News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Scaffolding contractor Damien McCann, from Sandyhill in Newry, was steering his speedboat just off the beach when he struck the child.

Stuart suffered severe head injuries in the collision and died later in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
[Source: BBC News]

DUBLIN

A criminal arrested by Gardaí (police) investigating the murder of Real I.R.A. boss Alan Ryan was previously pepper-sprayed by officers in a bizarre driving incident.

During the incident in the Coolock area in October 2011, the 26-year-old man was travelling in a car with crime boss “Mr. Big,” who is suspected of organizing Ryan's murder in Clongriffin, north Dublin.

The pair was pulled over by officers before the man in Garda custody today started to act in a threatening and aggressive way and had to be pepper sprayed.
[Source: Evening Herald]

FERMANAGH

Invest N.I., the investment arm within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, has rebutted a claim by a Fermanagh Sinn Fein councilor that it did not bring enough investors into the county.

It said assistance from Invest N.I. to Fermanagh of almost $15 million in the last 5 years had contributed towards a total planned investment of over $141 million, promoting 548 new jobs and safeguarding 270.

From 2002/3 to 2011/12, Fermanagh received $37 million of a total $1.8 billion investment.

Sheamus Greene told the Herald he was not surprised at the figures he received from D.E.T.I. in relation to Invest N.I.’s success in creating jobs and encouraging foreign and inward investment to Fermanagh, compared with the other five counties.

He commented: “Over a ten year period, from 2002-3 to 2011-12, Antrim received [$997 million], Tyrone [$148 million], Derry [$236 million], Armagh [$193 million], Down [$183 million] and Fermanagh received [$37 million].”
[Source: Fermanagh Herald]

GALWAY

More than 14 new jobs are on the way for Galway City.

Mixgreens, a healthy fast food restaurant franchise, is to open their third restaurant at Liosbaun Industrial estate on Monday, February 18.

The new premises will create 14 jobs.

The company already has two restaurants at Newscastle road and the Grainstore in the city center, employing 20 people.

The eco-gourmet restaurants were launched by chef, business man and Galway native Kieran Nolan in 2012.
[Source: Galway Bay FM]

KERRY

Danny Healy-Rae last Wednesday confirmed he will vote against such a motion at Monday’s meeting of Kerry County Council because he has “serious concerns’’ about same-sex couples adopting children.

“I’m not against gay people or anything like that. That’s their business, but I would be very worried in regard to adoption. If adoption was out of it, it would be a different story altogether,’’ he said.

The independent councilor said he had not been lobbied by any side on the gay marriage issue and could not understand the urgency of putting a motion before the council.
[Source: Irish Examiner]

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Nster.com