News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

A look at news from around Ireland

[Source: The Mayo News]

MEATH
Parents of deaf children last Tuesday complained that the problem was "almost a hidden disability" in Irish society.

The comments were made as a “hero” award to recognize contributions from the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities was launched July 17.

Jimmy Geraghty, father of Noel Geraghty (8) from Navan, Co. Meath, who attends St Joseph's School for Deaf Boys in Cabra, Dublin, said the deaf in Ireland faced barriers.

"We need a lot more awareness especially in relation to sign language interpreters, access for the deaf community. People seem to know more about other disabilities in Ireland but always seem to forget about the deaf community," said Mr. Geraghty, whose son donned a Batman costume. "It is almost like we are a hidden disability, of sorts."

[Source: Irish Independent]

MONAGHAN
Experian, a global information services company, has released its Business Health Index for the first six months of the year in the Republic of Ireland. Monaghan is number one with an index score of 118 while Wicklow is at the bottom with a score of 96. An index higher than 100 indicates that a county has a lower percentage of companies at risk than the average. Dublin is ranked 20th with a score of 98. Fifteen of the 26 counties have a Positive Business Health Index Score.

[Source: Irish Times]

OFFALY
Two men stole a historic artifact and dumped it in a bog because it was of no financial value to them, a court heard last Wednesday.

At Tullamore District Court both were sentenced to 240 hours’ community service in lieu of 10 months in prison for theft of the Precious Shrine of St. Manchan from St. Manchan’s Church, Boher,

Ballycumber, Co. Offaly, on June 1. Thomas Roche (39), Boyne Meadows, Edenderry, Co. Offaly, and Bernard McCarthy (37), Foxdene Gardens, Clondalkin, Dublin, examined the shrine after stealing it and dumped it because they thought it was worthless. Insp. Kieran Keyes said no decision has been made about whether the shrine, currently with Gardaí (police), will be returned to the church or go to the National Museum of Ireland for safekeeping.

[Source: Irish Times]

ROSCOMMON
The Ambulance Service has apologized to the family of a 19-year-old girl, who died after she was taken to hospital via an indirect route.

Elaine Curley from Creggs in Co. Roscommon died on the two-hour journey from the scene of a car crash which should have taken around an hour and 20 minutes.

A local person directed the ambulance down a bog road and it was also diverted from Portiuncula Hospital in Galway to UCHG, which added extra time.

[Source: Irish Examiner]

SLIGO
The appeal by the owners of the Lissadell estate in Co. Sligo against the rejection of their claim that no public rights of way exist across certain routes in the estate may be heard at the Supreme Court early next year.

​
Nster.com