Ireland's Eye: What's going on in the old sod this week

A look at news from around Ireland

VFI president Gerry Mellett has led calls for a national debate on the issue, saying that many older men living alone in rural areas are being turned into "prisoners in their own homes."

"I am not saying the pub is the only social outlet, but for many it is a vital one. The impact of these drunk driving rules has been to rip the heart out of rural Ireland and as more pubs close every day, this will only get worse," said Mellett.

"We are not in favor of drunk driving and we feel this stricter legislation will only lead to fear and more rural isolation," he added.
- The Corkman

Shocking Dog Abuse

A dog found in Bray with its tongue ripped out and other severe wounds had to be put to sleep last week after being discovered in the town.

“Our inspector collected this dog in Bray and the animal was immediately brought to the vet,” said a spokesman for Wicklow SPCA, Sharpeshill.

“On veterinary inspection the dog had severe wounds and was without his tongue.  The poor dog was beyond help and he was relieved of his suffering.”

SPCA inspector TJ Myron said that the wounded animal had more than likely been attacked by another dog, but that this would never have happened if he had been properly looked after in the first place.
“He was probably a stray, he was pretty thin,” said Myron. “It doesn't take much to feed and look after a dog.”

The dog was found in the DART station area of Bray and staff helped the inspector to rescue him.  However, there was nothing that could be done to save the stricken dog.

“I can't believe what I am seeing,” said one local animal lover. “Who the hell could do this to a poor defenseless animal? Thank God this poor dog won't suffer any more. I just hope whoever did this is caught and pays for what they have done.”
- Bray People

Pot Grower Busted

AN unemployed wood worker who grew cannabis gave away supplies of the drug without looking for payment, Judge Gerard Haughton was told.

The case of 59-year-old James Redmond dated back to a Garda search of his home at Moneydurtlow in Ferns last February 10.  Officers were brought by the defendant to an outhouse that had been converted to allow cultivation of cannabis.

The building had been insulated and fitted out with strong lights and fans to grow seven plants. In another room, plants were being propagated and a quantity of cannabis herb was seized. The value of the mature plants was put at €1,200 and the herb was worth €500, the court was informed.

Haughton also took account of the fact that the accused had a previous conviction for cultivation of cannabis, dating back to 2008.

Defending solicitor John O’Leary said that his client could not have been more cooperative when the Gardai called. Redmond suffered from depression and found his home-grown remedy more effective than Prozac, said the solicitor.

He had given quantities of the drug to a man who was confined to a wheelchair to deal with pain, without charge. He also gave away some of his crop to a manic depressive.

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Nster.com