News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Annabel Gibson, who runs a popular sweet shop in the village, was only saved from her ordeal after a vigilant neighbor came to her rescue.

Speaking to the Tyrone Courier, Gary Harkness described Ms. Gibson as "the life of the village" and said the unfortunate incident highlighted the importance of checking in on elderly neighbors.
[Source: Tyrone Courier]

WATERFORD

A raid on a converted two-story factory unit on the Waterford Airport Business Park uncovered one of the biggest cannabis cultivation seizures in the country and resulted in the arrest of two Polish nationals — one of whom had only been in Ireland a matter of hours before his arrest.

The story of how over 1,700 cannabis plants ready for harvesting, and which would have produced cannabis worth in the region of $1.7 million were seized as part of a Garda (police) operation on October 24, 2012, unfolded at Waterford Criminal Circuit Court two weeks ago.

Wieslaw Zawawzki (50), a former truck driver and who was described as the horticulturalist for the operation, pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis plants with a street value of $1.7 million at Waterford Airport Business Park on October 24, 2012 and with possessing cannabis resin with a market value of $17,340 or more for sale and supply to another.
[Source: Waterford News & Star]

WESTMEATH

Students are innovative and think outside the box; they are naturally good at inventions and spotting solutions to problems – but adults tend to think mainstream and stick to what they know.

That is the assessment of Westmeath County Enterprise Board as its people prepare for the county final of the Student Enterprise Awards, at Golden Island Shopping Centre in Athlone on Friday, February 22.

Among the ideas this year are a flashing dog collar, medical application for smart phones, a calf coat, an animal feed holder, a book for children with special needs and a handbook for those living independently for the first time, as well as a natural solution that stops dogs chewing things you don't want them to chew.
[Source: Westmeath Examiner]

WEXFORD

A 21-year-old Wexford man is fighting for his life having been stabbed in the neck with a carving knife during a row in Perth, Australia.

Kenny Meyler, from the well-known Meyler family in Wexford Town, is in a critical condition at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, after being stabbed during a fight in the Scarborough area of the city, which took place at around 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 10.

The son of Melanie Meyler and Dermot Moloney and grandson of Seán and Una Meyler, he was working in Perth where he was living with friends.
[Source: Wexford Echo]

WICKLOW

Residents on a Wicklow housing estate are being pursued for the payment of outstanding development fees that were left unpaid by the developer of the estate.

Wicklow County Council has written to 21 homeowners in Avoca demanding payment of $3,335 each.

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Nster.com