Call to create Mayo town centre mobile phone-free zone

A call has been made on community leaders in Castlebar to make the town centre a mobile phone-free zone.

Mark Mellett, retired First Admiral of the Irish Naval Services and former head of the Irish Defence Forces, said the local authority should take the initiative by taking a lead that others would follow.

He explained he bemoaned the fact that so many people were distracted by their devises while walking down the shopping streets.

Speaking at the Wild Atlantic Words Literary Festival, he said it was interfering in the traditional level of social interaction between people and it's sad to see.

"When I was growing up in the town, I enjoyed walking down town because of all the friendly faces I would meet.

"But much of that is gone now because so many people are looking into their phones and you struggle to recognise them.

"It's a shame really because it's having such a social impact.

"Castlebar should take a serious look at banning their use on our streets, particularly Main Street, and I am sure others would follow. It is worth considering."