ANTRIM

An increase in reports of cracked and split black bins, amid complaints from ratepayers that Antrim Borough Council bin machinery is allegedly causing some of the damage, has prompted council officers to review their policy on replacement black bins.

Alliance Councilor Neil Kelly said that he had been contacted by a number of residents who claimed that their black bins had been split by council lorries.

A council officer explained that at present, if a black bin is less than five years old and is damaged, the council will replace it free of charge. If older than five years, however, the owner will be charged $64 for another bin.
[Source: Antrim Guardian]

ARMAGH

The inquest into the death in custody of Shane Rogers, the man who murdered Crossmaglen Rangers G.A.A. star, James Hughes, was adjourned for three months.

Rogers (32), from Inniskeen in County Monaghan, hung himself in a holding cell at Cloverhill Courthouse in Dublin, after being held there for the murder of the Crossmaglen Rangers captain nine days earlier.

Rogers blasted Mr. Hughes to death after firing a double-barreled shotgun into the taxi that contained he and Rogers’ ex-girlfriend, 21-year-old Patricia Byrne.  The man targeted the pair outside her home in a Dundalk housing estate in the early hours of December 11.  The father of three young children sustained fatal gunshot wounds to the neck and upper body, while Ms. Byrne suffered facial injuries. The killing sent shockwaves through the local community of Crossmaglen where Mr. Hughes was a popular and well-known figure.
[Source: Examiner Newspaper]

CARLOW

A radical recasting of European Parliament constituencies will be made in advance of next year’s election after a report from an independent Constituencies Committee.

The committee’s recommendation must be approved by the Oireachtas (National Parliament), but this is seen as a foregone conclusion.

Dublin will remain a three-seat in the new dispensation, comprising the local administrative areas of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, South Dublin and the city of Dublin.

A new four-seat constituency, to be known as Midlands-North-West, will comprise counties: Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Kildare, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath; and Galway city.

A new four-seat “South” constituency will comprise: Carlow, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, North Tipperary, South Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow; and the cities of Cork, Limerick and Waterford.
[Source: Irish Times]

CAVAN

Following a year of good progress on the playing fields by Cavan footballers, there was further delight in the county last week with the news that Aogan Farrell, former president of the Ulster Council has got the green light from Cavan County Board to run for president of the G.A.A.

He was nominated by the chairman of the Drumgoon club, Eugene McCabe, and was seconded by the chairman of Cootehill Celtic, Larry McCluskey, at a meeting of the county board in the Hotel Kilmore last Monday night.
[Source: The Anglo Celt]

CLARE

Police in the Republic of Ireland have seized guns and several hundred rounds of ammunition in an operation linked to dissident republicans.

The haul, which also includes explosive components and papers, was found by police in Glenagross Wood, Meelick, County Clare.

The army was called to the scene on Friday evening, September 20.
[Source: BBC News]

CORK

A man in his 20s has been killed in a road accident in north Cork last Tuesday morning. The collision happened between a car and a truck at about 11.30 a.m. at the Parkanna Cross Road and Davis Cross on the Blarney to Bweeng Road.

The man, who was driving the car, was pronounced dead after being fatally injured in the crash, while it is believed that the driver of the truck was uninjured but was treated for shock at the scene.
[Source: Cork Independent]

DERRY


A Newbuildings man has been acquitted of raping and sexually assaulting a woman on Derry’s Walls in February 2012.

A jury at Derry Crown Court took one hour and 45 minutes to find Jamie Curry of Goshaden Road not guilty on all charges relating to an incident in the early hours of February 18, 2012.

Curry had been facing a total of four charges – including rape, attempted rape, sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault.

The 22-year-old’s trial began at Derry Crown Court on Wednesday, September 18 – and during the course of the week -long proceedings, the unemployed man admitted that he had indeed had sexual contact with the claimant but maintained throughout his trial that all actions on the night in question had been “entirely consensual.”
[Source: Derry Journal]

DONEGAL


Donegal could have just two Garda (police) district offices, with Donegal Town also set to be downgraded, the Donegal Democrat has learned.

A veteran county councilor has expressed his deep concern over the future of Garda stations in the county and, in particular, the Donegal Town station.

Speaking to the Donegal Democrat, Clr. Sean McEniff said, “I have received extremely reliable information that the Garda station in Donegal Town, which is currently a 24-hour station, is under review and may be downgraded.”
[Source: Donegal Democrat]

DOWN


A woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man was stabbed in the face on Saturday evening, September 21, in Newry.

The 37-year-old suspect was detained soon after the attack, which occurred around 6 p.m. in the Talbot Street area of the city. She was initially arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon; however, this was later reclassified by police as attempted murder.

The victim was taken to Daisy Hill Hospital, where he received treatment for facial injuries that were confirmed as non-life-threatening by police.  He has since been discharged.
[Source: Examiner Newspaper]

DUBLIN

Murder victim John Maguire desperately fought with his killer as he was being stabbed to death.

Gardaí (police) are confident that Mr. Maguire knew his attacker and allowed the killer into his home on Dublin's Ormond Square.

A tradesman working in a nearby house heard glass breaking around the time of the vicious murder last Monday afternoon.

Officers have also recovered a knife which they are examining to see if it was used in the killing.
[Source: Evening Herald]

FERMANAGH

Local Enniskillen dentistry student and award winning photographer Laura Elliott enjoyed the fruits of her labor last week having a one-to-one tutorial from Charlie Waite, the famed English landscape photographer. Laura, a dentistry student at Queens University, Belfast and former Collegiate Grammar pupil, won first prize in a National Trust Competition photograph competition in October and was placed at the top of a 5,700 strong field. The picture taken in her parent’s garden won her the smartphone section, one of four categories in the competition, as well as the overall prize.
[Source: Fermanagh Herald]

GALWAY

There's been a 26 percent drop in the number of planning permissions being granted for homes in the county.

Thirty-nine dwellings in the county were approved in the second quarter of this year, compared to 53 in the same three months last year.

C.S.O. figures also show a 12 percent drop in the number of planning permissions for homes in the city.
[Source: Galway Bay FM]

KERRY


A man in his mid-20s was killed Sunday night, September 22, when his car crashed and went on fire at Ballybroman, Ardfert on the Ardfert to Abbeydorney road.

The incident happened at 8:30 p.m., and the man was the sole occupant of the car.

His body was removed to Tralee General Hospital, where a postmortem examination will be carried out.
[Source: Irish Times]

KILDARE

Two men have been charged with the murder of Jamie Lindsay in County Kildare earlier this year.

Quentin Monaghan (20), of Tullamoy, Stradbally, County Laois, and James Seery (21), of Canal Side, Athy, Co. Kildare, appeared last Tuesday before Judge Desmond Zaidan at Athy District Court.

Both were arrested that morning and both made no reply when charged with the murder of Lindsay (20), who was shot at Coney Green near his home at the Coneyboro estate in Athy on April 6 this year.
[Source: Irish Times]

KILKENNY

Lyrath Estate Hotel and Spa is delighted to have made the shortlist in two categories for the Hotel & Catering Gold Medal Awards 2013.

The luxurious five-star resort set amongst 200 acres of lush green parkland and historic gardens was a finalist in the following categories: Best Five-Star Hotel and Best Spa.

Judged by industry experts, the Gold Medal Awards recognize and reward excellence in hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, spas, clubs and catering across the Irish hospitality sector nationwide.
[Source: Kilkenny People]

LAOIS


Two R.T.É. stars will be presenting a workshop in Abbeyleix as part of the Laois Connects Mental Health Week.

Tommy Murphy and Sean Dunne of the ‘Taking Care of Business’ RTE 1 T.V. show will be contributing to Laois Connectsk by presenting a business survival and growth workshop, which will be held in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel on Thursday, October 3, at 8 p.m.

The theme of the workshop is “Thriving and surviving through adversity while keeping your business and your head.”
[Source: Leinster Express]

LEITRIM


Leitrim players last Wednesday afternoon took to Twitter to voice their disappointment at the decision taken by the County Board to opt out of the F.B.D. final in New York.

County Board Chairman Diarmuid Sweeney was quoted in the Irish Examiner saying, “We are not travelling to New York for the game and to be honest the vote went through very easily at the recent committee meeting. It was proposed and seconded and there was no big discussion about it. After we were already in New York for the championship earlier this summer there was a general understanding that we couldn’t really make the trip.

“Everyone was looking forward to it, but in the current climate we couldn’t expect lads to take off work.”
[Source: Leitrim Observer]

LIMERICK

A judge has ordered state solicitor Michael Murray to inform any interested parties of his decision to order the forfeiture of almost $40,000 in cash, which was seized by Gardaí (police) almost four years ago.

Judge Carroll Moran noted that any third party claiming ownership of the money is now entitled to bring a Police Property Application within the next six months.

Last year, William Alymer, Jr., (32), with addresses at Hyde Road, Ballinacurra Weston and at Sarsfield Court, Lord Edward Street, received a suspended prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to possession of $38,250 in cash on January 11, 2010 for the purpose of committing a drug trafficking offence.
[Source: Limerick Leader]

LONGFORD

Gardaí (police) have appealed for the public’s help after a fire ripped through a house in Edgeworthstown during the early hours of last Wednesday, writes Liam Cosgrove.

No one was hurt in the blaze which broke out at a premise at Tinnynarr, just off the old N4 route in the town just before 12:30 a.m.

A number of fire crews from the local area managed to bring the fire under control, but were unable to save the house which was completely gutted as a result.
[Source: Longford Leader]

LOUTH

A 40-year-old Dundalk business man was one of a number of men to be arrested in relation to a cigarette smuggling sting that was triggered after an Al-Qaeda missile hit a cargo ship.

The Irish Independent have reported that a $5.4 million seizure of cigarettes bound for Dundalk criminals was only stopped on the M1 after a bizarre and highly unlikely set of circumstances. A cargo ship, the Costa Asia, was transporting the fake smokes when it was hit by a missile, apparently from a global terrorist organization affiliated to Al-Qaeda.

Upon inspection of a damaged container, crew found the consignment of unmarked cigarettes.
[Source: Dundalk Democrat]

MAYO

High Street Westport and the blackboard outside McGing’s pub says: “Mayo vs Dublin: 3:30 p.m.” Shortly after 5 p.m., three small children – like green and red rainbows – are meticulously rubbing out the “Dublin” on the board. It is time to retreat, refocus on Mayo. Get back across the Shannon. Forget about Dublin, Croke Park. The elusive Sam Maguire is back inside the Pale for another year. As one circumspect fan said, “We’ve waited 62 years for you, what’s another year.”

In the immediate moments after the painful one-point loss, there is little comfort in the heroic victory of the minors who beat Tyrone in their level of the championship, the first time to bring home the Tom Markham Cup since 1985. Two hours earlier there was a carnival atmosphere inside that had dribbled out to the sun-soaked yard bar at the back during the interval since the successful completion of the minor match.

Minutes later the on-screen singing of Amhrán na bhFiann fails to dull the hum of excitement as the sea of green and red in the packed pub prepares to surge and dance with every forward move of the Mayo team. There is a roar when a snapshot of a huge flag in the Croke Park crowds appears momentarily on the giant screen: “Aghamore G.A.A. Club. Come Back Sam.”
[Source: The Mayo News]

MEATH

Meath hand-ballers continued their bumper season of winning medals when picking up another two honors two weekends ago where, at Broadford (Limerick) on Saturday evening, Brian Carroll and Tom Sheridan faced Mayo men Dessie Keegan and Joe McCann in the senior doubles final.

After an enthralling three-hour marathon the Meath combination emerged victorious on a score line of 16-21, 21-17, 21-16.

Carroll and Sheridan were cheered on by a large crowd who had travelled from Kells and the loyal supporters were rewarded with the match-of-the-year.
[Source: Meath Chronicle]

MONAGHAN

Swift Fine Foods is to create 53 new jobs at its County Monaghan plant over the next three years as part of a $4 million international development program supported by Enterprise Ireland.

A producer of chilled and frozen ready meals serving the retail trade and foodservice markets in the U.K. and Ireland, Swift Fine Foods aims to accelerate the international roll-out of its range.

Swift Fine Foods is located in the Lough Egish Food Park in Castleblayney, a thriving center of Irish food companies, and expects its workforce to rise to 80 over the next three years.
[Source: Business and Leadership]

OFFALY

Offaly man Tommy Sheeran from Tullamore will take on the challenge of a lifetime on the October 11-13.

Tommy and some of his friends are climbing the four highest mountains in Ireland, The Macgillcuddy reeks in County Kerry, Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo, Mourne mountains in Co. Down and the Wicklow mountains.

If that wasn’t enough, he is finishing the weekend off with a Skydive in Clonbullogue at 3 p.m. that Sunday. They are doing this to raise awareness and hopefully some much needed funds for the charity Irish Autism Action. A few close friends of Tommy’s have had their children recently diagnosed with autism which in turn raised his attention to the disorder, and the main reason behind why they are doing this fundraiser.
[Source: Offaly Express]

ROSCOMMON

Residents in Kilroosky are furious that an apparent dispute between a landowner and Roscommon County Council has resulted in the closure of a road causing widespread disruption in the area.

The Ballagh to Strokestown road has been blocked for the past three weeks. The council arrived on Friday, September 6, and placed two large mounds of gravel in the middle of the road, blocking it for motorists. Closed road signs were erected. The mounds of gravel are approximately 100 meters apart. It means that those who previously travelled on the road have now to drive an additional five-mile detour.
[Source: Roscommon Herald]

SLIGO

Following a huge reaction to their last show at The Hawk’s Well in 2011, the hand-clapping, foot-stomping Dublin Gospel Choir returned for a very special concert on Saturday, September 28.

Performing a set that includes favorites such as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Something Inside So Strong” and ‘O Happy Day,” Ireland’s best known group of gospel performers also included some hits by artists as diverse as Stevie Wonder (with whom they collaborated in 2012), Bruno Mars and Coldplay.

Not too many acts can boast of collaborations with music industry heavyweights such as Riverdance, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, John Legend, Damien Rice and The Chieftains.
[Source: Leitrim Observer]

TIPPERARY

The number of internships taken up under JobBridge, the national internship scheme, has now passed 20,000. Alan Kelly T.D., minister for Public & Commuter Transport, welcomed the figures released by the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton this month.

Minister Kelly has highlighted the success of the scheme in County Tipperary where 645 JobBridge Internships have taken place.

JobBridge was launched in July 2011 to assist jobseekers to gain work experience and acquire new skills. There are over 5,300 participants currently on an internship and over 2,000 internship posts are currently advertised on the JobBridge website, www.jobbridge.ie. Over 9,000 companies have participated in the scheme from a cross-section of industry and employment.
[Source: Tipperary Star]

TYRONE


Hope remains high that the body of a missing Moy man who fell into the sea while fishing at Portrush two weeks ago will still be recovered, as an extensive search operation using police divers continues.

Thirty-eight-year-old Polish national Jaroslaw Andrykiewicz was fishing with friends at Ramore Head in the popular seaside resort on Saturday, September 14, when he fell into the sea at about 4:25 p.m.

A search for the missing man was immediately launched but had to be abandoned due to adverse weather conditions two weeks ago.
[Source: Tyrone Courier]

WATERFORD

This October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Centra stores throughout Waterford will be brightening up communities in the county with Centra’s pink walks in aid of the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer program.

Four Centra stores in Waterford city center; Hennessy’s Centra The Quay, Hickson’s Centra John Street, Murphy’s Centra, St. Lawrence Terrace and Coady’s Centra, Farran Park, have come together and will be calling on the city to take to the streets on October 27 for their pink walk. Four other stores in communities across Waterford will also be hosting a pink walk: Roche’s Centra Lismore, Garvey’s Centra Coolagh, Manor Village W.I.T. and Campus W.I.T.
[Source: Waterford Today]

WESTMEATH

Liverpool legend and former Ireland Liverpool striker John Aldridge was in the Crossbar, Mullingar last Wednesday night.

WE: John, is this your first trip to Mullingar?
JA: “No, I’ve been here a few times playing football, seeing some friends and socializing. It’s definitely not my last trip here. I will be back again.”

Have you ever considered trying to get the job as manager of Ireland?
“No. I’ve been out of the game too long at this stage, about 12 years. I wouldn’t have the qualifications to manage an international team. But never say never (laughs).”
[Source: Westmeath Examiner]

WEXFORD

With a larger tent, more diverse acts and an extra day added, the upcoming Spiegeltent Festival is set to be bigger and better than last year’s inaugural event.

Coinciding with the renowned Wexford Opera Festival, last year’s Quayside-based event was such a hit that organizers Barry Ennis and Brian Byrne of Lantern Events decided to up their offering for 2013.

The carnival atmosphere will explode back into County Wexford for a total of 12 days, from October 23 to November 3.
[Source: Wexford Echo]

WICKLOW

A man in his 60s has died following a collision between a car and a motorcycle in County Wicklow on Saturday morning, September 21.

The incident happened on the N81 near Blessington at around 10:15 a.m.

The motorcyclist was fatally injured and his body was taken to Tallaght Hospital where a full postmortem examination took place.
[Source: Irish Times]