‘Utter, utter rubbish’ being spread about the former Rathangan Convent, Kildare Senator says

The site of the former convent in Rathangan, as seen via Google Maps Street View.

placeholder image — The site of the former convent in Rathangan, as seen via Google Maps Street View.

The Senator discussed the false reports when she appeared before the Seanad

'Utter, utter rubbish' is being spread about the former Rathangan Convent.

These are the comments that one Kildare-based Senator made while speaking in the Seanad yesterday.

Back in March, the Leinster Leader reported that Kildare County Council had lodged plans to convert the former Sisters of Mercy convent on New Street in Rathangan (also known as St John's Convent) into apartments.

Now, Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O'Loughlin has told the Seanad that false rumours have been circulating around the town.

Commenting on the matter, Senator O'Loughlin, who lives in Newbridge but originally hails from Rathangan, said that the rumours are 'utter, utter rubbish.'

She told the Seanad: "There are very unfortunate rumours and people are peddling stories that it is for drug addicts and people with mental health issues.

"Certain individuals are going up to the school which is beside the convent and giving out flyers with false information to deliberately sow division."

Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O'Loughlin(File photograph).

"I want to call this out in the most public place I can; it is simply not good enough."

"It is very unfair to prey on vulnerable families and children by spreading this disinformation," she concluded.

Senator O'Loughlin made headlines yesterday when she revealed that the Bluebells and Buskers Festival for 2024 has been rescheduled to a date in June.