News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

Although the victims’ names weren’t officially released until late Sunday, by Saturday evening the identities of the dead young people were known throughout the community, especially among the younger group to which they belonged.

Claudia was born in Cuba but her family has lived at Hill Crest, Kilcullen, for several years and she had attended CPC for six years.
(Source: The Kildare Nationalist)

Kilkenny

“Not on my watch.”

This was the response by Chief Supt Mick McGarry when asked whether any rural Garda stations in Co Kilkenny would be closed due to nationwide cost-cutting measures.

Speaking at a meeting of Kilkenny County Council’s joint policing committee, he said he had been asked to draft a report for Carlow/ Kilkenny about any Garda stations that could potentially be closed down in 2012.

“Not on my watch will they close,” he said in response to a query from Cllr Sean Treacy (FF).
However, asked by Cllr Maurice Shortall (Lab) whether any progress had been made in extending cover in Castlecomer to 24-hour, he said the possibility was unlikely at present.

In the current climate, Chief Supt McGarry said, “it is very difficult to advance on where we are today. Our resources have certainly thinned out ... and we are fighting to maintain what we have.”
(Source: Kilkenny People)

Laois

The Portlaoise drugs trade is understood to be at the centre of a Garda investigation into the early morning shooting in Portlaoise last Tuesday.

In what Gardai believe may represent a major escalation in drug crime in Portlaoise, a local man in his 30s was shot in the hallway of his own home between 8.30am and 9am. The victim’s partner and young child were in the house at Hepburn Court at the time.

The intruder demanded money and, during the confrontation, one shot was fired into the man’s thigh by the masked gunman. A second shot may have been discharged but gardai have only recovered one casing from the scene.

Gardai would not comment directly on the motive for the attack but the link with the drug trade is the main line of inquiry. It is not believed that the gunman was local and Gardai are also working on the theory that the attack may result from a dispute over drug money.

As of last Friday the victim was still receiving treatment in hospital. While he has spoken to gardai, he has yet to make any formal complaint that would lead to the indentification of the attacker.
(Source: Leinster Express)

Leitrim

Gardai have announced a man in his 30’s has been arrested in connection to the house fire in Boyle that claimed the life of five year old Marie Keane Connolly.

Gardai investigating the fatal house fire in Boyle on October 3 believe that the fire was started maliciously. They have arrested a male in his 30’s in the Sligo area.

The male is currently being detained at Boyle Garda Station under the Provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
(Source: Leitrim Observer)

​
Nster.com