Kildare Co Council is reminding motorists this morning that N7/M7 eastbound mainline traffic will move on to the new carriageway surface adjacent to the new median starting from today.

A statement said that, subject to favourable weather conditions, the next section of M7/N7 eastbound mainline traffic will commence movement onto the new carriageway surface, adjacent to the new central median, from 06.00am on Tuesday morning 26 February 2019.

The first stage will involve splitting the traffic lanes on the eastbound M7 carriageway on approach to Junction 9 (Naas North), continuing on from previous switches for approx. 2.5km up to Junction 8 (Johnstown) exit.

Motorists are advised that although both eastbound lanes are for the M7/N7 they should take the left hand lane only if wishing to exit at Junction 9 (Naas North) and Junction 8 (Johnstown)

This arrangement will facilitate the completion of the new middle lane in this section and, following these works, two lanes over this section will run on the new surface adjacent to the median.

A minimum of two lanes will be maintained during peak hours of 06.00hrs to 22.00hrs at all times.

Once traffic has been moved across, works will continue to the adjacent verge/hard shoulder areas, which will include for the tie in of new slip lanes.

Any inconvenience caused to the public is regretted.

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 said that Checkpoints were carried out on all routes surrounding Baltinglass town.

Officers were targeting traffic offences as well as general crime.

The operation was carried out by Baltinglass Gardaí, Roads Policing Unit and the local Detective Unit.

Gardaí said a number of Road Traffic Offences were detected.

Searches were also carried out under the Drugs Act and criminal intelligence reports.

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

Yesterday at Dublin Port officers seized 29,400 cigarettes and 3kgs of tobacco with an estimated retail value of €20,000.

During a routine search, revenue officers discovered the tobacco products when they stopped and searched a passenger who had arrived from Abu Dhabi. The tobacco products, branded 'Chesterfield', 'Paul Mall', 'Marlboro Gold' and 'Amber Leaf' have a retail value of €20,000 representing a loss to the Exchequer of €14,000.

The passenger, a 34-year-old Lithuanian man, was arrested as part of the operation. The man appeared before Judge Dermot Simms in the Dublin Metropolitan District Court yesterday where he was remanded in custody to Cloverhill until Friday next, March 1 when he will again be brought before the Court.

These seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting the supply and sale of illegal tobacco products in the shadow economy.

If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding the smuggling or sale of illegal cigarettes or tobacco, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Freephone 1800 295 295.

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.

Leinster Rugby player James Tracy visited his old school Newbridge College on Tuesday to talk to a group of TY students about their upcoming trip to Jamaica.  

13 students from the College are travelling to Jamaica in April to visit the Mustard Seed Community Home for abandoned children with disabilities.

While there, the students will help at the home with some light construction, landscaping, painting, building / repairs and entertaining the children.  

The children who live in the home benefit hugely from these visits and the funding provided significantly improves their quality of life.

For the Irish children who visit, the trip is a life changing experience.

ABOVE: Harry Masterson, Mary Kate Martin , Sinead Mc Aleenan, Lauren Doyle, Kate O'Donovan, James Tracy (Leinster Rugby and ex Newbridge College), Sheila Zebedee ( Parent and Organiser), Anna Brophy, Ashling Lewens, Betha Mathon and Diarmuid Mangan.

A committee of Newbridge College parents, led by Sheila Zebedee, is holding a Fashion Show in the Keadeen Hotel on Friday, March 8 to raise funds for the Mustard Seed Community Home.  

Tickets are €65 and are available at mustardseedfashionshow@gmail.com or by text at 085-7164597.  

Tickets include a Prosecco reception at 1pm followed by a 4 course lunch and fashion show.  

Diamonds and Pearls, Kalu, Vanity Fair, Roisin Linnane, Jennifer’s Hat Emporium, Virenze Shoes, Whelan’s Menswear and Relay Newbridge are all participating.  

A glamorous and fun day is guaranteed!.

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.

Retired Detective Sergeant Joseph Higgins and his wife Lolo presented a mobile Defibrillator to Naas Community First Responders (CFR).

The defibrillator is named 'Frankie' in memory of their son.

The potentially life-saving technology will be used to help provide the invaluable service of Community First Response.

Also present are Amanda Ross and Yvonne Fennessy of Naas CFR and Garda Hannah Rose and Garda Gary Cogan.

Joe highlighted the dedication, professionalism and sense of community spirit of the volunteers of Naas First Responders, who provide such a great service to the community.

Naas Gardai were thrilled to help mark the generosity of our retired colleague and to endorse his praise of the CFR team.

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 County Council will install a new litter bin in the Moorefield Park area of Newbridge this week after residents complained about a 'shocking amount' of rubbish being dumped close to the new skate park.

It is understood that over the past couple of weeks residents in the area have raised concerns after spotting rubbish dumped close to the brand new skate park which is very popular with youngsters.

Speaking to KildareNow, one resident said: "The rubbish has been building back up in recent weeks, particularly close to the skate park and the green area. It was a shocking amount and a real eye-sore and so some of us residents complained to the Council this week."

Meanwhile, Fiona O'Loughlin, TD for Kildare South also contacted Kildare County Council after receiving an influx of calls over rubbish accumulating in the area. She said: "I visited the area on Monday morning and was completely taken back by the amount of litter around the skate park and the green area including beer cans.I was advised that a litter bin will be installed this week which they hope will reduce the amount of people disposing of their waste on the ground."

Deputy O'Loughlin added: "I have also requested that the litter pickers include the green area in their daily cleaning routine of the town. The skate park is located at such a prominent area that the waste is seen and an eye sore for anyone passing by."

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.

Today's balmy sunshine across Co Kildare and elsewhere could be close to breaking all-time temperature records for February.

Some car thermometers were showing 18.5 degrees before lunchtime.

And in meteorological terms, February is still technically Winter as Spring doesn't start until March 1.

Highest Temperature 

The highest ever February temperature recorded in Ireland was over 130 years ago - 18.1 degrees on February 23, 1891 at Casement Aerodrome in Dublin.

Yesterday was also a very mild day and the highest temperature reached was 17.3 degrees, in Mount Dillon, Co Roscommon - but today's levels could reach higher.

Met Eireann told the Irish Times that temperatures reached exactly 18 degrees in 2012 - the second warmest February day ever recorded in Ireland.

Records were broken in the UK yesterday with a top temperature of 20.6 degrees at Trawsgoed in Wales.

Cold and wind on the way 

Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts as Friday will see temperatures drop to 11 degrees with showers and winds of 50 to 70 km/hr.

Temperatures will fall further on Saturday and Sunday, according to Irish Weather Online experts.

Monday and Tuesday of next week will see wintry showers in places.

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 said that Checkpoints were carried out on all routes surrounding Baltinglass town.

Officers were targeting traffic offences as well as general crime.

The operation was carried out yesterday by Baltinglass Gardaí, Roads Policing Unit and the local Detective Unit.

Gardaí said a number of Road Traffic Offences were detected.

Searches were also carried out under the Drugs Act and criminal intelligence reports.

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 family from Kill is appealing for help to locate their much beloved cat missing since last Friday evening.

The cat is 12-years-old with black fur and green eyes named 'Otto' and he is missing from Earls Court, Kill, Co Kildare since Friday, February 22.

His worried owners have created posters in their search to find him and they are asking those living in the Kill area to 'please check your sheds'

If anyone may have seen Otto they are asked to contact his owners on 087 9690134.

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 C Dennison

It was a home-coming to remember for Ballymore Eustace native singing sensation Megan O’Neill as she returned to her home town to play an intimate gig for her fans in Mick Murphy’s Pub in Ballymore Eustace last night Monday, February 25.

The quaint and very popular local pub Mick Murphy’s was full to capacity with fans and patrons all keen to listen to talented Megan as she performed for the renowned Ballymore Acoustic Gigs (BAG) run by Roy Thompson.

Speaking to KildareNow just before her performance, Megan, 28, said that she was delighted to be able to perform in her home town after spending so much time performing abroad. She told KildareNow: “I’m working on the next album which will be out in 2020 we’re working with the Dunwell brothers Dave and Joe who are amazing. It’s so good to be back home in Ballymore Eustace, I’ve missed it and my family so it’s great to be here. I do love coming home to Ireland to perform, you can’t beat an Irish audience.”

Indeed, the atmosphere in the pub was electric on the night as Megan gave a stellar performance, belting out her hit songs ‘Ghost of You’ ‘Walls’, ‘Coming Home’, ‘Treading Water’, her cover of Big Little Town’s ‘Girl Crush’ and much more and soon enough the crowd was singing the words back to her.

Talented Megan also explained the backstory behind many of her hit songs including ‘Walls’ which she wrote after a bad experience in which her home in London was broken into, while her song ‘Any Younger’ was co-written by the UK duo the Dunwell brothers Joe and Dave.

Ballymore native Megan is working on her new upcoming album with the Dunwell brothers

Megan O'Neill at BAG gig in Mick Murphy's with Liam Lawlor, former retired school teacher who once accompanied Megan on guitar for a radio interview!
Photo C Dennison

This coming weekend Megan is due to perform a small tour of Germany where she will perform in Schwalbach on March 1, as well as in Hanover on March 2 and in Cologne on March 3, 2019.

She is further booked to play at the massive Country to Country Festival in O2 Arena, London in early March 8 and 9 before returning to Ireland for a gig in McAuley Place on April 5, another eclectic music venue in Co Kildare. Doors open 8.30pm, tickets available from Megan’s website, Jam Music, Naas or directly from McAuley Place, Naas.

Megan has recorded and performed with many leading musicians in Nashville, as well as performing with Irish singer Gavin James at JJ Abram’s Oscar Wilde party in LA.

A former student of Scoil Mhuire NS, and Cross and Passion in Kilcullen before attending university at UCD studying psychology under scholarship with the UCD Choral Scholars before deciding to embrace her great love of song-writing and performing on stage.

After university, Megan moved to Nashville to further her singing career, before moving to London a few years ago. She has gathered a great following playing in leading venues in London and the UK with a gig at Country to Country Festival in O2 Arena, London in early March 8 and 9.

After her gig in Naas on April 5, Megan heads north to Belfast to perform at Ards International Guitar Festival on April 7. Meanwhile, there's plenty more exciting gigs coming up in Mick Murphy's pub in Ballymore Eustace as next Monday March 4 singers Frankie Lane and Paul Kelly will perform live at BAG from 8.30pm with tickets on sale for €15.

Check out Megan O'Neill's fantastic cover of 'Girl Crush' now on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music.

Check out:

http://megan-oneill.com/

https://www.facebook.com/meganoneillmusic

https://twitter.com/meganoneill

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.

Aoife O Sullivan, 23, from Cork was crowned Miss Ireland 2018 and the MR Ireland title going to Galway hurler 27-year-old Wayne Walsh, as part of their win both represent Ireland at the finals of Miss World and MR World respectively.

Conceived in 1947, Miss Ireland is one of the longest running beauty pageant in the world and counts a host of famous faces in Ireland from models, broadcasters, bloggers to Business owners. Rosanna Davison represented Ireland at Miss World 2003 and won the Title; and Emma Waldron was placed in the Top 5 at Miss World 2010.

Meanwhile, Ireland also had world success with Kamal Ibrahim winning the title of MR World, current MR Ireland Wayne Walsh represents Ireland this June at the final of MR World which is held in the Philippians

Brendan Marc Scully Miss Ireland Boss & Creative Director says: "Every year we are more excited than the last as the event becomes bigger and bigger, This year is the 72^nd year for Miss Ireland and following on from last year’s successful event adding in our MR Ireland selection we have a huge production planned for 2019 in The Helix Theatre in Dublin”

To register for one of the upcoming selections simply apply via the website www.miss-ireland.ie  for both titles.

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.

This evening will continue dry in Co Kildare. Today people throughout the county have been leaving the coats and scarves typically required in February behind.

Temperatures are between 15 and 18 degrees in Co Kildare today.

There will be mainly clear skies.

Lowest temperatures will reach between two and five degrees.

Winds will be light southerly and variable in direction.

There will be some mist. Fog patches will form.

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.

Rentokil, Ireland’s leading pest control provider, is warning the public of a significant increase in the presence of moths in Irish homes and businesses over the past three years.

The company has experienced an increase in callouts for moth infestations of 54% since 2015. Callouts to deal with the butterfly-like pest have increased by almost 14% in 2018 when compared with the previous year.

Dublin was the county which accounted for the most callouts for moths in 2018, with 53% of all callouts to the capital. Cork (18%), Wicklow (6%) and Kildare (5%) were the next three counties which accounted for the most callouts for moths from Rentokil.

Moths are most likely to be found in spare bedrooms, under mattresses, infrequently used wardrobes and attics and as moth larvae feed on fabric they cause significant damage to clothes, blankets, carpets, curtains and upholstery. By spring cleaning these areas and properly packing away winter clothes homeowners can reduce the risk of moth larvae eating into precious textiles.

The presence of moths can become very costly for home or business owners, both financially and emotionally - nobody wants to find holes in a quilt handed down from a beloved grandparent, or a carefully stored wedding dress.

There are four common moth species in Ireland, each with differing preferences for materials, and each causing damage to fabrics and materials in different ways:

• Common clothes moth larvae cause irregular shaped holes in fabrics.
• Case bearing clothes moth larvae create smaller, more regular shaped holes in garments.
• Brown house moth larvae tend to prefer animal-based materials like feathers and leather.
• White shouldered house moth larvae scavenge on a wide range of food, so are a little less damaging to textiles.

Richard Faulkner, Technical Field Consultant for Rentokil said: “Once inside the home, moths lay eggs in dark and rarely disturbed areas where clothes or other textiles are stored. High risk areas in the home include areas we use to store clothes and textiles.”

Top Spring-cleaning tips to prevent moth infestations:

• Always clean clothes before storing them - dirty or soiled clothes are particularly attractive to moths.
• Keep stored clothing and textiles in sealed plastic bags or suitcases.
• Vacuum regularly - ensure hidden areas such as under furniture are regularly vacuumed to remove moth eggs before they hatch. This is particularly important if there has been a previous infestation or if you have noticed increased levels of moth activity.
• Keep curtains drawn at night - draw curtains at night or use fly screens to prevent moths entering your home through doors and windows.  

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 Mr George W. Henderson
Kildare / Edenderry, Offaly

Mr George W. Henderson, 6th August 1939, formerly of Kildare and Edenderry and later of Manchester England. George sadly passed away on the 6th of February 2019 in hospital following a short illness. He will be sadly missed by his friends and family both in Ireland and England. He leaves behind James, Gina, Katie, Georgia, Molly and Susan.

Cremation service will be held at Agecroft Crematorium Salford, Manchester Thursday, 28th February 2019, at 3:00pm. Funeral arrangements by James Bradley & Sons, 75 Oatlands Road, Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M22 1AH, 0161 436 6466.

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 Naas man is facing a trespassing charge in connection to a house that he sold in 2006.

The man in his sixties is facing a charge of trespassing on the curtellage of a building in Naas, on July 24, 2017.

Defence Solicitor, Matthew Byrne, told the court how the accused is the former owner of the property and currently lives across the road.

Mr Byrne told the court how his client says that he  owns the water rights for the river that runs through the property.

Garda evidence given at Naas District Court outlined how he met the owner of the property and his wife and made a complaint that the accused had come into their property in a 'threatening manner'.

The Garda said it is alleged that the acccused said to the owner of the property that he is a 'deadman' and that he 'would get them.'

Garda evidence outlined that the owners of the property were working on a mill wheel to create electricity when the accused saw what was going on and came into the property and started threatening them.

The court heard how the Gardaí were then called.

In court, the owners, a husband and wife, told the court how they have been living in the property for 14 years.

The wife said: "He is living across the road in a mobile home. I feel threatened in my own home and garden."

Defence said: "He has had a difficult past."

In court Defence said that there was an immediate danger to the work being carried out in the weir.

The accused said: "I own the water rights of the mill."

The owner of the property said: "My concern is for my wife, he firmly believes that all the land belongs to him, we have to look at rubbish, he is permanently camped there."

A friend of the accused, renowned musician Steve Cooney, appeared in court, and said: "He converted the mill to a lovely place. I can't believe what I am hearing."

Mr Cooney says that his friend, is just trying to protect the river.

Judge Desmond Zaidan said: "They are entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of their own home. He seems to have become obsessed by the whole thing."

The accused said that he hold the source of owning the weir and that he ensures that damage is not caused.

Judge Zaidan said: "He may have deep beliefs and there may be damage to the waterworks, and this can be checked by the council. But it seems that this couple are wrongly at the receiving end, if I am forced I will send him to prison."

The Judge advised Defence to try and resolve the issue with Kildare County Council and sort out the land registry.

In court, the accused said: "I have to continually work with the water to prevent flooding, I bought the water rights."

Judge Zaidan ordered that the accused appear again before Naas District Court on March 27, next.

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 man has appeared before Naas District Court facing a dangerous driving charge in relation to speeding.

Sgt Jim Kelly told Naas District Court how the accused driving at a speed of 133km per hour in a 100km zone was a 'contributory factor' in the dangerous driving charge.

In court the accused said that he had not got any letter in the post.

Judge Desmond Zaidan said: "Whether you got a letter or not, you are here now."

The accused was ordered to appear again before Naas District Court on February 28, 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.

By Kim O'Leary

This lovely 4 bedroom semi-detached home in Kilcullen will perfectly suit the needs of a family as it boasts spacious accommodation and a large back garden with a tree house and proximity to local amenities for a cost of €270,000.

Dowling Property Kilcullen is delighted to present to the market “9 The View”, Cnoc Na Greine, Kilcullen, Co Kildare. The property is presented in good decorative order throughout extending to c.122 mt.sq. with 3 double bedrooms and 1 single, and 3 bathrooms including a master en suite and guest w.c., as well as an entrance hallway, sitting room, and a kitchen/dining area.

Ideally located overlooking a well-maintained green with handsome landscaping to the front along with off-street parking for two cars.

The rear garden is the real highlight of the property and it has recently been upgraded and landscaped by its current owners and includes a unique treehouse for the kids and a block built shed.

A lovely tree house in the back garden that the kids will love!

Also includes a block built shed

Both primary and secondary schools are located just a stone’s throw away and the residence is just a 3 minutes drive to the M7/M9 and the excellent local amenities found in Kilcullen.

This property will greatly appeal to families and early viewing is advised, for more information contact Dowling Property Kilcullen on 045 482189 and check out 30 images at www.daft.ie

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 Martin Connelly 

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.

Some householders living in Co Kildare have been able to witness the spectacular and highly unusual sight of Wicklow gorse fires in February over the past 24 hours.

Raging blazes on the surrounding hills can be seen from Daly's Emo filling station on the N81 at Hollywood.

In the photos by Catherine Curley, the flames appear to be only hundreds of metres away.

The dry weather over recent days and the unseasonable warmth for the past four days has created tinderbox conditions in dense undergrowth.

 Gorse fires are usually only a feature of drought-like conditions in summer months.

Fires started to break out in the Glencullen area near Johnnie Fox's pub on Saturday night last.

Dublin Fire Brigade officers were quickly on the scene.

Here are photos by Dublin Fire Brigade of fires in the Boherabreena area near Tallaght this afternoon.

Two fire engines responded to the scene.

Simon Noone, who lives near Sallins, saw flames in the distance from his home this evening (below).

He said: "Gorse fire in Dublin mountains visible from my house in Kildare in February. It’s crazy."

Last night, firefighters attended another  gorse wildfire in the Dublin mountains.

There were reports of cars being covered in ash today due to deposits carried in the wind from the fires.

A passenger on an airplane took a photo of a clearly visible gorse fire (above) in Rathfarnam as the city's lights are seen in the foreground.

No injures were reported so far since the gorse fires began and no private property has been damaged.

Things kicked off on Saturday night last, firefighters were called to a gorse fire in Glencullen in the Dublin mountains.

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.