Kildarenow

This morning midlands post office staff were threatened by armed robbers.

Gardai in Navan, Co Meath are investigating an armed robbery at the Post Office in Athboy at 9am.

Three to four men dressed in black are reported to have entered the Post Office threatened staff and demanded money. One of the males was armed with an axe. The left with a sum of cash. A member of staff received minor injuries and is being treated at the scene by ambulance staff.

A car was found burning on the M3 at junction 9(Navan North). It is believed that this car may have been involved in the robbery.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses or anyone who may have seen suspicious activity around the Post Office prior to the robbery or as the suspects fled the scene and also for anyone who may have seen activity around the car that was found burning out on the M3 as described above, to contact Navan on 046 9079930, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

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 Co Kildare student has been named the top student entrepreneur in Ireland at the Griffith College Business Enterprise competition.

Jack Jordan, a transition-year student at Scoil Dara, Kilcock, developed an app called ‘EirElert’ - which is an app that gives directions on what to do in emergency situations such as storms or natural disasters.

Jordan beat off strong completion from 11 other schools with projects from Kanturk in Cork and Letterkenny in Donegal finishing in second and third places respectively.

The judging panel made up of business and marketing experts from Griffith College , yesterday, were particularly impressed by the level of technical expertise Jack showed in developing his app. The competition required a presentation on the day at Griffith College’s Dublin city campus and again, this is an area where the young Kilcock man excelled.

“The standard in this year’s competition was amazing,” said Steven Roberts, head of Marketing at Griffith College and one of the judges on the competition.

“What impressed us was first and foremost the technical capacity that Jack showed. Jack has already been in contact with state agencies who are very interested in his app which is mind-blowing. On top of the technical skills, Jack made a very impressive presentation and the judging panel was very impressed. A lot of the entrants in the competition were part of teams but Jack had to go up there on his own which is extra pressure on young shoulders. But he was brilliant on the day and has a bright future in front of him.

Jack himself was understandably chuffed with his victory – which comes with a prize of €1000 for Jack himself as well as a bursary of €500 for Scoil Dara.

“I’m delighted with the result,” he said. “I’ve had great support from my teachers and everyone in the school and it was a huge surprise to hear my name being called out as the winner."

Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Denis Nulty is to visit the parish where abuser priest Fr Malachy Finnegan was a curate for three years in the early 1950s.

Between 1994 and 2016, 12 allegations of child sexual abuse were made against Finnegan who died in 2002.

Ordained at Maynooth in June 1953, Fr Finnegan served in Rosenallis near Mountmellick, Co Laois, from 1953 to 1956.

In a statement on the Kildare & Leighlin website, Bishop Nulty said it had “no knowledge or record of any complaint or allegation concerning Fr Finnegan”.

He continued: “I will visit Rosenallis on St Patrick’s Day to preside at the 11.00am Mass.”

He encouraged anyone with concerns over child protection to contact the diocesan designated liaison person, Tusla, and/or the Garda.

Earlier this month, Bishop of Dromore John McAreavey resigned over his handling of child abuse allegations against Fr Finnegan which were aired on a BBC Spotlight programme last month.

Former president Mary McAleese told RTÉ Radio on Monday that her youngest brother Clement had been “seriously, physically, sadistically” abused by Fr Finnegan while a pupil at St Colman’s College in Newry, Co Down, from 1967 to 1971.

To celebrate St Patrick's Weekend, Kildare Village is introducing an additional 20% off normal discount prices for the bank holiday weekend.

The special offer will run from 9am tomorrow through Sunday until 7pm on Monday.

Participating stores include All Saints, Armani, Barbour, Reiss, Under Armour, Lulu Guinness, Pandora and LK Bennett, while Nike and DKNY are giving shoppers 30 percent off.

Not to leave out rugby fans, Kildare Village said the Grand Slam match between Ireland and England in Twickenham will be shown live on the big screen inside the VIP lounge.

SIGN UP FOR THE 20% OFF BARCODE HERE.

Opening hours this weekend are:

Saturday: 9am - 8pm
Sunday: 10am - 8pm
Monday: 10am - 7pm

Met Eireann has issued a Yellow Weather Warning for Kildare and the rest of Leinster for this weekend.

Forecasters are predicting low-temperatures, snow-showers, snow-accumulation on mainly Saturday night and Sunday.

No measurements have been given for snow accumulation.

The Warning is valid for the next 60 hours as it was issued at 12 noon today and applies until late on Sunday night.

Also included in the Warning are the counties: Cavan, Monaghan and Waterford.

St Patrick's Day

St Patrick's Day will be a cold and windy day that will continue to get colder through the afternoon with scattered showers progressively turning more wintry.

Temperatures will reach only 4 to 7 degrees.

Blustery easterly winds will add a significant wind chill throughout the afternoon.

Transport provider Bus Eireann have lost six routes that they currently operate in north Kildare after a UK firm was awarded the contract for those commuter services in the county.

The bus provider GoAhead will now be running the service on routes 120, 120C, 123, 124, 126 and 130. It is expected that the GoAhead company will begin their operations on those services next year.

The National Transport Authority plumped for the UK company to run the service, something that was welcomed by Minister for Transport, Shane Ross.

"I welcome today's announcement by the NTA that it has selected a preferred tenderer in relation to the Dublin Commuter bus market opening competition," he said.

"We are always looking for ways to improve our public transport services for the passenger and today's announcement forms part of that process. The NTA will ensure service improvements for passengers are implemented on these Dublin Commuter routes on the Kildare Corridor.

"In relation to funding of our public transport services, Public Service Obligation (PSO) subvention increased in both 2016 and 2017, and again this year. Over the three years PSO subvention will have increased by some 35% in total. Taxpayers' contribution toward funding our PSO services is substantial and in 2018 will amount to €285 million.”

According to National Transport Authority Chief Executive Anne Graham, around 70 Bus Éireann bus drivers will be affected, though redundancies are not expected.

Bus Eireann

Bus Éireann chief executive Ray Hernan today expressed his disappointment at the news that the company was unsuccessful in tendering for several routes on the Kildare-Dublin corridor as the incumbent service provider.

Having successfully won a competitive tender to operate Waterford City routes under a new NTA (National Transport Authority) contract last November, there was some anticipation that the company could retain the routes. Today it was announced that these were awarded to Go Ahead.

Mr Hernan said that while such news was difficult for staff and management, there is much to remain optimistic about and that the 'public transport growth agenda' will open up new opportunities to expand services on other corridors.

He continued: "While today's news is disappointing for everyone at the company, I believe we must now focus on delivering even higher standards of service on the 240 routes we continue to serve, to ensure we protect and grow our position for the future.

"While it has been a challenging year with significant change for all of our staff, this news indicates that while it was heartening to win our first competitive tender last November against four other bidders - we must now strive to be even more competitive, not just on cost, but on the quality of our service delivery.

“Over the past few months, we have implemented the final phase of our driver work practice change and we are significantly restructuring our business and strengthening our management team to focus on improved service delivery - which is our number one priority.

"Our business transformation measures are critical to securing our future and we will not relent on ensuring that the company is even better positioned to win business in the future, particularly as the use of public transport is on the rise,” he said.

Mr Hernan highlighted that the company will continue to work with the NTA to enhance services on other routes which are poised for expansion, particularly since many fares were significantly reduced as a passenger incentive only last December.

"We are very much focused on the future where there is much opportunity and potential for growth.

"I wish Go-ahead well in their endeavours and we in Bus Éireann now look forward to working with all stakeholders, including the NTA to continue the growth of public transport" Mr. Hernan concluded.

Staff at a post office in Meath required medical treatment following a violent armed robbery this morning.

The incident occurred at around 9am this morning at the post office in Athboy, when three men entered the premises and demanded cash.

All three intruders were dressed in black, and one of them was armed with an axe.

One of the post office employees required medical assistance for minor injuries.

The men escaped in a vehicle, and the suspected getaway car was found burnt out near J9 Navan on the M3 a short time later.

Photo by Niall Sargent

A weather expert is forecasting that anywhere between 10 and 30 centimetres of snow could fall on Kildare in the coming days as Ireland braces itself for yet another March chill.

Just two weeks separated from the 'Beast from the East', some are dubbing the latest influx of snow and freezing temperatures as the 'Son of the Beast'. Starting from tomorrow onwards, a massive chill will hit the country as freezing winds from Scandinavia makes its way towards Ireland.

An expert who runs the Irish Weather Online facebook page has said that Sunday could bring flurries of snow as temperatures plunge towards -6 degrees. The Leinster region will be the worst hit, according to Professor Peter O'Donnell.

"Sunday will be very cold with lows of -6 to -2 C and highs 1 to 4 C, and windy (east to northeast 50 to 80 km/hr) but the risk of snow is now fairly significant and the most likely areas to see 10 to 30 cms of snow potentially would be central and south Leinster with 5 to 15 cms the most likely range for parts of the midlands and south coast," read the most recent update.

"There may also be some additional outbreaks of heavier snow in the south later in the day from low pressure forming off the south coast. This potential can be better addressed closer to the time. Regardless, there should be some sunny breaks away from the snow streamers in parts of west Ulster and Connacht. The wind chill could be quite severe too at about -8 C at times."

Met Eireann have issued a yellow weather warning for the Leinster area and some other counties in the midlands, though they have not forecast what amount of snow they expect.

More than 14,00 jobs have been created in Kildare, Wicklow and Meath region over the past year, according to Fine Gael TD Martin Heydon.

The chairman of the Fine Gael party has said that a total of 14,400 jobs have been taken up in the Mid Eastern Region in the last 12 months, highlighting CSO figures as evidence of this.

Labour Force Survey data published by the CSO shows continued strong momentum in the labour market with robust jobs growth across the country, benefitting families and strengthening communities here in Kildare.

Deputy Heydon said: “These figures show that the number at work in the Mid East continues to expand, with 14,400 additional jobs created over the year to the fourth quarter of 2017, making it one of the largest growing regions in the Country.

“For last year as a whole, total employment growth was 2.9 per cent. This is evidence that the economy is performing well and generating jobs-rich growth which can be seen in the Mid East and indeed in here in Kildare.

“Over 100,000 jobs have been created since this Government was formed in 2016. There are 66,800 more people at work since this time last year. Our enterprise-based economy is now creating over 1000 jobs a week.

“This growth is continuing with almost 30,000 jobs created in the last three months of 2017. It is also important to note that 4 out of every 5 jobs are now created outside of Dublin.”

Three Kildare companies have received awards at the Deloitte Best Managed Companies this year, as the awards programme celebrates its 10^thyear.

Dennison Trailers joins a network of more than 100 companies in being named as new entrants for the Best Managed company, which also includes Kildare companies Irish Dog Foods and Killarney Telecommunications Ltd.

The awards, in association with Bank of Ireland, culminated with the Best Managed Companies Awards symposium and gala, which was attended by over 1,000 people from the Irish business community.

The 22 new entrants were awarded their Best Managed status following a detailed qualification and judging process. This took into consideration the complete performance of the business, looking beyond the finances at criteria such as operational excellence, strategy and human resource processes.

Dublin-based tech firm Phonovation Limited also received an award for Capability.

Established in 1988 and headed up by Gavin Carpenter and Paddy Woods, the tech company has gone from strength to strength recently, and last year Phonovation was the recipient of the Cyber Solution of the Year 2017 Award at the European Cyber Threat Summit, thanks to their product PhonoSecure.

Phonovation is Ireland’s largest automated voice and business SMS provider, handling in excess of 120 million calls and messages each year across numerous countries. The company, which is based in Dun Laoghaire, currently employs 20 people on a full-time basis and has recently opened an office in Gateshead, England, marking its first expansion to the UK.

Phonovation’s major breakthrough technology of the last year has been ‘STOP’, a patented software that helps to prevent phone users from having their phone’s SIM technology hacked which is now widely used within the consumer banking sector.

Phonovation started out offering clients a range of mobile related business services such as bulk SMS distribution services, automated calls and custom-built communications software offerings for unique business uses. Currently the company sends out over 200 million SMS per annum on behalf of its clients which include Vodafone and RTE.

Commenting, Deloitte Partner, Anya Cummins said:

“2018 marks the 10^th year of the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards programme, which has grown from 25 companies in year 1 to 137 in year 10. The programme represents companies from different industries with many industry-specific challenges but also common characteristics such as adaptability, innovation and ambition. Their stories are the stories of Irish business this past decade, and they are stories of resilience, recovery and confidence. We’re particularly proud to recognise those who have been in the programme since it began in Ireland, and whose performance across all key functions of their business has excelled.”

The final day of Cheltenham saw Kildare trainer Jessica Harrington going in search of her second Gold Cup in a row, having previously won the title with Sizing John in 2017. With the talented eight-year-old ruled out of this year's renewal, the hopes of the Moone stable hinged on 2017 Grand National winner Our Duke.

It was not to be for Harrington however, as Our Duke was pulled up late in the race having tracked the leaders for the first 16 fences or so.

The final race saw Don't Touch It and Rock the World featuring for Harrington, but neither made a mark and finished well back the field.

Trainer Gordon Elliott won the Leading Trainer's title, equalling Willie Mullins' record haul of eight to pip his great rival - who finished with seven winners - to the accolade.

The glory fell to English trainer Colin Tizzard and jockey Richard Johnson, who led Native River to a stunning Gold Cup win in remarkable fashion. The hotly fancied 5-1 shot led from the very start, and with Nicky Henderson's Might Bite pushing him all the way, it led to a frantic finish as both horses battled for prominence. In the end it was Native River who pulled clear to win by four and a half lengths, while Anibale Fly finished in third.

"I'm speechless. He's been a fantastic horse for me and I was lucky to pick up the ride on him," said Johnson afterwards.

"He's just amazing. He jumps for fun. I was getting squeezed, but at the second-last and the last he just wanted it so much.

"I knew Nico (de Boinville, on Might Bite) was there and to be fair to Might Bite, he's run a hell of race, but I think we just outstayed him. They are two very brave horses."

Tizzard could hardly contain his delight at coming out on top.

"It's unreal," he remarked.

"The Cheltenham Gold Cup is everything in everyone's life and there's no pretending it's not. Richard Johnson was galloping as fast as he could and jumping as fast as he could all the time and the horse never let him down once.

"Might Bite came to him and I thought that was it, but he just powered away again.

"We've had a wonderful preparation with him, so you think something's going to go wrong in the race, but it didn't. His form has gone on from last year.

"I can't believe it. It doesn't get better, does it?"

The day had started so well for Irish runners as Farclas won the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle for Gordon Elliott under Jack Kennedy. That race saw four Irish horses coming in the top five, three of whom were trained by Willie Mullins.

Elliott was back in the parade ring with another winner following the penultimate race of the day as Blow by Blow showed a huge set of lungs to stay at the front of the pack for the majority of the Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle to win under Donagh Meyler.

Saturday March 17

2018 Aldridge Cup Section D

Venue: Confey, Confey GAA V Kilcock 11:00, Ref: Thomas Smyth

Sunday March 18

Manguard Plus Minor Football League Div. 1

Venue: Aylmer Gaels, Aylmer Gaels V Sarsfields 12:00, Ref: John Cribben

Venue: Carbury, Carbury V Moorefield 12:00, Ref: Declan Jacob

Venue: Conneff Park, Clane V Naas 12:00, Ref: Fintan Barrett

Venue: Maynooth, Maynooth V Eadestown 12:00, Ref: Eamonn Kelly

Manguard Plus Minor Football League Div. 2

Venue: Balyna, Balyna V Celbridge 12:00, Ref: Damien Reilly

Venue: Kilcock Main Pitch, Kilcock V Sallins 12:00, Ref: Peter Farrell

Venue: Round Towers GFC, Round Towers V Kilcullen 12:00, Ref: Lee Moore

Venue: Athy, Athy V St Laurence's 12:00, Ref: David Houlihan

Manguard Plus Minor Football League Div. 3

Venue: Ballymore Eustace, Ballymore Eustace V Two Mile House 12:00, Ref: John Knight

Venue: Castledermot, Castledermot V Raheens 12:00, Ref: Owen Murphy

Venue: TBC, Newtown Gaels V Leixlip 12:00, Ref: John Mc Loughlin

Manguard Plus Minor Football League Div. 4A

Venue: TBC, Abbey Rangers V Ellistown 12:00, Ref: Kieran Harris

Venue: Rheban, Rheban V St Edwards 12:00, Ref: David Coady

Manguard Plus Minor Football League Div. 4B

Venue: Naas, Naas V Milltown 12:00, Ref: Peter Horan

Venue: Athgarvan GAA Pitch, Athgarvan V Moorefield 12:00, Ref: TBC

Venue: St Kevin's, St Kevin's V Killard 12:00, Ref: John Enright

MondayMarch

2018 Aldridge Cup Section A

Venue: Castledermot, Castledermot V St Laurence's 16:00, Ref: Fergal Barry

2018 Aldridge Cup Section B

Venue: Maynooth, Maynooth V Eadestown 16:00, Ref: john Enright

Venue: Carbury, Carbury V Johnstownbridge 16:00, Ref: Noel Mc Kenna

2018 Aldridge Cup Section C

Venue: Raheens, Raheens V Celbridge 16:00, Ref: Fintan Barrett

Venue: Conneff Park, Clane V Sarsfields 16:00, Ref: Michael Malone

2018 Aldridge Cup Section D

Venue: Naas, Naas V Athy 16:00, Ref: Joe Dooley

2018 Dowling Cup Section A

Venue: Stephen O Rourke Park, Ballykelly V Rathcoffey 16:00, Ref: Owen Murphy

Venue: Rheban, Rheban V Cappagh 16:00, Ref: Anthony Lawler

2018 Dowling Cup Section B

Venue: Robertstown, Robertstown V Castlemitchell 16:00, Ref: Anthony Herbert

Venue: St. Farnans Park, Caragh V Milltown 16:00, Ref: John Mc Loughlin

2018 Dowling Cup Section C

Venue: St Laurence's, St Laurence's V Celbridge 16:00, Ref: John Knight

Venue: Naas, Naas V Round Towers 16:00, Ref: Jack Doyle

2018 Keogh Cup Section A

Venue: Suncroft GFC, Suncroft V Ballymore Eustace 16:00, Ref: Robert Kennedy

Venue: Ellistown, Ellistown V Rathangan 16:00, Ref: Liam Herbert

2018 Keogh Cup Section B

Venue: Clogherinkoe, Clogherinkoe V Ballyteague 16:00, Ref: Damien Reilly

2018 Keogh Cup Section C

Venue: Straffan, Straffan V Allenwood 16:00, Ref: Alan Archbold

Venue: Kill, Kill V St Kevin's 16:00, Ref: Sham Moran

2018 Keogh Cup Section D

Venue: Kilcullen, Kilcullen V Sallins 16:00, Ref: Barry Moore

GALLERY: Launch of Fundraising night at the dogs for St. Anne's special school, Curragh

PHOTOS BY AISHLING CONWAY

OPERATION TRANSPORTATION

St Anne's is currently embarking on a very ambitious but exciting fundraising campaign. Operation Transportation needs your help to fund the cost of a new school bus.

A parent on the Board of Management, Lorraine Higgins, decided to rally support for the school. Working with two other parents, Wendy Mitchel and Peter Merrins, Operation Transportation was launched and thankfully it is gaining a lot of interest and support. This fundraising is necessary as the School does not receive any official funding nor does the Department of Education provide grants that go towards the cost of buying or running a school bus.

St. Anne’s School provides education to children between the ages of five and eighteen all of whom have been assessed as having general learning disabilities. Some have additional needs such as autism, visual impairments, physical impairments and/or behaviours that challenge. Having access to transport makes a big difference to the educational experiences of our pupils.

The bus is a vital resource to the school, assisting staff in what they aim to achieve for the children by allowing them to access extra-curricular activities such as pony riding, soccer matches, social training e.g. trips to the local library, swimming pool etc. and access to other community events. Even though public transport is used whenever viable – a great percentage of the children are unable to use this due to lack of accessibility.

We would be delighted if you would support our upcoming NIGHT at THE DOGS events. It will take place at Newbridge Greyhound Track on Friday 30^th. March. You can support by attending on the night, buying tickets, sponsoring a race, sponsoring a dog, buying space in our programme etc.

Our fundraising appeal is going well with approx. €40,000 raised towards our €90,000 target. Let’s keep it going!

Contact Lorraine Higgins, Ph:087 907 9194; Wendy Mitchell, Ph:087 236 9121; Peter Merrins, Ph:087 645 2367

Natasha and Jessica Flynn with Amy Lyons Kennedy

Smiles all around for Benson the greyhound

Caoimhin Croft, Sean Millar and Eoin Cowzer with their teacher Jill Kelly and Benson the Greyhound

Caoimhin Croft, Sean Millar, Zac Corkish and Eoin Cowzer with their teacher Jill Kelly and Joyce Black (Newbridge Greyhound Stadium)

Benson the Greyhound with Katie Fanning, Ross Corkish, Maggie Bowens (SNA) and Wendy Mitchell (Parents Committee)

Conor Wright Bramsby

Alan Gorey

Reanna Killeen, Rebekah Crinnigan, Robin Cosgrove and Jessica Whelan with Lorraine Higgins (Parents Committee) and Benson the greyhound

Lorraine Higgins and her daughter Reanna with Benson the greyhound

Lorraine Higgins and her daughter Reanna with Benson the greyhound and Joyce Black (Newbridge Greyhound Stadium)

Joyce Black (Newbridge Greyhound Stadium) with Wendy Mitchell (Parents Committee), Aaron Mitchell McDonald, Brenda Kelly, Hilda Garrett, Nuala Kenny, Cian Lindsay, Mary Oyewole and Lorraine Higgins (Parents Committee)

Wendy Mitchell with her son Aaron

Keisha Alzeh with Beson

Harry Murphy meets Benson the greyhound

Sophie McCormack with Joyce Black (Newbridge Greyhound Stadium) and Benson

Sean Cassidy, Sean Orugbo, Dara Comerford, David Michalkevic, Joyce Black and Wendy Mitchell

Sean Orugbo and Benson

Rory Durnin

Leah McGovern, Sarah O'Neill (SNA), Isaiah Agbebi and Joyce Black with Benson from Newbridge Greyhound Stadium

Benson visited the students in the senior school

Benson the greyhound with Joyce Black (Newbridge Greyhound Stadium), Natasha Flynn, Jessica Flynn and Kerry Ann McCormack

Ava Merrins and Benson

Christopher Dunne Browne and Kerry Ann McCormack with Benson

The death has occurred of Fergus PERSSE, Clonfert Stud, Maynooth, Kildare

Age 27 years, sole surviving quintuplet. To the inexpressible grief of his heartbroken parents Sandy and Liz, his sisters Lauren and Isabel, his grandparents Edwin and Esther McLoughlin, his aunts, uncles and many cousins and friends.

Everyone welcome to call to his home on Saturday and Sunday. (W23W8P4). Funeral Service on Monday at 12 o'clock in St. Michael and All Angels Church, Millicent, Clane, Co. Kildare followed by burial in Confey Cemetery, Leixlip .Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to St. Vincent's Hospital Oncology Unit.

The death has occurred of Brendan (Beno) O'SULLIVAN, Sarto Park, Naas, Kildare

In the tender care of the staff of Mill Lane Manor Nursing Home, Naas. Beloved husband of the late Betty and father of Rory, Sharon and Brendan. Sadly missed by his loving family, sisters Dolores and Stany, daughter-in-law Elaine, son-in-law Padraic, grandchildren Caoimhe, Ben, Aoibheann, Matthew, Philip and Lauren, brother-in-law Pat, sister-in-law Christine, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Reposing at The George Mullins Funeral Home, Kilcullen Road, Naas on Monday from 3pm with removal at 6pm to arrive at the Church of Our Lady and St. David, Naas at 6.30pm. Funeral on Tuesday morning after 10am Mass to St. Corban's Cemetery, Naas.

The death has occurred of Tony O'SHEA, Ballyroe, Grangemellon, Athy, Kildare

Fomerly of Knocknacree, Castledermot Died on 15th March surrounded by his loving family. Deeply regretted by his three children Anita, Anthony and Marie and his wife Theresa, brother Seamus, sisters Shelia and Mai, sons-in-law Kieran and Rory, Sharon, Anthony's partner, nieces, nephews, relatives and his many friends.

Reposing at his home from 1pm on Saturday with Rosary at 8:30pm. Removal on Sunday at 11.15am to The Church of The Assumption, Castledermot arriving for Requiem Mass at 12.15pm ollowed by burial in Coltstown Cemetery.

HOUSE PRIVATE ON SUNDAY MORNING PLEASE.

Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to The Friends of Naas Hospital. Donation Box in Church.

The death has occurred of Mary O'CONNOR (née Hickey), Celbridge, Kildare / Palmerstown, Dublin / Rahan, Offaly

O'CONNOR, Mary (née Hickey), (Celbridge, Co. Kildare, formerly of Palmerstown, Dublin 20 and Killeranny, Rahan, Co. Offaly) March 15th 2018 (Peacefully) in the most wonderful care of the staff at Maynooth Community Care Unit. Beloved wife of the late John. Sadly missed by her loving daughters Evelyn and Priscilla, brother Frank, son-in-law John, grandchildren John-David and Miriam, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, neighbours and many friends.

Reposing at Cunningham’s Funeral Home, Ardclough Road, Celbridge on Monday evening (Mar 19) from 6.00pm to 8.00pm. Removal to St. Patrick’s Church, Celbridge on Tuesday morning (Mar 20) arriving for Requiem Mass at 11.00am followed by burial in Donacomper Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to the Simon Community.

The death has occurred of Keith MCCARTHY, Brackna, Castlemitchell, Athy, Kildare

Keith (Wright) McCarthy, Brackna, Castlemitchell, Athy , unexpectedly on 15th March 2018. Dearly beloved son of Sandra and Kevin and much loved brother of Shauna. Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family. His heartbroken parents, sister Shauna, his special and much loved great Uncle Joe, Nana Margaret, Uncles Kevin, Martin, Sean and Niall, Aunts Michelle, Mary, Valerie, and Cora, cousins, extended family, neighbours and all his friends.

Keith will repose at his home from 5pm this Saturday evening with recital of the Rosary at 8.30pm.

Removal from his home on Monday 9th to arrive at St. Michael’s Parish Church, Athy for 12 noon Funeral Mass, internment to follow in Churchtown Cemetery, Athy

The death has occurred of James (Jim) KELLY, St. Brigid's Park, Ballymore Eustace, Kildare / Kilcullen, Kildare

Kelly, James (Jim), St. Brigid’s Park, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare and late of Nicholastown, Kilcullen. 14th March 2018. Husband of the late Judy and loving father of Brian, Martine and Denise. Will be dearly missed by his family, daughter-in-law Paula, son-in-law Brian, grandchildren Debie, Adam, Max and Amelia, brother Jack, sisters Martha, Judy and Margo, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended family, relatives and friends.

Reposing at his home on Saturday 2.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. House private on Sunday morning. Removal Sunday morning to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ballymore Eustace arriving for 11.30 Funeral Mass followed by burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to Barretstown. Donation box at the Church.

Owners of Woodbine Books, Kilcullen, Dawn Behan and Aidan Cunnane were thrilled to learn last night that they were awarded the Regional Winners for Ireland in the Independent Bookshop of the Year category of the 2018 British Book Awards. The British Book Awards are owned and operated by The Bookseller, the business magazine of the book industry since 1858; Republic of Ireland bookshops are still eligible to enter the competiton.

The couple opened the popular hotspot for book lovers in September 2016, and were delivered of twins Naoise and Donal in December that year! The independent bookshop which is located at the end of the hill at Main Street,and looking onto the Market Square is a haven for real book readers.

I personally love it, they recommended Liz Nugent to me as a new author of thrillers, and selected cute books for my treasured little grandson. My Christmas wish list was sorted in the space of an hour, gift wrapped and bagged whilst I lost myself in the shelves of the store...... Woodbine also stocks a wide range of greeting cards, journals, book accessories and coffee – and has especially supported many local writers, poets and authors.

The shop has become a community hub, known for stocking an eclectic range of books, offering personal recommendations to customers, tracking down hard-to-find books and generally going that extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction.

“We’re absolutely delighted” said Dawn. “It really hasn’t sunk in yet! We’ve a great team here, and when we learnt on Twitter that we’d won the Irish section, we got all the staff in for a photograph today (Friday). Trade is steadily rising all the time, we are so pleased at how it has picked up and continues to grow”.

Dawn further thanked all who voted online for Woodbine and extended thanks to their loyal clientele.

The Kilcullen book hub launched author Hazel Gaynor’s book, and has had visits from short story award winner, Orla McAlinden, renowned writer Martin Malone and has already received congratulations from crime writer, Alex Bartlay. Woodbine has recently launched two new book clubs for young adults: on the first and second Saturday of every month, they cater for 12-14 year olds and 14-18 year old respectively, from 4.30pm.

Adult book club is held on the first Friday of every month, starting 10.30am. All welcome. You can catch Woodbine too at the Easter Market in Kilcullen. According to Bookseller editor Philip Jones, “What marks out the shops on these shortlists is their energy: these are events-led shops that are hand-selling books, often boosted by author visits. They are platforms for the cultural conversations authors and their books can spark, and they play a hugely important role in their communities. Independent bookshops might not have the dominance, the pulling power, the footprint, or the branding of bigger bookshops, but these remarkable shops make it all up in hard graft, expertise and imagination.”

The judging panel has chosen one winner per region/country, winners announced on Friday last. The overall winner will be announced at The British Book Awards ceremony at Grosvenor House in London on 14 May, with the winner to receive £5,000 from wholesaler Gardners Books. Last year, Dublin’s The Gutter Bookshop was crowned Independent Bookshop of theYear. Well done, Aidan, Dawn and staff of Woodbines Books, Kilcullen! Well done to a super team at Woodbine Books, this is a well-deserved accolade.

Feature photo shows proprietor Dawn Behan and valued staff members, Deborah Behan, Ann Cramer, Saoirse Behan (seated) and Paula Kavanagh with Aidan Cunnane (proprietor), celebrating today's announcement of their win.

Despite having to cancel their launch and table quiz last week, the committee organising St Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade in Clane are going full steam ahead to present the best and biggest festival to date! The launch went ahead last Thursday with fundraising quiz also at Manzor’s of Clane.

Despite clashing with the Six Nations Ireland v England clash, Mary Dunne, founding member of the 14 year old Clane festival, says the committee can’t defer the starting time of festivities or the parade, which is scheduled to start at 3pm, with street entertainers booked to perform at 2pm.

Miss Dunne said: "There is nothing that we can do, people have suggested we cancel, but we can’t”. Notably, this year, Clane Parade will start from a different route, beginning from the Business Park on the Kilcock Road for vehicles and for all walking groups, starting from Dental Options Car Park behind Centra of Clane. The theme for the Clane Parade on St Patrick's Day is the Swinging 60s.

“Even the horrendous impact of the snow and cold haven’t dampened our spirits” said Mary Dunne, Chairperson of Clane Festival. “We are ploughing ahead with the programme and have a brilliant and entertaining week of events planned. This year’s theme is the “Swingin’ Sixties” and we’d love to see current and former generations of locals come and join in the festivities”..

Mary said she was delighted with the variety and appeal of events planned. Last Sunday saw the Vicky Barry Performing Arts Show staged at Supervalu, Abbeylands Shopping Centre. On Sunday 11, the Westgrove Hotel played host to an Afternoon Tea Party, with Music by Mick Dunne and special guest, Mary Byrne.

This week, she notes there’s a full programme of events leading up to ‘the big event’, the parade on St Patrick’s Day with an Awards and 60’s Reunion Night at the Westgrove on Sunday 18 March to officially close the festival.

Local music legend, Des Hopkins will be Grand Marshall of the parade. Des, who was part of the renowned Hopkins Brothers, an ace wedding and event band who featured at many a leading racing fixture, was deeply honoured to be chosen as Grand Marshall for the event. After the parade, there will be a four piece band entertaining in the Westgrove Hotel’s Oak Bar from 5-7pm, so be sure to drop in and enjoy ‘Who’s Missing!”

This week’s events have already included Techcreate Workshops in Clane Business Park plus a Family Fun Afternoon at the Westgrove Hotel; Storytelling, along with a harpist and Guest Speaker, Dr Sarah Gerber and much more.

Alas, the Beast from The East did impact on one aspect of festival plans – the heavy snowfall has rendered the ground unsuitable to accommodate Fossett’s Circus which was due to arrive this week. “Both Fossett’s and the committee are disappointed but alas, this was out of both our hands”. Ms Dunne added Clane will look forward to a visit from Fossett’s later this year.

Tonight it’s expected an event at Clane GAA will pack the hall out. Starting at 9pm, the Kilfenora Ceilí Band will perform, throw off the wellies and get out the dancing shoes for a Mega Céilí, admission €12.

Sunday will see the closing event of the 2018 festival with an Awards and 60's Reunion Night at the Westgrove Hotel, starting at 7.30pm, admission only €5.

“Again, this is in keeping with our ‘Swinging Sixties’ theme; we’d love to see people who live or lived in Clane and the surrounding townslands especially former members of Clane Youth Club. Back in the day, Clane YC catered for youth from Straffan, Prosperous, Sallins and from the smaller townslands”. Music with Radio Presenter Keith Shanley, tickets available from Bob & Kate’s.

See www.clanefestival.ie for full details of the event, or email clanefestival@kildare.ie

Gardaí have launched a public appeal for assistance in locating a missing teenager from Dublin.

15-year-old Roza Jakubowska has been missing from the Sherrard Street area of Dublin 1 since Wednesday March 14.

Roza is described as being 5’5”, thin build, long dark hair, brown eyes. When last seen she was wearing a black jacket, dark leggings and black runners.

Gardaí are concerned for Roza and asking anyone with any information in relation to her whereabouts is asked to contact Mountjoy Garda Station on 01-666 8600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Irish Rail have said that they are looking at putting on more carriages for commuters using their service in Kildare following recent issues regarding overcrowding on their trains.

They have also stated that they have no power over the pricing of train tickets as that is under the remit of the National Transport Authority.

The news was reported by Kildare County Council at a recent meeting of the Athy Municipal District, where the council were asked by Cllr Mark Wall to request a meeting with Irish Rail to discuss issues surrounding their service.

The council said that they had already met with Irish Rail representatives (Service
Manager for Heuston Station and Corporate Communications) in January, and that those matters were discussed.

"With regard to overcrowing and facilities for commuters, Irish Rail advised that they are examining options for increasing capacity along existing commuter routes," read the council's report.

"Facilities and infrastructure at rail stations are under continuous review and the issue of anti social behaviour was also discussed. If the members are in agreement, a letter can be sent to Irish Rail to bring the members concerns regarding Monasterevin and Athy rails stations to their attention."

It promises to be an unsettled St Patrick's Day in Kildare as the weather looks to be rather unpredictable over the coming hours. Everything from strong winds, rain, hail and wet snow has been predicted, but one thing that is guaranteed is that it will be bitterly cold.

A lot of dry weather is promised in the western half of the country, with just the odd rain shower. But showers will be more frequent further east, with some hail this morning and with any wet snow confined to high ground over Leinster.

Later today, and especially this evening, showers will turn more readily to snow in eastern areas, even at lower levels and some accumulations of snow are likely. Top afternoon temperatures just 2 or 3 degrees, in eastern areas and 5-7 degrees, in Atlantic coastal counties, but blustery easterly winds will add a significant wind chill.

Cold and windy overnight with frost, ice and some snow. Mainly dry in Atlantic coastal counties, but snow showers at times elsewhere. These heaviest and most frequent over east Leinster, with some heavy falls of snow in places before the night is over and some drifting. Lowest temperatures zero to -3 degrees, and feeling colder in the stiff east to northeasterly wind.

By the time this weekend concludes it will be a full nine months since a piping hot afternoon in Tullamore when Kildare produced a scintillating display to cut Meath to shreds in the Leinster Championship. Few would have thought back then that the Lilywhites would embark on a dismal run of results, losing twice in the championship, three times in the O’Byrne Cup and five times in this year’s National League.

Performances have been promising at times, but the second half display against Mayo last Sunday was one that hinted at a team that is struggling for confidence right now and had already made their peace with relegation to Division 2.

Being relegated is no disaster, but going down without a win in seven games would leave Kildare bereft of momentum heading into the Leinster Championship this year. Manager Cian O’Neill has consistently said that morale remains high in the panel in spite of the succession of defeats, but last Sunday he was a little more resigned after the loss to Mayo, particularly because of the performance.

“Things have been going well and we haven’t been that far away in those matches,” he said.

“There was huge disappointment but it wasn’t an issue. Today is a different type of performance and different type of defeat, and I said that to them on the pitch afterwards. This will be the biggest challenge for us as a group, coming back from a collapse in the second half if you want to call it that.

“That’s going to test us, it’s going to test myself, Enda and Roli and the management. It’s going to test the group of players as well because we’ve no bad luck story to fall onto here. No what ifs. We were comprehensively beaten all over the pitch by a better team. We didn’t fight to the end, and that’s the bigger disappointment. But that’s team sport, you either get up and fight or you feel sorry for yourself and we’re definitely not doing the latter.”

The Lilywhites are in Tralee tonight for their next game in the league, and they will encounter a Kerry side that have relegation worries of their own after losing three games in a row, the latest of which was a 13-point drubbing at the hands of Dublin. The Kingdom welcomed back David Moran last week and are sure to put out their strongest possible side as they seek a much-needed win, so Kildare are walking into a difficult arena once again.

O’Neill might have seen this as an opportunity to change things around with his team and test some players out in different positions. Kevin Flynn has stepped up well in the past two games, and there are plenty more who are surely gunning for a chance to impress. There will not be wholesale changes however, with the Kildare manager stating that starting places will only be given on merit. Indeed, the team that O'Neill has named for tonight's game shows just one change to the one that lined out against Mayo; whether or not that exact team takes the field remains to be seen.

“We’ve looked at every week as it stands,” said O’Neill.

“There were three changes today, which is 20 per cent of the team. We’ll look at options. Kevin Flynn got an opportunity against Donegal and was picked for today based on that. We were very unlucky to have to take him off because he got a yellow card and then a tick.

“To be honest, it was an example of good officiating where by the referee got word to the linesman who got word to me that ‘one more and he’s gone’.”

There is sure to be a raucous atmosphere in Kerry tonight given that it is St Patrick’s Day and Ireland are playing for a Grand Slam in the rugby, so it at least presents a good opportunity for a weekend away, even if it is a bit of a dead rubber from a Kildare point of view.

Midlands post office worker being treated at scene by ambulance staff following this morning's armed robbery

Co Kildare teenager is top student entrepreneur in Ireland

Bishop to say Mass in parish where abuser priest was based for three years

Get extra 20% off Kildare Village this weekend if you sign up for barcode

LATEST: Snow Weather Warning for Kildare and Leinster

Bus Éireann lose 6 Kildare services to UK company in restructure

One person injured following armed robbery of Meath post office

Here we go again! Expert predicts 30cm of snow and temperatures of -8 for Kildare this weekend

Photo by Niall Sargent

More than 14,000 jobs created around Kildare region in past year

Kildare companies honoured at Best Managed Companies awards last night

Disappointing Cheltenham Festival for Kildare trainer Harrington as Elliott wins Trainers' title

Here are the Kildare GAA fixtures ahead of a busy weekend

GALLERY: Launch of Fundraising night at the dogs for St. Anne's special school, Curragh

Obituaries, Friday March 16

Kildare bookshop announced the regional winner for Ireland in the Independent Bookshop of the Year category of British Book Awards.

Huge list of activities planned for Clane as town celebrates St Patrick's Day tomorrow

Gardaí launch appeal for help in search of missing Dublin teen

Irish Rail say they can't reduce south Kildare rail fares but will look at improving services

Met Éireann predicting miserable day of weather today in Kildare

Tricky Kerry clash Kildare's last hope of unlikely survival in Division 1