By Briege Madden
info@monaghanpost.com

A BALLYBAY lady has become a Lotto millionaire after popping into a lucky Cavan shop “by pure chance.”
Eileen Farrelly is the winner of a new national lottery game, Monday Millions which she recently played in Hannigan’s shop in Cootehill.
“I don’t normally be in Cootehill, I might have done the lottery twice when I was passing through. I went in cause it’s a lucky shop.
“It was just by pure chance that I did it. I went in to do the Euro millions and I heard another lady mentioning the Monday Millions. She was asking about it, so I said, ‘Sure throw me €2 on that as well,” beamed Eileen.
Eileen found out on Tuesday night September 30, that she had hit the jackpot, when her daughter, Sharon and future son-in-law, Declan Sheridan, urged her to go and check the ticket.
“How did I feel?” Eileen laughs, “there are no words… it’s just unreal. I couldn’t believe it. I just couldn’t believe that I had the ticket.
“I was leaping and jumping round the place and Sharon was trying to keep me calm.
“My daughter and I sat in the house and we sort of laughed and cried for a while - laughed and cried and talked and drank a few drops of brandy and a wee drop of wine, stuff like that.”
Eileen has big plans for her winnings and intends to treat the whole family.
“I will pay off our mortgage and I will quite possibly buy a car. I drive a Nissan Micro 96 at the minute so I will probably buy a wee car. We are definitely going to have a holiday, the whole lot of us.
“I haven’t stopped laughing. I am delighted. There is a load lifted off my shoulders when I think I’m mortgage free,” she says.

By Denise McMeel
denise@monaghanpost.com

TWO sisters who married their sweethearts at the same wedding ceremony in Rockcorry fifty years ago recently celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversaries in style.
Siblings Alice Brennan and Clare McCarville (nee McGinn of Swanns Cross) marked half a century of marriage to their husbands Leo Brennan and Owen McCarville respectively, at the beginning of last month.
The joint 50th anniversary celebration involved a Mass of Thanksgiving in St Mary’s Church, Corravaccan with Fr Tom Quigley followed by a family meal at the Four Season’s Hotel, Monaghan. The couples even had a chance to re-live their big day as they were ferried to the hotel by a vintage car decked in ribbons.
“We knew about the mass but the car and the photograph outside the church was a surprise. All these cameras were on us and the champagne and all. And everyone was out to see us when we arrived in town,” Alice told the Monaghan Post.
Alice and her sister Clare were married at a double wedding ceremony on September 4, 1958 in Corravaccan Church, Rockcorry. On the big day, Alice tied the knot with Leo Brennan of Keenaghbane, Ballybay while her sister Clare married Owen McCarville of Corcaghan.
After a wedding reception at the White Horse Hotel in Cootehill, the foursome even honeymooned together to the south of Ireland, taking in sights such as the Ring of Kerry.
“It was common back then. It didn’t leave you nervous on your wedding day and it was the done thing,” said Alice.
As to the secret of a long and successful marriage, Alice believes that perseverance is the key.
“Plenty of hard work. There are ups-and-downs and problems but it’s worth it. You just thank god to be together,” she added.
The Brennan’s now have five children, and live in Lisgorran, Ballybay, while the McCarville’s have six children, and live in Castleshane.

By Cliona Connolly
Cliona@monaghanpost.com

MONAGHAN County Council has confirmed it will axe 20 temporary or contract based jobs by next year in line with cost-cutting measures directed by central government, it emerged this week.
County Manager Declan Nelson said the local authority was required to cut their payroll bill to 97 per cent of what it was last year or by 3 per cent.
While pay increases have been factored in, some six temporary staff have already been laid off with a further 14 to be made redundant before 2009.
A recruitment ban will come into effect and there will be no replacement staff hired for those on maternity leave or career breaks. Council workers overtime will be reviewed and no summer student schemes will operate next year.
Mr Nelson said local authorities had been advised to expect cut backs up to an estimated €400m in 2008 and €1 billion for 2009. “I imagine its worsened if anything,” Mr Nelson said.
In addition, all local authority loans have been capped at €200m and any current loan applications with the Department have been cancelled and must be re-submitted for approval. However, the Manager assured members that necessary projects will be facilitated.
Responding to fears for service cuts, Mr Nelson said: “We need to look at in-house savings and expenditure. Anything not 100 per cent necessary will be curtailed. We have a major meeting later this week to look at services in each department. We may have to prioritise work.”
Cllr Sean Conlon described the cutbacks as “savage” but necessary. Cllr Padraig McNally said these cuts would have severe consequences for those affected. “We haven’t had to take such drastic measures since the 1980s,” he added. “If you don’t have the money to run the show – there ain’t no show! That’s what the Manager is telling us,” Cllr Hughie McElvaney said.
Council officials are due to meet later this week to decide where further cutbacks can be made.

A MAN who used a siphon to steal diesel from a lorry in Monaghan was bound to the peace at a sitting of Monaghan District Court last week.
Rafal Liberda of 43 O’Neill Park, Clones (25) pleaded guilty to the charge of theft at Lidl, Kilnacloy, Monaghan on June 28, 2008, where he stole diesel, the property of Maguire Transport Ltd.
Garda Inspector Alfred Martin told the court that Liberda and another man were disturbed “siphoning” diesel out of a lorry. He said they fled the scene but later admitted their involvement in the incident. The Inspector said €110 worth of diesel in two drums had been stolen and half the amount had been recovered.
Judge Sean MacBride observed that the price of diesel had “gone up” since the offence, adding that he was “very interested in economics”.
“Is he Russian?” said the Judge. “I was going to say if he was from Russia, he’d know all about oil,” the Judge remarked.
The defendant’s solicitor told the court that Liberda had gone back to Clones to get the drums for the diesel. He said a car belonging to a friend of the defendant’s had run out of fuel and they could not find a petrol station at the time, as it was dark. He said Liberda apologised for the inconvenience and annoyance he had caused and added that the loss to the injured party was €55.
Judge Sean MacBride ordered that the defendant’s bail monies of €300 be paid to Maguire Transport Ltd. and bound the defendant to the peace in his own sum of €127 nominal for 12 months. The Judge said if Liberda breached the bond, he would sentence him to three months.

THE possibility of having the proposed Eirgrid inter-connector 400 KV cables undergrounded through a sharing of infrastructure with a new North-South Telecommunications link was put forward at this weeks Monaghan County Council meeting by Mid-Monaghan FG Cllr Gary Carville.
Project Kelvin was announced over the Summer by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamonn Ryan TD, and his Northern Counterpart in the Dept of Enterprise, Trade & Investment. The joint project which will provide international connectivity to the North West and Border areas through a new hi-spec line that will most likely be go underground through NI, into Monaghan and onto Dublin.
Cllr Carville said the project, funded under the EU Interreg IVA Programme, provides a perfect opportunity for sharing of infrastructure and to give value for money to taxpayers.
“The new telecoms link for the north west and border areas, Project Kelvin, will cost in the region of €35m and will give businesses and industries in these regions the same speed and cost as Dublin telecommunications. It will open opportunities for investment in Monaghan. It also opens the real possibility of having the cables for the proposed inter-connector put underground, using the same ducting. This will give real value for money,” he said.
“Let us seize this opportunity and co-align infrastructure,” Cllr Carville urged. “This is what is needed right across the public sector in terms of the roll-out of Capital projects. Why do we always have to dig a trench for one piece of infrastructure and then come along a year or two later and dig another one for a separate project.”
On Cllr Carville’s proposal, seconded by party colleague Cllr John Keenan, it was decided to renew the Council’s request to meet with Minister Ryan and to write to the Dept of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources and the Dept of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland outlining the Council’s view that undergrounding should be pursued and that co-alignment of infrastructure in the communications and energy sectors should be seriously explored.

THE Minister for Education’s visit to Scoil Naomh Pádraig, Corracrin last week has been hailed as a ‘red letter day’ by the school’s principal following the announcement of a €1.4 million extension for the centre of learning.
Principal of the school, Mr Michael Boyce told the Monaghan Post that Minister Batt O’Keefe’s visit on Monday, September 29 was a day of special significance for the North Monaghan primary school.
He said the new extension, announced as part of a major school building programme nationwide, will mean that each teacher has a permanent classroom.
“We will have permanent classrooms for each teacher, with all children in single class units, and a state of the art GP room to cater for our large sporting population at the school, as a result of the extension,” said principal Boyce.
Work on the extension, which is to include two new classrooms, a General Purpose room, and refurbishment programme, is due to start early next year. Principal Boyce said it will provide a top class environment for all pupils to learn.
“With six of our current eight classes having interactive whiteboards, the extension will also allow for the completion of this programme, in order to ensure state of the art learning opportunities for all at Scoil Naomh Pádraig,” added principal Boyce.
Scoil Naomh Pádraig is the second-largest rural school in county Monaghan, with an enrolment of 212 pupils. The school was one of twenty-five projects nationwide announced under the building programme by the Minister on his visit to Monaghan.
Representatives of the Board of Management and Parents’ Association were present for the announcement, along with a small number of invited guests.
Presentations were made to Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fail TD, Margaret Conlon by Holly Boyce and to the Minister by Holly McKenna. A presentation was also made by the Board of Management and the Parents’ Association to Minister O’Keeffe to mark his historic visit.

“Bitterly Disappointing” for Clones Teen

CLONES Town Council has offered words of support for local teen, Michaela Newell, who was dropped from the county GAA ladies panel six days before the team played Cork in the All-Ireland Final, as reported exclusively by the Post at the time.
Clones mother Yvonne Newell previously told the Post that her 17-year-old daughter was let go from the panel unfairly.
“The reason given was that she had not attended training sufficiently and was ‘lacking in commitment’. Michaela’s commitment should never have been questioned as against my advice and wishes she also refused to go to weddings, our family holidays had to be cut short and Michaela also abstained from many social nights of celebrations, so that her GAA would not suffer and her commitment would never be questioned,” said Mrs Newell.
At the time, Mrs Newell suggested that Michaela may have been dropped due to her soccer commitments. Michaela is on the Monaghan United Ladies Soccer Team, which won the National Intermediate Cup Final on Sunday September 21.
Mayor of Clones, Niall Quigley described the news as “very disappointing” and said the young player showed great commitment to her sport. Cllr Ross Mealiff said it was sad to see a young player dropped before a big game. “I don’t think she lacked commitment. It’s sad to see.” Cllr Deirdre Kelly also concurred with this view, describing the incident as “bitterly disappointing” for Michaela.
The council also paid tribute to the team for reaching the All-Ireland final.

CLONES Town Council members angrily criticised the ESB’s failure to respond to Clones customer queries and complaints at this months meeting.
Cllr Deirdre Kelly raised the issue citing an unresolved problem at the Carn Dun, Newtownbutler Road, Clones. Cllr Peter Mulligan said he knew of 8 areas in Clones where lights have not worked for months and no action has been taken by the ESB despite numerous letters and calls by locals.
“It ridiculous to pay a bill and not get the service in return,” Cllr Mulligan said. The FG councillor went on to suggest that the council stops paying its ESB bills until the problems are fixed.
Cllr Peter McAleer said two new street lamps had been out of use for 7 months in Beech Grove as the ESB had not yet connected them. ESB officials had met with the council last year they told members to use a helpline phone number to report all issues in the area and said such problems would be fixed. Cllr McAleer said this meeting had been “pointless”.
Particular concern was highlighted for Largy College students using the Newbliss Road on ever darkening evenings. Cllr Eugene McCaughey said after-school study would soon resume and asked that proper street lighting be maintained on the road to ensure safety for students walking the road. Town Engineer John McKernan said he had contacted the ESB about this roadway but no action had been taken.
Cllr Ross Mealiff proposed that the Mayor, Niall Quigley, send a letter to ESB Operations Director outlining all ESB problems in the town. If there is no response within 7 days, a public meeting with ESB officials will be called. Cllr Pat Treanor also asked that the letter warn that the council will withhold payment if these problems are not resolved.

BALLYBAY Town Council this week formally requested that Monaghan County Council make a submission to consultants carrying out a review of the proposed East-West Link Road and new Sligo-Dundalk route.
The town council sought the county council’s support for the development of the route through Castleblayney, Ballybay and Clones. The local councillors also requested that their county council colleagues enter into discussions with Fermanagh District Council and other interested local authorities on the issue. Ballybay councillors believe the development of this strategic route through Castleblayney, Ballybay and Clones would be of great benefit to the mid-Monaghan area.
County Councillor Robbie Gallagher proposed that the county council immediately make a submission as requested.
Cllr Padraig McNally explained that Cavan County Council had been given the responsibility for planning the route on behalf of Monaghan and Louth. Cllr McNally believes the most direct route was likely to be selected.
Director of Services for Roads, Michael Fitzpatrick said he did not believe there was any point making a submission on the projects until the consultants are appointed.
Cllr Brian McKenna said that the council needed to meet with Fermanagh officials urgently as the route through mid-Monaghan had been the preferred one until an environmental concern relating to a bridge in Enniskillen ruled it out. Northern Ireland’s Department of Environment said they can now resolve this issue according to Cllr McKenna.
County Manager Declan Nelson said the route from Cavan-Dundalk was chosen in a bid to open Cavan and the route corridor up. He said, however, the Shercock-Dundalk road was in need of upgrade following huge daily traffic volumes. Mr Nelson also strongly refuted claims that the council had not made Monaghan’s preferred route clear, saying he had wrote a strongly worded letter to the NRA outlining Monaghan’s position and their response had been circulated to members.
The proposal to support Ballybay Town Council’s request was passed.

CASTLEBLAYNEY Cancer Society is thanking everyone who has donated time and energy to those living with cancer and their families in the area.
“The spirit of giving is alive and well in the Castleblayney Area,” said a spokesperson from the Society. “The Society would like to thank all who supported or contributed in any way. This support enables us to continue to provide this much needed service. Castleblayney Cancer Society is a voluntary organization who has no administration costs. Any money donated goes directly for the purpose it was given.”
Donations are used to provide funding for many different types of support such as travel expenses to and from hospital for treatment, home help and home care assistance, night nursing and sessional nursing, and equipment not provided by the health board.
It also goes towards funding against hardship as a result of cancer and facilitating people to attend the Gary Kelly Support Centre in Drogheda.
If you feel that the Castleblayney Cancer Society can be of any assistance to you contact your family doctor, the Public Health Nurse or any committee member. All business is dealt with in strictest confidence.
Committee members include Chairperson Mairead McGuinness, Secretary Teresa McGuigan, Assistant Secretary Mary Connolly, Treasurer Ruth McCully, PRO Tracy Liddy O’Connor, and Committee members Maire Doherty, Tessie McGuinness, Ursula McGuigan, Suzanne Campbell, Deirdre McGinn, Mary Smyth, Tina Carragher, Bernie Ruddy, Dr Mary Flanagan, Lexie Oliver and Rose Funcheon.
For a full list of those individuals and businesses thanked by the Society, see the local notes section of this paper.

CARRICK Aces Athletic Club is now in a position to tender for work on a new athletic track and playing pitch development for South Monaghan.
The club is currently finalising quotations with suitable contractors for the levelling and drainage of the new track and pitch development on the Convent Lands, Carrickmacross.
The club says a shortfall in funding means they will not get as much work done as first proposed but having obtained €80,000 from the National Lottery Capital fund for Sport and Recreation, and with funding already approved by Carrick Urban District Council, Monaghan County Council and the club’s own fundraising, they are now in a position to progress work.
In a letter to Monaghan County Council, members of Carrick Aces Athletic Club thanked all the councillors for their support during their presentation and application for the development of a 400m running track and playing pitch on the Convent Lands.
County Mayor, Sinn Fein councillor Matt Carthy welcomed the progress of the development at this week’s monthly meeting of the local authority while the Carrick Aces are expected to revert to the council with a proposal to proceed with works by their next meeting.

A MAN appeared before Monaghan District Court yesterday (October 1) charged with cultivating cannabis plants in the Castleblayney area.
Wang Wen (21) is charged with cultivating cannabis plants without a licence at Readuff, Loughmourne, Castleblayney on September 30 past, contrary to Section 17 and Section 27 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The court heard that Gardai were still trying to establish the identity of the defendant. Inspector Martin said they had been in contact with police in the UK, as it was believed Wen came from England.
Solicitor Gerard Jones, defending, said Wen had no passport and no identification. He said there was nothing to satisfy Gardai as to who he was and said the defendant had admitted giving an incorrect name to Gardai. He added that his client was not making an application for bail and said the defendant was “simply cultivating these plants for a syndicate.”
Judge Sean MacBride said the charge was a very serious matter. He granted the defendant legal aid and assigned Mr Gerard Jones Solicitors. The Judge also certified for a Chinese interpreter and approved medication for a stomach ulcer for the defendant.
The Judge remanded Wen in custody to Cloverhill Prison to appear before Cloverhill District Court next Wednesday, October 8 at 10.30am for further directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Wen’s arrest followed the seizure of cannabis plants worth an estimated €240,000.
Gardaí from the Cavan/Monaghan Drugs Unit assisted by gardai from Shantonagh searched a house in Readuff near Castleblayney early on Tuesday morning last as part of ‘Operation Nitrogen’. Inside, they discovered around 700 cannabis plants at various stages of development.

By Cianna McNally
cianna@monaghanpost.com
ONE Monaghan groom loves pizza so much that he had a takeaway delivered to the top table of his wedding reception last week!
Darren Sheridan surprised over 300 guests and his new wife Jacqueline who hails from Keady in County Armagh at their reception in the Hillgrove Hotel last Friday (Sept 26) by ordering pizzas from Famous Pizza D O’r as a main course for himself and his best men.
The Killygoan lad has been a regular customer at the Monaghan town based takeaway since it opened 17 years ago and he simply could not bear to miss his usual Friday night takeaway, even on his big day.
“I arranged it as a surprise for the best men. I phoned Pizza D O’r two days before the wedding to set it up and then phoned them from the main table when the first course was just starting,” Darren told the Monaghan Post
Darren and Jacqueline were married in St. Patrick’s Church in Keady. Afterwards, guests reportedly burst into laughter and rushed for their cameras when takeaway staff arrived at the reception with pizzas and a specially made surprise pizza cake, complete with three-tiers of pizzas in the shape of love hearts. Speaking to the Monaghan Post Darren’s father Sean said, “The timing was perfect when the pizzas arrived and it was great surprise for everybody concerned.”
Proprietor of Famous Pizza D O’r, Mr David O’Rourke said he and his staff were more than happy to accommodate the groom and said the wedding day prank was typical of Darren’s sense of humour.
“This was typical of Darren’s antics. He is addicted to his Friday night Pizza D O’r pizza and has always been a valued and regular Friday night customer. All the staff of Famous Pizza D O’r and the Hillgrove Hotel were delighted to support his wedding call. We wish them both love, laughter and a happy ever after,” David told the Monaghan Post.
The happy couple are presently honeymooning in Las Vegas, Florida and New York.

SINN Féin Health & Children spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has described as “a disgrace” cuts announced yesterday (Wednesday) in the Regional Orthopaedic Unit serving Counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath.
The HSE has announced that from Monday 6 October the orthopaedic theatres in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan will not be in use on Wednesdays and Fridays and the Orthopaedic Department will close from 12 December 2008-31 December.
Deputy Ó Caoláin said: “These cuts to a key service for an entire region of the country are a disgrace. People throughout Counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath will be affected by the reduction in orthopaedic services, especially the elderly. The knock-on effect will be pain for many individual patients and longer waiting lists going into 2009.
“Once again the North East region experiences cuts first and worst. I exposed how the HSE is to effectively close down most services in Cavan General Hospital and Monaghan General Hospital for two two-week periods in October/November and December/January.”

By Cliona Connolly
Cliona@monaghanpost.com

MINISTER for Education and Science, Batt O Keeffe, visited some of County Monaghan’s schools on Monday of this week.
The first official opening took place at the newly built €2.9m St Tiarnach’s Primary School, Clones where Minister O Keeffe announced 25 major new school building projects across the country including the addition of a two-classroom extension, general purpose room and refurbishment to Corr A Chrainn National School, Emyvale.
Later, Minister O Keeffe opened Clontibret National School’s new €490,000 building which is now home to its 27 pupils. “Today opens an exciting new chapter in the history of Clontibret National School. It’ll enable staff to teach in modern comfortable surroundings, enhancing the school’s amenities for the students who come to learn here,” Minister O Keefe said.
Finally, Minister O Keeffe visited Ballybay Community College to see its €4.6m extension. This extension comprises four new classes, language room, library, guidance office and social area. The Minister highlighted the central role the school had played in the positive changes which have taken place in the educational and cultural life of Ballybay since the Monaghan poet Patrick Kavanagh officially opened the school in 1966. “I wish the students and wider community every success in their newly refurbished and extended school,” Minister O Keeffe commented.
This year, more than €586m will be spent in the school building programme across the country with one-third invested in rapidly developing areas. This means the provision of 12,000 new school places.

By Denise McMeel
denise@monaghanpost.com

A CARRICKMACROSS newsagent has warned that a new government law banning the display of tobacco products could have a detrimental effect on the profits of smaller shops.
Philip Keegan of Keegan’s Newsagent on Main Street says that under the new law shop owners will be forced to place all tobacco products under the counter and completely out of sight of their customers.
“No-one will have a clue whether we even sell tobacco or not,” said Philip, a member of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA).
Under the Public Health Tobacco Acts 2002 and 2004 Acts, point-of-sale advertising and the display of tobacco products will be banned from July 1 2009. Tobacco products will have to be sold from a dispenser and customers who want to buy tobacco will also have to ask for a special menu.
However, the CSNA say that international studies show that this menu system causes delays for shopkeepers and will dramatically reduce their turnover.
“Our shops are all about speed and convenience for the customer,” said Philip. “If you take that away you are destroying our business model and taking the last advantage we have left.”
Instead, the CSNA is proposing that a single example pack of each product is displayed behind the counter. They say the single example pack is not advertising but consumer information required by EU Law. They believe it would achieve the same result in restricting advertising but would hurt small businesses less.
“I don’t have any problem with the restrictions on advertising, but I live in the real world and there has to be a sample product behind the counter so customers immediately know what they can buy,” added Mr Keegan.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Children said: “The legislation does not require customers to ask for a special menu to buy tobacco products. The provision of a “menu board” is permitted if required by the customer. The menu board need therefore only be shown to those whose first brand is not stocked by the retailer and they enquire as to what products are available or where there may be language barriers.”
The Department has signalled that provisions of the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004 are to commence this month.

THE next episode of ITV1 talent show, The X Factor, will feature the stunning Castle Leslie Estate in Glaslough.

The magnificent estate recently played host to the show’s pop mogul Louis Walsh and his lucky remaining contestants, providing peaceful surroundings for the chosen few to practice before the battle for places on the live show begins. During filming, the crew at the tranquil Castle Estate were also joined by X factor hosts Dermot O’Leary and Holly Willoughby.

Sammy Leslie of the Estate said she was looking forward to seeing the X Factor on TV this weekend. “It’s a real honour to be chosen for the show; the show is such a run-away success and has given amazing opportunities to some very talented people. We are all looking forward to seeing the show on air,” said Sammy.

The X Factor, featuring Castle Leslie Estate, is set to air this Saturday night, October 4 at 7.45pm on ITV1.

LEEDS United Midfielder and Clones native, Jonathan Douglas, has praised the efforts of all those involved in the ambitious Clones Sports Complex plans this week.
In an exclusive interview with the Post, Jonathan said this development is the boost his hometown needs.
“I am happy to see the Town getting the funds for the new Sports Complex. It’s been a long time coming. A lot of work has gone into getting the funds so they [the committee driving the project] should be applauded.”
Resulting from a combined five year effort from the Clones Community Forum, St Tiernach’s GFC and Clones Athletics Club, the partnership plan to develop a multi-million state-of-the-art facility at Millbrook, Clones. The 14 acre site will include an all weather pitch surrounded by a 400m running track, a new GAA pitch with provision for a future covered stand, a changing pavilion and parking facilities. The main building will contain 8 changing rooms, a gymnasium, large function room, kitchen, conference room, reception area and offices.
“I think when the sports complex and the new Clones Town pitches are up and running it will give the Town the boost it’s needed for years. Hopefully more and more kids will make it big in football as well as other sports with the provision of the new facility,” Jonathan added.
Jonathan started out playing football at the Clones Town Juvenile Club in the late 1980s and has paid tribute to the local coaches who encouraged him as a young footballer.
“They were very important, without them giving there time there would be no under age football in the town. I was lucky to have the late Paul Johnson around when I was growing up who would bring me and the lads to all our matches. I think when he passed on the town and football in the town itself suffered.”

THE habit in which areas in certain housing estates around Monaghan Town are being used by learner drivers to practice particular driving skills is proving to be an aggravation for residents, it was claimed at the September monthly meeting of Monaghan Town Council.

Speaking at the meeting Sinn Fèin councillor Pádraigín Uí Mhurachada said that residents in Drumbear Wood are being “persecuted” by drivers coming into their area. Cllr Donal Sherry said that the issue was becoming a problem in every estate. He referred to the Glenview Heights area of Killygoan and said that Glenview Drive was being used as a “rat run” for traffic going to Ballybay. Town Manager Declan Nelson said that while he understood the concerns of the members, the learner drivers were not doing anything illegal. Driving instructors had to choose some road in order to teach a three-point turn and other skills.

Cllr Robbie Gallagher suggested writing to the driving instructors highlighting areas that the council felt were particularly hazardous and asking them not to use them. Agreeing with the issue being a problem Fine Gael councillor Mary Carroll proposed that a letter be written to the Department of the Environment to acquire a site in each urban area that could become a designated spot for learner drivers to practice. Sinn Fèin’s Malachy Toal said that lessons were ongoing from “daylight to dark” adding that it was “unfair” on residents. He asked if time limits could be implemented.

Cllr Uí Mhurachadha suggested that a letter be written to all the instructors in the town asking them not to focus on one particular area. Cllr Sean Conlon said that the council should write to the Department of the Environment in a bid to find out the legal status of learner drivers going into housing estates before suggesting that the members “park the issue.” Cllr Donal Sherry said that there may be a “serious backlog” of people waiting on driving tests at the moment.

MONAGHAN County Council officials and Director of Services for Roads, Transportation and Environment, Mr. Michael Fitzpatrick came under fire at a recent meeting of Castleblayney Town Council over failure to meet and discuss a demand by the council for more funding to restore the town’s streets which members believe have fallen into a state of disrepair since the provision of the Castleblayney bypass.

The councillors had asked Mr. Fitzpatrick to attend a meeting with them to discuss the restoration of the streets that they claim have been “neglected” by the National Roads Authority. Members also wanted to meet to discuss issues relating to the safety and completion of the Castleblayney bypass, funding for the new McGrath Road and funding of future road maintenance and improvement works projects for the town that will prove to be expensive for the Town Council.

However, a letter was received from the Director of Services stating that while he appreciated the seriousness of the issues to the members of the Town Council they should be brought before members of Monaghan County Council for discussion. Mr. Fitzpatrick added that he intended to hold a Roads Area Committee meeting, which would allow members of Castleblayney Town Council who are also on Monaghan County Council to raise the issues of concern. Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Gary Carville said that he was disappointed that the Director of Services had not attended the meeting and proposed that a letter be re-issued inviting him to attend and address the members’ issues. Seconding Cllr Carville, Town Mayor Mariea said it was an “insult to the council” while Cllr Jackie Crowe described the non-attendance as “outrageous.”

A further snub in the form of a letter was also received from the NRA in response to an invitation to a meeting with the Town Council stating that NRA representatives felt it was more appropriate to meet with Monaghan County Council to discuss issues relating to their roads programme. A letter regarding the same issue from the Minister for Transport Mr. Noel Dempsey to Senator Francis O’Brien was received with the Minister indicating that he had passed the letter to the NRA. Cllr Crowe described this as “passing the buck” before adding that he thought it was time that the council members “stood up” for themselves.

Cllr Brendan Hughes said that local public representatives seemed to be losing more and more of their power to the officials and added that members were also seeing less of their own Town Manager at the Town Council meetings. He described the situation in which Blayney roads were left in by the NRA as disgraceful and also said that the town’s Main Street had “a hollow” in it at present. He thought that the attitude of the Director of Services was unacceptable and felt that he “wouldn’t be beyond” proposing that Council members stage a protest march or a demonstration to block the N2 Dublin/Derry route in a bid to get national attention to focus on the way that the Town Council were being treated by the NRA.