Weekly news from around the 32 counties of Ireland

(Source: The Drogheda Independent)

 

MAYO

A U.S. helicopter pilot who died in a crash in Afghanistan as his aircraft was taking off was son of Mr. Jackie Lyons, formerly of Quay Road, Westport. Chief Warrant Officer Niall Lyons (40), whose mother Nuala comes from Dublin, was one of 10 Americans who died when low visibility caused the helicopter to crash, the US Army said on Wednesday last. The helicopter crashed about 3.30am the previous Monday and the US Army denied claims that it had been brought down by hostile fire from Taliban militants on the ground. The helicopter crashed when it lifted off after a successful operation to disrupt arms smuggling and narcotics trafficking in the Qadis district, the Army said. The crash in Badghis province killed seven US service members and three US civilians.

(Source: Mayo News)

 

MEATH

Former Taoiseach (Prime Minister), John Bruton, who returned home to Dunboyne last weekend, has thrown his hat into the ring for the post of President of the European Council. The Dunboyne native and former Meath TD, who has been the EU's ambassador to Washington over the past five years, has written to the ambassadors of all 27 EU countries to the United States to announce his interest. MEP, Mairead McGuinness said Mr. Bruton was the ideal candidate and had a lot of support with the European People's Party, the grouping Fine Gael belongs to in the European Parliament.

(Source: The Meath Chronicle)

 

MONAGHAN

Monaghan man in his 20s failed to offer any explanation as to why he had certain explosive materials in his presence when he was arrested during an armed raid on a Dublin apartment, the Special Criminal Court heard last Thursday. Evidence was being heard in the trial of three men accused of unlawfully having explosive material in their possession at an apartment in Clondalkin, Dublin, on September 9th, 2008.

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