Local Papers Commentary
The Mayo News - 28 August 2002
By Sandra Noone
Aug 30, 2002, 12:40

A Tribute To A Hero
Last Sunday, a superb new sports field adjacent to Aughalasheen National school on the Mullet Peninsula has been dedicated in memory of the late Garda Michael John Padden, a native of the area, who died in a horrific 'joy–riding' incident in Dublin last April. A huge crowd gathered to mark the occasion. Proceedings commenced with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by his aunt, Angela Padden and girlfriend, Lisa Mills at the entry to the Sportsfield. Chairman John Flannery thanked everyone for helping to make the day such a wonderful success.

Early morning train service from Mayo to Dublin proposed
At a meeting held recently between Iarnród Éireann management and Westport Chamber of Commerce a request was made that there should be an earlier morning train from Westport to Dublin arriving in Dublin around 9am. At the moment the first train leaves Westport at 7.15 am and arrives in Dublin at 11:00 am and the last train departs Dublin for Westport at 6:00 pm. This does not give business people sufficient time to conduct a day’s business and therefore have to stay overnight. Both Galway and Cork have a train arriving in Dublin before 9:00 am. Iarnród Éireann has agreed to look into the possibility of supplying such a service and stated that they expect the Westport to Dublin upgrade to be completed by Spring 2003. Booking of seats, rolling stock and signalling were also discussed at the meeting.

Unauthorised ‘runway’ prompts Louisburgh fury
Residents of Falduff, a small Louisburgh village, became upset and angry after one of the residents of the area constructed a private roadway from his recently purchased dwelling house to one of the most picturesque beaches in the region. Work on the development started two months ago but residents only became aware some time later. Mayo County Council was contacted and later, activity at the site ceased. However, last week large steel gates were erected at the entrance to the ‘road’. The development involved the removal of a landbank which had been inhabited by wildlife. Deputy Michael Ring has contacted County Council to check did this resident get planning permission for the development and if not he should be made reinstate the landbank.

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