ANTRIM

Police have appealed for information after the body of a man was found by children at a derelict Co Antrim school building. The grisly discovery was made at a site on the Jordanstown Road in Newtownabbey at around 10pm last Tuesday. It is not yet clear how the man died and a post mortem is due to be carried out to determine the circumstances surrounding his death. The man had short hair and was dressed in a black leather jacket and jeans. His body was removed from the vacant building by forensic officers.

(Source: The Belfast Telegraph)        

ARMAGH

The news that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann may soon be held in the north has been met with enthusiasm by local political representatives and public alike. In a recent statement the organizing body of the Fleadh, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, announced that it is  considering holding the event in the north. The move is being contemplated because it is said to offer new opportunities to develop an important aspect of our shared future. Should it materialize, it would be the first time in its 59 - year history that the country’s largest traditional music event would be held north of the border.

(Source: The Examiner)

CARLOW

Angry residents vehemently opposed to two proposed road closures in Carlow have vowed to fight the company that wants to shut them out. Over 30 residents met on the back road between Carlow and Bagenalstown. It is there that concrete company Dan Morrissey Ltd wants to shut down two stretches of road to the public. Locals are seething at the proposed road closures and have vowed to fight Morrissey’s all the way.

(Source: The Carlow Nationalist)

CAVAN

Hung-over? Absolutely starving? Then head down to the Hard Boiled Egg cafe in Cavan town. They have launched a bid to be recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as serving the largest Irish breakfast in the world. The traditional Irish breakfast has often been maligned as a 'heart attack on a plate' but this was probably an exaggeration, until now.

The breakfast, which is now being served, consists of ten rashers, ten sausages, ten eggs, five pieces of pudding, five hash browns, chips, tomatoes, mushrooms, beans and ten slices of toast with plenty of tea. The team at Hard Boiled Egg should find out within the next month if their breakfast officially breaks the current world record. A restaurant in Bristol in the UK is the current holder of the record with a breakfast that weighs in at six pounds and six ounces. The Cavan-based cafe beats this weight by a good eight ounces coming in at over seven pounds.

(Source: The Anglo Celt)

CLARE

A 36-year-old Clare man has been sent forward for trial in connection with alleged VAT-related offences concerning amounts totaling €1.55 million. Derek Floyd of Lower Main Street, Tulla, is facing a total of 41 charges relating to alleged VAT offences from a period between March 2001 and January 2004. Mr. Floyd has been charged with 12 counts of knowingly claiming repayments of VAT totaling €678,857, which to his knowledge he was not entitled to contrary to Section 1078 of the Taxes Consolidation Act on a period from April 1st, 2001 to January 7th, 2004.

 

 (Source: The Irish Times)

CORK

A spectacular €1 million water feature, based on a Belgian design, was officially unveiled Sunday two weeks ago in the 500 acre Millstreet Country Park. The Belgian ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Robert Devriese, officially opened the spectacular new feature on a day of music and celebration at the park. The water feature is a replica of the original Mont des Arts, which was built in the central square of Brussels in the early years of the 20th century. Park owner Mr. Jerry Sheehan, also the proprietor of Avonmore Electrical Ltd, told The Corkman that the water feature now shows this nation's connection with European affairs - the hub of which centers on Brussels. "Brussels is a very important European city and I felt it appropriate to have a connection with it," he said.

(Source: The Corkman)

DERRY

Police have apologized to a Derry mum after she accused them of failing to respond quickly enough to a reported abduction attempt on her nine year-old daughter. Sandra Cairns, from Old School Lane, says her little girl, Christina, remains traumatized after a car pulled up alongside her as she played on her scooter outside her Shantallow home on Wednesday last. Mrs. Cairns says her daughter fell off her scooter as she tried to get away and her cries alerted a neighbor - at which point the car sped off. However, despite reporting the incident to police on Friday morning, Mrs. Cairns says no action was taken. The PSNI in Derry have since apologized for the delay and visited Mrs. Cairns to take a statement.

(Source: The Derry Journal)

 

DONEGAL

Two Donegal dentists are in the top five of top earners from the medical card scheme while the four in the top twenty earned more than €1.15m between them last year. Dr. Terence Fox and Dr. Paddy McKibben, both with practices in Letterkenny, were among the five dentists who claimed over €300,000 for treating medical cardholders. Dr. Fox, who was the second-highest paid dentist on the medical scheme in the country last year, earned almost €380,000 while Dr. McKibben, who was fifth on the list, was paid just over €310,000.

(Source: Donegal Democrat)

DOWN

A loyalist band parade in Newry that Sinn Fein opposed due to road closures and lack of consultation with residents passed off peacefully. South Down Defenders Flute Band held its annual parade and competition in Newry on Friday night last with a total of 52 bands traversing the route. Prior to the parade Sinn Féin MLA Mickey Brady voiced his disappointment after the Parades Commission gave permission for the parade. He said the annual event meant people living in the Belfast Road and Sandy Street area would be restricted for up to four hours due to road closures and said the parade also drained police resources. However, Gareth Holmes from South Down Defenders said the parade was once again a success and is growing in popularity each year. “There was no trouble at Friday’s parade and indeed there hasn’t been trouble at this parade in over 12 years,” he said.

(Source: The Down Democrat)

 

DUBLIN

A plan for a massive car park to cater for O2 Arena concert goers has been shelved. An application for the 800-space car park on East Wall Road was deemed withdrawn after a request by Dublin City Council for additional information was not fulfilled. City planners said it was not possible to determine "if satisfactory drainage can be provided for this development" due to the lack of information. The council's roads section also raised concerns, saying it wanted only one access point from East Wall Road. Parkrite, which carries out clamping in Dublin city on behalf of the council, had applied for a temporary car park "to facilitate events in conjunction with the O2 Arena". Senator Paschal Donohoe (FG) and councilors Emer Costello (Lab) and Christy Burke (Ind) objected because the plan would have led to an more traffic in the area.

(Source: The Evening Herald)

FERMANAGH

Farmers in Fermanagh are anxiously casting their eyes heavenwards for two reasons, scanning for sunshine and praying to the man above for his intervention in stopping the continuous rainfall which has forced many of them to bring their animals in off the fields to prevent 'poaching'. This is the agriculture term to describe livestock ploughing through rain-soaked grassland to get to a dry area. According to a now retired DARD official, farmers are suffering big time: "No doubt about it. The weather conditions are absolutely atrocious for livestock farmers. And, people who are looking to make fodder are already starting to feed their animals, if you like, fodder which was supposedly for the Winter feeding."

(Source: The Fermanagh Herald)

GALWAY

A building purchased by the HSE West for almost half a million euro has been lying empty for almost nine years, while the cash strapped organization continue to rent properties across the city. The house in question is located at No 1, Mass Path in Newcastle and was bought by the health organization in December 2000 for €402,500. However, the building has lain idle ever since, while the health service continues to shell out millions in rent for up to 70 buildings in the city and country. According to Cllr Catherine Connolly, enquiries to the HSE West as to the reasoning behind the purchase of the building have been unsuccessful.

(Source: Galway Independent)

KERRY

Cromane fishermen and their boats where detained by the Irish Navy in Castlemaine Harbor on Tuesday last for illegally dredging mussels in an area where their people have fished for generations. The navy moved in under instructions from the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority as the rich mussel seedbeds of Castlemaine Harbor have again been closed to local fishermen under EU Wildlife Directives. A similar order was imposed by the government last year with the result that the Cromane mussel fishery could not be re-seeded. With the stock of fully grown mussels in the harbor now running low, failure to re-seed the mussel beds this year could lead to the collapse of the fishery, which generates over €3 million annually for the local economy and supports up to 50 families in the area.

(Source: The Kerryman)

KILDARE

The Irish National Stud will have to spend at least €70,000 to restore a thatched cottage in its ownership to its former glory. The cottage, known locally as Owens Cottage, is located at the back entrance to the stud and now stands shrouded in plastic to protect it from the elements pending its restoration. Local residents have been saddened to see the fine structure fall into disrepair. Seán and Alyce Berry live near the facility and said that it was a shame that the thatched cottage had been left to fall into its current state of disrepair and questioned whether there was a lack of interest in maintaining the cottage by the current National Stud management. Mr. Berry said that Owens Cottage was a favorite building of the late Mr. Michael Osborne when he was manager at the facility. “Mr. Osborne took pride in this cottage and I am sure he would be very disappointed if he saw the way it has gone. I would even go on to say that what is happening with the cottage at the moment is wilful neglect by the current management,” he said.

(Source: The Kildare Nationalist)

KILKENNY

A tomb which lay undetected for over 100 years in St Canice's Cathedral is that of US President Barack Obama's most famous direct relative. The fascinating discovery by a local historian and filmmaker looks certain to boost tourism in the city and may herald a visit to Kilkenny by the most famous man in the world. President Obama's great, great, great, great grand uncle is buried in a vault under St Canice's Cathedral. John Kearney was the Bishop of Ossory at the time of his death in 1813 and also held the position of Provost of Trinity College. When Mr. Gabriel Murray found the tomb in May of this year, he uncovered a sad and tragic story of why the Kilkenny lineage to Mr. Obama died out. John Kearney is buried beside his son, wife and grandson. He died in 1838 at the age of 68 and his only son James died 14 years later of cholera in 1824, which explains why the Kilkenny line to Mr. Obama died out.

(Source: The Kilkenny People)

 

LAOIS

As Senator Ted Kennedy was laid in his final resting place in Arlington Cemetery last week, it brought back memories to a select few in Borris-in-Ossory about the time the dashing Kennedy brother visited the town searching for a cup of tea. In May 1964, the late senator visited Ireland, drawing massive media attention. A year before, his brother John F Kennedy had been assassinated in Texas, and Ireland was captivated by his younger sibling. He was en route from Dublin to Shannon Airport on the last day of his visit when, quite unexpectedly, the cavalcade made a comfort stop in Borris-in-Ossory. According to locals, Senator Kennedy was looking for a cup of tea away from the media spotlight. Egan’s in Portlaoise had been suggested, but was dismissed as it was perceived that it would cause too much of a hubbub. Borris-in-Ossory was seen as the perfect venue for a low-profile visit. The limousine carrying Senator Kennedy stopped outside Ber Cavanagh’s Bar and Grocery. He then went into Cavanagh’s kitchen, where he experienced a taste of local hospitality - enjoying a cuppa and a slice of homemade fruit cake.

 (Source: The Irish Times)

LEITRIM

It’s a case of nearly there but not quite for the women of Co Leitrim. Despite years of being promised a BreastCheck service the reality is far different than what had been envisioned with many now facing journeys of five or six hours into other counties for their scans. "I'm not physically able to make that trip to Roscommon for my screening. I've been very sick over the past few years and my doctor says that I'm not physically able to such a long journey by car," Manorhamilton woman, Josie Reilly said last week. Having battled four cancer diagnoses over the last number of years and having spent two years in hospital - only getting out December last year, the five hour return journey to Roscommon Town has effectively been ruled out

 (Source: The Leitrim Observer)

 

LIMERICK

There is continued confusion over the proposed M20 motorway with the National Roads Authority confirming that it has been deferred, and Cork County Council - the leading Authority for the project, saying that everything from their point of view remains on track.

According to the NRA the proposed multi-million euro motorway between the cities of Limerick and Cork has been postponed due to a lack of money. Sean O'Neill, head of communications at the NRA said that the M20 had been "reprioritized" due to lower traffic volumes compared to other schemes also awaiting funding.

(Source: The Limerick Leader)

LONGFORD

The Irish All Ireland Hot Air Ballooning Championships are set to return to Ballymahon in September 2010 to celebrate its 40th anniversary. While the event will be hosted at Newcastle House in Ballymahon, organizers are keen to point out that the event will be county based and that plans are in place for a number of festivities in north Longford, Longford town as well as in Ballymahon.

(Source: The Longford Leader)

LOUTH

Pharmaceutical company Becton Dickinson (BD) have announced they are to make 22 employees redundant. In a statement on Tuesday last , the company, which currently employs 126 people, said the decision had been 'difficult but necessary' in the current economic climate. BD manufactures medical supplies, including insulin delivery products. BD is facing a challenging and very competitive environment globally and as a result we have taken a number of strategic and business actions there are designed to position the company for long term growth and to fund investments for the future,' said the company statement. 'These decisions were difficult but necessary and unfortunately they will result in a headcount reduction of 22 people at our plant in Drogheda.'

(Source: The Drogheda Independent)

MAYO

Ballina’s €6 million education center officially opened its doors last week. The special schools, St Dymphna’s and St Nicolas’, which are now both situated adjacent to the former site of St Dymphna’s old school on a joint campus site, are ushering in an exciting new era in education in the north Mayo capital. While both schools will share the one roof they retain their own identity at the exceptional education campus. The new schools come equipped with classrooms with designated computer areas, libraries, resource rooms, multi-purpose rooms, spacious OT, Physiotherapy and Speech & Language rooms, modern kitchens and dining facilities, PE Hall, playing fields and basketball courts. Locally-based Junior Minister, Dara Calleary congratulated the staff and students, saying: “This is truly a momentous week in the history of both St Dymphna’s and St. Nicholas’ Special Needs Schools with the opening of their school.

(Source: The Mayo News)

MEATH

Recruitment for up to 50 emergency call answering service operators for a new call center in Navan is now underway. BT Ireland was awarded the Government contract to provide the Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) in May and will start taking live calls next February from its offices in the IDA Business Park in Navan. BT has appointed Conduit, one of Europe's leading providers of outsourced contact center services, to recruit and manage the operators on its behalf.

(Source: The Meath Chronicle)

MONAGHAN

Over 60 refugees from Africa will be re-homed in Monaghan later this year under a special United Nations resettlement program, the County Council has revealed.
The 66 refugees, who are all from the Democratic Republic of Congo, are due to arrive in early November after an eight-week orientation period in County Mayo. A council spokesperson said: “Although no decisions have been made on the location of the families at this stage, it is envisaged they will be resettled in the towns of Monaghan and Carrickmacross.”
 The eight families to be resettled in Monaghan have been the victims of violence and torture.

(Source: The Monaghan Post)

OFFALY

An Application has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála for a €300 million 325 megawatt gas-fired power station in Ferbane, Co Offaly. The application by Offaly-based Lumcloon Energy, which plans to feed into the national grid at peak times as a back-up to wind energy, could create 50 jobs. The proposed plant would operate on the site of the former ESB peat-burning Ferbane power station, which was demolished in 2002. Lumcloon Energy applied to the Commission on Energy Regulation in 2008. It is hoping to be granted a license this year. Lumcloon Energy spokesman John Gallagher said the plant would create 500 jobs during construction and a further 50 permanent positions on completion.

(Source: The Irish Times)

ROSCOMMON

Plans to develop a new mart at Emmoo outside Roscommon town have been given the green light following the withdrawal of an appeal to An Bord Pleanala. The plans by Roscommon Co-Operative Livestock Marts Ltd. have received the signal to go ahead following the withdrawal in recent weeks of an appeal against the proposed new mart at Emmoo, Kilteevan.

The plans were given the go ahead by Roscommon County Council in December 2008 but were subsequently appealed to An Bord Pleanala by Sean D. Brennan and his brothers David and Tony Brennan, who own property close to where the new mart will be built.

(Source: The Roscommon Herald)

SLIGO

The Office of Public Works and Bord Failte have been lashed by a local TD over what he said was the lack of cooperation he received in helping an Asian television crew visit the county's beauty spots. "It is time our tourist board and State agencies, such as the Office of Public Works, got real about promoting this region as a tourist destination and prove that they are not simply toothless quangos," said Deputy John Perry. The crew spent 21 days in Ireland during which it visited Sligo to film some of the best tourist attractions in the county. The Fine Gael TD claimed Fáilte Ireland North West "displayed little or no interest in getting involved." And, as an example of his alleged lack of cooperation, he said the film crew was unable to access Parke's Castle because the OPW would have had to receive proof of insurance as well as "signing all manner of disclaimers and indemnity forms."

(Source: The Sligo Champion)

TIPPERARY

A company based in Roscrea is hoping to buck the current recession with plans to create approximately 300 jobs in the homecare sector. FRS Homecare, which is based at Parkmore in the town, hopes to create 300 jobs over the next 18 months through the provision of respite care. The fledgling company, which provide care services in the home to the elderly, convalescents and people with disabilities, was only launched last year, but has expanded rapidly in the meantime and hopes to create numerous high quality posts in the nursing and homecare sector in the coming years.

(Source: The Tipperary Star)

TYRONE

Police are appealing for information after an attempt was made to rob a cash transit van in Coalisland on Thursday afternoon last. At midday, staff of the van reported that a number of masked and armed men approached the vehicle at Annagher Road. However, they did not gain access to the van. The previous night members of a family living nearby were held hostage by armed men who took their car. Police remained at the scene while investigations continued.

(Source: The Tyrone Times)

WATERFORD

Waterford city is now dying a slow death having squandered its future during the boom years.

Figures show a catastrophic slump in planning applications that will result in gaping holes in the city’s finances along with increased job losses and dereliction. The bleak picture emerged after the City Council revealed that the number of planning applications received had almost halved in the past two years. “It looks as though we will fall short of what we had predicted in the estimates. Not only are the number of applications down significantly but the scale of the developments are nothing like what we would have been seeing previously,” conceded John Andrews, Senior Planner, Water-ford City Council.

(Source: Waterford News & Star)

WESTMEATH

Westmeath County Council is making good progress with a plan drawn up last month, which see the local authority and its service providers through in the event of a local swine flu outbreak, an official said last week. The Westmeath Local Authorities' Business Continuity Plan for Pandemic Influenza, completed on July 24, was put together amid concerns that the swine flu pandemic would result in large numbers of Council staff being out of work at the same time. But Roibeard Ó Ceallaigh, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Services, reckons that barring a worse case scenario, members of the public will not notice any difference in service standards, even if Mullingar is hit hard by the H1N1 virus.

(Source: The Westmeath Examiner)

WEXFORD

Wexford TDs and Senators have claimed over €1 million between them in expenses and allowances on top of their salaries since the General Election two years ago. Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act last week show that Deputies Brendan Howlin (Lab), Paul Kehoe (FG), Michael D'Arcy Junior (FG), Sean Connick (FF) and John Browne (FF) collected a total of €807,541 since June 2007. Leas Cheann Comhairle Brendan Howlin, who receives a taxed allowance €97,000 for his position as vice-chairman of the Dail, claimed a total of €221,310 in the two-year period, the second highest amount in the country after the Ceann Comhairle John O Donoghue. Labor's Leas Cheann Comhairle Brendan Howlin has claimed €221,310 in expenses and allowances since the General Election in June 2007, the second highest amount in the country.

(Source: The Wexford People)

WICKLOW

While many are hailing the upgrade of sections of the N11 to motorway status, local farmers are furious now that agricultural machinery must take an alternative route. The changes which came into effect on August 28 means farm vehicles traveling under 50km/h must revert to going through town centers as they did in the past. Co. Wicklow IFA Chairman James Hill says the move in unacceptable and that local farmers are seeking an exemption to avoid blocking up main streets. Farmers in Co. Wicklow have been ignored by an arrogant National Roads Authority in relation to upgrades to the N11 dual carriageway which will see all agricultural machinery banned from it now it is a motorway. That's according to the chairperson of Co. Wicklow IFA James Hill who says the local farming community is less than impressed with the decision.

(Source: The Wicklow People)