News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Cork

The number of people signing on to the live register in Cork dropped between October and November. Cork North Central Fianna Fail TD, and Minster for State, Billy Kelleher announced that the number of people signing on dropped by 624 for the period, as well as a fall in unemployment numbers from 44,186 to 43,562 during the month. Speaking about the drop Minister Kelleher said, “Well obviously the numbers of people unemployed throughout Cork are still too high but I’m glad to see another drop in the number of people on the live register locally.”
Source: (Cork Independent)

Derry

A Londonderry man has been jailed for five months for breaking into a house. Alan Whelan (24) of Drummard Park was charged with the offence, which occurred at a property in Grangemore Park, on November 30 last year. The city magistrates’ court was told a householder awoke at 5.30am on hearing noises in his garage. He disturbed two intruders who made off when he appeared. Stereo equipment had been stacked up ready to be taken and a crate of beer had been opened and two tins taken. Tests revealed that the defendant's DNA was on one of the tins. When questioned he could give no explanation.
(Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Donegal

Fears of an exodus of the county's young people will intensify in the new year as many prepare to head overseas in search of work. Among them are many well-educated graduates who say they have no alternative but to leave home. Student Union President of Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Marian Gibbons from Fanad, a graduate in Law Studies at the college, says like many of her friends, she is also being forced to emigrate in search of work.
(Source: Donegal Democrat)

Down

A Co. Down man who ran a failed yacht and boat sales company from an island on Strangford Lough has been barred from acting as a company director for eight years.
Misconduct admitted by selling agent David Thomas McKnight (49) of Inishanier, Whiterock, in Killinchy, included failing to refund over £100,000 which had been paid for a boat. Mr McKnight gave a disqualification undertaking to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in October, according to a statement released by DETI last week.
(Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Dublin

Public transport workers have been hailed for going beyond the call of duty during the Big Freeze. Bus, train and Luas staff were praised for helping commuters get home in the Arctic conditions. One Iarnrod Eireann train driver offered to drive an elderly couple from Armagh to Monaghan when it appeared they would be stranded. Luas drivers got out of their trams to push cars, while Dublin Bus staff have managed to struggle into work in all types of conditions.
(Source: The Herald)

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Nster.com