News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

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Jalal, a twin and a much-loved son and brother, had been born in a refugee camp in Iraq in 1990. He and his family fled the war-torn country into Jordan, and were eventually offered sanctuary in Ireland. The family moved to Carrick-on-Shannon after they were granted refugee status in 2006.
(Source: Leitrim Observer)

Limerick

For the first time in more than 40 years, production has stopped at the Irish Cement factory in Mungret, as 65 front-line staff went on strike over pay. All day last Tuesday staff at the plant on the outskirts of the city halted production of cement after it was alleged Irish Cement refused to pay wage increments due. The strike – backed by SIPTU, the TEEU Union and Unite – was organized after weeks of work-to-rule action failed to have an impact. It is the first all-out strike in the factory since the 1970s, when there were two strikes over pay and conditions.
(Source: Limerick Leader)

Longford

Gardaí in Longford town have launched an investigation after a woman was sexually assaulted in the Ballymahon Street area last Sunday night.  The 24-year-old local woman, who is believed to have been assaulted between 11 pm and 11:45 pm at Bog Lane, Ballymahon Street, was later treated for her injuries at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar.
(Source: Longford Leader)

Louth

Owner of the Fitzpatrick Hotels in New York, John Fitzpatrick, was back in town last Friday. The New York hotelier paid a visit to the O’Hanlon Park Boxing Club to discuss plans for a new $220,000 extension to the center. Fitzpatrick had previously given $2,600 to the center during his previous visit as part of an RTE show called Secret Millionaire last September.

Head coach of the boxing club, Paul Taaffe, spoke to the Dundalk Democrat about the meeting.

“John dropped by to see how we were getting on with plans to extend the club. I was in contact with him just before Christmas and he said he would be coming over to help push forward the plans and also see about organizing grants for us.”

Paul praised the level of interest and the amount of work the Secret Millionaire has put into the project since the original show aired on RTE last year. “He has been a massive push so far. I’ve been trying to get this off the ground for the last seven years. But when John and the show arrived it changed everything.”
(Source: Dundalk Democrat)

Mayo

Westport native Colm Burns finished in a highly commendable sixth place in his category at the recent Canadian International Sled Dog Championships in Quebec. Representing Ireland in a sport for which we hold no national renown, the man from Mayneen completed 20 miles of sprinting with a sled and pack of dogs in less than two hours. Burns was happy with his outing and admitted that his performance surprised some of the more seasoned campaigners he met at the event.

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Nster.com