Antrim

A new study has found that, when it comes to Belfast men, it may not be how much alcohol you drink that matters, but how you drink it. The research, published in the British Medical Journal compared the drinking habits of middle-aged men in Belfast with their peers in France. It found that although men in Belfast and France drink the same amount each week, Northern Irish drinkers suffer higher incidences of heart disease.
(Source: BBC News)

Armagh

An officer who fired a shot during a street disturbance in Portadown, Co.Armagh, is to be questioned by the Police Ombudsman's Office. Nobody was injured when police were called to deal with the trouble in the town's Obins Street area. Two men, aged 51 and 36 were arrested. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the incident was being investigated by the ombudsman in line with normal protocols.
(Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Carlow

An 88-year-old man recovering from a stroke was confronted in his Carlow home by three masked men demanding cash. The plucky pensioner, who lives in Highfield, Carlow, held his own against the ruthless thieves, who took €100 cash from his wallet and his watch. However, despite the aggressive demands of the thieves, the elderly man refused to give the number of his laser card or the keys to his son’s car, which was parked outside.
(Source: The Carlow Nationalist)

Cavan

The Quinn family are not going away... they are here to stay, according to Sean Quinn when he was speaking at the Ulster GAA Writers Awards (UGAAWA) annual awards banquet in the Slieve Russell Hotel last Friday week. “As regards the Quinn Group... we had a tough year,” said Mr. Quinn. “A lot of people had a tough year but at the end of the day, when the going gets tough, the tough gets going,” he said.
(Source: The Angle Celt)

Clare

A woman had a lucky escape last Friday when her car crashed through a level crossing just seconds before a commuter train was scheduled to pass. The incident occurred around 10.45am at the automated rail-crossing at Caherdaly, just 500 metres from the village of Ardrahan on the main Ennis to Galway N18 road. Her car ploughed through the red-and-white aluminium gates, ripping the barriers off either side of the crossing.
(Source: The Clare People)

Cork

An army bomb disposal team organised a controlled explosion on an unstable container of picric acid at the Bovine Blood Testing Laboratory on the Model Farm Road last Tuesday evening. The disposal team was called in after one jar of the acid, which is commonly used in explosives and in ammunition, crystallised and became dangerous. A lab technician in the Bovine Blood Testing Laboratory, which is part of the Department of Agriculture offices, called the local gardai, who in turn contacted the bomb disposal team.
Source: (Cork Independent)

Derry

A bid for £650,000 for an open air cinema screen to show major cultural and sporting events in Londonderry during the 2012 Olympiad has been submitted by Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) Nelson McCausland. The exciting plans will involve the erection of a 25 square metres video display with a computer controlled playout and audio system in one of the city's prominent public spaces.
(Source: Lononderry Sentinel)

Donegal

A group of subcontractors who say they are owed €900,000 since an apartment development was taken over by a receiver are planning a public protest at the development's auction this week. The contractors are owed the money for work they carried out for Ballybofey company Dunnion Construction on a development of apartments in Ballybofey. Navenny Developments, which built the complex, went into receivership in July and 47 apartments are to be auctioned on behalf of Ulster Bank by receiver Patrick McDermott of Patrick McDermott & Co Chartered Accountants.
(Source: Donegal Democrat)

Down

A unique stamp collection which belonged to a County Down aristocrat has sold for more than £3m at auction. A total of £3,045,924 was raised as Lady Mairi Bury's unique 19th century postage stamps went under the hammer at Sotheby's in London. The final figure significantly exceeded pre-sale expectations of £2.6m. Lady Bury's collection of King Edward VII stamps was the top selling lot at the auction. It fetched £66,000, more than three times its guide price
(Source: BBC News)

Dublin

A Dublin man found storing heroin valued at almost €200,000 following a garda investigation into gang related drug dealing has been given a 10-year sentence. Gardai also found €5,000 in cash, weighing scales, a stun gun and bullet proof vest. Christopher Conroy (25), with an address at Redmonds Court, Kilbarrack, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drugs for sale or supply at Melrose Park, Kinsealy, on October 21, 2008.
(Source: Evening Herald)

Fermanagh

A £1.4m investment will create 14 jobs at St Angelo airport in Fermanagh. A fixed-wing aircraft maintenance firm will be accommodated by the 37,000ft workspace development near Enniskillen. The posts will be of high value and in aviation, engineering and technical disciplines. Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "It will no doubt contribute to the growth of the local economy and play an important role in the long term prosperity of the area.
(Source: BBC News)

Galway

As GAA clubs across County Galway are experiencing dwindling numbers through the scourge of emigration, an impassioned plea has been made for the revitalization of community schemes as a means of keeping players at home. Almost every GAA club contacted in Galway has a tale of woe about players emigrating as far away as Australia and Dubai as they fear for the future of their footballers who are currently studying in college.
(Source: GalwayBay Fm)

Kerry

A Killarney man who has dedicated much of his life to promoting his beloved hometown in the UK has been named Killarney-London Person of the Year. Dan Grimes, formerly of Newmarket Lane, Killarney, was presented with the inaugural award at the Killarney-London reunion in the Crown Moran Hotel in London on Saturday night.
(Source: The Kingdom)

Kildare

A Ballitore woman has celebrated her curves and been named as a runner-up in the Simply Be Curvy 2011 competition. The announcement was made at the final of Simply Be Curvy in Johnstown House Hotel, Meath. Vicki Maloney is a 33-year-old mother of three who is a size 16-18, which qualified her to enter the competition run by Simply Be to find the cover model for their next catalogue.
(Source: The Kildare Nationalist)

Kilkenny

Long associated with artistocrats, Kilkenny is to get yet another titled person. Word came last Thursday that no less a personage than George Magan, the owner and resident of palatial Castletown House, Piltown is to become a peer in the British House of Lords. It was made public at a private black tie dinner hosted by Paul Smithwick last week in Kilkenny Castle to commemorate the 300th Anniversary of St. Francis Abbey brewery.
(Source: Kilkenny People)

Laois

The 60 strong Portlaoise Gospel Choir, gathered in Portlaoise Church and Parish Centre last week to celebrate the launch of their new CD 'Listen', were greeted with a warm response from the enthusiastic audience who packed the church.The choir have been together for five years and this is the first time they have recorded a studio album. Recorded live in Portlaoise Parish Centre, the album includes many well known tracks such as ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘Lean on Me’.
(Source: Leinster Express)

Leitrim

A Spanish woman who pleaded guilty to running a brothel in Leitrim Village was given the option to leave Ireland as soon as possible by Judge Kevin Kilrane at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court last week. The court heard that Jenny Jorquera, who was born in Chile but is a Spanish citizen, had earned €2000 during the month she was running the business.
(Source: Leitrim Observer)

Limerick

A 31-year-old man accused of murdering four people in Newcastle West last week has been admitted to the Central Mental Hospital in Dublin. John Geary, who has an address at Meadow Court, Newcastle West is charged with the murder of Sarah Hines (25) and her two young children Reece (3) and Amy (5 months) on November 15 last. The defendant, who is originally from North Cork, is also accused of murdering Ms Hines' friend, Alica Brough (21), on the same date.
(Source: Limerick Leader)

Longford

A Longford man is currently organising an event at which the keynote speaker will be the inspirational spiritual teacher, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.  Joe Murray from Carrickboy is coordinating the landmark occasion, which will take place in April 2011. "He is being invited by three separate organisations; Afri (Action from Ireland), Children in Crossfire and SpunOut.ie," said Joe Murray speaking to the Longford Leader.
(Source: Longford Leader)

Louth

Things are so bad in the Louth County Hospital at present that staff have been asked to bring in any spare towels or pyjamas they have around the home. The startling news was broken to The Dundalk Democrat by concerned staff members in the wake of our exclusive story last week that Health Minister Mary Harney was set to visit the hospital next month.
(Source: Dundalk Democrat)

Mayo

The much-heralded dramatic musical in two acts, On a Wing and Prayer  was launched boldly into the public sphere for three nights last weekend, it ran from Thursday, November 25 to Saturday November 27, at the Royal Theatre, Castlebar and told the tale of the development of Knock International Airport. Proceeds were donated to a great cause, the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, and specifically for the Foundation’s Palliative Care Service.
(Source: The Mayo News)

Meath

Ratoath man Martin Conmey described last Monday as a very emotional day for him, following a decision by the Court of Criminal Appeal to overturn his conviction of almost 40 years ago for the manslaughter of Una Lynskey. The three-judge appeal court quashed Mr Conmey’s conviction as unsafe after finding “newly discovered facts” showed there may have been a miscarriage of justice in his case.
(Source: The Meath Chronicle)

Monaghan

A judge at Carrickmacross District Court, Co Monaghan,  jailed a Dubliner for six months for trespassing. The judge said he was satisfied Glen Hutch (23) of Mellows Road, Finglas West, was “casing” the residence of a jeweller in the early hours with intent to return and commit a crime later. Judge Seán MacBride was told two gardaí on mobile patrol outside Carrickmacross spotted the security lights activated outside the residence of a local jeweller, John Howell, at 5.25am on October 25th last, and observed the accused peering into a window.
(Source: The Irish Times)

Offaly

An elderly couple who were subjected to a horrendous litany of abuse have been left penniless, terrified and isolated by a son best described as a 'sadistic monster'. Offaly natives, John (71) and Elizabeth (70) Trimble were held captive and tortured without reason by their son John (39) jnr over a five month period at the family home in Bolart, Clara.
(Source: Offaly Express)

Roscommon

Roscommon County Hospital could lose emergency theatre services due to a shortage of theatre nursing staff which has already seen one theatre closed. That’s according to Roscommon Hospital Action Committee, last week raised concerns over the potential loss of emergency theatre services and ultimately the loss of A&E services at the hospital. The HAC said that there was only one of the two theatres operating at Roscommon County Hospital (RCH) at present.
(Source: The Roscommon Hearld)

Sligo

A former Collooney banker left the financial world behind to be ordained a priest on the day the government announced Ireland’s bailout. David Barrins, 32, had worked in international currency markets. Now he has taken a vow of poverty by becoming a Dominican priest and a member of the Order of Preachers. The Kiernan Avenue native last Monday celebrated his first mass in a crowded Collooney church after being ordained in Cork recently. Afterwards he enjoyed a welcome home social organised by neighbours in the nearby parish hall.
(Source: The Sligo Weekender)

Tipperary

Tipperary's three Fianna Fáil TDs are divided on whether Brian Cowen should continue to lead the party, following the announcement last week that there is to be a General Election in the New Year. Martin Mansergh TD has said he will continue to support the Taoiseach, while Deputy Mattie McGrath says Brian Cowen should step aside as party leader. Máire Hoctor TD said she would be raising "certain issues" with the Taoiseach in the near future
(Source: Tipperary Star)

Tyrone

Three men arrested after gardai received a tip-off about an imminent "tiger kidnapping" were convicted of IRA membership last week. Gerard McGarrigle (46), of Mount Carmel Heights, Strabane, Co Tyrone; Desmond Donnelly (58), of Drumall, Lisnarick, Co Fermanagh; and Jim Murphy (61), of Floraville, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, had each denied membership of an illegal organization styling itself on the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on February 22.
(Source: BBC News)

Waterford

A former senior engineer who is alleged to have awarded a kerbing contract dishonestly by deception, has gone on trial at Waterford Circuit Court. The contractor who was awarded the contract denied he was “on to a sure thing” after helping out the accused at his home, the court heard last week. Joseph Brennan (50), of Ceithre na Gaoithe in Ring, Co Waterford, was a senior engineer with Waterford County Council when he is alleged to have awarded the contract “dishonestly by deception” in Dungarvan in 2002.
(Source: The Irish Times)

Westmeath

A luxury spa in Co Westmeath has gone into receivership after ACC moved to secure repayment of €5.5 million it lent the business during the boom years. Temple Spa, which is based on 90 acres outside Moate, is being run as a going concern by the receiver, Simon Coyle of business advisory firm Mazars. The spa is owned by Declan and Bernadette Fagan, who opened the business as a B&B in 1987 and invested heavily in its facilities in recent years.
(Source: Sunday Business Post)

Wexford

A bull was at the centre of a dispute between two Co Wexford farmers at the county’s small claims court last week. Patsy Furlong, Ballyphilip, Bunclody, brought a claim for €1,300 against Fergus Turner, Tomnaboley, Boolavogue, who had sold him a bull that was “not a genuine breeding bull” as it only had one descended testicle. Judge Ó Buachalla dismissed Mr Furlong’s claim.
(Source: The Irish Times)

Wicklow

A man has been arrested following a robbery at a post office in Bray, Co Wicklow last Friday. A masked man armed with what Gardaí believe to be a handgun entered the poast office at Kilbride Lane at 11.45am, threatened staff and demanded cash. A quantity of cash was handed over and the raider fled the scene, a Garda spokesman said. No one was injured during the incident.
(Source: RTE News)