In April, strong concerns were raised by the Chairman of the Joint Policing Committee on the allocation and distribution of gardaí to Kilkenny since the garda divisional headquarters moved to Waterford. A number of councillors spoke out at a JPC meeting about a reduction in the number of gardaí in some stations and the impact that was having locally. ‘Climb With Charlie’ day took place, with people from all over the city and county setting off on walks and climbs to raise vital funds for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House. The team at the Kilkenny People launched a new online news website, KilkennyLive. Exciting plans were unveiled for a new outdoor performance area, enhanced public seating facilities, sheltered dining areas and a street mosaic for the Market Yard/Kieran Street area. A local community rallied around to support a well-known local man who was hospitalised following a devastating house fire. Dominic (Dom) Brennan’s life changed forever when a destructive blaze claimed the life of his younger brother Oliver at the home they shared together in Jenkinstown. An online fundraiser saw enough money donated to put in a mobile home on the site. Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Damien English visited the Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office (LEO), where he met with council officials, members of the LEO team as well as some of their client companies. A special procession wound its way through Kilkenny City for Easter — the annual Good Friday walk, which this year was held in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Members of the Ukrainian Community in Kilkenny helped lead the walk. A new ward was opened at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny — the first part of a phased opening of the new, state-of-the-art 72-bed Ormond Wing. It was a surprise visit from the minister. Meanwhile, also this month, an immense local effort to bring an underutilised convent in Kilkenny City back into use as accommodation for Ukrainian refugees gave the building, and its new
April - Concerns over garda numbers, convent renovated for refugees
