Knock Stories 19 June 1996



Connaught Telegraph 19 June 1996


MONSTER CAUGHT IN KNOCK LAKE

By MICHAEL COMMINS

The Killeenlea Monster has been caught at last! And it took a Frenchman to finally solve the mystery of the "big one" in Eaton's Lake between Knock and Ballyhaunis.

Guy Cabaut, an angling journalist from Rue de la Foire, Soulien, France, hooked the 40 lb pike while fishing with a 3" copper and silver spoon with just a 6lb breaking strain line. It took him two hours to "play" the pike before eventually landing him.

This is a specimen fish and Mr Cabaut released the big fellow back into the waters where, no doubt, he will now attract celebrity status. The French record for a pike stands at just over 35 lbs so Guy was exceptionally pleased with his achievement while visiting the Knock area.

Commenting on the size of the pike, local angling enthusiast, Bert Dennedy said he was "the nearest thing to an alligator" that he has seen in the waters in these parts. "This was an exceptional fish and one of the biggest ever hooked around here", he said.

KNOCK DEVELOPMENT AT A STANDSTILL

By MICHAEL COMMINS

DEVELOPMENT at Knock village which attracts over one million shrine pilgrims annually is at a standstill.

According to the local Area Development Association the recent decision of An Bord Pleanala not to grant planing permission for a proposed development in the Marian village has led to the crux.

At the centre of the storm is the sewerage system which it is claimed is not capable of accommodating further expansion and building in the area. The Association's Press Officer, Sean Egan, has called on Mayo County Council to immediately put in place a new sewerage scheme for the village so that development work can proceed in the district.

A spokesperson told the Connaught Telegraph that the current situation is "disgraceful at the minute" and said the decision to turn down the planning permission had caused a lot of disquiet in the area.

"The current situation represents poor planning and foresight by Mayo County Council who should have rectified this situation in advance.

"Nothing can proceed in Knock at the moment and it is near the point where ordinary house dwellings will not be able to secure planning permission for dwellings because of the situation in relation to the sewerage problem.

"There can be no further developments in Knock until Mayo County Council decide to rectify this serious matter. After all, Knock is the single biggest attraction for visitors in Co. Mayo", he said.

The Chairman of Knock Development Association, John Kelly, said he had been informed by the Council that it could take in the region of the £7m to £10m to put a new sewerage scheme in place in Knock. "Even at that, we would still be lying around fourth in priority at this stage and that looks to be a long way down the road," said Mr. Kelly.

He said the current system was put in place by the contracting firm of Burke and Clancy back in the early 1960's.

"The village has witnessed a lot of expansion in tourist and pilgrim related travel since then.

"Knock is the undisputed Number One location in Mayo and should be given priority by the County Council.

"The current situation must be addressed if any further development is to take place in Knock."

A spokesman for Mayo County Council said last night that the preliminary report for the sewerage system was submitted to the Department of the Environment in 1995 and they were awaiting approval for the development.



Connaught Telegraph - News - June 1996

Connaught Telegraph - Sport - June 1996