NEWS ROUND-UP
Council to ask for Sligo to join pyrite scheme
Sligo County Council will call on the Minister of Housing to place Sligo on the same pyrite scheme as neighbouring counties.
Responding to a motion from Cllr Michael Clarke at Monday’s meeting of the Ballymote-Tubbercurry municipal district, director of services Tom Kilfeather said it was not known why Sligo is not on the scheme already in place in Donegal and Mayo and that it seems unfair as “this is an issue that recognises county boundaries”. He confirmed that the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien would be contacted about this with support of the council.
High levels of pyrite is considered dangerous as the material can swell when exposed to oxygen and moisture, causing significant damage to concrete.
Speaking in support of the motion, Cllr Joe Queenan said: “It is unfair because there are several houses and properties in south and west Sligo affected by pyrite and they are not in a position to be funded. Mayo and Donegal have it up and going and we should be included in that scheme.”
The motion was also supported by Cllr Paul Taylor. “It’s not just in one place in Sligo, it is many places. If we want to help, we need to be on this scheme and I support any calls to write to the minister.” Cllr Clarke welcomed the support for his motion: “It is very unfair that a product made from the same supply sources can’t be attracted here so I would urge our CE to make every effort to get us included and address those houses.”
No capital funding for public lighting
There is no capital funding available for public lighting in Sligo, a recent council meeting was told.
Cllr Dara Mulvey queried if any funding was available for the Ballymote-Tubbercurry municipal district as he was aware of several areas where it was needed.
Acting director of services Emer Concannon said that Sligo County Council was operating under “significant financial constraints” with regard to the provision and maintenance of public lighting. She went on to say that there was a significant overrun in the 2020 lighting budget which means no new projects can be considered in the shortterm future.
Cllr Mulvey responded by stating that demand for new public lighting in some areas may wane for the coming months as the evenings become brighter, but asked if the Electric Skyline company can consider installing light bulbs with a higher wattage in areas with existing dim lighting.
He said: “During the lockdown there has been a lot more people out walking and people have pointed out where there are dark spots. Can Electric Skyline consider higher wattage where there is already LED lights?”
The motion was supported by Cllr Gerard Mullaney who said he also has been made aware of areas in need of public lighting, while Cllr Martin Baker said that funding for public lighting should be made available for next year’s budget.
Meanwhile, acting chief executive Tom Kilfeather said that the retrofitting of public lights is taking place, which will see older systems upgraded with new technology. He said undertaking this requires a seven-year loan and that this programme will take priority in relation to lighting during that time.
Comhaltas competition
Sligo County Board of Comhaltas is organising a Virtual FleadhFest competition in April. Individuals are asked to compose a traditional dance tune or a song with a Sligo theme of a traditional nature. There are attractive prizes for the winners. The competition is open to all Sligo people at home or abroad. Closing date for entries is Friday, April 16. For full details see the Sligo County Fleadh website or contact 086 3916761.
Funding will be considered for east Sligo roads
A number of roads in east Sligo will be considered for future funding by Sligo County Council.
Cllr Gerard Mullaney called for the incusion of the L-5904 on this year’s programme and the L-1904-0 and the L-5204-36 to be considered for the next three-year roads programme. Speaking at the recent meeting of the Tubbercurry-Ballymote municipal district, acting director of services Emer Concannon said all three roads will be considered the 2022 multi-annual improvement scheme.
I support the greenway plan, says Feighan
Sligo TD and Minister of State Frank Feighan has firmly put his weight behind the greenway option for the old Western Rail Corridor route.
In a statement Minister Feighan said that the greenway option “is the most feasible and economical at this time”.
“The Waterford Greenway, Ireland’s most successful greenway, currently being extended, is a shining example of the economic value of a greenway to a rural economy. “The other option which is the restoration of the railway line is an admirable ambition, however I believe the cost far outweighs the economic benefit achievable and I am not convinced that user numbers would also justify the cost to bring a functioning rail route to fruition.”
The minister said that in the current programme for government there is a substantial budget in place for the creation of a national greenway network and “it is imperative that the local lobby groups get their opportunity to place this project in front of the relevant funders and the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan”. “Estimates of €10m to complete the greenway from Knock to Sligo is manageable when the overall budget for such projects is considered, It is my belief that it would take between €50m and €60m to revive the old rail route and this project is difficult to justify considering the economic return,” he said.
Minister Feighan acknowledged the work and support of the cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Cllr Dara Mulvey for this greenway project.
He said it was “very important that Sligo’s first citizen is full square behind the project that will have a significant impact on south Sligo’s tourism product”.
“I will continue to support and pursue the funding for the Sligo Mayo Greenway and I have given that undertaken to the local action groups. “I look forward to more engagement within government over the coming months with my colleague Minister Eamon Ryan who has a substantial budget in place for the creation of a national greenway network,” he said.
Correction
The photographs used with the Circuit Court story on the front page and page two of last week’s Sligo Weekender were incorrectly attributed. They were taken by photographer Rory O’Brien.
Broadband plan is making progress – TD
Work is under way to ensure Sligo homes and businesses will be connected under the government’s plan for high speed broadband.
Surveying for the National Broadband Plan has been completed in some areas, while it has recently commenced in others including Ballintogher, Ballisodare, Calry, Carney, Collooney, Drumcliffe, Kilmacowen, Rosses Point, Rahaberna, Lisduff, Sligo town and outskirts of Sligo town, Clogherevagh, Tubbercurry, Ballymote, Enniscrone, Aghamore Near, Carrowcrin, Strandhill, Culshera and Kilmactranny.
The Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) initiative will also see publicly accessible sites in rural and isolated parts of County Sligo provided with a temporary high-speed broadband connection by
National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company contracted to deliver the National Broadband Plan. Sligo-Leitrim TD Frank Feighan welcomed the latest progress on the plan as a welcome step forward for many parts of Sligo, particularly those in rural areas.
“This is great progress and is so important for the economic and social development of Sligo as part of Fine Gael’s vision for balanced regional development across the county,” he said.
“Rural broadband is so essential to this vision. It will allow enterprise to flourish in Sligo and ensure people have increased options to live and work here.”
Mr Feighan said the National Broadband Plan will be positive for the culture of remote working and making it a viable option for many more people on a permanent basis.
A Wynne win situation in Rovers lottery
It was Wynne win situation in the Sligo Rovers lotto recently as Joe Wynne scooped the €9,650 jackpot.
Joe, pictured right with his cheque, a lifelong
Rovers fan from Coolaney, could not believe his luck when fellow supporter Nigel Collery informed him that his lucky numbers had come out in the draw. “I have been a Rovers supporter all my life, and for much of that time I have been supporting all their fundraisers through my connection with the Collerys,” Joe said.
“I used to enjoy calling into the shop in Beltra to have a chat with Henry Collery and buy a Rovers lotto ticket, and that tradition has continued on with his son Nigel, another dedicated Rovers supporter.” Lotto administrator Frank Beirne congratulated Joe on his win and thanked all who have been buying tickets over the last year from around the world.
“While many of our lotto agents are still active during the Covid pandemic, the vast majority of lotto tickets are now purchased online. It’s a very easy and quick way to support the Rovers, tickets can be bought through the club website, and every week we have people online from all over the world supporting the draw.”
The weekly draw is conducted by Frank, Lorraine Beirne, Shane Crossan, Noel Scott and Pat Wallace who have carried out the duty in a reduced, socially distanced capacity to ensure the lotto has remained uninterrupted every week since the Covid-19 pandemic arrived in Ireland. If you would like to play the Sligo Rovers lotto online, visit sligorovers.
com.