Issuu

The BIGGEST readership of ANY Roscommon newspaper! Readership is now 80,000 people every week!

Contacting THE PEOPLE

www.roscommonpeople.ie ABBEY STREET, ROSCOMMON Tel. (090) 66 34633

on If you have enquiries t a story advertising, or wan 54227, email covered, call 086-80 people.ie or paul@roscommon monpeople.ie advertising@roscom

advertising@roscommonpeople.ie news@roscommonpeople.ie sport@roscommonpeople.ie 17 April 2020

The Local Paper iles and athrooms Golf Links Road, Roscommon (090) 66 37620

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Road Safety Authority Approved Driving Instructor Due to HSE Guidelines we are not undertaking Driving Lessons at the moment

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International Covid-19 scam – and how €1.5m ended up in Roscommon bank VOLUME: 677

Full story: Page 3

< PAUL HEALY

€1.5m was lodged to a bank account based in Roscommon as part of a sophisticated international €15m Covid-19 scam. An elaborate criminal web which stretches across several countries is under ongoing investigation by relevant authorities in a number of jurisdictions. Last Friday, a County Roscommon resident was questioned in Roscommon Garda Station in connection with the multi-million euro scam, which involved ‘phantom’ personal protective equipment (masks) which are re-

quired as part of the battle against Covid-19. The man, who has not been charged, lives in Roscommon but is understood to be a native of Co. Clare. When an order for eleven million masks was placed in Germany – with a legitimate company – scam artists took over. Unknown to the company making the order, the request was being placed with a fraudulent entity who had cloned the website and email address of a legitimate supplier of masks. A number of substantial down payments were made for the masks, none of which existed. One such down payment was the €1.5m which was transferred to a bank in County Roscommon. That money has since been frozen.

The man who was interviewed in Roscommon is said to be cooperating with the authorities. Detectives from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, with assistance from Gardaí from Co. Roscommon, interviewed him on Friday last, April 10th. Specialist officers spoke to him in connection with the suspected laundering of €1.5 million into a bank account in Roscommon – an offence that carries a maximum prison term of 14 years after conviction. What has been described as a ‘“sophisticated international Covid-19 fraud” is now the subject of a joint investigation by Irish, German and Dutch Financial Intelligence Units – supported by Interpol, Europol, Eurojust and the relevant national authorities. Full story on page 3.

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Cllr. Marty

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Main Street, Roscommon T. 090 66 26193 F. 090 66 28789

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* In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement

CASEY’S

A MESSAGE FROM

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Shop temporarily closed but business as usual Any queries

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ATH LON E Ι M OATE LANESBOR OU GH Ι GA LWAY

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I know this is a very challenging time for people. Please observe all HSE guidelines and stay safe. When exercising, make sure to observe social distancing guidelines. We all need to look out for older people and those who are vulnerable. I am available to personally deliver goods to people – call me at any time . Please beware of COVID-19 opportunists and scams – PLEASE DO NOT WORRY – THIS WILL PASS Please note Community Support Helpline – Freephone 1800 200 727

Kerosene 39.9c per litre Marked Gas Oil 49.9c per litre

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1914565 Michael.Fitzmaurice@Oireachtas.ie

Business As Usual We are here to look after our customers

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Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

NewsPeople

e l p o e WATCHING P AT H L O N E Ι M O AT E L A N E S B O R O U G H Ι G A LWAY In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate DOLORES*GACQUIN – SOLICITOR fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of Tel: 090 6478433 • info@bccsolicitors.ie any award or settlement

090 647 8433

www.bccsolicitors.ie ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT – DO’S AND DON’T’S

If I am involved in a road traffic accident with another motorist what should I do or not do. Please advise. Do Ensure that you and the other people involved in the accident are not injured. If anyone is injured call an ambulance. Be courteous and polite to others involved in the accident regardless of who is at fault. Call the Gardai. Depending on the seriousness of the accident they may or may not attend the scene. If it is a serious accident do not move your vehicle and ask the other motorist involved in the accident not to move their vehicle either until the Gardai arrive. If it is a minor accident and if it is not possible to leave the vehicles in the crash position due to the fact that the crashed vehicles are obstructing the road and holding up traffic then simply move the vehicles to the left of the road in a safe position. Try to take good photographs of the accident scene noting the position of and damage done to the crashed vehicles. Take details of all vehicles involved in the accident to include: insurance details; vehicle registration numbers; names, addresses and phone numbers for all drivers. Take names, addresses and phone numbers of independent witnesses who witnessed the accident. Take note of the name and station of the Garda who attends the accident scene. DON’T Don’t admit liability at the scene of the accident. It is a condition of many insurance policies not to admit liability following an accident. If you are obviously at fault it is simply best to exchange insurance details and tell the other party that you will report the matter to your insurance company. Don’t leave the scene of the accident until particulars have been exchanged. If the other motorist tells you that he is going to move his vehicle and return to the scene, don’t believe him. Make sure that all details are exchanged before anyone leaves the scene.

With WithPAUL PAULHEALY HEALY

CYCLING ACCIDENT

Hello, my friend! How are you? I’m good, thank God! And I have SO many

If you were involved in a cycling questions… accident contact

GoByrne on… Carolan What’s Zoom?Solicitors Cunningham

Zoom? Oh, it’s the latest…thing! It means we can see each other and chat to our hearts’ content… Like we used to in the pub? Well, not exactly. It’s a bit like Skype or FaceTime, another wonder of modern technology… But we can already see each other on Skype… True, but with Zoom you can see several people at the one time, in different locations. Oh, cool! Anything else? Yeah…where did it all begin? Oh, that’s a pretty profound question, but I guess we have lots of time. So, the Bible says Adam and Eve, but of course… No! Not that…I mean how did we get HERE? How did THIS happen? Well, there is the Big Bang Theory… No, not how the universe started…the virus! The coronavirus! Oh, THAT. Well I know it started in China. Made in China, as the amateur comedians are saying… Yeah, I know THAT…but how? Well, there’s a theory that it came from a bat… A bat! That bat has a lot to answer for… truly a bat out of hell… You took the words right out of my mouth… Ah Meatloaf, he was mighty. What was his other big hit? Eh…Bat out of Hell, You took the words right out of my mouth…eh…it’s so long ago…

Endangered Species The barstool boyos

Well, you got two…and two out of three ain’t bad. True. True? No, that was Spandau Ballet… (There’s silence on the phone line) Any more questions? Eh…nothing important… Go on… Okay, what we are meant to do with all the rubbish? Huh? The blue bin is okay, but the green bin is bulging these weeks! It’s a nightmare! Yeah, ‘cos we’re home almost 24/7, and eating more than usual…

What we liked…

The news that this Sunday’s televised Mass on RTE TV will feature three Roscommon teenagers is fantastic. The Youth Mass will be broadcast live from Maynooth at 11 am on RTE 1. TV. Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran will celebrate the Mass. We have full details in this issue.

What we didn’t like…

As tweeted by yours truly on Friday night, we appreciate that the Late Late Show team are totally well intentioned, but there is a strong view out there that RTE is getting it wrong every Friday night. Far too often throughout the crisis the Late Late has been like an extended version of Prime Time, further extending viewers’ exposure to coronavirus chatter. Wrong call! True, there have been some emotionally charged musical performance in studio. But most of the interviews have been tedious, and no studio audience = no atmosphere. Better to park the show for now and put on a classic movie…

This column is prepared by Dolores Gacquin, Solicitor. Byrne Carolan Cunningham have offices in Athlone, Moate, Lanesborough and Galway. A person should always contact their solicitor to obtain legal advice specific to their own situation. The above column contains general information and cannot be relied upon as legal advice. * In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement

Byrne Carolan Cunningham SOLICITORS

Telephone Central Line 090 6478433 info@bccsolicitors.ie www.bccsolicitors.ie

Businesses: Reach your target market! 18,000 COPIES PRINTED WEEKLY

I KNOW THAT! Now you might think this one’s a bit silly… Go on… Well, there’s this very strange American reality show. There’s a guy with a wild head of hair, he has five or six wives! You must have seen it… It may have caught my eye once or twice… He always sits in the middle of the sofa, legs spread out in a very macho way, and either side of him, a few of his wives… I KNOW THE PROGRAMME! I’VE ADMITTED IT! So, my question…how is he getting on with his wives now? Eh? Social distancing! He can’t sit in the middle of the sofa with all those wives beside him… True. Plus, they live in different houses. He has to stay at home now. So which wife is he living with, and what do the other wives think? Good point, although I think they’ve moved into one big house. Not yet, I don’t think! If you ask me, he’s in a real dilemma. But he’s ruthless. Maybe he’s chosen one favourite and dumped the others… No, he’d do anything for love, but he won’t do that. Ha… It’s quite a show alright. A control freak as self-appointed head of the family, several wives, countless children… But HOW is he managing social distancing? Well, maybe THEY’RE all using Zoom! Different people, different locations! Or maybe they ARE all under the one roof by now. After all, we’re seeing episodes that were filmed a while ago… Okay, but if that huge extended family IS in the one house now, I’ve one final question… Go on… What happens when their green bin is full?

What PEOPLE are talking about PICTURE OF THE WEEK: 6-month-old Ayla Doorley from Roscommon town pictured dressed up in her Easter outfit last weekend.

Lockdown extension: ‘THREE more weeks (actually three and a half)…how will we get through it?’ Exams: The postponement of the Leaving Certificate exams until late July/early August brought clarity for some, consternation for others, unheaval for all.

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

NewsPeople

Roscommon resident questioned in connection with international €15m Covid-19 scam < PAUL HEALY

A County Roscommon resident was questioned in Roscommon Garda Station last Friday in connection with an international €15m Covid-19 scam involving ‘phantom’ personal protective equipment

which had been earmarked for frontline workers. Detectives from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, with assistance from Gardaí from Co. Roscommon, interviewed the man on Friday last, April 10th. The man, who is in his late forties,

is believed to be originally from Co. Clare but is now living in Co. Roscommon. Specialist officers spoke to him in connection over the suspected laundering of €1.5 million into a bank account in Roscommon – an offence that carries a maximum prison term of 14

Fun in the sun .... while staying at home ....

years after conviction. The man is cooperating with the investigation and has not been charged. During the ongoing investigations, documents and electronic devices were obtained and these are currently being forensically examined. The development in Roscommon

is part of a joint investigation by Irish, German and Dutch Financial Intelligence Units – supported by Interpol, Europol, Eurojust and the relevant national authorities – into what Gardai described as “an international Covid-19 fraud investigation”.

11 million masks that didn’t exist, and €15m that did BACKGROUND Paul Healy

This is an intriguing (ongoing) tale of 11 million phantom masks, several million euro, a number of companies…and a series of bank accounts in different countries. The saga began when a (legitimate) German company was contacted by German State officials who wanted to purchase 10 million masks to help deal with the Covid-19 outbreak in that country. These masks had an approximate value of €15m. The German District Service forwarded a sum in the region of €15m to the German company. After the company had

unsuccessfully sought masks with a reputable client in Spain, they were put in contact with a Dutch supplier, through an Irish intermediary. The German company placed an order for 11 million masks. Unknown to the company, the order was being placed with a fraudulent entity who had cloned the website and email address of the legitimate Dutch company. The fraudulent Dutch company set up supply channels through the Irish intermediary to provide the 11 million masks. A down payment of €1.5m was made by the German company to the Irish company’s bank account, based in Roscommon. This was for the delivery of

the first 7.7 million masks. This €1.5m has since been frozen by the authorities. Meanwhile, the German company made a further payment of almost €1m to the fraudulent Dutch company’s bank account. On the 27th of March last the masks were due to arrive by ship in Amsterdam. The shipment never materialised. When the legitimate Dutch company was contacted, they said that no shipment was ever ordered. Some of the monies transferred to various accounts internationally have been successfully recovered, while the €1.5 transferred to the bank account in Roscommon remains frozen. Investigations are continuing.

N61 Tulsk-Clashaganny preferred route identified – Callaghan

Rebecca and Agnes Finan, Tiernan Keane and Patch the dog relaxing in their garden near Loughglynn on Wednesday evening. Photograph: Michael McCormack

Cllr. Liam Callaghan has announced that a preferred route corridor for the upgrade of the N61 Tulsk to Clashaganny route has been identified. The preferred route will now go to public consultation and people living along the route and the general public can give their opinion on the proposed plans. Last year four routes were put on display by the TII and Roscommon County Council, and now one route has emerged. Cllr. Callaghan said the public

consultation is very important and due to public concerns, adjustments have been included in this preferred route. The plans can be viewed on the Council website and will be on view until August. Cllr. Callaghan: “This project will increase road safety on this section of road where numerous accidents have occurred. It is also important that local landowners have a strong input, because they see the dangers on a daily basis”.

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

PAUL HEALY’S WEEK A column by Roscommon People editor

paul@roscommonpeople.ie

A diary of the times that are (part 5) Friday In one of his stand-up shows in the UK, the Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert affectionately said of the Irish: “Everyone’s a comedian in Ireland”. Whatever about that, we’re all lockdown experts now. Or we thought we were. With an update on lockdown/the restrictions well mooted on Friday, most people seemed to expect a two-week extension, to be followed in due course by an extra week or so. As if the powers that be were trying to ‘add extra dates’ to our lockdown while we weren’t looking. As it turned out, the Government didn’t hold back, extending lockdown by three and a half weeks. It seemed to take a lot of people by shock. Friday evening was gloomy. Later, the Late Late Show opened with an address to the nation by presenter Ryan Tubridy. Having missed the last two Fridays due to contracting the coronavirus, Ryan was emotional but upbeat. It was probably the second best address to a nation in the past week, Queen Elizabeth still maintaining first place. President Trump’s box office addresses (CNN most nights) are disqualified until they go for testing. Are they real or fake? Is it comedy or drama? I know the Late Late Show team are well intentioned, but I think their approach during this Covid-19 crisis has, at best, split the nation. As I tweeted on Friday night, the nation does not need the Late Late Show to be Prime Time Extra. Ever since the crisis struck, the Late Late has concentrated heavily on the virus and its impact. Interviewing frontline workers and health experts is very worthy, but there are enough news/current affairs programmes that can do so. The Late Late Show, during Covid-19, should be a distraction from the gloom, dare I say it, even light-hearted entertainment. And if that’s not practical, given social distancing and so on, it should be cocooned for the duration of the crisis and replaced by either a classic movie or highlights of great ‘Late Lates’ of the past.

Saturday It’s the morning after the night before…after Leo locked us down for three and a half more weeks, minimum. Wow, it’s really hitting us now. At least the weather is beautiful. I mow the grass, listen to some classic music, and enjoy the way an afternoon in the garden can declutter the mind. But I miss not having to check my phone or the TV for the soccer updates from the Premier League and The Championship. Meanwhile, it’s an Easter without Easter Church services, which emphasises how strange these times are. And it is beyond sad that traditional Irish funerals are suspended at this time, due to Covid-19 regulations. This is surely extra anguish for many bereaved families. Our thoughts are with them.

Sunday For the first time in decades, there’s no Easter Parade in Roscommon Town. The void is felt in Strokestown too, which also hosts an annual parade. It’s remarkable to see Roscommon town virtually deserted on an Easter Sunday. So, what are we missing? Well, there’s the early morning atmosphere-setting, as members of the organising committee zig-zag around the town putting the finishing touches to the preparation; the adrenaline rise for small children as, in their meticulously constructed costumes, they line up in bands or with their clubs/schools; missing too are the familiar local characters, a few usually in fancy dress, taking pride of place on a float as they bring life to some local wit’s topical concept. Most of all, what was missing on Sunday was streets lined with thousands of people, with toddlers on their fathers’ shoulders, mothers clasping their child’s hand, people craning for the best view, sweets flying through the air, a mock bride and groom in a vintage car (the man invariably blushing), Danny Burke, his drum and colleagues from the Castlerea Brass & Reed Band, all the colour and fun, a man eating fire (never try this at home) and adults nodding and smiling and shaking hands…yeah, shaking hands.

Afterwards, when the parade floats disperse, a local economy boosting rush to shops, pubs, restaurants and takeaways. None of it happened this year, instead, the town almost apologetically silent, save for the odd car and the soft sound of the slow-turning wheels of baby buggies.

Monday It’s strange the programmes you watch on TV during lockdown (if we had decent broadband, I’d be dipping into YouTube too, but quite honestly there are undiscovered African tribes which have better broadband than exists at Newtown, Roscommon). I’m on the lookout for slightly off-centre documentaries on some of those great but rarely watched channels. It’s all very random, but promising. I came across one which featured fascinating footage of Paris in the 1920s. No social distancing in those days, except for the significant distance between the High Society and the poor pariseans, many of the latter suffering in dirty slums while making daily visits to soup kitchens. I’ve also discovered a series in which historic old black and white footage is transformed into colour by the magic of modern technology. The episode of ‘Britain in colour’ which I watched at the weekend was a fascinating look at the Royal family through the early decades of the 20th century, up to and including Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953. Home movies showed the current Queen Elizabeth as a child, while there was fascinating footage of King Edward and Wallis Simpson, the American divorcee with whom he had a relationship, which in turn led to his abdication from the throne.

Tuesday It’s hard to know how this lockdown is affecting our elderly residents. Obviously it affects different people in different ways. I’ve noticed a large amount of people enjoying time in their gardens – thank God for this excellent spell of weather.

I’m sure some elderly people who have been requested to ‘cocoon’ are finding it difficult, even bewildering. This is such a change from the normal course of our lives. Hopefully it will all pass relatively soon. For now, it is important that we keep in touch in whatever way is practical with people who may be lonely, feeling isolated, vulnerable. Readers are reminded of the community support helpline which is Freephone 1800 200 727. Stay safe.

“

* All previous Covid-19 diaries can be read on www.roscommonpeople.ie

I’m on the lookout for slightly off-centre documentaries on some of those great but rarely watched channels. It’s all very random, but promising. I came across one which featured fascinating footage of Paris in the 1920s. No social distancing in those days, except for the significant distance between the High Society and the poor pariseans, many of the latter suffering in dirty slums while making daily visits to soup kitchens.

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

#ResilientRoscommon

ROSCOMMON RESPONDS Supporting People and Communities in Roscommon

Supporting People and Communities in Roscommon

Roscommon LEADER Partnership recognise the many challenges and difficulties that people Supporting and communities are facing right across County Roscommon due to Covid-19. We want you to People and Communities in Roscommon know that we are working on a range of community supports and measuresRoscommon while weLEADER are Partnership recognise the many challenges and difficulties that people communities are facing right across County Roscommon due to Covid-19. We want you to extending many current services to reach the wider community. These supports and include…

Roscommon LEADER Partnership recognise the many challenges and difficulties that people and communities facing with righttheacross Roscommon duein to Covid-19. We want youPeople to A Roscommon Chamber of Commerceare initiative, support County of Roscommon Leader, and association with The Roscommon know that we are working on a range of community supports and measures while we are Extending our “Friendly Call Service” to those inAs isolation/living To the people of Roscommon: a community, we need to respond to the Covid-19 crisis. Our health is the extending current services alone/elderly offeringmany a friendly voice from trained volunteers. to reach the wider community. These supports include… know that we are working on a range of community supports and measures while we are

extending many current services to reach the wider community. These supports include… Extending our “Meals on Wheels” Service to additional areas of need and working with existing similar service providers in the Extending our “Meals on Wheels” Service to additional areas of county. need and working with existing similar service providers in the county.

Extending our “Friendly Call Service” to those in isolation/living alone/elderly offering a friendly voice from trained volunteers.

paramount concern. We must also keep Roscommon Town ‘moving’ to ensure that we can live as normally as possible. For many years you have come to townExtending toinformation shop. services Now, with Roscommon Responds, the town will come to you! Extending our supports under the volunteer our “Meals on Wheels” Service to additional areas of programme to existing voluntary groups and giving advice to volunteers on how they can stay safe while volunteering during the crisis.

Extending our supports under the volunteer information services programme to existing voluntary groups and giving advice to volunteers on how they can stay safe while volunteering during the crisis.

need andResponds working with existing similar service providers in the Roscommon participant list ...

During the full lockdown essential services have full priority and county. in busy periods the vulnerable, cocooned and isolated are serviced first. and working in collaboration with Government Departments and Please note that all non-essential businesses listed are We are currently identifying areas with gaps in service provision other Agencies in Co. Roscommon to support the unemployed & available for emergencies and or essentials that you require. Please call the business direct to discuss your requirements. All products supplied and delivered from businesses will comply with current working in collaboration with Government Departments and the self employed including additional admin support. otherduring Agencies in Co.19. Roscommon to carry support the restrictions unemployed for & delivery through this system (i.e. cigarettes alcohol), discuss this directly with the individual businesses. HSE regulations/guidelines COVID Some items strict the self employed including additional admin support.

Category

Business

Products/services

All activities will be carried out with strict adherence and compliance with HSE guidelines and Social Distancing Practices. Roscommon LEADER Partnership is here to help you through this crisis, should you require information on any of the above or if you have a query on any of our existing services please contact us on any of the following numbers:

Contact

Telephone: 090 6630252

& Health

Tattie Hoaker Health Store

Meat

Products/services

Contact

Health

Dentist

090 6627707

Tool hire service

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Pharmacy Pharmacy Health

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090 6637604

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Optician

090 6626193

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Butchers shop and cooked meals

Butcher shop

Home

& Garden

Keaveney Dental Care RM Tool hire

Tommy Kelly Electrics, Roscommon

Finn Electrical

Electrical goods and service

090 6625573

John Gilleran

Plumbing, heating & renewables

086 8888573

Donnellan Lady

Ladies fashion and essentials

086 6083650

Extending090our supports under the volunteer information services 6665800 Klassic Cleaners cleaners, Pick up service programme to existing voluntary groups Dry and giving advice to083 8589206 090 6630492 only for the moment volunteers on how they can stay safe while volunteering the086 6083650 Clothing Donnellan & Co Menswear, Mens, Womens during and 090 6626220 & Shoes Childrens shoes crisis. 090 6626360 Spirit Clothing Mens, Womens and Childrens wear. 086 8696262 090 6665524

Madden’s meats

Harte’s Butchers

Tomás: 086 0460176

Volunteer Information: Mena 086 0499394

Pharmacy & Health

Chemco Pharmacy

Gail: 086 8532915

Hynes’ Pharmacy Pharmacy, Health, & Best for Baby Baby

Rosmed Pharmacy

Tomás: 086 0460176

Molloy’s Pharmacy

McGuiness’ Total Health

Category Business Gail: 086 8532915 Volunteer Information: Mena 086 0499394

Extending our “Friendly Call Service” to those in isolation/living Currently closed but available for urgent requests ESSENTIAL SERVICES alone/elderly offering a friendly voice from trained volunteers.

Telephone: 090 6630252 All activities will be carried out with strict adherence and compliance with HSE guidelines and Social Distancing Practices. Roscommon LEADER Partnership is here to help you through this crisis, should you require information on any of the above or if you have a query on any of our existing services please contact us on any of the following numbers:

Pharmacy

We are currently identifying areas with gaps in service provision

086 6052505

We are currently identifying areas with gaps in service provision 087 2526195 090 6626041 086 3277941 and working in collaboration with Government Departments Eden Skincare Skincare products and supplements and090 6625904 Fruit and Veg Fullard’s Fruit and Veg Fruit and veg 086 1032341 Supporting and Laser and ClinicCommunities in Roscommon People other Agencies 086 8149510 in Co. Roscommon to support the unemployed & Learning, art, Cormican’s Office,and School and Art Supplies 090 6626520 Roscommon LEADER Partnership recognise the many challenges difficulties that people Bakery Molloy’s Artisan Bakery Freshly baked breads, cakes, the 090 6625940 and communities are facing right across County Roscommonsupport. due to Covid-19. We want you to self employed including additional admin craft, office, Frances’ Homeware 087 6500931 Supporting People and Communities in Roscommon

090 6625964

Gannons Farm shop Poultry, Eggs & local produce

pastries, newspapers, groceries

Roscommon LEADER Partnership recognise the many challenges and difficulties that people

Grocery, deli, Casey’s Londis and communitiesGrocery, food, Fuel,Roscommon due to Covid-19. We want you to are facingtake rightout across County news, fuel Ticketmaster, newsagents 090 6638000 know that we are working on aOff-licence, range of community supports and measures while we are

Skincare

Skincare and Health Spa Guinot skincare products, and Beauty Jane Iredale make up, Wella hair products

know that we are working on a range of community supports and measures while we are

Household Finishing Touches extending many current services to reach the wider community. These supports include… Sports

Roscommon Sports

Sports wear, workout gear

Extending our “Meals on Wheels” Service to additional areas of

086 6091660

needguidelines and working with existing similar Distancing service providers Practices. in the All activities will beservices carried out withcommunity. strict These adherence and compliance and Social Roscommon extending many current reach the wider supports include… Gift and with HSE Time Pieces Gifts and Home 087 7827171 Timothy’s Londis Grocery, Deli, to Lotto, newsagents 090 6626809 county. LEADER Partnership is here to help you through this crisis, should you require information on any of the above or if you have a query Home ETL Giftware, Jewelry, Irish art, cards 087 9678432 Extending our “Meals on Wheels” Service to additional areas of McNeill’s Grocery, Deli, Lotto, newsagents 090 6626481 need and working withplease existing similar service us providers in theof the following numbers: on any of our existing services contact on any Extending our “Friendly Call Service” to those in isolation/living county.Western Union, Molloy’s Carry-out Off-licence, 090 6626120

Strict delivery terms apply to alcohol Telephone: 090 6630252 Tomás: 086 0460176

Extending our “Friendly Call Service” to those in isolation/living alone/elderly offering a friendly voice from trained volunteers.

‘Roscommon – for now the town to you! Gail: 086 8532915Responds’ Volunteer Information: Menawill 086come 0499394 alone/elderly offering a friendly voice from trained volunteers.

Extending our supports under the volunteer information services

to existing groups andto giving advice to We are looking for all businesses in Roscommon town that programme want to getvoluntary involved contact: volunteers on how they can stay safe while volunteering during the crisis.

Extending our supports under the volunteer information services programme to existing voluntary groups and giving advice to volunteers on how they can stay safe while volunteering during the crisis.

Brendan Allen – 087 2231202 president@roscommonchamber.com Cait McConn – 086 0859275 secretary@roscommonchamber.com We are currently identifying areas with gaps in service provision and working in collaboration with Government Departments and other Agencies in Co. Roscommon to support the unemployed & the self employed including additional admin support.

Thank you – and stay safe

Telephone: 090 6630252

Tomás: 086 0460176

Gail: 086 8532915

Volunteer Information: Mena 086 0499394

We are currently identifying areas with gaps in service provision and working in collaboration with Government Departments and other Agencies in Co. Roscommon to support the unemployed & the self employed including additional admin support.

(please follow HSE guidelines re: Covid-19) Telephone: 090 6630252

Tomás: 086 0460176

Gail: 086 8532915

Volunteer Information: Mena 086 0499394

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

NewsPeople

email sligo@homeinste 07 or call our local Sligo o

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Power station closures: Naughten asks where are Bord na Mona & Minister? Denis Naughten TD has called on both Bord na Mona and Minister Richard Bruton to publicly comment on the ESB’s decision to shut down its operations at Lough Ree Power in Lanesboro, following the decision to close West Offaly Power in Shannonbridge last week. “It is now a week since notification was given on the closure of the Offaly power station and yet we have had no comment from Minister Bruton or Bord na Mona on the future job prospects

of over 230 staff across the Midlands,” stated Denis Naughten. “This decision has huge implications for job retention, not just in the two power plants and the associated bogs, but right across the region, and we need to hear from Minister Bruton and Bord na Mona who have yet to make a comment on the closure. “While everybody across Ireland is understandably concerned about businesses being closed as a result of Covid-19, we now have a situation in the

Midlands where there may be no work for hundreds of Bord na Mona and ESB staff once the current restrictions are lifted. “My fear is that this issue, while a priority before Christmas, will be pushed under the carpet after the Covid crisis. While there is much work to be done to plan for our future economy after the current health emergency, much of the planning should have been completed on the Bord na Mona job situation and we now need to see practical action”.

Reaction from Fitzmaurice, Murphy

“Excuses” provided by the ESB for its decision to halt electricity being generated at the Lough Ree Power plant in Lanesboro are totally unacceptable, according to independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice. The ESB has claimed that the plant has been taken off load as a precaution to prevent the downstream river temperatures from increasing by more than 1.5 degrees celsius compared to the upstream reference intake temperature. Deputy Fitzmaurice said: “To put it bluntly, I am not buying the excuses being bandied about by the ESB for closing Lough Ree Power. “I believe they are hiding behind an environmental excuse in order to close the plant. If you look at the temperatures over recent nights, they have fallen to minus 2 and minus 3 degrees celsius respectively. “I find it hard to believe that in weather conditions such as this, that there is a danger of the water temperature rising above the regulated level. “This is just more bluster and spin from the ESB. We saw last week how electricity generation was

brought to an abrupt halt at the West Offaly Power plant in Shannonbridge. A commitment was given then that at least one of either West Offaly Power or Lough Ree Power would stay open. “The ESB is hiding behind the excuse that the move to close Lough Ree Power is required on environmental grounds”. Senator Eugene Murphy expressed anger at ESB’s decision to close Lanesboro Power Station. “I was shocked to hear the Lanesboro announcement. It certainly is bad news for hundreds of families throughout the region. With the present (Covid-19) crisis in the world I was expecting a different type of announcement from the ESB. “I certainly thought this whole process would have slowed down. I am appealing to our three TDs from Roscommon/Galway to work to the best of their ability to work to reverse this and I will certainly give them every support in that endeavour. This situation needs not to be let fizzle out as if he does there will be little or nothing for many families from this region”.

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NewsPeople Update from parish of Roscommon and Kilteevan The priests of Roscommon/Kilteevan parish have thanked everyone who was involved in the celebration of the Easter ceremonies in Roscommon Church last weekend. Parish Radio Masses will continue to be broadcast from Roscommon Church on 105.9 FM, Monday-Friday at 11 am, Saturday at 10 am and 7 pm (Vigil), and on Sundays at 12.15 pm. Weekend masses will be also broadcast on Facebook live video at facebook.com/ roscommonandkilteevanparish/ The Parish Office is open for telephone calls (090-6626298), texts (0877903324) and emails (roscommonparish3@gmail.com) from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, Monday to Friday. Roscommon Church will remain open for individual prayer for those who may be on their daily exercise from 12-5 pm, Monday-Saturday, and 2-5 pm on Sundays, but please observe all HSE guidelines on Covid-19. Likewise Kilteevan Church will be open every day from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm for private prayer. Any parish updates can be found on parish Facebook page: facebook.com/ roscommonandkilteevanparish/ Thank you again for your prayers and generosity. Please keep safe and well. – Fr. Kevin and the priests of the parish.

Gardai to receive PPE devices – Feighan Sligo/Leitrim Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan has said that members of An Garda Siochana are set to receive an order of 16,000 spit guard protection devices in the coming days in order to help protect our local Gardaí from people who choose to spit, bite and cough at our officers during this Covid-19 national emergency. He was speaking after an incident in Sligo town led to a woman been sentenced to four weeks in prison for coughing at Gardai in Sligo. Deputy Feighan said: “I, like most people, was shocked and saddened to hear of the incident which took place in Sligo this week. “No Garda member should have to face this level of harm without the proper supports in place to deal with it”.

Kerrane unhappy over student refunds Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon/Galway Claire Kerrane has described the response from the Minister of State for Higher Education on the issue of student accommodation refunds as “very disappointing”. Deputy Kerrane said: “I have received dozens of emails from worried students and parents on the issue of student accommodation refunds. “The emails referenced private accommodation providers and on campus providers alike either refusing refunds, as is the case with the University of Limerick, or being coy about refunds, in the case of Kavanagh Court. “I wrote to the Minister for Education and the Taoiseach recently calling for a strong public statement from them on the issue of student accommodation refunds. “Unfortunately, the statement from the Minister of State for Higher Education in response will do little to allay the fears of students and parents seeks refunds. “I would again urge the Minister for Education to make a public call to all landlords to refund students who have left their accommodation early. “At the very least the Minister must call on both on campus and private accommodation providers to honour the legal requirements set in the Residential Tenancies Acts”.

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

Top tips on movement while you’re… COCOONING

< VANDA CUMMINS

HSE Primary Care Physiotherapist Vanda Cummins’ top ten tips on staying as active as possible while cocooning during Covid-19 1: During the cocooning phase it’s essential we try and stay as active as possible and keep our joints and muscles in good shape. 2: ‘Motion is Lotion’. If your joints feel stiff and sore they will benefit from regular gentle movement. People with arthritis, who get into the habit of keep their joints moving often, find activities easier than those who rest a lot. 3: Sitting for long periods is not helpful for our mental or physical health. Stretch and stand up at least once an hour. 4: No matter what your level of

ability or your age, movement will benefit you. 5: Regular movement boosts our circulation and stops our bodies from feeling sluggish. Even a light marching with our legs and/or an arm swing for a few minutes can be helpful.

6: Build strength work into your daily routine. You can do this by lowering yourself into your chair as slowly as you can, to build leg strength. Use your legs as much as possible – not your hands – to get up from a chair. Strong legs make

you steadier on your feet so activities like climbing stairs and getting up from the floor are easier. 7: Build balance activities into your daily routine. This can be very beneficial, so you can step easily in different directions and react quickly in case you trip. 8: Safety is important. There is a risk of injury if you move too fast, don’t have adequate supports or try keep up with people who are much fitter or stronger. 9: Research findings: A person on bed rest for 1 week can lose up to 1% bone density loss and 20% strength. The good news is that research has also shown that strength can be regained with regular strength activities, progressed over time. 10: Please keep moving… whether it’s little or bigger movements, all of them will help your mind and body.

TDs hit out at Covid-19 payment ‘discrimination’ against those aged over 66 Two local TDs have gone public on their frustration with what they say is discrimination against people aged over 66 in respect of Covid-19 payment support. Children in families where a parent or guardian is over 66 and, as a result of their age, is being denied the €350 Covid-19 payment, are facing unnecessary levels of financial hardship purely because of the parent’s age, Denis Naughten TD said. He said he has come across several cases where parents over 66-years-old have been working – some full-time – to supplement their income in order to pay normal family bills. “I have also come across a number of situations where a grandparent is a child’s guardian, many of them vulnerable children, and the grandparent has been working self-employed or in a job where the employer is not availing of the wage subsidy scheme. “While the official Department of Social Projection response has been that these pensioners can avail of the free travel and free TV licence, the fact remains that neither of these schemes will pay for food, make repayments on equipment and vans, pay rents or meet other bills associated with their businesses”. Deputy Naughten said that these families are at breaking point. “The whole objective behind the income supports introduced by Government was to ensure that families could meet their day to day bills

during the Covid-19 crisis, but some children are being treated differently solely because their parent or guardian happens to be over 66-years-old. “This discrimination is wrong and must be reversed immediately,” concluded Deputy Naughten. Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane also said that the Pandemic Unemployment payment is discriminating against workers aged over 66 years. Speaking having contacted Minister Regina Doherty on the matter, Deputy Kerrane said: “Those aged over 66 years who were either employed or self-employed when Covid-19 hit are being denied access to the emergency payment that every other worker in the State between the age of 18 and 66 can apply for. “I have been contacted by a number of workers across a range of sectors who are aged over 66 years and are extremely frustrated at being excluded. “I am waiting on Minister Doherty to come back to me on the cost of extending this payment to workers aged over 66 – however, I imagine this cost would be small when one looks at the total costs associated with this payment”. Deputy Kerrane said that age should not be a factor when it comes to workers who have lost employment. “Over-66s are seeing a substantial loss in income and they are being left without the supports that other workers are receiving. This is unacceptable”.

Deputy Denis Naughten

Deputy Claire Kerrane

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

NewsPeople

Criminals ‘targeting Netflix accounts’ < PAUL HEALY

Roscommon Netflix fans are advised that criminals may have them in their sights in one of the many scams that are being attempted during the Covid-19 crisis. Gardai have warned the public that scam artists are trying to obtain the personal banking or credit details of Irish citizens under the guise of a request to update personal Netflix accounts with banking and/ or credit card details.

Gardai say the email requests involved are fake and that any financial information disclosed will be used to commit fraud offences, including ‘account take over’ – where bank accounts are taken over and all funds withdrawn. Detective Chief Superintendent Lordan of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau has warned the public to never reveal their personal banking or credit card details in response to unsolicited emails, text messages,

SMS messages or phone calls. “Where a person is concerned at contact from what appears to be a genuine entity such as Netflix or their bank, they should look up that entity independently and make contact to check if this contact is genuine”. Detective Chief Super-

intendent Lordan is also urging the public to stop and think before releasing any personal data to persons unknown, with the simple advice: “if in doubt, don’t do it”. Meanwhile, An Garda Siochana and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have outlined details of a scam which targets motorists. They say that a fraudulent Facebook page purporting to be the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) is inviting people to contact them via WhatsApp to

apply for or renew their driving licence. They are then seeking payment of over €200. Gardai say: “This is a scam to part people with their money. The NDLS does not have any official social media pages. The only way to contact the NDLS is through the official RSA social media pages or online through www.rsa. ieor www.ndls.ie”. This fraudulent page has been reported to Facebook to be removed. Investigations are ongoing.

Traffic accident claims life of young Boyle woman A young Boyle woman tragically shortly after 9 am last Saturday family and stunned the people of lost her life following a traffic acci- morning when a car collided with Boyle and surrounding areas. Ciara dent which occurred last Saturday. a wall. The male driver and Ms. is mourned by her parents Noel and Ciara McKenna, of Aghnagrange, McKenna, a front-seat passenger, Tina, brothers Tadhg and Cillian, Boyle, died at Sligo University were both taken to Sligo University grandparents, further relatives and Hospital as a result of injuries Hospital for treatment. The young many friends, to whom sympathy sustained in the single-vehicle ac- woman, who was in her early 20s, is extended. cident. passed away at Sligo University Due to the current Covid-19 reThe accident occurred onRoscommon-Galway the Hospital on Saturday night. strictions, Ciara’s funeral is being Constituency N61 road at Greatmeadow, Boyle The tragedy has devastated her held privately. Her family said that

a memorial Mass to celebrate her life will be offered at a later date. * Gardaí in Boyle are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to this incident to come forward and for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the Greatmeadow area at the time to make it available to Gardaí.

Eugene Thank you from

Murphy Senator Eugene Murphy Vótáil

Real Solutions for Rural Ireland

“I am committed to helping to improve the quality of life for people in rural Ireland which has largely been left behind- we need to build a future where people can live, work and enjoy the many benefits of rural living”

Thank you to all those who supported me in the recent General Election Eugene Murphy Delighted to have to Abeen n Ireelected laÉireann nd represent you in Seaned

f o r all please In the present difficult cirumstances, No 2: Orla Leyden

Constituency Offices:

Elphin Street, Market Square, Ballinasloe, be reassured thatRoscommon I amTown available at all times Strokestown, Co. Galway Roscommon Co. Roscommon 087 435 3834 ifCo. you have any concernsor issues  071 963 3000  090 662 5722

Mobile: 087 1668775  eugene.murphy@oireachtas.ie

Working with your local Fianna Fáil team: Cllr Michael Connolly, Cllr John Cummins, Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice, Cllr John Keogh, Cllr Orla Leyden, Cllr Marty McDermott, Cllr Joe Murphy

‘210 people in constituency waiting for Home Care Package’ Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon-Galway Claire Kerrane has urged the HSE to put financial packages in place to allow people in Roscommon and Galway to either go home from hospitals or nursing homes or remain at home. Speaking on figures newly released by the HSE, Deputy Kerrane said: “As of the end of February there were 69 people in Co. Roscommon waiting on a new Home Care package with 5 people waiting for additional home care supports. In Co. Galway, there were 141 people waiting for a new package with 22 people waiting on additional supports. “At a time when we need to limit the numbers going into our hospitals and nursing homes, we need to see the waiting lists for Home Care cleared as a matter of urgency to ensure that those who can remain in their home can be supported to do so. “With that, we need to ensure that the level of home care for individuals meets their own individual need. In many cases the time given to older people, especially in their own home, is inadequate and home care professionals are left under pressure trying to carry out their duties in a limited time that is sometimes no more than a half an hour. “Eliminating these waiting lists has to be a priority as we continue to tackle the coronavirus. We need to keep our older people and those with underlying health conditions safe and home and we need to ensure that the care packages are in place to make this happen”.

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

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Miriam’s

MUSINGS

Words of wit and wisdom with MIRIAM KERINS

When ‘staying home’ places you in grave danger My message to domestic violence victims at this time… Domestic violence is a high impact, high volume crime, the incidence of which is escalating to an alarming degree during this Covid-19 lockdown situation, leaving many families in a highly vulnerable position. Therefore, if you’re in a violent relationship and are reading this, please remember, you’re not alone. Help is available to you. And yes, I do understand that liberating yourself from an abusive relationship isn’t easy, in fact, it’s possibly one of the hardest and bravest decisions you’ll ever have to make; but remember, you deserve your freedom. You’ve got a right to live your life unshackled to that despicable empty husk who’s controlling your finances, who’s psychologically beating you down, and who’s physically harming you. I’m fully cognisant of the fact that while the majority of our citizens are staying home in or-

der to try and stop the spread of coronavirus, (and hopefully save lives), that these very measures are placing you, a reader imprisoned in an abusive environment, at an increased risk. You’re in lockdown and living under his/ her brutal and terrifying regime. You’re confused, and mostly, you’re torn; because it’s likely you still love this tyrannical, controlling coercive despot. I do get it; I know how you feel duty-bound and that you genuinely still have feelings for him/ her. I also get how difficult it is to see someone we love acting in a harmful and unhealthy manner, and I understand you yearn to help them…but please listen to me when I say that your love, no matter how well-intentioned, will not stop the abuse. Your love will not stop him/her harming you. You cannot ‘save’ them by loving them. But you can save yourself, and, if you have children, you can save them too. So please, this weekend, try to be extremely brave and reach

out and seek the support you so richly deserve. Remember, you have legal protections available to you under the Domestic Violence Act, which, (as of January 2019) now makes provisions for those being abused in a coercive controlling relationship. This pernicious and highly ruinous behaviour, (one of the more hidden aspects of an abusive, intimate relationship), is now not just an offence, it’s a deeply destructive and very personal crime against you, the victim, who is being deliberately psychologically degraded by your abuser. An Garda Síochána will take this very seriously and will respond ‘very quickly and robustly’ if someone in your home is causing you fear, distress, significant alarm, or if their behaviour is having an injurious impact on your daily life, be that physical, psychological, financial or sexual. I want to remind readers that Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has explained that the two kilome-

tre curtailment does not apply to anyone who needs to seek help. In addition, officers are providing an initiative to those who’ve previously been in touch with them regarding domestic violence, and have implemented Operation Faoisimh to address this critical period in some families’ lives; so, at the risk of repeating myself, reach out to them. Remember too, the Courts Service and the Legal Aid Board are prioritising all cases of domestic violence and childcare issues. So to those cowardly abusers who may be thinking this health emergency is giving them the perfect excuse to mistreat, suppress, exploit, injure or harm another human being, my advice is to think again. Under no circumstance will your brutality be tolerated. Get it? * Women’s Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900; Log on to: www.womensaid.ie. In an emergency, call 999 or 112.

Rossie raises funds for charity with virtual quiz

Businesses: Reach your target market! 18,000 COPIES PRINTED WEEKLY

If Rossies are wondering how they can help charities who, (due to the Covid-19 outbreak and restrictions), are finding it increasingly difficult to raise funds, then why not throw some support behind local man Will Keane who has been hosting live fundraising events on Facebook! This caring gentleman, who has already hosted kitchen table quizzes on the social media site in support of the Irish Cancer Society, Crumlin Children’s Hospital and Women’s Aid, (introducing ‘fun themes’ such as The Mad Hatter and Father Ted), is planning to make this a weekly event. Speaking on Shannonside Northern Sound last week, Will said he was “trying to focus on charities who’re on the frontline”. If readers want to join in this Friday, I

imagine doing a quick Google search for ‘Facebook Live Kitchen Table Quiz,’ will set you on the right track. Well done Will!

Will Keane

While I’m at it folks…

that, even as you’re well Do any of you get the irony , like me, ringing your are you rs, into your adult yea e they haven’t left sur parents twice a day to makeelse finding it difficult to one any is d, the house? An ne conversation? I mean, end a, dare I say, boring pho , “Sorry, have to run”. you can’t exactly lie and say Where? if your productivity Stay safe, stay smiling, and up, put clothes on, et goals for this week are…g infect all surfaces, stay forensically wash hands, dis kilometre walk, then so virus-free, and do a daily two within the realms of those be it. Remember, keeping a responsible adult. If you kes simple guidelines ma ’ll have this virus licked we all follow this routine we in no time!

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

STAY SAFE

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

NewsPeople

Reeling in the ARCHIVES

News, views and something to amuse…

12 YEARS AGO Kenny turns up heat on Finneran over Hospital < PAULINE SCOTT

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny visited Roscommon town this week to meet with Roscommon Hospital staff and turn up the heat on newlyappointed Minister of State Michael Finneran. Deputy Kenny said that Minister of State Finneran will have to back up his words on the issue of Roscommon County Hospital with deeds – or else consider his position. Deputy Kenny was speaking at a press conference in the Abbey Hotel on Monday last after a meeting between hospital staff at various levels and Fine Gael TDs. The Fine Gael leader was joined by local Fine Gael TDs Denis Naughten and Frank Feighan and local councillors and Fine Gael activists. It was put to the Fine Gael leader that Minister of State Michael Finneran has pledged to stand with the people of Roscommon on the hospital issue. Enda Kenny responded saying that as a Minister of State, Deputy Finneran has newfound influence within the Fianna Fáil party and he (Deputy Kenny) would expect him to go to Mary Harney and the Taoiseach and state what is needed in Roscommon. “I hope he backs up those words with deeds and if those are not provided that he will consider his position in due course,” said the Fine Gael leader. (From 23 May 2008)

From 2015: Niamh Fannon, Hostess of the Year 2015 pictured with her father Francis and her two brothers, Kevin and Patrick. Picture: Andrew Fox

From Seamus Duke column A turkey in every sense ... For someone who does not watch a lot of TV I’m almost ashamed to admit that I watched a lot of the Eurovision Song Contest semi-final on Tuesday night and what a waste of time that was. Apart from Dustin making a laughing stock out of the competition (not a hard thing to do) and the country in one fell swoop, it was woeful entertainment and any connection between the show and some actual music was purely coincidental. I know that Dustin was no worse than a lot of the others but I almost felt like hiding behind the couch when he (it?) was on. It was brutal stuff altogether. I have been listening to the radio on Wednesday morning and it is funny to hear the people on RTE in particular trying to justify the entourage that they sent to Belgrade, spending taxpayers’ money in the process. (From 23 May 2008)

10 YEARS AGO Political rivals in celebrity cook-off final on Friday The two finalists for the RLF Restaurant Celebrity Cook Off were announced after two fantastic semi-finals this week as part of the Roscommon Lamb Festival 2010 with the grand final taking place this Friday 30th April in the Festival Marquee on the Square. On Sunday night a packed out Gleeson’s Townhouse saw Denis Naughten (representing Clann na nGael and The Athlone Springs Hotel) win over the public vote against Micheál Curley who represented Coffey’s Bar, Lecarrow and the

From 2010: James Hanly and Michael Henry from Weekfield in Roscommon pictured on the water in Lanesboro enjoying the recent hot spell. Pic: Andrew Fox.

Roscommon Hunt. Denis will go head to head against Eugene Murphy who won Monday’s semi-final against Maureen Claffey (Hester’s Golden Eagle & Castlerea Musical Society) in Jackson’s Restaurant on Monday night. Eugene is representing Strokestown Community Initiatives and The Percy French Hotel. Throughout the previous heats, all of the celebrities have been kindly helped by the head chefs of the restaurants they originally cooked in. The two political rivals will swap policies for pots and pans on the night of the final, which will be a brilliant night where the two finalists will cook a brand new lamb speciality for the final public vote. (From 3 April 2010)

5 YEARS AGO ‘Ming’ looks into crystal ball…and foresees change! < EOGHAN YOUNG-MURPHY

Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan MEP has claimed there is a distinct possibility that the three TDs elected in the Roscommon-Galway constituency in the next General Election will be two Independents and one Sinn Féin candidate.

Roscommon has traditionally been a Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael stronghold, but ‘Ming’ believes that will change in the coming months. In a Twitter post, he said: “Roscommon/Galway now has the potential to lead change at next GE, with Michael Fitzmaurice, Denis Naughten and Claire Kerrane. That would be representation. Can happen”. Ms. Kerrane, who previously worked as Mr. Flanagan’s secretary, was confirmed as Sinn Féin’s candidate last weekend. (From 27 March 2015) * Ming was just one election out, but a pretty impressive prediction all the same!

Roscommon designers feted

After much deliberation, the Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture regional finalists for Roscommon have been announced. Secondary schools from all over Roscommon and from every part of the country submitted designs using every sort of junk possible, and now these local designs will be showcased at the Western regional final on 11th of March. Tickets are on sale now from the Royal Theatre Castlebar’s box office. The Roscommon finalists are Le Paon Majestueux from Elphin Community College, Gold Blend from Scoil Mhuire Strokestown, Metallo Penna from Scoil Mhuire Strokestown, Weave Used Paper from Scoil Mhuire

Strokestown and Pearlection from Scoil Mhuire Strokestown. All of the regional finalists of the Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture recycled fashion competition will storm the catwalk in The Helix on the 6th of March 2015. (From 20 February 2015)

3 YEARS AGO From Paul Healy’s Week

An old man is walking in the wrong direction in the middle of a roundabout in Roscommon town. Held up and showing varying signs of amusement/frustrastion are two cars, a jeep, a lorry and a guy on a bike. The old man is in no hurry. In fact he’s quite leisurely about it all. It’s man versus car, and there’s only one winner. It’s as if Henry Ford had never bothered. Trump bombed Syria and there’s a Brexit-shaped crisis on top of us but at this moment in time this old man has slowed the world down – well at least he’s stopped us all in our tracks in Roscommon. Everyone – lorry, cars, cyclist – waits for his next move. He completes his journey. The world moves on again. Fair play to him (not that I’m recommending it of course). Everyone needs a breather and to take stock, every now and again. (From April 2017)

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

NewsPeople

Who’s saying what on Tweet Street ... Laurel and Hardy won – Not everybody was impressed with Friday’s Late Late Show, this tweeter opting instead for comedy gold…

Paul Healy’s take on top tweets! Tamsin Winter @MsWinterTweets My parents are both approaching 70 and are isolating in a tiny village, so naturally I’ve been really worried about them. They just sent me a picture and they are drinking Baileys out of Easter eggs. – This must have put a spring in the step of Ms. Winter…

VOTE N 1

Shane Lowry @ShaneLowryGolf I’ll never take anything for granted again, 9 holes with the lads, dinner with Wendy in our favourite restaurant, a pint in my favourite pubs with friends. Going for lunch and talking garbage all day with loads of coffee. All of my favourite things and can’t do any. Strange times – An Offaly man sums it all up Jon Hartley @Jon_Hartley_ One of the most powerful moments I’ve ever witnessed in my life: Andrea Bocelli singing Amazing Grace to an empty Duomo Cathedral plaza in Milan with a message of hope on Easter Sunday for all those affected globally by the 2020 Coronavirus outbreak #MusicForHope – Andrea Bocelli’s concert on Sunday evening was very quickly trending worldwide

Andrea Bocelli’s concert on Sunday evening was very quickly trending worldwide

chris o’dowd @BigBoyler Homesick today. Can anyone in the west of ireland send me big sexy photos of landscapes please. – The Boyle native ordered a ‘home delivery’ from Los Angeles and was soon receiving the requested images of various locations around Ireland!

personally in my sitting room tonight with his opening monologue. That’s the highest compliment I can pay him. Summed up the feeling brilliantly across the country right now #LateLateShow #latelate – Now coronavirus-free, Ryan Tubridy returned to host the Late Late Show (he missed the previous two Friday nights) and opened with an emotional address to the nation…

NAUGHTEN Alan Swan @alanswan I felt like Ryan was actually talking to me

DENIS

Mortimer Murphy @MortimerMurphy1 It was a choice between #LateLateShow and watching Laurel and Hardy on YouTube and

Eimhin Wallace @egawallace I’d love to go for a feed of porter with Brendan Gleeson #LateLateShow – A lot of us would love to go for even a drop of porter with anyone… Deirdre O’Kane @DeirdreOKane1 Brendan Gleeson is a class act. the music is gorgeous but what he said about the professionalism of nurses/doctors is true, it is staggering. I watched them up close and personal for the last few years and I am in awe. we owe them a great dept! #StayHomeSaveLifes #LateLateShow – Comedian/actress Deirdre presumably meant ‘great debt’ and wasn’t suggesting that Brendan Gleeson should be granted control of the Dept. of Health…although, although… Daniel McDonnell @McDonnellDan Leo’s speech writer needs to tone down the poetry now. Was grand first time around but people have come around to craving substance and information rather than a soundbite for a montage – Great news…Covid-19 has not taken away our love of begrudgery! Some people feel Leo is overdoing the soundbites/quoting Seamus Heaney, etc.

INDEPENDENT

Know your eircode For anyone isolating or cocooning it is important to know your eircode so deliveries can arrive straight to your door.

Many local shops & volunteers are offering deliveries #LocalJobs but may find it hard to locate you without your eircode. Cut out and complete this form and keep it by your phone #LocalHealthServices or why not fill it out for an elderly neighbour VOTE N–O 1 and pop it through their letterbox – so it will be close to hand when ordering food or medicines.

#ShopLocal

Don’t know your eircode? Just visit www.eircode.ie to find it.

My eircode is:

NAUGHTEN DENIS

INDEPENDENT

www.DenisNaughten.ie Call: (090) 6627557 Email: dnaughten@oir.ie

#LocalJobs #LocalHealthServices

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

NewsPeople “This is an extremely difficult time for everyone but it will pass and there will be better days ahead. Stay safe and be responsible.”

WORKING HARD FOR YOU

CLAIRE

KERRANE TD

KEEP UP TO DATE ON

COVID-19

INFORMATION

Wash your hands Practice social distancing Don’t be afraid to ask for help Check in on elderly neighbours Be kind

IF YOU NEED ANY HELP OR ADVICE DO NOT HESITATE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ME

 : 0871945254  : claire.kerrane@oireachtas.ie

RTE TV Youth Mass this Sunday is based on Roscommon initiative Bishop Doran and the three Roscommon teenagers will be involved in Sunday’s ceremony. “Hazel, Jamie and Nessa will be representing all the young people who have taken part in the Youth Masses in Roscommon since they commenced…they wanted to help RTE in their work by offering their gifts to bring hope during these very dark days in our country and world. They volunteered willingly and without hesitation to help”. The organisers of the monthly Youth Mass in Roscommon, who have been working closely with RTE in relation to Sunday’s ceremony, wish to acknowledge the support of the following: Bishop Kevin Doran; Fr. Kevin Fallon (and before him Fr. John Cullen); staff in Roscommon Parish Office; Principals and staff of Roscommon Community College, Roscommon CBS and Convent of Mercy, Roscommon, and all the young people who have had any role in any of the Youth Masses over the past two and a half years.

Roscommon teenagers, Bishop Doran feature The popularity of a monthly Youth Mass in Roscommon town is largely behind RTE’s decision to present a special Youth Mass live on TV this Sunday morning. While the Mass will be broadcast from Maynooth, it’s very much inspired by young people from Roscommon. The Mass will be broadcast live at 11 am on Sunday morning, 19th of April. The theme of the Mass, which will be celebrated by the Bishop of Elphin, Kevin Doran, is ‘Hope’. Three Roscommon students will participate. Jamie Finnegan, CBS Roscommon, will do all the readings, while Hazel Murray and Nessa Madden, both pupils of Convent of Mercy, Roscommon, will sing and provide music at the Mass. One of the organisers of the Youth Mass initiative in Roscommon is Marie Gillooly, and the local woman has been busy with preparations for Sunday’s ceremony. ACHIEVEMENT Marie told the Roscommon People: “This came about really quickly due to the shifting sands of this pandemic. The Mass was designed and put together in a mere four days. The songs, responses and music were chosen and have to be learnt and perfected in less than ten days, which is some achievement for these teenagers. The introduction was written overnight by Rosie Reele, a teacher in the CBS Roscommon, who has been very involved with the Youth Masses all along”. Ms. Gillooly said that RTE were keen on arranging this Mass because young people are facing such unprecedented challenges during the Covid-19 crisis. “These are very dark days for many people, including our youth, many of whom will face hardships that were unimagi-

About the Youth Mass

The Mass will be broadcast live at 11 am on Sunday morning, 19th of April. The theme of the Mass, which will be celebrated by the Bishop of Elphin, Kevin Doran, is ‘Hope’.

nable a mere two months ago. For example, if a young person experiences serious illness and perhaps the death of loved ones at this time – whether or not it’s related to Covid-19 – they cannot avail of many of the normal family or community supports that have sustained people throughout the generations”. Marie explained that due to Covid-19 restrictions, only

Youth Masses in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon started in November 2018. This parish initiative sees Youth Masses being held once a month between November and May/June, in line with the school term. All three secondary schools in Roscommon and the Parish clergy have fully supported this initiative by our youth since its commencement. A theme for each Mass is chosen that is apt for all our lives, but especially young people’s lives, e.g. resilience, gratitude, helping others, social justice, etc. The format of the Mass is designed to reflect the theme through carefully chosen songs, an introduction, prayers of the faithful and an information leaflet that is handed out to all that attend. The Masses have proved to be hugely popular and are attended by young and old alike.

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

NewsPeople SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION We are children of Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead. Through this wondrous sign of His great mercy, the Father of Jesus has given us new birth, as we hear in today’s Epistle. Today’s First Reading sketches the “family life” of our first ancestors in the household of God (see 1 Peter 4:17). We see them doing what we still do – devoting themselves to the Apostles’ teaching, meeting daily to pray and celebrate “the breaking of the bread”. The Apostles saw the Lord. He stood in their midst, showed them His hands and sides. They heard His blessing and received His commission – to extend the Father’s mercy to all peoples through the power and Spirit He conferred upon them. We must walk by faith and not by sight, must believe and love what we have not seen (see 2 Corinthians 5:7). Yet the invisible realities are made present for us through the devotions the Apostles handed on. Notice the experience of the risen Lord in today’s Gospel is described in a way that evokes the Mass. Both appearances take place on a Sunday. The Lord comes to be with His disciples. They rejoice, listen to His Word, receive the gift of His forgiveness and peace. He offers His wounded body to them in remembrance of His Passion. And they know and worship Him as their Lord and their God. Thomas’ confession is a vow of faith in the new covenant. As promised long before, in the blood of Jesus we can now know the Lord as our God and be known as His people (see Hosea 2:20–25). This confession is sung in the heavenly liturgy (see Revelation 4:11). And in every Mass on earth we renew our covenant and receive the blessings Jesus promised for those who have not seen but have believed. In the Mass, God’s mercy endures forever, as we sing in today’s Psalm. This is the day the Lord has made – when the victory of Easter is again made wonderful in our eyes. Scott Hahn Ph., www.salvationhistory. com (courtesy of Sacred Heart Church)

Roscommon Heritage Group Roscommon Heritage Group has cancelled their meeting which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 21st of April in Gleeson’s, Roscommon. This is due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We look forward to rescheduling in due course. Stay safe.

Ballaghaderreen GAA Club in offer of support Ballaghaderreen GAA Club have members who are available to deliver shopping or medical supplies, where needed. Please contact one of the following numbers if you need assistance or would like help while you are ‘cocooning’ – Stephanie (087 6654665); Karen (086 8854412) or Andrew: (086 8067358). If you are away and are worried about relatives in the area or you know of anyone in the area that may benefit from this service we would be happy to reach out to our members to offer help.

FRANK

FRANK BRANDON’S

BRANDON

unique take on life ...

I’ve retired after 52 years in the workforce – now it’s time to catch up with old friends! When the new bank manager saw us in social ‘action’ for the first time, he wasn’t over impressed with our undoubted drinking skills, and he (allegedly) resolved there and then to break us all up… I’m taking readers back to the week before lockdown. I suppose, with the Covid-19 pandemic about to land on our doorstep, I can understand how my retirement from the workforce of this great country managed to go unnoticed, when, after a nearly unbroken 52-year stint, the curtain finally fell on a career that saw me have almost as many jobs as hot dinners. With no requests for interviews from the Sunday Business Post, or even the Financial Times, I bowed out just as we were about to cancel Paddy’s Day (well, the parades at least). It’s probably true to say that, apart from not going anywhere, the lockdown was just a forerunner of the rest of my life, and if that is the case, I have to admit that I will have no real complaints. When the history of the Bank of Ireland is written, I have no doubt that there will be no mention of the 3rd November 1968, but it’s a day that should be commemorated for ever

in the story of that great financial Institution, because on that day a young Frank Brandon arrived up from the country to start a journey that, from such humble beginnings, could have led him to the summit of the great big financial world. Unfortunately it didn’t. When that west of Ireland youngster walked away twelve years later, he hadn’t really made much of a mark in the banking world, but the craic he had while working in numerous bank branches around the country was almost unbelievable. The great thing about this pandemic is that it has reawakened the caring and sharing spirit of ‘old Ireland’, and because a lot of us are having lots of time off, we are beginning to think outside the box. Some of us are going back through our past lives and contacting old friends. In my case, I haven’t seen some of those old friends for upwards on forty years. And so last Tuesday night week, as I struggled to get some sleep, I thought back to my days in the Bank of Ireland in Dundalk, where five or six of us had a few great years’ fun, and I said to myself that I would get in touch with some or all them as soon as possible. Now with me, usually that type of plan is forgotten about as soon as I fall asleep, and I’m sure this one would have been as well, but (remarkably) on the Wednesday evening my phone rang, and who was on the other end only one of the lads (Jakes McCann). Before the evening was out I had spoken to two more of our crew, namely Mickey (Pedro) O’Brien and Pio Malone.

Our first ever drive-by birthday They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and the Covid pandemic has brought all kinds of innovative ideas to bear on lots of things, including the celebration of birthdays. Out here in Crosswell we had our first ever drive-by celebration. I had heard of drive-by shootings, but never birthdays. Anyway, our next-door neighbour, Jacinta Hanley, former Irish rugby international – and better known as ‘Gibby’ – had a big birthday on Friday and a load of her friends acknowledged the occasion by driving past the house with horns blowing and balloons flying in the wind. It was great

craic and brought a bit of colour and light relief to us all in these trying times. Earlier, myself and my family had walked down to Hanley’s singing Happy Birthday and ‘She’s a jolly good fellow’ – and frightening Tommy Morgan’s ewes and lambs. It too was a bit of fun, and I hope Gibby had a memorable, enjoyable birthday. I know herself and a few more were meant to be in Spain this week, but that was not to be, but the good times will come again, and hopefully Jacinta can have a delayed big birthday bash. Talking of delayed bashs, this

The reason the bould Jakes rang was because he had discovered an old photograph of us all, taken at the Park Street Traders Dinner Dance of December 1973, and he wanted to send us on a copy by WhatsApp. The upshot of it all is that we plan to hold a reunion at some stage in the coming months, when Covid-19 has passed. We will, please God, go back to Dundalk (the scene of the crimes) for that meeting, and if it does take place it should be some craic. Pedro told me that we had just got a new bank manager at that time, and that Dinner Dance was his first time to see us in social ‘action’. Apparently he wasn’t over impressed with our undoubted drinking skills, and he (allegedly) resolved there and then to break us all up. Within a year I was on my way to Sligo, my exit helped by being picked up one Friday night by the Gardai for jaywalking, which is effectively the same as drink-driving (but without a car), and the rest of us were dispersed all over the country before too much longer. Almost fifty years have passed since then, but I will never forget the craic, fun and the friendships that were forged all those years ago. Maybe one of the benefits of this extraordinary break from normality is that we will pay more heed to things that really matter, like family and friends, and less heed to material things. I really hope the new-found concern for others will last long after Covid-19 is forgotten about. Anyway, if and when we do meet up, I will keep you all informed.

Friday coming, April 17th, I should have been giving away my daughter, Lisa, whose wedding to Brian was scheduled for the Glasson Golf & Country Club, but needless to say it has been postponed and I’ll have to hang on to her for another while. Lucky enough I hadn’t got the suit yet, so I’ll be watching out for John Corcoran’s ‘Welcome back’ sale; if I do any more walking I’ll be shopping in the children’s section. It’s another of the consequences of the pandemic, but the main thing is we get through it together, and please God when the time comes we’ll give it a lash (no jaywalking this time though).

And finally… Finally for this week, out here in Creggs, everyone – including the GAA club, the rugby club, local shopkeepers in both Glinsk and Creggs, and the Gardai – are helping vulnerable people get through the coronavirus scare. While I freely admit that I am not the greatest Catholic of all time, I must commend our local PP, Fr. Donal Morris, for a very well written, informative letter that he sent out to every house in the parish last weekend. It was a practical assessment of the predicament we find ourselves in, but it was also a message of hope, help, and support, and I for one welcomed it, and say well done to Fr. Donal. As we know, the Church sometimes comes in for criticism, so it should also get credit when it’s due.

all ‘Till next time, keep doing p you are told to do, and kee safe, bye for now

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

NewsPeople

Symbol of hope: A rainbow, pictured at Banada, Ballaghaderreen recently. Picture: Michael McCormack

newsbriefs 2020 Roscommon Chapman Bursary Roscommon County Council Arts Office has announced details of the 2020 Roscommon Chapman Bursary. The bursary is to the value of €500 and will go towards the cost of publishing what is known in the trade as a ‘chapbook’, i.e. a literary pamphlet. The chapbook award is for a collection and is not open to a single, long story, or indeed one very long poem. A chapbook will typically contain between fifteen and twenty-five poems and will be about thirty pages in length, from cover to cover. A short fiction chapbook might contain three to six stories, depending on the length of each story. The Roscommon Chapbook Award is aimed primarily at emerging writers in Roscommon who have not had a book published. Published writers will, however, be considered, should they decide to enter, though preference will be for an unpublished writer. All applicants must be able to prove a strong connection to the county (born in, living in, strong family ties, etc.). The intention is for the successful applicant to have his or her chapbook published before the end of 2020 and the applicant must demonstrate the ability to achieve this in his/her application. The 2020 open competition will be judged by multiaward-winning poet and novelist, Kerry Hardie. The 2018 bursary was won by Roscommon writer, Kevin Hora, for his highly original collection of short stories, titled The Pornographer’s Model. Last year’s winner was Rory Duffy with his superb collection of poems, intriguingly titled A Guide to the Items Recovered from the Stomach of the Last Wild Whale. An application form is available from Roscommon County Council Arts Office. For further information, please contact Aine Butler at abutler@roscommoncoco.ie or telephone 09066 37271.

‘We’re there to help’ – Castlerea Family Resource Centre Castlerea Community & Family Resource Centre is open behind closed doors and is offering phone, email and social media support to children, families and the Castlerea community during this difficult time. Should you need support in any way please contact either Aisling on 086 4615537 or Martina on 086 1711394. Email: aisling.nolan@castlereacfrc.ie or martina.durkan@castlereacfrc.ie. Facebook page: Castlerea Community & Family Resource Centre. We encourage everyone to stay at home and stay safe.

Clothes collection cancelled The Ballaghaderreen Community Park Committee has confirmed that they are deferring their Clothes Collection for the time being due to the outbreak of Covid-19. Thanks for your ongoing support.

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

NewsPeople

Shoppers looking to locally-run stores like Timothy’s Londis for daily essentials < MIRIAM KERINS Covid-19 has had a negative effect on large swathes of our economy, with many bricks and mortar businesses being forced to temporarily lay off staff. However, it isn’t all bad news. We caught up with Annie Timothy who, alongside husband Vincent, has been successfully running Timothy’s Londis in Abbeytown, Roscommon for the past twenty years, to see how this friendly, family-run local store is coping.

Has Covid-19 changed the way you’re doing

business? Well, it’s actually done us some good; we’re very busy. We’re open as normal, but we’re also taking a lot of phone orders and customers are also emailing us in and we’re delivering (to them). You see a lot of our customers would be seniors and if they want to contact us they can get us on 0862647568 or email their order into us on info@ timothys-londis.com and we’ll take care of them. Have you put in place a range of preventative measures across the store? Yes, procedures

are in place, and we’re constantly repeating to each other to wash your hands, wash your hands; and we’re making sure everyone continuously and thoroughly washes down all surfaces, etc. We adhere to social distancing and customers have been very good at doing the same, they have all been very respectful of the guidelines. There’s a certain flow to our shop and it’s never crowded (even before these regulations). Given you’re so busy, do you get any downtime? Well, between myself and

Hospice: ‘Our frontline staff working non-stop’

essential item, but this is just an example.

< MIRIAM KERINS The Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Foundation is a charitable organisation doing amazing work providing specialist palliative, end-of-life care to their patients as well as providing help and support to their loved ones. Therefore, as this charity is both a wonderful and vitally important essential service in our community, depending heavily upon public support and fundraising events, we asked head of fundraising and communications Angelina Nugent how they’re coping during this difficult time.

Are donations down? We’ve suffered a huge hit fundraising-wise. We have twelve shops, nine are based in Mayo and three are based in Roscommon, and combined, they would bring in about €30,000 a week. Due to the restrictions, these have all been closed since March. In addition, a lot of our fundraising events would be community-organised and in April, (this month), there would have been several (locally-organised) projects which would have generated fundraising (revenue) for us, but now they’re gone. They can’t take place. Can you put an ap-

Angelina Nugent

proximate figure on the financial losses? It’s difficult to place a figure on it, because you never know how much these wonderful events would have raised, but I’d say that you’re approximately looking at the guts of €50,000, which is a significant amount. We are still providing palliative care services to our patients and we are still purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) for our teams, who are all doing an amazing job. Our admin staff are working from home, but our frontline staff are working non-stop; their work doesn’t stop. There are still a lot of expenses that don’t stop, and that can’t stop. We also provide family support too for the patients in our care. For example, a lot of people might not realise that if a patient’s family needs something (essential), perhaps it could be heating oil, etc., and they can’t afford to get it, we will provide it for them…it could be any

Have all donations/fundraising activities ceased during Covid-19? Well now, can I say a big thank you to Roscommon senior football team who have been amazing. They contacted us with a ‘shaveor-dye’ concept they came up with themselves. This is not the first time they’ve helped us out. Club Rossie donated €10,000 to us from the ‘Win a House’ competition and now they’re aiming to raise €30,000 through this online initiative. Where can people donate? They can go to the ‘go fund me’ page or log on to the Roscommon GAA page or go on any of the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice platforms. We very much appreciate their kindness. On a personal level, how are you using your own downtime? We have our dogs, who are great and still have to be walked; and exercise has always been a big part of my own routine. I’m working from home, so I’ve fallen into a good routine and I’m catching up on Netflix at the weekends. Like everyone, I’m watching Tiger King (laughs).

Vincent and our manager Mike Crean, we split the running of the shop between us. I now walk to work (for my exercise), and I listen to my music on the way in; that puts me in the right place. I took a half-day on bank holiday Monday, I sat in the garden and listened to Andrea Bocelli, and I enjoyed that.

How are the staff coping? Oh they’ve been brilliant, sure every time we’ve come under pressure they’ve always rowed in behind us, put their shoulder to the wheel and they’ve been great. Our customers have been great too, and they’ve always supported us over the years and now it’s our time to support them.

Annie and Vincent Timothy of Timothy’s Londis, Roscommon.

COVID-19

How are

‘Upbeat and busy’ Geraldine keeping boredom at bay! < MIRIAM KERINS Geraldine Grealy, Marketing and PR Manager at the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon, is making the most of the current restrictions by remaining upbeat and motivated.

How has this situation affected business? The Abbey Hotel is closed temporarily, but I am working from my home office. We still have daily emails coming in so these must be followed up. We are keeping a close eye on all our existing business and thankfully we have assurances that all postponed business will happen as soon as we reopen. How are wedding couples coping with the postponement of their big day? We are especially aware of how worried our couples are, so our existing brides and grooms are reassured by our constant communication with them in facilitating any questions or concerns they may have.

How do you stay motivated? I guess the one thing keeping us all going is knowing we are all in this together. No person is exempt from the current restrictions being imposed and lockdown, or our ‘new normal’, looks likely to last for as long as is necessary until we flatten the curve. How are you keeping the boredom at bay? Lockdown has giving me an opportunity to catch up on long overdue housework and a good spring clean. Gardening, reading, writing, short walks, listening to music in my back garden and reconnecting with family and friends, albeit virtually on WhatsApp or FaceTime, is fun. I’ve also got a little blog on Instagram called ‘Geri’s Closet’ which allows me to indulge my love of all things beauty, lifestyle and fashion-related. Homeschooling our 12-year-old son and house training a new puppy is also a welcome distraction. Let’s hope and pray that life returns to normal very soon and we will all return with fresh new outlooks on

life, having had this temporary pause button imposed on all our lives. In the meantime, stay safe, stay at home and look after one another.

Geraldine Grealy, Marketing and PR Manager at the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

NewsPeople

Patsy working his way through challenging Times Roscommon native and Irish Times correspondent Patsy McGarry is working remotely, providing an essential service for readers. It’s possibly the biggest news story of our time, and for some reporters, news features continue to pour in; however, for others, work has dried up. We caught up with Ballaghaderreen native, now Dublin-based Irish Times Religious Affairs Correspondent Patsy McGarry, to see how he’s getting on during these difficult times.

< MIRIAM KERINS

Are you still working away? Yes, I’m busy; we’re all working from home for the past three weeks now. We (Irish Times) had an incident in our office where one of our younger

reporters contracted Covid-19. He has since made a full recovery. Everything happened overnight. The building was deep-cleaned and a decision was taken that the paper would be produced remotely. So, every edition of the Irish Times has been produced

remotely ever since, and I believe this will have huge implications for work practices (across the board) in the future. Your family is based in Ballaghaderreen, have you been able to contact them?

Due to the coronavirus ‘lockdown’ restrictions, the people of Ireland are stuck at home. Therefore, if readers were wondering how fellow Rossies are coping with the curtailment of movements, and what they’re doing to survive, not only the virus itself, but ahem, how they’re sustaining themselves while being cooped up with each other, we caught up with a few of our fellow citizens. Here’s what they had to say ...

we coping?

Yes, my mother, (who is originally from Castleplunkett), will be 92 years old in August, and she is in a nursing home in Ballaghaderreen. It’s called Oakwood and it’s run by my brother Declan and his wife Eithne and she’s receiving excellent care. As we speak, there have been no cases of Covid in the nursing home and we’ve all had video calls and phone calls, and while mam recognises us all, she doesn’t know what’s going on regarding Covid. How are you coping with social distancing? I live alone, so I’m used to solitude, I’m used to my own space and I’m not lonely. People often confuse solitude with loneliness and they’re very different. How do you relax when you’re not working? I live in the Monksland area of Dublin and go for walks to the local shops which are all situated within the two kilometre guidelines. Due to work, I’m on the phone constantly speaking to colleagues, etc. – and can I

Patsy McGarry

say, thank God for WhatsApp because I’m in touch with people all the time. Are you binging on TV or perhaps indulging in Netflix? (Laughs). I’m a news junkie and tend to watch the news on Channel 4 at 7 pm, the RTE News at 9 pm, Prime Time if it’s on, Claire Byrne if she’s on, and during the day it’s the radio for me. I am looking at Medici on Netflix because I love Italy and its culture, and I’m very much into Roman history, etc. I watch documentaries and I have been looking for Breaking Bad and The Wire, but haven’t managed to watch them yet. I enjoy reading history books, factual books, and books written by journalistic colleagues.

Missing live sporting events during lockdown – but businessman JJ Cattigan remains positive! < MIRIAM KERINS As the effects of Covid-19 continue to unfold, we caught up with local businessman JJ Cattigan to see how this popular publican is coping with the temporary closure of his Roscommon town bar during the government’s social distancing regulations.

J.J. Cattigan

How has this situation affected your life and your livelihood, JJ? I would have opened (the bar) at 5 pm, so I’m finding the evenings to be the most difficult time for me. It’s a small business and for me and other small businesses in the county, this whole thing (lockdown) is an unknown territory. I’m also the secretary of the Easter Parade committee and I got an eerie feeling in the town last week because there was no parade, and everywhere was deserted. We would normally have a packed pub after the parade, and we’d have

the Easter Bunny visiting us with Easter eggs for the kiddies, but this year we were closed. However, the Easter Bunny still delivered the eggs and I brought them up to the staff in Roscommon Hospital, who I’m sure appreciated them; they’re doing a great job. How are you filling your free time? My mother is at home, she’s in her eighties; she lives with my sister who cares for her and we have carers coming in to help out. We wouldn’t be able to cope without these carers, they’re my mother’s lifeline because she’s finding it very difficult to understand why she can’t see us, can’t see her family, and can’t see her grandchildren, so I go up to her every day. There are always jobs to be done around the house too, so I’m kept busy. Normally I’d be painting and decorating, because I like to do that, but as you can’t get

paint locally, and I like to support local businesses, the decorating is on hold for now. (Laughs). Are you managing to fit in any exercise? I love sports, I’ve played sports all my life; but I’m now wondering if we are going to see a return of sporting activities at all this summer. I hope so. We have five TV screens in Cattigan’s showing different events at different times, and I miss my sports and I miss the solidarity of my customers and staff. However, I’m getting my exercise by doing a lot of walking and jogging, and I keep within the two kilometre guidelines. When these restrictions are lifted, and it’s safe to do so, will it be business as usual in JJ Cattigan’s? Yes! But I do think people might be scared because we are now getting used to social

distancing and there is a fear that if restrictions are lifted too early, we could have a resurgence of the virus. These are very strange times, but we’re lucky, we live in the country, and things seem to be a lot worse in the big cities and hopefully everything will get to normal soon. Any messages for your loyal clientele who may be missing their friendly local? Yes, our Facebook page is still active and I’m getting great feedback on there. I’d ask all of our regulars to keep in touch with us on social media, I wish them all well, I miss them, and we’ll all see each other soon.

If you would like to be featured in our series next week, please telephone 086 8054227

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

NewsPeople

Paul D’Alton pictured with his mother Carmel. Picture courtesy of Ray Ryan.

Self-isolation with mother – AND we haven’t killed each other…yet! < PAUL D’ALTON

To put it mildly, my close family and friends are perplexed, if not to say the least, completely aghast. Myself and my 82-year-old mother, a robust character, have spent over a month together in 24-hour, self-enforced, self-isolation in our Roscommon home. We have face-to-face had no contact with anybody, human or four-legged, except to smile and leave porridge oats on the kitchen windowsill for our beloved little robins. The fact that there have been no rows, no fights, no arguments, no locking of horns, is to many of those who know us, simply inexplicable, in fact to all of them, utterly astonishing. Even I, no shrinking violet myself, am staggered that neither of us have yet to swing a metaphorical sword at each other, or rooted through the medical cupboard in search of some Valium or Xanax to calmly sedate either one of us, although there’ve been times when I’ve been sorely tempted. Because I don’t drive, and we’re only

five minutes from Roscommon town, Mother drives me in, remains rightly cocooned in the car, whilst I, with surgical gloves, do our weekly shopping which, apart from food and basic necessities, also consists of crates of wine that would easily provide for a wedding of 200 people. We have settled into a content, and hugely unexpected, routine. I work from my office, thankfully still in contact with my editors and TV producers in Dublin, New York and London. Mother, like a love-struck teenager, has become fixated with the wonders of WhatsApp, updating me on the well-being of family and friends. Sadly, and much to my daily irritation, with her new smartphone she has also discovered, to her amazement, the wonders of mobile ‘phone News Alerts, which, infuriatingly, usually means I must endure an almost hourly and daily rendition and monotonous update of what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are doing in Canada, Los Angeles or wherever, of which I really couldn’t give a damn, and in normal circumstances, nor could she.

But these aren’t normal circumstances! In revenge, much to her muted chagrin, I have CNN on 12 hours a day because Donald Trump, even in these darkest of times, is the greatest comical character ever invented, beating even the likes of Fawlty Towers, Only Fools and Horses, Father Ted and Mrs Brown’s Boys. Mother partakes of getting her own further revenge back when I suggest watching a particular TV programme with the slightly acidic, sarcastic response from her: “Well, if you think that’s worth watching!” So I leave the programme on, just to annoy her! Solace comes at 5 pm, which in our house is time for the cocktail hour to kick off, with a vengeance. Opening the first bottle of wine, Mother, who doesn’t drink, pours a glass of water for herself while I empty into the wine glass nearly a full bottle, the first of many, to anesthetize the ensuing evening ahead. Dinner is cooked by me. I try to keep the menu varied, from Bacon & Cabbage to stir-frys, and the only

bone of contention comes when I hand her a full plate only for her to respond “That’s far too much for me”, and then within ten minutes she hands back an entirely empty plate, as if she were a dog finished gnawing at a bone. She has also developed, doubtless to annoy me, the infuriating habit – just as I’m watching a particular important update on the TV news – of calling her sister in Cork or my step-mother Anne D’Alton and other friends, and talking at megaphone high volume about… well, nothing really, so in an act of petty revenge, I unmute the TV so she has to shout further down the phone line, mother throwing me a look that could sink a thousand ships! That all said, and with so many people suffering and putting their lives on the line to protect us, it has strangely been a time when myself and my mother have spent so much proximity to each other since I was a child, and we’re blessed. She, most importantly, is healthy and happy, as am I. Like any familial relationship, over the years we’ve had our ups and down, but that is only normal.

But this of all times has reminded me of why I love her, and those in similar situations will doubtlessly be feeling the same. Until, that is, I have to listen to the latest, daily friggin’ text alert about Prince Harry and bloody Meghan Markle!

“

Donald Trump, even in these darkest of times, is the greatest comical character ever invented, beating even the likes of Fawlty Towers, Only Fools and Horses, Father Ted and Mrs Brown’s Boys

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

LittlePeople Colour Me In .....

ral ral Press Press Features Features Ltd Ltd

Temple Way Bristol BS99 Temple Way7HD Bristol 7HD Tel: 0117BS99 934 3620

Tel: 0117 934 3620

Name: ____________________________ Age: _______

Features Ltd

Temple Way

ROSSWORD ROSSWORD 6 3

No7 240

7 ACROSS

1. A lack of courage (9) 6. Worship (5) 7. Where metals are normally found (3) 10 husband or 8. Companion, 10 wife (4) 10. Traditional story of gods 12heroes (4) or 13.12 Prosecute a person in a law court (3) 14 14. Garment worn 15 on front when cooking15 (5) 14 16. Branch of the armed forces which uses heavy guns (9)

No No240 240

ACROSS ACROSS

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10 13

DOWN

What is a Billabong? 2.2. What is a Billabong? a. A small lake a. A small lake b. Wide-rim hat, with corks tied b. Wide-rim hat, with on it to repel fliescorks tied onAboriginal it to repelWord flies for small child c. c. Aboriginal Word for small child

3. Didgeridoo a. A small 3. Didgeridoo a. Suburb of Perth 1. lake Deep hole in the ground DOWN (5) b. Wide-rim hat, with corks tied Very long wooden flute a.b. Suburb of Perth 1. Deep hole in the ground Temple Way 2.(5) Which on it to repel fliesperson? (3) c. Baby kangaroo Firm-stemmed water or 7HDb. Very long wooden flute Bristol BS99 c. Aboriginal Word for small child 2.3.Which person? (3) c. Baby kangaroo marsh plant (4) 3.4.Firm-stemmed water or 3620 4. Australia’s national airline: Elephants' tusks are Tel: 0117 934 marsh (4)(5) madeplant of this 3. Didgeridoo a. Ansett-Ana 4. Australia’s national airline: 4.5.Elephants' tusks (3) are a. Suburb ofFemale Perth sheep b. Australian Airways made of thisgift (5)or 9. Awooden special a. Ansett-Ana b. Very long flute c. Qantas 5. Female sheep occasion (5) (3) b. Australian Airways c. Baby kangaroo 11. 9. A Sweet, specialthick gift orfluid made

Temple Way Bristol BS99 7HD Tel: 0117 934 3620

1. Deep hole in the ground (5) Temple Way 2. Which person? (3) 3. Firm-stemmed water or 7HD Bristol BS99 from nectar occasion (5) by bees (5) marsh plant (4) 12.Sweet, Anational grand, formal dance 11. thick fluid made 4. Australia’s airline: 4. Elephants' tusks are Tel: 0117 934 3620 (4) made of this (5) from nectar by bees (5) a. Ansett-Ana 13. Vast expanse of water 5. Female sheep (3) 12. A grand, b. Australian Airwaysformal dance 9. A special gift or (4)(3) c. Qantas 15. Type of deer (3) occasion (5) 13. Vast expanse of water 11. Sweet, thick fluid made (3) from nectar by bees (5) 5. Australia’s largest province: 15. Type of deer (3) ACROSS 12. A grand,3formal dance a. Western Australia (4) 1. A place for learning (6) b. Northern Territory 13. Vast expanse of water 4. Brink (4) (3) 3 4 ACROSS 5 c. Queensland 6. Large seed which is 15. Type of deer (3) 1. A place for learning (6)

Features Ltd 14

1. 1. Name the capital ofof Australia: Name the capital Australia: Melbourne a.a. Melbourne Sydney b.b. Sydney Canberra c.c. Canberra

QUIZ THEME: AUSTRALIA

ntral Press Features Features Ltd Ltd tral Press 13

Across: Cowardice; 6 Adore; 7 4Ore; 8 Mate; Down: 11 Chasm; 2 Woo; 3 Reed; Ivory; 5 Ewe; 10 14 12 Apron; 9 Myth; Treat; 13 11 Sue; Honey; Ball; 16 13 Artillery. Sea; 15 Roe. Down: 1 Chasm; 2 Woo; 3 Reed; 4 Ivory; 5 Ewe; 9 Treat; 11 Honey; 12 Ball; 13 Sea; 15 Roe.

Across: 1 Cowardice; 6 Adore; 7 Ore; 8 Mate; 10 Myth; 13 Sue;SOLUTION 14 Apron; 16 Artillery.

JUNIOR CROSSWORD

SOLUTION9 Treat; 11 Honey; 12 Ball; 13 S Across: 1 Cowardice; 6 Ador 10 Myth; 13 Sue; 14 Apron; 16 Down: 1 Chasm; 2 Woo; 3 Ree

JUNIOR CROSSWORD 1

SOLUTION

CROSSWORD 46

No 243

12 10

4 ACROSS

1. A place for learning (6) 4. Brink (4)7 5 6. Large seed which is used as a spice (6) 8 7. Spindle 7 on which a wheel revolves (4) 8. Comrade (3) 10 8 9. Old length measurement (4) 11 11. Away from a place or person (6) 10 12. Noise made by a snake (4) 11 13. Person who prepares 13 work for publication (6)

DOWN

1. Two slices of bread with meat or other food between (8) 13 2. A strong dislike (4) 3. Within the law (5) 5. A device which lifts people or objects (8) 8. A stage, eg a stage of the cycle of the moon (5) 10. Twisted (4)

All were in Top 20

Name theall songs. 1. I work night, I work all day to pay the I have to pay Allbills were in Top 20 I’ve been cheated byall you I don’t 1. 2. I work all night, I work daysince to pay the know when bills I have to pay You cancheated dance, you can since jive, having 2.3. I’ve been by you I don’tthe time of your life know when 4. I wasn’t jealous before we met, now every 3. You can dance, you can jive, having the woman I see is a potential threat time of your 5. Half pastlife twelve and I’m watching the late 4.show I wasn’t jealous before in my flat all alonewe met, now every woman I see is those a potential threat 6. Where are happy days? They seem 5.so Half past hard totwelve find and I’m watching the late show in mysoflat allteasing alone me. So you’re blue 7. You’re hot, I can’t a chance on a chick you 6.but Where aretake those happy days? Theylike seem I don’t want to talk about things we’ve so8.hard to find 7. gone You’rethrough so hot, teasing me. So you’re blue 9. IIfcan’t you change your mind, I’m the first in but take a chance on a chick like you Honey 8.line. I don’t wantI’m to still talk free about things we’ve 10. I’ve seen you twice in a short time. Only a gone through week since we started 9. If you change your mind, I’m the first in line. Honey I’m still free 10. I’ve seen you twice in a short time. Only a week since we started

6. Stretch of sea between Australia and c. Queensland New Zealand: Name the songs. All wereof insea Top 20 a. Tasman Seabetween 6. Stretch Australia and 1.b.I Australian work all night, I work all day to pay the Bight New Zealand: bills I have to pay c. Cook Strait a.2.Tasman Sea I’ve been cheated by you since I don’t b. Australian Bight know 7. Greatwhen Barrier Reef is off the coast of Youprovince? can dance, you can jive, having the c.3.Cook Strait which time of your life a. New South Wales 4. I wasn’t jealous before met, nowof every 7. Great Barrier Reef is offwe the coast b. Northern Territory woman I see is a potential threat which province? c. Queensland 5. Half past twelve and I’m watching the late a.show Newin South Wales my flat all alone 8. currency of Australia? b.6.National Northern Territory Where are those happy days? They seem a. Australian c.so Queensland hard to find Pound b.You’re Australian 7. so hot,Dollar teasing me. So you’re blue c. Pound Sterling but I can’tcurrency take a chance on a chick like you 8. National of Australia? I don’t want to talk about things we’ve a.8.Australian Pound through 9.gone Southernmost state capital? b.9.Australian Dollar you change your mind, I’m the first in a.IfMelbourne c.line. Pound Sterling Honey I’m still free b. Adelaide 10. I’ve seen you twice in a short time. Only a c. Sydney week since we started 9. Southernmost state capital?

used as a spice (6)

6. Stretch ofSpindle sea between Australia 4.7.Brink (4) on which a and 5 New Zealand: 6. Large which(4) is wheelseed revolves a. Tasman Sea as a spice 8.used Comrade (3) (6) Old length b. Australian Bight 7.9.Spindle on which a measurement (4) c. Cook Strait wheel revolves (4) 11.Comrade Away from 8. (3) a place or person (6) 7. Great Reef is off the coast of 9.Barrier Old length Noise made by which 12. province? measurement (4)a snake (4) a. New South Wales 11. Away from a place or 13. Person who prepares b. Northern Territory person (6)publication (6) work for c. Queensland 12. Noise made by a DOWN (4) of bread 1.snake Two slices 8. National currency of Australia? 13. Person who prepares with meat or other a. Australian Pound work for publication food between (8) (6) b. Australian Dollar 2. A strong dislike (4) DOWN Within theoflaw (5) c. Pound Sterling 1.3.Two slices bread

5.with A device which meat or otherlifts

a. Melbourne 10. Approximate population of Australia (to nearest million): b. Adelaide 17.3 million c.a. Sydney b. 39.7 million c. 24.8 million population of Australia 10. Approximate

people orcapital? objects 9. Southernmost state food between (8) (8) stage,dislike eg a stage a. Melbourne 2.8.AA strong (4) of the cycle of the moon b. Adelaide 3. Within the law (5) (5) c. Sydney 5. A device which lifts

Across: 1 School; 4 Edge; 6 Nutmeg; 7 Axle; 8 12 Hiss; Pal; 9 Inch; 11 Absent; Pal; 9 Inch; 11 Absent; 12 Hiss;Down: 13 Editor. 1 Sandwich; 2 Hate; 3 Down: 1 Sandwich; 2 Hate; 3 8Legal; Elevator; Phase;5 10 Bent. 8 Phase; 10 Bent.SOLUTION

SCRIBBLE BOX

SOLUTION Across: 1 School; 4 Edge; 6 N

Central Press Features Ltd

QUIZ THEME: FIRST LINES FROM SONGS b.ABBA Northern Territory

No 243

10. Twisted (4)

people or objects (8)

10. Approximate population of Australia 8. A stage, eg a stage of (to nearest million): the cycle of the moon a. 17.3 million (5) b. 39.7 10.million Twisted (4) c. 24.8 million S1 5 4 8 1 9 2 6 3 7 S2 8 9 3 2 5 7 6 4 1 8 1 1 6 7 8 4 3 2 5 9 3 8 1 9 7 2 5 3 4 6 6

QUIZ THEME:

QUIZ THEME: FIRST LINES FROM FIRST LINES FROM ABBA SONGS ABBA SONGS Name the songs.

c. Australia’s Qantas 5. largest province: a. Western Australia 5. Australia’s largest province: b. Northern Territory a.c. Western Australia Queensland

No 243

Across: 1 School; 4 Edge; 6 Nutmeg; 7 Axle; 8 Pal; 9 Inch; 11 Absent; 12 Hiss; 13 Editor. Down: 1 Sandwich; 2 Hate; 3 Legal; 5 Elevator; 8 Phase; 10 Bent.

(to nearest million): a. 17.3 million b. 39.7 million c. 24.8 million

SODUKO SOLUTIONS 9 2 6 7

SOLUTION

BOX SOLUTIONS SODUKO SOLUTIONS E BOX SCRIBBLE SODUKO

7 5 4 3

5 6 9 1

1 3 8 9

2 4 7 8

4 8 5 2

6 9 2 4

3 7 1 5

1 8 7 3

3 9 5 4

6 4 2 1

4 2 8 7

5 3 6 2

Saturday March 28, 2020

QUIZ QUIZTHEME: THEME: AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA

QUIZ ANSWERS AUSTRALIA 1. Canberra 2. Small lake (formed when a stream changes course) 3. Long wooden flute 4. Qantas 5. Western Australia 6. Tasman Sea 7. Queensland 8. Australian Dollar 9. Melbourne 10. 24.8 million. QUIZ ANSWERS ABBA SONGS 1. Money, Money, Money 2. Mama Mia 3. Dancing Queen 4. Lay All Your Love On Me 5. Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (A Man After Midnight) 6. SOS 7. Does Your Mother Know? 8. The Winner Takes It All 9. Take A Chance On Me 10. The Name Of The Game

Saturday March 28, 2020

QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Canberra Small ABBA SONGS 1.AUSTRALIA Money, Money, Money 2.2.Mama lake when a stream changes 3. Me 3. Dancing Queen 4. Lay All Yourcourse) Love On Mia(formed Long wooden flute 4. Qantas 5. Western Australia 5. Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (A Man After Midnight) 6. Tasman Sea 7.Your Queensland 8. Australian 6. SOS 7. Does Mother Know? 8. TheDollar Winner ANSWERS 9. Takes Melbourne 24.8Amillion. It All 9.10. Take ChanceQUIZ On Me 10. The Name ABBA SONGS 1. Money, Money, Money 2. Mama Of The Game Mia 3. Dancing Queen 4. Lay All Your Love On Me 5. Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (A Man After Midnight) 6. SOS 7. Does Your Mother Know? 8. The Winner Takes It All 9. Take A Chance On Me 10. The Name Of The Game

JUNIOR CROSSWORD JUNIOR CROSSWORD JUNIOR JUNIORCROSSWORD CROSSWORD

Saturday March 28, 2020

Our address is: Roscommon Abbey Street, Roscommon or Bristol People, BS99 7HD email: news@roscommonpeople.ie or WhatsApp 087 7737063 Tel: 0117 934 3620

7 1 9 6

9 7 4 8

8 6 3 5

2 5 1 9

S4 2 1 9 6

4 3 6 2

5 7 8 1

7 4 5 3

3 6 2 7

9 8 1 5

6 2 7 4

1 9 4 8

8 5 3 9

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

PropertyPeople PSRA Licence: 001350

PROPERTY SALES LETTINGS VALUATIONS l

Athleague, Co. Roscommon. Tel. (090) 6663700. Mob. (086) 8985013 www.connaughtonauctioneers.ie

Farm Entitlements

Selling, Buying or Leasing We need entitlements for awaiting farmers Ivan Connaughton is an Entitlements Transfer Facilitator (ETF)

Closing Date of 15th May is fast approaching

LANDS TO LET/ LEASE c.22 Acres @ KILBEGNET

• Sheep & Cattle Only • Until 1st March 2021 • No Entitlements ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

c.22.8 Acres @ WILLSGROVE, BALLINTUBBER

No.2, Claremont, in the village of Ballyforan.

Sale of Ballyforan property completed Connaughton Auctioneers are delighted to report the completion of the sale of No.2, Claremont, in the village of Ballyforan. Auctioneer Ivan Connaughton states: “We are delighted to conclude the sale of this property. The village of Ballyforan is conveniently located to the urban areas of Ballinasloe, Athlone and Roscommon. “Anyone thinking of selling their property this year can contact our office on 090 666 3700, or email info@connaughtonauctioneers.ie, and we can guide you with steps you can take to have your property ready for market when the current restrictions are lifted”, concludes Ivan.

“

‘We can guide you with steps you can take to have your property ready for market when the current restrictions are lifted’ – Ivan Connaughton

PSRA Licence No: 003201

CORONAVIRUS NOTICE For the safety of our valued Customers and Staff, our offices will be closed for the duration of this lockdown.

• Sheep & Cattle Only • 5 Year Term • No Entitlements ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

However, we can be contacted by email on info@oates.ie and by phone on

c.18.28 Acres @ ATHLEAGUE (Ballygar Road)

086 2573358 - Aengus

• Sheep & Cattle Only • Until 1st March 2021 • No Entitlements

All lands are well fenced with water connection

and

087 4196055 - Brendan Church Street, Roscommon town, CO. ROSCOMMON TEL: 090 6627878 FAX: 090 6627877 E-mail info@oates.ie Website: www.oates.ie

The Manse, Northgate Street, Athlone, CO. WESTMEATH TEL: 090 6477500 FAX: 090 6477546 E-mail athlone@oates.ie Website: www.oates.ie

Auctioneer Ivan Connaughton

Bungalows required in Roscommon town by Earley’s Following on from a number of successful sales in Roscommon town over the past number of weeks, Property Partners Earley, Roscommon are now urgently seeking bungalows in the general Roscommon town area for cash clients and disappointed underbidders. John Earley (FIPAV) commented: “We have experienced a very busy period of house sales over the past number of weeks with a large volume of residential properties being sold or sale agreed. We are now seeking in particular two, three and four-bedroomed bungalows in the general Castle Street, Cherry Drive, Fallon Avenue, Lanesboro Street areas for cash clients. For further details or to arrange a consultation, please contact either John Earley (FIPAV) or David Diffley (MIPAV, TRV) of Property Partners Earley, Roscommon on 090-6626579 or email jearley@propertypartners.ie.

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

PropertyPeople

PROPERTY PARTNERS

ipav

PSRA Licence No. 001481

LEADING THE WAY IN PROPERTY SALES, LETTINGS AND VALUATIONS… • Commercial properties. • Residential properties. • Agricultural lands. • Public houses. • Sites and Hotels, etc.

EARLEY

Institute of Professional Auctioneer & Valuers

WAREHOUSE WANTwEaDnted

Warehouse t upto n for a cash clie in the 100,000 sq.ft mon/ m general Rosco ea. Athlone ar

d. zes considere All building si ce. dence to the offi fi n co in s lie ep R John Earley FIPAV, Director. 086 2551380

OUR RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

WHILE OUR OFFICE IS CLOSED, WE ARE STILL AVAILABLE TO CONTACT Please call John on 086 2551380 or email: jearley@propertypartners.ie – Keep safe and well from the team at Property Partners Earley .

WANTED ENT

IT for sale LEMENTS a Custom nd lease. e r s await Contact ing. J ohn on

086 255

1380.

Stone Court, The Square, Roscommon Email: jearley@propertypartners.ie www.propertypartners.ie Tel: (090) 6626579 / 6626796 Fax: (090) 6625405 Advertorial

Lands for letting with Property Partners Earley

Thinking of selling in 2020?

Roscommon’s leading Estate Agents require all types of residential property in Roscommon town and countryside. Also wanted are farmlands for sale and letting. They offer a comprehensive pre-market analysis and have a vast local knowledge and offer nationwide coverage through their Property Partner Network. For further details or to arrange a consultation, please contact either John Earley FIPAV of Property Partners Earley Roscommon on 090 66 26579 on mobile 086 2551380 or email jearley@ propertypartners.ie.

‘Mount Prospect Lodge’, Golf Links Road, Roscommon town

John Earley’s sale of the week – at Golf Links Road, Roscommon John Earley (FIPAV) of Property Partners Earley is pleased to advise that he has closed the sale of quality threebedroomed bungalow residence standing on approximately 1.4 acres – namely ‘Mount Prospect Lodge’, Golf Links Road, Roscommon town – for a very

satisfactory price. John commented: “We have experienced a very busy selling period with quality properties attracting strong interest in all areas. Due to demand, we are now seeking properties in all areas for disappointed underbidders and cash buyers. We welcome all submissions and

offer a free appraisal service”. For further details or to arrange a free consultation, please contact John Earley (FIPAV) at Property Partners Earley, Roscommon on 090 66 26579, email jearley@ propertypartners.ie or log on to www. propertypartners.ie.

This week, John Earley (FIPAV) of Property Partners Earley is advertising prime lands available for letting in the general Roscommon area. At Kilrooskey, approximately 50 acres, with the benefit of entitlement and greening, are available in one block from now until the 31st December 2020. Sheep only, November and December. At Curraghboy, approximately 77 acres, with the benefit of entitlement and greening, are available close to the village from now until the 1st January 2021. Sheep only, November and December. At Kiltoom, approximately 10.4 acres of good quality lands are available for letting from now until the 1st March 2021. Approximately 120 acres of lands located beside Roscommon town are available for meadow or silage purposes. John commented: “We have experienced a very busy letting period, with lands attracting strong interest in all areas. Due to this demand, we are now seeking lands in all areas. I am available at all times on my mobile while our office is closed, at 086 2551380”. For further details, or to arrange maps, please contact John Earley (FIPAV) at Property Partners Earley, Roscommon on 090 66 26579 or 086 2551380. Email jearley@ propertypartners.ie.

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

Classifieds

Everyone wants it Everyone reads it 80,000 PEOPLE READ OUR NEWSPAPER EVERY WEEK!

To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS MEETINGS ROOM 14, 1ST FLOOR ST. COMAN’S CLUB, ABBEY STREET, ROSCOMMON EIR CODE: F42YT51 Tuesday 1pm; Tuesday 9pm; Wednesday 1pm; Thursday 1pm; Thursday 9pm; Saturday 8.30pm; Sunday 12 noon

Tel: 01 4538988 or 091 767777

CAREER ADVICE CAREER ASSESSMENT & ADVICE

Grace O’Reilly B.Sc. Psych., B.Comm., H.Dip. in Ed., MBPS & PSI Registered Occupational Psychometrician Assistance with: • Interview Preparation • CAO & UCAS Course Application • Subject & Course Choice • Study Skills / Exam Preparation

CONTACT: Abbeyside House, Abbey Street, Roscommon.

Tel: 090 6630760

Email: grace@finbaroreilly.ie Facebook: www.facebook. com/careersgraceoreilly

Opening Hours: 9 am - 5.30 pm, Mon-Fri.

CHIROPODIST

PODIATRIST/ CHIROPODIST Mark Kilgallon B.Sc Podiatry (Hons) M.Ch.S.I.

Department of Health Approved

EVERY FRIDAY St. Joseph’s Resource Centre, Boyle For appointment

085 1503353 086 8538404

Email: m.kilgallon23@gmail.com

• House Visits • Insoles and Orthotics Prescribed • Chiropody Services

CHIMNEY CLEANING

CHIROPRACTOR ROSCOMMON CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC

Complete Chimney Services

Chimney Cleaning

• Power brush and vacuum technology for cleaning chimneys, stoves, ranges and open fires

• Removes up to 50% more than traditional methods • Firebacks replaced and flues repaired • Can be cleaned from the bottom up • Chimney cowels and crow guards fitted Power washing and gutter cleaning services. Telephone:

087 2798704

CHIMNEY CLEANING POWER SWEPT No Mess Reasonable Charge

ALSO AVAILABLE FOR POWER WASHING

TELEPHONE: 087 9657933 090 66 26752

CHIROPODIST FOOT CLINIC ROSCOMMON – MOLLOYS PHARMACY (Monday to Saturday) Also available in Boyle & Athlone -------Chiropody treatment and all aspects of Foot Pain. Orthotics prescribed

By Appointment Only –

087 2982214

Tel: Catriona Byrne DIP CHFP

Specialising in:

• BACK PAIN • HEADACHES • NECK PAIN • LIMB PAIN

Telephone: 086 8433433

Roscommon West Business Park, Circular Road, Roscommon. David Connor

BSC (Hon.) Chiro. MSc. Chiropractic Association of Ireland

COUNSELLING COUNSELLING Are you experiencing difficulties in your life? Such as depression, anxiety, life or spiritural crisis. Are you having difficulties in relationships at work? Have you experienced sexual abuse or abuse and need counselling to help you? Please call Glynis on

VHI and Laya Covered

CHIROPODIST

Kathleen’s Mobile Footcare Provided in the comfort of your own home Kathleen Wynne MCFHP, MAFHP

Foot Care Practitioner

071 9637984 / 086 3562718

PODIATRIST

For all foot ailments Siobhan Murray BSc (Hons) Podiatry M.Ch.S.I.

Department of Health Approved

085 2514394

COUNSELLING & HYPNOTHERAPY Are you affected by Anger Issues, Bullying, Bereavement, Confidence/self-esteem issues, OCD, Stress, Depression, Eating disorders Panic/Anxiety, Relationships, Exam pressure, Sexual Abuse Contact: Billy 094 96 59966 Mobile: 086 0675433 or visit www.billybrogan.com

CONSTRUCTION Stephen Casey

Construction

• Home visits • Insoles and Orthotics prescribed

FARMING

DC Computer Services

BOOM SPRAYER TESTING SERVICE

Providing IT services for Homes, Businesses & Schools. Home Callouts.

• Sprayers tested on owners premises • Test report & D.A.F.M. stickers provided. • Small stock parts fitted on site (if necessary) Dept. of Agriculture regulations. From 2020 all sprayes are required to be tested every 3 years Contact: Thomas Neilan on 087 2395171 or 090 6663069 e-mail: thomasneilan4@gmail.com D.A.F.M. Approved

NO FIX NO FEE

PC Maintenance – Upgrades, Repairs, Virus & Spyware removal. Network Solutions – Cabling, Hardware & Software Installation & Maintenance. Contact David Conboy Tel: 087 7496459 Email: info@dccomputerservices.ie Web: www.dccomputerservices.ie

Reg No: EL000083

email: downeyglynis@yahoo.co.uk

For appointment: (094) 96 21647 / (089) 4142233

COMPUTERS

Paul McStay

DSA/ADI (UK) RSA MIAM ROSPA Approved Driving Instructor Former BSM Driving Instructor and UK advanced Met. Police Driver. GIFT VOUCHER CARDS AVAILABLE Castlerea & Roscommon

EDT Lessons Available Telephone:

094 96 20099 Mobile:

086 8936012

This driving School conforms for the new RSA regulations & legislation

l General Building Extensions & Roofing l Groundworks l Renovations

FENCING/GATES

FRANCIS REGAN FENCING LTD

NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL

< HAY AND SILAGE for sale. 5 miles east of Roscommon town. Tel: 087 2320483. < FOR SALE 13 bales of silage. Strokestown area. Tel: 086 0736387. < FOR SALE Simmental cow with A.I. Lim. bull calf at foot. Very quiet. Tel: 085 8551200.

JOE HEALY

Tree Services

• Hedge Cutting • Dangerous Tree Removal • Wood Chipping • Fully Insured

Tel: 087 2172281

087 2721193

l l

Des Kelly Fencing Over 20 years in business All types of fencing supplied and erected Including: • Cresoted Posts • Agricultural Fencing • Site Fencing • Security Fencing • Post & Rail Fencing • Concrete Fencing • Grant Approved Fencing No job too big or too small Just give us a call on

087 2346364

Phone:

GARDENING GARDENING SERVICES Including: • Hedge Cutting • Hedge Planting • Grass Cutting • Spraying • Strimming • Weeding • Garden Tidy-ups • Planting • Gutter Cleaning, etc. Chainsaw work also available

Phone John on

087 2860428

087 9268424

Clinics also in Ballaghaderreen and Castlebar

< A B AT TO I R S E R V I C E AVA I L A B L E : Cattle, lambs and pigs. Ready for freezing. Home Cured and Honey Dry cured traditional bacon (not pumped with water) now available. Tel: Webb’s Butcher’s, 094 96 20005 or 086 4094715

For all your fencing needs. Glas Fencing Grant Fencing Post Rail

Strokestown, Co. Roscommon stephenrockcasey@ gmail.com

FARMING

To have your advert seen by over 80,000 people every week advertise with us!

THE MOST READ NEWSPAPER IN COUNTY ROSCOMMON!

ALL ABOUT THE GARDEN

• Roscommon Town • Grass and Hedge Cutting • General Maintenance • Strimming and Weeding • Winter Clean-up/ Maintenance

CONTACT KEVIN:

090 6630879 or Mobile

The local paper!

087 2835742

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

Classifieds GARDENING

CORBETT

TREE CARE & LANDSCAPING

General Maintenance l Dangerous Tree Removal l Garden Hedges & Trees reduced and shaped l Wood Chipping l Fully Insured Contact Alan on l

087 6558597 GATELY GARDENING

Four Roads, Co. Roscommon • Landscaping • Timber Decking • Patios • General Maintenance Contact Liam on 086 8749550 or 090 66 27496

To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

PAINTING & DECORATING

PROFESSIONAL PAINTER AVAILABLE FOR ALL EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR PAINTING

Tried & Trusted Since 1993

Phone JOHN

083 8838022 PROFESSIONAL PAINTING & DECORATING CONTRACTOR For all your decorating needs CONTACT JOHN

086 4679798 • Certified Arborists • Tree Surgery • Dangerous Tree Removal • Wood Chipping • Leylandii hedges reduced and shaped Comprehensive Insurance Cover. I.S.A. member.

Tel: 086 6077307 or 086 8125165

www.parklawntreeservices.

WALTER BEGLEY

Gardening, Maintenance & Painting Roscommon Town • Indoor & Outdoor Painting • Winter Garden Clean-Up • Power Washing Driveways - Paths • Prepare Lawns for Spring • Hedge Trimming • Planting • Grass Cutting • General Maintenance

Contact Walter on 087 9519873 < GARDENING SERVICE: Overgrown shrubs and hedges, cut back and mulched. Contact 086 2437376

HOLISTIC JOAN MOORE Therapy Rooms • Sports Massage • Deep Tissue Massage • Reflexology • Indian head Massage • Reiki • Aromatherapy • Dry needling • Thai Massage Roscommon West Business Park, Circular Road, Roscommon

087 9201818

Gift vouchers now available

Find us on facebook

PROPERTIES TO LET/RENT/WANTED CHAZEY PROPERTIES: We require properties for waiting tenants, we advertise, conduct viewings, arrange references, read meters, set up tenancy agreements and arrange direct debit payments straight into your bank. We charge a one off fee only if we are successful in renting your property. If not no fees are payable. Tel: 086 8212732

< TO LET: 3-bedroomed fully furnished house in Ballyleague area. In very good condition, newly refurbished and decorated. Secure garden and rear and garage at side. Min. 12 months lease Tel. 086 2368179. < TO LET: 2-bed and a 3-bed and a 4-bed apartment. Fully furnished. Private parking. Roscommon town. Tel. 086 8538519

PEAT BEDDING

TAXIS AND HACKNEYS

Padraig Healy Car & Mini Bus Hire Wheelchair Accessible Call car direct

(086) 2714879 KELLY’S EYE Taxi and Minibus hire.

PHONE:

087 2727888 PAINTER & DECORATOR Private & Commercial Power washing 25 years experience Free Estimates Given

Phone Alan on:

090 6661635 or Mobile:

087 2683079 FOR ALL YOUR PAINTING & DECORATING NEEDS Internal & External Powerwashing, window, gutters cleaning etc. And all about the home and garden maintainance QUALITY PROMPT WORK GUARANTEED.

Contact Seamus Donoghue

086 8368031 PHYSICAL THERAPY

Roscommon Physical Therapy Clinic Movement Matters 20 years experience treating babies to adults. Everyday aches & pains to sports injuries. Physical Therapy CranioSacral Therapy Medical Dry Needling Prescription Orthotics Pilates – Small Classes

Can we help you? Call us today to enquire 090 663 0009 Like us on Facebook www.rosptc.com 1 Castleview, Roscommon F42 C902

PEAT BEDDING AVAILABLE

PLOTS OF TURF

Tel: Donal (All areas)

REFLEXOLOGY

Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon

Tel: 087 2264951 Find us on facebook

TAXIS AND HACKNEYS

JOHN BEATTIE Cab and Bus Hire Roscommon

086 2670670

TURF/FUEL/ FIREWOOD < THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL OFFERS: • Bags of seasoned firewood only €2 per bag• Bags of turf only €2.50 per bag, buy 20 get 2 free • Tonne bags firewood/turf €35 per bay, or buy tonne firewood + tonne turf + 2 bags coal 20kg all for €80 delivered. • Stove coal 40kg bags only €14, buy 10 bags get 1 20kg bag coal free. • 8x4 trailer load firewood only €90. All includes free delivery. Contact Tom: 086 2628439 < FOR SALE: Large lorryloads of turf. Screened and delivered. Orders for this year’s turf taken now. Tel: 086 7236301 < FOR SALE: Plots of good quality hopper turf. Tel: 094 9860270 or 087 6810849. WANTED: Fallen trees for firewood. Ash, Beech, Birch and Whitethorn. We are safety certified and insured. Phone:

086 2437376

BUS HIRE FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Selection of marquees available for any occasion; • Parties • Weddings • Communions/Confirmations • Corporate/Charity Events • Agricultural Shows • Special Occasions • Funerals We also have a selection of tables & chairs, bar facilities and stages. For any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact us. Tel: 087 2829226 Email:

manormarquees@ gmail.com

USEFUL SERVICES

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED DRAINS/SEWERS CLEANED

TELEPHONE MICHAEL HAVERTY: 086 8381227 or 086 1997815

REFLEXOLOGY

Mobile Service Available Marina Furey B. Sc. (Hons)

Now taking bookings for 2020

PERMIT NO: NW CPO - 09 - 03267 - 03

086 2721812

MARINA FUREY (MNRRI) Reflexology may bring relief from conditions such as: • Allergies • Colic • Eczema • Constipation • Migraine • Back Problems • Stress • Infertility • Insomnia • Respiratory Disorders • Blood Pressure • Pain • Bowel Disorders • Joint/Muscle Problems • Thyroid Imbalance • Emotional Disorders - Fertility Reflexology - Ante Natal Reflexology - Baby Reflexology - Cancer Care Reflexology - Special Needs Reflexology

MARQUEE HIRE Manor Marquee Hire

< ELECTRICIAN AVAILABLE: Safe Electric Registered. Domestic and Industrial, All work considered - No Job too small. Phone Paul 086 2553153 or 090 666 3053 or Email p0862553153@ gmail.com.

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE REPAIRS: WASHING MACHINE, REPAIRS, DISHWASHER REPAIRS, OVEN AND TUMBLE DRYER REPAIRS Contact Paul on 086 0538977 087 4046478 071 9664207 www.appliance-repairs.ie Do you have a house or shed that you want cleaned out and all unwanted items removed? If so ring: 087 9657933 or 090 6626752 < SHANE NAUGHTON ROOFING CONTRACTOR Roofing, slating, tiling, 1st and 2nd fixing and flooring. All aspects of carpentry and building undertaken. Tel: 086 3155329

USEFUL SERVICES

Quality Small Job Services For Home or Business

CAN’T FIND ANYONE to do that small job, or you haven’t got the time ...

WE DO ANYTHING From fitting Curtain Rails to laying that footpath • Fast Reliable Service • Professional, Courteous Employees • Trustworthy

PLANNINGS

Morris Lohan

Consulting Engineers Castle Street, Roscommon Phone: 090 66 27950 • HOUSE/EXTENSION DESIGN • PLANNING APPLICATIONS • ASSIGNED DESIGN & CERTIFIER ‘New Building Regs’ • BER RATINGS ‘Domestic & Commercial’ • STRUCTURAL & CONDITION SURVEYS

ONE CALL DOES IT ALL ! 094 96 31880 087 9100477

• FIRE DESIGN CERTIFICATES

WINDOW CLEANING

Design Consultation Planning Applications New Build, Extend, Renovate Bespoke Design Domestic, Commercial & Agricultural

www.morrislohan.ie

www.oddjobsolutions.ie Established since 2005

< WINDOW CLEANING: Competitive rates. All areas covered. Also gutters/ fascias. Contact John: 087 2291931

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL Retention Planning Permission is sought for alterations to previously granted PD7916 as constructed to include, addition of carport with veranda over to front elevation, minor internal alterations to include kitchen extension to rear, provision of a storage shed to rear of existing dwelling and all associated site development works at Main Street, Rooskey Td., Co Roscommon for Michael, Amanda & Tara Frayne The Planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Michael, Amanda & Tara Frayne

086 3482387 info@moleskinarchitecture.com

facebook.com/moleskinarch ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, Thomas & Karen Loughnane, intend to apply for planning permission for development at Cloonfad, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon. The development will consist of the construction of a two storey dwelling house (c.228 sq.m.), domestic garage (60 sq.m ), waste water treatment system and all associated site works.

This Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the Planning Office, Roscommon County Council, Aras an Chontae, Roscommon, during office hours 9.15 a.m. – 5.30 p.m., Monday to Friday. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority in payment of a fee of €20 within the 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

APS Consulting Engineers

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

AtYourService CHIMNEY REPAIRS

To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED

WINDOWS/DOORS

Chimney Problems

SHOWROOM:

Racecourse Road, Roscommon

Dooley Chimney Repairs • Lining • Relining • Rebuilding • CCTV Camera Inspection

Cathal Dooley 087 6579064

20 Years Experience Free Insurance Quotes Nationwide Service Stoves and Ranges Fitted All Work Guaranteed

BLINDS

BRENDAN DOOLIN

WE SUPPLY & FIT Double & Treble Glazed Windows & Doors, Patio Doors, French Doors, Porches and Conservatories WIDE RANGE OF COMPOSITE DOORS

uPVC Window and Door Locksmith We are the only Licensed Window and Door Locksmith in Roscommon

Telephone: 090 66 33026 www.roscommonwindows.ie

DRIVING LESSONS

ROSCOMMON Driving School 087 2295551

Tel: 090 66 30521 Mobile: 086 8115928

Due to HSE Guidelines we are not undertaking Driving Lessons at the moment

- Chimney Repairs - Soot & Smoke Problems - Demolish, Re Build & Re Flue Line - Chimney Fires - Flexible Stainless Steel Liner - Insurance Claims processed

- CCTV Camera Inspection For Professional For Professional Advice Contact Advice Contact: John Hibbitt: Tel: 090

9673336 2678350

Mob: 086 Email:

Road Safety Authority Approved Driving Instructor

Gift Vouchers Available

WINDOW AND DOOR REPAIRS

Window And Door repairs • Door Handles • Door Locks • Letterboxes • Window Hinges • Patio Door Repairs • Misted and Double Glazed Units • Reseal Windows and Doors

Contact David Martin on 087 9959417

DRILLING SERVICE

Chasing / Core Drilling Service Domestic & Commercial Prompt Service | Keen Rates | Fully Insured

Call John 087 610 8499

info@athlonechimneyrepairs.ie

INSTALLATION

Bonded Bead Cavity Wall Insulation Cellulose, Sheepswool, Fibreglass, SIGA Airtightness New Buildings & Retrofit Call in or contact us for free advice and quotes

Ballybane Industrial Estate, Unit 2, Ballybrit Industrial Block 12, Galway H91 P5k5 Estate, Galway

091 768 768 info@ecowise.ie

www.ecowise.ie

To have your advert seen by over 80,000 people every week advertise with us!

THE MOST READ NEWSPAPER IN COUNTY ROSCOMMON!

S tephen H oare

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED ALSO DRAIN JETTING SERVICE

Contact Maurice on 086 2538169 or Kenneth on 086 8044030 Gannon Environmental Services Ltd.

Tel: 090

6621220

LOCKSMITH

Chris’s Locksmith Service

Also Wooden Venetians, Velux Window Blinds.

CHIMNEY REPAIRS

CLEANING

Springfield, Williamstown, Co. Galway Window restrictors l Burglary repairs l Window locks l Cylinder replacement l Hinge replacement l Glass replacement l Lock replacement l Window and door seals l Window and door handles supplied and fitted l Aluminium and uPVC doors and windows repaired.

Te l : 0 8 5 2 1 9 1 2 3 4

Cleaning Services • Roscommon • Carpets & Upholstery Cleaning • WINDOW CLEANING • POWER WASHING Fascias & Soffits • Gutters & Down pipes • Drive ways ‘paths and patios’ KEEN and COMPETITIVE PRICES

M: 086 3912396 Ph: 090 66 62892 RECYCLING

email: chrislocksmith.162@gmail.com 08383

Castlerea Vehicle Recycling All NCT Failures Destruction Certs Issued l Sale of Second Hand Parts l Contracted to all Major Car Companies l Farm Machinery, Old Gates l Metals, Iron Baths l Old Cooking Ranges l Weighbridge on Site l l

FARMING

Dead & Worn-Out Animals Contact JOHN GREENE BALLINASLOE TEL: (090) 96 88606 (090) 96 88830 or (090) 96 87651

RECYCLING OF END-OF-LIFE VEHICLES

RECYCLING ALL TYPES OF METAL

C astlerea ELV Recycling Ltd ., Cloonkeen, Castlerea Kevin & Martina Keenan Tel: 094 96 21250 Mob: 086 2522231 VETERINARY

Lowest price guaranteed Daily collection

TRUCKS WANTED

Trucks wanted Daf CF75,CF85 Tractors units. Box body, Curtain sider, Cab & chassie, Tipper 6 & 8 wheelers Daf XF 95 tractor units up to 2005 Volvo FL6 18, any body type, Box body Tipper etc. Merc 814, Merc SK 2824 and bigger Any old truck considered Mitsubishi Canter 7.5 ton up to 2001 Toyota Hilux , Dyna, Nissan Cabstar up to 2005 BOUGHT FOR EXPORT AND RESALE

Tel. 087 1922154

Acceptance of an advertisement or payment therefore is not to be taken as implying guarantee that the advertisement will be published. The right is reserved to refuse to insert any advertisement, without giving any reason; also to discontinue the publication of any advertisement previously published, without compensation for any loss or damage claimed for non-publication. Publication of an advertisement cannot be guaranteed on a specific week or at all, whether or not a particular week has been stipulated by the advertiser, and the company will not be liable for any loss claimed by such omission, whether from all editions or any particular edition or editions of the paper. Right is reserved to alter any advertisement without liability for any compensation for such alteration. Further, the company does not accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement.

ALL CREATURES VETERINARY LANESBORO STREET, ROSCOMON Tel: 090 662 6898 AFTER HOURS/24 HOUR EMERGENCY

087 2596055

PLEASE FOLLOW OUR NEW GUIDELINES WHEN VISITING OUR CLINIC – We are only taking appointments for essential treatment and emergencies.

You must call in advance to order repeat prescriptions/flea worm treatments/food. Ring us from your car when you arrive for collection of your order/appointment. We ask that all payments be made by card only and encourage payment over the phone when ordering medication/food. When in the YARD all customers must leave at least 2m distance between themselves, other customers and members of staff at all times due to social distancing guidelines.

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

AtYourService VETERINARY

To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES

The Right Vet for your Pet

Submit your Classified online

GlenamaddyVeterinary Clinic F45 F430

Office: 094 9659428 Mobile: 087 2543722 24 Hour Service

New clients welcome Established 1990

l l l l l

Vaccinations Pet Passports Pain Management Neutering & Dentals Digital X-ray

Send your Classified advertisement to advertising@rosommonpeople.ie

www.glenamaddyveterinaryclinic.ie

Ros Memorials Headstone, Memorial & Gravestone Specialists

KNOCKCROGHERY, CO. ROSCOMMON

Lisagallon, Cloverhill, Roscommon Eircode: F42 K243 Tel: 0906665555 Fax: 0906627653 • Digital X-Ray Facility • In house Blood Analysis • Small Animal Ultra-Sound • Gas Anaesthetic • Veterinary Kennel’s facility •24hrs Emergency Vet on call Clinic Hours: 2pm – 7pm Mon – Friday • Saturday Clinic 10am - 3pm Office Hours: 9am – 7pm Mon - Friday PLEASE CALL TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT

LIFE COACH

CAROLINE BURKE COACHING

PAT QUIGLEY: 087 7799076 PAUL O’CONNOR: 086 6052649

• Headstones • Kerbed Memorials • Grave Site Care • Headstone Cleaning • Monument Levelling • Gravestone Repair

Rogers Funeral Directors Rooskey

Mobile: 087 2365453 Landline: 071 9638739 email: jrrogers40@hotmail.com

PHONE: 086 8229606

CAREER COACHING: * CV ADVICE AND TAILORING TO JOB SPECS * COMPETENCY BASED APPLICATION FORMS (inc. public sector) * INTERVIEW MASTERING (inc. competency-based) PERSONAL COACHING: * BECOME MORE ASSERTIVE & BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE! * HELP TO COPE WITH AND EMBRACE CHANGE (e.g. retirement, new job, separation etc) * FIND YOURSELF STUCK IN A RUT? - (take back control and explore options!) EDUCATION COACHING: * HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT COURSE/MAKE A BETTER MORE INFORMED DECISION THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU

For appointment call me on 086 8229606 OR email your enquiry to carolinebburke@gmail.com

THANKSGIVINGS THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many favours. This time I ask this special one. (mention it). Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted. Ellen. THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many favours. This time I ask this special one. (mention it). Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted. Ellen.

Patricia

Killerney, Roscommon (1st Anniversary)

or alternatively call 090 66 34633 or 086 8054227

VETERINARY

McCRANN

(nee Monahan)

Notice re. Memoriams and Anniversaries If you wish to place acknowledgements, memoriam notices, birthday and anniversary remembrances, please email them to advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie or call us on

(Dromod) In conjunction with Cox’s Funeral Directors (Rooskey) Serving the people of Dromod, Rooskey and surrounding areas for the past 35 years Full range of coffins, caskets etc. in stock, together with our personally owned fleet of funeral vehicles

For further information contact

086-2561023/087-2318176 or 085-8643968

Visit our website www.mcgowanfuneraldirectors.ie Love’s Greatest Gift - Remembrance

MEMORIAL CARDS Individually Designed and Printed

086 8054227 or by post, along with your name and contact details, to

Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon Don’t worry if you do not have a credit card. We value your business over the years and will make arrangements for payment at a later stage.

The local paper! Email or call for Sample Pack

The family of the late Patricia would like to thank most sincerely all those who sympathised with us on our sad loss. We thank those who called to our home, attended her funeral, sent mass cards, letters of sympathy and floral tributes. We would especially like to thank her carers for the kindness they always showed her and also Sonas Nursing Home and Sacred Heart Hospital for their care. Thank you to the Clergy for their support and the beautiful Mass. Thank you to Dr. Robinson and RosMed Pharmacy for their help over the years. Thank you to Smyth’s Undertakers for the professionalism and also to The Abbey Hotel for the wonderful catering. Please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our heartfelt gratitude. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions.

GERAGHTY (nee Hurson)

Bridie

In loving memory of our cherished mother and devoted wife Bridie who passed away on the 14th April 2000. (20th Anniversary)

Oh Sacred Heart of Jesus, We place our trust in Thee.

Remembered today and everyday, from your loving husband Pat, Caroline, Sinead, Aine, Jonathon, Timothy and Graham, grandchildren and extended family. Anniversary Mass will take place at a later date.

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

Classifieds

To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES HENNIGAN Maeve

GACQUIN John William

Clooneyquinn, Fuerty, Co. Roscommon (5th Anniversary) 22nd April 2020

Kilderney, Curraghboy, Co. Roscommon (3rd Anniversary)

Those we love remain with us For love itself lives on. And cherished memories never fade Because a loved one’s gone. Those we love can never be more than a thought away. For as long as there is memory They’ll live on, in our hearts.

Lovingly remembered by her husband Joe, daughters Marie, Ann, Irene, Edel and Olivia, her son Joe and extended family. FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS Anniversary Masswill be celebrated at a later date.

Mannion Eileen Castlestrange, Castlecoote, Roscommon Who died on 26th of April 2014 (6th Anniversary)

In loving memory of John William Gacquin, whose anniversary occurs on 10 April 2020. We hold you close within our hearts, And there you shall remain. To walk with us throughout our lives until we meet again. So Rest In Peace dear loved one. And thanks for all you’ve done. We pray that God has given you The crown you’ve truly won.

Deeply loved, sadly missed and always remembered by his son William, daughter Maureen, daughter-inlaws Rosaleen and Carmel, grandchildren Colm, Suzanna and Raymond. Anniversary Mass celebrated at a future date.

CUDDY (née Haddigan) Annie

RAFTERY Fionán Hyde Court, Roscommon. Who died on the 18th of April, 2011 (9th Anniversary)

I thought of you with love today But that is nothing new I thought about you yesterday and the days before that too. I think of you in silence I often speak your name All I have are memories and your picture in a frame. Your memory is my keepsake with which I’ll never part God has you in His keeping I have you in my heart.

Forever loved and missed by your wife Helen, children Claire, Sean, Niamh and Jack. Mass will be celebrated at a later date.

RAFTERY Fionán Hyde Court, Roscommon Who died on the 18th of April, 2011 (9th Anniversary)

Deeply loved and never forgotten by Martin and family. Mass will be celebrated at a later date.

Love Lives On Those we love remain with us For love itself lives on, And cherished memories never fade Because a loved one’s gone. Those we love can never be More than a thought apart, For as long as there is memory, They’ll live on in the heart.

Remembered with love forever by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. Masse offered at a future date.

Newtown, Glinsk Who passed away on 21st February 2018

We thought of you today with love But that was nothing new. We thought about you yesterday and the days before that too. We think of you in silence, we often speak your name. All we have are memories and your picture in a frame. Your memory is our keepsake with which we’ll never part. God has you in His keeping, we have you in our hearts.

Always remembered by your family. ----------------------------------------------

CONNELLY Miko

Newtown, Glinsk Who passed away on 30th March 2000 (20th Anniversary)

Just a prayer from the family who loved you Just a memory fond and true In our hearts you will live forever Because we thought the world of you.

Always remembered by your family. ----------------------------------------------

CONNELLY

Ballinakill, Glinsk. Who passed away on 3rd of April 2015 (5th Anniversary) If we could visit Heaven Even for a day Maybe for a moment The pain would go away We’d put our arms around you And whisper words so true That living life without you Is the hardest thing to do No matter how we spend our day No matter what we do No morning dawns or evening falls When we don’t think of you.

Loved and sadly missed by your mother Betty, sister Siobhán, brother-in-law Eamon, niece Leanne and nephew Darragh.

KEENAN Mary Jo (née Gerety) who died on 17th April 2019. Toneen, Moydow, Co. Longford

(2nd Anniversary)

Noel

Oran, Donamon. Who died on 21st April, 2018. Rest In Peace.

Eileen, your life was a blessing, Your memory a treasure, You are loved beyond words, And missed beyond measure.

CONNELLY Bridgie

On the First Anniversary of Mary Jo’s death, her daughter Antoinette Keenan Garvey (Toinette) and sons Michael and Mel, together with our families, would like to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to everyone who sympathised and supported us at the time of our beloved mother’s sad passing and in the period since. Thanks to all those who attended her reposing in her family home, funeral and burial, to those who sent Mass cards, sympathy cards, phoned and other messages of sympathy and to all who travelled long distances to be with us to pay their respects. A sincere thanks also to our extended family, wonderful neighbours and friends who provided help and support, tea and refreshments, who helped on the farm and to the traffic stewards - your kindness and support will never be forgotten. We are grateful to Dr Mel Gorman and the team at College Medical Centre for looking after Mammy so well over the years, and Lloyds chemist, for all their kindness. To the doctors, nurses and caring staff of The Regional Hospital, Mullingar, who were so good to Mammy during her final days. Thanks to our cousin, Barry and Annette Keenan and staff at Keenan’s Restaurant, Tarmonbarry, for the lovely meal and hospitality. A big thank you to Pascal Lyons, funeral undertaker for his professionalism and thanks also to all those who prepared Mary Jo’s final resting place and assisted at the cemetery. Special thanks to Fr Vincent Connaughton PP for hospital visit, prayers at the house and for his beautiful funeral mass, to Fr Tom Healy PP for concelebrating, Eucharistic Ministers, altar server, and to Corrine McCormack for the music and singing. A very special mention to Emma Cunnion for her lovely singing and music at Mammy’s month’s mind mass. Finally, our heartfelt thanks to those who were so kind and supportive to Mary Jo during her lifetime for which she was always so grateful. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a gesture of our sincere appreciation and gratitude. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions. Due to Coronavirus restrictions, Mary Jo’s first Anniversary Mass will take place at a later date. Lovingly remembered and sadly missed always and forever.

It doesn’t take a special day to bring you to our minds, For days without a thought of you are very hard to find. Those who mean the most to us are never really gone. For in our thoughts and in our hearts, Their memory still lives on.

Loved and missed by your wife Catherine and children Katie, Aoife and Michael. ~~~~~~~~ Always in our hearts, Foever in our thoughts and prayers.

Always remembered by his sisters, brothers and families. Mass will be celebrated on Radio 108.0 from St Michael’s Church, Glinsk on Sunday 19th April at 10am

Submit your Classified online Send your Classified advertisement to advertising@ rosommonpeople.ie or alternatively call 086 8054227

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

Sports PEOPLE

Reeling in the Archives

12 YEARS AGO A year to forget so far for Roscommon’s senior footballers Connacht SFC quarter-final Galway 2-16 Roscommon 0-6 < SEAMUS DUKE

The final scoreline shows a margin of 16 points between these old rivals at Pearse Stadium last Sunday and while Galway were the deserved winners of the game, the Tribesmen scored 2-4 in the final ten minutes to pull away from a Roscommon team that fell apart after they had played reasonably well up to the 50th minute or so. After the disastrous league campaign which ended in relegation after a number of heavy defeats and the loss of John Maughan as manager, this latest setback means that 2008 has been a year to forget so far for Roscommon’s senior footballers. Hopefully they can regroup in time for the qualifiers in eight and a half weeks’ time. (From 23 May 2008)

From 2008: The Roscommon team which was defeated by Galway in Salthill. Picture: Michael McCormack.

10 YEARS AGO Disappointment for juniors in Ballyforan contest Connacht JFC semi-final Galway 1-12 Roscommon 0-6 < SEAMUS DUKE

Roscommon’s bid for three Connacht JFC titles in a row came unstuck in no uncertain terms when they were well beaten by a strong and well drilled Galway side in this disappointing semifinal played in Ballyforan last Friday night. The damage was done by Galway in the first half with the aid of the strong breeze, and by half-time they led Roscommon by 1-6 to 0-0. The pitch was in superb shape and the match was played in cool breezy conditions. Roscommon improved somewhat in the second half but they could never make any serious inroads into the Galway lead, and the Tribesmen eased into the final by a margin of nine points. (From 21 May 2010)

Rossies roar to title 2010 Connacht SFC Final Roscommon 0-14 Sligo 0-13 < SEAMUS DUKE

A fantastic display of controlled, skilful and determined football saw Roscommon sweep to their 20th Connacht senior football title in this thrilling final played at McHale Park in Castlebar last Sunday in front of 22,172 spectators. Fergal O’Donnell’s team made light of their underdogs tag and banished memories of a wretched league campaign to turn in a powerful display and defeat a Sligo side who arrived at McHale Park as the 4-1 on favourites to lift the Nestor Cup. As someone who has followed Roscommon football all my life, I didn’t think that I would ever see anything to rival the excitement generated by the All-Ireland minor win in Ennis in 2006, but last Sunday came close. The mighty Rossie from Gortaganny, the late Dermot Earley, would surely have approved as Roscommon emerged from the darkness and Division Four football to light up the champion-

From 2015 Nicky Rackard Cup win: Ian Delaney and Ronan O’Meara pictured at Croke Park. Picture: Andrew Fox

ship with a display that was as good as we have seen from them in at least five years at senior level. Huge credit must be given to manager Fergal O’Donnell. He stuck doggedly to his guns all year and remained fiercely loyal to his players, and how they rewarded that loyalty last Sunday. Even when Sligo came back to level the game with eight minutes left the Rossies showed resolve and determination to forge ahead and keep their noses in front at the final whistle. The loyalty between Fergal and his players was very evident at the final whistle when the players ran to Fergal to embrace him. The celebrations that followed were some of the most intense that this writer has ever seen and it was a game and a victory that will live long in the memory. Roscommon went to Castlebar with a gameplan and they carried it out to perfection. Not only that, but several Roscommon players chose this game to turn in the best displays of their careers for the Primrose and Blue. This win was built on hard work, superb teamwork and the fantastic score-taking ability of Donie Shine. Roscommon dominated midfield, denied Sligo’s two most potent attackers, Mark Breheny and David Kelly any space, and Roscommon also kept the ball, brilliantly mixing the long and the short game in just the right measure. It all added up to a great display and a thoroughly deserved win and now the team can await what lies ahead in the All-Ireland quarterfinal in Croke Park at the end of this month. (From 23 July 2010)

CBS win in 2015: Aengus Lyons lifts the trophy aloft. Picture: Andrew Fox

5 YEARS AGO Joy for hurlers: Kelly’s audacious Orchard raid! Nicky Rackard Cup Final Roscommon 2-12 Armagh 1-14 < SEAMUS DUKE

The board said one minute of injury-time. That minute had just passed when Roscommon sub Johnny Coyne was fouled about 22 metres from the goal at the Davin Stand end of Croke Park. It was definitely the last chance saloon for Roscommon. They had battled back to get to within two points of Armagh but their brave effort, part of it with just 14 men, looked like it had fallen short. There was however one last throw of the dice. Micheal Kelly has been one of Roscommon’s foremost hurling stars over the past decade. The Four Roads man has given everything to the cause. There have been far more bad days than good ones as Roscommon hurling slipped further and further down the inter-county pecking order. The team captain and inspiration placed the ball on the Croke Park turf and stared at it intently. There were eight Armagh players between the ball and the goal. Micheal ran, lifted and struck. He struck oh so sweetly too, and the ball flew hard and high into the rigging. It was a

sensational goal. On the puck-out, referee John O’Brien sounded the final whistle. Roscommon had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and their star player and captain had done it too. Who says that dreams don’t come true? (From 12 June 2015)

CBS are crowned Connacht champions Connacht Colleges SF ‘A’ Championship Final Roscommon CBS 0-8 Summerhill College, Sligo 0-7 < SEAMUS DUKE

A superb display of character, dogged determination, will to win, and discipline saw Roscommon CBS win their first Connacht SF ‘A’ title since 1998 after a fierce battle against pre-match favourites Summerhill College, Sligo at Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada in Carrick-on-Shannon last Saturday. When these two sides met in the league final two months previously, Summerhill won by 11 points, so this was some achievement by the Roscommon school to make a 12-point difference up in that period. It may not have been pretty to watch but Roscommon CBS arrived in Carrick-on-Shannon with a game plan, they stuck to it to the letter of the law and it paid off in spades. (From 20 March 2015)

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

SportsPeople

Horses for Courses General News

Following a statement by the government last Friday extending the current COVID-19 restrictions racing will not now resume before May 5th. Irish racing last took place behind closed doors at Clonmel on Tuesday March 24th. In Australia rising star, jockey Tom Marquand, and a stablehand, Safid Alam, were fined $2,000 and $500 respectively for breaking Covid-19 protocols after they embraced in celebration following Addeybb’s win in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick last Saturday. Racing NSW Stewards sought medical advice in respect to what measures should be implemented in relation to Marquand and with the medical advice that neither man presented any risk they allowed Marquand to continue riding. Jack Kennedy continues his recovery from the broken leg which ruled him out of the Cheltenham Festival. The 20-yearold jockey fractured his right femur following a fall from Dallas Des Pictons at Leopardstown in February. He expects to be back riding out in 4 – 6 weeks and race riding in time for the Galway summer festival, if it takes place. Gavin Cromwell’s stable star Darver Star will go over fences next season. Having won a Wexford handicap just a year ago off 106 he has taken a step up in class finishing second in the Irish Champion Hurdle and third in the Cheltenham equivalent. In an effort to have horses ready to run when the flat resumes Gordon Elliott is keeping some of his Cheltenham horses in training. Bigbadandbeautiful was impressive in bumpers last season and should be capable of winning at least a maiden. Tronador showed some spark on he all weather before joining Elliott and Recent Revelations has placed form on the flat in-

by Tom Red

cluding a 3rd placing in Lenebane, both ran well in the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle in Cheltenham. Betting with a credit card is no longer be allowed in Britain, the ban on using them came into force on Tuesday and is to protect the punter from financial harm. The ban extends to creditcard gambling through e-wallets such as PayPal. Last Monday was to be the 150th anniversary of the Irish Grand National but as circumstances ruled it was postponed however there was a virtual race, not televised but broadcast on radio by course commentator Gerry Hannon, won by the Jessica Harrington trained Jett with Robbie Power in the saddle. Death Duty finished second, OK Corral third and last year’s winner Burrow Saint 4th.

< PAUL HEALY

Darver Star, white, and Epatante, winner of the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle, jump the last together

GAA HQ: ‘No inter-county championship until July at earliest’ SPECIAL CONGRESS ON FRIDAY The GAA has said that it is “highly unlikely” that the senior inter-county championships will be rescheduled any time before the beginning of July, at the earliest. In a statement, the GAA said that it acknowledges last weekend’s Government announcement of the extension of current restrictions (relating to Covid-19) until May 5th and its impact on the scheduling of sporting events and working practices, and has factored the extension of the arrangements into its contingency planning. The Associa-

tion confirmed that club activity remains suspended until May 5th. The senior inter-county championships, scheduled to begin in May, will be postponed until further clarity on the current situation is available. However, it is the Association’s view that it is highly unlikely these will be rescheduled any time before the beginning of July, at the earliest. When sporting activity recommences, the GAA will accommodate both club and county games. The Association also intends to complete the Allianz Leagues, or at least those games that have a bearing on next

year’s divisions, where possible. A Special Congress, held remotely, will take place this Friday to propose decision-making flexibility to allow the GAA to vary competition structures, if required, in advance of resuming games. The GAA said: “In keeping with the approach of the Association since the start of this crisis, all of our decisions will be based on the advice of the medical professionals and the government. “Finally, the GAA would again like to thank our members and units for their support at this time and for continuing to adhere to the government guidelines”.

‘Win A Subaru’ Draw deferred to August

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation and for Health and Safety reasons, Roscommon Gaels GAA Club have made the decision to defer the scheduled date of the ‘Win A Subaru’ draw on May 3rd to Saturday, August 29th. It is hoped that by this time the normality that we used to know will have resumed. The club says the priority at this time is that its members remain safe and assist with the country in flattening the curve and stopping the spread of Covid-19. May 3rd was the original date scheduled for the Draw to take place. Due to the current Government guidelines, along with the current directive from the GAA, no club events are permitted to take place up to May 5th. Tickets sales have been suspended off-line, however you can still purchase tickets online www.winasubaru. ie.

A summer without sport?

Pictured are Roscommon Gaels members at the launch of the ‘Win a Subaru’ draw earlier this year. The draw is now deferred to August. Picture: Michael McCormack

Out walking through the quiet streets of Roscommon town in beautiful sunshine the other day, I met a former county footballer. We stopped…and instinctively maintained our social distance. Only one of us needed a pause for breath, and it wasn’t the former county footballer. It’s always a pleasure to meet him. We chatted for a few minutes in the mid-April sun. I am not offering any prizes for correct guesses as to what we spoke about. First we covered lockdown, then we touched on the impact on elderly relatives, then we speculated about how long this could go on for…and then we brought up what was undoubtedly on both our minds…the ‘F’ word. That’s f for football… The former county footballer put it starkly. He doesn’t think there will be ANY inter-county football over the remainder of this year. ZERO. Of course there is every chance that he is right. It’s beginning to look like that dreaded scenario may well unfold. And, if inter-county football is to fall victim of this very nasty tackle from Covid-19, the same fate may await club football. When I got back from my walk, there was a press release in from the GAA authorities (see on left). They, like everyone else in this crisis, are doing their very best. The statement references the club championships, stating that these remain suspended until May 5th. It would presumably have been more accurate if the GAA added on ‘at least’. It almost infers that there will be an explosion of club action on May 5th/6th – sadly there won’t. The GAA statement said that inter-county championship action will not begin until early July at the earliest. But, given Minister for Health Simon Harris’ comments earlier this week – to the effect that social distancing will continue until a vaccine for coronavirus is ready – it seems very possible that there will be no GAA action for many months past July. I went for another walk today (Wednesday). The weather was beautiful, but I met nobody who could dispute the growing view that we may not see any sporting action for many, many months. Our health is the single most important consideration in this crisis. Thank God for the great weather. Much gardening will be done. But are we facing a sport-less summer?

Screen and heard… On the Match of the Day Top 10 podcast (Saturday nights, BBC 1) the lads had upped the social distancing. Previously, host Gary Lineker and guests Alan Shearer and Ian Wright had done their dream selections from Lineker’s kitchen. But now, in Lockdown UK, the trio were in their respective houses, the host in a living room this time. The new arrangement somehow gave Lineker some of his usual gravitas back. When he was presenting from his kitchen, he had a slightly odd habit of looking to his right and gesticulating with his hands. Maybe that’s the effect having ‘Wrighty’ and ‘Smug Shearer’ in your kitchen can have on you. To be fair, this (very) low budget banter has grown on me (probably because I’m desperate for some sport). On Saturday night, the MOTD team were picking their top ten managers of the Premier League era. Wright and Shearer both chose the same top 5. Alex Ferguson was the obvious choice as No. 1, followed by Arsene Wenger (2), Jose Mourinho (3), Pepe Guardiola (4) and (5) Sir Kenny Dalglish. It was nice to be reminded of the genial Bobby Robson, while Claudio Ranieri’s phenomenal title win with Leicester in 2016 (he was rewarded with the sack the following season!) also earned him a spot. The other three in the top ten were Jurgen Klopp, Rafael Benitez and Carlo Ancelotti.

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

SPORTS PEOPLE with PAUL HEALY ‘A lot of the joy of my sports-watching youth wrapped into these HEROES three middle-aged men’ REFLECTIONS ON SPORTING INSPIRATIONS (a series by Paul Healy)

I’ve interviewed quite a few wellknown people over the years, and you really shouldn’t – to quote Eamonn Dunphy – be a fan with a typewriter. Journalism should triumph over personal feelings. But hey, we’re all human, and one particular evening in the Abbey Hotel in Roscommon totally mashed up my role as journalist with my childhood as a fan. I’ve interviewed other sportstars, musicians, actors and more politicians than I could throw a discredited manifesto at, but nothing before or since has compared to you and you and you… or him and him and him.

‘Taylor clearly thinks he has lost’

‘When he misses it (the black) Taylor clearly thinks he has lost. He goes straight back to his chair without daring to look at the table. Only when he gets there does he realise that the black is not a formality for Davis, requiring a very fine cut into the top pocket. Seven times out of ten, Davis says later, he would get it, but perhaps only three times out of ten under pressure. The white is close to the cushion, so he has to play down on it, which tends to magnify the slightest error. The pocket he is aiming for is out of his direct vision. As he says later: ‘It’s not difficult, but it’s not easy’. In the event he makes too thin a contact on the black, which rebounds a few inches away from the pocket, leaving Taylor a relatively straightforward pot for the championship. It’s all over…Taylor raises his cue triumphantly over his head in two hands…David Vine described it as ‘one of the greatest sporting moments of all time’’ From ‘Snookered’ (Donald Trelford) It would be difficult to convey to so-called millennials just how massive televised snooker was in the 1980s. 18.5 million people in the UK stayed up into the early hours to watch those dramatic closing stages of the 1985 World Snooker Final, when Northern Ireland’s Denis Taylor sensationally defeated Steve Davis on the final black in the final frame. We were already in love with snooker, even before Taylor’s unlikely David and Goliath-like heroics. In snooker’s truly golden era – the 1970s and ‘80s – the cast of stars was full of colourful characters. Their successors today, for all their technical brilliance, are by contrast boring and robotic (Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump being honourable exceptions). The snooker players of the ‘80s were like The Rolling Stones; in contrast, the perfectly nice but rather grey players of the 21st century are Boyzone of the baize. There was Gentleman Ray Reardon, a multiple world champion who was nicknamed ‘Dracula’; white-suited wild boy

HEROES: ‘I went along for the Roscommon People, but really for the younger me’. Roscommon People Editor Paul Healy pictured in the Abbey Hotel with snooker stars Ken Doherty, Steve Davis and Jimmy White.

Kirk Stevens; Big Bill Werbeniuk, the harddrinking, baby-faced Canadian; Terry Griffiths, a ferocious competitive streak behind his ‘favourite uncle’ image; Cliff Thorburn, a man whose stare had more ice than the average cocktail; and the thrilling and enigmatic Jimmy White. Most gripping of all for a few years was the rivalry between bad boy Alex Higgins and the ice-cool and ruthless Steve Davis. Davis won six world titles between 1981 and ’89, before giving way to the new kid on the block, the even more brilliant Stephen Hendry. Higgins is worthy of a ‘Heroes’ column all to himself, and may well get one. When, back in 1972, the Belfast-born genius won the world title at his first attempt, he changed the game forever, dragging it from the sporting shadows into the limelight… through his extraordinary talent, unique style of play and the charisma that would make his career compelling and chaotic in almost equal measure. We spent thousands of hours watching these men…investing our time and hopes and emotions in these wonderful sporting dramas that were played out on our TV screens in the era before multiple channels and social media. Snooker – a mesmerising marriage of gripping sport and soap opera – had us in the palm of its cue-caressing hands.

‘No doubt in my mind…the world title was finally mine’

‘After beating Drago I progressed to the final against Hendry after wins against Alain Robidoux, Jim Wych and Alan McManus and I thought it was my year. Fourth time lucky Jimmy, this is it. And for a long time in that final, it really did look like this was

it. When I was 14-8 up against Hendry I was absolutely cruising it. I was just flying in that final. My potting, safety play and positional skill in the first three sessions were just something else and I was good value for my six-frame lead. There was no doubt whatsoever in my mind that the World Championship was finally mine. Hendry was a great player. I knew that even by 1992, but then so was I and there was no way I was going to let that lead slip, not in a race to 18 anyway. But I suppose the signs were there’. From ‘Jimmy White: Second Wind’ Oh Jimmy. Not again. ‘The signs were there’. Year after year, the wonderful Jimmy White fell at the final hurdle, when within sight of the world title that everybody was desperate for him to win. Six times he was world championship runner-up, and six times our hearts sank at this sporting cruelty. On that agonising last day of the 1992 final, when the trophy was within his grasp, he lost all of the final ten frames, Hendry ruthlessly crushing the hopes of millions of people, winning 18-14. But nice guys can win. Of course most of the champions over the years were nice guys, but it was always great to see someone new emerge from the pack of hopefuls. There was Joe Johnson (complete with his sparkling shoes), in 1986. Then in 1997, Ken Doherty from Dublin reached the summit. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. It’s just a few years ago (at a guess, four or five) and the ballroom in the Abbey Hotel is filling up with misty-eyed fathers and young sons who weren’t even born when Ken Doherty was world champion. For many years now, the snooker stars of the past have been doing the exhibition circuit, cashing in on their fame and public nostalgia. Tonight, Roscommon will host Steve Davis, Jimmy White and Ken Doherty.

I went along for the Roscommon People, but really for the younger me. When I got to meet and interview my heroes – during a break in the exhibition – all that was missing was the now sadly departed Alex. Just to be in the presence of Davis and White was surreal. Davis, balding now, older, still lean; White, of heavier physique, a lived-in face, tired but friendly eyes. We sat a table in the Abbey bar, where the snooker greats tucked into some food and a drink, while I began the interview. All three could not have been more courteous. When I had the temerity to suggest to the once invincible Steve Davis, superstar of my youth, that snooker may be on the wane, he politely exposed my ignorance, pointing out that while TV viewing figures in this part of the world are indeed a shadow of what they were in the golden era, the sport is enjoying unprecedented growth worldwide. Steve then accidentally spilt his glass of Guinness over my notebook, quickly apologising (no need, I was honoured). It wasn’t the first time that Steve Davis messed up the black, but I obviously didn’t mention that. Half an hour later, I stood in the wings, a fan with a typewriter, no question. Beside me, still making small talk and waiting to be introduced again by promoter/master of ceremonies Joe Finnegan, stood the Republic of Ireland’s only snooker world champion, the genius that is Jimmy ‘Whirlwind’ White, and the legendary Steve Davis. A lot of the joy of my sports-watching youth wrapped into these three middle-aged men. Then they were gone, back into the auditorium, each with cue in hand, each in the footsteps of Alex, these veterans trading now on some mix of memory, celebrity, nostalgia and faded brilliance. A richly deserved lap of honour for kings of the baize. Heroes always. (Series continues next week)

Roscommon People Friday 17 April 2020

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