News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

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Coach drivers are bypassing the town of Sligo because of problems with, and lack of, adequate coach parking, members of Sligo Borough Council claimed at their June monthly meeting.

Clr. David Cawley said proper enforcement was needed so that coach operators couldn't see designated parking areas for their vehicles occupied by cars, vans and trucks. ”There was a headline in the Sligo Champion in October 2011, which reported that operators are not coming to Sligo anymore because there is poor coach parking. We need to get more tourists and business in here; there's a market there to be tapped,” Clr. Cawley pointed out.
[Source: Sligo Champion]

TIPPERARY

Flash flooding in Templemore has led to a “terrible fear” for householders on the Main Street, heard last month’s meeting of the Town Council.

Recent unseasonal weather has led to one Templemore man being unable to buy house insurance, while many more people are anxious every time there is heavy rain. Monies set aside to provide for a flood relief scheme have been promised by successive governments, but the funding has yet to be signed off on, heard Councilors.

Town Engineer Mr. John Jones said the flood relief project is in line but final approval has not yet been made. “It’s a political situation. I have contacted the OPW to see if there was any movement at senior level. They are waiting for government funding.”
[Source: Tipperary Star]

TYRONE

Campaigners battling to save the under-threat opening hours of the Minor Injuries Unit at South Tyrone Hospital say their fight has reached a crucial stage as fears grow that the proposed cuts could be brought in as soon as this month.

Despite the MIU having treated a record number of patients over the past six weeks, the South Tyrone Hospital Community Forum (STHCF) says it fears the Southern Trust may push on with a proposal to reduce the unit's weekend opening hours within a matter of weeks.
[Source: Tyrone Courier]

WATERFORD

The heartbroken mother of 29-year-old Rory Harcourt from Crooke, who died following a car accident during the early hours of June 25, said she has not only lost her eldest son, but her best friend.

Angela Harcourt paid tribute to her “loveable rogue” Rory, whose death has caused shock waves in both Crooke and Passage East, after he tragically died following a single vehicle crash which occurred shortly after 1 a.m. when the vehicle he was driving struck the bridge on the Cheek-point Road.
[Source: Waterford News & Star]

WESTMEATH

Plans have been unveiled to transform the midlands into a European renewable energy hub that will supply the UK with up to 5,000MW of wind energy within five years and create up to 54,000 jobs.

Founder of Mainstream Renewable Power Eddie O'Connor, who in the past headed up Airtricity and before that Bord na Mona, said last Tuesday at the opening of the company's midland office that his company's plans will not be paid for by the Irish consumer, but that the benefits to Ireland will be "enormous.”

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Nster.com