Special council meeting on traveller invasions KILDARE GENERAL, 6 October 2000: 6.30pm by Brian Byrne. A special meeting to discuss damage caused by traveller invasions is to be held on Monday by Kildare County Council. Three motions will be debated as part of the discussion. One submitted by Cllr Sean O Fearghaill (left) asks that Kildare County Council, as a matter of policy, pursue through the courts the recovery of any damages arising from the illegal parking of transient travellers in County Kildare. Deputy Emmet Stagg is calling on the council, in cooperation with the other local authorities in the county, with the gardai and the Revenue Commissioners, and with Customs & Excise, to form a task force to respond effectively with ‘marauding lawless people’ who invaded the county during the summer, causing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage to public and private property. Cllr Tony Lawlor is asking the council to write to the relevant minister to seek a change in the current law with regard to the illegal occupation of private and public lands by groups of travellers. Chief Superintendent Sean Feely will be in attendance at the meeting, which begins at 10am. Meanwhile, Iarnrod Eireann is going to the High Court on Tuesday to begin proceedings against a group of travellers who have illegally camped at Newbridge Railway Station (see story below).

Travellers invade station car park - for second time NEWBRIDGE, 6 October 2000: 12.30am by Brian Byrne. A number of travelling families have occupied part of the car park at Newbridge Station, the second time there’s been such an incursion within a year (January one pictured above). KNN understands that some eight caravans are now located on the property, and there are fears that the situation will get worse. “These are likely to be a vanguard for the kind of mass invasions we’ve been getting all too often in County Kildare, and in Newbridge specifically,” says Cmmr Pat Black, who says he is outraged at how communities like Naas and Newbridge are being ‘held to ransom’ by people who have no consideration for regulation or ordinary people. “There was a time when these people were romanticised by songs and story ... now they’re shown for what they are: unhelpful, uncaring, and prepared to thumb their noses at a society which seems not to have any defence against blatant lawlessness,” he said this morning. “More than that, they’re injuring the case of their own people in our county who are trying to settle and are prepared to go through the procedures to do so.” Another recent incursion in the Newbridge area still remains unresolved - travellers who occupied the car park at Newbridge Graveyard some weeks ago (below) are sitting out the expensive and lengthy legal procedures taken by Kildare County Council to move them on. “Not alone have they no respect for the rest of us, but they’ve no respect for those wishing to visit graves of their loved ones,” Cmmr Black said. “The organisations who campaign for the rights of travellers are very silent these days, and I’d like them to say why.”

Minister gone 'a bridge too far' in Maynooth MAYNOOTH, 6 October 2000: 11.30am by Brian Byrne. Deputy Emmet Stagg has strongly criticised the minister for the arts, heritage, gaeltacht and the islands. Sile De Valera TD (right) for what he called her ‘late intervention’ in the reconstruction plans for Bond Bridge in Maynooth. In a Dail Question, deputy Stagg asked why minister De Valera’s department was holding up the project, which was aimed at alleviating serious danger to motorists and pedestrians. The work had been agreed by Kildare County Council last March. But this month, the minister’s office said it couldn’t go ahead until details regarding heritage aspects of the bridge had been resubmitted. In her reply, the minister denied that she was holding it up and that while Kildare County Council had approved the scheme, they did subsequently accept that the heritage considerations had to receive further attention. “My department subsequently received a revised scheme from the council on September 25,” she said. “Although it is a much-improved proposal, which retains substantial amounts of the heritage fabric, my department has since communicated with Kildare County Council suggesting further improvements which will meet the heritage requirements and allow the realignment to take place.” Deputy Stagg said afterwards that at no stage during the public display period last February did the minister’s department raise any objection. “Now that we are about to seek tenders, the department has threatened Kildare County Council with injunctions if they proceed.” He said the proposal by his colleague Cllr John McGinley, which was agreed last March and which said the old stone work would be used in the new bridge, was as far as the council could go to satisfy Duchas. Meanwhile, Cllr McGinley has also criticised what he calls the ‘undemocratic action’ of Duchas in holding up the process. He said he had only become aware three weeks ago that Duchas wanted the old bridge left in place. “This action was taken well after the public consultation period had taken place,” he noted. “Duchas should not be treated any different to members of the public and as their complaint was received after the statutory display period had ended, it should not be entertained.” Council engineers and consultants had advised the council two years ago that the old bridge could not be kept, as the new one had to occupy the same space.

Landfill site to host Open Day KILCULLEN, 6 October 2000: 9.30am by Brian Byrne. An Open Day at the KTK landfill site in Brownstown, Kilcullen, is aimed at giving full information on the activities of the first fully-licenced private sector landfill in the country. The event is planned for October 21 and will run for the morning between 10am-12pm. It will include presentations on site construction and operation as well as the official launch of the company’s web site. The landfill is operated to highest EU standards, and with Phase II of the development complete, those interested will be shown details of the multiple liner systems which contain the landfill. Further information from Mark Heesom at 045 482600 or email.

Need for 'no dumping' sign to be considered CURRAGH, 6 October 2000: 8.30am by Brian Byrne. The Department of Defence is to consider whether putting up a ‘no dumping’ sign at a disused gravel pit behind Donnelly’s Hollow is necessary, but will not allow anyone else to do so. The request for the sign was made earlier this week by local farmer Tom Snell (left), who found that builder’s rubble had been left at the site over the weekend. Mr Snell is one of a group of local protestors against the dumping of topsoil there by the Department of Defence itself. “If we feel there is a need for such a sign, we’ll put one up,” a department spokesman told KNN yesterday. “But we can’t allow other people to put up signs, which would be a form of littering in their own way.” Tom Snell was given a ‘no dumping sign’ on Monday by Kildare County Council, but was prevented from erecting it by the Curragh authorities. “The Curragh is not under our jurisdiction,” a council spokesman also said yesterday. “We can’t erect such a sign ourselves, but we’re delighted to try and help a local community that wants to take its own action against littering and unlawful dumping.”

Details of new park outlined LEIXLIP, 6 October 2000: by Catherine Murphy. Participants at a special meeting in Leixlip to discuss the progress of St Catherine’s Park (above) were told that football pitches were to be developed where land was suitable, a nature conservation area would be created along the river, car parks would be provided at the Lucan entrance near the pitches and at the top of the Black Avenue also near pitches, the old farm buildings would be converted for use as an arts & crafts and interpretative centre and the remainder would be developed for passive recreation. Among those attending were local area councillors and representatives of Glendale Meadows Residents Association. A master plan of the proposed park was revealed by Dr Christy Boylan (right) of South Dublin County Council’s Parks Department. The Glendale Meadows deputation asked that a particular triangle of land be incorporated into the park and the existing ditch at that location be removed as it was currently a hiding place for ‘undesirable activity’. Dr Boylan advised against the removal of the ditch on the basis that it wouldn't solve the social problem and he said it could be improved by pruning. Dr Boylan said the foundation for the paths had been laid and surfacing would take place by the end of the month along with seeding of the three soccer and one Gaelic football pitches and the grass running track. Tree planting and installation of the boundary fence would follow that. He said the decision on where to locate the pavilion (either in the car park or in the old farm buildings) was one for Kildare and Fingal County Councils. In reply to a question from Cllr Senan Griffin (left) he said there would be four avenues of trees planted flanking the footpaths and several areas of group planting incorporating tall, small, evergreen and deciduous trees. Dr Boylan said he was recommending a railing of around 6' alongside the hedgerow on the Glendale side. The residents expressed strong opposition to this on the basis that it was too low and they asked for an 8' railing. Dr Boylan said the vegetation would grow through the fence and make it impenetrable. The residents also asked for the continuation of the boundary fence along the rear of the houses which bordered the park. Dr Boylan said it was not normally Council practice to provide fencing along private property and that this would be a matter for Kildare County Council to decide. Assistant county manager Tommy Skehan said he was willing to obtain a costing on a fence of about 8' in height and a costing on extending the fence along the area of the residents' concern. The residents asked that the fence be curved outwards at the top to make it difficult to climb over and this was agreed. They also agreed with Dr Boylan's proposal for an anti-cycle pedestrian gate to be installed alongside the vehicular gate. Another area of concern for the residents was that of the proposed footbridge over the canal onto the Confey road. Dr Boylan said the purpose of the bridge was to provide access to the canal from the park without having to go through the housing estates. The residents were against the bridge for safety reasons and asked whether the money for the bridge could be reallocated to provide an all-weather pitch. Dr Boylan advised against such a facility on the basis that there would be noise and light interference for residents and he added that Duchas might not allow the reallocation of money to such a project. Bye-laws will provide for opening and closing hours but it will be difficult to prevent people getting in outside those hours, the meeting was told. Dr Boylan undertook to provide a copy of the South Dublin County Council bye-laws to KCC. He also added that there was probably insufficient money allocated to provide 2 footbridges and it was likely that the one proposed for Lucan would go ahead first as it was more necessary. There was a chance that the bridge proposed for Confey would not be built, anyway. The residents raised the issue of cars parking in the residential area when matches are on. Cllr Paul Kelly pointed out that the regulation of parking was an issue for Kildare County Council and the Area Committee noted the residents' concerns. He said that there were proposals for traffic calming in the area The residents asked whether there would be a dedicated park ranger for the Glendale area and were told by Dr Boylan that it was preferable to have a ranger for the entire park. In reply to a request to have a playground in the park, Dr Boylan said he was not in favour of this proposal. He said a playground attracted people at night and was a hazard for neighbours. He said it required constant maintenance and there was no provision in the budget for it.

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****Earlier News from this week available here**** Around and About the County... LEIXLIP: The Railway Preservation Society is to run two steam train trips between Connolly Station and Enfield, with stops a Confey in Lexlip on 28th October, which is the last day of Summertime and also the Saturday of a Bank Holiday weekend. Prices will be: Adult Confey-Enfield return £3.00; Child/Student/OAP £2.00 (child is up to age 16); Family Ticket £10.00 (2 adults and up to 4 children). Connolly-Confey: Adult Fare one way £2; Adult Fare return £3.00; Children/Students/OAP £1 one way, £2 return. CELBRIDGE: Kildare County Council is to build a new footpath from St Patrick's Park to the Boys School at Oldtown, Celbridge. Necessary drainage will also be installed during the course of the work. MAYNOOTH: Litter bins are to be installed at all bus stops on the Straffan Road and Leixlip Road in Maynooth, following the passing of a motion by Cllr John McGinley at a recent Leixlip Area meeting. New bins are also to be installed between the railway and Manor Court and at the Harbour, and the county manager is to be asked that necessary manpower be made available to to the area engineer to have them emptied on a regular basis. NEWBRIDGE: Classes on Creative Textiles started last night in the Parish Centre in Newbridge. The six-week course is run by Claire Osborne Murphy from Naas, and costs £75. It includes machine embroidery, a fashion study in colour work, reverse applique, stipple quilting, seminol work, tie-dyeing, stained glass, shadow quilting (needlework), applique mola work and trapunto. The introductory includes purpose, history, glossary, materials, bibliography, art for textile work, design work, design styles, fabrics, threads and needles. Participants will also study sewing machines, designs for fashions and paints. LEIXLIP: The Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, Bobby Molloy TD, has told Leixlip Town Commission that no extension of the Dublin Taximeter Area to Leixlip is envisaged at the moment. He said the creation of taximeter areas beyond Dublin would be a matter for the local authorities involved. CELBRIDGE: Funding for additional public lighting in the Celbridge area has been allocated by local councillors. The new lighting will be installed on the Oldtown Road, the Loughlinstown Road, St Patrick's Park, Vanessa Lawns and Baybush in Straffan. Kildare County Council will also grant-aid the floodlighting of the Church of Ireland churches in Straffan and Celbridge. MAYNOOTH: The exit from the Glenroyal Centre to the Straffan Road is to be widened to allow for left and right turning lanes. Cllr John McGinley has also asked that cycle lane and pedestrian lane crossings be clearly marked on the road across the exit so that motorists will have no doubt that pedestrians have right of way. LEIXLIP: A traffic calming chicane at River Forest in Leixlip which was agreed some considerable time ago is to be installed in the very near future. The finance was originally allocated early last year. "It has taken an unacceptably long time to get the work done but I got an assurance for the Engineer that work would be done soon," Cllr Catherine Murphy said. NAAS: Naas UDC is to ask the Garda Authorities to provide extra garda presence on the town’s streets, between the hours of 10pm and 4am on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. Councillors agreed the motion by Cllr Evelyn Bracken seeking extra garda presence. The amended motion was deferred this week’s Garda Liasion Committee meeting. LEIXLIP: Work has at last started on landscaping projects at Buckley’s Lane and the rear of St Mary’s Church. Cllr Paul Kelly has welcomed the delayed start, though he said he was disappointed that it has taken so long to find someone to do the two jobs. "Under the Town Commissioners Town Improvements Plan, we identified these as two locations where a little effort would go a long way. We’ve had the green area in Buckley’s Lane cleared of old weeds and a dead tree, and it has been levelled and completely replanted. It now provides a very attractive feature for this town centre residential enclave.” NAAS: A talk by Dr Mary Anne Lyons on "Christianity in Kildare" will take place in Naas Library this (Monday) evening at 8pm. Everyone welcome. The event is organised by the Naas Local History Group. Also please note the "Percy French Evening" arranged for the Council Chamber this evening has regretfully been postponed. NAAS: Residents of Monread Avenue are to get long-awaited traffic calming ramps. Twelve interim ramps are to be installed between Woodside Park and the Sports Centre, with advance warning and repeater signs erected in both directions. The ramps will be similar to those at Patrician Avenue. Meanwhile, Naas UDC has been told that the installation of 14 ramps on the canal banks from Abbey Bridge to Osberstown would cost £9,000.  KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP Open 7am-10pm for Fuel, Groceries, Toiletries, Flowers, Newspapers, Deli Food, Fresh Coffee and more. To Advertise on KNN, call 086 8267104, fax 045 481091, or email tellingtales@yahoo.com Advertising rates here ****Earlier News from this week available here****

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Anger at lack of information on sludge treatment project KILCULLEN, 5 October 2000: 11.30am by Brian Byrne. Kildare County Council was slated yesterday for not providing adequate information to people concerned about the proposed new ‘temporary’ sludge treatment facility at Silliott Hill. Local people who came to an information day at Kilcullen Town Hall were furious that no technical information on the proposed facility was available. And they demanded that the exercise be repeated with the correct information available to those who would be most affected by the proposed facility. They have also asked that the council extend the time for objections and submissions. And a number of those who came for information said the attitude of Kildare County Council on the matter was just another example of how little they cared for a small community like Kilcullen. Niall Delaney, a consultant for Kildare County Council on the project, told them it was the first such facility of its kind in Ireland, though there were a number of similar facilities in use in the UK, operated by Yorkshire Water. He explained how the sludge would be dealt with, noting that it would be material much different to the raw sludge which has been deposited at Silliott Hill for a number of years. “It will be treated and dewatered before being brought to Silliott Hill in sealed containers, and the treatment on the site will also be in sealed units,” he said. Mr Delaney said the odour problems from the operation would be minimal. Local man Don Charlton asked if he and his neighbours could be guaranteed that the project would only be in operation for the designated three years, pending the building of a more sophisticated plant at Osberstown. Mr Delaney said it would be part of the project brief that the £1.5 million installation would be dismantled by the operator when the Osberstown plant was up and running. Mr Charlton said he had not been able to get any such guarantee from the council officials in charge of the current landfill facility, where the sludge treatment plant is to be located. Mr Delaney suggested that this might be because they didn’t want to be pinned down to a timescale should the Osberstown plant be delayed. David Byrne, who also lives in the locality, said that the Council were showing a very poor regard for Kilcullen people by planning to locate the project on a landfill facility which they had been assured would only last for five years, and which they had had to live with for 15 years. Queries were also made about health and safety aspects of the operation for those working there, given that it will be located on on the sites of three houses bought by Kildare County Council because there were health fears for the occupants. “We must remember that the families who occupied those houses were evacuated on a day’s notice when it was found they had dangerous levels of methane gas in their homes,” Don Charlton noted. The information day was part of a Part X procedure for the project, which does not require an EPA licence. Because it is a Part X procedure, councillors at the November meeting of Kildare County Council will be asked to vote for or against the project. The council is required to have such a facility in place by January of next year, under EU direction. Below is a section of a map of the area whowing the proposed plant, which will be accessed from the Carnalway Road.

New car park space now available to Naas UDC NAAS, 5 October 2000: 8.30am by Trish Whelan. The way is now open for Naas UDC to develop Hedderman’s Yard (above) into a much needed car park with the departure of a private enterprise from the site. The yard is expected to provide between 90 and 100 car parking spaces for hard pressed motorists in the town. The yard will be operated on a pay to park basis. On the advice of officials it was agreed not to look any further than Hedderman’s Yard for possible car parking sites until the results of a report on traffic management study are made available. Town clerk Declan Kirrane said if the proposed multi-storey car park on the Sallins Road goes ahead, it is a requirement of planning permission that some car parking would be provided in that car park for general use. He said no time scale has been put forward for the Corban’s Lane multi storey car park. Cllr Anthony Egan said the idea of placing car parks in different areas without a proper strategy ‘is a crazy system’. “If there is any major commercial development in the future it should be a requirement to put in adequate parking facilities.” He said a multi storey car park in Corban’s Lane would increase traffic flow in that area which will create additional problems. He suggested the UDC look at potential sites along all main routes into the town so cars would not have to clog up the town centre. He also suggested making it a one-way system through the town. Cllr Mary Glennon hoped the message would go out that the green area the town enjoys is not going to be tarmacadamed. She said a ‘lot of mischief’ has been done because some people think a ‘fait accomplis has been accomplished behind their backs’. She said people are leaving ‘in their droves’ to shop outside the town because of the current car parking situation. UDC chairman Pat O’Reilly said until someone comes up with an alternative location, he was sticking with his proposal to turn the swimming pool field into a car park. He added that when an area is covered with tarmac it is extremely unlikely it will ever revert back to a green field. He suggested the field at the back of the Town Hall as a possible car park site. Cllr Willie Callaghan said the UDC should look into the reopening of the car park behind the cinema which has been closed for some years as well as the situation at Superquinn where at least 16 car parking spaces have been taken up for storage purposes. Cllr O’Reilly urged for the report on land use strategy to be expedited as soon as possible to allow for further progress because car parking in Naas is ‘absolutely appalling’ and it action is not taken soon it will be ‘utter chaos’.

Swoop on Sallins travellers SALLINS, 5 October 2000: by Trish Whelan. A large number of Gardai and a team of Customs Officers swooped on the site of the traveller incursion at Eurowest in Sallins (above) yesterday morning. During the raid 40 vehicles were checked, 17 of which had foreign registration plates. 31 were checked for diesel and 9 were found to have agricultural diesel. One vehicle was seized in the operation and a number of on the spot fines were issued. The High Court has now issued an attachment order which will force the group to leave. Last night almost all the caravans had left the site adjoining the main road.

Department defends itself against KCC 'No Dumping' sign THE CURRAGH, 4 October 2000: 10.30am by Brian Byrne. A resident of the Curragh who tried to have an ‘no dumping’ sign put up on an illegal dump site has been frustrated by the Department of Defence, which has ‘territorial’ view on other agencies putting up signs on the plains area. Local sheep farmer Tom Snell (above with the sign) found that builder’s debris had been dumped at a recently-controversial site behind Donnely’s Hollow. He contacted Kildare County Council’s area litter warden Noel Geoghegan, who agreed to provide a sign, as it is council policy to help local communities deal with such problems. But when Tom went to the site on Monday to erect the sign, he was refused permission by the Curragh Ranger, Henry Smith, to erect it. “I was told that it is the policy of the Department of Defence not to allow signs from other agencies to be erected on its lands,” he told KNN. “It seems a crazy situation that we can’t get a sign up here immediately to stop this kind of thing, just because of red tape between Government departments.” The rubbish dumped at the weekend included a sink, tins of used paint-stripper, plants with nails in them, and other rubble. “I think it came from some builder who was renovating a house,” Tom Snell says. “As it happened, once the Curragh Ranger was made aware of it, the Department of Defence cleared it quickly. But until we get a sign here, it will surely happen again.” The site is the subject of local controversy because it has been used to take topsoil and other material from recent works related to refugee accommodation at Magee Barracks in Kildare. A planning application has been lodged by the DoD to use the 19th-century gravel pit for this purpose, and to take material from the works associated with the Kildare By-Pass. KNN is awaiting reaction from Kildare County Council’s Environment Department and from the Department of Defence to the events of the weekend.

Commissioners 'should make submission' on aircraft noise LEIXLIP, 4 October 2000: 8.30am by Brian Byrne. Leixlip Town Commission should consider making a submission to the Irish Aviation Authority on noise regulations, they were told by the founder of Weston Airport, Captain Darby Kennedy, at a recent meeting with a number of commissioners. He said the standards in Ireland regarding noise are ‘lax’ compared to other European countries such as Germany. Captain Kennedy (right) said the six aircraft operated by Weston Training School are all fitted with silencers, which cost around £2,000 per plane. He told the commissioners that he had ‘no control’ over other aircraft using the airport, as it was a publicly licensed commercial airport and there was therefore no right of refusal. He also said it would be preferable if the facility was used as a General Aviation field for small planes and executive jets and a rural airstrip for training use, but he felt it would be difficult to get planning permission for this and there would also be no grant assistance towards the investment needed for this conversion. The meeting also discussed the safety aspects of the airport. Captain Kennedy said there had been a very good record over the 62 years the airport has been in existence, though there ‘was no room for complacency’. He told the commissioners that training took account of matters such as engine failure and even in such a case there was an ability to glide 8,000 feet to a safe landing spot. He noted that simulated engine failure training was illegal over urban centres, and if anyone noticed this happening over Leixlip they should notify the airport authorities. The meeting was told that traffic movements around the airport were of the order of 100,000 annually, and the level had ‘not increased greatly’ over recent years. But there could be a perception of increased use, Captain Kennedy said, because of an increase in flights through Weston air space by aircraft travelling to and from Dublin Airport. In addition to the aircraft operated by the Training School, Weston is also the base for fixed-wing planes operated by individuals and flying clubs, as well as others operated by Ariel Advertising. There are also four helicopters based at Weston.

Wants ban on sand and gravel trucks through Naas NAAS, 4 October 2000: by Trish Whelan. Sand and gravel lorries as well as dump trucks are using Naas town centre and the Sallins Road instead of taking the motorway and so are contributing to gridlock in the town as well as putting lives in danger, claims Naas UDC Cllr Pat McCarthy (above). He wants immediate talks between Kildare County Council, Naas UDC and the gardai on the situation saying it is high time to consider banning vehicles of a certain weight from using Naas town centre. The ban he feels could stretch from Swan’s shop on Fair Green to include the entire Main Street and the Sallins Road to Hennessy’s garage. “It’s hard to justify such trucks coming through Naas given that the town is completely choked up with traffic,” he told KNN and reported how he had followed three such vehicles in recent days. “One went through the town out the Newbridge Road and on to the Rathangan Road; the other two went to Kilcullen. All could have gone the motorway route.” He said a number of trucks coming from the building site at Oldtown could have opted to take the motorway, ‘but none did’. At any time of day, a high number of dump or sand lorries can be seen going through Naas town. “All sand and gravel trucks coming through the town centre and the Sallins Road have alternative routes available. Instead they are coming up the Sallins Road at school hours bringing traffic to a standstill and putting lives in danger.” He said rubbish trucks coming from North Kildare en route to the county council landfill at Silliot Hill also go through Naas’ Main Street.

Council to seek clarification on press rights COUNTY HALL, 4 October 2000: by Trish Whelan. Kildare County Council is to seek further clarification from the Department of the Environment and Local Government as to the exact interpretation of section 45 of the Local Government Bill 2000 which deals with the rights of the press and the public to attend all Council meetings, including Area Committee meetings - which are currently held behind closed doors. Cllr Catherine Murphy had asked that KCC takes the necessary steps in order to implement this section of the Bill. However following the reading out of a letter from the secretary of the Department, members seemed more confused than ever on the subject. Chairman Rainsford Hendy then proposed officials seek further clarification on the matter as there was such a difference of opinion expressed in the Council chamber. Deputy Emmet Stagg TD said every councillor present would benefit greatly by allowing the press attend Area Committee meetings. He said the management of the Council will be ‘put at huge disadvantage by having the public seeing the shambles of an Area Committee meeting’. “If the press were there we would get a totally different response from officials because we don’t get the minutes of the meetings for perhaps two weeks after they place.” He said the present system is in the interests of the management and not in the interests of councillors. He appealed to councillors whether or not the Act is as officials’ interpret, to change the rules and to let the press and public in. Cllr Senan Griffin (left) said the issue had been discussed at length by the Protocol Committee. “This thing is coming in every six months. I’m sick and tired of it," he complained. County secretary Seamus Stokes said the topic had been discussed in the Council Chamber for several years. He said it was for members themselves to decide. “The Department has said there is provision in this new Bill if the members wish to let the press attend.” Cllr Hendy proposed they adjourn the motion pending the necessary clarification.

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Toyota PriusIt's not a new concept - the world's first mass-produced 'hybrid' car has been on sale in Japan since late 1997, but it is now officially here in Europe. In Ireland, the Toyota Prius will go on sale in November ...

Kilcullen anger over sludge facility KILCULLEN, 3 October 2000: 8.30am by Brian Byrne. There’s growing anger in Kilcullen over Kildare County Council’s plans to build a sludge treatment plant at Silliott Hill on the site of the authority’s rapidly-filling landfill facility (above). Council officials who will attend an information day at Kilcullen Town Hall tomorrow (Wednesday) are likely to be heatedly questioned on the proposals, which local people see as the village being ‘dumped on again’. “For several years now we have had a totally mismanaged dump on the edge of town taking waste and sewage sludge from all areas of the county,” says Noel Clare of Kilcullen Tidy Towns committee. “Just as we thought the dump was coming to the end of its ‘useful’ life we are being asked to accept sewage sludge from all over the county for the foreseeable future. We must be a very quiet people here!” In a recent article in Kilcullen’s ‘Bridge’ magazine, it was noted that research from the US suggests that there may be a higher risk of cancer to people living near such a landfill site. It also pointed out that the Silliott Hill dump is now higher than the original land was before any sand or gravel was extracted. “It is important that as many people as possible come to the Town Hall on Wednesday to question why Kilcullen has once again been chosen for such an unwelcome development,” Noel Clare says. The officials will be on hand between 10am and 7pm.

Council rapped on knuckles over Part X information COUNTY HALL, 3 October 2000: by Trish Whelan. Agreeing Part X procedures for proposed housing schemes was like legally granting planning permissions for developments, Deputy Emmet Stagg (left) told a recent meeting of Kildare County Council. He said if the level of documentation given to councillors on such projects was included on a planning application to the county manager, it ‘would be sent back quickly for additional information’. The issue arose during discussions for a number of Part X procedures which included two housing units in Clane, nine in Rathangan and 10 in Kilcullen. The three projects were only approved after detailed information, including maps, was made available during the meeting. Deputy Stagg said plans for the three proposals should have been on display in the Council chamber prior to councillors being asked to vote on them. He referred to how psychedelic colours had been painted on local authority houses in Rathcoffey without their knowledge and said they should get sufficient documentation to make informed decisions. “I am abstaining from the vote,” he told officials. Cllr John McGinley agreed it was a ‘dangerous precedent’. He said: “We’re building houses in public open spaces. Some people had to fight hard battles to stop private developers from doing what we’re being asked to approve. If the Council can get away with building on such open spaces it would make it easier for private developers to do this in estates not taken in charge.” Cllr Sean O Fearghail warned they should not confuse what the Council were about as against what ‘some greedy developers’ in North Kildare are hoping to do. He said he would not vote in future for such Part X procedures unless proper documentation was first available. Cllr PJ Sheridan then formally proposed the two units for elderly people be built in Clane. Cllr Tony McEvoy asked for maps outlining the proposals saying he would not be happy voting on something he had no information about. County secretary Tommy Skehan agreed with what councillors had said about documentation and agreed to have maps made available at the meeting. He said housing is a crucial issue in the county at present and KCC are trying to accelerate its housing programme. “We don’t want any problems in holding up starts”, he said. “But having said that we have to go through a procedure.” Cllr Catherine Murphy asked for a site notice to be erected each time a Part X procedure is planned by the Council. “We should be encouraging submissions and treating our own Part X notice in the same way as a planning permission.” She asked that this procedure be adopted in future. While discussing the Part X plans for 10 units in Avondale estate in Kilcullen, Cllr Tony Lawlor said he was looking for written agreement from the Architects Department of Kildare County Council that open space and recreational facilities in the estate would be upgraded to proper standards. Architect Brian Swan said it would as the ‘totality of the amenity area would have to be included in the scheme, and not just the smaller area, if the proposals were to proceed’. Cllr Billy Hillis said the proposed units in Avondale would be on the left hand side of the estate. He asked for traffic calming measures to be put in place. Part X procedures for all three projects were then agreed.

Council 'contributing' to Leixlip 'apathy' LEIXLIP, 3 October 2000: by Brian Byrne. Kildare County Council ‘is contributing’ to ‘an air of apathy’ in Leixlip and there is ‘confusion’ over the new parking bye-laws due to be implemented on October 16. That’s the view of local representative Cllr Catherine Murphy, who said yesterday that there is an ‘urgent need’ to address the issue of the commercial development of the village centre. “It needs a vital boost,” she said. “Four shops have already closed down, and contributory factors include the parking bye laws and the confusion over them, the number and type of signs, and the lack of progress on the provision of a new car park.” The current town car park (above) is not sufficient for needs. Cllr said the Area Committee councillors now wanted a more ‘urgent’ movement on contacting the ESB about the possible purchase of the site behind their premises for use as a public car park. She also intends to raise a number of issues on the new bye-laws at the next meeting of the council. “I have had a number of people contact me about problems with the bye-laws - an issue I raised at the meeting. I was advised that it would be necessary to do a full review of the bye-laws in order to deal with them. I intend to table a motion with the issues raised with me for the next meeting and take it from there.”

Curragh environment policy 'in weeks' THE CURRAGH, 3 October 2000: by Brian Byrne. A environmental policy for the Curragh will be ready for publication ‘in a matter of weeks’, Deputy Sean Power (below) has been told by the minister for defence, Michael Smith TD. And a statutory authority will be in place for the area in a year to 18 months’ time. Deputy Power had made representations on the recent inter-departmental Task Force report on the future management of the Curragh. The minister told him that the SRUNA report recently prepared for Kildare County Council ‘is being considered’ with a view to accommodating as many of its recommendations ‘as are compatible with the general thrust of the Task Force report’. He pointed out that a number of recommendations of the report have already been applied, such as a strict policy of not permitting new encroachments on the Curragh.  KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP Open 7am-10pm for Fuel, Groceries, Toiletries, Flowers, Newspapers, Deli Food, Fresh Coffee and more.

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Naas UDC launches its own website At the launch of the Naas UDC website were Kevin Kelly, manager, Kildare Comunity Network; Anthony Hennessy, Kildare County Council IT department; UDC chairman Cllr Pat O'Reilly; and (rear) Cllr Anthony Egan. NAAS, 2 October 2000: 8.30am by Trish Whelan Naas UDC is keeping up with modern technology by launching its own website which outlines the services the authority provides for the community as well as keeping the public up-to-date in its activities. The website was demonstrated to councillors and officials by Kevin Kelly of the Kildare Community Network. Also present was Mary Bhogal of Naas Chamber of Commerce and Rose McCabe from Naas Local History Group. Mr Kelly said traffic to the Kildare Community Network is touching on 1,800 visits a day and Naas UDC’s site will be flagged on its front page. The UDC site includes moving pictures of the town’s Main Street courtesy of local photographer Jim Gaffney. Council IT experts Kevin Kelly and Anthony Hennessy were praised for the work they had put into setting up the new website. UDC chairman Cllr Pat O’Reilly said the site will keep Naas people better informed as to the developments and progress being made on their behalf. It will also outline the services provided by the UDC for the community, including the 1999 Town Development Plan. “It will also keep emigrants and holiday-makers both at home and abroad fully up to date on the Council’s activities.” He believed it would ‘complement the present media coverage and give a better insight into what is happening’. The website will be updated each week and will include planning applications, minutes of Council meetings and decisions made. While the UDC has gone high-tech, so also have some of its councillors. Cllr Anthony Egan has successfully completed all seven European Community Driving Licence tests for computerss and Cllr Pat McCarthy is about to sit his fifth test. The Naas UDC website can be accessed at www.kildare.ie/naasudc At the launch of the Naas UDC website were Anne Marie Kirrane (assistant staff officer), Andrea Size (clerical officer) and Fiona O'Neill (staff officer)

'Learning to trust' brings Gail around the world KILDARE & ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA, 2 October 2000: by Brian Byrne. "I'm learning to trust..." It can take a lot before many of us can do that. In a high pressure world like this, trusting can hurt. But trust set Gail Donovan out on a world trip with only a ticket and a faith in St Brigid. Who, she figures, represents the 'inner God' that has her taking the long way around to deliver a commissioned painting of Brigid's people, San Antonio-style. On the way from Adelaide to Texas, she has taken detours, to County Kildare where the whole modern Brigid thing is alive and strong, to Scotland where she has already designed Brigid windows for a church and they want more, to Boston, because there are a lot of Irish there and they simply might be interested. Which cynics might say is stretching trust a little. But trust so far has worked for her. On her way, she sells cards of her work and trusts in donations to keep going. Her paintings on silk depicting some of the stories of Brigid are vivid and arresting. Telling the Brigid tales intensely. "Doing them was an intense time," she says. "But I had started them in my mind three years ago." Her dad being diagnosed with cancer put Brigid's paintings on the back burner. "I was helping my mum with one thing and another. Dad died in July of last year, so I had a bit more time to think about them." It was a threshold time. In her own life and for the world on the brink of the new millennium. "Brigid was a threshold woman and I thought I'd like to honour her, to do the full set." She was also perhaps honouring the friend who had introduced her to Brigid when she was teaching art at the Kildare School in Adelaide. A friend who subsequently died in a car crash. "At her funeral, the principal said he must do something about renovating the school chapel. Something just flashed through my mind, and a year later I designed a window for that chapel." A visiting priest asked her to do one for his church in Scotland. That led to a couple of other commissions, including one for 12,000 cards that were distributed to religious in Ireland. "Then there was the San Antonio commission (pictured right). When I had done all the paintings - only three were left unsold when I began my trip - I showed them in Adelaide and Melbourne. I decided I might come to Ireland on the way to San Antonio, and asked Mary Minahan if she'd like me to show them here." There was a two-week showing in the Mater Hospital in Dublin when she came to Ireland. Then a week in Naas Library. Both well received. "People say the paintings bring Brigid back to life for them." They gave Gail a change in life. An affirmation, she says. "I made the decision to give up teaching. The work has given me a lot of pleasure and I feel good. There's a lot of peace and a lot of excitement. It's helping me to become what I am." What she is is part Irish - her mother's people came from Clonakilty. She was never sure where her father's side came from until he became sick. "Then I found they were from a place in Scotland just an hour away from where I'd got that first Scotland commission. Funny, I'd always thought I had some Scots blood in me ... when I was a child I had always cried when I heard bagpipes played." Now Gail is on her way again. Trusting that she'll make it home. The trust that made her decide to take this year out in the first place." "I didn't have the money for the journey. So I sent out a 'dream letter' to my family and friends. I asked them to accept a 'dream moneybox' that they could put a few dollars into now and then. It raised my fare." Proving that you can live the dream. If you trust.

County Museum would be 'viable and worthwhile' NAAS, 27 September 2000: by Trish Whelan. A feasibility study undertaken by former county manager Harry Lyons on the setting up of a county museum here has shown that it would be a viable and worthwhile project, subject to the necessary finance being available, Cllr Timmy Conway (right) has told Kildare County Council. A presentation was made to the council earlier this year of a proposal to set up a museum at Leinster Mills (above). At the council's September meeting he said Mr Lyons had visited many museums in the country, as well as some in America while on holiday. The committee set up to investigate the viability of such a museum recommended that the Council agree in principle to a county museum and an application for grant assistance would have to be made before October 31. Cllr Fionnuala Dukes asked if the museum committee had decided on a specific location and was told: ‘No’. She asked if the location had to be included in any grant application. County secretary Seamus Stokes said if this was found to be necessary it could be brought back to the Council’s October meeting for consideration.  KILCULLEN ESSO AND XL STOP 'N' SHOP Open 7am-10pm for Fuel, Groceries, Toiletries, Flowers, Newspapers, Deli Food, Fresh Coffee and more.

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