Misleading claims' over gas find are challenged by Chambers
Senator Frank Chambers has responded to the claims that Castlebar may not be one of the towns receiving natural gas from the Bellanaboy gas supply. He said that Castlebar will be one of the first towns to benefit and it was "nonsense to suggest otherwise". Speaking as someone who has been active behind the scenes, Mr. Frank Chambers said that Castlebar will receive a share of the natural gas supply and the suggestions from the town council that Castlebar has been snubbed by the government are wrong.

Castlebar, Kiltimagh and Lacken Cross students rise to "Aisling Challenge"
Students from St. Joseph's Secondary School in Castlebar have won in their category in the final debate of the "Aisling Challenge", a project organised by the Mayo Division of the Garda Siochana. The students from St. Joseph's won the debate entitled "Alcohol Abuse - Zero Tolerance is the Solution to Underage Drinking". The team, captained by Maria McMahon, was against the motion. Also present at the debate for this team was Ruth Loftus, Loretta Gaughan and Mary-Jane Flannery with their teacher, Caroline McGrath. St. Louis Community School, Kiltimagh won in their category entitled "Taking Drugs is a Health and Personal Issue not a Matter of Law Enforcement". St. Patrick's College, Lacken Cross, won in their category of road safety and they were in favour of the motion "It's not Cool to Live by the Rules".

Drive launched for Mayo-based Rheumatologist
A public meeting will be held on Wednesday next at 8pm in the Pontoon Bridge Hotel to launch the campaign for the appointment of a Rheumatologist to Mayo General Hospital. At the moment, there is only one Rheumatologist for the entire Western Health Board who is based in Merlin Park Hospital in Galway. In Mayo alone there are 14,500 people suffering from arthritis and now the Mayo branch of the Arthritis Foundation of Ireland are appealing to those with arthritis or families and friends of people with arthritis to campaign for a Rheumatologist in Castlebar hospital.