A lucky granny from Monasterevin who has admitted to rarely ever buying scratch cards has described her absolute disbelief after she and her family travelled to National Lottery headquarters in Dublin to collect a scratch card prize worth a cool €75,000.

The lucky Kildare woman, who purchased the winning €5 All Cash Platinum scratch card at Finlay’s Topaz Station in Monasterevin said that she couldn’t believe her luck when she scratched her way to the €75,000 top prize.

She said: “I hardly ever buy a scratch card, maybe one every couple of months as a bit of fun so we were completely flabbergasted when we seen the €75,000 symbol appear on the scratch card.

"I really couldn’t believe that something like this would happen to us so just to make sure, I sent my adult daughter down to the shop to have it checked properly.

She wasn’t gone long until she burst through the front door screaming that we’d won the €75,000, it was just incredible."

The joyous Kildare family have had a number of days to let their huge €75,000 win sink in properly and their focus has now turned to their spending plans which includes some long overdue home renovations.

“Never in our lifetime would we ever have a sum like this in our bank account so it’s going to be a very special time for all of the family. Honestly, this €75,000 will give us the opportunity to make so many huge changes in our lives. We have a lot of home renovations to do, we’re looking at putting in a brand new kitchen and upgrading the rest of the house. It really is a very exciting time for all of us,” she added.

This latest scratch card win continues an incredible lucky streak for National Lottery scratch card players in Co. Kildare. Just last week, another lucky player in Prosperous, Co. Kildare won the top prize of €500,000 on the All Cash Extravaganza. The National Lottery has confirmed that there is still one top prize of €75,000 remaining on the popular €5 All Cash Platinum scratch card.

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.

RTÉ and Rose of Tralee presenter, Dáithí Ó Sé, is calling on the nation to host a Tea Day in aid of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI).

Alzheimer’s Tea Day, the charity’s largest annual fundraising campaign, takes place on Thursday 2 May, 2019. The ASI need to raise €500,000 to provide supports and services to help families living with dementia nationwide.

This year marks the 25^th Anniversary of Alzheimer’s Tea Day. This campaign provides vital funds for services, which include: nationwide day care centres, respite, home care, social clubs, carer support groups, Alzheimer cafés and the busy National Helpline. It is estimated that there are 1,453 people living with dementia in Kildare and for every one person with dementia three others are directly affected. The number of people with dementia is expected to more than double over the next 20 years to 2,906 in 2039.

Last year there were 1,200 Tea Day hosts and this year the Charity is looking to double that number. We’re looking for people around the country to get involved with local Tea Day events; in their homes, workplaces, schools, local community centres, parishes or somewhere special. The ASI is asking people to invite their friends, family, colleagues and neighbours to have a cuppa, a chat and maybe a treat or two.

Become a Tea Day Host

Register here: www.teaday.ie to receive a Tea Day fundraising pack. The pack includes:

• An A3 poster,
• An invitation book,
• A collection box,
• 5 books of raffle tickets,
• A bank giro
• Fun tips on hosting a Tea Day event.

Registration deadline is Friday, 26^th April.

All funds that are raised locally stay local to support ASI services.

• €10 can provide an hour at an Alzheimer’s café for a person with dementia
• €25 can provide one hour of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy
• €50 can provide a session of Musical Therapy to people with dementia
• €100 can run a social club for one day

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Ambassador, Dáithí Ó Sé said: “I’m delighted to support Alzheimer’s Tea Day again this year. On Thursday, May 2^nd we want the whole country to have a chat, a cup of tea and donate a few euro to The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s Tea Day campaign to help provide essential dementia-specific services for people with dementia in Ireland.

“Alzheimer’s and dementia is a nationwide issue – it affects so many families right across Ireland. It reaches across generations, genders and affects people of all kinds of backgrounds. So grab your kettle and host your very own tea to help raise much-needed funds for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s Tea Day on May 2^nd. You never know when you might need these services. Remember that no Tea Day party is too small or too big, so join the hundreds of hosts from around the country and register for your pack at www.teaday.ie.”

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland CEO Pat McLoughlin said: “We are asking the nation to support us and to get involved in our special 25th Anniversary Tea Day in any way, big or small. The Government is not providing enough funding to deliver even a basic minimum level of supports and services in any county and we really need your support to keep our services open.

“Every day, more and more people are turning to The Alzheimer Society of Ireland seeking a range of supports and services and we need to be able to provide for this growing demand. The funds that Tea Day generates make a real and lasting difference to the lives of people in local communities living with dementia and their family carers. This year we need to reach our target of €500,000 to ensure our support services are maintained.”

“We are grateful for all the continued support and we are delighted that Iceland are behind us for this year’s Tea Day campaign to help us to spread the word far and wide.”

Managing Director of Iceland Ireland, Ron Metcalfe said: ‘’We’re delighted to support Tea Day 2019. Iceland have a long standing partnership with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. Over the last number of years, we have had first-hand experience of the tremendous work carried out by The ASI and know the importance of events such as Tea Day in order to raise much need funds for dementia services across Ireland.”

For more information or to register for an Alzheimer’s Tea Day pack, visit www.teaday.ie or call (01) 207 3833.

ASI Head of Fundraising Mairead Dillon with Daithi O Se

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Six social action projects from Kildare took part in the Aldi Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards in the National Indoor Arena, Blanchardstown, Dublin last Saturday, 13 April 2019.

‘The Positivity Pages’, from Carrick an Suir, Tipperary was named the overall national winner at the Aldi Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards. Their Citizenship Project, which started a monthly youth newspaper to spread positivity and awareness about minding your mental health was chosen from over 220 social action projects developed by young people to change their communities for the better.

This year is the fiftieth anniversary of the Youth Citizenship Programme, which was first run by Foróige in 1969. 2019 has been the biggest year for the programme ever, with over 14,000 young people taking part.

More than 2,000 young people, representing every county in the Republic of Ireland, descended on the National Sports Campus to celebrate and showcase their community action projects at the Awards. 220 youth groups took part, having worked on Citizenship Projects focused on improving the entrants’ local communities in areas such as equality, homelessness, climate change, social inclusion, community events, mental health and culture.

Balyna Foróige Club, Kildare, won a Gold Award for their project to preserve local historical amenities. Seven projects received gold awards, seven silver and eight bronze. (See details of other Kildare projects below)

Commenting at the Awards, Seán Campbell, CEO of Foróige said: “There’s a reason this programme has lasted fifty years; it works. It gives young people the opportunity to grow and learn, but perhaps even more importantly to get to know their community by being a leader in it.

“Year after year, attending these awards, I’m amazed by the ingenuity; integrity and grit of Foróige young people. It’s truly phenomenal how much they can achieve when they put their minds to a cause. The young people who entered the Aldi Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards this year invested over 82,000 hours in their community action projects and that’s something that we should be really proud of as a country.

“We are deeply grateful to our sponsor Aldi, for not only making this work possible, but for believing in young people and in communities in a real and tangible way.”

The Awards were opened by Mairéad McGuinness MEP, Vice President of the European Parliament, Today FM presenter Alison Curtis MC’d, while Brave Giant provided music throughout the day.

Mairéad McGuinness said, “the young people taking part in the Aldi Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards are truly inspiring. They are not only our hope for the future, but our hope for today. The projects that these young people have undertaken so passionately will form an invisible thread that will bind their communities together for many years to come, and I want to thank them, the volunteers that work with them, Foróige and Aldi for making this happen for all of us.”

This year was the fifth year Aldi has partnered with Foróige to support the Awards, and it’s the second year of an agreed a new three-year €900,000 partnership extension with the youth organisation. Over that time the programme has gone from strength to strength, with entries increasing by over 600% since 2014.

Commenting at the Awards, John Curtin, Group Buying Director with Aldi added:

Aldi’s partnership with Foróige is one that we are very proud of. This is the 5th year we have been involved in the Youth Citizenship Awards and over that time the programme has gone from strength to strength, with the number of entries growing each year.”

“Through their projects, the Foróige members raise awareness for homeliness and mental health, promote areas such as road safety and animal welfare and made the everyday lives of those in their communities better’”

“It Is absolutely inspiring to see what young people can achieve when they work together and for the benefit of their communities.”

Projects from Kildare included:

Balyna Foróige Club, Co. Kildare

A project to preserve local historical amenities

After the demolition of an old historical house in their community, the young people in Balyna became concerned about protecting other local landmarks for the future. They arranged a visit of the Historical Society to their club meeting to learn about the village’s hidden history and decided that the unique stones in the Primary School, that go unnoticed daily, deserved some recognition. They cooperated with other local groups to fundraise, install and have an unveiling event for a plaque at the school. They also decorated storyboards about local history to display in the school. The unveiling event was covered by local media,it was a great success that brought over 120 people from the community together.

Celbridge Youth Café, Co. Kildare

A fundraising project for their Youth Café

Celbridge Youth Café noticed there was a need to provide tea/coffee and soup to visitors to the local Annual Christmas Fair. The members also felt that it was a good fundraising opportunity for their Youth Café, which was a valuable facility for young people in the community. Working as a team, the group costed what they would need, prepared the soup in advance of the day, and promoted the event. The project was a great success, and also provided a great platform to promote the Youth Café to people who attended the Annual Christmas Fair.

Narraghmore Foróige Juniors, Co. Kildare

An animal welfare awareness project

As a rural club, many people in their locality are pet owners. The group wanted to make sure that the community know how to care for their animals correctly.  They contacted their local animal shelter KWWSPCA, they organised a visit from the staff of the shelter and three of their current dogs to hear about animal cruelty and why this happens. Due to time constraints the members were unable to organise a fundraising event, however, they donated club funds to the animal shelter. This money will go on food, shelter and medicine for the animals.

Narraghmore Foróige Club, Co. Kildare

Making homes for birds to raise money for homeless people

The young people from Narraghmore Foróige Club wanted to shine a spotlight on homelessness and raise money for St. Vincent de Paul. They decided to run a family fun day and hold a birdhouse competition as part of it. The group learned how to make birdhouses. The event was a great success and there were 23 birdhouses entered in the competition. The group met with Birdwatch Ireland who guided them on where the best places were in the community to put the birdhouses. The importance of teamwork was one of the biggest things that the young people learned.

Rathangan After School Group, DPEI, Co. Kildare

An anti smoking video

The young people noticed the number of people their age in the community who smoke, and wanted to highlight the dangers of the habit. After researching ways to do this, they decided to create an animated video to remind people of the impact that smoking has on your health. While the project has given them new skills and shown them the value of teamwork, they hope that the project with benefit the wider community as a whole.

Time to Sign Foróige Style, Co. Kildare

Sign language summer camps for young people

The group were inspired to learn sign language so they could communicate with people who are deaf in their school and community. They researched courses, but soon realised they were either too expensive or aimed at adults. The young people taught themselves to sign from Youtube videos and ran free summer camps to teach other young people how to sign too. To promote their summer-camps they made a Youtube video with Lucy Kennedy’s Golden Buzzer act from Ireland’s Got Talent – Sharon and Brandon.

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Kildare TD Deputy James Lawless yesterday met with Minister for Education Joe McHugh and received confirmation that two new school buildings will open in Maynooth by June 2020.

The meeting, which was attended by the principals of the two schools, Boards of Management, local Councillors, including Fianna Fáil Councillor Naoise Ó Cearúil, and Kildare North TD’s concerned the Maynooth Education Campus and the concerns about capacity.

Deputy Lawless welcomed the commitment from the Minister. “This development is critical for the schools involved and the Maynooth area and I welcome the Minister’s commitment to seeing through the completion of this project.”

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It will be dry tonight, with a few patches of mist and fog developing for Co Kildare.

Lowest temperatures of 5 to 7 degrees, in light, variable or easterly winds.

Tomorrow, Thursday will be dry with some good sunny spells developing, in light or moderate, easterly winds. Highest temperatures of 13 to 18 degrees, warmest inland. Grass pollen count will be high once again.

Thursday night: Dry with patchy cloud and clear spells on Thursday night and lows of 7 to 10 degrees. A few mist patches possible. Light east to southeast breezes will be moderate on west and north coasts.

Dry, settled and increasingly warm conditions developing over the next few days, but turning cooler and more changeable as the weekend progresses.

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 Sheila Burroughs (née Reid)
Maryville, Kildare Town, Kildare

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Bus Éireann is hiring over 150 drivers with pay rising from €35,348 to €40,924 after four years.

The commercial semi state company said it has begun a campaign to recruit more drivers to work in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick.

A spokesperson said a driver in year one would earn €677.44 for a 39-hour week.

This rises to €784.29 a week in year four, but drivers can also earn Overtime and avail of Pension and Medical schemes.

Candidates need a category D licence and must be at least 23 years of age.

Working five over seven days, there is also an element of overtime available to enhance earnings.

If you do wish to apply, the company has said that recruits must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 23-year-old
• Posses a full/clean “D” Class Irish driving licence
• Posses a digital tachograph card
• Posses a driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) for Public Service Vehicle drivers
• Possess great customer service skills
• Possess an enthusiastic attitude.

You will receive a professional driver uniform and on appointment you will join a pension, welfare and family GP scheme.

You will have access to travel concessions, the Employee Assistance Programme, free parking in depots, local staff clubs and societies and canteen facilities.

The Staff Study Scheme is designed to encourage employees to acquire qualifications and skills which will assist in their personal development and enable them to give a greater contribution in their role and services to the public.

If you want to apply, and you want to tick all of those boxes, you can apply at www.buseireann.ie

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The KWWSPCA Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Dog Walk will take place again this year at Punchestown Racecourse on Good Friday, 19 April, 2019.  The Easter Egg Hunt starts at 2pm and the walk will begin at 3pm.

"Everyone and their dogs will be very welcome" said Sally McCaffrey of the KWWSPCA. "Dogs must be kept on leads.  We meet just inside the main entrance to the racecourse.  No charge but donations are very welcome!"

Riverside Paw Walk on Bank Holiday Monday, 6 May, 2019 

Join in a lovely dog walk along the banks of the Barrow River and the Grand Canal on Easter Monday

"We meet in Emily Square, Athy, at 2pm and the walk will take about an hour. Donations are very welcome and will go towards the KWWSPCA Shelter Appeal Fund" added Sally.

"Everyone is welcome and we would love to see a really big turnout of dogs – especially dogs that have been re-homed from the KWWSPCA".

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In the overall scheme of things Kildare’s challenge game draw against Roscommon last night to mark Robertstown’s centenary year didn’t matter that much as regards the result and in fact it was more noticeable for who wasn’t on the field.

A whole host of players weren’t togged out but possibly most worrying was Eoin Doyle going off with a hamstring injury halfway through the first half before Cian O’Donoghue also went down in the second half.

“Cian O’Donoghue got a bang in the first half and then another after the break so that was just precautionary, we weren’t going to risk it”.

“Eoin Doyle is a little bit more worrying. He came off before he felt a full tear but he is definitely conscious that something happened”.

“The lads will assess it and we’ll see how it is but it’s awful shame because he’s our captain, our leader, and you could see that we were a little bit more porous than we normally would be when he went off the field,” said Kildare Manager Cian O’Neill.

As well as Doyle, Paul Cribbin and Ben McCormack are seen as big doubts for the Leinster Championship opener against Wicklow and while O’Neill was pretty positive about McCormack, it wasn’t so good about the Johnstownbridge star who enjoyed such a stellar 2018.

“Ben McCormack is moving along nicely with his thumb. He has a further appointment on Friday which will be the last medical appointment to see where he is at and how it has healed”.

“The surgeons have done a great job and the medical team are working with him on his movement and his strength there. You can see it in his eyes, he is hungry to be back, he is out there kicking ball and he wants to be back. He had a phenomenal league for us until he got injured.”

“I really feel for Paul Cribbin, it’s very frustrating. We’ve worked through the stages that the radiographers and the surgeons have been saying, every step so far hasn’t worked in terms of easing the pain.

“It’s a pelvis/groin injury, similar to osteitis pubis. It’s a notorious injury for being a slow healer but we are four months now so it’s particularly long. It’s hard luck on him after the brilliant year he had last year and the brilliant championship season.”

Fionn Dowling, Adam Tyrrell and Chris Healy also sat out the game but hopes are high that they will be back on the pitch in the coming weeks.

“Fionn Dowling hurt a groin in a club match and he is two weeks at this stage. It’s going to take another week or two to heal.”

“Chris Healy tweaked his hamstring the weekend before last so didn’t play for his club last weekend. He’s not too far away but at the same time we’ll set a realistic target of the club championship weekend and hopefully we’ll see where he is then.”

“It’s Adam Tyrrell’s hips and groins and that’s a long term thing managed over the last few years by Moorefield and ourselves. We said we’d have a look at him tonight, he didn’t play for his club last weekend, just to see if we could reintroduce him but it was still at him. We said it’s too close to club and too close to county to risk him., O’Neill admitted.

On top of all that Kevin O’Callaghan, Cathal McNally, Padraig Nash and DJ Earley are all longer term and with that added to Aaron Masterson and James Murray leaving the squad, the Kildare boss has called up Liam O’Flynn, Darragh Ryan, Darragh Kirwan and Niall Sullivan from the under 20’s.

“We only have four training sessions in a whole month, which is not much, but we have four other players in on a training basis. We have Darragh Ryan, Darragh Kirwan, Liam O’Flynn and Niall O’Sullivan in”.

“Myself and Gay Campbell had a good chat and he has been great in terms of advising and guiding on the players he has at the moment relative to what we need because we have lost players to injury. We’ve brought the lads in on a training basis but the four of them have really put their hands up and shaken things up for the couple of sessions they have been in there. We’ll review the championship panel after the club weekend”

It wasn’t all bad new though as Eoghan O’Flaherty, Conor Hartley and David Slattery all returned and to be fair to them they all looked sharp.

“David Slattery is back after his shoulder dislocation, Kevin Flynn only really got his first bit of football in the last round, Conor Hartley pretty much missed the second half of the league so great to see him back in there and Eoghan O’Flaherty too so that’s all a positive in that regard”, O’Neill said.

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See this week's Kildare Post, bumper edition with a 40 Page Pull-out on Punchestown Festival 'Your Kind of Town'......

And more to come next week!  That's 10,000 copies available FREE in newsagents across the county.

If you'd like to advertise your company or business in next week's Punchestown Special,  contact our Sales at 045 408 200.

See our sister website: KildareNow online and follow us on Facebook and Twitter

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A raider wearing a balaclava entered a Co Kildare hotel during the early hours of the morning.

Between 3 and 3.30am, on Monday, April 15,  entry to the hotel was gained through a side door.

The raider who is described as being of heavy build and wearing a balaclava made his way to the cash office.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Kildare Garda Station on  045 527730.

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Kilcullen church car-park was the location for thieves on Sunday, April 14.

A number of cars were broken into while parishioners were in the church.

Also on Sunday, April 14, last, at Our Lady's Parish Centre, Leixlip, the owner of a car returned to discover that a handbag had been stolen.

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.

Ahead of the Easter weekend, An Garda Síochána and the RSA will renew their appeal to drivers to put their mobile phones away while driving so that they can focus their attention on the road.

An Garda Síochána will have a visible enforcement presence over the Easter weekend to target motorists who continue to ignore the risks associated with using a mobile phone while  driving.

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.

Following on from the launch of the HSE Food, Nutrition and Hydration Policy for Adult Patients in Acute Hospitals today by the Minister for Health Simon Harris T.D., Naas General Hospital has launched a ‘Mealtimes Matter’ campaign to promote the operation of protected mealtime services in the Hospital.

The Quality Initiative includes a public and staff awareness campaign, including the installation of messaging on lift doors to reinforce the following messaging:

• During mealtimes all non-urgent activities will stop so that hospital staff are available to assist patients with their meals
• A visitor is welcome to stay during mealtimes to help a relative or friend with their meal, if assistance is required

Gillian O'Loughlin, Dietitian Manager, Naas General Hospital stated: “Providing patients with good nutrition and hydration care is a fundamental requirement for good care. It underpins the care and treatment of all patients, no matter what their specific clinical problem. Delivering high standards on nutrition and hydration is a priority for our hospital.”

Alice Kinsella, General Manager at Naas General Hospital stated: “Introducing Mealtime Matters for Naas General Hospital comes in line with the national HSE Food, Nutrition and Hydration Policy. With this new quality initiative we aim to promote and maintain an environment where patients can enjoy their meals and have appropriate assistance to safely consume their food and drinks.”

Protected mealtimes services operate during:

• Breakfast: 8.15am to 8.45am
• Lunch: 12.30pm to 1.00pm
• Tea: 5.00pm to 5.30pm

‘Protected Mealtimes’ provide an environment conducive to patients enjoying and being able to eat their food. Protected meal times are set times in which the patient is encouraged to eat without any interruptions including and not limited by routine observations, routine therapy or administration of medications, non-emergency tests and visits from carers or family members, who are not assisting the patients who is eating.

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.

Minister for Health, Simon Harris T.D. has today marked World Haemophilia Day.

He said: “Ireland can be very proud of the level of care provided to people with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders in Ireland. The services provided in our three Comprehensive Care Centres - the National Coagulation Centre in St. James’ Hospital in Dublin, the Coagulation Centre in Cork University Hospital, and Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin – is viewed internationally as amongst the best in the world.”

Since 1989, the 17th of April has been recognised as “World Haemophilia Day”, to raise awareness and bring understanding and attention to the issues related to haemophilia and other bleeding disorders to the wider public.
The theme of this year’s World Haemophilia Day is “Reaching Out – the first step to care”. The Irish Haemophilia Society, in collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, is celebrating World Haemophilia Day with a symposium entitled “Haemophilia – The Future is Now: New Approaches to an Ancient Condition”.

Minister Harris noted the contribution of the National Haemophilia Council to the development of haemophilia care in Ireland.
He paid tribute to the achievements of Dr Barry Harrington, who will shortly step down as Chair of the Council after eight years in the role.
Minister Harris said: “The high degree of co-operation and partnership between the National Haemophilia Council, clinicians and patient organisations, and their proactive collaboration with the HSE and Department of Health, is a major factor in Ireland’s success in providing quality treatment of haemophilia and other bleeding disorders.”
He also praised the tireless work done by the Irish Haemophilia Society in creating a positive and supportive community for people with haemophilia and their families. "

Minister Harris said: “In line with this year’s theme, I would like to encourage anybody living with a bleeding disorder to seek treatment from the health services and to reach out to the Irish Haemophilia Society and become part of that community.”

A number of buildings in both Dublin and Cork which will be illuminated in red this evening to mark Word Haemophilia Day including Liberty Hall, The Dublin Convention Centre, the Mansion House, Smithfield Square, St. Stephens Green Shopping Centre City Hall, The Civic Offices at Wood Quay and in Cork, Cork City Hall and Capital Building Cork.

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.

By Kim O'Leary

Three friends from Newbridge in Co Kildare are gearing up to take part in the annual Mongol Rally 2019, which will see them ravel 10,000 miles across Europe in a small car for charity.

Friends Cian Rea, Paddy Kavanagh and John Finn are taking on the Mongol Rally this July in their 2002 Nissan Micra 'Audrey' to raise much needed funds for The Irish Cancer Society and they are called Team 'Mon-We-Golia'.

Cian is in his final year studying an ME in Engineering with Business at UCD, Paddy is a graduate of DIT working as an Architectural Technologist and John is studying engineering also at UCD. The three friends are all aged 23 and have been friends since childhood, also attending secondary school together at Newbridge College.

The Mongol Rally is an international charitable rally which involves driving 10,000 miles from Prague to Mongolia in a 1 litre engine car, with thousands of participants coming from across the globe. The three friends have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society and to cover costs associated with the journey, and their planned route is through Europe, Iran and all the 'Stans' countries then on to Mongolia.

Speaking to KildareNow this week, Cian Rea explained that the rally will officially launch on July 22 in Prague, Czech Republic, and the three friends have to drive 'Audrey' to Prague for the launch. The rally finishes in the Mongolia capital Ulaan Baatar and the finish line will remain open until September 16, 2019.

Cian explained: "Our chosen charity partner is The Irish Cancer Society who do great work raising awareness, funding research and supporting those affected by this illness in Ireland. The charity is close to our hearts with cancer affected us all, both directly an indirectly and for this reason we want to do everything in our power to support this cause.

The three friends have spent several months preparing 'Audrey' for the journey, and they are hoping to raise 7,500 which is made up of 5,000 directly for charity and the remainder to cover the expenses. If they don't use all of the remaining 2,500 it will be given directly to The Irish Cancer Society.

"We want to emphasise that any money not spent in this regard will be fed straight back to the charity. Any and all donations, big and small will be greatly appreciated and will go a long way. We're really excited for the rally, it's something we've wanted to do for years ad hopefully we'll get a bit of support from the people of Kildare before we set off," said Cian.

The three friends from Newbridge are hoping to finish the rally within 6 weeks of the launch and for more information and to donate check out the GoFundMe page.

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Kilcullen-born boxer Dennis Hogan has officially challenged his controversial defeat in the WBO super-welterweight title fight in Mexico last weekend which he believes he won.

Thousands of fans at home in Kildare stayed up late on Saturday night to watch the local hero in action in the ring.

However judges awarded defending champion Jaime Munguia a majority decision victory despite the popular opinion that Hogan had done enough to take home the belt.

Munguia himself conceded that he didn't feel as though he had won as many rounds as the judges gave him and the controversial result in Munguia's native Mexico has led to calls for an immediate rematch on neutral ground.

Hogan's manager Paul Keegan of DDP Sports Management said he has now sent a formal letter through official channels disputing the result and calling for a rematch.

Keegan said: "We have sent the World Boxing Organsation (WBO) a formal letter disputing the result of the World title fight last Saturday."

He added: "We look forward to the WBO supporting our request of an immediate rematch."

The judges scored the fight 115-113 and 116-112 in favour of Munguia while one marked it as a 114-114 draw.

Speaking about a possible re-match, Hogan said: " I want it ASAP so let’s do it."

Meanwhile Hogan told his followers on Facebook that he was "switching off for a few days" to spend time with family.

He explained: "Thank you so much everyone for all the belief and support, you will never know how grateful I am that people are behind me.

"Thank you everyone."

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Gardaí are investigating a fatal road traffic collision that occurred on the N24, Clonmel to Carrick on Suir on Wednesday 17 April 2019 at approx. 11pm.

A male driver (50s) was fatally injured when he collided with another vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was brought to South Tipperary General Hospital where a full post mortem is due to take place. The occupant of the other driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The road remains closed to facilitate an examination of the area by the Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Traffic diversions are in place.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Clonmel Garda Station on 052 6177640.

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 Sheila Burroughs (née Reid)
Maryville, Kildare Town, Kildare

Peacefully, at Naas General Hospital. Beloved wife of Michael and loving mother to her son Lee and her daughter Tanya. Sadly missed by her family, her granddaughter Rayne and Tanya's partner Bernard, her brothers and sisters in Scotland, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours and many friends.   Reposing at Mc Wey's Funeral Home, Abbey View, Kildare Town, on Thursday, 18th April, from 3 o'clock with rosary there at 8 o'clock. Removal on Friday to Newlands Cross Crematorium for Service at 2 o'clock. House private, please. Donations, if desired, to Irish Guide Dogs for The Blind.       The death has occurred of Evelyn KIERANS (née Uwobakunze) Naas, Kildare / Johnstown, Kildare Kierans (nee Uwobakunze) (Johnstown, Naas) - Apr 16, 2019, (after a short illness, surrounded by her loving family), Evelyn, beloved wife of Gerald, dear mother of Nathan and Saoirse, loving daughter of Seraphine and Christope and dear sister of Degaulle; Very sadly missed by her loving husband, son, daughter, father, mother, sister, uncles, aunts, mother-in law, brothers-in-law, nieces, relatives and friends.   Reposing at Murphy Brothers Funeral Home, Church Lane, Naas on Friday from 6:00pm to 8.00pm with Prayers at 7.00pm. Removal on Saturday to The Church of the Irish Martyrs, Ballycane, Naas arriving for Prayer Service at 11.00am. Funeral immediately afterwards to St. Corban’s Cemetery, Naas. Enquiries to Murphy Brothers Funeral Directors Church Lane, Naas Ph: 045 897397.   “May She Rest In Peace”         The death has occurred of Betty Murphy Kilkea, Castledermot, Kildare Deeply regretted by her loving sisters and brother, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends.   MAY BETTY REST IN PEACE   Reposing in Dunnes Funeral Home, Mill Road, Castledrmot from 2pm on Thursday with prayers at 9pm. Removal from there on Friday at 10am to The church of The Assumption, Castledermot arriving for Funeral Service at 10:30am followed by Burial in Nicholastown Cemetery. Family Flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to The Friends of Our Ladys Ward, St. Vincent's Hospital, Athy. Donation Box In Church.           The death has occurred of David Passmore Newtown Great, Naas, Kildare Passmore, David, Newtown Great, Naas, Co. Kildare. 16th April 2019. Peacefully at home, surrounded by his family. Husband of Rita, loving father of Julie, Paul and the late Edward John. Will be dearly missed by his family, son-in-law Mark, sister Maureen, brother-in-law Dave, niece Nicola, nephew Martin, grandniece Emily, extended family Catherine, Margaret and Beatrice, relatives and friends.   At Rest   Reposing at his home on Friday from 2.00 pm to 8.00 pm. Removal on Saturday afternoon to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Eadestown arriving for 2 o’clock Funeral Service, followed by burial in Eadestown Cemetery.           The death has occurred of Sean Byrne Ardee Row, Aughrim, Wicklow / Athy, Kildare Sean, 5 Ardee Row, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow and late of Athy, Co. Kildare. Suddenly at his home. Loving husband of Emily and loving father to Nicola, Shauna and Niall, and brother of the late Kay. Sadly missed by his loving wife and family, brother Terry, sisters Maureen, Judy, Betty and Helen, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.   Reposing in Byrne's Funeral Home, Main Street, Aughrim tomorrow Wednesday from 2-7pm. Removal on Thursday morning at 10.30am to Sacred Heart Church, Aughrim. Funeral Mass at 11am followed by burial afterwards in Macreddin Cemetery.   May he rest in peace.         The death has occurred of Seamus Geraghty Leixlip, Kildare / Duleek, Meath Seamus Geraghty of Leixlip and late of Dunshaughlin and Duleek who passed away peacefully on 15th April 2019 at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. Predeceased by his parents Emily and James son Michael and son in law Daragh Murray. He will be sadly missed by his best friend and wife Bernie, daughter Helena, sons James and John, grandchildren Ryan, Taidhgh, Jason, Caoimhe and Doireann, daughters-in-law Liz and Bronagh, extended family and friends.   Seamus will repose at his home on Wednesday from 4pm until 8pm. House private at all other times. Funeral arriving to the Church of Our Lady's Nativity, Leixlip, on Thursday for 12 noon Funeral Service followed by interment in Confey Cemetery.   May he rest in peace

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