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Boost for regional funds strategy AMID signs of Cabinet divisions on the question of a regionalised approach to the EU for Objective One Status for the west, border and midlands, the Chair person of the Council for the West, Ms Marian Harkin has called on TD's and Senators to lobby strongly on the issue at Government level. Ms. Harkin was greatly heartened last week when the Tanaiste, Mary Harney TD, while on a visit to Ballina and Killala, expressed support for regionalising Ireland in the context of administering the next tranche of EU Structural Funds. The Tanaiste is the first senior member of the Government to support the regionalisation concept . Following her statement, the Council for the West has written to TD's and Senators claiming that regionalisation is vital if the regions are to prosper. The letter from Ms. Harkin states: "The consequences for qualifying regions failing to retain Objective One Status would be to further widen the economic division in the country and would be totally unacceptable to the people concerned". New post for Angela THE Administrator of the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Foundation, Angela Kirrane is leading the organisation having secured a management position with the Cheshire Foundation in Mayo. Angela has been associated with the Hospice Foundation since its formation in 1992 and has been responsible for its successful growth to date. People of the Year Awards launch THE chairman of Mayo County Council, Mr. Al McDonnell will perform the launch of the Mayo People of the Year Awards in the AIB Bank, Castlebar on Thursday night October 1 (8p.m.). The event is run annually by Rehab in conjunction with AIB Bank and the Connaught Telegraph. The highlight will be the presentation of the awards to the recipients at a gala function in Hotel Westport in November. The proceeds from the function go towards the running of the Rehab Workshop in Castlebar where over sixty disabled people receive specialist training. Ballina Mast shot down PLANNING permission for an Esat Digifone mast to be erected at Ballina Garda Station has bene turned down. Local councillor, Mr Pat Diamond, said the decision was to be welcomed as the erection of similar masts had caused a lot of concern around the country and particularly in such close proximity to Garda stations.. It is unlikely that Esat will be appealing the decision. York Heritage trip WESTPORT Urban Council leave for York in north-east England tomorrow (Thursday) on a trip to study how the town planned its development as a heritage town. During the three-day trip the nine members and officials will also visit the heritage town of Beverly. They will be meeting Howard Dickenson, head of planning in York City Council, Phil Parker, head planner in Beverly, and Chris Jones, Head of Architecture at the Hull School of Architecture. The trip was organised to allow councillors see hands-on how these centres have developed as heritage towns and to give them an insight into how Westport should develop in the future. Telegraph is tops for political coverage THE Connaught Telegraph is streets ahead when it comes to political coverage. Six weeks ago on the front page we reported that former Fianna Fail T.D., Mr. P.J. Morley, was poised to retire from political life after 32 years service, writes Aiden Henry Mr. Morley confirmed our inside story when he announced at the Ballyhaunis Comhairle Ceantair meeting last Monday night that he was quitting public life. As indicated in our exclusive on August 12th, the frontrunners to replace Mr. Morley are Eugene Delaney, Brickens, Sean Egan, Knock, Moira Noone, Ballyhaunis, Margaret Owens, Brickens, and Brian Hunt, Ballyhaunis. Meanwhile, Claremorris businessman, Mr. Johnny Commins, a winner of All-Ireland medals with Mayo at minor and junior levels, revealed to the Telegraph last night that he will not be standing for Fine Gael in the Claremorris area in next June's local elections. If he is not pressed to change his mind the front runners for the nomination will be Jimmy Walsh, Tom Connolly and Sean Gallagher. "Antique" guns made forfeit to state A District Court Judge has ruled that a "quite valuable collection of antique guns" should be made forfeit to the state. At Castlebar Court, Judge Dan Shields ordered that four guns held by Patrick Bolger, 29 Rowan Drive, Castlebar should be surrendered to the Gardai. Judge Shields had been told at a previous hearing that of nine guns held by Bolger only three were licensed and legally held. Of the other six, four were deemed to be capable of being fired and two were imitations. Ms Fiona McAlister (solicitor for Bolger) asked that the summonses be withdrawn so that Bolger would be in a position to apply for firearms certificates. However Inspector Jerry Henry pointed out that certificates could not be issued in respect of some of the firearms Bolger had in his possession. Ms McAlister said there was no suggestion that Bolger had the guns for unlawful purposes. The collection was actually quite valuable and one of the weapons was a commemorative issue of which there were only 5000 made. She asked the Judge to apply the POA as the penalty in monetary terms if the guns were made forfeit would runs into £1,000's. Judge Shields said on his reading of the law he had no alternative but to convict. On two of the charges he imposed fines of £25 each and marked two "taken into consideration." he ordered that all four guns be made forfeit to the state. Worry over wandering horses at hospital Tom McDonagh (jnr), Bay 3, Halting Site, Castlebar was fined £60 at Castlebar District Court for allowing horses to wander in the grounds of the Mayo General Hospital. Judge Dan Shields heard that staff at the hospital were concerned that the animals would do damage to cars parked in the grounds. Garda Michael Conway said he had to wait at the hospital for forty-five minutes while Thomas McDonagh was being contacted to come and take the animals away. Mr. Kevin Burke, solicitor for McDonagh, said the animals were normally kept in a field near Lough Lannagh but had broken out. The animals had since been sold and they would not cause any nuisance in future |
