News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

What's going on around Ireland

Kilkenny is officially the best city in Ireland, according to the country’s largest retail industrial body, Retail Excellence Ireland (R.E.I.).

R.E.I. made the confirmation with its announcement of the best 100 towns and cities in Ireland Sunday, October 14 following a lengthy survey. Westport was given the title of Ireland’s best town.
[Source: Kilkenny People]

LAOIS

A family syndicate from Laois brought seven weeks of intense speculation to an end last Thursday, October 18 when they collected a check for $11,329,639 – the 17th largest ever Lotto jackpot win in the National Lottery’s 25-year history.

The family syndicate, who wish to keep their win private, will share the jackpot equally.

The $10 quick-pick winning ticket was for the Lotto draw on Wednesday, August 29, and it was purchased in Moran’s, Main Street, Abbeyleix the previous Friday evening, August 24.
[Source: Leinster Express]

LEITRIM

A tale of a missing dog named Aran took an incredible twist two weeks ago. After 15-year-old collie Aran was reunited with his owners in Scotland thanks to the Leitrim Animal Welfare Centre, it amazingly transpired that the owners had only recently got another dog from the Dogs Trust in Glasgow, a dog who had previously been homed by the Leitrim Animal Welfare Centre.

The story began on September 20 with the discovery of an elderly collie in Carrick-on-Shannon, and he was later brought to the Leitrim Animal Welfare Centre in Drumkeerin where the center’s manager Andrea Sharp said, “He instantly won our hearts. We thought him to be about 15-years-old and his back legs were very stiff. He immediately settled in enjoying lying on a blanket in the sunshine that we luckily had that week.”

It was discovered that the Collie was chipped and the process of trying to track down his owners began immediately.
[Source: Leitrim Observer]

LIMERICK

The jury in the trial of a County Limerick pensioner, who is charged in connection with the death of a lifelong friend two years ago, was expected to consider its verdict last Thursday.

Mary Meade (70) of Lissard, Galbally has pleaded not guilty to reckless endangerment and to dangerous parking outside Jim Corbett’s home on the date of a multi-vehicle collision that resulted in his death.

It is the prosecution’s case that Mrs. Meade, who was a “lifelong friend” of the deceased man, had parked her Opel Astra car on the wrong the side of the road and left her headlights on as she was about to return home.
[Source: Limerick Leader]

LONGFORD

Local taxi drivers have slammed the government’s plans for new taxi branding signage as another money-generating stunt.

Two weeks ago, Junior Transport Minister Alan Kelly welcomed the move, developed by the National Transport Authority, which will see semi-permanent taxi stickers applied to the front doors of all taxi cars.

​
Nster.com