Antrim

After years of offering a round-the-clock service to the people of Antrim, the shutters will finally come down next week as the town's busy police station moves to a 'part-time' footing. From September 1, the Enquiry Office at Antrim will be closed to members of the public for routine business between the hours of 11pm and 8am.
(Source: Antrim Guardian)

Armagh

A Mid-Ulster estate agency is in liquidation owing the Northern Bank almost £900,000 and the Inland Revenue almost £25,000. Joyce Estate Agents Limited had a number of premises in County Armagh at the height of the property boom. The directors wound the company up earlier this month because it could not meet its liabilties.The goodwill of business is understood to have been taken over by a former employee who is now running the agency under a new name from its Portadown office.
(Source:BBCNews)

Carlow

A local priest last week revealed his lack of confidence in the “secretive, non-consultative and greatly imbalanced” process of selecting the new Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. Five months after the shock resignation of Bishop Jim Moriarty, Fr Paddy Byrne, CC, Bagenalstown lashed the “no change” mentality within the Church. “I find myself somewhat cynical and deeply frustrated by the ‘no change’ mentality that continues to govern in Rome,” Fr Paddy writes in his column in The Nationalist.
 (Source: The Carlow Nationalist)

Cavan

A Ballyconnell man is going to attempt a solo swim across the English Channel this Monday and will be the first man from County Cavan to get involved in such an awesome adventure. Breccene Ennis, who currently lives in the Ballinteer area of County Dublin, told The Anglo-Celt this week that his only objective in attempting this challenge is to raise money for Temple Street Children's Hospital and he hopes to raise at least €5,000.
(Source: The Angle Celt)

Clare

A Clare company played a major role in making contact with the 33 Chilean miners who were found alive last week, after they were stranded below ground for 17 days.The drill that was used to reach the miners, who were 700m (2,300 feet) below ground, was designed and manufactured by Shannon company Mincom. Founder of the company Paddy Purcell said the equipment used had been designed and built in Clare.

(Source: The Clare Champion)

Cork

A Cork native has set up a smokers' rights group, with the aim of improving facilities for smokers in public places. The group, Forest Eireann, is a branch of the British Forest group and has already received over 1,150 online responses. According to the group, one of its aims is to debunk some of the myths about smoking, especially so-called ‘passive smoking.'
Source: (Cork Independent)

Derry

Derry and Donegal brides who had their big day snapped by bankrupt photographer Edel Payne have finally been given copyright of their wedding pictures - however they'll have to stump up more cash to get their albums made up by a third party. Despite assurances given by Miss Payne to the ‘Derry Journal’ last year that she would “honor every contract,” none of the brides we spoke to have ever been given their albums.
(Source: Derry Journal)

Donegal

The growing trade in illegal sex workers in Donegal has resulted in a national charity confirming they have assisted a number of women involved in prostitution in Letterkenny and Inishowen. It's understood the sex trade - involving ron-nationals and some Irish citizens, is, according to a Dublin charity, being run by criminal gangs who move in and out of Donegal.
(Source: Donegal Democrat)

Down

The Australian government has issued a new safety warning to its citizens travelling to Northern Ireland following a spate of bomb attacks this month. Tourists were warned to exercise caution while travelling north of the border and were also urged to avoid sectarian parades as they can “turn violent with little warning”.
 (Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Dublin

Oscar-winning singer Glen Hansard is paying for grief counselling sessions for hundreds of fans who watched a man jump to his death at a recent concert. The Dublin singer, who just announced his return to The Frames, made the big-hearted gesture following the concert by The Swell Season. The group hit the headlines last week when a man jumped to his death during one of their concerts in California -- and band members are now covering the costs of any counselling sessions fans may need as they try to cope with the tragedy.
(Source: The Evening Hearld)

Fermanagh

The average UK household had £143 a week disposable income in January 2009, two per cent lower than a year earlier, according to the latest income tracker report from ASDA. As a result the average family is now £3 a week worse off. Across the regions, the South West and Northern Ireland have taken the biggest proportional hit to discretionary income compared with a year earlier (January 08 vs January 09).
(Source: Fermanagh Today)

Galway

Ex-Saw Doc drummer completes 47th marathon for charity Galway man and Director of Arcana, Johnny Donnelly has completed his 47th marathon in less than two years, fininshing in a remarkable third place in the Inca Trail Marathon in Peru.The ex-Saw Doctor first began his Run Johnny Run challenge in 2008 to run over 2000 miles around the world in four years to raise money for Irish charity Seachange Foundation, an Irish based non-profit organisation. He has raised over €300,000 to date for Seachange projects, including recent restorative efforts in Haiti.
(Source: Galway City Tribune)

Kildare

Nurney GAA players will be in the spotlight in the future thanks to local man John Kelly who has been named as ‘Ireland’s most dedicated GAA fan’.John secured some 12,800 votes to win the honor. His win ensures that €15,000 will go to his local club in Nurney which will enable them to install floodlights.Despite health difficulties which include renal failure, a kidney transplant and rejection, a triple bypass and leg amputation John has had an almost near perfect attendance record at Kildare games and Nurney club games.
 (Source: The Kildare Nationalist)

Kilkenny

When 85-year-old Billy Dalton from the city's Freshford Road completed the Nore Swim from Greensbridge to John's Bridge on Saturday August 20th, it marked his first time competing in the event since 1954.This time he was first over the line (veterans were left go early) , with his son Denis keeping him company. He made light of his achievement in finishing the 500-metre course in quick time and said that he had no difficulty doing so. He did say that the cold had set in over the last 100 metres and that was the bit he found a little tiring. He was one of those who did the swim without the aid of a wet suit.
(Source: Kilkenny People)

Laois

A Garda had his hand bitten in Portarlington as he attempted to arrest a woman who had damaged the town's hanging baskets. The incident happened Saturday the 20th of August at around 9.15pm. The male garda attempted to arrest the woman, aged in her 30s, after the damage was done to the baskets.  A boy who was cycling nearby is also understood to have been assaulted prior to the garda's intervention.
(Source: Leinster Express)

Leitrim

Leitrim had approximately 120 public houses in operation at the start of this year but with many people choosing to save their pennies and stay at home to entertain, the Vintners Federation of Ireland is calling on the Government to assist struggling pubs in rural Ireland. Leitrim publicans have only five weeks left renew their licence at the Annual Licensing Court at the end of September, but national figures show that almost half of pubs that have not renewed their licenses so far this year, have in fact closed their doors.
(Source: Leitrim Observer)

Limerick

The centre of Moyross was sealed off last week after a pipe bomb was found in the back garden of a derelict house in the estate. The explosive device was found at around 10am by gardai investigating organized crime on the northside. Residents in the neighboring Cliona Park estate had to be evacuated from their homes following the discovery of the pipe bomb, which was made safe by an Army Bomb Disposal Unit.
(Source: Limerick Leader)

Longford

Longford people certainly proved they've got talent last weekend after two All-Ireland winners from the county emerged at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Cavan. Eleven-year-old, Laura Doherty who hails from Dromard is the daughter of Rosie and Tom and she won the U12 Mouth Organ section of the competition. Her band, Ríl Og also won the Junior Busking Competition. Meanwhile 18-year-old Jackie Callaghan from Mullinalaghta, daughter of Lucy and Sean, secured an All Ireland medal in the U18 Piano Accordion section. Ciara Casey, Newtowncashel was successful in the U12 Busking competition and Liam Butler from Legan won Most Entertaining Act at the event.
(Source: Longford Leader)

Louth

Dundalk Ice Dome will reopen next month after UK firm Planet Ice finally completed a deal to take over the running of the facility this Tuesday. The Ice Dome closed down in May following a technical issue which required all the ice to be removed and work to be carried out on the plant and various maintenance work. It was expected to reopen roughly a week later but when it failed to do so speculation grew locally that it was to close for good.
(Source: Dundalk Democrat)

Mayo

Management at Knock Shrine have apologized to a 13-year-old girl who was approached by a security guard who informed her that her shorts were in breach of a new dress code. Lauren Moran from Drumshanbo in Co Leitrim was visiting the holy shrine along with her mother, Melanie and family for the annual novena. When her mother went into confessions, a security guard approached Lauren who informed her that the shorts she was wearing were in breach of a new dress code being enforced. Lauren’s mother, Melanie said her daughter was very upset after being approached by the security guard and wanted to leave the shrine.
(Source: The Mayo News)

Meath

A unique tourism package, which is expected to play a major role in the promotion of Kells, has been developed by a local woman whose passion and enthusiasm for the north Meath town knows no bounds. Lucy O'Reilly from Martry is the driving force behind the project, but this woman who believes so fervently in Kells future as a tourist destination, is not actually a Kells or even a Meath native - she is in fact a native of Uganda.
(Source: The Meath Chronicle)

Offaly

Tullamore received its highest placing to date in the IBAL Litter League first round results. The town was ranked 23rd in the country, seeing it jump a massive 19 places from this time last year. It also shed its rating of moderately littered as it was deemed 'clean to European norms'. The result sees the town placed mid-table and ahead of Athlone and Portlaoise. Chairman of Tullamore Tidy Towns Tommy McKeigue said the improvement was not without a lot of hard work. "It took us four years to get from the bottom of the table to where we are not. A very big effort was put in this year. I suppose the aim now is to keep moving up."
(Source: Offaly Express)

Roscommon

Country Singer Eunice Moran from Ballaghaderreen is to appear on TG4's Country Music Competition Glor Tire. 21year old Eunice has been chosen to represent Country Music Star Mike Denver on this years series of the show. Glor Tire which will be aired in September on TG4 seeks to find the countries next new country artist. Each week different contestants will perform for the audiences and judges but the audience at home have the final say in which contestant gets through to the next show, as they have to vote each week via txt messages for their favorite contestant.
(Source: The Roscommon Champion)

Sligo

Padraig Og Mulligan, a 34 year old dairy farmer has been named as the Sligo Young Farmer of the Year and he will go on to represent the county at the 12th annual FBD Young Farmer of the Year Competition, run by Macra na Feirme in partnership with the IFA.
(Source: The Sligo Champion)

Tipperary

Gardai in Thurles are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fire at a licensed premises in the town last Monday evening which resulted in extensive damage being caused throughout the building.The fire at Blake's public house, Friar Street, Thurles resulted in traffic diversions having to be put into place for vehicles travelling from Westgate towards the Railway bridge and vice versa as emergency services battled to bring the blaze under control.
(Source: Tipperary Star)

Tyrone

A loud explosion was reported by people living close to Killyman St Mary's GAA Hall shortly before midnight last Wednesday. Last Thursday afternoon police discovered that a steel garage door at the Drumaspil Road building had been damage. A steel pipe was removed by officers for further examination. It is understood that no conclusive evidence of an explosion has yet been found. The incident comes after a telephone bomb warning last Wednesday lead to overnight searches of GAA halls across Co Tyrone.
(Source: UTV News)

Waterford

Waterford city has been deemed the cleanest city in the country in the latest round of the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey. The research shows Dungarvan and Waterford City achieving litter-free status coming in at 14th and 17th position, while Tramore has lost the accolade and drops to 33rd place out of 53 towns nationwide. A fall in the number of litter-free towns has prompted IBAL to call on businesses to clean up outside their premises twice a day to improve our streetscapes.
 (Source: Waterford News & Star)


Westmeath

A number of motorists in Athlone are believed to have received fines and penalty point notices having been captured on the town's CCTV system using mobile phones while driving through the centre of the town. The Westmeath Independent has learned that a handful of drivers have, in the last few weeks, received notices of the fines in the post. The motorists were not stopped by Gardai and believe they were spotted on CCTV.
(Source: Westmeath Independent)

Wexford

With more than 500 million active users, Facebook has taken over the world. It's nearly impossible to have a conversation with anyone these days without the 'F' word being mentioned, as more and more people get face-hooked. Wexford people are happily embracing Mark Zuckerberg's networking phenomenon, and it's hardly surprising when there are 1.5 million Irish Facebookers alone. New figures reveal that Wexford people make up some of the biggest users of Facebook in Ireland.
 (Source: The Wexford People)

Wicklow

An Ashford woman who was serving a life sentence for murdering her son was found dead in her single prison cell last Wednesday. Ruth Murphy (48) was found at 1 a.m. last Wednesday morning with a plastic bag over her head in the shower cubicle of her cell in the Dochas Women's Prison at Mountjoy. A medical examination found she had died from suffocation and foul play is not suspected.(Source: The Wicklow People)