6 August 1997
January start-up for emergency control centre
The proposed emergency control centre currently under construction adjacent to the new Fire Stations in Castlebar is scheduled to open in January. A staff of up to 20 people will be employed at the facility, including trained control operations to deal with 999 calls from the ambulance and fire services in the region.
The base will be on call around the clock. . . 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Control operators will be assisted by computers in identifying the correct location of an incident, dispatching the appropriate response and in monitoring progress in dealing with emergency situations.
Castlebar was originally chosen for the project because of its strategic location which ranges from Ennis to Letterkenny. The facility will provide a direct communications link with resources on the ground.
The benefits to Castlebar are considered to be enormous. The development puts in place a modern, reliable mobilisation and communication system which will help minimise the response times of ambulances to accidents and for patient transfers. It will allow the ambulances and fire services to maximise the use of its resources in order to provide a better quality service to the community.
Radio Station may move
Community Radio Castlebar may shortly be on the look-out for a new premises, it has been learned.
The lease on their existing headquarters at New Antrim Street is coming to an end soon.
It is understood a number of options are being considered by station management.
Work starts on shop units
Work has got underway on the construction of a number of shop units at Gorteendrunagh, near the new Dunnes Stores extension.
Died in England
The death has occurred in England of Cora Igoe, formerly of Spencer Street, Castlebar.
She was a daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. John Igoe. Cora was predeceased by her brother, Joe, some years ago.
She is survived by her sister, Mrs. Mary Billings, England, and family.
Progress on Environmental Protection Agency
Mayo County Council is proceeding with the construction of a £1m. headquarters for the Environmental Protection Agency at Swimming Pool Road, Castlebar.
The authority has applied for tenders from building contractors to carry out the project.
The agency employs a staff of between 12 and 15 in Castlebar which is the main centre for environmental monitoring in the West of Ireland.
It operates a number of different programmes, including ecological assessment of rivers and lakes in Mayo, Galway and Sligo, and compliance monitoring for integrated pollution control licences.
New industrial unit
Czerski Upholstery have applied to Castlebar Urban Council for planning permission to construct a purpose built industrial unit with workshop facilities at Gorteendrunagh, Castlebar.
Volex appointment announced
Mr. Rory Casey has been appointed European Director of Sales with Volex Limited, Castlebar.
A son of Mr. & Mrs. Gerry Casey, Pontoon Drive, Castlebar, he is a graduate of mechanical engineering at University College Galway.
Following his graduation he travelled extensively, spending some time in Canada, the United States, India and Australia.
He has worked with Volex for eight years, and is wished every success in his new appointment.
Married with three children, he is the underage co-ordinator with Castlebar Rugby Club.
Volex employs over 300 people in Castlebar and has established itself as a leader in its market.
The company is a supplier to most of the major computer and telecommunications firms, including Nortel, Ericsson and Hewlett Packard.
New radio transmitter
Raidió na Gaeltachta have erected a new transmitter at Croagh Moyle, Castlebar.
Pool funding 'being addressed'
The matter of funding the proposed refurbishment of Castlebar Swimming Pool is currently being addressed, according to Mr. Des Mahon, county manager.
Died in London
Mrs. Bea Tolan, whose death has taken place in London, was a sister of Mrs. Sarah Murphy, St. Patrick's Avenue, and Mr. Ted Conway, Lower Chapel Street, Castlebar, and Mr. Dan Conway, Bridgemount, Castlebar.
Louisburgh passing
Mr. Seamus Fergus, Louisburgh, whose death has taken place, was a brother of Sister Ann Fergus, Riverdale Court, Castlebar.
Islandeady death
Mrs. Nora Murray, Islandeady, whose has died, was mother of Mrs. Mary Conlon, The Curragh, Castlebar.
Died in America
The death has taken place in Philadelphia of Margaret O'Donnell. She was a sister of Josie McEveney, Snugboro, and Ellen Cunningham, Burren, Castlebar.
