Census indicates depopulation in the west

Preliminary indications from this year's national Irish Census has shown a staggering population decrease in north west Mayo.

This area of the county which covers 40% of the land is home to only 20% of the people who live in Mayo.

That makes it the only part of Ireland to have run into a demographical crisis during the years of Ireland's Celtic Tiger economic boom times.

It's believed the depopulation has been caused by a drift away towards more prosperous Dublin and its surrounding eastern seaboard.

Overall, Mayo recorded a relatively healthy population increase of a little under 6,000 but experts are predicting that the north western area of the county will be totally deserted in a matter of decades if the decline continues.

Independent local TD for Mayo Dr Jerry Crowley has blamed the Government in part for failing to deliver proper services to the region.