ARMAGH

Children are using mobile phones to encourage their friends to take part in riots in north Belfast, it has been warned. The shock claim was made following a third night of serious disturbances in the Ardoyne area during which police came under attack with petrol bombs. One police officer was injured and two teenagers arrested after petrol bombs, fireworks, bricks and bottles were thrown during violence that continued into the early hours of last Thursday.

Source: The Belfast Telegraph

CARLOW

Carlow’s streets are awash with drugs but local gardaí (police) have taken the fight to the county’s drugs lords by carrying out a total of 28 searches within a ten-day period. It has also been confirmed that heroin is the drug of choice for dealers who have been flocking to Carlow to peddle their deadly wares. The searches, which were carried out on persons and properties around Carlow between Friday 3 July and midnight on Sunday 12 July, resulted in ten seizures of illegal substances.

Source: The Carlow Nationalist

CAVAN

The Irish Nurses Organization (INO) is demanding that the Health Service Executive (HSE) immediately fill all vacancies at Cavan General Hospital and bring staffing levels up to what is required in light of the forthcoming transfer of acute services from Monaghan to Cavan on Wednesday. “We need clear assurances that the staff that is required will be put in place. We have received assurances but our concern is that these positions will not be filled by July 22nd. The HSE have indicated that agency staff maybe used in the interim but we are seeking a firming up of this requirement on permanent staff,” stated INO regional organizer, Tony Fitzpatrick.

 Source: The Anglo Celt

CORK

A Macroom builder is prepared to build Macroom's proposed new fire station and lease it to Cork County Council — a move welcomed as a brave act by councilors. Mr. Stephen O'Connor of Sleeveen East, Macroom wrote to each member of Macroom Town Council stating that he has been in correspondence with Cork County Council for the past 12 months in relation to the purchasing of a site at the Millstreet Road, Macroom that, he says, has been approved by Chief Fire Officer Ger Malone. To date little progress has been made due to the present financial conditions affecting both the Department of Environment and Cork County Council.

Source: The Corkman

DERRY

The gate lodge of Strabane Grammar School has been destroyed by fire. Police are treating the incident at Liskey Road as arson. The cost of the damage has been estimated at £10,000. The blaze was reported on Monday two weeks ago, and was extinguished by firefighters.

Source: The Derry Journal

DONEGAL

A female councilor has been voted chairperson of the Glenties Electoral Area for the first time ever. Sinn Féin Councilor, Marie Therese Gallagher was nominated to the position by Fianna Fail Councilor David Alcorn in the Glenties Electoral Area last week. Councilor Padraig Ó’Dochartaigh supported Councilor Alcorn’s nomination. There were no other proposals. It is understood that the five councilors will rotate the chairmanship for the following five years with Councilor Gallagher taking to the seat first.

Source: Donegal Democrat

DOWN

Personal injury claims from Newry and Mourne have cost Roads Service more than £81,000 in the past year. The figure comprises both legal costs (£34,300) and compensation payments (£46,757.48). Despite this being a significant reduction from the year before, local Assembly member Dominic Bradley has described the management of Personal Injury Claims as ‘deeply disturbing’. The Newry and Armagh MLA have now called for a complete overhaul of the compensation process. “The Department of Regional Development (DRD) paid out a whopping £4 million across the north last year, nearly half of which went on legal fees either to the claimant’s solicitors or to government legal advisors in the Departmental Solicitor’s Office,” he said. “It is more akin to the accounting procedures of Mr. Micawber in the Charles Dickens novel ‘David Copperfield’.

Source: The Down Democrat

DUBLIN

People with disabilities are the latest group to suffer at the hands of Dublin City Council's cost-cutting program. The cash-strapped local authority is refusing to accept any more applications for housing grants for disabled people. The council said it did not have the "financial resources" to process any further applications in 2009. The grants are used to help disabled people adapt their homes by installing access ramps, stair lifts, downstairs toilets and other facilities. "We find it very disturbing that the council is ceasing to accept applications," Disability of Ireland Federation spokesman Allen Dunne said.

Source: The Evening Herald

FERMANAGH

A group of members of Longford Historical Society, who attended this year's 'Twelfth' in Lisbellaw as guests of the host Orange Lodge, were guests of the chairman of Fermanagh District Council, Bertie Kerr last Tuesday at a function at Enniskillen Castle. The Longford group had met their hosts during a visit to World War One battlefields in Belgium. Its spokesman said his members were 'more than happy' to attend and see the tradition and ceremony of the Orange Order. James MacNerney added: "We felt it was important to come in the spirit of reconciliation. "We all have to live together on this island, and we have to respect each other's traditions."

Source: The Fermanagh Herald

GALWAY

Galway City Council management has moved to reassure the public that essential services will be maintained, despite the city's looming financial crisis. City Manager Joe MacGrath was responding as the true extent of the city's budgetary troubles were revealed in a mid-year financial report. The worrying document was furnished to city councilors last Friday and shows that the council has been doubly hit by the current economic crisis, with a significant drop in income coming alongside a greater demand for waivers and subsidies.

Source: Galway Independent

KERRY

Government deal maker Jackie Healy Rae admitted last week that he is not in a position to force Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen into assisting Kerry's beleaguered farmers who were hit by the closure of the REPs 4 scheme. Addressing over 250 angry farmers at an IFA protest outside his Killarney clinic last Saturday, the Kilgarvan man was heckled continuously as he addressed farmers from the back of a lorry just hours after the government announced the early closure of the grant scheme. Amid heated calls of "go, go, go" from the assembled farmers, the Kilgarvan man said that the government could still pass votes without his support.

Source: The Kerryman

KILDARE

The Oxegen music festival has been branded a success, with the organizers and gardaí (police) having quashed fears that the 80,000 revelers could cause damage to the town of Naas. Tidy Towns chairman Councilor Seamie Moore has praised Oxegen organizers MCD and the gardaí for their roles in ensuring that Naas remained orderly and tidy throughout the weekend. “There was a great effort made,” he stated, noting that complaints made after the recent AC/DC concert had been addressed.

Source: The Kildare Nationalist

KILKENNY

Thieves who broke in to Gowran's Reptile Village Zoo early last Tuesday morning are contenders to be named Kilkenny's 'thickest thieves'. The intruders smashed their way into the zoo, which houses man-eating crocodiles and a dazzling array of dangerous animals including pit vipers, Nile Monitor lizards and boa constrictors. They then stole three worthless creatures, raided a charity box and smashed through a door - despite the fact the one right next to it was open - all of which was caught on video camera.

Source: The Kilkenny People

LAOIS

Portlaoise Town Council heard last week that putting the name ‘Bellingham’ on a roundabout on the Mountrath Road was akin to a suburb of Paris being called ‘Hitlerville’ after the Nazi occupation of France. Cllr Brian Stanley (SF) told the council that neither the councilors nor the people of Portlaoise were happy with the label ‘Bellingham’, which, although claimed to be historically appropriate, was the name of the commander of an army of occupation of the town. The name had been given to the estate adjoining the roundabout and then to the roundabout itself, which is on the main road.

Source: The Laois Nationalist

LEITRIM

A junior doctor who admitted he pretended to give a crucial antibiotic to an elderly women to "placate" a nurse was found guilty of professional misconduct at a public hearing by the Medical Council on July 6. Malaysian-born Lee Sengh Khoo, who worked at Sligo General Hospital, was censured, fined €2,500 and suspended from the medical register. The Medical Council's Fitness to Practice Committee found he was dishonest in pretending to administer the drug.

Source: The Leitrim Observer

LIMERICK

The much anticipated report from An Bord Snip Nua, which was discussed by the Cabinet this Wednesday, recommends that Shannon Development should be amalgamated with other state agencies including the IDA and Enterprise Ireland.

Shannon Development, which was established in 1959, is the only regional development agency in the country and has operations across Limerick, Clare, Kerry, North Tipperary and South West Offaly. It employs over 130 people and has an annual turnover of around €33 million. At the end of 2008 the company had assets and land worth over €250 million. If the recommendations go ahead it is still not clear how many people, if any, would loose their jobs.

Source: The Limerick Leader

LONGFORD

Gardai (police) have released the two men who were being questioned following the discovery of eight pipe bombs at a house outside Longford town on Sunday evening last. A file will now be prepared for the Director of Public prosecutions to decide if any charges are to be brought over the incident. The men, who are in their 40s and late teens respectively, were released without charge on Tuesday evening last. They were being questioned following the find at a house just off the main Longford to Lanesboro Road on Sunday last.

Source: The Longford Leader

LOUTH

The Drogheda Independent has learned of a number of incidents in the past fortnight of babies and young children being left in cars alone in the car parks at two local retail parks, sometimes in high temperatures, while the parent or guardian goes shopping. 'I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the first car, which was well into the car park, and had a small infant sitting alone in the back seat crying, with a window down just a crack,' one reader stated. 'There was no sign of an adult, so I contacted security, who told me they had to break a window just last week to get to a baby who had been left in the car alone while the parent went shopping, and when they returned, discovered they had actually left their keys in the car.' It has been reported that similar incidents have happened.

Source: The Drogheda Independent

MAYO

Government Ministers do not accept that Belmullet gardaí (police) exceeded their powers when they arrested fishermen Pat and Jonathan O’Donnell last month ahead of the arrival of Shell pipelaying vessel, the Solitaire. However, they told a delegation of Erris fishermen, who met them in Dublin last Friday, that the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey had given Chief Supt Michael Larkin extra powers under Section 39 of the Maritime Safety Act 2005. Mr. Eddie Diver, Chairman of the Erris Inshore Fishermen’s Association (EIFA), also said that EIFA accepted that local gardaí were acting under orders. He also said that Friday’s meeting, organized by Minister Dara Calleary, had been very positive and constructive.

Source: The Mayo News

MEATH

The Trim area has suffered a major jobs blow with the announcement that 18 jobs are to go at local envelope manufacturing firm, Trimfold. Employees were told last Monday that due to the company’s withdrawal from the UK market where it can no longer compete, 18 jobs would be lost at the Trim plant. It is understood that the envelope manufacturer, which is located in the Duggan Industrial Estate on the Athboy Road, currently employees approximately 50 people. A meeting took place last Friday between SIPTU officials who represent the workers, and management of Trimfold, one of the town’s longest-established companies.

Source: The Meath Chronicle

MONAGHAN

A Monaghan TD has claimed that an egg attack on her home where her three children were in the early hours of last Sunday morning was “inextricably linked” to an IFA protest the day before. However, a senior IFA spokesman refutes this allegation made by Deputy Margaret Conlon in the aftermath of the attack.
 Last Saturday scores of farmers attended the Fianna Fáil Deputy’s house at Lough Eglish, Castlebayney protesting over the controversial cuts to REPs and later that night the egg attack occurred.


Source: The Monaghan Post

OFFALY

The prospect of US President Barack Obama visiting Offaly increased last week, after the new US Ambassador said Obama “definitely” plans on traveling to Ireland. U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney, speaking at a press conference, after presenting his credentials in Dublin Friday two weeks ago, said: “Well I know that he wants to come ...When things settle down, he definitely would plan it.”

Source: The Offaly Independent

ROSCOMMON

Haven, a state of the art facility owned and operated by the National Association of Housing for Visually Impaired (NAHVI) located in Oakport, Cootehall, Co Roscommon was officially launched this month. At the launch, Margaret Doyle, Chairperson of NAHVI said, "NAHVI are delighted our new centre is located in such a beautiful part of the country. The local community have welcomed us and made us feel like we truly belong." The center provides a place where visually impaired young people and their families can go for a relaxing break from daily life.

Source: The Roscommon People

SLIGO

The reopening of Lissadell House and Gardens, on a temporary basis, follows recent calls from Dail Deputy John Perry as well as comments from the Mayor of Sligo, Councilor. Jimmy McGarry, raising concerns over what he termed the "negative impact" the Lissadell House closure was having on local tourism. Confirming that the House, gardens and coach house reopened from last Friday, Lissadell manager Isobel Cassidy said the owners of the property, Edward Walsh and Constance Cassidy, had taken the decision to "try to minimize the damage to local businesses in the current tourist season."

Source: The Sligo Champion

TIPPERARY

In what has been described as an "economic tsunami", forty seven people have lost their jobs over the last six to eight months with South Tipperary County Council.

The stark financial situation, which was outlined by Co. Manager, Mr. Ned O'Connor on Monday last, has led to savings of almost 5 million euro being required for the remainder of the year. In addition to the 47 who have lost their jobs, not all of whom would have been permanent employees, 63 posts have not been filled, 16 people who could have expected to get jobs will not have the opportunity to do so and 37 students will not be given summer work.

Source: The Tipperary Star

TYRONE

It now looks likely that the full truth about the murder of Dungannon pensioner Roseanne Mallon will never be revealed. Fifteen years after the murder of the 76 year-old and twenty-three preliminary enquiries later the Mallon family has been informed that vital PSNI (Police Service Northern Ireland) documents are still being withheld. The latest setback has prompted anger among her relatives, who have accused the government of seeking to suppress evidence of collusion between paramilitary organizations and the security forces.

Source: The Tyrone Times

WATERFORD

A Six-Meter high piece of stainless steel sculpture depicting a bar high chair and shelf with alcohol bottles planned for the Grattan Quay area of the city caused a furore when it was informally unveiled last week. While the artist has been commissioned and the materials bought for the work, members of the City Council cried ‘foul’ declaring a bar stool and beer bottles would send out a clear message that a culture of drinking was being promoted. Incensed that they had no say in the type of work being chosen and that they were not informed about it until the end they urged the City Manager to re-think the plan. “I hate it - over my dead body,” declared Councilor Mary Roche.

Source: Waterford News & Star

WESTMEATH

“I am twelve years old, I traveled down to the River Moy in Co Mayo where I caught my first salmon of the season and while there I met the legendary Jack Charlton and have the picture to prove it.” A likely story unless your name is Dylan Ennis from Moate. Dylan and Simon Yorke had traveled to Foxford fishing and met Jack Charlton last week.

Source: The Westmeath Independent

WEXFORD

A County Wexford branch of the SPCA is investigating a shocking report of suspected strangulation of two foxes in the Ballycanew area. The two young foxes were found dumped along the side of the road in a gateway to a field in the Coolook area of Ballycanew two weeks ago. A leather strap was found tied tightly around the neck of one of the foxes, and it is feared the second fox may also have been strangled in a similar cruel way.

Source: The Wexford People

WICKLOW

A Wicklow mother and son were last week celebrating after they claimed the same title in their respective categories at the All Ireland Bench Press Championships recently in Tullamore. Pauline Murray and her son Johnny (17) from Windemere Avenue, Arklow, have been doing overtime training in recent months in preparation for the event. Pauline took three World Titles in Belgium for the categories of squat, deadlift and bench press. In February she successfully defended her national titles and took two overall titles and also broke the world record again. Drawing inspiration from his mother's success, Johnny took up power lifting six months ago and has already claimed two national titles and a second place finish in his first competition. Next up for the power-lifting duo are the World Single Lift Powerlifting Championships in Bradford in September. It is their ambition to overcome the odds and become world champions at the same time.

Source: The Wicklow People