News from around the 32 Irish counties

LAOIS
Minister of State John Moloney spoke publically about his experience with depression at a public meeting in Portlaoise last week.
The TD was among a number of speakers invited by the Laois Community Forum to the special public meeting in Portlaoise Parish Centre on Monday.
Sheelagh Coyle, Forum PRO, said the Mountmellick TD would speak about his experience of depression. While the TD spoke about illness earlier this year at a national level he has not spoken in public about his illness.
(Source: The Leinster Express)

LEITRIM
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe has announced 50 new jobs in Manorhamilton company, Mirror Controls International.
The company is set to transfer its European manufacturing business to its plant in the north Leitrim town.
(Source: The Leitrim Observer)

LIMERICK
Hundreds of people attended the unveiling of a bust of the late Frank McCourt outside his former school on Hartstonge Street last week.
His widow Ellen McCourt, who was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after Frank's death, told the crowd: "I cannot thank you all enough for this wonderful tribute to Frank."
(Source: The Limerick Leader)

LONGFORD
It's not often that County Longford can boast an All-Ireland accolade, but last week the honor is well and truly cemented following on from the success of two members of the Longford Town Macra Club at the organization's National Talent Competition which was held in the National Concert Hall, Dublin the previous weekend.
Michael Keogh and James Lennon were bestowed with the All-Ireland title after their winning sketch 'Trip to the Options' was awarded first place, following stiff competition from a number of other Macra Clubs throughout the country.
 (Source: The Longford Leader)

LOUTH
Drogheda's new €11.5m Accident and Emergency department is to remain closed up for the foreseeable future. The HSE has confirmed that it doesn't know when the facility will be opened. In a statement last week, a spokesperson stated that 'no new date' had been set for the unit, which was formally handed over at the end of 2009.
(Source: The Drogheda Independent)

MAYO
Mayo’s biggest outdoor music festival hit a bum note last week as local Westport residents formally complained about the late-night disruption it causes on the streets of the tourist haven and heritage town.
The annual Westport Music Festival is scheduled to take place at the height of the tourist season, from August 5 to 8 next, and the launch of the festival was expected to take place this week.
However, in a damning objection, longtime resident of the Mall, James Reidy reveals that the four-day on-street Westport Music Festival, in his view, is blighted by a litany of such anti-social behavioral activities as vomiting, urinating and street brawls.
(Source: Mayo News)

MEATH
The cost of renting an alternative building for the Department of Agriculture and the Probation and Welfare Service staff who were moved out of their former offices in a building at Kells Road, Navan, because of a health hazard, is €573,000 a year, the Dail has been told.
There is also an additional cost of €50,000 for maintaining the old building, which is no longer in use.
(Source: The Meath Chronicle)

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