|
Chairman Al makes history on the double A 45-years-old businessman and farmer from Moorehall, Ballyglass, made history on the double when he was elected chairman of Mayo County Council. Mr. Al McDonnell became the first ever Fianna Fail councillor from the Castlebar electoral area to be elected to the position. It was also the first time that the election of the new chairman was unanimous, without a contest being held for the post. He is a son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Frank and Chris McDonnell, and has five sisters, Mary Hallinan (Ballyglass), Assumpta Fox (Dublin), Kathleen Burke (Clonshaughlin, Co. Meath), Geraldine Conneely (Galway) and Nora (Breaffy). The new vice-chairman of the council is Mr. Stephen Molloy (F.F.), Scullibeen, Crossmolina. Meanwhile, a former Mayo T.D. and Senator announced his retirement from public life after 43 years of service. Mr. Martin Joe O'Toole, aged 73, told Monday's meeting of Mayo County Council that he would not be seeking re-elected next June. The Louisburgh -based Fianna Fail member is one of the longest serving county councillors in the country, having enjoyed unbroken service since been first elected to office in the Westport area in 1955. Regina is tops By Tom Gillespie Castlebar housewife Regina McGarrigle has been selected as the overall winner for 1997-'98 PJ Hennelly Customer Care and Service Memorial Award. The scheme if organised by Castlebar Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Travellers Friend Hotel and the Connaught Telegraph. Regina was presented with the award at a special luncheon at the newly opened Tameron Seed Restaurant at the Travellers Friend Hotel, Castlebar on Monday by Mrs. Peggy Hennelly, widow of the late PJ, who was a former president of Castlebar Chamber of Commerce. She was singled out for her outstanding work with the Castlebar Information Age Town, the benefits of which are about to come on stream for Castlebar. Six other monthly nominations were received for the accolade. They were Ernie Sweeney; Mary Fahey; Mick Byrne; Barbara Roughnane; Mark Reilly and Clare Carney. Full report and pictures next week. Row brewing over travelling housing concerns BY Tom Kelly A ROW is brewing in Castlebar over the proposed housing of travellers at Breaffy Road in the town. Respond, the voluntary housing agency, purchased a site at the rear of the newly constructed Women's Refuge Centre. Now they are proposing to build four single-unit dwellings at the location, and an application for planning permission has been lodged with Castlebar Urban Council. Mr. Johnny Mee, chairman of the council, said he had been approached by residents of the area who were 'gravely concerned' about the housing proposal. "There will be objections if a particular type of house is built there. I advise the planning officials to thread warily." Mr. Mee stated because of the fears expressed, there should be consultations between the council and Respond before a decision is made on the application. Mr. Frank Durcan said he would be opposed to houses at the location being allocated to travellers. "I don't think this is the most suitable place to house travellers," he added. Work starts on major Ballinrobe factory McHales Farm Engineering, one of the country's largest manufacturers of farming machinery, are in the process of developing a massive 105,000 sq. ft. site on the Castlebar Road in Ballinrobe. The new factory is expected to produce larger scale machinery than has been the norm for the family run company. In the region of seventy five direct jobs are to be created. McHales already employ approximately 70 workers at their original base in Kilmaine. It is understood that the Kilmaine factory, and job levels at the base, will remain unaffected by the proposed development in Ballinrobe. Councillor Michael Burke has welcomed McHale's new development in Ballinrobe and added "such a boost for the area is very welcome. In terms of direct jobs, ancillary services and general economic benefits, this is good new for Ballinrobe and surrounding areas". Likewise, Chairman of the Ballinrobe Town Traders, Martin Murphy, expressed his delight at McHale's initiative as well as many other initiatives being taken in the town. |
