KildareNet News is the INDEPENDENT internet news service for and about Kildare, located on the County Kildare Community Network. KNN has no affiliations to any network, authority, group, party or other organisation. The service is operated by TELLING TALES LTD. Site best viewed with NETSCAPE browser and with the VERDANA font. All content © Telling Tales Ltd. Phone 045 481090 or 086 8267104; Fax 045 481091; Email tellingtales@yahoo.com SCROLL for CURRENT stories. EARLIER stories and ARCHIVES KNN Special FEATURES Visit our flagship sponsor For audios get free REALPLAYER KNN-KildareNet News was awarded three shamrocks by Doras THINKING OF RETURNING TO IRELAND? ARTHUR E MACMAHON, solicitors in Naas, can represent you in all your legal, conveyancing, and commercial needs with professionalism and confidentiality. Email us or phone +353 (0)45 897936; fax +353 (0)45 897615   Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email leoptour@indigo.ie  THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

Suggestion to change tourism organisation name is challenged NEWBRIDGE, 3 December 1999: by Brian Byrne. A suggestion that Kildare Failte change its name to ‘Kildare Tourism’ was roundly criticised at the recent AGM of the organisation. The proposition came from marketing director Tony Bhogal, who said that the word ‘Failte’ was not understood abroad and that it also was being confused with Bord Failte. “Even people living in Naas don’t understand the word,” he claimed. Former director of Kildare Failte Freida O'Connell said she hoped the suggestion was a joke, and that a lot of money had been spent to have the Kildare organisation’s name known and understood in its various markets. “And it IS recognised,” she said. Kildare Failte secretary Sean Cleary said he personally didn’t feel that a name should be changed every time somebody said so, and he suggested that the market research quoted by Mr Bhogal in support of his case ‘had not been professional’ “I don’t believe we should do anything about changing the name until we have spent proper money on the research,” he said. Meanwhile, Kildare Failte chairman Tom Malone (pictured above with Tidy Towns representative Joan Kerr and Kildare Failte administrator Bertha Cooke) emphasised that no proposal to change the name had been submitted formally to the board. Mr Bhogal also stated that Kildare Failte should have been involved in a major article in a national magazine about the county which had been promoted by the Kildare Horse Development Company. “We can jump on the KHDC bandwagon of the ‘thoroughbred county’, but we should also have been directly involved in this,” he said. However, KHDC marketing director Shane Dolan pointed out that his organisation had had nothing to do with the article in question. Earlier, Tom Malone had noted the growth of Kildare Failte under the administration of Bertha Cooke, who had ‘engendered much enthusiasm’ in conducting her duties and enabled the organisation to reach its greatest income ever from membership subscriptions. “In fact, we have breached the £10,000 membership income for the very first time, and surpassed the 200 members mark also for the first time in five years,” he said. Sean Cleary warned the meeting that the advent of new motorways and bypasses in the county represented a danger for many tourism operators as potential customers passed by featureless road verges at 60-70 miles per hour. “The day you stuck out a sign and filled your shop or guest house with passers-by is now gone forever,” he said. “’There must be a reason for tourists to stop’ is the song that every tourist organisation must sing. It is too late to influence tourists as they arrive at the ferryport or airport ... we have entered the second millennium, the era of the serious, professional and properly researched and funded tourist marketing.” The meeting also heard a presentation from the Kildare Community Network on using the internet for marketing tourism products, and Dr Anne Behan outlined some of the environmental attractions of the county. (Pictured above are Gerry Ward of Kildare Failte and Anne Prendergast, MERTO tourist officer for Wicklow/Kildare.) Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here. And read Brian Byrne's review of the new Rover 75. GARDA PATROL ADVICE OF THE WEEK Shopkeepers - don't let cash accumulate in tills during the busy Christmas rush. Empty excess notes regularly and put them either in an inaccessible underfloor safe or a bank night safe. Also, do not go to night safes unaccompanied, and try and make sure you go at irregular times. Check area carefully before leaving your car to deposit money in a night safe.

'Always engaged' Childline loses out on £1,000 NAAS, 3 December 1999: by Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne. St Brigid’s Hospice on the Curragh benefited to the tune of £1,000 recently because the donor couldn’t get through to Childline for over a year! Paddy Power of St Gabriel’s Place in Naas told of being given £1,000 by a local organisation to donate to a charity of his choice and had wanted to give the money to Childline. But having tried ‘day and night, 5-6 times a week, for a year’ to get an answer from the Childline number, he had donated the money to the hospice. “My heart was with giving it to children ... but I wasn’t able to do that,” Paddy told a recent meeting of local residents. He told of having contacted local representatives from all political parties, challenging them to ring and get an answer from the helpline number. “I guarantee not one of you will get an answer,” he said, adding: “If anybody is able to contact them, I’ll take them out to lunch!” When contacted yesterday, the assistant to the Chief Executive in the ISPCC said that the line is extremely busy with over 100,000 calls per year. She said they are always very concerned if they hear that there is a difficulty getting through on the system and in those cases, regularly check with Eircom in case there is a local problem. She also said there are times within the 24 hours when it is easier to get through - such as the middle of the night or early morning. She had never had anybody saying that they had a consistant difficulty over such a long period of time. The service has been 24 hours a day since September 1998 and has 6 lines in Dublin with at least three each also in Cork, Limerick and Galway. The spokesperson did say that they sometimes have difficulty getting enough volunteers to fully man the phone lines but that, in general, they can provide the service adequately. The Childline number is 1800 666 666. KNN has also found it to be constantly engaged.

Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email leoptour@indigo.ie

To Advertise on KNN, call 086 8267104, fax 045 481091, or email tellingtales@yahoo.com Advertising rates here

Appeal to extend taximeter area to North Kildare LEIXLIP, 3 December 1999: by Brian Byrne. Cllr Catherine Murphy has called on minister Bobby Molloy to extend the Dublin Taximeter Area to the North Kildare area - an issue she has repeatedly highlighted. The Minister this week proposed extending the number of taxi plates from 2,700 to 5,800, a move that has angered the Dublin taxi owners. To do this, he intends taking the responsibility on a temporary basis from the Dublin local authorities. Cllr Murphy says that county boundaries are artificial lines to those trying to get from the city centre on a Saturday night to Leixlip, Celbridge or Maynooth and are being charged £10 over the odds simply because they are not in the taximeter area. “It is usual to pay £26 for a taxi from the city to Leixlip, but when Leixlip was formerly in the taximeter area the average charge was in the region of £15,” she says. “The taxi service is a valuable part of the public transport system - both Dublin Bus and Irish Rail provide services to North Kildare, and it’s daft to exclude taxis from the overall package of public transport option.” The Dublin Taxi Forum, of which Cllr Murphy was a member, in its findings recommended an extension of the taximeter boundaries - from just Dublin to Dublin and its hinterlands. Cllr Murphy has written to the Minister pointing this out and requesting this change when new plates are being issued.

THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP Open 7am-10pm for Fuel, Groceries, Toiletries, Flowers, Newspapers, Deli Food, Fresh Coffee and more.

The last walkabout ... SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 3 December 1999: SPECIAL FEATURE SERIES by Susan Cunningham. We arrived back to Sydney at the perfect time. Just as Summer is starting and right before the weekend. It is a city that does not sleep. So, by coincidence, neither do you. Sydney is daunting. The skyline as you approach from the north is spectacular. It always takes a few minutes to soak it all up. Then you look to your right as you drive over the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House sits in all its glory. It seems to be very hidden from view as if they intended that it would not be the first thing to be seen by the unsuspecting tourist. Even though it is, after all, what we all associate Sydney with. After my first week in Sydney I remember thinking that there was something I just could not figure out about this huge urban sprawl. There seemed to be something Sydneysiders did not want the outsider to know. On the face of it this is a very clean and prosperous city. Like most throughout the world. Although elsewhere you know that each city has its problems. Here you rarely see police walk on the streets or even patrol cars are few and far between (they look so like the cabs though. I could be wrong). There is an air of calmness about the place. As if nothing bad ever happens. After taking three months to drive around the country, I have come to one conclusion. Not an answer but a conclusion. Sydney is the cleaned-up Australia. It is where the problems of two cultures never mixing is ignored and forgotten. Western capitalism is at its greatest in city environment like Sydney. A city full of a well educated and confident generation. A city where Aboriginal culture will never fit in. Here in this city the Aboriginal question is put far far in the back of peoples’ minds. Not so much ignored but never thought of. The Irish are very well liked here. Luckily, as there are hundreds living in every nook and cranny of this city. Most go straight for Coogee or Bondi beaches on the east side of the city. In any of the major bars in this side of the city you are bound to bump into someone who lives up the road from you. Or at least someone who knows someone that knows your sister-in-law’s cousin. Inevitably you will end up talking to John Doe for many many hours and by the time you finish, Ireland is the greatest place on earth, you’re sorted for a place to stay for a while, and neither of you would have ever voted for the peace process if you'd have known it would take so long! In the end, Sydney is a roller-coaster ride that you can only endure for so long. There is a buzz about the city . Nine out of ten people love living here. All will love to show you around. With pubs staying open until hours you never thought you would be conscious and still be alive at, the full tour takes a while. So my advice is, be prepared. King’s Cross Car Market is worse the second time around. Of course, this time we are on the other side of the fence. We are now the car dealers. It is our job to convince the very skeptical that our jade green 1983 Ford Falcon is the beast for then. This is made more difficult by the sheer number of Falcons for sale. In all, there are twelve in the market. All no different to our own. All have done at least ten thousand kilometres in the last three or four months. And each and every owner will stand by their vehicle because, lets face it, the old dolls got us there and back and that is good enough for us. The weekdays are particularly quiet. A lot of the time is spent rearranging your camping gear to make it look more attractive for a sale. On Thursday, day two for us, we break our a barbecue in true Aussie style. The monotony is broken for a little while. By Saturday we break out the beer. We can take no more. It is, after all, our last weekend in Sydney. We sell the car for a song - $1,500 to a friend from home. That's it. It's over. As myself and just two of my travelling companions leave the market we know in our hearts that selling that car marks the end of our odyssey. We have done what we came to do. We go for a couple of beers in O'Malley's Irish bar in King’s Cross. It is busy for a sunny Saturday afternoon. All the Irish hiding from the sun. The talk is of our first days in Sydney. The two Galway girls who bought the car are with us. So we share our adventures over the last few months. Telling the do’s and don'ts. All the time knowing that they are only paying attention to be polite. The mistakes that you make are half the trip. We tell nothing really but we do guarantee that the drive around will be everything you think and more. Our advice is like a form of nostalgia. It is Tuesday the 30th of November and we fly out for Thailand today. We are all over the city taking one last peek. As we all gather our things, buy the koalas and kangaroos, there is feeling that we will be back. The sun is shining on the city as the summer crawls in. It is good time to be here. The streets are busy with tourists and somehow you don't want to leave. All around are the new arrivals- the next flock of Irish and English backpackers have arrived, escaping the winter I am bracing myself for. It was very cold when they left so I am told. Better buy a jumper. It's their turn now. And I hope they have the time of their lives!

Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email leoptour@indigo.ie

Ciaran sings his way home to Kildare KILDARE, 2 December 1999: by Brian Byrne. A moment on Friday night will be a defining time in Ciaran Wynne's life. The moment that the 31-year-old's first solo CD, ‘No Way Home’, is launched in the Kildareman's home town. He's travelled a long way to do it. On sidewalks and in bars and cafes across Europe. And Ireland too, of course, latterly based in Kerry, where he went to play a one-night gig and stayed for three years. Ciaran Wynne has paid his dues in musical terms. He's worn shiny patches on his guitar, and etched memories in his mind that come out in his songs. Some very personal. "There's one song about my sister leaving home for the first time, another for a girl in Northern Ireland who wanted to marry someone of another faith and got killed for it. And one about a Christmas present for an old friend ..." Then there's the one about the 'steamy windows in Amsterdam', where he goes twice a year, though not for the obvious reasons. "I've a brother there who runs an Irish pub. And there's live music." Of course there is. And it's the music that's the life of Ciaran Wynne. No matter whether it's what he does to get paid in drink, food and a bed on a Greek Island (which he did for two years), or touring Ireland and the UK with a Kerry-based outfit called Glunder. Or even warming up day-frozen skiers in the Swiss Alps when they finally got sense and came off the piste. "I've made a life out of it, if not a living," he muses. "Sure, I'd like a publishing and record deal. I'd like to have enough to change my car, buy a new guitar ... or maybe just even change my strings every couple of gigs. But if it doesn't work, I've followed my heart. And I've met a lot of good people." A lot of those same good people will be coming in from all over Ireland, and further, on Friday night to the Geraldine Rooms in The Silken Thomas. It'll be a full gig, with friends joining in the music, and Ciaran singing his own compositions in the place he loves best - on a stage in front of a crowd. "I've always wanted to do my own CD, and it came that the time was right," he says. "The right people came together at the right time, and helped me with the design, the arrangements, the recording. But I'm responsible for the whole thing, and if it doesn't work, it's my fault." He's put up all the money too, so he has the first essential, he believes in himself. It's an awful lot harder to get others to do it, but he's prepared to go the route to do so. So he'll sell the CD at his own performances, and it'll be available in good music shops in his own county. "And there's this friend from America, who says I should do the coffee shops tour. It pays buttons, but they listen. and appreciate. And maybe buy." And he’ll meet more good people. It's what a singer does, when there's no way home ...

THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

To Advertise on KNN, call 086 8267104, fax 045 481091, or email tellingtales@yahoo.com Advertising rates here

Newbridge tribute for Paddy Power NEWBRIDGE, 2 December 1999: by Brian Byrne. It wasn't the end of an era, just the celebration of one that set the image of Fianna Fail in County Kildare for over 30 years. Paddy Power was honoured last night by the Thomas Dunne Cumann in Newbridge and many of his friends and colleagues both in and out of politics from all the corners of Kildare where he’d stumped the election trail so many times. Almost all his family were with him in the Eyre Powell Hotel, except the one son carrying on the Dail tradition, Sean. who had an unbreakable engagement in a little national Budget debate. Newbridge town commissioner and longtime friend Pat Black was the frontman for the honours which reflected a warm affection from the hundred or so who came to pay their respects. "Paddy served the people of Kildare well for over 35 years, in the county council and the Dail, and it is a nice coincidence that 20 years ago to this day he was appointed as minister for Fisheries and Forestry. I also found it remarkable that in his busy schedule, Paddy and Kitty found time to have ten children." Well, there are those who think the Dail recesses are too long. (Paddy is pictured above, with his daughter-in-law Deirdre and his wife Kitty, receiving a presentation from Pat Black.)

THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

To Advertise on KNN, call 086 8267104, fax 045 481091, or email tellingtales@yahoo.com Advertising rates here

Carol service in Naas will ring in repaired bell NAAS, 2 December 1999: by Trish Whelan. An Ecumenical Advent Carol Service will take place in St David's Church of Ireland next Sunday evening 5 December at 7.30pm. During the service, at which some of the local councillors will read the six lessons, the recently renovated Church Bell will be officially 'rung'. The bell has been restored, in preparation for the Millennium, thanks to the generosity of the Naas Urban District Council, who contributed a substantial sum towards the repairs. The choir who will be singing the Advent Carols are singers from the Naas community under the direction of Michael Weedle. Meanwhile, and sadly, vandals returned again to break more of the windows in St David's recently. This follows a similar attack earlier this year when the valuable stained glass windows were badly damaged.

KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP Open 7am-10pm for Fuel, Groceries, Toiletries, Flowers, Newspapers, Deli Food, Fresh Coffee and more.

More than 1,200 people arrested in Naas this year NAAS, 1 December 1999: by Trish Whelan. So far this year a total of 1,200 prisoners have been in custody in Naas Garda Station with up to 50 on one weekend alone. “Only The Bridewell would have been as busy that weekend,” Sgt Kevin Gralton commented during a recent meeting of representatives of Neighborhood Watch schemes in the county. (Sgt Gralton is pictured above on right with Joan McLaughlin and Thomas Conlan of Caragh.) He said there is still a ‘constant flow’ of arrests at weekends, mainly on Public Order offences ‘and we have a very low level of tolerance for criminal offences’. Earlier that day a large number of such cases had been before Naas court. While the number of burglaries are dramatically down, incidents of criminal damage and cars being stolen are on the up. A young woman garda on only her first four hours of duty at Naas had arrested a man who was last week convicted in Naas court on 19 counts of car thefts and subsequently brought to jail. Incidents of underage drinking had also been hit hard. The importance of keeping Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert Schemes up and running through regular meetings was emphasised at the meeting, held in Naas Garda Station. At present there are some 90 Neighbourhood Watch Schemes in the area, 23 Community Alert Schemes, 2 Business Watches and a Campus Watch in Maynooth. Crime Prevention Officer Sgt Mary Corcoran said it is up to everybody to be security conscious and to keep up the momentum. She acknowledged the tremendous support she gets from coordinators each year. Problem spots discussed in Naas included Monread - where youths hang around the supermarket - laneways at Roseville and at Sunday’s Well, drinking and litter problems at Abbey Bridge and vandalism to the bus stop at the Dublin Road. Three youths had been arrested for damage to the phone box at Monread - two were from Sallins and another had previously lived in Kill. Garda foot patrols are taking place in Monread, Morrell and Sallins areas. Meanwhile Gardai are to investigate complaints that some elderly people are being ‘terrorised’ by teenagers in an estate in Sallins. Naas Gardai say there are ‘plenty of drugs’ around Naas, albeit in small doses with the Crime Unit working almost full time on the drugs scene. Sgt Kevin Gralton told of significant seizures, big and small, with a lot of offenders before the courts. “There are plenty of small time drug dealers around and we know about a lot of them,” Inspector John Murphy said, adding that five people had appeared in court that day on drug related charges. Mary Quinlan, Regional Development Officer for Community Alert (pictured below with Brendan Gallagher of Hillside Drive Residents Association and Cathleen Benson of Dublin Road, Naas), said the cost of insurance for schemes of £25.50 a year would cover most events that groups organise but they had to affiliate to Muintir na Tire at a cost of £10. She asked the groups to update the lists of people who are vulnerable in their areas. She is available to attend meetings and to talk to groups throughout the Division.

Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email leoptour@indigo.ie Ireland's only COMPLETE motoring magazine on sale now at all good newsagents. 'Simply the Best'

Councillor will 'lead by example' on plastic bags use LEIXLIP, 1 December 1999: by Brian Byrne. A new strategy adopted by Leixlip Town Commissioners for the next five years has identified the problems being encountered by local authorities nowadays as not so much the building of new roads or factories, but more questions of waste disposal, a clean, healthy environment, drug abuse, care of the elderly, and vandalism - otherwise, quality of life issues. "The solutions are for us to carry out our tasks in a businesslike manner in partnership with local organisations,” says local councillor Paul Kelly. “We as county councillors and town commissioners have new possibilities, not in our classical role as monopoly service providers, but as coordinators and stimulators of local organisations, firms, social groups and private citizens." Cllr Kelly says that, in the case of waste management as an example, he is more convinced than ever of the need to handle domestic waste differently. "Change will only occur after a change in attitude. The existing culture has to be broken through and I am determined to encourage that change in attitude. I will encourage initiatives at both Town Commission and County Council level to reward anti-litter and recycling initiatives by people. I will lead by example and not accept plastic bags in shops anymore. “I will not rest until Leixlip and Maynooth become litter free zones and I will continue to press for approval for adequate staffing of the County Council and for adequate finances to enable us to deliver our services speedily, efficiently and effectively." Meanwhile, Cllr Kelly welcomed the approval by the Minister for the Environment for Kildare County Council to appoint 20 additional staff to the Planning Section. “The move should go a long way towards clearing the logjam in that department and advancing the development of the county."

THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP Open 7am-10pm for Fuel, Groceries, Toiletries, Flowers, Newspapers, Deli Food, Fresh Coffee and more.

Group shown how KNN works NAAS, 1 December 1999: by Bill Trapman. A number of people were given a short presentation in Naas Library last evening about how KNN was started and how it is organised. Pictured above are some of them with KNN's Trish Whelan - Marie Butler, Janet E Sahafi, Jagniarre Jerome (Dijon, France), Joan O'Gorman, and Gairin O'Gorman. The session was organised by librarian Caroline Collins and the presentation was made by KNN founders Trish Whelan and Brian Byrne, both local journalists with many years' experience in print and electronic media. Those present heard how the unique daily news service was set up 'as a curiosity' to see if a professional dedicated local news service on the internet would attract viewers. In the event, KNN - now just over a year old - has become established as a pioneer of the new media, with regular viewers from the locality as well as from many countries of the world. Located on the kildare.ie site, KNN is the second most popular entity on that whole site, which attracts 80,000 ‘hits’ a month to its home page. "All of our visitors have one thing in common - they're Kildare people, or people with an interest in Kildare," Brian Byrne said. "As such, they're a very focussed audience, and a growing one ... we have a consistent average growth rate over the last year, and in recent months our new visitor level has also increased significantly." Trish Whelan noted that KNN - which is a part-time operation for the proprietors who otherwise specialise in the writing and production of corporate magazines - produces the equivalent each week of a 16-page full-colour magazine about County Kildare. The enterprise is now in a position to provide a very strong 'readership' in the county and the proprietors believe it will become an attractive medium for a range of advertisers, both local and national. KNN's flagship sponsor in its first year has been Intel Ireland.

Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email leoptour@indigo.ie Ireland's only COMPLETE motoring magazine on sale now at all good newsagents. 'Simply the Best'

To Advertise on KNN, call 086 8267104, fax 045 481091, or email tellingtales@yahoo.com Advertising rates here

Naas Bypass traffic hold-up is bad management by county council NAAS, 30 November 1999: by Brian Byrne. Kildare County Council caused the biggest traffic jam this county has ever seen when they choked off traffic yesterday to one lane at the north end of the Naas Bypass for tree-trimming work. The occupants of up to 30,000 vehicles found themselves snarled in a snails-pace progress that cost a conservatively-estimated £500,000 in lost time and productivity. I found myself with lots of time to make that calculation on my way to Dublin at lunchtime, in a journey that took me one hour and twenty minutes between the south and north Naas intersections of the bypass. It normally would have taken five minutes. There were no signs at the entrances to the motorway warning that delays of over an hour could be expected throughout the day, and no diversions had been put in place to provide at least an option for hard-pressed motorists and truckers trying to go about their business. The first indication of what was causing the crawl was a lane closure one about half a mile from the source of the problem. Cellphone networks also became clogged in the area as frustrated businesspeople tried to use their involuntary time on the road to do some business by phone. Calls to the gardai elicited only the response that ‘we know about it, but it’ll be like that for the whole day’. Calls to Kildare County Council for an explanation got dropped into voicemails or the limbo of ‘I’ll transfer you to (Planning, Roads, Secretary) someone ...’ Last night, a senior official of Kildare County Council told KNN he ‘knew nothing’ of the tree work that was going on. As of this morning, no official reply has been received from the (voicemailed) request from this writer to the council as to why (a) the work was scheduled for one of the two busiest days of the week on the motorway instead of the weekend, and (b) why no diversion option had been put in place. AA Roadwatch warned this morning that the exercise is to be repeated. It is bad management. And it’s not good enough. It’s no way to treat a segment of the public that contributes more than 14% of the total tax take of the country, estimated this year to be worth some £880 million. At a local level, an explanation would be nice. An apology to all the motorists badly treated by the indifference of at least a section of the council would be much more to the point. (Brian Byrne, editor of KNN, is also chairman of the Irish Motoring Writers Association.)

THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

Naas strikes rate for year 2000 NAAS, 30 November 1999: by Brian Byrne. Naas UDC last night struck a rate of £44.62 with the adoption of its Estimates for 2000. The rate represents an increase of 5%, the maximum allowed by the minister for the environment. Prior to their adoption, chairman Seamie Moore (pictured above signing the Estimates with town clerk Declan Kirrane) said he was very unhappy with the fact that while the council had a revenue of £911,700 from the seven programmes, £888,527 of this was transferred to Kildare County Council without any direct explanation of how it was used. “In fact, I cannot see what 100 years of contributions from the UDC to Kildare County Council has brought to the town,” he noted. “In effect, we’re working for someone else here.” Cllr Moore also said that the UDC would have to be more proactive in making a case to the Department of the Environment for a greater proportion of the Local Government Fund, which stands at £418,366 for 2000. “We only have our own income from one Main Street here, and that can’t be raised much,” he noted. “Our growth is now dependent on whatever industrial rates we gather from developments such as Millennium Park, and if the minister thinks we can fund everything this town needs out of that, he’s wrong.” Total expenditure by the UDC for the year 2000 is estimated to be £3,257,669. Against this is placed revenue from the various programmes of £911,700, a credit balance provision of £40,000, and the LGF payment of £418,366. Ratepayers will be levied for the balance of £1,887,603.

THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

To Advertise on KNN, call 086 8267104, fax 045 481091, or email tellingtales@yahoo.com Advertising rates here

County Hall is heated by thermal waste treatment COUNTY HALL, 30 November 1999: by Brian Byrne. The issue of thermal waste disposal and incineration heated up Kildare County Council's monthly meeting yesterday, but the whole matter of the Waste Management Plan for the county was eventually damped down for another day's work. The flames were fanned early on by Leixlip-based councillor Paul Kelly (right) when he proposed that all references to 'thermal treatment' and 'incinerator' be deleted from the draft plan, which was up for adoption at the meeting. His comments followed a presentation by Eamon Timoney of consultants Fehily Timoney on proposed amendments to the plan following its public display over recent months. Cllr Kelly's concern was that by leaving in the reference, it would appear that the council was supporting the concept of thermal treatment. "The evidence is that such treatment is unsafe," he told the meeting. "Incineration does not deal with the basic problem - it's the lazy way out - and nothing could be more damaging to our aspiration to becoming known as 'the thoroughbred county' than to allow this kind of facility." Earlier, Cllr Kelly had described as 'a shocking statistic' the fact that less than £200,000 was being allocated to alternative waste disposal proposals from the £3.6m being discussed for waste management in the estimates for next year. "Are we being serious about this at all?" he asked. "This is one of the few areas where local authorities can be seen to take an initiative, and we're still talking about it when a community group in Kilcock has already developed an integrated local waste management plan that will reduce local waste by 50%. Even in this plan, we tend to be looking more at what we do with the waste generated rather than reducing the level of waste itself." His proposal was seconded by Cllr Emmet Stagg (right), who said that while the bulk of the plan was good, and written largely by environmentalists, that it seemed it had in the end fallen into the hands of an engineer, who 'stuck in an incinerator'. "We should also add a clause that says Kildare County Council will not send any waste for disposal by thermal treatment to any incineration facility outside the county." Senator John Dardis (left), while emphasising that he wouldn't like to see an incinerator built in Kildare or anywhere else, said he wasn't convinced that there weren't more noxious emissions in a day from the Silliott Hill landfill than there would be in a month from a thermal treatment plant. "And it's probable that a car driving from Naas to Dublin would generate more danger to health than would an incinerator in a lifetime," he suggested. Cllr Senan Griffin (right) referred to the Kilcock Integrated Waste Initiative (KIWI) and said that their findings that 40% of the domestic waste generated is food is 'worrying'. He recalled the experience of a local family whose au pair had reduced their weekly waste from one and a half refuse sacks to the size of a small shopping bag full as said 'the cure to this problem is within ourselves'. On the incineration issue, Cllr Tony McEvoy said the council had 'lost an opportunity' during the recent visit of Professor Paul Connet to Maynooth to 'hear expert arguments against incineration'. And he suggested that the planned return of Professor Connet to this country next March should be used as an opportunity to have him address the full council on the issue. Cllr Catherine Murphy (left) said that following what she had heard at the Maynooth meeting, the 'precautionary principle' should be applied to thermal treatment. "I'm not at all convinced that the thermal option should be considered at all," she said. Consultant Eamon Timoney tried to allay councillors' fears about the thermal option, and suggested that there was a greater dioxin potential from an open fire in the home. "Every activity has the potential to be poisonous," he said, "driving a car or truck, running our central heating boilers. We accept these things because we don't perceive the risks to be great. The incinerator issue is not a medical issue, but a public perception issue, and it is very difficult for you as public representatives to reassure the public on the matter." Cllr John McGinley asked why, if incinerators were such a good thing, they had been banned in Montreal and Australia? Cllr Anthony Lawlor questioned the will of the council to implement alternative methods of disposal, given the fact that only £40,000 of £160,000 allocated to Civic Amenity recycling sites had been spent last year. "We need to embark on a major education campaign," he said. "But when I asked if we couldn't produce literature for every house outlining what could be recycled, I was told by officials that it would only 'generate litter'. When this is the attitude I get, I know there's no will." As the discussion ran out of time, county manager Niall Bradley (right) said the concept of thermal treatment had been 'bedevilled somewhat' by the current Kilcock situation. He said it would be 'very wrong' for the councillors to 'close off an option' about which they had not heard all the arguments. County engineer Jimmy Lynch noted that what had been proposed for Kilcock was a hazardous waste facility, while what was mooted in the plan was a domestic waste treatment plant only. The issue was eventually adjourned to the next monthly meeting of the council, on 13 December.

THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

Duchas criticised for state of canal in Naas NAAS, 29 November 1999: by Trish Whelan. Naas UDC councillor Timmy Conway has slated Dúchas, the national heritage body with responsibility for the canals, over its failure to move in and clean up the stretch of the canal at the Caragh Road bridge following the recent departure of over 60 travellers caravans from the area. He told a recent UDC meeting: “Everything you could possibly think of ... and more .... had been deposited in plastic bags and dumped into the canal. It’s absolutely disgraceful that Dúchas left that situation the way it was left. They should have been on the job cleaning it up ... but they were not. He said it was ‘ridiculous that an outside body have control over something like this and are insisting the canal is in their charge’. However he said the Eastern Health Board had assisted with some of the work.

THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

Need for bank highlighted CASTLEDERMOT, 29 November 1999: by Brian Byrne. The need for a bank in Castledermot has been supported by FG deputy Alan Dukes, who says he has approached the Chief Executives of three major banks - the Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Banks and the Ulster Bank - in support of a petition recently submitted to each of these banks by local residents for banking facilities to be made available in the town. “There are currently no banking or ATM facilities in Castledermot, Deputy Dukes said. “Residents of the town and of the surrounding hinterland are obliged to travel to Athy, Carlow, Baltinglass, Kilcullen or Kildare town in order get either of these services. There is the potential for a substantial amount of business at a banking location in Castledermot, and I have urged the banks to consider providing either a local branch or the installation of an ATM machine in the town.”

Check in with Farm.ie for Brendan Burke's top farming news and views Rugby fans? ... check in to Naas Rugby Club's home page for the latest news on the club's activities

KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP Open 7am-10pm for Fuel, Groceries, Toiletries, Flowers, Newspapers, Deli Food, Fresh Coffee and more.

Architecture of Newtown 'should not inhibit development' LEIXLIP, 29 November 1999: by Brian Byrne. The architectural or artistic value of Newtown House in Leixlip is not such that it should inhibit development of the site where it is located for community use. That was the recommendation made by Niall Meagher, architect and planning consultant, in a recent presentation to Leixlip Area councillors. Mr Meagher said the listing of the building had been justified in so far as prevented its demolition ‘without adequate consideration’. Proposals for the site include a new Library, community building and garda station. “All elements of the proposals on the current Newtown House site will have a public consultation element to them at the appropriate time,” Cllr Catherine Murphy says. “Work is continuing in relation to the design of the new Library which is expected to commence in 2000.” The presentation also included a copy of historical research on Newtown House by Ms Eileen O’Duill, CGRS.

THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

To Advertise on KNN, call 086 8267104, fax 045 481091, or email tellingtales@yahoo.com Advertising rates here

Naas bells will peal in the millennium NAAS, 29 November 1999: by Trish Whelan The peal of bells from every church in Naas will ring in the new millennium on New Year’s Night but there will be no fireworks displays to herald in the new dawn. However there are plans for an ecumenical service which would bring together all denominations to welcome the new age. And in the run up to the festive season, a number of Christmas trees are to be erected in the town and along its approach roads and it’s hoped Santa Claus himself will spend a few days in the town meeting the children. “We haven’t had a Santa in situ since 1995,” councillor Mary Glennon said at a recent UDC meeting when she urged her ‘fellow’ councillors to invite Santa to visit the town to weave his magic with the younger generation. It has also been suggested that a bursary be set up for a People of Excellence award, according to councillor Pat O’Reilly who added that it’s also hoped to have books on the history of Naas. “We have little or no literature to promote the town,” he said.

THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

	SOLD!!!! 1993 Suzuki Swift. 62K on clock. Two owners. Price £3,400 including stereo. Immaculate condition. Phone 086 8302470, 045 879187.
NOTE: KNN takes no responsibility for car condition or descriptions. All dealings CAVEAT EMPTOR. Mention KNN when calling.	1967 Classic VW Beetle. Fully restored and undersealed. Porsche wheels (originals available). Beautiful condition - must be seen to be appreciated. Engine perfect. Phone 045 860287.
Fax details to 045 481091 or email (pictures should be in JPEG format and sent as attachments). Ads will be left up for one week unless renewed.	1991 Renault 5 Campus. Pristine condition. Red with sunroof. £1,950 ono. Phone 0502 23571.
For Ireland's best motoring news and reviews, visit MotorWeb	1990 Renault 19 Van. Due for the new National Car Test in March 2000. £900. Phone 086 2633298.

PREVIOUS STORIES: Earlier news of the week, and access to weekly archives, are available here

	by Liam Cahill The seminal account of the Limerick Soviet Available here
				PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING Noreen McCabe, MNAPCP Anxiety, depression, loss, phobias, childhood trauma, eating disorders, relationships, personal growth, coaching for work-related stress. Strictly confidential. Moorefield Clinic, Newbridge. Phone (045) 432111 or call Noreen at (045) 431936; mobile 086 2496823; email dmccabe@tinet.ie
		NAAS BAPTIST BIBLE CENTRE Everyone is invited to study God's Word, the Bible, with us, Sunday evenings 6.30, 45 Jigginstown Park. We are presently studying the life of Christ. Contact Rev Roger Parrow 045 894771. (Advt.)

LISTEN TO the weekly roundup of Irish views and stories presented by Brian Byrne and Trish Whelan and broadcast from Vancouver on the Celtic Voices programme carried by Canada's largest independent radio network. You can stream it at 56k, or download to listen to later. Changed every Sunday.

PREVIOUS STORIES: Earlier news of the week, and access to weekly archives, are available here

Motoring News	Garda Patrol	Farming Info
Results are here. Coverage is here. Candidates details are here.	Kildare's Wild Geese	Upcoming Service

 

Produced by

PO BOX 106, NAAS, CO KILDARE, IRELAND. All material on these pages © Telling Tales Ltd.

Links must be notified to tellingtales@yahoo.com