News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

Meath

A heartless thief who struck at a fundraiser in Kells has stolen vital funds from local children with Down's Syndrome.

The Louth-Meath branch of Down's Syndrome Ireland has been devastated by the theft of the funding in the run-up to Christmas, saying it cannot believe that someone would sink so low.

"That somebody would steal from children with Down's Syndrome defies belief. This is a major blow to our organization," said Alva Cullen, one of the organizers of the 'Glam Up For Downs' event which took place in the Headfort Arms Hotel, Kells, and which was a fundraiser for the charity. The event raised €1,570 to help finance the branch's early intervention home teacher program in Meath and Louth.

However, an additional €400 to €600, which was raised on the night, was stolen by the cold-hearted thieves.

Ms Cullen, who organized the event with Sarah Butcher, said they have been deeply upset by the theft. "I am particularly upset as I organized this event to help fund the home teacher service which my four year-old daughter uses. This is a service solely funded by the Louth-Meath branch and is key to Sorcha's development," she said.
(Source: The Meath Chronicle)

Monaghan

A Co Monaghan man was cleared of having explosives by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin last week.

The court ruled last week that a statement made by the accused, allegedly admitting possession of the explosives, was not admissible in evidence.

The non-jury court ruled that investigating gardaí failed to follow proper procedure when questioning Martin Connolly (aged 26) as to his alleged possession of an explosive substance and that a statement given and interviews conducted on this basis were unlawful.

Mr Connolly, of Mullantimore, Tydavnet, Co Monaghan had pleaded not guilty to knowingly having in his possession a Novital Magnum electric cereal mill and ammonium nitrate at his home between September 8 and 11, 2010.

Prosecuting counsel Mr Tom O' Connell SC said that he was offering no further evidence in the case. Connolly's counsel, Mr Brendan Grehan SC, then applied for his client to be found not guilty.
(Source: Irish Times)

Offaly

The Prison Service Escort Corps and Offaly county council are investigating how a prison truck got stuck under an aqueduct, holding up traffic for almost an hour.

It’s understood there were two passengers on board the vehicle which was coming from Edenderry District Court when it wedged under the aquaduct a mile and a half outside the town on the Rathangan Road as it headed for the Midlands prison.

There is one sign for traffic turning from a dangerous bend onto the Rathangan Road, but it was facing the wrong way last week. There is no sign near or on the aquaduct on the Edenderry side.

As trafffic approaches the aquaduct from Rathangan, there is a sign 200m away and another on the aquaduct itself, showing the 2.8m restriction.

Charlie McCarthy, Offaly County Council’s Senior Engineer says there should be adequate signage but the local area engineer will investigate and any signs that have been removed or tampered with will be replaced.
(Source: Offaly Express)

​
Nster.com