News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Antrim

Massereene Barracks is ready to re-deploy its troops, but this time they'll be a little closer to home. Troops and civilian staff of the 38 Rifles Regiment are preparing for the imminent move to RAF Aldergrove. Speaking to Antrim Guardian, Ken Johnston, Chief Press Officer for the MOD and the Massereene Station Staff Officer said that the links with Antrim would not be lost with a move 'around the corner'.
(Source: Antrim Guardian)

Armagh

Months after the revelation that he helped cover up for one of Ireland's most notoriously abusive priests, the country's top Catholic churchman, Cardinal Sean Brady, says he has "moved on" and will not resign. "I've moved on there, I think, and I got a lot of support in my decision," he told CNN in a rare interview. Brady was part of an internal church investigation into Father Brendan Smyth in 1975, he confirmed early this year. He did not report his findings to the police and asked two teenagers who gave him evidence to sign oaths of secrecy.
(Source:CNN)

Carlow

A local musician, blind since birth, has defied all the odds to be named among the country’s top bodhrán players.  Martin Lawlor (38) a native of St Patrick’s Park, Rathvilly, won third place at the All-Ireland Fleadh Ceoil in Cavan recently, a remarkable achievement given the tough competition he faced from musicians the country over. “I’m over the moon about it. Even to get to the All-Ireland Fleadh was an achievement but to win third place and a silver medal is fantastic,” said a delighted Martin.
(Source: The Carlow Nationalist)

Cavan

A computer hacker took advantage of a brief lapse on the part of a Cavan email user last week and nearly stole €3,000 because of it. Pastor Ivan Watson of Cavan Baptist Church is asking the public to be vigilant - his contacts received an email purporting to be from him and seeking financial help because he had been robbed in France. During his stay, the message claimed, his money, credit cards and phone were stolen, and what he required was €3,000 to help him complete the programme and get back home.
 (Source: The Angle Celt)

Clare

Newmarket’s Tim O’Connell is one of a handful of Irish people ever to reach the world’s lowest point as part of an expedition that descended the 2,191m Krubera-Voronja cave in August. Tim was one of a group of four Irish men to take part in the expedition, in which they were joined by cavers from France, Lithuania, Serbia and Spain. Krubera-Voronja is located in Abkhazia, a region that has declared independence from Georgia but which is still claimed by Tiblisi.
 (Source: The Clare Champion)

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Nster.com