NEWS ROUND-UP
Tribute paid to Maurice Prigent
A local councillor paid tribute to Maurice Prigent – a founding member of the Crozon-Sligo Town Twinning committee – who recently passed away.
Maurice Prigent, who died following a short illness, was a councillor on the municipal council in Crozon in 1980 when the twinning was first established.
Sligo County Councillor Declan Bree, who was an elected representative when the partnership came to fruition, made triute to the late Mr Prigent at Monday’s meeting of Sligo County Council. “Maurice Prigent and his colleagues played a leading role in the work of that committee building on the strong friendship between our two communities,” Cllr Bree said. “In those 40 years strong friendships have flourished between our two communities and between individuals, families and groups in our linked towns.”
“Maurice Prigent and his wife Jeannine had a special affinity with Sligo and with Ireland and the generosity, kindness, hospitality and warmth they extended to those from Sligo who visited Crozon-Morgat, will always be remembered.”
“Maurice was particularly looking forward to the 40th anniversary celebration of our town-twinning but unfortunately world events led to that celebration being postponed.”
Cllr Bree concluded by proposing that the council’s sympathies be extended to Mr Prigent’s family, colleagues and members of the Crozon-Sligo Town Twinning committee.
Man had €500 in court for two brothers
A Sligo man, who was told to pay total compensation of €1,500 to two brothers, one of them an off-duty garda, that he assaulted causing harm, had his case put back to June after €500 was produced at Sligo circuit court.
Nico Farrell, 28, St Joseph’s Terrace, was sentenced to three years in jail with 18 months suspended for five years at Sligo Circuit Court in February 2018 after he pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault causing harm to brothers Anthony Marren and Matthew Marren at Lower Market Street on August 3, 2016.
The defendant was to pay the compensation 18 months after his release from jail. In re-entering the case at the circuit court, State Prosecutor Leo Mulrooney instructed by Sligo State Solicitor Elisa McHugh said the compensation was due to be paid to the brothers by last month. Defence solicitor Tom
MacSharry said that €500 was in court in total.
He said his client was not working due to the pandemic, was on Jobseekers Allowance and had rent and maintenance to pay.
Judge Francis Comerford ordered that €250 be paid to each of the victims.
The defendant was remanded on continuing bail until June 15 for payment of the balance.
Tributes to Paschal by the Order of Malta
The death has occurred of long-time Order of Malta volunteer Paschal Morrison. Paschal passed away at St John’s Community Hospital on Monday in his 89th year. The Rosses Point native was well-known for his involvement with Order of Malta whom he joined as a 16-yearold Summerhill College student in 1948 and remained an active member well into his 80s.
In a post on the national Order of Malta Ireland Facebook page, they said: “It is with sadness that we advise of the passing of Paschal Morrison. Paschal was a member of Sligo Unit with over 70 years of dedicated service to the Order of Malta.”
“He will be sadly missed. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this sad time.”
Paschal was an ever-present figure for the Order of Malta’s annual pilgrimage to Lourdes and was also on duty with units in Northern Ireland affected by bombings.
In 2016, Paschal was among a number of local volunteers recognised for their outstanding contributions to the community in a reception at town hall hosted by then mayor,
Cllr Thomas Healy.
Paschal was pre-deceased by his wife Ethna. He is survived by his children Fidelma, Patricia and Frank, grandchildren Aisling, Aidan, Luke, Ella and Lucy, great-grandchildren Danny and Charlie, brother Aidan, daughter-in-law Jacqueline, nephews, nieces and extended family.
Requiem mass was held in St Columba’s Church, Rosses Point yesterday, Wednesday. Burial followed in the adjoining cemetery.
Simon Open Door returns
Simon Open Door, a fundraiser jointly run by the Simon Community and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI), is back for another year. Ireland’s top architects will offer professional advice on home improvements in aid of all Simon communities which raise funds and awareness for people affected by homelessness, including North West Simon based on JFK Parade in Sligo.
In return for a €95 donation, homeowners can receive an hour-long consultation with an RIAI-registered architect to discuss building, rebuilding or renovating their homes.
All consultations take place online and funds raised go directly to the Simon Communities to support their work in tackling homelessness.
RIAI president Ciaran O’Connor said: “RIAI Simon Open Door is the perfect opportunity for homeowners to get expert advice from a registered architect on how to achieve a more flexible home for the times we live in. Over the last 12 months, we have spent more time than ever in our homes.
“From working to working out, our homes are being used in so many different ways. Registered architects are standing by in every county to donate their time and support the Simon Communities. “RIAI members are proud to partner with the charity across Ireland to support its vital services at this time.” Registration for the event is now open and people are encouraged to book a slot with a RIAI-registered architect in their local area by visiting simonopendoor.ie. The campaign will run from Tuesday, May 4, to Friday, May 14.
Buy a tile to help St John’s
St John’s FC is seeking interest from fans to buy an engraved tile at the club house to help with funding their new astro pitch project.
The project will provide a new facility which will benefit the Carraroe club, the local national school and the wider community.
Work is due to commence on the 50m x 25m pitch in the coming weeks and it is expected to be completed during the summer months, when the club will be marking its 40th anniversary.
The club has announced a fundraiser for 300 tiles which will be placed on the clubhouse at Cuilbeg.
Each tile costs €150 and can be paid in one lump sum or through direct debit of €13 on a monthly basis.
Each tile is black granite with three lines consisting of a maximum 16 characters per line allowed.
The tiles can carry various types of engravements include family names, memorials, local business, past players and more.
The fundraiser can be supported by visiting www.onlinefundraiser.ie/ stjohnsfc/astro-pitch-project.
Sad passing of Colm Watters
The death has occurred of Colm Watters.
The Sligo native passed away peacefully at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin last Sunday.
Colm had lived in the Mount Merrion area of the capital, where he worked as a tax consultant for several years with Becker, Cresswell and Watters.
Sligo Rugby Club, where his brother Ronan is a former player and member, expressed their condolences.
In a post on Facebook, they said: “The president, club officers and members of Sligo RFC would like to extend their sincere condolences to former player and friend of Sligo rugby Ronan Watters on the death of his brother Colm Watters, Mount Merrion, Dublin.”
Calry-St Joseph’s GAA club also publicly extended their sympathies to the Watters family, where Ronan is also actively involved with the hurling team.
“The club would like to extend our deepest condolences to Ronan Watters (Uisce) and his family following the passing of his brother Colm in Dublin.”
Colm is survived by his children Emily, Rachel and Adam, brothers Declan, Ronan and
Conor, in-laws, nephews, nieces and extended family. Funeral mass will take place today, Thursday at 10am and be viewed online at www. mountmerrionparish.ie.
Rovers bingo back next week
Sligo Rovers’ popular online bingo is returning for one more night next week.
There is €2,000 in prize money to be won which will be spread across an eight page bok. Single books are €12 and double books are €20.
The bingo sessesion will take place via Zoom.
There is a guaranteed €500 to be won on the full house on game eight.
To sign up for the event, please visit www.lockdownbingo.ie/collections/sligo-rovers-fundraising-bingo/.
Parking rules are being eased
Sligo County Council and the gardaí have said this week that parking restrictions at beaches, parks and other amenity areas in the county are being eased in line with new government guidelines. But they said that “continuing caution is urged, and people should adhere to travelling within your county or within 20km of your home if crossing county boundaries, refrain from congregating in large numbers and observe social distancing at all times”.
Sligo County Council cathaoirleach Dara Mulvey and acting chief executive Tom Kilfeather have asked people to “continue to take all necessary measures to remain safe in the critical days and weeks ahead”.