Paws for Thought

Fri, Nov 06, 2009

Mayo SPCA are appealing this week for homes or owners to come forward for the following animals.

Fair trade begins at home - farmers protest against supermarket power

Fri, Nov 06, 2009

Members of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) in Mayo turned out in force last Saturday to demonstrate against supermarket power and the impact it is having on farming businesses. Leaflets outlining the main concerns of farmers were distributed to consumers outside the Tesco store in Claremorris.

“All we are looking for is fair trade for Irish farmers,” said ICSA Mayo chairman Cathal O’Reilly. “Over 70 per cent of the grocery retail sector in Ireland is shared among just three companies and the power they wield in controlling the prices paid to farmers and other suppliers is huge.

Mayo County Council on lookout for new county manager

Fri, Oct 30, 2009

Mayo County Council will be searching for a new county manger following the announcement this week that Des Mahon will retire after almost 20 years in the role. The Roscommon native, who lives in Westport, has held the position of county manager since 1990 and seen numerous changes in his time in charge of the local authority.

Vote of sympathy extended to Cllr Munnelly

Fri, Oct 30, 2009

Members of the Cultural, Education, Heritage and Corporate Affairs SPC on Thursday morning proposed a vote of sympathy to Councillor Jarlath Munnelly on the recent death of his mother, Mary.

Early bird train service to commence next month

Fri, Oct 30, 2009

Iarnród Éireann has announced that additional train services, including an early bird train service from Westport which will arrive in Dublin’s Heuston station at 8.50am daily will commence on November 30.

Councillors moot two-way traffic system in Westport

Fri, Oct 30, 2009

Westport town manager Peter Hynes has said that the issue surrounding traffic in the town — which was discussed during a special meeting of Westport Town Council — is being examined, but as the town “was not designed for the car in mind” it will always mean that it will take some time in order to pass through the town. However if Westport is shortlisted for the Smarter Town Travel scheme and is in receipt of funding Mr Hynes said that cars will eventually be replaced by a larger uptake of people cycling and walking in the town, which will help alleviate traffic problems.

Tackle the fraudsters before increasing taxes

Fri, Oct 30, 2009

As Budget 2010 looms and fears intensify about how financially worse off the Irish citizen will be following its implementation, one area which needs to be policed more vigourously is benefit fraud. The State is losing hundreds of millions of euro each year through social welfare fraud.

Ó Cuív to visit Ballina to discuss the town’s new RAPID involvement

Fri, Oct 30, 2009

The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon Ó Cuív will be holding a public meeting in Ballina on Monday November 2 at 8pm in the Ballina Sports and Leisure Centre.

Achill teenager laid to rest

Fri, Oct 30, 2009

An Achill teenager who died after his car plunged off the edge of a cliff and into the Atlantic Ocean was laid to rest this week.

Ballina brawl saw man needing stitches from chimney rod wound

Fri, Oct 30, 2009

A brawl in the doorway of a house in Ballina involving five people ended up with two men and a woman being convicted for assault in Ballina District Court this week. One of those involved, Shane Downes, Behmore, Ballina, pleaded guilty to the charges in court, while Stephen Duffy, Corimbla South, Ballina, and Clara McGoldrick, 17 Church Manor, Ballina, were both found guilty of an assault. The brawl occurred at 5 The Brook, Ballina, on August 9 2008, when Duffy, Downes, and another man Keith Clarke called to the house of McGoldrick and her boyfriend Alan Delve looking for another girl who was living there.

Castlebar Grandparents Association formed

Fri, Oct 30, 2009

Grandparents in Castlebar have established a branch of the newly-formed Catholic Grandparents Association in the town.

Mayo householders urged to avail of insulation grants

Fri, Oct 30, 2009

Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has urged householders in Mayo to avail of the Government’s Home Energy Saving Scheme; as over half of the budget has already been applied for.

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