months of the pandemic This is largely down to our loyal readers and especially our advertisers who have continued to support us through strange times. The Kilkenny Observer is now planning to return to weekly publication very soon. We need your stories, your reports, your club notes, your photos, so we can bring our readers the best local news coverage possible. If you are in PR, a community worker, a club organiser or just have an interesting story or snippet or photo, please send it to us at editor@kilkennyoberver.ie

Getting better everyday

HOW great it is to see people walking up and down the High Street, and what a relief it must be to our retailers to see shopping bags in hand as both young and old enjoy the sunshine of the past few weeks. Our local hostelries are all gone Mediterranean, while serving the cappuccinos by day and reverting back to Pints of Porter after the 9 o clock watershed. Courtyards have tables and brightly coloured parasols to attract the natives like flies to the spider webs. In some cases to have the Irish equivalent of a pro-European salad the slice of ham and a pinch of tae, the choice of many our leading lights of Kilkenny.

Now during the lockdown the Twilight Community Group volunteers worked tirelessly in their communities to ensure no senior felt isolated or lonely during the pandemic. Free laptops were distributed, house calls made, and great assistance offered to those who needed it most. Although, we may be seeing the relaxation of the restrictions we still must be careful not to jump back in or as some would say throw the baby out with the bath water and let Covid19 surge again through this Delta and now Delta 2 variant. Our volunteers were out and about again this week in collaboration with the Kilkenny Recreational Sports Partnership calling to the Newpark Residents Association and the Senior’s alliance members. Hitting the streets of Newpark was Mr Kieron Ellis as he delivered the Keep active packs. Kieron was a great hit with the local women as they instantly recog nised him as ‘Mr Superquinn’. The Twilight Volun teer was the main man that opened Fergal’s Store in the Market Cross Shopping Centre., building up a retail trade that brought a new competitor to the city while providing job and career opportunities for our local men and women.

The Keep Well Pack contains a wide variety of goodies. As we all now venture back on the highways and byways to become more active after our long hibernation during the lockdown it offers high visibility jackets as we walk our way back to happiness, exercise balls and bands, Health and Wellness information all part of the Twilight Community Group’s Health & Wellness programme. For all those healthy eating gurus there is an excellent 101 Healthy Meals book to bring variety to all our diets. The Community Group Volunteers will be calling again during the coming weeks as their Health and wellness programme continues untill October 31 2021

Bank of Ireland Begin Together 2020/21 – Twilight Community Group

HANDS OFF OUR HOMES MINISTER

Now we hear over the airways there is a new Government led initiative called ‘Housing for All’. One of the main trust of the proposed programme is the seniors would ‘Right-size’ Now that was called ‘Downsize’ in the last document but some young civil servant who may only shave on Saturday before hitting the town came up with this new term. There is a suggestion if we all give up our ‘big’ houses and downsize sorry! Right-size we will create 68000 homes for young families. Now one major hurdle in this proposal is to get the seniors out of their homes 68000 new senior suitable ‘small’ dwellings must be built, or did they spend so much time coming up with the new right size term they left the calculator in the drawer.

Our seniors, I believe, have done enough and it is time to look elsewhere to solve the country’s woes. Remember the seniors of today were the people who suffered 17% and 18% interest rates, who queued over night to get £2 of petrol as it was rationed during the oil crisis of the seventies. The same people who work all the hours god sent them to keep food on the table and put their children and grandchildren through collage so as to have better opportunities for success in their lives. Now the powers that be are back calling for more blood sweat and tears. The want us to move from the house we worked all our lives to pay for the mortgage, leave our friends and social hubs behind and move to new area where senior living is in a one bedroom apartment. Yes one bedroom is the plan, as a senior really doesn’t need anyone like a family member, or carer, to stay over to assist us in our golden years or maybe just for companionship. Why should the seniors of Newpark, or any estate be pressurised to do the ‘right’ for the good of the country again! And give up their Family home full of memories. Hands off our Homes! But wait .... is it true that all the retired Ministers and TDs are going to lead by example and give up their mansions for the good of the nation? As that once great Air Lingus TV add did say “Look Up its Air Lingus” If any off our retired Public representatives on their over inflated pensions lead the way, they can re-design the tag line to “Look Up ....... is that a pig ????”

Ireland must step up to climate mark, says Clune

ALL Member States, including Ireland must “step up” and work towards new climate targets set by the EU.

The European Parliament has voted to adopt the new EU Climate Law. They are calling for ambitious 2030 and 2040 emissions reduction targets. The European Climate Law proposes a legally binding target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune said this is the first time the Parliament has passed such a bill and it is very ambitious.

The new law transforms the European Green Deal’s political commitment to EU climate neutrality by 2050 into a binding obligation. The new regulation establishes a framework for achieving climateneutrality in the EU by 2050. It sets a 2030 target of reducing the EU’s net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55%, compared to 1990 levels. Under current policies, the world is headed for a temperature rise above 3°C by 2100, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) emissions gap report 2020. Experts say that pursuing a green recovery from the pandemic could help cut global 2030 emissions by 25% below current projections, and so reach the Paris Agreement’s 2°C target.

MEP Clune said: “Climate change affects everyone from households, farmers, the fishing industry, manufacturing and transport. We need to step up on our emission reductions across all sectors. The prize of a safer and more secure planet is a vital one. If not for ourselves then for our children and our grandchildren.”

This Law now gives European citizens and businesses the legal certainty and predictability they need to plan for this transition.

MEP Clune noted how the Irish Government has also published a Climate Action Bill which sets a target to decarbonise the economy by 2050 at the latest.

State fails victims of domestic abuse, says Funchion

VICTIMS OF domestic violence victims in Carlow and Kilkenny are being failed by the state, according to Kathleen Funchion TD

The Sinn Fein spokesperson on Children was commenting on the distressing findings contained in this year’s Women’s Aid Annual Report which shows a 43% increase in contacts with Women’s Aid Services last year.

Thess findings are on foot of reports over the weekend in an internal Gardai probe that thousands of 999 domestic violence calls from children, migrants and women from the travelling community went unanswered.

Ms Funchion said: “The findings in this year’s annual report show in stark reality that Covid-19 has had an enormous impact on victims of domestic violence. Coupled with this is the distressing reports from an internal Garda probe into cancelled 999 calls that children and women were effectively ignored when seeking help.

“The data contained within this report shows that the issue of domestic violence continues to be a blight on our society. Services working in the area of domestic violence warned that the scale and level of the problem would intensify during consecutive lockdowns and depressingly they have been proved right.

“I am also extremely concerned to learn in recent days that the scale of the cancelled 999 probe reveals that women and children at risk, taking the brave decision to seek help and call 999 had their calls cancelled and it seems not followed up.

“This disgraceful practice is beyond worrying, especially considering that women are reporting to domestic violence services horrific physical abuse and attacks inflicted on them and their children throughout the pandemic.”

Ms Funchion said Ireland also had a long history of letting women and children down within the family law courts system. The system was completely tilted towards a pro-contact model that benefitted the perpetrators of domestic violence and did not adequately consider the non-abusing parent and or child’s welfare.

“Unfortunately it also seems, that those tasked with serving and protecting our citizens and those residing here are letting our most vulnerable women and children down at the very first point of contact to emergency services by not answering their calls, deleting them or simply not following them up.

“I echo my colleague and Sinn Fein Justice Spokesperson Martin Kenny’s call for Commissioner Harris to appear as a matter of urgency before the Oireachtas Committee on Justice to explain why and how thousands of 999 calls to command and control centres went answered and what actions he as Commissioner is taking to address this serious issue and make certain this unacceptable behaviour cannot and will not happen again,” she said. KILKENNY Hockey Club, County winners in the recent Texaco Support for Sport initiative, has been presented with a cheque for €5,000 which will be used to purchase sports equipment for new starters, both adults and children, with any remaining balance to be used to increase participation.

One of almost 400 clubs countrywide to make application under the scheme, Kilkenny Hockey Club hosts mixed social hockey every summer and encourages everyone of any experience or age to come out and get active. Currently, the club fields three senior women’s teams and two senior men’s teams supported by an encouraging 337 underage members.

The presentation was made to the Club by Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited – the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand. Under its Texaco Support for Sport initiative, launched last September, a fund of €130,000 was set aside for allocation in equal amounts of €5,000 to successful applicants chosen on a county-by-county basis. Overseeing the adjudication process was Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, former Irish rugby international and broadcaster, Donncha O’Callaghan.

Entries to the Texaco Support for Sport 2021 initiative will open this Autumn.

* Our photo shows tthe presentation to Kilkenny Hockey Club members Paula Farrell, Sarah Richardson, Eric Comerford, Liam Richardson, Eddie Dore and Robert Morris was made at a private ceremony held at the Texaco Service Station in Talbot’s Inch. Pictured with them were Texaco Dealer, John de Loughry (left) and Valero Area Sales Manager, Niall O’Rourke (second right).

Hockey club on the ball with Texaco support

Photo: Vicky Comerford

Cash bonus on cards for for farmers

UP to 100,000 farmers nationally are set to receive Basic Payment Scheme Refunds.

The refunds will total more than €13.35 million and will commence today (Monday).

The money was deducted from their 2019 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments under the Financial Discipline rule and is now being reimbursed in line with the EU regulations.

Commenting on the refund, Minister McConalogue said: “I am pleased to confirm that these payments are now being reimbursed to eligible farmers.”

“These payments will bring the total paid to Irish farmers under the 2019 Basic Payment Scheme to over €1.194 billion.”

In the context of the annual budgetary procedure of the European Union, the financial discipline mechanism which is implemented by the Member States involves a monetary deduction (1.4% for the 2019 reduction) from some direct payments thereby creating a financial Crisis Reserve for the European Union.

Our LGBTI+ young people are Shining With Pride

FORÓIGE, the National Youth Development Organisation, unveiled their Shine With Pride mural. The artwork was created in collaboration with SUBSET. LGBTI+ young people from across Ireland engaged in a series of virtual sessions with the artist KinMx to share their lived experiences of growing up LGBTI+ in Ireland and come up with the messages they wanted the mural to communicate.

Kilkenny LGBTI+ Young People from Identify, which is an LGBT+ youth group supported by The Foróige Drum Project, took part in the collaboration with SUBSET. Their participation in the mural project was funded by Tusla, with seed funding under their Child and Youth Participation Strategy.

The artwork tells the story of how the young people found deep solace in nature during their coming out journeys. The central character in the mural embodies LGBTI+ young people as they come out and blossom with pride into who they truly are as boundless, hopeful citizens of the world. The progress Pride flag colours; symbols for male, female and transgender people, as well as representations of the bonds of friendship, creativity and the arts are also evident throughout the piece.

Speaking about the collaboration and creation of the mural, CEO of Foróige Seán Campbell said: “It’s vital that all young people be able to express their individuality. To mark Pride month we’re delighted that LGBTI+ young people from Foróige got the opportunity to tell their stories and have their voices heard in such a creative and positive way. We’re grateful to have been able to collaborate with SUBSET on this important initiative.”

Foróige submitted this artwork for inclusion in the Government of Ireland’s Live Out Loud campaign, which promotes how LGBTI+ young people are visible, valued and included in Irish society, culture and sport.

Foróige’s submission includes a micro documentary which shows the journey from beginning to end of the collaboration between the LGBTI+ young people and artist KinMx.

The Shine with Pride mural can be seen on Camden Row Dublin 2.

Taking a walk on the wild praise side ...

THE pedestrian boardwalk through Silaire Wood has ‘come into its own’ during lockdown and is a hit with visitors from around the country.

On a recent walk along the boardwalk, Cllr Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere said he met families from Donegal and Kerry who ‘couldn’t get over’ the facility.

They were also full of praise for Woodstock Gardens.

Cllr Cleere said Silaire Wood has also been mentioned in the Irish Times recently and is getting national coverage and respect.

Director of Services, Mary Mullholland, said Silaire Wood had “come into its own” during Covid.

The re-vamped boardwalk opened last November, after several months of work. The 400m long boardwalk along the River Barrow, with the exception of screws, nuts and bolts, is made from 100% recycled plastic. As well as demonstrating the council’s commitment to sustainability and the reuse/repurposing of materials, the material also provides for an attractive, low-maintenance, rot-proof and vandal-resistant piece of leisure infrastructure.

Funding was secured by Kilkenny County Council under the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) earlier this year to undertake the enhancement works to the existing boardwalk.

Shine With Pride: Róisín Coffey Duff, 15, from Tyrrelstown Dublin 15 and Rhys Kennedy, 15, from The Kilkenny Foróige Drum Project attended the unveiling of their Shine With Pride mural in collaboration with SUBSET

PHOTO: Leon Farrell/Photcall

Lamb prices stay low as beef outlook good

IFA Sheep Chairman Leeson Neale said strong farmer resistance and tight supplies of suitable lambs means factories are not succeeding in getting lamb prices back to the lower levels quoted.

“Buying has started for the EID festival and factories are very anxious to secure supplies including competing strongly in mart sales for lambs and cull ewes,” he said.

Leeson Neale said factories were paying €7.00 to €7.20/kg, with deals to €7.30/kg to secure lambs. Cull ewes are making €3.30 to €3.60/kg.

Last week’s slaughter figures were back almost 3,000 head on the same week last year at 49,325, with the slaughter figures for the year back 81,551 head or 7%.

The IFA Sheep Chairman said farmers should sell hard as factories look to fill orders for the EID festival.

Meanwhile, IFA Livestock Chairman Tom (Moss) Mulhall said beef prices had risen a further 5c/kg this week.

Steers are making €4.15/kg to €4.25/kg; heifers €4.20 to €4.30/ kg; cows are starting at €3.40/kg for P grades with flat prices for mixes of Os and Ps of €3.60/kg and top-quality beef cows pushing to €3.85/kg and over in cases.

Young Bulls are ranging from €4.15/kg to €4.30/kg.