Latest news with #IndependentRoscommon
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Roscommon to benefit from €350,000 fund for outdoor recreational trails
This funding will help keep the trails in good condition and ensure they remain accessible to walkers and cyclists. The trails are part of a larger network being developed across the midlands under the EU's Just Transition Fund. Follow Independent Roscommon on Facebook The funding will also support a number of trails within the Lough Boora Discovery Park in County Offaly. Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, said, 'We're excited to partner with BnM to support the maintenance of these new trails. This investment will help protect the trails and ensure they remain enjoyable for future generations.' BnM CEO Tom Donnellan added: 'We're committed to creating long-term social and environmental value for communities in the Midlands. This partnership with the Department will help us deliver on that commitment." The EU Just Transition Fund partly funds the Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme for Ireland's Midlands 2023-2026. One of the programmes funded through this scheme is the Trail Network Development Scheme. Under this scheme, BnM have been approved for €30 million of funding to support the development of 51kilometres of a midland trail network of universally accessible walking and cycling trails across BnM lands in Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary and Westmeath. The scheme includes trail development on suitable BnM lands, predominantly on former rail beds and bog headlands that were previously used for peat extraction.
Irish Independent
17-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Roscommon forests that were destroyed by fire to be replanted
The state-owned forestry company confirmed the news to Roscommon Galway TD Sinn Féin TD, Claire Kerrane. Approximately 1,300 acres of bog and forestry were burned in a five-kilometre radius in the Gorthaganny, Coney Island, Carrowbehy, and Cloonfower areas when wildfires erupted during a dry spell of weather in May. Follow Independent Roscommon on Facebook Coillte's local management team is still assessing the damage caused and would determine if felling of roadside trees was required. In correspondence to Ms Kerrane, the company said it believes the majority of the roadside trees are privately owned. 'Removal of roadside trees can require a felling licence to be in place or a statement from the council engineer confirming the trees to be dangerous and to be removed under the relevant roads Act,' it said. Ms Kerrane said that affected roadside trees needed to be removed as soon as possible. She also said a solution was still outstanding for private forestry owners who lost their crop to the fires. A public meeting in Gorthaganny Community Hall in response to the fire heard that most of the forestry crop was not insured against fire. In a meeting with delegation comprising local representatives and Oireachtas members, Minister Michael Healy Rae TD did not promise any government compensation for those affected by the fires. The National Parks and Wildlife Service have assessed the area and are preparing a remediation plan for the damage done to a Special Area of Conservation which contains the Carrowbehy Bog Walk. This area contains a rich array of flora and fauna which were destroyed by the fire. The cause of the fires has not yet been determined.
Irish Independent
03-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Man (25) banned from owning dogs after attacking man he thought was trying to steal his pitbull
Brandon Hanmore of Elmfort, Williamstown Road, Castlerea, Co Roscommon, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault causing harm to Aigars Zalais who was attacked by Hanmore's pit bull on September 23, 2021, at Shannonvalley, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon. At approximately 7pm, Mr Zalais attempted to restrain the dog when he was then approached by Hanmore, who accused him of trying to steal his dog. Hanmore and three others proceeded to attack Mr Zalais in front of his wife, who attempted to intervene as her husband was struck in arms, legs, hips and jaw. Follow Independent Roscommon on Facebook His wife called the gardaí and the ambulance service, who arrived at the scene and conveyed him to Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar. He was assessed by doctors and was found to have sustained multiple blows to his body and a cracked tooth. Mr Zalais (44) did not suffer any loss of consciousness or headaches but had to be prescribed analgesic medication before being discharged from hospital. Wednesday's sitting of Roscommon Circuit Court heard that Mr Zalais was left extremely traumatised and afraid after the incident. The court heard that Hanmore had no previous convictions at the time of the offence but was said to be at moderate risk of reoffending. Hanmore has not come to adverse garda attention since the offence. Judge Kenneth Connolly imposed a headline sentence of 28 months in prison. He then reduced the sentence to 21 months before suspending it in its entirety for two years. Describing the assault as 'extremely violent' and 'completely unprovoked' Judge Connolly took account of Hanmore's early guilty plea and that he had not come to garda attention since the incident. Noting his willingness to pay compensation to the victim, Judge Connolly ordered Hanmore to pay €2,500 to Mr Zalais. The 25-year-old was placed under the supervision of the probation services for one year to help him deal with his addiction issues. Judge Connolly also ordered him not to own any canine animals for four years.
