Stay of execution demanded for Mountbellew College

Mountbellew Community Centre was packed to capacity as 500 attended a support meeting on Monday night to demand that theFranciscanMountbellew Agricultural College remain open beyond the threatened closure in June 2010.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Paul Connaughton, who outlined the work by the Franciscan Brothers and College staff in the provision of agricultural education in Mountbellew since 1904 and that the closure of the college would leave the West of Ireland with no educational facility.

He called on all organisations and politicians to join forces to make sure the college was funded by Teagasc beyond 2010. Brother Michael Burke, Superior of the Franciscans in Mountbellew, denied any rumours that the brothers were pulling out of agricultural education and pledged the brother’s support and the facilities to agricultural education in the years ahead.

He spoke of the financial contribution of the brothers over the years and called on Teagasc to continue the funding for staff at the college.

College principal Tom Burke outlined the courses and opportunities for students in the college and the uncertainty for students currently in the college - some of them half way through their studies. He spoke of the workload of the staff who had seen retired colleagues not replaced. And he thanked the large attendance for their support.

The neglect of east Galway in investment was highlighted and the proposed closure of the college was a further erosion of investment in the west of Ireland. The role played by the Franciscans in the community was highlighted and the college closure was an attack on that community spirit.

The role of the I.F.A. and Macra on the Board of Teagasc who had voted to change the status of the Mountbellew College was criticised and even calls for refusal to pay membership were heard at the meeting.

The decision to close the college was described as lunacy at a time when young school leavers had no other option but to attend such third level colleges or go on the dole.

The meeting heard many calls for the decision of the Teagasc Board to be reversed and a deputation was chosen to attend meetings with Teagasc, the Minister for Finance and possibly the Minister for Education in the coming days.

See also page 27 of the Tribune