News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

Our fortune teller's top ten predictions for 2012

---------------------

Carlow

Farmers staged a protest outside Iceland last week voicing their anger at the chain’s lack of support for Irish produce.



\Armed with placards, up to 60 farmers from across County Carlow picketed the supermarket, which opened on the Tullow Road last month.



Carlow IFA chairperson John Brennan said local farmers were voicing their disagreement at Iceland’s not supporting home-grown produce.



“We had a good turnout,” said Mr Brennan. “It was very peaceful and there was no engagement with anyone; we were just highlighting the facts.”



Mr Brennan said staff from Iceland did not approach the protesters, who stood outside the store for up to two hours.



He added that talks between Irish farmers and Iceland have not taken place as far as he is aware but pointed out that his members “are always open to talks”.



“Other than bread and crisps, we didn’t see any Irish produce on their shelves and we have to fight our corner; we have to keep Irish produce on the shelves.”



Mr Brennan pointed out that the agriculture sector employs more than 300,000 people in Ireland and supporting their jobs is essential.



“We need to get products on the shelves, we’d at least like to get a lookin, and I think the consumer is very aware of that.”

(Source: The Carlow Nationalist)

Cavan

The man killed in a suspected gas explosion in Australia, last week, has been named locally as Patrick Bird. 

The 24-year-old, who's originally from Bailieborough  in Cavan  died  when the van he was sitting in outside his house in Darwin, exploded.  



It's believed  the blast was caused by an over-heated gas cylinder, which was in the back of his vehicle. 



A keen GAA player, Patrick has been living in Australia for some time and worked as a refrigeration mechanic.



A full investigation into the incident is now underway.



Local Area Councillor Niamh Smith says its a very sad day for the family and the local community.

(Source: The Anglo Celt)

Clare

The Mid-West HSE has accepted that the level of absenteeism at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis is high, despite the implementation of all of its Managing Attendance Policy. These include referrals to occupational health, return-to-work interviews and certification of absence.


It is estimated that up to 15 nurses out of the hospital’s total complement of 133 nursing staff of all grades were out sick at the end of last September.


According to the HSE’s HealthStat Dashboard, Ennis hospital recorded a 12% absenteeism rate for nurses, about 1% of which is uncertified and about 2% is long-term, based on certified and uncertified leave only at the end of last September.


Overall, absenteeism in the hospital was 8% and it was also high for general support (8%) and other patient and client care (11%). This resulted in a red light for this category under the HealthStat performance indicator.

(Source: The Clare Champion)

​
Nster.com