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

A look at news from around Ireland

Child Sets North Pole Record
AN Irish endurance runner who traveled the globe running seven marathons in five days has secured another record -- his daughter has become the youngest person at the North Pole.

Richard Donovan flew eight-year-old Jaimie to temperatures of -26C to mark the 10th anniversary of a marathon he organizes inside the Arctic.

The youngster has broken a record -- by one day -- set by the daughter of British adventurer David Hempleman-Adams, Alicia, in 1998.

"It was cold and the helicopter was noisy," Jaimie said after arriving back on dry land. "I loved the North Pole and I want to go back."

Jaimie and her teddy bear were standing on the ice at 5:30 a.m. (GMT) on Sunday, April 1.
Donovan, who earlier this year created a new record of seven marathons on seven continents in less than five days, said his daughter took the experience in her stride.

"I decided to bring Jaimie and my wife Caroline this year as it was the 10th year of the race and they were long overdue a trip to see what I've been working hard to achieve for the last decade," he said.

"It was a simple coincidence that she seems to be the youngest to stand up there. I was just proud of her very good behavior and the fact she took the trip in her stride at her age, embracing the adventure."

According to Guinness World Records, Alicia Hempleman-Adams, born on November 8, 1989, stood at the geographic North Pole aged eight years and 173 days on May 1, 1998. She had also flown to the Pole to meet her father.

Based on the same calculations, Donovan's daughter, born on October 17, 2003, beat the record by one day. The Donovan family will have to apply to Guinness World Records to have the feat verified.

Limerick Leader

Fake Cop Alert
GARDAI (police) are warning people to be cautious about allowing strangers into their homes after two complaints in recent weeks.

They are investigating two alleged incidents in North Clare where a person claimed to be a garda detective in order to gain entry into private homes.

“There has been a complaint in the last week and there was a complaint a number of weeks ago where people called to the door pretending to be members of the Gardai. The person claimed to be a detective, dressed in plain clothes. These incidents may be connected,” said Inspector John O’Sullivan.

“We are warning people to be cautious, particularly in light of what has gone on in recent weeks in relation to the household charge where there were claims that people would be going from door to door to collect it.

“That has been knocked on the head but it wouldn’t necessarily stop an unscrupulous person trying it,” O’Sullivan stated.

“People living on their own should be especially wary because people involved in that kind of activity would target their potential victims, so they are less likely to call to where a person is in the company of others or younger people, who might be more alert to the dangers,” he continued.

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Nster.com