Fianna Fail Councillor, John Paul Feeley has thanked member of the local community who have made arrangements to collect clothes and other items to be sent to the refugees now entering Europe as a result of the crisis in Syria and neighbouring countries. ‘A number of locals, most notably, Anita Maguire have organised collection times at a unit at Blacklion Enterprise Centre today, (Friday 11th Sept.) from 6pm to 8pm, tomorrow Saturday from 12 noon to 3pm and next week Monday to Friday from 6pm to 8pm. Items should only be brought to the collection point during those times.’ When asked by the organisers, Councillor Feeley made the necessary arrangements with Vincent Reynolds and his staff in Cavan County Enterprise Fund to have one of the units made available on a temporary basis for a period of three weeks, for the collection and storage of items donated. ‘I want to thank Vincent Reynolds and the Enterprise Fund for their prompt assistance in making this happen. Everyone has to be touched by the scenes of thousand of people fleeing a war-torn country like Syria and arriving by whatever means to Europe. It is for the ‘powers-that-be’ to deal with the big issues but this initiative allows ordinary people to help and show some solidarity with the victims of the horrific violence in the Middle-East.’ Concluding, Councillor Feeley urged people to keep an eye on Facebook regarding collection times and to cooperate with the organisers of the collection. As items are gathered, in conjunction with other groups the items will be transported to the refugee camps. ENDS
Category Archives: Press Releases
Government action needed on Liberty Redundancies – Feeley
‘Like everyone throughout our region I was hugely disappointed at the further job losses in Liberty Insurance. The reduction in employment numbers and the uncertain future of those employees who face ‘out-sourcing’ at the Enniskillen site is a source of uncertainty and anxiety for all. Of course the first priority are those who face redundancy. The relevant state agencies must step up to assist in every way possible. ‘In the first half of 2015 the IDA have only made one site visit to Cavan. We now have 115 highly skilled people about to be made redundant in Cavan. It is imperative that the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton TD, come to Cavan to set out what actions they propose to take to assist those facing redundancy and provide opportunities for job creation in County Cavan in the short term. In reality, since the first round of redundancies, there has been no real input from the State Agencies and it is beyond time that urgent intervention happen from the highest political level.’ ‘Already, Vincent Reynolds, Head of Enterprise, Cavan LEO and Eoin Doyle Director of Services have met with the Chief Executive of Liberty, Tom McIlduff and his colleague Dominic Finlay. Cavan County Council, through the Local Enterprise Office will work with anyone made redundant who might have any ideas of business start up. The door of the LEO is also open in terms of retraining and up-skilling opportunities.’ ENDS
Market House, Blacklion will provide new focus for Marble Arch Caves Geopark – Feeley
Fianna Fáil Councillor and Secretary of Killinagh Community Development Limited, John Paul Feeley has welcomed the completion of the extension to the Market House Blacklion to provide an Interpretative and Information Centre for the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark. The extension of the existing community building and gift shop to provide additional space, almost doubling the size of the building and providing detailed information panels, interactive displays and literature on the many sites in the UNESCO designated Geopark across counties Cavan and Fermanagh. ‘This project, substantially funded by Cavan-Monaghan LEADER, is an example of what can be achieved by partnership between Cavan county Council and a local community group such as Killinagh Community Development Ltd.’ The Market House was build in the c 1830 to allow local farmers sell their produce was used in the early years of the last century as a store but fell into disrepair as a result of the Troubles. The building was effectively rendered inaccessible by the construction of a permanent Army and Garda Checkpoint in the forecourt which was removed in or about 1992. Killinagh Community Council secured a long-term lease of ten years of the property and with the aid of funding from the IFI transformed the building from a derelict state to a community building with tourist information, gift shop and community space. ‘The development of the Geopark in recent years and the opening of the Cavan Burren Park last year has seen a huge increase in the number of visitors to this unique part of County Cavan. The provision of a dedicated interpretative centre in the Village of Blacklion, on the N16 and between the Marble Arch Caves and the Cavan Burren Park with information on all of the Geopark sites in Cavan and Fermanagh. The building was bought by Cavan County Council and leased back to Killinagh Community Development Limited who undertook the project to extend and transform the building.’ ‘This project is a key step in raising the standards for tourist to the Geopark. The partnership between the community, the Council, the funding agencies and the relationship between Cavan County Council, Fermanagh District Council and Coillte Teoranta and other agencies has proven vital for the progression of the Geopark. There is huge progress we can make in developing sustainable tourism in this region in the future. Notes Market House, Blacklion purchased by Cavan County Council in 2012. Leased for 25 years to Killinagh Community Development Limited for community use and for the promotion of tourism and local arts and craft with a particular focus on the promotion of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark Funding for the extension and fit out provided by Cavan County Council who also provided technical, design, planning and construction supervision. Primary funding from Cavan/Monaghan LEADER in the sum of € 123,000, Input from the local community and from Cavan County Council will bring the funding involved to approximately € 180,000
Feeley rules out addition to Fianna Fail General Election Ticket
Press Release ‘Feeley rules out addition to Fianna Fail General Election ticket’ The Constituency Committee of Fianna Fail are currently meeting with those who contested or were nominated to contest the recent convention for the Sligo Leitrim Constituency which includes a significant part of County Cavan and part of South Donegal. I have made clear to them my view that the strategy adopted at Convention was fundamentally wrong and now leaves the Party with no option but to add a third candidate. I have at all times made clear my view the there is the strong possibility of two seats in this constituency, but that is dependant on the right candidate strategy being two candidates located to sensibly divide this vast constituency. The Constituency Committee for whatever reason made a different determination and must now deal with the consequences. I have made clear from the time of the Convention that I believe the strategy deployed is flawed and that I do not wish to be considered by the Constituency Committee and the Ard Comhairle. The Party nationally has failed to take proper account of the views of the membership across the entire Constituency and seem focused solely on the old Sligo/North Leitrim Constituency. ENDS