Protest at Mayo General
A protest is to take place at Mayo General Hospital this Saturday February 25 at 1pm. The protest, organised by former councillor Harry Barrett, is being staged to call for an end to the current trolley crisis at the facility. Barrett stated: "With 23 people on trolleys last Wednesday in Mayo General Hospital, the practise is unacceptable and is causing undue hardship and suffering to people who have to wait for hours on end to access basic health care at the hospital. We have to protest and point out that our Accident and Emergency Department is failing HIQA inspections due to the overload on staff. This is causing excessive delays and is seriously impacting the health of the sick and elderly who have to wait for hours on end. It is causing harm and I am calling on people to come out and protest so that the HSE realise that serious changes have to be made. HSE Forum West is meeting shortly and a message has to go out to senior managers that the current level of service is both dangerous and harmful. I call again for as many people as possible to attend on Saturday outside the hospital to make your voices heard."
Work on Swinford water supply
Deputy Alan Dillon has welcomed news that work will begin on replacing 2.5km of old water mains in Swinford over the next two weeks, which he said means that many homes and businesses in the town will be guaranteed a more reliable water supply before the summer. Deputy Dillon said: “I have received confirmation from Uisce Éireann that new pipes along Davitt Place, Park Road, Kiltimagh Road, Chapel St and Market St will put a stop to outages and leakages in these areas. Work will begin in these areas over the next two weeks with a completion date this summer.” Deputy Dillon said he has been informed that traffic lights will be in operation during the project but this will be limited to short sections to minimise impact. “These essential works may also involve some short-term water interruptions but the team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours notice of any planned interruptions.”
Tributes to former Erris councillor Paddy Cosgrave
Warm tributes were paid to former Mayo County Councillor Paddy Cosgrave by members of the authority at their meeting this week, where he was remembered fondly as a great character, a person of serious ability and with a unique turn of phrase; a man who was constructive and passionate; who always had his homework done, was on top of his brief and really got to the root of things and ensured his area of Bangor Erris was served to the best; a man who left his mark in the region, who had a quick wit, was jovial, good-humoured, and a proud Erris man; a man who worked on both sides of the Corrib Gas development, who made great contributions, including to education in Mayo, and a man who was way ahead of the curve. Cllr Cosgrave, familiarly known as POC, served on the council between 1985-1999 during which he occupied the role of Chairman for one term. As a mark of respect to the late Paddy Cosgrave, a 15-minute adjournment followed the tributes before the council meeting proper commenced.
Submissions sought on pay-related Jobseeker's Benefit
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has launched a stakeholder consultation forum on proposals for a new Pay-Related Jobseeker’s Benefit scheme in Ireland and is inviting all interested parties to have their say. The Minister stated: “Pay-Related Benefit is a system that is in place in countries across the European Union. It is all about removing that so-called ‘cliff-edge’ and softening the sudden income shock workers can face upon losing their jobs. The introduction of a pay-related benefit system would bring Ireland in line with our European neighbours. It would also ensure that the employment benefit people receive is commensurate with their financial commitments as much as possible. We saw during the Pandemic that a pay-related benefit system can work. But it’s important to get the design of any such proposal right.” Submissions are invited from all interested stakeholders, including workers, jobseekers, representative organisations, and employers, and should be forwarded by email to: [email protected] by 28 February 2023.
Agricultural Courses Open Day
Atlantic Technological University (ATU ) Mountbellew will hold an open day on Wednesday, 1 March, 2023 from 10am to 12.30pm for secondary school students, parents, teachers and mature applicants on all ATU and Teagasc agriculture courses delivered on campus. The event will also include tours of the campus and facilities and around the two college farms. To register please telephone 090 9679205 or email [email protected]. For full information on ATU courses available on the ATU Mountbellew campus see www.atu.ie
Buildings on Inisraher island upgraded to produce renewable energy
Renewable heat and power specialist Astatine has given Inisraher island in Clew Bay, a renewed lease of life by offering its services, which are usually focused on large industrial projects, to help the small island become energy independent. Solar, batteries and heat pumps ensure the clean renewable electricity produced from the solar panels can also be used via the heat pump to cover the island’s heat needs. Unlike the rest of Ireland over the last year, energy prices on the island have remained predictable and stable as clean energy continued to meet their energy needs, rather than being exposed to escalating fuel costs. Inisraher, also known as ‘Maharishi Island of World Peace’, is a 30-acre island located in Clew Bay, Co. Mayo off the west coast of Ireland and a place where guests from all over the world visit to practice Transcendental Meditation. The buildings on the island are designed according to the ancient science of Vedic architecture – which means ‘architecture in tune with natural law’.
Gardaí still seeking information on collision in Ballindine
Gardaí are continuing to appeal for witnesses following a serious single vehicle road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 12:50am on Tuesday 14th February 2023 on the Ballindine to Irishtown Road (R328 ) in County Mayo. The driver, a male in his late teens, who was seriously injured as a result of this collision has since passed away. A file will now be prepared for the coroner. A female passenger, aged in her teens, was also injured during the course of this collision and is currently being treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries. Investigating Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward. Gardaí are also appealing to those with camera footage (including motorists with dash-cam ) who were travelling in the area between midnight and 1am to make this footage available to them. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Claremorris Garda Station on 094 9372 080, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
