Kinnegad Matters

Gardaí in Kinnegad and Mullingar are urging residents and business people to be vigilant after a shop on Main Street, Kinnegad was subject to a break-in on Tuesday, March 10.In a week which saw armed raids in Rathconrath, Mullingar and in Castlepollard, as well as break-ins at pubs in The Downs and Delvin, the Kinnegad business was subject to an intrusion by burglars between 4.30am and 6am on March 10.A substantial amount of cigarettes, located in a storage area to the rear of the shop, were taken as a result of the break-in, and it is understood that a quantity of cash was also stolen. The main shop premises was not entered.Gardaí in Kinnegad are continuing their investigations, and would like to hear from anyone who may have been in the area at the time, or passing through the town in the early hours of the morning in question.Gardaí believe that because of the amount of cigarettes taken, the premises may have been under surveillance for a number of days, and if anyone spotted any suspicious activity in the days leading up to the burglary, please contact Kinnegad Gardaí on 044-9375112 with any information, no matter how trivial.At present, Gardaí are examining CCTV footage, and are hopeful this, as well as members of the public, may be able to assist them in their enquiries.Three share €200Three people shared the €200 match three prize pool in last week"s Coralstown/Kinnegad GAA Lucky Numbers Draw. There was no winner of the €2,800 jackpot, and the numbers drawn were 1, 10, 13 and 22.The match three winners were John Mullaney, Carmel Downes and Martin Cannon.In neighbouring Clonard meanwhile, there was no winner of the €2,600 jackpot in last week"s Clonard GAA and Community Council Lotto Draw. The numbers drawn were 2, 7, 26 and 27.There was no match three winner, so five entries were drawn from the hat to share the €150 prize pool. The winning entries were: Tina and Jason Plunkett; Larry McDermott; Conor, Donal and Eoin Moran; Michael McCabe; Deirdre Plunkett.Kinnegad Labour AGMOn Monday, March 2, the annual general meeting of the Kinnegad branch of the Labour Party took place at Bracken"s Pub, Main Street, Kinnegad. Before the AGM began, local election candidate Denis Leonard spoke of his sadness on hearing of the death of Molly Boyce.Mr. Leonard described her as 'a Labour woman right to the very end', and he added that the Labour Party in Kinnegad had lost 'a real gem'. The branch extended its sympathies to Molly"s family and friends.At the meeting, the election of officers for 2009 took place. The following committee will serve for the coming year: Chairman - Martin Plunkett; Vice-Chairman - Tom Cully; Secretary - Jimmy O"Connell; Vice-Secretary - David Raleigh; Treasurer - Carmel Plunkett; Vice-Treasurer: Patricia Cully; PRO - PJ Cannon.New members welcomed on the night include Nicola Reidy, PJ Cannon and Jason Kiernan.On Saturday, March 7, Labour members from Kinnegad attended a function at the Hilamar Hotel, to celebrate the launch of Denis Leonard"s campaign to seek election to Westmeath County Council.Former Labour Party Leader, Pat Rabbitte and Willie Penrose TD spoke on the night about the new challenges facing people from national level to local communities. They backed Denis as a key cog in the wheel of change.Denis give his full commitment to the people of the area, and will now visit each house in the area to exchange views to people on the ground.Clonard church meetingThe group working to support the renovation of St. Finian"s Church, Clonard through fundraising will meet on Wednesday night of this week, March 18 at 9pm in St. Finian"s Hall, Clonard. All are welcome to attend.