Domestic Violence Register law welcomed

Senator O'Loughlin with the Taoiseach and Jennifer Poole's Family in the Office of the Taoiseach.

A Kildare-based senator has welcomed the passing of landmark legislation to create a Domestic Violence Register, saying it will save lives amid a recent rise in femicide. Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin hailed the Dáil’s approval of the Domestic Violence (Judgments) Register Bill 2026, known as Jennie’s Law, which she first introduced in the Seanad. The bill will now go to President Catherine Connolly to be signed into law.

The law is named in memory of 24-year-old Jennifer Poole, who was murdered by her former partner in Dublin in 2021. It will allow those convicted of serious domestic violence offences against current or former partners to be included on a dedicated public register, maintained by the Courts Service. Publication of judgments will depend on judicial discretion and the consent of victims or survivors.

Senator O’Loughlin said Jennie’s Law marks “a significant step forward” in protecting women from domestic violence by giving people access to information that can help keep them safe. 

She also paid tribute to Jennifer Poole’s family, especially her brother Jason Poole, whose campaign for change was instrumental in advancing the legislation. 

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Tracey O’Dwyer outlines her community priorities

In a newsletter update circulating in the Kildare-Newbridge MD, Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer has detailed her local agenda focused on roads, safety, community facilities, and planning across Kilcullen, Athgarvan, Newbridge, and related areas, writes Brian Byrne. The Kilcullen-based councillor was recently elected as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Kildare County Council.

For Kilcullen, the Fine Gael councillor says a major priority has been securing the future of Teach na nDaoine. She notes the building, which she hopes will become a dedicated space for senior citizens’ groups, was secured from the HSE for a nominal fee, with €180,000 in Local Property Tax funding allocated for essential repairs and works expected to begin before the end of this year. She also highlights progress on the Old Kilcullen Heritage Trail, saying she worked with the Old Kilcullen Committee and Kildare County Council to propose amendments after public consultation.

Road safety remains another major focus. She said she continues to push for improvements at Thompson’s Cross in Old Kilcullen, where work is hoped to commence this year, road widening in Athgarvan, and safety upgrades at several junctions, including Corbally, Mile Mill, Grangebeg, Baroda, and Kennel Bridge. Traffic calming on Kilcullen approach roads is a priority concern, and works are due to begin later this year on a €50,000 traffic calming project on the Curragh Road in Athgarvan. 

Cllr O’Dwyer has also been working with KCC to deal with parking pressures in Kilcullen — including in Kilcullen estates Bishop Rogan, Cnoc na Greine, and Riverside — on road and path upgrades, and on better bus stops and shelters for Two Mile House, Kilcullen, and Kinneagh Cross, and those recently provided in Athgarvan. She is also seeking improved access from the M9/M7 to Newbridge.

On community services, the councillor said she is addressing the lack of medical card dental services in Kilcullen and the shortage of childcare and after-school places. She also confirms €100,000 has been secured for a skatepark in Kilcullen, with a suitable site now being sought.

In Newbridge, she is working towards achieving a swimming pool, a municipal sports hub and a cultural centre, while in Athgarvan, she is supporting a new community space. She is also seeking a columbarium wall in St Brigid’s cemetery in Kilcullen.

The update also covers estate taking-in-charge projects, with work ongoing in locations including Hillcrest and Riverside in Kilcullen, Moorehill Wood in Brannockstown, and Walshestown Abbey and The Meadows in Newbridge. Cllr O’Dwyer says the adoption of the Kilcullen and Newbridge settlement plans in 2025 gives the area a roadmap for balanced development, and she points to zoning wins for school capacity in Kilcullen, and a new swimming pool and a sports hub for Newbridge.

She says her overall aim is to support safer communities and to keep local development aligned with infrastructure, accessibility and the needs of residents.

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Tracey is Deputy Mayor of Kildare

Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer has been elected as Deputy Mayor (Leas-Chathaoirleach) of County Kildare. Cllr Tim Durkan is the new Mayor (Chathaoirleach). Representing the Newbridge Electoral Area, which forms part of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District on Kildare County Council, Tracey was first elected in 2019. She is a keen community person and supports local groups, schools, and businesses through her work. 

Tracey is a self-employed working mother who attended Cross and Passion College Kilcullen, and later went on to study German and Business Studies and worked for over eight years at Barretstown Children’s Camp. She lives in Grangemore.

Her election to this important position is good for Kildare, for Kilcullen, and for Brannockstown.

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Call for national cardiovascular risk prevention clinics

Senator Gerard Craughwell, Dr Susan Connolly, Integrated Care Cardiologist, University Hospital Galway, Mrs Karen Brennan, and Professor Rónán Collins, Consultant Geriatrician and Stroke Medicine, Tallaght University Hospital, at an Oireachtas cardiovascular health briefing in Leinster House.

Up to 80 per cent of strokes are preventable, according to medical experts who have emphasised the need for national cardiovascular risk prevention clinics to improve early detection and management of hypertension, writes Brian Byrne. They were speaking to members of the Oireachtas in advance of tomorrow's World Hypertension Day.

About 7,500 strokes happen in Ireland each year, according to the Irish Heart Foundation. With hypertension a major risk factor for strokes and heart attacks, the meeting, coinciding with ‘May Measure Month’, called for coordinated action to align Ireland’s cardiovascular care with international best practices and the EU’s Safe Hearts plan. 

The event was hosted in Leinster House by Senator Gerard Craughwell, and those attending included Dr Susan Connolly, Integrated Care Cardiologist, Galway University Hospital, and Professor Rónán Collins, Consultant Geriatrician & Stroke Medicine, Tallaght University Hospital.

A national initiative led by the University of Galway will engage patients in developing a patient-friendly pathway for resistant hypertension, with final results expected by September 2026.

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Kilcullen issues raised by councillor for next meeting

Bishop Rogan Park: request for pull-in bays.

Councillor Tracey O’Dwyer has submitted motions and inquiries aimed at enhancing infrastructure and safety in Kilcullen and Two Mile House ahead of the upcoming Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, writes Brian Byrne. The meeting is scheduled to take place on 15 April at Áras Chill Dara.

The councillor requests the council to investigate the feasibility of installing pull-in bays within Bishop Rogan Park, Nicholastown, and Cnoc na Greine estates to prevent service vehicles from obstructing footpaths and green spaces.

Cllr O’Dwyer has also tabled a motion requesting the results of a traffic survey conducted in Kilcullen in May 2025. This survey gathered data pertaining to traffic volume, flow, parking turnover, and pedestrian activity.

A request for a detailed update on the scope and commencement date of works at Thompson’s Cross is the subject of a question from the councillor. She also wants the council to confirm plans to upgrade the pelican crossing at Two Mile House Primary School, noting that cars are currently failing to yield to children crossing the road.

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John Healy takes chair at TUD Ógra Fianna Fáil Kathleen Clarke Cumann

Kilcullen-Newbridge Local Area Representative for Fianna Fáil, John Healy, has taken on a new role as the chair of the Technological University Dublin (TUD) Ógra Fianna Fáil Kathleen Clarke Cumann, writes Brian Byrne. A graduate of UCD in History and Politics and currently pursuing a master’s in Public Affairs and Political Communications at TUD, his appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the party, with the Dublin Central by-election on the horizon. 

He says he is eager to revive the historic Cumann and has plans for several upcoming events, inviting anyone in the college interested in politics to get involved.

Kathleen Clarke, for whom the Cumann is named, was the wife of Tom Clarke, executed for his part in the 1916 Rising. She was a founder member of Cumann na mBan, and during the War of Independence, was an active fundraiser, sheltering men and women on the run. She worked as a District Justice in the Sinn Féin courts in Dublin. 

A founder member of Fianna Fáil, between 1928 and 1936 she served in the Seanad. She was Dublin's first female Lord Mayor, from 1939 to 1943. From 1965, she lived with her youngest son, Emmet, and his family in Liverpool, returning briefly to Dublin in 1966 for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Rising. She died in Liverpool on 29 September 1972, aged ninety-four.

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Curragh swimming pool reopens to public groups

Fianna Fáil Senator for Kildare South, Fiona O’Loughlin, has confirmed that the Curragh military swimming pool can reopen for use by local schools and community groups due to the recruitment of sufficient lifeguards, writes Brian Byrne.

The pool had previously been accessible to local schools, swimming clubs, and Defence Forces families, but has remained closed to the public since the COVID-19 pandemic. It underwent renovations in September 2024, costing nearly €300,000. However, the Defence Forces couldn’t recruit enough lifeguards at the time, preventing the public from using it.

Senator O’Loughlin confirmed that two full-time and two part-time lifeguards are now in place, allowing the pool to reopen.

She says it has been a “long-fought battle” to bring a public asset back into service and that she remains committed to securing funding and resources for a public swimming pool in Newbridge. "Kildare needs amenities that match its growth, and the reopening won’t stop this campaign."

Interested schools and community groups should contact estatemanagementcurragh@defence.ie to ask about pool availability.

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Martin Heydon is FG Director of Elections for presidency

Kildare South TD and Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has been appointed Director of Elections for the Fine Gael Presidential campaign.

Saying that he was honoured to have been appointed by Tanaiste Simon Harris, Minister Heydon said the party's candidate, Heather Humphreys, possesses all the qualities required for the Office of President – compassion, integrity and decency. 

“Having served at the highest levels of Government, Heather has the ability to connect with and represent all of our society,” he said, following her confirmation yesterday as the candidate. "I look forward to the campaign ahead and to supporting Heather as she puts herself forward to be our 10th President of Ireland.”

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John Healy appointed Fianna Fail LAR

Kilcullen man John Healy has been appointed a Local Area Representative for Fianna Fáil in the Kilcullen-Newbridge local electoral area, writes Brian Byrne. A son of Tom and Jackie Healy, he says it is a privilege to represent his hometown of Kilcullen and the wider community.

John completed a degree in History and Politics this year at UCD, which he says helped him decide to continue in politics as a career. During college, he was involved in Young Fine Gael and elected Leinster Regional Organiser on the YFG National Executive. After completing his degree, he joined Fianna Fáil. 

After working for Fine Gael, he says doing that was 'an incredibly tough' decision. "But at the end of the day, I had to decide what was right for me, and my conclusion was that it had to be Fianna Fáil."

John's other passion is sport. While a student at Cross and Passion College Kilcullen, he was an active member of Kilcullen AFC, St Anthony’s Youth FC, Kilcullen GAA, and athletics clubs in Crookstown and Celbridge. He was on the Kildare and Leinster high performance squads for Shot Putt and Discus, and played American Football with the Newbridge-based Cill Dara Crusaders. He recently completed his first marathon.

John's political roadmap includes working to be a candidate in local elections, and if successful, to eventually seek a Dáil seat.

EDITOR NOTE: A Local Area Representative is not elected; it is simply a political party designation as a local point of contact.

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Senator calls for Brexit and COVID-type supports for exporters

Brexit and COVID-type supports are needed for Kildare exporters following the EU-US agreement on tariffs, according to Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, writes Brian Byrne. While the 15 per cent tariff agreement brings some certainty to transatlantic trade for Irish businesses, the senator warns that it also poses 'real challenges' to Irish exporters.

“More supports are necessary to help Irish companies stay competitive, protect jobs, and pursue growth in the US and beyond," the Senator said. "We need to support the impacted businesses as we did during Brexit and COVID.”

She points to several government and agency initiatives already in place to develop strategies for adjusting to the new trade environment. These include Enterprise Ireland's Tariffs Response Team, tomorrow's Government Trade Forum meeting, and upcoming action plans on competitiveness and productivity, and market diversification.

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Appeal for participation in childcare needs survey

A comprehensive survey on the needs for childcare in Kilcullen will stay live until the middle of August, and all parents having difficulty finding places for both pre-school and after-school childcare are urged to participate, writes Brian Byrne. The survey has been organised by the Kilcullen Needs Childcare community group in association with Deputy Mark Wall.

Preliminary analysis of early responses indicates that almost half of those who have taken part are considering giving up their careers because of the lack of childcare services. A high 45 per cent of respondents indicated that they have had to reduce their working hours, and in some cases, both parents have had to. Describing the situation as 'shocking', co-founder of Kilcullen Needs Childcare, Alice Malone O'Neill, says she is also aware of one person who has had their house valued and is considering moving to be closer to family for childcare support.

Availability of after-school care in Kilcullen has been reduced by changes in policy at existing childcare providers in the town. Alice, a teacher, and her chef husband are directly affected. “I'm fortunate that our two younger children have pre-school places, but we will have an after-school problem with our eldest child from September," she says. "We don't have family nearby to help out.” In June, she organised a simple online survey to gauge the extent of the issue. “I set it up on a platform linked to my phone, and for the next three days, it was beeping non-stop. I was absolutely in shock — I got 82 responses, involving 120 children.”

That prompted Alice and her friend Gina Begley to form Kilcullen Needs Childcare and get in touch with local politicians. Deputy Mark Wall met with several mothers in Kilcullen on 18 July. He set up the current survey, this time seeking more detailed information, including on issues such as affordability. 

Long-term remedies are needed to deal with childcare shortages on a national level, but the matter is immediately critical for many families in Kilcullen. Alice suggests that the use of local schools' space for after-school care could be one fast-track solution. She references a Naas school, where an after-school provider works in a room not used by any teachers outside school hours. "They have that, and then they go to the school hall, and they have a kitchenette and the school's outdoor facility as well. Sixty or seventy children are using that service, and it also gets government support."

Pending the outcome of the current survey, the group is planning a public meeting in Kilcullen on the issue for early autumn.

READ: Kilcullen will lose families, if no childcare solution - Mark Wall TD 

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Kilcullen will lose families, if no childcare solution - Mark Wall TD

Deputy Wall meeting some Kilcullen families last week.

People with important skills could leave Kilcullen if a childcare crisis in the town isn't quickly dealt with, writes Brian Byrne. According to local TD Mark Wall, there's an urgent need for a premises to accommodate the childcare needs of more than 50 families, and a solution will require a direct state intervention.

He was speaking following a meeting with a number of families in Kilcullen where he heard about difficult choices being made, such as reducing working hours or even considering giving up careers. Adding that the Kilcullen situation is reflected in many other towns in the county, he warns that what he calls a 'massive' crisis threatens pushing women out of the workforce, with consequent loss of incomes and skill sets to the community. 

The issue disproportionately affects women, he notes, as they are the ones who typically must make the choices between careers and looking after children. "Many in Kilcullen have moved there because it's a growing, vibrant town. They're professional women in the main, many of them in the public service. But they can't get childcare, and in many cases, because they moved, they are separated from family backup such as parents and grandparents who might have been able to help."

The deputy told the Diary that he has been approached by a number of childcare providers from outside Kilcullen who would consider setting up services in the town if a suitable premises could be made available. "The existing childcare providers in the town are fully stretched, with waiting lists, and these people are scrambling to find places for their young children. Unless something is done, Kilcullen could lose these families, who have brought important skill sets to the area, and that would really be sad."

Without an urgent state-led effort to meet the needs, communities like Kilcullen will lose doctors, nurses, gardaí and other public servants who would have to give up employment because they have to mind their children, or leave the town for places where they can get childcare, the deputy warns. In the immediate situation, he wants the government to step in and work with schools, sports clubs, HSE centres or any other location that might provide space for childcare.

The deputy emphasises that he is not suggesting taking over childcare from the private sector, but stepping in where the private services are not able to provide enough spaces. School aftercare is another part of the problem, as is getting enough qualified staff and playing them properly.

Licensed home-based childcare is under consideration at government level, as part of a range of solutions to the crisis. How childcare is managed in other parts of the world, like Scandinavia and Australia, is being looked at. But changes like these won't come quickly enough, Deputy Wall says. "We're also a long way still from the government ambition of making childcare affordable at €200 a month, and I'm in constant touch with Minister Norma Foley on that. But the bottom line at the moment, particularly in Kilcullen, is not enough places, and we have to deal with that now."  

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Councillor criticises reported emergency accommodation change

Cllr Chris Pender.

The 165 adults registered in emergency accommodation in County Kildare at the end of May are only a part of the county's homeless situation, according to Kildare-Newbridge MD councillor Chris Pender, writes Brian Byrne. He says the number only reflects people in hostels, hotels and B&Bs.

"They don’t include those sleeping in cars, on friends’ sofas, or fleeing domestic violence with nowhere to go," he says. "We’re talking about real people, real lives and a system already at breaking point.”

The Social Democrats councillor was commenting on media reports that the government is considering allowing local authorities to withdraw access to emergency homeless accommodation for individuals or families who refuse more than one offer of social housing. He called the idea 'cruel, dangerous and a denial of basic rights' and one which fails to recognise the real and often urgent reasons why people may turn down housing offers that do not meet their needs. “It’s about people protecting their families, avoiding dangerous areas, staying close to vital medical services, or needing appropriate disability access. You cannot, in good conscience, take away a roof from someone because the place offered would put them or their children at risk."

The reported move follows a call from a working group set up by the Department of Housing to examine changes to homelessness legislation, after concerns raised by the County and City Managers Association. The group itself called for the introduction of specific powers to allow local councils to withdraw offers of emergency accommodation, and for the introduction of eligibility criteria to access emergency accommodation. 

The idea has already been criticised by charities dealing with homelessness, including Focus Ireland, Simon, and DePaul.

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'HSE approach on Teach na nDaoine will change' - Martin Heydon

Kildare South TD and Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon says he is determined that the HSE approach on the Teach na nDaoine issue 'will change', and he is raising the matter 'at the highest level', writes Brian Byrne. In a statement this morning, he expresses 'real disappointment' at the difficulty being experienced by Kildare County Council in acquiring the property for the people of Kilcullen.

The minister's intervention follows a second public appeal by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, on KFM radio yesterday, for the executive to negotiate the transfer of the facility to Kildare County Council for community use. After that, the HSE doubled down on its position that it intends to sell the property on the open market.

“Both myself and Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer support the continued vision of the use of this property for community use in Kilcullen," Minister Heydon says. "I continue to engage with the HSE to see if any avenues exist that could allow Kildare County Council to take on the project and facilitate its community use in Kilcullen."

He added that any agreement between the HSE and KCC needs to reflect the additional costs required to complete the building, and the goodwill of the local community to the project.

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