Telegraph Digest - 3 April 1997



Connaught Telegraph 3 April 1997


CAT SCAN APPEAL

The Mayo Hospital Supporters (Cat Scan Appeal) group are currently running a confined draw of 2,500 tickets, a move which should show a profit of £200,000 for the Cat Scan committee. Who are pressing to raise £450,000 for the purchase of the Cat Scan machine for the Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar. The tickets at £100 each, are available through local committees in Castlebar, Westport and Ballina and are on sale at the Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar. There are superb prizes are on offer and supporting the draw will enable the committee in meeting their goal in securing the Cat Scan machine for the hospital. At the moment patients needing a Cat Scan have to travel to either Dublin or Galway.

RAKE STREET WATER

The provision of the Rake Street water supply is a priority with Mayo County Council, Government Chief Whip, Jim Higgins has announced. It is one of two schemes put forward for funding under the Small Schemes Programme this year.

HERITAGE GRANTS

The Heritage Council are inviting applications for grants for heritage projects which promote interest, education, knowledge and pride in, and facilitate the appreciation, and enjoyment of the national heritage.. The Council has allocated £150,000 for these grants in 1997, the maximum available to any one project being £10,000. Applications should be made to The 1997 Grant Scheme, The Heritage Council, Kilkenny.

AWARENESS DAY

The Irish Raynaud's and Scleroderma Society will hold an awareness day on Saturday April 12 from 10a.m. to 4p.m. in the Ballroom, Jury's Hotel, Dublin. The awareness day is intended to provide information from top consultants on the most recent developments in the treatment and management of these conditions, as well as support and advice to patients and families. For further information contact Shelia Miley on 23509000 9a.m. to 1p.m.

BELCARRA SEWERAGE

Tourism and Trade Minister Enda Kenny has held discussions with Mayo County Council concerning progress on the Belcarra sewerage scheme. The authority has informed the Minister that a design brief for a new sewerage scheme in the village was submitted to the Department of the Environment for approval in November 1992. Approval to the brief is necessary to enable planning of the scheme to commence. Minister Kenny said he would pursue the matter with the Department as a matter of urgency.

ISPCC FORUM

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children will hold a children's forum in the Travellers Friend Hotel, Castlebar on Saturday April 19 from 10a.m. to 4.30p.m. with the theme 'making children's voices heard'. The seminar will deal with children's rights, UN convention on the rights of the child, the role of the Ombudsman for children and how can adults listen letter to children. Children are invited to attend but they must have signed parental permission. Lunch and transport will be provided. For further information contact Martin on 076-63199 or Tara on 094-562229.

ARBITRATOR TO RESOLVE BALLA CRUX

A general meeting of the Balla Town Improvements Association will be held on Monday night in the local Community room in an effort to establish an arbitration to resolve a crux over membership of the organisation. The meeting at 8p.m. will be chaired by solicitor Mr. Ward McEllin and the purpose of the session will be to appoint retired District Court Judge Patrick Brennan as arbitrator to enquire into the present affairs of the association and to issue findings which will be binding. The association has been in existence since the 1920's and over the years has acquired over 180 acres of nature woodland. However, there has been a 'split' in the organisation with chairman Dr. Jimmy Broderick and Pat Boyle (secretary) on one side and the trustees Dan Roach, Noel Mannion and Margaret McNicholas on the other. All those living in the townland of Balla are entitled to attend and vote at the meeting.

TERESA IS M'LADY CORRIB

Mother of seven Teresa Murphy from Castleduff, Carracastle has ben selected as M'Lady Corrib at the annual contest in Clonbur Community Centre on Sunday night, out of eleven finalists. The judges based their selection on personality, appearance and community involvement. Teresa's prize includes two nights dinner and B&B at the Rock Glen Hotel, Clifden and £100 entre fee to the M'Lady Eirn contest during the Balbriggan Breakaway Festival in Dublin at the end of mayo. As well as running her own home Teresa is also attending a Social Care Course and she is involved in various types of community work, including Carracastle Community Council, Ladies Association, senior citizens group and the dramatic society. Her interests include golf, reading, aerobics, set dancing and drama. The runner-up was Brid Mylotte from The Neale and her prize includes a neck chain with matching earings and an invitation to the Balbriggan festival. The proceeds from the Clonbur M'Lady Corrib Contest go towards the proposed cultural and design centre in Clonbur.

THE LATE MAUREEN O'HARA

The death took place suddenly on Sunday night of former prominent Foxford businesswoman Mrs. Maureen O'Hara. She was aged 75. Along with her late husband, Mike, who died in 1971, Mrs. O'Hara set up the flourishing O'Hara's Bakery in the town. The couple also ran the famous Moy View Lounge, the first singing lounge in Connacht which opened its doors in the sixties. Before her untimely death on Sunday night, Maureen addressed guests at the bakery annual dinner and gave a lively and warm speech. Later she felt ill and was brought by ambulance to the Mayo General Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Mrs. O'Hara is survived by twelve children, four sons and eight daughters. The huge crowds which attended the removal on Monday evening and the burial yesterday (Tuesday) showed the great esteem in which she was held.

BALLYHAUNIS CONCERN

Residents of Clare Street, Ballyhaunis have written to Chief Supt John Carey, head of the Mayo Garda Division expressing concern about weekend violence in the area. The letter, amongst other complaints, highlights noise, vile language and rowdyism. See Page 2.

BALLAGHADEREEN RALLY

A mass rally will be held in Ballaghaderreen on Sunday week to protest at the An Bord Pleanala decision to turn down an appeal against a decision of Roscommon County Council to grant planning permission for a waste depot/recycling plant at the local industrial estate. See Page 2.

BODY FOUND

There was a huge attendance at the funeral over the weekend of 37 year old Foxford man Martin (Marty) Conwell of Swinford Road, Foxford. Mr. Conwell , a single man, had been missing for a number of days. His body was found after an intensive search by local people assisted by Gardai and the Army. Martin had been caretaker of the local Secondary School.

CASTLEBAR CELEBRATION IN BIRMINGHAM

The 30th annual dinner dance of the Castlebar and District Association in Birmingham will be held in the Chamberlain Hotel, Alcester Street, Birmingham on Saturday April 19. Chairman Gerald Cunnane, a native of Ballyvary, expects a large turnout with many travelling from Castlebar for the occasion.



Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - April 1997