Published: Friday, 12th March, 2010 6:00pm

New committee to push for Kinnegad secondary school

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A new committee has been formed to carry the flag for the campaign to secure a new secondary school for Kinnegad.

The committee will meet at Serenity House, Main Street, Kinnegad at 8pm on Thursday next, March 11, to discuss the campaign's progress to date.

The group, chaired by Jennifer O'Shaughnessy, was formed amid concerns by local parents whose children attend "feeder schools" for a hypothetical secondary school in Kinnegad, such as primary schools in Kinnegad, The Downs and Clonard.

Speaking in support of the group this week, Cllr. Denis Leonard said that the need for a secondary school in the town was more urgent in light of the local population explosion of the past ten years.

"Land is not a problem," Cllr. Leonard said. "Land has been zoned by Westmeath County Council, and sites have been offered. We're asking the Department of Education to start the process for building a school in Kinnegad."At the moment, the wealth of Kinnegad - that is our young people - is being bussed out of town on a daily basis to other schools."

At Thursday's meeting, Kinnegad parents will put together a plan of action for stepping up their campaign.

Bun sale raised Haiti funds

The pupils of St. Etchen's National School, Kinnegad, recently held a cake sale and raised the princely sum of €1,140 to donate towards the earthquake relief effort in Haiti.Pupils are encouraged to support Ireland's national feast day and dress in green on Tuesday next, March 16: the day before St. Patrick's Day. A donation of €1 per child will be requested, and the money will go towards the St. Etchen's NS Parents' Council, and used to subsidise bus transport for school tours at the end of the year.

Large crowd at Labour AGM

On Thursday night of last week, a large crowd attended the AGM of Kinnegad branch of the Labour Party at Scanlon's, Main Street.

Chairman, Martin Plunkett welcomed councillors Denis Leonard, Mick Dollard and Gerry Sheridan to the meeting, and spoke of his delight at having an elected Labour county councillor from Kinnegad in attendance for the first time.

He remembered and thanked all those who helped Cllr. Leonard during his election campaign in Mullingar East.

Denis also spoke, and paid tribute to the late Molly Boyce, whom he described as "a Labour woman through and through"; he also sent his best wishes for a speedy recovery to Andy Boyle, who is ill at the moment.

Among those also in attendance at the AGM was Deputy Willie Penrose, who spoke about the forthcoming Labour Party Conference at NUI Galway on April 16 and 17, and of his hopes for a good attendance from delegates in each Westmeath branch.

Willie spoke at length about the current economic troubles facing the country, and the plight of many families at this time. He outlined the proposals which the Labour Party have to help kickstart growth in the economy, and to help ordinary people get back to work.

Deputy Penrose congratulated Michael Coyne, who was elected as Branch President, and he encouraged the young people of the area to get involved with the local branch by logging on to www.labour.ie/join.The officers elected to run Kinnegad's Labour Branch for 2010 were: Michael Coyne (President), Martin Plunkett (Chairman), Jimmy O'Connell (Secretary), Carmel Plunkett (Treasurer), David Raleigh (Vice-Chairman), PJ Cannon (PRO), with committee members Imelda Fitzgerald, Andy Fitzgerald and Mary Leonard.

Details of a Kinnegad Labour branch social night were confirmed for Saturday next, March 13 at 9pm in The Downs' Roadhouse. Music will be provided by Tommy McCormack, and food will be served. Admission is €5, and tickets are on sale in the usual outlets, or from any committee member.