Antrim

Cocaine worth £40,000 has been found in a birthday card sent to Northern Ireland. The card, posted in South Africa, was intercepted by officers from the UK Border Agency in Belfast. The drug, which weighed 110 grams and had an estimated street value of up to £40,000 when cut with other substances, was on its way to an address in Glengormley. A 21-year-old woman was arrested last Thursday in Glengormley. She was later released on bail pending further inquiries.
(Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Armagh

Coroner John Leckey is seeking a reconstruction of the killing of two suspected republicans by police near Armagh almost 30 years ago.The coroner also wants a virtual recreation of the fatal shooting of a teenager at a hay shed in 1982. He told the Belfast inquest pre-hearing he had contacted firearms expert Dr Graham Renshaw about the matter. "Dr Renshaw would like to hear from those at first-hand and also from the members of the security forces," he said.
(Source: BBC News)

Carlow

Local man has been linked to the recent PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) sexist email scandal that has dominated national and international headlines. Twenty-five-year-old David McDonough, Tinryland, Carlow is one of the employees embroiled in the email row, which erupted last week when the email was leaked to the media. Photographs of 13 young women were circulated to male employees on 26 October 2010 rating them under the heading, “this would be my shortlist for the top 10”.
(Source: The Carlow Nationalist)

Cavan

Two Cavan men charged over separate explosives and ammunition finds following a garda surveillance operation in County Meath, were sentenced at Trim Circuit Court last week. Twenty-year-old Emmett Reilly of Drumbee, Kilnaleck was jailed for five years for the unlawful possession of 2.5kg of Semtex at Lloyd, Kells while his 33-year-old co-accused John Fallon of Dennbawn, Carrickaboy was sentenced to three and a half years for possessing 500 rounds of ammunition.
(Source: The Angle Celt)

Clare

The life and times of 106-year-old Paddy Gleeson were remembered in a simple funeral service before he was laid to rest in his native East Clare last week. Paddy, who was Ireland’s oldest man, passed away peacefully at Raheen Community Hospital last Saturday night. A lifelong teetotaller and bachelor, his mother died almost 100 years before him. Along with his two brothers, his father emigrated to the United States in 1916, and Paddy never saw him again.
Source: The Clare People)

Cork

A total of 58 Cork charities have received over 18 tonnes of cheese last week as the Government’s free cheese scheme is rolled out around the country. In Cork, the voluntary organisations collected the cheese at Orchard Warehousing, Cobh Cross and Colso Enterprises, Togher. The President of Saint Vincent de Paul in Cork, Brendan Dempsey, said there is much demand in Cork for the free cheese, saying he already has a list of around 65 to 70 people that are looking for it.
Source: (Cork Independent)

Derry

An orthopaedic surgeon - who spent 26-years at Altnagelvin trying to save the lives and limbs of those caught up in carnage on our roads - has called for a 30 miles per hour speed limit on a dangerous stretch near Eglinton. Dr. David St. C. Baird contacted the Sentinel after witnessing a road traffic accident in which several people were injured on the Carmoney Road on the outskirts of Londonderry. He believes it's only a matter of time before someone else is killed on the road which has been the scene of a number of fatalities over recent years. Dr Baird said a combination of speeding, recklessness and a cavalier attitude towards the highway code amongst some drivers, was a recipe for disaster.
(Source: Lononderry Sentinel)

Donegal

Pearse Doherty looks set to take the vacant Dáil seat in Donegal South-West on the back of a collapse in Fianna Fáíl support, according to an opinion poll on this week's by-election. The Sinn Féin senator, whose legal action forced the by-election, is on course for a resounding victory which would see him take 40 per cent of first preference votes according to the Paddy Power/RED C by-election poll. Brian Ó Domhnaill takes 19 per cent in the poll but poor second preference transfers suggest the Fianna Fáil candidate is unlikely to trouble his main rival for the seat.
(Source: Donegal Democrat)

Down

Two men appeared before a special district court sitting last week charged in connection with the attempted robbery of an ATM machine.Christopher Murney (24) and Thomas Wilson (29) appeared before Judge James O'Connor charged with stealing an ATM from the front wall of the bank on Main Street, Castleisland, Co Kerry. Mr Murney, of Chapel Hill Road, Mayobridge, Co Down, and Mr Wilson, of Sea Patrick Villas, Banbridge, were both unemployed and in receipt of £50 (€59) unemployment benefit per week.
(Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Dublin

Passengers have passed through Dublin Airport's Terminal 2 as the new 600 million euro project was officially opened. Aer Lingus operated the inaugural flight from Manchester as Taoiseach Brian Cowen formally unveiled the new three-storey facility. Construction on the new building began in October 2007 and, at its peak, employed up to 2,600 workers on site, with 1,000 new jobs created with the building's opening.
(Source: The Herald)

Fermanagh

The funeral of a woman who died after both she and her husband were overcome by fumes in their Fermanagh home is to be held later. Killian Scallon, who was in his 50s, was found dead at a house at Kesh Road, Irvinestown, on 10 November. His wife, Pauline, also in her 50s, was left critically ill and transferred to hospital. She died at 0330 BST last Tuesday.
(Source: Belfast Newsletter)

Galway

Almost 60 locations across Galway city and county are to be targeted by mobile speed vans in an effort to detect motorists who exceed the speed limit. It is part of an initiative by the Government to reduce the number of fatalities on the county’s roads and came into effect on Monday night last.
(Source: GalwayBay Fm)

Kildare

A shopkeeper was stabbed during the robbery of a Chinese restaurant in Castledermot last Sunday, the fourth such knife point raid in South Kildare in ten days. Despite the alarming increase in such raids, the superintendent covering the Athy and Castledermot areas says that rates of robbery in the area are down. Superintendent Pat Kavanagh told the Kildare Nationalist that he is very hopeful that there will be a successful outcome to ongoing investigations.
(Source: The Kildare Nationalist)

Kilkenny

The "wait to skate" is over. The organizers, Kilkenny on Ice, bring the newest, and most exciting festive event for all the family! Located at Cillin Hill, Kilkenny, the group have erected a fully self contained Marquee housing a 600m2 Ice Rink, that's a Rink 20mtrs x 30mtrs of REAL ICE! No synthetic ice here, it's all the real deal. The event, "Kilkenny On Ice" will run from December 3 to January 9.
(Source: Kilkenny People)

Laois

Widespread sadness has greeted the death of Ray Sheeran, who passed away on Sunday, November 14 in San Francisco. The 54-year old Coolrain native died peacefully in the loving care of his family and friends in Cazadero, California following a courageous eight month battle with melanoma. His sporting prowess at home was well established in the early eighties, when he won many medals and trophies with his local hurling club, Camross and the county team.
(Source: Leinster Express)

Leitrim

Tesco Ireland Limited has re-applied to Leitrim County Council for planning permission for development at a site c.0.89 hectares, at the junction of Clooneen Park, New Line, Manorhamilton. The development will consist of the construction of a single level retail store with a gross floor area of c.1,534 sq m selling mainly convenience and some comparison goods.
(Source: Leitrim Observer)

Limerick

Convicted criminal Wayne Dundon has failed to appear before Limerick Circuit Court over a claim for compensation, after breaking his thumb in a car crash – which he is accused of staging. The defendants in the civil case, Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland, contend that the crash was not an accident, but was staged by Dundon and two of his associates who were back-seat passengers in the taxi.
(Source: Limerick Leader)

Longford

The announcement by Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith that the Government would be distributing free cheese may have caused much mirth in some quarters but in Granard it has been no laughing matter. Lus na Greine Family Resource Centre has given out 24 cases of free cheese to local people and staff at the centre have lodged a further application for a third delivery, which they hope will arrive in time for the hectic Christmas season.
(Source: Longford Leader)

Louth

Senator Mark Dearey has questioned Sinn Fein's decision to go down the "celebrity candidate route" after they revealed that party president Gerry Adams would run for a seat in Louth in the next General Election. The local publican, who will represent the Green Party in the next General Election, described Sinn Fein's move as a "gimmick" and questioned what Mr Adams had to offer for this constituency.
(Source: Dundalk Democrat)

Mayo

A former employee of Mayo County Council was brought before Castlebar District Court where he was charged with allegedly defrauding the Council of approximately €63,000. Tom Gilboy of Mount Gregory, Castlebar was arrested at 8.30am last Wednesday by Detective Garda Edward McLoughlin and brought to Castlebar Garda Station where he was charged with 117 counts of theft and fraud charges.
(Source: The Mayo News)

Meath

The opening of the long-awaited Tayto Park outside Ashbourne this week will see the creation of 85 jobs and a major spin-off for the local economy amid predictions that it will attract 200,000 visitors each year. The €8.5 million investment by Ashbourne businessman, Ray Coyle, owner of nearby Largo Foods, is being seen as a major boost to the local economy.
(Source: The Meath Chronicle)

Offaly

Offaly County Council is to write to NAMA to find out how many of Offaly's 182 unfinished houses in estates it owns. The issue was raised by Cllr Tommy McKeigue at the last meeting of Offaly County Council, where a presentation on developments in the county was given. "We need to find out who owns these estates. Very little would finish some of them off," said Cllr McKeigue
(Source: Offaly Express)

Roscommon

Election candidates in last year’s local elections have declared expenses of almost €150,000 in their bid to secure one of 26 seats on Roscommon County Council, the Roscommon Herald can reveal. The 40-plus candidates to contest the 2009 local elections spent more than €147,000 on their election campaigns, according to figures published by the council.
(Source: The Roscommon Herald)

Sligo

Heartless thieves stole at least €1,200 and a Ranger Rover from, a home in Skreen last week.The thieves used sophisticated glass-cutting equipment to remove the back window from the home of a man who was due to have a hospital appointment a few hours later. They then stole an estimated €500 from a safe in the house and took the keys of a black Range Rover which was parked outside the house.
(Source: The Sligo Weekender)

Tipperary

Eggs and cheese were the choice of missiles as Health Minister Mary Harney visited Nenagh hospital to officially open a new endoscopy unit last Friday week. A group of approximately 30 Sinn Fein supporters protested at the gates of the hospital in a protest organized by the SF Mayor of Nenagh, Seamus Morris. Protesters shouted "bloody Mary" and "you've got blood on your hands" as the Minister got out of her car at the hospital's front door.
(Source: Tipperary Star)

Tyrone

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has defended the decision to prosecute a woman accused of stealing a £1.79 child's dummy. Barbora Batykova, 26, of Chapel Street, Cookstown, was cleared of theft at Dungannon Crown Court on Wednesday last. The PPS decision to proceed with the case had been described as "outrageous". But PPS Acting Deputy Director Raymond Kitson said it was "properly taken and correct".
(Source: BBC News)

Waterford

A partnership agreement between Mercyhurst College in Pennsylvania and Waterford Co. Council, which includes the setting up of a campus in Dungarvan, was welcomed unanimously by members of the local authority last week. For over 20 years Dungarvan and Mercyhurst college in Erie, Pennsylvania, have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship that was strengthened in 2007 with twinning of Eerie and Dungarvan.
(Source: Waterford News $ Star)

Westmeath

A local building company held a protest outside a garage last Monday morning, in relation to money which the company said was not paid for the construction of the garage in Monksland. Workers from Ollie Kenny Construction Ltd staged the protest outside Athlone Nissan, where a container and truck were used to block the entrance to the garage and signs stating ‘Construction of this garage C&R not paid for’ and ‘Do not enter.
(Source: Westmeath Independent)

Wexford

A file is being sent to the DPP after Gardaí apprehended seven teenagers suspected of causing over €13,000 worth of damage to nine cars in Ballycogley in the early hours of Sunday morning last.Gardaí were called when the teenagers, aged between 17 and 19, were seen acting suspiciously outside the Halfway House at 3a.m
(Source: Wexford Echo)

Wicklow

A Wicklow businessman has been convicted at the Central Criminal Court of raping and indecently assaulting a schoolgirl 30 years ago.The 58-year-old accused had pleaded not guilty to 18 rape charges and 19 indecent assault charges from January 1979 to June 1983 at various Wicklow locations when the girl was aged between 12 and 17-years-old.
(Source: Irish Examiner)