News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

What's going on around Ireland

A delegation from the Community Hospital of the Assumption Action Group traveled to Leinster House last Wednesday to meet with Health Minister James O’Reilly.

The Action group sought answers from the Minister as to why his promise to restore the 22 respite beds at the Community Hospital has not yet become a reality and asked the Minister to uphold his word and stand by the firm commitment given by him on this matter last November.
(Source: Tipperary Star)

Tyrone

Whoever started a deliberate fire which killed an elderly widow and her daughter may not have meant to hurt them, police said.

Betty McGirr, (71) and Deirdre McGirr (38) died last Saturday night week when the blaze ripped through their top-floor flat in Dunlea Vale, Dungannon, Co Tyrone.

Betty McGirr was visiting her daughter when the blaze started at the back of the house at about 10 pm.
A third person, Portuguese and understood to be Deirdre’s partner, escaped unhurt. He was in a long-term relationship with her and is not suspected of involvement with the fire, police said.
(Source: Irish Examiner)

Waterford

Plastic sheets covered the bloody scene of a serious stabbing incident in the city last week, as three people were taken to Waterford Regional Hospital after a few drinks amongst partygoers led to a fracas.

Some of the injured were considered “lucky to be alive” following a severe loss of blood in the stabbing incident at apartment in Canada Square.
(Source: Waterford News & Star)

Westmeath

The 4th Western Brigade is expecting in excess of 2,000 applications for 100 places within the brigade, it emerged last week as the closing date nears for the latest recruitment drive.

The Defence Forces had received 8,000 applications for 600 places throughout the brigade. Based on the fact that the recruitment drive is for personnel for the three army brigades and the Navy, a Western Brigade spokesman said that the brigade would expect 25% of the applications to be for the 4th Western Brigade.
(Source: Westmeath Independent)

Wexford

Philip Doyle, 34, of Tinakilly, Aughrim, Co Wicklow, is pleading not guilty to murdering Ross Murphy in Gorey.

The court heard that Ross, who was three-and-a-half months, died following head trauma.

The court heard that in April 2005, Philip Doyle was living at 3 Creagh Demesne in Gorey with his partner Leona Murphy and her son Ross, who was not Philip Doyle's son.

Opening the trial, the prosecution said Ross was a healthy, thriving baby. On March 31 2005 his mother and Doyle took him to Wexford General Hospital.

Murphy and Doyle later gave differing accounts. However, doctors noticed nothing unusual at the time, apart from a rash and a slight bruise.

Ross was kept in and discharged three days later on April 3.

It was between 6 pm and 6.30 pm that evening, the prosecution said, that Ross sustained the injuries that led directly to his death.
(Source: RTE news)

Wicklow

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