ANTRIM

The family and friends of a tragic Antrim woman who died suddenly have taken steps to ensure that others will continue to benefit from their enduring love for her.

Shauna Harvey was a much loved member of the community and many were deeply moved by her sudden passing.

Her family quickly resolved that they wanted to keep that memory alive and, with more than a little help from her many friends, they decided to raise funds for MindWise.

MindWise, formerly Rethink NI, is a leading membership charity which supports those affected by severe mental illness and other mental health difficulties and promotes early intervention.

[Source: Antrim Guardian]

ARMAGH

Dromintee native, Megan Fearon, is set to become the youngest member of the Assembly as she steps into Conor Murphy’s shoes as MLA for Newry and South Armagh. The 20-year-old student was selected by Sinn Féin party members at a convention held July 2.

Within the past weeks Megan has completed her studies towards a BA honors degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and she hopes to graduate later in the summer.

Her candidacy was proposed by local councilor Packie McDonald, who took the opportunity to wish his party colleague well in the future,

[Source: Examiner Newspaper]

CARLOW

Defiant traders on Tullow Street have vowed not to let their street die despite the closure of three businesses over the past two weeks.

It is estimated that at least 10 people have lost their jobs after Euro Price, Oasis in Houston’s and

Lotts shut their doors without much fanfare.
News of Oasis and Euro Price’s closures came as a shock to staff members and customers while Lotts, which opened in 2011, had advertised a clearance sale.

Traditionally the center of Carlow town, Tullow Street has suffered in recent years with these latest closures hitting traders hard.

[Source: Carlow Nationalist]

CAVAN

A locally elected representative urged for calm in Newtownbutler ahead of a contentious loyalist march last Thursday.

Sinn Fein councilor Thomas O'Reilly had called for "respect" from both sides when over 20 loyalist bands were due to arrive in the Fermanagh border-village for their annual march.

Clr. O'Reilly made the comments in reaction to news that there had been a call from a group purporting to represent nationalist residents of Newtownbutler to stage a protest to "make clear our total and resolute opposition to any proposed Loyalist march.”

[Source: The Anglo Celt]

CLARE

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has dismissed as “unrealistic” a proposal by Ryanair, which it claimed could result in the creation of 1,000 jobs, as the low-cost carrier has based its figures on having largely free use of Shannon Airport, something that “just isn’t on.” Speaking to The Clare

Champion, he also dismissed a claim by former Shannon Airport director and former director general of Aer Rianta International (ARI) Liam Skelly that Shannon should receive over $371 million in recognition of its contribution to the development of ARI, after it leaves the DAA group.

In relation to Ryanair, he said the proposal, which would see them treble their passenger numbers at Shannon and negotiate a free deal on projections of an increase of over 600,000 passengers, “just isn’t on.”

[Source: Clare Champion]

CORK

A large quantity of cannabis was seized in Cork city July 4 at around 4 p.m.

Gardaí (police) from Togher discovered 13 pounds of cannabis herb with an estimated street value of $150,000 when they stopped and searched a car at Pouladuff Road.

A 40-year-old man was arrested and detained at Togher Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Drug Trafficking Act 1996.

[Source: Cork Independent]

DERRY

Derry MLA Pat Ramsey claimed more expenses than any other assembly member last year – claiming more than $135,000.

The SDLP Foyle MLA claimed a total of $143,922, between April 2011 to March 2012. He is one of ten MLA’s who claimed in excess of $125,000 last year.

SDLP colleagues Mark H. Durkan claimed just over $109,000, while former Derry Mayor Colum Eastwood claimed over $107,000.

[Source: Derry Journal]

DONEGAL

A young woman who was left with a functioning brain but no movement in her body and no speech has said she has “indifferent” feelings for the speeding motorist who confined her to a wheelchair.

Lydia Branley was severely maimed for life just 18 months after she helped guide Barack Obama’s Air Force One across the Atlantic on his first flight as president to Europe.

She has “spoken” for the first time since Martin Kearney, the man who ended all her dreams, was sent to jail more than two weeks ago.

She said: “It does not make it any better that he is in prison. I am still in the same position now. I feel little for him. I am indifferent to him.”

[Source: Donegal Democrat]

DOWN

Parts of Co. Down have been flooded by torrential rain with Down District Council declaring an emergency in the area.

Newcastle SDLP councilor Carmel O'Boyle said flood water was "several feet deep" in some areas of the town.

[Source: Belfast Telegraph]

DUBLIN

Detectives investigating the discovery of a human skull in the Dublin Mountains are investigating if it is that of a missing Rathfarnham man.

DNA tests were being carried out last week to establish the identity the remains as a number of families of missing people were waiting on news.

The Herald revealed last Wednesday that a local farmer made the discovery in a field on his land in Tallaght.

A garda (police) spokesperson said that dental records would be carried out in order to provide a firm identification.

Investigating officers are attempting to establish whether the remains of missing Rathfarnham man Dean Reynolds.

The 28-year-old went missing on May 19, and was last seen at Ballycullen, close to his home.

[Source: Evening Herald]

FERMANAGH

Garrison-born, Lorraine Keown has climbed the ranks of the legal world to become President of the European Young Bar Association.

She is the first Irish President and was elected at the group’s recent AGM in Oslo. She had previously served as vice-president and, although the appointment was not a major shock, Lorraine was taking nothing for granted.

“It is one of those things that you don’t want to take for granted, but I was half-expecting it. Having served as vice-president last year it is a natural progression.”

One of 11 children, Lorraine is understandably delighted by the position bestowed upon her.

[Source: Fermanagh Herald]

GALWAY

House prices in Galway continue to tumble in both the city and county, according to two reports issued last week.

The reports by Daft.ie and Myhome.ie both reveal that asking prices for property in Galway continue to fall and houses here are now worth less than half of the asking prices when the property market was at its peak.

The Daft.ie report noted that between March and June of this year, quarter two, house prices in Galway city fell by 3.4%, which is a far greater fall than Dublin, Waterford and Cork where prices have “stabilized”, according to the research.

[Source: Galway Bay FM]

KERRY

An unfinished housing estate on the Dingle Peninsula in Co. Kerry was one of 90 lots due to be sold at a property auction in Dublin last Friday.

The 14 houses on three acres at Annagh Banks have a reserve of $62,000, or roughly $4,300 per house.

Elsewhere, in the village of Sneem on the Ring of Kerry, an unfinished estate of 42 houses is on sale for $619,000.

Annagh Banks was developed on the edge of Castlemaine village at the gateway to the Dingle Peninsula just before the recession hit and property prices collapsed.

[Source: RTE News]

KILDARE

A 99-year-old customer got a wonderful surprise recently when she was able to buy a new tumble dryer for just 99 cents.

May Morris, who is from Main Street, Castledermot, was at the Electrocity store in Carlow to buy her first ever tumble dryer when she was helped by shop assistant Joe Long.

Bill Hackett, managing director of Electrocity, told the Kildare Nationalist: “She came into the store with another lady who was her neighbor. She was buying a tumble dryer and it was her first time buying one. She was dealing with Joe, our sales person, and Joe told me that she was a very sprightly lady; a good humored lady.”

When they got talking, it emerged that May was 99 years of age, something which amazed the sales person. He was so keen to help her with her first tumble dryer purchase that he decided to ring the MD and tell him about her story and she only had to pay 99cent for it. 

[Source: Kildare Nationalist]

KILKENNY

Gardaí (police) in Kilkenny are making strides in tackling cannabis grow houses, but the illicit industry is “relentless,” according to one senior garda.

Speaking at a County Council joint policing committee meeting last Monday, Chief Superintendent Mick McGarry also said that landlords needed to be more careful about the tenants to whom they rent properties. Further drug seizures in recent weeks have raised concerns that Kilkenny is becoming a hotbed of cannabis grow houses.

[Source: Kilkenny People]

LAOIS

The catering unit at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise is under threat and patients could soon be forced to subsist on nothing but frozen meals, if a proposed HSE cost-cutting exercise is passed to outsource catering from as far away as Mullingar.

While the HSE has yet to finalize its plans, it has last week been confirmed to the Leinster Express that the authority are considering reducing the catering service at the hospital and transporting food at the weekends from Mullingar.

[Source: Leinster Express]

LEITRIM

A local community’s plan to convert a derelict site into a People’s Park is set to become a reality after Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, sanctioned the

Leitrim Development Company to approve funding of up to $228,089 towards the first phase of the project.

The funding will be used to secure the site and begin the hard landscaping of the park, led by the newly-formed limited company, Drumshanbo Town Enhancements.

[Source: Leitrim Observer]

LIMERICK

There is widespread relief in Pallaskenry that the Garda (police) station in the village will remain open.

Chief Supt. David Sheahan has given a firm commitment to double this service “over the next couple of weeks.”

Speaking to the Limerick Leader following the packed meeting which took place in Pallaskenry Community Centre, Chief Supt. Sheahan said: “It has never been a consideration of mine to close Pallaskenry Garda station.”

“We currently have a Garda working on a part-time basis and I am going to double that in the short-term. In the coming weeks, I am hoping to have a second Garda working back to back.”

[Source: Limerick Leader]

LONGFORD

A young man with Longford links died after falling from an eight-story balcony in Spain on July 1.
Daniel Kenny (24) from Athlone was a grandson of May Kenny, Killashee Street, who formerly ran the successful Kenny’s Garage with her husband, Dan, who passed away a number of years ago.

Daniel was the son of Donal Kenny, who himself runs the Auto Parts and Tyres company in Golden Island, Athlone.

It is understood that the young man fell from a balcony outside his room in the hotel in which he was staying in the Santa Ponsa area of Majorca.

[Source: Longford Leader]

LOUTH

The global company PayPal welcomed nearly 60 employees to the newly opened site.

Louise Phelan, vice president of global operations for PayPal in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said “I am delighted to welcome our first employees to Dundalk. Today 60 people started working here and by the end of this year we will have over 200 people in Dundalk with 1,000 by 2015.”

[Source: Dundalk Democrat]

MAYO

A young Newport man was brought to a remote bog, stripped naked and thrown into the bog by two former friends who claimed he had raped a mutual friend of theirs a few days previously.

Brian O’Grady of Carrowsallagh, Newport, and Christopher Dyra of Mullane, Newport, both pleaded not guilty to several counts of assault and a single count each of false imprisonment against

Damien Murray of Skirdagh, Newport, on May 27, 2011, while Dyra was also charged with assaulting Murray on May 31, 2011.

However, the court went into recess while Murray was being cross-examined and afterwards both defendants pleaded guilty to a charge of Coercion under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act. Judge Rory MacCabe adjourned sentencing until January 2013.

[Source: The Mayo News]

MEATH

A County Meath company has pulled off a major trade coup by beating off international competition to land a $12 million contract with France's largest exporter of agricultural products, protecting 100-plus jobs at its Oldcastle headquarters in the process.

Dromone Engineering, manufacturers of hitching equipment for agriculture and construction, secured the contract with France's largest exporter of agricultural products, Massey Ferguson (Agco Group), based in Beauvais, north of Paris.

The company also has more good news in the pipeline as it is expected to sign an agreement on a contract of equal size in North America next month.

[Source: Meath Chronicle]

MONAGHAN

Cross-border fuel smugglers caused further pollution in Co. Monaghan in the Croghan area of Annyalla.

They dumped five plastic containers with almost 5,000 liters of diesel sludge – the substance “laundered” from colored tax-rebated diesel when the dye is removed.

Removing the dye enables those processing the diesel to get a higher price for commercial fuel used by motor vehicles.

It was the third illicit dumping of sludge on the southern side of the Monaghan/Armagh Border within that week.

[Source: Irish Times]

OFFALY

Garda (police) Commissioner Martin Callinan has assigned a detective superintendent to investigate the case of missing Co. Offaly woman Fiona Pender.

The 25-year-old hairdresser and part-time model was seven months pregnant when she disappeared from her flat at Church Street in Tullamore on August 22, 1996.

Her mother, Josephine Pender (63), has suffered ill health and insomnia ever since.

Ms. Pender’s disappearance occurred just over a year after her 22-year-old brother Mark died in a motorcycle crash near Tullamore.

“My husband took his own life in 2000 because of the loss of his children. That’s the domino effect,” said Josephine Pender.

[Source: Irish Times]

ROSCOMMON

The Chief Executive of the Midwest Regional Hospitals Group, Ann Doherty, has stated that there will be no additional costs and that smaller hospitals will fare better from the reorganization of acute hospitals in the midwest.

Currently, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is overhauling hospital services in the midwest, Galway and Roscommon.

Hospitals in the two areas have a combined budget of almost $619 million this year.

[Source: Irish Times]

SLIGO

A motorist who overtook another vehicle on a continuous white line going into a bend with no view on the Sligo-Ballina road in what was described by Judge Kevin Kilrane as “extremely dangerous driving” was fined $370 and banned for two years at Sligo Court.

“This is exactly how people are killed on the roads,” Judge Kilrane told Darren O'Connor of The Hawthorns.

O'Connor was represented by solicitor Edmund Henry, who asked that a lesser charge of careless driving be considered. Judge Kilrane refused.

[Source: Sligo Champion]

TIPPERARY

Tipperary farmers could be left counting the cost of the atrocious weather conditions as silage-making, tillage and even stock have all been hit by the unseasonal conditions.

Farmer and county councilor Ger Darcy from Ardcroney told the Tipperary Star last week that the ground conditions were now so bad that it was being affected by heavy machinery used for silage-making.

“The machinery is ploughing up the land and is bringing mud into the silage pits,” he stated.

[Source: Tipperary Star]

TYRONE

One of the two men charged with murdering Michaela McAreavey has accused a hotel colleague of lying about what he saw on the day she died.

Avinash Treebhoowoon (32) was giving evidence in his own defense for the third day at the trial in Mauritius.

He was questioned about claims made by his colleague Raj Theekoy who said he saw both accused leaving the McAreaveys' room around the time of the murder.

Mrs. McAreavey was murdered on the island in January 2011. The 27-year-old teacher was found dead in her suite at the Legends Hotel during her honeymoon.

Treebhoowoon, a former cleaner at the hotel, and his co-accused, Sandip Moneea, deny her murder.

[Source: Tyrone Courier]

WATERFORD

Former Fine Gael councilor Fred Forsey has been sentenced to six years with two suspended for taking bribes from a property developer.

The former deputy mayor of Dungarvan was convicted by a jury last month of taking $99,000 in bribes in exchange for lobbying his colleagues to rezone agricultural land for residential and industrial use.

[Source: Waterford News & Star]

WESTMEATH

Labour's Clr. Jim Henson was elected Mayor of Athlone at last Monday evening's AGM of Athlone Town Council, taking over from Clr. Shaw, described as a diligent mayor who had been impartial in the council chamber.

Independent Clr. Sheila Buckley Byrne proposed Clr. Henson for the role of mayor, saying he had served ably in his year as deputy mayor and she thought he would follow on into office and serve the town of Athlone well.

[Source: Westmeath Independent]

WEXFORD

Forty-five jobs were announced last Monday for Danone, Cow Gate in Rocklands, at a conference on the Action Plan for Jobs in the Talbot Hotel.

The company’s $25m investment was announced by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton.

He said the investment is supported by the Government through Enterprise Ireland and will see an expansion at the plant which produces baby and infant formula under the Aptamil and Cow & Gate brands.

[Source: Wexford Echo]

WICKLOW

A pensioner was recovering from the trauma of being locked up in his home for over nine hours by intruders.

The ordeal for Pat O’Toole, a widower in his late 70s, started around 10 p.m. last Tuesday night when three men entered his home at Mellow’s Avenue, Arklow, Co. Wicklow, demanding cash.

Entry was gained through a window at the rear of the house and the intruders had an altercation with Mr. O’Toole before locking him in one room. It understood they made off with some cash and a checkbook.

[Source: Irish Times]