News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

What's going on around Ireland

Danny Murray, of Benbulben Terrace, admitted criminal damage and tresspass offences on February 16th.

Defending solicitor, Mr. Mark Mullaney, explained that Murray was not homeless but, because of a medical difficulty with his partner, had to leave his house and did not have a place to sleep. He had €200 to pay for damage and was sorry for what he did.

The Judge adjourned the case to June 7th for the preparation of a Probation Services report and said he would decide on that date if he would activate the four month sentence.
(Source: Sligo Champion)

Tipperary

Two people were rescued on Lough Derg last week after their cruise boat lost power and ran aground in gale force conditions.

The alarm was raised at about 3 pm when onlookers on the shore reported seeing a person waving frantically from a boat close to Terryglass in Co Tipperary.

The Irish Coast Guard marine rescue co-ordination centre at Valentia Island, Co Kerry, issued a radio alert to other vessels on the lake requesting anyone in the area to go to the vessel’s assistance.

The Lough Derg lifeboat was sent to the scene but was stood down following confirmation that the occupants had been taken to safety to Terryglass.

It is understood the company which operates the distressed cruiser sent a second vessel to the scene to assist.

The lake was said to be “enraged” yesterday, with winds gusting force eight.
(Source: Irish Times)

Tyrone

A wave of suspected malicious fires in the Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough has prompted a town councilor to call for urgent action to be taken.

In the past month alone there have been five house fires which are believed to have been maliciously started, the most serious of which tragically claimed the lives of a Dungannon mother and daughter.

“That exemplified the horrific consequences of arson but still there are people who seem to feel they have the right to place other people and property in peril for their own selfish ends,” said Councilor Maurice Morrow. “The sinister aspect of these incidents cannot be overlooked.”
(Source: Tyrone Courier)

Waterford

Labour TD for Waterford, Ciara Conway, is backing comments made by Darina Allen who has been telling a group of British and Irish Politicians that growth in Food Tourism will create jobs, and Waterford is well-poised to reap the benefits.

"Darina Allen has been singing the praises of Waterford’s food industry at a speech to the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) which has been meeting in Dublin this week," said Ciara Conway.

"There’s a real opportunity for Ireland in the food tourism industry, and in Waterford in particular with ‘agritainment’ so we need to work together to capitalize on this."
(Source: Waterford Today)

Westmeath

An Athlone man whose bus business closed down last year is calling on the Taoiseach to apologise for telling him: "you could do with a day's work, I'd say."

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Nster.com