Medical card

A WICKLOW County Councillor has slammed the delays experienced by many constituents seeking to have their medical cards issued and renewed.
Cllr. Pat Fitzgerald told this newspaper that he has been inundated with calls from concerned people across South Wicklow who have been waiting for months at a time for their cards.
According to the Fianna Fáil councillor the average waiting period should be around 15 working days, however constituents have been waiting much longer than this on many occasions.
'I am aware of some applicants waiting for months. I contacted the HSE directly on several occasions and the reasons for non issuing ranged from lost files to non receipt of information. In some cases the information required had been forwarded at least three times,' he said.
'If applications were within the guidelines as laid out and provided all the information sought there are no reasons for issuing of cards to be delayed other than financial,' he added.
Cllr. Fitzgerald paid tribute to medical practitioners and pharmacists without whom he said some medical card applicants would be left without much needed medication.

Oscar nominees filmed in Wicklow

TWO films partly filmed in County Wicklow are in the running to receive Academy Awards.
'Albert Nobbs', which was filmed over seven weeks in Wicklow and Dublin in 2010, stars Glenn Close and has received three nominations - best actress for Close, best supporting actress for Janet Mcteer, and best makeup.
The film is set in 19th century Ireland and also stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Brendan Gleeson and Maria DoyleKennedy.
63-year-old Close plays woman who passes as a man to work and survive in Dublin in 1898
Meanwhile, 11-minute long 'Pentecost' is in the live action short category. It was also filmed in Dublin as well as on location in Glencree.
The film is set in 1977 when 11-year-old Damian Lynch is called in at the last moment to serve as an altar boy at an important mass in his local parish.
Pentecost was written and directed by Peter Mcdonald and made by Dublin's Emu productions.

New online law will force sites to remove personal data

EMBARRASSING, inaccurate or simply personal data will have to be deleted from the internet and company databases if consumers ask, under a new set of European laws.

The move will mean that social networks such as Facebook or Twitter will have to comply with users' requests to delete everything they have ever published about themselves online. It will also mean that consumers will be able to force companies that hold data about them, such as for Tesco's Clubcard, to remove it.

The changes, which could take more than two years to implement, also include a new EU power to fine companies up to 2 per cent of their global turnover if they breach the rules.

Businesses will also have a new duty to inform regulators and anyone affected by data breaches “as soon as possible”. Commentators and lawyers have warned that in the case of large scale hacks, informing millions of users that their data is at risk could impose an unreasonable burden on firms, and risks dissuading the development of innovative services.

EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding, however, claimed her “proposals will help build trust in online services because people will be better informed about their rights and more in control of their information”.

Current rules were put in place in 1995. “Today vast amounts of personal data are transferred and exchanged, across continents and around the globe in fractions of seconds," said Commissioner Reding. "The protection of personal data is a fundamental right for all Europeans, but citizens do not always feel in full control of their personal data."

The new laws will apply to any company offering services in an EU nation. They aim to make it easier for users to move their data from one service to another, such as from Facebook to LinkedIn, and will force companies and organisations to be clear about how they are using data. Any body with more than 250 employees will also be compelled to appoint a member of staff as a data protection officer.

The UK office of the International Chamber of Commerce said there would be benefits and costs to the new legislation. UK chief executive Stephen Pattison said that “Some of the proposed rules—such as the “right to be forgotten”—raise immediate concerns about compliance costs; but more fundamentally we need to understand how the legislation might impact on the development and deployment of new technologies and business models.

"Data is increasingly used to allow business to deliver new and improved services to their customers," Mr Pattison said. "In protecting individual privacy, we must be careful not to undermine what is now a key driver of competition, growth and innovation. It’s not clear that the Commission’s proposals strike the right balance”.

Mr Pattison added that EU plans should also be drafted in collaboration with other international legislation. The EU claims that current laws are often conflicting and cost businesses a total of nearly £2bn a year.

Quentin Archer, a partner at law firm Hogan Lovells, said that “The draft regulation will greatly increase the cost of compliance for business, particularly in the UK where we have enjoyed a relatively relaxed but pragmatic, business-friendly regime to date.”

Marc Dautlich, a partner rival firm Pinsent Masons, added that “While the new law aims to protect personal data some of the concepts will be extremely expensive for internet businesses to implement. For example the ‘Right to be Forgotten’ would mean that users could demand that social media networks such as Facebook erase any of their comments, not just from the network itself but the entire web, which would involve unprecedented co-operation with search engines to achieve.”

Warning To Road Users

Gardai and the Road Saftety Authority are urging all road users to be careful as the weather deteriorates over the coming hours.
MET Eireann have issued the following forcast, Mild and windy this afternoon with rain spreading from the west to all parts. The rain will turn persistent or heavy for a time and winds gust between 75 and 100 km/h in exposed areas at first. Drier, clearer and colder weather will gradually spread from the west in the late afternoon or early evening and the winds veer westerly and ease. Highs of 9 to 11 Celsius.
Cold tonight with ground frost inland and risk of icy patches. Some wintry showers of rain, hail or sleet spreading from west overnight and falling as snow on some hills and mountains. Min temps 0 to 3 C

Wicklow Galary

Wicklow County Childcare Committee training and events

WCCC IS currently planning its training and events programme for the Spring and early Summer of 2012.
It'll include the 'regular' Occupational, Refresher and Paediatric First Aid courses, as well as, Manual Handling and Fire Warden training for those working in childcare.
Other courses being considered are Irish for pre-schoolers, a basic 'Be comfortable with your Computer' and, a beginning focus on the objectives of the national Literacy and Numeracy Strategy will include Speech and Language Development and Story Sack courses, and a Professional Development Day for childcare providers with four themes covered. The QAP for Childminders will also be run, as usual.
And WCCC is delighted to welcome David Coleman back to Co Wicklow in May, presenting his unique view of, and very helpful tips about, how to be the best parent you can be – and not give yourself a hard time. Full details will be available in the pro-

Arklow firm creates offshore wind farm vessel

Arklow Marine Services has today revealed its new 20-metre aluminum catamaran, which has been designed and built specifically for servicing offshore wind farms in the UK. The catamaran cost stg£1.7m to create and created 10 new jobs in the Wicklow region during the build and fit out.
Enterprise Ireland's R&D Fund partly financed the development of the vessel.
Arklow Marine Services is now building another catamaran, which is due for delivery in July 2012, and also destined for the export offshore wind market.
The company itself has a colourful history as it is a fifth-generation family business that was established in Arklow in 1864. Today, it is led by directors Billy Tyrrell, a naval architect, and John Tyrrell, a marine engineer.
Arklow Marine Services' core business is the design and construction of aluminum and steel boats, such as passenger ferries and trawlers.
The company set its sights on the offshore wind marketplace when it secured a contract with UK-based Gardline Shipping after it detected a gap in the marketplace for a new generation of vessels for offshore wind farms.
Back in 2010, nine offshore wind farm sites were announced for UK coastal waters in January 2010. The UK itself is planning to invest more than stg£160bn over the next 30 years in developing its offshore wind energy resources.
Industry sources have also predicted that up to €30bn of investment in Irish offshore wind farms could also be a possibility in sparking new commercial opportunities for companies such as Arklow Marine Services to diversify their portfolios.
Billy Tyrrell said the building of the new vessel required the development of new ship-building processes at the firm. "Building this vessel has taken our business to a new level," he said.
Tom Kelly, head of Cleantech with Enterprise Ireland, spoke today about how innovation will be central to the future international competitiveness of Irish firms.

Wicklow man faces Extradition from England

A Wicklow man will appear in court in England tomorrow in connection with the death of a man in the county over two years ago.
Last week, police in East Anglia arrested the man, who is thought to be in his 40s, under a European Arrest Warrant, garda sources have confirmed.
The man, who has an address in Birmingham, is being held in custody in connection with the death of another man.
On Monday, he will be brought before the courts on extradition proceedings and investigators hope to bring him to Ireland to face trial.

History of Wicklow

The earliest recorded mention of Wicklow is in the writings of the Greek cartographer Ptolemy in around 130 AD. The site of today's town of Wicklow is thought to be Manapia on his charts.

Long-distance travel was very dangerous and expensive at this time. As a result, Ptolemy could not travel to Wicklow to make a map of the area.

Instead, he used sources in the library of Alexandria in Egypt, which came from ancient Greek astronomers, mathematicians and geographical writers.

The Origin of the Name Wicklow

The name Wicklow probably comes from the old Viking word 'Vykyngelo', which means 'meadow of the Vikings'.

The Irish name for Wicklow is Cill Mhantáin. The story goes that when St. Patrick tried to land his ships in the area, his party was attacked by locals. One of St. Patrick's party had a tooth knocked out in the fight. Then, when he returned later to set up a church there, he was given the name Manntach (toothless one). After that, the area was called 'Cill Mhantáin', meaning 'church of the toothless one'.

The Normans, who came to dominate the area more than 600 years later, preferred the non-Gaelic placename. They used the name Wicklow, which survives to this day.

Spate Of Burglaries Across Co Wicklow

A SPATE OF burglaries took place across County Wicklow on Thursday leading Gardaí to believe that the culprits drove across the county hitting various homes en route.
The incidents occurred between 12p.m. and 8p.m. and saw homes targeted in Grangecon, Kiltegan, Tinahely and Aughrim.
At least three males are believed to have been involved. A 08 registered silver Ford Focus was seen in the Aughrim area around 8p.m. and is suspected of being involved in the burglaries.
Small items of jewellery are reported to have been stolen from some of the properties.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information to contact their local station.

Hydroelectricity Project

REFURBISHMENT WORKS at Ireland's only pumped storage hydroelectricity plant near the Wicklow Gap are near completion.
The €76 million works are considered of the upmost importance in the development of sustainable renewable energy potential of Ireland.
Turlough Hill has been in operation for over 40 years and the construction of the ESB station involved the building of a massive cavern in the heart of the mountains to house the generation plant and controls. The construction stage took six years.
A pumped storage system allows for the use of excess electricity capacity during non-peak hours (mainly wind power) to pump water from the lower to the Upper lake. The water is then released in the reverse direction in times of maximum demand, making extra electricity available immediately unlike a conventional oil or gas generating station.
Deputy Andrew Doyle visited the station last Tuesday and has welcomed the near completion of the refurbishment works, the first major upgrade in its history.

Most Expensive search And Waste of Time

A SEARCH of Wicklow Harbour for a missing man found safe and well in Wexford cost in excess of €100,000.

Clothing belonging to the man in his 30s was found near the pier on Friday, while his car was abandoned by the harbour.

An extensive search of the harbour and bay were carried out by Wicklow RNLI, the Garda Underwater Unit and the coastguard, including the involvement of a coast guard helicopter.

The search was called off as darkness fell and resumed first thing on Saturday morning, only for rescue personnel to receive a call from the Gardai informing them that the missing man had been located in Wexford, where he was alive and well.

Each RNLI lifeboat launch costs in the region of €5,000, while the involvement of the coast guard helicopter and the Garda Underwater Unit means the bill for the search was well over €100,000. The man was interviewed by Wicklow Gardai on Saturday before returning home.

Earlier in the week the same man was the subject of a garda alert after unexpectedly removing his three daughters from school. He was pursued by the Gardai before his vehicle came to a stop after mounting a roundabout. A SEARCH of Wicklow Harbour for a missing man who was feared drowned was called off after he was found to be 'alive and well' in Wexford.

The search began on Friday after the man's clothing was found just off the pier. His car, containing his coat and pictures of his three children, was found abandoned at the harbour. The keys were still in the ignition.

Earlier in the week the same man was arrested and detained for medical treatment after causing a major Garda alert when he went missing with his three children.

There were immediate fears for his safety on Friday and a search was quickly underway by 8.30 a.m.. The Garda Underwater Unit trawled the harbour at South Quay, while Wicklow Lifeboat embarked on an extensive search of the area. A coast guard helicopter was also involved in the operation.

The search was called off as darkness fell and resumed the following morning. However, at 9.40 a.m. on Saturday search crews received word from gardai that the man was 'safe and well' and had been located in Wexford.

Wicklow RNLI were out on Friday for five hours searching for the man as concerns grew that he may have taken his own life. 'We were just all delighted to hear he was safe. That's the main thing,' said an RNLI spokesperson.

The same man was involved in an incident on Wednesday which saw him being pursued by Gardai as he travelled in a car containing his three children.

Gardai asked the public for their assistance in tracing the car, but warned people not to approach the driver. The car he was driving had been last seen in an estate in Ashford at 10.30 a.m., though it's understood the man lives in Rathnew.

During a search, which included the involvement of a Garda Air Support Unit, the car was spotted at Brittas Bay before heading to the N11 near Rathnew. Gardai began a short pursuit which ended when the man attempted to take the slip-way at the Ballinabarney Junction and ended up losing control of his vehicle and mounting the roundabout, knocking over a number of traffic signs.

As a precautionary measure an ambulance was called to check on the well-being of the children, none of whom were injured during the incident.

The day appears to have started as normal with the Father dropping his three daughters - ages 12, 9 and 7 - to school at 10 a.m.. However, he returned half an hour later demanding that he be allowed remove them from classes. This went against school protocol and concerned teachers tried to persuaded him to allow the children to remain in class. He became agitated before leaving with his three children.

He drove away from the school in his own car, but later switched to a borrowed blue Nissan Almera.

Once alerted to the situation Gardai were extremely anxious to locate the car and its occupants. A description of the driver and the registration number of his vehicle were released in and effort to locate his whereabouts. Roadblocks were also set up and the air support unit called out.

After his arrest the man was detained at Wicklow Garda Station under the Mental Health Act.

Wicklow Charity For Award

The Wicklow based charity Irish Horse Welfare Trust has been shortlisted for an award at the ‘Oscars’ of the equestrian world.
The charity is shortlisted for a gong at the international PagePlay Equestrian Social Media Awards (ESMAs), for which voting closes 12pm 10 February.
The charity is based in Woodenbridge and its work includes rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming neglected horses in Ireland, as well as developing educational projects on equine welfare.
The ESMAs were established in December 2010 as a method of bringing together the global equestrian community through social media.
The ESMAs are now a global affair with finalists representing; America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Norway, France, Holland, Italy, Switzerland and, of course, the UK and Ireland.

Wicklow Pass Discount Cards

The Wicklow Pass is a discount card developed by Wicklow County Tourism to entice visitors and Wicklow residents alike to enjoy the full extent of what Co. Wicklow has to offer at reduced rates.
Holders of the Pass can enjoy 2 for 1 entry into many of the Wicklow’s top attractions such as Wicklow’s Historic Gaol, Bray Sealife and Arklow Maritime Museum to name but a few.
Golfers will enjoy 25% off green fees in a number of golf clubs around the county. There is also a 10% discount on a host of activities, services, shopping, dining & accommodation.
The Annual Pass is valid for 1 Year for up to 5 people making it ideal for families.

Vulnerable Roads in Wicklow

1-in-8 drivers on Irish roads has had a near miss or even a collision with a cyclist in the last 2 years.
The research from the AA shows more men than women had such an experience with vulnerable road users like cyclists, pedestrians or animals.
17 percent of cyclist-related incidents happened in wet weather conditions.
Dublin had the highest rate of collisions or near misses with people on bikes followed by Galway and Wicklow.
Miriam O’Neill from AA Roadwatch has some advice for motorists.
“So we would be urging motorists out there to make sure they check their mirror before moving lanes, be very, very conscious of your blind spot as well” she said.
“If you are approaching cyclists, to make sure you give them that wide birth; give them at least a metre”.
“And also….to expect the unexpected” she added.

Water Charges

Wicklow's Sinn Fein councillors and public representatives have vowed
to boycott the new Household charge stealth tax as a way of opposing
the unjust tax but also as a way of standing in solidarity with the
thousands of people who are hurting because of the economic situation
and the cuts that are being imposed on people.
Wicklow county councillor John Snell said "The new Household charge is
a tax too far for many people and the €100 charge is simply the thin
end of the wedge.
I was always of the opinion that if the government
went through with introducing it, I would stand with people that I
know in my own constituency who have no option not to pay, because
they simply can’t afford it.
This is a personal decision my family and
i have made and we are very mindful of the legal and financial
consequences, i am not asking anyone to follow my lead but i think its
only right for me to take this stand and refuse to pay the charge"
Cllr John Brady continued "This is a unjust tax brought in by Fine
Gael and Labour at a national level, Sinn Féin has opposed it in
Leinster Hse and locally throughout the state and will continue to do
so. Local councils have no say in the introduction of this new stealth
tax and the only vote to be taken on its introduction was at a
national level and Sinn Féin opposed it there.
The introduction of the
tax has been poorly thought out, exemptions have been given to people
living in social housing of which i am one, however no consideration
has been given to the many thousands of people living in negative
equity with massive mortgages barely managing to survive.
I am not
telling anyone not to pay because i would be a hypocrite to do so as i
am exempt as i live in a council house, however if i had to pay I
simply would not"
Sinn Féin Town councillor Garrett O'Reilly went onto say "The
household charge is an interim measure pending the introduction of a
full property tax.
Its a indiscriminate tax that is not based on
ability to pay. Sinn Féin have been calling for a wealth tax to tackle
the super rich in our society instead of hitting the same people time
and time again. I wont be paying the charge because of its unjust
nature, but that's a decision i have made for myself after lengthy
consideration"
Gerry O'Neill who is the party's representative for west Wicklow said
"I have a long track record of refusing to pay stealth taxes, I led
the anti water charges campaign in west Wicklow during the 1980's
which ultimately led to its abolishment.
I will stand again on a point
of principle in opposition to these stealth taxes, i simply refuse to
pay this charge and will stand along with the many thousands of others
who will do like wise, however i am not asking anyone to follow my
lead. People must make that decision for themselves"
Bray Town councillor Rossa Murray went onto say "I feel very strong on
this issue, i refuse point blank to pay this tax.
I stand in
solidarity with the people who have and continue to be hammered by
Labour and Fine Gael. We have hundreds of thousands unemployed and
trying to pay massive mortgages, then we have the working poor who are
getting hammered by the the Universal Social Charge, VAT increases and
all the other cuts and price and tax hikes.
I am prepared to go to
prison rather than pay this stealth tax, I have given this very
serious consideration and I am fully aware of the consequences of my
protest, something everyone contemplating not paying should be aware
of"
Cllr Brady concluded "Sinn Fein will fight this tax at all levels, it
would be easy for us to jump on the “don’t pay” campaign bandwagon I
am urging caution, that people should understand or be made aware of
the possible full consequence of taking such a stance.
I don’t want to
see the situation which many in Dublin, in particular, are facing, as
a result of weighing in behind the don’t pay the bin charges campaign.
They were encouraged not to pay and are now facing in some cases
nearly €2,000 in charges and the campaign has all but disappeared.
People must make a fully informed decision like the Sinn Féin
representatives in Wicklow have that they may face fines and the tax
of €2,500 if they refuse to pay the Household charge. We will stand
with all others of like mind and will organise those who will take a
similar stance"

O'byrne Cup

WICKLOW came ever so close to dethroning the holders DCU in the opening round of the O'byrne Cup in a match played in poor conditions at Baltinglass on Sunday.
While the students led for most of the way in this game, Wicklow missed a number of scoring chances, none more costly than two late frees that would have given them victory had they been converted.
The 'Rock' on which Wicklow's hopes perished just happened to be a son of the great Barney of Dublin fame. He finished up with a grand total of eight points from a variety of frees and play.
On the day Wicklow had no one capable of matching Dean Rock, at least on dead ball kicking.
After a very poor start in which they went six points down at one stage, Wicklow rallied strongly to come right back into this game, got level at 1-06 to 0-09 at one stage and even went a point ahead but the College men had plenty in the tank and pulled away again to lead by 0-13 to 1-07 at half time.
New captain Cathal Rossiter won the toss and opted to play against the wind, whether that was his own choice or made by the management, we don't know.
Early on it appeared to be the wrong choice but by half time it looked likely to pay off as Wicklow were only three points down, had the wind in their backs and were a man up.
The students had lost Tony Macpadden to a straight red card in the first half. However, we had not reckoned with the fact that the students would prove to have an edge in fitness in the second half and that plus Rock's immaculate free taking proved to be enough to see them through in the end.
In a very competitive match for this time of year, Kildare referee Fergal Barry had his hands full but was always in complete control. Every referee has his own particular dislikes and the push in the back was this man's speciality. Wicklow, with a very small full back line, paid the penalty in the first half and conceded a lot of frees for that very offence.
However in the second half the boot was on the other foot and Wicklow reaped the benefit, albeit to a somewhat lesser extent. DCU were reduced to 13 men late in the game when their number seven, Jonathan Cooper walked on a second yellow. In fact Barry issued no less than 12 yellow cards in all, seven to DCU and five to Wicklow.
DCU were on fire from the word go. David Kelly, Jack Brady, Dean Rock (two from frees) and Cooper had them five points up inside of ten minutes. Wicklow came more into the game after that but did not get their first point until the 13th minute when local lad Joey Kelly sent over a point.
Tony Hannon pointed his first free for a foul on Austin O'malley in the 15th minute but Brady and Rock pushed the College further in front. Wicklow hit their best patch in the last 15 minutes. Joey Kelly pointed a free, Seanie Furlong was brought down in front of goal and pointed the free himself and in the 28th minute came the high point of this match. Austin O'malley floated in a high ball, it may have been intended for a point but the wind caught it and brought it down. Seanie Furlong out jumped the full back and the goalkeeper to one hand the ball into the path of Joey Kelly who smashed it to an empty net.
A minute later Furlong won another free and Hannon sent it between the posts to bring the sides level. On 31 minutes Seanie Furlong put the home side in front for the first and only time in the match but DCU finished strongly with three more points to go in leading by 0-13 to 1-7 at half time.
While Wicklow appeared to be holding all the advantages going into the second half, this was a fiercely competitive game and every score had to be won the hard way.
Points by Seanie Furlong, sub Billy Cullen and Adam Merriman all brought quick replies from the DCU forwards - notably Rock frees.
Wicklow piled on tremendous pressure in the last quarter. Furlong set up Nicky Mernagh for a point, then he pointed a free himself. O'malley did the spade work for another Mernagh point and then came in to finish the best point of the match as the game ticked into injury time.
James Stafford ploughed through the middle, gave the ball to Furlong whose reverse pass found O'malley. However it was to prove the last score of the match and the students held on for a narrow but sweet victory.
In that period of supremacy Wicklow missed two kickable frees - the first by Seanie Furlong from a distance but then O'malley missed a real sitter from in front of the posts (at that stage Wicklow had taken off their ace free taker Tony Hannon).
James Stafford and Rory Finn of the regulars had big games while a number of the newcomers, notably Adam Merriman and Niall Gaffney were quiet impressive but we may also see more of players like Jason Bolger, Joey Kelly and Paddy Byrne. Goalie John Flynn looked as confident as ever and made one absolutely brilliant save in the second half when completely
exposed.
New manager Harry Murphy was happy enough with the display that is, shooting apart.
Had winning been at the top of his agenda in this match he could have achieved that by springing Leighton Glynn from the subs at any stage in the second half or bringing on players like Ciaran Hyland or Paddy Dalton.
However this was his first chance to experiment and he stuck with it to the end. Anyway he still has another match in the Shield competition and that will be at home to Athlone IT on Sunday next.
In all he had 32 players togged out but according to county chairman Mick Hagan they were still short of nine of what he would reckon to be Wicklow's first 15.
Scorers: DCU: Dean Rock 0-8; Jonathan Cooper and Jack Brady 0-3 each; David Kelly 0-2; Gary Sweeney and Eoghan O'gara 0-1 each.
Wicklow: Joey Kelly 1-2; Seanie Furlong 0-5; Tony Hannon and Nicky Mernagh 0-2 each; Billy Cullen, Adam Merriman and Austin O'malley 0-1.

Assembly Hall Conversion

Works to turn the Assembly Hall into a community centre should be completed by the end of February.
Speaking at the first Wicklow Town Council meeting of the year, Town Engineer Kevin Scanlon, said it was initially hoped to have completed the project in January but progress had stalled over the Christmas break. He now envisages that the work should be 'substantially' completed by February's end.
Mr. Scanlon informed the meeting, ' there are around 6 to 8 weeks of plumbing, electrical and flooring works left to carry out.'
Town Manager, Michael Nicholson, said he was hopeful of soon being able to show the elected members of the council around the facility once a floor has been laid.

Priest Faces Child Abuse Charges

PRIEST with the St. Patrick's Missionary Society at Kiltegan has been deported to England from Brazil pending extradition back to Ireland.
72-year-old Fr. Peter Kennedy faces allegations of child abuse over 25 years ago from a number of people.

In 2003, €325,000 was paid to Brendan Shannon of Co. Sligo in a High Court settlement with the Kiltegan Fathers after allegations of abuse were made against Fr. Kennedy.

Mr. Shannon was only 13 when the priest arrived in the parish. According to the victim the abuse took place over a number of months in 1982 as his father was dying from cancer and being cared for at home.

The victim's mother maintained that the abuse only came to a halt when she walked in on an attempted assault.

Kennedy moved to London in the late 1980s and worked as a taxi driver while still under the supervision of the Kiltegan Fathers. He went to Brazil on a British passport in 2003 and took up a job as an English teacher in Sao Paulo.

During this time gardaí from the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit at Harcourt Square in Dublin had already spent more than 18 months investigating allegations made against Fr. Kennedy.

Brazil and Ireland don't have an extradition treaty but on St. Stephen's Day Brazilian federal police confiscated his residency card on the basis that it was not in order and deported him to London later than evening, where he remains in custody pending extradition to Ireland.

House Price Down

THE AVERAGE ASKING PRICE for a house in Wicklow in late 2011 was 12 per cent below the peak prices being sought in 2007.
Toward the end of 2011 the average price stood at € 233,000, a fall of € 262,000 from the peak four years previously.
Asking prices in Dublin commuter counties fell 8.5 per cent in the final three months of 2011, compared to a fall of 3.1 per cent between June and September.
Commenting on the report, Ronan Lyons, economist with Daft. ie says, ' It is tempting to see larger house price falls as a bad thing and no doubt many, particularly those in negative equity, will see this dramatic fall in those terms.
' However, if the size of the correction in house prices is determined by fundamental factors, then it is better for the prices to race to the finishing line than crawl there.
' Looking ahead to 2012, confidence and finance are central. It is vital to remember that recovery in the property market does not mean an increase in prices, it means an increase in transactions. This is ultimately down to the banks, who will not resume lending until the Government's stress tests stop punishing them for doing so.'

Cliff Walk

Cllr Ciarán Hayden has welcomed the decision by Sispar to further enhance the southern section of the Cliff Walk.
Work on replacing fencing and widening the path is scheduled to start this week. Sispar have agreed to carry out the work after direct consultation with Cllrs Derek Mitchell and Ciarán Hayden.
Cllr Hayden said, “I warmly welcome the start of work to enhance this area. Myself and Cllr Mitchell have worked hard to bring this about and we should see a much improved visual aspect to the southern section of the walk as a result.”
Cllr Hayden is a member of the Harbour Liaison Committee and has been a supporter of the harbour project since its inception.
The local Councillor went on to say, “I am particularly pleased that the planting of shrubs and gorse will be a part of these works.
The fencing will also be very aesthetically pleasing. This is another positive step forward by Sispar and I congratulate them for their open and honest engagement with Cllr Mitchell and myself.”

Search Result

A Father is undergoing medical treatment after sparking a garda alert when he disappeared with his three children.
Gardai launched a major search after he unexpectedly collected the children from school an hour after dropping them there.
After leaving the school the man drove to Ashford where he switched cars to a dark blue Nissan Almera which he borrowed.
Gardai launched a search operation and issued a public appeal for help, asking the public not to approach the driver but to immediately contact Wicklow or any other garda station, or telephone the 999 emergency number instead.
A description of the driver and the registration number of the vehicle were also issued, while roadblocks were set up and the air support unit was also called.
As gardai stepped up their search, one of their patrol crews spotted the Almera on the N11 near Rathnew village and went in pursuit of the car.
The car left the N11 on the slip-way at the Ballinabarney junction, south of Rathnew where the driver lost control of the vehicle, collided with a road sign, before coming to a halt on a roundabout.
The children were described as being shaken after the incident but recived no injuries.
The children's father was taken to Wicklow garda station and detained under the Mental Health Act.

Martial Arts

WICKLOW MARTIAL Arts ( WMA) has quietly been enjoying another successful year, in terms of silverware, with several of its fighters coming to national prominence as a result of their proficiency at tournaments throughout the country in recent months.
In October, the Primal Fighting Championship drew competitors from around Europe to the plush surrounds of Dublin's D4 Hotel, where a large crowd was treated to a night of thrilling, full-contact fights, culminating with an international contest pitting a Norwegian team against an Irish team. Representing WMA on the night were Simon Alvey and Michael John Devlin, with both men the recipients of contentious decisions in K1 contests.
The Marriot Hotel in Ashbourne, Meath, also played host to an internationally flavoured fight-fest on November 12, with WMA fighters Kieran Stapleton and Jordan Graham appearing on the undercard of a double-irish-title-fight. Making his competitive debut, Graham took the decision out of the judges' hands by scoring a spectacular knockout in the second round.
The club would like to extend its gratitude to all of those that have helped make 2011 another successful year.

Hollywood Mother Killed

A HOLLYWOOD MOTHER killed in a collision in County Kildare had already suffered tragedy when her brother was killed in a road accident near the west Wicklow village.
49-year-old Teresa Kiely was also one of the leading lights of the Save Hollywood Campaign consisting of locals from the village and surrounding area opposed to the preferred route for the new Tallaght to Hollywood Cross road.
A brother of Teresa's had been killed in a road accident near the family home back in 1980.
The car Teresa was driving was involved in a collision with an SUV on the Kilcullen to Athy Road in County Kildare last Tuesday at 4.30 p.m.. Also travelling alongside her was her 16year-old daughter Leanne, who suffered a fractured arm and head injuries in the crash.
Leanne had just turned 16 on Christmas day while Teresa's 50th birthday was due to take place that Saturday.
Deputy Billy Timmins paid tribute to the deceased woman, who leaves behind her husband Caiman and two children, Leanne and 14-year-old Patrick.
'It's a very sad and tragic loss for family, relatives and friends and it's a huge loss to the tight knit community of Hollywood. She was one of the leading forces behind the Hollywood Fair and gave of herself selflessly to many projects in the area. She was a very determined and committed lady. It's a sad, sad loss.'
Teresa was also part of delegation who attended a meeting organised by Deputy Timmins with Transport Minister Leo Varadkar where locals from Hollywood voiced their concerns over the preferred route through Hollywood for the new Tallaght to Hollywood Cross road.
Teresa had a number of safety fears regarding the route which she felt weren't being addressed by Kildare County Council. She also urged opponents of the route to lodge submissions with the council before November's deadline.
Teresa was heavily involved in the Hollywood Fair, which was started last year to mark Hollywood's history as a market village. The event proved a huge success, drawing close to 7,000 people to the picturesque village during the main weekend of the fair in August.
She also worked a number of part time jobs while studying accountancy as well.
There was a huge attendance at her funeral mass held at St. Kevin's Church on Friday morning followed by her burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Her tragic loss is deeply regretted by Caiman, Leanne and Patrick, father William, Sheila, brothers James and Paddy, relatives and friends.

Know Your Rights

Know Your Rights A: Public holidays at Christmas
December 2011
Question
I work a 5-day week, Monday to Friday. What days off will I get at Christmas?
Answer
Christmas Day (25 December), St Stephen’s Day (26 December) and New Year’s Day (1 January) are public holidays every year.
In 2011 Christmas Day falls on a Sunday and St Stephen's Day falls on a Monday. New Year's Day 2012 falls on a Sunday.
There is no specific rule about what happens when a public holiday falls on a weekend. You are not automatically entitled to take the next working day off work. You are entitled to the normal alternative arrangements for public holidays. These are:

• A paid day off within a month of the public holiday
• An additional day of annual leave
• An additional day's pay
• The nearest church holiday to the public holiday as a paid day off.

Under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 you may ask your employer, at least 21 days before a public holiday, which of the alternatives will apply to you. Your employer should respond to you at least 14 days before the public holiday. In practice, most employers will give employees Tuesday 27 December and Monday 2 January off in lieu of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day – but it is important to remember that this is not an automatic entitlement.
The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) has published information about the Christmas public holidays on www.employmentrights.ie.
You can make complaints about public holidays to a Rights Commissioner at the Labour Relations Commission, Tom Johnson House, Haddington Road, Beggar’s Bush, Dublin 4, Tel: (01) 613 6700, Lo-call 1890 220 227.
Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.
Know Your Rights has been compiled by Co Wicklow Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public.

Bray 3/ 4 The Boulevard, Quinsboro Road
Tel: 0761 07 6780
Arklow 73 Lower Main Street
Tel: 0761 07 6750
Wicklow 9/10 Lower Mall
Tel: 0761 07 6840

Outreach Centres in
Baltinglass Tel: 086 048 1880
Blessington Tel: 086 048 1881
Glendalough Tel: 0404 45611
Carnew Tel: 053 94 26555
Information is also available online at www.citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, Lo-call 0761 07 4000.
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Know Your Rights B: Buying goods on the Internet
December 2011
Question
I have ordered some Christmas presents from UK and Belgian websites. Can I return them if I’m not happy when they arrive?
Answer
Online purchases within the EU are covered by the European Directive on Distance Selling. Under this Directive you are entitled to a cooling-off period of 7 days. During the cooling-off period, you can cancel distance contracts without giving a reason and without incurring charges or penalties, other than possible charges incurred in returning the goods.
You must send the goods back within this 7-day period. It is not enough to say that you will return them.
The 7-day period begins on the day that you receive the product, not the day that you make the purchase.
Upon cancellation, the distance seller is obliged to repay you within 30 days. Once the contract is cancelled, any credit agreements entered into at the time of the contract will be cancelled as well.
Your supplier should have provided you with written confirmation of the contract, including information on aftersales and guarantees, how to cancel the contract and a postal address for complaints. Where a supplier doesn’t provide this written confirmation, the cooling-off period can be extended to 3 months from the date you receive the goods.
Cancellation may not be accepted, however, in certain cases, as follows:
• The goods cannot be returned because they were made specially for you
• The goods are audio or video recordings (like CDs/DVDs) or computer software whose seals have been broken by you
• The goods are newspapers or magazines
• The price of the goods or services is dependent upon financial market fluctuations that are beyond the supplier's control
• The provision of services has already begun with your agreement
The European Consumer Centre handles queries on purchases within the EU.
Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.
Know Your Rights has been compiled by Co Wicklow Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public.
Bray 3/ 4 The Boulevard, Quinsboro Road
Tel: 0761 07 6780
Arklow 73 Lower Main Street
Tel: 0761 07 6750
Wicklow 9/10 Lower Mall
Tel: 0761 07 6840
Outreach Centres
Baltinglass Tel: 086 048 1880
Blessington Tel: 086 048 1881
Glendalough Tel: 0404 45611
Carnew Tel: 053 94 26555

Information is also available online at www.citizensinformation.ie from the Citizens Information Phone Service, Lo-call 0761 07 4000.
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Know Your Rights C: Applying for Supplementary Welfare Allowance
December 2011
Question
I was told to apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) while I wait for a decision on Jobseeker’s Allowance. What is SWA and where do I apply?
Answer
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) Scheme provides a basic weekly allowance for people with little or no income. Its main purpose is to guarantee a basic minimum income and provide immediate help for people waiting for decisions on other State payments.
The Scheme also includes:
• Rent Supplement;
• Mortgage Interest Supplement;
• Single payments for urgent or exceptional needs;
• Payments in emergency situations, such as flooding.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) used to administer the SWA Scheme through its network of Community Welfare Officers (CWOs). All CWOs have recently transferred to the Department of Social Protection and are now known as Department of Social Protection representatives administering Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
These officials are still based in health centres, so you will visit your local health centre to apply for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment. The Department’s representative will have to assess your income – this may involve a home visit. They will actively refer you to other State agencies and/or voluntary organisations, if relevant. For example, they may refer you to the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).
Before applying for SWA you must have applied for any other benefit or allowance that you may be entitled to. SWA is a means-tested payment. You must also meet the habitual residence condition.
You will not normally qualify for any payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme if you are in full-time education or full-time work – that is, working for more than 30 hours per week.
Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.
Know Your Rights has been compiled by Co Wicklow Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public.
Bray 3/ 4 The Boulevard, Quinsboro Road
Tel: 0761 07 6780
Arklow 73 Lower Main Street
Tel: 0761 07 6750
Wicklow 9/10 Lower Mall
Tel: 0761 07 6840
Outreach Centres
Baltinglass Tel: 086 048 1880
Blessington Tel: 086 048 1881
Glendalough Tel: 0404 45611
Carnew Tel: 053 94 26555
Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, Lo-call 0761 07 4000.
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Know Your Rights D: Complaining about health and social care services
December 2011
Question
We are not happy with the service that our frail and elderly parents are getting from a number of health and social care professionals. Where and how can we complain?
Answer
You should be able to find the right place to give your feedback on a recently launched website called healthcomplaints.ie. This website has been developed by a group of public and voluntary organisations, including the Citizens Information Board.
Healthcomplaints.ie provides information on how to make a complaint about a healthcare service or a social care service in Ireland. It is aimed at people who use health and social care services, as well as their families, care-givers and advocates.
As well as explaining the options for making a complaint about many specific services, the site also includes sample complaint letters, case studies and guides on how to complain, along with checklists to help ensure that you give all the relevant information.
You can download a booklet, a leaflet and a poster from the site, explaining what it does and how to use it.
Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.
Know Your Rights has been compiled by Co Wicklow Citizens Information
Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public.
Bray 3/ 4 The Boulevard, Quinsboro Road
Tel: 0761 07 6780
Arklow 73 Lower Main Street
Tel: 0761 07 6750
Wicklow 9/10 Lower Mall
Tel: 0761 07 6840
Outreach Centres in
Baltinglass Tel: 086 048 1880
Blessington Tel: 086 048 1881
Glendalough Tel: 0404 45611
Carnew Tel: 053 94 26555
Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, Lo-call 0761 07 4000.

Winter Safety

With the dark evenings and winter extremes of weather now fully upon us, we are sending out our sea safety message to the community as a whole and also in particular to people who are working on the water, use pleasure craft on the water and more especially to everybody who uses the beaches, harbours walkways etc, in the area.
During extreme winter weather we all need to be extra cautious as conditions become more extreme. Colder water and air temperatures combined with swells that are powerful, winds that are more severe and currents that are more treacherous, make all of our interactions with the sea and lakes and rivers much more dangerous.
Recently we’ve seen in the media, both locally and nationally, the unpredictable nature of the weather and how it has cost people their lives. This has been true particularly here in the county of Wicklow.

Three Children Safe

MAN has been arrested after three children were found safe and well following a suspected abduction in Co Wicklow today.
It is understood that the man brought his three children aged 12,9 and 7 to school as normal but came back and collected them an hour later.

A scuffle broke out with a teacher and the man left with the children prompting an appeal for him and the blue Nissan Almera car he was driving.

He was seen at the Woodview Estate, Ashford at 10.30am and then spotted in the locality by gardai shortly after noon.



A short chase ensued at Rathnew and the man was detained by gardai. The children were recovered unharmed.



The man is being held at Wicklow Garda Station

Search Cont.. In Wicklow

Gardai have resumed their seach at Kilranelagh in west Wicklow this morning.
Around 20 gardaí from the divisional search units are searching a hunting lodge and the surrounding private lands at Kilranelagh close to Baltinglass.
The area is near the place where convicted rapist Larry Murphy was arrested almost 12 years ago.
A woman whom he had raped and abducted was found nearby tied up in the boot of his car.
Murphy was subsequently sentenced to 15 years in prison and released in August of 2010.
Gardai have refuted claims by sections of the media that they have lost contact with Murphy.

Road Death Rises

TWO people lost their lives on Co Kildare’s roads over the holiday period, while the county recorded a third victim with the death of a young Celbridge man in Co Westmeath. The latest tragedies mean that a total of 15 people have now been killed on the county’s roads during 2011.
All of the accidents are under garda investigation and appeals for witnesses have been issued.
Tuesday last 27 December saw two fatal accidents on roads in the county, with a two-vehicle collision occurring on the Kilcullen-Athy road, just beyond Kilmeade, at 4.30pm.
That accident involved a collision between an SUV and a car driven by Mrs Teresa Kiely from Hollywood, West Wicklow, who suffered fatal injuries. Her 16-year old daughter, who was travelling with her in the car, was seriously injured and was taken to Naas Hospital.
The driver of the jeep, a man in his 30s, and his female passenger were also taken to Naas hospital and it is understood that while the driver had only minor injuries, his passenger was more seriously hurt in the collision.
Gardaí at Athy are appealing for witnesses to the accident, with Sgt Tom Harte stating that they would like to hear from anyone who travelled the road in question on Tuesday afternoon and might have seen either vehicle, or who witnessed the actual collision.
Shortly before 10pm on Tuesday night, a young Maynooth man in his 30s died after being struck by a car on the roadway at Baybush, Straffan. Austin (Ozzy) Noonan from Clonagh, Maynooth, was walking along the roadway at the time. It is understood that the female driver of the car was uninjured. Son of Kathleen and the late Patrick Noonan, Austin sadly leaves behind a young son, Jason, and is also mourned by his brothers, sister, his partner Linda and other relatives.
Following the fatal collision, the road was closed for a period to facilitiate garda forensic investigations.
This was the second pedestrian fatality to bring tragedy to a Co Kildare family during the holiday period, following the death in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, of young Celbridge man Aaron Moore earlier on the same day, Tuesday 27 December.
Aaron, aged 23, was struck by a car when walking on the Dublin-Sligo road just outside Mullingar at around 4.45pm that evening. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The son of Eamon and Brigid Moore, Aaron is also mourned by his brothers, sisters, wider family and friends. His funeral mass was at St Patrick’s Church in Celbridge on Thursday 29, with burial at Donacomper Cemetery afterwards.
The pedestrian deaths, in particular, are a blow to the efforts of Kildare Co Council and the garda who have been focusing attention on pedestrian safety as part of the annual road safety campaign.
The death of 15 people on the county’s roads this year is undoubtedly disappointing for KCC Road Safety Officer Declan Keogh and for the garda given that the figure nationally continues to fall.
Following the latest tragedies, Road Safety Officer Declan Keogh said: “These latest road fatalities can only be described as tragic, sad and awful, and receiving this news at any time during the year is bad enough, but more so at Christmas time.”
He continued: “It is a very difficult time for these families right now and I don’t believe that their Christmases will ever be the same again. I would ask people to think about these collisions. People should ask themselves: ‘Could this be me?’ And the answer of course is yes, it could. When you take to the road, you become vulnerable, and the roads have no mercy. So please, always take extreme care when using the roads.”
Mr Keogh extended his sympathies to the families of these latest victims and expressed the hope that 2012 will be a far better year for everyone concerned.
Meanwhile, the pedestrian safety initiative begun as part of the new Road Safety campaign is continuing. Kildare Co Council has issued over one thousand high visibility vests to members of the public, publicans in rural areas, businesses and garda district headquarters across the county over the Christmas period as part of the joint campaign being run by the council and the garda.
This will continue into the new year, while the road safety promotions vehicle has also been very active across the county over the Christmas and new year period, and the response has been very positive.

Visiting Wicklow

Wicklow Town, Wicklow

Visiting Wicklow Town:

Wicklow town is located immediately south of Co Dublin on the east coast of Ireland. Known as the garden of Ireland, Wicklow boasts spectacular sandy beaches , colorful public gardens, all levels of walking trails and the attractive functioning wicklow harbour.
It is therefore no suprise that Wicklow town has found itself the subject of a property explosion to cater for the ever expanding irish population.Being serviced well by both bus and rail (although more trains would be welcome…) the town is easily accessible for commuters from dublin to wexford via wicklow train station and visitors alike.
It is here from wicklow harbour that the annual Round Ireland Yacht Race begins and ends and wicklow town also hosts a number of festivals throughout the year including wicklow drama, wicklow arts, the wicklow regatta and wicklows st Patricks day parade of course!
Wicklow town offers accommodation for the weary traveller in the form of wicklow hotels, country houses and bed and breakfasts. Wicklow’s ever increasing population (currently standing at 10,000), brings with it the benefit of an expanding cultural awareness and a variety of wicklow services and businesses to cater to the populations’ needs.
The Wicklow Arts Club (for eg) often run informative cross cultural entertainment to suit every taste on wednesday evenings once a month in wicklow sailing club down at wicklow harbour.
For those who like to party there are many bars and pubs in Wicklow including The Venue nightclub in the Grand hotel, wicklow,  offers weekly wicklow disco fever as does its popular neighbour Nell Keenans, (previously the Olde Forge) not to mention the late bar in Ernies and the close by Clouseaus nightclub in Ashford Co Wicklow is serviced by minibus from the town thus enabling one to have a choice of where to shake their booty!
The many fine wicklow restaurants and cafes in wicklow town offer a more relaxing evening where you can enjoy the casual friendliness of a rural town mixed with the big city catering abilities of highly qualified chefs.

Rugby News

Rathdrum v Arklow 8/1/12
Rathdrum welcomed Arklow to the Ivy Leaf Grounds in a hugely important Leinster League match for both teams. Coming into the game Arklow were just one behind league leaders Guinness with Rathdrum a further four points behind Arklow.
The last four derbies have all gone Arklow’s way so Rathdrum had a certain amount of local pride at stake here.

The game kicked off in perfect conditions and it was clear from the start that both teams were well up for a physical battle. Arklow were first to take the game to Rathdrum but the home team stood firm in every tackle and soon it was Rathdrum’s turn to work up the pitch.
A penalty conceded by Arklow gave Conor Parsons his first shot a t goal which he duly converted. 3 -0 to Rathdrum. Rathdrum continued to soak up Arklow pressure and were soon awarded another penalty within range to make it 6 -0 . Arklow lost possession in attack again and a long clearance kick was chased by Rathdrum wing Carl Phelan who was tackled off the ball after out-sprinting the Arklow cover.
The penalty try was given with an easy conversion to follow to give Rathdrum a 13 -0 lead after the half hour.

Arklow worked hard from the restart and after several phases of play were awarded a penalty. This was converted by Van Eesbeck to make it 13- 3. Coming up to half time, Arklow had a good attacking play and were unlucky to have a try disallowed for a knock on.

Arklow started the second half with great intent and were soon awarded a penalty which was converted to narrow the gap to 7 points. 13 – 6. Arklow were caught napping from the restart however and from some quick recycled ball from the kick off, centre Dave Nealan crossed in the corner. Parsons managed the difficult conversion and Rathdrum lead 20 -6.

Arklow knew they had to give their all now and spent the next ten minutes slowly working up the pitch. Rathdrum defended each attack but discipline waned for a moment and two Rathdrum players were sent to the bench for ten minutes.
Arklow took advantage of this and just before Rathdrum returned to full strength, Shane Nalty crossed close to the posts for a converted try. 20 -13 with five minutes to play. Arklow ran everything at Rathdrum now but time and time again the defence held firm. In the final play of the game, possession was turned over from an Arklow attack and Conor Parsons made a scything run to score the killer blow.
He converted his own try to leave the final score 27 – 13 to Rathdrum.

Man Rescued from Mountain

Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Rescue last night found a long-distance runner lost in the mountains… by texting him a link for software that tracked him down using his smartphone.
PRO for Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue, Brian O’Doherty says it’s no substitute for a map and compass – because you don’t always have a phone signal in the hills, but on this occasion it worked like a dream: “We were able to send him a text message with a link to the App, he downloaded it to his phone and clicked on Go, it instantly told him where he was and send the information back to us.
We have software back at our base which displays a map of Wicklow and his location poppped up on the map. We were able to use that then, to get him back out to safety”.
The missing runner was training for the Art O’Neill Challenge, a commemorative 55km overnight run through the Wicklow Mountains which takes place next Friday and had lost his GPS unit along the way.
He found himself in an extremely remote location and unsure of his exact position or which way he should go next.
Once the man was reached by rescue volunteers, he was given warm clothing, quickly assessed for any potential medical issues and brought to safety. Team members were stood down at approximately 21:00 after their second call-out on Sunday and their third this year so far.