- Edition dated Tuesday, 1st May, 2007 -

Ruth Scott has done it again! The Roscommon woman is through to the next round of Celebrity Jigs 'n' Reels despite the fact that she suffered a major set back in that she severly damaged ligaments in her knee and and suffered immense pain for all of the day of the show. Speaking to the Champion, Ruth said that she was thrilled to make it through to the next round. Ruth is pictured here with her dancing partner Glen at St. Mary's N.S., Roscommon during a visit on Friday last. To keep Ruth in the competition text VOTE RUTH to 53600 or call 1513717110. The show is broadcast live on RTE1 on Subday at 6.30pm. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin

O'Brien's Pharmacy, Rose of Roscommon Gala Selection 2007
CASTLEREA girl Yvonne Devine was crowned the O'Brien's Pharmacy, Roscommon Rose of Tralee 2007 on Saturday last at the Castle Suite, O'Gara's Royal Hotel, Roscommon.
The judges, Emir Houlihan Doyle, former Miss Ireland, Majella Hunt, director of services in Roscommon County Council and Veronica Finn, make-up artist to the stars, had a difficult, unenviable task.
But 21-year-old Yvonne, a final year student of European Studies at the University of Limerick, will now go on to fly the flag for the county in the regional finals, Tralee between Jun 1st and June 3rd.
Yvonne, sponsored by Goldens newsagency in Roscommon, wore a beautiful print dress all the way from Crete and impressed the audience with her remarks in fluent French.
On winning the Roscommon Rose of Tralee 2007 selection, Yvonne won many prizes donated by the generous sponsors of the competition, who are collectively known as "Friends of the Rose of Roscommon", in association with Paddy Sweeney of Mother Hubbard's.
Included was a cash prize of _1000, a crystal trophy, designer shoes, a selection of Newbridge jewellery and a beautiful gown.
Guest of honor for the night was Kathryn Feeney, reigning Rose of Tralee for 2006, from Queensland, Australia. Last year's Rose of Roscommon, Michelle Brady was also in attendance.
Anthony O'Gara, chief executive of the Rose of Tralee organization, spoke of the Rose of Roscommon as being one of the best events in the Rose of Tralee as a whole and commended and thanked the committee, sponsors and participants.
This, the third year of the Roscommon Rose of Tralee, was a complete sell out, the committee and organisers of the event building on previous successes to maintain a high standard and once again provide a spectacular evening of entertainment and fun.
It would not have been possible without the help and support from the many sponsors and special thanks were given to all the businesses and individuals' kind enough to participate and help fund the event.
Two fantastic charities benefited from the night; the Special Olympics Support on Athlete' campaign and ASSIST Suicide Awareness programme.

Rossie race day a phenomenal success
The first ever Roscommon GAA fund-raising race day was held at Punchestown Racecourse on Thursday 26th April. The event saw around 1100 Rossies troop in colour and gusto to the hallowed racing turf in Kildare amid beautiful sunshine.
Michael McGuire, County Board Chairman of Roscommon GAA hailed the day as "a phenomenal success for a first attempt".
There were more than a few winners on the day with one table scooping a huge win by backing a winning horse at 40-1.
It is expected that the event will have earned the GAA in the region of 100,000 euro once all fundraising activities have been accounted for.
A huge thank must be extended to the sponsor of the event, Dundrum Shopping Centre without whom the day wouldn't have been such an amazing success.
Chairman Michael McGuire has confirmed that the motions have already been set in place for a similar race day on the same day next year.

Probe called for after another Boyle project is refused
AN Bord Pleanala's refusal to grant planning permission to the multi-million Doon Shore Hotel development in Boyle has been met locally with widespread shock and anger. One prominent politician has now called for an investigation into planning decisions which he argues may be biased against Roscommon development.
The politician in question, local Senator Frank Feighan, said he and the people of the area were devastated that the 120-bed hotel and spa project on the shores of Lough Key had been rejected.
"It beggars belief they have turned down the proposal once again. I am the chairman of the ¤10 million Lough Key Forest park development and we are due to open our gates to over 2000 visitors later this year," he said.
"This proposal was refused for fear of injuring the visual amenities in the area but I firmly believe that the development of the area and maintenance of the scenery can co-exist. This is the third hotel proposal that An Bord Pleanála have refused in the past year in the town and because of that Boyle does not have the tourist infrastructure to deal with any influx of expected tourism in the area once the summer comes.
"An investigation should be launched into the continuing harmful actions of An Bord Pleanála to see whether there is an anti-Roscommon vibe in the organisation," said Senator Feighan.
Deputy John Ellis Fianna Fail has also come out and expressed his concern at the decsion, saying "it is yet another blow inflicted on tourism in North Roscommon"
"The rejection is one thing but it was the manner in which this project has been processed by An Bord Pleanála that has been absolutely disgraceful. The promoters have had considerable outlay which coupled with the inexplicable delay has made this a very costly and wasted exercise".
Before the decision was made yesterday (Monday), Mayor of Roscommon Charlie Hopkins said at last week's meeting that "if the project is needlessly rejected once again then the case should be take straight to the gates of An Bord Pleanála in Dublin".
The long awaited decision not to allow the project for the Boyle area to go ahead was made this morning. This is the 14th in the latest string of delays and deferrals involving An Bord Pleanála .
The proposed development had been appealed to An Bord Pleanála by An Taisce and a local resident last August when a submission was made by the Heritage Council with the backing of a number of local residents. Since then, the decision had been due to be heard several times this year, but was deferred each time.
The company who had planned the investment, Dalgate Court Ltd had originally sought planning for 72 holiday homes but Roscommon County Council granted permission for the construction of only 50 holiday homes at the site.
Permission was also granted for the construction of a 14,500 square feet two-storey over basement, split-level commercial building, which would incorporate two bars, two restaurants, and a shop.
The holiday complex plans include the construction of a single storey conference centre, comprising of two conference rooms, a single storey state of the art leisure centre, two tennis courts, activity area and 190 car parking spaces.
The grant of planning permission would also allow for the decommissioning of existing septic tanks currently serving the eight existing holiday homes and for the provision of a new foul drainage system to be connected to the existing Deerpark Group Sewerage Scheme. Modifications would also be made to the existing road access points off the county road to Ballyfarnon (LR 96) and the upgrading of the existing minor road, which connects the county road with the lakeshore.
The total gross floor area of the proposed scheme amounts to over 143,000 square feet.
The refusal for the project was made primarily on the grounds that it would "seriously injure the visual amenities of Lough Key Forest Park and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."

O'Brien's Pharmacy, Rose of Roscommon Gala Selection 2007
CASTLEREA girl Yvonne Devine was crowned the O'Brien's Pharmacy, Roscommon Rose of Tralee 2007 on Saturday last at the Castle Suite, O'Gara's Royal Hotel, Roscommon.
The judges, Emir Houlihan Doyle, former Miss Ireland, Majella Hunt, director of services in Roscommon County Council and Veronica Finn, make-up artist to the stars, had a difficult, unenviable task.
But 21-year-old Yvonne, a final year student of European Studies at the University of Limerick, will now go on to fly the flag for the county in the regional finals, Tralee between Jun 1st and June 3rd.
Yvonne, sponsored by Goldens newsagency in Roscommon, wore a beautiful print dress all the way from Crete and impressed the audience with her remarks in fluent French.
On winning the Roscommon Rose of Tralee 2007 selection, Yvonne won many prizes donated by the generous sponsors of the competition, who are collectively known as "Friends of the Rose of Roscommon", in association with Paddy Sweeney of Mother Hubbard's.
Included was a cash prize of _1000, a crystal trophy, designer shoes, a selection of Newbridge jewellery and a beautiful gown.
Guest of honor for the night was Kathryn Feeney, reigning Rose of Tralee for 2006, from Queensland, Australia. Last year's Rose of Roscommon, Michelle Brady was also in attendance.
Anthony O'Gara, chief executive of the Rose of Tralee organization, spoke of the Rose of Roscommon as being one of the best events in the Rose of Tralee as a whole and commended and thanked the committee, sponsors and participants.
This, the third year of the Roscommon Rose of Tralee, was a complete sell out, the committee and organisers of the event building on previous successes to maintain a high standard and once again provide a spectacular evening of entertainment and fun.
It would not have been possible without the help and support from the many sponsors and special thanks were given to all the businesses and individuals' kind enough to participate and help fund the event.
Two fantastic charities benefited from the night; the Special Olympics Support on Athlete' campaign and ASSIST Suicide Awareness programme.