By Veronica Corr
Prompt action by fire crews prevented the spread to other premises of a fire that broke out in Chinese Acupuncture and Care, Dawson Street, Monaghan on Tuesday last.
Dermot Brannigan, Acting Chief Fire Officer, credited the early detection, reporting and fast response of the fire brigade, as reasons why the fire didn’t spread to neighbouring premises.
Two units from Monaghan and one unit from Ballybay responded to the call, and a total of eighteen fire fighters from the retained service were on-site. Multiple breathing apparatus units were used.
There was …

Sinn Féin councillor Sean Conlon expressed strong views at Monday night’s meeting of Monaghan Town Council over the way in which finishing work had been carried out to the historic sundial monument structure shortly to be unveiled in a new location in Old Cross Square.
Colr Conlon had concerns that the integrity of the structure, which he described as the oldest piece of built heritage that the town possessed, would be compromised by the appearance of its new setting, which he believed should have been constructed of older salvaged …

SALES of lottery tickets in a local newsagents will no doubt skyrocket with the news this week that a Euromillions ticket worth €500,000 was sold there.
 Although Matthews Newsagents in  Monaghan Shopping Centre confirmed that the winner had come forward, no further details were available as The Northern Standard went to press.
 The Euromillions Plus ticket was sold last Friday, 6th January. The winning numbers were 26, 28, 31, 36 and 49.
 Speaking to the Northern Standard on behalf of Matthews Newsagents Margo Sherlock congratulated the lucky winner and wished them well.

The Four Seasons Hotel, Monaghan and its sister hotel in Carlingford have been shortlisted for a top award.
The website www.weddingsonline.ie has named the Monaghan based hotel as one of five in Ulster in the running to receive the ‘Wedding Venue of the Year Hotel’ award.
The Four Seasons Hotel, Carlingford has been selected as one of 12 finalists hoping to scoop the Wedding Venue of the Year Hotel - Leinster.’
Entries to the 2012 awards were open to all suppliers, whether registered with WeddingsOnline.ie or not, …

The new fire station houses all the key elements demanded of a modern station and includes: six appliance bays, crew muster area, equipment storage area, a drying room and a training area.
The six appliance bays caters for two frontline water tenders, one emergency tender, one hyudraulic platform, one control unit and one jeep.
The new building also houses the Fire Station Headquarters and has offices for Fire Authority Administrative staff along with lecture rooms and training areas.

The Employment Appeals Tribunal case being taken by a former Monaghan-based branch manager with the Irish Nationwide Building Society against the now defunct bank’s long-term chief executive Michael Fingleton continued this week — with Mr Fingleton, for the first time, publicly refuting claims that he ran the society like a personal bank.
Former Monaghan GAA star Brendan Beggan (48), of Iterera, Scotstown, who was dismissed from his position in July 2009 for not repaying a loan, has claimed that there was a culture in the bank were staff …

he closure of the admissions unit at St. Davnet’s Hospital in Monaghan and the full removal of services to Cavan General Hospital from Monday of this week was criticised by Cavan-Monaghan Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin at the Oireachtas Health Committee.
The Sinn Féin Health spokesperson called on Health Minister James Reilly and HSE CEO Cathal Magee to reverse the move.
The HSE has stated to the Northern Standard that since December 1st, all acute inpatient treatment in Cavan/Monaghan Adult Mental Health Services will be provided in the newly …

Two of the founding members of Monaghan Credit Union were honoured with presentations at the organisation’s 50th anniversary Annual General Meeting in the Four Seasons Hotel on Tuesday evening.
Tommy Crowe and Celestine Macklin received a prolonged ovation from the large attendance as they were feted for their pivotal contribution to the establishment of the savings movement in the town in 1961.
Credit Union Chairman Ronnie Gillanders told the AGM that a similar presentation would be made to the third surviving founding father of the organisation, Sean Clerkin, …

By PATSY McARDLE
FIANNA Fail is determined to renew its core values as a political force in Irish politics—so that it can once again take over at the helm of government.
THAT was the assertion by party leader Mr. Micheal Martin T.D. when he visited Co. Monaghan on Tuesday night last, and addressed separately enthusiastic meetings of Fianna Fail councillors, party members and officials at the Glencarn Hotel in Castleblayney.
Close on 200 party members, including many former public representatives and key …

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD, Brendan Smith has this week accused the Minister for Health Dr James Reilly of refusing a request for the restoration of full hours at the Minor Injuries Unit in Monaghan Hospital.
The Minister, in a reply to questions raised by the Deputy Smith, has stated that a review into whether a Medical Assessment Unit at Monaghan would be justified and cost effective is still ongoing.
Deputy Smith had tabled parliamentary questions to Minister Reilly regarding what the Cavan-based TD called the need to restore …