FIRST MINISTER ARLENE FOSTER

11/01/2016 by borderroamer

Arlene Foster MLA with her predecessor as First Minister and DUP Leader Peter Robinson MLA at the Balmoral Show in May 2015 Photo: COPYRIGHT Michael Fisher

It was a chance encounter in May last year at the 2015 Balmoral Show at the Maze when I passed the DUP stand. I came across the then party leader and First Minister, Peter Robinson MLA and then Minister for Finance and Personnel Arlene Foster MLA, who had taken over the portfolio a few days earlier at the start of that week. I had not seen either for a while and both readily agreed to have their photograph taken, which I used in an article I wrote for the Northern Standard. The way Peter put his arm around Arlene’s shoulder was perhaps an indication that later in the year she would become his preference for a successor when he announced he was standing down. Both were in very good mood at the time and I was fortunate to get a picture of them in an informal setting, rather than an office or the Assembly chamber.

NI First Minister Peter Robinson MLA with Michael Fisher at Balmoral Show in May 2015

Arlene Foster then turned the tables and very kindly offered to take a photo of myself with the then First Minister, proving her media skills! During our brief encounter, I did not ask Mr Robinson whether he was thinking about Arlene as a successor at that stage. But ten days later he was admitted to hospital with a suspected heart attack and was fitted with a heart stent. I assure you the timing was coincidental!

Arlene Foster grew up in Roslea, County Fermanagh, just across the border from Scotstown in County Monaghan. Her father, a small farmer, was a full-time RUC member and was injured in an IRA gun attack at their home in 1979. As a teenager in 1988, she survived an IRA bomb in Lisnaskea, which exploded under her school bus while it was being driven by a part-time UDR soldier.

Arlene Foster MLA then Minister for Enterprise with DUP MEP Diane Dodds in Clogher Photo: Copyright Michael

A qualified solicitor and former member of the Ulster Unionist Party, Arlene Foster has always been very courteous in dealing with media requests for interviews. I wish her well in her new post, in which she will share responsibilty for government in Northern Ireland with Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness. She has written an article for today’s Belfast Telegraph in which she outlines some of her priorities. She says she wants to lead the North in the right direction and ensure that children grow up in a better Northern Ireland than she did.

BT YOUNG SCIENTISTS

08/01/2016 by borderroamer

BT Young Scientist Winners 2016 with Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan TD

The winners of the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2016 are Maria Louise Fufezan and Diana Bura from Loreto secondary school Balbriggan, county Dublin. Their project was on enzymes and animal feed. It was about whether industrial additives to animal feed are effective at eradicating roundworm. The winners were congratulated by Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan T.D.

NI Education Minister John O’Dowd MLA at the exhibition at the RDS

The Stormont Education Minister John O’Dowd MLA also visited the exhibition at the RDS in Dublin to see some of the projects entered by schools from Northern Ireland.

Project on lead in water by two students from Colaiste Oiriall Monaghan

There were five entries from three secondary schools in County Monaghan. Two were from Patrician High School Carrickmacross and two from St Louis secondary school Monaghan. The third featured in the photo was from Colaiste Oiriall Monaghan. 2048 projects and 396 schools entered this year, the 52nd.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

30/12/2015 by borderroamer

Gabriel D’Arcy, Chief Executive of newly formed LacPatrick Co-op and Aidan McCabe, Dairy Adviser, with the new LacPatrick logo Photo: © Michael Fisher

34,000 views for fisherbelfast news in 2015

The announcement of the new LacPatrick Co-Op in July was my most viewed story with 537 hits. It was written for the Northern Standard in Monaghan. I am delighted to know that 2015 was a record year for my blog with 34,000 views in different parts of the world, especially the UK, Ireland and the US. This is significant because I blogged only for seven months, publishing 212 posts until the end of July. I will now have to re-assess whether to resume blogging in 2016. The great thing is that many of the articles I posted since 2013 are being read. So a big THANK YOU to anyone who has taken the time to click on any of my stories and I wish all readers a Happy New Year. The full statistics can be seen here thanks to WordPress.

C-TEK CARRICKMACROSS

24/07/2015 by borderroamer

Computer-generated image of C-TEK Carrickmacross Photo: O’Hanlon Property

C-TEK BUILDING NEARS COMPLETION

Michael Fisher Northern Standard Thursday 2nd July

The C-Tek building beside the Civic Offices will represent the new face of Carrickmacross when it opens in the coming weeks. This will give hope for the future, at a time when the town is still reeling from the loss of a major manufacturing facility, Bose, with the loss of 140 jobs. The team behind the development of this site hope it will bring the same success as the M-Tek building in Monaghan town, where a second similar building had to be added to meet demand.

The workspace, designed to attract start-ups and new companies, consists of a two-storey building, offering 10,000 square feet of space with nine units. A number of tenants have already been found. The idea for the project came about following a study which identified a need for modern workspace in Carrickmacross. Work began last August on the building which cost €1.4 million.

It’s hoped the workspace, which will have units ranging from 250 square feet to 1,000 square feet, will appeal to business start-ups and will attract anyone with new ideas.

Councillor Padraig McNally said the County Council were not looking for businesses that are long-established and are well able to pay the going rate. This would be very affordable accommodation, he said and every application would be decided on its merits. Up to now the schemes in both Carrickmacross and Monaghan were not being abused by long-established businesses, he said. He also pointed out that a start-up could mean someone who had been in business for five years but it could take twenty years before they were successful.

The building offers an opportunity to locate a business in a newly constructed modern office facility with outstanding features, location and flexibility. C-Tek (standing for Carrickmacross Technology Education and Knowledge) is designed and built to offer an enhanced commercial working environment in the town. It has been developed by Monaghan County Enterprise Fund and Monaghan County Council. The space offers new and established businesses an opportunity to move to a landmark building and pleasant working environment, complemented by modern facilities including excellent Information Technology infrastructure, dedicated fibre optic broadband, security, ample car parking and easy access to the town centre and main roads. It’s also an hour from Dublin and could appeal to business people in the greater Dublin area who are looking for start-up space or providing professional services.

It’s a two-storey building, with flexible size office suites available starting at 250 square feet up to 1,000 square feet. Its features include a high standard of construction, quality finish, elevator to first floor, high quality electrical and fibre optic cabling, canteen and toilet facilities.

Flexible lease terms, exceptionally keen rent and service charge.

Carrickmacross offers a wide variety of amenities and community facilities including shops, schools, sports, leisure clubs, hotels and restaurants. For enquiries, please contact Shane O’Hanlon of O’Hanlon Property on (042) 9662222 or mobile (086) 2374261 or email shane@ohanlonproperty.ie.

MEMORIAL TO DR PADDY MAC CARVILL

16/07/2015 by borderroamer

Guest speaker Michael McDowell SC with Eamonn Mulligan, Niall Mac Carvill (Pady’s son), his cousin Mackie Moyna and Brendan Smith T.D. Photo: © Michael Fisher

MEMORIAL UNVEILED TO FORMER MONAGHAN T.D. DR PADDY MAC CARVILL

Michael Fisher Northern Standard Thursday 16th July

Brendan Smith T.D. with Mackie Moyna Jnr., Mackie Moyna, guest speaker Michael McDowell S.C., Senator Diarmuid Wilson and Dr Rory O’Hanlon, former Ceann Comhairle Photo: © Michael Fisher

Memories of the War of Independence in County Monaghan and Civil War which divided the allegiances of some families were evoked during the unveiling near Threemilehouse on Sunday of a memorial plaque to honour former Monaghan TD Dr Paddy Mac Carvill.

Crowd listens as Mackie Moyna Jnr addresses the gathering Photo: © Michael Fisher

The ceremony was performed by the former Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell S.C., who is married to Niamh Brennan, a granddaughter of Dr Mac Carvill. The former leader of the Progressive Democrats said Dr Mac Carville whose background and history, elected three times to Dáil Éireann, contained lessons for us all. He told the assembled crowd he was proud that his three sons had the blood in their veins of such a patriot, scholar and gentleman. It was most important that his memory and great patriotism be kept and observed in his native county, especially in this decade of centenaries.

Mackie Moyna Junior (Dublin) raises a laugh as he addresses the gathering Photo: © Michael Fisher

The simple black stone plaque is engraved with the name of Dr Mac Carvill and the dates May 1893 – March 1955. The plaque is set into a rebuilt stone wall at the entrance to the former MacCarvill homestead at Blackraw in the parish of Corcaghan.

Michael McDowell SC is watched by Paddy Mac Carvill’s son Niall (left) and Brendan Smith T.D. (right) as he unveils the plaque and memorial at Blackraw Photo: © Michael Fisher

Dr Mac Carvill’s daughter, 90 year-old Maire Brady from Cork, travelled to Monaghan for the occasion as did his son Niall from Dublin. Two of his five children, Éilish and Éimhear (also a medical doctor) passed away in recent years. The Moyna family were also represented, with twins Mackie (Dublin) and Tommy both present, as well as Tommy (junior), Scotstown. Mackie Moyna (junior) read a speech on behalf of his uncle.

Dr Mac Carvill’s daughter Maire Brady from Cork at the memorial to her father Photo: © Michael Fisher

Following the unveiling, some of the relatives took the opportunity to stroll up the lane and visit the former family homestead, now derelict and owned by the Reilly family. It used to be a thatched house with two bedrooms and the sleeping accommodation for Paddy and his four brothers was in the loft.

Two of Dr Mac Carvill’s children, Maire Brady (Cork) and Niall Mac Carvill (Dublin), with their cousin Mackie Moyna (Dublin) and guest speaker Michael McDowell Photo: © Michael Fisher

In the speech read out on behalf of Mackie Moyna, he detailed how Paddy’s mother Susan was a Moyna before marriage and it was thanks to the generosity of her brother Fr Michael Moyna, Dean of the diocese of Toronto, that the ten children of John and Susan Mac Carvill received an education.

Caoimhghín Ó Caokain T.D. speaking to Mackie Moyna after the unveiling of the plaque Photo: © Michael Fisher

Paddy, the youngest of the clan, attended Drumsheeny National School until he was twelve and then entered St Macartan’s College in Monaghan as a boarder, followed by St Michael’s in Enniskillen, where his older brother, Fr Michael, was a curate. At 18 he entered UCD as a medical student and took first place in Ireland in his final exams.

Two of Dr Mac Carvill’s children, Maire Brady (Cork) and Niall Mac Carvill (Dublin), with Brendan Smith T.D. (left) Photo: © Michael Fisher

As a young doctor Patrick Mac Carvill and his brother Johnny were involved in the IRA in Monaghan in 1919 in the war against the Black and Tans. He was elected as a Republican TD, imprisoned at different times by the British and Free State governments in Belfast, Wormwood Scrubs in London, Dartmoor, as well as Mountjoy and Kilmainham in Dublin. He also went on hunger strike at one stage. His fiancée and future wife, Eileen McGrane, was Michael Collins’s secretary when he was on the run, was captured and imprisoned by the British and later by the Free State government, joining McCarvill on hunger strike.

Some of Dr Mac Carvill’s relatives visiting the family home after the unveiling of the plaque Photo: © Michael Fisher

Paddy Mac Carvill was medical officer to the 5^th Northern Division of the IRA and was at the rescuing of Matt Fitzpatrick from the County Hospital in Monaghan.

In August 1923 President Cosgrave dissolved the Dáil and announced a snap General Election for the fourth Dáil. This election caught the anti-Treaty Sinn Féin party unprepared, yet 44 members were elected and one of those was Paddy Mac Carvill, representing his county of Monaghan as he had also done in the election of June 1922.

In 1924 Paddy Mac Carvill returned to live in Dublin and in 1925 he married his fiancée Eileen McGrane, who hailed from Co Westmeath and who had been a prisoner in Mountjoy when Paddy was transferred there from Dartmoor.

In the June 1927 eletion Paddy Mac Carvill stood as a Fianna Fáil candidate and again was elected for County Monaghan. He took his seat in August but when a snap election was called the following month he decided to retire from politics and concentrated on his medical practice. .

Paddy Mac Carvill gained eminence in his profession, becoming a specialist in dermatology and lecturing on the subject in UCD. He was a consultant to St Anne’s and St Luke’s Hospitals as well as Temple Street Children’s Hospital and the National Maternity Hospital at Holles Street.

On May 22 1946, Paddy Mac Carvill wrote to de Valera regarding the sacking of his brother Johnny from his position as manager and secretary of Monaghan Bacon Company, of which Dr Con Ward T.D. was managing director. Mr de Valera established a tribunal to investigate the allegations. The tribunal did not report that Dr. Ward was guilty of any improper conduct in the actual execution of the duties that pertained to his role as Parliamentary Secretary in the Department of Local Government and Public Health but he offered his resignation and it was accepted on July 12^th 1946, exactly 69 years ago on Sunday.

Éamon de Valera called a snap general election in February 1948. Paddy Mac Carvill came out of political retirement and stood again in Monaghan as a candidate for Séan Mac Bride’s Clann na Poblachta, as did his brother-in-law Aodh de Blacam for Co Louth. Neither was elected. Representatives of the de Blacam family attended the plaque unveiling.

Tommy Moyna and his cousin Maire Brady (Mac Carvill) visiting the old family home Photo: © Michael Fisher

Reflecting on his other family connections, Michael McDowell, whose grandfather was Eoin Mac Neill, commented: “From the constitutional, nationalist Redmondite lawyer to the anti-Treaty Republican hunger strikers, my three sons’ eight great-grandparents span a broad spectrum of nationalist and separatist activity in those years (around 1919-22). Three of them became parliamentarians; three served multiple prison terms. They each endured a great deal of personal tragedy and sacrifice.”

Patrick Brady from Cork, grandson of Dr Mac Carvill, with his wife and daughter at the former Mac Carvill home Photo: © Michael Fisher

In the Bureau of Military History records for 1913-21 there is a statement made in 1954 by a Monaghan man James McKenna, then a Garda Superintendent in Bandon Co. Cork, and a native of Aughaloughan, Glaslough. He was Captain of Donagh Company IRA, O/C North Monaghan Brigade, 5^th Northern Division, in which Dr Paddy Mac Carvill served. Superintendent McKenna recounts the activities of the North Monaghan Flying Column:

“In September 1920 I joined a Flying Column which was organised by Comdt. D. Hogan who was i/c of the unit. It consisted of about sixteen men. Tom Coffey, Clones, was one Section Leader and I was the other. The other members were Matt Fitzpatrick, Frank Tummin, John Donohue, James Murphy, James Winters, Dr. P. McCarville, Phil Marron, Paddy McCarron, Tom Cosgrave, Billy McMahon, Paddy McGrory, Tom Clerkin and James Flynn. As a column we lay in position awaiting patrols on the Clones/Newbliss road, around Scotstown and near Clogher, Co. Tyrone, but in vain. We took the mails off the Belfast 8. to Clones; train at Smithboro and burned a military repair van at Bragan. The three members of the Column from Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh, Matt Fitzpatrick, Frank Tümmin and John Donohue, also John McGonnell, expressed their desire to return to their respectiye units as they felt that While our living quarters were in the Knockatallon Mountains we could not contact the enemy except in units too strong for our strength and equipment. Dan Hogan consented to their request and they immediately left for their units. Early next morning we heard the sound of army lorries coming. Some of them rushed up a mountain road (leading to a shooting lodge of Lord Rossmore) in an effort to cut us off. We all escaped except Dr. McCarville. He and Billy McMahon had stayed the previous night in a house which was nearer the main road than the house we: occupied. The Company Captain, John Brennan, who lived up the mountainside, rushed inland (on hearing the sound of the lorries) to guide the doctor and McMahon to safety. He took them by the course we had gone. As they approached a gap in a mountain ridge the military had advanced more than when we had passed, and fired an occasional shot at the three men. The doctor got nervous and took cover behind the bank of a mountain stream and was captured. Brennan and McMahon continued on and escaped safely. We were also under long range fire when retreating. There was snow on the mountains, not sufficient to completely cover the heather, which made visibility poor and favoured us. We fired an occasional shot on the military to delay their advance as we expected the doctor and McMahon to follow us. The military burned our living quarters and we all returned to our units.”

Plaque and Memorial to Dr Patrick Mac Carvill at the family homestead in Blackraw, Threemilehouse, Co. Monaghan Photo: © Michael Fisher

TYDAVNET JAMBOREE AUGUST 7th-9th

13/07/2015 by borderroamer

Launch of Tydavnet Jamboree at Community Centre Photo: © Michael Fisher

It will be a busy couple of weeks in Tydavnet, County Monaghan at the start of August. A village jamboree has been organised for the weekend of August 7th-9th. The following weekend the Tydavnet Show takes place at Drumshevra, Scotstown, on Saturday 15th August.

Monaghan Rose Michelle Caulfield from Scotstown launches the Tydavnet Jamboree programme Photo: © Michael Fisher

The jamboree programme was launched tonight at the Community Centre by the Monaghan Rose, Michelle Caulfield from Iterera, Scotstown. Michelle won the Monaghan selection in April and was then one of seven Irish roses chosen to represent different counties at a selection night in Portlaoise at the end of May. She is the oldest of four children and is a junior infants teacher at a national school in Palmerstown, County Dublin.

Michelle told me she would be at the jamboree on Saturday 8th August. But the next day she will travel down to County Kerry as the roses have to be in Tralee a week before the festival starts on August 14th.

Monaghan Rose Michelle Caulfield from Scotstown launches the Tydavnet Jamboree programme Photo: © Michael Fisher

One the Rose of Tralee website Michelle tells us that she moved home to Monaghan this year so she commutes to Dublin each day, but living with her family again and of course Mammy’s home cooking makes the drive worth every minute! She says she knew from a very young age that she really enjoyed working with children and youth work is a huge part of my life. Her involvement with Rainbows Ireland and Focus Ireland has allowed her to meet the most inspirational children.

The 27 year-old says she absolutely loves to travel and has spent summers in California, Miami and Thailand. She has a great interest in fashion and admits she loves to shop a little too much. Her pride and joy is her small poodle-like dog, Holly, and she loves their walks together in the beautiful local parks in Monaghan.

Michelle says she is honoured and proud to be representing the ‘Farney County’ this year and knows this is going to be an unforgettable year of new experiences, new friendships and making a difference.

Logo for Tydavnet Jamboree by Frances and Maeve Treanor, Drumdart Photo: © Michael Fisher

The jamboree logo was designed by Texaco Children’s Art overall winner Frances Treanor from Drumdart and her sister Maeve, both of them art students in Dublin. It features on the roadside posters for the event and will be used in all publicity.

Pat Deery at the launch of Tydavnet Jamboree Photo: © Michael Fisher

The launch was compered by actor and local resident Pat Deery. It was also attended by Sean McCaffrey of Northern Sound and Peadar McMahon of emyvale.net. Further details will also be found on the tydavnet.com website.

Seamus McCarville outlines the programme for Tydavnet Jamboree Photo: © Michael Fisher

Secretary of the Tydavnet Jamboree committee Seamus McCarville said they had organised a number of activities to appeal to all ages. He hoped there would be an influx of visitors to Tydavnet for the event, including local people who had emigrated to Australia, the USA and Canada.

On the Friday night 7th August the jamboree will begin with the showing of films of local scenes made in the 1950s by the late Parish Priest of Tydavnet, Canon Terence Kirke, from 9pm until midnight in the community centre, with a dance. Saturday afternoon and evening will include a BBQ with mystery entertainment and dancing. Seamus McElwain could not be persuaded to divulge further information! There will be a treasure hunt at 5pm. The day will also feature celebrations in honour of Killylough Tug o’ War, who enjoyed world and European successes in 1986 and 1987, as well as 1996 and also later on in 2007. After forty years of success it was decided that their achievements should be recognised through this community event.

Killylough Tug-o’-War committee Photo: © Michael Fisher

Killylough Cycling Club will organise a 50km and 100km cycle run on Sunday 9th August, beginning at 10am. There will be a tractor run at 2pm and a family fun day in the field opposite the community centre organised by young people from 2pm to 6pm, including the search for Tydavnet’s toughest tribe. This will see McCruddens testing their skills against McCarras, Meehans and Murphys, and possibly several other families. A very promising and lively programme for the jamboree weekend.

BALLINODE HERITAGE MUSEUM

12/07/2015 by borderroamer

Open Day at Ballinode Photo: © Michael Fisher

The museum of the late Vincent McAree in Ballinode County Monaghan hosted an open day today (Sunday) from 1.30pm to 5.30 pm. Exhibits included steam and oil driven engines, early tractors, ancient kitchen utensils, old farmhouse furniture, public house artefacts and a door from Monaghan gaol.

Demonstrating the knot-tying machine at Ballinode open day Photo: © Michael Fisher

There was also a book sale (I made some interesting purchases), with funds going to Alzheimer’s Ireland. The afternoon also included live music in the community hall from local star Aidan Clerkin and refreshments. A great day out and everyone was made very welcome.

Open Day at Vincent McAree Museum in Ballinode Photo: © Michael Fisher

MONAGHAN BUS INSPECTOR RETIRES

07/07/2015 by borderroamer

Bus Éireann Inspector Paddy Gollogly waves farewell to the Letterkenny express for the last time at Monaghan bus depot Photo: © Michael Fisher

Monaghan Bus Éireann Inspector Paddy Gollogly Retires

Michael Fisher Northern Standard Thursday 2nd July p.2

Bus Éireann Inspector Paddy Gollogly waved farewell for the last time as the Letterkenny express pulled out of Monaghan bus station on Tuesday afternoon. Since 1992 Paddy has been the Inspector at the depot, supervising all passing services at this busy stop, which is also used by Translink cross-border coaches from Derry and Armagh. After 44 years in the job, Paddy was hanging up his Inspector’s hat and looking forward to an active retirement.

Ulsterbus/Translink drivers from Armagh and Derry wish Paddy Gollogly all the best on his retirement Photo: © Michael Fisher

A native of Carrickmacross, he began work as a school bus driver in the area in 1971. He progressed to being a road passenger driver in Dundalk and Monaghan, earning promotion to the role of Inspector in Dundalk in 1990. After two years there, he transferred to his native county.

Drivers at Bus Éireann’s Monaghan depot say farewell to Inspector Paddy Gollogly Photo: © Michael Fisher

On his last day at work friends and colleagues gathered at the depot along with Paddy’s family to wish him well. They included Translink bus drivers from the services to Derry and Armagh. Several local Councillors also came to pay tribute to his courteous and loyal service over the years.

Paddy Gollogly is joined by his family including grandson Ryan for his last day at Monaghan bus depot Photo: © Michael Fisher

They were led by the Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Noel Keelan. Councillor Keelan said Paddy’s record of service was a fantastic achievement, in helping to transport people around the county and country for so many years. He always had a smile on his face as he dealt with passengers and this helped a lot when it came to dealing with any complaints, Councillor Keelan said. For Paddy it would be a change of life, rather than a retirement and he wished him and his family well. He complimented Paddy, a founder member of Carrickmacross Lions Club, on the huge amount of work he had done for charity. This included an annual Christmas swim at Creevy Lake in Carrickmacross, raising funds for various causes.

Keeping the passengers happy: last call for the Dublin bus! Photo: © Michael Fisher

Paddy’s wife Bernie watched as a stream of drivers and former staff came to greet him. His daughter Elaine brought her infant son Ryan (aged eight months) to greet his grandfather and was joined by her brother Pauric. It was a big day for Paddy but he was also conscious of the tragedy that had unfolded last week in Tunisia, in which a Bus Éireann colleague from Athlone, Larry Hayes and his wife Martina were shot dead, whose funerals will be taking place tomorrow (Friday). Michael McCormick, a Bus Éireann Inspector from Cavan said he had been told of the tragedy in a text message on Saturday afternoon and was also conscious of the suffering of the Hayes family.

He said he had a lot in common with Paddy, having started with the company in 1970 and he was the first port of call if he needed any back-up. He described Paddy as one of the old stagers and said they would all miss him. “Everywhere you went with Paddy, you had a laugh”, he said. Paddy was a great entertainer and he had enjoyed every hour of his company.

Councillor Paudge Connolly described Paddy as the very friendly face of CIE. Any time you met him, he was in good humour, he said. He did things for customers that went above and beyone the call of duty. He would be very sorely missed at this busy North/South hub and he wished him well on his retirement.

Staff at the Dinkin’s coffee shop at the bus station presented Paddy with a gift to mark his retirement. It was a portrait of himself painted by one of them, Goda Sirutyte, who is from Lithuania and has been in Monaghan for the past year.

Paddy Gollogly with the portrait painted by one of the Dinkin’s cafe staff, Goda Sirutyte Photo: © Michael Fisher

When news of Paddy’s retirement reached the councillors, they expressed concern that he was not going to be replaced as Inspector. But Councillor Sean Conlon said a lot of lobbying had been done and he was pleased to note that a replacement Inspector had now been appointed. The new man in the post is Jim McFaul, who is moving from Dundalk, where he has been Inspector. He has worked for Bus Éireann for 28 years and has also served in Drogheda as well as Monaghan. He said he was looking forward to the challenge but Paddy would be a very difficult act to follow. He said the issue of buses to and from Monaghan had been raised in the past, particularly the early morning service to Dublin Airport.

He would endeavour to keep them at the top of the agenda. He believed that many people were turning to public transport because of the cost of fuel and running cars and that if a guaranteed, frequent service can be provided, then people would use it.

Special cake for Paddy Gollogly’s retirement Photo: © Michael Fisher

It was a great afternoon of celebration for a popular Inspector who has always done his best to serve the public and the people of County Monaghan during his long career with the semi-state company. The celebrations will continue this Saturday evening July 4th at Corduff Raferagh Community Centre, where Paddy has lived for the past thirty years. A night of music and craic is promised, with refreshments. A buffet supper will be served at 10pm and tickets will be available at the door on the night as the local community expresses its gratitude to Paddy Gollogly.

Paddy Gollogly expresses his thanks to the passengers on the Letterkenny express, who gave him a round of applause Photo: © Michael Fisher

CARRICKMACROSS PATRICIAN HIGH SCHOOL

01/07/2015 by borderroamer

Patrician High School Principal Joe Duffy and Deputy Principal Sean Rafferty Photo: © Michael Fisher

School Inspection Praises High Staff Morale at Patrician High

Michael Fisher Northern Standard Carrickmacross News p.42

The desks were empty in the converted gym when I visited Patrician High School in Carrickmacross recently. But over the next few weeks the hall will be full of students doing their Leaving Certificate. Principal Joe Duffy and Deputy Principal Sean Rafferty have been ensuring that all necessary preparations are made for the 73 pupils sitting exams. It has been a busy year for them. In January the school underwent its own test, a rigorous whole school evaluation of management, leadership and learning, carried out over three days by two inspectors from the Department of Education and Skills. The high staff morale and motivation of the 35 teachers was praised.

During the evaluation, the inspection team met the school’s board of management, in-school management, and groups of teachers, parents and students. Inspectors also reviewed a range of school documentation and responses to questionnaires and examined other data in relation to the operation of the school. A range of lessons in a number of subjects was inspected.

Patrician High School is a Catholic voluntary secondary school for boys under the trusteeship of the Bishop of Clogher. It has experienced a significant growth in student numbers in recent years and from a base of around 360 it now has a current enrolment of 507. Joe Duffy expects this will soon increase to 540.

The key findings of the inspection were that the teaching staff is motivated and that morale at the school is high. The senior management team provides effective leadership to the school and models the highest standards of commitment in all areas of school life.

Commitment to quality improvement is clearly evident among all partners of the school community, according to the report. The inspectors found that teaching and learning were effectively led by senior management and the quality observed in classrooms ranged from good to very good with instances of excellent teaching practice evident in many lessons. Finally, the report concluded that care of students received a high priority in the school and was managed effectively. The report made a number of recommendations, which the school is seeking to put into practice, including a review of the system for monitoring student attendance.

The report praised the senior management team for forming an effective partnership that modeled the highest standards of commitment to all areas of school life. A shared model of leadership has been established. According to the findings, “the senior management team prioritises an atmosphere of respect and good order as essential elements to providing optimal conditions for teaching and learning to take place.”

Staff morale is high, teachers are motivated and there is a high level of collaboration between staff and senior management, the report said. The dedication of staff to the provision of a wide range of co-curricular and extracurricular activities is noted and affirmed by management. Transition Year students have had successes in competitions such as the BT Young Scientist, Young Social Innovators, Enterprise Awards at county, regional and national levels and the Scifest in Dundalk.

In Joe Duffy’s office there is a framed note from the Tyrone GAA manager Mickey Harte. Addressing the young pioneers, he told them “Always work at being the best; You can be and then you will be a real success”. Two of the virtues the staff try to instil are timekeeping and smart appearance, including wearing a clean pair of shoes.

Past pupils have also gone on to be very successful in various fields. They include RTE weatherman Gerry Murphy, RTE Director General Noel Curran and his brother Richard, comedian Oliver Callan, who first developed his mimicry at school concerts, another comedian Ardal O’Hanlon, and local councillors Padraig McNally and PJ O’Hanlon.

The school provides a broad curriculum and management has reviewed and amended the choice of subjects in response to changing demands. An example of this is the expanded provision of science subjects which now includes Agricultural Science. The report said it was notable that the optional Transition Year programme attracted almost all students. Student care and welfare are school priorities and good supports are provided from within the school’s support structure and through developing links with external agencies.

The newly refurbished school building is very well maintained and facilities are provided to a very high level. A stimulating learning environment has been provided in teacher-based classrooms. The library is open to students at lunchtime and has been brought into greater use by timetabled access to link with the school’s literacy improvement plan. The staff room has been recently extended to include a preparation and corrections area. There is a canteen and lunch area for students and part of it is covered in murals which have been painted with the guidance of the art teacher.

When Joe Duffy spoke to the Northern Standard, he pointed out he pictures along the walls showing the vast range of activities carried out by students. In the field of civic, social and political education they have undertaken trips to the Dáil and the Northern Ireland Assembly. On the sports field, pupils like Stephen O’Hanlon have been successful in basketball and he is now on a sports scholarship in the United States. Others have enjoyed success in football with the local GAA club Carrick Emmets. Hurling is also being developed. More sports success has occurred in swimming and in soccer.

Overall Joe Duffy said he was very pleased with the results of the official school evaluation. He said it showed the great contribution by staff to pastoral care and teaching and the way they had developed a camaraderie with the pupils in a spirit of collegiality. Mr Duffy said he was very pleased with the way things were going. He pointed out the principal values instilled in students: respect, be on time, be prepared, follow instructions and participate fully. He hoped those five important points would continue to be fostered in the next academic year at Patrician High School.

INTERCONNECTOR OBJECTIONS

30/06/2015 by borderroamer

Checking the details of the EirGrid N/S Interconnector plan at the information meeting in Aughnamullen Photo: © Michael Fisher

ANGER EXPRESSED BY LANDOWNERS IN MONAGHAN OVER EIRGRID APPLICATION FOR N/S INTERCONNECTOR

Michael Fisher Northern Standard Thursday 25th June

Landowners in South Monaghan whose farms and property are along the route of the proposed EirGrid North/South electricity interconnector say it would ruin their livelihoods for generations to come and would cause the biggest destruction ever seen in Ireland. Many of them came to Aughnamullen social centre on Monday night to see for themselves the full extend of the EirGrid plans which were submitted earlier this month to An Bord Pleanála. The County Monaghan Anti-Pylon Committee had obtained a hard copy of the application and large folders were spread out over a long table with maps showing the route of the proposed overground line, including the section close to Lough Egish.

EirGrid and its northern counterpart plan to construct 401 new pylons carrying an overhead 400kV supply line across five counties including Monaghan, Cavan and Meath. 109 of the towers would be erected in Monaghan. The power line from Woodland near Batterstown in County Meath to Turleenan near Dungannon in County Tyrone and passing across the border at Lemgare near Clontibret into County Armagh would be one of the biggest infrastructure developments on the island and so it was designated a Project of Common Interest by the European Commission

There is now a ten weeks period of statutory public consultation, running until Monday August 24th.

The Secretary of the Anti-Pylon Committee Mary Marron said they had organised three meetings in Aughnamullen, Cremartin and Corduff during the week to enable landowners to see exactly how their properties would be affected. They were also able to advise them about making submissions to An Bord Pleanála and what they needed to concentrate on. The committee will be taking its own legal advice on the application, she said.

EirGrid documentation about the N/S Interconnector Photo: © Michael Fisher

The maps on the table set out how pylons would be erected in townlands such as Cornasassonagh and Corrinenty. Landowners continued to question why they were being treated as second-class citizens, because the underground option was being considered for two other major electricity supply projects. They claimed the project would devalue their land. They felt that the plans to erect pylons would turn their land into construction sites and questioned the methods EirGrid would use for accessing their property.

LOCAL POLITICIANS OPPOSE EIRGRID PLANS

Monaghan County Council has set up a sub-committee to discuss the interconnector application. It will meet in Castleblayney on July 13th and draw up a response. The Ballybay Clones Municipal District will also be making a submission objecting to EirGrid’s North/South Interconnector project.

COUNCILLOR SEAMUS COYLE

Fianna Fáil Councillor Seamus Coyle, a farmer from Latton, said the EirGrid proposals were totally unacceptable to local landowners. He claimed that the company had not gone out onto the ground and looked at the situation for individual farmers regarding access to their property for the construction work on the pylons. He said the project was contrary to the Monaghan County Council development plan 2013-19 and the sustainable development of the county. He told the Northern Standard it was important that councillors supported the concerns of local people in relation to this project. He claimed the local access roads needed for EirGrid construction work would be totally unfit for purpose in areas such as Corduff and Raferagh. He claimed that the electricity transmission company had not gone out onto the ground to inspect properties that would be affected, but had done an aerial survey instead. This was in contrast to the approach adopted by SONI in the North, where engineers had walked almost 97% of the planned route. He claimed EirGrid had not taken into account the implications for fauna and wildlife in the countryside as well as heritage spots such as ancient burial grounds.

MATT CARTHY MEP

Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands North West Matt Carthy called on the public to engage with the consultation process and to outline their concerns. He said:

“Unfortunately, due to the Strategic Infrastructure Act enacted by the Fianna Fáil government with the support of Fine Gael, the planning process for the North/South Interconnector is, in my view, flawed. However, that should not prevent interested individuals and communities engaging with the public consultation process during which time the public may provide submissions and observations to An Bord Pléanala. The consultation closes at 5.30pm on Monday 24th August.”

Mr Carthy said Sinn Féin representatives had been working closely with all those groups and communities in Counties Monaghan, Armagh, Cavan, Tyrone and Meath who have been engaged in a campaign since 2007 against the EirGrid and NIE/SONI plans to impose 400kv overhead power lines and associated pylons on their landscapes.

“The concerns are very real; there are genuine worries for health, our environment, the landscape, the economic development of the areas concerned. The communities concerned have made their position crystal clear: the North/South Interconnector can only proceed on the basis that it is undergrounded. Sinn Féin fully supports that position and we will be preparing our own submission to An Bord Pléanala on this issue”.

“This project, despite 97% landowner opposition, is the only EirGrid project that remains unchanged since 2009 following its exclusion from the EirGrid national review. Report after report, including one published by the government appointed International expert commission have clearly proved that undergrounding of the power lines is both possible and feasible. Indeed, many argue that in the medium to long term, undergrounding is economically beneficial. I am calling on the public to take this opportunity to outline their position on this project and ensure that their voice is heard”, the MEP said.

€5000 CHARGE FOR HARD COPY OF EIRGRID APPLICATION

Matt Carthy was also critical of EirGrid for charging members of the North East Pylon Pressure Campaign (NEPPC) €5000 for each hard copy of the planning application. The group had requested four copies of the application for their members and had also asked EirGrid to provide a hard copy to each landowner affected by the application.

Commenting on the correspondence between the NEPPC and EirGrid officials, the MEP said:

“It is completely outrageous that a full hard copy of this planning application costs €5000. I agree with the members of the North East Pylon Pressure Campaign that the astronomical costs involved in obtaining a copy of this application will put it out of the reach of many in the community affected by the proposed pylons.”

“The message from the local communities could not be clearer – they do not want overhead pylons blighting some of the most historical landscapes of this country and presenting a real danger to their communities. This is another slap in the face to the community who have had to listen to PR exercise after PR exercise from EirGrid stating their full commitment to engage with local communities on the proposed pylons.”

Mr Carthy went on: “While I acknowledge that soft copies of the application are provided on CD, many people need access to a hard copy for various reasons and it would be expected at the least that the landowners affected could receive a copy of the application. EirGrid cannot expect to be to be taken seriously on its claims of extensive public consultation while communities are effectively excluded from the planning process and I am calling on the company to make the application more readily available.”

SEAN CONLAN T.D.

The Fine Gael T.D. Sean Conlan attended the information evening at Aughnamullen. He said the County Monaghan Anti Pylon Committee deserved great credit for the effort they have put into organising the series of meetings this week to explain to the landowners affected in detail exactly what Eirgrid proposed to do on their land. He strongly encouraged anyone who wanted to find out further information in respect of the proposed route and how it affected their property and their community and who wished to obtain advice in relation to submitting a submission to An Bord Pleanála to contact the committee.

Deputy Conlan said: “The resilience and collective objection of the community as a whole to this application is paramount in trying to achieve our ultimate goal of having this project undergrounded. It is very important that the community continues to stand together to object to this new application by EirGrid to overground the North/South interconnector. By standing together as one the community stands the best chance of defeating EirGrid in their endeavours to put this project overground. It is very clear to me that the communities affected are more determined than ever that EirGrid are defeated.”

“I am available at any time to provide any advice or any assistance I can to members of the community and landowners who wish to make submissions detailing their concerns about EirGrid’s application and how it affects them, their families, their farms and their community. I want to reassure everybody in all the communities affected that I remain fully opposed to the overgrounding of this project by EirGrid. I will be making my own submission to An Bord Pleanála opposing EirGrid’s application to put the interconnector overground.”

COUNCILLOR EUGENE BANNIGAN

Fine Gael Councillor Eugene Bannigan also attended the information evenings. He told the Northern Standard: “Over the last number of weeks EirGrid have published their plans for a new application to an Bord Pleanála where they are looking to build 401 new pylons over five counties. However EirGrid have not walked the full route so they don’t know what damage they could do to wildlife and protected species in the surrounding areas.”

Councillor Bannigan went on: “The recent launch of new farming schemes shows certain requirements are needed in order to be granted acceptance to the scheme, and this means land will be let go wild for Gaming and Wild Bird cover. So if a farmer on the grid is planning to let some of their crops go wild in order to meet these certain requirements, then the Department of Agriculture must help out, and if several farmers along the grid do this then it can slow up the process with An Bord Pleanála, and on the other hand you have the Department for Energy trying to let this interconnector grid go up. It doesn’t make sense as on one hand the government is trying to help farmers and this means let land go wild, and on the other hand, the government is trying to let EirGrid go ahead. So it’s the government versus the government.”

Brendan Smith T.D.

BRENDAN SMITH TD

Fianna Fáil T.D. for Cavan-Monaghan Brendan Smith has criticised the Communications Minister Alex White for refusing to consider a motion by Monaghan County Council calling for the cessation of work on the North/South Interconnector so that the project could be undergrounded. The motion came on foot of comments made by EirGrid’s Chief Executive during a meeting of the Oireachtas Communications Committee, when he admitted that the undergrounding of the lines was technically feasible.

Deputy Smith commented, “I am extremely disappointed by Minister Alex White’s stance on this issue.  Despite submitting a range of Parliamentary Questions raising concerns about the fact that the underground option was not being considered, he failed to give any straight answers, choosing to evade the specific questions.

“The North-South interconnector is an extremely contentious issue here on the border. People have grave concerns about the fact that the Government appears to be content to press ahead with the overhead lines option, without giving due consideration to the possibility of undergrounding them.  This is despite the fact that the head of EirGrid told the Oireachtas Communications Committee that it is technically feasible to put the lines underground.

“It is extremely unfair that the Government is continuing to refuse a review of the North-South interconnector plans, especially in light of the fact that the other two Grid Link projects are being reconsidered.  People here feel as if they are being ignored by this Government, which is refusing to take their concerns on board, and is now even refusing to give credible answers to Parliamentary Questions, and has now effectively passed the buck back to Eirgrid.

“I am very disappointed with the Minister’s evasive and hands-off approach to this issue.  There has been a substantial reduction in the potential cost of the undergrounding project, yet Minister White is refusing to reconsider.  This is not good enough and the people of Cavan and Monaghan will simply not accept it. I will be continuing to put Minister White under pressure to review this project to ensure a safe and secure energy supply for people living on the border”, Deputy Smith concluded.

QUESTION: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the recent decision by EirGrid to submit a planning application for the North South Interconnector without consideration being given to the options of undergrounding this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – Brendan Smith.

REPLY
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Alex White)
In January 2014, an Independent Expert Panel (IEP) was established to oversee the integrity of the process being undertaken by EirGrid to report on comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for both the Grid Link (GL) and Grid West (GW) projects. While the North South Transmission Line project (N/S) is outside the IEP’s Terms of Reference, the IEP did agree, on foot of a request by my predecessor, to provide an opinion on the compatibility of the methodologies, to be employed on the GL and GW projects with what had already been done on the N/S project up to and including 2 May 2014, being the date that the IEP decided to examine the N/S project.

Having considered and discussed all of the material, the Panel issued a statement on 1 July 2014, indicating its unanimous opinion that, in all material respects, what had already been done on the N/S project is compatible with the methodologies being employed on the GW and GL projects.

On 27 March 2015 EirGrid published a new independently peer reviewed draft Strategy which allows for the achievement of an optimal balance between the competing demands of publicly consulting on necessary network development, choosing the best emerging technology options for that development, and minimising new build. The draft strategy found that there remains a clear need for the North South transmission line, and that the existing proposal for a 400kV overhead line remains the most appropriate solution for the project.

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INTERCONNECTOR OBJECTIONS

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