News from around the 32 Irish counties

TYRONE
Michelle Gildernew has said she is determined to hold on to her Westminster seat amid new claims of an election pact between rival unionists. It is claimed the DUP is ready to stand aside at the upcoming General Election, allowing the Ulster Unionists' candidate a free run. Reports have claimed a deal could come in return for UUP support for the DUP over any package on policing and justice powers. However Ms Gildernew, the MP for Fermanagh/South Tyrone since 2001, is ignoring the speculation and is focusing on securing a third election win. "Our position is quite simple," she said. "Whatever the DUP or UUP choose to do, Sinn Fein will be fighting this election strenuously to keep the seat.
(Source: Tyrone Times)
 

WATERFORD
Recruitment is to begin in March to fill the 80 to 90 jobs to be created with the re-birth of mouth blown, hand cut Waterford Crystal in a new purpose-built 6,500sqm facility being developed at the former ESB premises on The Mall. A €25m investment is being made on the 1.5 acre site to facilitate manufacturing, 1,000sqm of retail space and a Visitor Centre. Waterford Crystal, is going back to its roots with the manufacture of 40,000 ‘high end’ pieces entirely handcrafted and ranging in price from between €250 and €5,000 for specialist pieces for international events,” said Pierre de Villeméjane, Chief Executive of WWRD Ltd., which has signed an agreement with the City Council for the new industry.
(Source: Waterford News & Star)
 

WESTMEATH
A Westmeath man has been appointed Honorary Consul of Ireland in Seattle with responsibility for Washington State. John Keane is from the famous Rosemount family of the same name and is uncle of Westmeath dual All-Star John Keane. John arrived in Seattle in 1978 and quickly became involved in the local Irish-American community. As befits a member of the famous footbaling family, he also excelled on the field of play and continued lining out for the Seattle Gaels until his early 50s. The position of Honorary Consul is a non-salaried and is designed to assist the Embassy in Washington DC and the Consulate General in San Francisco in promoting contacts between the two countries, facilitating business and official visitors from Ireland, supplying information on Ireland and in providing consular services to Irish citizens resident in or visiting the area for which you would have jurisdiction.
(Source: The Westmeath Independent)

WEXFORD
Fine Gael councilor has said doesn't that he understand why a HSE hospital manager is 'afraid to talk to the Wexford'. people of The Borough Council wrote a letter to the HSE Network Manager Richard Dooley asking him to outline why he met people to discuss the future of St. Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny when he wouldn't meet a Wexford group. The letter was sent on the suggestion of ClIr. Jim Allen of Fine Gael. Mr. Dooley's reply explained that the meeting he attended in Kilkenny was with the Patient Partnership Forum of St. Luke's Hospital. He attended at their request to inform them about the current project and its progress. 'I intend to meet with and brief the Patient Partnership Groups in all acute hospitals regarding this project', he said. 'I don't understand why he is afraid to talk to the people of Wexford. Our hospital is just as important as any other hospital in the region', commented Cllr. Allen.
(Source: The Wexford People)

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