News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

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Antrim

An Antrim woman has spoken of how the birth of her new baby girl has given her a ‘reason to live again’ following the death of her desperately ill daughter three years ago.

Paula Woods lost Billie-Jo at the tender age of eight months after the brave little girl had battled against all the odds when doctors warned her terrified mother that she had 'no chance of survival'.

She suffered from a condition called VACTERL which meant that many of her internal organs were missing or jumbled up and there were problems with some of her limbs.

Paula told the Antrim Guardian how three-month-old Angelica has helped to heal the gaping hole Billie-Jo's death left in her heart.

“No child is ever sent to you to replace one that you've lost," Paula explained.

“But I truly believe Billie-Jo has sent Angelica to give me a reason to carry on and to learn to live again."
(Source: Antrim Guardian)

Armagh

Following months of extensive restoration work, Creggan Church of Ireland welcomed the return of its’ congregation on Sunday to a special Service of Re-dedication.

Dozens of parishioners joined worshippers from further afield and members of the local community in a special weekend of praise and thanksgiving as the historic Church re-opened its doors to showcase the completion of thousands of pounds worth of restoration work.
(Source: crossexmainer.co.uk)

Carlow

The three men who attempted to steal thousands of euro worth of jewelery from Bramleys Jewellers two weeks ago are believed to have flown into the country especially to carry out the crime.

The Lithuanian nationals had great plans to make their escape out of the country the day after the robbery but were thwarted by gardaí (police), who arrested them a short time after the incident.

It is believed the trio, who are all aged in their 20s, got away with $13,000 worth of jewels but were later caught by police.
(Source: The Carlow Nationalist)

Cavan

Three inmates have been recaptured after escaping from Loughan House open prison in Co Cavan last night.

Three inmates were recaptured after escaping from Loughan House open prison in Co. Cavan on Wednesday night last.

All three were detained Wednesday night by gardaí. The alarm was raised at 6.30 pm that evening.
It is understood dog handlers and a PSNI helicopter were used in the search operation.

Two of the men gave themselves up within two hours of the escape.

The third escapee was pursued on the northern side of the border, but was eventually arrested in the Republic by gardaí.
(Source: RTE News)

Clare

There were emotional scenes in Ballynacally on Tuesday as the three-year-old girl who was viciously attacked by a dog at the weekend returned home to her family.

Little Abi O’Donoghue suffered horrific injuries in the unprovoked attack by the Siberian Husky on Saturday with the toddler spending nearly two hours in the operating theatre and receiving 60 stitches.

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Nster.com