What it Says in the Castlebar and Mayo Papers

20th of December 2000

Connaught Telegraph

The Mayo News

The Western People

Ballroom Blitz! a front page story in The Connaught Telegraph this week.

Overcrowding in Mayo night clubs will not be tolerated this Christmas. The county's fire fighting authorities have joined forces with the Garda Siochana in ensuring the safety of festive-time revellers. A series of random checks will be conducted by a hit-squad during the holiday period on premises to examine how they are complying with safety requirements. Prosecutions have been brought against four dance hall licence holders since the initiative was introduced in 1996. Disco and dance hall operators received a letter earlier this month from Mr. Seamus Murphy, Chief Fire Officer reminding them of their obligations. He said " We are taking every effort to ensure that overcrowding in places of public assembly is not tolerated. " We appreciate the difficulties experienced by some proprietors in having to refuse entry to patrons in order to adhere to the safety standards. " To help them meet the regulations, we intend to carry out random checks of premises. A number of inspections have been carried out to date and because inspections are carried out on a random basis, the proprietors of previously inspected premises have the same probability of another inspection as any other premises".

Poles and Latvians to the rescue as Mayo skills pond runs dry The Connaught Telegraph this week.

Non EU workers are being brought into Mayo by a Castlebar based agency because there simply aren't enough employees locally to fill job vacancies. The skill shortage in the region is now hitting the hotel and restaurant sector and the void is being partly filled by immigrants with work permits hired on short term contracts, according to Ms. Caroline Creevy of the Western Employment Agency. The professions where there are shortages and where Ms. Creevy's agency has been able to help include bus drivers, plumbers, pipe fitters and quantity surveyors as well as the restaurant and catering sector.

History created by Urban Council in honouring Sinn Féin PresidentThe Connaught Telegraph this week.

History was created in Castlebar on Monday night when the local Urban Council became the first local authority in the country to extend a civic reception to Mr. Gerry Adams President of Sinn Féin. Mr. Johnny Mee Cathaoirleach, said the council was conscious that a civic reception was the highest honour it could bestow on any person or organisation. " Indeed the council is proud that it is the first local authority to confer this honour". he stated. In his address, the Labour Party councillor said. " From humble and difficult beginnings in the troubled city of Belfast, Gerry Adams emerged as a visionary leader, a politician of immense stature, a person for whom justice and social equality are critical. " At a time when the indiscreet use of words could result in a loss of life, he was always restrained, dignified and forthright without surrendering his principles. " His honesty with his own community and with others of different political persuasions has been a key factor in bringing to our country that peace that exists today. " Peace in the Six Counties is something which people neither foresaw nor expected some years ago. Gerry Adams role in bringing about the peace which we all enjoy began with the talks he had with John Hume, Leader of the S.D.L.P. and culminated with the all-party talks which produced the Good Friday Agreement. " The massive endorsement of the Agreement by the electorate on each side of the Border was a clear indication that peace and political stability are what our people want."

Christmas is saved by Lake District children The Mayo News this week.

The town of Ballinrobe was brought to a standstill last Saturday afternoon as over 800 children turned up to try and save Christmas- and they succeeded. News had filtered through to the Lake District last week that Santa Claus was particularly depressed this year and felt today's children were taking him for granted. And Mrs. Claus also paid a special visit to Ballinrobe to outline the extent of the situation. But the extraordinary turnout of children from all over the Lake District forced a change of heart, and Santa Claus made a surprise appearance from a third floor balcony in Cornmarket. The children had paraded through the streets of the town chanting " Cheer UP Santa Claus, We Love You ". "Yes, Christmas is saved," he told an ecstatic gathering, "And I will see you all next week. You have restored my faith in the children of today- you are all very good." There was a large media presence to witness the dramatic events, redolent of some of the famous balcony scenes in Eastern Europe during the fall of Communism. But there were no ugly scenes this time, only smiles all round as the children accepted the congratulations of their parents for their wonderful eleventh-hour intervention.

Castlebar Credit Union's record surplus The Mayo News.

Another year of sustained growth was reported by the Board of Director's at the Annual General Meeting of Castlebar Credit Union in the Welcome Inn Hotel. Chairman, John Burke, told members that the surplus for the year, before dividend, rebates and transfers to reserves, was in excess of £1.8m., compared to £1.1m. in 1999, an increase of 60%. The growth in members' funds had also continued, and there were now total savings invested by members of over £31m. an increase of £5m on the previous year. Of this increase, less than £3m. was given back out in loans to members, which meant further increase in the amounted invested with financial institutions and with the central investment fund of the Irish League of Credit Unions. Mr. Burke said that the prospects in the coming year were for a gradual improvement in investment returns, and that the Credit Union would be making every effort to extend the loan base, which is one of the basic aims of the Credit Union movement.

Gas station mooted for Mayo The Mayo News this week.

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr. Frank Fahey, TD, has hinted that a gas power station may be located in Mayo. The provision of such a facility would greatly compliment the Corrib Gas find and provide a substantial boost to the economy of North Mayo. Deputy Beverley Cooper-Flynn has also welcomed Minister Fahey's comments. She said " I'm conscious of the fact that the Bellacorick Peat Power Station is set to close in 2004. The provision of a gas power station would prove to be a great replacement for this facility and would go along way in creating new job opportunities in an area of considerable need". Minister Faye, in a wide-ranging address, said the Government had concentrated on attracting foreign investment and high-tech jobs into the country as a basis for establishing a strong and lasting economy.

Enterprise centres for Mayo towns The Western People this week.

Enterprise Centres to provide space for small enterprises to start up, develop and create employment, are to be established in Claremorris, Crossmolina and Ballina, with support from Enterprise Ireland. At ceremonies on Monday Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce, Mr. Noel Treacy, TD. announced the new centre for Crossmolina, turned the sod for a Centre in Ballina and signed a contract for one in Claremorris. Enterprise Ireland has supported the development of Enterprise Centres at Ballyhaunis, Brickens, Killala and now, Claremorris, Crossmolina and Ballina and has approved grant support of £1.5 m to those centres. Mr. Treacy said that, in County Mayo, the Live Register had shown a reduction of 1,500 over the last year alone. " However, we should not get complacent about this and we must continue with our joint efforts to provide the right environment for new and expanding businesses, " he added.

Aer Arann Express to resume Knock-Dublin services The Western People this Tuesday.

Aer Arann Express has been successful in its tender for the Knock-Dublin Public Service Obligation ( P.S.O. ) route which was originally operated by Aer Lingus and discontinued some time ago. Minister Mary O'Rourke said on Monday that she believed that the resumption by Aer Arann Express of services between Knock and Dublin would provide a major boost for tourism and business interests and for the further economic development of the West. The airline will provide a comprehensive ticketing and baggage service linking the Knock region with the UK, Europe and International Destinations through the Aer Lingus network at Dublin Airport. Aer Arann Express will provide a daily return flight on the new route, operating a 36 seater Shorts 360 aircraft.

TV firm lodge bond The Western People this week.

Castlebar Urban Council is now in receipt of a bond for £120,000 in the event of proper repairs not being carried out in Castlebar following the laying of piped television and fibre optic cabling by Limerick based firm Chorus Communications. Mr. John Condon, Town Clerk, said the sum is on top of the original £20,000 being already lodged with the council and a further £30,000 bond submitted to Mayo County Council by the company.

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