Leitrim athletes won two medals at the AVIVA Connacht Schools Cross Country Championships held in wet and heavy conditions at St Mary’s College, Galway, yesterday.  Dearbhaile Beirne of Mohill Community College won the Minor Girls Title and Eilish O Dowd of Ballinamore Post Primary School was runner up in the Junior Girls Championship. Other Leitrim athletes to qualify for the All Ireland at the same venue on Saturday March 10th were Ryan O Rourke of Ballinamore PPS who finished tenth in the Junior Boys race, Elise Bruen of Carrick on Shannon Community School who finished thirteenth in the Minor Girls race, Martin Feeney of St Clare’s, Manorhamilton, who finished fourteenth in the Junior Boys race and Joanne Feeney of St Clare’s who was also fourteenth in the Senior Girls’ race.

 

Written Answers- Court Accommodation

Thursday 15 December 2011

 

257   Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of allocations from the funds available to his Department towards the refurbishment of the courthouse, a listed building in Ballinamore, County Leitrim, over the past ten years; the expenditure to date from such allocations; the amount left unspent; the reason such moneys were left unspent and by whom such a decision was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. (40757/11)

 

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter)  Under the provisions of the Courts Services Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service.  The Act provided that the Service is independent in the performance of it’s functions, including the maintenance and provision of courthouse facilities. In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that between 2008 and 2010 a total of €232,616. 09 was spent on architectural, engineering and quantity surveying  services appointed by the Office of Public Works relating to preparatory work carried out between 2008 and 2009 for the proposed refurbishment of Ballinamore courthouse.However, given that work resulted in an estimated refurbishment cost of €2.5 million and in the context of reduced capital funding allocations, I am informed that the Courts Service decided in November 2009 not to proceed with the project. I am informed that no further funding was allocated and no moneys remain unspent and this remains the position in the light of the current economic circumstances. It is regrettable that this expenditure did not lead to a refurbishment but the Deputy will appreciate that quite extensive preliminary work is essential in preparing for capital projects. The Courts Service Board subsequently decided in 2010 to amalgamate the District Court area of Ballinamore with Carrick on Shannon and therefore the court no longer sits in Ballinamore. I should add that a new courthouse was provided in Carrick on Shannon in 1998 at a cost of €1.98 million.

Carrick-on-Shannon Heritage Group Limited

Twin Traditions Initiative is seeking 20 volunteers from Carrick-on-Shannon and Enniskillen area for a historical training programme. Due to start in early/mid February 2012.

A historical researcher will guide the group to research key historical events in the 400 years of Carrick-on-Shannon and Enniskillen. Subsequently the research will be compiled into a booklet. This project contributes to the up coming Carrick 400 celebrations.

The programme is free of charge. Spaces are limited.  Registration forms are available by contacting: Sheila McArdle, Twin Traditions Co-ordinator, Carrick-on-Shannon Heritage Group Ltd., St. George’s Heritage Centre, St. Mary’s Close, Carrick-on-Shannon.(071) 962 1757 or by e-mail: Twintraditionscarrick@gmail.com

Twenty eight hardy individuals braved the waters of Garadice Lake on Christmas Day for the annual Sponsored Swim in aid of NCBI Guide Dogs Campaign and the Simon Community.

The weather, in contrast to the last two Christmas Days, was very mild and the water was not unduly cold but a strong breeze blew across the lake towards the shore.  Among the participants was Leitrim’s Olympic athlete Colin Griffin and veteran badminton stalwart P J McLoughlin.  The principal organiser was Paddy O Connor.  Sponsorship cards will be collected from the participants over the next two weeks and it is not too late yet to make a donation in support of those worthy causes through one of the participants whose picture appears here.

 

After the frost and snow of the past two Christmas Days the Leitrim Icebreakers should experience pleasant conditions when they take to the water at Kellys’ Angle on Garadice Lake Christmas Day at 12.30 p.m.  This particular activity has taken place each year over the past twenty odd years and large amounts of Sponsorship money have been raised for the NCBI Guide Dogs for the Blind campaign. This year the Simon Community is also being supported.  Sponsorship Cards can be obtained from Paddy O Connor, Patricia Griffin, Margaret Connolly, Fionnbar Quinn, Jimmy Holohan and Sean Callaghan.  A good crowd of participants and spectators is expected at the venue to support the cause.

 

On St Stephen’s Day the 12th GOAL Sports Table Quiz will be in Smyths Siopa Ol  at 4.00 p.m. It is organised by the Blazers Basketball Club.

 

On Wednesday December 28th the Annual Table Quiz in aid of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip will be held in McGirls of Main St in Ballinamore at 9.00 p.m.

 

Mohill Chilly Dippers hold a dip at midday on Christmas Day in the Lough Rynn Amenity Area.

 

Bothar Sponsored Walk in Drumshanbo on St Stephen’s Day at 1.00 p.m. starting from the jetty in Spencer Harbour.

 

On Christmas Day at 10.00 q.m. there will be a dip at Cormongan Pier, Drumshanbo, in aid of Sligo General Hospital Oncology Trust.

 

There will be a charity walk in Drumshanbo from the Allen Gaels Grounds commencing at 11.00 a.m. on Tuesday December 27th.

 

On Tuesday December 27th there will be a Charity 10K Cycle starting at noon  from Trail Blazers, Dubli n Road, Carrick on Shannon.

Melvin Gaels have organised a game for St Stephen’s Day at 12.00 noon . This year the benefiting charity is the Lydia Branley Trust Fund.

 

The 8th Annual Goal Mile takes place in Bornacoola GAA Grounds on New Year’s Day at 2.00 p.m.

Eslin has a 5 mile Charity Walk  on New Year’s Eve starting from the Community Centre at 12.30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Philip Rooney was elected Chairperson of Leitrim Community Forum at their Annual Review held in the Bush Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, on Saturday last. He succeeds Gerry Magee of Mohill who did not seek re election after serving for two years.  Philip Rooney from Rossinver is a member of the Leitrim Development Company, the North Leitrim Network and the National Community Forum.

Mary McKiernan of Ballinamore succeeds Michael McGovern of Drumreilly as Deputy Chairperson.  She is a member of the North West Regional Drugs Task Force and the South Leitrim Network.  Michael Dolan of Ballinamore has been re elected as Correspondence Secretary, Michael Keaveney of Drumkeeran as Recording Secretary and Patricia Flanagan of Kilnagross as Treasurer.  The outgoing Public Relations Officer Padraig Griffin has also been re elected.

Picture-     Community Forum Officers 2012

Front-  Philip Rooney, Mary McKiernan

Back- Michael Keaveney, Patricia Flanaghan, Michael Dolan,

Padraig  Griffin.