Bandon Notes

Fianna Fáil property tax statement “beggars belief”

May 10, 2013 By Editor Leave a Comment

Rachel McCarthy

SINN Féin Bandon Cllr Rachel McCarthy has reacted to the statement this week from Fianna Fail that they had exposed the fact that local authorities can raise the property tax by 15%.

She said, “It beggars belief that Fianna Fáil only now seem to realise that the Home Tax can be increased by local authorities.

“If they were involved in the Dáil debate that very fact was raised on numerous occasions by the Sinn Féin TDs. We are introducing a Bill to repeal the tax in the Dáil but furthermore our party’s representatives would seek a mandate in the local elections to vote to reduce the tax by the maximum amount in local councils. Also if ever in a position of being in government Sinn Féin would abolish the tax if the repeal Bill fails,” she said.

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Filed Under: Bandon Notes, Politics Tagged With: Bandon, Fianna Fáil, Property tax, Rachel McCarthy, Sinn Féin, statement, West Cork

Carbon tax increase another attack on vulnerable

May 1, 2013 By Editor Leave a Comment

Rachel McCarthy

ON the first of May the introduction of the new tax on coal and briquettes which was part of the last budget comes into effect.This new tax increases the price of a bag of coal by nearly 3 euro and briquettes by near 30 cent a bale and puts further pressure on those struggling according to West Cork Sinn Fein Cllr Rachel McCarthy.

Cllr McCarthy said, “This increase in the price of fuel along with was have become extended cold periods is causing people to have to spend more and more money on their heating costs.

“The increase comes at a time where household budgets are already stretched to the limit.The old and those with young children have no option but to keep their houses warm and the government is now making that more difficult.”

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Filed Under: Bandon Notes, Politics Tagged With: attack on vulnerable, Bandon, Carbon tax, increase, Rachel McCarthy, West Cork

President to visit Courtmac RNLI during May Bank Holiday weekend

April 29, 2013 By Editor Leave a Comment

The Courtmac and Ballycotton lifeboats on exercise.

THE President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins will pay a special call to Courtmacsherry RNLI lifeboat station during an official visit to the West Cork village.

While there he will view an impressive historical exhibition which is running all through the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Bandon information event for older people

April 25, 2013 By Editor Leave a Comment

TO coincide with the Bealtaine Festival for Older People, West Cork Citizens Information Service will hold an information event in Bandon on Friday, May 10^th; the event will run from 2-4pm and the will take place in the Munster Arms Hotel.

There will be a number of speakers at the event. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bandon Notes, Community Tagged With: Bandon, Bealtaine Festival, event, information, Munster Arms Hotel, older people, West Cork, West Cork Citizens Information Service

RTE appearance for Bandon councillor “an experience”

April 25, 2013 By Editor Leave a Comment

Rachel McCarthy

Last weekend saw up to twenty delegates from across West Cork attending the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis in Castlebar County Mayo.

They took part in debates on the many motions in relation to rural Ireland and issues facing people from West Cork due to budget restraints.

Very informative fringe meetings with experts in CAP, natural resources and their potential and rural transport were well attended by the West Cork delegation.

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Filed Under: Bandon Notes, Politics Tagged With: appearance, Bandon, councillor, Rachel McCarthy, RTE, West Cork

West Cork students pick up Cork Schools Science Gold Medals

April 23, 2013 By Editor Leave a Comment

Gold Medal Winners at the Cork School Science Awards. Pic: Picture: Pascal Ungerer

TWO West Cork students were among the prizewinners at the recent Cork Schools Science Awards ceremony that took place at Balckrock Castle in Cork.

The gold medals recognise students that undertook the Leaving Certificate in 2012 and were presented by the Minister for Research and innovation Sean Sherlock.

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Filed Under: Bandon Notes, Education, Skibbereen Tagged With: Cork Schools Science Awards, Gold Medals, students, West Cork

West Cork Sinn Fein echoes call for Labour to leave government

April 17, 2013 By Editor Leave a Comment

Paul Hayes

ALMOST 2,000 Sinn Féin delegates from all over the island of Ireland converged on Castlebar Co. Mayo last weekend for the party’s annual conference, the Ard Fheis.

Large numbers made the trip from West Cork also including Bandon Cllr. Rachel McCarthy, Kinsale Cllr. Noel Harrington and West Cork Dáil candidate Paul Hayes.

Speaking after the event, the local representatives echoed the calls by party president Gerry Adams for Labour to leave the coalition Government.

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Filed Under: Bandon Notes, Politics Tagged With: Government, Labour, Paul Hayes, Sinn Féin, West Cork

Labour “reduced to welcoming scraps from the cabinet table”

April 17, 2013 By Editor Leave a Comment

Rachel McCarthy

THIS week Deputy Michael McCarthy along with his fellow Labour TDs around the country released statements welcoming the postponement of the introduction of water charges.

Reacting to the statement Sinn Fein Cllr Rachel McCarthy said, “Is this what Labour have been reduced to?

“Rushing to welcome a scrap from the cabinet table controlled by their Fine Gael masters.

West Cork Flag Day collections for of Cork ARC Cancer Support House

April 16, 2013 By Editor Leave a Comment

Pictured to launch of Cork ARC Flag Day were Joanne McCarthy, Cork ARC; Simon Zebo, Cork ARC Patron; Hilary Sullivan, Cork ARC. Pic: Donagh Glavin

CORK ARC Cancer Support House are appealing for people in the West Cork towns of Kinsale, Skibbereen, Bantry & Macroom to support the cancer support charity at their annual Flag Day on Friday, April 19^thand in Bandon on April 17^th.

A large group of dedicated volunteers will be giving their time freely to allow Cork ARC to raise not only funds from these areas but increase awareness about the services it provides, as it celebrates its tenth year of free cancer support services in 2013.

Anti-bullying app wins dragon’s competition

March 26, 2013 By Editor Leave a Comment

Pictured at the finals of the ODM Financial dragons cave held at Bandon GAA pavilion were winners from Colaiste Na Toirbhirte girls secondary school who won first prize for their anti-bullying phone app Cyber Buddy and pictured with Kieran Hurley of ODM presenting the trophy was Jade O’Shea, Paula Buckley, Mairead McSweeney, Siobhan O’Sullivan, Aoine Crowley and Ellen Courtney.