Ballina Town Council has €6,348 bond for works that will cost €125,000

Fri, Feb 24, 2012

The saga for the takeover of Castlefield Manor estate in Ballina was described by one town councillor as “like a fairy tale, how we’ve got here I don’t know” this week. Town engineer Orla Bourke gave a potted history of the estate to the members to bring them up to date on the current situation. She outlined that between 1990 and 1994 planning permission was given for 87 houses including Castlefield Grove by Mayo County Council. In 1998 it was considered substantially completed and Mayo County Council gave 90 per cent of the bond back to the developer. The 10 per cent was held back so that ‘substantial completion’ was certified by Mayo County Council Water Services. In 2001 the estate came under the functional authority of Ballina Town Council after a redrawing of council boundaries. In 2005 a survey of the sewer network showed deficiencies in the system, and a 2007 CCTV survey of the storm water network also showed deficiencies. In 2009 the developer Belleek Construction Ltd, met with and wrote to Ballina Town Council asking for the estate to be taken over. Some work was carried out after the meeting, on the entrance to the estate and the installation of a bulk water meter. But the work did not bring the estate up to the standard to be taken over. The council met recently again with the developer, but there has been no commitment given by the developer to complete the work, bar his contacting the pavement contractor who carried out work in 2009 on the entrance that has deteriorated severely in the past three years.

Mayo architects win international recognition for Doohoma school extension

Fri, Feb 17, 2012

A primary school extension constructed in Mayo has won a slot in the prestigious architectural publication 1000 x European Architecture, which is an important reference book for the construction sector published only once every five years.

Beds to remain open at Ballina District Hospital

Fri, Feb 17, 2012

The 12 beds at Ballina District Hospital that were threatened with closure will now remain open after the HSE released the funds to ensure their continued operation.

Septic tank rally to leave from Belmullet

Fri, Feb 17, 2012

A protest is being organised from Mayo in relation to the new septic tank laws, which include the introduction of a registration fee. A bus will leave Belmullet to the National Septic Tank Rally on Wednesday February 29.

Benefit dance for cancer stricken child

Fri, Feb 17, 2012

A benefit dance for Jack Lam will take place in the TF Hotel, Castlebar, on March 9 at 9pm.

Huge crowd at Erris education cuts meeting

Fri, Feb 17, 2012

More than 200 people attended the public meeting in Erris to discuss the impact of education cuts on Monday evening last. The meeting was organised by a group of concerned parents and chaired by former Erris Person of the Year Tom Duffy.

Four gongs for Mayo at LAMA awards

Fri, Feb 17, 2012

It was a night of celebration for Mayo at the annual Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) Awards in Dublin last week. The county picked up four different awards for the Great Western Greenway Project. The main prize was the Grand Prix which went to the best overall project in the country marked by a panel of judges. Other awards picked up were for the Best Green Authority, which was won by Westport Town Council, and Best Tourism Attraction and Best Recreational Facility went to Castlebar Town Council for the Greenway.

Diabetic woman dodges theft conviction

Fri, Feb 17, 2012

A woman from Crossmolina escaped a theft conviction this week as evidence presented during the case did not satisfy Judge Mary Devins that intention to commit the offence was proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Man who sold takeaway food convicted for unhygienic premises

Fri, Feb 17, 2012

A man who ran a mobile premises selling fast food had a case brought against him by the HSE at Ballina District Court this week after he was found to be non-compliant in relation to food legislation standards.

Disqualification for man involved in crash who did not show in court

Fri, Feb 17, 2012

A Ballyheane man who was involved in an accident between a van and a car was disqualified from driving for two years in his absence. Judge Mary Devins heard the case in the absence of the defendant, Liam Murray, Cornaveagh, Ballyheane, Castlebar.

Garda scratched in face after bar brawl

Fri, Feb 17, 2012

Three people from Ballina were before the district court on Tuesday for public order offences arising out of a brawl which broke out in a Ballina bar during a going away party.

Man stole money from Ballina family with whom he was staying

Fri, Feb 17, 2012

A man who stole more than €1,500 from a safe in a house in which he was temporarily residing was before Ballina District Court this week on theft charges.

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