The latest news from Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Laois, Louth, Longford, Offaly, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Westmeath, Fermanagh, Donegal, Antrim, Cavan, Tyrone, Down, Armagh, Derry, Cork, Kerry, Clare, Waterford, Tipperary, Limerick, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Sligo

Antrim

The BBC's Stephen Nolan has been accused of 'trampling over sensitive issues' in Antrim in the pursuit of ratings.
Following Antrim Guardian reports of unrest at Antrim Borough Council's new park in the Steeple estate, he invited local DUP and Sinn Fein reps to discuss the matter on air - and, predictably, the sparks flew.
Annemarie Logue told DUP man Brian Graham that the Council's decision to open parks in 'loyalist' areas in Ballycraigy and off Stiles Way had 'alienated' Catholic families - particularly after sectarian threats were made.

(Source:Antrim Guardian)

Armagh

Residents in Armagh city have said flash flooding in the area on Wednesday night was the worst seen there in recent years.The flooding began due to heavy rain at about 1700 BST. The water is believed to have now subsided but at its worst was between 1ft and 1ft 6ins deep. Sinn Fein councilor Noel Sheridan said shops and businesses in the Ogle Street and Railway Street areas were worst affected. He said that sandbags had been put in place as quickly as possible.

(Source:Antrim Guardian)

Carlow

The community of Ballinkillen has been left reeling in shock last week following the death of 28-year-old Brian Canavan.Brian from Ballinkillen, Bagenalstown died last Saturday morning, leaving behind his heartbroken parents Brendan and Mary, his brothers David and Ciaran and sisters Siobhan and Niamh.A very well-known and respected family in the community, Brian was the eldest in the Canavan family and lived at home. His death has been a tragic loss to his family and the wider community, where he was very highly thought of.
Many described Brian this week as “a wonderful young man” who was good natured, easy going and “never wanted to put anyone out”. A welder fabricator by profession, Brian did his apprenticeship in Milltown Engineering and was a very popular and well-liked employee there for a number of years.

(Source:Carlow Nationalist)

Cavan

Eirgrid intends to lodge fresh plans for its North/South interconnector development "as soon as they can", a spokesperson for the company told The Anglo-Celt last Tuesday. The comment comes following the collapse of the An Bord Pleanála oral hearings into the proposed development after it emerged that the plans lodged by the company did not tally with planning notices published as part of the public consultation process.
The planning notices said the maximum height of the pylons would be 37 meters. However, it emerged in evidence that some of them would be 44 meters tall.

(The Anglo Celt)

Clare

Commercial traffic movements through Shannon were 56.9% down in June, compared to the same month last year. While the other State airports, Cork and Dublin, also saw falls, these were far less serious than what was seen at Shannon.Last month, there were 1,088 commercial traffic movements at the Clare airport, compared to 2,525 in June 2009.For the first six months, the amount of commercial movements through the airport was 7,801, compared to 14,297 for the first half of 2009, meaning that the level of business is just 55% of what it was. The decline at Shannon has been particularly apparent since the Ryanair cutbacks but it is hoped that the new services being run by Aer Lingus and Aer Arann to Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester will go some way to reversing the slide.

(Source: The Clare Champion)

Cork

A travel agency trading as Foreign A Fares in Cork has closed with the loss of seven jobs.
Foreign A Fares had two outlets in Cork city and Carraigaline.The Commission for Aviation Regulation has confirmed the closure on its website, and is advising customers who have paid for holidays to check with the relevant airline, ferry company or travel provider to establish the status of their bookings. Customers who have paid deposits on holidays are advised to contact another Cork travel agency Lee Travel, who will manage their holiday plans from now on.

(Source:Irish Examiner)

Derry

There was shock locally at reports that two brothers at the centre of a sex abuse scandal in Fermanagh are being housed voluntarily in a Derry psychiatric unit.It was revealed last week that James and Owen-Roe McDermott had entered Gransha psychiatric unit in the Waterside on a voluntary basis.The move followed a public meeting in the Fermanagh village of Donagh, after which the Western Health Trust urged the brothers to admit themselves for treatment.

(Source:Derry Journal)


Donegal

Bundoran man, Monsignor Liam McDaid, who will be invested as the new Bishop of Clogher last Sunday, has urged young drivers to think of the safety of themselves and other road users when they take to the roads.
Monsignor McDaid said we also need to take a look at the whole culture of driving here, with a stronger emphasis on safety and the preciousness of life. His comments were made in the aftermath of last week's horrific road crash in Inishowen. "Accidents will happen but we should be doing our very best to prevent them," he said.

(Source:Donegal Democrat)

Down

Ireland had a great Day One in Helsinki at the European Junior Swimming Championships as fifteen year-old Portaferry's Sycerika McMahon finished sixth in the 400m Individual final. The county Down swimmer won in four minutes 51.03 seconds - a new personal best - and she also had a strong performance in the semi-final of the 200m butterfly, finishing in 2.18.88, to qualify for the final. Due to a clash with other events however, McMahon will not compete in the 200m butterfly final and will instead race in the 400m freestyle and 200m breaststroke.

(Source:RTE News)

Dublin

A man in his early 20s has been arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing in Co Dublin.
James Joyce, 20, was stabbed to death during a row on St Cronans Avenue in Swords at around 9pm. He lived nearby and had been socialising with friends in the estate at the time. The young man who was arrested presented himself at Swords garda station where he is now being held.

(Source:Irish Examiner)

Fermanagh

Police in the North investigating serial sex abuse allegations in Co Fermanagh are to question more suspects.
The investigation in Donagh, which has already seen four brothers face a litany of abuse charges going back over 30 years, has now been widened. It’s now emerged that two of the brothers – both of whom had returned to live in the village after being declared mentally unfit to stand trial – voluntarily checked themselves into a psychiatric unit in Derry. It’s understood police have received information raising concerns that others were involved in the abuse.

(Source:OceanFM.ie)

Galway

The organizers of the Galway Races Summer Festival are hopeful that attendances at this year’s flagship event will hold steady, with early bookings indicating around 170,000 punters could flock to Ballybrit this week.
Last year just over 140,000 people passed through the turnstiles over the seven days of the festival with a further 30,000 or more in the free and funfair area adjacent to the tunnel opposite the stand. And local businesses will be hoping the annual injection of an estimated €60 million or more into the local economy will hold this year as well. Galway Racecourse Manager, John Moloney, told the Galway City Tribune that bookings so far for this meeting, which starts on Monday, are “strong” and on a par with last year.

(Source:Galway City Tribune)

Kerry

A family is facing an anxious wait to learn if their seriously ill daughter has been accepted on to a potentially life-saving medical trial in the United States. Little Saoirse Heffernan (5) is recovering at home after undergoing a battery of tests in New York last month. She and her little brother Liam, who will turn two this week, are believed to be the only children in the State suffering from Late Infantile Batten Disease, a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder that usually claims the life of a sufferer before they reach the age of 10. There are only 16 places on the gene-vector-transfer trial which will be taking place at Weill Cornell Medical Centre in New York later this year. The Heffernans, from Castlemaine, Co Kerry, are due to learn next month whether or not Saoirse will be included. "We had a good response to the tests. The doctors are in contact with us around twice a week so we're taking that as a positive," Saoirse's father Tony said.

(Source:The Irish Independant)

Kildare

Gardai in Newbridge are investigating the death of a young man whose body was found in a house in the town early on Monday morning.The man, who was aged 21 and understood to have been Polish, may have been the victim of a violent attack.The gardaí were called to the house at Moorefield Park at 5.30am on Monday morning and it was subsequently confirmed that a suspicious death was being investigated.
The garda press off ice later issued a statement saying that the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body of a 21-year old man were being investigated. The brief statement added that the scene was being technically examined and the state pathologist had been called in.The man’s body is understood to have been removed from the house early on Monday afternoon

(Source:Kildare Nationalist)

Kilkenny

Eight members of the Iverk Show Committee traveled to Aras an Uachtaran, following an invitation from President McAleese, to her Garden Party on Saturday 10th July. The occasion was an experience to remember and enjoyed by all.On arrival at the Aras, President McAleese and Dr. Martin McAleese welcomed each one of the group and they were presented with a small historical framed history of the Iverk Show. Refreshments were then provided and this was followed by an hour’s entertainment, which was introduced by well known RTÉ commentator John Creedon. The artists included An Crannog Traditional Musicians; Jimmy McCarthy, Donal Lunny and Graham Henderson musicians; singers Dara McMahon and Gerry Noonan; opera singer Gabrielle Istoc from Romania and The Blanchardstown Steadfast Brass Band.

(Source:Kilkenny People)

Laois

The man who died following a road accident at Rosenallis on Wednesday, July 21 has been named as David Mullins of Bracklone Street, Portarlington.Gardai in Mountmellick are investigating the single vehicle fatal road traffic collision which occurred at Rosenallis between 4.00am and 5.30am on Wednesday morning – 21st July 2010. The driver was pronounced dead after the car, in which he was the sole occupant, collided with a ditch.
The road was closed off for a number of hours on Wedensday with diversions in place locally.

(Source:Leinster Express)

Leitrim

Although no brothels have been detected in county by the Gardai so far this year, the Leitrim Observer has been told "there are definitely brothels operating in Co Leitrim." Shocking figures emerged this week showing that more brothels have been detected in the first six months of 2010 than in each of the last four years.
The figures from the Gardai's PULSE system reveal that 28 brothels have been discovered up to the end of June. Two brothels were detected in Roscommon and another two busted in Longford since January 2010.

(Source:Leitrim Observer)

Limerick

Eight Limerick men have been sent forward for trial to a sitting of a Special Criminal Court. There was tight security at the courthouse on Merchants Quay, where the eight accused appeared before a special sitting of Limerick District Court last Friday morning. All eight were served books of evidence by Detective Sergeant Brian Sugrue of Henry Street Garda Station. The defendants - Ger Dundon, Jimmy Collins, Gareth Keogh Collins, Christopher McCormack, David McCormack, Christopher McCarthy, Michael Bridgeman, and Patrick Pickford - are charged with a variety of offences including demanding money with menaces and violent disorder.

(Source:Limerick Leader)

Longford

Longford town's local economy could lose over €2m over the course of the next 12 months as a result of the B3 Cable Solutions liquidation.Longford County Enterprise chief executive, Michael Nevin said the shedding of 106 jobs was a "major blow" not just to workers but to many other local suppliers and sub contractors. "It's a major blow to County Longford, there is no other way of looking at it," he conceded. "We are sending up some information to ex-workers this week to see if they have any business ideas. That is the only silver lining for us at the minute.

(Source:Longford Leader)

(Source:Irish Independent)

Mayo

It was a case of returning to his Erris roots for Castlerea native, Dr Keith Swanick when he and his wife, Aislinn moved to Belmullet three years ago to take over the medical practice in the town. Last Saturday afternoon, An Taoiseach Brian Cowen traveled to Belmullet to officially open the new Swanick Medical Practice which is located in the old D&S Plumbing store on Church Road in the town. The centre is equipped with a wide range of facilities including osteoporosis screening, physiotherapy, psychotherapy, chiropody, ultra sound screening and asthma and diabetes clinics. There are also plans to provide dental care and a pharmacy at the practice.
The move to Erris was not a move into the unknown for Dr Swanick whose mother, Maimie nee Leneghan came from Ballycroy and he also spent a few months as a pupil in Drumslide National School. Speaking to The Mayo News following the opening Dr Swanick said it was not a difficult decision to locate to Belmullet.

(Source:Mayo News)

Meath

The local economy in Athboy received a much-needed boost last week with the news that McElhinney's Fashions, the landmark store which closed in early June following liquidation, is to reopen on Monday.
The store is reopening under a under a new concession agreement that involves two of Ireland's most established fashion families, the Barrons, who run a number of well-known outlets nationally, and the Sweeneys, who run McElhinney's. Neal Sweeney, whose grandmother, Molly McElhinney, founded the business in 1937, said he was delighted to be able to do a deal with the liquidator which will enable to iconic store to reopen next week and will see all 56 staff members get their jobs back.

(Source:Meath Chronicle)

Offaly

Offaly County Council has been forced to apologize to hundreds of people after their ownership of a second home was made public. A number of well-known names were included in the list of 650 people, which was sent out by mistake via email. The people named were sent a reminder about the payment deadline for a 200 euro annual charge on non-principal private residences.The Data Protection Commission said it became aware of the error by Offaly County Council when it received a complaint from a recipient of the email on Friday. Gary Davis is Deputy Data Commissioner. He says the Local Authority was very quick to respond

(Source:Midlands FM)

Roscommon

Tens of thousands of people from across Ireland will be donning their wellie boots, wax coats and peak caps and flocking to Ballinlough Castle, Co. Westmeath at the end of the month to visit one of Ireland's biggest summer country related events. The Irish National Country Fair, which takes place on the 31st July & 1st August, is one of the largest game & country fairs in Ireland where all ages and backgrounds can take part in not only clay-pigeon shooting but archery, falconry, fishing, gundog, terrier and lurcher & equestrian events.
Along with these fantastic activities you can enjoy the horses and hounds and birds of prey shows, vintage tractors, gundog demonstrations, Cossack horsemanship and a breathtaking air display by Europe's top aerobatic team in their four Russian built Yak stunt planes.

(Source:Offaly Express)

Sligo

Proposals by a new Bord Snip type report to amalgamate certain local authorities has been described by a Sligo Councillor as the thin end of the wedge.Fine Gael Councillor Tony Mc Loughlin said the joining up of local authorities in Sligo and Leitrim is not feasible.Its one of a number of recommendations on local government reform outlined in this report unofficially named an Bord Snip Eile, aimed at saving the Government half a billion euro. It also suggests new tolls on national roads, and increased planning charges to raise money for councils.However, Cllr Mc Loughlin said these recommendations are a clear attempt to undermine local authorities

(Source:Ocean FM)

Tipperary

The green light has been given this week to a 1.2 million Euro Community Enterprise Centre in Thurles which is "guaranteed to create jobs', The Tipperary Star can reveal.The Thurles Community Enterprise Centre Ltd. - a project being driven forward by Thurles Chamber of Commerce through members Councillor Seamus Hanafin, Anne Fitzpatrick and John O'Shaughnessy - will be situated at the Tipperary Institute and will draw on supports offered by the TI and the Limerick Institute of Technology through synergies formulated as part of the move.
The centre was originally mooted for the Mill Road through an alliance with Thurles Town Council. However, following further discussions and meetings involving the three members and the Tipperary Institute, it was reconfigured to be included in the TI campus at the Racecourse Road. This opens up further business advice, mentoring and networking possibilities for those who chose to operate

(Source: Tipperary Star)

Tyrone

The only priest to be ordained this year in the diocese of Dublin is a former butcher from Dungannon.
Last Saturday Archbishop Diarmuid Martin ordained 45-year old Conleth Meehan, who used to work for Dungannon Meats.Conleth had been a student in St. Patrick’s College in Maynooth for the past six years. His parents Sean and Eileen, as well as his brother Terence and other family members, attended the ceremony in Dublin’s Pro-Cathedral.Fr Meehan was only the 10th man to be ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Diarmuid in the Pro Cathedral in the past four years. Speaking during the homily at the ordination, Archbishop Martin paid tribute to Conleth’s vocation.

(Source:Tyrone Times)

Waterford

Cork won the Munster Intermediate Hurling Championship for the second year in succession when they produced a superb performance to beat Waterford in a tight encounter in Dungarvan. Indiscipline cost the Cork defense dear in the first half as Waterford corner-forward Mark Gorman scored four points from frees.
Waterford started off the second half well and opened up a five-point lead. However, Cork, with Michael O'Sullivan and Mark Harrington to the fore, got back on level terms by the 57th minute. Points from Billy Cooper and John Halbert were enough to see the Rebels lift the cup.

(Source: RTE)

Westmeath

The jury in the Westmeath murder trial has begun its deliberations after listening to a four-day address by the judge about the evidence surrounding the death of Brian McGrath 23 years ago. Justice John Edwards began charging the eight men and three women on Monday morning in the final phase of the month-long trial at the Central Criminal Court. Vera McGrath (61) has pleaded not guilty to murdering her 43-year-old husband, Bernard McGrath, at their home in Lower Coole. Her co-accused and former son-in-law, Colin Pinder (47), of Liverpool, England, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to McGrath’s manslaughter between March 10th and April 18th, 1987. The chief prosecution witness in the trial is Mr and Ms McGrath’s daughter, Veronica McGrath, who was engaged to Pinder when her father was killed.

(Source: Irish Time)

Wexford

"Having played centre stage on football fields throughout the country and with Ireland's Compromise Rules team in Australia, Matty Forde was left counting the cost of a fruitless weekend ... Wexford's lone All Star footballer was left choking with embarrassment at Wexford Park on Saturday afternoon -- no, not Sunday and qualifier defeat to Cork."

"On Saturday...his club, Kilanerin, was playing Castletown in the All-County Premier football league final ... on approaching the gate to join up with his club colleagues ... Matty was refused entry by three gatemen. They demanded production of a pass ... County Secretary, Margaret Doyle rightly intervened, bringing an end to the saga which brought discredit on Wexford GAA."

(Source: Wexford People)

Wicklow

The green fields of Wicklow were transformed into ancient Britain as new TV series 'Camelot' came to Killruddery House and Gardens outside Bray. A contemporary retelling of the Arthurian legend, the 10-part series for US TV stars Jamie Campbell-Bowers as King Arthur and Joseph Fiennes in the role of sorcerer Merlin. Last week, the two stars were filmed galloping across the Irish countryside and later practiced their swordsmanship in a field near Killruddery House. However, with the house itself being from more modern times, film-makers created replica gates of a castle from which Arthur and Merlin could ride out on their horses amid the lush landscape. Another star of the new TV series, French actress Eva Green, last seen in James Bond movie 'Casino Royale', was spotted under a veil, playing Morgan, the evil half- sister of Arthur.

(Source: Irish Independent)