News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Antrim

After decades of neglect, Antrim town centre may finally be standing on the brink of its biggest ever regeneration.

Bold promises have been made before, but after the Castle Centre and Ulster Bar Corner failed to breathe life into the 'ghost town', jaded shoppers could be forgiven a depressing sense of déjà-vu.

But, according to Social Development Minister Alex Attwood, things are about to change - and a town run down by years of low investment could soon be spoiled for choice.

(Source: The Antrim Guardian)

 
Armagh

A leading dissident republican was found guilty today of attempting to smuggle weapons and explosives into Northern Ireland from an arms dealer who was an MI5 agent.

Paul McCaugherty (43) from Lurgan, County Armagh, was convicted of a string of offences at Belfast Crown Court related to the elaborate two-year undercover sting operation carried out by the security services.

Ruling in the non-jury trial, judge Mr Justice Hart said the case against the Real IRA member was “extremely compelling”.

(Source: The Irish Times)

Carlow

They may be on the first rung of the education ladder, but nonetheless the children from Tots to Teens Crèche in Tullow donned their caps and gowns and graduated to the next step of their education journey.

The ceremony had all the pomp and ceremony associated with the great halls of learning, although it was miles apart and years away.

Many of the children have been attending Tots to Teens on the Shillelagh Road since it opened its doors in 2007.

“Throughout the years, the children have reached many developmental milestones. Kathleen O’Neill and Natasha Dowling have guided the children this year in preparing them for another big milestone in their lives by heading off to primary school,” said crèche manager Aisling O’Neill.

(Source: Carlow Nationalist)

 
Cavan

EirGrid has sensationally withdrawn its application for the Meath/Tyrone 400KV interconnector development. It follows the revelation during cross examinations in the An Bord Pleanála hearings into the project that the original planning notice, published as part of the public consultation process, had the incorrect height of the pylons to run through Cavan and Monaghan.

As a result, the commercial semi-state company has said that it has no option but to withdraw its application for planning permission. However, EirGrid says it remains committed to the development of this project, which it claims is vital for the region.

It is estimated that EirGrid have already spent up to €20 million on the planning proposal and the latest development could set the project back years.

(Source: The Anglo Celt)

 
Clare

An alarming six dog attacks in the past two weeks are currently under investigation by Clare’s dog warden, Frankie Coote.

Mr Coote said he would normally investigate that amount of attacks in six months, but in the past two weeks, six serious attacks have been brought to his attention. He is investigating with a view to prosecution.

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Nster.com