Keith Bourke

1 week ago | westernpeople.ie | Keith Bourke

A leading Mayo estate agent believes it “could take years” before the impact of new nationwide rent controls is felt in the county. The Government announced last week that the existing rent controls for areas of high demand will be extended across the country. Rent pressure zones (RPZs) were introduced in 2016 to help control spiralling costs for tenants. Westport became the first RPZ in Mayo in 2023 followed by Castlebar which received the designation only in recent weeks.

1 week ago | westernpeople.ie | Keith Bourke

Councillors are frustrated that Mayo County Council had an underspend of up to €15 million in its 2024 budget when they are continually told there is no money in the coffers for projects. The council’s Director of Finance Peter Duggan delivered the annual financial statement at last week's meeting of the local authority. However, councillors were rankled by an email they received ahead of the meeting which detailed that €15m in the annual budget had not been spent last year.

1 week ago | westernpeople.ie | Keith Bourke

Mayo county councillors have expressed their frustration with the planning process. “What does a guy have to do, a lady have to do, a family have to do, to get planning permission in this county?” asked Independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne at last week's meeting. Cllr Kilcoyne cited a recent example where planning permission in a town was rejected because the applicants were 500 metres outside “this imaginary boundary”.

1 week ago | westernpeople.ie | Keith Bourke

It has been confirmed that a Crossmolina property is no longer being considered as a potential centre for international protection applicants. Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Loftus told a meeting of Mayo County Council that he received confirmation on the issue from Minister Dara Calleary.

1 week ago | westernpeople.ie | Keith Bourke

A young man is honouring his late Mayo grandmother’s memory and raising vital funds for lung cancer as he cycles over 3,600 miles across the United States. Jack Owens will ride his bicycle from San Francisco, California to Ocean City, New Jersey with a goal of raising $100,000 for Ride Hard Breathe Easy. He began his epic 47-day challenge on May 20 and hopes to complete the arduous effort on July 6.