An Taisce gives ‘suspect’ new members the boot
An Taisce, the National Heritage Council, has rebuffed attempts by some people from Mayo and other parts of the West of Ireland to join the organisation, alleging that the applicants were “infiltrators”. Three people from South Mayo/North Connemara were accepted as members after paying a membership fee of 35 euro each but the money was returned with 10 euro interest, after they expressed an interest in joining the National Council. Ian Lumley, Heritage office with An Taisce, said the organisation does not accept people as members who do not subscribe to the objectives of proper planning.

Mobiles being targeted by car thieves
A warning has been issued by Castlebar Gardai that mobiles left in open view in cars on dashboards or in seats are being targeted by thieves. Thugs are breaking car windows specifically for the purpose of stealing mobile phones. According to the Gardai the damage done to the car is often more than the value of the phone.

Row over idle health facilities
Regret and frustration have been expressed over the delay in opening a number of health facilities in Mayo. A new Orthopaedic unit in Mayo General Hospital plus an emergency Project and a Psychiatric Hostel in Castlebar and a Health centre in Achill have all remained closed because of lack of capital funding and staff issues. In spite of all of the facilities being more or less completed, some of them may not be up and running before late 2003.