ANTRIM
 
Detectives leading the hunt for the cold-blooded killer of a Coleraine pensioner have called on “the good people of Antrim” to expose the murderer in their midst.
 
The callous murder of 72-year-old Bertie Acheson on April 30 shocked the province, rocked the tight-knit community and left the family “utterly devastated.”
 
The plucky pensioner had grappled with a man who broke into his home at Glenmore Gardens, but he was overpowered and thrown to the ground. Fearful for the safety of his wife Sheila, the traumatic episode brought on a heart attack which claimed his life.
[Source: Antrim Guardian]

ARMAGH
 

The recent spate of thefts, burglaries and break-ins across the locality, including two premises at Dundalk Street, Newtownhamilton has been strong condemned by SDLP M.L.A. for Newry and Armagh Dominic Bradley.
 
A number of incidents have also occurred in Hilltown and Newry.
 
In Newry, four vehicles were broken into, two businesses burgled and a car stolen overnight between Monday, October 15, and Tuesday, October 16. Detectives are investigating a link between all these incidents.
[Source: Examiner Newspaper]
 
CARLOW

 
Carlow County Council has been accused of “not listening” to the plight of a local family by granting an extension to a piggery to house up to 400 sows alongside their home.
 
The Bolger family from Balytiglea, Borris, Co. Carlow described themselves as “absolutely livid” by the council’s decision to grant planning permission for two new pig housing units to local pig farmer Con O’Kelly.
 
The local authority recently granted the new pig housing units, stating that the “proposed development would not be prejudicial to the rural environment and is in the interests of the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”
 
However, the Bolger family claims that persistent foul smells and huge numbers of flies – which they attribute to their location beside a busy piggery – have made their lives a misery. And they fear that the planned extension will only make things worse.
[Source: Carlow Nationalist]
 
CAVAN
 
The Quinns will return to the High Court this Thursday, when Ms. Justice Elizabeth Dunne will review compliance matters arising out of contempt of court convictions against Sean, Sr., Sean, Jr. and Peter Darragh Quinn, who is evading arrest by remaining out of the jurisdiction.
 
Sean Quinn, Sr. faces the prospect of jail if Ms. Justice Dunne finds that he has not complied with court orders.
 
Sean, Jr. faces the possibility of being returned to prison, while a warrant is outstanding for Peter Darragh.
[Source: The Anglo Celt]
 
CLARE
 
The Health Service Executive is investigating an allegation that two children in its care were not collected after school and were subsequently picked up by an unrelated adult. The children – aged eight and nine – are alleged to have been picked up from the side of a public road after they had begun walking to an access appointment where they were to meet a parent.
 
The parent claims the children started walking along the road between the school they attended and a venue, where they were meeting the parent, after a H.S.E. worker failed to collect them.
 
The H.S.E. confirmed to The Clare Champion that it has “received a complaint and an investigation into the circumstances has begun.”
[Source: Clare Champion]
 
CORK
 
Gardaí (police) in east Cork are urging parents to exercise caution and take note of their children’s Facebook accounts, after inappropriate advances were made to three young girls online.
 
Complaints were made to Gardaí in Youghal last week by the mother and the children involved, believed to be in their early teens.
 
“There is an investigation ongoing at present,” said a Garda spokesperson.
 
“Technical data and requests have been made in order for our investigations to continue. The nature of the complaint means that it will take time to process any requests we have.”
 
Gardaí have contacted the social media company to gain access to certain information in order to continue with the criminal investigation. They are currently awaiting feedback.
[Source: Cork Independent]
 
DERRY
 

Derry’s “City of Culture” well and truly began last Thursday with the launch of a stellar program of artistic and cultural events to rival any major city in the world.
 
Scores of reporters, T.V. crews and photographers gathered at a specially-constructed marquee in Ebrington for the official unveiling of events. A plethora of local personalities, celebrities and politicians were also on hand, all smiling widely and clearly delighted to witness history in the making.
 
Opening proceedings was Martin Bradley, chair of Culture Company, followed by the city’s mayor, Clr. Kevin Campbell who described it as a “very historic day for the city and another milestone in our journey towards 2013.”
[Source: Derry Journal]
 
DONEGAL
 
Two Donegal brothers have admitted the sexual assault and defilement of a boy under the age of 15.
 
The men, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at Letterkenny Circuit Court to two charges of sexually assaulting a male and two charges of defilement of a child under the age of 15.
 
The offenses took place between January 2008 and December 2009 in east Donegal.
 
The case was adjourned until January and orders were made for the preparation of welfare and probation reports, a victim impact statement, psychological reports and a report on the danger of reoffending.
[Source: Donegal Democrat]
 
DOWN
 
Police in Bangor are investigating after a gang of balaclava-clad men broke into a house in the Clandeboye Way area on Monday night, October 22, and assaulted a 24-year-old man.
 
The incident took place just before 10:30 p.m. The householder was attacked with bats and sticks before the assailants left heading in the direction of Kilcooley.
 
The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries which include a suspected fracture of his arm.
 
A motive for the attack has yet to be established.
[Source: Belfast Telegraph]                                                                                      
 
DUBLIN
 
A well-known show-business personality has been accused of raping a woman who later gave birth to a baby girl.
 
The woman made a complaint against the star at a regional Garda (police) station a number of weeks ago about the alleged incident, which she said happened in the 1970s.
 
Gardaí are investigating the woman's claims and have not yet interviewed the well-known personality, who regularly appears on T.V.
 
The personality lives in Dublin.
 
It is understood that officers have written to the woman who made the complaint and asked her for a D.N.A. report on her child.
 
Sources have told the Herald there may be "great difficulties" in any prosecution in this case.
[Source: Evening Herald]
 
FERMANAGH
 
Police across F District are putting in place a high-visibility patrolling strategy for the Halloween weekend.
 
Chief Inspector Jane Humphries said a proactive policing strategy had been put in place to tackle fireworks abuses.
 
“Last year, across F District we seized almost 5,000 fireworks in the weeks up to Halloween and on the night itself. Already this year we have made a number of seizures.
 
“We have been visiting schools, shops and licensed firework retailers to remind them of the legislation and to encourage them to put their communities first.”
[Source: Fermanagh Herald]
 
GALWAY
 
A long-serving Garda (police officer) has been suspended from duty from his station in a small County Galway town, following an allegation of a serious sexual assault on a teenage girl, the Connacht Tribune can reveal.
 
The guard, who is believed to be married with children, is alleged to have carried out a serious assault on a girl two years ago when she was 18.
 
However, the matter only came to light in recent weeks, when the girl informed her solicitor – who was dealing with a similar, yet entirely separate, claim.
[Source: Galway Bay FM]
 
KERRY

 
A young Ballybunion woman, left heartbroken by the tragic death of her best friend's father on her 21st birthday, has donated the money she received in gifts to Ballybunion Sea and Cliff Rescue Service, who worked tirelessly to recover his body.
 
Caitrín Griffin had been due to celebrate her birthday in Listowel on June 3, but canceled when the devastating news broke that her best friend's father, popular baker John Lynch, had disappeared. Mr. Lynch had prepared food for her birthday bash that night, and had planned to celebrate Caitrín's big event with his family, since they are close family friends.
 
Having postponed her birthday as a mark of respect to her best friend Shauna and her family, Caitrín decided to turn the rescheduled party into a fundraiser and last week she donated $1,450 to the charity.
[Source: The Kerryman]
 
KILDARE
 
A truck driver is in hospital and 38 cattle are dead following a serious accident at Castlemitchell on Sunday night, October 21.
 
The single-vehicle accident occurred at 6:25 p.m. and it is understood that the truck was traveling in the direction of Athy from Stradbally.
 
The driver was first of all brought to Portlaoise Hospital and was later transferred to Tullamore Hospital.
 
His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
[Source: Kildare Nationalist]
 
KILKENNY
 
Callous thugs raided a well-known family pub in the center of the city, while the distressed owners were at the funeral of their mother who ran it for years. Gardaí (police) have already carried out a number of searches in the Hebron area of the city following the shocking crime on Tuesday, October 16.
 
Mourners were attending the burial of Phil Campion of Campion’s pub, Blackmill Street when the criminals struck sometime during the day. They stole a large amount of stock, caused considerable damage and ransacked the place, breaking glasses and taking a number of items, including television sets, in what was a well-organized operation that would have required a van.
[Source: Kilkenny People]
 
LAOIS
 
A former Garda (police officer) found to have breached disciplinary rules by failing to submit to a drug search at a concert when he was off-duty, has challenged the decision to dismiss him from the force.
 
Patrick Walsh, from Nenagh, County Tipperary, who spent 20 years in An Garda Síochána, has brought High Court judicial review proceedings against the Garda Commissioner and an internal Garda appeal board that affirmed a previous decision of a Garda board of inquiry that he had engaged in discreditable conduct.
 
Mr. Walsh was found guilty of breaching Garda discipline following an incident at Electric Picnic Festival at Stradbally, Co. Laois, in early September 2007.
[Source: Irish Times]
 
LEITRIM

 
Leitrim’s two newest sporting stars arrived home in Fenagh to a rapturous reception Monday night, October 22, after Jarlath Scollan and Alan Wrynne claimed gold in the “13 & Under” One Wall Finals at the World Handball Championships in the Citywest Arena Dublin.
 
A huge crowd turned out to welcome and honor the county’s youngest sports stars with the handball community of the county being joined by Leitrim G.A.A. County Board Chairman Joe Flynn and Connacht Handball Board President Peter Heaney, as Aaron and Jarlath paraded in an open-top truck from St. Caillin’s National School to the village.
[Source: Leitrim Observer]
 
LIMERICK
 
Limerick G.A.A. officials have proposed a 96-week ban for Martin Stokes – the Dromcollogher-Broadford supporter, who entered the field of play during the county football final to confront a Newcastle West player.
 
Limerick G.A.A.’s Competitions Control Committee (C.C.C.) met on Monday, October 22 and proposed the maximum ban of 96 weeks for Stokes – the father of Dromcollogher-Broadford midfielder Jason.
 
The meeting of the 13-man committee was held in the University of Limerick, where the Limerick senior hurlers played Clare in the official opening of U.L.’s new all-weather facility.
[Source: Limerick Leader]
 
LONGFORD
 
Children across Longford are once again being challenged to get doodling for this year’s Doodle 4 Google competition.
 
This year, Google is hoping to inspire the next generation of great Irish inventors with the theme “My Invention.” The winning doodle will be seen by millions of Internet users when it appears on the Google Ireland homepage www.google.ie for a day in April 2013.
 
The winning student will receive a scholarship of $6,500 to go towards their college studies, while the winning teacher and student will also receive a Chromebook laptop each, and their school will receive a $13,000 technology grant.
[Source: Longford Leader]
 
LOUTH
 
A Dundalk F.C. player, Kevin Loughran, made it through to the final 10 on R.T.É.’s popular new show, Football’s Next Star.
 
Presented by Westlife’s Nicky Byrne, Football’s Next Star features 10 young Irish footballers battling it out for one coveted place at Celtic F.C.’s prestigious youth academy.
 
It’s been a bumpy ride for the young soccer star however, who has managed to fracture both his skull and his cheekbone since the program was recorded earlier this summer.
[Source: Dundalk Democrat]
 
MAYO

 
The 2014 local elections will be one of the most competitive in Mayo history, with as many as 50 sitting councilors set to run again for less than 30 seats under new reforms.
 
Two weeks ago, local government reforms look set to almost halve the number of councilors in the county, and there will be one serious battle for those seats.
 
The abolition of the town councils in the reforms means 27 positions in the three town councils in Mayo will go. A number of county council seats are expected to go as well.
[Source: The Mayo News]
 
MEATH
 
A major jobs boost is on the cards for north Meath in 2013, as proposals for a wood briquette and bioenergy plant at Balrath, Kells, has been given the green light by An Bord Pleanala.
 
Up to 220 jobs are expected to be created in constructing the Shamrock Renewable Fuels facility, which will also include a small power station. When complete, it is expected to employ 120 jobs on-site at Balrath, and a further 50 to 60 in transport to the facility.
 
The project has been delayed for the past two years as a result of planning difficulties but the recent An Bord Pleanala's ruling has paved the way for work to start.
[Source: Meath Chronicle]
 
MONAGHAN

 
Ten members of Burnavon Writers have just been hosted to attend a two-day residential event as part of a cross-border project, which has linked them with groups from Monaghan and Craigavon.
 
Earlier this year the Cookstown-based creative writing group became involved with Monaghan Song and Poetry Writer’s Group, which was set up under Monaghan Community Forum’s “Hands Together”’ project. This initiative is financed by the European Union’s European Regional Development fund through the Peace III Programme and funded through Monaghan Peace III Partnership. During a visit to Monaghan for a collaborative performance event before the summer, Burnavon Writers also met up with members of Lough Neagh Writers group and a three-way partnership was formed.
[Source: Tyrone Times]
 
OFFALY

 
Fianna Fáil T.D. for Laois/Offaly Barry Cowen has called on his fellow Oireachtas members in the constituency to put pressure on the government to enact recommendations on flood prevention in the River Shannon Basin.
 
This summer, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht put forward a number of recommendations to address the flooding problems in the Shannon Basin and Shannon Callows.
 
Deputy Cowen commented, “The Joint Oireachtas Committee produced this special report in the summer where they put forward some progressive recommendations. Among these was a call for the Office of Public Works (O.P.W.) to take the lead in managing the Shannon Basin; the introduction of an early flood warning system and utilizing bog land as flood plains.”
[Source: Offaly Express]
 
ROSCOMMON
 
Almost one in two 12-13 year-olds in Roscommon Town has admitted to trying alcohol, a shock new survey has revealed. Meanwhile up to 55 percent of Sixth Year students surveyed have admitted to being drunk in the past month.
 
The survey carried out by the Western Regional Drugs Task Force earlier this year sampled over 700 students attending Roscommon C.B.S., Roscommon Convent of Mercy and Roscommon Community College and asked about their exposure to the use of alcohol and drugs.
[Source: Roscommon Herald]
 
SLIGO
 
Sligo Rovers duo Jason McGuinness and Mark Quigley have been nominated for the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland (P.F.A.I.) award for the 2012 season.
 
Shamrock Rovers midfielder Ronan Finn and St Patrick’s Athletic winger Sean O’Connor join the Bit O’Red pair on the shortlist for this year’s Tissot-sponsored P.F.A.I. award.
 
The Premier Division team of the year was also announced and surprisingly fails to recognize any Drogheda United players, despite the remarkable season that Mick Cooke’s side have experienced as they look likely to finish runners-up in the title race
[Source: RTÉ News]
 
TIPPERARY
 
Rumors that a convicted rapist was living in and around the area of Cashel, were dismissed by local Gardaí (police) last week.
 
A spokesperson for Cashel Gardaí said there was “no truth” to rumors circulating locally that Larry Murphy – who was convicted of rape and attempted murder in relation to the abduction of a young Carlow woman in 2001 – was reportedly spotted by locals in Bansha, and doing his shopping in Cashel during that week. Local Gardaí said Murphy (46) is not in the country, and there was no basis to the claims.
[Source: Tipperary Star]
 
TYRONE

 
An Aughnacloy woman has been praised by the Irish embassy in London for her work helping the Irish community in Manchester.
 
Deirdre Carroll (68) moved to Manchester with her mother and older siblings in 1954, at the age of 10. For 20 years she has carried out vital work for Irish immigrants to the city through the Irish Community Care organization, only retiring last month.
 
However, Deirdre still looks back fondly on her early years in Aughnacloy, and credits the hardworking and positive people of the village with her own successes later in life.
[Source: Tyrone Courier]
 
WATERFORD

 
Junior Finance Minister Brian Hayes was heckled and shouted at by protesters in Waterford last Tuesday, at the marking of an $11 million investment in the city. Minister Hayes was visiting the People’s Park to turn the sod on the final phase of the city's flood alleviation scheme. Around 20 protesters from the local campaign against the household charge surrounded him as he tried to carry out the ceremonial function. Speaking afterwards, Minister Hayes said that everyone has a right to protest.
 
"I encourage people to exercise their democratic right," he said. "But I'll make this point – without the money we've obtained through our international funders, the I.M.F., the E.C.B., the European Commission and others, we wouldn't have the money to invest in Waterford here today. We wouldn't have [11 million dollars] to put into a scheme to help people protect their homes."
[Source: Waterford News & Star]
 
WESTMEATH
 
A new report has found that Church and Dublingate Streets in Athlone have more retail vacancies than other “high streets” across the country.
 
Property consultants C.B.R.E. carried out a survey in nine towns and cities in the third quarter of this year.
 
It found that the vacancy rate on Church/Dublingate Street was 18.2 percent, which was higher than any of the other locations surveyed.
[Source: Westmeath Independent]
 
WEXFORD
 
The trial into the murder of Wexford woman Nicola Furlong in Japan will now not go ahead until March at the earliest, her grieving family has been informed.
 
Ms. Furlong (21), who was studying in Japan, was found strangled in a luxury hotel in Tokyo on May 21. American musician Richard Hinds (19) has admitted being responsible for her death, but denies that he meant to kill her.
[Source: Wexford Echo]
 
WICKLOW

 
A 34-year-old Wicklow man accused of murder has denied returning to the crime scene to look for a phone dropped during the shooting.
 
Garrett O'Brien of Clover Hill, Bray has pleaded not guilty to murdering Dublin father-of-two Séamus O'Byrne and to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life on March 13, 2009.
 
A man wearing a hooded tracksuit shot the 27-year-old five times in front of his girlfriend and baby son in the driveway of their home at Tymon Park North in Tallaght.
[Source: Irish Examiner]