News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

A couple walking on the shore saw the overturned boat in the water and called for help.

The Tramore RNLI launched their lifeboat within three minutes of receiving a call from the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre and were at the scene within eight minutes, with assistance also from the Sea Rescue boat.

The well-known man from Boat-strand, who was dressed in short pants and a t-shirt, was pulled from the water and despite feeling the effects of being in the cold water for an hour, did not need medical attention.

He had been fishing for mackerel when disaster struck and his fishing boat started to go down. Only the bow of the boat was over the surface of the water by the time the man was plucked from the water and brought ashore. The boat was towed back to shore by Sea Rescue.
(Source: Waterford News & Star)

Westmeath

Gardai are investigating a possible arson attack on a house in Brawny last week.

The fire broke out during the early hours of Friday, August 5. Athlone Fire and Rescue Service was called out to the house shortly before 3am and two units attended the scene for about an hour and a half.

Nobody was injured in the blaze, but a shed attached to the house was destroyed and extensive damage was caused to the kitchen.
(Source: Westmeath Independent)

Wexford

A man involved in a face-off with a judge walked free from the High Court on Friday.

Oliver Sludds admitted he was wrong to argue the judge could not hear his case unless first producing his oath of office.

Mr Sludds, of Tineshin, Kilmuckridge, Co Wexford, caused a stir at Wexford District Court last Wednesday when he challenged Judge David Anderson to produce his oath of office.

The 29-year-old quoted from the Constitution on the issue of judges' appointments before disputing the validity of the summons for his arrest, saying it was in the wrong name. He was in court to face a number of motoring offences.

Judge Anderson said he would not grant Mr Sludds bail as he could not accept a bail bond from someone whose signature could not be verified. He ordered the defendant be remanded in Cloverhill Prison in Dublin.

On Friday at the High Court, counsel for Mr Sludds, Colman Fitzgerald, said Judge Anderson had been wrong not to grant his client bail. He added his client accepted his argument to Judge Anderson was "misconceived".
(Source: The Irish Independent)

Wicklow

A Rathdrum man was shocked to discover a dead python while walking home from Arklow last week.

'I was walking along the coast road about a mile and a half outside Arklow when I saw the box and the dead snake inside. I thought it was fairly strange to see it dumped on the side of the road and in that sort of box,' explained Mark Browne.

'I reckon somebody left it there to die. I was concerned when the box was taped up so I opened it. It was full to the brim with bark mulch so I thought something might jump out at me. I think it is very cruel to leave it there like that,' Mr. Browne added.

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Nster.com