Articles in the General News Category

The Monaghan Town Country Music Festival taking place from July 12-15 next got a rousing official launch in the Hillgrove Hotel on Sunday night last. The Irish country balladeer Patrick Feeney, one of the rising stars of the genre, did the performance honours and afterwards expressed how much he was looking forward to making his debut at a festival he had heard so much about. The full programme of headline and support acts for the four-day celebration of one of the most vibrant and popular….

By Veronica Corr A water feature would bring gold medal winning Carrickmacross Tidy Town Committee’s application to the national competition to the next level — That was the opinion expressed by Sinn Féin’s Colm Carthy at the recent meeting of Carrickmacross/Castleblayney Municipal District (MD) as he proposed that the executive apply to Monaghan Arts Office in conjunction with Carrickmacross Tidy Towns, for funding for such a feature under the Per Cent for Art scheme. In introducing the motion, Cllr. Carthy commented: “I have, since 2016, been trying to find out ...

• Peter Hughes Monaghan Co Council was told on Monday that schools in the county had the lowest per capita allocation of Special Needs Assistants in the country. Difficulties being faced by local schools in accessing the services of SNAs, who assist teachers in supporting pupils with special educational or care needs, were highlighted by Independent councillor Paudge Connolly, who moved a motion with the intent of having the allocation imbalance addressed when further SNA appointments were announced by Minister for Education Richard Bruton TD later this year. Councillor Connolly’s ...

• Peter Hughes Poignant calm reigned at the heart of a busy Monaghan noontime on Tuesday as the town paused to honour one of its fallen own. The plaque unveiled at 3 Hill Street read: “Garda Michael Clerkin 1952-1976 Who died in the line of duty 16th October 1976 Awarded the Scott Gold Medal 2017”. The An Garda Síochána crest and an image of the medal in question, the highest honour the force can bestow, framed a portrait of a smiling…

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil Senator Robbie Gallagher has welcomed the final passage of Mental Health Reform through the passage of the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2017. The Bill, sponsored by his colleague James Browne TD has also been welcomed by the national coalition on mental health. The Bill’s provisions amend the Mental Health Act, 2001 definition of a ‘voluntary patient’ and the principles in the 2001 Act. “This new law represents a significant step towards better protection of …

A game encouraging reducing food waste among children and teenagers created by 10-year-old Monaghan local Amit Krishna Dana was just one of the Monaghan projects showcased at the seventh annual Coolest Projects International 2018, which took place last month in Dublin. Organised by the CoderDojo Foundation, the event brought together over 1,000 young people from Ireland and around the world who had an idea and made it a reality using the skills they have learnt at their local CoderDojo, a volunteer-led community of free programming clubs for young people…

A survey conducted by the government about the effects of Brexit on businesses has revealed that the greatest level of concern, regardless of sector, relates to the free movement of goods and the possible imposition of tariffs on trade. Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD published the report entitled ‘Findings and Insights of the firm-level impact of Brexit on Most Exposed Sectors’. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation jointly with Deloitte undertook detailed engagement with almost 170 regionally dispersed firms in fifteen sectors. They included 75 ...

By Veronica Corr The first stop on local Minister Heather Humphrey’s whistlestop tour of the county on Friday was Fingers and Toes, Latton, where she officially opened a Youth Hub. The facility is run by Latton Social Services and acts as both a childcare facility and an education centre. Patsy Conlon, Chairman of Latton Social Services welcomed the Minister, Oireachtas members, the Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council Cathy Bennett, her fellow public representatives and interested parties to the launch, which was made possible by €12,400 CLÁR funding, compliments of the ...

O’Rourke and co seek redemption in Dungarvan PATRICK SMYTH Monaghan manager Malachy O’Rourke will ask his players to show pride and ambition in equal measure as they seek to put behind them their unexpected early exit from this year’s Ulster SFC and, simultaneously, put together a decent assault on the All-Ireland SFC. In an interview with the Northern Standard held in the aftermath of the draw for round two of All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers which pitted his side against Waterford, O’Rourke didn’t put a tooth in it when assessing what lies ahead ...

Donegal 3-17 Monaghan 1-09 AILBHE QUINN SFC finals was shattered on Sunday last when Donegal proved too strong (3-17 to 1-9) in an entertaining TG4 Ulster semi-final in Healy Park, Omagh. First half goals by Eilis Ward, Geraldine McLaughlin and Yvonne Bonner had Donegal out of sight and they moved comfortable into Sunday-week’s final against Armagh. By the end,the north-westerners had 14 points to spare and, it must be said, that was without hitting top gear. Donegal, who were minus their captain Karen Guthrie, who …