No bridges built at Naas council meeting NAAS, 17 February 2000: by Trish Whelan. Real and wished-for bridges showed up divisions between Naas UDC councillors at their monthly meeting this week. Angry exchanges erupted during discussion on a motion by Cllr Anthony Egan asking the UDC to build a bridge over the canal connecting the newly built Jigginstown Park road and the proposed new road in the development of social housing on the Caragh Road. The new bridge is expected to cost around £1m. to build. During the discussion Cllr Egan said it was an ideal opportunity for the council to build a bridge in the area which will see substantial development in the next 12 months. He added the first leg of the road is already in place but the bridge was the only thing missing. He said the Ploopluck Bridge on the Caragh Road is not capable of taking any more traffic (above) and is actually 'falling into a field'. He wanted to know if any development levies are still available which could be used to build the new bridge. He was supported by Cllrs Mary Glennon and Pat McCarthy (right) who said it was ‘a glorious opportunity to help alleviate the traffic problem in the area’. Cllr Charlie Byrne believed the Ploopluck Bridge should be examined by a team of experts to determine its condition. However, Cllr Pat O’Reilly said he wanted a sketch by the engineers to see what benefits a new bridge would bring. Cllr Willie Callaghan said the reason the new fire station had not gone to the Caragh Road was because of the situation at the bridge. Cllr Evelyn Bracken said to bring more traffic on to the Caragh Road ‘would be out of the question’. Town clerk Declan Kirrane pointed out that plans for such a bridge are identified in the Naas Town Plan ... money was the problem. Chairman Cllr Seamie Moore explained that levies already paid were for road improvements and not the bridge. He said traffic is competing from both directions for the narrow space on the top of the Ploopluck Bridge and he didn’t know how more accidents had not occurred there. He also explained a proposal for an inner relief road to start at the Sallins Road inside the motorway and exit somewhere between Jigginstown Castle and Newhall roundabout. This road, he said, will pass very close to Caragh Court. Cllr Egan then said the present traffic situation was very irritating for people in the Caragh Road area. Cllr Charlie Byrne (right) interjected that it was up to officials to explain such detail to councillors and not the chairman who, he said, should not be dictating to Cllr Egan on the matter. This led to a robust exchange between the chairman and Cllr Byrne, during which Cllr Moore threatened to adjourn the meeting. A report read by the town clerk said the Naas Development Plan sets out the Council’s objective for the construction of a distributor road linking the Caragh Road to the Limerick Road opposite the entrance to Arconagh estate. A special roads levy had been imposed on the housing development at Jigginstown Park, but this condition had been removed following an appeal by the developer to An Board Pleanala. A portion of the proposed link road will be constructed in conjunction with the development of the Council’s own housing scheme and the Co-Operative Housing Scheme and this will be funded as part of the house construction costs. To complete the road and to construct the bridge across the canal, a source of funding for this project will have to be identified. Town manager Terry O Niadh said the money simply is not there to build the bridge. It was agreed to seek funding from the Department of the Environment for the project. Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here. And read Brian Byrne's review of the new Rover 75.

A special page for the work of Kildare authors. Chronicle of a Small Village Ballymore looks back on its past. GARDA PATROL Be on your guard when answering the door to a stranger. Don’t let anyone in until you are satisfied you know who they are and what they want. If necessary, check their story. And ALWAYS keep the door locked while you use the phone to do this. It is a good practice to ask them to call back at a time when you have somebody with you.

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Councillor calls for support for SPCs LEIXLIP, 17 February 2000: by Brian Byrne. The proposed new Strategic Policy Committees will allow people in community groups to become more involved in what goes on in their county, Leixlip-based councillor Paul Kelly (right) said this week. He said they represent ‘a sea change’ in the way councils do their business. "For years people have been involved on a voluntary basis in making life better in one way or another for themselves and their fellow citizens,” he said in a statement. "At another level, elected representatives have been trying to do the same. Now with the establishment of the County Development Boards and the Strategic Policy Committees these efforts will be integrated. We will all work together to formulate policy and oversee development in key areas that affect all our daily lives." Kildare County Council recently held a series of meetings to explain the rationale behind the County Development Board, and it is currently advertising the Strategic Policy Committees and inviting interested parties to find out how they might participate. Criticism over their members' proposed representation have been made at recent meetings of Naas UDC and Newbridge Town Commission. "This is the way of the future," says Cllr Kelly. "We will have less bureaucratic centralism and more genuine democracy, in other words more say at local level. This is a real attempt to strengthen the critical relationship between local government and local communities. There may be teething problems, the structures may have to be tweaked as we move along, but now is the time to get involved - at the start - and help to set the agenda for the future of our county. We all complain about having too little input into what our local authorities do in our name - now is our chance to do something about it. So I encourage those in the community and voluntary sector to get in touch with Kildare County Council immediately and find out how they can participate in these new structures." NEWS OR VIEWS? Something happening in your community that's bothering you? Or do you simply want to share the news from your village or town in County Kildare? You can, by phoning 086 8267104 emailing us at KNN

Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email  THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

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Plan to be made for Doctor's Lane traffic calming MAYNOOTH, 17 February 2000: by Brian Byrne. A detailed traffic plan is being prepared for the Doctor’s Lane area of Maynooth, following a report given at a recent area meeting about the difficulties in placing traffic calming measures along the lane. The engineer in charge made suggestions for the continuation of the Main Street footpath along the Dublin Road, so as to prevent traffic entering the Lane from the Dublin Road end, but he accepted that this solution could have complications for three or four houses on the Dublin Road. A detailed plan for the area is to be prepared and Cllr Senan Griffin (left) insisted that this plan should include in its design, proposals for the elimination of surface water in this area.

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Councillor wants his own booklet banned NAAS, 17 February 2000: by Trish Whelan. Naas UDC councillor Timmy Conway (right) says that a booklet called the Naas Development Plan, which he had been involved in the publication of with a number of UDC councillors for distribution before the local elections, ‘should be banned from the Council chamber’. He was speaking during a debate on his own motion that the council immediately put together a plan for affordable houses at Craddockstown on five acres being donated by a developer, and not wait for the proposed four-year programme on social housing as outlined by officials. His comment came when Cllr Mary Glennon produced a copy of the booklet (left), which had been circulated to every house in Naas, and asked was the information contained in it ‘inaccurate’, as it said there were only two acres designated for social/affordable housing, and five acres for a school in the area. She feared that the school site originally proposed was ‘disappearing’ in housing development. “Any time I feel there’s a discrepency, I produce this booklet,” she said. “It was a work of fiction in many instances.” During a heated discourse, Cllr Conway claimed that the Naas Planning Alliance had ‘tried to make sure the people of Naas didn’t have any affordable housing’. He also claimed that Cllr Glennon had caused the Director of Public Prosecutions to investigate the booklet, which she denied. And when Cllr Conway suggested that a newsletter which she had been involved in publishing before the election was ‘full of lies’, she warned him that this was ‘slander’ and he’d ‘better watch it’. The chairman, Seamie Moore, adjourned the meeting for a few minutes, allowing a cooling off period. When the meeting resumed the town clerk explained that there were five acres donated by Ballymore Properties and another five acres resulting from the rezoning of Osborne lands. Of these, five ares are for social housing and the remaining five for a school site. A report read out by the town clerk said the owner of the five acres at Craddockstown has been requested to prepare a formal transfer of these lands to the council. Proposals for the development of these lands will be prepared in conjunction with the council’s programme for social housing for the next four years. Later, Cllr Conway’s motion was carried unanimously. Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here. And read Brian Byrne's review of the new Rover 75.

A special page for the work of Kildare authors. Chronicle of a Small Village Ballymore looks back on its past.

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Contract signed for Ballymore homes BALLYMORE, 17 February 2000: by Brian Byrne. A £1.4 million contract for the building of 18 new local authority homes in Ballymore has been signed by Colm Murray building contractors of Kilcullen. The new homes will be ready for occupation in the spring of 2001 and have been designed by Kildare Architects Ltd under the supervision of Patricia Ennis. Kildare County Council is embarking on a new four-year programme which will include over 600 local authority houses, as well as continued support for voluntary and cooperative housing initiatives. In addition, negotiations have been opened with a number of developers for the provision of affordable housing.

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Councillor wants his own booklet banned NAAS, 16 February 2000: by Trish Whelan. Naas UDC councillor Timmy Conway (right) says that a booklet called the Naas Development Plan, which he had been involved in the publication of with a number of UDC councillors for distribution before the local elections, ‘should be banned from the Council chamber’. He was speaking during a debate on his own motion that the council immediately put together a plan for affordable houses at Craddockstown on five acres being donated by a developer, and not wait for the proposed four-year programme on social housing as outlined by officials. His comment came when Cllr Mary Glennon produced a copy of the booklet (left), which had been circulated to every house in Naas, and asked was the information contained in it ‘inaccurate’, as it said there were only two acres designated for social/affordable housing, and five acres for a school in the area. She feared that the school site originally proposed was ‘disappearing’ in housing development. “Any time I feel there’s a discrepency, I produce this booklet,” she said. “It was a work of fiction in many instances.” During a heated discourse, Cllr Conway claimed that the Naas Planning Alliance had ‘tried to make sure the people of Naas didn’t have any affordable housing’. He also claimed that Cllr Glennon had caused the Director of Public Prosecutions to investigate the booklet, which she denied. And when Cllr Conway suggested that a newsletter which she had been involved in publishing before the election was ‘full of lies’, she warned him that this was ‘slander’ and he’d ‘better watch it’. The chairman, Seamie Moore, adjourned the meeting for a few minutes, allowing a cooling off period. When the meeting resumed the town clerk explained that there were five acres donated by Ballymore Properties and another five acres resulting from the rezoning of Osborne lands. Of these, five ares are for social housing and the remaining five for a school site. A report read out by the town clerk said the owner of the five acres at Craddockstown has been requested to prepare a formal transfer of these lands to the council. Proposals for the development of these lands will be prepared in conjunction with the council’s programme for social housing for the next four years. Later, Cllr Conway’s motion was carried unanimously. Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here. And read Brian Byrne's review of the new Rover 75.

A special page for the work of Kildare authors. Chronicle of a Small Village Ballymore looks back on its past.

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Controversial waiver fee abolished COUNTY HALL, 16 February 2000: by Bill Trapman. Kildare County Council has unanimously agreed to abolish the controversial £20 waiver fee proposed by county manager Niall Bradley. The issue had initially been raised at a previous meeting by Cllr Emmet Stagg TD (right), who subsequently put down a motion in his name and those of fellow councillors Jack Wall, John McGinley, Catherine Murphy and Jim Keane for last Monday’s special housing meeting of the council asking that the fee be abolished. Cllr Stagg had described the imposition of the fee as a 'mean, miserable and unjustified attack' on the poorest people in one of the richest counties in Ireland. The decision followed a two-hour debate by the councillors, during which it emerged that the likely income from the fee was some £30,000, far short of the figure of £100,000 which had been suggested in the initial discussions. Cllr Stagg welcomed the decision, saying that his faith 'in the goodness of humanity had been restored. "Those who feel qualified for a waiver should now claim for them without the £20 fee," he said. "And the council management should also pay back fees already paid by some people." He said it was a 'landmark decision' and a 'watershed' in the relations between the elected members and the county manager, and he urged all councillors to 'assert their rights and authority on behalf of the citizens who elected them'. The decision has also been welcomed by Cllr Paul Kelly of Leixlip (left), who said the manager had proposed to raise the fee from some of the poorest people in the county. “When I spoke on behalf of Fianna Fail at the estimates meeting in November, I made it clear that we were determined that the waiver scheme had to be retained,” he said in a statement. “I was very conscious of the situation in Naas, where the privatisation of the refuse service has meant that poor people now can’t get waivers. As a party, we very clearly stated that the Council should remain in the business of refuse collection, so I am delighted that both objectives have now been secured.” Predicting that the disposal of domestic refuse would remain a problem for the Council, Cllr Kelly said we have to reduce the amount of rubbish we produce at home, reuse and recycle more of it, and start using more sophisticated methods of disposing of the rest – such as composting. “These methods, most of which are very simple to implement, will give us a twofold benefit – less damage to our environment, and less costly waste disposal,” he said. Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here. And read Brian Byrne's review of the new Rover 75.

A special page for the work of Kildare authors. Chronicle of a Small Village Ballymore looks back on its past.

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Call to 'boycott' Strategic Policy Committees NAAS, 16 February 2000: by Trish Whelan. Strong criticism of the high proportion of voluntary and sectoral representation on the proposed new Strategic Policy Committees was voiced by a number of Naas councillors at a recent meeting of the town’s UDC. The angst stemmed largely from the fact that the UDC is likely to have a representative only on one of the five committees. The SPCs will play an advisory role to local authorities on several key policy areas. Their membership will be composed of councillors and town commissioners, as well as members of the public from various sectoral interests related to the SPC remits. The policy areas selected for the five committees proposed for Kildare are Economic Planning & Development, Transportation, Environment & Services, Housing & Social Inclusion, and Local, Urban & Rural Development. Under the draft proposals for Kildare, each SPC will have nine members, including a chairman who will be a county councillor selected by the council. Four of the other members will also be councillors, while one member of each will be either a UDC councillor or a town commissioner. The remaining four members will be from the voluntary and sectoral groups. Cllr Evelyn Bracken said Naas was getting ‘damn bad representation’ considering the town created so much activity for Kildare County Council. She ‘washed her hands’ of the SPCs, she said. Cllr Pat McCarthy said that unless Naas was going to be represented, there was no point ‘in even taking an interest’ in them. Cllr Anthony Egan suggested that all local authorities in the country in Naas’s position should boycott the scheme. “We represent between 16,000-20,000 people and should have proper representation,” he said. “I think it’s about time UDCs stood up for themselves.” Cllr Willie Callaghan noted that he had not been impressed with the treatment he had received when on a previous SPC. “There’s no glory in it whatsoever.” Cllr Pat O’Reilly (left) added that, at the end of the day, it was the elected councillors who ‘put our heads on the chopping block’ after their period of office. “The voluntary groups who have self-vested interests do not have to face that,” he said. Town manager Terry O Niadh said it was his understanding that Kildare’s county manager will bring forward a draft scheme which will then go on public display. The councillors agreed that town clerk Declan Kirrane should write to Kildare County Council seeking greater representation.

GARDA PATROL Be on your guard when answering the door to a stranger. Don’t let anyone in until you are satisfied you know who they are and what they want. If necessary, check their story. And ALWAYS keep the door locked while you use the phone to do this. It is a good practice to ask them to call back at a time when you have somebody with you.

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Ranking Newbridge taxis NEWBRIDGE, 16 February 2000: by Brian Byrne. Taxi ranks are to be provided in Newbridge at the Town Hall, the railway station and Dunnes Stores. The decision was made at last week's meeting of Kildare Area councillors. The matter may not yet be over, though, as Cmmr Spike Nolan (right) reminded Newbridge Town Commission chairman John O'Neill of a previous plan which suggested that the taxi rank be designed that the vehicles park front in. "That meant that when they were reversing out into the traffic flow, they were bound for a crash," he said. NEWS OR VIEWS? Something happening in your community that's bothering you? Or do you simply want to share the news from your village or town in County Kildare? You can, by phoning 086 8267104 emailing us at KNN

Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email  THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

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

No public interest in sludge disposal plan? COUNTY HALL, 16 February 2000: by Brian Byrne. A new call for submissions from the public on sludge disposal has been made by Kildare County Council, following the apparent total lack of interest on the matter by the public to date. They can now be made up to 1 March. The council advertised for submissions in November 1999, as part of work on a plan being prepared by the council and consultants Nicholas O’Dwyer and environmental specialists ENTEC. The sludge in question is non-hazardous material from water and waste water and from agricultural sources, and the plan for their disposal is due for completion by mid-March. The plan will prescribe standards for preventing damage to the environment from disposal of such sludges. There was no response to the earlier call for submissions from the public. County manager Niall Bradley (right) says the council would like to receive a ‘wide range’ of submissions on the issue. “It bears on sensitive questions around waste disposal and offers opportunities for successful recycling that will benefit the environment rather than harming it,” he says. “There are special opportunities for partnership approaches in dealing with environmental issues, and it is important to make the best use of them in the interests of the common good.”

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'Cracked' bridge survey under way LEIXLIP, 16 February 2000: by Brian Byrne. A survey on the condition of the old Toll Bridge at Leixlip is to be carried out by consultants, following the provision of £20,000 for the project. The issue was first raised by Cllr Senan Griffin, who recently expressed local concerns about a linear crack in the bridge. The consultants will inform Kildare County Council of their findings and further action will then be taken. KNN understands that the state of the bridge is not considered dangerous for traffic at this time. However, another local councillor, Catherine Murphy, has pointed out that damaged railings represent a hazard to young children.

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Kildare mourns soldiers killed in Lebanon ATHY & NURNEY, 15 February 2000: by Brian Byrne. Three County Kildare families are in mourning today over the loss of their soldier sons in a traffic accident while on overseas duty in Lebanon. They were among four killed when the Toyota Landcruiser in which they were travelling overturned after apparently hitting an oil slick. The dead are Pte Declan Deere (21), of Ballyroe, Athy, Co Kildare; Pte Johnathon Murphy (21), Pairc Brid, Athy; Pte Matthew John Lawlor (23), of Walterstown, Nurney, Co Kildare; and Pte Brendan Fitzpatrick (20), of Clonkeen, Portlaoise, Co Laois. They were all attached to the 3rd Infantry Battalion at Connolly Barracks on the Curragh. A fifth soldier seriously injured is Pte Edward O'Neill, single, from Kildare town. He was taken to hospital in Beirut where he underwent a two-hour operation for a head wound. Four of his comrades also injured suffered ‘superficial’ wounds. The accident happened while they were on their way to Beirut Airport to board a flight for Cyprus. Some of the soldiers were meeting up with families and friends while on leave and the girlfriends of Ptes Deere and Murphy were on their way to Dublin airport to board a flight to Cyprus when they were told of the tragedy. It's expected that the bodies will be returned to Ireland for burial by the end of the week. Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here. And read Brian Byrne's review of the new Rover 75.

A special page for the work of Kildare authors. Chronicle of a Small Village Ballymore looks back on its past.

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Are you pictured in Naas Library? NAAS, 15 February 2000: by Trish Whelan. More than 300 photographs on exhibition in Naas library show a Millennium snapshot of life in Naas in the 12 months prior to the turn of the Millennium. The project was coordinated and largely photographed by Stan Hickey of Naas Local History Group which had decided on the venture as one of its Millennium exercises, and it has become a veritable magnet for people who want to see if they, or their friends, are part of it. The exhibition on view is just a part of the overall collection of photographs and many were taken on the spur of the moment. They range from a selection of post boxes in the town of various vintages through key characters such as Bill Glennon, Kathleen Higgins, Barney Kavanagh, Andy Kelly, Paddy ‘Goody’ Kelly, Paddy Hackett and Joe Pearse, Ollie Keenan, John (Spud) Murphy and Parkie Lawlor - complete with coffin (naturally) as well as shops and shopkeepers, organisations and organisers, shows and showpeople and local landmarks. According to Stan Hickey the value of the collection lies in the future as a record of these times. It’s proposed to lodge the entire collection in the National Photographic Archive as a record of the life and times of the market/commuter town of Naas at the turn of the century. The endeavour made Stan Hickey an inevitable sight at every bun fight and community event of the year. “If he wasn’t there ... it didn’t happen.” Photographic enlargements were sponsored by Naas Photo Centre. The exhibition continues through this week.

A special page for the work of Kildare authors. Chronicle of a Small Village Ballymore looks back on its past.

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Traffic plans for funerals NEWBRIDGE, 15 February 2000: by Brian Byrne. Undertakers and the caretaker of Newbridge graveyard are to be asked to make arrangements with gardai to direct traffic whenever there is a local funeral. This follows complaints at the February meeting of Newbridge Town Commissioners that a garda presence be available for this purpose. Cmmr Murty Aspell had told the meeting that during the mourners' exit from a recent funeral, gardai had been engaged in checking for tax outside the parish church. "I had to go up to the station and ask that he be removed. "But after that there wasn't a guard to be seen to stop the traffic when people were trying to get out to the graveyard," he said. Cllr John O'Neill recalled the previous arrangement with the undertakers and the caretaker, and suggested that it be reintroduced. NEWS OR VIEWS? Something happening in your community that's bothering you? Or do you simply want to share the news from your village or town in County Kildare? You can, by phoning 086 8267104 emailing us at KNN

Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email  THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

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

Council acquiring 400+ acres for housing COUNTY HALL, 15 February 2000: by Brian Byrne. Kildare County Council is in the process of acquiring 463 acres of land for its local authority housing programme 2000-2003. The area involved includes 156 acres for affordable housing and 77 for voluntary housing. It is intended that the land will be acquired before the end of this year. A special group has been set up by the council to deal with the issue, including and engineer, a technician, a planner and the services of a solicitor and valuer. Some 2,781 homes are planned on the land. The council has already identified suitable property in nine locations - Newbridge, Leixlip, Celbridge, Kildare, Clane, Maynooth, Kilcullen, Castledermot and Kill.

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'Delay' claim on garda station LEIXLIP, 15 February 2000: by Brian Byrne. A suggestion that the OPW is looking for another site for the long-awaited Garda Station in Leixlip has been made by local councillor Emmet Stagg TD. This follows what he considers to be unsatisfactory responses from the minister of state at the Department of Finance, Martin Cullen TD, to questions raised in the Dail. The site currently chosen for the station is part of the lands surrounding Newtown House (above), in a project which will also include a new Library and a Community Centre. But Deputy Stagg claims the OPW has been guilty of ‘delaying tactics’ in the progressing of the station to the planning stages. “For some time now the OPW, through the minister’s office, have been advising that they cannot proceed with planning as they are unaware of the precise site details,” he says. “But I have been advised by the county architect that the OPW have an overall site map ... they are being liberal with the truth. The only reasons can be a lack of finance - which is plentiful - or they are considering another site. If they are, they should come clean with Kildare County Council.” NEWS OR VIEWS? Something happening in your community that's bothering you? Or do you simply want to share the news from your village or town in County Kildare? You can, by phoning 086 8267104 emailing us at KNN

GARDA PATROL Be on your guard when answering the door to a stranger. Don’t let anyone in until you are satisfied you know who they are and what they want. If necessary, check their story. And ALWAYS keep the door locked while you use the phone to do this. It is a good practice to ask them to call back at a time when you have somebody with you.

Residents up in arms over uncompleted works NAAS, 14 February 2000: by Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne. The residents of Caragh Court in Naas say they are ‘tired and disappointed’ at what they claim is ’continued inaction’ by Naas UDC over a number of aspects of development in their area. They say that they are at the ‘disadvantaged side of town’ and are not being treated fairly. In particular, they feel frustrated at the non-completion of a long-needed footpath between their estate and Ploopluck Bridge, details of the development of local authority and cooperative housing schemes opposite their estate, and the tidy-up and redevelopment of Parc na nOg beside the canal. “We had a meeting with the UDC on Thursday but there was no more progress on the issues,” says Alan Hore, chairman of the residents association representing the three estates of Caragh Court, Caragh Green and Caragh Meadows. He said that after many requests over several months, Thursday’s meeting with officials had been arranged through the good offices of Cllr Anthony Egan. The residents are particularly angry over the footpath situation, which has been stalled, according to Mr Hore, because of objections from a resident of the road and by the owner of development property alongside the footpath line. “We were all delighted when the work started, but they are now left in an unsafe state. In addition, the contractor on the first phase has left the area in a total mess. It’s a disgrace.” The concerns over the proposed housing in the field opposite Caragh Court (above) relate, among others, to the orientation of the scheme, with the backs of houses being visible from Caragh Road under its design. They also want an existing tree line preserved, and the provision of a relief road and bridge through to the Newbridge Road. “We also want an improved road infrastructure put in place before any work starts on these schemes,” Mr Hore says, noting the impact which 170 new homes plus a Sports Centre will have on the area. The Caragh Road residents also fear that the green area opposite Corballis Court, which was invaded by travellers last year, will become ‘a general dump’ for work on the housing projects - a suspicion which has been intensified by the recent placing of a large amount of infill material on the green area (below). “We have long wanted this park redeveloped into a linear canal park with direct access to the town,” Mr Hore continued. “The UDC are dragging their heels on this ... but we want action NOW.” The dumping of infill material has also blocked the traditional walkway along the canal bank (right), authority for which is under the remit of Duchas, the heritage body. Meanwhile, residents of St Gabriel’s Place had a meeting with town clerk Declan Kirrane early last week in connection with ongoing problems in St Gabriel’s Place. Residents at the meeting included Paddy Power, Mary Norris, Charles and Veronica Donnelly and Anthony McAllister. Paddy Power asked when the builder's compound on Pairc na nOg would be removed. He recalled the patience exercised by the residents from 1997 since the occupation and ‘subsequent ensuing eyesore’. He said the builder had removed topsoil, foot pavements and some road sections had been damaged and that it appeared to be a dumping ground. The residents said what was required was a simple "open green" without tennis courts but with decorative bollards which could cater for all sports enthusiasts. The also voiced concern over the non-appearance of Duchas, the heritage body, to clean up the canal following the recent incursion of travellers and what they termed ‘the lack of common sense’ being exercised especially in relation to sanitation by the builder and the fact that his boundary fence had fallen and become a road hazard. They said every other builder in the town can operate without a compound and to a smaller time scale. They complained about the intermittent sounding of the alarm, causing noise pollution. As work has not started on the eight houses due for demolition and renewal, the residents were also concerned that it could take years for the situation to resolve itself - while the estate continued without its green belt. In response the town clerk said that it was the UDC’s intention to restore the green area but he was not prepared to give a definite date. He said he would let the architect know of the residents’ wish that the builder move his activities to the area were the houses are to be demolished and use a portion of it for storage. Mr Kirrane said he planned to meet with South Dublin Parks Department to see what progress had been made on the plan for a linear park from the harbour area to Newbridge road playing facilities and said both reports would be available at the next UDC meeting. He would also look into the availability of shelter for building materials in the disused portion of buildings beside Market House in the Harbour. Main Rover, Land Rover and Volvo dealers, Kildare town. Phone 045 521203; Fax 045 521785. See our selection here. And read Brian Byrne's review of the new Rover 75.

A special page for the work of Kildare authors. Chronicle of a Small Village Ballymore looks back on its past. GARDA PATROL Be on your guard when answering the door to a stranger. Don’t let anyone in until you are satisfied you know who they are and what they want. If necessary, check their story. And ALWAYS keep the door locked while you use the phone to do this. It is a good practice to ask them to call back at a time when you have somebody with you.

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Plan for river park in Newbridge NEWBRIDGE, 14 February 2000: by Brian Byrne. Kildare County Council is to assist community organisations in Newbridge to draw up a plan for the development of a river park in the town. This follows a request from Cmmr Pat Black at the February meeting of Newbridge Town Commission, where he reported that a meeting of a group calling itself 'The Friends of River Park' had impressed him very much. "They see a great potential for the amenity of the River Liffey, and they're asking that a comprehensive plan be put together in conjunction with the County Council, so that it can be protected," he said. He noted that the plan would also allow application for 'whatever funding is available'. Town manager Terry O Niadh said that the council would support the development of such a plan. NEWS OR VIEWS? Something happening in your community that's bothering you? Or do you simply want to share the news from your village or town in County Kildare? You can, by phoning 086 8267104 emailing us at KNN

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Traffic calming to be introduced LEIXLIP, 14 February 2000: by Brian Byrne. New traffic calming devices are to be provided near the bus stop in River Forest in Leixlip, at a cost of £4,000. This follows the completion of a public consultation process, during which no public submission was received. Local area councillors have been told that Kildare County Council will do the work ‘as a matter of urgency’ and intends to monitor how it works in order that the same exercise can be repeated elsewhere. The move has been welcomed by Cllr Catherine Murphy, who earmarked £3,000 last year for this work from total grants available.

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Historic courthouse to be refurbished ATHY, 14 February 2000: by Brian Byrne. Athy Courthouse is to get a new lease of life, thanks to a restoration project undertaken by Kildare County Council and the Courts Service. The courthouse, which dates from 1859, is one of Athy’s architectural gems and its refurbishment will be welcomed as an important contribution to the preservation of the town’s heritage. The work of restoration will be undertaken by Carbery Construction Ltd of Carlow in accordance with plans drawn up by Deaton Lysaght Architects of Dublin. The contract is valued at £821,000 and the project will be funded by the Courts Service. Work will commence in March and will be complete by the end of the year. It includes the complete repair and conservation of all the elements of the building including the roofs, stonework, windows and internal fittings. The internal layout of the building is to be amended to include additional consulting rooms, proper facilities for court personnel and visitors, and improved heating to provide modern comfort levels. The existing modern suspended ceiling will be removed and the courtroom interior will be returned to its full height, restoring its impressive scale. The exterior of the building will be cleaned with care so that the appearance of its natural ageing will be preserved while dirt and vegetation are removed. County Council chairman P J Sheridan said at the signing of the contract that "while one of the Council’s main concerns today is to build up the County for the future, it is important not to neglect the past. In particular, the Council has a special role in protecting and conserving buildings of architectural value, and it is only right that we should be active in restoring them whenever and wherever we can" Assistant county manager Terry O’Niadh added that "the restoration of the courthouse would help to confirm the importance of Athy as a heritage town. We are working with Athy Urban District Council, Athy Investment, Development and Employment Forum, Athy Heritage Company and the local community to direct energy and funding into this important and special town. We will apply the benefits of urban renewal designation and our own resources to achieving that end." NEWS OR VIEWS? Something happening in your community that's bothering you? Or do you simply want to share the news from your village or town in County Kildare? You can, by phoning 086 8267104 emailing us at KNN

Specialist travel operators to Cheltenham, Aintree, and other major international racing venues. Phone 01 2958901; Fax 01 2958902; Email  THE LEINSTER PRINTMAKING STUDIO THE OLD CONVENT, CLANE Artists' resource, Training, Gallery sales. Phone Margaret Becker 045 868168 or 087 2310114

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