Concern has been raised once again over a bridge in north Sligo that been deemed too narrow for traffic.

The bridge, located at River Walk in Drumcliffe, is said to be an ongoing health and safety issue for all road users in the area.

There are renewed calls for action from Sligo County Council.

Sinn Féin Councillor Thomas Healy is calling on the local authority to carry out a safety review and has been outlining how the issue is impacting the local community:

Sligo County Council is under pressure to carry out a business interruption survey with business owners in Strandhill over proposed works for the area.

The enhancement works may lead to a reduction in car parking spaces at the shore front which has sparked major concern among the local business community there.

The Council says while the promised survey has not yet taken place, it does intend to engage with business owners in time.

Local Fianna Fail Cllr Tom MacSharry says it's imperative that that happens as he believes that the potential move would have a negative impact on Strandhill:

Post-mortem examinations on the bodies of the two men killed in the Sligo Rally crash have taken place and two separate investigations are continuing.

35 year old Gene McDonald, and 46 year old Daire Maguire died instantly when their car crashed into a wall during the Sligo stages event on Sunday .

Motorsport Ireland and Gardaí are conducting investigations into the tragedy.

Aontu Councillor for Cavan Sarah O'Reilly says Mr.McDonald was well known to her:

There are calls to turn the Gate Lodge in Sligo cemetery into a memorial centre.

It's thought that the centre would provide valuable information on older graves within the cemetery and a map of where people are buried.

Sligo County Council has confirmed that funding has been sought to carry out some conservation works on the building while plans are also afoot to extend Sligo cemetery itself.

Local People before Profit Cllr Gino O'Boyle believes it'll be worthwhile exploring more funding avenues to see if a memorial centre can be established:

The streetscape of Sligo has been 'destroyed' with chewing gum.

That's according to Fianna Fail Rosaleen O'Grady who's calling for an increase in removal and clean-up operations by Sligo County Council.

Wine Street has been deemed as an area in need of particular attention.

The Council says that periodic cleaning does take place but that the budget is not available to extend such works.

Cllr O'Grady says it has been done more frequently in the past and other funding avenues should be explored:

Uisce Eireann has been accused of holding the people of Donegal to ransom over red tape with planning regulations.

Problems are said to be arising with a large number of planning applications where people are being refused because of what's been described as stringent rules by Uisce Eireann with regards to water connections.

The utility is due to take over water services at Donegal County Council from September which has led to major fears that that extra responsibility will ultimately make matters worse.

Fianna Fail Cllr Michael Naughton who wants a special meeting held, says Uisce Eireann can't be allowed to dictate how the region is developed:

There are genuine fears in Drumshanbo that some homes and businesses may be hit by flooding due to storm drains being blocked in the town.

It's understood that some of the drains are not being cleaned out frequently enough, leading to concern that they won't be able to cope in the event of heavy rainfall.

 

It has led to pressure on Leitrim County Council to carry out a major clean-up operation.

Local Cllr Enda McGloin says due to climate change, the issue is no longer confined to the winter months and something urgently needs to be done to ensure the community is not impacted:

There's further warnings that a return of the 13.5% VAT rate will be a major blow for the hospitality industry in the North West.

There's concern for the potential closure of the both hospitality and hairdressing businesses unless the 9 per cent VAT rate is continued.

Insolvency rates in the hospitality sector have increased by over 200 percent.

There have been a number of extensions to the reduced VAT rate however it is expected to return to 13.5% in September

Donegal Chair of the Irish Hotels Federation Paul Diver says that would be bad news for the industry:

It's thought that the growing population of Kinlough warrants the need for Primary Care centre to be established there.

Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, Justin Warnock used this month's Manorhamilton MD meeting of the local authority to repeat his calls for such a facility that he claims would ease the pressure on the A&E at Sligo University Hospital.

The facility would also provide nursing home care for local residents.

Cllr Warnock says it's time that infrastructure was put in place to match the population of one of Leitrim's fastest-growing towns:

Frustration is said to be growing among the community of Teelin over slow progress on getting some badly needed facilities in and around the pier.

While it's a busy area, catering to both local and tourists, there's concern that the current car park needs some attention while there is only one portable toilet available.

The road down to the pier is also said to be too narrow to accommodate motorists.

Local Independent Cllr Niamh Kennedy says there's great plans for the area but there needs to be enthusiasm on the part of Donegal County Council: