Articles in the General News Category

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan/Monaghan Brendan Smith has asked Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan TD to act on the urgent need for a women’s refuge to be established in his constituency. “We are all well aware the number of women’s refuge spaces in our State is well below our obligations under the Istanbul Convention,” Deputy Smith told the Northern Standard this week. “In a vast region such as Cavan/Monaghan we have no refuge to support women leaving situations of domestic abuse. I know of women who have had to travel ...

The clacking of the looms has stopped in handweaver Liz Christy’s Swallow Studios at Annyalla, Castleblayney, replaced by the crisp clip-clip sound of sharp scissors on fabric. What are being produced are garments known as scrubs, cut for key healthcare personnel to assist in their fight against the Coronavirus. The scrubs are produced remotely by a team of sewers working from their own homes, all in a voluntary capacity. The garments are then delivered free of charge to Covid-19 testing centres, hospitals, public health nurses and care homes throughout Co ...

Donagh Development Association Ltd were tasked with the project of providing a Walkway around Emy Lake and this energetic committee overcame a number of obstacles and applied themselves to the job, raising money through various events and the Walkway was completed. Huge numbers are using the facility and not just from the immediate countryside but also from neighbouring counties as well. All are delighted to have such an amenity and praise the committee for the excellent manner in which they maintain the walkway for the benefit of the people. However ...

By Veronica Corr Corr Derek Duffy, Director and founder member of Cú Chullainn Blood Bikes, who is based in Castleblayney, spoke to The Northern Standard this week about the group being unsuccessful in its bid to gain a grant from Monaghan County Council under its COVID-19 Emergency Fund, which came from the Dept of Rural and Community Development. “The organisation is Monaghan-based, but we cover the whole North East, Cavan, Meath, Monaghan and Louth. We are also the lead blood bike group in Ireland that looks after the Human Milk Bank ...

The following measures are in place since Monday. They are Phase One of the roadmap for re-opening society and business. As part of the government’s plan to gradually re-open our economy and society, the following changes came into effect, where social distancing can be maintained: Construction workers, gardeners and other outdoor workers can return to work. STAY AT HOME You should still stay at home as much as you possibly can. Meeting small groups outside Up to four people who don’t live together can meet outdoors while keeping at least ...

By Michael Fisher There has been a small increase in the number of positive cases of coronavirus in Co. Monaghan in the past week. On Friday the figure showed an increase of twelve, possibly because cases that had originally been reported for another county (maybe Cavan) had been assigned to Monaghan. There was no increase reported between Saturday and Sunday. So the daily increase figures in May are now some of the lowest we have seen since March. However Monaghan, after Cavan and Dublin, continues to have the third highest ...

COLM SHALVEY Golf courses in Monaghan and across the country have reopened this week, under protocols and restrictions issued by the Government and the sport’s national governing bodies. Rossmore Golf Club captain Tom Cully has welcomed the return to play, while reminding members of the need to continue to be cautious in observing the guidelines. Speaking to The Northern Standard this week, Cully said: “We’re delighted to be back playing golf and delighted to welcome the members back onto the course. I would like to thank the management, the staff and ...

Colm Shalvey reports Athletics clubs around the country have returned to “limited activity” in accordance with government guidelines, but local groups have understandably continued to err on the side of caution amid the ongoing restrictions. Athletics Ireland announced late last week that they were delighted that clubs would be permitted to return to limited activity from Monday past (May 18), as part of Phase 1 of the Government roadmap, which allows people to engage in outdoor sporting and fitness activities, either individually or in very small groups (maximum four people), where ...

Michael Fisher Police chiefs from either side of the border met at Moybridge over the River Blackwater on the Monaghan/Tyrone boundary near Aughnacloy on Saturday. During their discussions, which duly observed social distancing requirements, they chatted to Gardaí and PSNI members operating separate checkpoints on cross-border traffic on the main N2/A5 Dublin to Derry Road as part of a Covid-19 operation. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne put their signatures to the terms of reference for a joint review of their response to the Covid-19 pandemic. ...

Co Monaghan households have been requested by Irish Water to implement water conservation practices because of the pressure on supply created by the recent lack of rainfall and increased domestic demand during the Covid-19 restrictions. With people adhering to government advice and staying at home since mid-March in response to the Covid-19 crisis, Irish Water has confirmed…