Weekly news from around the 32 counties of Ireland

DERRY

A delegation of influential American politicians visited Derry last weekend to discuss how they can play a role in the city's economic regeneration.

The visit, which has been organized by Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson, will see the Massachusetts Senate president, Therese Murray, and Senator Joan Menard, Assistant Majority leader of the Senate, come to the city to meet with business and civil leaders.

It will be the second time Senator Murray has visited Derry.
(Source: The Derry Journal)

DONEGAL

Flooding in Nashville, Tennessee, has forced the postponement of Daniel O'Donnell's long-awaited appearance at the famed Grand Ole Opry, known as the 'spiritual home' of American country music.

The Grand Ole Opry has been home to some of the biggest names in country music for decades.

But extreme weather in May led the River Cumberland to burst its banks, leaving the Opry under several feet of water.

The entertainment complex has been closed since, while crews carry out renovations and refurbishments.
(Source: Donegal Democrat)

DOWN

A man who stabbed his girlfriend to death in front of guests at a house party has pleaded guilty to her murder.

Mark Wallace, 26, from Elmwood Drive in Bangor told friends he was thinking of stabbing Katie Hughes weeks in advance of her death in April 2009.

This week, a judge will tell Wallace, a former cocaine addict, how much of a life sentence he will have to serve before he is eligible for parole.

It is expected that a minimum tariff of 16 years will be set.
(Source: BBC News)

DUBLIN

An estimated 30,000 people took a bite out of the Taste of Dublin festival last weekend.

Despite the recession, hungry Dubs flocked to the Iveagh Gardens to get stuck into the treats on offer from more than 100 stalls.
Organizers hoped the crowd figures remain as strong as in previous years.

The festival is in its fifth year, and most of Dublin's top restaurants signed up, including Bon Appetit, Balzac, Diep Le Shaker and Roly's Bistro, offering dishes for around €6.
(Source: The Evening Herald)

FERMANAGH

A priest has been convicted by a court in Co Tyrone of sexually abusing three Fermanagh sisters over the course of a decade.

Fr Eugene Lewis (76), was found guilty by a jury at Omagh Crown Court guilty of 11 counts of indecently assaulting the three Co Fermanagh sisters separately and on differing dates between August 1963 and September 1973.

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Nster.com