News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

What's going on around Ireland

 “I hope I didn’t insult anyone because perhaps it came across being arrogant but, at times, our job can be very frustrating because we know of incidents that are happening and people won’t make the complaints for various reasons. They have got to understand that unless we receive a complaint or witness it ourselves, we can do absolutely nothing.

“I fully understand why people are reluctant to come forward; there is a fear element out there but I keep saying that bullies have to be stood up to and if they do, invariably you find they are cowards and they back off. So people should come together and unite and say ‘we are not tolerating this in our community and we are going to stand up for our own communities’,” he said.
[Source: Clare Champion]

CORK

A former Garda (police officer) from Cobh who left the force in July has severely criticized the lack of funding and support for rank and file Gardaí. Niall O' Connor felt he had no option but to leave the force after years of frustration and in going public he has been inundated with messages of support from serving members of the force and the Garda Representative Association (GRA), who are as frustrated as he is.

"For the last few days there's been nothing but positive feedback from rank-and-file Gardaí and sergeants, those who are working out there on the job and the GRA also released a statement backing up what I said. I've also been getting messages of support on Twitter and Facebook as well," said Niall.
 [Source: Cork Independent]

DERRY

Controversial road signs welcoming visitors to Northern Ireland are to be erected in Derry and Strabane.

The Northwest signs are among eight that have been, or are to be erected at locations on the north/south border.

Sinn Fein has branded the signs a “provocative stunt” by Department of Regional Development minister Danny Kennedy.

In turn the Ulster Unionist minister has said there has been an overreaction to the new signage scheme.
[Source: Derry Journal]

DONEGAL

An Arranmore curate has told his congregation that any legislation on abortion should not be passed under the terms of the X case, saying he believed that would make Irish abortion laws the most liberal in Europe.

Speaking on the island two Sundays ago, Father John Joe Duffy told parishioners that he welcomed the decision of Donegal County Council, who voted at their regular meeting last month to oppose any form of legislation of abortion.
 [Source: Donegal Democrat]

DOWN

An 86-year-old woman has been knocked to the ground and injured by a man who stole her handbag in Newtownards, County Down.

She was attacked in the Donaghadee Road area of the town shortly after 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday.
She was taken to hospital to be treated for her injuries which are not believed to be life threatening at this stage.
[Source: BBC News]

DUBLIN

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