Local Papers Commentary
Connaught Telegraph- 10th. April, 2002.
By Castlebar Observer
Apr 12, 2002, 16:29

Profits and Passengers soar at Knock

Mr. Cathal Duffy, chairman of Knock Airport Board said yesterday (Tuesday) that the net operating figure profit of £422,616 (€ 536,611) for the Airport for last year was “very encouraging”. In making this announcement he also revealed that the number of passengers using the airport was up by over 17% to 203,000. There was also further good news for the current year, with passenger numbers up by over 14% on the corresponding period last year. He added that major developments were planned for the Airport in the near future including a new departure lounge area in order to cater for the increasing passenger numbers, and also new security infrastructure. Applications had also been made to the Department of Public Enterprise for the provision of a car park extension, cargo apron security fencing, and surveillance equipment. In addition a new airport fire station is to be provided.
Mr. Duffy said that the PSO (Public Service Obligation) Aer Arann express between Knock and Dublin is now performing as expected in a “reliable and assured manner” with the introduction of the new ATR42 aircraft which were now overnighting at the airport. He said that this ensured a reliable and comfortable service to Dublin from the airport.

Machinery being stolen at a frightening rate- Gardaí

A series of incidents throughout Mayo in which machinery and power tools have been stolen is being investigated by the Gardaí. In a most daring theft a €50,000 New Holland Tractor was stolen from a compound near Bohola over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Also missing is a quad cycle, yellow in colour and valued at €8,870, stolen from the driving range at Moneen. At the moment, items such as power tools are disappearing from building sites and construction workers vehicles at a “frightening rate” according to a Garda spokesman. The Garda representative appealed to the owners of such equipment not to leave them visible in vehicles and to keep a photograph as well as the serial numbers of such equipment in case they are stolen. In another incident last week and in what had all the hallmarks of a well-organised operation, a number of valuable generators and power tools were stolen from the Mayo County Council compound at Moneen, Castlebar. It is thought that the gang used cutting equipment to break into a vault where the equipment was stored.

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