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October 2014 Issue 10 - Volume 15
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BALLINA
Free Professional Desig"
SLIGO FILM PRAISED BY U.S. ARCHBISHOP
24 PAGE HOUSE & HOME FEATURE
KNOCK AIRPORT EXCEEDS 100,000 PASSENGERS
Loan sharks prey on the vunerable By Kate Winter
The ravens among the reeds W
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This community led project invited actors, artists, and musicians from all over County Sligo, and beyond to get involved in what was a most memorable night. Continued on Page 2. Photograph by Peter Wilcock / Redback Photography
hile most people would balk at mention of Christmas coming so early in the year, there is one instance where it's important to mention the looming event. Budgeting is always difficult, in times of economic recovery, but it is people at the lowest end of the income bracket who tend to struggle the most in the lead-up to the festive season. And, unfortunately there are plenty of enterprising, legal and illegal lending businesses out there that will capitalise on this struggle. While for many years now there has been talk of a crackdown on the illegal lending trade, with Sligo councillor Marc MacSharry publishing a bill (which unfortunately wasn't passed) in 2013 to this end and countless others highlighting it as an area that needs to be addressed, we have seen very little action actually taken. Such individuals and gangs in society who prey on the poorest should surely be held accountable for their actions. As Senator MacSharry himself has said with regard to the matter, "We cannot afford to ignore the factors that are fuelling the loan shark business in Ireland. We need to get tough with those taking advantage of people in desperate financial difficulty" and further, that "We need to act and legislate for this as matter of urgency." Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of councillors like MacSharry, such legislation has not yet come into effect and the cycle looks set to continue with the increasing numbers of options for high-interest lending available in today's market. Continued on page 2
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