Snippets - 29 January 1997



Connaught Telegraph 29 January 1997


Contractor bereaved

Mrs. Sarah Gaughan, Doohoma, Belmullet , whose death has taken place, was mother of Mr. Tony Gaughan, building contractor, Castlebar.

The deceased was also mother of Mrs. Padraig Heverin, Ballyglass, Claremorris.

Hospital staff crux

Efforts to have additional staff appointed to a hospital for the elderly in Mayo have drawn a complete blank.

Friends of the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar launched a campaign to seek extra staff at the centre. The organisation was told by the Western Health Board that the matter was the responsibility of the Department of Health.

But, Health Minister Mr. Michael Noonan, T.D., has placed the onus back on the Western Health Board.

Said Mr. Paul Murphy, chairman of the hospital committee: "We are very dissatisfied. Care for the elderly is not a luxury or a matter which can be deferred."

GARDAI CLEAR BUSINESSMAN FROM DRUGS PROBE

Gardai in Castlebar have scotched rumours that a prominent local businessman has been involved in a drugs investigation.

When contacted about the matter by the Connaught Telegraph Supt. Joe Staunton said they were aware of the rumour circulating in the Castlebar area in relation to a prominent businessman's alleged involvement in drugs.

Supt. Staunton stated: "The Gardai are aware of the name of the individual and we have absolutely no evidence to suggest that this man is in any way involved in the use, possession or sale of drugs.

"No search of this man's home or premises has been carried out by the Gardai in relation to drugs or any other matter."

BALLYVARY MAN KILLED IN CRASH

A 27-years old steel worker was killed, early on Sunday morning, when the car he was driving went off the road and hit a pillar in fog near Castlebar. Patrick Maloney, the second eldest of a family of four, from Straide Road, Ballyvary, was dead on admission to the Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar.

The deceased, who was single, was son of Joe and Bridie Maloney. He was an employee of Murphy Stainless Steel, Castlebar.

He is also survived by his brothers John Joe and Michael and sister Mary.

His remains were removed from the Thomas Street Funeral Home, Castlebar last evening (Tuesday) to St. Joseph's Church, Keelogues. Burial took place this morning (Wednesday) in Keelogues cemetery following Requiem Mass.

JUSTICE PUT ON ICE IN BALLA

A DISTRICT Court Judge has hit out at the freezing conditions in the tiny courthouse in Balla.

So severe was the chill that Judge Dan Shield had to adjourn the monthly sitting and warned he would not preside there again until things improved.

"This is a disgrace", he protested, as he adjourned proceedings for 40 minutes in order to allow those present warn up in the surroundings of a nearby hostelry.

Eventually County Council workmen arrived at the chamber and replaced some blown fuses which had left the building without heat.

Mayo County Secretary, Mr. Padraig Hughes said a difficulty had arisen in relation to the electrical power in the Courthouse which has since been repaired.

MAYO BOTTLE BANKS GIVE UP A CASH CROP

MAYO'S glass recycling rates soared by a staggering 88% last year, according to figures from Rehab Recycling Partnership (RRP), Ireland's leading recycling company.

In 1996 Mayo scored one of the highest annual increases in glass recycling ever recorded by RRP.

Over 500,000 bottles and jars were collected in Mayo during the twelve month period.

The Dunnes Stores car park in Castlebar where over 32 tonnes of glass - almost 100,000 bottles and jars -- were deposited was Mayo's busiest bottle bank during 1996.

Westport 's Mill Street car park came a close second with 31 tonnes of glass while Achill Island's fledgling off-shore recycling facility took 12,000 bottles and jars.

Conor Counihan, general manager RRP said: "Mayo's recycling performance improves annually but we must continue to recycle glass and other materials like cans and textiles to help Ireland climb the competitive European recycling table.

"We are currently on a par with Spain and Portugal and ahead of the UK." RRP and Hats of Ireland, the Castlebar based Rehab company are part of Gandon Enterprises, a cluster of seven companies set up by the Rehab Group in 1994 in conjunction with the Government's pilot programme for the employment of people with disabilities.

RRP employs 47 people, 32 of whom have disabilities at its state-of-the-art recycling plants in Cork and Dublin.



Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - January 1997