News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

A look at news from around Ireland

ANTRIM
A former mayor of Antrim, whose first-born son tragically died at birth, has blasted a decision by the Northern Trust which will see parents banned from leaving mementoes on the graves of their children.

UUP councilor Paul Michael lost his baby son after his wife Angela began to experience difficulties during labor. Unfortunately, baby Paul did not survive.

Currently, the tiny baby graves in Belmont cemetery are covered with tributes to much loved and missed children. However, the decision will mean that parents will only be permitted to leave floral tributes.

[Source: Antrim Guardian]

ARMAGH
The visit by former Irish President Mary Robinson to the 25th John Hewitt International Summer School (JHISS) is proving to be one of the most popular events at the Market Place Theatre, Armagh, in recent years say organizers.

Robinson, one of Ireland’s most internationally prominent public figures in recent times, will give a talk on the opening morning of the Hewitt Summer School on Monday, July 23.

[Source: Portadown Times]

CARLOW
Sweeping changes across the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin were announced last week, with several high-profile priests moving on to pastures new.

Significantly, diocesan administrator Msgr. Brendan Byrne has retired as parish priest of Tullow, a role he has held for the past 23 years.

Noted as a hardworking and dedicated priest within the parish, the decision is a disappointment to the people of Tullow.

Msgr. Byrne admitted to The Nationalist last Monday that working in both roles – diocesan administrator and PP in Tullow – had gone on longer than he had anticipated.

[Source: Carlow Nationalist]

CAVAN
A jury has been sworn in for the Central Criminal Court trial of a Leitrim teenager accused of killing a Cavan pensioner at his Killeshandra home almost two years ago.

Brendan McGovern of Killahurk, Carrigallen has pleaded not guilty to the murder of 73-year-old Johnny Golden at Nedd, Doogarry, Killeshandra on September 7, 2010.

The pensioner was not married and lived alone. Mr. Golden was found unconscious by neighbors in his home and the alarm was raised. However, he never woke from a coma and died in Cavan General Hospital some four weeks later, on October 6, 2010.

[Source: The Anglo Celt]

CLARE
Shannon Airport had its largest ever number of business aviation jets in a single month in June, it was confirmed last week.

There were a total of 460 business aviation jet movements at the airport, an average of more than 15 a day. This was the largest number of such movements in and out of Shannon ever in a single month and a 26% increase on the figure of 367 that was recorded in June of last year.

While there was a spike in June, it is understood this comes on top of an upward trend seen in recent months. Business aviation jets travelling to the US can avail of Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance at Shannon and it is understood this has been a factor in the up-turn.

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Nster.com