Antrim

County Antrim man Ryan Leslie was told he must serve 17 years in prison for the murder of his baby son Cameron.

In February, Leslie, 26, of Ballyvesey Green, Newtownabbey, was found guilty of murdering his 14-week old son and causing him grievous bodily harm.

Cameron Jay Leslie died in hospital in September 2008 after suffering severe injuries to several parts of his body.
(Source: BBC)

Armagh

A Co Armagh man was found not guilty of murdering a British soldier in the Republic of Ireland 33 years ago.

Kevin Crilly, 60, from Jonesborough, had denied murdering Captain Robert Nairac.

Capt Nairac was working undercover when he was abducted after visiting the Three Steps Inn, a bar in a Republican area near Forkhill, South Armagh in May 1977.

He was taken to Ravensdale Forest in Louth, where he was shot dead by the IRA. His body was never recovered.

It was the prosecution's case that Mr Crilly had helped kidnap the 29-year-old.
(Source: RTE)

Carlow

A man in his 30s was arrested following the discovery of nearly 20kgs worth of cannabis herb in Co Carlow last week.

The man was arrested after gardaí (police) stopped a car on the M9 at Johnstown, near Bennekerry at lunchtime on Friday.

The drugs, with an estimated street value of €240,000, were found during a search of the car.

The operation was carried out as part of an on going investigation into the sale and supply of illegal drugs in the South-East.
(Source: Irish Times)

Cavan

A syndicate from Co Cavan last Wednesday quietly picked up their €7m check from the €14m weekend Lotto jackpot they split with Cork postman Pat Broderick.

Pat (45), from Kinsale, Co Cork, hasn't decided when to pick up his winnings.

But the Cavan winners traveled to National Lottery HQ in Dublin on the quiet and without fanfare to get their check.
(Source: Irish Independent)

Clare

Gardaí (police) are investigating the violent death of County Clare woman Deirdre McCarthy.

The body of the 43-year-old single woman was found on Fanore beach in County Clare last Thursday morning, three days after she was reported missing from her Ballyvaughan home.

Ms McCarthy was last seen alive last Sunday night and the alarm was raised last Monday afternoon.
Garda press officer Supt John Gilligan said: “Because of the investigation so far, we are satisfied that she died as a result of violence and while we are not specifically naming the type of investigation, we are treating the investigation, at this point in time, with the same seriousness as a murder investigation”.
(Source: Irish Times)

Cork

The country's latest Lotto millionaire, a 47-year old postman from Kinsale in Co Cork, was back delivering the mail last Friday after revealing details of his €7m weekend jackpot win to family and friends.

Father-of-four Pat Broderick used his family's ages to select his winning numbers.

Pat holds one of two winning tickets in last Saturday night's jackpot - the holder of the second ticket sold in Co Cavan to a syndicate who collected their winnings last week.

Mr Broderick has been delivering the mail in the Kinsale area for the past 18 years.
(Source: Cork Independent)

Derry

A single mother has won her appeal against being jailed for stealing a £10 pair of jeans. Alison Hewitt (27) was instead ordered to serve 100 hours’ community service after senior judges ruled the original three-month jail term manifestly excessive.

After her successful challenge, she said: “I'm just glad it’s over.”

Her lawyers argued in the Court of Appeal on Friday that it went beyond a reasonable response to the offence of shoplifting.
(Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Donegal

An inquest in Co Donegal last week returned a verdict of death in accordance with injuries sustained as a result of a road traffic accident in the case of a mother and daughter, Martina and Louise McLernon, who were killed in Mín A Cuing, Gweedore, in May 2008.

Martina, 45, and her daughter Louise, 15, from Toome in Co Antrim were walking on the hard shoulder, near their Gweedore holiday home on the N56, at 8.30pm on 24 May 2008 when they were killed instantly.

Evidence was heard that a Toyota Carina, driven by Shaun Goddrick of Dunlewey, Gweedore, was travelling in the direction of Dunlewey when a woman travelling in the opposite direction observed it bouncing on the road, swaying over and back at a high speed. Road conditions were dry at the time.
The Carina clipped the side of her car, and swerved sideways into the pedestrians before going off the road.
(Source: Donegal Democrat)

Down

SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie has met with Police Ombudsman Al Hutchinson over his report into the Loughinisland massacre.

She told him the delays surrounding the report had undermined confidence in his office.

Mr Hutchinson's report into the police investigation of the 1994 UVF atrocity is due in May.

Six men were shot dead in the gun attack on the Heights Bar in the County Down village.
(Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Dublin

Ten Dazzling evening gowns worn by Queen Elizabeth on various state visits throughout her monarchy went on show last week at the British ambassador’s residence in Sandyford, Co Dublin.

Shown in conjunction with a UK trade and investment event in Ireland promoting 16 up-and-coming fashion and jewellery designers, it was the first time these dresses have been displayed outside the UK and was the initiative of the Queen’s dresser Angela Kelly in advance of her Irish visit.

Most of the dresses were made by the legendary royal couturier Norman Hartnell who made both her wedding dress and the coronation robes she wore when ascending the throne at the age of 27 in 1953.
(Source: Irish Times)

Fermanagh

Nick Faldo opened a golf academy at Lough Erne Resort in Co. Fermanagh.

Coaching methods that won Sir Nick Faldo six major championships are being offered to budding stars and hackers alike at his first European golf academy.

The former world number one hopes the facility at the Lough Erne Resort in Co Fermanagh will attract students from all over the continent.

Promising much more than the standard driving range, the academy incorporates a lecture theatre and a state-of-the-art swing studio, as well as an extensive practice room.

Faldo has long been involved in coaching up-and-coming stars and it was at one of his Faldo Series tournaments that a young Rory McIlroy first impressed the multi-major winner.
(Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Galway

The 7,000 ton ship that ran aground off the Co Galway coast last Thursday has been refloated.
The vessel is currently located in the approaches to Casla Bay and is being inspected for damage by its owners.

Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney welcomed the successful refloating of the Pantanal in Galway Bay.

Mr Coveney said there had been a 'very real threat to the marine environment' but it had been averted.
A marine investigation is due to be carried out by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board.
(Source: RTE)

Kerry

A woman accused of murder in Co. Kerry told a man she had split a New Age Traveler's head open with a wooden mallet before a dog licked his blood off her kitchen floor. The claim came on the third day of the trial of Una Geaney (45), who denies the murder of Gary Bull (37) four years ago. Ms Geaney, of Mullinagleamig, Dingle, Co Kerry, but a native of Fermoy, Co Cork, denies killing Mr Bull at Shanlaragh, Dunmanway, Co Cork on or around September 23, 2007. Mr Bull was a native of Hertfordshire in the UK but had been living in west Cork for a number of years as part of a New Age Traveler community. When gardai (police) finally recovered Mr Bull's body from a slurry pit in October 2007, a post-mortem examination revealed he had died from multiple skull fractures.
(Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Kildare

The National Ploughing Championships will take place in Athy, Co Kildare, for the third year running. 2011 is the 80th anniversary of the Ploughing Association.

Minister for Agriculture, Marine & Food Simon Coveney announced that the championships will be returning to Wexford in 2012 for the first time in 14 years.

They will be held on a site at Heathpark, New Ross.

Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association Anna May McHugh said the championships are one of the best showcases for agriculture and rural industry in western Europe.
(Source: RTE)

Kilkenny

A plan for new two and three-storey detached and semi-detached housing units has been revealed for Co Kilkenny.

The plans have already been approved by Kilkenny County Council to the promoter, Michael Anglin and Brendan Sheridan, on March 30 for the construction of a housing development at Friary Walk, Clashacollare, Callan.

According to the website www.unearthore.com the development will comprise a range of 50 semi-detached housing units.

The approved plans also include proposed boundary treatments, landscaping and all associated site development works.
(Source: Build.ie)

Laois

Supermarket group SuperValu has announced that it will create 400 jobs this year, to add to its workforce of 15,000.

In a statement, the company said that it would be opening two new stores and extending and refurbishing a further 34 as part of an investment program worth more than €25m.

The new stores will be at Mountmellick, Co Laois, and Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim.

'The trading environment in 2011 continues to be extremely difficult, but we are confident we can continue to adapt our offer in response to the budget conscious consumer,' said Martin Kelleher, SuperValu's managing director.
(Source: RTE)

Leitrim

Co. Leitrim will have no Catholic secondary school next year in a new chapter in the history of Irish education.Catholic school managers are worried about the decline in their numbers and say it is time to call a halt. Co Leitrim will lose its only Catholic secondary school from September 2012, when the Fatima and Felim's, in Ballinamore, currently under the joint trusteeship of the Sisters of Mercy and the Diocese of Kilmore, become part of a new community school. Next September, Abbeyfeale, Limerick, loses its only Catholic secondary school when the 340-pupil St Joseph's, previously run by the Mercy Order, becomes part of a new community college.
(Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Limerick

An inquest has heard that a Polish man died eight days after he was assaulted during a fracas in the city center. Mateusz Sabik, 21, died at the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle on October 8, 2007 more than a week after he was assaulted at Little Ellen Street during a disturbance involving up to a dozen Polish nationals. Coroner, Dr Timothy Casey was told that Mr Sabik, who was living at Alphonsus Street, was hospitalized following the incident but that he was discharged the following day after his condition improved. However a number of days later he collapsed and suffered a seizure and was placed on a life support machine, which was switched off at 7.30pm on October 8, 2008.
(Source: Limerick Leader)

Longford

A circuit court judge and daughter of former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds has called for absentee jury members to face the full rigours of the law after two scheduled court sittings in Clare were forced to adjourn. Judge Leonie Reynolds said those who fail to co-operate with the court services and carry out their civic duty should face possible legal proceedings themselves. “I am recommending that the people who fail to appear would be sanctioned. If people are not taking their duty seriously when called to serve on a jury then there is no other alternative and the appropriate sanction has to apply,” she said.
(Source: Longford Leader)

Louth

A Dundalk couple with four children who fell behind in their mortgage repayments face losing their home after a lender was given an order of possession. The High Court gave the order of possession for the Dundalk home on Tuesday, March 22.

However, Ms Justice Dunne granted the order with a stay, or delay of execution, for six months. The couple had borrowed e200,000 in July 2007 to buy their home under the tenant purchase scheme run by Louth County Council.

The High Court heard that the couple had four children between them, some now adults, and were both now unemployed.
 (Source: Dundalk Democrat)

Mayo

The west Mayo town of Newport will be receiving two very important visits over the next two months after it was confirmed last week that American President Barack Obama will visit the town in May.

Last Thursday it was confirmed that Prince Albert of Monaco will follow in the footsteps of his late mother, Princess Grace Kelly, by visiting the ancestral home of his great grandfather, Peter Kelly.

However President Obama’s visit to Ireland in May, will include a flying visit to Newport. President Obama is keen to visit Newport’s famous seven-arched bridge, which was built in the 18th century as part of the roadway between Newport and Mulranny.

President Obama has been informed that his great-great granduncle, John Joe O’Bama, was one of the bricklayers involved in building the bridge. It is believed that John Joe O’Bama, emigrated to Chicago with his family in the early 1800s and no family members are now living in the area.
(Source: The Mayo News)

Meath

The Australian Ambassador to Ireland, Bruce Davis, visited Kells last week where he was presented with a painting of the artwork featured on flags flown in both the Sydney and Kells St Patrick's Day parades.

The theme of the parade in Sydney this year was 'The Book of Kells' and, to mark the link between the two towns, local artist Patrick Morris designed a flag, which was carried in both parades.
(Source: The Meath Chronicle)

Monaghan

The Middlesbrough Mayor who hosted the town’s famous 1986 football side after the club staved off liquidation has died aged 80.

Known to family and friends as Seamus, Jim Campbell was first elected as a councilor in 1973 for the Thorntree Ward where he and his family have lived for 45 years.

He was Mayor in 1986-87 after replacing Councilor John Jones in the role.

Born into a farming family in Lisnakelly, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, Ireland, Mr Campbell came to Middlesbrough in 1951 to work for Dorman Long.
(Source: Gazette Live)

Offaly

The hall in Moneygall was packed to capacity last week as locals met to discuss the visit of “native son” Barack Obama in May. Those who could not get seats, stood, as Mr Obama’s cousin Henry Healy chaired the meeting. The Gardai (police) were represented and told the audience that a survey was being carried out in terms of security, but no firm plans were in place yet. A representative of Dulux Paints was also present to provide villagers with a color scheme, meaning that each house will be painted according to a color plan. Finally members of the local Tidy Towns were also represented to talk over plans to have Moneygall looking its best. “Over 100 people offered to help out. There is great enthusiasm,” said local Councillor Peter Ormond.
(Source: Offaly Express)

Roscommon

A 19-year-old man appeared in court in Harristown, Co Roscommon, last Friday morning charged with the murder of his 46-year-old mother.

Celyn Eadon was remanded for a further two weeks to appear at Harristown District Court on 15 April.
A post mortem revealed that mother-of-four Noreen Kelly Eadon died from multiple stab wounds at her home at Islandeady, Co Mayo, on Wednesday 9 March.
(Source: RTE)

Sligo

A well known sportsman who told Judge Kevin Kilrane at Tubbercurry Court that he had no involvement with drugs since a previous conviction two or three years ago was fined €500 for having cannabis resin in his possession for sale or supply.
(Source: The Sligo Champion)

Tipperary

North Tipperary is set for yet another major jobs blow, with the announcement last week that a receiver is to be appointed to concrete manufacturers Kelly’s of Fantane. A key employer for decades, and an industry emblematic of the building boom, Kelly’s is to have its assets taken over by Bank of Scotland, after the bank became concerned about Kelly’s debts. Accountant Brian McEnery of Horwath Bastow Charleton in Limerick has been appointed as receiver to the company.
(Source: Tipperary Star)

Tyrone

A high-risk sex offender from Co Tyrone who went missing and traveled to eastern Europe has had his jail sentence reduced by a year.

The Court of Appeal ruled that Ernest George Finlay should serve two years in jail for breaches of his sexual offences prevention orders.
 

The 56-year-old, from Aughnacloy, was also ordered to complete five years on license after his release.
Finlay, whose record includes seven convictions for rape, served a 14-year term for sex attacks on prostitutes.
(Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Waterford

in 6 Waterford homes tested for cancer causing radon gas is above acceptable level RPII urges homeowners to take the radon test

The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) is again urging the people of Waterford to test their homes for the radioactive gas radon, a deadly gas which is linked to up to 200 lung cancer deaths each year in Ireland, after the most recent testing found another 84 homes above the acceptable level.
 (Source: Waterford Today)

Westmeath

Gardai (police) were forced to call in the Regional Support Unit (RSU) who had to use a taser gun to disarm a man at St Mel's last weekend.

Last Saturday at 4pm gardai were called to an incident in St Mel's Terrace where a disturbance was taking place on the street. They attempted to arrest a local man in his late 20s who resisted arrest and produced a metal weapon.
(Source: Westmeath Independent)

Wexford

A rare black lacquered piece by Irish expatriate designer and architect Eileen Gray sold for €1.3m at auction last week in Paris.

The black lacquered screen panel, part of the late Co Wexford designer's personal furniture at her Paris apartment, was one of the first pieces to go under the hammer last week and sold for €1.3m at Christie's in Paris.
(Source: Irish Independent)

Wicklow

A former Fás assistant manager who defrauded the agency of more than €600,000 over five years was given a four-year sentence.

James Brooke Tyrrell (54), of Church Road, Greystones, Co Wicklow, had pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to nine sample counts out of “80 counts on the indictment” on dates between 2003 and 2008.

Judge Patrick McCartan handed down a four-year sentence, with the last two years suspended.
(Source: RTE)