A quick run through some of the stories from around the county this week in our News in Brief section.
Castlebar store closes after 31 years in business
Castlebar's long serving gift and homeware store Gifts Supreme on Linenhall Street has announced it is closing its doors. Trading in the town centre for almost 31 years the owner has decided to move in a new direction. The management would like to take this opportunity to offer their heartfelt thanks to all their customers and friends as well as the loyal staff who served over the years. Closing down sale begins is now underway and all vouchers and credit notes are redeemable for the duration of the sale.
Search stood down for missing Mayo man
The search for David Gavin, who went missing in Kinbasket Lake in Canada on June 30, was stood down last week until next May. David's family and his girlfriend Ciara O'Malley returned home from Canada last week — after making the decision to stand down the search until the spring time when it is hoped that the lake reservoir will be lower and it will hopefully be easier to search. David’s family has thanked everyone for their support in the search efforts over the past number of months.
Two men to appear in court following stolen property recovery
Two men are to appear before Ballina District Court next week following the seizure of a significant amount of stolen property in the Knockmore area recently. A planned surveillance operation, conducted by Foxford gardai, recovered the stolen property at a house in the early hours of Monday, September 25.
Two men were arrested at the scene and have now been charged in relation to the seizures. They are due to appear at the next sitting of Ballina District Court on Tuesday, October 10. Superintendent Joe Doherty thanked the public for their assistance and called on people who notice items such as lawnmowers and trailers parked in unusual places to notify the Garda immediately.
Daft report sees house prizes in Mayo rise again
House prices nationally over the last year have risen by more than €50 on average every day, according to the latest House Price Report released this week by Daft.ie Following a 0.3 per cent increase in the third quarter of 2017, the national average list price is now almost €241,000, 8.9 per cent higher than a year ago. It means that prices have risen by almost 47 per cent on average from their lowest point in late 2013. In Mayo, prices in the third quarter of 2017 were five per cent higher than a year previously, compared to a rise of 10 per cent seen a year ago. The average house price is now €144,000, 30 per cent above its lowest point.
Munnelly welcomes funding for Killala inner relief road
Fine Gael councillor Jarlath Munnelly welcomed the additional allocation of €249,000 to complete the Killala town inner relief road. The Killala based councillor has stated that this additional funding will be used to complete the section of road in the town, and will improve traffic flows in and around the town by removing a difficult junction. The first phase of the Killala inner relief road commenced in 2013, which included widening a section of the road in the town adjacent to the foreshore and construction of footpaths on either side of the road. This final section of this road completes the project by constructing a new section of road between Shore Road and the Killala-Ballina road, thus removing an inclined junction between Shore Road/Ballina Road opposite St Patrick's Cathedral. Commenting on the grant, Cllr Munnelly thanked Mayo County Council for its work on the scheme, and said he hoped that the work would commence soon. "I would like to thank the roads section of Mayo County Council for pursuing this project and securing funding. Additional funding was required to purchase the land and now to build this section of road. I would like to thank Minister Ring for pursuing this matter too, and I hope that work can commence on this work right away."
€33,000 for GAA club will provide huge boost to Tourmakeady community — Ring
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, has said that the €33,000 which has been allocated by Minister Joe McHugh as part of the Scéim na hÁiseannaí Pobail fund is excellent news for Tourmakeady. “I am delighted that Tourmakeady has received this funding which will be of huge benefit to the local GAA club and, by extension, the local community for years to come. The money will be used to provide a new floor in the sports hall at CLG Thuar Mhic Éadaigh. Having pushed for this funding to be provided for Tourmakeady, I am delighted that it has now come to fruition. For over 50 years, CLG Thuar Mhic Éadaigh has provided a valuable sporting outlet for the local population and provided excellent facilities for the community. Last year it hosted the prestigious Comórtras Peile na Gaeltachta for the first time.
“As Minister for the recently created Department of Rural and Community Affairs, I am determined to ensure that our rural communities are given the support and resources they require. Organisations like the GAA are the heartbeat of our rural communities and I believe this investment by the Government will be of significant benefit for the local population in Tourmakeady.”
IWAK welcomes official opening of M17 motorway bringing Galway closer to the airport
Ireland West Airport has welcomed the official opening of the new M17 motorway from Tuam to Gort providing improved access and shorter journey times between Galway and the airport. The motorway begins at the northern end of the N18 Crusheen to Gort road which opened to traffic in November 2010. The route will be of motorway standard from Gort to the junction at Kilmore, just south of Tuam — a distance of 53.2km. The new motorway will provide a significant boost for the airport as it brings the Galway market even closer to the airport cutting potentially 15 to 20 minutes off the journey time between Galway city in particular and the airport.
In 2016 more than 70,000 Galway residents flew from the airport availing of the 24 international destinations now available. In addition close to 100,000 overseas visitors visit the Galway region annually as part of the their trip to the west after flying into Ireland West Airport, providing an economic boost of some €30m annually to the Galway region. Commenting on the opening of the new motorway, Joe Gilmore, managing director, Ireland West Airport, said: "We are delighted to welcome the opening of the new M17 Tuam to Gort motorway. Not only will the completion of the motorway improve the transport infrastructure along the Western Corridor but the shorter journey time will make our airport even more convenient for the people of Galway, providing even easier access to our network of 24 international destinations, including the biggest selection of UK services available from the west of Ireland."
