News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Mr Fogarty said: "Mary is very upset. She had the cat for nine years, since it was a kitten, and it was given to her by neighbors. There was a crowd of young kids staring at it and I scooped it up in a black bag to dispose of it. What looked like a plastic ice pop wrapper, like a Mr Freeze wrapper, was tied very tight around its neck and it had blood coming out of its eyes."

Chairperson of Limerick Animal Welfare, Marion Fitzgibbon, who first learned of the case last week said it was "terribly sad" and called for a full Garda investigation into the incident.

(Source:Limerick Leader)

Longford

Longford County Councilor Frank Kilbride spoke this week of his angst as one of his companies was placed in receivership with a debt of almost €3m hanging over it.

The politician/businessman exclusively told the Leader he is working 18 hour days just to keep his other businesses afloat because of the pressure the banks are putting on him.

The issue has also taken its toll on his health. Relentless phone calls and a series of warning letters from his main creditor, ACC Bank has resulted in Mr Kilbride facing a series of sleepless nights ahead of a major heart operation in October.

(Source: Longford Leader)

Louth

An investigation has been launched after a vicious assault that left a young GAA referee in hospital.

Donal Gallagher was the victim of a serious attack by a spectator following the under-16s Division 3 championship final in which Milford beat Liffordside Naomh Padraig in Convoy.

The incident comes in the wake of an attack on a Tyrone official by irate Louth supporters in Croke Park after the Leinster final.
Columnist with the Irish Independent Eugene McGee says it raises serious questions about violence in the sport.

"Very depressing because it happens regularly now in the GAA" he said.

"Well thankfully at least they are being publicized because many a time in the past these things were pushed...under the carpet".
"This is typical of this horrible malaise in the GAA which doesn't happen too often but when it does happen its devastating" he added.

(Source: Midlands Radio)

Mayo

Go on. Get out there. It’s all go in Westport as the inaugural ‘Get Out There Adventure Festival’ hurtles towards the starting line on Thursday, August 19 next.

The fun and free event, which will run alongside the renowned Gaelforce festival, which is the world’s largest adventure race of its kind, is set to transform the heritage town into a maze of adventure points, encompassing a wide variety of entertainment.
The ‘Get Out There Festival’ will challenge and encourage people to try a broad range of sports for themselves.

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Nster.com