News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

What's going on in your home county in Ireland

A Mullingar mother of six has started a one-woman crusade to get the powers that be to help the hundreds of thousands of ordinary, hard-working families who are struggling to make ends meet.

For the last two years, Walshestown resident Linda Raeside says that she and her husband Luke – who has a "good job" – have not bought heating oil or used their electric clothes drier in a bid to make Luke's salary last until the end of month.

Linda says her family's income has fallen by at least $800, since the introduction of the Universal Social Charge at the start of 2011 and the cuts to the Children's Allowance over the last two budgets.

"Every month you are always waiting. The last week is always the worst – you are trying to make sure there is enough food on the table, we are trying to make sure there is enough diesel in the car so my husband can go to work in Dublin, and all the bits and pieces that come in from school and you are trying to push it out until you get paid."
[Source: Westmeath Examiner]

WEXFORD

A check for $40,000 will be sure to help the “January blues” for former Wexford G.A.A. County Chairman Paddy Wickham, who took part in the Winning Streak program on Saturday, January 19.

The Bloomfield man entered the game-show as the “Dream Player” and spun the Dream Maker Wheel, missing out on the top prize of $67,000 but winning a hefty sum of $40,000.

The lowest prize that he could have scooped on the wheel was $13,000.
[Source: Wexford Echo]

WICKLOW

The bail of a convicted sex offender sentenced to 12 years for the rape and indecent assault of his daughter has been revoked.

The judge apologized to Patrick O'Brien's victim, Fiona Doyle, and expressed regret for the stress caused.

O'Brien, from Bray in County Wicklow, admitted the rape and indecent assault of his daughter, over a 10-year period.

He had been released on bail pending appeal, after nine years of the sentence were suspended.
[Source: BBC News]
 

​
Nster.com