News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

A look at what is happening around Ireland

LONGFORD

Three men involved in a fracas along Longford Town’s Ballymahon Street on New Year’s Eve appeared before a special sitting of Longford District Court on New Year’s Day, charged under the Public Order and Firearms and Offensive Weapons Acts.

The three men, two of whom are from Longford and the third with a north Dublin address, were among a group of approximately 10 people who became involved in the row at a licensed premises along the town’s main thoroughfare at 10:55 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. The Leader understands that a number of golf clubs were also used and Gardaí (police) are describing the altercation as “a serious incident.”
[Source: Longford Leader]

LOUTH

A Good Samaritan saved Christmas for an elderly man while driving home during the Christmas season.

Niall McEvoy was dropping a friend home to Faughart when he spotted an elderly man in his 70s standing at the Newry Bridge on the Dundalk bypass.

On his way back from Faughart, Niall noticed the man standing in the same spot with a jacket over his head.

Becoming worried at this point, Niall turned around in his car and went back to see if the man wanted a lift.
It turned out that the man had alzheimer’s and was lost. Niall alerted gardai and they made sure he got home safely.
[Source: Dundalk Democrat]

Mayo

John and Teresa Connor, a Tooreen couple, are the first Mayo people to have their names on the surface of Mars. Not only that, but their photos have circled the earth numerous times on board the N.A.S.A. Endeavor Mission.

John’s abiding interest in space exploration is behind this amazing story. He was checking the N.A.S.A. website one night when he spotted a notice asking anyone who wanted to have their names put on board the space mission to Mars to forward it to them at headquarters.

“Teresa and I decided there and then that we would forward our names to them for inclusion in the historic project,” says John. “We both got a certificate back stating – ‘John and Teresa Connor - John Connor: You are part of history.  Your name will be carried to Mars on a microchip carried by N.A.S.A.’s Science Laboratory Rover.”
[Source: The Mayo News]

MEATH

A young Irish sportswoman viciously attacked in New York will have to undergo further surgery this month.

Alisha Jordan (21) was hit in the face with a concrete block in a random attack by a man on the street last July.

The Irish woman's skull was broken and she suffered a broken nose, a broken cheekbone, and several broken teeth in the unprovoked late-night attack.

The young victim has needed a series of operations to repair severe facial injuries and had to have a metal plate inserted into the front of her skull.

Alisha, a native of Skryne, County Meath, was a star footballer for the Meath county team.
[Source: Evening Herald]

MONAGHAN

A new suspect is being questioned by murder squad detectives investigating the death of Monaghan teenager Jason McGovern, it was disclosed last Thursday.

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Nster.com