Makeshift vessel the first of its kind to turn up on European shores
By Alan Finn
Cuban refuge boat washes up on County Sligo beach
Epic swan rescue at Lough Talt
THE narrative could be the basis for a Disney Movie.
A swan who was in danger of choking was rescued from Lough Talt and last week and this weekend was reunited with his female companion in a touching scene on the south Sligo lake.
Alex the swan as he is known, was seen on Lough Talt with a bubble used for fishing dangling from his beak, the result of a hook attached to a line which was caught in the bird’s throat and would have killed him.
The discovery was made by Brenda Mannion who got in touch with animal rescue sites to tell them that Alex was in distress.
Kildare Animal Rescue search Facebook for stories such as Alex’s and if possible come and help. It was through Faecbook that Alexander Kronsteiner made his way to Sligo to help Alex the swan.
“We seen on Facebook that a swan was on Lough Talt for almost a week and he had a bubble dangling out of his throat and possibly a hook caught in his throat,” Alexander told the Sligo Weekender.
The full story of the rescue can be found in this week’s Sligo Weekender- in shops now.
Soup kitchen founder given suspended five months sentences
Oliver Williams, the man who set up the Twist soup kitchen and charity shop in Sligo, was given five months suspended jail sentences on nine counts under the Charities Act at Sligo District Court today, Thursday.
The 50 years-old father of four from Loughrea in Co Galway pleaded guilty to nine out of 16 charges brought by the Charities Regulatory Authority related to the fact that the operation is not a registered charity.
The court heard that the applicant had applied online to have the charity registered but the CEO of the Charities Regulatory Authority John Farrelly said he did not deem it to be a fully complete application.
Evidence was given of previous offences by the defendant under the Theft and Fraud Act and for holding a collection without a permit.
Imposing the sentences, Judge Kevin Kilrane said that the defendant had “to be stopped in his tracks”.
The White Hag reveal new beer with charity launch
The White Hag Brewing Company from Ballymote are launching a new lager this weekend in Sligo, and in the process giving punters the opportunity to donate their purchase price to a good cause.
Róc, a new ‘Modern Pils Lager’ will be available in Sligo this coming weekend through most good outlets stocking The White Hag.
Róc uses new-age hops, coastal-grown Irish barely and pure mountain water to create a classic Pils flavour. As well as giving the local loyal fanbase a chance to taste the beer for the first time, the brewery are going to raise some funds for local charities and good causes.
All proceeds from sales on the first two nights go directly to a worthy cause associated with each bar – check out the cause at the bar and simply put the price of the pint into the bucket on the counter.
“This is the most accessible beer we’ve made and has a flavour and style that people in Sligo will be well accustomed to,” said Paul Mullin, Managing Director.
“There is a huge demand for entry level craft beers that are of a high quality, with a mid range of alcohol and made locally, and we feel this will be a hugely popular beer locally, as well as across Ireland. We are also delighted to work with our loyal publicans to ensure all proceed go back to a good cause too.”
Róc will be launched on Friday, February 3 in McGarrigles (6pm), Swagman (7pm) and Connollys (8pm) and on Saturday, February 4 at Lillies (7pm), Shoot The Crows (7pm) and 5th on Teeling (11pm).
‘Bring your own booze’ described as ‘crazy scheme’
‘Bring your own booze’ described as ‘crazy scheme’
A bring your own booze event for a Sligo nightclub has been described by a judge as a “crazy scheme”.
District Court Judge Kevin Kilrane rejected an application by Daniel McGarrigle from 6th on Teeling for Thursday, February 2, which advertised a bring your own alcohol event.
Under the promotion, patrons would be allowed to bring in six cans and 500mls of spirits and unlimited mixers.
Judge Kilrane said that the concept behind it was “wrong from beginning to end”.
He said that it was not a a novel scheme as described by the applicant but a “desperate scheme” and that the event would be impossible to control and would have chaos inside the venue.
He said that rows would break out between people over how much they each had and there could be any type of brew brought in to the venue.
“It is a crazy scheme,”the judge commented.
The applicant Daniel McGarrigle agreed to not run the bring your own alcohol promotion for next Thursday.
McGarrigle told the court that the nature of the publican’s business has changed and the biggest for pubs and clubs is house parties and off licences.
Inspector Paul Kilcoyne objected to the application, raising concerns about the amount and quality of the drink involved and the potential consequences.
The court heard that Daniel McGarrigle had paid €14,000 which was a non-refundable fee for the act booked for Thursday, the night of the promotion, and asked for a normal exemption for the event instead.
Judge Kilrane said he would consider the application for a normal exemption tomorrow under condition that he is shown what is going to be on the nightclub’s website to make clear for patrons that they would not be allowed to bring their own drink to the venue for the event.
The case was adjourned to Carrick-on-Shannon court tomorrow, Friday.
Hotelier’s comments come under fired
FRANCIS Brennan, renowned hotelier has come under fire for his comments about Sligo in a recent interview.
Shock and sadness at South Sligo woman’s tragic death
The funeral will take tomorrow, Wednesday, of 19 years-old Lisa Niland, Drimbane, Curry, whose tragic death at the weekend has caused widespread shock and sadness.
Sligo man realises his dream of being a pilot
By John Bromley
A 27 years-old County Sligo man who was one of Ireland’s youngest ever pilots when he flew solo at the age of 16 has now realised his dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot.
Charles Kilawee from Dromore West featured in the Sligo Weekender in September 2005 for the fact that he had joined an elite few who had piloted a plane unaccompanied at 16, the minimum legal age.
After his maiden solo flight at Sligo airport, where he learned to fly with Sligo Aero Club, he told the Weekender: “All my life I have had an interest in flying and I would like eventually to make flying my career.”
Charles has now achieved that goal. He has got a job as a pilot with Norwegian Airlines and last Thursday flew a jet airliner, a Boeing 737, for the first time.
Charles has done a lot of hours in airline simulators but he said the “actual experience is quite different”.
“Once you get onto the plane you know it can’t be paused”, he said.
For the full story, see this week’s Sligo Weekender newspaper or see our digital copy available from our homepage (http://www.sligoweekender.ie).
Dail debate calls for review of bombings
A Dail debate this week has called for an independent judicial review of a bombing which killed a Sligo woman.
