NEWS ROUND-UP
List of special classes in Sligo is published
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has published the list of special classes available in primary and post-primary schools around Sligo.
The list provides important information to assist parents in supporting their child’s education in schools which are both in urban and rural areas. Twenty-two classes are to be provided to schools around the county – an increase of five per cent on the provision from the previous year.
St Edward’s (Ballytivnan), Owenbeg (Easkey), Ransboro (Strandhill), St Brendan’s (Cartron), Our Lady of Mercy (Pearse Road) and Scoil Mhuire agus Iosaf (Collooney) are among the primary schools catering for autism and autistic spectrum disorders while St John’s (Temple Street) can cater for mild general learning disabilities and specific speech and language disorder. Meanwhile, St Mary’s College (Ballisodare), Summerhill College (Sligo town) and Mercy College (Sligo town) are the post-primary schools with classes for autistic and autism spectrum needs, while Corran College (Ballymote) and Ballinode College (Ballinode) can cater for students with moderate general learning disabilities.
Parents seeking further information for their child are encouraged to contact their local special education needs officers Carmel Maguire who can be reached by calling 01 6033352 or emailing carmel. maguire@ncse.ie or Eimear Quinn by calling 01 6033413 or emailing eimear.quinn@ ncse.ie.
Act cautiously when ending PUP – Kenny
A Sligo-Leitrim TD is calling on the government to “act cautiously” when they begin the process of ending Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).
The PUP is to end in February 2022, with phasing out of the payment to begin in September.
Deputy Martin Kenny said that many people will face a prolonged wait before they can return to employment in certain sectors and this must be factored into how the government phases out the PUP.
The Sinn Féin TD told Ocean FM: “Many people are still out of work. Many businesses have not re-opened and can’t re-open yet.
“Aviation and tourism are particular areas which will be slow to get going again. “People employed in those sectors may have no employment to go back to for some time and the government needs to be conscious of that and facilitate people to ensure they don’t fall into debt as a consequence of unemployment. “There is a fear among many people who struggled greatly to manage on the pandemic payment over the past months with reduced income. Also, people on unemployment supplement who have tax bills coming. People feel they are a pay cheque or two away from poverty.”
Tubbercurry is in Digital Town Award shortlist
A local project has been shortlisted for the annual .IE Digital Town Awards. Tubbercurry has been nominated for their contributions to a “smart community”.
There is a total of 14 categories with winners sharing a fund of €100,000. 31 finalists from 15 counties are vying for the awards in those various categories.
Tubbercurry was declared the country’s first smart community in 2019 which has placed on emphasis on building a remote working community to rejuvenate the town. Tubbercurry’s Digital Content for Local People project has been shortlisted for a new national award designed to celebrate the digital achievements of local towns and communities across Ireland. Eleven of the awards will be given directly to individual town projects, with a further three special awards recognising a Digital Changemaker, Digital Rising Star and a Digital Hero.
Following a competitive selection process by an independent judging panel, the wide-ranging list of shortlisted towns includes projects in sustainability, automation, cultural diversity, social inclusion, and promoting local business. Commenting on the announcement, Oonagh McCutcheon, corporate communications manager at .IE said: “We are proud to announce our shortlist of projects for this year’s inaugural .IE Digital Town Awards.
“The .IE Digital Town Awards want to recognise the good work and achievements of towns across Ireland who have utilised digital technologies to create new ways of doing things, promote innovation and to breathe new life into local communities.
“What is evident from the projects that were submitted for this year’s awards is that towns up and down the country have an extraordinary sense of resourcefulness and spirit.
She added: “Those shortlisted have demonstrated impressive digital improvements and enhancements in their local town, and the .IE Digital Town awards aims to ‘shine a light’ on these efforts.” The overall winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on Thursday, June 10.
TD says: Allow supporters at Rovers match
TD Marc MacSharry has called on the government to allow supporters to attend Sligo Rovers’ next Premier Division game on June 12. The TD has made the request in light of the recent announcement that three Shamrock Rovers’ games in
Tallaght Stadium have been chosen among trial sports events.
The Fianna Fáil deputy said that Sligo has consistently reported recorded low Covid19 case numbers in recent weeks and that the Bit O’Red’s position as league leaders, as well as playing in a spacious stadium, should also be taken into consideration. In correspondence issued to Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister for Sport Jack Chambers and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, he said: “You have selected a proposed League of Ireland match as a test in relation to Covid –
Shamrock Rovers versus Finn Harps in Dublin.
“You will appreciate as Dublin have the highest numbers of Covid heretofore and Sligo have consistently among the lowest, not least the fact that Sligo Rovers are currently winning the League of Ireland as well as on Covid numbers when compared to Dublin, I appeal to you to include the next Sligo Rovers match at The Showgrounds in Sligo on June 12 against Drogheda United as a test.
“In European games at full capacity The Showgrounds has accommodated up to 6k. They can easily and very safely accommodate 600 for this game as a test. Fair is fair, I would appreciate a formal response to this very reasonable and evidence-based request.”
Probation Act and 12-month bond for man
A man who assaulted his partner causing her harm and causing criminal damage to a caravan in Strandhill has been placed on a 12-month probation bond at Sligo District Court.
William Brannigan, 57, from Swift Hall, College Wood, Castleknock, Co. Dublin, had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Leona Daly in a caravan the couple were sharing in Strandhill on September 2019 at Strandhill Caravan Park.
He also pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to a double bed, a microwave, window blind, bedding, blood stains to the roof, flooring and furniture in a rented caravan belonging to Leitrim Caravan Hire.
The case had been put back for a probation report on the defendant.
Sergeant Derek Butler told the court that gardaí got a report that a female had been badly assaulted on the date in question at the caravan park. She had cuts and bruising to her eyes, arms and had been kicked on the ground and struck with a microwave and a kettle.
The defendant was taking a train back to Dublin when he was arrested and charged.
In a letter which the judge asked the victim to send to court, Ms Daly said she had seen significant changes in her partner.
He had turned his life around, conquered his addictions and had not drank or taken drugs in the meantime which meant she felt safe in giving him another chance. He had engaged with all relevant agencies and was dealing with his anger issues and “could not treat me better”. The defendant was now a man trying to be the best he can be, and the victim added that she knew him best.
He had shown that he can change and was not a risk of re-offending.
She said: “I hope we have a chance to have a happy, healthy and loving life.”
The court heard the defendant had also paid back €200 as compensation for the criminal damage caused to the caravan. Both parties were now back together again, the court heard.
Judge Kevin Kilrane put the defendant on a 12-month bond, as recommended by the probation report, on his own bond of €100.
This was on condition that he engage with all the counselling team, provide urine analysis when needed and attend all appointments.
The judge applied the Probation Act on the assault causing harm charge and the criminal damage charge.
Sligo cinema to re-open on Monday next
The cinema in Sligo is to re-open on Monday next,
June 7. It will be one of the first cinemas in the Omniplex Cinemas group to open next week, as the group are phasing in the re-opening of their cinemas around the country.
Omniplex say they will continue with safety measures introduced last year.
These include a two metre distance around each seat, although families and friends may sit beside each other up to a maximum of five guests and a maximum of 50 per screen. Also, only one movie will start and end at a time to facilitate social distancing and extra cleaning.
Tickets may be purchased online and pre-ordering of cinema treats online, for collection, is encouraged.
Director of Omniplex Cinemas Mark Anderson said: “The re-opening of cinemas in Ireland, after nearly six months closed, is a seminal moment for cinema lovers. “We’re delighted to start re-opening our doors next week with a selection of brandnew movies.”