ANTRIM

Just a fortnight before the biggest day in the loyalist marching season Antrim Council has been forced to dig out an elaborate floral tribute to Her Majesty the Queen.

The Jubilee flower bed, lovingly planted out in red, white and green, was designed to resemble the Union flag – with the crown at its heart.

The first signs of damage appeared a fortnight ago, when the bed was scarred by dozens of footprints.
[Source: Antrim Guardian]

ARMAGH

A sizeable crowd attended the first ever commemoration held in Crossmaglen Square June 24 to honor former IRA Volunteer Sean O’Callaghan.

The Pride of Erin Flute band from Portadown led the Colour Party of ex-IRA men to the monument where proceedings were chaired by former Sinn Fein MLA, Pat McNamee.

Welcoming the crowd in Irish, Pat said the event was held at the site “because this is a republican monument. It was erected by people from the Crossmaglen area to commemorate all republicans from the Crossmaglen area and from throughout Ireland”.

Recalling his memories of his cousin and friend, Sean, he told those gathered that Sean had spent almost all his adult life as an active republican and only retired from the Provisional Movement when it became clear that their war was over.
[Source: Examiner Newspaper]

CARLOW

Thousands of local families face another uncertain week as Ulster Bank staff battle to resolve a major technical error that resulted in chaos over the past seven days.

Computer systems in the bank have struggled to log deposits and withdrawals. At the time of going to press, thousands of Carlovians were still waiting on last week’s social welfare payments and wages to be deposited into their accounts.

However, staff at the local branch on Kennedy Avenue has been working tirelessly to ensure customers can still access their money, despite it not being in their accounts. Men and women around the county were being urged to call into their local branch with photo ID and their social welfare or wage slips, and frontline staff will stump up the much-needed cash.
[Source: Carlow Nationalist]

CAVAN

Gardai (police) in Ballyconnell are following a definite line of investigation into the death of a 45-year-old single man who was found in his home last Tuesday.

The man had been admitted to Cavan General Hospital with head injuries over that weekend but discharged himself on Monday afternoon. He returned to his home in Tonyhallagh, Ballyconnell, that evening and died.
 [Source: The Anglo Celt]

CLARE

Two Clare women have been named in a list of the top 25 most powerful women in the country, which also includes Dr. Mary Robinson and Senator Mary Ann O’Brien.

Ennis’ Anne Sheehan, sales director of IBM Ireland, and Tuamgraney-born novelist Edna O’Brien were among the winners of Ireland’s Most Powerful Women awards, co-presented by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) and HSBC Ireland.
[Source: Clare Champion]

CORK

Residents in a Carrigaline housing estate got a serious shock last Monday night after a localized power surge left them with thousands of dollars of damaged electrical goods.

The surge came last Monday night at around 5:30 p.m. and left residents in Fernlea Estate, Kilnagleary, Carrigaline surprised and scared as their electrical goods were destroyed. One resident described the events as being akin to “paranormal activity.”

She said it was "like a horror film" and she was so terrified she wanted to run out into the street.
The power surge destroyed numerous televisions, fridges and freezers, ovens, computers and other electrical goods in a number of houses in the estate, which has around 40 houses.
[Source: Cork Independent]

DERRY

Martin McGuinness is a peacemaker who wants to bring unionists and nationalists together, a leading Protestant clergyman has said.

Rev. David Latimer, a Presbyterian Minister from Derry who has formed a close friendship with the Deputy First Minister, attended his meeting with the Queen last Wednesday.

The clergyman, who famously addressed the Sinn Féin ard fheis last year where he also praised McGuinness’s contribution to the peace process, said the handshake was historic.
[Source: Derry Journal]

DONEGAL

A Ballyshannon woman, aged 82, died in a road accident last Wednesday at Creevykeel, near Cliffoney, Co. Sligo.

She was a passenger in a car driven by her husband, a former Ulster and Donegal GAA star.
He was being treated last Thursday night at Sligo General Hospital for injuries received in the two-vehicle collision.

The woman who died at the scene was Eithne Gallagher, a native of Donegal town, who lived with her husband Jim, in Coolcholly, Ballyshannon.
[Source: Donegal Democrat]

DOWN

A third suspected case of meningitis is being investigated in County Down.

The child involved is a pupil at St Patrick's primary school in Legamaddy, near Downpatrick.

There have already been two cases of meningococcal infection in Our Lady and St Patrick primary school in Downpatrick.

A child has meningitis and a second pupil is being treated as another "probable case" of the infection.
The Public Health Agency is working closely with both schools to investigate the cases.
[Source: BBC News]

DUBLIN

A former FAS worker with St Vincent de Paul told a judge she had put on an extra five stone in weight since suffering a lower back injury in one of the charity's shops.

"I was just 12-and-a-half stone when the accident happened and I'm now over 17 stone. My body is very embarrassing," Sabrina Mulreany, of Braithwaite Street, Pimlico, Dublin, said in the Circuit Civil Court.

She said she was in constant pain and had to give up many of her original activities.

Mulreany, who told barrister Shane English she tripped over a plastic baby walker in Vincent's Charity Shop in Clondalkin, Dublin, in February 2008, lost a €38,000 damages claim for personal injuries against the charity and FAS.

She claimed the baby walker had been concealed beneath a rail of coats in the charity shop where she had been placed as a community worker by the national training and employment authority.
 [Source: Evening Herald]

FERMANAGH

A grief-stricken father spoke of “a daughter with a heart of gold” as he tried to come to terms with her death in a house in Irvinestown on June 24.

Police were called to the house on Sunday night last just after 10:30 p.m. after receiving a report of a woman’s body having been found.

Helena Kearns (37), a mother of three, was a native of Derrylin. She was epileptic.

An inquest into her death was held last Monday morning. Her father, John said he had been informed by the Coroner’s Office that his daughter had died from a head injury as a result of a fall.
[Source: Fermanagh Herald]

GALWAY

Behind the scenes efforts to retain Clr. Hildegarde Naughton as the Mayor of Galway for the duration of the Volvo Ocean Race finale are understood to have been made by city businesses.

However, these attempts failed to come to anything as Clr. Terry O’Flaherty was elected unopposed as the new Mayor of Galway last Monday evening.

But, when contacted, the new Mayor said that she was aware of efforts to prevent her being elected the city’s first citizen but didn’t want to comment any further on the matter.
[Source: Galway Bay FM]

KERRY

The Kerry Deer Society, which helped bring Ireland’s oldest native herd of red deer back from the brink of extinction, has warned that numbers have dropped again and said a ban on licensed shooting of Kerry red hinds needed to be put in place “quickly.”

While Kerry red stags, prized by poachers for their magnificent 16-point antlers, may never be legally shot, the female of the species has long been on the open season list in Kerry.
[Source: Irish Times]

KILDARE

Kildare South TD Jack Wall won’t be able to vote for himself in the next election following the changes in the general election constituency boundaries.

The changes will see Monasterevin, Kildangan, Ballybracken, Harristown, Kilberry and Churchtown move from Kildare South to the new three-seat Laois constituency.

While people in these areas may dislike having to discard their Lilywhite voting card in favor of the blue of Laois the changes will have a particularly significant impact on Deputy Wall as he explained to the Kildare Nationalist.
[Source: Kildare Nationalist]

KILKENNY

Insulation in every council house and a wireless city – just two of the things that new Mayor Sean O’ hArgain hopes to champion during his term of office.

It was the overview of Mayor O’ hArgain’s aims that prompted Cathaoirleach Paul Cuddihy to jokingly remind him that he had “12 months, and not five years” to achieve it.

Mayor O’ hArgain said he wished to build on the work of the late Joe Cody, who he said promised and delivered on the demand for central heating in every local authority house in Kilkenny.
[Source: Kilkenny People}

LAOIS

Councilors have adopted a new bye law that gives Laois County Council the right to seize stray horses, impound them and if unclaimed, dispose of or destroy them, with all costs to be borne by the owner.

If the owner is not found, the council can claim back its costs from the state. However, the council must have the permission of landowner before it can take any action.

The law was agreed despite protests from Clr. Padraig Fleming, who did not want to give the council the power to dispose of horses found straying twice within 12 months.
[Source: Leinster Express]

LEITRIM

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has published its list of previously announced projects, which could be advanced if the Government secures an EU stimulus package. The list includes three Leitrim-based projects, which are spread throughout the county.

Two roads will receive the benefit of this announcement, the N4 Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod Road and N16 Glenfarne to Glencar Road, while works on Phase One of the Leitrim Watermains Rehabilitation Project could also be brought forward.
[Source: Leitrim Observer]

LIMERICK

Chief Superintendent David Sheahan attended a public meeting in Pallaskenry last Thursday evening where he addressed local fears about the future of their garda (police) station.

Meanwhile, he has confirmed that Askeaton will not be getting a new superintendent. “I don’t think that is a runner,” he told a meeting of the Joint Policing Committee June 22.

And as fears subside about the fate of Pallaskenry garda station, county councilors have unanimously called on the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defense to stop closing rural stations.
[Source: Limerick Leader]

LONGFORD

Bord Na Mona workers at Lanesboro’s Mount Dillon plant were holding last Thursday the second of a two-day strike aimed at securing agreement over a pay increase.

Staff gathered outside the south Longford station as unions continue with attempts to secure a 3.5% rise in accordance with the Towards 2016 transitional agreement.

The decision by members from Siptu, Unite and the TEEU last Wednesday disrupted harvesting activities across the midlands despite leaving operations at ESB power stations untouched.
[Source: Longford Leader]

LOUTH

A Dundalk taxi driver was struck several times after he sought the correct fare from his two drunken passengers.

Ciaran Kilgannon (20), an apprentice plumber of Ernedale Heights, Ballyshannon and Stephen Sheerin (29), a plumber, of Kildoney, Ballyshannon were charged with public disorder and assault on a Mr. Olabe, the taxi driver.

Inspector Martin Beggy said that Mr. Olabe tried to recover his correct fare. A scuffle had broken out and he had to leave the area of the house. He had been followed and struck several times. Both defendants were “extremely drunk”, he said. The driver had cuts and bruises and was taken to hospital.
[Source: Dundalk Democrat]

MAYO

Even Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny has admitted it. After all, you don’t need to be a Covey to know that Westport is the “Best Place to Live in Ireland.” The Islandeady native admitted it to The Mayo News last Monday. He even repeated the view of the outgoing Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, Clr. Christy Hyland who, unsurprisingly, said: “There is nothing else for us to win at this stage.”

The Taoiseach was responding to news that Westport had beaten off serious competition, from four other shortlisted places, to win The Irish Times Best Place to Live in Ireland award.
[Source: The Mayo News]

MEATH

A warning that thousands of people could take to the streets of Navan again in protest at proposals to slash services at Our Lady's Hospital has come as cost-cutting plans come under consideration by the HSE.

A draft cost-containment plan for the Louth-Meath Hospital Group, which is being considered by the HSE, outlines a number of cost-saving options, including the closure of A&E in Navan from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., cuts to orthopaedic surgery and the closure of one of the hospital's theaters.

However, while the HSE acknowledges that a number of options are under consideration, nothing has been finalized.
[Source: Meath Chronicle]

MONAGHAN

Being a League of Ireland fan is a bit like being Charlie Sheen's AA sponsor. You expect to be let down on a regular basis and that's just what happens.

When Monaghan United fell off the wagon and joined Sporting Fingal, Galway United, Kildare County and Kilkenny City in the ranks of the deceased, no one who follows domestic soccer was all that surprised. Monaghan came from an area with a negligible soccer tradition, had very little support and never belonged in the Premier Division in the first place.
[Source: Irish Independent]

OFFALY

A convicted burglar had been charged with dealing heroin two months before he knocked an 83-year-old woman unconscious in a handbag mugging.

June 21, Offaly man Trevor O’Shea (35) of Bulfin Park, Birr was given a two-year prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to dealing drugs in Dublin city center in 2010.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that O’Shea was charged in January 2010 after gardai (police) arrested him with over $25,400 worth of heroin and $492 worth of cocaine.
[Source: Offaly Express}

ROSCOMMON

Connacht Gold is to set up a new dairy demonstration farm in Co. Roscommon, the Farming Independent has learned.

Negotiations on the venture are said to be at an advanced stage, but exact details of the initiative have yet to be finalized and a timeline for having cows on the ground has not been set.

The plan was given the green light by the Connacht Gold board two weeks ago and Teagasc has confirmed that it will be involved in the project in a consultative capacity.
[Source: Irish Independent]

SLIGO

Coach drivers are bypassing the town of Sligo because of problems with, and lack of, adequate coach parking, members of Sligo Borough Council claimed at their June monthly meeting.

Clr. David Cawley said proper enforcement was needed so that coach operators couldn't see designated parking areas for their vehicles occupied by cars, vans and trucks. ”There was a headline in the Sligo Champion in October 2011, which reported that operators are not coming to Sligo anymore because there is poor coach parking. We need to get more tourists and business in here; there's a market there to be tapped,” Clr. Cawley pointed out.
[Source: Sligo Champion]

TIPPERARY

Flash flooding in Templemore has led to a “terrible fear” for householders on the Main Street, heard last month’s meeting of the Town Council.

Recent unseasonal weather has led to one Templemore man being unable to buy house insurance, while many more people are anxious every time there is heavy rain. Monies set aside to provide for a flood relief scheme have been promised by successive governments, but the funding has yet to be signed off on, heard Councilors.

Town Engineer Mr. John Jones said the flood relief project is in line but final approval has not yet been made. “It’s a political situation. I have contacted the OPW to see if there was any movement at senior level. They are waiting for government funding.”
[Source: Tipperary Star]

TYRONE

Campaigners battling to save the under-threat opening hours of the Minor Injuries Unit at South Tyrone Hospital say their fight has reached a crucial stage as fears grow that the proposed cuts could be brought in as soon as this month.

Despite the MIU having treated a record number of patients over the past six weeks, the South Tyrone Hospital Community Forum (STHCF) says it fears the Southern Trust may push on with a proposal to reduce the unit's weekend opening hours within a matter of weeks.
[Source: Tyrone Courier]

WATERFORD

The heartbroken mother of 29-year-old Rory Harcourt from Crooke, who died following a car accident during the early hours of June 25, said she has not only lost her eldest son, but her best friend.

Angela Harcourt paid tribute to her “loveable rogue” Rory, whose death has caused shock waves in both Crooke and Passage East, after he tragically died following a single vehicle crash which occurred shortly after 1 a.m. when the vehicle he was driving struck the bridge on the Cheek-point Road.
[Source: Waterford News & Star]

WESTMEATH

Plans have been unveiled to transform the midlands into a European renewable energy hub that will supply the UK with up to 5,000MW of wind energy within five years and create up to 54,000 jobs.

Founder of Mainstream Renewable Power Eddie O'Connor, who in the past headed up Airtricity and before that Bord na Mona, said last Tuesday at the opening of the company's midland office that his company's plans will not be paid for by the Irish consumer, but that the benefits to Ireland will be "enormous.”

Mainstream Renewable Power was established to develop wind and solar projects both onshore and offshore and is currently developing over 15,000MW of projects across seven countries in four different continents.
[Source: Westmeath Independent]

WEXFORD

The annual Conference of the Irish Traveler Movement held in Wexford last Monday was told that until the Irish State recognizes Travelers as an ethnic group, racism will continue to exist for Travelers on a daily basis.

Travelers from all over Ireland gathered in Wexford for the 21st Annual Conference of the Irish Traveler Movement entitled “Anti Traveler Racism in the 21st Century: the link between ethnicity denial and discrimination.”

Speaking at the conference Ronit Lentin, Associate Professor of Sociology Race, Ethnicity and Conflict, Trinity College, Dublin, said: “Travelers have campaigned long and hard to be considered a separate ethnic group, and the refusal to acknowledge Travelers as an ethnic group, itself smacks of racism in viewing racism as emanating only from biological, racial difference, though racism, as we know, is never only about skin color. I fully support Travelers’ claim to a status of an ethnic group as the basis for anti-Travelerism” Damien Peelo Director of the Irish Traveler Movement called on the Irish Government to recognize Travelers as ethnic group in policies and in laws.
[Source: Wexford Echo]

WICKLOW

A 27-year-old accused of murdering a man in Co Wicklow three years ago told gardai (police) he drove the victim to where he was killed but did not witness the shooting.

Michael Dickenson, of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Steven O' Meara at Ballydonnell Wood, Red Cross, Co Wicklow on or about August 6, 2009.

Mr O'Meara (26) a father-of-three from Rosehill in Wicklow town, was last seen on that date.
Grave.

His body was found by gardai five months later, on Christmas Eve, in an isolated wooded area at Ballydonnell, Red Cross.

It is the prosecution's case that Dickenson drove Mr O'Meara out to the remote Ballydonnell Woods, where he was shot by another man, who then helped the accused drag the body into a very shallow grave.

The court has previously heard evidence Mr O'Meara was asked to collect a debt of E15,000 from the accused's brother, Paddy Byrne, which was owed to drug dealers in Dublin and that he was to be paid E2,000for doing so.
[Source: Evening Herald]