Councillors reject public’s wishes on Ballina bridge naming

Fri, Apr 23, 2010

The new €1.65 million footbridge in Ballina which was officially opened last October has finally been given a name. Ballina Town Council adopted The Salmon Weir bridge as the name for the bridge by a vote of five to two, which was against the will of the majority of the people who made submissions on the naming. Cllr Michelle Mulherin along with her party colleague Cllr Mark Winters to name the bridge after Mary Robinson, with Fianna Fáil councillors Willie Nolan and Frances McAndrew, and Independent councillors Mary Kelly, Peter Clarke, and Gerry Ginty voting against it. Both Cllr Johnny O’Malley and Cllr Barry McLoughlin were not present at the vote as they had to leave the meeting early to be part of a guard of honour for the late John Forde, whose funeral was taking place that evening.

Garda update

Fri, Apr 23, 2010

Break-in to community centre
Around €100 was taken from the Snugboro Community Centre some time between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

€100,000 for Claremorris community garden

Fri, Apr 23, 2010

Clár IRD in Claremorris have been awarded €100,000 from the 2010 Arthur Guinness Fund to develop a community garden.

No deal with Gavin for supporting Guthrie for VEC post

Fri, Apr 23, 2010

The Fine Gael party in Castlebar has not made any deal with Fianna Fáil councillor Blackie Gavin to get him to support former town councillor Kevin Guthrie’s appointment to a vacant post on Mayo VEC, according to Cllr Ger Deere. The post, which was vacated by Fine Gael councillor Noreen Heston when she resigned from the VEC in March, was filled by former Mayor of Castlebar, Kevin Guthrie, on Tuesday night when he beat fellow nominee Tony Deffley by five votes to four in council chamber. “I can categorically deny that any deal has been done with Cllr Gavin in relation to him supporting Kevin Guthrie for the post in the VEC,” Cllr Deere said. “He made up his own mind in relation to it and thinks Kevin Guthrie is the best person for the position.”

Judge had to dash for chambers when approached by defendant during recess

Fri, Apr 23, 2010

Judge Mary Devins told a sitting of Castlebar District Court on Wednesday that “she thought she could walk around Castlebar without fearing for her safety”. However, that belief was challenged this week when the judge was approached outside the court house by a defendant.

Green light for Westport Gaelscoil

Fri, Apr 23, 2010

The green light has been given for a new Gaelscoil na Cruaiche in Westport, Beverley Flynn TD has been informed.

Castlebar Town Council pay tribute to pillars of the community

Fri, Apr 23, 2010

Castlebar Town Council paid tribute to four pillars of the community who passed away over the last week. The members agreed to finish their meeting early as a mark of respect to the late Anthony McHugh, Mick Ruane, Donnie Murphy, and Maureen Heverin.

Mayo Labour Party to be reorganised following Cowley admittance

Fri, Apr 23, 2010

The Labour Party in Mayo are looking forward to a reorganisation of the party triggered by the news that Mulranny Dr Jerry Cowley has joined the party.

Peter Hynes to become new county manager

Fri, Apr 23, 2010

Current Westport town manager Peter Hynes is to be appointed as the new county manager, replacing Des Mahon who retired from the post at the end of November last year. The Moycullen native, who lives in Foxford, will be put forward for ratification at the May monthly meeting of Mayo County Council. Mr Hynes currently combines the role of Westport town manager along with director of services for the Westport and Belmullet electoral areas and as director of services for the housing section of the council.

Man to be sentenced for raping his stepdaughter

Fri, Apr 23, 2010

A man will be sentenced later this month for sexually assaulting and anally raping his young stepdaughter in Leitrim and Mayo over a four year period.

Councillors support anti bailout rally

Fri, Apr 23, 2010

The members of Castlebar Town Council gave their backing to an emergency motion introduced by Labour councillor Harry Barrett for the holding of an anti bank bailout rally to be held on The Mall in the town. Cllr Barrett’s motion called on Castlebar Town Council to “facilitate the holding of a public rally on the Mall at a date to be decided to allow the citizens of this town to express their outrage at the disgraceful fallout from the banking crisis that has involved the doubling of the national debt and the wasting of tax payers’ money on Anglo Irish Bank and the Irish Nationwide”.