Lanesboro – Ballyleague Notes
Lack of Gardaí greater cause for concern
I have continued to write and highlight the lack of Gardaí attached to Lanesboro Garda station and the idiotic decision to render the bridge the cut off point for Lanesboro Gardaí.
To say the least the response has be negligible and derisory as I predicted it would be. Unfortunately, nobody in a place of authority has the guts to come out and face the people of the area and explain why we should be thrown to the wolves. I have in previous articles offered to arrange a meeting in the area, that is, if the Superintendants in Longford or Roscommon chose to meet the people of the area to explain why we are getting so few Gardaí in our area. It is an absolute disgrace that the people of the area should continue to be treated in such a shameful and contemptible manner. The people of Ballyleague have to continue to wait for a response from Roscommon Gardaí while the numbers in Lanesboro Garda station have been further cut from the three that I last reported to an extradionary two. Yes, Lanesboro Garda station has two Gardaí working out of it now and no sign of any more. We had three as I have already alluded to in the previous articles but one has since been taken from us to do their duty from Longford station.
When ‘community policing’ was introduced Lanesboro had three sergeants and seven Gardaí with a further Garda in Ardagh, Kenagh and Newtowncashel station, all attached to Lanesboro station. The outlying stations were to be opened for one hour a day for local people to do their necessary business and Lanesboro was to be opened for two hours a day. Now Lanesboro station has an almost permanent note on it informing people to contact Longford. Lanesboro in the past 18 months has seen one sergeant and two Gardaí retire and none of them has been replaced. The Superintendant in Longford and those all at way up the chain of command right up to the Commissioner and Minister for Justice have a lot to answer for to the people of the area and especially to the two Gardaí that are now burdened with the responsibility of doing the work of 10. They are remarkable men for the work they continue to do in the face of the adversity brought on them by their own bosses. We are thankful to them for their efforts but what can they do with such low numbers.
We look at a ridiculous law imposed by Dublin City councillors limiting the speed limit on inner city to 30km (19 miles) per hour and to make matters worse we have Gardaí being deployed to uphold this speed limit. It is not the drivers that need to be fined but those that sanctioned this craziness and those that deploy the Gardaí instructing them to go out and implement it.
If Gardaí are that plentiful in Dublin then they should be sent to Lanesboro to stop what has happened in the area on Saturday night where we seen houses in Thureen, Curraghrua, Newtowncashel and Foigha burgled. It is open season here and there is nothing being done. When a couple goes out for an evening the last thing they expect or deserve is to come home to a burgled house as was the case this weekend. There are many incidents happening in the area and it is high time that we were policed properly with proper manning levels to help eradicate all the crime that is happening in the area.
In my previous piece of writing I said that I expected no response and how right I was. This time I demand a response from those that are charged with the protection of the people that are and those that should be protected by Lanesboro Garda Station. If they disagreed with what I wrote in previous articles they would have said so in no uncertain manner that I was wrong and taken up my offer but they did not. We deserve better and we demand the right that the Gardaí do for the people of the area what the force was set up to do.
All Ireland Star for Lanesboro on Saturday next
Without doubt the best centerfield player in the country will officially open the new Farrell’s Agri Supply Stores on the Rathcline Road on Saturday next 13th February. Darragh Ó Sé, Kerry’s the supreme leader of the Kerry team who has won All Irelands and All Star awards will do the honour of officially opening this new business. Gerard Farrell recently opened his store and he offers as faming requirements and more. It was an amazing coup for Gerard to get the well known and popular Darragh who will be in attendance from 12noon to 2pm. To have such a legend in our town is such a wonderful thing and I hope the entire community will come out to greet and welcome Darragh to our area.
Shannon Gaels Registration Night
The Shannon Gaels Minor club will hold their registration night on Thursday night 25th February in the clubhouse at 7pm. Registration is for all players from under 8 to under 18 and it is hugely important for all members as anybody not registered cannot represent the club as they are not insured. The registration fee is €30 for one child and €45 for two or more children. It is very important that all parents turn up and register their children. The club welcomes every young child and their parents living in the parish and encourages them to come along on registration night. Every young boy and girl in the parish should be registered with the club as the club hosts a lot of activities throughout the year in Clonbonny and it is important that no child should be absent from the activities.
Table Quiz for Haiti
Adie Farrell will host a Table Quiz in aid of the earthquake victims in Haiti on this Thursday night 11th February in his bar at 9pm. All quiz buffs and those wanting to enjoy a great night out as well as helping a very worthy cause are invited to go along.
Search for a Star
Tickets for Saturday night 20th February have now completely sold out and there are a limited number of tickets left for Sunday night. You should get your tickets immediately or miss out on another night of exceptional entertainment.
Rehearsals are going on throughout the area in many locations and the amount of work being done in preparation ensures that there will be another spectacular night for the lucky one with tickets.
Lanesboro Bridge Club
The results of the competition held on Wednesday night 3rd February are: N/S 1st Mae Casey & Katherine Harrison, 2nd Marie Sheeran & Mary Mc Gushin, 3rd Gemma Douglas & Eilish Gray. E/W 1st Kathleen Reilly & Tom Feeney, 2nd Kathleen Kelly & Philomena Walsh, 3rd Mona O’Flaherty & Bernadette Gillen.
Help Aileen go to Tanzania
Aileen Mulvihill is hosting a fundraiser in the Lough Ree Arms on Saturday next 13th February. Music on the night will come in the form of Inside Story, winners of Longford’s Got Talent and will be followed by a disco with DJ Michael Rhatigan.
Aileen is travelling to work this summer in Tanzania with UCD Volunteers Overseas where she will be helping to aid the local people in education.
If you want to support Aileen you should go along on the night or you can buy a ticket in O’Brien’s for €10.
Aileen would like to thank everybody the supported and sponsored spot prizes for her Table Quiz in the Peer Inn.
Friendly Phone Call Service
Are you a senior citizen? Do you constantly or from time to time feel isolated? Would you like someone to talk to? The Phone friendly Service is a free and wonderful service providing a social contact telephone call on a day and time to suit you. You can find out about the services available or just have a chat by calling Mary at 043-3349678or Margaret at 043-3345555.
Lanesboro Fair Day 6th March
Lanesboro Fair Day committee are seeking your help and support in the preparation and organising of this wonderful day. They are inviting all those that have memories of the Fair Day to come back on the day and meet up with old friends and relive past memories. The ‘Fair day’ is once again one of the biggest days in the town and it is absolutely great to see the excitement of the young children as they admire the many horses and other animals on show and on sale on the day. It is the same look as we all had all those years ago when it was said that you could walk from Lanesboro Church to Ballyleague Church on the backs of horses without ever having to touch the ground with your feet. The horses are not there i that number but the excitement of the day has not changed. Saturday 6th March is the day pencilled in for this year’s Fair and it is a day we all look forward to and hopefully see you there.
St Patrick’s Day Parade
Preparation have commenced for the St Patrick’s Day Parade that will be held in Lanesboro/Ballyleague on 17th March If anybody has an interest in placing a float in the parade please call the Co-Op office for an application form on 3327070. Now is the time to be getting your thoughts together and preparing your theme for float. We hope that this year will see everybody making a special effort to lift the spirits of the people and make the day another wonderful day in our locality.
There will also be the usual prize for the best dressed window, all premises owners are urged to begin getting their ideas together for decorating their windows and making the day even brighter.
This is an important day for Lanesboro and since its introduction two years ago it has got better each year. This year we hope that it will surpass the previous years and see another wonderful day in our town.
PJ goes to Haiti
Local Curraghroe man PJ Maher has offered his building skills to the needy people of Haiti through the charity Haven. PJ will travel in the near future to help carry out some very badly needed work in this earthquake ravaged country. PJ is presently embarking on a fundraising campaign to raise badly need money to help rebuild this country. I know you have already been asked to support Haiti but let us send PJ off with great financial support and the best wishes of the communities on both sides of the bridge.
PJ has organised a bagpack on Friday next 12th February in Keane’s Supervalue and on Saturday night there will be a fundraiser in Clarkes Bar with music by the Shannon Tones. There will be a raffle for spot prizes and your support will be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made on the sponsorship card in O’Brien’s and I ask you to be a generous as you can be.
Bingo
Don’t forget your local Bingo night out every Thursday night in Ballyleague hall. The snowball for this Thursday stands at €1,400 and the first ball called will take place at 8.30pm.
Computer Course
Anybody interested in a beginners or advanced computer course please call the Co- Op., 043-3327070 to book your place.
Junior Presentation
The presentation of the Junior Championship winning medals shall take place in the Swan Tavern on Saturday night next 13th February at 8pm – watch a rerun of the final and enjoy excellent music.
Learn Online for FREE with FAS at Lanesboro Library
A new ‘Online Learning’ Initiative’ is running in your local library over the next few months. The courses are all online and are open to everybody over 18. All courses have been developed for people with little or no IT Skills as well as those with some IT knowledge. Some of the courses running include: Introduction to Computers, Internet and Email, ECDL, Basic Finance & Health and Safety.
Registration forms are available at the Library. A FAS course facilitator will be present every Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm for any queries you may have.
Nurturing your mental health – leaflets and books available at the library.
Free Wireless internet access available to all members.
Tel: Stella on 043 3321291 or email lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
Lough Ree 2000 Bridge Club
Due to the bad weather our club missed two nights in January, and since then we have had many competitions that we hold the results for until the end of year, so that’s why there have been no results for some time.
On Monday night last the club played in the Sims competition. The full results will be up here soon. There were some very interesting hands indeed. It is great to report that two of our members are holding up well in the overall result. Margaret Gillen and Mae Casey started off in 3rd place which is a great achievement, congratulations to both of them.
The club extends its condolences to members who have had bereavements recently, Barbara Ferguson, on the death of her brother, tom and Nancy Dolan on the death of her brother, Peter. To Ann Fallon Ballymahon/Athlone on the sudden death of her husband, Paddy. May they rest in peace.
The next major competition is the Sliabh Bán trophy, which will be held on February 22nd and don’t forget the Annie Duignan trophy in Longford on 24th February.
St. Faithleach’s GAA
2010 Club Membership: Membership now due for this year. Adults €40, Students €20, and a Family €80.
Lotto: The numbers drawn were – 4, 5, 11 and 29. No jackpot winner. €20 winners – Thomas McDermott, Cloontuskert. Brendan Rattigan, Fermoyle. Seamus Oates, Gardenstown. Chris Cullen, Rathcline Road. Johnny Clyne, Rathcline Road. Next draw, 16/2/10, Jackpot €10,100.
Cards: Every Tuesday in the Club House, 9.00pm. Results of last week’s games: Winners – Sean/Peggy. Joint Winners – Annie/Peter & Tom/Mike. Last game – Mikey/Frank. Proceeds of our Card Game last Tuesday went to the Haiti Disaster Fund. Many thanks to Sean for his organisation of same & many thanks to all who supported same.
Minor Club Registration Night – Friday 19th February in the Club House from 7-9pm. All Minor Players for the coming year must attend for registration.
St. Faithleach’s GAA Club Senior Presentation Night & Buffet: 3 course Buffet Meal, Music by ‘Half Cut’. Admission €15. Presentations on the night to Player of the Year & Club Person of the Year.
St. Faithleach’s GAA Club Minor Club Presentation Night – will now take place on Sunday 28th February in the Club House from 7-9pm. Presentation of County Championship Medals to our following Teams – Minor Ladies, U14 Girls, U14 Boys & U12 Boys.
Fundraising Development: Many thanks to all who have supported our Development Fundraising to date. Members will be calling to areas during the week, all support greatly appreciated. You can also donate to any Executive Committee Member at the Club House.
U14 – Training for our U14 Boys will commence on Sunday 21st February, 6.00pm sharp.
Club Notifications: Anyone wishing to be notified of Club Events by Text, please contact Michael Cleary at (087) 2238293.
Sympathy: The Club extends deepest sympathy to Dan & Bridie Cox on the death of Bridie’s brother, Peter Dolan. To the Carberry Family on the death of their father, Brian Carberry, formerly of Cloontuskert. To Eugene Murphy on the death of his father, Josie Murphy.
Get Well Wishes: To our Chairman, Frank Curley who is in hospital at present. We wish Frank a speedy recovery.
Cloontuskert NS, Valentines Disco: In the Club House, Friday 12th February.