Murphy ‘in discussions’ on financial aid for Elphin

Senator Eugene Murphy says he has been in discussion with Minister Heather Humphreys, his Government Fianna Fáil colleagues, and Roscommon County Council regarding financial support for the town of Elphin. Senator Murphy says he is also “having conversations” with local councillor Valerie Byrne as to how to speed up the granting of support.

“I have suggested to the Minister and Roscommon County Council that we immediately work on a substantial Enhancement Grant, which, if successful, could be approved this year”, he commented. “This would have an immediate positive effect as we worked towards a more substantial financial package for the town.

“I have also spoken to Cllr Joe Murphy and I know any package would have the full support of the four other councillors in Boyle Municipal District: Cllr Tom Crosby (Cathaoirleach of the Council), Cllr Liam Callaghan, Cllr John Cummins, and Cllr Michael Mulligan, as they have always advocated for support for Elphin.

“The Minister, the Council, and Cllr Byrne would, in my view, support this initial move, but I would still be very insistent on further funding for the town”, Senator Murphy added.

Senator Murphy also stated that with the funding granted for Elphin Community College, which will come to several million euro, he is anxious to work with local councillors and the community to achieve further improvements in the town.

available in each hospital, we get a much better indication of the pressure that each hospital was under last month.

“The reason this is important is because while I have no doubt the HSE will put the hospitals with the big numbers at the top of their agenda, it is feared that the smaller hospitals under the most pressure will be ignored because this is what has happened up to now”.

Deputy Naughten said that Portiuncula Hospital put a proposal to the HSE and Department of Health three years ago to provide a modular extension to the Emergency Department in a bid to ease overcrowding.

“To date, no decision has been made on this proposal because clearly it is not high enough up the HSE agenda,” he said.

“Other hospitals have put forward simple measures to deal with the challenges that they are facing, which would not only ease pressure on our hospital system but ensure that patients get safer and more timely care”.

A ‘Ballinagare welcome’ for Ukrainian refugees

Ballinagare Health and Leisure Centre are inviting people in the local community to come down to the centre to welcome the group of Ukrainians who have joined our community.

The event is being held this Friday, 10th of February in the Community Centre from 7-10 pm. It would be great if everyone could come to show their support!

Public meeting in Loughglynn

A public meeting will take place in Loughglynn Community Centre on Thursday, February 16th, at 8.30 pm. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the lake, the required repair work to the dam, and the proposed restoration of the Mass Path/The Sandy Lane. Everyone is welcome to attend. The project group is acting under the auspices of Loughglynn & District Angling Club.

Service of Remembrance at Portiuncula Hospital

Portiuncula University Hospital is inviting parents and their families who have experienced bereavement through the death of a child or who have lost a baby through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, still birth or after birth, to a Service of Remembrance which will take place in the hospital on Monday, February 13th.

Deirdre Naughton, Director of Midwifery at the hospital said: “This service offers parents who have experienced bereavement an opportunity to reflect on their grief journey through symbol, music and prayer. Parents who have attended this service in the past have shared with us that they have found it to be a time of healing and comfort”. The service will take place at 7.30 pm on Monday, February 13th in the hospital chapel and families are welcome to join other families for light refreshments afterwards.

Two injured in Roscommon crash

Two people were injured in a road traffic collision in south Roscommon on Saturday evening.

A woman in her 50s and a young adult man in his late teens were injured in the two-vehicle crash which occurred at Kiltoom, Athlone at around 8 pm.

According to Gardaí, both were taken to Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The Bridge Club

Roscommon Bridge Club: 1st: Chris and John McGrath; 2nd: Phil & Seamus Cooney; Gross: Mary and Pearse Mellett. Happy ‘71 Bridge Club: Club Pairs – 1st: Mary and Pearse Mellett; 2nd: Phil and Seamus Cooney; Gross: Mary and Vincent Brennan. 1st Session: Chris and John McGrath. 2nd Session: Mary Coyle and Kathleen Holmes. St Coman’s Bridge Club: 1st: Kitty Dowd and Celia Ansboro; 2nd: Mary Naughton and Ann Shine; Gross: Nuala Costello and Chris McGrath. Ballymurray Bridge Club: Section A – 1st: Mary Naughton and Kitty Gately; 2nd: Ethel and Brian Keenan; Gross: Pat Pierse and Breege Weir. Section B – 1st: Michael Dolan and Kevin Coyle; 2nd: Valerie and Pat Finneran; Gross: Marion Dolan and Rita Roughneen. Kilbride Bridge Club: 1st: Brid Gillooly and Frances Keane; 2nd: Ann Igoe and Gertie McDermott; 3rd: Mary Kelly and Kitty Burke.