New Content Editor Login
 |
| Search |
|
|
|
|
Local Papers Commentary
Mayo's "Calcutta Express" Warning
A West of Ireland T.D. has expressed serious concern over the safety of the Dublin to Westport train on a Friday evening due to acute overcrowding. Denis Naughten, a Roscommon based Fine Gael T.D. said that the service was labelled "the Calcutta Express" because of the problem and added that there was probably less overcrowding on the trains in India than there is on the Dublin to Westport Friday evening service.
He also commented on the recent downgrading of the trains on the Westport line in the last few weeks by saying "One train does not have automatic doors. If one of the doors is not properly closed, 20 people caould fall out onto the track on a Friday evening.
He countered suggestions by the Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan that Irish railways had been "safe historically" by adding "While we have not had a significant number of accidents, the permanent way is so dangerous that it is a miracle that we have not had serious incidents"
Mr. Naughton also called for inspectors to be appointed to investigate a number of minor and major safety incidents since the Knockacroghery derailment in 1997.
Broadband service for Castlebar?
A proposal has been tabled to provide broadband access in the Castlebar region for businesses and also for private individuals. It is envisaged that the service will be provided to home users in the evenings (after 6pm) at a flat rate cost of € EUR 50/per month. There is also a once off installation cost of € EUR 245 for the radio card that will be used to connect PC's to the wireless network.
Streambeam, a Castlebar based company is currently carrying out a survey in conjunction with the local Chamber of Commerce into the level of interest among Castlebar businesses and households in the proposed new service. There is also the possibility that the service could be extended to Westport in the future should the level of interest warrant it. Further details on the proposal and the expression of interest form can be found at the following link: Broadband Proposal for Castlebar
Protuding box iron from truck smashes through car windscreen seriously injuring passenger
A Crossmolina businessman has been banned from driving for fifteen years by Judge Mary Devins at Ballina District Court after hearing a case where a passenger in an oncoming car was seriously injured by a piece of box iron extending from the back of a truck owned by Mr. Liam Cawley, Erris St. Crossmolina. Mr. Cawley was also fined a total of €EUR 3,180 and ordered to pay € EUR 2,000 to the Beaumont Hospital Neurological Unit, the organisation of choice of Mr. Cathal Fagan, the partner of the woman who was injured in the accident.
The court heard that the woman, Ms. Catherine Nicholls, sustained serious head injuries in the incident which occurred on April 4 last and has not regained consciousness since. She was transferred from Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar to the Beaumont Neurological Unit where she is still being cared for. Mr. Fagan outlined that a consultant in the Dublin hospital said that the prognosis was not good and he didn't expect Ms. Nicholls to live. He said that his partner had to be turned over every two hours to prevent bed sores. He added that her eyes are open but that he doesn't know if she can see. She had moved to the area to be with him and they were about to set up home together.
Judge Devins said that the incident could have been avoided if the defendant had taken the proper precautions and time to secure the load. What made it even worse was the fact that he was dealing with loads with which he was familiar, a lorry with which he was familiar and roads with which he was familiar. The error was compounded by the fact that he was a member of the Fire Service. "Surely he should have been more aware" she said.
The Judge extended the sympathies of everyone in the court to Mr. Fagan and his partner but said that she didn't believe that sending Mr. Cawley to prison would do any good.
© Copyright 2006 by the author(s)/photographer(s) and www.castlebar.ie
Top of Page
|
|
|
Local Papers Commentary
Latest Headlines
|
|