Antrim

A former Director of the Hospital Trust which operates Muckamore Abbey fears that the pedophile brothers who preyed on their community for decades are Antrim bound.

James (61) and Owen-Roe McDermott (52) sexually abused children during a 30-year reign of terror in their native County Fermanagh.

They hit the headlines in June when they voluntarily admitted themselves to Lakeview Hospital in Londonderry after they were deemed too mentally ill to stand trial for the catalogue of abuse.

(Source:Antrim Guardian)

Armagh

Two men with firearms entered the bank at Cardinal O'Fiaich Square at about 1015 BST.

One of the robbers approached a staff member carrying out a cash in transit delivery and took a box. He then demanded cash from a teller.

The robbers made off in a blue Vectra car. It is believed the robbers escaped with a substantial sum of money.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

(Source: BBC News)

Carlow

Furious homeowners in Carlow have slammed the town council for allowing road works to take place in a residential area after 2am.

Gardaí were called last Tuesday night after people became infuriated by work on the new Palatine Road roundabout at SuperValu and the Sandhills housing estate.

A resident from the nearby Willows estate claims he and his family, including five young children, were woken in the early hours of the morning to the sound of construction work.

“They started at 10pm and went right on until 2.45am; it was unbelievable. The vibrations from the road roller went through our house. Who in God’s name gave them permission to work at that hour of the night?” he asked.

(Source:Carlow Nationalist)

Cavan

Retailers in County Cavan are reporting an increase in consumer spending in recent times of between five and ten per cent. And with the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil to be staged in the county next week - with an estimated spin off to the economy of €25m - things are really looking up.

The renewed optimism comes as figures released in the past week show that retail spending nationally in May was up by an average 3.5%, compared to May 2009.

The increases recorded were even greater in the Border region, which had been hammered in recent years by the recession, weak sterling and cross-border shopping. However, it appears that the tide is now turning and business sources in Cavan town, Bailieboro, Belturbet and Ballyconnell all report an increase in consumer spend.

(Source:Anglo Celt)

Clare

 A twentytwo-year-old Ethiopian athlete living in Clare was attacked and left unconscious last Thursday after he was set upon as he was out running just outside Meelick.

Labeta Debela, well known in Clare for top performances at the Salty Faces 10km and Munster Novice Cross Country Championships, resides at the Knockalisheen Accommodation Centre and was set upon a short distance from the centre while on his way to meet with his Limerick athletics coach, Willie Lohan.

It is understood Mr Debela was set upon by two men and received blows to the head and face, rendering him unconscious for a period. An ambulance was called and he was treated at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick but has since been released.
 

Paddy O’Connell with Limerick Athletics Club said there appeared to be no motive for the attack and claimed he was merely targeted “for the fun of it”.

(Source:Clare Champion)

Cork

Residents in three housing estates in Cobh, Co Cork will be without mains water for at least six months after high levels of lead were detected in their water supply.

Cork County Council say they cannot afford to replace the pipes until early next year and have installed temporary communal taps in the meantime.

The council says it is waiting on funds as part of the National Mains Rehabilitation Programme.

For the past two weeks residents in the older estates of Belmond Place, Park Terrace and Aileen's Terrace have had to use communal taps.

(Source:RTE.ie)

Derry

Almost three hundred people applied for a single job as a till operator at a filling station in Muff.

But, according to local businessman, Colm McKenna, who owns the filling station, the truly surprising aspect of this amazing response is that 'only about ten per cent of the applications were from people in the South'.

Speaking with the 'Journal' Mr. McKenna described himself as 'shocked' by the response.

(Source:Derry Journal)

Donegal

Organizers of Saturday's march against cuts to health services are calling on government to make health spending a priority, even as a Health Service Executive statement warns that more drastic cuts may be needed before the end of the year if steps are not taken now.

The coalition behind the protest are meeting this week to discuss the next steps for the campaign.

Thousands of people marched in the streets of Letterkenny on Saturday to protest proposed cuts to health services in the county, in the first of what organizers said will be a series of events in the coming months.

(Source:Donegal Democrat)

Down

Ryan Harrison has just missed out on qualification for the men's 200 meters freestyle final at the European Swimming Championship in Budapest.

Harrison was 11th fastest in the heats with a time of 1.49.80, easily securing his semi-final berth.

But despite improving his time in the semi-final to 1.49.04, he could only finish sixth in his heat with Robbie Renwick of Great Britain taking the victory.

Germany's Paul Biedermann won the second heat in 1.46.88, making him the fastest qualifier.
Harrison was tenth fastest overall in the semi-final round.

Earlier, Clare Dawson had an indifferent 100m Freestyle; her time of 57.72 seconds was someway short of her personal best and she placed a disappointing 44th overall.

However the County Down swimmer was using the 100m as a tune up for her main event, the 200m Freestyle, the heats of which are on Friday.

(Source:RTE.ie)

Dublin

Dublin City Council has found itself in hot water after offering staff a corporate discount at a private gym while three city pools face the chop.

The email, which was sent to the council's general staff list, pointed out that staff could join Total Fitness gym at a discount -- and better rates would be given if more staff signed up.

Campaigners who have been fighting all year to save three of Dublin's swimming pools -- in Coolock, Crumlin, and Sean McDermott Street -- have branded the email "appalling".

A spokesperson for the Save Our Swimming Pool campaign, Gerry McGuigan, said: "I'm disgusted with it. They should be promoting their own local facilities and helping them to be maintained.

(Source:Evening Herald)

Fermanagh

The oldest retired member of the Oireachtas, 95-year-old Seamus Dolan , died on Tuesday, and was older than the modern Irish Free State itself.

Mr Dolan was a lifelong supporter of Fianna Fail who served them in every forum to which he could get elected, serving the party both in the Senate and Dail.

He was a TD for Cavan from 1961 to 1965 ; a Senator from 1965 to 1969, and again until 1973.

In 1977, he was elected cathoirleach of the Senate, and he served as chairman of the upper house until 1981.

He was born in 1914 in Blacklion, Co Fermanagh, and was a national school teacher and a farmer before going into politics. He was a passionate advocate of the Irish language all of his life.

(Source:Cork Student News.com)

Galway

Frontline healthcare workers at Galway University Hospitals (GUH) could begin strike action in just two weeks as parties resume talks at Merlin Park they still at loggerheads over planned health service cuts.

Trade Union SIPTU has indicated that communication from the Health Service Executive (HSE) in advance of talks suggested that management was unlikely to retreat from its plan to terminate the contracts of 1,000 frontline staff in the HSE West region.

Failure of the Labour Relations Commission talks would result in a ballot of trade union members in seven days and strike action could take place in the two Galway hospitals within as little as a fortnight, according to a SIPTU spokesperson.

Union representatives described the seven-hour negotiations that took place last week as “very frustrating” and said that a consensus was unlikely to be reached upon the resumption of talks suggesting only political intervention from the highest level could prevent industrial action.

(Source:Galway News)

Kerry

A controversial project to reintroduce eagles to Killarney National Park is continuing, despite the illegal poisoning of some of the birds.

Nine white-tailed sea eaglets were released in the park and a further 13 will be let go next week from hillside cages overlooking the world-famous Lakes of Killarney.

So far, 64 white-tailed eagles have been released in Killarney, 14 of which have died including seven from poisoning.
This year, 11 protected birds of prey, including three kites, three white-tailed eagles, a golden eagle, three buzzards and a peregrine falcon, have been confirmed poisoned in the Republic.

The three white-tailed eagles were poisoned in a four-week period in the Beaufort area, near Killarney.

(Source:Irish Times)

Kildare

NEWBRIDGE native and former professional athlete Karen Shinkins had a narrow escape in the past week when a small plane being piloted by her husband crashed into the side of a mountain.

Karen, who lives with husband Paul Doyle in Atlanta, later admitted that she was “hysterical” as the plane went into a nosedive and Paul was forced to make an emergency landing in Virginia.

In the event, the Cessna 172 plane came to rest at the foot of the steep hillside, having just missed striking a fence.
Karen, daughter of TJ and Christine Shinkins from Blackberry Lane, Newbridge, represented Ireland at the Sydney Olympics and subsequently turned professional but has since retired from professional athletics.

Boston-born Paul is a top-ranking athletics agent who represents many prominent world-class athletes including Ireland’s Derval O’Rourke. He was on his way to a business meeting, accompanied by Karen, when the plane ran into difficulties, encountering an unexpected rainstorm.

(Source:Kildare Nationalist)

Kilkenny

History will be made when an avid hurling fan celebrates his wedding at Croke Park on the weekend after Kilkenny's historic five in a row performance.

Dublin-based barrister Michael Murray who is originally from Ballyragget and is well known in legal circles on the South Eastern Circuit will enjoy a lavish wedding reception at the Hogan Mezzaine Suite at the stadium on September 10. The venue also has a special sporting significance for his bride to be Helen Carpenter who comes for Dublin and is hopeful that her native county will be competing in the All-Ireland football final the weekend after the wedding.

(Source:Kilkenny People)

Laois

LAOIS county councilors earned a staggering 209,065 euro in expenses to attend conferences across the country in just two years, figures released to the Leister Express have shown.

Former Labour councilor Laurence Kavanagh, who was co-opted onto the council following the death of his father, the late Larry Kavanagh - and who did not seek re-election in last summer's local elections - clocked up 7,532.76 euro in 2008 for expenses while attending conferences and 4,446.21 euro the following year, in which he only served for approximately half a term.

The next closest in costs was Cllr John Moran (FG) whose conference expenses came to 7,340.18 euro in 2008 and 4,807.97 euro in 2009.

(Source:Leinster Express)

Leitrim

A historic illuminated address presented by the people of Ballinamore to their parish priest Reverend Patrick Finegan, as he was about to become Bishop of Kilmore in 1910 will be put on public display in Ballinamore Library.

Patrick Finegan was born in 1858 in the parish of Urney and Annagelliff in County Cavan. His parents were James Finegan and Mary O'Reilly of Corlurgan. He did his entire ecclesiastical studies in St. Patrick's, where he was ordained in December 188
  He ministered in the parishes of Annagh, Cavan, Knockninny and Templeport.

Fr Finegan served as parish priest of Oughteragh/Ballinamore from 30th October 1908 until 13th August 1910.

Fr. Finegan was held in high esteem by the people of Ballinamore, so much so that he was presented with an elaborate and eloquent address on his departure from the parish to take up his appointment as Bishop of Kilmore. In the address he was praised for his 'piety.

(Source:Leitrim Observer)

Limerick

A cat found strangled with a plastic wrapper and drowned in St Mary's Park is the latest horrific animal death in the worst year on record for animal cruelty in Limerick.

The murdered pet and beloved companion of resident Mary Lillis was discovered by local children in the housing estate and retrieved by James Fogarty, the partner of Mary's daughter Louise.

Mr Fogarty said: "Mary is very upset. She had the cat for nine years, since it was a kitten, and it was given to her by neighbors. There was a crowd of young kids staring at it and I scooped it up in a black bag to dispose of it. What looked like a plastic ice pop wrapper, like a Mr Freeze wrapper, was tied very tight around its neck and it had blood coming out of its eyes."

Chairperson of Limerick Animal Welfare, Marion Fitzgibbon, who first learned of the case last week said it was "terribly sad" and called for a full Garda investigation into the incident.

(Source:Limerick Leader)

Longford

Longford County Councilor Frank Kilbride spoke this week of his angst as one of his companies was placed in receivership with a debt of almost €3m hanging over it.

The politician/businessman exclusively told the Leader he is working 18 hour days just to keep his other businesses afloat because of the pressure the banks are putting on him.

The issue has also taken its toll on his health. Relentless phone calls and a series of warning letters from his main creditor, ACC Bank has resulted in Mr Kilbride facing a series of sleepless nights ahead of a major heart operation in October.

(Source: Longford Leader)

Louth

An investigation has been launched after a vicious assault that left a young GAA referee in hospital.

Donal Gallagher was the victim of a serious attack by a spectator following the under-16s Division 3 championship final in which Milford beat Liffordside Naomh Padraig in Convoy.

The incident comes in the wake of an attack on a Tyrone official by irate Louth supporters in Croke Park after the Leinster final.
Columnist with the Irish Independent Eugene McGee says it raises serious questions about violence in the sport.

"Very depressing because it happens regularly now in the GAA" he said.

"Well thankfully at least they are being publicized because many a time in the past these things were pushed...under the carpet".
"This is typical of this horrible malaise in the GAA which doesn't happen too often but when it does happen its devastating" he added.

(Source: Midlands Radio)

Mayo

Go on. Get out there. It’s all go in Westport as the inaugural ‘Get Out There Adventure Festival’ hurtles towards the starting line on Thursday, August 19 next.

The fun and free event, which will run alongside the renowned Gaelforce festival, which is the world’s largest adventure race of its kind, is set to transform the heritage town into a maze of adventure points, encompassing a wide variety of entertainment.
The ‘Get Out There Festival’ will challenge and encourage people to try a broad range of sports for themselves.

Not a catchphrase that is seen too often these days of economic doom and gloom but, ‘there is no experience needed’ and it will not cost participants anything more than throwing caution to the wind.

Activities, which are led by experts, include archery, BMX biking, kayaking, surfing, scuba diving, sailing and street orienteering.

Global adventurer and famous mountaineer, Joe Simpson will act as festival ambassador. Simpson’s dramatic account of being left for dead after a fall in the Andes was chronicled in the 2003 BAFTA winning film ‘Touching the Void’.

(Source:Mayo News)

Meath

Major cracks in the Fianna Fail party in Meath became evident this week as Navan councilor Shane Cassells launched a blistering attack on Transport Minister Noel Dempsey and the party hierarchy.

The Fianna Fail National Executive member and Meath County Councilor claimed the "antics" of the last week had served to sour the mood of an already angry people and that "senior members have lost touch with the challenges faced by ordinary families".

He made his comments as details were revealed that Transport Minister and Meath TD Noel Dempsey had used the government jet to attend a summer school in Donegal and as the executive of Fianna Fail launched an investigation into the expenses of Dublin Senator Ivor Callely.

Cllr Cassells said that, for most young couples, the biggest news they had to grapple with over the past week was the announcement that mortgage interest rates were going up and the impact these increases would have on their lives.

(Source:Meath Chronicle)

Offaly

The Chairman of the Dail Public Accounts Committee Bernard Allen  is to write to the head of Fas over remarks made by the manager of the groups Construction training centre in Offaly.

Danny Weston said that a description by Mr Allen that the Mountlucas facility was a white elephant was 'damaging'.
The centre came to the attention of the spending watchdog for training just 12 people at an average cost of half a million Euro per person.

According to the Irish Examiner  Mr Allen has suggested that Mr Westons' comments   'questioned the committee's right' to examine how taxpayers money is used.

(Source:Midlands Radio)

Roscommon

Home baking is seen by many as the holy grail of everything that is natural and simple about cooking. It takes a special talent to mix all the ingredients together and come up with something that's so tasty that you want to come back again and again.

Lanesboro woman Claire Egan has such a talent and her home baking business 'Cakes for Life' was rewarded with the 2010 Harvest Apprentice award, a competition run by Gilligan meats, Fourmilehouse in conjunction with Shannonside FM.

A clearly delighted Claire explained how the business got off the ground. "Cakes for Life is on the go for the last five and a half years. Myself and my husband (Des) set it up and we started off really to see how it would go.

(Source:Roscommon Champion)

Sligo

A postmortem on the body of a man who died following an assault in Sligo last week has concluded he died from head injuries.
Prayers were said for the victim, Cyril Moran (60), at the Holy Cross Friary in Sligo, where he was a regular Mass-goer.

Mr Moran died on Sunday after receiving head, leg and arm wounds in an assault in his rented home in River Road, Cartron Point, Sligo, on Thursday.

Hours later he was driven to Sligo General Hospital, where he was dropped off and admitted himself as a patient to accident and emergency. He later slipped into a coma and a Garda investigation began.

While the postmortem, carried out by Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis, found that he died from head injuries, gardaí said details of the results were not being released yet for operational reasons.

(Source:Irish Times)

Tipperary

A daughter of the late Councilor Catherine McLoughlin, whose sudden death in June was greeted with a palpable sense of shock, has been chosen by the Dualla Fine Gael Branch to be co-opted on to her mother's seat on South Tipperary County Council.

However, the "Tipperary Star" understands that Ms Louise McLoughlin will face opposition when the matter comes before the Fine Gael convention, expected to be held in early September.

We understand that Cashel man, Mr. Richard Wood will also be placing his name before the Convention for co-option onto the Council to fill the vacancy following Cllr. McLoughlin's death.

(Source:Tipperary Star)

Tyrone

Dungannon Park will be filled with an array of entertainment, from a Chinese Lion Dance to Bollywood dancers to a lively session from Brantry traditional musicians, as it celebrates Global Diversity Day.

The day's events will feature special appearances from Northern Ireland's Ultimate Strongman, Glen Ross, UTV presenter, Julian Simmons and Dungannon's Mayor, Robert Mulligan as they officially declare the day open.

There will be a host of activities to cater for every age and every interest, including street entertainment, face-painting, fusion band, Highland and Irish dancers and music from Carrickmanor Band, among many more.

It's the first time Dungannon will host the Ultimate Strongman Competition as the four man team battle it out to claim the title.

The strong men will be flexing their muscles in a heavy sleigh pulling competition, a team farmer’s walk and a team log lift, with the winners announced on the day.

(Source:Tyrone Times)

Waterford

THE mother of an eight-year-old Waterford city boy has warned other parents to be vigilant after her son was approached and offered money by a complete stranger last week.

Little Bryan Grant Leacy was standing with his friends who were queuing for the ice-cream man in Fairfield Park when the male offered him €2. When the young boy said he was told not to speak to strangers, the male, understood to be from another EU country, then offered him €4.

“I was in the house getting dinner ready. Luckily one of the neighbors overheard what was going on and when they asked if everything was alright the man got into his black car and sped off,” said Bryan’s mother Kelly.

(Source:Waterford News and Star)

Westmeath

The new Westmeath County offices and library have been named one of 94 recipients of a 2010 International Architecture Award.
The awards are presented annually for the best new designs in architecture, landscaping, interior design and urban planning from around the world.

The awards by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and the Metropolitan Arts Press give a global overview of the current aesthetic direction of today’s commercial, corporate, institutional, and residential work to the real estate, banking, business, and corporate community.

Designed by Bucholz McEvoy Architects, the low energy buildings in Mullingar fought off competition from 38 nations including Austria, Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Great Britain, Norway, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

(Source:Irish Times)

Wexford

A new memorial garden will be officially opened on Saturday, August 28, in Campile Village, County Wexford to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the bombing of the village.

The garden is located where, up until recently, the Shelburne Co-Op and its creamery stood. The co-op will be forever remembered as the link between County Wexford and the occupation of Europe in World War II when the co-op was bombed on August 26, 1940, by the Luftwaffe.

The whole of Ireland was rocked to its core as four German bombs were dropped on this peaceful village and three young, well loved local women were killed and the Shelburne Co-Op Creamery was completely destroyed.

The building was extensively damaged but an absolute disaster was avoided only by chance as, minutes before the bombs fell, the co-op’s canteen was full with around 40 workers having their dinner.


(Source:Irish Examiner)

Wicklow

Gardaí are treating a fire at a timber products manufacturing plant in Co Wicklow as suspicious.

Gardaí have appealed to anyone who may have information about how the fire at the Woodfab plant in Aughrim started to contact them.

Further forensic tests are to be carried out.

Supt Patrick Ward from Wicklow Garda Station said if anyone had spotted suspicious activity, strangers or strange vehicles around the plant late the gardaí would like to hear from them.

The blaze was spotted at around 1.30am by a passing taxi driver.

(Source:RTE.ie)