News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

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The claims are provoking strong reaction among readers in Israel and the U.S., including calls for a boycott of Ireland as a tourist destination. One letter writer to the newspaper, who grew up in New York, has called on Israelis to choose their holiday destinations more carefully.
[Source: Irish Times]

KILDARE

Road accidents and appalling weather conditions created havoc on some local roads on Sunday, January 27, with diversions in place as a result of the fatal collision on the Naas/Newbridge road, and a three-car pile-up on the M9 near Crookstown on Sunday afternoon.

The accident in the early hours of Sunday morning, which resulted in the death of Laois man Keith McMahon (27), is being investigated by the Garda (police) ombudsman as Mr. McMahon was being pursued by Gardaí when his car struck a lamppost.

The chase began in Laois after Mr. McMahon, from Crettyard, allegedly drove away from a petrol station without paying for fuel. He is understood to have had a number of previous convictions and was known to the Gardaí. He was taken to Naas Hospital but died shortly afterwards, while a passenger travelling with him was treated for minor injuries.
[Source: Kildare Nationalist]

KILKENNY

A customer who threw food around a restaurant before assaulting the owner of the premises was convicted of the offense at Kilkenny Court.

David Barry, 10 Steeple Court, New Building Lane, entered a plea to criminal damage but denied assault and being intoxicated at Uncle Sam’s, High Street on November 25.

The owner of the premises, Mario Gismandi, told the court that he was “working away” and it was almost closing time when two men and a woman entered the shop.

“They approached the counter and asked me for some food and I said ‘okay.’ They started messing from the counter. That was okay. They got the food and sat down and the two guys started arguing and throwing the food around. Myself and a member of staff said to stop messing and to clear out. The defendant started abusing me and throwing punches and I avoided every one. I threw him out and the defendant started smashing a window from outside. I went outside and he got really aggressive and was going crazy.”
[Source: Kilkenny People]

LAOIS

A heroin addict caught with $9,500 of the drug hidden in the petrol tank of his car has been put on probation, after Judge Tony Hunt was shown “gruesome” pictures of the man’s leg which has been damaged due to a medical condition.

Michael Tynan, from Waterford, was arrested at Portnahinch, Mountmellick, on February 12, 2009.

Garda (Police) Sgt. Michael Ryan, led by State prosecutor Mr. Will Fennelly, gave evidence that a mobile patrol discovered the defendant and three others sitting in a car parked in a laneway. A Garda search of the car revealed a small plastic pack of heroin hidden in the petrol cap. Sgt. Ryan said the quantity of the drug was 47 grams, with a street value of $9,500.
[Source: Leinster Express]

LEITRIM

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