News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

Police are trying to solve the mystery of how a runaway raccoon more commonly seen on the beaches of South America has ended up in Co Fermanagh.

Rocky, as he has been nicknamed, was discovered last week on a farm in Derrylin.

He's a ring-tailed coati, which is a member of the raccoon family - and despite his cute looks and friendly demeanor he is classified as a dangerous wild animal.
(Source: UTV News)

Galway

Four out of 10 third level students in Galway said they knew someone who had been a victim of domestic violence in the most comprehensive study of its kind undertaken in the city.

But, with 87% of those surveyed believing that abuse would never happen to them, charities working with victims on the ground believe that there needs to be far greater awareness of the extent of the problem in the city.

Local charities have noticed a “significant increase” in the number of physical, emotional and sexual abuse cases in Galway since the onset of the recession and believe there is a long way to go before people realize the full extent of the problem.
(Source: GalwayBay Fm)

Kerry

An Irishman is still claiming disability benefits in the UK after winning over $16 million in the lottery.
Michael O’Shea, who grew up in Co.Kerry and resides in Nottingham, made headlines in October 2005 when he and his wife Jean won £10.2million on the Euro millions lotto jackpot.

Since becoming a millionaire overnight, the father of three has been paid almost $50,000 (£31,500) in disability benefit, the Daily Mail reports.

However the 72-year-old retired builder is doing nothing illegal, as the allowance is not means-tested.
"We've nothing to hide. I worked for 40 years and I'm entitled to it," O'Shea told The Sun newspaper.
When the lucky couple scooped the jackpot over six years ago, they told the media, “we’ll never be any different, no matter how much money we have.”
(Source: Irish Central)

Kildare

A Newbridge woman who opened her front door to a child who seemed to be “distressed and crying” was later horrified to discover that she had been the victim of a robbery.

The incident occurred at The Grange on Friday evening 3 February at around 7.45pm and, while the woman was at the door speaking to the child, her son came downstairs to find a man in the kitchen. The man then fled, taking a small amount of cash with him.
(Source: The Kildare Nationalist)

Kilkenny

An elaborate cannabis-growing operation was discovered by gardai in Freshford last Wednesday morning.

After a lengthy surveillance operation gardai from Waterford and Kilkenny swooped on the growhouse and seized an estimated €28,000 worth of cannabis plants.

The two-storey house was described as a ‘ cannabis cultivation factory’ by an investigating garda. The cannabis c facility together with sophisticated watering, heating and lighting systems were uncovered at a house in the rural, remote townsland of Scart in Freshford. A number of cannabis plants at various stages of maturity were discovered at the property.
(Source: Kilkenny People)

​
Nster.com