News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Antrim

Former Antrim Mayor 'Glam Pam' Lewis spent more than £2,600 of taxpayers' money on clothes during her term in office, the Antrim Guardian can exclusively reveal.

The figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show that the DUP MLA spent a total of £16,581 in her year as First Citizen. ?While this was less than the £19,339 average spent by her predecessors since 2007, the nature of her spending has outraged her Council colleagues.

Details of her retail therapy courtesy of the public purse are likely to damage her public persona even further after shocking revelations about her private life earlier this month.

When the 39-year-old's affair with civil servant Michael Cameron hit the headlines few could believe that the devout Free Presbyterian would abandon her devoted husband Ian and their three teenage children.

But in the days following the lurid headlines the DUP MLA confirmed the whispers, telling the Antrim Guardian that it was 'with regret' that her marriage had come to an end.

While Mrs Lewis appealed for privacy she also said she was determined to 'continue to represent all of the people of Antrim' - the same people who have paid more than £200 a month to clothe her in the latest style.
(Source: Antrim Guardian)

Armagh

One of four men arrested in connection with the discovery of a mortar in Co Louth has been granted bail by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.

Patrick Tierney (25), of Drumarg Park, Armagh City, Co Armagh was charged with the unlawful possession of an explosive substance, an improvised mortar launcher and a mortar at Dromiskin, Co Louth on November 30, 2010.

He was arrested after a garda investigation into the activities of dissident republicans.

The court granted Tierney bail on his own bond of €100 and two independent sureties totalling €16,500.
Tierney was also ordered to sign on daily at Navan Garda Station, to observe a curfew between 11pm and 7am and to reside at his uncle's address in Nobber, Co Meath.

His co-accused Dalton McKevitt (36) was granted bail in December last year. He was charged with possession of an improvised mortar launcher and a mortar at Commons Road, Dromiskin. He was also charged with IRA membership.

There were no bail applications on behalf of the two other men arrested in connection with the same operation.

They are: Niall Farrell (34), of Closhbrid, Dundalk, Co Louth, who was charged with the unlawful possession of a mortar launcher and with IRA membership; and Patrick Gordon (22), of Newtownhamilton Road, Armagh City is also charged with the unlawful possession of an explosive substance, an improvised mortar launcher and a mortar.

The case was adjourned for mention on July 28.
(Source: Herald.ie)

Carlow

Staff in a Carlow town crèche have been left picking up the pieces after their outside play area was set alight and destroyed.

Milestones Crèche has been open in Friar’s Green housing estate, Tullow Road since 2004.

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Nster.com