Antrim

An outraged Antrim Council has moved to ground controversial proposals which could potentially allow Belfast International Airport to take the wrecking ball to homes across the Borough.The airport already has the authority to veto new developments along its flight paths, but now it is seeking the green light to bolster those with powers to demolish properties, trees or indeed anything else within a huge 15km radius of Aldergrove.
(Source: Antrim Guardian)

Armagh

Two men have been jailed at Belfast Crown Court after taking part in a dissident republican gun smuggling plot.  44 year old Paul McCaugherty of Lurgan, County Armagh, was found guilty of attempting to smuggle weapons and explosives and was given 20 years. Dermot Declan Gregory, 42, of Crossmaglen, was sentenced to four years after being found guilty of making a Portuguese property available for the purpose of terrorism.

(Source:4rfv.co.uk)

Carlow

Despite these tough economic times, three local ladies are using their business acumen to stride ahead. Maria Byrne and Susan Alsybury from MarieSue Lingerie Boutique and Rita Tobin from web development company t2 were awarded top honors at the South East Female Excellence in Business Awards. Maria and Susan won the Excellence in Retailing award, while Rita scooped the Excellence in ICT award.
 (Source: The Carlow Nationalist)

Cavan

There was continued good news for the farming sector last week with word that Cavan Mart will re-open, as a subsidiary of Poles Co-op, on Friday, October 8. A spokesman for the mart confirmed the news last Monday, and said all commission is being reduced by half for the month of October. It is good news for farmers, and Poles is a long-standing (it has been trading since October 1909), sound business and farmers can be confident they will be paid. It is also good for Cavan town in general, something that Cavan Chamber president Pacelli Lynch confirmed.
(Source: The Angle Celt)

Clare

A 25 year-old East Clare man was fatally injured, shortly after 4pm last Thursday evening, when the van he was traveling in collided with a ditch at Traverston, Dolla, outside Nenagh. The man's body was taken to Limerick Regional Hospital where a post mortem examination was performed. A 36 year old man, who was driving the van, was injured in the collision. He was taken to Nenagh General Hospital, but his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.
(Source: The Clare People)

Cork

Gardai in Cobh are investigating a number of burglaries which took place last week, including a chemist shop in Carrignavar last Tuesday night. It is understood that the chemist was broken into at around 10.30pm, while another two homes were burgled last Monday. Last week, two houses were burgled in the School Road area at Farranastig, Whitechurch at around 4.55pm.
Source: (Cork Independent)

Derry

Former US President Bill Clinton has singled out the tourism industry as a key driver for Derry's economy.In his keynote address to more than 200 academics, students, business leaders and politicians, he hailed Derry's designation as UK City of Culture 2013 as "an enormous opportunity" not only for the city but the North in general.
(Source: Derry Journal)

Donegal

Shocking statistics confirming Donegal as a poverty black spot and "the most deprived county" in Ireland for the past 19 years were detailed at a seminar aimed at combating poverty and social exclusion in the county. Delegates at last Tuesday's seminar in Donegal Town heard that pro-rata Donegal has the highest level of unemployment, the lowest growth levels and has been the "most deprived county in the Irish State" continually since 1991.
(Source: Donegal Democrat)

Down

A mother-of-three from Co Down has hailed her toddler son a hero after his quick thinking saved the life of her six month old baby. Kim Winters, aged 26, from Moira, Co Down, was woken at 7am by her two-year-old son Aaron. She described how he called out: “Mummy, mummy, baby, mummy,” after his brother Samuel had changed position in his cot, trapping himself under the covers. “He was so tightly under them that he could not cry or move and I feared the worst as I untangled him,” said Ms Winters.
(Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Dublin

A violent passenger was arrested at Dublin Airport after he injured two staff members in the security screening area. The two Airport Search Unit (ASU) workers required medical attention after the abusive passenger tried to break through security last Wednesday morning. The male passenger, who was due to fly out to Warsaw later that morning, tried to force his way through the hand luggage checking area but he became extremely violent when he was stopped by workers.
(Source: The Evening Herald)

Fermanagh

A series of special walking routes within the forests of west Fermanagh have been launched.  The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, (DARD) Minister, Michelle Gildernew, said that her Forest Service has teamed up with Fermanagh District Council as the main partners in the development and operation of the Geopark, having been working together for the past two years in developing the new walks.
(Source:4ni.co.uk)

Galway

There has been a 70% surge in the incidents of possession of hard drugs in Galway City this year – and criminal Limerick gangs could be responsible. Members of the Galway City Joint Policing Committee last week expressed alarm in particular in relation to the amount of heroin being seized in the city in the first eight months of this year. In his report to the meeting, Galway Garda Division Chief Superintendent, Dónal Ó Cualáin, outlined that since January there have been 34 incidents of possession of drugs for sale or supply. This represents an increase of 70% on the same period last year.
(Source: GalwayBay Fm)

Kildare

A young man was lucky to escape with only minor injuries to his face after two men threw rocks at his car in Naas last weekend. The motorist was driving on the Caragh Road near Naas Leisure Centre when rocks were thrown at the car, smashing through the windscreen and side window. The incident occurred on Sunday 26 September at around 8pm.
 (Source: The Kildare Nationalist)

Kilkenny

Gardaí in Kilkenny investigating the false imprisonment of a bank official and his family and the attempted robbery of a financial institution in Kilkenny on the 3rd of November 2009 have arrested a male aged in his 30s and a female aged in her 20s. They were both arrested last Thursday in the Dublin area. The male is detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007, and the female under section 30 of the Offences against the State Act 1939, at Kilkenny Garda Station.
(Source: Kilkenny People)

Laois

Laois VEC are to install windows in the Old Technical School building, at a cost of €52,000, even though they will not be able to use the building for at least two years. But the decision, which appears to have been taken in part to improve the appearance of the building, was challenged at last week's monthly meeting of the VEC. Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald wanted to know why public money was being spent on a building that could not be used. "I hope every other VEC building in use has as good windows," said Cllr Fitzgerald.
(Source: Leinster Express)

Leitrim

Nine houses at Corryard, Drumshanbo were sold at less than half their original asking price last weekend. The detached 4 bedroom homes were sold by the bank for between €140,000 - €148,000 after the local developer went into receivership two months ago. The original price for the large houses was €320,000. Kelly Hamilton pictured with her daughter Naoise who were the first to buy one of of the houses at Corryard, Drumshanbo at an amazing reduction of over €200,000 on the original price. Kelly queued from 4:45 am last Friday morning but it paid off as it was first come first served.
(Source: Leitrim Observer)

Limerick

City manager Tom Mackey is to examine the possibility of introducing by-laws banning the clamping of vehicles anywhere within the city limits.Although Limerick City Council does not clamp vehicles illegally parked on public streets, the operators of a number of privately-owned car parks in the city do – charging motorists up to €120 to have their vehicle de-clamped. The issue of clamping has come to a head in recent months following the decision of the Market Trustees to engage the services of a clamping firm to enforce parking regulations at the Potato Market.

(Source: Limerick Leader)

Longford

An 11-year-old girl is in a stable condition in hospital after a gang of men set fire to a house in Longford town. It's understood up to four men targeted the house in Padraic Colum Heights during the early hours of last Friday morning, smashing windows and throwing a number of petrol bombs into the kitchen and dining area.
(Source: Longford Leader)

Louth

The students and staff of St Mary's National School in Knockbridge were left dumbstruck last Thursday when up to 200 bags of clothing that the children had collected to be recycled was stolen from the school grounds in broad daylight. The theft of the clothing is estimated to have cost the school around n800 with principal Brian McDonnell admitting that he was still finding the incident hard to fathom.
(Source: Dundalk Democrat)

Mayo

Three Mayo men were honored at the National Bravery Awards Ceremony at Leinster House last Wednesday. The Comhairle na Mire Gaile -  Deeds of Bravery -  State awards ceremony saw Ballina man David McGowan receive a silver medal award, while Castlebar native, Garda John O’Reilly was honored with a special certificate along with the late Enda Hughes also receiving a posthumous award.
(Source: The Mayo News)

Meath

Meath woman Ashling Smith has been shortlisted for the 2010 New Designer Fashion Grand Prix and will be heading for the finals in Tokyo in mid-October.  One of only 30 finalists selected from over 11,000 entries, this marks a huge breakthrough onto the international fashion scene for Ashling, who is currently working and teaching in the UK. Originally from Seymourstown
(Source: The Meath Chronicle)

Offaly

Protestors brought the centre of Tullamore to a standstill last Saturday morning in the latest of a series of marches against the decision of Offaly County Council to stand down three fire-stations in the county. Kilcormac, Daingean and Banagher fire-stations have all been stood down due to a shortfall of funds to address health and safety concerns in the stations and also due to issues over the manning levels in the stations.
(Source: Offaly Express)

Roscommon

A dark cloud continues to hang over Curraghboy last week following the tragic death of local farmer, Oliver Gacquinn, who died following a “freakish” accident in which he was stung by a swarm of wasps. The untimely death of the 47-yearold farmer and father of two last Wednesday has stunned and devastated the local community of Curraghboy.
(Source: The Roscommon Champion)

Sligo

Gardai  pulled the plug on a dance music festival to be held near Collooney last Saturday – after issuing a warning to organisers not to proceed. Gardaí made a direction under Section 12 of the 1997 Licensing (Combating Drug Abuse) Act on Thursday last and followed it up with another visit to the location at Annaghmore estate near the main Galway road outside Collooney last Friday morning, resulting in the organizers cancelling the event.

(Source: The Sligo Champion)

Tipperary

The third annual Thurles Halloween Arts Festival which will be officially launched this week will feature a host of international acts of great repute including the likes of the Hot House Flowers, The Four of Us, The Republic of Loose, Eleanor McEvoy and Roesy to name just a few, The Tipperary Star can reveal.
(Source: Tipperary Star)

Tyrone

The family of a Dungannon bookmaker robbed and shot dead while on his way to the Curragh 20 years ago has issued a new appeal for information. Dessie Fox was attacked on a road side in County Kildare on 30 September 1990. He was shot in the leg and bled to death.  The £20,000 he was carrying for his work as an on-course bookie was stolen. Seventeen people were arrested at the time but no-one was ever charged. Mr Fox was married with three daughters.
(Source: Belfast Telegraph)

Waterford

A swimmer escaped with his life last weekend thanks to the quick actions of the RNLI and the emergency services. The man was airlifted to Waterford Regional Hospital after he was rescued from the sea in Tramore last Sunday suffering from hypothermia. The RNLI in Tramore received a call from the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre in Dublin, who had a report of a man in difficulty 100m away from the Guillamene.
 (Source: Waterford News $ Star)

Westmeath

Sitting in his chair, a contented Matt Leonard ponders the question of the secret to his longevity after reaching the 101 year milestone at last weekend, surely making him one of Athlone's oldest citizens."I wouldn't be able to tell you. If I could, I'd be a great fella. I just keep plodding along," he laughs, before telling the Westmeath Independent that he has never had to call the doctor to his home of seven years, the Stella Maris Nursing Home in Baylough, for any kind of sickness, even though he got lots of colds as a young child.
(Source: Westmeath Independent)

Wexford

The son of the late Leo Carthy has called on his father's former political colleagues to honour his memory by securing the future of acute services at Wexford General Hospital, including its 24hour A&E department. Ger Carthy, speaking following the death of his father last weekend, said Leo would not have lived past his 80th birthday had it not been for the excellent care he received at Wexford General.
(Source: The Wexford People)

Wicklow

An anonymous donor has given a million euro to new hospice. Wicklow Hospice edged one step closer to reality after a mystery donor pledged €1m to the much-needed facility. The person responsible for the generous offer wishes to remain anonymous but their donation now means the hospice is already half way to being started.
(Source: The Wicklow People)