News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

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TYRONE

Workers of the Bacon Factory in Cookstown received the perfect Christmas present last week with news that a new buyer has been lined up for the local plant.

Dutch-based food producer VION has told the Courier it has reached an agreement for a management buy-out of its U.K. pork operations, including the Molesworth Road factory employing 700, subject to Competition Authority approval in Ireland.

The deal, led by Seamus Carr, managing director of VION's Pork Business Unit, is backed by U.K. private equity firm Endless, which has a strong track record of investing in companies in the U.K. across a wide range of sectors.
[Source: Tyrone Courier]

WATERFORD

The Waterford Crystal ball that will drop in New York City's Times Square to usher in 2013 will have 288 new crystal panels with doves chiseled into them to mark the theme “Let There Be Peace.”

The triangular panels replace 288 old ones on the 2,668-panel ball.

The Irish crystal company said that organizers are doing something special this year, and people are invited to send in their personal messages of peace via social media.
[Source: Irish Examiner]

WESTMEATH

A fourth person was arrested last Tuesday in connection with an arson attack on a local auctioneering business last September.

The incident occurred at the premises of Shine & Dunning, in Castlemaine Street, Athlone shortly before midnight on Wednesday, September 26.

The latest person to be arrested, a man in his 40s, was detained for questioning under the provisions of Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act. He can be held for up to 48 hours by Gardaí (police).

This is the fourth arrest in the case to date. Three weeks ago, three men were arrested but later released without charge. A file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecution (D.P.P.) in relation to the trio.
[Source: Westmeath Independent]

WEXFORD

A public toilet located at the bottom of Castle Hill at the Abbey Square has been scrapped after 20 years, due to costing the Town Council a staggering $22-24,000 a year.

The council decided to get rid of the Portaloo about two years ago, engaging in discussions over that period and informing operators J.C. Decaux well in advance.

Town Clerk Padraig O’Gorman said that the toilet had been “costing too much as it doesn’t bring in a great amount,” estimating that its annual takings were just roughly $1,300 a year.
[Source: Wexford Echo]

WICKLOW

A church in Wicklow has been damaged extensively as a result of smoke and water damage following a fire last Thursday.

The blaze happened at St. Patrick’s Church in the centre of Wicklow Town.

The fire began near the Christmas crib at around 2 p.m.

It is understood that there is serious but localised fire damage in the area where the fire began but the remainder of the church has been badly damaged by smoke and water.

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Nster.com