News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Dozens of mourners from Longford Rugby Club were expected to attend to travel to St. Peter’s Church, Rhode, County Offaly later that day after the talented center was killed in a car crash in Sligo on Monday evening, February 11.

The two-car collision, which Gardaí (police) are continuing to investigate, occurred along a stretch of the N4, near Drumfin, shortly before 9 p.m.

A second man, from the Killoe area of Co. Longford, was taken to hospital for minor injuries.
[Source: Longford Leader]

LOUTH

It is a great day for Dundalk as online marketplace eBay announces it is to create 450 jobs at a new operations center in Dundalk.

Fine Gael T.D. for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick, has welcomed the announcement, which was made last Thursday by An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mr. Richard Bruton.

“This is a great day for Dundalk. Not only will the creation of 450 jobs at eBay give the town and county a great boost, it once again demonstrates how highly foreign investors view the skilled workforce Louth has to offer.”
[Source: Dundalk Democrat]

MAYO

A Canadian sculptor is currently working on a proposal to erect a 100-foot bronze statue of St. Patrick on the summit of Croagh Patrick. Sponsorship for the project has been secured, and the idea is that the people of the U.S.A. will bequeath it to the people of Ireland. However, Mayo County Council and local groups who have vested interests in Croagh Patrick were unaware of the plans when contacted by The Mayo News, and the idea looks certain to attract criticism and controversy, given the nature of the proposal and the precedent set in the past by other plans that involved development on the holy mountain.
[Source: The Mayo News]

MEATH

Trim town councilor Willie Fay has announced his resignation from the council. The Fine Gael member cited work commitments that were preventing him attending meetings as the main reason for his decision.

A cattle lorry driver, he had been absent from many recent meetings due to his traveling around the country and internationally. He had been elected on the final count without reaching the quota in the 2009 local elections, filling the last vacant seat.
[Source: Meath Chronicle]

MONAGHAN

A man accused of dangerous driving causing the death of a Monaghan cyclist told his wife he had knocked someone down when he got home, his trial has heard.

Shane O’Farrell (23) died after he was struck by a car between Carrickmacross and Castleblayney in 2011.

Zigimantas Gridzuiska (39), of Ardross Avenue, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing death. He has pleaded guilty to three related charges.
[Source: Irish Times]

OFFALY

If you were looking for romance, then why didn’t you visit Edenderry on Valentine’s Day – the town has just been named as one of the top 10 most romantic towns in Ireland.

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Nster.com