News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Part of the enquiry centers on a decision taken by Police chiefs to halt growing backlogs associated with individuals who have not shown up in court and for whom bench warrants have been issued.

And while the Leader has learned of the approximate number of suspects currently under surveillance, police have for the moment remained tight-lipped.

“We would have identified several dozen people we believe are involved in drugs and our focus has been on them,” said a police source last week. “It is intellegence-led and we have managed to clear out about 70 per cent of outstanding warrants through this.”

The change in tactics employed by police has also caused officers to carry out routine checks and searches of those believed to be involved in drugs and organized crime.
(Source: Longford Leader)

Louth

A new legal battle could be set to develop over a 10.85-acre piece of land on the Lower Point Road.

Last month the land, located next to the Sewerage Treatment Plant, was the subject of a High Court action with Mr Justice Hedigan deciding that McCaughey Developments Ltd – who bought the land from Dundalk Port Company in 2006 for e1.7 million – had been deprived of fair procedures when Dundalk Town Council voted to change the zoning from residential to recreation, amenity and open space.

The land had been bought by McCaughey Developments Ltd as residential but Mr Justice Hedigan found an injustice had been done to the company arising from the circumstances that led to the change of zoning on November 17 2009.

When a High Court judgement was made last month that the matter should be reconsidered, Dundalk Town Council opted not to contest the decision.

However, last week the Louth Environmental Group (LEG) lodged an appeal to the Supreme Court seeking to reinstate the council’s original decision to zone the land, which includes the old Quay Celtic soccer pitch, as an open space recreational amenity area.

Their appeal comes as McCaughey Developments have submitted a planning application to build 44 houses on the site with the LEG claiming that the council will be liable to make a e4.4 million payout in planning compensation unless they grant it.
(Source: Dundalk Democrat)

Mayo

The mystery of the Westport bumper National Lottery winners has been resolved. Well, kind of. The couple, from the west, turned up to claim their €2 million prize jackpot at lottery headquarters in Dublin on Tuesday, June 28. As is their entitlement, they have opted to keep their identities private.

Popping the champagne in Dublin, the jubilant woman told lottery staff: “We are delighted. It’s a dream come true.”

The couple became millionaires after they bought an €8 Quick Pick ticket in McLoughlin’s Spar on Shop Street, Westport. A decade ago, the family-run shop also turned up trumps for Westport native, John Moran, who won £2.1 million.
(Source: The Mayo News)

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Nster.com