KNN-KildareNet News is an internet news service for and about Kildare people at home and worldwide, located on the County Kildare Community Network. All content © Telling Tales Ltd.

 LATEST HEADLINE

Previous stories below

TO HEAR AUDIOS DOWNLOAD FREE

REALPLAYER

 Visit our flagship sponsor

Intel Ireland

News Contact: Phone 045 481090 or 086 8267104; Fax 045 481091; email tellingtales@yahoo.com

 

Concern over pylons in Naas

NAAS, 1 May 1999: by Brian Byrne and Trish Whelan. Speculation that the ESB is to relocate 38kv pylons in Esmondale and Broadfield View estates has caused concern and confusion to local residents since the beginning of April. However the situation should be clarified at a meeting in the Town House Hotel on May 11 when a representative of ESB International, John Gartland, will address residents from both estates. The meeting has been arranged by Mary Cannon of Esmondale who has voiced fears over the effects that high voltage electrical cables are claimed to have on peoples’ health.

The speculation has included the belief that the existing overhead lines and pylons running through Esmondale would be relocated underground but no specific proposals have been made to any of the residents whose property would be affected. And a spokesman for the ESB said this week that no 38kv work was planned in the estates.

However, KNN has ascertained that in 1996 the ESB received planning permission to reroute the 38kv Naas/Johnstown overhead line at the BACK of the substation opposite Esmondale. The work was to make way for a housing scheme in the field next to the Old Burial Ground beside Naas Hospital. The new route is shown in red above, with the old route in green.

Meanwhile some residents believe that there is pressure to relocate one of the pylons in the immediately adjoining Broadfield View estate in order to allow a builder put a house on the site, for which he has planning permission. This would require the undergrounding of the existing 38kv line across Esmondale but there are no known official plans for this to be done, nor according to local representative Willie Callaghan are there any planning applications before either Naas UDC or Kildare County Council for such work.

The owners of the property immediately beside that pylon, Peter and Geraldine O’Connor say they have lived with the pylon outside their garden for 20 years of protest without being able to have it moved and at this stage say it wouldn’t bother them if it stayed. Peter (pictured above in his garden with the pylon in the trees behind him) noted that there had been 'a number of sad deaths' in a small cluster in the area.

TIM CONWAY & CO - ACCOUNTANTS

Basin Street, Naas

We offer all accounting services including financial advice, taxation, company information etc. Contact 045 876492 or email at timmyconway@tinet.ie

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

The Naas twinning trip to Dillingen - full stories are here

CHAPMANS OF KILDARE

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here.

 

 

 

Stagg proposed plan which allowed controversial planning decision

BALLYMORE, 30 April 1999: by Brian Byrne and Trish Whelan. Kildare North Labour TD Emmet Stagg, who strongly criticised the controversial planning decision that will see over 400 new houses in the village of Ballymore Eustace, was the councillor who proposed the 1985 County Development Plan which included the zoning that makes the development possible. The plan was seconded by Cllr Timmy Conway, then a member of the Labour Party.

During a Late Late Show appearance in mid-February by a number of Ballymore objectors to the development, deputy Stagg (pictured above signing a recent Sallins Road Action Group planning protest) phoned in and dramatically pledged his support for them. He had earlier in the month joined with four other councillors - Timmy Conway, Tony Lawlor, J J Power, John Dardis and Mary French Coughlan - in seeking an oral hearing on the decision to grant planning permission for 416 houses. Deputy Stagg is also among four TDs who have signed a petition against the development.

But Maynooth-based Fianna Fail councillor Gerry Brady says this attitude doesn’t square with the knowledge which deputy Stagg must have had about the Ballymore zoning when he proposed the adoption of the 1985 plan, which included the development plans for all the towns and settlement villages in the county. “All of us had been thoroughly briefed by the officials of the council on every aspect of the plan. And we were all given every document relating to the plan, as is required by law, so Emmet Stagg had to have been aware of the zoning and its implications.”

In fact, the outline zoning had been included in the earlier 1977 development plan, but, crucially, the 1985 plan made specific changes to the zoning which included a density of six houses to the acre that now allows for what objectors describe as the imminent ‘swamping’ of the core village. They say this will cause 'a lot of hardship' because no infrastructural arrangements for schools, roads, and churches for an extended population would be in place until long after the development was completed. On the Late Late Show, three local women - Rose Donoghue, Gaile Kinsella and Maria O'Neill - vowed to 'lie down in front of bulldozers' to prevent the despoilation of their village.

Cllr Brady has asked that the minutes of the 1985 County Development Plan meeting which he says shows Emmet Stagg as proposing its adoption be put in the public domain at the next meeting of the council. A number of council officials have confirmed to KNN that it was indeed deputy Stagg who proposed the plan’s adoption.

LOOKING FOR PROPERTY IN LEINSTER?

MICHAEL MCWEY & ASSOCIATES, Auctioneers & Valuers in Kildare town can locate private, commercial and industrial property to suit every requirement

Phone +353 (0)45 521714; Fax +353 (0)45 520186 Email mmcwey@tinet.ie

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

The Naas twinning trip to Dillingen - full stories are here

CHAPMANS OF KILDARE

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here.

 

 

 

More throngs at Punchestown

PUNCHESTOWN, 30 April 1999: by Tom Dowling. The Shell Irish Champion Hurdle brings the curtain down on a glorious Punchestown festival which has been an outstanding success and attracted throngs of people to the County Kildare venue. The brilliant sunshine has been a big help, but the presence of top-class horses is the real attraction and Istabraq is the star turn this afternoon.

The Dual Champion Hurdler has already confirmed himself as the greatest horse since Arkle and there is no question of him being beaten today either. The new ‘People’s Champion’ is Limestone Lad - seven times a winner this season and the pride and joy Gathabawn permit holder James Bowe. He’ll run a better race than most folks expect, but Istabraq - a brilliant son of Sadlers Wells - faces no more than a light exercise canter to collect another big prize for his legendary owner J P McManus.

Stormyfairweather (5.00) has a hard race when he beat Niki Dee at Cheltenham, but I think he’s as tough as old boots and he can win for Nick Henderson and the UK. The race has attracted a very strong British challenge and both Supreme Charm and Jocks Cross will be hard to beat, but the hat-trick looks on for Stormyfairweather.

Henderson can initiate a big double half an hour earlier with Blue Royal (4.25). He’s highly regarded and on the improving ground he should be able to find another gear against a far from top class bunch.

It’s been quite a good week for Noel Meade and Halfpenny Bridge (5.30) should keep that good run going. Still relatively unexposed in handicap company he looks well treated here and is taken to keep Saxophone and the rest at bay.

Punchestown specialist Paddy Mullins might create another racing record today. At 80 years of age the Master of Doninga will become the oldest man to train a winner at the festival if Clifdon Fog (3.15) does the business. Mullins has done remarkably well to nurse this former top flat performer back to the whole of his health and he reappeared after an absence of more than two years to win a few weeks ago. He looks a class act against moderate enough opposition.

Christy Roche is always a man to be feared and any market support for his Leaderman (6.00) would be very significant indeed.

Kilcullen man James Nolan has raised a fortune over the last few years for kidney research with his annual charity event. Don’t leave before it starts as all manner of local celebrities are taking part and the craic should be mighty. It’s hardly a betting event, but if you must put money on something, then Native Man trained by Tony Mullins should give those who back him a good run for their money.

Going: good to yielding.

2.40 Master Julian
3.15 Clifdon Fog
3.50 Istabraq
4.25 Blue Royal
5.00 Stormyfairweather
5.30 Halfpenny Bridge
6.00 Leaderman
6.15 Native Man

TIM CONWAY & CO - ACCOUNTANTS

Basin Street, Naas

We offer all accounting services including financial advice, taxation, company information etc. Contact 045 876492 or email at timmyconway@tinet.ie

The most delicious of gifts from our finest Irish chocolates range are selling around the world from here.

 

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

 KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP

Open 7am-10pm for Fuel, Groceries, Toiletries, Flowers, Newspapers, Deli Food, Fresh Coffee and more.

 

Hackney applications position to be reconsidered

NEWBRIDGE, 30 April 1999: by Trish Whelan. Newbridge town could not be excluded if a further time for applications for hackney licences was to be provided, assistant county manager Terry O Niadh told members of Kildare County Council this week. Cllr John O’Neill had vigorously opposed any suggestion that more hackney licences could be granted for Newbridge as ‘hackneys in Newbridge do not want the applications period reopened ... but it could be opened in other areas’.

This followed a proposal by Clane Area councillor PJ Sheridan to have the period extended by three weeks to include some 35 people who had missed the official closing date of March 31 for applications. However, Mr O Niadh said Newbridge could not be excluded as the ‘county at large’ would have to be included, other than Naas and Athy UDC areas. Cllr Sheridan retorted: “Life doesn’t stop or start in Newbridge or Naas.” Cathaoirleach Jim Reilly said if the period is reopened for three weeks ‘you’re then going to allow other people to be considered as well’.

County manager Niall Bradley said it would be necessary to establish precisely what the position is in the county regarding licences and the legalities of the proposal and report back to the Council. “And if you wish, put it for formal consideration at the next meeting of the authority,” he added. This was acceptable to all members.

 

Ireland's only COMPLETE motoring magazine on sale now at all good newsagents.

'Simply the Best'

 

 

Link road 'must proceed'

NAAS, 30 April 1999: by Trish Whelan. The proposed link road between Morrell Park and Kerdiff Park in Naas is a specific requirement of planning permission for Kerdiff Park and must proceed, according to senior council planner Philip Jones. But he said there is nothing to prevent councillors from closing it at a later stage. “It will then be a matter for the local residents to seek by plebiscite to ask to have it closed,” he informed councillors during discussions on a submission to the draft Naas development plan by residents of both estates seeking to have the proposed link scrapped in the new town plan.

Mr Jones said the reality is that ‘if you move traffic from one location, it will go somewhere else’. He said Monread is the size of an average general Irish town and the link road would allow people go from one end of it to the other. And he pointed out that none of the residents had lived there in 1992, the time of the last Naas town plan. He also noted that there are ‘multiple exits’ from Monread already.

However, Cllr Teresa Scanlon said she did not agree with this reasoning as times ‘had changed’ since the original plan. Cathaoirleach Paddy Behan said he would agree to closing the road as residents ‘seem to be afraid when the road is made a through road, it will become a rat run.’ Council roads engineer Dick Burke advised it be left open. Cllr Seamie Moore pointed out that the estates had been built by different developers and that ‘the maps of sale would have shown a closed road by each developer’. Cllr Mary French Coughlan proposed it be opened as a pedestrian link. Mr Jones then pointed out that it had been a condition of planning permission.

WANT TO KNOW HOW FAST KNN IS GROWING?

 

HERE ARE THE LATEST DETAILS OF OUR PAGE REQUESTS AND SOURCES OF AUDIENCE

(And you're likely to be as surprised as we have been!)

 

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.)

by Liam Cahill

The seminal account of the Limerick Soviet

Available here

At least the sun is shining ...

PUNCHESTOWN, 29 April 1999: byTom Dowling. Hard pressed racegoers have hardly been faring too well in their battles with the Punchestown bookmakers but surely we'll be able to raise a glass to Enda Bolger this afternoon. Risk Of Thunder (2.40) comes in search of a unique record as he bids for an unprecedented fifth successive victory in the La Touche Cup spectacular. This fellow is owned by former 007 star Sean Connery and rider Enda Bolger would like nothing better than a win. This will be his last ride after almost two decades of success and a win again here will help send him happily into his retirement from the saddle. This year's task is harder than ever before for Risk Of Thunder and one or two of his opponents will make a race of it. But he is almost unbeatable over the famous Punchestown bank fences and he loves running around its cross country circuit. Barring complete disaster the five-timer is on so get ready to hear the greatest ever Punchestown roar if he comes home in front.

With three Grade 1 races on the card in addition to the La Touche, racegoers are in for a real treat. The first three home in the Triumph Hurdle lock horns again in the IAWS Champion Hurdle and I reckon Katarino (3.15) will come out on top again for trainer Nick Henderson. He beat Balla Sola by eight lengths at Cheltenham and though Balla Sola has improved since then, the reports coming out of the Henderson yard have also been very encouraging and Katarino stands out as the best bet of the day. He can confirm last month's Cheltenham form.

Promalee (3.50) is a real gem of a horse and though he is definitely more effective over a longer trip than he faces today I think he will still start a warm order to get trainer Frances Crowley off the mark for the week. If you want a bit of value In this race then look no further than Sydney Twothousand, an improver who could well find the Punchestown track to his liking. He's worth a small saver too.

Le Coudray (4.25) is on a revenue mission after losing pipped a head by Anzum at Cheltenham. There's unlikely to be much between the pair again this time and David Nicholson says Anzum's win last month was no fluke. I'm not convinced, however, and Le Coudray gets my vote, especially as he Is now two pounds better off with Anzum. Derrymoyle is a live danger to both. He looks to record his FOURTH win in this event and Michael Cunningham fancies he has a real chance. He's the each way value.

The opening race is probably the day's most muddling contest but something has to win it and More Than A Stroll (2.10) is worth a little investment. Naas trainer Arthur Moore sent out Native Upmanship to win here yesterday and is an old hand at getting a horse ready for races just like this one. More Than A Stroll was the impressive winner of a maiden hurdle at Navan last Saturday and seems to be peaking at just the right time.

Intacta Print (6.00) was won in a raffle by lucky Waterford man Eamon Griffin and he might be just the ticket in the concluding bumper. The form of his Fairyhouse run - when second to Berkeley Run - has been franked since and he should give a good account of himself again.

Going: yielding

2.10 More Than A Stroll
2.40 Risk Of Thunder
3.15 Katarino
3.50 Promalee
4.25 Le Coudray
1.00 Pinkpinkfizz
5.30 Total Success
6.00 Intacta Print

LOOKING FOR PROPERTY IN LEINSTER?

MICHAEL MCWEY & ASSOCIATES, Auctioneers & Valuers in Kildare town can locate private, commercial and industrial property to suit every requirement

Phone +353 (0)45 521714; Fax +353 (0)45 520186 Email mmcwey@tinet.ie

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

The Naas twinning trip to Dillingen - full stories are here

CHAPMANS OF KILDARE

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here.

The most delicious of gifts from our finest Irish chocolates range are selling around the world from here.

 

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

 

 

Henry is new NUJ branch chairman

MONASTEREVIN, 29 April 1999: by Trish Whelan. Leixlip-based Leinster Leader reporter Henry Bauress (left) is the new Chairperson of the mid-Leinster branch of the National Union of Journalists. Henry agreed to lead the branch into the new Millennium at the branch’s AGM, held last weekend in the Hazel Hotel in Monasterevin. He takes over from outgoing chairperson Brian Byrne, who has taken up the office of joint secretary with Trish Whelan (KNN). Fidelma Freaney of the Leinster Express (Portlaoise) remains as treasurer.

The branch were the first to extend an invitation to new NUJ President Christy Loftus (from Mayo, where he is a reporter with the Western People ... he is pictured above with some members of the branch) following his recent election to the post in the UK. Addressing the AGM, Mr Loftus said safety in numbers is important when taking on management over pay or conditions and this is ‘one good reason’ for the NUJ to continue to exist. He also believed it time members renegotiated some in-house technology agreements.

He also pointed out that there would not be a Freedom of Information Act here without the NUJ and he said colleagues in Britain were taking a leaf out of our book in this respect. He also spoke about the need for libel laws need to be amended ‘in favour of good reporting rather than becoming more restrictive. which is the road the politicians would like to go down’.

TIM CONWAY & CO - ACCOUNTANTS

Basin Street, Naas

We offer all accounting services including financial advice, taxation, company information etc. Contact 045 876492 or email at timmyconway@tinet.ie

 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.

 

Maynooth strategy plan launched

MAYNOOTH, 29 April 1999: by Brian Byrne. The Maynooth Action Strategy document, The First Steps, has been officially launched by Professor Susan McKenna Lawlor of Maynooth University (pictured above with Peter Connell, Chairperson of MAS, and Dr W J Smyth, President of NUI Maynooth). It is being issued to each house in Maynooth by Maynooth Action Strategy and is aimed at addressing the problems which may come from the expectation that the town’s population will have trebled between 1986-2006.

The document is a follow on from the Choosing a Future document which was circulated last year. The First Steps takes the original strategy and develops it into a series of projects to re-establish the character of the town, develop its commercial potential and enhance the lifestyle and wellbeing of all elements of the community. Some 30 projects or projects groups which make up the proposed strategy are listed in the First Steps document under the broad headings Physical, Commercial and Social/Amenity. Preliminary work is already underway on some of the projects.

 

Ireland's only COMPLETE motoring magazine on sale now at all good newsagents.

'Simply the Best'

 

Kyle Bridge reopened

KILDARE, 29 April 1999: The south-bound lane of the Dublin-Cork (N7) road at Kyle Bridge, (south of Kildare Town), has been reopened to traffic in both directions, two weeks ahead of schedule, following the replacement of the parapet walls on both sides of the road.

The bridge was damaged in a road accident on 27 March when one of the walls was demolished. Iarnród Éireann replaced the wall and availed of the opportunity to install extra protection on both sides of the bridge. The road has been narrowed by the works, and motorists are urged to take due care while and crossing the bridge and also to take note of the new signage on the approach roads.

Kildare County Council found it necessary to close the road at the bridge to south-bound traffic while the bridge works were in progress, and a diversion was instituted via Kildangan. The road at Kyle Bridge normally carries 12,000 vehicles per day. The diversion put severe strain on the minor roads in Kildangan, and the County Council has spent £320,000 to date on restoration, overlaying, lining and signage in the area as a result of the increased heavy traffic.

WANT TO KNOW HOW FAST KNN IS GROWING?

 

HERE ARE THE LATEST DETAILS OF OUR PAGE REQUESTS AND SOURCES OF AUDIENCE

(And you're likely to be as surprised as we have been!)

 

 

The race for local elections is on!

DERRINTURN, 29 April 1999: by Brian Byrne. Kildare County Council’s normal April meeting was held at the GAA Centre in Derrinturn, in the heartland of current cathaoirleach Jim Reilly’s Carbury electoral patch ... and to make the point that the election race is now officially started, Cllr Reilly had his car ‘decorated with intent’ to gain voters (see above)!

After the meeting, Cllr Reilly thanked the GAA for hosting the meeting of the authority and he acknowledged the cooperation he had received from club officials Aidan Crinnegan, the chairman of Derrinturn GAA club, and club secretary Tommy Nally ... and those who had provided the eats!

TIM CONWAY & CO - ACCOUNTANTS

Basin Street, Naas

We offer all accounting services including financial advice, taxation, company information etc. Contact 045 876492 or email at timmyconway@tinet.ie

 

 

No move yet on Orchard Park sale

THE CURRAGH, 29 April 1999: by Brian Byrne. Tenants of Department of Defence houses at Orchard Park still have no news as to when they will be able to buy their homes. In a written reply to a question from Kildare South FF deputy Sean Power, minister for defence Michael Smith TD said the chief state solicitor has been requested 'to clarify the position with regard to the terms of title under which the properties will be sold'. "Therefore it is not possible at this stage to say when the properties will be offered for sale," he said.

Deputy Power said he was 'very disappointed' at the long delay in finalising the sale of the houses. "The residents were notified in June 1998, and almost a year on they are still waiting," he said. "I will continue to pursue the matter."

CHAPMANS OF KILDARE

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here.

 

 

Sunny start to Punchestown festival

PUNCHESTOWN, 28 April 1999: by Brian Byrne & Trish Whelan. Yesterday's sunny opening day to Punchestown was a great start to the first-ever four-day festival of racing at Ireland's answer to Cheltenham. Among the thousands of punters were (pictured below) Kildare county councillor Sean Reilly, Naas UDC councillors Seamie Moore and Willie Callaghan, and UDC member and county councillor Timmy Conway.

Once again we have racing expert Tom Dowling's musings for today's racing.

"Florida Pearl (3.50) can redeem his huge reputation - and Cheltenham losses - in Punchestown's Heineken Gold Cup. Willie Mullins's seven-year-old disappointed his loyal followers at Cheltenham last month, but none of the trainer's horses were really firing that week. It would be foolish to write him off as anything less than top class on the evidence of that run alone, and let's not forget that it takes a classy horse to even get third place in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Mullins says 'he's done well at home since last month, and I have no excuses for Cheltenham, but he should enjoy Cheltenham and he'll be hard to beat'. Once again, the biggest threat should be Doran's Pride. Connections were unhappy with the tactics employed at Cheltenham, where he finished sixth, well behind Florida Pearl. There'll be a different plan today and Doran's Pride has since proved his well-being by landing a huge gamble in a flat race.

Escartefigue will be trying to give David Nicholson - a great Punchestown supporter - success, but there's no reason to think he will reverse previous form with the Pearl. It will be a great contest as these trio of giants lock horns again, but Florida Pearl is my confident choice to claim the valuable Grade One event.

J P McManus is enjoying his best ever season as an owner. Istabraq should further boost the McManus coffers when he runs in Friday's Shell Irish Champion Hurdle, but J P Should also find the winner's enclosure with his brilliant novice Joe Mac (2.40). He was a runaway winner at Aintree earlier this month and is reported to have come out of it in great shape. The word is that Joe Mac is improved again and though Colonel Yeager is undoubtedly top class, the Christy Roche-trained five-year-old can come out on top once again.

In the absence of Elegant Lord, UK raider Castle Mane (5.30) just can't be opposed in the Hunter Chase. Caroline Bailey used to train the great Teeton Mill, but Castle Mane's Foxhunter's Chase victory marked him out as a possible Gold Cup candidate for the Millennium Cheltenham festival and he looks to have too much speed for his rivals today.

Charlie Swan dreams of his first Punchestown win as a trainer and Donadino (2.10) might be just the job in the first. Swan has always spoken highly of this one who came home in effortless style last month and is expected to find enough improvement to beat what looks like a tame field of novices.

Storm Gem (3.50) is owned by a syndicate of racing mad prison officers, so expect plenty of high jinks if the little mare manages to win today's Handicap Chase. She;s as game as they come and remains on a nice mark. Storm Gem is bound to go well at good odds, so any each way support for her shouldn't go unrewarded.

There was a bit of a tip going around the racecourse yesterday for Prince de Loir (4.25), who makes a strong each way appeal, while Goffs Bumper winner Berkeley Run is a tough cookie and won't be far away in a very competitive bumper.

Going: Good to Soft

2.10 Donadino
2.40 Joe Mac
3.15 Storm Gem
3.50 Florida pearl
4.25 Prince de Loir
5.00 Berkeley Run
5.30 Castle Mane

LOOKING FOR PROPERTY IN LEINSTER?

MICHAEL MCWEY & ASSOCIATES, Auctioneers & Valuers in Kildare town can locate private, commercial and industrial property to suit every requirement

Phone +353 (0)45 521714; Fax +353 (0)45 520186 Email mmcwey@tinet.ie

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

The Naas twinning trip to Dillingen - full stories are here

CHAPMANS OF KILDARE

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here.

The most delicious of gifts from our finest Irish chocolates range are selling around the world from here.

 

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

 

Planning lobby calls for further county plan display

KILDARE GENERAL, 28 April 1999: by Brian Byrne. The planning lobby group Kildare Planning Alliance has called for a further display period of one month for the draft County Development Plan, claiming that the correct plan was not displayed in Kildare County Council's office or in branch libraries for five days into an announced new period of display from 25 March to 27 April. The group says this means that any member of the public responding to the public notice in the press and consulting the plan on display was consulting the wrong plan and was being 'misled' as to the intended future development plans for all the settlements in Co Kildare.

The alliance says the further period of display is necessary to avoid the plan possibly being challenged through the courts.

The new period of display was announced by Kildare County Council through the press and through the official government gazette Iris Oifigiúil on March 26th, following the discovery by KPA that an incorrect set of population figures had been included in the revision of the 1985 plan agreed by councillors at their meeting of 10 February. "It is important to stress that these were not minor textual errors but gross inaccuracies in target populations for the Kildare towns which amounted to thousands of extra people," a spokesman for the alliance said yesterday. "If not noticed they would have provided a legal basis for substantial additional residential rezoning in all the affected towns."

The alliance now wants a new display period of one month and publicising of the fact that any member of the public consulting the previous display during the first five days was consulting an incorrect and defective document.

TIM CONWAY & CO - ACCOUNTANTS

Basin Street, Naas

We offer all accounting services including financial advice, taxation, company information etc. Contact 045 876492 or email at timmyconway@tinet.ie

 THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO

THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE

Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

 

Councillor calls for new approach to taking in charge

MAYNOOTH, 28 April 1999: by Trish Whelan. FG North Kildare councillor Senan Griffin believes the taking in charge of estates by the authority 'is turning out to be a huge problem' and says many estates, especially around Maynooth, built over 20 years ago, have yet to be taken in charge. He has proposed the setting of a tripartite approach to include the Construction Industry Federation, Kildare County Council and developers involved in projects throughout the county to ensure estates are taken over without delay.

Cllr Griffin also suggested developers should have to apply to have services such as sewerage and surface water taken in charge and, prior to such requests, that the Council check the work is in order - providing a two-month time limit for faults to be rectified. "At the end of 12 months, a developer should apply to have the road section taken in charge and the Council undertake an inspection". He said the same should apply to open spaces, which are often left until last. House owners depend on the Council as a planning authority to ensure their homes comply with the plans drawn up, he noted, but said that 90% of the time, this is not the case. "We do not protect house buyers as we should".

Labour councillor Catherine Murphy said it is 'ridiculous' that the Council has to 'tidy up' problems in estates which were the responsibility of the developers and said the council 'will have to show some teeth and go after some of the most obvious offenders. It would put manners on some of the other developers who are taking bad example from those developers less than good at finishing their estates', she said.

 KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP

Open 7am-10pm for Fuel, Groceries, Toiletries, Flowers, Newspapers, Deli Food, Fresh Coffee and more.

The Naas twinning trip to Dillingen - full stories are here

 

Criticism of travellers on council property

KILDARE & COUNTY HALL, 27 April 1999: by Trish Whelan. Kildare FG Cllr Michael McWey has strongly criticised an extended traveller family for camping on Council property at the Weigh Bridge in Kildare town who he said were causing ‘untold discomfort’ to residents of the area. He has demanded a ‘straight answer’ from Council officials as to what proposals were in hand to relocate the family and pointed out that a vacancy exists in the halting site at Cloncarlin, in Monasterevin. He asked that ‘stern measures’ be taken to relocate them to that site.

His stance was supported by FF Cllr Sean O Fearghail who condemned ‘the total inaction’ of the County Council in dealing with the problem. He said: “It is unacceptable to have this empty bay at Cloncarlin while public utilities are being taken over by a travelling family”.

Assistant county manager Terry O Niadh said officials were satisfied legal action would not succeed in this instance. He explained that legal advice is sought whenever officials are considering taking out an injunction to move travellers. “If the families are indigenous and have applied for housing accommodation, we will not succeed.” However he accepted the urgency of the situation and said officials were ‘working on that basis.’

It was stated that Kildare now has more travellers within the county than sites available for them and that the recently formed Traveller Consultant Committee will be identifying other sites around the county.

TIM CONWAY & CO - ACCOUNTANTS

Basin Street, Naas

We offer all accounting services including financial advice, taxation, company information etc. Contact 045 876492 or email at timmyconway@tinet.ie

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

The Naas twinning trip to Dillingen - full stories are here

 

Tom Dowling's Punchestown Predictions

PUNCHESTOWN, 27 April 1999: The biggest national hunt event in the country begins today at Punchestown, which is for the first time a four-day experience. Each day, exclusively to the internet, KNN will bring youracing expert Tom Dowling’s form and tips. Enjoy ... and good betting!

"Take the direct route to profit in Punchestown’s feature event on opening day, the BMW Chase. With only two home-trained runners in the lineup, and plenty of doubts about both, this Grade 1 event looks set for export.

Under dryer conditions Space Trucker would have been a red hot favourite, but ground conditions have unfortunately turned against Jessica Harrington’s Grand Annual Chase hero and he hates the soft conditions too much to produce his best.

Hill Society put up a dismal effort behind Call Equiname in Cheltenham’s Queen Mother Chase. He seems to have totally lost his way and could not be put forward with any confidence.

Direct Route, meanwhile, has never been better. The eight-year-old impressed when he beat Mulligan in Aintree’s Mumm Melling Chase earlier this month and testing conditions won’t bother him, that’s for sure.

The chief threat will be Green Green Desert, who won well at Ayr but has plenty to find with Direct Route who should collect the big prize comfortably.

Cardinal Hill (3.15) was going well enough until he unshipped Paul Carberry two out in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. There’s no way of telling how close he would have come to catching the winner, but the five-year-old has since trotted up in the Jameson Gold Cup Hurdle at Fairyhouse and he has little to fear today. Bacchanal looks good enough to follow him home, but it will be a major shock if Cardinal Hill fails to win.

Enda Bolger retires from the saddle at the end of the week and he’s planning to go out in style. Tearaway King (2.40) looks nailed on to get Bruce Springsteen fanatic off to a flyer in the opening hunter chase. This horse loves Punchestown and he only has to jump around to win.

Ferbert Junior (5.0) will try to poach a long lead in the Brandstock Insurance Race but he’s had plenty of problems jumping fences before and it might be wiser to side with Manus The Man (nap), a good third in the Irish National and equally effective over today’s trip. The presence of Micko’s Dream in the line-up guarantees a strong pace and I fully expect Manus The Man to cut them all down to size approaching the last fence.

Dovally (5.30) landed some hefty wagers when he finally reached the winner’s enclosure last time out, and his trainer Michael O’Brien put him by afterwards to wait for this Punchestown race. This one’s a dour stayer and he’s good value to take care of both Time For a Run and Flashing Steel, neither of which has shown anything approaching their best for a long time.

Rith Dubh (4.25) has a nice Handicap mark in a real pinsticker’s event. He’s fitted with blinkers this afternoon and will run very well at decent odds. Get on each way and you should be in the money.

Aidan O’Brien doesn’t keep jumpers these days unless they’re champion material. Bill Bailey (6.0) makes his racecourse bow in the concluding bumper. It’s a big field and caution is advised, but I understand this Bill Bailey is good enough to come home - in front." - Tom Dowling

Going - Soft.

2.40 Tearaway King
3.15 Cardinal Hill
3.50 Direct Route
4.25 Rith Dubh
5.00 Manus The Man
6.00 Bill Bailey

CHAPMANS OF KILDARE

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here.

The most delicious of gifts from our finest Irish chocolates range are selling around the world from here.

 

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

 

Taoiseach to honour Rathangan councillor

RATHANGAN, 27 April 1999: by Brian Byrne. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is to visit Rathangan on May 12 to make a special presentation to Cllr Jimmy O’Loughlin for his 25 years of public service in the area. It will be the first time a Taoiseach in office has visited the town.

Cllr O’Loughlin is retiring from public life at the end of this term and his daughter Fiona will be contesting a seat in the Kildare Electoral area on June 11. His father Joseph represented the Rathangan area on the very first Kildare County Council in 1899. A presentation marking this was made to Cllr O’Loughlin at a function related to last Thursday’s Centenary Meeting of the council.

LOOKING FOR PROPERTY IN LEINSTER?

MICHAEL MCWEY & ASSOCIATES, Auctioneers & Valuers in Kildare town can locate private, commercial and industrial property to suit every requirement

Phone +353 (0)45 521714; Fax +353 (0)45 520186 Email mmcwey@tinet.ie

 KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP

Open 7am-10pm for Fuel, Groceries, Toiletries, Flowers, Newspapers, Deli Food, Fresh Coffee and more.

 

Houses built on partnership

RATHCOFFEY, 27 April 1999: Kildare County Council has signed a contract for twenty new family homes at Rathcoffey, and work will begin within the next few weeks. The houses, which were designed for the County Council by Lorcan Greene and Associates of Howth, will cost £1.4million, and will make a welcome addition to the County Council’s £18million two-year housing programme for 1999 - 2000. Construction will be carried out by Pat Moore Builders of Emo Co. Laois, and will take approximately twelve months.

This latest addition to the housing capacity of the area will be a significant development in the village of Rathcoffey and will help to meet the accommodation needs of the rising young generation in the local community.

The new homes which include a mix of bungalows and two-storey houses in a crescent-shaped development, have been made possible by a partnership between Kildare County Council, the Department of the Environment and Local Government, the European Union and local people who have provided a group water scheme valued at £800,000. The group scheme, which is nearing completion, will supply water for the new housing development, and is part-funded by the local community. The County Council has had plans to build in Rathcoffey for a number of years, and the group water scheme has enabled the project to go ahead.

 THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO

THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE

Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

 

New Naas Lottery millionaire?

NAAS, 26 April 1999: by Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne. The £1 million jackpot in Saturday night’s National Lottery draw was bought in Naas. The so-far mystery winner bought the lucky ticket sometime on Saturday afternoon in Swan’s Fairgreen Stores.

According to shop manager Paddy Kelly, they’ve not been able to pinpoint who exactly sold the ticket yet. “We’re very busy on a Saturday afternoon,” he told KNN. Proprietor Larry Swan said the winning ticket was a £1.50 Quick Pick. He didn't know the winner's name this morning, either. "It would be highly unlikely that the winner would make themselves known to us, but it is quite possible the purchaser was from Naas." That said, though, he also noted that on a Saturday the shop gets customers from a wide area.

Fairgreen Stores sold a share in one other jackpot prize in the early days of the National Lottery, in which the purchaser's prize was worth £57,000. Pictured above outside the shop are some of the staff.

The Naas twinning trip to Dillingen - full stories are here

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

 

Schools crisis imminent in Naas

NAAS, 26 April 1999: by Trish Whelan. A growing crisis situation regarding second level education in Naas was highlighted at a recent public meeting organised by the Fianna Fail party in Naas.

Local CBS secondary school teacher Denis Dunning detailed the argument for another secondary school in the town, because of all the development in the area. He fears the time will soon come when families in Naas will not be able to get their children into the school of their choice in the town and pupils from outlying areas who traditionally attended school in Naas will soon not be able to get their second level education in the town. “Unless your child is registered in fourth class they do not have an automatic right of passage,” he warned, “and people from surrounding areas are trying to get their children in early to get this right of passage.”

He wondered are councillors getting their priorities right? “I don’t know how anyone can have a plan to bring people into the town with no schooling available.” He also noted that the larger school role brings its own problems.

“When I came to Naas in 1980 there were 320 pupils in CBS Naas and everyone knew everyone else. We have 150 pupils in Leaving Cert and I see lads in the class - who have been in the school since first year - who I don’t know, and that is appalling,” he said. He told the panel of FF election candidates that the school had been built for 600 pupils but now accommodates almost 800 boys. The school is in the process of obtaining permission for an extension to cater for this amount but Mr Dunning says that by the time this is built, there will probably be well over 900 boys.

“Our school has always prided ourselves for having a country and town mix which makes it the type of school it is, strong academically and in sporting activities. If it’s going to become an ‘all town’ school, then the whole ethos changes considerably. It means children who used to attend from outlying areas of Caragh, Ballymore, Kilteel, Rathmore and Prosperous cannot come in any more and that will have a major effect on the school.”

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

 

'More resources in return for planning guidelines' - Councillor

KILDARE GENERAL, 26 April 1999: by Brian Byrne. The recently-published Strategic Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area must be accompanied by the provision of necessary extra resources, according to Cllr Catherine Murphy. The guidelines set out the planning framework for the four Dublin authorities and three surrounding counties, including Kildare. “It is not enough to say where growth should occur ... more money and staff will have to be provided to those counties where growth is targeted,” she said.

Cllr Murphy said what she termed the ‘scandal’ of the last two decades where no additional money was provided as a result of strong population growth must end. “The backlash from residents was entirely predictable, having witnessed housing estate after housing estate being constructed, schools continuing to bulge at the seams with extensions provided only after the crisis had arisen, public transportation lagging badly behind needs and critical open space development and provision of playgrounds being regarded as luxuries rather than necessities in growing or new urban centres. Packed public meetings and protests should not have come as a surprise.

“Kildare has doubled its population over the past 25 years. Because no account has been taken of that growth, it receives £65 per head of population. A County with a similar population, Donegal, gets £101 per person. South Dublin at £51 is second lowest, while Leitirm at the top stands at £186 per head. Should no action be taken and population growth continue the gap will widen even further.”

CHAPMANS OF KILDARE

Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here.

 

Naas planning group to protest today

NAAS, 26 April 1999: by Trish Whelan. Objectors to the proposed 244 acre business park at Piper’s Hill stud farm, (Weld’s) at Kilashee outside Naas, plan to stage a public protest at the offices of Kildare County Council today as councillors arrive for their April meeting. Members of the Naas Planning Alliance have urged people to formally object to the proposal and point out that the deadline for objections is Wednesday, April 28. They claim Naas will suffer from increased heavy traffic and associated pollution and water and sewerage problems should the plan go ahead.

However, councillors are unlikely to see the protest as the April meeting of the council will take place in Derrinturn, Carbury, in appreciation of the work of the current chairman, Jim Reilly, who lives in the area.

Ireland's only COMPLETE motoring magazine on sale now at all good newsagents.

'Simply the Best'

The most delicious of gifts from our finest Irish chocolates range are selling around the world from here.

 

150 new jobs for Newbridge

NEWBRIDGE, 26 April 1999: A new dental floss manufacturing facility officially opened today at the Newbridge plant of healthcare multinational Oral-B will provide 150 new jobs within two years. The company already employs 400 people.

The opening was performed by Tanaiste Mary Harney TD, who said the expansion is the result of a very successful research and development programme carried out at Newbridge, which developed a new yarn for use in dental floss.

Oral-B plans to make the Newbridge plant a 'centre of excellence' for its dental floss manufacturing business. Other new products are also scheduled for later production.

Oral-B was set up in Newbridge in 1984 to make tootbrushes, and now produces 90 million brushes a year for the EU, Middle East and African markets. The company had sales of £74 million from its Newbridge operation. Worldwide sales of the multinational are $642 million.

 

LOOKING FOR PROPERTY IN LEINSTER?

MICHAEL MCWEY & ASSOCIATES, Auctioneers & Valuers in Kildare town can locate private, commercial and industrial property to suit every requirement

Phone +353 (0)45 521714; Fax +353 (0)45 520186 Email mmcwey@tinet.ie

 

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

 

 

WANT TO KNOW HOW FAST KNN IS GROWING?

HERE ARE THE LATEST DETAILS OF OUR PAGE REQUESTS AND SOURCES OF AUDIENCE

(And you're likely to be as surprised as we have been!)

Newbridge Bealtaine Festival begins today

NEWBRIDGE, 26 April 1999: by Brian Byrne. The Bealtaine Community Arts Festival in Newbridge begins today with the Youth Festival. Bealtaine goes through the week to the May Bank Holiday, and includes exhibitions, entertainment, drama, concerts, workshops, literary events, a Norman/Celt battle, poetry, and a wide range of cultural and sporting events to suit people of all ages.

The full programme of events is available here.

LOOKING FOR PROPERTY IN LEINSTER?

MICHAEL MCWEY & ASSOCIATES, Auctioneers & Valuers in Kildare town can locate private, commercial and industrial property to suit every requirement

Phone +353 (0)45 521714; Fax +353 (0)45 520186 Email mmcwey@tinet.ie

The most delicious of gifts from our finest Irish chocolates range are selling around the world from here.

 

Lucy suggests anti-litter programme in schools

LONG ISLAND & CASTLEDERMOT, 26 April 1999:

Dear Editor,

KNN is one of the treats of my week; in fact, I check in on odd days just in case there is an update or change in local events! Unfortunately, not all news is good and that is the reality check we must face these days: case in point, your reporting of the 'Territorial Seizure' of the Newbridge Courthouse benches by the local skateboarders. Being ever deeply concerned about Ireland's regrettable and indiscriminate propensity to litter, usurp or damage public property at will, etc., I am both troubled about the negative image being dealt us as Country and as Irish people.

Prior to reading this disturbing article ('Skateboarders'), I had intended to pass on the following to KNN with the suggestion that a 'Don't Waste Ireland' ball get rolling in Co Kildare to help inculcate our Irish youth with the sense of pride and abhorrent disgust regarding litter and vandalism. Within recent weeks I happened to view a Long Island/NY school program, sponsored by a major TV concern, wherein each LI school district was visited by a Traveling Mobile of interactive programs dedicated to alerting students to community concerns and the value of volunteerism as combatant. Student responses were as simple and as directly profound as 'I will never litter; I will volunteer to pick up litter; I will volunteer to remind people not to litter', etc., etc. etc.

Though living afar, while always in touch with my beloved Ireland (basically via KNN ), I am prone to think that this is a program much needed in every school in Ireland. If the school message is strongly enough enforced so will the home and community respond in kind and work hand in hand with an all-inclusive educational endeavour. Being aware of Intel's heavy investment in County Kildare leads me to suggest that they (Intel) be invited to contribute toward a pilot program of computer interactives for our Kildare (and most assuredly and eventually all Ireland's) schoolchildren in the endeavour to further community awareness, preservation and pride.

My personal Irish farm upbringing taught me that planting a good seed, gives a good harvest ... so I believe that Ireland's growth and pride is in its children and their soil...let's help one to protect the other.

Mise le meas, Lucy Whelan.

Stories for week ending 24 April 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 17 April 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 10 April 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 3 April 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 27 March 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 20 March 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 13 March 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 6 March 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 27 February 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 20 February 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 13 February 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 6 February 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 30 January 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 23 January 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 16 January 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 9 January 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 2 January 1999 are here

Stories for week ending 26 December 1998 are here

Stories for week ending 19 December 1998 are here

Stories for week ending 12 December 1998 are here

Stories for week ending 5 December 1998 are here

Stories for week ending 28 November 1998 are here

Stories for week ending 21 November 1998 are here

Stories for week ending 14 November 1998 are here

Stories for week ending 7 November 1998 are here

Stories for October 1998 are here

KNN-KildareNet News is 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