Farrington wants action on rural crime

Fri, Jan 29, 2016

"The closure of our rural Garda stations and the subsequent rise in crime has been a thorn in the side of many of our rural communities for quite some time,” said Renua’s Mayo candidate, Michael Farrington. “The neglect of An Garda Siochana over the last three administrations, which included Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and Labour, has been an absolute disgrace and a disaster to many isolated and often vulnerable people in Mayo. One of the most important duties of the state is the protection of its people.

Farrington went on to say “After suffering massive cutbacks, and in spite of their best efforts, the Garda are obviously struggling to keep on top of their workload and are rarely seen out and about in public, on our roads and in the country towns and villages. Now, in another blow to public confidence and Garda morale, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has revealed that as of November 2015, there were a total of 29,233 bench warrants awaiting execution.” The Claremorris based candidate added that, in a written answer to a question raised by RENUA Ireland leader Deputy Lucinda Creighton on January 14, Minister Fitzgerald revealed that there were 313 warrants outstanding in Mayo.

Skiing trip and Euro 2016 on the agenda for lotto winners

Wed, Jan 27, 2016

A skiing holiday and a trip to follow Ireland at Euro 2016 are the top of the agenda for the counties newsest millionares who picked up their winnings in Dublin today (Wednesday, January 27). The winning married couple who wish to keep their identies private picked up their €13,793,435 winnings at National Lottery headquarters.

Read all about it! Westport to get new library

Tue, Jan 26, 2016

There was good news for Westport this week, with the announcement that the town was going to get a new library. The announcement was made on Tuesday, by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring TD.

Cowley enters the Dáil race

Tue, Jan 26, 2016

Dr Jerry Cowley has become the latest person to throw their hat in the ring for the upcoming general election. The Mulranny based GP who was an independent TD before from 2002 to 2007 before he lost his seat in that general election. Cowley contested the 2001 general election for the Labour Party but he failed to regain the seat he lost four years earlier, polling 3,644 first preference votes, putting him in seventh place in the popular poll and was eliminated on the eighth count.

Aer Lingus to operate first transatlantic flight from Boston to IWAK this July

Mon, Jan 25, 2016

Knock Shrine and Ireland West Airport announced this morning the first Diocesan pilgrimage from the Archdiocese of Boston to Ireland’s National Marian Shrine will take place in July this year. This announcement represents another milestone for the airport and the region as it will be the first ever transatlantic service operated by Aer Lingus, from Boston, to Ireland West Airport Knock.

Almost €19 million allocated for road and bridge projects in Mayo

Fri, Jan 22, 2016

The Government announced almost €19 million for roadworks and bridge projects yesterday which will be used on many specific projects around the county. Welcoming the announcement of the allocation, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, said: “I am delighted to announce the allocation of €18,927,613 which includes funding for restoration improvement [€9,740,161], restoration maintenance [€2,741,647], discretionary grants [€4,558,280], bridge rehabilitation [€584,525], specific improvement grants [€600,000], safety improvement works [€521,000], speed limits [€87,000], and training grants [€95,000]. The funding will be used by Mayo County Council for a number of specific improvements on regional and local roads. Residents in many of these areas have been campaigning for funding for these projects for some time, and I am delighted to be able to announce this funding."

Murray wants answers on landfill aftercare costs for the county

Fri, Jan 22, 2016

Sinn Féin councillor Gerry Murray wants to know if Mayo County Council has made provisions to fund the aftercare costs of both landfills in Mayo which are due to close soon. Cllr Murray raised the issue at Monday's meeting of Mayo County Council and demanded a report from the council on whether it had built into the charges full disposal costs to waste collectors including aftercare costs, which he said he believed could be up on €750,000 per year for more than 30 years.

Next DMiM event has a top class line up of speakers

Fri, Jan 22, 2016

Digital Marketing in Mayo (DMiM) is a voluntary organisation which was founded in February 2015 to help Mayo businesses develop their online presence. DMiM is a network which helps businesses in Mayo learn from other businesses that are successful in using digital marketing. DMiM will be holding its next event on Tuesday February 2 in Breaffy House Hotel and Resort at 7pm, tickets for the event cost €5, and are available from www.eventbrite.ie.

€1.4 million spent on flooding so far, but bill will top €4 million

Fri, Jan 22, 2016

Mayo County Council has spent €1.4 million so far in dealing with the fallout from the flooding that has affected the county since early December, but the final total cost of dealing with the after effects and trying to ensure it does not happen again will be in excess of €4 million.

Funding approved to keep Mayo North Promotions Office going

Fri, Jan 22, 2016

The elected members of the Ballina Municipal District approved the payment of €10,000 to fund the continuation of the Mayo North Promotions Office for a period of three months. The office was set up two years ago, for a two year trial basis which ended at the end of December. The council management are now reviewing the performance of the office over the past two years and director of services, Joe Loftus, said he expects the review to be completed by the end of March this year.

Progress on Westport House expected

Fri, Jan 22, 2016

At the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council held on Monday, Independent Westport based councillor Christy Hyland asked the council's Chief Executive Peter Hynes, Chief Executive, Peter Hynes for an up to date position with regards to Westport House following recent reports in the national media over the future of the estate.

State financial assistance to be extended to flood damaged private rented houses in Crossmolina

Fri, Jan 22, 2016

Mayo Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin has welcomed confirmation she has now received from the Tanaiste and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton that financial assistance will be provided to landlords of private rented houses towards the cost of repairs to their flood damaged properties where the landlord has no flood insurance.

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