News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

What's going on around Ireland

Antrim

Antrim Hospital is fighting for its very survival and, according to a secret internal trust paper, the outlook may be grim. The hospital, which opened only 18 years ago, may now be facing the wrecking ball to make way for a new super facility in Ballymena.

“The location of Antrim Area Hospital is not the most centrally located position to serve the whole of the Trust area and a new location would better meet the needs of the area in a more equitable way."
(Source: Antrim Guardian)

Armagh

The father of Recep Cetin, the Turkish man accused of killing two Co. Down women on holiday last August, has been charged with their murder.

Marion Graham and Kathy Dinsmore were brutally murdered 60 miles from their holiday apartment in Kusadasi sending shockwaves throughout Newry and Mourne. The lawyer for the Graham and Dinsmore families traveled to Newry to update them on the new development in the case.

Eyup Cetin will remain in custody until a hearing on June 20th.
(Source: Examiner Newspaper)

Carlow

A foreign national was charged with cultivation of drugs, unlawful possession and possession of drugs for sale or supply following the discovery of over a quarter of a million dollars worth of cannabis plants in Old Leighlin.

Marcin Stesanski was arrested and charged after the seizure of over 300 cannabis plants, with an estimated street value of over $300,000, were found in various stages of growth at his home.

Mr. Stesanski was brought before a special sitting of Carlow District Court where bail was set. The defendant was remanded in custody to Cloverhill Prison.
(Source: Carlow Nationalist)

Cavan

The actions of firemen in Kingcourt have been hailed as "exceptional" in preventing loss of life or injury in the dramatic wake of an armed bank robbery on the Bank of Ireland branch in the town earlier in May. The traumatic events have also resulted in renewed calls for a patrol car to be put back in the east Cavan town immediately.

The robbers were in the bank for less than two minutes and pointed what were believed to be handguns at the staff as they demanded the cash. As they raced out of the bank with a substantial haul, they threw a device into a white van and it immediately went up in flames, spreading to three other vehicles.
(Source: Anglo Celt)

Clare

A “significant” drop in staffing levels in local authorities in Clare means “it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide and maintain a service” according to Councilor Richard Nagle. He is now calling on Government to consider removing the embargo on employment of public sector staff, particularly with regard to outdoor staff in the road and water services sectors.

The number of people working for Clare County Council has dropped by more than 13% in the last five years.

“With the embargo in place it has not been possible to replace any of the staff who have retired,” said Nagle. “Combined with that is a decrease in funding for maintenance, so the amount of money available for [maintaining] of roads has decreased. As roads deteriorate there are more repairs required.”
(Source: Clare Champion)

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