News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

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He was speaking at the civic welcome by Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council, attended by several thousand supporters in Ennis on Sunday evening (September 16).

Each player received a rousing cheer when introduced. A special cheer was reserved for team captain Conor McGrath when he hoisted the Cross of Cashel Cup at the reception.

O’Neill said, “It’s important for us that these players continue to be available to Clare teams.”
He urged local employers to keep them in mind for any job vacancies.
[Source: Clare Champion]

CORK

A city center pharmacist has told the Cork Independent that there has been an “upsurge” in the sale of decongestants recently. Pharmacists have been warned that some people are buying over-the-counter drugs like Sudafed to manufacture crystal methamphetamine, a highly-addictive class A drug.

Eastern European gangs have been reported as buying large amounts of common decongestants like Sudafed. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) has issued an alert to its members, after consultation with the Garda (Police) National Drug Unit.

Martin Lynch from the Victory Outreach group in Cork city center which deals with drug addicts and offers them help, is worried that the drug will become common in Cork soon.
[Source: Cork Independent]

DERRY

A campaign against plans to close Magilligan Prison got underway last week with a petition that organizers hope will get 20,000 signatures.

The Prison Officers’ Association launched the campaign on Friday afternoon at the gates of Northern Ireland’s second largest prison, which the prison service plans to replace with a new medium security jail at a location closer to Belfast in six years’ time.

Chairman of the Association Finlay Spratt says the aim is to march to Stormont on November 19 and hand over the petition to Justice Minister, David Ford.

“As far as I am concerned the decision has been made by faceless people in the Department of Justice,” he said last Tuesday (September 18).
[Source: Derry Journal]

DONEGAL

Dan Allen of Muff is a man with great foresight.

He bought a new car number plate from the DVLA the night before Donegal beat Cork. The registration number: DL 12 SAM.

Clever Dan paid $1,600 – his winning bid for the number plate.

The following day, the DVLA phoned him to ask him the significance of the number plate, as they had received over 200 calls enquiring about the purchase of it. So, a delighted Dan explained the background to them.

Since then Dan has turned down $16,000 for this unique plate.
[Source: Donegal Democrat]

DOWN

The funerals had taken place last Wednesday of Ulster rugby starlet Nevin Spence, his father Noel and brother Graham, who all died in slurry tank farm accident on their Northern Ireland farm.

The service was held at Ballynahinch Baptist Church, Co. Down.

Noel (68) and brothers, Graham (30) and Nevin (22) all died trying to save each other on the family farm near Hillsborough.

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Nster.com