Trial hole argument ‘does not hold water’

The argument about flooded trial holes for septic tanks does "not hold water" according to Castlebar county councillor, Johnny Mee. Cllr Mee pointed out to a meeting of the Castlebar area committee, there had been no epidemics or outbreaks of disease because of inefficient or ineffective septic tanks in Mayo. He complained that the planners’ arguments in relation to septic tanks and lack of percolation were nothing more than a "convenient" means of refusing permission. And he claimed that the foremost expert in the country on septic tanks as a method of effluent disposal had advised Mayo county council that there was no reason why a septic tank could not be designed and constructed to work properly no matter where the site was located. He made his comments when he was informed by senior planner John McMyler that an application was to be refused because the site was unsuitable for the safe disposal of effluent and would be prejudicial to public health.

I suspect this is wishful thinking on Johnny Mee’s part. I think that an underwater septic tank means that it is in direct connection with the groundwater and surface water in the neighbourhood of the house. So when you flush your loo into this underwater treatment works it is literally flushed away down the neighbourhood stream or aquifer. Interesting that this item appeared the same week that the EPA produced a report on the widespread contamination of group water schemes and septic tanks were mentioned as one of the main causes!

Deputy Beverley Flynn has rejected as "election scaremongering" a suggestion that the planned extension of the N5 from Castlebar to Westport is to be a toll road. The suggestion was made by Cllr Johnny Mee at an area council meeting in Castlebar when he complained that the project had been put on the long finger by the NRA. He said the N26 (Ballina to Bohola) and the Charlestown bypasses had overtaken the Castlebar-Westport road in the queue for funds. "I want a full report from the manager on the up to date position of the Westport road proposal," said Cllr Mee. "I am not happy with the progress to date. There is no doubt we have been relegated to the back of the queue." He said he wanted to know if the land had been acquired, if the landowners had been compensated and if there was any truth to the reports that the road was to be tolled. Dep. Flynn said she was astounded to hear Cllr Mee suggest the road was to be a toll road. She said: "This is a bit of election scaremongering. I don’t know who you have been listening to but you are way off the wall. There has been no suggestion that the road is to be a toll road."

I like this one. Great Idea – charge people to get into Castlebar from Westport. Wouldn’t it help to keep the Coveys out? And it would also cut down that big long queue of cars coming through Castlebar on Friday evenings all heading for the coast. If they had to pay to get out of Castlebar they would think twice!

Mayo County Council will officially launch the first ever comprehensive history of the county next week. ‘The Story of Mayo’, published by Mayo County Council and written and compiled by Straide-based Rosa Meehan, will be officially launched by Mayo County Council Cathaoirleach, Frank Chambers in the Co. Library, Castlebar next Monday, February 9th at 7.30 p.m. The idea of a book on the history of the county was first mooted by Castlebar author, Michael Mullen, as a suitable project to celebrate the third Millennium. Speaking to the Western People yesterday (Monday), Mr. Des Mahon, County Manager, said the book was the definitive story of County Mayo. "This book is not an exercise in nostalgia for the mythical ‘long-ago’. Rather, it provides an appreciation of the process of continuity, adaptation and change. In reading it we acquire a unique understanding of the unique character of the county and the possibilities for its future."

This looks like an excellent publication – a coffee table book with lots and lots of photos. I hear that some of the photos come from contributors to the Castlebar website photo galleries too.