News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

A mother and daughter who were employed by the nursing home are subsequently to be awarded compensation after they detailed a litany of bullying and name-calling by Avondale Nursing Home boss Miriam Holmes.

Mary Dunne and her daughter Erica (23), both from Callan, Co Kilkenny, told the Employment Appeals Tribunal at Kilkenny Rivercourt Hotel that they were "constantly bullied", and that they felt that they were forced into leaving their jobs at the Avondale Nursing Home in Callan.

The tribunal heard that the defense failed to turn up this time and also on two previous occasions to offer defense in the case. The tribunal was also told that on this occasion Ms Holmes and her daughter were in Australia since last week ‘on a family matter’.

Five other former employees at Avondale Nursing Home have also lodged cases with the tribunal, including claims for unfair dismissal and constructive dismissal against the privately owned nursing home. They are being represented by trade union SIPTU.

Tribunal chairperson Kate O'Mahony last Tuesday automatically found that the mother and daughter had been constructively dismissed after Ms Holmes failed to appear at the Tribunal on three separate occasions.

A decision on compensation for Mary and Erica Dunne will be made at a later date.
(Source: Kilkenny Advertiser)

Laois

A man was arrested by gardaí (police) investigating the murder of Thomas Thompson in Co Laois over four years ago.

The remains of Mr Thompson were discovered in Dysart near Portlaoise in January 2008.

The British father of five, known as Tommy, had disappeared from his rented home nine months earlier.
Mr Thompson, aged 59, was originally from Yorkshire and had worked as a plastering contractor in Ireland for several years.

He was reported missing from his home in Borris Road on April 20, 2007.
(Source: RTE News)

Limerick

A man in a white van who approached a young girl in Caherdavin may have been looking for directions, but the incident has been described by gardai (police) as “suspicious” and they are advising parents to be vigilant.

The driver of the 07-D registered vehicle gestured to the girl to approach the van in the Laurel Court area of Caherdavin.

The child “became fearful” according to Sgt Brian Broderick. She did not go near the van, and ran inside home to a parent who later alerted gardai.

The incident took place at around 3pm on Tuesday, June 14.

The van driver, who is believed to have been alone in the vehicle is described as being in his mid-thirties, and was of average build.

He had fair hair cut short; he was clean shaven, and he was wearing a white t-shirt.

“The van was a white van and the registration began with 07D,” said Sgt Broderick of the Crime Prevention Office.

“It is possible that this may just have been an innocent approach from a person looking for directions however this young girl took the correct course of action by not approaching a stranger and by seeking help from an adult.”
(Source: Limerick Leader)

Longford

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