Josh is pictured here with his grandmother Mary Quinn Keane
Fundraising Concert
There will be a fund-raising Trad Concert at 8pm followed by a Céilí at 10pm and a Disco afterwards at Ruby’s Nightclub, Fealesbridge, on this Saturday night, March 10th from which all the proceeds will go to the Josh Keane Fund.
Bridget Keane and Thomas O’Mahony hope to get their son Josh for treatment to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London in the near future. Your support would be greatly appreciated for this worthy cause.
St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society
The next meeting of St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will take place in the Sacristy on Monday next, 12th March, after 7.30pm Mass. All welcome.
Meeting
A meeting is being held at Donie’s Bar on Thursday, March 22nd at 9.30pm for a committee to be set up to hold a flapper meeting in Athea this year.
For more details call Liz 087 7477364 or Eamon 085 7260698
Households must have financial assistance
for upgrading septic tanks – Ferris
Commenting on the publication of the draft standards for septic tanks Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris said it is vital that households are promised full financial assistance when upgrading their septic tanks.
Sinn Féin is seeking an urgent meeting with Minister to clarify a number of important issues in the draft standards which have been put out for public consultation for the next four weeks.
Deputy Ferris confirmed that Sinn Féin will be making and publishing its own submission.
Speaking today Deputy Ferris said:
“While welcoming the long overdue publication of the septic tank standards, there are a number of key issues that need clarification. In seven pages there is no mention of financial assistance for upgrading of septic tanks.
“It is vital that households are promised full financial assistance when upgrading their septic tanks. Householders who simply cannot afford the cost to upgrade their septic tanks should not be dragged through the courts facing fines up to €5,000. Criminalising families is a bully boy tactic and doomed to failure.
“The minister must clarify whether he has discussed these standards with the EU Commission. He must also confirm whether or not he has the commission’s agreement that these standards conform with the EU Court of Justice ruling.
“Sinn Féin wants high standards for septic tanks and we are committed to protecting our water sources. While the standards are ambiguous, the operational requirements will prove difficult for many householders.
“Of particular concern are the requirements for the percolation areas, seepages and leaks. Upgrading septic tanks to meet these standards may prove costly and full financial assistance will ensure full compliance from the public.
“Householders should read and study these standards and to make submissions to the public consultation process. Sinn Féin has written to Minister Hogan seeking a meeting to discuss our concerns.”
Athea FCRs
The Athea Community First Responders would like to thank sincerely all who contributed to their Church gate collection last weekend. The total collected was €1,042.23.
The Irish Red Cross are holding a Practical First Aid course in Newcastlewest, starting on Tuesday 13th March from 8-10pm for 6 weeks.
For more details and to put your name in, please contact Ger on 087 2324740.
This course is open to all members of the public.