Local Papers Commentary
The Mayo News - 16th Oct 2002
By Declan Holmes
Oct 16, 2002, 16:39

Major job losses feared in Ballina
Staff and management at the Oasis manufacturing plant at Bunree Industrial Estate were due to meet at lunchtime amidst mounting concerns over the U.S. company’s future. Prior to the meeting some workers were indicating that they believed up to half of the workforce of around 120 were about to be laid off. After the meeting a spokesperson for the company stated that 70 jobs maximum would be cut.

Recycling plant on scrapheap
Plans for the development of an ultra-modern recycling plant outside Castlebar have been dashed following a decision by An Bord Pleanála to uphold an appeal against the project by local residents in Turlough village and the heritage body, An Taisce. The appeal was lodged against a planning permission awarded by Mayo County Council to McGrath Industrial Waste Ltd last January.

Mayo seal population endangered by fatal virus
The fatal seal virus, which has claimed the lives of several thousands of seals across Europe, has now been confirmed on the west coast of Ireland. There are growing fears that if it continues to spread it will decimate seal populations off the Mayo and Galway coastlines, already several carcasses of harbour seals have already been found along the Connemara coast. Dogs should be kept away from sick seals or carcasses as they could develop symptoms of the virus.

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