Westport Walks Wednesdays to commence next week

Fri, Feb 05, 2010

All schools and businesses in Westport are collaborating to encourage everyone to travel to school and work in a sustainable manner. All commuters are requested to consider walking, cycling, car pooling, or taking the bus or train. This is a re-launch to encourage both schools and workplaces to get involved and it is intended to have weekly WWW days from now on. The first commences next Wednesday, February 10.

Shell to Sea react angrily to four-month extension by An Bord Pleanála

Fri, Feb 05, 2010

Shell E&P Ireland have been granted a four-month extension by an Bord Pleanála to the previous deadline of February 5 for the submission of further information in relation to the onshore pipeline in Erris. The deadline has now been extended to May 31 to allow Shell more time to submit information which the Board requested in a four-page letter to Shell last November.

Drugs charge for Castlebar man

Fri, Feb 05, 2010

An 18-year-old married man who was found with €166 worth of cannabis in his possession was before Castlebar District Court this week.

Councillors call for action on Castlebar’s head shops

Fri, Feb 05, 2010

Next week’s monthly meeting of Castlebar Town Council will see two motions in relation to the regulation of head shops in the town put before the council. Both Sinn Féin Councillor Therese Ruane and Fine Gael Cllr Brendan Heneghan have put forward motions calling for the regulation of these shops.

Town Council seeking unpaid rates from TF Royal Hotel

Fri, Feb 05, 2010

Castlebar Town Council is seeking a balance outstanding for rates relating to the 2008 and 2009 period which is owed by Diorama Limited for the TF Royal Hotel and Theatre.

Rory O’Connor, who represented the managing director of Diorama Limited, Pat Jennings, said that his client under the Local Government Act 1946 sought rebate in rates for 2008 due to the fact that the old theatre was demolished and rebuilt, which meant that it was out of action for some seven months. Mr O’Connor also said that a fire occurred in the hotel in October 2008, which caused the closing of a food section and which resulted in a number of bedrooms being blocked off for some time due to smoke damage.

Ireland West Airport launches Barcelona flight

Fri, Feb 05, 2010

Ireland West Airport Knock has launched a new three times a week service from Knock to Reus-Barcelona in Spain. The new service, which is due to commence on May 4, is the third scheduled European sun destination to be launched from Ireland West Airport Knock following the commencement of the twice weekly service to Alicante last year and the new twice weekly service to Faro which will commence on March 25.

Mayo sees five per cent rise in new car registrations

Fri, Feb 05, 2010

The motor industry has been one of the worst affected trades during the current economic downturn, with numerous big name dealers folding under economic pressures. But in Mayo it seems the lure of a 2010 number plate on the front bumper was far more appealing than a 2009 one.

Three month suspended sentence for assault on filling station owner

Fri, Feb 05, 2010

Judge Mary Devins convicted and imposed a suspended sentence on a Cork woman who assaulted the owner of a filling station she had pulled into on her way home from Knock Shrine in August 2008. The court had heard the evidence in the case last November, but the judge held over her decision until January. However Kathleen Stokes, 4 Knocknaheeny Caravan Site, Hollyhill, Cork did not appear in court in January. She was brought to Ballyhaunis District Court this week on foot of a bench warrant issued on January 5 this year.

Man pleads guilty to sexual assault of stepdaughter

Fri, Feb 05, 2010

A 39-year-old man who pleaded guilty to three counts of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter has been remanded on continuing bail to March 1 for sentencing.

Westport Bank of Ireland garden zoned open space and town centre

Fri, Feb 05, 2010

During last Thursday night’s Westport Town Council meeting the controversial issue surrounding the zoning of the Bank of Ireland garden, as part of the town’s development plan, was finally decided on by town councillors as a proposal was supported to zone the garden 75 per cent open space and 25 per cent town centre.

Erris native is new State solicitor

Fri, Feb 05, 2010

Judge Seamus Hughes’ replacement as the Mayo State solicitor has finally been announced. Bangor Erris native Vincent Deane will take up the post in the coming weeks once he relocates to his native county.

Cocaine in Castlebar concerns superintendent

Fri, Feb 05, 2010

The superintendent of Castlebar Willie Keaveney told Castlebar District Court on Wednesday that the “influx of cocaine into Castlebar concerns me greatly”. The superintendent’s comments were made in relation to a case where a business student from Castlebar was found in possession of cocaine.

The case involving Conor McHale, Hawthorne Avenue, Lightford, Castlebar, was heard in October last year when Judge Mary Devins adjourned the matter to this week’s sitting for a probation report.

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