News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

A look at news from around Ireland

CORK
A pregnant single mother in Cork city is facing homelessness after her rent supplement was found to be $1.40 over the maximum weekly limit.

The woman, in her late 20s, didn’t wish to be named, but fears that she and her 14-month-old son will become homeless at the end of September after receiving a letter from the Department of Social Protection.

“My landlord won’t cut the rent anymore,” said Mary*, who lives in the Northside of the city.

“I have to find alternative accommodation before 29 September but I can’t afford a deposit and the first month's rent up front. Apart from a hostel I will have nowhere to live at all with my son. I wouldn't hassle friends or family which isn’t a solution.”
[Source: Cork Independent]

DERRY
Creggan was in mourning last Thursday week after a teenager from the estate drowned in the local reservoir.

A large scale search-and-recovery operation involving the Fire Service, Foyle Search and Rescue and the PSNI recovered the body of the victim, named locally as Conor McCafferty, in the early hours.

It is understood the young man attempted to swim across the 35 ft. deep reservoir but got into difficulties. A friend who attempted to go to his aid was rescued. Flares lit up the reservoir throughout the night as emergency services tried frantically to locate the victim.

At 6:30 a.m. that morning the body of the young man was retrieved from the water basin, as family and friends held an emotional vigil along its the banks.
[Source: Derry Journal]

DONEGAL
The post office in St. Johnston has been raided for the second time in a year.

The raid occurred at around 11 a.m. on Thursday when men entered the premises armed with baseball bats and demanded cash. They escaped with an undisclosed sum.

A number of cars are understood to have been damaged as the raiders made their escape towards Derry.
[Source: Donegal Democrat]

DOWN
Parts of Co Down were flooded by torrential rain with Down District Council declaring an emergency in the area last week. Newcastle SDLP councilor Carmel O'Boyle said flood water was "several feet deep" in some areas of the town.

Police said the Drumbanagher Road in Poyntzpass near Newry was closed due to the extreme weather. Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service rescued a woman from her car who was trapped in flood water on the Burrenbridge Road in Castlewellan, Co Down.
[Source: Belfast Telegraph]

DUBLIN
An Irish couple and their American friend were beaten in a savage attack just yards from Dail Eireann (Irish Parliament). The three pals were attacked and beaten by a three-man gang as they sat in Merrion Square. During the horror ordeal, the tourist had his head split open with a crutch while his male friend suffered a broken nose and fractured cheek bone as the gang punched and kicked him in the head. 

One of the gang was arrested after he was caught by a garda (police officer) who was near the scene, while the other two escaped.
[Source: Evening Herald]

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