The Minister for Community and Rural Development Michael Ring has confirmed that 26 Mayo schools will be enhanced under the Government’s Summer 2020 Works Scheme.

The work will be focused on three main areas; the upgrading of safety systems, surfacing of play areas and car parks, and to plan for electric vehicle charging.

The work will be predominately carried out over the summer holidays to avoid disturbance to students and staff.

With 18 schools benefitting from the scheme in 2019, this marks a significant expansion of the school infrastructural project.

SCHOOL                             ADDRESS                      TYPE OF SCHOOL           WORKS

SCOIL NA GCOILLINI       Meelick Swinford            Primary External Environment

GARRACLOON N S          Garracloon        Cloghans           Primary External Environment

S N NAOMH FEICHIN       Cross     Claremorris       Primary External Environment

SN INBHEAR       Inver     Barnatra            Primary Life Safety Systems

BARNATRA N S   Barnatra            Ballina  Primary External Environment

S N Dhumha Thuama      Dumha Thuama Béal an Átha      Primary External Environment

CORCLOUGH NS Corclogh West    Belmullet          Primary External Environment

ST JOHNS  NS     Logboy  Tulrahan           Primary Life Safety Systems

KNOCK N S        KNOCK  CLAREMORRIS    Primary External Environment

MYNA N S           Kilmeena           Westport            Primary External Environment

SCOIL NA TIGHEARNAIN NAOFA  VIA CROSSMOLINA P.O.  BALLINA            Primary External Environment

S N REALT NA MARA       MULRANNY        CO MAYO           Primary External Environment

S N DRUIM SLAOD           Cross Hill           Ballycroy           Primary External Environment

St Joseph's NS     Rehins   Ballina  Primary External Environment

S N ACHAIDH AN GHLAISIN         BEAL AN MHUIRTHEAD   CO MHAIGH EO  Primary External Environment

SN Baile Cuisin   Ballycushion       Kilconly Primary External Environment

NEWPORT CENTRAL       BAILE UÍ BHFIACHÁIN     CO MHAIGH EO  Primary External Environment

SCOIL NAOMH FEICHIN   Kilgellia            Attymass            Primary Life Safety Systems

SCOIL NAISIUNTA THOLA            BOTH THOLA     CLAR CHLAINNE MHUIRIS            Primary Life Safety Systems

ST PETERS NS    Snugboro           Castlebar           Primary External Environment

S N UILEOG DE BURCA    LOCHÁN NA MBAN          CLÁR CHLAINNE MHUIRIS            Primary External Environment

Scoil Íosa           Convent Hill       Ballina  Primary Life Safety Systems

St. Gerald’s College       Newport Road    Castlebar           Post Primary      Life Safety Systems

Mount St Michael            Claremorris       Co. Mayo           Post Primary      Life Safety Systems

Moyne College   Ballina  County  Mayo     Post Primary      Life Safety Systems

Coláiste Pobail Acla        Achill Sound       Westport            Post Primary      Life Safety Systems

The family of a man who was shot in Castlebar six years ago will appeal for information about his death on RTE’s Crimecall tonight.

Owen Maughan (29) was shot outside a service station close to his home in Castlebar on the 18th of December 2013.

He died from his injuries later that night, leaving his wife a widow just one week before Christmas.

Despite an extensive investigation, no-one has been charged with his murder.

Owen’s wife Anne and father Seamus will appear on tonight's show from 9:35pm, appealing to anyone with information about his murder to contact Gardaí.

An Post has confirmed a number of changes taking place at post offices across Co Mayo - as part of the transformation of the national post office network.

This includes the opening of a new post office in Belmullet next Monday.

 A number of post offices are on the move across Co Mayo, as An Post continues its plan of closing some offices and moving them into nearby business premises.

A new post office will open in Belmullet next Monday 25th February.

The new office will be co-located in the Centra store on Main Street - a short distance from the old post office - and the postmaster is Joseph Cuffe - proprietor of the Centra store.

On the same day, 5 postal staff in Belmullet, 3 in Glenamoy and one each in Geesala, Carrowteigue and Bangor Erris will relocate to Barnatra, where they will operate from a new mail hub for the area.

An Post says this will not affect local mail services.

Also, in the coming months, the post office in Swinford is to be located at Kennedy's Spar, while in Kiltimagh, the post office will co-locate with Londis on Main Street.

And in Ballyhaunis, An Post has readvertised the contract to provide post office services.

Midwest News understands a local business has turned down the opportunity, and it's now open for applications.

The company says the Ballyhaunis Post Office will remain at its current location until that process is complete.

U21 D CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 2

Ardmoy MacHales           1-11 v 1-10        Crossmolina Deel Rovers

Co Mayo could benefit from an increase of over €70 million in single-farm payments between now and 2026, if the European Parliament passes an amendment, which was adopted recently by the AGRI committee.

The amendment, tabled by Midlands-Northwest MEP Luke Ming Flanagan, calls for 100% convergence of payments, as opposed to the 75% convergence proposed by the Commission, which means all farmers would be paid the same per hectare.

Luke Flanagan's amendment passed by 23 votes to 21 recently, and he says Mayo is the county that stands to benefit the most, if this gets through Parliament.

Senior 

Gardaí are investigating the death of a 25 year old man found on Quay Road, Newport, Co.Mayo in the early hours of this morning Tuesday, 25th December, 2018.

Gardaí were called to the scene when the body of the man was discovered.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.  His body was removed to Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar where a post mortem took place this afternoon by Dr. Curtis.

The leaders of the three coalition parties will meet later today to discuss placing the country back into a six week lockdown.

NPHET has recommended Level 5 restrictions for the entire country.

1,000 new cases of Covid-19 and three more deaths were confirmed yesterday.

75 of the cases were in Galway, 34 in Sligo, 26 in Mayo, 18 in Leitrim and seven in Roscommon.

There is increasing concern among passengers who regularly use Route 52 Bus Eireann service that connects Ballina to Galway city that the service is now under threat.

People in the areas of Swinford and Kiltimagh look set to be directly affected but so too will patients from north Mayo trying to attend hospital appointments in Galway.

Bus Eireann is remaining tight lipped over its plans for the route.

Listeners to Midwest News first expressed concerns about the service two months ago, and Midwest News contacted Bus Eireann who responded at that time, stating that the route is under review.

Following further concerns about its future expressed by Midwest News listeners this week, we again sought a response from Bus Eireann.

The brief response again reads:

 Bus Éireann has received a revised licence for Route 52 from the National Transport Authority (NTA), which it is currently reviewing.

The company is working with the NTA – who have responsibility for the public transport network – on other proposals, to ensure connectivity remains in place.

We have asked Bus Eireann when the review will be completed and we are awaiting a response.

The officers of Mayo GAA have today been informed by Stephen Rochford that he is stepping down as manager of the Mayo Senior Football team.

Statement by Mike Connolly, Cathaoirleach, Coiste Chontae Mhaigh Eo

We sincerely thank Stephen Rochford for all the hard work and commitment he has given to Mayo GAA since he was appointed in 2015. Stephen has given an enormous amount of service to Mayo and has given us as supporters many great days on the pitch.

Since he become senior team manager he has been involved in three great years for Mayo GAA. He has brought Mayo to two All Ireland finals, losing both by the narrowest of margins. We wish him and his family all the best for the future and thank him for all he has done for Mayo GAA.

The Taoiseach will announce later whether any Covid-19 restrictions can be lifted from next Tuesday.

The National Public Health Emergency Team meets this morning, and will issue advice to the government, which will then be discussed by Cabinet.

The death toll from the virus has risen to 1,232, after a further 43 people lost their lives, while the number of confirmed cases stands at 20,612.

The County with the highest number of cases in Connaught remains Mayo at 483, followed by Galway with 355, Roscommon with 150 and Sligo with 116 cases.          

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan, who's already indicated he's against easing restrictions, says intensive care admissions are still too high:

A mayo person has won the weekly Prize Bond Star Prize of €50,000.

The winning number AAV 132635 was purchased in 2015.

There were over 4,900 prizes awarded in this week’s Prize Bond Draw, amounting to over €312,000.

In addition to a €1 million prize awarded on the last weekly draw of June and December, there are weekly draws where the top prize is €50,000.

The €10m Mayo Roscommon Hospice facility in Castlebar hopes to take in patients by Spring 2020.

The Minister for Health Simon Harris officially opened the facility this afternoon in front of a crowd of around 1000 people.

The Department of Health has secured funding for the running costs of the new facility in Budget 2020.

Recruitment for the new Pallative Care Centre in Mayo is now underway.

The state of the art unit was completed in 18 months and boasts 14 specialist palliative care bedrooms, a day care department and family accommodation.

Martina Jennings CEO of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice says the new facility is a tribute to the people of both represented counties.

She acknowledged that the construction of the Castlebar Pallative Care Centre was only made possible through donations by people in Mayo and Roscommon.

Chairperson of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Joanne Hynes was delighted to see the fruits of their twenty five years of fundraising efforts.

She paid homage to generous sponsor over the years to get them to the important €10m threshold.

She told Midwest news that she was delighted to see the culmination of the Hospice's fundraising efforts.

Former CEO of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Cynthia Clampett described the opening of the new unit as magical.

She praised the work of her former colleagues in getting the Unit finished ahead of schedule and under budget.

The HSE decision to restrict access to the pain patch Versatismust be reviewed and the patches reinstated until such time as the concerns regarding its withdrawal are addressed.  That’s according to Mayo Sinn Fein Senator Rose Conway Walsh.

She is encouraging  all Oireachtas members to use their political influence to ensure that the decision to withdraw Versatis from the medical card scheme and the Drugs payment Scheme- impacting on up to 25,000 patients is reviewed.  

The Senator hosted a briefing in Leinster House today where representatives of Arthritis Ireland, Chronic Pain Ireland and patients currently using the drug addressed the meeting.

The Senator told Midwest News this evening that the Minister will address the seanad on the matter on Wednesday afternoon next.

The Government plans to provide 300 broadband connection points bear the hallmarks of making it up as you go along.

That’s the view of Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary who has appealed to the government to answer questions surrounding cost, speed and the status of procurement of the connection points.

During last week’s Points of Question Deputy Calleary sought information on the 300 broadband connection points, their speed, where they will be located, how much they will cost and whether people would be able to work from them.

Deputy Calleary told Midwest News he wants to know which areas of Mayo will be serviced by the connection points among other details.

Mayo will look to get back to winning ways when they host neighbours Galway tomorrow night in Elverys MacHale Park.

Defeat last weekend to Dublin means a win is vital if Mayo want to progress to a league final. Following that defeat James Horan again continues his rotation policy as he makes 6 changes to his starting team. Out go Rob Hennelly, Ger Cafferkey, Paddy Durcan, Ciaran Treacy, Andy Moran & Brian Reape with David Clarke, Chris Barrett, Stephen Coen, Diarmuid O'Connor, James Durcan & Darren Coen all getting the nod to start. Despite making 4 championship appearances in 2018 it's a first taste of league action for James Durcan tomorow night. Diarmuid O'Connor captains the team.

1. David Clarke - Ballina Stephenites
2. Chris Barrett - Belmullet
3. Brendan Harrison - Aghamore
4. Keith Higgins - Ballyhaunis
5. Lee Keegan - Westport
6. Colm Boyle - Davitts
7. Stephen Coen - Hollymount/Carramore
8. Matthew Ruane - Breaffy
9. Donal Vaughan - Castlebar Mitchels
10. Fionn McDonagh - Westport
11. Aidan O’Shea - Breaffy
12. Diarmuid O'Connor - Ballintubber(C)
13. James Durcan - Castlebar Mitchels
14. Darren Coen - Hollymount/Carramore
15. Jason Doherty - Burrishoole

Mayo get their 2019 campaign up & running on Sunday when new manager James Horan takes his team to Carrick on Shannon to face Leitrim in the FBD league opener.

The team named shows a mix of youth & experience as Mayo look to start their season with a win. There are three All Stars in defence(Ger Cafferkey, Brendan Harrison & Lee Keegan) mixed with exciting new faces such as James McCormack, Fionn McDonagh, Colm Moran & Brian Reape.

The following players have not been considered due to injury, Cillian O'Connor, Cian Hanley, Ryan O'Donoghue & Tom Parsons. Throw in on Sunday is 1.30pm.

1. Rob Hennelly - Breaffy
   2. Eoin O'Donoghue - Belmullet
   3. Ger Cafferkey - Ballina Stephenites
   4. Brendan Harrison - Aghamore
   5. Lee Keegan - Westport
   6. James McCormack - Claremorris
   7. Donal Vaughan - Castlebar Mitchels
   8. Seamie O'Shea - Breaffy
   9. Stephen Coen - Hollymount/Carramore
   10. Fionn McDonagh - Westport
   11. Jason Doherty- Burrishoole(C)
   12. Fergal Boland - Aghamore
   13. Colm Moran - Westport
   14. Brian Reape - Bohola Moy Davitts
   15. Evan Regan - Ballina Stephenites.

A new initiative which will see pupils in St Muredach’s College, Ballina and St Coman’s Wood PS, Roscommon learn the Irish language during PE

It is part of a new pilot being rolled out to 19 Primary and Secondary schools nationwide in an integrated learning scheme for the next three years.

A range of ages will be involved in the pilot, including junior and senior infants, along with pupils in 5th and 6th class.

Only first years will take part in the chosen secondary schools.

A number of Mayo individuals and groups have been nominated for the 2018 All Ireland Community & Council Awards.

The awards are hosted annually by the Local Authority Members Association and IPB Insurance, and the winners will be announced at a gala ceremony in Croke Park Stadium this evening ( Saturday).

Flying the flag for Co Mayo at this evening’s awards ceremony are the Westport 250 festival and Crossmolina St Patrick’s Day Committeee for the St Patrick’s night festival – they’re both shortlisted in the Best Arts & Culture Initiative.

In the Best Community-Based Initiative, Mayo Community Futures and the School Warden Lollicops scheme in Mayo and Kildare are shortlisted.

“Its for Girls” Mayo is nominated in the category of Best Community Health Initiative.

John Cooney and Seamus Jordan of the Crossmolina Festival committee are nominated for the Community Volunteer of the Year award, and in the Best Tourism Initiative category, Wild Mayo Development & Promotional campaign has been nominated.

RTE’s Marty Morrissey will present the awards to the winners in the Croke Park Stadium later this evening.

An orange weather alert has been issued for eight counties as Storm Atiyah heads our way.

Met Éireann says the system will track between Iceland and Ireland on Sunday bringing very strong winds and the possibility of coastal flooding.

Mayo, Galway, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Clare, Kerry and Limerick are under the warning which will begin at 9am on Sunday and last until 6am on Monday.