Articles in the General News Category

Michael Fisher A Monaghan GP has warned that surgeries and out-ofhours practices are on the brink of collapse this winter as the health service struggles to deal with Covid- 19. Dr Illona Duffy from the Swan Park surgery expressed concern about whether GPs would be able to cope under the wave of pressure following a week in which the collapse of the HSE’s contact tracing systems dominated the headlines. The problem was compounded by the suspension of Covid testing at the National Virus Reference Laboratory at the weekend owing to ...

Monaghan health issues activist Tommy Hagan told the Northern Standard this week that he had been informed by the HSE that there was currently no funding in place to provide the 23 additional beds recently announced for Monaghan Hospital. Mr Hagan said he was also informed that there were no additional staffing arrangements currently in train to facilitate the beds coming into active use. “It seems from my inquiries that the HSE has not made any specific funding provision in its Budget for the additional beds recently announced for Monaghan ...

As we all come to terms with being in Level 5 restrictions for the next number of weeks it is vitally important that we try to take time out of our busy days to be active for a minimum of at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Ensuring we get the recommended level of physical activity daily can have profound benefits on our physical health and mental wellbeing. We encourage everybody to continue to get outdoors when possible, even if only for a short time during the ...

The Killygoan Pound Hill Connolly Park Community Alert Group recently ran a Community Raffle for Brenda Hall (Swift) to show their support as neighbours and friends of the Swift and Hall families. The Community Raffle was run to make a contribution to Brenda’s night-time care costs. Chairperson of the Community Alert Group Dominic Meehan stated: “When Brenda took seriously ill in August 2019 we were all shocked and wanted to do something. After a tough eight months recovering, we were delighted that Brenda returned home in May 2020. “Brenda is ...

Deficiencies in the mobile phone and wi-fi coverage available at the Rossmore Forest Park amenity were highlighted by Councillor Cathy Bennett at the October meeting of the Monaghan Municipal District. Welcoming the fact that there were plans to improve the service, Councillor Bennett said that people out walking in the middle of the park could get lost if they couldn’t get a proper signal. Improvements in this regard were also important for emergency services. Municipal District Coordinator Donal McElwain noted that the Gardaí and emergency services had keys to allow ...

• Municipal District votes to investigate proposal but some members voice fears A motion brought before Monday’s meeting of the Monaghan Municipal District by Sinn Féin councillor Seán Conlon proposing a stakeholder- engagement process on the possibility of providing facilities for caravan holidays in the local Rossmore Park amenity provoked a lively debate. The motion was eventually passed on a 3-2 vote but strong reservations about such a development were voiced by Municipal District Cathaoirleach Seamus Treanor, whose concerns were echoed to some degree by fellow Independent representative Paudge Connolly and ...

Family members of 21-yearold Paul Quinn, the South Armagh man murdered near Oram in Castleblayney on October 20 2007 by a gang of men believed to have paramilitary associations, have renewed their appeal for justice on the 13th anniversary of the killing. Mr Quinn’s mother Breege said this week that this time of year was very hard for her family. “It is Paul’s 13th anniversary. 13 years since we heard his voice. 13 years since we saw him smile. No family should have to endure what we’ve endured. We will ...

• PUBLIC ASKED TO INNOVATIVELY SHOP LOCAL AND REDEEM €400,000 IN UNUSED TOWN VOUCHERS Initiatives to enabling trading in Monaghan Town to be maximised during the vital end-of-year holiday business season for retailers despite the prevailing challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic were outlined at Monday’s meeting of the Monaghan Municipal District. A report was presented to the meeting from newly appointed Business Support Executive Siobhan Sherry which detailed the promotional programme to be engaged in by the local authority and the Monaghan Town Team business support group to maximise trading opportunities in ...

COUNTY WAS ON INCREASED ALERT FOR PAST WEEK Michael Fisher As more businesses shut their doors in Co. Monaghan and throughout the Republic last night, with level five (the highest) restrictions now in place for the next six weeks, the official figures again revealed a rise in the number of coronavirus cases in the county. The incidence rate per 100,000 of population shows Monaghan at 402.4 continuing to be in third place behind Cavan and Meath, with Donegal slipping down the table as well as Dublin, where level three measures were ...

The Nest Box Egg Company based at Lurganmore in Castleblayney has been announced as winners in the Export category at the 2020 National Organic Awards. The enterprise won for their Golden Irish 10 Organic Egg box which was specifically designed for the export market. A second-generation family-owned business with over 40 years’ experience in egg production, Nest Box are stocked in over 105 stores worldwide. Organically certified by Organic Trust Limited, they offer customers a range of high quality, 100% Republic of Ireland Bord Bia approved eggs. Nest Box currently ...