News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Longford

Over two thousand people gathered in Athlone last weekend to participate in a discussion organised by the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association (TCCA) regarding the reversal of new legislation which permits turf cutting in newly designated Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). Roscommon County Mayor and PRO of the TCCA Luke "Ming" Flanagan said that because of the new legislation which came into effect on January 1, 2010 "the good people of this country were criminalised for cutting turf on a certain 32 bog complexes or 165 bog townlands".
(Source: Longford Leader)

Louth

A documentary about bare-knuckle boxing in Dundalk, which featured in this year's Sundance Film Festival could be re-made into a TV drama series by HBO. According to Variety, HBO is nearing a deal for remake rights for the documentary 'Knuckle', which chronicles a 12-year journey into the world of travellers and bare-knuckle fighting. Ian Palmer's film was shortlisted to compete in the World Cinema Documentary Competition where it received its premiere alongside most of the other 12 features in the group.
(Source: Dundalk Democrat)
Mayo
A ‘substantial’ amount of cash was taken from the safe of a popular Ballinrobe pub last weekend in what was described as ‘a very organized and professional crime’. On Saturday morning (January 29) thieves broke into Art O’Neill’s pub on Abbey Street in Ballinrobe at around 6am and removed a safe which had been secured to a wall in the pub. The culprits were disturbed by the owner on their exit from the building and on their escape drove the wrong way down a one-way street.
(Source: The Mayo News)

Meath

Gardai (police) in south Meath are warning householders of the increase in thefts of gold jewellery from houses, and believe that thieves may be selling stolen goods on to 'cash for gold’ stores. They have also asked the cash for gold outlets to make sure they are aware of the origin of pieces that is being sold to them. Garda authorities in Navan say they have already visited all the cash for gold outlets in the town and asked them to be conscious of the problem.
(Source: The Meath Chronicle)

Monaghan

A Co Monaghan man accused of possessing explosives was served with a Book of Evidence at the Special Criminal Court last Wednesday . Martin Connolly, of Mullantimore, Tydavnet, Co Monaghan, was charged with knowingly possessing a Novital Magnum Electric Cereal Mill and ammonium nitrate at his address between 8-11 September 2010, contrary to Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act. State solicitor Michael O'Donovan told the court that both sides had agreed to a four-week period for the perusal of the Book of Evidence.
(Source: RTE News)

Offaly

Offaly hoteliers welcomed the launch of a major turnaround plan for tourism by a national coalition of business interests led by the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation (ITIC) and the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) and including, IBEC, Chambers Ireland and the IFA. The report, Tourism Opportunity - driving economic renewal, identifies the urgent action required to reverse the collapse in overseas demand over the past two years and sets out how tourism can play a significant role in Ireland's economic recovery as one of Ireland's top indigenous industries.
(Source: Offaly Express)

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