News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Limerick

The Dalai Lama will arrive by helicopter for his visit to the University of Limerick this week, landing on the middle of the running track beside the UL Arena, where he is due to deliver an address entitled ‘The Power of Forgiveness’ to close to 3,500 people at the sold-out event. A massive security operation will surround the visit by the exiled Tibetan leader, who announced recently that he is to step down as a political leader. The UL Arena building is to be “locked down” overnight by gardai (police). The Buddhist leader will be accompanied by a “significant personal security team” when he arrives, with his entourage traveling in two separate helicopters.
(Source: Limerick Leader)

Longford

A suspected paedophile who appeared on a Britain’s most wanted list was arrested in Longford last week. Crimestoppers UK, the crime-fighting charity, said that Dublin-born Patrick Pious Hancox, 68, was on the list of wanted individuals under Operation Captura. The Sun newspaper and Sky News had previously carried in detailing the list of wanted suspects. It had been believed he was hiding out in Spain but in fact was arrested in Co Longford last Tuesday morning.
(Source: Longford Leader)

Louth

A Dundalk man has said that his partner - who has mobility issues - is unable to access his home because “cheap motorists” are using the area as a car park. According to Brendan Moore from Pearse Park, the elderly and disabled are unable to get around the residential area with ease as increasing numbers of motorists are parking their cars on footpaths in the estate. “There are a number of low level ramps in the area which makes it easy for cars to park there. It has gotten worse due to the price of parking,” he said.
(Source: Dundalk Democrat)

Mayo

Following the excitement of the Royal visit of Prince Albert II of Monaco last week, Mayo may soon be getting ready for a Presidential visit with speculation that US President Barack Obama may visit the county on his visit to Ireland in May.
Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney said he believes that President Obama’s visit to Ireland will include a trip to the west and this would include Mayo for ‘obvious reasons’ in reference to the Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s home constituency.
(Source: The Mayo News)

Meath

A Laytown man who has been on the waiting list for a lung transplant for the past 10 years last week appealed to people to carry a donor card.

Paul Wynn of Inse Bay says that a transplant would dramatically improve the quality of his life and would significantly add to his life expectancy.

The 26 year-old cystic fibrosis patient is fully behind the Organ Donor Awareness Week campaign and says that carrying an organ donor card has the potential to save lives.

Paul is in the transplant waiting pool for a lung transplant at Dublin's Mater Hospital and has been awaiting a transplant for around 10 years.
(Source: The Meath Chronicle)

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Nster.com