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Revenue obliged to close non-tax complying pubs - Judge The Revenue Commissions have been strongly rebuked by a Circuit Court Judge for allowing a publican to trade without a tax clearance certificate. Judge Harvey Kenny made his comments at Ballina Circuit Court after hearing a licensing application from Mrs. Mary Carolan of "THE FIRST FENCE" public house, Belderrig, Ballina. The court was told that the premises had traded for 15 months despite the fact that the tax clearance certificate had expired. Tax clearance expired in October 1996 but was renewed in January 1998. Mrs. Carolan told Judge Kenny she had been trading but said she had been told by the Revenue Commissioners she could do so for a certain period. Judge Kenny said it appeared the law was being usurped. If the Revenue Commissioners were not going to grant a tax clearance certificate they had an obligation to close the premises down immediately. Mrs. Carolan had been breaking the law for two years, the Judge commented. In evidence, Mrs. Carolan said she was interested in selling the business as it was difficult enough to keep it going. Judge Kenny said that when the sale went through he would be asking Mrs. Carolan to make a contribution to the court poor box. He granted the application on the understanding that the applicant would make a contribution to the poor box on completion of the sale. No apology for Beverley! RTE has refused to apologise to Mayo Dail Deputy Beverley Cooper-Flynn over allegations that they made concerning the NIB/CMI off-shore investments. The Deputy had demanded, through her solicitors, that an apology be read on both radio and television news broadcasts. Ms. Cooper-Flynn has categorically denied that she advised a farmer to avoid paying tax by investing in the bond. Gerry Millett honoured MEMBERS of Mayo County Council conferred a civic honour on Mr. P.G. Millett, retired local Government Auditor at a special meeting of the authority in Castlebar on Monday night. Sharon's in the driving seat Westport housewife Sharon Tully won a new Nissan Almeras in the 100-102 Today FM's 'Cash 'ATTENTION: NEWSDESK: Cars' promotion, which she was presented with on Monday. Sharon (24) was accompanied by her electrician husband Stephen and other family members. The presentation coincided with her daughter Lisa's sixth birthday. Spud picking for charity A SPUD picking champion is being sought to boost the coffers of the Western Care Association, the organisation which caters for the needs of the mentally handicapped in Mayo. The pickers will test their skills on Tuesday next as part of the Ballina Street Festival. The competition will be staged at Pearse Street and the entry fee for a team of four is £5. Further details from Liamy McNally or Christine Dolan on 094-25133 or 087-2233220. 'Races of Castlebar' monument MEMBERS of Castlebar Urban Council last night (Tuesday) attended the unveiling of a monument to commemorate the 1798 'Races of Castlebar at Thomas Street. Achill Sea Angling A BEAMISH sea angling festival in aid of the Achill Lifeboat, in conjunction with the Achill Island Sea Angling Club will be held from July 16 to 19. It will consist of a crazy night with Neil McBride; a monster auction, the angling competition, an American tea party and it will end with the RNLI prize giving and buffet dance on Sunday July 19 in the Atlantic Hotel, Dooagh. Further details from Mary Lavelle Burke on 098-47257 or Ray Fitzgerald on 098-47381. Reek volunteers sought THE Western Alzheimers Foundation are looking for 100 volunteers to climb Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday (July 26) and raise £100 in sponsorship got the foundation. John Corless of Coolacht, Claremorris is organising the venture. Cards can be obtained from Pauline at 094-81818. Or from 094-62480. Mayo on the move population wise BY TOM SHIEL CAUGHT on a rising tide of Mayo population, Swinford is set to be classified as an urban area after the next Census in 2001, according to demographics expert Dr. Seamus Caulfield. Unfortunately, the re-classification will mean the loss of some 1,500 residents to Mayo rural. The official figures will then misleadingly suggest that rural areas of the county are being devastated population wise. According to Dr. Caulfield , the next Census will show a population rise in Mayo of about, 2000, the highest in the county since the boom 1970's. For the first time since the Famine there are now more people coming into Mayo and the west of Ireland than are leaving the region. Deaths still outstrip the number of deaths in the county but there is a welcome influx of outsiders who are adding to a construction and property boom in the region. BALLA ROAD RACE The 5th Annual N.C.F. 10km Road Race will be held in Balla on 25th July. Following an inspection by a B.L.E. officials of the 10 m course, it has qualified as an accurate course and will be included in the annual fixtures of the B.L.E. Race Chairman, Gerry Costello, said it marked a major milestone in the future success of the event. Mayo .C. Chairman Ronnie Naylor announced that Balla will host the Mayo 1998 Senior men and women 10 km championship. Special emphasis will be placed this year on underage running thanks to the sponsorship of the Shebeen Bar (Donagh Gilmartin) with under-12 boys and girls 500 metres and under-16 boys and girls 1 km.
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