ARMAGH

Three young brothers living in Northern Ireland may be sent back to their Eastern European homeland after their parents were convicted of a catalogue of abuse towards them. However, their baby sister — born just last year — may be returned to live with her cruel and brutal parents. The boys — who are currently living with a foster family — were taken into care in 2006, shortly after they arrived in Northern Ireland, after being found by the police in horrific condition.

(Source: The Belfast Telegraph)

CARLOW

Just three gardaí (Irish police) were on duty when a series of malicious blazes gutted landmark buildings in Carlow Saturday morning two weeks ago. A reliable source has revealed that when the first calls reporting the fires came through from members of the public to Carlow Garda Station at 4am on the Saturday morning, there were only three gardaí on duty at the time. Two of those were on duty in a squad car, leaving just one to man Carlow Garda Station, which is the largest in the county. The source also claimed there was no sergeant on duty on Wednesday night, Thursday night and Friday night.

(Source: The Carlow Nationalist)

CAVAN

Some 150 jobs are at risk in pharmacies around Cavan if the Department of Health does not row back on the 25 percent cut on a new payment scheme for pharmacists who dispense medicines to medical card holders and private patients whose medications are subsidized by the State. Pharmacists in Cavan have thrown down the gauntlet to the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, by threatening to stop dispensing drugs under State scheme from August 1.

(Source: The Anglo Celt)

CORK

A well-known business premises in Churchtown was raided by five Criminal Asset Bureau (CAB) officers at lunchtime last Monday as part of an investigation into a multi million euro tobacco smuggling scam. It is believed that the raid in Churchtown was focused on the financial aspect of an international tobacco smuggling operation and documentation was seized on the premises. In a coordinated series of swoops that stretched from England to Northern Ireland, to North Cork two men were arrested in Derry.

(Source: The Corkman)

DERRY

Despite bizarre weather conditions thousands of local people and migrants alike turned out to support Derry's Love Music Hate Racism festival last weekend. The two-day festival, held in the courtyard of the One World Centre, Commercial Buildings on Foyle Street, attracted an audience of all ages and all nationalities intent on spreading the message that the North West is a tolerant, friendly and, above all, safe place for people to live.

(Source: The Derry Journal)

 

DONEGAL

The investigation into the case of missing Castlederg teenager, Arlene Arkinson is back in the spotlight. Former Sinn Féin vice-president and West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty said the police must step up the investigation into the disappearance of a teenager who went missing from after attending a Bundoran nightclub 15 years ago. "There are huge questions yet to be answered by the (then) Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). This case was not given priority and was not given proper focus. The RUC have a case to answer” he said.

(Source: Donegal Democrat)

DOWN

The balmy sunshine of late has attracted record numbers of visitors to Newcastle - now officially Ireland’s best-kept town. With uncharacteristically good weather, the Resort Town has been busier than ever. Residents with a deep-seeded pride in the town and Down Council’s proactive approach to keeping the streets clean have been credited with scooping the competitive accolades of overall Best Kept Town winner and Best Kept Large Town. As the jewel in the crown of tourism in the district, Newcastle, with its spectacular views of the Mournes and lively after-dark entertainment scene, has long acted as a magnet for those seeking a break.

(Source: The Down Democrat)

DUBLIN

GPA Chief Dessie Farrell says that any plans to divide the €1m offered by Sports Minister Martin Cullen into smaller amounts across the entire inter-county playing body will not be accepted by the GPA as they attempt to break the current stalemate with the government. After fighting battles on two fronts, the Players Body are now faced with a rejected, significantly-reduced offer from Minister Cullen, and the GAA, who are refusing to budge from their position in relation to formal recognition for the GPA.

(Source: The Dublin People)

FERMANAGH

Michelle Gildernew has challenged police to "stop hiding behind statements" and tell her exactly why it took them 12 hours to respond to the burglary of a cash machine from a shop on the Clones Road in Newtownbutler in the early hours of Saturday morning two weeks ago. Whilst condemning the actions of the thieves, Gildernew, MP, expressed her frustration with the police response to the incident, particularly when there was a heavy police presence in the village at an Orange parade the previous evening.

(Source: The Fermanagh Herald)

GALWAY

Bank of Ireland is to appeal Galway City Council's decision to refuse planning permission for a redevelopment of their site in Eyre Square. The company had previously applied to the council for permission to conduct a number of revisions to the site, including reconfiguration of ground floor level comprising the demolition of existing ancillary areas to the rear of the building, minor internal alterations, and others.

(Source: Galway Independent)

KERRY

Drug gangs from Cork and Limerick have dramatically increased their presence in Kerry and are forcing debt ridden addicts to either work for them and smuggle drugs, or face brutal retribution. Tralee Circuit Criminal Court heard that a Killarney-based drug dealer, Robert Morley, had been forced into the trade after he became heavily indebted to a Cork based drug gang. 

(Source: The Kerryman)

KILDARE

At 106 years of age, Castledermot resident Statia Kealy is probably one of Ireland’s oldest living citizens. And yet, despite her wonderful age, Statia, who managed to stay single all her life, has no intention of giving up, and is still searching for that man of her dreams. Even as she happily poses for a photographer she jokingly says to him, “I hope you find me a man with that photo.” Looking remarkably well for a woman of her age, Statia puts her longevity down to the fact that she always kept her heart and has been content with what she had.

 (Source: The Kildare Nationalist)

KILKENNY

Forty jobs will be created in Kilkenny when Health Service Executive (HSE) debt collectors trying to recoup nearly €100 million in patient debts take up residence in a new collection office to be based in the city. The HSE will invest more than €2.5 million in the centralized income collection office in a bid to bring in some of the €90 million-plus it is owed by patients with private health insurance. The office is expected to create 40 jobs in Kilkenny, but it is not known whether these positions will be filled by existing HSE employees or out-sourced to a private company.

(Source: The Kilkenny People)

LAOIS

Union officials and management at Dawn Meats were at loggerheads last week over a redundancy package for Rathdowney workers that may end up in the Labor Court.

One hundred jobs at the Meadow Meats plant in Rathdowney are to be lost next month, as Dawn Meats has decided to amalgamate its boning operations with its plant in Grannagh in Waterford. All workers have been given the option of either redundancy packages or relocation to Waterford. SIPTU branch organizer Miriam Hamilton said agreement had been reached on the conditions of relocation, but they had failed to come to agreement for redundancy payment for workers who did not wish to move to Waterford.

(Source: The Laois Nationalist)

LEITRIM

Concerns have been raised about the future of farming in County Leitrim with falling farm incomes, rising costs and debt burdens and an aging farmer profile. That's the message coming from farming representatives in County Leitrim following the release of the Teagasc National Farm Survey 2008 last week. IFA Regional Development Officer Adrian Leddy, said the recent survey "showed very clearly how low incomes are in Co Leitrim, particularly in the drystock cattle and sheep sectors".

(Source: The Leitrim Observer)

LIMERICK

Nearly five kilos of cocaine valued at approximately €350,000 was seized during a garda (Irish police) raid in a new housing estate in Murroe last Tuesday night. One man was arrested following the raid. The find was the result of weeks of garda and drugs squad surveillance and house searches in the Murroe area led by Superintendant Tom Lundon, of Bruff Garda Division. "We estimate that the cocaine was valued at about €350,000, but we haven't done an analysis yet to determine its purity," Supt Lundon said. Gardai believe that the drugs were intended for distribution in Limerick city.

(Source: The Limerick Leader)

LONGFORD

Longford has the most efficient sewage treatment system in the country, according to an upbeat report released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A study of “Urban Waste Water Discharges in Ireland” between 2006 and 2007 found Longford County Council was the only local authority to have complied with the conditions of an EU urban waste water treatment directive.

(Source: The Longford Leader)

LOUTH

A Drogheda woman, who plotted the arson of her own home with her then boyfriend in Leeds 15 years ago, has been found dead in a house in the Yorkshire city. A man has been charged with her murder.Amanda Hartley (nee McKenna) was sentenced to five years in prison on manslaughter charges following the fire in 1994, which claimed the life of her 22month-old son, Jimmy Cunningham.

(Source: The Drogheda Independent)

MAYO

A 29-year-old man appeared at a special sitting of Castlebar District Court last Thursday charged with the murder of his mother. Seamus Marrinan of Blackfort, Castlebar appeared before Judge Mary Devins charged with the murder of his 61-year-old mother, Carmel Marrinan at their home in Blackfort, Castlebar.

(Source: The Mayo News)

MEATH

Trim is quickly gaining a reputation as the home of satire in Ireland following the huge success of the second Trim Swift Festival that took place in the town the weekend before last. Festival chairperson Barbara Nestor said she was delighted with the growth of the festival since last year and said that a lot more people had attended the free events and feedback to this year had been great. She added that a lot of people from Dublin had attended, showing that the festival is growing outside the local area and attracting people from outside the county.

(Source: The Meath Chronicle)

MONAGHAN

County Monaghan is set to get a huge funding boost of almost €140,000 from two major schemes. This news was revealed at a meeting of Monaghan County Council on Monday last, and welcomed by Mayor of Co Monaghan Heather Humphreys. Community Development Fund for 2009 is to benefit 63 applicants with a combined total of over €72,000. Funding to the value of €66,000 for a further ten projects will also increase under the Conservation Grants Scheme for protected structures. The grants will provide assistance to owners of protected historic buildings for the repair and conservation of their properties.

(Source: The Monaghan Post)

OFFALY

Leading contract sterilization provider, Isotron, has just completed its new electron beam sterilization facility in Tullamore. An Taoiseach Brian Cowen officially opened the new facility, which cost €8.5m, last Monday. Isotron, which began its Tullamore operation in 1994, sterilizes approximately 60 percent of all medical device products manufactured in Ireland, with the remaining 40 percent processed by companies in house or at offshore sterilization facilities. “Isotron started with 15 employees. Today, it employs 76 people in Tullamore and 11 in Westport; and the Tullamore site is positioned to be one of the world’s largest sterilization centers. As our only sterilization provider, Isotron is of key infrastructural importance in attracting Medical Technology companies to Ireland,” said Cowen.

(Source: The Offaly Independent)

ROSCOMMON

Planning permission was granted for 78 new dwellings and 26 other premises in County Roscommon in the first quarter of this year. Planning permission was also granted for 36 extensions and eight alteration projects, giving a total of 148. The new projects represent a total of 36,000 square meters. Nationally, planning permission was granted for 10,256 houses in the first quarter of 2009, compared to 13,301 in the first quarter of 2008, a decrease of 22.9 percent.

(Source: The Roscommon People)

SLIGO

In what has been described a "dire" financial situation, Sligo County Council is facing an overall budget deficit of €2 million this year. Concern has been expressed that this will lead to further job losses or the introduction of a short-time week for some workers, though officials have stressed that there are no immediate plans to do so, with a ' day to day review' taking place. The revelation came at last Monday's monthly meeting at County Hall, where it emerged that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has reduced further the Council's General Purpose Grant by €565,210, or 3.22 percent as a result of the recent Supplementary Budget.

(Source: The Sligo Champion)

TIPPERARY

In what has been described as an "economic tsunami", forty seven people have lost their jobs over the last six to eight months with South Tipperary County Council. The stark financial situation, which was outlined by County Manager, Ned O'Connor on Monday last, has led to savings of almost 5 million euro being required for the remainder of the year.

(Source: The Tipperary Star)

TYRONE

A local police chief has pledged to help Killen residents who wish to set up a community organization aimed at tackling anti-social behavior in the area. Dungannon based PSNI Inspector, Stephen Moneypenny, said he would be “more than happy” to meet with people living there and hear their concerns. Inspector Moneypenny was responding to a number of reports about criminal damage and burglary, among other incidents, which have been carried in this newspaper over recent months.

(Source: The Tyrone Times)

WATERFORD

Ownership of handguns by individuals is to be severely restricted and those already in possession of guns will have to reapply to keep their weapons thanks to Waterford’s Deputy John Deasy. The Criminal Justice Miscellaneous Bill, which is expected to be signed into law next week, will also mean that the ultimate discretion over licensing will lie with the Garda Commissioner and anyone maintaining their license will be required to become a member of a registered target shooting club.

(Source: Waterford News & Star)

WESTMEATH

As primary schools across the county break up for the summer holidays, Midlands Regional Director for Order of Malta Ireland, John Walsh, has called for families to make sure that all young people are made first aid aware, which he said could help to save lives. The call was made at the launch of the annual ‘Be First Aid Prepared – Accidents Happen’ campaign, which is run by leading first aid antiseptic, TCP in conjunction with Order of Malta Ireland. The campaign aims to encourage families to be prepared for accidents that may occur in and around the home and garden during the summer – statistically the time of year when most accidents will happen.

(Source: The Westmeath Independent)

WEXFORD

A second shotgun blast in the space of just a few days has sparked terror in a normally peaceful Wexford housing estate. Frightened residents say they have become too afraid to even let their children out to play, while local councilors has slammed the sinister development as 'potentially lethal wild west behavior'. Mount Prospect in Clonard, home to many young families, experienced its second shotgun incident around 11 p.m. last Wednesday night, less than a week after the front door of a house there was peppered with shot from a similar weapon.

(Source: The Wexford People)

WICKLOW

Wicklow Swimming Club's Around the Harbor race taking place on Tuesday evening last had an unwelcome visitor when proceedings were halted by a shark. Fortunately for the swimmers, the shark was a Basking Shark and not the blood thirsty variety associated with movies like 'Jaws.' The Basking Shark is the second largest living shark, after the Whale Shark. The race had to be delayed for 20 minutes until the shark swam off into the distance.

(Source: The Wicklow People)