NEWS ROUND-UP
Ballymote man going to trial
A Ballymote man has been returned for trial on four charges, to the next sitting of Sligo Circuit Court.
Noel Muldoon, 49, from Cluid, Ballymote, is charged with having two VIN plates which he knew to be false at Cluid, Ballymote, on August 11, 2016.
He is facing identical charges at Rathdoony More, Ballymote, on May 7 2019. Garda Padraig Naughton gave evidence of arrest charge and caution, and serving the book of evidence on the defendant, at Sligo District Court.
The defendant was returned for trial to the next sitting of Sligo Circuit Court on June 15. The defendant was released on a non-cash bond of €300.
Man had drugs in Collooney
A Donegal man who was caught with €100 of cannabis herb was given the Probation Act at Sligo District Court last Thursday.
Aaron McGrory, 23, from Ballyboyle, Donegal town, pleaded guilty to possession of the drug at Knockbeg East, Collooney, on March 21 last year.
Sergeant Derek Butler told the court that gardaí stopped a car driven by the defendant at the stated address.
There was a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle The defendant was agitated and had blood-shot eyes. He admitted having the drugs and a grinder and scales.
Judge Kevin Kilrane told the defendant he had the paraphernalia for dealing drugs with the grinder and scales. The defendant said they were for his own use, to make sure he was getting the necessary amount.
The defendant said he had a child. He said started smoking cannabis when a relationship broke up.
The defendant had no previous convictions.
In applying the Probation Act, the judge said this was the only chance he was getting for illegal drugs.
Mickelson’s win earns Sligo punter €9,800
Rank outsider Phil Mickelson’s surprise victory in the PGA Championship in the US on Sunday provided a huge boost to the finances of a lucky Sligo punter.
Three weeks shy of his 51st birthday, Mickelson is now the oldest winner of a major golf title.
But an anonymous customer obviously felt he had a good chance when they walked into the Sligo BoyleSports shop earlier last week and placed €40 each-way on Mickelson at odds of 200/1 to win a sixth career major title after an eight-year wait. With a final-round 73, Mickelson finished six-under, two strokes better than Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen.
When the final putt dropped and the crowds surrounded Mickelson at Kiawah Island golf course in South Carolina, the Sligo customer could pop open the champagne as their €80 stake transformed into €9,680.
Sarah Kinsella, spokesperson for BoyleSports said the Sligo customer picked Mickelson out at 200/1 before tee-off last Thursday, “so fair play to them on such a brilliant call and we hope they enjoy the €9,680”.
Green rep says roads upgrade can be ‘lifeline’
Funding announced last week under the Local Improvement Scheme will improve access to rural homes and farms, as well as outdoor amenities such as lakes, rivers, mountains and beaches, a local Green Party representative has said.
Sligo has received €276,154 from the national allocation of €1.6m.
Dr Bláithín Gallagher, who is constituency spokesperson and National co-ordinator of the Green Party said: “Without the Local Improvement Schemes, a lot of homes would be inaccessible. This scheme is literally a lifeline for many. The increased funding this year is very welcome.” “Many farmers in the North West have dispersed parcels of land, often cut off from a public road, so it is great to see them being given support in their important work of food production and land management.”
“Access to community amenities is also important and this scheme can play an important role in enabling communities to keep them open and available to all in their neighbourhood.”
The focus of the scheme is to support the continued improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities but which represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents.
Local authorities are responsible for identifying and prioritising roads for improvement works under the scheme, in consultation with residents/landowners.
The funding provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development will be complemented by a local financial contribution from landowners/householders, as well as local authority resources.
There will be a cap of €1,200 on the amount that any individual householder or landowner will be asked to contribute towards the cost of repairs to their road.
Drunk in charge of a vehicle
A Ballaghaderreen man has been fined and banned for being drunk in charge of a vehicle.
Ian Anderson, 68, from Shannon Valley, Ballaghderreen, pleaded guilty to the offence that occurred at Joe Banks Road on the Inner Relief Road, Sligo, on December 13 last year.
The court heard the defendant had an alcohol breath reading of 82mcgs.
Judge Kevin Kilrane fined the defendant €100 and banned him from driving for four years, at Sligo District Court.
The defendant was represented by solicitor Gerry McGovern.
Snapshot of lockdown play at Hawk’s Well
The Hawk’s Well Theatre is tomorrow, Friday, presenting online ‘A Little Snapshot’ by artist in residence at the theatre Miriam Needham.
This is a preview of Snapshot, a new play written by Miriam Needham which was inspired by real-life interviews with people in the Sligo area about their experiences of the first lockdown.
This original work of digital theatre conceived and created during lockdown is described as “a record of a global event through a local lens”.
A Little Snapshot is an online insight into the fulllength play and features a selection of scenes from the play as well as some behind the scenes footage.
The play, which is set in the early days of the first lockdown, explores how we remember and the different ways in which we cope.
It is a story of two sisters trying to connect in a disconnected world and finding their footing in a changing landscape. Through their relationship, we explore loss, loneliness, and shared memories, all with humour and a lightness of touch.
It will be performed by actors Miriam Needham and Nichola MacEvilly and will be directed by John Carty. Snapshot will be performed in the Hawk’s Well Theatre to a live audience once it is safe to do so. Until that time, the theatre’s hope that the streamed preview experience of A Little Snapshot will create a feeling of connection, even as we sit and watch it separately.
A Little Snapshot is a ticketed event. Tickets cost €5 + €1 booking fee. It will stream tomorrow, Friday, May 28 at 8pm and is available to view for 48 hours. You can book your ticket at hawkswell.com. This Hawk’s Well Theatre production was created with the support of the Arts Council and Creative Ireland.
Plan for 35 new houses in Sligo town revealed
A plan has been revealed to build a a development of 35 new houses in Sligo town. Westcoast Quality Homes Ltd this week gave notice that it is to apply for planning permission to build the houses on a site at Tonaphubble Road, Sligo. The new development will comprise of a mix of 2-bed bungalows, 3-bed and 4-bed semi-detached houses and terraced houses.
Report: Sligo had biggest rise in start-ups
Sligo recorded the highest percentage increase in new company start-ups in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year. Nationally, the first three months of the year saw a significant increase in what is described as “necessity-led entrepreneurship” in retail and wholesale, according to figures from credit risk analyst CRIFVision-Net.
Overall, the country saw an 8% growth in new company start-ups and a 7% increase in insolvencies. A total of 16 counties in Ireland experienced a year-on-year improvement in new company registrations for the January to March period this year. Among these counties, Sligo (+68%), Carlow (+51%) and Westmeath (+38%) recorded the highest percentage growth. The report states that the quarterly figures reveal an 88% (+438) year-on-year increase in retail trade and wholesale start-ups, suggesting that the Covid-19 restrictions and resulting job losses, may have compelled people to start their own businesses in response.