Controversial £15m. project goes ahead runs the main story in The Connaught Telegraph this week.
A controversial £15m. housing development on a prime 6.8 acre site close to the town centre in Castlebar has received the go-ahead. An Bord Pleanala rejected an appeal by a local concerned residents association against the project proceeding at Davitt's Terrace on a site known as Flannelly's field opposite the Sacred Heart Hospital. The planning appeals board upheld the decision of Castlebar Urban Council to grant planning permission to leading developer, Mr. Tony Gaughan, to construct four one-bedroom apartments, four three-bedroom apartments, 80 three bedroom houses, 23 four-bedroom houses and all ancillary works and services at the location. Mr. John O'Connell, a member of An Bord Pleanala, signed the order granting approval for the exclusive housing plan on lands purchased by Mr. Gaughan from Patrick Flannelly for a sum of £1.23m, an amount which established a new record for the sale of property in the county town.
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Gas flare visible from coastal Mayo The Connaught Telegraph this week.
The bright burning flare from the Corrib Gas Field, some 30 miles off County Mayo, has been visible on a number of recent clear nights from the mainland at Erris causing some excitement amongst the local populace. Plans are now well advanced for bringing the gas ashore at Pollathomas and Corrib Natural Gas/Enterprise Oil have advertised in the past week for a number of key positions in a special project the sub-sea development of what is believed to be an extensive reservoir.
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'Disturbing' concerns over treatment plant The Connaught Telegraph this week.
An investigation conducted by members of the North West Regional Fisheries Board's environmental staff has revealed that the sewerage treatment plant in Castlebar 'is not operating satisfactorily in a number of respects'. The study was carried out following two fish kills on the Castlebar river. Stated Mr. Vincent Roche, manager of the board, "Problems discovered included no flow recording on the inflow to the plant due to a faulty flow meter, no flow recorder on the outflow and inadequate pumping capacity at the plant resulting in some sewage going directly to a storm tank which automatically went to the outflow without any form of treatment. The net result has been a regular discharge of raw effluent to the Castlebar River over the past number of months. In addition to this, raw sewage coming from the storm tank is mixed with treated effluent before being discharged to the river. But the discharge to the river is sampled before it is mixed with the raw sewage. The result is that monitoring performance data from the plant indicates a much clearer effluent than is actually the case". A question now arises as to whether the board should object to further development of Castlebar town pending upgrading of the plant.
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North Mayo anchor not linked to Spanish Armada is one of the articles in The Mayo News this week.
The national heritage service, Dúchas, has confirmed that the anchor found off the North Mayo coast last week is not linked to a wreck from the Spanish Armada. Instead it is believed that the anchor, which was found by a Donegal fisherman, may be approximately two centuries old. A preliminary examination of the large anchor - measuring 7ft in height - has indicated that it probably dates from the 1800's. Initially, it had been thought that the anchor might be from a Spanish Armada wreck as it was found in an area where at least two Armada ships are believed to have foundered in 1588.
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Toxic scare halts gathering of shellfish in Clew Bay The Mayo News.
High levels of toxic algae in shellfish off the West coast has forced the Western Health Board and the Food Safety Authority to issue a warning to people not to gather Bi-Valve Shellfish, mainly mussels and oysters, from the foreshores of Clew Bay and Achill Island. The presence of toxic algae in shellfish can cause a variety of health problems if consumed by humans. A number of reports have been received from people who have developed symptoms of illnesses resembling those of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) after consuming mussels. The authority suspects that these reports are linked to the harmful algae blooms that are occurring naturally along the West coast. Rise in water temperature and the run-off of nitrates and phosphates from the mountains are blamed for an increase in the toxic algae.
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ESB confirms interest in West gas power station The Mayo News this week.
The ESB are definitely interested in the construction of a gas-fired electricity generating station in the West, according to Fine Gael Public Enterprise Spokesperson, Deputy Jim Higgins. In a statement, Deputy Higgins said: " Contrary to common perception, the ESB is extremely interested in the construction of a Gas Power Station somewhere in the West using gas from the Corrib Gas Field. However, a decision to build such a station would very much depend on the cost at which the gas would be made available to the ESB. Also of crucial importance would be the extent and projected lifespan of the Corrib Field".
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Town Twinning with HoechstadtThe Western People this week.
The formal twinning between Castlebar and Hoechstadt an der Aisce in Germany is now scheduled to take place on Sunday September the 24th, according to Mr. John Condon, Castlebar Town Clerk. It is expected that up to forty people from Castlebar will travel for the event. While in Hoechstadt, which is in the southern German state of Bavaria, the Castlebar group will engage in discussions with industrialists, educationalists and youth organisations to determine how links already established can be further developed and strengthened
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No sign of the 'YANK' as the Field goes under the hammer The Western People this Tuesday.
Where was the 'Yank' when he was needed most? Well, it was a pity there was no sign of him on Friday last in Westport when the cottage and farm used in the Oscar nominated 'The Field' went under the hammer at a packed Castlecourt Hotel. Local auctioneer, John Judge, had to withdraw the cottage and farm from sale when the bidding failed to reach the reserve price of £300,000. However, last night the Westport auctioneer was busy negotiating with two parties. " We've had an offer that exceeds the reserve price of £300,000 and we're negotiating. The publicity surrounding the sale has been incredible and we have been inundated with enquires since Friday," said Mr. Judge. Movie buffs will be well aware of the intervention by the 'Yank' (Tom Berringer) in the movie when he purchased the 'Field' from under the nose of the 'Bull McCabe', played by Richard Harris. The film was shot in and around the Leenane area with many locals playing the part of extras with such international stars as Richard Harris, Tom Berringer and John Hurt.
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People of Knock being held to ransom over pharmacy The Western People this week.
The provision of a pharmacy in the village of Knock is being hindered by regulations that have helped create a monopoly situation in the delivery of medical services, according to Michael Kilcoyne, chairman of the Consumers Association of Ireland. Mr. Kilcoyne's comments come in the wake of the refusal by the Minister of Health, Dr. Michael Woods to meet a delegation about the situation in Knock on the grounds that he was "too busy". The Consumers' Association has been calling for the opening of more pharmacies in this country where as few as 1,200 outlets control a £700 million annual retail and community pharmacy business. Mr. Kilcoyne said the regulations introduced by then Health Minister, Michael Noonan, have led to restrictions in the market rather than any opening up that would encourage healthy competition.
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