News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

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The British Geological Survey has confirmed that an earthquake with a magnitude of four and a depth of 3km occurred of the west coast of Ireland at 8:58 a.m. According to their Historical Earthquake Database, this is the first earthquake to occur off the Mayo coast in over 40 years, as well as the largest to have occurred off the Irish coast in a number of years.
[Source: The Mayo News]

MEATH

US police officer Emily Reilly Lettie, a native of Trim, has been presented with a life-saving award for her part in rescuing a man from a fire last November.

Officer Reilly Lettie grew up in Avondale in Trim and moved to the United States in 2003, where she joined the police force in Detroit. Now based in Louisville, Kentucky, this is the fourth award she has received since joining the force.
[Source: Meath Chronicle]

MONAGHAN

John Kingham has no regrets about turning his back on his native Monaghan in order to bolster Armagh’s hopes of winning the Ulster senior football championship title.

Kingham was introduced to the Orchard County squad by manager Paddy O’Rourke earlier this year and has played at midfield and full-forward.

His crucial goal which helped to underpin a surprise league win over Kerry in Tralee further served to underline Kingham’s value as a target man and now the former Donaghmoyne club player admits he relished the role against the Red Hands last Sunday.
[Source: Belfast Telegraph]

OFFALY

There was good news for Edenderry last week with permission granted for one new school and it’s expected that permission will be granted for a second.

The two schools will provide permanent homes for Scoil Bhride and the Gaelscol.

Two weeks ago the Gaelscoil Eadain Doire received the news that planning permission had been granted for a new eight classroom school.
[Source: Offaly Express]

ROSCOMMON

More than 200 plots of turf have been cut on protected bogs over the last five weeks, a survey by an environmental group has shown.

High temperatures at the end of May saw a large increase in the amount of turf being cut in protected areas, according to a report by environmentalist group Friends of the Irish Environment. The report shows turf being cut on protected bogs in Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath, Meath and Kildare.

The State gave a commitment to the European Commission that there would be no more turf-cutting on 53 raised bogs – and if this was breached, Ireland would face a daily fine of $31,500.
[Source: Irish Times]

SLIGO

The top garda (police officer) in the North-West was attacked in his car twice as his wife and daughter looked on in horror.

However, the man who carried out the attack claimed he could not remember it, Sligo District Court heard last Tuesday.

Assistant Commissioner Kieran Kenny was punched repeatedly on the arms by a drunk and crazed Peter Carty, of Eaglet House, Strandhill, Sligo, as he sat waiting for the lights to change at the junction of Strandhill and Larkhill Rd. on Dec 27, 2011.

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Nster.com