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Naas draft development plan is adopted by UDC members NAAS, 29 May 1999 (PM): by Brian Byrne & Trish Whelan. The Naas Urban Draft Development Plan has been accepted as the way forward for the development of Naas over the next five years. This follows a 6-3 vote by the members of the council (pictured above) this afternoon, adopting the draft plan after often-controversial deliberations that have taken two-and-a-half years. Prior to the discussions, town manager Terry O Niadh emphasised for the third time that he was still recommending that Naas did not need any further residential rezoning from the previous plan, and that only 150 acres of land should be rezoned for industry. “I am saying this for the record, and to remind you that I have been consistent on this, but legally you could not comply with my wishes now even if you wanted to, as you have already voted to rezone 100 acres for residential development, and you may now only make adjustments as to how this is arrived at.” During discussions on several of the many final submissions which had been handed in up to 5pm last Thursday, the council agreed to change the route of the proposed N41 distributor road so that it would not exit on the north end close to Hennesy’s Garage, but rather at the junction of the Sallins Road and Old Monread Road, and on the south-west end would link to the Newbridge Road at Jigginstown Park and would include a new bridge over the canal. The members also reversed a previous rezoning decision that would have preserved 180 metres on either side of a stretch of the canal between Tandy’s Bridge and Osberstown, bringing the zone back to 90 metres. A block of seven acres of land belonging to the Sisters of Mercy adjacent to the school was also rezoned for residential purposes, as was extra land on Naas Race Course for more houses in The Gallops. The council also officially passed the rezoning of Devoy Barracks for housing and public offices, but decided not to allow a submission request for retail and office use for around two acres of land on Corban’s Lane, on the strength of objections by both CBS schools in the area. In the final vote on the overall plan, those in favour were Cllrs Paddy Behan, Seamie Moore, Timmy Conway, Willie Callahan, Evelyn Bracken and Mary French-Coughlan. Those voting against were Cllrs Teresa Scanlon, Charlie Byrne and Sean English. 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.

 

Protest planned at today's special UDC meeting on town plan NAAS, 29 May 1999: by Brian Byrne & Trish Whelan. A strong representation from organisations and individuals opposed to elements of the Naas UDC Development Plan is expected at the Town Hall this morning during a special meeting of the council to adopt the final plan. A campaign against the plan has been conducted by the Naas Planning Alliance and the Sallins Road Action Group for the last several months and more than 3,000 letters of objection (above) were signed and lodged with the UDC. During the meeting, an attempt may be made to reverse a rezoning decision made earlier in the process, which has the effect of ‘freezing’ 180 metres from the canalsides in the interests of preserving the area as local amenity. KNN understands that a number of councillors have been contacted during the last week by developers anxious to have this reduced to 90 metres. Cllr Teresa Scanlon, who opposed the adoption of the draft plan earlier this year, has notified the council and the minister for the environment that the adoption of the final plan today could be deemed to be 'legally flawed' (see story below) on a number of grounds, including the consideration by the council of proposals from a number of developers after the time for submissions had passed. Meanwhile, a publication detailing benefits of the town development plan has been prepared and is expected to be circulated to homes throughout Naas. In addition, Naas UDC plans to circulate a list of projects and proposals that have been initiated by the authority since 1994 to every household in the town. The list was furnished at last week’s meeting of the authority by town manager Terry O’Niadh. It showed that expenditure on the provision of services has increased from £1,941,500 in 1994 to £2,824,053 - which represents an increase of 45%. The list will be circulated around Naas at the request of Cllr Evelyn Bracken, who said it was important for people to realise just how much the council had undertaken during its last five years in office.

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.

KNN is a completely INDEPENDENT professional news service for County Kildare, with no affiliations to any network, authority, group, party or other organisation. The service is operated by Telling Tales Ltd, Naas, Co Kildare, under the editorial direction of Brian Byrne and Trish Whelan. It is our policy to report accurately and fairly on any subject, and we offer right of reply to anyone who has differing opinions to those expressed in any story. Any such opinions published on KNN are not necessarily the views of KNN's proprietors or any network on which we are hosted or to which we may be linked. Email us at KNN , or phone 045 481090; fax 481091.

Deputy Dukes warns against 'misrepresentation' ATHY, 29 May 1999: by Brian Byrne. Fine’s Gael’s spokesman on the environment and local government, Alan Dukes TD, has warned that anyone misrepresenting his absence from a meeting in Athy tonight as an indication of any lack of concern for the town ‘will be called to account’. The meeting has been organised by the Athy Urban Development Group to discuss the possibility of a plebiscite on the Athy Inner Relief Road. Deputy Dukes says he was contacted by the AUDG to see if he would speak in favour of the holding of a plebiscite. “The outcome of two amicable conversations with a member of the Athy Urban Development Group was that, if I would not speak for a plebiscite and against the proposal accepted by Athy UDC, I would not be welcome at Saturday night's meeting,” he says in a statement issued last night. “Notwithstanding the fact that I find that a very odd way in which to conduct a meeting which is supposedly about a superficially democratic idea, I accept the right of the organisers to run things their way, and will not attend the meeting. If my absence on Saturday night is misrepresented in any way as indicating a lack of concern with the development of Athy, anybody so misrepresenting me will be called to account.” Deputy Dukes notes that there is no provision for plebiscites in the law relating to local authorities. “As constituted by law, our local authorities are based on the concept of representative democracy. We elect people and entrust them with the duty, during their term of office, of carrying out specified functions on our behalf. As a member of another democratically-elected assembly based on the system of representative democracy under the Constitution, it would be dishonest on my part to pretend that matters should be otherwise.” Deputy Dukes adds that he believes Athy does need a by-pass, and that when and if this happens, the town needs a second bridge across the river and the canal. “The absence of such a second bridge is one of the main obstacles to the development of the town,” he says.

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'Absentee landlords' rapped for poor maintenance LEIXLIP, 29 May 1999: by Brian Byrne. The current registration system for landlords of rented accommodation which deals with the fitness for habitation of a property only ‘picks up a tiny minority’ of rented properties and needs to be replaced, according to Labour councillor Catherine Murphy, who this weekend hit out at absentee landlords for ‘freeloading’ on residents associations. “The registration system in 1998 only had 545 properties on its books, a fraction of the rented properties in Kildare,” she said, noting that a specially-commissioned document for the Labour Party describes the system as ‘minimalist’. “It is discredited and should be abandoned. Many landlords are only interested in collecting the rent with little or no effort made to keep grass cut, or the front of the house maintained. Residents associations simply don’t get fees from rented houses and the general area is maintained with landlords’ freeloading.” She says her party recommends the introduction of a licensing system under which properties would have to be registered and pass fire and safety inspections. Landlords would have to show tax clearance certificates and demonstrate evidence of good practice in terms of letting agreements. In her view, any new system must also address the issue of adequate maintenance of the exterior. “A change of attitude is needed by these absentee landlords in relation to contributing to the upkeep of the housing estate, all of the maintenance of which is carried out by the residents themselves in the absence in Kildare of a Council Parks Department. With an increasing number of rented houses in the area it is essential this issue is addressed.”

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Listen to a weekly roundup of Irish views and stories presented by Brian Byrne and Trish Whelan which is broadcast from Vancouver on the Celtic Voices programme carried by Canada's largest independent radio network, Fairchild. You can stream it at 28k or 56k, or download to listen to later. Changed every Sunday.

Housing estates to be taken in charge KILDARE GENERAL, 29 May 1999: by Trish Whelan. Kildare County Council is to take in charge the roads, footpaths, public lights, open spaces, watermains, surface water sewers and foul sewers in a number of housing estates within the county. These include Kingsbry, Rockfield and Newtown Court in Maynooth; River Lawns, Kill; Fernside (Morristownbiller), Pinewood Close, Seven Springs, in Newbridge; the distributor road from Vanessa Lawns to Castle Village, Celbridge (road, footpath, verges and public lights); Ashgrove, Willowbrook Lawns, Vanessa Lawns, Beatty Park, Beatty Grove; Kiladoon Park all in Celbridge; Butterstream and Hillview, Phase 1 in Clane; Dun Carraig in Leixlip; Eyrefield Lawns, Athgarvan; Dara Park, Kildare; Woodview, Monasterevin. Senior executive engineer Tom Cuddy said there are no outstanding works of any significance in the estates and he recommended that maps be put on display for the statutory period at the Planning Counter in council headquarters at St. Mary’s in Naas, and where possible, at libraries closest to the housing estates. Cllr Senan Griffin of Maynooth has welcomed the decision, but says there is more to be done in this area. “I wish to particularly welcome the fact that ten of the estates are in North Kildare. However, a number of the older estates are also in need of taking in charge, such as Leinster Park, Doctor’s Lane, Moyglare Village and Moyglare Meadows. I expect that, with the same enthusiasm shown by Tom Cuddy, these older estates can be prepared for handing over, in order to be taken in charge by the Council.” The taking in charge is recognising that the estates are completed to the Council’s satisfaction according to Cllr Catherine Murphy. However, she has warned that expectations for maintenance of these estates by the Council will not be realised unless Kildare County Council establishes a Parks Department and increases the level of staffing for general maintenance.

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Speed problems in Newbridge NEWBRIDGE, 29 May 1999: by Brian Byrne. Newbridge must be looked at as a 'closed system' in terms of traffic management, Cmmr Colm Feeney said at the recent meeting of the town commission, during a discussion on speeding through certain parts of the town. "We have to look seriously at controls on all estates and on all approach roads," he said after the matter of speeding had been raised particularly on Station Road. Cllr Spike Nolan said that traffic calming measures had been needed much longer on College Park, but nothing had been done during all the time he had been raising the issue. And he said that he 'wouldn't run' in the coming election if the Station Road was dealt with before College Park. He then raised the matter of the cost of traffic calming measures, suggesting that they go to Rathcurragh to look at what they had done there 'with a few bricks' "They work, and don't tell me that they cost £5,000 apiece," he argued. Cllr John O'Neill expressed the frustration of the commissioners when he said that 'everything that has been raised here tonight has been raised time out of number over the years'.

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				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.)
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Tom Dowling's KNN Racing Commentary There’s no shortage of racing at home this week and Wednesday is the only day we’ll have to ‘go without’ as it were, with Ballinrobe, Laytown and Tipperary keeping our weekdays interesting. More

IDA raps councillors for use of its name in rezoning discussions NAAS, 27 May 1999: by Brian Byrne. Local representatives have no mandate from IDA Ireland to use the agency in support of any rezoning proposals or in election material, the IDA’s Eastern Region manager Michael Mullally said yesterday. He was responding to claims made during last Monday’s consideration of the Kildare County Development Plan that the IDA believed the Weld land at Piper’s Hill was ‘potentially one of the best industrial sites in the country’ and was supporting the rezoning. That remark was made by Cllr Timmy Conway(pictured right). who vigorously proposed the rezoning for industry of the 200-plus acres of agricultural land, and he was backed up by Cllr Paddy Power who said that the rezoning ‘was supported by the IDA’ and that ‘industrialists are interested in it ...’. Despite strong objections from both county planner Philip Jones and county engineer Jimmy Lynch, the area was rezoned by a vote of 11-4, with Cllr Tony Lawlor abstaining. “In the same way that we would view any such proposed development, we looked at the site some time ago at the invitation of the promoters,” Mr Mullaly said, “But we would never give our permission to use our name to support rezonings, and it would be up to the promoters to get their development in place before we would think of bringing clients to see it.” More than 800 objections were received by Kildare County Council about the Weld land proposals, and Philip Jones strongly advised the councillors prior to the passing of the rezoning that they ‘should accede to these abjections’. Cllr Conway used the same IDA comment in a full-page political campaign advertisement in this week’s Leinster Leader. 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

A special race in aid of the Children’s Medical Research Centre at Crumlin Hospital will take place on Saturday, 29 May. The organisers are asking for support. Further information from 401665 or 401234.

Kildare's County Development Plan has been adopted COUNTY HALL, 27 May 1999: by Trish Whelan. Kildare County Council has voted to adopt its sometimes controversial County Development Plan by a majority decision of 15-1. The plan excludes individual plans for towns and villages within the county but maps how Kildare will face into the new Millennium. Its adoption was proposed by FF Cllr Liam Doyle and was seconded by FG Cllr Spike Nolan. The only voice against was that of Lab Cllr John McGinley. Cllr Catherine Murphy said she would abstain from voting and Senator John Dardis had previously stated that he had a material interest in the outcome of the plan and would not therefore be taking part in the vote. Prior to the vote, members were advised by the council’s solicitors that claims by the Kildare Planning Alliance that the amended draft county plan had not been on display according to the statutory requirements of the Planning Acts, and that it was defective on a number of counts, ‘do not constitute reasonable grounds by which the plan would be struck down in the event of the Planning Alliance instituting judicial review proceedings in the High Court’. Senior planner Philip Jones had confirmed that he inspected the draft plan (which was on display at the council’s Offices) on Monday March 29 and confirmed that it was the corrected draft). The council’s solicitors said they were satisfied that the contents of the Draft ‘as amended was in accordance with the decisions reached by members of the council and set out accurately and reflected correctly the planning decisions reached by members of the council in the course of the foregoing meetings’. Solicitors for the Alliance had called upon the county manager to confirm that the Council would not be proceeding with its adoption.

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'Incredibly dangerous' road for pedestrians NEWBRIDGE, 27 May 1999: by Brian Byrne. The danger to pedestrians and motorists on the road at Kilbelin between Newbridge and the town's graveyard has again been highlighted by a number of local representatives for the area. Kildare County Council has been asked to urgently address the situation. Senator John Dardis raised the issue at several recent meetings of the council, saying that at the very least people going to the cemetery should have the facility of a footpath. Several of Newbridge's town commissioners have also commented on the situation, including Joe Kearns, Colm Feeney, Spike Nolan, Ray O'Brien and Fiona O'Loughlin. Cllr Nolan said people were in real danger of 'ending up in the cemetery instead of just visiting it', while Cmmr Ray O'Brien highlighted the fact that developers who had done an excellent job on housing estates at Kilbelin had paid their levies, but the facilities they had paid for had not been put in place by the council. "The council has a huge responsibility in terms of footpaths and lighting," he said. "They may say that they have no funds to do the work, but the fact remains that the levies have been paid." Cmmr Colm Feeney added that proper lighting on the approaches to estates which had been properly finished by the developers should have been put in place before now. "I can't understand why money that has been raised by development levies is not being spent in the area where it has been raised," he said. The 'incredibly dangerous' conditions for pedestrians, particularly young mothers with toddlers and older people, were raised by Cmmr O'Loughlin. "They literally have to stand in the ditch upon encountering traffic," she said, adding that there's also a serious need for a roundabout or traffic lights at the junction of the Kilcullen Road and the ring road around Newbridge.

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First Steps workshops planned MAYNOOTH, 27 May 1999: Maynooth Action Strategy is to host a series of workshops during the month of June to give the people of Maynooth an opportunity to express their views on any aspect of the recently-launched First Steps strategy document. Topics will be grouped into separate sections dealing with Employment and Business, Town Infrastructure, Leisure /Sport/Community and Tourism. A number of the returned First Steps questionnaires expressed an interest in attending an overall briefing session and this will be incorporated in the first event on June 3rd. "People are concerned about the development and future of the town,” a spokesman for MAS said. “More and more they see that they as individuals have a say in the shape and nature of that development. It’s a healthy sign that they are looking at what positive changes they can influence or bring about as much as looking at how to overcome the threats or problems."

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'Potential legal challenges' to Naas development plan are highlighted NAAS, 26 May 1999: by Brian Byrne. A Naas UDC councillor who is retiring from office has put the solicitors for the council on notice that she believes an attempt to ratify the UDC Development Plan next Saturday is 'legally flawed'. Independent councillor Teresa Scanlon has outlined a number of 'potential legal challenges' to the plan. They include a breach of the Planning Act by the failure of one councillor to withdraw from a meeting after he had declared an interest in a particular project under discussion; the involvement of the Flood Tribunal in allegations of bribery made by a councillor; and a suggestion that oral representations from 'one particular group' took place after the time had passed for entertaining oral representations. "When legal and other doubts have been raised about the plan, it would seem rash that the council proposes to push through the plan on next Saturday ... just 12 days before the election of a new council," Cllr Scanlon says. Cllr Scanlon has also notified the position to the minister for the environment, Noel Dempsey TD; the Kildare county manager, Niall Bradley; Naas town manager Terry O Niadh and the town clerk, Declan Kirrane. 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

 

Candidates all confirmed to run KILDARE GENERAL, 26 May 1999: by Brian Byrne. There will be 62 candidates chasing seats in the next Kildare County Council on polling day, June 11. Of these, 17 are Fianna Fail, 12 each for Fine Gael and Labour, four Green Party, two Progressive Democrats, one Sinn Fein and 14 independent or non-party. Fifteen of the candidates are women, and the occupations of all contenders range from 'public representative' through farmers, teachers, a journalist, a fitter, nurses, a psychotherapist, community workers, technicians, sales agents and a TD, to businessmen and a sheep farmer. Perhaps the most unusual descriptions are a butcher/writer, a cemetery caretaker, and a candidate who describes himself humbly as 'Assistant to the Minister for Finance'. They are contesting six electoral areas (not including Athy and Newbridge UDCs and Naas and Leixlip Town Commissions). The areas and contenders are as follows: ATHY: Vincent Corcoran, Castledermot, FF; Mark Dalton, Athy, FF; Rainsford Hendy, Timolin, FG; John Lynch, Cloney, FG; Martin Miley, Fontstown, FF; Mags O'Brien, Castledermot, LAB; Paddy Wright, Athy, SF. CLANE: Seamus Davey, Kilcock, FF; Michael Fitzpatrick, Allenwood, FF; Bernie Holton, Enfield, NP; Tony McEvoy, Clane, NP; Joan Mooney, Robertstown, LAB; Rose Murphy, Kilcock, LAB; John Nealon, Donadea, NP; Jim Reilly, Carbury, FG; P J Sheridan, Clane, FF; Garry Stynes, Enfield, LAB; Brendan Weld, Donadea, FG. CELBRIDGE: Gay Boylan, Celbridge, FF; Mairead Byrne, Celbridge; Mark Clinton, Celbridge, FG; Geraldine Conway, Straffan, FF; Brian Mullarkey, Celbridge, FG; Marie Percival, Celbridge, GR; Emmet Stagg, Straffan, LAB; Kathleen Walsh, Celbridge, NP. KILDARE: Murty Aspell, Newbridge, NP; Francis Browne, Nurney, NP; Breda Connolly, Monasterevan, FF; John Dardis, Newbridge, PD; Fionnuala Dukes, Kildare Town, FG; Tom Ennis, Newbridge, LAB; Seamus Finn, Newbridge, NP; Allan Foxe, Monasterevan, FG; Jim Keane, Curragh, LAB; Michael 'Spike' Nolan, Newbridge, FG; Sean O Fearghaill, Kildare, FF; Fiona O'Loughlin, Newbridge, FF; John O'Neill, Newbridge, FF; Percy Podger, Frenchfurze; Henry Price, Rathangan. LEIXLIP: Leo Armstrong, Maynooth, GR; Laura Canning, Maynooth, FF; Senan Griffin, Maynooth, FG; Paul Kelly, Leixlip, FF; John McGinley, Maynooth, LAB; Catherine Murphy, Leixlip, LAB; Colm Purcell, Leixlip, LAB. NAAS: Louise Burchall, Naas, GR; Willie Callaghan, Naas, FF; Timmy Conway, Naas, PD; Anthony Egan, Naas; Mary Glennon, Naas; Billy Hillis, Brannockstown, FG; Liam Kelly, Kill, FF; Anthony Lawlor, Kill, NP; Paddy MacNamara, Sallins, LAB; Seamie Moore, Naas, NP; Pat O'Reilly, Naas, FG; J J Power, Caragh, GR; Sean Power, Caragh, FF.

CHAPMANS OF KILDARE Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here. The Naas twinning trip to Dillingen - full stories are here The most delicious of gifts from our finest Irish chocolates range are selling around the world from here.

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Minister congratulates KNN MAYNOOTH, 26 May 1999: The minister for science, technology and commerce, Noel Treacy TD, has congratulated KildareNet News for being ‘at the leading edge’ of news provision and for keeping Kildare to the forefront ‘locally and globally’. He was speaking during the recent launch of two Kildare County Enterprise Board initiatives in Maynooth. Noting that Ireland in general and Kildare in particular was a high-tech location for world-class knowledge-based businesses, and that the country was the largest exporter of software outside the US, he said it was good to see local enterprise going after the opportunities being provided by modern systems such as the Internet. The minister is pictured here with KNN’s Brian Byrne and Trish Whelan.

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

 

Donadea forest area gets zoning protection DONADEA, 26 May 1999: by Trish Whelan. All lands inside the walls of Donadea Forest Park are to be zoned as areas of high amenity following a decision of Kildare County Council. Members had sought clarification following a submission to the county development plan by local landowner Peter Cunningham relating to the high amenity area of the forest. Some of his land is designated as part of that high amenity area, senior planner Philip Jones told councillors. Mr Cunningham was concerned that his area should not be included in the area of high amenity, but Mr Jones recommended that it should be. There was some confusion as to the exact location of Mr Cunnigham’ lands and this was clarified later in the day with the information that 6 acres of his land is indeed within the Forest Park walls. “I feel it is reasonable to include that land in the area of high amenity given that Mr. Cunningham has other lands for his family and has planning permission to build other houses,” Mr. Jones advised.

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Councillors rezone for industrial park against expert advice PIPER'S HILL & COUNTY HALL, 25 May 1999: by Trish Whelan. Kildare County Council yesterday voted to rezone land at Kilashee outside Naas for a huge industrial park against the advice of senior planner Philip Jones and county engineer Jimmy Lynch. The promoters say the park could provide up to 10,000 jobs. Philip Jones said there was ‘no justifiable reason’ why these lands should be zoned as there was ‘more than sufficient’ land now rezoned for industrial use at Newhall, and in that area, as well as in Ladytown, (with land zoned by Naas UDC), ‘that could conceivably be needed in the life time of the development plan’. Jimmy Lynch warned the impact of the development on the traffic in Naas would be ‘so significant that it would be a prerequisite of any requirement that the ring road portion from the Kilcullen Road to the Newbridge Road, be built’. PD councillor Timmy Conway said he could not understand why Naas UDC had voted against the proposal. He said the IDA and its regional manager had said this was ‘the best site in Ireland’ and had stated they would not bring potential industrialists to land that is not zoned. FF councillor Paddy Power asked ‘could it be possible that Naas UDC are only interested in zoning land INSIDE their own area for commercial rates benefit?” A letter from landowner Dermot Weld was read out which stated he would honour his undertaking to fund the link road to the Newbridge Road but independent councillor Anthony Lawlor asked who would be responsible for its development - Naas UDC or Kildare County Council? “If it’s Naas UDC how can Mr Weld’s legal agreement be upheld outside the jurisdiction of KCC?” he asked. Philip Jones pointed out the letter was from the current owner but once the land was zoned it could be sold the next day to someone who would not be bound to such an undertaking. He did not doubt that Mr Weld was a man of his word but said ‘somebody else might not be so honourable’. He added that to take traffic from the development would involve the widening of the Kilcullen Road and a dual carriageway which would involve land acquisition, but under the Naas Development Plan all that is proposed is a single carriageway road. A proposal to rezone the land by Cllr Timmy Conway, seconded by Cllr Paddy Power, was passed with Cllr Tony Lawlor abstaining because he said the matter would be better served through a material contravention which would bring tighter control of what goes into the site. Labour councillors and J J Power voted against, while Senator John Dardis declared a vested interest in land two years ago and said he would not be voting on any rezoning proposals. 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.

 

Threatened play facilities could get insurance help from UDC NAAS, 25 May 1999: by Brian Byrne. Naas UDC is to ‘look at the possibility’ of covering the insurance on the Kingsfurze playground which is under threat because of a premium demand which the residents can’t afford (see our story last week: ‘Swings killed by insurance’). Town clerk Declan Kirrane said the playing facility would have to be up to a standard required under an EU draft directive. He made the commitment to look at the issue last night at a meeting called by a proposed umbrella group for Naas residents associations, during which presentations were made by the organisers, as well as Mr Kirrane and J F Dunne Insurance. According to Kingsfurze resident John A Kavanagh, some of the details given about insurance cover were ‘eye-openers’. “The demands the insurance companies can place on the running of events can make them impractical. For example, cover on a bouncy castle costs £77 per day ... and no more than two children can use it at a time!” A steering group was set up to examine further the possibility of a formal umbrella group for the residents’ associations. The aims include being an information resource centre for existing organisations for groups of residents who might be thinking of starting one.

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Call for equality in home help pay rates NEWBRIDGE, 25 May 1999: by Brian Byrne. Some 385 ‘home help’ employees in South Kildare are being paid the lowest rate in the country for their services - £3/hr and no travel allowance - which is an inequitable situation that makes them feel undervalued, according to FF candidate for Newbridge Town Commission Fiona O’Loughlin, who is also running for a seat on Kildare County Council. “This EHB rate compares very unfavourably with the £8/hr and 75p/mile travel allowance paid by the Mid-Western Health Board. It is time that the Government and health boards showed in a practical way their appreciation for a service that gives wonderful care to our elderly and means a huge level of public savings to hospitals, nursing homes, housing and social welfare, by standardising rates.” She also called for training schemes in the EHB area and noted that such employees in the region have no extra allowance for weekend work, and no paid holidays, sick pay or pension schemes. “I want the government and the boards to commit themselves to developing and improving the home help service as a hey service in supporting dependent people in their own homes.

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

A special race in aid of the Children’s Medical Research Centre at Crumlin Hospital will take place on Saturday, 29 May. The organisers are asking for support. Further information from 401665 or 401234.

Moat 'a facility undreamed of' NAAS, 25 May 1999: Dear Editor, The Labour party are against all industry in Naas. They want Naas to go back into the 50s and remain there. They are attacking us on the grant to the Moat Club. This grant will ensure a facility only dreamed of in Naas. Is it possible [Pat McCarthy] is against this grant as well? The Labour Party have been roaring for facilities and as soon as the Council do something a large photograph of Pat McCarthy appears condemning us. As far as I am concerned the Council will stick to their decision to give the Moat Club in excess of £200,000 towards their extraordinary development, and let the Labour Party vote against this, as I am sure they will. Timmy Conway ED's Note: This letter relates to an article below where UDC Labour candidate Pat McCarthy suggests that no official decision was made by Naas UDC members to grant a specific figure of £200,000 to the Moat Club. Cllr Conway is a PD member of the UDC seeking to retain his seat.

 

Narraghamore Pipe Band now European champs! NARRAGHMORE, 25 May 1999: by Brian Byrne. The Lord Edward’s Own Narraghmore Pipe Band have won the European Championships held in Ayr, Scotland, last weekend. It’s the greatest achievement in their 83-year-old history. At the beginning of the month they came first in their grade at the Malahide Festival of Piping & Drumming last weekend, getting a good start to the competition season. The band will be competing in the All Ireland Championships in Newcastle, County Down in July. The World Championships in Glasgow and the Ulster Championships will keep them busy in August, along with the Duchas Chill Dara Festival in Kildare. In October the band will travel to Cornwall for the Lowender Peran Celtic Festival.. For further information, email mdassociates@tinet.ie

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Long service Civil Defence Kildare volunteers are honoured NEWBRIDGE & KILDARE GENERAL, 24 May 1999: by Brian Byrne. The Civil Defence service is a very important part of the local authority system and can play a key role with the emergency services in the event of a major emergency, Kildare county manager Niall Bradley said yesterday during the presentation of long-service medals to Kildare members of the organisation. He’s pictured above (centre) with Kildare chief fire officer Michael Fitzsimons and commandant Larry Coughlan of the Civil Defence. “In addition to this, the role of the service has expanded in the community and it is regularly called on to provide vital services such as welfare and catering,” Mr Bradley said. “By virtue of the fact that it is a voluntary organisation, its people are highly motivated and doing the work because they want to.” He also noted that working in the Civil Defence helps in self-development. “We’re building future leaders in our community, wherever they may go later.” Some 149 recipients were honoured at yesterday’s ceremony in Keadeen Hotel, the first of its kind in Ireland. The medals were initiated as a recognition by the state of the ‘unselfish and voluntary contribution’ of Civil Defence volunteers since the organisation was founded 50 years ago. Among those selected to get theirs direct from the minister of state for defence, Seamus Brennan TD, at a recent ceremony in Dublin, was Frank McKeon of Celbridge (above right). The volunteers honoured were from all parts of the county, including Carbury, Newbridge, Allen, Castledermot, Monasterevin, Rathangan, Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, Newbridge and Naas. They included (left) George Hipwell of Rathangan, who joined the service as a warden in the early 50s, and who handed over the role to his son, also George. “Our members come from all backgrounds - teachers, farmers, you name it and we have them,” commandant Larry Coughlan said, noting that around half of the 300-plus members turn out regularly for duty at a variety of events ranging from horse shows to festivals. “And when we have to help in matters like searches for missing people, all the others come out in force. We help in the search coordination, carry out command and control work with radio and phones, and provide local knowledge and organisation.” County chief fire officer Michael Fitzsimons commended the work of the Civil Defence as a ‘second line’ which - during long stints of duty such as bog fires - provides major help in welfare and catering needs and ‘spelling’ fire service personnel in vital areas such as water pumping. “The organisation is also getting up to speed on the most specialised of rescue techniques, and this also is a major help,” he added. Other speakers included the chairman of Kildare County Council, Jim Reilly; chief superintendent Sean Feeley and retired Civil Defence officer Roger O'Shea. Pictured above at the presentation event are Yvonne Walsh-McGivern and Deirdre Anderson from Leixlip and below Brendan Moran, Agnes Moran, Derry Ellis, Rachel Cahill and Teresa Ellis, also from Leixlip. 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. 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.

 

Foothpath suggestion to deal with 'death trap' NAAS, 24 May 1999: by Trish Whelan. A Naas urban councillor is to ask the UDC to look for a 60-metre strip of land from developer Pat Fadden alongside the Caragh Road, to provide a temporary footpath between Caragh Court estate and the canal bridge, so that pedestrians can get safely to the town. Cllr Willie Callaghan says both he and the Caragh Court residents feel ‘frustrated’ at inaction by Kildare County Council on the provision of a proper footpath for the road, which they say is a death trap. “Five months ago our council was told that the county council’s engineering department would do a costing and produce a plan for the proper footpath, but still nothing has happened,” says Cllr Callaghan, who is also running as a Fianna Fail candidate for the county council in the coming elections. “I am very disappointed with the county council, which seems to do very little for the people of Naas.” He told KNN that residents from the older part of Caragh Court had come to him with the idea of getting a strip of land between the road and the development, land which has already been fenced off from the estate by the owner. “It’s a small request from people who have been waiting a long time for a footpath and I think it could be done at very low cost. And it would mean that children could walk safely from their homes without having to go near the road at all until they come to the bridge.”

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'Speed up' Maynooth health centre development MAYNOOTH, 24 May 1999: by Brian Byrne. A call for the development of a 50-bed unit attached to the Health Centre at Maynooth to be expedited has been made by FG councillor Senan Griffin, who says the facility is ‘progressing slowly’. He has asked the Eastern Health Board and the Department of Health to speed up matters. “It is a welcome and much-needed development,” he said of the facility, which will be located at the Harbour, “but I would also like the EHB to include in their plans a minimum of 6/8 palliative care beds which could accommodate both adults and children. A respite and palliative care unit is urgently needed in the North Kildare area, particularly in Maynooth. This could include the catchment areas of Leixlip, Celbridge and Kilcock, and the provision of such a unit would alleviate hardship and suffering to those caring for aged parents, cancer patients and those nearing the end of their lives who are deserving of top quality care.”

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

 

UDC cathaoirleach challenged to show proof of Moat grant amount NAAS, 23 May 1999: by Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne. The cathaoirleach of Naas UDC has been called on to show proof of a decision by the council to provide £200,000 to the Moat Club, amid claims that no such decision has been made. Cllr Paddy Behan said at the recent launch of the fundraising programme for a new theatre at the Moat that he was ‘reaffirming’ a £200,000 grant to the project, as an indication of the longtime cooperation between the club and the UDC. But Labour candidate for the council Pat McCarthy (pictured above) says it is his understanding that while members agreed in principle to help the club’s project, no decision on any amount was made. “Cllr Behan is giving out the same £200,000 figure on his canvass, but unless such a decision has been made, he has no right to do so,” he says. “If it WAS decided, I want to see the minutes recording it.” However, KNN has been informed by two other councillors that no decision on the value of the grant has been made at any public meeting of the council. Money for helping organisations such as the Moat Club will come from a portion which will accrue to the UDC of the proceeds of the sale of Devoy Barracks for housing development and new public offices for the UDC and Kildare County Council. At a recent meeting the matter of such grants was discussed in relation to an application from a sports club, but town manager Terry O Niadh told members that the incoming council should prepare a five-year programme of grant-aiding rather than be dealing with any one application in isolation. 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.

 

Rural post offices 'at risk' from EU directive - commissioner LEIXLIP, 23 May 1999: by Brian Byrne. The danger to the existence of rural post offices if An Post loses the contract to deliver social welfare payments is to be highlighted by Leixlip FF town commissioner Paul Kelly, who says the issue can’t be regarded solely in economic terms. The payments are currently administered by 1,911 post offices throughout the country, but under an EU Directive the State must put the provision of the payments out to tender. “An Post can, of course, apply for the contract but if it is unsuccessful it could mean the closure of many rural post offices,” he said this weekend. "Post offices, particularly in rural areas, are a social necessity. They are the collection point of the main source of income for many people and should be within easy access. I accept that there could be savings in the cost of delivery of Social Welfare payments if it was open to competition and other agencies brought in, but I feel strongly that this social service should be retained by the post offices and I suggest that ways be examined to make the cost of delivery cheaper." He suggested that technological advances and computerisation provide scope for reducing costs, but that there are some services so important that the social aspect of them should be viewed with equal importance as the economic aspect. “The delivery of services at local level, particularly through post offices, is a perfect example and I will be asking the government to consider this very seriously before it makes any decision.”

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

YOU COULD BE GETTING YOUR MESSAGE ACROSS HERE TO A SOPHISTICATED (AND RAPIDLY GROWING) KILDARE AUDIENCE AT HOME AND ABROAD Email us at KNN for full details, or phone 045 481090

Narraghamore Pipe Band starts season well NARRAGHMORE, 23 May 1999: by Brian Byrne. The Lord Edward’s Own Narraghmore Pipe Band came first in their grade at the Malahide Festival of Piping & Drumming last weekend, getting a good start to the competition season. Later this month the band will be competing in the European Championships in Ayr, and in the All Ireland Championships in Newcastle, County Down in July. The World Championships in Glasgow and the Ulster Championships will keep them busy in August, along with the Duchas Chill Dara Festival in Kildare. In October the band will travel to Cornwall for the Lowender Peran Celtic Festival. The band’s first engagement this season was at the Bealtaine Festival in Newbridge at the beginning of this month. They will play regularly at a wide range of social and cultural events through the summer. For further information, email mdassociates@tinet.ie

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CORRESPONDENTS WANTED Due to service expansion, KNN requires community correspondents in the following areas: Athy, Monasterevin, Rathangan, Kilcock, Maynooth, Leixlip, Clane and Ballymore. Email us at KNN , or phone 045 481090; fax 481091.

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COMMUNITY NOTICES 13-16 YEAR OLDS - WANT TO BECOME A LIFEGUARD? - If so, go along to Naas Swimming Pool on Saturdays from 7-8pm (6 weeks - £10). Boys and girls, no previous experience necessary. Kildare Water Safety. LEARN TO DANCE - Take to the floor every Friday evening in the CBS Secondary School Naas. Salsa 7pm; Jive and Rock and Roll 8pm; Ballroom 9pm. Further details from Kieran & Breda Kelly at 866083. KILDARE SUICIDE BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP - KSBSG is a team of people who have been specifically trained to help those who have been bereaved by suicide or by tragic sudden death. It is a non-denominational service. A rota of trained facilitators are available to conduct group or one-to-one sessions at the Parish Centre in Ballycane (tel. 895629) every Thursday evening from 8pm. Alternatively, an appointment may be made in confidence by contacting tel. 086-8554852. UDC SKIPS IN 1999 - Naas Urban District Council will provide skips to Housing Estates to assist with their estate maintenance/management during this year. Applications will be considered on a first come first served basis and should be made by Residents Associations in writing to the Town Clerk's Office, Naas UDC, Town Hall, Naas. There will be a limit of one skip per estate at present but an extension of the scheme may be announced later.

 

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