News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

Speaking at her home, Shelia Murray said her daughter Millie (12), and ten-year-old son Gavin, would need treatment for their burns for the rest of their lives.

On the sixth anniversary of the petrol bombing, the father of murdered Robert Sheehan – who had acted as a lookout for two older teenagers who petrol bombed Ms. Murray’s car – said his son had been haunted by the incident and had “never got over it.”

Robert Sheehan, who was jailed for two years in 2007 for his role in the unprovoked attack, was murdered earlier this month.

He had been shot several times in the head and body while attending a family wedding party in Co. Clare. Both events are unconnected, according to Gardaí (police).
[Source: Limerick Leader]

LONGFORD

The detection of burglaries has doubled in the Longford Roscommon district in comparison to this time last year.

The stark figures were revealed by Inspector Fran Nicholson at the Joint Policing Committee meeting of Longford Town Council last Wednesday.

Inspector Nicholson also said public order offenses had risen significantly for the same period. Although unable to give exact figures, Insp. Nicholson estimated it was a rise of 15 to 20 percent. The introduction of new Garda (police) rosters earlier this year, which has led to an increase of Gardaí on-duty at hours normally associated with antisocial behaviour, may have had a bearing on the increase, Insp. Nicholson said.
[Source: Longford Leader]

LOUTH

The threat of more Garda (police) stations closing and the changing economic times has increased the need for more alert groups.

A survey has shown that one third of farmers do not feel safe and 11 percent have been victims of crime.

The huge rise in fuel costs means that thieves are targeting items such as diesel tanks on lands.

A current problem is bogus callers targeting older people living on their own.

And this is where the alert groups are proving to be of enormous value.
[Source: Dundalk Democrat]

MAYO

Over 10,000 householders in Mayo have been warned to register and pay the $130 household charge – or face the prospect of legal action in the next month.

A special meeting of Mayo County Council revealed that 10,600 properties have been identified as having not paid the household charge, and that final warnings are to be delivered to them in coming days. Mayo County Manager Peter Hynes and his Head of Finance, Peter Duggan, both reiterated that the only way to avoid reductions in public funding was to pursue those who have not yet paid the charge.
[Source: The Mayo News]

MEATH

A call for a seven-day rota system for Meath County Council street-cleaning staff has been made following heavy littering in Market Square in Navan two weekends ago.

Clr. Tommy Reilly said the state of Market Square on Friday evening, Saturday, Sunday and into Monday morning could no longer be tolerated.

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Nster.com