He said marts provide an essential service to farmers and the agricultural community, being an open and transparent market price competition, with security of payment.

“The autumn trade is crucial, and it would be hugely disruptive if trade could not continue. The overriding objective for everybody must be to ensure the mart trade continues to be facilitated in a live auction system,” he said.

Tim Cullinan spoke with Minister McConalogue in advance of the Government decision to move to Level 5, stressing the importance of ensuring the marts could function in a workable way for buyers and sellers.

“The provision of viewing facilities for purchasers prior to the sale is important to allow the trade to function in a transparent way”.

Tim Cullinan said that some marts are seeking to have a very limited number of buyers at the ringside, and flexibilities with viewing times, in order to reflect the larger sales in this period.

IFA is in regular contact with the Department and the Minister to ensure the mart system can function as close to normal as is possible. IFA National Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden said it’s critical that farming has been recognised as ‘essential work’ in Level 5, which allows farmers to go about their daily business.

He said it’s important that we all play our part in supporting the measures in place and that our service providers ensure the health and safety of their employees is catered for.

The post Concerns voiced over marts appeared first on Roscommon People.

Having had two weeks since the league game against Cavan to prepare for the game against Mayo, Roscommon manager Anthony Cunningham says that while it has been tough on the players in the current situation, he is very happy with the effort and the level of commitment being shown by the players.

“The weather has really turned bad over the past few weeks and it is not easy for the players to be travelling to training, but I have nothing but the highest of respect for the commitment that they are giving. They are putting in such a huge effort to bring people a bit of enjoyment. They are fantastic young men and remember that they are not professionals. But they are putting in a huge effort and one could only admire them for what they are doing”.

Needless to say Anthony knows what Roscommon will face next Sunday. “Look, we were thinking that this fixture might well take place from the time the draw was made and now it’s a reality. Mayo have been the second best team in the country for the last decade and are a fantastic team. But it is brilliant to be playing in these big matches. It is a huge challenge for us but I have to say it can’t come quickly enough”.

Anthony says that he will (hopefully) have a full squad to pick from as Conor Daly has recovered from the injury he sustained against Armagh.

“We have a full side to pick from thankfully which is great, but you never know what can happen in training – but fingers crossed we hope to have everyone in contention for a starting place”.

The post Roscommon to face Mayo appeared first on Roscommon People.

  “The impact of Covid-19 on regional Ireland continues to have a devastating effect as Ryanair announce they will cut their flight schedule by 80% this winter at Ireland West Airport.

  “In addition to the announcement by Ryanair that they will close their bases at both Cork and Shannon Airports this winter, the airline has confirmed further devastating news for the West and North West of Ireland with the news that they will cut their planned flight schedule by 80% from Ireland West Airport this winter.

  “This winter Ryanair will operate just seven weekly services from the airport following a total collapse in demand for air travel due to the impact of COVID-19 and the current travel restrictions in place.

  “This announcement will have a devastating impact on air travel services to and from the West and North West of Ireland and have a major impact on business and jobs both at the airport and in the wider region. Today’s announcement will see the cessation of 3 routes from the airport this winter to Bristol, East Midlands and Malaga with significant reductions on remaining services to London Stansted, London Luton and Liverpool.

  “The airport board will continue in discussions with Government on the need for an urgent rescue plan and expanded Regional Airports Programme to support the airport in the critical position it now finds itself in and to protect the future viability of the airport”.

The post Ireland West Airport statement appeared first on Roscommon People.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, announced the details of the €4.3 million in funding under the Accelerated Measure of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme earlier this week.

Independent TD and Chair of the Dáil Committee on Community and Rural Development, Denis Naughten, says projects in Roscommon, Ballaghaderreen, Ballyforan, Kilteevan, Elphin, Strokestown and Glenamaddy would benefit.

“The projects are all focused on developing the local areas making them more attractive to visit, live and work”.

Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy said the scheme would address the challenges towns and villages face due to Covid-19.

Under the funding, Roscommon will receive €40,000 for its marketing and advertising strategy, Christmas lights, and the enhancement of approach roads into the town.

Ballaghaderreen will receive €39,960 for web-based marketing, a marquee for outdoor events and Christmas lights.

Strokestown is set to receive €24,930 for street furniture improvements and the creation of a Christmas market.

Kilteevan will receive €25,000 for outdoor amenities including a gazebo, BBQ, generator, PA system and bike racks.

Elphin will also receive €25,000 for lights and seating for community events and a marquee.

Ballyforan will receive €24,093 for an outdoor cinema system, a marquee, seating for outdoor events and a Christmas tree and lights.

Finally, Glenamaddy will receive a total of €25,000 for improvements to community recreational areas.

The post €200k Covid boost for local areas appeared first on Roscommon People.

However, fears over a Phase 3 lockdown still remain in the county due to a recent rise in confirmed cases in Roscommon, with the total number of cases here now at over 445.

Fifteen new cases were confirmed in Roscommon on Tuesday, which was the largest daily increase in the county since May. There had been seven confirmed cases on Tuesday and eight on Monday.

The 14-day incidence rate for the county, following 64 confirmed cases between September 15^th and Monday, 28^th stood at 99.2 per 100,000 population, well above the national rate of 88.47.

Yesterday (Wednesday), it was announced that there had been 429 new cases and one new death nationally, bringing the number of confirmed cases in the country to 36,155 and the death toll to 1,804.

Local politicians, including Senator Eugene Murphy and Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Laurence Fallon, have this week called on the public to play their part in the fight against Covid-19.

The National Public Health Emergency Team is due to meet today (Thursday) and are expected to discuss whether further restrictions are needed in counties such as Cork, Galway, Roscommon and Monaghan.

The post County gets reprieve but lockdown fears remain appeared first on Roscommon People.

Figures released by Local Enterprise Offices to coincide with the launch reveal that 20,551 female participants took part in training programmes with the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in the first six months of 2020, an increase of 58% over the same period last year. There is also greater demand for mentoring support this year.

The interactive events on October 14th for National Women’s Enterprise Day are moving online to LocalEnterprise.ie/NWED and the big themes this year are resilience, self-care, innovation and opportunity. All events in the programme are free of charge and include workshops with experts, panel discussions, a virtual marketplace and facilitated networking to connect more entrepreneurs with each other.

Entrepreneurs who will be sharing their insights and journeys include Olympian-turned-company founder Derval O’Rourke, Sonia Deasy of the Irish global skincare brand, Pestle & Mortar, Pamela Laird of Moxi Loves who was a finalist on BBC’s The Apprentice, and Áine Kerr, the co-founder of Kinzen and RTÉ broadcaster, who is also the MC for the day.

An Tánaiste, who will be delivering the opening address on National Women’s Enterprise Day, said: “The ‘Stronger Together’ message for National Women’s Enterprise Day has never been more important. The Government is determined to help more women pursue entrepreneurship as a career and I’m encouraged to see such a significant increase – 58%, taking up the training programmes that are available. Training and mentorship can make a huge difference to any entrepreneur starting out on what can often be a lonely journey, and I encourage all women considering setting up their own business to contact their Local Enterprise Office to see how they can help you”.

Louise Ward of Local Enterprise Office Roscommon said: “On National Women’s Enterprise Day on October 14th, we want to show businesses that we’re ‘Stronger Together’. We also want to show how small changes can make big impacts, how we can learn from each other, how small businesses can cultivate innovation and how international markets can offer new opportunities. Registration is now open and events are free to join so I would encourage local businesswomen and aspiring female entrepreneurs to join us online for a day of education, inspiration and motivation!”

Other contributors on the day include Siobhan Kinsella of Chambers Ireland, Alison Richie of Polar Ice, Joanne Hession of LIFT Ireland, Tracy Keogh of Grow Remote, Larissa Feeney of Accountant Online, Deirdre Parkinson of Microfinance Ireland as well as Sheelagh Daly, Anne Lanigan and Marina Donohoe of Enterprise Ireland.

* For more information on National Women’s Enterprise Day and to pre-register for the free events, go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie/nwed or search #NWED on social media.

The post Local Enterprise Office Roscommon announces ‘National Women’s Enterprise Day’ appeared first on Roscommon People.

Speaking to the Roscommon People (see page 8), Cllr. Fallon said there was an “urgent need” for the people of Roscommon to bring the situation back under control before the county was placed under Phase 3 lockdown restrictions.

A stark rise in cases here has seen the county’s total rise to over 445. Fifteen new cases were confirmed here on Tuesday, which was the largest daily increase in the county since May. There had been seven confirmed cases on Tuesday and eight on Monday.

The 14-day incidence rate for the county, following 64 confirmed cases between September 15^th and Monday, 28^th stood at 99.2 per 100,000 population, well above the national rate of 88.47.

The post ‘Act now to avoid Phase 3 lockdown’ appeared first on Roscommon People.

Yesterday the Department of Health was notified of 234 new cases nationally, bringing the total number of cases to 33,675.

Sadly, there were also two new coronavirus-related deaths, which means the total number of people to have died from the virus in Ireland is 1,794.

Between September 8^th and 21^st there were 35 new cases in Roscommon, meaning the county now has the eighth-highest incidence rate in the country.

In the two weeks leading to September 20^th, Roscommon had a 14-day incidence rate of 43.4 cases per 100,000 of the population. This compares with a rate of 29.4 cases per 100,000 between September 2^nd and 15^th.

The news locally came as HSE chief executive, Paul Reid, said he was “very concerned” about the number of people in hospital with Covid-19.

He took to social media on Monday night to address this “very concerning trend” and urge people “to ignore noises” which suggest otherwise.

He added: “We all have to protect our family, friends and health workers from being the next number. Please let’s do it. We can”.

Meanwhile, An Tánaiste Leo Vardakar confirmed yesterday that he was “restricting his movements” after he was in close contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case. The Tánaiste received a negative Covid-19 test result but is continuing to follow public health advice.

The post County’s 14-day Covid rate rises above 50 appeared first on Roscommon People.

Publican Gordon Murray, who has since tested positive for Covid-19, also says he was not aware that an 18^th birthday party was taking place at An Bóthar Rua on Saturday when he arrived at the premises at around 10 pm.

Reports of positive Covid tests for people in the Elphin area have been circulating over recent days.

Amidst much comment on social media and in the wider community, Mr. Murray spoke to local media to address some of the speculation.

“I will put my hands up and say I didn’t know I had to self-isolate. If I knew I was supposed to, I would not have been at the bar on Saturday,” he said before adding that there were no more than 60 people in the bar on Saturday night.

Mr. Murray said that he could understand local anger following the events on Saturday night. He confirmed that his premises is now closed for the time being, although he had not received a request from the HSE to shut it.

Meanwhile, Cllr. Valerie Byrne has called for calm in the wake of the controversy in Elphin.

Speaking to the Roscommon People, Cllr. Byrne said close contacts to the confirmed case are adhering to HSE guidelines.

“This is where we are at now. This has happened and now we have to look at the best way forward. Everyone has to look after themselves and in that way they will look after loved ones,” she said.

The post Elphin publican ‘wasn’t aware’ he had to self-isolate appeared first on Roscommon People.

The HSE was immediately notified of the case, in line with current guidelines for schools, and the school in question is now closed for two weeks.

It is believed all students in the school have been tested for the virus and will be tested again in coming days.

The closure of the school has been confirmed to this newspaper. The school in question has not publicly confirmed the position that has arisen.

A number of schools (nationally) have sent pupils home due to confirmed cases of the virus since schools reopened earlier this month.

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) is considering less invasive Covid tests for children, which will allow for swab samples to be taken from the cheek or nostril.

The post Covid: Local school closes appeared first on Roscommon People.