Tuesday, 30 April 2013 12:05

Communities 'impinged on because of SACs' - WeirA MAYO Fine Gael elected representative has flagged his concerns over the route of the proposed Eirgrid transmission line to upgrade the county’s electricity infrastructure.
Councillor Seamus Weir is worried one of the proposed routes will impinge on his home parish of Knockmore because it is located between two of the most important angling tourism locations in the region, namely Lough Conn and the River Moy.

He hit out that the number and location of proposed routes is limited by the imposition of special areas of conservations (SACs) over vast areas of the county.
Speaking at a meeting of the West Regional Authority, Councillor Weir said he could not understand the logic of placing overhead lines in population areas while bypassing SACs, where the impact of pylons would not be adverse.
He was supported in his stand by Castlebar-based Councillor Eugene McCormack who agreed that development is being prevented in vast swathes of north Mayo because of the imposition of SACs.

Tuesday, 23 April 2013 13:03

MAYO Sinn Féin Councillor Gerry Murray has pledged his ‘unwaivering support’ to communities campaigning against EirGrid plans to impose high voltage overhead powerlines through the landscape of east Mayo.

The Charlestown-based representative stated there is no good reason why the lines could not go underground, especially when coming into close proximity of houses, schools and community buildings.

He stated: “The EirGrid proposals have been a worrying and emotive subject for the public, especially those who live along the preferred route.

“The reason for that concern is the fear of health risks connected to overhead power lines that carry up to 400Kv.

“The public not only need reassurance on health issues, but there are also concerns about the detrimental environmental impact of pylons which will literally cut across the east Mayo countryside.

Tuesday, 23 April 2013 12:54

THE Fleadh Cheoil season is upon us again and it is time to take to the road. This year’s Fleadh Cheoil Mhaigh Eo will take place in Swinford on the weekend of May 10, 11 and 12, and full details of the event were announced at a press launch in O’Connor’s in Main Street, Swinford.

The launch was performed by the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor Cyril Burke, emphasising the growing links between Mayo Comhaltas and Mayo County Council.

Swinford is no stranger to Fleadhanna Cheoil having hosted a number of county fleadhs and provincial fleadhs over the years.

Swinford hosted Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 1961, an event that was remembered at celebrations just two years ago.

The Mayo Fleadh Cheoil has taken on added significance these past few years and is now a major cultural event on the county calendar. Such cultural events have an ever-increasing role to play in these times of economic recession. Never had the Fleadh Cheoil such an important role to play as it has this year, the year of The Gathering.

Tuesday, 23 April 2013 12:41

A GOOD old fashioned kick in the backside was the best cure for children who failed to attend school, a district judge stated at Castlebar court where system failures were highlighted in relation to a married couple who pleaded guilty to charges of failing to ensure their children attended school.

Judge Patrick Clyne issued a stern warning to a married couple from Castlebar that a term in prison would be imposed if they did not ensure their children attend school on a regular basis.

The court heard there were five children in all ranging in age from a 15-year-old, down to an eight year-old, and they had missed a total of 54 days each over a three-year period.

The pattern, which began in national school, continued when they moved onto secondary school, Mr. Eoin Armstrong, solicitor on behalf of the National Education Welfare Board, told the court.

He said in the case of the 15 year-old boy, he had refused to go school but was willing to take part in an outreach programme when he reached 16, if the court agreed.