Kildare North Labour General Election Candidate Emmet Stagg has been in further contact with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to progressing the construction of the New State Forensics Laboratory at Backweston, Celbridge.

The Minister previously advised Mr. Stagg that issues relating to changes in International Forensic Laboratory Standards had been resolved and that tenders had been re-invited from the shortlist of building contractors for the New State Forensics Laboratory with a closing date for submissions of March 29th, 2019.

The Minister has now advised Mr. Stagg that due to the complex nature of the project it is necessary to extend the tender return date until May, 2019.

Tender assessment will then take place during Q3 2019 and on completion of the assessment it is envisaged that construction could commence in Q3/Q4 2019. The Minister concluded by stating that once the contract is placed, the estimated construction period is 24 months.

Whilst disappointed at the further delay with the project, Mr. Stagg stated that the project would bring construction jobs and permanent employment to Celbridge and he looked forward to construction work commencing in Q3/Q4 of 2019.

In conclusion Kildare North Labour General Election Candidate Emmet Stagg stated that he was 'glad the €65 Million project was progressing because in addition to the employment it will create in North Kildare, it will provide the State with a State of the Art Forensics Facility to the Highest International Standards in the battle against crime.'

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

There will be a few isolated showers in Co Kildare tonight.

The night will be mostly dry with some clear spells.

There will be lows of zero to five Celsius.

Also there will be a touch of ground frost.

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 Margaret Mary Heneghan (née Gannon)
Carnalurgan,West Road, Westport, Mayo / Clane, Kildare

Margaret Mary Heneghan (nee Gannon), Carnalurgan, West Road, Westport, Co. Mayo, formerly of Clane, Co. Kildare. Peacefully at her residence, April 11th 2019. Predeceased by her husband John. Deeply regretted by her loving family, Thomas (Dublin), Maureen Shortall (Westport), John (Westport), Paul (Westport), Noelle Loftus (Westport), Niall (Spain), grandchildren, sisters, bother-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Rest in Peace

Reposing at her residence this Friday from 5pm to 8pm. Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, Westport on Saturday morning at 11am with burial afterwards in Donabate Cemetery, Dublin.

The death has occurred of Esther O'Brien (née Johnson)
43 Castlepark, Athy, Kildare

(Formerly Convent View, Athy). Deeply regretted by her loving children Michael, Martina and Brendan, brother Anthony, sisters May, Dina and Anne, son-in-law Colum, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, grand-children, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Rest in Peace

Reposing at Rigney's Funeral Home, Athy from 4pm on Friday. Removal at 5.30pm on Friday evening to arrive at St. Michael's Parish Church, Athy for 6pm. Requiem Mass at 11am on Saturday morning followed by burial in St. Michael's New Cemetery, Athy.

The death has occurred of Della Donegan (née Holdwright)
Newcastle, Enfield, Meath / Enfield, Kildare

Donegan Della (nee Holdwright), Newcastle, Enfield, Co. Meath, April 9th 2019, peacefully surronded by her loving family at her daughter Della's home, Duncreevan, Clane Road, Kilcock, Co. Kildare. Beloved wife of the Late Christy. Cherished Mam of Tommy, Helena, Mary Rose, Della, Orla, Fiona, Siobhán, Rona and Seamus, sister Rita, sons-in-law, grandchildren, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

May Della Rest in Peace

Reposing at the home of her daughter Della Murray on Thursday from 4pm with Rosary at 8pm. Requiem Mass on Friday in The Church of The Assumption, Jordanstown (A83 Y021) at 12 Midday followed by burial afterwards to adjoining cemetery.

House private on Friday please.

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A Monasterevin man will be a guest on the Late Late Show on tomorrow night to talk about the moving statues in Ballinspittle in 1985.

John Miller will join Ryan Tubridy to reflect on events of 34 years ago.

John features in a new documentary about moving statues in the local grotto in Monasterevin.

John, who was 20 at the time, said his mum Lily came home from Bingo with the news.

He said: “I said to my mother that if it was f**** happening all over the place, it should be happening here. Mammy said we’d go up to the grotto and see.

“We went up in the car and pulled in. We weren’t there for five minutes when at the same time we both saw the statue turning.

“It was turning to the right, towards the railway, but it wasn’t the statue itself that was moving.

“It seemed to be a figure that came down and made it appear as if it was moving; it was as if something was superimposed on the statue.

“It frightened the bejaysus out of me because I didn’t believe in this. I said to my mother, ‘don’t open your mouth about it.’” When they returned home, he says, he “got into bed and I prayed and prayed; the hair stood up on my head.”

Inevitably, word got out about the Millers’ experience:

“Crowds started to appear. People were seeing different images — some reported they were seeing the devil, others were seeing images of Our Lady with tears rolling down.

“Everyone was getting a different image.”

However, recalls John now, he continued to see exactly what he’d seen the first night.

He told the Irish Examiner:  “I saw the same thing on subsequent occasions — a vision coming over the statue and turning to the left and the right.” Every evening a nearby street light shone on the grotto, he recalls, and eventually people began to suggest that the shadow cast by this light was the cause of the strange images.

“Suddenly the light went off for 15 minutes and everyone continued to see what they’d been seeing. The light came back on and everyone’s doubts were gone.”

Now 54, he recalls, the sightings around the country that strange summer “brought one hell of a lot of prayer” back to communities around Ireland.

It also kept John close to God, he believes now, although he says, he’s not a regular churchgoer: “I have my faith. I would be religious and I believe.

“You’d always look for an answer from God; there’d be little things that could be bothering you and you’d say your prayers and do good in your community, and you get answers that way.”

The former soldier hopes, he says, that the forthcoming RTÉ documentary on Ireland’s moving statues, Moving Statues — The Summer of 1985 in which he and other eye-witnesses from around the country recall their experiences of the phenomenon, will at least make people think:

“I hope the documentary will bring people back to their faith. The Church was in dire straits then and it’s heading that way again.”

Of the phenomenon itself, he says simply: “It is what it is, people either run with it or they don’t, but it did bring prayer back all over the country and it also brought back the sense that there was a need for prayer.”

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Intel is celebrating the success of its 2018 Matching Grant initiative, rewarding 249 community organisations and schools from across Ireland with €912,684.

53 organisations from the Kildare area were part of the 2018 Matching Grant Scheme and thus will receive funding in the total amount of €246,932.

The Kildare organisations are;

1st 10th Kildare Leixlip Scout Group
Allenwood Celtic AFC
Allenwood GFC Kildare
Athy Town A F C
Barnhall RFC
Barretstown
Bushido Martial Arts
Caragh GFC
Carbury GAA
Celbridge GAA Club
Celbridge Town AFC
Clane Athletic Club
Clane GAA
Clane Rugby Club
Clane United A.F.C.
Clogherinkoe GFC
Cloghgrinkoe | Broadford GAA
Confey G.A.A. Club
Eire Og Corra Choill Athletic Club
Eire Og Corra Choill Hurling Club
Irish Red Cross - Kildare Area
Kilcock GAA Club
Kildare and District Underage League
Kildare and West Wicklow Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ltd
Kildare Town Educate Together NS
Leixlip GAA Club
Leixlip United AFC
Liffey Celtics Basketball Club
Maynooth Educate Together National School
Maynooth GAA Club
Maynooth Town Football Club
Monasterevin GFC
Moone Celtic Football Club
Moorefield GAA Club
North Kildare Educate Together School
North West Kildare Athletic Club
Prosperous United LTD
Rathcoffey GAA Club
Ribbontail Paddlers Canoe Club
Saint Vincent de Paul: Leixlip Conference
Sallins GAA Club
Scoil Chearbhaill Ui Dhalaigh
Scoil Naomh Brid
SCOIL UÃ RIADA
Scouting Ireland: 22nd Kildare Scout Group
Scouting Ireland: 6th Kildare Kill Scout Group
Scouting Ireland: 8th Kildare Scout Group (Maynooth)
St Anne's National School, Ardclough
St Brigid's Kildare Town Primary School
St Kevin's GAAÂ
St Patricks Boys National School
Suncroft GAA
The North Kildare Club

The Intel Involved Matching Grant Program encourages Intel employees to engage in outreach and volunteerism in their communities by supporting employees’ giving their time and talent to qualified non–profits organisations and schools.

For every hour that is volunteered by an Intel employee at a school or qualified non–profit organisation, a donation or “match” of $10 is paid from the Intel Foundation directly to that organisation.

In 2018 Intel employees volunteered just over 102,000 hours that were eligible to be matched through this initiative resulting in a payout of €912,684 ($1,024,406) for 249 recipient organisations who are spread across 21 different counties in Ireland.

Employees were recognised for these efforts at a special event held at the Springfield Hotel in Leixlip which was attended by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, Mayor of Kildare Seán Power, Intel Ireland General Manager Eamonn Sinnott and a number of representatives from each of the recipient organisations.

The 249 organisations which were part of the Matching Grant initiative included charities such as The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Inner City Helping Homeless and the Society of the Vincent De Paul, a variety of sporting clubs ranging from GAA to cycling, and various other organisations such as animal sanctuaries, scouting groups and schools.

The unique nature of this program is that it empowers employees to make a difference not only through their hours but also to reward their organisations with matched funding from the Intel Foundation.

This is the eleventh year that Intel has implemented the current grant scheme and in that time more than €5.5 million has been donated to charities, schools, sports clubs, social initiatives and community schemes across Ireland. The total number of hours volunteered by employees during this times is the equivalent of having 25 people working full time in the community for the full eleven years.

Eamonn Sinnott, Intel Vice President, Technology and Manufacturing Group and General Manager of Intel in Ireland spoke proudly of the thousands of hours of volunteering completed by Intel employees in 2018 which resulted in the grants “I am proud to celebrate our employees who selflessly give their time across a wide variety of volunteering activities in 21 counties in Ireland. The Matching Grant Program is a unique way for us to celebrate and reward this volunteerism – heartfelt congratulations to all involved”.

Also speaking at the event, Minister Humphreys added, “Ireland’s National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility is a call to action for businesses both large and small, to consider their impact in their local communities and society, in the workplace, on the environment, and in the marketplace, and to act positively and responsibly.

The Intel Matching Grant initiative is a proud example of what can be achieved through CSR, by providing opportunities for employees to volunteer their time and expertise to support the various organisations and schools they work with and at the same time leverage additional match funding. I want to congratulate Intel for this initiative and all of the volunteers who made it a reality. Without a doubt, it results in a ‘win:win’ – for the workplace, the wider company and local communities.”

Minister Humphreys added that “It is clear that the passion for CSR in Intel Ireland, underpinned by a strong collaborative approach, will help us to deliver the ambition of Ireland being recognised as a Centre of Excellence for responsible and sustainable business practice.”

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A very special daily visitor at Whitewater Shopping Centre is Joe Woods who this week celebrated his 98^th birthday. A former World War 2 veteran, Joe was joined by members of the Royal British Legion of Ireland, who stated they “felt privileged to be present at the Whitewater Shopping Centre on Monday last, for Joe’s birthday celebrations.

Apart from sending Joe best wishes from Legion members, the District Chairman Brian Duffy was pleased to return Joe’s refurbished war medals and Danish Liberation Memorial Medal. He also presented Joe with his UK Veteran’s Badge to add to his collection. The ROI District Standard (Geoff Barry) and Midlands and Kildare Branch Standard (Ken Blair) were immaculately turned out on parade for the occasion.

Whitewater Security Staff along with members of the Royal British Legion of Ireland with Joe in Whitewater SC

Author, friend and former soldier, Zorin Zmiric who also works in Security at Whitewater with Joe

The Whitewater Shopping Centre management and the people of Newbridge have taken Joe to their hearts and it was lovely to see so many take the opportunity to stop by and congratulate him. Joe has been residing in Newbridge for 20 years now and the Kildare Post heard that many of the businesses stand Joe a complimentary cuppa and he is partial to an ice cream in Gino’s.

Whitewater staff joined Joe and members of the British Legion on Monday and made sure he had a birthday party to remember. Amongst the revellers was Zorin Zmiric. A native of Croatia, Zorin has become a close friend of Joe’s, Zorin being a member of the security team at Whitewater. With a half dozen novels published, Arthur’s ‘Blockbuster’ by Zorin, a tale of war, was Book of the Year in Croatia. The former soldier, now author and security man, has plenty in common with Joe so the pair love a chat discussing their mutual experiences.

“We take the opportunity to thank Pat Mulcahy (Limerick Br), Pam Roche (Dublin Central), Dave Levins (Claddagh Br) and Sgt Eamon Byrne of the Irish Air Corps for their assistance with Joe’s medals; our Standard Bearers for making time to come on a Monday - Joe was simply delighted to see them both and the work done” said a spokesperson for the Legion.

A special thanks too to Joe’s good friends Tony O’Connor and Marie McDonnell for making it possible for the Legion to contribute so significantly to today’s event. Tony is also arranging for Joe to receive a replacement Liberation Memorial Medal from the Danish Embassy — so watch this space in the coming weeks. A Happy Birthday wish is extended to Joe from staff and management at Whitewater SC, many of the businesses also sponsored Joe’s 98^th birthday party: “It’s a pleasure to serve you, Joe!”

Featured photo shows Jane Gosnell and Gemma Kelly of Carraig Donn, which was one of the retailers in Whitewater who sponsored Joe's birthday party

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A Co Kildare couple with a five month old baby are extremely dismayed at the County Council refusing them planning.

Richard and Miriam O'Connor, got land from Miriam's parents in Kildangan, but are unable to build their family home on it, due to two planning refusals.

Now they have a five month old daughter Grace and have moved in with Miriam's parents.

Richard, originally from Kilberry, is employed as a mechanic while Miriam is a pensions administrator.

They made the decision to give up renting in Kildangan due to the costs while trying to save for a house.

Mr O'Connor said: "We have spent over €60,000 so far on rent, and are trying to save for a deposit and a  mortgage. So we made the decision to move back in with Miriam's parents to save a fortune on rent."

Already the couple have spent approximately €3,500 and still no planning granted.

Mr O'Connor said: "We only want to get the planning that we are entitled to."

The couple are hoping to build a two-storey house. Development costs for the couple for this house are estimated to be about €12,000.

Mr O'Connor said: "That money is going to the council. We still have to pay Irish Water."

Architect Leslie Colton says that the couple meet all the criteria and does not understand why they have not been granted planning permission.

He says that they want to build in Kildangan and want to be near friends and family, and that the land they have been given by Miriam's parents, who are farmers, is the only land available for them.

TD Seán O Fearghaill, said: "We are living through a housing crisis where thousands of families are enduring real hardship. Every house built is a contribution to resolving this crisis."

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A report launched today by Women’s Aid, the national domestic violence support organisation, highlighted the strong link between child abuse and domestic violence.

This report is a snapshot into the level and nature of abuse experienced by women and children in homes and relationships across the country.

Speaking after the launch, Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin TD said, “The report details almost 20,000 contacts with Women’s Aid in 2018.  During these contacts, there were an additional 3,728 disclosures of child abuse made.  Research shows that domestic violence is a very common context in which child abuse can take place and the organisation is calling for greater recognition of the risk to children, especially during access arrangements with domestic violence perpetrators.”

The report calls for interim measures to be put in place to protect children from the perpetrator of domestic violence including the presumption of no contact until safe contact can be guaranteed.

“One in 4 women who contacted Women’s Aid was experiencing abuse from a former husband or partner.  All of the women who reached out for help were scared for themselves and for their children.  It’s shocking that so many women are living in such a state of fear and our support systems are creaking under the pressure of the volume of calls and contacts they receive.  This report is a reminder that a lot needs to change in order to increase protection for women and children in Ireland.  This is a cause that needs significantly more funding and attention from government,” concluded O’Loughlin.

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A revised traffic management layout will be in place on the R445 at Littleconnell (between the Pfizer roundabout and  Toughers roundabout) from today.

Traffic travelling in the direction of Naas will be directed around a newly constructed roundabout via a newly constructed section of road before continuing towards Naas.

These changes are necessary to facilitate the upgrade and partial realignment of the R445 at this location.

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.

Kildare County Council has issued a statement regarding the Naas Inner Relief Road.

The statement says: "The closing date for the public consultation process for the proposed Naas Inner Relief Road – Dublin Road to Blessington Road – Planning Reference: P82019-07 was midnight on Wednesday 10 April, 2019. A large number of submissions were received on 10 April 2019 up to the closing time."

The statement adds: "In order to ensure a full examination and consideration of the submissions, Kildare County Council has deferred the consideration of the Chief Executive’s Report by the elected members to the Municipal District meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 14 May 2019."

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The death has occurred of Margaret Mary Heneghan (née Gannon)
Carnalurgan,West Road, Westport, Mayo / Clane, Kildare

Margaret Mary Heneghan (nee Gannon), Carnalurgan, West Road, Westport, Co. Mayo, formerly of Clane, Co. Kildare. Peacefully at her residence, April 11th 2019. Predeceased by her husband John. Deeply regretted by her loving family, Thomas (Dublin), Maureen Shortall (Westport), John (Westport), Paul (Westport), Noelle Loftus (Westport), Niall (Spain), grandchildren, sisters, bother-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Rest in Peace

Reposing at her residence this Friday from 5pm to 8pm. Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, Westport on Saturday morning at 11am with burial afterwards in Donabate Cemetery, Dublin.

The death has occurred of Esther O'Brien (née Johnson)
43 Castlepark, Athy, Kildare

(Formerly Convent View, Athy). Deeply regretted by her loving children Michael, Martina and Brendan, brother Anthony, sisters May, Dina and Anne, son-in-law Colum, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, grand-children, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Rest in Peace

Reposing at Rigney's Funeral Home, Athy from 4pm on Friday. Removal at 5.30pm on Friday evening to arrive at St. Michael's Parish Church, Athy for 6pm. Requiem Mass at 11am on Saturday morning followed by burial in St. Michael's New Cemetery, Athy.

The death has occurred of Della Donegan (née Holdwright)
Newcastle, Enfield, Meath / Enfield, Kildare

Donegan Della (nee Holdwright), Newcastle, Enfield, Co. Meath, April 9th 2019, peacefully surronded by her loving family at her daughter Della's home, Duncreevan, Clane Road, Kilcock, Co. Kildare. Beloved wife of the Late Christy. Cherished Mam of Tommy, Helena, Mary Rose, Della, Orla, Fiona, Siobhán, Rona and Seamus, sister Rita, sons-in-law, grandchildren, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

May Della Rest in Peace

Reposing at the home of her daughter Della Murray on Thursday from 4pm with Rosary at 8pm. Requiem Mass on Friday in The Church of The Assumption, Jordanstown (A83 Y021) at 12 Midday followed by burial afterwards to adjoining cemetery.

House private on Friday please.

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Today will see a mixture of cloud and sunshine in Co Kildare.

The day will be dry apart from the odd light shower.

Over the weekend, it is likely to turn windy and cold.  There will be some heavy rain.

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 weekend works will take place on the M7 to allow bridge beams be put into place.

As part of the M7 Upgrade project and the construction of the new Osberstown Interchange, bridge beams are to be lifted into place across the M7 motorway at Junction 9a between junctions 9 (Naas North) and Junction 10 (Naas South)

These works will take place over the weekend of Friday 12, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April.

In order to safely carry out these works and maintain M7 mainline traffic in both directions traffic will be directed around the area of works via the newly constructed off/on slips of the new interchange.

This temporary arrangement will continue through until early Sunday 14 April until this stage of the bridge works are complete and the main carriageway has been cleared. It is expected that traffic will be returned to the mainline in both directions for 9am on Sunday subject to completion of all necessary activities.

A minimum of two lanes will be maintained during peak hours of 6am to 10pm at all times.

Delays are expected.

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Hectic deadlines, poor diet, stress and lack of invigorating exercise directly take their toll on
both body and mind and leave Exam students feeling tired and worn out.

Ginseng

Why not try Ginseng supplement which has an energising effect in cases of fatigue and a
calming effect in cases of everyday stress?

Known as ‘Natures Energiser, Ginseng optimises the body’s resources and delivers an energy burst to help maintain endurance and performance.

Vitamin D

According to the FSAI, low vitamin D is widespread in Ireland.

Irish Company Beeline sells Vitamin D3 + Multivitamins for Teenagers also suitable for Vegetarians, which is designed to help support physical and mental capacity via Key Nutrients, Vitamin D, B Vitamins, Iron, Zinc, Calcium and much more.

The key benefits are the reduction in tiredness and fatigue, better energy levels, contribution to normal cognitive function, immune defence, bone health, healthy skin, hair and nails and healthy blood and heart.
Top tips for dealing with exam stress
 
·  Be positive: Don't beat yourself up, be nice to yourself. Make a quick list of five things
you've done that you are proud of. This will put you in a good mood and you will learn more.
Stand up straight and smile, you will feel a bit better straight away.

·  Be realistic: Don't try to do too much work each day and make a study plan that is
realistic. This will put you in control.   Give yourself plenty of short breaks as you revise, this
keeps you fresher for longer, so you will learn more.

·  Stay hydrated: Avoid too much tea or coffee and try to drink two litres of water each day.

·  Get plenty of sleep: Try to keep your sleep routine as regular as possible. Sleep helps
your brain to assimilate new knowledge into your long-term memory so that you can recall it
when it comes to test day.

·  Put away the phone:  You probably don’t even realise the number of times you check
Facebook, Instagram or whatever your vice is. When you add it all up together, it amounts to
a significant waste of time. Try to leave the phone out of sight and reach during study time

·  Time for yourself: Try to leave enough time in your revision for some fun. Do something
you enjoy for a while if you want to stay in a good mood.

·  Don’t (always) listen to others: comparison is the thief of joy. While it is helpful to
discuss topics with fellow students and often to revise together, try not to compare other
peoples' revision to your own. Chances are you’re doing just fine

·  Eat properly: Make sure your diet includes plenty of fruit and vegetables. Try New Beeline
Teenager Vitamin D3 and Multivitamins to make sure your body is getting all the vitamins
and minerals you need.

·  Get some exercise: It's a fantastic stress buster. Go running, skateboarding, play a sport,
or just go for a brisk walk. If you are not sleeping very well, exercise can make a real
difference.

·  Chill out and talk to someone: If you are starting to feel overwhelmed, talk to someone, take a bit of time to breathe deeply, tell yourself how well you are doing and remind yourself that everything is going to turn out alright.

Most importantly, Stay Calm! Good Luck!

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.

After receiving reports of a car driving with no lights, Naas Gardaí intercepted a driver on the N7 IN Kill last night.

It was discovered that the driver had no licence, insurance, tax or NCT.

In addition the driver also failed the roadside breath test for drink driving.

The car was seized at the scene and the driver will next appear in court shortly.

After receiving reports of a car driving with no lights in the area, Naas Gardaí intercepted this driver on the N7 Kill.

Driver had no licence, insurance, tax or NCT & FAILED the roadside breath test for drink driving.

Car seized and court appearance to follow. pic.twitter.com/tPH4DSEs7f

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) April 12, 2019

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Naas students are busy fundraising for a former teacher who is battling cancer for the third time.

Once the students at Piper's Hill College realised that a Go Fund Me campaign is taking place for Regina Duffy, they quickly embarked on a major fundraising initiative.

Currently, Regina is being treated in New York, so the students came up with the idea of showing their support for Regina by cycling the 5,000km to New York.

They managed to clock up the 5,000km by staying in Naas. The cycle was organised over four days in school and at Tesco Monread on the final day.

Regina got married in March 2018, and last Christmas, when the new broke that she has cancer for the third time,  had to go to New York for treatment which she can't get in Ireland.

Regina’s cancer is rare and difficult to treat. The most promising chance of a successful outcome was to seek care abroad, which is what has brought her to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York. They are the world leaders in the treatment of her type of cancer and are currently engaged in the research and development of new therapies.

Her sister Sian Devine said: "For most newly-weds, Christmas is yet another joyous occasion in an already blissful year. There’s so much to look forward to –spending time with family and friends; looking through photo albums that attest to the fantastic highs of the previous months and making plans for the New Year."

She said: "Regina was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. Once treatment was finished, we were hopeful that she could move on from this challenging time in her life. Sadly this was not to be!In 2014 her cancer was back in the form of a brain tumour. Once again she made it through treatment and bounced back to her former glory! Two year later, in 2016, she and all the family were dealt a severe blow with the death of her beloved mother Julia. Regina had relied so much on the unwavering support of her mum as she too had fought her own breast cancer battle.
When 2017 dawned and Regina was busy planning her wedding to Jason, it seemed like her life had finally taken a turn for the better. Their wedding in March 2018 was a wonderful occasion. Regina’s latest diagnosis coming so soon after it seems so unfathomably cruel."

A spokesperson for Piper's Hill College said: "Students committed to the campaign by fundraising for their sponsored cycle. There was no shortage of volunteers to cycle even after school and during their lunch breaks, demonstrating the true spirit of Piper’s Hill College. A big congratulations to the students and staff for all their hard work and incredible goodwill in helping Regina. An amazing €15,697 has been raised to date."

Regina Duffy battling cancer for the third time.

Amy Clarke, Holly Palmer, Mark Nolan, Isabel Quinn and Anna Scott.

Cian Harris and Jessica Kilduff at Table Quiz.

Piper Hill cyclists

Cycling for Regina Duffy fund

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The Skatepark in Newbridge will be officially opened tomorrow after 20 years of campaigning by local skate enthusiasts.

On Saturday, April 13 at 10am, Mayor of Newbridge, Cllr Murty Aspell will cut the ribbon and officially hand over the Skatepark to the people of Newbridge.

Deputy County Mayor Robert Power will also speak as well as people involved in the project.

Meanwhile, organisers have said that celebrations will follow with music and skatepark fun running through out the day.

Special guests include representatives of Kaltik, an Irish rollerblading brand, and Vans, the skateboarding brand.

There will be also be giveaways on the day and all are welcome to attend.

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There has been a sharp drop in the number of people on trolleys at Naas General Hospital today with 16 people without beds, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

It is understood that there are 16 patients on trolleys at the Kildare facility today and this is a reduction from 25 patients yesterday.

According to the INMO's trolley watch figures today, 440 admitted patients are waiting for beds at hospitals across the country, with 311 waiting in emergency departments, while 129 are in wards elsewhere in the hospitals.

The worst-hit hospitals today are:

• Cork University Hospital - 43
• University Hospital Limerick – 41
• Beaumont Hospital - 36

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A sale has been completed on the majority of the business and assets of the fashion retailer LK Bennett in the UK and Ireland to Byland UK Limited for an undisclosed sum.

LK Bennett's Irish operations, which trade through the UK business, will form part of the sale.

The womenswear retailer operates from two stores in the Republic of Ireland - in Kildare Village in Dundrum Town Centre.

It also has six concessions in large department stores.

The sale today includes the company’s headquarters, 21 stores, all of its concessions, and 325 employees, which will transfer across to the purchaser.

The UK Company entered administration last month.

The 15 stores that were not included in the sale will be closed, resulting in the redundancy of around 110 workers.

One of these stores is located in Bridgewater Park in Banbridge in Co Down.

The firm is owned by founder Linda Bennett, who had stepped back from the brand in 2008, but returned in 2017 as a consultant.

The accounts showed a loss before tax of £47.9m for the year to 29 July 2017.

The failure is the latest in a string of mid-market women's fashion labels to buckle under the pressure of dwindling high street sales.

Last year, Irish designer Orla Kiely closed five retail stores as the fashion brand went into liquidation.

Meanwhile, department store House of Fraser, which stocks the LK Bennett brand, went into administration last year before being bought out by Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley.

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Main picture: RTE'S Mary Fanning with Patricia Berry and Colm Walsh in upcoming nationwide episode. Pic Peader Doogue 

RTE's Nationwide programme tonight at 7pm visits Athy with a report by Mary Fanning on the Made of Athy plaque project that commemorates the town's famous music and entertainment connections.

Made of Athy is the brainchild of local man , Colm Walsh, who contacted singers, writers and entertainers like Johnny Marr , guitarist with the Smiths, Mani from Stone Roses and many other celebrities who came to the town to unveil plagues celebrating their roots with the town.

The feature report also follows Johnny Cash's grandson, Thomas Gabriel 's visit to the Dreamland Ballroom where he performed 55 years to the date his grandfather played there. He also unveiled a plague at the venue to mark his grandpa's concert.

Local amateur photographer, Peadar Doogue brings Nationwide back to the that time when he was a young lad in 1963 and tells Mary Fanning his memories of that night along with Billy Gilltrap.

TV producer Bill Hughes is another celebrity on the walls of fame around Athy and Colm Walsh recounts the day he came to town along with U2's Larry Mullen and Panti Bliss.

Colm unfolds some gems about the stars revealing that Johnny Marr and Mani come from a housing estate in Athy , five doors apart and both now say they will be regular visitors to Athy for their holidays.

It is a tremendous project and Kildare County Council's community officer Patricia Berry speaks of the economic benefits to the town from having  these famous names visiting and has added to the tourism aspect of the area.

She also praises local band, Picture This, when they 'made a few bob' and donated money to their local soccer club.

Make sure to tune in tonight to RTE's Nationwide at 7pm on RTE 1 to see what Athy town has to offer.

Johnny Marr , guitarist with the Smiths, was in attendance when a plaque was unveiled in his honour in Athy. Pic. Peader Doogue

The Smiths guitarist Johnny Maher is pictured with Mani from the Stone Roses. Pic. Peader Doogue

LGBT activist Rory O'Neill aka Panti Bliss. Pic: Peader Doogue

TV producer Bill Hughes 
Pic. Peader Doogue

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.