News from the 32 counties of Ireland

The latest news from Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Laois, Louth, Longford, Offaly, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Westmeath, Fermanagh, Donegal, Antrim, Cavan, Tyrone, Down, Armagh, Derry, Cork, Kerry, Clare, Waterford, Tipperary, Limerick, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Sligo

ANTRIM
Tens of thousands of people swapped dry land to try out their sea legs last Thursday making the opening of the Belfast Maritime Festival a huge success. Organizers said attendance figures had “far exceeded” initial expectations with unconfirmed reports indicating upwards of 100,000 visitors in the first day. Traders also reported a very busy day.  Visitors both young and old traveled from across the country to the city center for the first day of the major international event.
(Source: The Belfast Telegraph)    

ARMAGH
Dozens of students from Newry and south Armagh returned home early from a Donegal Gaeltacht at the weekend after an outbreak of the swine flu pandemic forced the college to temporarily close. Coláiste Mhuire in Loch an Iúir shut down halfway through the three-week course after a number of the students were confirmed as having contracted the virus. On Friday, six students were sent home after testing positive.  The decision to close the college was taken the following day after a further five were suspected of being infected, while more than 80 children were seen by a local GP.
(Source: The Examiner)

CARLOW
Facilities in Carlow Train Station have been slammed after it emerged that wheelchair users can’t get off at the station. In certain situations, people with wheelchairs are being forced to travel to the next station on the rail line so they can get off the train safely and they are then taxied back to Carlow. A shocked train user reported the situation, describing it as “atrocious” and criticizing the transport umbrella body CIE for wasting money on taxis instead of providing proper facilities in the station.
(Source: The Carlow Nationalist)

CAVAN
As the Killinkere community mourns the loss of hero Simon Delaney (21) who drowned along with Matthew Gibbons (20) from Dublin after helping others who had got into difficulty on Lough Dargan, it has emerged that the tragedy need not have happened. The life-saving ring-buoy at the lake was not on its post, having been stolen some time previously. Gardaí (police) in Bailieboro have confirmed that the tragic accident is being investigated by The Marine Casualty Investigation Board.
(Source: The Anglo Celt)

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Nster.com