31 December 1997

Editorial

As yet another year slips away and we quickly approach a new century we can look back on 1997 with some sorrow and joy.

It was the year when Beverley Cooper-Flynn finally achieved the distinction of becoming a TD and succeed in being elected in the June General Election when the Mayo constituency became a single five-seater from the old three seaters Mayo East and Mayo West.

Beverley, (31) overcame the adversity of a Fianna Fail party in crisis to fulfil her cherished ambition of a seat in Leinster House as Mayo's first woman in power.

But she had to wait until the seventh count to be declared elected along with Enda Kenny and Jim Higgins.

Earlier, in the third count Westport's Michael Ring who headed the poll with a massive 10,066 first preference votes, was elected.

Dr Tom Moffatt was deemed elected in the eight county without reaching the quota.

And it was the end of an era of Fianna Fail's PJ Morley who was eliminated in the sixth count. He had represented East Mayo in the Dail for twenty years.

Also defeated was Westport 's Seamus Hughes who had been in the Dail since November 1992.

Another person who stepped down in September was Ballina 's Mary Robinson who resigned as President to take up a position as high Commissioner with the UN.

Another highlight of the year was the success of Castlebar in the Telecom Eireann Information Age Town competition.

Although there was genuine disappointment that the town had not been selected as the country's first Information Age Town, nonetheless being shortlisted in the top four resulted in the announcement that Telecom are to spend £1 million on Information Technology projects in Castlebar.

Another disappointment was the failure of the Mayo senior football team to defeat Kerry in the All-Ireland Final. But there is always next year!

In January Charlestown 's renowned Central Ballroom, owned by the Walsh family, closed down after 47 years. It was a night of nostalgia. It was also the end of the line for Castlebar's public toilet on the mall which was demolished.

In the same month the Garda authorities introduced the stinger' device to curb the activities of mobile gangs.

On the jobs front Cabinet approval was given for the siting of American Power Conversation plant in Castlebar with a grant-aid package of over £3m on the table. Production at the facility on the Breaffy Road, commenced in October.

In February Mayo's Mr. Rehab, Kevin Bourke was named Mayo Person of the Year while the annual Meitheal award went to the St. Brid's - Wheatfield Community Assist project.

The blackout of cross-channel television pictures became an issue and was not resolved' until just before the June General Election.

Plans were also unveiled for the upgrading of Ballinrobe Racecourse. A £650,000 blueprint was unveiled while the Western Alzheimer Foundation announced that they were to open their respite home for seven days a week.

On the lighter side the infamous Achill rooster "Caileach" passed away. The cock's crowing angered neighbours and provoked a celebrated High Court action.

Marauding dogs were blamed for the death. The bird's owner Mrs. Moira Gallagher went to jail for three weeks because of her refusal to get rid of the it.

In March objections were lodged to the construction of a £30m cement manufacturing plant near Kilkelly. Later in the month a £200,000 fund raising campaign was launched to renovate the historic Christ Church in Castlebar.

As early as March we forecast that PJ Morley was in danger of losing his Dail seat and we exclusively reported that top golfer Nick Faldo had plans to develop Bartra island in the Moy Estuary into a world class links.

In April an appeal was lodged to An Bord Pleanala against the decision of Mayo County Council to refuse permission for a cable car to Inishbiggle Island. Work also started on a £6m expansion to Dunnes Stores in Castlebar and Oasis star Liam Gallagher visited his roots in Charlestown.

Castlebar's St. Gerald's College failed in their bid to win the All-Ireland A' championship. Crossmolina's Marc Roberts represents Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest.

In May the then Minister for Tourism, Enda Kenny announced the tax designation of Knock International Airport and the death occurred while holidaying in Japan of Castlebar solicitor and Coroner for West Mayo, Mr. Michael J. Egan.

June's General Election dominated the headlines and Minister Kenny confirmed that the Folklife Museum funding for Turlough Park House had been secured.

July saw claims by Chief Supt. Johnny Carey, head of the Mayo Garda Division that the lack of co-operation from GP's had resulted in drink driving suspects being released, allegations that were refuted by the medics.

Hot on the heels came the shock announcement that the Japanese owned Asahi plant in Killala was to close down at the end of the year with the loss of over 300 jobs.

The new chairman of Mayo County Council, Achill man Pat Kilbane was installed and President Mary Robinson unveiled the national Famine memorial at Murrisk.

The highlight of August had to be the adjudication of Castlebar in the Information Age Town project. Over 5,000 people turned out on the town's Mall to greet the adjudicators.

Also in the news were Fine Gaels Paddy Bourke and Ernie Caffrey who were both elected to Seanad Eireann

In September there were calls to demolish the Tooraree housing estate in Ballyhaunis and there was anger over the illegal parking of caravans in Claremorris. One hundred new jobs were announced for Volex in Castlebar and the shock announcement came that Ryanair would no longer carry the remains of deceased emigrants into Knock Airport..

October saw the scrapping of plans to build a mortuary at Knock Airport because of the Ryanair decision. Hotelier Pat Jennings was installed as the new president of Castlebar Chamber of Commerce, taking over from Frank Greene. Triplets were born to Westport's Joe and Eithne Ring and our new President Mary McAleese was elected.

November saw the announcement that the towering Castlebar landmark, the Hat factory chimney was to be demolished. Work on the £20m extension to the General Hospital, Castlebar is to commence in the Spring.

In November came the news that two exploration companies were to sue Mayo County Council in the High Court for £3m. damages sustained when gold mining was banned in an area of the county. Castlebar author Michael Mullen launched his 27th book "Pillars of Fire". And 170 new jobs were announced for the Allergan plant in Westport.

December opened with the Garda Representative Association criticising working conditions at Claremorris and Ballinrobe Garda stations.

Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trace and Employment, Mary Harney performed the official of APC in Castlebar.