Tuesday, 14 May 2013 12:11

A COMMUNITY rally is being held at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar, on Monday, May 27, to highlight concerns over the future of the facility.

Although the event has been organised by the local Fianna Fáil Cumann, the party insisted its campaign to save the hospital is not political and is based on concerns raised by members of the public.

Fears for the centre have also increased considerably as a result of meeting two local elected members, Councillor Blackie Gavin and Councillor Al McDonnell, had earlier this month with the HSE West management team in Mayo.

The two councillors learned that no progress has been made in respect of a proposal to invest €10.43 million in refurbishing the facility to ensure it is in compliance with HIQA standards following the cessation of its existing licence in 2015.

In announcing the date for the rally, Lisa Chambers, local area representative, said if the funding is not secured in the near future by the HSE, it will be too late to meet the deadline for the completion of works on June 30, 2015.

She said it is important to have a wide representation of the community at the rally in order to send out a strong signal to Taoiseach Enda Kenny and his government.

Tuesday, 14 May 2013 12:03

Mayo General HospitalTHE vacant 143-year-old church on the grounds of St. Mary’s Hospital, Castlebar, is to form part of the Mayo Medical Academy, The Connaught Telegraph can reveal.

The building, which faced demolition some years ago, is to serve as an extension to the academy, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has confirmed.

It follows the announcement by NUI Galway president Dr. Jim Browne that Galway University Foundation and NUI Galway are to invest €2 million to support clinical training facilities for medical students at Mayo General Hospital as part of the academy initiative.

Dr. Browne made the announcement at the Mayo Pink Ribbon banquet for the cyclists who took part in the Mayo Pink Ribbon charity cycle for breast cancer research.

The Taoiseach, a patron of Mayo Pink Ribbon, was amongst those who completed the cycle and attended the dinner.

Also in attendance was Dr. Browne, Mr. Tom Joyce, CEO, Galway University Foundation, Dr. Anna O’Coinne, chairperson, National Breast Cancer Research Institute, and Professor Michael Kerin of NUI Galway, who heads up the multi-disciplinary breast cancer unit at Galway University Hospital.

The National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI) is 20 years in existence and its research facility is based in the discipline of surgery, NUI Galway.

Tuesday, 14 May 2013 11:57

A MAN has been arrested in connection with an attempted armed robbery on a filling station outside Claremorris.

Gardaí arrested the man in the Claremorris area following a planned operation in which a number of searches were carried out.

The man was detained for questioning and has since been released, with a file being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

A vehicle was also seized during the searches.

The attempted robbery occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, May 9, between 1.30 and 1.45 a.m. when one man entered the Vivo Filling Station on the N17 at Lisduff, Claremorris, and threatened staff with a sword before demanding money.

The owner of the petrol station confronted the robber and tried to disarm him. He fled the scene with the weapon but without cash.

A Claremorris-based garda on patrol passed the scene and noticed suspicious activity. He gave chase and confronted the culprit before being struck in the face.

Subsequently a car pulled up and collected the man and fled the scene. They were driving a dark grey Subaru Impreza.

The arrest followed a joint operation between gardaí in Claremorris, Swinford and Westport as a result of a series of burglaries throughout the county.

Tuesday, 14 May 2013 11:53

A BITTER political feud is raging in Castlebar over the future of the Sacred Heart Hospital.

The Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parties in the town are at loggerheads following claims the facility is in genuine danger of closing in two year’s time with the loss of 150 jobs, 77 long-stay beds and 36 rehab beds.

The row was ignited when local Fianna Fáil representatives told a press conference that HSE West management in Mayo was making no progress in respect of its application to the national planning steering group for €10.43 million in funding to make the centre compliant with HIQA standards beyond its existing licence of June 30, 2015.

The conference was called after Councillor Al McDonnell and Councillor Blackie Gavin held a meeting with the HSE West manager in the county, Frank Murphy.

Stated Councillor McDonnell: “Despite several attempts on the part of the applicants to secure a positive response, there has been no indication of a favourable outcome to date.

“Mr. Murphy confirmed that from the date of the grant approval, the minimum estimated timescale in bringing the project to fruition is two years.