News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

What's going on around Ireland

Kilkenny
A cannabis cultivation operation discovered in Co Kilkenny contained plants and harvested crops with an estimated street value of some €3 million.
Garda sources said it was being run “on an industrial scale” and was one of the biggest growing operations ever found in the Republic.
The haul was discovered in rented industrial units at Kildalton in the village of Piltown, Co Kilkenny, following an intelligence-led operation involving the Garda National Drugs Unit and local gardaí (police) from Kilkenny and Waterford.
(Source: Irish Times)

Laois
Over 20 dogs were rescued from “squalid conditions” where they were being kept by someone hoarding animals in Co Laois, the ISPCA said last week.
The dogs were being kept in unsuitable environments where their accommodation was described as “deplorable”.
(Source: Journal.ie)

Leitrim
A voluntary group in Co Leitrim has been criticized for accepting a donation of €20,000 from a company that proposes to use the controversial method of fracking for gas in the county.
Manorhamilton Enterprise Forum has defended its decision to accept the money from Tamboran Resources.
(Source: RTE News)

Limerick
More than half the households in County Limerick now have no refuse collection service, despite the introduction of new bye-laws in January according to a report released by the county council. The council believes this is linked to the high incidence of illegal dumping throughout the county. A report describes the county’s litter problem as a “blight” which is contributing to a negative image of the county and calls for an awakening of duty and civic pride amongst all sectors of society.
(Source: Limerick Leader)

Longford
Over 3,000 teenagers are expected to descend on the county later this month when the Longford Rugby Club plays host to the inaugural HYPE (Help Young People Everywhere) Festival. On Saturday May 19, the gates will open and from 3pm to 11pm the grounds will come alive as never before.
The line-up features some of the biggest names in Irish music including The Aftermath, UV5, Storyfold, This Club, The Kanyu Tree, Roy Seven and Fergal Darcy. These will be complimented by the Disco Tent, a giant games tent, a chill out tent with all-day movies, a karaoke tent, a zorbing area, a climbing wall, a bungee run, a giant slide, lazertazer, and Gladiators.
“We want to establish a youth center here in Longford. That is why we came up with the idea of a youth festival,” said Jim Maher, Regional Youth Officer (RYO) Foróige.
He added: “We want to raise enough money to renovate a purpose-built youth center. This is the first time that the event has ever taken place.”
(Source: Longford Leader)

Louth
A Louth family will be part of a major new probe into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, the Herald reveals.
Louth couple Martin and Mary Smith were holidaying in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz on the night Madeleine went missing five years ago.
The couple and their children saw a man carrying a child, matching Maddie's description, barefoot through the town on the night of May 3, 2007.
The Herald understands that the launch of a major new probe into the little girl's disappearance will center around the recollections of the Smith family, who live in Drogheda.
Police reports state that Mr and Mrs Smith left Kelly's Bar in the resort at approximately 10pm when they passed a male they said was carrying a young girl who was barefoot.
(Source: Evening Herald)

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