Mayo Society
2008 Annual Charity Banquet and Ball
September
27th, 2008
By J.C. Sullivan Once again, the
venue for the Ball was the stylishly comfortable Embassy Suites Hotel,
Independence, Ohio. The Ball this year was in honor of a
dear friend of many, Mr. Stephen L. Mulloy, R.I.P., who was lost from us
on June 29th. Steve helped establish the Mayo Society of Greater
Cleveland, and left a huge legacy in north east Ohio, particularly in the Irish
community and with the Laborer’s Union Local 310. A true Mayo man, who came
from a tiny village, Keel, on Achill Island, County Mayo, was instrumental in
raising thousands of dollars for charitable causes on both sides of the Atlantic
Ocean. The Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland hopes to continue this tradition
and aims to raise $25,000 for Mayo causes around the world.
The Guest of
Honor this year from Ireland was Mr. Jim Higgins, Member of the European
Parliament. You cannot call him a guy who likes to make waves...he just does.
Mr. Higgins has represented the North-West Constituency (which includes County
Mayo) in the European Parliament since 2004 and has built a reputation as a
no-fear Irish citizen. "I am honored and proud to have been elected by the
people of the North-West Constituency to represent them in the European
Parliament".
In 1987, Mr.
Higgins was elected to the Dáil (Irish government) to serve the people of Mayo
in North-West Ireland. He was appointed Fine Gael's spokesman on Justice,
Equality and Law where he brought to the Dáil's attention the 'Sheedy Affair'.
This led to the forced resignation of judges from the High Court and the Supreme
Court. For over two years, he brought to the Dáil the case of the extended
McBrearty family, who were wrongly accused of murder. He raised allegations of
Garda (police) corruption in County Donegal, which led to the establishment of
the ongoing Morris Tribunal of Inquiry.
Higgins was
also responsible for bringing before the Dáil a £30 million overspend by the
state transport company, Iarnród Éireann, on a safety signal system. His
actions led to the establishment of an all-party parliamentary inquiry. He is a
former community school teacher.
Guests
from Achill and elsewhere in the West of Ireland included members of the Mayo
County Council; staff from The Mayo News newspaper; and staff from
businesses located on Achill Island.
Sullivan is a member of the Mayo Society and has been a frequent contributor to a
number of publications at home and abroad. His website can be visited at
www.geocities.com/osuileabhain2000/Index.htm
