ANTRIM

There may have been no room at the inn for former I.R.A. bomber Gerry Kelly, but the explosive row about his planned book-signing at The Stables in Antrim is still generating political shockwaves.

The Sinn Fein M.L.A. had planned to launch his book “The Escape,” which is billed as the inside story of the 1983 Maze escape, in the local nightspot on Friday, November 22.

According to fliers publicizing the event, Mr. Kelly, along with 37 fellow republicans, “defied all probability using cunning expertise and daring to smash out of what was the most secure prison in Europe.”
[Source: Antrim Guardian]

ARMAGH


The motive behind an apparent paramilitary-style shooting close to Cullyhanna on Tuesday evening, November 5, is shrouded in mystery, although an investigation into the attack is continuing, police have said.

The victim, a man aged in his late 40s, is recovering after he was shot in both legs by a number of men who forced their way into his Drummond Road home in Drumlougher, close to the Monaghan border.

The incident occurred around 7:20 p.m. when the masked intruders attacked the man, hitting him on the head with a hammer, before opening fire with a handgun, wounding him in both knees.
[Source: Examiner Newspaper]

CARLOW

Carlow chairman Michael Meaney was optimistic that the rest of Leinster will support their proposed “Super 14” restructuring of the Allianz Hurling League when the Central Council voted on the issue last weekend.

Carlow and Westmeath were both furious that they have been omitted from the top-12 teams that were initially proposed for the latest restructuring of NHL Division 1.

They came up with an alternative “Super 14” proposal that would feature seven teams in both Division 1A and 1B and allow 14 of the 15 teams (excluding London) who play in the Liam MacCarthy Cup to be involved in the top two tiers of the league.
[Source: Irish Independent]

CAVAN

Fresh from its Arctic Monkeys support gig in Dusseldorf, Germany, The Strypes has spoken exclusively to The Anglo-Celt to announce two Christmas gigs in Cavan Town Hall.

The Strypes had a whirlwind year, countless high-profile gigs, numerous television appearances, making music videos, supporting the Arctic Monkeys on its U.K. and European tour, its own Japanese tour and, of course, the release of its critically-acclaimed debut album “Snapshot” – but there’s more to come.

The Strypes exclusively reveals to the Celt that they will be performing two gigs in the Town Hall, Cavan, on Saturday, December 28 and Sunday, December 29, presented by Blue Valentines.
[Source: The Anglo Celt]

CLARE

A reduction in the rates rebate for vacant commercial buildings, proposed in the Local Government Bill 2013, “would have a huge negative impact on Shannon Airport,” it has been claimed by a Fianna Fáil T.D.

Under the current system, commercial properties are subject to rates payable to the local authority but, in Clare, a 100 percent rebate is subsequently applied where the property is unoccupied.
[Source: Clare Champion]

CORK


A Cork feminist group is planning to protest against a proposed children's beauty pageant being held in the city.

Texas-based Universal Royalty hosted the first-ever Irish contest in September in Monaghan after the original venue, The Bracken Court in Ballbriggan in Dublin, pulled out due to negative backlash in the media. Maureen Considine, who is involved with Cork Feminista, has set up an online petition that pledges to boycott any business that is willing to host a child pageant.

Speaking to the Cork Independent, Ms. Considine said: “The first time this company came to Ireland in September they had to keep the location a secret right up until the last minute. This meant that people didn't get a chance to signal their disdain for the event to the venue as they did not know where it was on. We want to make sure that this does not happen in Cork. If this type of event is to go ahead it will set a dangerous precedent for the future.”
[Source: Cork Independent]

DERRY


Sinn Féin M.E.P. Martina Anderson has said a major tobacco company’s sponsorship of City of Culture events undermines the success of the year.

Ms. Anderson was speaking after it emerged that Japan International Tobacco (J.T.I.), the parent company of the Gallagher group, is a partner sponsor of some City of Culture events.

The M.E.P., who has campaigned for tougher regulation of the tobacco industry at the European Parliament, said she was disappointed by the development and suggested it sends out the wrong message.
[Source: Derry Journal]

DONEGAL

Six Gaeltacht companies, including one from Donegal and representatives of Údarás na Gaeltachta, are part of a trade mission to Philadelphia this month.

The delegation has been invited by the Irish-American Business Chamber Network (I.A.B.C.N.) to develop export markets, and the companies will promote their businesses at an event organized by Údarás, I.A.B.C.N. and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The companies are Oileán Glas Teo., Donegal; and companies from Cork, Mayo and Galway.

“This trade mission is an excellent opportunity to promote the Gaeltacht as a location for enterprise to the business community in Philadelphia,” said Steve Ó Cúláin, Údarás na Gaeltachta Chief Executive. “It also presents an excellent opportunity to Gaeltacht companies to establish new contacts in America aimed at expanding their export markets.”
[Source: Donegal Democrat]

DOWN

The family of Newry man Seamus Ruddy, one of the Disappeared, has renewed their appeal for information, which could lead to their brother’s recovery.

Thirty-two year-old Mr. Ruddy was working as a teacher in Paris when he went missing in 1985.  It is believed he was killed by members of the I.N.L.A.  Fresh searches were carried out in 2008 after his family was told his remains were buried in a forest in Normandy, but they found nothing.

The Ruddy family’s appeal for information comes following Darragh MacIntyre’s chilling new documentary which told the hidden story of at least 15 people who were murdered and buried in secret graves by the I.R.A. during the Troubles.
[Source: Examiner Newspaper]

DUBLIN

A man who was attacked in broad daylight in Swords with a baseball bat last month has died from his injuries.

Taiwo Jamani (45), who ran a computer repair business, sustained head injuries in the assault in the town's Main Street on October 10.

Mr. Jamani had been on life-support since the incident but he died in Beaumont Hospital in the early hours of Wednesday.
[Source: Evening Herald]

FERMANAGH

A priest who was convicted of sexually abusing three Fermanagh sisters more than 40 years ago is attempting to clear this name.

Fr. Eugene Lewis was jailed for four years in September 2010 for 11 counts of indecent assault.

He denied the abuse, which was said to have been carried out in County Fermanagh between 1963 and 1973.

Fr. Lewis has already successfully appealed three of the 11 counts he was found guilty of committing in November 2011 and last year he was freed after having his sentence reduced to two years and nine months on foot of this.
[Source: Fermanagh Herald]

GALWAY

Pylons could become a thing of the past on Galway's rural landscape if new legislation is passed.

In the Seanad last week, Senator Rónán Mullen proposed a motion that high-voltage electricity cables be laid underground.

The motion was defeated by one vote.

Now, Senator Mullen says he will bring forward legislation requiring that the voltage lines be buried underground where physically possible.
[Source: Galway Bay FM]

KERRY

An Irish dad-of-one has died in a freak accident on a Chinese golf course.

John Walsh was killed on the Happy Valley Golf Club in the Huairou District just outside Beijing on Sunday, November 10.

The 39-year-old from Kilflynn, County Kerry, died after he became trapped when a machine he was working on overturned into a lake.

His body is now being prepared for repatriation.
[Source: Irish Mirror]

KILDARE

A drug used to execute prisoners in the United States has been stolen from a veterinary clinic in Celbridge, County Kildare.

The burglary took place between 8:30 p.m. on November 5 and 5 p.m. on November 6.

One of the items taken contains a poisonous substance called pentobarbital.
[Source: Kildare Nationalist]

KILKENNY


The development of the old mart site is a key component in the future vision of the city, according to selling agent Peter McCreery.

The 14-acre site has frontage onto New Road, Barrack Street and the Castlecomer Road and is on the market with a guide price of $6.7 million.

Under the current city development plan, which runs until next year, the land was zoned for “general development,” which would allow for commercial development on the site.
[Source: Kilkenny People]

LAOIS

Portlaoise is set to get a new library in a move that could see some new life injected into the town’s Main Street, which has been ravaged by the recession.

Cathaoirleach (chairman) of Laois County Council and Portlaoise-based librarian, Clr. Mary Sweeney, welcomed Laois County Council’s agreement with Shaws Department Stores for the acquisition of their premise at 23 Main Street. Shaws moved out of Main St. in September, leaving up to 20 empty shops.

Clr. Sweeney welcomed the move.

“This presents a wonderful opportunity to develop a modern library for Portlaoise in the heart of the town ... I hope the provision of a new library will be a focal point for people coming into the town and that it will generate more activity in the [center] of the town,” she said.
[Source: Leinster Express]

LEITRIM

Six Leitrim kids will have their dreams come true when they perform their award-winning Sean Nós dance routine on the famous “Late Late Toy Show.”

Edwina Guckian’s troupe is one of the selected groups to perform on the must-see annual show, which will air on Friday, November 29.

The group is Lily & Anna Crosby from Annaduff; Roisin and Tara Noone from Carrick-on-Shannon; and, Liam Taylor and Jack Hughes, both from Drumsna.
[Source: Leitrim Observer]

LIMERICK


A courageous Limerick couple, who had seven miscarriages and a baby who died shortly after being born, want to give hope to others after having a beautiful little girl.

After an unimaginable nine years for her parents, Ellianna Hope Marie Thompson will be 18-months-old this week. Ellianna means “God has answered me.”

Proud mother and father, Noreen and Ger, who live in Murroe, have told their story to help those who have had miscarriages.
[Source: Limerick Leader]

LONGFORD

Irish music legend Shane McGowan paid a visit to Longford town last Monday.

Having attended a wedding at Lough Rynn Castle, County Leitrim at the weekend, Shane called into the town, visiting Valentine’s Bar.

The Pogues front-man stopped for photos with publican Eddie Valentine, the barmen and local musician Paschal Flaherty.
[Source: Longford Leader]

LOUTH

More than 20 years after his death, his work is still amongst the most visited in the world, yet Peter Rice’s connection to Dundalk is far less celebrated.

For those who don’t know, Peter Rice is one of the world’s greatest engineers, behind such iconic buildings as the Sydney Opera House, the Louvre Pyramid and the Pompidou Centre in Paris and Lloyds Bank in London.

He even had a hand in designing Stansted Airport.

Peter hailed from the Castle Road and spent much of his childhood between Gyles Quay and Inniskeen, but the sole recognition of his time in this area is a plaque that was erected at 52 Castle Road saying “Birthplace of Peter Rice, Engineer, 1935-1992.”
[Source: Dundalk Democrat]

MAYO

A farmer, who spent close to 20 hours pinned to the ground by a tractor wheel, is making a good recovery in Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar. Martin Devaney, from Erritt, Gorthaganny, a few miles from Ballyhaunis, was discovered by a neighbor who became concerned when he heard the noise of a tractor over a sustained period of time and went down the field to check if all was okay.

It is understood that Martin, who is in his late 60s, was on his land around 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, when his hand got stuck under the tractor wheel as it rolled back. He was unable to release it as he was face-down at the time. He remained there through the bitter cold night until, fortunately, an alert neighbor found him around 10 a.m. the next morning.
[Source: The Mayo News]

MEATH

Gardaí (police) in Navan are appealing for information in connection with a burglary, which occurred at a house on the Kells Road, Navan, last Thursday, around 12:50 a.m.

The occupants of the house were confronted and threatened by two men, one of whom was carrying a knife. The culprits took three gold rings and a purse before leaving the scene.

The culprits are believed to be aged in their 20s, approximately six-feet-tall and of foreign national origin (possibly Eastern European). They wore black leather jackets.
[Source: Meath Chronicle]

MONAGHAN

A second man is to be prosecuted for the manslaughter of a County Monaghan teenager who was attacked in Omagh last December.

Jason McGovern (19), from Tydavnet, was attacked twice after leaving a nightclub in the Co. Tyrone town on December 31.

He was found dead hours later, on New Year's Day, at a friend's house across the border.
[Source: Belfast Telegraph]

OFFALY

Gardaí (police) at Birr, County Offaly, have arrested a man following the discovery of a cannabis grow-house in Birr on Monday afternoon, November 11.

The 20-year old was detained at a premise on Bridge Street in the town. As part of the planned search, Gardaí discovered 260 cannabis plants with a potential street value of $280,000.

The discovery was made following an intelligence-led operation involving Gardaí from the Birr District, supported by Garda members from District and Regional units.
[Source: Offaly Express]

ROSCOMMON

Plans for an eight-bed palliative care center for Roscommon County Hospital are on track following total funding approval of $19 million by Mayo/Roscommon Hospice for this development and a similar project in Mayo.

On Thursday, November 7, the board of Mayo/Roscommon Hospice ring-fenced $18 million in total funding for two major palliative care developments, including the Roscommon project, which will be developed on the grounds of the county hospital.

“This [$18 million] has been secured to significantly progress both projects and all going well, I understand that the Roscommon Hospice Care project should be ready for planning in just over a year’s time,” Deputy Frank Feighan said last week.
[Source: Roscommon Herald]

SLIGO


Sligo’s senior footballers did not return to collective training last weekend because they still don't have a manager.

They are one of nine county football teams free to resume full-training under the G.A.A.'s staggered return system, but, with no boss in place, will just continue with their gym programs.

Despite the fact that more than four months elapsed since Kevin Walsh stepped down, officials "will not be panicked" to appoint his successor.
[Source: Irish Independent]

TIPPERARY


Contractors working for Thurles Town Council have demolished a building at the junction between Cuchulainn Road and O’Donovan Rossa Street to allow for the widening of the junction.

The space created will be used to make the junction safer for pedestrians and motorists alike and will give much easier access to Cuchulainn road from the Templemore Road end.

A student lost his life at the junction some years ago and there has been a determination by the council to upgrade the junction and ensure that no more lives are lost at the location.
[Source: Tipperary Star]

TYRONE


November 6, 2013 was an important date in the life of Alfie B. Charleton of Coagh.

On that day, Alfie celebrated his 100th birthday with over 150 family members and friends calling at his neat house with a carefully manicured garden on the Urbal Road Coagh.

Over 200 birthday cards were delivered, including one from her Majesty the Queen, one from the president of the Irish Republic and one card signed by the current Liverpool football team.
[Source: Tyrone Courier]

WATERFORD

The naval vessel, the LE Ciara, detained an Irish-registered, fishing vessel off the Waterford coast for allegedly breaching fishing regulations.

The vessel was detained around 20 nautical miles south of the Waterford coast at around 1 p.m. last Wednesday.

It hauled its nets and was currently under escort to Cobh in County Cork, where it was expected to arrive at 6 p.m. that day.

It was then handed over to Gardaí (police).
[Source: Breaking News]

WESTMEATH

A Westmeath pub's mammoth 8,000 calorie breakfast is set to feature on an upcoming episode of the hit T.V. show, “Man v Food.”

Presenter Randy Santel visited Athlone watering-hole Murphy's Law to tackle its breakfast challenge and became only the second person to finish it within the allotted 30-minute time frame. If the challenge is completed within half-an-hour, you eat for free.

A “professional eater/body builder,” according to his website, Santel had to dig deep to claim his free breakfast, finishing with less than 10 seconds to spare.
[Source: Westmeath Examiner]

WEXFORD

Six people were due in court last Wednesday charged in connection with drug seizures in County Wexford.

The five men and a woman, aged from their mid-20s to early 60s, were due before Gorey District Court at 10.30 a.m.

They were detained on Monday under Operation Serpentine, which targets the cultivation, sale and supply of drugs in the South East.
[Source: Breaking News]

WICKLOW

An inquest into the deaths of two firemen in Bray, County Wicklow was adjourned at the Dublin Coroner’s Court last Thursday. It is due to resume next spring.

Brian Murray (46) and Mark O’Shaughnessy (26) died on September 26, 2007, fighting a blaze at a disused ink factory at Adelaide Villas off the Dargle Road.

The inquest was reopened last Wednesday after a lengthy adjournment pending a criminal trial. That trial concluded last month and Wicklow County Council was fined $478,000 for criminal health and safety violations.
[Source: Irish Times]