News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

Liam Clince (28) of Killanne, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, fell "head over heels" in love with the girl but got involved in a heated argument with her over certain " social exploits" the previous week.

While in an emotional state and driving along a quayside he threatened to put both of them "at the bottom of the river", the court heard.

He pleaded guilty to threatening to kill WIT student Margaret Birmingham on two occasions at Ballycraddock, Dunhill, Co. Waterford, and at Kennedy Quay, in Cork, and falsely imprisoning her at Smoormor, Co. Waterford, on November 8, 2010.

The DPP indicated summary disposal of the case in the District Court on a guilty plea only.

The court was told by Inspector Anthony Lonergan that the defendant collected Ms. Margaret Birmingham at a pub in Fenor, near Tramore in Co. Waterford, at approx 8.30 pm on the evening of November 8, 2010. He brought her to Ballycraddock, Dunhill where he stopped-up in a lane and pulled her out and pushed her against the car. Then he got a wheel brace and banged it against the vehicle.

The woman ran up the lane but he followed and caught her and brought her back to the car and they drove towards Dungarvan and then onto Cork.

During the ordeal which lasted several hours she fell asleep in the car and woke up to see a sign indicating the Port of Cork.

As the car travelled along the quay the defendant told her that he would put both of them "at the bottom of the river".

But following a phone conversation with his mother he brought Ms. Birmingham home. The defendant had no previous convictions.

Solicitor Ken Cunningham, defending, said the incidents on the evening in question arose out of " affairs of the heart" that went terribly wrong.

At that time he was under enormous financial stress.
(Source: Wexford People)

Wicklow

Illegal deer lampers came close to accidentally shooting a Wicklow motorist.

The incident occurred last Tuesday night around 8.15p.m. when Shillelagh man Mick Dunbar was driving through the village.

The bullet ripped through his jeep missing his head by mere inches. He believes that poachers were illegally deer hunting in the nearby woodland and that they might not even know the bullet went astray. 'I heard an unmerciful whistling noise so I pulled over the jeep to see what was wrong. It was only then that I saw the hole in both sides. It looks like a hollow point bullet was used which people use to kill deer. It's totally illegal and has to stop. I could have been on my way to the morgue if that bullet had been a few inches closer,' he said.

Local Gardaí are investigating the matter and have appealed for anyone who is out legally shooting in the area to be vigilant. ' This appears to be an accidental incident however we appeal to people to be sure of safety practices and be aware of their surroundings. Anyone who is aware of illegal activity should inform Gardaí.'
(Source: The Wicklow People)

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