News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

(Source: The Fermanagh Herald)

GALWAY

Galway based comedian Tommy Tiernan has hit out at claims he is anti-Semitic after excerpts from his show at the Electric Picnic were published last week. While taking part in a question-and-answer discussion in the Hot Press chat room at the Stradbally festival, Tiernan lambasted Jews for their role in the death of Christ, joking, "I would have got 10 or 12 million out of that" when referring to the Holocaust. However, in a statement release on his website, Tiernan said it was not his intention to cause hurt, saying his comments were taken completely out of context.

(Source: Galway Independent)

KERRY

A complete review of all safety features on Skellig Michael will be carried out after a second American tourist fell to her death from the precarious ledge leading to the summit of the world famous heritage site the weekend before last. Fifty seven-year-old mother of two Christine Danielson Spooner from Rochester New York, who was holidaying in Kerry with her husband, died after she plunged 30 feet from the ledge near the top of Skellig Michael. Mrs. Danielson Spooner suffered serious head injuries when she fell from the ledge. Boatman   Kenneth Roddy of Joe Roddy and Sons, a company that has provided transport to and from the island for over 40 years, was highly critical of the OPW's failure to install greater safety measures on the island. Mr. Roddy believes a simple railing would have been sufficient to prevent the tragedy. "Calls have been made over the years before and after the first incident for a simple, short guardrail to be installed along this ledge, which is just a few short meters in length," he said.

(Source: The Kerryman)

KILDARE

The people of Athy took to the streets last Saturday to protest against the planned closure of a ward in St Vincent’s Hospital. The protest march against the closure of St Camillus’s 26-bed ward was organized by the Labor Party in Athy and has received the backing of all the political parties. It will start from Emily Square at 2pm and the marchers will make their way through the town to the hospital. The Cathaoirleach of Athy Town Council Clr Aoife Breslin, along with her fellow Labor councilors Mark Wall, James Mahon and Thomas Redmond, tabled a motion at the September meeting of the council calling on the HSE to reverse the decision to close the 26-bed ward. Cllr Mary O’Sullivan also tabled a motion expressing disappointment at the ward closure in Athy, as well as a ward closure in Naas General Hospital.

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Nster.com