CHUNKY O’BRIEN – NOT JUST A HURLING LEGEND
“Chunky O’Brien wasn’t just a hurling legend; he was one of the most respected and liked characters in Kilkenny and we are all fortunate to have known him. He will go down in the history books as one of the most gifted hurlers of all time,” said Deputy John McGuinness, following the passing of Liam ‘Chunky’ O’Brien. “He wasn’t just a talented hurler. Chunky could turn his hand to any sport and be just as good at it as he was at hurling. He was an incredible soccer player, pool, darts, snooker and even handball. Along with his four All Ireland
medals he was Hurler of the Year in 1975, a four-time All-Star (1973-75, 1979), seven Leinster titles (1971-75, 1978-79), an NHL title (1976) and three Railway Cups (1973, 1975, 1977) and more,” said John. “It’s a very sad day for Kilkenny when we lose such an influential roll model who has brought so much joy to all of us through sport and on a personal level as a much loved family man and friend to many. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Chunkys family and friends. He will never be forgotten,” said John
400 NEW JOBS FOR KILKENNY State Street has selected Ireland for its new cybersecurity and technology unit creating 400 new jobs in Kilkenny according to Deputy John McGuinness. State Street will establish a new specialist 400-strong team in Ireland to provide technology infrastructure and cyber security to support group operations globally. Ireland has been selected in large part due to the availability of relevant and skilled technology talent – existing and emerging (from universities and third level institutions) – as well as the need to have a location outside the US for time zone support purposes. The new unit will be located at IDA Ireland Business and Technology Park in Kilkenny where State Street already employs approximately 600 staff. “This is fantastic news for Kilkenny as one of the largest job announcements in recent history with the creation of 400 jobs. It will be a huge boost to our local economy,” said Deputy John McGuinness. “State Street are now in the process of developing a new state of the art office complex at their current location, representing a huge investment in Kilkenny,” he said.
Reflective of new ways of working post COVID and of staff preferences for flexibility and remote working, the new office could see office occupancy levels of up to 200% whilst drawing on a potentially broader staff pool along the east coast and midlands. Welcoming the news, Mayor of Kilkenny, Andrew McGuinness said, “This is a great day for Kilkenny with such a huge investment and job creation announcement that will benefit everyone. As Mayor, I want to thank State Street for making such a substantial investment into
Kilkenny and wish them every success.” The new unit will employ up to 400 high value, experienced and graduate level roles, across: programming, Security Operations Analysts, Security Instrumentation Engineers, Data Scientists, Security Architects (Network, Identify Access Management and BlockChain), Security Forensics/Investigations and Governance, Risk and Compliance experts. The new roles will be filled on a phased basis over the next 12 months.
OVER €2 MILLION FOR KILKENNY’S MAYFAIR
On a recent visit to Kilkenny, Minister Heather Humphreys announced Government funding of over €2 Million for Kilkenny’s new library as part of the Libraries Capital Programme. Deputy John McGuinness, who had lobbied for the funding, said, “it would bring great vibrance to the new Abbey Quarter.” “I’m delighted to welcome this news and look forward to watching this project develop. A state of the art, modern library, in the heart of the City, accessible 24/7, will be a hugely
positive addition to our new Abbey Quarter,” said Deputy McGuinness. “Its very encouraging to receive this level of funding shortly after we opened the new skate park and riverside garden on the same site. The addition of the library will really enhance that community element and encourage activity at the new development,” he said. Renovations of the Mayfair Building is currently at tender stage and work on the project will commence in late summer, with works to be completed by the end of 2022. The Mayfair Library will be an “Open Library” and will accessible by library members seven days of the week. Meanwhile planning permission was granted
in February for the development of the Urban Street and Park project in the Abbey Quarter. The Urban Park, which will be centred around St. Francis Abbey, will be the central focus of the Abbey Quarter development, while the development of the street will open up the former Brewery site for the development of new buildings. A design team for the detailed design, tender and construction stages of the project has been appointed and it is expected that the project will be ready to go to tender by the end of the year. It is expected that work on site will commence in Spring 2022 and will be completed by the end of 2023.
John McGuinness T.D. Clinics By Appointment Constituency Office, O’Loughlin Road, Kilkenny Please Call 056 77 70672 email: john@johnmcguinness.ie
KILKENNY & CARLOW GET FUNDING OF €147,263
NEWSLETTER
A total of €147,263 has been awarded to Carlow and Kilkenny out of €4.2million of CLÁR funding nationally according to Deputy John McGuinness.
Kilkenny Receives Donations of PPE from Taiwan
A substantial amount of Personal Protective Equipment has been donated to community hospital facilities and public nursing homes throughout Kilkenny City and County by the Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association, chaired by Deputy John McGuinness. The equipment included much needed gowns, goggles, surgical gloves, infra-red thermometers and face masks at a time when all PPE was in short supply and high demand. This week, a further donation of masks, gloves and sanitiser was received from the group.
The donation was made through the Ireland Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association, which is chaired by Deputy John McGuinness, and the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland, in partnership with the Taiwan Ireland Association. Representative Pierre Yang of the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland said, “as members of Irish society, the donation of high-quality PPE to help Ireland to fight the epidemic is the intention of the Taiwanese community. At the same time, Taiwan also hopes to establish long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation with Ireland as the impact of the epidemic alters many of the operating models we are accustomed to.”
Deputy John McGuinness thanked the Taiwanese group and its Government for their kind donation and said, “little did we know this time last year when we received the first donation of PPE, that we would still be battling the pandemic a year or more later. This donation and the previous donation are very kind gestures and have and will be of great benefit.” “The previous donation was spread throughout community hospital facilities in the city and county and this donation will be spread among our public nursing homes. I will ensure that these supplies get to our community nursing homes as soon as possible, “he said.
NEW FIRE STATION FOR URLINGFORD Urlingford is to get a new state of the art Fire Station which was approved for funding of €1.7 Million according to Deputy John McGuinness. “The old fire station in Urlingford, which has been in operation since the early 1970s, will be replaced with a new two-bay station with a training yard, lecture room and staff facilities, a drill tower, an underground water tank and a breathing apparatus compressor room,” said Deputy McGuinness. “The existing station which has served the community for almost 50 years, is limited to cope with the demands of a modern fire and rescue service. Once the new station is complete it will give Urlingford and North Kilkenny a fire station that is equipped to the highest standard. I’m delighted to see this happening after years of campaigning,” said Deputy McGuinness. Also welcoming the news, local Councillor Michael Delaney said, “Getting this funding is fantastic for Urlingford and the greater North Kilkenny community. I want to thank John McGuinness for all of his great work and I look forward to watching this project come to fruition. I want to acknowledge the work of the local community and the great team at our fire service.” Deputy John McGuinness with Cllr. Michael Delaney at Urlingford Fire Station
In Kilkenny, St. Eoghan's National School, Kimaganny, will receive €42,300.00 for Junction, footpath & pedestrian crossing improvement works in Kilmaganny Village along with associated road markings and St. Aidan's National School in Kilmanagh will get €15,000.00 for the provision of driver feedback signs.
Deputy John McGuinness and Cllr. Michael Delaney at Colaiste Mhuire, Johnstown
UPGRADES FOR SCOIL MHUIRE
“I’m delighted to welcome such positive news for Scoil Muire, Johnstown, as it has been approved for 12 general classrooms. 11 SET rooms, 1 Home economics room, 1 graphics room, 2 science labs, 1 art room, 1 prep area, 1 engineering room, 1 tech room, 2 project store rooms, 1 staff room, 1 gp Hall and a library.
In Carlow, St Mullins Parish will get an allocation of €45,000.00 for the installation of astroturf playing pitch, site preparation enclosed by railing and net with two entry and exit points and landscaping work to finish off around perimeter and St. Patricks NS, Carlow, will get €44,963.00 to upgrade the play facilities in the school grounds, resurface the junior yard area and the addition of play equipment in the yard. Welcoming the news, Deputy John McGuinness said, "this is fantastic news for all four groups in Kilkenny and Carlow, who will use the funding to upgrade safety measures and improve outdoor facilities. I look forward to seeing this work carried out and those communities benefiting from it.
“This will bring huge improvements to a fantastic school and great benefits to many students in North Kilkenny. The initial project approval has now been granted and I look forward to seeing this project come to fruition,” Deputy John McGuinness Also welcoming the news, local Cllr Michael Delaney said, “this is great news for the local community and a credit to an already great school. I’m delighted to see such a big investment into education in North Kilkenny.
NEWSLETTER
Deputy John McGuinness with Cllr. Pat Fitzpatrick and then Cathaoirleach Andrew McGuinness donating PPE at O’Gorman Home Ballyragget
Cllr Joe Malone, Minister Heather Humphreys and Deputy John McGuinness
MALONE APPOINTED PEACE COMMISSIONER Councillor Joe Malone has recently been appointed a Peace Commissioner by Minister Heather Humphries.
Deputy John McGuinness and then Cathaoirleach Andrew McGuinness at the official opening of Kilkennys new Skate Park and Riverside Gardens
A Peace Commissioner is an honorary position in Ireland with special powers and whose role is to primarily take statutory declarations, and witnessing signatures on documents required by various authorities. Speaking of the appointment Deputy John McGuinness said, “Joe is a well respected local politician who is involved in many aspects of the local community. He spent 30 years in the army and since then he has devoted his time to community and charity work. Im delighted to see him appointed as a Peace Commissioner.
McGuinness welcomes commencement of Comers new pedestrian bridge
Site investigation works have commenced for the construction of the new two span footbridge over the River Dinin adjacent
to the existing N78, Castlecomer Bridge. The new pedestrian bridge will link the town of Castlecomer to the popular Discovery Park while also helping to deal with safety issues associated with the poor pedestrian access on the existing bridge.
Deputy John McGuinness with then Cathaoirleach Andrew McGuinness, Cllr. Pat Fittzpatrick and Tom Byrne at the Covid Compliance Centre in Castlecomer
Deputy John McGuinness recently visited the site along with Chairman of Kilkenny County Council, Andrew McGuinness, and local Councillor Pat Fitzpatrick. I’m delighted to see this project come into fruition as it will help to address much needed safety measures for the local community and visitors alike. The €900,000 Castlecomer Pedestrian Bridge is also a great connection between the town centre and the Discovery Park and will take pedestrians off the main N78 road, acting as a safe pedestrian link from the town to the park, said Deputy John McGuinness. Local Councillor, Pat Fitzpatrick, said, I’m very happy with the progress as it is of huge benefit to the local community who have crying out to have these issues dealt with for years. As a local councillor, Im very much looking forward to this project being finished; he said.
Deputy John McGuinness with Minister Darragh O’Brien and Cllr. Deirdre Cullen at the opening of the new LIHAF Road at Kilkennys Breagagh Valley.