News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

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The Mayor of Amsterdam revealed plans last month to move those engaged in intimidating or violent behavior towards neighbors to new housing units, made in some cases from converted shipping containers. The areas in which these would be located were subsequently dubbed “scum villages,” where the worst offenders would spend a minimum of six months. Those who remain unreformed would face eviction.

Fine Gael Councilor Joe Arkins mooted the idea of creating scum towns here in Ireland at a county council meeting on Monday.

“It sounds drastic but we are at a stage where something drastic must be done in this country,” Councilor Arkins said.
[Source: Clare Champion]

CORK

It was a close escape for one lucky dog who found himself in a serious situation Saturday, January 12. Louis Hyde, who is in charge of the Cork River Rescue, happened to be in the Blarney area on Saturday when he got a phone call to say that there was a dog in trouble close to the river that runs through the town.

"I went straight to the scene myself and the guard and local residents had already gathered. What I could see was a cocker spaniel dog who was badly caught in some barbed wire and was dangerously close to falling in to the river. He was very distressed when I arrived and from what I can tell, it seemed he had been stuck there overnight."

Cork River Rescue is a voluntary service that was set up by Louis in 2006. It is based in Monkstown and currently has 12 volunteers on its books. Louis says that this is the first time in six years of service that the unit has ever had to rescue an animal.
[Source: Cork Independent]

DERRY

Not only will Derry’s former boxing champion John Duddy bring his sold-out play to The Playhouse this spring, the Galliagh man also stars in rock-god Jon Bon Jovi’s new music video, which was released last Tuesday.

The single and accompanying video “Because We Can” was just released in the U.S.A., and Duddy revealed all to the Derry Journal from his base in Queens, New York.

Having spent years at the top of his game, the “Derry Destroyer” hung up his boots and announced he was retiring from the sport in January 2011.

Nowadays the local man is more likely to be found treading the boards in New York theatres or as a bartender in the “Big Apple.” And he admits he has never been happier.
[Source: Derry Journal]

DONEGAL

Garda (Police Officer) Bernard McLoughlin, who tried to save his colleague after their car was rammed in Donegal, has been awarded $60,000 by the High Court.

He told the court that he regarded Gary McLoughlin as a best friend as well as a colleague. The court heard that they had shared a flat and had trained together at Templemore before being sent to Buncrana.

On December 13, 2009, the pair was searching for a speeding car when it crashed into them at Lisfannon. Despite suffering severe hip and leg injuries in the crash, he did his best for his friend.

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Nster.com