Man warned of prison sentence if convicted of third drug offence

Fri, Apr 17, 2009

A Northern Irish man living in Mayo was given a stark warning by Judge Mary Devins that if he was convicted for drug offences for a third time in a district court he could face a prison sentence.

Joseph Lee of Lisgorman, Bohola, Castlebar pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis in court. On September 1 2008, he was stopped by Gardaí in his car who searched the vehicle and found €10 worth of cannabis. Solicitor for Lee, Linda Lenihan told the court that her client was from Northern Ireland originally and was currently on disability benefit from there as he suffered from post traumatic stress disorder following from atrocities he witnessed in the north. The court heard he used cannabis to relieve the stress he suffered from this disorder. He also had problems sleeping and found that cannabis helped him sleep better. Lee had a previous conviction for possession of cannabis in 2006.

Fr Peyton remembered at 100th anniversary celebrations

Fri, Apr 17, 2009

Mayor of Ballina Councillor Michelle Mulherin along with Cllrs Padraig Moore and Mark Winters visited Scranton, Pennslyvania prior to St Patrick’s Day to join in the 100th anniversary celebrations of the birth of Fr Patrick Peyton. The Scranton-Ballina sister city committee hosted the three Ballina councillors.

Six month driving ban for woman who blocked lane of traffic

Fri, Apr 17, 2009

A Castlebar woman was banned from driving for six months and convicted and fined €300 by Judge Mary Devins in Castlebar District Court this week for parking her car in the middle of the street. Kathleen McDonagh, 35 Cois Abhainn, Castlebar was not in court but was represented by a solicitor.

Newport woman to appeal disqualification for parking in disabled spot

Fri, Apr 17, 2009

Recognisance was fixed to appeal the sentence handed down by Judge Mary Devins to a Newport woman who she disqualified from driving for a year for parking in a disabled space.

Libertas candidates tell Castlebar meeting they will fight for farm freedom

Fri, Apr 17, 2009

Libertas candidates will make defending Irish agriculture their “highest priority” if elected to the European Parliament, Declan Ganley and Raymond O’Malley told a crowd of over 100 people in Castlebar on Tuesday night.

Some great offers now available at Gifts Supreme

Fri, Apr 17, 2009

What’s the point in having a fabulous home if you don’t have the right accessories to set it off.

It’s well worth a visit to Gifts Supreme, Castlebar, which houses one of the largest selections of homewares and interiors in the west of Ireland, stocking up to date trends and a vast selection of all types of everything you could ever need in your kitchen.

Prison for Castlebar drunk driver caught driving while disqualified

Fri, Apr 17, 2009

A 33-year-old unemployed carpenter from Castlebar was given a three month prison sentence for drunk driving and driving with no insurance. Stephen Munnelly, Rocklands, Castlebar pleaded guilty to all charges in Castlebar District Court this week.

HSE develops Common Sense Parenting Programme in Mayo

Fri, Apr 17, 2009

The HSE in Mayo has developed a new parenting programme called Common Sense Parenting, a skills-based programme in which parents develop practical and effective ways to enhance their parenting skills and strengthen their children’s potential and quality of life.

Mayo households are recycling 34.1 per cent of household waste

Fri, Apr 17, 2009

Figures published in 2009 by the Environmental Protection Agency show that 15.2 per cent more household waste was recycled in Mayo in 2007 compared to the previous year. Households in the Mayo area recycled 18,545 tonnes of waste by using green bins, brown bins, home composting, bring banks and civic amenity centres.

Killala town park to be ready for early summer

Fri, Apr 17, 2009

Fine Gael Councillor Jarlath Munnelly has welcomed progress on the construction of a new town park in Killala. The Fine Gael councillor, who has been lobbying for improved facilities in the north Mayo town throughout his council term, said that construction was ongoing, and that the children’s playground would be completed very soon.

Man who paid speeding fine but failed to produce insurance banned

Fri, Apr 17, 2009

A Westport man who was stopped for speeding and paid his fine but failed to produce his insurance and driving licence within 10 days was disqualified from driving for a year at Castlebar District Court this week.

Kenny welcomes ban on ‘party drug’ ingredient

Fri, Apr 17, 2009

The Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny TD has welcomed the ban on benzylpiperazine, the active ingredient used in many party drugs sold over the counter in so-called Head shops. The substance was never included in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and therefore could be sold legally despite many health organisations identifying numerous health risks to be associated with the use of these drugs.

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