Local Papers Commentary
Mayo News- 20th. March 2002
By Castlebar Observer
Mar 21, 2002, 12:47

15 Arrested for Violence in Castlebar

According to Supt. Joe Staunton there were 15 arrests on the Saturday and Sunday nights of the Bank Holiday week-end. Three Gardai were assaulted in separate incidents, one experienced officer received serious facial injuries when he was attack by a youth wielding a bottle and another officer was bitten.
The Superintendent said that “This was one of the busiest week-ends we have had in recent times, there were a number of public arrests and most of those had charges recorded against them immediately, which is now our policy”.

No More Salmon farms in Clew Bay.

A new group called friends of Clew Bay have called for a ban on any further expansion of salmon farming in Clew Bay. A recent incident, in which fish escaped from the salmon farms in the bay caused enormous damage to the natural fish-stocks in the local rivers. An increase in the number of fish farms would cause more polution, sea lice, and escaped fish. This situation could damage the lobster stock, oyster farming and the tourist industry in the area.

Man jumped into sea to avoid drunken driving arrest.

A Belmullet man who jumped into the sea in a desparate attempt to avoid arrest on suspicion of drunken driving has received a suspended sentence at a sitting of the local district court. Thomas Gallagher, of Mullaghroe, Clogher pleaded guilty to the charges of drunken driving and failing to have insurance on November 23rd. last. Supt. Tony Mc Namara told the court that the case was “unusual” and said that Gallagher had a previous conviction for being drunk in charge of a vehicle. When asked by the Supt. if he realised that he could have been drowned that night Gallagher replied “It’s shallow in there”. Judge Mary Devins fined the defendant € 1,500, and sentenced Gallagher to three months in prison with the term suspended on condition that he commits no more traffic offences in the next twelve months.

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