Castlebar Town Council to acknowledge Karen refugees who received Irish citizenship

Fri, Apr 20, 2012

Castlebar Town Council will hold a ceremony to mark the occasion of 53 Karen refugees who came to Castlebar three years ago, becoming Irish citizens at the start of the month. Sinn Féin councillor Therese Ruane proposed the idea at this week’s meeting of Castlebar Town Council, stating that the 53 refugees were made up by eight different families who have come to Ireland. Cllr Ruane was seconded by Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, with other councillors also supporting the idea.

Barrett wants action on parking in The Grove

Fri, Apr 20, 2012

Labour councillor Harry Barrett this week called for immediate action to be taken on cars illegally parking for the day in The Grove estate in Castlebar. Barrett told the meeting that the problem had become an epidemic and the residents were beyond frustrated. Town engineer Sean Higgins said he would look into it and any solution would have to be part of an agreement with the residents of the estate as a whole.

Lahardane community commended for Titanic remembrance

Fri, Apr 20, 2012

There was praise from all political quarters this week for the work carried out by all those involved in the recent Titanic commemorations in Lahardane. Fianna Fáil councillor Blackie Gavin told the meeting: “The memorial park is a fantastic achievement by all involved and is something that everybody will have to see.”

Serious concerns over set up of Irish Water

Fri, Apr 20, 2012

The confirmation this week that Irish Water will be set up to deal with water services across the country generated a lot of dissatisfaction among members of Mayo County Council at their meeting on Monday last.

Sentencing adjourned for man found with cannabis plant

Fri, Apr 20, 2012

A Polish man who has been living in Ireland for three years had his sentencing adjourned until July after he pleaded guilty to the possession of a cannabis plant. Inspector Joe Doherty told the court that gardaí searched an apartment at 3 Hughes Apartments, James Street, Claremorris, where Krzyztof Batogowski was living, on June 3 2011 at 8.45pm. During the search they found a cannabis plant in a wardrobe, which had a heat source overhead and had recently been watered. The plant was valued at €400, Inspector Doherty told the court.

Massive tourism boost expected for region

Fri, Apr 20, 2012

A huge investment of more than €1 million is being funded for an overseas joint tourism marketing campaign — the Western Region Tourism Marketing Programme— details of which were announced on Monday afternoon in Westport.

LGBT helpline launches volunteer recruitment drive

Fri, Apr 20, 2012

The LGBT helpline – the national support service for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people – has launched a nationwide volunteer recruitment drive. It is looking for members of the LGBT community in Mayo to contribute towards expanding the opening hours of the helpline, which is currently unable to meet demand for its services.

Campaign to tackle irresponsible dog behaviour needed says Ruane

Fri, Apr 20, 2012

Sinn Féin councillor Thérèse Ruane sought the support of her fellow councillors at this week's council meeting when she called for a public awareness campaign to tackle dog fouling in public places in Castlebar.

Man sent forward for trial

Fri, Apr 20, 2012

A Mayo man was sent forward for trial at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court for an offence under Section 2 of the Criminal Law, Rape Amendment Act in Castlebar District Court this Tuesday. The defendant was served with a book of evidence for an offence that occurred on an unknown date between January 1 1994 and December 31 1995, and returned for trial starting on May 1 2012.