News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

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Some voluntary organizations like Abbeylara’s Active Retirement Group are nervously awaiting the outcome of cuts to local government spending.

Breda Small, the group’s secretary, said changes to its normal allocation of grant aid would almost inevitably impact on what future activities it could offer locals.

“We have 25 active members so yes it would affect things,” she said bluntly. “To be honest we would be lost without it (council assistance).”
[Source: Longford Leader]

LOUTH

Ben McLaughlin finally put pen to paper on a three-year contract with English Premiership club Everton August 17.

The 17-year-old travelled to Liverpool with his parents to pen the deal and after returning to Dundalk two weekends ago, he started his new career as an Evertonian last week.

Dundalk FC Head of Youth Development Martin Connolly said that the Lilywhites were delighted with the terms of the deal.

“The club are very happy with the way it was dealt with. Everton showed their professionalism in the way they conducted themselves. They have been looking at Ben for a while. Their Chief Scout in Ireland, Paul Hamill, has known about Ben since he was a kid but it is completely different watching somebody as a kid and from watching them in the first-team. When Ben came in to the first-team they really showed interest. There were other clubs looking but Everton followed it through.
[Source: Dundalk Democrat]

MAYO

Irish Rail has apologized to customers who have witnessed anti-social behaviour on the Westport-to-Dublin train and say it is taking steps to curb such behaviour in the future.

The apology came as a result of representations by annoyed and upset customers to Mayo TD John O’Mahony. Mr. O’Mahony wrote to Irish Rail outlining his constituents concerns and in a reply, Richard Fearn, chief executive of Irish Rail, expressed disappointment to hear of anti-social behaviour on the train.

Mr. Fearn said that the company is taking steps to curb such behavior on its trains, including the deployment of security personnel at main stations and training staff to deal with anti-social incidents.
[Source: The Mayo News]

MEATH

Cardiac patients, diabetics and cancer sufferers across Meath will be among those most severely impacted by proposed cuts in agency staff in the Louth-Meath Hospital Group, according to an internal HSE document.

The HSE memo, seen by the Meath Chronicle, has identified 36 separate areas where cuts would result in the highest possible level of danger to patients.

Health campaigners have warned the cuts will have appalling consequences for Meath patients with services dramatically reduced at Our Lady's Hospital in Navan and crucial services curtailed in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.
[Source: Meath Chronicle]

MONAGHAN

President Michael D. Higgins opened the $4.6 million European-funded Castle Saunderson International Scouting Centre in Cavan two weekends ago.

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Nster.com