Justice minister told of Newbridge shoplifting, anti-social, concerns

Main image: Google.

Businesses in Newbridge have talked directly with the Minister for Justice about shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in the town, writes Brian Byrne. They met Minister Jim O'Callaghan last week, during a visit to Newbridge, where he also spoke with local gardai about the issue.

The visit was facilitated by Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, who said that every town has its unique challenges, and that ministers needed to be on the ground, hearing these experiences directly.

Gardai told the minister that they're facing increased demands on resources amid rising incidents of shoplifting. He acknowledged their concerns and said he would explore the possibility of increasing garda numbers in the town.

The minister also visited several local businesses, which shared their concerns about the growing impact of shop theft on already tight margins. In addition, they highlighted persistent issues with anti-social behaviour in the town centre, noting its direct effect on both staff wellbeing and customer safety.

“Retail crime is not victimless,” Senator O’Loughlin warned. “It drives up costs for businesses, which trickle down to families through higher prices, at a time when they are already struggling. We have to draw a line.”

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Leaf blower stolen from Kilcullen graveyard

A leaf-blower was stolen this afternoon from St Brigid's Cemetery while it was being tidied up, writes Brian Byrne. The item, valued at €800, was among equipment being used by John Brady and his son James.

The theft occurred at about 4pm, by perpetrators driving a saloon car, black or blue. "We noticed a car driving in but didn't really pay much attention," John told the Diary this evening. "But then we saw the blower being taken into the car."

When they reported the matter to the Gardai, they were told that thieves are targeting cemeteries, looking for unattended cars with property worth stealing. "We didn't get any more details about the car, or the number, but we're hoping that somebody may have seen something in McGarry's Lane," John says.

If anyone did see something that clicks with them, contact Kilcullen Gardai at 045 481212.

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Do you know where your dog went last night?

At an event in Ardclough to highlight sheep worrying were Sgt John Dunne, Newbridge Garda; Niamh O'Connor; Denis Halpin, chair of Kildare West Wicklow IFA; Henry O'Connor, Ardclough IFA; Joe Neville TD; Marie Gaynor, KCC; Aine Clinch, KCC; Seamus Deay, Dog Warden; Lindsey Fitzpatrick, Dog Warden; Sasha Bowler; Cllr Peggy O’Dwyer; Louis Dunne and Daniel McNally, IFA.

It's a time of the year when reports of dogs worrying sheep make headlines, sometimes with very distressing photographs of animals which have been savaged, writes Brian Byrne. Behind such images is heartbreak for the farmers concerned, and a harrowing effect on up to 60 flocks in the Kildare West Wicklow area each year.

That's the number of flocks which are 'hunted' by dogs each year, according to Denis Halpin, chairman of Kildare West Wicklow IFA. It's likely not the full figure, because not all such incidents are reported. The system of dealing with sheep worrying is cumbersome, and there's a move to try and make reporting incidents more structured and efficient between farmer, council and the Garda. At the core of this is a call for greater enforcement of dog licences, the requirement for which Denis Halpin says 'thousands' of dog owners simply ignore.

Ardclough farmer Henry O'Connor, whose flock has experienced numerous worrying incidents over years, says that linking the legal but separate requirements of chipping and licensing dogs is part of the answer. Just like a Garda can now scan a car number plate and get insurance, tax and owner information, a check by a vet on a microchip should be able to show if the animal's owner has a current licence for it.

Denis Halpin and Henry O'Connor.

Denis Halpin says a properly developed enforcement system would be self-funding and the council wouldn't have to be funding dog wardens. "The extra income from the scheme would actually allow for many more wardens to be employed directly," he says, adding that it would also provide a funding stream to provide more kennel space for stray or seized dogs, necessary because existing kennels are generally full.

Two dog wardens are currently employed by Kildare County Council to deal with the whole county. While there are plans to double that number, it's a very big stretch for them to monitor whether the owners of at least 25,000 pet dogs are in compliance with licensing regulations. And there are limits on their powers. 

A dog owner can be prosecuted for not having a licence, but that prosecution has to be taken by a garda, supported by the warden as a witness. Any subsequent fine has to be collected, by the Sheriff if it is not paid voluntarily. "That means most fines for dog licences just don't get paid," says Denis Halpin. Also, a warden can't simply take a dog from its owner — seizure or destruction orders have to be issued by a court before the dog can be taken. "In many cases, those dogs will have been moved on in the interim, to a relative maybe," Denis Halpin adds.

Henry O'Connor says most culprits are ordinary dogs, in many cases let out in the morning when their owners go to work. "Or they can be let out at night when their owners come home, and then it's worse because nobody can see what's going on." Because dogs like to hunt in packs, one left out will find a couple more, "and then there's huge damage done."

Apart from physical savaging, trauma from just being chased is equally distressful, if not more so. "All it takes at this time of the year is a worry and the ewes can lose their lambs," Henry O'Connor says. "If the lamb dies inside the ewe, that causes huge problems. And even if the lamb is successfully born, between the trauma of the birth and the effects of the hunt before they are born, they can die after as little as ten or fifteen minutes because their hearts aren't able to take the stress." He adds that 'hunting' a flock will stress sheep so much that it can take them up to two months to recover. "They're not just all right again the next day."

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION

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Break-ins in Kilcullen: warning

A number of daytime house break-ins have taken place in Kilcullen in recent days, writes Brian Byrne. There has also been a spate of thefts from vehicles.

Garda advice is for home-owners to always keep their houses secured and not to leave anything visible in cars that would encourage breaking in. If your home has an alarm, it should also be activated even if the house is only being left unattended for a short time.

The Diary understands that thieves 'from afar' are believed to be doing the rounds in the area. One report warns of a group of men in a car 'wearing balaclavas' in the area of a very recent break-in.

Gardai say that any activity that might raise concern should be reported. Kilcullen Garda Station number is 045 481212.

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Have you seen Coco, stolen in Logstown this morning?

UPDATE: COCO FOUND.

This is Coco, who lives with his family at Hillcrest. This morning, Coco was stolen by somebody in a car while out running along the Logstown Road with one of the family.

If anyone has any information, contact Póla Ní Bholgúir. Coco has an identity badge and phone number.

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Community Centre break-in

There was a break-in at the Kilcullen Community Centre last night, writes Brian Byrne. Nothing was taken and no money is kept on the premises. The Pitch & Putt Club was also broken into.

The Diary understands there is good CCTV footage of the incident. 

"We are so grateful to Marc Brennan who came down and re-secured the Centre for us," says manager Enda O'Neill. "He gave up his Sunday morning to help us out."

Gardai are investigating.

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Thank you from Centre for support after break-in

Kilcullen Community Centre manager Enda O'Neill wants to thank all the people of the community that came down to the Coffee Hatch in recent days to see if they could help in any way after the break-in on Wednesday night last, writes Brian Byrne. 

"Also thanks to Jeremy from Re-Vamps for repairing our door," he told the Diary. "And to Mark and the staff for their help with the clean-up and repairing the window, and of course our Kilcullen Gardai for their assistance, vigilance and great work over the last couple of days."

The perpetrator of the break-in only got a small cash float for the Coffee Hatch for his efforts as no substantial cash is kept overnight on the premises. 

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Break-in at Coffee Hatch

File photo.

A break-in last night to the Coffee Hatch at Kilcullen Community Centre means that it will be closed today until 12 noon, writes Brian Byrne. The closure is while gardai are conducting their investigation.

"Very little damage was done, and we have good CCTV coverage of the incident," says centre manager Enda O'Neill, adding that the perpetrator only got a small cash float for the Coffee Hatch for his efforts. "We don't keep any substantial cash on the premises."

The Coffee Hatch was opened at the centre in January 2022 and has become a much appreciated source of a java boost for many locals, as well as a meeting point during daily activities and events.

  

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Talk on 'most scandalous' theft in Ireland

The police notice about the theft in 1907.

A talk on the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels will be held in St Laurence's GAA Club on Wednesday 3 April, writes Brian Byrne.

The event is hosted by  the South Kildare Villages History and Heritage Group and will be given by historian and author Hugh Crawford.

The jewels were stolen in 1907 and at the time it was Ireland's most scandalous theft. It remains unsolved to this day.

The items were a diamond badge and diamond star created in 1831 for the Grand Master of the Order of St Patrick, an order of knighthood established in 1783 by George III. In addition, the collars of five knights of the order were taken in the robbery. Nothing has ever been recovered.

The badge and star were valued at the equivalent of approximately €4 million in today's money. 

The talk will begin at 8pm and all are most welcome. The location Eircode is R14 CX28.

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Break-ins force weekday closure of Gormanstown church

Gormanstown Church will be closed on weekdays until further notice, writes Brian Byrne. This is due to a break-in that occurred early this morning, which follows a number of other recent similar incidents. 

The church will be open as scheduled for Stations of the Cross on Good Friday at 7.30pm and for Easter Sunday Mass at 9.30am.

Also, the parish church webcam is now back online.

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Trailer stolen in Kilcullen

This trailer owned by Jamesey's Cabs was stolen in Kilcullen earlier this week.

Apart from the distinctive signwriting, the unit is a Conway model.

Any information on its theft or location should be given to Kilcullen Garda or call Jamesey on 087 2959598.

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Vandalism in The Valley

Very disheartening to see the damage caused to the seating down by the river this evening (Monday), writes a Diary reader. The benches are pulled out of the ground and one of them was thrown down the bank!

What kind of humans would be so disrespectful and particularly cruel towards the person the bench was erected for. 

Very saddening to see!

Editor Note: This month marks 50 years since the Valley land was bought by the community. A special article in the upcoming issue of The Bridge magazine recounts the vision, commitment and perseverance of many local people in getting the park to what it is today. Sad indeed to see any such treatment of the facility.

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Vandalism of lifebuoy

A lifebuoy in The Valley has again been interfered with in the last couple of days. This is the kind of activity that could cost someone their life.

A Life Saving Equipment Bill 2017 currently before Seanad Eireann would provide for a custodial sentence of up to five years, and a financial penalty of up to €50,000, for interfering with life saving equipment such as defibrillators and lifebuoys. Senator Mark Wall, noting the Bill in the Seanad last November, said 'a strong message needs to go out' to anyone who is thinking of the theft of life-saving equipment. 

"It is simply not good enough," he said. "It can destroy lives and potentially cost people their lives. I welcome the fact that it has been brought forward. I look forward to supporting it in the future."

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Burglary in Calverstown today

Gardai are seeking help over a burglary that took place in the Calverstown area today, writes Brian Byrne.

The crime happened between 12.45pm-1.45pm.

Anyone with information that might be relevant is asked to contact Kilcullen Garda Station on 045 481212 or 045 484070.

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