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Joy and pain for Ballina widow There was joy mixed with sadness earlier this week for the widow of a man who gave his life trying to rescue others. Ann Marie Heffernan from Carrowkelly, Ballina, whose husband Michael drowned last October, gave birth to a baby girl at Mayo General Hospital. But later the mother of two was told the harrowing news that her 57 year old father. Joe Armstrong had died suddenly at his home at The Quay, Ballina. Mr. Armstrong was an Irish Rail employee. Michael Heffernan died trying to save a German man and three members of a local family who were trapped in a cave at Belderrig after their currach was overturned in October. The family were saved but the German Will Von Below, known locally as Mart Mortensen, perished. * Mr. Armstrong's removal will take place this evening (Wednesday) from his home at 7 p.m. to St. Muredach's Cathedral. Funeral will take tomorrow (Thursday) to Leigue Cemetery following II a.m. Requiem Mass. Mayo New Year baby The fist New Year baby in the county was born at Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar at 7.15a.m. on New Year's day. It was a girl to Margaret and Sean Hopkins from Crossmolina. The tot weighed-in at 8 lbs - 11 ozs. There are two other children in the Hopkins family, a boy and a girl. Shranataggle TV reception Mayo Deputy Michael Ring has contacted RTE in relation to the lack of proper television reception for viewers in the Shranataggle, Porturlin area. In reply from the head of Reception Investigation, RTE confirmed that they were aware of the poor reception in the area and that they have plans to install a transmitter in Dooncarton which will provide good television reception. RTE confirmed they were awaiting clearance from the Irish Aviation Authority and when this was received they will proceed with the installation immediately. Proposal for £100,000 Corr na Mona Health Clinic THE Western Health Board hope to make progress during 1998 towards the provision of a new £100,000 health clinic in Corr na Mona. The Chief executive of the Board, Dr. Sheelah Ryan, told a meeting of the authority she accepted the present rented accommodation was unsatisfactory. She was responding to a notice of motion from Mr. Padraic McCormac T.D. Dr. Ryan said a proposal was received in November from the Coiste Forbartha, Corr na Mona and the local G.P. Dr. Curran for a 1,200 sq ft purpose built extension to the existing community centre at an estimated cost of £100,000. This she said would essentially provide for a new health centre and accommodate the GP, Public Health Nurse, Community Welfare Officer and other service developments. Dr. Ryan added: "Funding is being sought at present by the local community and through the Board's indicative drug target saving. We will make every effort to find a solution to this problem." She stressed that the development of new health centres at Ballinasloe and Roundstone were a higher priority. But she added: "However, if we are able to secure funding through alternative means then we would hope to progress this development in 1998." |
