Ryanair has said it will start flying to Turkey for the first time this summer.

The airline will launch two new routes to Dalaman from Dublin and Bratislava.

Both routes will operate once a week from June, as part of its Summer 2018 schedule.

Ryanair spokesman David O’Brien said the airline was “pleased” to enter the Turkish market.

“Ryanair is pleased to announce our entry into the Turkish market, initially with two routes to Dalaman from Dublin and Bratislava commencing in June,” he said.

“To celebrate we are releasing seats for sale from €39.99 for travel from June, which are available for booking until midnight on Friday March 16th.”

Earlier this month, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary became Ireland’s latest billionaire, earning himself a place on Forbes’s annual billionaire ranking.

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By Kim O’Leary

A special effects and make up company based in Dublin has scooped an IFTA award for best special effects at a recent ceremony for their fantastic work for the Irish gothic horror film ‘The Lodgersʼ.

Ben O’Connor from Dunlavin is the co-owner and director of Bowsie Workshop, which creates life-like special effects and props for Irish films and television shows. Ben studied at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology for three years before he and Aoife Noonan founded Bowsie Workshop in 2011, and since then the company continues to thrive with several national and international accolades already under their belt.

Last month Bowsie Workshop attended the Irish Film and Television Academy Awards in Dublin, winning the IFTA in the VFX category for their work on the Irish horror film ‘The Lodgers’ and the film was made by Tailored Films.

Speaking to The Kildare Post about their extraordinary win, Ben explained: “It was a great ceremony with lots of people there; actors, directors, screenwriters, it was amazing. We were absolutely delighted to win for best special effects against Game Of Thrones which is huge, since they have a much larger budget and more staff than we do for their special effects, it was just great for us to take the award home.”

Ben O'Connor of Bowsie Company with Oisin O'Neill  of Tailored Films as they collect the IFTA for best VFX

‘The Lodgers’ is an Irish gothic drama which tells the haunting tale of a pair of twins Rachel (Charlotte Vega) and Edward (Bill Milner) who reside in a haunted home which hides sinister secrets just below the surface. The film was written by David Turpin and directed by Brian O’Malley, it stars Charlotte Vega, Bill Milner, Deirdre O’Kane, Eugene Simon, David Bradley, and Moe Dunford.

Work on the film was finished in May 2017 and the post production process took over six months to complete with the efforts of the Avatar Post Audio team, Eugene McCrystal and his colour grading team at Outer Limits, Bowsie Workshop and a number of freelance VFX artists for all the CG elements, and David Turpin, Stephen Shannon and Kevin Murphy; while post production supervision was overseen by producer Julianne Forde and a huge amount of post work undertaken by Tailored Film’s in-house editor Oisin O’Neill

‘The Lodgers’ had its world premiere at The Toronto Film Festival back in August to much acclaim, and the film is now being featured at 16 cinemas across the country.

Ben and his team put in a lot of work and effort to make the special effects for the film to look as realistic as possible. Ben said: “For ‘The Lodgers’ we did things like a stabbed hand, bits of the set, and a lot of water work in terms of the make up and digital effects to make the scenes look as realistic as possible without overdoing it.”

“We worked on the film for well over a year with shooting at the end of 2016 and finishing in the Summer with post-production, we worked a lot with the actors and the camera crews to get the shots needed. It was a great experience and we’re really pleased that it’s doing well with audiences,” said Ben.

At the moment there is a fairly small number of staff working at Bowsie Workshop, although Ben has confirmed that they are seeking to hire more special effects artists and they have also worked closely with artists including Aidan Rafferty for The Lodgers as well as Rory Thompson for the short film “A Terrible Hullabaloo” which was written by Aoife Noonan and directed by Ben O’Connor.

Ben said: “We have also created our own films like “A Terrible Hullabaloo” which tells the story of 14 year old boy fighting in the 1916 Rising and it was part of a programme of short films which were commissioned to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising. For the film we set about making our own minature set and we used puppets.”

Meanwhile, Bowsie Worksop not only works on films and television shows, the company also recently designed beautifully hand-crafted animal statues for Google’s new building which recently opened in Dublin City Centre. “We also recently designed statues for Google’s new building in Dublin, we created dogs, bulls, horses and birds. The statues were created using designing software like Adobe Dimension and they were cnc machined in polystyrene and hand finished, coated in styrospray and painted,” explained Ben.

Ben O'Connor hard at work working on animal statues for Google's new building in Dublin

So what other exciting projects does Bowsie Workshop have coming up in the next couple of months? “At the moment I’m writing a script for a science fiction short film and I’m very excited about that, we also want to be doing more directing and making our own films as well as doing special effects for more Irish films and television shows,” Ben explained.

It look’s like 2018 is set to be busy year for talented Ben and his team with more awards for their stunning special effects surely on the way.

Follow Bowsie Workshop on their Facebook page @BowsieWorkshop and check out a teaser for "The Lodgers" below

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

In a joint operation this morning, Revenue officers and Gardai as part of the Joint Agency Task Force have closed down an illicit commercial cigarette factory in Jenkinstown, Co. Meath - about 8km from Kilcock.

This is the first time a commercial illicit cigarette production plant was discovered in the State and the factory was in full operation when Revenue officers and the Armed Support Unit of An Garda Síochána entered the premises just before 8am this morning.

Eleven men, all from Eastern Europe and aged in their late 20s to late 50s, were arrested by Gardaí and brought to Dundalk Garda Station. All detained under Section 4 – Criminal Justice Act 1984.

Mayfair

Revenue officers found more than 40 tonnes of tobacco, all the pre-cursor components for the manufacture of cigarettes, and approximately 25 million cigarettes, branded “Mayfair”, ready for distribution.

This was a sophisticated self-contained operation with machinery capable of producing 250, 000 illicit cigarettes per hour and pre-processing, processing and packaging facilities, along with living quarters.

Illicit cigarettes that originated in this factory have previously been seized in both Ireland and the UK. If the finished cigarettes seized at the factory today had reached the Irish market, the estimated loss to the Exchequer would have been approximately €12 million.

Investigations are ongoing, nationally and internationally.

The production of and trade in illicit cigarettes is illegal. The majority of people pay the right amount of tax and duty. If you know someone is evading tax or involved in smuggling, or the illegal cigarette trade, report it.

Contact Revenue’s Confidential Freephone 1800 295 295.

Joint Agency Task Force (JATF)

The cross jurisdictional Joint Agency Task Force (JATF) was established under the Fresh Start Agreement.

The Task Force comprises the Police Service of Northern Ireland, An Garda Síochána, HM Revenue & Customs, the Revenue Commissioners, The Home Office Immigration Enforcement, the Criminal Assets Bureau, and the National Crime Agency.

The JATF sees cross border cooperation across a range of policing areas and is of significant benefit to keeping our communities safe and secure, as well as continuing joint activity on issues which affect our communities such as rural policing and intelligence sharing.

One of the stated priorities areas for the JATF is Excise and Fiscal Fraud.

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A man before Naas District Court today asked to be sent to prison because 'it is easier to live here without drugs than here.'

Garda evidence outlined how the accused kicked the wing mirror of a Garda car parked outside the station.

The court heard how the accused was arrested on the spot.

Defence Solicitor, Timmy Kennelly said: "It was a cry for help. He wanted to be back in custody."

The court heard how he had applied for high court bail for custody before the offence at the Garda Station.

In court, the accused said: "I want to go to jail, it is easier to live there without drugs."

He told the court how he had started taking drugs 30 years ago.

Judge Desmond Zaidan said: "It shows the evils of drugs. This is a damning indictment of the state. We need a specialised in house treatment centre for prisons."

Evidence was heard how the accused had three previous convictions, one for robbery which he got a suspended sentence for.

Judge Desmond Zaidan imposed an 11 months prison sentence and ordered that he receive treatment for drug addiction.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

A collision on the R415 road between Kilmeage and Prosperous blocked the route to traffic earlier.

Witnesses said they saw a car overturned in a field near The Downings area.

The incident happened near the Canal Bridge.

Gardai, ambulance and fire services were at the scene.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

By Kim O'Leary

Kildare diabetes advocates have reached the aim of 17,000 signatures concerning a new petition which aims to persuade the HSE and the Minister for Health to reimburse adults and children with Type 1 diabetes, with a date now decided upon to deliver the signed petition to Leinster House next month on Wednesday 18 April.

Meanwhile, Kildare-based diabetes advocate Davina Lyon, co-founder of Diabetes T One & Diabetes Life, who was herself diagnosed as an adult with Type 1 diabetes ten years ago before her 50^th birthday, has said that the Minister for Health and the HSE have still not responded to the petition.

Speaking to Kildare Now about the next phase in relation to the signed petition, Davina Lyon explained: “We have had no word from Minister Harris at all but we have set a date of 18th April to present the petition. If Minister Harris isn’t in attendance then we are arranging to have it accepted on his behalf. The petition now has nearly 17,000 signatures.”

Over 17,000 people with type 1 diabetes have been excluded from scheme. There are approximately 20,000​ people with type 1 diabetes in Ireland​ and According to the 2012 Irish Paediatric Diabetes Audit, there are 2,750 children under 16 years with Type 1 diabetes. With the current restrictions on the reimbursement scheme only a small percentage of that number will be included and none of the 17,000 adults with type 1.

The FreeStyle Libre device is said to change the lives of many people living with Type 1 diabetes, although according to Kildare diabetes advocates and Thriveabetes very few people will actually receive access to the scheme and the Libre device which calculates blood sugar levels painlessly in the span of 10 to 30 seconds.

The Libre is a device in 2 parts, the first part is worn on the arm (a sensor ) for up to 14 days at a time and the other part is a monitor that when scanned over the sensor, giving a reading of what a person’s glucose reading is at that moment on a flash glucose meter, and when worn it almost eliminates finger pricking to check blood.

The type 1 diabetes community has reacted angrily to this decision with over 16,000 people have signed an online petition campaigning for “Equality for all people Diabetes” created by Davina Lyon.

According to the campaign, The HSE’s decision goes against the Equal Status Acts 2000 - 2004 - which states it is “unlawful for in Ireland to discriminate when providing goods, services or facilities on the basis” of a person’s age. Unlike the NHS whose guidelines on access to the Libre state they are “committed to promoting equality, eliminating unlawful discrimination and fostering good relations between people with particular protected characteristics and others.”

The HSE made this decision despite lack of clinical evidence to support their recommendation. The Health Technology Assessment Group HTAG Advice Note states that “it is unclear whether data from clinical trials(on the benefits of the Libre use in adults with diabetes) are generalizable to children”.

The HTAG Advice note estimates that the “average additional cost per patient per year for using the Freestyle Libre is €62.60”, making the cost of providing the Libre to all people with type 1 diabetes beapprox. €1.2 million, with an estimated additional savingin the“expected reduction in the need to perform finger prick testing of over 2000 times per year”.

According to Ms Lyons, many in the diabetes community considers this a "huge insult" as the HSE has already saved €5 million on blood glucose strips since April 1st 2016 when the rules governing blood glucose strips for people with Type 2 diabetes were changed.

Diabetes-advocates Liz Murphy, Davina Lyon, Grainne-Flynn and Rebecca Brannon will soon meet Minister for Health Simon Harris in April at Leinster House

Representatives from the Diabetes community Davina Lyon from Kildare/Offaly, Elizabeth Murphy from Waterford and Gráinne Flynn from Clare, have requested a meeting with Minister Simon Harris to discuss their concerns and to present the online petition.

They have also been informed that members of the diabetes community, who felt discriminated against, have notified the HSE of a possible legal claim based on the Irish Human Rights Equality Committee.

For more information on the petition visit:

https://www.change.org/p/hse-health-service-executive-equality-for-all-people-with-type-1-diabetes?recruiter=63600589&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_term=facebook_link

For more information on Type 1 Diabetes visit:

https://adiabeteslife.com/hse-minister-health-simon-harris-discriminate-adults-type-1-diabetes/

Thriveabetes

http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/hl/living/diabetes/

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A new book about the history of Allen will be launched later this month.

The Allen Eye Book will be unveiled at an event in Allenwood GAA Centre on March 27 at 7.30pm.

The publication includes rare photos such as Pitch & Toss contests in the 1960s.

Refreshments will be served at the launch and people are asked to register with the organisers.

For further information, call (045) 870 266.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

Gardaí are en route to a multi-vehicle collision on the M7 southbound after J9 Naas North in the right lane.

Traffic is slow already from J7 Kill on the M7.

There are also northbound delays approaching J9 Naas North.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

Photos by Pat Tinsley 

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

A planning application has been lodged for the erection of a single-storey timber log house outside Rathangan.

The proposed property will be located on the Kildare Road.

Changes to an existing entrance are also being planned.

Kildare Co Council will consider the application for eight weeks before making a decision.

Log cabins 

Log cabins are becoming more popular as they are cheaper and more energy efficient than “traditional” homes.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

A young man is facing charges before Naas District Court that relate to alleged incidents before a motorcyclist lost his life in Co Wicklow.

Sgt Séan Durkan outlined today  how on September 19, 2017,  a motorcyclist lost his life.

It is understood that while the accused is not facing charges in relation to the fatal collision, he is facing charges in connection to the 'lead up'.

According to Sgt Durkan, the accused and the deceased had a conversation before leaving Blessington on the night of of September 19, 2017.

Sgt Durkan told the court how the two men knew each-other.

According to Sgt Durkan, there are allegations in video footage that the men were 'leap frogging', and that when the motorcyclist attempted to overtake, he lost his life.

Sgt Durkan told the court how the accused, who was driving a car,  is charged in connection  'with the events leading up to the accident.'

The young man with an address in Hollywood, Co Wicklow, is facing charges a number of charges on September 19, 2017, including  Section 52 of the Road Traffic Act,  Section 56 of the Road Traffic Act ( no  insurance) at Tinode, Blessington, Section 54(a) of the Road Traffic Act, driving with a defective vehicle and Section 53 dangerous driving on the N81, Blessington.

Judge Desmond Zaidan ordered the young man to appear again before Naas District Court on July 19, next, for hearing.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

The death has occurred of Joanne KEMMY
Morristown, Newbridge, Kildare

KEMMY Joanne (Morristown, Newbridge, Co. Kildare) - 15th March 2018 (peacefully) at Naas Hospital. Sadly missed by her loving parents Anne and Tommy, sister Natasha, brothers Aaron and and Damien, brother-in-law Joe, nieces Jessica, Nyah, Tegan, Aliya, Luisa, Shiún, Ellah, aunts and uncles, extended family, relatives and friends.

May Joanne Rest in Peace

Reposing at her residence on Sunday from 3 o'clock with prayers that evening at 7 o'clock. Removal on Monday morning at 10.30 o'clock to arrive at Cill Mhuire, Ballymany for Mass at 11 o'clock. Funeral afterwards to St. Conleth's Cemetery, Newbridge.

Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to KARE.

Donations box in Church.

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Photos from 2017 parade by Pat Tinsley

Despite the rain last year, the community and surrounding population turned out enmasse to participate and support Monasterevin’s St Patrick’s Day Parade. The competition for Best Float and various awards was ferocious with the local angling club coming out on top, and Fitzpatrick’s Garage claiming the award for Best Business.

And they’re all set to compete again this year, with lots of local walking groups, sports clubs and community groups already registered. Come snow, hail or rain, Monasterevin will support and present a mega street parade, plus and afternoon of family fun and frolics!

Whilst floats and walkers can gather at Our Lady’s Chapel from 12.30pm, the parade will begin from the canal at 2pm, before making its way along the main street, turning left at the Square, then left at the Nag’s Head.  If you’re not walking or taking part in a float, why not get up to the Community Centre Garden and bring your family mutt, as the Dog Show commences at 12 noon.

Teas, DJ Murt and Baby Show

Throughout the afternoon, from 12-5pm there will be teas, refreshments and snacks served at the Craft Tea Cup Café in the Community Centre, whilst DJ Murt will entertain at the Bandstand from 1.30-5.30pm. 1 o’clock sees the commencement of the Baby Show, also at the Community Centre.

At 2pm, the big event will kick off, that is St Patrick’s Day Parade at 2pm. Expect to see spectacular floats, colourful walking groups, along with vintage cars on display, and of course, there will be a special appearance by Marshall and Chase from Paw Patrol on the day!

Kiddie’s Entertainment

Along with Paw Patrol’s cheerful puppies, there’s a mega afternoon of entertainment lined up with face painting, balloon modelling, wheel of fortune, jugglers, fire breather, mascots, candy floss, popcorn and lots more.

Paula Lonergan also reminds that weather permitting, they’ll have a Drumming Workshop on the street, plus inflatables such as bouncing castles and snooker football, plus a mega fun penalty shoot-out. There will also be giant Jenga and Connect Four for the kiddies to play – plus DJ Murt and all the afore mentioned street entertainment!

The winners of the parade will be announced immediately after the parade itself. Will Monasterevin Anglers bag the top prize again? Morrissey’s Irish Dancing School was deemed last year’s Best Group – can they complete a double? Monasterevan Credit Union bagged the best prize for window display whilst the remaining prizes werer nabbed by Finlay’s Fishing, The Lion’s Club, Monasterevin Youth Club and Skerries Dance Club. If you’d like to participate in the parade, contact Paula at 086 664 7152 or log onto Monasterevin St Patrick’s Day Parade on Facebook.

Get down to Monasterevin for mega fun starting at 12 noon (parade at 2pm), on St Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

The death has occurred of Joanne KEMMY
Morristown, Newbridge, Kildare

KEMMY Joanne (Morristown, Newbridge, Co. Kildare) - 15th March 2018 (peacefully) at Naas Hospital. Sadly missed by her loving parents Anne and Tommy, sister Natasha, brothers Aaron and and Damien, brother-in-law Joe, nieces Jessica, Nyah, Tegan, Aliya, Luisa, Shiún, Ellah, aunts and uncles, extended family, relatives and friends.

May Joanne Rest in Peace

Reposing at her residence on Sunday from 3 o'clock with prayers that evening at 7 o'clock. Removal on Monday morning at 10.30 o'clock to arrive at Cill Mhuire, Ballymany for Mass at 11 o'clock. Funeral afterwards to St. Conleth's Cemetery, Newbridge.

Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to KARE.

Donations box in Church.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

There will be showery rain this morning in Co Kildare.

Also there will be sunny spells.

There will be heavy showers with some thundery downpours.

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Gardaí in Co Kildare will be operating checkpoints throughout the county over St Patrick's weekend.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are appealing to all road users to put on the ‘Green Jersey’ for road safety and show their national pride by making it a safe weekend for everyone on the roads this St Patrick’s weekend.

As the country prepares to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with events taking place all across the country drivers and pedestrians in particular are being reminded that any amount of alcohol can cause impairment. The advice is ‘if you are planning to head out plan how you are getting home’.

Since 2012 a total of 54 people have been killed and seriously injured on Irish roads over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period, while there were 749 arrests for driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.

Meanwhile, many roads will be closed in towns throughout the county, to facilitate the St Patrick's Day Parade.

The N78 through Athy will be closed from 12noon to 4pm tomorrow to facilitate the passing of the St. Patricks Day Parade.

That is the road from from N78 junction with Fortbarrington Road L8990 to the rounadbout with the R418 at Gallowshill.

Diversion routes will be in place for this period.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.

If you have a story or want to send photos or videos to us please contact the KildareNow editorial team. via our Facebook, via our email at content@kildarenow.com or on 045 409350 during office hours.