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SAVING THE FARMER

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Although it was not its assigned purpose, a fascinating and at times troubling picture of life at the coalface of agricultural production in this country emerged from the proceedings of a major gathering of the industry’s practitioners and advisers in Monaghan Town last week.

The all island farm safety conference was a co-ordinated attempt by agencies North and South to assess the unacceptably high level of Irish farm fatality and serious injury and test strategies for the problem’s address.

The perception of farming as a profession encompassing inevitable dangers that will always visit some level of harm on those who engage in it has been challenged in recent years.

Shock among all sections of society evoked by some high-profile fatal farm accidents has galvanised the industry and those State entities with an industrial safety role to attempt to confront the problem at source.

Information campaigns and a mixture of inducements and sanctions have been employed to raise consciousness of safety responsibilities among farm professionals and assist them in making remedial investments.

How effective the remedies have been seems to depend on when an assessment of them is made. Sometimes the situation appears improved, only for it to suddenly get worse, and the problem never goes away.

So far this year fifteen people have lost their lives on farms in the Republic, two of them in Co Monaghan. Four people have died in the North.

The different perspectives generating the presentations and debate at the Monaghan conference all seemed to agree on one conclusion: those who make their living on farms are now acutely aware of the dangers their working environment can pose to themselves, their families, employees and visitors, but are sometimes either unwilling or unable to bring about the behavioural changes that would abate the risks.

Why this is may be explained by the picture of the modern Irish industry that indirectly emerged from the proceedings.

Agricultural production remains the most important component of the engine driving economic activity in this country. In our own county, for example, it is intrinsic to food processing and the considerable employment this sector generates for our people and supplies a myriad of retail concerns which are also a major source of jobs.

The farmer has many people depending on him – he must cater to a constant and escalating demand home and abroad, which often dictates investment in and deployment of a range of high-powered machinery and sophisticated technology that escalate the risk factor of the profession.

Not only must he meet the incessant clamour of the demand, but he must do so in adherence to a complex set of rules designed to ensure that his output is produced sustainably and in conformity to modern tastes and trends in quality and nutrition, and that he doesn’t harm the environment or pollute the countryside while hitting his marks.

Money has to be found to make the investments necessary to keep up with what society expects of him – but when he turns to the market for the return needed to stay the pace, he often finds that the forces of competition that rule the multiples, and the harsh mistress of globalisation, don’t deem his efforts worth much more than a meagre portion. And if he complains about his lot, society has evolved a stereotype of the eternal malcontent to comfort the deaf ear it often chooses to turn to him.

Our aspirational, acquisitive society and its patterns of consumption have created such a highly pressurised environment for farmers to work in that a considered analysis suggests that the relevant question is not why so many people continue to die and get seriously hurt in agriculture, but rather why the statistics are not even more shocking.

The presentation made to the Monaghan conference by Dr Denis O’Hora, from the School of Psychology at NUI Galway, identified stress and anxiety, often generated by subjective financial threat, as potentially highly significant factors in farm accidents.

Safety concerns, Dr O’Hora stated, were competing with production concerns in farmers’ minds, and it was often the case that “the urgent drives out the important”.

The academic’s analysis was insightful not only of the factors that create the conditions under which tragedies on Irish farms occur, but also of the considerable mental health pressures that modern farming practices have become associated with.

He advocated social support as the most reliable means of safeguarding farmers from adverse mental health outcomes and reducing the anxiety and stress factors that heightened their injury risk.

Knowledge exchange, mentoring and simple farmer to farmer interaction also emerged from other elements of the conference as important means through which best farm safety practice can be disseminated. The effectiveness of this approach was demonstrated at the event itself when a number of very sensible, practical and relatively inexpensive tips were exchanged which could very easily end up saving life and limb in the future – one of the best being the advice to those engaged in farm work to always have a reliable mobile phone on their person in the event of a sudden accident or emergency befalling them.

Access by farmers to better social support will certainly improve the chances of the farm safety problem being reduced towards elimination.

But the dangers attendant to modern Irish farming will perhaps never be totally effaced until wider society examines the punishing demands it carelessly makes on the sector and resolves to match them with its own compensating support mechanisms.

As former Irish rugby international and Newry farmer Simon Best said at the Monaghan event: “Farmers are extremely proud of what they do, sometimes without appreciation or recompense, and more support to help them improve their businesses would be appreciated.”


INFORMATION SOUGHT ON GIRL MISSING FROM MONAGHAN

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GARDAI are appealing for information on the whereabouts of a 14-year old girl who has been missing from the Monaghan town area since Monday.

Ann Kerrigan, who is described as of small build and having brown hair, was last seen at the library on the North Road, Monaghan town at some time after 6pm on Monday evening. She had been wearing light denim jeans, a black coat and black runners at the time.

A spokesperson said gardai were anxious about Ms Kerrigan’s safety and keen to locate her as soon as possible. Anyone with information can contact Monaghan Garda Station at 047-77200 or phone the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666111.

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MONAGHAN’S FINEST TALENTS ARE REWARDED NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY

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SIR JOHN LESLIE RECEIVES TOP FRENCH HONOUR FOR HIS WARTIME SERVICE

By Michael Fisher in Dublin

The talents and achievements of Monaghan people of different generations have been recognized at a series of separate events in Dublin during the past week. On Monday at the residence of the French Ambassador, family and friends of Sir Jack Leslie from Glaslough joined the celebrations as the 98 year-old World War II veteran was awarded France’s highest distinction. The former Irish Guards officer was made a Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, adding to his formal title of fourth baronet. The distinction was bestowed by the French Minister of State for Veterans and Remembrance, M. Jean-Marc Todeschini. Representatives of the British Army and the Irish Defence Forces were present for this important occasion that was another chapter in the historical friendship between Ireland and France. The Bishop of Clogher Dr Liam Mac Daid and Donagh Parish Priest Fr Hubert Martin were also among the guests.

Sir Jack, who will be 99 next month, said he wished to accept the award on behalf of all soldiers from the island of Ireland who fought and died in the two great wars.

As a second Lieutenant in the Irish Guards, Jack Leslie commanded a unit at Boulogne-sur-Mer in 1940 that took on the advancing Panzers of the German army and held them back for several days allowing thousands of other British soldiers to be evacuated from Dunkerque. He was taken prisoner and spent the rest of the war in a prisoner-of-war camp in Germany (see page 16).

SCIFEST 2015 WINNER

Also in Dublin a student from County Monaghan for the second year in a row took top honours in the SciFest exhibition in the Marino conference centre on Friday. Louis Madden, a fifth year student from Largy College in Clones, was named the overall winner of SciFest 2015. His project looked at whether genetic testing and DNA research can be carried out simply, cheaply and efficiently.

SciFest is an all-island science initiative which fosters active, collaborative and inquiry-based learning among second level students. Last year, Christopher Carragher, a then sixth year student from Our Lady’s Secondary School, Castleblayney, was named the overall winner of SciFest 2014 for his …

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MUNICIPAL DISTRICT CALLS FOR BIG PUBLIC TURN-OUT AT MONAGHAN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON EVENT

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PETER HUGHES

The members of the Monaghan Municipal District on Monday appealed for a big public-turn out at the official switch-on of the Monaghan town Christmas lighting display, which takes place this Sunday, November 22 in Church Square.

One of Monaghan’s authentic sporting superstars, Rugby Union International Tommy Bowe, will perform the honours at the gala event, which will also be graced by an early visit from perennial Christmas caller Santa Claus, accompanied by his good lady wife and some of the elves who labour busily at the North Pole at this time of year.

A great fun day out for both children and adults will also have Ireland’s biggest snowman, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Frozen’s Olaf, Peppa Pig and Hello Kitty on the guest list.

Musical entertainment will be provided by local choirs and Monaghan Community Brass Band, in addition to a DJ-led live disco roadshow.

The Polar Express train will be making trips to Santa’s grotto, where children can get their word in early for their gift of choice, or alternatively drop a letter in Father Christmas’s postbox. A magical Christmas carousel, face painting and balloon modelling will also ensure that the youngsters have plenty of entertainment to enjoy.

Proceedings run from 4-6 pm.

At Monday’s MD meeting, Fine Gael councillor David Maxwell welcomed the fact that work had already commenced on the erection of Christmas lighting in the town.

Replying to Colr Maxwell, Acting Co-ordinator Dermot Deeney said that a different contractor from last year had been engaged to erect the lights. The job had been put out to tender and there had only been one submission. The price was less than last year, he added.

Mr Deeney added that he had been assured that…

 

MADE IN MONAGHAN MAKES IT MARK IN MONAGHAN TOWN!  

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They didn’t let a bit of rain dampen their spirits at the recent Open Day of Made in Monaghan, held last Saturday in The Diamond.

In true Monaghan style, people came out in great numbers to support this initiative, which is co-ordinated by Monaghan LEO and Monaghan County Council. A growing community of 17 local and hugely talented Artisan Food and Craft producers have taken up residency in this Pop Up venture, that complements the fine, existing retail offering of Monaghan town.

They are overwhelmed by the support given to this project and in particular to Mullan Lighting for the supply of their bespoke fittings, to Seamus McKenna of M&S Electric for kindly fitting them, and for the continuing support of Monaghan County Enterprise Fund and the local bands Sun.Set.Ships and FIELDS, who provided upbeat music on the day. Local celebrities Fíonnadh McGongaile and Cathy McKenna, who are currently on The Great Irish Bake Off, made a guest appearance and Cathy provided some ideas for making those all-important, Cake Toppers. Everyone would like to wish both budding entrepreneurs well in their baking endeavours.

This Pop Up initiative aims to highlight the work by some of Co. Monaghan’s finest Artisan Food and Craft products and is an ideal outlet to source those special handmade Christmas gifts. According to Eilín Connolly of Monaghan LEO, “This Pop–Up shop is a collaborative effort to support local businesses, develop capacity and to complement the retail experience of Monaghan town”. She continues, “This retail collective captures the bringing together of some of the County’s best products, many of which have won local and national awards and we are delighted to be part of it”.

An eclectic mix of distinctive interior …

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BUS ÉIREANN DELIVERS GOOD NEWS FOR ITS MONAGHAN PASSENGERS

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- Route and information improvements planned and funding being sought for depot revamp, Municipal District told

PETER HUGHES

Representatives from Bus Éireann who addressed Monday’s meeting of the Monaghan Municipal District brought with them copious promise of good news for users of their service in Monaghan town.

Regional Manager David Lane and Local Services Manager Joanne Duffy outlined plans to carry out significant improvements both internally and externally to the Monaghan Bus Station next year, with the installation of an electronic Real Time Passenger Information display to allow prospective passengers observe the progress of buses along their routes.

The Bus Éireann representatives also addressed complaints the members had raised about the reliability of the early morning service from Monaghan to Dublin Airport, and capacity issues relating to the Letterkenny and Derry express buses that collected passengers in Monaghan, promising improvements in the bus services available in the town during 2016.

On the proposal of Sean Conlon, the Municipal District agreed to request the Dept of Transport and the National Transport Authority to give their full approval to the submissions for funding being made by Bus Éireann for proposals that would enhance their services throughout Co Monaghan.

Prior to the Bus Éireann presentation, Cathaoirleach Robbie Gallagher said that this followed on from requests from Colr Sean Conlon and other members who had recently been raising a number of transport issues.

Regional Manager Mr Lane, who pointed out that he had been invited to the May MD meeting but was unable to attend due to family reasons, said he was delighted to be present to outline plans by Bus Éireann for the Monaghan area.

He explained that Bus Éireann operated three core products: their public service obligation on behalf of the National Transport Authority (NTA), which accounted for two-thirds of their services and for which they received €32 million this year to operate because some of the routes were loss-making; their commercial routes, which were mainly inter-city services and for which they received no State funding; and their school transport service, which they operated on behalf of the Dept of Education and in which approximately 400 vehicles were involved.

Bus Éireann operated two core routes in Monaghan, Letterkenny-Dublin and Derry-Dublin. They adopted economies of scale across all their operations, with drivers mixing between the services. They received better procurement tendering when they were involved in so many services.

The company had 2,400 staff, and contributed significantly to local economies. In 2014 they contributed €64 million to the Exchequer, and were the largest provider of local and regional transport services in the country.

Noting that staff numbers had reduced over recent years with the changes in the economy, Mr Lane said that their State subvention had also been reduced from nearly €50 million in 2008/9 to €34 in 2015. While they had recorded a loss of €11 million in 2009, they had made a profit of €5 million in 2014, and this year’s profit forecast was €3 million.

Through Bus Éireann’s school transport service, 113,000 children were carried to 3,000 schools on 6,000 routes daily. They had invested €9.2 million this year in their Expressway fleet, and had gone for the higher capacity type bus. They planned to spend €10.4 million next year, €9.4 million on new fleet and the remainder on a refit programme for their older fleet.

Mr Lane also told the meeting that double-decker buses, capable of carrying 78 passengers, had been used to address capacity issues on the Monaghan-Dublin route.

Joanne Duffy told the meeting that she was Service Manager for the north-east region, which incorporated Drogheda, Dundalk, Cavan and Monaghan. Two of the core routes they operated were from Letterkenny and Derry through Monaghan, where they provided 192 weekly services, and 32 weekly additional capacity services. They also operated three public service operation routes in the local area: the Dundalk-Monaghan-Clones-Cavan 162 route which had 19 weekly departures; the Monaghan-Cavan route (68 weekly departures), and the Monaghan-Ardee-Drogheda route (86 weekly departures). They also operated 172 daily school trips in Monaghan, 47 by Bus Éireann itself, and 125 by private contract. A total of 3,700 children were being carried to school daily in Co Monaghan, 70 of whom were special needs children. She pointed out that a transport safety campaign for children had commenced in October.

Ms Duffy stated that Bus Éireann usually received around €4 million per annum in school bus funding from the Dept of Education. They…

THE ‘PRIDE’ OF MONAGHAN!

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By Cianna McNally

For the second time this year, a group of Clones secondary school students scooped a national award for a project they undertook that aimed to combat homophobia and homophobic bullying and to promote acceptance and understanding of the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) community.

The Largy College YSI Group of 2014 – 2015 won the top prize in the Young People in the Community Initiative Category at the annual IPB Co-operation Ireland Pride of Place Awards, which were announced last Saturday night at a glittering gala event in Ennis, Co. Clare for their project entitled ‘Let’s Get By Together.’ This was not the first taste of success for the fourteen students, who were guided by their teacher Sascha Comiskey, as back in May they were chosen as the outright winners of the Young Social Innovators competition.

More than 800 people from across the island filled the venue last Saturday night to hear the Pride of Place winners announced by RTE’s ….

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HISTORY MADE AS TONY AND DARREN SAY, “I DO!”

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History was made in Co Monaghan this week as The Hillgrove Hotel hosted the county’s first same sex marriage.

Officiant Eileen Morris conducted the marriage of Tony Day from Lisburn and Darren Baird from Belfast on Tuesday morning. Friends of the couple. Owner of The Hillgrove Hotel Audri Herron and Stephen Treanor from Monaghan, acted as witnesses.

Tony and Darren celebrated their wedding by holding a reception for 200 family and friends at The Hillgrove Hotel last Saturday, then stayed on in Monaghan to become one of the first couples to avail of the new marriage equality legislation in Ireland as it only became law on Monday.

Speaking to The Northern Standard, Audri commented: “The fact that Tony and Darren have been friends of ours for many years made their wedding and marriage all the more special to us.”

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TWO TOP AWARDS IN TWO DAYS FOR THE PEACE LINK

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By Cianna McNally

The iconic multi-million euro Clones sports complex The Peace Link won two prestigious national awards in the space of two days last week.

The facility, which only opened in September last year, represented Monaghan County Council at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards last Thursday night, 12th November, and was selected as the winner under the heading of Supporting Active Communities.

The Peace Link faced competition from three other local authorities that were also shortlisted in this category, Leitrim Co Council, South Dublin Co Council and Limerick City and Co Council. The judging panel were very impressed with the high calibre of entries and competition for a place on the shortlist was extremely tough.

These presentations are hosted by Chambers Ireland in partnership with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. This awards ceremony is held to recognise community initiatives which support and encourage communities to work for and with one another. Speaking to The Northern Standard, Cathaoirleach of Monaghan Co Council Noel Keelan described the win as “a good news day” for…

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DELIGHT EXPRESSED AS HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL’S NEW BUILDING PROJECT FINALLY GETS GREEN LIGHT

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By MICHAEL McDONNELL

michael@northern-standard.ie

DELIGHT was expressed this week by everyone involved with the Holy Family School in Cootehill at the news that funding has finally been approved for its long-sought new building, on which work is expected to commence next year.

Elected representatives including Arts Minister Heather Humphreys and fellow TD Sean Conlan, Cavan-based Senator Kathryn Reilly and local Bailieboro-Cootehill area county councillor Carmel Brady have also given a warm welcome to the announcement, which is being viewed by all concerned as breakthrough after 15 years of campaigning.

The Holy Family School is a special national school for pupils aged from four to 18, and is centrally located in Cootehill to cover its catchment area covering counties Cavan and Monaghan. The multi-denominational establishment, which currently has 157 pupils enrolled, caters for children and young people with learning disabilities ranging from severe to moderate, and also for pupils with autism.

A statement issued by the school yesterday said the Board of Management, staff, pupils and parents alike at the Holy Family School were delighted with the announcement that funding has been allocated for their new school building, the news of which was given to …

ILLEGAL CIGARETTES EASILY BOUGHT IN TOWNS ACROSS CO MONAGHAN

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By MICHAEL McDONNELL

michael@northern-standard.ie

ILLEGAL cigarette and tobacco products are readily obtainable in towns across Co Monaghan, and are selling at prices that are less than half of what consumers might expect to pay for similar quantities purchased through legitimate outlets.

During an undercover test purchasing operation in County Monaghan overseen by two former senior policemen on Wednesday of last week, a reporter and photographer from this newspaper witnessed a number of transactions in which illicit tobacco and cigarettes were obtained from sellers on the streets, and — on two occasions — from retail stores.

At a shop on the main street of one of the towns, this reporter accompanied a female undercover operative who purchased two 20-packs of cigarettes going under the bogus brand name “SK’s” for €4.50 each — a saving of €6 on the €10.50 retail price smokers have to pay for legitimate brands on which duty is paid.

While in a store in another town, the lady purchaser had earlier been handed two 50g pouches of Flandria tobacco for €13 each, which a man in the shop handed to her from behind other products that were on display. The transaction was viewed from outside the door of the premises by this reporter and recorded by our photographer.

The woman who bought the tobacco said the seller had cautioned her that he needed to be “careful”, as he could “get caught” for this.

These were contraband goods, i.e. genuine products from legitimate manufacturers that are smuggled into the country to avoid the payment of excise duty. The normal price for a 50g pouch would be about €25, meaning the end purchaser is saving €12, or close on half the price. Our undercover operative, however, said it was believed the seller would have paid only €4.70 for the packets, meaning that he, too, was making a handsome profit.

The covert test operation last Wednesday also resulted in purchases of tobacco pouches and cigarettes from on-street sellers.

At about 12 midday in Clones, a test purchase of contraband tobacco was made from a locally based on-street seller who, according to the investigators, appeared to have been well known for providing this particular service. While this writer did not witness the exchange, a reporter from another local newspaper has confirmed that they witnessed three 50g packets being sold for €37.50 (€12.50 each). The normal retail price for all three would range from €69 to €75.

Meanwhile, in Monaghan town’s Diamond Centre car park, we saw a male undercover operator of Lithuanian nationality purchase a ….

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40 NEW JOBS AS GLANBIA OPENS €15M UHT PLANT IN LOUGH EGISH

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MINISTERS HUMPHREYS AND NASH PRAISE COMPANY’S COMMITMENT TO LOCAL AREA

By MICHAEL McDONNELL

michael@northern-standard.ie

THE official opening last Friday of Glanbia’s new €15 million UHT (ultra-heat-treated) milk plant at Lough Egish, with the creation of 40 new jobs, has been welcomed not only as a good news story on the employment front, but also as providing a major boost for local suppliers in the dairy farming sector.

With a processing capacity for up to 100 million litres of milk per annum, the new ultra-modern processing facility will enable Glanbia Consumer Foods Ireland to produce a range of standard and fortified UHT milk and cream products for export to markets across the globe under its market leading brand, ‘Avonmore’.

Officially opened by Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys, and Minister of State for Business and Employment Ged Nash, the significance the Government is attaching to this investment in the heart of a rural area was underlined by the presence of not one, but two of its representatives.

Of the 40 new jobs being created at Lough Egish, 21 have already been filled, in a project that sees the Glanbia CFI investment supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland.

A range of long-life liquid milk and cream products (the shelf life can be up to 12 months) that are suitable for export to global markets including Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia will be produced at the site, while value-added milk and cream will also be manufactured in the near future.

At the opening ceremony, hosted in a plushly laid out marquee adjacent to the plant itself, ….

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ROCK SOLID ROCK’ CARRY ON WINNING ADMIRERS

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AIB Ulster Club Junior Football Championship Round Up

Is this current Rockcorry team the best team the club has come up with in nearly 30 years? Of course, we don’t want to overcook the already simmering expectation that has the village on-the-boil but, Berger, they’re looking good!

Those of a certain vintage in this neck of the woods remember great Rock’ teams from the early to mid-eighties. We won’t mention names. Some of them are currently in their pomp within the club as coaches and administrators and it wouldn’t do if they were to get ahead of themselves at this precious time in the club’s history, now would it?

This year’s JFL might have ended up being a cold house for Rockcorry’s hopes of adding to their silverware cabinet this year but it’s now getting hotter and hotter on the road to a possible Ulster club JFC title.

By dint of their 0-11 to 0-6 win last Sunday over Down dynamos Glasdrumman, the white and green brigade are now just 60 minutes or so away from bagging a provincial title.

We ought not to be too surprised though by Rock’s rolling over of the Mourne county champions for a lot of these fellas from the middle part of the county have been demonstrating their mettle since they won the IFL back in 2013.

A core of that all-conquering Rock’ team of two years ago is still in-tact and their…

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ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AT ST DAVNET’S CONDEMNED

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Incidents of anti-social behaviour occurring in and around the grounds of the St Davnet’s campus in Monaghan Town were condemned at the November meeting of the Monaghan Municipal District.

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Conlon said that at a previous meeting he had asked that correspondence be sent to the HSE’s Area Manager for Cavan Monaghan Leo Kinsella in relation to an access point that had been closed off at the St Davnet’s campus, located at the canal bridge near the old farmyard.

Asking that correspondence be reissued in this regard, Colr Conlon said this area had provided ease of access from the greenway to the St Davnet’s grounds.

David Maxwell (Fine Gael) said he had been told that this decision had been taken to limit access to the grounds in order to stop the growth in anti-social behaviour there. “Some significant damage was caused,” Colr Maxwell pointed out.

Paudge Connolly (Independent) said the greenway and the campus were both used as walking areas and the gateway Colr Conlon referred to was a connector between both locations. They couldn’t argue against trying to stop anti-social behaviour but he wasn’t so sure there was evidence that the gateway area was being used by those responsible for it.

Seamus Treanor (Independent) called on the Gardaí to start implementing the town bye-law that prohibited drinking in public.

“There has never been anyone prosecuted in this regard,” Colr Treanor claimed.

Cathaoirleach Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fáil) said he had also received representations on the closed gateway, and had sent an email to the HSE on the matter and received a reply, which he read to the meeting.

The response Colr Gallagher received pointed out that the St Davnet’s campus was a HSE health and social care facility that delivered key services, and the campus was also…

 

PAYMENT OF WATER CHARGES WILL BE CONDITION OF NEW TENANT PURCHASE SCHEME

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PETER HUGHES

Monaghan Co Council was informed at its Statutory Budget Meeting on Friday last that people availing of a new scheme under which they can purchase the local authority houses they are renting will have to have paid their water charges in order to avail of the scheme.

The scheme is expected to come into effect early next year, and members agreed to have a presentation on its details at the January Council meeting.

During a discussion on the housing element of the Co Council’s 2016 Budget, Fine Gael representative Ciara McPhillips said that she was delighted to hear that a tenant purchase scheme for next year had been launched, and asked if the Council needed to make any provision for it in their Budget.

Jackie Crowe (Sinn Féin) welcomed the fact that a new tenant purchase scheme was to be introduced, but asked if it was true that people who hadn’t paid their property tax wouldn’t be eligible for it.

Head of Finance John Murray said that the local authority paid the property tax on houses it rented so that didn’t apply, but it would be a requirement to avail of the scheme that tenants had paid their water charges.

Colr Crowe described this condition as “absolutely scandalous”, stating that these were completely different issues. “We are talking of people owning their own homes,” he added.

Pat Treanor (SF) asked if there was any definite starting date for the new tenant purchase scheme.

Mr Murray said the Co Council had only received notification of the new scheme the previous Wednesday. Training in relation to it was being provided for local authority staff next Tuesday, after which they would be able to give broader details.

Mr Murray added that under the new scheme the discount available to tenants would be based on income, not longevity of tenure. He thought that if someone had to pay €200 in water charges in order to get a €20,000 discount on their property, it would appeal to them to do so.

He believed that under the new scheme there would be 40%, 50% and 60% discount available based on different income levels. Tenants would be able to borrow from the Co Council or from private institutions.

To avail of the scheme, a tenant must have their water charges paid, and they could not be in arrears of rent without addressing it for more than 12 consecutive weeks in a three-years period. Older person’s dwellings or OPDs could not be sold under the scheme.

Mr Murray informed Colr P Treanor that people on lower income would get the higher discount.

Housing Officer Drew Hurley said he expected that at the training meeting the following week clarification would emerge on the forms of income that the scheme would have regard to.

Mr Murray said that loans the Co Council gave out would be subject to the approval of their credit committee….

 


MONAGHAN CONTESTANTS CONTINUE TO IMPRESS ON GREAT IRISH BAKE OFF

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By Cianna McNally

The Monaghan participants on TV3’s The Great Irish Bake Off are going from strength to strength.

Last Sunday evening, viewers saw Cathy Mac Kenna from Milltown being chosen as Star Baker for her ‘Italian Favourites’ cake during international week while Fionnadh McGonigle from Clones came first in the Technical Bake challenge. The girls also enjoyed similar success in the first week of the TV show as Fionnadh was selected as Star Baker and also came second to Cathy in the Technical Bake.

Speaking to The Northern Standard, Cathy described the last few weeks on the programme as “a bit of a rollercoaster.” She said that bread week was really fun as she loved making bread but chocolate week was extremely tough.

“International week was a lucky one for me. It’s …

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FORMER TD’S WITHDRAWAL LEAVES FOUR IN THE RUNNING FOR FF GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATURE IN CAVAN/MONAGHAN

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The announcement this week by former Fianna Fáil TD Margaret Conlon that she will not be seeking a nomination to contest the next General Election for the party reduces the field of runners to four when the Cavan/Monaghan selection convention takes place in Cavan’s Hotel Kilmore next Tuesday night, December 1.

Monaghan Co Councillor for the Carrickmacross/Castleblayney Municipal District P J O’Hanlon has also decided not to put his name forward after initially indicating his candidature.

Two other members of the Co Council, Monaghan Municipal District Cathaoirleach Robbie Gallagher and Seamus Coyle of the Ballybay/Clones Municipal District remain in the race at this point in time.

Outgoing TD Brendan Smith and Co Councillor Niamh Smyth, who represents the Bailieboro/Cootehill Municipal District, are the Cavan hats in the ring.

Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed, it is understood that the party is likely to select one Monaghan and one Cavan candidate to contest what will be a four-seat rather than a five-seat constituency at the next national poll.

Ms Conlon cited personal and professional reasons for her decision not to seek a nomination. Deputy Principal of the St Louis Secondary School in Monaghan Town, she was elected to the Dáil in 2007 and served until 2011, when she was denied re-election as FF suffered a nationwide haemorrhage of seats in the aftermath of …

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CLONES JOURNALIST GIVES EYEWITNESS INSIGHT INTO BRUSSELS SECURITY ALERT

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“We will never know if these measures may have prevented another tragedy like in Paris, but it’s better to be safe than sorry,” Clones journalist Cliona Connolly told The Northern Standard this week in a vivid eyewitness account of the security alert that has gripped Brussels in the wake of last week’s terror attacks in the French capital. Former Northern Sound reporter Cliona, who is now Irish press officer with the European People’s Party, resides in the Belgian capital city, which is one of the major administrative centres for the European Parliament. The maximum security alert level being enforced in Brussels is likely to continue until Monday next, Belgian prime minister Charles Michel said this week, warning ……

 

U2 FOREFRONTS JUSTICE CAMPAIGN FOR 1974 MONAGHAN AND DUBLIN BOMBINGS

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Survivors and bereaved family members of the 1974 bombing attacks in Monaghan and Dublin joined members of the rock band U2 on stage this week during their concerts in the 3 Arena.

The band invited the injured victims and relatives of the 34 people killed in the explosions to their shows and used video images of the bombings and those who lost their lives in accompaniment to their song inspired by the events, Raised by Wolves.

U2 have been highlighting the campaign by Justice for the Forgotten for full disclosure of documents in the possession of the British Government in relation to the bombings throughout their current tour.

Justice for the Forgotten spokesperson Margaret Irwin said she hoped that the attention given to her organisation’s cause by U2’s highlighting of it would persuade the British Government to release the information that surviving victims and relatives had long been seeking in order to achieve closure.

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CONLAN CITES PYLONS AS MAIN REASON FOR FG RESIGNATION

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…But TD slams party where “you will be punished” for speaking out

By MICHAEL McDONNELL

TUESDAY’S sudden announcement by Seán Conlan that he was resigning from Fine Gael has completed a major rearrangement of the party’s political landscape in Co Monaghan, coming as it did less than 24 hours after veteran local public representative Hughie McElvaney had also declared his resignation from FG ranks.

Deputy Conlan made his decision public on local radio on Tuesday, where he cited his opposition to the EirGrid’s North South Interconnector as his reason for parting ways with the party his father, John F Conlan had represented in Dáil Éireann for 18 years.

But he has also criticised the party for the way it dealt with him in relation to certain controversial issues, claiming that, “if you speak out in Fine Gael you will be punished”.

He confirmed that he intends to stand as an independent candidate in the General Election.

Pointing to his involvement with the anti-pylon campaign since 2010, he said he believed he would now be “unhindered and better able to represent and express the views of the people in an open and fearless manner”.

He said this had been “an extremely tough personal decision”, given his own and his father and grandfather’s long history with the party, but he felt it was the correct one. He would “always be Fine Gael at heart”, Deputy Conlan added.

In a follow-up statement, he said he had made it clear during his original announcement on Northern Sound that his decision was also because of “individuals within Fine Gael who were attacking me because of stances I took on various issues”.

He went on to point to his criticism on national television and radio at the time of “the behaviour of An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather …

 

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