Cooke calls for Mayor to give up allowance

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

Ballina Town Council’s annual budget meeting wound up earlier this week with Progressive Democrat Town Councillor Tommy Cooke calling on the Mayor of the town to give up the annual allowance allocated to her. This year’s budget for Ballina Town Council has a figure of €13,000 allocated for the Mayor’s expenses over the course of the year, but Cllr Cooke wondered would it be better for the town in the current economic climate if the Mayor didn’t take up this allowance. “On my own behalf when and if I become Mayor of the town, due to the current economic situation I would hand back the €13,000 that has been allocated for the Mayor’s expenses and I hope that all of you would consider this,” stated Cooke.

Probation act for man involved in night club assault

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

A man who was charged with assaulting another man in a Ballina night club was bound to the peace for 12 months at Ballina District Court by Judge Mary Devins. Gerard Langan, Tonroe, Kincon, Ballina received the benefit of the Probation Act in relation to the incident which occurred on February 10 last.

€2m Mayo lotto syndicate saga continues

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

The Supreme Court has reserved judgement in the controversial €2 million Mayo lotto syndicate which was won in 2001.

€1,000 trust fund set up for boy who was slapped across the face and his brother

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

A 40-year-old man who slapped a 14-year-old boy across the face after pushing his way into the kitchen of his home was ordered to pay €1,000 into a trust fund for the boy and his younger brother. Noel Killoran, Ballybeg, Kincon, Ballina received the benefit of Section 11A of the Probation Act on condition that he pay the money into a trust fund and also that he stay away from the home of the injured party.

The court heard how the mother of the young boy answered a knock at the front door of their home on September 30 last at around 9pm. The defendant was at the door and he was extremely intoxicated and he refused to leave. The woman’s husband came to the door and also asked the defendant to leave but he refused to do so. He pushed his way into the kitchen of the house and in the struggle that ensued he slapped the 14-year-old boy across the face. A neighbour, who witnessed what was going on, came to the house and helped eject the defendant. Judge Mary Devins was told that an 11-year-old boy witnessed what had happened and was traumatised by the events.

Mayo walks continue to grow, but funding will be tight next year

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

Mayo County Walking Officer Anna Connor gave an in-depth presentation to the Planning and Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee of Mayo County Council. After outlining the steps being taken to turn Mayo into the walking capital of Ireland, Director of Services for the council Mr Joe Loftus told the members. “There is a difficult budget ahead which could have some implications for the walking strategy but I’m sure we can get through it.”

Delay in opening sexual assault treatment unit

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

There will be a delay in the opening of a sexual assault treatment unit in Galway, which will also serve Mayo, a meeting of the Regional Health Forum West heard this week.

May VFI Good Neighbour of the Year announced

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

Bridie Cawley from Crossmolina has been chosen as the Mayo Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) Good Neighbour of the Year 2008.

Fines for Ballina women who stole from Penney’s

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

Two women who appeared before Judge Mary Devins at Ballina District Court on charges of theft of children’s clothes from Penney’s in Ballina were each fined €150.

Ballina man disqualified for driving through garda checkpoint

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

A man who refused to obey a garda direction and drove on a road that was closed because of a traffic accident was fined €300 and disqualified from driving for one year at Ballina District Court.

Back to bad old days of drink driving - Devins

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

A district court judge has described as “alarming” the number of people appearing before her on charges of drink driving.

Ballina man awaits sentencing in wheelchair assault case

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

A Mayo man has been remanded in custody pending sentence for his part in an assault which left the victim wheelchair-bound and requiring lifelong care as a result of serious brain injuries.

2009 challenging year, predicts insightful HSE West

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

About 12 per cent of patients are referred “inappropriately” to the HSE West’s public hospitals, according to a bed utilisation study carried out this year.

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