News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

Roscommon

Campaigners welcomed the unanimous decision of Roscommon County Council calling for a ban on the method of shale gas extraction known as “fracking” in the county.

A motion calling for the ban and urging Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte to accede to the wishes of councilors of all parties was passed following a presentation last week from the north Roscommon-based Ardcarne Community against Fracking group. Mayor of Roscommon Eugene Murphy said he believed Roscommon was the first county council to call for such a ban. He said the council had invited representatives from Tamboran Resources, one of two companies granted licenses to carry out preliminary exploration in the Lough Allen basin, to address its February meeting.

“We hope when they see that 26 members of the council from all parties voted for a ban that they will realize how strongly we feel.”
(Source: Irish Times)

Sligo

A man charged with the theft of two ladies handbags and two scarves from Penneys was said to have suffered skull trauma as a result of a boxing career in his native Poland, Sligo District Court was told.

Summoned for theft of the items, valued at €45 at Penneys, O'connell Street on September 5th last was Robert Detka, 18 Avondale. He had previous convictions for theft, said Inspector Donal Sweeney.

Mr. Mark Mullaney, solicitor (defending), pleaded that Detka had suffered skull trauma from a career in boxing in Poland and a medical report outlining this was handed in to court. The defendant and his wife intended setting up a recycling business and had secured grant aid.

"I would ask that you give him one last chance," pleaded Mr. Mullaney.

Judge Kevin Kilrane imposed a three months sentence, suspended for two years.

"If you steal again you will go to prison," the Judge warned Detka.
(Source: The Sligo Champion)

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Tipperary

As Christmas, the season of goodwill, looms on the horizon, a total of 619 families in North Tipperary are seeking accommodation from North Tipperary County Council, with little or no prospect of any festive joy, The Tipperary Star can reveal.

The realities of the economic downturn are beginning to bite hard on cash strapped families and the local authority is having to bear the brunt of the hit with more and more applicants coming onto the housing list, year on year. A total of 224 applicants have been helped out already this year by the council with 86 having been housed through casual vacancies ( up from 44 in 2010); 25 housed in new or purchased properties; 6 housed in leased properties; 106 transferred to the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and two applicants granted housing loans.
(Source: Tipperary Star)

Tyrone

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Nster.com