start school

2011-09-06T03:49:00.001-07:00

It was a special first day at school at Scoil Bhride Naofa last week for Kildare town twins Grace and Ellen Sheehan.
At their birth four years ago, they were two of Ireland’s smallest premature babies. Yet last week they joined fellow pupils beginning classes at junior infants at Scoil Bhríde Naofa in Kildare. The four-year-olds are the daughters of mum Cathleen Moore, and dad John Sheehan,.
Described as “little miracles” by the doctors, they weighed just over one pound each when they were born. Their hands barely covered mum Cathleen’s fingernails. The proud parents said the day was a landmark they thought they would not get to witness.
“Grace and Ellen look so special in their school uniforms,” said Cathleen. “They are incredible little girls. It’s a very proud moment for us.” “They are our miracle babies, we are very proud,” said grandmother Bernie Moore.

Leinster Leader September 2011

Easy as ABC for new Athy campus

2011-09-06T03:47:00.000-07:00

The harvest has come for Athy’s educational field of dreams. This September three post-primary schools, Gael Scoil Atha I, The Model School and St Patrick’s Primary School along with the post-primary Athy College will open its doors in a new fully serviced educational campus in South Kildare.
Years in the making, the dream is now a reality. The final touches are being installed, the grass is being sown. More than 1,000 students from five to 18 years of age will pass through the gates on the Kildare Road, a new beginning for children in Athy and a new policy direction for the Education Department.
The campus has a new 26-classroom St Patrick’s Primary school, a new eight-classroom Model School, the eight-classroom Gael Scoil and the 26-classroom Athy College and not just that. The Department has thought of everything - multi-purpose all-weather playing pitches, 11 basketball/tennis courts, GAA and soccer pitches, athletics area, ample car parking, gym, sports halls, libraries, music rooms, state-of-the-art computer labs, canteens, kitchens.
The schools are also eco-friendly. In the classrooms, when the sun shines the lights automatically switch off and when the temperature drops the heating automatically switches on.
So much detail that in the Special Needs Units in all schools the roof is designed differently to cater for autistic children and their needs, the sports halls have a divider and heaters, the bike racks have shelters, there’s table tennis and the landscape is flowers and lavender.
Athy Town Council is also doing its bit, cycle lanes and more bins are planned, two traffic lights are installed and switched on. And a bus transport from the town is being examined. “It’s a long walk, a short drive, but an ideal cycle. So the council is looking at cycle tracks,” explained Mr Daly, who is also cathaoirleach of Athy Town Council.
This co-educational, multidenominational education campus caters for everyone. The days of no school places for a child in Athy are over, so says the Department of Education and local principal Richard Daly. The schools pool and share resources to maximum effect. They also communicate and facilitate. For example, opening times of all schools will vary. “With all of this we have all agreed we would vary our opening times, with a distance between our opening times, to alleviate traffic congestion,” explained Mr Daly. “We are going to have the best part of 1,000 students out here this September to share facilities.”
“This is a novel approach by the Department of Education to have coexistence of primary and post-primary. And not only that, in this occasion we have totally different ethos. The Catholic, the Church of Ireland, the Irish-speaking, the multidenominational. We all get on incredible well. We met on a monthly basis and share any ideas we have or any difficulties we see arising. It’s like a sweet shop for parents. Education through English or Irish, and religion, all is available.”
Ambitions of a basketball, tennis, athletics clubs are all in the pipeline. The campus is also open and rentable to the public for use. Indeed the local hockey club is keen to train on the all-weather playing pitch. “We would like the community to be involved as much as possible,” said Mr Daly. “It’s almost limitless. We already have a film club run here in the Athy College, a Suzuki violin music school, we will have more and more clubs. It is a great opportunity for them.”
In addition, there is a zoning of 10 acres adjacent to the campus, the aim to futureproof lands for educational use. The campus at the moment is 25 acres.
“The advantage of being on the edge of town. You don’t have students wandering around town at lunchtime, for us at the secondary school that is a major concern particular students who come in from the country. Coming into town in many cases for the first time.”
“It is really, really, really exciting. Both as managers of schools and at the Department of Education creating an amenity for the future, for the community.”
Deputy principal of The Model School Yvonne Griffin agrees. “It’s all positive. It’s brilliant for the children, for the town and for the local community. The location is great in terms of being at the edge of town. We share resources that benefits everyone. There is so much space. It’s a new start.”

Leinster Leader August 2011

Ambassador for living and donor awareness

2011-09-06T03:45:00.000-07:00

An inspiring, modest man, James Nolan takes the lead in organ donor awareness.
We meet in his office in Nolan’s Butchers in Kilcullen, which is adorned with Kildare flags, transplant game memorabilia, horse-racing prizes, butcher awards and family photos.
“Everyone of us who received a heart, lung, liver, kidney or bone marrow transplant have to be become ambassadors for organ donor awareness. So really that is what I see this as being,” he explains, matter-of-factly.
The charity he founded, the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund, does tremendous work and the annual charity race during the National Hunt Festival has become a strong tradition in Kildare.
“The whole idea of the [transplant] games is to create awareness of organ donation. My medal to hang on the wall for the next 20 years, yes I’m thrilled with that, but really the bigger and more underlying issue here is organ donor awareness is quite poor in Ireland.
“I wish I had the answer. Is it that people don’t think about it until somebody goes on dialysis? Is it a case, like everything in life, until it actually affects your family on your doorstep, you don’t necessarily think about it?
“Really all I would ask people to do is to have the conversation. And if it is not for you, grand. But at least then your loved ones know what your wishes are, God forbid anything happens to you. The worst thing is you are in hospital, you are traumatised, your loved one is after having an accident and you have to make this desperate decision. But at least if you know what the wishes are of your loved one in advance it makes it an awful lot easier. That is what the transplant games are all about, to use the games as a medium to create publicity for organ donor awareness.”
James had a life-saving kidney transplant as a child, with the organ donated by his sister Catherine. This huge act of love has had a profound affect on his family and this inspires James to spearhead organ donor awareness and kidney research.
“What drives me is a girl in Newbridge. She had been on dialysis, then a transplant where it was rejected, and is now back on dialysis waiting on a transplant. She is so restricted in what she can do with her life and it is very simple, you dialyse or you die. But she is waiting, hoping and hoping that she’ll get a transplant. One of my best friends is waiting nine years. His whole life was on hold, hoping and hoping, waiting.”
James travelled to Belfast for the British Transplant Games, which were held from last August 4 to 7, after the infamous Kildare Donegal match. “We stopped to get food on the way and met with the Donegal lads and Tyrone lads, so I got a good bit of stick, but it was nice to take a medal out of Ulster the week after Dongeal put us out. My heart went out to the poor Lilies.”
With his wife Emma as caddy, James won a gold in the golf at the games. He modestly explains: “A net 70 and I won by a shot, needless to say I was absolutely chuffed.”
After each transplant games, he rings his donor, his sister Catherine. “It’s a lovely call to make and ultimately I wouldn’t have done it if it was not for Catherine. The week before the games we celebrated our 24th anniversary of the transplant so it was really special to go to the games and get the transplant.”
James has competed for several years in numerous transplant games worldwide and has built up a huge circle of friends. ‘The transplant family’ each has their own inspiring stories.
“I met a 21-year-old man in Sweden. During his leukaemia and radiotherapy treatment he lost his eyesight. He goes to the games and runs the 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m.”
James believes motivation and attitude is key to living. Earlier this year through Kilcullen GAA, he organised a motivational talk for Kildare transplant athletes with Tyrone manager Mickey Harte.
“Some of the things he said were very relevant, particular to our group. In life you are going to find yourself in situations where it ain’t pretty and you do not want to be there, but you have two choices, you sink or you swim. If you decide to make the best of the situation you will come out of it as best you can, but if you are all ‘moany and groany’ that serves no purpose. You can’t stop the waves but you can learn to surf.”
The Kilcullen man is a staunch Kildare GAA supporter. The Leader noticed a Mick O’Dwyer-signed bodhran featuring a Dublin Crest in pride of place in his shop. He smirks apologetically and explains: “There was a presentation made to me because through the charity, the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund. One of guys who got a bursary to go to the 2007 transplant games in Thailand, wanted to give the charity a present and gave a Dublin crest bodhran signed by then manager Mick O’Dwyer. Initially there was a bit of stick. Nolan’s is a staunch Kildare shop. The way I look at it is, if people look at it and asks what is it about, it starts a conversation about organ donor awareness.”

Leinster Leader 6 August 2011

A picnic in the sun for Naas

2011-09-06T03:43:00.000-07:00

Forget Electric Picnic, Naas had its own picnic last Sunday, August 4, with bouncing castles galore, ballons, obstacles courses, army tanks, face-painting and the atmosphere was electric.
Now in its sixth year, the action-packed family fun day did not disappoint as the sun shone brightly and the rain held off, much to the relief of the organisers and parents alike.
More than 1,500 people descended on the grounds of Aras Chill Dara. For babies and toddlers, there was an array of bouncing castles to choose from - spiderman, batman, elephants and the princess - and for the more fearless there was the bouncing red slides.
Nearby were obstacles courses run by Kildare Sports Partnership that proved a great hit with the fast-paced children ducking, diving and jumping while on the clock. Also close-by was crazy golf and soccer goal games where kids and adults of all ages got to sharpen their skills.
The main stage had performances from local community groups - the Jenny Brady School of Dance, the Moat Theatre’s Westside Story among others. And local garda Niamh Whelan organised a performance of a different beat, Zumba dancing, that got the crowd shaking their booty!
On walkabout were Star Wars storm-troopers and giant puppets, who had a dedicated following of little people that were in awe. The Kildare Road Safety Roadshow was there and distributed more than 1,000 fluorescent bibs, they were going like hotcakes, just like the ice-cream where the vans quickly sold-out.
Also on display were the army tanks, military vehicles, the air corps, fire brigades and garda squad cars. Kids queued eagerly to explore and examine in detail, with one mother joking that she hopes her son never sees the inside of squad car again!
Sports cars from the Canonball charity road trip for Barretstown were on display, with many mammies and daddies more than delighted to sit in the dashing red Ferrari (this reporter included!).
As the evening came to a close, the families dispersed with their exhausted fun-filled children, and the many dedicated volunteers and council staff cleaned and packed up.
Speaking to the Leader, organiser and Naas mayor Cllr Darren Scully joked he was on the “verge of a nervous breakdown” Saturday morning.
“I was getting ready and I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown because of the rain storms. A lot of time and effort to go into organising events like this and it wasn’t looking good.
“But by 2.30pm it was like something out of the Bible, the clouds separated and the magnificent sun came out.”
There was only one ‘casualty’ on the day. A toddler walked into the ankle-high pool but was dragged to safety by the hero Mayor. “I pulled him out. He was alright, only wet runners, nothing serious at all, he was smiling sure,” said Cllr Scully.
“Events like this gives people a great sense of belonging to the town. There are huge pressures out there on parents where events charge money for train rides, bouncing castles and entry fees, all events on the Naas Family Fun Day were free and it was a great day for Naas to have so much fun.”

Leinster Leader 6 August 2011

Alert on poachers as fish stocks drop

2011-09-06T03:36:00.000-07:00

Fish stocks in a river in South Kildare are being decimated by poachers.
The gangs are illegally plundering the River Barrow’s fish to feed themselves and to sell on the black market. And local fishing experts now warn the iconic river is at serious risk.
Just last Saturday, September 3, water keepers at the Athy and District Angling Club confiscated an inflatable boat, more than a dozen rods and fish kill. And astonishingly the brazen poachers even set up camp by the riverbank, with a tent and barbecue, where they cooked and ate their stolen fish.
“What they’re doing is very illegal - there are very strict regulations governing what you can and cannot take from rivers,” claimed Club spokesman John Shaughnessy.
“They go down to the river in the evenings and over the weekends with their rods and barbecues, removing fish to eat. Some of the operations are bigger and the fish are being sold on. If these guys are taking maybe one or two fish a day, it doesn’t take long for them to have a big impact on a stretch.”
The number of skimmers, bream, pike and rudd and specimen fish in the river has plummeted over the past two years alone as a result of illegal fishing, he warned. “If it continues like this we will have no fish in the Barrow in five years.”
The Athy and District Angling Club is now stepping up patrols along the river banks in a bid to catch the poachers in the act, but are calling on The Fisheries Board to do more.
“There needs to be a catch and release policy on the barrow, but the Fisheries Board does not have the manpower to deal with this, so many are getting away with it. We’ve noticed this trend across the county and the fishing clubs need to get together to fight this.”

Leinster Leader 6 August 2011

Next piece of jigsaw in place for vital Athy road

2011-07-26T06:42:00.002-07:00

The long-awaited multimillion Southern Distributor Road (SDR) for Athy is progressing and the signs are all positive that phased funding will be allocated to the project.This week the Roads and Transport Department of Kildare County Council has instructed consultant engineers to proceed with works on the Athy route, which are required for the environmental impact statements and compulsory purchase orders.
It is hoped the multimillion-euro project will be built on a phased basis over three to four years.
The latest news is much-welcomed in the traffic congested town. “All the signs are positive,” said Cathairleach of Athy Town Council Cllr Richard Daly. “No direct money has been allocated yet but the next piece of the jigsaw is now in place.
“Everything is ready to rock and roll if and when the funding comes. All the stakeholders involved, Kildare County Council, Athy Town Council, our TDs, we are all hopeful of funding and we are on the right track.”
Athy Chamber of Commerce President Paul Cunnigham said businesses will be delighted with the progress.
“We have to acknowleged there has been a lot of work done by the local authority on the SDR and we hope that work contuines.
“The SDR is essential for efficent traffic management in town, every other proporsal is just a short term solution.”
The works include ground investigations, consultation with stakeholders about a bridge over the River Barrow and a bridge over the Dublin Waterford Railway line.
Meetings with the National Transport Authority regarding cycle, foot and bus stop provisions is also taking place.
In addition the Roads and Transport Department will be in contact with landowners regarding access into lands for the ground investigation works.

Leinster Leader 17 July 2011

A housing mess: unfinished estates leave trail of disaster

2011-07-26T06:42:00.001-07:00

Unfinished or vacant housing estates in south Kildare have effectively been abandoned by Kildare County Council, an area meeting heard last Monday. In addition where there are health and safety concerns with sewerage and water hydrants works in such estates, the council is limited in what it can do.“This is the challenge facing Kildare County Council when estates are in NAMA, receivership or the equivalent. These residents have been abandoned,” said Cllr Martin Miley. He called on the council to urgently make these housing estates safe.
“Kids are playing in them, in manholes, drains, the sewerage systems are left open. Fence these estates off and make them safe,” he said.
“It’s not good enough. These matters are urgent. All people here paid out excessively for mortgages, these prices included levies for the council. They at least deserve an adequate response,” observed Cllr Ivan Keatley, noting residents were being left “in limbo”.
Cllr Mark Wall said it was the “biggest challenge” facing Kildare County Council and called on more money from central government to be allocated to the local authority to resolve the issues.
Athy Area Committee Cllr Richard Daly observed the developers discussed were either in receivership, in NAMA or no longer trading and were “a sign of the times.”
Estates in Ballitore, Nurney, Narraghmore and Calverstown were discussed at this week’s Athy Area committee meeting.
Cllr Keatley sought information regarding the proper installation of water hydrants and drinking water supply at Calverstown Demesne as an urgent matter of health and safety.
“Our records indicate the company that built this estate is no longer trading,” KCC noted, directing the residents contact the Building Control Section.
Cllr Keatley also raised the matter of a sewerage treatment facility in Oak Park, Narraghmore that was causing huge problems in the area. He was bluntly told Kildare County Council has no responsibility here: “It is a matter for the developer of the estate.” As far back as December 2010, the council became aware of severe sewerage problems in the gardens of houses in Oak Park and a nearby park. Since then a problem has also occurred regarding the pumps, which appear to be faulty.
Cllr Martin Miley asked for an update on unfinished and abandoned estates in Nurney and Ballitore, which has caused considerable stress to residents. “Receivers have been appointed to the companies that developed these estates. Abbeylands, Ballitore and Brookfields Nurney. Meetings have been arranged with the receivers to establish their proposals for the completion of these estates,” KCC noted.
Cllr Martin Miley also sought for the council to move “immediately” to take Cluain Ard estate in Kilmead in charge and its sewerage system.
The council heard the developer of this estate is in Nama and it was his intention to hand over the treatment plant to the council as soon as possible and demolish two partially built houses.

leinster leader 17 July 2011

Business for the greater good

2011-07-26T06:33:00.000-07:00

Social entrepreneurs are unreasonable people. They are the mavericks who refuse to accept the status quo. They look at the world, are dissatisfied with what they see, and resolve to change it. They are both dreamers and doers; imagining a brighter future and setting about making that dream into a reality. They are true entrepreneurs; innovators who are passionate and resourceful, who are prepared to take risks and who apply their energy, drive and ambition to effecting social change.
WINSENT, a new project part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, based in Athy is providing free assistance, guidance and a range of supports to any social entrepreneur or enterprise based in Kildare.
Aisling Duffy, WINSENT project development office for Kildare, explains. “We offer a mentoring role which would include assistance with feasibility studies, business planning, funding applications, board of directors training, staffing and advice. It is also a networking opportuinity. We aim to find the social entrepreneusrs to harness their skills and knowldge and let others benefit from them.”
This free service is now available to social entrepreneurs in Kildare. “We are here to support and assist,” she adds.
Winner of the Kildare Entreprenuerial Awards 2011 and shortlisted for Social Entrepreneurs Ireland 2011, Karen Leigh is no stranger to WINSENT.
Sensational Kids is a social enterprise set up to provide affordable therapy services for children of all abilities.
“WINSENT found me. I didn’t realise Sensational Kids was a social enterprise until then. We are now a client. They give free advice, mentoring. I am the founder and CEO of Sensational Kids and we would be in frequent contact with WINSENT,” Ms Leigh said. She also availed of a two-day workshop from a top American consultant that she found invaluable.
“Social enterpirse is not a traditional chairty. It’s innovative. We don’t depend on donations or government funding. We run a business to fund our service and to address a social problem. We are self-funding.” Currently it employs 12 people, a combination of healthcare professionals, occupatrional, admin and retail.
In terms of the ongoing recession, Ms Leigh said the client base of children is increasing all the time. “It’s hard for parents, parents who don’t have the funds and can’t afford our service or the subsidised service, which is sad. We do our best for these families, as much as we can.”
“I love my job. I’d never go back. You need to have passion to be a social entrepreneur. You are doing it for the goodness of the community, that is Karen Leigh, Sensational Kids. Aisling Duffy, Winsent. Story Lisa Deeney, Photo. Jimmy Fullam. what drives you. We are not driven by profit, we are driven by providing a social affordable therapy service for children, that is our bottom line.”
WINSENT, based in the Athy Community Enterprise Centre, is actively looking for social enterprise clients to support. They can be contacted on 087 6522422.

Leinster Leader 25 July 2011

Frustated Naas councillors vent their fury at niggling public infrastructure problems

2011-07-26T06:32:00.004-07:00

Things were certainly not rosy in the garden of the Naas Area Committee meeting last Tuesday where Kildare County Council came under fire repeatedly by frustrated councillors. First up was the re-instatement of a removed ramp at the pedestrian crossing at Ballycane Church. Cllr Seamie Moore criticised the council’s two-week monitoring policy of the change. “It is difficult to understand. The public do not know about the monitoring period. It’s misleading,” said Cllr Moore. The committee was informed the council is still open to people who have complaints about the removed ramp.
Next was public consulation on pay parking plans for Sallins. Councillors present (Cllr Darren Scully was absent) were shocked to learned that the draft plan was already in fact currently on display. “Jesus, to start a public consultation process without letting public representatives know,” fumed Cllr Paddy MacNamara. The closing date for submissions is this week, Friday July 29.
The committee was informed councillors received the plan by post and the procedure was circulated in June. However, councillors said they did not receive the public notice.
Clearly frustrated Cllr MacNamara said this “caught him by surprise. I thought you’d let me know” and asked for the public notice to be circualted by email asap.
Then a yellow box at Roseville was discussed. “Why the requirement was not considered when the new traffic lights at the Gallops was put up is beyond me?” noted Cllr Moore. “The issue has mushroomed, it is wider now. The area is worthy of a yellow box,” he added. Kildare County Council said it had not received any complaints. “We can organised that for you,” Cllr Moore quipped back.
Then there were concerns voiced over a new sign at Beggers End at Punchestown, which were raised by Cllr Fintan Brett. “It’s a dangerous junction,” he said. Kildare County Council officials more or less denied this. “The recently erected crossroads sign at Beggars End is not having a detrimental effect on sight distances at this juntion,” its report stated, noting investigations are ongoing.
Next was the controversial issue of traffic lights at the Osberstown/Sallins Road junction. Cllr Seamie Moore described the council’s report into the matter as “unhelpful” and sought a “decent answer for once and for all”.
Kildare County Council issued a report outling the estimated cost for the traffic lights was E295,000 in 2009 and it does not have the finance to pay for the works. It has applied to the National Transport Authority for funding, noting no design work has been undertaken but safety issues have been identified.
A fustrated Cllr Moore said the response was disappointing. “To say no design works have been undertaken and yet the traffic lights were installed and set up in position but were taken down. How can there be no design when the application for funding has been forwarded to the NTA and there is a costing of E295,000.” He also questioned the costings of E295,000. “It’s 2011 and I’d expect that costing to come down 20 to 30 per cent now.” He called on the council to look “deeply and seriously at the matter”. Again councillors were informed investigations are ongoing.
Next on the agenda was the unoperational traffic lights at the Vista Medical Centre in Naas. Despite being installed in March, the lights have yet to be switched on. A report by the council said it waiting on official notification from the ESB. “Again I am depressed at how weak we are. It’s impetus. If I spent money on a car in April and it was still not delivered by the end of July, four months later, something is terribly wrong. We have been sitting here for the last three/four months and have been told the ESB is at fault. It’s essential those lights are turned on at the road,” said Cllr Moore. The Council is investigating and when contacted by the Leader, the ESB is also investigating. (Indeed at time of going to press on Monday, 25th July, the Leader observed the lights have eventually been switched on)
Next was the provision of bus shelters in Kill, which is not authorised. Councillors were informed that the National Transport Authority is taking the lead on this and the council is awaiting its direction on the matter. “That doesn’t answer the question,” said Cllr Paddy MacNamara. “Why are bus shelters not allowed?” “Is this work going to go on for ever and ever,” asked Cllr Seamie Moore. They were duly informed there was no “time frame” in place.
On the matter of the ongoing sewerage spills in Kill, councillors were given a previous March report. “The circumstances have not changed to secure funding for this particular project. The matter can only be reviewed if capital funds become available,” it stated. An estimate cost for the works is E600,000.
“I really don’t know how to answer this. Can the engineer answer the question rather than re-issue the report,” said Cllr MacNamara who sought progress and to ensure the works proposed would eliminate surface water flooding adjacent to the Old House.
“The problem is disgusting. People have to walk there near the spills. It really needs urgent answers,” said Cllr Fintan Brett.
Other issues discussed - to compel the owners of the Ambassador site at Kill to upgrade its fencing, water harvesting facilities at car wash stations and taking in charge of Rathmore Estate - went more smoothly as tempers eased at the heated meeting.

Leinster Leader 25 July 2011

Cut to library opening hours

2011-07-26T06:32:00.001-07:00

Libraries across Kildare are facing a cut in service and opening hours. Currently negotiations are under way between Kildare County Council and IMPACT and Siptu, which represents library staff and caretakers.
Kildare County Council is seeking a reduction in opening hours in libraries across the county because of the current staff moratorium, explained town manager Joe Boland at last week’s Athy Town Council meeting.
Staff numbers in the county’s libraries have reduced from 72 to 64 due to retirements and, as a result, a cutback in hours in all libraries throughout the county will apply, he added. It is proposed the working hours for staff will reduce from 40 hours to 33 hours per week.
Cllr Mary O’Sullivan sought clarification of the opening hours of Athy Library in particular and was informed that from September, Athy Library is set to close on Saturdays.
“We have been informed that Saturday is not busy at all,” noted Mr Boland.
“Saturdays are when most people, workers and students, use the library. It is very sad to see another thing in the town downgraded,” she responded. Cllr Aoife Breslin said it was a “fantastic facility” and “to close the library on the busiest day, a Saturday, was a disgrace. Next it will be closed on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and in six months time we may not have a library service.”
“It’s beyond logic,” observed Cllr John Lawler. Cllr Mark Wall said Athy Town Council should not accept this, noting that the library serves more than 10,000 people. “It is not acceptable.”
Town manager Mr Boland is the library in Athy was a “very important resource” and it was “regrettable” to close the service on Saturdays but it was an indication of “cutbacks in general”.
Writer and author Athy man John MacKenna said he was “very disappointed” to hear the news. “The library in Athy is a fantastic service, like the service throughout the county. It’s more than a place to go for a book. Any cuts to the arts is unfortunate, it seems to be first thing hit during a recession. I am really disappointed to hear this. The library in Athy is used as a meeting place for book clubs, local activities, theatre groups. It is not just a room with books. It is an important part of our community. It’s a real shame.”
A spokesman for the county librarian service said, as of yet, nothing has been agreed and negotiations with unions are ongoing. “Everything is up in the air until it has been decided,” he said.
A spokeswoman for KCC said: “Kildare Library Service is under constant review to optimise service delivery to the public. Currently the service continues as normal. If and when changes are to be implemented, full details will be communicated in advance to the public.”

Leinster Leader 26 July 2011

Mystery over Athy ghost estate funding

2011-07-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

Questions have been raised as to whether or not Athy Town Council has applied for monies from a E5 million safety fund for ghost estates. This is despite 14 housing estates in the south Kildare town listed as ghost estates.
The funding available is E12,000 for each housing estate listed or E160,000 in total. The council is currently investigating whether or not a claim has been made on behalf of Athy Town Council.
Back in February, the Housing Minister announced a E5 million safety fund for ghost estates whereby local authorities can apply for the funding. Among the problems identified in ghost estates are unfinished roads, vacant houses, sewerage works, uncovered manholes, open pits and potentially unstable buildings that could pose a public safety hazard.
At an Athy Town Council meeting last week, Cllr James Mahon asked for confirmation if the Council had applied for funding for all 14 estates in the town. “Did Athy Town Council apply? If not why not?” he asked. “It amounts to E160,000.”
The Department of Environment lists 14 Athy estates as ghost estates - these are Ardrew Meadows, Prusselstown Green, Gallowshill, Holland Park, The Grove, Convent View Crescent, two in Conoyboro, Dun Brinn, Glebelands, Cluain Bearu, two in The Harbour and Shanrath. Currently two estates are in NAMA.
“If we didn’t apply we have missed the boat,” said Cllr Mahon, who is convinced that only Coneyboro has an application in.
Cllr Aoife Breslin said she would be “disappointed” to hear if Athy Town Council had not applied for the funding.
Cllr Mark Wall said unfinished estates is one of the biggest issues facing the council. “Why has the Building Control Section of Kildare County Council not made the application?” he asked. “E12,000 would help on small issues in these estates.
“Is it the case that Kildare County Council applied for category four [worst category] only?”
A clarification is currently being sought to confirm if the council applied for all four categories funding.
In total there are 25 ghost estates in Kildare.

Leinster Leader 25 July 2011

Gardai arrest man accused of Ballymore Church vandalism

2011-07-26T06:29:00.000-07:00

Ballymore Eustace Church was broken into and vandalised in the early hours of Sunday morning. According to Sgt Martin Whitty of Naas Garda Station, a number of historial candleholders were damaged, statutes vandalised and the atlar descretated. A nearby resident heard the commotion and alerted the gardai. A local man in his 20s was arrested at the scene. He was later charged with criminal damage at a special sitting of Naas District Court. Monsignor Fr John Wilson said the cost of the vandalism was not high but the damage to the candleholders was significant as they were of historial value to parishioners. The man is set to appear before Naas District Court again this Wednesday.
Leinster Leader 17 July 2011

Don’t give up on that job

2011-07-26T06:28:00.000-07:00

A seminar on unemployment held in Naas last week heard stories of hardship... but also hope for the future
“I was 16 years on a crane. Then one day the foreman asked me to come down from my crane and I was told I was being laid off. I went home and I was feeling very sorry for myself. I have two teenage kids that need my support.
“I signed on in January 2010 and that May I got a letter from Obair. At first I thought I got a job but they said I had to got for an interview at the Kildare Local Employment Service Network. I felt threatened but they treated me with so much dignity. I enjoyed the interview and I signed up for more.”
These were the sentiments of Adrian from Kildare, who spoke in public recently about his experiences of unemployment and the new direction his life has taken as a result.
With the help of the Obair’s Kildare Local Employment Service Network (KLESN), he undertook retraining and applied for a truck licence. In his spare time he is actively involved in the local scouts. “Last October I was offered a job in the Scouts, but the Budget came two weeks later and I lost my job. I went back on a course and updated my CV. In May the position of tools supervisor came up. I did the interview and I am delighted to say I am now back in work four weeks and two days. I love the job, the people and I enjoy the challenge and I am standing here and talking to you today which is a pleasure.”
Adrian, who wished, like the other speakers, for his surname not to be used, was a guest speaker at a KLESN seminar in Kildare County Council last Tuesday evening, July 19.
Councillors, TDs and several representatives from state agencies were present. He received a huge round of applause in the chamber and words of encouragement.
Currently there are 19,000 people unemployed in Kildare, which is a rise of almost 50 per cent since the recession began.
Set up in 1996, KLESN has five offices in Kildare - Naas, Newbridge, Kildare, Athy and Leixlip - and offers a range of services for long-term unemployed people, including training courses, job placement and return to education help. It also runs a jobs club and works with FAS, the Department of Social Protection, Kildare Leadership Partnership, local employers and others.
The Mayor of Kildare, Michael ‘Spike’ Nolan, praised its work. “The service is needed more now today than ever before in the history of the state to assist those unemployed and to obtain training.”
KLESN co-ordinator Paul Aspell said the service has made huge inroads in Kildare. “There is no quick-fix solution to solve unemployment problems. There are 19,000 people unemployed in Kildare alone. This is not going to be fixed by some sound bite. All the stakeholders and agencies need to work together.”
He recalled being unemployed himself three times in the space of a year and a half during the Eighties and being forced to emigrate for five years.
So far this year, from January to June, more than 1,110 people availed of the service, with 375 having progressed - 68 in job placement, nine are self-employed and 298 are in FAS, community education programmes or in training. “That is our first six months. The figures are not too bad, it is a little bit of good news for you.”
Chairperson Mary Keane acknowledged the role of the board is more demanding now and all agencies need to work in a collaborative way to get better value. “The main thrust is to prepare people who are now unemployed for the opportunities for the future.”
Bernadette Collins, Eugene Doyle, and Ann Dempsey from the KLESN all spoke on the range of services it provides to people from mock interviews, organising internships, confidence building and many more skills. Ms Collins herself recalled how she was unemployed in the 1980s and how she upskilled. “The same problems we had 30 to 20 years ago we have know,” she noted.
KLESN clients Mary Rose and Patricia were also guest speakers at the event. Both spoke of their experiences of unemployment. Entrepreneur Mary Rose’s massage and holistic company closed and she turned to KLESN for direction. “If I had the information I have now my company might have survived,” she noted. “I have a job lined up in October and a wealth of information now with new contacts and new friends. Thanks to the KLESN I have restored my self-worth, self-belief and a line-up of supports to move onwards and upwards.”
Mother Patricia first came in contact with the service when her son left school and sought its advice. “I am happy to say he is one of the lucky ones thankfully and is now in stable employment.”
She has undertaken training and mentoring herself. “I am not employed yet but I am upsklling. Without the centre it would be a lot tougher out there.”
“This message, this gospel has to spread. These testimonials have to be told. These are important positive stories for people who are unemployed. People need to know what is possible and what is being done to tackle this,” noted Director of Services Peter Minnock of Kildare County Council, who praised all the guestspeakers for their inspirational speeches.
K Partners, an integrated service provider, has recently been set up in Kildare, comprising the VEC, KLESN, HSE and a range of employment and training agencies throughout Kildare to tackle growing long-term unemployment in the county. “It needs to be repeated again. These positive stories have an energy that is good for people, it is a formula for the future,” Mr Minnock added.
The meeting was then opened to the floor for questions. Cllr Paddy Kennedy asked how long the waiting list was for the jobs club and if this KLESN service will be extended throughout Kildare. Currently there is a four-week waiting list and it is hoped to extend this service to Naas, Leixlip and Athy over the years as and when funding becomes available, noted KLESN’s Ann Dempsey.
Independent TD Catherine Murphy praised the trojan work of the service over the years. Cllr Liam Doyle queried if there was an outreach programme in the north-west area of Kildare and if the service would explore part-time/holiday time work with local employers, including Kildare County Council. Mr Aspell conceded that clinics have not yet started up in this area. “Resources are tight. As it is we have to beg, steal and borrow office space for our outreach services,” he explained.
Cllr Willie Hamilton said it was a challenge to prepare people for jobs when the jobs just don’t exist any more. “To keep them motivated, to upskill,” he said. He noted KLESN had something of an “orphan syndrome” for other agencies in Kildare for a long time and he called for “co-operation not competition” in the new K Partners intergrated service provider.
Cllr Senan Griffin said the service was invaluable. “You never get a second chance on a first impression.”
Fine Gael TD Tony Lawlor called for more information for unemployed people and better communication among agencies.
“Yes, the information needs to be clearer for people,” conceded Mr Aspell. “The information for people is like a minefield. It is absolutely terrorifing to loose a job after 20 years. Terrorifing.”
Fine Gael TD Martin Heydon said the testimonials were inspiring. “As a TD who sits in clinics and listens to really hard cases on a regular basis it is great to hear positive stages. Some speakers mention dark spells they went through when first unemployed that would of course be a natural reaction and to come out the other side of it is fantastic. There are so many unemployed now, everybody has to learn the ropes, the paperwork. It’s not easy and its a fantastic service.”
The Kildare Local Employment Service Network can be contacted on Naas 045 89555, Leixlip 01 6245414, Athy 059 8632685, Newbridge 045 435666, Kildare 045 521950.

Leinster Leader 25 July

The people’s art in full bloom

2011-07-26T06:27:00.000-07:00

Children, teenagers and adults came out in force last week to take part in the mass community mural organised by the Athy Youth Project and Brand Athy’s New Visual Identity.
Local people got the chance to paint themselves around the design with teenagers from the youth project taking the lead.
Youth worker Sarah McElroy said the day was a huge success. “Our group, ‘DE5’, are the first group to have taken the Brand Athy design and work with it so far. The group wanted to include as many members of the community in Athy in the piece as possible, to represent the diversity and fun of Athy.
“The group members - Tony Robinson, Adrian Lawlor, Adam McConville and Shane Horgan - passed on their spray painting skills learned over the last five weeks and showed people how to use the spray cans. Loads of people took part, spray painting on their bodies and faces in around the Brand Athy design.
“It was a fun event, with myself and Steven Fahy (project leader) delighted with the amount of people that took part.”
The plan is for the billboard to go up in prominent locations around Athy for all to see when completed and the Tegral Tower has been earmarked as a possible location.

Leinster Leader 25 July 2011

Athy Roundhills water is from Laois

2011-06-28T08:10:00.000-07:00

The Roundhills area on the Kilkenny Road in Athy is currently supplied directly by a water main from Laois County Council because of ongoing faults in the Kildare line.
“We are stuck between a rock and a hard place. We are dependent on Laois County Council but these people are part of our area. We need to investigate this. I have serious concerns. We can’t leave 10 homes dependent on another local authority for water supply,” said Cllr Mark Wall at a recent Athy Area meeting.
There are approximately 10 houses being fed from this public supply in the Roundhills area and, in general, pressure levels are adequate, according to a Kildare County Council report. The situation is being monitored by Athy Town Council,” it concluded

Published 28/6/11

Gold for Kildare’s transplant athletes

2011-06-28T08:09:00.000-07:00

28-year-old Liza Nikkinen from Stockholm, who now lives in Naas and works in The Court Hotel, is on a high after competing in this year’s 18th World Transplant Games.

“It was brilliant, I loved every minute. It was so much fun and I got to met so many new people. It was my first time at the Games and I will defineitly go every time now,” she said.
Liza won a gold medal in the 3km race walk. She also shared a bronze medal for being placed 3rd with her teammates in the 4 x 100m relay race.
Liza regards herself as “part Irish” after she received an emergency liver transplant at St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin a few years ago. “I’m much healthier now after my transplant. I go to the gym, train and eat well. I don’t drink or smoke,” she explained.
Liza praised The Court Hotel owner, Michael Leonard and manager Martin Lawler for their support over the past number of years. Indeed she brought in her winning medals last weekend and they were hung proudly from the Piano Bar in the court.
“They have been so helpful. Without them I would not have gone to the Games. They visited me in hospital as well when I was sick which was so good.”
She also stressed the importance of donors and people carrying donor cards. “If there were no donors I would not be here. For me it was really, really important. I can’t put it into words really. It saved my life and has given me a second chance in life. I am so much happier now, I don’t think about the small things. I am not sad or angry. I am a totally different person.”
Putting in an incredible performance at his first ever World Transplant Games was 17 year old Robbie Lyons from The Swans near Athy won a gold and two silver medals. At the games, Robbie became the new world record holder in the 15-17 years old age category for the Long Jump event with a 5.30m jump which destroyed the previous distance record of 4.78m held by Conor Patton from the UK. Winning gold for the long jump, Robbie also secured his two silver medals for the 100m race and the ball throw event.
The Leader caught up with Robbie on the way to a TV interview. “It was unbelievebale - a great experience. I had a kidney transplant in 2009 when I was 15. I’ve been waiting my whole life for one. When I just turned 15 I got very sick. I was put on the list and six week’s later I received the transplant. It has made my life complete. It has made everything a whole lot better. It was great to travel to the Games and hear people’s stories and experiences.”
His mother Angie and sister Stephanie accompanied him. “They were celebrating the whole time,” the Transition Year student joked.
Double organ recipient Elaine Maguire from Athy also had the time of her life achieving personal bests. “It was great fun, fantastic to spend so much time with people go through same good personal achievement, team spirit was fantastic. Really happy stories, fantastic expereince part of Irish Team like one big happy family.”
So too did James Nolan of Nolans Butchers in Kilcullen. “It was great. There were some amazing human stories from the Games.”

Published Leinster Leader 28/6/11

Sun shines on Athy for county show

2011-06-28T08:07:00.001-07:00

The sun always shines when it's Kildare County Show time and last Sunday at the Athy showgrounds it was no different. Ice-cream, strawberries, bouncing castles, vintage cars, singing and dancing, it had it all.

For generations the Show has symbolised family and tradition. Someone who knows this best is the 2010 Rose of Tralee Athy's Clare Kambamettu, who was busy all day smiling for photos, holding babies and puppies, and doing the county proud.
"The Show features so much in my childhood. I remember in 1995 really well because my puppy won Cutest Puppy that year and I also won a medal for my miniature garden display," she said with great pride. She also recalled with great fondness her family ties with the land. "My grandmother was the treasurer in the Leinster Mart and my grandfather was a director in the Irish Sugar Company so the Show is very much an agricultural tradition. It's great. I live two miles down the road so it's nice to support an event at home, it showcases the best for our town."
Young girls, babies and some members of the Kildare Civil Defence were spotted all wanting their picture with Clare; it may take up a lot of her time but the Rose never refuses. "People come up and want to have pictures with the Rose of Tralee. It is one of the nicest things and in Athy it is my hometown. It's lovely when people come up and say "Clare it's great to see you", "I haven't seen you since school", "I use to remember you when you were this small". It's just so lovely."
Each year the Kildare County Show runs community awards and this year the Volunteer of the Year Award went to Athy Tidy Town's Ger Kelly. Mr Kelly has been lending a hand, cleaning pitches, canals, and planting flowers in the south Kildare town since 1976.
"I was born in St Vincent's in Athy, I've never moved. Athy is my town. Volunteering is good of the town and for the people. There is a civic pride, a good feeling seeing your town looking so well and appreciating that," he explained. "It nice to accept the award but it is not for me alone, but for the people with me on the Tidy Town committee."
Third generation thatcher John Brereton from Suncroft was enjoying the sun after working hard all morning on his craft. "Thatching is in danger," he lemented. "The county council is really not doing enough. In Kildare alone 10 thatch houses have fallen the last year and nothing has been done about it. The owners should be made do something about it."
In the trade hall was Brand Athy's Patricia Berry. "The atmosphere is great, the people are buzzing. It's a fantastic way of showcasing our town. We are here today to advertise our new visual identity for Athy and I am hoping all our Athy people will see the new identity today and use it in the future."
Nearby was Aisling Duffy of Winset, a new free service for social entrepreneurs in Kildare. "It's my first time at the county show. I've tried the strawberries and chocolates, they were good. It's really good and really vibrant. I was over at the dog show too. Loads of people have come to the stand here, everyone is really friendly and it's good fun."
There was some French flavour too with the Athy-Granvillers Twinning Committee, the Picardy Tourism Office and the MFR Agriculture College trade stand. French teacher Soffia Lambert was impressed. "We have been so warmly welcomed it is just brilliant. People are so nice, so cheerful, so friendly and chatting. We bought some local cheese and jam from France and we are giving out samples. It is all really nice."
Ballymore Eustace man Gerry Bell was manning the Kildare Spina Bifida stand. "I'm here today to inform people about the condition and to collect a bit of bob. People are very good, even though money is tight, they are very good. It's our fourth time here and it is very good. We make new contacts the whole time, new parents, new children. It's been good and that's what it is about."
The band stand in the centre was busy all day entertaining the crowd. Proud mom Cornia and grandmother Mary were listening to their girl Georgina McManus Donovan in the Shooting Star Stage School sing. "It's great for them, it's great for their confidence," Cornia said.
"It's a family day out," summed up historian and solicitor Frank Taffee, who this year left his dog Braemar at home instead of competiting in the elusive dog show. "He was dissappointed last year not to have one a prize that's why we left him at home," he joked.
Liffey Mills's Sean Jackson was busy. "We are a business in town and we are showing local support to the agricultural industry and the show. People have been coming up all day, entering the draw. The show is very good for the community, a good day out, a family day for everyone."
Also busy was Jedi Master Si from the Force Academy within the Emerald Garrison, otherwise known as Simon Dwyer from Athy. He was out in force along with his stormtroppers entertaining kids and bigger kids. "I started in the Emerald Garrison at this event last year. It's good fun here today. The kids are alright, the stormtroppers have kept me safe."
Live car-cutting demonstrations from the Kildare Fire Service certainly did raise temperatures. "It is what we would do at a traffic RTA scene and how we would take a casulty out. We used one of our own crew members today, we let the lads draw straws!" said fireman Gerry Bowden.
"Firefighters are not just in a little station. We want to show people what equipment we have and what we do if they need us. It's good for the lads to get out and meet the people too. At the end of the day it is a public service, their equipment, trucks and firestations."
The army was on display too, tanks, motars, guns and Captain Bernard Behan. "The kids are having great fun in all the vehicles. The Defence Forces play a very big part in the Curragh and Kildare has a huge military. It's nice aswell for us to come down and let the locals see what we have and what we work with," he explained.
Kildare Road Safety's driver simulator game was proving a hit. "Not only does it reflect your driving but there is a big screen display aswell. We are running driving scenarios and at the end we are finding people slowing down and reducing their speed," explained Brenda Bolger. "We had to shut down and refill the generator because we were so busy at one stage. It's about the only break I've had all day!"
And there was the very popular David Brown display, 17 tractors ranging from 1954 up to 1987. The kids were in heaven. "I am farming and when we were younger we use to operate David Brown tractors on the farm and I always had an interest in it. They stopped making David Brown's in 1988 so that's what has gave me the interest," explained Michael O'Brien.
Sitting in the Kildare County Show office, one of the organisers Joyce Byrne was happy - delighted to see the crowds and for coming second place in the Produce competition for her chocolate cake.
"It is a huge success. We are delighted with the massive crowds going around here today and there's no rain. It has always been sunshine at the show. It's always worth it seeing massive crowds and I won second place for my chocolate cake. I was delighted with myself even though I said I wasn't going to put anything in." And what's the prize? A badge and a lot of respect.
The show must go on and indeed it will, here's to next year!

Leinster Leader 21/6/11

New free branding available for Athy

2011-06-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

Athy is leading the way in an innovative marketing plan to change perceptions and drive pride in the south Kildare town.
Brand Athy, an EU-funded project, will be offering international marketing and design aid to all businesses, community groups and schools in the town free of charge.
A presentation in the Carlton Abbey Hotel by international experts in this field recently gave an outline of the project and endless possibilities for how it could be applied - for example, on billboards, or in public art.
Co-ordinator Patricia Berry explained: “We want to develop the town in a concerted way. Brand Athy has developed a strategic plan for the town, which will be delivered in the next three years. “
She added that though the town had undergone regeneration works, there are difficulties in how it is perceived by different sectors including residents, the hospitality sector and the tourism industry, which affects community regeneration.
George Pye of Thinking Place, a marketing company with 30 years experience, has worked on projects in Belfast, Burnley and other areas. “We work with towns who are reinventing themselves and repositioning themselves and to find out what is different about them. Sometimes that difference gets buried and lost, and people outside coming into places cannot see it.
“We try and get to know the place. We did interviews and workshops to build up a picture of Athy with the businesses and the community. It really is about your community and about your place, how you are perceived. We then turn that into an insight and expression. Basically how to turn things and express the area different to move the business and place forward.”
“So what makes Athy different. What is it’s heart beat?” he asked. “As an outsider I have really enjoyed visiting Athy. The people have been fantastic, open and friendly. You have a hell of a lot going for you. It’s the Athy experience.”
Mr Pye outlined the ‘Athy experience’ - strong heritage, people and stories, community and character, the canal, the River Barrow, White’s Castle, the festivals and local events.
“The one thing that appeals is that Athy is not a clone town. I get a bit concerned when people say they want everything Carlow’s got. I think it should be the other way around. Carlow exists in England. I go to places where they have a Next, Tesco and they just look like everywhere else. You come to Athy, you’re not, you are somewhere different, somewhere special.”
Described as lively, colourful, energetic, positive, the template which will be developed for the Athy ‘brand’ will be available to use on local buildings, on walls or in libraries. In attendance at the conference, shop owner Joe Coyle who is also involved in various community groups welcomed the toolkit. “We have so much to offer and it is great. It will be very beneficial and it will pull a lot of strains together, a lot of organisations. It is going to be very, very positive.”
For more information on the free-of-charge visual Brand Athy ‘toolkit’ please contact Patrica Berry on (059) 8631444.

Leinster Leader 21/6/11

Council chairs a costly affair

2011-06-28T08:01:00.001-07:00

Athy Town Council was considering spending E5,000 on new seats for its councillors, town manager, town clerk and officials - 15 chairs in total - at a cost of E395 per chair, with a reduction for a bulk purchase.
Samples were sent to the council last week, where a choice of two chairs was to be decided on, a black swivel recliner or a stationary leather model. In addition, both chair samples were to have undergone a health and safety check.
Currently the offices of Athy Town Council and its chamber are undergoing redecoration works, which include a new entrance, shelving, an office revamp, a fresh coat of paint and new chairs.
Town manager Mr Joe Boland explained. “The Chamber has not been painted for years. In the roof, ivy was growing and it was very dirty. This work cost E2,000 and was contracted locally. We are hoping to do something about the lighting as well. The chamber was looking very grotty for the last while.”
Questioned about the cost of the ‘designer chairs’, Mr Boland said he was unaware the seats cost E395 each.
Speaking to the Leader, Cathaoirleach Cllr James Mahon said the cost of chairs for the new chamber did not come before councillors at any stage. “Definitely some chairs are unusable. I am not sure how long the current ones are there. Some need to be replaced but the figure seems quite high. Some of the chairs are very uncomfortable and the bearings are gone on some so you can feel yourself going to the side. I’d be delighted with new chairs in the Chamber but other basic chairs could do the same job. All we do is sit on them sure.”
Mr Boland later confirmed to the Leader that Athy Town Council has decided not to go ahead with the new chairs. “We couldn’t justify paying that out,” he concluded.

Published Leinster Leader 21/6/11

A housing mess: unfinished estates leave trail of disaster

2011-06-28T08:00:00.001-07:00

Unfinished or vacant housing estates in south Kildare have effectively been abandoned by Kildare County Council, an area meeting heard last Monday. In addition where there are health and safety concerns with sewerage and water hydrants works in such estates, the council is limited in what it can do.
“This is the challenge facing Kildare County Council when estates are in NAMA, receivership or the equivalent. These residents have been abandoned,” said Cllr Martin Miley. He called on the council to urgently make these housing estates safe.
“Kids are playing in them, in manholes, drains, the sewerage systems are left open. Fence these estates off and make them safe,” he said.
“It’s not good enough. These matters are urgent. All people here paid out excessively for mortgages, these prices included levies for the council. They at least deserve an adequate response,” observed Cllr Ivan Keatley, noting residents were being left “in limbo”.
Cllr Mark Wall said it was the “biggest challenge” facing Kildare County Council and called on more money from central government to be allocated to the local authority to resolve the issues.
Athy Area Committee Cllr Richard Daly observed the developers discussed were either in receivership, in NAMA or no longer trading and were “a sign of the times.”
Estates in Ballitore, Nurney, Narraghmore and Calverstown were discussed at this week’s Athy Area committee meeting.
Cllr Keatley sought information regarding the proper installation of water hydrants and drinking water supply at Calverstown Demesne as an urgent matter of health and safety.
“Our records indicate the company that built this estate is no longer trading,” KCC noted, directing the residents contact the Building Control Section.
Cllr Keatley also raised the matter of a sewerage treatment facility in Oak Park, Narraghmore that was causing huge problems in the area. He was bluntly told Kildare County Council has no responsibility here: “It is a matter for the developer of the estate.” As far back as December 2010, the council became aware of severe sewerage problems in the gardens of houses in Oak Park and a nearby park. Since then a problem has also occurred regarding the pumps, which appear to be faulty.
Cllr Martin Miley asked for an update on unfinished and abandoned estates in Nurney and Ballitore, which has caused considerable stress to residents. “Receivers have been appointed to the companies that developed these estates. Abbeylands, Ballitore and Brookfields Nurney. Meetings have been arranged with the receivers to establish their proposals for the completion of these estates,” KCC noted.
Cllr Martin Miley also sought for the council to move “immediately” to take Cluain Ard estate in Kilmead in charge and its sewerage system.
The council heard the developer of this estate is in Nama and it was his intention to hand over the treatment plant to the council as soon as possible and demolish two partially built houses.

Published 21/6/11

Athy's work of art

2011-06-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

Art is the desire of a person to express himself, to record the reactions of his personality to the world he lives in, so the saying goes. The Athy Arts Group, which has been running for over 30 years, is very much a cornerstone of the south Kildare town and its recent 33rd Annual Exhibition delivered the artistic goods once again.
“Firstly I want to thank members of the Athy Arts Group. Without them we would be nothing. And the people of Athy. Everyone in the town supports us. Every year they come in and view the work, it is always great and it gives a big boost to everyone,” said chairperson John Rainsford.
According to Mr Rainsford, unlike other art groups, there are no issues over any perceived ‘standards’ for art exhibited.
The Athy Art Group was formed to give all artists an opportunity to exhibit and it maintains this approach, regardless.
“We give all our members an equal opportunity to exhibit, regardless of whether they are a beginner, amateur artist or a seasoned professional artist. Every piece of art exhibited adds to the exhibition as a whole.”
The Athy Art Group was formed in 1971 and the first full-scale exhibition was mounted in 1979. Since then, Athy Art Group has been an open group, and its only stipulation being that new members are residents of Athy.
The group was formed over 40 years ago when an art competition brought likeminded people together who were looking for a better outlet for their art. John’s parents Liam and Fiona were among the founding members.
“They had such a good time, they wanted to put on an exhibition every year.”
All the exhibitions “blend into one at this point,” he jokes, recalling shows in CBS, Athy GAA hall and for the past few years the Church of Ireland Parish Centre.
This 33rd exhibition this year encompassed more than 200 pieces of art from over 70 members.
“We had paintings, sculptures, wood crafts, hand-blown glass pieces. It is a great outlet for people and our reputation is excellent.
“We had a packed hall on opening night and a good turnout of local people.”
Some people look at art with an eye to buy, most to soak up the beauty, colours and ideas of the work without wrestling with their wallet. But what drives an artist to exhibit?
“With any artists we do have sales, but primarily an exhibition of work is to allow people to see the art. We have people here painting for more than 20 years, they are classed as amateur but they are anything but.
“There is no judging mechanism, not at all. Art is so subjective, what one person likes may not be what another person likes. Every piece of art is equal.”
If you are live in Athy or the surrounding area becoming a member of the Athy Art Group is a must. The fee is only E20 and E10 for OAP/unwaged/students.

Leinster Leader 21/6/11

Leinster star launches Athy’s Men’s Health day

2011-06-28T07:58:00.000-07:00

Athy CDP, now under the County Kildare Leader Partnership Programme, held a Men’s Health Day last Friday, June 17, which was launched by Leinster’s very own Sean O’Brien.
Irish men die, on average, about five years younger than women do; males have higher death rates than women for all of the leading causes of death, in particular suicide; poor lifestyles are responsible for a high proportion of chronic diseases; and late presentation to health services leads to a large number of problems becoming untreatable.
Noreen Ardill, co-ordinator Athy CDP, has observed that men are more reluctant to go to their GP, talk in groups or to eachother about health issues.
“They don’t go to doctor unlesss they really have to. They get their wife or daughter to get them something in chemist on their behalf or they leave it to last minute to get themselves checked. Early detection in all things is vital,” said Ms Ardill.
Athy CDP runs an Engaging Men’s programme, which discusses a variety of issues including health and entitlements. They also undergo field trips, painting and personal development activities.
“Our main focus is to get men in long-term unemployment, men in new communities, isolated men, older men,” said Mrs Ardill. “It’s hard for men to engage in things like this. There is a great social aspect to the men’s group here. It’s education, fun and reduces isolation.”
Throughout the day Mental Health Ireland’s Michael Cummins, weight-loss specialist Dr Michael Sharkey and local shop Healthy Living were on had to give advice. In addition, there were free BMI and blood testing, stress management and relaxation tips, and training on social networking.

Leinster Leader 21/6/11

Positivity and community spirit key drivers for Athy

2011-06-28T07:55:00.001-07:00

Few people are happy with Budget 2011 and the Government’s four-year National Recovery n85bn ‘bailout’ with the IMF/EU. Indeed Rapid status towns such as Athy, in south Kildare maybe hit harder than most. This week we speak to various people in Athy from its town manager to the local St Vincent de Paul about their own four-year plans. Notwithstanding the very obvious challenges of a recession, such as poverty and emigration, one thing is clear, positivity and community spirit is more important than ever.
ATHY COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE CHAIR, BRID BROPHY
The arts centre is based on volunteers so there is a different spirit that brings a great positiveness to the town.
People are passionate about the centre, creativity and local community arts. We have a spark here. The council has been great in helping us. It is very people-based and it really does care for the needs of people.
A sense of community is more important than ever before and that is our plan for the centre. People power will take over and create a good positive environment.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL MANAGER JOAN MACDONALD PRENDERGAST
We are run of our feet trying to keep up with requests for help. The conference volunteers, who do visitations around the town, are inundated with requests for help. The situation is only going to get worse.
Even professionals who have lost their jobs are looking for help. People are really struggling to keep food on the table. In many households we are dealing with the fact that electricity has been turned off.
In the shop here we are always looking for goods and cash, and for people to shop locally. Donations are considerable down this year.
DOM O’ROURKE, ST MICHAEL’S BOXING CLUB
The Olympic cycle is every four years and we are gearing up for 2012 to qualify four boxers from the club here for the Olympics. We also want to repeat the feat at last year in the European Championships. On a community level we want to get more young kids involved.
The boxing club is a community to help young kids and teenagers get involved in some sport. With the recession we are a bit concerned about money, we borrowed E120,000 for a new clubhouse, and we are paying that back now. Our funding is all voluntary, the overdraft is still there and it has to paid off.
The recession affects every sports club in Ireland with cutbacks, but we just keep going and that’s all.
FORMER MEP CANDIDATE ATHY MAN CLIFFORD REID
My four-year plan is very simple. It is to survive the IMF’s four year.
This Government has brought us from prosperity to austerity and it is only with a new alternative government, can we find our way back.
Emigration, for many, is now the only option. However, I’m planning on sticking it out here and I’m looking forward to voting this Government out at the earliest opportunity.
SCOIL MHICHIL NAOFA PRINCIPAL MARY ENGLISH
We have had major investment in the town in terms of education and we are moving towards co-education. This is very exciting and promising.
We have had investment and we will have to fall back on our own resources. How the recession is impacting families and children is quite noticeable in school. We would be aware and very conscious of how stretched resources are and how that is affecting children.
We focus and celebrate the simple things. School tours for example we go locally on nature walks to keep all the costs down. It is very hard on parents especially coming up to Christmas.
ATHY GAA’S MARK DALTON
We are putting in place a four-year strategy for each club on the county board, in terms of fundraising, club facilities and coaching.
We are looking at growing membership. We are using the recent wins to launch-pad new members.
Fundraising is an ongoing problem. In a recession it is more difficult. We do need huge amount as every success has a cost. I
f you look at sport internationally when Ireland does well that brings on its own enthusiasm and lifts people spirits. Locally that is what a GAA club does. It’s a great celebration, a huge outlet for young people. It is also a big challenge for us to maintain employment of players as they come out of school and college. That is a concern now.
STUDENT CAOIMHE WALSH, WHO PLANS TO EMIGRATE
I am in my final year studying for an Honours Degree in Early Childhood Education.
It is sad as most of my class are thinking emigration. There will be more opportunities abroad, probably England for convenience as it is close to home. Although a lot of people are thinking Canada or Australia.
I am more anxious than excited but I am looking forward. I will miss my family and friends. It is unfair when you put in solid work for years and you do not any choice except emigration.
ATHY IFA AND ATHY TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MEMBER LIAM DUNNE
Firstly it’s obvious there is no funding for the Southern Distributor Road now in Athy and the sooner the Kildare County Council cops on to that the better.
The changes we [Athy Traffic Committee] proposed last year in traffic measures for the town is the only way forward. It is impossible to get in and out of Athy and the council needs to listen to the people. Or maybe we should ask German Chancellor Angela Merkel to build us a road as this would be as good a chance as asking the Department of Finance.
In terms of farming, Irish exports continue to be high but there is a huge problem getting home produce onto the shelves of big supermarkets locally.
There are jobs in agriculture, there are processing jobs that can be created and developed. This is why the sector is holding up so well.
MUSICIAN SHANE SULLIVAN OF THE SULLIVAN BROTHERS
My plan is to make some future for myself in music.
At the moment we have signed a new management deal in London and that is our next port of call for New Year.
I am also hoping to organise a band school in the town for musicians of all ages and that is in planning at the moment. The recession and the IMF four-year plan has knocked people for six.
Music is very good for kids, to get them involved in something that is creative, to learn to play an instrument, write song or perform on stage.
It also provides a lift to anyone in trouble. We are hoping to do music classes for adults as well, adults who are perhaps unemployed and have more free time.
CLLR MARK WALL
The No. 1 priority for Athy continues to be the Southern Distributor Road and we were informed this week that the cost benefit analysis for the road is complete and will be with the Department in the next two to three days.
We must get a positive decision on this in February, if not it must fall to the next Government to bring about what is the most important piece of infrastructure in the county.

Leinster Leader 7/2/11

Athy rates reduced after expenses cut

2011-06-28T07:50:00.000-07:00

A commercial rate reduction of 2 per cent was made possible in Athy last week after councillors agreed to cut their conference expenses by E10,000, down to E6,500 for 2011.
This move will welcomed by local businesses in the south Kildare town as some six local shops are set to close after Christmas because of the recession and the lack of credit.
“Shops are closing down every week. Our rates are adding to that situation,” said Cllr Mark Wall. “The original earmarked figure of a 1 per cent cut is small and dismal. It should be a 2 per cent cut. Conferences in these recessionary times should be curtailed and our rates should be reduced by two per cent. Business owners who have shops around town will be going on the dole after Christmas. It’s not fair to have councillors going around the country. It’s ridiculous,” he said.
The town manager, Joe Boland initially recommended a rate reduction of one per cent. However, following a motion tabled by Cllr Mark Wall, a further reduction in commercial rates to 2 per cent was agreed. Local councillors then took on the task finding the shortfall to make this happen and the area of conference expenses was discussed.
“What is the value of conferences?” asked Cllr Paddy Wright. Cllr Mark Dalton said the AMAI is a crucial agency, especially as local democracy and Athy Town Council is under threat. “There are forces out there in local government that would gladly draw the line through town councils. That would be a retrograde step for local democracy,” he said. Cllr Mary O’Sullivan also supported the AMAI: “It is our body and it is up to us to support it. If it is gone, we are gone,” she said.
Cllr Thomas Redmond questioned why three people from Athy Town Council need to go to the one AMAI conference. “In this day and age when we are all computer literate,” he added.
Cllr Mark Wall called on conference expenses to be ring-fenced. Cllr Aoife Breslin said she fully supported the AMAI but noted savings can be made. Cllr John Lawler agreed.
After a long debate, local councillors agreed to reduce expenses for councillor conferences from €16,500 down to €6,500 so it could implement the 2 per cent rate cut. In addition, the four Labour Party members have decided that they will not attend any conferences during the entire five-year life term of the council.
The remaining cut was found by the town manager in the areas of debits and wastewater treatment costs. “You are a treasure, manager - a treasure,” Cllr Mahon noted.
In other budget news for the south Kildare town, a E2 per council house per week charge will be introduced to cover the cost of servicing central heating boilers. This will be applied to more than 200 houses. Cllr Breslin said this cost was high. “I do welcome the initiative but it amounts to E141 per year. To service a boiler it costs about E90 a year. The cost of E2 a week is a bit high. E2 is a lot of money for some people,” she said.
Cllr Breslin also recalled Athy Town Council had in the past an agreement with old age pensioners that they not be charged for boiler maintenance.
The budget meeting was also informed that Kildare County Council has pulled the plug on cleaning services of all main routes in Athy. The contribution of E15k has been discontinued, the town council was informed. Cllr Breslin said this was “not acceptable”.
“At the end of the day, Athy Town Council is down five to six outdoor workers, we have an old cleaning system and we have no money for a new system. The discontinuation is unacceptable,” Cllr Breslin said.
Despite this criticism, this budget was ratified with the unanimous support of all the councillors.

Leinster Leader 8/2/11

Athy’s naked rower rescued in Australia

2011-06-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

Athy’s ‘Naked Adventurer’ Keith Whelan has been rescued off the coast of Australia during his attempt to be the youngest man, and first Irishman, to row solo across the Indian Ocean.
“Worst 48 hours imaginable but I am fine,” Mr Whelan posted on his Facebook page this morning. “Gutted is not the word for how I feel right now. But happy to be in one piece.”
30-year-old Mr Whelan got into difficulty late last night when a large wave hit his vessel and threw him across a sleeping cabin, cutting his head on a bolt.
He managed to treat himself to stop the bleeding before using a satellite phone to contact a friend in the UK, who alerted the Australian authorities. At 200km offshore, Perth search and rescue issued an alert and diverted a nearby cargo ship to pick him up.
A spokeswoman for Mr Whelan said he rang his parents this morning and he is ok now. “Knowing Keith he is going to be really dissappointed. He will try it again but it depends on the damage to the boat. He will be determined to continue again. His parents are ok. They were shocked and were constantly worrying about him anyway. They are really disappointed for him but Keith is very determined and will try the challenge again depending on the damage to the boat.”
Mr Whelan, a freelance events manager from Athy, is attempting to cross the Indian Ocean – about 6,000km – alone for the Keep a Child Alive charity for children and families affected by HIV/Aids in Africa and India.
His journey began on May 7th and has been hampered by bad weather conditions since. His boat is only 7m long, and his sleeping cabin, in which he took refuge from a storm when the accident took place, is only 2m long and 1m tall. The boat is designed to upright itself automatically in the event it is capsized in a storm.
A GPS location tracker on Mr Whelan’s website shows the boat, which is on the cargo ship, is about 150km from the town of Kalbarri on Australia’s western coast.
On his website, The Naked Adventurer, he stresses that rowing naked is neither a gimmick nor an act of madness.
“As the ocean is a very salty environment, clothing tends to become encrusted with salt.
“I will have no means of cleaning this from any clothing at sea, so wearing this clothing when full of salt would lead to severe salt sores on my body which is why I will be naked for most of the journey,” he said before setting sail on his voyage on 7 May.
He also explains why he took up the challenge.
“At first I thought this was complete madness but at the same time it appealed to me,” he said.
“I am a risk taker and risking your life to achieve a dream is the biggest risk you can take.
“Some might say it’s foolish but to my mind it is only foolish if you don’t know the risks and you don’t prepare for them and train for every possible scenario.”

Leinster Leader 13/6/11

White’s Castle owner defends fence

2011-06-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

The Athy and District Angling Club has raised serious concerns over a fence that was erected by the owner of White’s Castle recently.
“The erection of this fence seems like a blatant land grab that could set a precendent for similar actions in the town,” said Chris Pender, secretary of the club in a correspondence to Athy Town Council.
“Not only does the club have several questions regarding this action, but also the general public,” he added.
In the correspondence to Athy Town Council, the club had a number of queries regarding the fencing along the River Barrow:
Was the owner of White’s Castle granted permission to erect this fence? Who granted permission?
Where were the public notices? What actions are being undertaken to remove it?
What permission was sought and granted for the level of ground work undertaken at the site which also included the removal of architectural salvage of historical interest?
And what is to prevent othre property owners along the river carrying out the same actions on public access? The Athy and District Angling Club is seeking answers to the above questions.
Speaking at the council monthly meeting last week, Cllr John Lawler said the correspondence raised “very serious archaeological questions”.
“It is a focal point in Athy and works carried out there maybe suspect.
“Other people, the vast majority of people adhere to the rules of law, when you do something to the main focal point of the town, there is all of a sudden serious questions that need serious answers.”
Cathaoirleach Cllr James Mahon quickly said: “Tonight is not the night. He does have his own architect. All permissions have been received, it is the works to the grounds. Tonight is not the night.”
Cllr Thomas Redmond argued this has to be a priority for the council. Again Cllr Mahon bluntly interjected: “It is with our legal people. We don’t know.
“There is no judgement. Maybe the man has permission. We don’t know if any laws have been broken,” he explained.
Speaking to the Leader, owner of White’s Castle, Mr Gabriel Dooley said Athy Town Council has no jurisdiction over the castle.
“It is not a council issue. They are writing to the wrong people.
“The title deeds that go as far back as 1400s state the Barrow Drainage Board and the Inland Waterways have jurisdiction. I put a fence up to keep the gurriers of town out.
“They ransack the site with antisocial behaviour, syringes. I had to put something up to protect my asset.
“I have given keys to the Angling Club. There was a huge problem with antisocial behaviour, we were on to the guards every week, but not anymore.
“All I want to do is to protect my asset. It’s a short-term solution to a long-term problem.”

Published Leinster Leader 28/06/11

A bridge too far

2011-06-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

A “well-meaning” idea to recycle a pedestrian bridge in Portlaoise and relocate it to Athy is a “quick fix” solution to a comprehensive process, noted Athy Town Manager Joe Boland.
“This is a quick fix. It is a well meaning call but I would be very doubtful that it would be feasible. It is not a matter of simply putting the bridge across the River Barrow. There is a very comprehensive process involved regarding the exact location, the aesthetics and engineering all play a big factor.”
Cllr Thomas Redmond made the call for Athy Town Council to actively pursue Portlaoise Town Council and Tesco for the use of their bridge that is to be scrapped in August. “The removal and scrapping of such a fine structure from public use is a total waste of money. The bridge in question was used initially for shoppers but since the foot fall into the area declined the bridge has become redundant. We need a pedestrian bridge in Athy that’s safe for both cyclists and pedestrians. We are now in the age of reduce, reuse and recycle. I really believe that this piece of engineering would be better served here than melted down and shipped out to China. If we got this bridge we would be adding another important piece of infrastructure to make the lives easier for people in Athy.”
The traffic-congested town has only one bridge, Crom-A-Boo bridge which is over a 100 years old.
Last week Cllr Redmond made contact with Labour senator John Whelan and Laois County Manager to progress the matter. He did conceded that “the blue colour may have to go”.
Speaking to the Leader, the Athy Town Manager said the recycling plans proposed by Cllr Redmond are simply not feasible, but noted the proposal will still be examined by the area engineer in the coming weeks.
In addition he said plans are currently under way to design a foot and cycle bridge for the south Kildare town, which will be dependent on future funding from the National Roads Authority.
“The River Barrow is a special area of conservation and considerable design input is required. A bridge will be designed to the highest architectural standards.” Mr Boland remains optimistic that funding will be allocated in the future. A time line was not indicated.

Leinster Leader 28/06/11