Gavin and Barrett clash over Castlebar jobs issue

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

This week has seen two Castlebar town councillors exchanging verbal punches over the issue of bringing jobs to the county town. Fianna Fáil councillor Blackie Gavin threw down the challenge to Labour Party councillor Harry Barrett to “get real on who is responsible for solving the jobs crisis in Castlebar”. Cllr Gavin said Cllr Barrett seemed to forget that his own party was part of the Government and could do a lot to solve the problem if it wanted to.

Cllr Gavin said: " What I would like to know is how often has Cllr Barrett lobbied Mr Gilmore or Minister Rabbitte and demanded that they deliver to Castlebar. How many times has he met the Tánaiste and put to him the crisis which he keeps highlighting here locally. How many times has he looked for access to his own party ministers, the people with the power to get results.”

Maths whiz Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin encouraging children to embrace science

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

Carnacon native Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin has joined a panel of top scientists to help get the nation’s children interested in science and maths.

Two awards for Mayo at LAMA awards

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

At the annual LAMA awards in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, the In Humbert’s Footsteps picked up the Best Gathering Event award for Ireland. It beat off stiff competition from 10 other events from all over Ireland including the hotly tipped JFK Homecoming event in Wexford.

Helpline numbers paint sad picture of lonliness and worry for many older people

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

Many older people in Mayo are isolated, lonely, and fearful about their future, according to a new report from a national listening service.

Senior Help Line, which offers older people an emphatetic ear on a range of issues, said it received more than 2,200 calls from Mayo last year.

Man with 33 previous convictions avoids jail

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

A 25-year-old Ballina man, who stole a 20-pack of Budweiser from Tesco, Ballina, was described in court as having a serious alcohol problem.

Kenny unveils plans for Sacred Heart Hospital

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny announced the details of the €11 million overhaul of the Sacred Heart Hospital when he visited the hospital on Monday. The roll out of the investment into the hospital will quell fears that the hospital was being wound down. The design team for the project will be appointed this spring, with the tender process completed early next year, and it is planned the sod will be turned on the project by early summer 2015 and should be completed by late 2016 or early 2017. It was also confirmed that while the construction gets under way the hospital will remain open and accepting patients under its care.

Men arrested over Knock oil theft

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

Two men were arrested in Knock on Tuesday night after being caught allegedly siphoning home heating oil at a residential property.

County braced for serious storm, high tides, and swells this weekend

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

Coastal householders in Mayo are battening down the hatches ahead of a major storm which looks set to hit this weekend.

Wheelchair facilities in Castlebar town park playground to become an issue

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

The playground in the new town park in Castlebar will come up for debate at next months meeting of Castlebar Town Council, with councillor Harry Barrett alleging that the playground was not up to standard in providing facilities for wheelchair users. Cllr Barrett said this week that he would be putting forward a motion to the meeting to see the level of wheelchair accessible facilities improved, even though some of his council colleagues and the council management believe the playground conforms to the needs of all users.

Ashford Castle owners buy Lisloughrey Lodge

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

Red Carnation Hotels purchased the four star Lisloughrey Lodge Hotel from receivers KPMG. Red Carnation Hotels had previously acquired the adjoining five-star Ashford Castle in 2013 and is currently undertaking a significant refurbishment and upgrading programme of the castle.

Garth-mania sees fans queuing in Castlebar overnight

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

Garth-mania struck in Mayo this week when hundreds of fans queued for hours - and some even overnight - ahead of tickets going on sale yesterday morning (Thursday).

Achill lifeboat launched 29 times last year

Fri, Jan 31, 2014

The RNLI this week released its annual report which showed that they brought almost 1,300 people to safety last year nationally. In Mayo both the Achill and Ballyglass lifeboats rescued 48 people over the year, with the Achill based lifeboat was launched 29 times to rescue 30 people and the Ballyglass lifeboat rescuing 18 people. So far this year the Ballyglass station has launched its boat twice, on Friday January 3 at 6.49am and on Saturday January 11 at 1.35pm. The Achill lifeboat has not been launched so far this year.

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