Suspicious device at Melon Hill dealt with by controlled explosions

Roadblock at Silliott Hill was subsequently extended further towards Naas. Image: Tracey O'Dwyer.

8.25pm UPDATE: The road to Naas between the Link Park in Kilcullen and the Stephenstown cross roads has just been reopened following an alert over a possible explosive threat, writes Brian Byrne. The Army EOD unit carried out two controlled explosions on an item at Brownstown, just beyond the Melon Hill Road junction and near the derelict 18th century Brownstown House. It's understood that the suspicious object was an old cannon ball.

The alert was raised earlier today by two young men who came across a suspicious device and notified the gardai.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team from the Army Ordnance Corps, who deal with all such issues in the state, were on site since mid-afternoon. They assessed the situation as potentially dangerous, and the original Garda cordon was extended.

Several time-frames for the reopening of the road passed this evening before the road was reopened.

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KCC issues weather advisory for this week

A moderate weather advisory has been issued for County Kildare, with a prolonged spell of very warm or hot conditions expected to continue through the week. Daytime temperatures will widely exceed 25°C, reaching the high 20s and possibly 30°C in places, while night-time temperatures will stay at or above 15°C, leading to warm and humid nights. The UV index will be high to very high.

Met Éireann warns of a chance of heavy showers or isolated thunderstorms on Wednesday, though these are expected to be localised. People are being urged to check met.ie and the Met Éireann app for updated forecasts and warnings, and to consult watersafety.ie and the Department of Agriculture website for further advice.

Potential impacts include water safety risks due to increased use of waterways, lakes and beaches, uncomfortable sleeping conditions, heat stress and dehydration, especially among vulnerable and older people, and possible disruption to public transport. Authorities also highlight concerns about animal welfare, potential drought conditions, and an increased risk of wildfires and forest fires. The advisory is valid from Tuesday, 14 July at 9am until Saturday, 18 July at 6am.

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Residents Association issues dog control reminder

The Cnoc na Greine Residents Association has circulated a reminder to residents about key dog control regulations aimed at keeping communities safe, clean, and enjoyable for everyone, writes Brian Byrne. The leaflet is a summary of information provided by Kildare County Council to homes throughout Kilcullen in recent weeks.

The Association says the estate is still having issues with dog waste not being picked up on paths, front gardens, and green areas.

The notice highlights the rules that apply to restricted breeds and other responsibilities of dog owners, including licensing, microchipping, control in public places, and the need to clean up after dogs.

Owners of certain breeds and types of dog, including American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, and others listed under the Control of Dogs Regulations, must ensure their dogs are muzzled and kept on a strong lead no longer than two metres in public places. The dog must also be handled by a person over 16 who is capable of controlling it. Failure to comply can result in an on-the-spot fine of up to €300.

The council also reminded residents that every dog must have a licence. A one-year licence costs €20, while a lifetime licence costs €140. Licences can be purchased at local post offices or online at licences.ie. Not licensing a dog can lead to a fine of up to €150 per dog.

Microchipping is also a legal requirement, with owners facing a fine of up to €200 if their dog is not microchipped and registered on an official database. Microchipping greatly improves the chances of reuniting lost dogs with their owners.

Dog owners are also being urged to keep their pets under “effective control,” which generally means on a lead in public spaces, and to prevent nuisance behaviour such as excessive barking. Persistent barking can be reported to the District Court using Form No. 5 after first raising the issue with the dog owner.

The summary further warns against dog fouling in public places, describing it as a health hazard that can spread infections such as toxocariasis. Owners are urged to “bag it and bin it” and dispose of waste properly.

It also notes new restrictions on XL Bully-type dogs, under an effective ban since 1 October 2024 on importing, breeding, selling, or rehoming them unless exempt.

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Garda advice on warmer days

An Garda Síochána in Kildare is urging residents to stay safe in the coming warmer days. With dry weather and rising temperatures forecast, the Garda advises being sun-smart, water-safe, and aware. 

They recommend applying sunscreen regularly, wearing suitable clothing, staying hydrated, and looking out for others near water bodies. Additionally, they caution against leaving children, older persons, or pets unattended in vehicles and remind people to be mindful of fire risks in parks and open areas. 

In emergencies, call 999 or 112, and for non-emergencies, report online at www.garda.ie.

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April training opens for children in CPR and AED use

Kilcullen Community First Responders have opened registrations for their April CPR and AED training sessions for children aged eight and over, writes Brian Byrne. A previously scheduled course is already fully booked, and organisers say they are looking forward to welcoming the young participants and teaching them vital lifesaving skills. 

The training aims to give children the confidence to act in an emergency, including knowing how to call emergency services, stay as calm as possible, and raise the alarm and shout for help. Parents wishing to book a place for their child are invited to email kilcullenfirstresponders@gmail.com. 

The group encourages families to consider whether their children would know what to do if something happened at home and states that this training can help prepare them for such situations.

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First aid training at Camphill

Images: CCOI.

Participants in the My Dream Job programme at the Camphill Communities of Ireland recently enjoyed a highly successful First Aid Training day in Kilcullen. The training was provided by Curragh First Aid Training Ireland, and the session was professional, informative, and engaging. 

The practical, hands-on approach helped participants develop vital life-saving skills and boost their confidence throughout the day. 

The My Dream Job programme aims to support people in gaining training, education, and employment opportunities, and fostering confidence and independence.

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Don't buy e-scooters for children this Christmas

The Road Safety Authority is urging family members and friends to refrain from purchasing e-scooters, quad bikes, or scrambler bikes for children due to the substantial safety risks associated with these vehicles, writes Brian Byrne. E-scooters are now the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries among children admitted to CHI at Temple Street.

A media campaign, developed in collaboration with CHI at Temple Street Hospital, Ireland’s national neurosurgical centre, uses the voices of imaginary children who have suffered injuries after falling from these vehicles. 

The message is clear: before buying a powered vehicle for a child, pause and consider if it is legal, safe, and suitable. 

This initiative follows a separate RSA–CHI advertising campaign launched in November that warned parents not to buy e-scooters for children under 16.

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Women's Self Defence Workshop

A Women's Self Defence Workshop is being held at the Naas Sports Centre tomorrow, Saturday 21 June, writes Brian Byrne.

The session will run from 1.30pm to 4.30pm and admission is free. The workshop will teach effective techniques for both physical and mental self-defence and is being run by HerSpace.

Supported by Kildare County Council and the Kildare Sports Partnership, call or text 085 1164951 to sign up.

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Message in a Bottle initiative by Lions

A Lions initiative launching next week in Naas Garda District could help save a life for someone living on their own, writes Brian Byrne. The Message in a Bottle scheme will subsequently be progressed through the Garda Kildare Division before going nationwide.

The idea is that a special bottle containing personal and medical details of the householders can be kept on the top shelf of a fridge, so that emergency services will quickly be able to access that information. The details are on a form that takes just 10 minutes to complete. Labels for the fridge door and for the inside front door of the house will alert the services to the existence of the information.

A nominal fee of €1 is being charged for the bottle. The main target audience is for vulnerable people living on their own, elderly, and people who have medical conditions. However, anyone can avail of this initiative, which is being launched by Naas Lions Club in Naas Garda Station at 2pm on Tuesday next 14 January. 

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Footpath dangers to be raised at MD meeting

A potential trip, slip and fall hazard on the footpaths from Nicholastown to the motorway bridge is to be raised at next week's meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, writes Brian Byrne.

Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer is asking if the paths are listed for resurfacing, due to tree roots having lifted large sections. There is similar damage to the paths on both sides of the road.

The councillor is also asking Kildare County Council to carry out a health and safety audit for slips, trips and falls on a section of the footpath on Main Street, from the traffic lights down to the Credit Union.

In another motion down for the same meeting, Cllr O'Dwyer is seeking a traffic calming assessment at Carnalway Cross, and to explore the possibility of installing a raised 'tabletop' across the width of the five-way junction.

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Garden equipment safety course

According to surveys, lawnmowers are responsible for almost a quarter of all accidents in the garden, while hedge trimmers cause 18pc of such incidents, writes Brian Byrne.

Maybe that's not unexpected, because very few homeowners have ever received, or looked for, proper training in the use of what can be very dangerous tools. That's why a one-day course in operating garden machines safely, offered by the Kildare Leader Partnership, in September, should be of interest to many.

The event will offer safety guidance on the use of ride-on and push lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, and leaf blowers. It will be held in the Kildare Community Development Centre on Tuesday 5 September, from 9.30am-4.30pm.

Spaces on the course are limited, and registration can be made by emailing geraldine@countykildarelp.ie, or calling 087 6597961.

By the way, lawnmowers come second in the garden accidents scale to ... the humble ladder!

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Driving safely in the low winter sun

At this time of the year the autumn-winter sun is extremely low in the sky and so the sun’s rays bounce off our surroundings directly into our eyes, writes Kilcullen optometrist Nichola Kennedy. Add some wet roads, frost or ice into the mix and we have an accident waiting to happen.

Winter driving is so much more dangerous as it can be very difficult to see in very bright conditions, but equally we have less daylight hours and so driving in the dark can cause fatigue and different glare issues.

Did you know that when travelling at 80km/h the sun’s glare adds seven metres to a car’s braking distance? Or that low light conditions can limit a driver’s ability to see clearly? Or that driving with uncorrected short sightedness can delay your reaction times?

So, if you have noticed that you can’t see signposts as quickly as you used to, you are sensitive to glare at night when driving, you struggle with the winter sun, or you you have refocusing issues, then it is time to pay us a visit for an eye exam and we will advise about what you can do to continue your winter driving safely.

Book your winter eye exam at Kilcullen Optician now by phone on 045-484643, by e-mail or on our web diary and ask in store about our Winter Sun Promotion, you cannot afford to miss out. (Running until end of 2021, T&C apply.)

Read the full blog post here. 

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Work beginning on Logstown footpaths

Work on repairing the footpaths at Logstown is due to begin tomorrow, writes Brian Byrne.

According to Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer the work is essential as the path has been in bad condition for years.

"It will be great to see it made safer, particularly for older people to walk on," she says. "This was a project I had hoped to have completed last year, but better late than never."

The work was delayed due to Covid restrictions. It is estimated to take around a week. Other local works also delayed include the new pedestrian crossing at Hillcrest, and the footpaths at Avondale.

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Covid will delay footpaths hazard audit

The proposed audit of accessibility and trip hazard of Kilcullen footpaths will be delayed because of Covid, writes Brian Byrne.

At Wednesday's meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge MD, officials committed the Council to carrying out the audit, on foot of a motion by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer.

But the report to the meeting noted that a key part in carrying out an accessibility audit involves engagement with disabled people, so they can voice any concerns or difficulties they have with the streetscape.

"As many of our disability advocates would be classed as vulnerable persons under Covid guidelines, this is the reason for the delay in carrying out the audit," the Council's Health & Safety Officer said.

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BE CAREFUL CROSSING THE BRIDGE IN KILCULLEN ON FOOT, PARTS ARE SLIPPY

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