News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Antrim

A former Director of the Hospital Trust which operates Muckamore Abbey fears that the pedophile brothers who preyed on their community for decades are Antrim bound.

James (61) and Owen-Roe McDermott (52) sexually abused children during a 30-year reign of terror in their native County Fermanagh.

They hit the headlines in June when they voluntarily admitted themselves to Lakeview Hospital in Londonderry after they were deemed too mentally ill to stand trial for the catalogue of abuse.

(Source:Antrim Guardian)

Armagh

Two men with firearms entered the bank at Cardinal O'Fiaich Square at about 1015 BST.

One of the robbers approached a staff member carrying out a cash in transit delivery and took a box. He then demanded cash from a teller.

The robbers made off in a blue Vectra car. It is believed the robbers escaped with a substantial sum of money.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

(Source: BBC News)

Carlow

Furious homeowners in Carlow have slammed the town council for allowing road works to take place in a residential area after 2am.

Gardaí were called last Tuesday night after people became infuriated by work on the new Palatine Road roundabout at SuperValu and the Sandhills housing estate.

A resident from the nearby Willows estate claims he and his family, including five young children, were woken in the early hours of the morning to the sound of construction work.

“They started at 10pm and went right on until 2.45am; it was unbelievable. The vibrations from the road roller went through our house. Who in God’s name gave them permission to work at that hour of the night?” he asked.

(Source:Carlow Nationalist)

Cavan

Retailers in County Cavan are reporting an increase in consumer spending in recent times of between five and ten per cent. And with the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil to be staged in the county next week - with an estimated spin off to the economy of €25m - things are really looking up.

The renewed optimism comes as figures released in the past week show that retail spending nationally in May was up by an average 3.5%, compared to May 2009.

The increases recorded were even greater in the Border region, which had been hammered in recent years by the recession, weak sterling and cross-border shopping. However, it appears that the tide is now turning and business sources in Cavan town, Bailieboro, Belturbet and Ballyconnell all report an increase in consumer spend.

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Nster.com