News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

Whats going on in your home county

Circus elephants currently based in Cork are undergoing blood and urine tests after a worker was crushed by one of the elephants last weekend. Spanish native Justino Munez was rushed to Cork University Hospital after a 2.5 ton elephant fell on him while he was cleaning out its pen at Courtney Brothers Circus. The owners of the circus believe there is a possibility that the elephant's food may have been tampered with, and tests are being done on the food to see if this is true. The worker was in a critical condition when Irish Central Community News went to press.
(Source: Cork Independent)

Derry

The spectacularly refurbished Artillery Chambers building has breathed fresh life into London Street. The process of renovating the 1870s structure, while still retaining its rich heritage, was far from easy. Even a ghost from Derry’s turbulent past turned up to slow down the work when builders made the grisly discovery of a skeleton dating from the time of the Great Siege of Derry.

Nevertheless, the end product is proving to be a catalyst in the regeneration of the historic London Street area, located just yards from the city walls and other key historic buildings such as St. Columbus Cathedral and the Playhouse.
(Source: Derry Journal)

Donegal

Four of the victims of a deadly influenza outbreak at a nursing home had been vaccinated against the virus. It was revealed after a flu outbreak killed six elderly people at the Nazareth House in Donegal that two-thirds of the cases had received an anti-flu injection. This revelation has raised serious doubts over the effectiveness of the vaccine.  Dr Peter Wright, director of public health at HSE North West, said it is important to bear in mind that the "immune response" among elderly people is not as effective as in younger patients.
(Source: Evening Herald)

Down

A gang of robbers trashed the home of a 71-year-old pensioner and threatened him with an iron bar after they realized he had no money in his house. Eric Moreland said he has been left terrified after the six masked men broke into his Co. Down home and ransacked his bedroom and living room looking for cash. New security alarms, locks and lights have now been fitted to the property after concerned neighbors lobbied the Housing Executive to help the pensioner.
(Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Dublin

A laid-off kitchen worker made the "crazy decision" to sell amphetamines and cannabis to get extra money when a man he met at his local gym offered him the drugs, a court heard. Laszlo Zsiros (30) had no previous drugs record when he got involved in the sale and supply of drugs following his gym visit. Zsiros, with an address at New Row Place, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs with intent to sell or supply on May 8, and was given a three-month suspended sentence.
(Source: Evening Herald)

Fermanagh

A 3,000-year-old piece of gold jewelry found in a bog in Co. Fermanagh has been declared an item of treasure. At an unusual hearing before the coroner, the gold torc was described as a rare object of extreme importance. Found by Ronnie Johnston using a metal detector in Corrard, near Belle Isle estate in 2009, the torc dates from 1300-1100 BC, and would probably have been worn around the waist.
(Source: BBC News)

​
Nster.com