July 29th

Is Tree Surgery legal at this time of year?

In response to a query relating to trees being trimmed / felled locally the following 3 points may offer some clarity:

1. The Wildlife Acts 1976-2018 states that the cutting or felling of trees is prohibited during the period 1st April to 31st August every year with limited exceptions.

2. You cannot enter on to the land of the tree owner without permission.

3. It is the responsibility of the land owner or the person felling the tree to ensure that they are acting within the law.

To discover what is legal depends on your circumstances but we advise you to review the following:

• www.treecouncil.ie which provides a simplified overview of the Laws.
• www.agriculture.gov.ie which provides detailed explanations, FAQs and how to apply for a Felling Licence which is FREE.

If you want to help protect what we have read our recent article about Mapping Our Trees

July 26th

Trees Still There

This time last year the Community took a stance and protested against the over development of Johnstown.

Despite later gaining permission for apartments to be built and the removal of the wooded area on Metges Road the planning conditions imposed has provided a delay.

Read Nov 2019 Article

July 26th

Paint Pot Clear Out

Navan Recycling Centre will be accepting household paint pots from August 4th, €2 entry fee plus €1 per pot, maximum 10 pots per visit.

July 25th

'Solo for Siun'

The Walterstown GFC fundraiser came through Johnstown earlier than anticipated on Saturday morning. They've exceeded their goal by more than €10,000 for CMRF Crumlin and Temple Street Foundation.

More pictures from the event on their facebook page Walterstown GFC

July 25th

Púca Festival

Even though it's more than 3 months away the Health Crisis has meant plans for this year's Halloween Púca Festival has been suspended and will be held online.

Fire Safety

Meath County Fire and Rescue Service have released eight informational videos to promote all aspects of fire safety in the home.

Stop the Broken Glass

Before anyone else gets hurt from irresponsible littering Johnstown Tidy Towns have made a public appeal for ideas to find a solution to the constant littering, and anti social behaviour, at the steps area between Spire View and Chestnut Court.

This week a lady cut her foot on broken glass requiring a tetanus shot and reports that a dog required the vets attention from a similar accident.

Send them your suggestion:

Facebook Messenger Email

Navan Rail

The much anticipated review of the Transport Strategy by the National Transport Authority is beginning and will include the train track linking Navan to Dublin.

Although not included in the program for government many expect the data to provide sufficient evidence of the need for Meath to have more transport infrastructure but will the cash follow to provide a train service.

Read our previous article for the background story.

Potholes to Go

If you've driven into the Johnstown Shopping Centre in the past few months you'll be delighted to hear that the potholes greeting you are finally set to be filled in later this month.

Trail Overgrown

Six weeks after first mentioning that the stingy nettles are closing in on the narrow dirt trail through one of the open fields at the Athlumney Riverside Trail and it's now very tricky to navigate.

It is still an amazing place to walk through.

Increased Capacity

Since the start of the Covid Pandemic in March Johnstown Tidy Towns have supported Athboy's People Who Share Care Group and ICHH to deliver over 300 food hampers to families in poverty within the Navan Neighbourhood.

They have obtained a new trailer cover to increase the number of food hampers they can obtain especially during the unseasonal summer weather.

New Roundabout Taking Shape

The Kentstown - Metges Road new junction is starting to reveal its new shape. We've not found any layout plans online to help illustrate the changes but works on the ground resemble the formation of a large roundabout which will also service the Fargonstown development.

Let's hope it can deal with the Metges Road peak time grid lock when the school's eventually reopen.

Compulsory Face Coverings

The Government has announced, July 15th, that the wearing of face masks to cover nose and mouth will become compulsory by both the public and staff in shops, retail settings and shopping centres.

We are being advised to start obeying the guidance immediately.

Find out more visit HSE.ie for advice on wearing masks.

Every Breath Matters

Pints Delayed

Visiting the pub can be good for our mental health through socially interaction but that's a significant challenge for preventing the spread of Covid.

The latest Government decision means our local pubs will not be opening until August 10th unless they are serving "substantial meals".

320+ Meath Businesses Benefit

County Meath Chamber announced on July 14th that Facebook Clonee Data Center provided 320+ Grants to those disproportionately affected by the Covid pandemic - sole traders and SMEs in retail, hospitality, leisure, recreation and professional services benefited across Meath.

Paula McCaul CEO of County Meath Chamber commented ‘We succeeded in connecting with and supporting businesses in every corner of Meath and we are very grateful to Facebook for this opportunity. The maximum grant received was €1,000"..."Never has it been more important for business to stay connected” says Paula, “remember that #MeathChamber are here to help your business, every step of the way!”

Road Collision

The rear end collision during peak time commute Tuesday evening brought all emergency services to the Navan to Kells road next to the Fire Station. With the northbound carriage blocked and limited options for diversions Gardai reduced the southbound traffic to a single lane.

There are no reports of serious injury or explanation for the accident.

Meath Matters

Meath County Council plan to release an E-Newsletter each quarter. 50,900 homes received the printed June Edition.

You can subscribe via email to meathmatters@meathcoco.ie for the next online edition.

See a Comet

For the next few weeks between 11pm and 1am low in the northern skies you could see Comet NEOWISE. It will be closest to the Earth on July 22-23 and reported to be 3 miles wide it's visible on clear nights. If you don't see it now it won't return again for 6,800 years.

For those who go to bed early keep an eye on Meath Astronomy Group Facebook page where there's even a smartphone picture taken from The Hill of Tara.

Face Coverings

Face masks which cover your mouth and nose are now mandatory on all public transport.

You should also wear them where you cannot maintain social distancing.

Every Breath Matters

July Edition

This month's edition is now available featuring

• A guide to our Garden Birds
• Places to visit to get you out of the house and into the fresh air.
• Update and Guide to local health services including Doctor and Dentist.

July Edition

More Events

Help us to update our What's On listing for local events and activities.

If you would like to add to it let us know.

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Discover What's On

Big Deliveries

Incredible community generosity is being shown to those in less fortunate circumstances.

Saturdays collection of food hampers from Athboy's People Who Share Care Group filled 2 estate cars and the Johnstown Tidy Towns Trailer.

Pet Security

Gardaí are appealing to the public to take extra crime prevention measures when it comes to caring for your pet, particularly high-value breeds of dogs.

Gardai Advice

Our previous article on pet microchips

Enough Water

The wet weather has sufficiently replenished supplies to allow the hosepipe ban to end earlier than the planned July 21st.

To avoid future issues why not instal a water butt now, available from local garden centres from €30 upwards.

Read our previous article

Heroes Wanted

The Meath Chronicle are seeking nominations for local heroes during the lockdown.

Categories include:

• Best Neighbour
• Best Community
• Most Innovative – person or event
• Best Garden
• Best DIY
• Best Children’s project (including artwork)

You can even suggest your own category!

Find out more HERE.

CCTV

Councillor Alan Lawes today reports that "the ground work has been laid for the introduction of CCTV into Navan and Johnstown.

Seven cameras have been agreed for the Johnstown area. Hopefully they are introduced as soon possibly."

Return to Sport

The July weather hasn't been what we had hoped for but there are many exercise activities in our local guide taking place outside to ensure social distancing and maximising ventilation.

Is it safe to return to sports?

Sports Ireland has provided guidance and if you're part of a group sport each individual Club is conveying their new procedures to players, coaches and parents about

Sports Ireland Advice

Our Guide to Local Sports

Waste Charge

Monday 13th July will see the €2 gate fee reinstated at the Navan Recycling Centre.

Tracker App

It's finally been launched and it could provide a means to move forward in the shadow of the virus.

Watch the video clip and find out more covidtracker.gov.ie

Cycle Challenge

If you've been up to the Hill of Tara lately you'll have seen this poster and the posting on Spun Cycles & Spun Run says it all

"That eegit on the poster looks like you Dad"!!

This weekend will see Graham Macken cycle 700 km around The Hill of Tara July 10th/11th to raise much needed funds for Meath Alzheimer's Branch

Donate Here

"Again, any cyclists that want to join me for a rep or two and make a small donation are more than welcome and my RAI and RAAM crew will be there all weekend to keep things running smoothly.

The distance is grand but the elevation gain is a worry, turning twice every 8 or so minutes and the monotony of it all is what will try to break me first! All help greatly appreciated!

Bring it on 💪🏻🤦🏻‍♂️🍩🇯🇵 "

Image source and words: Spun Cycles & Spun Run

Rory's Visit

Larry & Noras on Railway Street in Navan had the well know Social Media entertainer from Rory's Stories drop in for a bite to eat.

Rory posted on his Instagram Page "Great spot in the royal county. Lovely food and atmosphere 👌@larry_and_noras "

Keep an eye out for more of his video postings and they'll have you smiling in no time.

Dog Mess

Erected in 2018 by Johnstown Tidy Towns the four Dog Bag dispensers around the Johnstown People's Park appeared to be working well for those caught short without a poop bag.

Recent reports are disgusting residents where they are being treated as poop bins and preventing others from making good use of them.

Take a Bag from the dispenser, Use it then Put it in a proper Bin or take it home to dispose of - how simple could it be.

Life Saver

The Old Bridge and the Athlumney Riverside is now a familiar family walking area so please be alert to anyone tampering with safety equipment.

Meath River Rescue were contacted to recover and replace 2 on Sunday.

Community Spirit

Today we saw that it's alive and well but it needs your extra support. It will make you feel great to offer and provide even just a little bit of help.

It was humbling to help Cllr Alan Lawes collect the food hampers put together by Athboy's People Who Share Care Group and to be a part of Johnstown Tidy Towns distributing to 19 Navan families in need today.

Please choose one or more groups in our link to arrange your regular donations or offers of assistance with food donations.

You can easily HELP make a big difference within our Community.

Return to Football

Many clubs are formulating their procedures to resume sports in light of social distancing.

Johnstown FC have announced theirs and most soccer clubs will implement similar operating guidelines.

Johnstown FC Safe Return To Football

Bee Trail

Bee-Wise reopens it's Nature Trail for educational & leisure walks.

Opening initially Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays.

Booked your time slot or email paddy@beewise.ie

Get Active

What are you looking to do with your free time? You could get breathless with Johnstown running group, sign up for summer sessions with Navan Tennis Club, Meath Local Sports Partnership will have your children 'skip and play' in town or you could join them for exercise in Blackwater Park, or join Johnstown kenpo karate club for a training session.

Give your social conscience a lift and help your community with Johnstown Tidy Towns, chill out with an ice cream and see the animals at Causey Farm.

'Drive in' for movies at Slane Castle, bingo at Bective Cannistown GFC, or boogie at Navan Racecourse.

Discover more reasons to go out in our neighbourhood.

See What's On

Climate Action Online Workshop

Thursday 16th July Meath Public Participation Network host an online workshop for groups to "come together and LEARN, ORGANISE & ACT in response to climate change."

If you are interested in taking part, please email meathppn@meathcoco.ie

More information

2nd Home

Fantastic to see parts of Claremont Stadium's old running track appear in Oldcastle school.

There's more available and we hope some will make its way to create local facilities locally.

Don't forget to donate to raise funds for their replacement track via GoFundMe.

Green and Blue Extension

Meath County Council has received funding to progress the riverside cycle and pedestrian path. It starts at the River Boyne mouth in Drogheda but currently ends in Newgrange.

Plans will be devised to extend through Slane and on to Navan.

What about it continuing south beyond The Ramparts through Athlumney and on to Trim ?

We think the River is the Gem in Navan's Crown.

Community Grant

What could your Community and Voluntary group do with a small scale capital grant of €1,000 or less or for a Capital Grant in excess of €1,000?

There are terms and condition in the Full details but you have until 5.00pm Friday, August 28th 2020 for receipt of completed applications.

Core Ireland Magazine

Many articles of local interest feature in their latest Summer edition and available online via www.coreireland.ie

New Events

We've updated our What's On listing for local events and activities.

If you would like to add to it let us know.

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New Link Road

Meath County Council has applied to An Bord Pleanála for approval for the link road to connect North and West Navan running adjacent to Blackwater Park.

More information

Lifting the Track

Work has commenced at Claremont Stadium to replace the running track.

You can donate via GoFundMe.

No Leaves

What's happened to the main tree at the Johnstown Roundabout?

It should be covered with leaves but it's noticeably bare.

Petition

Here's an unusual battle by County Meath residents against developers which this time threatens the Irish language, culture and community identity.

Ráth Chairn is a small Irish speaking Gaeltacht area not far from us, its secondary school even has feeder primary schools here in Navan.

Their petition states that "An Bord Pleanála has given planning permission for the development of a housing estate and a hotel, despite the locals, Meath County Council, Comharchumann Ráth Chairn and the Bord Pleanála inspector being against the development."

Perhaps planners need a new tick box on their forms to protect Gaeltacht communities.

They're seeking public support to oppose the decision via their Petition.

No Tourists

To discourage holidays abroad the HSE.ie state that passengers returning to Ireland will be required to self isolate for 14 days.

Self-isolation means staying indoors and completely avoiding contact with other people.

The HSE include some exceptions for those people who are:

• arriving in the State from Northern Ireland
• aircraft and ship crew
• drivers of a heavy goods vehicle, who are in Ireland for this work

More from the HSE.ie

National Play Date

MLSP are hosting a FREE skip and play activity National Play Day, July 4th

What's On Guide