Tuesday, May 22, 2007

News ‘N Views with Rose

New Candidate declares for Kildare South
A surprise name has been added to the pool of candidates contesting the general election
for the South Kildare area. Jane Mullins, journalist formerly with The Kildare Nationalist and the Leinster Leader, and more recently the editor of the new tabloid freesheet, the Kildare Post, will stand for the Progressive Democrats against sitting TDs, Sean Power (FF); Sean O Fearghail (FF) and Jack Wall (Lab) with JJ Power of the Green Party, Alan Gillis and Richard Daly (FG) and Theresa Bennett (SF) already declared to contest the seat.

Using her married name, Jane O’Brien, she was a founding member of Positive Action, the group who highlighted the case of women infected with Hepatitis C through the blood produce Anti-D Immunoglobulin. As chairperson from 1994-1999, Jane and her colleagues proved a thorn in the side of Michael Noonan, then Minister of Health and fought to have the scandal investigated and compensation recognised. As a result of their lobbying, the Finlay Tribunal was established and compensation thereafter decided.

In 1997, Jane was awarded a national person of the year award for her work with Positive Action and was duly appointed to an Expert Group in the Department of Health by then Minister for Health, Brian Cowen and later appointed to the Board of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service Board, a position she still retains.

On a local basis, Jane is certainly well known in the Newbridge area, her credibility as a journalist is unquestionable and she was the ‘voice of Newbridge’ during her fifteen year career with local newspapers. As Chairperson of the Newbridge Community Development Association, Jane should poll extremely well in her home town and environs and will do damage to all candidates, especially Sean Power. She has served on the Parents Association of Newbridge College and is currently chairperson of Goodwill Housing Co-Operative Association for Newbridge Town.

Having known Jane through the Leinster Leader, I must own she is one of the finest journalists I’ve ever worked with, totally ‘on the ball’, no bull, no airs and graces, straight as a dye – she will give the competition a run for their money, that’s for sure.
I can also say that it is acknowledged within the media that the success of the Kildare Post to date is due to the huge imput (12 hour day) which Jane has given the project since its launch twelve months ago. Having resigned from her role as editor this week, the Kildare Post will certainly be losing a competent pilot.

Rose B O Donoghue

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Photograph here please

A little gem here from Candid Camera man, Simon Pallister:
See above army sentry duty station with port-a-loo cabin – picture taken at the Glen of Imaal.

A bemused Simon marvelled at the singular facility which services the massive commons in the Glen….. Wonder how 1 loo per 1,000 acres meets with Health & Safety Standards!
Wouldn’t want to be a hiker in a hurry…….
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If you are running in the Women’s Mini Marathon please consider helping:

Tallaght Breast Care Unit.
Details from Edel on 087 6856356.
Or
Cheeverstown Bulgarian Project.
Details from Colette on 086 2758693.


All the proceeds from The Ballymore Belly Dancing Club, €776.74 have been donated to the
Breast unit Appeal at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital. Thank you to all the members for their generosity.
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Start the race week at Naas races on Saturday April 21st
First Race 2.30
Featuring the Woodlands Stakes (Listed) of €50,000.

Alliganstown Update
Many thanks to the Kildare County Official who answered a query I made over the Easter Weekend regarding Alliganstown Bridge. The collapse of the bridge has caused huge inconvenience and expense to residents particularly those in the agricultural business. This official kindly rang to confirm the time frame of bridge repairs and reconstruction.
To clarify, monies were allocated earlier this year for said repairs; tenders were invited and closing date for same was Easter. Tenders have since been reviewed and chosen contractor will soon be selected. Bearing in mind that residents must be notified of works interruption and permission sought from neighbouring landowners, work is expected to begin realistically in May which was always the time frame for the Alliganstown Project.
My thanks to the official for the courtesy of his phone call.

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