News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Antrim

There was widespread condemnation last Monday after suspected pipe bombs were discovered at St Comgall's Primary School and St Joseph's Primary School in Antrim. The device at St Comgall's was discovered last Monday morning at around 8.30am after an eight-year-old pupil picked it up and carried it to a teacher. Brendan Shannon, from Culnafeigh Green, had just arrived at school with his twin sister Ciara when he saw the device on the ground.
 (Source: Antrim Guardian)

Armagh

A murdered man was killed in a frenzied stabbing, police have revealed.Kevin Fletcher, 32, was found dead at his Armagh home by his girlfriend last week. The unemployed man was vulnerable and defenceless, police said.Detective Chief Inspector Richard Harkness said: "This was a frenzied attack on a man who lived alone and was unable to defend himself against someone who was intent on causing utterly horrific injuries
(Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Carlow

Six firemen from around the county took on the world at the beginning of this month at the annual World Rescue Challenge in Cork. The team of six from Carlow, Tullow and Bagenalstown stations went head-to-head with 32 teams from Ireland, Europe and as far afield as New Zealand and the USA. John Comerford, Darrell Hayden, Paul Curran, Alan Owens, Ted Doyle and Andrew Fisher won the national challenge, which was held in Sligo in March of this year. They finished 16th overall in last weekend’s competition.
 (Source: The Carlow Nationalist)

Cavan

The citizens of Shercock have a new claim to fame last week. They are the fittest and slimmest community in Ireland, having shed no less than 114 stone during a 12-week slim-a-ton designed to raise funds for a new stand at the local GAA grounds, known as O'Hagan Park on the Kingscourt road. The monster weigh-in took place in St Patrick's Hall last weekend at 9am and the community spirit and feel-good factor among the scores of participants was really palpable.
 (Source: The Angle Celt)

Clare

Caher-based woodturner William Edwards is carrying on a family tradition of woodwork by creating functional and unique craft items.  William Edwards is one of a group of Clare craftspeople who exhibits at the new monthly Artisans’ Craft Fair in the Milk Market in Limerick on the last Thursday of every month. William, originally from Kent in the UK, has been living in Caher, near Feakle, for the past 23 years.
 (Source: The Clare Champion)

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