Derrymartin residents still have no water connection

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

Up to eight households in the Derrymartin area of Castlebar still have no connection to running water despite “all that needs doing is the opening of a valve” according to Fianna Fáil councillor Blackie Gavin. The Castlebar based councillor has raised the issue of the plight of the people in Derrymartin on a number of occasions at different council meetings. At this week’s Water Supply and Sewerage SPC of Mayo County Council, Cllr Gavin called for the committee to “write out to whoever is in charge of the Nephin Valley Group Water Scheme and get them to turn on the water supply to the Derrymartin scheme, there are seven or eight houses there who have gone long enough without water.”

Ger Munnelly, Mayo County Council engineer, told the meeting: “The people of Derrymartin have a letter from the Nephin Valley committee saying that they wanted a €200 contribution from them to connect up to their group water scheme. That was agreed to by the people in Derrymartin, and they also paid €1,300 per household to get everything up to scratch on their side for the connection. But now the Nephin Valley side say they want €900 per household for the connection not €200. We’ve had meetings with both sides and the National Federation of Group Water Schemes, but Nephin Valley won’t budge. We’ve gone through all the costs with both sides and the figure of €300 per household was come up with, and Derrymartin were prepared to pay that, but Nephin Valley weren’t to accept it.” Mr Munnelly told the members of the committee that the €900 was made up of a contribution of €400 for the treatment plant and €500 to upgrade the Nephin Valley network too.

The Irish Wheelchair Association – Providing essential services to people with disabilities in Mayo

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

The Irish Wheelchair Foundation (IWA) was founded in 1960 by a small group of wheelchair users committed to improving the lives of people with physical disabilities in Ireland. Today there are 20,000 members and more than 2,000 staff, as well as many volunteers who are dedicated to enhancing the community-based organisation.

Claremorris student tells of his cancer journey

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

Claremorris student Jason Slattery from Murneen was just nine years old when he was first diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It was summer 2002. His mother noticed a lump on his neck and after some tests and doctors’ appointments and eventually a visit to Crumlin children’s hospital he was diagnosed with the disease.

Just 9,500 septic tanks registered in Mayo

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

Less than 40 per cent of the homes with septic tanks in Mayo have registered their tanks according to figures given out this week. At a reconvened meeting of the Water Supply and Sewerage SPC of Mayo County Council on Wednesday (the previous meeting was suspended as there was no quorum) the members were given an up to date break down of the figures.

Paul Benson, acting director of services for Mayo County Council, told the meeting: “There are 9,455 septic tanks registered in Mayo up to Monday of this week, that’s about 38 per cent of the total we’d have here, which is a figure of around 24,500 in Mayo.”

Taoiseach wins European of the Year award

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been awarded Golden Victoria European of the Year 2012 by German magazine publishing group VDZ.

Support the Ballyea protest group in Castlebar this Saturday - Ruane

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

Sinn Féin councillor Thérèse Ruane is calling on the people of Castlebar to get out in support of the Ballyhea Bondholder Bailout Protest Group who will be marching in Castlebar on Saturday next. Since March 2011, this group have marched every Sunday without fail in Ballyhea, a small rural Cork village, to show their opposition and outrage at the indebting of the Irish people following the bank bailout.

Ó Cuív to hold Mayo clinics ahead of boundary changes

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

Due to the recent changes in constituency boundaries, some parts of south Mayo have been added to the Galway West Constituency.

St Colman’s launches Who wants to be a Thousandaire?

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

St Colman’s College in Claremorris have launched their Who wants to be a Thousandaire? fundraiser.

Aware seeks volunteers

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

Would you be able to give some time to work with Aware as a volunteer support group facilitator in Ballina? Aware is currently recruiting for new volunteers to support the weekly meetings which take place in Ballina Family Resource Centre.

Don’t burn waste tyres this Halloween

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

TRACS (Tyre Recovery Activity Compliance Scheme) is asking the Mayo public not to request waste tyres from tyre shops this Halloween. It is also asking retailers to ensure that their waste tyres are dealt with responsibly. Providing waste tyres to be used on bonfires is against tyre industry best practice, is illegal, and pollutes the air we breathe. It is also dangerous for those in close proximity to the fire and can cause cancer.

Castlebar school could see Catholic church divested of its patronage to offer choice

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

Following the news this week that parents of pre-school and primary school children in Castlebar are being asked to participate in an online survey about the possible change of patronage of schools, Mayo VEC has come forward with details of a possible alternative to the Catholic Church patronage model.

Lough Lannagh to Islandeady trail identified

Fri, Oct 26, 2012

A three-metre wide trail joining the Lough Lannagh walk in Castlebar with Islandeady has been identified. The proposal to develop this linear trail, which will eventually connect with the Westport national cycle network, has been welcomed by Labour councillor Harry Barrett.

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