News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

What's going on around Ireland

The family are now awaiting the return of Catriona's remains and are being offered assistance by the Irish Embassy in Australia.

Police are still probing the cause of her death.
(Source: Irish Independent)

Kildare

A plan to turn a former Newbridge pub into a gaming facility has been rejected by council planners, to the relief of Mayor of Kildare and Newbridge councillor Micheal Nolan who says he believes gambling outlets “cause a great deal of suffering”.

Cllr Nolan had objected to the plan by developers, Coalquay Leisure Ltd (a Cork-based company) to transform the former Arch Bar on Main Street - used in more recent years as a betting office - into an internet cafe and gaming machine outlet.
(Source: The Kildare Nationalist)

Kilkenny

A full visitors ban was put in place at Waterford Regional Hospital on Thursday.

In the interests of patient care and as a precaution, a full ban on visiting was put in place at Waterford Regional Hospital in a bid to curb suspected cases of the Norovirus (vomiting bug). The hospital is taking no chances.
(Source: Kilkenny People)

Laois

In an effort to curb the dramatic increase in burglaries across the county in recent times, a garda (police) initiative has been launched encouraging more communities to set up Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

Burglaries have gone up by almost a third across Laois and Offaly between 2010 and 2011, from 736 to 974. While the recession is undoubtedly playing its part, Garda Sergeant Padraig Farrelly, crime prevention officer for Laois/Offaly, believes that the huge increase in the number of commuters in the region has also contributed.

“More people are commuting now and not getting involved in their community,” he said. “Years ago, everyone knew everyone else in their area, but now people are moving much move.”
(Source: Leinster Express)

Leitrim

Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams TD, was in Carrick-on-Shannon last Thursday to hear what people think of rural life.

Over the past couple of months, Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams TD, Martin Ferris TD and Senator Trevor Clochartaigh have been travelling around the country talking to people about life in the future in rural Ireland.
(Source: Leitrim Observer)

Limerick

A Corbally woman who was caught selling illegal cigarettes to undercover customs officers in the casual trading area outside the Milk Market faces fines of up to $16,000 or a maximum of five years in prison, Limerick Circuit Court has heard.

Carol Collopy, (51) of Danesfort, Corbally, has admitted possession of nearly 37,000 cigarettes worth €16,634, which resulted in the loss of €10,656 to the Exchequer. Ms Collopy broke down in court last week and pleaded to Judge Carroll Moran to deal with her case sooner, after he adjourned sentencing to May 22.

“If I deal with it this afternoon you’re going to prison for two years Mrs Collopy. I don’t want to send you to prison, that’s why I need to think about it and do what’s right,” said Judge Moran.
(Source: Limerick Leader)

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Nster.com