Important local advice and information services in Co Monaghan, including those availed of by people in mortgage distress and other forms of indebtedness, could be curtailed by restructuring plans, it was stated at Monday’s meeting of Monaghan Co Council. The concerns, which were the subject of a notice of urgent business moved by the Fine Gael members of the Council and unanimously adopted, arise from Government proposals to change the structure of delivery of the Citizens Information Service and the MABS or Money Advice and Budgeting Service. The ...

By Veronica Corr It’s said that “gin makes you sin” and if you think that’s not entirely a bad thing(!), then the good news is that a local craftsman has taken up distilling the spirit. Steven Murphy, from Killabrick, Carrickmacross, has set up Old Carrick Mill Distillery in the townland of Derrylavin, just a stone’s throw away from the actual old mill building itself. The young self-employed, artisan distiller has big plans for his mill, including branching out into manufacturing other drinks and turning the old mill building into a tourist ...

• Co Council seeks input into consultation process New valuations for commercial properties in Co Monaghan for the purpose of levying rates will be in effect by 2020, Monday’s meeting of Monaghan Co Council was informed. Councillors expressed an eagerness to have an input into the consultation process that will precede the review of the valuations in the county and it was agreed to invite representatives of the Valuation Office to address a future meeting. John O’Sullivan, Commissioner of Valuation, in a letter to Co Council Chief Executive Eamonn O’Sullivan which was circulated ...

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Niamh Smyth is welcoming progress on the roll out of anomaly scans to pregnant women at Cavan General Hospital.  Deputy Smyth has been campaigning to extend anomaly scans to the hospital and met with the Master of the Rotunda Hospital last week. She commented, “These scans are extremely important in monitoring the development of the baby in the womb and are carried out as a matter of …

Bio-marine Ingredients plant to begin production in May By Cianna McNally Twenty-five new jobs are set to be created in Lough Egish when a new state-of-the-art food processing plant begins production in May. Minister for the Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys paid a visit to Bio-marine Ingredients Ireland (BII), which is currently under construction in Lough Egish Foodpark, on Friday last. Her visit was part of a series of structured engagements with rural communities on Realising our Rural Potential, the Government’s Action ….

By PATSY McARDLE AN inquest in Carrickmacross last Thursday revealed how the death of a Dublin man at a flat in the South Monaghan town was linked to the gruesome death of the man’s brother whose body was dismembered with an arm subsequently found washed up on Dollymount Strand in Dublin six years ago. The inquest was conducted by the Coroner for Co. Monaghan, Dr. Mary Flanagan, Castleblayney, into the circumstances of the death of Thomas Nolan, known locally as “Dublin Tommy” whose body was found in a room at his ...

Monaghan Sports Partnership Sports Inclusion programme recently organised a 4 walking programme for adults with a disability.   The programme took place at Rooskey and allowed participants the opportunity to walk along the excellent Greenway route and was delivered by experienced walking leader Pat Mc Cabe, who ensured that participants got the maximum benefits from their walks.   The programme was attended by 40 people from 3 services including Cairde Activation Centre Clones, Camphill Ballybay and Monaghan Day Activation Unit. Well done to all the participants and huge thanks to our walking leaders   The ...

Monaghan Co Council should continue to make the case for the introduction of an electricity rebate scheme for the use of solar technology, Sinn Féin representative Colm Carthy stated at Monday’s meeting of the local authority. Councillor Carthy had raised the issue at a previous meeting, and a resolution adopted on that occasion drew a response on Monday from the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten TD. Correspondence from the Minister circulated….

Last weekend the Garage theatre staged Madagascar – A Musical Adventure for a run of 3 spectacular shows. This thrilling musical, which involved over 30 performers aged 8 – 12 years and Monaghan Youth Theatre members backstage, played to packed houses and demonstrated the tremendous talent of young people in our community. The show was produced by Joanne Brennan, directed by Krista Hamilton, choreography by Karla Holden and musical direction provided by Carmel McGivney. …

Local student, Lauren McKenna from St. Louis Secondary School, Co Monaghan has been announced as the National Winner of the Mental Health Ireland Art Post Primary Competition. Lauren’s drawing of a woman with butterflies, flowers and positive quotes on a background of black and while is incredibly detailed. The skill used in the drawing was to a very high standard and it stood out immediately. Another local student Nicola Hughes from Largy College, Clones was chosen as the provincial winner for Ulster in the Photography competition. Student Joe Bardsley, Ballybay Community….