News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Louth

The Marshes are appealing for help to find a missing Shopping Centre landmark. The trademark Marshes blimp, which normally floats above the centre, came loose from its moorings and was blown away from its usual position last week. The blimp was last sighted at the centre on the morning of Monday April 11. Marshes management are asking the public to be vigilant and report any sightings of the structure around the Dundalk area, or further afield. The blimp is 15 x 6 ft approximately, white in color with red Marshes branding on both sides.
(Source: Dundalk Democrat)

Mayo

A garda (police), who was stationed in a County Mayo town until his suspension two years ago, is set to be charged with corruption offences relating to illegal trafficking and organized prostitution.
The charges follow an in-depth investigation by the Garda (police) National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) into organized prostitution in the west of Ireland.  The Garda, who is a native of Sligo, is suspected of falsifying documentation that allowed an African woman, who worked as a prostitute, remain in the State illegally. It is believed that he may not have been aware of the full extent of her activities.
The garda is also suspected of organizing the woman’s rented accommodation.
Reportedly, the garda agreed, after he became friendly with the woman, to assist a member of a gang that smuggled women from Africa to Ireland for prostitution.
(Source: The Mayo News)

Meath

Police have seized cocaine and heroin with an estimated street value of more than one million euros in Co. Meath. The drugs were found during a search at a house in Enfield on Thursday. It was the second substantial drugs seizure in the Republic in 24 hours. Drugs with an estimated street value of £3m were seized in Coolock, Dublin, on Wednesday. A man in his 20s was arrested.
(Source: BBC News)

Monaghan

Gardaí (police) searched a house in Co Monaghan as part of the ongoing PSNI investigation into the murder of Constable Ronan Kerr in Omagh, Co Tyrone last week.  During the house search in Scotstown last week, a number of items were seized and removed for forensic examination.
It is understood the articles seized did not include weapons or ammunition.
No-one was arrested.
(Source: RTE News)

Offaly

One journalist is so keen on covering the visit of US President Obama to Moneygall that she's moved to the Co Offaly village.??Speaking on 'Midlands Today', Eimear Ni Bhraonain from the Irish Independent, says she's moved to an apartment on the village's Main Street.?The President is due in Offaly next month, with heavy speculation centering on May 23rd as the date for his arrival. Eimear says she hopes to get a good view of the most powerful man in the world, now that she's a local.
(Source: Midlands Radio)

Roscommon

More than 400 submissions on an €80 million wind farm proposed for south Roscommon have been received by Roscommon County Council. Green energy company Galetech has applied for planning permission to build an electricity generating wind farm, Seven Hills, close to Dysart, in the townlands of Turrock, Cronin, Mullaghhardagh, Gortaphuill, Tullyneeny and Glenrevagh. However, the Wind Turbine Action Group, South Roscommon, has vowed to oppose the application at council and An Bord Pleanála level, “and beyond if necessary”. They claim 72 per cent of the 408 submissions to the council on the planning application are opposed to the wind farm, with 28 per cent in favor.
(Source: Irish Times)

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