Articles in the General News Category

A 40-year-old haulier wanted in the UK to face charges in connection with the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants in England last October has been refused bail by the High Court and remanded in custody. Ronan Hughes, from Leitrim, Silverstream, Tyholland in Co Monaghan, is facing 39 charges of manslaughter and a charge of assisting unlawful immigration. Mr Justice Paul Burns said in the High Court on Thursday last that he was satisfied that the State had met the burden of proof in this case and there was a “real ...

Ballinode chef Ollie Keenan, who works one of Sodexo’s corporate services businesses in the North East, scooped bronze in the 2020 Sodexo UK and Ireland Chef of the Year competition in early March. It was his first time to compete in the live cook-off, which took place at the Hotel, Restaurant and Catering (HRC) event in ExCel London. Ollie, representing Ireland and Northern Ireland, impressed the judges with his take on a menu using ‘Future 50’ ingredients. 75% of the global food supply comes from only 12 plant and five ...

The organisers of the Monaghan Country Music Festival this week announced the cancellation of the 2020 event due to health and safety concerns arising from the Covid-19 national medical emergency. Although widely anticipated, the formal cancellation announcement will disappoint the large group of patrons from across Ireland and abroad who have habituated the four-day celebration of the country music genre since its inception, helping to establish it as an Irish summer festival highlight. The voluntary organising committee in a statement on social media said that it was “with a heavy ...

Six purpose-built trolleys, to mount extra ventilators purchased by the Health Service Executive for the current Covid-19 emergency, have been delivered to Cavan General Hospital, by Combilift. Ronnie McDermott, National Medical Device Equipment Advisor HSE, says the idea of approaching Combilift arose after he saw the trolleys the company manufactured for their Combi-Ventilate, a splitter device, which turns one ventilator, into multiple ventilation stations. The additional trolleys were designed and manufactured by Combilift in the past week and delivered to the ICU unit in Cavan General Hospital this week.

COMMENT Some of the more philosophical and reflective musings on the Covid-19 pandemic have centred around the restorative effect that the cessation of human activity, and certain forms of industrial production in particular, have had on aspects of the environment. Beyond the birdsong now beguilingly audible in the absence of early morning traffic noise and the enhanced freshness of the air we breathe when we emerge from our homes for exercise is some substantial evidence that the reduction in air pollution and carbon emissions is visiting benefits on the biosphere. The ...

Over the last number of weeks, we have noticed a significant increase in illegal dumping in the North Monaghan area. While the local people organised the annual “Spring Clean” and adhering to the strict Government guidelines, others are intent on undoing their good work. There have been numerous reports of dumping, both household waste and in one instance, a carcass of a calf dumped in the scenic Bragan region. Locals have been very vigilant in reporting these cases to the Environmental Section of Monaghan County Council and the council inform ...

By Michael Fisher There has been an increase in traffic on the roads since Tuesday, when some coronavirus restrictions were eased, according to Gardaí. Chief Superintendent John O’Reilly of the Cavan Monaghan Division said they were still seeing a significant degree of compliance with Covid-19 guidelines. Whereas agricultural vehicles and lorries continue to move around, there are now more private cars on the road, although it’s too early to explain what the reasons are, according to the Chief Superintendent. He told The Northern Standard there was nothing to suggest that ...

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys td has announced that applications are now open for the new Enterprise Ireland €2 million Covid-19 online Retail Scheme to support retail companies to enhance their digital capability. The new fund, which builds on two previous successful calls of the pilot Online Retail Scheme, will be open to indigenous retailers with a physical store and employing 10 or more people to develop a more competitive online offer in response to the Covid-19 crisis. Successful applicants will receive financial support of up to ...

CHLOE SCOTT (6th Year student – St. Louis, Monaghan) Thursday, March 12th will be a day forever etched into the minds of the Leaving Cert class of 2020. This was the day the dreaded Coronavirus put our lives on hold. The uncertainty of when we would be able to see our friends and our teachers again loomed large. We were in a state of total shock! We joked, “See you Monday!” This has now turned into, “See you at the end of July!” As students we are incredibly grateful to our ...

A novel new art initiative “Draw Our Heroes” is asking budding young artists from co monaghan to immortalise the everyday heroes of the Covid-19 pandemic by submitting their original portraits to a national competition. A media release stated: “Every day during Covid-19, ordinary citizens are doing extraordinary things and working tirelessly to keep the rest of us safe. This innovative art competition, sponsored by Uniphar’s Life and Allcare Pharmacies, asks children and teens to submit paintings based on the hero in their lives, whether it’s a Mum who might be ...