Ballyhaunis Blog

A Ballyhaunis University of Limerick journalism student has won the inaugural ‘Vincent Doyle Award for Investigative Journalism’, which was presented today at the University of Limerick.

Craig Hughes won the Award for an investigation into how coroners are recording suicide verdicts throughout the country.

He uncovered evidence that suicide verdicts are being under-recorded by a reluctance of some coroners to return such verdicts. The story was originally published in the Sunday Independent.

The‘Vincent Doyle Award for Investigative Journalism’ has been inaugurated to honour the memory of the late Irish Independent editor Vinny Doyle. It recognises a young journalism graduate who has achieved excellence in the field of investigative journalism.

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring today extended his congratulations to fellow Mayo man Craig Hughes on his winning of the ‘Vincent Doyle Award for Investigative Journalism’

“I would like to congratulate Craig Hughes on winning this prestigious award. Vincent Doyle set the highest of standards for journalism, and Craig can be justifiably proud for taking home the very first ‘Vincent Doyle Award for Investigative Journalism’.

“I would also like to congratulate Craig for choosing such an important and challenging topic. As a rural politician, I am all too familiar with the effect of suicide in our society and its impact on communities. Craig took an unflinching look at how suicide verdicts have been reported in various parts of the country.”

“I am always proud to see a local Mayo man doing well, and I would like to wish Craig the very best in what promises to be a successful career,” concluded Minister Ring

Judge Mary Devins ordered a community service assessment for a Ballyhaunis man who pleaded guilty to a number public order offences in Ballyhaunis District Court this week. Bernie McDonagh of 48 The Maples, Ballyhaunis was arrested by gardai on December 18 2011 at 1.20am following a disturbance at his mother-in-law’s house in Ballyhaunis.

Garda Kieran McNicholas told the court that he and other gardai arrived on the scene following a call from the house. McDonagh was outside the house and shouting in at another man who, it transpired, was his brother-in-law. He was in a very intoxicated state. Gardai ordered him to leave the scene which he refused to do and then the other man he was arguing with came out of the house and both men began to get into a fight and the gardai were forced to use pepper spray to separate the men. The court was told that McDonagh had a number of previous convictions for public order offences in the past. Judge Mary Devins adjourned sentencing on McDonagh until June 6 to allow a community service assessment be carried out on McDonagh, where if suitable she will impose a 100-hour community service order on him in lieu of three months in prison.

There’s good news today for Ballyhaunis, with a Government grant of over €350,000 announced for upgrading the local swimming pool.

Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring has approved funding of €352,800 for refurbishment works at the swimming pool, under the Green Swimming Pool initiative, which he says will modernize the pool.

Mayo County Council will also provide €40,000 towards the upgrade of the pool.

It’s hoped work will start in mid-summer, so the pool may not be open to the public this Summer.

Meanwhile, Minister Ring has also announced €25,000 for the Ballyhaunis Boxing Club.

The members currently train in Bekan, but local councillor John Cribben says it’s hoped to upgrade facilities at the former Scouts Den in Ballyhaunis to accommodate the club.

A sad story in the Irish Times of a Dublin based Ballyhaunis native who is trying to make it to payday - he is a journalist (sometimes anyway)

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2012/0124/1224310667976.html

Here is the GAA Fight Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v954WVzDfMg&feature=player_embedded

SuperValu have announced a decision today to install a dedicated OAP chat zone at the entrance to all of it’s 182 stores nationwide.

The zone will be located both inside and outside the entrance door and can only be used by the over 65′s who wish to chat about the weather , death notices , bunions and other such important issues.

CEO said the decision came after numerous written complaints were sent in from elderly men and women over the past few years: “The main problem we found was that people entering the shop with their trolleys were disturbing the old people chatting at the entrance area.

“Some were even asked to ‘move out of the way’ to let the would-be shopper into the store.

“It must be very frustrating. Especially when you’re having such a good chat”

The supermarket chain has also allocated a five minute ‘stop and chat with the cashier rule‘ with all of it’s check-out operators.

“We think it is very important for our cashiers to relate to our customers on a personal level. Five minutes is perfect.”

Seventy three year old Peggy Murphy praised the shop for its OAP friendly atmosphere and said she cannot wait to be able to stand and chat in peace without some younger person nervously fidgeting behind her.

“It’s about time! There’s nothing worse than been hurried up by some impatient whippersnapper.”

X Factor Songs for November 19th 2011

Little Mix – Don’t Let Go, from Set It Off
Marcus Collins – Higher And Higher, from Ghostbusters II
Misha B – I Have Nothing, from The Bodyguard
Janet Devlin – Kiss Me, from She’s All That
Amelia Lily – Think, from Bridget Jones
Craig Colton – License To Kill, from James Bond: License To Kill

TENS of confused people in Ballyhaunis were said to be ‘relieved’ after an elderly woman confirmed there was ‘miserable weather outside’ while waiting in a queue for the post office earlier this week.

Sources say many customers were disorientated when they initially entered the building, not knowing what the hell was happening outside.

One man said: “I remember having my umbrella up as I was walking down the main Street - tThen when I got into the post office I didn’t need it anymore for some reason.”

“I must have been standing there for ten minutes just wondering what had happened. Then Mrs O’Brien said it was ‘miserable auld weather outside’ to one of the post office clerks.

“Nearly everyone took a sigh of relief.”

“Only for her we’d all have been still standing there scratching our heads and wondering why we were soaking wet.” he added.

Mrs. O’Brien said she came into the Post Office to collect her pension before heading off for some messages: “I usually get my money on a Friday and then head up to SuperValu to chat to my friends and block the entrance there.

“When I was in the Post Office I could feel the anxiety in the air. Sure I just had to tell them what was going on outside.” said the 76-year-old.

Since this revelation - dozens more people have come forward with the news of the miserable weather outside.

Business owners across the town have said many customers are now confirming how wet and windy it is when you’re not inside a building.

“Only for people like that we wouldn’t have a clue how horrible it is out there. At least now I know to wear a rain jacket before venturing anywhere without a roof.” said pub owner George Delaney.

These are the Queen and Lady GAGA songs that the Xfactor contestants will be singing tonight…

Marcus Collins – Another One Bites The Dust

Misha B – Born This Way

Kitty Brucknell – Don’t Stop Me Now

Craig Colton – Paparazzi

Janet Devlin – Somebody To Love

Little Mix – Telephone/Radio Gaga

Comeback Contestant – The Show Must Go On

X Factor contestants Rhythmix have had to change their name. They said this week ……….

“When we came up with the name Rhythmix, we had no idea that there was a charity with the same name. We decided to change our name to Little Mix as we do not want to cause any problems for the charity, and we’re happy that this has now been resolved. We’re the same girls as we’ve always been and we want to thank all of our fans for their continued support of us.

“We came up with some ideas for our new name which we discussed with Tulisa and she had some ideas too. We all agreed on Little Mix as it just felt right. We’re so excited to perform on Saturday and hope everyone is impressed with what we do.”