April 2020 News
We aim to provide Daily Local News in brief.
Share YOUR News
We're frustrated with Social Media providing 'News' since they decide WHAT we see, WHEN we see it, and WHO gets to see it.
Play Your Part
How many local famous faces do you recognise who all lined up to convey the simple message.
RIP Peter
We convey our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Peter Byrne who died peacefully at his Johnstown home on Monday, April 27th.
Peter was a vibrant, kind and generous gentleman, and one of the leading characters in the O'Briens Fat Boys & Ladybirds group and O Briens Golf Society
RIP Peter, you will be greatly missed.
Sunset
Drone Services Ireland caught this birds eye view over the Hill of Tara.
Be Different.
We've added this to our Isolation Ideas Page but it's more of an inspiration idea just in case we find the extra space. It's a great example of a garden feature with the dual purpose of Play and Growing Food.
If you have unusual ideas then let us see them.
New Community Facebook Page
As the page description says "All things Community Games for Walterstown/ Johnstown Area" so we're keeping an eye on what could be something great.
Small yet Hugely Important
As Rory illustrates in his clip that regular contact, especially with those home alone, is vitally important.
Don't Spoil It
The Athlumney Riverside Trail and Old Kilcarn Bridge have both gained popularity whilst the sun was shining.
Shame that a few don't just leave only footprints.
#DoneItForDan
Well done to Simonstown and O'Mahonys GAA Members who, in the midst of a global crisis, rose to the challenge to take part in what is becoming the 'New Normal' with a fundraiser involving a run, walk or cycle in isolation.
Community Support
It was announced this week that the formal Tidy Towns Competition 2020 has been cancelled which has allowed the groups countrywide to participate in providing Covid-19 Community Support.
More local groups are listed as part of the Community Effort under Meath PPN.
Mind Your Step
The boardwalk at the back of the Meath County Council's HQ looks more like it belongs in a horror film. Be warned it's not safe to walk on if you're following the Athlumney Riverside Trail.
Here's where we left off with Johnstown Tidy Towns and ideas for the path development however all plans are now on hold until the current crisis is over : Riverside Status
Times Like These
Huge names within the music industry came together online to cover 'Times Like These' as part of the UK BBC Radio 1 Stay Home Live Lounge band. Funds raised from the song will be split equally between BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief.
Good Deeds
Another sunny Saturday and another great response by Johnstown Tidy Towns Volunteers to distribute supplies from Athboy's People Who Share Care Group to Navan families.
The trailer donated last year by Malones Navan has certainly been put to good use.
More Disbelief
Another group of teenagers defied common sense and the health risk to their own families by failing to maintain social distance from their friends.
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Social media turned the tables after an onlooker caught and posted video camera footage which has attracted the negative attention of family, friends and the wider community.
There is one rule for everyone and we're all in this together: Stay Home, Stay Safe !
What is "Cocooning"?
Something we all need to understand to protect our elderly so do watch the HSE video.
Hit and Run
There is never an excuse for any motorist to ever flee the scene of an accident.
More families than ever before are cycling so please take EXTRA care.
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Friday afternoon saw a rare collision between a cyclist and car at the entrance to the Johnstown Shopping Centre. Meath Crime Prevention posted a call for witness information from the public when the motorist failed to stop at the scene.
The Metges Road street sign makes the entry visibility difficult for motorists and it's not the first time a cyclist has been knocked down in this location. Add to this the current social distancing of shoppers queuing on Metges Road and the situation is now far more hazardous for both cyclists and pedestrians.
We understand the cyclist received an injury to their leg and was later released from hospital. We hope they make a speedy recovery and also hope all motorists take more care.
April 22nd
World Earth Day
To mark the occasion we took a break from the internet for the day and made the most of the fine weather.
Too Much Stuff.
We now have more waste than ever before. Households now have 4 waste bins with up to 8 bins being emptied each month! Despite ours being segregated into different waste streams it's still double what our grandparents had.
Why so much more?
Plastic Unwrapped.
If you have access to the Discovery Channel you could watch the full story about a product which has brought many benefits but at a huge cost to the environment and with consequences we have to live with.
More Options to watch the video
Too Popular
Meath County Council have reversed the free 'black bag' charge for household waste at Navan Recycling Centre.
Click to read the story titles
'The waiving of fees for residual waste at Navan Trim and Kells Recycling Centres has resulted in very high visitor numbers. The high level of activity presented difficulties in terms of traffic and essential travel restrictions. Regretfully this high level of activity cannot be sustained in the current era of Covid 19 restrictions.
The fees for residual waste (€5 for a black sack) will be reinstated from 8.30am on Wednesday, April 22nd.
This will reduce visitor numbers to a manageable level in terms of Covid 19 Restrictions, in order to ensure the Recycling Centres can remain open during this period.
The gate fee of €2 continues to be waived.'
Source: Meath County Council
Garden Time
The fine weather is encouraging us to make more use of our gardens and with time on our hands it offers a chance to grow flowers or food to eat. Make the most of the space which is great for education and it does wonders for our mental health. 18 Articles in our Garden Section.
Shelf Isolation
When you have time on your hands we wonder if there are any locals creating unusual art. UK Artist Phil Shaw caught our eye with an arrangement of book covers to convey a simple 'Shelf isolation' message.
Click to read the story titles
The English patient ..... had ..... caught ..... it ..... on the beach ..... I should have stayed at home ..... she said.
Now ..... she was ..... in quarantine ..... in the dark ..... house of splendid isolation.
Still ..... hope springs eternal.
With a little bit of luck ..... common sense ..... and ..... personal hygiene..... the Corona book of horror stories ..... must end soon.
Always remember ..... clean hands save lives ..... and when in doubt ..... don’t go ..... out.
Homeschool Returns
2 weeks off for an unusual Easter Break and now the new normal returns. Hang in there.
Inspiration
We came across this by chance from what appears to be a musical family. It goes to show that some families do have fun together and after over 5M views in only a few weeks there's likely to be more in the future.
Cheaper Fuel
Not that we're likely to be driving anywhere soon but have you noticed that local petrol prices have dropped lately?
Crude Oil has dropped to its lowest value on record as 'Stay At Home' takes its toll on world wide demand. It's great news for our environment.
Well Done Penneys
Staff at our local Navan store made essentials care packages for our local hospital.
One World
Streamed live on YouTube artists from around the world play from isolation within their own homes to offer support to the world's community.
Riverside Walk
It's hidden, it's unspoilt and it's a Gem in Navan's Crown that local people are discovering.
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See our previous review but heed caution.
- The high level path in places is not always wide enough for social distancing so take care passing others.
- There is a wire fence cable trip hazard within stretches of the floor along the high level path.
- The boardwalk outside the Council Office looks like it belongs in a haunted house and is very unstable so it's best not to walk on it.
Riverwalk Proposal
Take a trip along the Athlumney Riverside Trail with us and see what's being suggested.
Community Cut
Grass cutting of Estate Lawns by a contractor is not considered an essential service during the lockdown.
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Residents of Bailis Downs took out their lawn mowers to cut the main green themselves using 5 mowers over 2 days to trim the large green before the height of the grass became unmanageable.
Safe Social Distancing was simple to achieve given the size of the lawn.
Shooting Stars
Right now everyone is beginning to feel locked in but we can still look up. From tonight till April 25th you could see shooting stars but what will you wish for?
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The Lyrid meteor shower is an annual event in the northeast skies and at its best on the 21st/22nd you can expect to make between 10 to 100 wishes an hour.
Try the Google Sky Map App, or similar, to help locate them and on a clear evening you'll not be disappointed.
Illegal Dumping
Meath County Council expressed their DISGUST at the increased reports of fly tipping within the County since the introduction of Covid-19 restrictions.
Fees at the Recycling Centre have been removed for 'day to day' household waste.
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"Meath County Council is waiving the existing €5 charge for a bin bag (black sack) of waste at Navan, Trim and Kells Recycling centre. The €2 gate fee has already been removed. All day to day household waste can be taken to the centres free of charge from Friday 17th April. All recyclables must be removed and recycled where possible, with remaining waste, in bags, accepted free of charge for disposal.
There is never an excuse for this kind of behaviour.
We are appealing to people to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to environment@meathcoco.ie"
Source Meath County Council
Say Thank You
Navan South Communities Unite have asked the Community to make 'Thank You' cards to send to the Rehab Enterprize Staff in Navan who are busy producing much needed PPE for our frontline staff.
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Let it Grow
Those dandelions in the grass verges are providing a food bounty to the bees so please leave them alone.
Discover Nature
We've all been enjoying the garden whilst the weather is dry and sunny and there's plenty of insects and creatures appearing.
Hopefully many people are creating a Bee Friendly Garden and why not encourage the Wild Birds to come by feeding them and discover what species are visiting your garden.
Community Spirit
Meath Daily TV spoke with Councillor Alan Lawes over the weekend to ask about how the people have rallied to support their communities and his issues with Meath County Council now that they have suspended Councillor Meetings during the emergency.
Discover more from Meath Daily TV on their Website
Quiet
Over the Bank Holiday Weekend Drone Services Ireland captured a quiet Navan Town Centre in their feature clip for the Meath Chronicle.
Insight
Meath Daily TV spoke with Meath Crime Prevention officer Sgt. Dean Kerins over the weekend.
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No One is Impressed
Graffiti at the best of times in unwelcome vandalism but during a health emergency it's totally unacceptable and irresponsible.
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The Johnstown Tidy Towns street sign on Bothar Sion, the Athlumney Abbey Estate entry stone and some of the green electrical / telecom green boxes were vandalised with black aerosol on Saturday 11th.
In the current emergency graffiti removal does not constitute an essential service and therefore the vandalism will be seen by many local people out exercising for weeks to come.
The defaced areas should be a mark of shame to the perpetrators.
Shine Your Light
9pm Saturday evening saw many households placing a light in the window, porch or front garden as a moment of solidarity to acknowledge people who are sick, those who have lost the light and those in mourning, for frontline staff, healthcare workers & people affected everywhere.
It was a moment to remind us that love, hope, family, community and light will prevail.
Absolute Muppets
A small minority of young people within our Community are risking the lives of their families and friends by interacting closely and ignoring the instructions of both the HSE and Garda.
Click for MoreWhilst the vast majority understand the reasons, deal with the difficulties, and fully comply with the instruction to isolate there is unfortunately a minority who believe that they are invincible. Lack of understanding has led a few to flout their personal responsibility to protect the lives of their friends and even the ones they love.
The Garda were contacted to disperse a group of youths who had gathered at the Johnstown People's Park on Saturday 11th. Gatherings beyond immediate household members is prohibited.
A further incident involving a group of teens at 11pm the same night required the Garda and an ambulance to attend.
Parents should know where their children are at all times AND THEY SHOULD BE AT HOME and not out socialising.
Good News
Not only was today wonderfully sunny & warm but it was made even more beautiful by seeing the large number of volunteers respond to make local deliveries.
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ICHH donated 300 Easter Eggs which were divided between the people in Athboy, the travelling community, and Navan families in need.
All the toiletries were donated by local businesses and people via Amanda and Graham Gerathy working the Athboy People Who Care and Share for ICHH. They also donated all the food for 20 hampers.
The Easter Bunny is also very grateful to the Volunteers for their quick deliveries.
2km Guide
It might sound obvious bet here's a map guide that will show you how far 2km from your home.
Garden Glamping
The only holiday destination you should be considering this weekend is to your own garden.
More isolation ideas in this month's magazine.
Stay Put
Don't even think about unnecessary travel or you can expect to be stopped and sent home.
Until May 5th
The government extended it's current restrictions for a further 3 weeks but we, amongst many, do not expect life to return to normal anytime soon.
Click for MoreEveryone should stay at home only to leave for:
- Essential food and household goods.
- Medical appointments or to collect medicine / supplies.
- Care for Children, other people or the vulnerable but excludes social family visits.
- Exercise within 2km of you home whilst maintaining social separation distance.
- Travel to work if providing an essential service.
Get Organised
We decided to take our own advice and have a Social Media Break for a couple of days.
There's plenty of things to catch up on to refresh the mind and recharge the batteries.
Having been put on the long finger for so long it was time to organise the family photo album - all 25,000 photos!
There's plenty of other ideas here in our suggestion list.
An Post
New services offered by An Post to support the Community include:
- Checking in on the vulnerable
- Social Welfare Payment Collection.
- Newspaper delivery
Home Haircut
Who's discovered that they have the skills for cutting hair? Sales of clippers have soared and you'll struggle to find any.
Fortunately whilst we're housebound both disasters and success stories will go unnoticed. Either way Hairdressers will be in high demand soon enough.
Online Activities
If you're participating or running any online activities over the coming weeks please feel free to let us know and we'll add it to our 'What's On OnLine' Events Page.
Home Aches & Pains
If you're working from home but don't have a comfortable setup then you could easily get aches & pains and tiredness.
Set up your home office properly and read our previous article about healthy ergonomics.
April Edition
Coronavirus is having an impact on everyone.
We look at the latest advice, what to do and who's helping our community.
3 Years
We've been promoting Our Community for 3 years but now is not the time to host a celebration.
With over 333 articles we've reach many but do consider subscribing since social media is a financial business geared towards dramatic headlines and not Community Spirit.
Covid-19 Support Line
Meath County Council have coordinated a County Helpline
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From Meath County Council:
We have established a new community support line to assist older or vulnerable people who are recommended to cocoon and remain in their homes during this current period of the emergency.
If you are one of these people, or if you know of someone who needs assistance with practical matters such as:
➡️ collecting medical and food supplies,
➡️ transport to attend a medical appointment
➡️ or another need,
please contact our free-phone number:
1800 808 809
between 9am-5pm. The line is a seven day service and is operational from Monday, March 30th.
This service is being provided at county level in cooperation with a number of public agencies, NGOs, local groups, sports clubs and others.
Source: Meath County Council Facebook
Image Source: Meath County Council Facebook
March was Busy
We now update our local news as we hear about it.
Visit us weekly since we know social media is more of a popularity competition which does not mean local news travels quickly.
