News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

ANTRIM

Local residents looked on in horror as eight animals were killed when a cargo of 100 pigs overturned causing carnage in Cullybackey.

The distressing scenes unfolded on a recent Friday morning after the lorry carrying the pigs hit an electrical pole and flipped over on to its side on the Main Street.

Some of the pigs died instantly while others had to be destroyed after getting trapped beneath of the vehicle. Others scattered around neighboring gardens and were eventually rounded up.

Fortunately the incident happened at half-term, otherwise many children are likely to have witnessed the scenes.

Local resident Maureen Blaney said: “My friend said there was a terrible mess in the Main Street, and I felt that sorry for the wee pigs, if I thought they were going to be slaughtered, I could of brought one up home on a wee chain."

(Source: Ballymena Guardian)

ARMAGH

Residents in Armagh are being urged to put a spring in their step and avail of various initiatives that have been organized during March by Armagh City and District Council to improve health.

As part of a new project, everyone living in the district is being offered an exciting opportunity to get involved in a groundbreaking healthy living initiative called “Give it a Go!”

The aim is to encourage everyone living in the area to get active, eat well and ultimately feel good at every age.

Among the activities planned are supermarket tours to help understand food labels, walks and kids' hip-hop classes, as well as sessions on how to grow your own salad bowl.

All of these specially organized activities are free and will take place throughout the area.

Gerry Bleakney, head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement with the PHA in the Southern Area, said, “Around three in five adults in Northern Ireland weigh more than is good for their health.”

(Source: Ulster Gazette)

CARLOW

A shocking statement from Gardaí in the Carlow/Kilkenny division revealed that they receive almost one call a day in relation to domestic violence, with alcohol believed to be a big factor in most cases.

Supt. Mick Nevin told a public meeting of the Kilkenny Joint Policing Committee that 311 reports of domestic violence had been received last year. Not all calls resulted in prosecution, but Nevin was quick to point out that each one represented a person who felt the need to contact Garda in relation to an incident.

Various women's refuges in the area, such as Carlow Women's Aid and The Amber Women's refuge in Kilkenny have also experienced a large demand for their services.

A spokesperson for the Amber Refuge said that the refuge is full a lot of the time, but a woman in need will never be turned away and through the Safe Ireland Network, they will find them a bed in a refuge somewhere.

(Source: Carlow People)

CAVAN

GAA clubs in west Cavan have been ravaged by emigration, with four unlikely to field a second team this season, “The Anglo-Celt” can reveal.

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Nster.com