Articles in the General News Category

Reports that illegal fuel laundering activity had returned to blight Co Monaghan and the wider Border region prompted the members of Co Monaghan Joint Policing Committee on Tuesday to petition Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe TD and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael Mc- Grath TD for action. The crime – which produces a virulent waste by-product that costs local authorities considerable sums to deal with – had appeared relatively quiescent in recent times, but Tuesday’s JPC meeting in Monaghan Town’s Garage Theatre was informed that 2021 had seen ...

Heritage Officer Contributes to Shared Island Initiative Michael Fisher Monaghan County Council’s Heritage Officer Shirley Clerkin questioned the Taoiseach on Friday about the government’s plans for cross-border biodiversity projects in areas such as Sliabh Beagh. Micheál Martin was speaking at an online event in Dublin to mark the first year of the Government’s Shared Island initiative. It was set up last December to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance co-operation, connection and mutual understanding on the island and to engage with all communities and traditions to ...

Michael Fisher Monaghan actress Caitriona Balfe from Tydavnet has received her fifth nomination in six years for a Golden Globe award. This time she is in the running for best performance by a supporting actress for her role as ‘Ma’ in Kenneth Branagh’s film ‘Belfast’ about his home town. The film itself has received seven nominations in various categories including best director and tops the list along with ‘The Power of the Dog’. Irish Ethiopian star Ruth Negga is among the five actresses in the best supporting actress category for ...

Colm Shalvey reports After a hugely eventful path to a first Ulster Club JHC Final, Carrickmacross will be hoping for an early Christmas present when they take on Armagh junior champions Craobh Rua in Newry on Saturday. Carrickmacross had a lengthy break after losing to Castleblayney in their first Monaghan SHC Final appearance since 2005, but they have crammed lifelong memories into the last few weeks, ousting Down and Derry opponents in the most dramatic fashion. Aidan Slevin’s men saw off Ballela after extra-time in a thrilling quarter-final, before pipping Na ...

Aaron claims WBC Youth world middleweight belt COLM SHALVEY Co Monaghan boxing brothers Aaron and Stevie McKenna both extended their unbeaten professional records with impressive wins at Crystal Palace last Friday, with Aaron claiming the WBC Youth World middleweight belt. A large Monaghan contingent in London watched the duo continue their rise up the ranks as part of the undercard of Isaac Chamberlain v Dilan Prasovic. Aaron claimed his first professional title with a unanimous decision over Carlos Gallego. ‘The Silencer’ was on the front foot from the start, but his ...

Colm Shalvey reports STEELSTOWN 4-13DONAGHMOYNE 2-07 Donaghmoyne exited the Ulster Club IFC when they fell to a heavy defeat against Derry-city side Steelstown at Celtic Park last Sunday. Donaghmoyne’s greater efficiency up front, via goals by Ronan and Liam McDonald, handed them a narrow interval lead, but after hitting the net within seconds of the throw-in, Steelstown outscored the Fontenoys by 2-6 to 0-1 in the first ten minutes of the second half to take command. Donaghmoyne struggled for primary possession throughout, winning less than a third of the game’s 38 kick-outs, ...

Colm Shalvey reports Seán McDermotts will aim to become the tenth Monaghan club to contest an Ulster Club JFC Final when they take on Donegal’s Downings in Ederney on Saturday. After putting several final defeats behind them to win the Monaghan JFC with an impressive performance against Toome (who lost just once in 13 league and championship games this year), Seán McDermotts have backed that up with wins over Cookstown (Tyrone) and Belleeks (Armagh) in the provincial series. Already no strangers to the Ulster Club JFC after winning two Donegal junior ...

The ambitious and comprehensive regeneration plans that have been in progress in recent years for the centre of Monaghan Town took on firmer shape and substance at Monday’s meeting of Monaghan Co Council when a regeneration plan for the development of the northern side of Dublin Street, and a “master plan” for lands at Rooskey to incorporate new civic offices, housing, business and public space, were given the approval of the elected membership. A presentation on the plans was made remotely to the meeting – held in the Iontas Theatre ...

The members of Monaghan Co Council have agreed to postpone the “big decision” on the future of the Lough Muckno amenity in Castleblayney for 12 months to await the outcome of a new feasibility study on how the popular parkland and iconic Hope Castle and Annex buildings should be developed in the future. Meeting in ‘Blayney on Monday, councillors agreed to the recommendation of Deputy Chief Executive Paul Clifford to invest in the region of €150,000 in a study that will put flesh on the bones of the “Vision for ...

Former Sinn Féin TD for Cavan/Monaghan Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin joined with the party’s MEP for the Midlands North West constituency Chris MacManus in Brussels last week to appeal to the European Parliament to deepen its commitment to the global campaign for equity in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines. Ó Caoláin, who has been playing a leading role in the campaign to have equal access to vaccines for the world’s developing nations, was encouraging support for the TRIPs Waiver and No Profit No Pandemic campaigns. MEP MacManus said he was delighted ...