Judge adjourns court amidst chaotic scences

Fri, Sep 04, 2015

A District Court judge adjourned a sitting in Castlebar on Wednesday amid chaotic scenes after members of the group Integrity Ireland tried to place the presiding Judge Kevin Kilrane under 'citizen's arrest'.

Iorras Le Chéile Community Development Project set to close in Belmullet

Fri, Sep 04, 2015

Iorras Le Chéile Community Development Project on Main Street, Belmullet, is set to close after 13 years in operation in the Erris area. Four employees and two Rural Social Scheme workers have been served 30 days' notice. The project is managed by a local voluntary management committee with core funding from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.

Less than two per cent housing turnover rate in Mayo

Fri, Sep 04, 2015

Mayo had a housing turnover rate of 1.6 per cent, below the national turnover rate, according to new research published by GeoDirectory. Despite a low national turnover rate of 2.2 per cent, Irish residential construction levels are still too low to match demand. This point is further reinforced by cross referencing the Property Price Register (PPR), the CSO Census of Population and the GeoDirectory Database.

Lisa Chambers launches campaign with newsletter

Fri, Sep 04, 2015

Mayo Fianna Fail general election candidate Cllr Lisa Chambers has again condemned the downgrading of rheumatology services at Mayo General Hospital. In a pre-election newsletter, due to be distributed this weekend, she reveals that 850 outpatient rheumatology appointments were cancelled in Merlin Park in July and August, leaving many patients with their appointments rescheduled next December.

Community Diary 04/09/15

Fri, Sep 04, 2015

Newman Institute course
The Newman Institute in Ballina is hosting an information evening on their Foundation in Counselling Course., on Thursday, September 10 at 8pm.

The Visitor

Fri, Sep 04, 2015

After he knocked, the visitor entered the house through a small narrow hallway. He ducked to avoid hitting his head on the low door frame. "Ara, Michael, it is grand to see you at last. Your brother told me you’d come up. How are they all down there in Turlough? They must be delighted to have you home in Mayo. How long has it been? Three years?"

Biddy, rosy cheeked and rotund, busied herself momentarily with the fire. "Here Michael, take a seat by the fire." He chose the sturdier seat before he eased his well-built body into it. By his feet lay a small brown sheepdog. It had not stirred when he’d entered the room and now the visitor-weary beast barely lifted its head in acknowledgement. The black flagstone floor was bare, apart from the burning turf-ash gathering dangerously close to the dog’s coat.

Educate Together say stance on school is "unconscionable"

Fri, Aug 28, 2015

Educate Together announced on Wednesday evening that its planned new national school for Castlebar would now not be opening, just days before it was due to open for the first time. The educational organisation said up until Wednesday, it was ready to go ahead and open the school in temporary accommodation, but was given an ultimatum by the Department of Education and Skills that it must accept the accommodation in the old national school in the Burren, outside Castlebar, or postpone the opening of the school.

Mayo mourns death of young GAA star

Fri, Aug 28, 2015

The GAA community and wider community in Mayo were in mourning this week following the death of the talented 19-year-old Darragh Doherty who lost his life in a road traffic collision on Sunday night. Doherty from Ballyhenry in Kilmaine was killed in a single vehicle traffic collision at Carromore, near Ballinrobe on Sunday night.

Doherty was a member of the Mayo All Ireland winning minor football team in 2013, scoring 1-2 in Mayo's win over Tyrone in Croke Park that day. Darragh was laid to rest after Requiem Mass yesterday afternoon in St Patrick's Church, Kilmaine, in Kilmaine new cemetery. In a statement Kilmaine GAA Club said: "Darragh was a winner, a leader, expecting the high standards of all those around him, that he delivered himself. Kilmaine GAA wishes to extend its sympathies to his parents Margaret and Tom, his brothers, Cathal, Adrian, David and Gerard, and all of his extended family and friends."

Mayo Mountain Rescue celebrate twenty five years of service

Fri, Aug 28, 2015

The Mayo Mountain Rescue Team is delighted to announce a celebration of 25 years of service. To mark this special occasion, it is hosting a free family fun day to thank all those in the Mayo community who have supported it throughout the years. The event will take place on Saturday September 5 at the Westport Quay from 12.30pm until 5.30pm. This is a free afternoon of entertainment for the general public and the team look forward to welcoming families, friends, and patrons.

Emigration figures reveal increase in ‘brain drain’ from Ireland — Calleary

Fri, Aug 28, 2015

The latest emigration figures from the Central Statistics Office reveal a jump in the numbers of highly qualified graduates choosing to emigrate this year. The Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs Dara Calleary has raised concerns about the increase in young Irish people with third level degrees who are opting to leave Ireland. 

McNamara calls for standardisation of school year

Fri, Aug 28, 2015

Achill based Fianna Fáil councillor Paul McNamara has called for the introduction of a standard start date for all schools after the summer holidays are over. "It should be the first Monday in September, we have schools going back yesterday then today, and some not back until Tuesday next week. This has a knock on effect on places like Achill where we rely on tourisim. I was talking to people last week who were heading home because they had children going back to school this week. That's a whole week that the tourisim industry is losing out on because of schools starting on different dates."

Taoiseach welcomes €50,000 for Castlebar Social Services

Fri, Aug 28, 2015

The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, has welcomed the grand of €50,000 to Castlebar Social services. The money is part of the National Lottery funding from the Department of Health.

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