NEWS ROUND-UP

New respite centre moves a step closer

The provision of a new respite centre for children with disabilities in Sligo and Leitrim has moved a step closer.

At present children from both counties have been travelling for many years for this service to other counties but a government announcement confirming nine new Respite Houses nationwide for children with disabilities is good news for Sligo and Leitrim families.

Cllr Thomas Walsh said the Community Health Organisation for this area which includes five counties, among them Sligo and Leitrim, has now completed a review of respite needs and has agreed to use the funding available to provide a respite service for children in the Sligo-Leitrim area.

“They will shortly commence the procurement process for the service. In the interim, time-related savings will be used to enhance the level of respite being provided through existing respite services for children and adults in Donegal and Sligo. They will also procure increased day respite through existing providers,” he said.

It is expected the service will come on stream in the first quarter of 2022.

Cllr Walsh added: “I welcome that the facility will now progress through the statutory procurement process. Respite centres are an invaluable asset to service users, families and providers. They offer children the opportunity to have enjoyable experiences and socialise with others, whilst carers and siblings have the opportunity to relax and relieve pressures.

Cabaret comedy evening with John Colleary

A new cabaret style comedy night is being presented at the Hawk’s Well Theatre.

Called ‘Fun in the Foyer’ it will be hosted by the legendary Sligo comedian John Colleary.

John will be joined by some special guests, including Danny O’Brien whose friendly, high energy and anecdotal style draws in an audience and brings on the big laughs with ease.

Apart from being one of the most in demand comics around, John Colleary has also co-written and starred in IFTA nominated shows The Savage Eye and Irish Pictorial Weekly.

In line with government recommendations, seating capacity is limited and tickets must be pre-booked online in advance.

The theatre will notify ticket holders in advance by email about safety measures around visiting the venue. Due to

John Colleary.

current Nphet public health guidelines the bar will be closed for this event.

Fun in the Foyer with John Colleary on Thursday, July 28, at 8pm, will have a very limited capacity, so early booking is advised.

Tickets, costing €15 (plus €1 renovation fee) are available to book now via the theatre’s website www.hawkswell.com or in person from the box office which is open Wednesday, Thursday, Fridays (10am to 2pm).

Covid funding for St Michael’s Family Centre

St Michael’s Family Centre in Sligo is set to receive €20,000 for family support services as part of national funding for community and voluntary organisations which have suffered financially because of the pandemic.

A total of €4.5m in funding was announced last week for a total of 180 organisations nationally.

Local TD and Minister of State Frank Feighan has welcomed the funding for local organisations in Leitrim and Sligo.

St Michael’s was the only Sligo group to receive funding but in Leitrim the Bee Park Resource Centre, Manorhamilton, got €7,274, Tullaghan Development Association €4,501 and Fenagh Development Association €2,000. Mr Feighan said the Covid19 Stability Fund was developed to provide support to organisations who find themselves in particular difficulty and have seen their trading and/or fundraising income drop significantly during the crisis.

Woman, 28, was drunk on Quay Street

A Sligo woman, who admitted being drunk and a danger to herself and others has been given the Probation Act at Sligo District Court.

Emma Carney, 28, of no fixed abode was also charged with using threatening and abusive behaviour at Lower Quay Street on May 30 last, but this charge was struck out.

Sergeant Derek Butler told the court that gardaí got a report that a female was very drunk in that area of Sligo. She was abusive when arrested.

The defendant had no previous convictions, but she had previously been given the Probation Act.

Defence solicitor Gerry

Happy 90th birthday to Michael and Josie McKeon from Ballintogher. With lots of love from the McKeons and Morans.

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McGovern said the defendant had alcohol addiction difficulties and was homeless at the time of the matters before the court.

She was a single mother who was trying to sort out her life and was attending addiction services.

Judge Raymond Finnegan applied the Probation Act.

Fintan’s 352km charity cycle is to include Sligo

A cyclist will be making his way through Sligo as part of a fundraising campaign later this month.

Fintan McCormack is cycling through every county in Ireland, with destinations all being linked by GAA grounds. He is raising money for Cancer Care West which provides professional community-based practical and emotional support services, free of charge, to anyone affected by cancer.

In addition to passing Markievicz Park, Fintan will also cycle through Ballinacarrow, Tubbercurry, Curry and Charlestown.

The full distance is 352km and will begin on July 24. Donations to the fundraiser can be made online at www.gofundme.com/f/connacht-cycling-challenge.

Glamping village plan for Easkey

A plan for a “glamping village” in Easkey has been revealed.

Notice has been given by Padraig Hallinan that he intends to apply for planning permission to develope a site of 0.8853 hectares (2.2 acres) at Adervoher, Easkey, as “Easkey Glamping Village”.

It will consist of a building incorporating a reception area, communal outdoor and indoor with kitchen, dining room, laundry room and bathrooms. There will also be a communal area with firepit, barbecue, outdoor seating and play area.

There are also to be 3 storey and half glamping barns (21 square metres in area and

4.1 metres high), 7 glamping pods (21sq m and 3.1m highs), 2 two-person bell tents, 2 four-person bell tents, 2 four-person bell tents.

There will also be a further area for people to pitch tents and there will be 12 car parking spaces for use by the glamping site users.

Correction

In our issue of Thursday, May 6, we reported on heritage funding for several Sligo projects. Carrowgarry Red Barn was one of the recipients. However, a photograph of Beltra Hall, which was not among the recipients, was incorrectly used.

Smashed car window using a wheelie bin

A young Sligo man who threw a wheelie bin, causing criminal damage to a car, had his case struck out after he paid €400 in compensation at the district court.

Josh Gaughan, 23, from Prospect Drive, Brooklawns, Strandhill Road, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to a car belonging to Isobel Murphy on March 1, 2019, at Glencarrig.

Sergeant Derek Butler said the defendant entered a house in Glencarrig and was very drunk. He and a co-accused were put out of the house.

The defendant got a wheelie bin and used it to smash the back window of the injured party’s car. He also smashed a windscreen and mirrors. On arrest he was co-operative and said he wanted to pay for the damages.

He had no previous convictions, the court was told.

The court heard the criminal damage came to €750. The court was told that efforts to contact the injured party were not successful.

Defence solicitor Gerry McGovern said they were under the impression that the cost of the damage came to €400, which was in court. Judge Raymond Finnegan said that if the injured party did not claim the money, it should go to Sligo Cancer Support Centre. Judge Finnegan told the defendant that it was “an expensive night” and said he hoped the defendant had learned his lesson as he struck out the case.

Community service for Coolaney man

A Coolaney man has been given a community service order in lieu of three months in jail on a public order charge, at Sligo District Court. Cathal Davey, 20, from Sieve Gamph, Coolaney, pleaded guilty at an earlier sitting to using threatening and abusive behaviour and failing to comply with the instructions of a peace officer.

Last Thursday’s court was told that a pre-sentence report stated that the defendant was suitable for the community service order on the charge of using threatening and abusive behaviour. The defendant was represented by solicitor John Anderson.

Include your event in Culture Night this year

Culture Night – the annual all-island public event celebrating creativity and the arts – is returning this year.

This year, it will take place on Friday, September 17, from 4pm to 10pm. Special and unique events are specifically programmed at participating locations and everything is available free of charge. Participants must keep public health safety guidelines to the forefront of their minds during the planning stages and to consider the possibility of necessary last-minute changes in light of the ever-changing situation with Covid-19.

Culture Night Sligo 2021 is co-ordinated by the Model on behalf of partner venues Sligo Arts Service, the Hawk’s Well Theatre, Blue Raincoat Theatre Company, Sligo Youth Theatre and Yeats Society Sligo in partnership with Sligo County Council. If you would like your event included in the programme email culturenightsligo2021@ gmail.com. The deadline for inclusion is Friday, August 6.