Articles in the Headline Category

The intervention made by Fine Gael TD for Cavan/Monaghan Sean Conlan with Taoiseach Enda Kenny to have the controversial EirGrid north-south electricity interconnector included in an independent review of undergrounding options for planned electricity infrastructure projects could yield positive results, the FG members insisted at Monday’s meeting of Monaghan Co Council. The controversy over the exclusion of the north-south project from the parameters of the review announced last week was extensively debated, and a proposal was adopted from Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy, seconded by his party colleague Noel Keelan, ...

Thefts of cattle and other livestock in Co Monaghan more than doubled in 2013, Monday’s meeting of the county’s Joint Policing Committee was told. Garda Chief Superintendent James Sheridan stated that the crime was now the top investigative priority in the area for his force. Appealing to the public to come forward with any information that might assist the Gardaí, he described social media speculation and rumours circulating in local communities about these crimes as “wide of the mark” and unhelpful to the ongoing investigation. 59 cattle ...

The contention generated by the new Irish Water utility reached a new boiling point among the members of Monaghan Co Council on Monday – leading to the venting of a great deal of verbal steam which spread out to include not just the vexed question of future water charges but also the loss of powers and responsibilities by local authorities, the Central Remedial Clinic pensions controversy and “laughing yoga” courses, among other topics. The blue touch paper for the strong opinions expressed in the debate came in the form ...

Comments made by former Northern Ireland First Minister and Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley about the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings generated considerable controversy in the past week. A statement made by the 87-year-old on a BBC documentary broadcast on Monday night appeared to attribute some responsibility for the attacks – in which 33 people and an unborn baby were killed – to the attitude displayed to the political situation in Northern Ireland by the Irish Government of the time. Speaking about the May 17 1974 bombings, Mr Paisley said: “I ...

By PATSY McARDLE THE protracted wave of cattle rustling along the Monaghan/Armagh Border took a dramatic new twist last weekend, when several roadside buildings—including a closed country pub in Mid-Monaghan—had their walls daubed with an alleged New Year’s “Thieves’ List”! Gardai are investigating the daubing believed to have been carried out by self-styled ‘vigilantes’ and purporting to name individuals allegedly linked to the widespread theft of cattle on both sides of the Border! While frantic efforts were speedily made to remove the daubing from some ...

By PATSY McARDLE More than 700 people filled The Venue at Ebrington Square in Derry last Saturday to hear the announcement of the winners and runners up in the 11th annual IPB ‘Pride of Place’ Competition. The vibrant community and voluntary sector in Co. Monaghan once more shone, with Patrick Kavanagh Country bagging the runners-up spot in the ‘Community Arts Initiative’ category, and Donaghmoyne scooping top honours in the 200-500 population category. Both groups, along with Laragh Heritage Committee, were nominated to represent the best of Co. Monaghan by ...

A former Fianna Fail Senator and Chairman of Monaghan Co Council is beginning a prison sentence after his conviction by the Circuit Court on an extortion charge. Francie O’Brien, of Latton, Castleblayney received a three-year custodial term, with the final year suspended, after entering a guilty plea on a charge that he demanded €100,000 with menaces from a Department of Agriculture vet, Michael Heelan at Tullyvaragh Lower, Carrickmacross on April 13, 2012. Mr O’Brien, who held a Seanad seat from 1989 to 2011 and was a long-serving Mid-Monaghan ...

The Gardaí and emergency services in Monaghan reported yet another quiet Halloween period, with Gardaí noting a reduction of anti-social incidents in and around Monaghan town. The annual Halloween Event run by Monaghan Neighbourhood Youth Project at Monaghan Shopping Centre was a roaring success. Thanks again to the generous funding provided by Monaghan Town Council annually and Monaghan Shopping Centre, 100’s young people and their families gathered at Monaghan Shopping Centre and the major vantage points around the town to enjoy the festivities organised by Monaghan NYP. The night has ...

By Cianna McNally THE news that a Co Monaghan based contractor has been awarded the tender to carry out upgrading works to the Ulster Canal Stores and the Cara Street playground in Clones as part of the €1.6 million Clones Erne East Blackwater Project was warmly welcomed by members of Clones Town Council at a meeting last week. An informative presentation was made to councillors by Project Co-ordinator Sean O’Roideain. Mr O’Roideain explained that the work, which is due to begin next month, would see an upgrade of the Canal Stores to include an extension ...

How the dramatically changed landscape in the delivery of local government services in Co Monaghan following the abolition of Town Councils in June 2014 might look was outlined to the members of Monaghan Co Council on Monday. A blueprint proposing how the Co Council that will take office following next year’s local elections will administer its functions was presented to the members by Director of Services Paul Clifford. Three new municipal districts – North Monaghan; Carrickmacross/Castleblayney, and Clones/Ballybay – will each elect six members to the Co Council ...