News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

What's going on around Ireland

Extensive investigations by Clare gardaí (police) into suspected arson attacks and vandalism of Traveler accommodation are being hindered by a lack of information from residents in halting sites.

Gardaí have confirmed that only one person has been prosecuted for causing criminal damage to Traveler accommodation units in Ennis and Shannon following 10 incidents over the last three years.

A garda spokesman told The Clare Champion they found it extremely difficult to get any information in relation to these incidents, despite extensive door-to-door interviews of residents, forensic tests and public appeals for information.
[Source: Clare Champion]

CORK

There were angry scenes from anti-Household Charge campaigners at last Monday’s Cork City Council meeting after a motion calling on the City Manager not to pursue people through the courts was defeated.

The motion, put forward by Socialist Party Councilor Mick Barry and Worker's Party Councilor Ted Tynan, was debated at the end of the fortnightly meeting, Lord Mayor Terry Shannon's last in his term of office.

However, once the debate began, members of the campaign in the public gallery stood up en masse – forcing the Lord Mayor to address the members of the public on Chamber etiquette. One person shouted "Zieg Heil", during the Lord Mayor's comments.
[Source: Cork Independent]

DERRY

A judge has asked the press not to print the addresses of two men charged with importing mephedrone because he doesn’t think “those paramilitary thugs out there should get any more help than they already have.”

District Judge Barney McElholm made the request during a court appearance of Waterside men David Stuart Robinson and Craig Inglis.

Robinson (27) of Pennethorne Court and Inglis (23) of Kinsale Park are jointly charged with importing the class B drug.

They are also accused of conspiring to possess the drug with intent to supply and possessing Mephedrone with intent to supply.
[Source: Derry Journal]

DONEGAL

The twister that was photographed last Monday morning above Sliabh Sneacht was an exceptionally rare event, according to a meteorologist with Met Eireann.

Gerald Fleming told the Donegal Democrat that, even though the remarkable phenomenon was not technically a tornado because it didn’t touch down, it was still exceptional by any reckoning.

“What was particularly spectacular about this funnel cloud was that the winds were stronger higher up than they were lower down. That’s what gave it the long, coiling appearance.”
[Source: Donegal Democrat]

DOWN

The Green Party is encouraging people in North Down to join a club and grow their own food.

The party says planting fresh fruit vegetables makes for a great hobby and encourages community and social interaction.

Their newly-established Grow It Yourself (GYI) club is up and running now.
[Source: Belfast Telegraph]

DUBLIN

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Nster.com