Gardaí at Blanchardstown responded to a report of shots fired this afternoon  at approximately 3.40p.m in the vicinity of the Community College on Blanchardstown Road North, Blanchardstown.

A lone gunman appeared to target a man in his 20’s who was waiting outside the school.  The gunman ran in the direction of Corduff Grove.  No people were injured during the incident.  A number of people were arrested at the scene, and released following searches.

Gardaí at Blanchardstown have this evening carried out a number of searches in the Corduff area, with the assistance  of the Emergency Response Unit and Armed Support Units.  No further arrests have been made.

Superintendent Carolan, Blanchardstown Garda Station has condemned this reckless attack which took place in broad day light at a time when school was just about to finish and students would have been exiting to be collected by parents.

Superintendent Carolan is appealing to any person in the vicinity of the Community College between 3p.m. and 3.40p.m. to contact Gardaí at Blanchardstown Garda Station.   In particular Gardaí are looking for any person driving along Blanchardstown Road North or Corduff Grove who may have dashcam footage to make contact.  Gardaí are also appealing for any person who observed any unusual activity in the vicinity of the Community College in recent days to make contact at Blanchardstown Garda Station at 01-6669700 or the Garda Confidential  Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

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A Co Kildare TD met with the CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, this afternoon.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Science and Technology James Lawless TD; Fine Gael TD and Chair of the Oireachtas Communications Committee Hildegarde Naughton and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, today met with Facebook founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg.

The Deputies, who are members of the International Grand Committee on Disinformation and Fake News, discussed their concerns in relation to the regulation of social media, greater transparency in political advertising and the wellbeing of both users and content moderators. They also impressed upon Mr Zuckerberg the need to engage with legislators and updated him on initiatives from our own Communications Committee.

The meeting, held at Mr. Zuckerberg’s request, was in the context of the work of the International Grand Committee and their forthcoming meetings in Ottawa, Canada, and Dublin, Ireland. The International Grand Committee is a meeting of parliamentarians from throughout the world and which considers matters related to social media regulation.

Deputy Lawless said: “It was a welcome opportunity to meet with Mr. Zuckerberg today and discuss many of the issues which have been to the fore over recent times. It was particularly helpful to meet with him in relation to my Bill, the Online Advertising and Social Media (Transparency) Bill, and to discuss the progression of legislation aimed at making the internet a safer place for all."

He said:“Facebook recently put in place new regulations which seek to provide greater transparency in political advertising. This is a welcome and positive move especially in the run up to the EU elections in May but I believe it must go further with transparency measures placed on a statutory footing. I agree with Mr Zuckerberg that there is a need for governments to take a more active role and that it can’t be left to social media giants alone to regulate and police the internet."

He said:“I put to Mr. Zuckerberg that his statements were welcome but needed to be backed up by action. I cited the UK ICO commissioners point re whether they would consider appealing their fine for data breaches? I also asked whether they would repatriate the 1.5 billion data sets which left Ireland on the eve of the GDPR. He noted my concerns but said that the ICO appeal was more about principles of data portability. He acknowledged the eve of GDPR data transfer was poor optics."

The Deputies agreed that social media is a great enabler but there must be rules in place for those who seek to use it for their own sinister motives. The issues of editorial control and whether social media is viewed as a publisher or platform is something which they will discuss further at the Oireachtas Committee on Communications.

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By Kim O'Leary 

This quaint 3-bedroom detached bungalow is located just 10 minutes from Newbridge town centre and it rests on a 1 acre site with a double garage, separate entrance, and a small stream for a price of €260,000.

REA Brophy Farrell Newbridge is happy to present as it enters the property market "Barrettstown", Newbridge, Co Kildare, a private home just a 10 minutes drive from the nearby Newbridge town centre.

Inside the property consists of 3 well-proportioned bedrooms, 1 family bathroom, an entrance hall, living room, kitchen, and a dining room.

Outside the property stretches to a c.1 acre site and it is approached via a gravel driveway with ample space for several cars, a detached double garage, block built shed, a private entrance and a stream running along the rear boundary.

There is also a septic tank and a well on-site.

There is also a detached double garage on site

Property extends to a 1 acre site

Barrettstown was built in 1972 and offers great potential to those looking to possibly expand and it is also conveniently located in terms of local amenities in Newbridge which include schools, church, recreational and leisure facilities, restaurants, pubs and shops.

Early viewing of this delightful home is highly recommended and for more information contact REA Brophy Farrell Newbridge on 045 431 327 and check out 20 images at www.daft.ie

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There were jubilant celebrations at Lotto HQ today as Donegal farmer Odhrán Doherty (23) became Ireland’s newest Lotto millionaire after he claimed the €1 million top prize from the Lotto Plus 1 draw from last Saturday with a ticket gifted to him from his dad Liam.

The father and son are very close and work together on the family farm at The Glebe in Letterkenny.

The lucky Donegal man is the 14^th millionaire created since Lotto and Lotto Plus game enhancements were introduced last September. The game improvements – which saw the top prize in Lotto Plus 1 double from €500,000 to €1 million -  have resulted in a 50% increase in winners, with over five million winners sharing almost €80 million in prizes since the September launch.

Odhrán – who arrived at Lotto HQ in style in a white Hummer with family and friends - said he was completely shocked when he check the Lottery results on Saturday night and realised that he had won the huge sum of money. Odhrán was going to a party in a local bar that evening and called into the adjoining shop to check his ticket.

His dad Liam said: "He rang me and said the ticket had said he was a winner. He checked with the guy in the shop but they said it was too big for them to tell him how much he had won.

"He told me I had better come out. I thought it was an early April's Fool joke or something. When I got out to him he came out of the party with his hands above his head and said he was a millionaire."

He said:"I took the ticket off him for safe-keeping and we realised later there was only one winner of the one million euro."

A former pupil of Woodlands National School and St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny, Odhrán is big into farm machinery and a new vehicle could well be on the cards with his new-found wealth.

The lucky Donegal man is the 14^th millionaire created since Lotto and Lotto Plus game enhancements were introduced last September. The game improvements have resulted in a 50% increase in winners, with over five million winners sharing almost €80 million in prizes since the September launch.

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 Transport Special Purpose Committee (SPC) in Dublin City Council, chaired by Cllr Ciaran Cuffe, announced the long awaited, but exciting proposals for the Liffey Quays: encompassing the Liffey Cycle route, ancillary bus facilities, and improved pedestrian walkways. The proposed design extends from the Phoenix Park, all the way to the Tom Clarke Bridge, and will be a great boost to cyclists, pedestrians and bus users.

The idea for a fully segregated cycle track along the River Liffey spine was first discussed at a workshop as far back as 2011. Dublin Cycling Campaign have been actively campaigning for this iconic route for many years. It is now wonderful now to see a potentially acceptable design proposal at this stage which has something for for all route users.

The proposed cycleway design is a fully segregated cycle track on either side of the Liffey all the way along the route, together with added boardwalk and footpath facilities for pedestrians, and separated continuous bus lanes, as well as a continuous general traffic lane over the full route. Dublin Cycling Campaign warmly welcomes the design, which will now be submitted to a public consultation process, and will need to be approved and supported by the members of Dublin City Council. The public consultation process will allow for specific suggestions to be taken up on the detailed plans.

The Dublin City Development Plan prioritises cycling, walking and public transport above all other transport modes, and this latest design proposal for the River Liffey spine is a recognition of this prioritisation enshrined in the development plan.

The proposed plan is

• an important and iconic statement by the City,that recognises the need to encourage active travel, and thus a healthier populace
• endorsing the Vision outlined in the most recent Dublin City Development Plan 2016-2022, which is of ‘a socially inclusive city of urban neighbourhoods, all connected by an exemplary public transport, cycling and walking system’
• a recognition of a people centred vision for our future city
• recognising the economic and social success of many similar developments in other European cities such as Paris and London.

The prioritising of a riverside cycling (and walking) facility will unlock this congested and often dangerous route so that cycling works for people of all ages, for families, leisure cycling, and commuters alike. Dublin needs to move beyond viewing the River Liffey as simply a transport corridor. This latest proposal of re-imagining of the quays over its full length will enable this, while simultaneously

• Increasing the on-street capacity for the city’s growing population;
• Improving air quality and reducing noise pollution;
• Boosting tourism;
• Attracting the world’s leading companies and business
• Improving the health of all Dubliners.

To celebrate this latest development of a safe segregated plan for the Liffey spine Dublin Cycling Campaign will be holding a further Family Friendly Liffey Cycle on Sunday 14th April next, gathering in Grand Canal Square at 11am. 

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In a reply to a question by Catherine Martin TD in the Dáil today An Tánaiste Simon Coveney has confirmed that the Government will be extending Rent Pressures Zones to the end of 2021.

Green Party Deputy Leader and TD for Dublin Rathdown Catherine Martin said:“The news that Rent Pressure Zones will be extended to the end of 2021 will be a significant relief to those in rented accommodation who were facing substantial rent increases at the end of this year/start of next year if the Rent Pressure Zones had lapsed."

He said:“While the extension to 2021 will be welcome for many, it is still a short term solution and shows little ambition for our rental communities. With growing numbers in long-term rental situations we need long-term solutions to affordability and security. Ad hoc approaches simply won’t suffice."

He said:“The indication from the Tánaiste that criteria for an area to qualify for the Rent Pressure Zones will be changed from an area having to be above the national average will be welcome for rural areas of Ireland, as Dublin’s impact on the averages has excluded them from being included. I look forward to hearing the full details on this point when Minister Murphy releases his plans."

He said:“However, there are still significant concerns in relation to Rent Pressure Zones. We have seen that even where Rent Pressure Zones exist, rent has continued to surge. This is due mostly to a lack of enforcement – either on rogue landlords who are increasing rent beyond the cap on existing tenants or by landlords who increase the rents above the cap where there has been a change of tenancy. If Government are serious about curbing the growth of rents, then they need to crackdown on these issues.”

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Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2019 announced its Senior winners at the Fresh Film Festival 2019 in Limerick on Thursday, March 28^th. The competition, which received a record of more than 1700 entries this year, announced the winners at the Odeon Castletroy.

Kildare’s Young Filmmakers and Playacting Youth Theatre won the Gradam TG4 do Scannan sa Ghaeilge Award at Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2019 for their film ‘An Fainne’, which follows the story of a vulnerable girl who is put under pressure at her job.

Speaking about their win was 18 year old director of ‘An Fainne’ Athena Fusciardi from Lodgepark, who said “I’m so happy that our movie won an award! I worked really hard and it really paid off. I would encourage anyone interested in film to enter next year as it’s a great opportunity and encourages young people to make films”.

Other films entered into Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2019 from Kildare filmmakers included ‘A Day in Life’ by Ben Hatton Walsh from Scoil Dara, which aims to teach how the smallest of gestures can change someone’s day and outlook, ‘Just a Friend’ by Liam Boland of Kildare Young Filmmakers, in which a girl makes a friend online, ‘I Don’t Know’ by Molly Hoche from Playacting Youth Theatre, in which two girls are faced with a really difficult decision, and ‘24 hour Schoolday’ by Liam Boland, in which a student's who’s stressed from all their school work gets tired of the continuous pile of work to do.

14-year-old Sean Tracy from Ashford in Wicklow, took home the title of Ireland’s Young Senior Filmmaker of the year 2019 for his short film ‘Rue’, a story about a boy who regrets his last words to his best friend. Speaking about his win, said, “To win here today is an absolute honour, especially considering the quality of the films that were entered! I think this year's films are the highest quality that Fresh Film has ever received. They were all absolutely outstanding and any of them could have placed first. I am really honoured and chuffed that it was this film that won. It's one the actors and I worked really hard on, I couldn't have done it without them, and they were amazing. I can't thank Fresh Film Festival enough for organising the whole event, it was just fantastic!”

Cal Arnold O’Driscoll, aged 16 from Dublin 7 was the second place winner for his film ‘Big Bad World’, in which two Irish teens from the 90’s finally break the rules by going on their very own vacation. Milosh Hughes, aged 18 from Malahide in Dublin took home third place for his film ‘Descensus’, in which a young boy loses his grip on reality as constant nightmares cause him to spiral into madness.

Other entries received Highly Commended Awards on the day, including Pippa Molony aged 18 from Dublin 15 for Story for her film ‘Hero’, Oisin McKeogh, aged 18 from Killaloe, Clare for Direction for his film ‘Ode to a Dancer’, and Reuben Harvey, aged 19, from Abbeyleix in Laois, for Performance for his film ‘Radioheads/Picture This’. Reuben Harvey also won the Audience Awards on the day for his film ‘Picture This’, which follows two idiots who enter into an Irish short film festival but struggle to come up with a good idea.

Vigga Wagner from Copenhagen in Denmark won the International Film Award for her film Bubblehead which follows a girl who lives a solitary life with her pet fish that meets a cute boy when she visits the pet shop after her goldfish dies.

In addition to the Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year awards, a number of specialist awards were presented on the day including Ryan Connolly, aged 18 from Aquinas Grammar School in Down whose film ‘Contact’ took home the Boulder Media Award for animation and Milosh Hughes, aged 18 from Malahide in Dublin, whose film ‘Zwei’ won the RTÉ 60 Second Award. Additionally, Athena Fusciardi, aged 18 from Lodgepark, Kildare, won the Gradam TG4 do Scannan sa Ghaeilge Award for the best film in the Irish Language for her film ‘An Fainne’, while Mount Mercy College from Cork won the Radharc Senior Award for their film ‘Mother Nature knows Breast’, which is a documentary about low breastfeeding rates in Ireland.

Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year is the highlight of Limerick’s Fresh Film Festival, which is now in its 23^rd year. Other highlights of Fresh Film Festival 2019 include feature screenings and workshops including an Industry Master class with The National Youth Film School.

Fresh Film Festival encourages young people from Ireland and overseas, aged 7 to 18 years, to create, exhibit and share films.  The festival provides an opportunity for these young filmmakers to have their work seen on a cinema screen for the first time and to compete for the title of Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year.  All films submitted are also considered for a range of Specialist Awards including the Radharc Trust Award (documentary), the Boulder Media Animation Award, the RTE 60 Second Short Film Award and the RTE Factual Award, in addition to the International and Audience awards.

“Ireland’s Young Filmmaker have a very interesting approach” says Jayne Foley, Director of Fresh Film Festival. “Storytelling is at the core” she says, “because the budget is usually either low or non-existent, filmmakers have to be very inventive with plot and location.” This year the festival received over 1700 films into its three categories Junior, Senior and International. Jayne adds, “The festival is a forum where young film-makers can meet each other. Even at that stage networking is important. You may end up meeting the same people again later in your career. As advocates of young filmmaking, we also try to showcase films abroad. We’ve brought Irish films and young filmmakers to Korea, Austria, Germany and Edinburgh. This year we are excited to have a number of international young filmmakers coming to Fresh and sharing their filmmaking experience with us.”

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IFA National Sheep Chairman Sean Dennehy said the lamb trade has improved slightly this week with farmers getting €5.50/kg and top prices of €5.60/kg paid. He said lambs remain very scarce and farmers should negotiate hard on both price and weights.

He said with Easter approaching on April 21st, and Ramadan on May 5th, there is more in the price. Ewes are making €2.85/€3.00/kg.

Sean Dennehy pointed out that hoggets were making €6.10/6.20/kg this time last year.

The IFA sheep farmers’ leader said farmers with heavier lambs should look at the options in the marts as the butcher and wholesale trade is very strong.

On numbers, Sean Dennehy said the weekly kill remains very tight with only a total of 38,098 for the week ending March 24th. This is down 31% or 16,724 on the same week last year. He said the kill figures also show that there has been no processing of spring lambs to-date.

On new season Spring lamb prices, Sean Dennehy said some factories have been quoting low prices to try and keep a lid on the opening prices. He said farmers need at least the same price as last year.

He said with the higher costs of meal this year, lambs would need to be coming into €140 to €150 per head.

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IFA Environment Chairman Thomas Cooney has welcomed the 50% increase in funding to tackle illegal dumping. He has also called for increased prosecutions by local authorities.

Thomas Cooney said, “Farm families and rural dwellers are the real custodians of the environment. They are sickened by the abhorrent behaviour of passing motorists and serial dumpers who use the countryside as a tipping ground. It’s not acceptable and can’t continue.

Minister Bruton’s announcement builds on the €1.3million that was provided to tackle illegal dumping last year. While education and awareness are important, we need to see action by local authorities, who must track, trace and prosecute these litter louts.”

Thomas Cooney said, “Farmers have a strong record when it comes to recycling waste streams. Each year, over 25,000 tonnes of silage bale wraps, fertiliser bags and meal bags are recycled right across the country.

In 2018, IFA worked with the Department of Environment to recycle the equivalent of over half a million car tyres, and we want to work with Government to finish this job and recycle other waste streams.”

Concluding he said, “This increased funding is to be welcomed. The success of the additional measures announced must also include further prosecution of serial dumpers.”

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Rent pressure zones are set to be extended to the end of 2021, the government has confirmed.

Tanaiste Simon Coveney told the Dail that the Cabinet had made the decision to extend the legislation and also makes changes to how the qualification criteria for how rent pressure zones are calculated.

Rent pressure zones (RPZ) legislation was introduced in December 2016 as a means of controlling spiralling rents.

The laws were due to expire later this year.

Under the rules, rent can only be increased by up to 4% a year in designated RPZ areas.

Rent Pressure Zones are located in parts of the country where rents are highest and rising, and where households have the greatest difficulty finding accommodation they can afford.

Five local authority areas and 18 local electoral areas have been designated as RPZs.

RPZs in Co Kildare include Newbridge, Naas and Maynooth.

Navan in Co Meath and Limerick City East were added to the list most recently.

Mr Coveney said the criteria changes were needed “to separate Dublin from the rest of the country because rents are much so higher in Dublin”.

“Therefore, one of the qualification criteria of having to be over the national average is a criteria that needs to change for outside of Dublin,” he said.

The Tanaiste made the announcement in response to a query from Green party deputy leader Catherine Martin.

In a statement, Ms Martin said the changes would be a significant relief to those in rented accommodation who were facing substantial rent hikes if the laws lapsed, but she said it was not a long term fix to rising rents.

“While the extension to 2021 will be welcome for many, it is still a short term solution and shows little ambition for our rental communities,” she said.

“With growing numbers in long-term rental situations we need long-term solutions to affordability and security. Ad hoc approaches simply won’t suffice.”

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Cllr Brendan Young has requested that Kildare Co Council to advance the plans for the proposed boardwalk on the Liffey Bridge in Celbridge as a matter of priority "in the interests of pedestrian safety and traffic management."

The politician claimed there were repeated traffic jams on the Bridge due to buses having difficulty getting past one another.

He added: "There are ongoing risks to pedestrians because both the carriageway and the footpath are too narrow."

The issue will be raised at the next meeting of Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District taking place in Naas on April 12.

At the same meeting, Cllr Young will ask the Council to confirm if the road along the Grand Canal between Aylmers Bridge (Carneystown) and Ardclough has been taken in charge or what body is responsible for road maintenance and traffic management/policing along this road.

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The newly-opened JYSK store in Naas is hosting another free event for customers on Saturday.

Yesterday, the grand opening saw complimentary Danish Breakfasts handed out out to members of the public.

Long queues persisted all day - to get in the front doors and to get to the tills to pay for goods.

On this Saturday between 12 noon and 3pm, JYSK said it is celebrating its first week in Ireland by providing free tea, coffee and cakes.

They said: "Everybody is welcome to join in our celebrations."

Hundreds of people queued yesterday and sampled the stock on offer at the Jigginstown store.

However some claimed that the store wasn't prepared for the large crowds and that four tills were not enough to process the lines of shoppers.

It later emerged that the first customers in the queue first arrived at the store at 2am!

Debbie Price said: "My sister and I were there from 2am and first in the queue.

"We got what we wanted."

Debbie added that everybody should have realised there would be crowds and that they would be waiting in queues.

Another customer was Gillian Murphy from Ballymore Eustace who said: "Finally home now. Two big bags of stuff for €30.

"Was it worth four hours of queuing? Probably not but it was an experience anyway. I saw it as a good test of my patience!

"Decent stuff in there anyway and most of the staff are really friendly."

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It has emerged that yesterday's early morning high-speed chase through Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare involved a speed of 120km per hour through the M7 roadworks.

At another stage of the pursuit, the suspect was driving at 180kph. Up to 16 Garda cars were involved in the 40-minute chase.

Armed officers from the Regional Support Unit (RSU) and the national anti-burglary unit were involved, the Irish Independent reports.

The incident began at around 2.15am on Tuesday morning when officers were called to the scene of a criminal damage incident at Killinarden Heights, Tallaght.

It is understood the suspect is a local man who allegedly smashed windows and damaged a pillar at the property which is occupied by people known to him.

When local gardai arrived at the scene, he fled in his 4x4 vehicle and the chase began.

After driving away from Tallaght, the man briefly drove at high speed on the N81 towards Blessington, Co Wicklow.

He then changed direction and drove towards Naas and joined the N7 and on to the M7.

On the stretch of major roadworks where the speed limit is reduced to 60kph, the suspect drove at well over double the speed limit.

The chase continued into Co Laois, where the suspect rammed an armed Garda vehicle in Emo at around 3am.

The suspect was arrested and brought to Tallaght Garda Station for questioning.

Apart from specialist garda units, officers from divisions in Dublin, Laois and Kildare were all involved in the operation.

Nobody was injured during the high-speed chase.

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The death has occurred of John Flood
Ballitore, Athy, Kildare

John Flood, Ballitore, Athy, Co. Kildare. 30th March 2019 at Tallaght Hospital. Very deeply regretted by his loving wife Sharon, sons Dillon, Dom, Dan and Aaron, daughters Shauna and Ita, brothers Mike, Matt & Joe, sisters Kathleen and Annette, sons-in-law Richard and Mark, daughter-in-law Jo, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, grandchildren Ben, Jack, Charlotte, Dominic, Sam, Zoe, Olivia, Heidi, Bella and Alfie, nieces, nephews, neighbours, relatives and a large circle of friends.   Reposing at his residence on Wednesday from 3 oclock. Removal from there on Thursday Morning at 10.30 oclock to Newlands Cross Crematorium arriving for 12 oclock Service. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to Cluan Mhuire. Donation Box in House and Crematorium.   May John Rest In Peace       The death has occurred of Michael (Mickey) Berns Clonagh, Maynooth, Kildare Berns, Michael (Mickey), Clonagh, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, April 2nd 2019, peacefully at his residence, deeply regretted by his loving wife Helen, sons Sean, Brian, Robert, Michael & David, daughters Sally, Helen, Susie & Caroline, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, brother Tommy, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives & friends. Rest In Peace   Reposing at Reilly's Funeral Home, Woods House, Clane on Wednesday from 6 pm to 9pm, with prayers at 8pm. Removal on Thursday at 1.30pm to arrive at Rathcoffey Church for 2pm Funeral Mass, followed by burial in Mainham Cemetery, Clane.         The death has occurred of Sr. Assumpta Power Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley Nursing Home, Limerick / Rathangan, Kildare Power, 1st April 2019 Sr. Assumpta, Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley Nursing Home, Limerick and formerly, Convent of Mercy, Rathangan, Co. Kildare. Mourned by her Community, her sisters Sr. Rosanne and Nano Murphy, her brothers John, Frank, Michael, her nieces and nephews and their families. Reposing in Convent of Mercy, Monasterevin from 4 o'clock until 6 o'clock Wednesday (3rd April). Removal to Church of Assumption, Rathangan arriving for 7 o'clock. Funeral Mass on Thursday morning at 10 o'clock followed by burial in the Convent Cemetery.   Leaba I measc na naomh       The death has occurred of Paddy Bagnall Coolree, Robertstown, Kildare Bagnall, Paddy, Coolree, Robertstown, Co. Kildare, March 31st 2019, peacefully at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. Beloved husband of the late Maura. Deeply regretted by his loving daughters Fionnula & Catherine, sons Anthony, Kevin & Raymond, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters in law, nephews, nieces, relatives & friends.   Rest In Peace   Reposing at his son Kevin's residence in Sallins, Co. Kildare on Monday from 7pm to 9pm and on Tuesday from 2pm, with rosary at 8pm. Removal on Wednesday at 10.15am to arrive at the Church of Our Lady & St. Jospeph, Prosperous for 11am Funeral Mass, followed by burial in Killybegs Cemetery, Prosperous

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Here is footage of the M7 bridge at Osberstown being demolished with military precision last weekend.

The operation was carried out by UK experts S. Evans and Sons Demolition on behalf of the SIAC/Colas joint venture.

The motorway was completely closed from 10pm on Friday and had not been due to re-open again until 6am on Monday morning.

However, Kildare Co Council said that good progress was made on the demolition works through Friday night and all day Saturday without any delays encountered.

As a result, the Council in consultation with Naas Gardai announced that the motorway could be reopened by 6am Sunday morning - 24 hours in advance of the original scheduled time frame.

Video by: S Evans and Sons Demoliton / Demolition News.

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There will be disruptions to water supply for several areas in Newbridge with contractors carrying out essential maintenance works commencing this morning.

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Many areas dry this morning with a few sunny spells for Co Kildare, but mostly cloudy today with scattered showers.

The showers will be more prolonged as the day goes on, with sleet on hills. A cold day in a strong northerly wind. Highest temperatures 6 to 8 degrees.

Tonight will be cloudy and breezy with dry spells in all areas, but with scattered outbreaks of rain also. The rain will be light generally and mainly affecting eastern areas with mist. Northeast winds will be fresh and gusty. Lowest temperatures 1 to 4 degrees with a slight grass frost during any clear spells.

Tomorrow Thursday will be another mostly cloudy and cool day. All areas will get dry spells, but outbreaks of rain will occur too. Brief sunny spells too. Fresh northeast winds. Highest temperatures 7 to 9 degrees.

Thursday night will be cloudy cold and breezy with dry spells and outbreaks of rain.

According to Met Eireann, it will become 'progressively milder' by the end of the week.

Friday will be a cool and mostly cloudy day with scattered outbreaks of rain. The rain will be quite persistent across the south and east with low cloud and mist, but good dry spells will occur further northwest.

Fresh northeast or east winds. Temperatures in the high single figures.

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By Kim O'Leary

Irish Rail staff are appealing for help to find the owners of a little dog that was found to have possibly boarded a train from Sallins in Co Kildare to Heuston Station in Dublin.

It is understood that the brown and black dog was found on the 08:46 Sallins-Heuston earlier this morning.

The train-hopping pooch is being cared for by staff at Heuston Station in Dublin who have launched an appeal on social media in the hope of reuniting the dog with its rightful owner.

Anyone with information on the dog's owner are asked to contact Heuston Station via Irish Rail's Twitter page or contact the station on 01 7032132.

The dog is being cared for by staff

Anyone lost their dog? We have this little fella in Heuston. He was found on the 08:46 Sallins - Heuston. Help us find the owner. pic.twitter.com/q04UestrIN

— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) April 3, 2019

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Irish chocolatier Cocoa Atelier is opening up a Pop-Up Shop in Kildare Village on April 5 - just in time for Easter.

The mini-outlet by the Dublin-based manufacturer will be stocking everything to suit those with a sweet tooth, with a range of bespoke Easter eggs and Easter gifts, ice cream, marshmallows and chocolates.

Visitors to the pop-up can also build their own perfect box of chocolates from the bespoke serve-over counter - an experience that is currently exclusive to Kildare Village.

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During the early hours of the morning criminal damage was carried out to a car parked outside a house in Athy.

At Coneyboro, Athy, between 4.15am and 4.40am, between Saturday, March 30, and Sunday, March 31,  a car window was smashed.

The car was parked outside the front door of a house.

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.