In November 2018, Monaghan County Council issued a tender for consultants, to complete a Structural Survey and Assessment of the Market House in Castleblayney.The purpose of the survey and report was to ascertain the structural integrity of the building. Alan Clarke & Associateswas appointed to compete the work and the conducted an initial site viewing in December 2018.

On 25 January 2019, the structural engineer was unable to gain access to the Market House, following the collapse of an internal load bearing wall. The building was declared a public safety risk and a safety cordon was erected immediately to prevent access to the building and safeguard the public.

The structural engineer conducted a Risk Assessment of the Market House and it identified a high risk from potential collapse or partial collapse of the roof and/or an external wall. The risk of collapse of the remaining roof presents a real and present danger to public safety. The Risk Assessment Report identified the need to reinforce the cordon around the Market House and a concrete barrier was required to prevent scatter of building material in the event of a collapse. The Council has met with Irish Public Bodies, its insurers, on-site, in relation to public safety.

The Market House is a protected structure, of regional status. Monaghan County Council sought legal advice in relation to its responsibilities under the Planning Acts, in terms of Architectural Heritage and Conservation, and the need to protect public safety. Monaghan County Council has notified the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and is engaging with the Department’s Conservation Architectural Advisor.

The Structural Survey and Assessment of the building cannot be completed as it is unsafe to enter the site at present, due to the potential collapse of the remaining roof and debris from the collapsed internal wall. The approach adopted by the Council, in consultation with all interested parties, is to remove the unstable roof structure and clear out the debris from the internal walls, under the direction of its Conservation Architect. Once the risk of further collapse has been removed, it is proposed to complete the survey and assessment on the building. No decision in relation to the future of the Market House can be made until this assessment is completed.

Monaghan County Council is currently procuring specialist contractors to complete these works, which is planned to commence in late April. The contractors will determine the method of operation in consultation with the Conservation Architect and it is acknowledged that this may have some impact on Main Street access over a short period of time.

Eamonn O’Sullivan
Chief Executive
Monaghan County Council

 

11 April 2019

The third meeting of the Residents Forum took place on 9 April 2019 in Carrickmacross Civic Offices. Representatives from the local Residents Group, Monaghan County Council officials and elected members, Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Environmental Protection Agency and Gyproc (Ireland) Ltd. were in attendance. Also present were the Chairperson and Secretary of the Magheracloone Roads Action Group. The meeting was chaired by Cllr. David Maxwell, Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council.

Pat McEneaney, Community Liaison Officer for Gyproc Ireland Ltd. reported on his activities, which included 34 one-to-one meetings, liaising directly with households and meetings with local sporting and community groups.
Kieran Holohan, Marketing Director, Gyproc Ireland Ltd. confirmed that copies of the mine working maps were circulated to 13 residents last week, as agreed, and a copy would be distributed to the wider community later this week, as part of a proposed newsletter. Copies will also be posted on the Gyproc website. It was suggested that copies of the newsletter/map be left in the local church and school for those without online access. Gyproc would be available to discuss the map with individuals upon request.

Neil Marshall of SRK Consulting, engaged by Gyproc Ireland Ltd. delivered a presentation on his report entitled December 2018 Crownhole. Hard copies of the report were distributed to the residents groups.

The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment confirmed that it had received the report and it was currently being considered by Wardell Armstrong, consultants engaged by the DCCAE, together with analysis and modelling detail from the investigation. The DCAE’s verification process will be completed over the coming weeks and the results issued to Monaghan County Council.

Pat O’Connor, Operations Director, Gyproc Ireland Ltd., presented on Gyproc’s water discharges the river Bursk since October 2018, stating that the company would submit a Water Management Plan to the Environmental Protection Agency by the end of the week and also intend to seek an EPA licence review application in May 2019, which will propose a new water discharge point. Pat O’Connor also delivered a presentation detailing the historical sinkhole occurrences over the Drumgossat mine.

Monaghan County Council confirmed that no decision can be made on the reopening of the LP4900 until after the investigation process was complete. The Council had requested funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to restore roads in the vicinity of the mine and the DTTAS Inspector had visited the LP4900 again. The Council is in discussions with Gyproc Ireland Ltd. regarding its costs relating to road closures and restoration works.

The next meeting of the Residents Forum is scheduled for 29 April 2019

Paul Clifford
Director of Services
047-30500

Are you Registered to Vote?

Local Elections, European Elections & Referendum 24^th May 2019

Check the Register

It is important that you check you are registered to vote as you may need to apply for inclusion on the Supplement to the Register.  You can check the register using an online system www.checktheregister.ie

If you are not listed, listed at an incorrect address, need to change your status or need to apply for a postal vote then you should complete the relevant form and return to Monaghan County Council immediately.   The forms are available for download at: www.checktheregister.ie or www.monaghan.ie/register-of-electors/

 

 Electoral Register application forms

 

RFA2 form – Application for inclusion in Supplement to the Register

RFA3 form – Change of Address

RFA5 form – Change Status

Closing date for receipt of the above forms is Tuesday 7^th May 2019 at 5:15pm

PVS1 – Application for inclusion in the Supplement to the Postal Voters’ List (physical illness or a physical disability) –

PVS2 – Application for inclusion in the Supplement to the Postal Voters List (circumstances of occupation/students)

SVS1– Application for inclusion in the Supplement to the Special Voters List (residing in a nursing home)

Closing date for receipt of PVS1/PVS2 and SVS1 forms is Sunday 28^th April 2019

 

Completed forms should be returned to:

 

Electoral Register

Corporate Services

Monaghan County Council

The Glen

Monaghan.

 

 

If you wish to discuss any other matter relating to the Register of Electors, please telephone Gillian at 047-30551 or email register@monaghancoco.ie

 

The implications of Brexit may have far-reaching effects on County Monaghan businesses. We at Monaghan Local Enterprise Office are providing a one-day interactive Customs Training Workshop to support businesses trading with a ‘Third Country’ (Non-EU) in advance of the UK’s exit from the single market and customs union.

Assistant Principle Officer at the Revenue Commissioners, Carol-Ann O’Keefe has said, “It doesn’t matter what kind of customs union is in a place or whether there is a free-trade agreement, after Brexit, full customs declarations will be required for all goods imports and exports shipped between Ireland and the UK”. As a ‘third country’, goods imported from the UK will require a customs declaration and be subject to controls. Checks by customs officers may be subject to licence requirements and will, generally, be subject to payment of duties and VAT when and where, they are brought into Ireland. Similarly, any goods exported from Ireland to the UK will require a customs declaration when leaving. Depending on the regime implemented by the UK Government, goods may require a customs declaration on entry into the UK and will, generally, be subject to payment of duties and VAT, when and where, they are brought into Britain. Goods shipped from Ireland to the European continent, via the UK ‘land bridge’, will be classified as transit goods and require a customs transit declaration. The shipment will require interaction with offices of departure and destination in the EU and with the Office of Transit in the UK. Transit goods may be subject to control, leaving and re-entering the EU. Goods in transit are required to provide a financial guarantee to the authorities of the country through which they pass.

This customs workshop on Monday 8th April in the Glencarn Hotel, Castleblayney will provide businesses with knowledge and understanding of the potential impacts, formalities and procedures to be adopted when trading with a ‘Third Country’. It will highlight the Customs facilities available to importers and exporters, opportunities to minimise import duty payments and ensure compliance with customs procedures. For further details or to book, visit: Customs Workshop

Monaghan Town St. Patrick’s Day Parade Winners

The following are Monaghan Town St. Patrick’s Day Parade Winners. Winners will be presented with their prizes at the April Municipal District Meeting.

 

Best Marching Band: Monaghan Brass Band

 

Best Community Float: Killevan Gymnastics

 

Best Commercial Float: Coral Leisure

 

Best Window Display: Flowers & Things

Most Innovative Float: Glaslough Tidy Towns (sponsored by Bank Of Ireland)

Best Window display incorporating use of Irish Language: Rocks (sponsored by Environment Section)

Best float/walking group incorporating use of Irish Language: Scoil Rince Ni Bhrogain (sponsored by Environment Section)

In 2014 the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act set out the requirement of every Public Body to develop a Public Sector Duty.

A Public Sector Duty sets out how a Public Body will take action to eliminate discrimination, promote equality and protect human rights of all its service users and staff.

Monaghan County Council was delighted to have been chosen to be a Pilot Project for the development of a Public Sector Duty. The learning from Monaghan County Council will now be used to inform and guide other County Councils on how they can develop this important piece of work in their organisations.

The video below highlights the work of the Monaghan County Council Public Sector Duty Pilot Project.

For more information on the Public Sector Duty you can visit  www.ihrec.ie

Stop Food Waste Challenge

Saving you food and money

The Stop Food Waste Challenge is a fun and interactive course that teaches participants practical skills to reduce food waste and save money.
Find out more about the Challenge online at www.stopfoodwaste.ie or email: info@stopfoodwaste.ie

Events in Monaghan

Please register your interest in attending by email to: mkelly@monaghancoco.ie or by telephone on 087 4157385

Location: St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre, Monaghan Town

Dates and Times: 28th March, 4th April, 11th April and 18th April at 7:30pm for approx. 1 hr 30 mins each night.

 

 

More information:

Stop Food Waste Challenge Monaghan (PDF)

Proposed New Sports Facilities at Tullynaskeagh

Monaghan County Council in partnership with Carrick Aces Athletic Club and Carrick Rovers  Football Club are carrying out a study to assess the potential for development of a shared Sports Complex Building on the former convents lands adjacent to the Carrick Aces running track and the new pitches development being undertaken by Carrick Rovers.

Any new facility would in both service these investments and also be made available for use by other interested clubs and community organisations. Funding is potentially available for pre-development supports under the recently announced Large Scale Sports infrastructure fund.  Any new shared building and facilities’ would complement existing provision in the area and would service the greater South Monaghan and surrounding areas. A key part of the process is to undertake an extensive public consultation regarding the development of any new facilities.

We would appreciate if you could take a few minutes to complete this questionnaire: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9YDZFQS

Expressions of Interest – Former Ski Club Lough Muckno

Monaghan County Council is seeking expressions of interest for the use of the former Ski Club and launch facilities at Lough Muckno, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. The Council has recently received funding to refurbish the building and upgrade the facilities and are seeking expressions of interest from interested parties for short term lease agreements for use of the building, water facilities and surrounding areas.

The area consists of the land, buildings, compound and facilities which will accommodate water and land based recreational activities at Lough Muckno.

This will be a two-stage process whereby persons expressing an interest before the below closing date will be invited to submit detailed proposals and a business plan for further consideration in stage two.

Expressions should be made in writing to the following address on or before Friday, 29th of March, 2019 and be clearly marked “Lough Muckno Recreational Activities”.

By Email to
carrickmacross@monaghancoco.ie

or post to

Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District Council,
Riverside Road,
Carrickmacross,
Co. Monaghan.

Dates and Times for St. Patrick’s Day Parades in County Monaghan

Inniskeen: Sunday 10th March 1:30pm

Clones: Friday 15th March 7pm

Oram: Sunday 17th March 12:30pm

Carrickmacross: Sunday 17th March 3pm

Monaghan Town: Sunday 17th March 3pm

Ballybay: Sunday 17th March 5pm

Newbliss: Sunday 17th March 5pm