Junior Minister Calleary rises quickly through the political ranks

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

Dara Calleary’s rise through the political ranks continued apace this week with the announcement that he has been appointed a Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment, with special responsibility for Labour Affairs. Calleary, who was elected to the Dáil for the first time at the last general election, has become the first junior minster to be appointed from the county since Tom Moffatt lost his Dáil seat as a sitting junior minister with responsibility for health in the 2002 general election.

Balaclava-clad men enter Glengad site with iron bars

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

The already tense situation at Glengad, Belmullet, between anti Shell activists and security staff working at the Shell compound, escalated on Wednesday night, April 22, when at approximately 11.30pm “up to 15 men wearing balaclavas and armed with iron bars and chains entered the compound and threatened the security staff,” according to a Garda statement.

Frank Chambers for Europe?

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

The shock news that sitting MEP Seán Ó Neachtain will not now be contesting the European Parliamentary Elections in June due to ill health has left Fianna Fáil in a tight corner and down a candidate with only just over six weeks to go to the election. The burning question is to who will they get to replace the former Galway school teacher on the ticket alongside the recently nominated Pascal Mooney.

Rottweiler broke loose and caused car accident

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

A Knock man was convicted and fined €500 after his Rottweiler broke loose from its chain at the back of the house and caused three cars to crash. Garda Donal Raftery told the court that he was called to the incident in the town at 12.30pm where three cars had been involved in an accident after Emmett Coyne of Lakehill, Knock, Claremorris’ dog broke loose from the back of his home.

Sod finally turned on Joe Langan sports hall

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

The sod was turned this week at the controversial Davitt College sports hall which has been 27 years in the waiting.

Brothers sold

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

Two brothers who pretended to sell a laptop to a Polish woman but instead gave her a laptop case with two bottles of water in it have been convicted and fined.

Kenny hits out at O’Keeffe’s whirlwind tour of Mayo

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

The Minster for Education Batt O’Keeffe adhered to a busy itinerary on Wednesday as he opened three schools and four school extensions in the county.

Man gets prison and fine for dangerous driving

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

A Latvian man with a number of previous driving convictions was given two terms of 28 days in prison to be served consecutively following a conviction for dangerous driving and other driving offences at Claremorris District Court this week.

Councillors’ expenses to be published every year

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

A proposal put forward by Fine Gael Councillor Paddy McGuinness that the council publish each January the allowances and expenses paid to elected members during the previous year was passed at the monthly county council meeting this week.

Attacks on Ballina Mayor ‘a waste of chamber’s time’

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

Mayor of Ballina Councillor Michelle Mulherin has hit back at her Fianna Fáil town council colleague Cllr Padraic Moore who accused her of treating the chain of office “like a piece of jewellery”.

Driving ban for woman with no insurance

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

A Ballinrobe woman was banned from driving for a year after being convicted at Claremorris District Court this week for driving with no insurance. Teresa Sweeney, 5 Bog Road, Ballinrobe was convicted in her absence.

Inishturk loop walks launched

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

The picturesque view of the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the rugged shores of Inishturk, from the Inishturk Community Centre on Monday, was the perfect setting for the launch of two walks on the island by Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Joe Mellet.

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