ROGUE DOG OWNERS FORCE GAA TO FENCE OFF PITCH

Image: Kilcullen GAA.

Kilcullen GAA has been forced to fence off pedestrian access to the training pitch beside CPC because dog owners consistently ignore signs asking them not to bring their animals onto the pitch, writes Brian Byrne. In addition to leaving poo on a playing field that can have children as young as six using it, the dogs dig holes in the pitch drainage channels, which can potentially result in player ankle injuries.

"We have been forced to hire a contractor to erect fencing to close off pedestrian access points around the pitch," says Kilcullen GAA's Martin Murphy, who adds that a large number of dogs are being brought onto the field. "Their owners seem to think the pitch is an open public green for them to let their dogs off leads."

He also noted that the dog-owner in the background of the picture above has regularly refused to engage with club members who have asked them to obey the restriction. "The grounds are kept very well by volunteers who shouldn’t be subjected to rudeness when they politely ask people to remove their dogs." 

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LITTER FINES INCREASE FROM TODAY

Litter collected by Kilcullen Lions in April.

An increase in litter fines from €150 to €250, effective today, 1 September, aims to deter littering and promote cleaner communities. Minister of State Alan Dillon has emphasised the importance of consequences for littering, noting the financial burden it places on communities and taxpayers and said the fines increase is part of the ‘polluter pays’ principle. 

He also highlighted the ‘Bin it or bring it home’ campaign, which encourages responsible waste disposal. The initiative, supported by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, seeks to combine enforcement with education. Minister Dillon says stronger fines, investment, and awareness will enhance litter management, support circular economy goals, and improve quality of life, tourism, biodiversity, and community pride in Ireland. 

Meantime, the National Litter Pollution Monitoring System reports ongoing improvements in litter levels nationwide.

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Tidy morning for Narraghmore

Narraghmore Development CLG is organising a Village Tidy morning for next Saturday, 8 August, from 10am to 1pm.

Helpers are asked to meet at The Old Hardware for weeding, litter picking, and general tidying. 

Refreshments will be provided for all helpers afterwards.

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River bank litter and behaviour raised at KCA meeting

Debris left by people swimming or hanging out on access areas to the river during the current hot spell has included mattresses, socks, and towels, in addition to the usual litter, writes Brian Byrne. There are also complaints of anti-social behaviour, including the setting off of fireworks.

The matter was raised at the July meeting of Kilcullen Community Action, as a spinoff from a discussion on the possibility of having a Designated Bathing Area for the town in the Liffey.

Two mattresses had been removed by the Canoe Club, one from its jetty and another from the river itself, the meeting heard. A report that a third was at a location on the bank would be checked out, the KCA group decided. (In fairness, on a walkaround this morning, the Diary found relatively little litter compared to previous occasions. The third mattress is still on the New Abbey side bank.)

The issues come against a background of some reported bad behaviour in riverside areas, including damage and trespass at the Canoe Club, which has forced the club to upgrade security around its premises. Loud music has also disturbed residents who live in the vicinity of the river.

There have also been some complaints of confrontations with young people coming into Kilcullen from Newbridge. After specific instances of intimidation and shoplifting last month, Kilcullen Gardaí arrested two minors.

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Public consultation on CCTV for St Brigid's Cemetery

Image: KCC.

Kildare County Council has opened a public consultation on a proposal to install CCTV at the entrance to St Brigid’s Cemetery in Nicholastown, Kilcullen, to tackle repeated illegal dumping, writes Brian Byrne. The site has experienced ongoing fly-tipping in recent years, with household waste and other refuse affecting the amenity and dignity of the area. 

Under the proposal, the installation would include an overview camera, a licence plate recognition camera, a decoy camera and supporting infrastructure such as poles and signage.

The live monitoring period would run for six weeks if approved. The council said the plan is designed to deter dumping, identify offenders and support enforcement under waste and litter laws.

Submissions can be made through the council’s consultation portal until 5pm on Friday, 17 July 2026. 

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'Bin It!' gum roadshow returning this summer

Improperly discarded chewing gum is responsible for 8.6 per cent of all litter nationally, members of Kildare County Council were told at the May full meeting, writes Brian Byrne. That represents a continued downward trend in the issue, from more than a quarter of all litter 20 years ago.

The information was in response to a motion from Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer seeking a council-initiated social media public awareness and educational campaign against the improper disposal of chewing gum, “Wrap It and Bin It”. The meeting heard that the National Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) is responsible for developing and implementing an awareness campaign to reduce littered gum by encouraging the public to dispose of their gum responsibly.

The response noted that, according to GLT research, 92 per cent of people now report properly disposing of their chewing gum, while 85 per cent of 16–34-year-olds now view littering as socially unacceptable. Men are still more likely than women to improperly dispose of chewed gum, the research shows.

A GLT school roadshow 'Bin It!' will return to County Kildare this year, the location yet to be finalised. The meeting was told that, as part of this roadshow, the council will promote the gum awareness campaign via its social media channels. The GLT will also undertake an extensive media campaign across all platforms, including outdoor, digital, TV, and radio advertising. 

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School pupils help keep Kilcullen clean

Pupils from Scoil Bhride went litter picking with KCA this morning.

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Lions do litter pick for Spring Clean

Kilcullen Lions Club carried out their Annual Litter Pick on a section of the Athy Road south of the motorway Bridge this morning as part of National Spring Clean Week. 

Eleven bags of general waste and six bags of recyclables were collected.

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Details found in dumped material

An examination of the illegal rubbish dumped at St Brigid's Cemetery in recent days has elicited details which may lead to the discovery of the perpetrator.

The Diary understands that these details have been passed on to the Gardai. 

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Narraghmore Spring Clean 2026

Narraghmore is preparing for its annual Spring Clean-Up event on Sunday, 12 April. All residents are encouraged to join in tidying up the village’s public spaces. 

Organised by Narraghmore Development CLG, the event will take place from 10am to 1pm and will include litter picking, general tidying, and weeding. 

Refreshments will be provided at The Old Hardware afterwards. Everyone is welcome, and even just an hour of help can make a big difference.

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Successful Old Kilcullen Litter Pick

There was an enthusiastic turnout for Saturday's annual litter pick at Old Kilcullen.

People of all ages turned out for the event, and the Old Kilcullen Area Community Association has thanked all who did.

The association estimates that over 800 bags of rubbish have been collected in the annual picks over the last 10 years.

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Old Kilcullen Litter Pick

A reminder that the annual litter picking day on the roads around Old Kilcullen is taking place on Saturday, 7 March at 11 am, writes Kevin Sheehan of the Old Kilcullen Area Community Association. 

For anyone who can help, we are meeting at the tower at 11am, where bags will be available, and we will assign roads to individuals.

Some points to note: Please wear a hi-vis vest, and bring a pair of gloves.

We will organise for the bags to be picked up from the roadside, and Kildare County Council have confirmed that they will look after the disposal.

Thanks in advance for your help.

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School pupils help keep Kilcullen clean

With the help of the Scoil Bhride Green School Committee and Kilcullen Tidy Town, a Litter Pick with pupils from 3rd to 6th Class took place on Thursday morning, writes Martin Sheridan. 

The schoolchildren's input and enthusiastic civic spirit are very much appreciated.

This will be a monthly event, and it would be great if people encouraged the pupils when they see them out and about.

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Lunchtime in The Valley

A bit depressing, this. A reader sent in these pictures from lunchtime in The Valley yesterday. Debris from meal deals of some kind, just scattered around. It's not as if there aren't any bins around. A sad reflection on some people's attitudes towards their community.

 

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Scoil Bhride pitches in for town cleaning and colour

In recent weeks, we have enjoyed the Primary School helping us with litter picking around our town, writes KCA's Martin Sheridan. The Creative Art Group has also been enjoying our library garden. 

Yesterday morning, under the guidance of two teachers from Scoil Bhride, Mark and Marie, we planted a large number of spring bulbs in the library garden. Many thanks to all the pupils for their help; it was great to see them enjoying the experience. 

Hopefully, there will be lots of colour for all to see in the springtime. 

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