Vandals 'thwart' Cnoc na Greine biodiversity work

A wildflower meadow in Cnoc na Greine.

Vandalism of Cnoc na Greine biodiversity efforts has prompted a letter to all residents from the estate's Biodiversity Group, expressing dismay at the incidents, writes Brian Byrne.

Scots Pine saplings and Viburnum shrubs have been targeted in what the Group describe as either 'mindless vandalism' or 'criminal damage'.

This is against the background of planting of 68 native tree saplings and many shrubs which are crucial as early sources of food for pollinating insects by the Group with the approval of the Residents Association.

The seeding of a native wildflower meadow and leaving areas to naturally re-wild are also elements of the Cnoc na Greine efforts for the Kilcullen Biodiversity Plan, which is informed by the National Biodiversity Plan. "Our work has been thwarted by this needless destruction," the letter to residents states, signed by Mark Reid, Ilona Brede, Ann Cashman and Cliona Kelliher.

Noting that the Group's work is aimed at helping to mitigate the Government-declared National Climate and Biodiversity Emergency, the letter also reminds residents that it will hopefully also lead to a more beautiful and naturally diverse environment for those living in the estate. "These efforts are not for ourselves, but for our children and future generations who will inhabit this estate," they say.

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GAA cleans up after antisocial activity

Kilcullen GAA has appealed to the public to report to them any unsocial activity seen taking place on their grounds, writes Brian Byrne.

This follows another bout of people 'hanging out' on the pitches and in the dugouts, and leaving large amounts of litter behind. The club reports that advertising signs were torn from the fencing around the main pitch.

A group of the Club's Senior Mens team spent last evening clearing up the rubbish and replacing the signs.

In a Facebook post, the club says such activity is 'disrespectful to all of our members and the community of Kilcullen'. "It’s really hard to believe that some people think that it's OK to leave litter behind like this."

(Before and after pictures by Kilcullen GAA.)

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Bike shelter vandals spoken to by Gardai

The people who broke up the bicycle shelter in the Cross and Passion College have all been spoken to following investigation by Kilcullen Gardai, writes Brian Byrne.

With the help of CCTV in the area, the Gardai established that the incident happened at around 3.15am on Wednesday, and from the footage they were able to identify the perpetrators, who were all juveniles.

All concerned have been visited by the Gardai, and nobody else is being sought in connection with the matter, which caused widespread anger and upset through the town.

The bicycle shelter was one of two installed last month in the Kilcullen schools campus at a cost of €4,000. 

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Angry reaction to 'mindless' bike shelter damage

There has been strong condemnation of the damage done to the new bike shelter in the grounds of Cross and Passion College last night, writes Brian Byrne. The College Principal described it as 'a mindless act that will disgust all decent people'.

Joe Leonard told the Diary that 'unfortunately this is symptomatic of the marked increase in anti-social behaviour on the grounds of the college over the last number of months'. "The grounds are a wonderful resource for the community but the school community is increasingly concerned with the number of instances of anti social behaviour," he said this afternoon.

"The bicycle shelter was part funded by the local council and the school's Board of Management and only recently installed. It has proven very popular and ultimately the students are most affected by this vandalism. This mindless act will disgust all decent people within the community and I am liaising with the local Gardai about the matter."

Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, who with colleague Cllr Fintan Brett organised LPT funding which allowed the construction of the shelter last month, said it was a 'dreadful' act, and that there won't be any money available at the Council side to repair the damage.

Transition Year Coordinator Glenda Groome has described the damage as 'really upsetting'. "Students have been delighted with the bicycle shelter. Many have said even more would cycle to school if we had a second shelter."

Comments on the Diary's earlier story, via Facebook, have ranged from 'awful', 'disgraceful', 'shameful' and 'this makes me so mad'. "That shelter was jam packed everyday with bikes and it was great to see so many kids cycling to and from school!" one very angry parent noted.

The shelter was one of two — the other in Scoil Bhride — which were put in place by the respective Boards of Management of the schools. The total cost was €4,000.

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Criminal damage at CPC last night

This is the bad news of the morning, writes Brian Byrne. It pains deeply to have to report it.

The new bicycle shelter in the Cross and Passion College was shattered overnight by somebody throwing a bin at it.

The shelter was only erected in mid-September, at considerable cost, as part of a programme to encourage students to cycle to school.

And the team hutches in the training grounds are being used for drinking. These images come from a reader.

This is more than sad. This is criminal damage that goes much deeper. And it has to be stopped.

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Vandalism of Fairy Trail discussed at KCA

Fairy Trail sign uprooted in July. Pic: Gareth Landy.

Continuing vandalism of the Valley Fairy Trail elements was raised at the recent meeting of Kilcullen Community Action, writes Brian Byrne.

It was noted that the door on the Gilly House needs replacing for the third time, and there continues to be interference with signs and fairy houses.

"It's heartbreaking," KCA chair Ann Cashman said. "We have invested a lot of money in this, and in only a year and a bit there's a lot gone."

Antoinette Buckley suggested putting the signs high up in the trees. "They're too tempting where they are."

Celia Travers told the meeting of another trail she had seen where all the houses were high up. "The kids had to look up for them."

The opening of the Fairy Trail in March 2019.

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Gardai investigating drinking, antisocial behaviour at GAA grounds

Pictures: Kilcullen GAA.

Kilcullen GAA have informed the gardai of antisocial behaviour on the club's grounds, which are closed to even members at the moment.

The Club says that the pitch and facilities are being used as a 'party venue' by youths from the town.

The activities have included sitting out on camping chairs on the pitch and drinking, and related debris — including broken glass bottles — has been found in the dugouts, stand, and the surrounds of the pitch 'nearly every morning' during the past week.

Active CCTV footage is recorded on a 24-hour basis on the club premises, and residents from nearby areas are asked to direct-message the club's Facebook page if they see individuals or groups going to the premises with bags, or hear the activity.

The gardai, who now have keys to the property, will be patrolling the premises from now on and will be notified of any such activity immediately.

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Bad behaviour on Mass Path a risk to amenity

On a downside to all the positive things visible in the community, we're getting reports of a lot of wipes, dog dirt, and drink cans along the Mass Path through New Abbey Stud lands, and in the field beside the graveyard, writes Brian Byrne.

Our understanding is that if this persists, the area may be closed off to the public by the landowner.

"This is a wonderful amenity, enjoyed by generations of Kilcullen people," one resident who uses the walk told the Diary this afternoon. "It could be closed because of the mindless activity of a few.

"Also, hanging a bag of dog's shit on a tree does not mean it will magically disappear."

UPDATE: In fairness, your editor took a walk down there this evening, and whatever rubbish there had been is cleared. Let's all make sure it stays that way.

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Fairy Trail signs thrown in river

Two signs from the new Kilcullen Valley Fairy Trail were thrown in the river in recent days.

They were spotted in the water by a person walking on the Farm and Nature Trail in Bridge Camphill and subsequently retrieved.

The Fairy Trail is a Kilcullen Community Action project, led by Antoinette Buckley, and since opening has brought delight to many children taken down the Valley Park by their parents.

It has also increased footfall through the Valley, which was developed by Kilcullen Community Council in the 1970s, and is maintained by KCA with the help of volunteers and CE workers.

Comment on this piece of anti-social behaviour is superfluous, beyond saying the perpetrators must be very sad people.

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Gardai informed of teenager 'intimidation'

Pic: Google Maps.

Residents of Castlemartin estates have reported incidents of intimidation and frightening of residents by teenagers to gardai, writes Brian Byrne.

According to the area's Facebook page, the teenagers concerned have been engaged in 'an aggressive and intimidating game' of 'knock-a-dolly' in the estate where they knock on doors and then frighten people when they answer.

"One resident and her daughter have been frightened as a result," the residents association says. "A second resident has informed us that teens tried to gain entry to her property. Both incidents were reported to the gardai."

It isn't known if the teenagers reside in the Castlemartin estates or not. Parents are being urged to make sure they know where their own teens are, and to talk to them about this type of behaviour.

The post also asks residents to be vigilant and look out for neighbours as this could be very intimidating behaviour for those who are elderly or living alone.

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