Kildare remembers Peter Kennedy’s impact and spirit
Peter Kennedy doing work in Liffey Linear Park with the local Tidy Towns Photo: Piotr Kwasnik
Councillor Chris Pender, who actually gave evidence in the trial, described Peter as “one of the kindest, sweetest people you could meet, who kinda showed us he’d do anything for any guy”.
“He was a Community Service Officer in the Probation Service, and part of me thinks he only got into the job because he loved the community,” he said.
“There’s no doubt he was a massive part of the town, and the town is at a loss without him.
“He worked the Probation Service for more than 20 years, and was Newbridge born and bred, and did a lot of work for Newbridge Tidy Towns, getting the lads (his community service clients) out to help,” he said.
Former councillor and Mayor of Newbridge Willie Hamilton added: “He was an incredible gentleman, and I’d been dealing with him since I first came to town 20 years ago.
“I was Mayor in ’09, and that’s when I really got to know Peter then in his work with the Probation Service and with the juveniles.
“I found him a remarkable gentleman who was involved with me in the Congress Unemployed Centre where he was the secretary, and I was on the board.
“I was always impressed with the compassion he showed, especially with young people – how ironic.
“He was just a lovely, lovely man, not a bit of harm in him, and all he would do for you was good for you.
“That’s all I have to tell you. It’s absolutely shocking someone as gentle as him was taken in that manner.
“I would have done anything that man asked me to do.”
A three-time Mayor of Newbridge Paddy Kennedy offered his memory in tribute to Peter.
“I knew him very well when I was chair of the Kildare and West Wicklow Addiction Services for seven years he used our offices in the Aras beside the Town Hall,” said Paddy.
“He was a real gentleman, and even though he didn’t drink much, I met him once or twice for a pint because he loved to sit down for a chat.
“He was so very obliging, but unfortunately that’s what was for the end of him.
“He was a very quiet, unassuming man, and I don’t think I ever heard him raise his voice.
“He also worked with the Tidy Towns a lot, and you couldn’t find a bad word to say about the man, and everyone I ever met in Newbridge couldn’t either.
“I was Mayor three times and I had a lot of contact with a lot of people, and not one person I ever met had a bad word to say about Peter,” he concluded.
Finally, sitting councillor Noel Heavey added his last word, which wavered not a whit from those of his colleagues above.
“Peter was one of the most caring people I’ve ever met,” he began.
“When Micheal McGráil, Norman Croke and I established The Newbridge Unemployment Resource Centre on behalf of the County Kildare Trades Council back in the early eighties, Peter Kennedy was one of the first to throw his weight behind it, and was a director for more than 30 years.
“Peter’s heart and soul always supported community and individuals who were having a hard time. His death was utterly tragic”.
