Mark Roden's wall plans denied by Kildare Council

Tech entrepreneur Mark Roden has lost his application to keep a unique wall design at his property, Straffan Lodge, in Kildare. Roden, known for founding the mobile top-up company Ding, also sought approval to remove a decorative feature at the lodge but was denied. Roden has faced ongoing planning disputes. Last year, he tried to challenge a decision allowing the construction of residential units near his property. He acquired Straffan Lodge in 2017 and received permission to build an outdoor pool and other amenities. However, neighbors claimed unauthorized work had been done on the property. Now, with his request for a "tidy up" to keep the existing works denied, the council may require Roden to undo the changes. His planning agent has stated that an appeal will be filed. In other news, the recent storm Éowyn has been a mixed blessing for businesses. One store, Woodie’s, reported record sales, especially in batteries and torches, as people prepared for the bad weather. Retailers like Grafton, parent company of Chadwicks, mentioned a surge in sales, largely due to the storm. In lighthearted news, Kerrygold and Native Denims teamed up for a quirky St. Patrick’s Day promotion, claiming that an extra pocket in jeans was for carrying cheese. However, the stunt received criticism for being far-fetched. Additionally, a librarian from Northern Ireland has been in the spotlight due to workplace grievances in England. Over 20 staff members at John Rylands Library in Manchester raised concerns about Christopher Pressler, their director, alleging a "power grab" during a staff reorganization. In the corporate world, John Murphy, an executive at Coca-Cola, reported a significant total pay package, including stock options, amounting to over $11 million last year. The company also provides leased aircraft for its top executives to travel for business. Finally, Shannon Airport will host a special flight in June to celebrate the history of transatlantic flying boats. This pricey journey will take passengers on a nostalgic route reminiscent of the 1930s and 1940s, offering a luxurious experience and visiting several notable destinations along the way.