Ballina man smashed in ex-partner’s window

Fri, Dec 11, 2009

A 26-year-old man who, while intoxicated, kicked the front door of his ex-partner’s house and smashed in her window as he was upset that she was in a new relationship was before Ballina District Court this week for criminal damage and public order charges.

O’Mahony concerned over large number of gardaí leaving the force in Mayo

Fri, Dec 11, 2009

Thirty gardaí have retired from the force in Mayo within the past 12 months, according to figures released to Mayo Fine Gael TD, John O’Mahony. The vast majority of those who retired were rank and file gardaí who were serving in districts throughout the county, and Deputy O’Mahony has called on the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to ensure that the vacancies at all levels in the force in the county be filled.

Westport mourns double tragedy

Fri, Dec 11, 2009

The town of Westport was plunged into mourning this week after the death of two men last weekend. On Sunday the body of Noel Gill, who had gone missing in the Dutch city of Rotterdam on November 19, was found. Mr Gill was last seen by a friend in the city between 4am and 4.30pm close to the Erasmus Bridge, near Churchillplein in the city centre. A large scale appeal to help find Mr Gill was launched by his family and friends online including a website and Facebook appeals in their effort to locate him. Mr Gill had been in Rotterdam for over a year at the time he went missing, but would return to Mayo regularly to see his wife Cindy and their two children.

Mayo building firm director liable for €1.6m

Fri, Dec 11, 2009

A Mayo-born director of a building company which went into voluntary liquidation has been held personally liable for €1.6 million of its debts, the High Court has ruled, as reported in this week’s The Irish Times.

Man dies following single vehicle crash

Fri, Dec 11, 2009

Gardaí in Foxford are appealing for information from the public following an accident which claimed the life of a young man on Monday morning.

Ring hits out at over 400 per cent increase in under twenty fives out of work in Westport

Fri, Dec 11, 2009

Fine Gael TD Michael Ring this week hit out at the more than 400 per cent increase in under 25s who are currently on the live register in Westport. Commenting on the most recent figures released by the CSO, Deputy Michael Ring said: “The latest report highlights the failure of Government policy in dealing with unemployment. These figures show that Westport has now the second highest rate of increase in unemployment in Ireland. In November 2007 there were 63 people under the age of 25 claiming Jobseeker’s payment in Westport, this has now increased to 321. That is an astonishing increase of 409 per cent in the last two years. The Government has a responsibility to try and get people back to work, but they seem to be at a loss for any ideas to get young people back at work.”

Litter lout may face jail

Fri, Dec 11, 2009

A Ballina woman may face jail after litter charges were brought against her by Ballina Town Council when evidence linking her to rubbish dumped at the Killala Road was found.

Employers encouraged to apply to Employment Subsidy Scheme – Flynn

Fri, Dec 11, 2009

Applications are now being invited to the second, broader, Government Employment Subsidy Scheme, according to local Fianna Fáil TD Beverley Flynn. The criteria for the Scheme have now been expanded to support a wider range of jobs and Mayo businesses should investigate their eligibility for taking part in the scheme, Deputy Flynn said.

Erris shocked by death of respected businessman

Fri, Dec 04, 2009

The Bangor Erris region was left reeling in shock after local businessman Frank Brogan passed away suddenly on Monday evening at his residence.

Report to be conducted on taxis in Ballina

Fri, Dec 04, 2009

A motion proposed by Fine Gael councillor Michelle Mulherin that a report be commissioned into the “efficacy of the functioning of all aspects of the taxi service in Ballina”, due to the overcrowding of taxis at parking ranks and double parking in the town, was before Ballina Town Council’s reconvened monthly meeting this week.

Castlebar councillors condemn irresponsible landlords

Fri, Dec 04, 2009

Castlebar councillors slammed “irresponsible landlords” in the town who allow their properties to be rented to people who cause anti social behaviour in estates where many residents are “tortured”.